Keeping up with the Mills


In a moment like this it was a blessing they'd let David continue teaching their son his driving lessons; now they were paying off as Henry drove them to the hospital. With the full moon shining upon them, they couldn't help but feel more happy than nervous about this big day in their lives: their children's birth.

Nurses were waiting for their arrival to carry them in wheelchairs to the delivery room after Emma had called Dr. Whale as soon as they realized their water had broken and the time had come.

Hours passed and Henry kept pacing down the hallway. Snow would look at him and ask him to try to relax and be patient, but he just couldn't. He was the big guy in their home and often acted beyond his years, taking on a role that was at times more fatherly than it was of a son in his teens.

Finally he joined his grandmother in the seat next to her, and dozed off.

David had stayed home with their little son, but was attentive of the phone, waiting for the big news from his wife. He would join them as soon as there was daylight and he could drop Neal off with Belle and Ruby who absolutely adored the little guy and cared for him as though he were their own child, and the baby loved them back just as much.

Henry was having a dream. One in which he looked from afar at a scene of two girls about five years old, meeting a baby girl. He didn't get to focus on the face of the mother, but heard the wail of the child, which grew louder until he realized it wasn't the one in the dream, and heard his name as an echo from afar and snapped out of his trance.

"How long was I asleep?" He asked his grandmother, the owner of the voice that called him in his dreams.

"About three hours. I think they're here, but Dr. Whale hasn't come out to let us know."

"I heard babies crying in my dreams, was it them?"

"I think so. I heard them, too."

Henry got up from his seat and went over to the door from the room where they had his mothers, ignoring the nurse who tried to stop him politely. He told her something along the lines of "My mother is the mayor of Storybrooke, Queen of the Enchanted Forest, and my other mom is the Sheriff, Savior, and Princess consort; I am your Prince, and Author, so unless you want to become subordinate to nurse Ratched in the mental asylum for the rest of your days, you're going to move aside and let me in."

The nurse was scared shitless. She never imagined Henry, the sweet boy of Storybrooke who believed in everyone and second chances, would act like such a— Regina's child. She moved away and let the young man pass, holding her hands up in surrender.

"Henry!" The doctor greeted him not pleasantly surprised. "What are you doing here? We're still running some tests before you can come in." He tried to push him back from where he'd entered.

But Henry felt something wasn't right. He stole a glance to where his mothers lie and felt unsettled when he noticed they were unconscious, or at least that was how it looked like, and saw as the babies were also asleep, when he could swear he had heard them cry vigorously just some couple of minutes ago.

"What's wrong with them?" Henry stood his footing and glared dangerously at him.

"They're tired. Natural birth is very straining on both the mother and the child."

Henry looked at him suspiciously. He pretended to accept his answer, turned around and left the room. But as soon as he was outside, he pulled out of his pocket a piece of paper he ripped from one of those blank books, and also pulled out the pen he always carried with him in the inner pocket at his chest.

"Dr. Whale had a moment of conscience and couldn't help but tell the truth," he wrote down.

Few seconds later, the doctor came fast behind the boy and confessed his sins.

"I was trying to buy myself some time so I could run some tests on your sisters. I thought if I had stem cells from their umbilical cords I could extract the very essence of True Love magic and market it for all kind of treatments; healing cancer, impotency, doing in-vitro without fail rate— because healing infertility wouldn't pay as good," he made a pause to wiggle his eyebrows and rub his fingers together, hot on the cash flow, "just imagine the possibilities, they could be endless! I would become a hero, a Savior in my field, and money, women and fame would come pouring once I got out of this shithole of an off-grid town nobody even knows about. My work, it has to get out, Henry, it must. I could get my own reality show! But… I don't have your mothers' consent, so, I can't. My dreams are this close," he used his fingers to illustrate again, "and yet so far."

"You disgust me," Snow said to the doctor.

"Yeah, I get that often. That's exactly why I need this opportunity, my time to shine."

"What did you do to them?!" Henry grabbed him by his coat, menacingly.

