A/N: Here is the final chapter! Sorry for the wait it's been a bit of a busy week. I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it! Also, please note I did change the rating from 'K+' to 'T' and its nothing major but it was enough for me to up the rating.

And please keep an eye out for future works! I have at least a few other ideas, one that is already being written and should be out relatively soon.

As soon as they were within earshot of the sitting room the noise hit them instantly and caused a smile to cross their faces.

The room was positively bursting with chatter, no doubt their friends wondering why they had been called there at that time of night.

They paused just outside the room and glanced at each other with eager smiles.

Belle was brimming with excitement as she squeezed his hand. A low chuckle rumbled in his chest and he ran the tip of his finger across the ring on hers. Then he tucked their hands between them, hiding it from view, and gave her a small wink with a smirk.

She giggled quietly, biting softly on her lip and gave a small nod in return.

Then to announce their presence he cleared his throat and took the first step into the doorway with Belle following just behind.

There was an instant hush among the room as they came into view, all eyes turning to them.

They both had to hold back wide smiles at the sight of all their friends waiting for them in anticipation and curiosity.

Lumiere and Plumette stood closest to the entryway, standing close together as always. Next to them was Madame De Garderobe, holding forever onto FrouFrou, and Cadenza.

On the other side of the room was Cogsworth who stood near Maurice by the fireplace. Between all of them in the center of the room was Mrs. Potts, smiling widely, her hands pressed to her chest as they entered the room.

Belle's eyes quickly scanned the room, looking over all of their faces before finally settling on her father.

His gaze was warm, his smile loving and her smile brightened.

Maurice's eyes then flickered to the man beside her and once Adam caught his gaze, they shared a small nod with a smile before Adam then turned his smile on Belle.

"Thank you all for joining us here. I apologize if I have disturbed your evenings but as Mrs. Potts may have mentioned, there is something Belle and I would like to tell you."

Lumiere was the first to light up in realization and he gently squeezed an arm around Plumette before releasing her to take a sweeping step forward to them, a bright grin on his face. "Oh, it was no disturbance at all, my prince. We were all very awake, no?"

Plumette glanced curiously between her lover and Adam and Belle. Her eyes narrowed curiously as she took in the other woman's face and Belle flushed under her gaze. A small gasp passed her lips, her face lighting up in a smile as she moved gracefully to once again stand beside Lumiere.

"We are all very anxious to hear what you have to say." She told them.

"Our dear Mrs. Potts would not tell us anything." Lumiere groaned dramatically, casting a look over his shoulder at the housekeeper.

Mrs. Potts just simply grinned. "It was certainly not my place to say anything - just do as the master asked and gather you all here."

"Though I imagine it must be good news from the smiles on all your faces, yes?" Plumette asked with a smile of her own.

"Oooh!" Suddenly Madame De Garderobe burst out with a delightful note, drawing everyone's wide-eyed attention to her.

With a grin and a flourish she handed FrouFrou over to Cadenza who happily accepted the beloved pet and then rushed over to stand beside Plumette.

The two ladies exchanged an excited look and then looked directly at Belle. A wide smile finally broke past her lips as she met their gaze.

"I dare say will somebody please tell us what is going on?" Cogsworth half-heartedly demanded from his corner, sensing the excitement in the air but not seeming to reach the conclusion that the others had already come to.

Adam laughed quietly. "Certainly, Cogsworth." He turned to smile down at Belle and the group held their breath as smiles slowly creeped onto their faces.

"Belle, would you care to do the honors?"

A deep flush of joy coated her cheeks in a light pink and a grin blossomed on her face. She cleared her throat and squeezed his hand, her eyes drifting between the people in front of her making sure to make eye contact with each of them if only for a second.

"As I am sure all of you may have guessed already...Adam has proposed to me tonight and I have accepted." She looked up to Adam with a beaming smile. "We are to be married."

The room was quiet for only half a second as they all processed the news and then there was an explosion of noise as cheers of joy and laughter filled the room.

Lumiere grinned brightly, throwing his arms out in joy and was the first to rush forward towards them.

Belle laughed joyously as Lumiere took her hand in his and pressed a kiss to the back of her hand with a flourishing bow and then turned to bow at Adam who was grinning. "Oh, my prince, my lady! This is such happy news!" He laughed triumphantly, sharing a grin with them both.

He reached out to lightly clasp Adam on the shoulder and Adam reached out with a smile to place his hand on Lumiere's shoulder.

Madame de Garderobe came bustling over next, pushing past Plumette who also stood beaming with joy.

"Oh I knew this day would come!" She proclaimed happily and gently grabbed Belle by the arms and pressed a kiss to both her cheeks.

She finally released Adam's hand, her eyes widening and she laughed as she was pulled into a hug by the vibrant woman.

"Congratulations!" Plumette gushed as she flew over to them, graceful as ever and also pulled Belle into a gentle hug once Madame de Garderobe stepped away.

"Thank you." Belle smiled, embracing her warmly.

