Did that really just happen? Did he really just ask her to call in Ragen? Belle could hardly wrap her head around it. What was happening to her? She should hate him. Mr. Gold was a beast. He had taken her from her home, from everything she knew. And for what? To repay a debt?

But there was that one part of her that couldn't deny the feelings that she was developing for this man. For all the bad that Mr. Gold possessed, Belle couldn't help but see the good, also. Maybe, underneath the fancy tailored suit that fit him so well, and the snaky remarks, he was really just a man.

As the weeks passed on, and fall faded to winter, the cold seemed to bring with it a change in the Gold home. Slowly, A routine developed between Belle, Ragen and Bae. To anyone looking in, they seemed to be a happy little family. They would all have dinner together in the evening and, on most nights, Ragen would sit in the nursery and assist Belle in getting Bae to bed. In those moments, Belle could simply pretend that the feelings she had for her employer did not exist.

But in the darkness of her thoughts, Belle couldn't deny the feelings loneliness that were beginning to take over. She desperately wanted this life to be hers. And what was even more frightening was that she seemed to want it with Ragen.

For all his careful planning, Ragen had never planned on the feelings of affection that he had developed for the young girl in his employment. Belle was everything that he could never be. She was kind and intelligent. And she was very beautiful. She deserved a man that could compliment all those qualities. And he could never be that man. Never again. Milah had shown him that to love meant to be weak. And he would never be week again. He had too much to loose.

But Ragen couldn't deny the fact that he needed Belle. As he sat alone in his office with his lawyer's letter in his hand, his stomach twisted in disgust. He should have expected this. He should have know that Milah would to take Bae from him, not because she loved her son, but because she knew it would hurt him. And now, as he sat there staring at the letter, he knew that he had to tell Belle what was happening. And pray that she would go along with the plan that was forming in his head.

It was the next morning that Ragen pulled Belle into his office.

"I have something that I need to speak with you about, dearie. And please let me finish before giving me your answer."

"Umm.. Ok", Belle mumbled weakly. This could not be good.

"What do you know of Bae's mother?" Ragen asked.

Belle sat quietly for a moment, pondering her response. The last thing she wanted to so was anger him. Or get anyone in trouble. But, of course people talk. The rumors were that the former Mrs. Gold was a real piece of work. She had married Ragen for his money. But to her dismay, he made her sign a prenuptial agreement. So she had gotten pregnant, thinking that she would gain the upper hand. But when Ragen had come home from a business trip to find his wife in bed with another man, and Bae sick and starving in the nursery, he has kicked the bitch out on her ass without a dime or his son.

"Not much really. Just a few ugly rumors.", replied Belle. "But I'm sure they're just that, rumors."

Ragen snickered, "No they're not. She was a hateful woman. And she still is it seems."

Tossing the letter to Belle, he waited while she read and re read its contents with disbelieving eyes.

"She can't do this. Bae is fine. He's perfectly happy. How could she even think that he wasn't. If she would ever think to spend any time with him, she would know. Is she really trying to say this, that you're a recluse and that it's hurting Bae. That's a load of crock." Belle huffed angrily. She was mad. How could this woman so this to her family?

Ragen took one look at Belle, cheeks and necked flushed red in rage, and he couldn't help but notice that anger looked good on her. It was all the encouragement he needed to go on telling her of his plan.

"Well, I have no intentions of letting her do anything, dearie. I'm going to show her and everyone else that Bae is perfectly happy. And you're going to help me."

"How can I help? I'll do everything I can," Belle said. determination shining in her eyes.

"You and I are going to put on a show the likes of which the town has never seen. We'll be the epitome of a happy couple, oozing with love and affection." Ragen was quite pleased with himself. It was a brilliant plan. And he haven't even told her the best part.

As if on cue, Belle asked the golden question, "But how is that going to show the world anything?"

Once again, Ragen's sly smile made an appearance. "We're going to host a Christmas ball. And we're going to invite Milah, her lover, and everyone else."