Beauty and the Beast: The Tale Continues

Chapter 46 - Seasonal Changes

Author's Note: Disney is the rightful owner of this franchise. I just own the story... also, I apologize if you still are not recieving notifications of this story when I update it... and would you all like to see a Descendants crossover story? Or would that be too much?

"... so what exactly is it supposed to be?"

It had now been a week or so since Adam and Belle's child started to kick inside of her stomach, and while she was currently resting in their bedroom, he was walking around the castle grounds, having what he thought was an interesting conversation with Raphael.

"A more, uh... family type of celebration that I also learned about when I was in America," replied the former solider, who had a slight frown on his face. "But I would've assumed that you or Belle might have read about this in that massive library you two are always in."

Adam gave him a shrug, and said, "I never really paid much attention to those types of books... and I'm sure Belle would be fascinated to read about it, but she's spent more time resting than reading."

"You aren't worried about that, are you?" questioned Raphael, who was starting to show concern. "About her going into some kind of eternal sleep or something...

Adam chuckled, and he shook his head, saying, "I'm not entirely too concerned about that."

He then reached into his coat pocket, and pulled out the Magic Mirror, much to Raphael's surprise.

"Show me my wife."

WHOOSH!

The two of them could now see a glimpse of a sleeping Belle, whose chest moved up and down everytime she breathed, and she was mumbling something that neither of them could really hear.

"See? Perfectly fine," replied Adam, once the mirror returned to its original state. "Now, if you'll excuse me..."

While he began walking back into the castle, Raphael went over to the gardens, due to his attention having been caught by what was now Belle's favorite section of the entire area.

How in the world do these roses stay like this?

Just when the former solider was about to take a more closer look, his thoughts were interrupted by an unfamiliar voice.

"I hope you were not planning on taking one."

Raphael turned to the side, and found himself looking at a lovely blonde-haired woman, who appeared to be almost the same age as he was.

"Uh... not really, no," he replied, giving her a small smile. "Last thing I would want is an angry expectant princess to be upset with me for picking one of her beloved flowers."

As the woman started to chuckle, Raphael asked, "Forgive me if I am wrong for asking you this, but, er... who are you exactly?"

"Angelique," she replied. "I'm one of the Master's servants, and it was Belle who assigned me to take care of the gardens, which is the reason why I am here in front of you."

Raphael nodded his head, and asked, "So, what was it that you did before, then?"

After walking up the staircase, Adam continued to make his way to the bedroom that his wife was sleeping in, but stopped right in front of his father's study.

"Father? Are you... going somewhere?"

"I am afraid so, son," replied Edward, as he continued to pack up his luggage. "There are important matters overseas that need my immediate attention... now that almost every kingdom is aware of my return... and I want to complete all of it as soon as possible."

He then paused to look up at his son, and added, "This doesn't mean that I'm trying to spend time away from here, Adam, but I do want you and everyone else to continue staying here in the castle, and-"

"No, it's alright, I... I understand," replied Adam, shaking his head. "We all have responsibilities... with one of mine being there for Belle when she wakes up."

His father let out a chuckle, and said, "It was the same for me, as well, when your mother was pregnant with you... so, go on, be with her... I don't know how long I will be gone, but I will try to make it by-"

"No worries, Father, just relax," assured the young prince. "I don't want you to feel any pressure... take as long as you have to... have a safe journey."

He then offered his father a handshake (since neither of them weren't exactly on a "hug" level just yet), which Edward accepted, and after saying their goodbyes to each other, Adam left the room without saying another word.

As he continued walking, the young prince started to frown.

Just the same thing it's always been since her passing... him being away, and me having to celebrate "IT" without...

Not wanting Belle to see him upset, Adam took a deep breath, and after letting it out, he calmly muttered, to himself, "Take it easy, you'll be fine... it's just a stupid holiday, after all."

Once he was in their bedroom, the young prince opened the door, and quietly entered the room, making his way over to a still-sleeping Belle.

