Yeah, I know it is april...but I really wan t to finish this story until the year is over. So, whenever I get time to do so, I'll write more and update.
Chapter 5: Last Christmas
Lumiere found the Prince, standing at the window and watching the flakes floating from the sky.
"You're Highness?"
Adam turned around, startled by the sudden appearance of his friend and servant. "Lumiere!"
"You look kinda...upset," Lumiere said and approached him.
"It's just...I'm afraid I was too harsh to Belle," He sighed. "I was jealous that she spend more time with her friends than me. It was so immature of me." He looked to the ground.
"Now, now, Master. Don't worry. Apologize and I'm sure she will forgive you."
Adam nodded. "It's the only thing I can do now, I suppose." Then he looked at his old friend and saw what he was carrying: A book. "What's this?"
"Huh?" Lumiere raised the book. "It's for Michelle. Her Christmas gift. "A very special book..."
"How is it special?" the Prince wondered.
"Well," Lumiere looked around, then when he knew no one was there to listen, he leaned forward and whispered something into Adams ear.
"Oh...why, she'll be delighted!" Adam said, smiling. "Well, I better go now to look for Belle." He put a hand on his friends shoulder. "Thank you, Lumiere."
The servant nodded and after his Master had left , he made his way to his room. Here he had everything he needed now. He turned the key, to lock his door. Couldn't have his beloved fiancé burst in and spoil the surprise, could he? He took the sparkling green wrapping paper-Michelle's favorite color- that lay on his desk and used it on the book. Then took the red band and wrapped it into a bow. The last thing he did was writing a card ("To my lovely Cherie. May the next year be as enchanting as the last") and put it on a box. When he was done, he fell back unto his bed, closing his eyes. It was merely afternoon, but he was so exhausted, that he quickly drifted into a deep sleep.
Babette was preparing a little snack for her beloved Lumiere. She hoped that, once he saw her, he'd be head over heels for her, thanks to the stranger's gift. She put the self-made cookies into a metal box and went over to his room. She tried to open his door, but it was locked, She knocked.
"Love, are you in there?" She heard a mumbling. He must be asleep...She put the box in front of his door, turned around and went back to work.
"Do you feel better, Belle?" Michelle asked. They were in the kitchen, where Mrs Potts was brewing fresh tea.
"Well, thank you for taking care of me yesterday, but..." The Princess sighed. "Adam still isn't talking to me..." She sat down on a chair.
"Now, dear. Drink a hot cup of tea and you'll feel better." Mrs Potts said. She decided to talk to Adam later on, to get some sense into his stubborn head.
"Where is Elena?" Michelle wondered.
"With Fife." Belle answered. "This is the first big event since Adam declared him the new Maestro. She's helping him as much as she can." She took a sip out of her cup. "Delicious." she said, smiling at Mrs Potts. "So, do you finally have an idea for Lumiere?"
Michelle shook her head. "No...oh, it's so incredible hard to think of a perfect gift for my darling." She sighed. "But just buying him something seems cheap. I mean, anyone can do that, right?"
"Then paint him something." Belle suggested.
"I thought about it, but I already did paint him something for his birthday...I need to be more original."
"You'll think of something." Belle said to encourage her friend. "So, Chip wants a puppy for Christmas, huh?"
Mrs Potts sighed. "Yes. Oh, if I only had the money. He wants it so much, but dogs are expensive."
"Maybe I could give one to him..." Belle suggested.
"Oh, Belle." Michelle grinned. "That won't be necessary. Let me tell you something."
"What is this?" Lumiere wondered. He bent down to pick up the metal box in front of his door. He noticed the cart attached to it. "To Lumiere from Babette. With love!" He rolled his dark eyes and opened the box. "Cookies?" he mumbled. He took one of them and tried it and it did taste very good! At least it was a useful gift. He'd later thank Babette, but also remind her that he was engaged. "But first, back to work! Dinner needs to be served."
Babette stood in a dark corner in the east wing, waiting for her beloved to come by. No one was here. She crossed her arms and looked around. It was time for him to go back to work! Where was he?! She hoped she'd be able to charm him. The stranger said "until Christmas!" And how'd she deal with the Prince and Princess? She bit her lip nervously, thinking back. Just a year ago, she had thought Lumiere loved her. They were engaged…but then he revealed to her that he had merely used her to make that home wrecker Michelle jealous. Babette let out a frustrated growl. Did she really want to take him back? "Of course!" she hissed. He was hers and no airheaded village hussy would take him away from her.
