What If Chapter 12

Authors notes: I know these are getting a little fluffy. But once Chapter 13 gets here we will get back to an edgier Mal, they will go back to their own clothes, and back to dealing with class mates and so on. We will see what happens to Doug and Evie, how Chad feels about things, and Audrey's feelings.

Also Chapter 12 will be in two parts. I don't own Descendants and have NO MONEY!

Sunday Dinner with a side of confession of a love spell

The limo arrived around 3:30 to take the gang to Sunday dinner. Evie was still worried she was under dressed, while Jay was pulling at the sleeves on his shirt. Carlos was clinging to Dude. Mal just sat back and tried not to laugh at her friends. Ben was already at the palace, he'd gone there first thing in the morning.

(Earlier that day)

Mal's cell phone rang. She picked it up and hit the button Carlos had shown her to answer a call. "Hello?"
"Morning Mal."
"Hi, Ben. Morning. What's up?" Mal was relieved that it was Ben and not some stranger.
"I have to go up to the palace this morning to do some, as you put it, Kingy stuff, I was wondering if you wanted to come up with me?" Mal was about to say yes, when Evie came in and started to tear through her closet.

"I had better stay here Ben. I have a feeling my friends might need a little centering before we go there today."
"I understand. That might not be a bad idea. I'll see you later."
"We will be there. Limo's coming at 3:30?"
"Yes. Love you."
"Love you too. Oh I love saying that." She teased.

"Not as much as I love hearing it. I'll see you around 3:45. Good luck trying to keep Evie from going to over board."
"She has half her closet on her bed already." Mal joked.

"See you later."
"Bye." And she hung up.

(Present)

The Limo moved up the driveway. Evie sighed, Jay pulled at his sleeves and Carlos hugged Dude closer.

"You three are driving me nuts. I promise, it will be fine, easy, really. Belle and Adam are really nice. Relax and be yourselves. The good ones that is." She teased.

"How, I have these?" Jay pointed to the sleeves. They were just short sleeves, it was the best Mal could do.

"You've worn sleeves before Jay." She reminded him. She knew Ben was really teasing about the ladies that worked at the palace looking at Jay that way, but she did feel at least a little sleeve might be best for today. Carlos, looked overwhelmed at the sight of the Palace. Evie kept looking from her dress to the palace and back again. Mal had gotten her to settle on the dress she had worn for Family day, but Evie was sure it wasn't dressy enough. (Mal was wearing the dress she had on the day they saw their parents on the video screen. She wasn't going all prissy princess. Her Isle wardrobe was fine for Ben and she was going to keep it.)

The palace doors opened as the limo came to a stop. Mal opened the door before the driver could and climbed out. As she did, Belle came out the door. Evie gasped. Belle was wearing a simple yellow dress. Evie, knew Mal had been right. "Welcome to Beast Castle, and welcome back Mal. Please come in. Dude too." She said seeing Carlos clinging to the dog. Belle walked up to Mal and hugged her.

"How are you today Belle?" Asked Mal.

"Fine and you?"
"Good." She smiled at her friends, showing them how normal Belle could be.

"You're Majesty." Evie said curtsying.

"Evie, here, in private, we are a lot less formal. For days like this, I am Belle, no need for bowing and curtsying. Ben's father is Adam. Please relax. We have tried to make Ben's family live as unroyal as we can. All his friends call us by our names in private that includes you kids too." She moved over and waved them inside. Mal walked in first and found Adam and Ben walking into the front hall way. Mal waved at the father and son pair, who both waved back.

"Mal, welcome back." Adam called as Ben crossed the front hall to greet his girlfriend and her friends.

"It's nice to be back Adam." Mal said.

"Hi guys." Ben said. "Dad you remember Evie, Jay and Carlos, oh and Dude."
"I do. Welcome, and I am sure Belle has already told you, I am Adam."
"Nice to see you again, Adam." Jay said putting out a hand to shake with Adam. Adam shook it willingly.

"Ben why don't you take the kids to game room. Dinner is running a few minutes late." Belle said.
"Of course Mom. Follow me guys." Ben led the four friends into a room filled with not only table games, but a large TV and three large couches for watching.

"WOW." Carlos and Jay said together looking at the TV.

