After my friend Kelly had my characters appear in her new story (another BatB fanfiction called "Florence's Heart", check it out!), I decided to give her OC Florence a cameo in this chapter. Also, I hope you won't mind if there are longer breaks between the chapters. I have a lot stuff going on irl and this story, as much as I love to write it, isn't the most important thing to worry about right now.

Baby, It's Cold Outside-Part 2

After most people had left the kitchen, Claudette got ready to clean help cleaning.

"Oh, dear. Would you please take this up to the music room?" Mrs Potts asked, handing her a tablet with a tea pot and two cups. "Elena and Fife could use something to calm their nerves. I heard the rehearsing isn't going as planned either."

Claudette nodded. "Sure, ma'am." She took the tablet and the old lady gave her a smiling nod.

Up there, the loud melodies of "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" filled the whole wing. The orchestra was working hard to play as perfect as possible, with...mixed results.

"Sounds much better then the last try, don't you think?" Elena whispered into Fife's ear.

"I guess," he said nervously, hoping that all of them would improve until next week, to the point, no one would forget their parts. Most of the orchestras musicians were new, young artists. Before the enchantment there had only been that old wind bag and Fife himself, who had dreamt of an own solo part. Now, they had to find good musicians and while the Prince could have hired all old masters of the country, he intended to support young talented people. They were good, but didn't harmonize very well…yet!

When the song ended, both of them clapped. "Very good, guys. Much better!" Elena said cheerfully. "Now-" Suddenly they heard a loud sneeze out of the bunch. "Gesundheit." She added.

"Thank you." It was Florence, a young violinist.

"Oh, dear." Elena approached her. "Are you feeling well?"

"I…I don't know." The blonde gir answered. Elena put her hand on the girls forehead, it was burning hot. "Dear, I think you've got a fever." She mumbled. The other musicians backed away. "You better go to bed and take care of yourself."

"No…I have to play. Can't let you down!" Florence protested, but Elena shook her head.

"Your health is more important! We'll find a solution, don't worry. Now get rest." Florence nodded and left the room as quick. "You all should get some sleep. So none of you will be sleepy for another twelve hours of practice."

The others groaned. As they put their instruments away and also left the room.

"No violinist…what now?"

"Stay calm. She might be better by Christmas eve."

"But she won't be able to play her part!" Fife said, close to freaking out.

Elena put her hands on his shoulders.. "Calm down, sweetie. You can do this."

"Wow, Mrs Potts wasn't exaggerating."

They looked up. "Claudette!" Elena greeted. "What do you mean`"

"Never mind." The kitchen maid filled the cups with fresh fennel tea. "Please." She handed them to her friends.

"Thank you." Both of them answered.

"Say, Claudette, do you know a violinist?"

"Hm…" She thought for moment. "Oh, yeah! What about that Florence?"

Elena and Fife sighed. "We mean aside from her. We have to replace her next week."

"Well, what about Emilio?"

Elena looked up. "Emilio Apuesto?" she asked.

"Yes. He's a good friend of mine and he can play." She chuckled. "His mother wanted for him to become a famous violin player, but he preferred working in nature."

"I'll ask him in the morning." Fife said.

"You know…you should stay with the orchestra." Elena said. "I'll do this."

"But…," Fife sighed. "If you want to."

"So, you are still wasting your time with this?" The three of them turned to the door, to see who had entered now.

"Aunt Dora!"

The woman came in, her brown hair was tied into a strict bun as always and as always she wore a bright red dress, sticking out.

"It's a shame you are wasting your life with this nonsense instead of true art. Look what it made out of you!" She pointed at Elena's limping leg. "Had you listened to me, nothing of this would have happened!"

"And yet," Elena glared at her aunt. "I rather have a limp then you around!"

SLAP!

Elena held a her red, throbbing cheek. Claudette immediately ran out of the room.

"Why did you say that?!" Dora screeched.

"L…leave her alone!" Fife yelled, but Elena put a hand on his arm.

"It's alright, Fife." Then she turned back to her aunt. "Leave now! And don't think of ever talking to me again!"

"No, I will never leave you alone, you little brat!"

Dora was furious and even Fife was shaking in anger, but Elena tried her hardest to stay calm. "I no longer view you as my aunt. You should go now."

