Rosemary was in her room, writing in her journal. Her bedroom was large with a matching bedroom set and never ending dresses and accessories. It seems that Rumplestiltskin had forgotten how to show love and only buys it. Rosemary refused to give in.

Yes, all she did was spend her days locked in her room. But she kept herself occupied. She would rather write in her journal, than face the man who changed everything.

Day 363:

The terror continues. It has been almost a year now since my last birthday. And I am still in this castle. It is quite enormous for two people. Of course, I only stay in my bedroom.

It was a day similar to the ones before. Rosemary did her routine of moving her furniture to block her entry door. Never taking any chances of letting the Dark One to getting through. But she wonders why does he only show up at night? She knows he does because he things are magically back in place when she wakes up.

Does he not sleep? Did he also become a vampire after becoming a seer?

It will be her birthday soon again. And she will turn back to being 14. This was her decision. The only request she made him do for her. Every year on her birthday, he must turn time for her back by a year. 14 forever. For now.

XXXXXXXXXX

She heard a knock on her door. Rumplestiltskin never knocks. He always announces when he is there. This was new.

"Hello? Are you there, miss?" It was a woman's voice. Now this certainly was a surprise for Rosemary. It didn't sound like Cora or Regina.

"Who is it?" Rosemary asked the voice from the other side.

"My name is Belle. The new caretaker of this castle and your new governess. We met briefly, do you remember?" Rosemary took a moment to recall the memory. To be honest, she thought it was a dream..

"Are you real? Are you actually, properly real?" She asked her. Instead of a response of confirmation, she received a giggle.

"Yes, I am real. May I come in?" Without a second thought, the young girl swung the doors wide open. Rose stood before the woman with brown curly hair, wearing a blue and white dress, smiling at her.

"At last, I get to see you face to face." Belle happily said. She held in her arms a pile of books. Rosemary could only think that new things would be happening now.

XXXXXXXXXX

Belle spent every day with Rose. Teaching her everything and anything. And to her pleasure, the young girl wa a brilliant and curious student. She could tell that he Dark one's daughter enjoyed her studies by having her table filled with papers, books, and tea ready to be used. The girl was definitely not what Belle expected her to be. But one thing did bother her. Rosemary refused to leave her room.

"How long has she she been stuck in her room?" Belle asked out of a sudden as she pour Rumplestiltskin his tea in the grand room while he was spinning his wheel. But her words interrupted his concentration.

"Why do you ask?" He asked her.

"She never leaves her room" She reminded him.

"Oh that…. She's always been like that." He waved it off. But Belle was not going to give up.

"For how long?" Rumple gave up on spinning his wheel. Clearing seeing his maid was too nosey.

"Why are you so curious? This routine of her's is normal." He was getting annoyed and wanted to drop the topic. He had a hunch why she acted this way, but thought it best to stay away.

"That is why I want to know. If this is her normal behavior, then it is a problem She does not talk to anyone. She is closed up and alone, that is not healthy."

"That is I brought you here! To keep her company." Rumple stood and walked away from Belle. Hoping the conversation would finally end. But she followed him.

"Do you not care about your daughter?" She strictly asked. She had enough of the Beasts uncaring nature. Rumple turned and looked at her, observing her after what she just said. His stare was making the woman feel a bit uncomfortable, but shook it off and remained eyeing him. Showing, proving that she was not afraid of him. The dark one had an idea, and judging by his creepy yellow teeth smile, it wouldn't be good.

"Follow me"

The two walked up the grand staircase and down the hallways. It was clear to Belle that they were headed to Rosemary's room. She couldn't help but smile thinking he was going to listen to her. Rumple noticed and began to chuckle at her, shaking his head.

"I'm not going to speak with her if that is what you are thinking, dearie." She frowned.

"Then why are we standing in front of her door?"

"Open it."

"Should we not knock first?" Rose diservd a warning.

"I never do. Just do as I say." Belle hesitated at first, believing it would be a trick. But after a moment reached for the handle and slowly turned it. When she pushed it, it was stuck. As i something was blocking it from within.

"Why is-"

"Everyday, Rosemary covers the door with furniture to 'stop' me from entering. But, every night, I appear on the inside with magic and use it to put her things back in place before I check up on her." He explained.

Belle thought about what he told her. Understanding that in his own way he gives her the space and privacy she desires. But still checks up on her, when asleep, to not bother her.

"And this is a routine you both do? Blocking the door, you coming in at night and putting them away." He nodded and she smiled. Making the man wizard of green skin looked at her confused with a frown. He expected her to yell at him, declaring he was a monster for not actually communicating with his daughter or something.

"What?" He asked

"I think this is not just a regular habit for you two, but a way to show you both still care for each other."

"What do you mean? She does this because she fears me. She hates me, and sees me nothing more than a monster who took so much away from her." That's what he always believed.

