Only one more step before the wedding: the rehearsal dinner. This chapter is gonna be pretty long, but hey... read and enjoy, as always.
Leave a review after reading, please. Feedback is always appreciated.
I'd like to thank the following users for reviewing the previous chapter: Robyn
To Robyn: Thanks for commenting on Carlos' proposal to Evie. I tried so hard to make it different from the typical kind of proposal. Oh, and don't worry about waiting too long for the Bal wedding. We're very close.
One day left before the wedding of Mal and Ben. Only one more special event before the big day. Rehearsal dinner. At Bargain Castle on the Isle of the Lost. Yup, the VKs' friends from Auradon are gonna be dining at Maleficent's castle on the Isle of the Lost for rehearsal dinner. Well, technically, the castle belonged to Mal ever since Maleficent turned into a lizard. She did, after all, officially become the Queen of the Isle after defeating her mother at Coronation, hence everything on the Isle that belonged to her mother now belong to her. It wasn't until her banishment that Mal made use of both her title and her mother's stuff.
Right now, she's using her mother's castle to host a rehearsal dinner, in preparation of her own wedding. Mal and her VK friends have been at the Isle all day preparing for dinner. Instead of a royal feast, Evie suggested that everyone prepares their own meals to serve their Auradonian guests.
Mal made very spicy chili chowder. Evie and Dizzy made a blueberry pumpkin pie, sugar-free cupcakes, and blood red candy apples. Jay and Carlos teamed up to build a 10-foot-tall chocolate fountain. Ginny, Claudine, Diego, Yzla, Hadie, and Big Murph team up to make a nasty-looking but delicious stew using a large cauldron. Honestly, it felt like they're preparing a Halloween-themed buffet.
"Whoa, Carlos, careful with the flow. You'll
"Wow, everything looks great," said Dizzy. "I can't wait until everyone tries the Isle's best cupcakes. They're gonna love-love-love it."
"For someone making sugar-free treats, someone looks like she's having a sugar rush," Jay remarked.
"She's just excited, Jay," said Carlos.
Evie checks on the Anti-Heroes Club. As if using a cauldron for the stew wasn't excessive enough, they seem to be overdoing it. For one thing, they're adding too much spice (and Mal is already preparing something spicy).
"The stew looks too... too much," Evie criticized. "And even if I can ignore the fact that you're using a cauldron, the meat heavily outnumbers the vegetables and you're adding way too much pepper."
"Hey, you said we could make anything we want in any way we want," Mal reminded.
"Hmm, that's true," Evie remembered.
"I suppose the chocolate fountain is also too much?" asked Jay.
"No, it's fine," said Evie. "We're just gonna need more sweet stuff, that's all. The apples and cupcakes won't be enough. I'll call Jane."
"Oh, no," Carlos muttered with worry.
"Oh, Mal, no Malice, remember?" Evie reminded strictly.
"No worries. Apple juice and apple cider will suffice," Mal promised.
"I feel like we're preparing for a Halloween party instead of a rehearsal dinner," said Claudine.
"I know, right?" Dizzy said. "I always pictured something more... wedding-themed."
"True, but this is the Isle-style type we're preparing here," said Mal.
"Well, you're the bride, Mal. This rehearsal dinner is yours to shape," said Carlos. "As is everything here on the Isle."
"Don't make me sound like some control freak, Snowball," Mal responded.
"And if I do, do I get another mark?" Carlos joked. "If I do, I prefer one on my back."
Mal laughed and said, "Is it messed up I forgive myself for that?"
"Hey, don't ask us. You're the one who has to make everything sound super complicated," said Jay.
"I guess," Mal agreed. "But none of that matters now. We all wish everything that happened didn't happen. We lost Eleanor, but we helped our enemies find the path of redemption."
"Speaking of enemies, where are those dastardly pirates?" asked Claudine.
"They're at the chip shop, preparing their own meals," said Ginny. "Ha, as if anyone's gonna eat their junk."
"Arabella is gonna feel sick," Jay commented.
"We'll just let my future husband and the rest express our thoughts for us to them," said Mal.
"Ben. Your husband. It really feels like destiny, doesn't it?" Evie said.
Big Murph is already crying tears of joy. Mal's big day is making him all emotional, as he was really happy for her and for Ben. Yzla pats him in the back, telling him to suck it up.
"I guess we all feel the same way, Murph, sort of," said Yzla.
"What about you, Jay?" asked Hadie. "Any wedding plans yet?"
"Mal's wedding first," said Jay.
"How about you, Diego? Planning to propose to Jane?" Dizzy asked.
"I... uh... think the love in the air is getting to you," Diego said nervously.
"Wow, you made Diego nervous. Love really does crazy things to you," Carlos said to the youngest VK in the room.
People hear the sound of a toilet flushing. Coming out of the bathroom is Carlos' pet dog, Dude, who wanted to visit the Isle. A dog like him knows how to use the toilet the right way. Weird, right?
"Ah, that's a relief," said Dude.
"Are you sure it's wise to let Dude take care of himself around a toilet, Carlos?" asked Claudine.
"Hey, he's a smart dog... to an extent," said Carlos.
"I can use a computer, Judge Judgmental," Dude said.
"Wow, for a dog raised in Auradon, he's got quite an attitude,"
"Hey, cut him some slack. He's been a little absent from our lives for quite a while lately, what with all this wedding stuff going on. He's allowed to be a little bitter," Carlos defended. "But seriously, Dude, try to be nice. I mean it, boy."
