Hello folks! I'm back with Chapter 2! Here it is.

Thank you Civilwarrose, Nimara Portmac, and Batbinmyheart91 for the lovely reviews!

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Chapter 2:

High Expectations

Babette awoke the next morning to the sun shining through the open window. Feeling the warmth on her face, she groaned and reached out to close the curtains, keeping her eyes slammed shut. Morning already? Well, merci le Dieu Cogsworth seems to have forgotten about me. However, as she reached over, her hand fell on warm clothing.

Momentarily confused she fluttered her eyes open, and smiled in adoration at the sight. Lumiere, hair dishevelled, was fast asleep, his arms still wrapped gently around her. She hesitated for a moment. I do not want to wake him. He looks so peaceful, and he had to wake early every day a few months ago. How tired he must be. Still, she decided to wake him, because otherwise the maitre'd would get into trouble.

The maid gently gripped his shoulder, giving it a slight shake. "Lumiere, mon cher, awaken s'il vous plait," she whispered.

He groaned in annoyance, before turning on his side. Still incredibly groggy he answered quietly, "Go away Cogsworth, you up-tight old pocket watch. I am tired."

Babette could not resist a giggle at his comment. She tried again with the same tactic, and found success when he began to stir.

Shifting from his position, the maitre'd rolled back to face her. His eyes opened slowly, and he gently smiled upon sight of the woman beside him. Placing a gentle kiss on her forehead he murmured, "Du martin ma cheri."

Smiling, Babette returned the kiss, before answering softly, "Do you happen to know where Cogsworth is? Did he say anything about not waking me?" Much as she dreaded the morning bellows off the Head of Household, Babette did wonder where he was. Surely…surely he would not have given himself a few extra minutes of sleep. What a sight that would be!

Putting a hand on his chest in mock offense, Lumiere teased, "What? Do you not wish me to be here?"

She laughed, "No. I was just wondering where he was. My morning did not quite seem the same without his shouts of 'arise from your slumbers'."

The maitre'd grinned, "Well…I may have said last night that I would take it upon myself to wake you Of course, he did not know that I planned on spending the night."

Babette let out a small gasp of surprise. As if she had been given a scandalous piece of gossip she asked in a whisper, "He let you do that?"

"Mais oui. He seemed rather distracted last night, you see. I have no idea why, but I am not one to frown at good fortune," her suitor answered.

Sitting up from bed, the chambermaid ran a hand through her hair. Stifling a yawn she stretched, before smiling softly. "Forgive me mon amour, but I am not yet completely awake."

"It is quite alright ma cherie, for I myself am not entirely functional first thing in the morning," Lumiere responded. Taking her hand he placed a gentle kiss on it, before saying. "If it is any assistance, you look just as beautiful as ever."

Babette rolled her eyes playfully. "Lumiere Francois, are you trying to charm me?" she questioned with a smirk.

He softly kissed her cheek, and whispered close to her ear. "Mais oui, although I hoped that after what I had to go through to finally announce that I love you, that you would need no further charming."

Babette gave a small laugh, "Do not worry yourself mon cher. I do not need any further convincing of your affection for me."

The Frenchman smirked, "That news pleases me, ma petite, for I would not want to have to attempt to break through your stubborn nature once again. It still amazes me how I managed to do so the first time," he answered.

All of a sudden, Cogsworth's voice came from the other side of the closed door. "Miss Roux, the Master wishes to speak with you!"

She froze in sudden fear. "What about?" the maid asked, unable to keep her voice from quivering.

"I don't know, all that I know is that if you don't hurry up he's going to throw a fit," replied the Head of Household.

The chambermaid nodded, "Alright. Wait a moment while I fix myself up." Babette rose from her bed and turned to Lumiere. "I give you my deepest apologies for the interruption, but the unfortunate fact is that I cannot disobey our Master when he is in a mood most foul."

