Beauty & the Beast: The Tale Continues

Chapter 11 - Blossoming, Part 2

Author's Note: Disney is the rightful owner of "Beauty and the Beast"; I just own the story... hopefully everyone is enjoying it so far.

The Next Day

"Thank you again, Adam, for coming with me to the cottage. I really could use the assistance."

"It's my pleasure, Maurice. Happy to be of service."

Now that the rain was gone, and the sun had returned, Maurice had decided to take Phillipe over to his and Belle's now-former house, and to their surprise, Adam had offered to join him.

"Are you going to miss this place?" wondered Adam, as he got down from his horse, and looked at the building in front of them. "From what I can gather, you and Belle have lived here for a long time."

Maurice took some time to think about it, and then, he said, "On one hand, yes, I would... since I've raised Belle here on my own for many years... but, then again, I would not, since I know Belle will be happier at the castle, and so will I."

As Maurice went inside, a look of guilt appeared on Adam's face, regretting the way he had treated Belle's father as a beast, including when he had called him a thief.

I was horrible, wasn't I?

Phillipe made a noise, but Adam didn't know if the horse was agreeing or disagreeing with him. "Um... thanks... I think."

Leaving the horse to enjoy some hay and water, Adam walked inside the cottage, and saw that it was almost empty, save for Maurice's drawings of Belle as she grew up over the years, some papers on the desk, and a painting of a beautiful woman that held a baby in her arms.

"Is that-"

"Belle's mother?" finished Maurice, who was slowly and safely rolling up his portrait drawings before placing them in protective plastic tubes. "Yes, I painted that almost several months before she... before me and Belle had to leave Paris."

There was now a feeling of sadness in the living room, as Maurice remembered the last time he had talked to his wife, and Adam remembered when Belle had used his enchanted book of the world to show him where they had used to live, as well as when they had learned about the circumstances of her mother's death.

"Belle mentioned to me that you took here there," said Maurice, pulling out the rose-shaped rattle from his pocket, and handing it over to Adam. "Is this true?"

"Well, yes, for the most part," replied the young prince. "But there are some limitations that I forgot to mention to Belle, and... wait, what's this?"

The papers on Maurice's desk had suddenly caught Adam's attention, and Belle's father smiled. "Oh, this is a story that Belle wrote when she was young... I just forgot to organize it."

Adam walked over to the desk, and began looking through the various pieces of paper. "How old was she exactly? And how long is this story?"

"Well, let's see..." replied Maurice, as he tried to remember. "Belle was twelve, I think, when she had finished Romeo & Juliet for the umpteenth time, and a few months later, she asked me for writing materials, and one day not long after that, she showed me all that."

As he continued to sort out and organize Belle's story, Adam let out a whistle, and said, "This is... wow... have you read the whole thing?"

"Once or twice, yes," said Maurice, giving a shrug. "But Belle was always trying new things, wondering what she wanted to do in the future, and never really brought that up again."

Maurice began to chuckle as he saw Adam's eyes continue to grow wider once the story became more organized, and after it was complete, the young man said, "This looks a lot longer than a book written by Shakespeare."

"As I said, I only read it once or twice," replied Maurice, as he watched Adam stack the papers nice and neatly. "Belle had a very... expansive imagination. You could take that back to the castle, if you want."

Oh, I plan to, thought Adam, who wondered what the mind of a 7-year-old Belle was like. "Well, if Belle wouldn't mind..."

"I don't see why not," replied Maurice, giving a shrug. "I hardly doubt that Belle remembers ever writing that."

Meanwhile

Belle was in the library, but instead of reading a book, she was at a table with Chip, and the two of them were working on a puzzle.

She had laughed after Chip had told her that it was one of the puzzles that had "millions" of pieces, with the finished result being several dinosaurs, according to the cover of the box.

"Well, maybe with my help, we could get it done faster."

So, now, after Chip "dumped" the puzzle pieces onto the table, Belle began collecting several of them. "Alright, first, let's start out with the frame."

"The frame?" said Chip, surprised. "How will we know how to make that?

Belle held up two different types of puzzle pieces. "See how one has a side with a flat surface, and the other one does not?"

Chip nodded his head.

"Well, this is the one that creates the frame of the puzzle, and the rest shouldn't be too difficult after that."

The little boy looked at the large amount of puzzle pieces, and said, "Okay, if you say so..."

"Don't worry, it'll be fun," replied Belle, and the two of them started to work on the puzzle's frame.

As they continued the process, Chip suddenly said, "Belle, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, Chip. What is it?"

The small boy looked a little guilty as he asked, "Well, I don't want to get you upset, but... how come you left the castle that one night? Did you not like us anymore?"

Belle gave him a sad smile, and replied, "Oh, no, Chip, it wasn't that... my father was in trouble, and Adam knew that he needed my help, so he let me go, and... well... here we are now..."

