Hey guys, I'm just going to apologise for the Bal fluff in this chapter. #Sorrynotsorry Much love RSD xoxoxoxoxoxo.
We arrived at Auradon Castle around twenty minutes later and Chip was there ready to greet us.
"Thanks Chip" Ben said as we both stepped off Ben's scooter. Chip took both our helmets and the keys from Ben.
"Not a problem your Majesty" Chip answered happily.
"Happy Birthday your Majesty" he added.
"Thank you again Chip" Ben said as he slid his hand into mine.
"Mal" Chip said turning to me.
"Yes Chip" I answered.
"Everything is to how you asked" he said with a smile.
"Thank you" I replied with a smile.
"Care to share?" Ben said looking from me to Chip and back to me again. Chip opened his mouth nervously, as he didn't know how to respond.
"No" I said as I smiled at Chip. Chip smiled at me and I winked at him.
"Let me guess" Ben started.
"Spoilers" he said mimicking my voice.
"Obviously" I answered as we watched Chip climb onto Ben's scooter.
"You just need to be patient" I told him as I watched Chip kick Ben's scooter into life.
"Come on; my parents probably want to speak to you before you need to go and get ready" Ben said as he started to lead me into the castle. I hoped Ben liked the ball that both me and Belle had planned - fingers crossed. Unfortunately we still had to keep it traditional as Ben is king but there were some twists and turns for Ben this evening.
"Hello Mal" I heard both his parents say as Ben led me by the hand into his father's office.
"Hello Adam. Hello Belle" I said as I quickly curtsied before they both could stop me.
"Did you have a good day?" Adam asked me with a smile.
"Yeah; just sat waiting around for him" I teased as I looked up at Ben. Both me and Ben noticed his parent's eye's narrow at what I had just said. I had roughly told them what I had planned but I didn't tell them where I was hiding.
"Mal hid clues all over Auradon Prep so I had to go hunting all over campus for her. She was hiding at the Enchanted Lake" Ben explained.
"Well I thought you would have liked it. You had a long enough lie in" I said as I looked back at his parents.
"Oi!" He said as he jabbed me in the side.
"Obviously not" I laughed.
"Is everything ready?" I asked Belle.
"Yes" she answered excitedly.
"I don't like all this secrecy" Ben said as he pouted at me.
"Yeah well deal with it" I said as I looked up at him.
"Ben it is your birthday; you need surprises" I stated.
"That's what you told me on my birthday, remember?" I asked.
"So you are trying to get me back?" He teased.
"No; I just want things right" I said as I placed my hands on his chest.
"Any way I better go and get ready?" I said happily.
"Mal it's only five o'clock" he stated incredulously.
"Yes but I want to be ready for seven" I said.
"Why?" He asked.
"Because that's when things start happening; stop asking questions" I said trying not to smile at him but failed which made both Adam and Belle laugh.
"I better get you upstairs then" he teased as he started to lead me from the room.
"See you both soon" I called to his parents.
"See you soon' they said in unison.
"There's no point trying to get any information out of you is there?" Ben asked as he started to lead me down the corridor.
"Not at all" I laughed as I let my mind start to hope that everything would go to plan - fingers crossed.
*Ben's POV*
After I walked Mal to her room I noticed that as she walked into her room she has a smirk on her face. I was going to ask her why she was smirking but I knew that I was going to get warned not to ask questions. Instead I smiled at her and turned to walk towards my room. I knew that Mal was going to need longer to get ready than me so I was hoping to spend some time either looking through my new scrap book again (which was in my hands) or set up my new PS4. However when I walked into my bedroom my eyes widened at what I saw.
As I walked up to my bed I counted that there were five parcels had been placed on my bed; they were wrapped in dark purple and bright green paper which told me that this had something to do with Mal. I quickly sat on the bed and slowly placed the scrap book down. I picked up a light purple envelope up that had 'open me first' written on it. I slowly opened the envelope to see Mal's writing:
"Hey Baby
As promised here are the rest of your birthday presents.
I hope you like them.
Love you loads
Mal
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"
I quickly slid the card back into its envelope and placed it next to my scrapbook; I then looked at the parcels and picked up one of the two smaller parcels. I quickly removed the purple wrapping paper to find a jewellery box. I slowly opened it and my eyes widened at what I saw as a large grin spread across my face. I was now looking at a pair of Cufflinks - a beast set. They were all gold apart from there were two green jewels in place of its eyes. This must have cost Mal a lot I thought to myself - all of this must have done. I will wear them tonight I told myself as I closed the box and placed the box down.
