Hi Guys. Here is chapter 9 for you. The final. THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH to each and every single one of you for your reads, reviews, follows and favs. Well I don't want to hold you guys up anymore. Take it away chapter 9! Enjoy!
DISCLAMER: I DO NOT OWN DESCENDANTS ALL RIGHTS GO TO DISNEY ANY DIOLOGE YOU RECONISE BELONGS TO DISNEY I OWN NOTHING! I also DO NOT own ANY songs used in these chapters all rights go to the RIGHTFUL OWNERS.
The sun shone brightly on the grounds of Auradon Prep, as a light breeze caused the blue and gold banners which adorned the school walls to flutter gently in response. All was nearly ready as the school teachers took their seat on the main podium, which had been set up and decorated with matching colors. Excitement filled the air as the students, fully clad in their graduating gowns lined with the Auradon colors and matching caps, and their proud parents, took their seats in the school's large gardens.
As everyone quieted down, Fairy Godmother stood and took the main stand, ready to address her students. As she looked at the bright sunny skies and the large crowd in front of her, she could only think about how the events of last few days never seemed to have happened. Maleficent had been finally defeated once and for all but it had come at a terrible price. She sadly thought about the loss of her dear friends Ella and Kit but she also marveled at the strength that Hailey had shown through it all. As a true Queen she had stood tall and proud, regardless of her grief, and had overseen the punishment for all those involved with Maleficent's escape and the murder of her parents, which sadly included her own brother Chad and his girlfriend Audrey. And despite of it all, she claimed that her loss could not disrupt today's momentous occasion as she had insisted that her parents would not have wanted that to happen.
The villains involved, including Chad and Audrey, had been sentenced to be imprisoned in a special place on the Isle, the Underworld, under the watchful eye of its carer and his guardian beast. This was punishment enough, especially for Dr Facilier who was once again reacquainted with his 'friends' from the other side who weren't so happy to see him. The God of the Underworld had been rewarded for his help by being allowed by Zeus to leave the underworld on occasion, to be able to be part of his daughter's life. As Fairy Godmother spotted Hades in the far edge of the crowd, she was brought back to the task at hand and took the microphone to speak.
"Ladies and gentleman, I present the graduates of Auradon Prep, Class of 2018. I am personally very honored to introduce this year's Valedictorian. After getting off to a pretty rough start here at Auradon Prep, she graduates today a changed young woman. Through sheer perseverance and courage, she found the strength to face the challenges ahead of her and break away from her difficult and defining past. We would not be standing here today if it wasn't for her bravery and I am sure we are going to see great things from her in the bright future. Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome, Mal."
The crowd erupted in loud cheers as she hugged Fairy Godmother before taking the stage, looking at her fellow student companions. Mal could only smile at her headmistress's words, as a whirlwind of emotions overwhelmed her and she started her speech.
"On my very first day at Auradon Prep, a very wise person taught me a very important lesson; to let go of the past as I could have missed the future ahead of me. In my time here in Auradon, I have come to learn that such lesson could not have been truer. I was lucky enough to have been given an opportunity and as I stand before you all today, I cannot help but think about how far we have all come. Through all the danger and sadness, we have stuck together and come through to face a bright future ahead of us. We must always have faith in the people around us but most importantly we must always have faith in ourselves. If being here has taught me anything, it is that every single one of us has the power to change his own life and future and that it is not our heritage that defines us and makes who we are, but it is our choices." She turned to smile at Hailey.
"It is with courage and a strong sense of self that we now move on to a new chapter in our lives, remembering the important people who make part of it. Our friends…" she grinned at Evie, Carlos and Jay. "Our parents…" she looked towards the back to find her father. "And our loves…" she stared into Ben's loving eyes for a moment. "They transform us sometimes in ways we don't expect. So my final words to you all are to treasure those close to you and always have hope. Congratulations Class of 2018, we made it." The room suddenly exploded in loud cheers as a multitude of caps were thrown in the air. Mal stepped away from the podium and joined her friends and Ben in a group embrace.
