Mal hissed in pain grabbing her ankle, as Ben ran to her.
They had just been going over the entrance for the next event when Mal was going down the stairs she didn't see the clear piece of plastic from some package on the stairs, Mal slipped and fell down a majority of the stairs.
"Mal! Are you okay?"
"My ankle is killing me" Mal hissed in pain, holding her ankle trying to not let it move in the several inch-high heels.
"Here, let me see it. I going to take the shoe off okay?" Ben asked as he went to comfort her, and once she nodded and moved her hands away from her throbbing ankle, he gently undid the buckle and loosened it up until it was completely undone, he gently lifted her foot enough to where he could slide the shoe out from under it and began to rub her back comfortingly. As he finished Belle and a few of the staff came running in.
"Ben!? What happened we heard a scream and some crashing?!" Belle asked frantic rushing in and slowed as she saw Mal
"We were going over the entrance for the Winter Solstice event when Mal slipped on one of those clear plastic sheets from packages, she was near the top when she fell, and her ankle is hurting her and is bruising quickly" Ben explained.
"Oh dear, Lumiere can you go call Doc, and let him know what has happened, Ben and I will take Mal to Ben's room" Belle asked as she rushed to the girl who she knew would eventually become her daughter-in-law.
"Of course, your majesty"
"Mal, shhh, does anything else hurt?" Belle asked trying to keep a level head.
"My knee a little but not nearly as bad as my ankle, I am pretty sure I will have few bruises elsewhere but nothing more than that."
"Okay, Ben, can you gently pick her up bridal style and carry her to your room, Doc should meet us there. I am going to grab some pain pills, some ice, and a bowl of strawberries for her."
"Okay, Mal you good if I take off your other shoe?" Mal nodded holding back tears from the excruciating pain coming from her ankle and the pain coming from her knee that was slightly numbed from the much more painful pain coming from her ankle in comparison.
Ben took off her other heel and then counted to 3 preparing her to be picked up.
Once she was lifted she buried her head into his chest and allowed a few tears to fall as he whispered comforting words in her ear as he made his way to his room, a staff member just ahead of him opening any doors for him as to make sure Lady Mal was not further injured. Once in his room he delicately set her down on his soft bed and put a plush pillow under her ankle as she leaned against his headboard, biting packs the pain. He moved and sat on the edge of his bed and rubbed a comforting hand up and down her back as she leaned her head onto his shoulder trying to ignore the brutalizing agony that was coming from her ankle and recurring slightly at her knee.
They stayed there for a few minutes in silence when Belle came in with the supplies she said she would bring,
"Doc said he would be here in about 20 minutes, but we will most likely have to take her to Auradon General Hospital for X-rays, but he will meet us here and wrap her ankle and possibly knee to make it less likely to get worse and to relieve some of the pain. For now, he said to put ice around it and that I could let you take a pain pill." Belle said as she gave the meds to Ben to give to his girlfriend while she put the ice packs around her ankle and a few around her knee. Once they were done she put the bowl of strawberries on the nightstand where Mal could reach them but instead she got to watch as her son fed her a few, while she sat there in agony waiting on the medicine to kick in, though the distraction of the exquisite tasting strawberries was helping to start numbing the pain. Though it wasn't doing that much.
"Shhh... I got you," Ben comforted as tears of pain continued to stream down her face, and that's when Belle knew it was truly bad. Mal would not show pain very easily, and crying was completely off the radar for Mal unless it was this serious. She knew that girl was in torturous pain for her to be showing it so much.
"It hurts Ben" Mal sobbed clenching her hands into fists in the blankets.
"I know, Doc will be here any minute, and will try and relieve some of the pain, then we are going to the hospital, but only for X-rays, and maybe a brace or cast. I know you don't like going, but we have to for this okay?"
"I know, I don't even care right now it hurts so bad, I just want it to stop."
"I know" Ben said putting a comforting kiss on her forehead as a knock came from the door followed by Doc walking through it.
"Your Majesties, Lady Mal," he greeted formally with a small bow then went straight to business, "So what exactly happened?"
"We were going over the entrance for the Winter Solstice celebration and Mal was coming down the stairs, but near the top there was a piece of clear plastic usually used in packages that she didn't see and slipped on, she fell the rest of the way down the stairs." Ben explained rubbing his hand comfortingly up and down her back.
"Okay, Mal where does it hurt right now?"
"My ankle mainly and my knee a little bit but know where near as much" Mal grunted out with clenched teeth,
"Okay, I am going to touch parts of your ankle and see if we can narrow down the injuries okay, just tell me when it hurts the worst" Doc said as he started to gently apply pressure to different parts of her ankle, some places causing more pain than others, "Okay, I am going to do the same to your knee" He did it once more and got similar results just with less pain.
