A/N - This story came about as the result of an intriguing idea I had. After what transpired between Gaston and Belle, I wondered if their descendants would feel the same towards each other or would they feel completely different - that is if Gaston had survived and procreated.

Disclaimer - Belle and Gaston are the property of Disney. The rest of the characters are mine.

Chapter One

"Rosie's back!" Michèle dashed panic-stricken into La Petite Femme, the little fashion boutique that she and her sisters owned.

"What do you mean…Rosie's back?" asked a stunned Monique, another of the LaFemme triplets. "I thought she went back to the States after her year of teaching here in France."

"I thought she did too, but I just saw her just coming out of the bookshop. We've got to keep this little bit of info away from you-know-who," replied her sister. "You know if he sees her, he'll go after her, and he won't pay attention to any of us. He's completely obsessed with her."

"How are we going to accomplish that little feat?"

"I don't know, but we'll have to think of something and fast!"

"Bonjour! And how is everyone this fine beautiful, wonderful, fantastic evening?" The last of the sisters entered the shop.

"Marie, where have you been, and why are you so disgustingly delirious?" Michèle groused. "Don't you know that there is a crisis at hand?"

"It's obvious just by looking at her where she's been. One guess and I can tell whom she's been with, too," Monique told her sister. "Can you blame her?"

"I guess not. After all, being with Beau does that to a girl," Michèle sighed dreamily, thinking of the tall, dark, muscular and handsome man.

She was momentarily distracted from the situation at hand. After all there was not a single woman in this small village who didn't dream of being the wife of the most eligible bachelor, and the most popular person, in town. Unfortunately for them all, Beau had his mind set on who he wanted for his wife. To him, it didn't matter that Rosie happened to live in the U.S., far across the Atlantic. This was a fact that really irked every unmarried woman in the village.

"Oh, I just had the most wonderful time with Beau, although it was too short," Marie pouted. "He was getting really amorous, and then that little toady of his came and pulled him away. I don't know why! Completely ruined the atmosphere. Ooh, sometimes, I really detest that little jerk."

"You mean Louis?" said Monique.

"Who else? Why Beau allows him to hang around, I don't know," Marie sulked.

"Are you all done complaining, because we have bigger problems here that we need to discuss," Michèle said trying to bring the focus back to more important issues.

"What are you talking about?"

"One word…Rosie!"

"What?! You mean she's back? B-b-but I thought she left to go back to America." This information left Marie dumbfounded.

"We did, too, but Michèle saw her in the village, exiting the book shop. That's why we need to keep Beau in the dark until she leaves town, although we don't know when that will be. That's the first thing we find out!"

"That must be the reason Louis was so insistent. He must have seen Rosie, too", mused Marie. "He did look a little pleased with himself when he was trying to get Beau to go with him. I hate to say it, but we need to join forces with Louis, as well as the guys, and keep Rosie out of Beau's sight. Is this agreed?"

They unanimously agreed that this was going to the course of action; however, at the same time, one single thought was going through the sisters' minds: Would Louis botch their plan and squeal to Beau that Rosie was back in town?

Meanwhile, in the local tavern across the street, Beau and Louis were sitting by the fireplace and drinking beer. "Okay, this had better be important or else you're going to get it, and I mean big time!" Beau angrily told Louis. "What's the big idea of disturbing me when I'm out entertaining one of the LaFemme sisters? Every one knows that I like to be left alone when I'm with the ladies, especially when it's one of those three."

"Well, i-i-it's like this way…you s-s-see…" Louis stammered.

He was sweating big time, because he was in a tight spot. If he didn't tell Beau what he had seen, Beau would have his hide, but on the other hand, the triplets would skin him alive if he did. Oh, why do I have to always be put in this position, he thought to himself.

"Yeah, yeah, get on with it", Beau said impatiently, drumming his fingers against the table. Sometimes, he wondered why he let this pathetic figure tag along. He wasn't handsome, or smart, or even good with the ladies. In fact, when Louis passed by women in town, they giggled and made comments about him behind his back. He obviously kept him around because he was good at something, although just what it was, Beau wasn't quite sure of it at this moment.

"Louis, spit it out or I am going to cram this tankard down that throat of yours!"

"I-I had to pull you away be-because…because I thought you might like to know I spotted the perfect wife for you! She's a real knockout! Why… just like you like 'em."

"For that you took me away from Marie? You idiot! You know that there is only one woman on this earth that I want for my wife, and her name is Rosie! I warned you…" Beau pulled back his fist and was ready to punch the living daylights out of Louis when Louis let it slip that Rosie was in town.

"Heh-heh-heh, it's funny that you should mention that name, at this particular moment, because that's who it is. She's in the village as we speak."

Louis gulped bracing himself and closing his eyes for the punch he thought was coming, but it never came. A minute passed and Louis slowly opened one eye, then the other, and let his whole body relax. He was looking at a Beau who was completely taken aback. Meanwhile, the tavern, which had been noisy, became completely silent when Louis let it be known that Rosie was somewhere in the little town.

"Rosie's back in the village? Here? Now?" Beau let this latest little bit of information digest.

"Yep, I saw her going into the bookstore earlier this afternoon." Louis was pleased with himself, he knew he was back in Beau's good graces for the time being.