Cadenza then came flitting over with a grin, bouncing FrouFrou happily in his arms and he bowed as best he could with the dog in his arms. "My happiest of wishes to you both!"

"Oh, you must tell us everything!" Madame de Garderobe said, swooping in once again to Belle's side.

She glanced upon the eager, smiling faces of her friends and smiled before glancing over to Adam.

He raised a single brow and smiled in amusement. Her mind drifted back to the moment she realized what was happening as he remained knelt on the ground, looking up at her, eyes shining with such deep love. It was a moment she would no doubt remember for all her life...and one she wanted to keep all for herself.

"I think..." She started with a small smile, turning back to the women around her, "...I should like to keep the details to myself. However," She leaned forward, seeing the vague disappoint flicker over their faces, and she smirked and held back a chuckle as she noticed even Lumiere leaning in to hear what she had to say. "I will say it was in the ballroom." At once the faces of those around her lit up and she grinned in response. "After a dance."

"A dance!" Plumette sighed with a grin. "How romantic!" She turned a twinkly eyed look to Adam and he smiled, if seeming a bit flustered by the attention.

Lumiere chuckled casting a wide grin at the prince. "Oh, very romantic, indeed! The master can be quite charming when he wants to be, no?" He waggled his brow at Adam and Adam raised his brow giving him a look.

Belle laughed in delight, moving once again to Adam's side and slipping her arms through his as she grinned up at him. "Oh he can be very charming."

He looked down at her with slightly narrowed eyes, a smirk at the corners of his mouth and she narrowed her eyes in return, scrunching up her nose for a moment before they both erupted in smiles. Then she lifted onto her toes and pressed a feather light kiss to his jaw. At the chorus of cheers of adoration from those around them at the small but affectionate gesture, she blushed and grinned, ducking her head for a moment into his neck.

"Dear mademoiselle," A gruff but warm voice brought her head back up and she looked over to find Cogsworth now standing on the other side of Plumette, with a small smile on his face. "I am so very pleased for you both." He briefly shifted his gaze to Adam and as Adam smiled he gave a curt nod. "And I must say...I knew all along you would be the one. To break the spell, to save us all, and to one day marry our prince."

Lumiere let out a very loud scoffing laugh, gently twirling around Plumette to come around to Cogsworth's other side and poke him roughly in the shoulder. "You most certainly did not."

Cogsworth frowned deeply, flinching away from the other man, his grip tightening on his cane. "I most certainly did."

"No, no, no mon ami." Lumiere shook his head. "I told you she'd be the one and as often your way you dismissed any such hope with your blatant pessimism."

Cogsworth huffed and shook his head stubbornly. "Utter nonsense. Of course I knew all along." He insisted.

"As I recall it was you who said 'So much for true love'." He deepened his voice, mocking the Englishman's accent and Cogsworth scowled at him and he waved his hand dismissively.

"Anyone could see she was to be the one. It was clear as day."

"Clear as day to most of us, oui, but to you the day was dark as night."

They continued to argue, throwing witty remarks and banter much to the amusement to the others in the room, especially Belle and Adam who watched them in fond amusement.

Their quarrel could have and probably would have continued well into the night until it was broken by a small, delightful gasp from Plumette.

Lumiere instantly forgot about his argument with Cogsworth and flew back to her side, his eyes wide with curiosity.

Belle followed the young woman's gaze that was fixed on her hand now resting on Adam's chest, his mother's ring proudly on display.

"What a beautiful ring!" Plumette gushed and Madame de Garderobe took a few steps in closer to also get a better look at the ring and expressed her delight over it.

"My, oh my, yes!"

Sticking to her word, Belle kept her hand where it lay on Adam's chest to protect the beloved piece of jewelry. It was not that she did not trust the other women, she trusted them with her life in fact, but the ring was still so new to her, and was so incredibly precious she preferred to keep it where she knew it was safe and away from others' hands, as trustworthy as those hands may have been.

Plumette and Madame de Garderobe were more than content to admire it from afar and even Lumiere verbally admired its beauty.

"Oh my…" A deeper voice broke the women's admirations and they all looked over to Cogsworth who had taken a few steps closer, his eyes focused on the ring, his eyes unusually deep with emotion. His hand shook slightly as he pointed to the ring. "That was your mother's ring." He observed and his eyes slowly drifted up to meet Adam's.

Adam smiled tightly, his eyes glazing over with his own strong emotions and he nodded. "Yes." His arm slid around Belle and his hand rested lightly above her hip as he squeezed her to him. She turned a smile up at him. "I felt it was appropriate for it to be worn by the woman who saved my life."

Cogsworth cleared his throat and straightened up, his lips twitching in a small smile. "Quite right, my boy."

Belle's face softened as she watched an unspoken moment pass between the two men. Cogsworth was certainly the eldest member of the staff and had been with Adam's family the longest, since long before Adam's birth and no doubt remembered the woman well.