"Can you imagine playing video games on that?" Jay asked Carlos.

"Oh, man that would be awesome." He agreed.

"I have a set-up, we can play some time." Ben said. The boys exchanged looks of pure joy.

Evie and Mal just walked around. Mal had seen a glimpse of the room during her tour, but they hadn't had time to actually go inside. Mal rolled a few balls around on the pool table. She had seen one of these on the island before, but never close up.

"Dinner is ready." A young lady maid came in and said.

"Thank you Giselle." Ben said. "Ok guys follow me." He took Mal's arm. To be funny, Jay and Carlos each took one of Evie's arm. They were lead into the smaller dining room. A round table was set with seven seats. A set of bowls were on the floor for Dude, who went right over to them. Belle and Adam were already seated. Ben pulled out a chair for Mal, then Evie. The boys sat next to Evie. Mal was between Evie and Ben.

The conversation over dinner was comfortable, just as it had been the other day. As the meal went on, Mal could see her friends relaxing. By the time dessert had rolled around, they had discussed possible classes for second term, a trip to the summer palace for spring break, and the start of plans for the end of the school year carnival.

After dinner Mal was asked to join Belle in the library, while Ben took the others to the game room. "Mal, thank you for joining me."
"Sure." She answered nervously.

"Don't be nervous. I just have a question for you?"
"Ok?"
"When did you realize you had feelings for Ben?"
"Honestly, I think from the moment I met him. But for sure at the tourney match, after I spelled him."
"Spelled him?" Belle asked, Mal was sure Ben must have told her, but now she knew otherwise, so she felt the need to be honest.
"Confession time. AS an original part of my plan to get the wand, before I spoke to Fairy Godmother, I knew I needed to get close to the wand, and Ben said his girlfriend was up front, so I helped him get rid of Audrey. I gave him a love- spelled cookie before the final tourney match. " Belle just looked at her. "I knew he was never going to be able to get rid of Audrey, I had seen him try and well, she was really good at getting him away from the subject. Heck he never got a word in most of the time I heard them talk. So I gave him the cookie. And it worked…too well. I found out later, from fairy godmother, that when one creates a love spell and uses it on someone who already has feelings for the other, it magnifies. And if both have feelings well, you get the picture. Ben broke out in song, singing how much he loved me, in front of the whole school. It was then I knew I was starting to fall for him. But I was sure during our first date. It was…"
"I see."
"I..you're upset that I spelled him aren't you?" Mal asked nervously.

"Not exactly, but I think it's funny you both had feelings for each other and never just allowed it to happen on its own." She came close to Mal, taking her hand. "Sometimes love needs a little help." She smiled at the fond memory that sentence provided.

"I promise, he isn't spelled anymore. It actually washed off in the Enchanted Lake during our first date, but I had no idea. Not till I gave him an Anti-love potion during the carriage ride to the cathedral. He confessed to me he wasn't under my spell anymore and it had washed off in the lake. I asked him if he had been faking his feelings for me, and when he said he hadn't been, I knew then I loved him too."

"I have to say, that is going to be some story to tell your children someday." Belle laughed.

"Wow, that's a long way off." Mal choked out.

"Relax Mal. I don't know about you but Ben plans to go to college, and we support that."
"I never really thought about it."
"Auradon University has an excellent art program. Ben says you are an excellent artist. I'd love to see your work sometime."
"Sure." Mal smiled, relaxing again.

"Ok well you had better go join your friends again." Mal moved towards the door. "Mal, thank you for being honest with me."
"I will answer anything you ask of me with complete honesty. I want no secrets." Mal spoke without thinking, then wondered if that was such a great idea.
"I like that." Belle said, and Mal left to join her friends.

Mal found them in the game room watching a movie. Mal moved into the room and slid into Ben's arms. They finished the movie around 8. "Ok. Guys, let's try those video games." Ben said.

Mal and Evie just shook their heads. Belle came in just then. "Ok, since the boys are going to play with their toys, why don't you girls help me in the study? I am on the committee for the summer carnival, I can always use help there." Grateful to leave the video gamers Mal and Evie followed Belle out of the game room. "Ben hardly ever plays that thing, but when he has Chad over, Chad like to play that thing."