Ariel's POV

It's been about two weeks since I've been on land. Every day brings a new adventure which Eric is always happy to accompany. I'm getting used to this life out of water, walking isn't so hard anymore, and it's much less restricting than back in the sea

Oh, but I do miss Sebastian, Flounder, my sisters and my father. They must miss me so much as well. Seeing as Daddy hasn't come up yet to confront me or anything about this whole situation, I think he's accepting me as a human.

Then I shiver remembering the dream I had a while ago. It hasn't come back yet, but every time Eric asks me about it I can't speak a word to him. It's too painful to even talk about and I don't want to start sobbing in front of him again.

I'm a strong girl.

Still, I like going to the beach. It's peaceful and it reminds me of my former home. I breathe in the salty sea air, I can feel the breeze gently blowing my fiery red hair back. It's almost as if the sea is calling me.

Then I'm taking my shoes off, it's much more liberating to be in bare feet. I dig my toes into the fine, dry sand. I can feel some of it cling to my toes and some slip through the gaps. I want to dip my feet into the calm waves and really feel the water that I used to live in, so I do.

I stand there for a while, thinking about Eric. I want to have him here comforting me. I feel so alone.

Sebastian hasn't come to visit me yet, he must be constructing some concert for an event right now. I wish my father would come up to see me, I want to give him a big hug and tell him about everything that's happened. I also want to see Flounder again, so much. He's still my best friend, I want to show him some of the wonderful things here and tell him all about the human world.

Scuttle, I'm going to have a talk with because apparently, dinglehoppers are actually called 'forks' and they're used for eating, not hair. I found that out the hard way. I giggled to myself thinking about that day. I still hadn't gotten my voice back and Eric and Grimsby were staring at me for brushing my hair with it.

My lavender colored dress was floating around me in the wind, it was the lightest thing I could find in my dresser. The clothing was so heavy here, I liked my seashells much better, but I guess the dresses here are very pretty.

Then Max was at my side and was licking the hand that hung at my side and I jumped a bit. I didn't even hear him come. I look down at him, his face is obscured by the matted fur but you can still see his wet, black nose. I like his slobbery kisses, they mean that he either is happy, he wants to play or both.

So I crouched down, not caring if the edges of my lovely dress get wet, and scratch his head the way Eric showed me. I was absent mindedly rubbing him when Eric popped into my mind again.

I missed him. He needed to go off to town for some reason, he wouldn't tell me why, but he showed me the kitchen which was filled with things I'd never seen before. I was so excited for Eric to show me what the unknown objects were but he insisted he had to go and left me with Carlotta to teach me what the stuff was.

It was all very fun to learn, but some of these things seemed pretty useless to me, I never had any use for any of this stuff under the sea so I would laugh at some of their purposes. I still couldn't take my mind of Eric. What was he doing in town? He doesn't usually go there without me. What if it's something bad? Eric wouldn't do anything terrible would he?

Gosh, again with the 'what ifs'. You know I should really filter those out of my head.

I brush the thoughts aside, I'm a faithful and trusting girl. I shouldn't ever doubt Eric. He's probably saying hi to a friend or picking some flowers for me.

We were still looking at a large, odd object Carlotta called an 'oven'. By that time I was fiddling around with a 'whisk', a funny looking stick that apparently is used for mixing things. I don't see how you can't use a 'spoon' for that already, but the human world is strange and fascinating so I enjoyed discovering the many inventions to make life up here easier. I really wanted to know what the 'oven's purpose was but I was tired of learning for once. Eric was taking a significant amount of time and it wasn't as much fun without him. So I asked Carlotta if I could go down to the beach and she said sure. I wanted time to relax and the beach was my happy place, if not Eric's arms.

I sighed and told myself that Eric would be back soon and we can be together again. When I thought about that my lips curled up into a grin and I continued to scratch Max's fluffy head.

All of a sudden, Max's head perked up, his ears lifted slightly to listen for something then he barked happily and bounded across the sand. I looked up across the beach to see Eric's relieved expression.

"Ariel!"

