Hey guys, please tell me what you think so far? It means a great deal that you guys like this story; there were so many times where I nearly gave up with it and look at where we are now. Thank you for coming on this journey with me, much love RSD xoxoxoxoxoxoxo.
*Mal's POV*
I left the hospital a couple of days ago and things were starting to get better; my nightmares were starting to subside. However I had had a couple of fits which scared the hades out of Ben, Belle and Adam; but thankfully they had all been advised on what to do by Doctor Cameron. I even ended back in hospital a couple of times as Ben wanted me to be checked over; I just went along with it. I didn't want to argue with Ben; he wanted to make sure that I got better and I knew that he only had my best interests at heart.
I had also seen the Fairy Godmother and she wouldn't stop apologising; I reassured her that I forgave her but she still apologised. She explained that I would be excused from classes for the next month if not longer but I disagreed with that. I wanted to try and get back to school as soon as I can; but Ben stated that I would be taking the month off school at least; but we could compromise and have school work sent to me. I accepted this; if I was being honest I didn't think I could go back to school just yet - I just didn't like the thought of missing at least a month of school.
The next day I was sitting in my bed with Ben sitting next to me; he was currently trying to get me to eat his mother's famous 'get-well-soon' soup. It was lovely and I appreciated the thought but I just didn't feel hungry.
"Mal you need to eat" Ben said as I placed the spoon down on the raised tray over my lap.
"I really don't feel hungry Ben" I advised as I looked down.
"Mal please for me?" he begged.
"Just a little bit of soup" he added sadly. I knew that he didn't like seeing me like this; but I just didn't want to eat.
"Sorry" I said sadly as I shook my head.
"I just don't fancy it" I advised as I looked up and looked at Ben. I watched as Ben's eyes widened as he pulled his phone out of his trouser pocket.
"Right" he muttered and I watched as he started to text someone.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"I'm trying something" he advised as he slid the phone back into his pocket and he stood up.
"What?" I questioned as he reached over and took the tray from me.
"Wait and see" he advised with a cute smile as he walked from my bed and placed the tray onto a nearby table.
"Ben" I said sternly as I watched as he walked back towards me and he sat next to me.
"Mal come here" he said as he climbed closer to me and he pulled me into a hug.
"You know I only do this because I care" he said into my hair.
"I know" I advised.
"I guess it's just because I haven't eaten for a while I now don't feel hungry, at least I am taking fluids" I concluded as I pulled away and looked up at him.
"Yeah" he replied as he looked down at me and he reached up and stroked my right cheek with his left hand.
"But I want you eating too" he advised and we both heard a knock on the door.
"Come in" he called smugly. I opened my mouth to ask why he looked so happy with himself but stopped when I saw the door open and Belle walked into the room with a bowl of large strawberries.
"Oh you git!" I exclaimed as I watched as Belle walked up to my bed.
"What?" Ben asked innocently as his mother sat on the edge of my bed and handed him the bowl.
"Thank you" he muttered to his mother and they exchanged a smile.
"You know I can't resist them" I chuckled.
"Yep" Ben said smugly as he picked up a strawberry out of the bowl and he placed it near my mouth.
"Really?" I asked incredulously as I pulled one brow up at him.
"You're going to fed me as well?" I teased.
"If you want, it's up to you" Ben chuckled.
"But I want to see you eat these Mal" he warned me. I looked at the bowl of strawberries then at the one that was just a couple of inches away from my mouth; my breathing faltered and my stomach started to burn. I suddenly felt driven to eat them; Ben knew that this would get me to eat and I quickly threw him a look before I took a bite out of the strawberry that was in his hand. I had to resist the urge to moan as the strawberries tasty and juicy flesh moved around my mouth before I swallowed it.
"Hmm" I said happily as I looked up at Ben before I took the last bite of the strawberry that was in his hand.
"Better?" I asked after I swallowed it.
"Much better" he chuckled. I then reached over to the bowl and picked up another strawberry and eagerly ate it; I heard Belle chuckle and I quickly threw her a look and I watched as a large smile spread across her face.
"What?" I asked innocently as I picked up another strawberry.
"Ben always knows how to make things better for you" she advised.
"Yes" I agreed as I looked up lovingly at Ben before I moved and snuggled into his chest.
"He does" I added as I started to eat my third strawberry. I smiled at Belle and she grinned back at me; I felt Ben's arms tighten around me as he pressed a kiss to the top of my head I snuggled further into his chest and a thought came to my mind - yes it took a lot to let everyone back in. But I was sure glad that I did.
The next day I decided that I wanted to start getting up and moving around; and part of me also wanted to surprise Ben. I hadn't really been out of bed much so the fact that I had gone looking for him was going to mean a great deal. I slowly and painfully walked to Ben's office; I knew he was in there doing some paperwork for his meeting tonight.
