Hello Lovies! Welcome to the next chapter of Neighbors Home Again! I hope that you like this chapter. We have a couple more to go and I do not know if I am going to extend it a couple of chapters or if i am going to end it... I want to extend it, but I don't know if it would be TOO much.
Anyway... please let me know what you think and I am going to try to get the next stories' new update out in the next two weeks. Maybe even some new story ideas in the one shots...
ENJOY!
(MAL'S POV)
My first month back at school was going better than I ever anticipated. I was not afraid like I used to be. I walked around with purpose again and everyone could see it. After everyone found out what a horrible person Ryan was, he didn't show his face that much around campus, only to go to class or for the performing arts club. Of course there were those handful of people who believed him, but most did not. He would try to get under my skin whenever he saw me, but I just blew him off. I wondered why I dealt with him for so long, but I honestly did want to think about him at all. Ben and I were back together and I could not be anymore happy. I just couldn't wait until we were both done with school and we could move back home.
It was now November and we were getting ready for the Christmas festival that the college holds, before I go home for a week, though my family thinks I am going to be staying here because of finals, even though Ben and I were trying to surprise them.
"Mal!" Vic called, making me break out of my thoughts. "You coming?"
I nodded my head and got off my bed, hoping Ryan would leave me alone today during rehearsal. Vic, Jack, and I drove to the auditorium and when we walked inside, Mr Crane ran up to me.
"My dearest, Mallory," he said, making me roll my eyes knowing he wanted something from me.
"Yes?" I asked, trying not to laugh.
Mr. Crane was my favorite teacher. He saw my potential before I even joined the performing arts club. He always knew how to make things fun and with being as involved as I am in the club, the bond we had was great.
"I was wondering if you would be able to write a song," he said with a pleading look.
"Okay?" I questioned, knowing there was more that he wanted. "What is the catch?"
"Well, you will have time to do it, but I would like it done by, oh I don't know, April of next year?"
"April?" I asked.
That was quite some time to ask me to write a song.
"Why are you asking now?" I asked as I looked at him with a pleading look.
"I… um… I just wanted my star pupil to have as much time with it as she could," he said.
He was acting strange and I had no idea why. Typically he would prance around the room and not even ask me to write a song, he would just say I am.
"Yeah, I mean, of course I would," I said with a kind smile.
"Thank you, my dear," he said with a smile.
"Never a problem, but what do you want it to be about?" I asked.
"Um… I want it to be about… family," he said. "Finding the place where you belong and to the people you belong with."
To be honest, I kind of liked the idea, and I now understood why he was asking me. Finally being able to live my life and be with the people I love the most feels amazing.
"I think I can do that," I said with a laugh and a nod. "Plus, it gives me more time to make it perfect."
"That it does," he said with a wide smile.
"Is it for the spring performance?"
"Um… it is for the final performance of the year," he said.
He was acting really weird and I didn't know why. I turned to look at Vic and Jack, but they shrug, not knowing what was going on either. This all seemed weird, but to be honest, anything Mr. Crane asked me to do was odd.
"That is fine," I said as I turned back to look back at Mr. Crane. "I can work on it after finals and when I go home for Christmas, and I could probably have it done sooner than April," I told him.
"Okay," he said with a nod. "Now, let's get to rehearsal."
He turned on his heels and walked toward the stage. I walked to the third row and sat down, while Vic and Jack sat on my left. I looked around and saw that Ryan was not here, and I was hoping that today would be one of the days he was moping in his room.
"Ah," someone said from behind me, making me roll my eyes because I just knew it was Ryan. "Looky who we have here," he said as he leaned forward, getting closer to me. "If it isn't my cheating ex-girlfriend."
I ignored him. He was not going to get under my skin, especially since I need to focus on my finals and Christmas performance that is coming up in the next couple of weeks.
"What Mal?" He questioned. "No hello?"
But, if I knew Vic, and I do, she was not going to ignore his stupid irritation attempt. I saw her clench her fit, before she sat up straight and showily turned to look at him.
"You know," she started. "For someone who is failing, oh I don't know, all of his classes again, you would think that you would be more focused on that," she said as she tilted her head to the side.
I had to try to hide my laugh. Ryan was not the smartest of the bunch. He had been trying to graduate for over two years, and you would think with him retaking some of the classes that he would pass them, but he doesn't. He had changed his major twice in the past year and just got fired from his job.
"You know, since you are almost 26, and have no idea where you are going in life," She said, making him look at her with a look of hatred. "You should really concentrate on what you are going to do, instead of relying on mommy and daddy to pay for everything."
Ryan's face turned red, and I had to try so hard to keep myself from laughing that I turned around and put my face in my hands. It was so funny to see my friends stand up to him and make him look stupid.
"But," Vic said, making me sit back in my seat, but still look away from Ryan. "Maybe they will finally get smart and cut your dumb ass off."
"You know what, Vic," Ryan said as he stood up and looked down at Vic.
"Mr. Smalls," Professor Crane called.
We all turned to see the tall slender man standing up on the stage. He was looking down at Ryan, with his hands behind his back, making Ryan sit back down in his chair and slump. Mr. Crane raised an eyebrow at Ryan, before standing up and straightening his posture.
"That is what I thought," he said as he looked at the rest of the group. "Before we head into this rehearsal, I would love to talk about this end of semester performance," he said as he strode back and forth on the stage. "I want my performers to not just do Christmas tunes. I want you to feel free to express yourself and what you are looking forward to about going home."
I started to think about Ben. We didn't know for sure if he was going to be making it home for Christmas, but Jay said that they were going everything to try and finish what they needed before Christmas. I want to hope that he will be there, but I would understand if he can't make it. I would never be mad at him for having to stay. He was trying his hardest to get all of his training and classes done so that he could be done early, but that was going to be easier said than done.
Mr. Crane went in about what he wanted us to do, and before we knew it we only had an hour and a half to use the auditorium. I started working on the song Mr. Crane wanted me to do for the final performance, when my phone went off and I saw Ben was FaceTiming me.
"Hey!" I said as I answered the call and Ben's face appeared on my screen.
"Hey, babe," he said with a soft smile.
"Aww," I heard Ryan's voice coming from behind me. "It's lover boy."
I rolled my eyes and saw Ben's jaw tighten. I don't understand how Ryan was always around when Ben called during rehearsals, but he was probably following me around while I was here.
"Don't you have something better to do than to follow me around?" I asked as I turned to look at him.
He was leaning against the chair in front of me, with his arms crossed his chest and a snide look on his face.
"Nope," he said as he shook his head. "Just seeing how everyone is."
"Well you can leave," I told him. "I don't want you around me."
"You weren't saying that before when you used to sneak over to Jacks and I's," he said.