Nurses came to them and Henry had to let go of Viktor Frankenstein reluctantly.

"It's harmless; just some poppies to make them sleepy. You think I'd harm my own source of possible endless income? Nah! They will wake up with the first rays of light in the sky, which should be in about two hours. See, I've done my research. I'm brilliant." He winked.

Suddenly a fist collided with his nose and he stumbled, bleeding.

It was Snow's.

"Come on, Henry. Let's wait inside their room and make sure they don't switch babies."

They went inside the delivery room and watched over the nurses as they cleaned up the babies and also prepared the mothers to be changed into the room where they could get visitors. Henry and Snow didn't abandon them any step of the way, and fiercely the young man looked over his sisters and anyone who came within five feet from the twins.

Snow let David know everything, and he had to wake Ruby up to let her know too so they would watch Neal for them. Then he called deputy August so he made it to the hospital to arrest Dr. Whale.

Once David made it to the hospital, he started asking for more doctors. It couldn't be possible it was just Viktor, and after waiting a time that felt too long, a mature black man finally joined them. He'd been in surgery, fixing a broken leg.

"Doctor Rafi Ki," he greeted them, extending his hand amicably.

The slender, grey-haired man emanated wisdom and solemnity, though the bananas and monkeys in his coat made it a little hard to take him seriously, but it made sense when they learned he specialized on children and really loved his job and making kids feel at ease. Then they got it, who he was; he'd loyally cared for royalty all during his lifetime in the magic world, but here he wasn't given enough credit because in his previous life he'd looked after an animal: the Lion King.

This wasn't a man turned into a flying monkey but a monkey turned into a man. But if someone knew some animals could show more conscience and empathy than mankind, it was Snow, and she was deeply relieved to meet him and trust him with her family from now on. She'd had enough Whale to last her a lifetime and another.

They moved over to where Emma and Regina were resting. Henry had decided not to part from the window where they could see his sisters, alongside other newborns. Thankfully, Maribel and Marina Swan-Mills were the only twins, so there was no chance they could swap the babies without them noticing. Better be safe than sorry. He made it his mission to guard and protect these babies.

Dr. Rafi Ki checked the mothers and told them they were very well, only sleeping. But as magic had just been used it them, it wasn't advisable to use more to wake them up or use drugs for that effect, as it would later filter into their milk and affect the children. Henry could have used True Love's kiss, but it had been wise to wait for a professional's opinion, as their new doctor was also versed in magic that came from nature, and as the doctor said: it had no side effects. They were safe from any harm now.

After Dr. Whale had his hot seat session, August also arrested one of the nurses who was working for him on the promise of endless fortune, Igor, so now the hospital was a safe place for the magical patients once more.

They slowly opened their eyes and looked around them. Everything was blurry and it felt as if the memory of giving birth had happened in a dream, so they weren't sure it had happened for real. Not until Regina saw Snow approach her, wearing a blue hospital gown over her clothing, and also distinguished David wearing the same thing as he came to Emma's side.

"How are you feeling?" The second time grandmother asked with happy tears glistening in her eyes as she looked at Regina and then at Emma.

"Like I was hit by lighting," Emma blurted.

Regina made a scrunchy face, not at all pleased with her wife's answer. But it really hurt all over, like she'd madly exercised and her muscles were sore— even some she didn't know she had. And God her breasts were hurting, and her face felt puffy- she was so swollen. This was definitely worse than exercise, but also so surreal.

"Is this real? Did we really have two daughters?" Regina asked with raspy voice, eyes stinging with emotion.

Snow nodded as she let her tears fall. "Yes, you did great."

"Where are they?" Emma said after.

"Please let Dr. Whale know we would like to meet our daughters," Regina asked.

David and Snow exchanged a look. Emma noticed. She squinted at them and asked "What's happening? Mom, Dad?" and started to panic, and even attempted to get up from bed, fearing the worst.

"Where's our children? Henry?!" Regina called out loudly for their eldest.

