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Mari stood in the sunken chamber . She stood there for what felt like hours when she knew for a fact it was minutes. Mari Otsu, age 15. She was a cis teenage girl who just last month entered a relationship with another cis girl, Lara, whom just so happened to be a Mermaid.
Or perhaps she WAS a mermaid past tense, honestly it was a bit tricky language wise all things considered. Normally not the type of thing Mari struggled to think about but right now she needed her head to be literally anywhere else but what she was looking at. What her beloved girlfriend had showed her. A sight that should be a beautiful wonderful thing that most romantic couples would strive for, provided they weren't 15 year old girls who just entered a relationship a month ago.
"Lara… What- what did you say this was?"
Her red haired mermaid girlfriend stood in front of a massive pile of what looked like large clams that were currently closed with the happiest smile on her face. "Our children! Isn't it beautiful! Our love made them!"
Mari cupped her mouth. "I…. We… Lara are- are you sure they're-"
"They can't be anyone else's." Lara replied, her voice getting serious. "…Is this not… good?"
"H-how??" Mari said looking at them. "Like, we- the furthest we went is kissing! How the heck- and we're both girls- I'm the father??"
Lara frowned, a sad look on her face. "I….Yes. I'm sorry. I assumed you loved me and wanted to raise a family…"
"N-not when-" Mari cupped her face. She wasn't ready to be a mother…Father… Whatever the hell was happening. Like, sure. Maybe one day after the two of them had settled down and achieved their goals the idea of children could have been nice. But this just happened so fast. She looked at Lara's face though, Lara's beautiful face that was now clearly reading this as an upmost rejection. How the heck was she supposed to explain how any child, lead alone 10, was going to interrupt every life plan of hers. 10 Children who were going to have some kind of magical stuff going on with them. So much anxiety welt up inside the poor girl. And yet, she knew she had only one thing to do.
Mari grabbed Lara and pulled her into a very tight hug, squeezing her tightly. "Lara- Ugh… This scares the hell out of me and- it changes so many of my plans but… I. I guess its up to me to take responsibility."
Lara smiled. "I'm so happy to hear you say that… I'm sorry if-"
"Lara stop…Just… I wish I knew that something as little as kissing could do this but- well. I don't know. I'm not well verse in Mermaid magical breeding stuff so I have no way to navigate this."
"…Wait is there more then kissing?" Lara said with a massive blush.
"…R-right now no." Mari said, pouting. If a kiss could give 10 kids, what the heck would sleeping with her do? Mari didn't have plans of finding out while she and Lara lived under the same roof as her-
Her eyes jolted open. "O-oh my god… We have to tell my dad and grandma." Mari's anxiety bubbled up again.
Lara went silent. "A-ah… Is that… Bad? Will they take it badly? I can tell them if you want."
"I… I think I have to be the one Lara. Just. Oh god." She felt so anxious, but there was no way of avoiding it. "I can do it. I'll tell my dad."
She was scared out of her wits, but she needed to take this head on. It's like her mom always said, look away and you lose. And she wasn't willing to lose.
"Dad. I need to talk to you about something." Mari said walking into the living room. Lara had stayed at the sunken chamber. Keeping her children safe…their children safe. Thinking about it did make Mari's heart warm a little. It was dwarfed by the giant pillar of anxiety that otherwise filled the situation but the warmth was there.
Thankfully her Dad was by himself. She loved her grandma but she was a bit difficult to talk to. Her brother also could make things difficult but he and Luca were probably off doing something together. Her father looked up from his book and noticed the very serious look on her face. "Oh? Is something the matter?"
Mari rubbed her arm. How was she gonna say this? How was she going to bring this up? What could she possibly say. "Um… How are you?"
Her dad, Makoto, stared at her and raised an eyebrow. "I'm… good I suppose. Mari. Is everything okay?"
"Yeah-"
"Mari…. Where's Lara."
Mari let out a sigh and sat down. "Mari is… She's staying in a sunken Chamber her sister found. Its near the shore."
"Is that safe? I know she's a mermaid or something but a chamber like that… Why would she be in there?"
Mari looked down. How to say how to say. "She's safe dad don't worry. She's there because well…" Mari paused. "Well, you might need to sit down, there's some things I need to explain about me and Lara that I've been keeping from you."
