Welcome back everyone!

For those who have made their preference clear, considering I have drafts for both outcomes. I'm going to do one here and later the other separately.

Michaela pendragon Holmes, more loving here!

Mustard Lady, glad you liked the chapter, the conversation between Agathe and Gaston was killer to write though.

Banzi, thanks as always!

Child of dreams, your relief will be short lived with this chapter.

ImagineATale, for all he knew they could have been reciting every lovey dovey piece of poetry, that wouldn't have sat well with him either XD Gaston and Beast have both grown a lot and I guess in the end you'll get your cake and eat the extra slice because I'm going to do both ending eventually XD

Also a warm welcome to my new reviewers katiearbour95 and Superion.

Katiearbour, a lot of your points are addressed in this chapter ;)

Superion, had to turn him loveable, and not to worry the story isn't finished yet.

Chapter 23

Gaston sat contemplating his options once more, it had been a week since he had talked to Agathe. She said he had nothing to fear, but didn't he? After all he had harassed Belle for a long time, which led to two attempted murders on people she loved and even trying to have her father committed. Forgiven or not, he doubted she had forgotten about that. Beast had been one of his potential victims, who wouldn't want to be a friends with their would have been murderer? Agathe could say all she wanted, no one could be that forgiving.

He did join them for meal times and they joined him once when he went outside to ride Philippe. But apart from that he left them alone, preferring to go over his options time after time again. He had to wonder, did he really prefer to stay blind or would he try to commit himself to an actual friendship with Belle and Beast? Agathe was right to think it over carefully, if he chose to stay blind there would be no going back. Perhaps if he did choose the other option and befriend the others and it failed, she would be willing to take his sight again if he preferred it. Couldn't hurt to ask, should he come to regret it. What if when he could see again and he returned to the village, they would expect him to be the same arrogant and vain man he was before, he wanted to avoid going back to that at all costs. He knew he kept going in circles with his thoughts and he had to make his decision and soon or he would never be able to do it. He would give himself another week and that would be the end of it, all this thinking gave him a massive headache.

Beast was walking the halls, there were twelve petals left and most of the damage had been repaired, though the West Wing still had seen better days. He was checking the West and Northern part of the castle for damages while Belle would check the East Wing. The Northern part was safe enough again, and after a few more petals he could see it going back to it's original condition. The Southern part had been the servants quarters and they had never been affected much and his regular visits to see to Mrs. Potts and Chip gave him the chance to inspect it regularly.

He made his way to the East Wing to meet up with Belle, she always lingered a bit longer in the room the servants had originally prepared for her father and several of his belongings remained there. She refused to take his belongings to the West Wing, she wanted to have to room ready for when he would return.

He knocked on the door to announce his arrival and saw her sitting on the bed. "The Northern part is doing better, I think it will be only a few more petals before it is fully restored." Sitting next to her, he placed his paw on her hand, "He will be back before you know it, I'm sure he would have been missing you."

Belle leaned her head against Beast's shoulder, "I know he would, it is probably for the better he doesn't remember me. I can't imagine what he must have been feeling if he did. I can't help counting the days though..."

Placing his arm around her, he pulled her closer, trying to be comforting. "I know, just know that either way he will return to you."

Being fed up with thinking, Gaston left his room to go outside when he heard voices. Getting curious, he decided to eavesdrop, maybe whatever they said could help him make a decision. Hearing them talk about Maurice made him think of what he had put the man through, he hadn't given much though how he might react when he would remember him again. He grimaced, he was not looking forward to that conversation. Not wanting to hear more, he continued his way outside.

In the stable he was grooming Philippe, "What do you think I should do?" he asked the horse, not that he expected an answer.

The week he had given himself had almost passed and he still was no closer to reaching a decision. He knew he couldn't stall any longer... One more time he considered each option carefully, there was the option of letting things be. He would be blind and forced to live here forever. He had no problems with the latter, it was what he wanted. But was he really prepared to lose his sight forever?

Then there was the second option, place his trust in Belle and Beast and break the spell. This sounded like the logical choice, but what if they told him to go back to the village? He had no desire to go back there, what if he fell back into his old habits? He winced, no he definitely didn't want that. Which brought him back where he started...again.. This was no use, perhaps he had to think about it in a different way. He was still being selfish if he was honest, they had done so much for him. Shouldn't he give them a chance to prove they were sincere?

He had made his choice, he could only hope he wouldn't regret it.

It was late afternoon and knowing were they were, he made his way to the dreaded library. Knocking politely he waited for them to answer.

Inside Belle and Beast leaned against each other on the sofa they sat on. Belle having a book in her hand reading to Beast.

The knock resounded loudly trough the library and the pair looked up. Putting the book away, Belle stood up to open the door and guide Gaston in. "Gaston what brings you here? Would you like to sit with us?" Seeing his doubtful face she added, "No reading I promise."

