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Smiling at the cute manatee couple, I tuck Meno under my arm, her tiny hand sliding across my back in ownership.
“I’m really happy for you, big guy. You’re a lucky man,” I tell my old friend as he swims circles with his lady manatee. He stops for only a moment to look at me, and I’m sure it’s all in my head, but I get the sense he’s trying to tell me the same thing. We’ve spent a lot of lonely years together, and now, it seems the next chapter for both of us is finally beginning.
The next few hours go by in a blur of mundane tasks, but right when we’re closing, I get a phone call.
“Hello?” I answer the unknown caller.
“Mr. Wright? Is this Milo Wright?” the caller asks in a brusque voice.
“It is. Who is this?”
“Dwight Felix. I’m with the Caribbean Museum of Oceanic Wonders. We’ve received your information and would like to speak, in detail.”
“Of course. Would you like to fly into Candy Cane Key to inspect the dig sight? I’ve been in touch with the church’s groundskeeper, and the mayor has agreed to keep the site closed until everything is settled.”
“That’s precisely what I’ll be doing. I arrive tonight and will meet you at the location mentioned in your email in the morning at eight sharp. Until then, this is my number to save. Take care.”
The line goes dead.
“I don’t believe he wants us to take care,” Meno scoffs. “He sounds like a snob.”
“I think museum guys usually do,” I tell her honestly. I’ve met enough to know, and they usually talk down to me, even though I hold degrees much larger than theirs most times. “But it sounds like he’s going to buy our treasure.”
At that, Meno squeals in excitement and jumps into my arms. I spin her around, whooping my own excitement.
This is it. The beginning of our happily ever after. And it sparklws with good fortune all around. I smile at the words from the message in the bottle.
“You ready to buy that house, Cherub?”
“Yeah, baby, I am. I’m ready for it all,” she says, kissing me. Our lips dance in a familiar rhythm, clearing my mind of all worry. I’ll build her perfect home and work to make her smile like this every day for the rest of her life.
EPILOGUE
One Month Later
Meno
After hanging up the last black streamer, I take a step back and admire my baby shower decorating skills. Robin is waiting until the baby is born to find out the gender, so she went with a black-and-gold, rock-n-roll theme.
Daphne and I started decorating the big entertainment room of the vacation house first thing this morning, to make sure everything is perfect for our bestie. In a very short amount of time, I’ve made a permanent home, not only in Milo but in the town of Candy Cane Key.
Thinking back to the moment, I clutch my manatee necklace, so grateful for fate bringing me to my sanctuary. My little island away from the snobs of my past. My peaceful place, full of genuine friendships, manatees, and Milo.
My happily ever after.
Cheering shakes me out of my happy haze, and realize the room has filled up with guests. Everyone congratulates Robin and then heads to the snacks.
“I can’t believe she’s going through with it alone.”
“I heard she doesn’t know who the father is.”
Whispers of gossip catch my ear. Some ladies are snacking on cheese, and side-eyeing my beautiful boo. I don’t fucking think so.
As I’m marching over to tell them off and kick out their rude asses, the crowd erupts in cheers. Several people move toward the entryway, and I crane my neck to see what’s going on. Those bitches are so lucky some nice old ladies are between us, or I’d be going feral. I shoot daggers at them with my eyes until a man’s voice booms into the room.
“Hey, I didn’t know there was a party. Where’s my invite?”
He’s as tall and wide as Milo, possibly bigger as his shoulders graze the doorframe on both sides. The stranger bends to hug several people and kiss the cheeks of an older woman as he continues into the large entertaining room of the family’s vacation home.
