Lady Luck

An original short story by Christine Wichman c. July 1, 2013

Lady Luck was a 70 meter luxury yacht that called Monte Carlo her home. Only the rich and famous could claim knowing her intimately. Oh the parties she had witnessed, and beautiful ports she frequented. As privy to many things private, she was a fly on the wall to it all. You would have thought she had experienced everything. Curiously though, she had not.

For on July 1, 2013 she was chartered by a man most mysterious and a woman more beautiful than she had ever seen.

“Alejandro do you have my bag?” Purred the tall dark creature.
In a sexy spanish accent he replied. “Of course Mi Amor”.
Smiling, he took her hand and guided her onto the boat. She teetered in 4 inch heels and nearly put a hole in her flowing leopard wrap skirt. “Aye” she warned as he pulled her a little too quickly and she stumbled losing her black wide brim hat. Gallantly he scooped it up off the deck and lovingly placed it back on her head.

“Gracias” She giggled, letting her guard down and showing some humility at last. “Wow, so this is it?”
She scanned the deck and noted the clean white neat sofas, and overstuffed chaises. “I love it!”
“I knew you would.” His white teeth glistened as he beamed, ” It will be our paradise for a month.”
“I can’t believe it, just you and me alone on the Sea.” She pulled him in for a kiss. He embraced her willingly for a moment of passion.

“Ahem…” a familiar voice cleared itself.

“Well we are not quite alone.” Whispered Alejandro. “There is the captain and crew, let’s not forget.”

“Bonjour Captain Frank.” She smiled teasingly.

“Salut Adele.” Frank winked. He had known Adele since she was a little girl in Brittany. They were schoolmates and their grandmothers were cousins. When Alejandro proposed the trip. Adele recommended Frank to man “Lady Luck” for their excursion. Pleading that she would be less afraid of the sea if they had a captain she could trust. Of course Alejandro relented and gave in to her wish, as he always did.

“Ready to set off Sir?” Frank decided to maintain a professional demeanor with Alejandro.

“Yes, I think so, we have everything? The crew ready for us?” Alejandro admired Frank he was Adele’s oldest friend and in turn Frank had the utmost respect for any man that could tame Adele, who was at best, impossible.

Three hours in to the journey the yacht was gliding atop azure waters, a warm breeze and billowy clouds drifting just to the left above the coastline. Tom Petty playing faintly in the background,

“Baby, even the losers get lucky sometime

even the losers get lucky sometime

Ohh ohh ohh ohh…”

Adele sang along, as she stripped down to her silver bikini, a compari in hand, stepping gracefully over Alejandro’s lounge chair to perch on her own.

“Looking a little hot there love.” She stated.

“I know I am HOT.” he teased. ” I cannot help it, I come from a long line of beautiful Castilians.”

Adele slapped his muscled arm with the back of her hand..”Ha ha very funny. No really, I think you need a hat. This heat is intense.”

“Whatever you say Mi Amor.” Alejandro stood up to go down below and fetch a hat. “Keep an eye out for diving dolphins, we are nearing their favorite spot to swim.”

“Oooh I shall. You know I love Dolphins.” She winked.

With Alejandro out of sight. Adele reapplied her seashell pink lipstick and took a peek in her compact mirror. “Aye…” she disdained as her eyeliner had smudged a bit in the heat. With her pinky finger she smoothed it into place.

“Adele…..Adele….!!” a woman’s voice was calling her. A voice coming not from the boat, but from the water.

Adele rose from her chaise and raced to the front rail of the boat. Hanging as far over the water

as she could, she looked down into the blue ripples and saw a four foot scaly green tail splashing there.

Suddenly up through the wake in the water rose the face of an angel, a cherubic woman with trails of blonde hair and a wicked smile. “Adele!! I found you!”

“Aurora, what are you doing here? I am with Alejandro. He must not see you! Quickly you must hide.”

“But Adele I have been swimming for ages…please pull me on board…my arms and tail are so tired.”

With all the strength she had, Adele hoisted the half woman, half fish from the water and brought her up on deck.

“Frank!!” “Frank!” Adele called.

“Ooooh Frank is here too?…Goody goody!!” clapped the Mermaid.

