Epilogue

"Salty! What are you doing out here?"

Things have gotten quiet for us lately. Teodor and Maya are as happy as ever, Palmira's making new friends, Santana's getting older...

But I can't help but think something's wrong with Salty. Ever since that day, he's not been himself.

"Huh? Oh, hey, Matty! I'm just thinking..."

"About what?"

Chapter 27: Riding a New Wave

"So I hope it's no problem that we were here a while. I wasn't sure how you felt about festivals, and today they were pretty empty..."

"I'm not bothered in the least! It's nice to see what humans like to do for fun."

I hope the others are all right. It's been hours, and I just now got a message from Matteo. He said that he had good news for us when he got back.

That can only mean he found Palmira! Now I just need to know if Salty's all right.

"How about you go and see if there's anything else you want to try here?" I figure if Maya gets a handle of land, it'll be better for her. I don't know what her limits are when it comes to hydration, and-

"Teodor? Is that you?"

Chapter 26: Turning the Tides

How'd I know this was the place?

Call it a gut feeling. Something just told me to look here.

Weird thing is, this could've been where I wasted my life away. At least until I met Teodor.

I owe that guy a lot. If it weren't for him, who knows what would've happened with me.

To be honest, I didn't want to come back here, but I need to know if she's here. I promised Teodor that I'd keep an eye on Palmira, and damned if I'm going back on my word.

Chapter 25: Wipe Out

I told this scumbag not to mess with Dorry.

And what did he do? He fucking messed with Dorry!

There is no way I'm going to let him get away with this.

Ah, hell, I can practically hear that jackass taunting me across the ocean. He seems to have forgotten that that's where I came from.

If ever there were a time that I needed to rely on the sea, this is it. And I know it's a long shot, but I think that I can take that risk.

Whatever I'm going to deal with after this, fine. I'll deal with it. But right now...

Chapter 24: Confrontation

"Sleep well, Maya?"

"I certainly did! I never knew human's beds could be so comfortable." So far, this relationship has gotten off to a great start. Maya listens to me, always contributes to the conversation, and a lot of other amazing things.

Really, I think I can get over Florita after all. And so far, Maya and Salty have been behaving.

"Um, Teodor...Were you expecting company today?"

"No, why?"

"There's someone waiting outside. A man."

Chapter 23: Into the Night

"Uncle Matteo? Are Daddy and his new girlfriend gonna get married?" 

"That's hard to say, chica. They do seem to like each other a lot. And so far he's said he's not regretting it." 

"But what if they do?" 

"I wouldn't worry about it too much right now, Palmira. For now, let's just focus on your homework." 

Daddy's got a new girlfriend. But I wanted him and Mommy to get back together. I don't hate Maya, but...

Does Mommy know? Should I find her and tell her? Will Alfonso show me where she lives? 

I think I should try it. 

Chapter 22: Oceans of Love

I can't describe how happy I am to see my two little girls playing together. Palmira doesn't seemed bothered in the least that Santana's an alien child.

She's gotten so used to her baby sister, that I can't help but smile every time I see them having fun together.

That said, I'm worried about the two of them having a mother figure. Matteo and Salty get along great with them, but it just isn't the same.

And lately, the guys have been suggesting I find a new love in my life. Well, actually, it was Salty that mainly suggested the idea.

He stated that if I at least gave love another chance, he'd find someone he knew was single.

"She's a mermaid, obviously. That cool with you?" The face he made, I could've sworn it hurt him to bring up the idea. Salty's never really gotten along with the rest of the Merfolk, he said.

I didn't want to. But at the same time, I didn't want to come off as rude by turning down the idea. So I took his advice.

He said the best way to contact her was via letter. And I think I can do that.