Chapter One Hundred and One
A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else belongs to either Disney or the Greek Myths.
Woo! One hundred and one chapters, can you believe it? It doesn't seem possible and yet here we are! As always, special thanks to AmethystDragon14 who's been helping me out with comments. It is greatly appreciated, especially as real life gets busier and busier and my chances to sit and do nothing but write grow slimmer and slimmer!
Oh! Before I forget, there is a poll on my Tumblr about which fic I should make my lone active fic until my hiatus in December. Go and vote if you've got a Tumblr (sadly I don't think you can vote without one but then again, I could be wrong :D)
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Let me know what you think!
Claudine held back a sigh as she grabbed her scroll. Was it wrong that she hoped this scroll wouldn't have anything bad happening to Fred? Yes he deserved everything but…that didn't mean she wanted to read it.
Mal smiled as she held Ben close to her. Beast had come by with a doctor and, after a thorough check up, the doctor found that Ben indeed had a concussion.
"Called it!" Most of the AKs nodded.
So no more Cotillion for him but that was fine for Mal, it meant more time to cuddle up with him.
"That's fine with me," Malinda said softly.
"Thank Gods Freddy didn't hurt you worse," she murmured as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"So…where're Adam and Belle? You'd think they'd be hovering after everything that happened?" Chip asked.
"We needed someone to handle the press since you were working with the PR team," Malinda told him.
"I'll be fine," Ben said, keeping his voice low as if speaking any louder would hurt it more. "Besides, I owed you one remember."
Malinda shook her head. "I'll say the same thing that I said back then. You didn't owe me anything."
"I believe I said I didn't want there to be a next time," Mal pointed out. "Besides you don't owe me anything Ben. Like you said, it's you and me. We're a team."
"That's the way any good marriage works," Persephone said with a small smile as Hades held her close.
Ben gave her a small smile. "So wait, I just want to double check. You really said yes?"
"Were you seriously doubting me?" Malinda asked with a small chuckle.
"Got the ring to prove it," Mal chuckled, holding her hand up so that Ben could see the engagement ring resting proudly on her ring finger.
"And it never left," Malinda grinned as she looked down at the ring.
Ben grinned. "Do you like it?"
"I love it Ben. I love you. I'd have agreed to marry you ring or no ring," Mal said gently. "Seeing you on the deck earlier...I've never wanted the titles or the jewels. I want what my parents have. What your parents have. I want that. And I want it with you."
"And I like to think we're well on our way," Benji said with a smile, kissing Malinda's head.
"And you'll always have me," Ben said gently.
"Nothing will ever change that," Benji said and gently kissed the top of Malinda's head once more.
"Okay I love your kisses but twice in a row is pushing it," Malinda chuckled.
Mal gave him a sad smile as she heard that. She knew there would be a time when she would have to say goodbye to Ben. But she didn't want to think about that. Not when she was the happiest she'd ever been.
"Well…I've been happier since then," Malinda said. "Our wedding day for starters."
"Don't want to think about that!" Hades said, shaking his head.
"You know I asked your parents for permission?" Ben said with a small chuckle.
"Again I needed to stay in those good books," Ben smiled slightly at Mal's look.
"You did?" Mal asked, slightly shocked before looking at him, her eyes wide. "Ben, you didn't go to the Isle without us did you?!"
"It's a fair question," Audie nodded.
Ben winced slightly as Mal's voice rose in her slight panic and Mal bit her lip as she noticed that.
"Sorry," she said, lowering her voice.
"Gods you are perfect for him," Abby whispered with a small smile. Yes she had said it during the previous scroll but she thought it needed repeating.
"It's not your fault," Ben said. "You're worried, that's understandable. But no, I didn't go to the Isle. Your mom took me to her portal and I asked both her and your dad. Your dad provided the jewel for the ring too."
"It certainly is a splendid jewel," Hera said as she looked at the ring on Malinda's finger. "Hades made an excellent choice."
"I'm not surprised," Mal chuckled as she looked at the jewel. "You know if dowries are a thing, he'll consider that as a challenge to show up your dad."
Malinda couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped her lips at the memory of the chests her father had provided as her unofficial dowery.
