Author's Note: So, it's been at least three years since I put down this story due to a severe case of writer's block. However, I am happy to report that I have returned! I make no promises about more frequent updating but I do promise to try very hard to keep it going this time. Thank you for the many reviews and messages. They are the reason I am back. –LightningBeauty (July 5, 2011)

Chapter 4: Lessons and Fairs

"You must sound the letters out Christine. You cannot just guess and let that be it!" Belle fought the frustration that washed over her. Her pupil was everything her mother had promised; bright, curious and stubborn. The 11-year-old before her squinted her green eyes in concentration.

"It's no use!" she slammed the book shut. "I just can't seem to get it!" Her arms crossed as she puffed a strand of blonde hair out of her eyes.

"You will get it," Belle said in what she hoped was a gentle, reassuring voice. "I know you will." Christine Ponfertt gazed skeptically at her tutor. Belle broke out her best "give it a try" grin. Christine sighed, "Fine. Let's try again."

Belle opened the book back to the troublesome page. They had been at this for three weeks now. Christine was making real progress. She was already reading short stories with simple words. But Belle wanted more for her pupil. She was determined to help her into reading full books. After all, Belle thought to herself, if you never leave this town…how else will you see the world?

Just then, Madame Ponfertt breezed into her daughter's bedroom, fanning herself vigorously. "My word!" she exclaimed. "We have so many customers downstairs! I don't know what to do with them!"

"Mama!" Christine scolded. "You really should knock! You're interrupting my lessons with Belle!" Belle surpressed a chuckle. For though the child fought her teaching, Belle could tell that her company was a welcome respite from the chaos of the dressmaker's shop.

"I'm sorry dear," replied her mother. "But I'm afraid I really do need you downstairs. That will have to be all for today." Christine rolled her eyes to the ceiling and began reluctantly downstairs.

"Oh, Belle! And since you're here, why don't you come downstairs and have a quick fitting?" Madame's eyes sparkled with mischief.

"But if I try it on now, won't everyone in the shop see it?" Belle eyed the dressmaker. What was she up to?

"Well, maybe. But would that really be a horrible thing? You'll be wearing it for everyone in just a short week anyway!" Madame could not hide the excitement in her voice. Her smile was enough to tug at Belle's heart.

So Belle went downstairs. Madame was right; there were several people in the shop. The butcher's wife, the tavern keeper's wife, the baker's wife; it seemed like all of the women in town had gathered for a sneak peek at Belle's wedding gown. Suddenly, Belle didn't feel so good. The thought of being paraded in front of all of these people turned her stomach into a twisting mass of butterflies. To be married in front of these people was one thing, but to be shown off for inspection? Belle closed her eyes. This was what happened when you were marrying the most handsome man in town. Madame Ponfertt brought a pale bundle over to Belle. "Let's just slip this on then!"

Belle pulled the dress on. It was a true creation. Madame had outdone herself. The ivory satin was superior to anything Belle had ever worn. Small pearls were woven through the neckline, leading to a beautiful lace covered bodice. Her skirt was full with matching lace appliqués. When Belle emerged from behind the dressing screen, there was an awed hush as the women appraised the seamstress' work.

"Oh my!" "It's it amazing!" "Gaston will be stunned!" "She looks beautiful!" Belle tried to stop the blush that was rushing to her cheeks. She knew in her heart that these women meant well. She just tried to enjoy it. Madame Ponfertt fluffed the skirt out so the train fell open for all to see. The answering gasp from the ladies plumped the woman with pride. "What do you think, my dear?"

"It…it…it's like nothing I've ever seen." Belle looked at herself fully in the mirror. This was it. In a week, she would don this gown and marry Gaston. This is what she would wear. Suddenly the weight of the event crashed down on her. She needed to be alone. She needed to organize her thoughts. She had known the day was coming. It was all anyone could talk about. But this…this is what made it real. Wearing her wedding dress had made Belle realize that it wasn't a dream. She was really getting married.

