Belle is adamant that, no Runplestiltskin could not just pretend to deal for her again. She was going with him of her own free will, and her father, as well as everyone else who cared about her, was going to be reassured of the fact. After all, her one regret, last time had been the worry she had caused.
Besides, she admits to herself, she wants the world to know she loves him.
Rumplestiltskin plans on protecting her too well for her enemies to find, but there are still precautions to take. The ceremony (his marriage ceremony, Rumplestiltskin thinks, and resists the urge to giggle hysterically) must be a small one, only those Belle considers trustworthy invited.
They decide to appear before her father when the ball is over, everyone gone home. Everything is settled some time before then.
"I do believe we have time for a dance, my lady?" he offers, and still so shy and hesitant, it almost breaks her heart.
She hooks her arm through his. The tune is a slow waltz, and Belle finds she has an excellent partner.
-#-
Her father stares in horror. To him, Rumplestiltskin still the sorcerer who took his only child and sent her back sullen and inconsolable.
He looks to Belle instead.
"Petal, you said the deal, it was over. What is he doing here?"
Belle nudges him forward. Her part comes later.
"Sir," Rumplestiltskin says, and Belle stifles a laugh. "I wish to ask for her daughter's hand in marriage."
Her Papa branches "Is this some kind of joke?!"
Belle thinks she has put both the men she loves through enough torture for one night. "I love him, Papa."
The completely opposite expessions on their faces might have been comical in another situation.
Her father places a hand on her shoulder, "Belle, Belle, if he's put some enchantment on you.."
And she knows he wishes the best for her, wants her happiness, but why must it be so hard?
"No, no enchantments, Papa."
"And if I were to say no?"
Rumplestiltskin steps forward at that point, and she is grateful for it.
"You would sacrifice your daughter's happiness for your pride?"
Belle remembers the story he still owes her, and the emotion behimd the words makes even Maurice uncertain.
"Why do you want to marry Belle?"he aske the most feared sorcerer of his time.
And Rumplestiltskin responds, "I love her."
Belle wonders if she will ever get used to the words.
There are still so many secrets left untold. There are rifts to mend, a father to convince,(and a dress to pick). But for now, they are together-and that is enough.
-#-
Sir Maurice reluctantly agrees to bless the ceremony. Whether this is from his fear of Rumplestiltskin or love for her is something Belle chooses not to contemplate.
Belle looks stunning in white satin and tulle.
And the ring he presents her with is woven with his gold and all the promises that are meaningless in words and the sincerity of true love.
-#-
Twenty -nine years later, as a blonde in a red leather jacket shakes hands with Mr. Gold, she recieves a smile from the brunette with startling blue eyes at his side. She's heard that the woman married the town monster to save her father's buisness, a trophy wife for the pawnbroker and has already made up her mind to ask her-Belle, as she introduces herself-if she needs any help. But as she walks away after introducing herself, she looks back-and intuition tells her Belle is fine where she is.
Unknown to her, it is her arrival (and the effects of a curse centuries in the making) that allows them to share their first true kiss.
-#-
"No way. " Rumple insists, as Belle tries to interrupt. "No way at all."
"I'm fine, Runplestiltskin." Belle huffs. "I'm not an invalid."
"Its too much a risk. You're going to stay home for a while. The library can wait, and I'm sure Charming and the rest of them can take care of any monsters that may decide to attack the town."
Belle slides off the couch he seems intent on keeping her on ever since she told him the news.
For all her nervousness, he seems overjoyed at the thought of a child-if a little over-protective. And Belle hates staying in one place.
She joins her husband in the kitchen and place her arms around his waist, her chin on his shoulder.
"I'm just fine..."
-#-
It had taken half a century for Rumplestiltskin the spinner to become the Dark One whose name was feared across the Enchanted Forest and beyond.
And it hadn't all been deed, either. The time had been for him to learn to giggle and mock where he'd stared at his boots and waited to be addressed, to dance and create flamboyant gestures where he'd limped with a humble spinner's gait, and to adopt leather as a second skin (as much protection as intimidation, but no one need know that) instead of the peasant's rags he'd always worn.
In Storybrooke, he had learned that madness was not expected of him, that here power came as leases and contracts and deals, a calm, controlled demeanor was more terrifying than a menacing hiss, and a limp was not a sign of weakness- so he'd become Mr Gold, as feared in this world as Rumplestiltskin had been in theirs.
It is almost frightening how a single movement from a child not yet even born can unwind all those facades and reveal the man who had, once upon a time, crippled himself so he could have the chance to hold his son in his arms.
Belle places both her hands on top of his.
"He likes you." she tells him, smiling softly.
"How do you know it's a he?" Rumplestiltskin asks.
She shrugs "I just do."
-#-
That night, Belle turns to him as he lies on his back , staring at the ceiling.
"What is it?"
Runplestiltskin looks more vulnerable than he has in a long time.
"What if I..I let our child down the way I disappointed Bae?"
"Oh, Rumple.. Neal forgave you. And you won't make the same mistake twice."
He wishes he could be just as sure.
-#-
They take Belle away and all that is left for him to do is pace. Pace, and considerall the ways things could go wrong. Belle is not fragile-but she is mortal. And when has fate ever hesitated before stealing away everything he holds dear?
-#-
As he looked into his son's eyes, Rumplestiltskin felt himself being lost all over again.
Because yes, perhaps it would have been easier with a girl. Perhaps he wouldn't have been so painfully aware of the precious fragility of this moment if it had been blue eyes looking into his with this trusting innocence he's only ever seen once before.
But Alain, as Belle is intent on naming him, has Belle's laugh, and his hair is straighter and his eyes are lighter, and Rumplestiltskin discovers this unique little boy, so unlike Bae, now he looks closely, has him wrapped around his finger.
But then, there is room enough in his heart for both.
I'm 15. Please keep that in mind.
That said, thank you so much for the reviews, favourites and follows. It means ao much.