Sorry for being gone so long, life got in the way. I will now be back regularly :)
Mal sighed softly as she woke up, tensing and panicking for a few seconds before realising the arms wrapped around her belonged to Ben. Slowly she relaxed and curled into Ben a little more before gasping as she realised what had woken her. Belle was not in the bed with them any longer and the door was open. Instantly Mal got up and the movement jolted Ben awake. "Mal? Is everything okay?" He asked sleepily as he sat up and looked at her worriedly.
"N... No... Belle isn't here..." Mal said softly as he began panicking and tearing up.
Hearing this Ben was instantly awake and out of the bed. "Let's go see if my parents have seen her." He said softly as he took Mal's hand and led her out of the bedroom. The couple had been about to head downstairs when they heard familiar giggling coming from Belle and Adam's room. Slowly they walked over and looked through the open doorway. Mal instantly let out a relieved sigh as she saw her daughter on the bed with Ben's mother.
Isabelle let out a happy but surprised squeal as the former queen chuckled and began tickling her. "H... Hey.. No fair..." She said through her laughs as she tried to squirm away from the woman. Mal smiled as she watched the scene in front of her and leaned against Ben, beginning to question why she left in the first place when this could have been her life for the past four years. Having family around her to help her instead of having to do everything alone. "M... Mommy help..." Belle said loudly as she noticed her mother and continued trying to get away from the former queen.
Laughing Mal walked over and scooped her daughter into her arms. But before she could say anything the former queen spoke. "She's had some breakfast and I got her dressed." she said softly. "I hope you don't mind but she was wondering the castle so I figured I would help you out after yesterday." She explaiend gently.
"Thank you Belle." Mal said softly as she bit her lip. Slowly turning to Ben, unaware of the worry showing in her eyes. "Ben? Is there anyway we can get the test done today?" She asked quietly, but her question was heard by everyone in the room. Even Belle who tilted her head curiously at her mother but said nothing.
Ben nodded gently and walked over to Mal, wrapping his arm comfortingly around her waist. "I'm sure we can get that done." He said softly as he pressed a kiss to the top of Belle's head. "But no matter what you guys are my family. Just remember that." He said gently as he led Mal and Belle out of the room. Slowly leading them out of the castle and to a limo, heading to the hospital as he knew Mal wouldn't stop worrying until she knew for sure who Belle's father was. But Ben knew one thing, as far as anyone else was concerned Belle was his daughter. No matter what the DNA test said.
It took a while but eventually they arrived at the hospital and slowly climbed out of the limo. Ben had called ahead and they already knew what room the DNA test machine was in. So he slowly led Mal through the hospital and closed the door of the room behind them. Wanting complete privacy for this as he looked at Mal and Belle, smiling reassuringly. "Whenever you're ready Mal." He said softly.
Nodding gently Mal walked over to the machine and looked at Belle. "I need ou to place your hand on here sweetie. It won't hurt you I promise." She told her daughter gently. Belle trusted her mother implicitly but hesitated as she looked at the machine, glaring at it slightly. Her reaction caused a chuckled from Ben as he remembered Mal used to react the same way when introduced to new things after being on the Isle for all those years. Still the toddler cautiously placed her hand on the scanner only moving her hand when the machine beeped and her mother told her it was okay for her to do so.
Instantly Ben walked over to the machine and took the piece of paper it had printed. His eyes widening before narrowing as he read and reread the page. Mal's worry increased at Ben's lack of reaction. They stood there in silence for a while before Mal could take the silence no longer. "Ben... What does it say?" She asked worriedly as she held her daughter tightly.
Ben reread the page one more time before slowly turning to look at Mal. "Her father is..."
Don't hate me too much for the cliffhanger guys :)