His eyes widened as he looked at her properly. His face couldn't decide wither to smile or frown. His heart was racing; this beautiful thing couldn't be his. His heart was beginning to race and he was afraid of what he'd do until he felt something soft brush off his hand. He looked down just in time to see the small child reach up again and grasp his ring finger as tightly as her tiny hand would allow, and suddenly everything was alright. His mind cleared and his heart rate evened out. His world narrowed and suddenly the only thing that mattered or made sense was the blue eyed beauty he was looking at.

"She is perfect." He whispered after what felt like an age. Belle reached down and ran her hand down his head, resting it against his cheek as he leaned into it.

"you will never know how happy I am to see you." She said as he turned his head to kiss her palm

"Oh believe me I may have some idea."

They stayed like that, almost frozen in time for an age, yet it still didn't feel long enough.

"I have to ask..." He said breaking the silence, suddenly she saw fear in his eyes. "...will he talk to me?" a slight smile graced her lips.

"Oh yes! Of course." She said hoping to ease his worries, when the frowns on his face only deepened she spoke again. "he has told Rose all about you. About what you did for us all"

"he did?" She smiled wider at him. This was the man she'd fallen in love with, the man behind the dark one.

"Go and talk to him." He stood up slowly, legs still weak under him. "I'll come with you." She said standing up. "Let me just settle this one... Rumple you have to let her go." A light laugh escaped her. He was still stroking her soft hand.

"I never want to leave her go."

"Well you can deal with her when she's over tired then." Giving up he placed a kiss on the child's head and let go.

It startled her just how weak he was, how much he had to lean on her as they went down the stairs. She wanted to know everything, what he'd gone through, what had happened. But she knew he would tell her when he was able. Right now he needed to see his son.

He stopped at the bottom of the staircase and turned to look at her, without saying a word he took her face in his hands and kissed her softly. Her knees weakened as she physically felt a weight lifting off her. He was back.

The chaise was far from comfortable, but he couldn't bring himself to move to his room. He was much closer to his father's room here. Knowing he was just at the top of the stairs made everything more bearable. His eyes shot open when he heard the faint noise. Sitting up he reached for his sword immediately.

"Bae it's just us!" he spun around and dropped it again.

"Papa!" he whispered stepping towards the pair in front of him.

"Baelfire" Rumplestiltskin grinned and slowly let go of Belle's arm to make his way towards his son.

"Oh Papa." He half ran the last few paces into his father's arms. The two men sank into each other's embrace, finally letting the years melt away.

"I've missed you son." He said barely audibly. Belle slipped back up the stairs to the nursery leaving them to it.

"You finally did it. You chose me over magic." Baelfire said into his father's shoulder.

"I'm sorry it took so long." His son just looked at him. A mixture of emotions washing over his face.

"So you finally gave me the younger sibling I asked for." He said offering his arm as they walked back towards the chairs.

"I can't believe it. I feel I may be dreaming."

"Rosie is perfect. Everyone has fallen in love with her."
"That'll be her mother shining through." He nodded sitting down.

"I woke up and I was back where it began, where I first took the dark ones powers." He said taking another drink from his goblet, the wine slowly strengthening him. He smiled as Belle took his arm, her chair pulled right up next to his.

"It must have been the act of sacrifice. It saved you. Gave you another chance." Blue said from across the table.

"It left me weak and disorientated too. It was weeks before I had the strength to move from there, and weeks again before I remembered anything." Her grip on his arm tightened. "but it left me alive"

"how did you get here?" Belle whispered.

"I went to the dark castle first. This was my second guess."

"How did you get through the protection spells?" Snow asked, voicing the question on so many of their minds.

"that, I do not know. Obviously I did not get through unscathed." They all nodded.

"Baelfire and Rose..." Blue said after a second of silence. Belle frowned at her.

"What?"

"It must have picked up on the bond between you too. And allowed you through. Unless you used a spell..." she continued

"I have no magic in me dearie. So strike that."

"No magic?" Bae chipped in.

"whatsoever."

"It must have been your children then."

"My children." His eyes widened. "And what warrants the mass of protection spells around this castlte."

"The Wicked Witch is coming. We've seen flying monkeys scouting the area." A voice said from the door of the meeting room.

"Ah Regina. Good to see you." He smiled.

"And you Rumplestiltskin." She nodded and took the last empty seat.

"What have you done to draw her on you. I thought the portals to Oz were long lost."

"It seems while we were away she found them again, and she wants the Enchanted Forest to herself." Charming said.

"What's the plan..."

"I think the plan can wait until tomorrow morning. It's time everyone got some sleep." Belle said studying him intently.