Mal's POV.
Yesterday couldn't have gone better. It was such a relaxing day for all of us. Even after what I told them about the scars on my back. Me and mom got so much sorted for the wedding. With her agreement Mrs Potts was going to make our cake, the wedding and coronation would be at the cathedral where Ben's coronation was held and the guest list was wrote out. Even the colour scheme was sorted. All we had left to do was have fittings for our dresses/suits and write and send the invites. Even Ben had a good day and after finishing his paperwork disappeared into town for a while. Three guesses why? Well today I'm 17. It feels strange to actually know my birthday and while I wanted it to be like any other day I was actually looking forward to the family dinner tonight.
Although strangely enough I was just looking forward to being back at Auradon Prep, hopefully without any drama. I didn't exactly give Ben a choice on if I would go back today I just walked outside after breakfast and lots of people wishing me a happy birthday and sat in the limo waiting for him.
Sure enough as we pulled up outside Auradon Prep there was our friends/family stood waiting. I smiled at them all as me and Ben got out of the car. The boys immediately pulled Ben off for Tourney practice. How they could practice in all their free periods and not get bored of the game was beyond me. I watched them leave before I turned back to the girls and Doug (since he was in the band not on the team). It wasn't long before we heard the bell signalling class started in five minutes and we headed into school and went our own ways. Evie and Doug headed off to Chemistry and Audrey and Lonnie to Maths. This left me with Jane on our way to history of Auradon royals. It was more interesting then Auradon history but I had a feeling today would be a recap lesson again.
Although as we got there a sign was on the door saying our teacher was ill so we were to treat this as a free period. I wasn't complaining one bit. "Hey Jane? Could you proof read that Auradon history report we have due next week for me please?" I asked. I had looked over it myself but I was always aware sometimes I didn't see all my mistakes in it.
"Sure, no problem. Where is it?" She asked me.
"I think it's in my locker." I told her. I think I left it there last week after all that crap with Chad. "If it;s not there then I've left it at the castle. I haven't had it since I was last at school" I informed her. Jane nodded in understanding to me as we turned to go to my locker.
"You seemed to enjoy yourself Sunday night. If you excuse the argument with Chad." Jane stated as we neared my locker. I couldn't help but smile at the thought of that night. Even though I was with my friends or other royals for most of it, and not with Ben, I was surprisingly relaxed.
"Yeah. It was a great night." I told her, which it was. I wouldn't change that night for the world. Well except the thing with Chad but I didn't count that as part of the night anyway.
We reached my locker seconds later and after entering my combination I opened the door to find something that certainly shouldn't be there. A box wrapped in purple paper with a green and blue ribbon around it. What the hell? I took the note off it first and knew who it was from immediately. The note simply read: Happy Birthday, my queen. Xxx
It was a present from Ben. I couldn't help the smile on my face. I ripped the paper off and opened the lid to the box. Inside I found a lovely gold charm bracelet with three charms attached. A dragon, a heart and a beast head where the charms currently placed onto it. If the note hadn't given away who it was from the charms would easily do the trick. I showed Jane who was watching me curiously.
"It's beautiful Mal. He couldn't have picked a better birthday present for you." She stated.
"Yeah. It is." It took me a while to register the second half of her statement. "Wait how do you know it's my birthday?" I asked her. I was pretty sure I knew the answer as a took the bracelet from the box and placed it on my left wrist, fastening it in place.
"Ben text us yesterday and said it was your birthday today and we were all invited to a meal at the castle tonight." Jane explained to me. Of course Ben text everyone yesterday. Why didn't that surprise me.
"Of course he did." I muttered to myself as I turned my attention back to looking for my essay. After a few minutes of looking I still couldn't find it. Must have left it in Ben's room. I thought to myself. What the hell can we do now? I was then I remembered Jane was taking magic lessons with us. Surely a little extra practise isn't bad right?
"I must have left it at home. But do you fancy working on some magic?" I asked Jane, who's eyes lit up at the prospect before she began nodding furiously. I couldn't help but chuckle at her. When it came to magic I felt a little bad for Jane. She spent her entire life knowing her mother was Fairy Godmother and there was a chance she would be able to use magic yet she was denied the opportunity to learn. Maleficent wasn't exactly parent of the year but even she and Evil Queen made sure me and Evie understood our magic, even though we couldn't use it on the Isle. Poor Jane had been denied the right to even learn about her magic.
"Come on." I said still chuckling.
