CHAPTER SEVEN

Thank you so much for the lovely reviews and follows! I hope you enjoy chapter seven. I'll have chapter eight ready for you in a few days. Being trapped in that tower had quite an effect on Belle, as you will see in this chapter. Will Belle and Rumpelstiltskin end up together or does he have competition? Only time will tell.

Rumpelstiltskin stood at his threshold, coaxing Belle to come outside. She stood in his living room, opposite the great outdoors, a panicked look on her face.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"I can't go out there."

"Why not?"

"It's so… it's so big!"

"I don't understand."

"I've been in a tower for longer than I can remember." She pointed outside. Her voice harried, she spoke like a Gatlin gun firing off a round of bullets. The fear in her voice melted his heart with pity. "There's a lot of space out there. It scares me. I'd rather stay indoors if you don't mind. I feel safer inside. We can stoke the fire and talk. I'll make hot cocoa for us. The weather is perfect for it. I used to make cocoa for the Queen and I when she kept me in the tower. Please, don't make me go out there."

She had a point. He had no idea how long Regina kept her prisoner in that tower but it must have been years, judging from the length of her hair when he discovered her. Time passing in the land where dreams come true was so much different from time in the village. Once safely inside, Belle calmed down, but it was such a beautiful day he wanted to share it with her. He never before noticed the beauty of daybreak or birdsong or flowers blooming but with Belle back in his life he took sight of these little things. He was amazed that something as simple as a sunset could give him peace of mind. How things had changed for him since Belle came to live with him again! Even the villagers saw that his cruel streak had disappeared for the time being.

Such good things could not last long, could they?

Although she could not venture as far as the village proper, he wondered if she would feel comfortable sitting in his swing in his garden.

"How about we compromise? You'll have to go outside eventually. I won't lock you inside my home the way she locked you inside that tower. It's such a beautiful day I'd like to sit with you in my swing." He pointed to a wooden swing hanging from the branches of a weeping olive tree. "See it? It's only a few yards from the front door. Do you think you would feel comfortable there?"

"It looks so pleasant, but I'm afraid."

"I'll hold your hand all the way. I won't leave your side. You're safe with me." She was safe with him. He wouldn't allow anyone or anything to hurt her again as long as she never left him. Out of his reach, he couldn't protect her. He took her small hand in his and pulled her to the threshold. She made it as far as the open door but her feet wouldn't step onto his patio. She pawed at the marble floor with one slippered toe, clearly wanting to walk to that beautiful tree but fearing the open air.

"It's so inviting but I can't." Despair filled her voice.

"What if I carried you?"

"That might work. Don't get me wrong. I want more than anything to sit with you in that swing, but it's so far away."

"Let me make it more enticing for you. Inhale deeply. What do you smell?"

She closed her eyes and breathed steadily. A smile crept across her face. "Perfume. I smell the most delicate perfume."

"You're smelling the viburnum bushes. They're in full bloom now. Open your eyes." She did, and he pointed to bushes on either side of the walkway leading to the road. "See the bushes with the pink flowers? They bloom every spring. Actually, they're blooming a bit early this year. Everything is blooming early. It's because you're home with me. You've not only had a magical effect on me, you've done the same for my home. Wouldn't you like to stand amongst all those blossoms?"

"Yes."

"Then follow me." He squeezed her hand and pulled her forward but she couldn't cross the threshold. He had one other option, and he hoped it would work. "How about if I carry you? Would that make you feel better?"

"Yes, a bit. I hope I'm not too heavy."

"Not at all." Definitely not. She was lighter than his heart at the moment. She needed him for so much, even something as simple as walking a few yards into his garden. He wrapped one arm around her waist and slid his other arm beneath her knees. Hoisting her easily, he held her in his arms. She curled her body into his, her softness enveloping his body. She mewled in fear, turning her head into the crook of his neck, shielding her eyes from the bright sunlight. He took one step outside. She tightened her grip on him. He took a few more steps until he stood in the shade of the viburnum bushes.

"Lift your head. There are blossoms here waiting for you to look at them."

She turned her head until her face was only inches from the branches. Butterflies hovered over the blooms, their vibrant colors competing with the delicate pink of the flowers. Bees pollinated each bloom, dipping to and fro without a care in the world.

