Mal's POV.
My morning had started out nice and slow. After having breakfast with Ben, Belle and Adam I had decided to help Belle plan some of our engagement ball (with some texted help from Ben). Meaning everything is now planned and the invitations are all written and are getting sent out today, by courier at Belle's insistence. We just needed the decorations buying which Belle is doing on Friday. Since I hadn't spent much time in Belle study I never really looked around but as I did today since we were waiting for our lunch and I noticed lots of photo's on the bookcase that stretched across two walls. So this is where she puts all the photo's. I thought to myself. Belle must have caught me staring as the next thing she said was "Feel free to go and look, Mal." So I did.
As I followed the bookcase around the room I noticed there were some of Ben while he was growing up, there was even one of a heavily pregnant Belle and a beaming Adam. The further I went around the room the newer the photo's became. As I reached the end on the photo's (they stopped half way across the bookcase) I recognised some of the photo's as those Belle had taken before our dates. It was then I noticed one of me and Ben from his coronation after party. I wasn't aware anyone had taken a photo of just us that night, sure we had posed for one with Evie, Jay and Carlos but I thought that was the only picture taken of us and we didn't even see it. Apparently I was wrong. It was strange to see photo's of me since we never had anything like that on the isle.
Once we had eaten our lunch we moved into the library and shortly after Evie walked in. "Hey M, how are you feeling?" She asked me as she pulled me into a hug.
"I'm okay, E." I promised her. She seemed happy with my answer but everyone is on high alert with me at the moment. Since the Maleficent and Chad drama I'm surprised they let me go anywhere. After Evie greeted Belle we got into conversation about the wedding.
"So is anything planned?" Evie asked me. I could see Belle smiling out of the corner of my eye as she read her book. Urgh! Is this all people are going to talk about now.
"We know we want to be married in 4-6 weeks but other then that nothing is planned, no." Evie looked quite excited by the time frame we had set. "Oh except for the engagement ball we are having on Sunday." The squeal from Evie actually made me cover my ears. I honestly didn't think it was possible but Evie has become more excitable since being here in Auradon.
"OMG! M, what are you going to wear?" Evie said once she was finally calm enough to talk that is.
"Actually E, I was kinda hoping you would design me something?" I questioned. The smile that is now plastered across her face was answer enough for me. "It's okay if you can't. I know you planned to buy some presents today and I know you don't have a lot of material left..." I began to explain to her but she very quickly cut me off.
"Don't be silly, M. I'll work something out, I always do. Besides I would be honoured to make it for you." she told me.
We both turned to Belle as she cleared her throat. "Sorry to interrupt girls but when you get to the fabric store just tell them to charge it to us. Me and Adam will pay for anything you need." Evie was now smiling ear to ear at not having to stick to the cheaper material while my jaw practically hit the floor. I still wasn't used to people doing this for me. "Are you sure, Belle?" I asked. I just had to be sure she meant it. "Of course." She stated, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. I guess I would have to start getting used to this. I can't imagine Belle will ever stop. Especially with the twins.
I smiled at Belle but as I turned back to Evie I noticed the time. 1:20 pm. "Why are we always waiting for the boys?" I asked Evie causing us both to laugh until the library door was flung open and we all jumped a little. I instinctively moved a little closer to Evie at the sound and both Evie and Belle turned as fast as they could to find the source of the noise.
"Get the hell off my head, Jay!" We all relaxed at the familiar voice flooding the room with shouts and curses.
"Jay! Knock it off!" Evie shouted to our brother. At the sound of a pissed off Evie, Jay very quickly released Carlos who came straight over to us (me and Evie) and sat next to us. Evie carried on talking to Jay but I pretty much ignored them and turned towards my younger brother.
"Hey Snowflake, you okay?" I asked him. When they started fighting like that, even while joking, Carlos always ended up hurt. He nodded at me as he rubbed his neck a little. "Yeah, real subtle there." I stated as I looked at his hand. This caused us both to start laughing. This should be a good afternoon. I thought to myself. Shopping with a bunch of girls is torture but at least today I had the boys to help keep me sane.
We were finally ready to leave about five minutes after me and Carlos had finished laughing. Evie felt she needed to scold Jay a little longer. I hugged Belle as I always did before I left but this time she held on to me a little longer then usual as she whispered "Please be careful and stay in sight of Keiron." I nodded as she released me. Ben had persuaded me this morning to have Keiron with us. I had agreed but only on the premise of he walked a little behind us and didn't interfere unless he had to.
Half an hour later saw us pulling into the car park near the art store and fabric store me and Evie often went to. "I need to check what I have in bank guys." I told them as we got out of the car.
