" I needed to leave, I'm sorry, there's nothing you could say that could make me hate myself anymore than I already do, Okay? "

She stood up and began to pace around the room. Ben decided to interfere as it was only going to be a matter of time before she drew a hole in the floor and his mother would kill him if they had to call the maintenence person again.

" I don't hate you, c'mon sit down next to me and let's talk this out " he said offering her a hand, which she gracefully accepted and he led her over to the two seats in the corner of his office.

" What's brought this on? I know it is more than what you were letting on " Ben asked

" I'll get there, just let me talk first " Mal pleaded

" Of course " Ben said " My Bad"

Mal sighed and took Ben's hand.

" I missed you, I missed everyone, I wanted to come home but I didn't want to bring down your good name " She frowned once more

" You could never do that "

Mal was surprised Ben didn't already know or he was just playing around which she doubted, they had to participate in a musical theatre module in high school and to put it bluntly he was not a great actor. At all. She was almost five months pregnant and her bump might not be massive but you could definitely notice it if you were paying enough attention to her.

" I don't know how you will regret, you might hate me for hiding this but I was scared Ben, really scared and I still am and I'm nowhere near ready for this development. My life is a mess as it is. I don't know where my future is heading and I might have lost you as a result of everything "

Ben kissed the top of her head and pulled her into an embrace.

" You haven't, Never. You're the only woman there is for me. I was ready to fight for you if the need arised " Ben rested his head in the crook of her neck

He missed having her next to him, being this close to her, everything.

" Ben? " Mal said breaking the comfortable silence between the two of them.

" Mhm " Ben said half paying attention, he was too wrapped up playing with her hair

" I'm pregnant "

Ben stopped what he was doing and turned his full attention to his ex-girlfriend.

Ben sighed, he felt a lump in his throat, he knew Mal right? There was no way she'd have cheated on him, right?

" Is it m-mine? " he asked fearing her response, avoiding eye contact

" Of course " Mal said, taken a bit by surprise. Ben finally was able to make eye contact again now that he knew for sure that the baby was his.

" Who else would the father be? " Mal said a bit devastated that Ben would think that she cheated on him

" right that was...stupid, I'm sorry " Ben sighed

Mal and Ben sat in silence for ten minutes, without exchanging a word, mostly to allow Ben to process the fact that he was going to be a father.

" I'm happy " Ben said breaking the sentence

" You are? " Mal said surprised " I thought you'd be disappointed "

" Why would I be? We made this baby out of love, both of us did " Ben gave her small smile and took her hand giving it a comforting squeeze.

" I was scared, I found out before graduation and I didn't know what to do, I wanted to tell you but I didn't want to ruin your life any more than I already have " She sighed

" Hey, you have not! You made me happy and I was heartbroken when I found out you had left "

" I love you " Mal said

Ben kissed her and she returned it.

" I love you so much " Ben replied

Mal moved herself closer to Ben and rested her head on his shoulder.

" How far are you? " Ben asked

" Nearly five months " Mal said " Are you okay with this? I won't force you to raise this baby, y'know. I want what's best for you "

Ben cut her off.

" Nonsense " he waved " You two are my family, we are sticking together. You can't get rid of me that easily and now that I have you back, I will never let you out of my sight again " Ben waved his hand

" Thank you " Mal said with a sign of relief

" For what? " he questioned

" I needed that, I was scared, I still am but maybe I can do this now...with you. I really need you. I don't know how I would do this alone "

" You will be an incredible mother and I've seen you with kids, you'll be great, don't worry. I've known for quite some time that we would have a family some day. Honestly, I didn't anticipate for it to be this soon but what's done is done and this child will be the most loved person in the entire kingdom " Ben said " And I would never leave you to all this alone, we are a team "

Mal smiled relieved Ben was being so supportive to her.

" My child will be lucky to say your their father "

Ben stood up and extended his arm out to her. She took his hand in hers and he led her out into the hallway of Castle Beast.