"They buzz so loudly." She said. "Why don't they notice us standing so close?"

"They're busy feeding. I'm sure the scent mesmerizes them, too. I suppose they're so busy tending to their own needs they don't want to be bothered with us." These shrubs and flowers had grown in his garden for many years but he never noticed their beauty until Belle rested in his arms. He felt an overwhelming urge to kiss her, to caress her, to take her right there in the grass, but he resisted. No, not until she gave herself over to him, no matter how long that would take. She brought out tenderness in him he didn't know he possessed. The edges of his hurt and rage softened in her presence. He hoped he could be as good for her as she was for him.

"The swing is only a few feet away. May I carry you to it?" He asked.

"Yes, but don't let go of me. I feel so nervous. I'm not used to being outside. The sun feels good, though. I haven't felt the sun on my face in many years. I'm so used to the dank tower I forgot what sunlight feels like."

He took the several steps necessary to reach the swing, and he sat down with Belle resting in his lap. How he had longed for a moment like this! The last time Belle was with him winter snow covered the land and it was far too cold to venture outdoors. His garden was dormant that time of year as well. Nothing to see or smell. Now, flowers bloomed. Daffodils poked their stalks out of the ground and raised their lemony blooms to face the sun. Crocuses shined purple and blue at the borders of his flower beds. Cherry and pear trees burst with flowers; white and pink to match the blush creeping up Belle's cheeks. She had never looked lovelier and his heart raced at the sight of her.

"Would you like to sit next to me?" He asked. "I'll slide you off my lap onto the seat. Is that okay?"

"Yes. I think I'm ready. As long as you don't leave my side."

Passersby gaped at the two of them as they swung slowly back and forth. The townspeople rarely saw him smile when he wasn't hoisting a cruel joke on someone. Now they saw him happy two days in a row! This time, with Belle in his arms, they saw why he was so cheerful. His true love was with him.

Even if she didn't remember him.

The fruit vendor who owed him rent walked past, tipping his hat at him. Rumpelstiltskin gave him a warm smile, causing the man to trip over his own feet. The laugh that rippled from Rumpelstiltskin's belly was full of mirth, not ridicule. Even if Belle didn't remember him, he was perfectly happy feeling her lying in his arms. He helped her slide from his lap onto the seat. Not once did she release his hand. It was as if she needed him as her anchor. She refused to allow her body to be free of his touch for even a moment. Knowing how much she craved safety, since she feared the wide open expanse of the outdoors, he wrapped one arm around her shoulders, giving her the security she needed.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"I think so. This isn't so bad. The tree is very pretty. Shady. And it smells good."

"See? What did I tell you? This is my favorite place in my garden. I wanted to share it with you." How he longed to share his most intimate spaces with her when she last lived with him! But the cold wouldn't allow it. Now, there was no cold. Even his heart warmed in her presence. Nothing could change that. He wished time would freeze in this moment forever. He with his Belle and she with him.

He looked ahead and watched the villagers wander past his home. One man in particular seemed especially intent upon Belle. He was about her age, maybe a little older. His dark beard enhanced his chiseled, handsome features. Flyaway hair fell in his deep blue eyes. His oilskin frock coat couldn't hide his muscular build. Rumpelstiltskin felt a pang of jealousy, since he knew he couldn't compete with this man in the age and looks department. Rumpelstiltskin was at least twenty years Belle's senior and his hideous appearance distressed him for the first time since Belle pointed out his unpleasant features. Would she see past his ugliness to the tender heart that beat within?

Belle looked to the road and saw the man staring at her. Her face brightened and she smiled at him. To Rumpelstiltskin's dismay, the man smiled back.

"Who is he?" He risked asking.

"Someone I know from when I was in the tower. He's a landowner from a neighboring village." She looked him square in the eyes. "But I'm not with him. I'm here with you."

He took her hand in his and squeezed it, but he couldn't take his gaze from the handsome man as he walked down the road. Rumpelstiltskin sighed, his inner peace crumbling. After all, he couldn't compete with a man as young and as handsome as that landowner.

He feared he'd lose his Belle before he had a chance to prove himself to her.

And on that note he turned his face from her so she wouldn't see the tear that slipped down his cheek.