Beast had only a few hazy moments of consciousness. He was in his bed, how, he had no idea. He heard voices talking, Lumiere, Mrs. Potts. Another time he felt Belle's hand on his face and heard her speaking softly to him, but could not make out what she was saying. He struggled to regain consciousness, and finally was able to come more fully awake. As he moved and tried to sit up, Lumiere came over and quickly encouraged him to lay back down.

"Sire, you are back with us, how are you feeling?"

"Ugh, I – what's happening?"

"You've been unconscious since day before yesterday-"

His eyes flew open fully and he grabbed Lumiere's arm, "Belle! Where is she?"

Lumiere smiled and patted his large paw, "She is well. You brought her back night before last. She told us what happened. Very brave of her, she saved you both, saved all of us actually."

Beast nodded slowly as details of the events flashed back in his mind. He fell back against the pillow. "Yes, she is amazing."

"Please, drink some water," Lumiere brought a cup up to him.

Beast reached up to take it, but was so weak he was unable to. Lumiere held the large cup as he drank, then leaned back.

"Mrs. Potts said the poison would take a little more time to get out of your system. I must say, you seem much improved."

"I am glad to be back home. That man set up a trap – took me by surprise. I must have taken 10 arrows before I dropped down." He felt his anger bubbling up thinking back over how Gaston had taunted him, tortured him.

Lumiere cleared his throat, "It's all over now."

"Yes, I suppose it is."

Lumiere turned to leave, "I'm going to get Belle, she'll be thrilled to know you are awake."

"Wait-" Beast stopped him. "I – I want to apologize to you."

Lumiere frowned, "For what? He ambushed you, you had no idea."

Beast shook his head, "Not that. The curse."

"Oh." Lumiere walked back over to his side.

Beast looked down, "I have failed you, failed everyone."

Lumiere started to protest. Beast stopped him, "Please, let me say what I need to say. I admit, recently I also had started to hope. My intentions with Belle were never optimistic enough to think she would reverse the curse, yet we became so close. I did fall in love with her. I gave you all false hope."

"Sire," Lumiere said quietly.

"I'm sure the last petal has fallen by now. There is no reversing it now, ever. If only I had done more. I selfishly refused to try."

Lumiere put a hand on his shoulder, "We regret nothing but the pain you have been through having to live as the Beast. I beg you, do not feel guilt over this. We reconciled our fate many years ago. Being here, with you has been an honor to serve you all these many years. I would be lying to say I hadn't wished the curse could be removed. Life, as sweet as it is, when it is everlasting and unchanging can become a burden." He looked at him quickly, "However, almost losing you reminded us of how valued you are to us." He cleared the emotion out of his throat. "At this point, we are just happy Belle is here making you happy. Her presence in the castle has given us renewed life."

Beast held his lips together, trying to keep the emotion out of his voice. "You are a true friend, thank you."

"Focus on recovering your health, my friend." He turned and left.

Beast sighed and thought over what he'd said. Resigned, he knew now he would live forever as the Beast. "At least, for some years, I'll have Belle as a companion to make it somewhat more bearable."

Belle ran in the room and up to his bed, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and leaning over to lay her head on his chest. "Oh Beast, I'm so glad you're awake." She squeezed him, then leaned up and wiped a tear away. She crawled up into bed beside him and held his face in her hands, kissing him. He gently put his paw on her back, kissing her back.

She pulled back and rested her arm on his chest. "And don't worry – I rinsed my mouth out with a full glass of whisky to get that swine Gaston's taste out of my mouth." She made a face.

"Yes, about that, you said some things…" he raised his eyebrow, teasing her.

She huffed, "I would have said anything to keep him from hurting you. It worked, too. He was so conceited he actually believed me. That was always his downfall."

"You saved me, Belle. I would have been dead if you hadn't come looking for me." He lightly rubbed the back of her arm through her dress sleeve.

"I had no idea what was happening down there. I just knew I had to come find you." She turned her attention to his wounds. "You seem to be healing pretty well. Mrs. Potts is bringing you up something to eat soon." She patted him and grinning, leaned back down to give him another hug. "I don't know what I'd do without you. I hadn't planned to kill him, but he left me no choice, and I'm not sorry. Now we can live in peace without fear of what he might do."

"We must do something with the body."

She sat up and as Mrs. Potts came in the room with a tray of food, she slid off the bed. "Lumiere went to the woods and took care of everything. I'm sure no one is looking for him or sad he's gone."