Frank rushed to see what was going on. Alejandro was still below where the music was much louder and he could hear nothing. It seemed his hat had gone missing as well. When Frank arrived to see Adele and Aurora. He gasped. “What is SHE doing here?”

“Just hide her Frank and quickly…we will deal with it later…hurry Alejandro is coming.”

“Adele why must I hide? Why can’t I meet Alejandro?” pleaded the Mermaid, “You’ve always introduced me to previous Beaus.”

“Alejandro is different Aurora. I will explain it all later.“ Adele waved her hands to shoo Aurora off with Frank. “Please mon chere I promise to come to you after dark and tell you everything.”

Frank lifted the Mermaid up into his arms, her tail draped and waving as they quickly made their way to his cabin.

“Don’t worry sweetie,” He whispered in her ear. “I will set you up in the Captains’ tub with the best caviar and champagne while you wait.”

Just then Alejandro emerged from the galley ladder below.

“Well I finally found it. Sorry to take so long Mi Amor. It was in your bag. I have a feeling you were trying to hide it from me.”

Still anxious over Aurora, Adele blurted in a high pitch voice. “Why would I hide anything from you my love?”

Alejandro bent toward her for a kiss and was very pleased when she returned his affection.

“Come now let’s get back to melting in the sun.” he smiled, reclaiming his chaise.

Down below in Captain Frank Mellicourt’s luxurious tub sat one beautiful Mermaid, gobbling down Petrossian Caviar and sipping a glass of Cristal Brut 1990.

“Mmmm so yummy Frank.” Aurora exuded the excitement of a child, with her infrequent visits above sea level she maintained an innocence and wonder toward earthly pleasures.

“Watch this Frank…” she chimed, as she filled her mouth with beluga eggs and a big swig of bubbly, then swished and released a faint popping sound. “It’s like fireworks in my mouth Frank!”

Frank let out an unwilling chuckle. Aurora never failed to amuse. He shook his head and in a calm voice informed her. “I must be getting back to the helm now my dear.” He then placed a stack of linen napkins next to the tub. “Enjoy your meal.”

“Sure beats the bottom feeders I’ve been snacking on lately.” She giggled.

Frank turned toward the door. “And remember stay put until after dark as Adele instructed.”

“Do you know why Alejandro is different Frank?” Aurora tilted her head.

“I do.” Said Frank solemnly.

“Then why can’t you just tell me? I feel like a prisoner, just waiting here.” She huffed.

“Well you are our prisoner, and a very well fed one I may add.” He smirked.

“Fine.” She sighed, “Just leave me to my imaginings then.”

“That I shall.” Quipped Frank as he shut the door behind him, and with an imprudent splash of her tail Aurora emptied half the tub onto the white marble floor.

“Hmmph” Aurora was also as impatient as a child, and decided to take matters into her own hands, literally. “Fine,” she repeated under her breath “I will just have a peek into the world of this Alejandro and see for myself.”

She joined both hands together and cupped a good amount of sudsy bath water into a pool then gently blew on the liquid until it formed a bubble in the shape of a gypsy’s crystal. Gazing into it, she whispered these words;

“ Bubble Bubble South of the Border, West of the Sun…Show me now what this Alejandro has done.”

Suddenly an image formed clearly inside the bubble, It was Alejandro and a few men standing at Airport Security. She could hear their voices but they were speaking Spanglish so she could only make out a few phrases. “Are you Alejandro Luis De La Carrera?” bellowed the TSA agent.

“Si Senor.” He replied.

Suddenly there were armed guards and shouting. “Seize this Man.” Ordered the agent.

In clear English Alejandro was screaming.“There has been a simple misunderstanding.” The bubble went fuzzy as Alejandro was being dragged away by officials.

“Oh my” gasped Aurora. “Has my sister taken up with a drug lord?”

Aurora was letting her imagination spin out of control.

“I knew my sister was drawn to bad boys and men with an edge but this is most worrisome.”

She contemplated using her “Land leg spell” to climb right out of the tub and confront them both on the spot. But the Land leg spell could last for days and she had to be back to the Underworld by Friday for the “Miss Sea Coral Beauty Pageant.”

