I feel a bit silly for continuing this story right now. So, from now on it will be on hold, until November-December. I'll still keep writing, but until then, I won't publish them. Maybe I'll do a Halloween special in fall. Otherwise I might start another story for some other fandom. Gravity Falls or another Disney movie. We'll see.

Chapter 7: Blue Christmas

The next day, Michelle awoke in her room. She still wore the same dress as yesterday!

It was merely seven a.m, so it was still pretty dark outside, only the reflection of the snowy ground lightened her room a bit. In the distance she heard the sound of church bells. She yawned, stretched her arms and back and climbed out of her bed. She had waited for Lumiere all night long, until she fell asleep.

"What was he doing again?" she mumbled. Then she remembered! Babette had wanted to talk to him. Michelle had a bad feeling. If he didn't show up here, then maybe…?

She sighed. No, no, she was just imagining things. Most likely he had been too tired to visit her or she had already fallen asleep when he came, so he decided to let her rest. She grabbed a clean dress from her wardrobe and went into her bathroom to wash and change.

After she was done she went to the kitchen, where most of the meals for tonight were ready. "This is amazing! I've never seen that much food before!"

"If you think this is great, dear, wait till next week, on Christmas Eve." Mrs. Potts said. Michelle sensed an especially great smell from across the room. "Lamb…" she said, licking her lips. "Maybe if I take just a bite-" she reached for the plate, but slapped her wrist lightly.

"No, dear. I'm sorry, but you have to wait until tonight, like everybody!" She giggled, before finishing the tea for Belle and Adam. Then she handed Michelle a cup as well. "It's chamomile."

"Thanks!" Michelle wondered.

"You're welcome, dear." Mrs. Potts said. "You should eat something. It's going to be a busy day anyway.

"That's true…"

"Say, have you heard what happened last night?" Mrs. Potts asked. Michelle shook her head.

"No," she said.

"Dora got fired last night." Mrs. Potts shook her head.

"Huh? Why?" Michelle asked.

"She just went too far. Cogsworth caught her beating Elena, screaming at her. But to be honest I am glad she's gone. Not only was she a horrible woman, but you do know what that means, right?"

"Yes, Elena can finally life in peace, without getting harassed by her." Michelle said, taking a sip. She knew how awful her friend felt whenever her aunt was around.

"Oh, that as well, dear. But I meant something else."

Michelle looked up with a questioning look. "What do you…" then it dawned on her. Oh, my god!" she exclaimed, falling on a chair.

Mrs. Potts nodded, smiling. "Aren 't you happy, dear?"

"This is…I'm going to be…the royal painter?" Michelle grinned. "So awesome!" She jumped up, hugging the old woman. "Oh, Mrs. Potts. This is the best day of my life." She started to dance around, throwing the maid around.

"Oh, Michelle!" Mrs. Potts chuckled. "You should go to see the Prince. He still has to officially declare you his personal painter." Michelle let go of her. "And please, dear. Don't let him know you already found out about it, yes?"

"Oh. Sure." Michelle agreed, quickly emptying the cup . "This is so-! I have to tell Lumiere! Have you seen him?"

"Not yet, dear." Mrs. Potts said.

"Oh, I'll find him. But first," Michelle laughed. "I'm gonna see Adam!" She waved goodbye and ran out of the kitchen, down the hallway, still grinning. That was so amazing? She'd finally be considered a real artist, not just an apprentice! Nothing could ruin this day! Michelle was so into her joy, that she didn't notice the maid she almost ran into.

"Ugh! Watch out, you klutz!" Babette yelled.

"Ooops, sorry." Michelle giggled awkwardly. Then she remembered. "Say, have you seen Lumiere?" An unpleasant smirk crept over Baette's face. Michelle gave her a suspecting glare. "What did you and my fiancée do last night?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I merely asked him for advice. I wasn't sure what to get Cogsworth for Christmas and no one knows him as good as Lumiere."

"I see. And that took a couple of hours?"

"Well, you didn't let me finish! "Babette snapped, but smiled at her. "At first we were merely talking about that, but then he didn't want to leave." Her smile extended into a cruel smirk. "He enjoyed my company way too much. More than yours it seemed. He completely forgot you were waiting for him!"

"Liar!" Michelle hissed. No! That couldn't be true!

"Believe it or don't, I'm just telling you what happened. After a while I asked him: "Dear, isn't your future bride waiting for you?", and do you know what he answered?"

Michelle's hand turned into a fist, her teeth were clenched. She had trouble keeping herself from just knocking Babette out here and now.

"He said: "Well, I'm not so sure she is going to be my bride after all!"

"Cherie!" Michelle turned around. At the end of the hallway stood Lumiere, looking in her direction. He opened his arms. She smiled at him and did so as well, while he walked towards them. "Oh, Cherie. I couldn't stand to be away from you any longer!"

"Oh, Lumiere!" Michelle whispered, as he was almost there. "You should listen what lies that woman told me about-" Michelle stopped, as Lumiere just walked past her, not even looking at her. She turned around to see him hug Babette and gently kissing her cheek.

