Epilogue

It was Ariel and Eric's first anniversary, both families had joined together for a beach party to celebrate. Flounder, Scuttle, Sebastian and Eric's seal friend Storm were also there, with Scuttle and Sebastian perched on rocks and Flounder and Storm in the water. In a lavender and white dress Ariel sat with her friends, laughing as they told her about their adventures.

"So you are appy up ere Riel, you have changed child, not as reckless" Sebastian said.

"I am Sebastian, as much as I miss Atlantica at times, I would not change anything" Ariel replied.

"You look happy, and we still get to see each other, I've had a great time this summer" Flounder said smiling.

"So have I, you get on so well with humans Flounder, am I glad we could spend that time together."

"Well not like you don't see each other, I keep em all informed with what yah doin" Scuttle said.

"E does Riel, every week o so we hear from him" Sebastian replied.

"I know, and that way I hear what you have been doing" Ariel replied as Attina swam over.

"Ariel could I have a word with you in private?" she asked.

"Of course" Ariel replied leading to out of earshot. "Is everything alright Attina, you have been acting oddly all night?" Ariel asked.

"There is something going on, I'm pregnant" Attina replied.

"OH Attina that is fantastic, I am so happy for you" Ariel replied hugging her sister.

"I am glad you are happy, this feels so strange."

"So how far along are you?"

"We think it was conceived on our wedding night, so I'm about three and a half months."

"This is amazing you are going to be an amazing mother, how did Baldwin take it when you told him?"

"Ok, once he recovered from fainting that is."

"He fainted?"

"A few seconds after I told him he hit the floor. Once he recovered he was ecstatic, then we both panicked. Telling Father was the worst part thought, I thought he would kill Baldwin."

"How did he take it?"

"He was thrilled, he was shocked how quickly it happened, but he was thrilled" Attina replied as they headed back.

Fireworks lit up the sky that night, just as they did the night Ariel first saw Eric, Ariel's sisters were captivated having never seen them before. The party lasted late into the night, both families enjoying each other's company.

After the party had ended, Ariel walked along the beach alone, stopping when she reached the rock where Eric had first met her as a human. Sitting down on the rock, she gazed out across the sea, fingering a white starfish shaped pendent that hung from a purple ribbon around her neck.

"I am no longer the mermaid I was a year ago, back then I was so naïve, I thought I could trust everyone. I was such a fool back then, I let my anger at Daddy get the best of me. I should have known better then to go to Ursula, I should have swum strait to Morgana and asked her for help. Morgana wouldn't have demanded my voice; she may have even helped me acted like a human. I should have though things through, I nearly caused Daddy to lose his throne because of my own stupidity.

So much has changed since then; I am older and wiser now. I was a lost and confused teenager back then. I used to dream of the world above, I was right, this is where I belong. I never really felt like I belonged in Atlantica when I was growing up. Going back there with Eric was the first time I felt like I truly belonged there. Something was always missing in my life till I met Eric, something I never realised was missing until I met him. Until I met Eric becoming human was a mere far off dream I had, something I hoped would happen someday, meeting him was the spark I need to make my dream a reality.

Part of me will always belong to the sea, I cannot deny where I came from, yet my heart belongs to the land. The sea will always play a part in my life, all my family still live underneath it.

Up here on land I can truly be myself, I finally know who I really am up here, I now fit in. Daddy accepts me, I know have two families, and I can be myself in both. In Atlantica I was always hiding who I was, now I no longer have to hide. Now I am part of Eric's world" she though.

Then she felt strong arm's wrap themselves around her, as Eric sat down behind her.

"What were you doing out here?"

"Just thinking about everything that has happened, how happy I am" Ariel replied.

"I love you Ariel" Eric said.

"I love you to Eric" she replied.

Together Eric and Ariel gazed out across the calm sea, together as one, both happy. Both had found what they been missing all their lives, as they stared up a across the sea, a shooting star passed overhead. As the waves broke on the shore mermaid and man sat together, two souls joined together as one, two worlds united by love.