Chapter 12: Because I love her
Gabriel found himself more and more willing to get out of bed. Before, he would dread the oncoming day, but now, in his newly cleaned room, where Belle had helped him straighten up his room, he was more than willing to face the day.
Climbing out of his bed, he took at look at the small portrait of Belle (as he believed it to be) and smiled brightly. He smiled, tonight, he thought to himself, and I know how to do it too.
He dressed himself in some pants and a cloak, he felt the need to do so, to help him seem less beastly. He would have worn a shirt, but his bulky torso was too big for any shirts, and so he was content to wear what he could.
Belle hadn't come down for breakfast yet, and so it gave him enough time to plan out what he had in mind for tonight. Over the past two months, Belle not only had taught him how to read, but also to write and allowing himself to take his time to write neatly, he wrote out and sealed a letter for Belle. Gabriel was very fortunate that Belle touched his hands or else his hooves would have made a very messy letter.
With a blue rose tied to the letter, it was perfect. He was so confident that everything would go as he hoped, and nothing could bring his mood down.
Hearing Belle coming down the stairs, he hurried into the kitchen and watched through the crack of the door Belle, who looked heavenly in green, bringing out the green in her eyes, she spotted the letter. Gabriel could almost hear her read the letter aloud, and prided himself in his choice words,
Mademoiselle Belle du Bois,
You are cordially invited to a ball tonight,
Hosted by your gracious student, Monsieur Gabriel, in your honor.
There shall be dinner and dance, to show in his small way to thank you.
She smiled, oh God, she smiled! Gabriel felt that his heart could burst from joy, and felling quite satisfied with this sight, he entered with the breakfast tray with a giddy, "Good morning Belle."
"Good morning Gabriel." She answered smiling, and holding up the letter she said, "I see you have been practicing your penmanship."
"Oh my, you have read the letter!" He replied in a feigned surprise, making Belle giggle at his childish ways, "I have completely forgotten about that! Oh, well since you have read it, what do you think?"
He set the table as she said, "Well, I quite admire your B's and your G's are very curvy. I also like your structure, and I am very much looking forward to such an occasion."
Gabriel felt proud and nervous, for he was closer to his plan and yet he was worried if anything should go wrong. No, do not doubt yourself, he thought, you have proven yourself better than you are appeared to be.
"I am glad that you liked it, and I promise that it shall be an enchanting night that you shall not forget."
"I am sure." Belle answered with a smiled.
Gabriel was all nerves the whole day through, trying to figure out different ways to plan the night and thought different methods of how to bring up upon the subject, thinking of the classic "Will you's" and "Grant me the honor's", but they hadn't seemed right, she deserved better.
He excused himself from her almost all day to prepare the ballroom and gardens for her, and then when the time came he hurried to his room to see if he had anything better to wear, there to be greeted by a blue suit with gold trimmings, fitted to his measurements. He was sure Belle hadn't made them, so he thanked the magic spirit that had been watching over him all these years. He tried his best to comb out his messy mane, which came out better than he expected and with some colane, he smelled better than a wet animal.
The clock struck seven, and with a tentative hand, he took the small box from his drawer, that once belonged to his mother, and with a few deep breaths, he hurried down stairs to find Belle waiting for him.
How beautiful she looked, unlike him, she wore a golden yellow gown with lace laying gracefully upon her shoulders and cuffs, on her neck hung a golden chain with a single pearl with her hair laying delicately against her collar bone. Her hair half up curled beautifully draping along her neck and shoulders.
Belle was perfection and Gabriel felt even more nervous about tonight.
"Oh Gabriel, how wonderful you look!"
If he could blush, Gabriel would have. But he simply smiled and said truthfully, "I thank you, I have never been called handsome before."
"Well you are."
And in that moment, a small moment, he felt it. Extending an arm out for her, he said, "If I may escort such a lovely lady to dinner, it would be my greatest honor."
She smiled and wrapped an arm around his and was lead to a lovely feast. The room was filled with the scent of roses as roses were nearly seated on every table in the room in all variety of colors, and with gentle candlelight mixed with moonlight, the atmosphere was set and Gabriel thanked the spirit for all of their help.
