{Three Months Later}
Belle stood behind the balcony railing and looked out at the sunset. A strong pair of arms encircled her and she smiled. Belle leaned back against Adam's warm chest.
"The sunset is so beautiful." She said softly.
"It is, indeed," Adam agreed. "But not nearly as beautiful as you." He kissed her temple and pulled her closer. Belle giggled.
The pair held on to each other in silence and enjoyed the disappearing sun. They watched the bright and brilliant colors darken.
"I wonder what the sunset would look like by the sea, or in the desert." Belle wondered out loud.
"I imagine it would look the same." He answered.
"Clearly, you don't have much of an imagination." She teased.
"Just because I don't imagine sunsets in far-off lands, does not mean I don't have 'much of an imagination.'" He replied in mock offense.
He leaned in closer to her ear. Belle's breath caught in her throat and she felt her heart beat a little bit faster.
"In fact, I have a vivid imagination..." He whispered in her ear.
Belle couldn't help but laugh. Adam laughed along with her. Soon, their laughter died down and silence filled the air once again. She pulled away to turn and look at him.
"Before you...changed...did you ever leave the castle? Did you ever travel?" she asked suddenly.
Adam sighed. He reached for her hands. He was quiet for a long time, rubbing circles on the back of her hands with his thumbs.
"My life before the curse and before you - isn't something I like to think about," he started to say. "But, since I know that you won't stop asking until I give you an answer, I will tell you.
"Yes, I did travel. It was more of a need than a want. My family were, after all, nobles with lands in their charge. The visits to town and Paris were mandatory. I personally never cared for it, so I didn't pay much attention to my surroundings. Or my duties. I just...went through the motions of being a prince. I had everything already, why should I even begin to care about others? The only thing I cared about was myself. Until I met you.
"You...Belle, you taught me how to be kind. How to care for others and out them before yourself, how to be brave, and how to love. I was none of those things. I don't even think I knew what they were until you showed me. Because, for some unknown reason, you saw those qualities in me. I don't think I could have learned to love, to change, had you not appeared into my life."
Belle gave him a small smile. She lifted herself up onto her toes to kiss him. Adam wrapped his hands around her waist, pulled her closer and kissed her hard. Belle placed her arms around his neck. They held onto each other, their bodies locked together in a comforting, reassuring way. Eventually, their lips pulled away after the need for air became too great. They put their foreheads together, their eyes closed.
"I love you, Adam." Belle whispered.
"And I love you, Belle." He replied.
The sky changed from dark blue to black, the only light source coming from the full moon and twinkling stars.
"Belle, if you could go anywhere, anywhere in the world, where would it be?" Adam asked suddenly the next morning in the library.
Belle looked up from her book with a raised eyebrow and confused glint in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" she wondered.
Adam stood up from the chair he had been sitting in, crossed over to her chair and kneeled before her.
"I asked if you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?" he repeated.
She was quiet for a moment, her eyebrows scrunched together as she thought. Belle closed her book and set it on the table beside her. Finally, she looked into Adam's eyes.
"I've always wanted to visit the sea," she answered. "I grew up surrounded by farmland, and now I'm surrounded by mountains. I want to go to some far-off coast, look at the water, maybe swim in it and feel the sand between my toes. Why do you ask?"
Adam smiled. "Because our conversation last night got me thinking," he reached for hands, still smiling. "I was blessed with the opportunity to travel and never took it. You've always wanted to see more of the world but never could. So, I want to take you somewhere."
"But, Adam -" she started to say.
"No, Belle, I want to do this. I want to make you happy, and I know staying here isn't going to help...not after all that has happened." He said.
Belle smiled. She rested a hand on his cheek.
"Oh, Adam...I'm so happy here. Really, truly happy." She reassured him.
He shook his head fervently. "Belle, I know you're happier. But you're still not happy," he gently removed her hand and kissed the palm. "Please, let me take you to the sea." He pleaded.
Adam's blue eyes bore into her brown eyes, willing her to agree. Belle knew that his heart was in the right place, and that he wanted to make her happy. How could she refuse such a selfless act?
Framing his face, Belle leaned in and kissed him softly.
"Okay, you can take me to the coast," she whispered.
Adam smiled and kissed her again, this time deepening the kiss. Then he started peppering her with kisses and enticed a giggle from Belle. She had to push him away before she became too smothered. Adam laughed before giving her one last kiss.
