Chapter 5

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

Note: Previously, in "Many Happy Returns," Triton and Ariel reconnect and Eric arrives in America to track Ariel down.

Hey, guys! I know it's been a while since I last updated (the last time being September 28), but inspiration has been lacking lately and real life has been super hectic, plus I was working on another story that was demanding my attention. Since I have a moment now, I thought I'd attempt to update now.

HERE WE GO!

Later on…

Eric made his way through the downtown area, ignoring the looks he was getting from the women and girls he passed. It wasn't that he didn't notice them, they were just not who he was here for. He had seen a few redheads, but they weren't anywhere near as beguiling as Ariel. Speaking of, he had no idea where to start looking for her. Of course, he didn't let that discourage him. Wherever she was, he would find her eventually.

His travels took him to a quaint little bistro, where he saw a limo pull up. Eric hid behind some bushes to avoid being detected and watched as two people stepped out, a well-dressed older gentleman and a young woman. Eric gasped when he saw that the young woman was Ariel. He wasn't sure who the older man was, but he assumed it was her father. Deciding to find out, he followed behind them, sitting in an empty table near the back while they sat a few tables away. A waitress asked if he wanted anything, he ordered a burger, something he always wanted to try, and a soda. If you're going to be among the common folk, you might as well eat like one.

Meanwhile, unaware they had been followed, Ariel and Triton had given their orders to the waitress and while they waited, Ariel decided to make conversation.

"So, Daddy, how have things been with you?" she asked.

"You'll be pleased to know that everything is fine, both on the health front and at work," her father said. "Though, your stepmother and I are getting a divorce. While you and your sisters were away, she demanded that I change my will so that she and her children would get something upon my passing. Of course, when I told her no, she wouldn't listen to reason." He sighed. "That woman has become more trouble than she's worth."

Ariel shook her head. Well, the writing was on the wall from the moment you announced you going to marry her. "If you feel that way about her, why did you marry her?"

"Honestly? It wasn't because we were in love, like it was with your mother," said Triton. "Sebastian told me the media wouldn't take me seriously if I remained a widower. Why I took his advice, I shall never know."

"Well, the good news is we don't have to worry about her for much longer," said Ariel. "Believe me, the less I see of that spoiled bitch, Pearl, the better. Though, it's a miracle Urchin didn't turn out to be the same way as his mother and sister."

Triton nodded. He excused himself from the table to make a phone call. Eric watched him leave and once he was gone, he decided to make his move. He got up from his table and walked over to Ariel, who had her back to him. Feeling playful, he put his hand over her eyes.

"Guess who?" he asked, a teasing tone to his voice.

Ariel didn't have to guess, since she knew it was him immediately. "Eric?"

Eric laughed and removed his hand. "The one and only. Surprised to see me?"

"Surprised wouldn't be the word I would use," said Ariel. "More like curious. What are you doing here, anyway? For that matter, why the hell didn't you tell me you were a prince? I had to find out from your 'adviser' or whatever his title is."

"I didn't mean to keep that from you," said Eric. "I was going to tell you at the right time."

Ariel shook her head. "You didn't answer my first question, though. What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you." He got down on one knee before she could stop him and took her hand in his. "Ariel, I know that this is sudden, but we are meant to be together. I come before you with this important question. Will you marry me?"

Ariel pulled her hand away. "I'm sorry, Eric, but I can't accept your proposal. For one thing, I don't even know you. Yes, we had fun together the night of my birthday, but beyond that, we're strangers."

Eric was floored by Ariel's rejection and was about to say something in his defense when Triton returned to see what was going on. While he wasn't expecting to see his daughter in the position that she was, he decided to get to the bottom of it.

"Young man, just what do you think you're doing?" he asked. "And how is it you know my daughter?"

Eric bit his lip and got to his feet. This was definitely not going well for him. First, Ariel turned down his proposal, now her father seemed ready to shoot him for even thinking of going near her. Great, how was he going to explain this?

"Sir, I mean your daughter no harm," he said. "As far as how I know her, we met while she was in Europe. What happened was, I was walking my dog and he got away from me. I chased him down the street and when I caught up to him, your daughter had found him for me."

Ariel listened to this with interest, even though she wasn't sure what to make of it. Did Max really get away from him, or did he let him get away from him? Triton was every bit as curious about what Eric was saying as Ariel was.

"That's interesting, because Ariel made no mention of meeting someone while she was away," said Triton. "All she told me was that two of her sisters were fighting and it nearly put a damper on their plans."

"I'm sure it wasn't deliberate, sir," said Eric. "In any case, after she left, I found it hard to get her off my mind and I came here to ask her to marry me, but as you can see, the plan backfired and she turned me down."

Triton looked at Ariel. "Is this true, Ariel?"

"It is," she said. "I knew that if I told you about Eric, you would go into your usual protective mode and blame Aquata for not keeping her promise. Worse, you'll probably have Sebastian be my bodyguard 24/7 like a child."

"We'll discuss that later, young lady." He looked at Eric. "As for you, young man, I suggest you pay for your meal and leave."

Eric stood his ground. "I still intend on having your daughter's hand in marriage. I don't care what it takes. If I have to prove myself to her – and you, then so be it."

He then paid for his meal, leaving the waitress a generous tip, and left the bistro. Ariel didn't know what to think of what just happened. Something told her that Eric wasn't through yet. I don't know what he's going to do to prove his worth to Daddy and me, but I wish him luck.

Note: Wow, it's been a while, hasn't it? But, for your patience, I present you with this next chapter of my AU.

ENJOY THE UPDATE AND REMEMBER TO REVIEW!