Chapter 10- A Most Pleasant Day

Tobias rolled out of bed early, despite having stayed far too late at the castle the night before drinking with Beast. Lucky for him, the effects of overindulgence never seemed to bother him, and he woke without the usual headaches that seemed to hit others he knew. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he was startled when he felt movement. Whipping his head around, he saw black hair splayed across a pillow with a shapely figure beneath the covers.

Confusion and disbelief coursed through his mind. What was she doing here? He didn't remember anything beyond a terrible game of chess he and Beast attempted after they polished off their second bottle of brandy and started in on the third. After the events of the day before, Tobias couldn't fathom why Kara would now be asleep in his bed and he was aggravated that he couldn't remember. Hadn't he resigned himself to moving on from her? There were plenty of other women more than willing to share his bed without spreading their favors to others. Although, accusing Kara of having shared anything beyond a mild flirtation with Edmund was a stretch, even in his most dramatic moments.

She shifted again, and the blanket slipped low enough for him to get a view of her full backside, completely uninhibited. He groaned, rolling back onto the bed. Pressing his body against hers, he decided why she was there was completely irrelevant in light of his now burning desire to have a replay of whatever took place the night before.

"Good morning, Schatze," he said as he pressed a kiss on Kara's bare shoulder. Her eyes fluttered open, and she rolled over, snuggling into his arms. She wasn't even fully awake, but her body told him she was already following his train of thought and wasn't objecting. Drawing her into a deep kiss, he felt his jealousy and doubt fade away. He was going to focus only on being with her here and now. Later he could question her on why she was there, what happened the night before, and where they stood with one another. For now, they were just going to enjoy being together.

An hour later, Tobias was on the path to Villeneuve, having left Kara at his home after their leisure morning in bed. He was satisfied with the answers she had given him when he finally got around to asking any questions.

Edmund was most definitely a contender for her affections, she hadn't denied that, but she did make certain assurances that she never involved herself with more than one man at a time, and until their flame burned out—something they were both certain would eventually happen—she was enjoying his company too much to ever cast him aside for another.

It was strange for him to have such an open and honest conversation with a woman he was intimate with, and while he didn't like the sound of their time ever ending, he also had no intention of making it permanent either.

Through a clearing in the trees, Tobias noticed a couple in the distance at the top of the hill sharing a picnic. They each had a book in their hand and a sandwich in the other as they relaxed on this beautiful autumn day. It didn't take long for the wolf to notice who it was.

It was his usual routine once he had seen to any important Royal Guard business to turn into a wolf, and out of sight, keep watch over Belle. From everything he had witnessed so far between Belle and Edmund, he was absolutely certain in his conviction that the two were simply friends, with no potential to turn into anything more. But watching them from the tree line, quietly enjoying one another's company, reading their books, and lazily snacking on the picnic Tobias was sure Belle had packed. The scene looked very intimate. Perhaps he'd been wrong, and Beast really did have reason to be jealous of the teacher. His own jealousy currently in check, the bubbling anger he felt was completely on his friend's behalf.

Plans had been made for Tobias to meet the pair at Belle's home in an hours' time to escort them to the charmante school, which Kara aptly named Petite Famille. He hadn't expected to find Belle with Edmund already, at least not outside of his school. When they were busy with the children, both were very focused on teaching, the picture of propriety. It was rare they were together without an audience, be it the children or the adult class they taught.

Tobias was concerned about that class, since as the days shortened and the weather turned colder it became less safe for Belle to be out so late. However, he reminded himself that he was not her official guard, and if she ever found out he had been spying on her this past month, she would be furious. Kara was aware that he sometimes looked in on her, and had given him her thanks, however, she didn't know the extent of it, and if she did, she likely would stop him.

For some reason he felt it his duty to guard Belle, and he wasn't sure if it was out of his own fondness for her or from his loyalty to the Beast. Either way, it had become a habit for him now, and despite his conscious finally objecting to violating his friend's privacy, he wasn't about to abort his mission. Moving closer to the oblivious couple, he slowly crept up, keeping to the cover of the woods but finally within range to hear any conversation that might take place.