My grin turned into a smile and I straightened up, "Hi Eric!" I called back, delighted that he came. I didn't realize how long I had been crouching there petting Max so my knees hurt and Eric was there to help me up. His black boots were off and he had his bare feet in the sand. I snickered at his toes, I still got a kick out of seeing feet.

He quickly pulled me into an embrace and we held each other for a long time, not saying anything, then Eric broke the silence.

"I was worried about you, you know? Why are you on this part of the beach, love?" He chuckled and I shrugged. I didn't really know.

I had wandered off the path and had gone a ways down the beach. This was the spot I washed up on when Ursula turned me human. It brought back good memories of Eric finding me and taking me to the palace.

Eric took my hand and brought me out of the water and to the dry sand where we sat down. Eric pulled out a bag of small rolls with shredded cheese sprinkled on top, we each ate a few and that was our lunch. They were still warm, I guess that's what he was in town for. There was no doubt that these were better than the castle's bread.

When we finished we made a game of questions, not really a game, but it kept us occupied. We alternated asking random questions about our lives, mine usually were the most creative and random, Eric's were short and easy to answer like, "What was your favorite food under the water?"

A simple one so I answered with, "You're going to think it's gross, but I really loved seaweed with sea-salt"

"Okay then! I'll have to try that sometime," he said in a slightly sarcastic tone, but part of me thought that he'd really do it. I laughed back and he kissed my nose. Suddenly the sea water seemed to lick my toes, my eyes brightened, the tide was coming in. I looked out and saw the calm waves overlap each other as they hit the surface and retreated back to the ocean.

Eric got up and waded into the water, I wonder what he's doing. Then he bent down and with the swoop of his arms he made a huge wave of water fall on me. When it disappeared, I looked up to Eric with my mouth in a big 'O' shape and Eric backed away expecting me to jump at him. But instead I started to have a laughing fit, I got up and stepped into the water after him with a devious smile on my face.

This is how you play in the water.

When I was in close enough range I pounced and tackled him to the sea floor. Before he could roll me over I got off of him and started moving away to get in position for the biggest splash he will ever encounter in his life time.

When he got up I swooped my arms down and splashed him quite successfully and he was knocked down before he could even recover from my previous tackle.

We were both howling with laughter, we could barely breathe. I gave him time to get up this time, gasping for air between giggles, and he said, "You're quite the warrior at sea," and I giggled some more and informed him, "I used that technique when I played with Flounder, he's such a guppy. It works every time"

"Oh, so you're saying I'm a guppy?" Eric replied cleverly and lightly splashed me again, I covered my face this time from the blow. I said in an incredibly sarcastic tone back, "Oh yes, almost a bigger guppy than Flounder himself!"

Eric acted as if I'd shot him, "Ooh! Ouch, that stung a bit!" and we continued to play in the water, splashing each other and knocking each other down. We both collapsed back on the beach, exhausted from both laughing and playing. I love how I can be myself with Eric.

I lied my head down on the soft sand and closed my eyes to relax, I knew my hair would be covered with the stuff when I got up but I'll worry about that later. Right now I was with Eric and nothing else mattered. The laughter died down and Eric lied on his side and propped his head up on his arm to look at me, "I love you, Ariel, you know that right?"

"Of course I know that silly! And I love you too," I replied and I opened my eyes, he seemed to have something on his mind, something he wanted to say, "What is it Eric? You know you can tell me anything"

He seemed really at a loss of words, like he couldn't think of any way to get them out right. He sat up and ran a hand through his raven black hair. I sat up too, concerned for what he was going to say, then he took both of my hands and looked at me nervously, attempting to hide his anxiety.

His hands were a bit sweaty, maybe that was the water, but they were shaky too, what was he doing?

"Eric?" I asked expecting an answer. I lifted my hand from his and touched his cheek. He lifted his hand and pressed mine against him for a moment then brought it back down.

He looked down at our hands and took a deep breath. Then he looked me in the eyes and popped the question, "Ariel, will you, uh, marry me?"

I couldn't respond. I was so happy I could just burst! I smiled bigger than I ever have before and tears of joy started to run down my cheek. I most absolutely do want to marry him and there was nothing in this entire world that could ever convince me otherwise.

