"And he won't but we have to bring it to Papa, remember?", Juliet chuckled as she finally reached Carlo before she walked to the door and glanced around it to see Beast standing out in the hall out of the field of view for anyone at the table.
"He really has good ears...", Juliet whispered to him as Beast smirked. "That or I'm too loud.", he said under his breath.
Carlo replied, "Momma Juliet, I want Papa! Apple pie on table is yummier than outside!", impatient and having a rare moment of having his mama's stubbornness, and his mother's recklessness.
"Carlo, please.", Juliet told him. "Go back to the table and get a slice to bring Papa, alright? You know he's... not really seeing strangers right now.".
Carlo argued, "But Gramma said Papa having choice to come or not, and he came!", and Beast sternly replied, "Carlo, do not argue with Juliet!".
It came to a snap, with Carlo crying out loud, "I want Mama! I want Mama sitting at table with Papa!", pushing the door as he sobbed, slapping the door open all the way as he hugged Beast's leg, "Papa! I miss Mama!".
Beast knelt down, picking his son up, holding him with gentle paws, kissing his forehead, "I know, Carlo...I want her at the table, laughing, smiling, cleaning your face with a napkin, holding my paw, having a hearty meal for the cubs...", tears falling down his cheeks, sad and upset that he couldn't get the magic to bring Perla and the cubs home in an instant, even though he was there last night at Jolene's birth.
"Uh... Beast...", Juliet cleared her throat as she glanced over to Belle and Maurice who could see him fully. There was a pause in things as Juliet took a deep breath, "Please, don't be afraid. He may look monstrous but... he really isn't.".
"I... I can see why he didn't want to be seen...", Maurice finally spoke almost half a minute later. Beast gave a smile, and glanced at Carlo, "Well, I guess I can have multiple helpings of apple pie, if Mrs. Potts got extra help tonight. But you really have to watch yourself, son...I know you miss Mama and all, but that was rude to shout at Juliet like that.".
"Sorry, Papa...I can't have a slice of apple pie, huh, since I was bad?", Carlo replied quietly, and Beast chuckled, "I think you can have a slice, as long as you apologize to Juliet, hmm?", as he walked in slowly.
Carlo looked at Juliet, "I'm sorry, Momma...", and Juliet smiled, "Apology accepted, Carlo. I miss Perla too...But you know what, I think Perla would want you to smile...After all, we have guests.", before glancing at Belle with a sheepish smile.
"Would the master like to sit down?", Belle asked as she finally found her voice as Beast chuckled, "A bit odd to ask considering that this is my castle... but yes, I suppose I will, especially since there's no reason now for me to hide from you two.".
The others were relieved that their new guests didn't panic or scream, and the other kids smiled happily to see their big uncle as Beast went to sit in his rather large chair, with Carlo resting on his knee, with Juliet sitting back near Belle.
Belle asked, "Are the staff the same as him, why they couldn't reveal themselves?", and Juliet replied, "Not exactly, Belle...But we will show you tomorrow...I think you and Maurice will take to get used to Beast first to get your mind around it, and before you ask, he wasn't always like this, but don't push it, okay?", explaining for the sake of Beast as he seems like he just wants to spend a little time with Carlo, and to get used to the fact that he has two new guests in the castle, to try socializing a bit.
The rest of the meal went alright, there still was an air of caution with Maurice and Belle for the time being, but at least Beast had done nothing to frighten them or make them succumb to fear. After a little while, Maurice was getting tired once more and planning on heading to bed.
Ray told Belle that he will help Maurice head up to his room, and Belle nodded, as Carlo and the other kids including the twin babies yawned, rubbing their eyes.
Leila chuckled, "I think you two need dessert yourself as you can't eat apple pie, darlings.", as she kissed Tiana and Jacques, carrying them in her arms, with Jules asking Ella, "You want to sleep over with Naveen and Carlo, or sleep with us, Ella?".
Ella smiled sleepily, "Sleep with you, Daddy.", as Jules chuckled, "Alright, then. A story for you, and then bedtime, sweetheart.", as he picked her up, holding her to his chest.
Carlo glanced at Beast, "Papa, can I sleep with you tonight? I had Momma Juliet day before.", and Beast rumbled softly with a smile, "Alright, son. Do you think you can stay up for a story, hmm?".
"I be tired for story, Papa...And I know you try best with story for me, but it not fun with Mama gone...Sorry, Papa...I be not help thinking about Mama...Mama be happy with new friends...", Carlo replied.
"I know... come on, I'll be sure to tell you a good story...", Beast smiled as he took Carlo away, leaving just Belle and Juliet alone while Naveen followed his father.
Belle replied softly, "He really loves Carlo, huh?", and Juliet smiled warmly, "Yeah...Honestly, he said that we can go anywhere we want, to leave him as he thinks he doesn't deserve us, especially Carlo, but with the promise sworn to look after him, I think we just couldn't leave him to grieve, to be suicidal...when he came too late to save Perla, but we never blamed him...it just...we knew Perla too well that she would want us to help him, and besides, he's part of the family if he doesn't even see it himself.".
