Ben's POV.
As I walked towards Mal and Evie's room I realised there were more people then usual about talking in groups. It wasn't until I passed a group and three girls I realised what it was they were talking about. "Yeah, seriously. Apparently Ben and Jay hit Chad but Chad was the one expelled for it." Urgh! Why on Earth do people gossip when they don't know the full story. I thought to myself. It really baffles me. It's a good job Mal wont be at school for a while. She doesn't need this right now. I can only pray Chad doesn't tell anyone about the babies. I mean sure he only assumes but still, with Leah being the way she is, it wouldn't end well.
Before I knew it I was knocking on Evie's door. After a while I knocked again and finally heard someone move inside the room followed by a series of bangs. Finally the door swung open at reveal a rather flustered looking Evie. "Ben!?" She shouted at me. I flinched from the volume. The girl really needed to learn to greet people quietly. I didn't even have time to greet her before she dragged me inside and the questions started as she closed the door. "What are you doing here? Where is Mal? Is she okay? Are the babies okay?" As she finished she finally took a breath. It always amazed me how much Evie could talk, seemingly without taking a breath.
"Evie, calm down." I told her. "Mal and the babies are fine. Mal is in the limo outside with my parents. I've come to get some stuff for her. We're going to stay at the castle for a while. Until Mal is feeling better and can come back to school." I explained. Hoping that answered all her questions. I noticed Evie had visibly relax at this. "Do you know what Mal will want while she's at the castle?" I asked her. She knew Mal better then most so she could help me pack some stuff.
"Oh sure, just pack her some comfy clothes and her art stuff and she will be fine." Evie told me like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Get her black and purple suitcase from under the bed, I'll get her clothes." Doing as I was told I knelt next to the bed and immediately saw the suitcase at the front. I quickly pulled it out and placed it on top of Mal's bed opening it as Evie walked over, her arms filled with clothes that she dropped next to the suitcase. We quickly began folding them and were about half way through when Evie spoke again. "I have to ask, why didn't Mal come get these herself? Why did she send you?"
"Mal is exhausted from today, you know with Chad and everything, and she fell asleep in the car. I didn't want to wake her so I came myself hoping you would know what she would need." I explained to my girlfriends surrogate sister. It's mentioning what happened today that made me remember why I was worried before Evie had opened the door. "Evie? What was the banging before you opened the door?" I asked her. Noticing her worried look I continued "Is everything okay?"
Evie nodded before walking over to her wardrobe. I watched her as she pulled out a bag of what looked to be fabric and her sketch pad. "Evie?" I said. She just shook her head to me to be quiet and I quickly complied. She handed me the sketch pad once she was in reach of me and said "I know I haven't mentioned this but look in the pad." She instructed me. As I opened the pad to the front page I noticed it was a design for a dragon onesie. It made me smile but I felt my smile get even bigger when I turned to the next page. It was the same design but in a crawling position. It's a design for a baby grow. I realised. When I looked up to Evie she had a shy smile on her face and was holding the actual baby grow.
"It's not finished yet and I know it's a little early to be designing these things, especially since you and Mal haven't told many people but I couldn't help it." She explained still looking a little uncomfortable with her nervous smile still in place.
"Evie, it's fine. I don't mind and I'm sure Mal won't either. Our babies will be the best dressed babies in the kingdom with you designing their clothes." I told her. It's true. I know for a fact Mal wouldn't mind and I certainly don't. I'm actually excited to see what else she will design. Her smile turns to a genuine one as I hand her, her sketch pad back and pack Mal's art things into her suitcase. "Hey think you could come with me?" I asked her. "Mal will wake up soon and I could use some help to get hers and my own things into the car. Plus I know she would like some company today since me and my dad have to attend a meeting again this afternoon."
"Sure but what's your mom doing? You didn't mention her." Evie stated. Urgh. I was hoping she hadn't picked up on that. "She's doing me a favour. Making sure something is ready on time. But she will probably be popping in and out to make sure Mal is okay." I told her. Evie nodded at me as she zipped the suitcase up and dragged it towards the door. I followed her into the hall before I carried on. "I need some things from my room. You can come with me or you can meet me at the car. Choice is yours." I informed her.
"I'll come with you. In case you bump into Chad." I couldn't help but growl at the mention of his name. I'm glad Fairy Godmother came when she did or I would have put him in hospital. No one ever hurts Mal and gets away with it. I can't believe he is still here. He better not come across me or I may just have to finish what me and Jay started earlier.
