So Family day begins and Mal makes an important choice. Replies to reviews: Jeremy: Leah won't be attending Family day because she essentially put under house arrest and isn't allowed to leave Auroria after what she did, but there will still be plenty of drama coming up shortly. Scoffe: As I said to Jeremy Leah won't be there to cause trouble but she's definitely gonna be around soon, after all Mal's into giving people chances at the moment and it's not even really a spoiler to say trusting Leah isn't going to end well. Villiangirl: Thank you! I just feel like before Evie got the result she was probably freaking out because as much as she is really smart she's been raised to think dumb is better and she doesn't think of herself as that smart because she's never let herself be, so before she got the results she was probably terrified she'd fail and be kicked out of school because of it.
Gradually things settled, Mal hadn't completely forgiven Evie, but they were slowly becoming friends again, this time without the secrets there had been last time-well mostly, though she wouldn't tell Mal what her secret project was even though she'd let Audrey in on the big secret, with Mal and Audrey even helping Evie get ready when the time came for her first date with Doug, after which Evie had been ridiculously happy, a giggling mess-that had made the two Auradon Princesses laugh because of how utterly adorable Evie and Doug were together.
He might not be a Prince but he acted more Princely than half of the guys in the school, so as far as the girls were concerned they were happy with the situation, even as they appreciated the irony of the fact that The Evil Queens daughter was dating one of the Seven Dwarves sons-and there had been a few snide comments from Snow Whites twins, Samantha and Steven, but thankfully neither of the twins said them while Evie was around.
Mal even occasionally spoke to Jay and Carlos when she saw them in the halls, though she very much avoided Ben still.
And before long Family day had arrived-thankfully Mal's black eye had faded and a bit of make up was enough to cover it by then and Mal was rushed off her feet. She had asked Evie if she and the others had liked their surprise on Friday-which had been the chance to speak to their parents via a video call that she'd had set up but Evie had had a very strained smile on her lips at that and Mal was pretty sure it hadn't gone very well.
Mal did feel bad for the fact that no one was there to visit the Isle kids, but she was quickly distracted from her worried thoughts about that by the business of the day itself. She got up early to help finish decorating, rushing off to get changed into her dress once it was all set up, before the parents and family members were due to arrive.
Audrey of course met with her outside once they were both ready, her best friend wearing a pretty pink and blue dress and grinning at Mal as she linked their arms together as parents all started to arrive, and the rest of the choir joined them, Lonnie, Jane and Doug all greeting the two of them eagerly as they got into position ready for the opening song. And at ten the music started playing and Mal started the song, singing the familiar words with ease-after all Lumiere-who had come with her parents and winked at her when she started singing, had often sang it to her when she was little and her parents were too busy to eat with her.
She moved from the back of the choir to the front, of the group, singing brightly, the rest of the choir joining in a moment later as they started the dance routine that went with it-and she had to stop herself from laughing when she saw that her parents were dancing along to the song, and Lumiere clapped along eagerly, joining in with the singing.
Once the number was finished and the applause ended Mal bounded towards her parents, smiling brightly as she hugged her mom and dad, both of them holding her close in the three way hug.
"Oh we missed you." her Mom's voice was warm and loving as always, "You've done a wonderful job preparing everything sweetheart."
"Perfect as usual." her dad grinned at her, "Just like your mother." he kissed the top of her head, "You look beautiful darling, and you sang wonderfully."
"It looked like you were all enjoying yourselves so much it's lovely." Belle smiled proudly as she brushed a blonde curl out of her face, "You're blonde for now?"
"Yeah, yeah Evie turned my hair blonde when she started practicing Magic and I liked it."
"Evie?" Adam raised an eyebrow, "Evie-oh, oh the-"
"Evil Queen's daughter, yes." Mal nodded, "That Evie. She's really nice I think you'd like her.. she actually helped with my dress."
"She did?" Belle smiled, "It looks lovely she must be very talented."
"She is."
"And what about the other kids?" Adam's voice was curious as he guided them towards the photographer, every family would be given a photograph if they wanted it, to remember the day. "How have they been settling in?"
"They've been doing pretty well. I think they're happy here." Mal kept her smile up, "Carlos has a pet dog-yeah I know Cruella's son is a dog lover who'd have thought it... and Jay and Braeden are really good at Tourney."
