Beauty and the Beast: Enchanted Finale

Chapter 2 - Fast Forward

Disclaimer: Disney owns the rights to "Beauty & the Beast", its characters, etc. and I just own the story itself.

Author's Note: First, let me apologise for the year-long delay… obviously, 2020 has not exactly been a great year for us so far, and it's definitely given me more time to figure out exactly what will happen in this story. Second, I appreciate for everyone that's been waiting so long for another chapter to arrive… so even though it's not exactly as long as past chapters I've done, I hope it's good enough for the time being, and it will definitely not take as long for me to upload the third chapter.

A few days later, Belle was now determined to make her idea a reality, but she also didn't want to leave Adam and the rest of her family inside the castle with the task of looking after Liliana each and every day.

Luckily, everyone knew how much it meant to the young woman's dream of teaching literature to others, so a daily routine was worked out that allowed young Lily to be watched over when neither parents were available. Then, once the opportunity presented itself, she would be with either one or both of her parents until it was time to work again or simply for the remainder of the day.

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While Belle was having a special meeting with LeFou in the village in regards to the future 'classroom', an amused Adam was watching Mrs. Potts finish up with giving breakfast to his daughter.

"There you are, my dear," said the head housekeeper, smiling as her hand cleaned up Liliana's mouth with a soft cloth. "Delicious, wasn't it?"

Liliana's response was a small cry of happiness and a smile attempt that made Mrs. Potts sigh happily and Adam chuckle softly, followed by the Prince giving thanks to the kind-hearted woman. "You should take the day off, in fact… or whenever you decide to do since I know you-"

Mrs. Potts gave a small scoff and shook her head while gently giving Liliana over to the former Beast. "Caring for this beautiful child is no problem for me, Master, nor is the care I have for everyone else. However, I will take what you said in consideration should the day ever arrive that I mustn't work."

After Adam nodded in response, the housekeeper walked out of the dining room whilst the Prince gently rocked the yawning baby back and forth. "There, there, my love… oh, I know where we can go."

A few minutes later, the two of them were in a room that contained the beautiful stained-glass mural Adam had presented to Belle the day after Raphael's passing. Even though Liliana was still asleep, Adam guessed that she probably knew where she was based on the smile that she currently had. "Yes, that day definitely means so much to your mother and I… just like the day we first saw you... and even though I've yet to discuss with her on whether or not she'd want for us to try again, I would be definitely okay with us just having you."

His daughter's response was a simple small sound of joy, and Adam chuckled softly before looking back up at the mural.

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Fast forward several years later… (sometime after the "Epilogue" of the previous story)

"Is everything okay?"

That was Adam had asked Belle earlier in the morning during her class, and it was now the evening with the students back at their homes in the village while she was at the one place that she preferred to be in moments like this.

"It's certainly been a while since I've seen you come to this particular area, my love," said the Prince, as his wife looked over at everything past the balcony. "What brought you back over here?"

It took a couple of moments for Belle to turn around, and a deep sigh before looking up at her husband. "I usually come over here when something… well, big happens in my life and… um… I believe it is highly likely that our daughter is not going to be an only child anymore."

"Well, of course she isn't," replied Adam as he chuckled for a bit. "There's usually plenty of children…" However, the young ruler paused his sentence when he noticed Belle's hand move towards her stomach again, and it wasn't long before he understood what exactly she was implying.

"You mean that… I… w-we are…" Adam's eyes began to widen in surprise, and soon found himself embracing his beloved in a loving manner. "Belle, this… this is wonderful news… another child…"

Then, a sudden thought came into Adam's mind, and he looked at his wife with a concerned expression. "How long's it been exactly that he's been in… I mean, are you only a few weeks in or almost a month ?"

Thinking hard and using her senses, Belle jeventually nodded her head and she replied, "I believe that I've been expectant for only a couple of weeks. So we have plenty of time now to be more prepared and everything since we've had experience while I was carrying Liliana."

"Ah, yes… I will say that was definitely a learning experience for us and everyone here in the castle," said Adam, with the two of them now standing beside each other by the balcony. "However, this time will definitely be different since there won't be as much for us to worry about, like when my uncle and father came by unexpectedly or Raphael… um… well, there's nothing like that happening here anytime soon."

Even though she nodded in agreement, Belle couldn't help but give a chuckle that made Adam confused. "While I do agree with you on that, I wouldn't be surprised if something similar occurs in the coming months based on our luck and everything."

"Ahhhh, I see…" The young man shook his head, and placed a hand atop hers, followed by giving his wife a warm smile. "Well, for now, let us be concerned for now about informing everyone here in the castle and how exactly Liliana will handle the news."

"Right, yes… though I doubt that our daughter won't be as happy as we are, Adam," replied Belle, having noticed a few times in the past their daughter a bit saddened about not being able to be around a sibling of her own while most of the children from the village did. "And… what, is something funny now?"

The former Beast's response was a gesture to the castle beside them, and said, "I just remembered that it'd probably best for me to be not as busy when we get closer into your expectancy so we don't let Liliana see her 'very afraid' father running away from her 'heated' mother when - oww!"