Gaston had to laugh, for once he would have preferred the boring books. Feeling Belle grabbing his hand he let her guide him in. After he was seated he took a deep breath, "I had some time to think these last few weeks, Agathe told me during her last visit that I had to make a choice, she told me there was no need to rush, but if I don't do it now, I fear I never will." He looked down, "I know what will break the curse, but I was afraid to take the last step, preferring staying blind over facing a fear that might be unfounded."

Belle held her breath, "You know what you have to do?"

Gaston nodded, "For a few weeks now, but it is unfair to both of you if I didn't give you a chance, when you have given me so many." Here it goes, he thought, "I fear that when I break it you'll send me away and that I will fall back, I don't want to be him anymore. You have shown me what it is like to be accepted for who you are, not for what I can do. I see both of you as friends, I only hope you see me the same and would let me stay here." He had said it, now he could only hope Agathe had been right.

Beast stood up, "Gaston...you may stay here as long as you wish. There is no reason for you to fear we would ask you to leave. You helped me come to terms with my own problems and what you have just done..."

"He is right Gaston, you might have been a horrible person before all this, but now I am proud to call you a friend."

Gaston doubled over, he saw blinding flashes before his eyes and he slightly started to panic. After a few seconds he saw colours which blended into images and for the first time he saw the face of Beast once more. Looking around wildly, he saw how large this room actually was and couldn't help but be awed by it. "Beast? Belle?"

Before either could respond however flashes started to spread from Gaston throughout the room going through the walls in all directions. Not realising what this meant Gaston looked at his friends and saw several swirls of light taking a hold of Beast. "What is happening!"

Belle rushed to his side, "It's alright, we couldn't tell you but..."

Gaston looked at Beast who was rising up into the air and started to change in front of him. Gone were the horns, claws and fur and a man was what remained standing.

In the ballroom a wardrobe, harpsichord and piano stool started shaking, until a bark was heard. "Froufrou! Mi amor!" A woman hugged her husband a cuddled her dog.

In the West Wing three people fell from the vanity on which they had been kept, Cogsworth, Lumiere and Plumette looked at each other slightly confused how they had gotten there. But set out to find their Master.

In the servants quarters many servants woke up in the rooms they had been stored in. "Jacques!" "Francois!" "Amelie!" Many more cries could be heard.

In a room of their own Mrs. Potts held onto her son, seeing the room they found themselves in and the pristine condition it was in, she had to wipe away a tear, he had remembered...

In the library, a strange man was looking at him and Gaston wondered had happened. "Belle, who is that?" He pointed at the man in front of him.

"You really did it!"

"Yes I know I did it, but that didn't answer my question. Who is that!"

The man chuckled, "You'll have to forgive Belle, let me properly introduce myself, "My name is Adam, you and Belle knew me as Beast."

Gaston sat on the floor gaping, "W-What? How?"

"Yes both are very good questions, my curse had become permanent, we didn't lie about that."

"Thank you so much!" Belle embraced Gaston and pecked his cheek. "I am sorry for what happened though..." She looked down sheepishly.

"Could someone just explain what has just happened?"

"Yes, well... When you had broken into the castle, Agathe was here apologizing for the severity of the curse. Belle had come up with a brilliant idea to get a second chance at breaking it. By using a second curse to lift the first one, considering your less than pleasant personality you were the ideal candidate. I didn't know until after it had happened."

Gaston looked at Belle, who was still staring at the floor, "It's... alright Belle. I don't like the man I was, you did the right thing."

Feeling tears well up, she started crying, "I was afraid you'd hate me when you found out. Back then I did loath you and..."

Gaston held her, "It was for the best, I'm not angry."

"There is more though, but I think we should go to the entrance hall. I think that they would gather there. You see Gaston, I'm not the only one freed."

Realisation dawning Gaston fell silent, "A-All of them?"

"I did say they everyone would sing you praises if you lifted your curse didn't I." Adam chuckled.

"So Adam, is it?" Belle came up to him. "Why did you never tell me?"

"It didn't feel right, I wasn't that cruel man anymore and I had never forgiven myself for what had happened, now that I have however..." Adam explained.

It made sense in a way Belle supposed, though she could slap herself for never having even asked. "Perhaps we should go there, I think I'm starting to hear voices."

Adam nodded, "I hear them too."

They started to walk but noticed Gaston wasn't following them. "Come, you should meet them!"

He shook his head, "No, what if they blame me? Even I did for a long time, remember!" He wasn't ready for this, how could he explain to them?

Belle grabbed Gaston's wrist and pulled him along, "You'll be fine, think of it as hero time."

"No, no, no, I am not him anymore!" He panicked at the thought.

Belle let go, "Neither were you a hero, but now you truly are one in every sense of the word. Will you please come with us?"

