AUTHOR'S NOTE: As you can probably guess, the small, fluffy moment in the end of the previous chapter was meant to be similar to the moment right after the transformation when Belle looks better at Adam's features, and then it's his eyes that tell her that he really is the one she fell in love with in Beast. :3 Heh. Another thank you for the continued support, and now it's time for a bit of fluff!

Adam gave Belle his signature amused smile that now had a portion of pain in it. Belle placed her hand on his forehead and noticed that he no longer had a fever but his temperature was not completely down to normal either. When he looked in her beautiful, brown eyes, he felt the same funny, tickling sensation in his stomach that he had felt when they had danced. He was more happy about her return than he had ever been about anything. He would not have to live the rest of his life without her after all.

"How are you feeling? Are you in pain?" she whispered, her eyes gleaming. The nightmare she had just woken from was already long forgotten.

"I feel... strange," he whispered back, still smiling, "wait, does my being human mean that you...?"

"Yes," she laughed just a little through tears she had not shed yet, and she moved her hand from his forehead to his cheek, "it means that I love you, I love you more than anything."

Belle placed her left hand on his right shoulder and leaned her head on his chest, wrapping her right arm around his midriff. Adam's eyes followed her head, and he could hardly believe his ears. She had, in fact, just said those three tremendously powerful words straight to him. Suddenly he did not remember any pain- the only thing he felt was what he could swear was his heart making cartwheels. He felt like he could sing right there, right now. He tried to shift his right arm to squeeze Belle with both his arms but then a shot of pain on his right shoulder blade stopped him. He groaned and hissed, and Belle got startled that she had hurt him. She tried to quickly sit up but Adam gently grabbed her wrist, stopping her right there. She turned to look him in the eye.

"No, it's okay. I tried to move my right arm, you didn't hurt me," he grunted through gritted teeth as the pain had not worn off yet. Belle leaned back down and squeezed him gently. Adam tilted his head to lean his chin on her hair, and then she started to tremble from silent, relieved sobs. He stroked her right arm. "What is it?"

"You have no idea how much I've feared that I might lose you," Belle murmured, her voice muffled against his chest.

"Shhh," he calmed her, "it's alright now. I think I made it." She felt his low-timbre voice resonating.

Belle sniffed and raised her head. When she looked at Adam's pained smile, she felt a sudden, crushing wave of guilt and shame wash over her. This did not pass unnoticed by him. She sighed.

"Belle?" his quiet voice was now worried, and he frowned.

Belle sat up and wrapped her arms around her knees, hiding her face behind them. She wished she could only be bursting with love for him now that there was no more doubt but in that moment the only feelings she perceived in herself were shame and guilt for ever doubting her feelings- for ever doubting the prince would turn out to be the man she loved so much. She despised herself for not having been able to shut out that doubt. If she was anything she was honest, and she decided she could as well tell him the truth now. It would do no good if he happened to hear about it from Mrs Potts or her father. She feared how he might take it but she was brave enough.

"You... you went unconscious from being shot three times," Belle started, her voice shaking just slightly as she remembered the nightmarish events of that night, "and then you transformed right in front of me when I had finally said it out loud. When you were human again, somewhere deep down I knew it had to be you as I witnessed you transform but..."

She gulped. Adam listened patiently, asking her with his eyes to continue when she paused. He found her words and the tone of her voice distressing.

"As some days passed, and I hadn't been able to communicate with you, I got this... this doubt, it made me unsure of my feelings for you and made me uncertain that... would it turn out to be you when you finally wake? I hated that doubt so much, every last bit of it, and now I feel so stupid!"

Adam tried to reach her with his left hand.

"Hey..."

Belle turned to look at him, her cheeks wet. She took his hand and buried her face behind her knees again.

"I don't think feelings like that are something you can control," he muttered.

"I should have been able to! And I promise, the only thing that I doubted was... if I would get back the man I love in you," she gulped again, "I'm so happy that I did. I feared that I might never have the chance to tell you that I love you, too. That you would die without knowing it."