"Well from what I can tell with out and X-ray, is you most likely broke your ankle, now your knee seems more like a grade I or II ACL sprain. I want to get X-rays and an MRI to be certain on this. I am going to put this brace on your leg real quick, it will just keep it in place." Doc explained as he pulled it out of his bag and put it on Mal before saying to meet him at Auradon General and he would already have an X-ray room reserved for them
"Ben I am going to get the limo to meet us at the doors, can you carry her down to the limo?" Belle asked, and Ben nodded and continued to comfort Mal.
"You ready?" Ben asked as he stood up to carry her
"As I'll ever be. I'm glad I am wearing leggings rather than jeans or this would be even more uncomfortable"
"1, 2. 3." Ben said with a small chuckle at her attempt to lighten the mood despite her agonizing pain, and then lifted her up bridal style once more, and let her grab her "Benny Bear" he had gotten her for Christmas from his bed. She claimed it had to stay with him sometimes to keep his scent, luckily today had been one of those days.
The brace made it to where her right leg was mostly straight and couldn't move, leading to having to go sideways through the narrower doorways. Ben was never more glad then today that they had installed elevators in the castle.
Mal hugged her Benny Bear to her chest while she buried her head into her real Benny Bears chest.
"I got you Mal" Ben attempted to comfort her though he wasn't quite sure what to say that would help her any so he just surrendered and just reminded her he had her and it was going to be ok occasionally, once they reached the limo her found his mother standing with the door open and attempted to help Ben get Mal into the limo as delicately as possible.
Once in, Ben sat in the corner seat, and allowed Mal to sit in his lap leaned up against his chest with her leg laid out on the rest of the seat.
Once they arrived at the hospital just 10 minutes later they discovered the press got wind that they would be here, and they were now swarming the Limo as it pulled up to the doors. Once stopped in the correct spot the driver and bodyguard in the passenger seat got out and they attempted to clear a path for the Royals to get out, after a minute or so they cleared enough to where they could open the door and let them out, then they would just surround them and push their way through the swarm of cameras and microphones, once inside the hospital they were good as the staff had prevented them from getting in.
Belle got out of the car first and turned to help Ben out as he tried to get out with Mal already in his arms in order to prevent banging her leg on the door, it also allowed Mal to already have her head buried into his chest and prevent the camera's from seeing the pain and drying tears on her face. Once out the silently stood between the two guards and allowed them to push through the crowd making a small path. Finally, once inside Doc met them and showed them to the radiology room and had Ben lay Mal down on a table of sorts then put an odd cloth over her thighs and up then had all but Mal go into the conjoining room with windows so Doc could take the X-rays, then have her moved to the MRI table and run the scan."
While the X-rays were being taken, with Ben going in there to help reposition her, his phone was suddenly blown up by texts from the other 3 VKs
"What happened to Mal?!"
"The news is blowing up! What is up with Mal?"
"Why is Mal at the hospital?! And why does she have a brace on?!"
"What is the news talking about!?"
and several others came blowing up on his phone, he went to their group chat and explained what was going on and told them not to worry it was being taken care of and not to rush over, as they were each staying with those who their parents had wronged and were becoming quite close. Ben knew they didn't need to leave and that Mal would be upset that she had ruined their bonding time, as each family had agreed to take in the VK's for over the different school breaks, Beast and Belle had already agreed to hosting the VK's but the others insisted, and either way after the Cotillion Mal was staying with Ben, she had been and would have continued to stay there even if the Cotillion hadn't occurred, Adam and Belle already saw her as family a few weeks after Ben's coronation once they had gotten to know her better, she became one with the family.
"Your majesty, we need to move her to the MRI machine to get the scans done on her knee."
"Of course," Ben replied looking up from his phone and went into the room and picked her up bridal style once more.
He carried her over to the other table, though this one had a strange cylinder-shaped tube around it, which freaked Mal out slightly as she clung to Ben even tighter,
"Shh... I got you it's going to be okay, you are just going to go in it up to your thighs, the rest of you will be out, and for this one I can stand by you and hold your hand okay?" Ben comforted "Plus you don't have to be moved for this one, the machine just uses the circular shape to scan from the different angles" Ben explained and then she nodded into his chest as he began the place her down on the table, and then moved it to where Doc had said to, he looked up and was given a thumbs up for the placement, then he looked back down at Mal, whose eyes were now filled with both pain and fear, though the pain had started to recede slightly with the pain medicine it wasn't completely gone
"Hey, Mal look at me" Ben said softly as he took a comforting grip on her hand, as she slowly looked at him. "Just keep your eyes on me, and it will be alright. Okay?"
Mal nodded but didn't look very convinced,
"Tell me a story" she said hoping it would take her mind off of the odd lights and movements of the machine that was surrounding part of her body, she didn't like the enclosing space around her, it was odd and confining.
