Just a few more days. Then he would be back.
This is what Ariel had been telling herself all week. With Eric gone on yet another trip to another kingdom, she was left back at the castle to be, well, to be princess. Though she did get to spend time with her daughter, which she loved, Melody had school during the day and always wanted to go down to the ocean when she got home, to explore everything it has to offer.
But now it was late, and everyone in the castle was sound asleep. The empty rooms seemed larger than usual, and it was silent. Unable to sleep, Ariel found herself wandering around idly with her hands on her belly, wondering what Eric was doing at that exact moment.
She decided to go to the shore. Maybe the sound of the small waves rippling into the sand or the feel of the cool breeze would help her relax. With a sigh, the princess began walking to the back door, hoping she'd be able to find some serenity.
Stepping outside, Ariel took a few steps in the sand before noticing a strange light a few yards away. Curiously, she walked towards it, wondering what the strange light was. As she got closer and the nightly fog thinned, she saw a figure standing next to the light, and she narrowed her eyes to see who it was.
"Eric!?" she gasped, a huge smile gracing her lips. She ran towards him and embraced him, so overwhelmed with happiness. She pulled back before taking his face and kissing him with a giddy giggle. "But you weren't supposed to be back for a few more days!"
Eric eagerly embraced her as well, glad to have made his princess happy. "Well, we finished early," he said casually with a shrug of his broad shoulders. He pulled apart from her and looked at her belly, the back to her. "How are you? Everything okay?"
The princess nodded with a sigh. "Yup, the baby's fine, I feel fine. A couple of kicks." She smiled, but her voice got quiet as she looked up at him, almost sadly. "I really missed you. How did you know I was going to come here?"
He smiled playfully at her. "Oh, come on, love," he chuckled. "You don't think that by now I would know where you go when you're upset?" He pointed up towards their bedroom window. "I saw the light go off."
Ariel rolled her eyes at him with a grin and came closer, motioning to the candles on the table next to them. Raising an eyebrow at him, she asked, "Well then what's all this for?"
Eric chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. "To be honest, I thought you would be out earlier. But I guess I was wrong." He shook his head and met her eyes with a suspicious expression. "I guess I still can't completely figure you out, Miss Mermaid."
She gave him the same look. "Is that a bad thing?" she flirted in return.
"Not at all," Eric replied innocently, taking her in his embrace. "But it's late now, so why don't we just go to bed?" he offered, kissing her forehead.
She looked up at him, her bright blue eyes twinkling from the reflection of the moon. A soft smile began to form on her face. "I'd like that."
