Chapter Twenty One
A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else belongs to either Disney, the Greek Myths, or in Rea's case, LotusQuil. They just let me play with her, for which I am appreciative! :D
Okay, someone needs to tell me how we're almost at 250 reviews? That just…that seems insane to me. We're a little over 20 chapters and we're almost at 250 reviews! Thank you all so much! It…It honestly doesn't seem real!
Also…how are we halfway through June? It just…the passage of time just doesn't seem to be a thing I'm aware of as much because I swear last week was March. Smh :D
slytherin4thewin: Glad you liked it! Yeah snarky comments from Hades are to be expected and I also can't wait for the Bal babies to be born! :D
Lauriverfanboy1: Probably not though I'm sure it's everything and anything under the sun lol :D
Angel Cauldwell: Yep a second doggy for Ben and Mal—perfect for their growing family!
Marcus Emrys: Oh yeah Zeus is definitely a blabbermouth, that's for certain! Oh I've heard of Lore Olympus, I've actually read a bit of it!
AmeythstDragon14: Yay! Yep Nyx has joined the family and NightStar can be a thing! Now, now, it might be too soon for puppies lol :D Poor Ben, no small dogs for him!
danifan3000: Yep, I want to say that happened either in chapter 5 or 6—whatever chapter where Hades buried the hatchet with Zeus. Nope, Carlos hasn't proposed to Jane yet and as for Rea…I'm not sure. LotusQuil might have more thoughts on that since Rea's their OC, I just get to borrow her :D
OceanBlueSeaEyes: Yep, Estelle has a girlfriend! There will be many multiple headed creatures in that castle soon enough lol!
shortanamx: Glad you enjoyed it!
Katt Kiki: Glad you liked the chapter! :D
61394: Hey, you never know—he might just want to make a familiar dish for his pregnant daughter lol
BAL4ever: Glad you liked it! :D
twilightgirl587: Trust me so do I! And no, no they haven't—my grandparents used to have a golden retriever who'd go one paw at a time so that by the time you realized what he was doing, he was already on your lap lol :D
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
Mal held back a sigh as the lights from the television studio they were in shone down on her. They were finally doing it—they were finally telling the kingdom about the kids.
There was a small part of her that wondered why they had to do this—after all, Elle and Emma were both pregnant and neither one of them were setting up interviews to tell random strangers their child's gender. But, as her mother had reminded her, Elle and Emma weren't the High Queen of Auradon.
Somethings just came with the territory. Plus it would be a stretch to expect to go through the whole pregnancy without the kingdom finding out.
"I'm here with King Ben and Queen Mal, who have been gracious enough to give me an exclusive interview today!" Snow said, smiling at the two of them. "I must say, your highnesses, this is rather unexpected but I'm thrilled that you've joined me here today."
"Well we're happy to be here, Snow," Ben said, returning the smile.
"Well I was told that you have a very special announcement for us all! And judging by the lovely balloons we have next to us, it has to be something rather exciting," Snow said, gesturing to the two balloons that were shaped like both a dragon and a beast.
Evie had gotten the idea from watching some videos on AuraTube and while Mal had been intrigued by the smoke reveal, she had to agree with Ben's point that if they were going to be indoors, confetti might be a better choice. Even if a smoke bomb fit her VK background.
"So without further ado, I'll let you two take it away, your highnesses," Snow said, pulling Mal back into the conversation.
Mal smiled as Ben gently squeezed her hand. They'd discussed it before arriving and they had come up with the idea for Mal to make the initial announcement since she was the one carrying the kids. "Thank you Snow. And you're right, I think this is something rather exciting. King Ben and I are pleased to announce that…I'm pregnant!"
"Oh how exciting!" Snow gushed. "But wait, there're two balloons here which I'm guessing has something to do with the announcement…Queen Mal, are you saying…?"
"Whatever you're thinking is absolutely right, Snow. I'm expecting twins," Mal nodded before pulling back the light coat she'd been wearing, finally showing her baby bump to the kingdom. "As you can probably understand, we kept things low key to be on the safe side but now I'm pleased to say that I am pregnant with a due date in late May!"
Snow gave the both of them a smile before looking over at the camera. "I hate to sound like a broken record but this definitely is exciting. The first pregnancy of the King Ben and Queen Mal reign!"
"Feel free to sound like a broken record Snow, because we are definitely excited," Ben said with a small chuckle. "And we wanted to share with you all the genders of our children so that the kingdom would know as well whether there'll be two Crown Princes, two crown Princesses, or one of each."
