Chapter Thirteen
Days turned into weeks, and weeks became months. With the banquet long since ended, the next event was fast approaching, and preparations were already under way. But as crazy as they could make a person, there was still time for life (and feelings) to progress.
Every day since the incident at the tavern, Lumière made every excuse to be by Babette's side, which considering she was on his staff was not very difficult. He always found something that he had to teach her, show her, or praise her for.
Many members of the castle staff noticed his growing fancy towards the young maid, even if she herself was not one of them. Cogsworth had been keeping a closer watch over Lumière since that night. Yes, work was still being done, but he constantly had to remind the maitre d' about everything from menus to preparations. Lumière's performance was slipping fast, and with another grand affair on the way, Cogsworth could not take any risks of him ruining everything over a girl.
On this particular afternoon, Cogsworth found Lumière outside the dining room, the latter watching as a few maids, including Babette, were cleaning inside.
"Well, now I have officially come to the right conclusion," he said.
Lumière did not even turn to him. "And what precisely is that?"
Cogsworth responded with a question of his own. "What, pray tell, are your intentions towards that new girl? That…what's her name…?"
"Babette?" Lumière suggested.
"Yes, that's it!"
Lumière shrugged innocently. "I haven't the faintest idea of what you are talking about."
Cogsworth rolled his eyes, not making any effort to hide the action. "Oh come off it, man; no one in this castle is so daft as to not see it!"
"Is there anything wrong with being friends?" Lumière asked, finally glancing at his older comrade.
"Is that what you are calling it?" Cogsworth replied.
Lumière sighed, shrugging once again. "Trust me, that is all we have," he said, rather forlorn with wishful thinking, Cogsworth noted. "Even if there were anything between us, and there certainly is not, it would be one-sided."
"On whose side?"
Lumière smirked, the hint of wistfulness still present. "Why the sudden interrogation? I already told you there is nothing between us that you have to worry yourself over."
Cogsworth's crisp, authoritative tone increased tenfold as he answered. "I am not blind, Lumière. I will admit that for the first few weeks after Babette's arrival, I was doubtful, but nonetheless impressed with the care and concern you took with helping her learn everything. Ever since the banquet, however, after the two of you apparently reconciled, this bond, this friendship of yours is somehow…more than it appears."
"What do you mean?" Lumière asked, nonchalant as always.
"You had your moments when you first came here," Cogsworth explained, turning his gaze to follow Lumière's as they watched the girls continue their work. "But you were still very diligent in your duties. You knew what was expected of you, and that your work came first above everything else. Lately, that is not the case. I can not continue to cover for you, nor will I accept your sudden laziness and disregard for your position. I do not know what is truly going on between the two of you, but whatever it is, I had better not find that it is interfering with your work. Is that understood?"
For once in his life, Lumière did not have an answer for him. All he could do was nod, and continue watching the action in the dining room. As Cogsworth turned to leave, Lumière spoke.
"Have you ever…been in love, mon ami?" he asked, shocking both Cogsworth and himself by even asking the question.
"Me?" Cogsworth asked, flustered. "Well…I…that is to say…why do you ask?"
"No reason in particular," Lumière answered quickly. "Just…my infamous curiosity getting the best of me, as usual."
Clearly not comfortable with such a subject, especially when the question came from a man who was considered an expert on it, Cogsworth was trying to think fast.
"Not that I can remember," he replied, finding this answer to be the safest one. "I never really took the time for such frivolous pursuits."
Lumière smirked. "You are right; too silly a notion to consider, of course."
"That is not to say that I am completely immune to the thought," Cogsworth said indignantly. "The opportunity has simply never arisen, that's all. If it did and everything felt right about it, then I imagine it would be a very pleasant feeling."
"Pleasant is an understatement, mon ami," Lumière said absently, gazing at his lady of choice distantly. "I mean, seriously, you find yourself with the realization that there is someone out there who is your perfect match. When you find her, everything about her just gives you the most incredible happiness, more so than you could ever dream of. You delight in what brings her joy; you want to protect her from every form of sadness. Every waking moment finds you wanting to be with her, just to see her smile…and she has the most dazzling smile."
Cogsworth listened to these words, glancing back and forth between Lumière and Babette. With a decisive nod, he asked, "You really do love her, don't you?"
