Ben knew they should focus on what came next. That once everything got sorted out, there would be nothing that could tamper their happiness; there would be nothing hanging over their heads anymore. But for what felt like the first time in his life, Ben didnât want to be practical. Ben didnât want to think about the long-term plan, he didnât want to iron out all the details. Seeing the way both Mal and Evieâs faces were lit up with happiness, the delighted sparkle in their eyes or the way their smiles seemed like theyâd stretch right off of their faces if such a thing were possible⌠Who was he to hit pause on that? He was even feeling selfish enough to not want to thwart his own happiness in this moment, and God knew they came first for him. That seeing them happy was far more important to him than his own feelings could ever be.Â
But damn, if he wasnât the luckiest person in all of the world. No matter what hardships came ahead, no matter how tricky it might be to navigate this new dynamic between them⌠there was no way there was anyone who was as blessed as he was, to have not one but two of the most incredible girls heâd ever met care about him in such a way. Ben stood up from his desk, hoping Mal would follow his lead. âYou know, I think weâd have an easier time showing Evie that this was happening if we didnât have this silly desk in between us,â Ben told Mal, his eyes sparkling. He didnât often have any kind of mischievous streak, but right now, Ben felt on top of the world, like he could do anything, be anything. And right now, the only thing in the world he wanted was to be with them.Â
Heâd never let Evieâs hand drop, but he reached out to offer his hand to Mal again, wanting to guide them both over to the couch in his study, the one heâd made sure to have for when either of them visited, so they could be comfortable. âI know I for one have had a serious deficit of Evie hugs in the past few months,â he added, nodding towards the piece of furniture where they wouldnât be quite as separated. That was as far as Ben would take things, though; he wanted to leave this in their hands. His cheeks would start burning with embarrassment if he even let his thoughts wander just a little too far, to the things that he knew were probably coming next, but that he still wasnât quite sure how to navigate.
Evie suddenly felt very light and giggly, like when she was a little girl discovering something sparkly for the first time. When her momâs henchpeople had brought over a broken and cracked gem-studded looking glass, sheâd seen right past the cracks and hadnât been able to focus on anything other than how shiny it was. It, like this moment, was beautiful and made her feel special. How could she not feel special, when she was hearing that everything she had been scared was ruining something was not only accepted, but wanted? âDonât be sorry,â she tried, barely managing it with how breathy her voice felt.Â
She wondered how long Mal and Ben had had to talk about this, if it had hurt them, but neither of them seemed hurt right now. They seemed just as shiny and happy as she must, reflecting back onto her brilliant smiles just like her looking glass from a lifetime ago. Unlike the glass though, this wasnât broken. It was complicated, maybe, but it was far from broken. Whatever this was, whatever it would face, it would be faced alongside the two strongest people she knew, and she felt a billion times stronger for knowing that sheâd never be alone again. And when Ben spoke, Evie felt that confirmation that they did all understand each other because what she wanted more than anything was to hold them and feel close to them while they could, while no one else expected them.Â
âWhat an incredible coincidence,â Evie giggled, fighting the urge to attack-hug them at the very suggestion and settling instead for squeezing Benâs hand and smiling at them both as she wandered just a little bit towards the couch Ben had pointed out. One that would fit the three of them, no problem. âIâve had a serious deficit of my two favorite people in the whole world.â As soon as they were close enough, she planned on wrapping her arms around them both and sinking down into the couch, as close to a perfect moment as possible - and how nice it was, how lovely, to be able to have thoughts like that without feeling guilty.Â
It was like Ben could read her mind, she too had been feeling the effects of Evie withdrawal, a feeling she never wanted to experience again. Perhaps with just a little bit too much excitement and eagerness Mal gave a tug on Benâs hand, clasping onto Evieâs as well as she started backwards towards the couch. How she had missed this, the three of them all together. It was just right, felt like it was meant to be. Not even the guilt of wanting to have realized it sooner could quash the lightness in her heart at that moment. Mal let out a giggly squeal, dropping their hands only when sheâd found the edge of the couch and collapsed into the end cushion.
In that brief moment that she sat there, looking back up at the two of them with the biggest smiles sheâd ever seen on their faces, Mal felt whole. Sheâd finally found that piece that was missing, and of course it had been right under her nose her entire life. But now she had the rest of her life to make every day like this, full of love and laughter, and never being without the two most important people to her ever again.
âAs cute as you two are right now, Iâm feeling a little left out,â she teased, unable to help but continue to giggle through each word. Mal patted the spot next to her before throwing her arms open, waiting for them to be back at her side.