"There is no finer or deserving hand for it to be upon." Cogsworth said, his eyes softening as they looked at her.

Belle smiled graciously and curtseyed and Cogsworth nodded curtly in response.

"Well," Lumiere suddenly clapped his hands and Belle jumped, startled and then laughed quietly as she turned her attention to the exuberant man. He was still grinning from ear to ear. "I say this occasion calls for a celebration!"

"Oh, yes!" Mrs. Potts hustled over with a grin. "I shall put on some tea!"

"Bah!" Lumiere scoffed and waved his hands. "Tea! No, no, no this is a royal engagement...this deserves the finest wine!"

Plumette giggled quietly as he quickly pressed a kiss to her cheek and then he practically danced around her and the others to head for the doorway. "I shall return posthaste!" Then he pranced enthusiastically out of the room to fetch the wine.

Maurice, who had been quietly enjoying the celebration of his daughter's engagement, finally walked over to stand beside Mrs. Potts. "Tea, I think, would be lovely." He told her with a gentle smile. "My old body cannot handle wine at this time of night." He added with a chuckle and then turned a quick glance over to Belle and they shared a smile.

Mrs. Potts turned to him and her face lit up with a smile. "Tea it is, then!" She exclaimed happily and then quickly bustled out of the room.

"Papa…" Belle smiled and held out her hand for him. Maurice smiled in return and crossed the distance between them to take her hand and pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles.

His eyes widened when he caught sight of the ring on her finger and he lifted his brow, lifting his gaze to her and then to Adam. "That is quite the ring."

"Yes." Belle agreed with a small, breathy laugh. "It's beautiful."

"It is stunning." Maurice said. "Your mother's you said?" He asked of Adam.

Adam nodded with a small smile. "Yes. I know, were she alive, she would have wanted Belle to have it." He turned his loving gaze down to her. "She always saw the best in people, just as Belle does."

"She sounds like she was a wonderful woman." Maurice said softly and Adam swallowed thickly, nodding his head.

"She was."

Maurice smiled sadly, his eyes drifting back to Belle who was beaming up at Adam. Then as she felt his eyes on her, she turned to him and her smile slowly fell as she took in his look.

"What is it, Papa?"

Maurice shook his head slowly. "It's nothing, my dear. I was only thinking…" He trailed off with a small sigh. "If your mother were still with us…" Belle's frown deepened at the mention of her. "How proud she would be of you." His voice grew thick with emotion and Belle's eyes filled with tears.

She released herself from Adam's arms and moved into her father's. "Oh Papa…"

"Just as I am." He whispered against her hair, holding her tight to him for a moment before releasing her and giving her a small smile, wiping the tears from her cheeks. "So very proud."

A watery smile passed her lips and she closed her eyes briefly as he pressed a loving kiss to her forehead.

Maurice then cleared his throat and glanced back over to Adam who had been watching them, his eyes soft.

His smile widened as he caught Belle's gaze and she smiled as she stepped back towards him into his open arm. His arm came firmly around her shoulders and she leaned happily into his side, her smile widening.

"Yes." Maurice said quietly, a warm smile on his face as he watched the pair interact and then they both turned to him curiously. "You two will go far together. A love like this...only comes but once a lifetime." He smiled wistfully. "I hope you treasure it for all your days and never let it go to waste."

"I will, Papa." Belle nodded, her voice thick with emotion and Adam nodded his head in agreement.

"For all of our days." He vowed.

Their tender moment was broken by a small, quiet sigh from behind Maurice. He turned around and Belle and Adam glanced around him to find Plumette watching them with an adoring smile.

"Forgive me…" She shook her head with a smile. "It is all just so beautiful!"

Belle laughed quietly, ducking her head into Adam's chest, a flush coating her cheeks and she could hear the rumble of his own quiet laughter.

"So beautiful!" Madame de Garderobe agreed, wiping at her eyes and they gave them a warm smile. "Love is such a wonderful thing!" She turned in towards Cadenza and they affectionately nuzzled noses as FrouFrou yipped happily between them.

Just then Mrs. Potts came strolling back into the room with the tea cart. "Hot tea!" She cried with a grin and paused in the middle of the room. Still with a smile she poured some tea into one of the teacups and walked over to hand it to Maurice. "Here you are." She raised her brow knowingly. "Lovely cup of tea in a very unenchanted cup."

Belle giggled, bringing her hand to her lips at her father's expression.

Maurice blinked and cleared his throat, accepting the tea cup politely. "Oh, well...yes that is very kind, thank you. Much appreciated." He hesitantly raised the cup to his lips as if he was half expecting it to still be alive.

Mrs. Potts hummed with an amused smile. "Chip told me all about your first visit to the castle and how he frightened you nearly half to death!"

He coughed, choking a little on the tea. "Yes, well...I had never seen a talking teacup before it was a little...startling to say the least."

Mrs. Potts laughed warmly. "Oh, it was a perfectly normal reaction, dear!"

