Ariel purred, "Is it obvious?", and Eric stammered, "But I thought you are tired...", with Ariel smiling softly, "Oh, I am, but not that tired yet...I want to fall asleep in your arms afterwards...And besides, we have been making love those few times before I got too big, but I greatly missed doing it human style...".
"A-and the twins?", Eric whispered, and Ariel smiled, "All tuckered out. And don't worry, I got the anti-pregnancy herb hours ago.", taking her underwear and bra off as she danced before him, "So, what are you waiting for?", with a coy, mischievous look on her face.
"You know, eventually we'll not be able to do this...", Eric chuckled as Ariel laughed, "I think we still have some decades left in us before that will happen, Eric. Now come... make love to your wife... and do it well enough to where I can sleep for a whole month!".
Eric grinned, "As my queen commands.", stripping off quickly as he got closer to Ariel, taking her in his arms as he lifted her up, kissing her passionately as they got on the bed, with Ariel moaning in pleasure from every kiss on her skin, his hands roaming all over her.
Ariel gasped out in pleasure as Eric leaned in to eat her out, and she cried out in pleasure repeatedly as Eric worked her up to ecstasy levels within a half hour, and even before she could have her orgasm, Eric whispered to her, "What does my wife want?".
Whimpering, Ariel pleaded, "Ride me, Eric!", and Eric smiled wryly as he lifted her up, turning her around as he came up behind her, resting her on his lap as he positioned himself, soon entering her.
Ariel cried out with pleasure as she felt him penetrate once more, Eric quickly covered her mouth as he chuckled, "Careful, let's not wake our newborns or this fun is going to come to an early end.".
Ariel nodded and smiled back when he uncovered her mouth, "I'll try to keep it down, but I can't make any promises when we're like this.".
Eric chuckled, "True...", before kissing her neck, back and shoulders as he raised himself, soon making a slow pace as he went back and forth as Ariel gasped repeatedly in pleasure, moaning, "Yes!".
Eric kept going for another half hour before Ariel demanded, "Eric, harder!", and Eric purred into her ear, "I don't hear my favorite words.".
Ariel whined, "Please, my king!", and Eric grinned, kissing her earlobe, "As you wish, Ariel.", as he got up into his knees, causing Ariel to kneel forward on her legs, her hands on the sheets, with Eric grasping her hips as he then increased the intensity of his thrusts, hitting her G-spot successfully.
"Yes! Oh, yes!", Ariel cried out in pleasure, and Eric kept going, grunting, not hearing any infant crying, and he realized that Ariel was right. The twins are truly exhausted after such a crazy and long day, and to his joy, he can then pleasure Ariel.
He went to kiss and suck upon Ariel's sensitive spots on her body as he thrusted deep and hard, increasing the speed, with Ariel moaning and crying out in pleasure, and finally, Ariel shouted in ecstasy as she came, "Eric!", with Eric coming at last into her only a few moments later, "Ariel!".
Panting and collapsing back into their sides, Eric whispered lovingly as he held her, spooning her as he filled her up, "You are so beautiful, my little mermaid.".
Ariel looked back, stroking a hand through his hair, smiling, "You are so handsome, my love.", before yawning, and Eric smiled, "Rest, Ariel.", kissing her cheek as he pulled out of her, and pulled up the blankets.
"I love you, Eric, so much.", Ariel whispered, and Eric whispered back, "I love you too, Ariel.", smiling as Ariel fell asleep, and he followed along, for a few peaceful hours before the twins woke them up for another meal.
Indeed, the royal family of Truilia has become a symbol of hope and love, and like they had talked about, they attended the ceremony of Attina becoming Queen of Atlantica, with Triton happily retired, enjoying his silver years with all his grandchildren, with occasional advice for Attina when she needs it.
Melody remained a princess, and she has been to Atlantica and other kingdoms for years and years, and strangely enough, after a big surprise, she found her soulmate within the son of the bratty prince who pestered Ariel that fateful day, yet the son was far better than his father, not wanting to do anything with him, and he and Melody remained as prince and princess as his other brother is becoming king of that particular kingdom, anyway.
As for Tazio, he decided to be king in the future after Eric and Ariel would pass on, with Bascus surprising everyone by becoming the lead singer of a royal traveling band throughout Italy, and for Arcadia, she decided to become an advocate of sorts for the upkeep of the Mediterranean Sea.
However, the biggest surprise of all was unplanned...16 years since their return home, a new addition was welcomed to the family, but it wasn't by Ariel, but rather by someone unexpected.
Ariel, an early riser ever since she became queen, always wanting to watch the sunrise, ventured out to the balcony, only stopping at once in surprise and shock to see a basket with an envelope on the handles near the doors, carefully peering into the basket when her eyes widened in bewilderment and horror, seeing a malnourished baby!