I saw Ben rolling his eyes, because he knew Ryan was lying.
"You do know that you are not going to get under his skin right?" I asked as I put Ben in my lap. "He knows that I never slept with you, nor wanted to be in a room with you alone," I said with a scoff.
"Why are you lying to him?" He asked.
"Why would I lie to my boyfriend?" I asked as I gave him a skeptical look. "You? Sure, because I never even liked you, but you never let me go, because you are a very… and how to I put this? Troubled soul who has never heard no in his life."
"You know what, Mal?" He asked as he started to get irritated.
"What?" I asked with a smile. "What are you going to do?"
He clenched and unclenched his fit, making me laugh again. After his meeting with the dean, he was put of a 'watch list', basically what that means is that of he does anything stupid towards me he would be expelled. From my understanding, he wasn't expelled because his parents donate a lot of money to the school, but even they said if he does anything that they are not going to be failing him out.
"Oh, that's right!" I said. "Not much, because you can't and won't. You're nothing but talk," I told him. "Why don't you find someone else to bother? I would like to talk to my boyfriend without your interruptions."
I would assume that he gave up and saw that he was not going to bother me, because he left and I could not be more relieved. I picked my phone back up and saw Ben was laughing.
"What?" I asked.
"That was funny," he said. "I think you were going to degrade him like that, but that was good, babe."
"Thank you thank you," I said as I smiled down at my phone. "How is your training going?"
"It's going," he said as he stretched his arms up. "I'm just tired and sore."
"I bet," I said with a small laugh.
"What are you working on?"
"Mr. Crane wants me to write a song for the final performance of the year," I said. "More than likely, it is going to be the final number too."
"Well, he picked the best, but I am biased," he said, making me laugh.
"That you are," I said before I closed my book and put my phone in front of my face. "Do you think you're going to make it home for Christmas?"
"I'm not sure," he groaned. "I want to make it home, but I don't know how much I will have in the next three weeks."
We had plans to have him and Jay fly down here and then we would drive home together, but they needed to see where they were with classes first.
"I know we…"
"If you guys can't make it, that is fine," I said, cutting him off. "I know you are working really hard, and if both you and I have time after Christmas to go home."
"I still want to go home," he said. "I just need to get this stuff done."
"I know," I told him. "But things come up and things have to get moved around. Plus, they think we are staying at school anyway."
"That's true," he said as he nodded his head. "We'll see what happens when we get closer to the date."
"Okay," I said as I nodded my head.
"Is that Bennyboo?" Vic asked as she sat down next to me and Jack sat on the other side.
Vic pushed her face close to mine, putting herself into the frame, and making Ben laugh.
"Are you excited to watch our Mal sing for the Christmas festival?" She asked.
"I am always excited to hear her sing," Ben responded. "Two more weeks."
"Two more weeks," I said with a nod.
We ended up talking to Ben for the rest of the time we were at rehearsal, and Mr. Crane had to come over to us to let us know that we were leaving. I talked to him on the way home, and told him that I wanted him to get as much of his stuff done, so that they could go home. He told me that he would try and told me he would call me tomorrow, before he went to bed.
I hugged my phone to my chest, happy with how our relationship has changed since the first time. I don't know if it was the long distance, us being older, or everything else, but I knew I was never going to let him out of my grasp again.
"Thank you! Thank you!" Mr. Crane said as he held his hands out to the crowd in front of him. "I know that we have so much holiday cheer and are excited for the festivities to begin."
The crowd roared, making me shiver. I don't know if I was just cold or if I was nervous. This was my first time performing in front of the town by myself. Typically, the crowds were smaller and I was in the comfort of others, but I was on my own tonight. I looked into the crowd and saw Tony, Vic, Tabby, Syd, and Jack standing in the front of the stage.
It had been two weeks since Mr. Crane asked me to sing the final song for the school year, and I was packed and ready to go home next week. Ben was taking one of his finals today, and neither he nor I knew if he was going to be able to make it to go home. I was upset that neither my family, Ben's, or Ben himself were going to be able to watch this performance, but Ben was busy and my parents, Adam, and Belle were at one of Hadie's football games.
"And I would like to introduce, Mallory Drakos," Mr. Crane said, making me break out of my thoughts.
I walked on to the stage and Mr. Crane held his hand out for me. Gods, I was thankful that Evie had sent me a dress for this, because I did not have anything festive or nice to wear for something like this. The dress I was wearing was a blue green color, it was satin, it came to my knees, and was off my shoulders. Music started to play and lights started to twinkle around the stage.
Santa called to make sure I'm prepared
He said, "Winter love's spreading everywhere"
Summer came and took off with the spring
So now we start the Christmas caroling
I wrote this song the first Christmas Ben and I were away at college, but I had not shown or performed it for anyone. It was different from other songs I had written before, because it was very mellow and soft, and a favorite of mine.
I'll find my way back home and light up every tree
We will hang our stockings for you and one for me
'Cause Santa called to make sure I'm prepared
He said, "Pack your bags and tell them, you'll be there"
Ben and I drove back home our first year back, and it was the second Christmas we would spend as a couple. After this past summer, I asked Ben what happened before we broke up and he didn't understand what I meant, but I wanted to know what made him want to propose. He told me that our first Christmas back made him happy, and he didn't want to go another year without spending it with me. He told me that he and our dads were out getting trees at the nursery, and he mentioned it to them. After that they went to lunch and Ben said that he wanted to propose to show how committed he was to our relationship, and to show them how serious he was about spending the rest of his life with me. He told me that they were skeptical at first, because we were only 20 at the time, but ultimately said yes because they loved us together. After he told me all of that, I felt guilty. My heart ached for what I did to him and how I broke up with him because I thought it was better for the both of us. He begged me not to worry about it because it was in the past, but I couldn't help it. I knew I messed up, but he told me that we were in a good spot now and that was all that mattered.
I'll be home with my love this Christmas
I promise, I promise
I'll be home with my love this Christmas
I promise, I promise I'll be home
Home, I'll be home
I turned to look at my friends and they were smiling up at me, and recording, more than likely to send to my family, friends, and Ben.
Santa called to make sure I'm prepared
He said, "Wrap the gifts with all your love and care"
The winter blows the snow up in the sky
But I won't let the wind delay my flight
I saw Tony move his phone and look at it with confusion, but he walked away from the crowd to take the call. I continued to sing, but watched Tony. His back was to me, but from his demeanor, I could tell that something was wrong with the call.
I'll be home with my love this Christmas
I promise, I promise
I'll be home with my love this Christmas
I promise, I promise I'll be home
I'll be home I'll be home
I promise, I promise I'll be home
I'll be home I'll be home
Tony walked back over to where the rest of our friends were and whispered into Vic's ear. Her eyes widened, and I wondered what was happening. She rushed toward the parking lot, and my heart started to race, not knowing what was going on.