"I am so proud of you." Ben whispered in her ear, before lifting her up into the air and twirling her around, causing her to laugh in glee. As he put her down, they could only stare into each other's eyes lovingly. They leaned towards each other until their lips meet for a long loving kiss, as the world around them melted in the background….
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Ben and Mal stood off to the side of the Royal Yacht and happily watched as their classmates danced the night away. The graduation party was in full swing, with the bright lights and loud music that could be seen and heard all the way to Auradon City. They had decided to take a break from the dancing to catch their breath and they were now resting on the railings, Mal leaning on Ben's shoulder. As Mal spotted the familiar faces of Uma and her crew, who had been invited to the party as a welcome gesture, she excused herself from Ben for a moment and approached her.
"Shr….Uma." Mal called her, correcting herself almost immediately. She had really meant want she had told her way back on the Isle...that it was finally time to let go of the past. So Mal had decided that it was up to her to do the first step and that required her to start addressing her with the proper respect and thank her for her precious help in retrieving Excalibur.
"Yes...princess." Uma retorted.
"Look Uma. I really meant what I said back at the Isle about burying our feud once and for all. I don't know the reason that made you help us but we would have never managed to retrieve Excalibur and defeat my mother without your help. So please accept my heartfelt gratitude." Mal replied sincerely.
Uma stared at Mal stunned, as she processed what she had just told her. Out of all the things, she never expected her to actually thank her for her help, especially after all the bad blood they had in the recent past.
"I was tired of being a pawn." Uma declared, after a few moments of uncomfortable silence.
"What?" Mal questioned.
"You asked me what the reason that made me help you was. Well, what you said to me made me realize that Dr Facilier had manipulated me into doing his dirty work. He never once cared about the people of the Isle and their freedom, as he had originally told me. It was all a play for me to help him and I was stupid enough to believe him. Once Maleficent was back at her full power, she could have easily freed everyone on the Isle but instead she chose to focus her efforts on her revenge against you and Auradon. I was just used as a mere pawn and I was tired of it. After all this time, the people on the Isle finally need someone who will really look out for them." Uma replied passionately.
"Listen to me Uma. My mother is finally gone and the future is in our hands. It is time to finally put the past behind us. I agree with you. Let's find a way to help the people on the Isle get a second chance here in Auradon, just like the opportunity that was given to you and me. So what do you say? Let's make a difference together, friend." Mal stated, extending her hand in front of her.
Uma looked at Mal's outstretched hand in deep thought, pondering whether working with her instead of against her was the right way forward to secure a future for the Isle. Mal was really ready to put back their past behind her. But am I as well? She wondered. Uma thought back to the time where they were actually friends as kids. She had let Mal nearly drown and then had gotten so jealous of her when she had been chosen to come over to Auradon, leaving her behind. But she also thought of the times before that when had been inseparable and truthfully, she missed those times, even if she would never openly admit it to her. If she only knew that despite their recent bad blood, Mal had had those same thoughts about her.
Finally having made up her mind, Uma looked back up to Mal and extended her hand to grip Mal's in a hearty handshake. "Okay, let's do this together, friend." She replied and they both smiled to each other sincerely. It was a new dawn for the Isle and the future couldn't appear to shine more brightly.
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Ben looked at Mal and Uma's exchange in vivid interest, from his side spot on the railings. After what had happened with her mother, Mal had admitted to him that all she really wanted to do from now onwards was focus on continuing to build her new life here in Auradon. However, that meant really leaving her past behind her for good. They had talked about Uma and all that she had done to them, and that despite of it all, it was time for her to forgive her and to give her a chance, just like the opportunity that had been given to her.
