Chapter 7
Another five weeks went by. Things had slowly returned to normal, or at least as normal as things could be now that the castle wasn't enchanted. Belle and Adam spent their days reading, taking walks through the gardens, enjoying their meals together, and sharing kisses when they thought no one was looking (although the staff had caught them on occasion). Adam even began overseeing the villages he once ruled over before he had become a beast. It took some adjusting since many people still did not trust him, but he worked hard to listen to the people and do what was in the best interest of everyone.
Adam was always careful with Belle, knowing she was still recovering from her ordeal. Her physical wounds had disappeared, aside from the faint scar on her cheek, but her emotional wounds would take more time to heal. Adam was always sure to give her space when she needed it or to be there for her when she needed him.
The castle was full of life with the servants constantly laughing and pulling pranks on each other. Plumette and Lumiere were madly in love, escaping off to be with each other every chance they could get. Little Chip's laughter was perhaps the best sound of all. Most days he could be found chasing the dog around both inside and out. Everyone and everything in the castle seemed to sparkle just a little brighter than it had when the castle had been cursed.
It was early one beautiful morning when Adam found Belle in the library. She was curled up in her favorite puffy chair, wearing a beautiful, pale, green dress. Her feet were bare. Adam noticed how little she wore shoes now that there was no snow surrounding the castle all of the time. As usual, Belle's nose was buried in her book. She hadn't even noticed him come in. Adam chuckled to himself. She looked so content. He almost hated to disturb her.
"The sun's barely up and you're already halfway through that book," Adam commented.
Belle lowered the book so she could see him, but didn't close it. "It's interesting."
"What are you reading?"
"A Guide to Teaching," she answered.
"Teaching? Do you wish to become a teacher?"
"Maybe," she replied.
"Maybe?"
"I was thinking…I'd like to have children come to the castle. To the library. I could…help them. I could teach them about books and reading. I was helping a girl in the village learn to read before I came here."
"Doesn't the village have a teacher?"
"Yes, but he's awful," Belle explained. "He only teaches those wealthy enough to afford school and he won't teach girls. He doesn't think they should know how to read."
"That's horrible," Adam said.
"I certainly wasn't allowed there as a young girl. If it weren't for my father teaching me, I would be just like some of those villagers. That's why many of them thought I was odd."
"You could never be like them," Adam told her. "And you're not odd."
Belle smiled. "I don't know if anyone would even let their children come, but, I feel as if I have to try. What do you think?"
"I think it's a wonderful idea."
"You do?"
"Yes. If it makes you happy."
Tears sprang to Belle's eyes. She tried to brush them away, but a few escaped down her cheek.
"Thank you," she said.
"Why are you crying?"
"I don't know," she replied with a smile. "I'm just so happy. You make me happy."
"I'll do whatever I can to keep making you happy. I promise."
"Well, we would need some desks and some more chairs. And some paper and pencils and…"
"We'll get all those things and more."
"And I don't have to just teach them to read. They can learn math and history and science and everything."
"Absolutely," he agreed, loving how excited she was getting.
"Imagine all those girls finally getting a chance at an education."
"And there's no one better to make that happen than you."
"We'll make this a proper school," Belle continued, envisioning it all in her mind.
"And you will be a fantastic teacher."
Belle put her book down and launched herself out of her chair and into Adam's arms. She crashed her lips against his, sending them both stumbling backwards. Adam's back hit a bookshelf. He kissed her back with fervor, desperately needing to taste her. Adam's arm snaked around her waist, pulling her closer to him.
Belle knew she should control herself, but she didn't want to. It felt impossibly good to be connected to Adam in that way. Even if it was wrong, every part of her just wanted him. They kissed rapidly, neither one of them wanting to stop.
As Belle brought her hands up to Adam's hair, she felt a wave of nausea flow through her. Belle backed up, putting her hand on her stomach. Something did not feel right.
"I'm sorry." Adam apologized, practically panting. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No, it's not you," she assured him. The nausea did not pass. In fact, it was getting worse.
"Then, what it is?"
"I…I…"
Clutching her stomach, Belle raced out of the room. She made it back into her room, found the chamber pot, and threw up in it. When she finally felt like the ache had passed, Belle poured herself some water. She drank some slowly and chewed on a mint leaf. There was a pounding on the door.