"Okay, once upon a time, in a magical kingdom, a soon to be crowned king invited the children of the worst villains to his kingdom, and when he did he was immediately amazed by the girl who was the daughter of the evilest of them all, she had striking purple hair. She had the fiercest of smiles, and a mischievous look in her eyes. She came on a mission for her mother, to take over the kingdom, but she fell in love with the prince. He convinced her she didn't have to be her mother, and she believed him and joined him. Then stood up to her mother, and now they are working on their happily ever after." Ben told her with a smile on his face, keeping Mal's attention on the story and in his eyes, rather than the MRI machine.
She let a small smile onto her face as she recognized his tale and stared into his eyes thinking about everything but the machine surrounding her lower body.
Ben saw a green light turn on the wall and knew that was the signal that it was done.
"Okay, all done." Ben said as he started to help Mal sit up and then picked her up once more, carrying her to the room Doc had reserved. Belle following them in just moments later.
They waited in the room for around half an hour before Doc walked in and pulled the X-rays up on the screen.
"So, it appears that lady Mal has lateral malleolus fracture, which is where the Fibula is fractured but not the Tibia." He explains "Though it is a stable one, so it won't need surgery just an ankle boot for 3 weeks and then another 2 in just a simple brace, the first 3 weeks all on crutches and minimal weight is to be put on the leg then for the last 2 weeks crutches when needed and to wean her off of them. with some anti-inflammatories, and keep the leg elevated when not moving around. Then for the knee, it is a moderate grade II ACL sprain, which I will just give you a knee brace to go with the other treatment it is the same as for your knee. You can also ice it whenever it starts hurting. You should also take pain medicine for the first few weeks and then can wean yourself off of it and use it whenever you think you should."
"Thank you Doc" Belle thanked
"No problem just doing my job, now I will be right back with the ankle boot and the knee brace."
Moments later Doc walked back in with the brace and cast in hand as well as a pair of crutches.
"Ok I am just going to fit it to you knee," Doc explained as he gently lifted her knee taking off the other brace, while she bit her lip holding back the pain, he placed the new brace under her knee and then set her knee back down and he put her leg back down gently. He then tightened it to fit perfect around her knee with just the right amount of pressure. "Now I will make a mark to where you can see it is fitting perfectly right now, though it will slowly need to be tightened as time goes by and the swelling goes down, how it feels right now should be how it should feel when you put it on. Ok, now for the ankle boot."
He put it on and gave her the instructions on it and then gave her a prescription for some anti-inflammatory medicine and then gave her crutches.
Once done, Ben helped Mal up and steady herself on the crutches and make their way to the doors they entered through where the limo had pulled back up too, though it was still surrounded by the press and paparazzi. Luckily the guards that had come with them were still waiting at the door as well as two others who had joined soon after their arrival.
"Your Majesties, Lady Mal, we are going to go out in a similar position as to how we walked in though we will this time have one in-front, behind, and one on either side of you. Her majesty will be in the front, Lady Mal behind her, and King Ben just slightly behind and to the side of her. His majesty making sure Lady Mal doesn't fall and has support from behind and on the side. Once we get to the limo, the guard who will be in the front will open the door and hold it open while the guard on the left will block the side away from the door allowing her majesty to get in, then she will help Lady Mal in as well as his majesty helping then his majesty will get in. Any questions?"
They all shook their heads, and the guard opened the door, and they went into formation, while the press jabbed microphones in their face and had blinding flashes going off as they yelled over one another trying to ask questions.
"No questions will be taken at this time!" One of the guards shouted over the crowd as they pushed through.
Despite it though, they still continued to try and push through, one managing to push through a hand at hit Mal's shoulder, knocking her slightly off balance, Ben quickly steadied her, and they continued to push through, while it was only a few yards it felt like miles trying to push through the well, very pushy press.
Finally, they make it to the limo, Belle swiftly gets in and takes Mal's crutches and she hops on one foot turning with Ben next to her making sure she didn't fall and let her sit and then slide in, Ben following quickly and closing the door.
"You good?" Ben asked turning to Mal
"Yea," She said as she positioned herself to be in the corner where she could rest her foot on the seat.
They chatted on their way back to the castle, where they were greeted by Lumiere, who opened the door for them.
Ben got out first and took Mal's hand and helped pull her out of the limo, and make sure she didn't lose her balance on one foot, as Belle got out and handed her the crutches, Mal resituated herself to use the crutches.
"Lumiere," Belle greeted warmly
"Your majesty," Lumiere greeted back
"Lumiere, how many times have I told you, it is Belle."
"Of course, Belle."
"How is Mal?"
"She has a fractured ankle and a grade II knee sprain, but she will be fine in a few weeks."