Adam slowly guided her hand to his lips and gave her fingers a light kiss. He would never get enough of hearing those three words when she said them. He had not heard those words, or said them to anyone, after his mother had passed but he would make sure that Belle knew how much he loved her.

"My heart broke when I saw you in the mirror, tormented by having let me go, having lost all the hope of being loved I'd brought you. I'm so glad I made it back before... before you went unconscious. I only hope I was able to restore the hope that left with me."

"Come here," he said, and Belle leaned on him again. He winced just a little when he moved his right arm but the pain subsided when he kept it still again. He stroked her hair lightly with his left hand. "I let you go because you were needed more elsewhere. I don't know if I wanted to live without you, but at least I had done the right thing. And I decided that if I would have to live with you gone, I would wait for you forever. And I would do it again, and again, because that's how much you mean to me."

Belle sniffed and smiled against his chest, squeezing his midriff as gently as she could and felt Adam squeeze her with his left arm. She could have stayed like this forever but then she raised her head, laughing as she realised something.

"Oh goodness, I'm so dumb... We have to tell everyone that you're awake!" She stood up from the bed, and Adam followed her with his eyes when she jogged to the door. She pushed one of the two giant doors open and her head disappeared from his view.

As tired as he was, despite having rested for many days, he looked in pure amazement at the woman that had somehow ended up in his castle, the woman that had turned his life around against all odds. He had never really noticed that she would actually have been afraid of him, even if she had fled once. After returning she had kept her word, she had nursed him back to health- now twice- and she had even called his castle home when they had visited Montmartre in Paris. And she had agreed to have a romantic dance with him when he had asked her. He knew that if need be, he could die happy knowing that she had returned because she loved him back, but he had no intention of giving in to death without putting up a good fight now that he had got back not only her but all his staff that had become family to him.

"The prince has waken, please spread the word!" Belle's loud voice echoed in the hollow corridor.

She left the door open, walked to the bed, and sat back down next to Adam who looked quite sleepy now. She took his hand and he closed his eyes.

"You must be tired," Belle said quietly.

"I've been resting for days," Adam remarked, amused but yawned for the first time. She laughed at his humour.

"Yes, but one of your wounds is infected. You need to rest for it to heal. Oh, and I'm afraid I need to clean it and change a clean bandage," she said, wincing empathically when she noticed Adam's expression, "but on a positive note, it's possible that the two other wounds might not even need tending to anymore!"

Adam closed his eyes and took a deep breath while Belle looked at him affectionately. He would not look forward to the bandage-changing as he knew from experience that it was no painless business but of course he wanted his health restored. After a moment he opened his eyes to glance at her, and his face was lit by a smile full of love. Belle placed her hand on his cheek. Suddenly Lumière and Plumette rushed in.

"My prince! Welcome back," Lumière said happily and bowed. Adam and Belle smiled widely at him when he jogged to the bed and took Adam's left hand for a moment, Plumette walking in his wake.

"It's so good to 'ave you back, your 'ighness," he said quietly and let go of Adam's hand.

"Lumière, Plumette," Adam breathed, and Lumière wrapped an arm around Plumette's waist, "it's great to see you, too. And look at us, we're human again!"

"Incroyable, n'est pas! Oh, ever since our chère mademoiselle came to the castle, I said she would change everything!"

Belle laughed modestly and blushed when she looked back at Lumière. He and Plumette exchanged loving glances.

"She's an amazing woman, indeed," Adam agreed.

Suddenly Lumière and Plumette were followed by Cogsworth, Mrs Potts, monsieur Jean and Chip.

"Mrs Potts," Adam said delightedly, "Chip!" Mrs Potts and Chip walked towards him, and her eyes were full of tears. Lumière and Plumette gave them way.

"Oh, darling boy," she breathed and laughed through tears as she took his hand, "I'm so happy to have you back!"

Belle looked at Adam and the lady that clearly had become a mother figure to him when his own mother had died. As she knew how Beast had been when she had first come to the castle, she knew that those words meant much more than just having him wake. He had been a difficult, selfish, demanding master to them until only recently, and now he was a man his mother would be very proud of. Mrs Potts was not only happy to have the prince back. She was happy to have the young, sweet boy, that she had known and also loved liked her own, back.