Lumière snapped instantly back into reality. "What? No, of course not! I was just saying…"
"Rubbish," Cogsworth laughed. "You are long gone, no doubt about it!"
Lumière folded his arms, leaning heavily against the doorframe. "Well, how would you know?" he said, moping childishly. "You just said you have never been in love."
"That does not mean I don't know what it looks like when a man is smitten with a woman, you ninny!" Cogsworth protested. Turning to leave, he barely suppressed his laughter as he added, "If only you could have seen your face just now!"
Lumière glared at him, following. "It could not be any more humorous than my favorite of your expressions."
"And which is that?"
Lumière guiltily looked at the ground. "I broke about five glasses this morning when trying to set the table for breakfast."
"What?" Cogsworth shouted, stopping suddenly in place, his face turning a deep red. "How much more careless can you be? Did you send for replacements yet? Then again, those exact glasses could never be replaced…why are you grinning like a fool?"
Lumière was smirking victoriously. "You just answered your own question," he said with a laugh as he continued walking.
Cogsworth scowled as he tried to keep up with Lumière. "There are no broken glasses are there?"
"Not at all."
"You did that to prove a point?"
"I did indeed."
"Lumière?"
"Oui?"
Cogsworth looked somewhat relieved, but his scowl was still present. "Do not ever do that to me again."
Coming out of the corner, watching the pair walk away, Veronique frowned at everything she had just heard. It was true then, just as everyone had said! No wonder Lumière had been ignoring her so much lately; he was too busy chasing after that little minx!
Storming into the dining room, Veronique narrowed her eyes at her unworthy opponent, attempting a casual appearance as she headed for Babette. When her target was in motion, Veronique purposely made certain to walk a little too closely to give her a rough shove.
"Watch where you are going, clumsy oaf!" she cried, startling Babette with her abruptness. When she only received an irritated look and turned back, Veronique added nastily, "Obviously the little schemer is too busy planning her next theft in the manhunt; doesn't even realize an apology should be made."
Babette stopped short, turning slowly to face her antagonist. It was no secret to anyone that Veronique would pick fights to amuse herself, but amusement was thoroughly absent in her tone at present.
"Schemer?" Babette asked. "Theft? What are you talking about?"
Veronique moved in, the huntress taking aim at her kill, as many others present gathered nearby to watch. "I did not think you would," she replied, laughing a bit in mockery. "A show girl they said you were? Before you came here? Then it makes sense then; I do not expect you to care which men are fair game and which are off limits. It would not matter to you."
Babette met her halfway, just as willing to strangle a neck or two. "You thought of that all by yourself? I am impressed; I did not realize how smart you are!" Reaching to touch Veronique's forehead as if to examine it, she added, "But then how could anyone notice a swell in such an already enormous head? I didn't think there was any room left inside for intelligence."
Veronique swatted at Babette's hand like one would a pestering fly; the time for games was over. "Listen, you worthless tramp; he is mine, not to be touched by your filthy little paws, comprends? Stay away from him."
"I do not even know who you are talking about!" Babette argued.
"Don't play dumb," Veronique snarled. "I have seen the way Lumière looks at you, spends every minute he can trying to get your attention! Worse than that, you encourage it!"
"That is what this is about?" Babette laughed. "I was not aware that friendship was such a mortal sin!"
"Friendship, ha!" Veronique replied. "You must be dumb, deaf, and blind! That is not friendship; Lumière wants you! Everyone knows that! Ask any one of them!" She gestured to some of the other girls in the room, and they nodded in agreement. "Friendship with a woman does not exist for him!"
"This time it does," Babette said confidently. "And that is all there is to it."
"Well it ends now," Veronique growled. "I told you, stay away from him. If you do not do so willingly, then I will personally see to it myself that you heed that warning."
Babette scowled murderously. "And what are you going to do about it?"
"You do not want to know," Veronique replied darkly. "The very thought itself would be painful. Just leave him alone."
"No," Babette said steadfastly, not willing to let this selfish brat get her way. There was no reason why she could not be friendly with Lumière because of such petty reasons.
Veronique glared, raising her hand. "So be it."
As Veronique swung her fist at her, Babette brought up her own hands in defense, although as it turned out, she discovered she didn't have to. As if out of nowhere, Lumière stood between them, gripping Veronique's fist.
