A/N: There is no mature content in this chapter.
Gaston watched as the doctor bent over Belle's injured ankle, examining it. He prodded and Belle hissed through her teeth.
Maurice's hand fell on Gaston's shoulder. "May I have a word outside?"
Gaston followed his future father-in-law to the porch. Maurice turned to face him. "She admitted to you that she was wrong. I don't think I've ever heard her admit that before."
Gaston didn't know what to say, he was just as surprised as Maurice.
Belle's father continued. "That's twice now you've saved my daughter. I'm forever in your debt. I want you to know, Gaston, I shall be proud, proud to have you as a son."
"Thank you, Maurice," Gaston said gruffly. "There is no debt though. I love Belle, and if it is within my power, I shall ensure that no harm ever comes to her. I'll protect her with my life."
"I know you will. I know that, son. Let's go back in and see what the doctor has to say. And...um, perhaps you should wash your hands."
Gaston went to the sink and scrubbed the dried blood from his hands and under his nails. He approached Belle's chair to find LeFou holding her hand as the doctor continued to move and prod her injured ankle. It was now swollen and bruised.
"The bones appear sound," the doctor finally informed her. "Just a bad twist. You must stay off of it entirely for several days. Keep it elevated and apply ice every few hours." He took a bandage from his bag and wrapped it tightly around Belle's ankle as she winced. "That will help minimize the swelling."
"I'll go to the the ice house and fetch some ice." Maurice donned his hat and headed out the door.
"I'll check back on you in a few days," the doctor said as he followed Belle's father.
Gaston knelt again beside her and stroked her cheek. "Does it hurt very much, darling?"
"Some, but not so bad now that he's not messing with it."
"Perhaps you could let go of LeFou's hand then."
Belle huffed and rolled her eyes. She turned to LeFou and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, LeFou, for being the only one to notice I needed a bit of moral support during that examination."
"Belle, you wound me. Your father asked for a private word, should I have refused him?"
She smiled at him then. "Come sit by me, and leave poor LeFou alone."
His friend moved to the chair across from Belle and Gaston took the one beside her. He held her hand and rubbed gentle circles on it with with his thumb.
"So when are you two going to set a date?" LeFou asked.
"We're in no hurry," Gaston replied. He would give Belle as long as she needed.
"Next week."
He turned towards her in surprise.
"I don't want to wait any longer to be your wife. Next week, once I can stand on my ankle, I want to marry you, Monsieur Gaston."
LeFou jumped from his chair. "I'm going to go...um...feed the chickens."
"Belle, are you sure? We can wait. I can wait until you're ready."
"I'm ready now. I'd marry you today if I could stand."
Gaston had never felt such joy. He leaned over to kiss her and tried to pour all he was feeling into it. Gaston had never been good with words, but he was determined to express himself. Belle's father returned with the ice and Gaston pulled away. Belle might be brazen enough to kiss him in front of Maurice, but Gaston was not. Just a few more days and he could kiss her as much as he wanted.
Maurice had already broken the ice apart. He wrapped some in a towel and placed it on Belle's ankle. After several minutes she sighed in relief.
"Does that help, darling?" Gaston stroked her hair.
"Yes, it feels much better now." She looked up at her father. "Thank you, Papa."
"You're welcome, my dear."
"Gaston and I are going to marry next week. Once I can stand."
Maurice's eyebrows shot up into his hair. "Oh, indeed?"
"It was Belle's idea," Gaston said hastily.
Sorrow flashed in Maurice's eyes for a moment, but then he smiled. "I suppose we'd better start making plans."
"What's to plan? I only want you and LeFou there," Belle replied.
Gaston didn't argue. He knew Belle felt alienated from the rest of the village. He would have liked their wedding to be a grand event, but more than that he wanted Belle to be happy. If a small, private ceremony was what she wanted then so be it.
It took all Belle's resolve and a bit of scolding from both her father and Gaston to keep her in that chair with her ankle propped up over the next few days. She left it only to attend to nature's calls and go to bed at night. Papa, Gaston, and LeFou took turns going to the ice house in town and bringing back fresh ice. Today was finally the day for the doctor to return and recheck her. She fidgeted as she waited for the physician to arrive. She didn't think she would be able to stand it if he told her she would have to continue sitting in that chair. Even books were not helping curb her restlessness. She had never been one for idleness.
A knock on the door announced the physician's arrival and Papa went to let him in. The doctor removed the bandage from Belle's ankle. She was pleased to see the swelling and bruising were greatly improved. He poked, prodded, and moved her ankle in every direction. It was still sore, but so much better this time. "Let's see you try and walk on it."
She stood from the chair and leaned on Gaston for support. He walked her around the room then she released him and made another circle on her own. "It barely hurts," she reported truthfully.
"Excellent. You may bear weight on it as you are able to tolerate it. If it starts to hurt or swell, sit down and apply more ice."
"I will, Doctor, thank you."
He showed himself out. Belle wrapped her arms around Gaston's waist and looked up at him. "Did you hear that? I'm allowed to stand and walk. Which means I'm ready to walk down the aisle."
Gaston chuckled. "Eager, aren't you?"
She gave him a playful shove. "You're insufferable. Go on, go and ask Père Robert if he's free tomorrow."
He kissed her and strode from the house.
"Belle."
She turned to her father.
"Come with me," he gestured, "I have something to show you."
A/N: Thank you all again for the lovely reviews. They are very inspiring. :)