Minutes passed, and Ariel stayed as still as she could. At least this time, Ariel didn’t have to sneeze. Then, just as before, the shark opened its great jaws.

Would the shark swim past the mermaids again? Or would it attack? The shark watched the mermaids. Then it lunged.

“Over here, Sharky!” A red claw waved in front of the shark. The shark stopped.

“Come and get your favorite meal. Crab à la Sebastian!”

The shark snapped at Sebastian. But the crab was whisked behind a stone pillar. Flounder had pulled him to safety!

The shark kept going. He searched for the tasty morsel, until he disappeared in a haze of bubbles.

Ariel hugged her sisters tight.

Sebastian and Flounder swam out, smiling. “Well, now that’s taken care of, let’s begin the rehearsal,” Sebastian said in a businesslike way.

“Sisters, Sebastian, Flounder! How can I ever thank—” Ariel began.

But Sebastian waved his claw. “Didn’t you hear me? It’s time to begin the rehearsal.”

The crab raised his baton. “I think you were on the left, Aquata, and Alana was on the right.”

“No,” said Aquata. “I was on the right.”

“Left,” said Alana.

“Right.”

“Left.”

This time, Ariel didn’t even try to stop her sisters. They could argue all day if they wanted, after leading the shark there. A few minutes later, the sisters continued with the rehearsal. Ariel tried to stay calm.

In just a little while, she’d find out if the plan had worked—if repeating the day could bring back the eclipse, even though it hadn’t been exactly the same. Would it be enough for Adella to get the chance to change her birthday wish?

The concert hall was filling up. Merpeople flitted about finding seats. Fish and dolphins swam here and there, looking for the best views. Lobsters and snails made their way along the seafloor.

The Undersea Orchestra moved to the stage. Sea horses held their trumpets. Eels slithered by their drums. Fish flexed their fins to play their harps.

King Triton entered the hall and sat down front and center. Sebastian nodded, then stepped onto the stage.

“Thank you!” Sebastian said.

No one noticed the crab, though. The audience murmured and chattered. “Thank you!” Sebastian said, louder.

Everyone kept talking.

Finally, King Triton raised his trident. Silence fell.

“Thank you,” Sebastian said. “I am pleased to lead the Undersea Orchestra for a very special event: Princess Adella’s birthday!”

The audience cheered.

The curtains parted. Everyone gasped, although they’d just seen the backdrop the day before.

Sea anemones rose from the ocean floor. On each one stood a princess, smiling and singing.

“Joy to the seas,” they sang sweetly. “Let’s all sing, please. And everyone is glad!”

The mermaids floated away from the anemones. They linked arms. Aquata and Alana smiled at one another. Adella glowed with happiness.

The song ended. The audience rose to its tails. “More! Encore!” they cried.

The sisters sang “Sing Out, Sister,” then “Sea to Shining Sea.” Each song drew greater applause.

Finally, Ariel waved for quiet.

“I’m so happy to be here for Adella’s birthday,” she announced.

Adella blew a kiss across the water. And Ariel realized that in spite of everything, she was happy to be with her family. She felt happy to celebrate with them all over again. If only she knew she’d be human tomorrow…

Ariel tossed her hair. Don’t think about that now, she told herself. Concentrate on the moment. On Adella’s birthday.

“Happy birthday, dear sister,” Ariel said. She signaled the others to start the last song.

The sisters began to sing.

The mermaids burst through the water to the surface for Ariel’s final solo. Just as before, the sun was setting. Orange and red colors lined the sky. Everything looked the same.

Ariel sang the last line.

Adella swam to her side. “Oh, Ariel!” she said. “It’s so good to have you home—”

Ariel gasped. Was Adella going to say she wished she’d never leave? Again? This was the time to say something different. To change the wish!

Ariel glimpsed Eric on the beach. She touched Adella’s arm and pointed to her husband.

“But I wish you could be where you are most happy,” Adella continued, “your own home.”

At that moment, darkness fell. The sun disappeared behind the moon. Only its fiery edges peeked out.

It was the solar eclipse!

Suddenly, the waves grew higher and higher. The wind whistled and blew. Merpeople were tossed here and there. Ariel felt herself lifted up on a giant wave. It carried her away from the others. Away from her family. Away from the sea. This time, it brought her toward the shore. Slowly, the water ebbed, leaving her lying on soft sand.

Ariel opened her eyes. Her tail was gone. She had legs! Real human legs!

“Ariel!” Eric rushed across the beach. “You’re here! You’re back!”

Ariel stood and wobbled just a bit. Then she straightened herself and held her head high.

“Yes!” she said as the sun came out from behind the moon. The shore blazed with light. And Ariel glowed with joy.

“Yes, I am!” she exclaimed. She waved to her sisters and father, and Sebastian and Flounder. “Thank you, everyone!” she shouted. “This means the world to me.” Then she walked with Eric back to their castle.