Hey guys! Long time no speak.

I'm sorry. Truly I am. Life is just throwing me around like a juggler. I hope you enjoy this chapter! I have more excitement coming soon.

Thanks so much for all the support this story has gotten. You make me smile.

Happy Reading,

J


Ariel woke up. As she looked around, she realized that this was the first morning that she wasn't shocked to be in the ocean. Maybe this isn't so bad.

She brushed her fingers through her red hair. I should brush it. I don't want to. Ariel idly swam around her room. For once her mind wasn't bouncing around. Hey this feels nice. Eric always said I should do this more…

Ariel's mind faded into a memory. A memory that wasn't so long ago. The sun filled the sky, the beach was warm, and Ariel's feet floated weightlessly in the water. She looked up at Eric. He was framed in sunlight. This perfect man of hers.

She reached for his hand. Melody was in Antlantica for the weekend. It was the first time in months that Eric and Ariel had the castle to themselves. Even better there were no obligations to tend to; no events, no sitting in the throne room for long hours listening to hours of demands. No royal duties. This was the life.

"What was the young fella's name? Terror, Jerk? Fool?"

"Eric don't worry; I'm sure Travis won't hurt Melody. She needs to have fun anyway."

"No Ariel, I'm the one who needs some fun!" Eric smirked at her. His eyes were glowing as he took her into his arms. It was a look that just screamed the love he had for her.

"I love you, Eric."

"Shhh…. This is our time now."

He started to undress her, right there on the beach. It was a perfect time. It was the last peaceful time they could share together before it all turned to hell. But at the time they didn't know that. They just knew that they were in love and that neither one of them had felt that kind of passion in a long time; the passion that leads to hours of love making under the stars.

A knock at the door brought Ariel back to the current day. This time she wasn't sad. She was wrapped up in the memory of his arms around her.

"Ariel! Don't you want to hang out with us? Like we use to!" Aquata bellowed.

Ariel followed her to the dressing room. As always Attina occupied the vanity attached to the wall.

"So! Ariel, who was that striking fella who danced with you last night? He seemed quite smitten with you. Do you know him?"

"Ummm….." Oh no. How could I do that? How could I turn on Eric…

"Arielllllllll! Hellooooooooooooo. Wooo hooooo." Attina waved her hands across Ariel's face.

"I can't go… what was I thinking? Oh my god…"

"Ariel, what in the seven seas are you talking about?" Attina needed her mind off of Taylor. What better way to do that than to interrogate Ariel?

"Ben… he asked me to go to the crow with him. But how can I go? I'm still married. I… I went too far! How could I? What have I done?"'

Ariel was in a state of near-panic. Giver her enough time and she would work her self into an emotional mess.

"Well did you have a good time?" Alana piped up. She kept an eye on Ariel the whole night, and she wanted to know what led to that peck on the cheek.

"I had a blast. Ben's fun. Lots of fun. Very shy and polite. He invited me to the Crow but I can't go."

"Ariel you have too. You said you would and you need to. We can't let you sit in your room curled up in a ball."

"Why not Alana?" Ariel knew Alana was right, but she just felt like she had broken her vows. Betrayed that passion.

"Ariel, Eric would want you to live life. Melody would not want you stuck in your grief. How bout this? Jerome and I will go with you. That way we're around if you can't take it anymore. Would you go if we did that? Maybe Attina can ask Taylor to come…."

"Great idea Alana, but I'm not inviting Taylor. He and I…. we're through. I'm done!" Attina tried to stay calm through the hurt and anger that last night had caused for her. Please don't ask me what happened. I don't want to talk about it.

"What happened this time?" Adella asked. It seemed like every day Taylor said something wrong.

"Nothing."

So that's why she was looking at me like that. Ariel saw an opportunity to shift the conversation.

"Well, I asked him how he was doing and he said that he would be better off without me. How was I supposed to react to that?"

"Dump him. That would solve all your problems." Aquata quipped from her vanity.

"I still love him."

"Anyone else feel like this is just a little de ja vu?" Arista stated. Oh how this repeated conversation got on her nerves.