"Sounds like quite the mess...", Belle admitted as Juliet sighed, "Like you wouldn't believe...".
Juliet then replied, "Come on, I'll show you the library. I bet you'd love to have a collection of books to read at night in your room.", and Belle's eyes brightened up, "You were holding back, weren't you?".
"Maybe...I was just waiting for you and Maurice to accept Beast...I would still give you one of the carriages, you know?", Juliet replied gently, and Belle gave a small smile, "I'm not upset at you for that...But you know we have decided to stay already, if we hadn't promised like that, yet having an adventure like this, I am glad to be here, and sure, Beast was a surprise, I'll give you that, but it makes the adventure interesting...Far more than being in the cottage, doing chores, and pursued practically by Gaston...".
"Gaston?", Juliet asked as Belle sighed, "A brute of a man... the village loves him but... he's not really smart if you catch my drift... among other things.".
Juliet looked at Belle, "And you say he is pursuing you?", and Belle simmered in annoyance, "Yes! He had the gall to come uninvited this morning shortly before Phillipe came home...He was coming on about wanting me to cook and clean in his house, having his latest hunt cooking over the fire, massaging his feet, and having his hunting dogs play with 6 or 7 strapping boys like him! He nearly ruined my book with his boots, made a mess with the furniture, and he trapped me against the front door, forcing me to say yes to his proposal!".
"What the hell?! He didn't ask your father in the first place?!", Juliet looked affronted and upset to hear what happened. "Please tell me that...that he was kicked out before he hurt you...or worse.".
"Thankfully I was able to find enough strength to throw him out, but just barely... honestly, if his follower wasn't around... I don't know what he would've done.", Belle sighed.
Juliet shook her head, "That...that bastard! And he didn't ask your father properly either!", and Belle replied, "Please don't tell Papa about it...He has enough to worry about, with needing to rest and heal for his leg.", with a sigh.
"Alright, I won't tell him for now...That Gaston is lucky that I wasn't there to kick at his jewels in the first place!", Juliet hmphed with a scowl.
"If you get the chance...", Belle admitted. "He's... he's pretty tough. He recently came back from Algeria. He's a hardened fighter...", with a nod. "Yeah, doesn't matter how much of a veteran of war he is... you hit him there, no man could stand.", Juliet chuckled.
Belle shook her head, "That's one fact I can't argue with.", with an amused smile, "So, the library?", looking at her eagerly. Juliet nodded, and led her to the library where Belle and Juliet began their routine of reading books and talking in the library much like Perla and Beast does...
By the next day and so, Maurice and Belle were surprised to meet the staff, but realized that the staff meant well to hide, and happily got to know the entire family, with some of the staff, over the month, with Belle's friendship growing with Juliet, having walks, reading books together, and talking together, or with Maurice, as his leg got better and better.
And then came Ella's fifth birthday, and when Jules and Leila asked what she wanted, Ella said that she wanted to dance and have fun like her friend in her past home did, without being scared of poison...
When Juliet heard about Ella's birthday wish, she wanted to see Belle in a beautiful ballgown...she wanted to tell her of her feelings, her strong attraction to Belle...but she knew Beast is the master, and only he can give the orders to the staff to polish up the ballroom even if it was cleaned months ago for spring cleaning...
Jiminy patted Juliet's shoulder, "I'll join you...I have something to tell Beast anyway as well.", and Juliet nodded, "Okay...", reassuring Belle with a warm smile, leaving the birthday feast that's happening in the family dining room for Ella's birthday lunch.
Juliet wondered if maybe it was time to let him know about Perla himself... he still was very torn apart by what had happened, but he seemed to have been recovering alright... or so they guessed.
They headed up to the West Wing, and knocked on the door, and Beast's voice replied, "Yes?", and Jiminy replied, "It's Jiminy and Juliet. We have things to talk about.".
"Come in, please, but mind the darkness...", Beast replied, and the duo walked into the room, seeing that the windows and drapes are all closed and darkened, with the gas candles and table candles flickering.
Juliet saw Beast holding a book, maybe Perla's book from the day she disappeared, and exhaled, "Beast, we got the details of Ella's birthday wish...She wants to dance and have fun with all of us...".
"The ballroom, you're hinting at it then...", Beast sighed deeply, and Jiminy replied, "Beast, sire...I have to confess something, it was on that day...I was mentioning the spring cleaning, and the ballroom..chatting with her...Perla...she was going to ask you that night if you wanted to celebrate a night of dancing as she was thinking about how it'd be so perfect, as she never, ever danced intimately with a man, let alone you...I think she was going to confess her feelings for you...she had that gleam of determination for a brief moment.".
