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Breathing Underwater (Epilogue)

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Where was he?

Vince felt very strange.  It was a feeling he couldn't describe in words.  He didn't know what was going on, he didn't know where he was, and didn't know how he had got here.  Where was here?

He opened his eyes.

Nothing.  There was nothing.  It was just...absent.  Light, but there was nothing.  Vince felt a ground beneath him, but there was no ground to feel.  Vince was floating, but there was no space to float in.  It was just, nothing!

“Hello?” he called out.  

Vince saw nothing and heard nothing, but it didn't hurt to at least try and call for someone.  Anyone.

His eyes widened.  Aestus!  Where was she?!  Where was...he?

It clicked in his mind.  My God...NO!  I can't be!  No!  NO!  My God, I'm dead!  He remembered what had happened.  That human.  Shot him!  Some human just shot him!  He was with Aestus.  He had almost drowned.  He was with her...alone...now he was here!  “Aestus!  Oh God, Aestus!” he called out feeling a sense of crushing sadness enter his spirit.  It was funny, he had always heard that the afterlife was supposed to be absent of such emotions like sadness...yet here he was, crushed.  He couldn't go back to Aestus.  He was dead!  Spirits didn't just go back in any story, and certainly not in real life.  “Aestus, I'm so sorry...” he said, falling to his knees on whatever ground he was on.

“What are you sorry about, Lontra?” a voice asked.

Vince stood up.  Who was that?  “Who...who's that?  Who...who are you?”

It was then that a form hovered around him.  Vince turned and saw...a male Merkuran.  He was floating in the air in a way that had they been underwater, would have made sense.  Here it looked like he was just swimming in this ocean of nothing.

The Merkuran's color faded into view though was still hazy.  The Merkuran was of slight muscular build.  This Merkuran looked nothing like Aestus.  Except for perhaps his color.  His dark blue tail was like Aestus, but much thicker.  The flukes at the end also seemed to be much sharper, like a knife rather than the soft round flukes that Aestus had on her tail.  His tail fins near his torso also shared the same design.  More sharp than soft.  He had whiskers similar to Vince, and on his forearms, on top, were a feature Aestus and her sisters lacked.  He had dark blue fins, also sharp in appearance there.  The Merkuran's deep blue eyes stared deep into Vince and he smiled.

“So...you're the one I saw so long ago.”

Vince frowned a bit.  “I...I beg your pardon? Do I...know you?”

“Me?” the Merkuran asked.  “No.  Not personally anyway.  Though you would know of me.  My daughters are not one to forget their own father, and I know you've been around them often when they speak of me, land-dweller.”

Vince's eyes widened.  “You...that means you're...you're-!”

“Yes, I am the father of Aestus.  My real name may be a bit hard for you to pronounce, but you may call me Menar.” he replied.

“If you're here...I guess...I really am dead...” Vince said a little sorrowful.

Menar cocked his head.  “Are you?  You seem a little sad to be dead.”

“Weren't you?” Vince asked.

“Not really.  The thought of seeing my mate once again was one of the best thoughts of my life.  Seeing her again, even better.  It's hard not to mingle with my daughters as I once did in my younger days, but I hold to the truth that I will see them here again one day.  I have all the patience in the world.” Menar said, continuing to swim around Vince in this ocean of nothing.

“Well that's reasonable...” Vince said, just tracking Menar as he swam around him.  “But I never even got to see the future I fought so much for with my companion.  I was taken before I could even see a chance of offspring with her.”

“Young Lontra, you're missing my point.” Menar said.

“And what is the point?” Vince asked.

“If you were dead...the emotion of sadness wouldn't even be in your system.  Can you see anything besides me?”

Vince shook his head.  “No...”

“You cannot see anything because this world is for those who have passed and are ready for the next life.  You, Lontra, are not dead yet.  You're getting there, but you got some life left in you still.” Menar said smiling.

“Then...how can I see you so clearly?” Vince asked.  

