Beauty and the Beast: The Tale Continues
Chapter 50 - The Enchanted Christmas, Part 2
Author's Note: Disney is the owner of this franchise, while I just own the story.
And I apologize if the pacing in this story seems a little too fast... I guess I'm just excited to get to you-know-what, at this point.
But don't worry, there are a lot of things in this story that I'm always changing, so yes, I do have some "deleted/alternate" chapters (scenes)... or use them for flashback sequences… anyway, enjoy the story, and please review.
P.S. Happy Mother's Day, everyone!
For a moment or two, neither Belle nor Adam said anything after he had given his statement regarding the non-celebrating of Christmas.
But then, Lumiere cleared his throat, and said, "Um, Master, we were only decorating because of the holiday season, so… technically, we weren't celebrating Christmas."
Instead of responding to the former candelabra, Adam sighed, and he said, "Belle, I specifically told you that we would not be having Christmas in this castle."
"But why, Adam?" replied Belle. "Christmas is a time for family and friends… everyone exchanging gifts with each other-"
"I know the basics of the holiday, Belle," said Adam, who was still frowning. "But you've heard what I said…"
However, Belle was not ready to give up just yet. "Yes, yes I did… but it's not right… do you want to see me upset?"
Her husband quickly shook his head. "Well, no, of course not, but-"
"Belle? Adam? What's going on in… whoa!"
Maurice had now entered the ballroom, and the first thing he'd noticed was the decorated Christmas tree that was in the middle of the room.
"Did you play a part in that, Belle? It looks amazing."
He then turned to look over at his son-in-law. "Don't you agree, Adam?"
Adam was about to give his response, but then he realized that, if he were to tell Maurice about what he'd told his daughter, then things would not be pretty between them.
So, the young man decide to go with the answer that would be best for everyone.
"If celebrating this holiday brings you happiness, my love… then continue being happy… but just know that I will not take any part in it whatsover."
With that being said, Adam walked out of the ballroom, while Maurice joined the others in looking confused.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"No, Papa," replied Belle, letting out a sigh. "Adam just… doesn't like Christmas… and I can't understand why…"
Lumiere and Cogsworth both looked at Mrs. Potts, who all knew that it was probably the right time, after all, to tell her about Adam's past.
"You see, deary, several months after the master's mother passed away…"
Young Adam was in his bedroom, wondering what his Christmas wish would be exactly when he suddenly heard his father's voice.
"I shall see you after the holidays, my son."
"After the… but that means you are… leaving?" said Young Adam, who also saw that his father was already prepared to head out. "But, Papa, I was already planning a list of things for us to-"
"Well, I suppose you will have to wait until next year, Adam…"
Shaking her head in sadness and disappointment, Mrs. Potts then said, "But the same thing happened next year, and the year after that, and so on… then, eventually, once his father had left after his 18th year, the master chose to just give up on the holiday altogether…"
"... say it once, and never again. I am forever forbidding Christmas from ever being celebrated in this castle!"
None of the servants could believe what they were hearing from their master.
"B-but, Master, you've always loved to celebrate Christmas…"
"When I was a child, Lumiere," growled Adam. "I am now a full-grown adult, and I have other things to worry about besides a pointless holiday."
Before Belle could give a response, Cogsworth added, "Not to mention that he chose Christmas Eve, out of all the days in the year, to host a dinner party."
"Well, what could have happened on that day to cause-" Belle started to say, but then, she quickly realized what he was referring to. "Oh, my gosh… you were all cursed that night, weren't you?"
All of the servants nodded their heads, and Lumiere said, "I'm sorry, mademoiselle.. I know you would love to enjoy this holiday with the master, but-"
"What do you mean? Of course, we're going to celebrate it together."
Everyone now looked at Belle with a confused expression, and the young woman said, "I know how he can change his mind… and you are going to help me, Lumiere."
"M-me?" said the former candelabra, and Belle nodded her head. "Um, I am not sure-"
"Just come with me, and I will explain to you what my plan is," replied the young woman, who was now hoping that her plan would work.
A few days later (Christmas Eve)
"... only suggesting that maybe it is time for you to create new memories so that you can forget about the old ones."
While Belle and the rest of the castle staff were almost done with their Christmas preparation, Lumiere was in the library, trying to convince Adam to join them.
"Is it safe to say that you are much happier now than you were all those years ago?"
The young prince thought for a moment, and then, he replied, "Well, yes, but… ugh, after everything I've done this month, I cannot just go back in there with a smile on my face, and say that I am ready to celebrate… wait, what is this?"
Something on the table had caught his attention, and as Adam walked over to it, he saw that it was some sort of package.
"Oh, ho, ho, Master, I believe that it is a present from you-know-who," said Lumiere, with a slight chuckle.
"Well, then, that would explain the neatly-done wrapping," replied Adam, and he began to start untying the bow that was placed on top of his gift.
"Master! You cannot open it yet," reminded Lumiere. "You have to wait until midnight!"
Adam groaned, and moved his hands away from the gift. "This is ridiculous… I'm not even sure what I am supposed to give to her as a present."
"Well, you still have some time left to think about it," replied Lumiere, who was starting to walk away. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Master…"
As his servant walked away, Adam went back to looking at the gift, and because he was turned away from the entrance of the library, the young man did not see or hear Belle step inside.
"Perhaps she would not mind if I just took a quick peek at what she got me," said a curious Adam, who went back to carefully opening it up, while Belle had an amused smile on her face.
