As it happened Molly was currently racing about through these chained to the ground hoops normally found in aqua-park dolphin shows that the dolphins were known to swim or jump through in the tricks with a somewhat reluctant Angela. Molly winning it seems when after passing through this end hoop celebrated by doing a swimming lop-de-lop. "OK I'm convinced. you were born to be a mermaid" Angela stated after catching up. "being a true mermaid comes from the heart, deep down even you might have it" Molly returned happily before seeing her parents. "Just like aunt Jessica said" Angela agreed as Molly swam off towards her parents.
"You enjoying yourself Molly?" Carl kindly asked. "YOU BET" Molly loudly answered in enthusiasm. "Well... we need to talk...in private for now" Jane reluctantly started "so mind returning with us to...our room?". "umm... alright" Molly accepted as she noticed something was up with the way her parents spoke. the Scott family them swimming off in response.
Once back in their cave for the stay, Carl and Jane got seated on the makeshift sofa while Molly merely planted herself on the floor. "So what's up?" Molly then asked. "Well... to start... it involves the classic tale of the birds and-" Jane started. "like how babies are made? this was gone over with my whole class in May" Molly interrupted, shocking her parents, "Ms Carlisle apparently has the belief all children need to be told when in the double digits". "oh... Well that explains that" Carl remarked as he recalled before leaving of hearing of Molly's teacher being called out for inappropriate language around children to the parent-teacher association. "so you following Ms Carlisle's lead?" Molly then asked. "...no" Jane answered "but it makes the main part easier to get to".
"you see Molly... during our first night, me and your mum... went birds and bees you could say" Carl then started like the event was all his own fault "our outing was to see the doctor here about the sickness spells mum's been having". "you mean-" Molly started in wonder. "well... yes and-" Jane then tried to assure. "I'M GOING TO BE A BIG SISTER AND REMAIN A MERMAID. YEA" Molly bellowed happily "this makes this birthday even more great".
"Well actually dear... we got a slightly different answer to expected from the doctor" Carl then assured before explaining "seems...well... certain mythology creatures...merfolk included...are exempt from the 'born and remain' clauses around transformations. they can become human like their parents". "thing is... it can only be done after they are born" Jane followed. "so... this won't be permanent?" Molly asked while looking sadly at her tail. "being merfolk is no... you becoming an older sister very assured" Jane assured. "Just that like humans mermaids are pregnant for 9 months and as such the stay will be extended for that length of time" Carl added.
"So while I get the little brother or sister I always wanted it'll hold me back about a year in school in exchange" Molly noted. "not exactly... the doctor told us after we brought you up that there's a special schooling system for those like you... transformed children of pregnant guests, to help prevent them falling behind from events like this" Jane then explained. "so a temporary transfer to Liam's school then" Molly noted in wonder. "who?" Carl inquired. "Angela's cousin, her aunt Jessica's son... he goes to this school down here that until now I assumed was for permanent merkids" Molly answered. "most likely if he's close to your age" Jane agreed.
"so... with all that... why not remain merfolk?" Molly demanded. "Molly it's a complex situation. more than we think you can understand right now" Jane admitted. "IS IT? YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IT'S LIKE TO HAVE YOUR BEST DREAMS COME TRUE THEN RIPPED FROM YOU? TO FINALLY FIND A PLACE WHERE YOU ARE ACCEPTED INSTEAD OF MOCKED FOR WHO YOU ARE?" Molly cried. "Molly-" Jane started as she got up and swam close to hug Molly, only for Molly to push her away slightly. "Leave me alone" Molly insisted before swimming off while saving "unless you rethink going back".
That night "I've never seen Molly so upset with us before" Jane sadly admitted after Molly had gone inside her clamshell. "it is as she said, she's longed to be an older sister. but also she loves being a mermaid... if not for the loophole we chanced upon she'd be joyful now... as...well... if not I'd stay for our coming child" Carl explained. "you'd do that? what about work?" Jane asked. "places like this are always in need of good accountants. all the clients at the firm back...on land deal the entire staff as opposed to a single member... that aside however is your reaction?" Carl responded. "I'd stay... maybe if you left with Molly I'd arranged something if possible to visit you...by temporary getting legs again each time but I can never abandon a child...and you know why" Jane answered. "you want to be the opposite of your mu- Laura... who abandoned you for greed" Carl assured. "but now I fear I'm driving Molly away in a different way" Jane cried.
Meanwhile inside her clamshell instead of sleeping Molly was still awake thinking about the announcement "I finally find a happy place and mum and dad start standing in the way" she mumbled, mind racing around the problems she had on land... other girls tormenting her for not playing with dolls or makeup, of the boys making fun of her or refusing to accept her for enjoying the things they liked, "Maybe... in time... they could change their minds...after awhile" Molly then pondered while her mind turned to other coming event: