"Here we are my love" I heard Ben say just before his limousine came to a smooth stop. "Home" he smiled warmly.
"Thank you, my love" I replied as the car door opened. I started to feel my stomach bubble with excitement; and I decided to talk to Ben about what was currently on my mind. "Can we tell our family now?" I questioned eagerly as we untangled ourselves from each other.
"Really Mal?" he chuckled as we both quickly climbed out of the limousine. "That eager to stake your claim over me?" he teased as I slid my right hand into his left.
"Benny-" I began to tease back as we stood looking lovingly at each other. "I think I have already done that" I advised happily as I heard Dawson close the car door behind us before quickly stepping away. "Last night, during the night and this morning" I muttered; and I heard Ben chuckle at me again. "So?" I prompted.
"Yes Mal" he nodded. "We can tell everyone" he added. "I'll get Chip to bring everyone to my office" he decided as we started to walk into Auradon Castle.
"Eeekk!" I exclaimed as we stepped into the main hall. We then stood still and smiled at each other; I then felt him snake his arms around my waist. He then used his arms as leverage to pull me closer to him as his lip crushed against mine. As Ben quickly deepened the kiss I slid my hands against his chest; and I was just about to moan against his lips but stopped when we both heard a nervous voice.
"Oh sorry" Chip said nervously as we abruptly broke apart and glanced over to a very nervous looking Chip looking back at us.
"Sorry Chip" Ben answered for both of us as I rested my head against Ben's chest.
"It's ok Your Majesty" he replied as me and Ben stepped apart.
"Chip could you get my parents, and Mal's family please?" Ben questioned politely. "We need to talk to them" he advised.
"Ok" Chip nodded back as Ben slid his left hand into my right. "Where do you want me to tell them to come to?" he enquired.
"My office" Ben replied.
"Of course" Chip answered. "I'll go and get them now" he smiled before he quickly span around and quickly walked down the corridor to find our families. When we were alone once more I then smiled up and Ben and I noticed that he was also smiling fondly down at me.
"Lead the way my fiancé" I grinned at him and we then both started to walk towards Ben's office – with both of us very eager to spread the news of our engagement.
"I'm guessing that everyone already knows that you were going to propose to me" I smiled after I closed Ben's office door behind us.
"Yes" he confirmed as we stood in front of his desk.
"So it's not really much of an announcement" I answered as I pursed my lips together.
"Well it is" he urged. "But I can see what you mean" he noted.
"Yeah" I replied. "I love you" I added as we cuddled back together.
"I love you too" he replied and I pressed on my tiptoes and pushed my lips against his. We then started to fall into a series of long and loving kisses; and me and Ben got so much in the moment that we didn't hear the office door open.
"Oh!" I heard Belle say and me and Ben abruptly broke apart again.
"Hey you guys" me and Ben said together as we looking lovingly at each other.
"Do you need us to come back?" Evie teased as she, Jay, Carlos, Belle and Adam walked into the room. "You seem busy" she winked at me as Adam closed the door behind them all.
"It's ok" I answered. "Rain check?" I questioned with a playful smile.
"Rain check" Ben repeated as he nodded at me.
"Ew you guys!" Carlos teased as he pulled a funny face at us.
"Sorry Carlos" I winked at him.
"So what did you want to talk to us about?" Jay asked as me and Ben looked at each other again.
"Go on" I advised as we both smiled at each other.
"I know that most of you probably know what we are about to say-" Ben began proudly as he wrapped his left arm around my waist. "But as you all know me and Mal went away for the evening" he added. "And last night I asked her to marry me" he continued and I saw all of our family smile at this. "And she said yes!" Ben finished proudly as I slid my left hand onto Ben's chest so everyone could see my engagement ring.
"CONGRATULATIONS!" our family shouted out to us as they all stepped forward towards us.
"So our little Mally is all grown up" Jay teased as I hugged him as Adam and Belle pulled Ben into a joint hug.
"Yes Jayjay" I answered as I pulled away and Carlos pulled me into a hug as Evie hugged Ben. "I am" I teased as I pulled away before hugging Evie as Ben quickly shook Jay and Carlos's hands. "But you knew it was coming" I winked at him.
