Hello Lovies! I am so happy with this chapter and I hope that you like it!!
Please let me know what you all think!
danifan3000: Oh you have NO idea about how right you are!
Urmimala Hazra: I had always had planned for Leah to change. I hated how much hate she got in the movie, becasue she makes a good villain, but also she has potential for more than just holding grudges.
brimason0201: Yes! 50 will be done in a month or so. I had to take a small break from it, but it will be done! I hope you like this new chapter!
Creator of Magic: i have always thought that Audrey and Gil would make a cute match and I think we have the same thoughts in mind. With that said I really hope you like this chapter and I REALLY can't wait to see what you think of my upcoming chapters.
shortanamx: YES! she is the rightful QUEEN of the Moors. I am so glad that you liked this chapter and I can't wait to see what you think and don't forget to PM if you have questions or suggestions.
AmethystDragon14: Your wish is my comand, though not sooner than you were hoping.
darkpegasuzz: I did lol. I got the same comment when I first started the story.
Guest: Yes! I don't know how that happened, but I fixed it! Thank you for pointing it out to me!
As always I DO NOY own anything!"Bryan," Ben said through his intercom in his new office. "Can you send in my next appointment, please?"
"Yes, your grace," Bryan, Ben's new assistant said.
Ben didn't want an assistant when he first became king, but with the baby coming soon he knew it was better so he didn't forget about anything. Plus, if he needed something canceled or moved, he didn't have to worry about it.
"Ben?" He heard and when he looked up he saw Ariana standing in his doorway.
He looked up at her in confusion, not knowing why she was here.
"Hello, Ariana," he said. "What can I do for you?"
"I just came for a visit," she said, making Ben roll his eyes at her.
"Why?" He asked with a gruff.
"Don't worry," she said as she sat down in the chair across from him. "I'm over it. Just being friendly," she added. "See. I brought you peace cupcakes," she said as she placed them down on his desk.
They were red velvet cupcakes with buttercream frosting, and red sprinkles.
"Well, thank you," Ben said with slight confusion.
"Try one," she said eagerly. "I made them myself."
Ben slowly reached to grab one, making Ariana smile. He looked at her and thought she was acting weird, but pushed the thought away because he wanted to get her out of his office sooner rather than later. He took the cupcake wrapper off, ripped the bottom of the cupcake off, placed it on top of the frosting like a sandwich, and took a bite. Ariana looked at Ben with eagerness before he started to nod his head.
"It's good," Ben said. "It's very moist, and the buttercream is nice."
Ariana sat on the edge of her seat, like she was waiting for something to happen.
"So, was that it?" Ben asked.
Ariana's shoulders slumped, and her expression grew confused.
"Ariana?" he called, but then his dad burst into his office in a panicked state.
"Ben!" Adam yelled, making Ben look at his father with a startled look. "Mal's having contractions."
"What?!" Ben exclaimed as he bursted from his seat. "She's not sure for 2 more weeks!" he yelled as he started to run out the door, leaving Ariana sitting there getting angry.
(ARIANA'S POV)
"Stupid Mal," I grumbled as I crossed my arms over my chest and slouched in the chair I was sitting in. "And her bastard child."
Ben just sprinted out of the room because Mal was having 'contractions'. What bullshit! I waised my fucking morning and afternoon, baking for Ben, so he could what? Run out of here and be at Mal's beck and call whenever she needed. I wasted so much time trying to make these goddamn love spell cupcakes for them not to even work! So much for Maleficent's magic spell book. It was a complete joke! They probably didn't even work, but no! I had to go, break into the museum, take the book, and assume that it could help! The only good thing is that no one even noticed it was gone. But, no one even goes to that museum to begin with.
I heard Ben and Mal as they walked back past Ben's office, making me stand and walk toward the door, but I hid behind the door so that they wouldn't see me, and so Ben would think I would have left. Mal was slightly hunched over and holding the side of her large stomach, as she winced in pain.
Gods! Could she be any more dramatic? She's playing everyone for a fool. But not me…
Once I saw that Ben and Mal were out of sight, I walked out of Ben's office, and walked toward the entrance of the castle. I gave Ben's new assistant a tight smile before he rushed back into the castle and left. I knew there was something in Auradon more powerful than Maleficent's spellbook, and I just needed to get back into the museum to get it.
Get ready, Auradon. There is going to be a new royal in charge...
(NO ONES POV)
"I'm sorry," Mal said as she and Ben walked back into the castle with Belle and Adam walking behind them. "I thought…"
"Braxton hicks contractions are common, Mal," Belle said. "It's your body getting ready for labor."
"Well, they hurt like hell," Mal said, making Ben, Belle, and Adam laugh. "I better call my mom, before she leaves the Isle."
"Okay," Ben said as he kissed her on the top of her head, and she went into the library. "I'll be in my office if you need me."
Mal turned and winked at him before Belle and Adam followed her into the library. Ben walked back up to the floor where his office was. Well, his dad's old office. The staff of the castle had to move all of Adam's things out of the office to make way for Ben's stuff, but it took longer than usual because of all the craziness that has been happening in just over a year.
It has officially been over a year since Mal and the others have been in Auradon, and life couldn't be better. He, Mal, and the rest of their friends, with the exception of Jane, and Carlos, all turned 19. Jane and Carlos turned 18. The new set of VKs were going to be picked out soon, but they were going to wait until after the baby was born to bring them over.
Ben's new office was rather large. When you first entered, you entered a small waiting area. Ben's assistant Bryan had a desk in the middle of the room, and behind that desk were two large wooden doors leading into Ben's office.
"Your majesty," Bryan said as Ben walked into the small waiting area. "Sir, Chip is here to see you. I hope you don't mind that I let him into your office," he said.
"Not at all, Bryan," Ben said with a smile. "Again please, you don't have to use my title."
Bryan laughed. "Yes, you have told me many times, but it will take getting used to," he said.