"Hey, you try being forgotten for weeks. See how you like it," Dude said with attitude.
"Hey, we didn't forget you. I asked Dizzy to take care of you yesterday," said Carlos.
"And she forgot me when her friend from school called," Dude revealed.
"For five minutes," Dizzy defended herself. "By the way, you ran off."
"Yeah, fair point," Dude admitted.
BOOM!
That was the stew. It exploded like a failed science experiment and covered the Anti-Heroes Club from head to toe. Good news: There's still 1/4 of the stew still in the cauldron. Bad news: laundry.
"Oops! Sorry!" Big Murph apologized. "Wrong spice. I couldn't see well through the tears."
"Oh, Murph," everyone said out of pity and mild annoyance.
And the night has come. Everything is set at Bargain Castle for the rehearsal dinner. All the food is ready, including the stew (everyone had to help the Anti-Heroes Club with that). All the VKs are dressed in appropriate formal wear. Evie thought they might as well make the best of both worlds. An Isle-style dinner with Auradon style formal clothing (suits, dresses, and whatnot). Yes, even the pirate crew dressed nicely for the occasion.
CJ in a blood red dress was definitely a strange sight. Even stranger, she removed the ties that held her large ponytail, allowing her golden blonde hair to be completely free to dazzle.
The clock strikes 7 PM and their friends from Auradon start arriving.
Ben. Audrey. Lonnie. Chad. Doug. Jane. Jordan. Ally. Sophie. Arabella. Even Ben's parents, Belle and Beast, and Fairy God Mother were invited.
"Well, this looks..." Belle paused, unsure of how to respond.
"Like Halloween, right? Well, welcome to the Isle, Ms. Belle," said Dizzy. "I hope you enjoy our specials!"
"Don't worry. The apples aren't poisoned," Mal assured. The mischievous smile on her face was just for fun. "But they are bloody delicious."
"Yup, definitely like Halloween," Jordan agreed.
"I should've asked for my vampire costume," said Dude.
And so, everyone started eating. Surprisingly enough, the Anti-Heroes Club's stew was not half bad. Mal's chowder, on the other hand, total tongue burner, but still delicious. The sugar-free cupcakes were quite pleasant, and it made Evie happy to see how everyone reacted to the very treats she enjoyed so much on her 6th birthday party. The chocolate fountain was both a wonderful sight and a wonderful treat, as almost everyone dipped their candy apples into the chocolate-flavored pool. It got a bit messy when Jay accidentally splashed chocolate on Chad's shoes. But, hey, it's just his shoes, right? And Gil accidentally got some chowder on Audrey's arm, but at least her dress was untouched.
Mal spent most of the first thirty minutes of the dinner in the corner, just munching on a strawberry. She needed some time for herself to just look at everyone in this room and, once again, reflect on how this happened.
Gil and Sophie sharing the same candy apple.
Jane and Fairy God Mother having a civil conversation with CJ.
Carlos and Harry just being cool with each other.
Uma reluctantly accepting a one-on-one comfort talk with Freddie.
Jane and Diego talking about music for tomorrow's wedding.
Doug and Yzla sharing their dream jobs for the future.
Evie and Ginny joking about having a sword-fighting rematch.
Beast expressing how proud he is of Ben for making all this happen.
"How is it possible that all of our suffering resulted in this much happiness and togetherness?" Mal asked herself quietly. "Imagine a world where everything I've done doesn't result in what is happening now. I'm still banished. Ben and his friends would be fighting Uma without me. More death and pain. Well, silver linings and all, right, Mal? Eleanor paid for our sins, but I'm sure she's happy just watching us. I hope you are, Eleo."
"Talking to yourself?" Dude interrupted, having been watching Mal for the past fifteen minutes. "Are you one of those narrating-to-yourself-types? 'Cause that's just weird."
"We're all weird, Dude," said Mal. "Look at you. You don't drink out of the toilet, for starters, which is weird for dog standards."
"Eh, good point," Dude admitted.
Mal bends down, pets the dog, and says, "But seriously, Dude, after all the crazy stuff that's happened to us, we're blessed to be all here as one big family. You're part of that family, too, you know."
"Well, everything ends with a happily ever after, right?" Dude responded. "That's the truth, and I'm blessed to speak the truth."
"Yeah, I guess it's the truth. In the end, despite all the evil and darkness that almost conquered us, it does feel like a happy ending to last forever," said Mal.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ ROTTEN TO THE CORE ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Much later, the AKs are gathered in one huge circle, eating the Anti-Heroes Club's special stew together. Why were they all gathered up? They had this sudden need to reflect on the past and present with each other. The first three minutes were pretty silent, as they were waiting for someone to speak first. Clearly, no one wanted to utter the first word of this group chat. So, Ben joins in and starts it.
"Enjoying the stew?" Ben asked.
"Honestly, it's pretty good," said Chad.
"Much like the VKs who made them," said Lonnie.
"I take it this little gathering is about the villain kids," Ben guessed. "Should I be worried?"
"Not really," said Jane. "We're just wondering..."
"About all the unexpected changes in our lives?" Ben knew.
"One of those visions we had about the new world, it's about you lecturing us about accepting all this change," Audrey remembered.
"Funny. I don't remember having that vision," said Lonnie.
Oh, poor innocent Lonnie (Or should she be fortunate not to remember her death?).
"We were on a ship. Maybe your were behind the wheel while we all talked," Chad guessed.