"Sire, I have all your favorite foods," Mrs. Potts brought in the tray, over flowing with food as Chip came behind her with a several drinks. Beast ate heartily, and with Belle and Lumiere's insistence he remained in bed resting. Belle curled up with him that night, sleeping next to him. Her warmth and presence calmed him and he slept peacefully. The next morning he felt improved, though not yet back to his full strength. He marveled at the beauty snuggled up beside him, spending time watching her sleep and keeping a protective arm around her.

She stretched and turned to face him, waking up with a broad smile seeing him look down at her. "Was I snoring?" she peeked up at him.

"Not a bit," he replied. "I was enjoying just looking at you. I'm still thinking over what happened, how we escaped. You know, I had no idea you had such skills with an axe."

"That's not true. The first day I was here you found me cutting wood in the back with the same axe. You were worried I would try to use it against you."

"I was not." He lied.

"Yes you were. I could see it in your eyes, how you looked at me. But you trusted me anyway, and I thank you for that."

"We've gotten to know each other much better since then."

"True." She pulled away and sat up, "How are you feeling today?"

"Much better, still weak though."

"Mmm. You look better." She pulled her leg out and over him, maneuvering herself so that she was laying on top of him. "How's this?"

He rubbed her back through her light nightgown, "Very nice."

She wiggled up and kissed him, lightly at first, then more passionately. She sat up and pulled her chemise over her head and threw it down on the floor. Only then did Beast see she had nothing on underneath. "Belle, this is not a good idea."

"It's a perfect idea. You're better, but still not at your full strength." She leaned down, pushing her breasts against his chest, "We can do this."

"I-" he stopped as she rubbed herself on his cock. It was hard, but not uncontrollably so. She smiled and inched herself up to place herself right above his tip. Having her soft body against him, feeling her wet opening, hearing her soft gasps and her hair falling around him like a curtain, he forgot for the first time in many years that he was a beast. In that moment, he could close his eyes and just lose himself in her attentions.

He felt her struggling to get him inside her. "You don't have to,"

She shook her head, "I want to, you don't understand, I need you." She let out a gasp and moved herself rhythmically against him, accommodating him. "I – I've been working on it." She said breathing heavily.

"You what?"

"I've been stretching myself out, working my fingers in there," her eyes rolled back, eyelids closed as she moaned. She opened them and looked down at him and smiled, "That's better. I have a book I've been reading to help me."

"A book?" he feigned ignorance.

"Yeah, I'll – I'll show it to you later." She started moving faster, back and forth. Even with his diminished condition, Beast was still massive. She was able to take in a few inches of him, but it was enough. He held onto her waist and blissfully drown in the sensations. He watched her intently as she straddled him, hands on his abdomen, and rocked back and forth, then held still suddenly, mouth open and gasping, "Something's wrong, I – I-"

He felt her walls clamp down on him and knew, "It's okay, keep going," he grunted out. She did so and yelled out, legs trembling, as she had her first orgasm. Beast focused on her, cupping her backside as she moved in jerky spurts with her climax. She finally slowed and collapsed on top of him, her tight walls starting to push him out. He pulled her up slightly to let that happen. She was speechless , breathing heavily. Her hair damp from sweat in a tangled mess around her face as she lay limp on top of him. "Oh, oh my goodness." She pushed the hair off her face. "I had no idea it could feel like that."

He leaned down and kissed the top of her head, "You felt amazing, you are the most beautiful creature I have ever known."

She lay like that for a while, then turned over to his side in the crook of his arm. They heard a knock at the door, and Lumiere's voice call out to check on him.

"In a moment," Beast said loudly. He turned to her, and smiled at her angelic face. "I had better get up." He pulled his arm from around her, to her protestations, and walked to his wardrobe, putting his night shirt on and a pulling out a pair of pants. He said, "Let's go down and get something to eat, I don't want you to be hungry." She leaned over the bed and found her chemise, putting it on over her head. Tying the yellow ribbon around the neck, she said, "That's what I love about you."

"What?" he said, startled.

She finished adjusting the bow and looked up at him, "You're always taking care of me, I love you."

Beast felt a blow on the back of his head as if a tree branch had hit him. He fell to the ground, a blinding light causing him to cover his eyes. He groaned, Belle's screams muted behind him. On all fours on the ground, he struggled to breathe. He felt things start to subside, and sat up to see Lumiere in his room with Belle behind him. Lumiere stopped dead in his tracks as Belle screamed again, her hand over her mouth.

Beast stood up, unsteadily, confused. He looked down at his nightshirt scraping the floor. He reached out for Belle, who terrified, ran over and grabbed a poker from the fire.

