Mermaids And The Vampires Who Love Them

34. MAKING-OUT IN MID-AIR

Dad races toward me across Khione's snow-covered landscape. What will he do to me for repeatedly going against his wishes? Probably something bad, because he used my full name!

Behind Dad, Crumpet, fairy princess Iridessa, Gloria, and Professor Woolfson step out of the same limo. There are four limousines parked in a semicircle between the marquee and the barn. At the back of the queue, is a large silver vehicle with only one window in the front.

Dad practically knocks me over and squeezes me hard. I'm pretty sure he's broken a few bones. Even Pierce winces. I'm about to make a remark about my imminent demise when Dad pulls back to look at me, and I notice the dark circles under his eyes. In the moonlight, he looks almost like a Halloween zombie. He smells like sour milk and dried salt. His clothes are wrinkled and disheveled. His hair is a dull green, which happens when a merperson doesn't get enough rest, and he hasn't shaved, so his chin is shadowed with green stubble. Has he been this worried about me? I bite back my retort. "Dad! Are you okay?"

"Never mind about me! What about you? I've been so worried!"

"I'm fine, Dad. Wait. What's that? Who are they?" I say, pointing at a group of fairies coming out of the second car, each dressed like a different flower. They raise their wands, and the ground beneath them turns bright aqua. I peer over my dad's shoulder and see they're laying an intricate blue carpet with beautiful fish and coral and seaweed floating beneath a glossy surface.

"What are they doing?"

The other teachers and Crumpet make their way over to us. "Good evening, Waverly," the headmaster says.

"Hello, Headmaster Crumpet."

"How is the party?" he says, looking around at the costumed students.

"It's ... um ... great."

"Excellent. Sorry to interrupt, Gil," says Crumpet. "But once you're done talking with Waverly, could you please join the other teachers and me inside? We must prepare for the surprise."

"Certainly, Sir," says my dad. Crumpet winks at me, and he and the teachers disappear into the marquee.

My dad turns to me. "The fairies are creating an honorary footpath for the royal family. The Queen hates it, but protocol and all. It should only take a few minutes; then, they will proceed with the royal decrees and such." Dad takes my hands. "Waverly, I am so relieved you are alright. I would've been here sooner, but your mother ..."

I remember my premonition about my mother suffering. My heart races. "Mom! Is she okay?"

"Yes, of course, Wave. I've just come back from Pacifica. She is fine."

"Thank Poseidon!"

"She gave birth a bit early."

"What? Why?"

My dad pushes the hair back from my face. "You look beautiful, Wave."

"Thanks, Dad. But what about the babies?"

"Triplets," says my dad, grinning.

"Huh?" I say, stunned. "Three?"

"Your old dad still has it!" Can I die now?

"Gross, Dad!"

"Two boys and a girl—Kipper, Coranne, and Dart," he says, ignoring my teenage snark.

I say nothing because I, too, know when it's worth fighting a battle. And it does warm my heart to see a smile on his weary face. I guess this is why he's so tired. It wasn't because he was worried about me. "One of my brothers is named Dart?"