As promised, I'm updating again. And as I'm updating, I decided to share my inspiration for this story with you. I first found my love of Cogsworth through reading someone else's fanfic, which was absolutely brilliant and if you like mine, you'll love this one: Tables Turned by Bubble Wrapped Kitty. Also, I may have unintentionally used an idea of her's which I'll try to remember to credit in that chapter, because I totally forgot about her use of it when I wrote that chapter and I feel bad for using a similar idea. So, rant over. I hope you enjoy!

He answered the door wearing his jacket unbuttoned, "Oh, Eveline, I was not expecting you to come to me…Are you alright?" he asked, noticing my sad look.

"It's Clarisse. She's been acting so annoying today. She wants to be way too involved…" I trailed off, realizing how awkward the route I was going with that sentence would sound, "She wants to make all my decisions for me…"

"Regarding me?"

"Yes," I replied softly, "Then when I asked her about the servant she's fond of she stuck up her nose at me and was vague, yet she insists on getting details out of me….she's just so frustrating!" I finished exasperated.

"Could she feel intimidated that you have gained the affections of him whom you are fond of?" He suggested.

"I don't know…" I replied honestly, "I just wish she'd talk to me about how she's feeling rather than acting like a little brat."

"How did you handle it?"

"I…I yelled at her…" I reluctantly admitted.

"Give her space then apologize after dinner," he advised gently.

I hugged him and let a lone tear fall, "Thank you…"

"Anytime, ma chérie …"

I looked up at him and smiled, "You're the greatest…" I softly praised him.

He took my hand and led me to the kitchen where Mrs. Potts had a large basket waiting for us, "Have a good time," she said in her motherly voice causing me to smile. We walked to the garden with one of our comfortable silences that at this point I had grown to adore. We set up the picnic together and I could feel his gaze upon me, causing a blush to rise upon my cheeks. Once the blanket was smoothed and all the food was spread across the blanket, we sat down next to each other.

"Dinner is served, mademoiselle," he said with all of his formalities in place.

I giggled, "It's wonderful, Cogsworth!"

As usual when we sat together, my upper back rested on the front of his shoulder so every time he chuckled I could feel the gentle movement. That feeling was soothing to me and that was what I needed at that time. "Feeling better?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah…I forgot about Clare for a bit there."

"I am terribly sorry she is being so difficult."

"I guess she's finally getting her chance to be a teenager…do you feel your age?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like, do you feel as though you aged during the spell, maturity wise?"

"Hm, I never exactly thought of it…I did, a little."

"But would you say you act closer to a..uhm..Cogsworth, I don't actually know how old you are."

"Thirty-nine," he replied.

"Okay, so you think you act more like a twenty-nine year old or a thirty-nine year old?"

"Hm, probably closer to twenty-nine…" he said thoughtfully.

"I feel closer to twenty-five for sure and that's probably the case with my sister…being trapped as a teenager for ten extra years…I can't even imagine that…maybe I was too hard on her…"

"I advise you not to be too hard on yourself either, ma chérie, it will not do much good."

"I suppose you're right…it's just hard to find balance."

"I know…" he pulled me into a hug, "Perhaps it would do you well to focus on a lighter subject…such as the beauty of the day!" I burst into an awkward fit of laughter. "I fail to understand the humor in that, Eveline."

I turned to him with a smile, "Don't worry about it. You just make me happy, that's all." I rested my head on his shoulder, feeling so alive and free. And there the word came again, free, it's such a beautiful concept and I only seemed to feel it when it somehow related to Cogsworth.

"What are you thinking about, Eveline?" he whispered softly.

"I never would have seen my life turning out this beautiful before the enchantment…it really was a blessing in disguise…" I mused.

I heard him take in a sharp breath; I looked up at him with concern. "I am glad you feel that way too, my dear one," I smiled softly at that name then relaxed back on his shoulder, "but I am sure your life would have turned out just as beautifully as you are no matter what." At that, it became my turn to gasp; I turned to him with a gleeful look of shock. "What?" he asked gently.

"No man has ever called me beautiful…it must seem immature for a thirty-five year old woman to react so strongly to that, but…it's a delicate subject for me, I suppose…"

"I am not sure I understand your concern…" he said soothingly.

I smiled, "Never mind that…just, my father passed away when I was rather young…I mean, I was eleven, but being told you're beautiful at eleven is a much different thing than when you're thirteen or older…Raoul called me pretty…he told me I was a 'pure delight to the eyes' or something like that, but never beautiful…it has a different meaning…I must be boring you…"

"No, I love listening to you talk…" I held in my gasp at the use of the word 'love,' though not directed directly at me as a whole it was close and that scared and excited me vastly.

"Thank you…I love having someone who listens to me so willingly…" I replied softly, unsure of how far I could use that word without making him uncomfortable. His posture relaxed and we stayed in a calming silence just enjoying each other's company.

Cogsworth~

After our previous conversation, I was feeling extremely comfortable with Eveline. I was thankful to be able to talk without fear of judgment. Despite my comfort, I could not help but wonder what she thought of my usage of the term 'love' to describe listening to her. I had not even meant to say it; it had come naturally because it was exactly what I had meant even if not by words. I looked at her beautiful face and wondered how no other man had noticed it. Her eyes were closed and she looked at peace. I relaxed myself and enjoyed the gardens around me.

We were walking hand-in-hand. The sun was setting around us. The only beauty that exceeded that of the sunset was Eveline. 'Eveline…' I started quietly.

'Yes?'

'I have never experienced joy and freedom in the way I do with you, I—I love you, Eveline. I love you so much, dear one.'

'You…love…me?' she asked in shock, her expression turned from shock to anger, 'How dare you be so forward! I can't even believe you, Cogsworth! We've barely even courted! No!' I watched her run away and for the first time in years, I let the tears fall.

I felt a jolt then I looked around. It was dark and a chill went down my spine. "Cogsworth? Are you okay?" Eveline asked, "I felt you jolt…" She yawned.

"Uh—yeah…I must have fallen asleep."

"So did I…it's freezing; let's go inside."

"Y—yeah…" I shivered while I tried to avoid answering her question about my jolt.

"Oh, you're freezing, Cogsworth…" I was glad for the cold air so I had no need to admit it was due to a dream. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I am fine."

"I don't believe you…what happened? Was it a dream?"

I sighed, "Yes…"

"You can tell me," she offered.

"No, it was only a dream…nothing to worry over."

"You were there for me after mine…why can't I do the same for you?" she asked with hurt evident in her voice.

I placed a hand on her shoulder, "It was nothing that bad, ma chérie, I am fine."

"You're still shivering…we've been inside for a few minutes…"

"I will be alright…I promise."

"It was about me, wasn't it?"

I winced at the surety in her voice, "Yeah…"

She hugged me, "I'm right here and not going anywhere…no matter what. I promise."

I returned the hug, "Me too..."

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