"Master Adam," Lumiere whispered, shocked.

Frowning with confusion, Beast looked at his arms he'd held out and realized he had human fingers poking out of the now too long sleeves. He reached up to the top of his head, and felt for his horns that were gone. He patted hair only. "What – what happened?"

Belle was back, holding the poker up, threatening him, "Who are you! Are you from the village?"

Lumiere grabbed the poker from her, "It's him, it's Adam. The curse," he shook his head in disbelief, and turned to look at her, "My child, you've done it! You reversed it."

"What?" she stood still as Adam ran past her and took the small mirror out of a small drawer and looked frantically at his face, rubbing his fingers over the contours of his cheeks, his nose. He leaned down and looked at the top of his head and dark hair. "It's gone." He said. He held the mirror closer and looked at the face he had only seen in his dreams of a faded past. He turned to face them as Lumiere rushed over and hugged him tightly, rocking back and forth and laughing, "It's over, it's actually over." They embraced tightly as their excitement grew. Mrs. Potts, hearing commotion, came in the room and screamed loudly, holding her apron over her face. Adam let Lumiere go and went over to her, hugging her as she held onto him and wept.

Belle stood stunned and confused at the scene as they hugged and cried. Finally Adam walked up to her and reached out for her hand as she backed away. "Where's Beast, what have you done with him?" she demanded.

Lumiere put his arm around Adam's shoulders, "He's here. He was the Beast. You reversed the curse. We have Adam back, and it's all thanks to you," he dissolved into sobs and gave her a hug. He let go as Mrs. Potts grabbed her and held her tightly. "You did it, my girl, I had faith in you, I did."

As she pulled back, Belle said, "I didn't do anything." She eyed Adam suspiciously. He watched her with trepidation. Mrs. Potts wiped her eyes with her apron, "You did, you must have."

"What did you say?" Lumiere asked her. "What did you say to Beast?"

She blushed thinking about their lovemaking. "I, I just said he's always taking care of me."

"And?" Lumiere asked.

"That she loved me." Adam moved forward and held out his hand to her. She took it, reluctantly. He took her other hand and held them up to his lips and kissed them. "It's me, Belle. It's Beast."

She shook her head no, but looked more closely at him, wearing the nightshirt Beast had just had on. "This is a trick, you switched places. What did you do with him?" she started to pull her hands away.

Lumiere spoke up, "It's him, it's Adam my dear. It's a wonderful thing – you reversed the curse. He had to have someone genuinely love him for himself, as the Beast. You did it. You said it."

She opened her mouth in surprise, "I did? I was up to me all along?"

They all nodded. She looked at Adam more critically, getting closer and looking into his eyes. The same blue eyes. She suddenly gasped in recognition. "The portrait, the torn one in the room with the rose."

He nodded, "Yes, that was me. Is me again," he smiled, "You have no idea –" he started to weep.

"Oh law," Mrs. Potts put her hand to her mouth and closed her eyes tightly, tears squeezing out.

Belle reached up and put her arms around him, holding him closely, still confused. He responded by holding her back tightly, putting his hand up in her hair. Just like Beast does, She thought. He said, "I have waited so long to tell you how much I love you with all my heart and soul."

"Why didn't you say before?" she asked.

He shook his head, "If I had, it would have immediately made the curse worse, and permanent." He looked at her lovingly. "My beautiful Belle. I, I am humbled to have won your heart."

The more he talked, moved, the more she saw the Beast in him and started to believe what they were telling her. A sudden movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention, as Chip walked in and fell against the wall in shock. "Master Adam?" he shook his head and Mrs. Potts walked over to him to help him up. "It - it really happened?"

"Yes, thanks to her," Adam held onto Belle's hand.

"Wow! Miss, you did it!" he gave her a big hug, then hugged Adam. "I'm just as tall as you, now."

"Yes," Adam looked around the group, "I'm feeling very short."

They laughed. "We should let them talk for a while." Lumiere took Chip by the shoulder and walked out the room with Mrs. Potts ahead of them. "I told you," Chip grinned, looking behind him at Adam and Belle.

"No you didn't, you disagreed with me, remember?" Lumiere countered.

"I don't remember it that way." Chip's voice was heard as they left and closed the door behind them.

Adam sighed and turned to Belle, "Please, let us sit down, I'm feeling a bit light-headed." He guided her back go the chairs by the fire, suddenly too large for his smaller frame. He told her the entire story of the curse, the events leading up to it, his experiences over the past many years. He told her how he started falling in love with her, but was bound not to say the words to her. As he spoke, she saw glimpses of Beast's mannerisms, how he speaks. Her concern started to melt away a bit and she started to catch his excitement with the possibilities of a better life.