"They're fine," Snow quickly assured them, moving to hold down Emma. "Charming—"

"I'll let them know you've awoken so they bring them here," he set for the door.

After five minutes that felt eternal, the door opened again and they saw a little cart be pushed inside, carrying one of the twins inside, with Henry behind it; then another cart with David pushing it.

"Emma!" Regina turned to her wife and Emma turned to her as well, both women crying as they saw the babies come closer and closer to their sides.

"We did it," Emma smiled as David carefully set Marina in her arms.

"Yes, we did."

Regina also smiled as Henry delicately lowered Maribel into his mother's arms. He was so gentle with her, it showed he had gained experience carrying his baby uncle. And was it their imagination or did Henry look overly protective and much more mature as he looked down upon his little sisters? It was heartwarming. Just as it was to notice the thin hairs in their babies were the same dark color as Henry and Regina's.

"Hello, baby girl."

Regina softly spoke to Maribel as the newborn lazily opened her eyes to reveal their color: green, like Emma. Marina opened her eyes, too, mirroring the same hue. The only visual difference between them was Marina was slightly smaller than Maribel, because of the first trimester where Emma had anemia. But other than that, the doctor announced they were thriving and could be released the next day to go home.


It felt like a year instead of thirty-six hours, but they were finally home. And now they regretted living in a mansion, for the staircase would be a daily challenge. Thankfully, there was a guest room downstairs, which Snow insisted they make their temporary room and nursery for the first week or two— she knew what she was talking about.

Ruby was there, helping bring down some of the diapers and clothes they had up in the bedroom that would be the twins', after Snow called her to ask for some extra help. Belle was carrying Neal on her hip as they arranged the room to make it work properly for them on the meantime.

Snow kissed Emma and Regina on the forehead, apologizing because as much as she wanted to be there and help them, she had a small child who still needed her and was starting to believe Belle his real mother instead- she said it playfully.

Belle bit her lip sheepishly. She loved babies and couldn't help but spoil Neal whenever possible. Ruby had smiled but averted her eyes, because she didn't have the kind of magic Emma and Regina both had that made it possible to create life with each other. She wasn't blind; she noticed Belle longed for a family, but she wasn't sure she could give her one. Not unless they adopted, but they would have to be married for that, and suddenly she was stressed.

Was she truly ready to settle down and be an actual adult?
What if she ruined it, first year into their marriage?
What if Belle woke up one morning deciding she wanted a man instead?
What if Rumplestiltskin somehow came back and took her away?

Her damned brain was spitting at her so many reasons why Belle would leave her before she even got down on her knee, why expose herself? It was easier and safer to pretend she preferred being the cool auntie, getting only the part-time job and not the whole package you couldn't just ship back. She thought too low of herself and didn't believe herself fit enough.

After everybody left, Regina and Emma could relax some more, and changed into their camisole pajamas to be more comfortable. They at last had some privacy for their not-so-little family unit of four, and it was like a dream come true for them in different ways.

Emma had Regina's memories of raising Henry, and had gone through the photo albums so many times, the lines blurred between what she'd actually lived and what had been Regina's gift. But now she got to keep these babies and give them her best, see them grow before her eyes, and that was something that made her heart hurt but at the same time soar, because Henry could not have had a better mother than Regina to look after him. Not even at this point in life did Emma feel she could come close to being half the mother Regina was to their son. She was so thankful. Now she got to live it in the flesh to raise an infant with this wonderful woman together.

For Regina it was the surprise of her True Love with Emma, but also how they magically created these two very tiny and yet so perfect human beings that now sleep peacefully in their arms after being fed from their breast, which was also new to both mothers. All these novel sensations were impressive: life was a miracle on its own and they got to share it. It was like a fresh start over.

Henry had turned out such a good boy, but it had been hard a process. But any effort was worthy for the reward of seeing him truly happy and genuinely invested in helping out, not because he felt forced. They were so proud of their son, they smiled when after putting the twins down in their cribs to sleep, they found him asleep at the table, with two warm teacups on the side.

