CHAPTER FOURTEEN
(chapter title – A Surprise)

The following day, Mimi was playing in the snow with Philippe and Footstool. The Beast, Mark and Gordon were watching from the balcony.

"I've never felt this way about anyone." The Beast told his dear friends. He then looked excited. "I should do something for her." He then looked discouraged. "But what?"

"Well, there's the usual things – flowers, chocolates, promises you don't intend to keep…" Mark listed the items on his fingers.

"Ahh, no, no. It has to be something very special. Some that sparks her inter – wait a minute!" Gordon said, whispering something in the Beast's ear.

After lunch, the Beast led Mimi down a hallway that led to the library.

"Mimi, there's something that I want to show you." The Beast started. He began to open the door, then stopped. "But first, you have to close your eyes." Mimi looked at him questioningly. "It's a surprise."

Mimi closed her eyes, and the Beast waved his hand in front of her. Then he opened the door and led her in.

"Can I open them?" Mimi questioned as she entered the room.

"No, no. Not yet. Wait here." The Beast told Mimi. He walked away to draw back the curtains. As he does, brilliant sunlight spills into the room. Mimi flinched reflexively as the light hit her face.

"Now can I open them?" Mimi asked.

"All right. Now!" the Beast said.

Mimi opened her eyes and looked around the gigantic library filled with books.

"I can't believe it! I've never seen so many books in all my life!" Mimi exclaimed, walking around the Beast.

"You – you like it?" the Beast wanted to know.

"It's wonderful." Mimi told him.

"Then it's yours." The Beast said.

"Oh, thank you so much!" Mimi said, throwing her arms around the Beast's neck. He was thrown off-guard. He smiled and patted Mimi's back gently.

Mimi broke out of the Beast's grasp and went to find a book for them to read. She found Romeo and Juliet, promising to read it to the Beast later.

"Oh, would you look at that?" Joanne mused. The objects were now outside the library, watching the scene unfold in front of them.

"Ha, ha! I knew it would work!" Gordon boasted.

"What? What works?" Chad wanted to know.

"It's very encouraging." Mark said.

"Isn't this exciting?" the Feather duster asked as she passed by.

"I didn't see anything!" Chad announced, annoyed.

"Come along, Chad. There's chores to be done in the kitchen." Joanne told her son.

"But what are they talking about? What's going on? Come on, mom!" Chad pleaded.

The objects walked away, talking amongst themselves.