Alright, as per your requests, here is another chapter. Keep reviewing and I'll keep writing. Thanks. Enjoy.

Invitation

Belle's POV

A moment of silence filled the room as the beast waited for a response. Except I didn't know what to say. I felt like child caught with their hand in the cookie jar. The Beast then finally turned in his extra-large chair to face me. He was smiling which was comforting at least.

"I…I heard your purr and I followed it… to you." I replied shyly. His smile widened and I couldn't help but smile in return.

"I'm glad you came. Good to know I can call you to me fondly instead of yelling for you." I laughed. Then he spread his arms towards me in beckoning. "Come to me." He said. Even said politely, I knew it was an order so I rose from my seat and crossed the room to him.

The Beast pulled me onto his lap and wrapped his arms around me. Instead of being uncomfortable, I was instantly comforted and so I relaxed against him and laid my head upon his chest. His purr picked up again and I smiled.

"I really love that" I admitted.

He chuckled. "Good, because you're the only one I make it for." His response filled me with a warm feeling deep in my chest. A good feeling of something I hadn't really felt before.

"Oh Beast" I whispered and nuzzled my cheek against the soft fur of his chest. Heat radiated from him, warming me to the core. I sighed contently. "Beast, why did you call me here?" I asked suddenly curios.

"I wanted to ask you something. I was… well I was wondering if you would dance with me tomorrow night. A bit of a celebration for your happy arrival here, late as it may be. The ballroom had gone unused for far too long."

Beast's POV

Courage Beast, courage! I internally chanted, forcing myself to spit out the second part of my plan. I had to ask her to dance with me, had to show her I could be a prince she deserved. Nervously I waited the millisecond for her to respond. She lifted her head from my chest to beam up at me with her sweet smile.

"I would love nothing more" she replied. She accepted! I embraced her tightly which caused her to giggle.

"Thank you Belle!" My purr picked up a notch. Her slim arms wound around me as best they could as she returned my embrace. We stayed like that for a while, me holding her and her cuddling against me. This was heaven. I could only hope that this would become a frequent practice in the future.

I had given up hope a female would come and yet here was Belle, not only the most beautiful woman I had ever seen but also the kindest, funniest, most creative woman as well. I knew what was beginning to happen somewhere in the locked chambers of my heart. I was falling in love.

This woman, so petite compared to myself was weaving herself to my soul. She was changing me for the better and I barely began to hope that she might be capable of causing the greatest change of all, of freeing me from this curse.

Thoughtfully, I rubbed my chin against the top of her head. "mmmmm what are you thinking?" She inquired lazily.

I couldn't reveal the full truth of my thoughts but I replied "I am thinking of how nice it is to have you here with me. To be graced by your touch."

"My sweet Beast, I wish I had found you sooner so you would not have been alone for so long." She said softly, as if guilty. But none of this was her fault, she had absolutely nothing to feel bad about. I didn't want her to regret anything, not even timing.

"You found me in time." I whispered. She gave a puzzled look and was about to inquire as to my choice of words when there came clopping at the door. My purr switched to a low growl and I instinctively pulled Belle closer. "What is it Cogsworth?" I asked, my tone clipped. Belle began stroking my fur in a silent attempt to keep me calm.

"Sir, Mrs. Potts needs you for some arrangements." The terrible timing of my staff was only one reason it was easy to get frustrated with them. Again, I rubbed my chin against Belle's soft hair to try and keep my control.

"She can deal with it on her own Cogsworth."

"But Sir, there is also your fitting…"

My growl increased despite Belle's soothing actions. "Not now Cogsworth!" I yelled.

"Y…yes sir." He stammered and rushed off.

"Poor Cogsworth" Belle whispered in reprimand. I sighed.

"My temper still needs work, I admit that. But I will not allow anyone to ruin this moment. No one will take you from me."