I then moved onto the next smallest box - which was a pair of tickets to go and see the next game of my favourite Tourney team - Auradon Panthers. I knew that Mal didn't really like Tourney but she still came to every game to cheer me on. I loved how supportive Mal was of me even though she might not necessarily enjoy it. I knew that she would enjoy herself when she came with me; I knew that she enjoyed Tourney really deep down. I could tell as she had started to really get into the game. With this thought in mind I slid the tickets back into the box and moved onto the next present.
I opened the next present that was closest to me; which happened to me be a box of cookies; I smiled at them as I slid them next to the rest of my presents. Ever since Mal had made me that first cookie she continued to make me them; especially on special occasions. I don't know why but Mal's always tasted better than other cookies. I was tempted to eat some now but it probably would be best to leave them for later on.
I moved onto the next present; which happened to be another new PS4 game - Doom. I must have mentioned this game to Mal; that or she had been speaking to my parents. Either way I couldn't believe how lucky I was to have Mal as my girlfriend. She would come and play games with me rather than complain that she didn't want me to play games so I could see her. I definitely landed lucky with Mal; and I knew that I was going to make her feel the same way.
I turned my attention to the last present, the larger one in the pile; I eagerly tore at the wrapping paper and gasped at what I saw. I was now holding an a4 painting of a portrait of me and Mal, with the actual photo in a wooden frame balanced on top. I picked the photo up and smiled at it; it was the second photo that Mal had taken of me and her when she was taking photos around the chamber. I smiled at the memory; and I placed the photo on my bed stand next to the other photo of me and Mal. I then turned my attention to the painting; God Mal was so talented. She had even added the golden flecks in her eyes; I loved her attention to detail.
I glanced at my bedside clock; it was now quarter to six. I best go and get ready; it will give me a little bit of spare time to look back through the scrap book when I was finished. The PS4 can wait tomorrow I told myself. Mal would probably help me I quickly added as I walked into the bathroom still thinking that I was lucky to have her.
*Mal's POV*
"Knock knock" I heard a voice say which made me turn around. When I looked at the doorway I saw Ben standing there with a grin on his face.
"Hello" I said slowly as I walked towards him.
"Mal you look beautiful" he said as I saw him look at the purple strapless ball gown that I was wearing. Of course it was another Evie original; I wanted to wear my purple converse but I knew that I wouldn't be able to. So instead I was wear a pair of purple pumps and my hair was plated and then span around into a tidy bun.
"Thank you" I said as I stood in front of him.
"You look very handsome" I said with a small smile.
"Thank you" he said as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Thank you for ALL of my birthday presents" he said before quickly pressing a quick kiss to my lips.
"You're welcome" I answered which made Ben's smile get bigger.
"So you liked them then? I teased.
"Have a look" he stated happily as he removed his right arm from my waist and held his arm out in front of my face. I burrowed my brow together at him and then I realised what he was trying to show me.
"You're wearing them" I said taking my hands off his waist and putting both hands on his sleeve to get a closer look at the beast cufflinks that I got him.
"Of course" he answered happily which made me look up at him.
"You got me them" he said as he tightened his arm around my waist.
"I'm glad you like them" I said playing with the cufflink so the light was hitting the green jewels.
"I do" he confirmed which made me smile.
"However" he added shortly after which made my face drop. What was wrong?
"I have a bone to pick with you" he said as he pulled his arm away from me.
"Ok" I answered slowly.
"Why?" I asked.
"You have spent far too much on me" he added as he wrapped his right arm around my waist again.
"Ben it's your birthday. I need to buy you things" I stated.
"Mal you already give me so much" he said quietly as he pushed his face closer to mine.
"I know; but like you said on my birthday. I want to spoil you" I said cupping his face with both of my hands.
"We are never going to agree on this are we?" He laughed.
"Probably not" I laughed back.
"Well then my lady" he said as he stepped away from me and offered me his arm.
"It is nearly seven. My mother has already informed me that guests have started to arrive" he stated happily.
"So is this the part where we walk down the staircase together?" He asked with a small smile.
"Unfortunately yes" I said suddenly nervous.
"You'll be fine Pumpkin" he replied obviously sensing my nerves.
"I'll be there by your side" he said before quickly pressing a kiss to my forehead, which made me smile.
"I love you Benny" I said with a large grin as I slid my arm around his.
"I love you too Mally" he answered as he started to lead me from my room.
"Thank you" Ben said as we stood at the top of the stairs waiting for the herald to declare our arrival.
"What for?" I asked as I stood next to him and looked up at him.
"Making today special, and helping my mother plan this ball" he answered happily.