Ben, Belle and Adam were all having a meeting with Audrey and the Beauty's tonight; Ben wanted Belle to stay with me but I persisted that I would be ok. I also promised that if I felt my triggers coming on I would text one of them; I told Ben that he couldn't keep someone constantly with me and Belle needed to be involved in the proceedings. Ben finally agreed but he told me that if anything happened or felt like it was going to go that way I had to get someone and of course I promised him this.
"There she is-" Ben said as his eyes landed on me as I walked into his office.
"The love of my life" he added lovingly as he watched me walk slowly towards him.
"Hey Ben" I chuckled as I watched him stand up.
"To what do I owe this pleasure?" he teased as I stood next to him.
"I came for a cuddle" I advised and I watched a large grin spread across his face.
"If you're not too busy?" I added as I looked at all of the paperwork on his desk.
"Never too busy for a cuddle" he advised as he sat down and I eagerly climbed into his lap.
"I can cuddle you and do my work at the same time" he said as he wrapped his arms around me and tightened them.
"So you plan to multi task?" I teased.
"In a little bit yeah" he purred.
"But right now my attention is all on you" he said lovingly as he brushed his nose against mine.
"I love you" Ben said lovingly as he pressed a kiss against my forehead before he snuggled into my hair. I know that Ben wanted to kiss me properly but I just couldn't - I didn't feel ready for that yet. I know that we had got back together but I just couldn't settle into going straight back to the way that me and Ben were before all of this happened. Both me and Ben had things that we needed to work on together and individually but I had no doubts over the fact that we would get through this as long as we had each other. A sinister afterthought then came to me - was I ruining things making Ben wait? However this thought was dispelled as I felt Ben pull away and he looked at me lovingly. That one singular look showed me that I had nothing to worry about; Ben loved me unconditionally and I loved him the same way in return. In a way I was starting to be glad that this situation happened; yes I had to nearly die to get to this point but in the long run I think me and Ben were going to be an even stronger couple.
"I love you too" I replied lovingly as I started to stare into his calm, leaf green eyes.
"What are you working on?" I asked as I tore my eyes away from Ben and onto his very cluttered desk.
"I'm just getting things ready for my meeting with the Beauty's" he sighed.
"Oh" I advised as I quickly looked back at him.
"But you don't need to sit in" he quickly reminded me as he tightened his arms around me.
"If I'm honest-" I started.
"I don't want to. I can't face Audrey; I can't trust myself" I added darkly as I gritted my teeth together.
"You wouldn't do anything" Ben said sincerely. I loved how Ben saw the best in me; however in this situation I might catch him off guard. I knew that Audrey was going to try and wiggle herself out of this situation and probably paint me out to be the bad guy in this again. I didn't want to sit in the meeting having to listen to that; yes due to my hyper sense hearing I would be able to hear anyway. But Audrey was safe from me jumping over the table and getting to her if I stayed in my room.
"Ben" I said sternly as I balled my fists up.
"I would" I disagreed angrily. I watched as Ben chuckled at me and I pulled one eye brow up at him as I started to calm down - what did he think was so funny?
"What?" I asked.
"You look so cute when you pull that face" he explained as he reached up with his right hand and he stroked my left cheek.
"What face?" I questioned.
"The one you are pulling now" he advised.
"Ben stop it" I wined.
"Nah" he teased as he stuck he stuck his tongue out at me and I couldn't help but giggle at how cute he was being.
"It's a good thing you are adorable" I giggled as I started to play with the hair on the back of his head under his crown.
"Just adorable?" he teased.
"Hmm" I purred as I pretended to think.
"I'll get back to you on that one" I giggled. I watched as Ben pulled a funny face at me which made me giggle again and Ben chuckled before he pulled me into a tight hug.
"I love you" Ben said over my shoulder.
"I love you too" I replied over his shoulder as I started to stroke the top of his back.
"I will make this better for you Mal I promise" I heard Ben say and I pulled away slowly and looked up at Ben. I noticed that guilt started to show in his face again and I pursed my lips together; since getting back together me and Ben had had countless conversations about the situation. I didn't want Ben to keep feeling guilty over this; I understood why but I wanted to concentrate more on the here and the now not what could have been.
"I know you will" I advised.
"But you already have made this better for me Ben; even though I didn't want it at first. You were there for me" I said sincerely as I cupped Ben's face in both of my hands so I could stare directly into his eyes.
"That is all you need to do to make it better for me; just be there" I added with a small smile.
"Always" he promised and I went to pull Ben into another hug but stopped when I heard two voices enter Ben's office.
"Oh" Adam said nervously as I looked over to both Adam and Belle.
"Sorry you two" Belle quickly added.
"It's ok, we were only cuddling" Ben advised as I rested my head against his shoulder.
"I see" I heard Adam note.
"I'll get up" I advised and I attempted to get up; however I was stopped when I felt Ben's arms tighten around me.