She mumbled her thanks to Madame Ponfertt who smiled with pride. Then she slipped out of her dress and into her comfortable blue day dress. This dress didn't have any weighty events tied to it. It comforted Belle's nerves. That's it! Nerves! It's just nerves! Every bride is nervous before her big day. Belle thought.

Belle hurried home. After such a spectacle she longed for the comforts of her world. Her world with just Papa and his inventions; it wouldn't last much longer but she was determined to enjoy it while she could. Her faithful horse Phillipe greeted her from his stall as she rounded the house. She patted his nose and stroked his mane before heading down to the basement to see her father.

Maurice was many things. Inventor, father, eccentric, lovable – but open-minded was not among them. He was staring at his latest invention, a wood-chopping machine, like he was hoping it would start talking to him. Belle edged forward carefully. She knew that if she startled him it could destroy any progress he had made. "Papa?"

"It's no use!" Maurice threw his hands up. "It won't work! I give up!"

"Oh Papa," chided Belle, who was starting to get very sick of that phrase. "What's wrong this time?"

"I give up! It's not chopping wood. Throwing wood at my head? Yes. Chopping it in half? NO!" Maurice rubbed a large pink welt on the top of his head.

"Oh dear!" Belle inspected the welt. It wasn't serious, but Belle could tell there was something more going on.

"Now, I won't be able to go to the fair. I won't be able to pay Gaston for anything to do with the wedding." Maurice turned away from his daughter. Her heart broke. How could this be happening?

"Papa, you and I both know what an amazing mind you have. You'll figure it out. And you will go to the fair where you will win first prize. You're just a little stuck." Belle patted his hand.

"That's it!" Maurice cried. Without another word, he rushed over to the machine and began tinkering. He tinkered here then thwacked there then adjusted this while banging on that. Suddenly he yelled "Duck!" as half of a log went whizzing past Belle's head.

"It works!" she said. Both of them began laughing hysterically as the machine systematically chopped piece after piece of wood in half and threw them into a pile. "It was stuck!" Maurice laughed. "It was simply stuck! Now I can go to the fair!"

Belle was just finishing the ties on Phillipe's lead when a familiar voice reached her. "Going somewhere?" She sensed the laughter behind the question as she turned and met those crystal blue eyes.

"Gaston," she greeted. "Papa's invention – it works! He's off to the fair!" She couldn't contain her excitement. Some of Maurice's inventions were questionable but this – this could really bring home a blue ribbon. And that would just make her Papa so happy.

"That's wonderful news!" Gaston wrapped his arms around Belle's waist and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. "But will he be back in time for the wedding? Wait," a thought struck him, "are you going?" His horror was quite apparent. Not that Belle could blame him, what bridegroom would want to be parted from his bride the week before their wedding?

"No, I'm not. I'm staying. And Papa will be back in plenty of time. The fair is tomorrow and it's only a short journey away. Everything will be fine." But then it struck her, she wanted to go. She wanted to watch her Papa compete. But how could a bride leave town right before her wedding? Am I crazy? Gaston saw the look of concern that passed over her face.

"I know! I'll go. I'll see him safely there and back. That way we won't have anything to fear. I can kill anything that might stand in our way."

"No, I don't think that will be necessary. We should both stay here and let Papa do this on his own. He'll be back in no time." Belle was touched at Gaston's thoughtfulness. This learning to love him would be easier than she worried.

"Belle's right!" Maurice cried as he emerged from the house. "I will be back in plenty of time to walk my daughter down the aisle." He grabbed Belle in a great bear hug. "Be good sweetheart. Mind the house while I'm gone!"

"I love you Papa! Good luck!" Belle handed up a picnic basket she'd prepared as Gaston clapped Maurice on the shoulder.

"We'll see you when you get back! We can add your blue ribbon to the collection at the tavern." This surprised Belle. Gaston was showing a touching amount of faith in Maurice. She caught his eyes and smiled into them.

***Author's Note 2: This chapter has not been "beta-d". All errors in character, spelling, grammar, etc. are my own.***