Chapter 14

"So, Daddy isn't coming?" Melody sadly asked.

Ariel looked up at the sun. It was getting close to setting. In a few hours, she and Melody would be gone.

"I don't think he is, honey." Ariel replied.

Melody quietly began to cry.

"I understand it hurts..." Ariel began. "But, this hurts Daddy just as much..."

Melody looked up, her eyes wide in surprise.

"He loves you." Ariel reassured. "In the meantime, look at all the people who came to say goodbye."

Melody turned. The dock was covered in people, all there to say goodbye to the future mermaids. Melody got up and went to say goodbye to the Doppler kids, whom she had formed a bond with. Ariel nervously combed the dock.

"Where are you, Jim?" She asked herself.

"WAIT!" she heard.

"Jim?" Ariel asked in surprise.

"Daddy!" Melody squealed excitedly.

"Ariel! Melody!" Jim called out, racing towards them. As soon as he hit the dock, he pulled both the future mermaids close.

"Jim... What are you..."

"Five years ago, I made a huge mistake and let the love of my life escape me, and I almost did it again today! But I won't make the same mistake... not again."

Ariel nervously looked at Jim. "What are you saying?" She asked, daring to hope.

Jim let go of them and took Ariel's hands, staring deep into his eyes. "Just like with Melody, it doesn't matter if you have fins or feet, legs or a tail, no matter where you are, it won't change how I feel about you."

Ariel's eyes widened. "Jim, I..."

"No," Jim interrupted. "I need to say this. I understand us being from different worlds can present complications, but I don't care. I will try to find a way to make things work."

Ariel looked at Jim, shocked, her eyes watering.

"Ariel..." Jim gulped. This was harder the second time around. "I love you." He said.

Ariel's eyes spilled over. "Jim... I love you too!"

Jim wrapped his arms around Ariel and pulled her into a deep kiss, which Ariel enthusiastically returned. As the two kissed, golden sparkles started to creep towards Ariel and Melody, lifting them into the sky. Jim watched, his heart sinking as the sparkles turned into a bright light enveloped the two girls. In no time, they would be mermaids again, and they would have to slip out of his life. As the light began to fade, Ariel and Melody slowly began to drift down to the ground, Ariel holding her daughter as they revealed they still had legs.

"You're still human?" Jim asked in surprise.

"Yes..." a new voice replied.

Looking around, Jim saw an elderly merman in the water. "When I put the spell on my daughter and granddaughter, I had made it that only your unconditional love would make them remain human. I was sure your type's prejudices, and your history of holding grudges would be impossible for it to happen, but I see I was wrong."

"Daddy..." Ariel breathed.

As soon as Jim realized he was face to face with King Triton, he started to bow.

"James Pleiades Hawkins," Triton began, "will you accept a merman's apologies?"

Jim looked up in surprise.

"I now realize, my own prejudice towards humans caused both you and my daughter great pain, and by extension, my granddaughter."

Jim shyly smiled. "You were only trying to protect your daughter..." he began. "After my own time as a father, I completely understand."

Triton rose and rested his hands on Jim's shoulder. "Young man? You may be the best match for my daughter. I leave her in your hands."

"I won't let you down."

Triton smiled, then turned to Sarah.

"Ma'am?" He continued.

Sarah looked up in surprise.

"You'll have to keep an extra close eye on little Melody. If your son is anything like my daughter, their child would be a hurricane."

Sarah nodded. "I'm well aware of the trouble she can cause."

Triton smiled sadly, then turned to his daughter and granddaughter. "I will miss both of you, so much." He began.

"It's ok, Daddy..." Ariel began, "We haven't truly left you. No matter where we are, we will always love you."

Melody ran over and gave her grandfather a tight hug.

"I love you grandpa..." She whispered.

"I love both of you." Triton replied, inviting Ariel into the hug. As the three of them were locked into a teary embrace, Triton finally slipped away.

"Come visit!" Melody cried, running out to the dock.

Ariel wiped away stray tears. "I love you, Daddy..." She whispered.

As Triton swam back to his castle, he knew letting both of them go was the best decision he made for both of them.

Meanwhile, Ariel turned to Jim.

"Shall we go back?" She asked, "To our home?"

Jim nodded and took Melody's hand, as the three of them headed back to their tiny house.