"Well, I wasn't there either," said Sophie. "But I get it. The VKs, welcoming them to Auradon, it's been both good and bad. Bad, because we had to endure through so much pain. Good, because despite all that pain, we learned so much about the VKs that we learned to accept them in our lives. I have."
"I like to think it was for the better," said Ben. "Because if we had just abandoned them, the world might've punished us by giving them a way out. That hero-villain war that we saw in our visions, it would've been a reality."
"Well, thank Mal for making it not a reality," said Ally. "I'd hate to imagine living in a world in eternal war."
"I like to think these visions are a gift," said Ben. "Uma's new world didn't come to be, but the Wishing Well gave us some possibilities to reflect on. Just because these visions never came to pass, it doesn't meant we have to ignore them."
"Mal just makes it so hard for us, you know?" Chad said. "Things were going well until... you know."
"She's complicated, Chad. But understanding her was not the way to help her. We were simply supposed to guide her," said Ben. "And we did, all of us, in our own ways, no matter how big or small our influences were."
"Uh, I would just like to remind everyone here that I never had any of these visions," said Doug. "But it does sound terrible. I can't imagine I'd ever make it. Maybe that's what happened to me."
"Don't think like that, Doug. You're lucky not to have these visions," said Jane.
"We're using something that didn't happen in order to motivate us to fully accept the VKs. Man, even in a world of magic, this is just getting stranger," said Chad.
"All of us, we could never have imagined just how much our lives would be different with the VKs," said Lonnie. "But I supported Ben's decision to the end, and I too believe it was for the better. Despite suffering so much, we gained new friends and an altered perspective on life itself. We can all have our happy endings, but we have to work hard for them."
"These visions are just making me feel bad about not being part of your wars," said Jordan. "Yes, believe it or not, I would actually love to get into a fight. But only because you guys were in so much trouble without me."
"I'm conflicted. Be there for your friends or stay safe at home. Oh, I know this shouldn't be difficult," said Ally, who was also left out of previous wars (that were remembered).
"We're here now. Safe, sound, and happy," Ben reminded. "Whatever happened in the past, although impossible to ignore, shouldn't deter us from maintaining peace. We've made it this far, and we can only push forward the best way we can. I feel blessed to have made it this far with Mal, despite our falling outs. And I'm sure you can all look back on this and truly believe we made progress."
"I'll drink to that," said Lonnie. "To progress. To peace. To love and friendship. To Mal and Ben."
The AKs toast to, well, everything Lonnie just said. Whatever these visions are, it's definitely helped them, in a way, to embrace change.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ ROTTEN TO THE CORE ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
The VKs themselves (except Uma and Harry) are having a little gathering on the other side of the dining room. Just like the AKs, they too are reflecting on how much their lives have changed since Ben's proclamation. Mal finally left her private spot and joined in, as she thought it would be nice to share her feelings with the rest of her peers. After all, this rehearsal dinner is celebrating the upcoming wedding between her and Ben. How it got to this point, it's difficult not to think about.
"Yeah, the cruise was a lot of fun," said Gil. "A lot of great treasure hunts. Shouting at each other before calming down. Sophie and I kissed a lot..."
"TMI," Evie interrupted.
"What does that mean?" asked Gil.
"I guess newfound goodness doesn't always come with improved intelligence," Evie commented.
"To be honest, it didn't really feel like a punishment. It felt like a real adventure on the high seas," said CJ. "Just what I've always wanted."
"So, what are you planning to do with all that treasure, CJ?" asked Hadie. "Are you gonna buy yourself a bigger ship?"
"No, my share is going to college," said CJ.
"Man, where is all this maturity coming from?!" Ginny asked, shocked by how much CJ has changed. "All that crazy that remains in your head, but you are so..."
"Different? I know," said CJ. "But don't you dare push it, or else I may have to push someone off the plank into a lake full of crocodiles."
"Yup, that's the real CJ right there," said Mal.
"So, no more wars, right?" asked Dizzy. "No more fighting? No more hurting each other?"
"Eh, the thrill of the idea is long gone, kid," said Ginny.
"But that's good," said Carlos. "We don't have to keep living in fear of more violence. I'm sure Dude here can't handle it."
"I drowned once," said Dude. "And hey, where were the Anti-Heroes rock band during all that chaos?"
"Doing our jobs back on the Isle," Claudine answered. "Believe me, I have a lot of regrets."
"Don't beat yourself up. We all had our own duties," said Mal.
"Yeah, but having the Anti-Heroes Club with us could've made things a whole lot easier," said Jay. "Maybe Dizzy could've shown us her fencing skills."
"Jay!" Evie scolded.
"I would really like to show you what I've learned," said Dizzy.
"Try out for Auradon Prep's all-women's R.O.A.R. team then. I'm sure you'll do us proud," said Mal.
"At least that's settled," said Evie. "Let's just enjoy this evening. But if we're gonna keep reminiscing, then I want to remind everyone that we should be thanking Ben. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him. All this started because of his proclamation. Once he invited me, Mal, Jay, and Carlos to Auradon, everything changed. For the better, despite the negatives."
"Being bad is cool and all, but being good makes you feel, well, good," said Jay. "Great friends. New stuff to try."
"All the life lessons that come with a new life, they're almost always worth it," said Carlos. "I mean, look at the four of us. Mal used to be the meanest kid around..."
"Still am," Mal bragged.
