Author's Note: I never expected to have it go this long but boy am I have fun writing this story! Thank you everyone for the support! No smut in this chapter.

Chapter Fourteen

The Beast Learns to Love

Beast paced nervously in front of the dining table on all fours. He was so nervous, he felt like he was going to jump out of his skin. Tonight he was going to tell her.

If she ever showed up! He glared at his two servants. "She is coming isn't she?" He asked for the twentieth time in the past half hour.

Mrs. Potts chuckled, "Yes sire. Give her time."

"Master?" Lumiere asked hesitantly. "Things seem to be going well with the girl, yes."

Beast snarled at him before he continued his pacing. "I think so…I don't know," he paused and looked at his two servants hopefully. "Did she say anything to you?"

Lumiere and Mrs. Potts shared a look before shaking their heads.

"But she is certainly affectionate towards you," Mrs. Potts said cheerfully. "And she cares for you."

"But she doesn't love me." Beast stopped his pacing to run a paw over his face. He couldn't tell her. But he had too. He was running out of time. The rose had begun to wilt drastically in the past week, only a few petals remained. He doubted he had a day, two at the most left before…

"I'll be stuck like this for eternity," he mumbled miserably.

"It is possible she loves you. There is only one way to find out master." Lumiere smiled encouragingly.

Beast paused, there were times when Belle looked at him, those big brown eyes full of emotions, and he thought maybe, just maybe she did love him. "Arg!" His claws dug into the floor as he resumed his pacing.

He immediately stopped and perked up as Cogsworth entered the room beaming from ear to ear. "Sire, the lady has arrived."

Beast had to catch his breath at first seeing his female. God, but Belle was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Her hair was pulled up in a bun, thick strands left to curl around her shoulders and back. She was wearing a luxurious soft golden gown. Intricate crystal beading lined the bodice, which shimmered with each step she took. The sleeves fell off her pale shoulders and the tops of her breasts curved wondrously over the top of her bodice.

He had to fight the urge to tear it off her and take her on the spot. Instead he cleared his throat and pulled out a chair. "Belle, you look beautiful." Why was his voice so gravely?

She beamed up at him as she took her seat. "Thank you, you look wonderful as well."

Beast couldn't help but grin at her compliment. He had taken great care with his appearance as of late, wanting to impress his female. It still shocked him that she not only wasn't repulsed by his form but actually found him attractive!

He took the seat across from her and tried not to stare as Mrs. Potts laid out the first course. "Ah…Belle, there is something I've been meaning to speak with you about." Beast fidgeted nervously with his fork.

Belle continued to smile at him. Was she blushing? "Yes?"

Beast opened his mouth to speak, only to snap it shut and glare over at his servants, who were lingering eagerly by the door. "You may leave us."

"Of course, sire!" Mrs. Potts quipped, smacking the other two gently. They hastily bowed and left the room, leaving him alone with Belle.

Belle laughed softly before asking, "What did you want to talk about?"

"I…uh…" He rubbed a paw nervously over the back of his neck. "How is your meal?" Shit!

Belle raised one slender eyebrow. "Delicious as always. Is that what you wanted to ask me?"

Damn, but the woman was too observant for her own good. "No." He shifted nervously in his seat. He was the master of this castle. He was the beast. He was a fucking king! And yet he couldn't say three little words. "I…perhaps we can take a walk later?" He resisted the urge to punch himself.

Belle gave him a look but didn't press. "I'd love too. Maybe you can tell me what's on your mind then?"

"Yes." He coughed into his paw. Later, he would tell her later.

X X X

Belle felt butterflies in her stomach as she and the beast ate their dinner. She could tell that something important was on his mind. She wondered what could make her normally sure and strong beast so jittery.

"Are you happy here, with me?" Beast asked suddenly.

"Why yes," she answered truthfully, more so than she could ever have imagined.

He seemed to relax a bit at her response. "And it truly doesn't bother you…the way I am?"

Belle frowned at this line of questioning. Obviously he was concerned about something, but she'd thought they were past this by now. She had made it very clear that she enjoyed his form. Just the thought of how she'd proven that particular point made her blush. "I find you very attractive Beast. Inside and out."