Santa called to make sure I'm prepared
He said, "Pack your bags and tell him you'll be there"
I was trying to finish the song, but I was focused on Tony as he continued to whisper in the rest of our friend's ears, before he turned back to me and gave me a tight smile and a thumbs up. I raised an eyebrow at him, only for him to shake his head and gesture for me to continue.
I'll be home with my love this Christmas
I promise, I promise
I'll be home with my love this Christmas
I promise, I promise I'll be home
I'll be home I'll be home, home
I'll be home with my love this Christmas
I promise, I promise I'll be home
I finished the song and the crowd applauded. I gave a quick bow, before I handed Mr. Crane the microphone and walked over to where Tony was standing. He smiled at me, but I could tell that it was his 'trying to hide something' smile.
"What's up?" I asked as I looked at him and then the rest of my friends. "What's going on?"
"What do you mean?" Tony asked.
"No. Don't you dare do that, Barns," I said as I pointed up at him. "Tell me what is going on now. What are you hiding?"
He looked at my friends, before looking back at me and taking a deep breath.
"Okay," he said as he hung his head. "It's Rosie…"
The ride home was long and I was getting impatient. Tony said that Rosie was being rushed to the hospital, but he didn't tell me why. When I was running out of the festival, Vic pulled up in her car and she and Tony came back home with me. I ran through the parking lot and rushed towards the hospital, leaving Tony and Vic running behind me. I feel my heart racing and I feel like everything is going in slow motion. My legs were moving, but I had no sense of where I was going.
"Mal!" I heard someone call.
I turned my head and felt a rush, before I saw my dad walking toward me. His eyes were red and Hadie was behind him, but Hadie was holding a swab to his arm.
"Dad," I said as I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around his waist. "Where is she?"
"She is in with the doctors right now," he said as he sighed.
"What happened?" I asked. "I thought she was getting better. We all…"
"We did think that," my dad said, cutting me off. "She fainted at Hadie's game and we rushed her here. They said that she may need a blood cell transplant or bone marrow transplant."
"What?" I asked in shock.
He held his hand up to me, before I could even ask anymore questions.
"Just come on," he said as he and Hadie put their arms around me. "Everyone is waiting."
"Everyone?" I asked as they led me down the hallway.
We walked for a couple of minutes, before we walked into a waiting room and everyone was sitting around the room. Evie, Carlos, Uma, Harry, Gil, Audrey, Doug, Jane, Lonnie, my mom, Dizzy, Celia, and a couple of Hadie's friends from football were all sitting around the room. My mom stood up and ran over to me, and wrapped her arms around my neck.
"Hey, baby," my mom said as she held onto me tight. "We…"
"What is everyone doing here?" I asked as I looked around the room and saw that some of them had bandages wrapped around their arms.
"We're here to get our blood tested," Evie said as she stood up and walked over to me with Uma walking behind her. "Just in case Rosie does need it."
"I'm confused," I said. "Why is…"
"Ben is a match for Rosie," my mom said, making me look at her. "He doesn't know if he can make it here and so everyone offered to see if they are a match just in case if he can't make it."
"I want to too," I said with no hesitation.
"Same," I heard from behind me.
I turned around to see Vic and Tony behind me and they were nodding their heads. It meant the world to me, knowing that they would help Rosie.
"Thank you," someone said from behind them.
Vic and Tony moved and Adam was standing behind him with tears in his eyes.
"I don't know how to thank each of you, but…"
I walked over and hugged him tightly. Adam was like a second father to me and Rosie was my sister. I would do anything in the world for them.
"You know I would do anything for you and your guys," I said.
He leaned down to kiss the top of my head.
"Thank you, Mally," he said. "Do you want to go and see her?"
"Yes, please," I said, before I waved at everyone else and walked out of the room with Adam.
We turned a couple of corners, before Adam stopped at a closed door.
"They gave her a private room," he said with a small smile. "She is tired, but she has her spirits up."
I molded my head and took a breath. I didn't know what kind of state Rosie was going to be in, and I don't know if I am going to be able to keep myself together.
"Ready?" Adam asked.
I looked up and shook my head.
"No, but I want to be there for her," I said.
"She loves you," Adam said. "I mean, we all do."
I chuckled at the comment. I knew he was trying to make me feel, but Rosie was the one who needed us to make her feel better.
"Thank you for making my kids happy," he said, making me look at him again. "Both of them."
I smiled, before he put his hand on the knob and opened the door.
"Daddy?" I heard Rosie call.
She sounded tired, and my heart sank.
"Hey, princess," Adam said as he walked around the curtain where I was assuming Rosie's bed was. "Someone is here to see you."
"Who?" I heard her ask.
I walked around the corner, and when her eyes fell onto me she started to cry.
"Mally!" She yelled as she got to her knees and made her way over to the ends of the bed. She held her hands out to me, and I pulled her in for a hug. "You're here. You're here," she said as she cried.
I pulled away and held her face in my hands.
"Of course I'm here," I told her. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
"I'm still sick," she said. "I thought I was getting better, but I guess I'm not."
She looked down and pouted. I looked over to Belle and gave me a small smile, before she got up from the bed and walked over to Adam. I looked back down at Rosie and gave her a tight smile.
"I know," I told her. "I know, but we are all here, and we are all getting out blood tests like Benny did, so we could help you get better."
"You are?" Rosie asked as she looked up at Mal.
"Of course," I told her as I smiled down at her. "Evie, Doug, Uma, Harry, Hadie, and everyone else is out there," I told her.
"I wish Benny was here," she said as she looked up at me. "I know when I was first sick, Ben got tested and he was a match, and…"
"I know," I said as I pulled her close to my chest. "I know. Benny is trying to get here, but he is having trouble right now."
"I know," she said as she wrapped her arms around my waist and we got comfortable on the bed. "I don't want him to get in trouble for leaving to come and see me."
"Ben would move the ends of the world to come be here with you," I told her, making her smile up at me. "It may take him a little longer, but I know for a fact that he will be here as soon as he can."
She smiled up at me, and her glossy brown eyes were watery. She knew she meant a lot to everyone, but hearing it always made it seem better.
"Thank you for coming, Mally," she said as she cuddled back into my chest. "I love you."
"I love you too," I told her before I kissed the top of her head.
Hours passed and everyone was waiting on their results. I was bouncing my leg up and down and no one had eaten just in case one of us were a match and needed to donate tomorrow. Belle walked into the room and she was pointing her phone at everyone.
"Look," she said as she covered her mouth. "Everyone is getting tested."