"Yes," Cogsworth piped in gruffly, "At least you did not attack him with a chair."

"Oh, no…" Belle buried her face in her hands, stifling her giggles and Adam lifted his brow curiously.

"Have I missed something?"

Belle shook her head, her face still buried within her hands. Then she lifted her face, her cheeks tinted pink and she cleared her throat. "My first encounter with Lumiere. He was trying to be hospitable, escort me to my room...as you can imagine I was quite shaken after our...initial meeting…" Adam bristled under her touch and she only moved in closer to reassure him. She let out a hard breath. "Lumiere startled me is all. I heard him speaking and I was expecting to see a man not a walking, talking candelabra, so I...as Cogsworth noted...hit him with a chair."

"Oh, my…" Plumette covered her mouth and Belle glanced up to her apologetically but she was clearly trying to stifle her giggles behind her hands.

"No harm, no foul, ma chére!" Lumiere's delightful voice chirped from behind as he swept into the room, balancing several glasses and two bottles of wine in his arms.

Cogsworth's eyes widened in alarm at the sight and immediately reached out to take some of the delicate glassware from him. "Do be careful, Lumiere!" He scolded sharply.

Lumiere promptly ignored him, moving over to the tea tray to set down the rest of the glasses and wine bottles. "Voila!" He presented with a flourish of his arms and a grin. "The house's finest wine for our most beloved couple on this, the night of their betrothal!" He bowed deeply, lingered for a moment and then popped back up.

"Thank you, Lumiere." Adam praised kindly with a small chuckle.

"But of course, my prince! Now what say we have a toast?" He grabbed a bottle and popped the cork before pouring two glasses and shuffling over to hand them to Belle and Adam.

"Thank you." Belle smiled as she accepted the glass and Adam nodded respectfully as he accepted his.

Lumiere grinned at them both and then returned to stand behind the tea tray. He cleared his throat, placed one hand behind his back and the other at his chest. "Now then -"

Adam lifted his brow and quietly cleared his throat to politely cut him off. "Lumiere...are you not going to pour a glass for everyone else?"

Lumiere blinked at him for a moment and then a wide grin spread across his face. "Oh, but of course, Your Grace!" He quickly worked to fill the rest of the glasses and hand them to everyone in the room, all except Maurice and Mrs. Potts who were content with their tea.

Belle smiled as she watched in delight the faces of her friends light up as they were handed a glass of wine and she realized with a small pang that drinking wine with their master had not been something that was done very often, if at all.

She turned her smile up at Adam who was also watching the scene with a small, serene smile. Her heart swelled with love and pride at the man he had become.

Once everyone was settled with their wine and had now gathered in a small circle around Belle and Adam, Lumiere took his place directly across from them, between Plumette and Cogsworth.

He once again cleared his throat and lifted his own wine glass, encouraging the others to follow.

"My dear mademoiselle," He started, looking directly at Belle who gave him a warm smile, "I think for certain, all of us," He glanced quickly, pointedly, at Cogsworth before returning to her, "can say that we knew our lives would be changing the moment you stepped through our doors."

She flushed and leaned into Adam as he tightened his grip around her.

"For better, or worse, perhaps not all of us were sure of but for once in a very long time you gave us something we had all been lacking: hope. We are all standing here today because of your kindness and your heart. We knew you had to be something special to stand up to the master, no?" His lips twitched in a smirk which only widened at the look Adam gave him.

Belle only smiled as she looked up at him.

"We all were granted the absolute pleasure of watching your love blossom into something so pure and true it saved all of our lives when it seemed all was lost."

A heavy silence fell on the room for a few long moments as they all got lost in the memory of the final moments before the spell was broken.

"You came here and brought life, light and joy back to the castle." Lumiere continued, his face lifting back into a smile, which brought a collective smile back to the room.

"As Cogsworth once so wisely said…" Lumiere cast a gaze to his friend beside him and lifted his glass higher. "True love really has won the day!"

"Hear, hear!" Cogsworth agreed, raising his own glass and the room laughed.

"My prince," Lumiere continued, looking to Adam and they shared a small smile. Then his gaze shifted to Belle, his smile widening, "dear mademoiselle…"

Belle grinned and lifted her glass to him.

"To true love and happiness!" Lumiere proclaimed with a wide grin. "For all the days of your lives!"

The room erupted into cheers and raised their glasses. Adam and Belle glanced at each other, exchanging bright smiles and then each took a sip of wine.

"Please, my friends, drink!" Adam encouraged after he lowered his own glass and noticed everyone still hesitating to drink from their own glasses.

They smiled at the gentle command of their prince and drank.

The festivities continued for the next hour with Belle being swarmed by the women as they took to gather by the fire and discuss wedding plans. Mrs. Potts and Madame de Garderobe even went into remembering their own weddings, much to the relief of Belle who had started to become a little overwhelmed by the thought of planning her wedding - a royal wedding at that. Mrs. Potts even discussed a little about remembering Adam's parents wedding, having been a young girl who just started work at the castle and was present for the event.

