Once Upon A Time: The Devil's Dilemma, Part Four
By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki
Emma waited in Regina's office as she retrieved the item she swore would help them get rid of the wraith. Mary-Margret and David were off gathering what they could to defend themselves against the monster and hopefully force it into the portal Regina said she could create. As she waited, her mind went to the exchange she had in the pawn shop with Mr. Gold. He seemed so unhappy with her that she didn't look for him but she didn't get the chance to tell him why.
Mary-Margret and David wouldn't stop asking him questions and her resolve had wavered a bit, making her hesitate with the news. Perhaps it wasn't the right time to tell him but she began to wonder if any time would ever be right. A noise behind her startled her from her thoughts. She turned to find Regina had returned and she was carrying an odd shaped case.
Emma frowned, " You took so long I was starting to think you had made a run for it. "
Regina scoffed, " What good would have that done me? The wraith will haunt me no matter where I go. "
" True, " Emma said. Her eyes went to the case, " What's in there? "
Regina sat it on the desk, " What we need. "
Emma watched as Regina slowly opened the case. She was just far enough away that she could not see into the case. She wondered what powerful magic item Regina had been hanging onto for so long. She also under the impression all of her precious objects had been hidden in the family vault.
Regina was about to pull the object out when she paused and looked at Emma, " Did Henry really ask you to protect me? " She asked, looking skeptical.
" Yes, " Emma said.
Regina gave her a terse smile then pulled a top hat out of the case. The velvet had some bare patches and it looked like it had seen some better days. The hat was chilling familiar, looking like many of the failed creations that lined the walls of Jefferson's sewing room. She looked at Regina, " The hat... You had it all along. "
" What do you mean? " Regina blinked.
Emma frowned, feeling sick to her stomach for the first time that day. She recalled how harsh Jefferson had been to her the first two times they had met. He had treated her a little better the last two times but it did little to curb her ever-present fear of him. He was violent and so unpredictable, she could help the feeling
" That's Jefferson's hat, " She said quietly.
" Who's Jefferson? " Regina looked blank as if the name didn't ring any bells.
Emma's frown deepened, but the conversation was cut short when David and Mary-Margret returned. They were carrying brooms and bottles of what appeared to be alcohol. Regina looked at them and frowned, " Hey! Do you know how much that vodka costs? "
" We need it, " David said. " We needed something to burn. "
Emma looked to the brooms, arching an eyebrow. " Are we going to sweep it into the portal? " She asked.
" No, " David said. " Torches for when it comes back. It's a little old fashioned but so am I. "
Mary-Margret looked at the hat, " So... How does it work? "
Regina smirked, " Come with me and I'll show you. "
" Why can't we do it here? " David asked sharply. " How do we know we aren't walking into a trap? "
Regina frowned, " Why would I trap you? It's my life at stake here. "
" You might have something planned for AFTER we save you, " David intoned sharply.
" Well I don't, " Regina replied just as sharply. She held the hat up, " This needs a lot of room to work. "
" How much room? " David asked.
" City council chambers will be big enough, " Regina replied. " Let's go downstairs. "
Mr. Gold sat at his spinning wheel, a wad of wool in his right hand as he turned the wheel with his left. It was no less than amazing that the old wheel still worked after so many years. It was the one that had once belonged to the old ladies that had helped him raise Baelfire, Eilionoir and Giorsal.
The old ladies had taken him in after he had returned home to find his wife had killed herself. The story was that she was unable to handle the news he had ran away from the Ogres war and killed herself rather than face a coward. The ladies, though well on in years at the time, had done everything they could to lend him a hand. Without them, he and Baelfire would have never survived.
It had been Giorsal's dying wish that he take what he wanted from her home after she died, telling him to burn the rest. He had taken the wheel and a few other things, the old woman not really having many possessions to begin with. From that time on, he kept it and had used it to spin wool.
Even after he had become The Dark One, he had kept the wheel. It was one of the pieces in his collection that reminded him of the scant number of happy times in his life. Though life was hard as a crippled single father, the old ladies had lessened the load a bit by caring for Baelfire when he needed to take the wool to neighboring towns to sell. The old ladies had done so much for him and he never wanted to forget them.
The electricity flickered in the shop, the power unpredictable since the wraith had passed over Main Street. He paused in his spinning, his thoughts going from his past to the present. He looked out one of the windows, wondering where Belle had run off to. She had been gone for a while so following her would be impossible, just as it would have been if he had followed her when she had left.
