Author's Note: This chapter is filled with lovely fluffy moments as well as some legit moments. I hope you enjoy all the Rumbelle!
Chapter 9: Seasons Change; Feelings Grow
Things got very interesting for Belle after having tea with Gold that second time. People that wouldn't give her a second glance any other day were suddenly staring at her like she was some sort of circus freak. Adam picked up on it too and asked about it, but Belle didn't have an answer. She was sort of confused herself. Regina even came by to try and get a rise out of her. "Belle, dear, you wouldn't believe the rumors that are going around!" The mayor exclaimed one day in the library. "Surly they can't be true."
For once, being friends with the town gossip had its perks. Ruby finally spilled and told her that people thought she was sleeping with Gold. Belle had been absolutely furious, but she forced herself to remain calm. She was a grown woman and what she did was none of their business. The librarian just arched an eyebrow at the other woman and snorted some. "I don't see how it's any of your business one way or the other, Madam Mayor." She said coolly. "But for the record, no they're not true."
Regina's eyes went a little cold and her stance became slightly defensive. She was used to people being fooled by her, or at the very least being afraid of her. The fact the librarian was neither made her irritated. Regina already had to contend with Gold; she didn't want to have to deal with this woman either. "I was just concerned, Belle. You are a rather important member of this town now. I would hate for your reputation to take a hit because you are associating with people you shouldn't be."
Belle just laughed some and shook her head, leaning against the counter. "It seems to me like the only person in this town that isn't worried about my reputation is me." She pointed out. "How about we do this: you let me worry about me and mine, and you worry about you and yours. I have no desire to get in the middle of anything that doesn't directly concern me or my son. Do we understand each other?"
Again, Regina's eyes flashed and she clenched her jaw some before giving Belle a tight lipped smile. "Oh we understand each other perfectly, Miss Hayes."
Soon after that little chat, the stipend for the library was cut off. Belle was livid, but Regina just cited budget cuts and dismissed Belle like she was a particularly irritating servant. Determined to make ends meet on her own, Belle started to take more shifts at the diner and even asked Mr. Gold if she could work at his shop on the weekends. Gold was the only one in town that could really spare the money she would need to keep everything afloat in her life. It didn't take long for Gold to figure out what was really going on though.
"You could have just told me you know." Rodric said while watching Belle sweep up the shop. It was a Saturday about two weeks after the stipend was cut off.
Belle didn't even pause. "What are you talking about?" she asked absentmindedly. Her mind was going in so many different directions that she was doing good to actually listen to what he was saying.
Gold just snorted some and went back to polishing a piece of silverware. "Regina being Regina." He clarified. "You could have told me she cut off the library stipend. That puts her in violation of the contract she signed. Technically, you're not responsible for a dime."
A sigh escaped Belle's lips as she stopped sweeping and looked over at Gold. "I know that, but still it pisses me off. I've dealt with women like her my whole life! Always in my business telling me what I should be doing or who I should be with. What I should be doing to keep my man happy, or saying that I was just over exaggerating despite the bruises and cuts." A bitterness crept into her voice that Rodric never heard before. He didn't like the haunted look in her eyes either so he stepped around the counter to stand in front of her.
"It's alright, dearie." Gold said quietly, reaching out to touch her shoulder gently. "There are people like her all over the world."
Belle almost flinched at the touch of his hand, but she forced herself to relax. It was just Rodric. He wasn't Devin. He wouldn't hurt her. "I know. I was just hoping to avoid those types of people for a while longer." She looked up at him before she forced a smile and put her hand lightly on his arm. "I'll be okay. Everything is just piling on."
Rodric pulled her into a gentle hug and smiled some. "Well don't kill yourself working for the library stipend. I'll get that out of Regina in due time. Just take off and enjoy the day with your boy alright?"
The overworked mother relaxed for the first time in what felt like weeks. She buried her face into Rodric's chest without really even thinking about it and breathed in his scent. He smelled like the shop, antique and slightly musty, but there was a hint of cologne that made Belle think of the pine trees back home. Everything just sort of melted away in his arms, but him clearing his throat brought her back to reality with surprising force. She all but jumped away from him and her face went a rather dark shade of red. "Sorry." Belle said quickly. "I just… Well it's been a rough couple of weeks and… yeah…" She trailed off awkwardly, suddenly feeling like a silly teenage girl.
