1 | Welcome to the Lakeside
There was a masquerade ball that evening, a celebration to commemorate the wedding between Belle French and Robert Gold the year before last. It was to be held in their home, the Lakeside Mansion, an estate smaller than those of the richer, more powerful families of Storybrooke but nonetheless had its own charm. Everyone in town was invited to enjoy the food, the drinks, and the company.
Cars were waiting in line as guests stepped out of their vehicles one by one, all dressed to the nines. The residents of the small town never passed up a perfect opportunity to dress up. The hosts were standing by the huge doorway, smiling and greeting each guest before they entered the beautifully decorated home. Music coming from the inside created a light atmosphere for each arrival.
A black limousine pulled up, making Robert straighten up almost immediately at the familiarity of the vehicle. The chauffeur walked around to open the door, and George Nolan stepped out, looking impeccable in his tuxedo. He stepped aside and helped his wife, Ruth, out who was wearing a modest gold dress that sparkled every time she moved. The couple walked towards the door, ready with smiles for the hosts. Well, at least Ruth was.
The chauffeur took the place of his master and helped his daughter, Emma, out. She looked stunning in a soft green gown that hugged her every curve beautifully. Her long blonde hair was curled and tucked at the side by a sparkling barrette, and her hands held a silver clutch and the three masks she and her parents will be wearing at the party. She smiled her thanks to the chauffeur before walking to where her parents were standing.
"Robert and I are delighted to see you here, Mr. and Mrs. Nolan." Belle's light voice had greeted politely, her petite frame draped in a pale gray ensemble. Her youthful glow was a sharp contrast compared to her husband's ashen façade. Their marriage has started quite a roll in the town's gossip mill. Robert was shaking her father's hand when Emma joined them. Belle beamed at the sight of her, looking relieved to be dropping the act for a friend. "Emma! You look beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as the host for tonight," Emma grinned before leaning in to give the brunette a kiss on each cheek. "Hello, Belle." Her friend squeezed her hands before the blonde moved to greet Robert with a handshake. "Congratulations on your anniversary."
Robert smiled. "Thank you, dear." His expression turned thoughtful before he asked, "It would seem that your brother is missing this evening." She knew that her older brother often got into trouble with Robert when they were growing up, but then again he got into trouble with everyone. However, the man has taken quite a liking to the boy, saying that he was like a nephew he never had.
"Ah," Emma only laughed, waving her hand dismissively. "You know how he is. It takes him longer to get ready than I do. I wouldn't worry about him missing the party. He's been excited to see you since we heard you've arrived back in town." The couple had just come home from a long vacation in Europe.
"That's good news."
After a few more pleasantries, the hosts moved on to the next guests waiting in line. Emma's eyes widened as she took in the transformation of the mansion. It looked like Robert's staff had taken the task quite seriously. The decorations looked spectacular.
The chandelier in the ballroom added to the dreamlike state of the room, giving the vast space a golden hue that made all the women's dresses shine. There were already people dancing on the middle of the floor as the music played, making it seem like she had been transported into a different world where royal balls were the norm and she was a princess.
Her father cleared his throat, making her snap back to reality. She handed their masks and giggled when she had to help her mother put on hers properly. George seemed to have retained his permanent scowl, even at a party.
"I'm not quite sure about these things," he commented, studying the black mask in his hands. "Wouldn't it be a shame to not take this opportunity to talk to the right people? It's hard enough to look for them in such a big crowd."
Emma had to roll her eyes. "Only you would look at a party that way, Dad." She sighed as she tied her silver mask over her face, concealing everything except her bright green eyes. "Try to have some fun. You and I both know you need it." She lifted the front of her skirt slightly to avoid tripping on it before walking away in search of her friends.
George glowered at his daughter's moving form before turning to his wife, who took his mask and helped him put it on. "You should really talk to her about that attitude of hers. Saying what's on one's mind without a filter is such a bad habit to have."
Ruth only gave him a calm smile. "I wonder where she gets it from."
Before her husband could respond to that, the roars of high speed motorcycles made the couple turn their heads towards the entrance where the hosts were standing in mild shock. Ruth let out a light chuckle, knowing fully well who had just arrived at the scene.
"Well, it would seem your son has decided to grace us with his presence," she added, taking his offered arm. "Come on. I'm parched."