"Yeah" he confirmed. "I guess we all knew that it was going to be a matter of time before Ben popped the question" he smiled happily.
"Of course" Ben grinned as he stood back neck to me. "Mal is the love of my life" he stated as he returned his arm back around my waist. "I didn't think there was any other option really" he smiled.
"Hmm" I hummed as I started to feel playful. "Maybe" I shrugged.
"What?" he questioned as his face dropped.
"Well I might have got sick of you by now" I advised in mock seriousness and I watched as he started to pill a concerned face at me. "Ben I'm teasing you" I advised.
"I hope so" he advised as relief started to show on his face. "Mally you scared me then" he pouted at me.
"Sorry" I quickly apologised before I pressed a brief kiss against his lips before pulling him into a hug. "As if I could ever get sick of you" I advised over his right shoulder. "I love my Beast" I muttered into his right ear.
"Likewise" he muttered back as we pulled away and we looked back at our family.
"I actually have a few questions for you Evie-" I began.
"Me"? she questioned in confusion.
"Yes" I confirmed.
"What?" she answered.
"Well for starters-" I started as me and Ben gave each other a quick and lovingly glance before we both looked back at Evie. "Will you be my maid of honour?" I questioned.
"YES!" she exclaimed as she clasped her hands together. "EEEEEEE!" she shrieked as she ran back to me and pulled me into a tight hug and we started to sway on the spot. "I would be honoured" she grinned as we broke apart and smiled at each other. "Thank you" she added. "I have so much planning to do" she said as she stepped away from me.
"Yeah" I nodded.
"We are going to have such a good night at your hen party" she winked at me.
"Evie really?" I chuckled.
"Yes" she giggled back.
"Evie-" Ben started.
"Yes?" she replied.
"I would like to request something" Ben said.
"Yes?" she repeated.
"No strippers" he advised sternly.
"I can't promise that" she advised.
"Evie!" Ben whined.
"Let's not discuss this now" I interjected so we could change the subject. "We have plenty of time to talk about that" I advised.
"Ok" they both said and I couldn't help but note that Ben didn't seem very happy about the fact that there might be a stripper at my hen party. To be completely honest I didn't really want a stripper; as the only man that I wanted to see naked was Ben. So with this thought in mind I made a mental note to take to both Ben and Evie separately about this as I didn't want any arguments. This then made me realise that Ben might also have a stripper at his stag party - which was something that we would also need to talk about.
"I need to ask you a couple of more things as well" I advised changing the subject again.
"Right?" Evie questioned.
"Would you help me plan our wedding with Belle?" I asked as I threw Belle a loving look and then smiled when she nodded at me.
"Of course!" She exclaimed.
"Good I'm glad" I answered. "Also-" I stated. "I'm going to put you out of your misery E" I continued.
"What misery?" She questioned in confusion.
"Evie will you please design my wedding dress?" I asked.
"Me?" she asked slowly. I don't know why she doubted the fact that I would want her to design and make my wedding dress - she makes all of my other clothes. "You really want me to do that for you?" she added.
"Of course" I answered. "I would never ask anyone else to do it E, surely you should know that" I smiled.
"Maybe" she meekly smiled. "I just didn't want to assume" she clarified.
"I know" I smiled. "So?" I prompted. "Will you?" I urged.
"Of course!" she exclaimed. "I have so many ideas" she advised as she clapped her hands together. "I have already done so many sketches" she explained, causing me to giggle. "What?" she asked as she pulled one brow up in confusion.
"Nothing" I answered as I shook my head. "I can't wait to see them all" I added.
"Me neither" Ben smiled.
"Ben!" Evie exclaimed. "You won't see anything of the sort until your wedding day" she stated.
"Darn!" she sighed. "You sure?" he teased.
"Positive" Evie replied.
"Ben Evie is right" I answered. "You will just have to be patient" I winked at him as the thought of me walking down the aisle to Ben started to play in my mind.
"Mally" he pouted as he wrapped his arms around my waist and he pulled me back to him.
"Hey!" Carlos exclaimed.
"What?" me and Ben both asked together.
"Hands off our sister" Carlos replied.
"Can't promise anything gentleman" Ben chuckled. "She's my fiancé now" he grinned before he pressed a kiss against the top of my head.