"Eric!", Ariel called out as the nearly 50-year-old monarch was moving as fast as he could towards her. "What, what is it!?", Eric called out to her as he was running back to their room; he had gotten up slightly before and was taking care of some personal business before planning on going back to bed.
Ariel shakily spoke, "Look!", as the baby then cried unhappily, and she instinctively lifted the little one up, "Shh, shh, it's okay, it's okay.", cradling the baby against her shoulder.
Eric widened his eyes, "H-How? The balcony is like 20 ft up from the ground!", and Ariel shook her head, "I don't know...", as Eric plucked out the envelope, taking out a letter, reading it out loud.
'Your Majesties,
I am deeply sorry for what I've done to you all as I have learned a lesson thanks to this little one, but I couldn't handle it...It became too much...I have done a crime, not out of love as this little one was born of a rather terrible situation I've bought around, despite my unfortunate ugliness...I was desperate for someone to love me, but I have come to realize that I have brought this all upon myself, as you said before, Eric.
My crimes are almost unforgivable in many ways, but I feel that I could at least do one thing right in my life and that is give this child to a much more loving home than stay with a monster like me. I trust you'll be willing to either raise the child yourselves or find a better place for this baby to be raised.
I should've let the past go, to take my rejection from the Spanish throne and try to find love elsewhere but... I could not let go, and especially not you, Eric. At least until now, my curse has at least caused me to reflect on much and I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but at least don't take it out on my child.
Please, take good care of my baby; you'll never hear or see me again, I assure you of that. May your reign continue long and well, Eric and Ariel, and may your family remain healthy and live full lives.
Sincerely, Lucia'
Ariel was speechless yet Eric was looking at the letter in a thousand-yard stare before the baby cried out, and it startled the couple out of their shocked state.
Ariel took a look at the baby, the child of Lucia, seeing dirty blonde hair in straight locks on the forehead, warm brown eyes, and pale tan skin, only having Lucia's nose, and Ariel removed the bundling blanket, and she spoke, "It's a boy, and he's strong in the lungs, but he's malnourished...", before wrapping him again, shushing him softly as he cried.
Eric exhaled deeply, "Let's get him inside.", and they quickly headed inside, taking the basket and the letter, and Eric read it again as Ariel called out for one of the staff to grab fennel, ignoring the shocked lock on the servant's face when she saw Ariel holding a baby.
"You're gonna feed him?", Eric asked, and Ariel nodded firmly, "Yes, I am. We cannot blame this little boy for Lucia's faults, and she did the right thing...And besides, the only things I see of Lucia is his nose and maybe his skin tone, but he's not the mirror of her.".
"Okay, that's fine, I get it, I... I can't bring myself to let this baby starve... but... we're not seriously thinking about actually raising another child, especially Lucia's, are we?", Ariel looked over to Eric and sighed.
"I don't know yet, Eric... our children have all grown up; Melody's a woman now, and Tazio, Bascus and Arcadia are now all adults who are just starting to truly live their lives. It's almost feeling... lonely again, here...", Ariel admitted as she gently brushed the baby boy's face.
He gave a coo, giving a little smile, and Ariel smiled affectionately, and Eric blinked in surprise, seeing the motherly instinct in her eyes, and he exhaled deeply, knowing that it got slightly lonely here without Max and Grimsby who had passed on in the first seven years of their return, and then of course, Melody left first...
Of course, Tazio is currently staying as he is going to be king, but he has been travelling here and there throughout most of Europe to gain knowledge of the politics and such...And Bascus is currently in Venice, last he heard, and Arcadia is visiting Atlantica as of now.
Sure, the staff kept the palace busy and all, but Eric has to admit that he missed the sound of laughter and innocence filling the halls, and sure, he knew that sooner or later, Melody will have children, but right now, he heard that Melody and her soulmate has been traveling the Atlantic to explore the Caribbean, and the others hadn't found anyone to love yet as far as he knows.
"I will admit, it has been quiet for a couple of years now; even if the same can't be said for the continent.", Eric sighed as he walked over to sit next to Ariel. "You're right, Ariel... he doesn't have too much of her looks.".
Ariel smiled softly, "So, we're taking him in, then?", and Eric nodded, "To be honest, he needs love, lots of care, and a wonderful home, and besides, he's technically a prince since Lucia was a princess, even if the man in question would have been a commoner or something...".
"Indeed...He couldn't be more than a few months old if Lucia tried to keep him healthy all this time...She truly tried to care for her child, but I suppose she had too much trouble giving birth or something...", Ariel sighed heavily, and Eric nodded, "Perhaps Lucia would be granted redemption once she goes to the heavens for this one act of kindness...I suppose we better give him a name.", with a warm smile.
Ariel looked at Eric with a smile before looking back at their newfound son before hearing a knock on the door, and Eric called out, "Come in!".
