PART FOUR OF FOUR
After Mal and Ben's reunion and Ben's last words "Come home Mal", Mal fell into a calm dreamless sleep. Ben held her hand in his and had never dreamed of letting go. That's how Ben sat for the next ten minutes. Adam slowly came through the door with his wife and the other VK's traveling slowly behind. Not a creek was heard from the silent five however they did get a fright when Ben spoke up "You can come in you know" his eyes never left Mal's body. Startled but surely, they made their way back to the posts that they slept in the night before. "Ben" Belle called but Ben didn't pay any attention "Ben honey" again he paid no attention "Ben!" this time Ben turned to his mother so fast that he thought he had whiplash. "Yes, mother" Ben replied with a sigh. "The doctor is here to see Mal" Ben's eyes widened as he jumped into the air and off his chair to make way for the doctor. Ben made his way over to the wall with the other VK's while his parents were on the sofa. Dr. Pistachio picked up Mal's report from the front of her hospital bed and slowly began to shake her to wake her up. After several minutes, Mal began to comply and opened her eyes and lifted her herself up on the bed. "Hello Miss Mal, I was just checking over your records and your iron levels seem to be safe and your blood pressure is at a normal rate. I think a couple more hours' rest and it should be enough to discharge you." Mal's eyes lit up in excitement as did Ben's, his parents and the other VK's." Now I just need to prescribe the right medication to make sure that your iron levels stay normal. All I need you to do is answer some simple questions. Do you suffer from migraines?" Mal replied with a No but her voice and mind seemed distant. "Do you have any illnesses that run in the family?" Mal again replied with a No and again she seemed distant as her answer was prolonged "Are you pregnant?" Mal was too far into her own little world to notice the question. Evie noticed this and started to shake Mal back to reality "Mal?" Mal jerked her head to Evie and that's when the doctor re-asked his question. "No" Mal said, this she was sure of. Everyone in the room let out a strong breath that they held while waiting for Mal to answer. Dr. Pistachio Cleared Mal and wrote out a prescription.
"Thank you, Doctor, I'm sure that Mal would feel much better back at the Castle" Adam spoke up. After the doctor left, everyone gathered around Mal's bed. Evie refused to let go of Mal while Carlos and Jay never let their eyes leave their sister, just to make sure that she was safe. Belle and Adam stood at the foot of the bed with Ben as they watched over Mal. After the seven of them discussed everything and everything that they could think of, it was time for Mal to be discharged. Evie and Jay gathered up all her stuff from her overnight bag while Carlos was fixing the sofa bed with Belle and Adam. Meanwhile, Ben was helping Mal out of the bed and into some suitable shoes. They all slowly made their way to the reception, when they reached the desk, a young cheerful woman greeted them "Your Majesties, Mal has been discharged I believe?" Everyone nodded in response "Well then, you better head home to rest, here's your prescription notes, get well soon." She handed Mal a slip of paper and returned to typing on her computer.
As they left the hospital they were greeted by a swarm of paparazzi and the Castle's Limo. Everyone knowing Mal's previous experience with paparazzi, deemed it best to keep Mal in the middle of them so they could all support her and fewer people would see her. Questions were thrown around as they made their way to the Limo.
"Do you hold grudges to the House of Beauty?"
"Is Miss Mal safe to return back to the Castle?"
"Is this all an elaborate scheme?"
As they finally made their way to the Limo, the driver Pat, opened the door to allow access to the royals. Once they were all in the Limo, all eyes diverted to Mal. She was shaking like a little lamb but was curled up against Evie, Jay, and Carlos. It would have been Ben but right now she needed her Family more than the one who stole her heart. That's how they stayed the whole journey home. Anytime Ben would try and take Mal into his arms, Jay and Evie would scowl at him. It pained Ben to see Mal revert to her old, insecure self that was petrified of everything like she was as a child.
Once the Journey was over and they were greeted by The Royal family's guards Walter and Ivan who happily took Adam, Belle, and Ben safely into the castle while the VK's trailed behind extremely slowly to accommodate Mal. Pat was following behind with Mal's Overnight bag and her prescription. Once the Royal family had made it to the top of the steps and into the castle, the VK's were at the bottom of the steps. They had to walk slow to make sure that Mal didn't pull any muscle or do any more damage to herself, she was still weak as she no longer had any food in her stomach. Walter and Ivan saw this and started to guide the VK's safely. Once inside the castle Mrs. Potts and Chip greeted them. It was still a lot for Mal to take in, being in a place of love and not having to be scared to admit weaknesses. Ben slowly took a hold of Mal which Jay didn't agree with but he didn't protest it. Everyone made their way to the Castle beast dining room. Mal sat close to Ben but Jay made sure that she was still in eyesight and close enough so if something happened, he could save his sister.
Mrs. Potts brought out a delicious looking brunch for the seven to enjoy. Mal took her fork in one hand and Ben's hand in her other and began to eat. As soon as Mal brought her fork down to a sausage, Jay, Evie, and Carlos yelled at her. Ben, Adam, and Belle jumped in fright. They all stared at the Core Four to see what was happening. Jay rushed over to Mal and her food, he took her food and handed it to Evie and Carlos. Everyone else sat at the table really confused, even the cooks came from the kitchen to see the commotion. Evie and Carlos were now on the other side of the room examining Mal's food. "Jay, what the Lucifer is going on here?" Mal's voice sounded strong as it took all her strength to project her voice. "Mal you and Evie are my only sisters, I want to make sure you're okay." Jay replied "Mal I don't want to lose you to something as silly as iron, you have to remember this iron thing is stronger here in Auradon, it's different on the Isle" Carlos took over Jay' speech. "You are my only sister Mal and I can't bear to see you in pain. I know that the cooks wouldn't do anything here but for peace of Mind could you please eat something else?" Evie finished.
The cooks looked slightly offended but mostly shocked at the amount of love that was between the four Isle kids. Belle and Adam sat in silence with tears brimming their eyes. "So, you want Mal to eat something that was not prepared from here? Is that what would give you peace of mind?" All three Nodded as Ben asked the questions. "Fine but only for the next couple of days, I don't you all to be afraid to eat here" he ended with a small chuckle. Evie gasped and ran to Ben. She trapped him in a hug and pulled away to speak "Thank you, it's just Mal has held us all together and we don't know what we would do without her" Evie now had tears falling down her cheeks. Mal rose from her chair and caught Evie into a hug, the boys joined them as did the Royal family.
Ben could see the love they all held for Mal and how much she had impacted their life's as much as she did his. This was one of the Many reasons that he loved her. He always knew that Mal would be his forever and this past couple of days have confirmed it.