The more people Mal told, the worse she felt.

The sympathizing looks from the headmaster of Dragon Hall was understandable, since he had a daughter just a year older than Mal, and one four years younger. Dr. Facilier couldn't imagine either one going through such horror without becoming emotional himself. He promised to do everything possible to help with Mal's education and keep her 'disappearance' a secret. The Voodoo Man generously offered his daughters old clothing and toys if Mal had a daughter of her own.

On the other hand, Lady Tremaine gazed at the young fairy with disdain in her stern eyes. Instead of speaking to Mal directly, the wicked stepmother ridiculed Hades for allowing his daughter to engage in sexual activities at such a young age. In fact, Lady Tremaine suggested asking the Auradonians for help with ridding the 'misfit' of the consequences of her actions.

"First off, I did not ask to be raped," Mal bitterly snapped. "I did not ask for someone I barely knew to take advantage of me. I did not ask to be pregnant, but I am not going to abort my baby. She is an innocent little girl, and I will not punish her for being created under an undesirable situation. If you won't help me deliver my child, I will find someone else who will!"

Shocked by his daughter's behavior, Hades began scolding her when Lady Tremaine chuckled. The wicked stepmother praised the teenager for being so courageous to raise the child alone, which Mal quickly denied. She claimed Jay and her father would be helping, so she's not alone. Amused by the fairy's determination, Lady Tremaine offered her assistance and the promise of keeping the child a secret as a reward for her bravery.

Despite seeking help ending smoothly, it made Mal fearful. The reactions were opposite of each other, which meant there will be a mixture of similar reactions when she eventually revealed her baby. So many people will judge her negatively . . . but it will be a worthy price when she sees her beautiful little girl for the first time.

Although the main problems were sorted out, there was still one major obstacle.

Maleficent.

The Mistress of Evil would grow curious if her daughter vanished, though it would take some time for her to notice. Either way, something will have to be done so she is kept out of the dark. Luckily, Hades devised a full-proof plan, which involved getting into a screaming match with his ex-wife.

Seriously.

The god and elder fairy got into a very heated dispute about the custody of fourteen-year-old Mal, who cautiously watched from behind her bedroom door, keeping a protective hand on her growing stomach. After a near three-hour yelling match, the divorced couple finally came to an agreement.

Due to Mal living the last ten years with her mother, Maleficent allowed her to stay with her father, on one condition. Mal would still have to keep her father a secret from the citizens of the island. In fact, Maleficent didn't care if Mal visited; she just wanted her 'fling' with the immortal to remain unknown.

With everything finally under control, the Fates decided to throw a knife at a friendship, ruining it forever.

Dragon Hall had just begun their winter break when Mal craved hushpuppies from Ursula's Fish and Chips, her favorite food from when she was still friends with Uma. Jay volunteered to journey across the island for the grub. He wanted to 'stretch his legs' and try to 'warm up' from the cold weather.

Or, at least that's the excuse he told Mal.

Now, Jay wasn't intentionally looking for a fight. Yes, he was fully prepared for a scuffle with the pirate that defiled his friend if needed. However, the thief silently decided he would do nothing, unless he bumped into the perpetrator.

Of course, the Fates shamelessly delivered the condition to stir up more drama in the pregnant teenager's life.

In the early afternoon with business slow, Jay had just finished ordering when the devil himself strolled into the restaurant like he owned the place. The pirate may act all high and mighty, but he was merely a servant to the sea witch that practically ruled that side of the Isle.

"Hey, Jay!" Harry Hook shouted, patting the thief's shoulder in greeting. "Up for a sparring match later? We haven't had one in a while."

"Can't," Jay insisted sharply, keeping his gaze forward. "I'll be busy."

"Doing what?" The pirate wondered as his infamous smirk 'graced' his lips. "Scouting out a scene for a robbery? I'd be willing to help ya, but it would cost some of the profits."

"No." Jay gripped the bar table to contain his anger, lowering his voice, "I'll be busy tending to my pregnant friend."

Harry's smirk faltered to a frown with a skeptical eyebrow raise. "She hasn't gotten rid of it yet?"

"Her," the thief corrected with a hiss. "Not it. She's hoping for a girl, so the baby doesn't look like her father. So she doesn't look like you."

Harry shook his head in denial. "It's not mine," he insisted stubbornly, though subconsciously dropping his tone to a whisper. "I already told her that. I thought she'd see my side of things."

"You don't have a side," Jay argued, turning to glare at the pirate. "You were lustfully horny, so you concocted a plan to ease your needs. You took advantage of her."

"That's not what happened," Harry pigheadedly claimed in a vain attempt to keep his friend. "She didn't tell me to stop."

"Did she try getting away from you?"

The pirate hesitated, recalling the events from a couple months before. "Maybe, but—"

"But couldn't because her intoxication took over her ability to fight back," Jay interrupted, his glare sharpened into a scowl. "If she had been sober, she could have made it to where you couldn't have kids. You should feel at least somewhat grateful that you will have a girl, or maybe a boy. You need to step up and take responsibility for your actions."

Harry clenched his jaw at his friend's attempt to guilt trip him. "It is not mine," he denied through gritted teeth. "I will never step up, because it will never be mine."

Before the mulish pirate or the patrons of the repugnant eatery could comprehend what was happening, the vindictive thief swiftly struck Harry in the gut. With Harry doubled over in pain, Jay used the opportunity to lift the pirate up and throw him on a nearby table, busting it completely.

While Harry tried to sit up, Jay towered over him like a guardian angel fully prepared to commit murder for the job. "If you ever cross over to my side of the Isle," Jay began to snarl, clenching his fist to contain his anger, "I will kill you."

Satisfied with the scared pirate's expression, Jay roughly grabbed the grocery bag containing the desired food before practically strutting out of the restaurant with all wondering eyes on him, though he really didn't care.

Jay felt the best he had in a long time.

Of course, after gifting the food to the pregnant teenager, Jay recapped his encounter with the crooked pirate.

"You shouldn't have done that," Mal scolded between bites of the delectable treat. "How am I supposed to get more hushpuppies if you and I can't go to that portion of the island!"

Hades snickered at his daughter's priorities. "I can get it for you," the god insisted teasingly, but then his tone turned serious. "But that bastard better be lucky that I wasn't the one he came across. I wouldn't have been as merciful as Jay."

The pregnant fairy averted her attention to the still fuming thief. "Hey," Mal chided so her friend would look at him. "He is not right for you. You need someone raised by a thief that changed his ways. Like someone from Auradon!"

Just like she was hoping, Jay burst out in laughter. "Yeah, right!" He exclaimed with a small smile; his temper temporarily subsided. "I'm never going to fall for a guy in Auradon of all places. And I am not exactly looking for someone to date. I'm more focused on waiting for my niece's arrival."

"I wouldn't forsake the thought just yet," Hades warned encouragingly. "After all, the Prince of Auradon is supposed to become 'king' in a couple years. He may allow villains to travel to the mainland."

Mal scoffed at the idea. "Well, I won't go. Not without my little girl."

If only she knew . . .

She would break her sacred vow.