Thankfully we made it to my dorm without seeing anyone. I made my way straight to my desk and grabbed the few papers I would be needing for the next few days. A few minutes later me and Evie were on outside the dorms and walking towards the limo when I saw the one person I was hoping to avoid. Chad. Thankfully he just glared at me then carried on walking. I took the suitcase from Evie and helped our driver get it into the boot with my papers before getting back into the car. I noticed Mal was still leant against my mom and on first glance she appeared to still be asleep but once I was sat next to her I realised she was actually awake.
"Hey Ben, you okay?" I heard her ask me. I nodded my response but kept my focus on the school grounds where Chad walked off to as the car pulled away.
Mal's POV.
I could tell Ben was distracted and it didn't take a genius to figure out why. I had looked out of the window when I had woken up and saw Chad walk by. I stiffened slightly as a reflex but I saw Ben's face when he saw him. It looked like he was ready to murder Chad. Now here Ben was as the car pulled away still glaring in the direction Chad went. I saw him nod in answer to my question but I was still worried. Why does something always happen to ruin the days when we are supposed to be happy? I looked at Evie who just shrugged.
I would have moved to comfort him but I barely had the energy to stay awake right now let alone to move over to him, which is why I was still leant against Belle with my head on her shoulder. How I got into this position is beyond me but oh well. I'm comfy and not about to give up the comfort I got from her and Belle wasn't complaining either. I must remember to apologise to her and Adam later. I'm sure they're fed up of worrying about me and Ben lately.
Before I knew it we were outside the castle again. It downed on me as Adam and Evie got out I seem to have practically moved in here lately. Not that I'm complaining, this place is my home but I certainly needed to spend time with Jay, Carlos and Evie soon. I missed them lately. As I felt Ben shift next to me a started to turn so I could get out of the car when I felt a pair of arms around me. One arm settled behind my back, the other under my legs, behind my knees. I looked to find Ben smiling at me as he lifted me off the seat slightly and shuffled us both out of the car. How he did it I have no idea and before I had chance to move to get out of his arms he started walking towards the castle. "This is going to be a recurring thing with you now isn't it?" I asked him, unable to keep the smile and humour from showing.
"Of course." He responded as we walked through the front doors which Adam had opened for us. "Where to?" He asked. I thought for a moment and realised I would actually kinda like some sister time with Evie. "Library." I stated as Ben took off in that direction. I looked over Ben's shoulder and noticed Evie following but Belle and Adam were nowhere in sight. Weird. I thought to myself.
Ben didn't talk again until he gently placed me on the sofa. "Mal, I have another meeting I need to go to with dad. If you decide to go anywhere please remember to tell someone and take one of the guards with you." He was practically begging me by this point. I couldn't help but nod at his request. As he left I realised how worried everyone was about me. It was weird but strangely welcome. It was everything I had ever wanted in a family since I was small. People around me who genuinely cared and worried about me but now I had it, it felt extremely strange. I couldn't help but worry Maleficent was going to pop up and ruin everything like she always did. It was then I decided, no matter what I wouldn't let her hurt the people I cared deeply for.
"What was that about?" Evie asked, confusion written clear as day upon her face. I looked back to her as she sat next to me. "Ben and Adam decided with everything going on they didn't want me to be on my own, anywhere. Even if I go in town shopping I have to take Ben, Adam or one of the guards with me." I explained to her. A look of understanding crossed her face immediately replacing the confusion.
"That's sweet." She stated as she smiled at me. Which okay it was but I still felt uneasy about the whole thing. "Okay so I have to admit something to you." She told me which made it my turn to look confused. "I showed Ben earlier when he came for some of you things but I've maybe kinda already made a dragon onesie for the baby." She finished looking rather shy. Trust Evie to plan ahead. It brought a smile to my face.
"Why wouldn't you just tell me, E?" I asked. Happy she was making clothes for the babies but confused why she felt shy about it. "I didn't want to make you mad or upset. And I know you haven't really told anyone yet so I didn't want you to think I was getting ahead of myself." She explained.
I just gently pushed her shoulder as I chuckled slightly. "E, when have you never got ahead of yourself? And you should know by now that I can't stay mad at you anymore. Not since the Isle." I told her, hoping the message sunk in but I really didn't want to upset her or myself so I decided to change the topic. "Hey have you heard about the holiday at the end of the year?" I asked. Receiving a shake of the head I continued. Explaining what Ben had told me about the holiday. "Apparently its this day where people spend the day with family and exchange presents." Seeing the look on her face I continued. "Calm down E, if it makes you feel better we can spend the afternoon making a list of things you can get people and maybe go shopping at weekend? I need some now paints and things anyway."