Ben shook his head and laughed as he walked into his office, closing the door behind him. Chip was sitting in one of the chairs, across from Ben's desk ,eating one of the cupcakes Ariana had brought.
"Hey, Chip," Ben said, making Chip turn around as he took another bite of the cupcake.
Chip's eyes widened as he looked at Ben.
"What?" Ben asked.
Chip didn't say anything as Ben sat down in his chair. He stood up, dropped the cupcake onto the floor, and walked around the table, smiling at Ben.
"Dude, what are you doing?" Ben asked as he looked at Chip weirdly.
"Have I ever mentioned how beautiful your eyes are?" Chip asked as he got down onto his knees to be eye level with Ben.
"What?" Ben asked in confusion.
"They're very beautiful," he said and then started to lean in to kiss Ben.
"What the fuck," Ben said as he leaped from his chair before Chip actually kissed him. "What the hell are you doing?"
"What?" Chip asked as he stood on his feet.
"What's wrong with you Chip?" Ben asked. "I have no problem if you are gay, but why are you trying to kiss me?" he asked as he backed away from Chip as he walked towards Ben.
"Come on, Ben," Chip said as he held his arms out. "What's the harm?"
Chip was following Ben around the desk, and smiling at him.
"Chip, stop," Ben said as he held his hand up to him.
"Come on," Chip said again as he got closer.
Ben didn't know what to do. He didn't know why Chip was acting so weird. Chip was getting closer and Ben was starting to panic.
"I'm sorry," Ben said, and before Chip could do anything Ben punched Chip in the face, knocking him out.
Chip fell to the floor, as Ben pulled his fist back.
"What the hell?" Ben asked as he looked back at Chip.
He reached for his phone and called Mal.
"Hey, babe," Mall said when she answered the phone.
"Hi," he said.
"What's wrong? You sound distraught," she said.
"Can you, my parents, and Mrs. Potts, come to my office please?" He asked.
"Yeah," she said. "We'll be there in 5 minutes," she said and then hung up.
Ben dropped his phone on the desk before walking over to Chip. He was still out cold, and from how Ben's knuckles hurt, he wasn't going to be up for a while. He wrapped his arms around Chip's chest and hoisted him up to move him to the couch against the wall. As Ben propped Chip's feet on the arm of the couch, Mal, his parents, and Mrs. Potts walked into his office.
"What happened?" Mal asked as she walked over to Ben and looked at Chip.
Mrs. Potts walked over to her unconscious son and sat on the edge of the couch. Belle and Adam stood there in shock. What happened? They both thought.
"I came back to my office, and Chip was in here. I said hi and he was acting weird," Ben explained. "He started to compliment my eyes, telling me how beautiful they were, and then he leaned in and tried to kiss me."
Everyone in the room snapped their heads in Ben's direction.
"What?" Belle asked in shock. "Is Chip?"
"No," Mrs. Potts said, shaking her head. "He has been seeing this young lady for a couple of months," she said as she moved some of Chip's hair off his forehead.
"What happened after that?" Mal asked as she slowly sat down in one of the chairs around the small table in front of her.
"I jumped up from my seat, and he started to follow me around my desk," he said. "I asked if he was gay, and that I didn't care if he was, but he avoided my question. I asked why he tried to kiss me, he said that there was no harm in it. He was getting closer, and I was starting to panic, so I punched him and knocked him out," he said. "I'm sorry, Mrs Potts."
Mrs. Potts shook her head. "It's okay, Ben. Under the circumstances, I do believe Chip deserved it."
There was a knock at the door, making the 5 adults in the room turn.
"Sorry, your majesty," Bryan said as he peeked his head in. "But…"
He stopped when he saw Chip asleep on the couch and everyone huddled around him.
"Yes, Bryan?" Ben said.
"Sorry, but Mrs. Fairy Godmother is here for your meeting," he said.
"Crap," Ben said.
Mal grabbed his hand, as Ben ran his other through his hair.
"She's here to talk about the new VKs that are coming in a few months."
"Do you want to reschedule?" Bryan asked.
"Ben, do you think Jen could come in and take the bruise that is forming on Chip's face?" Mrs. Potts asked.
Ben felt a pang in his heart, knowing that he had bruised his brother. He nodded his head, and gestured for Bryan to let FG in.
"Oh, dear," FG said as she walked into Ben's office. "What happened?"
Ben told FG what had happened from when he came back to the castle with Mal, and she looked at Chip in confusion.
"What was Chip doing, when you came back in here?" she asked.
"He was sitting down in one of the chairs, eating a cupcake."
FG walked over to the cupcakes and picked one up. She examined it before tearing the top of it off and smelling the inside.
"Mal?" FG said as she walked over to the heavily pregnant teenager. "What do you smell?"
The four remaining adults looked at FG with a confused look, before Mal leaned forward and took a sniff.
"I smell…" she said. "Tears… vanilla… and…" then she stopped and her eyes widened. "Black hen egg."
FG nodded in agreement. "That's what I thought too."
"What's going on?" Adam asked.
"I have been teaching Mal and Jane how to smell the ingredients of potions that could be hidden in foods or drinks. Things that normally wouldn't be in them," FG explained as Ben sat on the armrest of the chair Mal was sitting in. "Black hen egg is used for a couple of spells, but mainly for love spells," she said, making everyone's eyes widen in shock.
"Chip's under a love spell?" Ben asked.
"I'm afraid so, your majesty. But I can lift it," she said as she walked over to Chip.
Mrs. Potts stood from her seat, letting FG sit in the spot. She put her hands over Chip's heart and closed her eyes.
This heart was bound,
With a dark spell,
Set it free and make it well
"That should have done the trick," she said. "Now let's just heal his bruised cheek," she said and then waved her hand over his face to make the bruise go away.
Chip started to wake up, making FG trade spots with Mrs. Potts.
