Mal was sitting impatiently. After their date last night, Ben's parents requested his presence once again. This time however, Mal chose to stay behind. Ben tried to persuade her to go with him but she knew this was unwise. King Beast had expressed his opinions towards her quite truthfully and there was no point in attempting to change his opinion. Not yet, anyways. She always had an odd relationship with Ben's dad. She respected him as a king of course but there was hatred present from parties based on prejudice and anger. Mal was deprived of a proper childhood because of his father, she never said this to him of course.
" Any idea, what you will name your baby? " Evie said breaking Mal from the deep whole which was her thoughts.
Mal smirked
" Ben didn't even know 48 hours ago, it hasn't really been a topic of conversation yet! Once, he rekindles his relationship with his parents, we can make plans "
" Can I make a suggestion? "
" Go for it " Mal said, it was a good distraction she had to admit. It was crazy to think that a few months ago, her biggest concern was having a baby at eighteen. Today, she could not help but feel guilty as it seems she has just ripped Ben apart from his own family. She loved Ben, she really did. This time away had really made that clear. On one hand, she would never be able to live with herself if she ruined their relationship. How could she love Ben and expect him to continue to love her, if she destroyed everything?
" I think Evelyn would be very fitting for a young princess. Just think about it! Princess Evelyn Adams " Evie teased, Mal laughed quite genuinely for the first time in God knows how long.
" You went there, you really did " Carlos intervened
" Evie, you're being ridiculous. Jay is obviously the better name. It's gender neutral. It will work for both a boy or girl "
Mal raised an eyebrow
" You know what, you are all being ridiculous! "
" Just like Ben's love for you " Carlos chimed in
" Ha ha, you are hilarious " she rolled her eyes " If he still loves me "
" Mal, we've been over this " Evie scolded
" I know we have, but this is all my fault. If I never came back, we wouldn't be in this place right now " Mal sighed
" M, he loves you unconditionally " Evie said
" Besides, Beast really over reacted " Carlos added " And they say we are the villains! "
" Damn right " Jay added.
" I missed this, I really did. I could have never lasted on my own. You all are my family. I really needed you. I know I have already apologized but I just want you to know I never wanted to leave intentionally "
" M, we know. We love you " Evie comforted her
" Damn, these hormones have picked quite a fight with you " Jay teased
" I don't even recognize myself. I have never cried so much in my life " She flung her hands in the air.
Meanwhile at Castle Beast
" Father, please here me out! " Ben pleaded
" I don't want to hear it, Benjamin "
Ben was short-tempered like his father was. However, he was clearly his mother's son. He had all the good traits from Belle. He was well-mannered, kind-hearted and he always looked for the best in everyone. As for Beast, he was not so forgiving. He saw people as they were. He gave them no room for growth. One mistake and that was it, that was how he would define them.
" Dad, you've made mistakes. You are the last person that should be giving us a hard time about this " Ben explained " We are taking responsibility for our mistake "
" You're too young. Get that through to you. You've ruined everything. We had everything perfectly laid out. This will never go away "
" You know, I can't help but feel that this has nothing to do with our unexpected pregnancy but more with the fact that you don't like the girl I'm with, that now you fear that I will end up with her. Do not pretend for a moment that I have not noticed, that she has not noticed. Long before, you were trying to set me up with upper class women, I caught the side glares you gave her. Everyone else has given her a chance and seen her for who she is, tell me why will you not do the same? " Ben attempted to make reason with his father. Up until now, he thought he could get through to his father but it was another dead stop. He never liked to label anyone as a villain, but now he couldn't see his father as anything else. How cruel do you have to be to disown your own son and future daughter in law?
Ben walked in the door to their games room. Nobody heard him. He stopped for a minute and watched Mal and the other villain kids interact each other. They showed him something. They were family. All they had was each other when they first came here. Sometimes, that is still the case. In this situation, he was scared but he didn't want to frighten Mal even more than she was. He had nobody except his friends which were also Mal's friends. His mom was forced to take his dad's approach which left him with nobody. It reminded him of family day all those years ago, when Beast put the blame on him and his mother followed. He felt alone and tired. He just wanted his parents to give him advice and comfort but it appears he must seek support elsewhere.
" Ben, hey " Mal greeted him " How are you? " She gave him a hug. Just what he needed.
" Better now that you are here. My parents won't change their opinions. We are on our own " Mal frowned
" That's not true " Jay said nodding to Evie and Carlos who agreed
" We are a family and that includes you too now, Ben " Evie depicted
" I don't want to be a burden on you all " Mal sighed
" You have never been and never will " Carlos said
" He's right, Mal " Ben said
" I've realised today that family is not always blood related, my own family wouldn't help me in my time of need because it would harm their reputation but you guys have always been there "
" Well our reputation has always been quite tarnished " Carlos joked
Ben wrapped his arm around Mal and they shared a laugh.
Ben turned towards Mal.
" I want to leave this castle, we can't stay here for the time being. I have summer home on the outskirts of Auardon City which might suit us as the paparazzi are never resting out there. Besides, the last thing we need is anymore stress. I know we haven't gotten a chance to talk about it but I don't want our kid exploited to the press "
Mal nodded " I wanted to talk to you about that. I want them to be raised as normal as possible. In that sense, I want them to be humbled "
Ben agreed " Last thing we want is them growing up like Audrey "
The group laughed.
" Come on, we'll gather the essentials and make a trip down and we can start making plans for the future. One thing I know for sure is my future is with you " Ben gushed
King's Consort Lady Mal has been found!
The Auardon daily is exhilarated to announce that Lady Mal has returned home safely after an profound, nerve wrecking two months. Sources close to the King have stated that the two have amended their relationship and are going strong once again. A spokesperson for the King has requested the utmost privacy for the pair at the re-joyful time. We are awaiting an official comment from his highness and you will be the first to know!
Ryder growled at the sight of the newspaper headline. He was furious, angry, betrayed. He loved Mal, he didn't care that she was in love with someone else. He didn't want to hurt her initially but as time went by, he had fallen for her. He hated Mal for what she did. She played with his heart - a dangerous game, might I add. She flirted with him, made him believe that they could be more than friends only for her to stab him in the back and get back with Ben. He was a rebound, he knew they had broken up and he truly believed she liked him. It was all an act. At the time of the kiss, he was fine with waiting for her but now it appears it meant nothing. He meant nothing to her. She continued her relationship with Ben almost like nothing had ever happened between her and Ryder. He doubts Ben even knows about him. It may had started out as a scheme to make her fall in love with him but he didn't expect to actually love her. However, he was playing a different game now. Mal had made an enemy out of Ryder and he was not going to play fair.
Ryder dialed a number.
" I made a mistake " he declared " I'm back in "
" I knew you'd come back around, brother " Lynn replied " We've been missing you "
" We? "
" Audrey is on our side. Believe me, there is not a chance that we won't prevail "
She smirked to herself
" I know you are heartbroken but trust me, we will get revenge and she will regret ever rejecting a catch like you "
