Finally I am eighteen! Adulthood and queen, almost (until mom and dad retire). I got the most beautiful dress. I usually never care but this one it just-wow. I don't know how to describe it. Well I think I can start: The sleeves are thin straps with sapphires attached to them in oval and floral shapes. The bodice has spiral embroided shapes and tiny gems in gold. The skirt is silky and full with a thicker, translucent fabric over the silk. The shapes on the thicker material are identical to the bodice except it is larger and a little less glamour-y. My flats are golden with a large sapphire on the toe. My choker is like my flats, gold with a large sapphire as are my earrings. My tiara is a little more unique, it has a gold base with carved-out designs but it has many jewels in cool colors. I feel like an actress ready for her award show. My hair is tied in a high ponytail and curled in the end. Maid Deirdre applied light pink blush and thick mascara that made my lashed feel dressed-up. My best friend on land, Jessica, looked shocked. I had never been the one to dress-up all fancy and wear make-up and Jessica had to quiz me on myself to prove I am-me.

"Ohmigosh, Mel, your dress is just- and your hair- and wow, your jewelry! Intruder, where is my sea-smelling, shorts-wearing, loosey-goosey haired friend?"

"Jess-ie-ca! It is me. I'm just-dressed more…"

"Unlike your self?"

"Yeah!"

"Jezz, if I thought you were gonna go all Oscar Awards on me, I would have dressed better."

"You look fine. You always do!" Melody glanced at her friend's outfit. Her dress was a flouncy deep red with silver designs. Her shoes, necklace and earrings had a pattern of different shaped rubies on them with a silver base. Her make-up looked natural but still made her violet eyes pop and her black hair was done in an elegant up-do. What was she complaining about?

"Thanks. Well we better go, King Eric sent me here to get you. He thought you might be playing or reading or something, I don't think he expected you to dress and look the way you look now."

"I told dad I don't play with anyone any more, I talk and hang-out."

"You tell the king that."

"Silly Jessica, scared of my dad?"

"Um yeah. I say a thing to insult him, I go to jail."

"Sure there, buddy."

"I am not kidding!"

"It's been several years, you are still afraid of my dad?"

"Yes."

"Well don't be. Are you scared of my mom too? She can through you in the dungeon too you know."

"But Queen Ariel is just too nice. She won't do that."

"Jess, I swear I am way more scared of my mom than dad."

"Whatever. Come 'on let's go already! I want cake! I haven't had any for such a long time."

"Okay, but I am gonna spend such a long time wishing that the wax will drip into the cake."

"I do not care!"

"Jessica, Jessica, Jessica. You eat like fatty Fred and yet you are as skinny as a toothpick."

"I exercise!"

"Nice!"

"Melody, no more questions, LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOO!"

"Okay, okay! Is that updo to tight or what?"

"Huh?"

"Never mind."

"Okay. NOW. LET'S. GO!" I asked no more questions until Jessica dragged me down the stairs and towards the Sea-entrance. But unfortunately we were intercepted by Kate, Sienna, Eve and Percilla. The perfect blue-eyed, blonde, lip-gloss smacking girls. I did have blue-eyed and blonde friends like Luciana and Caroline but they were nice and smart and don't think they are the best. Sometimes I would have liked to be blonde like Aunt Andrina or Aunt Arista or Cousin Daphne and Lianna but then again, dark hair suits me more.

"What do you want 'Kate Bland Blonde Crew'?" Jessica sighed.

"Nothing, Jessica. We just wanted to with the princess a happy birthday." Kate replied.

"Sure there," hissed Jessica.

"Um, thanks Kate. Now what do you want?" Melody asked.

"Wha?" Eve asked innocently.

"Why do you suspect us for saying 'Happy Birthday'?" Sienna said.

"Um, aren't we gonna say goodbye to her aswell, since shes like marrying the merdude and like Kate's second cousin, Alice, is gonna be queen?" Percilla said dumbly.

"Percilla, shut-up!" Kate hissed.

"What are you talking about?" Melody asked.

"Well its kind of obvious that you are gonna marry that merman, Melody. And Alice's stepmom is like your dad's second cousin and she could take over your throne." Sienna said.

"Well Mel is not gonna be queen or getting married anytime soon, so go take a hike." Jessica snapped.

"Exactly, and now if you excuse me, I have got a party to go too." Melody said smugly.

"Well enjoy while you can, princess!" Kate shouted. "'Cause its not gonna last long!"

"WHAT-EV-AA!" Jessica responded. Jessica gets her talk backs and loud voice from her large family of seven. Being the middle child, she hardly gets herd. I cannot imagine being in Jessica's place. Having to please her older siblings, Genevieve, Ivan and Harry and having to care of the younger ones, Ken, Liam and Miranda. But Genevieve is helpful in knowing what is in and out of style and how to behave and what to expect in life and Harry is the nicest man in the world. Miranda and Ken are cute and if you do something wrong you can always blame Liam or Ivan.

When Jessica and I walked out the back steps to the beach it looked wonderful. Colorful lanterns that Great Aunt Diana got from China was hung around the beach and was the centerpiece for every teal and lavender sheeted table. The centerpiece also had rare teal roses around it and lavender scented candles. The head table-my table- was on the gazebo in the water with a decorated, lit and carpeted boardwalk leading up to it. My table was done in more detail than the others and was much fancier and well, up to my Grandmother Valerie's 'Royal Standards'. The darker it grew the more magical the place became. I met up with Luciana, Caroline and other girls from my academy as well as my cousins from both land and sea. I got cheek pinched from the older aunts and comments from the younger ones and praises from my uncles on my final exams. Grandfather Triton gave me another necklace too add to my collection.

Finally it was time for cake. Mom and dad fed me first after I blew out the candles and then it was Grandfather Triton's and Grandmother Valerie's turn, then my aunts', uncles' and cousins' (who put icing on my face.) and Jessica and finally it was Sean turn. He fed me normally but pulled out a slippery wet shell case from behind his back and silently handed it to me. He whispered a happy birthday greeting and waited for my response. I ever so carefully opened the case and saw a gleaming diamond ring. My mouth fell to the ground.

"Speak." Jessica commanded.

"Ohmigosh Sean!"

"Um, I think I am low enough so um, Princess Melody Rosalinda Parker, will you marry me?" Sean stammered. The audience waited anxiously.

"Um, I-I say…" I hesitated.

"We ain't got all day-ay." Jessica sing-songed.

"Yes." I said. Cheers erupted throughout the audience an I squatted down and kissed him. Mom was crying as was dad (but he hid it rather well.) I am overjoyed. Jessica was also super-duper happy. After this party I will be cursed of bridal planning.

A week later I made a list of stuff I have to do:

1.) Pick Bridesmaids.

2.) MOST IMPORTANT Decide whether the celebration will be on land or sea.

3.) Pick food.

4.) Pick Dress/ Shells.

5.) Pick band

6.) The stuff I am forgetting-so this space is for that.

As much as I want to be a mermaid and marry Sean I still have an urching feeling in the pit of my stomach. Is it true? When mom and dad step down evil self centered Alice will be the queen and run this kingdom into a disaster zone? What is more important though? My kingdom or my happiness?

***** HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my readers. Your present is this first chapter I wrote for this year. Okay that kindda sounds cocky, but nvm. So What'cha' think. This is sorta lovey-dovey since its around Valentines Day. Well at least in Superstore and Hallmark and The Bay it is with their decorations and cards and stuff. And another dance at our school too. I'm gonna continue soon, but I got hw to do, pcee!*****

PS: Please Review!

PPS: I don't own any TLM characters, places and stuff that u recognize.