Um, Hello

This is Bella's husband. Bella just gave birth to our new baby boy a couple of hours ago, and I'm sitting with her in hospital. It has been quite traumatic for the two of us The baby ran out of oxygen and Bella has lost a lot of blood, so the two of them are going to be here for a while. Hopefully they'll be fine, their both fighters.

She already had this typed up, and she did want to post it mainly because she doubts she'll have another chapter up for a while. I know, she gives birth and she's thinking about fanfiction :/

Anyway we hope you enjoy this.


The pixies had left Aurora to the care of her maids. She refused to let them in while she bathed, and insisted she could dress herself. The dress she had been given was beautiful, and if Aurora wasn't in such a mood, she would have loved it. The dress was light blue, with Gossamer sleeves and a skirt that cascaded outward from her hips. The rest of the dress was made from shimmering fabric that was soft to touch, most likely silk.

The maids chatted away as they combed Aurora's hair into something suitable for the celebration. Her hair was secured into a bun with some of it surrounding the bun in a braid. Small, white butterfly pins decorated her golden locks.

Just as the maids were adding the final touches to Aurora, the pixies reappeared.

"Oh!" they all gasped, twirling around Aurora

"You're so pretty," Thistlewit said, almost shyly

"Beautiful!" Knotgrass agreed

"Not that you weren't before." Flittle added quickly

"Oh come come! Let's get you to the party!" the maids cried.

"We'll do it." Knotgrass replied quickly. Flittle and Thistlewit looked at her, and she gave them an odd look back, before pulling Aurora along. Aurora was curious.

"Where were you? Before, I mean. While I was getting ready." She questioned

The three pixies looked at each other, each begging the other one to answer. They were definitely hiding something.

"Oh, well… we were just…going back to the cottage! To get you your things and move them to your new room!" Knotgrass answered, kicking Flittle, who then nodded her agreement.

Aurora narrowed her eyes at them, and they bit their lips.

"Oh… the ballroom is right there!" Thistlewit jumped in "you better go now, don't want to be late to your own ball!" They all rushed out agreements.

"Aren't you coming?" Aurora asked, to which they shook their heads.

"Later. Bye now! Enjoy yourself." And before she could reply they quickly flew away.

Aurora thought about her aunts' odd behaviour, then dismissed it. They would talk later, she would find them no matter where they flew.

Aurora stepped into the crowded ballroom, bracing herself for the worst.

It seemed to her that the King had somehow managed to fit the entire Kingdom into the ballroom. All important looking men and women, dressed in bright, festive colours and looking down their noses at one another. Almost every one begged Aurora for a dance, and she continued to decline. This of course caught the attention of her father.

"Aurora, I know that you're tired but these are very important people, what they think about you is crucial. You are representing us." He had said through gritted teeth.

His words had only made refusing the men easier

Aurora was now carefully watching the large doors, patiently waiting for her aunts to fly in. Their strange dismissal of her had left her on edge, and she wanted answers.

Her eyes flew to a man dressed in black, who hurried passed the doors. A black leather jacket. And she only knew one person, or bird, that dressed like that.

Diaval, she though excitedly.

She pushed her way through the masses of people, reaching the door and hurrying down the hallway as fast as she could.

Aurora caught up to him as he walked down the hall, his hair seeming dishevelled and his hands fisted. Diaval, hearing her breath, turned, only for Aurora to slam into him.

"Aurora?" he said, shocked. Aurora looked up at him to answer, but the words died down in her throat when she saw his face. He looked wild, his skin pale and his eyes bloodshot. A large cut ran down from his right eye, and another across his chest.

She hugged him tighter, and the poor raven-man carefully wrapped his arms around her.

"I can't believe you're alive," he said softly

A loud cheer from the ballroom shocked them apart, and Diaval snapped out of his daze.

"You need to leave, Aurora. Go back to the party." He said quickly.

"What? No!" she cried, and Diaval looked at her sharply.

"Look, I know you're confused, and so am I. You're godmother knocked me out, and I haven't seen her since. And as much as it pleases me to know the curse didn't work, it only makes me worry more for her."

Tears fell down Aurora's cheeks "They, think…they think she's…dead. And that's why the curse didn't work." Diaval was already shaking his head, and Aurora felt a shred of hope.

He looked around before sighing and leaning closer. "When I woke up, Maleficent had turned me back into a raven. And just before the sun set, I became a man again. I don't know why she would do that, but I took it as a sign that she was alive."

Aurora bit her lip, not at all convinced. Many creatures had magic. And even if Maleficent had changed him, there was no guarantee she had lived much longer after that.

"I know she's alive, Aurora. I can feel it." He said firmly "but you really need to go now. What I'm doing now is dangerous, and mistress would kill me if she knew I put you in harm's way."

"Well, I'm not letting you leave without me." She replied stubbornly.

"Really," he raised an eyebrow "So you want to come with me? You, being the princess, who has suddenly reappeared after sixteen years, curse free, plans on sneaking around the castle searching for a fairy that has been proclaimed dead, in a frilly dress that throws light?" he gave her a look and she bit her lip.

"People don't know who I am," he continued "And I have been sneaking around for years, I know the castle back to front. I will be much more successful on my own."

It hurt to admit, but Diaval was right.

"Promise me," she whispered "promise me that if… when you find her, you'll tell me. Please, Diaval. I love her too." Diaval gave her a small, sad smile.

"I know you do. I promise." Diaval embraced her again.

"Be safe," Aurora whispered, and felt Diaval nod.

When they let go of each other, Aurora heard someone muttering, and she turned to see who it was. The King, seeming angry, stalked towards her. When she turned back, Diaval was gone.

Stefan began was furiously talking as he pulled her back to the ball, babbling about her 'disgraceful behaviour' , but all Aurora could think about was her godparents.

Please, for both our sakes, let Diaval find her, she prayed to whatever higher force could hear her.