"But she won Ben's heart," Carlos continued. "Evie. She thought her beauty and finding a prince was the most important, but she chose to embrace the brainiac that's been inside the whole time and focused on her education. Jay here, our favorite kleptomanic who would flirt with just about any girl, now a committed husband-to-be to Mulan's daughter."
"Congratulations, once again," said Ginny.
"And me? Well, despite all the technology I can get my hands on, what really matters is the friends and family I've made," said Carlos. He pets his canine companion and says, "That includes Dude here. Right, boy?"
"Yeah, yeah, forgive and forget and all that," said Dude. "Just don't leave me with Glasses-for-Brains again."
"Our time together wasn't that bad," Dizzy defended.
"Point is, Ben has helped the people of the Isle look forward to a better, brighter future," said Mal. "I wouldn't be the Isle's kinder ruler if it wasn't for him... even if I kinda got myself banished and all. Point is, the past four years have been the best and worst years of our lives. All the fights we had to endure, all the trust we had to lose and regain, all the pain we had to live with, all of that is worth it when you let it drive you the right way. Eleanor taught me that. And I'm grateful that all of you, especially our friends from Auradon, could be there with me for the ride."
"In that case, a toast to you, Mal," said Evie, raising her glass. "May you live long and happy."
"As I hope for the rest of you," said Mal.
"Here, here," said Carlos.
Glasses clinking together and all that, the VKs have truly embraced the best of both worlds and just want to live life large as the years go on. Now, if only Uma and Harry could join in and agree with everyone.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ ROTTEN TO THE CORE ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
The adults engage in a little gathering of their own. Belle, Beast, and Fairy God Mother were enjoying Evie's pie as they watch all the kids just converse and enjoy each other's company. To see Uma, Harry, Gil, CJ, and Ginny be part of this rehearsal dinner reminded them of how much things have changed since the wars of the past. Then there's Ben, who just approached his fiance Mal and kissed her hand.
"He's all grown up," said Belle.
"And we're proud of him," Beast said with his mouth full.
"Honey, swallow," Belle scolded.
"I admit, despite my own doubts about Ben's proclamation, I knew that all these kids needed is the right education, the right company, and the right situations to learn about accepting something new," said Fairy God Mother.
"And it all worked out pretty well in the end," said Belle. "Right, Honey?"
"Our son is marrying Mal. I'm still not exactly 100% on board with that. Maybe 99%," said Beast.
"Well, what I just said now, that goes for Mal in a different way. The right and wrong company, the right and wrong situations, she adjusted to them in her own way," said Fairy God Mother.
"It's just hard for me to believe, we're all forgiving her after the terrible things she did to this kingdom," said Beast.
"But as she said before, all she needed was self-forgiveness," said Belle. "Dear Eleanor had to sacrifice herself to help Mal accomplish that."
"I miss her, too, Honey," Beast said sadly. "But a hero's sacrifice is a choice. A choice she accepted."
"I still can't believe she was the Enchantress' daughter," said Belle. "While it explains a lot, what she had to go through all these years, we never got to help her with them."
"Well, just remember, the Enchantress told me two years ago that Eleanor is resting in peace," said Fairy God Mother. "This wonderful sight in front of us that is called peace, it's why she is able to."
"She was like a daughter to us, you know," said Belle. "Knowing she's up there, watching us with a smile, it's what's helped Adam and I cope."
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ ROTTEN TO THE CORE ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Harry couldn't stop staring at Uma throughout the whole party, but he made sure she couldn't see him watching. He tried to stay inconspicuous to avoid making a scene as he casually drank another glass of apple cider, but one person caught him. It was his sister CJ, who decided to give him the talk she promised Uma to give him.
"You look dreadful," CJ started.
"You look wonderful," Harry said randomly.
"You always know how to treat your sister, Harry," CJ smiled. "To be honest, though, these thin heels are discomforting."
"Why not choose shoes with thicker heels?" Harry asked.
"Freddie bought them for me. Practical joke or not, I didn't want to waste the gift," said CJ. "But if they snap, it's all her fault."
"Has the bridge been mended between the two of you?" asked Harry.
"Almost there," CJ answered. "But I don't want to talk about myself. I want to talk about you... and Uma."
"Since when do you support my feelings for her?" asked Harry.
"That two-year exile cruise, well, it's given all of us plenty of time to just think about anything," said CJ. "That squabble between you two at Town Square, it's only one of the many signs you have not moved on."
"Don't you question my heart," Harry reacted negatively.
"Look me in the eye, Harry. Look at you sister in the eye and tell me that your heart no longer beats for Uma," CJ dared.
And Harry did. He looked at CJ in the eye. The glare she gave him, trying to sear through his soul and find the truth, it was breaking him down slowly. He tried to fight back, but his bond with CJ prevented him from going on.
"To see her still lust for me, to hear her pleas for another chance at love, I could not ignore it no matter how much I tell myself to," said Harry. "My heart aches thinking about how much she wants me back, but I could not bring myself to risk my own free will..."
"Because you're afraid you cannot have her love and mine without choosing one over the other," said CJ.
"Mal said the same thing. And I could not deny that anymore," said Harry.
CJ holds Harry's hook with one hand and holds his shoulder comfortingly with the other. It's this kind of intimacy between the two Hook siblings that help them listen to each other.
"This hook became a symbol of your fear," said CJ. "Your loyalty to Uma cost you your hand. The glee that you expected to feel upon gaining the hook you long wished for, it disappeared because of our bond. You lost your hand, you lost a fraction of your fortitude. Now, I do appreciate how you value our bond, Harry, but you're still in pain. Only by repairing your broken love with Uma can give you true peace."
