Descendants 2: A Continuing Love Story

It's Party Time!!

"I can't believe it's finally happening!" Jane exclaimed as the limo neared the docks. Back at the dorms, Ariel had hugged them all and wished them luck and happiness, saying how lovely everyone looked. Their smiles shone brightly through the night as they got into the limo that would take them to the party. Melody and Erin waved through the back window until their mom was a speck on the horizon. The limo was filled with excited chatter throughout the ride while Erin and Jay happily observed as they held each other close. The girls couldn't stop thanking Evie and Taylor for their gowns, complimenting them with every other sentence. Everyone was ready to finally dance and have fun all while celebrating Mal and Ben. Mal's heart still hadn't caught up with the events that were about to transpire. She had been quiet the entire trip and only offered Erin a ghost of a smile when the redhead grasped her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. She was still overwhelmed by it all, wondering if she was good enough for Ben, for Auradon.

When the limo stopped at the docks, trusted guards helped the teens out and told Mal that she would be the second-to-last to enter before Ben since it was their night. Being separated from her friends only made Mal's nerves grow more. Understanding this, Erin pulled Mal aside, offering a kind smile.

"Do you want to talk?"

Mal's emerald eyes flickered to Erin's baby blues, and Erin could see the apprehension. "I... I don't know if there's much else to say," she chuckled nervously. "You have helped me so much, and your mom... You were right. She helped calm me down. She was everything I imagined a mother to be. But now that it's actually happening, now that the time has come for me to be named Lady of the Court, all my anxiety is rushing back, and I... I don't know what to do."

Tears started to well in Mal's eyes and Erin quickly started to calm her by rubbing her arms. "Shh. It's okay. It's okay to be nervous."

"Yeah, right," Mal scoffed. "I'm weak."

"No. You're human," Erin stated. "But crying doesn't make you weak. Being nervous doesn't make you weak. Letting people in, trusting them, confiding in them is the scariest, most nerve-racking thing anyone could do. When I first met you,  you were closed off to so many people, yourself included. Then you followed your heart and let your friends see who you really are. I always knew you were strong, but these past few months have been the strongest I've ever seen you. You are taking control of your life, and facing things head-on even if it terrifies you."

Mal chuckled, sniffling a bit, and bashfully looked down at her heels.

"You are strong," Erin declared. "Say it."

"I am strong."

"You are brave."

"I am brave."

"You are loved."

"I am loved."

"You are beautiful."

"I am beautiful," Mal finished, her spirits lifted into the clouds. "So are you."

Erin smiled and gave Mal's shoulder a comforting squeeze, but Mal had another idea. Unexpectedly, she captured Erin in a tight sisterly hug. The redhead was taken aback for a second before melting into the embrace, hugging Mal back just as tightly.

"You know, for an Auradon girl, you're pretty amazing, Red," Mal quipped, returning to her normal self just a bit.

Erin chuckled, and as the girls separated, Jay came over and offered the girls a small smile.

"She's one of the good ones, Jay. Don't let her go."

With a wide smile, Jay wrapped his arm around Erin's shoulders holding her to his side while she smiled bashfully. "Wouldn't dream of it."