Beauty and the Beast: The Tale Continues
Chapter 48 - Being Thankful, Part 2
Author's Note: Disney is the rightful owner of this franchise. I just own the story.
Also, yay for FF fixing their email system! Hope you're all enjoying the story still...
"So... what are we supposed to do again?" wondered Lumiere. "I'm a little confused, mademoiselle."
He was referring to the fact that Belle had invited him and others to the dinner table, with the guests including himself, Belle's father, Raphael, Cogsworth and his wife, Chip, Mr. and Mrs. Potts, and Plumette, as well as Cadenza, Garderobe (who had Froufrou in her arms), Pere Robert, and LeFou, who had come alone since Stanley was currently feeling under the weather.
"It's something that the people in America usually do," replied the young woman, who was sitting in between Adam and Maurice. "They all sit at a table, and before eating dinner, every single person will announce to everyone what they are thankful for."
The former candelabra nodded his head, and replied, "Ah, yes, of course... now I understand."
"Good," said Belle, who began looking at the guests that were around the room. "Does anyone else have any questions?"
Everyone shook their heads, and the young woman asked, "Alright, so, who would like to go first?"
Adam looked over at Raphael, and gave him a smirk. "Why don't you start us off? You're technically the only American here."
"Amusing, sunshine," replied Raphael, in a sarcastic tone. "I'm British... and, in a way, so is your wife."
Belle rolled her eyes, and gave him an irritated glare. "Once again, Raphael, I... do not... have a British accent! Isn't that right, Adam?"
"Well, only when you've had too much wine, my love," replied an amused Adam, while Belle began to punch him in the shoulder. "You know, perhaps you should actually-"
"Um, I can go first," said LeFou, who was now standing up. "If... that's okay..."
Adam nodded his head, and made a hand gesture as he said, "The floor is yours, Monsieur."
So, after clearing his throat, LeFou said, "Okay, well... er... I am thankful for... all of the friendships that I've made with you wonderful people... as well as Stanley... and for you three accepting my apology."
He was looking at Belle, Adam, and Maurice, who gave LeFou a warm smile as he replied, "The past is the past, Monsieur LeFou... no need to continue apologizing."
"Right, haha..." agreed LeFou, who was sitting back down. "So, who's next?"
"I will go next, Monsieur," answered Pere Robert, now standing up. "I am thankful for my friends... my family that I will soon be with during the holidays... and for all of the new books that the church's library has recieved."
He then looked over at Belle, and added, "There'?ss a little girl in particular who keeps asking for you... says she would love to have you teach her again."
Knowing exactly whom he was referring to, Belle nodded her head, and said, "I would love to... you could bring her to my library when you have the chance."
"It would be my pleasure, madame," replied the kind-hearted priest, taking his seat while, to everyone's surprise, the next person who stood up was Cogsworth's wife.
"I, um... am thankful for your forgiveness, madame," said Clothilde, who was also looking at Belle. "As well as helping me reunite with Henry... and I am sorry for the way that I treated you in the village."
"It's fine, madame," replied a smiling Belle, and the middle-aged woman took her seat, looking at the person sitting beside her.
"I guess I will go next," muttered Cogsworth, who began to clear his throat as he stood up. "Right then... I am thankful, as well, for my friendships with all of you, and... for serving you, Master... for you saving us, madame... and, yes, for our marriage, my dear... Lumiere, you go next."
As the former mantle clock took his seat, Lumiere began to chuckle. "Well, I am thankful for the same things, as well... but especially for meeting my lovely and soon-to-be wife, and you, madame, for bringing the beauty out of the beast."
While Adam rolled his eyes, Belle giggled as she nodded her head at him, and so, once Lumiere sat down, Plumette chose to go next.
"Well, aside from what everyone here has already said so far, I am very thankful for having you in my life, my love... and for everything that the two of you have done for me."
Adam and Belle both smiled their appreciation at the beautiful maid, and after Plumette sat down, Garderobe chose to be the next person to speak.
"Oh, I am thankful for many things... but I shall only say the most important ones, which include my brave and beautiful Maestro, my darling Froufrou, my ability to siiiiiiiinngggg... for serving you, Master, and - oh, thank you, Maurice, for having a daughter that makes such a perfect canvas for my princess-worthy outfits!"
