Chapter Eleven

Whoever said money couldn't buy happiness had clearly never sat in the padded seats of a brand-new Lamborghini.

There wasn't a cloud in the west coast sky, nor any pending natural disaster, so graduation day arrived right on schedule. As had Cee's parents, pulling into the driveway with an hour to spare, and their shiny graduation gift for their daughter, no doubt courtesy of her mom.

Mrs. Morrison insisted on pictures, lining us up in front of the manicured shrubbery for various poses with our caps and gowns. The red and white wasn't the most flattering combination, but Cee had bejeweled her cap with colorful rhinestones and the edges with red and white feathers- as any fashion major should. She'd even taken the liberty of decorating mine, painting the fabric with colors of the ocean and a familiar looking fish tail. A last-minute addition, no doubt.

Kai had finally caved and let Cee see his other form after listening to her complain for hours about how she'd never seen the mer part of the man. We sat by the poolside while he indulged her questions, but I didn't join him in the water. My skin had felt itchy and raw lately, and adding salt water to the mix only made it worse. I reminded myself to book an appointment with a dermatologist. With my luck, I'd be banned from any water activities for at least a month.

In contrast to Mrs. Morrison's beaming smile as we snapped pictures with a bottle of popped champagne, Mr. Morrison looked utterly disgruntled by the whole event. He was probably still mourning the loss of his expensive suits from Cee's vengeance and fabric scissors.

I leaned towards her to ask that very question as Cee's mom called for a break to get glasses for the champagne. "Is he still mad?"

She nodded, keeping her grin in place though it tightened ever so slightly, "I haven't told them about my deal with Thorpe, I have a feeling he'll be decidedly less happy when he realizes all of his plans for my future have officially gone to shit."

"Who wants champagne?" Mrs. Morrison called, emerging with a waiter carrying a silver tray. She turned to Kai. "I'm sorry, what was your name again?"

He looked amazingly human slouching by my car, hands slung into the pocket of his suit pants.

"Mom, that's Maren's boyfriend!" Cee called like it was blatantly obvious. I elbowed her. "Ouch," she winced, rubbing at the spot. "Well he can't exactly be my cousin when they're around." she grumbled.

"Kai Morrison," he said, extending a hand towards Cee's mom in a perfectly normal greeting.

"Oh shit, maybe he can," Cee whispered.

"Very nice to meet you Kai. What a fun coincidence! Maybe we share a common ancestor," She turned to me, "How did you two—"

"Mom," Cee interrupted, blessedly turning the conversation. "We're gonna be late."

"You're right, you're right," she said waving a hand to the butler, "Pass the rest amongst the staff. There will be plenty to enjoy later."

The heart that had jumped to my throat began to settle once more. Kai walked over as Cee's parents went to the garage to get a car ready. So much for taking the lambo.

"I should've given you the update last night," Cee apologized. "Just stick to Kai when you're introducing yourself now. Unless you want to go by your real name…"

Kai smirked. "You wish."

She shrugged, "Worth a shot," She'd been trying to pry his real name from him to no avail. She probably wouldn't understand it anyways. I'd only heard him speak his language a handful of times.

One I"d thought I heard it, back when he"d been strapped to that table, but it must"ve been a mistake. "It"s the language of the sea," he'd told Cee when she tried to coax him into a linguistics lesson, "It"s not meant for human ears." I"d agreed, but would be lying if I said I wasn't curious as well.

"More like a pathetic attempt." I was pulled out of my memories as the two continued to bicker.

"Oh really? Like your epic fails at Mario Kart?"

"You purposefully hindered my vehicle with that banana peel!" he accused.

"And you fell for it like a complete sucker. But ‘A' for effort."

I smiled as I watched the two of them argue like true cousin"s, like Cee and I had done on many occasions. He fit in so perfectly with our little family, it was hard to believe he'd only been here a few weeks. I knew whenever he returned to the surface, the first thing he'd do would be challenge Cee to a rematch.

If he returns at all.