"You look gorgeous, Cherie. More than the last time I saw you."

"Oh." Babette rested her head on his chest. "That was just a few hours ago."

"Still, you become more lovely each minute!"

Michelle shook her head, not believing what she just saw.

"Oh, Michelle." Lumiere said, when he finally saw her. "You're here too? I'm sorry, I was so distracted by Babette's glowing beauty that he didn't notice you."

Michelle just looked at him, blankly. Then she turned around and ran off. "Wait, where are you going?`" Lumiere asked, but she was already gone.

"I'm sure Michelle will be head over heels when I offer her this job." Adam said.

"And Elena?" Belle asked. "Is she alright?"

"Yes," her fiancée answered. "Fife and Claudette took care of her."

"Claudette?" Belle asked, trying to remember who she was? "Oh, the new kitchen girl." Elena had told her about her. "

Adam nodded. "Where is Michelle? I asked to tell her that I have a big surprise for her!" He groaned. "Besides, Belle? I wanted to-"

"Belle!" They turned around, as Michelle quietly entered the room. Tears ran down her cheeks, which were bright red.

"Oh, Michelle. Good to see you. I wanted to tell you something!" Adam said, before he noticed her face. "Is something wrong?"

Michelle started to nod, first slowly then faster.

Belle came over to her, hugging her. "Oh, what happened?"

Michelle sobbed. "It's Lumiere. He…no, it wasn't his fault, but Babette did something to him!"

"What?" Belle asked. "What do you mean?"

"Dunno, b-but when I saw them just now, he kissed her, talking about her beauty and so on. But L-Lumiere loves me! So, it had to be her! She did something to him!"

"You can't just accuse her without proof!" Adam said, almost angry. "How could Babette do anything to make him fall in love with her anyway? As far as I know she isn't a witch or enchantress!"

"Adam," Belle said. "If Michelle says that is how it happened, then...I believe her."

"Oh, really?" He folded his arms. "Because she is your friend, huh?!"

"No, because I know she'd never lie to us!" Belle yelled. "Besides,come, Michelle. Let's go to the library and then you can tell me what happened." She turned to Adam once more. "And you calm down! What is it with you lately? Are you turning back into a Beast?" Then she turned around and left the room, along with her best friend.

Adam just stood there and couldn't believe that she really said that. Then he let out a loud, frustrated groan. "Why is everything going so wrong?!" he yelled.

"Master?" He turned around to see Cogsworth. "I don't mean to get involved in things that are none of my business, but…?"

"Yes…we fought again. Oh, Cogsworth." Adam sat down on his bed. "What is happening? I thought that between Belle and me was true love."

"Oh, your Highness. It has to be so or we'd still be cursed." Cogsworth said, putting his hand on his Master shoulder.

"I guess you're right, but…what is it then? Why am I always saying the wrong things or overreact? I thought I had changed, but…"

"But you have." Cogsworth said. "I'll ask Marie to talk to Belle. If someone is good at helping with conflicts, than her."

"Yes, Mrs. Potts always knows what is best." Adam agreed. "Thank you, old friend."

Elena was on the castle grounds, looking for the young man who'd replace Florence until Christmas. "Emilio." She whispered. She hadn't talked to him yet, all she knew was that he was also a Spaniard like her. He had also worked for Adam before the curse happened, but had to return to his family before the fateful Christmas eve.

Then she saw a tall guy, stacking wooden logs. That had to be him! "Excuse me! Emilio?" he turned around and smiled at her.

"Yes?" he asked. "How can I help you?" He was tall, with dark brown hair and eyes. And very good looking too!

"W-well, my name is Elena Pin…Pintura, one of the court musicians-" she stumbled, lightly blushing, when he opened his mouth to grin at her, showing her two jaws full of milk white teeth.

"Ah, yes! I've heard there were two young women from spain working here as well!" he said, his grin grew wider.

"You did?" she asked. "Well, my aunt left today, so it's just me. Anyway…" she explained her current situation.

"Well, I'm busy here, but…if you really need me and since it was Claudette who recommended me to you, I'll ask Prince Adam if he's alright with that."

"Thank you," Elena said, gratefully. "Well, then. I hope to see you later."

He nodded. "I'll ask the Master."

Adam was sitting in his working room, where two maids, Babette and Jacqueline, where cleaning.

Jacqueline, a busty young woman, even more so then Babette, always glanced over to Adam, giggling.

"Don't even think of it!" Babette whispered. "He's the Prince! And engaged! You'll just get in trouble!"

"No, silly, I won't!" Jacqueline once again giggled. He softly brushed her Master's face with her duster However, the young man was too much thought to notice.

"I somehow have to make it up to Belle." He mumbled.

"Oh," Jacqueline cooed. "Isn't Belle a trouble maker? Instead of making it up to her, you could make out wi-"

"Well," Babette quickly pulled back her friend, who had just climbed on Adams desk. Unfortunately, the other maid wasn't very smart. Adam let out a deep groan.

