Taken By The Shark

“Right,” they all agreed. Mark then went over all the things they needed to know about getting to the Oceanica station, and subsequently living in it over a long term. He even suggested that over time they might get to have even longer stays, maybe even up to a year sometime, before venturing to dry land again.

“That would be pretty amazing,” Ross said with a smile. “I’d really love that.”

“Me too,” said Melissa as she glanced back at him excitedly.

“Sounds like we’ve found our happy parents then,” said Dan.

“Maybe,” Melissa replied with a shrug, casting Ross a little smile that made him blush.

“Yeah, we’ll have to see how that goes,” he commented.

“Well, then, I suppose I should dismiss you lot,” Mark said. “Meet back at the San Diego facility on the designated date and time and be prepared for an extended stay. And remember, don’t tell anybody where you’ll be working. That’s very important at this point if we want to get our work completed without interruption.”

*****

“So Mark, how long did you say you’ve known our daughter?” Chelsea’s mother clarified, the tone of her voice slightly derogatory but in a polite kind of way.

“Six months, ma’am,” he said from his spot on the sofa next to the daughter in question. “She and I have been training together in submarines and such. Tends to put people in pretty close proximity.”

“Just how close?” asked Chelsea’s father sternly.

“Close enough,” Chelsea said with a blush.

“I see,” he said. “So are you wishing to marry because you got a bit too close?”

“No, Dad, I’m not knocked up,” Chelsea complained. “That’s not in our plans for at least a year. And besides, I’m old enough now to get knocked up. Don’t you ever want to have any grandkids?”

“Well, of course I want them, I just don’t want you to put the cart before the horse,” he said, pursing his lips. “What have you done to my daughter, anyway? She never used to talk to me like this.”

“Part of the training we do involves building confidence,” Mark said. “You can’t very well flip over backwards straight into a ten foot drop, catch the bar and use it to slow your descent halfway down, then swing onto your seat for a soft landing and not build a bit of it, don’t you think? Although I suppose maybe taking a course in gymnastics could be helpful for that.”

“Well, that explains why she looks thinner,” he scoffed. “What have you been feeding this girl, anyway?”

“Mostly veggies and fish,” he replied. “Now if we’re finished with the twenty questions, can we discuss planning the wedding for about six months out? Now, the thing is, we’re going to be out on the ocean for a three month mission, so we aren’t exactly going to be available to just pop over for a shopping binge. Mrs. McDonald will need to work rather closely with the planner if we’re going to pull this off. As for the dress, we’ll be able to help shop for that when we get back here.”

“Back here, where?”

“Well, back to California,” he explained. “I own a house in Malibu. We could fly you guys out for a couple weeks to visit while we are there. I’m sure with enough advanced warning you should be able to take that time off?”

“I know that you’re in charge where you come from, Mr. Caerulus, but in my house I’m the boss,” he began, obviously ready to lecture.

“Then it’s a good thing that we’re talking about my house, isn’t it?” Mark interrupted him with a smirk. “As obviously Chelsea will be a member of it from now on.”

Mr. McDonald worked his jaw in shock when he heard this. His wife began to placate immediately with, “Now Ed, remember your blood pressure.”

“Why can’t any of you talk to me like that?” he demanded then. “He’s the first person who has ever stood up to me. Mark, son, I think you’re going to be a welcome addition to this family. Now if you could only take Herbert under your wing as well, maybe at least my children will have some balls. Their mother sure doesn’t.”

“Well, I can imagine with you belittling her all these years it might be pretty hard for her to grow a pair,” Mark pointed out. “If you want a better family, you will need to begin by improving yourself.”

Ed stared at him for a moment before his words sunk in. “You know what? You’re right. I’ve been terrible to all of them for longer than I can remember. I’ve realized it before this, but I just don’t know how to change.”

“Compliment your wife on the fine meal, tell her she’s gorgeous in that dress, and let her know how grateful you are for all the things she does for you each day, for starters,” said Mark with a smile.

“Wow, Chelsea, you really did find a good one,” her mother smirked.

“I’ll give some thought to what you’re saying, but I can’t make any guarantees,” he replied. “In the meantime, how would all of you like to take a trip to the mall? It’s a great time to go. Most of the people will be at the fair they’re putting on this week.”

“Oh yeah, I’ve heard of that,” said Mark with interest. “I don’t suppose you’d like to go to that as well?”

“It’s thirty miles away, but I guess we could do that,” he shrugged. “And Rita, you actually do look pretty good in that dress.”

“Thanks,” she said with a chuckle.

*****

Chelsea and Mark were back in their hotel room and the evening had grown dark. Her parents had tried to convince the couple to stay in Chelsea’s old bedroom, but they had declined, knowing full well that sleeping in there for two weeks would seriously undermine their budding s*x life.