Disclaimer: The wedding vows are the same as on the show (okay, I toyed with them a little bit) and are copyright © ABC/Disney. Anything taken directly from the script is in italics. This is a short chapter but the next one is very SMUTTY.

It wasn't long after nightfall that Belle and Rumplestiltskin stood together in front of the large picture window in the library to say their vows.

"Rumplestiltskin, this love that we have, it's never been easy but I've spent my life finding you." Belle held his gaze as he held her hands in his own. "The monster's gone. The man beneath him may be flawed, but we all are. And I love you for it. Sometimes the best book has the dustiest jacket and sometimes the best teacup is chipped. I vow to love you... in this world and the next."

The small hunched over old minister nodded at Rumple to let him know that it was his turn to speak.

Blinking away the tears that had gathered at Belle's vows, Rumple cleared his throat and began to speak his own, "Belle, when we met, I wasn't just unloved and unloving, I was an enemy of love. Love had only brought me pain. My walls were up, but you broke them down. You brought me home. You brought light to my life and chased away the distance between what I was and what I am. I owe more to you than I can ever say. How you can see the man behind the monster, I will never know but I'll be forever grateful."

The minister turned to Belle. "Do you, Belle, take this man, Rumplestiltskin to be your wedded husband?"

"I will." She smiled as a single tear made its way down her cheek.

The minister turned to Rumple. "Do you, Rumplestiltskin, take this woman, Belle, to be your wedded wife?"

"Of course, I will." He gave her hands a gentle squeeze.

"Than I now pronounce you, man and wife. You may kiss your bride."

Rumple wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer as Belle wrapped her arms around his neck. Leaning down, he took her lips in a kiss that went on so long that the poor old minister had to clear his throat to remind them that he was still in the room.

Reluctantly pulling away from his new bride, Rumple walked the minister to the castle doors. "Thank you," he passed the tiny little man a sack of coins.

"Oh, you're most welcome... Dark One."

Rumple's surprise must have shown on his face.

"I'm old, I'm not stupid, my boy." The minister chuckled as he pocketed the sack of coins. "Not to mention... your vows weren't what one would call subtle." The old man was way more observant than Rumple had given him credit for.

"Your secret is safe with me, dear boy." The minister pulled on his traveling cloak. "Go and enjoy married life." He winked before taking his leave of the castle.

Now that was a piece of advice that Rumplestiltskin fully intended to heed.