"Leah tried to insist on a dowry when I was in the contract with Audrey but mom put her foot down," Ben said. "She likes to say that if she married my dad without a dowry then it would be hypocritical of her to expect anyone I marry to have a dowry."
Belle rolled her eyes slightly at Leah's past demands.
Mal smiled as she curled up close to Ben. "Dad always said your mom was the one to advocate for change for the Isle when it first was founded," she said softly. "I guess that's where you get it from."
"And proud of it," Benji said with a smile.
Ben smiled slightly as he heard her words. Throughout his life, he'd always been compared to his father. In fact, he even had a few suits that were carbon copies of the ones his dad wore. He was proud of his dad, don't get him wrong. But being able to be compared to his mom…
Beast couldn't help the slightly sad smile that pulled at his lips.
"Wait one moment!" Chip exclaimed. "If Ben has suits that are carbon copies of Adam's suits, then does that mean…?"
"No Chip, the 'eyesore' as you call it does not exist in my husband's closet," Belle said and shook her head.
"Oh thank you Hephaestus!"
"...Why is he thanking the Greek God of Technology?" Carlos asked.
"Because Hephaestus is also the Greek God of Design," Hera said as Beast, Belle, Lucas, Abby, and Ben all shook their heads in amusement at Chip's antics.
"Did Belle get the photo?" Mal asked softly.
"I was...I was going to give it to her as sort of a reverse engagement gift," Ben said softly. "But after everything...I don't think it's a good idea to remind her of the daughter she lost the same night she saw me…"
"...Yeah maybe not the best idea, though the gift is with good intentions," Celia said with a soft nod.
"Hey, hey," Mal said gently. "It's okay. Trust me, I think that's a good idea but don't wait on giving that photo to her. I really think she'd like it."
"I love it, Ben honey. Truly I do."
"You haven't even seen it yet mom," Abby pointed out.
Carlos had worked his magic and edited the photo so well, it honestly looked as if Abigail had been standing right next to Ben.
"Glad I could help…or at least scroll-me could," Carlos said with a small smile.
"I have it in a locket," Ben said. "It's going to be a birthday present for mom. Normally all she gets is books anyway so I think she'll like it. I hope so anyway."
Belle teared up as she heard that.
"She'll love it Benny," Mal told him. "It came from her child. If my parents taught me anything, it's that a parent loves their children more than anything."
"And I speak from experience," Malida said, smiling over at her parents.
Ben smiled as he held her close. "This is going to sound strange but I'm glad you have a good relationship with your parents," he said, his voice a near whisper. "I know...with the Isle and all…"
"You and me both, Benny," Mal nodded.
"I actually didn't know dad was my dad until I was five," Mal said with a small sigh. "I was four months old when Maleficent's goblins stole me from mom and dad."
"I thought it was five months…?"
"We're not going to comment on my recollection of something that happened when I was a baby," Malinda said, giving Emir a look.
"Oh Gods Mal," Ben said, looking at Mal in horror. "I'm so sorry...I had no idea. How'd you find out that Lord Hades was your father?"
"She asked him," Uma chuckled.
"You know, considering that he's going to be your father-in-law, you can probably drop the title," Mal teased gently. "As for how I found out...I asked him."
"You just asked the Lord of the Underworld if he was your father?"
"Yep," Mal nodded. "Well, after getting some advice from my cousin that is."
"Well when he knew my middle name, it was a pretty big hint," Mal chuckled.
"I am so glad we're not giving our kid my middle name," Malinda muttered as she lightly rubbed her belly.
Ben smiled. "Bertha right? I don't know if it's the concussion talking but that's kinda pretty."
How hard did he get hit? Mal muttered to Uma over the mental link.
"It's the concussion Ben," Mal told him, softly cupping his cheek with her hand. "Though it's better now that I'm 'Malinda' instead of 'Maleficent'."
"Still though it's better than mine," Ben chuckled. "Florian. Benjamin Florian."
"And that's still the concussion talking cause there is no way Bertha is better than 'Florian'," Mal said, shaking her head.
"It suits you," Mal said with a small smile.