Emma kissed his hair and gently spoke his name into his ear to wake him up so he would go upstairs and have some rest in his bed. Regina added honey to the tea and leaned against the table as she sipped. Emma did the same, right beside her, and when they put the cups down she rounded Regina and stood before her; slowly cradled her face in her hands and kissed her gently, sweetly.

"You've made me the happiest woman on earth. Thank you," she told her.

Regina blinked out some tears, smiling. "I'd say you are the one who's made me the happiest I've ever been, or ever even dreamed to."

"I'm awesome like that." Emma grinned.

"Yes you are, silly." Regina pulled her into another kiss.

Things were escalating into a more passionate kiss when the soft wail of their babies reminded them it wasn't yet time for sexy times, and wouldn't be for a while; small price to pay in comparison to the great joy.


The day before

"We have to be back before nine, when Emma will crack the big question," Ruby said, keeping her eyes on the road ahead.

"That's certainly romantic, although... a little warped?"

"How so?" Ruby asked Belle curiously.

"She's proposing, but she already has the wedding set up, all their friends already there, and even the dress we're just about to pick up, not letting Regina choose for herself. Is it me or does she really have no room to say no and not be made feel uncomfortable for it, should things not go as planned? She has absolutely no say in all this." Belle twitched her lips. "I even feel guilty because I'm complicit."

"Wait. What? You think she might say no?"

Belle thought for a moment that wasn't very long. "Not really. But I don't think that's the point."

For Belle it had been a story of fighting to make her voice heard, though whatever choices she had been presented with, had always been warped, cornering her into taking a path that had been laid out for her regardless of her choice, not truly free. It was different for Regina and Emma but she couldn't detach her personal experience of living under the illusion of false happiness for a long time. She'd also shared True Love with Rumple, but they were not right for each other in the end. Not even True Love was a warranty for a Happy Ending.

"They share True Love, if that's not something special I don't know what is. And also pregnant, so…" Ruby was pensive for a moment short-lived. Shit. She totally forgot Belle and Rumple had once shared True Love, so she said the first thing that came to her mind. "I just can't imagine Regina not wanting to tie the knot with Emma, babes."

Belle squinted at her girlfriend. "Do you have feelings for her? And don't call me babes."

Ruby hit the breaks suddenly. It would have been dangerous if the road had had any traffic, but it was as lonely as a desert. They were still inside the town limits.

"The hell?! Where did that even come from? I don't— Belle. Are you… jealous?" Ruby looked at her with an amused smirk.

Belle made a pouty face. "No correlation. I'm simply making a very legit question, given how close and how subservient you are with the sheriff."

"Subservient? I'm not—Look, that's what friends do for each other. We help each other out; it's called being BFFs."

Belle let out a huff. "I guess I haven't had enough real friends- or any, to know the feeling. Usually people use me when convenient and then forget I exist. Like now," she muttered, "But that's not your fault. I'm sorry," she apologized.

"You don't have to be," Ruby took her hands in hers. "They're not using you. They trust your beautiful brain and want you to feel included. And I'm the one who's sorry if I've ever made you feel anything less than what you are in my life: my happy ending."

The words were out before Ruby had time to go over them and Belle looked at her with such big eyes she wasn't sure if she'd just shared too much and made her reconsider and want to jump out that car while she still can.

"Too soon?" Ruby chewed on her lip nervously.

"I don't know…" Belle blinked her eyes and turned to the window.

"You still wanna do this?" Ruby asked sadly. "We can turn around." And Ruby meant it in more ways than just the trip to help their friends.

Like I have a choice, Belle wanted to say, but felt it would be too cruel. She knew there would two messages.

"Yes, sure. We have a wedding to make happen," Belle smiled kindly, though she avoided meeting her eyes for the rest of the drive.

They only made a stop in the gas station to get some fuel, both for the car as for their empty bellies, and also to pee. And made it to the bridal shop at the scheduled time, being the first in the list to be attended. They'd made their appoint a month ago, when Emma started talking with them about her desire to make it official with Regina before the babies came.