"I believe she does this because it is a way for her to see that you are still here and are thinking of her. She knows there's no stopping you of getting in because it is not a problem for you, and that you put everything back for her. Why on earth would she continue doing this everyday for the past how many years?"

This took Rumple by surprise. After thinking it over, he had to admit that she was right. Of course, he wouldn't tell her that. Why would Rose go through all this trouble if she already what would happen?

"How about you try to talk to her more?" Belle suggested. But he shook his head again and bowed his head down. Ashamed of taking that step.

"It is complicated." He muttered. He waved over the door and opened it with no problem like she did. As they entered, Belle watched the furniture moving around in the air. Flying and making their way to their original spots. She finally found the young girl sleeping on her bed. She watched the dark one change his face into a caring one. He was not looking at Rose with the fearing, and glaring eyes he mostly gives to his customers or her. He gave Rose a loving and sweet look. A face of a loving father.

If anyone heard that the dark one did love someone, they would laugh and say the person had gone mad. But here she is, looking with her own eyes that the dark one does care.

"She has been having nightmares." He whispered to not wake her. Belle took a closer look at her and notice Rose was shaking a bit and quietly whimpering.

"Most girls often do." She calmly stated, hoping he would not be oo worried.

"Nightmares come and go. But she has been having these one's every night this past week. She hasn't told me about it." She was confused. How would he know of the girl didn't tell him- right magic.

"Perhaps if you simply asked her, she will tell you." She offered. Rumple sheepishly looked away.

"Children are not what I am an expert in."

"But she is your daughter." She reminded him softly with a small smile. He couldn't understand what was going on? Why was he willing to let her know all this. All he wanted to do was prove her wrong and make her feel ashamed, but instead here he was opening up to her without knowing it. It felt odd but comfortable too.

"Yes she is."

XXXXXXXXXX

Belle was instructed by Rumplestiltskin to find out what those nightmares are about. It wouldn't be easy, but after a lot of patience and encouragement, Rosemary agreed to share.

"They are not nightmare, to be honest." She started. "Just memories of the past."

"Memories of what?" Rose still found it hard to explain. Especially to someone who won't understand without the whole story. The truth actually.

"They are just memories I wish I could forget." She waved it off. Belle silently laughed to herself. Rose reminded her of the same gesture Rumple had just done the night before.

"Of how your mother and brother are gone?" Belle asked her. Rosemary figured that Rumplestiltskin had explained in little details about how he lost Bae and Milah. She can tell Belle did not know the truth, otherwise she wouldn't be nice about it. Perhaps it was better to not let the woman know everything yet. She feared if she knew, she would leave. And she would be alone again.

"Yes."

XXXXXXXXXX

Rumple took the words in after Belle had explained to him what Rose told her.

"And that is the reason behind the nightmares?" He asked again, slightly hoping it wasn't true. She nodded.

"Yes, every word." She thought he would be okay and trying to find a way to comfort his daughter. But instead Rumple looked even more sad and guilty. Now she was worried.

"Are you alright? Do you need some tea or water?" She offered. But he shook his head.

"No I am fine. Here." He made a vile appear in his hand. She took it from him and examined the white liquid.

"What is it?" She asked, slightly concern of what the potion would do.

"It's a sleeping potion." His answer didn't calm her. It made her nervous. "It is not a sleeping curse." He quickly added after noticing the look she was giving him.

"Forgive me, but what is the difference then?"

"What's the- there is a major difference!" He was getting tired of her questions. She is a servant not his wi-. She was nothing to him! " Look dearie, you don't know anything about magic. But I do! This POTION will calm her nerves. And keep her from dreaming about anything." Even though he claimed she had no right to question him or get an explanation, he still gave it to her without realizing it again. As for Belle, she had ignored his tone, and focused on the effects of the potion.

"But then she will be up all night. You want to do that to her so she won't dream?"

The dark one rolled his eyes at her. She wasn't getting it.

"Yes and no. She will be able to sleep, but she will dream about nothing in particular. Nothing is better than those dark memories." It was worth a try.

The following morning, Belle went to check up on Rose again. She had given Rose a tea before bed last night to 'calm' her nerves, but had the potion in tea already. She hoped that the potion worked once she saw Rose.

When she entered the bedroom, she found Rose waking up in a happier mood. Judging by her eyes, she had a good night sleep.

"Any nightmares from last night again?" She casually asked the girl.

"Surprisingly, no I did not." She answered.

"What did you dream about instead?"

"Nothing. I was in a deep sleep that I dreamt of nothing. And that is better. Dreaming of nothing is much better than those dark memories." Rose explained. Belle hid her giggle from the young girls choice of words. Like father like daughter.

And for a father who keeps his distance from his daughter, he sure knows how to show he loves her in secret.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Hi. Sorry it took long. Thanks for reading :)

Special thanks to Theresa5155 / astrit090