Evie nodded her agreement to this and within an hour we had a list of presents for everyone except me. Evie didn't want me to know what she was getting me. Apparently it had to be a surprise. I just rolled my eyes to this but didn't disagree with her as I really didn't want to upset her. The topic soon changed to other things and I realised just how much I missed this and worried how much I would be able to do this later in my pregnancy. "E?" I said, gaining her attention immediately. "Promise me we will still do this even when I'm heavily pregnant and cranky." I said. I really didn't want afternoons like this with Evie to stop. "Of course we will still do this. Why would you even ask that?" Evie replied. Of course she would see it like it was black and white. Maybe it was but these damn hormones meant I couldn't think straight.
"Well, I've heard people say everything changes when you are pregnant and I really miss these afternoons where it's just us." I explained my worries. "Mal." Evie said as she turned to face me fully and took my hands in hers. "I promise you things between us wont change. Whether you a mom, pregnant and cranky, married or any combination of them." She stated. I pulled my hands from her grip and pulled her into a hug when I felt something very strange. It was like Maleficent was there with us. This can't be happening. Not today of all days. Ben and his parents have had enough stress today. As I released Evie I realised she wasn't as close as I originally thought as I heard her voice again. "I won't ever let you be truly happy Mal. Just remember what I said about villains and happy endings. Bring me the wand and I may decide to leave your little friends alone." She told me. God how I hated her. "And no one, not even your little King will be able to stop me from getting what I want." She told me before the feeling disappeared as quickly as it came. She had to be stopped soon because over my dead body would she threaten the people I care about. I felt the tears in my eyes as my vision blurred slightly. I fought to keep the tears in my eyes but I knew I wouldn't win the fight for very long.
I had to see Ben. Now. I don't even care if he's in a meeting. I had to make sure he's okay. "E, I'm just popping to see Belle. Be right back." I told her as she dialled someone's number in her phone and nodded in my direction. She clearly wasn't happy about letting me go in the state I was in but she really didn't have much of a choice as once she nodded I was out the door. Obviously I knew Belle wasn't in the library so I went down the hallway me and Ben had walked down earlier that day and knocked on the same door, half way down. I was beginning to think she wasn't in there, maybe it was Adam's office not Belle's when I heard shuffling from inside the room. The door opened a second later to reveal Belle on the phone. "Okay, I will inform Ben... Yes. I have to go I'm afraid... Okay. Thank you. Bye." Belle told whoever was on the phone before she hung up. "Mal? What's wrong?" She asked.
That was all it took for me to once again begin crying. She wrapped her arms around me immediately and pulled me into her office, shutting the door as she did so. "I... need to s... see B... Ben." I managed to stutter out in between my tears and sobs. Belle moved her arms from around me and began to move us to the other side of the room. I hated crying and appearing weak but I guess I just had to get used to it. Belle didn't even question why I was this upset she just pulled me into a hug as we sat on the couch. Belle tried her hardest to calm me and even tried Ben's trick of running her fingers through my hair but I just wanted to see Ben and couldn't calm myself down.
I noticed Belle pick up her phone from it's place next to us and lift her phone to her ear but even knowing she was on the phone I couldn't ease my sobs. "Adam? No nothing is wrong. I don't think... Yes that's Mal crying... I have no idea why. She just turned up at my office crying saying she wants to see Ben... I can't calm her down... Okay but you better bring Ben with you. I don't think we will calm Mal down any other way." I could hear Belle was upset and so was Adam on the other end of the phone. I assume since I couldn't hear Ben, Adam had left the meeting room to take Belle's call. With another "Okay." From Belle she hung up and dropped the phone back onto the couch. You could almost hear the unshed tears in Belle's voice as she spoke.
Minutes later the office door opened and I turned to see a very worried Adam enter with Ben right behind him looking equally worried. As Ben closed the door I rushed over to him wrapping my arms around him immediately, almost knocking him to the floor. He pulled me as close to him as possible and I felt him move us slightly before I felt him sit down and pull me onto his lap. Finally seeing him and being able to hold him my worry eased slightly and I was finally able to start calming myself down. "Hey." Ben said as he lifted my chin up so my tear stained face met his confused and worried one. "What's got you so upset? Are you and the babies okay?" I nodded to him that me and the babies were indeed fine but I knew I needed to start talking and explaining why his mother pulled him out of a meeting and why I was crying into his chest.