"Sure. No worries." Jay answered me, once we were all out of the car. We headed for the nearest ATM with Keiron following but not walking close enough that it was obvious he was with us. Evie went first once we reached the ATM, followed by Carlos then Jay. I don't usually bother to check my account since there's never anything in it but Ben had text me earlier and told me he had put some money in for paint and a canvas and so I could get a few small presents in for our friends. He thought since I was in town already I may as well get the things I need for his parents Christmas present.
This had to be wrong. There was no way I had that much in my account. I tried it again and after it came up with the same number and after checking a mini statement to make sure I rang Ben. Thankfully he picked up after a few rings. "What the hell, Ben! You put over a $1000 in my account! Are you crazy!?" I shouted down the phone to him, not even giving him a chance to say hi to me.
"Mal, calm down. Please. It's not good for you. I put that much in because a, you need to find paints which are safe for you to use. They will certainly cost more. And b, because I know there are things you would like to buy but wont because you have no money." He explained as I took a breath to calm down. "Just go and have fun with the others, okay?"
"I'm sorry Ben. I just kinda freaked I guess." I told him."I gotta go. Love you."
"Love you too." With that he hung up.
"Sorry guys." I apologised to Evie, Jay and Carlos who just looked amused. "Come on. Let's go" With that we headed to the art store.
We got there in a matter of minutes and I went straight down the first aisle for the paper. Me and Ben had agreed on a size but just my luck, the size I wanted was right at the back. After that I went down the next aisle and picked up some new pencils and various size sketch pads. After that I had to find some paint I could use safely. The others followed me making conversation with each other as we went.
After a while of searching I finally found the paint I was looking for. I knew it would be more expensive but I had no idea it would be this expensive. God, I hope Ben won't mind. I decided to pick up a couple of each colour since I had no idea what I would actually need. After picking up a few extra things I needed I headed to the check out. I couldn't believe the total. Almost $300! Christ, maybe it is a good job Ben put so much in my account.
Once I was finished at the art store we headed to the fabric store and followed Evie around while she went on about different materials. Even though the dress was for me I couldn't help but zone out a little. "So have you guys worked out what to get your girlfriends?" I asked the usually clueless duo. I had spoken to them last night and talked to them and Evie about getting everyone (except their girlfriends/boyfriend) a joint present from the three of them to save a little money. All three had quickly agreed to this idea.
"I have absolutely no idea what to get Jane." Carlos told me. Ha! I knew they were dating. I'm happy for the pair of them but they seriously needed to stop hiding their relationship. Everyone with a pair of eyes can tell they like each other and are together. Jay gave a similar answer about Audrey. Honestly boys. You really need to pay more attention to your girlfriends.
"Well we would need to check some prices but what about getting Audrey a piece of jewellery that represents both you and her." I told Jay before I turned to Carlos. "As for Jane, we both know she's kind of a book worm and there's a store nearby that sells first edition rare books at reasonable prices. What about something like that?" I asked them. They both seemed happy with this so once Evie had paid for the various materials she had bought (I couldn't tell you what because I really wasn't paying attention) we continued on our shopping trip.
We went to the book store next and after a while Carlos found a set of books he thought Jane would like. As I walked with him to the counter something caught my eye. As I walked over I couldn't take my eyes off the book in front of me. It was a first edition Romeo & Juliet. I had been wondering what i could get Belle as a present from the twins. This was perfect. I know for a fact she didn't have it. She told me when we were reading over the summer. I carefully picked it up, not wanting to damage it and paid for it once Carlos had finished. I actually felt quite happy about purchasing the book even if it cost quite a bit. After that we went to help Jay find something for Audrey. We were going in and out of shops for almost an hour before he finally found something he felt represented them both. It was a lovely gold necklace with a pink gem handbag pendant with a snake curled around it.
By the time dinner time came (5:30 pm) we were finally heading to the car to go back to Auradon Prep after finally finishing shopping for the day. Don't get me wrong I had a good laugh with the guys today and some well needed alone time but I was so ready for bed. As we neared the car I began to feel really light-headed. I really need to start sleeping more and not stressing. We were all loaded up with our bags, well Evie, Jay and Carlos were loaded up with their own while Keiron had most of mine since they had been deemed too heavy by the others.
Eventually we had loaded everything into the trunk and we were on our way back to Auradon Prep. As I sat in the back of the limo I could feel my eyes drooping. I struggled to keep them open but after a while my eyes won and I was asleep.
The next thing I know I can feel myself being lifted up. I woke up immediately but relaxed once I saw Ben's face smiling down at me. "Ben?" I asked just to make sure. The last few weeks events fresh in my head.
