The More the Merrier

For the babies' christening, many guests had come from all around Europe to see the first set of royal quadruplets. After announcing to the kingdom about the birth of their three young princes and baby princess, Eric had declared a day of celebration, as he did for when Melody was born. He could still remember that day vividly, practically nineteen years ago.

"Eric, you will wear a hole right through the floor!" Grimsby advised.

"Sorry, Grim, I'm just so nervous. Why can't I go in?" Eric asked frustratingly.

"I actually do not know."

"I want to be there when they announce if it is a boy or a girl and be the second to hold it."

"Eric, calm down and just relax. Ariel is a very strong lady and I am sure after she holds it she will surely give it too you."

"I hope it isn't a still born or anything, Ariel will be devastated."

"Now, Eric I pray that you do not think like that! Think of happy things like what you will you play with when your new child arrives."

"I won't play with anything."
"Oh, Eric what will you play with the child!"

"Well, if we have a son I'll take him on all the sailing expeditions my father took me on and go on a lot of adventures through the forest and play pranks on some guests…"

"Ahem."

"I mean teach him good discipline."

"And a daughter?"

"Well, I'm not so sure about that. But I bet we will go swimming together!"

"That's it?"

"Hey, I never cared about what girls like!"

"Excuse me, Prince Eric." Called the midwife.

"Yes?" Eric asked unsurely.

"Princess Ariel would like you too meet your new child." She answered in a hushed tone.

"Alright," he patted the midwife on the back and bounded for the bed where his wife sat-up and tiredly smiled. She was holding a baby in a warm while and teal blanket.

"Eric, meet you new baby daughter." Ariel presented him the baby. He looked at it unsurely, because he never held a baby before. He slowly reached over and took her from Ariel's arms gently.

"Watch her head, Eric." Carlotta advised as she cleaned up the room. Ariel helped Eric to a proper position as he just starred at the baby. He noticed soft curly locks of dark hair like his curl out from under her hood. She also had his eyebrows. But when she opened her eyes they were a similar deep blue like Ariel's with a tint of teal in. She was just about the most beautiful thing he had laid eyes on. He grinned at her and the baby knowingly just starred at her father. Carlotta and Ariel awaited a response.

"She is gorgeous!" He exclaimed, not wanting to startle the baby. Ariel sighed with relief that he accepted her. She was almost sure he had wanted a son, but he did not act disappointed.

"What shall we name her?" Ariel asked.

"Mmmm…" Eric thought.

"Melody. Our precious Melody." Ariel decided. Eric nodded at the beautiful name.

The next day he and a much healthier Ariel stood out on the balcony that faced the citizens. Almost the entire town had come to hear their announcement.

"Citizens, I present to you the first child born of land and sea and your future queen, Princess Melody!" The kingdom erupted in cheers and but Melody didn't seem scared and only looked around in her mothers arms. "And in celebration of her birth I declare this day a holiday, but the next year will celebrate this event on April 29th instead of today, April 30th since she was born late last night."

The crowed shrugged and the festivities began. The celebrations went on for a week since it had been nineteen years since the annunciation of a new royal heir. Ariel and Eric were extremely involved in their daughter's needs and were exhausted, but let no one help besides Carlotta. Eric did not know that nineteen years later that he would be on that same balcony again, alongside Melody and Ariel with Melody announcing their heirs.

Melody and Phillip eagerly greeted guests, he held onto Julian and Ethan while Melody clung onto Daniel and Clara. While Philip was talking with his sister, Daniel approached Melody.

"Hi, congrads. Who knew you would have four?" He snickered.

"It is exhausting." Melody admitted. Although she had plenty of help from her parents, Phillip and Carlotta, she felt as though she should be doing a lot of things by her self, being their mother.

"I guessed you missed me so much you named this little one after me." He teased.

"I just like the name." She said dismissively, but she and Daniel both broke out into laughter.

"Well I guess I do get to be with you in a way." He smiled.

"He sure is fussy like you!" She joked.

"You've gotten your figure back." He said upon observing her. She still had a narrow waist, and it was relevant in her deep red sleeveless ball gown.Her hair was neatly put up to keep it out of the way.

"Keep you eyes on your own girl. Where is Ediline anyways?" She asked.

"Talking with a few friends. You have to attend our wedding!" He said excitedly.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." She wanted to talk more but baby Daniel began to stir.

"I've got to go. I will see you soon, Daniel."

"Bye!" He called. He shook his head to try to get Melody out of his head. They each had their own companions now, they were just friends. But Melody sure made a great expression on everyone. Ediline called him away, which thankfully took him out of his thinking.

"Granddad, Daniel won't play tea party with me!" Four-year-old Clara whined.

"But Granddad, tea party is a silly girl's game, I want to have sword fights with Julian and Ethan." Daniel stated. Eric rolled his eyes at the bickering siblings. He surely knew how Daniel felt. When he was younger his mother told him to play tea party with his younger cousin, Liselle and he despised the game.

