*Morning After*

I was currently in mine and Ben's royal limousine and I was currently cuddled into Ben; we currently had been traveling for just over one hour to our winter lodge. I could hear Adam and Belle reading and playing games with Eddie and Isabelle to distract them and I couldn't help but smile at I watched them together. Eddie and Isabelle had a close bond with their grandparents and it was lovely to see and their bond only got stronger as time went on.

My mind then went on to what happened this morning and I still didn't know how I felt about it. We were all just finishing our breakfasts when Evie walked into the room; she claimed that she came over to collect something from her sewing room in the castle - but I had my suspicion that she was trying to check on me before I left.

"Is everything ok?" I heard Ben say as I snuggled my face into his chest.

"Yeah" I muttered as I slowly looked up at him. "Just grateful" I advised as I started to think about all the fun we were about to have.

"About?" he questioned as he pulled one brow up in confusion at me.

"The fact that we are officially alone with our family" I explained, hoping that he would understand why I mean.

"I see" he stated.

"Yeah" I nodded.

"I understand that baby" he replied.

"Thanks" I yawned.

"And I was thinking-" he began as my favourite crooked smile spread across his face.

"Yes?" I prompted.

"That when we get to the lodge that me and you could have some me and you time" he advised.

"Ben the children" I stated as I nodded in their direction.

"My parents will be ok with it" he advised.

"Ok with what?" Belle asked as she looked over to us.

"When we go to the lodge that you would watch the kids while me and Mal have a couple of hours together?" He questioned.

"Of course" she advised and Adam nodded in agreement.

"Thanks" me and Ben said together, causing Adam and Belle to chuckle.

"See" Ben said smugly as he looked down at me. I couldn't help but chuckle at how playful he was being before I pressed a brief but loving kiss against my husband's lips. When we pulled away from each other we cuddled together and I couldn't help but smile up at Ben when the limousine pulled to a stop.

"Here we are" Ben grinned.

"Daddy!" Edward called. "We are here!" he exclaimed.

"I know Edward" Ben replied as me and Ben untangled ourselves from each other and we sat up straight.

"Will we get to see Santa Mammy?" Isabelle asked eagerly.

"I don't know Isabelle" I smiled. "If we are all good" I winked at her.

"Yep!" Edward laughed as he quickly unclips his car seat and Isabelle quickly copied him.

"Hey you two!" Ben called to them.

"What?" they asked together as they threw their father a very confused look.

"You're not escaping so easily" he advised as he quickly undoes his seatbelt, before jumping forward and started tickling the pair of them. The car then filled with the noises with Ben laughing as Edward and Isabelle giggled as they tried to escape their father. I laughed as I watched the scene in front of me; and they all abruptly stopped when Dawson opened the door.

We then all climbed out and I slowly walked around to the back and the car and opened the boot; I was just about to reach over for one of our bags before I heard a voice.

"Mal!" Ben exclaimed as he quickly walked up to me.

"What?" I questioned.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Getting the bags" I stated as I nodded down to me.

"Nope!" he answered quickly shaking his head. "Evie would kill me if you put any stress onto yourself" he stated as he picked up the bag that I was reaching for.

"Ben-" I began.

"No" he stated cutting me off. "Now why don't you slowly make your way to our room and I'll see you in there after I have helped bring the bags in" he suggested.

"Then alone time?" I teased.

"Then alone time" he confirmed with a warm smile.

"It's a good thing I love you" I teased further.

"I love you too" he smiled against before he pressed a kiss against the top of my head. I then slowly walked towards the main door and into the lodge, with a very eager Edward and Isabelle running behind me - all of us very eager to get our Christmas holidays started.