Chapter Text
Lilly and Wayne were inside Wayne’s car for nearly 15 minutes trying to decide the best way to break the news to her parents that he would be staying with them for 2 years. She knows that her mum will understand and welcome Wayne with open arms, but her dad is another story entirely. While he is protective of Lilly now, she shudders at his reaction when she tells him this news. Her dad will probably blow a gasket. She then thinks she should probably rip the bandaid off now so they get out of the car and Lilly helps Wayne gets his suitcases from the trunk.
“You ready for this babe?” Lilly asks as they go up to the front door.
“What if your parents don’t like me?” Wayne asked nervously.
“Are you kidding? They’ll love you” Lilly said reassuringly. “Why don’t you leave your suitcases to the left of the door. I want to break the news to him gently. I apologize for his behavior. It’s-just-well, my dad-“
“It’ll be okay Lillybear, I know he’s protective, but it’s only because he loves you” Wayne said as he looked into her brown eyes and kissed her. After a couple deep breaths, Lilly opens the door and faces the stern look on her dad’s face with his arms crossed over his chest.
Zane: Now what’s this about a favor?
“Zane!” Rikki said swatting him on the arm. Acting like he’s been wounded, he rubs his arm as she goes over to hug Lilly “Welcome home sweetheart. And you must be Wayne. It is so lovely to meet you” Rikki said as she hugged Wayne. “Lilly has told me about you and that you were so kind to her.” Rikki said as she pulled away.
Wayne: Well, I couldn’t just stand there and let my Lillybear be bullied, my mum raised me better than that.
“Lillybear?!” Zane piped up, earning a glare from his wife. Sighing in defeat, he looks down and stays silent.
Rikki: Sounds like your mum raised you right.
Wayne: Yeah, she was a lovely woman.
Rikki: I’m sorry, was?
Lilly: This is where the favor comes in. Wayne, why don’t you go outside and get your suitcases for the porch?
“Suitcases?!” Zane nearly yells.
“Now Zane, we talked about this” Rikki said “Play nice or I’ll give you another wicked sunburn” She whispers.
“Yes dear” Zane sighs in defeat as Wayne gets his two large suitcases from the porch.
“Mum, Dad, Wayne has nowhere to go and he has no other family so I was wondering if he could stay here” Lilly said nervously.
Rikki: Why of course he can. We would never turn someone away, especially not our daughter’s boyfriend.
Zane: How long?
“2 years.” Lilly said in a voice laced with nervousness mostly because of her dad.
“2 YEARS?!” Zane shouts as Rikki attempts to calm her husband. While Zane is reeling from this bombshell, Rikki goes over to help with Wayne with one of the suitcases while Lilly helps with the other. Rikki leads Wayne down the hall to the guest room as they both put Wayne’s large suitcases on the bed. Wayne starts to unpack as Lilly and Rikki rejoin Zane in the living room. Waiting for their return, Zane has gotten himself a glass of water from the kitchen in an attempt to steady his nerves and hopefully find his voice. He turns to face his firecracker of a wife and his equal firecracker of a daughter who both have their arms folded.
“So what do you say Zane? Are you going to agree with me and let Wayne stay here or are you going to turn him away and get another wicked sunburn from me? Choose your words very carefully here babe.” Rikki said.
Zane: Since when is this gang up on Zane day?
Rikki: I’m just trying to make you realize that I’m right. See, this is what you get when you marry a fiery mermaid. Now, what’s it gonna be?
“Yeah Dad, what’s it gonna be” Lilly chimes in.
“I- You- He-“ Zane stammers out, but realizes he has quickly lost the battle against his two fiery mermaids, he surrenders. “Yes, he can stay for the two years, but I do-“
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Lilly squealed hugging her father. Zane quickly lets go of his anger and hugs her daughter back.
“You’re welcome” Zane said “But I do have some ground rules. You both sleep in your own beds and absolutely no shutting your door if you are in the room together. And you will respect your curfew”.
Lilly: Deal. We will respect your rules.
Zane: Good. Now that that’s out of the way, does he know?
Lilly: Yes Dad. Wayne knows that I am a mermaid.
Zane: And he’s not going to tell anyone right?
Lilly: He promised not to.
Zane: Good. Knowing that he promised makes me feel better with having him here.
Lilly: Thank you Dad. I know you’re just gonna love Wayne and-
“Whoa whoa whoa, let’s not get too carried away here sweetie. I am tolerating him living here, but if he makes you happy, then I’m happy” Zane said as he wrapped an arm around his daughter and kissed her.
“Dad, um listen, there’s a part 2 of this favor.’’ Lilly said hesitantly.
Zane: And what might that be?
Lilly: I was wondering if you could get Wayne a job at the café?
“Oh that’s perfect, we’ve been meaning to fill the server position, but we haven’t since……….” Rikki trailed off knowing that Zane doesn’t want to be reminded of Sophie.
Zane: No it’s okay dear. When can he start?
Lilly: After school?
Zane: I’ll train him myself.
Lilly: Thank you Dad.
“You’re welcome” Zane said as he kissed her.
“What’s going on?” Wayne asked upon returning to the living room after unpacking.
“I got you a job” Lilly said happily.
“Really? Doing what?” Wayne said as he beamed with happiness.
Zane: A server at Rikki’s. I named the café after Rikki. We both own it and co-manage it.
Wayne: Thanks for getting me a job Mr. Bennett. I really appreciate it.
Zane: No problem Wayne. And another thing, call me Zane. Welcome to the family.
They all hug
After a nice family dinner, Lilly and Wayne study in the living room while Zane and Rikki go to their own bedroom.
Rikki: You made a good choice today Zane. I’m proud of you.
Zane: Well, my sassy mermaid didn’t give me much of a choice.
“That’s because deep down, you know I’m right” Rikki said unbuttoning her husband’s shirt.
“Well, I’ve never been more happy to be wrong. I love you my firecracker” Zane said as he smiled and rolled her over so he’s hovering over her.
Rikki: And I love you. Were you serious about those ground rules?
Zane: Yes, as a matter of fact I was. I just want to be a better father than my dad was to me.
Rikki: You already are Zane. Now shut up and kiss me.
“Gladly” Zane said as he smiled down at her before they went into the night.