Belle was wearing a fake pregnancy belly while she tried on the dresses she'd chosen online with the store's manager at the phone. They brought out three sizes and four different versions for the faux bride to try and choose from.

It was bizarre the real brides would not choose their own wedding dresses, unheard of, but the money was tangible and they treated Belle and Ruby like the real thing, and even offered Ruby a glass of wine while she watched her girlfriend try on the gowns, but they offered Belle water instead because for a moment they forgot she wasn't actually pregnant, and apologized and brought her a wine, too, after she complained.

Belle was a tad shorter than Emma and Regina, but Ruby was way too tall and thinner; it had to be her who tried them all on, and she also had great photographic memory and a keen mind to visualize the dresses in the corresponding bodies. She stood on a small box to give her the needed height and after almost three hours of going through the dresses she decided which were the closest fit, and also the style that would flatter the Queen and her Savior.

Both dresses were in pearly white, smooth and loose from under the bust and down to the skirt, but Emma's was strapless and had feathered accents on the bust and a belt of crystals under the breast, while Regina's had had Swarovski crystals from her neck to above her chest like a necklace, and another crystal belt under the bust. Both gowns were sleeveless and pretty comfortable, as they weren't intended to hide any excess weight, quite the contrary: they embellished their baby bumps with the light and flowy fabric.

Ruby looked at her in awe, finding her otherworldly beautiful, and imagining her with a belly of her own, made her warm inside, but then she remembered she should not fantasize about that. It was uncertain what the future holds for them.

She drank the remaining liquid from a gulp and pasted on a smile.

"The grand total would be $9,699.98. Your form of payment, Ms. French?"

"Holy shit, does that include the honeymoon or what?" Ruby was flabbergasted.

"That's actually a very good price, Ms. Lucas. You have Swarovski's. And those are two dresses. It was a bargain if I say so myself," the cashier justified, feeling mildly offended.

"We're paying cash, thank you," Belle responded.

The cashier was the one dumbfounded now. "Can you please give me a minute?"

"Sure," Belle nodded.

The girl came back with the manager and she took them to a private office to close the transaction.

"You didn't tell me Emma gave you ten grand to spend in New York," Ruby looked at her in disbelief. "How the heck does she have that kind of money?"

"It's not that much," Belle simply said.

"Are you serious?" Ruby looked at her like she was mad. "You royals really have no damn clue of the struggles of the poor."

Belle tightened her jaw, and shot her a glare. This trip had been a bad experience after the other with Ruby, but she may be right on this.

"Money shouldn't make your relationship to her any different. Or to me either."

"Huh? No, I didn't mean— shit. I'm fucking up everything today. Forget it."

They drove in silence back to Storybrooke, only stopping by to eat a subway, and continued to pretend the other didn't exist, though it wasn't really working.

They were back in town by six in the afternoon, having just enough time to take a shower and make themselves presentable for the wedding in time.

In Belle's mansion, Ruby felt even smaller than before. She hated coming here, to the place that had been her girlfriend's home with the Dark One, but she never told her before. Her ex-husband might be gone but the gloominess of the antiquated decoration was so Rumplestiltskin— even more so than the lingering scent of him in every wall and corner— it made Ruby feel he would come out the mirror any moment, and couldn't stand one more minute there.

Belle suddenly heard the door shut closed and saw Ruby through the window as she drove off. She sighed deeply.

Belle dried her hair, her tears, and began to apply concealer on. It may not be her day but she wouldn't be ruining someone else's, so she did her makeup the best she knew, curled up her hair into a romantic bun, and finally slipped inside a red velvet dress that hugged her curves, displaying peachy skin of her back in a sensual opening the dress had, framed by small crystals like a work of art. She slipped on her gold high heels and applied the red lipstick to finish the killer look.

Ruby had to drink some beer to stabilize and stop crying. Alcohol made her funny and she needed to be smiling for her best friend's big day.

