A/N: This is a bit of a transitional chapter to fill in the time between the ball and the date. I am a bit ahead which is working in my favor since I'm having a little writers block. I have up until chapter 22 written. Anyone who has any good ideas for Mal's birthday (Dec. 31). I will give credit obviously.
Also shout out to brimason0201 for guessing the D3 line in the last chapter!
Mal's POV
"Mal...Mal. Wake up baby" I heard Ben's voice saying to me. I was laying on my stomach and I felt his hand rubbing my back. My bed felt so comfy and I wasn't quite ready to wake up. I opened my eyes long enough to pull my covers up some and let my eyes drift back closed. I was up so late last night.
"Come on babe. It's getting late and we have a problem" he said pulling the covers off me. That made me lift my head.
"What problem?" I asked looking at him.
"Get up and I will tell you" he said popping my backside playfully. I groaned and rolled over.
"Good morning to you too" I said grumpily, wiping my eyes.
"More like good afternoon" he said with a chuckle. I sat up quickly.
"What? What time is it?" I asked.
"A little after one" he said. I looked at him. He was dressed casual in a sweater and jeans. I loved his suits but it just seemed like a treat to see him in everyday clothes. He looked good in everything.
"I can't believe I slept half the day away" I said. I looked over and noticed Lonnie's bed was empty. "Is everyone else up?" I asked.
"I'm not sure. Breakfast was being served buffet style this morning, so everyone came down at different times" he said. I climbed out of bed and went to grab my clothes.
"I'm going to jump in the shower. Do you want to hang out here?" I asked him.
"No. I'll be in my office. Just come down when you're ready" he said standing. He stepped over to me and grabbed the front of my shirt pulling me to him and kissing me soundly.
"Ok" I said when he stepped away from me with a smirk on his face.
I showered quickly and got dressed, mentally kicking myself for sleeping so long. I headed in the direction of Ben's office. The door to his office was slightly opened, so I pushed it open further, knocking on it as I did to alert him to my presence. Both Adam and Hercules were in the office with Ben and they were all leaning down looking at the computer.
"Hey" I said and they all looked up at me. "I hope I'm not interrupting. I can come back" I said.
"No we were just trying to see how we can rework flights" Adam said. I knit my brow. Why were they reworking flights?
"A snow storm came in this morning canceling all flights" Ben said. I knew Zeus and his family were due to head back to Olympus this evening. "And right now we don't know when the airports will open back up."
"Oh. So that is the problem you were referring to?" I asked him.
"Yep. It looks like mom may need you to stay and play host a little longer. School has been canceled, so the holiday break is starting early " he said to me.
"That's not a problem. Of course I'll stay" I said smiling at him. I heard him sigh and the smile dropped off my face.
"It also means I will be busy" he said.
"We will just leave you two to talk" Adam said, nodding his head at Hercules and the two of them made their way out of the office.
Ben lifted his hand motioning for me to come to him. He pushed his chair back as I made my way over to him. He grabbed my hand and pulled me down to sit in his lap and just hugged me. We sat like this for a few minutes, saying nothing. It always felt so good to be in his arms. I thought about how far we have come in our relationship. How loving him has made me see things so differently. How he can always reassure me and turn things around. I hoped I did that for him also.
"I just wanted to have time to spend with you" he murmured, turning his face into my neck and inhaling.
"I know. We will just have to wait a little longer" I said letting my fingers stroke through his hair.
"I don't know how long the storm is going to last" he said. He squeezed me a little tighter like he never wanted to let me go.
"Well the new year is coming and things will get easier. We are halfway done with the school year and then we graduate. There won't be a cotillion to plan and take up your time and there won't be a Christmas Ball next year since it's only every other year" I said trying to reassure him. "Looks like, outside of your normal royal duties, finishing school, bringing over new kids is all you have planned for the year. Things will get easier" I said. Just then my stomach growled loudly causing us both to laugh. Ben pressed his lips to my neck briefly before pulling back. He pressed his lips to mine in a loving kiss.
"You are right. I love that you think positive. I don't think many girls would be so understanding with not getting to spend much time with their boyfriend" he said.
