Stay The Night

by Avonannie

The M-rated sequel to "Stay". The Beast is human again, but still haunted by dreams and the darkness of his past. Belle watched him die in her arms. Nothing can ever erase that. But her prince will try. So they find comfort in each other's arms as they confront the dark nights together. Rated M for dark nightmares and mature sexual situations.

12. Chapter 12

Epilogue:

In another part of the castle, Plumette lay beside Lumiere, stroking soft circles over his chest as he held her in his arms. Her tears had long since dried and there was a sort of resigned peace about her now, a hollow ache that she knew only time and love would heal.

"Belle is the saviour of us all," she whispered to her lover. "And yet, sometimes such sadness comes over me and there is such desolation and darkness that I fear even the many days in the sun cannot chase it away." Lumiere was silent for a time, absorbing her burden and letting her simply speak and feel. At last, he answered.

"While we were yet objects we had such hope within us. Can you not find hope within you again, my Sophie?" His voice was soft and pleading.

"In time, I think, it will return. You mustn't think I am utterly devoid of it. There is enough joy in this castle to fill a whole world." She choked again a little. "And I love my Belle so very dearly. She is my friend and I am her companion, and I think in time we shall be much like sisters ever could be." A tear escaped the corner of her eye. "There is no hate in my heart, Jean," she whispered. "I wish, sometimes, that I could cast blame on someone and hate someone for the wrong that was done us. But I cannot find it in myself to do that. All I can do is smile and move forward, each day, into the sun, as the light casts shadows on my heart."

Lumiere reached over and wiped the tear from Plumette's cheek as it fell, and she nestled into him.

There would be hope again. They would live in the sun and laugh anew. It would take time, but they would heal and there would be hope again.

The End.

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A/N: This ends Stay the Night. I am currently working on another piece, under the working title of 'Shadows in her Eyes'. The epilogue alludes to it. It will again be an M-rated fic, but not for steamy scenes. It will deal primarily with the impact that the curse might have had on the staff. I'll be picking on Lumiere and Plumette as my main romantic couple. It will take at least a week for it to go up, since I want to have it well edited before the first few chapters go up.