W…What if
Holiday break
The limo arrives at the palace and the group is met by Belle and Adam. They were lead into the palace. It had been decorated since Mal and Evie had been there just a few weeks ago. The four exchanged looks. They had seen nothing like it. The stairs were wrapped with greenery. A huge tree sat in the front hall. Covered in white lights and colored balls of every color. As they walked towards the stairs, they could see into the two front rooms to the right and left of the stairs, both had trees. The library tree had red and green lights and little books all over it. The room to the left of the stairs was the front sitting room, it was a family only room. The tree in there had multicolored lights and all sorts of ornaments all over it. Along the fireplace something that looked like 3 giant socks hung along the mantel.
They were lead upstairs and shown into separate rooms, each decorated in the holiday spirit, as well as for its occupant. Carlos' room had red, white and black décor. The small tree in the corner had white lights with a dog theme in its ornaments. Jay's room was decorated in rich maroon and gold tones. The tree had yellow lights. There were burgundy and deep purple ornaments on it. The rooms Evie and Mal had just used a few short weeks ago were totally transformed as well. Evie's room was every shade of blue. Her tree had pretty red lights, with blue, red and gold ornaments. Mal's room was the last down the hall. Her room was a purple dream. Her tree had purple lights with all shades of purple and green ornaments on it. None of the guests knew what to say. "Thank you." Mal finally was able to speak. "You…" Belle touched her arm and Mal knew it wasn't worth saying anymore, that it was understood. They knew how much these room affected each and every one of them.
"Tomorrow we will have breakfast and fill you guys in on what's going on over the next few days. Have a wonderful night, and I only have one request, if you are in someone else's room, please leave the door open. Well, that is if there is a mixture of boys and girls. Thank you." They all nodded, that was the same rule as school, so they completely understood that rule. Belle hugged each one and wandered off down a different hall. Ben turned to the gang. "My room is across from you guys. I hope you are all comfortable." They were all really still too stunned to speak. "I am sorry if my mom went too far, she has been planning this since, well, you all choose good. I promise you will have a great three weeks. I'll see you for breakfast. Remember unless we tell you otherwise, casual dress. You'll be filled in tomorrow I promise. It's only a few times we will be required to dress up. I'll see you in the morning." Ben high fived Jay and Carlos. He hugged Evie and kissed Mal good night. When Ben was gone, they made a beeline for Mal's room, leaving the door open.
"Wow." They all said at once. "I hope we have the right stuff with us." Evie finished.
"We will be fine." Mal assured them. "I am more worried about this Christmas thing, and the gifts. I hope…"
"That they didn't go out of their way?" Jay finished.
"Yes." Evie agreed. "But then again….how special do you all feel right now?"
"It's a feeling I can't describe." Carlos said. "I mean it's like 100 times better than when I get greeted by Dude when I finish a long day of classes and tourney practice. I mean there is even a bed for Dude in that room, and well they took care of him while we were at the dance."
"That about sums it up." Jay agreed. "If we ever get sent back to the Isle, I have a feeling this memory will be something we will never forget!"
Ben, who had been listening, had worried they were overwhelmed, smiled. He was so proud of how his parents had welcomed Mal and her friends, and this proved to them how welcomed they were in not only their lives, but the whole of Auradon.
The next morning the kids dressed as Ben suggested, every day clothes, and were surprised to find Ben in jeans and a polo shirt. King Adam was in kakis and a polo as well. Queen Belle was in a simple dress. She never wore pants. They had a wonderful buffet breakfast. After the meal was finished, Adam and Ben left for royal duties, and Belle filled in the kids on what was going on.
"So today, Adam and Ben will be busy all day I am afraid. They need to finish all the things they need to for the end of the year. You kids are free to explore the castle, just please stay out of the main study, and that is only because that's where Ben and Adam will be. If you need to go to town just find Lumiere and he will make that happen. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. We have a huge party for the staff and their families, and our former staff and their families come too. Some of the royal families also stop by. It's an open house." The kids looks questioningly at her so she explains. "They are welcome to come and visit anytime between 1 and 4 in the afternoon. At 4:00 we close the palace to anyone but the residents and the current staff. We have a huge dinner where the staff join us. They receive their Christmas bonuses then. After dinner they have the rest of the night off, and are free to spend their holidays until 1:00 in the afternoon the next day with their families. They have already made our meals, and we just reheat them. I am usually able to handle it no problem. This year we have a few more family members so I may need help girls." They nod, stunned she called them family members. "Ok good. So Christmas Eve after the staff go home, we usually sit in the movie room and watch a few Christmas movies. We will do the same this year if you like." Again they all nod. "Good. Before we go to bed, we usually open one gift. It's the same thing, it has been since Ben was a baby. New pj's, slippers and robes. We wear them for Christmas morning. Christmas morning we open presents, then I heat our breakfast. We eat and relax. We truly spend the morning in our PJ's. Well until around Noon. Then we get dressed and go to the town square to visit the citizens. We walk around, hand out small gifts of candy to the kids, shake hands with the citizens and listen to any issues they might have. When we return about 5 we have a huge feast. This is one of the times we have to dress up. For the trip into town and dinner that is. We are representing the crown so we have to dress for it. The press is here for the open house, and are allowed to ask questions then. A few photographers arrive for our Christmas Day dinner as well. That's why we dress up. No questions are allowed then. They take a few photos and leave. If anyone needs help I will be happy to help with wardrobe suggestions. Ben will be free for a few days between Christmas and New Years. After the New Year he will have to perform his duties. You kids are free to visit anyone you'd like, the limo is available anytime you'd like. I know Evie you are going to Doug's around 4:00 Christmas Day, they know to meet us in town. I believe you are staying the night, and returning the next day. If you pack a small bag, it will be delivered to the Dwarf's cottage for your stay." Evie nodded. "Anyone have any questions. I know that was a lot to take in?"