Every so often she'd steal a glance over to Adam to delightfully find him fully engaged in conversation with the other men, her father included. His laughter would often drift across the room, usually in response to something Lumiere had said and her heart always lifted at the wonderful sound. He seemed so at ease, relaxed, happy.

Then as if he could feel her eyes on him, he'd turn his head towards her, meet her gaze from across the room and smile. She would smile back at him and then they'd once again return to their mingling.

Little by little, the population of the room grew smaller as the night drew on. Maurice was the first to retire, having fully finished his tea and feeling the effects of all the excitement of the evening. He bid the prince and his daughter a goodnight and another congratulations and headed off towards his room.

Cadenza and Madame de Garderobe left shortly after, Cadenza having enjoyed a bit too much wine, leaving his dear wife to drag him off to bed with an apology to the amused prince and Belle.

The excitement level had faded as the wine began to take its effect on the rest of them and they remained for a little while longer, seated around the couches and chairs, each respective couple in each other's arms and Cogsworth in the armchair and Mrs. Potts seated by the fire as they conversed.

It was only when Belle pointed out, with a small smirk of amusement, that Cogsworth was nearly falling asleep in an upright seated position, that they all mutually decided to call the night.

Lumiere was the one to go over and gently coax the older man awake. Cogsworth snapped to attention, gripping tight onto his cane, blinking past his heavy eyes. "Ready to serve you, sir!" He announced sleepily.

Adam chuckled and rose from his place beside Belle to cross the room and stand beside his chair. "Cogsworth, perhaps it is time you retire to bed."

"To bed?" Cogsworth repeated, looking up at his prince with a blank look. "Oh yes, of course...to bed. I think perhaps it is that time."

Lumiere held back a chuckle of his own as he reached down to help him to his feet. "Come along, mon ami."

The older man wobbled on his feet and mumbled a thank you. He scrunched up his nose and blinked, hard, twice in attempt to wake himself up.

A small, tired smile crossed his lips as his eyes fell upon Adam and Belle, who had now risen and joined her fiancé's side.

"Your Grace," He bowed to him and then to Belle, "Mademoiselle. Once again a hearty congratulations...may your marriage be better than mine."

Belle's eyes widened and Adam lifted his brow, astonished at the man's blunt admission. It was no secret, of course, that Cogsworth was not overly fond of his wife but he was rarely so free in expressing it.

"Oh, dear…" Came a small murmur from Mrs. Potts and a tiny giggle from Plumette.

"Alright, old friend…" Lumiere chuckled and swooped an arm around his shoulders. "Let us bid goodnight, eh?"

"Hm? Oh yes...quite right. Goodnight all."

"Goodnight, Cogsworth." Belle wished with a sweet smile.

As Lumiere guided the exhausted head of the household towards the doorway, he glanced over his shoulder and widened his eyes and mimed a drinking motion.

Belle covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a giggle but gave him an admonishing look.

Lumiere only grinned and continued his way across the room with Cogsworth.

He once again bid goodnight and then made sure he was safely headed in the right direction before turning back into the room.

Belle glanced quickly around at all the wine glasses scattered around the room. "Thank you for the wine, Lumiere, it was wonderful. Is there anything I can do to help clean up?" She asked as she already started for one of the glasses on a nearby table.

The staff's eyes widened and even Adam looked at her strangely. Lumiere quickly swooped in and swiped up the glass before she could reach it and she looked to him curiously.

"No, no, mademoiselle! Please, that is not necessary."

Her brow furrowed as she glanced around the room, watching as Plumette and Mrs. Potts quickly bustled into action to clean the room.

"Are you certain? I don't mind…"

Finally she met Adam's eyes and found him to be watching her with a mixture of curiosity and awe. She nearly rolled her eyes as she realized. He was a prince, and despite his recent change of heart, there were still certain things he was accustomed to. Such as the servants cleaning up after him. Servants who were also their friends and enjoyed the celebration of their own engagement as much as they did.

"Truly." She stressed again as she turned back to the others but found they had already done most of the work. "I do not mind helping."

"Nonsense." Mrs. Potts waved her hand with a smile and then started to gather everything up on the tea tray. "It is our honor to serve you, dear. Especially on such a special occasion as this."

Belle frowned and let out a little sigh. She supposed this was one of the situations she would have to get used to. As much as she preferred to be treated as equally as anyone else, the fact was she was no longer just a guest in the castle, now she was going to be Adam's wife...a princess and they were all hired to serve them. Still, she refused to let them go unappreciated.

"Thank you all very much." She stressed, making sure to make eye contact with each of them.

They all paused to smile at her and she realized that they were not simply doing their jobs but were happy to do so.

"It is our pleasure." Lumiere gave a flourishing bow, smiled again and then finished the clean up.

She smiled tightly as Adam came to stand beside her and wrapped an arm around her.

