Clarice and her family were due to arrive any day now and Belle began to get very anxious. What if Clarice decided she didn't want to live in the country after all? What if she had changed since Belle last saw her? What if she and Clarice had grown apart? Belle knew it was useless to worry, but she couldn't help it. Instead she directed her worry into making sure the rooms for Clarice's family were completely ready, temporary though they were.

Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, and Lumiere along with a small army of servants had offered to prepare the rooms in the north all for her, and they had done a wonderful job. But Belle threw herself into the preparations, making beds, arranging a few welcoming toys she got for Clarice's children (not too much, she didn't want to be extravagant, but just some things to brighten the rooms and make them a bit more comfortable for the children), and whatever else she could get her hands on. She noticed the servants hovering around her, trying to take things from her and ask what she needed, and she suspected strongly that they had been asked to watch after her by the three head servants.

"Please, Mistress," Cogsworth said in distress when she amiably confronted him about it. "You shouldn't be doing so much. You must let us do what we can for you."

"You're so sweet to me," she said with a smile.

"We are all feeling the same, Mistress," Lumiere put in, overhearing their conversation. "You must take care of your enfant."

"I know, I'm just so nervous," she admitted. "This helps to distract me."

"I understand, ma cherie, but you must be careful."

Belle sighed and agreed, beaten at last. "Very well, I concede," she laughed. "You're all doing such a wonderful job anyway, there's little for me to do."

She allowed the two men to lead her towards the door, but as she opened the door she nearly rain into a maid bringing a basket full of logs for the fireplace, which she abruptly dropped. Without thinking, Belle bent to pick it up for her, apologizing, but as she stood the basket in her hands, she felt an uncomfortable twinge.

"Thank you, Mistress," the maid said with a curtsy and hurried past her.

"I'll leave you to it," she said to her friends and left them to put the finishing touches on the rooms. Slowly, unsure if she was completely all right or not, Belle made her way to the West Wing. On her way by, Belle pulled the cord that would summon a servant to her and she carefully lowered herself onto the bed.

Minutes later, someone knocked on the door and Estelle came in, all chatter and noise as usual.

"Estelle? Could you perhaps go fetch the doctor for me?" she asked when the woman paused to take a breath.

"The doctor? Goodness gracious, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," Belle quickly assured her. "I'm just being cautious. But could you perhaps be somewhat discreet about it? I don't want Adam to worry when there's nothing to worry about."

"Of course, of course!" she agreed and left in a whirl of violet skirts.

The doctor came several minutes later and Belle confessed to him what had happened. After a lengthy examination, the doctor said that she and the baby would be fine.

"But you must rest, Your Highness. I mean it. Stay in bed as much as you can for the next couple of days. Your muscles are already weak from the strain of carrying the baby and you've pulled something, but it didn't harm the baby this time."

"I'll rest, I promise," she quickly agreed, relieved that everything was all right.

"Good. Shall I alert the Master?"

"No, no don't bother him. If there's really nothing to be concerned about, I'll see him tonight and tell him. He's very busy today."

"Well, I won't go against your wishes," he said and closed his bag with a snap, illustrating his displeasure at her decision. "I'll check on you again tonight." Without another word, the doctor left Belle to herself.

"I'm glad you're all right, baby," she said, stroking her stomach and smiled when she felt a reassuring kick. Content, Belle took the book from the small table that stood on her side of the bed and settled in.

Hours later she had finished the book as was just wondering what to do with herself next when Adam walked through the door. She watched as he sigh in frustration, throwing his coat on the nearest surface and collapsed into his chair by the fire.

"Difficult day?" she asked and watched him jump in surprise. He obviously hadn't noticed her and his shock was enough to make her giggle.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were getting the rooms ready for your friend," he said, coming over to sit beside her.

"Well, there was a bit of a snag," she admitted and told him what happened.
"What? Are you all right? The baby?"

"Is fine," she assured him quickly, taking his hand. "I'm fine and the baby is perfect. I just have to stay in bed for a couple of days."

"I—all right," he said hesitantly, as if he were unsure if he should believe her or not. "Is there anything I can get you?"

"Dinner and another book would be nice," she began. "But first tell me about your day. What's bothering you?"

"Just some nobles getting their noses out of joint," he said dismissively. "Apparently I'm not attending or throwing nearly enough parties. They're starting to feel snubbed."