She looks as beautiful as ever, thought Adam, who was now admiring her, and noticing how peaceful she looked. And she still looks the same, to me, aside from her stomach and... her, um... look at something else, you fool, go back to her face.

He carefully tucked away some strands of Belle's hair, placing them behind her ear, and as he moved his hand away, the young woman's eyes slowly started to open up.

"Good afternoon, my love," said Adam, giving her a smile. "Did you sleep well?"

Belle nodded her head, and while he helped her out of bed, she asked, "What have you been doing since then?"

"Oh, nothing much, really," replied the handsome prince. "Just had a conversation with my father, as well as Raphael, who informed on another holiday that he figured you would enjoy having here."

"Really?" said Belle, now interested and feeling a little curious. "What was it exactly?"

Adam gave her a shrug, and replied, "From what I understand, it has to do with families gathering at the dinner table, which will contain a large and well-prepared meal, and one by one, every person says what they are thankful for."

Just like before, Belle started to think about it actually happening, and it wasn't surprising to Adam when she said, "That sounds like a wonderful idea... on what day exactly are we supposed to celebrate it?"

"The twenty-third, I believe," answered Adam, and then, to Belle's surprise, his smile became a frown. "Then, not too long after that, winter makes its return..."

Along with that damn holiday known as-

"You don't look too happy about winter's return," said Belle, tilting her head to the side.

"Well, I did spend many years stuck in what almost felt like eternal winter, my love," reminded Adam, and then, his smile returned. "But maybe this time around, you'll be able to throw a more better snowball."

Belle rolled her eyes, and said, "Ugh, you are never going to let that go, are you?"

"Not really, I'm afraid," replied Adam, who couldn't help but laugh as the memory appeared in his mind.

"Just take me to the library, Adam, before I go looking for a sword or something."

A few minutes later, while her husband was doing more "boring royal stuff" with his father, Belle was comfortably sitting in a reading chair, finishing up with the novel Robinson Crusoe that she currently in her hands.

"Alright, onto the next one," said Belle, once she had read the final page, and was about to stand up so that she could find another book to read.

However, Belle had now reached that point in her pregnancy where the weight from her stomach made it extremely difficult for her to stand up.

"Come... on..." she growled, trying her best to get out of the chair, but the pain that was delivered to her spine became too much for her, so Belle just collapsed back into the piece of furniture.

Alright, there has to be someway that I can stand up... but how?

Belle looked around the room, trying to see if she could grab onto the edge of a table or something, but it was all far beyond her reach.

"Damn it... okay, Belle, don't give up so easy... maybe if I..."

Then, tilting her head up, Belle started to slowly side out of the chair, and soon enough, she was laying down completely on the floor.

"Right, then, so now I have to-"

"Belle? Why are you lying down there?"

Adam had now entered the library, having bid his final goodbyes to Edward, and Belle just rolled her eyes.

"I was admiring the decor, Adam... you've never done that before?"

"Not like that, I haven't," replied the young prince, who was now carefully helping her stand up straight. "Come on, let's enjoy a lunch meal together."

Belle's stomach responded for her, delivering a growl, and the young woman chuckled, saying, "Yeah, she's definitely in need of some food."

"You mean, he is, my love, not she."

"Really, Adam? How long are we going to continue this debate?"

"Until we both get tired of it... and so far, I'm still believing that you're having a boy... now, don't make me put you back in the chai - ow!"

Belle, who had taken ahold of Adam's hand, had squeezed it with her apparently newly-gained strength, and she gave him a smirk. "Are you done?"

Holding in his screams of pain, Adam simply nodded his head, and Belle quickly kissed him on the lips before releasing his hand from her grip.

"Dear God, Belle, where did that come from?" gasped the young man, who was now moving his throbbing hand up and down several times, as well as flexing his fingers.

"Just know that there's more to come, Adam, if the situation demands it," replied Belle, with a sly grin.