He nodded, "Unfortunately, that is often," he sighed, "Would you like me to take my leave?"

Babette shook her head, "No, it is not necessary."

Cogsworth interrupted impatiently, "Miss Roux! Do hurry yourself!"

The chambermaid groaned, "Remain calm mon ami, I am hurrying!" she called back. Carefully picking up her uniform from its place she turned to her suitor. "Mon cher, do you mind turning your back while I dress?"

The young man gave a look of teasing disappointment. "Must I? I was quite hoping to see that," he responded with a mischievous grin. Babette rolled her eyes playfully as he turned his back.

Once she was clothed in her uniform, the young woman seated herself at her vanity. She proceeded to run a brush through her hair. Lumiere's smile faded when he noticed her expression of deep concern, "Ma cheri, what is the matter?" he asked.

"I am worried about what the Master wants me for, that is all. The only time when he has ever personally called on me is when I have been in trouble," the younger of them explained. She shuddered, thinking back to only six months ago when she and Lumiere had been called by the prince and nearly dismissed.

Walking over, the maitre'd placed his hands softly on her shoulders. "You must not worry about a single thing. The Master could have many reasons to call upon you," he responded.

Standing, Babette replied, "Oui. But none of them are good."

Patting her shoulder, the Frenchman continued with a smile, attempting to lighten her mood, "I am afraid Cogsworth is the one who will have a fit if I do not leave. I will see you later in the day, mon treasure?"

After blushing at the name the maid nodded, "Mais oui. I will look forward to it."

The young chambermaid's heart was pounding when she stood outside the door of the West Wing. Taking a deep breath she raised her hand and knocked. Although her mouth felt dry she managed to speak long enough to announce her arrival. "Master, it is Babette. You called for me?"

"Yes, did you think I would have forgotten? Get in here!" the prince answered rudely.

Cringing at the harshness of his words she entered immediately, shutting the door. She hurried to stand before the young prince, head down and arms behind her back. Her mind swam. What does he want of me? Has he decided to dismiss me for some reason? There was a tense silence that made her nearly want to collapse to the floor from her nervousness. Why will he not speak? The maid could feel the royal boy's eyes on her, his gaze feeling as though it was drawing all strength from her.

Adam spoke so suddenly that it nearly made her jump. "Babette, you are the second servant I have told of this, and I will tell you in confidence, not that I believe I should bestow such a luxury on my staff. However, Cogsworth and Mrs. Potts, whom I both trust, suggested that I inform you." He took a deep breath and hesitated a moment, as if thinking over what he would say.

The chambermaid shifted uncomfortably. What is so important that he needs to tell me?

The prince continued. "There is going to be a celebration at the castle here in a few days, and I have been told that many dignitaries will be pleasant. I…trust you to get the maids in order and make sure that this castle is as presentable and grand as possible. I do not care if you exhaust yourself, for you should have expected that when you came into my employment. You will do as much work as you can until you cannot move and you will be thankful for it!"

Babette nodded, "Yes Master, I understand," she answered.

Adam crossed his arms. "Good, now don't even dare to disappoint me on this Babette. If you do, you can be sure you will get a beating," he snapped.

The maid shuddered fearfully. She had seen many a servant, even female, receive a beating. One poor girl, she remembered, would not stop crying. I do not want that to be me. Taking a deep breath, she said. "Rest at ease Master. I will make sure that this celebration runs as smoothly as it can."

He nodded, "At least you have some common sense in you. Now, leave. You and the other maids will bypass your usual duties and begin the preparations. The celebration is at the beginning of next week."

Babette exited the room quickly, "Yes Master," she replied. I have done this in a matter of days before, so that is not my problem. The young woman had other things on her mind. She had no idea why, but Babette had an unsettling feeling about the upcoming ball.

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Well, there it is. What do you think? Please review!

I haven't even written the next chapter, so don't get too exited for an update anytime soon.

I'll see you all when I see you!

-Babetteisawesome :)