Okay I think there may be a glitch with some reviews as some appear to be missing parts of sentences. I'll try to address a couple concerns as I understand them from the context.
First, believe it or not I don't really like pairing Gaston and Belle either which is why I couldn't make it a happy relationship. I do agree she'd become a spinster before marrying Gaston. In this scenario though, it's not just her begging on the streets after her father dies. It's her trying to free her father from the asylum without exposing Beast, and I can see her sacrificing herself like that to protect her loved ones. I can understand why some may think it's just a bad pairing (something with which I actually do not disagree), but that's why I had them married.
As for the enchantress healing Belle, intriguing idea, and I get that with fantasy one can take liberties like that. But I had decided right from the outset that there wouldn't be any magical miracles here to save Belle. My goal is exploring how Beast and Didiane cope with such a loss. I do understand it's probably something that some won't appreciate, because hey, it's Belle, and we all want her to get better and for everybody to live happily ever after, right? I get it. I do. But here I'm exploring how they deal with the tragedy, and, unfortunately, tragedy does not discriminate. Death can strike anyone at anytime. And in this story I'm exploring how that effects the characters. I know this will disappoint some folks, and I'm sorry, but that is how it shall go for this story.
I am, however, allowing a little bit of magic to be employed so Belle and Beast can say goodbye. That's what this chapter is about.
The Beast made his way to the West Wing, with the mirror that Didiane had returned to him. He sat on the edge of his bed and sighed, holding up the mirror. He feared what he was about to see when he made his request.
"Show me Belle."
Belle lay in her bed, alone and in obvious distress. There were spots where her flesh was dying off. She had vomited right where she lay. She moaned as her body curled on itself. And every so often she would mumble about hoping Didiane made it safely to the castle, how she hoped Beast didn't mind, how she hoped Didiane had made it out before becoming infected.
Beast lowered the mirror, allowing the image to fade. His heart shattered. Belle was suffering. And she was alone. And was concerned for her daughter. And he was powerless to do anything to bring her some measure of comfort.
Or was he?
He took up the mirror again, this time asking to see Didiane. Once assured she was sound asleep, he stood, walked to the small table that still had the dead rose encased in the bell jar, and set the mirror where it had resided until twelve years ago.
He then made his way quickly to the library. He retrieved the portal book, that he had once called the cruelest trick of the enchantress. He knew what he was doing was risky. He couldn't get too close to Belle, and couldn't stay in the house long. But he had to see her, reassure her that Didiane was safe at the castle and that he would care for her to the best of his ability. He could do nothing for her physical discomfort. As much as he wanted to, he knew he could not get her out of her own vomit. And that pained him greatly. But he could at least tell her that her daughter was safe and would be loved. He could at least try to bring some ease to her emotional discomfort. He opened the book and placed a paw on the page, closing his eyes and willing it to take him just outside the room Belle lay in.
When he felt the environment settle, he opened his eyes. He found himself standing just outside a closed door. This must be Belle's sickroom. A moan from the room confirmed this. He gently knocked, then quietly opened the door. Just seeing the state she was in, right in front of him and not just in the mirror, caused his heart to sink.
"Belle..." he said, barely above a whisper.
She turned her head to face him.
"Beast?" she said weakly. "H-how did you get here?"
"The book in the library," he said. "The portal."
"You shouldn't be here," Belle said. "I don't want you getting sick."
"I won't come close," Beast said. "As much as I want to. I wish I could get you cleaned up from your...oh Belle you shouldn't have to lie in that. I'm so sorry."
"I'm sure the plague doctor will check on me tomorrow," she said. "Maybe...he can safely get me cleaned up a little."
"I won't stay long," Beast said. "I know it's risky being here. But I just wanted to let you know that Didiane made it safely to the castle. And I will do as you asked and love her as I would if she were my own."
"Thank you," Belle whispered.
"She's so much like you," Beast said. "Her eyes...her hair...her spirit..." The Beast sighed. "Belle I wish I could be by your side as you go through this. You shouldn't have to suffer like this alone. I'll watch you in the mirror as much as I can. Sort of keep a vigil. So please know as you're going through this that you're not completely alone, even if you are physically."
"Don't torture yourself," Belle said. "Just check on me from time to time. And please shield Didiane from seeing me like this."
"I'll look on you whenever I'm awake and not around Didiane," the Beast said. "I'd be more tortured knowing you're suffering with nobody to even bear witness."
"Very well then," Belle's weak voice said. "But now you must go. You're at a distance which is good but you're not completely safe here. It's time to say goodbye. At least I got to see you...one last time."
The Beast didn't realize his heart could sink further than it was until now. He knew she was right. He had to leave her. Had he not had Didiane to care for he'd have stayed right with her, making her as comfortable as possible, not caring about the consequences for himself. Then again, had Didiane not come to him, he wouldn't have ever known of Belle's plight. Now all he could do for her was utter the words he had wanted to utter twelve years ago. His voice carried the emotion he could not hide.
"I love you Belle. I'm sorry I didn't get to tell you that before you left. But I loved you then and always will."
"I love you Beast," she said. "I wish I could have come back and told you that and stayed with you. Now go. Please. Don't linger here any longer. Raise her with love. Goodbye my Beast."
"Goodbye my Belle," the Beast said.
He gently closed the door and willed himself back home. Once there, he closed the book and hurried back to the west wing. He flopped down onto his bed, shedding some tears before finally falling asleep.
He would do his best to fulfill her dying wish.
Raise her with love.