Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I don't own the Little Mermaid. I'm just borrowing. Only the story belongs to me.

Note: Previously, in "Many Happy Returns," while leaving the morning after her steamy interlude with Eric, Ariel runs into Grimsby, who tells her Eric is a prince.

I apologize for the lack of updates on this story (the last time being July 5), but inspiration hasn't come easy. Thankfully, I got inspired while in the shower and wanted to at least try to update. No spoilers, just keep reading!

Ariel's Apartment – 2 Weeks Later…

In the weeks following her return home, Ariel hadn't been able to keep her mind focused on anything. No matter what she tried, she kept thinking about Eric. She even had dreams about him, the most recent being of him rescuing her from being kidnapped by a pirate. What was it about him that haunted her so much? Yes, they spent an amazing night together, but beyond that, he was a stranger to her, and she to him. What really baffled her was the fact he never told her he was a prince. She had to find out from someone else.

"Ariel, are you all right?"

She was brought back to earth somewhat by her father's concerned voice. She had almost forgotten he was there. Those thoughts I keep having about Eric are doing a number on me. It's getting to the point where I forget where I am. Damn it, why did he have to be so dreamy?

"I'm fine, Daddy," she said. "I've just been distracted lately. I guess I had more fun on that trip than I realized." Nice lie, Ariel. Though, you're not too far off about having "fun."

"How was your trip anyway?" said Triton. "I've been trying to get you to tell me about it since you got back, but you've yet to fill me in."

"Well, it would have been better if Andrina and Arista didn't nearly kill each other."

Triton nodded. "They were fighting over that boy Arista dated again?"

"Unfortunately," said Ariel. "Aquata and Sebastian were able to calm them down, which I'm grateful for. I hated to have something as trivial as a fight ruin what was supposed a fun weekend for us."

"Did anything else happen?"

Ariel's heart raced at her father's words. How was she going to answer him without giving herself away? She was lucky to have gotten away with lying so far, but there was a limit to how far she could stretch it. Just like Sebastian, Triton wasn't an easy man to lie to, and eventually, the truth would slip out.

"No," she said. "Andrina and Arista called it truce and we had a great time at the party. And you'll be happy to know we didn't drink too much and we stayed together." Please let him believe me.

Triton smiled. "Well, I'm glad you girls had fun. I know you think I'm overprotective, but it's only because you and your sisters are important to me. Losing your mother was the worst thing in the world and I'd hate to lose you too."

Ariel smiled and hugged him. "I love you, Daddy."

"I love you too, Ariel," said Triton. "Now, what do you say we have lunch? It's been a long time since you and I had our Father-Daughter dates."

Ariel remembered those fondly. The last time they did that was before the accident and she wondered if they would ever have those special times again. At least we can make up for lost time. Plus, it'll help take my mind off Eric for a while.

"Sounds like a plan to me."

Elsewhere…

Eric emerged from the private jet and onto the tarmac. He had come to America to find Ariel. He hadn't been able to get her out of his head since they were together on her birthday. Grimsby had tried to talk him out of it, but he refused to listen to him. To him, nothing was more important than finding the girl who had managed to steal his heart in one night. He barely knew her, and yet, he was in love with her. He was certain she was having difficulty getting her mind off of him as well.

"I hope you know I'm not happy about being dragged into this, Eric."

Eric rolled his eyes when he heard Grimsby complaining behind him. "I told you, Grim, I have to find her. You may think she's not worth it, but I do."

"And what is your plan for when you do find her?" said Grimsby. "Or did you not think that far ahead? I swear, Eric, acting on an impulse is foolish. She may not appreciate you showing up unannounced on her doorstep."

"Oh, I have a plan," said Eric. "I plan on telling her I love her and then I'm going to ask her to marry me."

"Oh, yes, brilliant plan," said Grimsby. "There is only one flaw to it. You'll have to get her father's blessing first. But before that, you'll have to meet him."

Eric scowled. "That's two flaws. You said there was one flaw."

"All I'm saying is that you need to have a strategy," said Grimsby. "These things aren't done in one fell swoop. If this young lady is as important to you as you say, then let me help you ensure your plan is a success."

"You're willing to help me even though you didn't appreciate me 'dragging you into this,' as you so eloquently put it?"

Grimsby smiled. "I may be old, Eric, but I'm not dead. I can still be charming. If you don't believe me, you can ask Carlotta. She'll tell you about our courtship. It wasn't easy, but I managed to charm my way into her heart."

Eric didn't know how to respond to that. He had no idea Grimsby and Carlotta were romantically involved. They were close, that much was true, but he never imagined they were that close. Then again, they probably wanted to keep things private, which was why he never said anything. But that was neither here nor there.

"All right, Grim, I'll let you help me," he said. "Somehow, I think I'm going to need it. This may be more than of a challenge than I'm willing to admit."

"A challenge I have no doubt you'll overcome," said Grimsby. "Now, before we begin, what do you say we find a hotel? It'll be better than taking our luggage with us on your quest."

Eric laughed. He almost forgot about the fact they brought suitcases with them. Of course, he had been so focused on his mission that it slipped his mind. After agreeing to find a hotel, he and Grimsby headed into the terminal.

I'll find you, Ariel, he thought. I can't stand to be apart from you, and I'm sure you can't stand to be apart from me. Even though I didn't want to believe it at first, but fate has brought us together.

Note: Yeah, cliffhangers are evil, but trust me, it's a necessary cliffhanger. I'll continue it in the next chapter. How will things go for our couple? You'll just have to wait and see.

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