"Chip?" Mrs. Potts called, making Chip stir a little bit more. "Sweetheart, wake up."
Chip scrunched his eyes tight, before opening them. He looked around and saw everyone looking at him with worried expressions.
"What's going on," Chip said as he tried to sit up, but his hands flew to his head and he laid back down.
"Sorry," Ben said.
Chip looked at his brother in confusion, but then remembered what had happened.
"Oh, crap," Chip said as he looked over at Ben. "Ben. I am so sorry. I don't know what came over me, and you know I am a fan of girls," he said, trying to defend himself.
"I know, Chip," Ben said, holding his hand up to him. "It's fine."
"I have a question?" Mal said as she looked up at her boyfriend. "Who sent the cupcakes?"
Ben's eyes widened, before remembering Ariana's eagerness for Ben to try the cupcake.
"That fucking bitch!" he yelled before he walked over to his phone and started to dial a number.
"Ben!" Mal called, making Ben look back at her. "What's going on?"
Ben threw his phone against the wall, making everyone in the room jump in shock at how mad he was. His eyes started to glow gold, making Mal rush over to him as fast as she could.
"Hey. Hey," she said in a calming voice. "Calm down, Benny," she said as she started to rub his back. "What happened, baby?" She asked again.
Ben crushed his eyes shut and when he opened them they weren't glowing anymore. He looked up to meet Mal's eyes and then stroked her hand up and down her stomach.
"Ariana," he said.
"What?!" Everyone in the room yelled.
"She came here, and it confused me at first. I asked her what she needed, and she said she just came for a visit. I asked why, because I obviously knew she was still trying her flirting, but she said she was over it and bright peace cupcakes," he said as he threw his hand out toward the cupcakes.
"Why didn't it work?" Chip asked.
"What?" Ben asked.
"The spell. I saw a wrapper in your trash when I threw mine out. So why didn't it work on you?"
"Because he has found his soulmate and true love," FG said. "It's not common knowledge, but it is for those with magic, that you can no longer be love spelled. I don't know how, but it has been researched a little bit," she explained.
"Well, thank you," Ben said as he wrapped His arms around Mal and her stomach, swaying them back and forth.
"Happy to be of service," Mal said with a chuckle.
"So, what are we going to do?" Adam asked.
Ben hung his head. "I don't know," he said. "It didn't work, but it was still an attempt to spell me."
"It's a crime, Benji!" Chip yelled as he sat up. "You're being too nice! She tried to spell you and, while not knowing, spelled me!"
"I know. I know!" Ben said as he ran both hands through his hair. "I'll call Phillip and Aurora."
Mal grabbed the edge of Ben's desk, squeezing the sides, making her knuckles white, and groaned loudly as a contraction came.
"Mal," Ben said as he scurried closer to her.
"I'm fine," she said as she took a deep breath.
Ben looked at her skeptically.
"I'll take you to bed," he said as he helped her up and she leaned on him for support. "I'll deal with Ariana later. You're more important," he said.
"But…"
"No buts," Ben said. "I'll deal with her later."
He looked at everyone else in the room and saw that he was serious. Whenever it came to Mal's health or the health of the baby, they came first.
"Fine, but when these false contractions stop, you're taking care of this whole Ariana spelling you crap," she said as she leaned into him further.
"Yes, Mal," he said as he walked Mal up to their room.
"Call us if you need anything," Belle called from down the hallway as she watched her son and his girlfriend walk away.
"Okay, mom," Ben said, but didn't turn back to look at her.
Once up in their room, Ben helped Mal into bed, slipped her shoes on, and went to change himself. He walked into their closet, changed into a pair of jogger sweats and a tourney shirt, and then went to lay next to Mal.
"So, what are you going to do about Ariana?" Mal asked as she turned into his side, laying her head on his shoulder.
"I"m not sure yet," he said as he kissed the top of her head. "I know it's a crime, but it was a failed crime against the King. Chip may have gotten the blunt end of the spell, but I don't know if sending her to the Isle is too harsh of a crime," he said.
"I think it is," she said. "Ben, the Isle may be my home, but I don't wish that life for anyone. You were there for a couple of hours and almost died," he said.
"And I would do it again if it was to make sure you and Beastie were okay," he said as she tightened his arm around her.
"It's never going to happen again, so you don't have to worry about that," she said. "But, the Isle was meant to be a prison for the villains. There are only a handful of them on the Isle, because most of them have changed."
"I know, baby," he said. "That's why we're working on the appeals, right?" he asked, making Mal smile up at him. "I'm all for second chances, and we decided to give them if they are deserved."
"I love you," he said as she leaned up and pressed her lips to him.
When they pulled apart their eyes lingered a bit, before Mal rested her head against his chest again.
"I'm going to call Aurora and Phillip, and I'm going to talk to them," he said.
"Where is she now?"
"I don't know," he said. "My dad came into my office, yelled that you were having contractions, and then I ran out of the room, leaving her sitting in there," he explained. "She probably left thinking that the spell didn't work."
"How did she even find a love spell?" Mal asked. "I doubt it's in any of the books in Auradon."
"Yeah. I'm wondering that too," he said. "The only book I could think of…" then he stopped.
He sat up, making Mal look at him with a confused look.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Ben rushed to the table that was next to their window to grab his phone. Mal sat up, looking at her boyfriend with a worried look. He quickly dialed a number and pressed the phone to his ear.
"Steve!" he shouted as the other person answered on the other end of the call. "I need you to check and see if Maleficent's spell book is still in its spot," he said.
Mal's eyes widened when she heard that. She hoisted herself off the bed, making Ben snap his fingers telling her to sit back down.
"Let me check, your majesty," Steve said on the other line. "Just give me a moment."
"Of course," Ben said as he started to pace.
A couple of minutes passed until Steve came back onto the phone.
"Your majesty?" Steve said, making Ben stop.
"Yes," Ben said.
