Their vows were simple, the same vows that had been spoken by thousands throughout the course of human history. Ben had said his vows with such pride and strength, his voice echoed throughout the cathedral. Mal, who had worried she'd be too nervous to speak, was just at loud and clear as Ben. He grabbed onto her hands as he vowed to remain hers forever. And then Mal said to two words that would forever bind her to Ben; that would tie each other in an unbreakable way.

"I do," Mal said proudly, fighting a losing war to hold back tears of joy. The priest smiled and pronounced the two husband and wife. Ben cupped Mal's face with his hands and smiled down at her. The joy on his face mimicked hers. His head leaned down closer to hers, and their lips met.

The kiss should have been quick, a simple peck on the lips, but their kiss turned into a deep passionate one. Everything but Ben disappeared into nothingness in Mal's mind. He was hers now, completely and utterly hers, and she was his. Mal never wanted to end the kiss, she wanted to remain frozen in the blissful moment. It wasn't the clearing of throats that made Mal pull away, but an odd feeling coming from inside her. She looked down at her stomach in shock, the baby had kicked. Ben and Mal's bodies had been so close during their kiss that Ben had felt it too, even though the dress. His smile grew and he pressed his lips on Mal's again. When they parted for the second time they turned to face the crowd of people. The entire audience stood and clapped. Mal felt a tap on her shoulder. Evie had been standing beside her the entire time, Mal had just not noticed. Evie looked stunning, Mal thought, even more so than her. Evie wrapped her arms around Mal and pulled her into a deep hug.

"Congratulations, Sis," she whispered into her ear. Mal let out a quiet chuckle. And soon she was wrapped in the arms of Carlos and Jay as well.

When Mal and Ben exited the cathedral they were welcomed by a thunderous applause and shouts of congratulations. Mal could not help but smile as she and Ben walked down the long red carpet and into the golden carriage.

The ride to the castle where the reception was being held was quick, proof of Belle and Evie's flawless planning. The ball room had been decorated in white and light lavender. The large diamond chandelier emitted a heavenly light that illuminated the entire room. Mal's breathe had left her when she first walked in. Evie and Belle had outdone themselves. Hundreds of white roses climbed up the dozens of golden columns, the tables were covered in soft lavender silk table clothes with fancy white French inspired chairs around them. On each table stood a vase made out of pure diamonds, white roses protruded from them. At the far end of the ball room was a long table, covered in a pure white silk table cloth. Ben escorted Mal up to the table and pulled out her chair for her to sit in. Mal and Ben were sitting at the center of the table Ben's parents sat beside him, while Evie, Doug, Jay and Carlos took up the rest of the table, Dude sat on Carlos' lap.

The meal had been wonderful, the taste lingered perfectly on Mal's tongue even when her plate had been licked clean. On any other day Mal would have felt uneasy and uncomfortable being the center of attention, especially in a room filled with five hundred people, but today she put away all her silly insecurities, today was the start of her and Ben's "Once Upon a Time".

The giant, twelve layer cake was wheeled out into the Ball room, Evie had given Carlos and Jay a nasty look out from the corner of her eye to keep them from jumping up from their chairs and grabbing handfuls of the cake. Ben helped escort Mal to the center of the room to cut the cake. The royal photographer snapped dozens of pictures of Mal and Ben both holding the cake cutter and slicing into the giant first layer. The young wedded couple each grabbed a piece of cake in their hands. Ben slowly guided his slice towards Mal's open mouth. Mal flashed him a mischievous grin before jamming her slice into Ben's face. Ben's tongue wrapped around his lips, cleaning up most of the mess. He winked at Mal before gently placing his piece in her mouth. Mal looked up at him and smiled, lightly nipping the tips of his fingers as he pulled them out.

Despite being twenty feet tall, there was almost not enough cake for everyone who attended. Carlos had snuck three additional pieces, earning him a slap to the back of the head by both his boyfriend, Evie, and Belle. After the cake was devoured and the guests' stomachs pleased the lights were dimmed slightly. Mal turned her attention to a small stage where an orchestra had assembled. A beautiful woman stood up at the front of center stage. She was wearing a stunning gem encrusted aquamarine dress, with pearl earrings and matching necklace. She smiled and held out her hand towards Mal and Ben.

"I am pleased to present their royal majesties, King Benjamin, and his beautiful bride, Queen Mal," Ariel said smiling. She walked closer to the microphone that had been placed in front of her. Ben held out his hand and smiled down at his new wife.

"Can I have this dance," he asked. Mal's cheeks turned pink and she smiled. She took his hand in hers and they walked towards the center of the room, all eyes on them. The orchestra started to play a beautiful tone, and Ben and Mal began to sway to the music.

