Chapter Thirty Five

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! I wanted to get all the fics updated before December and looks like I was able to do so! Gods, it feels like the year just went by so fast didn't it? Almost doesn't seem real that 2024 will be at the end of next month. Let's hope it's a better year thank this one has been.

AmethystDragon14: Yay! :D Of course, how could I not have the original Rotten Four lol? And of course, quickest way to a book worm's heart is giving them access to books!

OceanBlueSeaEyes: I think she did!

Ediblesoda: Nothing better than the squad coming together! :D

Hope you guys enjoy the chapter! Let me know what you think! :D

Mal couldn't help but smile slightly as she and Ben made their way to Ursula's restaurant. They were just going to pick up Uma and Harry and then they'd go to the clubhouse where Jay would likely be waiting for them.

It had been an interesting year or so getting used to the new dynamic but Mal was just glad that Harry was okay with it. She knew he could be particularly stubborn if he had to be and if there was anyone on the Isle who hated change more than Harry, Mal had yet to meet them.

But thankfully, other than a bit of tension when they were first starting off, everyone was getting along fine. Jay didn't even complain when he lost in the sparring. And he lost a lot. Like more than Ben, that's how much he lost and Ben was no slouch when it came to a sword but no one was better than Harry.

"Help!"

Mal paused and looked at Ben. "Did you hear something?"

"That sounded like someone calling for help," Ben told her. "We should go check it out."

"What if it's a trap though? People don't admit a weakness on the Isle like they do in Auradon."

Ben shook his head and went off to follow the voice, who had just called for help a second time.

"Honestly…" Mal muttered but followed Ben. She wasn't about to let him get hurt on her watch, thank you!

But no matter how annoyed she was, that all faded as she came across the sight of Henry Kersey dragging his pregnant mother on a mattress; trying with all his might to move it in the direction of the hospital.

"Help! My mom needs help!" Henry called, his voice pleading to any of the adults who were walking past him.

Ben's eyes went wide and he immediately rushed over to help Henry pull the mattress, no questions asked. He could get answers later, someone needed help now. And his papa always told him it was more important for people to get help than getting the answer to your question, especially on the Isle even with all the changes his maman had made.

"Please! Somebody!" Henry begged, not having noticed Ben joining him in pulling the mattress. "My mom needs help! She's having a baby!"

It was Mal's turn to have her eyes go wide and she rushed over to help. She knew that she would have wanted someone to help her if she had been the only one around when Steph had been giving birth to Hadie, so there was no way she was going to let Henry go through that alone.

Even if it did go against everything VKs stood for.

"Where's Derek and Ryan?" Mal asked as she also tugged at the mattress. While she might not have officially been allies with Henry, everyone knew the three tavern kids palled around together. It was rare to see Henry alone.

"Ry…Ryan had something with his sister and papa…and Derek was helping his papa…" Henry said, trying to sound strong while still pulling the mattress.

Right then, Mal nodded inwardly and reached out with her mental link. She wasn't going to have Henry suffer any longer than he needed to. Uma!

Whoa, cuz, what's wrong?

Come outside! Ben and I are by the docks!

Are you okay?

Henry's out here dragging his mom on a mattress, going to the hospital. She's pregnant Uma! And having the baby!

…Harry and I will be out there in two shakes, Uma said. Despite the changes to the Isle, there was always going to be the feeling most of the older VKs felt to protect those younger than them. And it didn't get much younger than a newborn baby.

Thankfully, it didn't take Uma and Harry long before they arrived and soon the five of them resumed pulling Henry's mom to the hospital.

Remind me why we didn't ask your dad for help? Uma thought to Mal as they pulled.

Because he's finally got a break between the restaurant and the Underworld, so he's spending time with Hadie. I'm not exposing Hadie to a woman potentially dying if I don't have to.

Excellent point, I didn't even think about that.

To be fair, we're all rather focused on a much more important thing right now.

Very true.

By some stroke of luck, they managed to pull the mattress into the hospital; Henry running ahead to get the attention of the doctors or at least someone.

