After Ever After

Chapter Four

Adam and Belle's House

Saturday morning

Belle rolled over onto her side in the spacious king size bed. She stretched her arms out beside her in a sleep induced state, reaching out for a big, muscular arm to cling to. When her fingertips landed on soft sheets instead, she frowned. The side of the bed that usually held her husband was vacant. Finally opening her eyes, Belle glanced at the clock on the nightstand.

3:37 A.M.

The sound from the T.V. in the living room flowed from downstairs along with hard, guttural snores. Sighing, Belle threw the blankets back, wincing as her bare feet hit the cold, wooden floor. Half-awake, Belle trekked her way to the living room, anticipating a mess she was in no mood to clean at this ungodly hour. Her frown deepened when she rounded the corner, coming face to face with what looked like a dump site. Beer bottles--some empty, some half full--were scattered: on the table, on the floor, stuck between the couch cushions, sitting in a potted plant. Glass plates with half-eaten meals stacked in a pile on top of the side table. Used napkins decorated the arm of the chair. Bags of chips littered the carpet. Belle groaned inwardly, turning to go the kitchen to get a garbage bag. How can one man make such a mess?

Armed with a bag, Belle silently moved around the room, careful not to wake the man sleeping on the couch. Every now and then she'd glance at him. His hair a matted nest of knots and tangles, his mouth wide open allowing his harsh, alcoholic breath to fill the room, crumbs lining his growing beard, clothes all kinds of wrinkled and disheveled. He smelled of cigar smoke and a strong musk she knew meant he hadn't showered in a while. His face was dirty from God only knows what. He looked like a wild animal. He looked like a damn beast.

Finally rid of all the litter, Belle tied up the garbage bag and set it by the end of the couch. She sat down beside her sleeping husband, tucking a lock of hair behind his ear.

"Adam," she called to him. "Adam, honey, wake up."

Adam groaned in protest, feeling his hangover hitting him harder than a truck. Almost growling he replied, "What Belle?"

"Come to bed, baby. You've been down here all day."

"I like being down here."

"Well...c-can I lay down here with you, then? It's a little lonely in our room without you there."

Adam groaned, quickly becoming aggravated with both his headache and his wife. Why couldn't she just let him sleep in peace? That's all he wanted: a little peace and quiet. Was that too much to ask for? He managed to turn his head to look at her. She was smiling at him with such love and concern. He didn't know why though. He had lost everything he had worked for. He wasn't a man. He was a loser. He was nothing.

Belle started to make herself comfortable in his arms until he shoved her away, almost making her fall on the floor.

"Adam---"

"Go back upstairs, Belle," he snapped at her. "Leave me alone."

"I just want us to be close. I miss you," Belle pleaded, toying with the hem of her pajama shirt.

Adam rolled his eyes. "It's always about what you want. Y-you never ask me about what I-I want," his speech was slurred as he fumbled over his words and slouched further into the couch.

"Then tell me! Tell me what you want so I can help you!" Belle didn't mean to raise her voice at him, but she was tired of playing these games with Adam. She was trying to be the supportive wife; she was trying really, really hard, but her stubborn husband couldn't see past his own grief to notice. She wanted him to be happy again, but he needed to meet her halfway.

Not appreciating her tone, Adam roared at her. "I want my damn job back, can you do that!? Huh? Can you go down to the firm and order them to give me my damn job back!?" She didn't answer. "I didn't think so! Just take your ass back upstairs and go to bed! Leave me alone!"

Adam didn't see it, but he heard her soft whimper as she left the room. Her soft crying faded as she walked upstairs, but the guilt that surfaced in his chest only grew. He hurt her feelings...again. He grumbled into his pillow, adding another reason to be angry to his ongoing list. He turned his body on their worn couch and slipped back into his drunken slumber.

Belle, back in the master bedroom, didn't sleep a wink. Ever since Adam lost his job at the law firm two months ago, he'd been drinking his days away and falling asleep on the couch, more often than not. She wanted to support him through this tough time, but she also needed a little support herself.

His temper had always been nasty, but he'd gotten so bad lately that she barely wanted to talk to him at all. He's never in a good mood anymore, and their conversations always end with one or both of them yelling.

She thought, at first, this mood would be temporary. He'd get off the couch, find another job, and they'd be fine again. But he showed no signs of any progress in that direction, and she was tired of fighting the same fights with him. Belle was desperate for any change in her marriage, in her husband. She wanted them both to be happy again, but she didn't know what to do.

She just wanted her husband back.

A.N.

All credit, as usual, to SolelySagittarius for inspiring this story. Credit to LogicallyVulcan on DeviantArt for the chapter artwork!

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