Merman Boyfriend: Barnaby #1 (complete)

Once upon a time, many years ago, there was a small town with a lake. The lake was a beloved spot for all the people. They would go swimming, have picnics, and enjoy life there. But soon, a dam was built that made the lake dry up. All that was left of the lake was a small, muddy pond. 

Soon, legends grew that there was a monster who had lived in the lake and was angry that its home was taken away. The pet store claimed all the fish were disappearing. The supermarket was confused by how many lobsters there were missing each day. Reports grew of something dragging itself through the streets and wheezing in agony as it made its way. 

Then, one day, there was a carnival. The man who owned it was strange but kind and he was curious about the stories of the supposed monster in the town. So the man went down to where the muddy pond was and talked to the monster himself. He asked the monster, ‘Would you like to join my carnival with me?’ To which the monster answered, ‘I do not want to be made a spectacle of for what I am.’ 

The man who owned the carnival then sat and talked with the monster for a long time. Not long afterwards, the reports of missing fish and lobsters soon faded away. It seemed the monster disappeared as soon as the carnival left town. 

“Is that where the story ends?” The little faces look up at me as I tell them the story.

I chuckle and shake my head. “Far from, little ones.” I move in the water slowly, placing myself nearer the edge of the tank where the kids are sitting. “The story is far from being over.”

“Then what happens next?” Valentine seems the most excited. 

I smirk and pat her head. “Well, the monster did indeed leave the little muddy pond. He went with the carnival and the strange man who owned it.” I look out and I see a woman walking into the tent with her son. She’s holding a cane and she waves to me as she takes a seat.

I wave back to her then return to the children. “One day, there was a girl who came to the carnival,” I continue. “She was young and petite and her brothers were picking on her, so she separated herself from them. She came to a tent where there was a mermaid show being put on. Only thing is, the show wasn’t ready to start, but she came into the tent anyways. There, she saw the monster in his tank, swimming around to his content. He was dark brown with black and white stripes on his body and large spines going down his back. His black eyes saw her and for a moment, they were both captivated. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen, her eyes the color of cinnamon and honey drizzled over the finest chocolate cake in the world.” I smile out towards the woman in the crowd. “To her, he was mesmerizing and the two of them were instantly attracted.”

“Was it love at first sight?” Valentine asks. “That’s what happened to Mama and Papa.”

I chuckle and pinch her cheek. “Not everyone is like your parents, sweetie. Sometimes, love is more patient than that. But connections and chemistry are hard to fake. The beautiful girl and the monster had that, so much so, they talked for hours without realizing an audience had started to fill the tent. She returned every day to see him and when the carnival was to leave, she packed her suitcase and left with it, because by then, it was love.”

Valentine giggles. “What happened next?”

“Many years,” I sigh. “Many joys. Many sorrows. Lots of love. A few children.” I smile at Valentine. “Many, many other children too that they watched grow inside the carnival. But what remained constant was their love for each other.”

All the children soon leave as they’re picked up by their parents. I had agreed to babysit for the hour while preparations to move were underway. I then watch as the woman comes towards my tank and her son, our son, helps her up the stairs.

“There has got to be an easier way,” she sighs as she takes the seat by the edge. 

I rise up and kiss her gently. “I am sorry, my dear.”

“You ok now, Mom?” Emmett asks.

Edeline pats his hand and nods. “Go on now, I’m fine here. I know you’ve got things to do to prepare moving.”

“If either of you need anything-” Emmett starts.

“We’ve been through more of these than you have. Shoo, go on now.” I tease him.

Emmett goes down the stairs and I pull myself from the tank and take the seat next to Edeline. I hold her hands in mine, stroking her fingers and seeing her nails have been painted bright blue.

“The girls were all doing their nails earlier in the mess hall. I thought they had such fancy colors, so they painted them for me.” Edeline shows them off. “Too bad my hands don’t look like theirs.”

I kiss her knuckles. “Hush now!” I scold her. “You’re just as lovely as any of them, Eddie.”

Edeline chuckles. “Flatterer.” She kisses my cheek and eases back into her chair. She had just celebrated her seventieth birthday a week ago, but to me she was still the most beautiful girl in the room. I will always remember her eyes the first time we met, their gorgeous cinnamon and honey shimmer against the chocolate hue of them. 

“I know it is silly to linger on things I’ve already had, but I sometimes think how nice it would be to have such lovely skin again,” she sighs.