"But what of you?" asked Harry.
"Just think about it, Harry. You've avoided her for too long. Two years, in fact. Time for you to face your fears," said CJ.
"I am astounded how your wisdom has expanded because of our exile," Harry complimented.
"Well, that and those crazy visions of the new world that was never created," said CJ. "You said you saw visions of you and Uma growing apart even further, right? Well, use that to fuel your desire to reunite with her. Truly reunite with her."
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ ROTTEN TO THE CORE ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Evie and Carlos both managed to sneak out of the party to have some private time together. Right now, they're in Mal's bedroom. They know she'll be really mad that they trespassed without her permission, but they figured the risk is worth it. After locking the door, Evie wasted no time crashing her lips on Carlos' chocolate-stained lips (he forgot to wipe off all of it). Evie coated her lips with cherry-flavored lipstick today, and this just becomes another flavorful kissing session for the two of them. The chocolate on Carlos' lips was eventually cleaned, but the brief combination of cherry and chocolate on their lips was deliciously pleasant.
As usual, Evie is the fiercer kisser in this one and the force of her kiss is pushing Carlos backwards. He kept stumbling backwards until he fell on his back on Mal's bed. Evie fell with him with her lips still on his and her arms wrapped around him. They briefly stopped to laugh.
"I'm kinda disappointed, Carlos. After two years, I'd think you'd be a stronger kisser," said Evie.
"Is that a challenge?" asked Carlos.
"Try me," Evie dared.
Carlos flips both of them over, which puts him at the top. He quickly kisses Evie right on the lips as passionately as he can, with Evie kissing him back with her own ferocious passion.
"Better," Evie said. "But..."
Evie kisses him wildly and then flips him over, putting herself back on the top. Carlos tries to show the same passion in his previous kiss, but Evie just proved to be the stronger kisser here. Still, that doesn't make him enjoy this little moment between them any less. Even if Evie's kisses can be too much for him, he'll kiss her with just as much as love as she shows.
"For someone who's 95% blue, you sure have a lot of fire under all that color," said Carlos.
"I just wish you could show the same amount of fire as all the red you wear," Evie said.
"Am I in trouble?" Carlos joked.
Evie laughs and says, "No, you're good. You know I love all parts of you, even you're not-so-ferocious kisses. I mean, you're a dog lover now. Might as well show the same bite as your favorite animal."
Carlos just smiled and said, "You really know how to keep my heart pounding, don't you?"
"I just hope I don't give you a heart disease," Evie teased.
"No, you already did that when I first saw you in Dragon Hall," Carlos joked. "You were already so pretty when we were so young. Ten years later, I thought I was looking at Aphrodite's evil sister, who is just as beautiful if not more than the goddess herself."
"Well, I can't help being this fair," Evie smiled.
Evie gets off Carlos and lies down on her side in a model-like pose, cheek resting on fist and one leg crossed over the other. Her other hand's fingers patter on Carlo's chest. Carlos smiled as he stopped Evie's hand by grabbing it, albeit in a gentle and loving way.
"Seriously, when are we planning to tell everyone about us?" asked Evie.
"How about after Mal's wedding?" Carlos asked. "Question is, how? A gathering, or social media?"
"I know it's better to just tell them in person, but I kinda wanna surprise them by announcing it on InstaRoyal," said Evie.
"Well, we don't have to decide on the how right now," said Carlos.
"You know, I will miss sneaking around," said Evie. "It can be exhausting, but like I said, the feeling of it just being you and me with only our love to light up our own world, it feels so wonderful."
"Yeah, it is," Carlos agreed. "You already have our wedding planned yet?"
"Oh, no, I haven't. I don't wanna plan my wedding without you," said Evie. "I know I seem like the type to go out of control and plan my entire wedding... but I'm more than what I seem, remember? Much like yourself, Mr. De Vil."
"One day, you'll be Mrs. Evie De Vil," said Carlos.
"I like the sound of that," said Evie.
"Now, I know it's too soon to plan the wedding, but I think it's obvious who our picks are for best man and the Maid of Honor," said Carlos.
"Mal, the Maid of Honor. Jay, the best man. Yeah, I think we can officially consider those our final decisions," Evie agreed. "Although, I think Dizzy might get jealous."
"I'm pretty sure by the time we're married, she'll still be too young to be a Maid of Honor," said Carlos.
"Yeah, well, we can start planning for our wedding after the announcement," said Evie. "Right now..."
Evie kisses Carlos again.
"Let's just focus on right here, right now," Evie whispered lovingly between kisses. "We'll get back to dinner in fifteen minutes." After another kiss, she suddenly decided, "Make that thirty."
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ ROTTEN TO THE CORE ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Uma is just drinking cider alone. She really didn't want to talk to anyone, but mostly because she needs to be alone to think about a certain someone. Unfortunately for her, someone decided to refill her drink and sit next to her. It was Mal, who was clearly not gonna leave her alone unless they talk. After all, their little fight in the plane yesterday at the bachelorette party, it needs to be addressed between them.
"As usual, not having fun, are you?" Mal started.
"You want to throw me off the tallest tower to force me?" Uma questioned.
"Okay, I kinda deserved that," Mal said with a questionable smile. "But look, I'm really sorry. I am. When you left on your exile, it didn't really give me more chances to express what I truly feel about what we both done."