"Wow," I heard Ben say, making my head snap up a little, hearing my boyfriend's voice. "Hey, babe," I heard Ben say as Belle sat down next to me and flipped the camera so that I could see him.
He looked tired and scruffy. His facial hair is longer than he usually grew it out, and I figured he had not been able to shave in a couple of days.
"Hi," I said with a smile. "You look tired."
"That is what I said," I heard Jay say, making me laugh.
"Shut up," Ben said as he looked up from the camera.
"Where are you?" I asked.
"Jay and I are waiting at the airport," he said. "We are trying to get a flight, but they said we might not be able to get one until tomorrow."
I could tell that he was getting flustered, and it was understandable. He wanted to come home to be with Rosie, and no one could blame him for that.
"You got the time off to come home?" I asked, trying to change the topic so he wasn't frustrated.
"After I got the call, my instructor said that Jay and I could take our final online," he said. "I told him that I would take the F, but he knew how hard Jay and I have been working so he made the exception."
Someone cleared their throat in the room, and we all looked up to see a nurse standing in the doorway.
"I am sorry for the interruption, but I have everyone's test results," she said as she held a stack of papers in her hand.
"Ben, we will call you later," Belle said as she looked back down at her phone.
"Okay, you or Mal please text or call and tell me what is going on," he said as Belle passed me her phone and walked over to the nurse and my mom followed behind. "Hey," Ben called, making me look down at the phone. "I love you. Thank you for being there for me."
"I love you too," I told him. "You know I would do anything for her. She's like a sister to me."
I could tell that he was trying not to cry, but he was having a hard time. I wanted nothing more, for him, than him to be here with her.
"Call me," he said. "Please. As soon as you know what is going to happen. I have not eaten in, so far, 9 hours, so if none of you are matches I can be ready."
"Okay," I said as I nodded my head. "I will call you in 15 minutes."
"Okay," he said, before the screen went dark and I looked up at the group surrounding the nurse.
I stood up, walked over, and saw my mom and dad holding Belle on each side of her.
"Well, I have some good news," the nurse said with a smile. "It looks like three of you are a match."
Belle started to cry as everyone in the room started to cheer.
"Who?" I asked as I made my way through the group and stood next to my mom and Evie.
Evie laced her fingers with mine, trying to comfort me during all of this. I know Rosie is not my sister biologically, but I have had a close bond with her since she was born.
"The matches are Gillian Rogers, Doug Dwarfson, and Mallory Drakos," she said.
I felt a weight off my shoulders, hearing that I was a match.
"There are some things that I need to tell you first," the nurse said. "One, either of you are able to give Rosie bone marrow, but," she said as she looked down at the papers in her hands. "You each have a different percentage match."
I saw Belle's face fall, and to be honest, I did not know what that meant either.
"With that said, Gillian is a 57 percent match, Doug is a 72 percent match, and Mallory is a 85 percent chance," she said, and my eyes widened hearing it.
"When can we do it?" I asked as I took a step forward.
"Um… as early as tomorrow," she said.
She pulled out a couple of papers that she had behind all of the other ones. She handed Gil, Doug, and I each a paper that was informing us what this procedure will do for Rosie and some possible side effects from donating.
"Where can I sign?" I asked as I flipped the paper back and forth.
"I can bring you the papers, but I do really think you should read what this procedure does and how it works," she informed me.
I shook my head. I didn't care what the procedure did to me, as long as it made Rosie better.
"I would give that little girl my beating heart, if she needed it," I said as I locked eyes with the nurse. "Can you please get me the papers?"
The nurse looked stunned. More than likely because she did not expect me to be so determined. She stood there for a moment, before he took back the papers she gave us and left the room.
"Mal," Belle said as she walked up to me and took my hand.
I looked at my boyfriend's mom, and she had tears in her eyes. I know this was very hard for her and Adam, and with Ben being so far away, I know it is 10 times more difficult.
"Look at the paperwork," she said. "I don't…"
"The paperwork and money mean absolutely nothing," I said as I turned my body to face her. "I love Rosie so much. She means the absolute world to me," I continued. "I am the best match to her right now, since Ben is not here. Which is a little ironic… not Ben being here, but being a match," I said with a small smile, making Belle huff a small laugh. "But like I said, I would give Rosie my heart if she needed it."
Belle was trying to hold in her tears, but was failing miserably. I knew she was appreciative of me for doing this, but I know she did not want me to make a rash decision.
"Thank you, Mally," she said as she hugged on to me. "You are such an angel and I could never imagine a more wonderful and amazing person as you."
"Well, I am doing this so we can keep that amazing little girl with us," I said.
After filling out some paperwork and us telling Adam that I was going to be donating my bone marrow to Rosie, Belle, my mom, and I sat down to call Ben.
"Hey," he said with a smile on his face. "Jay and I got a flight. We should be there tomorrow at 2 pm."
"That's great, honey," Belle said as she put her chin on my shoulder. "Rosie will be so happy to see you."
"I know. I can't wait to see all of you," he said as he smiled at the screen. "What happened with the blood test results?"
"Well," Belle said, and I could hear her happiness in her voice. "Three of your wonderful friends were matches, and Rosie is going to be getting her transplant tomorrow morning at 9."
"Seriously?" Ben asked, trying to contain his emotions. "Who?"
"Doug, Gil, and me," I said, making his eyes widen. "I am an 85 percent match to Rosie, so I will be donating."
"You're 85 percent?" Ben asked in astonishment. "That's almost as high as I am."
"What can we say," Belle said as she stroked the back of my hair. "Mal is amazing in every single way shape and form."
I smiled and leaned my head against Belle, loving the gratitude she was giving me. I didn't need it, but I knew it meant the world to them that I was doing this for her daughter.
"She is," Ben said, making me break out of my thoughts. "That is why I love her so much," he said with my favorite crooked smile.
"You're kinda nice too," I said, making him laugh. "But one thing about this is that we are not telling Rosie that Mal is the one donating."
"Why?" He asked.
"When I called you, earlier, I was leaving Rosie's room and she was telling me that she didn't want anyone to feel forced to help her," Belle said. "Your father and I tried to tell her that no one was being forced to, but she was just getting sadder, and I know it is because she was getting better and then this happened," Belle said as she started to ramble.
Everyone knew Belle and Adam were stressed, we all were, but it is very different when it is your child who is sick. I saw my dad walk around to the other side of Belle and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, trying to calm her down, but that is always easier said than done.
"I just know she is tired of this," she said as she finally let the tears fall from her face. "We all are, but she has been going through this for just over 3 years," she sighed, before she wiped her tears away. "But, the doctors say that this could make way for a better chance for her to be cancer free. It may take some time, but if all this goes well, she could finally be free of cancer."
"So, she's going to know it's you when it's over?" Ben asked.