"I'm sorry, but it looks like Maleficent's spell book has been taken," he said.
"Fuck!" He screamed, making Mal jump.
"I don't know how, but it's gone. I'm so sorry," Steve said.
"It's okay. Thank you, Steve. Have a good rest of your day," he said and then hung up. "She took Maleficent's spell book," Ben said.
"What?" She asked, making Ben nod his head.
She got up and walked over to her side of the bed where her phone was. She picked it up and dialed a number.
"What are you doing?" Ben asked, making Mal hold a finger up to him.
"Audrey," Mal said. "Do you know where Ariana is?" She asked.
"Hey, Mal!" Audrey exclaimed. "Um… I don't. Why?" She asked.
"Ben and I think that Ariana stole Maleficent's spell book from the museum."
"What?!" Audrey exclaimed, making Mal take the phone away from her ear.
"Is she home?"
"No," Audrey said with a gruff. "But hold on."
Mal heard grumbling coming from the other end of the phone call. A couple of minutes later there were a lot of loud sounds of thrashing and banging, until Audrey came back.
"I found it," Audrey said. "The stupid bitch left it under her pillow," she said.
"Thanks, Audrey," Mal said with a smile. "She found it," she said as she looked at Ben.
"Mal, if you don't mind me asking," Audrey said, making Mal put her attention to Audrey. "How did you know Ariana had it?"
Mal didn't know if she should tell Audrey. She knew she and Audrey were close, but she still didn't know what Ben was going to do about the situation. She gave Ben a look, and Ben nodded his head, letting Mal know it was okay. Mal put the phone on speaker, walked over to Ben, and he wrapped his arms around her.
"Okay, Ariana tried to love spell Ben," Mal said.
"What the fuck?! How do you know?" Audrey yelled through the phone.
"Because Chip got spelled instead," Ben said.
"Oh Zeus is he okay?" Audrey asked.
"Yeah," Mal said. "He's pissed, but he's fine. Just a headache."
"A headache?"
"Yeah," Ben said. "I kind of punched him in the face, because he tried to kiss me."
"He what?" Audrey asked.
Ben and Mal explained everything that happened, making Audrey really confused.
"So, it didn't work," Audrey said.
"Yeah, apparently, and it's not common knowledge, but if you have met your soulmate and true love, love spells don't work on you."
"Well, thank Zeus you brought Mal over, but how are you so calm?" Audrey asked in shock. "This damn bimbo tried to love spell you!"
"I'm calm for multiple reasons," Ben said. "First, it didn't work. Second, because now I know I can NEVER be love spelled. Third, I don't want Mal to be stressed if I am. She started having Braxton Hicks contractions, and I don't want my daughter to be born too early."
"Fine," Audrey said with a gruff.
She hated that her cousin had a broom so far up her butt that she needed to make hell for everyone. What was she thinking? Did she honestly think that it would work? Gods! Ben and Mal kiss each other so many times that the spell would have been broken just from Mal giving Ben a hello kiss. Audrey was so mad. Blood boiling mad!
"What are you going to do?" Audrey asked as she tried to calm herself down.
"Well, Mal and I discussed it and I'm not sending her to the Isle. Even Mal thinks that no one deserves such a life, unless they deserve it," Ben said as he gave Mal a smirk. "She may have not said that last part, but I know she probably thinks that way," he said, making Mal smirk at him back. "I was thinking about house arrest."
"House arrest?" Audrey asked. "You mean in the house, CASTLE, that she lives in with servants, maids, and people to do her bidding?"
"Well, Mal, my parents, and I will be coming to your castle tomorrow, 'unexpectedly', so that she won't be expecting it," Ben said. "The house arrest will be my enforcing, but your parents are to be in control of what she does, and what people do for her while she is stuck in the castle."
"Well, then if she is going to be, literally, stuck here for who knows how long, I'm not going to stay here," Audrey said.
"Where are you going to go?" Ben asked. "You're the future queen of your kingdom."
"And I can still be the future queen, even if I want to stay away for a while," Audrey said, making the couple laugh.
"What? Do you want to stay here, and share a room with our daughter?" Ben asked as a joke.
"Um… YES!" She exclaimed.
Ben and Mal laughed at Audrey's reaction. They knew she was excited for them and they were happy that they were all friends.
"You are welcome to stay here whenever you want, Audrey," Ben said as he looked down at Mal.
"Thank you, but I was just kidding. If Ariana is going to be stuck here, I am going to make her life hell for what she did."
"Alright, princess," Mal said. "Calm down," she said, making Audrey laugh over the phone.
"I make no promises, but I'll see you both tomorrow, and I won't let my parents or grandparents know you're coming," she said.
"Okay," Ben said. "We'll see you tomorrow. Have a good night."
"You two to," Aurdrey said before she hung up.
Mal tossed her phone on the bed and stretched her arms up and over her head.
"Now," Ben said, making Mal look at him. "You are going to stay in bed."
"Ben, it's barely 5 and I am getting hungry," she said.
"I'll bring you something for dinner, or we can have something sent up," he suggested.
"I would like to have dinner with your parents and my mom, since she already left the Isle before I called her," Mal told him. "She should actually be here already."
"Fine, but after dinner, we are coming back here so that you can relax," Ben said as he pointed his finger at her.
Mal raised her eyebrows at him and smirked. "Okay, your majesty," she joked as she gave him a small bow.
"Oh, shut up," Ben said as he held his arm out for Mal.
She stood up straight and laughed as she took his hand. They both left their room to have dinner with their parents.
"Goodnight, Mally," Seph said as she gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek.
"Goodnight, mom. Even though I'm not actually going to be going to sleep," she said as she gave Ben a look.
"Don't give me looks, Bertha," Ben said. "You need to rest."
"Agreed," Belle, Adam, and Seph said, making Mal's eyes widen and she laughed.
"I win," Ben said as he leaned in next to Mal's face.