After the dinner, Gabriel stood up and with a graceful bow, he asked her if she may accompany him into the ballroom. The ballroom was greatly illuminated with candles, making the chandelier sparkle and the ceiling's painting glow as if it was alive.
Gabriel bowed to her again and asked, "Would you give me the greatest honor of dancing with me?"
"I would be delighted." She curtsied to him and led the way into a dance. She showed him where his hands ought to go and hoping that his lessons have prevailed, he soon took over and with his wolves legs, he gracefully twirled Belle around the ballroom to the music played by invisible musicians.
They didn't talk much, letting the dance speak for them. They had not realized that they danced so much that the music had stopped. Gabriel decided to take her out to the balcony in the warm night, to which Belle remarked, "How beautiful it is!"
"Yes you are." Gabriel whispered, but then quickly fixed himself and said, "Yes, the nights here are rather beautiful." Gripping the box in his pocket he asked, "Belle, are you happy here with me?"
Belle smiled genuinely, "Yes, but, I do miss my father and brother." She wranged her hands and asked, "Gabriel, would you please give me something, if I asked for it?"
"I wouldn't refuse you anything you wished for." Gabriel replied willingly.
"Please let me go back to my father and brother."
Gabriel had to grab the rail of the balcony in order to not faint, releasing the box in his pocket. Go away? Leave him?
Turning to anger he said, "You seek to take advantage of a weak moment."
"No, only to hold you to your word. You said you would deny me nothing. For two months I have not seen my family, and I miss them so. And I," Belle gave a small pause and continued, "I didn't wish to worry you, but I fear that it may be true. I have been having dreams of my father who seems to be dying. Please, let me go to him and help him get back to his feet."
Gabriel felt terrible for being cross with her, for she did have a family that she loved and who loved her. How could he have believed that she would just forget about them because she was here? He should have realized that she would never be intentionally cruel to him.
"Belle, if I had only known."
"I am sorry I hadn't told you, but I wasn't even sure if it was real or not. But I fear that it may be, and I must see him."
Gabriel nodded and then said quietly. "I understand. Belle, if you truly wish to be with your family, you may leave tomorrow and never return."
"Oh no!" Belle cried, "I wish to be back, I very much want to come back. I wish only a week with my family. Please, I promise to return."
His eyes brightened. "Truly, you wish to return?"
"Of course. I enjoy your company, and I would be very ungrateful to you to just leave you."
It wasn't the answer he was looking for, but he was glad that she would be back, giving him more time to win her. He pulled out the ring and showed it to Belle. It was shaped into a rose, made out of opal with diamonds surrounding the flower. Belle didn't pay much attention to the splendor of the ring, but on Gabriel who explained, "If you wear this ring on your right ring finger, you will be sent back to your father's home and then by the end of the week, place this ring on your left ring finger and you will be back home with me."
Belle was so happy that she nearly fell to her knees and gripping his hand.
"Oh, bless you Gabriel. Bless you!"
"Bless I have already been to have known you."
She took the ring and whispered to it, "I will be back soon father."
Gabriel knew that the night was over, so he lead her back to her room, not talking on the way.
Belle suddenly hugged him a tight hug that made Gabriel feel vulnerable and safe. "Thank you so much and I promise to be back."
"I know you will, for you are a good girl. In your room are some trunks, fill it with what you will for your family. As my way of thanks. Good night Belle."
"Good night Gabriel." She then disappeared into her room, leaving Gabriel standing there alone.
He quickly turned away, hurrying to his room and once he was there, he started to wreak the place. He was so angry, he had so much planned and none of it went well. He picked up the portrait read to destroy it, but was stopped by her face, and amongst the mess, he fell to his knees and started to cry. His anger spent just in time from destroying what he loved most.
How could you let her go? If you wanted her, why didn't you force her to stay?
It had been a long time since he had heard that voice, but he wasn't going to let it sway him and with a broken cry he answered, "Because, I love her."
Thank you all for being very patient and I am sorry it has taken me a while to get it done. Thanks to Curryboh, meggielou123, cenedra23, Guest, givelove1morechance, Blue Moon Moments, CatGal1701, redangel2463, pagelarissa, ymowens96, and linksmyhero. I promise to update soon, and I promise to never abandon this story. This I swear on my dog's ashes.
