The group made their way to the lake with their offerings and laundry, finding a good spot to finish the laundry. As they settled on a spot a blue skinned water nymph poked her head out from the water greeting them with a smooth voice, "Hello Sweet Belle and Louata. And greetings old Wolf, we've missed you. Are you here for a swim."

"Not this time,"Louata smiled as she changed to her human form, "Well except for Grandfather. Belle and I need to finish our laundry. If you don't mind that is."

"Of course, you may," the nymph smiled at them as Belle gave her the honey comb and jam, "We always love when you visit us. Especially an old friend like you."

Grandfather smiled at her as he stepped into the water. Three other nymphs poked out of the water, swimming over to the old wolf with small giggles. The old wolf gave a smile before ducking under the water. He stripped from his wolf pelt to a muscled old man with a beard and scars decorating his body. The nymphs giggled louder as he swam over to them.

Belle and Louata began working on the laundry. Thankfully they just needed another rinse to get the mud off them.
"One of these days we should leave this place," Belle said as she hung the wet clothes on a tree branch.

"Where would we go," Belle gave a small smile.

"We could live in the wood or find another less small, minded village," Louata smiled back, "Travel with our fathers maybe."

"Papa only has small trips to the city," Belle replied as she handed her another shirt to hang, "And we haven't seen Father since the beginning of Spring on your birthday."

"I'm not hearing a no," Louata smirked as she hung up the shirt on the branch before going to sit next to Belle, "Think about it. No more hiding, no more small book selections, no more judging stairs or whispers behind our backs. And best of all no more Gaston."

"I thought Grandfather taught us to never let a man make us run," Belle playfully elbowed her.

"I wouldn't say we are running from him it's just a happy side effect," Louata countered with a laugh. Belle laughed at her as she removed her dress before diving into the water. Louata followed making a big splash against Belle, making her laugh as she splashed her back. They laughed as a splash war insured, the nymphs joining them.

After playing in the water the girls and their grandfather laid on the sandy bank in the afternoon sun to dry. The birds sang around them as they watched the clouds over head.

"You know soon we won't be able to do this," Louata sighed, "Almost fall."

"Yeah, it will be too cold for us to do soon," Belle sighed, "Hopefully I'll have refined the design to my washing machine, so we won't have to go to the town fountain again."

"The spirits always offer their greatest ideas in the autumn months," Grandfather smiled to the two, crawling closer to them, resting his head on Belles stomach, "Maybe you'll get more ideas."

"Thank you though Papa is the better inventor," Belle smiled modestly, "I just have me head in the clouds to come up with such things."

"They're still good," Louata countered, "You may be lacking in the skills, but you sure do make up for it in the brains. And I can't say that about a lot of the women we've met."

All three laughed at this. As the sun began to fall in the sky the group got ready to return home. The laundry was dry enough that they could hang it back by the cottage to finish drying. Grandfather guided them to the edge of the forest before returning to his pack.

Belle began on dinner while Louata tidied up around the house in her human form. Once their chores were finished, they enjoyed a small dinner, then Belle read aloud as they sat by the fire. Louata falling asleep as Belle read aloud. After a time, Belle began to grow sleepy as well. With a yawn she gently tapped Louata on the shoulder, waking her up.

"Come on," she yawned, "Bedtime."

Louata let out a soft groan as she stood up, stretching her back with a big yawn. After a shake she followed Belle into their shared room. While Belle changed into her nightgown, Louata began pawing at the mattress to fluff it up and wiggled her way under the blankets. After braiding her hair, Belle joined in under the blankets, cuddling up to Louata as they fell asleep.