Occupational Hazard

By RosexKnight

Belle is a new mother and wants to joined the baby group with all the other mothers. But Ashley and a few other moms don't want Belle to in the group sine they still fear Rumple.

Prompt from raeraegirl of Tumblr

Belle would never tire of the sight of her husband holding her little girl. Rumpelstiltskin was a completely different man when he has her in his arms. With all the cooing and baby talk you'd never know he was The Dark One.

But he still had the shop to run, which meant that Belle was often alone with the baby, taking her to the library and Granny's and the pawn shop. Ruby and Mary Margret had taken quite a liking to her, and she was always proud as they fawned over her. Being a mother certainly wasn't what she expected, but she definitely loved the good moments. Though, needless to say, she was grateful for the moments she got to herself. Rumple, always a good papa, seemed all-too-eager to give them to her "No. Go have a hamburger and buy a new book. I've got her." Sometimes she felt guilty for slipping away, but it usually disappeared when she was at Granny's, eating her burger and elbow-deep into a book.

"Where's the baby?"

Ruby was re-filling her tea, giving her a smile, "With her father. He's giving me a break for a bit today."

"Hard being a first-time mother, huh?"

"Just a little." Belle said, "I mean, I've read every book in the library on the subject and I just don't feel…prepared."

"I don't think you're ever prepared for a child." Ruby said with a chuckle. She paused, "You now…Mary Margret is in that baby group. I think they meet on Tuesdays?"

Belle smiled, the thought of having others to share tips and help from was a serious relief. "That sounds wonderful. I'll ask Mary Margret about it. You're a lifesaver Ruby."

"I know."

The following Tueday Belle was walking together with Mary Margret to the group meeting.

"It's like a support group for first-time mothers." Mary Margret was saying, "It's really helped me. And Ashley gives the best advice for getting them to sleep."

"That's good. She gets very fussy when she gets tired. Usually she can't get to sleep unless Rumple rocks her."

There was a shift in the atmosphere between the two, and Belle felt like she'd done something wrong.

"So he's…" Mary Margret paused, searching for the words, "He's good with her?"

Ah. That's what it was. "Yes. He's wonderful with her. I think he's happy to be a papa again. She'll have him wrapped around her finger when she's older."

"Good." Mary Margret smiled, her fears seeming to be dashed by the sincerity in Belle's voice, though the brunette wasn't sure if she liked the amount of relief in her word.

Though she was happy that Mary Margret accepted it, and the stiffness in the air around them evaporated. Mary Margret knew Neal after all, and saw Rumple with his son. Belle supposed if The Dark One was a fellow grandparent they must have tried to see the best in him.

As they approached the meeting room there was a soft buzz of conversation. Many of the women were already there, settled in and chatting with one another as they held their infants of varying ages. Ashley was at the door, keeping tabs on everyone.

"There you are!" She said with a bright smile as Mary Margret entered the room. "We weren't coming."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to be late, but I brought Belle."

"Hello." The brunette gave a small nod, giving Ashley a smile as she cradled her daughter, sucking happily on a pacifier and looking around the new environment with bright eyes.

Ashley's smile faded for a moment as a hush fell over the group. Belle suddenly felt incredibly out of place.

"Oh." Ashley said after what felt like forever, hauling er child further up onto her hip. "No that's…great. We always love for new mothers to join us."

The others didn't seem to agree. Whispers erupted and Ashley looked back t see wary looks being shot at Belle and her daughter. Many of the mothers were holding her children tighter, as if Belle's mere presence would cause some magical chain reaction that would cause them all harm. Ashley looked over to Aurora for help, but she frowned and softly shook her head.

Belle gave a nervous look to Mary Margret, who cleared her throat. "Belle why don't you sit over here by me?"

"Actually…can I talk to the two of you?" Ashley asked softly, sensing the tension in the room. "Ladies I'll um…be right back. Aurora, why don't you lead in some pattycake or something."

The three moved into the hallway, and the door was closed. Dread swam through Belle and her heart sank. Ashley shifted her boy from one hip to another.

"I um…" Ashey started, "There's a lot of uneasiness in there. I…I don't know if this is such a good idea."

"Why not?" Mary Margret asked before Belle could.

"I just…you know Rumpelstiltskin hasn't exactly been the nicest of people to us…"

Belle's mouth went dry, and could practically hear the whispers happening behind the door. She was his wife. And was holding his daughter. She couldn't exactly blame them for being afraid, but that didn't stop the anger from bubbling up in her stomach. Let them fear her. But there was nothing she hated more than people regarding her husband as a monster. And she wouldn't subject her daughter to the same.

"I can…I'll just go." She said, not wanting to cause any trouble or say something she would regret.

"No. Belle don't." Mary Margret was saying, "You said yourself he was a good father. And you have as much right to be in this group than anyone."

"Not if I'm going to feel like a bug under a microscope." She was already nestling her daughter back into the stroller, her voice firm and unyielding. "Not if my daughter is going to be feared."

"Belle, I'm sorry. If you need any tips -"

"No need." She said, breaking Ashley off, "Rumple loves rocking her to sleep anyway. It's his favorite part of the night."

"Belle…" Mary Margret's voice trailed off, and she said nothing more as it was obvious Belle's mind was already made up.

The brunette gave a half-hearted smile though her voice held the dame firmness that it used to be. "It's fine, Mary Margret. Not everyone sees the man behind the monster as I do. Just an…occupational hazard of being his wife. Thank you anyway."

With the guilty faces of Mary Margret and Ashley behind her, she started out, headed to the library. After all, she needed to kill time so Rumple would never know.