Menar replied, “I heard one calling the name of my daughter.  There may be many souls where we live, but don't think I can't hear my daughter's name when I hear it.  All I had to do was will myself to see who was calling it here.  It seemed a little early for anyone she knew to be here.  I'd say I was correct.  You are here, prematurely.  But if my daughter uses that pendant correctly, she not only can save you...but grant you the life you've wanted with her.”

“How?”  Vince asked.  

“You are the land-dweller she gave the necklace to, are you not?”

Vince nodded.  “She...she gave me a pendant.”  

“You've had the gift to be with her as long as you've had that pendant.  I gifted you with the gift of Adaptation, knowing that your life with Aestus would be hard, and difficult.  Filled with hurt and pain.  We, of the sea, regard caution if we decide to get involved with one of land.  Aestus was going to need help...and so were you.” Menar said.

“But how did you even know of me?” Vince asked.

“I didn't.  I was only hinted when I saw...your very strange color.  Brown is not a sea-color.  It is an earth color.  The fact that it crossed paths with her color...made me very suspicious.” Menar said.

Vince nodded and said, “So because you knew Aestus would be with me...you gave me adaptation.  In what?”

“What else?” Menar said.  “You land-dwellers can't breathe in a watery world, can you?”

“I'd be able to...survive underwater?” Vince asked.

“Not in your current form, but yes.  Don't get too excited...you'd still be Lontra...but a very unique Lontra.” Menar said.

“Well...how do I even use that gift?  I've had the pendant over a year, and it's never acted too well out of normal behavior.” Vince said.

“The gift is embraced by the heart, Lontra.” Menar said.  “It's nothing too out of the ordinary.  Once you find out that riddle...it's easier than you think to activate it.  The Ether of your pendants...will keep you both alive and in good health.  As you and Aestus' pendants came from one stone, you will both be together of one family.”

This sounds really nice...” Vince said.  “But I'm still here, and-” he was cut off by sudden head-rush and discomfort.  

Menar noticed this and smiled.  “Are you still here?  I think your time here is nearly done.”

Vince didn't say much.  He felt like it was a bit difficult to speak.  Menar drifted closer to him.  “Vincent Kaayan...my daughter is lucky to have one like you as her mate.  Take care of my daughter...I know you can do this.  All you need to do...is learn to breathe...”

Vince wanted to reply but couldn't.  Menar faded from his vision and the ocean of nothing became darkness.  Breathing once again became difficult...and pain entered his system...


-----

Aestus clenched the pendants in her hand.  “Vince!  Please!  Wake up!” she cried.  Her tears still coming out, yet were washed into the ocean.  The blood from Vince's chest still flowed out, and small air bubbles still trickled from the slightly parted lips of Vince's mouth.  

“Vince!  Please Vince...you can't leave!  Oh Vince...please...!”

It wan't any use.  Nothing she was doing was working.  Why weren't these pendants working? She brought Vince's limp body closer and just sobbed in the water.  She sat with him on the sandbed.  She couldn't believe it...he was really gone.  Vincent Kaayan was gone.  She sobbed a little, humming a melody she had heard Vince play so many times before on the guitar he used to play.  She hummed it and, kissed his forehead one last time.

That was when she felt something.  A warm feeling.  She had not realized, that the pendants in her fist were really between both of their bodies.  She looked in her hand.  Vincent's pendant glowed a fierce light blue, while Aestus' pendant glowed in a dazzling light yellow.  Colors that had not been seen on their pendants before.  A unique symbol glowed in the stone of Vincent's pendant, as did her own.  A different symbol.  Wait...she saw this one before!  Healing!  Good God!  Were the pendants activating?  

She didn't know what to do, but she brought Vincent's hand up and put his pal around them both and held his hand with them.    “Come on Vince...fight it...please!” she whispered.

Vincent, though still unconscious, twitched, and seemed to stretch.  Aestus watched in marvel as his body began to undergo a change she did not see coming. His forearms began to grow new...bone almost.  Coming out of his skin, were several shark, but thick bones, which were connected by a thick brown webbing.  His forearms had fins!  Good God!  Vincent was adapting!

“Come on Vince...”