"Lady Anastasia!" Henry exclaimed as he saw Anastasia Tremaine. "My mom, she needs help! She's having her baby and—."

"Show me," Anastasia said before looking over at one of the nurses who was near by. "Page OB, let them know that we have a woman in labor and needing immediate assistance."

"Right away," the nurse nodded and Anastasia quickly followed Henry back to the lobby where the others were. Anastasia's eyes went wide as she took in the sight in front of her but she made sure to school her expressions enough as to not worry the children in front of her. Even if they were mostly VKs, they were still children.

"What do we have?" An approaching doctor said as he ran up, a team of people following him.

"My mom!" Henry told him. "She…she was at work at the taverns when she said she started having…what's the word? The pain?"

"Contractions?" Ben offered.

"Right, yeah that," Henry nodded, not even bothering to ask how a kid younger than him knew the word he was looking for. They didn't have time for that.

One of the doctors nodded and looked at the staff. "Right then, let's get her on a gurney and then straight into an OR. If she's this weak that she can't walk in, we're going to have to do a caesarean. Let's go!"

"A…a caesarean? What's that?" Henry asked as they lifted his mom off of the mattress and onto the gurney before quickly wheeling her out of the lobby.

"It's…it's where they have to cut the baby out of her—."

"They're going to cut my mom open? They're supposed to help her, not kill her!" Henry exclaimed and tried to run after his mom.

"Whoa! Henry!" Anastasia said, quickly grabbing Henry and pulling him back. "I know, I know, it's scary but calm down. Yes, they will need to cut her open but it's not going to hurt her. They'll give her something that'll make it seem like she's asleep and when she wakes up, you'll have a new brother or sister. I promise, they won't leave your mom like that."

"Yeah Henry," Ben said softly. "The doctors aren't going to hurt your maman. Chip says that sometimes they do that to save the mom and the baby…"

Who's Chip? Uma thought to Mal.

Benny's 'brother' of sorts, Mal thought back. Think what Virgil kinda is to me, only not as nervous all the time.

""We'll stay with you Henry," Mal said. "We won't leave you alone."

"Yeah mate," Harry nodded.

Anastasia gave them all a small smile as Henry almost didn't seem to acknowledge them as he was still staring in the direction his mother had gone. "I'm sure he appreciates that…why don't you kids sit down and catch your breath? I'll get all a drink and then I'll reach out to Lady Persephone or Lord Hades so we don't have you all here without someone looking out for you. Like I said Henry, go sit down. You have my word that I'll bring you any news on your mom as soon as I know, okay? You just try to relax."

"Appreciated Lady Anastasia," Uma said softly as Henry began to pace nervously. "But I can reach out to my aunt and uncle, there's no need to trouble yourself."

"Five bucks says he makes a rut in the floor," Harry muttered to Ben. He knew the comment wasn't the nicest, but he knew what it was like to have a mom in that situation who didn't make it out…he had to do something otherwise the memories would come back…

"That's not nice Harry…but you're on." Ben muttered back to him before looking back at Anastasia. "Or you could call my papa if Lady Steph and Lord Hades are busy. But yeah, Henry, Lady Anastasia's right. You should sit down, your Maman's in safe hands now."

Henry shook his head. "I need to be in there. What if something happens?"

"If something happens, I will tell you Henry. I promise. But for me to do that, I need to be back there which means I need you to promise that you'll stay here okay?" Anastasia told him. "If not for me, then for your mother's sake? So she can get the help she needs faster?"

Henry bit his lip but nodded. He didn't want to, but this was for his mom. He'd do anything for her.

"I'll be back soon, and a guardian will be here for you kids soon as well," Anastasia said, giving Henry a thankful smile before going through the doors the doctors had whisked Henry's mother through not that long ago.

Mal and Uma gently pulled Henry onto the sofa, sitting on either side of him as to make sure he stayed seated.

