After leaving the Andersons, Melissa Stovall drove her daughter and Eric back to their house.
Inside, Mrs. Stovall offered to make everyone root beer floats to celebrate.
Sitting around the kitchen table the three of them talked, mostly about life as a were-mer, something Eric had to adjust to now that he had become the latest were-merman of Moon Lake.
Eric found the entire conversation fascinating, not knowing that even were-mers had to be careful to avoid the "bends" when diving too deeply.
Eventually however, considering the long day she had working on the high school's computer refit, Melissa had to call it a night, although she was a bit jealous of the abundant energy the kids seemed to have.
With Julie promising her mom they would clean the kitchen, Melissa bid them good night before going upstairs.
When their chores were done, Julie grabbed Eric by the hand and led him to the living room, where they sat next to each other on the sofa.
"Eric, I'd like to ask you something, if you don't mind," began Julie, staring at her boyfriend.
"Sure. What?"
"Where do you see yourself in ten years after high school graduation?"
"With you," answered Eric without any hesitation, while kissing her on the cheek.
"That's sweet," she said with a smile, "but I got to thinking about what your brother and Alex did today, checking out the College's open house. You've told me before that you wanted to do something sciencey, perhaps with the space program. Naturally, I still want to do something to help save and improve the oceans of the world," Julie pointed out, briefly shifting to her Phase 1 transformation to show the webbing between her hands. "But now that we're bonded and destined for each other," she added, while fingering the single pearl necklace, "I'm sure the last thing either of us want is to wind up on separate planets."
"You know, you're cute when you worry," began Eric. "You get this little crinkle across the bridge of your nose and—"
"Eric. I'm serious," said Julie, looking directly at him.
"I am too," he assured her. "But somehow, you've suddenly inherited my bad habit of over thinking things sometimes," Eric observed. "Now then, even with my newly increased were life span, I'm in serious doubt that there will ever be a manned mission to anywhere other than maybe the moon. So while I still hope to do something sciencey, my top priorities will always be you and us. Together. Forever," Eric promised, holding Julie's hands in his.
"Together. Forever," swore Julie in return, leaning against her true love.