Gold just chuckled some and nodded. "I understand." He said softly. And he did too. Sometimes human contact was required to get through the day. Rodric had forgotten that until Belle held his hand almost three weeks ago. Since then he did everything he could to steal small touches from her, be it a brush of the hand or a slight nudge with an arm. He would stop by the library for tea, or Belle would bring Adam by the pawnshop to let him look at old toys. One day they even went on a picnic in the park, just the three of them. Adam loved it and he asked all kinds of questions about Scotland and sheep farming. The boy was curious by nature just like his mother. Rodric found himself growing rather fond of the child.
And so summer passed. There were more picnics and tea times, even a dinner at Belle's apartment. The older lawyer and the single mother were definitely becoming more than friends. The oncoming fall only served to strengthen that connection. The cold and wet made it hard for Gold to walk so he would come over to the library nearly every day for some of Belle's grandmother's tea, and if the day was particularly bad, she would bring it over to him. Adam asked about the injury one day and was content with the answer he got. He thought Mr. Gold was brave for fighting in a war and even told him so.
The first snow fall was an enchanting time for everyone in the town, but more so for Belle and Adam. "You guys have seriously never seen snow before!?" Ruby squeaked. "You've got to be kidding me!"
"I've seen snow, but I was little and we went to the mountains for a vacation." Belle explained, looking around with the same look of wonder that Adam had on his face. "Even then it wasn't this much."
"Mama, can we build a snowman!?" Adam asked, bouncing like a hyped up Yorkshire Terrier. "Please!? We can build one for Mr. Gold!" Rodric had taken to his house for the winter. It was something that was normal according to Ruby, but Belle found it a little sad. He said it was because of his leg, but Belle didn't buy that completely.
Belle smiled down at her son and pulled his scarf a little tighter around him so he would stay warm. "You know what? I think that's a great idea." She said lightly. "Wanna help, Ruby?" she asked.
Ruby snorted. "No thanks. You two have fun, I'll be waiting in the warmth with hot chocolate."
"Party pooper!" Adam called out lightly. "Come on, Mama!" He started for Mr. Gold's house, laughing more and more as the snow continued to fall. Belle was almost crying by the time they got to the pink Victorian style mini mansion. The last time she saw Adam this happy was when he was only a baby and didn't know a thing about the world. It was like the snow finally allowed him to be the kid he should have been all along. Belle quickly got herself together and started to help her son build the snow man. They both agreed that it would be best to show Mr. Gold after it was done, that way it would be a surprise. Of course the first one was so much fun to build that Adam insisted they make a second and then a third. The tallest one ended up having a branch cane, the second tallest one wore Belle's bright blue scarf and the shortest one earned Adam's hat.
Adam dashed to the door and knocked on it, leaving Belle to come up the steps of the porch, still brushing the snow out of her hair.
Gold grumbled at the disturbance and slowly made his way downstairs. "This had better be…" He started out growling, but then he blinked at Adam and Belle as they stood on his porch. "Well.. Hello." Rodric finished. He went from irritated to confused in less than half a second. "What are you two doing here?"
"It's snowing!" Adam said brightly. "Me and mama made you snowmen! See look! It's you and me and Mama."
Belle just smiled softly at her son, trying to keep from crying again. God her kid looked so happy. She would give anything in the world for him to be like this all year long.
Gold stepped onto the porch and his face instantly went blank to hide the shock he was feeling. It was nothing personal. After years of hiding his emotions it was just reflex. "They're… They're lovely." Rodric said quietly.
Adam's smile dropped a little and his eyes flickered to his mother before he looked back at Mr. Gold. He was kind of hoping for a different response. "You like them right?" He asked; his voice wavering some.
Rodric blinked and quickly gave the boy a small smile. "Of course I do." He said. "It's just been a long time since I've seen snowmen as well built as those. You're quite the natural, lad."
The smile returned brighter than before and Adam dashed off the porch to stand by the snowmen. "So you like them then!?" He called out while he spun around in the snow.