He closed his eyes, a tear slipping down his cheek as the memory of her hurt and bewildered face came to his mind. His words had been careless but her reaction to them made him want to take them back. His mind then went to the other woman he had angered just moments before he had made Belle mad.
If it had been any other time, the fire in Emma's eyes would have amused him, perhaps even thrilled him. She had looked so unhappy with him but he was not pleased with her either. He had expected her to try to find him, not stopping at anything until she had... But she hadn't. He wasn't sure what he had done or what she was thinking he had done to make her not want to look for him.
Once the wraith was gone, he would have to talk to her and find out why. Even though she had been angry, he could see something just below the surface. As her parents bombarded him with questions, he could tell she wanted to say more than she had. For a brief moment, he could see past her anger and detected a hint of sadness in her eyes.
He opened his eyes again, focusing on the wheel and started to spin again as he tried not think of how it seemed he hurt everyone he had ever cared for...
Emma, Mary-Margret and David walked behind Regina as they walked down the stairs. The chambers were on the first floor so it was a short walk but it seemed to take forever as Emma thought about everything. She still couldn't get her mind off of Belle's scent being so strong in Mr. Gold's shop and could only think of one reason why it would be. Had he been so convinced she didn't care that he ran back to his old lover just like that?
He had so much explaining to do because Emma just couldn't come up with many answers on her own. The ones she could think of being all the worst case scenarios and they all left her alone while Mr. Gold moved on with Belle. She still felt the need to tell him about the babies but him being with another woman would make it just that much harder to. She tried to clear her mind as the four of them reached the chamber doors.
" It will open a portal to our land, " Regina explained as they walked into city council chambers. " All we have to do is send the wraith in there. "
" Oh yeah... Just that, " David scoffed as he got to work preparing the torches. He passed one to Mary-Margret then another to Emma. He then lit his own.
" I don't understand, " Mary-Margret moved closer. " I thought you said our land was gone. "
" It is, " Regina said as she set the hat down. " But sending it to a place that no longer exists... Well, that's like banishing it to oblivion. "
Suddenly, there was a rush of air and the lights began to flicker as a loud rumble made the floor tremble. " Regina, " Emma looked towards the doors on the other side of the room.
" I'm trying, " Regina said as she spun the hat on the floor.
The wraith roared, letting them know he was coming. Mary-Margret took a sharp breath as David took a step back and Regina looked up from the hat. The doors swung open and the wraith roared louder, a gust of wind extinguishing the torches. David quickly relighted the torches, " It's here... "
" I know! ' Regina hissed as she continued to spin the hat. Nothing was happening and Emma was starting to get scared.
" What if this plan fails? " She asked.
" Then I die and you broke your promise to Henry! " Regina said. " Just give me a minute. "
" We don't have a minute! " Emma snapped.
The wraith flew into the room, pausing for a moment to locate its prey. " Regina! Come on! " David said before running forward with his torch.
" Regina, " Mary-Margret urged.
" I know, " Regina's voice started to show she was getting scared.
David thrust the torch at the wraith, the beast dodging him as it tried to avoid the fire. Behind him, Mary-Margret poured the vodka on the railings that separated the seating area from the council seats. " David! " She called once they were drenched.
David looked behind himself before pulling the gates closed, everything seeming like it was going in slow motion for Emma. She felt so helpless, unable to think of anything to do to help other than guard Regina. She wasn't about to admit it but she was scared, unable to comprehend what was going on as her parents handled it with the greatest of ease.
David touched his torch to the railings, making a small wall of fire that also provided light in the darkened chambers. Emma silently hoped that light would keep the wraith back as Regina struggled to get the hat to work. " Hurry! " He shouted at Regina.
" It's not working, " Regina replied.
" You better make it work or you're going to die! " David said as he went back to warding the wraith off with his torch.
" Don't you think I know that? " Regina shouted. " It's still not working! "
" What's the problem? " Emma leaned down and asked.
" Magic, " Regina said. " It's different here. "
" Now would be the time! " David said as he kept fighting.
~Magic, ~ The word slipped through Emma's mind. She had just used magic that morning to destroy Doctor Hargreaves. She passed out from it but it had also taken a great deal of power to do what she had done. She knelt down, touching Regina's arm and tried to concentrate on her power like Mr. Gold had taught her to.