"Yes. Yes!" I exclaimed and I launched myself at him, not even thinking and I pressed my lips to his. It all happened so fast he didn't even have time to register what was happening until I pulled away awkwardly, "Hehe… Oops…" His blue eyes were wide with surprise but the curl on his lips told me he was overjoyed.

Eric, now taking hold of the situation, gently took my face in his hands and we kissed long and passionately. My hands clung to his collar and one of his hands went down to the small of my back, pulling me closer. We had kissed before but this was different, I knew I would have him all to myself now. Then Eric tentatively opened his mouth against mine, intensifying the kiss and I followed.

The light pressure of him was leaning my head back slightly, but he kept my head up with his other hand. My hands travel up to his head where I tangle my fingers in his damp hair and I pull away for a moment to whisper his name. My eyes were closed but I could sense a grin on his lips and I pressed mine back onto his. I accidentally let out a whimper in satisfaction and it seems to drive him crazy.

I hunger for more but we're both breathing heavily so we take a break. While we regain our energy Eric dips down to kiss my neck and makes his way up to my jaw, I giggle breathlessly because it tickles.

His lips graze my jaw line tracing down to my chin and finally he finds my lips again and Eric places his arm around my waist to pull me closer to him and I wrap my arms around his neck to keep him there.

I was beaming at the joy in my heart, I wanted to be tied to him in every way possible, especially marriage. When we broke the kiss, Eric lifted a finger in front of him to signal for me to wait a moment.

He turned around and stuck his hand into the bag of leftover cheese rolls and pulled out a small, black, velvety box, obviously the ring, and the tears came back. I was so excited to see it.

I did chuckle a bit at the fact that he kept it in the bread bag. I pondered the many possibilities of what it could look like, but I ended up not really caring. Eric could give me one of those 'paper clips' and I would be happy with him no matter what.

"This will only work if you're standing, you know," Eric said playfully, I smirked and rolled my eyes at the weirdness of this. Humans have strange ways of proposing, so I stood up and acted the part, dramatically pretending to be shocked.

He got down on one knee, pulled out the box and revealed the beautiful diamond ring that he'd gotten just for me, "Ariel, will you marry me?" he said in a tone that was now more reassured than the first time.

Still staring at the breath-taking piece of jewelry before me I said, "Yes! I will!" I turned my gaze to Eric, "I will marry you Eric!" He smiled and I smiled back, unable to hold it in.

He held his hand out to mine and I placed my hand on his, "Um, Ariel, it's the left hand…" he chuckled to himself and I blushed at my mistake, I was so nervous I gave him the wrong hand! Stupid, stupid, stupid. I thought to myself.

I bit my lip and pulled my right hand back and replaced it with my left one, he eagerly slid the ring onto my ring finger and I was so happy it fit. I couldn't wait any longer so I tried to hug him but it turned into more of a tackle and we fell to the floor again.

Instead of getting up, we both stayed on the ground and I reached my head up to plant a kiss on Eric's cheek. He smiled at me and I maneuvered my head onto his chest. He put his arm around me and we lied like that for a while, imagining our lives together.

Well, I was imagining our lives together, I'm just assuming he is doing the same. Max is sleeping over beside Eric; he's really peaceful when he's not drowning you in slobber.

"I love you to the ends of the Earth," Eric said to me blissfully.

"I love you more," I replied to him, "No…" and I predicted what he'll say next so I attempt to say it before he does, but we kind of end up saying it at the same time, "I love you most!" We both looked at each other and erupted into laughter. Eric kissed my forehead and sighed and we went back to the same position. This moment was something I did not want to disturb.

But as expected, it was disturbed.

Max abruptly lifted his head, aware of someone or something around us. I lifted my head as well and Eric helped me sit up, his arm was still around me but in a protective way. He's so cute when he's protective.

I looked out to the sea and saw a figure not far from here, but I could see that it was my father. Had he been spying on us? How much did he see? I was embarrassed when I thought about Eric and I's little kissing session. I really hope he had come after that.