"Aye, that I do." Rodric called out to him, moving so he was standing closer to Belle. The boy playing in the snow brought back so many memories of his own childhood and the brief joy his own son brought him. It was a bit much to take. "Perhaps you'd like to come in for some tea since you're already here." Gold said to Belle, while watching Adam spin.
Belle smiled softly at him and shrugged some. "Yeah, I'd like that." She said. "But first…" The woman grinned and nudged him before skipping off the porch and running over to grab her son, picking him up and spinning him around quickly.
Adam squealed in laughter and Belle joined him before they both fell into the snow, dissolving into a massive fit of giggles. Gold watched them play in the snow while long dead emotions bubbled to the surface. Well they weren't that long dead; he just hated it when they came up. Bae loved the snow. He would always beg Rodric to play with him and no matter how badly his knee was hurting Gold would play with his son. Milah complained constantly when winter hit and she would never have played in the snow with their boy. Watching Belle with Adam made him wish Bae had a mother like her. Watching Belle with Adam made him wish a lot of things. Rodric looked down and was turning to go back inside when something hit him in the shoulder. He smirked as snow exploded around him before he turned back, seeing a rather impish grin on the little boy's face. "Play with us!" Adam squeaked. "Please!"
Gold stared at Adam and had a flash of Bae's smiling face asking the same question. He was moving towards the yard before he could even speak. "Maybe for a bit." He said, making his way carefully down the steps. "I'm old, lad, remember that."
"You're not old!" Adam said brightly, tossing a snowball at Belle this time, laughing.
Belle giggled and tossed a snowball back at her son before smiling and throwing one at Gold. "Not that old anyway." She teased.
Rodric snorted and threw a snowball, hitting Belle in the face with it. "Guess you're right. My aim is still pretty good."
Adam laughed as his mother sputtered and glared at Gold and before long, the snowball fight was on. Gold could still move despite his leg, but Belle and Adam had youth and unhindered legs on their side. By the time it was dark, Rodric's leg was screaming at him and he had to lean on Belle and his cane to get inside. Adam opened the door to the house and went to the kitchen. "Where's your kettle, Mr. Gold?"
Rodric followed the boy with his gaze and smiled a little as Belle helped him sit on the couch. "On the stove."
Adam went quiet, staring at the stove for a moment before fighting back a shiver and getting a chair. The stove wasn't on. It couldn't hurt him. He was going to be brave like his mom. "I've got it."
Belle made sure Gold was settled on the couch before going to help Adam put water in the kettle. "I'm proud of you, kid." She said softly. This was the first time he ever willingly went near a stove in months.
"I have to be brave." Adam said as if it were an obvious thing.
"Yeah? Why's that?" Belle asked him.
The little boy just smiled some and shrugged. "Because you are. I want to be brave like you and Mr. Gold."
Rodric's eyes widened a fraction as his head snapped towards the kitchen. He couldn't have possibly heard that correctly. Why in the hell would that sweet kid want to be anything like him? It shocked him, and humbled him greatly. Yeah, he had the money and the house, the fear and the respect, but to be admired by a child was something that Gold was deprived of until that moment.
Belle smiled and kissed the top of Adam's head. "I love you, baby." She whispered softly.
"Love you too, Mama." Adam said before hopping off the stool and going into the living room to keep Mr. Gold company. The stove was on now and he wasn't quite that brave yet. While the boys were waiting for the tea to be made, Adam quizzed Gold on Scotland some more and also about all the stuff that he had in his house. "It's like your shop in here. Why do you have so much stuff?"
"Makes the house feel smaller I suppose." Gold answered truthfully. He had never really given the matter much thought though. Leave it to kids to bring up simple questions that rearranged someone's entire way of thinking.
Adam looked at him like he was absolutely mad. "Why not just get a smaller house then? Stuff doesn't make you happy. Well unless that stuff is books. Books can make you happy. They make me and Mama happy anyway. She would always read to me, even when my dad was being mean to us." Adam looked down for a moment before looking back at Rodric. "You're not going to be mean to us like he was, are you?" he asked.
Mr. Gold was struck dumb once again by this kid. He must have been getting older than he thought. Or maybe he just was unfamiliar with how frank children could be. He was betting on the latter. "No." Rodric said sincerely. "I won't be mean to you or your mother like he was."
