A/N – I'd like to thank and credit the talented and generous Emilie Brown for creating the lovely cover for this story.

Mr. Gold did not like social engagements. Never had, never would. But he couldn't get out of this one. His only son, Neal, was marrying Emma Swan and this next week was going to be filled with one event after the other. He always knew there would be a rehearsal dinner and the wedding itself followed by a reception. But it never occurred to him that there'd be so many other "festivities" and obligations attached to it. Wedding week. That's what Mary Margaret had called it.

Like today. Why was he standing all alone in a room filled with rainbow and unicorn decorations? OK, so he wasn't exactly alone. The room was filled with many of Storybrooke's residents, all of them laughing, smiling and talking about the upcoming wedding. Sure, he was happy for his son, and he adored Emma. Of all the women in the world, his son had chosen the perfect mate, one whom even Gold could admire and respect. But he had always thought of her as someone who would have preferred a small quiet intimate affair with a few close family members and friends. She wasn't the type who liked being the center of attention.

"Enjoying yourself, Gold?" Emma's walked up beside him.

"Emma." Gold nodded to her in greeting.

"Well?" Emma was looking at him waiting for an answer.

"You know I don't enjoy socializing." Gold didn't want to be rude, but he couldn't lie to her. She'd see right through him anyway.

"So this is your first Jack and Jill shower I take it?" Emma pressed him.

"Is that what this is? How quaint." Gold couldn't help grimacing.

Emma laughed. "Listen. None of this is my idea. Your son and Mary Margaret hijacked this wedding. I guess I wasn't involved enough so they took over. Neal's filled with enthusiasm and helping me plan my wedding is Mary Margaret's dream come true. You didn't think I was the rainbow and unicorns type, did you?"

Gold laughed. "No. I'm a bit baffled by the theme. You do know the legend behind the unicorn… that it's a beautiful wild animal that can only be tamed by a virgin."

"I know. That ship sailed a long time ago. I'm not sure how it fits me, but Mary Margaret likes it. At least the rainbow has some meaning. "

Gold looked at her, waiting to hear what she had to say.

"The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow… Get it? Neal Gold? OK, I know it's corny but what do you want? I'm trying to make the best of it."

Gold chuckled. "Very amusing, Emma. I like it. Now if we can just find a way to make the unicorn fit."

"Emma!" Gold looked up to see a hauntingly beautiful woman walking towards them. Her stunning blue eyes caught and held his for a second before she looked back at Emma.

"Belle!" Emma hugged her. "You found it. I was hoping you wouldn't get lost. The GPS has a way of being misleading out here."

"I never use GPS. I just follow directions and instinct. You know how out of date I am about things." She blushed a bit as she glanced at Gold.

Emma noticed her glance and immediately made introductions. "Gold, this is Belle French, a good friend from college and one of my bridesmaids… Belle, this is my future father-in-law, Rumford Gold."

"Enchanted." Gold couldn't take his eyes off her as she offered her hand to him. He was tempted to kiss it, but Emma's presence made him hesitate. Belle blushed again as she felt a tingling warmth course through her body at his touch. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Gold." He smiled at her as his eyes seemed to pierce through to her soul. Belle's blush deepened.

Emma cleared her throat. Gold realized that he still had Belle's hand in his so he quickly released it. "Mary Margaret and Ruby are up front waiting for you. I'll come over in a few minutes."

"Ok. I'll see you in a few." Belle looked back at Gold. "Hope to see you later, Mr. Gold." She smiled shyly at him and he felt himself smile back. And then she walked away while Gold never once let his eyes leave her.

"She's two years younger than I am." Emma was staring at him.

Gold answered without looking at her. "What are you trying to say, Emma?"

"I'm saying that Belle is younger than I am and a lot less experienced. She could tame the unicorn."

Gold shifted uncomfortably. "And you're telling me this for what reason?"

"Because I saw the way you looked at her… at the way you're still looking at her."

Gold took his eyes off Belle to look directly at Emma.

