Mr. Gold left Moe French's shop, rose in hand. He had been in possession of the Valentine Rose for a good part of the day, but he could have never imagined that the rose would end up giving him the chance to spend the evening with Belle. He walked slowly back to his shop deep in thought. He closed up and drove back home to get ready for the dance.
Gold couldn't stop thinking about his encounter with Belle in front of her father's shop. He'd put his arm around her to steady her and it had felt as though she belonged there. She'd not only seemed comfortable with his arm around her, but she had also put her arm around him. How he'd wanted to kiss her. Now he was going to spend the evening with her, his arms around her as they danced together. He started to get nervous. What if she hadn't wanted him to keep the rose? What if she looked shocked or upset when she saw him with it? He had to stop thinking this way or he was going to be paralyzed. He kept reminding himself that she'd said "You're the one", the same thing that was on the card. That couldn't be a coincidence, could it?
He forced himself to push all of these doubts out of his mind. This was his chance to let Belle know once and for all how he felt about her. He decided to go all out and wear a red tie in honor of Valentine's Day, something he'd never done before. He thought Belle would like it.
When he was ready, he looked at himself in the mirror. He winced. Belle was so young and beautiful. What could she possibly see in him? He began to waver. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. Then he looked over at the gardenia plant and gained back his strength. He plucked one of the flowers from the plant, took the rose and headed to the dance.
Belle had been smiling since her encounter with Rum. There was no doubt in her mind now that he was as taken with her as she was with him. The way he had held her and looked into her eyes and gently removed the strand of hair from her face… And then he had called her "sweetheart." Her heart raced every time she thought about it. She couldn't wait to be in his arms at the dance tonight. She wondered what Rum was thinking about. Did he know that the gardenia plant was from her? That she was his secret admirer?
The sound of her phone interrupted her thoughts.
"Dad? " She had been annoyed with him earlier, but realized that her whole encounter with Rum had happened thanks to her father's ploy. "Yes, but I need to get to the dance by 8:00pm. It's very important that I'm not late." Belle sighed. Her father desperately needed her help at the shop. He needed her to man the shop while he and Gaston finished up the last of the afternoon deliveries. Belle couldn't say no. Not on the busiest day of the year. As soon as she closed up at the library for the day she hurried over to assist him.
"You have to get back here by 6:00, Dad. I need time to get ready so that I can get to the dance."
"What's so important that you have to be there right at 8:00?" Moe knew he was being suspicious.
"I'm meeting someone and he'll be upset if I'm not there on time." She could imagine Gold thinking the worst if she was late.
Moe felt as though he needed to intervene. "I wouldn't be in too much of a rush, Belle. Mr. Gold kept the rose you gave him. That means you'll have to spend the night as his date. You'd be better off skipping the dance completely."
"I know, Dad. I wanted him to keep the rose. He's the man I'm meeting." Belle asserted calmly.
Moe looked stunned. "You wanted him to keep the rose?"
"Yes, Dad. Mr. Gold and I have become friends over the past couple of months. I like him."
Moe just stared at her. "Who sent him the gardenia plant, Belle? Was it you?" He said it accusingly.
Belle answered unabashedly. "Yes."
Moe just stared blankly at her. "You're his secret admirer? I don't understand."
"There's nothing to understand. I like him and I'm spending the evening with him. This is the happiest I've been in a long time." It made Belle feel good to finally express her feelings.
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to forbid this, Belle. Did he make some type of deal with you? I'll talk to him."
"There's no deal. I told you I like him. It's as simple as that." Belle took his hand. "You can't forbid me, Dad. I'm no longer a child."
"All set, Mr. French?" Gaston walked in from the back. He looked from Belle to Moe. "Am I interrupting something?"
Moe continued to stare at Belle. "My daughter is looking forward to spending the evening with Mr. Gold. We need to hurry because she doesn't want to keep him waiting."
Gaston joined Moe in staring at her. He was floored that she was choosing Gold over him. What was wrong with her?
"Well?" Belle looked at them. "Shouldn't you be on your way? I need to get out of here on time." They left with their mouths hanging open. Neither of them could grasp what had transpired. The only thing they knew for sure was that Gaston didn't need to attend the dance. Belle had made her choice perfectly clear.
The next 2 hours went by quickly as Belle fielded dozens of last minute requests. When she looked up it was 6:00 and her father had not yet returned. She now began to anxiously watch the clock. She couldn't be late. This whole thing with Rum was at such a fragile stage. She knew that he had a hard time believing that she truly liked him. She really couldn't allow him to start second-guessing himself or her.
Belle texted Gaston. She needed to know that they'd be back soon. After what seemed like an eternity, Gaston replied that they'd be there within half an hour. Belle was now in a panic. She was going to be late no matter what. She just had to hope that Rum would have faith in her.
