Chapter 10

Ever, Ever After

I still own nothing! Only merchandise that I bought

Adam was beside himself with belief, in a short month since the curse was lifted, the woman he loved agreed to marry him, and they had received her father's blessing. Maurice, with the care of the castle staff, was now better than he'd been, but he still was slightly ill and would be until his death. Today though was a day of happiness and joy, for today Adam and Belle were to wed and she would become a princess. Then, when his father passed on and Adam was King, she would be his Queen. He looked at himself in the mirror, making sure every detail was perfect for today. He had called for the royal tailor to make him a suit to match his blue one, but this time it was to be white, with a golden trim. His long red hair was tied up in the same fashion as it was that night they first gazed into each other's eyes in the ballroom, that night that lacked a moon. He wore white boots that reached inches below his kneecaps.

Maurice wore a simple suit that was black in color and had no tails, but this suit held such memories for him. It was the suit he wore when he married his late wife. He smiled at his soon to be son in-law. The younger man was fidgeting in his seat, so obviously anxious and excited. Maurice made his way to Adam and placed his hand on the Prince's shoulder.

"Belle is not going anywhere Adam; she wants this just as much as you. If anything, she's run off to the library to hide from the seamstress."

Adam chuckled softly, that was his Belle.

Maurice went on, "She's just like her mother, never wanting anything too extravagant, a simple private ceremony would have been fine with her. However she knows that because you are the prince, her wedding must be a big to do."

Adam began to fiddle nervously. His Belle had always been one for a simple evening, even when he was the Beast. He couldn't regret those nights of as simple meal followed by hours of reading the library or exploring the castle. Blue eyes looked up and into the mirror at the reflection of a man he had become.

"Oh Belle," he whispered.

In another part of the castle, Belle was being helped into her wedding dress. It was a long ball gown that reached the floor. Though it was reminiscent of her yellow gown, the dress had more elegance to it. The sleeves reached to her wrist and were beaded with small crystals. The dress had a V-neck and showed off her pale neck and collarbone. The skirt of the dress was embedded with yellow sashes and red crystal roses that rested on each sash. She smiled in the mirror as a golden tiara with deep red gems was placed on her head and a long ivory veil was placed in it and ran to her ankles. The blusher was placed over her head and rested in front of her face.

"There, The Master will be beside himself when he sees you." An older seamstress said.

Belle nodded, "I suppose he will." She went to lift the veil from her face, but found her hands being smacked gently.

"No child, do you want the evil spirits to come and take you away?" The older seamstress scolded the young bride.

Belle shook her head, not believing that the superstition was still around, though she was sure Adam wanted her to wear the veil, and most men did. It was a symbol of her becoming his, when he moved the veil from her face. She looked at the diamond ring on her finger and smiled warmly. This was the day, the first day of her new life, a life that would be filled with love and laughter.

Before either of them knew it, it was time for the ceremony. Adam stood at the altar in church where he was baptized. The church was lit with hundreds of candles and roses of every shade and color filled the room. A short man played the piano softly and Adam looked at the elderly Priest who reached the Prince's shoulder. All of the church was hushed, everyone waiting to see the Prince's bride. The King stood beside his son beaming with pride.

The doors swung open and Belle began to walk down the aisle, with her father holding her hand, tears flowing down his face. Adam's breath was taken away for what had to be the millionth time. It seemed that Belle had that power over him and used it without knowing it. She looked like an angel illuminated by the candle light. Her bouquet was a bunch of the reddest roses in the kingdom. When she reached the altar, she handed her bouquet to Babette who stood there waiting for her, acting as a maid of honor.

The ceremony moved slowly for both Belle and Adam, and when it came time for the vows, Adam licked his lips and cleared his throat, hoping the words would come out.

"Belle, you changed me into the man I am today. I was a horrible monster before you came into my life, our lives…" He gestured to the members of the staff in his castle. "I had built up a wall, protecting myself from the pain of rejection. I knew there was no way someone so beautiful and so good could ever love me. Yet you came in and within a day knocked the wall and found an opening. You became a friend to me, my best friend in the world. I will do whatever it takes to make you happy and no matter what I am going to be there by your side."

Belle felt tears run down her cheeks as he spoke to her. "Adam, you were the first man who took the time to know me. You focused on more than just my beauty, you saw the person behind the face. You gave me a library filled with books, and when most people found me odd, you sat beside me with such interest, such and eagerness in my stories. I wanted nothing more than to share them with you, because everyone has a story. I wanted to know yours. I will stand by your side from now until the end of time. I love you and no man or creature will ever change that." She took his hand in hers. "Thank you for loving me."

The exchanging of rings was a silent event as Adam slipped his mother's wedding band on Belle's long and thin finger. In exchange, Belle placed her grandfather's ring on his. The rings fit perfectly and before either of them knew it they were being pronounced man and wife. The kiss they shared was much like the first one, soft and tender. It lasted a lot longer than the first and when it was broken, there loud cheers from the crowd and even the King let out a joyous shout.

The rest of the evening was a blur to both Adam and Belle. Though they were constantly bombarded by their guests, they used the first course of the meal to have a moment alone. They walked onto the balcony and for the first time Adam spoke to her as his wife.

"Thank you Belle, for loving me." He whispered in her ear.

Belle stroked his face. "Oh Adam, it never would have happened had you not saved my life, not once but twice."

He chuckled and kissed her forehead, "I will always be there to save you, now and forever."

The

End