He suddenly fell on the ground in front of her, putting his hands on her lap, "Marry me Belle, please. I had no right to ask before, but now that I can be for you everything you deserve, please make me the happiest man," he started to choke up, "and be my wife. I'll spend the rest of my days trying to make you as happy as you have made me."

Shocked, she focused on his eyes, "I would be honored to be your wife."

He let out a cry and jumped up and held her tightly to him.

"I would have been your wife as the Beast, too." She said over his shoulder.

"I know, I know you would have." He wiped tears away, "And that's what I love about you."

The next few days were filled with Adam joyfully re-discovering his love for riding horses, playing instruments (badly, but he didn't care), and feeling relief from the constant pain that had plagued him. He respectfully gave Belle time and space to adjust to her new reality. Although she had agreed to marry him, he later regretted asking her so quickly and putting her on the spot. In his joy, he had acted upon what he'd wanted to do so for many months. He hadn't thought that he was essentially a complete stranger to her, in looks anyway.

He discussed it with Lumiere as they walked the grounds. "I need to re-win her."

"Do you think it is as serious as that?"

Adam nodded, "Yes. All of you know Adam, she does not." He chuckled, "It's ironic, she fell in love with Beast, now as Adam, she has to find that love for me as well."

Lumiere stopped, "Have you doubts about that?"

Adam shook his head, "No, not really." He was unconvincing. "After all, she did agree to marry me. It is a reluctance that I hope she will overcome. I don't think it will take more than a few days. If not – then as long as it takes, as long as she'll let me try."

Lumiere looked down at his feet thoughtfully. "I have faith in you both, as always. You have already overcome so much. This is but another transition in your lives."

Adam put his arm around his shoulder, "Indeed."

They walked on in silence a few minutes. Adam said, "I need you to go to town for me. These old clothes fit, but I've only a few I had kept from before." He held the ornate jacket open. "I admit, it's not my style anymore to be so ostentatious. Not to mention the silk is falling apart."

"Sire, we can go to town together." Lumiere smiled at him.

"No – but. Oh – you're right. I can." He grinned broadly. "I can." He clasped his hands together. "Let's make plans to go tomorrow."

From a library window, Belle watched the two men walking and talking down on the grounds. She watched intently for a while, hearing Mrs. Potts behind her.

"Dear, I'll have lunch ready soon."

Belle nodded as Mrs. Potts joined her at the window. "Ah," she sighed, "It is so good to see Master Adam as himself again. We never thought it would happen." She looked up at Belle, still staring out the window. "It must be confusing for you still, Miss."

"Yes." She said simply.

"He loves you very much. Who he is inside hasn't changed."

"I think it must. Such a transformation would change anyone."

"For the better, though." Mrs. Potts pressed further. "Have you discussed this with him? Your concerns, your feelings."

She shook her head no, "I am still trying to understand my feelings myself. I don't mean to be so conflicted. I know this is a wonderful thing for everyone, and I don't want to dampen his joy."

"Conflicted?" Mrs. Potts started to feel a bit of concern for them.

Belle turned from the window and sighed. "I feel – I just-" she shook her head and tears started to fall, "I feel like I'm betraying Beast somehow by being with Adam. I don't know. I feel foolish saying it out loud."

Mrs. Potts relaxed and put her hand on Belle's shoulder. "That seems perfectly natural to feel that way."

"It's more than that," Belle walked over and sat on the couch. "He loved me because he needed me, he was isolated here. Now, he has no restrictions. I don't want him to feel obliged to me because I saved him. He may want to be with someone else."

"Oh my dear." Mrs. Potts restrained herself from chastising Belle for giving Adam so little credit. "You could have anyone you wanted, as well, but you chose him. Would you not give him the chance to show you he feels the same?"

She nodded, "I suppose."

Voices from the hallway got louder as Lumiere and Adam came in the room. "We're going to town tomorrow. Is there anything you would like us to get for you?" Adam smiled broadly.

"Perhaps she can go with you," Mrs. Potts offered.

Lumiere started to nod yes, but Adam said, "No, maybe next time. This trip Lumiere and I need to go out just ourselves. But we can get anything you may need." He sat next to Belle, giving her his full attention. "I'll pick up the fruits and pastries you like. Maybe a few surprises."

She smiled, "Thank you."

Adam patted her hand and stood up, "We'll meet you down in the dining room." He turned and left.