While Beast wasn't showing it, he almost felt his heart skip a beat when he heard that. Just a few hours... that was all that it was going to be, and the curse would be broken! He was really glad that at least he knew she was alive for the time being or he honestly might have just walked off the tower's balcony by hearing that.
Beast exhaled, "You have no idea how much that means to me, Jiminy...", wanting so badly to see Perla beyond the moments of her in labor for their fourth child, to tell her how much she means to him, wishing to dance with her, to see her smiling at him.
Juliet glanced between Beast and Jiminy, "Should we tell him, Beast? I don't know about you, but I think Perla wouldn't want Jiminy to be guilty any longer...This room is up tight for the cold, thanks to autumn coming.".
"Tell me what?", Jiminy asked as Juliet glanced around before Beast shook his head. "No, same place I told you.", Beast reminded her as she nodded.
Beast looked at Jiminy, "I will give permission for the ballroom to be prepped tonight. Perhaps you two could suggest ideas with the staff. Come along...", and Jiminy was confused but went with them at Juliet's wink.
Jiminy nodded, and followed them into the deep hallways, finding the storage room, and with an urgent gesture of Beast's paw, they went into the storage room, with Beast closing the door.
Listening for a moment before Beast replied, exhaling, "Alright. We're clear. Jiminy, I have something to say as well, and Juliet knows by pure accident last month. This is very, very serious, and dangerous for the family in a way...".
Jiminy frowned, "I'm listening...", and Beast replied, "We were tricked. The Perla we buried...it was a fake copy of her...Perla got kidnapped, taken far away, and that wasn't the worst of it...The one behind it all was a dark magician...He cursed her to be like me.".
Jiminy's eyes widened, hearing that as he took a deep breath, "So... I didn't really let her down...", with a burden unknowingly lifted off his shoulders. "Yeah... well, maybe it was lucky that you were separated, this dark magician probably would've killed you.", Juliet said.
Jiminy exhaled, "You're right...Perla would have been devastated if she saw me get killed...Wait, wait, what about the cubs? Are they alright?!".
Juliet smiled, "Perla has been traveling, but she has been slowed down somewhat, thanks to carrying an entire litter of five cubs, and so far, within a month or so each time, she gave birth to the first three cubs, and if the timing is right, soon, it could be the fourth time for birth again.".
"F-five? So, it wasn't two cubs...", Jiminy was flabbergasted and shocked, glancing at Beast who blushed, "Believe me, she was beyond shocked when she discovered them kicking at her belly, smart kiddos they are in a way.".
"But where is she now?", Jiminy had to ask as Beast sighed, "Far away... but I think she's getting closer to home... it's been a long struggle for her...".
Jiminy replied, "But she's okay?", and Beast nodded, "Yeah. She's surviving with determination, keeping the cubs safe, and had a couple of scares...Two daughters and one son. Azure, Elisoe aka Eli for short, and Jolene. Jolene nearly gave us a scare...There was a moment where Azure disobeyed Perla out of boredom and curiosity, and she was nearly caught by a man, a man Perla knew personally. Stromboli.".
"What?! Stromboli?!", Jiminy widened his eyes in shock and horror, and Juliet reassured him, "Perla went mama beast mode and greatly injured him to the point that he died. Stromboli was losing the attack fast but managed to kick Perla in the belly. Not too greatly to threaten all of them, but it stirred Jolene into almost losing her life...Beast quickly saved her with a method he saw once long ago.".
Jiminy was relieved to hear that, "Thank goodness...Wait, hold on, how do you know that Perla's alive and saw the cubs?", and Beast replied, "I don't know who's behind it, but I think it's good magic, and with every time she needed me, it was stronger to let me touch and hold her beyond my wildest dreams, to revel in our cubs as they fed upon their mama's milk.", with a fond smile.
Jiminy had a feeling who's behind it, but obviously didn't say considering that Beast might not appreciate it... but one thing was for sure, he was going to have to know things sooner or later. They couldn't keep him in the dark forever.
"Well, thank you for telling me, Beast, and I feel much better...I suppose I have to act like I'm improving, getting better, moving on while missing Perla, aren't I?", Jiminy asked wisely.
Juliet nodded, "Yep, that's the gist of it. We can't risk Perla and the cubs again to the dark magician's fury if we can help it, and of course, we have a family to protect here, including our new friends.".
Jiminy exhaled, "Okay, I can do that. Anyway, let's get going...Are you going to join us tonight at the ballroom?", glancing at Beast. Beast shrugged, "Perhaps...I can do a couple of dances with the kids, but I might be on my own later on...It's not the same without Perla...especially after what you said about her wanting to dance with me...I just pray, wish that it's possible, but can't risk her being seen by the dark magician if he's spying on the ballroom.".
Juliet replied, "Whoever's behind the good magic, I'm sure they'd think of something...After all, they helped you to be there for her at the births and such, right?", and Beast gave a small smile, "Believe in faith...believe that it can be true...You're right...Anything's possible.".