#goodness!!!!

Though age had added a few laugh lines to Belle's eyes, she was just as beautiful if not more so to her husband as the day he had first laid eyes upon her.

Now on ao3!

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Though age had added a few laugh lines to Belle’s eyes, she was just as beautiful if not more so to her husband as the day he had first laid eyes upon her. The ballroom was nearly empty now, as the twilight hour soon approached. Many of the guests had retired to their rooms or carriages, still some lingered in the gardens outside in the moonlight. But Adam had lost sight of the others long ago. He only saw his Belle, standing in the candlelight and waiting for him.

He walked across the ballroom, footmen passing along the way as they cleared the space. The king took her outstretched hand, placing a tender kiss to her knuckles. “Pleasant evening, my darling?”

“Certainly,” she replied, stepping into his embrace as his arm found its way around the small of her back.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead, holding her close as they swayed side to side in the glow of the chandeliers. He looked to the side and called, “Chapeau!”

The old violinist turned around.

“Play something slow for us, won’t you?”

The tall man with the soft eyes smiled and bowed his head, bringing his prized instrument to his chin.

The melody began, gentle and easy. Adam and Belle swayed to the rhythm as they had always done; as though it was the very nature, the very essence of who they were. Belle still held onto him as she did that first time, and Adam still had butterflies at her touch.

“This is my favorite part of the ball,” Adam whispered, holding her hand against his heart.

“When everyone’s gone home?” Belle teased.

He nodded, eyes closed. “Yes. So I can be allowed to have my wife all to myself.”

“You always have me, love.” She rested her cheek against his chest, finding peace in his embrace that filled her with warm embers of comfort.