I really want to apologize for not updating this story, especially when it is so close to the end. I have written the epilogue already, but there is at least one more chapter after this. Anyway, my reason for not finishing this story is that I am pursuing writing professionally in another medium and I have been working on original things. Not a good reason, I know, but between my goals and my current job, things have been very busy. I was hired around the time I wrote my last chapter for this story. Anyway, this chapter is very long so I hope it meets expectations. Thank you to everyone who reads, reviews, alerts, and favorites this story, and those who author alert or favorite me as I greatly appreciate it.

This chapter might earn the story a T rating, so if I need to change it, please let me know. I tried to handle sensitive themes with a K+ rating in mind but I might not have succeeded. Anyway, on with the story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Beauty and the Beast as that honor and brilliance belongs to Disney.

On the night of their engagement, Belle and Henri could not bear to be separated, so they stayed together in the library at Belle's suggestion. Henri did not understand why they spent some nights together in the library, but as long as he held her, he was happy. He was happier to hear that once they married, they would never have to spend another night away from each other. They fell asleep quickly.

The next morning, Belle was the first to wake up. She felt Henri's arms around her and she moved closer to him. She looked at the ring on her finger and her smile grew. Last night was not a dream – she really was engaged to Henri. She hoped they could plan the wedding soon as possible since she could not wait for them to begin their lives together. She also hoped that marriage would finally show Henri how much she loved him and how perfect he was for her. Their future children would prove to him how human he was.

Suddenly, she stiffened at the thought, but quickly relaxed so she would not wake him. Could they have children? Did Henri even want children? She was surprised at how quickly she was getting ahead of herself. They had just gotten engaged last night. Of course, she dreamed about what a future could be with him, and yes, children came into the picture. In her dreams, they had two children, a boy and a girl, with their father's reddish hair before he had been transformed, but in those dreams still, Henri had not changed back. Could that life be possible or was there the possibility that their children would have effects of the spell casted over ten years ago? Henri would never forgive himself if he thought their future children were suffering because of his actions all those years ago. Belle personally did not mind the thought of children taking after his current form as she found him handsome no matter what.

She quickly became scared of the conversation that needed to occur. What if the conversation led to Henri breaking off the engagement? She needed to be with him and if the engagement was broken, their relationship would suffer greatly. Henri's lack of trust in himself had led to serious problems in the past and she could not continue going in that circle forever.

Slowly, Henri awoke and felt Belle in his arms. The memory of their engagement was hitting him and he tightened his arms holding her close. She lifted her head and looked at him.

Without saying a word, he brought his lips to hers and they shared a sweet calming kiss which grew passionate and they broke when they could not breathe. They smiled and looked at each other, but became aware of the world as they heard the servants moving around outside the library.

Silently, Henri stood up and helped Belle stand. He took her left hand in his right and gently rubbed his thumb over her engagement ring. Belle just smiled more brightly at the gesture. He walked her to her room. The servants did not pay too much attention to the pair because they had seen them leave the library countless times, although they realized today seemed different.

Within an hour, Belle and Henri met again for breakfast and were joined by Maurice.

The couple sat close together and held hands under the table as they waited for breakfast. Maurice, knowing what happened the night before, waited as patiently as possible for them to tell him the news. Henri and Belle quickly got lost looking at each other, and Maurice knew he would have to start the conversation.

"So –," the couple finally looked at him, "tell me about dinner last night."

Belle and Henri looked at each other realizing they never decided if they wanted to reveal the news immediately or wait awhile. Henri gave Belle a nod letting her know it was her decision.

Belle looked at her father, "Dinner was wonderful, Papa. And… Henri and I are engaged."

While Maurice knew the news was coming, it still brought a tear to his eye. He stood up and went to hug his daughter, "Oh, Belle, I'm so happy for you. It's hard to see your children grow up but it's an amazing thing to see the wonderful people they become."

Belle started crying tears of happiness that her father approved and she knew it was hard that she grew up.

When father and daughter moved back from the embrace, Maurice went to Henri.

"I am very proud to call you my son. Please take care of my daughter."