Jane quickly followed me back through school and up to Evie's dorm. I had to call it Evie's dorm since I practically lived at the castle now. I entered first, Jane straight after me but as I turned to close the door it slammed shut and I heard the lock click. I smiled and turned back to Jane who was smiling triumphantly. "Nice." I stated. Smiling a little. I honestly don't know why Fairy Godmother was against Jane learning magic. Sure she had tried to do Audrey's hair using my spell and messed it up but she performed that while she was really nervous. Once she got past the nerves, she was a natural.
Her smile fell from her face at my next sentence. "Try changing my hair, Jane." I said as I sat down on the nearest chair. It was easy to see she was filling back up with nerves.
"I... I can't. You saw what happened to Audrey's hair." Jane told me.
"Yeah Jane I did. But you can actually control you magic now. You just need to not show your nerves when your casting a spell." I told her. I hoped that would ease her worries a little. I knew she could do this. She just had to trust herself.
"Okay." Jane stated as she took a calming breath. You could visibly see her relax as she took a few more breaths. Her nerves leaving her body with each breath. I guess I could understand why she was nervous about using this spell. She tried with Audrey's hair and the result was an absolute disaster. I couldn't help but laugh for about ten minutes when I saw the state of it before I calmed enough to undo it.
I wasn't long before Jane was muttering the spell I used on her hair. With a few flicks of her hand, my head following the directions, my hair changed. I looked at Jane and saw her smile. As I turned I saw my hair. It was actually really nice. I didn't want Jane to change it back to how it was. She had lengthened my hair slightly and added a few light purple highlights. My hair also had more volume to it. Yeah, I think I'm gonna keep this.
"Well, I was going to get you to change it back with the reversal spell but I think I'll keep it." I told Jane.
"Really?" She squeaked, clearly surprised.
"Yeah, I really like it. Thanks Jane." I said, the smile on her face growing and making a smile form on my own face. "Okay so why don't you try transporting us both to your room and back." I said and we moved on from the hair spell.
An hour later Jane had nailed transporting with someone else and Jane had almost got the hang of transporting objects without her taking them. It was easy to see Jane really didn't want to stop but we had Maths to get to. Reluctantly we left Evie's room and made our way to our next class, making a brief stop at our lockers on the way.
I really hated Maths. For no other reason then it was mind numbingly dull and boring. If this was back on the isle I just wouldn't go but that wasn't exactly 'good' and here in Auradon it is certainly frowned upon. So I just thank my lucky stars I only have to tolerate the class twice a week. The only thing that made the lesson tolerable was I shared the class with Jane, Carlos and Ben. It was one of the two classes I shared with Ben and the only one I shared with Carlos. I see Jane more then Ben and my siblings when it comes to lessons. Which don't get me wrong I have no problem with it but I do miss Ben. Especially when he has to perform his kingly duties and I have to stay at school. Thankfully that doesn't happen now I basically live at the castle with him. Thank heavens Ben asked me to stay at the castle with him. I don't think I could cope with this sickness on my own. He is an angel when I wake in the night and I honestly don't know what I would do without him.
I didn't even listen to the teacher as they droned on about algebra. I mean come on. We covered this on the isle, which is full of villains. Are you honestly telling me some of the hero kids have a problem with this. I began doodling without thinking and quickly became lost in thought.
What felt like minutes later, but really ended up being almost the end of the lesson, I began feeling really unwell. For a change it wasn't even morning sickness. I felt light headed and the room started spinning. What the hell is going on!? I leant into Ben looking for a little comfort. Ben always made me feel better but as soon as I moved everything became worse. The dizziness, the light headedness. I had even begun to get a slight pounding in my head like I was getting a migraine. Something just wasn't right.
That's when I heard an all too familiar voice that sent a chill down my spine. Little brat! She blocked me. I was only as I processed these words I realized Maleficent wasn't talking to me. She was talking to herself. Well no matter I just need to change my plan. That traitorous brat will have her coronation in a months time after the wedding. I will get the wand then. Bingo! Now I knew when she would strike next even if once again someone managed to destroy what is supposed to be a happy day for me and Ben. But how did this happen? I've never been able to do that before. And what does she mean I've blocked her!? I think I would remember doing that. Ugh forget that. I need to talk to Fairy Godmother now.
Completely forgetting I was in a lesson I stood up and headed for the door although I made sure my hand stayed in contact with the wall for a little support since I was still a little light headed. I didn't even turn my head as the teacher called for me to come back. What I hadn't noticed was Ben following me. Until he gently took hold of my arm as I got half way down the corridor and turned me to face him that is.
