Dear Readers, I should have posted this chapter a month ago and I'm so so sorry for that. But I didn't want to pass up a chance to do a Christmas Chapter. This Chapter has been the bane of my existence for so long now, everytime I ment to polish it up my own schedule would get in the way. None the less here is my Belated Christmas gift to you all. I Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas (Or whatever you celebrate, I know not everyone is into the Christmas thing) and that it was filled with happiness and family and friends and double for your new year. As always Id like to thank all my reviewers especially Mistress Malica, For this Chapter I wasn't able to address the noble vs royal name situation but I will in the near future and I would like to formally dedicate this chapter to Cheshirecat9116 in the hopes your new year improves swiftly and greatly. Thank you all again
Jules walked through the hallways on the upper floors of the castle. Adeline hadn't woken up yet this morning...at least Jules didn't think. He stopped by a large vaulted window looking at the picturesque , white glazed gardens and the wintery forests beyond that. The snow was falling again. It had been a few weeks since the wolf-fiasko and he was feeling much better.
He kept looking at the falling snow when something occurred to him. He went over the math in his head a few times and he could only come to one conclusion. Today was December 24th Christmas Eve. How could he have forgotten? He went down stairs smiling at this unexpected good news, as he stepped off the last step he saw Chip and his mother Mrs Potts hopping along.
"Hey chip ,Mrs Potts - do you realize what today is?"
Mrs Potts eyes seemed to widen a little when her son suddenly spoke up
"Ummmm- its Tuesday i think, " Chip said
"Haha- no chip its Christmas Eve!"
"Christmas Eve? whats that?" Chip said
Jules was thoroughly confused for a moment "What? You know-Christmas, The Hol-"
"CHIP-" Mrs Potts broke in "I think Lumiere was going to go see to the breakfast menu, why don't you go help him"
Chip Looked up at his mother and smiled "Okay" and with that he hopped along towards the kitchen.
Jules kneeled down beside the kindly tea pot "Mrs Potts whats wrong? why doesn't chip know about Christmas?"
Mrs Potts looked downward, rather ashamed "Jules dear, we've not had christmas in this castle for close to ten years. My Son is only 11 so he doesn't much remember it.
"But that's so ...sad, an 11 year old kid like Chip who doesn't even know what Christmas is i've never even heard of something like that..." Jules started to realize he was probably sounding a little harsh. The look on Mrs Potts face confirmed it. "Oh ..im sorry Mrs Potts I didn't mean it like that..."
"No ..No its alright Jules dear. I would Love to give him a Christmas but the Mistress has some very painful memory's attached to this holiday. Shes Forbidden It ever since she...'
Jules Raised an eyebrow " Ever since ... what?
Mrs Potts secretly scolded herself for even bringing it up "Ever since...she was ten" She covered up.
"Oh..." Jules Said thinking that was odd, (why would a ten year old beas-girl, A ten year old girl. Why would a ten year old girl hate Christmas?) "I'm.. sorry Mrs Potts I didn't know"
"Oh Dont worry about it Jules dear" She said Putting on her usual smile "Although i should probably go finish up some chores in the lower halls"
"Oh... Alright, I'll see you later than" Jules said as Mrs Potts started off down the hall. Jules Frowned and went the opposite way. Since Adeline had saved him from the wolves and had sat with him while he recovered, It had morphed into a standing breakfast date every morning. Jules continued on his way there, Adeline was actually a fairly interesting person to talk to, when she wasnt nervous or getting angry.
He wanted to ask her about that but hadn't thought of a polite way to approach it yet. He Stepped into the dinning room where the various plates and platters of food were setting themselves. Lumiere was standing on the table directing everything, He was obviously a man who enjoyed his job.
"Good Morning monsieur Jules" His said with his usual smile
"Good morning" Jules said watching everything move on its own, It still was a little hypnotizing to see. Is Adeline up yet?
"No not yet i don't think" Lumiere said, "Why?"
"Uh, no reason..." Jules said keeping an ear open for her "Actually i was wondering if you knew what tomorrow was?"
