The beauty in the beast

Belle

~Belle Rose~
"Papa. I'm home!" I singsonged.
I doubt my father could hear me though, probably consumed by one of his latest inventions. My father is an inventor and a successful one at that. He works with Apple but loves to invent other products on his own.

"Belle, my darling! How was school?"
Of course he knew the answer already.

"Wonderful. Did you spend another day inventing?" Of course I knew the answer too. This was just our thing, questions. You never know when something will change!

"Actually, I focused on getting things ready for your birthday party. Everything is set and ready!" My father takes much pride in his planning skills unlike my mother, she says a writer doesn't have time to stop and get organized. I fortunately am a mix of both.

"Merci papa. I love you!" I truly do I think everyone should have a caring loving papa like mine. I go to complete my homework. Tonight I have a stack that makes my book bag cry for mercy. I estimate I'll be done in a half an hour. Easy. Twelfth grade is easy as pi ( which by the way is 3.1416592359). I am different from other teenagers because I prefer a book to an iPhone but I don't have much trouble socially. I spot another love note from Gaston among the homework. Great something else to throw in the trash. He is the most popular guy in school and has so many girls dying to just get rejected by him so they can say they talked to the 'great Gaston'. He has set his sights on me and won't get the memo that I'm not interested. Ugh...boys!

I finish the pile of homework then read my favourite book again. Daring adventure, sword fights, far off places, a prince in disguise; what's not to like? I hear mom get home that means dinner. Hungry as I am I finish the last chapter about a handsome, caring prince. Oh, if only men were like that in real life.

~Maurice Rose~
Cynthia got home early but looked shaken when she hugged Belle. We both know what is going on tonight and it tears her apart. I give her a sweet kiss then smile trying to tell her that everything is fine. She nods and puts on that brave face of hers. It's one of the reasons I love her so much.

"Belle, your mother and I must go to a meeting tonight so we won't be home till late." Cynthia pretends to be interested with her broccoli.

"Okay. Don't be to late partying." Belle jokes. She makes me happy to know what a grown young woman she has become. She is just like her mother. Even when I see them know both eating carrots with a slightly sour face because they both hate them. My girls. Always.

When we get in the car to leave, Cynthia cries into my shoulder.

"Why Maurice? Why us? We'll never see her again. My baby, our baby, will be given away. Can't we just not do this?"

"We both know this must be done. The town depends on this for their protection. This is bigger then us, Cynthia. We were the chosen family. We did our best with Belle and just need to trust she's ready." I tear up at the thought of never seeing our little girl grow up or get married. I'll never see the children of my only child.

It starts to rain as if the heavens themselves felt this loss. I drive onwards to the town hall repeating in my mind that we will all be okay.