Stephanie's POV

I woke up on the beach. I looked around and saw Eric next to me. I also saw Cindy sitting next to me on the other side. When she saw that I was awake, she engulfed me in a hug. I hugged her back. That's when I noticed Ariel sitting on a rock and more importantly that her tail was glowing gold. She looked down and smiled to the sea. I looked that way and the legendary King Triton floating there. He was smiling back at Ariel. Ariel jumped into the water and came up wearing a beautiful sparkly purple dress. Eric had just woken up and saw her. He ran up to her and spun her around. After setting her down, he kissed her passionately. They were wed at once. As they had their kiss as husband and wife, Max jumped in the middle and licked their faces. I giggled. I was staring over the side looking at all the Merpeople that had come for Ariel's wedding. I was taken out of my gaze when two arms slide around my waist and I was pulling against someone. I spun around in the embrace and was face to face with Eric. He smiled at me and I smiled back. He gave me a light kiss on my lips.

"You know, that's supposed to stop when you're married."

"I just had to give one more. I had to thank you, if it wasn't for you. I might not have Ariel right now." I just shrugged.

"I know you love her. I still do love you, but I want you to be happy so if she makes you happy there's nothing I can do about that." A tear slide down my face. He brushed it away with his thumb. I hugged him tight. I felt him tighten his grip too. I saw Ariel behind us just smiling. It wasn't one of the jealous smiles either it was an I'm okay smile. I smiled back at her. Eric and I released each other. I pointed to Ariel. Eric turned around and immediately became stupid.

"Ariel… I… umm…"

"Eric, stop, I know what's going on and I'm fine with it. I get it. She's your best friend practically your sister and you love her. I don't care, the only time I will care if it escalates into something more. Like I find you two in bed together."

"Believe me Ariel, that will never happen." Ariel gave me a warm smile. "I'll let you two alone together."

"No wait a second." Ariel was about to say more but her father appeared. She went over to him and hugged him. She whispered something but I couldn't hear. They turned to where Eric and I were. We both bowed to him. I went over to another part of the boat. I saw Cindy and called down to her.

"You know, we got you a dress and the only time you got to wear it was to the wrong wedding."

"I know, well, hopefully it will look as good on you."

"Nah, blue's not my color. I hope we'll see you again."

"I'm sure you will, maybe I'll be able to come up to the surface someday."

"I hope so. I'll see you soon."

Cindy's POV

I swam back to the palace with Ariel's sisters. It just felt weird, I mean Ariel was there anymore. She was like my twin sister and I never really took what it meant. I loved the fact that the king treated me like a daughter but sometimes I wish that I had the life Ariel has now. It's now been a week since the wedding. I was sitting on my bed when the king entered.

"Hello King Triton." I said as I bowed.

"How are you doing?"

"Hanging in there."

"I think you should go to her. Stay with her, make sure she's safe."

"Oh believe me your majesty, if there was a way, I'd do it in a heartbeat." He smiled.

"Than follow me." I was confused but I followed him anyway. We headed up to the surface. He closed his eyes and his trident lit up. I immediately realized what he was doing.

"No, your majesty, I didn't mean that you had to do this." Out of the corner of my eye, I was Stephanie and Ariel walking along with beach with Eric and Max. They were laughed and seemed to be having a good idea.

"Just promise my something, promise me that you'll watch over Ariel." I couldn't contain myself. I jumped into his arms hugging him. "I'll take that as a yes." He said through a chuckle as he hugged me back. "I've always thought of you as daughter, with that said, now it feels like I'm losing my youngest daughters."

"King Triton, you're not losing us. We just live in a different place." He smiled at me.

"Ready?" I nodded. He pointed the trident to me and my red tail split into legs and I walked onto the sand.

"Hey guys." I called. They turned around and gasped. Stephanie came running toward me and hugged me. I hugged her back. Ariel was next. We hugged for what felt like forever.

"Cindy, I have to tell you something. You'll never believe this… I'm going to have a baby!" I looked stunned. I couldn't believe it.

"Oh my gosh, congratulations Ariel, you and Eric." Eric came up to me and gave me a hug. Max licked my face at which I laughed. We all went back to the palace to discuss what would happen. I couldn't wait until this baby was born. I would help Ariel the whole way through. Nothing was going to keep me from the one person I considered a sister ever again.

The end!