Rumplestiltskin was watching his wife sleep, but he knew, painfully, that he would have to wake her soon.
Reaching out a grey hand, he gently shook her shoulder.
'Belle' he said, 'You have to wake up'
Belle turned over, drew breath and sadly sighed.
'Is it time?'
'Yes, dearie. I'm afraid it is.'
/
Belle felt a tear slide down her face as she walked down the stairs, holding her husband's arm. Finally, she couldn't take it any longer.
'I won't go.'
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Rumplestiltskin let go of his wife's arm and walked away from her, stopping when he reached the centre of the entrance hall. He breathed out, and back to her, turned his head to the side.
'I can't lose you Belle. Regina will find you, and when she does, she'll do more than lock you up.'
Belle strode over to him.
'Then protect me. Don't send me away from you again.'
He turned to face her.
'I am. I am protecting you dearie. You won't be away for long. Just long enough for me to get rid of Regina, once and for all.'
She smiled sadly and another tear ran down her cheek.
'Let's make a deal' she said desperately.
'No Belle, not this time.'
/
They had reached a cottage in the middle of a forest, somewhere in the middle of a kingdom, and obviously, thought Belle as she listened to the quiet, in the middle of nowhere. Rumplestiltskin led her inside the cottage and sat her down at a table. His brow furrowed, he kissed her on the forehead, and whispered to her.
'I will come back for you Belle. I promise.'
'I love you Rumplestiltskin'
'I love you too'
With that, he turned on heel and left the cottage, tears streaming down his face.
/
Seven Months Later
Belle screamed in pain as the contractions started again. To her left, squeezing her hand sat Snow White.
'It's almost over Belle' Snow said comforting her, 'You're almost there.'
'She's right Belle. This will be over soon' the Blue Fairy added, fluttering over to look Belle in the eyes.
'One last push, Belle' said Snow.
With a scream of pain, Belle pushed. A baby's cry filled the cottage, and Snow White wrapped the child in a blanket and handed the child to her exhausted mother.
'It's a girl, Belle', said the Blue Fairy smiling.
Belle looked lovingly at her daughter.
'Yes, my daughter.' She paused, then –
'Rose. Her name is Rose.'