Chapter 1: Two years later.
"Oh, your highness! It's perfect! You really did an amazing job! You should really teach children how to do art like this." Elise smiles proudly as a client views her work. It's been nearly two years since Grant's proposal to Elise. Even while living the life like a princess, Elise has made a career through her artwork. Life for Adam and Belle is also good. They rule the land proudly and they are soon to be even more proud as parents.
The client is looking over the painting of a dark-orange Stargazer Fleur De Lis with maroon spots, which glowing in the dark. Elise smiles and looks at her client. "I don't think I could teach any one anything. And it's not "Your Highness" until two months after the queen has her child." Her client nods. "Of course, lady Elise." Elise smiles and picks up the bag that she brought the painting in, slinging it over her shoulders. "Well, I'm off." Her client bows. "Au revoir, Lady Elise. It was a pleasure doing business with you." Elise nods. "Au revoir." She then leaves the home of her client and walks up to her black Percheron horse, Charm. A Castle Guard awaits her arrival.
Ever since the mob attack on the castle, Grant doesn't want Elise to leave castle grounds without an escort. Understanding the circumstances and knowing that to travel to another town or village one has to ride through the village her and Belle use to live in, she doesn't protest. Ever since the death of Gaston, many people hold looks that say they're going to attack the people from the castle at any moment.
A guard awaits her arrival to the horses. Looking at her, the guard gets on his own horse. "That didn't take long, my Lady." Elise puts the bag away before getting up on Charm's saddle. "I didn't expect it to." Elise stretches before taking Charm's reins. "So, should we head home?" The guard nods. "Oui mademoiselle." Elise nods and signal Charm to canter
Arriving at the castle, Elise immediately leads Charm to the stables. After making sure Charm is in her stable, Elise smiles to Philippe. She pets his muzzle. "Hey boy. How are you today?" Philippe sniffs her hand, making her giggle. She pets his head before going inside the castle.
Inside, she smiles as the door guards welcome her home. She nods in gratitude. Her smile widens at the thought of Belle. Knowing her best friend, nothing keeps Belle from reading a good book. So, Elise heads to the Library. Walking inside she smiles as she sees her friend sitting at a table. "Hi, I'm back." Belle looks up from her book to Elise. "Welcome back, Elise. How did it go?" Elise smiles sweetly and sits down beside Belle. "Extremely well. Mademoiselle Claire loved the painting." Belle smiles and looks down to her book, rubbing her swelled belly with her hand. "That's good. You worked extra hard on it." Elise giggles. "Yeah Grant had to pull me away from it for a while." Belle laughs.
Elise looks at Belle. "So how have you been feeling today?" Belle looks at Elise. "I'm feel well. The baby's kicking a lot." She looks down to her stomach. "I have a feeling that the baby will be here any minute now." Elise smiles. "I know. The whole Castle is excited. How is Adam feeling?" Belle sighs. "He's nervous." Elise smirks. "I think it's a first-time-father thing. Mamma use to tell me how Papa was really nervous, and how he really mellowed out after my brother was born."
In the throne room, Adam paces back and forth. His thoughts rested on Belle and the baby. He started his pacing ten minutes ago and hasn't stopped since. He has blocked out all sounds which explains why Cogsworth has been ignored. Passing by the throne room, Grant gets a glimpse of his brother. Stopping, he goes back to the throne room to watch his twin to continue with the pacing.
The prince that was once a fox looks at the man who was once a clock. "Cogsworth... How long has he been doing this?" Cogsworth looks at Grant. "Ah, Grant! There you are. Maybe you can talk some sense into him. He's been doing this for ten minutes now."
Grant thinks for a moment, and then walks up to Adam. He watches as his brother continues to pace. After a short while he steps in front of Adam and stops him in his tracks and thoughts. "Adam... what are you doing?" Adam looks at Grant. "Hmmm?... Oh.. Just thinking." Grant folds his arms. "Thinking?... Looks to me like you're trying to put a hole in the floor." Adam sighs as he rubs the back of his head. "It's this baby thing. What if something goes wrong?" Grant tilts his head. "...Well we are going to do two things. First: If Elise and I decide to have a child and I started to do this..." He motions to the pacing. "Please slap some sense into me. And Second: I think we should go to the Library to see if we can find anything about first-borns" Adam sighs and scratches his head. "Right."
Back in the library, Belle and Elise sit in the chaise lounge. Belle continues to read her book as Elise rubs her feet and ankles. Elise wants Belle to be as comfy as possible and she sees how sore and swollen they are, even if they aren't horribly so.
She looks to the door as it opens and sees Adam look at them for a moment, then rush to Belle. Adam stands in front of his wife, as Grant stands by the doors. "Belle, what are you doing here? You should be in bed." Grant grabs his brother and starts to push him away. "Adam, we didn't come here to be a pest to Belle. And whatever you're worried about, I'm sure Elise is taking care of it." Grant leans down and kisses Elise's cheek. "Welcome home." She smiles and looks at him. "Thanks." Grant stands up and pushes Adam away. Elise looks at Belle and they both giggle.
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