DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own any of the chars from TLM. They belong to Disney. I do however own anyone you don't recognize.

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Enjoy!

A/N: Here's the next chapter! I hope everyone likes it!

"Melody's Christmas Wish"

Chapter 2

The next day, Ariel awoke to sun streaming into the window of her and Eric's bedroom.

Smiling to herself, she sat up before getting out of bed. She got ready for the day before going outside for a few minutes.

She loved spending time near the ocean every morning. It made her feel closer to her father and sisters.

Sitting down on the bench that overlooked the beach and sea, Ariel let the sea breeze caress her face.

She opened her mouth to practice her song for the festival and was surprised when no sound came out.

All she could manage was a cough or two, but that was it. She couldn't even whisper!

Forcing herself not to panic, Ariel tried to remain calm. She knew it wasn't due to magic this time. This was a relief in itself.

However, she had a feeling Melody would not see it the same way.

Just then, Sebastian came out of the house.

"Ah, girl. Isn't it a fantastic morning?"

Figuring Ariel was lost in thought, he waited for her to answer him.

When she didn't respond after a minute or so, he decided to try again.

"Look, child, I said what I said yesterday because I care."

Still, Ariel didn't answer.

"Ariel?" Sebastian asked. "What's de matter with you?"

Ariel didn't want to startle him, but she had no choice. She didn't want him thinking she was mad at him and she had to give him some type of sign that she was okay.

Turning around, she shook her head and pointed to her throat.

Sebastian gasped. He didn't need to be at the top of sign language class to know what that meant.

"Oh no. Not again!"

Ariel shook her head frantically to assure him it wasn't anything like that.

She signed something else and he scoffed.

"Calm down? You expect me to calm down after…I told you dis would happen."

"There you are. " Eric said as he came out of the bedroom. "I was wondering where you were. Melody said you hadn't gone to wake her up. She's downstairs eating breakfast. Ariel?"

Sebastian couldn't hold it back any longer.

"We got a problem, mun. A big one!"

Eric rolled his eyes.

"What happened now?" He asked.

"Ariel lost her voice! Again! Aw mun, I knew I should have stayed back home. At least dere I wouldn't' have to worry about having a nervous breakdown."

Eric did a double take as Sebastian's words sank in.

Thankfully, he didn't panic.

"Well at least we have one thing on our side that we didn't have the first time around."

"What's dat?" Sebastian asked.

"Sign language." Eric replied. "We didn't have that option before."

"You say dat like it solves everyting. She has to sing in two weeks!"

"Hopefully, it won't last too long. " He said, trying to look on the bright side.

Just then, Melody joined them.

"Dad, I think Max got into the marshmallows again." She reported.

"What makes you say that, honey?" He asked.

"They're all over the floor." She replied as though it were obvious.

"I'll take care of him." He said. "You stay here with Mommy."

"Okay."

Ariel shook her head and threw Eric a glare.

After Eric was gone, Melody noticed Sebastian looked more frazzled than usual.

"What's with you?" She asked.

Ariel shook her head frantically, but she knew there was no stopping him if he chose to tell Melody the truth.

"Your mudder has a bit of a problem."

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"Dere's no beating around de seaweed bush with dis one. So I'm just gonna come right out and say it. Your mudder lost her voice."

Melody shook her head as though willing Sebastian's words not to be true.

"No." She said as her voice shook. "No! It can't be true!"

"Have I Ever lied to you, girl?"

Melody ignored him.

"But she was fine last night when she…" Her voice trailed off as realization hit.

"What is it?" He asked.

"She sung to me last night." Melody said.

Sebastian knew where this was going and he tried to head it off.

He was about to say something when Melody turned around and ran back in the house.

Ariel made to go after her, but Sebastian stopped her.

"Just leave her be for now." He advised. "Let Eric handle dis one."

Ariel sighed. she knew Sebastian spoke the truth.

Even so, her heart was breaking for her daughter.

Sebastian sighed.

"At least dere's none good ting dat came out of dis."

Ariel gave him a questioning look.

"We don't' have to tell your fada. It'll keep me out of de oven dis Christmas Eve. Den again, if Louie has his way…"

Ariel shook her head as she reached her hands out and Sebastian hopped into them.

M

E

Meanwhile, back in the house, Eric was standing outside of Melody's bedroom door.

Pushing open the door, he found Melody sitting at her window, staring out at the ocean.

He could tell she was crying by the way her shoulders were shaking.

Walking over to her, he laid a hand on her right shoulder and was relieved when she didn't pull away.

Their recent father/daughter experience which had resulted in them getting lost a few miles form Atlantica had brought them closer.

It was just something about seeing her father defend her from the Sharkaians that made Melody admire him all the more.

He opened his mouth to say something, he almost called her 'Mel by accident, but caught himself just in time. He knew that wouldn't go over well, even if it was an accident.

"Sweetie, I know you're upset." He started. "But-" His sentence was interrupted by a crash at the window.

"Sorry about that, kiddo." Scuttle said as he squeezed through the window. "I missed the turn. They must have taken down the….what's going on around here? Where's Ariel at? I thought I'd hear Ariel practicing for the festival thingy. By the way, I saw the tree on my way over here. Ain't she a beauty?"

"It's still standing, right?" Eric asked, afraid to know the answer.

"Let's see. The last time I checked, it was right side up again."

"Again?" He asked.

"Dad, don't ask." Melody cautioned him. "You'll only get a headache."

Eric nodded. He had a feeling Melody was telling the truth in this case…