Although the matter of his son still confused her--she knew the boy had been lost, but had expected he'd just died centuries ago--the fact that he'd kept the matter quiet wasn't something Belle could blame him for. And that he'd trusted her with it, when she knew he didn't truly trust anyone, warmed her heart.
"You've certainly made a good start on proving all that here," she said gently. "I mean, I can't promise that there's not going to be anything that could make me want to leave, here, but knowing that you're trying is enough for me right now." After all, she'd expected to return to the tittering, mocking Beast years ago--the fact she had someone who was trying to be a man felt like a blessing. She knew he couldn't see that, that he was a blessing for her, and she was glad to reach the building's doors so she could have the chance to tell and show in some sort of privacy just how dearly she'd missed and wanted him.
"I'm sorry, um, about the stairs," she stammered, suddenly feeling her nerves come back, as the reality of this started to hit again.