Beauty and the Beast: The Tale Continues

Chapter 40 - Belle is Enceinte, Part 1

Author's Note: Disney is the rightful owner of this franchise. I just own the story.

"I hope you weren't too hard on Lumiere, my love... you were the one who said that you loved having him around."

He and Belle were in each other's arms as they danced in the middle of the ballroom, as well as plenty of other couples that were dancing around them.

Adam's father was having conversations with a variety of royal-looking people that Belle had never seen before, but Adam told her to not pay much attention to them.

Maurice, as always, was painting yet another portrait of what he saw in front of him, and that was alright with Belle, who only wanted him to be happy.

"Well, no, not really," said the young woman. "He showed me a preview of a new book that he's been writing as a replacement, and it certainly caught my interest, so... we'll see where he and I stand after the book is complete."

Adam let out a chuckle, and after slowly twirling his wife around, he said, "Something always happens at these sort of things... but, at least, we can finally enjoy this party without some sort of unexpected news."

But then, to his surprise, Belle's smile started to disappear. "What is it?"

"Well, it's just that I... wanted to tell you... something," replied Belle, who also started to blush, much to Adam's amusement. "But if you'd prefer not to-"

"Belle, I was not referring to you when I said that," said the young prince. "I will listen to anything you have to say to me... besides, how unexpected could it possibly be?"

I certainly didn't expect it to happen, thought Belle, while they both twirled around several times, and once they stood still, she said, "Just promise me that you won't be upset or anything like that."

Adam let out a chuckle, and said, "Belle, come on, what's the worst thing I could possibly do?"

Belle started to think about it, but then, she shook her head, knowing that Adam would definitely be happy when she informed of what she had figured out last night.

"Well... Adam... what if I told you that-"

Suddenly, they were interrupted by Adam's father, who asked, "Forgive me, madame, but could I borrow my son for a moment?"

"Um... not really, but for what, may I ask?"

Adam rolled his eyes, and said, "Oh, just some boring royal stuff, I assume, my love... that's what happens when you're a prince... you'd even be surprised if we ever ended up switching places."

Taking a quick glance at her stomach, Belle thought, I think you would be more surprised instead of me.

"Just wait here, my love," said Adam, giving her a quick kiss on the lips before following his father over to the group of royal-looking people.

As for Belle, she let out a sigh, and continued to mentally talk to herself.

Just relax, Belle, you can tell him... he'll think it's wonderful news...

"Bonjour, madame. May I have this dance?"

The young woman turned around, and to her surprise, she found herself looking at a well-dressed Raphael, who had finished bowing in front of her. "Uh... sure, of course."

Then, a smirk appeared on her face as she said, "Just as long as you keep your hands where they are supposed to be."

As the two of them began to dance, Raphael began to laugh. "I'm surprised that Adam has not tried to kill me yet... or have you not told him about that?"

"Well, I definitely won't since you mentioned that just now," replied Belle. "I'd prefer you being as far away from here as possible whenever I chose to tell him."

"I shall keep that in mind," said Raphael, smiling at his friend. "But you still seemed troubled about something."

Belle shook her head, and replied, "I will be fine... you look better than the last time I saw you."

Raphael shrugged his shoulders, and said, "Life with a disorder is not easy, Belle, but I am trying..."

"Well, I certainly hope so, Raphael, considering she was the one who helped you see the light."

Adam had returned, and Gaston's half-brother paused his dancing to smile at the young prince. "Nice to see you again, Adam... you gain back any of your old strength yet, or is Agathe continuing to keep it away from you?"

Before Adam could say anything, Belle stepped in between the two of them, and said, "Alright, settle down, you two... it was nice to meet you, Raphael."

"Of course, madame," replied the former antagonist. "Enjoy the party... and do stay away from jumping all around the castle, Adam."

After he walked away, Adam and Belle continued to dance together, with the young prince saying, "He's really starting to irritate me... oh, where you finally going to tell me whatever he did to you in Verona?"

"Well, no, but I plan on doing so another time," replied Belle, and she found herself turning red in the face again.

"Belle, why do you continue to blush so much?" asked an amused Adam. "Just tell me what you need to tell me."

Belle nodded her head, and then, she replied, "Adam... you and I are-"

"Well, bonjour, you two! How was the honeymoon?"

LeFou was now making his way towards them, and Belle began telling herself to remain calm as she looked at their friend.

"Paris was lovely, LeFou... how is your friendship with Stanley?"