"Good." Adam said, looking back at the kitchen before turning to Gold again and leaning close. "Cause I like it here." He whispered. "I don't want to move away again."
Rodric just smiled and ruffled up Adam's hair. He had no idea what to say to the child. At five years old he had already been through so much and yet all he wanted to do was smile and live a normal life. Adam wasn't jaded yet, not like he was and Gold wanted to make sure that Adam would get his happy life. It sort of surprised Rodric when he realized that he didn't want Adam and Belle to move away either. He wanted them to stay… with him…
Belle came in with a tray full of tea, milk and cookies before she went to Gold's fire place and started it up. "It's a bit late for cookies, but I figure you'll be tired soon anyway so I don't have much to worry about." She teased Adam.
The kid just laughed and munched happily on the cookies while he cuddled up against his mom. He was warm and safe and happy, things that until recently were sort of foreign to him. Adam really did like it in Storybrooke. Things were so different here. Things were better here. Hopefully they would never have to go back to Georgia. The boy's eyes closed as he watched the fire dance and before long, he was fast asleep.
Mr. Gold couldn't help but laugh softly when he noticed Adam go limp beside his mother. "You were right. He's out." He said quietly.
Belle smiled down at her child and then looked over at Gold. "You should have seen him when the snow first started to fall. It was like nothing else in the world mattered. He was finally able to be the kid he was always supposed to be."
"Snow does tend to bring out the children in all of us." Rodric teased. "Though I will admit, I haven't played in the snow since Bae…" His eyes grew pained and he trailed off, looking down at the chipped cup he was drinking from. "Anyway…" Gold shrugged and went silent.
"That's the real reason you hide out in the winter isn't it?" Belle asked softly. "So you don't have to see the snow and remember him."
Gold clenched his jaw a little and just gave a slow nod. "Bae loved the snow." He whispered. "It was always snowing on his birthday… We would play in it for hours." Rodric looked to Adam and tears formed in his dark brown eyes. "Hearing him laugh today… It was like Bae being alive again. If only for a moment."
Belle touched Gold's hand softly and looked into his eyes. "It's your memories that keep him alive, Rodric." She said softly. After a moment she squeezed his hand softly and smiled gently. "I'm sure he would have grown to be a great man with a father like you."
"I don't know about all that, dearie." Gold said with his typical sarcasm. "I'm hardly a man to be admired."
"Adam thinks you are, and believe me he'd know." The young mother said, looking down at her boy. "He's always been a good judge of character. Even when he was a baby he would always cry if Devin held him. It didn't matter what mood he was in beforehand; as soon as Devin held him, he got upset. It was the same way with some of the old biddies in town too." Belle smiled some. "Course that was just my bad influence rubbing off on him." She rolled her eyes and played with Adam's hair softly. "Anyway, I should be getting him home." Belle got up and picked up her son.
Gold stood faster than he probably should have, but he bit back the pain and put on a tense smile. "You shouldn't walk in the weather. You could always stay in one of my guest rooms. Or.. Or I could drive you back. Whichever you prefer." He added hastily.
Belle smiled softly at Gold and looked down at her sleeping son. "Well… I suppose we could stay the night. It wouldn't hurt anything too badly I trust."
"Of course not." Gold said simply. "I'd be honored if you two would be my guests. It's been quite some time since I've had enjoyable company."
They stayed the night at Gold's house, and spent the majority of the winter there as well. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years were also spent at Gold's house so he wouldn't have to risk falling in the snow. Belle found herself growing more and more attached to the older man, and it got to the point where seeing them together was no longer gossip worthy. Of course it still pissed Regina off to no end, but she hardly cared. All Belle knew for sure was that she had not been this happy in years and she didn't want it to stop.
When the snow started to thaw, Belle began drawing up plans for a nice little garden to put out in front of the library. Maybe some roses and daisies and other such flowers; she wasn't quite sure yet. Ruby was helping her. "Holy crap!" Ruby exclaimed. "You've been here almost a year!"
Belle blinked, thought about it, and her eyes widened. "Wow… You're right. It has been a year. It feels like so much longer, but it also feels like I just rolled into town yesterday."