She did her makeup more naturally for a change, accepting her grandmother's advice to not be so theatrical because she didn't have to prove anything to anyone other than herself: old Ruby wasn't her true character, it was time to find the real woman in the mirror and let her surface.

Ruby chose a long sleeve dress in blue lace, tight around her curves, and the skirt ended just above the knee. Lastly, she did her hair straight, and when she saw herself in the mirror saw how her blue irises popped up with the smokey silver shadow and the dress, and liked it more than the heavy winged eyeliner she would often use, and tried for a nude lipstick on - the same color of her pumps – and smiled to the reflection.

"Okay, let's do this. For Em."

Ruby called Belle to pick her up but she told her she would be meeting her in the restaurant, as her cab was almost there. Ruby deflated a little but accepted; it had been her who ran away without a word.

Ruby arrived first, and Snow beckoned her to hide in a booth from opposite where Emma and Regina would be having dinner. They'd put another of those lattice walls with plants to hide them away from their sight and asked Ruby to open the boxes and show her the dresses.

"Oh my gosh! They're perfect," Snow started tearing, but Ruby reminded her to save those tears for the big revelation and Snow nodded, smiling.

"What would I do without you?" Snow pulled her into her arms and hugged her.

"Well, the credit belongs fully to Belle actually."

"Right! Where is she? I want to thank her," Snow looked around.

Ruby saddened.

"You didn't come together?" Snow understood by the look in her friend's face that there might be trouble in paradise. "I'm so sorry. You guys looked so happy yesterday, I never would have imagined."

"Don't worry about it. I've also no idea what the f—hell happened."

They heard Lumiere greet someone effusively and turned to look if it wasn't Emma and Regina early, but it was someone else: Belle.

Lumiere had acceded to this complicated event because of his relationship to Belle in the fairytale land, where he and his wife, and their chef, had been part of the service crew in her castle. So when Ruby meant Belle was the one who deserved all the credit, she meant it. As much as Emma had planned this, it had been Belle who actually made it happen in more ways than one.

"Speaking of the devil…" Snow mumbled, and pushed Ruby forward so she got moving. "Go."

Ruby was super nervous, hands shaking and out of breath. Belle was so beautiful, like a goddess- Aphrodite in the flesh, and forgot she was upset.

After Belle and Lumiere finished kissing their cheeks in the air, the beauty in red turned to the side and saw Ruby. Her heart began drumming wildly inside her chest, and felt her stomach flutter as their gazes locked. Ruby was stunning. Belle took the last steps toward her and they nervously greeted, but instead of kissing their lips they awkwardly stopped mid-way and kissed each cheek in the air, like they were greeting any other acquaintance and not their partner.

"So… you look gorgeous," Ruby started.

"Thank you. You look stunning, too," Belle smiled.

They were looking into each other's eyes when Leroy interrupted.

"It's time! They're here!"

Everyone went to their assigned spots and started acting.

After some minutes, Emma and Regina emerged through the entrance. The valet parking had taken some extra time on purpose before taking their car, under the explanation the restaurant was full at the brim because there would be live music playing.

Regina had no idea what awaited her.

As godmothers, Belle chose their wedding present to be the beautiful rings free of charge. Emma had come to the shop to choose, expecting to pay for them, but was surprised she insisted she let them be her and Ruby's gift. Emma had joked if it wasn't her old rings and Belle felt deeply hurt, but she knew Emma was somewhat dumb with her mouth, like Ruby often was, and accepted her apology. She told Emma they had been part of a payment of a deal and had never been used. A landlord had paid a fortune to the Dark One to get rid of a dragon that had made one of his diamond mines his nest, the same dragon he sent to the land of King Midas; the one Charming would come to slay.

The big diamond rings looked like a million bucks, but Belle was unaffected. It was but a small scratch to the fortune she inherited from Rumple.

Regina had exchanged a look with Belle when Emma pushed the luxurious ring into her finger as they made their vows, and in her eyes she reflected the feeling of not deserving this from Belle, not after what she did to her, but Belle nodded as if telling her to forget that. It was a long time ago and they had moved on. It was better to learn forgiveness than live a life of resentment.