It had been just one lesson but it seemed to be enough as the hat started to spin, a purple circle emanating from it as a portal opened. Regina was surprised, looking at Emma. Emma tried to give her a look to let her know she was just as perplexed. She hadn't been sure she would even be able to do it.
The wraith knocked David aside before Emma could say anything, not like she could explain herself anyway. It headed right for Regina and Emma shoved her out of the way just as the wraith reached her. The portal sucked the monster in but not before it sent out a bolt of energy that dragged Emma in with it. She could hear Mary-Margret cried " No! " As she went down.
" No! " David shouted.
" I'm not losing her again! " Mary-Margret shouted and jumped into the hat after her.
" Neither am I! " David said as the council room grew further away. Everything began to fade then went black...
The phone on the shop counter rang, drawing Mr. Gold's attention from the spinning wheel. He furrowed his brow, wondering who would be calling. He set the wad of unspun wool down, getting up and walking out to the shop. He went to the counter and picked up the phone, " Hello? "
" Rumple, " It was Regina. She was still alive. " Your plan has failed. The wraith is gone... And it took Emma and Mary-Margret with it. "
" To where? " Mr. Gold asked. " Where did you send the wraith? "
" Through a portal, " Regina said.
" How did YOU make a portal? " Mr. Gold said sharply. " How did you get your power back? "
" I didn't, " Regina said flatly. " I had... An object that Emma's magic reacted with and it opened a portal. "
In the back of his mind, Mr. Gold felt a touch of relief that Emma's magic had not been affected. However, he was now concerned because there was no telling where the portal led since The Dark curse was supposed to have destroyed The Enchanted Forest. " Regina... " He started.
" Goodbye, Rumple... " Regina cut him off and hung up the phone.
" Regina! " He shouted but the line went dead. He slammed down the receiver and went back to the back room, sitting down at the wheel again. He closed his eyes, trying to sense Emma's power but he felt nothing.
He wasn't surprised considering she had passed through a portal but it still concerned him, silently hoping she was unharmed and still alive. He still had so much he wanted to say to her. He sighed, opening his eyes and taking up the wool again. He started to spin again, the front bell jingling as he did.
He turned as the sound of someone clearing their throat attracted his attention. He was surprised to see Belle standing there. She took a breath and said, " Hi. "
" Hey, " He said. Her expression was unreadable and he wasn't sure what she was going to say.
" I... I went for a long walk, " She said.
" I thought you didn't want to see me, " Mr. Gold chose his words carefully. He feared the wrong ones would send her to the door again. While she had been away, he thought of Regina's words from earlier in the day. When Belle had left him, he was beginning to think they were true.
" I didn't, " Belle said. " But I was worried. "
Mr. Gold sighed, " Well, the beast is gone... And Regina lives. "
" So you didn't get what you wanted? " Belle asked.
" Well, that remains to be seen, " Mr. Gold replied.
Belle looked behind him, a look a subdued surprise coming to her face. She moved around him and picked up the chipped cup from where he had set it. He had brought it into the back because he felt it would again be the only thing he would have left of her. She had been quite angry and he was scared she was going to run home to her father after seeing he had not changed.
" You still have it, " She let out a little chuckle. A tear came to her eye and she sniffled, " My chipped cup. "
Mr. Gold smiled a bit at her shock and nodded his head. He then stood up, reaching for the cup. He sighed as he took it from her, " There are many, many things in this shop but this... This is the only thing I truly cherish. "
Belle looked so happy at that moment, it tugged at his heart. It seemed she was no longer angry and would forgive him. Her forgiveness had been something he had yearned for but thought he would never get it since he had been led to believe she was dead. " Rumple... " She whispered.
" And now you must leave, " He hated to say the words but it was the only way he could keep from hurting her. He regretted hurting her and never wanted to do it again. If she stayed with him though, he knew he would.
She blinked, " What? "
" You must leave because, despite of what you hope... I'm still a monster, " He said quietly.
Belle smiled and put her hands on his shoulders, " But don't you see? That's exactly why I HAVE to stay. "
Mr. Gold didn't know whether to be happy or sad. She still thought of him as a monster... But she was going to stay by his side regardless. It was like when she had said he wasn't as ugly as he thought he was back in The Enchanted Forest. The comment had confused him then too.
