Hello, my dearest lovelies! This update was a spur of the moment! Shortly after Christmas, I was hit with the image of Agatha holding a candle... and at 10pm, December 31st, I listened to 'How Does a Moment Last Forever' and this beauty was born. Happy New Year!

Summary: A little tradition for the new year.
Number of years married: 15
Sons: 5
Daughters: 2

~:~ The Candle ~:~

Agatha watched the flickering flame on the single candle perched on a metal saucer.

She was mesmerized by the way it danced, throwing flashes of light in the small room of the inn they were staying at. It reminded her of those pretty dancers with their flowy skirts she had seen at the town's celebration. She snuggled further into her coat, unable to tear her eyes away.

The rabble had traveled to the nearest town for the new year celebrations - another town, not Villeneuve. A town that was friendly, welcomed travelers, and had a school for boys and girls. But Belle had been firm that she didn't want to upheaval everything to move to this town. Gaston teased her that she had fallen in love with their little home. To which Belle playfully rolled her eyes.

And after a day's worth of celebration and food and drink and sweets, Agatha was in charge of protecting this single candle. Making sure its flame didn't go out. Papa said it was an important tradition and that the candle was precious-

Julia blew at the flame.

Agatha was appalled and shoved her with a scowl. "Get off! You're gonna ruin it!"

"Am not," she grinned.

Try as she might, six-year-old Agatha couldn't push away her ten-year-old sister. "Papa!"

"Jules, leave your sister alone. She's got an important job," Gaston said from his current position of carefully trading Cedric for Jonathan with Belle. He was at the doorway that led to the balcony, his back to the action but he had a feeling what was happening. And he knew how important Agatha had taken her duties.

He held the candle out to her. "My mother showed me this when I was a boy. It was a tradition between us and it's a tradition I've kept. It's important to me, and I hope it's important to you too." He set the candle on a metal saucer and pulled out a match from his pack. "Thomas did this last year. I had to relight it ten times before giving it to Jules."

Agatha giggled.

He struck the match and lit the candle. "Granmama said that the light holds all that the year can be, and we must make a wish before bed. We hold onto that wish with all our might and it'll come true." He watched her eyes grow wide, taking in the dancing flame. "Think you can protect this light until bedtime?"

She nodded quickly. "Oh yes, Papa! Yes!"

He chuckled and softly pinched her chin. "Good."

She took the candle and carefully scurried to the far end of the room - the furthest distance from the open balcony doors. Safe from the soft wind that came through. She set it on the small table between the two beds.

"Come, Atha! The fireworks are starting!" Thomas called.

Belle and Gaston exchanged amused looks as all she did was wave her brother off and grumble about having a job to do.

"She's got your determination," Gaston mused.

"And she's got your loyalty," Belle matched,

He harrumphed. "Watch the fireworks," The corner of his mouth quirked upward at her giggle.

They all sat on the balcony. Thomas, 9, between them, and Nathie, 14, Julia, 10, and Gilbert, 12, sitting at the edge near the railing. All were very content as they were munching on their sweets from the festival that evening.

Gaston glanced at Belle - she was indeed watching the fireworks. Cedric, 2, was in her lap, his brown eyes wide and in awe. Gaston admired the way the colors bounced off Belle's face, how the golds made her eyes bright and carefree, how the reds made them dark and mysterious.

Two impatient hands gripped his face and turned his head toward the sky. Jonathan, 3, demanded that his father watch the pretty colors.

Belle glanced over and beamed at the way Gaston gently pulled his face out of Jonathan's pudgy grip and kissed their son's chubby cheeks until the boy broke out in a fit of giggles. She reached over and put her hand over his. He caught her finger between his thumb and forefinger. The two continued to watch the fireworks - occasionally glancing at Agatha to make sure she and the room were still in one piece.

Too soon (for those watching the lights) and not long enough (for Agatha and the bewitching flame), the booming fireworks fizzled out, and it was time for bed.

And each child let out a long yawn between getting up from their spot to gathering blankets to snuggling in bed. Agatha glowered at Julia who took an unnecessary close route to the table where the candle sat. But Julia just smiled sweetly. Agatha grumbled - she liked her sister better when she had her nose buried in a book.

"Atha dear, get ready for bed," Belle called.

"But the candle-"

"Will still be here when you return," Gaston assured, picking her up off the bed and setting her on the floor. "I'll watch it."

She pouted.

Belle urged her to get moving, bedclothes in hand. "Come on, sweetheart. We all have to get some sleep."

She still pouted but took the clothes from her mama.

Belle sent Gaston a look as Agatha stomped to the changing screen in the corner of the room. But the little girl was as bright and giddy as ever when she emerged and skipped to the table.

"Ready?" he asked.

She nodded and knelt between the two beds. Her eyes widened as her papa placed the plate in her hands. She smiled widely.

Everyone gathered around - Jonathan and Cedric were asleep already, but that was okay. The boys and her sister chatted and snickered and-

"Shush!" Agatha glared at every single person who let slip a small giggle - which included her mama.

Belle held up her hand, "Sorry, sorry." She tried to smother a smile. Gaston's gentle elbow to her ribs didn't help.

"Okay, now, think of a wish and-" She looked at her papa who gave an encouraging nod. "-and hold onto it real tight!"

"I wish-" Nathaniel teasingly began.

"Don't speak it, Nathie!" Agatha interrupted. "Or it won't come true!"

"Oh thank you, dearest sister! I have most extraordinarily forgotten!" he playfully exaggerated.

She glared at him and thumped his shoulder. "Shush."

He laughed but then conceded. "Sorry, Atha. I'll think of a great wish."

A minute or two passed and Agatha asked if their wishes were ready. After a chorus of 'ready's, they all blew the flame out. Agatha beamed then shyly blushed at the cheers her family gave her.

Then Gaston scooped her up, and she squealed. "Come on, time for bed."

She giggled. "I do a good job, Papa?"

"The best, sweetheart." He kissed her head and set her on the bed, between Julia and Jonathan. He tucked them all in then spoke a soft, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," came a chorus.

He chuckled and moved the changing screen to create a private "room".

"You and your traditions," Belle fondly scolded .

"What, it's a good tradition," he said, rolling out their sleeping mats.

"Yes it is," she smiled softly. She wrapped herself in a thick blanket and watched him set up. She reflected on the past year they've had and smiled at all the wonders this new year could hold. She had to give her husband credit - he still managed to surprise her after all these years, keeping their marriage unpredictable, in a fun way of course. And her babies… her babies had grown so much and she was so proud of them… But she was absolutely not ready to watch them continue to grow - one step closer to letting them go. Then she startled out of her thoughts-

Gaston wrapped his arms around her cocoon. "Happy?"

"Very."

"Good."

She smiled and kissed him. "Here's to a new year, my love."

He chuckled and accepted another sweet kiss. "Here's to a very good year."

And don't worry - her parents kept a close eye on her the whole time. I tried to have the chapter centered around Agatha, but our favorite couple wanted some time too x) Also, I haven't written a chapter with their ages included in a while - felt nice :) Hopefully 2022 wasn't too bad for you all. Here's to 2023! *hugs*