Lumiere didn't respond right away, "Yes...I believe its Christmas Eve"
Jules Waited another moment "So...is there anything planned? a party or something"
Lumiere frowned, Still over seeing everything "No...We usually don't have much of a celebration at Christmas"
Jules frowned at this, (Why is everyone so hesitant to bring up Christmas?)
The Table was set and the food out and ready so Jules sat down at the end of the table, Thinking on how he could fix this "Christmas problem". After a few minutes The door opened and Adeline stepped inside, Jules Noticed that she was wearing a clean white shirt, and with no tears or holes. Jules smiled and said good morning , Adeline smiled back, glancing at her feet. Jules smiled more at this, Adeline was pretty cute was she was nervous, like a giant cat or a puppy.
"Good morning" She said and sat at the opposite side of the table and they both started to fill they're plates.
"So i realized on my way downstairs , tomorrow is Christmas Eve"
The demeanor around Adeline suddenly turned very dark "Oh really..."
Jules could almost the air get colder in the room "yeah...so what is we throw a party or something? It seems like all the servants could use some christmas spirit"
Adeline just stared at her plate of food "No..."
"Well why not?"
"Because I said so and...and I hate Christmas"
"What? no one hates Christmas- its one of the best parts of the year- theres food and family and games and-"
"Well I DO" Adeline snapped "And I don't want it here"
"Have you thought about anyone else? Maybe the servants want Christmas, You cant Just ignore everyone else"
"ARRRGH!" She snarled "I Said No! No Christmas, No Parties!"
Jules scowled at the Beast and they ate in cold silence, Jules Finished Quickly and Left without saying a word.
Adeline Watched him leave and scowled back into her bowl of pourage, Trying not to think about it. About the night her life ...ended
Jules hurried through the halls leading away from the dining room, (Figures, the nice Adeline would only last so long. Now She's just being angry and bitter like before...) As He walked down the hall so deep in thought about Adeline he nearly stepped on chip
"Aah!-Chip im so sorry, are you okay?"
"Yeah im fine, No harm done" Smiled the little tea cup
Jules looked down at the little boy, He was always so happy and cheerful in this dreary old castle. If a kid like that didn't get a Christmas no one should
Jules Smirked and kneeled down beside the enchanted cup "Chip..how would you like to have a Christmas party?"
Chip Simply looked at him in confusion but Jules didn't wait for a response. He swiftly picked Chip up in his palm and headed to find Lumiere, Mrs Potts and Cogsworth.
It took a bit of wondering but he was finally able to round up the three heads of the castle along with a small crowd of interested household objects. With Chip still in his hand he proposed the idea of throwing a Christmas Party, whether the "Mistress" Like it or not. As expected Cogsworth was completely against it.
"NO NO NO! The Mistress has expressly forbid Christmas"
"But why not?" Jules said "I don't understand why all of you are so against this"
All the servants seemed to share an awkward glance
Lumiere Feeling this awkward tension going on too long Jumped up on a table next to Jules
"Why don't we have a christmas?" He said "It could be fun. I remember back when Christmas was a rather big deal in the castle. Mrs Potts- you remember surely, we'd have a feast for the entire castle . There were games and jokes and we'd stay up till dawn.."
"You would?" Chip broke in, still sitting in Jules's palm. His eyes sparkling as only a child's could at the mention of Christmas
"Yes we would dear" Mrs Potts spoke up and hopped forward "And there'd be a giant Christmas tree and we'd give presents and have snowball fights"
Chips eyes got wider and wider as his mother described all the traditions that were once observed. Seeing Chip so happy made Mrs Potts heart melt. She hopped up on the table next to Jules and Lumiere.
"Jules and Lumiere are right we should have a party-what could it hurt?"
The crowd seemed equally as swayed as Chip when they heard Lumiere and Mrs Potts recall the Christmas's of old.
