A/N: There are not one, but two new chapters. Don't miss out. Also, I've stated this a little further back but I'll say it again: every other chapter has been re-edited with some parts even rewritten. It's a leagues better story if you want to go back, but it's not imperative that you do. Just a more pleasant story experience.

"Why do you have this terrible thing on?"

"Because I'm not the one under the covers and it's chilly," Belle told him, pushing the hand away that was pawing at the sash on the house robe. Laying against a small mountain of pillows, one foot was planted on the bed, knee bent up, the other laying flat. Silk robe covering her breasts but cascading down and to the sides.

Ansell covered up the rest. He was laying between her legs, head on her flat belly, hands traveling between her arms and her thighs. Soft sheets and blankets bunched at his lower back, a foot sticking out at the end of the bed, gleaming golden hair tumbling into his strong face. Sated and lazy. Occasionally kissing the skin he was resting on, sleepily pleased with all of the contact. Their chambers were dark, the silver light of the moon peeking through the clouds and the tall orange flames of the fireplace allowing them to see each other.

"Hrm." He rumbled happily, eyes shutting as her fingers worked their way through his hair and massaged his scalp.

"You look like the cat after he's eaten a mouse and found a sunbeam." she mused.

"Well, I was rather ravenous." He absently petted an arm, smiling as if he was drunk on too much wine. "After that wonderful play in London I had a large dinner, then a big serving of you, and this spot is so nice and warm and soft." Kissing her stomach the prince lifted his head to meet the soft brown eyes watching him so lovingly. "Are you uncomfortable?"

"I'm very comfortable," she said contentedly, still petting him. "I like you right there."

"Good, because you're such a lovely place to nap." He teased. Another kiss, fingers playing along her thigh, a sigh of words. "And I'm near so many of my favorite places."

"You know your way around them very well." she watched his wry grin of accomplishment. "Thank you, by the way, it's been perfect," Belle exclaimed tenderly. Still basking in the glow of Ansell's talents, he wasn't the only one tired. "I know today had its rough moments but I would never have thought of such an absolutely perfect outing."

"It's been my pleasure." smiling into her skin he purred the words out, thumb rolling soothing circles on her thigh. "I've been wanting to take you for weeks and was hoping to do it around Noel but…" His mouth pulled into a wistful frown. "With everything happening so quickly I wanted one great adventure with you before I left." There was a sad twinge in his voice as his trip felt too close. It was racing up on him, on them, and he couldn't fathom leaving her.

Reaching out, Belle ran a hand across Ansell's shoulders, working away the tension she knew was building up. "It's not as close as you think."

He lifted his head up, looking at her for an answer.

"I may have rallied the staff into working on teaching you for the next few days while Mr. Potts tells your father's men the horses are sick." She divulged, watching him go through a range of emotions. Relief for the delay, reluctance towards the idea of education, and befuddlement as to the exact nature of the classes. "Dearest, you need more help before you're ready to leave."

"You're right." The prince heaved, slumping against her. "I'm lousy at so many things." Frowning against her skin, cheek smooshed against her torso, his brows furrowed in frustration. "Things I used to excel at, I'm just... terrible."

"It's been years. Things are bound to be rusty." Belle soothed, smiling down at him so possessively draped over her. She didn't know if it was the years spent in cursed solitude or just his personality, however, the prince thrived and sought out physical contact. It was never forceful or unwanted, he was quick to stop when she wasn't in the mood, and unless she initiated rough play it was always so very gentle. "Clearly not everything is rusty." She reminded suggestively, listening to him let out a low, husky chuckle. Cheered up, he nipped the spot above her hip. "But we'll work on everything else."

"We should probably leave for good after winter passes." Ansell mused, kissing her palm, running his teeth across the skin.

"Hmm." She closed her eyes as his hands wandered and his mouth was very attentively working on her fingers. "And why's that?"

"Even if we use the book, we'll have a better chance of settling somewhere if we're not battling the elements." He pondered, kissing her thumb. "Plus, I need some time to un-prince myself. Learn to be a proper commoner."

"You're well on your way." She reassured. "But having one last winter at home would be nice. We should celebrate Noel with the staff seeing it's the first one since the curse has a been broken." Smiling at the thought she pondered. "Lumiere will want a lavish party, and then there are the children... They haven't had gifts in years..."

"Noel?"

"You weren't so jolly when we had eternal winter." Belle reminded him. "I don't even know if you kept track of the months."

"No, after awhile it all bled together." The prince sighed, shutting his eyes. "Did you know when it was last year?"

She nodded, not particularly wanting to dwell on the past. However, it was their past. "It just came and went."

"You never said anything." Setting his chin on her stomach he watched her shrug. "I thought it was your favorite holiday?"

