When me and Ben walked back into the room hand in hand the room went quiet for a few seconds. I felt my stomach tighten for a few seconds in panic – had something happened when we had left the room? Everyone then slowly stood up and started clapping and I suddenly got overwhelmed at this. In this defining moment I saw that I had been fully accepted by the people of this Kingdom; accepted to be the one that is by Ben's side and accepted for me. This meant a great deal to me; and as I sat down in my seat I had to fight back the tears; and thankfully I was able to push them away – for the time being.

"Mal" Ben stated as he sat down and the whole room fell silent before they dropped into their seats and started to talk amongst themselves.

"Aha?" I answered as I looked up at him.

"I'm just going to do my speech and I'll do our announcement" he muttered as he pushed his face closer to mine so we could talk a little bit more privately. "Is that ok?" he questioned.

"That is perfect" I smiled at him.

"Ok" he smiled back at me before he stood up and everyone went quiet again as they looked over to Ben.

"Hello everyone!" he said to the room. "I'm not going to keep you all long from our festivities, as I know that you are eager to dance, eat and be merry" he added and the room laughed at this statement for a few seconds before they went silent again. "And I know that most of you are probably not going to be going to bed until late, I know who the party animals are" he grinned and chuckles echoed around the room again.

"Anyway-" he began as the chuckles faded away. "I think that there is only one thing that I want to say-" he continued. "Is that I can't wait to work with you King Phillip and Queen Aurora" he directed over to them and I watched as they both smiled warmly over to him. "And I don't think that I am the only person in this room that can't wait to see what changes and work you are going to do in the future" he added. "So please raise your glasses to our newly coronated friends" he instructed as he rose his glass and the full room mirrored his actions. "To King Phillip and Queen Aurora!" he called as before he took a drink.

"King Phillip and Queen Aurora!" we all repeated before taking a drink of our drinks before placing them back down on our tables.

"I actually have one more thing that I would like to say" Ben advised happily and my stomach started to flutter in nervousness. "As you know there has been someone by my side since my coronation; and to put it quite bluntly I wouldn't have been able to do this without her support and love" he advised as he looked down at me lovingly. "Mal would you stand please?" he asked.

"Of course" I answered as I stood up and Ben wrapped his left arm around my waist.

"Thank you" he muttered at me before he looked back at our guests. I started to sense that he was starting to feel nervous; so I decided to give him some reassurance – even though I was exactly the same.

"You'll be fine" I muttered at him and he looked at me and nodded before he looked back at the room.

"Everything that I have been though in these three years have pushed me to my limits but also to my best. I was so glad that I have explored this kingdom to get to know my people and for them to get to know me" he started once more. "Yes I know that our tour had to be cut short" he interjected. "And I do apologise for that; but plans are in place to rectify that" he advised. "Anyway-" He continued. "I guess I best stop beating about the bush-" he chuckled. "Last night me and Dame Faery-" he stated as we both smiled at each other. "Went on a date; I wanted to thank her for her support throughout this tour and trial. I also wanted to ask her something" he explained. "It is my absolute pleasure to announce" he grinned and I saw Evie's eyes light up at this. "That Mal has consented to marry me!" he declared and the room erupted into clapping and cheering.

As I watched everyone wholeheartedly accepting our engagement me and Ben cuddled together. As I tapped just under my eyes to help dispel the tears that had formed and hopefully it hadn't ruined my make-up. I felt Ben press a kiss against the top of my head and I looked up at him as I slid my hands onto his chest. I heard people start commenting on the fact that they now noticed my engagement ring on my left hand; and I smiled to the room as they quietened down.

"Thank you for the very warm response" Ben said to the room. "And we hope that this hasn't taken the shine from your day" he directed to King Phillip and Queen Aurora and they both shook their heads fondly and waved their hands in the air to dismiss this.

However I sensed that Audrey's mood suddenly changed and when I looked over to her she quickly looked away from me. I could tell that she wasn't happy with mine and Ben's engagement, but surely she knew that this was coming up. Me and Ben had been together long enough for certain developments to occur in our relationship. I quickly looked away from her; I didn't want to make a big deal out of this as it would draw unnecessary attention to mine, Ben's and Audrey's past.

"So as a sign of a new start to mine and my consort's life we intend to sign our marriage contract before you all in the end of tour meeting tomorrow" Ben explained which broke me out of my current train of thought; and I watched as all of our guests nodded at this. "Thank you again for your support" he smiled and the room went silent as he sat down.

Everyone in the room then fell into confusion as King Peter Pan and Queen Tinkerbelle stood up and nervously smiled at us all.