The morbid thought erased the warm fuzzy feelings, images flashing in my mind of the last few days I'd caught him staring out at the ocean with an almost painful expression that he tried to mask when he caught me looking. "Just thinking," he'd said each time, but the ache in his eyes and the way he rubbed at his chest told a different story.

I tried to temper the emotion with rationalization. I'd known our time was limited since I pulled him out of the tank. That didn't mean he couldn't come back to visit one day, if I was still here. I planned to stay for a while after graduation, make up for missed time with Becca and Dad, and take Juno up on his job offer. Cee would either be here or in the city working on her designs, possibly with Allie in tow. She told me I was more than welcome to come with them, but would Kai know where to find me if I left? Or what about when I was an old, decrepit crone, and he still looked like he'd just walked off the cover of GQ magazine?

"Are you alright?" Kai touched my shoulder, snapping me out of my spiral.

"Y-yea," The simple act of his fingers brushing the bare skin where my unzipped gown had slipped below my shoulders was electrifying. I was surprised that literal sparks hadn't snapped from his fingers. I was sure they were in my eyes as they looked up and down his body, admiring the suit that Cee had found secondhand. I wasn't sure if the pants were tight because they were someone else"s, or if something was straining against the fabric, but I'd be willing to find out.

Through some convoluted mix of my fear of intimacy and his magical self-restraint, we hadn't had sex yet. But that didn't stop us from rounding some very erotic and highly creative second bases. He knew exactly when to give and when to hold back, keeping me from the highest point of pleasure until I was so wound up I could have exploded with a single breath. His exploits into fresh water had also opened up my imagination to some very kinky bathroom escapades. He could hold his breath for a long time without gills, which he proved in his bathtub several nights ago, on the rare occasion we had the house to ourselves. I'd lost count of the exact minutes in the haze of what he'd been doing, but it was long enough that the message had been thoroughly received.

No one I had ever been with, short or long term, had treated me so reverently, like I was precious to them, and the post-lover care was doing serious damage to my cardiovascular system. He didn't expect anything more or less than what I wanted, he'd made that abundantly clear. But while I was grateful he wasn't pushing, I felt like I needed that nudge, or I'd never make it over the edge.

"What are we doing again?"

"Graduation ceremony," I said. "To celebrate the students who completed the work to earn their degrees."

"Right," he nodded his understanding. "That's why Cee dragged us all over the state to photograph her designs."

I laughed. "She would have done that regardless."

"And it's why you were in that place." Kai continued.

I swallowed thickly. We hadn't spoken much about his time in the lab since our night in the pool. It was an understandably sensitive topic, but there was something he had to know.

"They will be there today," I whispered. "Dennis and Marcus. I'm sure Reinhardt will make an appearance, maybe Hughes too. If you'd rather skip out on this, you can always wait here, or at my house."

He frowned thoughtfully. "Are you worried about them recognizing me?"

I shook my head. "I just want you to feel comfortable."

He absently trailed a finger down my arm, lifting my hand in his. He traced the sensitive skin of my palm, making me shiver from the pleasant sensation.

"I do not fear them, nor that place. I am…" he paused, testing the next word on his tongue. "I am grateful."

I cocked my head to the side, pursing my lips. Had he knocked a few screws loose that I wasn't aware of? He was grateful that he almost died?

I was going to ask, but he turned the conversation in a completely different direction. "My new knowledge is sure to fascinate the fry."

"As in, young mer-people?" I clarified.

He nodded. "Others who have ventured to the surface always returned with the best stories. It…well it piqued my interest, and I wanted to know more."

"Holy shit, you really are just like Ariel." I teased.

Kai rolled his eyes, "It is completely preposterous that any self-respecting mermaid would trade her only means of communication for stilts with feet on the off chance of seducing a clueless prince."

"I wouldn't make fun of your legs, there are men that would kill for a pair like them."

"And even more women who would kill to be pinned down by them," Cee interjected, popping up from behind my shoulder so silently I clutched my heart before it lunged out of my chest. At this rate, I was going to have my first heart attack before I hit thirty. "If you two are done shamelessly flirting, I suggest we diffuse the sexual tension and get going before we miss the ceremony. I already texted Allie and Sean, they'll meet us there. Oh, Maren, there's another surprise for you as well."