Makoto let out a long sigh. And a small smile formed on his face. "Is it that you and Lara are dating?"
Mari felt her heart stop for a moment. She thought for sure she was careful. "I- W-what? how did you know?"
"Fathers intuition. She was way closer then any friend you've ever had and well. I've been seeing the way you two look at each other. You've also been keeping a lot of secrets revolving around her and while the whole Mermaid thing answered some… I could tell there was more."
"I'm sorry I never told you." Mari said looking down. "Is all of this okay?"
"Of course." He said, his face full of warmth. "I love you, and accept you. And well- Every father worries about his children. Especially when they start dating. Part of me is really worried the two of you share a room and- well… You know. Dad anxieties. We don't have much space for her though and trying to get her her own room probably would mean telling your grandmother…"
"Would…she accept?"
"She…" Makoto thought. "She would. Though she might be less happy that you two share a space."
"Hmm… That's kind of why I didn't tell you until now dad. I didn't want you to kick Lara out."
"I would never. I love Lara and I wouldn't know where else would be safe for her. And yeah, I as a father can't help but worry a bit that your getting into things you two shouldn't be doing. But hey-" He smiled weakly. "I at least don't have to worry about either of you getting pregnant. So, it's at least one stress off my mind."
Mari's face went red. "I… Well." How the heck did she say this next part? "About that-"
Makoto blinked. The man pupils began dilating. She was pretty sure his life was flashing before his eyes. "Mari- neither of you can be pregnant because you are both girls…right?"
Mari trembled and pulled out her phone. In her mind it was the easiest way to explain it and opened the picture she took earlier. Showing her father the picture of Lara right in front of the various clams that contained their future children.
"oh- what- what is this?" Makoto said, he seemed more confused then alarmed. "What are these clams? Are… You looking for pearls?"
"Well- they do have precious things inside…" Mari swallowed. "Specifically… me and Lara's children."
"Ah- your children. Plural. Many. Your- children. 15… child…having a…" The man fell back. The color left his face. Mari could tell there were certainly processes going through his head. The same ones she had when Lara told her.
"Dad- I…"
"H-how many?"
"…10."
"10. I'm going to be a grandfather of 10 children." He said, staring down. "This is wonderful news." his voice was flat. Mari could tell this was not in fact wonderful news to him. "This calls for a drink."
"…Dad I'm so sorry-"
"10… Oh my god." he pinched his nose. He looked like he was about to cry. He had taken a bottle of liquor off the shelf. Mari wasn't sure he was gonna use a glass but honestly she didn't blame him. "You… Well. I guess… I have grand kids." He said laughing a little. His eyes looked dead.
"Dad… I'm really sorry." She said looking down. "If it makes you feel any better me and Lara didn't have sex."
"It relieves the sting I little… I do admit." He said pouring his glass. "But then how did this happen? Is this.. some kind of mermaid thing?"
"Yes dad." Mari answered. "We kissed once and apparently our love was enough to make that many children."
"Did she lay them…? There's eggs inside those or-?"
"I… don't know. She told me she just felt some instinctual need to find a place big enough and safe enough and found herself wandering to the chamber half asleep. She woke up and they were there. I think they just… came to be?"
"Well." He pinched his nose. "10… Wow. Will they be mermaids or humans or some mix or…?"
"I don't know…"
"We- will they be living with us? Lara's family…?"
"I… don't know."
"I…" He sighed deeply. "Alright. Alright Kiddo. We will just have to take this one step at a time. We'll have to explain to your grandmother. And from there we'll worry about it as a family."
"Thanks dad… Telling grandma me and Lara are having children will be a bit hard-" As soon as Mari said that, there was the sound of glass shattering in the living room.
The father and daughter turned, and saw the older woman staring, eyes staring in shock. Having dropped a few grocery bags with glass jars inside, though clearly the least of her concern at the moment. "Excuse me?" She stared at her granddaughter. "I think… I misheard. Please tell me I misheard."
Mari let out a deep sigh. Here she goes again.
The two guardians were sitting at the table. Both of them on their 3rd glass of scotch.
"So yeah-" Mari said finishing her explanation a second time. "She and I have been dating and we now have 10 kids on the way."
