If I Never Knew You

Chapter 3

Mal and Ben thought about calling a press conference, or having the royal publicist inform the kingdom to announce the engagement, but in the end Mal thought of a simpler, more efficient way of letting the world know. She had not previously been a fan of social media, she held to the belief that it was invasive and those who spent most of their time updating statuses were in reality so bored with their provincial lives they tried in desperation to make it appear more exciting, like Audrey. But today she accepted that sometimes it could come in handy. With her left hand next to her face she smiled as Ben took her picture. He smiled as he wrote what Mal knew was probably some long and drawn out caption, so she took the phone from his hand and erased all he had written and simply typed, "Said yes, countdown to royal wedding begins." Mal tossed the phone back into Ben's hands and got a nod of approval.

"Simple," he said smiling, "I like it. Not nearly as romantic as what I had typed," he added with a smug smile. Mal raised her purple brows.

"I know, it's why what I wrote is better," she said smiling back at him before walking over to the stove to continue preparing the meal she was making for Belle. Ben published the photo before walking over and wrapping his arms around Mal's waist.

"What are you making," he asked inhaling the savoring scent.

"Four cheese tortellini with Alfredo sauce," Mal answered, "and if I have time I'll make those cupcakes your mom loves."

Ben pressed his lips into the small of Mal's neck, causing her to shudder. Mal dropped the whisk as she held onto the counter to keep her from falling. Ben chuckled darkly as he moved from her neck to her shoulder.

"Your mother will be here any minute," Mal reminded him as she tried to regain control of herself. With a twirl of his arm Mal was now facing him, the two smiling.

"She'll knock," he told her. Mal knew he was right, but loved toying with him.

"Yes, and she'll be expecting lunch to be ready or close too when she gets here, so if you'd excuse me." Mal wiggled herself free from Ben's strong grip and continued to stir the sauce, a sly smile on her face. She began counting back inside her head.

"Five, four, three, two," and before she got to one Ben had scooped her up in his arms, bridal style. Mal's head flew back as she laughed.

"Mal, you smell," Ben said smiling. Mal stopped laughing and looked at her now fiancé appalled.

"Excuse me," she said waiting for him to respond. Ben started to explain himself as he started to walk towards the bathroom.

"You could use a shower. So you don't smell when my mom gets here," he said with a sly smile. Mal finally catching on returned said sly smile.

"I guess that would be rude, wouldn't it," she asked.

"Oh most defiantly." Ben agreed as he set her down on the tile floor. Ben walked over to the large glass shower and turned the water on. He turned back to Mal and started to undo the buttons on his shirt. "And as your fiancé it would be irresponsible of me to allow that," he told her as he threw his shirt aside. Four years, and Mal still got butterflies when she saw his bare torso. She smiled and took the pins out of her hair and let it fall freely down to her waist.

"You're too kind, Ben," she said as she unzipped the back of her dress.

"Only looking out for you, Love," he told her as he helped her out of the shiny short lavender dress. Mal pressed her hands on Ben's naked chest and stood on her tippy toes to kiss him. Ben wrapped his arms around her and carried her into the shower.

The knocking on the door an hour later, was what alerted the two that the former Queen was outside the large apartment. Mal nearly slipped on the wet tile floor of the shower when she first heard the knocking, lucky for her Ben had caught her. They exited the shower and grabbed some towels.