Gaston thought it over, "I'll come, but I am no hero. Don't call me that."

"We won't." Adam reassured him. He walked in front followed by Belle. Gaston was last and had trouble finding his way back. He closed his eyes and let his memory guide him. He didn't recognise any hallways, but he did remember the steps he had to take to get to the entrance hall, closing his eyes made concentrating much easier. They were down before he knew it and the sounds were getting louder and louder. He was getting worried, what would they think of him?

Belle gasped when she saw the crowd in the entrance hall, she knew there were many people, but this was amazing. A barking dog ran to her and she picked up the small dog, "You must be Froufrou."

After petting it she set the dog back on the floor and she saw it running back to it's owner. The former wardrobe was smiling at her and she nodded in return.

Adam raised his hands, "My friends, silence please. A lot has happened since the last petal had fallen and you must all be wondering how it is that you are all here."

This quieted down the crowd immediately, how did they return when the last petal had fallen?

"As you all knew we had to rescue Belle's father from being committed. We succeeded but returned too late, the man who was responsible for committing Belle's father had made his way to the castle. The enchantress had come here, regretful of your fate and was helping us trying to find a way to return you all to us. I left Belle, her father and the enchantress, so I could keep an eye on the intruder. Belle however had a brilliant idea, the enchantress would place a second curse connecting it to the first so we would have a second chance at lifting it. Needing someone to curse the intruder was the perfect target." Glancing to his right he saw Gaston shifting uncomfortably. "She cursed him and if he broke it we would all turn back, today he did. I ask you all to hold no grudge against him, he had no idea what he did at the time." He gestured for Gaston to come out. "Come here Gaston."

He hesitated, should he come out? He took a quick look and saw no angry faces and took a deep breath. He slowly stepped forward showing his face, looking at the crowd he felt overwhelmed and took a step back. He felt a hand in his back and saw Belle pushing him.

"It will be fine, trust me."

He nodded and stepped up next to Adam, though he did keep his head down.

"This is Gaston, he spend the last seven and a half months blind in the castle. He had to learn to see what he refused to see and learn to trust among other things." He nudged Gaston, "Say something, no need to be afraid."

"Easy for you to say.." He muttered.

Adam suppressed a smile, some things would never change.

Gaston looked up and saw everyone staring at him, "I would like to apologize for the suffering my past actions have cost you." He saw several smiling faces and some confused. He was confused himself, what else could he say?

Sensing the discomfort Gaston was in Adam decided to intervene, "Before he broke the curse he told us he hoped to be able to stay here and he is more than welcome. He has proven he is no longer the same man and I consider him to be my friend."

Belle stepped forward, "I'm so happy to see all of you, but most of all my Adam. I love you."

Adam held her tight and kissed her in response. He looked her in the eye when they parted, "I love you too." He turned around to face the crowd once more, "I think it will be a good idea if everyone returns to their quarters and clear the mess before dark. After all your quarters had been abandoned for eleven years and need a good cleaning, if you want to sleep in actual beds tonight. Those with families outside the castle I request to wait until tomorrow to visit them."

The crowd quickly dispersed at the thought of sleeping in a bed. The thought made them all rush out, leaving the three alone again.

"Shall we go to the West Wing? I want to see the rose, something doesn't feel right." Adam said.

Nodding Belle and Gaston followed, Soon they started to notice things, the West Wing was still in a horrible condition with broken down walls and destroyed tapestry. "Why didn't the castle restore?" Belle asked.

"I don't know, I saw some cracked walls while we were walking down earlier. I hope the rose brings the answer."

Reaching the door of his and Belle's chambers, Adam opened the door and motioned them in. He walked up to the rose and saw the broken window and snow that had blown in.

"Of course! How could we have forgotten!" Adam exclaimed.

"What? What have we forgotten?" Belle asked.

"Remember each returning petal would repair the castle, he broke it long before that time, therefore damage remains. As for the winter outside, she said she had no idea how much would be tied in, I guess the winter is here to stay."

Belle understood, "Hopefully you have some good carpenters and painters on your staff." She joked.

Adam laughed, "I do, so no damage done. But it still seems rather dark and depressing, which might be some residual magic. But the eternal winter I can live with."

"Might actually be fun for kids in surrounding villages to play in." Belle suggested.

Gaston stepped up, "I broke the curse too early."

"Nonsense, the damages can be repaired, statues replaced and everything will be as good as new. Though the dark feeling in these hallways will take some getting used to. But that wasn't getting any less with each petal so that probably would have stayed." Adam smiled. "But it could have been a lot worse, imagine if I had kept the tail?"

Footsteps drew their attention behind them.

"I would have preferred to come here to congratulate you Gaston, but we have a very big problem in the village." Agathe said as she stepped forward. "Do not let anyone return to the village." She warned.