Chapter Sixty Two
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.
Gah! How did November end so quickly? Hard to believe next week is the last week of the month and then I'll be on my hiatus for December. Updates may still happen but they're not guaranteed. It's just something to avoid stress during the busy holiday season.
ginamills06: Truth or Fiction takes a while to update so I'm hopeful to have it done soon.
bal4ever: Of course I did! Hard to resist not having a reference in there lol :D
AmethystDragon14: Yay! Lol, of course I can totally see that for TOF when that chapter comes up!
CrystalKaroui: Oh thank you! I don't know why I always come back to the flour war but it's a nice staple and it might be slightly due to my late teen years being spent watching Glee (they had a flour battle in the first season lol). Hope you enjoy the chapter!
dragonflamefairy: Glad you liked the chapter. We are going to have to agree to disagree about Brandy as Cinderella since back in 1997, a white king and black queen could have an asian son and no one batted a eye. Plus Chad's actor actually looks a bit like how the actor who played the king in the 1997 Cinderella did in his youth so maybe it's just something that happens in Chad's family.
danifan3000: I've actually read that Descendants 5 is going to have more characters from Wonderland so that'll be fun to see!
Bowling4real: Oh thank you! Yeah, using Emma came around back when I was writing my Watch and Learn series, and I was trying to come up with a name for Snow White's kid…and then I decided to be lazy and just use Emma lol. Regina and David got added to the mix because their names are so much easier to spell than the animated counterparts (plus a lot more people have heard of them than their animated counterparts—I mean I spent my childhood thinking Snow's Prince's name was Ferdinand lol).
OceanBlueSeaEyes: Something tells me there'll be a lot of flour wars when the youngins are older lol!
Hope you guys enjoy the chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
Snow stared at the clock, hoping her willpower could be enough to move time itself. She normally didn't mind these weekly meetings, but with Evie so close to her due date, Snow found that the meeting to be torture. Primarily because it required everyone's phones to be off.
Granted, it was a necessary evil as they needed to discuss what topics they were going to cover for their broadcast and they couldn't have anyone be distracted by an incoming text or social media alert. Honestly, Snow was just thankful she hadn't been tasked to cover the onslaught of royal births that seemed to be happening. The reporter who normally covered that segment now needed two assistants to research all the reports of pregnancies and births.
"Alright, now there doesn't seem to be any new arrivals this week," her editor said with a chuckle. "Any news in the sports world?"
"Seems Li Lonnie has gotten back to her pre-pregnancy form," their sports reporter said. "There're rumors though she might have another child at some point."
Snow shook her head. "I don't mean to interject, considering it's not my segment, but is that really something we want to speculate on? If she has another child, shouldn't that be her and her husband's business?"
"It'd impact a lot of Fantasy R.O.A.R. leagues though," the sports reporter said.
"Oh yes, and heavens forbid those take priority over allowing a family to have some privacy," Snow said, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. Thankfully, she was able to do so though she wasn't sure how she was able to find the strength.
Her editor shook his head but before he was able to say anything, there was a knock on the door.
"Sorry to interrupt," Chip Potts' voice called as he stuck his head in.
"You're certainly no interruption Mr. Potts," Snow's editor said. Everyone always made sure to give Chip the utmost respect due to his connection to the royal family. Snow knew the young man hated what he called everyone kissing up to him.
"Is everything okay, Chip?" Snow asked. "Is King Ben having a press conference that we need to attend?"
Hey, royal events such as those were something she covered. No one could blame her for asking about that.
"Again, so sorry to interrupt but I need to borrow Queen Snow," Chip said. "Personal matter."
"Why would you need to borrow Snow for a personal matter?" One of the other reporters asked but Snow gasped as she realized why Chip would be asking for her.
"Evie's in labor isn't she?" Snow asked, looking at Chip.
"Got it in one," Chip nodded.
Snow quickly stood up and gathered up her things. "I'm so sorry, I have to—."
"Snow, don't explain. Just go," her editor told her. "I'll have someone cover your segments for the rest of the week. Go to your step-sister."
Snow gave her editor a smile before rushing out of the door with Chip.
"How far along is she?" Snow asked as they made their way out of the door and toward the royal limo Chip had arrived in, courtesy of Ben. Hey, royal limos didn't have to deal with as many pesky traffic laws as regular cars did and Chip had a feeling that Snow would want to be by Evie's side as quickly as possible.
"Not quite sure, Emir was the one who called me," Chip told her.
"Why did Emir call you?" Snow asked.