He fluffed it off though... She was staying and that was all that mattered. He squared his shoulders and took a deep breath. He quirked his mouth, " How about some tea? "
David opened the door to the apartment, letting Henry walk in first as he switched on the lights. Henry looked around, the apartment too quiet. He put down his backpack and walked to the kitchen counter, staring at a picture of Emma and Mary-Margret. David closed the door and went to him, " Henry... "
" Yeah? " The child said before looking at him. David could tell he was thinking the worst... that Mary-Margret and Emma were dead.
" Don't worry, " David said. " Emma and Mary-Margret... They're alive. "
Henry looked at him, " How do you know? "
David thought about it then said, " Because I have faith. "
" But... " Henry started.
" Henry, come here, " David went to him and knelt down when the child turned to face him. He looked into his grandson's eyes, " I will find them. I will always find them. "
Henry stared at him for a long moment, glancing again at the picture. He walked to it, taking the back of the frame off and pulling out a picture David didn't know was there. Henry looked at it then looked at David. " What's that? " David furrowed his brow.
Henry glanced at him then showed him the picture. It was the sonogram print out of the twins. David took it and frowned, wondering if Henry knew how he felt about the babies. Henry looked up at him, " I hope we can get them back... I really want to meet them. "
David sighed, " For your sake... And Emma's, I hope so too. "
Rumplestiltskin hobbled up the path that led to his village. After three days of travel, all he wanted to do was get home and see his son. Baelfire was going to be a year old in less than a month, the boy healthy in spite of the fact they struggled. Even with the help of the two old ladies that had come to their aid, life was hard.
He eked a minor living from the wool he spun, the money keeping them fed but it was still hard. He had to face ridicule daily for his cowardice, most people not bothering to even look at him unless they were hurling an insult or rock at him. Though his intentions for fleeing the Ogres war were noble, at least in his mind, he was treated like dirt. The only people that seemed to care for him or his child were Eilionoir and Giorsal.
They had taken Baelfire so he could go to town and sell the wool he had spun. He had gotten a less than he expected but it was still enough to feed Baelfire and himself. The old ladies would have to care for him a little longer so he had time to recover from his journey. It took all he had to get to town and back.
He did, however, want to see his boy before he rested. His world revolved around the child, doing things that he knew would make him hurt to ensure his well-being. He pushed himself to the limits his injury imposed on him but he never regretted a moment of it. Since it was for his son, it was worth it.
Eilionoir and Giorsal were outcasts much like himself. The elderly sisters had been banished to the edge of the village, believed to be witches by the others. It was true the women could come up with a homemade cure for just about anything but Rumplestiltskin hardly believed it was magic. He simply credited their advanced knowledge of tonic making to their advanced years.
In spite of their age, they still got around quite well and we able to keep up with Baelfire. They doted on the child, treating him as they would have their own grandchild. Rumplestiltskin was grateful for the help, unsure if he could have made it being on his own with a baby. The child had no mother since she had hung herself out of shame caused by Rumplestiltskin's actions.
He was at the door of their tiny house, reaching for the heavy wool blanket that served as a door. As he touched it, the sound of laughter reached his ears. It was Baelfire's giggle and it made him smile. It was followed by unfamiliar female laughter and he became puzzled.
It seemed that Eilionoir and Giorsal had company. This was odd considering their reputation and Rumplestiltskin was intrigued. He pushed the blanket aside, stepping into the hut. It was like a second home to him so there was no need to announce himself.
He looked into the main room, his breath catching in his throat. A beautiful woman with dark hair and gorgeous features held Baelfire to her bosom, talking baby talk to him. It seemed to be amusing to the boy because he let out another giggle. The woman looked up, gasping as her blue eyes locked with Rumplestiltskin's brown ones.
" Who are you? " She asked sharply, looking startled and scared. " What are you doing in my great grandmother's house? "
Rumplestiltskin gestured lamely at nothing, " I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you. That's my son and I've come... "
The woman furrowed her brow, " Your son? "
" Yes, " Rumplestiltskin stammered. " My son. You see, I was away. I... I spin and sell wool. "
The blanket rustled behind him and he was relieved when he smelled Eilionoir's scent. " Oh. You're back from town, " Eilionoir said, her familiar voice welcome to Rumplestiltskin's ears. She walked to Rumplestiltskin's left side, the old woman not taller than his shoulder.
" I have, " Rumplestiltskin said, unable to take his eyes of the beautiful stranger that was holding his child.
" I see you have met my great-granddaughter, " Eilionoir motioned to the woman.