At the entrance, the guests loitering around gasped at the sudden noise emitted by the two motorcycles that had cut the long line of vehicles. After their initial shock, Belle and Robert were watching the two young men in amusement. It would seem like they never ran out of ideas to peeve their parents. They have always been the troublemakers in town, and it had yet to change. And by the looks of things, it looked like they have taken an interest in the expensive death traps they were sitting on.
"That Ducati does not do shit, Nolan." Killian Jones spat haughtily after he had taken off his helmet. He handed his things over to the valet before straightening his tux and dark hair. The heir of Storybrooke's Fishery and Cannery Company looked dashing in his tuxedo, his tie matching the color of Emma Nolan's dress for the night. "I don't understand what you were bragging about, mate. We arrived at the exact spot at the same time."
"It's because you lack the taste of the finer things in life, Jones." David Nolan had a smirk on his face as he took off his helmet. He thanked the valet who took care of his vehicle before walking to stand by his best friend at the line. He noticed a couple of ladies throwing appreciative glances at their direction. There was no doubt that he looked handsome in the three-piece suit Emma had picked out for him, his dark blonde hair brushed back. He wore a secret smile on his face as he kept his eyes forward.
"Yes, because the man who is currently dating your sister lacks the taste of the finer things in life," Killian shot back. David glanced over with an amused grin. "Let's just take a moment to let that sink in, shall we?"
David laughed. "Emma was right. You never do run out of things to say."
Before his friend could respond to the jab, it was their turn to greet the hosts. "Well, if it isn't the two musketeers," Robert said fondly. He had always acted as a sort of uncle to them both after the number of times he caught them snooping around in his pawnshop when they were younger. After a while, they got used to hanging around the dark shop and poking on antiques under his supervision. "Glad you were able to join us."
"Of course. We wouldn't miss this for the world," Killian grinned. The three men shook hands before the two younger men took turns in kissing Belle on the cheek.
"Nice to see you two again. It seemed like the Gold Honeymoon Part 2 took longer than the first one," David commented with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Will there be a Gold baby Killian and I are going to spoil anytime soon?"
His best friend clasped his hands together. "Nice. We'll teach him our tricks."
"Oh, no," Robert laughed. "You two aren't allowed to talk to my child."
Belle giggled at their interaction. "There might be or there might not be. Guess you'll just have to wait and see."
Upon arriving at the ballroom, the two men saw the party was already in full swing. There were waiters walking around with trays of food and alcoholic beverages. It took them a while to spot Emma through the sea of faces that greeted them when they stepped into the room.
"I really don't understand why people enjoy these things," David grumbled slightly at his mask. "How are you supposed to talk to someone without knowing who they are?"
"Mate, they're just masks. How hard can it be to recognize people?" Killian responded, taking two glasses of champagne from a passing tray after putting on his. "Besides, that's the thrill of it. You might be able to find the love of your life hiding behind a mask."
David snorted, making him grin. "To true love, then." Their glasses clinked together before they took a sip. "That would suck, though. I meet my soul mate tonight, and she slips through my fingers because of a stupid mask."
Killian had to fight the urge to roll his eyes at his friend's lament. "Here I thought a party will stop your wallowing."
"I don't wallow," he snapped.
"Sure, you don't," his friend replied sarcastically, finally spotting his girlfriend across the room. She was by the windows, laughing and drinking from her own glass of champagne. "I see Emma. Come on."
The guests' arrival had trickled down to a slower pace given the late hour, but the couple knew there was one more family expected to arrive at the scene. It didn't take long before the expensive car pulled over in front of them.
Belle turned to Robert with anxiety in her features. "Would it not cause a scene?" she asked him quietly. "Having both families under the same roof? It's bad enough they live in the same town."
"We couldn't have invited one and not the other. It wouldn't be proper." Robert noticed that his words did not help ease his wife at all, making him take her hand and squeeze it affectionately. "It'll be fine. I'm sure that they will all be in their best behavior tonight. They're our friends. They should understand that this night is ours, not theirs."
His wife exhaled her nervousness before nodding. "Okay. Let's just hope you're right."
Leo Blanchard stepped out first after the chauffeur had opened the car door, followed by his nephew, Arthur. Both gentlemen looked handsome in their formalwear. The younger of the two walked ahead to shake the hands of the hosts.