"By all means," Snow said as the three of them got up to go over to the balloons. Mal had to chuckle as Ben handed her the dragon balloon—no matter what, Ben couldn't imagine causing harm to a dragon. Real or otherwise.
Meanwhile, those who don't know us are probably just assuming it's based on our crests, Mal thought as Ben took the Beast balloon. After all, I think Ben still has the Beast insignia on almost all of his clothing.
"Queen Mal, would you like to go first?" Snow asked. "I would hate to have you stand for too long after all."
"Snow, it's perfectly fine but I'm happy to go first," Mal said as Ben handed her the pin they'd use to pop the balloons. "Alright! In 3…2…1…!"
Mal popped the balloon and couldn't help but chuckle as blue confetti flew around her, some even landing in her hair. On the screen behind Ben's shoulder, Mal could see the words 'It's a Boy' lit up in blue and yellow font.
Say what you wanted about Auradon, they did love their royal colors.
"Oh how wonderful! Looks as though Auradon will be seeing a Crown Prince," Snow said, her megawatt smile never leaving her face. "Now the only question is will he have a brother or a sister?"
"And I'm here to answer that question," Ben said as he took the pin from Mal. "Thank you Mal. In 3…2…1…!"
Popping the balloon, Ben smiled as he saw the purple confetti they'd agreed upon to announce their daughter. While pink was more traditional, it didn't make much sense considering the royal colors hadn't changed much since Ben married Mal—they just added a color.
And purple was definitely a royal color.
"Well I guess that answers that question," Snow said as she looked over at her audience. "Soon Auradon will be welcoming their new Crown Prince and Crown Princess. Congratulations to you both," she added as she looked back at Ben and Mal, who'd taken the opportunity to steal a hug.
Mal smiled as she rested her head on Ben's shoulder. "Thank you Snow. We're looking forward to having them arrive."
"Have you decided on any names?"
"We have," Ben nodded. "And Snow, we're happy to announce that our children will be named Stephanie Isabelle Hailey Le Bête and Maurice Benjamin Adam Le Bête."
"Full name will only be used in case they get into really big trouble," Mal added with a chuckle. "But we wanted to make sure we could include all of the grandparents without making someone feel like they were being left out."
"Well I think those are wonderful names and I wish you both an easy labor in the coming days," Snow said.
"I think that'll be more appreciated by my wife but thank you Snow," Ben said as both he and Mal chuckled.
Before they knew it, the broadcast was over and Ben was handing Mal her coat. Not that she needed to wear it anymore of course but he didn't want her to forget it.
"I hope you two don't mind if I speak as a friend rather than a reporter now," Snow said as she walked over to them, having had been called away at the end of the broadcast by the cameraman because of an issue with the tripod.
"Of course Snow," Mal nodded.
Snow gave the young Queen a smile before beginning to speak once more. "I hope you'll forgive me but I have to admit that I did have my suspicions when you arrived. Wearing a baggy coat is a classic and, as you know, Emma is pregnant as well…which makes a lot of sense now that I think about it. Of course Emir had to follow along with you."
"Did you really put it past him?" Ben asked with a chuckle.
Snow chuckled as well before sobering slightly. "But in all seriousness, I just wanted to say once more that I am so happy for you two. And not just from the stance of the press or as a citizen but as a friend as well."
"Thank you Snow," Mal said, returning the smile. "And I know I couldn't keep the pregnancy a secret much longer but I…growing up on the Isle, it wasn't the best health wise. I truly didn't want to risk anything happening in this pregnancy and getting everyone's hopes up for naught. And I hope Emma's pregnancy is going well, it's probably the longest we've gone without seeing Emir with how glued to her he's been."
"You're welcome Mal," Snow told her. "And from what Emma's told me she's had some days where she feels worse than others but on the whole she says that she can't complain and that it could be worse."
Mal and Ben couldn't help but smile as they heard that. Emma was a dear friend and the last thing they wanted was for her to suffer.
"Good," Ben said. "I'm glad she's not having a difficult pregnancy. And I'm sure they're looking forward to the day where they get to see their son or daughter."
"Do you know if they're finding out the gender or are they keeping it a surprise?" Mal asked.
"They're keeping it a surprise," Snow told her. "Though I'm sure that if they were going to find out the gender, you two would have been the first to know. I know they're going to be over the moon about your news."
"I'm sure you're right about that," Ben nodded, a smile on his lips as he thought about one of his oldest friends. "I wouldn't be surprised if he was at the hospital the day our kids arrive."
"If it wasn't for the fact that Emma's due date is so close to mine, I'd say I agree with you there Ben," Mal said with a small chuckle. "Snow, thank you so much for letting us make the announcement with you."
