A Love Story

Chapter Two

The cottage in front of me billowed dark smoke from the chimney. The windows were fogged up and the grass was sprouting around the snow, a mix between green and white. The cottage slanted a bit and the rocks building the home were a dulling gray. This felt like home, somewhere where my heart belongs. I don't want to live in a palace and have elegant dresses and dine at fancy dinners. I don't want everything I say to be done. I don't want people to bow to me, I don't want them to say Princess Belle, my first name is Belle, not Princess, that's just a title.

Lucky moves her head and her body stiffens. The sudden movement from the cat brings me back to reality and I notice a silhouetted figure in the window. A hand wiped away the foggy mist and I felt those warm chocolate brown eyes set my heart in a blaze. My hood was blown back, my hair blowing around my face. I walked towards the wooden door, a bright light dancing on the white snow as it escaped from under the door. I raised my hand to knock, but the door opened and I held my hand up awkwardly as I looked back into those deep brown eyes. The boys eyes moved from mine down to the cat in my arms.

"Lucky!" I heard a raspy voice call out. "Lucky..."

This time the voice broke and I heard sobbing.Lucky whipped her tail and jumped out of my arms as she scurried inside the house. I felt my frowned, I hoped I could at least say goodbye.

"I found your cat roaming around my garden, I didn't want her to get hurt by anyone so I thought it would be nice to bring her home." I explained as I took a step back.

"Thank you." The boy said, his voice was gentle.

"Adam! Oh, Adam!" I heard the old voice call out.

Foot steps sounded on the creaky floorboards. I wanted to just walk away, but Lucky came back and rubbed against my legs. I looked back at the boy and noticed an old lady standing beside him, she looked protected under the boys tall figure, her small fragile figure leaning into him. She smiled at me, some of her bottom teeth were missing. Her wrinkled cheeks glowed red as she looked at me with her loving green eyes.

"Grandma, it's cold." The boy protested as he wrapped his arms around her.

"But we have a guest." She said sweetly, "Who's this young lady?"

"She found Lucky and decided it would be best to bring her back home." He explained.

"Well! Any friend of Lucky is a friend of mine!" The old lady announced as she reached out and pulled me into the warm cottage.

The door was closed behind and the boy, I sat at a table that had a load of books set out. Have the books were open, each page had some writing on it, and the other half was piled into a neat stack. I watched as the boy flipped through the pages, he eyebrows knitted together as he concentrated. The lady pulled me to a chair near the fire. I pulled my cloak tighter around me as I felt the warmth spread over my body.

"So, I'm Maddie and that cranky boy over there is my grandson, Adam," I looked over at Adam as he sighed, " and you are?"

I just smiled and looked down at my feet.

"You know you look familiar..." Maddie tapped her chin. "Is your name Becky? Belinda?"

Lucky rubbed against my leg before she jumped into my lap, snuggling close to me.

"Is your name Lucky too?" Maddie asked happily.

"No," I laughed, "My name is Belle."

"Now, where have I heard that name from..."Maddie sat back in her rocking chair, her wrinkles digging deeper as she went into deep thought.

I looked over at Adam and he just sighed again. I noticed a book on top of the stack had the spine facing me and it had small writing. I squinted my eyes as I tried to make out what it read. There was Little... Little Women.

"Belle..." Maddie whispered.

"Grandma, she's the Princess." Adam sighed.

"Oh! Then we don't have a guest, we have a special guest!"

I watched as Maddie stood up and walked out the room muttering to herself. Lucky purred and nuzzled her nose over my hand. I smiled and rubbed her belly.

"So Lucky is a girl, right?" I asked Adam.He took a quick glance at me, before looking back down at his books.

"Yes."

"Is she going to be a mother?"

Adam sighed, "Yes."

I just stayed quiet. I watched as Maddie walked back in with a jar.

"Cookie?" She asked.

I took one a told her how delicious they were. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Adam smile at me.