The household was in chaos. Everyone was running around, trying to get ready for the next day. There would be eight of them altogether. Three would be in the wedding, the rest were guests or witnesses. Tom was bringing his mother. Zeke was bringing his mother and father. It was going to be a small wedding on the beach, and it was in less than a day. Tom, Zeke, and Zeke’s father were in town getting nice clothes to wear to the wedding. Tom’s mom and Zeke’s mom were getting dresses. Mer was making sure everything was in the house. The reception was going to take place in the backyard. It was just going to be a little backyard grilling. Crix was out on the beach, setting up anything and everything. As Crix was setting up a few white wooden chairs, he spotted Holidee about a half mile down on the beach, just sitting there. Crix set up the last chair and then walked toward her. He was five feet from her when she saw him. She smiled up at him, and then looked back at the ocean.
“Mind if I join you?”
“No.” Crix sat down on the sand beside her. He casually crossed his ankles and leaned back onto his arms.
“So, whattcha thinkin’ about?” Holidee cocked her head to the side.
“Mmm…nothing really. The wedding, school, life.” She smiled. “The normal.” Crix smiled too. “You nervous about the wedding?”
“Not really. I’m more excited. I’ve been waiting my whole life to marry her.”
“I don’t know if I could do that. Waiting for sixteen years to marry someone I love. That’d be hard.”
“Yep. But I had to do it. I couldn’t marry her while she lived in Georgia, and I lived in Ohio. It would have never worked out.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. But why didn’t she just simply move to Ohio?”
“She grew up in Georgia. Everything she knows is here. It’s her home. It would’ve been hard for her to just walk away from it.”
“Well, I guess it was a good thing.”
“Why?”
“Cuz if you got married when you guys were in your twenties, then you probably would have had kids.”
“And why would that have been bad?”
“Then you couldn’t’ve paid most of your attention to me. You would’ve paid all of your attention to your own kids.” Crix smiled.
“I guess you’re right. You’re my kid now. That’s all I need and want. I’d have it no other way.”
“I guess you’re an okay dad.” Holidee smiled.
“Okay? Just okay?”
“Well, there are some things you don’t know how to handle.” She laughed.”
“Like what?”
“Like boys. But don’t worry, most dads don’t know how to handle those situations.”
“I’ll learn. Just stick with Tom and Zeke. I like those two. I can trust them.”
“That’s probably all I’ll stick to. I doubt anyone else will want to be good friends with me.”
“You never know. Someone could just pop into your life.”
“Like you.” Crix laughed.
“Like me.” Crix stood up after a few minutes. He brushed the sand from his clothes and looked at Holidee. “Wanna join me?”
“Do work?” She shrugged her shoulders and stood up. “Got nothin’ else to do.” The two of them talked as they walked down the beach to the already set up chairs. They continued to talk as they worked on the wedding decorations. Holidee felt closer to Crix. He wasn’t just a friend anymore. He was the only father-like figure in her life. He was her Guardian.
“Wow. This is beautiful. You guys did such a wonderful job.” Mer was on top of the steps, leading to the beach, looking at the decorations Holidee and Crix had set up. There was white silk wrapped around the railings of the steps. There were white chairs set up with seashells under them. There was white silk attached to the chairs to make an aisle. There were four short white posts in front of the rows of chairs. White silk wrapped around them too. Seashells were positioned along the bottom of the posts. That was where the bride and groom would exchange their vows.
Mer walked slowly down the steps to where Crix was standing. He smiled as she approached.
“Dun dun duh-dun. Dun duh da-dun. Dun duh da-dun duh da-dun duh da-dun.” Mer smiled as Crix sang the wedding tune. She joined him between the four posts, and he held her in his arms. His forehead touched hers and he whispered gently in her ear. “You may now kiss the bride.” Crix crookedly smiled and then bent down to kiss Mer. Mer closed her eyes as she enjoyed his warmth and love.
“Hey. You’re not supposed to do that until tomorrow. Then it’s official.” Mer and Crix turned to see Holidee sitting in one of the chairs with her feet propped up and a smile on her face. Mer smiled as she leaned her head against Crix’ chest. Crix laughed.
