A/N: Should this chapter come with a warning? I don't THINK so. Well, it's the wedding night, so everyone knows what's going to happen. If you don't think you can handle it, maybe you should just skip that part )

As always, thanks to Trudi for the beta-reading.

All characters belong to Disney, except Robert, Luc and Jean Claude.

On with the story )


Chapter XIII

Promises

Maurice hadn't gotten up from his chair the whole night, pleased just watching the guests dance. It had been a special day for his daughter and she was happy, therefore he was happy too. Seeing her in Vincent's arms brought him comfort, comparable only to the night Belle had returned safe and sound to the village after months imprisoned in the castle.

Maurice observed his surroundings. He saw luxury and royalty. Amongst such lushness, he spotted Mrs. Potts, who kindly offered tea to the guests. She smiled as soon as she noticed that Maurice was staring at her. Maurice found himself smiling back at her. A few minutes later, Mrs. Potts came to meet him.

"Good evening, monsieur. How about a nice spot of tea?"

"Not just yet," replied Maurice as he took the tray from her hands and placed it on the table. "What I'd really like is the honour of this dance."

Mrs. Potts blushed. "But I have to…"

"Forget your duties just for a minute or two. Surely Prince Vincent won't mind! He's been outside with my daughter for over an hour! He won't even notice."

Mrs. Potts gently placed her hand in his and together they began dancing to the soft melody. They remained like that until a very old man approached them and greeted Maurice.

"Bonsoir, monsieur. I believe you are the bride's father."

"Yes, monsieur…" replied Maurice, not recognizing the man.

"I would like to congratulate you for your beautiful daughter. I'm sure she'll make a wonderful princess and queen. I might as well bid you all farewell, seeing as it's getting rather late and I've still got a long journey ahead of me."

"Do you wish to speak to Prince Vincent? I believe he's in –"

"That won't be necessary. He's probably busy and I wouldn't want to interrupt. We'll have other opportunities. Au revoir," he added with a small bow.

Maurice watched the man leave the ballroom and turned to Mrs. Potts. "What a charming man! Who was he?"

Mrs. Potts let out a small chuckle. "You were talking to the King Jean Claude."

"Oh, goodness me!" cried Maurice. "I must have sounded so ignorant!"

"I wouldn't worry about that. The King is very kind, unlike most of the royalty. I'm sure he didn't even notice that you didn't know who he is!"

The couple danced for a little longer while the rest of the guests started to abandon the ball. It was getting quite late.

-----

Meanwhile, in the gardens, Belle and Vincent admired the beautiful night sky. Lying on the grass, they counted the stars and tried to imagine pictures in the sky.

"Belle, can you see that big star there right above the mountains?"

"It's hard to miss," she replied with a chuckle. "It outshines the rest of them."

"Lets make it our star!" exclaimed Vincent as he held Belle's hand.

"Our star? What do you mean?"

"We'll give it a name. It will help us remember this day forever. We can call it… Hope."

"Hope…" Belle savoured the word. "I like it."

"I never knew the meaning of the word. Until you came along, that is. You taught me what hope is all about."

Belle rolled her body over so that she could face Vincent. "It did take a while to get it hammered in your head," she said teasingly.

"What can I say? I'm a tough student."

"No, you were just stubborn. You still are, actually," she added as she poked him with her elbow.

"No, I'm not!" answered Vincent, pretending to be offended.

"Yes, you are!"

"Am not!"

"See? You're doing it again."

Vincent smiled and gently pressed Belle against him. "We're so different, Belle."

"Yet we're exactly the same," Belle added as she leaned her head against his chest.

They both closed their eyes. "Do you believe in soul mates?" Vincent whispered.

"How could I not?"

Vincent leaned closer to kiss his bride once more, but was startled by the sound of approaching steps.

"Master, madame…"

Belle and Vincent quickly sat up. "Yes, Cogsworth?"

"I would just like to inform you that the guests have all left. I therefore ask permission to close the wedding reception officially and grant the household a most well-deserved rest. It's past midnight and they have all worked very hard."

"Very well, Cogsworth," replied Vincent. "Tell the servants that they may and should rest for today. The cleaning up may continue tomorrow morning."

"Very well, master. I shall inform them at once."

Cogsworth quickly left the garden and soon Belle and Vincent were alone again. Vincent laid back once again on the grass and stretched over to bring Belle closer to him… but she wasn't there. "Belle?" Vincent quickly got up and saw her running up the stairs. "Belle, where are you going?"

He began running after her, but as he entered the castle, Vincent lost sight of Belle. Babette, one of the maids, was still tidying up a few things before giving in for the night.

