No One's POV.
"Ben! Adam!" Belle shouted as loud as possible running over to Mal as she fell to the floor. She quickly knelt next to the teenager hoping to get the girl to respond but to no avail. This was the scene Adam walked into. He had told Ben to stay outside the library until he knew what was going on, as it was unlike Belle to shout for anything. However, from his current angle he couldn't see Mal on the floor, just his wife knelt on the floor leaning over. But walking towards Belle he quickly realised what was going on.
"Ben! You may want to come in here" He called to his son who was in the room in a split second. It was then Belle moved slightly and he saw a purple head on the floor in front of his mother. "Mal?" He managed to breath out before running to his unconscious girlfriend and hugging her. It was then the three of them noticed Mal's hands were still tied behind her back but no matter what they tried Belle and Adam couldn't undo/break them.
"Adam, ring Fairy Godmother. If they are magical she should be able to undo them. Then ring for the on call doctor to come to the hospital wing, she needs to be checked over." Belle practically demanded her husband as she ran her fingers through the girls hair. Belle was a very laid back and easy going person, except for when it came to her family. She cared deeply for her family, which over the past few months had come to mean Mal, Evie, Jay and Carlos as well. She saw them as her adoptive children. To see Mal like this, bruised and unconscious worried her to no end, especially in her condition. Belle could only imagine what her son was going through. Adam knowing better then to argue with Belle when she spoke like that just reached for his cell phone to make the calls.
Within seconds of Adam explaining the situation to Fairy Godmother and before he could even end the call properly the older fairy was standing in the room, wand in hand, looking down at the girl still being held protectively in Ben's arms. Belle moved to a side to allow Fairy Godmother to undo the restraints but as soon as they were on the floor Belle was back in her previous position. "Thank you, Fairy Godmother." Belle said looking at the older fairy.
"No problem, Belle. Someone please let me know how she is after she wakes and when she will be back at school. Obviously I will excuse both Mal and Ben for a few days should the need arise." Belle just smiled her reply before turning her attention back to Mal as Fairy Godmother left.
Adam turned back to his family as he came off the phone. "The doctor on her way. We need to take her down to the hospital wing." Both Ben and Belle nodded as Ben lifted his unconscious girlfriend into his arms and immediately left the library, heading to the hospital wing, his parents behind him.
Ben's POV.
I reached the hospital wing within minutes and gently placed Mal onto the empty bed in one of the side rooms. She looked awful. She was unbelievably pale, she was bruised more then I've ever even seen one person bruised before and worst of all there was no sign she was alright. She hadn't moved an inch, there was no moan/groan to indicate she was even in pain, nothing to reassure us she was going to be okay. Then there was the baby to worry about. I knew Mal would protect the baby but from the look of her... No I couldn't even finish that thought. They would both be okay. They are home now and are safe, I would do everything in my power to make sure they stayed that way.
I turned my attention to the doctor as she walked in. "Good morning, Your Majesties." She greeted us with a cheerfulness I knew none of us shared right now. Urgh, the upbeat tone of her voice is really starting to irritate me. I tuned out most of what she was saying. I caught the fact she was going to check Mal for injuries and get her started on some kind of vitamins to help the baby but she was going to wait until Mal was awake to perform an ultrasound. I focused back on my girlfriends face not even registering the fact my parents had been asked to leave the room until the doctor caught my attention by clearing her throat. I didn't even wait to let her speak. Once I noticed my parents weren't there I knew what she was going to say. "I'm not leaving her." I stated stubbornly. The doctor merely nodded in response before starting to check Mal over for broken bones and such.
I moved back slightly allowing her access to Mal's left side to finish checking her over. After what seemed like forever she moved back to the end of the bed before addressing me as I moved back to Mal's side taking her hand in mine. "Your Majesty, there are no broken bones or open wounds. It is purely bruising which looks worse than it actually is. Although she may have a sore throat for a few days and be aching and tired, with plenty of food, drink and rest she will be fully recovered within a week. She will wake up once she is ready, this is purely her body's way of coping with the recent stress it has been subject to." I just nodded and turned my attention back to my still unconscious girlfriend as the doctor started to write in her chart, probably what she just explained to me. I hope she wakes up soon. It's then I realized I still hadn't told anyone she was back and safe. I decided to shoot them all a text since they have been just as worried as me.
To Audrey, Carlos, Doug, Evie, Jane, Jay, Lonnie: Mal is back. She managed to transport herself back to the castle this morning she is mostly okay... Just bruised. Will tell you all more later on. I probably could have gone into more detail but I would give it until lunch time before they have all rung me at one point or another demanding to know how Mal is.