"Fine," she said with a huff. "I'll go rest."
"Plus, we are going to the Beauty's tomorrow and it may be stressful," Adam said.
Mal had to agree with him on that. Tomorrow would be stressful, but she had been handling council and royal problems better. She nodded her head, and gave them all a smile before she and Ben left them.
"So, what do you want to watch?" Ben asked as they started to walk up the stairs, toward their room. "Dirty dancing? The notebook? Titanic?"
"Don't you EVER tell anyone that I love romance movies!" she said with a laugh. "Got it, Florian?"
"You got it, Bertha," Ben said as they walked into the room and closed the door behind them so that they could enjoy a relaxing evening together.
"Mal!" Ben called as he walked back into their room.
"I'm in here," she called back from the closet.
Ben walked into their closet to see Mal putting on her necklace. She was wearing a cold shoulder ombre maxi dress. It was a midnight dark blue on the top and the bottom was purple.
"You look lovely," he said as he kissed her cheek.
"Thank you. You look very dashing yourself," she said with a smile.
"Are you ready to go?" he asked.
Mal nodded her head as she rubbed the side of her stomach. She had 2 contractions in the past 2 hours, but they weren't as painful as yesterday, so she was thankful that her braxton hicks were fading. They walked out of the closet and out of their room, to meet Belle and Adam at the limo. They walked out of the castle and were greeted by Ben's parents, and they made their way to Beauty Castle.
On the way there they made light conversation, but Mal had a contraction hit her stomach, making her wince. Ben asked her what was wrong, but she told him that the baby just kicked her ribs really hard. She knew if she said that she was having contractions Ben would turn the limo around, and they wouldn't get Ariana's punishment out of the way. She was just going to suck it up until they left and she was back in her and Ben's room.
The limo came to a stop and when Mal looked out of the window she saw that they were at Beauty Castle. Shawn, the limo driver, came around to the door, and opened it for Ben to get out. When he got out he saw Aurora and Phillip, standing at the top of the steps, waiting for them. Ben held his hand out for Mal for her to take, and Adan did the same for Belle once he was out of the limo.
"King Ben," Phillip greeted with a bow. "We weren't expecting you. What can we do for you?"
" I wish we were here…"
"Mal!" Audrey exclaimed as she walked up to Mal, and gave her a hug. "Anymore contractions?"
Mal shook her head, but she knew Ben would be mad later when she tells him that she was still having them.
"Like I was saying," Ben said as he looked back at the king and queen in front of him. "I wish we were here under better circumstances, but first I would like to know if Ariana is here."
"Yes," Aurora said. "She is in her room. Why?"
"Would you mind if I mention it when she is in attendance?" He said. "I feel that she should be here for it."
"Very well," Aurora said. "I will send her a text message telling her that you are here. We can all have a seat in the dining room, and I'll have some tea, coffee, and strawberries sent for us," she said as she gave Mal a smile.
They all followed Aurora and Phillip through the castle, and Audrey looped her arm through Mal's. Aurora sent a quick text to Ariana as they all sat down at the large dining table. Ben pulled out Mal's chair for her and pushed it in when she was sat. He sat next to her on her right and Audrey sat on Mal's left. Aurora sat on Ben's right with Phillip sitting at the head of the table, and Belle and Adam were sitting across from their son and his girlfriend.
They heard heels clicking loudly, and they were getting closer. Ariana burst through the doors with a big smile on her face.
"Ben?" she exclaimed excitedly as her eyes immediately saw Ben sitting at the table, but it fell when she saw Mal sitting next to him, and Ben's fingers were interlocked with hers. "Oh," she said. "What?"
Ben raised an eyebrow at her, asking her if she was seriously giving everyone an attitude right now.
"Have a seat, Ariana," Ben said as he ran his thumb across the back of Mal's hand.
"For what?" she asked.
"I don't think I should use it, but I will pull my rank if you don't listen," he threatened.
Ariana gruffed and then took a seat next to her uncle and next to Adam.
"Do you know why we are here?" Ben asked.
"No," Ariana said with a shrug.
"Really?" he asked.
She shook her head and shrugged before he held his hand out toward Audrey. She reached into her bag that was around her shoulder, and pulled out Maleficent's spellbook. Aurora and Phillip gasped in shock, while Ariana's eyes widened.
"Why do you have that, Audrey?" Aurora asked.
"I think the question you should be asking is, how did I get it?" Aurdey said as she glared at her cousin.
Her parents didn't miss the glare, and turned their attention to their niece.
"Ariana?" Phillip asked.
"I don't know where Audrey got it," she said, trying to play off her shock.
"I got it from under your pillow," Audrey said.
"Do you want to tell your aunt and uncle what exactly you did?" Ben asked.
Ariana's face grew red. She didn't think anyone was on to her, because her spell didn't work. She wondered how Audrey knew it was in her room, but she could play it off like she didn't do anything.
"No?" Ben asked. "Okay," he said as he turned to Aurora and Phillip. "Ariana tried to love spell me."
Aurora and Phillip gasped as they looked back at their niece.
"No, I didn't," Ariana said.
"Yes, you did," Ben said. "You made love spell cupcakes, and they didn't work on me, but they did work on Chip."
Ariana's eyes widened again. She thought that the cupcakes were a fail. How could they work on one person, but not the other.
"What do you have to say, Ariana?" Belle said, making the princess look at her.
"Why would you blame me? Chip could have just been acting weird," she said. "Just because I was trying to be nice, doesn't mean that I was trying to lovespell you."
"Then explain why you ran down her, burst through the doors in excitement, and then your mood automatically changed when you saw Mal," Ben said.
"I'm not her biggest fan," she said.
"Ariana, don't be rude," Aurora said, scolding her niece.
"It's fine, your majesty," Mal said. "I'm used to it."
"That is no reason for her to be rude. Especially to a soon-to-be mother, and that mother being the Lady of our king," Phillip said, making Mal give him a small 'thank you' smile. "Ariana, you committed a crime. You tried to spell the king of Auradon!"