"Don't" he muttered as we slowly looked at each other.
"Please?" he asked.
"I'm not finished cuddling you" he advised.
"I see" I answered with a small smile and I started to play with the hair on the back of Ben's head again. I then smirked at Ben before I reached up and tilted his crown to the side; I watched as Ben looked up at his crown before he chuckled and looked at me.
"You love doing that" he teased as he brushed his nose against mine.
"Yes" I giggled.
"I will never stop doing it" I advised.
"Good" Ben said as he pulled me back to him and I rested my head against Ben's shoulder again.
"Sorry Belle, sorry Adam" I said as I looked at them.
"Don't be sorry about being in love Mal; there is nothing wrong with that" Belle said and I watched as they both dropped into the two seats that were in front of Ben's desk.
"I am happy for you and Ben" she added happily.
"Thank you" Ben said happily.
"Thank you for being so understanding; you didn't need to accept me back" I said sadly. This was the truth; Belle and Adam didn't need to accept me back. They could have told Ben at any time when I was being horrible to him that I wasn't worth it. But it meant the world that they did accept me back and it seemed like it wasn't going to affect my relationship with them.
"Mal we have already been through this" Adam said.
"We are fine" he urged.
"Sorry" I apologised.
"I just worry about it" I advised.
"Well don't" Belle said.
"We are your family, and we love you" Belle said sincerely.
"I love you all too" I said lovingly as I looked at them before I looked at Ben. I watched as he grinned at me and winked at me; which made me giggle at him.
"What's going to happen to Audrey?" I asked slowly as I started to worry about what was going to happen tonight.
"She is going to get what is coming to her, leave her to me" Ben advised as he started to slowly stroke my left side.
"Ben don't go over the top" I begged. Yes I knew that Audrey needed to be punished but if I was being completely honest with myself I was scared of what backlash I was going to get. Audrey had already proved what she could do; yes I knew that I would never go to the Isle but I didn't know what else she was capable of.
"I can't promise that" Ben stated.
"Ben-" I started to warn him.
"Mal she nearly cost you your life; she needs to get what is coming to her" Ben said as he stroked my left cheek with his right hand.
"Ben-" I attempted to start again.
"No Mal" he pressed.
"Leave Audrey to me" Ben stated.
"Ok" I replied.
"Just try to not go too far-" I started.
"And remember" I advised as I pressed my mouth close to Ben's ear.
"I'll be listening" I muttered.
"I know" Ben said as he pressed a kiss against my cheek as I pulled away. I watched as Ben's eyes landed on the large, gold and blue, old fashioned clock on the wall and he sighed.
"Mal they are due" he advised.
"Ok" I replied as I looked down. I needed to go; there was no way that I could be here when they arrived. The last time I saw the Beauty's I was being frogmarched out of one of their offices and they all looked disappointed and bitter at me. I couldn't bear to see the look in their eyes, obviously as they are going to side with their precious Audrey and I didn't want to hear how they were going to try and defend what Audrey did.
"I'm sorry but I need to go; I can't face Audrey. I will get sent to the Isle for something then" I said as I started to panic.
"You won't" Ben said as he pressed a kiss to the top of my head.
"I won't allow it" he advised as I climbed off Ben's lap. I watched as Ben stood up and he picked a folder up and he slid his free hand into my right hand. Me and Ben then slowly walked out of the office and into the main hall with Adam and Belle following us. I heard a group of familiar voices and I froze and gave Ben a startled look.
"I'm going to go to my room now" I advised.
"Ok" Ben said as he smiled at me and I turned around and started to panic as I heard someone say my name.
"Mal" Queen Leah said and I turned to watch as Queen Leah, Princess Aurora, Prince Phillip walked quickly towards me with Audrey slowly and grumpily walking behind them.
"There you are" Queen Leah said sweetly.
"Can we please talk about this?" she stated bluntly as she pursed her lips together.
"Mal go" I heard Ben say as I started to panic.
"Just go my love, let me deal with this" he advised.
"Ok" I said as I turned and started to run up the stairs. My body started to painfully scream at me to slow down but I couldn't I felt like I wanted to be sick. I was glad when I got to the top of the stairs as there was a point that I felt that I was going to fall down the stairs. I threw myself around the corner and I threw myself against the wall. My ribcage heaved in both panic and exhaustion; I heard Ben and Queen Leah exchange words but I couldn't concentrate on what they were saying until I heard a loud voice.
"YOU DO NOT APPROACH MAL ON THIS MATTER! I AM DEALING WITH THIS!" Ben roared and it echoed around the main hall. I heard Ben take a couple of deep breaths before I heard Queen Leah respond.
"Yes your Majesty" she replied and I could tell by the sound of her voice that she was very taken back by how Ben had just spoken to her. I felt my stomach start to churn and I started to slowly walk towards my room secretly hoping that tonight wasn't going to start a lot of unwanted stress and drama.