I began running my fingers though Mal's hair since I knew it calmed her when she was injured, poorly or upset. I had no idea how much time has passed since I've been stood next to her so to try and get some kind of sign she is alright I began speaking to her, completely forgetting the doctor was still in the room. "Mal, I need you to wake up now. I need some kind of sign you are okay, please. I'm going out of my mind with worry right now, please just any sign you are okay. I love you, Mal. I need you to come back to me."
Mal's POV.
My body just wouldn't comply with anything I wanted it to do. I started to come around to Ben talking to me about how much he is worried. I don't even know how I got to Ben, the last voice I heard was Belle's. I was sure Ben should have been at school by the time I appeared in the library then again I had no idea what the time was, I still don't. Hell, I don't even know where I am except since Ben is there I know I'm nowhere near my mother. I can't even force my eyes to open so I can see Ben and put his mind at rest. It's then I realize he is running his fingers through my hair. Which is very calming right now. I use this time to take a mental inventory of sorts of how I feel. I notice straight away my head is pounding. If I didn't know any better I'd say Doug's dad and uncles were mining gems inside my head. Other then that everything was just achy and sore. I feel Ben take my hand in his free one and give it a gentle squeeze. Summoning all my strength I try and squeeze his hand to my surprise my body seemed to accomplish this task although not as tightly as I would have liked, it was still enough for Ben to feel which I was extremely happy about.
"Mal?" Ben asked, he sounded almost afraid, like he thought he was imagining it. "Mal, can you open your eyes for me?" He asked. It's not a difficult thing to ask but for some reason my eye lids just didn't seem to want to open. After a while of them fluttering they finally opened and I was able to see Ben's face looking down at me. I weakly smiled up at him briefly before he moved down to hug me causing me to wince slightly from the unexpected movement. "Sorry Mal." he apologised as he slowly pulled away. It was then we acknowledged someone else was in the room when we heard someone clear their throat.
"Mal, I am Dr Thanet. How are you feeling?" She said. Looking at me with a warm expression.
"I feel tired and sore. I have a terrible head ache but otherwise okay." I explained hating how my voice was cracking from my sore throat. I looked back at Ben, who still hadn't taken his eyes off me, but something about his facial expression had me worried. Almost as if he were scared. That's when I remembered the baby. Damn how could I forget. I turned back to Doctor Thanet as quick as my neck would allow. "The baby?" I asked her "How is the baby?"
I felt Ben place his arm around my shoulders as she responded to my question. "We were waiting for you to wake up before I performed an ultrasound, Mal. I will go and get the machine now." With that she was out of the door, leaving me to my thoughts. I hope nothing is wrong. I will kill my mother if she has harmed my baby in anyway. I didn't realise how far gone in my own thoughts I was until I heard the door open once more and saw the doctor come back with a weird looking machine. It looked like some weird kind of computer and in my worry over the baby and how the ultrasound, I think she called it, would be performed I went back to my thoughts and I barely registered her asking me to lift my t-shirt up. I did as she asked without thinking. It was when I flinched from the cold gel she placed of my stomach I was brought back to the present.
"This may feel a little uncomfortable as I may have to press on your stomach slightly." Dr Thanet informed me. I just nodded back as she placed the 'wand' over my stomach pressing slightly. What looked like a static picture appeared on the screen but before long a small flicker was in the middle of the screen. The monitor was turned more towards us as Dr Thanet spoke to us. "There" she started pointing to the little flicker I had seen moments ago and the grey oval around it "is your baby. From the looks of things and how developed your baby is I would say your about five weeks along. Congratulations." She explained to us. I couldn't even speak, I couldn't take my eyes of the most beautiful picture ever currently in front of me. "I'm just going to turn on the sound so I can hear the heartbeat." I saw Ben nod out of the corner of my eye but I just stared at the screen my tears filling my eyes. A few seconds later the room was filled with a fast, almost thumping noise. It was a strange sound to hear but none the less it brought smiles to both my own and Ben's face that is until we saw Dr Thanet's expression. Seeing that our smiles fell immediately. Seeing us looking at her she began to explain herself. "Nothing is wrong, your majesty, Mal. Your baby is healthy. It is merely the baby's heartbeat is a little fast. It is a common irregularity that will sort itself out in time. It is probably due to the stress of the past 24 hours."
I felt like a wait had been lifted of my shoulders hearing this. The baby is healthy. I smiled at Ben who wore a look of complete happiness and love on his face. We just lost got lost in each others eyes. We didn't even notice the doctor clean my stomach, print out a picture and leave the room. We only noticed when Ben's chimed from his pocket that we were alone. As Ben checked his phone I picked up the small picture. I didn't own a lot of actual picture I usually painted things or kept the photos on my phone but this is by far the best picture I have. Seeing Ben look up from his phone I showed him the picture but I noticed his smile didn't reach his eyes.
"Ben, what's wrong?" I asked him. He had been so happy. What's happened.
