"Hello!" I sang happily as I opened the door.
"Hello" Adam answered as he looked behind me and I knew that he was trying to see where Ben was.
"Hi Mal" Belle meekly smiled. "We've come to-" she added but stopped as she threw Adam a look before looking back at me. "Erm" she muttered.
"I know he's told you" I advised hoping that this was going to dispel this awkward situation. "I heard him," I added. "Please come in" I stated as I took a step to the side to let them come in.
"Thank you" they said together as they stepped in.
"Where is he?" Belle questioned as I closed the door behind them.
"Just getting changed" I advised.
"I see," Adam noted.
"Mother" I heard Ben say as he started to walk down the stairs. "Father" he added. "What are you doing here?" he questioned in confusion.
"You sounded very upset," Adam answered. "We know this is your honeymoon; but we couldn't really ignore that" he insisted as he stood on my left hand side.
"I see," Ben noted. "Well it looks like I have wasted your time" he added as he pursed his lips together. "Me and Mal have sorted things out" he told them as he wrapped his right arm around my waist and we both smiled happily at each other.
"Oh" I heard Adam say, making us both look over to them.
"I see," Adam noted.
"Sorry," Ben urged.
"I told you we should have rang" Belle insisted.
"I did," Adam pressed. "He didn't answer," he added.
"Sorry for the intrusion" Belle quickly apologised. "We better go," she added.
"No" I interjected. "You don't have to do that" I dismissed. "I was just making dinner, why don't you stay?" I suggested polietly.
"Mal this is meant to be your honeymoon" Adam stated.
"I know" I smiled at them. "But I think we would both like it if you stayed, wouldn't we?" I questioned as I looked back up at Ben.
"Yes" he advised as we both smiled lovingly at each other.
"And I don't want anything to be awkward between us" I stated as I looked back at Adam and Belle.
"Me neither" Belle smiled.
"Me too" Adam smiled at me, which started to reassure me at the fact that they were smiling and I couldn't sense any animosity from them. "Mal we don't want you to think we are meddling-" he stated. "It's just we can't ignore Ben being upset" he explained.
"I know," I replied. "I understand that" I added as I nodded. "I would be the same," I added.
"Anyway-" Adam said, obviously trying to change the subject. "What are we having for lunch?" he grinned.
"Spaghetti Bolognese with cheesy garlic bread" I answered proudly.
"Homemade?" Belle questioned.
"Yeah" I nodded. "From scratch" I added.
"Sounds lovely" Belle smiled.
"Ben you go and set up" I advised. "I need to finish making it," I added as I stepped out of his arm and turned to walk back towards our kitchen.
"Ok," I heard Ben answer.
"Do you need any help dear?" I heard Belle offer as the three of them following me into mine and Ben's modern and very spacious kitchen.
"No it should be fine" I dismissed.
"Mal! I heard Belle call as Adam and Belle walked into the open plan dining room that was connected to our kitchen.
"Yes?" I answered as she stood on my right hand side in front of the kitchen bench.
"Me and Adam are here for you, just as much as Ben-" she started. "We see you as a daughter, we always have" she continued sincerely which made me smile at this. I couldn't help but feel relieved that this situation hadn't affected my relationship with Adam and Belle; as this was the last thing that I wanted. Since coming to Auradon Adam and Belle had always been so welcoming not to only me but to my family as well. And through both of mine and Ben's relationships they had treated me like a member of their family, which was something that I always held dear. "We just hate what the two of you have had to go through" she advised as she pursed her lips together.
"I know" I sighed sadly. "Thank you" I meekly smiled. "It means a lot that you are here for us both" I finished sincerely as I picked up the knife and started to cut the onions that I had been cutting when Ben entered the room.
"Now I know you said you didn't need any help but there must be something I can help you with?" she suggested.
"Belle you are a guest" I urged.
"No Mal" she insisted. "I am your mother-in-law; and that is what I do," she added. "I help" she concluded and we both warmly smiled at each other.
"Ok then" I giggled; and I watched as she eagerly looked down at the food that I had on the bench waiting for me to use. I then showed Belle how to make my version of Spaghetti Bolognese with cheesy garlic bread, which I really enjoyed my time together with her. Thankfully it took my mind from what had happened today which I valued; even if it was just for a little while.
We then went to enjoy a lovely meal together with Ben and his parents; however part way through I started to sense that something was bothering him. Of course I understood why; so much had happened recently it could be a combination of things. But what made me start to worry even more was when Ben threw me a concerned look part way through the meal; which told me that something was wrong. Very wrong! And unfortunately for me I was going to have to wait until we were on our own until I found out what it was.