Lounging in the afternoon sun, Belle was content and relaxed, reading a new book Edmund had gotten for her, while grazing on the food she brought. Edmund was sitting next to her but turned the opposite way, reading a book of his own as his unruly brown hair blew in the wind. They'd been there for well over an hour, having said no more than a few words when they first arrived on the secluded hill by the forest.

Belle stared at the current page, having read it over at least twice but not comprehending any of it. Her thoughts drifted to how incredible it was having close friends as she did now. Growing up as the odd girl in town hadn't predisposed her to making friends easily. Before, she mostly spent time with her father, Philippe, and her books. When she turned thirteen, Gaston started paying attention to her, and she had been revolted by his persistent pursuit. This was before he went off to war and returned a cruel and intolerable brute.

Now she had Kara to confide every secret to, Tobias as strong and loyal as a well-trained dog, Edmund to match wits with and push her beyond herself, that she could spend a lazy day like today with, and of course her Beast, the one she turned to for compassion, love, acceptance, and who had taken her on an adventure beyond anything she could have ever imagined. It was like living a dream sometimes, one that only needed a few minor adjustments to be perfect. But for today, she was content to spend time with her friend and push down any ill feelings.

"What are you thinking about?" Edmund asked, having seen her set her book aside and stare off into the clouds above. He gazed at her lovely face, his gray eyes trying to discern the look he found there. It had been a remarkably simple day, and he was grateful for a break from the monotony of his typical routine. When Belle mentioned the day before, as they left Montiquent, about having a picnic today, he'd been pleasantly surprised.

It was a very strange day, his first visit to the Beast's realm. So many unique creatures walking about, giving pleasant greetings, and the wondrous bookshop filled with both normal and enchanted material, was almost too much to comprehend. Spending time with Belle and Kara was pleasant enough, even with that Tobias looming about.

Now there was an unpleasant man if he'd ever met one. Despite Tobias being several inches shorter than Edmund, he'd still been intimidated by the broader, well-toned man, who according to Belle could change into an oversized wolf at will.

The auburn-haired brute got particularly agitated anytime he came close to Kara, and it didn't take a genius to surmise this was the person she'd been spending time with. Belle then got a bit overprotective and refused to leave his side until they were back in their own village once again. He enjoyed her attention more than he should have, but by the end of the excursion his nerves were fried, and he was extremely grateful for the complete leisure of this day so far.

"I was reflecting on how full my life has become." She smiled that brilliant smile that always made his heart race a little faster. "As you know, I was always alone here before my adventures. Never knew friendship like I have now, and couldn't imagine losing any of you." She reached out and took his hand in hers, squeezing it before letting it fall. "I also don't know how I would ever survive being separated from ma bête, if it weren't for you in particular. Having someone I can just sit and read with, who demands nothing of me, just my silent presence, is a haven I didn't think was possible, and I cherish our friendship."

"As do I. And I'm honored to be here for you, anytime you need me." Every fiber of his being wanted to retrieve her hand and hold it a bit longer, or better yet, draw her into his arms and kiss her. But doing either would put this friendship they both needed so much in jeopardy, and he knew that. She had found the love of her life, and it wasn't him. "Belle, how are you doing now that you've started frequently visiting Montiquent? Especially since you haven't gone to see him yet?"

She shifted uncomfortably at the question and lowered her eyes to the ground, almost ashamed. "As long as I'm focused on the school, or my friends, it's been wonderful being back. But stepping foot in the castle, I just can't…" A tear slipped down her cheek, and she felt her chest tighten. It wasn't fair she couldn't go home, the one place she longed to be. She missed the castle staff, especially Mrs. Potts, and of course her Beast.

Plastering on a smile once more, determined to not allow anything to ruin the pleasant day she was having, she stood up and brushed out her skirts, crumbs from her snack falling to the ground. She extended a hand to Edmund, and he gave her a quizzical glance before taking her hand and getting up. She quickly packed up their books and the blanket into the basket, while Edmund hooked it on one arm, offering the other to Belle as they strolled back towards her cottage.