"I believe you said it was rather 'princely' when I told you about it on our first date," Ben said with another small chuckle.
"I mean…she's right. You wouldn't see a VK with that name," Dizzy nodded.
"Maybe I should have said it was rather regal instead," Mal told him.
"Either works."
"Either one worked," Ben said and then winced. "Sorry...head still hurts."
Mal couldn't help but frown. "I can get you some meds…"
"Yes please Mal, thank you," Belle nodded.
"I don't want to be a bother Mal but—."
"Not another word," Mal said as she got up and went to the door.
"Ben, if anyone had earned the right to 'be a bother' after all of that, it was you," Malinda said.
Sticking her head out, she said, "Dean? Are you out here? I know you shadow Ben more than Emir and Akiho do."
"Oh Gods, they'll consider that a challenge," Ben sighed as both Emir and Akiho almost looked affronted at the implication that they were doing lack luster shadowing.
"A King's attendant must be ready at a moment's notice my Lady."
"And Dean's always ready!" Chip said with a smile.
"I didn't mean anything negative by it Dean," Mal said with a small smile. "Can you fetch some pain medicine? King Ben's head is still hurting after his confrontation with Freddy Frollo."
"Dean, get it before he changes his mind!" Emir and Akiho cried at the same time.
"Of course."
"Thank you. If possible, make sure the meds are something that don't react to caffeine. He shouldn't sleep right now."
"Does a yacht like that have that type of medicine?" Sammy asks.
"Normally…no. But a yacht with a bunch of royals on board?" Phil Jr. said.
Dean nodded. "I'll also make sure to fetch some food as well. King Ben shouldn't have the pain medicine on an empty stomach."
"Smart," Lucas nodded. "A lot of pain medicine have side effects when taken with an empty stomach."
Mal smiled. "If it's not too much effort, some chicken souvlaki with feta cheese would be perfect."
"Yum!" Herkie said with a grin.
Benji shook his head and got up to fix a plate of food.
"My Gods, are you actually eating without being forced?" Emir gasped.
"Nope, this is for my pregnant wife in the hopes she'll eat something other than the continually filled bowl of strawberries," Benji said as he handed the plate to Malinda.
"...You're lucky this has dad's chicken on it," Malinda said.
Sure it wasn't one of the many dishes Mrs. Potts made for his parents, but Ben loved her dad's cooking. Plus his fiancée was Greek—he was going to have plenty of Greek food, thank you!
"Nothing wrong with that!" Benji said with a smile.
"It's not a problem my Lady," Dean nodded. "I'll go ahead and get that for his highness."
"Thank you."
"Ben, he needs a raise" Chip, Emir, and Akiho insisted.
"You're welcome my Lady. And congratulations. I know you and King Ben will be quite happy together."
"He was right about that," Malinda said with a small smile before kissing Benji on the cheek.
Mal smiled. "I hope so Dean. Once you get the food, take the rest of the night off. I'll be looking after his highness for the night."
"And Ben's back in the room muttering about how his title's not necessary, I'm sure," Lonnie chuckled.
Sure she wasn't Ben but Dean shouldn't run himself ragged. Not tonight.
"If...if you're sure my Lady," Dean said, giving her a small bow.
Malinda couldn't help the slight smile on her lips. "We'll have to get used to that," she told her younger self.
"I'm sure Dean," Mal said. "Cotillion is a night for everyone to enjoy. It doesn't make sense for it to be ruined for all of Auradon Prep."
"As I said…life ruiner," Uma 'coughed'.
"But…Dean's not–."
"She meant Freddy," Harry said, looking at Emir who looked more confused than anything.
Dean smiled before heading off to get the food, coffee and medicine. Mal turned to head back into the room, closing the door behind her.
"...Am I the only one getting 'Mal going back in the Captain Quarters after asking for a first aid kit' vibes there? Jay asked, looking at the Rats who were present.
"Nope," Henry said.
"Meds will be here soon," she said as she climbed back onto the bed. "Along with food."
"Thanks Mal," Ben said. "You didn't have to—."
"Uh huh!"
"Seriously Mal, you didn't have to—."
"Ben, you would have done it for me and you know it," Malinda shook her head fondly.