As he watched Mal and Uma shake hands, he could only marvel at how much Mal had changed and grown since arriving in Auradon. But Ben also thought about himself and how these last three years had also really changed him. He thought back to his childhood on the Isle and how the trauma of loosing his mother at his father's hand had inevitably scarred him and had made him build that tough exterior as a means to protect himself. Meeting Mal had made him realize that not all people were like his father, and that had opened his safeguarded heart to the belief and hope that there was more to the world than the pain and suffering he had known all his young life. His time in Auradon had then further helped him to realize that openly showing empathy and kindness was not a sign of weakness but rather something to be proud of.
But none of it could have happened without his chance encounter with Mal. He loved her so much… her presence had blessed his life and he could not imagine living it without her. He felt that hand squeeze his heart as he remembered the events of the last few days and how he had come so close to losing her. But that was the past, he reminded himself, and all that mattered now was to focus on their future together and on keeping the promise he made to himself after he had saved her…that to never leave her side ever again. A smile appeared on his face, both satisfied and whimsical, as he made up his mind on what he wanted to do next. He was enveloped by a sense of nervousness as it dawned on him that given their age, his decision would make people think he was crazy. But as he looked at the girl he loved, he could only think about how Mal made him happier than he ever dreamt possible and that made his resolve only strengthen.
"A penny for your thoughts." A voice suddenly rang out, bringing Ben back to the present to face Mal who had returned to his side. "You must have been in deep thought to not notice that I had walked up back to you."
"You could say that." Ben answered with a mysterious smile. He held out a hand to her and as she joined him, he wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her close.
"So?" she insisted softly.
"Ask me again sometime." he teased before changing the subject. "It seems all went well with Uma. I can't tell you again how proud I am of you. I know how difficult it has been for you to forgive her for what she has done to us. I know because I have struggled with it too but that is what we must do if we really want to let go of our past and be free to live our future in peace."
Mal nodded in response as she snuggled further against his side and a comfortable silence enveloped them.
An idea suddenly popped up in Ben's head as he eyed the party still going on in front of them. "Do you want a drink?" he murmured in Mal's ear.
She nodded and watched as his arm slipped from her waist as he disappeared into the crowd. She sighed in contentment as she turned around to watch the calm sea around them and the Isle in the distance, waiting for him to return. She started to get lost in thought when she suddenly realized that there was a change in the party's atmosphere and that the lights and music had changed. Her eyes widen as she recognized the song being played.
As she turned around, she was met with Ben holding out his hand to her. "Can I have this dance sweetheart?" Mal nodded blushing but smiled as she stepped towards him. What is he up to? She thought as she took his hand and followed him to the dance floor.
How does a moment last forever?
How can a story never die?
It is love we must hold onto
Never easy, but we try
Sometimes our happiness is captured
Somehow, our time and place stand still
Love lives on inside our hearts and always will
"This doesn't look like getting us drinks, you know." She teased him softly as he spun her around.
He chuckled in response. "Yeah. Well. That may have just been an excuse so I could put in a song request."
"You're such a sap." She replied lovingly.
"Maybe but only with you." He admitted, continuing to chuckle.
Minutes turn to hours, days to years then gone
But when all else has been forgotten
Still our song lives on
Mal felt herself get lost in his adoring gaze and tender embrace, as pleasant shivers ran down her spine as he continued to guide her across the dance floor.
Maybe some moments weren't so perfect
Maybe some memories not so sweet
But we have to know some bad times
Or our lives are incomplete
Then when the shadows overtake us
Just when we feel all hope is gone
As the words of the song hit her and the events of the last few days invaded her memory, Mal pulled Ben closer and rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes.
We'll hear our song and know once more
Our love lives on
Having sensed her change in mood, Ben removed his hand from her waist and gently lifted her head from his shoulder so that she could look at him in the eyes. "I love you. Nothing will ever tear us apart again. I promise." he told her reassuringly as his hand left her face to pull her once again close to him.
How does a moment last forever?
How does our happiness endure?