Adam did not mind not being called "master" or "your highness", he was delighted by her words. He spread his left arm in gesture, and she leaned down to give him a gentle hug. Belle's eyes teared up with happiness.

"This calls for celebration!" Cogsworth declared, and bowed to Adam. "How delightful to have you back, your highness."

"Thank you, Cogsworth," Adam smiled,

"Cogsworth, he can't get up in a while yet," Belle warned, "his wounds are still painful, and one of the wounds hasn't healed well yet, as you probably remember."

Cogsworth lifted his brows, and when he realised that she was right, he sighed and looked defeated.

"But... we can have a minor celebration, eat well here in the west wing with him," she hastily suggested, "if... if that's okay with you, Adam?"

"Why not, I'd like that," he said, glancing at Belle.

"We'll 'ave a grand ball when 'e's perfectly well again!" Lumière exclaimed excitedly, "Mrs Potts, Cogsworth, Plumette, why don't we go prepare a feast!"

"Can you please send someone here with towels, hot water and bandages? I have to clean the infected wound." Lumière nodded to her, and he, Cogsworth, Mrs Potts and Chip walked out the room again, and Belle and Adam were alone once more.

Adam groaned, and Belle sighed. "I know it's uncomfortable business but I'm afraid it has to be done. It's not like I enjoy inflicting discomfort on you!"

"I know, I know," Adam said, "forgive me, I'm just not looking forward to it."

Belle took a deep breath and shifted to sit close to his shoulder and head. She started to gently comb his hair with her fingers.

"I'm sure the aftermath of the shooting will be over before you know," she said quietly. Adam just hummed briefly in response, his eyes closed again.

Soon monsieur Jean came in carrying a pile of everything that was needed.

Belle stood up quickly. "Thank you, monsieur Jean. Let me help you." She took the water bowl from the top of the pile and carried it to the bedside table. Monsieur Jean brought the bandages and the towels and put them on the pillow next to Adam's, and he and Belle nodded to each other.

"Do you... need help, or can you manage...?" monsieur Jean asked a little awkwardly.

"I think I should manage on my own now that he's awake," Belle said with a friendly smile, "but thank you, monsieur Jean."

Monsieur Jean nodded again and started walking away. When he was almost at the door, he turned to face the bed and bowed to Adam.

"Good to see you awake, your highness," he said, "I hope you'll be perfectly well soon."

"Thank you, monsieur Jean," Adam said and nodded slightly, smiling, and then monsieur Jean walked out of the room and closed the door.

Belle felt very nervous because she had not yet done this while Adam was awake, let alone done it alone.

"Ehmm... I hope it's alright if I help you turn to your left side now?" she asked awkwardly.

"Of course," Adam sighed, and started to shift himself. Belle quickly stepped next to him, grabbing his wrist tight enough to hold his right arm still against his side, and his waist to help him turn.

"Do you think you can you support yourself with your left arm and legs?" she asked before letting go when he was lying on his side.

"I think so," he said with a hint of worry in his voice. He tried to hide that hint from Belle but he suspected that it had not passed unnoticed by the very perceptive young woman.

"Alright, good," she said, giving him an encouraging smile, "even if I do this alone, it will be over fast."

Belle walked to the other side of the bed and carefully sat down next to him. She hesitated a moment before she had the courage to move his shirt up his midriff. Naturally she had already seen his exposed upper body as she had tended to his wounds ever since he transformed but so far he had been unconscious. This time he was aware of the situation, which made her nervous.

"I'll start by removing the bandages that are on your healed wounds," Belle told him. Adam nodded to indicate his consent, and she untied the first bandage. The scar had indeed healed well. Then she easily pulled the bandage from under him and put it down next to her on the bed. "As I suspected- this one doesn't need a bandage anymore."

He hummed in approval.

"Then I'll remove the third bandage, this one," she lightly touched him to where the last bandage was.

"Go ahead," Adam yawned. Belle smiled and shook her head just a little as she untied the bandage and revealed the scar. This one appeared to have healed just as well as the first one. She was also able to pull the other bandage from under him.

