Belle awoke with a start when she heard the library door bang into the bookshelf behind it. She quickly looked down to find Mal still sleeping before she turned, best she could, to see who had caused such a racket. As her eyes fell on the door she saw the very woman who had supported her since she met Adam, Mrs Potts. Mrs Potts took one look at Belle and knew she had woken her up. "I'm sorry for waking you, my dear, but dinner is ready and none of you have eaten today." She explained. Belle quickly nodded as she remembered she hadn't been hungry when they brought Mal back to the library and while Mal had eaten a full bowl of chocolate covered strawberries she had been too worried to eat what she had been brought at lunch. She checked the clock on the fire place. 6:30. She quickly realised her and Mal have been asleep for over four hours.
"I will wake Mal and we will be right there." Belle told the older woman who nodded and quickly left, leaving the library door open. "Mal, honey." Belle called gently, while she lightly shook the girl not wanting to scare the girl. Thankfully Mal's eyelids fluttered open after a few seconds and she looked up to Belle her face both questioning and confused. "Dinner is ready, come on." She coaxed the girl to sit up a little, knowing she must still be unsteady on her feet Belle didn't want to rush her.
It was then Mal realised the position she had slept in and remembered her crying to Belle earlier in the day. She felt immediately felt uncomfortable with Belle seeing her like this. Mal quickly swung her legs over the edge of the couch and moved a little further away from Belle. Mal had felt wuite comfortable in the older woman's embrace and had soaked up the comfort she had provided but prayed no one had seen her asleep like that. Neither Mal nor Belle however, knew when Ben had come to check on them they had both been asleep in the same position they had woken up and and he had snapped a photo before sending it to his father and leaving them to sleep. When she felt movement beside her she looked out of the corner of her eye and realised Belle had stood up and seemed to be stretching her back a little. It was then Mal decided she needed to talk to her. "Belle, I'm so sorry for falling asleep like that and for being so upset earlier."After Mal had apologised she put her head down, her hair falling like a veil around her face.
Mal hadn't even realised Belle had knelt in front of her until she felt someone gently grasp her hands. She lifted her head and her embarrassed, green eyes met the gaze of Belle's caring, brown ones. "Mal, you don't have to apologise for anything about earlier. You should never apologise for being upset and needing comfort okay?" Belle asked the younger girl in front of her. Mal couldn't believe what she was hearing. Not only was she not being yelled at (among other things) for crying and as her mother would put it 'being weak' but here was Belle telling her she didn't need to apologise for it. She nodded her head stunned at the woman's response and still not fully believing what's happening. "If you are ever upset or just need a shoulder to cry on just come find me, okay? I will help you anyway I can." Belle finished explaining to Mal. Belle could have sworn she saw fear flash across Mal's eyes but she didn't want to push the girl into opening up to her. She decided to let it drop for now as Mal had lowered her head again. Belle stood and gently pulled Mal's hands, silently telling her to do the same. When Mal met her gaze again Belle smiled down at her, linking her arm with Mal's. "Come on. Let's go to dinner before the boys eat it all." Belle joked with the younger girl wanting to lighten the mood. Belle was thankful when Mal started to laugh along with her as the walked out of the library. They both knew Ben and Adam wouldn't do that but it made them both laugh to mock their 'beastly tendencies'.
Mal's POV.
As I left the library with my arm linked with Belle I couldn't help but contemplate what she had told me. Could my mother really have been wrong about this? I mean sure she was wrong about the people of Auradon, they are actually really great. Although, this time last year if you would have told me I would be dating the King and be friends with not only the daughter of Fairy Godmother but also the daughter of Sleeping Beauty I would have called you insane and probably beaten you up. Yet hear I am. She told me love was nothing but a weakness and had been wrong about that. It had been my love for Ben that gave me the strength to defeat my mother when she threatened Auradon at Ben's coronation. Maybe that's why she always told me it was a weakness, because she knew it's the one thing that could make me stronger then she is. Maybe, just maybe my mother was wrong about everything.
Its weird because ever since I had that dream about 2 months before I came here I felt like I didn't really belong on the isle. I mean okay, sure, back then I called my dream a nightmare but I made me wonder if being evil was really what I wanted. I was so happy and carefree in my dream just having a great time. Then I didn't know who the boy though. But as a spent more time in Auradon and more time with Ben I realised it was Ben who was in my dream. It wasn't hard to figure out since he took me to the Enchanted lake for our first date and it was the same place from my dream. No one knows about the dream I had. Not even my best friend, Evie. I have considered telling Ben a few times but always thought better of it. But Belle's words made me realise that maybe I do need to start opening up to people. Maybe I should even tell Belle the rest of my nightmare. I can't tell Ben, he will just become angry and go out looking for my mother which is the last thing I want him to do.