Through the darkest of our troubles
Love is beauty, love is pure
Love pays no mind to desolation
It flows like a river through the soul
Protects, proceeds, and perseveres
And makes us whole
Minutes turn to hours, days to years then gone
But when all else has been forgotten
Still our song lives on
"I love you too." She smiled brightly at him and leaned up to kiss him deeply as the last line played.
How does a moment last forever?
When our song lives on
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The days following their graduation had been crammed with activities as the students were busy packing away their belongings and saying their goodbyes as everyone was getting ready to leave the school to attend the various colleges around Auradon. Mal had applied and been accepted in the Art College in Auradon City. She had spent the whole day taking care of the necessary paperwork and she was now exhausted and looking forward to spent a quiet and relaxing evening in Ben's company. As she entered the door to her dorm room, she half expected to find him there waiting for her, as they had originally planned that morning but all she found was a folded note on her bed, reading 'Your Presence Requested.' Curiosity gripped her as she opened it to reveal a message in Ben's handwriting.
Meet me at the lake tonight.
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Mal arrived a while later near the lake to find their spot set up with a purple blanketed picnic and white candles which illuminated the night sky around them. "Ben." She gasped. "What is this all about?"
"I thought we should have a date. You know...celebrate becoming graduates." he smiled but Mal noted that he appeared slightly nervous as if he thought she wouldn't like it.
"I love it." She replied happily.
They sat down and ate, all the while talking about their upcoming projects. Ben had even brought chocolate covered strawberries. He picked one up with his fingers and casually held it up to her as a quirky grin turned up the corners of his mouth. Mal giggled at his offered gift before closing her mouth on the strawberry, letting him feed her.
But despite the light and relaxed mood, Mal could not shake off the feeling of the nervousness she noticed from Ben. "Ben, what's wrong?" she finally asked gently, unable to wait any longer.
"Nothing sweetheart-" Ben replied trying to sound convincing.
"Ben." She said firmly. She knew him better than anyone else and from the look he was giving her, something was definitely going on.
He sighed nervously. "Well. Actually there is something I want to talk to you about…."
"What is it?" she asked worriedly, concern seeping in her voice. "You know you can tell me anything."
Ben suddenly stood up and offered his hand to Mal to help her up. She took it and he gently pulled her up to her feet so that they faced each other.
"Mal. Are you happy with me? Do you love me?" Ben suddenly blurted out.
"Ben. Of course I am happy with you. I love you, you know that, Where is all this coming fr—". Mal was interrupted as Ben leaned down to meet his lips with hers in a fierce and passionate kiss. She felt goose bumps run all along her skin as her lips parted in response to accept the kiss, her eyes closing on their own accord.
She needed a minute to catch her breath as they pulled away and she leaned on him for support.
Ben gently took her hand in both of his own, as a small chuckle erupted from his mouth. "I have practiced this in my head a million times but I can't seem to find the proper words anymore."
She began to wonder what he meant when suddenly she watched him go down on one knee.
"Ben." she gasped when she saw him reach out into his pocket and pull out a small black box.
"Mal…..I know we are young and you might think I am crazy to ask you this but I love you with every fiber of my body and soul. You saved my life and I can never thank you enough for that. I didn't know what life was before I met you. After everything we have been through together, I want to be able to officially call you mine. I want to you to be the first thing I see when I wake up and the last thing I see at night. You are my soul mate, my life, my light… I can't imagine my life without you. So Maleficent Bertha Fairy, would you make me the luckiest guy in the world and do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me sweetheart?" He opened the box to reveal a white gold band, flower shaped ring. It had an amethyst in the centre with diamonds decorating the flower shaped petals and sapphires round the band.
Mal's hand flew to her mouth in shock and she pulled her eyes away from the ring to look back at Ben's eyes so full of love towards her. Her breathing stopped as she processed what had just happened. She couldn't believe it. I must be dreaming she thought. Ben loved her so much he wanted to spend every second of the rest of his life with her. Mal had never expected this, she never allowed herself to dream that Ben would one day kneel before her and ask her to marry him. Tears started streaming down her face at seeing the true emotions written on his face and a happy smile graced her face.
