A/N: This is a very belated birthday gift for Leigh Ann b/c I know how much she loves Beauty and the Beast. I hope it was worth the long wait!

The rain poured down as Belle stroked the Beast's fur.

"Belle..." he groaned weakly. "You came back."

"Of course I did." She replied tearfully. "I couldn't let them... This is all my fault. If only I'd gotten here sooner."

"Maybe... it's better this way."

"Shhh... Don't talk like that. You'll be all right. We're together now."

"At least I got to see you... one last time."
The Beast's eyes rolled upward and his head bowed, causing Belle to gasp in horror.

"No... Please..." She cried, sobbing as she held him, dampening his fur with her tears.

"I love you..."

Suddenly something incredible happened. As if by magic, the Beast's body rose from where he lay until it hovered in mid-air. It then turned around and around before her eyes before he returned to his original position, as though everything was as it had been.

But now something was different. Wrapped in his white cloak, he stood weakly and turned to her. Instead of the Beast, whom she had come to love, she found herself staring at the most handsome man she had ever seen. With his shoulder-length blonde hair and muscular body, it was impossible to tear her gaze away. Perhaps it was his piercing blue eyes.

"Belle, it's me." He said, only slightly stronger than before.

She hesitated for a moment but when she looked into his eyes once more, she knew...

"It is you!"

He pulled her into his arms and she ran her fingers through his blonde hair before his lips descended upon hers for a kiss that she had dreamed about all of her life.

And then a magical transformation took over the castle, restoring beauty to the once dark and dismal kingdom. And along with it the candlestick, footstool, teapot, teacup and clock with whom she had fallen in love were returned to their true selves.

That night, she found herself in a familiar place, dancing in the arms of the one she loved. Only this time instead of a hideous Beast it was a devastatingly handsome man.

Her dreams had come true right before her eyes. Finally she had found true love.