Chapter 2: Baby, it's Cold Outside!

When Michelle reached the attic, she didn't see her fiancee anywhere. Just a blanket, a fews andwiches, cake and a bottle of lovely red wine. "Lumiere?" She sat down looking at the ceiling,noticing that all those spider webs were gone.

"Cherie?" She turned around to see Lumieres head popping from behind the door, giving her an almost seductive smile. Even his movements when he approached her were alluring and intriguing. "How long have I waited for this?"

"There you were? Why were you hiding?"

"To have the element of surprise on my site. That's just gonna make this more exciting." He whispered and leaned forward. They shared a long, passionate kiss and Michelles hand roamed his back.

"Oh, Lumiere," she said, as their lips parted. "You are such a parfait guy." She giggled, hugging him.

His faced changed to a more happy expression. "Oh, Cherie, I know. First the lunch, than the...desert."

Michelle grinned and took one of the sandwiches. "They look delicious, sweetie." She took a bite. "Hmmm!"

"I poured a lot of heart into it!" he sid smiling. "Talking about good food, the Christmas dinner will be most delicious."

"Really? What is going to be served."

"Roastbeef, salmon soup, rumpsteak, lamb chops, a turkey, potatoes, salad, a roasted pig, fresh fruits from the south, chocolate-caramel pudding, fruit cake, fruits covered in molten chocolate, quails and even a whole swan is going to be served. This dinner will be magnificent.

Michelle already felt hungry. Especially the pudding and the lamb was something for her to look forward too.

"Well, I hope I'll be able to fiish my gifts 'till then. Belle's is the most complicated..."

"A painting?"

"Nope, a dress."

"When did yo learn to create dresses?"

"Madame de Grande Bouche taught me one thing and another. I admit, I needed Madames help, but she says I've got talent and honestly, it looks great."

"Wonder if my gift takes up just as much time as Belles?" Lumiere muttered to himself. "Well, love," he put his right hand on her left hand. "Just wait til you see what I've got for you." He winked at her.

"Can't wait." Michelle, while the faint sound of howling wolfs sounded from afar. She turned. "I hope Elena and the kids are alright. She's strong willed, but still..." Michelle got up. "I should ask Adam if-"

"No!2 Lumiere took her hand gently. "Stay. Please."

Michelle sighed. "Lumiere..." She once again heard a howl. "I really can't stay..."

Lumiere shook his head. "But Baby, It's cold outside!"

"I've got to go away"

"Baby it's cold outside"

"This noon has been"

"Been hoping that you'd drop in"

She grabbed her coat. "So very nice..."

"I'll hold your hand," Lumiere said and did so. "They're just like ice!"

Michelle groaned. "Elena will start to worry..."

"Beautiful, what's your hurry?"

"Belle will be pacing the floor"

"Listen to the candle flame roar"

"So really I'd better scurry"

"Beautiful, please don't hurry!"

Michelle sighed and took her whine glass. "Maybe just a half a drink more..."

"Sing some songs while I pour."

She drank everything.

"Cogsworth might think...Say, what's in this drink?"

"No horse to be had out there."

"I wish I knew how..."

"Your eyes are like starlight now."

"To break this spell..." -

"I'll take your coat, your hair looks swell."

"I ought to say no, no, no!"

"Mind if I move in closer?"

"At least I'm gonna say that I tried."

"What's the sense in hurting my pride?"

"I really can't stay

"Baby don't hold out!"

"Ah, but it's cold outside."

"I think Elena can take care of herself and a bunch of children." Lumiere said and took his lovers hand.

"Are you sure? She's a proper lady and all, no fighting experience and with an injured leg."

"Cherie, the wolves won't come out until it's dark." He looked at his pocket watch. "Its three o'clock, there is enough time, though." Then he wriggled his brows. "Why walking around in the cold, when you could just stay here and-" he dragged her closer. "Enjoy desert?"

Michelle once again glanced out, putting her index finger on her chin. "Maybe you are right...I'll stay!" Elena was capable enough to ask the prince herself for help. Lumiere gently pulled her face closer to his and they kissed once again.

Belle and Adam had already finished a couple of stories, when Belle remembered that Angelique needed help. She excused herself and they decided to read the rest later.

Mrs Potts had just returned, along with Mademoiselle Lune-Nuage and Monsieur de la Vache, two servants who carried the bags into the kitchen, while Mrs Potts took off her gloves, coat and hat. "Hello, dears. Where is Chip?"

"Elena was watching them, but Chip, Amelie and Jean ran off, into the forest. Elena suspected them to be at the wolf gorge."

"Oh no, I hope they are not there. They have to return until sun rise." Mrs Potts said, putting her hands on her cheeks.

"Let's hope Elena finds them." Belle said and took one of the decorations. "So, did you get everythig for Christmas dinner?" Then she put it on the new tree, which the tree cutter, Emilio Apuesto had cut down an hour ago.

"Oh, yes, dear? Since we'll invite your former village, we need to be prepared. It's going too be so much, I doubt anyone could properly dance at the ball afterwards." Mrs Potts said and winked.

"That sounds great." Belle complimented.

"Chip! Amelie!" Elena shouted, as she recognized the three children. Indeed, they were at the wolfes gorge. Luckily, none of the animals were to be seen. "Come here immediately!"

"But we want to play!" Chip yelled and threw a snow ball at her, the twins laughed.

Elena looked at them, visibly angry. "Come here. Now!" she yelled and went over to them. "If the swolves are coming back, then-" She gulped as she heard their distinctive howling. "Your mother should be back by now, anyway. I'm sure she's worried sick!"

"Nuh-uh!" Chip said grinning. "Unless I know for sure that I'll get a puppy for Christmas!"

Elena scowled. "Are you serious?" Again, a wolf howled. She turned around, eyes wide.

"Fine. I'll get you a dog for Christmas!"

"Puppy!"

"Yes. Can you please come here now?"

"Okay, okay." The children ran over to Elena and Chip clung to her hand and she pulled him out of the gorge. Another, much nearer how sounded through the forest. We should go." the boy said, now scared. Elena nodded and helped up the other kids. She helped them to sit on Philipp and she led the horse through the forest, back to the castle.

Mrs Potts was in the kitchen, preparing the tea for the kids. "They'll be frozen to death when they return. I better get them something to warm up. What is for dinner?" she asked.

"Potatoe soup," Belle said, putting some tinsel on the cupboards.

"Very nice," Angelique added. "Maybe Christmas won't be a total disaster..."

"It surely won't, dear." Mrs Potts added and looked out off the window, where she saw a familiar person approaching. "Elena! She's returning! And she's got the children. Well, that's a relief. The sun is just going down."

Indeed, it had started to snow. In the attic, Michelle rested in her fiances arms, as they watched the snowflakes out there.

"Should we go out, honey?" Michelle asked. "You know I love snow!"

"Lumiere nodded. "As long as we are back beforedinner." he chuckled.

"But we already ate!" Michelle said grinning. "Including appetizer and...desertl"

Lumiere nodded and playfully stroke her cheek. "You know me, Cherie. I love good food."

"I certainly do, love." She kissed him, as they both got up. "Let's get our coats, honey. I know just the activity to do in the snow!"

As soon as they got dressed in warm, thick coats, Michelle took Lumieres hand and let him out, to the courtyard.

"So...what are we going to do?"

"Well," Michelle said grinning. "Do you want to build a snow man?"

Lumieres eyes lightened up and a huge smile spread on his face. "What a wonderful idea. I didn't do such a thing since I was te or something."

"Always keep the child in your heart alive!"