"Ruby! This plate is still dirty!" The black-haired waitress looked up from wiping the counters to scowl at the kitchen door, through which her granny's voice was carrying.

"That's because I haven't washed it yet!" Ruby yelled impatiently.

"You still haven't gotten to the dishes?!" The old woman came tottering into the dining area.

"No, I haven't; I'm a little busy with the last seven things you asked me to do!" Ruby brushed past her grandmother and furiously began to wipe tables.

"Well, I'm going home. I want those dishes done before you leave."

"Granny, it's almost eleven! Can't I - can't I do them in the morning?"

"Don't save for tomorrow what you can accomplish today," she scolded, and Ruby bit her tongue in an effort to keep silent.

She would never dare tell Granny the real reason she was so eager to get home; she knew Granny would never approve. A part of Ruby knew she was already too late.

After weeks of running around in secret, they were finally going to take a huge step forward. The simple thought made Ruby's heart flutter excitedly, and she had to bite down even harder to stop herself from shouting it at the closing doors.

Belle stared at the clock eagerly; Ruby had promised to be back in only half an hour, and she had never been late yet.

She was very nervous. This would be the first time for her - the first time ever. But Ruby would likely be very experienced. What if she was really bad? What if she did everything wrong?

Worries flew through her mind, and Belle grabbed a book from the table, hoping for a distraction.

The Mysterious Island was a very interesting read, and Belle was able to get much farther than she would have hoped. Hours passed, and at midnight, she was tempted to give up and go home.

But Belle didn't want to. She had been looking forward to this for far too long.

Determinedly, Belle walked into Ruby's bedroom. She knew what would happen when Ruby came home - the same thing that always did - kissing, and a lot of it. At least this way, they would be spared the seemingly large journey to Ruby's room.

A chair sat in the corner and draped over the back was Ruby's cloak. Belle smiled and grabbed it hesitantly. The material was so soft, and it smelled like her - so much so that Belle put it on and hugged it close as she sat on Ruby's bed.

The warmth was encompassing her, and all she could smell was Ruby. Belle longed to feel those arms wrap her around her, to feel that sense of safety and love, to feel that sweet release that meant she could sleep.

With a heavy sigh, Belle turned back to Ruby's book, and read on; she was resolute to stay awake until Ruby came home.

Ruby took off her heels as soon as she had locked up, and she sprinted all the way home. It was much easier when you were a werewolf, but she was still out-of-breath by the time she arrived.

Ruby pulled her door open hopefully, but her hope deflated as she saw an empty living room. Of course, thought Ruby, Belle went home. "Damn it," she mumbled, running her hands aggressively through her hair, so that it fell from its loose bun to tickle her shoulders.

She let out a disappointed sigh, setting her heels beside the rug and walking, exhausted, to her room, cursing Granny with every step.

It was only when she turned into the hallway that Ruby noticed her bedroom light was on. Had she left it on? Or was Belle here? Was she still waiting? Ruby thought eagerly, closing her eyes outside the door and taking a deep breath before stepping over the threshold.

The sight that greeted her was too cute to believe. Belle was lying on her bed, curled up in her cloak, which was far too big, and The Mysterious Island was lying underneath her head.

Ruby slowly and quietly walked forward until she was able to pry the book from Belle's fingers gently and set it on the bedside table. "Hm," Belle mumbled.

"Sh," Ruby whispered, brushing a few strands of her beautiful brown hair with her fingertips. "Go back to sleep."

"Ruby?"

"Yeah, it's me, Belles." It was strange; a moment ago, she had felt exhausted, but all Ruby wanted now was Belle's soft lips against her own. Belle's eyes peeked open tiredly, and she smiled up at Ruby.

There they were - those gorgeous blue eyes, their deep ocean-blue color, brimming with knowledge and curiosity. They were studying Ruby lazily, guiding Belle's hand to the back of her neck where her fingers lingered softly."I thought you weren't coming," Belle whispered.