"I was happy to help, Mal," Snow told her. "But you know you're going to be asked for photos at the next Learning to be Royal meeting. At least, after the twins are born but if you wanted to share ultrasound pictures, you certainly can."
"That's something I'll happily provide," Mal told her. Despite being Queen for the past three years, she still enjoyed attending the Learning to be Royal meetings. Though she wasn't going to lie, it had been a challenge keeping her pregnancy a secret from the other members. Especially those who'd been pregnant before.
Rapunzel and Cinderella especially always seemed to have a knowing look about them whenever Mal saw them at a meeting.
Though Mal was happy to continue to attend, especially with Ginny, Bobby, and Roland joining the meetings; more than likely invited by their respective mother-in-law as Ginny had married Chad while the Hood brothers had married and engaged Kitty and Lucy respectively.
In all honesty, Mal had to wonder when Lucy and Bobby were going to stop dragging their feet on their wedding. Though it was none of her business—it was entirely possible that they had a more private wedding. After all, Kitty and Roland had practically eloped in terms of a royal wedding.
"Mal?" Ben said.
"Hmm?" Mal asked, looking over at him and pulling herself out of her thoughts.
Ben chuckled. "You okay? You were kinda just staring off into space for a bit."
"Oh sorry," Mal said and shook her head. "I got lost in thought."
"Happened to me all the time with Emma and then with Neal," Snow told her. "You just head on home and relax, Mal."
"I think I'll take you up on that advice," Mal said, nodding her head as both she and Ben gave Snow another grateful smile before making their way out of the studio and to their limo which was waiting by the side entrance. Just in case there were any of Snow's journalistic 'colleagues' waiting by the front door.
The drive home was uneventful, thankfully, and soon both Mal and Ben found themselves walking through the door of their castle; Estelle and Nyx trotting up to greet them.
"Hey boy," Mal smiled as she saw Estelle; Ben bending over slightly to pet Nyx behind the ears. "Anything happen while we were gone?"
Estelle snorted and shook his head.
"Well that's good," Mal said with a small smile as she looked over at Ben. "So…what do you want to do now?"
"Cuddle?" Ben suggested.
"Sounds good to me," Mal said before giving him a small, teasing smile. "Though I would have thought that you would have said paperwork."
"Ha, ha," Ben shook his head as they went to sit down on one of the couches they had in their living room. "I do know how to relax you know."
"I know Benny," Mal said before leaning over to kiss Ben on the cheek. "I was just teasing."
Ben gave her a small smile before resting his hand on her stomach. "Gods…I can't wait until they're finally here," he whispered as one of the babies kicked. Ben couldn't help but wonder which baby was it who did all the kicking? Was Stephanie going to be like her mom in attitude? Or was it Maurice?
"You and me both Ben," Mal said softly. "Gods, and then soon it'll be Elle giving birth and then Emma and then Uma…"
"Remind me, are we trying to repopulate the Earth by scheduling all the pregnancies around the same time?"
"Well we didn't schedule anything and neither did Uma. Your shadows on the other hand…I wouldn't put it past them."
Ben shook his head. "They didn't even know we were having twins and they still managed to make it so both Stephanie and Maurice have a shadow each."
"Could you imagine what they'd do if they did know we were having twins back when Elle and Emma got pregnant?" Mal chuckled. "Knowing your shadows, they'd try to make it so they had twins as well. I wouldn't be surprised if Akiho teaches Melody's twins how to shadow as well."
"And now you've put the idea out into the universe," Ben said. "I can just picture it now, our kids coming to us about Percy and Maddie shadowing them."
"And whatever Uma's naming her squidling," Mal added. Uma was still adamant about keeping the gender of her baby a surprise, saying that that's what they would have done had she gotten pregnant on the Isle. Meanwhile, every time Mal had talked to Harry, he had been insistent that the baby was going to be a girl.
A small part of Mal had to wonder if the reason Harry was so insistent was because, in a small way, he was trying not to get disappointed the way he had been when CJ was born.
Don't think about that, Mal told herself. Think about the fact that soon your kids will be here. And with any luck, they'll take after their father. I mean who wouldn't want their kids to be like Ben? He's amazing and I'm…well I'm not rotten to the core or anything but I'd rather not have our kids be like me. If there's any God that's listening to me…please let the kids take after Ben.
"Hey…" Ben said softly, almost as if he knew what Mal was thinking. Of course he didn't, not having access to the mental link, but after three years of marriage, he had a good grasp on what Mal was thinking about. "What's on your mind? You have that look on your face, your worrying mixed with a dash of doubting yourself look."