"Well I am sorry to hear that."
"Hey, Ben? Any clue on how to go up the stairs with crutches?" Mal asked with a small laugh
"Umm... crutches on one step, foot on the other, and then act like you're taking a step?" Ben said uncertainty, coming up behind her making sure she wouldn't fall.
Mal attempted his suggestion but was uncertain in her steps she wasn't on balance and started to fall back. Ben easily caught her and balanced he back on her foot.
"Yea, let's work on this later, let's do this the fun way." Ben said and literally swept her off her feet, mindful of her injured knee and ankle, he let her crutches stay in her grasp now sideways as he carried her up the set of stairs and into the castle.
"You can set me down now Benny Bear." Mal said once in the castle.
"Why should I set my precious and injured dragon down?"
"So, she can get used to using her crutches."
"And why should she learn that when I could just carry her around until she is fully healed."
"Because you know I like my independence."
"Oh fine, but I expect I still get to stay with you"
"Gladly." Mal replied as he sat her down and supported her slightly until her crutches were properly under her.
"Race you to the kitchen" Mal said with a smirk, knowing he would beat her if he tried, but also knowing he wouldn't even try.
"You're on" He said with a smirk, one he had learned from the purplette in-front of him.
They 'race' down to the kitchen, which just involves Ben slow motion running, and Mal making her way with her crutches as they both laugh and tease one another.
"Hah, now Benny, how about we go have a picnic in the gardens?"
"Sounds amazing" Ben said as he grabbed a carton of strawberries, and some other fruit, as well as a PB&J sandwich for himself and a cheese and chicken for Mal. Then grabbing their usual basket, which he had learned quickly to keep in the kitchen for their impromptu picnics and packing it. He grabbed their blanket and, on their way, out he grabbed a pillow for Mal to put her foot on to elevate it.
They made their way into the gardens and picked their favorite spot, under and old oak with hedges of roses around them, the tree providing ample shade from the sun.
Ben laid out the blanket and sat down, letting Mal do it on her own, knowing if he made her feel overly dependent on him she would rebel and refuse to allow him to help when she needed it. He set out the pillow, she rested her foot on it putting it off to the side, and then leaned against the old oak.
"So how will this affect the ball?" Mal asked, knowing there was a tradition entrance, though she highly doubted she could waltz like this. Much less go down the stairs to the rhythm.
"We can work around parts of it, such as already having you down the stairs, then we can do something like this" Ben said standing up and pulling her up, she balanced on one foot leaning against him slightly with a curious look on her face. He had a huge smile upon his face, as he wrapped his arms around her back and waist and lifted her up and began to waltz underneath the tree holding her up, her feet never touching the ground, she smiled brightly at the feeling of freedom. He was careful not to knock into her knee as he danced around the open area. Their grins filling their face, as they floated around the garden, never taking their eyes off of one another.
They didn't care if the steps were perfect, or if they were doing the boxes correct, they were just dancing to a song that played in their hearts and mind.
Belle watched from a balcony, a smile on her face as she watched her son and future daughter-in-law dance their hearts out, despite one of them couldn't stand. It reminded her of when she danced with Adam while he was still a beast, he was so gentle with the leading. He was so sweet in his movements, and their eyes never left one another's.
Ben continued to spin Mal around and dance their way through the garden, he didn't care if Mal couldn't dance, he could, and he would let her feel the exhilaration that came with the movements. All that mattered is all that seemed to exist in the world for those few moments, was the two of them.
Eventually though they came out of their haze and back into reality, both still with beaming looks on their faces. Ben slowly set Mal back down onto the soft ground next to their picnic blanket and they sat back down and continued to eat their food.
"So how does that work for you, Milady?" Ben asked with a playful smirk.
"Well, my king, I do believe, it could be suitable."
"Well, then it is settled. The King shall dance with the dragon, not slay it."
Mal playfully hit him in the shoulder as he feigned pain.
"Please, it can't have hurt near as bad as my knee and ankle felt earlier."
"Speaking of which, how does it feel?"
"Fine, mostly numb right now from the painkillers."
"Let me know if it starts hurting again, I will go get the painkillers, you will probably need to take some again in a few hours before they wear off."
"I know, but I do have a high pain tolerance from the Isle."
"But that doesn't mean you should have to deal with it when we can simply give you some meds."
"I know, but I refuse any of the ones that make me hazy, I don't like the vulnerability feeling. I need to be alert."
"Ok, none of those, but Mal, you are safe here, you don't always need to be alert"
"I know, and I am lowering my levels slowly, but I am panicked if I am not alert. I need to know what is going on around me."
"I know, just know you are safe"
"I do, especially when I am with you." Mal smiled, before they both leaned in for a short yet meaningful kiss. Ben pulled her next to him and wrapped an arm around her shoulder and let her rest her head against him.
