That wasn't what I wanted to hear. I had really hoped that the doctor would have returned with Danny. i Though I wasn't surprised that he was a little relived when I told him that the doctor couldn't come until later.

The rest of the day I continued to check in on Eric and each time I did if he was awake his voice seemed more raspy and gruff. He started to complain more about his throat hurting. One thing I had learned Eric wasn't, was a complainer so him complaining now told me that he was getting worse not better.

Eric didn't eat dinner either. I was really worried cause it had been over a day since he'd eaten anything and hadn't had a lot of drink either. I knew from others that this wasn't good. Than at night just as sleep was finally taking me over I heard a loud groan from the man next to me. I turned to face him, he was so pale and his face seemed to have more beads of sweat on it than usual which made me think his fever rose again.

I reached over and gently touched his shoulder. He sort of whimpered and then began to cough. They sounded more raw and hoarse than before. I touched his forehead and shuttered at the heat that radiated from him. I knew for sure now that his fever had risen and he was much worse than he was even a half hour before.

I barely slept much in the night. I couldn't wait until morning when the doctor would arrive. I just wanted him to check Eric out, tell me that everything would be alright, that it was no big deal and that Eric would be fine in a day or two.

But that wish was not to be. As now I was sitting next to Eric after Doctor Peters left telling me that it didn't look good. Eric's breaths were soft and slow, but also raspy. My heart broke, here my husband was sicker than I'd ever seen anyone and there was nothing I could do it seemed.

I went out back to the shore and began to cry some. I was so worried that Eric wasn't getting better.

"What's the matter Princess?" I heard a familiar voice say.

I looked down and saw Sebastian. "Oh Sebastian, its Eric." I cried.

"Does he not make you happy anymore, because you can always come home."

"It's not that. I'm very happy with him. I love him and he loves me. It's just he's very ill and the doctor doesn't know how to treat it. I'm afraid I'll lose him." I said still crying.

Sebastian didn't say anything for a while. He just patted my foot. "Ariel…" it was all he said. Honest I don't think he really knew what to say.

A few moments later Danny came out. "Princess, your husband is asking for you."

I told him that I would be right in. I bid Sebastian farewell wiped my face and went back into the castle. I nervously walked up the stairs that led to our room. I paused a moment before going into the room. The room was dim and Eric looked as though he'd fallen asleep.

"Ariel, is that you?"

"Yes." I said coming in all the way and going to the bed.

Eric opened his eyes and looked at me. He didn't say anything at first. I watched his chest slowly move up and down as Eric stagger breathed in and out. Eric then reached up and gently stroked my check. His eyes looked drawn and tired. Whatever was ailing him had a strong grasp on him, and he was losing the battle.

"Eric, you can't die on me now. Not now, not ever." I said beginning to cry again.

Eric brushed the newly fallen tears away and continued to look deep into my eyes. "Ariel, I'm always with you. Wither it be near or far I'm always in your heart as you are mine." He softly said.

Eric started to cough again, and I began to cry harder.

"Eric, I can't sit here and watch you die."

"I never said I'd want you to. Besides I have no intention on dying. This will pass, I'll make it pass. I don't know why this is happening but we'll get through this."

I gave a small smile as it warmed my heart to know he didn't plan on giving up yet. But I feared he might if he got sick more worse. Even though he laid in bed sick with a raging fever with beads of sweat covering his face and chest I decided to tell him my good news.

"Eric, I have something important to tell you." I said slowly.

"What's that?"

"I'm going to have a baby."

Eric didn't say anything, nor did he have to. His response was all in his smile.