Maurice shook Henri's hand as Henri replied, "I will."

The servants bringing out breakfast heard the exchange and the word was spreading through the castle quickly.

After breakfast, Henri had to help with a few repairs to the castle and so Belle went to her room to collect her thoughts.

Mrs. Potts knocked at Belle's door. She heard, "Come in," and entered.

She said, "You can't even imagine how happy the castle is with the news of your engagement to the master."

Belle smiled brightly, "I couldn't even imagine I would be this happy."

"Your father is very happy too."

Belle nodded and asked, "Speaking of that, did my father interrogate Henri?"

"I don't know for sure, but even if he did, the master apparently did well since your father gave him his blessing."

Belle was surprised, "Henri got my father's permission?"

Mrs. Potts nodded, "I don't think it would have happened any other way."

Still, something was nagging at Belle, "Did my father guilt him into proposing?"

Mrs. Potts knew it was foolish to keep anything from her, "I didn't hear the whole thing, but I believe your father brought the subject up. It wasn't using guilt to manipulate the prince, but suggesting something that would never have crossed his mind otherwise."

Belle understood and either way, she proposed last night first. "Very well, but Mrs. Potts, I am now giving you a task of keeping my father from interfering on his own. We will ask for advice, but we need to find our own way together."

"I agree and I accept the job. So, have you thought of when you will be married?"

Belle smiled, "It happened last night so we were preoccupied, but I think we would both agree for it to be soon."

She looked at her wardrobe and asked, "How big is Henri's wardrobe? Would this have to be moved to his room?"

Mrs. Potts froze for a moment, "You are thinking of moving into his room?"

Belle looked at Mrs. Potts and saw her expression, "Oh no, not until after the wedding. Papa would have a heart attack and I still want to follow as many of the typical traditions as possible, especially because Henri has never had a normal life."

Mrs. Potts realized now that no one, including herself, thought of a marriage between the master and Belle beyond the ceremony and reception. There were certain things she remembered they, the servants, neglected during their years as objects when it came to raising the prince.

Belle asked, "Mrs. Potts, what's wrong?"

Mrs. Potts came out of her trance, "Oh, nothing. Um, Belle, is the marriage to be in name only?"

Belle was confused, "Of course not. We love each other. Why would it?"

Mrs. Potts closed her eyes for a second before looking at Belle, "I didn't mean it to offend you, Belle, but I mean about… well…"

Suddenly, Chip had burst into the room, "Mama, Mama! I can't find Sultan."

Mrs. Potts knelt to her son and looked at Belle for a second. Belle understood what Mrs. Potts meant and she turned her back to them so Chip would not see her reaction.

"He's in the barn, Chip."

"Oh, I didn't check there. See you later." He ran off.

Mrs. Potts stood and looked at Belle, "I'll speak to him about barging into rooms."

Belle looked at Mrs. Potts, "Don't worry about it right now."

"Belle, I'm sorry to bring up an uncomfortable subject, but it must be discussed."

"Mrs. Potts, I want to give Henri everything I can. I have thought about it before and we will work it out together."

"Well, it's a little more complicated than that, Dear. You see, we never spoke with him about it."

Belle's eyes widened at the implication, "Why?" She knew that for Henri to be given the talk now, at this stage of his life, would not go over well.

"He was eleven when the curse was cast and there wasn't a chance to tell him. When you came here, we forgot."

"And you were more worried about the spell instead of wondering what would come after it was broken. I'm still surprised he doesn't know. We've read many books together that were suggestive, some that might even be considered too inappropriate. There was a time I tried to read Romeo and Juliet while I was learning English and Maman took it away from me. Henri sometimes asks me to clarify things but nothing related to what could be considered objectionable."

Mrs. Potts replied, "Well, don't worry about it. I'll make sure Lumiere speaks with him."

Belle was slightly worried, "Um, Mrs. Potts, could you also send Cogsworth? It's just, well, I don't exactly trust what Lumiere will say considering how… amorous he is."