"Incredibly nice of you to invite us to such a joyous occasion," he said, his smile a little too bright. "Happy anniversary to you both."
Robert just gave him a curt nod, Belle a small smile. Nobody in town seemed to like the mayor's nephew, given his involvement in fights in Storybrooke's longstanding family feud and his obvious attraction to power. He had always tried too hard to please those who are above him, especially Leo.
"Thank you, Arthur," Robert answered for the both of them.
Leo was still standing by the doorway of the vehicle, obviously waiting for someone inside to step out. Leo and Arthur have always been the representatives of the Blanchard family, so the hosts wondered whom he might have brought to the party. Belle glanced up at her husband with curiosity in her eyes.
Then a young woman in a gorgeous white dress took his hand and stepped out. Her dark hair was gathered in a loose bun at the back of her head with some curls framing her face. She had a stunning diamond necklace around her neck, and her gown fell on all the right places. She looked like a princess and walked with the grace of one, too.
Belle couldn't help the sigh that escaped her lips, "Oh. She's beautiful."
"Robert, Belle!" Leo greeted with a smile, and the couple immediately returned it. He had a warm personality when it came to the people. That was why they have no questions as to why he has been elected mayor through several elections. He had charm and knew how to deal with people without a toe out of line. He was nothing short of the perfect leader. "Thank you for the invitation. Has it really been two years? Time flies."
"It would appear so," Belle answered with a shy smile. "Good to have you here, Mr. Mayor."
"Good to be here, Belle. Happy anniversary," he replied warmly.
Robert gestured towards the young woman who looked slightly out of place. "I see you've brought a date with you tonight, Leo." As he said those words, he offered his hand to the woman. She took it with a pretty smile, showing a perfect set of teeth behind her ruby lips. "I'm Robert Gold, and this is my wife, Belle." Then, he suddenly felt his heart drop at the sight of her up close.
She looked just like her mother.
"Mary Margaret," she replied as she shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Gold. You, too, Belle."
Robert withdrew his hand and gulped down his anxiety as he watched her and his wife exchange greetings. Maybe Belle was right. Maybe having two families present at the party wasn't the best idea.
"My, how much you've grown," he smiled tightly. "I haven't seen you since you left. How long ago was that, dear?"
"Oh, it's been so long since I've been in town," she laughed a little, glancing up at her father. Leo was smiling down at her, pride in his eyes. "I left town when I was about five or six, I forget. I've lived in Boston ever since." Robert did the math in his head and realized everything had fitted the way he thought they would.
"Mary Margaret here had done most of her schooling in Boston," the mayor explained, snapping him out of his reverie. "She had just graduated from Harvard Law. She's going to be taking the board exam soon."
"Dad," Mary Margaret whispered, blushing in embarrassment.
"Oh, come on. It's something to be proud of."
"That's wonderful," Belle gasped. "Congratulations. That's amazing, Mary Margaret." Robert was impressed as well.
She looked shy. "Thank you. My father has yet to stop telling everyone."
"It's not my fault I take pride in my daughter's accomplishments," Leo grinned as he placed an arm around her. "You're looking at the future mayor of this town, ladies and gentlemen. There's no doubt Storybrooke will be in good hands with her in charge."
Belle could not help but glance over at Arthur and noticed his clenched jaw at the statement. He then cleared his throat before saying, "I suggest taking this to the ballroom, shall we?"
The group then started to walk towards the ballroom, and the hosts followed behind them, as they have no other guests left to greet at the door. The program will also be starting soon. Mary Margaret noticed that most of the people were already wearing their masks, making her gasp when she realized hers was missing.
"I must have left it at home," she said to her father, looking a bit wary. "We were running late."
"Oh, don't worry." Belle piped up, offering hers. "You can have mine."
Mary Margaret looked uncertain. "Are you sure? I don't want to be rude…"
"Don't be silly," the host chastised lightly before turning to her husband. "Robert, would you mind fetching my spare in the bedroom? It's on the vanity table."
He nodded and left before Belle turned back to her and helped her put it on. The other men went ahead and lost themselves in the crowded room.
"It looks perfect with your dress, too," she added, tucking some of her hair behind her ear. "There. You look beautiful."
Mary Margaret felt her cheeks burn at the compliment, silently thankful that the mask covered it. "Thank you, Belle."
She grinned, latching her arm onto hers. "Now, come on. Let's go have some fun."