An adopted plot bunny from Hieroscurls on Tumblr.

Enjoy, read and review if you're so inclined.

I own nothing.

"Another, Gold?" Jefferson asked from his station of safety behind the bar. Late Wednesday night at the Rabbit Hole, naturally Mr. Gold was his only customer.

"Aye."

"Must've been a bad one." The bartender observed, refilling the glass of scotch.

"Aren't they all? The most stable aspect of the marriage is our ability to fight." He chuckled into his drink, draining the liquid before gesturing for another. "Never marry, Jefferson. I wish someone had told me that. No one said that back then. You got married, had children, and that was it. And if you were under the impression that she was pregnant, you married before questions could be asked…"

Instead of another scotch, Gold found himself presented with a cup of hot coffee.

"Finish that up. There's a spare bed upstairs if you don't want to go home."

"Have to go home," Gold sighed. "A man always has to go home, even if he doesn't want to."

Leaving the coffee, Gold pulled on his jacket and took up his gold handled cane. It was time for him to go home.

Settling his tab, he nodded thanks to Jefferson, probably the closest he had to a friend in Storybrooke. The town didn't seem to care for the ruthless pawnbroker/landlord, nor for his prickly wife. Milah always wore an expression of annoyance, few cared to approach her. In fact her only friends in town were Mayor Mills and the sailor she ran around with any time he was in port. The affair between Milah Gold and James Hook was probably the worst kept secret in town. Even Elliot Gold was aware of his wife's dalliance, but it was of no real concern to him what she did. He wasn't about to force her to love him when he could barely muster the emotion himself.

Stumbling out of the bar was a shock to Gold's system. A fresh snow had fallen while he was inside, the temperature dropping further. He hated Maine winters.

"Oof!"

Something collided with Gold, knocking him to the ground. He just barely had enough time to shift so that he fell on his good leg.

"Oh goodness!" Came a voice from above him. Pressed to his chest was a small, warm woman. A pair of bright blue eyes suddenly met his and a curtain of wild brown curls secluded them from the elements as she looked down at him. "I'm so sorry!"

"It's fine." He groused, pulling himself up. "Just what I needed to sober up."

"I slipped on the ice and tried to grab the parking meter but misjudged… I'm so sorry." She made it to her feet, pulling her coat and skirt back into place before reaching for his cane. "Are you all right?"

"Not much left to break, dearie." He took his cane, then reluctantly took her hand to help him stand.

"Again, I'm so…"

"Sorry, yes. I know. It's fine. Run along home." He snapped before turning and continuing down the block. Luckily the pink house was only a few blocks away and he could get there before his good leg became as sore as the bad.

The house was dark, but it only took seconds for him to realize that Milah was there.

"Drinking in the dark? Rather dramatic." He mused, hanging up his jacket. "Even for you, Milah."

"I've been waiting for you to come home."

"You're sure it's me you were waiting for."

She fell silent, filling the room with the sound of ice clinking in her crystal tumbler.

"I thought about what you said… Elliot, it wouldn't be our child."

"Yes it would, Milah. Just because you don't carry the child doesn't mean that they wouldn't be yours. The doctor said they could use your eggs. The child would biologically be ours. And you wouldn't have to go through hormones and cravings and labor."

"That… that does sound promising." She nodded slightly. Much more rational than a few hours earlier when she threw a porcelain figure at him for suggesting the use of a surrogate. "No stretch marks."

His time at the bar had been well spent. His desire for a child wasn't enough to convince her, pleading to her vanity certainly would work better.

"And at the end of it all we'll have a precious child, with your beauty and my wit."

"God help it." She muttered, finishing the last of her drink.

"So… we can do this?"

"Yes. Let's have a baby." She forced a smile, but in the dark of the room Gold could convince himself that she meant it. Perhaps this would be the missing key to fixing their broken marriage. A child… someone he could love and maybe one day, Milah could love too.

Although he couldn't quite understand why when he closed his eyes to sleep, he saw nothing but clear blue eyes and chestnut curls flecked with snowflakes.

"Mrs. Gold, pleasure to see you again." Dr. Whale greeted, closing his office door. "And Mr. Gold. What can I do for you today?"

"We've decided to pursue surrogacy." Milah answered, her expression not revealing an emotion one way or another on the topic.

"That's wonderful. Do you have someone in mind?"

"No, we thought you might know where to look." Gold chimed in.

"I do actually know someone."