After about five minutes of running it through her brain she decided her sister’s safety was more important than any Beauty Queen crown, so she hastily spoke the magic words;

“As Neptune swims and Poseidon Sails,

Remove my fin, and transform my tail…

From one singular sensation of shimmery scales

To flesh and bone, that shines porcelain pale.”

As the last word hit the air, the bubbles in the tub started to stir and tiny sparks of golden light shot out from Aurora’s green tail. The scales appeared to melt away into the suds and two very toned and well formed legs began to take shape.

Once Aurora had her land legs complete, she slowly rose from the tub to reach for one of Frank’s fluffy white monogrammed towels.

“Oooh” she admired the two loopy gold “L”s that graced all the linens presented on the shiny towel bar.

“Sooo Fancy.” She giggled.

“Hmmm now where do I find some girly clothes around here?” She tip-toed through Frank’s cabin and out into the luxurious hallway.

“So many doors,” she pondered, “Guess I will have to try them all.”

As Aurora proceeded to play Russian roulette with each of the teak doors, Alejandro and Adele were on their second bottle of Compari and laughing up a storm in the Yacht’s lounge.

“After all that business with the hat My Love, I see you still managed to get too much sun.” purred Adele.

“Where?” retorted Alejandro, looking at his bronzed arms and legs.

“Right here.” Teased Adele, kissing him on the nose.

Alejandro then pulled her onto his lap and began to kiss her deeply. They became lost in a very long moment until Frank again entered the room clearing his throat.

“My apologies you two, but I must speak to you both on two separately urgent matters.”

“What is it Frank?” Adele sounded worried.

“Yes please tell us!” Barked Alejandro.

Frank did not know how to approach his predicament without driving a wedge between the two lovers, for they both had secrets that only he was keeping.

“Sir, it is a technical matter I need to discuss with you in private. And, Adele there is nothing to worry about but it seems one of your personal belongings has gone missing. The crew is actively searching so I am sure it will turn up soon.”

“Is it my jewel of the Sea necklace?” Adele gave Frank a knowing glance.

“Yes I’m afraid it is.” Nodded Frank.

Adele knew from the moment Frank walked in that Aurora was on the move. She let out a heavy sigh.

“Ahhh well Frank I know you will handle it, I have faith in you.”

Alejandro rose from the sofa and joined Frank out on the landing, calling back to Adele,

“We will only be a moment Mi Amor.”

She nodded, already lost in her own frantic thoughts of a loose Aurora on board.

In hushed tones Frank explained to Alejandro,“Sir we have a serious problem, something has punctured the main fuel tank and we are leaking a significant amount of petrol. Not only is that an environmental hazard it is also cause for alarm, as we may not reach that destination we spoke of earlier and I know our arrival there is timely, so I suggest we make an emergency stop in Porto Vecchio to repair the tank and refuel.”

“What about the Island? Have you secured the Island as I asked?” Alejandro’s voice became deep and serious.

“I shall call ahead to the Island, and have them take care of everything Sir.”

“Well,” whispered Alejandro angrily, “It appears we have no choice. I must say I am very disappointed. I am not one for delays or interrupted plans.”

“I apologize Alejandro, you know I was just as eager to carry out the plan as you were.”

“Were you Frank? I don’t know, sometimes I get the feeling you are not so Happy with my plans.”

Frank did not know how to answer Senior De La Carrera’s accusation. Perhaps it hit a little too close to home.

“Well my friend, I am doing everything I can to expedite your plan. Again I apologize for the delay.”

With that Frank turned on his heel and set course for Porto Vecchio, canceling the route to Zadarski Kanal and the Heart Shaped Island. He then set off to remedy all the other things that were veering off course.

Aurora had managed to find the crew girl’s cabin after three failed attempts. The boiler room, the chef’s quarters, and a storage pantry did not offer the wardrobe choices she was after. She did however hit pay dirt in this young thing’s closet. Flicking past five staunch uniform blouses emblazoned with the name “Hillary”, she stumbled upon a short black sequin dress, “Um no, not my style.” She pushed through more hangers and landed upon something to her liking.

“Ooh a green maxi dress!” she held it up to her naked body in the full-length mirror.“I adore this.” She squealed and then climbed into it the wrong side up…as she did not have much experience with clothes either. After two, no three, tries she was in. “Hmmm I guess I need some shoes. Any shoes around here?” Her eyes landed on a pair of gold stilettos. She pushed her unfamiliar feet into each one and tried walking with little success.

