Love & Fear | Book Two

Eight

My eyes fluttered open as I awoke, my senses coming back to me as I turned over onto my side. Michael’s arm still draped over me, as I checked to see what time it was. As I rubbed the grogginess from my eyes, I listened to the  peaceful sound of Michael's breathing as he continued to sleep beside me. The feeling of his arms pulling me closer, momentarily distracting we as I tried to remember what I was up for. Then l, suddenly my phone began to ring, jolting me from my content state as I read what time it was: 6:00PM. Shooting out of bed bare chested, I suddenly realized my plans for the evening: my brother's rehearsal dinner for the wedding. And Michael and I were going to be late if we didn't leave right now.

“Michael, get up!” I exclaimed, as I tried to find my discarded clothes from earlier this afternoon.

“What?” He groaned, half asleep, “What’s wrong?”

“You need to get up," I insisted, frantically trying to put  on my underwear and bra, nearly tripping in  the process. "We're going to miss the rehearsal dinner. Which, may I remind you that it's for both of our siblings!"

“Okay.” He yawned, sitting up in bed before rubbing the grogginess from his eyes.

Throwing on my clothes, I ran my fingers through my hair, and hoped I did not look like a disheveled mess. After Michael got dressed, I grabbed my discarded bikini off the floor and stuffed it into my purse.

“Come on, we have to go, your sister will kill me if we’re late!” I teased, lacing my fingers with his and followed him out of the hotel and into the humidity of the outside world.

I felt content when I was with Michael but I wasn't so sure how the rest of my family would react. After all, we've only known each other for a few days in their eyes, but for us, it was a lifetime. Anxiety tugged at my heart as I followed Michael towards Trinity Church, not just because we were late, but I wondered what my family would say if we arrived together, a deep connection radiating off of us most humans wouldn't understand.

And as we opened the doors to the church, I realized that I wouldn't just be spending time with my family, I would get to meet Michael's as well. And that thought alone made my nerves skyrocket.

"Are you okay?" Michael asked, squeezing my hand lightly, his concern radiating off of him in waves.

I shook my head.This was too much. I still hadn't processed the fact that mermaids we're real and not only that but one was marrying my brother in two days but one was my soulmate. And one I managed to sleep with and have the best s*x of my life. But that wasn't all that was on my mind. I wasn't the same woman I was a few days ago. I wasn't entirely getting panic attacks when I was near the ocean or thought about it. I knew I was more confident and sure of myself than I had been in years. I was happier.

The past few days have been amazing to say the least. But, I wasn't sure what would happen when the wedding was over and everyone would go back to the way things were. But, I knew I could never go back to the way I was and I wasn't sure how I felt living so far away from my family or Michael. Charleston, South Carolina was nearly four hours away from Carthage, North Carolina and I wasn't sure I could handle living so far away from each other and I could feel he felt the same way.

"Lottie?" Michael whispered beside me, pulling me out of my thoughts and back in the now.

"I- I'm just nervous." I confessed, as we took our seat next to a couple I didn't know.

"Oh Michael," The woman said as we took our seats, her hair was Brown and streaked in Gray and her eyes were a gray color, filled with love and happiness. "it's good of you to finally show up. And who is this?" She turned to me, her gaze running over my face as if she was trying to figure out who I was.

"Mom, this is Loretta Walsh." Michael introduced me, squeezing my hand reassuringly from underneath the table.

"Ah, Loretta, you're Greyson's sister right?" The man sitting next to Michael's mom asked.

I couldn't believe I didn't recognize them from Michael's memories.

"Yes," I cleared my throat, feeling the nervousness still consuming me, "Yes, I am."

"How nice." His Mom said, her eyes going between Michael and me.

"She's my Mate Mom." Michael finally said, and I watched as his parents' eyes grow wide.

And then their shock was replaced with joy as they smiled over at us.

"Congratulations son!" Michael's dad said, then turned to me, "Welcome to the family Loretta. My name is Lorkan and this is my wife Keilani, but you are more than welcome to call is Mom and Dad." He grinned.

By now I knew I must have looked shocked, because I couldn't believe what was happening. How could that accept me so easily? How was I accepted into their family if Michael and I haven't even discussed being in a relationship. This was too much. I felt the panic consume me as I excused myself and made my way outside to get some air.

My head was spinning and I couldn't think, it was all too much. I knew I wanted to be with Michael. I knew that for certain, but how would it work? What if we get married and have kids, would they be like Michael? If they were, they would always be at risk to be found out my the human race. And that would be devastating. Did Greyson know about the mermaids?

A million questions filled me as I felt the familiar touch of my mate. I felt Michael wrap his arms around me from behind, seemingly trying to ease my worries and comfort me, as if he knew what I was thinking.

"It's going to be okay." He breathed, kissing the back of my head as my emotions overflowed.

I loved him, and I don't want to hurt him. Turning around to face him, I wrapped my arms around him, hugging him back as I began to cry, unable to do anything else as I tried to make sense of everything.

"I love you Michael." I confessed, looking up into his eyes, my mind still racing as I tried to figure out what I was doing or if what I was doing was too soon.

Then I realized that he too was crying as he said the words I have longed for a lifetime, "I love you too, Loretta."