"So now you are going to propose?" Azis smiled at his friend sitting in Ben's office, looking pleased with the news the boy had shared with his friends.
Mal and Ben spent Sunday making sure that everything was ready for his parent's arrival, including some baked goods that were half eaten by the boy that same day, until Mal put her foot down, telling him that she would bake more for him later on. On Monday morning, the couple went to wait for Ben's parents at their Airbnb, and soon the four of them were hugging and sharing how happy they were to be together. After a couple of minutes, Ben excused himself and went on his way to the office. Once there, Azis and Jay came ready for their weekly meeting, and the boy share his conversation with Mal with the biggest smile they had ever seen on Ben.
"Yes, Mal told me that she is open to doing those things now because we are together. So I was thinking I need to look for a ring, but also I think it is time for us to look for a bigger place to move into." Jay suggested to his friend to have a conversation with Mal about the moving aspect, so they could see if she was sure of staying in the city. Ben agreed and shared how he hoped the James's house was still on the market after he had a chance to talk to Mal. He knew that it was more expensive than he initially wanted to spend, but Mal loved the house, the amount of times the girl had shared how beautiful she found it make him want to get it for them.
They ended the conversation and went on with their usual Monday meeting with their teams, and soon the work took over everyones mind. While the boy was at work, Mal and his parents went to meet the James's and the couple decided to showed them around the city. Ben made his way back to the apartment that night to find it alone, but instead of calling Mal, the boy decided to shower and think more about his plan of proposing.
Mal found him daydreaming on their bed when she made her way home hours later, and asked him why he didn't go see them. The boy told her that he had a busy day and he just wanted to rest, his parents were going to be there until the next year, so there would be time for them to be together. Mal agreed and asked him if he had eaten something, and the boy shook his head, telling her he wasn't hungry, which shock the girl. "Are you feeling ok? You are always hungry."
Ben chuckle, but went on to asked her about his day, and they continue to talk for a while until they went to rest of the week was a repeat, with Ben some times joining Mal and his parents on their walks around the city, taking the opportunity to listen to the girl about her thoughts about Seattle. By Christmas day, everything was ready for the celebration, the friends came and talk about their lives and plans for the future, and Ben was ready to talk to the James's about their house. Sadly when he was about to do it, the couple toast to their house finally being sold and the boy felt like he had ruined a chance for him and Mal to have a place to grow a family.
Even though he tried his best, it was obvious that Ben's mood soured after the announcement, and Mal asked him if he was feeling ok. Ben nodded and told her that he was just tired after everything they did that week, so he was looking forward to sleeping late for a few days. Mal nodded, sure that he was lying, but not wanting to push the boy at that moment, she gave him a kiss on the cheek and told him that the next few days were going to be more relaxing.
Cora came to stand next to Ben after Mal walked away and, bumping his shoulder in a joking way, asked him if they could talk. Ben smiled at her and nodded, the couple made their way to the back porch to have a little privacy. The yard was beautiful, when they arrived, Ben parked his car first so it was closer to the back porch than the entrance, making the boy daydream a little of how he would see himself arriving home and seeing his kids playing there.
Cora cleared her throat, breaking his thoughts, and asked the boy if he was ok, Ben forced a smile and nodded, asking her what she wanted to tell him. "So, I wanted to tell you that I'm moving to Seattle. I came because I had some interviews, and they offered me a job, so I decided to take it and have a change of scenery."
Ben smiled, congratulating Cora and hugging the girl telling her that he would help her out in whatever he could. "Thanks. I'm moving in with Ryder until I find myself an apartment, I have to go back and pack all my things and see if I should drive here with a Uhaul or just pay for movers. I'm excited about this and to reconnect with everyone that is here." The conversation then went on talking about the different people that studied with them that moved to Seattle, and soon enough, they were exchanging stories of other people that they knew that were around the country and some overseas. Ben remembered how easy it was to talk to Cora, and for the first time since knowing that the house was sold, he found himself enjoying the moment.