After a few moments I contemplating I made up my mind. I would take to Ben or Belle about how I'm feeling about my mother, maybe even a little about my past. Hopefully, they wouldn't think any different of me and Ben wouldn't leave me. That's my biggest fear. Ben makes me so happy it's unreal. I don't want to lose him. That was when I heard a voice that wasn't mine or Belle's. "Villain's don't get happy endings Mal. Just remember that." The voice told me. I was glad we had stopped since we were outside the small dining room. The sound of that voice made my blood run cold and stop in my tracks, it also made me a little dizzy but I wasn't about to admit that to anyone. That was then I recognised the voice, mother. I glanced briefly over my shoulder to make sure she wasn't actually there. Seeing an empty hallway my fear turned slightly to anger. Urgh, why can't she just leave me alone. Does she not care that I am happy now. What am I saying of course she doesn't care, she doesn't love or care for anything except herself and creating evil and chaos. That's when I realised something. My mother doesn't actually love me. I always assumed she loved me in her own way but when I think back over the past 8 months in Auradon with people who genuinely care, she doesn't love me. I was just another little pawn she could use to break from out of the Isle. The thought alone brought tears to my eyes but I quickly blinked them away. I'm not going to cry over someone who doesn't care.
I hadn't even realised we had started walking into the small dining room until Belle's voice brought me out of my thoughts. "Mal are you okay?" she whispered to me. It was then I noticed why she whispered, we were almost at the table and she didn't want to worry Ben and Adam. Both of whom were stood up near the table. I smiled at her and nodded. I could tell by the look on her face she didn't believe me but thankfully she didn't push the issue and unlinked our arms. As she walked over to Adam I went to Ben who pulled the chair out for me when I was near enough. I smiled at him as I sat down him quickly sitting next to me after he quickly placed a kiss to the top of my head. I felt Ben gently squeeze my hand as some of the kitchen staff brought out our meal. The conversation was light and cheerful though dinner and the topic of my mother stayed far away from the conversation, which I was extremely thankful for. I knew they would want to know soon especially after what I told Belle about my nightmare, but for now I was glad to avoid the topic. It wasn't until the staff were bringing out our desert I realised no one had brought up the council meetings. They were always discussed afterwards even if only quickly. So I decided to bring the topic up myself. "So how did your meetings go Ben?" I asked him. His face dropped immediately and he looked towards his parents. As I followed his gaze I noticed they all wore similar expressions. What the hell happened in the meetings? I turned back to Ben when I heard him sigh.
"The meetings didn't go well and I said things I probably shouldn't have. Thing you will probably be mad at me for saying." Ben explained albeit somewhat loosely. What the hell does that explanation even mean. I just gave him a look telling him to continue. "Okay, just don't get mad or upset. It's not good for you right now." I nodded before he explained everything that happened in the meetings. From him telling the sidekicks what he knew about life on the Isle to Leah once again stirring things up and trying to get me sent back to the Isle of the Lost. "In the end mom had to come in and sort Leah out, but when she insulted both you and mom, I lost my temper completely." He said as he finished. He put his head down like he was expecting me to go mad at him. I honestly didn't know what to say. I knew the others wouldn't be bothered about him telling them about their lives on the Isle but I don't understand why Ben was acting like this. He has never been bothered about loosing his temper before.
I looked back at Belle and Adam. First I looked at Belle, who could only shrug at me before her gaze returned to Ben who still hadn't looked up. When I looked at Adam he spoke "Ben told me while we were in the gym blowing off some anger he didn't want you or Belle to be mad or disappointed in him for not controlling his anger." I couldn't actually believe what I was hearing. I spun my head back towards Ben in time to see him glare at his father. I noticed from the corner pf my eyes Belle looked just as surprised as I was.
"Ben, I'm not disappointed in you for that. Leah was deliberately goading you, trying to make you loose your temper. I struggled to keep from shouting in there myself." Belle told him. He smiled at her, having finally lifted his head up, but I could tell he didn't quite believe it or thought I had a different feeling.