"No. But we will take you up on the help of what to wear when." Mal spoke for her friends, and trying to relax Evie.
"I will have Giselle help you girls and Lumiere will help the boys. They can meet you in your rooms if you'd like."
"Thank you." Evie said.
They are met in their rooms and clothing is quickly settled upon and labeled. Evie's bag for Doug's house is also packed. The four meet up and decide to go into town. Agreeing they need to perhaps shop more. Once there they can't figure out what to buy. Mal spots a frame store, and heads inside. The others follow, only Evie can figure out why. "Mal?" Jay asks.
"Belle's private library is filled with family photos in really neat frames. I thought maybe a few new frames for her to add pictures too."
"Pictures?" The owner asks. He stops when he realizes who it is. "Lady Mal, friends, welcome. Can I help you?"
"We are looking for a few frames for Queen Belle."
"Of course. I have a few nice ones over here. Might I suggest a photo of the four of you?"
Evie looks at their clothes and shakes her head no. "Oh no Princess Evie. I have just the one. My son took it at the Coronation. He was one of the photographers, In fact it has King Ben in it as well." HE took out a photo taken inside the cathedral. They all agree it's a great photo. They decide to purchase it along with three other frames for Belle. Mal goes to pay and asks the shop keeper to add four other copies of the group picture in frames and to have it all delivered to the palace. Mal would be giving them to her friends, and adding it into Ben's gift from herself. He gladly does so.
While walking through town, Mal spots a sweet shop. They go in. Mal happen to know King Adam has a sweet tooth. So they buy him some sweets. "Now what else for Ben?" Evie asks.
"I had a hard enough time finding a gift for him before." Mal admits. She ended up painting his portrait.
"Us too. We got him a gift certificate to the sports shop for tourney supplies."
"What kind of stuff did they have in there?" Mal asked, but then spots a store that sells movies. She walks in. She remembered a movie Ben loved, that they had seen on campus at the school's theater. It was now out to be viewed at home. She sees it and grabs it. They each pick a few others they were hoping Ben didn't have as they were all newer ones.
The limo ride back was rather quiet. Each hoping they had enough for the family that had taken them in and treated them like they were family. Something none of them were used to. They arrived back just in time for dinner. They put their gifts in their rooms and went to clean up for dinner.
Mal hadn't realized she had actually missed Ben until she sat across from him at the table. He winked and she blushed. "So what did you guys do today?' He asked.
"Just walked around town. A little window shopping." Mal said. "Did you and your father get a lot accomplished?"
"More than I thought. But we still have a little to do tonight." He sadly admitted.
"We can find stuff to do." Evie added, reminding Mal and Ben they weren't alone.
"Well tonight, we usually add the new ornament of the year to the tree." Belle stated, the four kids look at her, waiting for more details. "Every year Ben gets a new ornament that reflects the year that past. In fact, here it comes." Just then Lumiere came in with a tray, it held 5 small boxes. He placed one in front of each of them. "We felt it was only fitting as you four were a huge part of Ben's year, that you each deserve one to add to our tree, and someday they will be on trees of your own. For now we will put them on the family tree. It's the one in the front room. That's where we have our family Christmas and exchange gifts, Ok, So Ben go first and open yours." Ben opened the box to find a replica of his crown. HE smiled and held it over his head, the others laughed.
"Mal's turn." Ben said. Mal opened her small box to find a cookie with a heart in the middle. They all laughed harder.
"Evie." Mal pointed at her to pick her next. Evie opened it to find a chemistry breaker. Mal smiled, the boys didn't get it. "You are so smart Evie." She reminded the boys, they nodded.
"Ok, Jay." Evie said. He opened his to see a small trophy. They all smiled.
"Ok kid, your last." Jay said to Carlos. He opened it to find a dog that looked just like Dude. He held it up and showed it to Dude.
"So after dinner before the kings leave us, we will add these to our tree. Then I can show you the others from years past. And tell you a few stories about them." Ben just shook his head.