Mal couldn't help but sigh softly as she rested her head on Ben's shoulder. "I was just…hoping our kids turn out like you," she said softly.
"Why? I think it'd be great if our kids took after you. Your confidence, your poise…"
"My tendency to make people hate me?"
"Hey, no one hates you," Ben said gently as Estelle and Nyx yipped softly as if to agree with Ben. "I can say with certainty that the only people who hate you are as dead as a doornail. And they don't count anyway, Freddy and Leah."
Mal sighed, choosing not to comment on the third person . "Okay, so maybe no one hates me…other than Ariana for sending Audrey to the Isle and inadvertently killing Leah."
"Oh yeah…forgot about her…didn't she end up getting married to Prince Achmed's son?"
"Yeah he did. Emir spent about five hours ranting about how Ariana finally found someone as full of himself as she was remember? I almost feel sorry for Prince Hassan though."
"Why?"
"Because I might have mailed him a pair of boxers with hearts on them when Emir told me the news…?"
Ben shook his head. "Mal…"
"Hey it was anonymous," Mal shrugged. "And really you can blame pregnancy brain! But this just proves my point. Wouldn't you want our kids to have your diplomatic nature than—?"
"What I want is for our kids to be happy and healthy," Ben told her. "Diplomacy can be taught after all. I'd rather the kids not feel like they have to suppress who they are just like I don't want you to do that either."
"Even if it means my fiery nature embarrasses—?"
"Have you been thinking about Natalie again?" Ben asked, looking at Mal in slight concern. Even thought it'd been years since she darkened their lives, there were certain words that Mal would use at times that Ben immediately associated with Natalie.
Mal sighed. "I try not to. Especially since she represented a time of my life where I basically changed almost all of me to try to please parts of the kingdom who wouldn't be pleased, no matter what I did. But…I don't know, sometimes her words still worm their way back into my brain…"
"Well here's what I say to those words," Ben said, gently kissing Mal on the top of her head. "I love my wife the way she is, and she could never embarrass me or the kingdom. And I know that her fiery personality will help her be an amazing mother because she'll be ready to protect her kids, no matter what."
"Ben…"
"Though I would like to ask that she stop eating all the strawberries," Ben said with a small chuckle. "You realize that you're not the only Godling using up an Auradon resource right?"
"What do you mean?"
"…Mal, do you know how many eggs Macaria's family consumes ever since she married Gil? I've already had to talk to Akiho about him causing bread shortages because of his love of sandwiches but at least he's got other food he can use."
Mal chuckled. "Benny, you do remember who Gil's father is right? Mister Eat Five Dozen Eggs a Day? But if it makes things easier, I can talk to Macaria about using Hercules' chickens."
"…Hercules has a farm?"
"He grew up on one, he's more comfortable that way."
Ben smiled and held Mal close. "That would be great, thanks Mal. But…you don't have to do it right away. After the kids come."
"Hard to believe how close it seems now," Mal said with a small sigh. "Are you sure we've got everything?"
"Nursery's set up, staff and kingdom have been informed, we have two guard dogs for our kids…and we've got extra guards as well," Ben nodded. "We're all set."
"So why does it feel like we're forgetting something?" Mal asked.
Before Ben could answer, both of their phones began to ring.
"Who's calling us?" Ben asked.
"Jay's on mine," Mal said.
"Emir's on mine," Ben shook his head. He had a feeling he knew what this was about.
"Speaker phone then?"
"Sounds good. Three…two…one…"
"What do you mean you're having twins?!" Their friends' voices called out of their phones.
Oh…that's what we forgot, Mal thought with a small snort as the ranting began. Thanks for keeping it a secret Hads.
…Seriously, you're in your twenties and you still don't know how to keep your thoughts off the link?
If dad hadn't banned me from muting the link, I would!
Sure Mali, sure. And congrats again by the way, I saw the announcement with Alex and the others. Let me just say, they weren't happy that I kept it a secret from them.
Why didn't you tell them?
That's your business. I don't get to be the cool uncle by being the one blabbing secrets all over the place.
Mal smiled slightly. Thanks Hads…so does this mean you're admitting you're in a relationship with Alexandria?
…Because you're experiencing baby fever, I'm going to ignore you said that. Rea can't wait to meet the kids by the way.
Neither can I, Hads, neither can I, Mal thought as she snuggled up close to Ben, neither one of them even attempting to get a word in while their friends continued to freak out over their phones.
Even if their lives were about to change, it was clear that it was only for the better.