That night Adam was in his room alone, wishing Belle would come to see him, but hesitant to go to her. Not wanting to pressure her, he still detested how their relationship was backtracking into the type of friendship they'd had before. Restless dreams of her turned into a morning of him watching her body language indicating she was uncomfortable. He left early for town, holding her hand briefly before he left. He grimly went in the carriage with Lumiere driving. He thought deeply over the long trip about their circumstances.

The carriage came to a stop and he stayed inside. Lumiere opened the door, "Sire?" gesturing for him to exit.

"Oh, I forgot." Adam stepped out and joined Lumiere in a walk through town.

"You're nervous." Lumiere glanced at him.

Adam chuckled, "Of course. It's been hundreds of years since I've done this." He pulled the hood of his cape around his face. "I don't recognize much. I've only watched from the Carriage sometimes."

"Let's go to the general store first, order you some new clothes." Lumiere suggested.

Inside, Adam was measured and with the shopkeeper's help ordered a large lot of new clothes, shoes, coats, everything he may need.

"Is he a relative of yours? A nephew?" the clerk asked Lumiere.

They glanced at each other, not planning out how they would explain his presence. "He is the new Master of the Castle, just arrived." Lumiere smiled at him, "You'll be seeing more of him in the future."

"Well, that is good news."

Adam nodded and as they wrote the order down, looked around the shop. He picked out some items for Belle – ribbons, a spring hat. He placed them on the counter, "These also, please."

He wrapped them in paper, "Lovely choice, for your wife?"

"Soon to be, my fiancée actually."

"Ah, very nice."

Adam cleared his throat, "Do you have jewelry?"

"Jewelry?" the shopkeeper's eyes lit up. "Why, yes, some very fine fobs and other pieces," he reached under the counter.

"No," Adam stopped him, "Rings. I need an engagement ring."

"Oh, yes of course," he leaned down and pulled out another tray for him to examine. "There are some very fine pieces here." He pulled out a few as Adam looked at them carefully. He picked one out and turned it over, "What do you think?" he asked Lumiere.

"Very nice, sire."

"Maybe." He put it down and picked one up with a red stone. Holding it up, it caught the light. "This one, yes." He handed it to Lumiere.

"Beautiful."

"That's it. I'll take it."

"Well, very fine. Very good choice," the shopkeeper took it and put it in a small velvet box. "Anything else? Some wedding clothes, perhaps?"

"I'll let her pick those out."

"Of course."

Adam let out a sigh, "We should get some food stuffs and get back."

They put their packages in the carriage, and went to the grocer to pick up fruits and pastries. "Come, let's get something to eat before we go back," Lumiere gestured to the tavern.

"I don't know, it's not such a good idea."

"Why not?" Lumiere questioned.

"I, nevermind." They walked in and sat at a table.

A barmaid brought Lumiere a drink, "I know what you like, but how about your new friend?" she put her hand on her hip and smiled coquettishly.

"What? Oh, I'll have the same." Adam shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He glanced around, strange faces everywhere, some looking directly back at him. He slouched down and pulled his hood closer around his face.

Lumiere leaned over, "What are you doing?"

"I don't understand."

He pulled at the hood, "Push it down, you're drawing attention to yourself."

"They're all staring at me. What if someone recognizes me?"

Lumiere sighed, "Adam. It's been centuries since someone knew what you looked like. They are all long dead, I know. People in town know me, but you are starting fresh." He leaned in, "You are the long-lost inheritor of the castle estate, just come to the area to claim your rightful place."

"Yes, understood." Adam slowly pulled the hood down around his shoulders.

The barmaid brought two plates of food to them. "Anything else?" she lingered.

They shook their head. Adam leaned over to Lumiere after she left, "You see? She was staring at me."

"You're new in town, and Sire, I believe you've forgotten how handsome you really are." He laughed and took a bite of bread. "That's bound to garner you female attention."

Adam shook his head and took a drink, "It offends me. These are the same villagers who would have attacked and killed me if I walked in here in my beastly form." He thought again to Belle, wanting to get back to her as soon as possible. The only reason he'd not asked her to accompany him was because he wanted to buy her a ring. That, and he was unsure how a long carriage ride with her would have gone. Her increasing distance was concerning him, to say the least.

Back at the castle that night, they were met by Belle and Mrs. Potts who helped them with the packages. "That's a lot of meat," Mrs. Potts said questioningly.

"Yes, I need to practice my bow and arrow skills on horseback," Adam said. "I cannot hunt game like I am used to." He gave her a paper-wrapped package.

