Once summer started Marilyn learned that her mother had booked the trip to Disney. She had been given the day off when her mom arrived and when she learned that her mom was settled in her room she swam there slowly, worried what mom would say or do. The rooms were designed so it looked like there was an indoor pool but in reality it was a waterway to the lake. Marilyn knew the room number and when she reached it she opened the dividing panel and shifted it up so she could swim under it and closed it behind her. When she surfaced she saw her mom who was warned by a signal when the panel opened. Her mom started saying, Yes? Then did a double take and said, No way. Joe, is that you?

Marilyn nodded, It's Marilyn for now, as long as I'm in my mermaid role. She swam closer until she reached the side and pulled herself on a platform so she could sit while her tail remained underwater.

Oh my God, her mom exhaled, you're a woman!

Under all this I'm still you son, Marilyn laughed, how are you doing mom?

Well, I don't know. Stunned I guess. Everytime I talked to you on the phone I had to get used to your voice, thinking how it did not fit you. But now I realize it fits you perfectly, you're beautiful!

Thanks, Marilyn replied, yeah, they did a good job on me. The first month or so I did not recognize myself when I looked in the mirror. But I'm used to it now and I get a lot of attention from both men and women. And children of course, they just love me.

Her mom nodded. Yeah, I can see that. It looks so real, can't believe a costume looking so real.

Well, Marilyn explained, it's not really a costume. It took a number of surgeries to make me look like this. Don't worry, they told me they can undo everything, she quickly added when she saw the shock on her mom's face. It's just... the tail is so complicated, it took two days to get it on me.

Can I touch? Her mom asked, clearly stunned still but also in awe.

Marilyn flipped her tail, the power of the fluke pushing it onto the platform and her mom carefully rubbed her hand down over the scales.

Wow, this feels so real, she commented, even a bit slimy. And fishy, as she smelled with her nose close.

Marilyn nodded. She knew that already, spending 24/7 in the lake water added a fine layer of algae that actually helped protect the scales.

How long are you staying this way? Her mom asked, I mean you said like it was for nine months, right. And after that you'll work in the lab?

Marilyn nodded, I already work in the lab, at least an hour each day. It's all adapted so I can work while in the water. I've learned so much already. My friend has asked me to stay a mermaid for another year and I'm considering it. It would pay a lot of extra money.

Your friend, her mom questioned, is that the Ursula you keep talking about? Is she a mermaid as well?

Marilyn first nodded, then shook her head but before she could say anything her mom exclaimed, Oh my God, Ursula, from the little mermaid story, she's the bad guy, the octopus woman.

Marilyn defended her friend. In the story yes, but in real life she's the sweetest woman I've ever met.

Her mom looked in her eyes and finally said, you love her. I can see it in your face, you're in love!

There was no way denying it, her mom saw right through her. And in all the months together with Ursula they had never used the L-word. They slept together, had fun together, wonderful sex together. But Ursula had taken care of her when she needed someone. And her voice was so beautiful. And she fit so well in her tentacles, the same tentacles that turned off so many others, that made her the bad guy, as her mom had just stated. She looked at the bracelets on her arms, she had let Kaz experiment on her first before they applied the new technology onto Ursula. She had helped redesigning the tentacles to make them more biological, using artificial muscles rather than little motors for the motion. And right now she and Kaz were working on some sort of a propulsion system that should allow Ursula to "swim" better and faster. She had devoted all her spare time to make Ursula happier. And it made her happy to do so. Because she loved Ursula.

Marilyn nodded. I love her yes, but it's complicated. Ursula lost her legs in a car accident and this job, this life, has given her a purpose again. The tentacles have replaced her legs but she couldn't live like that on land, she needs the lower gravity of the water. She has chosen her path as octopus girl to be her future. I could stay with her for another year but not longer or they can't guarantee anymore that they can undo the changes to my body. I'll end up in a wheelchair myself somewhere in between being a man and a woman.

Unless you stay a mermaid? Her mom questioned.

I'm not sure if that's possible, Marilyn answered. It may look like my tail moves a lot, but inside the bones in my legs are not used, the muscles hardly. They may die off, I loose movement in my feet and toes and then I won't be able to swim anymore. I was told two years max as a mermaid and then at least two more years on my legs again before I could do another stint as a mermaid.

Oh, I'm so sorry honey, but maybe you could still make a life together, you as yourself again.

Marilyn had to chuckle for a second, her mom hadn't called her honey since she was like a ten year old boy. Maybe, she said, I will have to start the discussion soon, see what she thinks.

Does she love you?

Marilyn thought she did. The way they had lived for the past few months. And she had asked her to stay a mermaid after the season closed and sign up for another year. But she must be worried about the future too. As she had said, it was complicated. But one thing for sure, they really needed to talk this over.

So Marilyn simply answered, I think she does. But it's complicated, as I said.