They continued to talk until Azis came looking for them. Together they went on to discuss Cora's moving, and Ben could see the excitement of Azis and wondered if there was something more going on with his friend and Cora. Mal appeared next to them, telling the group that people were starting to say goodbye, she had put everything away, and it was time to let the James's rest. That shocked them until they realized that it was close to midnight, they turned, and Mal was gone, so they were about to walk into the house when the rest of the group made their way out, blocking the door.
Jay and Ryder came carrying tupperwares and other things that Mal had brought without making eye contact with the trio, the next were Carlos and Jane with two bags, and the girl looked at Ben with annoyance. Belle and Adam's laughter could be heard, and finally, the trio made their way into the house and saw that the only people there were Ben's parents, Lonnie and Mal. That confused them because Elliot and a couple of Mal's friends were also there when Ben and Cora made their way to the back porch. Lonnie turned, looking at them a second before hugging the James's thanking them for opening their house to them, and then making her way to the front door and disappearing.
Azis asked where the rest of the group was, and Mal, without turning, said that they were all gone. "They left an hour ago, we finished cleaning and putting everything away and played a little but is late, and we should leave so everyone can rest." Ben's parents agreed and once again said goodbye to the older couple, promising to come to visit them next week. The trio came and said goodbye too and, joining the others, made their way out of the house. Jay's car was gone, and Ryder was standing outside Azis's car waiting for his ride, looking serious.
Mal walked toward Ryder and hugged the boy, and they shared a short conversation in whispers that made Ben feel uneasy. The entire mood of the group was tense even though nobody was saying anything. When Mal let go of Ryder, the boy squeezed her hand before letting her go, and Ben was sure that something was going on, Belle walked towards the car, telling Ben that he needed to get in because it was cold. Cora said goodbye to Ben and his parents and walked towards Mal with Azis by her side.
Mal turned and said goodbye to the couple, moving towards the car without giving them a chance to say more. Adam sat next to Ben, giving him a serious look when the boy turned to ask him to move so Mal could sit there, Mal's voice came from the back seat, telling Ben that she was fine. They made their way to the building with Belle sharing how much she enjoyed the James's and how she was planning to prepare a special dinner for them that week. Soon she was asking Mal what she thought they would like, the conversation stopped when they arrived at the building. When the girl asked Ben to open the trunk so they could take out the things they brought back, the boy wasn't sure what she was talking about but did as Mal asked.
Ben was confused until he remembered seeing his friends taking things out when he was making his way back into the house. There were two totes bags there, Adam grabbed them both while everyone made their way into the building, leaving Ben to park the car alone. Ben made his way to his parent's apartment, sure that Mal would be there, but Belle opened the door and told him that the girl had gone to his apartment and was about to close the door when the boy asked her to explain what happened.
Belle sighed and told him to get in. "Well, we were all having a great time, and suddenly you started to act annoyed. Nothing serious, but Ben, we know you, and it was obvious that something was happening with you. Mal told us that you were just tired, but I'm sure she didn't believe it either, so we all decided to give you space, and suddenly you disappeared. We finished eating, and people toasted to the wonderful evening and praised how amazing Mal was for organizing everything and bringing us together. We had dessert, and you were still gone, but now people noticed that Cora was also gone, so now Azis went on to look for you, or at least that was what we all assumed. So we decided to play, and people were supposed to be in teams, and Mal said that she would team with Cora and you so that you guys had teams when they came back." Ben closed his eyes, feeling bad for Mal.
Belle continued to say that in the end, Elliott and his team told Mal to join them, and people continued to play and have fun. Still, she noticed that Mal was always looking toward the porch. In the end, they played for a while different games, then everyone helped clean up and then started to say their goodbyes because it was late. "You were gone for almost two hours, Ben. Mal was looking forward to spending today with all of us, our first holiday together since you two are a couple."
Ben groaned while Adam made his way toward the boy telling him that he should make his way home now. After hugging his parents goodbye, he made his way towards the apartment; opening the door, he saw that the living room light was on, but Mal was not there. Calling her name Ben made his way towards the bedroom and found Mal sleeping in their bed: he changed and turned off the lights making his way to the bed. After laying next to the girl, he decided that they needed to talk and gently move her whispering her name to wake her up, Mal stirred a little and slowly opened her eyes saying his name.
