Cogsworth cleared his throat, took a deep breath, and stepped up to the door of Belle’s room. Then he knocked with three loud raps.
“Please pardon the interruption,” he called. “Do you have a moment to spare?”
The door opened just enough for Belle to poke her head into the hallway. She looked surprised to see the Beast, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, Chip, and Lumiere standing there. “Oh, hello, everyone,” Belle said. She opened the door wider. “Please come in. I was just about to start getting dressed for the ball—”
“Ah, ah, ah!” cried Wardrobe as she whisked Belle’s dress away and slammed her doors shut. “No peeking!”
There was a flurry of activity as the vanity table and shoe tree followed Wardrobe’s example, rushing about to hide Belle’s pretty shoes and accessories.
“Ahem!” Cogsworth suddenly said in a very proper voice. “Shall we get right to the presentation?”
“What presentation?” Belle asked.
“Go ahead, my dear,” Mrs. Potts whispered to Chip as she gave him a little nudge.
The only sound in the room was the plink, plink, plink of Chip hopping across the marble floor to Belle. He tilted his head down so that she could see inside the teacup.
“Why, what do we have here?” Belle asked curiously. Chip spilled the bracelet with all its charms into her open palm.
It took Belle a moment to realize what Chip had given her. Then she gasped in delight. “Is it—is it—?” Belle began. “Is it a charm bracelet…for me?”
“After we heard about the bracelet your father gave you, we all agreed you should have one to wear tonight,” Mrs. Potts said. “So each of us made a different charm for it.”
Belle clapped her hands. “Let me guess!” she said excitedly.
First, Belle attached the star to the bracelet. “The star gleams like golden candlelight. Lumiere? Did you make this charm for me?”
“It was my pleasure, mademoiselle,” Lumiere said, bowing grandly.
“And this beautiful teacup, hmm, let me think. Mrs. Potts?”
“Right you are, my dear!” Mrs. Potts exclaimed.
Next, Belle picked up the holly charm. “Holly is so festive,” she commented. “And I remember Cogsworth mentioning holly earlier.…”
Cogsworth smiled proudly.
“Just two charms left,” Belle commented. “Oh, my goodness, look at this lovely rose all covered with sparkling frost! Did you make this rose for me?” she asked, looking toward the Beast.
“Yes, I did,” he replied. He looked down modestly, but there was no mistaking the happiness in his voice.
“Thank you,” Belle said quietly as she placed her hand on his arm. “It’s beautiful.”
Their eyes met for a moment before Belle, blushing, turned back to the bracelet. “And last but not least,” she continued, “a snowflake charm! Oh, it’s amazing! Look how it sparkles—just like a real snowflake. Chip, how did you ever make such a stunning charm?”
“I added a little extra diamond dust,” Chip said. “Do you like it, Belle?” he asked hopefully.
Belle smiled. As she attached the charm to the center of the bracelet, her voice grew serious. “Chip, it’s beautiful—the whole bracelet is,” Belle said. “It’s not the same as my old one, but that doesn’t make it any less special to me. Thank you. Thank you all.”
Belle paused for a moment before she spoke again. “My father always said that the snowflake charm was a symbol for change,” she said. “And my life has changed a lot since I came to the castle. I’m very grateful to have made such special new friends. I’m so very glad we’ll be able to celebrate together at the ball.”
Cogsworth suddenly ran over to the window. “The sun has almost set! Oh, the winter solstice is just about upon us—”
“Shoo, shoo!” Wardrobe cried. “Everybody out! Belle still has to get ready for the ball!”
Belle smiled as the Beast and the enchanted objects rushed out of her room. “Thank you again!” she called. “I love my bracelet so much…and I can’t wait to wear it tonight!”