You'll meet her tonight, she continued, hoping to change the subject. No matter what, I hope you'll like her. But we better practice you swimming with a tank, because that's the only way you'll be able to see our room.

They had fun together for the next couple of hours. Swimming together, first through the pool, then with the scuba tank, hand in hand underwater. Finally she let her mom get back out, giving her a chance to see some of the shows. They would meet again for dinner. The last thing her mom said was, I didn't realize how much fun it was to have a daughter.

Marilyn headed for the lab, she had some thinking to do. Kaz was there, of course, when wasn't he? But he saw immediately there was something on her mind. It took a bit of poking and shaking but finally she confessed, I love Ursula.

Oh darling, Kaz replied, so do I. She's such a lovely creature. Didn't I tell you day one?

Yes, you did, Marilyn answered, but I mean I Love her, with a capital L. Didn't realize it until my mom told me she saw it in me. I have been so happy the past couple of months, all because of her. And she asked me to stay a mermaid at the end of the season, stay with her. And I was actually wondering if I should. Remember how I told you that would never happen?

When Kaz nodded she continued. And now I can think of nothing else but staying with her, forever. As a woman. A mermaid. But you told me day one as well it wasn't possible. Two seasons max or my legs die off or something. How real is that Kaz? Were you exaggerating? How long can I be with her really?

Her voice had gone into a panicky tone and Kaz grabbed her hand, patting it to calm her down. Marilyn, first things first. Does Ursula love you too? With a capital L?

I don't know! Marilyn tried to get herself under control. I mean, we never talked about it. We just enjoyed each other and of course, the sex is amazing. Thanks to you. And she kissed Kaz's hand. But she did ask me to stay with her for another season. She must know that's the most she can get from me. Kaz, there must be some way that we can stay together longer, get a chance for love.

Kaz nodded. There may be something. But I wouldn't even consider it unless I know you're in it together. You two have to talk and decide if you want to make a life with each other.

Okay, that's fair, Marilyn replied, I will talk with her tonight. But I like to know what you have in mind. You sound like it's a dangerous solution. I need to know Kaz, before I talk with her.

Kaz nodded again. That's fair. But I first have to explain a few things about myself. Two years ago or so, before Disney hired me, some people considered me a mad scientist. I had my own lab in which I tried to create a real mermaid. Not like you with a tail constructed around your legs but a real tail instead of legs. I was searching for the right volunteer, preferably a woman who had lost her legs but I was okay with one who was willing to give up her legs. I'm a licensed neurosurgeon and I know I could connect the tail to her spine and hook up all nerves and muscles and blood vessels.

Unfortunately I never got to prove that I could do it. Disney found me and did an offer that I could not refuse. To create mermaids, just not as extreme as I had been working on. But with unlimited funding it was very satisfying to create you and the other girls. As long as I made sure I could transform you back more or less. Remember the thick contract you signed? Just in case I would not be able to get you back in perfect shape. Don't worry, I can do it, but try to tell the lawyers that.

Disney actually invested millions in a company that develops bionic legs. I work for them as well. There are some successes but it will probably take another two years before we really can make an amputee walk again as if he never lost a leg. But if any of the mermaids here lose their legs due to the tail that we put on them, we may be able to prevent them from ending up in a wheelchair. Long story short, Disney protects their own interests but not at the cost of a few individuals. When's the last time you saw a big corporation care about people?

He looked at Marilyn and she simply nodded. Then she stammered, you can give me a real tail, a permanent one?

Kaz nodded. Working for Disney didn't stop me from continuing my own dream. Some of my inventions you've seen already on Ursula. If they hadn't recruited her as the octopus woman I probably would have tried the new tail on her. But it wasn't as good as it is now so maybe it was for the best. Just realize that if I give you the tail there's no going back. Even the bionic legs couldn't help you if you want me to take the tail off. It's a lifetime commitment, one that Ursula has given already. And I'm okay with it if you still want to remain my apprentice. I need someone to run ideas by, someone who understands what I'm doing, perhaps even continues my work when I'm gone.

Marilyn nodded. Yes, I want that, I think I've finally found a purpose in life. But I don't think I can do the surgeries, I didn't study to become a doctor.

That's okay, Kaz replied, I'm here to stay for a while. As long as you understand what happens, how it works, you could assist any neurosurgeon. We need to develop some lift that allows you to assist in the operation room. No way we can do that underwater. I have some ideas on that as well.

Kaz, Marilyn got suddenly very serious, do you think Ursula and I have a chance? A mermaid and an octo girl? I always thought I'd have kids and raise a family. I don't see how that could work.

Well, Kaz answered, as I said, I need to know if that is Ursula's wish as well. But if so, she's perfectly capable of having kids, that part of her was never touched, other than maybe the bio rubber skin on the outside. And ehhhh, you're not supposed to know this, but before we put the tail on you, you were out for three days, we extracted a good amount of your sperm and put it in a special freezer.

