No it was never my intention to take two whole years to finish this fic! Not at all. I wanted the end to be beautiful, and in tone with this fic, but I wasn't sure what to do. If you read my previous BATB fics, I think you'll find that three or four of them include Belle and Adam's wedding day. I didn't want to do that again. I wanted something different but still them.

Anyway, here is the end! Hope you all like it. I have enjoyed your reviews so much, thanks for sticking with me!

Listened to Lord of the Rings Music & Ambience from the YouTube channel Ambient Worlds. Listened to Feast of Starlight-Tauriel's Theme. So beautiful it makes me want to cry! Parts of it remind me of the Lion King theme music.

The song lyrics are from Beauty and the Beast the Broadway Musical, the song Transformation.

The beautiful morning sunlight filtered in through the numerous castle windows on this glorious day as the kingdom was going to celebrate Prince Adam's restoration and redemption. Adam, awake before the sun had risen, stepped toward the window in his chamber and stared at the now empty table, the one where the magical rose had floated.

It was now gone. Adam's face burned with relief and shame as he remembered the countless times he'd gazed at the rose with dread, hope, fear, anger, and longing. The bewitching blossom had been a symbol of doom over his eternal fate, and that of his servants, his friends. He'd hate the crimson thing. Yet without it, the curse could not be broken. And...without the curse, he might never have met Belle!

Well, he may have met her, but under electrifying different circumstances. He would've been the haughty prince and snubbed her for being a mere pauper. He would've been taken with her beauty, yes, but despised her low rank. If he was honest, before he'd been cursed, Adam realized that he hadn't been much different than that Gaston.

Although Gaston identified with the people of the village though they were poor, he'd still been pompous and self-centered. Adam bristled when he thought on how violent Gaston had been to Belle's father and her. But, he himself hadn't been that much better when he'd imprisoned Maurice and intended to keep him there forever. Adam was still angry for the unhappiness Gaston had caused Maurice and Belle, especially on that night the curse was broken. But, if given the chance, could Adam have helped Gaston? Could he have shown him the painful lessons he'd learned from not thinking of others? Who knew. Maybe. But Gaston was gone. "Good riddance." Adam huffed, but a small part of him, a very small part of his heart pitied the previous war captain on all that he'd missed out on because of his selfish choices.

Tears filled Adam's eyes as he pondered on his new life. His friends were free, the villagers had also learned a great deal about themselves and forgiveness. Maurice was safe and alive, and happily adjusting quickly to his new home in the castle with Adam and Belle. Belle had accepted Adam's proposal of marriage and wedding plans were in the air.

They'd nearly lost everything! Adam shuddered especially as he remembered those heart-stopping moments when he thought for sure that Belle was going to die in his arms. He never wanted to go through that again! Or the looks of despair on his friends' faces when Belle had left to save her father, their only hope diminished almost completely.

"Come, come, master. This is not a day for tears!" Lumiere exclaimed as he startled Adam. "Look, look. The sun is smiling down on us once again! We are free and together. Not bad, eh?"

"You're right." Adam nodded, wiping his eyes. "Lumiere," he touched his shoulder, "My old friend, what would I do without you? Without all of you?"

"Not very well, that is for sure." Lumiere shrugged cheekily. Adam chuckled deeply. "Come, the day is still young. You cannot come to a grand feast dressed like that! Move now." Lumiere clapped his hands.

Belle met Maurice on the way down to the party. He smiled warmly and kissed her cheek. "You look beautiful, as always, my dear Belle." He said.

"Thank you, Papa. It's Adam's special day. I wanted to show how happy I am for him." Belle beamed.

"It is your special day, the both of you. And I can honestly say, my child, that I have never seen you so happy. I never imagined this is where or how we would end up!"

"Nor I, Papa." Belle chuckled.

"But, you 'can't judge a book by its cover'. If your mother was here, she would be just as proud of you as I am." Maurice gripped her hands tightly and kissed them as tears ran down his face.

"Oh, Papa. Don't cry." Belle stroked his cheek, starting to puddle up herself. "I miss her. But I have felt her all my life...from your love." Maurice embraced her tightly.

It was a wonderful party with the people happy, and rejoicing in the good tidings that had come.

1 Month Later

Belle and Adam were standing out on the balcony, gazing at the beautiful stars and enjoying the warm breeze. The first time they had done this, had been on the night they danced. And now, here they were again, on their wedding night! The day had been gloriously blessed with friends and family, old and new, gathered to celebrate their union.

"Well, here we are." Belle murmured as she leaned her head on Adam's shoulder.

"Yes." Adam agreed. "I used to believe that nothing could hurt more or be more terrifying than becoming cursed. But..." he turned and gazed into her eyes, "Belle, when you were lying there bleeding and I felt you slipping away, that was worse! It was the most painful moment of my life!"

"You've had many painful moments." Belle said.

"Yes, but never as the moment I thought I was going to lose you forever. I could feel the world crumbling around me. In the moment, nothing else mattered to me, except you living. Except you being alright." Adam said. Belle reached up and caressed his jaw, half missing the beard that used to be there.

"You won't lose me, Adam. I'm here. With you." She promised:

"We are home,

We are where we shall be forever

Trust in me, for you know I won't

Run away..."

Adam smiled and joined her as he pulled her closer to himself:

"From today this is all that I need

And all that I need to say

Don't you know how you've changed me?

Strange how I finally see..."

Belle smiled radiantly and continued.

"I found home,

You're my home."

Adam tightly grasped her hands.

"Stay with me.

Belle, look into my eyes

Belle, don't you recognize?

The beast within the man

Who's here before you?"

Belle cupped his face and together they sang:

"Two lives have begun now

Two hearts become one now

One passion, one dream

One thing forever true

I love you!

I found home,

I found home!

I found home,

You're my home...you're my home."

Adam tenderly held her chin and they kissed passionately. Belle nuzzled her head on his chest when they broke away. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a red rose. He placed it on her ear and affectionately brushed a strand of her hair behind it. Belle giggled joyously. Adam took her hand and they left the balcony. They strolled through the gardens under the stars then returned inside the castle. They could hear the servants, all of them, laughing and arguing in the halls, and could hear Maurice scold Chip to stay still so he could finish painting him.

At last Adam and Belle reached the ball room. Together they stood in the middle of it and after bowing, began to slowly dance. "I'm going to do better for the people than before. I promise to take care of them, this time." Adam said confidently.

"I know you will, Adam. Because I'll be at your side," Belle whispered.

"Oh, Belle. My love, we are going to do wonderful things together." Adam growled.

"Yes. We're going to change the world!"

"Winter turns to spring,

Famine turns to feast,

Nature points the way,

Nothing left to say.

Beauty and the Beast.

Certain as the sun

Rising in the East,

Tale as old as time,

Song as old as rhyme,

Beauty and the Beast."

Finis!