His ears perked up at her confession before he quickly schooled his features into an unreadable mask. "And what if I was like this forever? Would you…still be happy?"

Belle hesitated, not quite understanding where he was going with this. "I…I think so."

"What about children?" he asked so suddenly Belle wasn't sure if she'd heard him right.

She blushed and then paled. She had never even considered children with him! And after all they'd done together. She pressed a hand to her stomach nervously. "Children…?"

"Yes." Beast nodded, watching her closely. "Don't you want them?"

"Well, yes, someday…Don't you?" Belle tried not to overreact. Would there be something wrong with them? Would they be beasts like him?

"I can't have children in this form Belle," Beast confessed softly.

Belle blinked, not sure if she was relieved or disappointed. "You can't?" He shook his head grimly. "Because of the curse?" she asked. He winced but didn't respond. If he couldn't tell her then it had to be because of the curse! "That's alright. Maybe someday, things will change…and…" Belle broke off, not sure what to say. And she was defiantly disappointed.

"That's what I wish to speak with you about," Beast sighed. "Will you walk with me?"

Belle swallowed and nodded. "Yes." Beast assisted her out of her chair and escorted her out of the dining room. He led her upstairs and to the west wing. He seemed almost despondent as he opened the doors to his old quarters and stepped aside for her to enter. He motioned her over to the enchanted rose that still glowed softly under its glass case. She approached it cautiously, frowning as she grew nearer and noticed that it had begun to wilt.

"There are only a few petals left," she murmured.

"Yes." Beast stood beside her and ran a large paw over the glass.

"What happens when all of the petals fall?" Belle asked shakily. He didn't respond, but she could see the sadness and hopelessness in his eyes. It frightened her. "Beast?" She cupped his face in both her hands and forced him to look at her. "It will be alright, wont it?"

He closed his eyes briefly before placing his paws over her hands. "Belle, I…" he broke off and snarled, "Lumiere, what did I tell you about spying!?"

Belle jumped and spun around. Lumiere emerged from the shadows, his face grim. "I'm sorry master. I have urgent news."

Beast growled, baring his teeth. "What?!"

Lumiere winced but didn't retreat. "It concerns Belle's father."

"My father!?" Belle gasped, her stomach dropping. Oh no, had Gaston hurt him?

"He's very ill." Lumiere gave her an apologetic look. "It doesn't look like he has much time."

Belle felt as if she might faint. "No. I have to go to him!" She moved to leave but stopped short, turning back to Beast with pleading eyes. "Beast…?"

Beast was bent over the enchanted rose, his paws gripping around the table. "Go to him."

"What?" Belle's heart pounded in her chest. Was he setting her free? "I can go?"

"Yes." Beast's voice was low and husky. "You no longer belong to me. You are free to go."

"Master!" Lumiere protested. "You can't!"

"Leave!" Beast snapped upward and roared, tearing at his clothes. "Get out!"

"Beast…" Belle hesitated, her eyes wide with shock as she watched him rip off his clothes then slam his claws into a bookshelf. Why was he acting like this?

"I said get out!" he roared again. Belle flinched but refused to be frightened by his display. He stilled with a groan, dropping his head into his paws. "Just go," he whispered brokenly.

Those two words broke her heart. She touched his arm before rising up and gently kissing his cheek. "Thank you," she whispered.

He didn't move or acknowledge her. With tears streaming down her cheeks she left her beast behind.

X X X

Belle arrived at her home near dawn on Phillippe. She had left the castle quickly, only stopping to change into her riding dress, placing the gold gown lovingly across their bed. Beast's bed, she reminded herself. It wasn't her bed anymore.

She fought back tears at the thought. She already missed her temperamental beast. But concern over her father drove her further.

A single candle burned in the upstairs window but the tiny cottage appeared to be in better shape than when she had left it. She knew it was because of the beast and smiled longingly.

Dismounting from Philippe she rushed inside. "Papa?!" The cottage was dark and quiet. She felt sick, was she too late? Shaking she headed for the stairs. "Papa?"

Suddenly a rough hand wrapped around her mouth, hauling her backward. Belle's scream was muffled as another hand wrapped around her arms, pinning them in place.

"I finally have you Belle," a cold voice sneered from behind her.

Gaston!