Family Maintenance

Author's Note

Woah, ignore the weird updates with the chapters! I accidentally deleted the last chapter instead of adding this one- I've been quite tired and worn recently, so my brain has been absolutely all over the place. Nevertheless, here is the next chapter!

One more thing, I just wanted to let you all know that I will be returning to my weekly updates. Uni is starting back up again soon, and I have found that once a week updates is more organized and puts less stress on me to write constantly. Thank you for understanding!
As always, leave the comments and all the love, I really appreciate them!

The days leading up to his coronation were quick.

Mal avoided him like the plague. The only times they really spoke was when he came to pick up and drop off Este while she was holed up in classes, trying to finish as much as she could before they left, or stuck in a meeting with Fairy Godmother, finalizing their move.

And when he wasn't babysitting Este, he was handing her off to Akiho and Emir or one of Mal's friends, then running to classes and council meetings or fittings for his suit for the coronation.

But he really didn't mind. That was Mal. He could feel that she was still nervous about his reaction to her telling him about the move.

He wouldn't lie, he was a bit upset about it, but he would respect her and her decisions, no matter how hard his brain was egging him on to talk to her, to try and convince her more to stay.

No, that would complicate matters even more.

His coronation went smoothly. Este sat in the front with Mal and her friends, and Akiho and Emir and their families. The tension still lay there from Family Day, but Ben knew Mal was keeping it together.

After all, what good was the move if her temper flared and a royal complained? They could be sent back to the Isle with a snap of their fingers.

The little girl wore a fluffy purple skirt, almost identical to her mother's, and her hair was pulled into two pigtails. She eagerly waved at Ben when he passed by, her face wrinkling when he didn't wave back.

Breaking the princely facade for just a moment, he turned his head to smile at her, just to wipe the disappointed look off of her face, his eyes lifting to Mal's for a split second.

She looked away first.

As usual.

The cameras flashed immensely before dying down again as he kept walking down the aisle.

His PR team would have to do something about that before magazines filled to the brim with rumors hit the stands.

Ah well, that was his team's problem if it came down to that.

Immediately after the main event, the guests were swept into the ballroom where the celebrations were being held. Streamers decorated the ceilings and confetti and balloons littered the floor. Several banquet tables piled high with food lined the back wall.

Ben had to make his rounds first. He earned congratulations from the other kings and queens and the royal dignitaries. Several high-ranking men introduced their daughters, but Ben quickly averted them by stating he had to go greet everyone else.

He had no interest in girls other than the purple-haired, green-eyed girl who stood in the corner, speaking quietly with her friends.

Before he could overthink it, Ben strode over, his smile stretching when Este squealed with delight.

"Ben!" she cheered, running towards him and almost tripping over her skirt. She tumbled into his arms and he picked her up, spinning her around.

"Be careful with her dress, Ben. It took me two days to make," Evie chided, her hand clasped around Doug's arm. Ben was glad for them to find joy with each other, as did Lonnie, who was teasing Jay about his suit. Even Jane was shyly talking with Carlos, her hand reaching out to pet Dude's ears every once in a while.

He only wished he could say it was the same for him.

"If you hadn't insisted on making us matching outfits, it might not have taken two days," Mal remarked and Evie sighed, as if they'd had this conversation a million times.

Ben listened to the others' chatter as Este skipped around the group, humming under her breath. She was mumbling a song Belle had taught her, when Ben had brought her to the palace while Belle was there.

Este had been hesitant to spend time with her, almost as if she were remembering her mother's weariness, thus making Ben hesitant to leave her when an emergency council meeting arised, but Este was comforted when Belle offered to tell her a story.

The two had become best friends immediately. Even Adam had warmed up to her, and he often took her to watch him golf- she delighted in the balls falling into the holes and fetching them for Adam.

Ben was startled when Mal approached him, the two of them drifting away from their friends. She looked radiant, her face only showing off a light spray of makeup. Wisps of violet framed her face, and she smiled slowly at him.

