Family Maintenance

Author's Note

Hello, hello! Here is the second chapter of one of the stories I have gotten from WanderlustandFreedom. She is an incredible writer and individual and you should check out her other Descendants stories! You can find her on A03 and FFN at her penname, WanderlustandFreedom. Oh, also, all chapters from here on out will be written by me! I am not as fabulous a writer as she is, but I am definitely trying my best! I hope you enjoy this second chapter!

**This story was given to me by WanderlustandFreedom. The majority of the ideas/outline are HERS.**

As soon as the tour wrapped up and Evie and Mal found themselves in their new dorm room, in awe of how clean and neat everything was, Este started to stir, her eyes fluttering open. The little girl lifted her head off of Mal's shoulder and yawned.

"Hi, Este," Evie cooed, waggling her fingers and Este sleepily waved back. "Hey, sleepyhead. Did you have a nice nap?" Mal asked, brushing some off Este's violet hair out of her face. She babbled something in reply, still trying to wake up, and Mal and Evie chuckled.

"Where are we?" Este murmured, her brown eyes darting around the room. Mal set her down and she started to explore the room, ducking under the curtains and pulling open the empty drawers that she could reach.

"We're in Auradon, remember? We were invited to come live here for a little bit." Mal explained as she sat down on one of the beds and marvelled at how soft it was.

"Auwadon." Este repeated. She toddled over to where Evie was looking around inside a room that was off to the side. The taller girl twisted the knob over the sink and warm water rushed out.

"Ooh," Este laughed when Evie lightly sprayed her with water. Evie poked her head through the doorway.

"M, there are working lavatories!" Evie reported and Mal stood up to peer inside as well.

"Really? Maybe Este can take a wash before we go to lunch.. Ben asked us to come eat after all and I'm sure the boys are hungry too," Mal mused. "Este, baby, wait here, okay? I'm going to see if I can run you a bath."

Mal made sure the front door was closed then entered the bathroom again with Evie, leaving Este back in the room. She occupied herself by looking out the window, laughing whenever she saw a bird, but the young girl soon got bored, however, and started to make her way towards the door. She reached up and jiggled the handle, tilting her head in confusion when it didn't move. Este moved it again and giggled in delight when it swung open.

She wandered outside, in awe of how big the singular hallway was. She dug her boot into the carpet, laughing when it got crumpled, then turned towards the left and started walking, running her hand over the bumpy wooden walls, not noticing Ben coming her way and thus bumping into his leg.

"Oh!" he exclaimed, looking down in surprise to see her there.

Este squeaked before twisting around to run away, but Ben caught her arm gently. He kneeled down to her level and smiled gently at her, noting how her eyes had widened and were now staring fearfully at her.

"Hey, I won't hurt you! My name is Ben! I, um, I know your.. mum. I invited you here to Auradon, did she tell you?"

Este didn't reply and instead shook her arm out of Ben's grasp and then assessed him, her eyes filling with distrust, and Ben never thought a small child, who he thought was definitely under the age of five, could make him so nervous, but he gave her a smile anyways. He sighed in relief when she nodded.

"M' name is Este."

"Este," Ben repeated. "That's a beautiful name!"

"Thank you. Mama gave it to me," Este gave a grin, having internally decided that she liked this Ben character.

"Este?" a feminine voice called out. Ben and Este looked up to see Mal briskly walking towards them, a look of relief on her face. "Oh my Gods, there you are!"

"Mama!" Este gushed as she turned away from Ben. She reached for Mal and the other girl picked her up, kissing the side of her head.

"I told you not to leave the room, baby," Mal chided softly and Este pouted. Ben gave a soft chuckle as he got up from the floor, his knees shaky from being on the ground for a little bit. He straightened when Mal's gaze landed on him, her eyes immediately squinting. Lucky for him, her attention shifted from him to her daughter when she tugged on her hair.

"Mama, this Ben. He said my name is," Este paused as she tried to pronounce beautiful. "Bee-ful!"

"Did he now?" Mal glanced at Ben again, her eyebrows rising. Ben found himself again wondering how much they made him nervous.. It must have been a mother-daughter thing. Ben reminded himself to smile, remembering how he wanted to get Mal on board with the prospect of living in Auradon.

"She's very cute."

"Thank you," Mal's hold on her little girl tightened slightly and Ben smiled a little when Este buried her face into Mal's neck.

Ben cleared his throat. "Oh, Mal! I was just looking for you and your friends. I was coming to pick you guys up for lunch, just to make sure you guys don't get lost."

The corners of Mal's mouth turned up. "Is that it or are you here out of royal obligation?"