"She spoke to me again." I began to explain now I had finally stopped sobbing and felt able to talk. "She said if I brought her Fairy Godmothers wand she would consider leaving you all alone but you wouldn't be able to stop her getting what she wants." I told Ben and his parents. Ben's face fell and I couldn't even bring myself to look around at his parents. They didn't know about how Maleficent would speak to me until now. I buried my head into Ben's chest to hide myself as best I could.
"Mal is that all she said?" Ben asked me as I felt him tense. He was pissed and I can't say I blame him. If the roles were reversed I'm sure I would feel exactly the same. "No." I mumbled into his chest as I shook my head. "She said she wouldn't ever let me be happy. That I'd never have a happy ending." I mumbled as quietly as I could. I didn't really want Ben to know but it's not like I could keep things from him even if I tried. He was like Belle, he just had this way of getting me to open up about things. Even if I didn't necessarily want to.
"Mal, say that again please. I didn't quite catch it." He said as politely as the anger in his voice would allow him to. So I repeated it a little louder so all three of the room other occupants could hear me. "She said she would never let me be happy. That villains don't get their happy endings." Saying this statement was all it took for me to start crying again. I didn't even try and fight it. I just curled back into Ben and placed my hands on my stomach. Things were just getting a little too much for me right now.
Moments later I heard "Mal." As I turned my head I saw Belle knelt in front of us. I've never seen Belle look like this this. She actually looked mad right now. "You listen to me okay?" She asked. But it was clear even though it was a question she meant it as more of a demand. I merely nodded to her before she continued. "First of all, she won't get any of us. Evie, Jay, Carlos and your friends included. We wont let her nor will we let her anywhere near Fairy Godmothers wand. Second, you will have your happy ending and you deserve one. She can't do anything about that since as long as you have Ben you will have your happy ending. Not to mention your babies. As for her rubbish about villains not getting a happy ending, she is right villains don't but you aren't a villain, Mal. You were born the daughter of a villain but that doesn't make you one." I didn't even try and hide the disbelief on my face. "Would you ever let her harm any of us Mal?" She asked me. Seriously what the hell kind of question was that?
"Of course not!" I exclaimed. I couldn't believe she would even need to ask me that but when I saw her answering smile I realised why. She was proving I wasn't like Maleficent. "And that right there proves my point, okay Mal. Don't listen to what she tells you." Belle told me. I didn't even try and argue with her. Her voice told me there wasn't much point anyway. I just sat there with the tears still flowing freely as she reached up and wrapped her arms around myself and Ben with Adam moving to do the same. I had never felt so safe as I did right now. I knew for definite in that moment none of them would ever let anything happen to me or the babies.
After a while, Adam and Belle released us and Ben once again lifted me into his arms. I didn't even bother to complain. Knowing this wouldn't ease up anytime soon and it was his protective nature coming out. "Fancy watching a movie and pigging out on junk food?" Ben asked. I didn't need to answer as my stomach chose that moment to rumble rather loudly causing us both to laugh. "I guess that answers my question." He stated to me before turning to his parents. "We will be upstairs in my room." He told them and after they nodded Ben took off upstairs as my phone vibrated. I checked it to see a text from Evie sent ten minutes ago.
From Evie: I went back to school. Audrey is having a meltdown over what to wear for her date tonight (no surprise there lol). Ring me when your done talking to Belle. Sorry for ditching. E x
I text beck immediately.
To Evie: No worries, E. Haha nothing ever changes. Watching a movie with Ben. Ring you afterwards. Don't worry. I'm not upset. M x
Ben laid me down on his bed rather quickly. Seriously Ben, did you run here or something. "I'm going to get something for us to eat. Any requests?"
Hmm. I knew straight away what I fancied. "Yeah. Chocolate covered strawberries." I told him, making him chuckle before he left the room after saying "Pick a movie you fancy watching." I knew straight away what I wanted to watch I just wasn't sure how I would go down with Ben. He hated all chick flick movies but Audrey had lent me this one almost a month ago and I hadn't watched it yet. I got off the bed and took it from Ben's DVD bookcase where all my DVD's were as well and placed it into the DVD player. As I got settled back on the bed the opening menu came on the TV screen and Ben came back in. I noticed Ben seemed to have gone a little over board with snacks but something told me it wasn't just him.