Marilyn looked at him in disbelief, so he tried to explain. Again, it was a Disney thing to protect you in case your genitals would stop functioning due to the tail. The contract would prevent you from suing but Disney wanted a way to help you if it happened. We can extract more when we take the tail off but in the meantime I have an idea how you could use it on Ursula once you're ready for kids. And he pointed at the tip of one of the tentacles that would fit on Marilyn's arm.

But, Marilyn protested, but our kids would be normal right, normal humans I mean. How could we raise them while we are mostly underwater?

Kaz laughed. Yes, nothing is changed at DNA level so your kids will have legs. But I can change that while they're still a baby. They would never know any better. The brain would adapt to the situation from the first moment before it even prepares for walking. Swimming would be the norm either as a merbaby or octobaby. Obviously a few times in their youth we have to replace the tail, if it is a merbaby, for a bigger one. But I have ideas how to do that quick and safely. Believe me, between the three of us I will have the most fun...

Marilyn couldn't believe it. She didn't realize until this morning that she was truly in love with Ursula. And even then she knew there was no future for the two of them. And now she learned that not only is it possible but they could even have a family together. This couldn't wait any longer, she had to talk to Ursula. So she thanked Kaz, gave him a kiss on both cheeks and took off to find Ursula.

Ursula was in their room getting ready for her mom's visit. Just seeing her suddenly released a large amount of happiness and love. She hugged her from behind and said, I love you. Ursula laughed and said, I love you too honey. But when she saw Marilyn's serious face she asked, is everything okay?

Yes, Marilyn replied, everything is okay, very okay. When I told my mom about you this morning I realized how happy I feel when I'm around you, how perfect you are for me, how much I love you, how I want to stay after the season with you, add another year to it, the rest of my life.

Ursula looked stunned at first, then a big smile spread on her face. Oh my God, I can't believe you said that. I have felt like that about you for so long, but you weren't even sure you wanted to stay with me after the season, so I thought we just have fun for as long as it lasts. And I know it won't last because you can only stay for another year or so but then you have to go back being your old self while I can only stay. As much as I fantasized about it I don't think there is a future for us.

Marilyn was relieved by now. She loved Ursula and Ursula loved her back. There is a possibility, my love, a bit scary but there is a way we can be together.

Ursula shook her head. I'm sorry honey but my body has changed in such a way that I can't go back living on land. The tentacles are not strong enough that I can move outside the water. And I promised myself I would never live in a wheelchair again.

She had tears in her eyes by now as she realized her life was on a very unusual path with little chance for everlasting love.

But now it was Marilyn's turn to shake her head. I talked with Kaz and he says it can be done. He can give me a tail, a real tail, not this wrap around my legs. It would be permanent like you but we can stay together. He says we could even raise a family if we wanted. He has some interesting ideas on that.

And I can still work in the lab and learn more. Always improve your tentacles and my tail. Make you faster, give us more air, adapt our skins to ocean water, develop underwater food for us. It won't be just the two of us.

She swam close to Ursula and started hugging her, kissing her and they both started crying. You would do that for me? Ursula asked. Give up your human life? Become a half animal? Forced to live in water? What if the new tail doesn't work? It's a huge risk.

Marilyn knew Ursula was right. But she trusted Kaz's work. Even right now, with her legs still hidden in her tail, she felt like a mermaid, a half animal as Ursula called it. And somehow, probably thanks to the great sex, she felt like a woman and by now she couldn't even imagine going back to being a man. Becoming a real mermaid would just be the finishing touch. So she answered, for you yes, and for me, for us!

Their embrace went over into pure sex as one of Ursula's tentacles curved up, straight into Marilyn's slit, finding her hotspot and stimulating it until she came, impossible to resist. But it was different than all these months before, more intimate, as lovers now. Different as in better. Marilyn wanted nothing more than return the favor but she knew she had to go get her mom. Ursula let her go with a smile on her face and Marilyn swam back to her mom's room. Her mom was waiting in her scuba gear and just like they practiced earlier that day they swam together to where Marilyn lived.

When Marilyn introduced her mom to Ursula, mom told her to call her Laura. Laura hugged Ursula like her own daughter, telling her how much she had enjoyed her performance. Your voice is so exquisite and you're so beautiful. I can see why my daughter likes you. Why she loves you.

Marilyn felt her cheeks turn red, mom clearly was in a matchmaker mode. But she needed not to worry, as Ursula replied, oh I love her too. She's the best thing that ever swam into my life.

After that it was a very relaxed evening, three women enjoying each other's company. Marilyn explained her plan to become a mermaid permanently and Laura was perfectly okay with that. And when she said they may even start a family Laura looked positively happy.