Author's Note: I do not own anything!
Summary: Belle's struggling with depression and Mr. Gold tries to come up with a way to cheer her up.
Belle sat on the couch staring at the fireplace with the logs burning. Fresh tears streamed down her face every few hours. She was so lost and confused in this new world and it was almost becoming overwhelming for her. It frightened her when the heater would go on and it made a loud humming nose. It scared her when the doorbell went off. And most of all, that thing that Mr. Gold called a "car". That scared her the most.
Most days, she slept in late and didn't want to get out of bed. "I'm so tired," she would repeat.
Some days she didn't want to eat and it took Mr. Gold a lot of convincing to do so. And when she did eat, she ate a lot of sweets and crackers.
Belle had been in this state for days and Mr. Gold wasn't really sure what to do. She had gone to see Archie Hopper a couple of times, but it wasn't enough. And Belle for sure did not want to go back to the hospital and Mr. Gold refused to take her there. He already lost her once, he wasn't going to do that again.
Belle softly hummed to herself as she cried a bit more. At that moment, Mr. Gold approached the front door. She knew it was him by the loud noise of his car and the clanking of his cane. She heard the jingle of his keys and she tried to wipe away the tears from her face.
"Darling, I'm home," Mr Gold called.
Belle got up off the couch and put on a smile for her beloved. However there was no tricking Mr. Gold. He was no fool. He saw her smile, but saw the pain in her eyes. He kissed her and held her hand. "How were things today? I see you got out of bed today and you showered. That's progress."
"Oh Rumple, I really tried today, but I just couldn't do it. I just feel so empty and so sad."
"Did you called Dr. Hopper?"
"I did, but he wasn't available until next week."
Mr. Gold sighed and asked, "Would you like me to call him? I'm pretty sure he owes me a favor?"
"No, no," Belle shook her head.
"I wish there was something I could do to make you feel better," Mr. Gold said aloud, "I want you to be happy here."
Belle lifted her head down and felt more tears coming. "I'm trying so hard Rum, I really am."
Mr. Gold lifted Belle's face so he could see her blue eyes. "I don't like seeing you like this Belle. You are beautiful and to have you back in my life is a blessing," Mr. Gold continued.
"I think I'm going to go to bed now," Belle yawned.
"Did you want to eat something?"
"I'm not hungry."
Belle disappeared upstairs and Mr. Gold frowned. I will cheer her up if it's the last thing I do he thought to himself.