"Mrs Potts or your mom?" I asked him. Unsure which one it was this time. His answer however surprised me. "Both with the help of my dad." We both shared a laugh at this. "Seriously?" I asked him in between laughing. I couldn't believe all three of them were to blame for the amount of food on the bed. There is no way we would be able to eat it all. "Yeah, all three of them. My dad said and I'm quoting here 'Make sure Mal eats plenty and gets some rest'." This made me smile. They truly did care. It was then Ben turned around to see the TV screen as he sat on the bed next to me. "Wild Child? Where did you get this film from?" He asked as I pressed play on the DVD remote.
"Audrey thought I might like it since it's apparently about a girl who causes trouble at her new school." I explained to him. "We can change the disk if you like?" I asked him. Ben just shook his head at me. "No Mal, it's fine." He said as he leant against the headboard of his bed. I pulled the large bowl of chocolate covered strawberries towards me and curled into his side as I started eating and the movie began.
Once I started eating it was like I couldn't stop. Little beastie and fairy were certainly hungry tonight but considering I hadn't eaten since breakfast I couldn't really blame them. I can't honestly remember I time where I had laughed so much. As much as this pained me to say, Audrey was right. I loved the film and would definitely have to get it when I had a little money. After that movie neither me nor Ben were that tired and we decided to have a movie night.
By the time our second movie, Barely Lethal which was Ben's choice, was over me and Ben (well mostly me) had eaten most of the food Ben had brought up earlier. I had enjoyed the movies and being with Ben that much I had completely forgotten about the stress and drama from earlier in the day.
As Ben moved the remaining food from the bed to his desk I felt my eyes getting heavier. "Mal?" Ben said as he got some pyjamas for me and himself. My eyes were a little blurry from me being tired but I looked at him as I took my pyjamas and we both got changed. "Would you go on a date with me tomorrow? We can make it early since you have your first magic lesson tomorrow?" I smiled at this. We hadn't gone on a date in over a week so this was certainly something I could look forward to. "Sure, Ben. That sounds lovely." I told him.
"Are you sure your feeling up to your magic lesson tomorrow?" he asked. Sure Ben could be overprotective and sometimes overbearing but it showed he cares about and loves me so I didn't mind it too much. "Yeah Ben. Besides I know Maleficent and she's not going to wait much longer before making a move on the wand. I need to be prepared for that." I told him. I wasn't lying I did need to be prepared but not necessarily for her making a grab for the wand. Her threats about the babies and now the people I call my family were always there in my mind.
"As long as your sure, Mal. I don't want you to over do it." Ben told me. Jesus. He was really playing the overprotective boyfriend card right now. "Ben, I promise I will be fine. If I start feeling unwell I will tell Fairy Godmother and come straight home." I assured him. I didn't miss the smile that spread across Ben's face when I called the castle home. It's the first time I have done so out loud but it felt kinda normal/natural as well.
I got under the covers with Ben and tried to put everything out of my head. I finally achieved that when Ben pulled my into him. Resting my head on his chest, I let his breathing lull me to sleep. The pair of us were asleep in no time. Completely exhausted from the past few weeks.
No One's POV.
Belle and Adam were on their way to bed but had decided to take the long way to their room. Both had become worried about Ben and Mal and hadn't heard from either since Ben left the kitchen nearly four hours ago. As they passed Ben's bedroom, they opened the door as quietly and peered inside, the sight warming their hearts. There on the bed was Ben laid on his back with his arms wrapped securely around Mal, who was curled into his side, her head on his chest and her hand on her stomach.
Neither parent had seen then so relaxed in almost two weeks and it made them smile to think they were finally getting some well needed and well deserved rest. Belle quietly made her way towards the bed and kissed both of her children on their foreheads before pulling the covers over them so they wouldn't get cold. She made her way back to her husband who just smiled fondly at the pair cuddled together on the bed before he followed his wife out of the room. "He's going to get very protective of you both now isn't he?" Adam asked his wife as they walked towards their room, which was down the hall. He knew full well how his son was with Mal and Belle. He wouldn't even let anyone called them a name in front of him. He had no idea how things would go now they had actually been threatened. He hated it himself.
"Oh please, like you aren't just as protective of both me and Mal." Belle responded. Smiling knowingly at her husband. She knew better then anyone how Adam could be. It's from Adam that Ben got his protective nature from. Both of them together, this was going to be a nightmare.
Author's Note: I am very sorry for the length between updates. I have been swamped with college work. I am hoping in a few days to have another chapter up (college work permitting). I hope you guys like the chapter.