Standing on the balcony that extended from her room, Ariel sighed, her thin red brows furrowed as she thought to herself. She took a step over to lean against the white exterior of the castle, beginning to gently rub her tummy.
The baby was due in about 2 months, and Ariel could not wait. He or she would definitely change her and her family's lives, in a positive way, of course. She couldn't wait to hold her newborn in her arms for the first time, seeing the miracle she and Eric had created.
However, one certain idea was stuck in her mind, as it had been ever since she found out she was pregnant. It was something that caused her constant worry, and she found herself talking to Eric often about it. It was her biggest fear for their child: What if something is wrong with their baby?
When she was pregnant with Melody, of course Ariel had been worried about the same thing. She still had mermaid running through her veins, and she was afraid that those genes, combined with those of a pure human, would cause a deformity. The princess remembered how relieved and happy she had felt when Melody was born, the doctors telling the new mother that her new little girl was completely perfect.
Though she may have gotten lucky with Melody, Ariel couldn't help but wonder if they wouldn't be as lucky this time. What if some of her mermaid DNA passed into the baby? What if something was wrong with it's legs? What if there were green scales, or even gills, covering his or her body? What if he or she is in pain because of it? Of course, she would love her child either way, as she knew Eric would, but the kingdom and other people… Maybe not as much.
Ariel constantly felt that, should this happen, their child would be rejected, feared, and unwanted by the kingdom. People might call him or her "a freak," or think that he/she is too different from them. They may even blame Ariel for it, ashamed that their soon-to-be-king's son or daughter is abnormal, all because of her.
When she thought too much about it, the former mermaid found herself hyperventilating, sobbing and crying as she vented into Eric's chest. She knew he was worried, too, but her crazy hormones only made her more hysterical.
And the worst part about it was that there was no way that any deformity could be fixed. A relationship between former mermaid and man was unheard of. Everything they did, mostly in the beginning of their marriage, was like an experiment. Doctors wouldn't be able to cure anything, no one would be able to relate to the royal couple and what they were going through.
All Ariel could do was have faith. What was most important was that, no matter what the baby looks like, he/she would be loved and protected by her and Eric. And that was what was most important. She wanted the best for her baby, and she hoped every day that everything will work out fine, as it did with Melody.
The redhead took a step forward, off the wall, walking over closer to the balcony. Her arms still on her stomach, she looked out at the sea, knowing that her underwater family would love the baby, too, no matter what. As the salty sea air raced through her long red hair, Ariel glanced down at her bulging belly and whispered, "I love you, little one. Always."