His fingers also began to get connected as they became slightly webbed.  Not fully, so he could still use his fingers, hold her hand, all kinda of things...but about an inch from his palm was now webbed.  His shins also began to grow similar bones out like those on his arm.  Fins.  He had fins on his shins.  His toes also became completely webbed.  And on his neck, slits began to form and open on his neck.  Vince had...gills.  Gill slits! Just like hers!  Oh God, a dream both of them had was concluding right before her eyes!  

And finally, the wound on his chest sealed and stopped bleeding.

After all of this...the pendants stopped glowing, and returned to their original states.  Aestus let the pendants sink to the seabed, and sat Vincent's body up.  “Vince?  Can...can you hear me?”

Vince didn't respond.  Aestus brushed some of his head-fur out of his eyes, and gave him another kiss.  “Please Vince...don't give up.  Please...breathe for me...”

Nothing.  But she did feel something.  A faint feeling against her chest.  She put an ear against his chest...

His heart was beating!  He was alive!  

As if on cue, Vince opened his eyes in shock, and let out a lot of air that was still in his lungs and reached for the surface weakly.  He looked exhausted, but Aestus held him where he was.  “Vince!  Calm down!  Settle down...Vince...!”

Vince looked at her a bit frantic, signaling his need for air, and he looked confused and horrified at the same time that she was not letting him up for air.  He let out another burst of bubbles.  And shook his head frantically.  Aestus pulled him down and said, “Vince...breathe...”

And Vince inhaled.  Not because she told him too, but he could no longer hold it.

His air breathing lungs felt the water and began a normal sequence of coughing.  Another burst of bubbles escaped his mouth with a cough.  However, Aestus wasn't worried...because Vince didn't look worried.  In fact he looked well beyond confused as well as exhausted.  He stopped struggling as he felt his strength leave him, and Aestus just lay him down. “Relax, Vince...just relax...”

Vince inhaled again, and felt his lungs try and rid themselves of water again, resulting in a few smaller bubbles leaving his body.  Finally, he gazed weakly in her eyes.  “Ts...Tsuna...?”

“Shhh....” she replied.  “Just relax Vince...”

“I...I can...I can breathe...” he said in wonder.

“I know.” she said hugging him.  “You had me so worried, Vince...”

“This feels...so...weird...” he said.

Aestus laughed.  “I can imagine...it felt weird to properly breathe in air for the first time too...just relax.  Your body will need to get used to your new environment.  I know your lungs don't want that water in them, but, they'll soon get used to the fact that you're still getting proper oxygen.  You'll be more active as the days come.”

Vince looked to her, as his lungs gave another small cough.  “What do you mean?”

Aestus lay him down.  “Your...adaptation is not so instantaneous.  Your blood is not used to drawing oxygen from water.  But the biggest thing you'll need to learn to do, is breathe.  You're probably feeling a strain as you breathe, am I correct?”

Vince took another breath.  Indeed it was harder to breathe.  He nodded.

“That's because your body isn't used to pushing water in and out of your body.  You're gonna be okay, but you'll need rest while you fully adapt to this.”

Vince gave a small chuckle.  “How long will I be...like this?”

“Ask me, you may need a week to fully get used to this environment...but you'll be okay...”

He smiled.  “Long time...”

“I hope you're not disappointed.” she said.

“Not at all...Aestus...you have no idea...how wonderful it is to see you...and hear your voice...without needing anything.”  Vince meant it.  His vision was beginning to enhance, and his hearing was much clearer than it was before.  He took a look at his hand and arm.  Seeing the new fins and webbing.  “Well...I'm not like you...too much.” he said with a chuckle.  “Hope you're okay with that...”

Aestus smiled and rubbed his head-fur.  “You're as handsome to me as you always were, Lontra or not.”

“Well...as long as I can be with you...” Vince said smiling.

“Oh Vince...” she said and brought him in for a kiss Vince would not soon forget.  Vince smiled after the kiss.  Aestus them remembered.  “Oh...” she picked up the pendants off the seabed, and put it back around Vince's neck.  “This belongs to you...I won't ever remove it again...”

