Days In The Sun

A beautiful girl!

"I really don't think he's right for you."

"And you think I do?"

"Well, I know. I'm just saying...."

"Papa. I know what you mean." Belle sighed as she took her seat across from her father as they sat at their small table within their cottage.

Maurice forced a smile as his daughter sat across from him before glancing down at what she had placed before for that night's supper. She had prepared porridge, one of his favorites.

The man picked up his spoon and ate his dinner much slower than his daughter intentionally, so that way when she'd finish, he'd have an excuse to stay at the table longer and eventually clean up the mess - as if the two ever made one. Maurice was always on edge whenever Belle worked, not because he believed she shouldn't be doing such things - he was always very proud of his daughter for growing up so independent even while he was so protective of her - it was simply because his wife used to work very hard, not only around the house but all the time. He knew Belle certainly was not doomed to the same fate as his wife, but he couldn't help but try and protect her in any way possible - even if that meant simply just cleaning up the dishes.

When Belle had finished her supper, Maurice was barley near done.

Belle had adjusted her hair back into a tight braid before pushing herself back and standing out of her seat. She went to pick up her bowl, only to have Maurice place his hand over hers, flashing her a small smile.

"Go get some rest, Belle. I'll get it."

"Papa. I can--"

"I insist," Maurice spoke as he glanced back down to his bowl and raised his spoon to his mouth. "Really....I do..."

After a bit of small disagreeing and debating amongst herself, Belle did allow her father to clean up dinner. She loved him, and if he wanted to clean so badly, by all means, she let him.

The night was quiet after supper, for Belle and her father had both gotten ready and settled in for bed. But in the midst of their dreaming on that crystal clear night, they were woken up by loud, hammering, knocking on their front door.

The knocking was so loud it nearly sounded like thunder as Belle quickly rushed out of her bed, tossed on a robe - to cover up herself in her nightgown -, slipped on a pair of slippers and rushed to the front door all before Maurice even got out of his bed. Belle was full of worry as she approached the front door, but opened it only a small bit, and peered her head out slightly, only to open it completely. She was so worried it was something urgent that she didn't even think about how it might've been Gaston pounding against their door, and to her pique realization, it was Gaston standing before her. The young woman was very irritated, what could this man want with her, or her father, during the middle of the night?

"Ah--Bonsoir, Belle!" Gaston greeted with a wide smile as he stared down at the young woman who was covering herself up with a robe.

"What is it, Gaston?" Belle turned her attention up towards the man as she held in her emotions of pure frustration. "Are you aware of what time it is? I was in the middle of--"

"Yes. But, while you were fast asleep, I was assisting your family greatly!" Gaston exclaimed quietly, full of enthusiasm as he lifted his hands a bit.

Belle just listened to him speak, she could feel herself eventually nodding slowly before shutting her eyes - showing no interest in what the man had to say at all. Assisting her family? Belle could only imagine what barbaric thing he had done this time. But she was just so tired, she didn't bother herself with it. "What did you do for us, Gaston?" Belle forced herself to give a very obvious fake smile as she lifted her eyes to look back up at the man who had a grin of absolute self-assurance.