Eric's P.O.V.
Grimsby just told me the wonderful news. Ariel had made it back, and she had legs! I couldn't believe him when he said it. I ran up the stairs, and down the hall to the guest room he said one of the maids had shown her to. It had only been a week, and I was this happy to see her. I couldn't imagine what it would be like if I had lost her for a longer time.
I threw open the doors, not holding back any emotions that were starting to show. Her back was to me as she stared out one of the tall windows. She was dressed in simple blue and white peasant girl dress. Her toes covered with black flats. In her hair was a bow to match the blue in her dress. "Ariel."
I was afraid my voice had been to soft for her to hear. I was proven wrong as she turned to face me. A smile shot onto her face as she saw me. I held open my arms as we both raced to meet each other. As soon as she was in my arms, I scooped her up holding her to me, planting kisses all over her. I couldn't help but start asking her every question I could think of.
"Eric, darling," she placed a finger on my lips, making me stop. "None of that matters. What matters is I have some news."
"What is it?" I began to worry as her expression changed. "Ariel please tell me it is good news? No, I lied. It doesn't matter what news it is. I have you back an that is all I would ask for."
"I'm pregnant."
"I'm sorry. You're what," I felt guilt take over as I caught the look of disappointment in her eyes.
"I'm going to have a baby." I set her back down on the ground my grip loosening.
"Are you sure?"
Positive."
"Okay, don't panic-"
"I'm not panicing."
"We can handle this. We can get married! But mother wouldn't allow that. What about running away? Yeah, that could work, but then-" I trailed off as she moved over the bed to sit down. "Sweet heart?"
"It would be silly to go through all that trouble."
"What do you mean? It's not trouble at all. I want to be with you, to help with the baby," I slowly frowned. "Isn't that what you want?"
"Of course it is," her eyes began to tear up. "I just wish it were that simple."
"What do you mean?"
"After the baby is born I only have a year before I lose my legs again; maybe for good." A single tear escaped down her cheek. It killed me to see her cry. I placed my hand over hers, her head dropping low. "I don't know what we're going to do, Eric."
"Let me take care of that part," I took both of her hands in mine and pulled them close to my chest. "You just take care of our child, okay?"
She nodded as I stood. I lifted her chin and leaned down to kiss her forehead. She smiled softly wiping her eyes. She got to her feet and kissed me passionately before I left the room.
I passed Grimsby as I made my way to the kitchen. It seemed Ariel had told him a little more then she had told me. The baby was growing faster then any human child should. He was concerned that it would be here in the next month or so. It only made me worry more. He noticed I was trapped in deep thought after he told me the new information. Would the child grow faster after birth? Or would its aging regulate after some time?