A/N Hey! My first... no I lie, my second Disney BatB Fanfic. It's a short, bit rubbishy, one-shot, dedicated to mon amie, Belle. I told her I could write something for her!!! big grins
Belle sat combing out her hair, absent-mindedly looking at her reflection in the ornate mirror. It had been ten years since her wedding, ten years since the curse was broken. Her face had changed, she'd had to adopt new expressions since becoming royalty. But her eyes were still the same, shinning with intelligence and hope.
A lot of her hopes had been fulfilled; she'd landed straight into one of her storybooks, surrounded by enchantments and falling in love with a handsome prince. She wouldn't have placed herself in the role of "princess" but over the past years she and her prince had kept the country running smoothly. It was hard work, but she made sure to visit petite ville like the one she had once lived in. She wanted to make sure the people were getting what they needed. She would never forget hew own simple beginnings.
When she had finished her hair she crept along the hallway to her daughter's bedroom. Gabrielle was eight, and had both her parents' stubbornness but also their charm. Belle smiled at her sleeping form. She would make a great ruler one day and be desired by many noblemen. However if Gabrielle got her wish she would marry Chip, who was seven years her elder. He had always been a charming child. Even, Belle remembered fondly, as a cup. He was patient with Gabrielle and she had taken to following him around when he was working. It wouldn't surprise Belle is this little crush developed into something more when the pair were older. She wouldn't stand in their way, she knew that love was more important than status or appearance.
When she returned to her room her husband was pacing outside her door.
"Where were you?" he asked gruffly. He still had moments of his old temper.
"Saying goodnight to Gabrielle"
His features softened. "Oh, sorry, it's just, I have something to show you."
Belle frowned, "What is it?"
"It's a surprise." He took her hand and led her down the hallway.
The past few years had been more strenuous on their marriage. There had been more arguments. Neither ever doubted their love, they had been through too much for that, but nothing was ever perfect.
"Close your eyes now," he said, still leading her purposefully.
She knew they were in the old part of the castle. Four years ago a lot of this part had been destroyed by a fire and they had never got around to making the much needed renovations.
"I was going to save this for tomorrow but I wanted you to see it now."
She opened her eyes to look at the Grand Ballroom, exactly how it had been ten years ago, the night she had realised she was in love.
"Oh Beast," she breathed, using her nickname for him. Only she could use it with such love. "It's beautiful."
"I thought it fitting to have our tenth anniversary celebrations here."
She turned to him, beaming, "It's perfect."
"Dance with me Belle?"
"Of course." She took his hand and they danced into the centre of the room, both humming softly the bars of a song that took them back through time to a perfect beginning.
"Je t'aime."