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 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.

Chapter 19: Search

I don't understand.

I know some girls' parents divorce when they're still young, but Daddy never tells me about what happened to Mommy.

He only says, "Mommy left us for someone else." He never says anything else about it. I like living with Daddy, and Uncle Matteo, and Uncle Salty, but...

Sometimes I wish I had Mommy here.

Why won't anyone tell me why she left? Was it because of me? Someone has to know why.

Chapter 18: Full Circle

What's gotten into Salty and Matteo lately?

Salty never wants to go swimming with me anymore, and I'd really appreciate his help sometimes.

I don't even want to go scuba-diving at night without him. Actually, I have to coax him into coming with me. It used to be the other way around.

Now, granted, it's not like I come home empty-handed. But I really appreciate the companionship.

And not only that, it's...Well, it seems like those two are spending a lot more time together lately. I know Palmira is older and doesn't really need Matteo to watch her, but...

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 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 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.

Chapter 4: Resorting to the alternative

"All right, little lady. You go ahead and crawl around the room. I gotta talk to your daddy."

Yeah, the place is kind of a run-down dump. But it's got potential. And nobody really wants to bother with it, so maybe Teodor can do something with it himself.

From what he's told me, this is a decent opportunity.

"So what do you think, Teodor?"

"I don't know...It kind of smells funny. Is it supposed to be like that?"

"Wouldn't know. I usually don't spend the night in one of these." Not that I'd really want to, but still.

"Are they really trying to auction this place off? Sounds like they're practically giving it away."

"It's because they are." How desperate does somebody got to be to give an entire location resort for free? You'd think there'd be a catch. So far, besides the bad shape it's in, I haven't seen it.

"They are?"

"Yup. I think you could do great things with this place, hombre." It'd take a lot of work, but I think he could do it. "For one, you'd set prices decent."

"Well, define decent."

"I've seen the prices at one of the other resorts. Seriously, es un robo. If you took this, maybe you could fix it up to be just as good as those other places.

"You think so?"

"I know so. What do you say? Think you can give this whole resort business a try?"

Teodor might not be able to do this all by himself, though. But hey, it's not like I'm not going to help him. He can do his thing, and I can keep an eye on the place while watching Palmira.

But it's up to him.

"Well, after I got my original resort plans yanked out from under me, I suppose it's best to start somewhere."

"I'll do it!"

"All right! Let's find the main office, sign papers, and the place is ours!"

(End of Chapter 4.)

Chapter 3: Diving Deep

"So what are we doing here, Matteo?" 

For reasons I'm at least curious about, we're standing in front of the business corporation. Normally I wouldn't go near the place, given the guy I'm not fond of works there, but...

Matteo said that he's got an idea for helping me. I should at least hear him out.

Chapter 2: Parental Issues

I'm not in this for money.

I'm really not. I know it ain't a cushy job, but it isn't like I'm demanding half of Teodor's paycheck.

He isn't much older than me, and he's already been through a lot.

Can't say I blame him. He's doing what he thinks is best for his daughter. I don't know what his plans are, but I ain't one to judge what people do.

And he told me everything. He didn't leave out any details whatsoever.

Chapter 1: Meet the Nanny

Maybe I wasn't detailed enough.

Maybe I could've asked for some basic qualifications. Like, basic child care or something.

Now if someone does respond to the ad, I may end up with some random sleazeball. No one I'd want near Palmira.

Ay, soy muy estúpido. I didn't think this through.

This is just so nerve-wracking. It's always been me to look after Palmira. Now I have to ask someone else to do it for me.

And I don't have time to take it back, because I heard the doorbell just now.

It could be anybody. Probably some teenager pulling a prank, a known criminal, or even...

Him?

Prologue

Alright, look:

I know for a fact that I'm not perfect. I know that I'm going to make mistakes. I even know I can be gullible.

But at least I try to be a good person. At least I don't steal everything of value from someone else, and be a jerk about it.

Well, I shouldn't say everything. I did lose my wife and my resort plans...

But I still have my little girl. I still have some cash left over. In fact, there's a good amount of cash I got from selling the house Florita and I lived in. So for now, we're good there.

Problem is, I have no idea how I'm going to support the both of us in the long run.

Eventually, that money's going to run out, and then I don't know what I'm going to do.

Actually, no, that's not entirely true. I do know what I can do. But I can't bring Palmira with me if I do.

If I do decide to go with my plans, I'd have to hire a nanny. But who exactly in this island city is going to take up a full-time job of watching a toddler?

Aye, carumba, my chances of finding such a person are slim.

...But maybe it's worth a try. I mean, who knows. Maybe for once things will look up for me.

It could be worse. I could've ended up on the streets, for all I know. At the least, I owe this to Palmira.

What could I possibly tell her? 'Sorry, Mommy's left us for a guy that ruined Daddy's life.'? So, at least, she can have someone who can take care of her.

Now how do I put up ads online? There's a site for that, I think.

I just gotta tell myself: I'm doing this for Palmira. I may not be able to spend a lot of time with her after this, but I want to make sure she'll be cared for.

That being said, I wonder who in town is willing to do this sort of thing...

(End of Prologue.)