"You can go play with your brothers, Daniel, I'll play with Clara." Eric said. Daniel smiled gratefully and raced off to play with his older brothers, who eagerly enhanced him in their game of knights. Julian was Sir Lancelot and Ethan was Sir Gawain, his most loyal friend. They named Daniel Sir Gareth. Eric was much shyer than his grandsons, but was also into knights. Alone he and his new puppy went on various quests along the beach. Max. He and Melody were the most down-hearted; she was about thirteen when he had died. Max was their only companion since they were the children. Ariel was also quite sad but she just never knew their bond.

"Granddad, you want two sugar cubes or one?" Clara asked sweetly, snapping him back to the present.

"One, these cookies are sweet enough." He grinned. But he tried not to act scared or anything because for the first time a princess had to give birth in an actually hospital due to complications. He knew Phillip and Ariel were at Melody's side but he still an eerie, nervous feeling. He and Carlotta were in charge of the children, a task they took on easily. But he knew Melody was a bit better at the hospital because Ediline was having her third child there too. Ella was three and Sophia was two. Ella always played with Clara and included young Sophia as well. Eric was glad his grandchildren has such close, great friends because surely he and probably Melody too, were deprived of them, although they had their fair share of cousins and royal friends they had met in their later years.

"Eric, I have news for you." Grimsby crouched down to Clara and Eric's level.

"Yes Grim?" By the look on his advisor's face he knew it was good news because he grinned happily.

"Princess Melody has given birth to triplet daughters." He announced grandly.

"Mommy did what?" Clara asked curiously.

"Call your brothers over here and I will tell you." Eric said.

"Really Grim, three?" Eric was astonished. He never knew Melody could have a set of quadruplets and a set of triplets in a lifetime. Now he had seven grandchildren! A mere record since each royal couple in line for the throne and one or two children. Although he was pleased, he felt sorry for Melody. His poor daughter will be so exhausted. She had four vibrant children and now three new infants. Part of him was worried about her tackling this responsibility but was proud that she had done so.

"Yes Granddad?" Julian asked.

"Alright kids, you now have three new baby sisters!" Clara was overjoyed and Julian and Ethan grinned at the fact they now had three babies in the house. Daniel though looked a pit pale because this ment playing tea-party with four sisters now.

In the hospital, Melody sat weakly in bed with Ariel and Phillip holding the children since she was afraid she would drop them because she was so tired. The doctors said that she was fine overall, just needed rest. She knew that she was carrying more than one child, but three was a surprise! Although she loved them dearly already she was not ready for them. Phillip wanted lots of children and in her two times of giving birth she had delivered seven children. He did not know how hard she had too worked to give her four children attention, now she had to pay attention to three more. Part of her were pleased with three more daughters but she was angry with Phillip for going along with it.

"Your highness, Duke Daniel will like to inform you that his wife, Lady Ediline has given birth to another daughter, named Melody." A nurse said.

"Thank you and tell them that I am honored that they named her after me. And could you also please inform them that I now have triplet daughters." Melody smiled weakly.

"Of course, do they have names yet?" She asked.

"Kathleen?" Ariel suggested for the oldest triplet. Melody nodded eagerly at the beautiful name.

"Janessa?" Phillip asked for youngest daughter, the one that he held. Melody approved again.

"Sierra for the youngest." Melody said.

"Thank you, your highness I will tell them right away." The young nurse scurried away.

"Kathleen and Sierra are asleep dear, would you like me to put them in their cradles?" Ariel asked.

"Sure, thank you so much mother." Melody smiled gratefully.

"Anything for you honey. You want me to stay?" Ariel asked.

"What do you mean stay? Can't I return home now?" Melody asked curiously.

"I am sorry, sweetie, but the doctor wants to keep you and the girls' for observation tonight."

"Alright. You may return to the palace. I'll be here with Phillip." Melody said. Ariel nodded and kissed Melody on the forehead before she left.

"Janessa is asleep too." Phillip advised after Ariel had left. He also gently put he in a cradle and sat at the foot of Melody's bed.

"I told you I did not want another set of kids." Melody said. "This was very dangerous. A princess never had to go to a hospital before."

"But you gave birth too beautiful baby girls. With Janessa looking like Clara, and I was quite surprised when Sierra and Kathleen had red hair! But they all have the most vibrant blue eyes." Phillip said.

"I know that they are wonderful and divine, but what about me? This was so close, Phillip." Melody said. "I swear too you right now I am never having any children ever again, and I do not care that you want twelve."

"Very well." Phillip said sternly. I think I will go grab a bite to eat. Care for anything?"

"An apple will be fine." She said with her anger slowly leaving her body. Just as Phillip walked out Daniel strode in to check on her.

"Three more girls to add the Will. I bet Daniel won't be happy about that!" Daniel teased.

Alas, all of her anger had melted away with Daniel's fun nature.

"You know him. I bet he is bawling right now because he will have to play tea party with another three sisters." Melody grinned. He knelt down and looked in her eyes. They both grinned at each other for a long time. They had become wonderful friends over the years but they will never admit love each other. Their better halves were there to love them and keep them in tact. But deep in their hearts were they knew they will be together. Eventually. All that mattered now though, was their families that they had each created and raising and loving them.