Mrs. Potts nodded, "I understand, but you should know it's only a façade for him. He loves Babette with all his heart but they can never marry."

She sighed before continuing, "I shouldn't tell you this because it's not my place, but about two years after the late princess moved here to France, Lumiere was married and had a daughter. After the princess died, Lumiere, Cogsworth, my late husband, and myself had to work harder because we were most trusted by the late prince who became king. Lumiere and Cogsworth had to keep the house running while my husband and I looked after the young prince.

"Because he was working so much, Lumiere's wife had an affair with another worker and the two of them along with Lumiere's daughter left the castle."

Belle was in shock, "How horrible."

Mrs. Potts nodded, "Yes. Lumiere tried to search for them and failed. His daughter was six the last time he saw her and he has not seen her since."

"So, she never ended their marriage?"

"No word, no divorce, no annulment. It was six months before the curse when Babette came to work here. He tried to stay away from her but the attraction was too strong. He warned her about his past, and she stayed by him."

Belle asked, "Now that he's human, will he look for his wife?"

"It's more that he wants to find his daughter and let her know he didn't abandon her. I doubt he will search again though. She is in her twenties so he wouldn't know what she looks like now."

Belle silently promised that one day she would find Lumiere's daughter.

Mrs. Potts changed the subject, "Now on to more important matters. I'll indeed alert Cogsworth and Lumiere to fix the situation." With that, she left.

About two hours later, after Henri was due back from his work detail, Belle heard a roaring "WHAT?!" echo throughout the castle. Belle decided to give him a little time before she went to speak with him.

When Belle found Henri in the library, he was silently staring into the empty fireplace. She slowly walked to his side and sat down.

She said, "Tell me what you're thinking."

He did not look at her, "Belle, did you know about… that?"

"About… consummation? Yes. I've read a little about it and then, there was the talk with Papa when I first got… when I matured."

"How can we? How can I? Why would you want to marry me and have that be part of it?"

"Henri, you're the man I love. Remember when I came into your room around our confession while you were partly… undressed," Belle turned very red, "Well, what I felt was very much a part of… it and I think you felt it too?"

"I didn't know what it was, but I felt something strange. Do you really want this?"

Belle took her hand to his face and moved his head to make eye contact. "I want us to be together and explore what life and love can offer us. I'm not sure about that aspect of marriage but I am willing to try. What I do know is that I want to spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy."

Henri shook his head, "You don't even have to try. Just seeing you does that."

Belle blushed, "It is the same when I see you."

Henri smiled and then the smile faded, "Belle, is there anything else I should know about marriage?"

She replied, "I don't know. Marriage is new for me too. I guess we will learn together."

"Can I ask you about what I… I mean…"

"Henri, I know it's hard to speak of it, but we need to talk about everything. Please ask any questions."

"What is the point of it? Lumiere said it expresses love, but I don't understand how."

Belle's face became redder, "Well, um, it is as close as two people who love each other and want to share their lives together can be. Two people joining their lives together means they are one spiritually, emotionally, and then, physically. It's two people becoming one flesh, one person."

Henri was silent before speaking, "It reminds me of something my mother wrote."

Belle was surprised as Henri had never spoken of his parents, "Your mother was a writer?"

"She kept a book of poems. I didn't know before, I only found it while you went back to the village."

"Read it."

Henri pulled the book from behind him and opened it, "Two lives have begun now/Two hearts become one now/One passion one dream/One thing forever true/I love you." He looked up when he said the last line.

Belle could not help herself as she threw herself on to Henri. She kissed him with everything she had and Henri, once recovering from the shock, kissed her back with equal passion.

They heard a shout from the hall, "Your Highness! Mistress Belle!," and quickly pulled away from each other.

Cogsworth ran inside the library, "The hunting party is carrying someone from the woods. He's unconscious."

Belle and Henri quickly stood up and ran to the entrance hall. The men were standing around the person. Henri stayed back in case the person woke up and Belle went closer. She froze as soon as she saw the figure.

Henri noticed Belle's rigidness and he slowly came behind her, putting a hand on her shoulder. She turned to him and pushed him away, "No. Please stand back."