Vince smiled as she put it around him.  That feeling of a missing heart was gone.  It may just have been a pendant, but to him it was just that thing that told the world who he loved, and would stay with.  His heart was the property of Aestus.  No one else.  He breathed and managed to kick off the sandals on his feet.  Aestus smiled and helped him out a bit.  She took off his unbuttoned shirt and slipped off his T-Shirt. Finally, Vince took his goggles off his forehead and let them dangle on his wrist.  His orange swim trunks remained on him, but that was okay.  He appreciated at least a little cover.  

He breathed in again, and felt his lungs give a small effort to try and take in air one more time, before they relaxed.  His body was starting to get used to his new environment already... “Aestus...you're so beautiful...”

Aestus said nothing but just kissed him again.  Afterward, she just said, “Relax a little longer, and I'll take us to a more comfortable resting place.”

“Before you do...” Vince said.  “I'd like to take one last trip to the surface...”

Aestus looked at him a little confused.  “Why?”

Vince smiled.  “Gotta meet up at the rendezvous near Araya still...”

Aestus smiled and grabbed him.  “Just be aware...air will feel weird to breathe, and once you're back underwater, your lungs might freak out again.”

“At least I'll still be breathing...” Vince said.

And he felt Aestus grab him, and kick for the surface...

-----

About an hour or so passed.  Lan and Topaz sat in Vince's jeep, Topaz looked over the ocean with a pair of binoculars.  She set them down.  “You sure Vince is even still alive, Lan?”

Lan sighed, leaning against the jeep.  “I don't know...”  Topaz was worried.  After Lan's story of Vincent getting shot, and disappearing with Aestus under the water, she really didn't know what to think.  Did Aestus have a way of keeping him alive underwater while healing a gunshot wound?

They both heard a small splash, not like a wave, but something breaking the surface.  They both looked up.  Two heads were poking out of the water.  One was coughing out water, and looked weakened.  He was being help up by another figure.  Lan smiled.  “There they are!”

The two ran down to the waters edge, where Aestus guided Vince,  Once they were in the shallows, Vince sat down as the two approached.  Each had a look of confusion to his new appearance.

“Vince?  That you?” Topaz asked.  

Vince gave a small cough, before smiling and looking to them.  “Yeah...it's me.”  

Topaz knelt to get a better look at Vince, but Lan continued to stand.  “Well Vince...looks like you got a way to stay with her.”

Vince smiled. “Yeah.  Pity too...won't be able to finish my work at The Witches Corner.”

Topaz laughed a bit.  “I guess you can consider this an early retirement?”

“I guess you certainly could.” Vince said.  Vince however for a moment shut his eyes.  “Aestus and I will need to stay scarce.  I don't know what exactly happened at the aquarium, but if anyone knows of us, there's no telling who will try to locate us.”  They said nothing but nodded in understanding.  Vince then asked, “...any word from South?”

“We...haven't heard from him.  We were about to head back to the store.  We're leaving Araya this evening, and won't be back for a while.  You know how that goes.”

Vince chuckled.  “I certainly know how that goes.”

Lan then said, “That does bring up a question.  What should we do with your stuff, Vince?”

Vince looked to Lan, “If you don't mind one last favor...send it to my family.  Give them the message that I will see them soon.”

Lan chuckled and said, “Okay, otter.”

“I'm going to miss you Vince.” Topaz said.  

Vince smiled and held his hand out and gave her his goggles.  “We'll see each other again, Topaz.  I'm sure you'll keep The Witches Corner running as great as you always do.  And I hope you'll say my farewells to Lynks and Kai?”

“Of course.” Topaz said with a small smile to Vince.  

A moment passed and Lan said, “We should get going...Vince...you take care of yourself.”

“You too Lan.” Vince said, as they stepped toward the jeep.  “See you again someday...”

“Farewell, Vince.” Lan said, and with that, Aestus, and Vince sank once more beneath the waves.  Topaz and Lan just watched the sun glow on the water.  

Topaz smiled and said, “You know...I'm really happy for him.  I'm gonna miss him...but at least he's happy, and I know he'll adapt to whatever life he's off to.”