“Eddie,” I coax her, squeezing her palms. “Your skin is still soft.” I kiss her palm. “You still smell sweet too.”

Edeline laughs. “You’ve never stopped flirting with me.”

“Nor do I intend to. I will always work my hardest to charm you and beguile you, no matter the age we get to.” I hold her to me and she rests her head on my shoulders.

“I don’t know how many more of these moves I will last.” Edeline says in a dreamy voice. “Sometimes I think the next one will be my last.”

“How dare you?” I scoff. “Since when did you start thinking like this?”

“We are not young anymore, Barnaby,” Edeline scolds. “We must prepare ourselves and think of these things. It is a wonder that both of us have lasted this long.” She pats my hand and takes in a deep breath. “The grains of sand in our hourglass are down to single digits. We can’t count on them forever.”

I nuzzle to her cheek. “Then turn it over, give us more.” 

Edeline places her hand on my face and turns, kissing me lovingly. For that moment, we are young again. 

Back when we first met, Edeline was on the cusp of adulthood. She had graduated from high school early, was extremely bright and gifted, talented in music, as well as a brilliant mathematician. Even still with all her wonderful achievements, she was a woman, and in those days, it was expected of her to accomplish other things, more domestic things. Her brothers, both older and still in school, tormented her. Her mother browbeat her and talked down to her. Her father was her only refuge, and he had died of cancer the year before. It was her father who taught her piano and helped her understand math. He was an engineer, which was exactly what Edeline wanted to do, but her mother was refusing to let her attend college.

Edeline was dragged to the carnival by her brothers who kept teasing her and pushing her around. Eventually she escaped them as they went to go see a burlesque show. She wandered into a tent advertising a live mermaid show featuring Barnaby and his Sirens. It was my tent, of course. The show hadn’t started and I was relaxing alone, swimming around the show tank. When I saw her, I was floored. She was small, very petite and curvy. Her strawberry blonde hair was up in curls and her eyes, oh god, her eyes were so beautiful.

I, on the other hand, wasn’t yet in my glamour. I put it on so that way I was more palatable to the humans. In my usual skin, I knew I was hideous and a monster, especially to beautiful girls like her. But Edeline wasn’t afraid, instead she seemed more bewildered. She walked up to my tank, watching me as I watched her.

“I’ve never seen makeup like this before?” She gasps.

I couldn’t hear her through the water, but I could read her lips. I tried sign language, as I had learned it from Mr. Faire. I asked her what her name was. To my shock, she responded to me back in sign language. 

“Aren’t you afraid of me?” I asked her.

Edeline tilted her head to the side. “Why should I be?” 

I stilled myself for a moment before signing again. “Aren’t I ugly?”

Edeline shook her head and smiled at me. “You’re strange but lovely,” she replied. She then took her gloves off and tucked them into her pocket. “I think you’re more beautiful because of how different you are.”

I was lovestruck right away. We talked so long I almost missed putting on my Glamour before an audience started to fill the tent. Edeline came back each day, meeting me at my tank where we talked for hours. Sometimes we played cards or she played music for me. She showed me her skills with math as well, which I still can’t understand. 

Our first kiss was during the night. The carnival was shut down and everyone else was asleep. She slipped into my tank to swim with me, and as she went under the water, she pulled me close and kissed me. I breathed into her, allowing her to stay underwater as the kiss lingered and went on.

When we rose to the surface, Edeline giggled and hugged me tight. “Oh, Barnaby.” Her body was so warm against mine. “I’ve never felt this way before.”

I ran my hands down her back and nuzzled to her wet hair. “Neither have I.”

She kissed me again and gazed into my eyes. “I don’t want to go back.” she whispered. “I want to stay here. I don’t feel so strange here.”

“Of course you don’t,” I teased her. “Look at who you’re hanging out with.”

Edeline smirked and shook her head. “I’m tired of my home. I am tired of grieving my father. I am sick of my mother-” she hung her head on my shoulder. “I just want to go somewhere that doesn’t have them in it.”

“You can stay,” I whispered. “You can be with us and you can travel the world. You can still get your education. I’m sure there are ways to use your gifts here.”

“Is it really ok for someone like me to join this place?” Edeline’s eyes began to fill with tears. “Everyone else here is so wonderful and strange and I’m just-”

I kissed her as her voice choked. I wouldn’t allow her, even then, to talk below herself. I pressed kisses onto her cheeks and skin, letting her know that all I wanted was for her to stay beside me. 