"Belle, what's wrong?"

Belle glanced at the figure, "It's Gaston."

Henri stiffened. There was an audible gasp from the surrounding servants as well.

Henri was debating if they should help this man who wanted to harm Belle, throw him in the dungeon until they figured out what to do with him, or throw him back into the forest. Little did he know that Belle had the same thoughts running through her head. She was afraid of Gaston waking up any second now.

Henri knew what was the right thing to do, "Belle, he threatened you, so it's your decision on what to do with him."

Belle more than anything wanted to tell the servants to get Gaston as far away from the castle as possible, but she knew her conscience would haunt her no matter if it was to save Henri, her father, and friends.

She took a deep breath, "Bring him to a bedroom that only locks from the outside, make sure he's warm, lock him inside the room, and then everyone within the castle is to meet here within the hour."

The servants rushed. Cogsworth quickly ran to alert the castle of the meeting.

Belle looked at Henri, "We need to speak privately."

They walked to a small bedroom on the first floor and locked it.

"Henri, I –"

"Belle, you did what you had to do."

She shook her head, "You have no idea how much I wanted to toss him out, but I –"

"You're a good person, Belle."

"You would've done the same thing."

This time, Henri shook his head, "I don't know what I would have done. Ten years ago, I would have had him thrown over the causeway, but now… I can't let him hurt you."

"My worst fear, my worst nightmare would be for Gaston to know I'm here. He'll stop at nothing to get me. I believe he would have stopped me from leaving the village if he hadn't been distracted and we hadn't gotten away when we did."

"He won't hurt you, I won't let him hurt you."

"Henri, he's an experienced hunter and I don't mean to imply that your… form has anything to do with this. Even if you were in a human form, Gaston would probably have challenged you to a duel and since it is against custom to refuse, he still could have hurt you. Now, he's here and he is closer to his chance than ever. You're here, our friends, my father… I would do anything to protect all of you."

Belle sighed and walked to the window. "It's hard to believe that less than an hour ago, I was the happiest person in the world, despite our embarrassment, and now, I feel like there's no hope."

Henri spoke after a few moments of silence, "He doesn't have to know, Belle. Everyone who went with you to the village will be confined to their rooms for the time he is here. I will order for no one to speak your name or your father's. A makeshift bed will be moved into Mrs. Potts' room for your father so he can watch Chip and Mrs. Potts will be able to take care of the castle. Any other child will be confined as well. I'll make sure Cogsworth is told not to have contact with him either."

"Henri, I can't be alone while he's here and you and I can't roam throughout the castle in case he leaves the room. Can I stay in the West Wing with you?"

Henri whispered, "I don't want you out of my sight either, but is it wise?"

Belle knew the temptation would be greater than ever especially since Henri knew everything, so probably it would not be wise, per se, and knowing that if she said this, Henri would separate them. On the other hand, if she and Henri consummated their relationship, then she would definitely be less desirable to Gaston since she would no longer be a maiden and she chose Henri over him. If the villagers found out, there would be a scandal and Gaston would look like a fool. In order to convince Henri either way, she asked, "Could you bear to spend a few days away from me, maybe months or even a year while he heals?"

Henri knew that being away from Belle even overnight was difficult and so a few days without her would be torture but he kept his silence. He sensed a change in her and figured it had to do with their earlier discussion. While he definitely wanted to marry Belle, he was still unsure of the more intimate parts of marriage.

Belle was frustrated and afraid, "Henri, answer me please!"

He sighed, "Belle, you know the answer, but… but… your father would not approve." He came up with a reason quickly.

"If we receive my father's approval, could I stay with you?"

Henri felt that there was no way Maurice would approve, so he nodded his head. Belle quickly took his hand and led him to the kitchen where Maurice was with Mrs. Potts.

"Papa, did you hear about Gaston?"

Maurice nodded, "Mrs. Potts told me."

Belle continued, "Papa, I'm afraid that we don't know how long he'll be here and for that reason, I wish to stay with Henri in his chambers."