Gold arrived at the dance exactly at 8:00pm. He had never been this nervous in his life. He entered the hall through the decorated door and was immediately greeted by Mary Margaret Blanchard and David Nolan. She looked panicked when she saw the rose in his hand. He chuckled and felt some of the tension drain from him. "Don't worry, Ms. Blanchard. This is not for you." He could hear her sigh of relief. He could also see her look of panic turn to one of surprise. "I suppose you weren't expecting to see me with the rose. I never expected it myself." He looked away and started to survey the room for Belle.
As he entered the room he could sense everyone staring at him and he could hear the whispers. Evidently nobody could believe that he had the rose and they were all concerned for the person who would be stuck with him for the night. He started to feel very uncomfortable. He didn't see Belle. He walked further into the room amidst the whispers.
"Gold." Emma came over to him. "So you took my advice." She smiled knowingly at him. "She's not here yet."
"So sure of yourself, Sheriff." Gold refused to acknowledge that she was right.
"I've seen you with her, Gold. I'm not blind." She laughed. Gold couldn't muster an answer.
"Gold!" Regina's voice reminded him that there was still some fun to be had this evening.
"Madame Mayor. So sorry to disappoint you again, but this rose is not for you."
She ignored him. "So you think someone actually wants to spend the evening with you? Where is she? Maybe she decided to stay away purposely."
Gold was afraid that she could be right, but he wasn't about to let her see it. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, Regina. You really must try to accept that we aren't going to be together."
Regina smiled wickedly. "Mock me as much as you want, Gold. Let's see who has the last laugh tonight."
She rushed off leaving Gold with his own thoughts. Belle was still nowhere to be seen. Maybe Regina was right. Maybe she had decided not to come after all. Gold felt defeated. The whispers seemed to increase as he stood there alone. He walked slowly to one of the tables and sat down. What had he been thinking? His own desires had clouded his judgment. How could he have been so foolish? Someone like Belle could never be interested in someone like him.
He looked at his watch. It was almost 8:30 and no sign of her. The food was being served and people started finding seats at the tables. Nobody sat at the table with him. He sat there by himself with the rose and gardenia in front of him. He'd never felt so alone in his life.
Belle was in a panic. Her father and Gaston had finally returned at 7:00 and Belle had raced out of there without exchanging a word. It was 8:00 and she was still getting dressed. She prayed that she could get to the dance by 8:30. What would Rum be thinking?
She gave herself a final look in the mirror. She had bought a new red dress for the dance, a color that she seldom wore, but which Ruby had insisted looked good on her. She wanted to look a little sexy (she wanted Rum to think that way about her at least a little), but she didn't want to look unlike herself. She hoped Rum would like what he saw. She wanted to have a real relationship with him. She couldn't go on with just the fantasy any longer.
She rushed out and headed to the dance. She was only a short distance away so it was just as quick to walk as to drive. Her heart was pounding by the time she arrived, partly from walking so quickly and partly in anticipation of seeing Rum. She entered the building and was immediately greeted by Mary Margaret.
"Belle, we were worried about you. Nobody knew where you were."
"I had to help out my father… it's the busiest day of the year for him." Belle was looking around the room rather than at Mary Margaret.
"Are you looking for Ruby? She's down front…" Mary Margaret paused and then whispered conspiratorially, "You're never going to believe who brought the rose with him tonight."
By this time Belle had spotted Gold. "I think I know." She looked at her friend. "I'll finish catching up with you later." Belle rushed into the room and toward Gold. He was sitting alone looking toward the dance floor.
"Belle!" Ruby grabbed her arm. "I've been worried about you. Where are you rushing off to?"
Belle looked at her friend. "I'm sorry. I had to help Dad with last minute orders." She paused. "I need to see Mr. Gold."
Ruby giggled and pulled Belle closer. "He brought the rose with him. I can't imagine who the lucky woman is."
Belle blushed and Ruby suddenly made the connection. "No! You?... How? When? Why? Are you going to be OK?"
"I need to see him now. I'll explain everything later." Belle looked at her friend. "It's a long story…"
Belle pulled away and headed toward Gold.
Gold had been sitting there alone for a while feeling lonely and foolish. He'd never allowed himself to hope like this before. This time he had let his guard down and allowed this young woman to find a place in his heart. He just hoped he hadn't ruined their friendship with his foolish fantasies.
"Rum!" His heart leapt into his throat when he heard her voice. He turned around and automatically got up from his seat to greet her.
"Belle!" He could see tears in her eyes and it melted his heart. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" He took her hands in his.
