The ride back to the castle had been relatively calm, but Ben didn't miss the way Mal was smiling at him. It wasn't creeping him out but it was confusing him. The young purplette carried this on right through dinner and was still doing it in the family room, where the family were having some rare time alone together. Ben shared a confused look with his parents before turning to the little princess. "Mal, what are you smiling at?" Ben asked his sister.
"You going to marry CJ?" The purplette asked, shocking Ben, Belle and Adam. They had no idea where the five year old had gotten that but Belle and Adam immediately turned to face their son.
Ben and Mal locked eyes with each other and Mal gave the King a cheeky smile. "Ben, are you dating CJ?" Adam asked. Obviously he had warmed to the VK's since Mal, Evie, Jay and Carlos had first arrived, they all held a special place in his heart. None more then Mal but he cared for them all.
The King mock glared at a smirking Mal before turning to his parents. "Not really. I asked her on a date but were aren't official or anything. I don't even know if she likes me in that way." He explained to his parents, both of which smiled in response. They were happy their son found someone who he actually cared about.
The King watched as his parents had a conversation with their eyes before turning back to him. "Well, we're happy for you Ben." Belle told her oldest child. Ben's smile could only grow at his parents approval. "You're listening to your heart, that's all that matters. CJ is a lovely girl." The mother said. All she wanted was for her children to be happy and healthy and it seemed that they were now.
"Tattle tale." Ben whispered jokingly to his little sister, causing the small purplette to laugh.
Mal grinned at her brother. "Benny and CJ, sitting in a tree..." The toddler started singing happily. This caused laughter to erupt from Belle and Adam as Ben moved to wrap his arms around his sister. The purplette quickly dodged him before carrying on. "K-I-S-S-I-N-G." She sang as she ran around the room away from her big brother. "First comes love, second marriage, then a baby in a royal carriage." She sang gleefully.
In all honestly Ben didn't care that she was singing it but he was never one to miss an opportunity to chase Mal. They rarely had time together anymore so when times like this come around Ben makes the most of them. After a while of letting Mal escape he finally wrapped his arms around the laughing five year old. Honestly he had thought Mal was the one for him romantically, but he knew now why they got close so fast. She was meant to be a part of his family, as the little sister he had always wanted.
The King held Mal close as she stopped laughing. He felt the toddler wrap he arms around his neck hugging him back. Neither sibling noticed their parents had stopped laughing and were watching the sweet embrace they were sharing. "I love you, Mal." He told her.
"Love you too, Benny." She responded placing a quick kiss to his cheek. The young King just wished he could have more times like this with the five year old and maybe once his aprents took over the kingdom he could.
Author's Note: I know this isn't a long chapter and not a lot happens but I hope you like it. So I have a good idea where I want this story to go now and should hopefully be back to regular updates. Please review and let me know what you think x