A/N:: Sry about how short this chapter is. Wanted to update soon. Plus the next part I want to work on is big wanted to leave a whole chapter for it. Anyway love all you who like this fic. Thank you for the encouraging reviews.

Chapter 4

Belle and Beast were out in the snow. It being near Christmas Belle wanted to celebrate a happy Christmas with Beast, her father and Luke. She convinced Beast to at least try for a good Christmas. She wanted to make new pleasant memories for both of them.

They were off to find a tree. Climbing a hill in the forest they searched for a good tree. Find a clearing at the top they found a great tree.

"That one would look great in the parlor." Belle pointed to a large evergreen pine.

"Yes it would. It is a perfect size for the room." Beast smiled enjoying his time with her.

"Oh no! We forgot the axe." Belle observed.

"You are right. Use your magic." Beast told her putting his clawed hand on her shoulder. She nodded and concentrated. Swiping her hand out she unleashed a concentrated line of magic. It sliced through the trunk in one go. It fell with a softened thud from the thick snow.

"How are we going to get it back to the castle?" Belle said thoughtfully.

"We can do it together. Your magic and my strength." Beast offered the solution. Belle nodded with a smile and uses her magic to enchant the tree. So it didn't drag as bad. Beast then dug his claws into the trunk near the cut end. He pulled and they made their way back.

They spent the rest of the day decorating after the tree was up. Maurice and Luke arrived when they were nearly done. They smiled and laughed, as they all finished decorating. They finished in time for dinner.

Going to the dinning room they found a festive meal. It was prepared by the enchanted staff. They sat and enjoyed the meal. Making small talk, jokes and the like.

"So, are you two getting married?" Luke asked with a sly smile knowing full well the result it would cause.

"Well... uh..." Beast stuttered and coughed a bit.

"Luke! That is not any of your business until we tell you. That is if we decide to or not." Belle started rambling out of embarrassment.

"Luke, Belle's right." Maurice scolded Luke. "Well if you children will behave this old-timer is going to turn in early." Maurice chuckled pushing himself away from the table. Standing up he walked out of the room and up to his room.

The others awkwardly chatted till one by one they went to bed.

The next day everyone was up doing their own thing. Maurice was chatting with Mrs. Potts while she worked. Luke was building a fire in the parlor with the tree, he added some herbs that made it smell wonderful. Beast was putting up pine and ribbons with some of the other enchanted staff. Belle wandered into the garden for some winter blossoms.

In the garden Belle hadn't noticed the enchanted foot stool had followed her. Then all of a sudden, with a scream, she was on her rear.

Beast heard her scream and tore out of the door near the garden. Luke and Maurice heard Beast and followed.

Beast found the dent in the snow where Belle fell, but no Belle. Then something hit him in the back of the head as he looked around. Luke and Maurice started laughing. They were soon hit too. Then they saw Belle throw more snow balls. Soon it was an all out snow ball war. They all laughed, dodged, and threw to the best of their ability.

After all the fun was over they took a breather. Laying in the snow.

"Damn it! I should have never laid down. I am to old for this." Maurice groaned trying to get up. Beast stood over him in an instant and offered a large still furry, on the back, clawed hand. Maurice took it and was effortlessly lifted off the snow till his feet were under him. "Thank you, son." Maurice said.

"You're welcome." Beast nodded in respect and turned to help Belle off the ground. He lifted her with even less effort. He didn't let her touch the ground again. He took her right inside.

"Beast, I can walk." Belle weakly protested. As a blush stained her cheeks.

"I know." That was all Beast said as he took her up to her room. Her left her to change. He ran and did the same. Everyone wandered back down to the parlor in their own time. Mrs. Potts wheeled in on her serving cart with hot tea, hot cocoa, and hot soup. They all got cozy around Luke's scented fire and relaxed. The fire smelled like cinnamon and honey. Spicy and warm.

Eventually the night drew to a close and everyone wandered off to bed. Belle dozed off snuggled against Beast. So he carried her up. They were the last to go.

"Beast you're so warm." Belled murmured as she held tightly to him. He laid her in her bed and she wouldn't let him go. So he climbed in with her and held her close and protective.

Somewhere outside town Gaston was making plans.