"It didn't even work! It spelled Chip!"
"And that makes it better?" Adam asked. "You still attempted to spell Ben. What do you not understand?"
"So, what? Am I going to be sent to the Isle now?" Ariana asked.
She figured she should just give up. There was no use in lying anymore. She knew she was basically the only person in Auradon who didn't like Mal. Who else would put the effort into spelling Ben for him to leave Mal? She would just have to find another way to break them apart. Hopefully she could figure something out before she is shipped away.
"Actually, no," Ben said, making Ariana look at him in shock. "I was debating on your punishment, because of the severity of the crime, but it didn't work against me."
"Okay?"
"You're going to be placed under house arrest," Ben said.
"What?!"
"I'm sorry," Phillip said as he looked at his niece. "Did the isle sound better?"
"No, but house arrest?!" She said again.
"Ariana," Mal said, making the princess roll her eyes as she looked at the pregnant girl. "I think that this is a fair punishment. I have lived on the Isle and I would never wish that life for anyone," she said. "Well, unless they deserved it. I know… oh!" she said as she felt a gush between her legs.
"Mal?" Ben asked as he turned in his seat.
Mal didn't say anything. She just sat there with wide eyes from what had just happened.
"Mal? What's wrong?" Ben asked again, but this time Mal turned her head to look at him.
"Um… my water just broke," she said
"What?!" He asked in shock. "Are you sure?"
"Well I didn't pee myself, Ben," Mal said as a contraction hit, making her wince and latch on to Audrey's hand.
"Okay, breathe," he said as he pushed his chair back, and started to rub circles on Mal's lower back.
The contraction passed, letting Mal relax for a bit to catch her breath.
"Ben, we have to get her to the hospital," Belle said as she and Adam came around the table.
Mal looked up at Belle and Adam in shock. She wasn't ready. The baby wasn't supposed to be born for another 2 weeks. Mal started to panic.
"No," Mal said as she shook her head vigorously. "I'm not ready. She's not ready."
"Mally, honey. Look at me," Belle said as she crouched down in front of Mal.
She took Mal's face into her hands and gave her a kind smile.
"You're ready," she said.
"No," Mal said, shaking her head again. "My mom is at the castle. Evie is in Charmington with Snow. I'm not ready."
"I will call your mom and Evie when we get in the limo," Adam said as Mal looked up at him. "Don't worry."
Mal closed her eyes and then nodded her head. She may not be ready but her baby is and there was no stopping her from coming.
"Come on, baby," Ben said as he helped Mal out of her chair, and wrapped an arm around her for support.
Mal leaned into Ben's side, but didn't let go of Audrey's hand. Audrey looked at her parents, not knowing what to do. Both of her parents nodded at her, letting her know that she should go and that Mal was going to need her. Audrey gave her parents a smile, and walked with the couple to the limo. Once in the limo Ben leaned Mal against him as Belle and Adam sat across from, and Audrey sat next to Mal.
"Ben. Can I have your phone to call Evie and my mom?" Mal asked as another contraction hit.
She knew Adam said that he would call, but she wanted to do it. Though she didn't know if she was going to be able to if her contractions were going to be coming more frequently.
"I'll call you mom," Belle said as she took her phone out.
"And I'll call Evie," Audrey said.
Mal gave them a small smile before leaning back into Ben. Ben wrapped his arms around Mal and rested his head next to hers.
"Let's go have a baby," Ben said as he kissed the side of Mal's head.
Once at the hospital, Ben helped Mal out of the limo and lifted her up in his arms. He carried her into the hospital, and was met halfway by hospital staff and a gurney.
"Her water broke and she has had 3 contractions since we left castle beauty," Ben told the staff as he laid Mal on the gurney.
"Okay, let's get her up to a private room, and see how far along until you deliver," the nurse said as she smiled at Mal.
They started to pull her away from Ben's parents and Audrey when she told them to stop.
"Wait! Aren't you coming?" she asked as she looked over to them.
"Adam and I will be in there as soon as your mother gets here. We promise, sweetheart," Belle said.
"And I'll be in the waiting room with everyone until they get here," Audrey said.
"NO!" Mal exclaimed. "Please, come with me Audie," Mal said. "Please?"
Audrey looked at Mal in shock for a minute, but then nodded her head and rushed over to Mal's side. They walked through the hospital. Once in their private hospital room, a doctor came in to check on Mal.
"Hello, Lady Mal, King Ben, and Princess Audrey," the doctor said as he walked into the room. "I am Dr. Hope. I hear Lady Mal's water broke," he said.
"Yes," Mal said, sounding like she was out of breath.
"Okay, may I have a look to see how dilated you are?" he asked, pointing to her private area.
"Yeah," she said. "Luckily I wore a dress today," she said.
Dr. Hope checked over Mal, and then placed her dress down when he was done.
"Well, you are dilated 5 centimeters, so you are halfway to pushing," he said.
"5?!" they heard coming from the door.
They turned to see Belle, Adam, and Seph standing there in shock.
"Yes," Dr. Hope said. "It looks like you are very popular, Lady Mal. If I had to guess, I would think you were giving birth to the King's baby," he said, making Mal and Ben laugh.
"How is she 5 centimeters already?" Belle asked.
"Umm…" Mal said as she slumped her shoulders. "I may have been having contractions since early this morning," she said.
"Mal!" everyone said as they looked at her in shock.
"I thought that they were those braxton hicks contractions that Dr. Boyce told us about yesterday," she said as she looked up at Ben.
"Well, they were definitely not braxton hicks. Sometimes when you have your first couple of contractions and are not dilated, they can be assumed as braxton hicks," Dr. Hope said. "But, you were definitely having labor contractions. I'll leave you so that Lady Mal can change into a hospital gown and King Ben can get settled."