"Daddy always said that Mom wouldn't let any merman tell her more than once that he didn't love her. You should follow her lead." Andrina said. She didn't like these conversations but it was all they had been talking about lately. She couldn't stay quiet forever.

Of course, she didn't mind it so much today. Not after last night. When she met Anthony. That stunning man. She always said she wouldn't be into boys but he was different. He seemed mature, kind… loveable even.

"I'll go if you guys go."

"Then let's go…" As usual Attina led the group of sisters out of the room. Shoot, they all needed some fun, and there was no other place like the crow.

Triton watched as a blur of tails rushed past the throne room. He was happy that his favorite with the green tail was among them. Ariel needed some fun. Wherever they were going hopefully it would take her mind off things.

Ben waited nervously. Did she forget? Everyone knows its best to be at the crow in the morning. Maybe she's not coming at all. Why am I even fretting over this? She doesn't even like me…. What the hell am I doing? I should just go…. Its no use….

Just then, a sponge ball hit him in the face. What a rude kid. He heard the laughing and turned around. There she was! Ariel was laughing and her hair was flying around.

Ben felt his heart skip a beat as the mermaid of his dreams floated in front of him. He threw it back at her and she dodged it.

Ariel's tail propelled her around as she made her own current circling around him. It felt good. It felt normal. It almost felt right, but Ariel decided that for this one morning, she would try to have as much fun as she could.

Andrina looked around. Ariel looked like she was having the time of her life, a welcomed change from the previous weeks never-ending gloom.

Today was the day that she let loose. Andrina took out the head piece that served as her crown, and stuffed it into her bag. Today she just wanted to be Andrina. The sister who always loved a good game of tag, or sponge ball. Anything that required movement.

A tap on her shoulder brought her face to face with Anthony. His green eyes were shining and his coal black tail was swirling around hers. His red hair wasn't combed. In this informal meeting, Andrina's could feel her stomach fill with butterflies.

Anthony grabbed Andrina's hand, begging her to follow him without saying a word. Andrina paused. She didn't really know him well, but he looked trustworthy. Without a word,

they left the crow.


Mean awhile, Ariel laughed and giggled as Ben teased her. Finding all her ticklish spots. She was gasping for breath.

"Stop!..." Ariel said still falling over with uncontrollable laughter.

Ariel looked around for her sisters, she couldn't see any of them, but that was okay. She was okay.

Ben stopped to admire her. He still couldn't believe that he was doing this. Tickling a princess half to death.

"What do you like to do?"

"Walk on the beach with Eric."

Ben stopped. Should he go on? The first thing she mentioned was something to do with her… um…. Deceased… husband.

"Ben, I'm sorry. I guess I'm still getting used to living under the sea."

"Its fine. I just didn't want to bring up anything that made you uncomfortable. I love you too much…."

"What?" Ariel gasped. A part of her said let it go. Its just a comment. He didn't mean it. She didn't mean it. She wasn't cheating? Was she?

Ben felt a bit sick to his stomach. He ruined it. With those three simple words, he ruined his chances. He could tell by the look on Ariel's face. He had one opportunity, made it work, had fun, then ruined it with one stupid remark.

Turning away, Ben swam off into the distance effectively ditching the situation. There in the middle of the activities, Ariel was left without a partner. On her own, she searched for her sisters. They were just sitting idly on the side lines. So as Ariel went in the direction of home, they followed.

She didn't know what she was doing.

Eric was her husband.

Ariel promised her self that she wouldn't do this. She couldn't it just felt like a betrayal to the passion that held she and Eric together.

Maybe Ben did love her, but she was taken. Her heart, soul, mind, even body still belonged to Eric. He was her King and she must stay loyal.

Wiping a tear from her eye she curled under the covers of the seashell canopy.

Had he been there, would Eric be upset. He probably hates me. Oh Poseidon. I don't know what to do. I just know my heart still belongs to Eric.

How can be a part of this world… so blue… so vast… and I don't have a clue, how I could live… without you….

Ariel fell asleep, still guilt-ridden. How had daddy done it? All those years without mom and he was happy or at least appeared to be. Maybe I should talk to him…

With one last sigh, Ariel fell asleep.