Babette glanced over to him. She had Lumiere back, now it was time to fulfill her part of the deal by ruining Belle and Adam's relationship. She did feel sorry for doing this, she liked both of them. But the end justified the means. Besides, her own happiness was more important than anyone else's, right?

"Something wrong, your Highness?" she asked.

"Yes." He sighed. "Belle is angry with me lately. No matter what I do or say, she always ends up arguing with me. I just…don't know why."

"Oh, well," Babette bit her lip, faking a guilty look. "I shouldn't say this, but…"

"What is it," Adam asked. "Speak!"

"It's just…a week ago I heard Belle talk to her friends about you. She said she was questioning her choice to stay with you. She said that you were better than this other guy…Gaston? But any other man in the village would have been a better husband than you. There would be still too much of a Beast in you!"

"What?!" Adam stood up, his mouth open. "I cant believe it? Is that true?!"

"You know I'd never lie to you!" she said and made a curtsy. "Why would I?" Of course it was a lie and Babette felt a surprisingly lack of guilt while telling them. She looked up to see Adams heartbroken expression.

"Belle, why?" he muttered. Then he shook his head. "Then I was right." He fell back into his chair, burying his head in his hands. "No one could ever love someone like me, Beast nor Prince…"

"That isn't true!" Jacqueline said, grinning and threw her strawberry blonde curls back, while pushing out her breasts to make the look even bigger. "I could always love you!"

Babette rolled her eyes. "Alright, dear. I think the stairs are still a bit dusty! Go on." She said, as she dragged the girl outside, closing the door in front of her.

"Leave me alone, please!" Adam sighed.

Babette nodded, bowed to him and left as well. Lumiere was waiting for her anyway,.

Michelle and Belle looked at each other, the older one still looking quite blue, but no longer crying. "I just know she is responsible for this!" Michelle mumbled. "I don't know what it was, but…"

Suddenly the doors burst open.

"Lumiere!" both Belle and Michelle shouted. He panted.

"Excuse moi!" he said. "Have you seen Babette?"Michelle screamed, causing the young man to back away. "Did I say something wrong?" he wondered, giving the brunette a worried look.

"No, no." Belle said. "She is just…um…in pain!" Michelle glared at her, but Belle merely shrugged. "Knocked her toe on the table."

"Oh, no!" Lumiere said, rushing oer to Michelle. "Can I help you?"

Michelle sighed. "Lumiere, the only way you can help me, is to give me answers!" She grabbed his collar, pulling him closer. He gasped, trying to pull away from her. "What in heaven, hell and earth caused you to betray me and go back to Babette? Again?!"

"Oh, Michelle. When she sang to me last night…it just felt so natural. Like we were meant to be!"

"I see…" So, she sang…is she some sort of siren or what? But how?! "Well, I guess then I'm happy for you." She lied. "But don't forget your promise!"

"Huh?" both Belle and Lumiere said.

"What promise?`" he asked.

"To help me make this holiday the most amazing Christmas of all time." She said, grinning.

"Oooh, that," he chuckled. "No, of course I'll still help you. We'll always be friends, right?" Michelle grabbed his hands.

"Of course." She said with a smile.

"He nodded." Thanks for understranding. Now…I've got to go!" He nodded, turned around and left the library.

"You're taking it pretty well." Belle said, mildly confused.

"Yeah, of course. He's brainwashed and not himself at all!"

"Hmm. Are you really sure about that?" Belle asked. She shook her head. "Michelle, I know magic exists. I witnessed it. But...you've got no proof it's true. I don't think you're lieing, but..."

"No doubt!" Michelle said.

"If you say so..."

Once again the doors opened and Cogsworth entered, bowing in front of them. "Miss, your fiancée is waiting for you in the dining room."

Belle giggled. "Cogsworth, I told you, just keep calling me Belle." She walked over to him. "I feel a bit weirdwhen friends call me "Miss" or "Mademoiselle"."

"I guess you're right." Cogsworth answered.

Belle turned back to her friend Michelle. "Are you coming."

"No," she said. "I'll think I'm going to look after Elena…" Belle nodded. "See you later."

Michelle agreed and after the others left, she went down the corridor to the living room. She passed Angelique and her assistants putting another Christmas tree in in the corridor, before reaching it.

I'll have a blue Christmas without you

I'll be so blue just thinking about you

Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree

Won't be the same, dear, if you're not here with me

Nobody was there, so she sat on a couch in front of the window. She stared outside where the white snowflakes started to fall. She remembered, their first Christmas together. All of the servants had gathered here, on December 23. She and Lumiere had sat on this very couch, cuddling with each other and Lumiere singing that song…white Christmas? She sighed.

And when those blue snowflakes start falling

That's when those blue memories start calling

You'll be doin' all right with your Christmas of white

But I'll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas

Only a day later, everything went to hell. She had caught Lumiere and Babette in the closet, making out. And then the enchantment...but it did turn out alright. They made up and realized they were meant to be…she sighed deeply. "I'll save you…" she whispered, once again tearing up.

You'll be doin' all right with your Christmas of white

But I'll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas