Author's note: Look who *finally* managed to update this thing! I apologize for the long wait. I've always been better with one-shots than longer pieces, but I'm determined to finish this thing. In fact I think I'll be able to wrap it up in a couple more chapters. I can't guarantee when those updates will happen though, as I've got lots going on right now. At any rate: enjoy the new chapter and the fluff between these two cuties before things get complicated…again.
Part Ten ~ The Life of the Party
The morning brought with it warm sunshine and the annoyingly cheerful sound of birdsong.
Still exhausted from the flight the day before, Maleficent's response was to groan loudly and bury her head under her pillow.
She heard Diaval grumble: "How can anything be that happy this early in the day?"
"I don't know, but I'm ten seconds away from grabbing a shotgun."
He laughed softly at her response, and then she heard the rustle of sheets as he turned towards her.
Slowly, he ran one finger up the curve of her spine, causing her to shiver at the contact.
She peeked out from under the pillow, and her heart fluttered at the sight of him propped up on his elbow, his dark hair hopelessly tousled and the crisp white sheets of the bed pooled around his waist.
He smiled warmly. "Good morning."
She smiled back despite her fatigue, and then leaned up to press her lips to his.
The next thing she knew: he twisted, effectively pinning her against the pillows as the embrace deepened, and they spent the next few minutes properly greeting each other.
He pulled back for air first, nuzzling his nose to hers. "I could get used to this."
"What: get used to staying in a castle with servants your beck and call?" She teased, nuzzling back.
"No, waking up with you." He replied, entirely serious.
Her breath caught in her throat at the expression on his handsome face. "Diaval…just what are you trying to suggest here?"
"When we get home…I want to move in with you. If that's okay, of course."
Truth be told: he practically lived at her apartment anyway, but that didn't make the request any less surprising.
She gazed back at him for a few moments, entirely silent as she contemplated the best answer. "Is…is that what you really want? I'm not the easiest person to live with, I have my routine and…"
He shushed her by placing a finger over her lips. "I'm well aware, as I spend most of my time at your place."
It was a big step, but one that she decided she was willing to finally take. She reached up and brushed a lock of hair that was falling into his eyes back, tucking it over his ear before taking a deep breath and replying: "Okay."
"Okay as in yes?" he inquired.
Maleficent nodded. "Yes. I want you to move in."
Diaval broke into a bright, almost blinding grin, and he claimed her mouth with his in another fervent kiss to express how much joy he felt.
They sank back into the pillows, fully intent on celebrating, when there was a polite knock at the door.
Reluctantly, they pulled back, and Diaval called out: "Yes?"
Mrs. O'Callaghan poked her head into the room, and didn't appear in the least bit surprised or embarrassed to find them in their current state. (Maleficent wondered just how often the poor caretaker had stumbled across Belle and Killian in flagrante). "So sorry to interrupt you, but if you want to get those interviews done before the staff takes off for the day, you should get a move on."
"You're quite right. Thank you Mrs. O'Callaghan, we'll be downstairs shortly." Maleficent informed.
Mrs. O'Callaghan smiled apologetically, but then ducked back into the hallway to give the couple their privacy so they could get ready for the day.
With a frustrated sigh, Diaval shoved back the covers and then dragged his girlfriend to her feet, "Shower?"
"Shower. Then breakfast. Then we'll interview everyone together so we don't have a repeat performance of yesterday." She grabbed the pair of bathrobes that had been left for them in the room, wrapping one around her body and handing one to her lover so he could do the same.
"Right." He sighed again, quickly tying the sash, and then guiding her towards the bathroom so that they could prepare for the day ahead.
Luckily, the joint interview process worked in their favor in terms of time: they managed to be done with talking to all the staff members before they were let off for the afternoon.
Less fortunately: they didn't attain much new information, which lead the pair of lawyers to believe that nobody actually knew whose idea it was to buy the castle.
Frustrated, and with nothing more to do regarding the case— Diaval and Maleficent eventually found themselves at a nearby pub, drowning their irritation in pints of Guinness while watching the townsfolk celebrate their local romantic legend.
