What if

Authors note: This is the end of What If. I think I have gone way beyond my original theory. But the tale will continue in another story. Yet to be names, and WAY SHORTER. ANd there maybe more after that as well, you never know all depends on reviews.

The week between Christmas and New Years flew by. Ben kept his house guests busy, Mal never seemed to find time to talk to Ben about dreams. But on New Years Eve day, she had her chance. Carlos was off somewhere with Jane for the day. Jay had gone with Evie back to Dougs for the day. Mal wasn't sure what Evie said to Jay to get him to go, but she was kind of glad of it. She hadn't had one minute alone with Ben since Christmas Eve.

Belle and Adam were in the sitting room, helping put away the family Christmas tree. It was important to Belle that nothing happen to the decorations on that tree during the ball, so she always spent New Years Eve day putting it all away. The other décor stayed up for another week or so, but the family tree, went away.

"Mom, need any help?" Ben asked coming into the room with Mal.

"No thank you Ben. But Mal dear, I wanted you to know, I will be putting the ornaments we gave you four in the family box, so we can put them back on the tree next year, if that's ok with you?"
"I think that is very nice of you. Thank you."

"Ben you two seem to be the only kids around, why don't you too go find something to do alone for a change." Adam pointed out. Ben smiled at his father.

"Thanks Dad I think we will. Mal, feel like going for a ride?"
"Sure?" She wasn't sure what he was up too.

"Ok go put on something warm and meet me in the kitchen." Mal made a face, but she was intrigued, so she did as requested.

Mal met Ben in the kitchen. He was dressed in warm clothes, and had his winter coat in his arms. He also had a warmer coat for Mal, which he handed her. Mrs Potts handed Ben a thermos of something and a fur blanket. Mal made a face. "It's fake fur Dear." Mrs Potts admitted seeing Mal's face.

"Oh." Mal was glad she was wrong. But then she wondered why they needed such warm clothes and a blanket like that. Ben seeing the curiousity cross her face, took her hand and lead her out the door. Waiting outside the door was a house drawn sleigh. A driver sat up front, he hand on ear muffs. Ben climbed into the sleigh, then turned to help Mal up. She sat and he sat next to her, he covered their laps with the blanket. He called up to the driver, and they headed out. Mal noticed her camera bag on the seat across from them. Ben followed her gaze. "Thought you might like to try it out."
"I was just thinking about that, thank you. What are you up too?"
"Just a ride to see the countryside in the snow. And some time alone. Marcello, he can't hear us. He just turned on his music." Ben pointed to the ear muffs. Mal shook her head.

"Ok, good. I…" She decided now was a good time to discuss dreams. "I have a homework assignment I was hoping you could help me with."
"Sure. What class is it for?"
"Magic."
"Mal?"
"NO I need to talk to you about something, no spells involved."
"Ok good. What do you need to know?"
"Let me start this with a story. About two months before you invited us over here I had a dream," She could see he was going to interrupt so she put a finger on his lips. He kissed it and remained silent. "The thing about this dream, was that back then is was of a nice pleasant event, so then I called it a nightmare. Now I know differently. It was…well lets just say everything in it happened. It was our date to the enchanted lake. It wasn't until you swam off that I had a chance to think and realize what was happening. Its funny, when we first met, I shook your hand and it was like a shock. I looked into your eyes and they looked familiar, but I had no idea why. It was after you jumped into the water that it dawned on me, that it was the face, the eyes in my dream and it was then I realized it wasn't a nightmare, but a dream. "
"So our first date really has meaning to you, even if I was under a spell, for part of it."
"Yes. It was there I realized maybe I had a future in Auradon. It was there I realized I had real feelings for you, and hoped that after the love spell wore off that maybe you could learn to like and maybe love me. It was there that I decided my mother lied to me. All of the parents on the isle were lying."
"Than that spot will be forever an important place for us. I had a dream too. It was the one that made me want to help kids on the isle. I was in an alley, I had fallen…"
"Oh no. Did I help you up?"
"Yes. How did you know?"

"Just before coming to stay here for the vacation, I had that same nightmare for three nights in a row. I asked Fairy Flora and she said it could be a vision, or it could be just my worries about coming to stay with you and your family. Now I am not sure. The fact that I was having the same nightmare as you…"
"It didn't scare me that I was on the Isle, nor did it scare me that I met you. I just wanted to know more about the pretty girl with the green eyes and purple hair."
"Is that why you choose me?" She now wondered how he choose who he choose.

"No. I never saw what any of you looked like. All I had was a list from the census that listed all the kids on the isle between the ages of 14-18, and their parents. I read over the list and well I just kept coming back to each of your four names. It was weird. No matter how hard I tried to look at anyone elses names, I was drawn to you, Evie, Jay and Carlos. My mind told me that you four must be the four that needed the most help, but I guess my heart knew otherwise." He squeezed her hand.

"It's funny too, that the four of us were a gang. And really Evie had only just joined our little gang. Fate is a funny thing."
"It is indeed." The carriage came to a stop at the edge of the woods, as if the driver had known they were talking about the enchanted lake, that was where he had stopped there.

"Did you?" Mal asked, recognizing the location.

"No. I just told him to drive until he found somewhere we could take some great photos. I guess….this is a spot of fate for us." Mal just laughed. She grabbed her camera bag, and Ben helped her down. She put the camera around her neck, and left the bag on the seat. "We won't be long. The blanket is in the back if you need it." He said to the driver. He grabbed the thermos, than Mal's arm and they walked off.

The lake was frozen over and the ruins were covered in fresh snow. No one had been there. Mal snapped a few pictures. Ben smiled, he knew his mother was on to something by getting Mal a camera. They took a few pictures of each other and set the timer for a few of the two of them. Mal shivered, and Ben poured her a cup of hot chocolate. They drank the hot chocolate in silence. Mal took a picture of Ben drinking and he laughed.

"We had better head back, we still need to dress for tonight." Mal pointed out. "And I am really cold." Ben took her arm to help her up the hill to the sleigh. They rode back to the palace, holding each other tightly.

They returned to the palace to find Evie pacing. "We have to get ready, you didn't give me much time."
"E, relax, this isn't a huge formal event, there is no press. It's just family and a few friends."

"M, you know I don't work that way. Let's go." She grabbed Mal's arm and lead her upstairs. Ben just laughed at Mal being carried off to be made over. He loved her no matter what she was wearing, or how she looked, and Mal knew that.

This is where this tale ends. It will continue soon. Thank you to all the reviewers and loyal followers, I hope you continue to enjoy my work.

MJN