"He's got my number saved in his phone from when he was in school," Chip explained. "Plus Emma had told him that you were likely in your weekly meeting, apparently Evie tried to call you but your phone was off."
Snow shook her head. "We have to have our phones off for that meeting, no exceptions unfortunately. After this, though, I'll be having a talk with my editor about amending that policy."
"Gonna threaten him with your bow and arrow?" Chip asked with a grin as the limo drove off.
"…I can neither confirm nor deny that," Snow said.
"Snow, come on. It's me. You know everything you tell me is off the record," Chip chuckled.
"Yeah well security likely wouldn't allow me to get the bow and arrow into the office," Snow shook her head. "How frantic was Emir when he called you?"
"Actually, he seemed fairly calm," Chip said, shaking his head slightly as he thought back to the phone call between him and Emir.
"Hello?" Chip asked as he answered his phone. Had it been anyone else, he would have questioned how they had his number but having seen Emir's name flash across his caller ID, Chip knew it was better not to ask. Even if he hadn't given the younger man his phone number years ago, he knew Emir had his ways of getting information.
"Hey Chip, it's Emir. Got a slightly weird ask for you."
"Emir, you know I have caller ID right? I know it's you calling. And at this point in knowing you, slightly weird kinda comes with the territory. What's going on?"
"Evie just called, she's in labor and can't get Snow on the phone. I'm guessing she's in a meeting, can you—?"
"I'm on it, don't even need to ask."
"You're the best…this isn't going to hurt your reputation in the media is it? Or what if security stops you?"
"Emir, I'm their ticket in getting interviews with Ben and Mal, not to mention the kids when they get older. Remember I'm the head of Ben's Public Relations team even if I also freelance as a videographer…though in all honesty I might drop the freelancing to focus on PR. They want to talk to Ben or Mal, they have to ask me. They're not going to risk angering me…as for my reputation? Everyone already thinks I'm odd, this won't change a thing."
"You're honestly the best, Chip."
"You don't need to keep flattering me, and oh, before you ask, I can watch Ethan and Eva for you two while we're in the waiting room. I have a feeling that they're with you?"
"Actually, they're enjoying time with their Uncle Aziz and Aunt Rachel. They set it up since they're watching Wyatt and Willow for Robin and William," Emir said with a small smile. "I really need to thank Evie for her good timing there, otherwise I'd have no idea who to contact for childcare."
"Well you know you have my number if you ever need it. I'll let you go so I can call Snow and we'll meet you at the hospital. She's at Asclepius General, right?"
"Sure is, I'll call Daniel so you don't have to worry about that."
"Great! See you there!"
Snow sighed and pulled Chip out of his thoughts.
"Everything okay?"
"Oh yes…I'm just worried," Snow told him. "I don't want anything to go wrong for Evie with this, childbirth can be challenging in and of itself, if something were to go wrong…?"
"It's not," Chip promised. "We're not going to think like that, and we're going to manifest a smooth delivery for Evie. She's got Doug by her side and Emir and Emma have contacted Daniel so he'll be at his daughter's side as well."
'I'll text David, let him know so he's not worried if he comes home to an empty castle," Snow said.
"Oh was he out running errands?" Chip asked and then shook his head as if he couldn't believe his own question. Since when did royals run errands?
Snow chuckled. "No, actually…he was meeting with Ben to have a laptop sent to Evie after she gave birth so Regina could see her grandchild. Granted, he didn't know Evie would be giving birth today so that laptop might be coming sooner than we thought."
"Especially since you know Ben would agree to anything that might make Evie happy," Chip nodded. "Does Evie know about this? I know some moms don't want to see anyone right after giving birth."
"We talked with her about it and got the okay before David even requested the meeting,"
"Good, good," Chip nodded and then sighed. "Is…is it weird? Thinking about Evie having a baby? I mean, I know I'm not exactly the closest with her but it's like—."
"I get it Chip," Snow said with a small smile. "Evie was one of the first VKs to come to Auradon, in a way it's almost like seeing Ben's proclamation come to fruition. The VKs are able to live a better life here than what they had on the Isle, are able to live in peace without needing to look over their shoulder in fear that they've entered into the wrong territory. They can get married, have kids…things they probably never even imagined they'd be able to do before leaving the Isle. And they wouldn't be able to do it without Ben making the proclamation."
"Took the words right out of my mouth," Chip said with a small smile.
Snow smiled and leaned back slightly, the rest of the trip to the hospital was spent in silence. The only sounds were the clacking of keys as Chip shot off texts to people who needed to be in the know. Before they knew it, they were at the hospital.