"Ben, getting you to admit that you're in pain is a feat in itself," Mal stated.
Ben shrugged slightly. "I usually just power through it. Work's not going to stop or do itself."
"…Especially with my schedule, I don't have time to just lie down or take an afternoon off if I'm not feeling okay," Ben said softly.
"Yeah well...that's changing," Belle muttered.
Mal rolled her eyes. "Yeah well you don't have power through this one Ben. You've got a crowd of people who'll do anything for you. Especially after you were injured trying to protect them."
"She's got that right!" Emir and Akiho nodded.
Ben gave her a sad smile. While he had been trying to protect his kingdom, in the back of his mind all he was worried about was keeping Freddy away from Mal. He knew Mal could take care of herself but that didn't mean he wanted to have it happen.
Benji's eyes hardened. I would have died before I let him near Mal, he thought.
"Like I said, we're a team Ben," Mal said gently. "You know the motto of my crew?"
"Family is forever?"
"Close but no," Uma said with a grin.
Mal smiled and shook her head. "No, but I can see how you'd think that. It's Ruthless Yet Loyal. We look after those who are loyal to us and we destroy anyone who tries to threaten them. You did your job, now you just need to rest."
"What she said!"
She sighed softly. "You were there for me, when Natalie chipped away of everything that made me me. You took care of me, held me as I cried. Hell, you took me to the Isle so I could see my dad. Let me take care of you now."
"Ben, she's going to be your wife. Now you gotta give a little," Lucas said with a small smile.
Ben gave her a small smile. "Thanks Mal."
"You don't need to thank me Ben," Mal said. "Besides, I got to introduce Freddy to my dragon form. Trust me, I'll always do that for you."
"She's got that right!" Mal nodded.
Ben kissed the top of her head before pausing. "Wait, you...you transformed?"
"You were unconscious," Mal said softly. "But let's not talk about that right now okay? You should be resting."
"I am resting though," Ben tilted his head.
"I'm lying down and everything Mal," Ben said. "But if I should be resting, so should you. I know you were tired after you transformed at my coronation."
"True, but I'd say she got a pretty high adrenaline rush," Hadie said.
Mal shrugged. "I'm fine."
"Good," Ben smiled. "No sense in both of us being laid up tonight."
"But then you could have 'sick cuddles'," Squeaky said softly.
He sighed, the smile slipping from his face. "Gods I'm so sorry about this Mal. Tonight was supposed to be about you and I went and got myself knocked out."
"Hey, don't worry about it," Mal said gently. "It's not your fault."
"It's really not, all the blame belongs to Freddy," Harry nodded.
"Still...you should be out there. Enjoying your engagement night."
"I get to be in here cuddling with my fiancé instead of battling the press who'll be more eager than sharks in a feeding frenzy," Mal said, resting her hand on his chest. "I consider that a win personally."
"I second that!" Mal nodded.
Ben smiled and kissed the top of her head once more. Mal chuckled and gently brushed Ben's hair out of his eyes. She couldn't believe there had been a moment where there'd been a chance the world wouldn't have those eyes in it. Where her world wouldn't have those eyes in it.
"Again, we've got dad who would just chuck Benny back to the land of the living. How many more times does it need to be repeated?" Hadie asked.
Those eyes that saw the good in everyone, who looked out at the Isle of the Lost and didn't see a collection of villains but kids who had been left behind by the mainland. Who saw a leather clad purple favoring girl and decided to make her his friend.
"If a Golden Retriever was a human, he'd be Ben," Kitty chuckled.
Just relax now Ben, she thought as she rested her head on his shoulder. I'll take care of things now. Not to mention I know Emir and Akiho will be happy to take some work off your hands. Plus Emma's safe so she can handle any of the Queenly stuff once we're back at the school. I have a feeling you won't be getting over this in just a day.
Everyone looked at Benji.
"...I never forgot it if that's what you're thinking," Benji said.
"You okay?" Mal asked, looking up at him. "Head still hurting?"
"A little," Ben told her though it was clear to Mal it was the last thing he wanted to say. "But Dean's on his way with the meds."
"And you will take them," Harriet nodded, her voice firm.