Ben sputtered and Mal tilted her head back, laughing, as Este stared in confusion, laughing only because her mother was. "I was just kidding. I think we'd all love some lunch."

Ben sighed with ease. "Will your friends be coming?"

"Yes, Evie went to get the boys," Mal put down Este, who had started to squirm. The girl clung onto her mother's hand as she looked up at the two teenagers. "They'll meet us there."

"Do they know where the cafeteria is? I know Doug gave you guys a map, but it can get confusing.." Ben trailed off when Mal waved her hand nonchalantly.

"They'll figure it out. No biggie."

"Okay then. Come along this way."

Ben had noted how wide-eyed Este had gotten upon seeing all the greenery and people dressed in bright colors as they walked to the great lawn. He also noted how Mal seemed to be absolutely unimpressed with her surroundings, only putting on an eager expression whenever Este tugged on her hand to point something out.

Este had waved to everybody they had passed, giving them a big smile, and they all had hesitantly waved to her. The surprise was still evident in everyone- how the daughter of the evilest villain of the land had her own daughter, but Ben hoped it would everyone would give them sympathy and help them settle into Auradon. Mal was on edge the entire time, as if someone would jump Este for being so smiley.

Ben led the two to the lawn where buffet tables were spread out, displays of good-smelling food piled on top of them. Mal surveyed the lawn, her frown still present on her face.

"All of this is free?"

"Of course! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all complementary for students here at Auradon Prep," Ben paused when he saw Mal's frown deepen. "Isn't it the same on the Isle? There is a school there, right?"

Mal didn't reply and Ben wanted to inquire further, but she had pursed her lips towards Este and Ben suddenly understood. She didn't want to talk about heavy topics around her young child. Ben nodded in understanding and they made their way to the line.

"Mal!" Evie called. Mal and Ben turned to find her approaching them, Jay and Carlos flanking her. Este squealed when she saw the three and immediately let go of Mal's hand to run up to them.

"Uncle Jayjay!" she cheered, clinging to his leg. Jay grinned as he scooped her up, placing her on his shoulders. Evie pinched her cheek lightly before nodding to Ben to acknowledge him.

"There's so much food here," Carlos exclaimed, his eyes wide as he stared at the tables and the many students gathered around them.

Ben's concern grew and he looked more closely at the four villain kids, suddenly noticing how they were thinner than most other students. Jay had his muscle, but he was more on the lean side. Carlos was evidently smaller than the other three and even Este's face structure was skinny, not having the baby fat that most children her age would.

Ben watched as the villain kids got their food and snarfed it down quickly, their eyes darting around as they ate. Jay pocketed some of the food and as Ben was about to open his mouth to protest, Este called his name and pulled him out of his thoughts- she seemed to do that a lot- and he looked down at her, as she was sandwiched between him and Mal. The purple-haired mother stopped in her conversation with Evie, tilting her head to watch her daughter and the prince interact.

"Yes, Este?"

"What's this?" she asked, holding up a big red fruit. Ben chuckled as he got it from her hand and raised it to his eyes, as if he were inspecting it. "Well, this, little Este, is a strawberry." he said dramatically and she giggled. "Wha's a sta'bewwy?"

"It's a fruit. It grows on bushes by farmers. Do you know what a farmer is?"

Este shook her head and Ben smiled at her, even though his mind was reeling, as he picked up a plastic knife and sliced the strawberry into pieces. "A farmer is someone who grows food for us to eat, like veggies and fruits. Here, try it."

Este grabbed the strawberry piece from Ben and stuffed it in her mouth, coating her lips in the sticky juice. Her eyes widened and she grabbed some more. "This is yummy," she mumbled, her mouth full, and Jay and Carlos cackled at her messy face.

"Este," Evie said in exasperation, her eyes sparking with laughter, as Mal laughed, picking up a napkin and swiping it across her mouth.

"DId Uncle Jayjay and Carlos teach you how to eat like a man?" Mal asked playfully, moving her fingers in question motions. Este nodded eagerly.

Mal shot a look towards the boys and they smiled sheepishly at her. Ben chuckled quietly and Este turned her attention towards him again.

"Ben, tell me more!"

"More about what, baby?" Mal butted, her eyes flitting towards Ben. He gulped nervously.

"He told me 'bout the farmers, Mama! He said they g'ow food, but there's no farmers at home."

Ben's face contorted into something of disbelief and the other three stared at Mal, waiting for her reaction. Mal sighed softly and she tucked a strand of Este's hair behind her ear.

"Go and talk to Ben then, baby."