"Thank you," Ben said.
"You are welcome," Dr. Hope said. "But, just to let you all know, only King Ben is allowed in the room while lady Mal is giving birth."
"What?" Mal asked. "My best friend and our moms were going to be in here," Mal said.
"There are going to be 3 nurses in here along with me. That is going to be a lot of people," Dr. Hope said.
"Please," Mal pleaded. "I need them."
Dr. Hope took a breath and then let it out.
"Okay," he said. "As long as they do not get in the way. I will allow it," he said.
"Thank you," Mal said with a sigh of relief.
Dr. Hope nodded his head. "I'll let you get settled and let the nurses hook you up to the monitors, and I'll be back when you are ready to have a baby," he said as he left the room.
"Okay," Ben said. "Let's get you changed, and then we will call everyone else."
Mal nodded her head as she sat up.
"Here," Seph said as she walked over to her daughter. "I'll take her. Then you can change into the clothes that are in the baby go bags you and Mal prepared," she said, letting Ben nod his head in agreement. "Audrey dear, can you help me please?"
Audrey nodded her head and grabbed the hospital gown that was sitting on the chair behind her. The three girls walked into the bathroom and closed the door, letting Ben finally take the heavy breaths he needed to take.
"Oh gods," Ben said as she hunched over and rested his hands on his knees.
"Hey," Adam said as he walked over to his son, and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Breathe, Ben breathe."
Ben took deep breaths before he stood up straight, trying to appear fine.
"You don't have to act tough," Belle said. "It is normal to be stressed, nervous, or scared."
Ben slumped again. "I'm going to be a dad," he said in disbelief.
"Yeah, you are," Belle said as her voice cracked.
She walked over to him and rubbed his back. He stood up straight and looked at both of his parents.
"We are so proud of you, Ben," Adam said as he smiled. "You are going to be a wonderful father."
"Thanks, dad," Ben said as he gave his father a hug.
"Just a word of advice though," he said as he pulled away. "When Mal is in actual labor, try not to make her laugh. She won't think anything you are saying is funny, and she will want to kill you," he said.
Ben huffed a laugh and nodded his head before he grabbed the bag that he had packed for him. He pulled out some clothes, so that he wasn't in a stiff suite as his daughter was being born.
"I should change before they come back out," Ben said as he started to change.
By the time he finished he put his suite and most of his belongings, other than his phone and wallet, into a hospital bag and gave it to his dad. When Mal, her mom, and Audrey came out, Mal looked like she was in more pain.
"Hey," Ben said as he walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her back.
"Hey," she said as she took a breath.
She loved being in Ben's arms. He made her feel safe, and that nothing would happen to her if he was around.
"How many contractions did you have?" Ben asked.
"Two," she said as she looked up at him, leaning her chin against his chest.
"How long ago?"
"About 6 minutes ago. They're getting closer together," she said.
"That just means that we are getting closer to becoming parents," he said as he kissed her forehead.
Mal wrapped her arm around Ben's neck as another contraction hit her. She winced, hunched over, and groaned as she leaned the top of her head onto Ben's abdomen.
Belle and Seph walked over to the couple and they both started to rub Mal's back.
"Audie?" Mal called as her contraction passed. "Did you get a hold of Evie?"
Audrey nodded her head. "Yeah, she left Snow's castle about 30 minutes ago. She should be here in about an hour if not sooner."
"Thank you," Mal said as she gave the princess a smile.
Audrey gave Mal a smile before walking over to Adam and putting Mal's dress in the bag with Ben's suite.
"Come on," Ben said. "Let's get you into bed."
About 45 minutes later, Mal was now 7 centimeters dilated and her contractions were 2 to 3 minutes apart. Belle, Seph, Adam, and Audrey left to greet the first bunch of friends and family how Mal was doing. Mal was in the middle of having a contraction when she and Ben heard a pair of heels hurrying toward their room.
"Mal!" Evie exclaimed as she burst into the room with a worried expression.
"What would you have done if you burst in here, and the first thing you saw was your niece coming out of my vagina?" Mal asked with a sharp tone.
"Wow," Evie said. "Someone is grumpy."
Ben raised his eyebrows at Evie, warning her not to make comments.
"Well, I will ask you the same question when you are having contractions every 2 to 3 minutes," Mal said as she leaned back onto the pillows.
"Okay okay," Evie said as she walked to the other side of Mal's bed. "How are you feeling? How dilated are you?"
"I'm as fine as I'll be until she is born, and I am 7 centimeters," Mal said.
"Ooooooo," Evie cooed. "She'll be here soon."
"Gods I hope so," Mal said. "I'm doing this without an epidural and it's kicking my ass," she said.
"But you are doing amazing, baby," Ben said as he kissed her temple.
"Yeah, yeah," Mal said. "Don't start kissing my ass."
"Okay, Lady Mal," Dr. Hope said. "It's time to start pushing."
"No," Mal said as pain started to writhe through her body.
"Baby," Ben said, making Mal snap her head in his direction. "You need to push," he said as he laced his fingers through hers.
Mal shook her head. "No. She's not ready," Mal said.
Evie, Belle, and Seph stood off to the side, watching Mal in pain. She was sweating and the baby hairs were sticking to her forehead. Luckily, Evie braided Mal's hair before she went into active labor.
"She is," Ben said. "And so are we," he said as he climbed onto the bed behind her, putting each of his legs on either side of her, and letting her rest between his legs. "Come on," he said as he pulled her back against his chest, and laced his fingers.
"Okay, Lady Mal," Dr. Hope said. "Let's push. 1… 2… 3… push."
Mal groaned loudly, squeezing Ben's hands as she pushed. Pain shot through her body again, and then she relaxed against Ben.
"That was great, Mal," Dr. Hope said. "Let's go again. 1… 2… 3… push."
"AAAAHHHHH!" Mal yelled as she pushed. "I swear to the gods, Ben," she said as she continued to push. "You are never touching me again."