"Mal, what's wrong?" He asked me. That was when I noticed the worried look on his face. I decided not to tell him but I motioned for him to follow me. I wasn't telling anyone until I told Fairy Godmother. Hopefully she could help sort out some kind of magical security so Maleficent wouldn't get anywhere near the wand.
Before I knew it I was stood outside the Fairy Godmothers door with Ben a little behind me. I went to knock but before I could the door swung open revealing a slightly worried looking Fairy Godmother. "Ben! Mal!" She said clearly surprised we were there. "I was just coming to look for you." She told us as she motioned for us to enter her office and shut the door behind us.
"You were? Why?" I questioned. I had done nothing wrong lately so I was unsure why she would be coming to look for me. Let alone Ben.
"Why?" She asked me looking all kinds of shocked at the question I had just asked her. "I just got a text from your teacher that you walked out of his lesson in what he described as a trance, Mal. Then Ben followed you. Neither of you said a word. I was worried it was something to do with Maleficent." She explained. Okay that kind of made sense. I really had to control my actions and emotions right now. I just seemed to be worrying everyone. "So why are you here?" She asked.
"I needed to talk to you." I answered her question after Ben merely shrugged and turned his attention to me.
"About?" Fairy Godmother prompted. How would I explain this without sounding insane.
"About what Maleficent is planning." I stated. The look of shock on both their faces wasn't missed my me but both quickly turned to looks of curiosity. Fairy Godmother motioned for me to continue so I did just that. "It's weird. I was sat in Maths completely zoned out since I already knew what he was talking about when I didn't feel right. Then I heard her voice. At first I thought she was talking to me again but I quickly realised she was talking to herself. It was like I was in her head. Listening to her thoughts. Is that even possible?" I questioned, I didn't even care I was rambling. I had to know how this happened.
I looked from Ben's shocked gaze to Fairy Godmothers surprised yet understanding one. I'm glad she understood this because I sure as hell didn't. "It's possible, I suppose." She stated rather obtusely. Why could these Auradonians never just explain something clearly. I couldn't help but raise my eye brow at Fairy Godmother. Thankfully she took the hint and elaborated. "Well, to speak directly to someone's mind it acts like a two way system for the other person to talk back to you. However, usually you would have to be aware of this to use it. The fact that you weren't aware is quite strange. May I ask what you heard?"
Okay it kinda made sense but since I didn't know about the link how did I use it? I didn't think much about it and decided to answer her question explaining everything I heard. From her planning to take the wand to me apparently blocking her. The further through my explanation I got the more I saw their expressions change. They both just looked worried now whereas I was just confused. How could I block her and then get into her mind without knowing how?
I didn't linger on my thoughts for long as Fairy Godmother spoke to me. "Leave this with me and I will see what I can do. But since both of us will be near the wand and since we will be prepared for her, she won't be getting it." She said although through her bold statement you could hear her worry. Both myself and Ben nodded to her before Ben took my hand and led me from the office.
We walked in a comfortable silence until we ended up outside in the courtyard. It only took a quick glance at Ben for me to realise he didn't want to go back to lessons just yet and my morning sickness had decided to make an appearance since we left Fairy Godmothers office. But I knew we couldn't just skip lessons.
To FG: It's Mal, I know we just left your office but can me and Ben be excused today? Neither of us feel up to it much.
The reply was instantaneous.
From FG: Yes Mal, that's fine. I will excuse you for the rest of the day. You and Ben only have one lesson this afternoon anyway and your teacher is off ill. Oh and Happy Birthday.
Jesus, did everyone know it's my birthday or something? With Ben knowing it wouldn't surprise me much. I checked the time on my phone before I placed it back into my jean pocket. Noticing it was almost lunch time I decided we may as well head back home then decide what to do for the rest of the day.
"Ben? Should we head home?" I asked him. I wouldn't just teleport us without asking him first.
"What about school? Fairy Godmother would murder us if we skipped."
"Already taken care of." I told him as I pulled out my phone and showing him the text from Fairy Godmother. He nodded at me before gripping my hand a little tighter. He was still trying to get used to transporting and tended to hold my hand tightly.
Seconds later we found ourselves in Ben's bedroom. Ben quickly looked around before shooting me a quizzical look. "I thought here we could have a few minutes before your mom questions us." I explained, causing Ben to laugh lightly. It was nice to see him relax a little. He has constantly been on edge since Maleficent took me. It's nice to see him actually relax.
"Oh erm, I was going to wait until later to give you this but since we left school early." He said before walking over to his wardrobe and pulling out a box. "Happy birthday." He said as he handed it to me.
