it's a pity and a sin

It was good to be going home. He’d been gone far too long, traveling among neighboring kingdoms in hopes to secure peace treaties and better trading routes - whatever he could to help the betterment of his own, not only for his family, but his people too. He’d lost count of how many days he’d spent situated in stuffy gilded rooms, surrounded by other kings and their men, listening as they debated the relevance of one kingdom over the other.

His thoughts often drifted back to the family he’d left behind - the family that was surely waiting for him. His children’s eager faces… and Belle. Belle. Oh, how he missed her.

The carriage ride back to the kingdom and castle wasn’t nearly moving as fast as he wished. He’d been tempted to take one of the horses from a guard and ride home at his own speed; though, he was not as young as he’d been.

“Whoah…” One of the horsemen called from above, as the carriage began to slow. As Adam peered from the window, he could see the castle just ahead - and his family standing on the main steps of the entrance - all waiting for him. His eyes drifted from child to child, seeing their smiles filled his heart with joy. And just beside them - Belle. She looked regal and beautiful - nearly perfect as ever. How many books would he find dogeared in their quarters? The mere memory of her in their bed, asleep with piles of books surrounding her caused him to chuckle.

As soon as the carriage came to a halt, he quickly opened the door - unwilling to wait for the servants to do so for him. As he emerged, he locked his gaze with his wife’s and smiled.

“Oh papa!” Their little daughter called, running up to his side. He embraced her quickly and warmly, patting her back.

“Yes, yes, I’m home,” he replied gently. “Just as I promised.”

He peered at his son, and gave a firm nod. “And I imagine you both looked after you Maman?” He lifted his gaze as he asked his question, locking his gaze once again with her.

“And you my love, are you glad to see me?”

Belle ushered her children out onto the front steps, with the household lined up to welcome the Master home. She had been running the household by herself whilst Adam was gone, which had been lonely. The only comfort was that her children were so obviously happy here and the letters Adam regularly sent to his wife detailing each step of his journey, with special messages for their children.

Their daughter was a proper Papa’s girl so it was not surprising that she was the one who raced forward to get the first hug. In fact, Belle had to pull her back a few times as she tried to get to the carriage whilst it was still moving. Their son was much more reserved and stayed by his mother‘s side. She smiled and ran her fingers through his hair.

“Yes, they looked after me very well.” Belle assured her husband as she squeezed her son’s shoulder. Their daughter was trying her best to clamber all over her father, desperate for attention after he’d been away so long. “Perfect little caretakers.” She assured him.

Belle was sat on a picnic blanket in the gardens, reading whilst her two children played. The four year old twins might have been royals but they could roughhouse like commoners, chasing each other around with glee. Belle looked up when she saw Cogsworth approaching. He handed her a letter and went back to his duties. As she unfolded it and read it, the twins noticed and rushed over. “What is it, Maman?” The Princess asked as she tried to read the letter over Belle’s shoulder.

“You’re nosey.” Belle scolded playfully, hiding the letter against her chest. “It says that your Papa will be home later today from his trip.” She explained. The twins were delighted with the news that their father would be coming home but not that they would have to abandon their games and go inside to get ready.

When Belle had imagined travelling the world, she hadn’t imagined that it would be as part of a royal visit to faraway lands. Adam had brought her to visit Arendelle, allowing time for them to explore all the countries that they passed through. Now they’d arrived, she had to put her princess face on. The Queen had offered to show her around the castle grounds, which she kindly accepted. “This is a beautiful palace.” She commented. “In such beautiful mountains.”

“You are correct. Feet on the ground, where they belong from now on,” Adam responded. His tone was light, but even with all the joy that he felt at this news Adam already knew that this pregnancy would make him a nervous wreck. But he would leave that concern for another day - probably tomorrow when Belle would insist on continuing to act as though nothing has changed.

“I’m sure hes at least imagined it a few times in the past year or so,” he said. “After all, he has been part of the group who has essentially been asking about a baby once the vows were said.” They had known that would happen - that most would have the expectation simply because of their titles. But then there had been the small, and very insistent contingent that simply wanted to see a baby in the castle - led by Mrs. Potts.

Belle smiled, reaching up to cup her husband’s cheek, the other still on her belly. “I promise, two feet on the ground at all times unless I’m walking. Or in a carriage. I suppose riding is off the menu for now?” She teased, sure that her husband would ban her from anything strenous. There would certainly be questions when she made her weekly trip to the village by carriage rather than by horseback.

“Finally, yes we need assistance with our bags! Do you expect me and my daughters to carry them ourselves?” Marguerite snapped, good God it was it so difficult to find good help these days? 

“And pray, I don’t tell your Master and Mistress about your reading while you are supposed to be attending to their guests!” The red haired woman added cruelly.

“Of course not, my lady. I very much should be attending to my guests. Apologises, I am new to hosting.” She told the woman before turning to Mrs Potts. “Please take the ladies’ bags to their rooms, Mrs Potts. And please ask the kitchens for tea to be served in the East Drawing Room. I’m sure that more guests will be arriving shortly.” She told Mrs Potts kindly, her authority obvious but not insistent.

Adam nodded at her words and as soon as they were closed, he softly waved his hand in front of her eyes to make sure her eyes were closed. He then took her hand again and started her leading through the garden right to the place he wanted to take her. “Okay, stop.” he spoke as he stepped behind her. He wanted her to have the full view on the little place he had created. A small rose garden. Yes, they already had one but this one was more special. It offered a little spot with green grass. Adam had chosen a wonderful blanket to lay on it. There was a small picknick prepared for them, and as soon as they would sit down, they would be surrounded by roses and the sunlight breaking through them. “Open them.” he smiled, hoping she would enjoy it as much as he did. 

Belle let her husband take her hand and lead her through the garden. She would have never trusted someone else to do this for her but she trusted Adam with all her heart. As they walked, she felt the sun on her cheeks and smelt the roses in the air. Were they near her rose garden? She stopped when instructed to do so. Her eyes fluttered open when he said so and she took in a surprised breath. “Adam, it’s beautiful.” She told him softly.

Adam thought for only a moment before he had the answer. He had seen most of France already. But his father never let him leave the country. And he had read so many wonderful things about the world. “I always wanted to go to England.” he spoke. Knowing most of the poets came from there. And he kenw how much both of them enjoyed them. “How about we go there?” he asked her, a smile on his lips, his hand holding hers. 

Belle watched as he thought it through and smiled brightly when he provided his answer. “England it is.” She told him softly, squeezing his hands and moving onto the tips of her toes to kiss him once more. “We can walk the white cliffs of Dover and the streets of London.” She smiled.

@strangespecialmostpelicular​​ sent  : 🎁               for a randomized one-liner lyric starter from my 2020 s.potify wrapped playlist !

“ back when we were still changing for the better, wanting was enough. ”

— 61.august by taylor swift —

“there comes a time where wanting isn’t enough anymore.”

@strangespecialmostpelicular​ liked for a starter

“You, Girl! Get your nose out of that book and make yourself useful!”

Belle looked up from her book, a little confused who she was talking to. It took a second for her to realise that she was talking to her. Belle hated visiting nobles, and they certainly looked down their noses at her. But never so far that they mistook the Princess for staff. Sharing a look with Mrs Potts, Belle stood, a plan in mind. “Of course, how can I help, my lady?” She asked, tucking her book into her pockets. “Do you need help with your bags?”