Once the wrapping paper was removed, and the lid to the box had been taken off, Adam found himself looking at an unfamiliar book, which only had a rose on the cover.
He then opened it up to the one of the first few pages, and started to read what appeared to be Belle's handwriting.
[Meanwhile]
"Just one last stop, and then, I can return home…"
After climbing the last step to the castle's entrance, Edward let out a sigh, and then, he knocked three times on the door.
"Just a minute!"
Adam's father said nothing as he waited, and then, once the door was opened, a small smile appeared on his face. "Bonjour, old friend…"
"Edward..." said the ruler of the castle. "Yes, she told me you would return eventually."
The elderly man nodded his head, and asked, "Would you mind if I come inside, Nathaniel, so that we can talk?"
"But, of course," replied Adam's uncle. "We certainly have a lot to talk about…"
Back at the castle
"... he was gone. And I never told him that- wait, am I crying?"
Adam paused his reading to wipe away the tears that were falling down his face, and he blinked his eyes a few times.
"Oh, God, I am… I can't imagine what Belle would do if she saw me like this."
"I think I have a pretty good idea, actually."
He froze after hearing his wife's voice, and thought, Please tell me that was only in my head.
"I know that you know that I'm here now, Adam."
The young man turned around, looking apologetic, and said, "Belle, before you… you… made a new hairstyle."
[AN: I'm not really good at describing dresses and looks and all that, but it's basically the way that Emma had her hair done when she attended the L.A. premiere of Beauty and the Beast]
Belle smirked at her husband, and said, "Thank you… and I take it that you already opened your Christmas gift?"
"Um… I… alright, yes, I did, and I read it," replied Adam, knowing that he couldn't lie to her since the book was in his hands. "Belle, I… I'm sorry for-"
She shook her head before he could finish, and said, "Adam, it's fine, you don't have to apologize… and you already know what happens at the end of the story."
"Indeed, I do," replied the young prince, letting out a chuckle. "Still not planning on growing one, though…"
Belle simply smiled back at him, and Adam remembered what he'd told her a few days ago regarding the holiday.
"I'm sorry for what I said about Christmas, Belle… I was just afraid of something terrible happening."
"Because of what happened in the past," replied Belle, who was walking over to him. "I understand your feelings about Christmas, Adam… but don't you think that perhaps it'll be much different this time around?"
The young man shrugged his shoulders, and said, "I want it to be, my love… it's just that-"
"Adam, trust me, nothing terrible will happen," assured Belle, placing her hand on the side of his face. "Can you come with me, and help celebrate Christmas with the rest of our family?"
Family… our family… thought Adam, who was looking down at the book in his hands. I have a family...
"Would this help in any way?"
The young man looked back at Belle, and saw that she was holding some mistletoe above her head. Well, would you look at that?
Then, to her surprise, Adam replied, "I'm afraid not, my love…"
"But why - oh!"
Adam had wrapped his arms around Belle, and was lifting her up high enough so that the mistletoe was above both of their heads.
"Now it will work," he said, and after Belle rolled her eyes, the two of them shared a kiss
.Several hours later
"For you, madame," said Raphael, who had taken a bow in front of Belle. "Merry Christmas."
Belle's eyes went wide as she was handed the gift, while Adam was trying his best to control his temper.
Your gift will be better, Adam, your gift will be better.
"Raphael, this… is this…"
"The Apothecary's Rose? Yes, Belle, it certainly is," replied Raphael, as he watched her place it in a nearby vase. "You have no idea what I went through to get it here."
Then, he looked over at Adam, and asked, "So, prince boy, what ever did you give your fair lady for Christmas?"
Before Adam could say anything, Belle said, "He does not need to get me anything, Raphael… because I already have everything that I could ever ask for."
"Well, isn't that wonderful," said the former antagonist, who then walked away before Adam could say anything to him.
"That may be true, my love," muttered the young prince, once Raphael was gone. "But after what he just did, I'm not letting him get the last-"
"Adam, it's fine," replied his wife. "You've already given me so much… let's just enjoy our first Christmas together, okay?"
She gave him a quick kiss on the lips, and was about to say something else when, to their surprise, they heard two familiar voices say, "Merry Christmas, madame."
"Nathaniel?" said Belle.
"Father?" said Adam. "I thought you…"
Edward chuckled, and he replied, "I may not have a gift for you, son, but I did tell you that I would make my return in time for Christmas, and-"
"That's alright, Father," said Adam, who was trying to hold in his emotions. "You and Nathaniel being here is a good enough present for me."
As the three of them continued to talk with one another, Maurice made his way over to Belle, and said, "Merry Christmas, sweetheart… and I see that your husband's relationship with his father is improving."
"Merry Christmas, Papa," replied Belle, as she and Maurice shared a hug. "And yes, yes it is…"
A few minutes later, Belle and Adam were out on the terrace, and she was about to say something when Adam held up his finger, with both of them remaining silent.
Then, he reached into his coat pocket, and pulled out a charm that was in the shape of a turtle dove, as well as showing her a new necklace that he was currently wearing, which had the same type of charm.
"Merry Christmas, Belle."
Beaming with happiness, Belle wrapped her arms around Adam, and the two of them shared a hug.
"Merry Christmas, Adam…"
Then, she looked up at him, and added, "You do remember your promise, yes?"
"Belle, I promise you," replied Adam, kissing the top of her head. "Once you say the words, it's time, I will be as calm and relaxed as I am right now."
Author's Note: In the next chapter, you'll see the way everyone reacts when Belle says those words.