"Well it's a good thing you're not just my boyfriend. You're the love of my life and I can't imagine my life without you. If brief moments is all I can get right now, I will take it. Beside the time we have had together has been amazing" I said, winking at him and he chuckled and nodded. I leaned back into him, kissing him softly. I pulled back and just looked at him. "I love you" I said to him. He smiled at me.
"I love you too" he said and once again my stomach grumbled in hunger. "Go get something to eat. I have to get to work ordering salt and getting plows ready" he said to me.
"Ok" I said and stood making my way out of the office. I stopped when I got to his door and turned to look at him. His attention was already on his computer screen. We managed to steal moments even with his busy schedule I thought. Last night ran through my mind and I smiled and left his office. I couldn't wait to be able to put my date plans in motion.
It had snowed off and on for last three days. It was now Wednesday and the castle was busy with everyone still being here. The airports reopened this morning and flights were booking fast. People were traveling for Christmas, plus all the royals and dignitaries who were staying at the Auradon Grand were also booking flights home. Ben decided the best and easiest course of action for everyone staying at the castle, was to use his private plane to get home. So Zeus and his family were now set to leave this evening. Mulan and Li Shang were heading home tomorrow and of course Lonnie was going with them to spend Christmas at home. We were in our room and Lonnie was packing her things up to be ready for tomorrow.
"So my parents talked to Jay and asked him if he wanted to come spend Christmas with us this year" Lonnie said.
"So what did he say?" I asked. Jay was a ladies man, but it was really awesome to see him settled down.
"He said he would like that, so he is flying out with us tomorrow" she said with a smile. "I'm just so happy that my parents like him. My dad can be a little stiff, so the fact that they invited him to come stay with us for Christmas is a big deal."
"So would you say that what you two have is love?" I asked her.
"I hope so. I mean I'm pretty sure I love him but I don't know if he loves me so I haven't said anything yet" she said.
"I say if you feel it just say it. I held it in far too long, even though Ben had already told me he loved me. You never know, he may feel it too but it's hard for us VKs. I know with me I was just overthinking it. Thinking of every reason not to tell him how I felt, but once I did, it felt amazing." I said smiling at her. She nodded her head.
"Thanks Mal. It's really nice to have a friend who I can talk to about things like this" she said.
"Anytime " I said before standing. "I'm going to go check if Belle needs my help with anything. The pair of us won't have anything to do once everyone is gone" I said with a laugh and left the room.
Thursday dawned sunny and bright. Lonnie and her family were leaving after breakfast, which was a much quieter affair without Zeus's boisterous story telling.
"We should go sledding today" Az suggested. "The weather is perfect for it." Az and his parents, along with Gene and Jordan weren't going to be leaving until tomorrow afternoon.
"I'm down" said Jordan.
"That sounds like fun. I'll call Evie and Carlos and see if they want to come" I said, excitedly. I had so much fun sledding last year. "But Ben probably won't be able to come" I pouted looking over at him.
"I think I can take a break for an hour or so after lunch" he said with a smile.
"Yay!" I said clapping my hands.
After breakfast I texted Evie and Carlos to see if they wanted to go sledding. They were both in and invited Doug and Jane too.
So after lunch we all headed out to the big hill behind the rose gardens.
"This feels like déjà vu" I said as we all walked out with the guys carrying the plastic two person sleds.
"Well there won't be any drama with Chad and Audrey this time" Evie said.
"Yeah and Jay isn't here to cheat when you race him" Carlos said with a laugh and I laughed too.
"I remember that. We got him back though" I said smiling at Ben.
"Last one to the top of the hill is a rotten apple!" Evie exclaimed as she took off up the hill. We all started to run after her. The boys overtook her in no time. I caught up to her, out of breath and the both of us gave up and walked the rest of the way up.
"So are you going to be spending Christmas here or with Doug?" I asked Evie.
"Doug invited me to spend Christmas with him" Evie said. "This will be our first Christmas together" she said smiling looking up to where the boys were at the top of the hill.
"I'm happy we all have someone special to spend the holidays with" I said to her. She linked her arm through mine.