"Hmmm" I purred as I snuggled into him.
"So I'm guessing you are going to be showing more public affection now" Jay teased.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Ben teased back.
"Well all over each other" Jay shrugged.
"Well we won't go overboard" I answered. "But you can't expect us not to show affection" I smiled. "We have in the past" I reminded him.
"I suppose not" Jay returned and the room the fell into silence for a few seconds.
"Welcome to the family Mal" Adam grinned.
"Thank you Adam" I replied. "Looks like you are stuck with me" I grinned back.
"Wouldn't change a thing" Adam answered.
"Looks like I am getting the daughter that I have always wanted" Belle smiled.
"But you have known me for three and a half years now" I smiled back.
"I know" she answered. "But this is different" she stated.
"I see" I noted. "I guess I need to go and get ready" I advised as my eyes landed on the clock on the wall.
"What do you mean?" Carlos asked in confusion.
"Well I need to be ready for twelve" I advised. "I need to change into something more appropriate" I added as I gestured to the dark purple t-shirt and shorts that I was currently wearing.
"I see" Carlos replied.
"Evie do you want to come with me?" I asked.
"Yes" she giggled. "We can start wedding talk" she winked at me.
"Of course" I smiled as I stepped away from Ben.
"See you all later" I called as me and Evie quickly linked arms.
"See you all later" I heard them all say as we started to head towards the door. As Evie opened the door I then turned and looked at Ben and we smiled at each other.
"Bye Fiancé" he said proudly.
"Bye Fiancé" I answered back in the same tone as I winked at him. Me and Evie then turned and left the room to go and get ready; as things were about to get very busy as it wouldn't be long before the council members descended. And then the festivities would then begin.
The walk through the castle didn't take very long and before I knew it I was in mine and Ben's bedroom; Evie had just quickly excused herself to get her things from her room and I couldn't help but smile as I looked around the room. My mind then went through everything that had happened over the last few months; and I noted that I started to feel overwhelmed.
First of all, there was leaving for the tour, this was something that even though I knew that my life was going to be busy but nothing could prepare me for a royal tour. Yes I would go through anything for Ben and yes the tour was tough – but it wasn't something that I couldn't go through again. I knew that when we continued with our tour next year it should go more smoothly – without all the plotting and scheming behind mine and Ben's backs.
My mind then went back onto the conversations and revelations that happened back in Olympus; I really couldn't believe how far some people of this kingdom to try and tear me and Ben apart. Heck! They even tried to get me killed! But again me and Ben were able to get each other through it; and due to the fact that Ben was such a loyal and committed King that he had the love and trust of his people. I hated the fact that how the tour ended had now tarnished all of the good memories that had happened before Olympus. I only hoped that in the future that with time we could be able to make fond memories and get away from this situation.
Finally my mind went onto last night and a large grin spread across my face; it was such a perfect and defining moment in mine and Ben's relationship. Yes we both knew that our relationship was going to take this turn; but it actually felt surreal at the fact that we were now engaged. I thought that I loved Ben but it was nothing compared to how I felt about him now; I loved him even more – if that was even possible!
"Mal-" I heard Evie say; and when I turned around I saw that Evie walking into the room with her hands full of bags, her clothes and her shoes.
"Yes?" I answered as I walked forward and took some of the things from her; and we both turned around and placed her things down onto a nearby table.
"You ok?" she asked. "You looked deep in thought" she noted.
"I was just thinking about what has happened since we left college" I advised. "The tour, the trial, last night" I continued.
"Right?" She answered as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Is everything ok?" she questioned as her face dropped into concern.
"Yeah of course it is" I replied; and I watched as the concern dropped from her face. "Just thinking about how much has happened in such a short space of time" I advised.
"I see" she noted. "So how was last night?" she enquired showing me what was on her mind.
"Well how much did Ben tell you about his proposal?" I asked as we both sat down on the foot of mine and Ben's bed.
"Well he asked mine, Jay and Carlos's permission" she answered.
"Did he?" I said.
"He never said?" Evie stated.
"No" I answered.