"I'm proud of you." I stated. Causing his head to turn in my direction. His eyes immediately locked with mine and I could see the uncertainty in his eyes. "Ben, you not only defended your mom in there, but myself and my family as well. We don't care what you told the sidekicks nor do I care you lost your temper. You didn't need to defend us but you did and I will always be grateful for that. Plus I agree with your mom, it sounds like Queen Leah wanted you to snap. She knows how protective you are of me and your mom yet she insulted both of us to your face. You have nothing to be sorry for and I could never be disappointed in you. All you did was loose your temper. How many times have I done that and you've told me not to worry about it?" I asked him. I saw his eyes change as I spoke to him. The uncertainty was now replaced with relief and love. "I love you, Ben. Temper and all." I told him before I leaned in and gave him a quick kiss. I felt Ben pull me in for a hug as I broke the kiss but what I had missed, until I looked in their direction while I hugged Ben, was the expressions Belle and Adam wore. They had such a proud and loving expression on their faces it made me realise something else. This is my family. Maleficent was just the woman who gave birth to me.
"I love you, too." Ben told me as we broke apart to continue with our meal. I noticed desert was a slice of cheesecake with raspberry sauce. Besides Strawberries this is my favourite thing. Mrs Potts is an amazing cook and this is always delicious. But as I took my first bite I felt suddenly nauseous. Damn it. I hadn't had any morning sickness all day, why did it have to start now. I quickly placed my fork on the plate and ran from the room. I just had time to lock the bathroom door before I bent over the toilet and what felt like everything I'd eaten that day came back up. I was still vomiting when I heard a knock at the door. "Mal?" I heard Ben call through to me as I finally stopped throwing up. "Are you okay?" No I most certainly am not okay. I really hope this doesn't happen at school. It will be extremely hard to explain. I really didn't want Ben to see me like this. It's one thing to be upset in front of him, it's another entirely to let him see me bent over a toilet. That plus the fact he wouldn't know what to do if I did let him in. It's not like he has any experience with morning sickness. Why they call it morning sickness when it lasts all day I have no idea.
"I'm fine, Ben. Just morning sickness." I weakly called back to him. I hoped he would leave it at that but I knew how protective Ben was and highly doubted he would leave me alone for a while.
"Mal, open the door please." He asked me. I could hear the worry in his voice. I really had to ignore what my mother told me, besides he is the only one who knows I'm pregnant at school so he will see this eventually. I was about to get up and unlock the door when another wave of sickness hit me. I quickly muttered the spell I had used all those months ago at the museum and thankfully the door right before I started vomiting again. I heard Ben shut the door and within seconds my hair was being pulled out of my face. What I hadn't expected was that Ben hadn't come alone. I didn't realise this until Ben started rubbing circles on my back as the tap started running.
After what felt like forever I finally stopped although I'm fairly sure that is because I have nothing left in my stomach. I leant backwards feeling Ben's hands guiding me towards the wall. It was then I noticed who had come with him, Belle. I really shouldn't be surprised though. She handed me a glass of water and after asking Ben if we would be okay she left us, obviously thinking we needed to be alone. Although I was silently happy about that. Belle had seen me vulnerable enough the past few days, this afternoon especially. As I took a sip of water Ben began to talk again "Feeling better?" I just nodded a yes to him. I really didn't trust my gag reflex right now. "Are you feeling up to some company or shall I put them off until tomorrow?" Okay that confused me. Since when did we have company coming around tonight.
I knew I couldn't just nod/shake my head this time so I took a deep breath before answering. "Why? Who's coming?"
"Oh sorry, I text my mom earlier I thought she would have told you. Evie and the rest of the gang wanna come and see you. That okay?" He asked me.
"Of course it's okay. I'd be glad to see them all. Yeah she probably would have told me but I didn't wake up until just before dinner." I explained to him. I had no idea why Belle didn't wake me earlier.
"Oh so I'm assuming Mrs Potts woke her up just before she woke you then?" He asked me. What the hell is he talking about? Belle wasn't asleep, was she? I looked at him questioningly before he chuckled slightly. "I'm guessing mom didn't tell you then. She fell asleep probably after you since you seem confused about the statement. Here I took a picture to show my dad." He said, as he started looking through his phone. After a few seconds he turned his phone around showing me a photo. Sure enough as I looked closely Belle was indeed asleep as well as myself. Ben moved his phone when it pinged alerting him to a text message. "That's Evie, they're on their way. You sure you're up to this?"
