I nodded, choked up.
Good.You were born to shine brightly in this world.Don’t dim yourself to make others more comfortable.Now, as for the baby, you have a partner.His job is to relieve your fears and share in the caregiving.
I told him about our text argument, and he stared at me like I was nuts.
Maybe you need a nap or food or something.You aren’t making sense, and my daughter is brilliant.You’re angry because he wants to protect you?That’s his job!I gave my approval for this mating because I could see how much he loves you and wants to take care of you.
He shook his head.You told me how worried you are about something happening to the baby, about you having a vision and dropping her.Now you’re angry your partner wants to be close enough to make sure nothing happens to you or your babe.Your mother was unreasonable when she was with child too.Is that what this is?
I’m not being unreasonable,I told him.He can’t act like he owns me.
Hmm.It sounds like you two need to negotiate what you can and can’t live with.You’ll figure it out.Oh, I have something for you.A large pearl appeared in his hand.I know you use ocean water to counteract your mate’s magic nulling.This is smart and I approve.This pearl is for when you don’t have the water.It might not be as strong as deep ocean water, but that isn’t always easy to find.I don’t want my daughter to ever find herself without her magic.He held out the large perfect pearl.Do you like?
I nodded, marveling at how beautiful it was.Thank you.
Good.And when the time comes, I expect you to allow me to help train the little one.You’re not planning to lock me out, are you?
I kissed his cheek.I want her to know her grandfather.
Grandfather.He sat up straight.Perhaps I should alter my hair color.White hair would be quite distinguished on me.I could get one of those button-up sweaters with pockets and carry around sweets for her.He grinned at the thought, and my chest hurt.
THIRTEEN
Rules for Relationships
Dad disappeared—I assumed to look for a cardigan—so I surfaced.
“Hello.”
I looked up at the silhouette leaning over the railing.Shading my eyes, I saw Great-Uncle Bracken and waved.
“I watched you dive in, so I waited,” he said.“Even for you, though, that was a long time.”
I swam to the rope ladder Declan had installed for me and began climbing.“I was talking to my dad.”
“Fascinating,” he murmured.“Do you hear his voice in your head?”He was waiting at the top of the rope to help me over.
“Yeah.If Emrys—AKA Wilbur, the selkie—tells him I seem upset, he pops in to check on me.We can hear each other’s thoughts.Not chaotic everything thoughts, though.We have proper conversations.”
“Interesting.So you see him beside you?”
I nodded, dripping on the deck.
Bracken waved a hand and I was dry.“I saw you sitting on the ocean floor, but to my eye, you were alone.”
“Huh.”I looked over the railing—no idea why, as neither Dad nor I was still down there.The water was pretty clear, though.If he saw me, he should have seen Dad.
“Oh,” Bracken said.“I was originally coming over to tell you your young man was looking for you.”
I made a sound that could fairly be termed a growl.
“Problem?”he asked.
“Just that my young man can blow me.”
Bracken’s eyebrows winged up.His expression stayed neutral, but I could swear he was smiling.He sat on the nearest bench and patted the seat beside him.“As you know, I was a dismal failure at marriage, but feel free to tell me all about it.”
So I did.I even turned on my phone and showed him the text where Declan got all bent out of shape about another man touching me, all while I ignored the missed calls and messages.