"Belle, are you alright?" Adam yelled through the door.
"I'm fine," she replied.
"May I come in?"
Belle looked down at her dress, noticing vomit on her collar. "I don't think you should see me like this."
"I'll get Mrs. Potts."
"Don't bother her! I'm fine!"
Belle got no response. She guessed Adam was already on his way down the steps and heading for the kitchen. Belle splashed some water on her face and sat down at her vanity. She looked at herself in the mirror. As usual, her focus went immediately to the faint scar she still had on her cheek. Although it had faded, it was still there. Belle knew she'd have it for the rest of her life. Belle studied the rest of her face. She was pale and had small bags under her eyes. She hadn't been sleeping well. The reason why had escaped her. She just felt…off. That was why she had started reading A Guide To Teaching before sunrise that morning. She couldn't sleep.
Someone knocked on the door. Belle recognized the knock immediately. It was Mrs. Potts. It was amazing how used to everyone she had gotten even if their human forms.
"Come in, Mrs. Potts," Belle said.
Mrs. Potts entered the room and shut the door quickly. She practically ran over to Belle.
"Oh my dear, the Prince said you aren't feeling well."
It still felt weird to hear Adam referred to as the Prince. Belle rarely called him or thought of him in that way.
"I'm fine now, Mrs. Potts. Perhaps it was something I ate," Belle suggested. Immediately she regretted it as Mrs. Potts' face fell. She always prided herself in her work in the kitchen. "Or perhaps it's just an upset stomach."
Mrs. Potts' nodded obviously forgiving Belle for her comment.
"You poor thing. Is this the first time in recent memory you've been sick?"
"No, actually. Last week I was ill in the middle of the night. Thankfully I made it to the chamber pot in time. Maybe I have the flu."
"Perhaps," Mrs. Potts said. "And how have you been sleeping recently?"
"Rather poorly. I must be sick."
Mrs. Potts paused. "I'm going to ask you something, Belle, and I don't want you to be…upset with me."
"How I could ever be upset with you Mrs. Potts?"
"When was the last time you had your monthly bleed?"
Belle was shocked at the question, but wasn't angry. She just couldn't understand why Mrs. Potts would ask her something like that. It was not something people talked about.
"Well, I…" Belle began, trying to figure out the timing. "Before. Back at the house."
"With Gaston?" Mrs. Potts asked, cringing at the name.
"Yes. It must have been at least two weeks before Adam found me."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm very sure. Why do you ask?"
"I know you grew up without a mother, Belle. Do you know what it could mean…missing your monthlies like that."
"Missing? I haven't missed them. I…" she trailed off, thinking.
"You've been here more than six weeks, Belle. That's eight weeks without one."
"No, that's not possible," Belle stammered.
"If that evil fellow was as terrible as he seemed, dear. I can only imagine what you've gone through."
Belle's eyes grew wide with fright. Even though she didn't have a mother to tell her about where babies came from, Belle had seen enough animal births to know the basics. It was all making sense. She put her hands to her stomach.
"But I can't be," she whispered.
"It'll be alright," Mrs. Potts assured her.
"How do I find out for sure?"
"I'm afraid you won't until you start to show."
"I can't have a…a…" Belle couldn't bring herself to say the words. "What am I going to do?"
"I'm going to fix a nice pot of tea and we're going to figure this out together."
Mrs. Potts patted Belle's hand before leaving the room. Belle had never felt more alone. She ran to her vanity and took out a piece of paper and pencil. She began to make tally marks like the ones she had done on the back of the cabinet to mark how many days she had been at the house with Gaston. She remembered being terrified that this very thing might happen so she had kept careful track of her monthlies using the same tally marks. Belle closed her eyes and pictured them as if they were right in front of her. She copied the picture in her head onto the paper in front of her. She stared down at the paper. What she had told Mrs. Potts was right. It all fit. The upset stomach, the inability to sleep, the ease at which she burst into tears. Belle didn't need to start showing to be sure.
With tears rolling down her cheeks, Belle walked over to her wardrobe. She knew exactly what she must do. She wasn't going to get her school.
Author's Note: As promised, here comes to the drama! For the record, I can't take credit for the idea of the library being turned into a school. I think I heard that in an interview with Emma Watson somewhere. Anyway, thanks for reading and for everyone's kind words! More to come soon!