There was a slight clatter as Mrs. Potts dropped a spoon in surprise. She quickly said, "Sorry," and tried not to listen to the conversation. Maurice was quiet and slowly stepped close to Henri.

Henri swallowed, nervous under Maurice's scrutiny.

Maurice spoke, "You love my daughter. While I don't like the situation, I know you'll protect her so I will agree to this. However, my daughter is to keep her honor. You are to protect her in every way."

Belle remained quiet as she waited for Henri's response.

Henri realized that he underestimated how scared Belle and her father were of Gaston and knew that despite how difficult it would be to be so close to Belle, he needed her to be close. He replied, "I will do everything in my power to protect Belle and I will never dishonor your daughter."

Maurice nodded, "You're a good man."

Activity became apparent and Belle and Henri went to the main hall to start the orders on how the castle would handle the "guest."

Everyone agreed with the prince's and future princess' orders and the preparations were made quickly.

Gaston regained consciousness two days later, but was very weak. No one mentioned his progress to Henri and Belle knowing they would not like hearing the initial prognosis – two months until he would recover enough to be sent back to the village.

In the West Wing, Belle and Henri were dancing around each other. After a two-hour debate, it was finally agreed that Henri would sleep in the bed in the bedroom, while Belle slept on a cot in the sitting room, mainly because Henri would be too heavy for any cots in the castle although Henri attempted to be a gentleman. The engaged couple hardly spoke and never touched, mostly Henri making sure he kept his promise to Maurice. Eventually, the couple heard about Gaston waking up and Henri had to give slightly on propriety – he moved Belle's cot into the bedroom so if Gaston had strength and tried to enter the West Wing, she would be away from the immediate line of fire.

All tensions were thick and growing by the second. Belle hated the silence between them and felt Henri was too worried. Henri realized that his sense of her had been heightened and his protective instinct along with his anger at Gaston made him feel like the beast he looked like.

After two weeks, Belle made the first move.

"Henri, I can't do this anymore, we need to talk, to be like we were before he came."

Henri, who was sitting on the bed and looking at his hands, snapped his head up and saw how tortured Belle felt.

He took a deep breath, "Do you want to read a book?"

Belle smiled brightly and immediately leaned down to kiss him, and somehow, she ended up on his lap. Hands were starting to wander as they were both lost in the kiss. When a touch of Belle's hand made Henri feel a powerful desire to hold her closer, he pulled away from her quickly and ran twenty feet away from the bed. Belle stood up and walked up to him slowly.

"Henri?"

He took a deep breath and avoided looking at her, "I promised your father you would keep your honor."

Belle swallowed, "Henri, I really can't do this anymore."

Henri snapped around to look at her.

Her eyes were watering, "I can't be this close to you, not knowing what is happening with my – our – lives. My father has the mirror. We don't ask what is happening and no one is telling us knowing how we feel about the situation. We don't know if Gaston has any strength and I worry what will happen if he finds out I'm in the castle. And I don't want you to protect me and harm yourself in the process. If anything happened to you… I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

Henri replied, "Gaston can't hurt me unless you were harmed. Belle, I can't stand to see you so afraid. You've never been like this, not even with the wolves."

"What are you saying?"

He closed his eyes, "I guess I was hoping you would feel safe with me, that you would believe I will always protect you."

Belle realized how much she was hurting him, "That I trust you completely?"

Henri breathed, "Yes."

Belle remembered her nightmare about Gaston when she was in the village, a dream in which Gaston was able to kill Henri.

She quickly grabbed his hands, "Henri, just because I am afraid doesn't mean I don't trust you. But things can happen that are out of our control at any time. My father would have always protected my mother and because of his advanced age, he was always ill when I was a child. But in the end, my mother died of an illness. What I'm saying is that if these could be our last moments together, I don't want us to spend them pushing away from each other because of propriety."

Henri was silent not knowing exactly what Belle meant. Watching his face, Belle boldly added, "And I don't think you want that either."

He remained silent.

She took a deep breath and said, "I want us to be married today, within the hour, if possible."