After Emma and Regina opened the dance, Belle and Ruby looked at each other nervously.

"May I have this dance?" Ruby asked her shyly, as though it was the first time they met.

"You may," Belle took her hand and they moved to the space they cleared in the center to make it the dance floor.

Gently, Ruby placed her hand in the small of Belle's back, carefully bringing her closer to her body as they began to sway slowly with the classical music. Belle put her right hand on her shoulder and bit her lip, nervous as their bodies came flush against one another. Ruby inhaled deeply, taking in Belle's perfume of roses, and when the music changed to another romantic waltz, she slipped her other hand down to rest on the small curve on her back together with the other.

"You smell so nice," she said in her ear.

Belle felt a shiver travel down her spine. "I like your perfume as well. Is it new?"

"M-hm," the brunette nodded, eyes closed as she breathed Belle in to etch this memory into her head.

"Today was a… rollercoaster," Belle told her, nervously, passing down some saliva.

"You are a rollercoaster," Ruby responded, locking her blue gaze in brown.

"Hmn. Then I'd like to apologize for not being the best of rides today," Belle smartly said.

Ruby had all sort of dirty thoughts involving riding, and the dress Belle had chosen was so sensual in an elegant way, she felt she would combust any moment if her girlfriend did as much as breathe deeply. Belle had chosen her favorite color- it meant alot.

"I can't think straight after you saying that," Ruby confessed with a smile, blushing lightly.

"I don't need you straight," Belle glanced down at nude lips, and licked her own red stained ones, "at all."

Ruby grinned. She leaned down and Belle got on her tiptoes, as not even with her high platform heels could she come close to her girlfriend's height. And when their lips touched, they gave into a deep kiss that lasted as long as the song, until the change of beat brought them back to the wedding party happening around them.

Snow had seen them from the corner of her eye as she danced with Charming, and smiled warmly, happy that they'd made up. Today should be a day to celebrate love and she was content she'd also seen Leroy take Nova out on the dance floor and share a kiss.

There was something in the ambient of Enchanté that made hearts bloom with renewed love. Even Henry was dancing with a classmate, Violet, shyly, after gathering his courage. And was it her imagination or was Blue actually dancing with Tinker Bell? Now that was new. As was new to see Archie holding Geppetto's hands sweetly, and August chatting up Regina's secretary.

Love was floating in the air, literally. But they were so immersed in dancing with the people they loved, they didn't take notice of the very thin layer of pale lavender mist suspended all around them. It was harmless, anyway.

When they got to Belle's house, Ruby's mind was nowhere near Rumple this time. Instead, all she could think of was to make sweet love to her.

They turned on the fire in the hearth in the library and resumed their kissing, slowly removing each other's clothes and leaving them on the floor as they made it to the divan near the window where Belle enjoyed reading. She closed the curtains and lie on the golden divan, her back on the pillows.

Ruby came atop, drinking in her nude image before kissing her lips again, moving to her neck and then her breasts, all while squeezing her thighs needy.

"You're so beautiful, you take my breath away," she said openly.

"So marry me and let me share my every breath with you," Belle took her by surprise. Even she was a little surprised but not really; she'd wanted to ask her for a couple of months now but never found the courage or the moment.

Ruby's face lit up. She didn't respond with words but she did with a big kiss. She peppered kisses all over her face and her neck until Belle asked again.

"Is that a yes?" She smiled.

"Yes!"

Ruby continued kissing all of her body, and eventually made it to between her legs and licked and sucked and pushed and pulled until Belle was crying in ecstasy as she reached her orgasm. Then they moved over to a thick rug with pillows in the floor before the hearth and Belle was on top now, though turned opposite so her sex was on Ruby's face as Ruby's was on hers to please each other simultaneously.

Beauty and the Beast made love until they fell asleep wrapped in one another under a quilt that covered their bodies from the chill of night.