Coronation Day

It was Friday the day of Ben's coronation. In the girls' shared room Evie was helping her friends prepare. They had an hour to get ready before Ben would come and pick Mal up. Evie pulled Mal's hair up into a bun and gave her a beautiful purple dress and silver heels to wear. Evie had her hair down and was wearing a blue dress with gold heels, a crown on her head and the heart necklace she wore with just about everything. For Hava, Evie had given her a long gothic black dress and black heels. Hava was also wearing her skull choker and a skull tiara and had her hair straightened. The boys arrived in the room for their own last-minute touchups. Jay had his hair up and was wearing a red leather jacket, black jeans, and dress shoes. Carlos managed to look very formal in his black and white outfit. Carlos had Dude in his arms and the dog was wearing a red bow tie.

"Alright Mal you can wait here for Ben. The rest of us better get going," Evie said. The group nodded knowing they wouldn't be allowed to be up front, so they would be in the balcony.

When Hava, Evie, Jay and Carlos got to the church they were met by the king and queen. Hava kept a straight a face when she saw them.

"I don't regret telling the truth," Hava said and made her way inside with Evie, Jay and Carlos following.

Back at the island the parents were watching the coronation on the television and eating popcorn, except for The Horned King, who was sipping his wine. Snow White was hosting the show making the Evil Queen throw a handful of popcorn at the television.

"At last, here we are, broadcasting live from the coronation, where Prince Benjamin will soon be crowned King! I'm Snow White, bringing you up to the second coverage of who's the fairest of them all," Snow White announces.

"I'm Snow White," EQ said raising her voice a little in a mocking tone. "Who is she kidding, she's clearly had work done." Making Maleficent and The Horned King look at her.

"Oh, Fairy Godmother is looking radiant. But what is happening with Jane's hair? And there is Fairy Godmother's wand," Snow White said after the wand was revealed.

"I WANT THAT WAND?!" Maleficent shouts standing up.

"Do you? Haven't heard," Cruella mumbled.

"Here comes Prince Ben now," Snow White announced.

At the carriage that Mal and Ben were riding in Mal was nervous about the whole plan. "Don't be nervous. All you have to do is sit there and look beautiful. No problem there," Ben said and Mal smiled a little.

"Thank you," Mal said softly.

"Mal would you wear my ring?" Ben asked ready to slip his royal ring onto Mal's finger.

"Um not now," Mal said pulling her hand away, "I think it would probably just fall right off of me," she said. Ben nodded and looked slightly disappointed. Mal looked back at the box. "I have something for you," she said.

"For me?" Ben asked.

"Yeah," Mal said. She gave him the box. "It's just for later, you know when you need strength. Some carbs to keep up your energy," she said. Ben opened the box.

"Always thinking," he said. Mal chuckled. "But I can't wait," Ben said taking a bite from the cupcake.

"No," Mal said.

"Mmm mmm this is really good," Ben said munching happily on the cupcake.

"Uh...do you..." Mal started.

"Mal?" Ben asked.

"Do you feel okay?" Mal asked.

"You bet," Ben said taking another bite and licking his fingers.

"Would you say that you're still...that...that you have very strong feelings for me?" Mal asked anxiously. Ben shrugged.

"I'm not sure," Ben said, "I mean let's give the anti-love potion a few minutes to take effect," Ben said.

"Okay," Mal said and then realization caught up with her. Ben was laughing. "What?" Mal asked startled. "You knew?" she asked.

"That you spelled me? Yeah I knew," Ben said grinning.

"I'm...I can explain myself," Mal started.

"No look it's fine. I mean you had a crush on me I was with Audrey. You didn't trust that it could happen on its own. Am I right?" Ben said. While that wasn't the reason Mal had originally spelled him, she knew it wasn't wise to admit it.

"Yes. You're a so right," Mal said slightly overwhelmed. "So then how long have you known?" Mal asked.

"Since our first date. Your spell washed off in the enchanted lake," Ben told her.

"So, what you have just been faking it since then?" Mal asked sadly. Ben slipped the ring onto Mal's finger. He kissed it.

"I haven't been faking anything," he said. Mal felt sick. She had thought he was under the love spell but Ben being nice to her, calling her his girlfriend it was all real.

"So, you aren't mad I spelled you?" Mal asked cautiously. Ben shook his head.

"I thank you for it actually. It gave me the push I needed to break up with Audrey. I also realized how right Emrys was. Just don't do it again," Ben said.

The carriage pulled to a stop in front of the cathedral and Mal could see Snow White commentating on the whole thing. She tried to ignore her for the time being. Ben helped Mal get out of the carriage.

"Well if it isn't..." EQ started to say but Maleficent cut her off when she saw her daughter with the prince.

"My daughter," she spoke, "Looking like some kind of..."

"Princess." Snow White finished for her.

Everyone laughed at Maleficent as her jaw dropped.

"And the designer of the lovely dress is... Evie," Snow White announced.

"EVIE! THAT'S MY DAUGHTER! EVIE!" EQ shouted running to the TV.

"Someone named Evie designed her gown," Snow White continued.

"That's my daughter." EQ bragged.

"Oh wow, she sewed a dress meanwhile my girl duped a prince and is this close to grabbing the magic wand." Maleficent told her.

"Bitter party of one, bitter party of one," Evil Queen teased.

Maleficent clapped her hands, "It's happening people, it's happening," Maleficent said, "Villains our revenge begins today." Evil Queen, Jafar and Cruella de Vil laugh.

The Horned King, meanwhile, was trying to tune them out. He was impatiently waiting to see his daughter again and to get off the filthy island.

The royal couple walked up the steps to where Belle and Beast were waiting. Mal did a small curtsy to Queen Belle, mentally thanking Evie for teaching her this even though she complained at the time. Belle returned the curtsy.

"I am sorry about family day," Mal told Beast and Belle.

"I told Ben this wasn't going to be easy but things did kind of escalate," Beast said.

"You also taught me that a king has to believe in himself even when it isn't easy," Ben said.

"I did?" Beast asked and Belle playfully slapped him. "I...mean how very wise of me," he corrected.

"Ben, we are very proud of you. You keep listening to your heart," Belle tells her son.

"Thanks mom," Ben said.

"You are going to make a fine king," his father adds. Belle and Beast walk away and Ben comes back over to Mal.

"Wish me luck," Ben said with a smile. Mal nods and takes the hand of the usher who leads her away to the front row.

Everyone waited for Ben to come in and when he did the choir begin to sing, which Hava felt was more like noise, and everyone bowed. Mal glanced up at the balcony where her friends were as they bowed too. When Ben got closer Mal bowed too and gave Ben a small smile.

"Don't blow it kiddo." Maleficent said as she watched the TV.

"Don't fret Maleficent, if it's too much for your daughter to handle, my daughter will succeed." The Horned King said smirking.

So what do you think Hava's choice will be?

Happy New Year's Eve everybody! 2025 is almost here!