Family Maintenance
Author's Note
I am so sorry for all the wonky updates! To be completely honest, it's been a mess at work recently and I've just needed some time away to destress, but I'm back now! I hope you enjoy Chapter 14, this chapter is that one where I should say sorry, but really, I'm not. And just a warning, I didn't beta this whatsoever, so if there's any mistakes or questions, please let me know and I'll try to fix it.
And I did want to share this personal news with you all, I absolutely meant to update last week, but I got engaged. :)
Leave those reviews, please, I miss seeing them and your support!
They ended up in his dorm room, a bit smaller than the others and isolated on a completely separate floor. It was simple, dark blues and greys accenting the mahogany furniture.
Mal set Este down on his comforter, where she immediately burrowed under the blankets and stuffed her face into the pillow. Mal's face softened as she rubbed Este's small frame, kissing her daughter's forehead while Ben emerged from his bathroom with an ice pack.
"I keep them in my skincare fridge."
"You have a skincare fridge?" Mal teased, her tone as light as she could muster it to be despite the circumstances.
"Hey, Mrs. Potts got it for me. I'm not letting a present go to waste." he said as he absentmindedly placed the ice pack on her cheek, cupping her face gently and they both flushed, her hand replacing his as he sat down on the bed, his weight making the bed squeak, looking anywhere but her.
They sat in silence, the only sound the quiet hum of the fan and Este squirming around under the covers.
"I'm so sorry, Mal." he finally said, his hands clasping together in his lap.
Mal raised her eyebrows as she moved the ice pack. "Why are you sorry, Ben?"
"For what Leah said, for what they said-"
"Ben, don't have to apologize for what other people say," Mal said immediately, her hand instinctively reaching out to squeeze his arm. "It's not your fault that… People don't see what you can see."
Ben stared at her. "But you… You don't deserve that. Este doesn't deserve that. Nobody deserves that. Mal, people aren't seeing how wonderful you actually are. How strong you are. They're so blind to it because all they see is who your mother is and-"
"Ben," Mal whispered, her eyes glazing over with wetness. "It's not your fault."
"I know. But I feel terrible about it."
He inched closer to her and wrapped his arms around her and she started to cry softly, sniffing as quietly as she could, the ice pack falling to the floor as she returned his hug.
He hated every second of her crying. Mal rarely cried and the sound went straight to his gut.
"Hey, it's okay. Like you said, it's not your fault either." he murmured, rubbing her back gently.
"I… I expected it would happen," she said softly as she pulled away, wiping her eyes. Este crawled into her lap, her small hand reaching up to pat Mal's cheeks dry. She smiled gently at her daughter. "I knew it would happen, actually. I just didn't know when. Or who. It makes sense that it would be her, but… It makes it more real. That I'm the daughter of… Her."
"But she doesn't define you, Mal. You define yourself," Ben said, his lips curling upwards. "I think you're the strongest person I know. The most caring. And sarcastic." He wiggled his eyebrows and Mal laughed.
"Wha's sar'cas… Sar'caswic?" Este piped up.
"Sarcastic is your mother."
"Ben!"
They laughed, Este flopping onto her back as she giggled and Ben tickled her sides and she shrieked with glee. Mal took the distraction to compose herself, placing the ice pack on the nightstand and rubbing her eyes.
As she watched Ben sit Este upright and brush her hair out of her face, she bit her lower lip. She put on an expressionless face and Ben glanced at her.
"Mal?"
"Hm?"
"What is it?"
"Nothing."
"Mal."
Mal's teeth sunk into her lip further until she tasted a bit of blood. She licked her lip, her eyes falling to the mattress. "Este and I are moving."
"What? Back to the Isle?"
"Oh, Gods, no, Ben," Mal shook her head violently. "I mean… I told you I thought this was going to happen. And I… Well, I talked to Fairy Godmother. She didn't want to, but I begged her, and she helped me find an apartment. It's not far. We're due to move in after the coronation."
"Why?" Ben asked softly. "I'm not… I'm just surprised, that's all."
"I don't want Este to see. I know I can't protect her forever, but she's too young for their messes right now. Fairy Godmother agreed to let me take online courses and I have a… small job drawing logos and stuff."
She had it all planned out.
"Is it safe?"
"I'm staying anonymous."
Ben ran a hand through his hair and Este laughed at the mess he made. He smiled at her before turning back to Mal. "What do you friends think?"
"They understand," Mal sighed heavily. "They don't want us to go, but they know."
She didn't want to tell Ben that her friends had prodded at her for information about her relationship with Ben. It was strictly just friends. And when Evie had pointed out that Ben seemed to like her more, Mal shut it down immediately.
She didn't want Ben to get close to Este. She was young. She wouldn't understand, if he came into her life then left. He was the future king. He'd forget about the two of them as soon as the crown was on his head.
It might've been a little too late for that, but she could stop it from going further.
Maybe.
Hopefully.
That was the plan.
"Whatever you think is best for you two," Ben said, cutting off her thoughts. "You know I will always help if you need it, right?"
His mind was spinning. He didn't want them to go.
But he knew they probably needed it.
And that Mal was stubborn and would never change her mind, no matter how hard he tried.
"I know." Mal said softly. And that's why we have to go. Ben, stop putting that look on your face, it's making me feel guilty.
Ben chuckled as he glanced at Este, who had fallen asleep in his lap, snoring quietly. "I guess she was tired from all the running she did today," Ben stroked her back. "I'm glad she doesn't seem to be so affected by… What happened."
"Yeah," Mal whispered, her voice hoarse. "I should go, let her sleep in her own bed."
Ben nodded, not bothering to try and push her further, and he picked up Este, slipping her into Mal's arms. "Let me know if you need anything, please. I'm always just here."
"I know."
Ben smiled as he escorted her to the door and waved. She carefully walked down the hallway, rocking Este back and forth as she sighed.
Why did things have to be so Gods damn hard?