"Children reinvent your world for you." -Susan Sarandon

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The sound of waves crashing echoed through the entire cave, keeping the expecting mother relaxed and distracted from the pain that she is about to receive as she tries to deliver her soon to be bundle of joy all by herself. The feel of the waters caressing her skin reminded her that she needed to remain calm and strong for the upcoming event, despite the worries and doubts  running across her mind.

"It's time", she thought to herself. With each contraction, she takes several deep breaths, the time in between getting shorter and shorter. The pain, so intense, she feels as if she couldn't hold on any longer, but she keeps her focus on the crashing waves. She knows, she must do this. With half of her body laid on the cold, wet sand and the other half in the  cool dancing water, she chants to herself, that soon, her baby will be in her arms and soon, the pain will be over. Knowing she has to conserve as much, of what little energy she has left, she slowly reaches down and places her fingers inside of her. Though this was her first time somehow she knows that she's was dilated enough to push. As if her baby knew her mother needed help, she felt pressure unlike any other down there. She can't panic now, that she knows. Instead, she took that opportunity and made every effort to push her baby out with every ounce of energy she had left. Sweat trickled down her forehead. She was losing her breath, and feeling herself nearly lose conscious. But she knows she has to keep going and tried to snap herself out of it and continued to push her baby out.

On her final push, suddenly the pressure was gone. As panic started to wash over her, the sounds of crying was heard. Picking herself up on her elbows, ignoring the pain that still lingered, relief washes over. Floating above the water, rocking back and forth, was her little bundle of joy. "Her little bundle of joy" she thought again to herself. And suddenly, she feels her heart beat quickly and she smiles as she sees the most beautiful being she has laid her eyes on.

Picking up her baby onto her arms, she takes her time to memorize every little detail. The baby's hair was as dark as the night sky. Her skin, so soft, radiant, and fair, similar to that of Snow White. And her adorable, rosy cheeks, somehow, brought out her little charm. "These cheeks will get you in trouble little one" she smiled to herself.

Seeing this child for the first time made her fall in love. It was the type of love that she's never felt for anyone before. Not even towards the child's father whom she loathes so much. But for a second, the thought of her baby's father overtook her mind.

Unwilling to let it take over this moment, she knows, the past is no more. But it's still better than the reality that's about to unfold. Caught up in the beauty of her child, she almost forgot the purpose of being in the cave and began to cry.

The woman stood from her place, her child sleeping her arms and blood tricking down her legs. The soft sand below her feet, which once gave her comfort, now cold. She walks towards the sea with her child in her arms. With every step she takes, burning her more than the last, and with it a sudden feeling of regret rushed through her.

"No!" she screamed out "I change my mind! I can't give my child away!" She cried.

Then, like magic, water rises from the sea, holding and lifting a beautiful woman with flowing, red hair crackling like fireworks in the wind, golden shells covering her bosom, and silver, bright eyes fixated on hers. Something she wouldn't have noticed till the water holding her brought her high enough  to be at eye length.

From afar, one wouldn't notice, but below the woman was, not a pair of legs, but what one could only describe as the tail of a fish. But unlike anything she's ever seen, its blazing red scales that matches her hair, glistened under the moonlight. Scared that if she touches it, her hand would burn.

Since she became human, memories of who she was became a blur. The last of her memories being the promise her sister made, that should she need help, to go to their cave.

Though the circumstances they're in isn't ideal, this is a necessary must. Pity was evident in her eyes as she looks at the human who was once her sister. "It's been too long Freja. I understand your sadness but you cannot keep this child safe from harms way. If Emil finds out about your child, you know what will happen."

This is true. If Emil finds out about their child, death will visit them. She clutched to her baby tightly, kissing her little forehead. "I gave you away not because I don't love you, but because it's for the best. One day, we will meet again. I promise you." She whispered to her little ones ears.

Freja takes a small glimpse at her older sister, Ida. Tears still falling from her eyes. They both smiled at each other, giving Freja reassurance.

Ida approached her little sister, placing a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it tightly. "What are you going to name her?" She placed her long, slender index finger on the baby's hand. The child grasped it tightly as if her life depended on it. Ironically, Freja knows that it does. Though she would prefer her daughter stay with her, I would be selfish of her knowing that no mater where they run to, her life would be at risk. "This is the only way" Freja thinks to herself, looks back at her daughter lovingly and memorizes each and every detail of her daughter before she looks back to her sister and responds, "Ursula. Her name will be Ursula." She kissed her daughter's cheek and gave her one last sad look. Her daughter's face etched to her mind.

Freja gently placed her daughter in Ida's arms. As she did, Ida slowly sinks to the sea and once the peaceful waters touched little Ursula's skin, a little golden light surrounded her little one's legs. Freja smiles at the sight.

The glow vanishes before them, revealing a glistening, golden white fish tail. One of the rarest colors for any mermaid to ever have. They were both amazed at the sight of the little mermaid.

Heartbroken, Freja runs towards her sister and her daughter, wanting to give her daughter one last kiss. "So long, my little one." She whispered in her ears one last time.

The both of them soon disappeared before her, leaving nothing but a broken mother, crying for her daughter.

Edited by: Maria M. Artero