I followed her reluctantly to the car, thinking I already had enough surprises to last a lifetime.

The ceremony was a blur of red and white, clapping and congratulations, relatives in the stand screaming as their children accepted their diplomas. As I lined up behind my peers, I felt a pang of sadness as I looked over the crowd. Dad would have never been able to handle a crowd this big, he was a hermit even on his better days. Becca said she was staying behind as well, even though he had been doing a lot better recently, she didn't want to tempt fate. I understood, but that didn't stop me from wishing they could be here.

But Cee and Allie were, cheering in voices so absurdly loud that one of them must've had a bullhorn, screaming my name and various bouts of congratulations. I turned to where they were seated, Cee's diploma already in hand from taking the stage with the fashion majors earlier. They were waving frantically, and sure enough, there was Cee with the bullhorn. But they were pointing at something, someone, a few rows behind them. A few someone's actually. There was Kai, shaking his head and smiling ruefully at Cee, and beside him…

I was going to ruin the mascara Cee had painstakingly applied.

She passed the bullhorn to Becca, who cried my name through it as the boy behind me subtly nudged me up the stairs to the stage. I wouldn't have been able to move otherwise.

Not as I saw Dad there, clapping enthusiastically, pride shining in his eyes.

They'd made it after all.

A hand gently clasped my elbow, and Juno smiled down at me. "You're going to miss your cue," he reminded me.

"They came," I choked out and Juno followed my gaze. I could've sworn they widened slightly when he saw Becca, looking radiant in a pretty sundress, her hair loose and flowing. Was that a blush staining his cheeks or a flush from the heat? It was gone a second later, and he smiled at me, leading me across the stage where I shook hands with him and the director of my department, the latter handing me the piece of paper that was the result of years of grueling work.

"Congratulations Maren," Dr. Troscotto said. "I expect to hear great things from you very soon."

I found another surprise waiting at the bottom of the steps, one far less pleasant. A line of professors stood clapping for the line of graduates, among them was Doctor Hughes, and Doctor Reinhardt beside him. We hadn't spoken since the day Daisy was released, but the closer I'd grown to Kai, the less thrilled I'd been about seeing the man who had captured and tortured him.

I tried to get away with a brittle smile and a nod, but Reinhardt clasped my diploma-less hand in his, shaking it vigorously.

"Well done, Miss Saunders," he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling in a way that decidedly gave me the creeps. I wondered what was researching now that his ‘grand scientific discovery' had vanished.

In reality, he was only a few feet away, and knowing that didn't give me the usual comfort I felt when he was near. Kai assured me that he would be fine and would refrain from using any of his powers besides his glamour, but I couldn't help but notice his fists clench as he watched our exchange, and I removed my hand from Reinhardt's after a final bout of good wishes with a nod and a stiff smile.

Marcus appeared from the sea of white and red, "You've probably heard it a thousand times in the last five minutes, so I'll just say I hope you're relieved to be done." he said as a greeting.

My smile was genuine this time as I nudged his shoulder. "Ditto. How's Jenny?"

"She's doing great. We're heading to Orlando next few week, my graduation gift to her."

"What a lucky girl." I teased.

He rubbed the back of his neck, "She's still upset about missing the excitement, but I'm glad she got out before things went to shit. A part of me feels like the end there was kind of a cop out, even if it was fucking terrifying."

"Hey, we put in a good amount of hard work," I argued "It's about time we moved onto something that actually pays us, right?"

He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "I still can't believe we got to study a mythological creature, and all we have to show for it are a couple of credits. Do you think he went back to the ocean?"

"It's where I would've gone," I said vaguely, my thoughts centering back on Kai's inevitable departure. I patted his shoulder, "Take care of yourself in the ‘real world'."

"Ditto." he parroted.

I wandered over to Cee and Allie, watching her brother Sean take the poster the siblings had been holding for Cee so she could sling her arm over her girlfriend's shoulders.