"Oh dear," she said with a giggle, finding it difficult to take such things seriously.

"Exactly," he replied with a chuckle of his own. "Fortunately right now I have a fairly good excuse," he continued, placing a delicate hand on her stomach. "But I'm afraid I'll have to play nice afterwards."

"Perhaps it is for the best Clarice isn't going to stay in the castle," she teased. "Maybe I'll go join them myself."

"Take me with you," he begged and bent to kiss her. "Is it wrong that I still wish sometimes that we were alone, like it was before the curse was broken, that we didn't have to deal with this nonsense?"

"No, it's not wrong," she said gently. She knew he often missed the solitude before the enchantment was lifted, knew that the bustling castle and the duties of a prince wore on him sometimes. She missed it too, missed being able to sit and read with him with minimal disturbances, getting to know him so wholly. "But aren't you proud of all you've accomplished?"

"I'm proud of you, and I'm proud of our daughter. Having you makes it impossibly better. If it weren't for you, I'd give up on all of this and live. . . live as a woodcutter or something like that."

"A woodcutter?" she asked, somewhat amused by this prospect.

"What? I'm strong, I could do it," he defended, pretending to be hurt.

"You could do anything you wanted to," she agreed. "I—I'm afraid it's a little too late to turn back now though," she added, wondering if this idea of Adam's was only just a joke or if there was a hint of genuineness in it.

"I know, I know," he said with a crooked smile. "I have a duty to this land and I won't turn my back on it, but sometimes I wish. . ."

"I know. I do, too. It was peaceful like that," she agreed. "Why not bring Brigitte up here after dinner and we'll steal a few moments of that peace again?"

"That sounds good to me," he agreed and kissed her one more time. "I'll be back with your dinner."

"No, just have someone bring something up when they can," she insisted. "Stay with Brigitte and Papa."

"All right," he agreed somewhat reluctantly. "I'll see you soon, and I'll bring a book and our daughter with me. Any requests?"

"You choose this time," she insisted. "You don't pick very often." He agreed with a laugh and left.

Alone now, she carefully turned on her side and allowed herself to drift into peaceful, dreamless slumber for an hour or so.


"Maman?" she heard Brigitte call for her and Belle opened her eyes to see her daughter standing by the bed, her beautiful little face just able to peer over the side.

"Why hello, my darling," she greeted merrily, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Did you have a nice dinner."

"Yes. Papa said you were up here resting," she said, obviously needed in explanation.

"He was right. I've been very tired today and remember I have to take care of the baby," she explained simply.

"Hello, baby," Brigitte said and gently patted Belle's stomach. Brigitte had a habit of doing that since Belle's stomach grew big enough to notice. Belle thought it was sweet.

"Now, climb up here and let's hear what your father has brought us," she said and directed her attention to her husband. He was standing on the opposite side of the bed, a tray of food and a book in his hands.

"Estelle came in with your dinner earlier, but you were asleep and she didn't want to bother you," he explained, allowing her to get into a comfortable position before handing her the tray. "And I've brought Arabian Nights." Belle smiled, remembering how amused Adam had been by those stories when she had read it to him before.

"Excellent choice," she said and reached her hand for the book.

"No, you eat, I'll read. Are you comfy, Brigitte?" he asked as he settled onto the mattress, their little girl nestled between them.

"Yes," she confirmed and settled in for the story. They were like that for some time, Belle on one side of the bed, Brigitte in the middle, and Adam on the other side, his soothing voice washing over them and pausing the world around them as he read.


"They're here!" Brigitte squealed in delight, jumping up and down as a carriage rolled over the bridge towards them. Accompanied by a few guards on horseback and a wagon of supplies behind them, the carriage that held Belle's dearest friend and her family approached the stone entranceway where Belle, Adam, Brigitte, and a few servants waited. When the carriage stopped, Belle rushed forward, unable to contain herself, but before she could reach the carriage, its door burst open and a woman fairly flew out of it and into Belle's arms. Belle caught the woman with an oomph of surprise but willingly wrapped her arms around her.

"I can't believe we're finally here!" Clarice exclaimed, releasing Belle to look at her. Belle beamed at her friend, giddy with the joy she felt at having her here at last. She hadn't changed much since Belle had last seen her five years ago; her dark blonde hair pulled back into a loose bun, her face more plump than in childhood but still bright and cheerful, with shining green eyes.

