𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐘 | mal and ben

time

The next morning, Ben, still troubled by the previous night's events, made his way to Fairy Godmother's office. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft golden light through the windows as he knocked on her door. When she invited him in, he stepped inside, his expression serious.

"Good morning, Ben," Fairy Godmother greeted him warmly, though her smile faded slightly when she noticed the worry in his eyes. "Is everything alright?"

Ben took a deep breath, trying to collect his thoughts. "Fairy Godmother, I need to ask you something important. Did you know that Mal has been getting pressured by the council to have a second child?"

Fairy Godmother's brows furrowed in confusion. "No, I wasn't aware of that. Are you saying this has been happening recently?"

Ben nodded, his frustration evident. "Yes, and it's really been affecting her. Mal just gave birth to Lil Ben, and she's already feeling overwhelmed. The pressure for another child is making everything worse."

Fairy Godmother looked genuinely concerned. "I had no idea, Ben. The council hasn't mentioned anything to me about pressuring Mal for a second child. If they had, I would've spoken up against it. Mal needs time to recover and adjust to her new life as a mother, not added stress."

Ben ran a hand through his hair, relieved but still troubled. "I believe you, but we need to address this. Mal is feeling cornered, and it's causing a lot of strain between us. I don't want her to go through this alone."

Fairy Godmother nodded thoughtfully. "You're right, Ben. I'll speak with the council and make sure they understand that Mal's well-being should be the priority right now. She needs support, not pressure."

Ben let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "Thank you. I just want her to feel safe and supported."

Fairy Godmother smiled gently. "You're a good husband, Ben. Mal is lucky to have you by her side.

As Ben stood in Fairy Godmother's office, the weight of his emotions became more evident. He hesitated before speaking again, his voice laced with frustration and sadness.

"You know," Ben began, struggling to find the right words, "it's not just about the pressure. Mal and I... We didn't start a family because it was something we dreamed about or because it was the right time for us. She got pregnant because of all this pressure, not because we were ready or because of our true love for each other."

Fairy Godmother looked at him with deep concern, sensing the gravity of his words. "Ben, what are you saying?"

Ben sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm saying that this pressure is ruining everything. It's not fair to Mal, and it's not fair to me. We love each other, but this—this constant expectation—is suffocating us. It makes us feel like we're not in control of our own lives, our own family."

Fairy Godmother's expression softened, and she stepped closer to him. "Ben, love is not just about having children or fulfilling expectations. It's about the bond you share, the support you give each other, and the life you build together. If you and Mal feel that this pressure is taking away from that, then it needs to be addressed."