"More or less," I said. "She knows that it is happening in the morning, and she wants me to be there…"
"And you want to make her laugh when you tell her," he said, finishing my sentences.
I shook my head and laughed. Yes, whenever I wanted Rosie to do something, I had to make her laugh. I remembered the first time she went to chemotherapy, she would not get into the car, I walked out of my parents house and saw Belle struggling. She was crying saying she didn't want to go, but I managed to calm her down enough and went with her.
"I know she's going to ask and when she says she doesn't want it, I'm going to have to improvise because I have no clue what to say right now," she said.
"Is nine the earliest they can do it?" Ben asked.
"We said 9 so that they could take my bone marrow at like 8 and have Rosie prepped and ready to go. Plus, it would make sure that I had no food in me for 12 hours, because I haven't eaten since like 6 am, as far as I can remember," I told him. "We just wanted to give it the extra time so we were sure."
"How long will it take?"
"Well, from what I researched, they will take a donor's healthy blood-forming cells, mine, and put them into the patient's bloodstream, Rosie's," I explained. "And that is where they begin to grow and make healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Most patients receive high doses of chemotherapy to prepare their body for the transplant, but since Rosie never stopped her treatments she was prepared. It could take 15 minutes or up to a couple of hours," I said.
"Will you guys have to stay in the hospital?"
"I may have to stay overnight for observation, but Rosie will have to stay for about a week," I said. "They said if she is well enough to go home she can after the week."
"Good," Ben said as he nodded his head. "I just want both of you to be okay," he said. "I can't lose either of you."
"You're not," I said as I got up to walk out of the room. "Hey," I said, making him look back at the screen. "I love you, and I know what I am going to do is a lot, but we both know I would do anything for that little girl."
"I know," he said with a smile. "Harry told me you said you would give her your beating heart if she needed it."
"Well, it's true," I said with a small chuckle.
"I know," he said with a small laugh. "Let's just hope it never comes to that, because I kind of have a crush on you."
I gasped at his little joke.
"My goodness, Benjamin," I said, playing along. "What would your girlfriend think?"
"Well, it's a good thing she knows," he said with a laugh. "Hey, Jay is munching at the bit waiting for me to go with him to get something to eat," he said. "I'll see you tomorrow when I get there."
"Okay," I said. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"I love you."
"I love you too," I said, before he waved and the screen went dark.
I put my phone in my pocket. Tomorrow was going to be a big day for Rosie, and I was hoping that this would help her so she can get better.
The next morning, Rosie was getting prepped for her transplant, but still had no clue who was donating to her. I was sitting next to her, and I was glad that I was able to be with Rosie right now.
"I don't want to do it!" Rosie yelled. "It's going to hurt."
Belle and Adam have been trying to calm Rosie down, but she was not having it.
"Hey," I said as I sat next to Rosie in her bed. "I know you're afraid, but there is no need to be. Everything is going to be fine."
"How do you know?" Rosie asked as she looked up at me with an annoyed look.
"Because I am Mally, and I know all," I said as I pushed my face next to hers, making her laugh. "Now, sit still and take my bone marrow."
Rosie looked up at me with wide eyes, completely in shock at what just came out of my mouth.
"What?" I asked.
"You're donating to me?" She asked.
"Of course," I told her. "Why would I not?"
"I didn't think you would be a match!"
"Well, it turns out I am, so will you please be good so we can get this over with?" I asked. "I want you to get better."
She looked up at me as tears started to well in her eyes. I knew she didn't want people to fight her battles, but she also knew that we would do anything for her.
"Thank you, Mally," she said as she wrapped her arms around me.
I was sitting in the waiting room, waiting for Rosie's procedure to be done. I was tired and sore after they took my bone marrow, and I wanted to sprawl out onto the floor and sleep. They had said it could take 15 minutes to a couple of hours, but it would just depend on the stem cell scourge. My parents and Hadie stayed with Adam, Belle, and I, while the others went to shower and eat. It was almost 1 in the afternoon and we were starting to get impatient.
"Rosie's mommy and daddy?" Someone called, making us all snap our heads up to look toward the door.
"Yes," Belle said as she shot up from her seat and rushed over to the doctor.
"Everything is fine. It took a while, because she is young and this is big combined with her chemo," he said. "She is resting, though she does feel a little nauseous."
"Can we see her?" Adam asked.
"Yes," he said as he nodded his head. "She has been asking for all of you."
Belle and Adam turned and smiled at my family and I.
"Come on," Belle said. "She wants us all."
I stood up and walked over to them with my parents following behind us. We followed the doctor out of the waiting room, until we were in front of Rosie's room.
"Just remember that she is very tired," he said, before he opened the door and we followed him inside.
He walked further into the room and walked around the curtain and smiled at the bed where we could not see.
"Hey there, Princess," he said in a chipper voice. "We have some visitors for you."
He pushed the curtain out of the way and we saw Rosie laying on her side facing us. She looked so tired, but when she saw all of us, she smiled when she saw us.
"Hi," she croaked.
"Hi, baby," Adam said as he and Belle walked over to her side. "How are you feeling?"
"Tired," she said as she looked up at her dad. "Is Benny here?" She asked.
Belle looked at me, because I was the one who had been communicating with Ben this whole time. I looked at my phone and saw no new notifications from him. I looked back at her and shook my head, before she turned to look back at Rosie.
"Not yet, baby," she said as she brushed some of Rosie's hair out of her face.
Her face fell and her eyes fell to me, and she smiled.
"Hi, Mally," she said as she tried to wave at me.
"Hey," I said as I walked over behind Belle and smiled down at her.
"Can you and mommy lay with me?" She asked.
Belle and I both chuckled, before we moved to lay on each side of her.
"Better?" Belle asked.
"You know what would make me feel even better?" She asked as she looked up at her mom. "If Mally would sing to me," she said as she slowly turned her head to me.
Everyone else, including myself, laughed. Rosie would do anything to make me sing for her, but she did not need to do that. She could tell me to do it and I would.
"What would you like me to sing?" I asked as I wrapped my arm around her shoulder.
"I'm not sure," she said with a soft shrug. "What do you want to sing?"
I thought about it for a moment, before I remembered one of the songs from one of my favorite movies.
Some girls are fair,
Some are jolly and fit.
Some have a well-bred air,
Or a well-honed wit.
I put my fingers under her chin so she was looking at me, and she smiled when I scrunched my nose at her.
Each one's a jewel,
With a singular shine.
A work of art,
With its own rare design.
I noticed the door open to the room, and I saw Ben walk in quietly with Jay behind him. No one else noticed them, but that was because everyone's backs were to them.
Dear little girl,
You are terribly blessed.
But it's your heart of gold
I love the best.
