Then Somebody Bends

Epilogue

"Beast!" Belle cheers. "I- I came and I saw the rose gone. I thought you were all cursed forever! I was so scared I'd never see you again!"

Adam wraps his arms around Belle and pulls her closer. "Don't worry, Belle. We're all fine. And Chip got back to the castle alright as well. You saved us!"

Belle pulls away for a moment, confused. "How did I save you?"

Adam smiles. "The moment you admitted to yourself that you loved me, the curse began breaking. I was cursed because I was a horrendous, narcissistic man who only cared about myself and my wants. I only wanted things that looked perfect and were perfect. I was a bad man back then. To break the curse, someone needed to fall in love with me in my beastly form."

Belle pulls Adam into her again and kisses him. "It's true. I do love you. I only wish we could be together."

"I have a plan," Adam assures. "First, you must go down and join the party. I need you to trust me, alright?"

Belle nods and Adam helps her up. They kiss once more before Belle walks down to the ballroom.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As everyone dances, Belle steals glances at Adam. He raises his hand, calling everyone's attention. "As this evening draws to a close, you all know that this night I am choosing my bride," Adam begins. "I would like you all to know that this evening has been absolutely magical and there's a great chance that there will be another just like it." Everyone cheers at that. "As you all know, as prince of this province, who I choose from the group of maidens gathered here tonight shall stay at the palace. They are welcome to bring their family to stay as well. The maiden chosen will stay so we may get to know each other before the final decision is made. Any previous betrothals will be ignored and the dowry returned. Is this clear?" Everyone nods their approval. "Then it has come time for my decision to be called. I ask that Belle, daughter of Maurice please come forth and be my betrothed."

Belle steps forward and Lumière helps her up the stairs. "Do you, Belle accept this prince's offer of marriage?" Cogsworth inquires.

Belle nods, smiling. "I-"

The doors barge open before she finishes. Gaston charges in. "Belle, I refuse to allow you to give yourself to this man. You are to be my wife. We return to the village this instance where we will be married as you promised." The guards enter and hold Gaston. "You swore to me that you would marry me so long as I kept your father out of the asylum. If you don't marry me, I will send him to the asylum! I swear it!"

"Sir, you are interrupting the prince. This will not stand!" Cogsworth calls.

Adam puts his hand up and steps forward. "You wish to keep Belle as your bride?" Adam asks. Gaston nods. "Then I shall allow this." Everyone gasps, surprised at the sudden change. "But understand that if you don't allow me what I wish, I hold the power to arrest you for no reason and to tax those who live in my province. Do you wish to take Belle here as your bride knowing that by denying me what I wish, you endanger the lives of everyone in the province?"

"You can't do that!" one person shouts.

Another throws in, "It's not right!"

"You can't do that to my people!" Belle shouts, looking outraged.

"Of course I accept your terms. Belle is the only girl who is barely good enough for me!" Gaston shouts.

Belle turns on him. "What?!" Belle demands. "Are you absolutely out of your mind?! I won't allow others to suffer for your bad judgement." Belle turns to Adam and curtseys. "I apologize for this man's misjudgment. Please accept my hand in marriage as I accept your offer with the stipulation that you not take out your grievances on these fair people."

Adam smiles. "I accept your terms and your hand," Adam replies. Everyone around us cheers.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In the ballroom, Cadenza plays harpsichord as his wife holds Froufrou and sings. This party is different, however. This one, everyone is themselves. "Tale as old as time, turn as old as song! Bitter, sweet and strange, finding you can change, learning you were wrong." Everyone in the ballroom dances with the family and friends who they lost as Maurice paints a portrait of the ballroom.

"Winter turns to spring," Mrs. Potts sings. "Famine turns to feast. Nature points the way, nothing left to say. Beauty and the Beast."

As they continue to dance, Adam notices something on Belle's mind. "What? What is it?" he asks.

"How would you feel about growing a beard?" she asks.

He lets a chuckle escape before growling lightly. They both chuckle and Belle curtsies to Adam, followed by him bowing and kissing her hand. "Certain as the sun," everyone sings. "Rising in the east. Tale as old as time. Song as old as rhyme. Beauty and the Beast. Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme. Beauty and the beast."

Through thick and thin, Adam and Belle made it through rough times. All it takes it someone willing to bend.

Then Somebody Bends

n cries.