Chapter Twenty Two
A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else is owned by either Disney, the Greek Myths or in Rea's case, LotusQuil!
Well guys, we're finally here! In all honesty, kinda makes me wish I'd published this chapter at the end of last month but you know, I can't be choosy as to when I publish. Would it have been funny? Of course? Perfect timing? You betcha! But it just wasn't in the cards.
The Christian Dino: Oh I'm glad I could make your day a bit better!
OceanBlueSeaEyes: I can say this, Mal and Ben will definitely have crowds of immediate family waiting for them, without a doubt :D
Bluebird: Yep the kingdom finally knows!
danifan3000: lol I'm not going to lie, the last point made me chuckle for a good bit as I read that. Something tells me that it is a good possibility that'll happen!
AmethystDragon14: Yay! Agreed, puppies are good as long as the mom's old enough for them! Yay indeed! No more hiding for Ben and Mal! The kingdom knows! And yeah, trust me I was just as shocked as you that Ariana found someone!
Marcus Emrys: Lol yeah the chapters have been a bit fluffy haven't they? Sadly, Nat Bat probably won't meet her end until the next fic
twilightgirl587: No, Ben wouldn't because Ben's not a born Olympian. Yes he's immortal but only descendants of Olympians have the mental link. And Achmed's the Prince who struck out with Jasmine—the horse with two rear ends? And Hassan's his son!
BAL4ever: Glad you liked it! Achmed's from Aladdin—he's the prince who has heart boxers and who Rajah bit!
Hope you guys enjoy the chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
Hades shifted in his seat in the waiting room. It had been a couple of months since Mal and Ben had announced the pregnancy to the kingdom and now the day had finally arrived.
Granted, Hades hadn't expected to be awoken around three in the morning by a frantic message on the mental link from Mal but being told that his grandchildren were arriving quickly removed any irritability he felt due to the rude wake up.
He even offered to pick up Beast and Belle, something that Persephone ended up doing since the thought of Beast and Hades alone in the same vicinity was almost asking for trouble. Not because they couldn't get along.
But because they kept trying to one up each other in terms of what they wanted to buy for the babies.
Hah, good luck Beastie, Hades thought even as he bounced his leg in worry. I'm the God of Wealth after all. Even if you were High King of Auradon, you don't have the funds to out-spoil me. Ooh I wonder if the grandkids would want a chariot…?
He shook his head slightly, he could almost hear Persephone's voice in his head and knew what her response would be. Not before the kids could walk Hades.
Kids…kids…why did that remind him of something?
Dad?
Oh great Gaia, he had other kids!
In his defense, finding out that Mal had gone into active labor had pretty much taken up all of Hades' thoughts so he could be forgiven for overlooking a couple of things who had been sound asleep in their rooms.
Yeah Hadie? Actually…what are you doing up? It's three in the morning!
Dad…it might have been three in the morning when you and mom left…but it's like two in the afternoon right now. Where are you?
…Mal's in labor.
And you didn't wake me up?!
Okay watch the volume kiddo, I'm here alone with Beastie and Belle since your mother's in the room with Mal and her sunspot. But no we didn't wake you up. We figured Mal would be exhausted after giving birth and she wouldn't want all of us swarming on her to see the sunspots of her's.
Damn, that's a good point…
Language!
Dad…since when do you care about language?
Since you have a four year old sister! And now that you'll have a niece and nephew at some point today!
Okay, okay, I'll watch the language. But you're sure you don't want me popping by?
Hadie, we trust you not to destroy the house while you watch your sister you know, Hades thought even as he made a mental note to reach out to Posideon, just to make sure Hadie had an adult should he need one.
And no, it definitely wasn't his way of making sure Hadie couldn't have the Charmette over while his parents were…actually what was he thinking? Posideon would definitely try to get 'cool uncle' points and allow that.
If only he'd taught Virgil the mental link though…he was so jumpy that there was no way he'd go against Hades' orders. Sure living in Auradon had calmed the half-imp down to the point where his stutter was almost completely gone, but he was still alert and jumpy enough that he made sure he was a good minion.
Dad…do you want me to text Virgil? Hadie thought, pulling Hades out of his thoughts.
What…no….
Dad, I know you. I know you don't want me possibly kissing Alex again while you're out of the house and I'm watching Rea. I also know that your normal choices, aka Jay and Harry, are out as Jay's enjoying life with Lonnie and Harry's either working at the Auradon branch of the restaurant or glued to Uma's side.
Speaking of Jay, has he had the wedding yet?
Considering how long it took him to propose? I haven't heard anything though it's entirely possible that they just eloped with Lonnie's parents as witnesses. After all, Jay and Lonnie're big sports stars, they'd have no privacy if they did a big flashy wedding.
Hmm…remind me to grill him later then.
Dad…
"Lord Hades," Belle said softly, pulling Hades' attention away from the mental link. It was a good thing too as Persephone was walking over to them.