"Oh, of course." She took the pile and went to the kitchen.

He lit up when he saw Belle and brought out the hatbox and packages of ribbons, "These are for you," he reached back in the carriage and rummaged around, taking a bag of fruit, "And these, as well."

She took them and peered in at the beautiful ripe fruit. "Thank you. What's in the box?"

He shrugged, "Something I thought you could use. Spring is coming soon. You'll need more clothes. Next time you come to town and you can pick out what you like."

She pointed at him, "You'll need more clothes as well."

"I actually bought what they had, and ordered much more. This old thing is the old Adam." He rubbed a gloved hand over the ornate silver embroidery.

"And who is the new Adam?" she tilted her head.

"I am still discovering that." He smiled then became serious, walking past her.

She caught up to him, "Please come down and have something to eat. I'll put together a plate for you. I'll eat with you."

"Yes, of course."

Belle arranged some sliced meats and cheese as Mrs. Potts put away the food they had brought. The door opened and Adam stood in the doorway, suddenly shy. He had changed his clothes into a fine coat and trousers, simple in design and decoration. It fit him well, over his old, gaudy clothes or Beast's oversized ones he'd been wearing for a few days. She drew in a breath, and felt a stir she hadn't felt since his transformation. He sat down at the kitchen table and thanked her for the food. She sat across him and ate as well.

"I missed you today," Belle said, looking down.

"Indeed?" Adam asked, encouraged.

She nodded and looked off to the side, "I don't like being away from you."

He reached out a hand over hers, "I feel the same. I apologize for not taking you with us. There was some business I had to attend to. Next time, I would be pleased if you would join us."

"That's not what I meant-" she started.

"No, I know. I wanted to tell you that, though." He pulled his hand back and finished his meal.

They walked slowly back to their respective quarters, saying goodnight to each other. Belle opened the package of ribbons, admiring his taste. She opened the hatbox, pulling a straw bonnet with silk flowers adorning it. She turned it over. He was always thinking of her. She held it to her and sighed.

Adam opened the brown paper packages until he found his new nightshirt. He unfolded it out on his bed and took off his coat and shirt. He opened his closet and stopped, reaching out and pulling the sleeve of one of his velvet jackets he'd worn often as the Beast. He'd worn it just a week ago, there was still a small stain on the cuff from dinner that he'd been meaning to ask Mrs. Potts to clean. He frowned, looking at the ghost of his former self.

"Adam?"

He jumped and pushed the wardrobe door back. "Belle?"

She walked in, holding the straw hat in her hand, "I wanted to thank you for this, it's lovely." She put it on, "What do you think?"

"Beautiful. Your beauty enhances every fine thing I could ever buy you."

She swallowed hard. He was wearing just pants, bare chested. It was the first time she was seeing him in his human form like this. He was still very muscular and strong. She could feel a renewed excitement. "Well, that's um, nice of you to say." She stammered.

He pulled his nightshirt off his bed and put it on quickly. He wanted to ask her to stay, but felt completely unsure of himself.

"Beast –" she stopped herself, her hand over her face, "I mean Adam, sorry."

"No, it's okay."

"Anyhow, Adam. Can I ask you something?"

He nodded.

She sat on his bed, putting the hat down beside her. "Don't you think it's time to move on?"

He felt a little panicked, "What?"

She gestured around his room, "Leave this room I mean. All the furniture, it's built for Beast, oversized. You can't be that comfortable in here now."

"I hadn't really thought about it." He glanced at the closet, "But, you're right. It's not really suited for me anymore."

"What about your old room, the one with the rose in it."

He frowned, "That would be going backwards, don't you think?"

She shook her head, "It could be redone, fixed up. And it's a large space."

"Large enough for two?" he looked at her pointedly.

"Yes." She slid down off the bed.

"That is something to look forward to." He walked a few feet towards her.

She reached out for his hand, "Let's go take a look." She led him down the hallway and past the library. They entered the space, now completely dark. He went back out and brought in a candelabra to light it up.

She walked over to the glass case where the glowing rose had been, now completely dark. He joined her, nodding at her to open the cloche. She did so, and he reached in and picked up a dark, dead stem, a single petal still attached. He peered at it closely. "For so long, my entire existence was this." He twisted the stem back and forth between his fingers, and put it back down, it disintegrating to ash as he did so. He looked up at her surprised face.

"We'll have Lumiere help us clear this room out starting tomorrow." He stood up and looked around, "We'll get all new furnishings, whatever you would like."

