As Eric Anderson entered the backyard of the Stovall house with his fiance Julie, he couldn't help noting how nice the weather was, considering it was October 28.
"We're definitely having a late Indian Summer," agreed Julie, as she sat her stuff down on the patio table and proceeded toward the back door of the house. "Guess what they say about global warming and climate change is true. My dad says when he was our age, the leaves would already be turning and there'd be a chill in the air."
Eric wanted to ask her what exactly the temperature extremes for were-mers were, but that had to wait as Julie went inside. Instead, he set up his homework on the table before kicking off his shoes and socks. Then he set the alarm on his cellphone and laid that next to everything else so he'd be sure to be home in plenty of time for dinner.
Julie came back out a couple of minutes later with a couple of sodas, some chips, and a handful of linen.
As Eric took the food from her to place on the table, Julie draped the towels on the back of one of the chairs. Then she placed a coral pink robe across the back of the chair she was planning to sit in before handing Eric a sea blue terry cloth robe.
"Mom got this for you. If she was here right now, she'd say something along the lines of Welcome to the family, before giving it to you."
"If I don't see her before I leave, would you thank her for me?" asked Eric, draping it across his chair.
"Sure," promised Julie, as she started kicking off her own shoes and socks.
Then the two teenagers stepped close to each other and embraced.
Eric brushed a stray strand of blonde hair away from her deep sea blue eyes. "I love you, my future wife," he said proudly, before kissing her.
"And I you," replied Julie, after their lips parted. "But are you okay?" she asked, staring deeply into the orbs that now matched hers.
"Yeah. Just thinking about mom and dad and their marriage. They're planning to open it some," explained Eric. "She can be with whatever woman will have her, while mom will allow dad to share the bi-sexual ones with her, provided they're willing."
"I guess that's progressive, considering what you've told me of their past before moving from Minnesota to here. But don't worry my wonderful merman. Us were-mers only believe in monogamous relationships. You're mine and I'm yours for the rest of our lives," said Julie, snuggling closer to him.
"I wouldn't have it any other way my love. You're the only sea jewel within the treasure chest of my heart," he replied with a smile, before Eric started kissing Julie again.
Soon, by silent yet mutual agreement, the two lovers began undressing each other.
Each newly exposed part earned the bearer a kiss and a caress.
Julie ran her hands over Eric's toned chest while he gently massaged her pert breasts and teased Julie's hardened nipples.
Moments later they were both completely nude as hands started exploring between their partner's legs.
Each smiled as they enjoyed the tactile sensations of what they were feeling.
Then Julie gave Eric a peck on the cheek and said, "Now then. A handsome were-merman I know and love said he wanted a swim with full tail," as she grabbed his hand and started leading Eric toward the Stovall family's fresh water swimming pool.
"You better believe it," he answered, happily following her even as he felt the webbing form between Julie's fingers as she assumed her Stage 1 form.
At the pool's edge, Julie embraced and started kissing Eric again before leaning to one side.
Having already assumed his own Stage 1 form, Eric just kept kissing his girlfriend/fiance as they fell into the water.
As the couple sank to the bottom, both assumed their complete were-mer forms.
Scales spread across their lower bodies as legs fused and feet flattened out to complete the traditional mer-tail of Stage 3.
It was a toss up as to whether it was Eric's blue-green scales or Julie's more traditional goldfish toned scales that sparkled brighter underwater, but neither cared as they continued to embrace and kiss.
The were-merman and the were-mermaid were together.
They were happy.
They were deeply in love with a bright future ahead of them.