"I'm so sorry I'm late. I had to help my dad and he didn't get back in time and I rushed to get here. I didn't want you to think I wasn't coming." She said it all without taking a breath.
By now almost everyone in the room had stopped what they were doing or saying to watch Gold and Belle. Most of them were in shock to see them holding hands. Was she the one who was going to be stuck with him for the evening?
Gold's heart was racing. He picked up the rose and extended it to her. "This is for you… if you'll have it." He smiled tentatively at her.
She accepted it and smiled radiantly at him in return. "Thank you, Rum." She bit her lower lip and he wanted to kiss her.
Instead he reached down and picked up the gardenia from the table. "I also wanted you to have this."
Belle looked innocently at him. "Do you know that gardenias mean you have a secret admirer?"
"Yes, I do… and your secret admirer doesn't want to be secret anymore." He squeezed her hand and looked deeply into her eyes.
She smiled. "And yours doesn't either…" She bit her lip again and caressed his cheek with her hand.
He took it in his and kissed it, his eyes locked with hers the whole time, and then he leaned forward until his lips met hers in a sweet, slow, lingering kiss.
Everyone in the room seemed to gasp at the same time and then the room erupted in screams and shouts and catcalls and whistles. Belle and Gold didn't hear a thing.
When they parted they just looked at each other and smiled. "Are you sure about this, Belle?" He had to ask. He couldn't imagine what she saw in him.
"I've been sure since we met. I knew back then that you were the one, Rum. I just didn't know how to tell you. I was hoping you'd get the message somehow when I sent you the gardenias. Then when we both ended up at my father's shop at the same time and I was able to hand you the rose… "
"I wanted to kiss you right then and there." Gold couldn't help interrupting before he bent down to kiss her again.
A huge squeal from Ruby alerted them to the fact that everyone was watching them. Belle blushed profusely. Gold whispered in her ear. "Maybe we should wait until we can be alone together." That put some thoughts in his head that he needed to expunge immediately.
Mary Margaret came over. "It looks like you're both happy with the way things turned out tonight." She was beaming.
"When did all this happen?" Ruby was right behind Mary Margaret. "I didn't know you two were together."
"I'll give you all the details later." Belle glanced shyly at Gold. He put his arm around her.
The music started and half the room moved out onto the dance floor.
"Shall we?" Gold held out his hand to Belle and she accepted. They danced a slow dance together, once again completely oblivious to those around them. They both felt as though they were living a fantasy, one they never wanted to end.
When the dance was over Gold took her hand. "We should get something to eat. I don't think I had a thing today except the blueberry muffin."
Belle agreed. "Me neither."
They walked over to the buffet table and helped themselves to very large plates of food. Gold chuckled at the amount of food on Belle's plate. He didn't think she'd be able to eat all of it. She was so tiny.
They found seats alone at the table where Gold had originally been sitting and sat there engrossed in each other's company. Gold noted that Belle ate every bite of food and then went back up to get them dessert. He marveled at her appetite. It made him think thoughts that he once again had to force himself to banish from his mind. This was not the time or place.
Belle returned with two plates of decadent chocolate desserts and chocolate covered strawberries. They indulged shamelessly in them and every time Belle took a bite Gold could think about nothing but her lips on his. He needed to think about something else and he needed to do it quickly.
As if on cue, Mary Margaret came over. "There's something you need to do as the person who kept the rose, Mr. Gold. You need to choose two people who you'd like to dance the last dance together. I'll give you a while to think about it. I'll be back later."
Gold welcomed this interruption. It gave him something to focus on other than Belle's lips and hair and soft porcelain skin and mesmerizing blue eyes and sexy red dress.
"I have an idea." Belle's voice helped Gold focus. "We could use it to pair Ruby and Dr. Whale. I know she likes him."
Gold gestured to the corner where Ruby and Whale already looked cozy.
Belle smiled. "I should have known… what about Sidney Glass and Regina or Emma and Jefferson?"
Gold grinned. He liked where this was going. This was his opportunity to make things uncomfortable for Regina or Emma. He had only to decide which one.
The grin on Gold's face grew wider and more wicked.
"What are you thinking, Rum? You look positively evil." Belle had never seen him like this.
"I've made my decision. I'm going to pair Emma and Regina with one another."
Belle looked at him and tried not to giggle. "No! They hate each other. You wouldn't!"
"Yes, I would." Gold smiled mischievously at her.
"I've heard the rumors about you, Rum, but you're always so sweet and nice to me." Belle looked at him with renewed interest.
Gold laughed and then looked concerned. "I'm afraid the rumors are true, Belle. Does that bother you?"
She looked at him. "No, not at all."