"Okay," Ben said. "We'll see how long that lasts."
"Okay rest, Mal."
Mal fell back against Ben, and then he kissed the side of her head.
"You're doing great, baby," he said into her ear.
"It hurts," she said.
"I know," Seph said as she walked up to the side of her daughter's bed.
Mal looked up at her mom with tears in her eyes as Belle and Evie walked to the other side of the bed.
"But just think of it," she said as she wiped some of the sweat from Mal's face. "Five more minutes of pain, for a lifetime of happiness," she said as she kissed the top of Mal's head.
"Okay, Mal. A couple more pushes, then you and his majesty will have your princess," Dr. Hope said. "Now. 1… 2… 3… push."
Mal pushed again, and she could feel herself expanding.
"I see her head," Dr. Hope said.
"Can I see?" Evie asked.
Dr. Hope nodded, letting Belle, Evie, and Seph walk behind him to see the baby.
"Oh, she has dark hair," Evie said as she let her tears run down her face.
"Really?" Mal asked as she started to cry.
"Push on 3 Mal," Dr, Hope said. "1… 2… 3…"
Mal pushed again and she could feel everything.
"Her head is out," Dr. Hope said. "One more push and you will be parents. "1… 2… 3… push."
Mal pushed one more time, squeezing Ben's hands, and groaned loudly. The pain in Mal's body stopped, and then she heard a cry. The most beautiful cry she had ever heard.
"She's here," Dr. Hope said as he held her up for Mal and Ben to see.
"Oh, my gods," Mal cried. "She's beautiful."
"Do you want to cut the cord, your majesty?" Dr. Hope asked.
Ben nodded his head eagerly as he slowly climbed off the bed and from behind Mal, and let her lay against the pillows. Ben walked around and when he saw his daughter up close, more tears shed from his eyes. She looked just like Mal. a small button nose, and a cute round face, but they would be able to tell more when she was all cleaned up. One of the nurses gave Ben the pair of scissors for him to cut the cord, and when he was done they wrapped the baby and placed her on Mal's chest. Belle, Seph, and Eie were crying off to the side as Ben walked back over to the head of the bed. Mal smiled down at the baby on her chest, and couldn't help but feel overjoyed at seeing her daughter.
"Hello, baby girl," Mal said. "I'm your mommy."
The baby cooed at the sound of Mal's voice. She looked up at Ben and smiled.
"You did great, mom," Ben said as he gave Mal a kiss against her lips.
"Thank you for being there for me every step of the way, dad," Mal said, making Ben smile at her.
He looked at his daughter and leaned to give her a kiss against her head.
"Okay, Mal" Dr. Hope said. "Let's deliver your placenta and then get you and the baby all cleaned up and then you can have all the visitors you want."
Mal nodded eagerly, and then the nurses took the baby from her to clean. Ben immediately followed the nurses to watch what they were doing.
"We'll go tell everyone," Belle said as she continued to cry.
Mal slowly nodded her head, and she watched as the three girls left while still crying. A couple of minutes later Dr. Hope said that he was just finishing up, and then Ben walked over to Mal with their daughter in his arms. She was clean and wrapped in one of the blankets that they had packed in their bag. It had dusty rose colored roses on it and she had a matching bow on now.
"Okay, Mal," Dr. Hope said. "You are all set and may I say congratulations."
"Thank you," Ben said as he sat on the side of Mal's bed.
He nodded before walking out of the room, and the nurses followed him, leaving the new parents alone to spend time with their baby.
"She looks like you," Ben said as he leaned back so Mal could see her.
She had a cute button nose, rosy pink cheeks, plump lips, and a tuft of brown hair on the top of her head, but in the light you could see purple in it. When she opened her eyes, they were blue, but they knew that that could change in a couple of months.
"Thank you," Ben said.
"For what?"
"Giving me the best gift you could ever give me," he said as Mal smiled up at him.
She leaned up and pressed her lips against his, and then they heard the door open. They turned and saw all of their friends and family standing there looking at the couple with many different emotions.
"Hey, everyone," Mal said as she waved for them all to come closer.
Ben gave the baby to Mal, letting her cradle the baby in her arms.
"She's so beautiful," Adam said as his voice cracked.
"She looks just like Mal," Ryder said, making Jay groan.
Mal looked up at her brother and everyone turned when they started to hear him cracking his knuckles and then his neck.
"Okay, I'm ready," Jay said as he moved his head from side to side. "Protective uncle mode is on and will never be turned off," he said, making everyone in the room laugh.
"Okay," Evie said as she wiped her tears away. "Can we please know her name now?"
Ben and Mal looked at each other before looking back at everyone in their room.
"Okay," Ben said as he wrapped his arm around Mal and his daughter. "May I please introduce you to Amelia Rose Anderson, Princess of Auradon."
"Or Mia for short," Mal said as everyone cooed at the baby.
"I love it," Evie said as she walked over to the other side of her best friend's bed, and wrapped her in a hug.
Both Mal and Ben couldn't help but feel the abundance of love they were feeling as they were being surrounded by the ones they love. Mal only wished that her dad was here for the moment, but Mia did decide to come early, and Hades and Hadie were supposed to be here in a week. Hades would understand, and he would even make jokes about how his granddaughter likes to make a dramatic entrance. Mal couldn't wait. She couldn't wait for her father to meet Mia.
"Can't even get a punishment without Mal interrupting," Ariana said as she slammed the door to her room shut.
The bastard couldn't have come at a better time though. Maybe Ben would forget all about her punishment, she thought as she threw herself on the bed.
"I'll let them have their moment, and then I'll strike. My time will come," Ariana said as she stood up and looked out of her window and toward the Isle. "I'll just need some help to do it."
Okay... What do we think? Please let me know and I will try to have another chapter of the nanny up by tomorrow or the next day!
Until next time my lovies! xoxoGM