“Ouch. Oww. How do people do this? Holy Poseidon and Mother Smackerel. These things hurt.”

Just then she heard footsteps approaching the Cabin and dove quickly to the floor, shimmying herself underneath the bed. It was a tight squeeze but she managed. She held her breath as she heard the doorknob turning and saw two large black shoes enter the room.

“Aurora? Are you in here?” It was Frank.

She whispered back. “Under here Frank.”

He bent down to have a peek under the bed and came eye to eye with the escaped Mermaid.

“What are you doing Aurora, couldn’t you just stay put?”

“Sorry Frank, I saw something upsetting and wanted to speak to Adele immediately.”

“Upsetting? What could be upsetting in my bathroom? You could have had scarier places to hide.” Laughed Frank.

“That is true, I once hid in an old abandoned boat house for days that was awful, and then there was this one time I popped up in Bernini’s Fountain, in Rome, and a whole crowd almost spotted me, I couldn’t get out of there for a week.”

“Well please get out from underneath this bed at once young lady.” Frank ordered.

“Oooh jeeesh, I think I’m stuck Frank.” Groaned Aurora as she tried to move.

Frank then reached under from the other side and grabbed her newly formed ankles tugging her out in one swoop.

Aurora rubbed the top of her head, mussing her blonde hair, “Ouch Frank you made me hit my head.”

“Sorry my Dear, but we have bigger fish to fry…I am making an emergency stop and you have to either get off and leave us there, or figure out a way to make yourself useful on this trip.”

“Useful, what do you mean Frank?”

“Well the way I see it, now that you have legs, you could legitimately run into Adele and Alejandro on shore and be introduced properly, then I am sure your sister will invite you to join us. I mean as far as she knows this is just a joyous 30 day vacation at Sea.”

“What do you mean as far as she knows Frank? What is really going on? I knew it, Alejandro is a Drug lord! Are we delivering illegal cargo Frank? Are we all in danger? OH MY Neptune!!!”

Frank let out a hearty laugh. “What are you on about Aurora? No. He is not a drug lord. Do you think I would allow your sister to end up with a man like that?”

“Well I saw it Frank, in my vision bubble, I saw him get arrested at the airport.” Aurora continued

“They took him away Frank. I saw it all.”

“Oh that was just a simple misunderstanding. About two weeks ago Alejandro’s identity was stolen, he cleared it all up just before we embarked upon his next quest, which involved me.” Grumbled Frank.

“So he is not a criminal?” Aurora’s eyes were wide again.

“No, no…nothing of the sort, I’ve done a background check and everything about him is beyond reproach. Once they hired me for this excursion, Alejandro took me aside and instructed me to buy and prepare an Island off the coast of Croatia to present to Adele as both a Surprise gift and an elaborate spot for a proposal.” Frank’s eyes saddened.

“He plans to marry her, Aurora. That is what makes him different, that is why I believe Adele cannot introduce you, she does not want to lose this fish, and it is most likely she will accept his proposal.” He sighed.

Aurora had known since she was a child that Adele and Frank had a special friendship beyond second cousins, they knew each other’s souls and as close as they were it seemed incestuous for them to ever consummate that kind of love.

Her heart tugged for Frank. This would be an unspeakable loss for him.

“Hmmm well Frank, if I am not to be introduced due to her fear of losing him, what kind of a man is he? I would not approve!”

“My point exactly Aurora, that is why I think it would be useful if you joined us and let your secret be revealed in a timely fashion, the true test will be, can he accept a wife that is half Mermaid? If he does not accept Adele for the complete woman she is, then he does not deserve her. I don’t want to watch her live out a lie for the rest of her life, that is not a life at all.”

“I am completely with you Frank. This is who we are. I chose Sea over land, and she chose land over Sea, but she is not complete without her watery roots and relations. And besides, selfishly I do not want to lose my sister like this. If he can accept the truth, then he is a keeper, if not, I say we scare him off for good.”

They shared a wicked smile to seal the deal.