"Me too" she replied as we made it to the top of the hill.
"Ready?" Ben asked me. Like last year we all paired up. Me with Ben, Evie with Doug, Jane with Carlos and Jordan with Az.
"Yep" I said smiling at him. I climbed on the sled and Ben climbed on behind me. We went down the hill and it was such a rush. I couldn't help but giggle. Ben kissed my cheek at the bottom, his lips so warm on my cold face.
"I love hearing you laugh" he said smiling at me. I just smiled back.
"So when do you think you will have a day off?" I asked him as he grabbed our sled and we headed back up the hill.
"Looks like after everyone leaves. So Saturday, and as long as nothing comes up, I am all yours until after New Years" he said turning to me and wagging his eyebrows. I laughed at him giving him a little shove.
Az and Jordan had just taken off when we got to the top and Evie and Doug were still sitting at the bottom of the hill talking.
"I don't know what on earth those two have to talk about. They are always together" I said. Ben laughed and I looked up at him. "What?" I asked.
"I was just thinking that they probably aren't doing a lot of talking when they are alone together" he said still chuckling.
"You're probably right. I know if I had that much time with you a lot of talking wouldn't be happening either" I flirted.
"Is that so?" he said pulling me to him and dropping our sled and using his foot to flip it over and pushed down on it so it wouldn't slide down the hill. "I think we may need to have some quiet time" he flirted back, kissing me. I gripped the lapels of his peacoat. I felt like I couldn't get close enough to him with all our winter clothes on. His tongue slid across my bottom lip and I opened my mouth to him. Our tongues dueled for dominance.
Suddenly we were being pelted with snowballs. All of our friends had made it back to the top of the hill it seemed.
"Hey!" I said dusting the snow off my arm where I was hit.
"That's what you get for making out in the snow" Az teased, throwing another snowball that I dodged.
"Oh it's on!" I said, scooping up some snow.
We enjoyed playing in the snow with our friends. It wasn't long before Ben was called back in to get back to whatever work he had to finish up. The rest of us got hot chocolate and decided to watch a movie.
After dinner I pulled Belle aside, needing her help with something.
"Belle do you think you could do me a favor?" I asked her as we walked into the library.
"Of course" she said to me as we sat down on the couch. "What do you need?"
"Well Ben let me know he is going to be free on Saturday, so I was going to go ahead with my scavenger hunt surprise" I said and she nodded smiling. "Well I want to hide a clue in his dorm and wondered if you happened to have a spare key to his dorm?" I asked.
"I actually do" she said standing and walking over to her desk. She pulled a key out of one of the drawers and brought it over and handed it to me. "Are you going back to your dorm tomorrow?" she asked.
"Yes, just for the weekend. I want to get everyone's gifts wrapped and spend some time with Evie before she leaves to have Christmas with Doug's family." I told her.
"I'm so happy that Evie, Jay and Carlos have all found someone special to spend the holiday's with, but I will miss them. I enjoyed having all of you here last year" Belle said to me.
"Well I will still be here" I said smiling at her.
"Hopefully for many Christmases to come also" she said, reaching over to squeeze my hand.
"I hope so" I replied.
I spent the rest of the evening planning for my date. I didn't want Ben to plan something and then I screw up any plans he makes. I figured I should text him.
Don't make plans on Saturday.
I didn't want to out right tell him I was making plans, so I just hoped he would infer it.
Ok. Are you planning something?
How do I tell him I was but not give anything away?
You will just have to wait and see. 😉
That will keep him guessing. I smiled to myself. I can't wait for Saturday.
It was bright and sunny again on Friday, but still freezing cold. Aladdin, Jasmine, Az, Gene and Jordan were flying out after lunch and then I would be heading back to my dorm. Evie was leaving on Saturday night to go spend Christmas with Doug's family, so her and I planned to have dinner together tonight.
We all stood in the front hall after lunch to say goodbye to everyone.
"We will see you all again soon" Aladdin said smiling at us as he shook Adam's hand and then Ben's. He pulled me in for a hug before he also hugged Belle. Jasmine hugged us all also.
