Chapter  21
Marlin and Dory swam around, searching for Nemo. Finally Dory cried, “There!”
Nemo lay buried under the tangled fishing net on the floor of the ocean.
“Nemo!” Marlin gasped as they pushed the heavy net off his son.
Marlin thought back to that horrible day, years ago, when he’d come back to the grotto and discovered only one fish egg left. When he’d promised he would never let anything happen to his one child. His Nemo.
“Nemo?” he pleaded. “Nemo?”
Suddenly, Nemo coughed. “Daddy?”
“Oh, thank goodness.” Marlin sighed with relief.
Nemo was alive!
“Dad… I’m sorry. I don’t hate you,” Nemo said.
“Oh, no...no. I’m sorry, Nemo,” Marlin replied. Nemo touched Marlin with his lucky fin, and father and son smiled at what they had accomplished.
“Hey,” Marlin said. “Guess what? Sea turtles. I met one. And they live to be a hundred and fifty years old.”
“A hundred and fifty?” Nemo replied. “Cause Sandy Plankton said they only live to be a hundred.”
“Sandy Plankton? Do you think I would cross the entire ocean and not know as much as Sandy Plankton?” Marlin said.
Nemo giggled. Then they looked at each other and laughed out loud. They had both been through great adventures and faced many dangers, but it was worth it, now that they were together again.
The morning sun rose over the anemone. It was time for school again. Marlin raced Nemo to school. All the kids were there, starting to climb on Mr. Ray.
“Come aboard, explorers!” Mr. Ray exclaimed.
While Nemo boarded Mr. Ray, Marlin was telling jokes to the other parents.
They all laughed at Marlin’s jokes. Sheldon’s dad said, “But seriously, Marlin… did you really do all the things you say you did … ?”
Just then, three fierce sharks—Bruce, Anchor, and Chum—swam by.
The fish backed away, frightened.
“Don’t be alarmed,” said Bruce. “We just wanted to make sure our newest member got home safely.”
“Thanks, guys!” Dory swam out from behind the sharks.
“Well, we’ll see you next week,” Bruce called to Dory. Then he and the other sharks swam away.
“Hold on! Here we go!” Mr. Ray yelled as he started to leave.
“Bye, son! Have fun!” Marlin called to Nemo.
“Bye, Dad!” Nemo cried. “Oh, wait! I forgot something!”
Mr. Ray stopped. Nemo raced over to his dad and gave him a big hug. “Love ya, Dad,” he said.
“I love you, too, son,” Marlin replied. Nemo swam back to Mr. Ray and the class left.
“Good-bye,” all the kids yelled.
“Bye, Elmo!” called Dory, forgetful as ever.
“Nemo,” Marlin said.
“See you after school, Dory! Bye, Dad!” Nemo exclaimed.
“Bye, son.” Marlin said. He smiled. Everything was as it should be in the big blue.