"I need to go do some King business, do you mind going to hang out with mom for a bit? I would invite you to come sit with me, but we both know I won't get as much done today."
"Sure, and I could help you if you want"
"I know, and I love your help, but todays work involves several video calls, and I will just want to talk to you rather than them. Plus, you need to rest your leg."
"Ugh, fine, but I want to help out later, and Ben,"
"Yes?"
"Please don't treat me like glass. I know that I am injured, and that it will hurt, but I can manage. Don't get me wrong I still want you around, and to be there, but I am not about to shatter."
"I know, you're too strong for that. I understand, but that also means you have to let me know when you really need help, I will always be there for you, but sometimes you are too good at covering up your pain, and sometimes I am just that oblivious. Though I try my hardest not to be, the possibility of it happening was proven before the Cotillion."
"Hey, the cotillion was not all your fault. I was really good at hiding it, I mean only a few dozen spells had been used to cover it up."
"I know, but I still should have seen it was too much too fast, and you weren't used to it nor comfortable at all. Plus, I just kept pushing those high expectations on you so much-"
"Ben, it's ok. It's in the past now."
"I know, well I will walk you to go see Mom, then I will be in my office."
They make their way to the library where they knew Belle would most likely be. Ben only carrying Mal up the stairs as the elevators would have been much more out of their way, plus Ben wanted the excuse.
"Mom!" Ben shouted
"Over here sweetie!" She shouted back from one of her favorite reading nooks in the corner.
The couple makes their way over, to the former queen who has several books on the table next to her and one freshly bookmarked.
"Mal, how are you doing?"
"Decent, my leg is mostly numbed from the pain meds right now."
"Well I am glad to hear it isn't hurting right now. Let me know if you need anything. Would you like to join me?" Belle asked gesturing to a small stack of books next to her
"Gladly"
"Well now that you are all situation, I am going to go take care of some stuff in my office, I will see you all at dinner if I am not out sooner." Ben said as he left
"So what books should we read today?"
"Well why not the Percy Jackson series, I don't think you have read those yet, and they are an excellent read."
"What are they about?"
"Well, it's about the children of the Greek gods and goddesses, except most of them don't know they are until a guide comes and brings them to this camp where they train so they can survive out in the real world where all of the mythical monsters are, though they are cloaked by a thing called mist where only some can see their true form. The main character they follow is Percy Jackson who is the son of Poseidon, he doesn't know that yet though, until a guide finally brings him in and he is suspected to be the thief who stole Zeus's lightning bolt, and from there he and 2 friends go on a quest to prove his innocence."
"Ooh, that sounds interesting, I will definitely start on that series, Harry Potter was wonderful as well."
"Ah yes, these are two of my absolute favorite book series, and don't worry there are more books to follow the end of the Percy Jackson series."
Eventually dinner came, and Ben came out from his study and joined them, Mrs. Potts had made some chicken alfredo. They talked around the table, once they finished eating they went and sat in the living room deciding to watch a movie.
"What should we watch?" Ben asked opening the movie cabinet
"How about The Greatest Showman?" Belle suggested knowing that her future daughter-in-law had "slight" obsession with the music.
"Sounds like the Greatest option" Ben answered with a cheesy smile as he grabbed the movie from the cabinet while Mal rolled her eyes at her boyfriend's antics.
Once the movie was in the DVD player Ben walked over and sat next to Mal on the couch while Belle sat in her recliner. Mal laid against Ben's shoulder leaving her injured leg elevated on the other side of the couch, half-way through the movie Mal had fallen asleep and in doing so had also slowly fallen to the point her head was resting in Ben's lap allowing him to run his fingers through her purple hair. Looking down at his wonderful girlfriend Ben couldn't help but smile, she had become the light of his life. She was his everything.
"Hey Mom, I'm going to take Mal to her room." Ben whispered once he had paused the movie
"Okay, but if you want she can stay in your room so long as no funny business occurs." Belle offered
"Really?"
"I trust you two, and this is a privilege that can easily be taken away. Plus, it is inevitable when you two get married."
"Thanks mom, I won't let you down"
"I know you won't, and from now on she can sleep in your room when she is over so long as you stick to the rules."
Ben slowly and gently slid out from underneath Mal doing his best to keep her asleep, then picked her up bridal style careful around her injured knee, he quietly bid his mother goodnight and walked up to his room. One of the perks of all of his tourney training and until this year his ROAR training, he had some decent muscles, making it easier to carry her so much. He didn't mind at all though, he would deal with any sore muscles if it meant being able to carry his injured sleeping girlfriend, well really just to be able to carry his amazing girlfriend anytime and either way she was extremely light, almost too light from her time on the isle. She had instinctively curled up against his chest.
