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It is a miracle.
The moment where Prince Adam hugged Mrs. Potts, Lumiere, and Cogsworth - that's when Belle's heart treatened to explode with unsaying gratitude. Her Beast, the dear and changing grumpyhead, had turned human again - and with him, all residents of the castle. Her eyes filled with tears from the thumping heart in her chest, bearing the overwhelming moment. All terror and nightmare of previous hours were momentarily forgotten (they would have to deal with all chaos of change and explanation to the villagers later - it just didn't matter right now).
The laughter, the cheers of incredulity echoed over the balcony and through the castle, and Adam turned around to fix his steel blue eyes on Belle, reassuring himself that she was still here and not having vanished with the curse...
Belle laughed, too, stepped closer and hugged the prince, and as he wrapped his arms around her lifting her up to swirl her around, his feet slipped and he stumbled, quickly setting the girl down. His confused grimace reminded Belle of the moment when she helped the Beast to feed he birds in the snow.
Of course - he had to learn to be human again...
Belle put both hands to his shoulders and tilted her head. "Don't worry. You need some time to readjust."
"You might be right." Adam shuffled his bare feet on the cold stones. "It feels funny though."
"You know the saying," Belle chirped, "practice makes perfect."
With a sigh, Adam nodded, and then he smiled, leaning closer to kiss Belle on the lips. "I love practising this for sure."
Belle smiled and cleared her throat. "But my Lord, we are not alone."
Adam straightened and looked around, noticing that the others were about to go downstairs to check on all the other residents. They were all a little wanky on their legs, too, clinging to the banister on the staircase. Adam and Belle followed them slowly, holding on to each other.
Once the first turmoil had seetled, Belle encouraged Adam to take a rest. It had been a tough night and he needed to recover from the fight on the roof. The memory alone gave her a start and she clung to his hand as they walked back to the West Wing.
"I was so scared." she whispered, and Adam hissed in terrified memory.
"I was scared, too, Belle. The mere thought of losing you... it made me so sad... I had no urge to fight until... until I saw you on the bridge. Gaston... I didn't mean to kill him."
Belle stopped abruptly and took his hand in both of hers and her gaze was focused on his handsome and furless face. "You didn't kill him, Adam. He killed himself by climbing up to you. He shouldn't have done it. It was a coward action to attack you from behind. It was his own fault. The man was doomed, pitifully doomed."
Adam lowered his face. "Probably."
"Come on, you need rest. Don't worry about Gaston. You can't undo his own fault."
Adam took a deep breath and wanted to squeeze Belle's hand, but his grip was strong and his strength a little uncontrolled as Belle winced in pain which made the prince jump.
"I am so sorry! Belle, did I hurt you?"
She laughed quietly and rubbed her hand, biting her lips. "I fear you will have to learn to reorder your strenght. But don't worry, practice makes perfect."
When they reached the master's bedchambers, Adam groaned, realising what damage he had once done to that beautiful room. Belle waved it off, declaring that they could clean the mess and tend to the broken furnitures some other time. She noticed the rose on the table though; all petals were in full blossom again, shining and shimmering as the rose turned merrily unter the glass bell.
"Look - the rose!" she exclaimed. "Isn't that a sign that there is a new start to your life?!"
Adam was speechless, and his heart hammered wildly in his chest. He took Belle's hand, softer and more tender this time as she smiled up at him, and his gaze was full of love and longing. "What about our lives, Belle? You here, with me, forever, as my wife?"
Belle gasped, her lips parting in surprise, and she reached up to cup the prince's face.
"Oh yes, yes!"
With a happy laugh, Adam lifted her up and swirled her around the room, but he tripped over the carpet and they landed on the bed with a squeal of mischief.
"You do need a rest." Belle laughed.
"I think so." Adam panted in delight.
Belle snuggled up into his side as he wrapped his arms around her, and his fingers traded through her hair, and Belle tiptoed her fingertips over his chest. She dipped her head and her eyes shimmered with a happy glee.
"I think you have a fine handling of your fingers already. I like them in my hair."
"Good." Adam leaned in to kiss her on the lips. "I love to practice, to become perfect to you."
"Oh Adam, you are perfect to me!"
"But you said, practice makes perfect."
"Then lets practice together, my love."
"Yes, yes, I love that my darling!"