Yup

Vicky had said that she could watch the otters all day. And she would have if she didn’t know there was still a good deal of the aquarium left to see. After saying good-bye to the otters, Zack and Vicky continued their self-guided tour. The two teens walked around looking at the various outdoor exhibits before heading into the cafeteria for lunch in the early afternoon. The pair had just sat down to eat when an announcement came over the PA system.

“Greetings aquarium guests! We are thankful for your patronage today and we hope you are enjoying your day here. The staff here at the aquarium would like to congratulate our sea otter Dottie on the birth of her new pup, born here at the aquarium today at a little after eleven this morning. Our veterinary staff says that the new pup is a happy and healthy female named Vicky, weighing in at a healthy four pounds. Thank you and enjoy the rest of your stay!”

“THEY NAMED IT AFTER ME!” Vicky gasped. And just like that, her tears were flowing again.

Several of the guests around her smiled at the teen’s show of appreciation. Zack laughed at the situation as he handed her a couple of napkins. When the commotion died down, they finished their meal, and headed back to the aquarium.

A few hours later, the Aquarium was ready to close. The teens having seen all that they could see that day finished up in the gift shop and headed towards the exit. As they approached the front desk with their souvenirs, one of the attendants spoke to the duo.

“Did y’all enjoy your visit to the aquarium today?” The woman asked with a distinct southern accent.

“Yes we did, Dear,” Zack replied.

“Absolutely! Experience of a lifetime!” Vicky informed the woman.

“Excellent! Would y’all mind filling out these cards before you leave? All you have to do is put your name on the bottom and describe one memory from your visit today that you’ll be taking home with you! We’ll put them up on our Memory Wall behind you.”

Zack filled his card out rather quickly and handed it back to the lady behind the desk. She smiled at the teen after reading what he wrote. The woman applied a piece of tape and handed the card back to Zachary and allowed him to post it to the wall. When Vicky handed in her card, the woman’s eyes lit up.

“After watching her being born I had a beautiful baby sea otter named after me!” the woman read aloud. “Miss, were you the young lady who was at the otter enclosure this afternoon?”

“Yes?” Vicky puzzled.

“And your name is Vicky?”

“Yes?”

“What’s your last name, Dear?”

“Walker? Why? Is everything okay?” Victoria started to worry.

“Oh yes, Dear. We just have a special gift for you: A copy of the otter’s birth certificate!”

“And your name, Sir?”

“Zachary Bishop.”

“Thank you, folks. It’ll be just a minute,” the woman informed them.

As the document printed, the lady at the desk handed Vicky back her card and the blonde placed it on the wall. Without saying anything to him, she peaked at Zack’s card and gasped at what he wrote.

“Watching a beautiful, young woman smile as she enjoyed her visit! – Zack B.”

Not wanting to make it obvious that she saw what he wrote, Vicky affixed her own card to the wall and stepped back to the desk, where the woman then handed her Vicky the Sea Otter’s birth certificate.

“The Azure County Aquarium hereby certifies the birth of Vicky the Sea Otter, on this date, at eleven-oh-five in the morning. Birth mother: Dottie the Sea Otter. Namesake Patron: Miss Vicky Walker. Witnessed by: Mister Zachary Bishop. Certified by: Doctor Joseph Lafayette, Senior Veterinarian.” Vicky read out loud. “This is awesome!”

“Really? It says ‘This is Awesome!’ on there?” Zack teased.

“Enjoy your evening!” the woman bade farewell as Vicky playfully slapped Zack on the shoulder as they headed out the door.