"Tale as old as time," Ariel started to sing, her voice hypnotic and haunting; the room was filled with her angelic voice. Mal found herself twirling around, her dress made a wide circle of white fabric. She smiled as Ben wrapped his arms around her and lifted her into the air and twirled her around. The song Ariel was belting out faded into the back of Mal's head, her entire focus was on Ben.

"Bittersweet and strange, finding you could change, learning you were wrong," Ariel continued to sing. Ben dipped Mal and stared into her green eyes, smiling as he pulled her back up and pressed their bodied closer together. Ben leaned down and pressed his lips on Mal's for a brief moment before he and Mal began to sway to the song. Mal rested her head on her husband's chest and pressed herself closer into him.

"Tale as old as time, song as old as rhythm. Beauty and the Beast," Ariel finished as Mal and Ben kissed again. The crowd erupted in applause. Mal and Ben held onto each other, grateful that after everything they had been through they had each other.

As the night went on and more and more guest left Mal started to finally comprehend how exhausted she was. Mal was sipping on an ice coffee when she felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned and saw Ariel and Eric smiling at her. Ariel wrapped her arms around Mal and pulled her into a tight hug.

"You have a really beautiful voice," Mal said trying to think of something to say. The older woman pulled back slightly beaming.

"Thank you," she said.

"That was a wonderful wedding present," Ben said coming up from behind Mal and wrapping his arms around Mal's waist. Eric and Ariel laughed.

"Oh it was an honor to sing, your Grace," Ariel said nodding at Ben. "But that is not our wedding gift to you two," she added. Eric smiled and pulled out a box from his jacket pocket. He handed it to Ariel, who opened it in front of the new married couple. Inside were two gems, the color of the ocean.

"They're beautiful," Mal said staring at them. Ariel nodded her head pulled out the two necklaces.

"They're aquamarine, a special gem that comes from my home in the sea," she explained handing the necklaces to both Mal and Ben. "Your mother told me you were heading to the Royal Isle for a month for the honeymoon," Ariel started to explain. "And it just so happens that is located just a few miles away from my childhood home, Atlantica," she said excitingly. Mal smiled and nodded her head, wondering where the former mermaid was going with this.

"So I had my father enchant these necklaces, so that you two can breathe underwater for as long as you wish. There are so many wonderful marine animals that surround the Royal Isle, whales, dolphins, manatees, even some nice sharks," Ariel went on. Ben and Mal looked at the enchanted necklaces in awe. After Ben had taught her to swim, Mal loved being in the water, and had been disappointed that there had been no spell in her book to let one breathe underwater.

"Thank you," Mal said breaking free of Ben's hold and wrapping her arms around Ariel. Ariel returned the hug and squeezed on to the young Queen.

"You are going to make a wonderful queen, just always listen to your heart! It is never wrong."

Mal nodded her head. "I've finally learned that," she whispered to Ariel. Ariel was about to say something when she looked down. Mal followed her gaze and saw a small boy, maybe four or five, tugging on Ariel's dress. He looked like his father, only he had Ariel's brilliant crimson hair.

"Mamma, can we go home," he asked rubbing one of his eyes. Ariel smiled and scooped up the boy in her arms.

"You ready to go to bed," she asked. The little boy nodded his head.

"What if we let you have more cake," Mal said smiling at him. The little boy laughed. "The funny man with white hair ate the last piece behind the ice statue," he informed Mal. Mal rolled her eyes. Carlos was helpless. Eric held out his hands for the boy. Ariel placed him in Eric's arms where the boy quickly feel asleep.

"He's such a daddy's boy," Ariel said fondly. She turned around and smiled at Mal and Ben.

"Enjoy your honeymoon!"

"Oh we will," Mal said looking up at Ben. Ben laughed and kissed Mal.

"And if you happen to run into our daughter," Eric added. "Tell her we can't wait for her to come home."

"Your daughter," Mal asked. Ariel smiled.

"She's spending the summer in Atlantica, with my father," she explained.

"And her blond boyfriend," Eric mumbled. Eric and Ariel walked away with their son fast asleep in Eric's arms. Mal put her hands on her stomach and looked on with a smile.

Aqua looked on with distain as she peered into the cauldron. She walked over to the mirror and waved her hand across the glass surface. A dark figure appeared on the other side, their face concealed by a large hood.

"They're going to the Royal Isle for their honeymoon," she informed the dark figure. The creature laughed wickedly.

"A perfect place for an accident to occur," the hooded being said. Aqua nodded her head in agreement.

"My thoughts exactly," she said smiling. "What would your Wickedness like for me to do?" Aqua asked.

"Whatever you please, be creative. Make sure the girl sees it happen, make her suffer. And make sure her king is killed!" The hooded creature smiled from under the hood, a demonic laugh erupted from it's mouth.