Merman Boyfriend: Barnaby #2 (special preview)

After tea and some snacks, and another story from Valentine, Seraphimo and Marlene take her home. Ezra cleans up and when he leaves the room, Edeline turns to me. 

“Her little story book reminded me of something I have really been wanting to do.” She touches my hand and rubs her fingertips along the back of my hand. “Can you guess what it is?”

I take her hand and kiss her palm. “There are many things. I do not like guessing games, you know this,” I chuckle. “Tell me, what is it that you would want to do?”

Edeline takes in a deep breath and sighs out slowly. “It has been a long time since we went swimming together.” She holds my hand so tight. “I would like to go swimming before-”

I place my finger on her lips. “Don’t say it,” I whisper.

She kisses my palm then holds it to her cheek. “Will you take me swimming, Barnaby? I so miss the water.”

I tremble and nod. “Yes. I’ll take you swimming.”

Edeline puts her arms around me and I ease her into the small tank with me. She lays her back against my chest and she sinks into the water up to her chest. Her sleeping gown hovers just at the surface and then slowly sinks underneath.

“Remember our first swim together?” Edeline asks.

My throat is growing tight, but I nod and kiss the top of her head.

Edeline sighs dreamily. “I stripped off my clothes and jumped in only wearing my bra and bloomers,” she chuckles. “Your scales felt so cool and slick, I thought you were made of gemstones.” She holds onto my hand. “I had been wanting to kiss you for so long.”

“Why did you wait?” My voice cracks.

“I wanted it to be the perfect time,” Edeline’s voice is sounding smaller and weaker. “I wanted to kiss you that first day we did sign language to one another.” She moves her fingers and her hand, signing to me her name. “That was the first thing I ever said to you.”

I squeeze my eyes shut tight, trying to keep the tears at bay.

“I wanted to kiss you the second day when you told me that silly lobster joke.” Edeline’s breath rattles and she’s too weak to clear her throat. “The third day, I would have kissed you for sure then, but Mr. Faire walked in on us and I got scared.”

“I wish it had been then,” my voice trembles. “That would have been perfect.”

“It wasn’t until the seventh day.” She signs in my hand again, telling me she loves me. “The carnival was at rest and it was still so hot out.” She lays her cheek to my shoulder. “Your water was so cool and you invited me in for a swim. As I sank into the water, you put your arms around me, just like now.”

I hug her fast and press my cheek to her hair. “Yes. I remember so clearly.”

“What was it,” she trails, “That...that you told me?”

I steady my breath but my heart is in pain. “About your eyes?”

“Yes!” Her voice is cheery and bright. “You called them...cupcakes? Or something? It was something with food.”

I chuckle. “I said they were like cinnamon and honey poured over a chocolate cake.” I sniffle and my tears fall into her hair. “I said...when I looked into them, I saw something that I really wanted.”

“I said I would bake for you,” Edeline murmurs sleepily.

“But that wasn’t what I wanted.” I hold her hand tight so she doesn’t slip away. “You pulled me under the water and you kissed me. Then I breathed for you so we could stay there longer.”

“I’ve never been so happy.” Edeline feels cold.

“Then you gave me something I never knew I wanted.” My throat feels on fire and my entire chest feels like a rotted tooth ache. “You gave me Emmett and Bella, then when I thought we were done, you gave me Ezra. I really didn’t know I wanted him,” my laugh is sad but grateful. 

Edeline hums peacefully.

“You don’t know how much you changed my world,” I whimper. “You are the love of my life. I have never thought for a second you weren’t.”

She signs into my palm again, her fingers are slow and weak, but she says she loves me too. “Do you remember the promise you made to me, Barnaby?”