Ben smiled at the two of us as Rosie looked up at me, and I knew he wanted to come and give her a hug, but I also knew he wanted me to finish.
And that will be your crowning glory,
Your whole life through.
It'll always be your crowning glory,
The most glorious part of you.
I poked the tip of her nose with my finger and she laughed, before everyone started to clap.
"When the hell did you get here?" Hadie asked, making everyone turn to see Ben and Jay standing behind them.
"Benny!" Rosie yelled as loud as she could as she turned to face her brother.
"Hey," he said as he threw his bag down and quickly gave his mom a kiss and walked around the bed to where I was sitting with Rosie. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm tired," she said as she leaned her head on my shoulder.
"I bet," he said as he leaned his chin on my head. "But, hey. You'll be better in no time."
"I know," she said as she looked back up at me. "My favorite person gave me a chance that I never thought I would get."
I smiled down at her, before I leaned down and gave her a kiss on her head.
"You do remember that I am a match to, right?" Ben asked.
"And you are ruining a cute moment," Rosie said as she looked at her brother.
Ben laughed, before he looked down at me. "I think that your bone marrow transferred over some of your attitude."
I scoffed a laugh, before I nudged him with my head. "You act like that is a bad thing," I said.
"It's not," he told me before he smiled down and kissed the top of my head.
"Hey," I heard Ben say as he shook me, waking me up. "Come on. Let's go."
"Where?" I asked as I rubbed my eyes.
"To get some sleep," he said. "We can come back in the morning, and I bet that you have to shower."
He was right. I did need to shower. I stood up and turned to make sure I did not wake Rosie up. She was supposed to be staying in the hospital for 3 weeks, but if she was doing well, the doctors said she could go home after a week, but staying close to a hospital in case something were to happen. I felt Ben's hand in mine, and he tugged on my hand, making me turn to look at him.
"My parents are on their way up with yours," he said. "She will be fine for 2 minutes," he told me.
I nodded my head, before I leaned my head on his shoulder and he wrapped his arm around my waist to keep me up. I started to feel a little bit of muscle aches and aching in my bones, figuring it was from the donation. Ben nudged Jay and Hadie with his foot, waking them up and gesturing for them to follow us as we left Rosie's room and closed the door behind us. We were walking down the hall, and didn't even round the corner, before my parents, Belle, and Adam walked around the corner, almost bumping into us.
"Heading to get some rest?" Belle asked as she smiled at us.
"Yep," Ben said as he shook his arm that was holding me up. "I know Mal wants to stay, but she should sleep in a bed for a night. We'll be back first thing in the morning."
"Okay," Belle said as she hugged the both of us. "We will see you in the morning."
Each parent gave us hugs, before my dad kissed the side on my head and looked at Ben.
"Can you make sure that she eats something too?" He asked.
"Absolutely," Ben said, before we walked toward the elevator.
When we got into the car, Ben opened my door for me, before walking around and getting into the car himself. I don't remember much of the ride home, because I fell asleep, but I found myself in Ben's arms as he walked me up to his room.
"Here," he said as he lightly kicked the door open and walked in. "You can stay with me and we can go tomorrow," he told me as he sat me on his bed. "How do you feel?"
"Sore," I said as I slowly looked up at him. "But I bet that Rosie has it worse than me."
"I bet," he said as he caressed the side of my head. "Do you want something to eat?"
I shook my head as I laid back and rested my head against one of the pillows. I knew I should eat, but I was too tired.
"Are you sure?" Ben asked as he shook my hip. "I can see if we have some strawberries."
I slowly opened one eye and saw him smiling at me. He knew there was one thing I could never refuse, and that was strawberries.
"That's what I thought," he said as he stood up. "Why don't you take a shower and change into something in my closet? I'm going to get that and make myself something downstairs. I am sure Jay and Hadie will be down there too, raiding the fridge, so I will be back in a little bit."
I nodded my head, before he kissed my temple and walked out of the room, leaving me to change and rushed up. I slowly got up and walked to Ben's closet. It was still neat and tidy, just how he always kept it. I found a pair of my shorts that I left from summer here, and one of his old football shirts. I was thankful that our parents trusted us so much that they would let us sleep over at the other's house, sure we were adults, but we were still living with our parents when we came home. Plus, with Vic staying with us, she was sleeping in my bed, and I refuse to share a bed with her because she does not give anyone room. I walked into the bathroom, and took the small travel pack I had stashed in one of his cabinets, before I turned the shower on so it could get warm. When I got it, I let the hot water hit my body and it felt amazing. There was nothing like a hot shower after a long day and during the winter. I don't even know how long I was in there, before I heard Ben knocking on the door.
"Babe?" He called. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," I called back as I turned the water off. "I'll be out in a minute."
He didn't answer, but I heard the door closed, letting me know he was giving me my privacy. As quickly as my sore body would let me, I brushed my hair and changed. When I walked back into the bedroom, Ben was on his phone and his back was towards me.
"Hey," I said as I wrapped my arms around him, pressing the side of my face to his back.
"Hello," he said with a laugh, before he turned around so that our fronts were facing each other. "How was your shower?"
"Amazing," I told him as I threw my head back. "It was very much needed."
I heard him laugh, and I brought my head up to see him looking down at me. After all of the years I spent avoiding him and being annoyed with him, I could not believe that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. He was, literally, my other half. I could not imagine loving anyone the way that I love him.
"Well, I am going to go shower and shave," he said, making me look up to finally notice the amount of facial hair that was on his face.
To be honest, it looked really good on him. I reached my hand up and brushed my fingers over it, letting the ends prick my fingers.
"Hm," he said as he looked down at me with a confused look. "What?"
"I like it," I said with a smirk, making him look down at me with a raised eyebrow.
"You like it?" He asked, before he snaked his arms around me, pulling me a little bit closer to him.
"I love it," I told him as I rubbed my fingers along his jaw.
"Well, it probably smells like dirt and plane," we heard Jay say from behind us.
We turned to look at him and he was leaning against the door frame eating a sandwich.
"So, you better let him shower before you kiss him," he said.
We both laughed, before Ben threw a pillow at him, making him duck.
"Hey! You almost made me drop my sandwich," he said as he stood back up and looked at the both of us.
"Good," Ben said. "Maybe you could learn to knock," he told him as he kept his hold on me.
I could have," Jay said with a nod as he took another bite of his sandwich. "But I wanted to get to you before you got into the shower and Mal fell into an induced coma."
"What did you need?" Ben asked.
"Wanted to come up and see if you guys wanted to watch a movie with Hadie and I?" He asked as he thumbed behind him.
We laughed, before I looked up at my boyfriend. I knew he wanted to spend some time with me, but I also knew that we wanted to spend as much time with our friends and family when we came home.