Mari's grandmother, Ema, just stared forward. Her entire world was shaken clearly. "10 great grandchildren… before either of my grandchildren have even graduated… oh… Mari…" She covered her face.
There was just an awkward silence. What else was there to say?
Thankfully, or perhaps dreadfully, the silence was interrupted by the door opening up. Yoshiya had strolled in.
"Hey everyone- what's up? Is everything okay?" The teen boy asked, opening the fridge for a soda.
"I already told this story twice…" Mari sighed, really not wanting to tell it a 3rd time. "Can one of you tell him…?"
"Huh? Tell me… what? Something serious going on?" He asked looking around. Neither adult seemed to much of a rush to tell him but, well. Ema felt like someone needed to speak up.
"Mari got Lara pregnant."
Yoshiya blinked a few times. "….What?"
"I don't know if pregnant is the right word…" Makoto replied. "But… they are having children."
"…Like…" The boy didn't know how to respond. "In the far future or…?"
Mari showed her brother the picture of Lara in front of the clams. "These are going to be our children."
"…H-holy shit." He cupped his mouth. "I- I didn't think you and Lara were THAT far. I thought you guys were on like, hand holding and kissing."
"So you KNEW about it!" Ema said pointing at the boy. "I asked you many times to keep an eye out and make sure there was no funny business between the two!"
"Now Mom!" Makoto replied. "Its not his fault- I also knew about it and it's not like they did anything beyond kissing-"
"You believe that? Kids these days are starting earlier and earlier it's horrifying." The old woman huffed.
"I told you!" Mari said putting her hands on the table. "We didn't have sex! Its mermaid magic stuff!"
"Mermaid magic just makes almost a dozen kids from a single kiss?" Ema glared. "I suspected you two might be dating but I would have hoped you came to either of us about it. The fact you two shared a room and were so close in proximity."
"Mom- its not like even sex between girls normally results in a child so we have no reason not to believe her." Makoto tried to assure.
"I…. I'm gonna be an uncle??" Yoshiya said sitting down. "oh god. I have to text Luca."
"Hey! I did NOT give you permission to tell anyone!" Mari shouted.
The room had dissolved into everyone shouting at each other. Stress and concern turned into anger and hurt feelings as emotions were high. Everyone scared of what would be happening next. Ema broke into tears about how her granddaughter will have to drop out of school. Makoto tried to reassure her while Yoshiya just looked confused and trying to piece together how any of this happened…
And as things seemed at their most chaotic, the sound of a door opening and closing. Everyone looked, and Lara was just standing there looking confused. She had picked up something on her way home, carrying a small bag from the convenience store. "oh? Hey everyone!" Lara said with a bright cheery smile. "Did Mari tell you the good news."
"Good news…" Ema said with a scowl. "Lara, I can't believe you are calling this good news right now…"
"Now mom-" Makoto said standing. "Lara is as affected by this as Mari is…"
"Affected by what?" Lara asked tilting her head. "Why would Mari quit school."
"Yeah-" Yoshiya said. "I can help watch the kids, and I'll chip in more!"
"Mhm." Makoto agreed. "Mom, Mari doesn't have to quit school, the rest of us can just tighten our wallets a little and we can work through this. We can watch the kids while Lara works."
"She works a minimum wage job she can NOT support 10 kids with that budget!" Ema cried out. "We already barely get by some weeks and now with 10 kids who will be here within the year."
"What do you mean within the year?" Lara finally asked.
There was silence among the family as one by one they seemed to turn their heads to the ex-mermaid.
"Lara the…children. They should be open within the year right?" Mari asked, her heart still sinking.
Lara blinked several times. "That… would be VERY concerning. Children take anywhere between 10 to 20 years to open. Sometimes more."
The silence was palpable.
"10 years…" Mari said. "They… They'll open in 10 years?? W-why didn't you say that to begin with!"
"Isn't that how long children normally take? Or. I guess with humans it should only be a few years but-"
Makoto was laughing, covering his face as tears rolled down his eyes. He was SO relieved… "9 months. Humans usually take 9 months to give birth…"
"WHAT? That- that's so fast…" Lara said cupping her mouth.
"Honestly…" Ema was sitting back down, pouring herself another glass. "I think I lost several years off my life from that."