Cogsworth however wasn't quite sold "But The Mistress said-"
"The Mistress Scrooge doesn't have to know" Jules interrupted him "We can have it in the ballroom in the south wing or somewhere the mistress wont think to look"
The crowd seemed abuzz with excitement
"Hey now just wait one minute" Cogsworth said still not on board "I'm the head of this house, and I can not just turn my cheek at the deliberate ignorance of the mistress's-"
"Please Cogsworth?" Chip said with his big innocent eyes
"I ..i.." Cogsworth was about to start up again but he saw Chips excitement and knew that he had never even had a Christmas"
"Its...the Mistress...ohhhh" (Im gonna to regret this very much) "OHH alright.."
The crows erupted in cheers
"We better get started" Mrs Potts said
"God heavens your right we don't have much time -Its Christmas eve" Cogsworth said
Everyone started running in different Directions
"I'll get the decorations" Cogsworth said
"I'll get the tree" Luimere cried as he lead a group of axe's and wheel barrels outside
"platters- Get to the kitchen, we've got cooking to do" Mrs Potts said on her way to the kitchen
Jules was amazed at the efficiency and speed everyone jumped to do they're jobs, He followed Lumiere and Helped anyway he could. It took almost till midnight- almost Christmas day when they finished. The whole ballroom was done up like any kid could dream of, The last star was put on the tree, The food would be ready in a matter of hours and everyone piled into the room to see they're finished work.
Jules smiled seeing the happy restlessness of everyone. Chip laughing and enjoying the festivities to the fullest. Jules joined in this happiness, Proud of the small Christmas miracle he'd helped bring about.
As the party went on down stairs Adeline was still brooding in her room. She hadn't been able to fall asleep between her agitation of the day and her frustration over Jules. She crawled out of bed and slumped over to her chair, The rose supplying the only light in the room. Adeline pulled her cloak around her shoulders, trying to channel her anger at the glowing bell jar.
"Merry Christmas then..." She said
Adeline sat and sat and sat and sat some more until she had almost dozed off to sleep when her beast like ears heard something...something that sounded like music...her eyes snapped open and listened carefully. She grabbed the mirror that lay on her vanity and look into it.
"Show me the boy" She half snarled and the flashed a brilliant green before the reflection turned into a scene with Jules and all the other servants in the castle. they were in the one of the ball rooms only it had been decorated with red and green and holly and a tree. Everyone seemed to be laughing and dancing ,enjoying themselves and Jules was right in the middle of it all.
"They -they're celebrating Christmas?! Even when i specifically said no?!" She said not believing what she was seeing. "And they didnt...even tell me they were having a party.." She said feeling so lonely even more then did usually. Another wave of anger washed over her and she slammed the mirror down with enough force that would've shattered a non magical one. her vision was almost red when she rushed out of her room.
The Party was in full swing and everyone was thanking Jules for talking them into doing this, Jules simply waved them off saying it was not a big deal. Everyone was getting ready for another dance when the main door slammed open and The Mistress stood looking down at her castles staff. Jules saw everyone suddenly freeze and felt the once warm room grow cold
"what are you all doing ..."
There was no answer as everyone stared , fear stricken at they're mistress
"I have forbidden Christmas from this castle !" She bellowed
Cogsworth hesitantly stepped forward "Uh..Mistress-i-i-i know how this looks but-we, it's just ..its"
"QUIET!" She snapped at the small clock , She looked over the ballroom all done up and then She let out a terrifying roar as her mind and body felt like they were disconnected. She Flew through the room, wanting everything gone. She ran to the tree and practically threw it across the room as everyone fled out of the way.
She went after the bows on the walls and the tables of food, she couldn't stand looking at it, why should they have a Christmas, Dont they remember what happened the LAST Christmas they celebrated?!) when she finished she stood in a room surrounded by wrecked presents and smashed furniture. Jules watched in silent horror as the Beast did this, when she finished she was panting and out breath. She looked around and saw everyone had cleared out save for Jules who was looking at her like ...a Beast.