Dora growled and raised her hand again. Elena instinctively backed away, when she noticed someone approaching them. One of them was Claudette, the other one was… Dora was too much caught in fury to notice.

"Dorotea Pintura!"

The older woman gasped and turned around. "Cogsworth." She snarled. He was standing there, Claudette beside him. "I was just talking to my niece."

"Yes, I noticed your way of "speaking"." He folded his arms. "That's it! I should have done this when I realized how much you harassed your niece. "He shook his head. "It was a huge mistake to give you another chance."

"What do you meean?!"

"You are fired!"

She laughed. "Only the Prince can do that!" she said.

"And that's where you're wrong! Besides, if I tell him about this, he'll do the same." Cogsworth gestured over to the door. "Let's go, pack your things. You're leaving in the morning!"

"So, what then? The Prince loves his art. What will he do without me?"

"Don't you worry. I know just the girl who can fill your place."

Dora sighed. "Her…I taught her well. At least a worthy replacement." Then they walked out.

Claudette approached Elena carefully, hoping she had done the right thing. They looked at each other and now, she noticed that tears started to run down Elena's cheeks. Suddenly she wrapped her arms around the larger girl, pulling her into a hug.

"Thank you…" Elena whispered. Claudette gently stroke her back. "It's alright."

Fife also wrapped an arm around his friend.

Elena sobbed, but these were only partly of sadness. They were also tears of joy. Finally, her aunt would be out of her life.

"Where are you taking me?" Lumiere asked, as Babette lead him to the stables. Just as she had hoped, no one was in here. She pulled him inside locking the door behind him. Lumiere had a bad feeling about this.

"Babette, is this another attempt to-"

"Hush!" She put her index finger on his lips. The gem hadn't worked yet, but maybe magic always took some time. But how to make it quick, so he couldn't get away?

"Lumiere, look into your heart. I am the one!"

"Not that again." He had a bad feeling about this. Maybe he shouldn't have come here with her? "Let me go, Babette!" he demanded.

"Why are you trying to stay away from your true love, dear?"

"I'm not trying to stay away…you are keeping me from being with her right now!"

"Oh, forget that slut!" Babette snapped. Then she took out two small bottles. "I took this from the kitchen to help us get…cozy." There had to be a way to rush the magic.

Sing… A voice whispered inside her mind. Should she? It was worth a try.

The man on the other hand wanted to run. No, something wasn't right! Lumiere made for the door, but it was locked.

"I simply must go…"

"But, baby, it's cold outside" Babette sang, approaching him, seductively.

"The answer is "No" Lumiere answered!

"But, baby, it's cold outside!"

"This welcome has been…"

"How lucky that you dropped in."

"So…nice and…warm?"

"Look out the window at that storm!"

He looked out but there was only a calm snow fall. She was crazy! He cleaned his throat.

"My girlfriend will be suspicious!"

Babette leaned closer to him.

"Gosh your lips look delicious."

"My Master will be there at the door!"

"Waves upon a tropical shore."

"Mrs. Pott's mind is vicious!"

Babette gave him a brief kiss.

"Gosh your lips are delicious."

There was no way out, at least had he not found one yet.

"But maybe just a little drink more!"

He desperately snatched the bottle from her hand and emptied it quickly.

"I've got to get home!"

"But, baby, you'll freeze out there."

She hugged him. Lumiere felt as if his mind was slipping. He was actually enjoying her embrace. The alcohol? But such a small amount couldn't do that…could it? It had to be something different.

"It's up to your knees out there." She whispered.

"You've really been grand…" Lumiere said, trying to figure out what was happening to him.

"I thrill when you touch my hand." She said putting his hand on her cheek.

"But don't you see…"

"How can you do this thing to me?"

"There's bound to be talk tomorrow."

"Think of my life-long sorrow." She put her head on his chest.

"At least there will be plenty implied!"

She shook her head, her eyes seemed worried." If you got pneumonia and died!"

"I really can't stay!" Lumiere said, but not even himself believed what he said there. She was so pretty and irresistible!

"Get over that hold out!"

He noticed those beautiful green eyes…green? Weren't Babette's eyes…but what did it matter? He wanted to be just hers.

"Baby it's cold outside!" both of them finished and leaned into a long, passionate kiss.