"Did I tell you how proud I am of you?" Allie said.

"Only about a thousand times," Cee rolled her eyes, but she was smiling when she leaned in and whispered. "And I'd love to hear it a thousand more." Allie blushed, but leaned in as Cee bent to kiss her.

"Maree," I heard, knowing who it was before I even turned around. Dennis wandered up, robes pushed back, hands slung in the pockets of his slacks.

He looked like crap, and that was putting it lightly. Dark circles lined his eyes like bruises, and a heavy weight slumped his shoulders towards the earth. I'd heard them call his name. No honors or extra tassels, just another face in the crowd. That would have enraged his parents; they expected nothing but the best from their golden boy.

"Dennis," I tossed over my shoulder, keeping my body turned from his to show I wasn't in the mood to be approached.

"I saw you talking to Reinhardt," he said, "Did he say anything about 275?"

Typical. He'd only come over to see if he could curry favor with the deranged doctor through me.

"He didn't." I replied flatly.

"Oh. Well did he say if he was looking for help on his next project?"

"If you're that desperate, why don't you ask him yourself?" He had a master's degree now and still couldn't fight his own battles.

A shadow fell over his face, just as a literal shadow fell across mine on the field. "Good seeing you." he muttered tersely, all but stomping away.

Cee and Allie had finally meandered over. Cee frowned, noticing Dennis' retreating form. "What barnacled crustacean crawled up his ass?" Then she looked up at the form casting the shadow "Oh, the insanely hot kind."

I flushed as Kai stepped around, throwing a casual arm over my shoulder that was the clearest form of ‘marking territory' I'd ever seen. But it also meant I was pressed against him, so I wasn't complaining.

I watched as Dennis' parents approached their son, dressed to the nines, staring over the crowds with a bigger ‘holier-than-thou' attitude than even Mr. Morrison could exude. I couldn't hear what was said, but I saw Dennis deflate with each word, like he was wishing the ground would open up and swallow him whole. "I almost feel sorry for him. He never thought he was good enough."

"He's definitely not good enough for you." Cee agreed.

Kai was looking at Dennis as well, like he was two seconds away from making good on his promise to drown him.

But then Becca was there, and Dad, and Kai released me long enough for them to sweep me into a hug.

"We're so proud of you Maren!" Becca cheered.

"Well done, Starfish." Dad whispered, "You"re ready to bring humans back to nature again

I squeezed them both tightly, amazed at the changes a few weeks had made. Whether it was Kai, the medication, or a combination of both, this was the closest I'd been to him in years.

Something caught Becca's attention out of the corner of her eye, and she did a double take before smoothing the lines of her dress. "Excuse me for a moment," she said. She didn't try to hide the beeline she made to my smiling professor in whimsically nautical socks. As they walked away together, I shared a look with Cee and Dad, and we all burst out laughing.

"Well, I wasn't expecting that!" Cee said.

"Because you majored in fashion, not matchmaking."

"At this point I've got enough credits to qualify for a double."

"Too late now that they've printed the paper." Dad noted.

Cee shrugged. "I'm sure they'll print me a new one. When did that happen anyways?" she pointed at my aunt and Juno talking shyly with one another.

I shrugged, "I'd say the day she picked up the boat keys for me."

"Is that so?" Dad asked, straightening his tie with a wink at us, "Well then I should go introduce myself. Share some good childhood tales about Rebecca."

"You're horrible!" I chided.

"She's my baby sister, it's my job."

Despite his good mood, I still hesitated to let him go alone. Kai stepped up to us, "I'd love to hear them as well."

I could've kissed him right there. Instead, I nodded my gratitude as he walked off with Dad. I turned to the others only when they were safely with Becca and Juno, and Kai began walking back to us. "So, where are we celebrating tonight?"

"Where else? I told Johnny to reserve us his best booth. We're gonna drink until there's no more rum on that pirate's ship! We've got two things to celebrate tonight!"

"And what might those be?" Mrs. Morrison asked. I wasn't sure where they had gone for the ceremony, but they hadn't sat with Sean and Allie. She leaned over to kiss Cee on the cheek. "Well done, dear."