"Well it's about time the team got some new blood." Adam nodded, "So it seems like you were right Sweetheart. You gave them a chance and they're proving themselves."
As her father said that Mal's eyes landed on Ben, who was stood with the other Isle kids, all looking rather uncomfortable-he was dressed nicer than usual, they all were, his jeans weren't ripped and instead of a jacket he was just wearing a green shirt. He looked good, like he was trying to impress. And... proving themselves. She wanted them to prove themselves but how could they? She wasn't giving them the chance was she?
If she wanted them to make that final choice... "Actually there is something I want to talk to you guys about." she smiled lightly as they stepped in front of the photographer, both of her parents arms around her shoulder as they posed for the photo, and after the flash of light she spoke again, "I.. Braeden and I went on a date but it got cut short." oh god, oh god was she really doing this?
"I was wondering if... I want to invite him to accompany me to the Coronation."
"What?" Belle's eyes widened in surprise at that.
"Mal-Darling I.. don't know if that's such a good idea.
"No... no that's-no."
"Mom.. dad why not?" she frowned, "I think it's a good idea... I... I'm giving-"
"No Mal." Adam's voice was firm.
"Is it because he's an Isle kid because if it is-
"No!" Belle shook her head, grabbing Mal's hand "No, no darling it's not that it... if it was Jay or Carlos we might be okay but-"
"Why then?"
Belle and Adam exchanged looks at that, both frowning, and then Belle sighed softly, squeezing Mal's hand, "Because there... we're not sure you must understand.. and we don't care... it doesn't matter to us.. but Aurora believse... she says you bear a certain resemblance to Maleficent."
"I-" Mal's eyes widened "You... that.. you think she's my mother."
"It changes nothing darling... but it would explain a lot of things wouldn't it?"
"I..." Mal swallowed hard... because it would wouldn't it? Her name, her purple hair, her magic, why Queen Leah had hated her so much despite the fact that she was only an innocent child.
"It... she's the worst of them all and yet-"
"Even if you are her daughter you're nothing like her darling." Adam's voice was firm, "But... well Braeden... if we're right then-"
"No!" Mal's eyes widened, "No... no see it's not-he's not hers biologically she adopted him when he was five... he was an orphan... apparently the Isle has a lot of them.
"Oh!" Belle's eyes widened, "Well.. I suppose that does change things after all."
"You're sure?"
"Yes." Mal nodded, "He told me. We were talking about magic and I was surprised he didn't have any so he told me it was because he was adopted."
"Then in that case I suppose we should give the boy a chance." Adam's voice was begrudging, "Belle, darling am I allowed to roar at him-"
"No trying to scare off our little girls first boyfriend." Belle's voice was playful and teasing, but there was a hint of warning there too.
"You're no fun." Adam whined lightly.
"Hush." Belle swatted his arm lightly, "Why don't you go and get Braeden and bring him over to meet us sweetie."
"Of course mom!" Mal gave her mother a bright genuine smile, though secretly she was slightly terrified. She was risking everything here but... she had to give them a chance, she wanted to prove that she believed that they could change, he needed a chance to prove himself to her otherwise it wouldn't be fair.
She took a deep breath as she walked away from her parents towards the Isle kids, grinning slightly when Carlos elbowed Ben hard in the side and the green haired boy turned his head to look at her, his eyes widening slightly when he saw Mal approaching. She could see Jay and Evie's confused worried expressions but she smiled brightly when she reached them.
"Hey Braeden." she could feel people watching them, "I just told my parents about our failed date-" there was a flash of panic in Ben's eyes though he hid it well, "And I told them I was hoping you'd accompany me to the Coronation-" that made all four of the Isle kids stare at her in shock, Evie almost squealing. "So my mom and dad said they want to meet you."
"I... you want me to-"
Accompany me to my Coronation... stand up front right next to the steps when I get crowned, yeah." Mal nodded, meeting Ben's eyes, which were filled with shock and confusion, and just a tiny hint of hope.
"I... I'd love to." Ben managed, "Wait... you want me to meet your parents?" suddenly his expression shifted and he looked almost scared, "Your parents... the King and Queen... uh... your dad is known for his temper and I have heard it said that he is incredibly protective."
"Mom made him promise not to try and scare you." Mal's voice was teasing, "Now come on Braeden." she smirked, "You want this then you have to work for it."