Ben quietly opened the door into his room and closed it with his foot then gently set Mal onto his bed where the blankets had already been pulled down from bringing her in here while they waited on Doc, tenderly he took off her shoe and sock knowing she hated sleeping in her socks. Luckily, she was already wearing a pair of her favorite leggings and a comfy t-shirt, so he didn't have to get his mom to come in here or wake her up.
Ben walked to his dresser and grabbed a pair of sweatpants and went into his attached bathroom and changed into them leaving his toned chest bare, which was how he normally slept, and he knew Mal was fine with it from the other times his parents had let Mal sleep in his room.
He grabbed two extra pillows and placed one between her boot and ankle and the other between her knees. Mal always slept on her side and this would keep from the braces aggravating her other joints. Then went to the other side of the bed and ducked under the covers then curling up next to Mal he drifted off to sleep as she buried her head in his chest.
Mal woke up with a fresh pulsating pain coming from her leg, though it was slightly numbed by the warmth of her boyfriend's body.
"Good morning beautiful."
"Morning" Mal mumbled back.
"How are you feeling?"
"My leg is pulsating in pain but other than that I am really comfortable cuddled up with my boyfriend under some amazingly warm blankets."
"I'll go get your medicine-"
"But I don't want to move"
"I will come curl back up for a few minutes after you take your medicine then we have to go downstairs and meet my mom for breakfast."
"Fine." Mal said as he grabbed the medicine from the table and a bottle of water from his mini-fridge. She takes it with an eye roll, then lays back down and pats the empty space in the bed next to her. Ben complies with her orders and lays with her for the few extra minutes.
"Ok, now we actually have to get up, Mom will be waiting on us."
" Fine" Mal says with a fake annoyed frown on her face, she gently moves her injured leg to the side of the bed followed by her good leg when she realizes she doesn't know where her crutches are, "Hey Ben?"
"Yea"
"Where are my crutches?"
"Oh shoot, I forgot them downstairs when I brought you up last night, I guess I will have to carry you down" Ben says with a sly smile
"Sure you 'forgot' them downstairs, but whatever Benny Boo"
"No, I really did this is just a happy coincidence" Ben said as he walked over to her and picked her up.
"Can I at least change really quick?" Mal asks with a pouty face,
"Sure, but how exactly are you going to do it by yourself?"
"Look, I will go stand behind your divider thingy and then sit on a chair to change my leggings and then do the same for my shirt, boom easy."
"Whatever" Ben said rolling his eyes, "What do you want, and I will go grab it for you?"
"My purple leggings with dragon scale print and my grey thermal please"
"Okay, be back in just a second"
Ben returned moments later as Mal's room was just 2 doors down from his.
"Here are my dragons' clothes as requested" Ben said with a bright smile, "Now just put your leg up on the bed and I will un-do the braces and then carry you to the chair, or would you prefer I carry you there first and then take off the braces?"
" Take me over there first the pain meds are still kicking in and I don't want to jar it too much" Mal admits
"Good choice," Ben says picking her up gently taking her to the chair then going through all of the straps that go into the knee brace and then the ankle boot, "Shout if you need me."
Mal, took a minute to get her leggings off trying not to agitate her blue and purple knee and ankle, with minimal pain she got them off then worked on getting the new pair on, once again with minimal pain thank goodness, then changing into the thermal was easy enough. Only hissing slightly when she had to bend her knee.
"Okay, Ben I am done"
Ben came around the divider and grabbed the knee brace,
"You good?" Ben asks before moving her knee that was currently elevated on an upside-down basket leaving most of her leg above air making it easier to put the brace on.
"Yea, just put it on."
Ben gently put the brace underneath her knee and watched as she winced slightly at the movement, most would have not noticed it, but Ben knew Mal well enough to see that hidden pain in her eyes and the slight tensing up of her muscle. He then started working on the straps asking if each was tight enough, they were just slightly tighter than the marks that Doc had made the previous day, meaning the swelling had gone down slightly.
"Good?"
"Yea"
"Oh, the rest of the core 4 texted yesterday asking what happened I explained, and they said they hope you feel better soon."
"They aren't coming right? They are with their girlfriends and their families, so they need to stay."
"No, I talked them out of it, though Evie is coming up with several new outfits for you braces as well as for the ball now."
"Of course, she is."
"Come on let's go meet my mom for breakfast my little dragon." Ben said scooping her up careful not to mess with her injured leg.
Later that day they were sitting in Ben's office while he did some work and while Mal did some of the Lady of the Court work
When a small knock came at the door, Lumiere peeked his head in.
