Ariel moved out to the sea, standing amongst the sea foam on the shore. She closed her eyes and rested there. How would it end? Would she collapse into sea foam wherever she stood? Would it be the next time she touched the sea? Or the next time she touched water at all? Would a summer storm wash her away, down the gutters and out to the sand? Would it hurt to go? She didn't want answers to these questions, but she couldn't stop them from springing to her mind.

She let out a shuttering sigh, and retreated farther away from the castle, sitting down in the water. Her skirts floated up around her, and she leaned back, supporting her weight on her hands. A baby. The sun was just barely rising on her sixth day, and it was astonishing to her that she'd be leaving this fantastic world so soon. Seven days was not enough, but, of course, she knew from the start that it wouldn't be. She just always thought she would've gotten more.

That was it; that was the line she would not cross. She closed her eyes, leaned her head back, and prayed for a miracle. And, whether he was divinely sent or happening along, Eric trotted across the beach towards her. He had his hands stuffed in his pockets and his head was bent forward. Ariel exhaled, loudly, and fell back into the water, immersing herself. She was happy to see him; but what could he say?

…

Maybe Eric should've felt guilty. And maybe he should've felt guilty for not feeling guilty. But the facts of the matter were that he felt only relieved. Cora wasn't pregnant. She never was. He was still married to her, but no innocent parties were left in the mix. He scampered to tell Ariel, and had to bow his head to hide a smile. Should he really be happy right now?

He bounded into the sea beside her, and she pulled her head above water just as he sat down.

"What happened?" she furrowed her brow. He was smiling, he was happy! What could have possibly happened?

"I'm not going to say that things are easy now, and, in fact, they're as complicated as they've ever been." Eric laughed at this.

"Believe me, I know." Ariel bemoaned. "Oh, Eric."

"But listen," he grabbed her hand, and Ariel almost jumped.

"What happened?" she asked again.

"Just a few hours ago I was sitting in my office, going over everything again and trying to figure out exactly if anything could be done."

Ariel sighed again. Nothing could.

Eric continued "and Carlotta came in, saying that there was something she found out, something I'd probably want to hear."

"Oh?" Ariel sat up, rolling onto her hip. "Eric, what happened?"

"Cora had come to her late this past evening, upset and ranting."

"And?"

"And she's not pregnant." Eric said the sentence aloud, and it felt so good he had to say it again. "Cora is not pregnant. Not with my child, not with any child, she just isn't."

"Oh, Eric!" Ariel sat up straight, flicking out her hand.

"It's incredible. We're really no further than we were a few days ago, but I feel like a weight has lifted."

"I as well." Ariel laughed a little, in spite of yourself. "Are we terrible?"

"I think we've been over this."

"I just don't feel as bad as I think I'm supposed to."

"It's just…." Eric scooted closer to her. "I've always had this idea of what love and marriage would be, and how I should feel. Would feel. But it just didn't happen for a lot of my young life, and it especially didn't happen with Cora. But with you, I feel everything I want to, I feel how I should. And I can't see anything wrong with that."

"I love you." Ariel murmured.

"I can't let you go." Eric shook his head. "Not a second time, and not after everything."

Ariel felt her heart beat more quickly, and looked up at him."

"I'll tell Cora."

…

The Sea Witch was cackling, and nothing good came of that. She flicked her wrist once more, and continued to watch scenes unfold, of Eric and Ariel, and Cora's laments. Her spell was working out most splendidly, and she relished in the misery of these humans – and one former mermaid.

But, as always, this pain was not enough. More pain was more joy for her, and why just stab them in the back when she could also twist the knife? Ursula laid back on her lounge and thought. Ideas were never too far in her subconscious, it was merely a matter of rooting through more benign ones.

And, lo, one came to fruition.

Perfect, in both its simplicity and complexity. It would appear kind to the one she approached, portray her in a fairy-godmother like sense. Ursula laughed at this; she was never viewed in that light for long. But, as always, darker ambitions hid beneath.

Ursula got to brewing, tossing in ingredients and bottling up potions. With one last concoction, she reached for a ladle and drank it herself, transforming into a human herself; slowly, painlessly, a gentle transformation that progressed with each kick to the surface.

…

Cora knew she was losing him, but she didn't know that he was long gone. She didn't want to bow out gracefully, because that included the caveat that she would have to bow out. But, oh, what could she do? Eric had to hate her by now, after lying about the baby. She regretted it with an almost tangible intensity. But she was desperate, and, unknowingly, running out of time.

She took to her gardens, hoping a stroll would soothe her, as it had so many times before. Cora closed her eyes and stood amongst the life, trying to regulate her breathing and soothe herself. Count, one, two, three, exhale, one, two, three, inhale. She flicked open her eyes, and standing in front of her was a haggard old woman, cloaked and hunched, dripping wet.

Cora screamed and stepped back.

"Did I surprise you, dear?" The Sea Witch, in her new form, tried to appear sympathetic and kind.

Cora's heart nearly beat out of her chest. "Yes! I'm sorry for…yelling, you just!-"

"Oh my, I really thought you had seen me. I guess I was just in such a hurry to get to you."

"Do I?-"

"You don't know me." The witch assured, taking a small step closer to Cora. "But I can help you. I want to."

Cora did not back away. "How?" she bit her lip and wrapped her arms about herself. "Exactly?"

"Well." The witch produced a covered basket. "I understand your husband has a bit of a wandering eye."

Cora couldn't bring herself to defend him. "And how could you possibly fix that?"

"Why, with this!" The witch reached into her basket and pulled out a small vial. "Have him drink this. It's odorless and tasteless, and can be combined with anything. He'll be bound to you completely for three days, got that? Three days. By the time the spell breaks, I assure you, the other girl will be driven away."

"How could you even make sure a thing?"

"I have powers, ones I have chosen to use for good. I'm here to help, Cora."

Cora did not even ask how the witch could have known her name, as this woman, this angel, had just produced the most perfect solution.

"Oh thank you, thank you!" Cora reached out for the potion, but the witch snapped her hand back.

"Not so fast." The witch held out a finger. "I am giving you a perfect happily ever after, and this must come with a price, no?"

"Well, I suppose." Cora conceded. "What do you want?"

The witch paused, smiling. "Eric will be bound to you with this potion. And as time passes, you'll enjoy your life together, and a child will come."

"Oh, wonderful-"

"And when that time does come, you must give me your first born child."

Cora did not stall, or balk. She held out her hand for the potion. "It's a deal."

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