"You miss Eleanor, I get it. You only became nice to her too late, yet you grieve for her like she's been your lifelong friend," said Uma.
"I know, because there's a good reason," said Mal. "I myself feel, in part, responsible for what happened to her. I am just so complicated, you know. I never trusted her because of her mysterious game, but once I finally knew who she was, I blamed myself for not trusting her sooner. Maybe things would've been different. You and me, we robbed her of a future where there are no more secrets between her and the people she called family."
Uma finishes her glass and says, "I'm sorry."
"Are you?" Mal questioned.
"Look, I'm trying to do better, okay?" Uma responded angrily. "It's not easy. You have more reasons to reform easily. I don't."
"I believe you were apologizing," Mal said.
Uma sighs and says, "I'm sorry about Eleanor. I know that not knowing about her, who she is, and what she's doing doesn't excuse my actions, but... I am sorry. I was an angry moron, a bigger moron than Gil."
"That we can agree on," Mal smirked.
Uma stayed silent for a long time. This convinced Mal to leave her alone. Their conversation was brief, but at least they cleared up the tension between them from yesterday's fight. Even if they can never be friends, the best they can be is respectful and civil towards each other. Although, Mal hoped that they could be true friends one day. They were such close friends when they were younger, but a grudge changed all that. Maybe it's near impossible and maybe there's too much hate between them, but Mal decided to keep holding onto hope, as that is the best she can do.
Having noticed the civil state of the two rivals' recent talk, Ben approached his soon-to-be wife. Of course he would always want to know the latest on Mal and Uma's history. It's his job to make sure that Auradon remains peaceful, and ensuring peace between Mal and Uma is one way to do that.
It annoyed Mal for him to put himself in between, but she knew that he meant well. Besides, the other half of her wanted him to get involved. His smile, advice, and nobility help a lot with her attempts to forge a bond with Uma.
"I'm guessing you and Uma apologized to one another," said Ben.
"Let me guess. Evie or Jane or Lonnie told you about yesterday?" Mal guessed.
"Ally," Ben revealed. "You don't have to hate yourself for Eleanor's decision."
"I know. I am the one who told you that she's the one who wanted to do it just so we could be happy," said Mal. "But I guess I have more dark feelings I can't lock up. I can't blame Uma completely for how she chose to close her story, but I know I can't blame myself either. We all wish that things could be different. She and I never even got to be real friends. But... I gotta remember what I told you. For both our sakes."
"Tomorrow is our day," Ben said happily. He holds Mal's hand and looks at both his signet ring and the engagement ring. "I can't express how much I've looked forward to this very day. Ever since Coronation, I have done my best to ensure our future is certain."
"And I didn't make things easy," Mal remembered. "But all I ever wanted is you."
"And all I ever wanted is you," said Ben. "Tomorrow, it's when we write down the ending of this chapter of our lives, and move on to the next."
"Easy there, Beasty," Mal teased. "Wedding first, next chapter after the wedding."
"Did I mention that I love you?" Ben smiled.
Mal was pretty shocked, but then again, she let him keep the memory of when she sang his song for her to him in the evil new world.
"Did I mention that I love you?" Mal replied happily.
Mal and Ben kissed, only to be interrupted by the sound of metal tapping on glass.
Beast quiets the room by tapping his glass with a spoon. He needed everyone's attention. Mal, Ben, and Belle know what this means. It was time for the groom's father to make a speech in honor of the couple to be married. Beast recites his speech in his head quickly before giving it.
"When my son introduced Mal to me and my wife, we were both in shock," Beast started. "But then they both showed us that what they have is special and very real. I will be lying if I said that I wished it had ended between them once the darkness spread all around us like a fog, but... a part of me wanted my son to be happy. And only one woman in this world can ensure his everlasting happiness. Mal, you have shed a very strange light upon Auradon. While they may be darkness, the light outshines the dark. My wife and I are both happy that you and Ben can look upon one another with so much love despite all the struggles no couple in history ever had to face. Now, I know this is sounding half-happy and half-grim, but... all I want to say it, congratulations to the two of you. We love you, Ben, and we love you, too, Mal."
Everyone applauds to Beast's speech. Beast takes a few deep breaths to recover from the mild stress the speech gave him. Luckily, Belle was there to massage his shoulders.
Things take a turn for the crazy when Gil accidentally spills chocolate on Chad and Audrey when he tripped and fell into the fountain's basin whilst trying to coat just one candy apple with chocolate.
"Gil!" Audrey exclaimed.
"Sorry," Gil apologized.
"You dummy. This suit is dry clean only!" Chad shouted.
"Hey, sorry. I can fix it," said Gil, approaching the chocolate-covered couple.
"No, don't you dare touch us," Audrey said.
"Hey, hey, can we not do this here, not at this moment?" Evie pleaded. "At least wait until after the party."
"This was my third favorite dress," Audrey complained.
"And you wore it to a rehearsal dinner?" Jay mocked.
Angered, Audrey suddenly splashed some chocolate at Jay. This was followed by Freddie splashing chocolate at Lonnie (one-side rivalry, and all). Lonnie surprisingly responded immaturely by filling a glass cup with chocolate and throwing it at Freddie's face.
"Chocolate fight!" Jay announced.