"Yeah Ben, it's fine." I told him as I moved to get up. As I went to lift myself off the floor we were sat on, Ben stopped me. As he moved to get up himself he lifted me into his arms again. "Ben!" I called out in surprise as he started walking out of the bathroom. "I can walk you know." Ben just shrugged in response as he walked towards the family living room still carrying me. I knew just from that response this was going to become a regular thing with him. His overprotective side is going to come out and no doubt from his example Evie, Jay and Carlos' will as well.
I wasn't long before Ben placed my down on the couch, much like he had done earlier in the day. As he moved to sit next to me I shivered a little. Sitting on a tiled bathroom floor is really not a good idea. Ben noticed immediately and took a blanket I hadn't noticed from the back of the couch and draped it over me as I cuddled into his side. I still can't believe Ben has turned me into a cuddler. I sighed as I snuggled further into him. I have no idea how long we had been sat like that but before long there was a knock on the open door. "Your visitors have arrived." Lumierre announced to us. Ben barely had chance to nod before Evie came running in, throwing her arms around me as soon as she was in reach, Jay and Carlos following her example.
"Oh M, I'm so glad your back and safe." Evie said, while completely refusing to let me go. It was only as the boys let us go and stepped back a little she turned to whisper in my ear. "I know. Ben told me. I'm happy for you both." Before finally letting me go. I looked to Ben and he smiled at me to show he had heard but no one else mentioned anything so hopefully they hadn't heard.
"You gave us a good scare, Mal." Jay told me. "How did you even get away from her this time?" He immediately threw his hands over his mouth and gave me an apologising look. Damn it Jay.
"Mal?" Ben called, bringing my attention to him. "What does he mean this time?" He asked me. I looked around to find everyone wearing a horrified or confused expression. I gave a deep sigh. I really didn't want to have to explain this but now it looks like I have no choice. Since everyone was near the couch now I had failed to notice Ben's parents were stood just outside the room.
"Okay, I will explain what Jay means but I don't want pity, please." I told them all. It was only when they all nodded and I turned away from them to gather my thoughts I spotted the older couple in the doorway. I motioned for them to come in. I only wanted to have this conversation once and once everyone had sat down (Belle and Adam on the other sofa, Jay sat on one of the chairs with Audrey sat on the arm next to him, Evie and Doug sat with Carlos and Jane on the floor and Lonnie took the other chair in the room next to Audrey) I began to explain. "Okay so for you guys to understand this I have to ask, what do you class as being grounded?" Everyone except Jay, Evie and Carlos gave confused glances to each other before I pointed at Audrey for an answer first.
"My parents and Grammie would take my cell phone and I would have to stay in the castle unless I went to school." Audrey stated, her uncertainty of why I asked this clear in her voice. I nodded at her before I looked at the next AK (Auradon Kid) which happened to be Lonnie.
"I was grounded by not being allowed to see my friends for however long my parents saw fit." She told us. I gave the same reaction to Lonnie as I did with Audrey and then turned to look at Jane.
"My mom wouldn't let me leave the house without her." Jane said, after the coronation I gave her the long hair back. I felt bad for reversing the spell, plus we all preferred the confident Jane that came with the hair.
I looked to Doug next who just looked uncomfortable with the entire topic. "My parents would take my laptop from me for a weeks or two." He explained. That was when I sat up, wrapping the blanket around me and placing my hands on my legs, and turned to Ben to wait for his answer. I could have just asked Belle or Adam but from the look on Belle's face she had heard Jay's comment and was upset and Adam just looked annoyed, I just wasn't sure if it was with me or about my past.
"My mom and dad would ban me from seeing my friends and I wouldn't be allowed to leave the castle grounds." Again I nodded. They all turned back to look at me awaiting my explanation for why I asked such a bizarre question.
"Well being grounded on the Isle was very different. Each parent had a different way of grounding their children which for me is where Jay's comment came from. When I first met Jay things weren't that bad. Back then my mothers version of grounding me was locking me in a cupboard without food and drink until she remembered to let me out." As I finished this I heard everyone in the room gasp as I felt Ben grasp my hand for support. I couldn't bare to look anyone in the face as I explained the next part. So I kept my eyes on the hand Ben wasn't holding which his signet ring was on.