"You guys don't have to stay…" Henry said softly. "I know…I know I owe you a lot for helping so don't…you don't have to give up more of your day…"

"You don't owe us anything Henry," Harry said, shaking his head. "You really think we're going to say you owe us for us helping your mom?"

Honestly…if this hospital had been here in time for my mom…I would have done the same thing as you without even caring how I looked. When it comes to our moms…they're worth everything. Definitely more than any rep, Harry thought.

Ben bit his lip before getting up and walking over to the desk. The adults were taking a while even if Mal and Uma probably reached out on the mental link. Plus…it would be a good way to give his allies some privacy.

"Excuse me?" Ben asked softly.

"Yes? Oh Prince Ben!"

"Can I use your phone please?" Ben asked. "We should have an adult with us so I…I was hoping to call my papa?"

The nurse nodded and led Ben behind the counter to use the phone. Quickly dialing the number for Hades' restaurant, Ben bit his lip as he counted the rings. Come on papa…

"Hades' Souvlaki, what do you want?" Beast's voice came on the other end of the line after about four rings or so and Ben almost sighed in relief.

"Papa?"

"Ben?!"

"Papa, I don't want you to worry but…could you come and be with me at the hospital?" Ben asked.

Beast paused for a moment before speaking. "Ben…why are you at the hospital? Is everything okay? Did…did Gaston…?"

"No, no, I'm okay. I promise Papa," Ben said quickly. "One of the VKs, his Maman's giving birth, and Mal, Uma, Harry, and I helped him get his mom here. But we're by ourselves…and Lady Anastasia says we're not to be by ourselves. Uma said she'd call Lady Steph and Lord Hades but…I thought you'd be here faster."

"Right, right," Beast said. "Stay right there Ben. I'll be there soon."

"Okay papa, we'll be here. We're in the waiting area up front."

"Gotcha. Let me let Smee know that I'm leaving and I'll be right there Ben."

"Yes papa, see you soon," Ben said, leaving off the 'thank you' that normally would have come naturally. However, time on the Isle had quickly taught him that public thank you's were not exactly done.

Hanging up the phone, he walked back to the others. "My papa will be here soon," he told Mal.

"He might meet up with Steph, she's on her way but meh, two parents are better than none," Mal said.

Ben nodded softly and stood next to Mal, looking at the door to see when his father would arrive but trying his best not to seem too eager. Unbeknownst to him, Mal watched out of the corner of her eye but didn't say anything. She didn't want to ruin the acceptance Harry and Uma had finally given him.

Thankfully, it wasn't too long after Ben made the call that Beast and Persephone came rushing in. Ben and Mal gave them both smiles as they saw them, and they made their way over to the group of kids.

Beast bent down and picked Ben up, holding him in his arms. "I'm glad you called me but maybe next time, you could say it's not you in need of attention first when you do?" He muttered to Ben.

Ben didn't say anything but only tightened the hug slightly, as if conveying a silent sorry.

Persephone smiled at the sight before looking over at Henry. "Do you want me to get you anything Henry? Something to drink or eat? It might be a while before we hear anything after all."

"Yeah Henry, you should eat," Uma nodded. "Your sibling's going to need you at full strength after all."

Henry sighed. "I…I don't need much. Just whatever's being offered your Ladyship," he whispered.

Persephone nodded with a small smile. "I'll be right back," she said and got up to go get all the kids some food. Sure they hadn't said they were hungry but they had all dragged a mattress with an adult woman on it who had been little more than dead weight. They would need some food.

Harry gently rested a hand on Henry's shoulder, which garnered a small and slightly weak smile in response.

After what felt like an eternity, where Persephone was able to return for food for all the kids and confirm with her husband that Henry's mother was not in danger of having her life thread cut, Anastasia came back out to the group.

"How is she?" Henry asked, almost springing from his seat and accidentally knocking Harry over into the food wrappers. "Is she okay? They didn't kill her, did they?"

Anastasia gave Henry a gentle smile. "She's fine Henry. I promise. She's tired and quite weak and will need to monitored here but everything went well and you have a healthy baby sister."

