"Is he...?", Eric asked as he looked at their son. "Ariel...", with his heart clenched in angst, hating to see his wife in agony over the condition of their son...True, he is determined to fight, but how much could he fight back?
"He's... he's gonna make it... I... I'd be a terrible mother to believe that he can't...", Ariel sobbed as Eric nodded. "Yeah... we'll... we'll do all it takes to make sure.", he kissed her cheek as he gently touched his son's head.
Melody gurgled to Tazio who tried to gurgle back, but couldn't as he whimpered-coughed, and he tried to calm down, not wanting to scare his mama again, as Ariel still sobbed, and Melody seemed confused and worried before noticing something, and gave out a big cry.
Eric looked down at Melody, and followed her glance, and exhaled, looking up at Carlotta and the doctor, "Would you leave us?". Carlotta gave a sad smile, nodding, as the doctor bowed his head, "I'll be a terrible doctor if I don't help the little prince. I'll see to my books and all.".
"Thank you, doctor...for everything...", Eric spoke softly, and the doctor nodded, and so, he opened the door, politely letting Carlotta out before himself, and closing the door, and looked at Ariel, "I think Melody is hungry, and Tazio would need it especially.".
Ariel looked at Eric, nodding, kissing Tazio on the forehead as she gently passed him to Eric's other arm before removing her tank top, freeing her breasts, and Eric smiled softly, "At least you'll know that you have plenty of milk due to the new size...", placing the twins back in Ariel's arms as she adjusted them slightly.
Almost immediately, at the same time, the twins latched onto her nipples, gulping in Melody's case while suckling in Tazio's case.
"You really are such a special boy...", Ariel gave a light chuckle. "You're like this because you wanted to protect Melody.", she teared up.
"Ariel, please, we can't keep blaming ourselves for this... we're no good for them and the kingdom if we keep that up.", Eric reminded as Ariel nodded, "I know... I just... it's hard for me to take this right now...".
Eric sighed deeply, "We will give him all the love, the care, and the devotion just like Melody. After all, like your father once said, nothing is more important than family, right?". Ariel nodded softly, "They are important...I... need to be strong for them...", with a sob.
Kissing her on the temple as Eric wrapped his arm around her shoulders, "We will be strong for them, Ariel...We will know that we did our best...There's no better mother than you right now, Ariel, and they're all ours. What matters right now is taking care of those two and we will be there for them, okay?".
Ariel sniffled, whispering, "Your father's right...We will be there for you two, sweethearts...Just grow strong and healthy, especially you, Tazio...", and the babies kept drinking her milk, and Eric smiled softly, "I think they understand that, my love.".
And so, the twins, over the next few days, gained weight and of course, their aptitude to live, yet despite it all, Tazio remained smaller than Melody...Eric and Ariel never even left the bedroom that linked to their nursery, with Grimsby understanding somberly, seeing to the king's remaining duties.
The doctor tried his best to find ways to help Tazio breathe better, maybe be a little more energetic like Melody, to stop the blindness from getting worse, but the sickness is powerful, leaving Tazio exhausted after fighting every day...
Hoping that the twins, especially Tazio would like a new adventure which is only coming out to the balcony to enjoy the sound of the waves, seeing the ocean, feeling the sun, and breathing in the fresh air, Ariel, with Eric's help, took them out on the balcony, and to Ariel's surprise and joy, Tazio reveled in the new sight that he has never seen before, seeming to actually gurgle in delight for once without coughing or wheezing or whimpering, unknowing that it's Tazio's first and last chance of freedom in a way.
There really was nothing much that could be done. Tazio's sacrifice in the womb really costed him any real chance of life. The baby just enjoyed the air and the sun for a few minutes before he closed his eyes... and never opened them again.
Ariel was smiling at Melody's happy cries of delight in Eric's arms when she felt something change, and realized that she didn't hear her son's gurgles, and looked down, horrified to see the little chest of Tazio unmoving, and she lifted him up, listening, tears falling down, "Taz, Tazio, TAZIO!", collapsing down on the floor, sobs whacking her body as she gave out a gut-wrenching wail of grief.
The desperate parents quickly tried whatever they could at that moment; but it was very much clear that Tazio just was unable to survive after birth. Within an hour, Ariel was completely shattered, and Eric wasn't holding up well for long as efforts began to give final rites and burial for the lost prince.
The news of the death of Tazio reached Atlantica as well, and Triton blamed himself for not trying harder, but Attina pointed out that using the trident to heal a baby, if a sickly-poisoned baby, is dangerous as Tazio wouldn't have taken it well unlike a full-grown adult.
At least, in death, the sickness went away as poison-sickness relied on taking a life, and Tazio is at peace, yet with the grieving parents, they will not easily get over it, especially Ariel who is randomly breaking down throughout the afternoon as she, Eric, and little Melody went to a most beloved and beautiful place that would be perfect for Tazio's body to rest and be protected which is the lagoon, or more specifically, the weeping willow island.
