"Belle, I don't understand the rush for this wedding. Is there some other reason that you guys want to be married on Christmas Eve?" Mulan asked as she tried to undo her sapphire colored bridesmaid dress. Belle stepped behind her and unfastened the buttons one by one.
"I'm not pregnant. You are the fifth person to insinuate that. We just want to be married already. Twenty-eight years and eight months of separation were enough time for us to be apart. Mostly, we just are so excited it's all we think about. Rumpel's a real romantic at his core."
Mulan slipped out of the dress and began to dress back into her black slacks and green turtle neck.
"I'll never completely understand the pomp and circumstance involved in a wedding contract, but I am happy for you Belle."
Belle smiled at her friend and pulled her into an embrace.
"Mulan, I am so glad you are in Storybrooke. You have always been a true friend. Nothing makes me happier than to have you in my wedding. I also know for a fact that Neal will love this color on you." Belle added with a knowing smirk.
"Belle, I am not interested in Neal, and he is too interested in the savior to even notice me."
"So that's why you haven't told him how you feel? You think he wants Emma. Look, I have seen the way he looks at you and the way you look at him. If we were in the Enchanted Forest and he was dying and you kissed him, I am betting that kiss would save his life."
Mulan scoffed.
"You think he's my true love. I don't even think I want a true love. I like being a warrior."
"Well, I hate to break it to you but Neal likes that about you too. He likes strong women and ever since he met you I can see a real change in him…Just think about it."
Mulan rolled her eyes at her friend's suggestion but nodded in agreement nonetheless.
"Belle, have you found your wedding dress yet?"
"Oh, I am still at a loss when it comes to my own dress. I have been so busy getting the Church setup and the banquet hall decorated that the bridal dress has fallen on the back-burner."
"Can't Rumpelstiltskin just conjure one for you?"
"Yeah, but it kind of ruins the surprise of having him see me on the wedding day. No, I'm still looking. I have heard that Rapunzel is quite a good seamstress. She made a beautiful gown for Nova's birthday celebration. I know that Grumpy definitely appreciated it." Belle said with a chuckle.
"Well, then as your maid of honor, I still don't understand what that title has to do with silly marriage celebrations, I will send her over to your apartment to start on the dress of your choosing. "
"That would be lovely. I really appreciate it. Set it up for 2 and she can come to my apartment above the library."
Later the next day, Belle was sitting on her bed in the apartment working on her wedding vows when she heard a knock on her door. She hurriedly went to open the front door.
"Hey, Belle! Mulan said my services were needed." Rapunzel said with a grin.
"Yes, I hope she wasn't too demanding about the whole thing."
"A little but I know how important a beautiful wedding dress is to a bride. But I have to say, Belle, you are cutting things a bit close. The wedding is in eight days!"
"I know I'm horrible. It really was the last thing I thought of and yet it is one of the most important. Please have a seat and I'll make us some tea." Belle said as she gestured to the lavender colored sofa by the window. Rapunzel walked over to the sofa and sat down. She pulled out her sketch book from her large black book bag and began drawing.
"I have no idea what design I want or colors if any." Belle yelled from the kitchen.
Rapunzel didn't answer as she was quite absorbed in her sketching.
"I think if there can be room for me to twirl a bit and maybe a little sash then I'll be good with anything." Belle yelled once more as she turned off the boiling kettle.
"So, honey or sugar?" Belle asked as she finally neared the mahogany coffee table. She held a tea tray in her hands that consisted of two small white teacups, sugar cubes, honey, and a few butter cookies on the side.
Rapunzel looked up from her drawing. She had already finished four sketches by the time Belle entered the room.
"Oh, two teaspoons of honey will be fine."
Nodding at her, Belle set to work getting their tea made and finally took a seat on the nearby recliner.
"Belle, I have sketched a few I ideas that may work. Given your more petite yet curvy body type there are a number of ways we can go. This first sketch is of a more form fitting gown with straps off the shoulder. I would use an overlay of lace at the bodice to create a soft yet elegant look. You could walk just fine in it but it is a bit sexier because it highlights your curves. What do you think?"
Rapunzel handed the sketch off to Belle. Belle looked it over and her eyes brightened.
"I think it's quite fetching but if I know Rumpel the minute he sees me in it he'll want to find a room. Let's put it in the maybe pile. What else have you drawn?"
Rapunzel took the book back and flipped to the next page.
"The next idea was of a dress that was more inspired by Audrey Hepburn than Marilyn Monroe. The hemline comes to the knees and billows out a bit. The fabric would be chiffon with taffeta underneath. It is very elegant and still sweet enough not to set Rumpel on fire. You can also twirl in it."
Belle walked over and sat next to Rapunzel to get a better look.
"Very beautiful. Could you make me a matching white coat to go over it? I know it will be freezing that day."
"I can do that. I have two more possibilities to show you though."
Flipping to the next two pages Rapunzel described a classic ball gown with a hint of gold on the trim and then a gown that billowed out with a long train that consisted of lace and silk.
"So, which speaks to you the most?"
Belle looked over all the drawings a number of times as she took a few sips of her tea.
"How about this." She said as she started to put together her own rough sketch which encompassed a few of the details from each of the dresses. She handed it over to Rapunzel awaiting her verdict. Rapunzel looked at the image with delighted surprise.
"Belle, that is perfect for you. I'll get on it right away."
"Thank you so much, Rapunzel. You really are quite gifted."
"You as well. I would have never thought of this. Have you ever thought about getting a side job as a designer?"
Belle laughed at the suggestion. "As a hobby maybe, but I'll leave the dress designing up to you."