I couldn't help but smile at him as I took the box from him and sat on the bed with it. Hopefully this was all he bought me. I mean the bracelet was more than enough and now he gives me this. As I unwrapped it I recognized what it was immediately. The art set I had seen while shopping with Evie, Jay and Carlos. One of them must have mentioned it to Ben.
"Thank you, Ben." I said as I stood and hugged him. I honestly can't believe he would do this for me. Buy me this much stuff and arrange a family dinner tonight. If possible it made me love him even more.
"Come on, lets go eat." Ben suggested after a while. My stomach picked that particular moment to rumble/growl causing us both to chuckle as we left Ben's bedroom.
As we went downstairs we were met with Adam. "Ah, there you two are." He said making us look up as we reached the bottom step. How did he know we were home? It's not like we had been seen around the castle. I looked to Ben who wore a similarly confused expression before we both turned to face our dad. He must of noticed we were confused as he carried on talking. "Fairy Godmother called and told us to expect you home. She told us what happened, the reason you were coming home." He explained himself. I let out a relieved breath I hadn't been aware I had been holding once I realized the topic wouldn't be talked about.
"Where's mom?" I heard Ben ask from beside me as I stepped into his side a little.
Our dad pulled out his phone as he replied "She is checking to make sure Mal's birthday present is ready." I noticed him read something on his phone before looking back to us and smiling. "Actually she just text me to say it's ready. If you would like your present now?" He asked his eyes focused on me rather then flitting between me and Ben. I nodded to him and followed as he turned and lead the way to wherever our mom was, but my head was reeling. Ben had already gone overboard and bought me more presents then I've had in my life and here not I find out that our mom and dad got me something as well. I couldn't help the tears that were forming in my eyes. Everything was a little overwhelming right now and I instinctively reached for Ben's hand. Ben noticed my tears and quickly kissed the top of my head.
As we followed Adam down the corridor leading to his, Belle's and Ben's studies Ben leant down a little so he was near my ear and whispered "I know this probably feels like too much but this is how we treat family on birthdays. Your not mad are you?" to me. I couldn't help the incredulous look I gave him. I shook my head to answer his question, telling I wasn't mad in the slightest.
Seconds later we stopped near a door which I noticed was the last door in the corridor. A door I hadn't even noticed before. It was a far bit away from the studies but I noticed it was also the next door down the hall from Ben's study meaning whatever room this was it was rather big.
"Go ahead." Adam stated to me, motioning me to enter the room. I slipped my hand from Ben's and took the last few steps towards the door opening and stepping through it without stopping. I knew there wouldn't be anything bad on the other side of the door. Had anyone else asked me to walk through a door which I hadn't even noticed before I would have been extremely hesitant if not completely unwilling, but I trusted my family and I know Ben, Adam and Belle would hurt me in any way.
As I opened the door and stepped into the room I couldn't help the quiet "wow" that escaped my lips, completely missing the look Adam and Ben gave to each other. The wall opposite me and to my right were made entirely of glass (windows) that had a fantastic view of the castle gardens. In the corner of those walls sat an easel. A desk sitting in the middle of the glass wall with a comfy looking chair and a gift wrapped item. The wall to my left was covered completely in bookcases which Belle was currently placing a few books on. I took another look around the room and couldn't help but wonder whose room it actually was. This room would be like my own personal heaven.
"Do you like it, Mal?" I heard my mom ask me. I whipped my head around to face her before I answered.
"Are you kidding? It's amazing Whose room is this?" I asked her, wondering if maybe they would let me use it at times.
"It's your office slash art room. It's our birthday present to you." She told me. I couldn't help the look of shock on my face as I took another look around the room before settling my gaze back on her and my dad who had moved next to her.
"I... I don't know what to say." I stuttered through my answer as Ben came up to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Thank you. I love it." I told them. After a few more minutes of talking with them and them giving me a key for the door Belle and Adam left, closing the door behind them as they went, leaving me and Ben alone. It was then the present on the desk caught my attention again. I slowly walked forward and noticing a small note attached I decided to read that first.
Mommy,
Happy Birthday. Thank you for taking such good care of us.
We love you and cant wait to meet you.
Love your little Beastie and Faerie.
The note made me tear up a little. Ben had really gone overboard but him getting me something from the twins was the last thing I expected. I unwrapped the present and saw some kind of bag. As I unzipped and opened the bag I found a purple laptop inside. I couldn't help my smile as I turned back to Ben.
