Eric grumbled to himself as he paced inside the master bedroom. Ariel was standing on the balcony, watching the ocean silently for any signs of their daughter.
"I don't like this," Eric finally commented angrily. "Ursula's back. We know that. Melody should not be coming back this late. We can't see her coming back; it would be the perfect opportunity for Ursula to grab her." He stopped pacing for a minute, looking at the ocean briefly before starting his pace again. "And that sea hag probably knows it, too."
Ariel turned from the balcony, watching her husband mumble to himself angrily with his arms crossed over his broad chest. She stepped back inside the bedroom in an attempt to say something.
As she began to speak, Eric included sharply, "I know your sisters were probably running late but that can't always happen. Your father knows that. Isn't he with them? Doesn't he know?.." he started trailing off again.
Ariel took another step closer to him, folding her hands. "Eric.." she started. But he spoke again. "And if Ursula does get her, then what? Will he make some kind of law for the seas about curfew? Have guards guarding the shores so that people can't even go to the beach without seeing some armored merman?…" His pace was quickening, but he still hadn't noticed Ariel.
"Eric!" she said louder, but again, Eric just continued pacing, paying no attention to her. She followed him as he paced, continuing to ramble. "I mean I don't mean any offense to the merpeople but our daughter is at stake here and I-" Now he was interrupted. When he had turned around again, Ariel stood up onto her toes and kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She didn't release him until she felt his arms around her waist and his body become less tense. After a few moments she finally pulled away and peered up at him with her bright blue eyes.
She giggled and bit her lip. "Better?" He nodded and smiled at her happily. "We're talking about my Daddy here," she said, reaching up to touch his cheek. "Probably the most protective grandfather out there. He's not about to let Melody leave the sea unattended. Okay?"
He nodded and took her hand silently, leading them back out to the balcony. They stood there together silently, and in a few minutes, their soaking-wet daughter emerged into sight, dragging her damp bag full of shells along with her as she ran to the castle.