The cottage, when he came upon it, was exactly the way Adam had pictured it to be. It was small and charming with a beautiful garden amidst a gazebo that

matched the house. As for the house itself, the thatched roof had a red tint that was even more prominent in the morning sun. A few steps led to the front door.

Adam smiled. It was a house that was perfect for Belle and worlds away from the castle that he called home.

He dismounted his horse and draped the reins around a low branch on a nearby tree, giving the horse a gentle pat. "Wish me luck, boy."

The horse neighed in reply, as if to comply with Adam's request.

As he moved toward the front steps, Adam could feel his heart rate increase. It was crazy to be so nervous, but it was hard to keep calm. At the front door, he

took a deep breath and knocked.

He recognized the greeter instantly. Maurice! He was so happy to see the sweet old man that he very nearly grabbed him into a bear hug. But he didn't want to

do anything to frighten him. The poor man had already been frightened enough for a lifetime. Regret filled Adam, but he vowed to make amends as soon as

possible.

"Yes? May I help you?"

Adam removed his hat. "Yes, my name is Adam and I… forgive me for being foreword but may I come in?"

Maurice smiled and hesitantly opened the door a little wider. "Um, yes. Come in, please."

Adam stepped into the entry way, feeling like a giant in the small cottage. But the surroundings were so delightful that he couldn't help but smile. He could

definitely get used to this.

"What can I do for you? Would you like some tea?"

"Yes, that would be wonderful. Thank you."

"Please, have a seat and I'll have the tea ready in a jiffy!"

"Thank you, sir. That's very kind!"

Adam sat down in a wooden chair, trying to imagine what kind of life that Belle lived in this house. There were books everywhere; a sight that made him smile.

He wondered if these were books that Belle had already read or if they were books that were just waiting for her to experience them.

"Books!" He said to no one in particular as he shot out of the chair.

Maurice came out of the kitchen, carrying a tray with a teapot and teacups. "Here you are. Sorry it took so long, I-."

"I-I'll be right back." Adam stammered.

"But where… where are you going?"

"I've forgotten something extremely important. Just… just wait here and I'll be right back."

"All right, but-."

Adam raced out of the house, relieved to find Horatio in the same place where he'd left him. "Good boy." He said stroking the mare's face. He grabbed the bag

that was tied to the saddle and opened the flap, removing the pink book from the man at the bookstore. He'd never have forgiven himself if he had forgotten to

deliver it as promised. Then he turned and hurried into the house.

But as soon as he opened the door, he froze.

"Papa who was that at the… door?"

She was standing before him, a vision of loveliness. Adam's breath caught in his throat. How was it possible that she'd become more beautiful since he'd last

seen her only a few days before?

"Belle…" He whispered.

Belle stared at him. "That's right. H-how did you know my name? Who are you?"

"Belle, this is… I'm sorry. I seem to have forgotten your name."

"Adam." He said, extending his hand. "And you're Maurice, right?"

"Why, yes! But how did you know that? Have we met?"

Adam smiled. "Indeed we have, but I'm afraid our meeting was quite a disaster. In fact, that's why I'm here. I've come to make amends."

"I- I don't understand."

"I don't understand, either." Belle said in a steely voice.

Adam swallowed hard, momentarily forgetting about the tea that Maurice had so generously gone to the trouble to make.

"Belle? I have a gift for you."

She gasped when he placed the pink book in her hands.

"This is for me? But why? I don't even know you."

Her words made him wince. "A-actually it's from the man at the bookstore. He asked me to give it to you. He said that he was sure that you'd like it."

"H-how do you know him?"

"Well, to tell you the truth, I just met him today. I stopped in to see if he could help me find you."

"Me? What would you possibly want with me?"

Impulsively he took her hands in his. "I've always wanted you, Belle. I've wanted you since the first moment I laid eyes on you. And when you ran away from

the castle…"

"Castle?"

"What is the meaning of this?" Maurice shouted.

They locked eyes. "Belle, I-."

The pink book fell to the floor with a thud and she gasped, staring into his eyes. Her lower lip trembled and when Adam saw her tears, he knew…

"I-I don't… Is it really you?" Belle reached up and brushed his golden locks from his face, her eyes widening. "Oh my…. It is you! B-But how…"

"I'm alive, Belle. It's me!"