“He's a lucky guy, and he'll do fine as he always has...” Lan said.

That was when they heard an engine approach them.  They looked and saw South approach in a car rather clumsily.  He got out and cursed his stature.  “I really shouldn't drive again.”

Lan and Topaz smiled at South.  “It's great to see you're okay, fox.” Lan said.

“Thanks, Lan.” South said.  “Sorry I'm so late...”  He looked around.  Where's....Vince?”

Topaz simply giggled and said, “He's okay.”

“That's not really what I asked.” South said cocking his head.

Lan simply replied, “He's going to be leaving here for a while.  He's gonna make sure Aestus remains scarce from anymore curious humans.”

South took that in before looking to the sea perhaps in some confusion but nodded.  “Hope he's successful in that...”

“He'll be fine.” Topaz said.  “But what about you now?  Shadow gonna be a difficulty for you now again?”

“Oh most definitely.” South said.  But I think I got a decent head-start, or will get one.  I'm gonna be continuing my own journey to try and find my own goal.  Shadow, hopefully one day will accept me...but for now, it's back to our game of cat and mouse.”

“Well, we wish you luck in your journey, South...” Lan said.  “If you ever need help...The Witches Corner will forever be open to you.”

“I appreciate it guys...I better get going.  Never know how far behind Shadow is...”

“Farewell South...” Lan said, and before too long, South was speeding in the opposite direction that Lan and Topaz were going.  South looked to the sea and gave one last mental farewell to Vince.  He didn't know exactly where he was, but he had a feeling he was already with his special someone.  And though he wished to have said goodbye to Vince personally...he had his own goal of being with his own special someone.  If Vince could do it...so could he.

-----

Aestus took Vince a little deeper into water that was not as well lit, before finding a small cave along the seabed.  Vince smiled as she held him in and took him in.  She sat him against the wall, and said, “It may not be as cozy as our Merkuran shelters, but I'll get you to one of those places soon.  For now...let's have you regain your strength here.”

Vince smiled and said, “Any place with you, is cozy for me.”

Aestus, who was lingering near the cavern entrance, simply looked back to Vince, and smiled.  “I'm...I'm really glad you're with me Vince...”

Vince returned that smile, and said, “You have no idea how it feels...to finally be down here with you, without any hassle...come here?”

Aestus smiled and kicked over to Vince, and he reached up and brought her close.  He brought her and and gave her a deep kiss.  As deep as he could go, and after they finished that kiss, Vince just continued to kiss her neck, and playfully nip her.  

“Vince...” she whispered.  

Vince just smiled and closed her eyes, leaning back as Aestus began to get closer to Vince, pushing comfortably against him.  Vince just smiled.  Not even a day underwater, and it was already the happiest, and most peaceful experience he could feel.  

“I love you Tsuna...”

“I love you so much, Vincent...”

And they both knew their love was deeper than any ocean could even think of going.  And they didn't need to show it to know it...

-----

Terrance opened the door of his hut.  Someone had just made noise on the outside of the door.  However, upon opening it, no one was there.  Something however was on the ground.  It appeared to be an old bottle.  Garbage really.  He frowned at who would be so childish and immature to knock on his door, and leave nothing but garbage at the doorstep.  But as he knelt to pick it up, he realized that within the old clay bottle, there was a piece of parchment.  

Curious.  And perhaps a little suspicious, but he none the less, reached his finger into the bottle's opening, and pulled out the parchment.  The parchment looked a little messy, and was wet, or had been wet in a few areas (perhaps because of a rain that was starting), but was readable.  

“My dearest father and mother,” the note began.

Terrance felt his heart beat.  His son had wrote this!

“Who is it, Terrance?” his mate called to him.

“Sasha, come here!” he called.

Sashamijo came over after a few seconds, with a dish she was drying off.  She smiled at him, and asked, “What are you doing with the door open like that?  It's starting to rain.”

Terrance just showed her the letter with a small smile.  “Our son is checking in with us.”