She then paused, for a moment, before adding, "I'm sorry for any pain I might have caused you or anyone else that-"

"Nah, it's okay," assured Chip, giving her a wide smile. "I'm just glad that you came back!"

So am I, Chip, thought Belle. So am I.

Once Maurice had collected everything that he wanted to get from the cottage, he and Adam started to make their way back to the castle.

"Hey, Adam, could I ask you something?"

Adam nodded his head, and Maurice continued to speak. "Exactly how long were you and the others under the curse? Ten years or...?"

The young man scoffed, and he replied, "It felt longer than that... I honestly don't know, Maurice, I lost count around the same time that I lost all hope of anyone ever loving me... but then, I met Belle."

A small smile appeared on Maurice's face as he said, "She really must be special to you, then..."

"Oh, of course," replied Adam, nodding his head, which was being filled with thoughts of Belle. "Your daughter is one amazing woman, and she is one that I would be honored to call my wife one day."

A moment after realizing what he had just said, Adam began to back-track. "Well, I mean, in the near future, and with an acceptance of your-"

Maurice chuckled, and he shook his head, saying, "It's fine, Adam... we'll discuss my blessing at a much later date."

"Certainly," said Adam, quickly nodding his head. "Um, is there anything else you would like to know?"

Maurice took a moment to think about his next question, and then, he asked, "Why were you placed under a curse?"

I should have known it would be that one, thought Adam, and he explained, "One night, at a dinner party that I was hosting around the winter holidays, an old beggar women came to the castle, asking for shelter from the bitter cold that the outside gave her, with a single rose as an offering gift.

"I was repulsed by her haggard appearance, and I wasn't as kind and unselfish as I am now, so I refused to allow her to stay in the castle... twice... then, the next thing I know, she becomes a beautiful enchantress, and I tried to beg for her forgiveness, but she chose not to accept it, and... I'm sure you know what happened next."

Maurice sighed, feeling a little sorry for Adam, and he said, "I am sorry to hear that happened to you."

"No, don't be," replied Adam, shaking his head. "I made my bed, and I had to lie in it for many years... so now, after getting a second chance at life, I plan on being a much better person."

"Well, you're doing wonderful so far," said Maurice, and Adam gave him a grateful smile.

"Thank you, Maurice... now, would it be alright if I asked you a question?"

Belle's father nodded his head, and replied, "Ask away, son."

"Well, I was wondering if you could tell me more about this Gaston fellow that was supposedly a hero in the village," asked Adam, a slight frown on his face. "I mean, I know Belle dislikes him more than I do, even though he was able to kill me, and... um... was that the wrong question?"

Maurice had begun to frown deeply, and after sighing heavily, he replied, "No, it was fine, Adam... just that I was able to learn what kind of selfish and unkind person he really was... and as for Belle, whom he tried to marry, she also mentioned to me that there were times when he would grab her dress, as well as getting into her personal space a little too often-"

At first, Adam's anger started to rise as he heard the way that Gaston treated Belle, but then, the young prince realized that he had acted almost the exact same way towards the women that he'd met in the past, and he muttered, "I think I understand Belle's feelings now... and now, I despise my old self even more."

"Well, don't get too caught up in the past, son," said Maurice. "It's our actions that define who we are, and ever since Belle broke the spell, you're certainly a wonderful choice for her to be in a courtship with."

Another grateful smile appeared on Adam's face as he replied, "Thank you, Maurice... Belle is lucky to have you as a father."

"Well, thank you, Adam, I certainly do appreciate that," said Maurice. "And she is lucky to have someone like you, as well."

"See? Told you it'd be faster with me here."

The puzzle was now complete, and Chip's eyes were wide with surprise. "Wow, you weren't kidding! Thanks, Belle!"

Before she could give a response, Chip quickly ran out of the room, and cried, "Mama! Papa! Come look at the puzzle that Belle helped me with!"

The young woman let out a small laugh, and she looked back at the puzzle, admiring their handiwork until she heard Adam's voice say, "You've certainly had some fun here."

"Indeed, I did," said Belle, smiling at the arrival of her special someone. "How was it with Papa?"

"Oh, we had a fine time together," replied Adam, who was smiling widely. "In fact, I found something rather interesting."

Then, to her surprise, Adam suddenly started to leave, and Belle asked, "What was it? And why are you leaving so soon?"

"Oh, no reason, my love," replied Adam, sounding casual. "And it was a handwritten, lengthy story written by a 12-year-old that I plan on reading right now, so..."

He walked out of the library as soon as he had finished his sentence, leaving Belle confused.

"A story by a 12-year-old? What in the world is he..."

But then, she suddenly had a realization to what Adam was talking about, with long-forgotten childhood memories appearing in her mind, and so, Belle began running after him. "Adam, don't you dare read that!"