"We also would like to announce something, if it is ok?" King Peter asked nervously as he wrapped his left arm around his wife's waist. We all saw Ben nod at this and King Peter and Queen Tinkerbelle both looked at each other before they looked back at the room.

"After you and your royal party left ourselves me and my beautiful wife discovered something-" King Peter eagerly grinned. "Something that I wanted to tell the world immediately but we were told to wait" he explained. "It is my pleasure to announce that next year there will be an heir to our throne" he declared and I watched as we all tried to figure out what they were trying to tell us. I then watched as people's eyes started to widen in realisation when we all realised they Queen Tinkerbelle was finally expecting.

"We are finally expecting our own little own!" Queen Tinkerbelle exclaimed and the room erupted into clapping and cheering filled the grand ballroom once more. After a few moments Ben stood up to address the room once more and everyone waited to see what their King was about to say.

"It would appear that there is a lot to be celebrated tonight-" he began. "So I would like to offer another toast" he suggested. "To King Phillip and Queen Aurora, me and my consort's engagement and King Peter and Queen Tinkerbelle's new addition" he smiled as he lifted his drink up and toasted to the room.

"Here here!" the whole room said together and we all then drank to the three happy events that had happened and announced. The room then erupted into happy chatter; and everyone started to talk about all the changes that would be happening in the next year or so. I couldn't help but get myself lost in the happy energy and feelings that was flowing around the room; and I couldn't wait to see how our Kingdom was going to do change over the coming months.

The room them broke into groups to congratulate me, Ben, King Phillip, Queen Aurora, King Peter and Queen Tinkerbelle. It took a while before me and Ben could congratulate the others due the magnitude of well-wishers that wanted to press their good wishes onto me and Ben.

When we spoke to Az he teased that I was finally off the market; but before any further teasing ensued I told him that I was off the market as soon as I stepped out of the limousine my first day of Auradon. Ben seemed very happy with this answer. Az then teased that apparently that Ben has me well trained which earned Az the answer "he wishes".

When we spoke to Queen Merida she congratulated us she eagerly told us both that she was over the moon for the pair of us. She eagerly told us that she was glad that me and Ben had found each other; and she thought that we were going to be the making of the Kingdom. I started to get overwhelmed by her warm comments; all I wanted was for me to accept me wholeheartedly and the fact that this was happening meant a great deal to me.

We had an awkward moment when Audrey came to congratulate us with her parents; she wished us well but she had a fake smile spread across her face. I acted like nothing was going on; even though I could tell that her well wishes weren't sincere. This is why I hated the fact that I could sense people's feelings; because I could tell if they were being truthful or not. Deep down if I was being honest I knew that she might have a problem with me and Ben being engaged as I think she is always secretly hoping that it doesn't work between me and Ben. However she was waiting in vain; as my Beast was always going to be mine - now and for always.

King Phillip and Queen Aurora wished us well and they both said that they couldn't wait to work together with me and Ben. I loved how I had been able to build bridges with them as the Beauty's and my family had a very long history of problems. I loved the fact that we were able to be on good terms and hopefully we were going to be able to become even closer than we are at the moment.

When King Peter and Queen Tinkerbelle congratulated us they both eagerly pulled us into hugs; I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed for the pair of them as I knew that they had been wanting their own little one for such a long time. I knew that they were going to be amazing parents; and I hoped that everything was going to be ok for the three of them.

After all of the congratulations we all then broke off into our own little groups and continued with our evening; even though me and Ben were hosting we were still able to spend time with our friends. However throughout the whole evening me and Ben kept each other close; and I loved the fact that me and Ben could be publicly close like this. I felt that now the trial was over me and Ben was going to have a clear and steady course from now on - which sounded very perfect to me.

Before I knew it, it was ten o'clock at night and me and Ben had just excused ourselves from tonight's events as we wanted to have some time alone before we went to sleep. As me left the Grand Ballroom I noted that some people had already went to bed; however who we were leaving in the Grand Ballroom I knew that their night was far from over.

Me and Ben slowly walked back to our suite with my right arm linked to his left and we walked in silence. I loved how me and Ben could be like this and it was perfect. Everything was when I was with Ben - it was always easy as breathing with him.

"Tonight has been very busy, hasn't it?" I said as Ben closed and locked our bedroom door behind us after we locked our suite up for the night.

"Yes my love" he smiled. "It would appear that there was a lot to celebrate tonight" he advised as I dropped my arm from his.

"Yeah" I answered. "I'm happy for King Phillip, Queen Aurora, King Peter and Queen Tinkerbelle but-" I added but stopped when I started to remember the warm response that me and Ben received today and tonight.