"How about for a little bit?" I asked as I fisted his shirt a little. "I know we are both tired, but I also know that Hadie would like to spend some time with us."
He looked down at me and smiled. "Okay. I'm just going to shower first."
"Great, your little lady and I will be downstairs with the male version of herself, and we will wait for you down there," Jay said as he walked into the room and managed to throw me over his shoulder.
"Be careful with her," Ben said as he brushed his hands down his face.
"Yeah yeah," Jay said as he waved his arm and walked out of the room with me over his shoulder.
After getting everything ready and set up downstairs, we all sat down and started to watch a movie. Ben walked downstairs, jumped over the couch, and coached next to me, before pulling me close and covering us with a blanket.
"The Grinch?" He asked.
"What's wrong with the Grinch?" Hadie asked as he looked at Ben like he was crazy.
"I was just asking a question," Ben said as he raised his hands in defense.
"I thought you were going to shave?" Jay asked as he pointed at Ben.
I looked up and saw that Ben still had his beard, making me smile and try to hide my laughter.
"Eh," Ben shrugged. "It's growing on me."
"That was cheesy," Jay said as he pointed at Ben.
I chuckled before I leaned my head on his shoulder and got comfortable. I don't remember much of the movie, but I woke up to me being in Ben's bed with his arm wrapped around my waist. I smiled at him as I carefully moved so that I could run my fingers through his hair. I had almost forgotten how light of a sleeper he was, because he woke up and looked at me with worry.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
I nodded my head. "I'm fine," I told him. "I was just moving."
He kissed my cheek before he pulled me close to his chest. Ben was always so warm, even when it was freezing out.
"You're so warm," I said as I buried my face into him, making him laugh. "How are you always so warm?"
"Beats me," he said. "My dad is warm too."
I looked up at him and couldn't help the swelling feeling in my chest that I felt whenever I was around him.
"What has got you all smiles?" He asked.
"Just you," I told him.
He shook his head and laughed, before he looked over my head.
"It's been a while, do you want to take any more painkillers?" He asked.
"No," I said as I shook my head. "I'm not sore anymore."
"Okay," he said, before he brushed some of my hair behind my ear. "I forgot to say that you sang beautifully at your performance."
I honestly forgot about it. Everything was a rush after Tony told me what happened with Rosie, I didn't even have time to change at home, so I changed in the car.
"You saw?" I asked.
"Yeah," he said with a smile. "I told you I was going to."
"I just thought that you were going to be busy with your test…"
"I would never miss a Mallory Drakos performance, whether it be live or live stream," he said, making me laugh.
"Thanks," I said. "I actually forgot about it until now."
"I could only imagine," he said. "You knew before I did."
"They probably didn't want to stress you out before your exams," I told him. "You have been working so hard."
"But you and our families mean more to me than anything," he said as I curled close to him. "I would travel to the moon and back for you guys."
I looked up at him, pressing my chin on his chest. "I don't think traveling to the moon will be necessary, but we know how much you care."
"I care a lot," he said, before he flipped me over so that he was above me.
I laughed as he smiled down at me. I missed these moments with Ben. Ones where we could spend time with each other.
"I know you do," I told him as I brushed my fingers along his jaw.
He leaned down and pressed his lips to mine, and put his weight on top of me. My hands held the side of his face, while his hands clutched my hips. His facial hair ticketed my face, and gave me goosebumps as he traveled down toward my neck.
"If I didn't know any better," I said, making him stop kissing me to look at me. "I would think you missed me."
He huffed a laugh, before he brushed his thumbs down my jaw.
"I miss you more than you could ever know," he said, making me smile.
"We just have to make it through the next 5 and a half months," I said.
"And then we come home," he said as he smiled down at me.
"And then we come home," I repeated, before he leaned down and kissed me again.
I was walking down the hallway of the hospital with Adam, while Belle and Rosie gathered all of Rosie's belongings. She had been staying in the hospital for almost two weeks, but the doctors said she could come home, because she was doing great.
"Your chariot awaits, my princess," Adam said as he and I walked into the room with a wheelchair.
"Do I have to ride in that?" Rosie asked as she looked at the chair.
"Unfortunately, yes," I said as I walked over to Belle and threw one of Rosie's bags over my shoulder. "But the sooner we get out of here, the sooner we can go to the Moors for the Christmas festival!"
"LET'S GET OUTTA HERE!" She shouted as she quickly sat in the wheelchair and looked at us.
The four of us walked out of the room and down the hall. Everyone was so excited that Rosie was coming home, and they were all waiting at the nursery. It was the first day of the festival, and I could not wait to see what my mom did this year. She always goes out for Christmas, and it is different every year. As Adam drove under the first awning there was a huge sign that said WHOBILATION.
"It's the Grinch!" Rosie said as she pointed at the sign. "Let's go!"
"Let's park the car first, Rosie," Adam said with a laugh as he parked next to Ben's jeep.
We got out of the car, and Belle made sure that Rosie was bundled up, before we walked through the entrance and saw all of the decorations. I don't know how my mom did it, but she managed to gore an actual tree that was curved and had an exact replica of the start from the movie. The decorations were amazing and she even managed to create a mount krumpet. People were dressed like the whos and it was a Christmas miracle.
"Hello!" My mom said as she ran up to us. "Welcome to our Whobilation!"
She was dressed in a bright red poodle skirt, with a green knitted sweater with ornaments dangling all over it.
"It's amazing, Auntie Seph!" Rosie exclaimed in excitement.
"Thank you, my little Rosie Lou Who," she said as she hugged Rosie. "I know that Evie has a special outfit for you, if you want to go and find her."
Rosie gasped, before she ran, as fast as her healing body would let her, to find my best friend.
"Evie also has an outfit for our Mallory May Whovier too," she said as she looked at me with a cheeky smile.
"She made me a Martha May Whovier outfit?" I asked as I looked at my mom with a shocked expression.
"She sure did," she said with a nod. "Now go and find her too so you can change. The show is about to start soon."
I shrugged before I went to find my best friend too. I had no idea my mom was going to go this full out, but to be honest, I shouldn't be surprised. I found Evie and Uma walking with Rosie towards the green house and caught up to them. They were dressed like Stu and Drew's girlfriends from the beginning of the movie, only letting me believe that Harry and Doug were dressed like Stu and Drew. I started to think about where Ben was, because I didn't see him when I was looking for Evie and Rosie.
"Mal! Are you ready?" Evie yelled, making me break out of my thoughts.
I turned to look in the mirror and saw the outfit Evie made me. It was clashing with my purple hair, but it was another Evie Who original. The giant green skirt and red top was just perfect and I couldn't wait to enjoy the festival. I walked out and Evie gushed when she saw me.