"Graduating of course," Cee embraced her mother, who didn't step fully out of her husband's shadow. "And the start of my new line."

"You finished it?" her mother gasped. "When?"

"Finished, shot, and sold it while you were away," Cee said. "Not bad for a not quite twenty-five-year-old."

Her father gave a weary sigh. "I thought this day would signify the end of your childish fantasies."

The atmosphere around us dropped and my jaw tightened. He seriously couldn't let Cee have this one day?

"I see weeks abroad still hasn't loosened the stick up your ass." Cee ground out between clenched teeth.

"I am your father, Celia." he snapped, his voice like a whip. "You will show me respect."

"Why should I?" Her voice was rising with each word. "You've never given me a shred of yours! This is what I want to do with my life, it's what I'm good at! Why can't you support me for once in your life?!"

Her lower lip wobbled as silence stretched, his impassive stare saying it all. I opened my mouth, but then Allie was there, touching Cee's arm gently and glaring at her dad. She didn't come close to matching him in height, and her voice was soft, but firm. "Mr. Morrison, your daughter is a visionary. All she wants is the chance to follow her dreams."

His leveling stare cut like glass, "I value your opinion even less than hers. She has not been the daughter I've known since meeting you."

Allie flinched, shrinking back.

"Leave her out of this," Cee snarled. "I haven't been the precious little girl you could pawn off for a long time. Unlike you, she actually believes in me, and I love her."

"She cannot provide you the same opportunities—"

"Neither can you! I've been independent since I was sixteen! I don't need you, your cars, or your status!" She pulled the key ring from her pocket, throwing it at him. He ducked before it could strike him across the cheek.

His eyes flashed with anger. "You want to be independent Celia? Then by all means! Your things will be moved to the curb, and all of the locks will be changed. As of this moment, you are no longer my daughter."

"Honey…" Mrs. Morrison began.

"No Talia, I will not change my mind. This rantipole child needs to grow up and stop chasing fairytales. We are leaving for London tonight, and by the time we return, I expect you to have come to your senses. It's past time you accepted your role in this family."

"The one you just kicked me out of?!" Cee's hands balled into fists at her sides, her anger flaring like a live wire. "Take your fucking jet and go, father," Her lips curled around the word like a curse. "I never want to see you again."

Her head was high as she walked away from him, but I could see the trembling in her shoulders. Allie rushed after her. Mr. Morrison attempted to follow, to get the last word, but was stopped by Kai who's returned during their altercation and took a protective stand between him and his daughter.

"Step aside." Mr. Morrison said, his tone expecting immediate compliance.

Kai crossed his arms over his chest, his voice low but absolute, "No."

For a moment, I thought Mr. Morrison was going to lose it, like shit hit the fan, throw a tantrum, lose it. Steam was pouring from his ears with the heat on his face. And though I would"ve paid good money to see Kai yank Mr. Morrison off his high horse, there were too many eyes and no telling how his magic would react if his emotions got the better of him. He"d only known Cee a few weeks, but he was as fiercely protective of her as he was of me. I stepped forward, but Cee's mom placed a hand on her husbands shoulder.

"Richard. Let's go." She tugged on his sleeve. He gave Kai one last fuming look, to which Kai only smirked, then he turned around, taking his wife"s arm and escorting them off the field.

"Well, that was pleasant." I groaned.

"He is a cruel man, his heart is too black to recognize his daughter's light."

"Pretty much. He doesn't approve of her choice of career, or her choice of partner."

"Allie is lovely," Kai protested.

"Yes, but she's a girl, which Mr. ‘living in the middle ages' thinks will somehow translate to disaster for the family name."

"I have that same name," he said, and the look on his face said he wasn't too thrilled about that.

"That was Cee's gift to you, to protect you. Trust me, she's wanted nothing to do with him for a while. This was bound to happen eventually."

"What now?" he asked.

I took his hand in mine. "I'm sure Becca will have some ideas. C'mon, let's head back."