"I'm so glad you wanted to come!" Belle said honestly. "I wish I could have made the trip with you, though."

"Don't be ridiculous! You're pregnant for goodness sakes!" Clarice exclaimed.

"If you'll move aside, dear," a man's voice came from inside, "you'll let the rest of us stretch our legs."

"Poor Henry didn't do very well in the carriage, I'm afraid," Clarice whispered, though she seemed more amused than upset by this. "All right, come out then!" She stepped aside to make room for the rest of her family to step out.

Her oldest girl was first; five years older now, Cherine had become quite a pretty little seven year old with silky blonde curls and piercing green eyes. A boy followed shortly after, nearly bouncing from the carriage to dive behind Clarice's skirts and look at his new surroundings shyly. Belle barely recognized him as the wobbling toddler she had met before, but this six year old was little Henry, named for his father. Belle couldn't see much of him where he hid, but though his eyes were also green, they were muddied, much less bright than his sister's.

Clarice's husband and the man who gave their son his name stepped out last. Belle had not seen him during her last visit to Paris, and she was astonished at the change in him. Gone was the gangly, awkward boy Belle remembered when they were sixteen. Though still tall and thin, he had grown into himself, his shoulders more broad and his face fuller. Perhaps not an entirely handsome man, but at least he seemed kind. In his arms was their newest child, another girl named Fleur, whom Belle could not see for the blankets that were wrapped around her.

"Well," he said as he stood behind his wife and surveyed the castle. "This'll take some getting used to." Clarice laughed and Belle smiled, but she wasn't so sure he meant it kindly.

"I'm glad you've all arrived safely," Adam said, coming up behind Belle, holding his daughter's hand who had suddenly decided to be shy. "I'm Adam. We didn't meet last time." Adam extended his hand towards Henry who rebalanced the baby and briefly met his hand, his eyes wide. He also introduced Brigitte and Clarice did the same with her children, all of whom insisted on staying by their respective mothers and only giving curious glances at each other.

"They'll warm up to each other," Clarice laughed when their children refused to meet.

"Come inside," Belle said merrily. "I'm sure you're tired after the trip, so I'll show you where you'll be staying and you can rest. Later I'll show you around, if you like."

"That'd be wonderful, thank you," she said, sounding relieved. "Our things, though?"

"We will be happy to take care of that, Madam," Cogsworth said with a bow. Belle distinctly heard Henry snort, but chose to ignore it.

"Come," Belle said, taking Clarice's arm. "I can't wait to show you your rooms!"

"Sorry about him," Clarice whispered as they led the short procession inside. "He's been in a bad mood since his business failed. I think he resents having to accept the help."

"Don't even think about it," Belle dismissed. "It must be hard for him. I'm sure once you're on your feet again he'll feel much better."

"I hope so," Clarice said emphatically. "I—Oh my!" she exclaimed as they walked into the entrance hall. Belle couldn't help but giggle at her reaction, remembering her own amazement at the size and beauty of the castle. "You've done quite well for yourself, haven't you?"

"Oh, don't start," Belle said, looking at her friend expressively.

"Sorry," Clarice laughed. "It's just. . . when I know what you've been through, it's amazing to see you in a place like this." Belle could sense a tinge of jealousy in her friend's voice and couldn't help but feel guilty for it.

"Well, you're here now too. And I know you want to live in a village, but none of them are very far away. We'll visit each other all the time," was all she could come up with. She hadn't really thought about this part of things, about how hard it might be for Clarice to see Belle like this. Belle never felt any different than she had living in the village or her Paris apartments, barring a regularly full belly and clothes that fit. But Clarice would see that she hadn't gotten too big for her britches, so to speak.

"Here we are!" Belle announced as they reached the rooms in the north hall. She opened the doors to each room, indicating who they belonged to, and watched the children revel in the new toys they had provided.

"I hope you don't mind," Belle murmured to Clarice and Henry. "I wanted them to feel welcome here. I know how difficult moving can be, leaving your friends and everything you know behind."

"You're so sweet," Clarice said, honestly grateful, but Henry said nothing.

"Now settle in and have a rest. I'll come get you for dinner in about an hour and then we'll have a tour?"

"Sounds good to me!" Clarice replied and hugged Belle. "I'm so glad to see you again."
"Me too," Belle agreed wholeheartedly, returning the hug fiercely. She had her friend again, and that meant the world to her.