"Steph?" Hades asked as he got up. "Is Mal okay? Are the babies here yet?"
Persephone shook her head as she sat down. "One of the babies' blood pressure dropped dangerously low, they…they have to take Mal for an emergency c-section," she whispered. "They're only allowing Ben to go back with her since he's her husband."
"Oh my…" Belle gasped and Beast gently rubbed her back.
"She'll be okay, right?" Hades asked, sitting back down next to Persephone.
"She should be, yes," Persephone nodded and smiled as Hades took her hand into his. "And the babies…with any hope…"
Hades sighed and looked around the waiting room. The oddly empty waiting room.
"You know I'm not exactly one for going to the hospital but aren't there usually more people here?"
"It's part of Auradon's security measures when Belle gave birth to Ben," Beast said, finally speaking up and Hades looked over at him. "The last thing we wanted was the possibility of Ben being put at risk…"
"Even though you all had most of the villains trapped on an Isle with a barrier?" Hades asked.
"First time parent nerves," Belle said softly.
Persephone rested a hand on Hades' shoulder. "Be nice," she whispered to him. "They're just as nervous as we are. The babies are their grandkids too."
"I'll be as nice as my nerves will let me," Hades whispered back to her. "…But I should probably check back with Hadie."
"He's up?"
"Steph…it's apparently two in the afternoon."
Persephone's eyes widened. "Oh! Definitely check in with him! I can't believe we left him behind—."
"Steph, Steph, breathe," Hades said. "I know we'll have to make up leaving him and Rea back at the house but he should at least know about Mal's c-section. That way he doesn't try to immediately come over when we tell him the babies are here."
"Right, right," Persephone nodded. "And I'll ask Posideon to check in on Hadie, just so he has an adult if he needs one."
"You and I must share a brain," Hades chuckled before turning back to the mental link. Hads?
Dad? Is everything okay? You cut out there for a minute.
Yeah, yeah, your mom was just coming with news about Mal.
…Mal? Are the babies here? Is she okay?
Slow your roll there Hads, Hades thought though he couldn't help but smile slightly at the concern his son had for Mal. Mal's still in labor. Apparently something happened where one of the babies' blood pressure dropped and so Mal has to have a c-section.
But…Mal's a Godling. Can Godlings have c-sections?
Apparently they can and Mal is. Your mom's asking Posideon to check in on you, FYI. And no, it's not because we don't trust you. It's because she wants you to have an adult around in case you need one.
…Dad? Can I invite Herkie over? Or take Rea over to Macaria's and hang out there? I just…
I get it, Hades though and tried to send some soothing vibes over the link. He probably failed since 'soothing' wasn't exactly his style unless the kids were really upset. He was more of the 'ooga booga' type of guy, scaring the crap out of anyone who threatened the kids. You know you'll likely get put to work if you go to Macaria's? Isn't Gil working again now that his paternity leave is up?
Yeah, but I don't mind. I like hanging out with Gwen and Markos. Plus sometimes Melody will stop by with her twins.
…Babies are having babies…
Dad, you're still not on about the fact that you think Melody's too young to be a mother are you?
You're babies!
I'm calling Herkie…
"Why do I have the feeling that you went on the 'babies' rant again?" Persephone sighed as Hades looked over at her.
"I didn't go on too much of a rant…"
"Hades…"
"…Our son wouldn't let me."
Persephone chuckled. "Well you'll be happy to know that your brother agreed to check in on our son and daughter…and remind me to pick something up for Rea at least from the hospital gift shop."
"At least we know our son's responsible enough to look after our four year old."
"Hades, we should have brought our four year old. I know she just turned four but still. This wasn't fair to Hadie."
"If it makes you feel any better, Lady Persephone, we just realized we forgot Chip," Belle spoke up and both Gods looked over at her.
"…Isn't he a thirty something year old married man?" Hades asked.
"Yes," Beast nodded. "He's still a beacon for trouble though. Especially if he gets the chance to be around Ben's friends, Emir and Akiho…"
"Oh yeah I've met them…I was at Akiho's wedding at least. He's an…interesting person."
"Interesting is a good choice of word for describing Akiho…and it also works for Chip," Belle chuckled softly. "I'd say we should go…and it occurred to me that we forgot someone else Adam."
"…Gia's watching Geene remember? We let her have a sleepover over at the house Gia bought when she moved in with Hayden because we all agreed that she should meet her…step father? In all honesty I don't know who Hayden would be to her."
"Who's Hayden?" Hades asked.
"One of Happy's sons," Belle said. "The older one, he's got a younger one named Harper and then I believe he's got a daughter as well."
"…Happy? You mean the dwarf? I thought they all reproduced by budding."
"Dear, you've met Evie's husband Doug," Persephone said. "You know he's Dopey's son."
Hades shook his head. "So…what's Dwarf boy's dealio?"
