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SIX MONTHS LATER
Belladine and Peter sit on the patio in the back of Belladine's house. They sip wine and snack on cheese and crackers. A cigar burns in an ashtray next to Peter. He sips his wine then puffs the cigar. Slowly, he exhales.
Belladine smiles affectionately, "You've grown quite fond of life here."
"It's not just here, it's the modern times we live in. You, my love, are used to it, but to me, it's like living in a fantasy world. I walk around in shorts, sandals and what you call a t-shirt. This t-shirt can even have pictures of anything I want on it. I eat food I've never tasted before and move around in a carriage that even the fastest horse cannot keep up with. Yes, I love it here, there are so many wonders to behold.
He leans over and kisses her. "But most of all, I love it here because I am with you."
"Yes, our lives have taken a strange path to be here today. But we have new friends, I have my children...and we are together. Not just together, but our bodies, our souls, we are one."
Belladine looks down, then back up to Peter. Peter takes her hand and asks, "What troubles you my love?"
"It doesn't trouble me but it's something you should know. Because I am a mermaid, I will not age. My body won't get much older, it will stay the same as I am now. Your body is going to age Peter, it's going to age twice as fast as a normal human."
"Don't be ridiculous, look at me, I look the same as I did five hundred years ago."
"This I know but you've only been in this world and away from Glaukos for a hundred eighty moons Peter. Look at your hair, it's already turning grey."
"Yes, I saw that in the mirror and thought, 'time is making a few changes on me'."
"I have spoken of what will happen to you and will not speak of it again. Nothing will change my love for you. I have waited hundreds of moons to lie with you and now, we'll be as one for as much time as we have left."
Peter gently takes her hand, kisses it. "I too, shall cherish whatever time I have with you."
Belladine glances at her watch, "It is time to leave for Brandon's, he's expecting us at two."
Waiters dressed in old pirate costumes scurry about Brandon's large patio set up for dinner near the twenty by fifty-foot saltwater pool. Manicured lawns and beautiful, exotic plants decorate the grounds all the way to the ten-foot high cinder block wall that surrounds the entire estate.
Two tables pushed together are covered with black tablecloths and set with all fifteenth century table ware.
Each setting has dinner plates, silverware and goblets from old pirate ships. Ancient jugs of rum sit among the settings. Out of place crystal wine glasses sit in front of each setting along with open bottles of wine.
Brandon, in typical Florida wear of shorts, sandals and t-shirt, directs the waiters as he sips rum from a goblet. Treena peeks her head out of the sliding door.
Brandon waves to her, "Hurry up honey, everyone will be here any time."
"I just have to get Finley and I'll be right out." she responds as she disappears from the door."
A few moments later, Lou and Jessa arrive. Brandon and Treena rush over and hug them.
"Looks like quite a party." Lou says.
"Yeah, almost a celebration for Atargatis Island." Brandon responds. He points his hand at a group of waiters, "I even brought the pirates."
Later, the table is filled with Brandon's friends. Derek and a date, Leah, sit next to Lou and Jessa. Kyle sits alone across the table, Brandon sits at the head with Finley next to him in a high chair and Treena next to him. Next to Kyle sit Belladine and Peter.
A roasted pig spins over a charcoal pit.
Derek asks Brandon, "I thought you said Joshua was coming."
Brandon checks his watch. "He should have been here a half hour ago. He's bringing someone with him."
"Joshua's a good man. I hope he's found someone. I..."
Joshua's smiling face pops through the sliding glass doorway as he survey's the group. He shouts out, "Save some of that rum for me!"
"Joshua!" yells out Derek who jumps up and hurries to him. Brandon follows and they all hug.
Derek asks, "I thought you were bringing someone."
"I have mahn." says as he Joshua extends his arm inside the house. Slowly, he leads Trista outside.
Derek and Brandon are momentarily frozen as they glance at each other and stare at Trista. She looks beautiful with her braided hair and flowing white beach dress.
"You gonna just stare with your mouths hangin' open or you gonna give me a hug?" Trista kids.
"Oh, sorry, of course." Derek says as he hugs her. "I can't believe it's you."
"I'm in shock," Brandon says as he hugs her.
"I wanted her to be a surprise. I know she met you boys before you left Nassau," Joshua responds.
"I couldn't be more surprised if I saw Nemeritias swimming in the pool." responds Brandon.
"Hello Trista."
"Who said that?" Trista asks as she glances around.
"I did," says Kyle as he steps out from behind Derek.
Trista's face flashes a huge smile. "Kyle, so good to see you again." They embrace, holding each other for a bit longer than a greeting hug.
"Can you sit next to me?" Kyle asks.
Trista grins, "I'd love to."
Derek pats Joshua on the shoulder. "Let me introduce you to my dad, his girlfriend and two very special people."
Later, they all sit and eat dinner. Several separate conversations flow as an occasional laugh breaks out. Two waiters stand behind everyone, ready to get whatever someone runs out of.
A waiter approaches Trista, grabs a wine bottle and holds it out. "More wine madam?"
"I think I'll switch, why don't I give that rum a try." He grabs the jug and pours just a bit. Trista takes a sip while he waits. "How old is this rum?" she asks the waiter.
He whispers, "I've heard it's three hundred years old."
"I believe that, fill her up mahn." The waiter pours the rum and hurries away.
"So how has your life changed since your father returned?" asks Kyle.
"Well, it has, and it hasn't."
"I'm listening."
"My father is the same humble man he was before he was captured. The gold hasn't changed him that much, but we did move into a nicer place."
"So, you like the new place?"
"Yes, it's beautiful. I think the biggest change is the people we know and many we don't know. Since he came back, he has more friends than ever but, most have their hands out. They need this, and they need that and they say Joshua, mahn, my babies sick, can you help me mahn?"
