The Dreamer and the Hunter - A Beauty and the Beast Story

The Last Dance

"Ladies and Gentlemen," the conductor of the musicians announced. "This will be our last song of the night, the last dance."

Belle and Gaston looked up from where they were sitting at one of the tables off to the side, glasses of punch in hand, when this announcement was made. They had sat the last couple of dances out as they had been dancing for quite a while before.

Already! The last dance already! The evening had gone by so fast! Belle found herself disappointed with this realization.

Gaston turned to her and offered his hand. "Shall we?"

Before, he had offered her his arm, but now, he was offering his hand. Belle found this more intimate, and felt her whole body flutter when their fingers brushed. Suddenly she found herself wishing for the absence of her gloves, so that their hands might really be touching.

Normally she would scold herself for thinking such things, but tonight she did not. Tonight, she wouldn't worry herself with such things, and would enjoy herself.

Gaston led her out onto the crowded floor - most of the couples had come to dance this final dance. The musicians struck the first note - first, the ladies curtsied to their partners, the men then bowing in return.  She suddenly felt very nervous. 

The next thing Belle knew was Gaston's strong, supportive arms were around her waist, holding her close in the dance, holding her as if he never wanted to let go. And he didn't want to.

That was when she realized just how close they were to each other, their faces just inches apart. They didn't break eye contact once, save for the time she closed her eyes, threw back her head, and smiled in full contentment. She dared to close her eyes just this once as they glided along together to the music, savoring being there in his arms.

And suddenly, it were as though they were the only ones in the room, just them, dancing together. The other people and the tavern melted away, and all that mattered was them there in that moment. There and then, nothing else mattered. They were completely lost in the dance.

Just as suddenly, Belle found her nervousness melt away, replaced by a new confidence found in the dance. 

It was over much too soon. Before they knew it, the men were bowing to their partners and the ladies curtsied in return, just like at the start, and the music faded away until there was silence, broken moments later by the thunderous applause of the dancers. The musicians bowed and tipped their hats in thanks before beginning to pack up their instruments.

The guests took this as their cue that the evening had come to an end. Slowly they began making their way to the door, gathering their hats and coats and chatting about what a good time it had been.

"Oh, that was just wonderful, wasn't it?"

"The best one yet!"

"Much better than last year, that's for certain!"

Pretty soon the tavern was quiet, the tables and chairs were being moved back to their usual places about the room and the refreshments were being cleared away. The disguise of the fairy tale ballroom had been removed, and the tavern had returned.

Belle was taking one last look at all of the decorations when she felt strong yet gentle hands place her cloak around her shoulders. "Thank you."

Gaston smiled. "You are welcome. Are you ready to go?"

"I think so." Taking one last look, she followed him out into the night.

(Well, there it is, hope you enjoyed the second part of the dance! Thanks so much for reading! :)