And so the rehearsal dinner, turns into a chocolate-themed bloodbath, where everyone is using just about anything just to spill chocolate on each other. They used their hands, cups, bowls, plates, and even magic. Belle, Beast, and Fairy God Mother tried to stop the fighting, only to get covered in chocolate themselves. Jay swiped Fairy God Mother's wand just to stop her from stopping the fight with a simple Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo.
Mal magically creates a small whip made of chocolate and slaps the faces of Audrey, Jane, CJ, Claudine, and Hadie.
Yzla throws a potion bottle (which she had, for some reason) into the fountain and causes chocolate to explode on Doug.
Fairy God Mother's chase against Jay to get her wand back ends with her colliding into Gil and falling into the fountain.
Dizzy uses the empty steel pan for the chowder to scoop up some chocolate and dump it on the groom's head.
Lonnie and Freddy are now just basically slap-fighting with chocolate-coated arms and hands.
Dude just licks some chocolate off a plate that was left on the floor.
"Sometimes, I wonder if there's even any difference between high school students and college students in terms of maturity," Beast complained.
"They're young, dear. Let them live life to the funnest," said Belle.
Evie, while dodging Mal's chocolate whip, ends up accidentally crashing into Carlos and falling into the fountain with him. He took this opportunity to kiss her chocolate-filled lips for just a brief second. Mal just laughed at the two lovers as she took a picture.
"Where're Uma and Harry?" Evie wondered, having noticed that they were missing.
"I know, right? They're missing out on the delicious, chocolate-y fun here," Mal said, comically missing Evie's point.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ ROTTEN TO THE CORE ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Harry is sulking by himself at the second floor balcony with only a glass of apple cider. Uma was watching from the doorway. Once again, she is gonna try to talk to him. Uma feels stupid about begging for Harry's love back. But recently she realized that it was more than just that. Earning his trust and respect back is the first step. His heart, that's gonna take some time. While Uma really wants to have Harry as more than just a friend and first mate, she knew it wasn't going to be a fast process.
Somebody shoves Uma closer to the balcony. That was Freddie (still partially covered in chocolate), who has been trying to get her to talk to Harry all night.
"Good luck," Freddie whisper-cheered.
The sea witch would ask the young voodoo magician about the chocolate, but she decided not to care. Uma slowly walks towards the balcony, towards Harry. She stands just a foot away from Harry, giving him some space in case he's not in the mood to talk.
"Harry," Uma started.
"No, I shall speak first," Harry interrupted. "Since I met you, I have lusted for you like I never have towards another woman. You are everything I could ever ask for in a life-long partner. You're stubborn, feisty, you take command whenever you want, and you have the enchanting beauty that makes any pirate drop to their knees, such as I once. But then when CJ came to me and offered me another chance to be her brother, I found myself realizing that my heart has more room for others, not just for you. Despite that knowledge, I feared losing her if I pursued you again. And I do want to pursue you again, Uma, because even if my love for you is misguided, the love was real."
Uma holds Harry's only hand and says, "It was."
"All the damage between us, can it ever be repaired?" Harry asked. "It is more than just a broken ship."
"Harry, I never really truly treasured what we had together," said Uma. "As I said, it was real. Real for me as it was for you. But I took it for granted because... I valued my success more. But I still feel for you. It's easy to accuse me of not learning anything during our two-year exile, but I guess that's earned given how I've been behaving. But all that time did teach me something. It takes time. Maybe we just need to... start over."
"Start over?" asked Harry.
"It's this cheesy thing Auradonians do when they wanna get back with their ex-boyfriends and ex-girlfriends. Clean slate, kinda like that. We start over. No history, no bad blood, just you and me restarting," said Uma. "Can you do that for me? For yourself?"
"Clean slate, huh?" Harry questioned. "In that case, you start."
Uma leans on the railing in a rather seductive manner and says, "Hey, sailor. What's your name?"
Harry takes off his hat, bows, and says, "Harry Hook, madame. And you must be the famous Uma."
"Indeed I am," Uma smiled, twirling one of her braids. "Say, after this wedding tomorrow, what do you say you and I go sailing together?"
"Can you sail a ship, madame?" Harry asked, pretending to be doubtful.
"Better. I can captain one," Uma bragged. "If you let me, Mr. Harry Hook."
"We shall see," Harry agreed, as if he truly just getting to know her for the first time.
Mal, Freddie, and CJ (all still covered in chocolate) watched as the two smile at one another, looking forward to finally spending some time together after so long. Mal feels proud of Uma, for sure. CJ feels proud of Harry, and knows that she has nothing to worry about. Freddie vows to root for them and make sure nothing happens to them. The three can agree that Uma and Harry belong together. They just need to unite based on the right reasons, and there is no better reasons than true love.
"Hope you're one day ready to call Uma your sister-in-law, CJ," Freddie said quietly.
"Yeah, well, sister fight, right?" CJ replied.
"This pretty much fixes everyone's love stories," said Mal. "No frowny faces at the wedding."
After the rehearsal dinner, Mal decides to head to the place where she publicly confessed that she wanted to be good. Auradon Cathedral. The wedding could've taken place here, but Mal wanted an outdoor wedding. Still, this place is a wonderful reminder of the time when everything really started to change. Even if what happened between then and now almost made that very day irrelevant, it will never be irrelevant. Mal wanted to be good, and that remained inside her no matter what transformation she had to undergo.
This is also the very place where a priestess - who is actually Eleanor - told Mal that the best way to atone for her sins is to forgive herself. And she did, after having done and said so much good and bad.
"Honestly, why didn't we just have the wedding here?"