After Beau gathered himself for a moment, a sly smile spread across his face. At last he was going to avenge the wrong done to his ancestor two centuries ago. Finally, Rosie would be his!

"Barkeep, a round on the house for everyone compliments of myself!" A cheer went up from the other male patrons in the tavern. However, the females in the tavern were either sobbing or speechless at this latest news.

"Thanks, Louis for that little tidbit of info. Now I know why I let you tag along…you're a great little snitch. If you will excuse me, I must find my bride and inform her that she is going to be my little wife. Later!" With that, he slapped Louis on the back and left the tavern in a hurry to find Rosie and inform her of the joyous news.

Louis let out the biggest sigh of relief. Boy, had he ever dodged a huge bullet. He was tossing back the last of his beer, proud of himself, when it hit him. The sisters are going to kill me, he thought. His head sank into his hands. How do I get myself into these messes?

Across town in one of the local bed and breakfast suites, oblivious to the events unfolding around them, Rosalie, known as "Rosie" to her friends and family, and Ian McKendrick were in the midst of celebrating their honeymoon. They had arrived earlier that day after a long flight from America. Having refreshed themselves, they had visited a few old acquaintances of Rosie's, namely the bookseller Stephan LePage, and his wife Celeste, both of whom Rosie had become friends with when she lived with them as a boarder. She had taught over here just last year.

"It was good to see old friends again, wasn't it, Ian?" Rosie asked her husband, whose mind was definitely on other matters as he watched his wife getting ready for dinner.

My wife, Ian thought ecstatically. I have got to be the luckiest man on the face of the earth. He still could not believe that he would share the rest of his life with his best friend. Ever since he and Rosie had realized that their friendship had grown into love, the last year-and-a-half had been like a dream. Especially from the moment Rosie had said yes to his proposal of marriage until two days ago, where among their families and friends, they at last became husband and wife.

"Umm…Yeah," he replied, taking her in his arms. "Rosie, I know what they really mean to you, but I'm gonna be selfish right now. I want to focus on just us at this moment, alright?"

"Oh, you! I know what you're really thinking," she told him.

"Do you?" Ian playfully leered at her. "Try me. Tell me, and I'll let you know if you're close."

"Ian, you are totally insatiable!" Rosie laughed at him. "Let's go to dinner…"

"I'm not exactly hungry for food just this moment."

"But I am. However, I promise later that I will remind you of what was going through that head of yours."

He started to protest, but Rosie silenced him with a kiss. Ian seized the moment and pulled her even closer to him. When Rosie tried to back away, he wouldn't let go of her. It was a long time before they ate.

"Less than half a hour to go before we close," Michèle told her sisters, "and then we can get the boys together and come up with a plan to keep those two away from each other."

At this moment, Beau was passing the boutique, and Marie spotted him. "Oh, Beau, I've missed you. Come in and see us. It's oh-so boring in here," she called to him.

He stepped in the shop, and said, "Ladies, how are you all doing?"

They melted at the sight of him. He was indeed a magnificent specimen, 6'4", and 245 pounds, all of which was muscle. He had jet-black hair, deep sapphire blue eyes, and a square jaw that was divided by a cleft in his chin. Just one look and he had women falling for him. All except Rosie, but soon he would remedy that.

"Beau, keep us company for the last few minutes before the shop closes," purred Monique.

"Sorry girls, although I would like to grant your wish and grace you with my presence, I'm on the lookout. Word is that the woman who is destined to be my wife is back in town, so I've got to find her and make her mine. Maybe we can arrange a private meeting for each of you later on tonight, if you get my drift. Until then."

With that, he exited the shop, and continued with his search for Rosie. The sisters looked at each other, stunned. Beau knew that Rosie was in town, and until she left, would spend all his time pursuing her.

"Well, there goes our plan to keep him in the dark," said Michèle.

"One guess who squealed to him, hmm, girls," Monique replied.

"I knew he couldn't keep quiet. Ooh, how I hate him!" snapped Marie.

"Speak of the devil, there's the little stool pigeon right now!" said Michèle to her sisters under her breath.

"Oh, Louis, may we have a word with you, please?"

Louis was hurrying past the boutique, hoping the girls wouldn't see him, but no such luck. Great, he thought to himself, now I'm going to get it.

"Hiya, girls, what's new?"

"What do you mean telling Beau that Rosie's in town. Now he's not going to pay attention to anyone but that bookworm!" they shouted at him.

"What was I supposed to do? He was about to give me a knuckle sandwich, and I had to say something."

"You could've of kept your mouth shut, and taken it like a man," Marie retorted, "After all you ruined my outing with Beau earlier today, you little creep!"

Louis gulped and looked around him. The sisters had positioned themselves so there was no escape for him. Yikes, he thought, what a mess! If only there was some way out of this, but he didn't how to manage this. Just then the shop door bells chimed.

"Go away, can't you see we're just about to close," snapped Monique. These late customers are so thoughtless, she grumbled to herself.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize that. I'll come back tomorrow. I was just going to pass the time in here until my table was ready in the bistro across the street."

The melodious voice stopped the four in their tracks, and they slowly turned around and saw who it was.

"Rosie?" The four gasped in unison. "What are you doing back here?"