After spending some time together Ben text Evie and told her that everyone could come and see us all. I started to feel apprehensive as I didn't know how everyone was going to react; and when I heard my side room door open I took a couple of deep breaths to steady myself.
I then saw a quick blue blur enter the room; and before I knew it Ben had slid away from me and I was suddenly cuddled into Evie. She sobbed against my right shoulder; and as I looked over her shoulder I looked over to Jay and Carlos. When our eyes locked they both smiled at me and I winked at them and this began to reassure me.
When Evie pulled away my eyes then landed on Adam and Belle just before Carlos and Jay pulled me into a joint hug. I could tell that they were concerned that I was heavily pregnant; but I could also see the relief at the fact that I had finally been found.
Carlos then asked where I had been; so I told them everything from when I left up until I rang for Evie's help. After I had told them everything they then told me that they understood why I had done what I had done - they just wished that I didn't have to go to them extremes. I agreed with this; but I stressed that I needed to make sure that mine and Ben's baby was safe and I was glad that they had understood and agreed with this.
I then stated that I knew that given what had already happened in the recent months I knew that both the council and the Kingdom would want a DNA test. Ben dismissed this; but I urged that I didn't mind. In fact I told him that I wanted it done - so no one would ever doubt our little Prince. Ben then nodded to this before he cuddled back into me; and I pressed a kiss against the top of his head. I knew that many things were going to change over the next coming months; and I was ready for it - as I had Ben and our family by my side.
After spending some time with our family they then left for the evening; however given the fact that Doctor Cameron wanted to keep me in for the night Ben advised that he wanted to stay with me. But in all honesty I didn't want him to leave me; I think we had spent enough time apart so it wasn't fair on either of us for us to be apart.
During the night me and Ben talked about our living arrangements; and we both decided that I was going to move back into Auradon Castle as soon as possible. However I advised Ben that I need to get all of mine and our Prince's things from the cottage; Ben nodded to this but he told me that he didn't want me to lift anything. I rolled my eyes at this before I nodded; I saw no point in arguing with him - he was right. I was at the point of my pregnancy where I could barely do anything due to my size or exhaustion; and right now all I wanted to do was be cuddled into Ben - and by the looks of it Ben felt the same.
After me and Ben got ready for bed we then cuddled together, with me snuggled into his broad and strong chest, and I couldn't help but sigh in happiness. For the first time in a very long time I felt safe and settled now that I was back in the arms of my Benny. I was relishing at being back in his presence; in his warm embrace and his sweet and loving kisses. Yes me and Ben had been thrown into a terrible situation; but I loved our warm reunion - as I was taking back my rightful place in the world.
This relief and happiness was short lived however when I was woken up to Ben crying and calling out in his sleep. When my sleepy eyes landed on bed my heart started to break as I saw him call out my name, thrash around and cry in his sleep.
"Benny" I advised as I slightly shook him. "Ben" I said more clearly and I watched as his eyes slowly rolled out of sleep.
"Mal?" He muttered. "Is there something wrong?' He questioned as his eyes opened fully.
"You tell me-" I yawned. "You woke me up" I explained.
"Oh" he said and he looked down in shame.
"What's wrong?" I questioned.
"Nothing" he said as he meekly smiled at me; however the smile didn't reach his eyes so it didn't look right.
"Ben please?" I stated. "I can't help you until you tell me what is going on" I urged and we gazed into each other's eyes for a few seconds before he nodded at me.
It was at this point that Ben told me how me leaving had affected him; he had lost a lot of weight due to not eating or drinking. However he also hadn't been sleeping very well and when he had nightmares about losing me. I pulled him towards me and held him close and continued to console him. Yes I knew that leaving him was going to hurt him but I never dreamed that it would hurt him like this - and no matter what I did I would never, ever forgive myself for this.