"WHY?!" He yelled "Why would you wreck everything?!" He said marching up to her "Everyone here has been miserable and stepping on egg shells for..I don't even know HOW long. And you would just wreck something they worked hard to do - just because it makes YOU angry?! you need to start acting like an adult and not just throw a fit when you don't get your way!" Jules turned and left the ballroom and the Beast
Adeline felt like she was being told off by her father, Her ears even folded back as Jules said all this and then when he left she looked and saw the remains of the party she had crashed..literally.
Jules went up to his room and so frustrated to do anything else he crawled into bed and tried to sleep. Eventually he succeeded and was in a restful dreamless sleep when he distantly heard him. A few moments passed and he heard it again followed by a loud thud and a pain in his shoulder. Jules had jolted awake and accidentally fallen off the side of the bed onto the hard marble floor.
He laid in a jumble of blankets and groggily sat up, his hair in a loose and very bed head ravaged pony tail. He blinked his eyes open and saw early morning light gently entering his bedroom. He turned and saw Adeline standing in the door way, apparently the thing that had jolted him.
"Uh...im sorry , I didn't mean for that to happen"
Adeline might very well had been blushing under her fur it seemed to Jules , But he still hadn't forgiven her.
"What is it.." He said rubbing his eyes still adjusting to the light, he looked up again he saw Adeline had stepped much closer and quickly pulled out a package and handing it to Jules. She seemed oddly bashful like this was her first time doing this.
"Im...sorry...M-Merry Christmas " She said Quickly turning to leave But Jules spoke up
"Adeline wait" He stood up looking at the present, It had been wrapped in red paper but is had tears and wrinkles and punctures. Like it had been pain stakingly wrapped by someone with claws .Jules couldn't help but smile at this "Thank you" He said and walked over to a dresser in his room and pulled out a much smaller present and handed it to her "Merry Christmas"
Adeline was shocked , she hadn't expected to get a present in return She watched Jules opened his present. It was a book, One that she had in her room and had been a favorite of hers.
"Oh wow..." Jules smiled ," I haven't heard of this one -thank you
Adeline saw Jules seemed to like his gift and felt her heart warm a little. She then looked down at her gift and hesitantly opened it. Inside was a fine silver necklace, The pendant was of a rose in bloom. Adeline didn't know how to feel, She thought it was so kind of Jules to get her ..anything. Adeline guessed it was really her conflicting feelings about rose's.
"Madame Armiore had it in one of her drawers when she was helping to find me some clothes. I thought you might like it..."
Adeline Looked at it a moment and couldn't help but smile "I like it a lot" She said looking up at him. "Thank you" They both looked at each other smiling until Adeline frowned again "I wish i could make up for how i acted last night.."
"Well...why dont we get everyone and celebrate together today?"
Adeline looked up "Co-could we do that?"
Jules smiled warmly "Of course...if you'll rescind your ban on Christmas that is"
Adeline was about to reply when there was a knock at the door and Mrs Potts and Chip rolled in on they're tea cart
"Good morning Jules-dear" She saw Adeline and Jules talking and became a little more reserved "Good morning Mistress " She said as Chip sulked silently behind her
"Mrs Potts" Jules said "what do you think the odds are we could set up the ballroom again-Like last night?"
"Um" Mrs Potts was not expecting this "I dont know, I suppose we could ...but Mistress said.."
"I was wrong" Adeline spoke up "I'm...sorry , I shouldn't have reacted like i did... Do you think its Possible?"
Mrs Potts sat almost shocked, Seeing her Mistress not only apologize but want to celebrate Christmas "Why yes Mistress i dare say we could" She smiled and Looked at Jules and her Mistress (They're may be some hope yet...) She turned her cart around "C'mon chip we've got to round everyone up, There's going to be a Christmas celebration after all"
Chip at Hearing all this started jumping up excitedly "Really? You really mean it?"
"Yes love i do" Mrs Potts said as the cart raced down the hall
Jules laughed and turned to Adeline
"We better go help out" He said
Adeline looked at his charming smile and felt that warmth in her heart again
"Yeah..i guess we better" She smiled back and they both started down the hall.
