*Mal's POV*

After sleeping for longer than I probably should have done Ben then carefully helped me up out of bed; I was going to get changed into some lazy and loose clothing but I felt so tired. So when Ben suggested that I just stayed in my sleep clothes I decided that this was probably the best thing to do – as I didn't want to waste any more of my Christmas away from our family.

"Here they are" Adam stated as he looked up from his newspaper as me and Ben walked into the living room that was also connected to a large, spacious and modern kitchen. As my eyes fell onto Edward, Isabelle and Belle making what seemed like a Christmas cake I couldn't help but smile at them.

"Hello" I muttered. "Sorry we were so long" I quickly apologised. "I fell asleep" I explained.

"It's ok" Adam dismissed.

"How have they been?" Ben asked.

"Perfect as always" Belle grinned as she looked up at us. "We've been making a Christmas Cake" she clarified. "Haven't we children?" she stated happily as Edward and Isabelle were currently very messily icing the cake they make

"Yes Grandma!" they sang back as they continued and I watched as Belle fondly smiled at her grandchildren. I loved how active Adam and Belle were in their grandchildren's lives; yes it was a major help to me and Ben – but it was nice that they had more family than just me and Ben.

"How are you feeling now Mal?" Adam asked which broke me out of my train of thought.

"A lot better now Adam thank you" I advised as I sat down at the dining table.

"MAMMY!" Isabelle exclaimed as she quickly wiped her hands on a nearby tea towel.

"Isabelle" I smiled at her and I watched as she jumped down from her chair and she ran up to me with her arms out stretched. "Can you pick her up for me Ben?" I asked and I watched as Ben did this and he held Isabelle up for me and she climbed onto my knee. We cuddled together as tightly as we could given my large bump and I pressed numerous kisses against the top of her head. She then looked up at me happily and bumped her nose against mine before pressing a messy and sloppy kiss against my right cheek.

"What's the plan for the rest of the evening?" I heard Ben ask as he dropped onto the seat on my right hand side as me and Isabelle cuddled back together.

"Family meal" Adam stated as Edward mirrored Isabelle's actions by jumping into Ben's lap and cuddling into him.

"Then I thought a film for those two before putting them to bed" Belle interjected.

"Sounds perfect" Ben smiled as I nodded at this.

"Can we watch the Grinch?" Edward asked eagerly as he looked up at Ben.

"Really Eddie?" Ben teased. "The Grinch" he added as he pulled a funny face at our son.

"Aha" he nodded. "I like that one" he laughed.

"Me too" Isabelle agreed. "I think he is very funny" she added.

"Go and wash your hands kids" Belle advised as she checked the food that was in the over. "Dinner is nearly ready" she added.

"OK!" they both shouted before they both jumped from our laps and started to eagerly run towards a nearby bathroom.

"Them two" Ben chuckled.

"I know" I chuckled back. A few minutes ticked by with the only noises of water splashing around in the nearby bathroom before Edward and Isabelle ran back into the room and dropped into their chairs, Edward now on my left and Isabelle on Ben's right. We all then went on to enjoy a roasted chicken dinner with mashed potatoes and vegetables as we all chanted aimlessly together. I loved having time like this with just my family; and part of me didn't want it to end - but I knew that it had to.

After we had our meal Adam then cut up the Christmas cake cup and served it; Edward and Isabelle proudly told me and Ben how they helped Belle to help make and ice the cake. It was at this point that Belle offered to teach them how to make things with icing for the next cake they made - which made them both very keen to start making more cakes with their grandmother.

"Mammy!" Edward exclaimed eagerly.

"Yes Edward" I replied happily as I looked over to my beautiful son.

"Can we have some drawing time soon?" He asked happily.

"Yes Edward" I nodded. "Maybe when we go home?' I offered.

"Ok" he nodded. "Thank you Mammy" he grinned as he continued to eat his cake. I then started to think about having drawing time with my children; both Edward and Isabelle liked to draw and I loved spending time with them teaching them. Ben on the other hand stated that he found it very cute that our children had my artistic side - which was something that I couldn't wait to help them with in the future.

I then helped Belle clean up as Adam and Ben play fought with Edward and Isabelle; beforehand Ben reminded me that Evie would want me to rest and I shrugged at this. Yes I know I need to rest; but there was no way that I was going to just sit idle for the full week when we were away - and I wanted to feel helpful, as Belle had just cooked for us all.

After we had everything cleaned and dried Edward and Isabelle eagerly told me that they wanted to play in the snow with Ben and Adam. I then chuckled at them as I helped Isabelle back into her snow boots, socks and coat as I was sat on one of the large dark blue leather couches in the lodge. Edward also asked me and Belle to go out as well and Belle happily accepted; me on the other hand told him that I was staying in. I would have gone out in the snow with them; but getting changed seemed like too much of an effort, especially with me currently feeling dizzy. So I offered to make them all hot chocolate for when they came in; Ben then threw me a concerned look and I quickly pulled him close to me; and told him that I was going to have some rest. He nodded at this; and I told him to signal to me when they were about to come in and I would start making the hot chocolate.

"As you wish my Queen" he smiled lovingly before he pressed a kiss against the top of my head before he followed our children and his parents, closing the door behind him – leaving me to some time alone.