"Babette, have you seen Belle?"

"Ah oui, master. I saw madame running up the stairs towards the West Wing just a few seconds ago."

The West Wing? Why would she go there? During his years as a Beast, the West Wing had been his only refuge, the only place he had ordered her not to enter. Her curiosity had led her there anyway, and it had enraged him. Now, months later, she ventured herself towards it once again, yet this time he wasn't angry. He was curious himself. Why is she going there? Why now?

Vincent ran up the stairs as he felt the beating of his heart grow faster. He followed his way up to the West Wing, placing his hand on the doorknob that separated him from his anxiety. He found himself wishing the night would never end.

The prince slowly opened the door. For a moment he felt breathless. The West Wing, always known as a dark, haunted room, filled with broken mirrors and torn up portraits, was now decorated with white curtains that hung from the ceiling. It was also illuminated with candles, and in the middle of the room was a small mountain of white pillows. The balcony door was half open, allowing in a breeze of fresh air. Outside the night remained beautiful. It was the perfect contrast between night and day, the perfect contrast between his life with and without Belle.

Just when it felt like it couldn't get any better, his beloved's soft skin leaned against him.

"How do you feel?" murmured the voice that he had longed to hear.

"I feel like I'm dancing on clouds," Vincent murmured back.

He turned around and immediately Belle surprised him with a passionate kiss. When she pulled herself away, Vincent noticed she was wearing a white gown. Her hair, loose and smooth, hung sexily on her shoulders.

"Belle, this is perfect."

"I took your suggestion about getting married on the clouds quite seriously," she said teasingly.

Vincent laughed. "I'm glad."

"I know we're not in Heaven yet, but that's where I want to take you."

"Oh Belle, I'm in Heaven every time you're with me."

"Then I'll take you to the stars…" whispered Belle as she wrapped her arms around Vincent's waistline.

He took off his coat and then his shirt. Belle placed her hand on his chest and was suddenly taken by his deep kiss. She followed his steps to the pile of pillows and Vincent affectionately laid down his beloved. He slowly removed his pants while Belle slipped out of her gown.

A cool breeze entered the room and blew out most of the candles, except for two small ones that still allowed him to admire Belle's delicate face.

"You're so beautiful…" Vincent murmured as he caressed Belle's cheeks.

"I've waited so long for this moment, Vincent. Promise me we'll always be together. Nothing and no one will tear us apart."

Vincent leaned closer to Belle and kissed her forehead. "Everything will be fine, Belle. Nothing bad is going to happen to us."

"Promise me," Belle insisted.

Vincent smiled. "I promise."

He pressed his lips against her neck and began to kiss her gently. He helped Belle take off the rest of her gown and then slid his hand down to her thighs. He could feel the tension was growing between them, but he had to make sure it would be perfect… for the both of them.

"Belle, are you sure about this?"

"I didn't go through all this decorating for nothing," she answered back teasingly.

Vincent chuckled. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Belle drew Vincent closer and teased him with small kisses. When he managed to deepen the kiss, Belle rolled over so that Vincent was now on top of her.

Despite the great tension and anxiety, she loved the way he still treated her so affectionately. His touch was so soft it made her feel like a fragile rose. Still, the strength of his kiss made it obvious that he too desired this moment. And forever had she waited for this day to come. A fragile, yet tempting rose; that's how she felt in his arms.

-----

Belle wrapped herself in Vincent's arms and leaned her head against his chest as they both relaxed after nearly an hour of passion. She could hear his heart beating. Vincent enlaced his fingers in Belle's soft hair. She slowly closed her eyes, feeling rather exhausted.

"Belle, promise me you'll never leave me."

"I promise," she answered back. "I've found my place now. And nothing will make me leave."

"No one?"

Belle opened her eyes as she heard Vincent's words and looked into his eyes. "Vincent, I love you. And home is where you are."

The couple sealed the moment with a kiss. It had been a long day and they were finally prepared to give in. Tomorrow would be the start of a new life, which would begin with watching the sunrise… together, in the arms of each other.


Now was that so bad? P

I would like to thank all my reviewers! Always nice to hear feedback )

MackenzieW - Thanks! Well, from this chapter onwards the plot thickens. Unfortunately the story is coming to an end.

LeotaBelle13 - I love Belle, but I felt she needed to get into a little bit of "trouble". Robert, Luc... when will it end?P

TrudiRose - Well, I don't really believe in villains. I believe that all characters startoff the same level and build themselves.Well, at least in this story.I could say more, but I'd spoil it. And thanks!

LumbabsFan- I believe the real "twist" is still to come. Thanks!