"I wonder if we're the only people in town not in a festive mood," Maleficent whispered, watching as a rather amorous couple passed by the two of them, giggling and exchanging kisses as they went.
"Well there's an easy way to remedy that," Diaval replied before standing and holding out his hand to her.
She arched an eyebrow and looked up at him. "What are you doing?"
"We're in a land known for its music just as much as it's myth, so come on: let's dance." He gestured at the people out on the dance floor, currently involved in something that reminded Maleficent of her very brief attempt at watching Riverdance.
She looked at the dancers, then at her boyfriend, and then back out at the dancefloor before shaking her head rapidly. "Nuh-uh."
"This time, I'm not taking no for an answer," he hauled her up by the arm and began dragging her towards the dance.
"Diaval wait! I don't even know the steps. I've never danced to this kind of music!" She struggled to find an excuse that he would accept.
"Then, I'll teach you," he twirled her around so that she was facing him. "Mal…you just need to loosen up a bit. We're off duty, remember?" His tone softened, and there was a tender look in his eyes that reminded her that this man would never do anything to make her uncomfortable.
It was due to her ex-boyfriend that she was often reluctant to try new things, but thanks to the time spent with Diaval – and some gentle coaxing on his behalf – she found herself growing more and more open to the concept of the unfamiliar.
So, swallowing her nerves, Maleficent allowed Diaval to show her the steps to the dance.
Before long, she forgot about how silly they probably looked, because all that mattered to her was how happy he was.
His eyes were lit up with delight, and the huge, infectious smile on his face only reminded her of how much she really loved him.
Eventually the style of music changed: an enchanting love song replacing the fast-paced jig and allowing them to catch their breath.
She rested her head against his chest, his arms enveloping her as they swayed together in time to the song, which was being sung in Gaelic.
"What's she singing?" she asked, tilting her chin back so she could gaze into his eyes.
"It's a wedding song," he explained.
"Oh, really? Appropriate for the festival, then."
He chuckled and dipped his head towards hers, kissing her lightly before continuing: "She's singing of her joy at marrying the man she loves, and how she looks forward to the life they'll share together."
"Even though it's a life that's cost him his magic and his immortality?"
"So you were paying attention to the story last night!"
"Well just because I don't necessarily believe in such things doesn't mean that I can't find them interesting," she admitted.
He smiled warmly, resting his forehead against hers as they continued their slow-dance. "Yet another thing that I love about you."
She smiled in return and nuzzled his nose with hers, content with simply enjoying their time together.
The remainder of the evening went by in the blur, as they involved themselves with plenty of dancing, drinking, and games.
By the time they were ready to return to the estate, Maleficent was drunk to the point where she could barely walk, and Diaval wasn't faring much better.
"I think—whoa!" Stumbling in the high heeled-boots that she had (perhaps foolishly) chosen to wear, the lawyer righted herself and burst into laughter. "Th– that we should call it a night," she giggled, propped up against her boyfriend for balance.
"I agree…" he attempted to stand straight, nearly keeling over in the process. "Although maybe we should wait till the room stops spinning."
"Wise idea. Besides: the ceremony's about to begin," she gestured towards the crowd gathered in front of them.
They sat down, and Maleficent slid closer to Diaval. Together, they watched as a young woman was walked up an aisle covered in white rose petals by an older man that she assumed was the girl's father.
There was a man roughly the same age as the girl waiting for her at an altar, and a much older man standing in the center, dressed as a priest.
When the couple was ready, the priest began to officiate their wedding, which prompted Maleficent to whisper into her companion's ear: "Is this symbolic or for real?"
"For real, I believe," Diaval whispered back, his eyes catching hers. "Romantic, isn't it?"
Despite her inebriated state, her heart skipped madly in her chest. "Can anyone go up there?"
"I think so."
"Maybe we should."
He gave her a skeptical look. "You're drunk. And joking."
She couldn't help the giggle that escaped at his response. "Just checking how alert you really are." And with that, she rested her head on her lover's shoulder, dropping the subject for the time being.
Little did the attorney realize: the very subject of marriage was about to alter their lives entirely.