"We're willing to pay."

"She'll be pleased to hear it. I'll give you her information and let her know to expect a visit?"

"Yes, the sooner the better."

Milah fought the urge to roll her eyes at her husband's eagerness. Truth be told she had never wanted children, it was a pregnancy scare that got her into this marriage and the inability to conceive that almost got her out. Were it not for the comfort Elliot was capable of providing she would have left with Hook years ago. But a charge card and comfortable bed was preferable to the Captain's quarters on a ship that was barely staying together. If she had to share that bed with her husband, so be it. If she had to pretend to be excited about a baby… well it was easier than divorce and that damn prenup his father insisted on.

"Belle French." Elliot read from the Post-it.

"Yes, you'll find her at the library."

"How do you know this girl?" Milah asked, snatching the paper away from her husband.

"We grew up together. She's a sweet girl, very healthy, putting herself through college online. She has two semesters to go, so anything will help financially. Certainly the most responsible person I've ever known."

"We'll meet her and make our decision." Milah cut off Dr. Whale's praise.

"Great. As soon as you decide, let us know and we'll set up and appointment to harvest your eggs, fertilize and implant."

Milah reluctantly agreed to meet with the girl that afternoon. She gave Gold the brush off for the rest of the morning, citing that she had errands to run. He knew that that meant meeting with Regina for coffee and gossip in her office. Gold thought it best if he stopped in the library early, met the girl and warned her about how severe Milah could come off.

The library was bright and cheery, even with the gray clouds outside. All of the blinds were open, the heater running, and the walls painted a familiar shade of blue. There was no one sitting at the front desk, prompted Gold to make his way into the stacks. He could hear children laughing and a melodic voice reading. Following the sounds, he eventually found himself in a clear corner towards the back of the building. The walls were decorated with the artwork of school children, and the artists themselves were each seated on a small square of carpeting, laughing as the librarian read.

"Isn't she marvelous?" Whispered a voice next to Gold. He looked down to find the pixie haired Mary Margaret standing next to him.

"Who?"

"Belle. I bring the children over for story time once a week, but they always try and talk me into an extra day." The teacher smiled, watching her friend entertain the children.

"Yes, I suppose she…" The words died on his lips. Those blue eyes were meeting his once again. She flustered at the sight of him, falling silent for a moment before one of the children prompted her to continue reading.

"Of course, my darlings. Sorry…" She found her place and continued, though slightly wary of the additional audience.

He waited for her to finish, slightly amused by the fact that he could throw her off so easily, it had been a long time since he threw off a young woman.

"That's all for today, my little adventurers. Put your magic carpets back in the closet, can't have them flying about while you're gone." She smiled, the kids were enraptured with her, all eager to please as they hurried to put their carpets away. She stood slowly and came to meet with him and Mary Margaret.

"Miss French." He greeted.

"Mr. Gold. I was told to expect you."

"Shall we discuss this in private?" He asked, glancing towards their company, letting her know that this was not something he wanted to be public knowledge just yet.

"Of course. I just need to see the kids off, would you like to wait in my office, it's just through there." She pointed to the door behind the front desk and waiting until he was gone to turn back to her friend.

"What business do you have with Mr. Gold?" Mary Margaret demanded.

"I can't tell you that just yet. I'll let you know if and when it actually becomes business."

Gold waited in the office for a few minutes, looking around at the room carefully, trying to get an idea of whom this woman was. She was clumsy, he knew that much. Clearly well read, pictures around the office suggested that she had a family made up of friends rather than blood relatives. There were no pictures of a father or mother, no boyfriend, no one to interfere. Children clearly adored her, there were finger paintings hung on the walls, most of them exclaiming their love for Miss Belle and one that informed her that "I think highly of you Miss." Always one odd child in the bunch, isn't there?

"Sorry for keeping you waiting, I wasn't expecting you so soon." She apologized, breezing into the office. "Would you like some tea?"

"Yes, please. And it's my fault, I'm early."

"Is your wife joining us?"

"She'll be along at the scheduled time, I wanted to meet with you first."

"Sort of like a pre-interview?"

"Yes. Milah… Milah isn't as eager to have a child as I am."

"Oh… are you certain that… that this is something you want to do? You can understand that I would be hesitant to bring a child into this world only to see that child neglected."

"I want a child, Miss French. You needn't worry about that. While Milah may not be maternal enough, I certainly have enough love to give. As well as financial support for both the baby and you, while you're pregnant."

