Disclaimer: I do not own Beauty and the Beast, only this story.
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Five years later...
Belle was in the library just as Sky burst into the room.
"Mama! Mrs. Potts said dinner was ready." Sky was holding the hand of her three year old brother.
Both children were exceptionally intelligent and both were highly curious of everything around them.
"I'm coming, I'm coming." Belle set down her book and stood from her usual chair. She smiled as her son was reaching for her. She complied and picked him up.
"What have you two been doing all day today?" Belle blew a gentle raspberry on her sons neck which led him to squeal and laugh.
"Chip was playing with us outside!" He answered.
Belle's second pregnancy came as a surprise to the royal couple but they were just as thrilled with the second as with the first.
They named him Charlie.
He had chocolate brown hair, just like his mother's with piercing blue eyes like his father. Sky was the opposite. She had her fathers ginger colored hair but her mother's sparkling brown eyes.
They got both their smarts and lovely personalities from both parents. Including, the stubbornness.
"Well you must be very tired!" Belle exclaimed. "Now let's not keep Mrs. Potts waiting."
They went down to the dining room together. Their food was already set out from them. Four placemats with steaming cups of soup. They sat and waited a few minutes for Adam to join them but Belle wasn't surprised when he didn't show.
"Just go ahead and eat." Belle said trying not to show her disappointment.
After a few hours, the children had finished their dinner, were given their baths and Belle sat with them in front of the fireplace reading a story of their choice. It was a normal bedtime routine for them. Belle just longed for her husband to join them in the family time. He always did since Sky was born and so on when Charlie came into the world. Although, in the past month, Adam has been absent lately. More than he should. Sky even asked once.
"Mommy? Where's daddy?"
Even a three and five year old noticed.
Belle figured she shouldn't worry due to the fact he is the King and all of the kingdom.
But that never stopped him before...something else is going on.
Belle tucked the children into their beds and wished them goodnight.
After not seeing Adam all day, she knew she had to confront him, even though he'll get all defensive about it.
But he never went a whole day without spending time with his family...
He probably didn't even leave his study today.
It started off with one night gone, then two a week, a few breakfasts absent, then to four nights a week...
Does he even sleep in the same bed with me anymore?
He always went to bed after her and woke up before her.
She couldn't remember the last time they had a private, intimidate, single moment together.
Belle slipped into his study and saw him right away in his desk chair, looking over a stack of papers.
"Adam?" She asked softly.
"Hmm?" He didn't even look up at her.
"You didn't come to dinner." Belle said slowly coming up behind him and rubbing his back.
That's ironic...She thought to herself.
"I'm not hungry!"
"Well if she doesn't eat with me, she doesn't eat at all!"
Belle shook her head away from the memory, trying to focus at the task at hand.
"I have a lot of work to do, Belle." He said it gently but it still stung.
"You say that everytime. It's always the same excuse." She stopped rubbing his back and sat on the loveseat.
He didn't answer and just kept working.
"I don't even see you enough anymore. Neither do your children. They need their father!" Belle stood and paced about the room.
Adam finally reacted and just set the quill down, rubbing his eyes.
"Belle...you don't understand-"
"Actually I do understand. Your work is far more important than your children and more importantly, your wife." She turned to leave and Adam grabbed her hand.
"Belle...listen." He bit his lip nervously.
"It's my father."