"That is enough," he stated firmly.
Veronique looked at him, confused. "How did you…?"
"Have you not yet figured out that voices travel very well in this castle?" Lumière asked. "When people refuse to keep the volume low, everyone can hear them, and I am glad I did this time."
Veronique pouted. "She started it; getting in my way and jostling me as I tried to pass."
"You are not even supposed to be in here right now," Lumière countered, ignoring her comment. "In case you have forgotten, your place as a scullery maid is in the kitchen; I suggest you return there immediately."
"I was only looking for you…"
"Now," he barked. Veronique scowled at him, and tearing her hand away, she stomped indignantly back to the kitchen.
Dismissing the looks he received from the group in the room with a few parting words, Lumière turned to Babette. "It seems I am destined to continue saving your neck," he said with a smile.
"Apparently," Babette agreed, nodding. "But I prefer to stay as far out of danger as I can."
"She did not push you around too much, did she?" he asked, looking her over as if checking for any bruises.
Babette laughed gently at his concern, leading him away from any remaining onlookers. "It was nothing I could not handle, I promise," she said as they made their way to the hall. "You should speak with her though. She is rather jealous of our friendship, and I do not intend to stop counting you as a friend simply because her knickers are in a knot about it."
Lumière grinned. "I do not blame her; who could not be jealous of a woman like you?"
"Will you stop that?" Babette chided laughingly, although enjoying the attention. Whether from a friend or a beau, words of adoration never failed to please her. "People are going to start believing her rumors that we are more than what we appear!"
Lumière paused for a moment; now was as good a time as any to tell her the truth. Gesturing her to follow him to one of the sitting rooms, he led her inside, closing the door when he was certain no one had seen them.
"Funny you should mention that," Lumière said slowly, proceeding with verbal caution.
Babette smiled, somewhat puzzled. "What do you mean?"
Lumière sat with her on a chaise, holding her hands tenderly before he took a deep breath and continued. "Well, uh…would it be…so terrible if we were more than friends?" There was that cursed stuttering again! Would that ever go away when he talked to her in the future?
Babette looked at him nervously, catching on to his meaning. She laughed dismissively, deciding on a coy response. "Lumière, mon cher, you are not making any sense; all your heroism lately must be getting to you."
"But really, would it?" he proceeded. "I mean, we are already friends, and that always helps. I certainly am crazy about you, and…"
"What?" Babette interrupted quickly. "What did you say?"
Lumière cursed himself quietly for letting his words run away with him. "We are already friends?" he asked, trying to cover his mistake, but without success.
"Lumière," Babette said, an impatient warning not to be foolish in her tone. "You know what I meant."
Lumière swallowed nervously, gazing into her eyes, the most beautiful he had ever seen. "Babette, I have been hiding my feelings for far too long; surely you must know how I truly feel about you."
"Yes, you are my dearest friend," Babette emphasized.
Lumière shook his head. "Non, more than that. You mean the world to me; you always have since the night of the banquet. Your determination and dedication, your fiery passion I love it all…I love you, all of you. My heart is yours, and I pray you accept it."
Babette was stunned, and for a long while, all she could do was stare at him in disbelief.
"I…I can't," she answered quietly.
The hopeful smile that had graced Lumière's face slowly vanished. "What? Why not?"
"I just can't," Babette repeated, standing up to leave.
Lumière stopped her, reaching for her hand. "Why not?" he persisted. "Is it…me? Did I do something wrong?"
"No, it is not you at all," Babette reassured quickly. "It is me…and him."
"Him?" Lumière asked, furrowing his brow in confusion. "Who?"
Babette bit her lip, speaking only after a moment of mental debate. "Lucien."
"Oh really now!" Lumière groaned angrily. "Not this again!"
"You do not know what he said to me!" Babette argued. "Lumière, he promised me! He promised that one day, we would be together! On the day I came here, he swore that he would find a way for our love to be possible!"
"Lucien is a married man with a strong sense of honor!" Lumière countered.
"You do not have to tell me that twice," Babette growled, remembering the last time Lucien displayed his brilliant honor a few years ago.
Lumière sighed, unable to stay angry. Reaching to caress her cheek, keeping his hand there even when she flinched at the touch, he said, "Think about that, ma chérie; whether he wants to or not, Lucien will stay with Nicolette. He will not leave her and risk his family's honor for reckless love."
