Ben ran from exhibit to exhibit, never getting enough of the animals. He spent a little extra time at the tigers and lions of course. The smile on his face was so bright it could have replaced the sun. He watched with delight as the monkeys swung from tree to tree. He gasped in awe when the peacocks spread their colorful feathers out for view. When the lions roared, he roared along with them. The day went so pleasantly, it seemed almost too good to be true.

Just when Ben thought the day was over, the zoo's manager approached them in the gift shop while Belle was purchasing a stuffed tiger for the little tyke. "Excuse me, are you Mr. Gold?" Anthony nodded and shook the man's hand. "Excellent. When you and your family are ready you can follow me."

Belle paid for the tiger, handed it to Ben and turned to Anthony. Anthony bent down to be at eye level with Ben. "Are you ready for your big surprise?" Ben shook his head enthusiastically. "Alright then."

Ben grabbed Belle's hand and they all followed the manager to through the back of the zoo, to the area where the zoo's veterinarians work. He led them through a set of double doors and what was behind them, even made Anthony start oohing and awing. Ben looked like he had just opened his eyes for the very first time. In the room were two baby lion cubs. He let go of Belle's hand and keeping his new stuffed animal clutched tightly in his arms, he walked over to the veterinarian who was supervising the cubs.

Ben was able to help feed them and play with them to his heart's content. He would roll around on the carpet with them and he held them like a baby when it was time to eat. He got his picture taken with them and was even allowed special viewing privileges to see how they interacted with their mother. Of course he wasn't allowed to have contact with the adult lioness, but it was still just as cool.

Belle and Anthony stood off to the side, watching their son have the time of his life playing with big kittens. Belle was resting her head against Anthony's shoulder, one hand wrapped protectively around her rapidly expanding belly and the other gipping her love's hand. Life couldn't get much better than this.

The ride back home was very quiet. Ben had been talkative for the first ten minutes or so, but eventually the day got the best of him and he fell into a deep sleep. Belle was also feeling a bit drowsy but managed to stay awake so Anthony wouldn't be stuck with nothing but cheesy eighties songs to keep him company.

When they arrived home Anthony carried Ben up to his room and tucked him into bed. Belle was busy in the kitchen fixing herself a snack. Pickles dipped in chocolate. Anthony could smell it from upstairs. "I can't wait for that baby to be born. I don't think I can take these cravings much longer." Belle only rolled her eyes at him when he entered the kitchen. "Honestly sweetheart, how is that a good combination?" He waved his hand at her chocolate covered pickle and grimaced.

"What you don't want to try it?" Belle was trying to sound innocent, but she was failing miserably. She took a big bite out of the pickle and made sure to dip it back in the chocolate before chasing after him with it.

"Belle get that disgusting thing away from me!" He was trying desperately not to laugh but it was difficult when he looked behind him to find Belle wagging the pickle around like a lunatic.

He made a move for the couch trying to climb away from her finally using her pregnancy to his advantage. Belle huffed in frustration, but her frustration only fueled her determination. Then a pained sound escaped her mouth and her arm wrapped her stomach. Anthony was off the couch in less than a second and at her side, repeatedly telling her that she would be okay and that everything would be fine and asking her if she was uncomfortable or if he should call an ambulance. Since he was so caught up in Belle, you think he would notice her little smirk and the chocolate covered pickle she was holding heading straight for his open mouth. It took him a matter of seconds to react before spitting the foul thing to the ground. "Now you're just wasting food" Belle scolded him.

Anthony glared at her and she squealed with delight as he pinned her to the couch. "I'm going to get you back for that."

"Sure you are darling." Belle replied coyly.

"Now I have that awful taste in my mouth. I can't risk letting you escape, but I need to get that taste off my tongue." Anthony made a face, to indicate that he was in deep thought. "If only there was some way I could have both." Belle squirmed beneath him, loving the game he was playing. Loving that even though she was seven months pregnant, their sex life was still just as fabulous as it was before.

Anthony put both of her wrists in one hand as he slowly caressed her body with the other. He pulled the hem of her dress up around her waist and he dipped a finger into her panties. Belle moaned appreciatively at the contact. He ran his finger through her folds twice before pulling away. He brought his finger up to his mouth and licked it clean. "Oh yes," he moaned, "this will do just fine."

He hooked her panties around his finger and pulled them down her legs. He wasted no time in letting his tongue explore her. Keeping her hands pinned to the couch. He licked and sucked and nibbled on her clit until she was all but begging him to let her cum. He made sure to work her thoroughly, knowing exactly what it took to drive her mad.

"Please..." Belle moaned.

Anthony lifted his head to ask "please what?" before diving back down into her slick heat.

"Please... need you... inside... please." Those were the magic words. He released her hands and she made quick work on undoing his belt and pushing his pants and boxers down as quickly as she could. As soon as he was free he slipped inside her with one easy stroke. Neither of them lasted very long. When they calmed down from their high and Anthony leaned in to give Belle a loving kiss, she commented that she could still taste the pickle juice and chocolate sauce.