"I'll give you guys some privacy," Chip said.
"Chip, you made the trip here with me. I'm sure Evie would be more than happy to see you," Snow told him, gently dragging his arm as they made their way into the hospital. Chip shook his head but Snow noticed that he made no movement to pull from her grasp.
If Snow was more cynical, she'd think Chip was only staying to make sure Ben could be informed and have up to date knowledge but Snow knew Chip cared just as much as everyone else. He wouldn't have worked so hard to make sure Snow got there in time if he hadn't.
The two of them made their way up to the maternity ward where Evie was no doubt in the process of giving birth, judging by David, Emir, and Emma, all waiting in the waiting area.
"I take it Daniel is back there with Evie?" Snow asked, not even questioning how her husband had beaten her to the hospital.
David nodded and got up to embrace his wife. "Daniel and Doug are back there, so far there hasn't been any news but no news is good news."
"I think that's something every parents says," Chip said as he walked over to pat Emir on the shoulder. "No Neal?"
Emma's head shot up and she flushed in realization. "…I knew I forgot something," she muttered.
"Go call him," Emir said, gently giving his wife's hand a squeeze. "I'm sure he'd rather know and be late than feel like he got left out of the loop."
Emma nodded and quickly walked off to call her brother.
"You truly are a lifesaver, you know that?" Emir said as Chip sat down in the spot Emma had vacated.
"Eh, when you're the youngest of six you tend to notice things others don't," Chip shrugged. "Plus, I'm sure between having to wrangle two children with half your DNA, Emma's exhausted so I'm not surprised something fell through the cracks."
Emir nodded and then paused. "Hey!"
"You know you're the one who keeps saying being normal is vastly overrated," Chip said with a raised eyebrow. "You can't honestly expect me to not comment on your oddness when I have the chance."
"Chip, your motto is 'growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional'. I don't think you have the ground to talk about my oddness."
"…Touché my good man."
Emir snorted and then shook his head, watching as Neal seemed to race into the room with his wife at his heels. Normally he'd question how Neal got there so fast but when the younger Prince was married to a Hatter from Wonderland, Emir knew it was better to not question things. "You know, I think it's getting to the point the hospital's going to have to make a wing just for us. How many babies have our group had so far?"
"In total? I have no idea, but it truly feels like you guys are trying to repopulate the Earth at times," Chip shook his head.
Emir opened his mouth to comment but was cut off by Doug walking out of the double doors.
"…You know, I expected to see Snow and David but not the whole family," Doug shook his head.
"Doug, you should know to expect the unexpected when it comes to us," Emir said. "And you consider Chip family?"
"He's practically another brother to you Emir, of course I do."
Chip smiled. "As touching as that is, is Evie okay?"
"Oh, yes! She had the baby, they're both healthy and happy," Doug said with a smile.
"That's great!" Neal grinned.
"Can we see them?" Snow asked.
Doug nodded. "The doctors said technically only three people in the room but they're bathing the baby and Daniel ran off to the bathroom so there just so happens to be no one there at the moment."
"I think you've spent too much time around the VKs," Emir teased.
"I married a VK, I should hope so," Doug chuckled as the group made their way to Evie's room, where they saw the blue haired Princess happily holding a bundle of dark pink blankets.
"They brought her back while you were sneaking them back here," Evie said as the baby cooed at the sound of her voice.
"Oh, she's precious Evie," Snow whispered, not wanting to disturb the baby. "What's her name?"
Evie only smiled and held up a finger, hearing footsteps approaching. "That has to be dad," she said. "Sorry Snow but..I promised myself dad would be the first person to be told the name of the baby…"
"I understand," Snow said with a smile as Daniel made his way into the room.
"How're you feeling Light Beam?" Daniel asked.
"Just perfect dad," Evie said. "I'd like to introduce you to your granddaughter. Danielle Elizabeth Klein."
Snow wasn't sure if it was a trick of the light but she was certain she saw Daniel's eyes shine with unshed tears.
"Can…can I hold her?" Daniel asked, his voice catching in his throat.
"Of course dad," Evie said and gently placed Danielle in his arms. She smiled as she heard her daughter coo in what Evie could only assume to be delight.
Snow smiled as she saw the sight before her, David gently rubbing her back. Did she think this was what her life would be like all those years ago, when Ben announced he was going to bring over VKs from the Isle? Not a chance.
But she wouldn't trade it for the world.