"You're taking the books back?" Mother Superior sat across from Maurice French in his office on the fifty-second floor of the Empire State Building terrified that she had heard him correctly. Her reddish brown hair was slicked back into a bun and she wore her nun robes just as she always did. Despite being so worried, there was still a sleek and sophisticated look about her; she didn't appear to be just an everyday nun. That afternoon she had been invited to meet with Mr. French in regards to the convent's account with his publishing company.
She looked at the man appalled and with stern eyes that also reflected a hint of despair. She could not believe this. He couldn't be serious.
Maurice sat up tall behind his oversized black desk, the grand city of New York looming through the large window behind him as his face showed no emotion. He was a quite heavyset man with graying brown hair and tired eyes. His face was full of wrinkles, a characteristic caused by many years working in his field of expertise.
"You're four months behind on your payments," Maurice replied, unwilling to give in.
"But the children love the books. We could make alternate arrangements." Mother Superior looked hopeful.
Maurice shook his head and wagged a finger at her. "Now we have tried making arrangements in the past and we always end up right back where we started. You will return every book or I will be forced to take this to court."
Mother Superior leaned forward in her chair. "It's almost Christmas…please can't you find it in your heart to give us more time? My girls will find the money. We've arranged a sale-selling candles-if you could be willing to give us two more weeks…"
"Bah!" Maurice scoffed, but it was clear he might be amiable to the idea. Still, he wasn't finished putting up a fight. "I see what you're trying to do here. You're trying to make me feel bad when it's your fault you missed the payments."
Mother Superior was about to open her mouth to retort when another man interrupted her as he stepped into the room. He was a short, but a slim older man, with grayish brown shoulder length hair and dark brown eyes. His black pinstriped suit was much fancier than the one Maurice was wearing and it made him look all the more intimidating. His face was also adorned with wrinkles, but instead of making him look older, it added to the threatening appearance while also giving him a rugged handsomeness.
"Now now, there'll be none of that…throwing guilt in the wrong direction." he stated, directing his statement to the nun as he moved where he could face her. With his hands clasped in front of him, he stood there looming above her with this very slight hint of a menacing smile on his face.
As soon as Mother Superior saw who was addressing her she was instantly on her feet to try to size herself up to him. Her facial expressions went fierce and one would have thought the room was on fire to be in there with the pair. "Gold! You! I know this is all your doing! You want this to happen! You are jumping at this chance to hurt the children just to get at me!"
Gold didn't flinch at all or barely move as the nun shot accusations at him. The menacing smile did not leave his face. "I can assure you I'm doing nothing of the sort. This is simply a matter of payment." He held one hand out as he spoke in a way to show it was nothing more, when it really was.
Mother Superior saw straight through his façade. "A matter of payment? Well you will have your payment and your books too! Our convent will not associate with you any more. Either of you. We will find someone else to do business with, someone who cares!" She glanced between both men firmly. "Good day gentlemen!" And with that she stormed out of the office with no intention of ever returning.
As soon as he was sure the woman was gone, Gold looked over at Maurice and smiled a genuine smile. "Well, that took care of that."
Maurice chuckled and shook his head as he stood to his feet, straightening a stack of papers on his desk. "I never understood the rivalry you have with that woman."
Gold shrugged his shoulders. "I just don't like nuns. It's as simple as that."
"Yes, and one day you'll have to tell me why, but right now," Maurice paused, glancing down at his watch. "I've got a plane to catch."
"Ah yes, you're trip to London with your family," Gold noted, stepping aside so Maurice could collect his belongings and leave.
"Yes, my wife has been looking forward to this all year. You know…you should take a trip…next year-surprise Neal."
"Ah, no-I've never been much for traveling-plus there's too much going on here. I've more important things to do."
Maurice nodded, knowing his business partner always put work ahead of family. It bothered him a little, but he never said anything. For one, he knew he wouldn't be able to change Gold's mind. And two-he was guilty of doing the same plenty of times as well. This trip to London he had attempted many times in the past, but it wasn't until his wife threatened to leave him that he began taking spending time with her and their teenage son seriously.
"Well I know the company will be in good hands while I'm gone." He patted Gold on the shoulder. "But if you need anything, you know how to get me."
"Yes, of course," Gold agreed. "Enjoy yourself. They'll be plenty to do when you return."
"Yes, and hopefully no surprises."
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Now Belle did not take the news of her father being on the naughty list very well. She was hysterical the rest of that day and not even her favorite book or chocolate chip cookies would cheer her up. However, Belle has always been a very positive person so she still decided it was best to go to New York. Her heart was set on it. And if that didn't make her stay I knew nothing would. So with a heavy heart I found myself having to say goodbye to her…
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Belle stood with her father at the waters edge of the North Pole ready to set off on her adventure. Still she looked at Grumpy with a heavy heart. This was more difficult than she thought.
"You know ehhh…" Grumpy scratched the back of his neck nervously and removed his elf hat, revealing a bald head. "I've never been that good at goodbyes…"
Belle reached out to touch her father's shoulder and she smiled. "Hey, Papa…this isn't goodbye forever…I just don't know how long I'll be gone."
"I know…I'm just gonna miss you and the house will be so lonely. And who's going to read to me every night?"
"Oh Papa…I left you a copy of my favorite book. You can read it every night until I come back. And when I return I'll have some new stories to tell…something for you to look forward too." Belle then stepped forward and drew her father into her arms for a tight hug. "I love you, Papa, but I have to do this."
Grumpy hugged his daughter in return, refusing to let his tears fall-although one or two did escape.
When they pulled apart, Belle looked at him sadly. "I just hope…well…you know…" She was referring to her real father being on the naughty list. It still wasn't clear to her how she would handle that.
Grumpy sighed, but he managed a smile for his daughter. "Listen, some people-they just lose sight of what's important in life-I know I would have if you hadn't snuck into Santa's pack…"
Belle brightened hearing that. She knew that her father had had a rough time before she came into his life. It made her feel a little guilty for leaving and she only hoped he wouldn't spiral back down to that dark place.
"I found my way again…" Grumpy continued. "…so maybe your father can too. Maybe all he needs is just a little Christmas spirit."
The smile on Belle's face grew just a little more. "I…I'm good at that."
"I know you are."
Belle took a deep breath and glanced down at her little pink elf shoes. "I'll miss you, Papa…"
"I'll miss you too." He reached out and touched her chin lightly, influencing her to look up at him. "And I'll always be here for you."
They stared at each other for a long quiet minute-a loving and emotional moment between father and daughter, something that Grumpy could only handle so much of. "Now go…get," he said, shooing her off playfully.
Belle giggled and stepped away onto the ice platform that would take her across the water to the mainland. "Bye, Papa!" She waved at him. "Bye, guys!" She waved at all the North Pole creatures that had joined them for her farewell. They included the puffins, seals, and polar bears. If any of the other elves had come-or even Santa-Grumpy knew he would have never been able to say what he needed to say. It was hard enough to do so in front of the animals, but he really didn't care…that much.
"Bye Belle…bye," all the animals called as the ice platform broke free and she began to float away. "Take care! We hope you find your dad!"
Belle smiled radiantly at everyone as they grew smaller and smaller the further away she went. Just before her father was completely out of sight, she blew him one last kiss before turning to face everything head on that was ahead of her.
Grumpy stayed at the edge of the water until he could no longer see Belle. When he turned around to leave, he saw all the animals just sitting and staring at him. He grimaced before he growled, not happy they saw the tears on his face. "Don't you have some berries to pick? Get on! All 'a you!"