Once the glasses were all gathered on the tea tray and Plumette did a quick straightening and fluffing of the pillows on the furniture, they all bid a final goodnight and head in their separate directions.

"You're very quiet." Adam noted as they walked arm in arm towards the east wing and he frowned in vague concern. "Is everything alright?"

She looked up at him and smiled softly. "Oh yes, everything is fine. I'm just feeling a little tired is all. It has been rather a long day. A very wonderful day but long nonetheless."

Adam hummed, nodding in agreement. "Yes I must say I did not expect Lumiere to bring out the wine or that the announcement would become such a long affair."

"Nor did I." She giggled quietly. "I am glad that we told them tonight though." Her face lit up with a smile. "They seemed so genuinely happy for us and so excited for the wedding. Plumette and Madame de Garderobe have already started suggesting ideas!"

"I suppose they never thought they would have such an opportunity." He said and her brow furrowed curiously.

He cleared his throat lightly and clenched his jaw as he explained, "Before the curse...well, shall we just say that I had no particular interest in marriage."

"Oh." Belle muttered, keeping her expression blank. She often tried not to think about the man he was before the curse because it was not the man that stood beside her.

"Yes." He said gruffly. "Belle you must understand...my upbringing…" He paused and sighed deeply. "My parents were married, of course, but I was so young when my mother passed I hardly paid attention to their marriage life. After my mother passed, my father…" He trailed off again and his lips twitched in faint disgust. "Well, my previous behavior was certainly learned behavior. My father never remarried and always had a new, beautiful, young lady on his arm." He scoffed. "One that was always willing to give him the attention he desired and I...was not much better. I thought that was how I was meant to behave. It was shameful, reprehensible behavior." He scoffed low in his throat, almost sounding like a growl. "I thought marriage, and love, to be a foolish notion. What a fool I was." He finally turned his head to look down at her, a humorless smirk tugging at the corner of his lips and she gave him a small, but genuine, smile in return, tightening her hold on his arm as they rounded the corner headed towards her bedchambers.

"Honestly…" He continued, his brow slightly furrowed. "I still do not know if I really believe that there is one single person who you are made for. However, I do know one thing for certain…" He stopped and turned to face her fully and her breath was stolen by the intensity of his eyes as they locked onto hers. "You are the one that makes me happy...happier than I ever imagined I could be. You are the only one I want to spend my life with." He brought his hand up to comb gently through her hair.

She let out a slow, steady breath, attempting to cool the warmth that flooded through her at his words, at their close stance, how she could feel his body heat against her.

It was utterly amazing to her, what he could do to her, with just a simple look and a gentle touch.

"So it is not foolish then?" She whispered, keeping her eyes on his. "Marrying me?"

His lips curled into a wider smiler. "Most decidedly not." His hand continued to move through her hair to finally rest at the base of her neck. "In fact, I believe, it could be the wisest decision I have ever or will ever make."

Breathless, she tilted her head up a fraction as he started to lean in.

"Well then...I am quite glad you have changed your mind."

She caught a flash of a grin before his lips descended on hers. Her eyes closed and she sighed against his mouth, sliding her hands onto his chest as his other hand moved to her hip, the hand at the back of her head pulling her even closer.

She hadn't even had a full glass of wine earlier but the house wine was definitely more potent than anything she or her father had ever managed to acquire. She could still feel a little of the effects, the fuzziness in her head, the buzz and warmth that flowed through her veins and perhaps, made her just a little more bold than she usually was with Adam. At least when it came to physical intimacy.

She slid her hands up his chest until her arms circled around his neck and then she pushed herself onto her toes to meet his height and deepened the kiss. He dropped his hand in surprise and she smiled at the small noise he made.

Then a low growl rumbled in his chest and both his hands gripped tight onto her hips and he slowly pushed them back until her back hit the wall.

They broke contact as she let out a small squeak of surprise but soon his mouth once again found hers.

It was a kiss full of passion and love and one that could have lasted for days if physically possible. They were both giddy with love and wine and desperate for one another.

A series of lighthearted giggles left her lips after they parted but still stood close together, her pressed against the wall, him pressed gently against her, their arms tangled around each other.

She could feel more than see his smile against the side of her face, his warm breath tickling her ear, still trying to catch his breath.

"My Belle…" His voice was low against her ear and sent a shiver down her spine and she clung further to him. On anyone other man's lips those words would have been possessive in nature, trying to claim her, as if he owned her. Not on Adam's...for she freely gave herself to him. Her heart was in his care and she trusted him not to misuse it. She was his just as he was hers and in just a few short…weeks? Months?... they would be bonded forever.

"My brilliant, beautiful Belle…" He continued, pressing a soft kiss to the side of her face and she smiled, melting against him. "My only love..."

At that, delightful laughter bubbled out of her lips and she threw her head back. He pulled back, blinking down at her in astonishment.

She only laughed harder at the look on his face and she moved her hand to the side of his face as she grinned. "Oh, my dear, sweet prince, sometimes you can be oh so delightfully charming."

