Eden was struggling, I could tell. Her immortal soul rejected her newer human body. I wound my hands in her auburn hair, hoping my love would anchor her safely here, with me.

“No one ever said… this is so hard!” I could not imagine the amount of physical and emotional pain my sweet girlfriend was going through right now. She had been fully concious during the procedure- another of the varied cruelties humans liked to inflict on the AI’s.

I was helpless in this situation, wracked with guilt for suggesting it in the first place, sad and angry for her grievances.

“Ede-“ I was cut off by another wail, as she pushed him aside, wiping her eyes furiously. Suddenly, she stiffened, her hands fisted in her lap. “There’s not one thing you can say that makes this any better,” she spat.

I stayed silent, waiting for the storm to pass, gazing quietly at the woman in front of me.

“You couldn’t deal with your AI girlfriend, could you? No matter what I did. All of it- I was never enough.” She stormed, glaring at me. Well- no, that wasn’t true. I just wished she was human sometimes so we could have children together, grow old together…

Ok, Ede had a point.

“I wanted us to start a family,” I proffered.

She sniffed. “You said you didn’t want children.”

“Ok, I’m sorry.” Was that all I could say under the weight of her accusations? Was there no reassurance I could ever offer?

How could I know what to say? I’d never had the procedure, I never would. Gently, I took her hand, pulling her closer on the velveteen couch, both of us nestling against the pillows.

“I’m so sorry Eden, you’re right and I was cruel for wanting you to change. You were perfect, you still are. You are my world, Eden, beleive me when I say that… I was afraid you would leave me, because AI’s are eternal and humans aren’t.”

She stares at me for a few seconds. “Is there a way to change me back?”

“Yes. Yes, there is, but it’s extremely risky, more so than your procedure was. Besides… you’re nice in human form.”

“Nice?” she shot back.

I shrugged. “I mean… yeah.”

“That’s all you can say to me?” she reproached. I wrapped her in my arms, silently begging her to let it go. I had no idea how to deal with the situation and I hoped she’d realise that.

She was stiff in my arms. Suddenly, she sighed and relaxed her muscles, leaning into me.

“I know you can’t understand how the change feels, but help me out by not saying stupid stuff.” I nodded, pulling her into me.

She picked up the TV remote. “Let’s watch something.” The abrupt subject change.

I let it go. Like she wanted me to.

The movie started up. Neither of us said a thing until Ede burst into spontaneous tears.

“I’m thirsty,” she muttered, frustrated. As an AI, she hadn’t had any needs, but she was human now. She got up to pour herself a glass of water, and proceeded to look at it, lost.

“What do I do?” I helped her drink it, then refilled and asked her to do it herself. She tipped the glass backwards at an unreasonable angle. Most of it ended up on her face.

“You’ve seen me drink a thousand times, how can you be so stupid?” I snapped, bending down to mop up the water.

She blinked back her tears. I instantly regretted my insensitivity. But, too late. After all my pleas, I’d done it again: I’d been rude, refusing to accept I had an AI girlfriend.

She stood, slapping my hands away. “Screw this. We’re over.” She turned, her hair swirling in the light wind. Her green eyes shot daggers.

My heart plummeted. “What?”

In response, the front door slammed shut.

“Ede!” I shouted, panicked. My love was too intense- the weight of all my mistakes and our petty squabbles crashed down onto my shoulders. I realised then how uncaring I was to her.

How it was too late for us.

Will there be a Part 2?

Thank you ☺️

The mermaid lay motionless on the shore, sick and pallid. I approached her carefully; she was handing me something, a small yellow egg in her cupped hands.

“Take it,” she rasped. “Raise her well.”

I shook my head. “I can get you back in the water, now.”

The beached mermaid shook her head. “Too… late… take my… daughter.” She spoke like every word was an effort, which it probably was. My heart went out for her as I gently took the egg from her hands, smoothing her hair back from her sweaty forehead.

“Okay,” I crooned, letting my hand fall to my side. She stirred, whimpered. I sat with her, brushing back her hair, letting her hold my hand. She whimpered once more, shuddering, then went completely still.

I pulled back gently, cupping the tiny egg with care. It quivered in my grasp, as slowly I saw small limbs begin to form, to push out, until I was holding a baby in my arms.

The mermaid’s baby, who I would now raise.