That was Jay, who walked in along with Evie and Jay. It's no surprise to Mal that they followed her.
"Because Mal wanted this wedding to build metaphorical bridge between Auradon and Isle of the Lost," Carlos reminded.
"Always gotta be with the complicated kind of things, isn't it?" Jay said.
"That's Mal for you, Jay. You should know that by now," said Evie.
"Hey, guys," Mal greeted.
"Had to make sure you're not up to anything out of the ordinary," Jay said casually. "But I guess you just wanted another trip down memory lane."
"Guys, I'm getting married. This place here, the cathedral, it's where I told the whole world that I want to be with Ben," said Mal. "Be with him, as in to be with him for the rest of my life. And tomorrow, it's finally going to happen."
"All the conflict just to get to this point, it's amazing and terrible. But amazing," said Evie.
"You know by now that I don't care about getting the blame for this. I've accepted that my actions damaged all of us as much as the actions of others," said Mal. "But I've forgiven myself and I want to move on from the bad girl I was."
"Aren't you still a bad girl?" Evie assumed.
"You're goddamn right, I am, but you know what I mean," said Mal.
"It's amazing that, after all that, we're still friends. Family," Carlos said, amazed.
"Hey, remember when Evie punched Mal in the face?" Jay mentioned humorously.
Mal and Carlos laughed with Jay while Evie facepalmed with an embarrassed smile.
"Remember when Mal made us think she was gonna kill Carlos?" Jay mentioned.
For some reason, Evie started to laugh along, but Carlos only let out a nervous laugh.
"Remember when I stole King Triton's trident?" Jay continued.
The laughing got a little louder. A sane person would wonder, Hey, why are they laughing about horrible memories?
"Remember when Mal talked to that stuffed bear she dressed up to like Ben?" Evie mentioned.
The laughter continued.
"Remember when Mal sang a love song to me and everyone thought it was for Ben?" Carlos mentioned.
Mal wasn't so much laughing as she was "chuckling" this whole time, but now that chuckle has increased to full-blown laughter.
"Remember when I trapped you all underground and made you think it was the end?" Mal added.
Despite the poor taste of that jokey reminder, much like the rest of the reminders, everyone remained laughing. In a cathedral, not to mention. The laughter lasted for a good while, but it's not just because of the horrible reminders they reminded in the form of jokes. The four of them started all this, right from the very beginning. Ben chose the four of them by chance, but they were already "friends" at the time. They already had a bond by the time they were invited to Auradon Prep, and it was that bond that helped paved their path to the light, away from the dark. They have so many people to rely on, to lean on, to ask for support, but it was always with each other that the four feel the safest.
They are, after all, the Core Four.
"Okay, we may wanna leave before we upset the gods," said Jay.
"I don't think Mal here gives a damn," said Evie.
"Wow, nostalgia making you curse again?" Carlos asked, surprised.
"Hell yeah," Evie grinned.
The four VKs continue to joke as they walk out of the cathedral. Mal, however, stopped. There was something on her mind. She looked up and thought about her wedding. For some reason, finally getting married to Ben isn't gonna make tomorrow feel complete for the bride. But what will, she wondered. Looking at her laughing friends, she realize what else tomorrow needs.
"Evie, wait," Mal called.
Mal grabbed Evie's arm and pulled her away from the boys. Mal told the boys to go on and let her and Evie have a girl talk. Jay and Carlos didn't protest and walked out of the cathedral, leaving the girls alone. Before the girl talk can start, Mal looks at the ruby ring on Evie's finger. Only Mal and CJ knew that Evie gave the ring to Carlos until he was ready to propose. The ring returning to Evie's finger meant that he finally did.
"Congratulations," said Mal.
"You have no idea how the proposal went down," said Evie.
"Actually, I do. I was watching," Mal revealed. "It's quite unique, really. His question, your response. If there was a list for Top 10 Most Beautiful Marriage Proposals, you and Carlos would be at #1."
"Well, thank you, I guess," said Evie.
"Look, Evie, who's to say that tomorrow should only be my big day?" Mal said.
"What are you saying?" asked Evie.
"One very well-known act of goodness is sharing, right?" Mal said. "So, what would you say if I told you that I'm willing to share my wedding?"
I think you may have an idea what Mal's question in the end is implying. But on a more important note, the wedding is the NEXT CHAPTER! WOO-HOO! We're nearly there!
But please, if you're gonna leave a review, pretty please tell me what you think about THIS chapter. What did you think of the rehearsal dinner?
Notes:
- Dude's frustration about being "forgotten" is basically me scolding myself for forgetting Dude throughout this entire story. Just when I think I have everything planned out, there's always that one teeny tiny thing I forget. But Dude is no teeny tiny thing. He's a lovable puppy who is a big presence in the Descendants universe. Anyways, we'll be see him in the wedding.
- Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos making jokes of poor taste in a cathedral is, I admit, poor taste on my part.
- The conversation between the AKs is a continuation of the AK conversation in Chapter 24 of "A Whole New World". Mal may have erased that new world and wiped everyone's memories (mostly), but I still wanted the AKs to have a full conversation about accepting change that they will actually remember.
- This chapter is supposed to be Part 3/Final Part of Evie's arc in this story, yet it feels more like a Mal chapter (my bad, tbh). Heck, it also feels more like an Uma/Harry chapter. Still, the best I could do to give Evie some focus is another Carvie moment and that ending where Mal comes to her about possibly "sharing" her wedding.