"Nothing you want to keep?" she turned around to look.

"No, nothing. Just you." He looked down.

"Adam," she put the glass cloche down and walked up to him, putting her arms around his waist, and her head on his shoulder. He held her closely to him. "We fit together better now," she said.

He nodded, "Yes, in many ways."

She pulled back to look at him, "Oh?"

His kind blue eyes crinkled, "Well, I was stretching you out quite a bit before. It shouldn't be an impediment now."

She turned bright red, "I, I hadn't thought about that."

"Oh? I thought maybe when you were looking at my bare chest in my room there earlier-" he teased.

She put her hand over her face and giggled. He let out a loud laugh and held his hands on her waist. "Come on, I'll walk you back to your room. We've got big plans tomorrow. We'll talk more then."

He spent one last night in his room, and after breakfast the next morning, he was back in his old room, taking a few things out of drawers and piling them on his desk. Lumiere came in, wiping dirt off his brow. "Chip and I are making good progress. We've got most of the furniture broken down and put in the back for a fire stack. Miss Belle is directing, taking the torn tapestries and paintings down. It will make a nice room for you both when we're done."

Adam grunted, "It's slow going, I apologize."

Lumiere shook his head, "It's no problem."

Adam crossed his arms, "You know, I fantasized for years about being myself again, being Adam. But, I'm surprised to miss being Beast."

Lumiere sat down in his chair, "Indeed, sire?"

He nodded. "Out in town yesterday, I felt exposed, vulnerable. I no longer have my strength and hulking size to protect everyone. I can't hunt and get as much meat as I could before. I'm no longer fast. Don't get me wrong, I am beyond grateful for the many good aspects of being in my human form. Most of all what I can offer to Belle. But – in some ways, I miss him too."

Lumiere rubbed his forehead with his fingers. "I have some of those feelings as well. It will be an adjustment. So many, many years being that way, now we are all figuring out how to function differently."

Adam nodded. "I think I'd like to keep this room as it is. I'd like to be able to visit Beast occasionally."

Lumiere agreed.

Walking out, they met Belle in the hallway. "I was looking for you, I would like your opinion on how to set up the new room." She wrapped her arm around his.

"I'm sure whatever you want will be wonderful."

"So what should we do with this room?" Lumiere pointed to her bedroom.

"It could be a guest room. I'd like to have your father come to stay," Adam said.

She brightened at that idea. "Temporarily, until the other rooms can be made functional. Eventually it can be a child's room."

Lumiere's eyes widened, as Adam said dumbly, "A child's room?"

She squeezed his arm, "I was hoping, well, I thought –" she started to blush.

"Yes, yes." He smiled down at her. "Wait a minute, wait right here, I'll be back."

She looked at Lumiere as Adam ran down the hall to his old room. "I didn't mean to shock him." Belle said.

"I don't think that's it, Miss. He was starting to fear your feelings for him were cooled by his transformation. Your love for the Beast didn't automatically transfer to him, and he knew that. I can tell you, his love for you is genuine and all encompassing."

She furrowed her brows, "I had a dream last night. Beast came to me, thanked me, and said good bye. It was like he was giving me permission to let him go. If Adam no longer holds onto him, I shouldn't either." She was interrupted by Adam breathlessly running up to them. He looked back and forth at them awkwardly, then said, "I don't know what else to do but give you this." He held out a small velvet box. Lumiere had no time to discreetly leave before Belle had opened it and gasped, looking at the bright red sparkling stone. She pulled it out and put it on, looking at it as Adam sputtered, "I asked you once already, but I'm asking you again after you've had time to think. Would you do me the honor of being my bride?"

"Yes," she whispered, and fell into his arms as he sobbed with relief into her hair.

"Wonderful! I will make the arrangements." Lumiere said excitedly.

"As soon as possible," Adam said, looking at Belle for her opinion, which she nodded in agreement.

A few weeks later, Belle was standing on the open balcony of their newly furnished bedroom. She held her hand up to the morning light, watching it reflect off the red stone. Adam came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Don't you think it's a bit cold out here?"

She shook her head, "Spring's coming. It's starting to warm up."

He leaned over her shoulder as he hugged her tightly, "I don't want you to get sick. Come back inside."

She turned to face him and wrapped her hands around the back of his neck, looking up at him, "You worry about me too much."

"Mm-hm. It's my job." He leaned down and give her a kiss, walking her back in the room with him. He let go of their embrace and closed the balcony doors. "I admit, I may have had another motivation to bring you back inside." He sat on the bed and reached his hands out for her.