"You're sure?" Henry asked. "You're sure they're fine? Both mom and the baby? Won't they need a guard if they're weak? I can do it! I mean I'm not leaving her anyway but—."

"Henry, Henry, slow down," Anastasia said, making sure to keep her voice gentle. "Yes I'm sure they're fine and no, they don't need a guard. No one will hurt either of them while they're here."

"This is the Isle though, a guard can't hurt," Henry said. "And I'll be that guard."

"We'll be that guard," Mal spoke up softly. "You don't think we're going to let anything happen to your mom, would we Henry?"

"Mal's right," Harry nodded. "We helped drag her here, we're not about to let our work go undone."

Anastasia couldn't help the sad smile that pulled at her lips. Oh kids…she thought. You're too young to be thinking like this…but it's sweet how loyal you all are to each other.

"Now then, I'm guessing you'd rather that I take you back to see them rather than continue to talk with me?" Anastasia asked, looking at Henry.

Henry nodded fervently before pausing. "If mom's up to it, of course," he said after a minute.

"She's asking for you Henry," Anastasia told him. "Come along."

Henry paused, looking back at Mal and the others. It…it didn't seem right to leave them. Not after how they helped get his mom to safety.

"Go on," Mal told him.

"Yeah Henry, go on," Uma nodded. "Go meet your sister. We'll be fine."

Henry gave her a weak smile before turning to follow Anastasia to where his mother and his new sister were.

"Mom?" Henry said softly.

"Hello my love," his mom said, her voice tired but Henry could hear the smile she always seemed to have around him.

"Are…are you okay?" Henry asked.

"Just tired Henry, don't trouble yourself," Henry's mom said, gently cupping Henry's cheek lovingly as he hurried over to the bed.

"You…you almost didn't make it here though…how can I not worry about you?" Henry asked as he looked at his mom. "I don't want to lose you…"

"But I did make it. That's the point Henry," his mom said gently.

"And…and the baby?"

"I think I can answer that," a gentle voice came from the doorway and Henry looked over to see a doctor walking into the room, wheeling in a little crib so that it was next to the bed. "Baby Kersey's perfectly healthy and looks to be part of the family if the little red wisps of hair are any indication."

"Will…will my mom be okay?" Henry asked. "You had to cut her open right?"

"Yes, we did, but you don't need to worry young man. Like I told your mother, you'd be surprised at how quickly you can recover from a caesarian. All your mom will need is to rest and move very slowly for a while but all that will be left will be a scar."

Henry bit his lip. He might have been young but he knew getting rest would be hard for his mom to get especially with her being the only parent and there being a new baby…but that was why she had him! He could handle things, he was a VK after all!

"Think you could be your mom's helper for a few days young man?" The doctor asked.

"Uh huh," Henry nodded before going over to his mom and sister. "What's her name?"

"Lilly," his mom said with a small smile.

Henry smiled as he looked down at his sister. Welcome to the world Lilly. I promise, I'll be the best big brother you ever had. Nothing will ever harm you.

"Come here honey," Henry's mom said, gently patting the bed.

"Are…are you sure mom?"

"I'm sure Henry, it's okay," Henry's mom said and Henry nodded as he climbed up. He didn't care that it wasn't done as a VK, he was happy he could still cuddle his mom. He didn't know what he'd do without her.

"I know today was scary," he heard his mom whisper in his ear. "But you were so brave, getting me to the hospital. You were my hero today, mine and Lilly's."

"But…VKs can't be heroes mom."

"And who says that is how it has to be? Elizabeth Turner rules the Pirate Brethren but she is a hero, living in Auradon in the sun. You may have to grow to survive the Isle Henry but never lose your goodness. For me?"

Henry nodded. "Okay mom, I promise."

"There's my hero," Henry's mom smiled and held him close. Henry smiled and returned the hug. He could deal with any hit to his reputation for having the others help him tomorrow, today was just him, his mom, and his new sister.

Just the way he wanted it to be.