"Yes" she managed to whisper emotionally, barely able to talk.
"Yes?" Ben asked, leaping to his feet.
"Yes. Yes. Yes. A million times yes Benny!" she repeated a little louder as she tackled him and buried her face under the crock of his neck.
"I love you." he murmured emotionally, as he enfolded her in his arms tightly.
"I love you too." She sniffed, smiling tearfully as he pulled away and carefully slid the ring on her left hand.
"It's perfect" he breathed.
Mal gently kissed him lovingly in return. She never expected this to happen but she wasn't scared. Ben was the only person to ever make her feel completely protected and secure. He would never hurt her. She loved him with all her soul and she was really ready to begin their new life together.
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2 Years Later
Mal looked at herself in the large mirror. This was it. Today was the day she was going to marry Ben. Five years ago she was a ruthless and vengeful girl, destined to follow in her mother's footsteps. She had thought that all she ever wanted in life was to make her mother proud, by becoming the mean girl she always wanted her to be. Ben had been the only person who had seen through her act and helped her let go of her fears and made her realize that deep down she had always been a good person. He had saved her from herself and words could not describe how much she loved him for it. She smiled as she looked at her engagement ring. I am going to become Ben's wife and spend the rest of my life with him. she thought happily as she realized that now, that, was all she ever wanted.
"It's time." Evie smiled as she handed her the bouquet.
"Evie. Thank you so much for all you have done for me. This dress is beautiful. It is just like out of a fairy tale." Mal smiled as she felt tears starting to form in her eyes. Evie had really outdone herself as Mal's white dress included an elaborate motive of tiny amethysts sewn into the lace design.
"No need to thank me Mal. We have been through so much together. I am just so happy to be part of this wonderful day. Plus, what are maids of honor for?" Evie winked at her as she tried to lighten the mood. "Now let's go before they send out a search party for us." Just as they were about to leave the room, they heard an impatient voice call out to them.
"You know kiddo. It is okay for a woman to be fashionably late but if you don't hurry up, Ben is goi-." Hades stopped mid-sentence at the sight of his daughter as she opened the door of the room she had been getting ready in. He looked at his little girl in awe and pride, a hint of tears in his smiling eyes. "Sweetheart, look at you. You are beautiful." He said as she approached him.
"Thank you, Dad." Mal smiled with a shy grin.
"Ready?" he asked her gently as he stood beside her.
"Yeah I'm ready." she said softly as she took hold of his outstretched arm.
Evie, Hailey, Lonnie and Jane, in their green bridesmaid dresses, walked ahead of them as they left the room inside the little chapel Ben and Mal had chosen to get married in. They walked through a short corridor until they arrived in front of a set of closed doors. The doors opened and the music began to play as soon as they started walking down the aisle.
Mal let out a deep breath before she looked up to meet Ben's awed and loving gaze. He was standing in the front with the priest at his side. Doug, Jay, Daniel and Carlos stood on his other side in their tuxes. Mal could barely hold in a happy sigh as they arrived to the alter and Hades placed her hand in Ben's. Mal smiled as she gazed into his warm hazel eyes that held only love for her and promises for the future. She was finally home.
The wedding ceremony began and it was soon time for their vows.
"Ben. There are no real words that can truly describe how much I love you. You saved me from a fate I thought I was doomed to and loved me when no one else did and for that I can never thank you enough. When I hold your face in my hands or lean into your shoulder to feel you hold me, I know this is the place I am meant to be for all time. You are the person with whom I am meant to share my life. I take you to be my faithful husband, my best friend and my one true love. I promise to inspire and love you - in good times or bad. I will be with you forever to laugh together, cry together, to support you and encourage you – from this day forward in this world and the next." Mal said wholeheartedly.
