Ch. 1
In the year that they had been married, Belle and Rumplestiltskin tried everything they could to have a baby.
Everything.
It was something that both wanted more than anything - to have a family - and so they did their best to start one. Sex, which was once fun, was now performed on certain days of the month during which Belle's ovulation cycle reached its peak. It was done in different positions, too.
That didn't work.
So they'd turned to doctors, who had done a variety of tests and had concluded that Belle was infertile.
Then medicines had been given. When one didn't work, the doctors prescribed another, then another.
After that failure, there'd been the attempts at artificial insemination. That almost worked, but Belle lost the baby two months in.
And so, there they were.
Belle was depressed, that much Rumple could tell. She didn't talk much anymore, nor did she smile. Her hair was often unbrushed, and sometimes she would wear the same clothes for days on end.
Rumple tried not to press her about it. She had every reason to be miserable. She would never have her chance to experience the one thing that many women dream of: motherhood.
Still, it hurt Rumple to see his lover this way. Belle was good, pure good, loving and he was sure that she would make a fantastic mother. It seemed cruel that fate had deprived her of the opportunity to be a parent.
The worst part was that it seemed like there was nothing he could do to help. He tried to talk to her, reassure her that at least they still had each other, but it was to no avail. His lovely Belle was all but lost.
00
"I've got it," Rumple announced one morning.
He'd called Belle over from the library to show her something, promising that it would make her happy. Now she stood before him, staring down at the book of spells in his hands.
"You've got what?" Belle asked, confused.
"A solution to our problem."
"Our problem?"
"Yes, dearie, you know…" he trailed off.
Recognition flashed across Belle's face.
"Oh. Oh! And what solution is that?"
"This." He pointed to a page covered in Latin text.
"Magic? Can that actually work?" Belle's interest was definitely piqued.
"Of course it can! I've always known it could, I just had to find the right spell, and here it is!"
Belle's eyes lit up.
"You're… You're serious, Rumple? I don't understand what it says, but I trust you, if you think it will work."
Rumple grinned.
"Oh, it will work. There's just one little issue."
Belle's shoulders slumped.
"Oh."
"Now now dear, it's not that big of a deal! You may just find it awkward. You see, the spell cannot be performed on you. Rather, it must be performed on me."
Now Belle was looking at him as if he had six heads.
"On you? But… But Rumple, you're… you're a male!"
"I am. But the spell is too strong for an ordinary human. And, as much as I love you, Belle, you are fully human. My magic will protect me and allow my body to accept the necessary changes."
Belle took a deep breath, held it for a few seconds, then exhaled, trying to take all of this in.
"So would you become, like… a woman, then?"
"Internally, yes."
"But you'd still have… on the outside?" Belle didn't dare speak her exact thoughts.
"Yes, all of that will remain the same. The only difference will be here," he rested a hand on his stomach, "As the baby grows, of course."
Belle nodded.
"And… how will it come out?"
"It will have to be cut out."
Belle wanted to cringe, but did her best to hold it back. She didn't like the thought of someone cutting Rumple open like that. In their land, such actions were reserved for occasions where the mother was dying and could not give birth naturally.
"Are you pleased?" Rumple asked, hopefully. He was unable to read the expression on Belle's face.
"Well… yes, of course. How could I not be? We've wanted a child for so long, and if this could make it a reality, then of course I'm happy. But, I do worry about you, Rum. I don't want anything bad to happen to you. Perhaps we should talk to first?"
"What could go wrong? You have the dagger. If I need help, I'll ask you to return it to me. And that's just the worst case scenario. My biggest concern is how the townspeople will react. As far as Whale goes… I'd rather wait to see him."
Belle smiled at him, "They won't say anything cruel. They like you now. Well, they tolerate you, at least."
"Tolerate sounds about right. I'm sure some of them will have something to say, though."
"Well if they do then they'll have to face me!" Belle declared.
Rumple snorted and laughed.
"Yes… that would be terrifying, I'm sure."
Now it was Belle's turn to laugh. When she was done, Rumple pulled her close.
"It's so nice to see you smile again," he whispered.
Belle kissed the side of his neck, "And it is so nice of you to do this."
"Anything for you. Just promise me, when I'm seven months along and look as though I've swallowed a watermelon, you won't run off."
"Run from you? Never in a million years."