She packed her suitcase that night and was welcomed to the carnival by Mr. Faire. He gave her a tent and fitted it with a small tank for me so we wouldn’t have to be apart. We also agreed that we wouldn’t get married until she had gotten her degree, which would take time. She took classes by mail and everyone in the carnival helped her. I did as much as I could, but I could barely count, let alone do all the complicated math required. 

By the time she was twenty-one, she had her degree. She graduated with honors and Mr. Faire made her head of engineering for the entire carnival. She helped design and build many of the rides that still exist within the carnival to this day. Even now, she still helps to maintain the engines and machinery in the park with Emmett.

With her graduation, we were married. It was a small wedding officiated by Mr. Faire. We had done a lot of heavy petting and lots of touching, but we were both a tad old fashioned and saved our wedding night for our true first. We were both such anxious messes, it took us so long to get started. It was also hard to stop. 

Our first son, Emmett, was born exactly nine months later. He came out more like his mother, what with legs and everything, but he still looked very much like me, covered in scales and with webbed hands. I brought him into my act, but he was very smart like his mother, soon becoming an engineer like she was. 

After Emmett came Bella, who looked more like me. She had the most beautiful tail I had ever seen, and she became my little buddy, always by my side. Bella still performs, along with her daughters, to this day.

After Bella there was Ezra, our demon child. He was so lovely though, having his mother’s eyes and golden scales along his body, he looked like a greek god. He was so beautiful he could get away with anything. Where Emmett was smart and capable and Bella was talented and kind, Ezra was equally all those things with a dash of menace. He could charm the socks off anybody, and he did. We’ve dealt with more broken hearts that he caused than I could possibly count. 

Even so, we were always a happy family. I was proud of all my kids and what they could do. They gave us grandchildren and our family grew even bigger. We were always surrounded by so much love that even the hardest of times seemed like such small hurdles. 

Still, there was one thing that caused me such pains of guilt and remorse. Edeline was showing signs of aging. She was growing more lovely by the day, but it soon became apparent to me that she was aging while I was standing still. By the time Emmett was a young man, we almost looked the same. 

It was also during this time that Edeline got very sick. She suffered a miscarriage as a result of it, and the grief of that made her weaker and weaker. When she was taken to Dr. Haytham, it was discovered she had cancer exactly like her father. It was then I knew what I had to do.

Being the creature I am, my lifespan was much longer than that of a human’s. I would outlive my wife and children by probably another hundred years. I offered this to Mr. Faire so he could save my Edeline. He did without question and within a few months, Edeline was back to her happy, healthy self, and I began to age. 

It didn’t matter to me, I knew I would live long enough to see my grandchildren grow, my own children prosper, and I’d be able to spend every day with Edeline until the end. I wouldn’t have to miss her or mourn, because in the end, we would be together. I feared losing her more than I ever feared dying. 

We watched the carnival grow leaps and bounds. What had once been a simple, run of the mill carnival, was now basically its own sprawling empire. There was the usual carnival like always, but now there was Scarebrooke, the Cabaret, there were the new rides Edeline had made. It had become so massive, it seemed impossible that we could hide the secret within anymore. Yet, we still maintained everything without a worry.

Edeline and I moved to Scarebrooke as we got older. It was there it seemed my talents were more suited. We also lived close to Coraline and Bram, who kept a close eye on us. Bram and Edeline even designed and built for me a special stage where I could perform a ‘Haunted Siren Review,’ which was a lot of fun. I got to act like some sort of under the sea Vincent Price. Ezra was a wonderful writer and he wrote all my scripts.

Soon, I noticed my vision wasn’t what it used to be. Dr. Haytham fitted me with glasses, but soon even those didn’t seem to be working. As the years went on, Dr. Haytham told me that I was going blind. First my right eye went, and now, my left eye can make out shapes and colors but that is about it. The only ones who know this are Dr. Haytham and my Ezra. 

Ezra figured it out when I was having trouble reading the scripts. Without my knowledge, he tested me several times before he confronted me about my ailment. I begged him not to tell his mother, I didn’t want her to know. Ezra argued she’d want to, but agreed to keep it a secret until I could tell her myself. After that, I noticed a change in him, he started acting more helpful and more observant with his life. 

One afternoon as Ezra was reading scripts with me, he stopped short and started to cry. He hung his head down and the script scattered onto the floor.

“Ezra, what’s wrong?” I gasp.

“You and Mom!” He snaps at me. “You’re both so stupid!” He blubbers and blows his nose.