"Yes?" he prompted.

"I'm just over the moon that everyone was so happy for us" I replied. "There was a time before the trial where we might not have received such a warm response" I stated.

"No" he answered as he wrapped his arms around my waist. "But those who would have been bitter are all currently on house arrest" he continued.

"Not quite everyone Ben" I stated.

"Who do you mean?" he questioned in confusion.

"Audrey didn't look very happy" I reminded him.

"No she didn't" he agreed as I slid both of my hands onto his chest. "But don't let her spoil this for you" he tried to dismiss.

"She's probably thinking that she was in my place and she could have been in my place right now" I said as I pursed my lips together. I started to feel guilty that I was actually letting Audrey get to me; I only hoped that no one else noticed - as the last thing me and Ben needed right now was more drama.

"Mally?" he whined. "Please" he pouted at me. "Stop this" he advised. "I just want to enjoy this moment with you" he urged as he brushed his nose against mine.

"Sorry" I quickly apologised. "I guess just seeing that cold and calculating look in her eye caught me off guard" I admitted. "Anyway-" I began. "She then turned her attention on to Chad" I reminded us both. Soon after mine and Ben's engagement announcement she spent the rest of the evening with Chad cuddling him, holding his hand, laughing at him and making sure that she was always in her company.

"Yeah" Ben sighed. "But if she thinks that he is going to pop the question then she is going to need to be patient, they have a long way to go before that" he said which I nodded at this. This was the truth, Chad and Audrey didn't seem to be in the right place for them to get engaged and married. They are so up and down; and I think they both deserved to do things in their own time - rather than Audrey trying to force both of their hands.

"Yeah" I agreed. "They both need to be on the same wave length before any lifelong commitments are made" I stated.

"Yep" he replied; and we both smiled at each other. We then started to get lost in just standing like this; just in the close proximity of each other. I loved it when it was just me and Ben; we could be ourselves without anyone's judgement or comments. As we were stood in silence I was remembered a conversation that we had a while ago; so I decided to bring it up now as I didn't think anything had happened since our previous conversation.

"Ben-" I started.

"Yes?" he smiled down at me.

"You know when you said that you were going to bring some more VK's here-" I replied.

"Yes?" he repeated with the same cute smile.

"When were you thinking about doing that?" I questioned.

"Well I did say after the tour" he advised. "But now I was thinking in the new year" he explained.

"When then?" I asked.

"Gives us time to choose the next four" he shrugged. "For us to send them the paperwork, give them time to think about it, accept or refuse" he added. "Then we can announce it" he finished. "Why?" he enquired as he brushed his nose against mine once more.

"Just wondering" I stated. "It seems like such a long time ago that we were having that conversation in your dorm room" I advised.

"I know" he said. "Mad to think that it was only a few months ago" he grinned.

"Yeah" I agreed. "How things have changed" I noted.

"Yeah" he also agreed; and I watched as a playful glint entered his eyes. "Mal" he said.

"Yes" I replied.

"I was thinking about taking a shower" he advised.

"Right?" I prompted him.

"Just wondered whether you wanted to come and cuddle with me?" he offered.

"Just cuddle?" I chuckled.

"Yes" he nodded.

"Really?" I teased.

"Really Mal" he nodded. "I just want to hold you" he advised and I felt my stomach start to flutter at this.

"Ok" I nodded. "Is something wrong?" I asked as I started to wonder whether there was something else going on that I didn't know about.

"No" he said. "I just wanted some private time with my beautiful fiancé" he stated lovingly. "And if we were going to have sex Mal, we have all night for that" he reminded me as a smirk spread across his face.

"Is that so?" I teased.

"Yes" he said with a cheeky grin, which made me chuckle at him.

"Well I would love a cuddly shower with you" I confirmed happily. "But afterwards there is probably no point putting clothes back on" I flirted.

"Nope" he purred. "We both prefer to sleep naked" he winked at me.

"Of course" I agreed. "More freeing; and we both have easy access to each other" I teased.

"Hmmm" he purred and he pressed a brief kiss against my lips. "Let's get undressed them baby" he advised.

"Let's" I agreed as we untangled ourselves from each other.

We both then quickly undressed and threw our clothes over the nearby couch in our room. All the way through doing this me and Ben never took our eyes from each other. When we were both naked I couldn't help but note how sexy and empowered this made me feel. Yes me and Ben were quite a physical and loving couple; and we were both very comfortable around each other – but I loved how I couldn't get enough of my perfect Beast. I watched as Ben's eyes roamed over my naked body; and I felt my stomach begin to burn with lust – but this wasn't the time for sex. It was time for me and Ben just to be there for each other.