"Your Majesty, the press is demanding we make some sort of press release or announcement concerning your injury, what would you like us to do?" He asked
"We can either hold a mini-press conference, or we can just do a little write up and release that, or if we want to be really informal and InstaCrown post. Mal which would you prefer?" Ben listed then asked
"Either conference or the insta crown post, normally I would prefer not to have a conference, but it also allows us to show a stronger front by me crutching out onstage plus we can redirect it to matters concerning the Winter Solstice Ball and the Christmas toy drive. So, I say we do the press conference and then an Insta crown post."
"Sounds good, Lumiere can you set one up?"
"Of course, your majesty" Lumiere said as he left the couple alone.
"Well I guess that means I need to go change" Mal said rolling her eyes and setting her paperwork onto the side table then pushed herself off of the couch and grabbed her crutches."
"Do you need any help?"
"Yea but I'll get your mom because I am probably going to have to put on a dress, so she can pick." Ben nodded and sent a quick text to his mom for her location
"She is in the library but will meet you in your room"
"Sounds good, I'll come back down here once I've changed"
Mal arrived at her room and saw Belle looking through her closet,
"Mal, how are you feeling?"
"Ok, the medicine is keeping the pain numb right now"
"Well at least you can't feel it, now this dress or this one?" Belle asked holding up 2 dresses one was a purple halter neck flowing infinity dress that was mid-thigh in length with a pair of white leggings underneath since it was chilly outside and to prevent the braces from rubbing against bare skin, with it a black knee-high boot. The other dress was a royal blue sweater dress with a pair of black leggings and the same knee-high boot.
"The purple one, it seems comfier and not as warm since we will be inside, I can wear the blue one for the children's toy drive later." Mal decided, then Belle undid her braces for her, so she could change and went to the other side of the divider ready to assist if needed. Mal though, managed to change on her own, which she was quite happy about. She then let Belle know she was finished and just needed her braces back on. Belle tightened the brace carefully but making sure it was tight enough, it seemed a little loose to Mal, but she left it alone and would get Ben to tighten it when she got downstairs as he seemed to get it just right.
"Thanks Belle" Mal thanked as they parted ways at the elevator.
Mal made her way back to Ben's office where they further discussed the press conference and the instacrown post and Ben tightened up the knee brace to perfection.
Quickly the press conference arrived, Lumiere went up first thanking everyone for coming then said they would be open for questions before introducing Ben and Mal who walked (crutched) on from the side and went to the microphone and many hands went up to ask a question. Ben pointed to a friendly looking girl in the second row.
"Stephanie Caldwell, Royal Review, What cause Lady Mal's injury and what is her injury?"
"Lady Mal slipped down the staircase yesterday and injured her knee and ankle." Ben answered smoothly, already having agreed that Mal would only answer the questions directly directed towards her. Then Ben gestured to a man in near the back.
"Arnold Thomas, Knight in Shining News, how will this be affecting the Winter Solstice ball and other upcoming events?"
"We will still be continuing with all planned events with slight adjustments such as there will most likely not be the traditional waltz between Lady Mal and myself at the Ball, but all events will still be carried out as they were planned."
They answered a few more questions before ending the conference then going back to Ben's office where they made their InstaCrown post which was a picture of Mal's leg was taken earlier while she had the purple dragon scale leggings on with her brace on.
"So Mally, what do you want to do with the rest of today as I somehow don't have anymore meetings today, and I am ahead on my work. So, what does my dragon want to do?" Ben asked pulling Mal into a side hug.
"Hmm… Well, I do need to get some Christmas shopping in, and it would probably look good for us to be in public even though I'm injured."
"Are you sure you want to go into public right now? There is nothing wrong with it, but is your leg up to it?"
"Ben, stop worrying so much. It will be fine, plus I really do have to get some Christmas shopping done, and if I do get tired of using my crutches or something, I am sure the press will have too much fun with pictures of you carrying me." Mal said with a cute smile upon her face that could almost have been mistaken for a smirk.
"Well then, I guess we can head out to the mall. Do you want to wear what you're wearing or change?"
"I think I'm good, your mom picked a very comfy outfit."
"And it looks absolutely amazing on you, as does everything else." Ben complimented cheesily, while Mal rolled her eyes at her boyfriend's antics. "I'll call for a car." Ben added pulling out his phone as they made their way to the front doors.
After a quick ride downtown the car dropped them off at the front entrance of the mall, shockingly, the fact they were going to the mall hadn't gotten out, but that wouldn't last long.
Ben turned around after stepping out of the car and took Mal's hand helping her out of the car before making sure she was steady on her crutches. They made their way into the building, but as soon as they did a little girl spotted them, freezing in place for a moment, before tugging on her mom's arm pointing in their direction. The little girl's mom looked up in shock for a moment before the little girl came rushing to them.
"Your majesty! Lady Mal!" The little girl shouted with a big smile on her face as she tried to curtsy while running, it was quite cute.
"Hey, what's your name?" Ben asked kneeling down some to get on her level.