Sasha immediately looked to the letter and began reading herself.  Terrance continued to read the letter as well, curious about the whereabouts of his son, and how life was treating him since his last visit here.  Neither Terrance of Sasha had been given too much details concerning what exactly had become of Vince.  They really just got all his things back one day, a large amount they had to sell because they had no use or space for it.  A thing Vince really wouldn't mind, since he no longer had a use for a lot of the things he once had, particularly electronics.  Though they still had a decent amount still stored away, as if waiting for him to return.  They both, particularly Sasha, had been worried about what had happened to have al his things sent home.  All the note said, was that he had lost his job, and was living elsewhere.  No location was given.

”I apologize I could not contact you any sooner.  For reasons I hope you understand, I've been trying to stay low with my companion, out of the public.  But I feel that enough time has now passed for me to give you an update, I hope you will be very eager to hear.

“As you likely have heard by now, I no longer live in Araya, or The Witches Corner anymore.  You both were right.  Making a way of life in the outside world is extremely difficult for our kind, but it's an experience I will never regret.  If I had not gone outside our village, I would not be where I am now.  The past three months, I have been living happily, in the Elesian Sea, with my companion.”


Sasha and Terrance looked to each other.  He was living in the Elesian Sea?  Each took on a small look of worry, but continued reading.  It was obvious is he wrote a letter, he was safe.

”I know that must sound weird, and the story to it is rather long, but, know that I am happy, okay, and love it here.  One might think that the blandness and lack of much civilization in the ocean could be a dull experience, but I find it very calm, peaceful, and something I have grown quite used to.  My life with my companion, you both have had the pleasure of meeting, is without a doubt something I know you two have to this day.”

Terrance laughed at that and gave Sasha a small but tight comfortable hug at that.  He could not deny that at one point, he had his doubts at his son's actions with getting involved with the Merkuran as quickly as he did, but...he kept to Lontra tradition, and it looked like they were both happy.

”She is caring, beautiful...and I could not have asked for anyone better to spend my life with.  And mother, father, you cannot imagine the joy I have right now as I write this.  It won't be too long before I will be a father.”

At that sentence, Sasha and Terrance stopped reading.  Their son.  A father.  Neither of them had any words right there, so Terrance once again lifted the letter for them to finish reading.

I have to much to tell you, and talk to you about, and miss you both, but for the moment, Aestus will need me with her as we enter another step in our relationship.  I apologize if you'd been worried about anything that past few months, and will gladly talk about it with you when we see each other again.  But for now, I can only ask you to think nothing but the best for both Aestus and I, and we look forward to seeing you, when your grandchild is born, even if it's a grandchild we never thought we'd have like this.  I will see you soon.  Your son, Vince.”

Terrance and Sasha smiled as he lowered the letter by his side, and the rain started falling a bit faster.  

“My son, a father...” Sasha repeated from the letter.  

Terrance smiled.  “I know...seems like only yesterday he was taking his first steps, you know that?”

“Now, he'll be teaching his own child to walk.” she said smiling.

“Swim more, by the sound of it.” Terrance said smiling.

Sasha laughed, and said, “You know...it feels weird, being a Lontra grandmother of a baby which will likely be Merkuran.  Not many can say they have a grandchild of the sea.”

“For all we know, Vince might be a Merkuran himself now.  He is living with her after all.” Terrance said.

Sasha just laughed and kissed  Terrance softly.  “You think he's ready to be a father?”

Terrance smiled.  “Our son, has made questionable decisions.  He's struggled, gotten into plenty of trouble, and by the sounds of it, has certainly felt a lot of the struggle hit him hard in many ways.  The Merkuran mate did come strange to me.  Their consummation without letting us know was a move I questioned.  But, through it all, he has kept to the Lontra tradition as much as I expect him to, and I believe he will make a great father.  I could not be more proud for him.  I look forward to seeing our small Merkuran pup of a grandchild.”

Sasha smiled at his words, and said, “You did a good job being a father to him too.  He will have no trouble.”

Terrance smiled and kissed his mate gently.  “He has you to thank as well.  You really were the best mother he could have had.”