“I will text Adele and report that you have abandoned ship.” Said Frank, pulling his smart phone from his hip pocket. “Then tomorrow morning I will drop you in town and we shall arrange an accidental meeting.”

“Come Sail away…come sail away…” Styx lyrics rang out from Adele’s I phone as it vibrated on the dinning room table.

She announced to Alejandro, “It’s Frank, he must have found my necklace.” She then lifted the phone and read his message.

“Aurora is gone. Must have jumped ship somewhere near Livorno.”

Adele’s heart sunk and a twinge of guilt struck. She had dismissed her sister so abruptly. Her only hope was that Aurora would understand and forgive her. She knew if the roles were reversed however,she might not be so forgiving.

“Bad news Mi Amor?” Alejandro looked up from cutting his filet mignon.

“No no all is well.” Adele half smiled.“All is just fine.” She lied.

“Well then Bon Appetit, Is the steak to your liking?”

“It’s perfect, rare and bloody. Just how I like it.” She noted Alejandro expressing disgust, and laughed. “What? I like things practically raw you know…I use to eat the meat off the stove before it was cooked when I was a child. My Grandmother use to slap my hand.”

“What a little beast you were.” Alejandro smiled “And still, there is something wild about you.”

“Wild? What do you mean, I am most refined.” Adele defiantly took a delicate sip of her cabernet.

“Ah, you know you are not…and that is what I most adore about you.” Winked Alejandro.

As Lady Luck pulled into the Porto Vecchio Marina, Alejandro and Adele were slowly waking up in tangled satin sheets. Over the hum of the engines, they heard a faint knock at the cabin door.

“Sir? Madame? Your Breakfast.” Called the friendly crew girl, Hillary.

Precariously Hillary balanced a huge silver tray of French Press coffee, a basket of croissants, a small stack of fine bone china, and vase of roses.

Alejandro smiled at Adele, “Stay, stay, I will get it.” He gently pulled the top sheet from the bed to cover his Adonis body, while he answered the door. Leaving Adele exposed and cold.

“Hey!” she groaned half smiling, “Do you mind?”

He walked back to the bed and kissed her on the forehead, offering her the duvet from the floor as a blanket.

“That’s better. Thank you.” She snuggled back in for more sleep.

Alejandro opened the door and took the tray from the girl. He then asked her, “Have we stopped? Do you know the time?”

“It’s half nine Sir and we have just arrived in Porto Vecchio. Shall I tell the Captain you wish to embark here? Or do you prefer to spend the day on the boat?” She grinned peeking in to see the beautiful Adele sprawled out under the duvet.

Alejandro followed her glance back to Adele and relished the sight.

“We will enjoy the boat awhile. Perhaps you could make us a lunch reservation in town. A late lunch.” He winked.

Hillary immediately reported back to the Captain and told him of Senor De La Carrera’s plans. Frank then found Aurora and escorted her off the boat.

“I have to meet with the Harbor crew here and take care of some repairs, so I will be busy most of the day.” Frank handed Aurora his credit card.

“Here Dear, you better go and buy some clothes of your own, something chic, a sun hat maybe,” He then gave her a fatherly stare, and added disdainfully, “Oh and some under garments please.”

Aurora rolled her eyes and snatched up the card. “Shopping. Got it Frank.” She then teetered off in the gold stilettos and see through green maxi dress toward the nearest Boutique.

Frank shook his head as he watched her go,hoping she would make it half way down the street without being accosted by the eager Italian boys he saw coming off a tour bus in the distance.

Franks’ worry came to light as soon as Aurora hit the Old Town Piazza. Wolf whistles and cat calls followed her every step. Again, being the innocent, Aurora just waved at the boys, smiling and nodding.

“Thank you. Thank YOU.”

“People are so welcoming here.” She mused.

Out of the corner of her eye she spotted a pretty little shop in a stone building, with a sign that read, “La Boutique de la Sirene.”

“Well, there we are then, The Mermaid Store.” She announced to herself, entering the stone step threshold, ready to spend Frank’s fortune.

Aurora was greeted by a tall thin woman with leathery tanned skin, and white bleached beach hair that was much longer than it need be. She was wearing a fish net macramé sundress and large heavy earrings that could have doubled as fish lures.