"Yeah he is," Mal nodded as she curled into him. "Thank you by the way. For the gift. I forgot to say it out there."
"No thanks necessary," Benji said with a soft smile.
"You don't have to thank me Mal," Ben said. Mal smiled up at him as a knock on the door sounded.
"Come in Dean!" Mal called.
"How'd you-" Lonnie asked.
"Who else could it have been?"
"Belle? Chip? Jay? Me?"
"Belle was helping arraign for Freddy to be transported to a cell at Auradon Prep while Adam was dealing with the press, Chip was working with the PR team, Jay was with Harry and Uma and Hadie, and you...you were with Jay."
"Yes my Lady," Dean nodded as he walked in with the caffeine, food, and pain medicine.
"Thank you," Mal said.
"Yes, thank you Dean," Ben said as Dean set everything down on the bedside table.
"He is amazing," Malinda says fondly.
"No thanks necessary sire," Dean told him.
"Still, you should be enjoying yourself," Ben said and Dean shook his head in amusement.
"He's doing his job Ben but who says he doesn't enjoy it?" Beast said.
"Every one deserves a good work life balance dad. Dean's going to burn himself out if he doesn't stop to just relax," Ben said, shaking his head.
"You and Lady Mal are perfect for each other sire, she said the same thing," he said as a snuffling sound could be heard by the door.
"Oh good, Estelle's come to join the fun!" Alexandria grinned.
Mal smiled. "I think we're about to be joined by a furry friend. I'm honestly surprised it took him so long actually."
"He's more than welcome," Ben said with a small smile of his own.
"If Ben kicked a Cerberus off his bed or out of his room, we need to start assuming it's not Ben in that room," Lonnie said, shaking her head.
Mal shook her head in amusement. "You might want to let him in Dean. Or else that doorknob may turn by itself..."
Mal trailed off as the door opened once more and Estelle ran in, a doggy grin on all three of his heads.
"Good boy," Henry said with a smile as he held Claudine close to him, trying to be there for comfort in case the scroll took an odd turn.
"Hey boy," Ben said as Estelle hopped on the bed and snuffled at him. "Yes, yes, yes, I'm okay."
"Aww!" Some of the younger kids grinned as Claudine read that and Estelle gave them all doggy grins.
Mal couldn't help but smile as she saw the two of them interact. Her two boys.
"One of the best sights around," Malinda said with a smile.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she saw a bit of brown near the mouth of Estelle's left head. "Estelle...did you bite someone?"
Estelle looked at her as if to say 'they deserved it'.
"Five bucks says it's Freddy!" Jay called.
"...Estelle, did you bite Freddy?"
"This is a problem?" Harry asked.
A small yip came from her Cerberus and Mal sighed in frustration.
"Estelle, are Harry, Uma, and Jay with Freddy right now?" Mal asked but this time her dog was silent. She resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose. She knew Ben's friends would restrain them if they went too far.
She hoped.
"Again this is a problem?" Jay asked.
"He's just concerned," Ben said and Mal looked over at him. "And you don't know he bit anyone. There's probably a lot of blood on deck if you guys tried mopping up Freddy before getting him to his cell."
"Why…why would they 'mop up' Freddy?" Harriet asked.
Mal shared a look with Dean, who bit back a chuckle. It was a good sign, Ben trying to see a positive as to why Estelle had blood on his mouth. This confrontation with Freddy wasn't going to change him.
"Thank Gods," could be heard from most of the room
"Your pain medicine is right here your highness," Dean stated, gesturing to the bedside table.
"Will he take it though?" Chip asked.
"Oh I would have made him take it if he didn't," Malinda told him with a chuckle.
"Thank you Dean. Now go take the rest of the night off and enjoy Cotillion."
"Lady Mal has already told me to do the same thing sire," Dean chuckled. "But please let me know if you need anything else."
"Of course he'd say that," Ben said, shaking his head fondly.
"We will," Mal nodded before Ben could say anything. Dean smiled and turned to leave.
"Thank Gods for Dean," Ben muttered as he grabbed the pain medicine.
"We do! Emir nodded.
"Shouldn't you eat first?" Mal asked, gently taking the bottle from Ben's hand. "When was the last time you ate anyway?"
