It was now the twenty second of December which meant one thing – it is currently the annual Christmas Ball that is held at Auradon Castle every year. The night was just starting to end; and I was currently sitting in my seat as Ben was speaking to some of our guests; and I couldn't help but smile at the sight before me.
There was four large Christmas trees in every corner of the large main ballroom; and there was bright sparking ice white lights littered around the room. The chandeliers were lit with warm white candles; and the room was littered with dark green bushy garlands.
"Mal-" I heard a voice say as I cupped my stomach and slowly stroked it as the twins had started to wriggle around.
"Evie" I answered as she sat down in Ben's chair, to my right. "How are you?" I asked.
"I'm perfectly fine" she answered. "What about you?" she enquired.
"Just a little bit tired" I admitted.
"Oh" she muttered. "Do we need to ring the doctor?" she quickly asked as panic started to show in her eyes.
"No" I quickly answered. "This is what tends to happen during pregnancy" I advised her. "I am going to get more tired the longer the pregnancy goes on" I added. "I can't wait for some family time" I sighed.
"Yeah" she sighed before pursing her lips together. By the look on her face I could tell that Evie was trying to hint on for me to invite them to Christmas with us. Part of me felt guilt for not inviting them; but me, Ben and my family needed this time alone. And I knew that Evie knew this so I knew that she wouldn't press the matter further - or she shouldn't.
"You and Doug will want to enjoy it" I stated hoping to change the subject.
"What do you mean?" she questioned as her face dropped into confusion.
"Well-" I began. "This is your last Christmas as a couple" I reminded her. "Next year you'll have these two little ones" I added as I nodded down to my stomach.
"I know" she smiled. "I can't wait!" she exclaimed as she eagerly clapped her hands together.
"Yeah" I said. "You won't have a quiet life anymore" I teased.
"No" she chuckled. "What time are you leaving tomorrow?" she asked.
"Just after breakfast" I advised. "Why?" I enquired.
"I was just going to pop round" she advised. "But there is no point if you are leaving straight after breakfast" she sighed.
"Sorry" I quickly apologised. "As soon as we have breakfast we need to wrestle Eddie and Belle into their car seats" I laughed and we both smiled at how playful my little Beast and Dragon is.
"I just can't wait to have what you have Mal" I heard her say as I started to think about my perfect and currently asleep little babies.
"And you will Evie" I urged. "You and Doug are going to be amazing parents" I smiled.
"Thanks" she advised as I yawned, and I quickly covered my mouth with my right hand.
"I think I should go to bed" I advised. "I have a long day tomorrow" I sighed as I stretched slightly in my chair.
"Should you really be going away if it is going to be so hard for you?" she questioned.
"Evie we do this every year" I reminded her. "Heck!" I exclaimed. "Me and Ben have done this every year ever since we have started dating, I want to go" I stressed as I knew that if she couldn't come with us she probably wanted me to stay here so she could keep checking up on me.
"Ok" she nodded.
"Evie everything will be ok" I urged.
"I know" she answered. "I just feel nervous" she confessed.
"Why?" I questioned in confusion.
"I guess-" she began. "And I'm sorry if this sounds wrong" she quickly said to defend herself.
"Right?" I prompted. "Go on" I added when she didn't say anything.
"But since you have become pregnant I have been there nearly every day" she reminded me. "And it makes me nervous to not see you for a few days" she urged.
"I get that" I nodded. "You want to be close to them" I continued as I stroked my stomach again. "I understand why you feel that way" I advised happily. "But you know I need to have family time over Christmas" I urged hoping that she would understand that time away with my family was what I needed right now.
"I know" she repeated. "Sorry" she quickly apologised. "I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable" she advised.
"You didn't" I dismissed. "How about this?" I stated. "You can text or ring me whenever; and if there is any developments I will let you know as soon as they happen" I offered with a warm smile, hoping that this would reassure her.
"Thank you" she grinned. "That makes me feel so much better" she smiled at me.
"I love you E" I smiled back at her.
"I love you too M" she replied and she pulled me into a hug. When we both pulled away I watched as Ben walked up to me, with a very tired smile on his face.
"Hey!" he called. "Just letting you know that most people are on their way to bed" he advised me.
"Me too" I replied as I slowly and very carefully stood up. "Night night E" I stated.
"Night night M" she answered. "Night night Ben" she added as she looked over to Ben as he wrapped my right arm around my shoulders.
"Night night Evie" he answered; and he then slowly helped me leave the ballroom. I still had mixed feelings on my situation with Evie and Doug; but I knew that I was doing the right thing - this pregnancy and going away for the Christmas holidays. I just hoped that everyone involved was going to get a stress free Christmas.