Belle stood in the elegant dining room of the dark castle, the sunlight shined brightly off her favorite yellow gown. It had been two years since they returned to their world; although she missed the wonders of the realm devoid of magic, it was good to come home, this was where they belonged. She and Rumplestiltskin were married a few months after returning. They agreed to wait until they found a way home; it was a sign of them starting a new life together. It was a big wedding in the dark castle, though few cared for Rumple, they all loved Belle, and came for her. That day was the longest she had ever seen Rumple smile. She always laughed when she thought about it, these past two years went by like a blaze of light, and she could remember the wedding like it was yesterday. Rumple wore this hearty grin on his face from the moment he woke up that morning.
A few months later, she was pregnant, and nine months later, she gave birth to their son, Finnigan or "Finn", his father called him. Belle's loving step-son, Bae, stayed in Neverland. He was the legendary Peter Pan, and he felt the lost boys needed him more than his family did. They were always proud of him for his decision. As a gift, the blue fairy gave him an enchanted pocket watch that would allow him to visit them whenever he wished, for a limited time of course. Belle especially enjoyed his visits. He even took to calling her "mother", having barely known his own.
Belle was so lost in thought that she was startled when Rumple wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek.
"You startled me" said Belle, leaning into him.
"I know. That's why I like it when you're lost in thought. It leaves you vulnerable." said Rumple, teasing her.
Belle smirked at her husband's playfulness and hummed as she leaned into his arms. They were enjoying the peace, the peace from not only the constant threats of whatever evil entity would try to destroy them at the time, but the peace they had left before their over active son would wake from his nap.
Belle turned to face him, and looked up at him through those deep blue eyes that he loved so much. She smiled softly as he ran a hand, softly, along her cheek.
"I love you" she whispered, kissing him passionately.
Rumple held her there, letting true love's kiss fill his every being. Their kiss became more passionate, as Belle held on tighter and Rumple ran his fingers through her soft brown curls.
"MAMA!" screamed a child's voice from upstairs.
The two broke their kiss, laughing. A few more minutes and Finn would have been calling for his mother during a very pleasant for them but, not for their two year old son. Rumple placed a kiss on Belle's forehead and held her hand, letting go as she left to attend to her boy. Rumple made his way to the library, but stopped when he caught his reflection in the hallway mirror. He touched his face, feeling the warm smooth skin beneath his fingertips instead of the cold green skin he feared would eventually return. When Belle kissed him for the first time after they were reunited, it broke his curse, but only his appearance was altered. His unparalleled magical abilities were as strong as ever. His limp did not affect him either. True love's kiss was the only explanation, so then how could he still use magic? His theory was the curse of the dark one was his apprentice and his attitude. When he truly kissed Belle for the first time it gave him peace, but he figured the secret to getting rid of his magic was in the dagger. The magic had to be transferred to someone else. The only way to get rid of the magic was to die. Deep down he still did not want to relinquish the magic, even though now, it wasn't so much a thirst for power that drove him to hang on to it, but the magic had defined him. It made him THE RUMPLESTILTSKIN. For now, despite the magic being dark, he vowed to Belle that he would at least use his powers to help people.
Rumple continued his journey to the library, soon arrived at the two gigantic ebony double doors, and pulled them open. As he walked to the center of the biggest room in the castle, he noticed a large stack of books on the desk across the room. His wife's favorites no doubt. In fact the whole library was his wedding gift to her; he knew it was what Belle would miss the most about Storybrooke. He climbed the winding staircase up to the second floor balcony where he kept his spell books and research notes. He ran his fingers along spines of the endless amount of books on the vast ebony shelves. He finally found the ancient spell book he was looking for and began rifling through it. Rumple licked his thumb and turned each tattered page, the smell of the aging book filling his nostrils.
"Rumple?!" Belle called out, searching for him.
"Up here, darling!" said Rumple, as he peered over the banister to see Belle standing by the desk, holding their son.
"Papa!" said Finn playfully, excited to see his father.
He smiled, as he descended the staircase, still holding the book in his hand. He placed the book on the desk with the others and took Finn in his arms.
"Hey, little man" said Rumple, bouncing him in his arms.
"Papa..Mama is going to take me outside to play in the snow. Will you come?" asked the boy, innocently.
"Of course" said Rumple.
Belle smiled at her boys, two of the most important people in her life.
"Go on. Get your cloak. It's cold out." said Rumple, as he put his son down.
Finn ran off to get his favorite cloak, laughing like he was the happiest boy in the world.