Belle's POV

While his words were almost romantic, they reminded me of my status here. I was still his prisoner. While I had freedom over my heart, he controlled all else. He owned my life. I was not free. I was powerless against him. Even if I rejected his affections, I could not leave the castle. I went silent in the Beast's arms as I ponder these sad facts. But maybe, because I was starting to like the beast much more, maybe being his prisoner wasn't quite so bad?

After a while he asked worriedly "Belle?"

"Sorry, I was just lost in my thoughts." Absentmindedly he began stroking my hair and I let him. The feel of his claws so gently drawing through my hair felt nice. "Beast?"

"Yes Belle?"

"Tell me more about you, about your past. How did you to be at this palace?" I felt him stiffen.

"Does such a thin matter to you?" He asked. I sat up to look at him.

"I am just trying to learn more about you, to know you better." I amended. It appeared I'd struck a nerve. Did it have to do with the enchantment on this place?

"I'm afraid there isn't much to tell." He said softly. I gave him a look.

"You aren't fooling anyone with that one, but if you don't want to talk about it, then I understand. We can talk about something else instead."

"I would prefer that better. Can I ask about you? What has your past been like?" Oh sure, he was allowed to ask me any question he liked but I couldn't ask any. "Tell me about your childhood." He inquired.

"Well my father is an inventor. He's a bit eccentric but really he's brilliant. I love him so much. Because successful inventions take a while to make, my family wasn't very financially secure in the past. It my mother who brought in the steady income, small as it was. She would sing in public or at parties and people would pay her for her voice. She had such a beautiful voice. She would take me on walks and sing with the birds along the way. I always thought of her as my mother Robin and I was her chick. It was she who got me into reading. "Just because you are a lady, does not mean you have to be a fool." She used to say. She always wanted to give me excitement and fun but when our finances wouldn't allow it, she would give it to me in the form of a book. It was the easiest form of learning because I was so wrapped up in the story I didn't even realize I was learning." I laughed at that. I remembered my mother's laugh. I missed it. Suddenly I became somber. "She died when I was eight. It's been just my father and I since then." The loss of my mother had made my father very close over the years as we tried to recover from her absence. Now, I had lost my father as well. I missed him oh so much.

Up until then the Beast had seemed pleasantly entertained by my recollection. Now, his mood fell as well. "I am sorry Belle. I too lost both of my parents when I was very young. I can understand the pain you felt, the pain you must sometimes still feel." He pulled me into a tight hug and I took in the comfort I so needed in that moment. I had managed to learn even that small bit of information about my Beast. He was an orphan. He understood. I hugged him back.

We sat there for a long time talking about little things and fun things and past things and all sorts of things. Eventually we had dinner and after reading together for a while by the fire in the library, I eventually retired to bed. The Beast walked me all the way back to my room and just before we parted he took my hand and raised his to his lips and gave it the smallest kiss. "Sleep well sweet Belle" He said and then walked off to his own private quarters in the West Wing. I watched him leave with a smile on my face until he was out of sight.

When I walked into my room, my armoire friend already had a nightgown ready. I laughed. "Thank you." I changed clothing and while I was getting into bed a thought came to mind. "Have you been here a long while?" I asked her.

"Oh yes, many years. Why?"

"Do you remember the Beasts parents?" The color seemed to drain from her polished wood face if that were possible. "Were they beasts too? Did they live here?"

"I…I really shouldn't say. That's for the master to tell. Not my place. Nope, not my place at all. Goodnight dearie." She said and closed her eyes with a snap and began snoring almost instantly.

I sighed. Big help you are, I thought inwardly. As I lay back upon the pillows and cuddled underneath the covers. I smiled as I thought of the Beast's invitation to dance tomorrow. I became giddy at the thought. I looked up at the ceiling and imagined the Beast laying with me, holding me tight as he had done earlier. "Until tomorrow Beast" I said to the empty room.

Beast's POV

"Until tomorrow my darling."

Thanks for reading. Don't forget to review. I think all of you can imagine what will happen next. Get excited hehe.