Chapter 16: Culture Blending

"Hey kid, you know it's not Spooky Day, right? Well, I guess I'll give you some candy, anyway. Don't want you to leave empty-handed."

There isn't any snow anymore, but the night's still kinda cold. It really doesn't help that it's a full moon on Love Day. So there's all sorts of weirdos out roaming.

I really hope that kid is okay on the way home.

Chapter 15: Love in Bloom

"Where are we going, Daddy?"

"Well, you know that resort I run with Uncle Matteo and Uncle Salty? Apparently, it's gotten so good, we've gotten the deed to an island."

"I don't get how that works."

"I don't get it either, mija."

Today was the weekend, and due to circumstances I didn't expect, we've gotten our own island. Not entirely sure what we're supposed to do with it, but I can't say no to free things.

Well, it really wasn't free. It was earned, but it stands.

From what Matteo told me of it, it's beautiful. But I had to see for myself.

I let Palmira keep an eye on Santana while I look around, see what's all here, and...

Chapter 14: Birthday Blues

(Note: Santana is the name of the alien child Teodor had in the game.)

The months have flown by. It seems like only yesterday Palmira came into the world. Matteo was right. They do grow up too fast.

"Uh oh, Palmira! Guess what day it is!"

I think she knows. She can't form a completely coherent response, but I bet she knows.

As happy as I am for her, I still can't help but think this whole thing is bittersweet. This is Palmira's first birthday without her mother here to celebrate it with us.

We do have Matteo and Salty instead, but it's not really the same. I guess I'm still not over Florita leaving me just yet.

I know I should be, but it's just so hard to move on. I keep thinking she's going to come back, but I know that isn't going to happen.

But I guess when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. And not squeeze them into people's eyes like Salty keeps wanting to say.

I'll have to explain to Palmira why Mommy's isn't here, though.

But otherwise, it's time to blow out candles.

I just have to accept that Florita's gone. But can Palmira? I mean, Florita pretty much left when her daughter needed her the most.

I don't want to be bitter. I'm trying not to be bitter. But it's hard.

Not to mention that I don't want to burden the guys with my love life anymore. They've heard how much of a loser I am when it comes to this sort of thing.

They don't hold it against me, but I doubt they want to hear it anymore.

For now, I just want to celebrate my daughter's birthdays.

And I figure Palmira isn't too happy with having to share her birthday with her sister Santana.

At least, we're guessing that's what that means. But if she's upset, she didn't say anything about it.

If anything, it meant a chance to get more birthday cake.

I still can't really wrap my head around the idea of an alien baby. Santana is my child all the same, though. She is just as much my daughter as Palmira is.

It's weird to have a green child, but that's beside the point. None of us have a problem with it.

And Santana is just like any other toddler at that age.

One day she'll wonder why she looks different to big sister Palmira, and I'll have to explain it to her. But for now, both of my daughters are older.

I have that, so I'm happy. For now, anyway.

(End of Chapter 14.)

Chapter 13: Cold Weather, Warm Heart

"All right, Palmira. Now try to stay on your feet, and walk towards me, all right?"

I don't like to be reminded of this. She's already learning how to walk.

I know it's inevitable, but I'm getting all worked up over it.

"Aye, Carumba, they grow up so fast..."

"Aw, don't cry, Matteo. It's a part of growing up, you know?"

I know that. But it still blows. Won't be long before she won't need me anymore. I guess it means just as much to me as it does to Teodor.

Chapter 12: Salt-Free

So according to Dorry and Matty, we got a new roommate.

Funny, I ain't too broke up over a baby stealing my spot as the newest recruit.

But then again, I doubt she can do much at this point, besides eat, cry, and shit everywhere. On the other hand, that's probably what she wants me to think.

Who knows with alien babies. That's what they say she is. And she's green, so she's either that or a defective Smurf.

Chapter 11: Green around the Gills

"Hey, Salty's been really quiet since the other night. Think something's wrong?"

"If it is, he's not saying anything. He was muttering like crazy when he got back, though. He seemed real pissed about something."

"Wonder what."

A lot of weird things have been happening lately. It's not just Salty, either.

"Come to think of it, where'd you go last night?"

"You know, I can't remember."

For whatever reason, I know I went out to the store to buy things for dinner, then I saw bright lights, and then...I don't remember anything after that.

Chapter 10: Alto Hits Fever Pitch

So Dorry and Matty are still riding my ass about the supposed "scare" I had the other day. It's like the more I tell them not to worry, the more they worry.

I hate that. I never got any sympathy from the other Merjerks, so what am I supposed to do now that I actually do?

Tonight I told them I'd check out the resort for them. It was under the pretense that I'd swim there, but really, I just needed to get away from the two of them.

From what little I knew of humans, I know that I hate being pitied. By human standards, I'm a jerk. I get it. It's the same in the world of the Merfolk. To them, I'm the defective fuck-up.

What's worse, though? Being hated, or being pitied? I'm honestly not too sure.

But for now, I can at least be away from them for a little while.

Chapter 9: Cold Snap

So according to Dorry and Matty, the resort thing they got going on is doing great.

They said something about how the profits are increasing. I don't know, I'm not an expert on that.

But whenever I ain't helping Dorry out with diving, he's at the resort. This time, Matty went with him to help out.

So they stuck me with babysitting duty for 'Mira. Could've sworn that was Matty's duty, but...eh.

As of right now, she ain't getting into trouble. So I figured I'd help with the chores.

Chapter 8: A Real Treasure, ain't he?

"Salty, how am I going to communicate with you down there? Even in a suit, it'd be hard to hear."

"Eh, don't worry about it. Either talk with your hands, or e...enun...ci...Talk real loud and clear."

It's the first time I've gone diving with Salty since he's moved in with us. He asked me if that were really a good idea, given that I can't be underwater as long as he can.

I told him it wasn't a problem. If anything, he'd give me a few pointers.

"But," he told me, "don't come crying to me when you're suffering from the bends."

Nasty comment or not, he's still good at this.

Chapter 7: Suite and Salty

"Some place you got here, Dorry!"

Here I thought I'd go diving to look for things to sell...and I ended up finding a merman. And to be honest, he's kind of a jerk.

Well, I guess I shouldn't call him that. He is foul-mouthed and crass, but I don't think he's doing it on purpose.

Or maybe he is, and I don't know it yet.

"So, uh...you looking for roommates?" And there it is.