"Yeah, I'm here to testify, they come out of the woodwork."
"This one mahn, he come to papa, he's cryin' an actin' like a little girl. He tells papa his baby is sick and he needs help to buy medicine. Papa thinks for a moment, says to the man, 'Aren't you Eddy, that live down by the hardware store?' He says, 'yeah, yeah, that be me mahn.' Papa says, 'and your wife name be Mary?' He says 'Yes sir, that's me, err, that's us.' Papa laughs and says, 'You didn't have no baby last week so, what kind of story you tellin' me mahn?' The mahn stutters and says 'Well, sir, uhh, there is a baby but it's not mine, it be my sisters.' Papa laughs and says, 'Go away an don't bother me again.' We still laugh about that one."
"What about you Kyle, what you be doin' with all that money?"
"I have a similar situation only it has to do mostly with women. They all want to go out with me now because I have all this money. I wasn't so popular before, in fact women would hardly talk to me. So, I've just learned to navigate my way through the stormy waters of women." Kyle pauses, "Uhh, what about you Trista, you, uhh, seeing anyone special?"
"Am I seeing anyone...yes. Anyone special, uhh, no. We are a poor country and the men will do just about anything to hook up with someone who has money. I tell you Kyle, it's a plastic world we live in."
"How long you and your dad here for?"
"We go back in five days. Papa wants to see several places in this area."
"Would you...uhh, would you, maybe, want to go out and have a drink one night while you're here?"
Trista looks down at the table.
Kyle says, "Yeah, I guess that was a bad idea."
She grins at Kyle. "Yeah mahn, I'd like that."
"Really?" Kyle says. "I thought for a minute..."
"Don't think too hard mahn, it get you in trouble."
"So, Brandon, you have any more trouble with someone trying to steal Finley?" asks Joshua.
"No, he's back to being a normal kid." Brandon answers. "Well, almost normal."
"Normal in our world." adds Peter. "Is he walking yet?"
"Almost." answers Treena. "His feet need special fittings made and we're waiting till he can walk."
"Soo, when will that be?" Joshua asks.
"Probably within the next few months," responds Treena.
"But he can swim like a bomb." brags Brandon. "Honey, let's put him in the pool, show everyone..."
"No, Brandon, this is not the time." Treena answers.
"What be the harm?" Joshua says. "Let the little savior show off."
"I don't think so, maybe later." Treena responds.
Joshua's face turns stern. "I want to see him swim."
"Papa!" Trista barks, "she said no...now leave her be." she leans over to Kyle. "I don't know what's going on with him...he doesn't seem to be his self."
"Maybe he's just nervous being with all of us who went through his escape with him," Kyle adds.
Jessa shoots a look at Treena, gets up. "I'm hitting the ladies room, be right back."
"Wait for me, I'm going with." Treena jumps up as both stroll into the house.
In the huge bathroom, they sit in chairs in front of small make up tables. Jessa folds her arms. "I sense something. It's like when Thanos showed up while we were eating lunch."
"I agree," replies Treena. "something is disturbing the calm nature of our energy flow."
"I mean, that was strange talk by Joshua, like, almost demanding to see Finley swim." Jessa observes.
"And his comment," adds Treena, "calling him a savior? That's really weird."
"Should we be worried?"
"I don't know." responds Treena. "I mean, Thanos is dead and Joshua hasn't even been around, so I don't see..."
She is interrupted by a knock on the door. Treena shoots a glance at Jessa, stands, tiptoes to the door, squeezes it open and peeks through. "Come in."
Belladine walks through, Treena locks the door. Belladine folds her arms and stares at the two of them.
"Do you feel it?" Treena glances at Jessa who responds, "Yes...we do."
"I knew it!" Belladine blurts out. "There's something wrong, like...like, a tension in the air. I don't know what it is, but you must not leave Finley alone. Are we agreed upon that?"
"Of course." Jessa says. "But I'm confused about any danger because...uhh, because..."
Belladine finishes her thought. "Because Thanos is dead?"
"Yes, yes, that's it." agrees Jessa.
"Then why do we feel this way?" asks Treena.
"It's a warning Treena." Belladine answers. "Maybe not so much a warning, but a 'be aware of what's going on around you' type of message...I don't know. Joshua's 'savior' word sent my senses spinning."
"I'm going back out there," Treena announces.
Treena hurries outside, spots Joshua playing and poking Finley. Brandon stands nearby talking with his Lou and Derek, paying little attention to Joshua. Treena rushes over and picks Finley up and out of his high chair.
"We were just playing Treena." Joshua says. "I think he likes me."
Treena cradles Finley. "We all like you Joshua. Finley likes most everyone too."
"Can I hold him?" asks Joshua.
"Maybe later, he's getting tired," answers Treena.
As the night moves on, they all sit in the living room, sipping drinks, telling stories.
"Where your little man be?" asks Joshua.
"He's in bed, it's way past his bedtime." answers Treena. "In fact, I need to check on him."
Treena gets up, ambles to the bedroom, opens the door. A black woman, Lizzie, in a white uniform, sits in a chair next to Finley's crib.
"Everything okay?"
"He's passed out to the world." answers Lizzie.
"Let me know if you need anything Lizzie."
"I will mum, thank you."
Now around the midnight hour, everyone slows down as they tire. Treena glances around the room, notices Joshua is gone. She hurries into the kitchen then back into the living room.
"Trista, where is your father?"
"I don't know Treena, he said he would be back in a few minutes."
Treena rushes to Finley's room, jerks open the door. "Oh my God! Helllpppp!"
Everyone rushes to the bedroom. Brandon flies through the door and sees Lizzie lying on the floor, passed out. Finley is gone.
"He's taken my son!" screams Treena.