𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐘 | mal and ben

dunk or drunk?

That morning, after breakfast, Ben and Mal made a point of spending time together with Lil Ben, savoring a peaceful moment as a family. They gathered in the nursery, a bright room filled with toys, soft blankets, and the scent of lavender from the nearby balcony. Mal settled on the floor with Lil Ben in her lap, who was delighted to be the center of attention. Ben joined them, playfully crawling around on all fours, pretending to be a dragon.

Lil Ben let out a squeal of excitement, reaching up with tiny hands to tug on Ben's hair. "Easy there, buddy," Ben laughed, letting his son "capture" him. Mal watched, her expression a mixture of amusement and tenderness, a smile creeping onto her face as she saw Ben's playfulness. She couldn't help but feel a swell of warmth seeing Ben bond with their child, a sight that reminded her of the precious moments they used to dream about together.

"Look at you two," Mal said with a soft chuckle, reaching out to gently brush back a lock of Lil Ben's hair. "You're going to have him thinking he's the child of a dragon soon."

Ben grinned, pretending to roar softly, which made Lil Ben giggle with delight. "Well, dragons are in his blood, aren't they? I'm just helping him embrace it."

They continued to play for a while longer, building towers of blocks that Lil Ben gleefully knocked over, or tossing soft, plush balls for him to fetch. Ben lifted Lil Ben up, swinging him gently in his arms, making him giggle louder than ever. Mal reached out, her fingers lightly brushing her son's cheek, watching his innocent joy with a feeling of bittersweet happiness. It felt as if time was moving too quickly, each day passing faster than the last.

"Don't you think he's growing up too fast?" she murmured to Ben, her voice filled with both pride and a touch of sadness.

Ben, still holding Lil Ben, looked over at her, understanding the wistful tone in her voice. "Too fast," he agreed softly, his eyes warm and full of affection. "But we'll soak up every bit of it." He pulled her closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, allowing the three of them to share a quiet, tender moment together.

Mal's phone suddenly buzzed on the nearby table, cutting through the tranquility of the morning. She glanced at it, her expression falling slightly as she saw a reminder of her responsibilities. Work awaited her, and as much as she wanted to ignore it, she knew there were things she couldn't delay. She gave Ben a regretful look, the peaceful moment slipping away like sand through her fingers.

"I should get going," she said reluctantly, casting one last loving glance at Lil Ben, who was still happily nestled in Ben's arms. Her smile faded just a little, a pang of longing in her heart.

Ben gave her an understanding nod, lifting Lil Ben's small hand to wave goodbye. "Say bye to Mama," he murmured to their son, helping him wave. Lil Ben's tiny hand wiggled as he watched his mother with wide, innocent eyes, oblivious to the struggles and worries in her mind.

Mal knelt down and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek, lingering for a moment, as if trying to hold onto the warmth and sweetness of her family. "Bye, little one," she whispered, her voice soft. She rose and gave Ben a small smile, one that held both gratitude and apology.

Ben walked her to the door, his hand resting on her shoulder in a reassuring way. "We'll be here when you get back," he said quietly, a warmth in his eyes that gave her a sense of peace. "Just take it easy."

Mal squeezed his hand, a weight lifted from her shoulders even if just for a moment. "Thanks, Ben," she whispered, her voice full of appreciation. "For everything."

As she left, she glanced back one last time, watching Ben standing in the doorway with Lil Ben nestled in his arms, their faces a blend of love and encouragement. The morning sun cast a soft glow over them, and for a moment, she felt that the world outside didn't matter.