The renovations! I bet everyone is going to love them.^^ R&R!

Chapter 10

After much annoying and badgering from the others, Belle finally consented to getting the renovations of her lair done. It took about a month until the completion, and it was well worth the wait. The workers that Charles had employed for the job came, finished, but were never heard from again. Belle said that they just might have got lost. It was so easy to do so.

The final results were spectacular. The only remnants of the previous design were the placement of the organ, with the candelabras, and the layout of the alcove. The new additions included a kitchen, another bathroom, this one more luxuriant than the preexisting one, two new bedrooms, and, instead of just a bunch of chairs for company, a parlor with red and black love seats and a fire place. Most of the new additions were cut out of the stone structure to make sure there was enough room. There was also a two-foot-high stone barrier around the lake, excluding a gate that allowed access to the boat.

The kitchen there was a large table with several matching chairs. The wood was a rich mahogany that went well with the somewhat dark décor of Belle's home. Cupboards of matching material were added, as well as a cold box that was cut out of the stone. This was for things that needed to be kept cold or just stored.

In the bathroom, which was designed for Belle, it was very interesting. Belle was specific about all the details and made sure they were sought to. The floor and part of the walls were tiled with black marble. The rest of the walls were painted a dark, almost blood-colored, red with a trimming of black roses along the ceiling and floor. The sink was also of black marble, on-top of the same dark mahogany cupboards that were used in the kitchen. It was lit by black painted candle sticks that were attached to the walls. There was a specially made black toilet that was placed in the far corner and attached to the already existing plumbing system. For the longest time, Belle had boiled water from the lake and washed with that. Now, she had a black, footed bathtub and could access the public water system. Shelves were built into the wall above the sink. On them, Belle put her perfumes and roses that Charles had bought her for her wedding present, and also other necessities. Beside the sink, Belle had the workers place one of her full length mirrors from out in the other room. The entire bathroom was about sixteen by ten feet in size.

The first of the two bedrooms was decorated with purple chiffon and silk. There was a bed, similar to the swan bed except this one was white instead of black. The sheets were a dark purple silk and there were lavender pillows placed on the bed. Beside the bed was a tall, black bookshelf that could act as a bedside table with its extended shelves on the outside. Also in that bedroom was a small vanity that was painted purple with black detailing. A smaller organ was put in at Belle's request. Around the bed was black curtain, just like the one in the alcove. Belle had Charles place the crib in this room. She said she had a feeling.

The second bedroom was decorated red. The bed was exactly like Belle's except for the red silk sheets and red curtain. There was a desk that was black with red detailing and an organ just as the other bedroom. A tall black bookshelf was placed in, just as the other.

Belle was happy with the results and Charles was relieved when it was over...

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Since Fleur de Anges had left, Belle took her place as Prima Donna. The whole cast loved her and never asked any questions concerning the mask. The managers helped her by choosing operas that required masks. Business at the Opera house was doing very well. More people came to see Belle and to get a brief look at the elusive O.G. People didn't know they were looking at both at the same time.

No one had noticed yet, but Belle had started developing a baby bump. She tried very hard to conceal it. Not a single person said anything.

One of the other singers had asked her if she was in a relationship with Charles.

"What do you mean?" Belle was sitting in a chair, onstage, with the others. They were going over the music from Don Juan again.

Ana, one of the chorus members, had sat down next to her and had asked her "Are you in a relationship with Monsieur Daae?" and was waiting to hear her answer. "What I mean is are you involved with him? You two seem so close when you perform it's as if you live your roles."

Belle giggled. "Would you be surprised if I told you I'm his wife?"

Ana and all the other girls who had been listening gasped. "You're married?!"

Belle pulled off her left glove and showed her the ring. "We've been married for almost two months. So yes, I guess you could say we live our roles." She winked.

The whole group erupted with giggles. The men, including Charles, looked at the girls as if they had gone mad.

Monsieur Reyes called for everyone to quiet down. "Monsieurs and mademoiselles, please. Mademoiselle Belle and Monsieur Daae, would you be so kind as to start. Monsieur, start at the point when Amnita enters. 'Past the Point of No Return'."

Charles nodded and glanced at the music. "You have come here in pursuit of you deepest urge, in pursuit of that wish, which til now has been silent, silent...I have brought you, that our passions may fuse and merge-in your mind you've already succumbed to me, dropped all defenses, completely succumbed to me-" He threw a glance to Belle and smiled. "-now you are here with me: no second thoughts, you've decided, decided...Past the point of no return-no backward glances: our games of make-believe are at an end...Past all thought of 'if' or 'when'-no use resisting: abandon thought and let the dream descend...What raging fire shall flood the soul? What rich desire unlocks its door? What sweet seduction lies before us? Past the point of no return, the final threshold-what warm unspoken secrets will we learn beyond the point of no return..."

Belle smiled at Charles and cleared her throat a bit. "You have brought me to that moment where words run dry, to that moment where speech disappears into silence, silence...I have come here, hardly knowing the reason why...In my mind I've already imagined our bodies entwining, defenseless and silent-Now I am here with you: no second thoughts, I've decided, decided...Past the point of no return-no going back now: our passion-play has now, at last, begun...Past all thought of right or wrong-one final question: how long should we two wait before we're one...?When will the blood begin to race, the sleeping bud burst into bloom? When will the flames at last consume us...?Past the point of no return, the final threshold-the bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn...We've passed the point of no return..."

"Brava, you two," Monsieur Reyes applauded lightly, "Everyone, tomorrow is dress rehearsals. Don't forget to get fitted for your costumes. Dismissed." He motioned for the cast to leave and walked away.

Charles and Belle naturally gravitated towards each other as everyone stood up to leave.

When he reached her, Charles took Belle's hand in his own. "Good job, mon ange," he whispered.

Belle smiled. "No need to be secretive. Everyone knows." She giggled as she leaned up and kissed him. Her smile broadened as Ana and the others clapped and laughed.

"You two are so perfect together," Ana went up to the couple and smiled. She suddenly frowned. "The only thing is your mask..."

Belle stiffened. "What about it?" Charles put his hands on her shoulder reassuringly.

"Well, if you didn't have the mask, we could see how you two look together more so."

Charles noticed that Belle had started shaking. He quickly stepped in. "Or I could wear a mask as well. Then we would be perfect." Kissing her cheek, Charles smiled when Belle did too.

Ana gave them a confused look. "But if you two are married and are public, why are you still wearing your mask?"

Belle laughed. "I'm more comfortable in a mask. Without it, I would only feel halfway myself." She looked at Charles and winked.

Charles' smile broadened. "The mask is part of her, you could say."

Ana, stilled confused, just shrugged. "Oh well, the two of you are perfect anyway." She walked away leaving Belle and Charles on the stage, alone.

Belle let out a sigh of relief and fell into Charles' arms. "That could have been so much more worse." She looked up and smiled. "Thank you..."

Charles ran his fingers through her hair. "Your welcome, mon ange." He picked up Belle bridal-style, and laughed as she gasped in surprise.

"What are you doing?" She managed to say through her gasping and laughing.

He kissed her forehead and smiled. "Just carrying my wife home." They both laughed as Charles walked off the stage, carrying Belle, who snuggled into the crook of his neck and sighed...

Tada! How was that? Okay, you have to tell me what you think about the renovations (especially the bathroom). I'll try to update again soon. If you have any ideas or thoughts, review or PM me. It's sad, only a few people review, yet I review as much as I can. Oh well...^^