" Come on, let's go see everyone else "

" M " Evie announced to the group as she saw her best friend for the first time in almost two months and nearly squeezed her to death, Ben was a bit conscious whether she was hurting the baby in doing so.

" Never leave me again, okay? We were worried sick but I knew you'd come around " Evie said with tears in her eyes

" I'm sorry, to all you guys. You deserved much better than that. I'm sorry. I truly am " Mal sighed sadly

" It's okay, we forgive you " Carlos smiled

" That's what family is for " Evie said as she invited the friends to share a group hug.

" Speaking of family, how would you feel about a new member " Mal said

Jay and Carlos raised an eyebrow before realising what she said.

" I KNEW IT " Evie exclaimed " I'm going to be an auntie!" , Evie thought back to when she hugged her, she noticed that she had a bump but didn't say anything in case she wasn't. She'd have died of embarrassment if she had called Mal fat by accident.

" Wait, you're pregnant? " Carlos quizzed

" That's why you left " Jay spoke at the same time

" Yeah...I'll be honest, I was really scared and I thought you would think differently of me " She said feeling a bit of ashamed " I wanted to tell you.. I almost did " She turned towards Ben at the last sentence.

" We would never " Evie said " We love you, we always have and always will. That will never change "

" What she said! Besides we are here to help you whenever you need it. You're never going to be alone as long as you have us " Jay said

" Amen " Carlos added

" Thank you guys, so much. I don't know what I did to deserve you guys " Mal said

" Don't mention it " Carlos said " That kid is going to be in safe hands " He looked towards Ben and Mal. " Speaking of which, are you two back together? "

Ben looked at Mal.

" We hadn't discussed it actually but if this " Ben placed his hands around her bump " You being afraid was the only reason behind our breakup than I would be happier than ever to continue our relationship, Mal. Is it? " Ben asked her

" I didn't want you to suffer because of me, it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do "

She nodded then turned towards Ben and took his hand. They were an unconventional couple after all, so why not.

" Will you be my boyfriend again? That is, if you'll take me back " She asked him

" I would be honoured " he smiled before hugging her tightly not wanting to let her go like she would disappear again if he did.

" You and Me" Mal smiled

" Just the three of us against the world " Ben rested his hand on her small bump and Mal laughed at him as he did so while their friends watched the newly reborn couple in awe.

He kissed her in front of their friends passionately as it had been long overdue.

" Get a room! " Carlos teased

" Do you know why I have called you both here? " Adam said sternly

Lynn and Audrey sat across from the former King confused, they hadn't spoken since their last conversation and you could feel the tension in the room.

" As Audrey clearly isn't going to say anything I will, we don't and I'd like to do something different with my free time so if we could hurry on please " Lynn said with her arms crossed firmly.

Ben's father opened his smartphone and showed a post from his sons instagram feed.

" As you can see that wretch is back with my son. He hasn't even told me. You were meant to prevent this " Adam said angrily

" I was almost there but my idiotic brother bailed on me at the last moment, Ben only has eyes for her and quite frankly I am not getting paid enough for this " She rolled her eyes

" Oh cut it out, you just weren't suitable for this job. It was naive of you to think we could pull Ben away from her when two of us were trying to get him " Audrey said

Adam straightened up.

" Watch your tone with me, Audrey " he scolded

" Besides Lynn did more for my plan than you, she actually got rid of her for two months. What did you do? " Adam interrogated her

Audrey bit her lip and remained silent.

" That girl is going to ruin my son's entire reputation, something he has worked his whole life for. Lynn found out she's pregnant and now that she's back must mean Ben knows now. I can't and I won't let this happen " Adam slammed his fist down on the desk in front of him

" Trust me Ben will not end up with that girl and you have my word. So far I've been playing nice but what poor knocked up Mally doesn't know is that I can play dirty... much dirtier " She grinned " Audrey "

" Yeah? "

" You better be ready, since I've lost Ryder I need a new backup. You're welcome to join me. Especially if you want to see Mal suffer "

" I may hate you but I hate her more " Audrey pursed her lips " I'm in "

" Great, c'mon then we have some things we need to discuss "