Triton and the sisters came to attend around the island, with the priest, Grimsby, Carlotta, and Max as well, and the lagoon animals, and also Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle. Most of them may not have known Tazio personally, but they all knew that Tazio fought for family, for peace, and for happiness.
With the sun setting, the final rites and burial began, with Melody in Carlotta's arms as Eric was comforting Ariel, with Triton creating a beautiful gravestone of coral mixed with rock by the aid of the trident.
"He died being loved, Ariel...", Triton told her once it was all over, with Tazio placed in the earth and the mourners leaving except for the family. "I'm sorry I couldn't do more...". Ariel gave a small nod; she held no anger to anyone, at least anyone present. She had a fire inside her like Eric that she would carve out the heart of the assassin who poisoned her and killed her son, but that would only come out if that encounter would ever come.
Eric sighed softly, "Come on, Ariel, let's go home. Melody will be hungry soon.", as he held Melody in his arms, and Ariel nodded, walking silently to the rowboat.
"She hasn't talked, has she?", Triton asked gently, and Eric shook his head, "Not...since Tazio died in her arms...I think she's still in shock...".
Triton sighed heavily, "Just be there for her, okay, son?", and Eric gave a small smile at him, "Always will, Dad...We...we will talk to you later, just not soon...", and Triton nodded as Eric left with Melody to the rowboat, giving her to Ariel who held her with a small sigh as Eric rowed away from the island to the shoreline where their remaining carriage is.
"Never imagined that Ariel would be...", Adella spoke, and Aquata asked, "Speechless?", and Adella shook her head, "Brokenhearted...".
The rest of the girls nodded in agreement, sadness on their faces, and Triton sighed deeply, "Let's go home, girls. At least the lagoon animals have agreed to watch over the place.", and the girls slowly left one by one, singing a sad lullaby as they took turns before disappearing into the sea.
Triton finished the lullaby, and was about to leave when he saw something, and he narrowed his eyes, swimming closer as the last remains of the sun left, and his eyes widened in shock, whispering, "Athena?", seeing the transparent spirit of Athena, almost swimming in the air like water.
She sadly smiled at him, and stroked the gravestone, and suddenly, Tazio's spirit appeared above the fresh grave, and Athena smiled, seeming to coo and murmur as she picked up Tazio, kissing him on the head as Tazio seemed to giggle, no sickness in his body, his eyes bright.
Athena looked at Triton with a smile, opening her mouth, and yet not physically as Triton somehow heard her voice in his head, 'I'm his family...families bring lost ones home to the heavens...He'll watch over Ariel, Eric, and Melody.'.
Triton nodded as he teared up. "I miss you...", he whispered as Athena got close to him and gently placed her hand on his cheek. Obviously, he felt nothing but a warm breeze, but... he still felt her touch as she looked sad too.
Athena spoke, 'I miss you too. We'll be together one day again, Triton.', before kissing him on the lips, which again felt like a warm breeze, but it was preciously perfect, and Athena then smiled at Tazio who wiggled in her arms, 'I'll take care of our grandson, I promise.', as Triton smiled at Tazio...
He hadn't even a chance to hold his grandson as he knew that the last few days were crucial for only the parents and the children to bond together but seeing Tazio's eyes looking at him with a peaceful, happy smile, he knew that Tazio is truly in good hands.
"I love you, Athena.", Triton whispered, and Athena nodded softly, 'I love you too, my husband.', before leaving Triton, swimming through the air, heading up and up to the darkening night sky with the stars and moon bright, and disappearing to the point where Triton can't see them anymore yet he saw a shooting star soon after, and he knew that Tazio is home in the heavens now...
"Ariel...", Eric whispered as Ariel was once more on the balcony, looking out to the night. Eric felt so terrible; the loss of their son, and perhaps even the loss of Ariel too with how she had been now. Obviously, he wasn't some cold stoic person where he could quickly move on, Tazio was always going to hang on to his heart for the rest of his days. "Ariel... please... at least say something...".
"We... we didn't kill him... did we?", Ariel asked. Eric looked at her almost insane for a moment when he realized what she meant.
"You mean taking him out here...? No.", Eric shook his head. "I think... I think it was just timing... I think if we still kept him inside, he... he still wouldn't be here.".
Ariel exhaled heavily, "Tazio was happy those last moments, wasn't he?", wrapping her arms around herself, and Eric came to hold her, kissing her softly, "He sure was. He loved it...After all, it was his first time to feel the sun, hear and see the waves crashing on the shore, breathe in the fresh air...We just didn't know that it would be his last time as well...", with a sigh.
