Beauty and the Beast

The Price of Redemption

    The Beast led her to the balcony, and seated Belle on a stone bench before joining her. This was the time when he should tell Belle how he felt, but how to broach the subject? Rubbing the back of his neck, he finally decided that he should just say it—but only if it seemed like Belle returned his sentiments.

    "Belle..." he began, his heart pounding.

    She looked up with a smile, her beautiful eyes reflecting the light of the stars. Scooting closer and taking her small gloved hands, he was able to muster the courage to continue. "Are you... happy here with me?"

    "Yes," Belle answered, her melodic voice giving the answer he desperately needed to hear. The Beast gathered his thoughts, preparing to voice his feelings; but when he again focused on Belle, she was looking away, far off into the distance.

    "What is it?" he asked, knowing something was wrong.

    She turned back towards him, a look of wistful melancholy upon her features, but didn't meet his gaze. "If only I could see my father again, just for a moment."

    Belle looked up into his eyes as she said those final words, and shame wracked the Beast's thoughts. It had been nigh to six months since Belle came to the castle, but never once had he considered what happened to the old man he had cast out. Yet, looking at the sincere longing evident in Belle, he was sure she thought about it every day.

    After a moment, she looked away and softly added "I miss him so much."

    The manner in which Belle forlornly stated her feelings, without even the thought of a single plea for release, made her words cut deep into the heart and conscience of the Beast. He could let her go to see her father—but the spell wasn't broken. Every day the once-beautiful rose wilted further, each softly falling petal hammering a nail in the coffin of his doom. If only there was another way for Belle to see her father, a way other than leaving...

    The magic mirror! It could show Belle her father. Leaning closer to her downcast face, the Beast said "There is a way."

    Her eyes shot to his own, hope shining within their depths, and conscience was assuaged. Belle was happy here, and he could give her the glimpse of her father that would remove that lingering sadness. The Beast arose, gently pulling her to her feet. 

    As he began to lead her back inside, Belle questioned "What do you mean? How can I see my father?"

    "Wait and see," he said, glancing down at her.  

TO BE CONTINUED...

[First of all, it took downing an entire box of M&Ms  for me to be able to write these paragraphs, and we haven't even gotten to the real feels part. Be prepared to have your hearts shatter... 

Next item of business: my brain is bugging me to confess that no, they were not actually on a bench. They were sitting on the balcony railing. I just changed it because bench sounds better and I love kind, intelligent Belle and my adorable Beast too much to risk their safely by perching them on a fifth-floor railing.

Third, the Beast's cannon name is actually Adam. I just chose to use 'Beast' because most people don't know that and I didn't want to risk confusion (plus right now he is  a beast).

Finally, thank you so much for reading my writing! I hope you enjoyed it.]