After Ever After

Chapter Eleven

Li Residence

Wednesday Afternoon

Mulan laid on the chaise in her living room, her head nestled into the pillow with one arm slung over her eyes while her legs were spread across Ariel's lap. Belle returned from the kitchen with a cup of rose tea, placed it on the table, and took a seat in the armchair adjacent from her. Lotus slept in Ariel's arms.

The room was tense and quiet. Mulan had just finished spilling her guts about her absentee husband, and how tired she was, and how she felt abandoned and alone. She hadn't expected to cry like that in front of them. She'd been holding it in for so long, she finally snapped. She was emotionally drained as well as physically drained. She just felt so weak.

"I wish you would have called," Belle spoke first. "You know I would have helped."

"Me too," Ariel chimed in. "You should have said something Mulan."

Mulan reached for the cup of tea, sipped from it, and relished the immediate comfort it brought her. "I didn't want to bother you," she took another long sip from her cup.

"You wouldn't have," Ariel swaddled Lotus in a thin blanket. "We all agreed to help you, remember?"

"You don't have to do everything by yourself Mulan," said Belle.

"I know that but...Lotus isn't your responsibility. And you're right, I shouldn't have to do this by myself, I should be doing this with my husband," Mulan laughed bitterly, holding her cup in her lap. "Of course, you can't tell him that."

"When does he come home?" asked Belle.

"Tomorrow."

"Then why don't you have your parents look after Lotus until then? Or maybe even Mushu? You really need to get some rest and give yourself some time to prepare to talk with Shang."

Ariel tucked Lotus in her play pin. "You need to tell your parents what's going on too. I'm pretty sure your grandma will whip him into shape. You also need to make sure he listens to you, don't back down."

Mulan nodded. "Okay."

Belle passed Mulan her cell phone. "Call your parents and ask if they can take Lotus, then leave Shang a serious voicemail. Let him know you mean business. I'll pack Lotus an overnight bag," she rose from her chair and headed for the stairs before Mulan could protest.

"Then after you've done that, call the spa and make an appointment. It'll be my treat," Ariel said nudging Mulan with her shoulder.

Mulan hugged her. "Thank you, you're the best."

"We know."

Mulan dialed her parent's phone number. This conversation was going to be interesting.

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Belle and Adam's House

Belle came home to a dark, quiet house. She found the living room vacant but still a cluttered mess. Adam must be asleep, she figured as she walked to the kitchen to make herself a quick dinner. Wary of waking her sleeping giant, she went with last night's leftovers: spaghetti and meatballs. She occupied herself with making her plate and didn't even notice the shadow of Adam looming behind her.

"Where have you been?" his voice, grizzly and rough, ruined the silence in the house.

Belle nearly dropped her plate at the sudden intrusion. She spun around to face her husband, hand over her chest. "Adam! Jesus, honey, you scared me."

"Where. Have. You. Been?" he asked again, ignoring Belle's proclamation.

Belle turned back to warm up her dinner. "I went to visit Ariel at her choir practice, then we went to see Mulan."