"You're welcome. We tried to make the ball less formal; but it's hard to when the person's whose birthday it is, is the King" I teased.
"Sorry" he said quickly.
"You have nothing to be sorry for" I said as I linked his arm with mine. He smiled down at me and was about to say something but was cut off as we heard a loud voice shout.
"Presenting his royal highness, King Benjamin of Auradon with his consort, Lady Mal Faery" we heard the herald declare. We used this as our cue to start walking down the six steps until we stood at the top of the main staircase. Everyone's eyes were now on us and my heart started to pound erratically as my nerves started to kick in. I felt Ben place his hand on top of mine and he gave it a reassuring squeeze; I quickly looked up at him and smiled as we continued to walk down the stairs. We were greeted by Adam and Belle at the bottom of the stairs.
"You look beautiful Mal" Adam said pulling me into a hug as Ben hugged his mother.
"Thank you" I said as I pulled away and quickly curtsied to him, which he bowed to me.
"Mal I love your dress" Belle said pulling me into a hug.
"Thank you. I love yours as well" I said pulling out of the hug again and quickly curtsied to her.
"I hate all this formality" Belle muttered to me as we both watched Adam and Ben quickly hug.
"I know; but as Ben is King we still need to stick to some rules" I muttered back as I pulled a funny face. I heard Belle laugh, which made me chuckle back at her.
"What are we talking about?" Ben asked as he stepped next to me and slid his hand into mine.
"Just saying we wish this wasn't as formal" Belle stated.
"I know but I appreciate the effort you two have taken to make tonight special" he said with a smile.
"Oh!" Belle said and she wiped a tear away from her eye.
"Mother what's wrong?" Ben said stepping close to his mother and putting a hand on her shoulder.
"My baby's all grown up" she muttered as she wafted her face to help stop any more tears from forming.
"Mother" Ben said dropping my hand and pulling his mother into a hug.
"You ok?" I heard him say as he pulled away.
"Yeah, sorry" Belle said smiling at Ben.
"Don't worry about it" Ben said as Adam pulled Belle into a hug.
"You two go and enjoy yourself" Adam said as Ben took my hand again.
"You have a lot of well wishers" I said looking up at him.
"Don't I feel loved" Ben teased.
"Always" I replied as I led him away from his parents.
Everything was going to plan; me and Ben had walked around the room and thanked his guests for attending. Me and Belle wanted the ball to be more of a formal affair with just Ben's friends, but yet again as Ben is king we had to invite council members as well. I know I shouldn't think like this but I wasn't overly enthusiastic when I found out that both Queen Leah and Aphrodite were both attending. However I just held my head high and spoke to them as if nothing happened. The whole time I felt Ben nervously squeeze my hand but in the end everything was OK. It wasn't as if I needed to spend the whole evening with them - thankfully.
I was now standing with Evie and Doug as Ben went to the toilet; we were about to start dancing before we had our meal. Then as a surprise to Ben there were going to be some speeches that I had arranged for him. What Ben didn't know is that I had spent the last two weeks arranging for his friends and family to give a short speech about him. All in all there were a lot of interest to help but I condensed it down to nine. Thankfully some people were doing it in pairs so that should kill some time - however I wasn't that lucky. What I was lucky in however was Aziz, Aladdin and Jasmine's son, was able to attend. He had known Ben since they were both babies so it only felt right him being here to say a few words and to celebrate Ben's birthday.
"Feeling nervous?" Evie teased as we both took a sip of our drinks.
"Of course, aren't you?" I asked her quickly as I turned around to make sure that Ben wasn't about to overhear our conversation.
"Yes, but I'm not saying it on my own" she stated.
"True" I said as I took another sip.
"I just hope everything goes ok" I added.
"What goes ok?" I heard Ben say as he walked up to me and Evie.
"This evening" I said as I turned to look up at him.
"Everything is going fine hun. Don't worry. Thank you again for helping my mother organise it" he said happily as he slid his hand into mine.
"You're welcome" I said happily.
"You know what Mal?" Ben said.
"What?" I asked.
"If you are still struggling with what you want to do as your career you could always be a party planner" he laughed.
"Hmmm" I said as I didn't know whether he was joking or not.
"Anyway there is something I need to ask you" he said after a couple of seconds of silence.
"Yes?" I answered.
"Can I have this dance?" He said as he bowed quickly then offered me his arm. I giggled at him and then smiled at him.
"Of course" I said as I put my drink down on our table and then slid my hand onto Ben's arm and he led me to the dance floor to start the numerous dances that we would have this evening. But neither of us cared we were together celebrating Ben's birthday and everything was going to plan...so far.