Nothing To Fear

9. Beauty And The Beast

By dark out, Stevie was preparing to sing a song on the piano. She had a few she played on the piano and a few she was in the midst of teaching herself to play. And no matter how many times she had played one song, she was extremely nervous to play. She had a feeling Mr. Buckingham would be lurking the area when the time came for her to play. But instead of freaking out, she just prepared lightly and made sure she knew she would be confident with the song of choosing. Easily, she went through her songs and chose by tune. She decided to go simple for her song and chose a song she had written when she was in  her teens.

…

"We're ready to hear you play," Stella came in with Leelee and William on her trail.

"Alright," chuckled a much calmer Stevie.

"What are you going to sing?" askes Leelee.

"Well, since it is time for bed and I know you like the story of Beauty And The Beast---I thought you'd like to hear a song called 'Beauty And The Beast'."

"Is it the one Mrs. Pots sings?"asked Stella.

"Not exactly," Stevie chuckled. "It's different, but I love it." She gently placed her finger tips along with the keys. Pressing lightly, she wanted to make sure she was hitting the right things. She began playing the opening keys lightly and started building them to match what her voice was about to sing.

You're not a stranger to me
And you are something... something to see
You don't even know how to please
You say a lot but you're unaware how to leave

—

Lindsey began making his way up the steps as he could hear her strong vocals filling the house once again. He stood in the doorway as he did earlier in the day. He felt very connected with her. He couldn't place her---but he felt as if he knew her. He just couldn't shake the feeling since the first time he heard her sing.

My darling lives in a world that is not mine
An old child misunderstood out of time
Timeless is the creature who is wise
And timeless is the prisoner in disguise

Oh who is the beauty who the beast
Would you die of grieving when I leave
Two children too blind to see
I would fall in your shadow I believe

My love is a man who's not been tamed
Oh my love lives in a world of false pleasure and pain
We come from difference worlds we are the same my love
I never doubted your beauty I've changed
I never doubted your beauty I've changed

Changed who is the beauty
Where is my beast
There is no beauty
Without my beast

Who is the beauty
Who my love
Oh la bete la bete
Where is my beast

My beauty my beauty
My beautiful beautiful beautiful
Beautiful beast

Between each stanza of words, she focused on her playing and once she felt the music and her starting points she went forth and sang. By the end she was in her own world.

"That was beautiful," Lindsey mentioned abruptly.

Rather than jumping out of her skin like earlier in the day, Stevie had tried to prepare for his appearance. She had a feeling that, since he was in the music business---he'd be easily enticed. She shut her eyes gently as she collected herself. Letting out a mental breath, she took her hands off the keys and prepared to stand. "Thank you," she smiled as she turned to face him and the kids. "Kids, I think it's time for bed," she mentioned---averting eye contact with her boss.