Noting her silence, he chose to let the topic drop for now, but he could feel how much she was holding back. Tobias would be meeting them soon to take them to Montiquent. Lessons were starting this afternoon for the children there, and Belle had asked Edmund to teach mathematics until his own pupils returned from the week of harvesting.

He was both excited and nervous about this new adventure. He worried about accidentally offending one of the more unique children by staring or simply because he did not yet understand the different cultures that were blending together in this new community. However, Belle was so encouraging that when she made the request, he was incapable of refusing her. Before he was dreading the week off from his own students, not because he would miss the children, but because it meant a week away from Belle as well, and now that had been rectified.

Had she been as reluctant to be away from him for a week as well? He stole a few glances as they walked silently down the path that led to her parent's home. Her face was a blank slate, revealing no hint of the struggle she was going through, keeping an even countenance. Often he found himself baffled at her ability to continue to see the positive and move forward, despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding her. As they approached her home, Maurice came stumbling out of the cellar, smoke billowing out behind him, covered in soot and oil, coughing as he sucked in fresh air.

"Papa!" Belle shouted and ran to her father. "Are you all right?" Worry and fear replaced the serene look she'd been wearing before as she examined her father for injury.

"I'm fine. It's just this new invention of mine isn't going as well as I hoped." cough, cough, cough, "I promised your mother it would be finished by the end of the week." Another coughing fit overtook him, and Belle held him as he struggled for breath.

"Oh Papa, we must get you inside so you can lay down." She looked over to Edmund, beckoning him to come help her get her father to his feet. Quickly he complied, grabbing Maurice's other arm as he and Belle hoisted him up.

"There's no need for this, I am capable of walking on my own." Papa tried shaking them off but nearly tumbled back to the ground. Belle raised a thin eyebrow at him, and he sighed, giving into the help being offered as the three maneuvered the stairs into the little cottage.

Readying a bucket of warm water to clean him up, Belle busied herself in the kitchen as Edmund got Maurice comfortably in the armchair near the fireplace. Seeing the love and devotion Belle had for her father was both heartwarming and sad to Edmund, who had no such affection for his own father, and it made him wish that had been otherwise.

Gently wiping away the grim from Maurice's face and arms, Belle was tender and slow in her movements so as to not cause any abrasions. Once he was cleaned up, they moved him to his bed, supplying a warm cup of tea, and an extra blanket.

"Perhaps I should stay behind today. He may still need tending to, and Maman isn't due home for hours." Belle wrung her hands on her skirt.

Edmund gave her a warm smile as he sat down in the armchair Maurice just vacated."I can stay with him. Today is too important of a day for you to miss. Kara and the children would be so disappointed if I arrived alone. And honestly, I think I need a full day to recover from the excitement of yesterday."

Belle looked at him with wide eyes, and she felt a strange pull to hug him for his generosity. "I couldn't ask you to do that." She brushed the hair that fell into her face and moved away from him.

"But you didn't ask. I am offering. Actually, I insist. I am very capable of caring for your father, and I'll even have dinner prepared for you and your mother when you return. Having grown up with just my father and I, it was often left to me to do such things. And not to brag, but I am an excellent cook." He gave a wink and a roguish smile crossed his handsome features.

Belle couldn't help but wonder what life would be like if her father never found the castle. If she'd never met Beast. Had she met Edmund—the dashing teacher who was kind and generous, and so intelligent, who accepted her for exactly who she was—when he first arrived in town, she knew it wouldn't have taken long for her to fall in love with him. He was the complete opposite of Gaston, and everything she always knew she wanted in a man. And yet, he didn't stir the kind of feelings she got every time she thought of her Beast. But was that only because she was so deeply in love with her Beast before she ever met Edmund?

"You ought to get going Belle, you don't want to keep Kara waiting. I imagine her temper isn't pleasant to cross," he said, breaking into her thoughts.

"That is quite true. Thank you so much, Edmund. I truly can not express how much I appreciate this." Unable to resist the urge any longer, she bent down and gave him a brief squeeze before leaving out the front door.

Edmund sat there, surprised and grinning.