Lumière gently drew her close despite her tenseness. "I can give you what he can not, Babette," he whispered. "I love you, I need you with me. Please, give me a chance."
Babette took a shuddering breath before she dared to look into his eyes. Of course, they just had to show nothing but genuine tenderness and devotion; why did she expect otherwise? This felt so right and true as if Lumière was whom she was meant to spend her life with. He had been her closest companion in the past few months, treating her all the while like she was the queen herself.
But deeper than those feelings, however, was hope that kept Lucien tied to Babette's heart. Like every girl, she wanted most what she could not have. Lucien was her first and only true love, and she was still harboring the strong belief that he would keep his word to return to her, married or not.
"No," she said, her voice shaking with emotion. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt this man, but she just could not agree to the pairing. "I can't, not now. Not yet."
"If not now, then when?" Lumière persisted.
"I do not know," Babette answered. When he slowly backed away, she continued gently. "I…I'm sorry; please try to understand."
Lumière nodded, desperately trying to cover the pain he was feeling; never in his life had he ever felt such a jealousy against his friend until now. Lucien had a wonderful, charming wife in Nicolette and yet he still held this woman, the woman Lumière loved, in his grasp.
Babette spoke up when the silence was too much. "Lumière? Are you…all right?"
What a question to ask now, Lumière thought ruefully, but answered aloud with his infamous smirk. "Yes, of course."
"Are you certain?"
"Quite," he said, a little too sharply he realized when he saw her startle. "I'm quite certain…but duty calls for both of us. Break time is over."
Babette looked at the ground, nodding, before she looked at him again. "Absolument, Cogsworth will have our heads if we take too much personal time, I imagine."
Much as she tried to ease the conversation, it did not help Lumière, who offered a halfhearted smile before he left the room. He had taken a risk and lost, and the last thing he wanted to do was let anyone, especially Babette, see his heartache. The sooner he was alone, the better.
Reviews...
TrudiRose: You know I tried to get some connection to Gaston in there, but all I got was the tavern itself. LOL He can do many many things but not defy the laws of time and space. :-) Thanks much!
OrcaSpirit: I strive to give every servant the attention they deserve; the servants get little to no love so I desperately try to show them all off. Mrs. Potts is the awesome mom so it was a very good opportunity to get her in there again; she rocks! As for Babs, I'd love to see a bit of your work if you write her! I love seeing different sides to characters. Here, she is pretty different than how AU she is in my trilogy. Thanks for your great kindness!
ShortStef: And Lumi gets heroic again! LOL I was chatting with some of the girls last night when I realized that this really is about the fifty billionth timehe hassaved her neck; they suggested Babs should do the same for him at one point. :-) I'm looking for that window of opportunity whether it's this story or a one shot in the future now. :-) As for the end, it is in sight, but all things must unfortunately! I talk about the deadline constantly but most likely I'll be all whiny after I finish it, how I didn't want it to end. LOL Thanks again!
FairlyOdd: I wanna see the pic! I WANNA see the pic! LOL Thanks much!
Princeali: They're getting there! Another chapter maybe, and...well you'll see! Thanks for the review!
Knux: As I point to the chapter above and the remaining few to come, I happily say "I'm glad to oblige the writing request!" :-) LOL Thanks for sticking with me!
Nikki: Girl I think you are the only one who openly admitted they caught a mention of Vincent in the last chapter! Thank you! LOL There, above is more Cogs for ya; thought you'd enjoy this too! Thanks for all those reviews!
Lyssa: Above, I oblige the Cogs request:-) Cogs is probably the one servant besides Lumi and Babs that you will see in my work. I try so hard to include them all, but he usually pops up the most cause he's so fun to work with! So happy you liked this! Thanks!
Lyndsi05: I have every intention of doing so, definitely. May only be a few one shots for a while; I didn't even expect this after the trilogy was over so it shows you never know what's going to pop up. :-) As for questions, I'm so happy that you say that. One thing about fanfics is being able to dive in with few limitations and really analyze these characters, plots, and personalities; that's what keeps the B&B fandom interesting for me in adulthood, just as strongly as it was when I was a kid. Thank you very much for the praise! Hope this is a satisfying new chapter :-)