Apologizing for waking her up Ben asked Mal if they could talk, and the girl groaned telling him that she was tired and they could talk after she slept. Then she turned and went on to sleep, leaving Ben to stare at her back until he managed to fall asleep. The next day he woke up to an empty bed and a note from Mal telling him that his parents had come earlier and they decided to cook in their apartment. Ben grabbed his keys, and without changing, he made his way downstairs and knocked on their door, he heard laughter as his dad opened the door. "Ben, did you just wake up? Boy, I know we are family but at least comb your hair."
Ben rolled his eyes, and asked his dad where Mal was. The girl came to stand next to Adam, smiling until he saw Ben, and asked him why he didn't change before coming. Ben took her hand and told his dad that they would be back but that he needed to talk to Mal first. Adam said goodbye and Mal walked with the boy without saying anything, she knew that he wanted to talk but felt bad about waking him so she assumed they would talk later.
At their apartment, Ben stood in front of the girl and apologized for disappearing the night before at the James's. "Is ok. I was annoyed and tired yesterday, but I'm ok now. Can you change so we can spend the day with your parents? I was helping your mom cook, and we are supposed to exchange gifts before we eat."
"Mal, please don't act like you don't care because you barely looked at me yesterday." Mal told him that she was ok, and that yesterday she was tired because the entire day she was doing things for the celebration.
"Ben, look I was annoyed, but I understand that you were talking with Cora. She was probably telling you that she is moving back to Seattle, it was just that I was tired and I was hoping we would play some games with our friends like we used to do in college. With that said, honestly, I was mostly tired. In the car, your mom started talking, and I talked with her, but if we were alone, I would have fallen asleep right there. That's why the second we got into the building, I said my goodbyes and made a beeline to our bed, I barely managed to change clothes." Ben asked her how she knew about Cora, and Mal told him that Ryder had told her. "He is excited that she is moving to Seattle, but feels a little weird about living with her because his apartment is small so I promised to help him reorganize things a little before she moves in."
"You sure, you are ok?" Mal nodded and, taking the boy's hand, told him that she would get mad if he didn't change quickly because she was hungry and wanted to open her gifts making him smile. "Go ahead, I'll shower quickly and bring my gifts there."
The girl didn't wait a second before waving goodbye and going back to Ben's parents. After getting ready he made his way there, and they spent the rest of the day together, at the end they took a picture of the four of them, and Belle promised to put it on their wall back home. When the couple made their way back to their apartment Mal was resting her head against Ben's arm her eyes heavy with sleep, they got in, and she went straight to the bathroom to do her night routine while the boy sat on the couch.
The boy's thoughts went back to his idea about moving and proposing to Mal, and part of him wished he had already bought a ring so he could give it to her now. Picking up his computer Ben opened the browser and started looking on Zillow for houses, a plan forming in his mind about how they would find a house and the day they move in he would propose. A smile appeared on his face at the thought of their life in the future. "What are you smiling at?" Mal's voice came from his side, and Ben turned his computer and showed her. "Houses?"
"I think we should move to a bigger place. I was hoping to put an offer at the James's house but is too late, so maybe we can find another place for us." Mal asked him if that was the reason his mood change the night before, and Ben nodded, and shared how he wanted to talk to her about moving, but they were so busy that week that he was unable to do it, and now the chance of buying that house was gone. "So, what do you think?"
Mal sat next to him, and looked at the computer. "Is there a special neighborhood you want to move to, or are you open to looking around?"
"I want to move wherever you like." Mal rolled her eyes, and he gave her nose a peck making her laugh. "Honestly, I like the James's neighborhood, but I'm open to looking around. If you already know of places you like, let's look there first. We can even talk to them maybe they have suggestions or friends to plan to move out of Seattle. I think is time for us to start looking for a better place for us, where we can invite our friends and do barbecues and plan our future." He wanted to say a place with space for kids, but he didn't want to pressure her.
The girl smiled and nodded, sharing some places she liked and typing the information on the page. They stayed up for hours looking at houses and making notes, writing and asking for information about tours, they were going to start looking at houses the first week of January, and the couple couldn't be more excited.