Mr. Robert Gold was not to be trifled with. He had a reputation for being ruthless and cunning and a monster of a man. He was never lenient when collecting rent every Saturday and almost never talked to anyone except when they came to him first. His glare was enough to scare anyone way and if that didn't work, his quick remarks and snapping at you would do the trick. Everyone in Storybrooke knew this and everyone in Storybrooke stayed away from him. But as he was walking to his pawnshop one day, something changed. It started with the sound of small feet hitting the pavement and a voice so innocent and pure, he almost didn't believe it was real.
"Daddy, Daddy!" the voice cried happily, and a small body collided with his legs, hugging them fiercely. He stumbled back and dropped his cane out of pure shock before looking down. Hugging his legs was a tiny girl, no older than four. She had a mop of chestnut curls on her head and and brown-gold eyes that sparkled. She was wearing a simple yellow dress that looked more like a hospital gown and a soft gray sweater on top. She looked at him with joy and a bright smile on her face.
"Daddy, I found you!" she said. Mr. Gold was at a loss for words. 'Daddy'?
"I-I'm sorry?" he asked.
"Rose!" a woman's voice yelled and Mr. Gold looked up. The woman running towards him was very similar to the girl hugging his legs. She had long brown hair and the same shaped face, but this woman's eyes were startlingly blue, like the sea. She was wearing some jeans and a sweatshirt, but even in her attire she was... so remarkably beautiful. Mr. Gold couldn't breathe for a moment.
"I'm so sorry, sir, I don't know what has gotten into her!" the woman said. "Rose, what on earth are you doing?"
"Mommy, I found Daddy!" the girl smiled at her mother, and Mr. Gold and the woman froze. His head was spinning. He had never even met this woman before, how was this possible?! The woman looked as shocked as he was, and she pulled the child away form him.
"Rose, I have never met this man before, he's not your father," she said and then turned to Mr. Gold. "I'm so sorry, sir, truly sorry. I have no idea what is going through her head sometimes."
"It's... It's quite alright, Miss...?" Gold fumbled through his words and straightened his suit.
"Ah, Lacey French, sir," the woman said. "And my daughter, Rose. We're um... new..."
"I see..." Gold said quietly. New? No one was ever new... "Well, keep your daughter under control, Miss French." He started unlocking the door to his shop.
"I will, sir, sorry again," the woman said. The girl smiled and waved.
"Bye, Daddy!"
He slammed the door shut behind him. It would be another ten years, when Emma Swan came to town, before he realized who he had just met.