She lifted up to press another soft kiss to his lips.

He smiled, his eyes dancing in amusement after she pulled away.

"You are terribly giddy tonight." He observed.

She hummed and slid her hand back to his chest and smiled. "The man I love has just asked me to marry him, that is a good reason to be giddy I think." His smile widened and then she bit her lip, hiding a sly grin. "It is either that or the wine."

He laughed, heartily. "Oh I see. The wine, is it?"

She hummed, nodding her head with a grin. "Yes the wine, that is most certainly it." She teased.

He chuckled again, lighter. "Well I suppose I should at least be glad you are not dreading our impending matrimony." He had a small smirk on his lips and she knew he was teasing her right back but the words sobered her and she once again brought her hand to his face, looking seriously into his eyes.

"Never. I would marry you tomorrow if it were possible."

His eyes softened, reflecting love. Her thumb caressed the skin of his cheek softly.

"I am so deliriously happy, Adam." She said. "And it is not just the wine. It's you, always you...my prince, keeper of my heart, love of my life."

His smile widened, blue eyes twinkling in delight and he raised a brow. "And fiancé."

"The most important title of all." She agreed and leaned into kiss him again. "My Adam." She murmured against his lips, echoing his words from before and he smiled before sealing their lips together once more.

It was a more sweet kiss with slow and gentle caresses.

With a soft content sigh, after they parted Belle lowered her head to his chest, her eyes closing, a small smile on her lips as she listened to his heart beating soundly beneath her ear. His very presence, the warmth of him, his comforting embrace and the lasting effects of the wine were almost enough to put her to sleep on the spot.

"Belle," His voice was low at her ear and tinged with amusement, "My darling...as content as I would be to remain in your arms all night I think it is time you are off to bed."

She groaned quietly in protest, snuggling further into him. "I do not wish to move." She sighed.

He brushed a kiss across the top of her head. "Nor do I but it seems to me you are about to fall asleep and I do not believe either of us would be very happy in the morning if we were to remain here."

She sighed again but knew he was right. She lifted her head and smiled up at him sleepily. She felt his breath catch in his chest and his eyes glazed over in awe.

"You're beautiful." He muttered before he could stop himself and she blushed and rolled her eyes and shoved playfully at his chest.

He caught her hands in his which drew her back to him. "I cannot wait until you are my wife and I can wake every morning to those beautiful eyes."

Her heart stuttered and she could feel the heat rising to her cheeks as the sudden realization swept over her. She would be his wife and be able to share his bed - properly. There were a few occasions, particularly just after the curse was broken and they were both plagued by nightmares that they fell asleep together, seeking the comfort of each other's embrace. Or the occasional night where they'd fall asleep reading together in the library by the fire. The staff kindly pretended not to notice when she was caught sneaking out of the west wing or they left the library in the wee hours of the morning dressed in the same clothes they had been in the previous day. Even so, they tried not to make a habit of it.

Her heart raced in anticipation of finally being able to go to bed with him - in all senses of the word and her cheeks flamed even brighter at the thought.

"There you are again," she breathed, smiling up at him, "being ever so charming."

He chuckled and wordlessly brought her hands to his lips in a soft kiss and then motioned with his head down the hall.

With another reluctant sigh she allowed him to lead her the few paces down the hall to her door, her hand secure in his.

She turned to face him once they arrived, her back facing the door and she leaned against it, smiling.

"It has been such a wonderful evening."

"Indeed it has." He agreed with a smile of his own, taking a small step in towards her to leave minimal space between them. He brought his hand to gently touch her cheek and she leaned into his palm. "One that unfortunately must now come to an end."

He laughed quietly at the slight, adorable pout that poked out her bottom lip and couldn't resist sweeping down to press a soft kiss there.

"The night will pass quickly." He assured her. "And will bring a brand new day."

Her smile brightened. "Our first official as betrothed." Her smile faded slightly, her head tilting curiously. "Will much change, do you think?"

"Other than looking upon you with the renowned knowledge you will soon be my wife?" His thumb brushed across her cheek and she smiled softly. "Not yet, I shouldn't think, if you are referring to your new role." She nodded, feeling slightly apprehensive and feeling a little foolish for feeling that way and he smiled reassuringly.

"You will do splendidly. I know it may become overwhelming at times but you will handle it all in your stride and do not fear, I will not let your royal responsibilities overshadow your other work."

Relief flooded through her. She wasn't sure how he always seemed to read her mind and have the words to know how to calm all her fears but she loved him all the more for it.

"Thank you." She whispered and he leaned in to tenderly kiss her forehead and her eyes fluttered closed.

She found it almost hard to open them again, feeling a sudden wave of exhaustion and that must have been reflected in her eyes as she looked up at him.

"That is all to come. For now, I shall bid you goodnight." She hummed, her eyes threatening to close again as he thread his fingers through her hair. "Sweet dreams, my Belle."