"How does it feel to be king?"

Ben was surprised she was speaking with him, given the way she'd been ignoring him for the past few weeks. He didn't mull it over, though, and he grinned, glad she was choosing to talk with him.

It made him feel better that she wouldn't be leaving on a sour term.

"It feels the same, although this crown on my head is quite heavy."

Mal let out a soft chuckle, her gaze dragging away from him and darting around the room. "It's been quiet tonight."

"Yeah, my dad wanted to up security after… Um, Family Day." Ben coughed. Mal smirked.

They fell into their regular silence and Ben worked up the courage to tell her what was on his mind. "Hey, since you're moving later in the week, I just… I, uh, just wanted to let you know that if you ever need anything, you have my number. Just… shoot me a text, give me a call, yeah?"

Mal tilted her head and stared at him. She opened her mouth to say something, interrupted when Este bounded over to the two of them, a sneaky gleam in her eyes.

"What are you up to, baby?" Mal asked suspiciously and Este gave a toothy smile.

"Kiko tol' me 'bout kings an' queens, an' how Ben's a king now," she explained, her tone taking on that of a schoolteacher. "Ben, do you have a queen?"

Ben choked on the air while Mal started laughing, hiding her smile behind her hand. Ben glared at Akiho and Emir, who were laughing shamelessly.

"Well?" Este demanded, her hands going to her hips, and she absolutely resembled an impatient Mal in that moment.

"No, I don't have a queen," Ben says after a reluctant beat. He shouldn't feel embarrassed by a three-year old sizing him up.

Este's face settled into an expression of confusion, as if he should absolutely have one. "Why not?"

"I have to get married to someone I love first," Ben stammered, trying to explain the concept to the little girl while Mal snickered next to him. "And then they get crowned queen, just like I was crowned king today."

Este nodded seriously. "Oh, I see."

Mal snorted. That must've been from hanging out with Emir too much, Este on her own never would've said that.

Este shrieked with excitement. "I know! Mama can be your queen!"

Mal stopped laughing and started coughing instead. Ben patted her back, pink seeping into his cheeks, while the others howled in laughter.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing, baby, your aunts and uncles are just weird," Mal managed to say, her eyes watery and her cheeks flushed. It was still a bit terrifying when she glared at their friends, who quickly quieted, but still hid their smiles behind their hands.

She glanced at Ben and they both turned even redder, if that was possible for Mal, who already looked like she had spent too much time in the sun, and Este tugs on Ben's hand.

"Miss Belle read me a story 'bout and the prince an' princess kissed at the end 'cause they loved each other," Este tilted her head curiously. "Kiss Mama!"

"I don't think-"

"But how will you know you don't love her if you don't kiss her?" Este asked and Ben's heart did flips.

You love her!

No, I don't!

Ben turned to Mal and she smiled apologetically at him. She tapped her cheek and he placed his lips there for just a second, before pulling away and blushing even more furiously.

He tried to will his heart rate to go back to normal.

It kind of worked when Mal walked away, going straight to Evie.

Este seemed to be satisfied and she skipped away to tell their friends of her achievement.

Ben made the excuse that he had to finish his rounds so he wouldn't have to face the others.

Mainly Mal.

It worked. He didn't see them again until the party ended and he was bidding everyone a goodbye with his parents at the door. He had given Mal an awkward side hug and she had kept her eyes casted towards the floor.

He wished he could kiss her without all of the awkwardness that ensued with a simple kiss on the cheek. He'd kissed the cheeks of countless female dignitaries and queens and princesses, and it was never awkward.

Perhaps it just was because feelings were involved.

It was Ben who pulled away first this time.

And later, Ben was stuck in his room, staring out the window as he undid his tie and shed his suit jacket.

His eyes settled on the Island, his thoughts immediately circling back to Este, then Mal.

He found that his heart was still beating too quickly.