Moment of Reflection

Chapter 34

"There goes the baker with his tray, like always
The same old bread and rolls to sell
Every morning just the same
Since the morning that we came
To this poor provincial town" I sang aloud, dancing around the hotel room, as music from The Beauty and the Beast played about.

"Good Morning, Belle!" Vito responded.

"Oh Good Morning, Monsieur!" 

"Where are you off to?"

"The bookshop. I just finished the most wonderful story about a beanstalk and an ogre and a-"

"That's nice. Marie, the baguettes! Hurry up!" 

"Look there she goes that girl is strange, no question
Dazed and distracted, can't you tell
Never part of any crowd
'Cause her head's up on some cloud
No denying she's a funny girl that Belle" I belted, a smile pictured across my face as the two of us began to get ready for our evening at the Magic Kingdom.

"Bonjour!"
"Good day!"
"How is your family?"

"Bonjour!"
"Good day!"
"How is your wife?"

"I need six eggs!"
"That's too expensive!"

"There must be more than this provincial life!"

"Ah, Belle." Vito spoke, doing his best impression of the librarian. 

"Good Morning. I've come to return the book I borrowed-"

"Finished already?"

"Oh, I couldn't put it down. Have you got anything new?"

"Ha Ha! Not since yesterday."

"That's all right. I'll borrow, this one."

"That one? But you've read it twice?"

"Well, it's my favorite! Far off places, daring sword fights, magic spells, a prince in disguise"

"If you like it all that much, it's yours."

"But sir-"

"I insist."

"Well, thank you. Thank you very much."

"Look there she goes that girl is so peculiar
I wonder if she's feeling well
With a dreamy far-off look
And her nose stuck in a book
What a puzzle to the rest of us is Belle" Vito began to sing wholeheartedly, taking his new role of Gaston.

"Oh, isn't this amazing?
It's my favorite part because you'll see
Here's where she meets Prince Charming
But she won't discover that it's him 'til chapter three" I chirped out, remaining as Belle.

"Now it's no wonder that her name means 'beauty'
Her looks have got no parallel
But behind that fair facade
I'm afraid she's rather odd
Very diff'rent from the rest of us
She's nothing like the rest of us
Yes, diff'rent from the rest of us is Belle"

"Wow! You didn't miss a shot, Gaston, You're the greatest hunter in the whole world!" I sang, assuming the part of LeFou.

"I know."

"No beast alive stands a chance against you. Ha ha ha and no girl, for that matter."

"It's true, LeFou. And I've got my sights set on that one."

"Hmm the inventor's daughter?"

"She's the one - the lucky girl I'm going to marry."

"But she's-"

"The most beautiful girl in town."

"I know, but-"

"That makes her the best. And don't I deserve the best?"

"Well, of course! I mean you do, but-"

"Right from the moment when I met her, saw her
I said she's gorgeous and I fell
Here in town there's only she
Who is beautiful as me
So I'm making plans to woo and marry Belle" Vito sang, his beautiful eyes watching me intently.

"Look there he goes
Isn't he dreamy
Monsieur Gaston
Oh he's so cute
Be still my heart
I'm hardly breathing
He's such a tall, dark, strong and handsome brute" I continued to sing, imagining Vito as a Gaston... however he isn't as ignorant as the character. 

The various pieces from the soundtrack played. Soon we turned down the volume and gathered our things for the park once again.

"Speaking of Beauty and the Beast," Vito began, "Guess where we are going for dinner."

"Where?" I asked.

"How about you just be my guest at the Be Our Guest restaurant?"

I smiled, obviously agreeing. 

***

"Isn't this beautiful?" I asked, looking off the pier Vito had taken me to. 

"It truly is..." He began, pulling me close, "But not as beautiful as you." 

I blushed, I would never get used to him saying anything like that to me. I loved him, and I liked to think he felt the same way. Considering he has admitted it multiple times. 

"What if I had another surprise for you?" 

"Oh, please," I scoffed, "You need to stop with these surprises and gifts. You being with me is a gift enough." 

"Please," He smiled, "Just one more. I promise you'll like it." 

I sighed. Not being able to even imagine what it could be. Though, he took my hand, pulling me further down the pier, only to reveal the sound of a small string quartet. 

"What is th-" I began, but he had cut me off.

"Shhh. Just wait." He spoke. I wasn't able to tell who's hand it was, but one of our hands began to get sweaty. 

As we approached the end of the pier, the quartet came into view. Vito faced me, only causing myself to look up at him.

"Daisy," He began, the strings remaining quiet in the background, "I know I know... You're probably getting sick of this, but you need to hear it. I keep telling you, but the very first night I met you, I felt this spark. Even though we remained in contact since, I thought I'd never see you again. Then when I saw you at school, I thought for sure that nothing would be able to happen. That any slim chance we had, it would ruin the both of us. I have, still do, and always will love you with my entire being. Even though it's almost December, and we have known each other since August... I don't care. I know I will be with you forever. I can't imagine living without you, and I want you in my life forever," Seemingly, I stayed quiet, but frozen as he reached into his pocket, pulling something out as he began to get down onto one of his knees, "Daisy Marie Jarvis, will you marry me?" 

My eyes began to burn, tears streamed down my face as one of my hands instinctively covered my mouth. I was at a loss for words. 

I nodded my head up and down, "Yes." I choked aloud. I watched as he took my hand, slipping the small band onto my finger.