"Sorry," Ruby looked down apologetically. "Granny gave me so much to do, and it was Valentine's Day, so we had so many customers, and I had to take down all the decorations, and I'm so sorry; I should have called you, but I didn't think - "

She stopped short as Belle pressed her finger lightly to Ruby's lips. "It's okay. ... I was just really looking forward to tonight."

Belle was sitting up now, Ruby's cloak still draped over her shoulders. "I should go."

"No!" Ruby protested instantly. "I mean ... don't go ... please?"

"Ruby, you're exhausted, and it doesn't look like we're going to do what we had planned to tonight, so I might as well just go." She slid off of the bed and walked towards the door. Ruby almost let her go, but she couldn't get that image out of her mind - of Belle lying so peacefully in her cloak.

Ruby leapt up and ran after Belle, grabbing her wrist before she had gotten halfway down the hall. She pulled Belle close to her and whispered, "Stay."

"Ruby - I don't know if I can do this."

"Then we'll wait; we'll do whatever you want. ... Just stay here tonight - with me," Ruby pleaded quietly, cautiously pressing her against the wall and playing with her hands.

"I thought we weren't allowed to spend the nights together," she mumbled, avoiding Ruby's gaze. "Because people would notice ... because Rumple would notice."

"Well, maybe it's about time they noticed."

Belle's head lifted itself slowly. "Really?" she asked, a slight hint of nervousness mixed with enthusiasm in her voice.

"It would certainly stop Granny from keeping me this late on Valentine's Day," Ruby laughed, and Belle smiled as she kissed her.

"Let's go to bed, Ruby."

"Are we going to - " She tried to think of a delicate way to phrase it. Belle suddenly looked down at her feet. "Belle, what's wrong?"

She stayed quiet, and Ruby smiled with love as she lifted Belle's chin with her finger. "You're scared, aren't you?" Her cheeks turned pink, and Ruby wrapped her arms around Belle and held her tightly.

"I'm such a loser, huh?" Belle whispered into Ruby's shoulder.

"No you're not," Ruby grinned. "Baby, I'm afraid too. ... I've never done this before."

"I find that hard to believe," said Belle.

"Okay fine. I've never had it mean something before," she replied. "We can wait as long as you want to have sex, Belle, but at least promise me you'll spend the night tonight."

This time, it was Belle who kissed Ruby, wrapping her arms around her neck and sinking into her. "I'll stay," she whispered as she brushed her nose against Ruby's and her lips split into a smile. "I'm so tired."

"So am I. ... After you," Ruby gestured to her room as Belle walked past her, tugging Ruby behind by the hand until both women fell, exhausted, onto the bed.

Ruby grabbed her cloak and draped it over Belle. "It looked better on you," she said softly as she turned the bedside lamp off and draped her arm around Belle.

"I love you," Belle whispered, turning her head to look back at Ruby.

"I love you," she replied, kissing her forehead. And then Belle's fingers brushed against her cheek and brought her face down to kiss her on the lips.

Ruby was about to break away, but Belle did not let go; she held on tighter, and Ruby could have sworn her hand was sliding up her shirt.

It happened so fast there was no preparing for it. It was air, it was fire, it was calm, it was like nothing Ruby had ever known in her life. It was everything she had been trying to find. There was nothing but Belle - her lips, her eyes, her hands, her smile. And there was nothing coming from Ruby but pure and honest love - the kind of love that people spent ages searching for.

"Happy Valentine's Day," Belle whispered with her eyes closed as she pulled the sheet tighter around her shoulders.

"Happy Valentine's Day," Ruby echoed back to her, unable to keep from smiling.

"So we're going to have to top this next year." Belle inched closer to Ruby, as if they could get any closer.

"I'll start thinking about it now then," said Ruby as she kissed Belle one last time before they both fell sound asleep, dreaming of ways to make next Valentine's Day better than this day had been.