"Great, only one wound that will still need tending to," she sighed in relief, "I'll get to the infected one now, I promise you I'll try and inflict as little pain as possible."

Adam nodded again, and Belle noticed that his eyes were closed. She took a silent, deep breath as she dipped a clean towel to the steaming water and squeezed most of the water away so it would not drip. She untied the last wound with her left hand, and when the wound was exposed, she noticed with relief that the infection was now gone. The wound would heal fast now when cleaned again. She pulled the bandage away and added it to the small pile she had made next to her.

"Alright, time for the painful part," she warned him, and waited for his consent. He exhaled through the nose before finally nodding. She gently pressed the towel on the last wound, and she heard and felt him inhale. "Is this alright?"

"It's less painful than it was after the incident with the wolves," he said quietly with a hint of surprise.

"Perhaps because this time you're perfectly still," Belle remarked.

"You were right, it is less painful if I hold still," he admitted. She finished cleaning the wound and put the used towel on top of the removed bandages before reaching for a clean bandage.

"Alright, now I need a little help," she said apologetically as she held one bandage end against his side, "do you think you can lift your waist just the slightest bit so I can slip the bandage from under you?"

Adam did as she asked, and groaned just a little when he lifted himself but sighed in relief when the bandage had been slipped under his side. Belle got up on her knees and crouched over his side, reaching for the bandage and then pulling it up his stomach to his side. She tied it with ease and pulled his shirt back down. Then she helped him gently lie on his back again. There was discomfort on his face but it faded in a moment.

"Belle?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think you could read to me? Whatever it is that you were reading." Belle looked at him in surprise, an amused smile appearing on her lips.

"Are you sure? I was reading A Midsummer Night's Dream," she asked him, barely keeping laughter away from her voice.

"That will do," he sighed, "I'd just like to hear you read out loud again, like you used to."

"Well, if you're sure then," she said happily.

Belle remembered that the book had fallen on the floor but she did not see it there when she peeked over the edge of the bed. She stepped out of the bed and crouched down to see if she had accidentally kicked it under the bed or the bedside table. She found it under the bed, wiped some dust off its covers and sat down on the bed again, bending her legs to the right. She opened the first page of the story and started reading out loud, and Adam closed his eyes.


Belle was almost done with the third chapter and noticed that Adam must have fallen sleep at some point when the doors opened. The happy chatter from Lumière, Plumette, Cogsworth, Mrs Potts, Chip, monsieur Jean, Madame de Garderobe, maestro Cadenza, and Maurice woke him. The chatter suddenly stopped when they were all in the room.

"Oh! Bonsoir, your highness- mademoiselle," Lumière said to the silence, bowing, "dinner is ready!"

"Papa!" Belle said happily and exchanged a smile with Maurice. She had hoped to see him.

"Hi, Belle," he responded, smiling, before he bowed to Adam, "pleased to have you back with us, your highness."

"Pleased to see you again, Maurice," Adam replied, biting his lower lip apologetically, "I hope you can forgive me for how I treated you when our paths first crossed. It was way beyond unreasonable of me."

"I realise that it was actually theft I was guilty of," Maurice assured, "it was wrong of me, too. I missed the annual market where I was supposed to sell my music boxes and legally buy Belle a rose so when I saw the roses in your garden, I thought I could as well give her her wish, not thinking rationally."

"I understand that you wanted to give her her wish," Adam said peacefully, "there is nothing I need to forgive you. Will you forgive me for treating you the way I did?"

"Of course, your highness." He and Maurice exchanged a smile that indicated they were now in good terms.

The visitors had brought numerous trolley trays of food with them, and they set them next to the wall opposite the doors. Adam and Belle followed them with interested eyes, and then two guards came in carrying a long table, yet shorter than the one in the dining room, and placed it close to his bed. Then six more guards followed the two, bringing in eleven chairs. Once the chairs were neatly set around the table, all the guards nodded to Adam and were on their way.

Belle stood up, walked to the trolley trays and pulled one of them past the table to right next to Adam. Belle grabbed the other pillow from behind Adam and carefully put it under the one his head was resting on so he was in a little more upright position. He winced.