"I... I just don't know how...", Ariel shook her head. "I know... I don't know how we can both go on, but we have to... not just for the kingdom, but for Melody's sake. We still have her...", Eric said as Ariel sighed.
"It's... it'll never be the same.", Ariel teared up. "I know. But we have to be strong. For Melody... Tazio clearly did what he did in the womb for her. He wouldn't want us to just waste away and be ghosts to her and the rest of the world because of him... don't you think?", Eric pointed out as he started to tear up as well.
Ariel looked up to see him crying into her hair, and she turned around to hug him tightly, "Yes, you're right...I just...I'll be strong for you and Melody...I can't promise to be a perfect mother...".
"You don't have to be a perfect mother, you can just be there for our daughter, to listen to her, to give her advice, to watch her grow up...I know it will hurt so much every day, and the pain will dull a tiny bit every day, but we will never forget Tazio, and when Melody's old enough to understand, we will tell her what happened...After all, she will feel like something's missing as she was...the twin sister...", Eric whispered firmly and wearily.
Ariel nodded as she sighed once more, "Eric... I... I want to put Melody to bed... then I just want to sleep as well... maybe we can be with Tazio... in our dreams...".
Eric sighed, "Okay. Maybe...", as he helped Ariel walk from the balcony back into the bedroom as Eric wasn't that cruel to say it, but he or Ariel hadn't seen their parents or Athena in their dreams...Honestly, that one time in limbo was probably one in a million chance for Ariel reuniting with Athena...So, he doubts that Tazio would be there in their dreams...
Indeed, after putting Melody to bed in the nursery, their hearts wrenching in pain as they realized that Tazio's crib and other things was still in there, and Ariel gratefully didn't break down again, but just went to sleep, with Eric deciding to put the things in storage the next day or soon, but he won't do it without Ariel's agreement which would perhaps take a while...
He joined Ariel in bed after seeing that Melody is deep asleep, if perhaps a bit confused, and in their dreams, they didn't see Tazio, and Eric comforted Ariel in their grotto. Weeks and months passed slowly after that day...
Ariel slowly got better, smiling more genuinely when Melody did small and big things, milestones in her development, yet broke down here and there when she realized that Tazio wasn't there to share it all with Melody...Eric got somewhat better than Ariel, but there were times when he teared up in his private office.
Before they all knew it, it was Melody's 1st birthday, and they were setting out on the royal barge to sea, presenting Melody with her mermaid heritage, with Triton having a birthday gift for her...Triton was sad that he wouldn't make a gift for his lost grandson, but he knew that this day is important either way. He prays that Ariel is happy today.
"Hey... how's the birthday girl's mother holding up?", Eric asked as he came to check on Ariel as she once more was on the balcony. She always found herself coming to it; just to keep having that last connection to their son's final moments.
"I'm alright... and it's the birthday twins... even if one of them isn't here anymore.", Ariel whispered that last bit as Eric nodded.
"Of course. Sorry... it's... I really can't believe it's already been a year.", Eric sat down next to her as they had two chairs looking out to the sea. "Still feels like only yesterday I was carrying the two of them...", Ariel spoke quietly.
Eric smiled wryly, "And you were beautiful carrying the two of them as much as you are right now.", grabbing her hand softly, kissing it tenderly and lovingly. Ariel gave a little giggle, smiling genuinely, "Always a charmer, Eric.".
Eric, relieved to hear her laugh again, chuckled, "Well, you're my wife. After all, it's my job to compliment you.", and Ariel's giggle came back, louder, "I thought it's your job to ravish and love me.", her other hand rubbing his thigh, close to his clothed manhood.
Widening his eyes slightly in surprise, yet overjoyed to have Ariel's boldness coming back, he smiled, "I'll always love you, Ariel, and ravishing you must wait tonight...but for starters, how about this?", pulling her up in his arms, kissing her passionately with his hands on her neck and hip.
"Eric!", Ariel laughed as the two of them fooled around for a moment before hearing loud cries coming from the next chamber. The two of them stopped as Eric sighed and shook his head. "Her highness is awake.", he joked.
Ariel giggled softly, "I guess she knows that today is a big day.", smiling happily before getting off Eric's lap, with a peck on his cheek, "We better make sure to read plenty of stories for Melody tonight...And Eric...I've been on the anti-pregnancy herb...so, you will ravish me all you want.", before walking away with a smirk, swaying her hips sensually...
Eric muttered to himself, "My little mermaid...", with a smile, relieved to see the old Ariel back, even if she has grown a little more jaded to the world since Tazio...He glanced in the direction of the lagoon, "Happy birthday, Tazio...", with a deep sigh before shaking himself up, exhaling as he then left the balcony to join Ariel and Melody.
After breakfast for all three of them, the palace is tittering with excitement as most of the staff and the guests from the village headed to board the royal barge, with the royal family as the last ones, and with an order, the royal barge set out.