I am bewildered by this outburst. Surely us being dumb wasn’t the cause of these crocodile tears. “What are you talking about? Ezra, tell me right now.”

“I don’t want her to worry. I don’t want him to worry!” He snaps. “You both are morons! I love you, but I hope I am never this stupid at your age!” He whimpers and shakes his head. “Dad,” his voice trembles. “Mom has been real sick again.”

My heart drops down into my stomach. “What?”

“Just like before.” Ezra rubs at his eyes. “She’s gotten real weak and has been visiting Dr. Haytham. He’s done tests.”

“Why hasn’t she told me?” I whisper in dread.

“Same reason you haven’t told her you’re blind!” Ezra snaps at me. “She doesn’t want you to worry. She doesn’t want to scare you!”

“Ezra,” I whisper and suddenly he has his arms wrapped around me. 

“You and Mom have to talk!” He sobs.

I stroke his back and hold him tight. “I’m sorry,” I whisper to him.

“I’m so scared, Dad.” He whimpers. “I remember when I was little and how sick she got before.”

Ezra had taken Edeline getting sick harder than anyone. He had night terrors about it long after. He constantly watched his mother, making sure she ate well and took her vitamins. It didn’t surprise me that fear was still with him even at this age.

“It’s ok, Ezra. It’s ok.” I coax him.

“Mom said she’s ready,” Ezra blubbers. 

I squeeze him tight. These words are my worst fear. “It’s ok,” I whisper, unsure if I am saying this to myself or my son.

“I’m sorry.” Ezra pulls back and rubs at his eyes. “I couldn’t hold that any longer. I didn’t know what to do.”

“Has she gotten her results?” I ask quietly.

“She’s with Dr. Haytham now,” Ezra sniffles and blows his nose again. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, she didn’t take anyone with her.”

“She went by herself?” I snap.

Ezra nodded. “I thought for sure Emmett would go, but he came to me and asked me why I wasn’t with her.”

I rise up out of the tank. “Take me to Dr. Haytham’s office.”

“But, Dad-” He starts to argue.

“Don’t ‘but’ me, Ezra. I’m your father, no matter what age. Take me to Dr. Haytham’s office right now!”

Ezra places me in a wheelbarrow full of water and pushes me to Dr. Haytham’s office. We get there just as Dr. Haytham is leading Edeline out. I can hear her crying and thanking him gently.

“Barnaby,” she gasps in fear. “Ezra, why did you-”

“Edeline,” I cut her off. “Not that, not now. You can get angry at me if you want, you can yell and tell me nothing is wrong but please...don’t hide if you’re hurting from me.”

Edeline comes up to me and kisses my forehead. “Let’s go home.”

“No.” I grab hold of her hand. “You have to tell me everything. You have to,” I urge her. “Please, tell me what he said.”

Edeline sobs as she wraps her arms around me. Ezra has to hold her up as she goes weak and nearly falls onto the ground.

“What’s going on? What happened?” I scramble, trying to reach out towards the soft blue hue of her coat.

Dr. Haytham touches my arm. “I’m so sorry, Barnaby,” he whispers. “It’s much worse than I thought.”

My throat closes and I can barely breathe. “How...how long?”

“If she lasts the month-” Dr. Haytham’s own voice trembles, “it would surprise me.”

“No,” I whisper. “No. Not her. Anyone but her!”

“Doctor,” Ezra urges.

“Get her back inside.” Dr. Haytham then picks me up and carries me into his office. He sits me beside a bed where Edeline is laid. 

He gives her some medication and something for pain, then leaves us alone while he goes to talk to Ezra, Bella, and Emmett. 

“You fuss at me for not telling you,” Edeline says weakly. “Yet you haven’t told me a damn thing, Barnaby.”

I take her hand which feels so cold. “I didn’t want you to think I was lying when I called you beautiful.”

“I never once thought you were.” She squeezes my hand back. “Now tell me, what’s wrong?”

Tears flow down from my eyes. “I’m blind.”

“I know.” She sighs. “I’m sorry that mine is worse.”

I kiss her and shake my head. “I am too.”

She touches my cheek. “I won’t ever leave you, Barnaby,” she whispers. “So when I am gone, don’t be too sad. You still have the children, the grandchildren.” She smiles at me. “You are so lucky.”

I kiss her palm and start to shake. “I am. I really am. But how can I enjoy it when you’re not here?”

“You’ll find a way. Promise me you will?”

I sniffle but I do not know how to answer her. I kiss her palm again and shake my head. “I will try.”