His hand lingered for a few moments longer before he let it float down to his side. "And with any luck I will awake tomorrow to find this has not just been all an enchanting dream."

"Oh." She sighed quietly and nearly rolled her eyes giving him a look with a small smirk. "Adam…" She shook her head. "This is real. I love you and soon I shall be your wife."

His lips twitched in a smile. "You look at me that way and sometimes I cannot believe I have been so fortunate."

"I do wish you would stop being so hard on yourself." She said, quietly but firm. "You deserve all the love and happiness you have received."

"I think you are just too kind a soul to think otherwise."

She rolled her eyes slightly. "Believe me I know when a man is unworthy of my affection." She didn't let her mind dwell too long on Gaston - despite his brutish behavior he did not deserve so violent a death. "Do you not remember what I told you earlier?"

A small smile crossed his lips. "They are words I shall not soon forget."

"Good because they are true." She leaned up to kiss him softly. "Now, no more of this...rest easy and know that I love you and I always will."

He nodded and though she could still see a hint of doubt in his eyes his smile widened, enough to reassure her that at least if he didn't quite believe her, he was still happy.

She bit her lip softly as a silence fell between them and she could really notice the silence of the rest of the castle and her own exhaustion creeping on her. She knew it was time to end the day but it was not a day that she wanted to end.

"Are you certain you must leave?" She asked quietly, slowly looking up at him.

His eyes darkened and narrowed slightly and he shifted on his feet. "Do not tempt me, Belle."

She could see in his eyes the same longing and desire she felt rising within her and knew the temptation was strong within both of them but they could not give in.

"Very well." She whispered with a soft smile and then sighed as she reached for the door handle.

She opened the door and took a little shuffling step in towards the room before starting to turn back towards him. "I suppose this is goodn-"

She was cut off as he suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her in towards him for final, searing kiss. She melted against him and just as quickly as it had begun it ended.

"Goodnight." He said quietly, leaving the barest whisper of a kiss against the side of her mouth, squeezed her hand and then he was gone.

She watched a little dazed as he disappeared down the hall and then turned back to her room with a smile.

She closed the door and then leaned her back against it with a contented sigh.

She glanced around her room with a renewed sense of awe. Had it really only been around a month ago that she first stepped into that room? She had been in awe of its grandeur, she had never seen a room like it before, but as beautiful as it was it has also been her prison. She felt trapped even with its size and uncomfortable at best being in such a strange and magical place and terrified that she would never see her father again.

But just as quickly as the staff had become friends and Adam had become less her captor, the room had begun to feel like home.

The spell was broken, her friends had become more like family, Adam was her fiancé and she rested easy knowing her father was sleeping peacefully elsewhere in the castle.

She knew she only had a few more weeks in the room for once she was married she would be sharing the west wing with Adam.

A thrill pulsed through her at the thought. Married. She was going to be married. To a prince. To her Adam, her friend, her beast.

She let out a small delightful laugh and lifted off the door to cross the room toward her vanity table.

Her eyes caught the hairbrush and her lips twitched up at the memory of thinking it had also been alive.

Then her eyes fell upon the ring on her finger and her heart leapt at the sight, still a little surprised to see it there.

She ran her thumb gently over the intricate jewel and then carefully removed it, holding it between her fingers.

She frowned, trying to find a safe place to put it for the night and made a mental note to ask Adam for the box he had removed it from.

Eventually she placed it carefully inside the small jewelery box, moving aside the various other rings and jewelry inside.

She closed the lid and let out a breath, nodding to herself, convincing herself it would be safe there.

Then she lifted her gaze to the mirror and took in her reflection. Her hair was a little mussed, no doubt a combination of the wind from her time on the balcony and Adam's wandering fingers.

Her cheeks were a little flushed, from the wine or from the joy of the evening she wasn't sure.

Her eyes were tired but shining with joy, accompanied by the smile on her lips that would not fade.

If joy had a face, she'd no doubt be the very picture of it.

She smoothed out her hair with her hands and then attempted to cool the burning of her cheeks by placing her palms to her cheeks.

She took a few deep breaths and then turned away from the mirror.

She changed out of her dress and then headed straight for the bed.

As she laid down on the bed, relaxing immediately into its lush comfort, she reflected on how much her life had changed so quickly...and how accustomed to it she had already become.

Her bed in the cottage in Villeneuve was significantly smaller and not nearly as comfortable. It wasn't uncomfortable any means, it certainly had done her well for all of her life. Yet she had only slept on that bed for two nights since she first came to the castle. Shortly after the spell was broken, and after the official offering from Adam for her to officially remain at the castle, she had returned to Villeneuve for a few days to spend some time with her father and gather her belongings to take to her new home.

It reminded her then, as she emotionally looked around her small but homey little cottage, how quickly her life had changed and there she sat again, in a large luxurious room, knowing her life would be changing ever still.

You wanted adventure. She thought, turning with a smile as she curled into her pillow and closed her eyes, starting to drift off to sleep.

This was sure to be the best adventure of her life.