Ben then slid his right hand into my left and I let him lead me into our bathroom; we both then stepped into the shower. Ben dropped my hand and I stood in front of him with the shower head behind me; he then reached behind me and turned the water on. We both jumped at the shock of the cold water; and he both wrapped our arms around each other as the water began to warm up.

"This is perfect" he purred.

"I know" I muttered as I rested my forehead against his chest; and I felt him tighten his arms around me. After we had stood in this perfect moment for a few seconds I felt him press a kiss against the top of my head, I looked up at him and we started to share a long and loving glance.

"Mal I am going to give you the world" he promised.

"Ben you don't need to do that" I urged. This was the truth; he didn't need to do that. He was and always has been enough. If me and Ben had nothing but each other; he was still be enough – he was my soul mate and one true love. "I only want and need you" I urged.

"I know that" he returned. "But it's my job to love and spoil you" he advised lovingly as he pulled me back to him and we snuggled back together. "And that is what I intend to do" he explained.

"Thank you" I muttered. "I want to give you the world Benny; but I can only give you me" I advised as I looked up at him again. "And I hope that is always going to be enough" I said. This is something that I would always be secretly hoping; Ben was always able to give me anything he wanted. But from the background I came from it was different; I could only give him me. I always wanted to be enough for Ben – and I never wanted this to change.

"Mally" he sighed as he cupped the left hand side of my face with his right hand. "That is all I need" he advised as he brushed his nose against mine. "You" he muttered as he rested his forehead against mine. "You and only you" he added. "Nothing or no one else is ever going to compare to you. You are my life, my world, my love" he smiled. "Please don't ever think that you will ever be enough; because this will never be true" he finished lovingly.

"Back at you baby" I returned before I turned my face to the side slightly and I kissed the hand that was now cupping my face. "It has and always only be you" I confirmed and I watched as a smug grin spread across his face. "However you will need to be aware of something-" I began as I started to feel playful.

"Yes?" he chuckled.

"There is another man or men that I will love" I replied. "Just as much as you" I added.

"Who?" he asked and I watched as hurt started to show in his eyes which made me decide to quickly put him out of his misery.

"Our sons" I answered. "Ben" I sighed. "Who else in the world would I love like you" I added. "Well-" I stated. "It will be a different type of love" I continued as I brushed some hair behind his right ear. "Because I will be their mother" I confirmed. "Like I know that any daughters we have will be the only other women, apart from your mother that I can tolerate and live with you loving" I finished.

"Of course" he replied happily. "Like you have just said it will be a different kind of love" he smiled at me and I watched as his smile quickly turned into a proud and very smug grin.

"What?" I questioned.

"Talking so openly about our children is wonderful" he chuckled.

"Well after marriage that is the next milestone baby" I teased. "Just in a few years please?" I joked further in mock seriousness.

"Of course" he nodded back. "But we never know what might happen" he shrugged.

"I know" I answered. "And I can't wait to see what life has in store for us" I continued eagerly. I watched as the same eagerness started to show in his face and it driven me to kiss him; so before me and Ben could do anything I pressed a brief but very loving kiss against his lips.

When we pulled away I managed to only get my face around two inches away from his before he pushed his face forward and crushed his lips against mine once more. We then started to fall into a long and loving make out session as warm water cascaded down our bodies; and as I started to get lost in this perfect moment with Ben I couldn't help but feel settled and very happy. In this life I had been very lucky to find the other half of me; and I knew that I was never going to take him for granted.

After making out for what felt like a perfect eternity me and Ben just cuddled in silence as water continued to cascade down our bodies. I loved being in Ben's arms like this; it made me feel so settled to be on my own with Ben like this. I felt like I didn't need to hide who I was with Ben – and he was the same with me.

When we left the shower we both quickly dried off and got ready for bed; however we both kept to our promise by not putting clothes on. There was a time when I felt weird wandering around like this but I had got used to it – but thank Lucifer all the blinds and curtains were already closed in our bedroom!

When I walked into our bedroom I was met by the sight of Ben lying in bed with the covers over him; and when his eyes landed on me a smile spread across his face. I still couldn't believe that he was all mine!

I quickly then walked around our bed and climbed in beside him; and before I knew it he lunged at me and I was back in his arms with his lips moving slowly against mine. As he deepened the kiss I knew that it wouldn't be long before we were making love to each other – which in my opinion was the most perfect way to end an already perfect day.