He took her hand. "Besides, I don't think I'm being all that evil. Regina and Emma may have one of the most uncomfortable, miserable and torturous five minutes of their lives tonight," the look of glee on his face made it clear how much he enjoyed that thought, "or this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship for them. One never knows." He smirked.
Belle giggled again. "I know which one you're hoping for and I have to say that I kind of like your naughty side, Rum." She blushed a little and he pulled her in for a kiss.
Mary Margaret came by a short while later to hear Gold's decision. "No! Emma's not going to be happy, Mr. Gold." She tried to suppress her laughter. "And neither is Regina."
"That is the point, my dear." Gold was savoring every minute of this.
Mary Margaret rushed off to share the news with Ruby.
Belle leaned forward and kissed Gold. "That's for making me laugh." She giggled and he pulled her closer to prolong the kiss.
He could feel himself getting aroused again and knew he needed to cool things down.
Regina walked by just as they were kissing and she thought she was going to be ill. She longed to be home in a deep dreamless sleep instead of here in the middle of this sickeningly sweet nightmare. The things she had to endure as mayor. "Get a room." She hissed at them as she passed and the sound of her voice was like being doused with a bucket of ice water to Gold. It was just what he needed. Regina did have her uses at times.
Gold chuckled. "Come, Belle. Let's dance. The night's flying by." He took her hand and led her back out to the dance floor. They danced several dances before returning to the table. The next hour was spent in conversations with Ruby, Dr. Whale, David Nolan, Dr. Hopper and various other Storybrooke residents. People who never spoke to Gold seemed to warm up to him after seeing him with Belle. He found it rather disconcerting.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, can I have your attention?" Mary Margaret's voice boomed over the loudspeaker. "The last dance of the evening is coming up and there's a special twist to it."
Everybody turned to hear what she was saying.
"As the final possessor of the Valentine Rose, Mr. Gold chose two people who will be sharing the last dance together tonight."
Gold could barely contain the huge smirk on his face.
"The lucky two people who will be sharing this dance are our lovely sheriff, Emma Swan, and our mayor, Regina Mills." There was dead silence for a moment (everyone feared Regina's reaction) and then the room was filled with cheers and clapping.
Gold could feel two sets of dagger eyes staring holes through his body. He met both sets of eyes and smiled smugly at them. He knew he would have to pay at some point, but he was enjoying this moment too much to care.
The music started up and Mary Margaret shooed Emma and Regina together. Gold was on the dance floor with Belle, situated as close to the two of them as possible. He couldn't wait to see who would take the lead. He expected it to be a struggle between the two of them. Emma was a very strong and determined young woman who was loathe to give up control, but if he had to put money on it, he'd choose Regina. The woman was the mayor of a sleepy town in Maine, yet she acted as though she was the queen of a large kingdom and the Storybrooke residents were her subjects.
As expected, the first two minutes were spent in an awkward struggle to determine who would lead whom, followed by peals of laughter from both of them. Somehow the struggle had struck them both as funny at some point and erased the discomfort from the situation.
Gold looked at Belle."What did I tell you? One never knows."
Belle smiled at him. "I think we can both agree with that."
He pulled her closer and they forgot about Emma and Regina as they danced the rest of the last dance in each other's arms.
Everyone clapped when the music ended and cheered Mary Margaret and Ruby for a job well done.
Belle took Gold's hand and brought him along with her as she said good night to all of her friends. When she was ready to go, they walked out together.
"Where are you parked?" Gold wanted to make sure that she got to her car safely. Plus he wanted to say good night properly before they parted.
"I didn't drive here tonight, Rum. I walked because I thought it would be quicker."
"Then I'll give you a ride home." He was happy to have a few extra minutes with her.
"Thank you." She squeezed his hand and followed him to his car. He drove her the few blocks to her apartment.
Belle turned to him. "Would you like to come up for a while?" She felt herself blushing again and she knew she was betraying her thoughts.
Gold felt his body responding. "Are you sure? I hope you don't feel obliged to ask."
"I'm sure, Rum. I was hoping you'd show me a little more of that naughty side you've been hiding from me." She blushed again.
She was flirting rather shamelessly with him and he became extremely aroused. He hadn't expected this from her and he had to admit that he really liked it.
"I'd love to share that part of myself with you, Belle." He pulled her close and kissed her slowly and deeply.
"Mmmmm…" she let out a little moan and it sent the blood racing through his body.
"I have a naughty side too, Rum… and I'd love to share it with you." She ran her fingers through his hair.
It was his turn to moan. She was sweet, kind, caring, affectionate… and she had a naughty side. Who said you needed to be naughty or nice? Naughty and nice seemed so much better.
A/N I'd like to thank and credit Emilie Brown for creating the lovely cover for this story.