Ariel was suffering from postpartum depression, and she had spent the whole day crying and pouting. Eric, having realized what Ariel was going through, had spent the day with his wife, only leaving her to take care of Hayden's needs. Ariel didn't want to get out of bed, didn't want to see Hayden, didn't want to do anything. She just vented to Eric and told him that she didn't think she was a good mother. Despite Eric's encouraging responses, Ariel didn't listen.
Eric hated seeing Ariel in this state, and he desperately wanted to cheer her up. He wanted to do something simple, something that might bring a smile to her face. After thinking for a few minutes and trying to block out the sound of Ariel's crying, he smiled and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey.. Ariel?" he said gently.
Ariel sniffled, then turned to look up at him. "What is it?" she said sadly.
"What do you call a fish that can play music?" he said seriously.
Ariel looked at him quizzically. She was so upset, and he was asking her about fish? "Um, a member of Sebastian's orchestra?" she replied hesitantly.
"No.. a tune-a-fish!" he said cheerfully. But Ariel just looked at him, not even cracking a smile.
"But.. Any fish can play music. It doesn't have to just be a tuna fish," she said with furrowed brows.
Realizing she didn't quite understand, Eric tried another joke. "Um.. What kind of horse can swim underwater without coming up for air?" he offered.
Ariel rolled her eyes, growing annoyed. "Eric, why do you care about this now? Can't you see I'm upset? I'm not stupid. I know that horses can't swim underwater." She turned away from him, laying so her back was facing him.
"No…" he said teasingly, "a seahorse!" Eric started laughing wholeheartedly to himself, causing Ariel to sit up suddenly and glare at him.
"Seahorses are not the same thing as horses," she retorted, crossing her arms. "You're being ridiculous."
Eric moved closer to her and put an arm around her. "No, love, I'm not being serious. They're just jokes. I'm trying to help you cheer up! But I guess they don't seem to be working, as you haven't smiled once." His arms snaked around her waist.
"Jokes?" she replied, looking at him with one eyebrow raised. "But-"
Suddenly, Ariel burst out laughing, squirming in Eric's arms as he tickled her ruthlessly. "I guess this is the only way to make you cheer up," he chuckled, before finally ceasing his tickle-torture.
"No, it isn't," Ariel said with a smile. "Thank you for trying to make me feel better, and I'm sorry I didn't understand, but-" she leaned over and kissed him quickly "-being with you is enough to cheer me up."