A year flew by faster than you would a have expected, I had another birthday when I turned 17 and Lumiere turned 20. When I thought about our age gap I got a bit scared. I mean, when he was three I was only being born, thinking about this was pretty odd. One of the things that began to bother me after a while was the fact that I only ever wore my uniform. I missed being able to wear whatever I wanted, especially because I wanted to show off for Lumiere. I missed having the creativity of what I used to to wear. But I got used to things. Since Mr. Potts was gone Mr. Chapeau was in charge of the castle and he watched over Prince Adam while we looked for a new regent.
Seasons passed by, on Hallow's Eve we lit candles to keep the bad spirits away.
On Christmas Lumiere and Cogsworth teamed up to chop down a tree and bring it into the great hall. Angelique decorated the entire great hall and everyone in the castle gave a gift to Prince Adam. I felt bad for him because he had no family to give him gifts on Christmas. I gave the little prince a notebook for Christmas along with all the other gifts. After we exchanged gifts and Prince Adam had gone to bed all the servants stayed up later to talk. But instead of talking with the other servants, Lumiere picked my up bridal style and carried me out of the great hall and into the garden.
"Lumiere!" I said, I could feel myself blushing so I began giggling too.
"Ah, Mademoiselle, we haven't gone on a date in quite some time. I have something special planned out for us on this occasion." He flirted.
Lumiere rested me on a stone bench in the garden then from behind a tree he took out a finely polished violin.
"I didn't know you could play." I told him, honestly I had no idea he could play an instrument at all.
"Anything for you, my love." He said, blowing me a kiss.
He held the violin against his chin and began playing a song. The dark and powerful notes came flowing out of the instrument. The sounds had a seductive presence in the room. Lumiere's eyes were closed and he stayed still as he continued to create more and more smooth notes. I closed my own eyes and imagined the sounds. If this song was a color it would be a velvety red, it would be creamy and smooth. His playing was absolutely gorgeous. He continued to play for a few more minutes before he quietly ended his song. When he stopped playing I clapped quietly and he gave a little bow.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it." He smiled.
"I loved it." I stood up from the stone bench and stood on the tips of my toes to kiss him on the cheek.
Lumiere took my hand and he walked me through the snow covered garden. All the plants were covered in tiny ice crystals.
"Lumiere?" I asked as we walked.
"Yes, my love?" He responded quickly.
"You've made my time in the castle wonderful. I don't know how to thank you."
"But of course, you are my lover!" He said a bit too loudly.
He put his arm around my waist and pulled me against him, "Chéri, you are chilled to the bone." He said, obviously overexagerrating.
"Do you ever miss life outside the castle?" I asked him.
"Hmm…" He thought for a moment, " Well my life outside the castle was far from perfect so I can't say I miss it."
"Sometimes I miss it," I sighed, "I miss all the people and the sights and smells. All the new things."
Lumiere noticed that I was looking off into the distance longingly so he snapped me out of it, "Babette, do you know what Prince Adam said the other day?"
I looked up at Lumiere and waited for him to tell me.
"He said, 'She doesn't look like a Babette she looks like a Fifi to me!' Then he said, 'I hereby decree she will go by Fifi henceforth and forever!'" Lumiere explained.
I couldn't help laughing, "I suppose I do look like a Fifi."
"Anyway, the prince has taken quite a liking to you and when he gets older he'll become a generous young man who will likely allow us more rights and privileges. With Ms. Tasses gone Prince Adam will need a mother figure in his life, so why not stick around and be a part in his life, Fifi?" He asked, adding my new name at the end to practice using it
I considered this, "No, because I'm not mothering material at all, but I suppose I will stick around here to stay with you. And I suppose I'll have to keep the name Fifi since it's been decreed by the prince." I joked.
Lumiere walked me through the garden a few more yards before we stopped at small wooden sled with the plowing horse leading it.
"This is for me?" I asked, "A sled ride?"
"Do you like it?" Lumiere asked as he helped me into the sled then got in on the other side.
"I love it, Lumiere!" I hugged him tight as he took the horse's reins and the sled began to move.
"Fifi," He said, making use of my new name, "I've been meaning to tell you something…"
"Yes, my love?" I asked.
Lumiere looked nervous, almost like he was sweating, "On this perfect night, the most joyous of occasions. With you and uh me and…"
I kissed his cheek, "I'm not going anywhere."
"And well," He changed the subject, "The cold winter air is so chilling yet my sweet love is still as warm as the flame ignited within my heart."
"Lumiere…" I prodded for him to tell me.
"Oui oui…" He sighed, he was clearly too nervous to tell me, "Well Ms. Tasses did a better job at describing her love for Mr. Potts than I can for you."
"Love?" I asked in wonder.
"I'm very deeply in love with you." He said nervously.
"Mon amour, you've never been so shy around me."
"Shy?" He asked, now he was the one who seemed mystified by the word.
"Very," I hugged him, "Lumiere, I love you too."
We ended the night with a kiss before he walked me back to the quarters where I shortly after went to sleep.