"I'll go talk to Cogsworth and make the travel arrangements, you start packing." Adam said happily.
He stood up, gave her a quick peck on the lips and rushed to the door.
"And please try to pack equal amounts of clothes and books!" he called over his shoulder.
Belle laughed again. When she fell silent, she could start to feel the excitement well up inside her. As did her smile.
Adam was met with stunned silence when he told Cogsworth and Lumiere his plans. Naturally, Lumiere was the first to recover. He smiled at his master and clapped his hands together.
"What a wonderful idea, master!" he exclaimed happily. "Nothing like a romantic getaway to the beach, no?"
Adam returned the smile gratefully. He looked towards Cogsworth, who was still in shock. Lumiere rolled his eyes and clapped the butler on the back. Cogsworth snapped back into reality.
"Well, I suppose it's not impossible," Cogsworth said. "H-how soon do you wish to leave, your grace? And for how long?"
The young prince gave a mischievous smile. "We wish to leave immediately. As for the duration...I suppose three weeks should be long enough."
Cogsworth gaped. Lumiere contained a chuckle. The poor butler looked like a fish out of water. Adam rested a reassuring hand on his shoulder before leaving.
"W-wait, your grace, your eminence! Let's not be hasty!" he called out to him desperately. Realizing his protests were unheard, he slumped in his chair and groaned in dismay.
Lumiere gave a hearty laugh. Some things, it seemed, never change.
Mrs. Potts, Babette and Madame de la Grande Bouche helped Belle pack. Madame de la Grand Bouche took special care to pack plenty of clothes.
"Have you ever been to the coast, Mrs. Potts?" Belle asked.
"Can't say that I have, dear," Mrs. Potts replied. "I spent more of my time in the kitchen preparing meals. Not that it's a bad thing, mind you, but I never wanted for more."
Belle smiled and nodded.
"What about you, Babette? Madame de la Grand?" she looked pointedly at the other women in the room.
Babette shook her head no. Madame de la Grand Bouche rambled about one of her dozens of suitors wanting to take her to the seaside but never did.
Belle became silent, lost in thought. This sudden trip, though welcomed, was completely nerve-wracking. She had never been farther than the Black Forest.
Meeting Adam was an adventure within itself, but not the one she imagined.
Well, I always did want the kind of adventure that is in the great wide, somewhere, she admitted to herself.
A soft hand rested on her shoulder. She jumped and looked over her shoulder to see Mrs. Potts reassuring smile.
"Don't worry, love," Mrs. Potts said. "Knowing Cogsworth, he has everything planned down to the last detail."
Belle nodded and smiled in return. While she wasn't at ease, she did feel a little bit better.
A bright light woke Adam up. He blinked a few times to adjust his eyes to the sliver of light. He yawned and stretched a little, aware of Belle resting peacefully on his shoulder. Adam looked down at her and smiled.
Adam turned his attention to the window and drew back the curtain. It surprised him to see the landscape change so rapidly. They went from mountains and forests to flat, sandy beaches and the sparkling blue sea. In the distance, he saw the familiar silhouette of the summer castle he spent the early part of his childhood.
He decided it was time to wake up Belle. Adam leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. She stirred, but remained asleep. He chuckled and kissed her again.
"Belle, it's time to wake up. We're almost there," he said. "And besides, you're missing the sunrise."
Belle stirred again, groaning a protest before opening her eyes. She pushed herself away and stretched. Stifling a yawn, she turned a sleepy gaze towards the sun. Belle's body awoke immediately at the sight of the sea. A bright, happy smile lifted her mouth and widened her eyes. She leaned on the carriage window, taking in the sights.
"I can't believe I almost slept through this!" Belle exclaimed.
"It's not like the landscape is going to change." Adam laughed.
She shot him a glare. "I know that." she grumbled, sitting back in her seat.
She made a show of edging herself away from Adam, completely ignoring him. He chuckled again, scooting closer to her even as she moved away. Soon, there was no way to escape his advances - he had effectively boxed her into a corner. But Belle continued to avoid looking at him. He gave up trying to get her attention, and he remained sitting next to her.
Except for the squeaking of the wheels, the carriage fell into silence.
Adam turned his attention towards the window. They were about halfway to the castle.
Not wanting to start their little getaway off badly, he decided he should apologize for teasing her. He took a deep breath ans reached for Belle's hand.