"It is all set up for you as well with the latest software. But it will need a good charge before you use it." Ben informed me. I nodded and took it out the charger and laptop, placing the bag on the chair I settled the laptop onto the desk and plugged the charger in. "Shall we go up and get you painting things?" He asked me, but a confused look quickly spread across his face when I shook my head no. I chuckled slightly before simply clicking my fingers and everything appearing in the room.
After a few hours of helping me find a place for everything me and Ben finally noticed the time. "Come on, we should freshen up. The gang will be here in half hour." He told me and I nodded as I allowed Ben to lead me from the room. As we left I magically locked the door instead of using the key before I followed Ben up to his room.
I quickly turned into the walk in wardrobe, which now held my clothes as well as Ben's, and pulled out a nice pair on skinny jeans and a comfortable blouse which I placed on the bed before I headed into the bathroom. I had been so determined to get ready I hadn't even noticed Ben chuckling lightly to himself. Before long we were both ready and heading downstairs to the family room where we could clearly hear our friends and family. I smiled as I stood in the door way and watched my family interact with each other. They were all stood around the room in their couples, Jay and Audrey, Evie and Doug, Jane and Carlos (thought they were once again trying to hide it) and mom and dad. The only one stood kind of by themselves was Lonnie. Since she wasn't in a relationship but as usual she wasn't far from Evie and Doug. We really had to try and set her up with someone. We all hated seeing her so lonely.
As I walked into the room I became a little uncomfortable as all eyes turned to me. All the girls were holding a present in their hands. I can't believe everyone bought me something for my birthday. Although the gifts that intrigued me were the two sat on the table. I couldn't help the raised eyebrow at the gifts. "We all got together and worked out what to buy you." Jay told me from his place beside Audrey.
"We thought too many presents might overwhelm you so we bought you joint presents." Audrey then explained. I smiled at her hearing her worried tone and was glad when she smiled back. I was really glad we worked things out between us. She was like another sister to me along with Evie, Jane and Lonnie. It was then I felt myself directed to the couch and opened the presents they had all gotten me. Surprisingly they seemed to have bought me things that linked together. Audrey and Jay had bought me an iPod touch with two sets of headphones, Jane and Carlos had got me a sound system that I could plug my iPod into and play music from, Evie and Doug gave me iTunes vouchers to buy music and apps all of various amounts and Lonnie had bought me an iPod stating I needed one as the apps were much better on it then on my phone.
Again my eyes fell to the two gifts still on the table. I had no idea who they were from since everyone had already given me something. As I looked at them however I failed to notice Belle follow my gaze. It wasn't until she spoke that I looked away from them. "Those are from Aladdin, Jasmine & Aziz and Snow and Ferdinand. They sent there apologies with the gifts this morning as they couldn't be here to give you them in person." She explained to me. Sure I had gotten an with them quite well at the ball but I didn't think I would receive anything off them. I don't even know how they knew about my birthday. Wait... yes I do. I turned to Ben and the look on his face was all I needed to know. He had obviously text them as well yesterday. I opened their gifts to find various art supplies. I was extremely glad of this because yes I had bought some things while I had been shopping but I was seriously running low on a lot of things.
The rest of the evening passed by in a blur of talking, dancing, eating, laughing and just generally having fun. I had found myself more then once comparing my life now to what it would be like on the isle. Thinking about how much better my life is here in Auradon, here at home. More then once I found myself wishing for the end of the month.
As I laid next to a sleeping Ben my mind once again wandered to our upcoming wedding. I couldn't wait to marry Ben and spend the rest of my life with him. He made me feel strong when I felt tired and like I can't get through things, he loves me like I never thought anyone would and I honestly don't know what I would do without him. I realized then Maleficent had been incredibly wrong about love. It wasn't a weakness, it gave me a strength I never thought possible. It didn't even matter to me anymore that Maleficent, Evil Queen, Cruella and Jafar were out there now planning their next attempt on the wand or to get us to help them because I knew with Ben and my family/friends by my side I could beat them. With that realization I pushed Maleficent and her cronies from my thoughts and snuggled further into Ben's embrace. Best birthday ever! I thought to myself before I let my eyes drift closed and let sleep take over my body. For the first tine in weeks I slept comfortably, right through the night without a hint of a nightmare.
Author's Note: I apologize for the delay in updating this story but I couldn't get this chapter to flow properly. Again I would like to thank everyone for the lovely reviews I have received on this story. I honestly thought I would be writing this for myself so to get the responses I have been getting have been amazing. I would also like to thank Pinksakura271 for the lovely review left on my Family Day One-Shot. I most definitely would not use that word to describe myself, never-the-less I am glad you enjoy my stories. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Please leave me a review or PM me and let me know what you think.