"Probably breakfast," Ben sighed. "I went on a run before this, forgot about lunch."
"Eat."
"Sounding like a wife already," Naveen chuckled.
"Yes Mal," Ben smiled and dug into his food causing Mal to chuckle. "What's so funny?"
"You're digging into that food like Estelle digs into his," she said with a small chuckle and Estelle wagged his tail.
"...Your only meal was breakfast? Ben!" Belle said with a slight frown.
"I was busy, mom," Benji said. "Besides, the run going long was an accident. I was running to clear my head so I wouldn't be too nervous when I proposed and I...I kinda ran until my MP3 player ran out of music."
"We have 200 songs on there!" Ben exclaimed.
"And here I thought they'd be all audio books," Chad chuckled.
"There are worse canines to be compared to," Ben smiled. "After all, he probably knew about Freddy long before we did."
Estelle snorted as if to say 'you bet I did!'
The Estelle in the room gave them a look as if to say 'what I said'.
"Yeah well he's a good boy that way," Mal smiled as she scratched Estelle behind the ears. When it came to Freddy, Estelle really didn't mess around. He was their motto canineified...oh Gods, she'd been in Auradon too long if she was picking up their habit of making up words.
"I'm sorry, you have met Maleficent right? The woman who came up with the word 'evilicious' according to the first viewing the Blue Fairy gave us?" Audie asked.
"I…I have no words," Hades shook his head.
Still, the positives of being in Auradon outweighed the negatives.
"I…can't deny that," Mal nodded.
"How's the food?" Mal asked.
"Good," Ben nodded. "You want some?"
Mal shook her head. "It's your food Ben. You should have it all. I can snag something if I get hungry later."
Ben nodded. "You never have to worry about food again," he said softly.
Ben gave her a small smile before returning to his food, a smile that Mal returned. She didn't mind this, getting to spend time with Ben like this. It wasn't what she imagined the night to turn out like, but she really wouldn't have it any other way. She gave Ben a small kiss on the cheek.
"And that's how it should be," Snow said with a smile.
"Now pain meds?" He asked as he swallowed, having finished his food and Mal couldn't help but smile slightly. He sounded like a little boy asking for desert.
Belle sighed softly. Ben should not have to be tentative when asking for medicine if he was in pain.
"Yes Ben. Now pain meds," Mal nodded and picked up the bottle. Carefully shaking out two tablets, she handed them to Ben who popped them in his mouth and to Mal's surprise dry swallowed them.
Chad, Chip, Abby, and Hades sighed knowingly.
"Aren't you supposed to drink something with them?"
"Yes you are!" Emir and Akiho nodded.
"Eh. I learned how to dry swallow pain meds years ago," Ben shrugged. "Keeps you from accidentally spilling water on your paperwork."
"He's not wrong," Beast muttered under his breath. The number of times he'd ruined paperwork because he knocked over a bottle of water trying to get an aspirin...
"Okay, so we're officially digitizing your paperwork," Mal told him.
"Preaching to the choir Mal," Ben smiled. "Now come 'ere."
"Oh so you're asking for Uma's technique to keep Harry still? She just lays on him too," Jay said.
"Jay!" Harry glared at the older boy.
"Yes Harry?"
He gently pulled Mal to him and wrapped her in his arms. Mal sighed contently as she rested her head on his chest, Estelle pressing himself against both of them.
"Aw!" Kitty cooed.
Ben smiled and kissed the top of Mal's head. "Hey, did I mention how much I love you?"
Mal couldn't help but giggle slightly. "I love you too Ben."
And she truly did love him. So, so much.
Mal flushed softly but didn't deny it. How could she? It was her future self who was feeling the emotions.
Plus...it wouldn't be fair to the baby inside her future self. The baby didn't ask to be born or not be born. How could Mal say she was any better than Beastie if she inadvertently ruined her future child's life?
"Let me know if you need the lights to be dimmer," Mal said, keeping her voice low to avoid a headache for Ben as Estelle gave him a gentle lick on the hand.
Ben made a small noise of what Mal assumed to be agreement and Mal smiled.