She readily joined him, "I see. I'm starting to think you can't get enough of me."

He laughed, "A truer statement never spoken, my dear." He rubbed her leg, reaching slowly up inside her night gown. "Oh-" he said with mock distress, 'You have no bloomers on. That is scandalous."

She gave him a sideways look, "What was the bother? You would just be taking them off again."

"Yes, very efficient of you, my love. One of your many, many admirable qualities." He started crawling up beside her in bed, pulling her nightgown up with him as he went.

She lay back, her hand up on the pillow, "And what of your own, dear husband? I could spend all day listing them and not have enough time – oh," she started to moan as he reached his hand down between her legs. He rubbed his fingers lightly between her folds, then pulled her legs apart and positioned himself between. She reached down for him, but he moved her hands away and shook his head, lifting her legs up and over his forearms as he leaned down and let out warm breath on her.

She gasped, she was getting more used to their lovemaking, but this was something new. She had seen illustrations of this in her French book, but was completely unprepared for the sensation. "Oh!" she couldn't help but call out as he started moving his warm tongue around her clit. She writhed on the bed, grabbing bedsheets in her fists, resisting the urge to pull away from him. The pleasure was so overwhelming to be uncomfortable at times, but she willed herself to let it happen and push fear of the unknown away. As he sucked lightly on her, she felt him start to penetrate her with one, then two fingers. She moved in rhythm against him, gasping as he moved his fingers inside her. She felt how wet she was and started to whimper for him to stop and get on top of her.

"Not yet," he murmured, and continued working her. She pushed her head back, arching into his mouth. He started moving his tongue back and forth, and she felt a new, but increasingly familiar feeling of her climax starting. Keeping perfectly still, she cried out his name as he kept going on her. Her legs spasmed with her climax and she lurched her head forward, all her muscles tensed. "Oh, oh," she kept saying, unable to get out anything else. She surprised herself at how long she continued, wave after wave, until it finally started to lessen and stop. She let out a loud grunt and flopped back on the bed. She put her hand over her eyes and breathed heavily, her limbs limp. She felt Adam moving up towards her, and peered between her fingers up at him.

He hesitated, his arms propping him up over her. She answered his question by grinning and reaching down for him as she scooted down to meet him. He positioned himself at her opening, and slid himself in slowly. "Yes, yes, feels so good," she moaned. He marveled again at how passionate she was with him. It solidified their relationship, her abandon at enjoying herself with him, and allowing him to enjoy himself as well. So unlike other women, but, there was so much about her that was unique. Fully inside her, he lay down, careful not to put too much weight on her. He gripped her shoulder and wrapped her dark hair around his hand as he pistoned inside her. He felt a small dark place in the recesses of his mind where the Beast still resided. He let himself loose and yelled out, her wet walls gripping him tightly. He felt her nails dig into his back and looked at her darkly as she returned with an intense gaze.

"I love you so much," she said.

A few more thrusts, and he felt pressure building at his base, allowing himself his release as everything disappeared except the feeling of consuming her and her eyes locked with his. He nearly cried with relief, which he now struggled with every time he came. He still felt he was in a dream he was afraid he would wake up from. He took some calming breaths, and opened his eyes to her blissful expression and hands caressing his arms. He felt himself soften and pulled out, laying next to her. He held her tightly against him, arms around her, as he often did in bed, wanting to savor every moment.

She kissed his arm as it was wrapped around her, and said, "I am so happy Adam."

"My love, I can never tell you enough how lucky I am to be your husband."

She turned back to look at him, "What made you pay for me that day of the wife auction? It was a big chance you took, you had no idea how things would turn out."

He snuggled up with her, "Honestly, it was more than just pity and concern for you, though that was a part of it." He clasped her hand in his, "I had often admired you as you walked through town. You just seemed different from the other women, more interesting, confident. Not typical. I guess you could say I fancied you. I was too shy to tell you that before."

"I had no idea."

"I barely admitted that to myself. I refused to push myself on you, however. I was fully prepared to have you here in the castle as a border, a friend."

"Fortunately, I had other plans." She smiled.

"Fortunately, you found that French book in my library and hid it in your pillowcase."

"What?" she turned back to look at him, eyes wide, "You knew?"

He nodded, "I'm happy now to try every illustration in it, too."

She felt embarrassed, but he refused to let her be, "It showed me you were not afraid to be yourself, and I love that about you." She hugged his hand against her, "You allowed me to be myself, and trusted me." She turned around to face him and gave him a soft kiss, "Let's stay here a while longer, we have all the time in the world.