Mermaids in Miami
Copyright© 2026 by Rachael Jane
Chapter 11: Nerida
Naida stands barefoot on the sand, the hem of her white dress fluttering in the warm Miami breeze. The sun dips low over the ocean, painting the sky in soft pinks and golds. Brian stands beside her, hands trembling slightly as he holds hers.
They don’t have many guests, just a few of Brian’s co-workers from the water park, a kindly officiant, and the aquarium behind with Nerissa watching. Naida doesn’t understand every word spoken, but she understands the meaning. She understands the warmth in Brian’s eyes. She understands the way her heart swells when he says her name.
When they kiss, the waves crash gently behind them, as if the ocean itself is giving its blessing.
Nerissa feels Naida’s joy like sunlight, but also the distance, the widening gap between their worlds. That night she curls into the kelp bed, whispering a soft, ‘Congratulations,’ even though no one hears it.
Months pass.
Naida’s belly grows round and full. She marvels at the changes in her body, how her skin glows, how her heartbeat seems to echo with a second rhythm. Brian is endlessly attentive, reading books aloud, cooking meals, helping her walk when her legs feel unsteady.
But Naida feels something else too. A pull. A whisper. A memory of the ocean.
When Naida visits the aquarium, Nerissa senses it through their bond. ‘Are you alright?’
‘Yes,’ Naida answers. ‘Just ... different.’
‘You’re always different now.’
Naida doesn’t argue.
The baby comes on a warm night in early summer.
Brian rushes her to the small clinic near the water park, holding her hand as she breathes through the pain. Naida doesn’t understand the doctors’ words, but she understands Brian’s steady, soothing voice; full of love.
When the baby finally arrives, the room falls silent.
Naida hears the gasp before she sees her daughter. The infant’s tiny body glistens with scales. A delicate tail curls where human legs should be. Her eyes are bright and ocean‑deep. A mermaid.
Naida bursts into tears, overwhelmed with love and fear all at once. Brian holds the baby carefully, awe softening his features.
“She’s beautiful,” he whispers.
Naida nods, pressing her forehead to her daughter’s. “Nerida,” she breathes, choosing the name instinctively. Little sea.
But within minutes, the baby begins to cry; sharp and distressed; she’s gasping for breath. Her skin dries too quickly. Her tail twitches in pain.
To read the complete story you need to be logged in:
Log In or
Register for a Free account
(Why register?)
* Allows you 3 stories to read in 24 hours.