"It is, but we weren't always on the best of terms." Belle reminded him, remembering the spats they had gotten into following their mutual rescuing in the forest. Even after he had been sweet enough to give her the library and they began to bond, it had been a rough adjustment. They both had tempers, Belle still felt like a captive, and as small as she was she hadn't been afraid to stand her ground against an enormous, stubborn, snarling beast. "Even after you saved me we were still working things out. And if I remember correctly December had us both particularly testy."

"Ah yes, your cabin fever was setting in." He sighed.

"You were also not the greatest help." Belle hinted.

"That's very true. At least we got to celebrate your birthday. Which, is coming up again." Ansell hinted. "I should be back for it, anything I should know?"

"That I just want you back for it." She said quietly, earnestly.

"Hmn." Taking her hand, he kissed her knuckles. "As you wish, Darling. But no gifts?"

"I've been too busy thinking about us to bother with gifts." She wanted him for her birthday. She desperately wanted to disappear with him, to not be under the threat of some horrid Duke and French Court. They would have to be patient, they weren't ready by any means, but Belle wanted it.

"I'll see what I can come up with. I think you deserve a bit of spoiling." the prince purred. "Especially for putting up with and agreeing to run away with me." Pausing innocently, he lifted his head from its spot with a twinge of worry.

She furrowed her brows. "What's wrong?"

His eyes fell to the flat belly he had been giving so much attention. "What if we conceive?" a worried whisper, a sincere concern.

"Oh, we're having that talk." Belle took a deep breath.

"Belle, I love every inch of you." taking a hand, he stroked the spot. "I think it's obvious at this point. But, we could be increasing our chances of a complication with an escape."

"Ansell."

He looked up at her, brimming with fear. His heart pained thought of his father hurting her because of a potential heir.

She rested a hand on his head, stroking backward, pushing the hair out of the concerned eyes that were so shockingly blue in the moonlight, holding the back of his head. He was so sweet in his concern. "I read quite a few books on health and herbs when we started sharing a bed. I may have found a few ways to keep from adding on to our little family."

"Oh." He was suddenly much more relieved. Back to looking rosy. Ansell started chuckling to himself.

"What?"

"Just thinking about how you started doing your research a week after the curse was broken." He mused, watching her roll her eyes. Reaching under his arm, she pulled, and he obliged by scooting up to her shoulder.

"It takes two, Your Highness." she reminded him pointedly. "I seem to recall you being rather eager and willing."

"Surprised we lasted so long." The prince smiled mischievously as she kissed him deeply. Once she was done, she guided his head to her shoulder, and he contently buried his nose into her sweet smelling neck. Rosewater. "I lost a perfectly good pair of breeches in the process." he kissed, carefully keeping his weight on a knee and an elbow, but enjoying being draped over her.

"They were in the way." She reminded, biting her lip in memory. After the curse had ended, their first days in the castle had been torturous. Her beast; sweet, kind, and containing enough wits to match her, was suddenly incredibly handsome. The perfect combination of both looks and personality. And Ansell suddenly found himself in a body where he was comfortable with trying to simply touch her without the fear of scaring her away. They never had a chance in hell when it came to remaining chaste. "And the same could be said about my poor dress."

"Too many stays up the back." He scoffed, head under her chin. He slowly began to untie the blasted robe. "But we're… Safe?"

"As we can be." she pulled the blankets up further to ward off the chill.

"Have ever told you I'm glad you're the smart one?"

"I can always stand to hear it again." She smiled "Trust me if I hadn't done anything I suspect it wouldn't have taken you very long to get us in that situation." There was a twinge of guilt as she felt him nuzzle. "I hope you don't mind I didn't ask. I just don't want children right now." The fire crackled and popped, making the dim light of the flames dance over her face. "But I do want you."

"I'm not ready either." He sighed. "I didn't have the best role models."

"You'll be a wonderful father. And I have all the faith in the world that when the time comes and we want to conceive, you'll perform that particular job admirably." she joked.

He chuckled but then paused. "Family?"

"You don't think we're a family?" She asked carefully, winding a finger through his hair.

"I never thought of it that way." He mused. "But we are, aren't we?"

"I like to think so. And I want a few more grand adventures with you before we expand this family." She admitted softly, idly playing with his hair.

"Me too." He caressed her thigh gently as he shifted his weight. "Well, that, and I just don't want to share you with anyone for a while." Smiling wolfishly, laughing hungrily he kissed her passionately before pushing himself onto his arms. Between Belle's knees, he grabbed her under a leg and pulled her closer to his hips.

Belle laughed through his kiss, throwing her arms around his neck. Feeling hot and breathless. "I thought you were tired."

"What can I say? All of this talk about making babies has reinvigorated me." he kissed, pulling off her robe.