She giggled at his suggestion, but after a moment, they just returned inside, unaware that from a distance, in the nearby river, a figure had been watching them. Seeing them enter the house in the manner they did, he submerged once more into the water, to where another figure was.  

Aestus looked up as Vince swam down to meet her.  Vince smiled, “They have it.  Let's get you back home to the sea.”

Aestus was already showing the beginning signs of her pregnancy.  A slightly enlarged abdomen mainly, near the top of the tail  region, though the tail region itself would soon be a little stretched too.  She was laying on the riverbed, where the current wasn't as strong.  The journey up river had been a little tiring, and the freshwater environment as compared to the saltwater environment of the ocean felt strange to her gills, but it was a journey they had to make and would need to make again. She didn't mind it.

Vince floated down toward her, getting a footing on the riverbed, and helped her get up from the riverbed.  Once she felt the current, she gave a kick with her tail, and began to float with the current, Vince following close behind her.  Thankfully the trip back to the ocean would be much easier.  “SO how did they take the news?” she asked, looking back to him.

Vince smiled.  “The way I thought they would.  I believe they're happy for us, and eager to see the first of our offspring.”

Aestus smiled a biit at that and said, “They should be proud of you.  You've done your best.”

“Oh I know they are.” Vince said, with a small smile.  “I may not be in constant communication with them, but know they think nothing but the best for me.  I love them as they love me.”  He smiled and gave a strong kick to Aestus, drifting closer to her, and hugging her from the behind.  “And I love you as I do them.  And that's something that's never going to change.”

She smiled as he hugged her, and just leaned her head against his.  Vince turned so that she was facing the tide, and that his back was leading them downstream, and he kicked toward the stronger currents.  They were now drifting with the current,and would continue to drift like that for another hour or so before they hit the ocean again.  Vince kissed her neck, and placed one of his hands on the abdomen of Aestus.  It was too early to feel any movement from the fetus inside, but that didn't stop him from giving it a loving touch.  Aestus, smiled at his touch, and simply said, “Some salmon sounds good when we get home, Vince.”

Vince smiled and said, “Then I'll get you some salmon.  For now...just relax.  We'll be home soon.”

Aestus smiled and gave Vince a kiss.  A small, gentle, and passionate kiss.  “I love you Vince...”

“I love you, Aestus...” Vince replied, before rubbing her abdomen, looking down to it, and speaking to the developing child inside, “Your father loves you too...”

Aestus just smiled and felt herself get lost in the arms of Vince, as they drifted with the river's current on their journey home.  Vince just smiled and reflected in the moment before mentally chuckling.  All of this had been an accident.  His relationship, his new life...all accidental.  Vince loved it.  Who knew that a drunken encounter would end up like this?  Vince just kissed Aestus' neck.  He didn't know where this “accident” would go, but he really didn't care.  As long as Aestus would still be part of it...
Beginning
Chapter 25
Acknowledgements

The End

You all know the premise by now.

Well, what can I say? If you're reading this before the story, I hope you don't mind reading this first. It's nothing much, just the thought process I had while coming home, before posting this up.

I really can't believe this is finished. I have so many people to thank, and so much to say. And the work isn't even done yet, if I really decide to pursue publishing it. And maybe a whopping 50 people will buy this story. If I'm lucky.

My friends, I really hope you enjoy this ending, and I really hope you've enjoyed this story. I really cannot say anymore than I already have. What needs to be said still, will be said in the acknowledgements which I hope to post later on today in my journal. FOr now, I'll just say thank you all again for this wonderful journey. Now to those of you who have yet to begin reading this ending. Go for it.

As always, Lontra and Merkuran characters (Vince and Aestus included) Belong to me.

South Williams, and Shadow belong to South-Fur

Witches Corner characters belong to Crimsyn.

Breathing Underwater is Copyrighted and Owned by ThrashMetallix
©2013, All Rights Reserved
You may not use this work without first consulting myself.
All characters in this story are used by permission and request of original owners.

Much love to you all. Drive on.
© 2013 - 2024 ThrashMetallix
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BoyTheFather's avatar

I believe this should have been Chapter 25 and the other as Epilogue