"Oh, things are just going swimmingly between the two of us," said LeFou, with a smile on his face. "What about you two?"

"We're doing just fine, Monsieur LeFou," replied Adam, nodding his head in a polite way. "And I hate to sound rude, my friend, but Belle was about to tell me something important, so-"

"Really? Oh, well, forgive my intrusion, madame and your highness," said LeFou, bowing his head in apology. "I will leave the two of you alone."

Once Gaston's former friend was gone, Adam turned his attention back over to Belle, who looked slightly irritated.

"Alright, my love, what did you want to say to me?"

The young woman sighed, and replied, "I think I'll tell you later, Adam, once you and I are alone... that way, no one can interrupt us."

"Are you sure?" asked the young prince, and Belle nodded her head.

Otherwise, I'm going to have to end up letting he or she tell him.

Several Hours Later

Belle and Adam were now out on the terrace, with the celebration event now over, but while Adam was admiring the stars in the sky, Belle was feeling nervous again.

Come on, Belle, there is nothing wrong with what you want to tell him. All that you have to do is-

"Belle?"

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his voice, and she replied, "Yes, Adam?"

"Remember when... you told me in Paris that... you would want to have a child with me one day?"

Oh, this is perfect, thought Belle, who began to smile. "Yes, Adam, I do... and it just so happens that what I have to say revolves around that particular subject."

Adam chuckled, and he said, "Well, before you tell me, my love, there is something that I would like to say now before I end up saying it later at the wrong time... if you do not mind, of course."

Belle shook her head.

"Thank you... um, I guess what I want to tell you is that I... am not... entirely ready just yet to have children."

After hearing him say those words, Belle's happiness immediately went away, and she now felt confused. "I'm sorry?"

"It's just that... with everything that has happened with my father," explained a troubled-looking Adam. "I fear that I, myself, might not be a good father to our future child."

"What? Adam, don't be ridiculous," replied Belle, moving closer towards her husband so she could look into his eyes. "You would be a wonderful father."

Would I? thought Adam, who did not forget about what Agathe had told him about still having some beast-like qualities.

Seeing the fear and pain in his eyes, Belle began to say what she felt was right.

"Adam, you are nothing like your father... the past version of you, perhaps, but you are not that person anymore... don't be so hard on yourself."

Adam sighed, and to Belle's relief, he replied, "Alright, my love, perhaps you are right... I'm sorry... go on, tell me what you wanted to say."

A smile appeared on his wife's face, and she said, "Adam... I-"

"Aw, look at you two lovebirds... it almost makes me wish I had someone like Belle in my life," interrupted Raphael, who was leaning against the doorway, with a sly grin on his face.

"You would have no chance with a woman like Belle," growled an annoyed Adam, while Belle couldn't help but giggle at their arguing. "And do you not know when to leave?"

"Eh, not really," replied Raphael, giving him a shrug.

"Well, how about you take him off of my hands, then," teased Belle. "You two already sound perfect for each other."

While Adam rolled his eyes, Raphael smirked at the two of them, and said, "I appreciate the offer, madame, but I shall have to pass... and forgive me for saying this, but I am more of a cat person myself."

"If you do not get out of my sight in the next ten seconds," growled Adam. "I am going to take off my boot, and use it to make you my-"

"Why, Adam, such harsh language in front of your lady," interrupted Raphael. "Also, what exactly is your boot size?"

Before Adam could end up losing his temper, Belle stepped in between the two of them (again), and said, "Alright, that's enough, you two... have a good night, Raphael."

"You, as well, madame," replied Raphael, as he began to walk away.

"He is really starting to get on my last nerve," muttered Adam, who then looked back at his wife. "Why do you always take his side?"

"I don't always take his side... I just find him amusing and, in his own way, kind of sweet."

Adam shook his head, and exclaimed, "Well, maybe to you, he acts that way, but I just want to... (sigh) never mind, my love... since he's gone, can you please tell me whatever it is you need to tell me?"

To his surprise, Belle suddenly kissed him on the lips, and eventually, he returned the favor.

"What was that for?" He asked, once she pulled away from him.

"To get you to relax," replied a smiling Belle. "And to help me in telling you that... that I..."

However, before she could tell him the news, Raphael returned by the doorway, and said, "Oh, and, um, Adam... I almost forgot to tell you something important."

"Well, then someone better be dying," exclaimed a frustrated Adam. "And if you do not want it to be yourself, then I suggest you spit it out right now."