" Not properly, " Rumplestiltskin said. Their meeting had been abrupt and awkward. In addition to that, her beauty had left him stunned and almost unable to speak. " I just came inside. "
" Come then. I shall introduce you, " Eilionoir hooked right her arm through his left. Rumplestiltskin let her pull him along, still enchanted by the woman. He had felt instantly attracted to her, like a moth to a flame.
When they reached her, Eilionoir motioned to him. " Milah, this is Rumplestiltskin. He's Baelfire's father. "
Milah nodded, " That is what he told me. "
" I see, " Eilionoir nodded. " He's here often. "
Milah raised her eyebrows at that, " Is he now? "
" Giorsal and I help him care for Baelfire, " Eilionoir explained.
" Oh? " Milah looked surprised. " Why does his mother not do that? "
Rumplestiltskin looked at the floor, the memory of Muriel making him sad. They had been together since they were children and it had only been natural for them to marry when they were of age. He had thought they would be together until one or the other died. Sadly, that came true much sooner than he had expected.
" My wife died, " He said quietly.
" Oh, " Milah replied.
There was an awkward silence before Eilionoir tightened her grip on Rumplestiltskin's arm and looked up at him, " Why don't you stay for dinner? I'm sure you're starving after your journey. "
" I need to rest, " Rumplestiltskin started.
" Then rest here, " Eilionoir smiled. " Spend time with your boy and talk with Milah. "
Rumplestiltskin looked at her again, " Do you mind? I mean, this is your family... I'm just... The boy's father. "
Milah sighed, " Honestly, I wouldn't mind the company. I've just moved here and I have no one my age to talk to. "
Rumplestiltskin raised his eyebrows, " Moved here? You mean you're staying? "
" Yes, " Milah replied. She looked at Eilionoir, " I needed a fresh start so I came to be here with my great grandmother and give it a go here. "
Eilionoir let go of his arm and grabbed a chair, " Sit. Giorsal and I will take care of everything. You two can continue to talk. "
" GET UP! " A woman shouted harshly, breaking through the darkness that surrounded Emma. She struggled to open her eyes. The last thing she recalled was the city council office and the wraith heading straight for Regina.
Everything after that was a blur of purple smoke and crackling energy. She tried to remember but her train of thought got derailed by a sharp poke in her side. Her eyes flew open as she yelped in pain. Where she had been poked throbbed like it wasn't the first hard jab.
It took a moment for her eyes to focus, her surroundings completely alien to her. The best way she would describe it was a wrecked building but it looked medieval. There was another hard poke and she looked to the side it came from. An armored woman with Asian-like features and long dark hair glared down at her, a sheathed sword in her right hand.
Emma watched as the woman lifted the sword and looked like she was about to poke her in the lower stomach. She threw her hands protectively over it, afraid she would get an even harder poke there. " Stop! I'm awake! " Emma growled.
The woman pulled the sword back, " Who are you? Where did you come from? "
Emma frowned, " Can we start with something easier? Who are YOU and where is this? "
" My name is Mulan and you're in The Enchanted Forest... What's left of it anyway, " She replied. She lifted the sword threateningly, " Your turn. "
" Emma, " Emma said sharply. " What do you mean The Enchanted Forest? "
" We can talk about that later, " Mulan said. She narrowed her eyes, " If you live that long. "
" I'm no threat to you, " Emma shot back. " There's no reason for you to kill me. "
" That's my decision, " Mulan motioned to her right side. " Who's your friend? "
Emma turned her head to find Mary-Margret was there. She was moving a bit but seemed to be having a problem coming fully around. Emma sat up to take a closer look but Mulan stopped her with the sword. She looked up at her and narrowed her eyes, " She's not my friend... She's my mother. "
" Your mother? " Mulan scoffed. " The two of you are practically the same age. "
" It's a long story, " Emma hissed. " Now get that sword away from me so I can make sure she's alright. "
" Why did you bring the wraith here? " A hysterical woman's voice attracted Emma's attention. She looked past Mulan to find the voice belonged to a woman dressed in a purple silk gown. Her skin was pale and her long red hair made her look even fairer. " Why did you take my Philip? "
" Who's Philip? " Emma asked. Her head hurt and she was only getting more confused.