Maurice let out a chuckle, while Belle started to feel a little bit embarassed, and after Garderobe was Cadenza, who said, "I am thankful for my amore... our wonderful Froufrou... having the ability to play such amazing music... serving you, my master... and for you breaking the spell, madame."
Then, once he had finished, Chip decided to go next. "I'm thankful for my mama and papa, for knowing all of you, and that I got to meet someone like you, Belle... you're so amazing!"
"Well, thank you very much, Chip," replied Belle, giving the little boy a warm smile.
The person who went after the former teacup was Jean Potts, who said, "I am thankful for my wife and son... and having such wonderful friends..."
"And I am thankful for my husband and our little boy," said Mrs. Potts, who stood up once Jean started to sit down. "And for everything you've done for us, madame, especially our master."
Once the former teapot took her seat, Maurice cleared his throat, and stood up straight, saying, "I am thankful for having met such a fearless and brilliant woman that would become my wife, and the mother to our amazing daughter... as well as getting to know you better, Adam."
"Of course, monsieur," replied the young prince, who had decided to take his turn after Maurice sat back down. "Now, then... I am thankful for the friendships that I have with all of you here... but especially to the both of you, since I would have never met Belle if you hadn't picked one of the roses from the garden."
As Maurice nodded his head, Belle chose to speak next, even though her pregnancy was keeping her in the chair. "Well, I am thankful for everything that has happened since I took my father's place as your former prisoner... and for falling in love with you..."
"Awwww," said Lumiere, Cadenza, and even LeFou, as Belle and Adam shared a quick kiss on the lips.
"Now, then, let us all begin to-"
Suddenly, Chip rose his hand into the air, and said, "Sorry for interrupting you, Belle, but we haven't heard from him yet."
Everyone turned to look at Raphael, who had remained surprisingly quiet this entire time, and a warm smile appeared on Belle's face. "Why, thank you for reminding us, Chip... so, what exactly are you thankful for, Raphael?"
"Um..." The former antagonist thought about what his response would be, and then, after clearing his throat, he said, "Well, I am thankful for having a second chance at life... and pretty much the same type of stuff that everyone else here has already said."
Adam chuckled, and gave him a sarcastic round of applause. "Perfect statement, Raphael... just wonderful... it took you that long to come up with that?"
"Well, look at who has a sense of humor," replied Raphael. "It's not like you did any better, Lancelot."
As the two of them continued arguing, Belle just rolled her eyes, and shook her head.
Several hours later
"You know what I'm really thankful for, Belle?"
"I think I do... but please go ahead and tell me what your answer is."
Adam and Belle were both lying in bed together, with their clothes sprawled all over the floor, and after he kissed her forehead, the young man said, "For having you in my life... I have so much love for you, Belle... and I couldn't be happier knowing that, in a few more months, we'll see if the child is either a boy or girl."
Belle nodded her head, in agreement, and then, she said, "Just promise me that you won't freak out or anything once I tell you that it's time."
"Who, me?"
His wife giggled, and replied, "Yes, you... promise me now, Adam."
"Alright, my love, I promise that I won't freak out when you say that it's time for the baby to come," said the young and handsome prince, and he began to kiss her passionately on the lips.
However, before his tongue could even enter her mouth, Belle suddenly pushed him away. "What? What is it?"
"Nothing, I... just..." Belle looked down at her stomach. "He or she started kicking more than just one time."
A smirk appeared on Adam's face, and he replied, "Well, if that was the only thing..."
The two of them continued their passionate kissing, but just as Adam pushed his tongue into Belle's mouth, he felt her hands pushing him away again.
"Oh, what now?"
"Hey, it's not my fault you're making our child kick inside of me more than once," retorted Belle. "Maybe he or she wants us to go to sleep."
Adam let out a groan, his lustful feelings now going away, and he replied, "Well, then, that is just great... our child is already showing signs of your stubborness."
"I'm sorry?" said Belle, pretending to be shocked. "We are both stubborn, at times, Adam, it isn't just me."
"Oh, this coming from the girl who refused to eat dinner with me at her first night in the castle."
"Really, Adam? Are we going to have this argument again?"
"Well, since our child is refusing to let me kiss you, then yes, I suppose we are."
"Ugh, you are so... honestly, Adam, it's like the next thing you'll tell me is how much you despise Christmas, or something even more ridiculous."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"We are going to celebrate Christmas together, right?"
Adam still didn't respond to her.
"Is this why you-"
"Belle, we'll talk about it another time."