"Holy-" Yoshiya sighed. "That… That's good. I wasn't ready to be an uncle."
"And I wasn't ready to be a dad…" Mari said with a sigh… but she smiled a little. "But 10 years huh.. maybe more… They won't open at the same time either?"
"Some do." Lara said, reaching and taking Mari's hand. "But most of the time yes, they open one at a time. Is this why you were so scared? Because you assumed we'd be having them now?"
Mari laughed. She wiped her eyes, she had her own tears from this entire ordeal. "Yeah…"
"…But you would have done that with me? Raised them even if you had not finished with your School thing?"
"I… would have." Mari said, hugging her girlfriend. "I would have faced it all and struggled. But I would never leave you. They'd be our kids after all."
Lara hugged her tight. "I'm glad. But yes, we have many years to prepare for their arrival."
"And in that time- you BETTER have a high paying job and tons of savings missy." Ema said pointing at Mari and then at Lara. "You too! Children are expensive!"
"Actually. Lara hold on." Makoto asked. "Do you know if they're going to be human children or mermaid children?"
Lara thought and shook her head. "I do not know. But… Whatever they are. I will love them. Because they will be mine and Mari's." Lara's smile was infectious. Mari couldn't help but smile back.
Things seemed to calm down a little. 10 years was a good enough time to prepare things.
"Are your children going to be safe?" Makoto asked.
"The chamber is protected. It should be safe from human perception and the only other person who knows of it is Lisa, who has thankfully given up trying to end humanity."
"Thats good-" Makoto on instinct replied before pausing. "Wait- your sister was trying to do what now?"
Before anyone else could say anything, Yoshiya's phone buzzed. The boy checked it and gasped. "oh- I should inform Luca of the update."
"WHY are you telling Luca??" Mari asked. "Since when did you two become friends?"
"How does Luca feel about this?" Lara asked. "I hope he has taken it well."
"….Well." Yoshiya said, looking at his phone.
"10 children Leo… 10…" Luca's face was buried into his hands. "I… had no idea the two felt THAT strongly for each other… Do you think she broke up with me because I didn't kiss her."
Leo blinked. "Wait- hold on. Mom always told me you needed a boy AND a girl to have a kid. How does this work?"
"I… Don't know?" Luca confessed. "Perhaps Mari was transgender."
"What's that?" Leo asked.
"Its… when your born a boy but with the heart of a woman and decide to live as one."
"…Is that an option?" Leo gasped. Gears turning in the child's brain. "If girls can have kids with each other wow. You really are doomed brother."
Luca couldn't help but cry even more.
Mari and Lara were trusted to still sleep in the same room together, much to Ema's protest. But true to what Makoto had said, there simply wasn't any other place for Lara to stay and her sleeping on the sofa would just be more inconvenient in the long run. The door was now cracked open though as a result.
Mari looked down and saw unease in Lara's face. "Hmm… you okay?"
Lara sighed. "I suppose I just feel bad for causing your family so much turmoil. I had no idea human children were born so fast. And now they have assumptions based off our relationship… What even IS sex?"
"That is a CAN of worms I can't say while the door is open…" Mari said, scooting off her bed and climbing onto Lara's futon. "It's not important right now. Right now I need you to know that, yeah, maybe sometimes explain more about your mermaid business but… Well. I should have known to ask." She said with a small smile.
"I still made you and your family mad at each other."
Mari sighed and pet Lara. "Family sometimes fights. You should know that more then anyone."
There was more unease in her face.
"…Though my family never banished anyone and tried to kill each other or destroy humanity so- maybe I get your concern. Fact is, we bicker sometimes but we're all cool. That's just how we are." She pet her head. "So… kids huh?" Mari couldn't help but smile now. "now that I know its 10 years from now I'm kind of excited… I wish we got married first but well. We have time to plan that."
"M-marriage???" Lara gasped. "You want to Marry me!"
"We already are having kids- I figured that was kind of a given…" She smirked. "You still are the cutest dummy I know." She said giving her a little kiss on the lips. "Tomorrow we can start thinking about our future… But for now, can I just… Have you tonight?"
Lara smiled and clung to her girlfriend. The two laying in Lara's little futon as they embraced.