"We found it cute" she advised; and I started to think about Ben having this conversation with my family. I was surprised that he had done this; but then as I thought about it I then should have known that he would have done something like this. Ben is a very traditional and old fashioned man; and this is how he was brought up. I think this was another reason why I loved him; as he wasn't like most guys this day of age.
"Well he is very traditional" I noted.
"Yeah" she agreed. "So apart from asking your permission no, he said that he didn't want you to find out anything" she confirmed.
"I see" I muttered as I nodded.
"So?" she prompted. "Where did he take you?" she questioned with an eager grin.
"To a place special to us" I replied. "Where we had our first date" I stated.
"I see" she noted.
"Yeah" I said. "He had a tent already set up-" I continued as I smiled as I started to remember arriving at the Enchanted Lake last night. "When we got there we had a picnic and after which he proposed" I explained.
"Awww" she cooed. "Set the scene for me" she urged.
"Really E?" I asked incredulously.
"Yes" she giggled.
"Ok" I stated. "When we arrived at the Enchanted Lake there was a large dark blue tent with gold stripes on it-" I began to explain. "There was also multi-coloured fairy lights cascading from the entrance of the tent; which also swept across the top of the stone pillars" I described for her and I saw a large smile spread across her face. "Ben also had a picnic basket and blanket waiting for us; which you already know about – as I just mentioned it" I finished.
"Aww Mal that is so romantic" she cooed.
"Yes" I agreed. "It was" I added as my mind started to wander onto the perfect evening I had just spent with my fiancé.
"Mal!" I heard Evie say which snapped me out of my daydream of what happened in the Enchanted Lake between me and Ben.
"Uhm?" I muttered.
"You had your Ben thinking face on" she teased. "I'm guessing that you both had a lovely evening last night"
"Yes we did" I confirmed. "And I know what you are hinting at Evelyn" I smirked at her.
"What Mal?" she enquired innocently.
"Yes me and Ben had a very active celebration last night" I confirmed further. "During the night" I added. "And this morning" I winked at her.
"Wow!" she exclaimed.
"Come on" I sighed. "You are going to be the same when Doug proposes" I stated. "You'll be all over him. In various different positions" I winked at her.
"Mal!" she exclaimed again as she playfully shoved me.
"You know it is true" I shrugged. "If you didn't want such comments to be said then you shouldn't have hinted" I giggled.
"I know" she answered. "I was going to tease you" she told me. "But you have taken the fun out of it now" she finished as she pursed her lips together. My mind then went onto how we used to tease each other about things like this; even though it was just a few weeks ago it felt like a lifetime ago.
"Sorry" I apologised. "Resume teasing" I advised.
"Really?" she asked incredulously and we both broke out in laughter.
"Well we could do that or you could tell me about your ideas for my wedding dress" I suggested. "Wow!" I exclaimed.
"What?" she questioned.
"That sounds weird to say" I advised as I started to get overwhelmed by the weirdness of talking about my wedding dress so soon after Ben's proposal. "My wedding dress" I muttered.
"Have you and Ben talked about a date?" she enquired.
"He only proposed yesterday Evie" I stated bluntly. "The most we've talked about is the fact is that I said yes and how we feel about each other" I advised. Yes Evie was like family to me but me and Ben had made our promises to each other and I didn't want to go against this at the moment.
"Awww" she cooed. "Young love" she teased. "Soon I'll be calling you Your Highness, or even Mrs Adams" she smiled fondly.
"Yeah, maybe" I said absentmindedly as I started arranging what Evie has just brought into the room.
"What?" she asked bluntly which caused me to look up at her and by the stern look on her face I fell into shock at the fact that I might have just opened myself up for scrutiny.
"Oh I mean me and Ben haven't talked about my married name" I stated. "Or the very unnecessary titles that come with it" I advised.
"Yeah; but what your married name and titles will be is pretty self-explanatory" she returned.
"Yeah" I answered.
"Mal?" she said slowly.
"Yes?" I replied as my stomach started to flutter in panic.
"Are you hiding something?" she urged and I decided to give her a little bit – otherwise she wasn't going to drop this.
"Kinda" I admitted. "But I can't mention anything yet" I quickly added hoping that this would be enough for her at the time being.
"Why?" she asked as she started to look hurt.
"Because it is currently private between me and Ben" I stated.