"I'm Alyssa."
"Well hi Alyssa, how are you doing?" Ben said with a huge smile on his face.
"I am doing amazing! I am meeting you and Lady Mal!"
"Alyssa, please don't bother the King and Lady Mal, I'm sure they are very busy." Alyssa's mother said rushing up behind her daughter.
"No, no, it's fine. So, are you ready for Christmas Alyssa?" Mal spoke up, leaning over as best she could with her crutches.
"I am! I've been good, and I helped my mom wrap presents, and decorate the Christmas tree, and I even got to help make Christmas cookies for my class!"
"Wow, that sounds awesome!"
"But, this is the best Christmas surprise ever! I got to meet both of you!"
"Aww, well it's an honor meeting you!" Ben added with a smile
"I'm sorry, but would you mind if Alyssa took a picture with you two?" Alyssa's mom asked holding her phone up slightly.
"Of course not." Ben said, gently pulling Alyssa, towards them for the picture.
They all smiled for the picture before Alyssa turned around jumping up and down thanking them.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! My friends won't believe this, but what happened to your leg though lady Mal?" Alyssa asked before looking a little upset at Mal's leg.
"Oh, I fell down the stairs, so be careful when you are near stairs." Mal said with a hint of warning in her voice but finished with a smile, "But don't worry, nothing hurts." Mal silently added, thanks to the pain pills, but figured she should assure the girl.
Alyssa's mom thanked them once more before taking Alyssa's hand and guiding them to a store.
"This is why I love going out." Ben said with a smile.
"Me too, the people above the age of 14 scare me sometimes, but everyone below that age is so cute when they come up."
"I don't need to worry about any 14 and under boy coming and stealing my spot as your boyfriend, do I?" Ben joked.
"No, unless somehow you from the past shows, up because baby Ben was so adorable."
"Wait, when did you see pictures of me as a baby?"
"Oh, your mom showed me a few of your baby books a while back, plus you know I can google pictures of you as a baby easily. You, kind of are a public figure."
"You'd almost think I was the king with as many photographers that follow me around."
They walked/crutched off laughing as they did their shopping, Ben holding any bags they might have acquired along the way.
The night of the Winter Solstice ball had arrived, and to say Mal was stressed would be an understatement.
"Mal, you will be fine, the dress is designed for you to be able to easily move with your crutches, I designed your crutches to match your dress perfectly, and everything will go smoothly." Evie assured as Mal paced back and forth on her crutches, though Evie wasn't entirely sure how she managed that. Realizing that this wasn't going to get any better anytime soon with what she could offer, Evie pulled out her phone and texted for the big guns come in.
Just a few minutes later, a knock came at the door. Evie walked over opening the door as Mal continued to pace back and forth on her crutches.
"Hey Ben, help, she is so stressed she is pacing, on her crutches. I didn't even think that was possible." Evie said slipping into the hall without Mal noticing.
"I'll see what I can do." Ben said with a sad smile as he slid into Mal's room.
He walked up next to her and stopped her gently mid pace.
"Hey, it's okay. Everything will go smoothly, and you look gorgeous."
"But, what if one of the elders gets mad that I can't to the traditional waltz, or what if my crutch gets stuck on someones dress or my own dress and I fall. What if I embarrass you and myself and your parent's. What if when I fall I hurt myself, and what if one of the elders throws a fit about me not going down the staircase to enter. What if-"
"Mal. Shhhh…" Ben said gently grabbing each of her shoulders and making her look him in the eye, "You are going to be fine. I will be with you at all times, which means if you fall, I will catch you. Everything will be absolutely fine."
"But Ben-"
"No, everything will be fine. Look at me," Ben said cupping her cheeks and staring straight into her eyes, "I love you, and everything will go grand. The elders can say whatever they want, but whatever they say will not make an impact on anyone, because their entire nation understands you are injured, and you can't carry out every old, ridiculous, outdated traditions. Because, I don't want to carry them all out either. Plus, we can still carry out that waltz, just like we did in the garden, but only if you want to. If you feel you really need to uphold one of the traditions that your injury makes harder to do, then we can do that one. I will be with you the whole night, no matter what, you will be fine. No matter what anyone else says. I. Love. You. Nothing will change that."
"Thank you, Ben, I needed that."
"I know," Ben said before leaning in and kissing her. "So, are you ready to go out there?"
"No, but you'll be with me. So, everything will be just fine, and I think we should do that dance."
"My lady," Ben said opening the door.
"My king," Mal said crutching her way through the door.
"My love," Ben said kissing Mal on the cheek.
"My love," Mal said kissing Ben on the lips.
They both smiled to each other before making their way into the ball and prepping for their not-so-traditional waltz, as they danced as though they were the only ones in the room unable to take their eyes off each other.