"I've never seen you look at a woman that way before. You're attracted to her."

"So what if I am?" Gold confronted her.

"Belle's the sweetest person I've ever met, Gold. She's had a lot of heartache in her life. I don't want to see her get hurt again."

"I'd never hurt her." Gold responded without thinking.

"Don't worry yourself, my dear. Even if I was attracted to her, and I haven't said that I am, your lovely friend would surely never be interested in me. There's no doubt that she has a slew of young men at her beck and call."

Emma held his eyes. "You're right about one thing, Gold. She has men lining up trying to get her attention." Emma hesitated. "About the other thing…"

Gold looked puzzled. "What other thing?"

"She's interested in you." Emma mumbled it under her breath almost hoping he didn't hear her.

Gold grinned. "Really? And what makes you think that?"

"I know her Gold. The way she looked at you, the way she blushed. There was something about it. The same way there was something about the way you looked at her. Just don't let me live to regret any of this."

Emma gave him one last warning look before she walked away.

"Emma." She stopped. "Where do you want me to sit?'

Emma groaned. "You're sitting with the rest of the wedding party at the tables up front. You and Belle are at the same table."

Gold smiled foolishly to himself. The day was starting to look up already. Maybe he would actually enjoy it.

Gold watched Emma make her way to the front of the room where she immediately walked over to Belle and the other bridesmaids. He could see her talking to them when Belle looked past her to the back of the room and caught his eye. He thought she'd look away, but she held his gaze and smiled, and even at this distance, Gold could see the color rising to her cheeks. He felt a certain warmth spread through his body as though she had once again put her hand in his. Emma was right about the age and experience difference. He didn't know what he was thinking. She was definitely too young for him and he would be nothing but trouble for her. He'd content himself with just admiring her beauty. He began to slowly make his way up to his table.

He couldn't take his eyes off Belle as he walked forward. She never looked directly at him again, but he could sense that she was trying her hardest to focus her attention away from him. When he was within a few feet of her she looked up at him and smiled. She moved forward and took his hand. "I saved a seat for you right next to mine." She led him to it and continued to hold his hand until he realized that he was the one not letting go. To cover, her brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. "Thank you, my dear." Belle felt the tingling sensation course through her body again and blushed deeply. She felt Gold's eyes on her which just made it worse. When she looked up to meet his eyes he had the sweetest smile on his face. "You're very lovely, Miss French, especially when you blush."

That did her in. She was mortified that she was reacting this way to him. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I think it's a bit warm in here." Belle tried to make an excuse for herself, anything to keep him from thinking she was some foolish young woman who had a crush on him.

"Indeed it is. I feel it myself. Perhaps we should take a walk on the terrace to get a little fresh air." Gold held his arm out to her and she automatically linked hers with his and followed him out to the terrace. Emma had seen every second of their interaction and watched them leave the building together.

"Have you seen my father? I thought I saw him here a minute ago." Neal came up behind Emma and put his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck.

"He's out on the terrace with Belle." Emma looked up to catch his eyes.

"Whoa!" Neal looked out and saw his father and Belle standing side by side at the railing looking out at the beautiful scene before them. "What's that about?"

"Wouldn't we all like to know?" Emma extracted herself from his grip and turned towards him. "Your father and Belle seem to have developed an instantaneous attraction to one another. I have no idea of what's going on. They just met a few minutes ago."

Neal chuckled. "I'm sure it's nothing, Emma. You know dear old dad. He's not exactly the type to fall for a pretty face. And Belle has every eligible bachelor alive vying for her attention. What would she see in my father? He's attractive in his own way, but he certainly can't compete with Gaston or Killian. The man is way out of his league."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that, Neal. Belle is not like everyone else. She likes him. I'm sure of it."

Neal laughed again. "I think some of this wedding planning may finally be rubbing off on you. You're starting to show your romantic side."

Emma glared at him. "Very funny. Laugh all you want, Neal. We'll see who's right soon enough."

Neal kept laughing as he backed away from her and headed toward his friends.