Family is more than blood

A/N : Hi everyone! Here's a new chapter. It's short & sweet. I hope you enjoy!

Ben had learned over the years that the most important part about Father's Day wasn't the activities they did, but the fact that they spent time together. He knows he can ask his Dad for help with anything, and he's learned to compromise much better than when he was a child. He laughs at the memories of making pancakes for the very first time.

It did not exactly go as planned. But at least his Dad had been happy that he tried and a new tradition had been started!

Ben felt lucky that he was so close to his parents. He knew a lot of children didn't get along with their parents, both on and off the isle.

That's why after spending more than a year with Mal and knowing of her strained -or rather, practically non existant- relationship with her own father, Hades, he just knew she needed to be included in this year's Father-Son bonding activities. After all, with the teens recently engaged to be married, Beast would technically be Mal's father too.

Ben told his Dad he wanted Mal to hang out with them on their special day. He was pleased when the ex-king of Auradon agreed.

"I look forward to knowing the girl of your heart better," said Adam.

Ben blushed. "I can't wait for you two to bond!"

When the day came, Ben brought Mal with him to the royal kitchen. His Dad was already waiting for them with ingredients for a chocolate chip pancake recipe neatly arranged in front of him on the counters.

"Oh…" Mal stopped in her tracks, looking surprised at the sight of the royal. Despite having passed the crown down to his son, he still radiated a royal aura. "Your Majesty…" she bowed hesitantly.

Adam was a little disappointed but he supposed he could understand why the young girl would be intimidated by him. After all, he was the one who caused her, her parents, and her friends to live on the miserable isle of the lost. He was the one who was against her and the VKs coming to Auradon last year. And he had a reputation from the old days for having quite the short temper.

He offered a polite smile and nod before moving away to take the milk and eggs out of the fridge; ingredients he didn't want to take out earlier for fear they might spoil. He hoped today would be an opportunity to get to know his daughter in law better and earn her trust.

When he turned back Ben had already pulled Mal to the counter and the teens had put on aprons to cover their clothes. "I didn't know your Dad would be here," she whispered in Ben's ear. He hugged her and whispered back : "Don't worry, he's really nice. You'll see, I promise."

Mal trusted Ben, but she wasn't so sure about Adam. The only male adults she'd been around on the isle had been ruffians and thugs on the streets, people like Jafar who were always looking to manipulate you and steal your prized possessions, or her own father, Hades, who couldn't care less what happened to his only daughter. The women in her life hadn't been so great either, but at least her mother, Maleficent, had tolerated her enough to keep her around.

Ben and his Dad usually enjoyed baking in the morning, often pancakes, but sometimes they switched things up with French toast, or muffins, or waffles. One year, Ben even convinced his father to let them make cake for breakfast!

It took a little longer to bake with Mal because she's never really baked before (the cookies she had made for Ben the previous year weren't exactly a traditional recipe. There was a lot of magic involved.

Nevertheless, the little group had fun and Mal even relaxed a little around Adam, dropping the "Sir's" and other formalities.

After eating breakfast and cleaning up, Ben had to excuse himself to attend some royal duties. That left Mal and the Beast alone for a few hours.

Mal was a little wary, but more willing to give him a chance after he had been so nice in the morning.

Adam was beaming at the chance to get to know her better!

"What would you like to do today, Mal?" Asked the man with a kind smile.

Mal thought for a moment. "May we walk through your gardens? They always seem to be full of beautiful flowers… Unless maybe they belong to Queen Belle?" She hesitated, unsure whether or not Adam would even want to spend time in a flower garden. She had wanted to visit the garden, which surrounded the entire royal family's castle in a beautiful outward spiralling pattern. But she also didn't want to bore him, or make him feel like he had to do what she wanted.

Adam beamed at that. "That sounds wonderful!" He stood up and lead the way.

In the gardens, he pointed out different types of flowers and how to care for them, surprising Mal with the extent of his botanical knowledge.

When Ben finally came back, he was surprised but pleased to find Mal and his father sitting on a bench in the middle of the garden, the later showing the former how to transfer a delicate morning glory flower from one pot to another.

"Hey!" He called, the two others turning towards him. Mal had a wide smile on her face. She thanked Adam for the wonderful day and walked back to the school dorms with Ben.

"How was it?" Inquired Ben, smiling brightly at his fiancée.

"It was actually really fun! Did you know that each of these types of flowers has different needs and has to be cared for individually? I had no ideas your father was so into flowers!"

Ben chuckled. "It would appear so. I'm so happy you had a good day!"

"Thanks for including me in it," she smiled back.

Later that night, Ben visited his father back at the castle. "I didn't know you were so into flowers," said Ben, his tone framing it more like a question than a statement.

Adam chuckled. "Belle sees your girlfriend eye the flower garden every time you two come here. She helped me learn about all of them and how to care for them properly in case Mal ever wanted to have a guided tour."

Ben smiled. "Thanks for making her feel safe and listened to today."

"Of course," responded Adam with a smile. "She's my daughter too now."

A/N : Thanks for reading! Happy Father's Day!