"Yeah it's okay. Have you eaten?" I just nodded my head as a snuggled back into him. To be honest I had done nothing but eat all afternoon while we were shopping. Anything else to eat I'm sure I would burst. "Are you hungry?" I shook my head this time and my eyes began to get heavy again. Ben must have seen this as the last thing I remember him saying was "Sweet dreams. Love you."
Ben's POV.
As I walked into the castle with Mal my mom and dad came down the hall. "She that tired?" My dad asked me. He sounded as concerned as I felt. I nodded before my mom interrupted us, seeming to sense our worry.
"She's fine boys. It's just because her body is adjusting to the babies and she has had a long afternoon walking around." She explained. It made sense. I mean it must be a huge strain on Mal's body to be growing two babies and still have to walk around everywhere. I took her into our room and put her in bed. Hopefully she would have a decent nights sleep.
I decided to go downstairs and let Mal get some clearly well needed rest. I decided I may as well catch up on the paperwork I have been putting off for a few days. I really needed to as my dad why he thought sixteen was a good age to inherit the kingdom because this was ridiculous. I started on the paper work and found I had it finished a lot quicker then I thought I would. I was finished by 8pm and was about to go and check on Mal when she stuck her head in the door.
"I was told I would find you in here." She joked as she came over to me and sat in my lap. I couldn't help but place one hand on her still flat stomach while the other went to support her around her back.
"Yeah, just finishing up some paperwork. Are you okay?" I asked. Lately, once she was asleep that was it. She was out of it until the morning. She nodded at me but I still didn't fully believe her. "Really?" I asked her. Her face finally fell a little and I immediately regretted pushing her for an answer.
"No, I had another nightmare." She admitted to me. I could tell she wasn't finished with her explanation so I nodded but remained quiet. "I was back in the cave with her again." She said. "She kept me there with her until I had the babies and she took them from me. I couldn't get out or keep her away from the twins and you weren't there to help me." She told me as she started to cry. God I hated seeing her like this. I hate Maleficent so much right now.
"Mal, that will never happen." I stated with as much conviction as I could muster to try and calm her. "She won't get near you or our babies again if I can help it okay? I won't let her and neither will our family." This seemed to calm her as she finally stopped crying and turned to look up at me. I have never seen such a lost, scared yet hopeful expression in her eyes.
"Promise?" She asked me. Even her voice sounded small right now.
Nodding I said "I promise." Before I kissed her head. I decided a change of topic was certainly needed so I carried on talking. "So did you ask Evie to be your maid of honour yet?" I asked her. The look of shock that crossed her face made me chuckle slightly.
"No, how did you know I wanted to ask her?" She questioned. Really Mal? You need to ask me that?
"I know because she is your sister and there is no one else that you would ever think of asking." I explained to her. She quickly began to smile before she answered me. "I was thinking of asking her on Saturday when she fits my dress for Sunday. If that's okay?"
"Of course it's okay Mal. I was thinking of asking Doug to be my best man on Saturday as well" I told her. "Do you think Jay and Carlos would be grooms men?" I asked. Genuinely unsure if they would agree or not.
"I'm sure they would since I was going to ask Jane, Lonnie and Audrey to be bridesmaids for me. Although you will need someone else if we want to have them walk the bridesmaids down the aisle." She explained to me. For someone who doesn't plan ahead or like to think of the future she sure has given this a lot of thought.
"What about Aziz? I have known him almost as long as I've known Doug." I explained. I had to run it by Mal first. I really didn't want her to be uncomfortable from someone being there that she didn't know or like.
"Aziz? Is that Aladdin and Jasmine's son?" She questioned. I nodded before she carried on. "Sure. He seems great." She said. "I have to say though I'm surprised you don't want to ask your dad." She told me.
"I will admit I thought of asking dad but Doug has always been there for me from us being in preschool." I explained. Mall nodded along but it wasn't hard to work out she was still tired.
"What do you think of Evie making mine and the bridesmaids dresses?" She asked. "I was also thinking of asking her to make your tuxes but that's more your call then it is mine." She said, as she clearly tried not to yawn.
"I have no problem with Evie designing and making our tuxes but she will have to make dad's too as I want him to match us. Just let me know what she needs material and measurement wise." I told her. "Come on. Let's get you back to bed." Surprisingly Mal just nodded and followed me upstairs. We took our usual positions in bed (Mal cuddled into my side with her head on my chest) and almost straight away her breathing even out and she was asleep. I gently kissed the top of her head before I settled back down and fell asleep shortly afterwards.
Author's Note: Thank you to everyone for all your lovely reviews/comments. They have all been so nice/encouraging. Again I'm not a 100% on this chapter but I think it turned out well. Hope you like this chapter :)