"I don't require much. I live in the caretaker's apartment upstairs, my expenses are few, just tuition for this year."

"What are you studying?"

"English and literature."

"Planning to write the great American novel?"

"I don't think they'll let an Australian do that." She laughed. He felt a strange twinge in his heart at the melodic sound. It was almost warming… not like the cackle that Milah was known to produce, usually while she was drinking.

"Miss French, please believe me. I want a child, my wife has finally agreed and while I'm worried that she might scare you out of doing this… I want this to happen."

"Then I will do it for you and hopefully for her." She smiled, leaning across her desk to rest a hand on his forearm.

"Oh good, I'm just in time for the conception." Milah mused from the doorway.

"Mrs. Gold, nice to meet you." Belle stood, holding out her hand. Milah simply glared at her, taking the open seat next to Gold.

"My husband has already convinced you then?"

"Yes, I'm happy to help you both."

"How marvelous. And you're ready to sacrifice your body for a child you'll have no claim to later?" Milah questioned.

"I'm young enough that my body can bounce back quickly." Belle smiled sweetly. It was a small dig but certainly warranted. Gold turned his head slightly to hide his smirk from his wife.

"Yes, well. We'll make the necessary appointments and let you know when Dr. Whale will be ready to meet with you." Gold quickly stepped in, hoping to keep Milah from getting vicious.

"Great, just let me know."

"Thank you so much for standing up for me." Milah remarked sarcastically as they walked to the Cadillac.

"You were hardly playing fair, Milah. And it's nice to see that she will be willing to fight back, protect the child if need be."

"Yes… just wonderful."

Gold sighed, slamming the passenger side door shut after his wife slipped into the seat. This was going to be an exercise in patience.

A few days passed before they hit their first bump in the road. Milah was late, as usual for their appointment with Dr. Whale. The latter of which seemed as though he had bad news to share. Gold and he sat in silence for five minutes before it got to be too much.

"Just tell me, Whale. What is it?" Gold demanded.

"I really can't until your wife joins us…"

"Well as she can't seem to be bothered to arrive on time, just begin."

Whale hesitated, unsure if he should share this information or not, but as it did pertain to Gold as much as to Milah…

"None of the eggs we harvested from your wife were viable."

"What… what does that mean?"

"While your specimen tested as more than effective, the few eggs we were able to harvest were not usable. Which means you'll have to find a donation on that account as well. I… I mentioned this to Belle and she said that she was more than willing to donate if it was what you… and I emphasize that she said what you wanted."

Gold was frozen in his seat. This was the moment when a decision would have to be made. If they told Milah that the eggs weren't hers she would never agree to Belle carrying a child for them. She was clear on the point that if the baby wasn't biologically her's she had no interest. The child would still be his… they would never have to tell her, he would be doing most of the parenting anyway.

"Use the donation from Belle." He answered confidently. "But Milah can never know."

"Mr. Gold, I don't feel comfortable…"

"Dr. Whale, my wife has made it clear to me that if we don't have a child that is biologically her's, then we can't have a child at all. The option is completely off the table. I can't let that happen. Just chose your words wisely, tell her that the eggs have been harvested, fertilized and implanted in Miss French."

"You're certain about this?"

"Yes."

"You'll explain this to Belle?"

"I will make sure she knows."

"And you'll take all the blame if your wife does find out?" Whale seemed most terrified by this notion. Milah had an ability to scare almost every man she came into contact with… except for her husband and Hook of course.

"It will all fall on my shoulders, don't worry." Gold reassured him.

"If Belle gets pulled into the middle of this…"

"Don't worry."

"Sorry I'm late." Milah called, strolling into the room. "How'd the harvest go?"

"We're all set." Whale smiled. "Implantation will occur in the next few days and then it's just a matter of letting nature take its course."

Milah seemed a bit taken back by this, but managed a smile as Gold took her hand.

Belle went in for the treatment a few days later. And a week or so after that she flew into Gold's pawn shop.

"Hello, dearie." He greeted, turning from the watch he was repairing. "What is it?"

"I'm pregnant." She grinned, holding up the pregnancy test in a plastic sandwich bag. "You're going to have a baby, Mr. Gold."

"I… You…" He took the bag from her to see the little pink line for himself. "Thank you, Miss French. Thank you."

She pulled him into a quick hug before whispering:

"You can call me Belle."