"Darling, we better be going." Eric said as he entered the nursery on his ship.

Ariel turned around and smiled. "Look at her, isn't she glowing"

"She looks divine and you look exquisite but look at the time. We just ported and it's time to go."

"Give us two minutes and I'll be ready." Ariel smiled.

"Right, two... Now where have I heard that before?"

Ariel chuckled as Eric left the room. "Are you ready to meet my family?" She asked Melody. Ariel finished getting her and her daughter ready and then exited the ship's nursery. "We're ready."

"About time." Eric said. "Let's go. I'm sure everyone is eager to see you and meet Melody."

There was carriage waiting for Ariel and Eric when they got off their ship. They took the ship to her parent's palace, the palace she hasn't been to since the day she was force to leave to marry Eric. She never thought she'd be back unless one of her parents died or it was for business. Ariel was excited to be back and so were the townspeople. As they rode through town, there was a small celebration, in welcoming Ariel back and welcoming the birth of the king and queen's new granddaughter.

"Ari!" Arista shrieked when she saw Ariel and Eric enter the palace. She quickly walked over to her youngest sister and gave her a hug. "Oh my gosh. Is this your daughter?"

"Yes, my precious Melody."

"She's so cute. Can I hold her?"

"Be careful." Ariel said as she placed her daughter in her sister's arms. "Where's daddy and mother?"

"Daddy's in his office and mother in the gardens."

"What about Alana and Adella?"

"You didn't hear? Adella got married." Arista said.

"No, I wasn't aware."

"Yeah, to Prince James of Halmstad about two months ago. You were probably just too busy with this little one."

"Where's Alana?"

"She went into town with Duke Alexander to enjoy some of the festivities. They are dating."

"Dating?" Ariel repeated. "Apparently a lot has changed since I last saw you guys."

"Same with you both, king and queen, right?"

"Correct." Eric spoke up. "For about six months now."

Arista handed Melody back to Ariel. "How is it being a mother?"

"I love it." Ariel smiled. "She's just perfect."

"Who would have thought a year ago you'd have a kid and be queen."

"I know, right? I remember daddy told me I'd be marrying Eric in the very near future and all I had was hate towards him. And now look at us... I'm happy."

"You hated me?" Eric asked.

"In my defense, I didn't know you, right Melody? Mommy didn't know daddy."

Arista laughed. "Beatrice, could you tell daddy Ariel is here?" She asked a young, passing, maid.

"Right away your, highness."

"Oh and mother also."

"Yes, your highness, and welcome back Princess Ariel."

"Queen Ariel." Arista corrected as she rolled her eyes.

"Right, my apologies."

"It's fine." Ariel smiled.

"I swear, it's so hard to find good help around here." Arista rolled her eyes when the maid left.

Ariel could tell Arista's personality has changed since the last time she saw her. It was just more rude. She used to be nicer to the help. Maybe it's because all of her sisters got married, or getting married, except her. Maybe she's just jealous and the jealousy is having her become rude. Ariel decided not to question how she acted and continued to talk to her until both her parents entered the room.

"She looks just like you, Eric." Athena smiled.

"He says she looks like me, but I argue."

"I'll be honest, Ariel, when we heard about your pregnancy, we were hoping it'd be a boy." King Triton said.

"Eric was hoping also, but we are not complaining. We love Melody and she's perfect."

"So Eric, how are things in Denmark?" King Triton asked.

"Things are phenomenal." Eric replied. "I'll admit, it was a bit resilient, at first, but everything is going swell now."

"Eric was able to avoid Denmark entering another war, daddy." Ariel said.

"Excellent. I'm glad I'm hearing everything is going swell for you both."

After finishing talking to her parents, Ariel found her way to her old room in the palace. It wasn't changed, much, but it also wasn't the same. Ariel explored her old room, with old memories flooding back. When she was done looking around, Ariel placed Melody on her bed and kicked her heels off. Moments later she saw Eric walk in.

"So this was your room." He said. "Am I the first boy you had up here?"

Ariel smirked. "No. My sisters and I would always sneak boys up."

"You did?" He questioned, lifting his eyebrow up.

"I mean we didn't do anything scandalous, but... I'm sure you had girls in your room."

Eric didn't reply and sat down besides his wife. He stared down at Melody who had her hand in her mouth, sucking on it. "How many kids should we have?"

Ariel didn't immediately answer. "I think maybe one more. I don't think I could endure labor for more than two times."

"That's understandable. It sounded painful."

Ariel laughed. "It was."

There was a long period of silence before Eric spoke up. "So did you really hate me before you met me?"

"Yes." Ariel grinned. "I just didn't know anything about you or if you would be a jerk."

"How do you feel about me now then?" He asked. "We've been married for almost a year now."

Ariel didn't quickly respond. How does she feel about Eric?

"There's things that you do that I definitely don't approve of, at times. Or things you do that I can't stand but... But I think I do love you, now."

Eric smiled. "I never would have thought I would hear you say those words."

"Neither did I." Ariel laughed. She picked Melody up and sat her on her lap. "And now we are a family filled with love."

Eric turned Ariel's face so she was facing him and he placed his lips against hers. "I love you, Ariel."

"I love you too, Eric."