How to raise a Merman - Extra

Time flew by quickly and the children grew up quickly, before either of them knew it Lucrecia was pregnant again. It wasn't long until he gave birth to another set.

As usual the kids were born without complication and Lucrecia recovered fast. He was happy to spend every moment with the newborns.

After a month or so Lucrecia became restless, wanting to go outside and explore the ocean once more. So Kole decided to help his mate and took him swimming in the sea. The first lot of children were nearing 10 years old, although the two merman children grew slower than those of Koles species they could hunt for themselves when working together. They left the younger siblings with them while they went out for the day.

It was the beginning of summer and the sun shone brightly on the surface of the water. They swam further and found a place where the current carried them swiftly towards the shore. Kole wanted to show Lucrecia a recent shipwreck. There were still many items lying about and they searched carefully among the debris.

"Look!" Kole pointed and Lucrecia saw what looked like a large chest.

Inside they discovered a chest full of gold coins and jewels.

Lucrecias face lit up with glee and Kole reached inside and retrieved a golden ring.

Lucrecia took it from his fingers and put it upon his finger.

He was delighted with the gift and tried it out immediately, making sure it fit properly.

Then Kole turned to look at the rest of the treasure trove.

His eyes fell on a sword and shield, which appeared to be made entirely of gold. Both weapons seemed well-maintained even though they'd been exposed to saltwater.

But Kole didn't want any of these treasures. What he really desired was something else. Something that would make Lucrecia happy.

With great care he placed a pearl necklace he found around his neck. ''Here.'' he said quietly.

The pearls glowed softly and Lucrecia felt himself smile wider. He leaned over and kissed Kole gently. They spent the day in affection around the wreckage. Then they returned home and spent the night cuddling next to one another.

When morning came and Lucrecia woke up he noticed the necklace was gone. He asked Kole if he had taken it off during the night. But Kole denied having done such thing.

So Lucrecia began searching everywhere for it. Finally he spotted the chain near the edge of the water where the guppies had played.

To think his own children had stolen it…

Perhaps they should give them some now that they are getting older. They can keep them or give them to their partners when they grow up.

With that Lucrecia piled up the jewels that had been collected over the year for the children to take as they pleased, he kept the best ones he got from Kole including the first gem he was given from him and put them away in a small chest.

***

The first seven children were turning of age soon, they lived peacefully with the younglings and they enjoyed each other's company. Even the youngest children joined in on playing with the others.

One evening after dinner they were all in the cavern, the large carvern in the ravine that originally looked quite big when it was just Kole and Lucrecia but now filled with their offspring it appeared a lot smaller. All of the children were gathered around talking and eating, Lucrecia enjoyed the warmth of a large family.

Lucrecia was sitting between Kole and the eldest child, Valko who broke his shell first. He was soon hitting 16 years old and was already showing signs of becoming as strong as Kole, In fact Valko could match his fathers strength when catching prey. His tail was also growing longer and thicker.

Kole was holding Lucrecia close to him and whispering sweet nothings into his ear.

He blushed and smiled shyly back at Kole. The siblings we're used to this sight but they all hoped they would also find partners too.

While they finished up dinner, Kole had discussed with Lucrecia before coming here tonight, how they would tell the older children to go out on their own and start looking for their own mates. It wasn't an easy decision because all of them loved being together so much.

Lucrecia was also a bit sad that it would not be as lively anymore, however they still had the youngest ones and after that he would continue to live by Kole's side.

They decided that the time was right to begin the process of letting the older children leave. Of course they could still come by and visit this was their home after all.

Valko was the first to announce that he wanted to travel to see more of the world outside of their cave, he felt ready.

All of the younger children cheered for him and gave him little gifts before he left.

After he left, the remaining children also went through their belongings to see what to bring with them. Some chose to stay behind for some time before leaving while others traveled off elsewhere and visited regularly.

Valko had travelled as far as a cove off an island where he came across a shipwreck. He could here some noise coming from inside the wreck and decided to investigate. When he arrived he saw another merman trapped under some wood. So he pulled the board aside and helped him free.

''Thank you..'' the other merman thanked him. ''I am called Nalu.''

Nalu was about half the size of Valko, long dark green scales covering his tail and beautiful bright green eyes hidden underneath the long messy hair.

Valko knew that like his father he rescued his other father... he thought maybe this was his fate.

"My name is Valko." Valko held out his hand to Nalu

~THE END~