"Mal I'm trusting you with him" Az said to me, referring to Ben. He leaned in to me. "Don't steal all his innocence" he whispered. I laughed.
"I can't promise anything" I whispered back and he laughed out loud.
"Hey what are you two whispering about?" Ben asked.
"I'll tell you later" I said to him, giving him a wink.
All to soon it was time for me to head back to my dorm. I went in search of Belle and found her sitting at her desk in the library.
"Hello dear. Are you about to leave?" she asked.
"Yes. I just needed to give you this" I said handing her an envelope. "It's the first clue. Can you give it to Ben after lunch tomorrow?" I asked her.
"Of course. Should I tell him it's from you?" she asked me.
"Sure but it will be obvious to him" I said with a laugh. "I will see you all on Sunday" I said before giving her a hug and heading out to Ben's office. I knocked on his door.
"Come in" he called out. "Hey" he said, standing and making his way over when he saw it was me.
"Are you about to leave?" he asked me.
"Yeah. I'm meeting Evie for dinner. She is leaving tomorrow night so I want to spend some time with her before she goes" I told him as he grabbed my waist and pulled me to him.
"So are you going to tell me what you and Az were whispering about earlier?" he asked me. I giggled a little bit.
"He was just warning me not to steal your virtue" I told him placing my hands on his chest. He chuckled, bringing his face close to mine. I thought he was going to kiss me but he didn't. Instead he rubbed his nose against mine then dragged it across my cheek toward my ear.
"It's not my virtue he should be worried about" he whispered and pressed his lips to the side of my neck. My breathing hitched as his warm lips made contact with my skin.
"Your Majesty, are you saying you plan on stealing my virtue?" I asked, teasing him. I felt him smile against me.
"I don't plan on stealing anything" he said as he brought his lips to mine and kissed me passionately. I got lost in his kiss, savoring his taste. He pulled his lips from mine letting them drag back down to my neck as his hands pulled me even closer. Sense was coming back to me slowly and I knew I had to slow us down.
"Ben we gotta stop" I said in a breathy voice. "I have to meet Evie soon." I heard him groan against me before he pulled back and looked at me.
"You have no idea what you do to me" he said.
"I think I might have a clue" I said smirking at him.
"Come on. I'll walk you out" he said stepping away from me and taking my hand.
"I hope you are planning something good for tomorrow" he said as we stepped out of his office.
"Who said I'm planning anything" I said teasing him. I heard him sigh.
"You're going to be the death of me" he said with a chuckle and I giggled at him.
Evie and I went out to dinner and she caught me up on what was going on with her. I felt like I hadn't got to spend much time with her while I was staying at the castle.
"So how are your plans going for your date?" she asked me as we walked into our dorm room.
"Well I gave Belle the first clue and told her not to give it to Ben until after lunch tomorrow, that way I have enough time to place the rest of the clues tomorrow morning" I told her.
"Did she have a key to Ben's dorm?" she asked me.
"She did. I can't believe she didn't ask any questions" I said.
"What did you tell her?" Evie asked, as she began getting her things ready to get a shower.
"I just said I wanted to leave a clue in his dorm room. I didn't mention the clue was me" I said with a laugh.
"Well I'm gonna jump in the shower. Why don't you pick out a movie to watch and we can just relax for the rest of the night and have girl talk" Evie suggested before heading into the bathroom.
The next morning I spent all my time placing clues for Ben to find. Campus was practically deserted so I wasn't worried someone else would find them. I couldn't wait until Ben found me.
I went to his dorm and got things ready. His dorm was pretty clean so I didn't have to pick up. He didn't spend much time here to make a mess I guess. I figured we would probably have dinner together but considering I had no idea what time we would eat I didn't prepare anything. We can just order take out I thought. So instead I just brought the same snacks we had on our first date, setting out donuts and strawberries and a couple other fruits.
I looked at the clock on Ben's bedside table. He should be getting the first clue soon. I have just enough time to run back to my dorm to get ready and grab my bag. I felt a prick of nervous anticipation hit me. This was it I thought. No one will interrupt us this time!
So we will be getting into the date! I will have the next chapter up no later than Wednesday.
Reviews are love!