“You’re right. I just wish it would come sooner.” Then Mer, Crix, and Holidee all sat together on the sand and watched the sun disappear beneath the water. Day turned to night. Light turned to dark. And soon, a new day would come.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.” Crix smiled as he leaned down to kiss Mer. Everyone clapped as their lips met. Then they turned and smiled at their friends. Everyone got up and greeted the new couple. Then they all went to the backyard of the house to eat and celebrate. Three groups were formed. Teens. Women. Men. There were three teens- Holidee, Tom, and Zeke -three women-Mer, Mira, and Tom’s mom, Karen -and two men- Crix and Mac. The men were grilling. The women were talking with lemonade in their hands. The teens were catching up.
“So, Mac, you live in the same town as Mer and I?”
“Yep. Zeke lives with me ‘cept durin’ the summer. His mother n’ I still get along n’ talk. We jus’ never had the love there to connect us. Not like you n’ Mer, at least.”
“What do you mean?”
“You two keep starin’ at each other. You can’ take yer eyes off o’ her. And you’re smiling from ear ta ear.” Crix smiled.
“I guess you’re right.” Crix sighed. “Man, I love her. Always have. Always will.”
“So, Mer, are you going to have any children?”
“Me? Children?”
“Sure, you’re still young.”
“Yeah. You could have two kids before you’re old.”
“I don’t think so. Children are not on our agenda. Don’t get me wrong. I love kids, but I don’t want to be sixty when they graduate either. Plus, I have one kid already, and she is beautiful inside and out. Holidee is all I need. She’s all I want.”
“So is Crix going to move in with you and Mer?”
“Probably. I don’t think Mer will move.”
“That should be fun.”
“Yeah. I can’t wait.”
“Speaking of fun, school starts soon.”
“Ugh. Don’t remind me.”
“Yeah. I don’t want the school year to start. I’ll have to leave this place.” Holidee looked around at the house and ocean. “I’ll miss it.”
“You’ll still be able to come here every now and then. Like on weekends and breaks.”
“Yeah, and you better take us with you.” Tom smiled and Holidee laughed.
“I will.”
“While we’re on the subject, we won’t see you until school starts again.”
“Why?”
“ ‘Cause we’re leaving a few days early, because Zeke’s mom has to go away on business. So we’ll be in town tomorrow night.”
“We thought you’d wanna know.”
“Yeah. Thanks for tellin’ me.”
It had been four days since Mer and Crix had gotten married. Four days since Holidee had seen Tom or Zeke. Bags were packed and sitting by the front door. Mer was cleaning and Crix was loading the mustang. Holidee was on the beach, thinking about the past summer. She didn’t want to leave. This was her paradise. This was her home.
She heard her car horn and knew it was time to go. She slowly stood up and said good-bye to the ocean. She said good-bye to Fye and all of the ocean creatures. She said good-b
ye to the sunsets and sunrises. She said good-bye to the Oceain part of her as she walked away from her home. Crix was waiting for her in the driveway. He was standing next to the light blue car he had given her on her birthday. Holidee walked slowly toward him.
“You okay?” Her head was down.
“Can’t you home school me?” She looked up at him with tears streaming down her cheeks. “I don’t wanna go back.” Crix felt her sorrow and hugged her.
“You have to go back. Mer and I both work. We couldn’t possibly home school you even if we wanted to.” Holidee kept crying. “I’ll tell you what. What if I told you that you could come up here anytime you want?”
“Anytime?”
“Anytime.” He smiled down at her. “But you have to keep your grades up in school. We can come here every weekend, okay? How does that sound?”
“Sounds great. Thanks.” Holidee smiled back at him.
“Now c’mon. Let’s get goin’ before Mer starts worrying.” They climbed into the car, and left. They left the ocean. They left freedom. They left the peaceful surroundings. Holidee was sad, but she knew she would be back soon.
“Hey, I, uh, brought someone along with us.”
“What?”
“Turn around and look in the backseat.” Holidee turned around and saw Micrip swimming on his back in a small tub filled with water. Holidee smiled and picked up the tub. She set it on her lap and continued to watch him swim around happily.
“But how am I going to take care of him back at the house?”
“We’ll buy a medium-sized tank for him.” Holidee smiled. The whole way home she played with Micrip or watched him sleep. She knew she had to go back to school eventually, but she decided to try to look on the bright side. Maybe it wouldn’t be that bad. After all, she was the last Pureblood of the Oceain race.