"Even to me?" she pressed.
"Even to you" I repeated. "Ben's parents don't even know yet" I said hoping that this would show her not to push this issue any further.
"Oh" she muttered. "I see" she noted and I could see that she was thinking about what I had just said. "Mal-" she began as she fell into shock. "Are you pregnant?" she blurted out and I froze in shock.
"EVIE!" I snapped. "No I am not pregnant" I confirmed. "How can you go from my married name to that?" I urged.
"Well what else would be private between the pair of you two?" she questioned. I guess I could see why she had come to this realisation. And as we shared a glance I knew that I was going to let her in but I had to speak to Ben first.
With this thought in mind I sighed as I pulled my phone out and I quickly rang him; hoping that he wasn't going to be upset with me.
"What's wrong?" she asked as I placed my phone to my right ear. I then shook my head and she nodded at me as Ben answered the phone.
"Hey!" he answered happily.
"Hey are you on your own?" I questioned.
"Yeah I'm just about to go in the shower in one of the other rooms" he advised. "Why? She questioned.
"I am going to end up letting something slip" I admitted.
"About what?" he answered.
"My name" I advised and I watched as Evie threw me a confused glance.
"Oh" I heard him answer.
"Yeah" I said.
"Is there any reason why?" he enquired.
"She thinks that I am pregnant because she thinks I am hiding something from her" I replied.
"Oh" he repeated. "I see" he noted and he went quiet for a few seconds. I then opened my mouth to say something but stopped when I realised what Ben was now thinking about.
"Ben I'm not" I clarified.
"Ok" he replied. "That's good" he answered and I could hear his voice change. "One life milestone at a time" he laughed.
"Yeah" I agreed. "I just wanted to check with you first" I advised.
"Thanks" he smiled. "I don't have a problem with you telling Evie" he advised. "But we probably should tell my parents before everyone arrives" he added.
"Cool" I smiled. "That's fine" I added.
"Bye my love" I heard him say.
"Bye Benny" I smiled. "Love you" I added.
"Love you too" I heard him answer lovingly before he ended the call.
"What on Auradon was all that about?" Evie asked in confusion.
"Me and Ben have talked a lot about things - even before we went away" I began to explain. "And we both have chosen our married name" I advised.
"Both of you?" she asked in confusion. "That's not how it normally works" she stated.
"I know" I nodded. "But that is how we are going to do it" I stated.
"So what have you decided?" she enquired.
"We will both take the surname-" I said as I took a couple of deep breaths as I didn't know how she was going to react. This was a big change that me and Ben were suggesting and I knew that there was going to be some people who are going to question why we were doing this. "Dragon-Beast Adams" I added.
"What?" she pressed.
"Dragon-Beast Adams" I repeated.
"Wow!" she exclaimed. "That is quite a statement" she noted.
"Well we aren't doing it for that" I replied.
"And his parents don't know yet?" she muttered.
"No" I confirmed. "We are going to tell them before we start greeting everyone" I explained.
"I see" she noted.
"So don't let on you know" I urged. The last thing I wanted Adam or Belle to be hurt by the fact that they heard about the name that me and Ben wanted to take. The last thing I wanted to do was to hurt them or feel like we have disrespected them in any way. "Or you were told first; it will hurt their feelings" I stated.
"Ok" she promised. "But what I don't get is why you both want to do that" she said.
"I know" I nodded. "A lot of people are probably going to think like that" I advised. "But it is what me and Ben want to do" I urged. "So we are" I finished.
"It would seem that you have been talking a lot about your lives" she noted.
"We have" I confirmed. "Everything seems more real now" I smiled meekly.
"Have you talked about dates?" she questioned.
"Yes" I confirmed. "And that is all I am saying" I quickly added.
"Mal!" she whined.
"No" I stressed. "You will find out soon enough" I gave her hoping that this would be enough for now.
"Ok" she nodded. "We better get ready" she advised.
"Yeah" I agreed as we both stood up to go and get ready. As I went to go into the bathroom I started to think about the conversation that I had just had with Evie. Yes I could understand why she didn't understand why me and Ben were making the decisions that we were making. But I knew that through thick and thin she would support us - just like the rest of our family.