Ben grabbed Mal's hands as he began to say his vows. "Mal, we have been through so much together. Back when we met on the Isle I never thought we would get to this point but I wouldn't change one single thing. You saved my life and became my guiding light. You reopened my heart to hope and reminded me that there was more to this world than the pain and suffering I had solely known. You helped me become the better man I am today and I can never thank you enough for it. You are the love of my life. You make me happier than I could ever imagine and feel more loved than I ever thought possible. Standing here today I promise to love you, honor you and respect you with my whole heart and to never leave you side until our time here on earth is done."
As the priest later pronounced them husband and wife, Ben's lips met Mal's in the kiss that signalled the start of the rest of their lives. Now they truly belonged to each other and no one would ever break them apart.
As Ben and Mal exited the chapel they were welcomed by a mountain of rice and confetti and cheers from their family and friends. Nothing could ruin their happy smiles as they walked down the short red carpet into the awaiting car.
Hailey had organized a reception for them at the castle. Mal and Ben stared in awe as they took in the decorated hall. The bright chandeliers illuminated the large room while several tables covered in silk table cloths had been set up. An orchestra was playing on the side of a dancefloor while in the centre stood a table with a three tier wedding cake.
As Ben and Mal finished their first dance, Mal felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. She turned around to come face to face with her father.
"Can I have the honor of dancing with the bride?" Hades asked looking at both Ben and Mal. Mal looked at Ben before nodding with a smile to her father.
Gonna dance with my daughter
Spin her around under the lights
'Cause I'm just a father
Making the most of this moment in time
Before she lets me go, I'll hold her close
Caught in this race against time
Right now all I want is to dance with my daughter tonight
Mal and her father swayed to the music. She smiled at him, as tears threatened to fall from her eyes, as she thought about all that she had been through. Despite all the hardships, she had managed to change her destiny and get her happily ever after with Ben. But she was also so grateful that in the midst of it all she had discovered that she finally had a parent who loved her. She truly had everything we ever wanted.
Right now all I want is to dance with my daughter
Sent straight from heaven, came down and I caught her
For now all I want is to dance with my daughter tonight
Woah
Dance with my daughter tonight
The party went on till the early hours of the morning until it was finally time to bid everyone good night. Hailey had prepared for them a room in the castle to stay in for the night as they were leaving for their honeymoon the following morning.
Mal started laughing in glee as Ben lifted her up in his arms as they entered the room as was tradition for any newlyweds. Hailey had prepared from them one of the rooms in the tallest part of the castle which overlooked all of Auradon.
As they held each other on the large balcony, looking at the sun as it was just rising over the horizon and dreaming about the bright future ahead of them, Mal found herself lost in thought looking into Ben's loving eyes knowing that no matter where they were, they would love each other, always and forever.
That's it its finished! I have to admit I had the proposal planned since about chapter 3 of 'I Will Love You' but THANK YOU to Harry Potter Fan 1994 for the idea of having the wedding to. I know the odds of getting a bal proposal in D3 are low as they are only 17 (I would SCREAM and DIE from happiness if that happened.) But if we cannot have bal engaged and married in D3. Then by Hades I WILL have a bal proposal and wedding in my trilogy! lol.
Wow its a very strange feeling I have been working on this trilogy for so long it feels very strange to have it finished I'm tearing up. For the final time I must say a HUGE HUGE HUGE MASSIVE THANK YOU to every single one of you! It means more then I can honestly put into words that you guys have supported me throughout this trilogy THANK YOU. I really do write for you guys.
If you guys like this trilogy then please do check out the prequel that will be posted.
And to my AMAZING Beta xez2003: Oh where to start my friend? From the moment we started working together you have been ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Going beyond what I excepted with your ideas and the amount of time and effort you put into this story I CANNOT put into words how thankful I am! But this will have to do from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU SO MUCH!
I really hope you guys liked this chapter please give me one last review? Pretty please?