“Bon Jour Madame. Est-ce que je peux vous aider?” greeted the woman in a haughty fashion.

Aurora’s French was not entirely up to speed, but she returned the woman’s question with a long soliloquy in broken French, explaining why and what she needed most desperately.

Once the woman realized Aurora meant business she set her up with the best of the best from La Perla briefs and brazier to a stunning long pink chiffon pleated skirt, topped with a silvery sheer blouse.

“I love the stretchy waist on this skirt, It means I can afford to try some of those yummy looking cookies you have over there on your counter.” noted Aurora aloud.

“Oh did you want one of my famous macaroons? Please be my guest.” The sales woman then retrieved the plate of tasty morsels to offer Aurora.

Aurora caught sight of herself in the mirror and began to spin and spin in the pink twirly skirt.

The woman laughed and said “Are you trying to earn a cookie my dear? Here please take one.”

Aurora stopped, and dizzily snatched up a macaroon the color of her skirt. Once she bit in to it and tasted the sugar melting on her tongue she could not help but let out her yummy sounds and beg for another, then another. The woman again laughed, never having seen such a sophisticated looking woman go quite so mad for sweets.

The woman then set a very chic designer hat on top of Aurora’s tousled blonde head and the shape of it struck Aurora as funny, so, in the wake of her sugar high, she fell into an uncontrollable fit of laughter.

“Alright, so maybe not the Gucci hat…would you like to try a wide brim Chanel?” Smiled the woman.

The tower clock in the square struck twelve and the shop woman turned her open sign to closed. Waving good-bye to Aurora who stepped carefully down the cobble stone street in new Prada heels carrying five bags and a hatbox. She looked like a million euros in her new outfit. The white wide brim hat and ray bans finished off the look nicely, allowing her to blend in as another wealthy jet setter touring the town.

It did not take long to stumble upon Alejandro and Adele, they were perched on the terrace of “Le Roi Theadore”. Aurora had asked the shop woman to point out the most elite and expensive restaurant in Porto Vecchio. Aurora did not need instinct to find her sister, she knew her taste too well. Only the best for Adele.

As Aurora approached their table Alejandro was facing her, dressed all in white, flashing his bright smile toward Adele. Adele was in a backless black sundress, her hair wrapped up in a fashionably tight bun on top of her head. Champagne sat in a bucket beside the table and there was one red rose laid across Adele’s plate. Oh no, was that a red Cartier ring box resting in his lap, under the table? Aurora panicked and stopped to listen for a moment.

Alejandro was now holding Adele’s hand and in his sexy Spanish accent he declared, “Mi Amor you know I adore you. However it wasn’t love at first sight, it took five minutes.”

“You are such a tease.” Cooed Adele. Alejandro put his hand on the red box and began to lift it to the table.

“I thought that was you.” Chimed Aurora as innocently as she could muster, setting her pile of packages down clumsily, she opened her arms to embrace a shocked Adele. They exchanged the traditional cheek kiss.

“Aurora? What a Surprise! What are you doing here?” Adele, fake smiled.

“Mostly shopping.” She nodded toward the bags.“Actually I am here on vacation. I decided to get away from it all and see the world.”

“Well that is great.” Shrugged Adele, waving a hand toward Alejandro, this is Alejandro De La Carrera. Alejandro I would like you to meet my sister, Aurora.”

“Sister? You never told me you had a sister!” Beamed Alejandro, “This IS quite a surprise. My God, sit down and join us please.” Alejandro slyly tucked the red box into his pocket.

“Ah yes I am sure my sister has not told you MANY things.” Aurora smiled, eyes locked with Adele’s.

Aurora settled in and joined the two for lunch.

They talked of Adeles’ formative years growing up with her Grandparents in France.

“So, why didn’t you live with your Grandparents as well Aurora?” Inquired Alejandro.

“Well, I did live with them for seven years after our Mother died. I was nearly ten when our Father came by for one of his visits, and it was then, I decided to run off with him and live a life at Sea. Adele could have come too, but she chose to stay with Grandmere and Grandpere. We were only little then, but I always knew the Ocean was my home.”

“So your father is a Sea Captain?” Alejandro was looking at Adele for the answer.

“Something like that.” Adele smiled. Alejandro looked confused.