"It's perfect!" She said. "I just knew it would be."
"Everything you have ever made me is perfect," I said as I smiled at her.
"You're dressed like Martha May!" Rosie said as she smiled and pointed at me.
I looked at her and she was wearing a poodle skirt red plaid dress, and Uma did her braids and hair. She looked so cute, and everyone knew she was ready for the festival.
"And you are Rosie Lu Who," I said as I held my hand out for her. "Let's hurry. We're going to miss the Whobilation."
We walked out of the green house and saw everyone heading towards the stage.
"Keep close, Rosie," I said as I pulled her close to me.
"I will," she said.
I turned to see her grab Uma's hand and Evie stood behind us, just in case she were to fall behind. We made it to the stage, and my dad, mom, and Hadie were standing on the stage.
"Welcome!" My mom said as she held her hands out. "To this year's Whobilation!"
"Now, we need to nominate this year's Holiday Cheermeister!"
My mom was really getting into the Christmas spirit. I felt someone bump my shoulder and turned to see Belle, Adam, and the rest of my friends all in whowear. Belle and Adam were matching Rosie and the rest of my friends were dressed as whos too. I chuckled at them, before I turned my attention back to the stage.
"Do I hear a nomination?" My mom asked as she looked at the crowd.
"I NOMINATE THE GRINCH!" Adam yelled from behind me, making the crowd laugh out loud.
I loved that everyone was playing along, and it really made me miss being home more and more. I couldn't wait to be home with my friends, family, and with Ben.
"That is a nominations, Adam Lu Who," my mom said as she smiled down at us. "But, I am afraid that the grinch is not…"
"I'm here!" We heard Ben's voice shout as he ran onto the stage.
He was in all green. A pair of green pants, a fuzzy green sweater, a green beanie, and even a pair of green shoes. I had to control myself so that I would not laugh, but it was so hard.
"I'm here… wooh," he said as he stretched his back. "It's a long ride down from that mountain" he said as he pointed at the mount Krumpit, I am assuming my mom had made my dad, Adam, and Hadie made. Ben looked at his side, and looked confused, before he looked to the side of the stage and yelled. "MAX!" He exclaimed as he pointed next to him.
Just then, Tony came onto the stage and he was hearing all brown, with a pair of antlers, and a red nose. He walked up next to Ben and sat down next to him, before looking up.
"Good boy," Ben said as he patted Tony on the head.
"Well, Mr. Holiday Cheermeister," my mom said as she walked up next to Ben with a crown in her hand. "Here is your Holiday Cheermeister crown, and now it is time for your reward," she told him as she took the beanie off his head and put the crown in its place.
I laughed as she put the crown in his head. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that Ben would be dressed as the grinch in front of our entire town, but here he was, taking me by surprise like always.
"You know," Ben said. "The only reward I would like to receive this year is to spend time with my friends and my family," he said as he took the microphone from my mom. "Especially, some time with my Mallory May Whovier," he said as he turned to me and smiled.
Bells started to chime as my parents and brother walked off the stage and toward where we were standing. Fake snow started to fall from the sky and everyone looked up in awe.
"Wow, mom," I said as I turned to look at her. "You really went all out this year."
"You know how much I love Christmas," she said as she walked over to me and wrapped her arm around me.
"I do know," I said as I leaned my head against hers. "And I love it all."
She looked at me, before she gave me a kiss on the cheek
Let's go
I covered my face as my cheeks grew hot. Yet again, Ben took me by surprise. Tony stood up to stand next to Ben, before Ben started to sing.
It's the most beautiful time of the year
Lights fill the streets, spreading so much cheer
I should be playing in the winter snow
But I'ma be under the mistletoe
I don't wanna miss out on the holiday
But I can't stop staring at your face
I should be playing in the winter snow
But I'ma be under the mistletoe
He walked to the front of the staircase and held his hand out for me. I shook my head and grabbed a handful of my skirt, before I walked up and took his hand. He walked me to the middle of the stage and spun me around, before pulling me close and swaying us back and forth.
With you, Mally, with you
With you, Mally, with you
With you, under the mistletoe
I laughed as he sang, not because it was funny, but because he changed the lyrics to a Justin Bieber song. It was a cute song, but changing 'shawty' to 'Mally' was a good transition.
Everyone's gathering around the fire
Chestnuts roasting like a hot July
I should be chilling with my folks, I know
But I'ma be under the mistletoe
Word on the street, Santa's coming tonight
Reindeer's flying through the sky so high
I should be making a list, I know
But I'ma be under the mistletoe
Mistletoe started to fall from the sky and float around our heads, making me laugh again as he continued to sing.
With you, Mally, with you
With you, Mally, with you
With you, under the mistletoe
With you, Mally, with you
With you, Mally, with you
With you, under the mistletoe
I wrapped my arms around his neck, and kissed his hard on the cheek, leaving my blood red lipstick staining it.
Ayy love, the wise men followed the star (the wise men followed the star)
The way I followed my heart
And it led me to a miracle
Ayy love (ayy love), don't you buy me nothing (don't you buy me nothing)
'Cause I am feeling one thing, your lips on my lips
That's a merry, merry Christmas
I started to think about next Christmas. Ben and I would be home permanently. We would be with our family and our friends, but more importantly Ben and I would be together, without having to leave each other again.
It's the most beautiful time of the year
Lights fill the streets, spreading so much cheer
I should be playing in the winter snow (I know)
But I'ma be under the mistletoe
I don't wanna miss out on the holiday
But I can't stop staring at your face
I should be playing in the winter snow
But I'ma be under the mistletoe (whoa yeah)
Tony was swaying around us as Ben swayed the both of us back and forth. He was singing back up and the red nose covering his made me laugh every time he came into my view.
With you, Mally, with you
With you, Mally, with you
With you, under the mistletoe, yeah
With you, Mally, with you
With you (oohh), Mally, with you
With you (yeah), under the mistletoe (under the mistletoe)
We were swaying back and forth and Ben's face was getting closer to mine. He leaned his forehead against mine and continued to sing the song as it came to its end.
Kiss me underneath the mistletoe (kiss me underneath the mistletoe)
Show me, baby, that you love me so-oh-oh (oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)
Oh, oh, oh (oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, yeah, yeah)
Kiss me underneath the mistletoe (kiss me underneath the mistletoe)
Show me, baby, that you love me so-oh-oh, oh, oh, oh (oh, whoa, oh whoa)
I cupped the sides of his face and brought him in for a deep loving kiss, as the crowd cheered loud. My cheeks started to feel hot, but I really didn't care at the moment. I was home and I was with Ben. Where I wanted to be for the rest of my life.
Until next time my Lovies! xoxo GM