She let out a deep sigh. And if she had to use magic…turn Lumiere into someone completely different…she'd do it! Would she? She looked at the emerald ne klace and slowly took it off. Was it really the right choice? She wasn't entirely sure… Suddenly Lumiere walked by.
"Babette?"
"Lumiere?" She quickly hid the necklace behind her back. He'd certainly wonder why she'd carry around something that precious.
"Babette… He sighed. "Thank you very much for the cookies."
"You're welcome!" She smiled.
"But…you know I love Michelle. Please, get over me. The two of us…it could never work…"
"I…I know." Babette muttered, barely able to hold back her tears.
He smiled back at her. "Alright. Thank you. See you later!" he said as he walked on.
When he was gone, Babette leaned on a pillar in the corner and slowly sank to the ground, not knowing what to do. She once again looked at the gem.
Last Christmas I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears,
I'll give it to someone special
She got on her feet, walking down the corridor.
Last Christmas I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears,
I'll give it to someone special
She gazed into the kitchen, where all servants, even the ones who usually didn't work there, helped preparing the big feast for tommorrow. She spotted Lumiere, who was talking to Cogsworth.
Once bitten and twice shy
I keep my distance, but you still catch my eye
Tell me baby, do you recognize me?
Well, it's been a year, it doesn't surprise me
She recognized what he wore. It was the vest and pants she had given to him on their first Christmas together. Before Michelle showed up and before the enchantment. They had only been friends then, but she had always loved him deeply.
"Happy Christmas" I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying "I love you", I meant it
Now I know what a fool I've been
But if you kissed me now, I know you'd fool me again
Last Christmas I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears,
I'll give it to someone special
Last Christmas I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears,
I'll give it to someone special
Oooohhhh
Oh oh baby
She took a deep breath and walked into the kitchen.
"There you are, dear." Mrs Potts said smiling. "Could you help Jacqueline and Claudette with the turkey?"
Babette nodded and walked over to the two girls. Jacqueline was a good friend of hers and another maid. Claudette, though…she had joined the staff four months ago and was a young kitchen girl. A young woman around eighteen or nineteen. She wore her light brown hair in a long braid and her body's build was pretty much the same Mrs Potts. Through a pair of small round glasses Babette could see her pretty dark brown eyes.
"You're Babette, right?" The girl asked, smiling. "Nice to meet you. I've heard about you." She held out her hand and Babette reluctantly shook it.
"Nice to meet you too." The maid said. "I hope you only heard only good things."
"Certainly." Claudette grinned. "So, let's get working. Jacqueline is preparing the vegetables and I was just about to do the stuffing. Could you keep an eye on the sauce?"
Babette nodded and both girls went to their work. Still, Babette couldn't resist glancing over to Lumiere, who was now helping with the salmon. He paid no attention to her, but that was no surprise.
A crowded room, friends with tired eyes
I'm hiding from you and your soul of ice
My god, I thought you were someone to rely on
Me? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on
A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
A man under cover but you tore me apart
She flinched when she heard a loathed voice calling.
"Lumiere!" Michelle stood at the door, waving over to her boyfriend. "Let me help you."
"Cheri!" He held his arms open and gave her a tight hug. They were starting to talk about their day, while working on the food.
Babette glared over at them.
Her hand slipped into her skirt's pocket, clutching the necklace. Complete control over the one she loved. A smirk crawled upon her face. She had made her choice.
You'll never fool me again
Last Christmas I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears,
I'll give it to someone special, special
Last Christmas I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears,
I'll give it to someone special
Special
A face on a lover with a fire in his heart (I gave you mine)
A man under cover but you tore him apart
Maybe this year to save me from tears
You'll become someone special
Special
When todays work was done she waited outside for him. He was one of the last people to exit the kitchen, Michelle at his side.
"Lumiere, can we talk?" Babette asked gently. "Just a minute." Then she looked at Michelle, who gave her a suspicious glance. "Alone, please."
"I suppose…"
"Well," Michelle said. "I see no reason why I couldn't hear that as well!"
"Because it's literally none of your business!" Babette yelled.
Michelle flinched.
"Please, Cheri." Lumiere kissed her cheek, making Babettes blood boil. "I will see you later. Wait in your room for me."
Michelle nodded, not sure what to think of this.
"Good!" Babette said and as soon as Michelle had left she put on her necklace. "Now, listen…"