Always by your Side - A Descendants Story : REWRITTEN

Chapter 9

"I do"

It's all she hears, making her heart skip a beat. Then she hears her own name in the same question that Ben just answered, and right after the question is asked she instantly says "I do".

"I hereby declare you husband and wife," the priest says. "You may kiss the bride."

As soon as he hears that, Ben pulls her close to him and kisses her passionately as ever. They're not even aware of all the people around them cheering and clapping.

After that everything goes so fast; Ben and Mal walk out the chapel, followed by all the guests. Outside is a big crowd of people waiting for the Royal couple to come out, and as soon as they do, everyone starts cheering and waving their little Auradon flags.

Mal's overwhelmed by the hugeness of the whole event and tries to just copy Ben; waving and smiling at the people as they slowly make their way to the carriage.

"We're married," Mal says, when they're finally sitting in the carriage, still trying to come to terms with that fact. "We actually got married."

Ben chuckles. "Queen Mal of Auradon, that does have a ring to it, huh?"

"It feels so unreal, like- like a dream..." she says, looking happily at him. "But it's actually real."

"And we've gotten through the entire wedding without screw ups of any kind," he adds.

"Who would've thought," Mal says, chuckling. "Not me, that's for sure."

"The perfect start of a happy marriage, I'd say," he tells her, wrapping an arm around her.

"It certainly is," Mal agrees, putting her head on his shoulder.
________________________________________________________

When they arrive at the castle where the rest of the wedding activities are being held, they quickly change into their party clothes and then join the others in the dining room.

They enjoy a big festive dinner with all their friends and family and after they're finished they move to the big ball room for the wedding reception.

As per tradition the bride and groom take the floor for the first dance and then they're joined by the other people for a night full of dancing. After a few dances, Mal and Ben retire to the bar at the left side of the room for a drink. Their friends join them, having barely been able to talk to them all evening. They catch up on everything that's happened and take some pictures. The rest of the night they enjoy the party immensely, just having all the fun with each other until the early hours of the morning. It's at around 6 when their friends also finally leave to go home. Mal's barely able to keep her eyes open anymore. "Let's get to bed," Ben suggests.

"I don't think I can walk anymore," Mal says, sitting on a chair in the middle of the now empty ballroom.

"You're lucky we're home already, then," Ben tells her.

"What?" Mal asks, not understanding, or maybe just too tired to understand.

"This is our castle," he tells her. "Surprise!"

"Wait- like- for real?!" she exclaims, suddenly wide awake again.

"Yeah, or, well- it's for after we graduate," he tells her. "This is going to be our home, the place from where we'll reign the kingdom."

"This whole marriage thing is getting better and better," she says, enthusiastically.

"Wait until you see where we're going for our honeymoon," he teases.

"Oh, come on, tell me, tell me," she says, eager to know.

"You'll see tomorrow," he assures her. "First we've got to get some sleep."

"Fine, but I'm claiming the right side of the bed this time," she tells him.

"As long as you're next to me," he says, and kisses her.

When they get to their room, they quickly get ready and change into their pyjamas. Then they get in bed, cuddle up to each other and soon after fall into a deep, peaceful sleep.