"What is it?"

All the others in the room, who were now transferring all the food from the trolley trays to the table, stopped to look at Belle and Adam in worry.

"My lower back doesn't seem to appreciate being in an upright position," he said through gritted teeth but the pain slowly subsided when he was still. The others continued setting the table.

She squeezed his hand empathically and sat down on the edge of the bed next to him.

"Aren't you going to eat?" he asked her, lifting his brows.

"Yes I am, but I'll help you first," she declared, and he realised that it would be of no use to argue.

The others had sat down and started a happy conversation that Belle and Adam participated in. Everyone was talking about how excited they were to be human again, and Cogsworth, Plumette, Madame de Garderobe and Mrs Potts were eager to start planning on the grand ball that would be arranged once he was able to walk again. Adam tried to calm them down with bringing out the fact that it would take a while until he could move on his own again but it had little effect.


When everyone had eaten well, drunk wine- except for Chip- laughed to their hearts' content, and listened to a few of Madame de Garderobe's arias, the amused Cogsworth walked to the doors and called guards to come carry the table and the chairs back. They all cleaned the table and waited until the guards had come and then gone with the table and the chairs.

"Oh yes, I almost forgot- I arranged the fireworks, it should start soon," Cogsworth announced. Belle had heard of fireworks but had never witnessed any before.

"Oh Maman, Papa, let's go!" Chip pulled impatiently at Mrs Potts and monsieur Jean's sleeves, "Belle, won't you join us outside?"

"Oh Chip, I'd very much like to but I believe I can see it just as well from here," Belle said apologetically, "I don't want the prince to have to experience it alone."

Chip looked sad for a moment but nodded, and soon he rushed enthusiastically out the doors with the first trolley tray.

Mrs Potts and monsieur Jean excused themselves nervously and rushed after Chip, shouting to him to slow down. Then the laughing rest of the visitors wished Belle and Adam goodnight, and followed the little family calmly. Maurice was the last to leave, giving Belle and Adam a knowing smile before he disappeared through the doors.

Belle walked to open the balcony doors and then sat down next to Adam, facing the balcony.

"Have you ever seen fireworks before?" he asked her.

Belle raised her brows at the question and turned her head to look at Adam.

"No, in fact I haven't," she said slowly, "have you?"

Adam chuckled. "Have I? Well, before the curse I had numerous grand balls arranged here in the castle. There would be fireworks to start off each of them."

"Oh," she responded, surprised. "I've only heard of it. What is it like?"

"You will like it," he assured, smiling warmly. Belle smiled back at him and took his hand before turning her head to look out the open balcony doors again. She was now really excited for the fireworks.

When they had sat in silence waiting for the fireworks for about five minutes, Belle asked Adam about the balls he had arranged, what they had been like. He explained her the usual events of a ball and laughed as he recalled some certain details of different balls and told her. She laughed with him, and then suddenly they stopped laughing.

Woooossshh.

They turned to look outside. "It's begun," Adam said, and the first rocket exploded.

Belle got slighly startled by the gun-like sound of the first explosion but then gasped in awe as she admired the green and red colours that lit the dark evening sky and the room for a moment. Then they heard another woooossshh, another gun-like explosion,and more colour lit the sky. Belle thought she even heard some distant, delighted squeals from the gardens.

"Belle," Adam said when the explosions and colours in the sky became more frequent. She turned to look at him, and he noticed that she was glowing with happiness, "I just realised that... though I discovered my feelings for you before you discovered yours for me, you have already said this out loud to me, so... I love you. More than anything."

Belle squeezed his hand and tears filled her eyes as a wide smile spread on her lips. As they exchanged glances, she felt a sudden, irresistible urge to do something she had thought about but had not thought appropriate in other circumstances. She shifted her legs, turning to face him and started to slowly lean down, glancing once at his lips. His smile slowly dissolved and he lifted his head just slightly to indicate Belle that he was thinking the same, and she leaned all the way. Closing her eyes, she finally pressed her lips bravely on his and he responded just as bravely, both happily forgetting about the loud and colourful fireworks.