Ariel lay in her bed experiencing excruciating pain. She had gone into labor just a few hours ago and can't bear much more of it. Eric was pacing back and forth outside the room Ariel was in since he is unable to be in there. He could hear Ariel screaming in pain and he just wanted to be in the room comforting her.
"Your majesty, what can I do to make you more comfortable?" A middle age midwife asked.
"I want Eric." Ariel whined. "Please send for Eric."
"I'm sorry, your majesty, but it is not proper for a man to be in the room during childbirth."
"I'm not even giving birth!" Ariel shrieked. "I demand my husband!"
"Yes, right away, your majesty." The older midwife said. She popped her head out the door and retrieved Eric. He rushed right in to his wife's bedside.
"How are you doing, darling?" Eric asked in a croaky tone.
"It's very painful." Ariel cried. "I need her out. I can't take this anymore!"
"Very soon she'll be here, I promise."
"Eric, you must go now." Carlotta said, bringing in a fresh bucket of water. "We must check how far the baby is."
"No, please don't go." Ariel cried. "I need you."
Eric was pushed out by a couple of midwives and was back in the hallway pacing. He was nervous. He knew some women die during childbirth. What if Ariel does? He loves her and can't imagine her gone.
Hours later, Eric could hear the cry of a baby. He was immediately sent in after the midwives were done helping Ariel and making sure the baby's healthy. Eric saw his wife holding a little baby with very thin, black hair, wrapped in a white blanket. Ariel looked up at Eric when she saw him and smiled.
"Isn't she just the cutest?" Ariel murmured.
Eric looked down at his daughter, Melody, who still had her eyes shut. He could see an immediate resemblance with her and Ariel, but with a hint of his features. "Beautiful, she's beautiful."
"Would you like to hold her?" She asked.
Eric smiled and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Of course."
Ariel smiled and gently placed Melody in his arms. "Isn't she precious?"
Eric saw Melody starting to open her eyes. When they opened, he saw big blue eyes staring up at him. "Hi there, little one. I'm your father."
"I need to rest, Eric. I'm exhausted. Please lay Melody in her nursery when you're done with her."
"Alright, darling. I'll leave you to rest."
Eric walked down into the nursery and sat down in a chair, holding his daughter. It was just hard for him to believe that he's a father. Exactly a year ago, he would have never thought he would have a child, nevertheless be married.
Melody began to cry and Eric was unsure what to do. Carlotta rushed in immediately, when she heard the crying, to care for the baby. Eric followed Carlotta back into Ariel's room to see if she would be up to feeding Melody. The maid woke Ariel up and she had Eric leave the room while Ariel fed the baby.
"Owe." Ariel shrieked. "It's hurts."
"Don't worry, dearie, it won't always hurt." Carlotta replied. "Now how are you feeling? We have to keep a close eye on you, the next couple of days, to be sure you won't develop an illness."
"I'm just really tired." Ariel handed Melody back to Carlotta once she was done feeding her. "Please be sure I'm not to be bothered unless there's an emergency or she needs me."
"Yes, Ariel. I'll be sure to it." As Carlotta left the room, with the baby, Eric entered. Ariel patted the empty spot beside her on the bed for Eric to lay down on. "Come lay with me."
"I shouldn't. I have some business I need to finish since you kept me busy all day, but I do have a question for you."
"I don't want to answer any questions right now, Eric. I just had a baby."
"Well it's concerning her." Eric said. "Grimsby asked if we would like him to announce to the kingdom Melody has been born today."
"Yeah, sure... I don't care. Now go away if you won't sleep with me."
Eric chuckled and gave Ariel a soft kiss on her forehead. "You did great today and Melody is just perfect. Just get some rest now."
Ariel rolled on her side and made her pillow more comfortable, as she sunk into it. "Thanks."
Eric walked back into the nursery to look at his daughter before he went into his office. He picked up, the sleeping Melody, and sat down in a chair holding her. Eric wondered how he could love something or someone in the short amount of time of knowing them. He already loves his daughter. He hasn't known Ariel for very long, but he thinks he loves her even more now. Maybe because she had his child?
"I will always be here to protect you." Eric murmured.
"I'm going make sure nobody hurts you."
"And most importantly, I'm going to love you."