"Thank you Mal," Ahkio said softly.
"This isn't so bad huh?"
"Other than the slight throbbing in my head? Nope. Spending time with you is never a bad thing Mal."
"And it never will be a bad thing," Benji said, gently kissing the top of Malinda's head.
Mal chuckled slightly. "Well good because you're stuck with me," she said softly as she held up her ring again.
"Wouldn't have it any other way."
"Well…could have done without Freddy crashing but still," Benji said with a small smile.
"Me neither," Mal said. They smiled at each other, each of them scratching Estelle behind the ears of one of his heads. This was truly a great way to spend the evening. Just them...and Estelle of course.
"Of course!" Hadie nodded.
"He likes you," Mal told Ben.
"I'm glad," Ben said. "Your dad said that was one of the conditions to getting his approval for me to propose."
"Just means Mal's marrying a good guy," Macaria said with a small smile. "Always trust a dog's judgment."
"So if that means a dog doesn't like a guy you're dating…?"
"Try it and you're cleaning up after Cerberus," Macaria said with a glare at her older brother.
"What were the other conditions?" Mal asked.
"That we don't actually get married until we're twenty and that if I ever hurt you, that I understand that there's no punishment my soul won't know."
Malinda shook her head. "I'm still amazed dad only gave three conditions," she said.
Mal shook her head. "Honestly I'm surprised there weren't more conditions. You know, his little girl getting engaged and all that stuff. Still, I'm in favor of waiting."
"You are?"
"You're not?" Hades asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked over at Ben and Benji.
"No, no I was definitely in favor of waiting," Benji nodded.
"I'm going to have to learn how to be Queen, Ben," Mal said. "Plus, as much as I love you, I'm not comfortable becoming a mom before I'm twenty anyway which you know people would be asking about if we got married before then."
"Oh the press would have a field day with that speculation," Rapunzel sighed.
Ben paused, as if he hadn't even considered that. "That...is an excellent point Mal. I love you too but becoming a dad before I'm even eighteen...I couldn't do that to the kid. Besides, having more time to plan the wedding means less stress right?"
"Is he right?" Mal asked, looking at some of the married royals.
"Oh yeah," Eugene nodded.
"Right," Mal nodded before deciding to change the subject. "Got any ideas as to who you're picking for your best man?"
"Chip."
"Yes! Absolutely I'll do it!" Chip nodded.
"Right out of the gate huh?"
Ben chuckled. "I know you were expecting me to say Emir or Akiho, and they'd be my groomsmen if they said yes of course. But Chip's...Chip's my brother. He's always been there for me, I can't think of anyone I'd rather have."
Chip gave Benji a soft smile. "I'm honored Ben, truly."
Mal smiled as she listened to him talk. "I'm sure he'll be honored Benny."
"You bet your butt I am!"
"What about you? Any thoughts of Maid of Honor?"
"You just asked me tonight Ben," Mal chuckled. "Besides, we didn't exactly spend our childhoods dreaming about our weddings on the Isle. But if I had to pick...Uma. She's been my best friend for as long as I can remember. I know she's my cousin but she's the closest thing I have to a sister."
Little did I know I'd get my own sister, Malinda thought with a small smile as she thought about Rea.
"I'm sure she'll say yes," Ben said.
"Not if it means getting into another 'prissy' dress," Mal shook her head with a small smile.
Malinda chuckled. "You argued against the dress but Uma, you were the best Maid of Honor I could have had," she said, looking over at her cousin.
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Ben said, holding her close as he leaned his head down to whisper in her ear. "Besides, I'm sure Harry could get her to say yes if she ended up being particularly stubborn."
"Wha- Why would Harry have anything to do with it?" Uma exclaimed.
"So you see it too?"
"Mal, I'm pretty sure Estelle see it," Ben chuckled as the two of them curled up, content to spend the rest of their night in the best place they could be—wrapped in each other's arms with a Cerberus for company.
"Sounds like a good night to me," Benji said with a grin.
"I'd have to agree with you there," Malinda nodded.
Claudine sighed softly. "That's the end of the scroll," she said. "Who…who wants to read next?"
"I will," Phoebus said gently.