"Well then, I guess I'm just going to have to work a bit harder when we get upstairs." Belle hummed against his throat.

"I look forward to it."

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Gavin pulled his car into the abandoned parking lot, leaving his headlights on he got out of the vehicle. He walked around to sit on the hood when a woman approached him. "So, are you Gavin?" the woman asked.

"Well that all depends." Gavin turned his head toward the woman. "Are you Myranda?" The woman smiled, an evil kind of smile.

"I hear you're the guy who can help me get my son back." Myranda stood in front of him.

Gavin crossed his arms and smirked at the woman. "What kind of assistance do you require?"

"I want you to tell me everything you know about that Belle French." Gavin leaned closer to her.

"And, what will I get out of this?" Myranda seemed impressed by his sleaziness, a quality they both possessed.

She seemed to think for a moment before speaking. "How about... the little slut's head on a platter?" Gavin grinned maliciously. "I suppose that would do?" Gavin did nothing bu nod. There truly wasn't a good bone in his body.

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When Belle woke up that morning Anthony had already left for work. She had slept later than usual, probably due to last night's activities. She made her way to Ben's room, finding him up and playing with his toys. When he spotted her in the doorway he ran to her side and gave her leg a huge hug.

She made him breakfast and when he was dressed and ready to go, they left for the childcare center. Ben burst through the door, running to play with all of his friends. Belle put his bag down and clocked in. She was about to go into the play room when Emma caught her arm. "Hey, can we talk?" Belle didn't like the sound of that.

They both sat down in Emma's office staring awkwardly at each other. Despite the time that had passed, they still weren't on the best of terms. "I didn't call you in here to fire you, if that's what you're thinking." Belle let out a sigh of relief, and Emma continued. "I don't mean to be digging into your personal life like this, but, why do you still insist on working at this crappy paying job, when you're engaged to a millionaire?"

Belle was a little shocked by the question, but she knew just how to answer it. "I love working here." Emma stared at her like she had five heads. "I love working with kids. And as for my millionaire fiance, this is just another way for me to prove to him that I don't love him because of his money. And if I didn't work here, there would be no point in me bringing Ben here if I could just watch him at home. He needs the interaction."

"Are you sure this conversation isn't just a sugar-coated way to tel me that you don't want me to work here anymore?" Emma laughed and shook her head.

"Trust me Belle, you're a natural when it comes to kids." Belle smiled at her words. "I just don't want you to hold yourself back. You could do so much better than this."

Belle nodded, "I plan on it. It's just, with the baby coming, I don't see the point in trying to find a job I'll have to leave for a month or two right after starting. I want to be able to enjoy my child without worrying about work." Emma smiled at Belle, understanding where she was coming from.

The day went on as usual, except for coming home. When Belle pulled into the driveway she was greeted by her father sitting on the front steps, waiting for her. Belle ignored him while she got Ben out of his car seat and grabbed his bag and new artwork he had made today. She walked around through the garage, not wanting Ben anywhere near her father until she knew why he was here.

She opened the front door to him, still not inviting him in. "What do you want?" Moe hung his head. "Well?" Belle tapped her fingers against the door frame anxiously, until he finally spoke.

"I came to... apologize." Belle's eyes widened in surprise. "About everything. I wasn't a good father to you and I had no reason not to be." Belle had a tear in her eye as she listened to her father go on and on about how wrong he was, and how he wanted to make everything right again. "I want to be there for my grandchildren. Like I was never there for you. I know forgiveness is a lot to ask, but I'm asking. Please forgive me Belle." Belle said nothing. She wanted to forgive him, absolutely. But the last time she saw this man he was about to attack her son.

"Thank you for coming here, and saying all that. I know it couldn't have been easy." Moe nodded his head in agreement. "I can't forgive you for everything yet. I need time." He looked saddened and defeated by her words. "I'll call you when I can." Belle gave him a reassuring smile before shutting the door and turning her attentions toward dinner, and her darling son who was busy making a castle out of his blocks in the living room.

Anthony and Belle sat in bed that night, both preoccupied with some type of reading material. "My dad stopped by today." Anthony dropped whatever important work document he was holding and turned towards her.

"And you wait until now to mention this, why?" Belle shrugged her shoulders.

"I guess I'm still kind of in shock." Anthony looked concerned.

"What did he do to you?" Anthony's eyes were scanning her body for any bruises that he might not have noticed before.

Belle grabbed his hand, calming him down slightly. "He apologized." That was all she said. She placed her book on the nightstand and flipped off the switch and cuddled into the pillows. Anthony was still sitting up in a state of shock, staring at his beautiful Belle. She was so forgiving, so full of love. He couldn't wait to marry her. Who knows, maybe her father might actually be there to walk her down the aisle.