Chapter VI – The Proposal
Leaning over the bridge just outside the village, Belle and Vincent watched the river flow and felt a fresh breeze on their faces.
"That was so close," said Belle, trying to break the ice.
"I know. I shouldn't have let you come."
"I'm glad I came, Vincent. At least now I'm sure I don't ever want to come back."
"Do you think the villagers believed everything you said?"
"They're not exactly the smartest people I've known; I'm sure they fell for it."
"What about that Luc guy? Who was he anyway?"
"Luc?" Belle became a bit restless when she heard his name being pronounced. "Luc is Gaston's brother. Disappeared from the village three years ago without telling anyone. I didn't expect to see him today."
"And hopefully that will be the last you'll ever hear from him," added Vincent with a smile. Then he silently approached Belle as if he were just about to tell her a secret. "Do you think they'll come looking for the Beast?" he whispered.
Belle giggled. "I doubt it! The household did a good job in scaring them off. I honestly don't think they'll want to come back."
Vincent seemed relieved. "Good, 'cause I seriously have no idea how I would win this time without the claws and the fangs."
Belle laughed and then wrapped Vincent's arms around herself. "Don't worry. I like you just the way you and I'm sure you'd win anyhow."
Vincent drew back playfully. "You mean you didn't like me before?"
"Of course I did, silly. It just made things… harder."
Vincent smiled. "You mean… I couldn't do this?" He pressed his lips against Belle's.
Moments later, a water drop fell from the sky. Belle and Vincent were still lost in their kiss, but after a while the rain drops had become more abundant and it started raining intensely.
"Great!" said Vincent with a sarcastic tone. They both laughed.
"Quickly! Take Philippe! My father's house is just across the road!"
Vincent quickly grabbed the horse's reins and the three of them rapidly ran across to the little house where Belle used to live with her father, before being imprisoned in the castle.
Belle pushed the door open and sighed when she at last saw the house where she had grown up. Vincent led Philippe beneath a small shelter right next to the house and then followed Belle. Belle had already started a fire in the fireplace, using some tree logs that Maurice had kept downstairs.
"You're soaking wet!" said Belle with a laugh, water dripping from her own hair.
"Well you're not that dry either!" he replied playfully.
"There should be some blankets around here somewhere. Knowing my father, he must have left some supplies behind. I'll go in and get them."
Just as Belle left the room, Vincent took off his shirt and combed his wet hair with his hands. He moved towards the fireplace, already feeling the heat of the flames. Almost instantly, Vincent recalled Lumière's words earlier that morning. Everyone anxiously awaits the day you are going to propose to mademoiselle...
Is it time? Will she not think it is too soon? Maybe if I…"
Vincent quickly got up as soon as he heard Belle's footsteps.
Belle brought in her arms a couple of brown blankets. As soon as she set eyes on the prince, she couldn't help but notice his partially exposed body.
"I found them, Vincent!... Are you sure you're not cold?"
"Not at all! This house is quite cosy, despite being half empty. Besides, the fire helps keep the place warm. You, on the contrary, are still soaked to the bone. You might get sick!"
Belle laughed. "You've always been very concerned with my well-being. Maybe you're right this time. I'll go change clothes in my room. I'll be right back."
Vincent knew he wasn't going to able to stand the long wait. He had to say something fast, before she left the room.
"Wait!... Don't go yet. I… I wanted to ask you something…"
"Ask something? Now? Can't it wait another five minutes?"
"No!... I mean… yes, maybe it can. Just don't take too long, all right?"
Belle sensed the prince's hesitation and the nervous look in his eyes.
"Is there something going on?" she asked, just to make sure it was nothing urgent.
"Yes, I mean, not really. Go on and get changed. When you come back we can talk more calmly."
"All right, then," said Belle, raising an eyebrow. "See you in a minute."
Moments later Belle had already left the room and Vincent was left alone. Something made him want to follow her steps into her room, only so that he could continue contemplating her beauty. He felt the same nervousness he had felt the first night they danced together. She had been so radiant that night, wearing a glamorous yellow dress that matched the stars in the sky. That same night, Vincent had also asked her a question. He had asked if she was happy there with him, to which Belle had replied with a "yes". A hesitant "yes", which later changed the course of fate. Or maybe not. That same night Vincent watched Belle leave the castle grounds, without knowing if she would ever come back.
Yet days later here he was, probably the happiest man alive. He was just about to ask another question, at such a delicate time like this, and the answer was becoming more and more unclear in his head. He so desired to hear a "yes" once again, but this time without any hesitation.
Meanwhile, Belle picked out another dress from her closet. Luckily her father was always very distracted, so she wasn't surprised that he had forgotten to clear out her closet.
As she fitted on her russet dress, which had the same style as her usual blue one, Belle's thoughts drifted away until they once again reached Vincent.
The fact that he wanted to ask her a "question" had left her more anxious than ever. Could it be that her innermost desires were about to come true? She had never brought up the subject because she thought it was too soon. Now her heart anxiously hoped that outside Vincent was ready to propose to her. Maybe that's not it, she thought. I'd better not get my hopes up too high. But oh how I wish it were true.
Vincent was so lost in his thoughts that he did not hear Belle come in. She sat next to him in front of the fireplace.
"Are you sure you're not cold?" she asked.