Aurora was burning a hole into the side of Adele’s face, willing her to tell the truth.

However, they finished up lunch, paid the bill to their American waitress, then carried on a jovial conversation over espresso and dessert.

Aurora suddenly burst out. “Ohhh NO!…OH MY Neptune.”

Adele and Alejandro simultaneously responded,“What’s wrong?”

“My legs, they have gone numb, I can’t feel my legs.” There was panic on the Mermaid’s face.

“Oh we must have been sitting here too long.” Stated Alejandro rising from his chair, “We should get going, If you just get up very slowly my dear, you should be alright.”

Adele felt something scaley touch her bare leg and let out a shriek. She then, peered under the table and saw it. Peeking out from the bottom of Aurora’s pink pleated long chiffon skirt was her green shimmery Mermaid Tail.

The Land Leg Spell must have worn off early this time, thought Aurora as she shot her sister an apologetic look. She then, held her breath waiting for what Adele would say next.

“Sit down Alejandro I have to tell you something.” Adele’s tone was not angry or frightened it was simply, matter of fact. “It’s a very very long story, but Aurora’s legs have not fallen asleep, they have actually, fallen off, or well…rather…um disappeared.”

“What?” Alejandro’s eyes were wide and his jaw slightly dropped.

Adele went on to tell Alejandro everything, every little detail of how their Mother met a Merman and he cast a spell of 100 years upon her to live as a Mermaid with him in the Sea. They never thought they could have children but then they had twin girls, one blonde and one brunette, both with beautiful green tails and a heightened ability to manipulate the magic of the Magnificent Underworld.

She continued, “And then Alejandro, when we were three years old our Mother’s 100 years were up and she chose to die a natural death as the spell wore off. She did not want to live the next 100 years on land.”

“Why would she choose this? Why couldn’t she just stay in the Ocean?” asked Alejandro dealing as best as he could with the whole crazy story.

“Well because that is not how the Spell works. Our mother, being originally human, the 100 years alternated between Leg years and Tail years. Our Father has always lived as Aurora does now, with a tail and the ability to produce temporary “Land legs.” The “Land Leg Spell” can last anywhere from two to twelve days and strangely in this case, a mere 24 hours.” She glared at Aurora and then gave her a teasing smile.

Aurora began to explain, “You see, we are not to use the spell consecutively. For each day that you have legs, that is the amount of days you must wait to attempt the spell again. For example if My legs had lasted twelve days, then I would have to live in my tail a full twelve days, before utilizing the “Land Leg Spell” again. There is no guarantee how long it will last, so you take your chances.”

Aurora shrugged, “I have no idea what I did differently this time? That is the shortest the spell has ever lasted for me.”

Alejandro had twice peered under the table to see the tail for himself, and now sat with his hands in his hair and a furrowed brow, trying to process the whole thing.

“So your Grandparents are they really your Mother’s biological parents?” Alejandro was curious, he had met these lovely people and they looked so much like Adele.

“Actually My Grandmother is my Mother’s best friend. We are not blood relations, but you are the only one besides Aurora who knows this now.”

Aurora was shocked that Adele revealed that fact, they had never told anyone outside of the Family before, not even Frank.

“So this 100 years spell, Does one age while under it, or remain youthful while in it’s hold?” asked Alejandro.

The sisters looked at one another suspiciously and answered in unison. “You hold your youth.”

“Yes,”nodded Aurora,”From the day you drink the potion. That is how you physically remain for 100 years.”

“And one more thing” Alejandro asked, “How is it that you, Mi Amor, who is biologically half a mermaid, as you are telling me now. How is it that you have such beautiful and capable legs for such an extended amount of time?”

“Well, when I decided to stay with Grandmere and Grandpere, I told my Father I preferred the land to the Sea and he asked me, would I enjoy a permanent set of legs when I grew up? Well I said yes of course and so….”

“Oh no, don’t tell me, He cast the spell of 100 years upon you? 100 years Adele?” Alejandro slumped in his chair. Staring straight ahead in shock.

“Yes Alejandro, when Aurora and I turned twenty-one, we both drank the potion. Our Father has taken the potion more than a dozen times. We don’t know if we will choose to live as long, but being young and impressionable we are now in the midst of our first experience with the 100 years Spell.”

