Chapter 8

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Sarah asked, as Jim slid on his cadet jacket.

"Yeah mom. It's just one dinner." Jim replied. "Mainly so we can discuss custody arrangements over our daughter."

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you wearing your cadet suit, and taking her to one of the fanciest restaurants on Montressor?"

Jim shrugged. "No reason. It's just a restaurant we both enjoy."

"Whatever you say, Jim. Just don't be late for your date."

"It's not a date!" Jim cried out, but his mother had already left.

Exhaling through his nose, he removed his earring, and headed over to Ariel's.

"Mommy! You look beautiful." Melody squealed.

Ariel was wearing a pink and white dress and her long, red hair was pinned back with a series of barrettes.

"Thank you, Melody." Ariel replied.

"Does this mean you and Daddy are getting back together?" Melody asked, her eyes shining excitedly.

Ariel shook her head. "No, sweetie. Daddy and I aren't going to be getting back together. It's just a dinner."

Melody hung her head.

"I know, you want Mommy and Daddy to live together, and love each other as much as we love you, but Mommy and Daddy are only friends now." Ariel explained. "Besides, I have a surprise for you."

Melody cocked her head in surprise, until there was another knock on the door, and B.E.N. came charging in.

"Hey, Mel!" he cried out. "Ready for more fun and games?"

"Now, remember,"Ariel replied. "No trashing the house, and Melody is not to have cake after 7:00."

"But Mom!" Melody exclaimed.

"No buts, Missy!" Ariel countered.

"Fine." Ariel got down on her knees. "If you're a good girl, and don't cause B.E.N. any trouble, I may get you a dessert."

Melody's eyes lightened up. "Ok, Mommy. Have fun with Daddy. Love you."

"I love you too." Ariel replied, kissing her daughter's cheek and heading out the door.

She didn't want Jim to come inside, as she knew Jim and B.E.N. were friends, and that would require alot of explaining, so she would wait for him on the porch.

"You look beautiful." She heard.

"Oh! Jim!" Ariel yelped, heading down the porch. As she did, she heard Melody shrieking with laughter.

"You found her a babysitter?" Jim asked.

"Of course. I'm not going to let our daughter have full control of the house. It would be in flames by the time I get home."

Jim shrugged. "I guess... I got us reservations at the Silver Moonbeam."

Ariel's jaw dropped. "You mean that place where it costs fifty dollars for a glass of water?"

"Well... yeah."

"I love that place!" Jim laughed.

For a minute, it felt like they were fifteen and sixteen again, meeting up in secret, going somewhere fun, and laughing the whole time.

Suddenly, Jim stopped laughing. They weren't teenagers, and this wasn't a date. This was two parents meeting up to discuss their daughter.

"We should go..." Jim began, "If we're late, we lose the table." He mindlessly took Ariel by the hand and lead her to the Silver Moonbeam.

Once they were in, settled down and had their orders taken, Jim began, "First off, thanks for agreeing to talk about custody."

"Well, Melody is your daughter too. You deserve to be there for her."

Jim smiled. "Well, I've only known her for four days, but I love her." He admitted.

"And she loves you too." Ariel replied.

They sat in silence.

"So, how long will I be allowed to keep her?" He asked.

Ariel bit her lip.

"What's wrong?" Jim asked.

"Well..." Ariel began. "It's just..."

"And who ordered the fillet mignion?"

Jim looked up in surprise. The waiter had arrived.

"Oh, uh, me." Jim replied.

As they ate, Ariel kept looking troubled.

"Ariel..." Jim began.

"Our time as humans is limited." Ariel explained.

"What?" Jim asked in horror.

"Most mermaid magic expires after a bit." Ariel explained. "So, I figure, the two of us can alternate our days with Melody until she gets her tail back."

Jim hung his head and swore under his breath.

"Look! I know you love her! But I'll still keep in contact with you... if you want."

Jim exhaled. "Ok... I guess... but I don't like this."

Ariel looked up at him and tried to smile reassuringly. "It doesn't matter if she has fins or feet, you'll always be her father, and she'll always love you."

"And what happens if the magic wore off before you found me?"

"Then we would try again." Ariel firmly said.

As the two of them ate in silence, a loud voice boomed. "Hello, diners. Tonight is our dance night."

Jim face-palmed. He completely forgot!

"Dance night?" Ariel asked in surprise.

"Keep your head down and pray the spotlight doesn't land on us." Jim hissed.

No luck. A yellow light landed on them.

"And here's our first pair!" The announcer continued.

"I... I don't dance." Jim began.

Ariel on the other hand pretended to be too absorbed in eating her carbonara.

"Aww, they're shy... I think they need encouraging."

"DANCE! DANCE! DANCE!" The crowd chanted.

Finally, Jim angrily got up.

"May as well give them what they want..." he began.

He took Ariel by the hand, and, amidst the cheering, the two of them started to dance as a cheesy slow-song began. Since neither of them had danced in a long time, they were both rusty.

"This is so awkward." Ariel whispered.

"I know... just don't think about the others." Jim replied, avoiding eye contact with her.

After a bit of stumbling, the two finally had a matching rhythm and were dancing across the dance floor. Once the song ended, the two of them headed back to their table.

"I see your dancing improved from when you were fifteen." Ariel joked.

"Shut up." Jim replied, his heart fluttering rapidly. That dance brought back memories of when Jim and Ariel were on the beach, dancing... or at least, stepping on each other's feet, but they didn't care.

"Jim?" Ariel suddenly asked.

"Yes?" "Did you want dessert?"

"Oh, uh... no thanks."

Ariel ordered a caramel crunch to go, then turned to Jim.

"Look, I just want to thank you."

"Thank me?"

"Well, even though we left on bad terms, you're still doing your best to be a good father to Melody... and I think you may be one of the greatest dads ever."

Jim smiled weakly.

After paying, (Jim's treat) and Ariel got her dessert, the two of them slowly home.

"I had fun..." Jim began.

"Me too."

"So, tomorrow?"

"Until morning."

"Oh... There's your house." Jim suddenly said.

"Well, thank you for dinner." Ariel began.

"And thanks for agreeing to meet with me... and your company." Jim replied.

The two of them stood in silence until Jim leaned over and kissed Ariel on the cheek.

"Good night." he whispered, before heading home.

Ariel touched her cheek, a blush filling it. Only when she heard a loud CRASH did she run back to check on everyone.