" My true love! " The redheaded woman nearly screamed. " The monster you brought her killed him! "
" Aurora! " Mulan said sharply as she looked at her. " There will be time for that later. I need to know how they got here and where they came from. "
" I'm not telling you anything until you let me see if my mother is okay, " Emma glared at Mulan.
Mulan pulled her sword back, " Fine. Then we're taking you to camp. "
" Camp? " Emma repeated. " What do you mean? "
" You'll find out, " Mulan said as she took a length of rope from her belt.
David stared out the window of the apartment. He had not been able to sleep he was so worried about Emma and Mary-Margret. He knew they just had to be alive but getting to them would be the tricky part. Finding someone to help him get to them was going to be even trickier.
He would rather walk through fire than ask Rumplestiltskin for help but he couldn't think of anyone else. The fairies didn't have their magic and they wouldn't until they found diamonds to make into fairy dust. He wasn't even sure if the mines were even safe to work in much less if they contained diamonds. He wasn't going to send the dwarves into the mines if it was unsafe.
He looked at the side table, the sonogram photo of the twins laying there. For a moment, he thought about taking it to Rumplestiltskin and tell him of the babies but he soon decided not to. Rumplestiltskin couldn't know about the children, not until David knew his intentions for them. He couldn't risk their safety so quickly since there had to more than one way to get Emma and Mary-Margret back.
He heard footsteps and looked towards Mary-Margret's bedroom. Henry had slept in there, saying he wanted to be able to smell her. He had also taken one of Emma's pillows with him so he would be able to smell her as well. " Grandpa? " He said, sleep still evident in his voice.
" Yeah, kid? " David replied quietly.
" I'm hungry, " Henry rubbed his right eye.
David looked at the clock on the wall, finding it was time for Henry to up anyway though there would be no school that day. He sighed, " Okay. You go get ready for cleaned up and I'll have something cooked when you get out of the shower. "
" Okay, " Henry nodded then padded off towards the bathroom.
Mr. Gold leaned against the door frame, staring at Belle as she slept. He had brought her to his home, giving her the largest guest room. She had asked for her own room, saying she wanted to get more comfortable with him before moving forward with their relationship. He acquiesced, not wanting to force her into any decisions.
She rolled over in her sleep, revealing which nightgown she chose to wear. It was a cream colored silk one with white lace trim and a plunge neckline. He had been collecting ones he thought were perfectly suited for Emma. Just like the dresses in the shop, he had intended for them to be gifts as their relationship progressed.
It seemed that was now just a shattered dream and not because that she had been sucked into the portal. No, he felt like there had been a shift not only in the magic but her feelings for him as well. What other way was there to explain why she hadn't bothered to look for him? She had told him she knew he had been kidnapped but still made no effort to find him.
He knew there had to be a good reason why but he wouldn't be able to find it out, not if she was trapped in another realm. He could do many things but realm jumping had eluded him. It was why he created The Dark Curse in the first place, to jump to Storybrooke. It still hadn't worked out quite right, everyone being trapped in town and unable to leave.
He hadn't had the chance to try to see if it were possible now the curse was broken. Finding out Belle was still alive had put those plans on hold and altered everything he had in mind for when the curse was gone. At no point, did she work into those plans. He had been led to believe she was dead, her absence in all of his visions of the future reinforcing that belief.
He suffered for years with guilt and regret, wishing he had done everything differently then deciding he wouldn't have changed a thing. She haunted him and almost everything he had done for so long because he had believed he had caused her death. However, she had not died at all. She slept just across the room now but he still felt distant.
He still had feelings for Emma, feelings not dulled by the fact she hadn't looked for him. He closed his eyes, still seeing her face from the night before. She looked like she had something very important to say but probably would never hear it. If only she had come alone, he could have talked to her without her parents' interference.
" Rumple? " Belle's voice brought him out of his thoughts. Her speech was a little slurred with sleep but he still sensed her confusion. " What are you doing? "
He sighed, " Just watching you sleep, my darling. "
" Oh, " Belle replied. She looked like she didn't know what to think of that. She looked around like she was searching for something then looked at him again. " What time is it? "
Mr. Gold got out his pocket watch and looked at it, " It's a quarter to seven. "
Belle yawned then asked, " What time do you need to open the shop? "
" I like to have it open by eight or nine, " He put his pocket watch back in his waistcoat. " I'll go downstairs and start breakfast, alright? "
" Sounds good, " Belle said. " I'll see you there. "
Mr. Gold backed out of the room then walked to the stairs...