Alejandro looked into the eyes of his young and beautiful love and asked,”How long ago did you take the Potion?”

“Well we are twenty-eight years old.” Aurora piped up, “So, only seven years ago.”

Adele added, “It will never be a problem for Aurora, as she has chosen an Ocean home.”

Adele then looked pleadingly at Alejandro, “As for me, well it should not be much of a problem until I am, well, nearing fifty, I suppose.”

Alejandro sighed….”How could you live as such a beauty next to a man that ages into an old goat beside you?”

Aurora and Adele both laughed and then Adele spoke softly, “Well do you want to grow old beside me?”

Alejandro reached into his pocket and presented the red box, “Well that was the original plan, I came here today to propose to you Mi Amor.”

“And do you still want me as your wife? Knowing all of this?” Adele waited for his answer.

“Most women do out live their husbands.” Quipped Aurora

“But not usually by so many decades.” Laughed Alejandro.

“Well, there is another option?” posed Adele. “YOU could out live ME by Seven years.”

“Do you mean what I think you mean?” Smiled Alejandro.

Adele nodded and Alejandro rose from his seat and got down on one knee before the young beauty, opening the box to reveal a twenty-carat Cartier diamond engagement ring.

Adele Mireille Du Lac will you do me the honor of spending the next Ninety-three years by my side in beauty and health, luxury and wealth until by “Potion Choice” we do part?”

“Well, when you put it that way, how can a girl refuse?”

Alejandro slipped the exquisite ring on Adele’s finger, and she admired it lovingly, then the two embraced melting in to one long passionate kiss.

Aurora clapped her hands together and shouted, “Hooray, my work here is done, and all is well that ends well. Now Alejandro if you could just carry me back to the boat, that would be great.”

Adele laughed at her crazy sister and scooped up all of her shopping bags while Alejandro tucked Aurora’s tail up under her long pink skirt to conceal it from onlookers. He then hoisted her up into his arms, and began to carry her out of the Restaurant, passing the American waitress, he informed her, “My Fiances’ sister has blistered her feet in those shoes we’ve left under the table. They are no good to us, you may have them.”

The waitresses’ eyes lit up as she bent down beneath the table to collect her new Prada shoes, and then she called after the group.

“Hey, can I keep the La Perla Panties too?”

All three of them burst out laughing.

Randomly giggling all the way back to “Lady Luck”, where they found Frank waiting on the Dock.

He had seen them coming and sensed the plan had worked In Alejandro’s favor. So by the time they reached him he was resigned to the outcome as long as it made Adele happy.

“Frank say hello to my future Brother-in-law.” Aurora waved her tail out from under the skirt.

“It’s official Frank.” Adele held up her ring finger and showed Frank her new sparkler.

Frank smiled, caught up in the joy they were exuding, “Well, Congratulations you two.”

“Thank you Frank. Thank you for everything.” Beamed Alejandro, handing Aurora off to the Captain. “This girl needs a tub.”

“How about the Hot Tub?” Suggested Adele, “So we can all sit together and enjoy the Sunset.”

Aurora was more than pleased, she finally had her sister back. “Sounds good to me.”

Adele then looked sweetly to Frank, “You too Frank, you are family, come and join us.”

Frank looked doubtful.

“Come on we insist, “ Alejandro slapped Frank on the back in a friendly manner.

Adele pressed the Bose Sound system button releasing a Temptations classic, to accompany

the celebratory mood as they boarded Lady Luck.

“I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day. When it’s cold outside, I’ve got the Month of May. I guess you’d say, what can make me feel this way? My girl, my girl…”

Alejandro began to sing along looking at Adele, grabbing her hand and spinning her into dance mode. “My girl,” he sang, as the two danced.

Frank walked ahead toward the Hot tub level of the yacht carrying the giddy Aurora.

Aurora then whispered in his ear, “Last secret Frank…You are NOT our second cousin by blood, but by love alone.”

Frank took that in and let it settle. Then he turned back to Adele and Alejandro.

“Sure. I will join you. Why not?”

Aurora then gave Frank a tight squeeze around the neck, “Aww we love you Frank, we really do.”

Finis