Love Isn't Blind
A/AN: I hope you enjoy this little piece! I decided to write it since so many people on Tumblr wanted me to.
Remus Gold was notoriously known as the town monster, but it wasn't because he was a vile man. It was because of the ravaged burn scar which marred the entire left side of his face. He'd acquired it after attempting to save his son from a house fire many years ago. The child had tragically died of smoke inhalation, and he would carry a souvenir of that painful reminder for the rest of his life. Few in the town were sympathetic but most were downright cruel. The youth ridiculed his beastly appearance while the adults averted their gazes awkwardly when they passed him on the streets. Remus loathed his appearance and wished he'd died in that fire many times over. He locked himself away in isolation except for a few close friends, and one of those friends was a man named Moe French.
Moe was several years older than Remus, but they'd been close since they'd met in college. Moe was a widower, the shining light in his otherwise mundane existence, was his daughter, Belle. Belle was a brilliant young woman with a thirst for knowledge, but there was something peculiar about her which distinguished her from her peers. Belle was blind. Her blindness had resulted from contracting a severe case scarlet fever when she was only four years old. Moe ran the local flower business, but his income had never been enough to supply Belle with a more than mediocre education. Remus originated from old money, and he had plenty of it at his disposal to aid his comrade with his daughter's education.
Belle had a beauty of soul which showed on the outside as well. Her chestnut tresses cascaded down her back in silken waves, her lips were a subtle rose hue and her eyes a stunning sapphire. Remus imagined she would one day have a line of suitors vying for her hand … until the accident. Moe French was out late making deliveries when a heavy downpour assaulted him. He lost control of the vehicle as it veered off the hillside. The truck tumbled down the incline, flipping over several times before combusting into flames.
This tragedy presented Belle French with few alternatives since her father was her sole guardian. Her mother had died years ago of lymphoma and her grandparents on both sides were deceased. Belle had been home schooled her entire life, and no one in town was charitable enough to take in a blind woman. The only alternative was to relocate to a group home since she wouldn't be able to keep up with the floral business. She'd made all the appropriate calls and gathered her most treasured belongings ready to resign herself to her fate … until Remus had shown up at her door. He'd proposed she come live with him rent free, and he'd provide her with everything she needed. She'd been hesitant at first because she didn't want to burden him, but he'd been quite persistent.
She agreed in the end, and had gone to live with him. Remus was her father's best friend and someone she was well acquainted with. He'd hired the best tutors to educate her, and in reality he was the only person she trusted. She had never mingled with others her age solely because of her disability. The school district didn't have the funds to adapt to her, and if it wasn't for Remus, she wouldn't have received an education at all. At twenty-two years old, she was starting over with nothing. Her father's passing deeply grieved her, but the kind pawnbroker provided her with companionship and warm conversation.
The months ticked by, and she felt something foreign for him growing inside her heart. She'd never gazed upon him before, and she often imagined what he looked like. He had a lilting Scottish accent, and she couldn't picture him as being hideous or unpleasant to look at. Before she'd acquired her blindness, Belle vaguely remembered his appearance. She recounted soft shoulder length brown hair which fell in his eyes and soulful sable eyes. She imagined his mane to be streaked with silver now with thin age lines creasing his face. Remus was twice her age, but this didn't deter her. One afternoon while they were sitting in the company of his library, she decided to test the waters. She'd only ever touched his hand before because he wasn't the affectionate type. They were sitting close together on the plush settee, while he read to her from the Holy Bible. The scriptures brought her a great deal of comfort after her father's passing. Her mother had always taught her that God would never leave her despite her circumstances. She knew her mother and father were in heaven and she would see them again one day. Remus didn't consider himself to be a religious person, but he didn't mind reading the Bible to Belle. His alluring accent beautified the text even more, enchanting her senses. She turned to face him and daringly dusted her finger down his jawline. His breath hitched in his throat, but he didn't dare move away from the careful exploration of her fingers. The skin on his left side was coarse and craggy while the skin on his right was smooth and unmarred. Remus assumed she must be repulsed by him when she came in contact with his wretched scar. He was thankful she couldn't see him, or she would demand he leave.
"What a deep scar; what happened?" she observed, the sound of her voice so fragile, he thought she might break.
"I was burned many years ago," he disclosed, feeling his insides clench painfully from delving into his past.
"I see..." she replied, allowing her fingers to trace languid patterns over his features. She cupped his face in her hands, drawing him to her lips. He should have stopped her, but it was over the moment her lips crashed into his. He buried his fingers in her thick tresses, deepening the kiss. He was like a parched man thirsting for water, and she was his stream. The kiss broke momentarily as their lungs screamed for oxygen. He almost believed it was a mistake until she kissed him again and told him she loved him. He felt selfish for craving her affections, but he was a lonely desperate man. It had been ages since someone had touched him without revulsion. It was glorious and freeing to be accepted without conditions. He felt guilt ridden once he realized that if Belle could see him, she would never want him. He pushed those feelings aside and pursued her with all of his heart. A marriage proposal ensued shortly after, and they wed. Most people viewed their marriage as one of convenience and perhaps it was in a sense. They were but two lonely souls in a sea of faces. Remus had reached out to Belle after her father's passing only because he wanted to offer her a home, but he'd found so much more.
The brunette was wise beyond her years and her immeasurable intellect made their age gap seem nonexistent. A couple of years passed and all he'd felt since marrying her was pure bliss. The house beside them went up for sale, and a curious man bought it. Jefferson Madden was peculiar and enjoyed wearing top hats and fingerless gloves. He had a preteen daughter named Grace who liked to come over and have tea with Belle. Gold had never made a habit of intermingling with his neighbors, but Jefferson was persistent. When he visited, he always brought a piece of confection for them. Gold hated to admit it, but he'd come to enjoy their company, and it made him feel less like an outsider.
One day while he was cooking dinner for them, he overheard Jefferson having a conversation with Belle which made him uneasy. It turned out Jefferson's father was a famous ophthalmologist who'd recently discovered a cure for blindness.
"You mean, your father can cure blindness?" Belle inquired, utterly engrossed in their conversation.
"Yes, he's able to restore a person's vision back to 20/20 capacity . It only works on people who lost their sight due to a childhood illness. He longs to expand his research, and eventually restore all of those suffering from blindness. The procedure is quite simple and your vision will return completely in about two weeks," he illuminated. She was practically bouncing up and down in her seat at the news.
"This would open so many new doors for me! Where can I sign up?" she questioned exuberantly.
"If you're interested in the surgery, I'll go ahead and give my father a call. He has a three year waiting list, but since we're already acquainted, I'm sure I can get you in much sooner," he remarked, and Gold averted his attention back to the food which he'd nearly burned as his wife emitted a high pitched squeal. He should have been elated she'd been presented with this once in a lifetime opportunity, but he felt no joy in his heart from the news. Fear churned in his gut, for once she really saw him for what he truly was - a monstrosity that no sane person could ever love - she wouldn't want him anymore. Belle's blindness was the only thing keeping him from being truly exposed to her, but he couldn't deny her this rare opportunity.
The following day, they received a call from Dr. Madden's office in Boston, stating Belle could receive surgery within three days if they wanted to make the trip. The surgery was costly, but nothing he couldn't afford. He'd never spare any expense for his beloved even if it meant she decided to leave him.