"Who would have thought that you'd be the librarian and dating the most powerful man in town?" Ruby teased. "You sure know how to upgrade." The waitress still wasn't overly fond of Mr. Gold given that he was still undeniably rude, but for some reason he made her friend happy and he was nice to her kid so she decided to give him a chance. A small teeny tiny chance.
"I still wouldn't say we were dating." Belle said diplomatically. "We're just…close."
Ruby snorted. "Yeah right, you're totally dating. You spent the holidays with him! He bought you and Adam Christmas presents. You kissed on New Years!"
"On the cheek!" Belle protested. "And I bought him a present too." Granted it had been a pocket watch from his own shop, but whatever.
"Still, Gold doesn't do holidays and yet you single handedly seemed to change his mind. And you seem happier for it too." Ruby noted.
The librarian smiled softly as she looked down at the paper and shrugged. "I will admit, it's nice being around a man that doesn't want to kill me." She said quietly. "And you should see how he is with Adam. It is absolutely precious."
"I doubt he would show that side to anyone else around here." Ruby said before gathering her bag. "Anyway, I have to take off. Tell your boyfriend I said hi."
Belle rolled her eyes. "He isn't my boyfriend." That term sounded so juvenile to her. Besides they were just friends. What the hell would a successful older man want with a single mom that only graduated high school? She shook her head some before she went to get Adam from school.
As always, Adam wanted to go to Gold's Shop to see if there was anything new to see. Belle assured him that there probably wasn't, but the boy remained adamant that he wanted to see Mr. Gold. So they went and talked for a few hours before they all decided to go back to Belle's apartment for dinner. It was a small meal like always, but Gold didn't seem to mind. The cozy setting and warm atmosphere was so much more important to him. Rodric loved Belle and Adam. He knew that since the day they made the snowmen for him and stayed the night in his home. Gold just didn't know how or when he should tell her or if she even felt the same way. Rodric hadn't exactly been courting her openly, but in his own subtle ways he was. He left her flowers, left books for her, got Adam to help him pick out Christmas gifts she would like. Maybe he should be more direct. Maybe he would build up to that. Their friendship was more than enough for now.
Belle cleaned the kitchen while she talked to Rodric and Adam. This was how it was supposed to be, she was sure of it. A man that cared about her and her boy and he would not lay a hand on them. It relaxed her to her very soul to be around Gold. She didn't have to walk on broken glass to be perfect for him and he was so appreciative of even small gestures of kindness. Maybe she loved him. The thought shocked her to her core. After Devin, she was sure she would never love again, but Gold made her change her mind. For once in a long time, Belle felt like she was deserving of a man's love. She didn't know how to feel about it really, but she knew she didn't want it to stop.
With Adam in bed and the house clean, Belle and Gold went downstairs to the library to say goodnight. "I had a lovely time." Gold said. "As always your cooking is amazing."
"Well thank you. I do appreciate that." Belle said, looking up at him. For some reason she couldn't take her eyes off his lips. She thought about kissing him for awhile, but she didn't want to be too forward. Sadly, Gold was having the same fears. They stared at each other in silence for the longest time before Belle dropped her eyes first. "Well… Good night." She said quietly, her hand going to the door so she could open it for him.
Before he could talk himself out of it, Rodric leaned down and captured her lips with his. Lava coursed through his veins. She tasted like honey and sunlight, pure happiness and everything good in this world.
Belle gasped softly, but she kissed him back, her fingers going into his soft hair. He tasted like he smelled, antique shop and pine trees. She liked it though and wanted more, but she pulled away before it could get too much. There was a light in her eyes that was mirrored in Gold's. Oh they were so much more than friends now, and both of them finally realized it. "Good night." Gold said softly, kissing her forehead chastely. He still couldn't quite say that he loved her yet without feeling like he was springing it on her.
"Good night." Belle whispered, opening the door for him. She stepped out into the night with him and watched as he walked towards his car with a dreamy smile on her face. The love struck woman was so wrapped up in her thoughts as she turned back towards the library that the battered blue car on the other side of the road did not even register in her mind. It was official though. Belle was in love.
Be prepared. It's about to get real.