"But… Gaston… he…"

"Gaston's dead, or at least I think he is. I'm sure of it."

"I don't…"

"The spell, it's broken… I'm human again."

Her hand went to her mouth and she began to sob.

"Belle, don't cry, please. I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you, but you ran away and I-."

"I thought you were dead. I-I thought…"

"I was dead, Belle. Before I met you I wasn't living. You showed me that life could be wonderful with your love and kindness. I'll never forget that."

Her arms went around him and she kissed him with everything she had. Adam couldn't help the tears that fell as he returned the kiss in ten-fold. This was so

worth waiting for.

When at last they broke apart, Adam turned to see Maurice smiling, staring at him in disbelief. "I don't believe it! I-I'm sorry about… before… I-."

"It's all right, Maurice. Gee, it's great to see ya!" Before Maurice could respond, Adam swept the old man up in a bear hug, laughing in delight at Maurice's

surprised expression.

"It's great to see you too, Adam."

"A-Adam?" Belle echoed.

Adam turned to Belle and cradled her face in his hands. "That's right. My name is Adam. Prince Adam."

"P-Prince?"

"And I want you to be my princess."

"But-but I'm not…"

He took both of her hands in his and fell to one knee. "Marry me, Belle. Please. I almost lost you once and I don't want to do it again."

"M-Marry you? But I-."

He felt slightly deflated. He was sure that she would agree without hesitation. But that sort of thing only happened in fairy tales. He bowed his head. "Well, I

just-."

"Of course I'll marry you. I love you… Adam…"

He swept her into his arms and kissed her. "Oh Belle…"

"But… what about my father? I-I can't leave him."

"Of course not. He can come with us; live in the castle. I have a whole wing set aside for him. Mrs. Potts, Lumiere, Chip and Cogsworth will be delighted to have

him… and you. They love you, Belle."

"Mrs. Potts…. So she's okay?"

"They're all okay. They were a little shaken when I left so suddenly, but can you blame me? I had to find you, Belle. I'm so terribly sorry for scaring you the way

I did. That whole ordeal must have been terrifying."

"Well, it's okay now."

"No. It's not all right. But I'll spend the rest of our lives making it up to you."

"The rest of our lives…"

"Yes, if you'll have me."

"I love you, Adam. I love you so much."

"I love you too, Belle." They kissed again.

"This is a very nice gesture, Belle, but I can't possibly leave my workshop." Maurice said.

Belle's smile disappeared. "That's right. Papa's workshop. It's his whole life."

"Bring it with you." Adam suggested.

"With me? But how?"

"Come with me to the castle. I've only brought my horse, but perhaps…"

"No problem at all. I'll follow you."

"When we get there, we can get you settled in and then return for your belongings. I don't want to take you away from everything you've known. You do

understand that, don't you?"

"And if you want to stay here, Papa, that's okay too. I'll… come visit you."

"Belle…"

Adam's heart wrenched at the sight of a goodbye that just shouldn't be. "Maurice, I promise I'll make the castle as comfortable as possible. And I know the

perfect place for your workshop."

The old man's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Absolutely."

"Well, in that case, what are we waiting for?"


"That was a wonderful meal." Belle remarked. "Better than I expected.

Mrs. Potts laughed. "There's plenty more where that came from."

"Here, let me help you clear the dishes."

"Nonsense Belle. You're our guest; and even permanent ones aren't required to help with the dishes. I'm happy to do it."

Belle kissed Mrs. Potts on the cheek. "Thank you, so much."

"I-I'll be glad to help…that is if you don't mind." Maurice said.

"That would be lovely Maurice. I've missed your company.

Adam took Belle's hand and led her down the hallway. When they came to a large door, he stopped. "I hope it's just the way you remember it."

As soon as he opened the door, she gasped. "Oh my… It's so beautiful."

"So are you…" He said, bringing his lips to hers. "We'll have to find a special place for your new book."

She glanced at the pink book clutched in her hand. "Oh, not yet, though. I want to read it first. I'm sure I'll love it."

"I'd love to hear it."

"Really?"

"If you don't mind."

They curled up on the sofa and she leaned against Adam, letting her head rest against his broad chest. The book in her hand she opened it and began to read.

"Once upon a time…"

Adam stroked her hair "…They lived happily ever after."

~Fin~


A/N: Thank you so much for your comments and for reading!