Pieces of You
'5 years after Belle becomes Lacey, she suddenly passes away. Though Rumple is devastated, he takes in her 1 year old daughter'
Please R&R if you want to see more! Thank you!
Chapter One
Rumple was working on a repair to a watch in his shop, when he heard the bell at the front door chime. He quickly finished his repair and headed out to the front of the shop. He knew what he saw could not be good. Emma, David, Mary-Margret and his son Neal were standing in the shop. What are they going to blame me for now? Rumple thought to himself and then felt bad for the thought. Things had calmed down over the last few years in Storybrooke. He had managed to form a sort of friendship with most of the residents of the town. His relationship with Neal had taken years to heal but they were finally in a really good place. He attributed this in part to Emma and Neal having their second child. A daughter, named Ava, about 2 years ago. Even David and Mary-Margret had another child about the same age as Ava. Bonding over his second grandchild had softened Neal. Somehow people manged to get one with their lives with limited drama.
Everyone but him. After years of trying to restore Belle's memory to no avail, he managed a close friendship with Lacey. He was grateful to at least be her friend but he never really gave up trying to regain his True Love. But everything changed about a year ago, when Lacey became pregnant from a new relationship. He was the first she came to crying and puffy eyed telling him that she was pregnant and that the father had left, wanting nothing to do with the baby. He felt a knife stab through his heart as he realized she would be having someone else's child, that it wasn't his. That she wasn't his. Rumple took care of her through out the pregnancy and was even in the delivery room when she gave birth to, Molly. He was the first one to hold her and was the one rushing into the waiting room to tell everyone of the safe delivery. Though every time he was mistaken for the father at the hospital and it cut him like a knife, he was determined to do anything he could for Belle and her daughter.
"So, what do I owe the pleasure of this family outing?" Rumple said sarcastically walking around the counter to where they were standing. All of them remained silent looking at the ground.
Neal was the first one to break the silence, taking a step forward and putting a hand on Rumple's shoulder, "Pop, somethings happened. Why don't you take a seat and we can all talk about it"
A shutter of terror ran up his spine as he looked from his son to the others. Emma was still staring at the floor as he saw a tear run down her cheek. His terror turned to pure panic. He pulled away from his son's grasp.
"No. I won't sit down. Tell me what is going on right now!" He said turning back to Neal.
"Somethings happened to Lacey.. to Belle" Neal said slowly.
The group saw the color drain from Rumple's face. "She's dead" He said without emotion.
"We're so sorry Rumple. It was a car accident this morning. She had just dropped Molly off at Emma's for a playdate with Ava when it happened... she didn't suffer." Mary-Margret said she took a step toward Rumple and Neal.
"She's dead. My Belle's dead" Rumple said again this time in a whisper. Then what he said slowly sunk in. The group rushed towards him as his cane hit the floor and he collapsed closely behind.
"God, pop. I'm so sorry" Neal said grasping his father as Rumple began to sob.
"Nothing. I have nothing now. Nothing to live for. My beautiful Belle." He sobbed.
"You do. Me, Neal and the kids." Emma said trying to comfort him.
"I failed. I failed! I never got her back and now I never will." Rumple cried not really speaking to them.
He seemed to sober up for a second and looked at Neal, "I want to see her."
"Papa, I don't know if that's such a good idea." Neal said looking to Emma for support.
"I think I might help him. He's been holding on to her for so long" Emma said so only Neal could hear. Neal sadly nodded and continued to rock his father in his arms like a child.
"Do you want me to come in with you, Pop?" Neal said to his father as they sat in the hospital waiting room. He wasn't even sure if his father could hear him. After his sobs finally subsided at the shop, he went into sort of a comatose state as they made the call to the hospital and got him into the car.
"Pop? Can you hear me? Do you want me to go in with you?" Neal asked again when there was no reply. Rumple eventually turned to him though he was looking right through him.
"No. Thank you, Bae. I want to be alone with her."
"Mr. Gold, we're ready for you now" A nurse said gesturing for him to follow her through an open door. Neal helped his father up and followed the nurse.
When they came to the room that contained Belle's body, the nurse stopped him, "Please take all the time you need. I'm very sorry for your loss."
"I'll be right outside the door if you need me" Neal said hugging his father tightly. Rumple said nothing and entered the room.
The lighting was dim in the room and he could see several tables with bodies on them covered with white sheets. How could Belle be in this room of death? She was the epitome of life. Of living. He made his way further into the room until she came into view. The sheet was turned down to her shoulders. A single tear ran down his face as he walked up to her. She had several small cuts and bruises on her face but other than that she just looked as if she was sleeping. He reached out to caress her cheek but reality shocked him when he felt that she was cold.
"I'm so sorry, Belle. I should have tried harder to get you back. We would had been together and this never would have happened. This is all my fault. I was supposed to protect you. I won't let this happen with Molly. I will love and protect her like I should have done you. Nothing will happen to her. I swear to you. I'll love you forever, my Belle."
He leaned over to kiss her cold lips and a tear dropped onto her cheek.
(Wow.. when I set out writing this I didn't expect this first chapter to be SO dark, but what other option was there when Belle dies? :( If you want to see more please R&R)