"But after a while I grew tall enough to climb out of the window and hide out at Jay's. It worked for a few years and after a while I alternated between Jay's and Carlos' houses in the hope my mother wouldn't catch on. But one day she found my trying to sneak back through the window. After that her version of grounding me became much worse." I took a deep breath before I continued. I didn't realise how hard this would be for me to admit to them but it's not like I could stop now. Ben quickly lent over and pulled my back into his side to hug me while I finished explaining this, which I was extremely grateful for. "Instead of locking me in the cupboard she would beat me, usually until I blacked out, and would just leave me there. I would sometimes be able to get out of the house but most of the time I wasn't so lucky. That's why Jay asked how I got away since usually I wouldn't be able to."
By the end of my explanation I was in tears while everyone else sat there in shock. I had felt Ben tense up during the last part but I couldn't bare to look at everyone's faces anymore. "Excuse me." I said before getting up and quickly leaving the room but not before I saw everyone's devastated faces (Jay, Evie and Carlos included) and I heard Adam say "That evil witch! How could she do that to her own daughter!" I went to the room I have always found very relaxing, the library, but knowing someone would like follow me I locked the door before moving to sit in the seat at the bay window and crying.
Not long after I heard someone try the door then start knocking. I couldn't face Ben right now or any of my friends. I couldn't bare to see them look so upset but the voice I heard wasn't the one I was expecting. "Mal, open the door, sweetie." Belle called through as she knocked on the door again. I really didn't want to let her in but after getting to know her these past few months, if I've learned anything it's how stubborn Belle can be. Plus she sounded really upset. "Make it easy, make it quick, open up without a kick." I muttered best I could though my tears. I looked at the door briefly and saw Belle along with Adam and Ben stood there before I buried my head in hands and brought my knees up to my chest as the tears continued to stream down my face. Seconds later I felt Ben's strong arms around me causing me to turn and cry into his chest as I felt Belle hug both myself and Ben from behind me as Adam placed his hand on my shoulder.
After a while I had started to calm down. I was no longer crying but was still didn't want to look at them "Mal, I'm so sorry that happened to you." Ben said as I felt Belle move back a little.
"It's okay. It's in the past." I told them as I wiped my face and turned to hug Belle who I noticed was crying herself. She quickly returned my embrace. Even though I wasn't used to a supportive motherly role in my life I took comfort and a little courage from Belle's hugs.
"Mal, I need to apologise." Adam began to talk. The waver in his voice causing to look at him. "If I hadn't have left you children on the Isle of the Lost with your parents none of this would have happened to you." Adam said to me. He was so genuinely upset with himself and you could hear in his voice how much he blamed himself, I did the only thing I could think of to show him I didn't blame him. Shocking Ben, Belle and Adam I moved out of belle's arms and towards Adam to hug him. An action he readily accepted.
"It's not your fault, Adam. You didn't know." I explained to him before I released him and turned to Ben. "Can we just forget about this tonight and enjoy some time with our friends?" I asked him. I really didn't want to dwell on this any longer and Ben thankfully noticed that. I noticed him sending a text, probably to Evie telling them not to mention it, before he walked over to me and led me back towards the family room.
After deciding to watch a couple of movies in Ben's games room we noticed it was almost midnight and after checking with Belle and Adam we convinced the others to stay the night instead of them walking back to Auradon Prep. After a few minutes of disagreeing they finally caved and chose to stay.
"Ben? Can I stay with you tonight?" I asked him. "I really don't wanna be on my own right now." Ben nodded. After what happened yesterday, my nightmare earlier and me telling everyone a little bit about my past tonight I really wanted some company tonight. Ben seemed to understand completely and while I brushed my teeth Ben (at his insistence) went to my room and got me a pair of pyjamas. While I changed in Ben's bathroom, he changed in his room and was under the covers when I came out. I slipped under the quilt with him and smiled when I felt his arm come around me and his hand rest on my stomach. Considering I have slept for most of the day I fell asleep rather quickly wrapped in Ben's arms. I just hope I don't have a nightmare again, I don't need to explain that to Ben as well.
Author's Note: I just want to take a quick moment to thank Kingston24601 and Pinksakura271 for their reviews on my chapters. Your responses have been wonderful. I'm not 100 percent on this chapter but I wanted to have Mal realise she can start trusting Ben, Belle and Adam with things that bother her and have Mal open up a little about her past. The next chapter will focus more on Mal's recovery, Ben's help and their friends reactions to her confession and her being escaping Maleficent. Hope you guys like this.