Vincent smiled. "You worry too much about others, my love. And I'll repeat: I'm fine! Besides, your presence has already warmed me up enough."
Belle blushed. After a while, feeling completely at ease in his presence, Belle lay down on the floor and rested her head in his lap. The prince started playing with her hair while the flames delicately illuminated her face.
"Didn't you want to ask me something?" asked Belle.
Vincent felt a sudden knot in his throat. It was time. The moment was perfect, nothing could go wrong. Although there was still a storm outside, the fire kept the house cosy and warm. It got a little darker due to the dark clouds that rested outside.
"Belle, for quite some time I have been wanting to ask you this question. I've waited for the perfect moment, and I don't think it can get any better than this. Therefore, Belle, there's something I need to know and that only you can tell me. Do you… do you love me?"
Belle's eyes widened as she heard his words. Of course she loved him, why was he so nervous to ask that simple question? There had to be more to it than she could see.
"Of course, Vincent. You know I love you very much; there was no need to get all nervous to ask that," she added with a giggle. "Are you sure that's what you wanted to ask me?"
"Not really. I just had to be sure of this before I asked you something else.
Belle sat up to meet the level of his eyes. This had to be it.
"I love you," she whispered.
"That's all I needed to hear…" replied Vincent.
This time it was Belle who reached out to kiss the prince. He deepened the kiss, making it seem like the room was getting even warmer. Then, very delicately, Vincent laid Belle down on the blanket she had put out before. She felt her body slowly lean against his, loving the touch of his hand on her skin. Belle interlaced her fingers in his hair, while the prince showered her neck with gentle kisses.
Outside the storm had calmed down, but the couple kept sharing moments of great passion. Vincent placed his hand on her thigh while she pushed him towards her lips once more. Vincent lost himself within the enchantment of her kiss. Belle and the prince parted after getting a little tired and stared at each other for a while.
"Marry me, Belle…" murmured the prince.
"I thought you'd never ask," she said playfully.
Vincent smiled and kissed her once again. He felt her place her hand upon his chest, the other hand still interlaced in his hair. The prince slowly started to unbutton Belle's shirt. He lowered himself to kiss her shoulder, being swept away with the wonderful smell of Belle's hair.
Belle gently pushed Vincent away and then rolled around to pin him to the floor. She bent down to kiss his lips, pressing her forehead against his. Belle could feel Vincent's deep breathing, his heart pounding rapidly. She kissed him on the forehead and then gently whispered in his ear:
"You know I want this too, but we can't let it happen…"
Then Belle sat up and buttoned her shirt. Vincent also sat up next to her, the beating of his heart gradually slowing down.
"But… you love me, don't you? We're engaged, Belle!"
"We both know that I love you, and not everyone knows we're engaged yet," she said with a smile, then adapting a serious expression. "But taking the big step before the wedding day wouldn't be right. If you really love me, then you'll wait."
"Of course, Belle! And I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to pressure you. I'll wait whatever time it takes, if it means that the day it happens it will be because we're both prepared."
"I knew you'd understand, my love."
In a playful mood, Belle threw Vincent's shirt at him and then headed towards the little window.
"Looks like the storm has calmed down," she said after contemplating the scenery for a while. "Maybe it's time we get back to the castle. We must hurry, otherwise we might get caught in the storm on the way home."
Vincent quickly put his shirt on. "In that case, I'll go prepare Phillipe right away. Come meet us when you're ready. We'll leave as soon as you get there."
Vincent opened the door and left. Meanwhile, Belle managed to put out the small fire. The last streaks of heat reminded her of the heat of Vincent's body. She knew she had done the right thing, though she couldn't deny her anxiety. The night I give myself to Vincent, I want everything to be perfect, she thought. Then Belle folded the blankets and put them away.
Before closing the door, Belle glanced at the house for one last time. She said goodbye one last time to what she considered the past. At least she wished it this way. Maybe it's better if I never return to the village. But she so wanted to learn more about Luc's life since the day he had left. More than ever, she wanted to know why he had left… and why he had came back. Could it have been due to his father's death? But would that be enough to leave behind everything we had gone through together?
Belle sighed and finally closed the door. She walked towards the shelter where Philippe had stayed during the storm. She stopped to watch Vincent for a while. The prince gently stroked Phillipe's nose while he arranged the horse's reins. He soon noticed that Belle had been standing there.
"Is everything ready, princess?" he smiled.
Belle replied with another smile, still lost in her thoughts. It's time to start a new life, she thought. I'm ready.
Thank you time...
Meiko M- Thanks! Sorry about the delay. Had a few "plot" problems, hehe. Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
shortstef- Fish... YOU'RE the fish, remember? I'm the squid! Jeez! "Why am I thinking this is going to cause trouble?"... uh, because I WANT you to )
TrudiRose- I honestly swear I'm running out of "thank-you notes" hehe. Thanks for protecting me all the way ) Hope you find the courage and the pacience to stick with me until then end ;)
percyismine- I did sort of make Vincent "suffer" during the first chapters, but that's all about to change. We're gonna discover Belle's romantic side now )
I'd also like to thank the rest of the reviewers for all your love and support! This is my first fanfic and I'm liking the experience, but I must confess that it's mostly due to you people )
God Bless!
Nikki