Eric pulled me closer to him when he saw Daddy swimming towards us, he still hadn't seen my father yet. I guess now was the time, "Eric, it's okay, it's my Dad!" I tried to sound happy but really I was worried that Daddy would do something disastrous. Eric never lost his grip on me.

It didn't take long for my father to reach us, he wasn't that far out, "Hello Ariel! Hello Prince- um, Eric, is it?"

I waved and Eric nodded to him nervously. He was scared of my father. I snickered at his response, "H- hello sir," he stuttered, failing to sound confident.

"Daddy! What are you doing here?" I asked, his expression was hard to read but I think he was happy. I was so glad to see him, but why did he have to come now? Oh well, he is my Dad, he can't help it.

"I came to see you Ariel, we all miss you down there," and he motioned to the water behind him, "Sebastian explained everything and I want you to know that if this is what you really want, then I'm happy for you," That statement warmed my heart, I wanted to ask him so many questions right now but it wasn't the time.

"I miss you all too, I wish you could come see me more often," I say, then I hear giggling over to the left, I turn my head to see that my sisters were here as well, hiding behind a large rock. They saw me facing them and shut up.

"Hey guys! It's so great to see you!" I call to them and they all came over, Attina leading the clump of girls. They were all smiling when they reached Daddy, and they all said hi in different ways, it was funny the way it sounded.

"Eric, these are my sisters: Attina, Aquata, Adella, Alana, Andrina and Arista," each of them waved hello, indicating the owner of each unique name.

Eric waved back gingerly, "Er, hi…" He looked overwhelmed with the amount of people he was meeting and pressured by the thought that he probably would have to remember all of their names.

"So, is this your boyfriend?" Aquata teased. The way she said the word 'boyfriend' sounded like she was expecting me to correct her.

I was about to but then Adella interrupted me, "Hey Ariel! I can see why you went to the sea witch! This guy's cute!" Even though she whispered the last part I had a feeling Eric could hear her and everyone turned their heads to eye Adella, "What?" she said in an innocent and defensive tone.

Everyone sighed to themselves, including me, then Daddy cleared his throat, "The girls were here before me, they've been watching you for a while," then I twisted my face into a horrified expression. How much had they seen? If I was lucky it would only be my sisters who saw us kissing, but I was still disgusted that they were spying on me like this.

"When did you guys get here…?" I asked not really wanting to know the answer.

"Oh, we got here at the end of your little make out session and then Eric did this weird knee thing and-"

"Andrina!" everyone yelled and I hid my face with my bangs again. I looked at Eric and he was looking at me as well, his face was bright red. His eyes, as well as mine, were wide with terror, they saw us kissing. The terror in his eyes could also be the fact that there were real, live mermaids in front of him. This wasn't exactly a very good first impression. I threw my face in my hands, this was definitely not the time for them to be here.

"Oops…"

"Andrina…" Daddy said in a threatening voice.

"Sorry!" I hear Andrina call to me.

I looked up from my palms and I see Attina trying to get closer to me in the shallow water, "Ariel, it's fine, we didn't look! Daddy came in when you two were doing this cute thing with the 'I love you s'," I smiled at her, signaling that I was accepting Andrina's apology. At least my father didn't see us.

"It's okay guys, I know you didn't mean to see that," I looked at the ground embarrassed, then I looked up at my father who had a strange look on his face, he seemed embarrassed to even be here talking about it. I admit it was pretty funny to have Dad here listening to all this. No one knew what to say next so we sat there for a moment.

"So! You're getting married!" Alana called out, breaking the silence before it got too awkward.

I grinned and turned to face Eric, he smiled at me and reached for my hand, "Yes we are"

Small Tangled reference, I do not own Tangled; Disney does.

16/04/13 - EDIT : Do you ever wish you never published something... ever..

06/11/13 - EDIT

DID I MENTION THAT I SHOWED THIS TO MY MOM ONCE. AND SHE READ ALL THE WAY TO THE VERY END. (see: the make out after the proposal) ;A; WHAT WAS I THINKING. **CRINGES SO HARD I IMPLODE**