"Belle." He quietly tried to get her attention.
She still ignored him.
"Belle," he tried again. "I'm sorry for teasing you. I know you're excited about this trip. I guess I forgot that this the first time you have ever traveled, or been to the sea. Please forgive me."
He saw her shoulders slump before she turned to face him. Belle gave him a small smile.
"I forgive you," she said. "This time."
Adam laughed and nodded. He pulled her into his arms. Luckily, she allowed herself to be held and rested her head on his chest. He kissed the top of her head then lay his cheek there. Belle fell back asleep a few moments later.
After a few minutes, the carriage stopped. Adam lifted his head.
"It looks like we're here." He announced.
Belle, however, was still sleeping.
I guess the trip was harder than I thought. Adam thought to himself.
He tapped the ceiling of the carriage. A moment later, the carriage door opened. Adam readjusted Belle's sleeping form so he could carry out with ease.
He carefully stepped out of the carriage with Belle in his arms. With a satisfied sigh, Adam walked through the castle doors.
"Let's go walk along the beach." Belle suggested.
Adam looked up from his food, his eyebrows scrunched together.
"Right now?" he asked.
She nodded fervently. "It's our last night here, and we haven't done that."
He gave her a wry smile and nodded. Standing up from his chair, he walked over to Belle, took her hand, and led her out the opened doors to the beach.
Before they even set foot in the sand, Belle tugged on Adam's hand to stop. He turned around with a quizzical look on his face. She bent down and removed her shoes. He laughed quietly to himself and followed likewise. When their feet were finally bare, they began their walk.
They walked in a comfortable silence. The only sound came from the waves crashing along the shore and the occasional sea gull flying over head.
Belle was both sad and happy that their three week trip was coming to an end. While it was everything she ever wanted and more, she was still homesick.
Belle found herself walking through wet sand and cold water splashing her ankles. She stopped walking and smiled widely. She absentmindedly released Adam's hand and started wading farther into the water. The deeper she went, the more her clothes became wet and stuck closely to her skin, but she didn't care. For the first time in a long time, Belle felt free.
"Belle?" Adam asked.
Belle jumped at the sound of his voice. She looked over her shoulder to see that he had started to follow her. She gave him a mischievous grin. His smile mirrored her own.
As soon as he was closer, she splashed him. Adam sputtered water and glared at her with much effect. Belle started to laugh as he shook his head free of water. His long hair stuck to his face and neck, giving him a pathetic, yet demonic look.
Without warning, he picked Belle up and threw her into the water. She yelped as she fell into the sea. She struggled to stand up, but just as she did, she heard Adam laugh. Belle glared at him, which caused him to laugh even harder.
Suddenly, Adam felt a small, yet heavy object tackle him. The salt water surrounded them as they sunk into it. They popped up, gasping for breath.
Belle looked around and realized they were further away from the shore. Sheepishly, she looked back at Adam. His glare returned, and with it a familiar, angry gleam.
"I'm sorry, Adam," she apologized sincerely. "I guess I got caught up in the moment."
He remained silent. Adam turned away from Belle and aggressively made his way back to the beach. She followed, struggling a little bit more than him.
When he reached the dry sand, he shook his body free of water and plumped down with his back turned to the water. Adam crossed his legs and arms, his shoulders hunched over. The whole ordeal made Belle giggle.
Knowing that he needed a few minutes to stew, Belle made sure she was a good distance away from him. To occupy the time, she decided to wring the water out her dress and hair. While she ran her fingers through her hair, she approached Adam. When she was only a few feet away from him, she sat down and faced the waves.
Silence filled the space between them again. Belle decided to enjoy the sunset, which made her smile. It seemed like only yesterday that she made a comment about their home's sunset. She was still surprised by what it got her.
As the sun set further into the horizon, she heard the quiet movement of sand beside her. Belle glanced sideways to see Adam had turned around and sat closer to her.
"Belle, I..." he started to say. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "I guess I got caught up in the moment as well."
Belle leaned over and kissed his cheek. "We're both at fault, it's okay." She whispered.
She rested her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her and enjoyed the sunset with her.
"Thank you, Adam. For everything," Belle said.
Adam smiled. He gently grabbed her chin and turned her head towards him.
"You're welcome. I love you." He replied.
"I love you, too."
They kissed just as the sun disappeared into the horizon.