"I have to leave in an hour. I have to sit in on a sidekick council meeting that I blew off yesterday and the other royals have gotten wind of Maleficent escaping and have called an emergency meeting straight afterwards." Ben explained to me looking an equal mix of upset and angry. I was a little upset he wouldn't be able to stay with me today but he had to attend his meetings since he is now king. Besides it's not like I'll be on my own. I'm sure Belle or Adam will be around.
"Ben," I started as I reached for his hand "I understand. Besides it's not like I will be alone I'm sure your parents will hover today so I won't be on my own." I explained to him. I knew it would be true once I was allowed to leave here I would rarely find myself alone "I will be fine. Go do your king-y stuff." I said causing him to chuckle slightly.
"Oh speaking of my parents, they're waiting in the little waiting room. You feeling up to seeing them right now?" Ben asked me, I just nodded before he kissed my forehead and left to get them.
It was a matter of minutes before I heard a pair of heels walking down the corridor towards the room I am in, in what I now recognise as the hospital wing at the castle. It was a few seconds after I started hearing the heels that the door swung open once more and I saw Belle walking towards me in her signature yellow sundress. I didn't even have time to say hello to her or Adam (who had entered behind her with Ben) before she pulled me into a hug. "Oh Mal, honey. How are you feeling? Are you okay? Is the baby okay?" She started rambling. I went to answer her questions as she released me from her embrace but Adam beat me to it. "Belle, dear. Let the girl breath then I'm sure she will answer your questions." He told her before smiling at me. He still makes me slightly nervous but since he and I talked after the coronation we have been getting along a lot better.
"I'm fine, Belle, honestly. A little sore and achy but I'm okay. The baby is fine. The doctor said the heartbeat was a little fast but it was nothing to worry about." I explained to the pair. It was weird having these two parental figures love and care for me. All my mother ever wanted was for me to be like her, no matter the cast. I was never allowed to be me, just exactly like her. All Belle and Adam wanted was for all of us, me, Ben, Evie, Jay and Carlos to be happy and healthy. It was after our Summer break ended a little over six weeks ago I began to look at them as the parents I never had. They were basically the parents I always wished I had when I was growing up. Only Ben knew how I felt about them, not even they knew.
It was then Adam spoke to both me and Ben. "Okay, well Dr Thanet came out to see us. You are free to go Mal. Ben I know you have meetings and since I have to be present at your second meeting to represent myself and Belle, I will go with you while Belle stays with Mal." Adam explained leaving little room for argument. However, Ben told me the council which includes the kingdoms royals had been called meaning Belle would also have to be present, right. I expressed my confusion to the trio. "No, Mal." Belle began to explain to me. "As long as one of us is present that person can speak for the pair. It is preferred if both members attend but it isn't essential." Huh. I thought to myself. Something my Poly Sci (Political Science) teacher failed to explain properly when we discussed a few weeks back how the councils are run.
The best part about being treated in the castle's hospital wing is no travelling to get home. Ben just carried me (Yes carried me. Because apparently being a little sore/achy means you can't walk in this castle) through the and set me down in the library on the sofa. I had asked to come in this room. If they're not going to let me do anything I at least want plenty of books near me I can read. Although it wasn't long before me and Belle were interrupted by Mrs Potts. She brought in a tray but strategically placed herself in my line of view so I couldn't see what she had brought through. I noticed her hand a cup of tea to Belle before she turned towards me, smiling. It was then I realised why. She had brought me a bowl of chocolate covered strawberries. It was widely known around the castle I loved strawberries but I had yet to try them in chocolate. I took the bowl from the elderly woman, who made her leave once I had placed the bowl on my lap, and taking a bite out of one of the strawberries I couldn't help the moan that escaped my lips. These are amazing. Seriously Auradon Chefs are genius'. Belle chuckled next to me at my reaction but I couldn't care less. I just began to work my way through the rather large bowl of strawberries. Internally thanking Mrs Potts or Ben or whoever had the idea to bring me these. They are literally the best thing I ever tasted. It took me around ten minutes to finish them off but rather then letting me move the bowl myself Belle took it from me and placed it on the table. Okay that will start getting old very fast. I know it's because they care but it's going to get old, fast. I began reading again but it wasn't long before lack of sleep caught up with me and I fell asleep, curled up on the sofa.
Author's Note: I am sorry for the wait. I am hoping to have the next chapter up by the end of the weekend, Monday latest. I realise not much really happened in this chapter but I felt the check up for Mal and the baby were necessary for the story. I also am aware that in America it isn't called an ultrasound but as I wasn't sure what it was actually called and since I am British I decided to use the British term for it. If anyone knows the American term so I can include it in other chapters could you leave me a review please. Please let me know what you guys think.