"He was one of the four male members of the cheer team at Auradon Prep," Belle said. "He was one of the spotters, actually I think Ariel's nephew was another spotter. Adrian?"
"Oh right, Arista's son," Beast nodded.
"…How many great-grandchildren does Posideon have?" Hades asked after a minute.
Belle chuckled. "Let's see. Well, Andrina and Jim Hawkins have a daughter, Jamie. Arista has Adrian like we said, Alana has Arabella—."
"Bet that's confusing for Aurora and Phillip. Explains why they call their granddaughter 'Ari'."
"Hades…" Persephone sighed and shook her head.
Belle, though, only smiled and nodded. "I'm sure that was part of the reason though Aurora never said. But the other two great-grandchildren of Lord Posideon's are Elle and Melody."
"Hades, I'm sure Posideon's told you this," Persephone said.
"The man has fifty thousand grandkids, Steph! How am I supposed to keep them all straight?"
Persephone's response was ,thankfully, interrupted by the arrival of one tired yet ecstatic new father.
"Ben!"
Ben seemed to blink as all four of them came rushing over to him.
"How is she?"
"What's going on?"
"Are they alright?"
"Whoa! Okay, okay," Ben said, holding up his hands to stem the onslaught of questions that were being almost pelted at him. "Mal's fine, and so are the twins. Maurice's blood pressure dropped during Mal's labor so they had to do an emergency caesarean to get the twins out but they're all fine."
Everyone couldn't help but sigh in relief, Hades holding Persephone close to him. Yes, Mal was a Godling but that didn't mean they didn't worry.
"When…when can we see them?" Persephone asked.
"Now, but they're not allowing any more than three guests," Ben said.
Beast sighed softly. "Lord Hades, Lady Persephone, why don't you go first with Belle? I can stay back and call Chip so he knows."
The two Gods nodded with slight smiles as Belle gave Beast a kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks dad," Ben said. "I promise you'll get your chance to see them."
"I know," Beast nodded as Ben led his mom and in-laws back to Mal's room.
He knocked softly on the door as he opened it. "They up for meeting the grandparents?"
"They sure are," Mal said, smiling back at him before looking at Persephone. "Ready to meet your namesake mom?"
"Absolutely," Persephone said, keeping her voice soft as to not disturb the babies.
Mal smiled as she let Persephone take her daughter. "Ben and I would like to proudly introduce you to Stephanie Isabelle Hailey and her brother Maurice Benjamin Adam," she said.
"Aww Mal, they're perfect," Persephone said softly as she gently cradled her granddaughter who had tilted her head quizzically; as if she was asking who Persephone was. "Hi little one. I'm your grandmother."
Belle teared up slightly. While she'd known that they were going to use her father's name, a small part of her thought that they'd change their minds even after announcing the names to the kingdom.
"Mom? Do you want to hold your grandson?" Ben offered as he noticed the tears in Belle's eyes but didn't want to say anything.
"I'd be honored Ben," Belle said softly.
Ben smiled and gently took Maurice from Mal to hand him to Belle, smiling at the faint wisps of purple hair that were coming from his son's head.
Our son has your hair Mal, he thought. Though considering our daughter looks like a female version of me when I was a baby, it's only fair that one of our kids got something from you.
"Hello you precious boy," Belle whispered as Ben set him gently into her arms. "It's so nice to finally meet you."
Maurice cooed softly up at her and Belle smiled down at her grandson.
"Seems like he's a talker," Ben said with a small chuckle.
"I'm glad," Belle said. "I could talk to him all day and I'm sure your father could too once he's able to come back."
Hades shook his head. "Okay, okay, one of you two needs to stop hogging the sunspots or else I'll wonder why I came back here," he chuckled.
"Because we both know that leaving you alone with Adam is a recipe for disaster, dad," Mal said, shaking her head.
"…Okay that's fair but I want to hold my grandchild too!"
"Okay, okay Hades," Persephone chuckled and gently placed Stephanie into Hades' arms.
Hades smiled down at his granddaughter. "Hey little one," he said softly. "It's very nice to meet you. I'm your grandfather. Well one of them. But I'll let you in on a little secret….I'm the cool one."
Mal snorted. "Was that a pun?"
"…Possibly," Hades chuckled before looking back at Stephanie. "Technically you could even say you're named after me….well me and your grandmas Steph and Belle."
"She was," Mal and Ben said at the same time.
"Well they're amazing you two," Belle said as she handed Maurice back to Ben. "As much as I want to stay here forever, I know your father'll want to meet them too. But we'll be back with Chip and Geene."
"I figured, mom," Ben said with a smile. "And thanks. I just…I can't believe they're here."
"You can't?" Mal asked, causing everyone to chuckle slightly. It might have been a long, stressful day but at the end of it, none of that seemed to matter. All that mattered was that the twins were healthy and happy.
And judging by the cooing that could be heard from the twins, it definitely seemed like that was the case.