Carlotta, now in her silver years, gasped softly as she carried a little bowl of fennel soup, "Oh, my, so the girl was right...What has happened?", as Ariel received the fennel soup, drinking and eating it, knowing that she will soon be able to feed him in a few minutes. "Lucia.", Eric answered as Carlotta walked up.
"That horrid woman was here?", Carlotta was surprised to hear it as Eric nodded, "Sort of... she, she's clearly not wanting to be seen by the world and gave birth to a child... this boy... she wants us to either raise him or find him a better home than what she was.".
Carlotta raised an eyebrow and glanced at the baby boy who blinked at her before cooing curiously, and she chuckled softly, "I think he doesn't have a mean bone in his body...".
Ariel replied, "He may have been born from an unfortunate situation, but he deserves to have love, lots of love and care...", with a smile as the baby boy gurgled back at her, realizing that this pretty red-haired lady is really warm and so nice when the scarred, poorly woman was tired and sort of sad.
"He really likes you, Queen Ariel.", Carlotta smiled warmly, and Ariel nodded, "I hope I'll love him as much as he will love me. It's strange, but I feel like I know him already...", before she felt something stirring in her breasts, and smiled, pushing down her shirt corners, and the baby boy perked up at the familiar gesture, leaning in with a hungry cry, immediately latching into a nipple, realizing that the milk is really fresh and warm unlike the other woman's milk which was sort of off-putting and cool, and he instantly snuggled into his new mommy's arms...is she his new mommy?
He looked up at Ariel with wide eyes, and Ariel's heart filled up with love instantly, leaning in to kiss him on the forehead, speaking warmly, "I'll make sure you'll live strong and healthy, little one...Mama's got you...Guido...", coming up with the name on the spot with a smile on her face.
"Guido?", Eric asked curiously, and Ariel glanced at him, smiling, "Why not? He has a new life with us, and well, don't you think it fits him?".
"Fine name for him...", Eric gave a small smile back. "Are you sure though, Ariel? We know plenty of families that might be able to raise him just as well.".
"No, I think he'll be fine with us... it might be better... and after all, Lucia trusted us with his life more than she did her own...", Ariel firmly said.
Carlotta chuckled, "Better listen to the queen, Eric. When she's set to something, she makes sure of it.", and Eric smiled with a little laugh, "Fair enough.", before smiling again at Ariel, "Okay, looks like I am outvoted here. Welcome home, Prince Guido.", glancing at Guido in Ariel's arms.
Guido blinked at Eric, seeming to figure him out before realizing that this friendly, nice man may be his new daddy, like the other babies talked about in their baby language in the marketplace, and gave out a happy coo, giving him a gummy smile before resuming to drink his new mommy's milk.
Ariel smiled happily, "I think he knows that he's home now.", and Carlotta chuckled, "Looks like I better get some of the staff to get the nursery stuff out from storage including the bassinet. Congratulations, my king and queen.", smiling as she left the room.
Eric glanced at her with a chuckle, "Looks like we are going to have joy and laughter in the palace again...Oh, boy, the others will be quite surprised to have quite a baby brother far younger than them.".
"At least it isn't a surprise on them about me being pregnant and having to birth him. I don't think I could do it at this age, Eric.", Ariel said.
"You still look beautiful...", Eric assured her. "I'm an old woman, Eric... youth's leaving me like a ship to the Americas...", Ariel complained with a huff.
Eric shook his head, "Nonsense! Young or old, fiery or spry, you'll always be my wife, my little mermaid, and my soulmate, forever and ever.", kissing her on the lips warmly, and Ariel kissed him back happily, and Guido blinked, enjoying the love in the air as he kept feeding until he let go, giving out a burp, causing the couple to laugh warmly.
Ariel smiled, "Here, hold him.", and Eric blinked in surprise before instinctively taking Guido in his arms, and Guido blinked at him before sensing the gentle strength and strong warmth, yawning, rubbing his eyes as he smiled, snuggling into his chest, snuffling and holding into the fabric of his new daddy's shirt as he fell asleep.
Eric exhaled in surprise yet awe, shocked that Guido didn't cry, and his heart became full of love as he watched him sleep, snuggling into him, and he gave a soft, fatherly smile, and glanced at Ariel, "Looks like I am a daddy again, and I ain't letting anyone say no about Guido being officially ours.", with a firm nod.
"Who can say no?", Ariel chuckled. "We don't have a parliament that actually has a reign over you like the English.", Ariel joked.
"Well, at least I don't give the people many reasons to do that.", Eric chuckled as he brushed Guido's head. "But that remains true, Guido is officially our son forthwith, and 3rd in line for the throne behind our sons.".
Ariel smiled, leaning on his shoulder, "Good to know.", before glancing at the clock, "Well, it's still early. Mind if I catch some sleep?".