a/n: Thanks everyone for reading and reviewing this story! We really enjoy reading your reviews. It has been so fun to write. There will be one more chapter after this, an epilogue, that I will post after Christmas. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas or Happy Holiday :)
Slowly, Gold followed along behind Belle, feeling more nervous and uncomfortable than ever. So she wanted to see her father…it shouldn't have surprised him, but it did. Especially since it was a spur of the moment decision.
But that wasn't what was making him feel anxious. No…he had no idea how Maurice was going to react, especially when he learned of his and Belle's engagement. And he really hadn't had any time to prepare himself for this meeting.
Before they entered the shop, Belle turned to Adam with a pleading look, having come to her senses. "For my father's and my sake, let's pretend what happened today didn't happen. Today is just another day and I am nothing but your maid. Okay? I don't want him freaking out. But I promise to tell him another day."
Although he agreed that was a good idea, he couldn't help but feel a little hurt that she didn't want to tell her father of their relationship right away. Briefly he considered she might not sincerely want to marry him, but quickly his dismissed those thoughts. It was no secret that Maurice hated him. Everyone in town hated him. Belle was only trying to ensure their Christmas wouldn't be ruined.
He gave her a small nod. "As you wish."
Stepping over to the side, he remained out of direct sight, so Maurice could only see his daughter when he answered the door. He didn't want to sour the mood right off the bat.
After giving him a loving smile to make sure he didn't take her words the wrong way, she put down the box of toys and lifted her hand to knock on the door, loud enough for her father to hear. Nervousness fluttered around in her stomach as she waited for her father to answer. Of course his shop was closed today. It was the holidays.
The girl couldn't help the ache she felt in her chest from not being able to proclaim her love for Adam to everyone. Plus, he probably didn't want people knowing. It would no doubt taint his reputation.
Maurice was inside fixing a bite to eat when he heard the knock at the door. He furrowed his brows in confusion, but only assumed it was a customer. "We're closed!" he called out loud enough for the patron to hear, but didn't go over to the door.
Belle frowned a little when she heard him deny her, her heart aching. Lifting her hand, she knocked again and this time spoke up. "Papa! It's me!" she called out, hoping he would hear her. "I need to get some flowers and there is no other place in town!" she continued, praying that he wasn't still mad at her for leaving with Adam to be his maid and not listening to him.
Maurice dropped the loaf of bread he was holding when he heard the voice at the door…the voice he would know anywhere. "Belle?" he questioned aloud. No it couldn't be…could it?
Coming out of his stupor, he rushed over to the door, undid the locks, and opened it to find Belle standing there at the threshold. Briefly his mouth hung open in shock…his mind trying to tell himself that his eyes were playing tricks on him, but no, there she was. Belle, his Belle. A giant smile formed on his face and he didn't wait another moment to grab her and pull her into a hug, squeezing her tight, not ever wanting to let go. "Oh Belle! Belle! Belle! I can't believe it!"
Belle smiled when she saw him open the door, hoping that he would not slam it back onto her face. When he pulled her into a hug, she eagerly hugged him back, her chest aching with how much she had missed her father. But she hoped he didn't think she was coming back for good. She had said that she needed to buy flowers. "I can't stay for too long, but I have someone who needs a poinsettia and said I could come along to see you." She really wanted to tell her father about the engagement, but she worried he would think the wrong thing and call her a whore.
Maurice pulled back from the hug, but did not release her. He heard what she said, but at the moment he was too overtaken by the euphoria of seeing his daughter again. "Oh, Belle, just let me look at you," he said as he continued to stare at her in disbelief. "I still can't believe it…but how…how did you get away? That monster has never let you come visit me before…"
Adam rolled his eyes when he heard Maurice and decided to step out of the shadows before the man could say something else that would only make the situation worse. Coming up right behind Belle, he placed both hands atop his cane. "That monster, is standing right here," he said with an emotionless face. He was going to try as hard as he could to be nice to the man-after all he hadn't done anything yet that earned his hostility.
Belle smiled up at her father, blue eyes gleaming with happiness. That was until she heard her father call Adam a monster. Her smile faltered and she couldn't stop from stepping back a little. "Papa.. I..." This was why she was afraid of telling him about the engagement. But another part of her wanted to step back, wrap her arms around Gold and confess to her father about their love.
"Papa, he is not a monster and I am only here to visit."
Maurice looked between Belle and Gold, taken completely by surprise. He didn't realize Gold was there with Belle. All of a sudden he wasn't sure what to do, what to say, or how to act. What did this man want from him? Why after three years had he shown up on his doorstep on Christmas Day no less? He never allowed Belle to visit…EVER.
"Belle…I don't understand…" he said in dismay.
Belle bit her bottom lip and looked down for a moment before glancing back at Gold, silently begging him with her eyes to help. She didn't know what to say anymore. She didn't know what to tell her father. Especially since it seemed like he was all alone on Christmas. Maybe she should tell him the truth and invite him to the Nolans'? Now that Adam was supplying some more food and toys, there would be plenty for everyone.
Gold saw Belle's plea for help and spoke up. "Well as your daughter has informed you a few times now, we are here for poinsettias. That is if you still have any in stock?"
Maurice stared at Gold wide-eyed and unsure, not accustomed to interacting with Gold…not since the day Belle left. And she was back now…or he had thought she was back, but it was clear she wasn't. Why would Gold do this? Was this some cruel joke? Was he here just to dangle his daughter around in front of him for a little while before he snatched her away again for a few more years?
He sighed and motioned for the two to come inside. "I have a few left in the back."
Belle let out a quiet sigh of relief when she heard her father say that he still had some of the flowers in stock. Walking in first, she stayed by her father before she lead Gold to where she remembered the poinsettias being. When they were alone for those few moments, she whispered a quiet thank you to him before walking back over to her father. "I'm sorry I have been unable to visit, Papa. But Ad… Mr. Gold and I have… um... Worked something out so I should be able to see you more often,"she told him with a smile, hoping it would cheer him up.
"Really?" He questioned, not sure if he believed her. He didn't want to get his hopes up only to have that monster snatch them away. He glanced over at Gold who had his back to them.
Gold was trying focus on picking out a flower, wanting to get out of the shop as soon as possible. He was beginning to feel like this was a mistake. If they left now, he could let Belle come back alone.
"How did you manage that?" Maurice asked looking back at his daughter.
Belle's hands began to get too warm as they stood in the heated flower shop. It was the only part of the entire building that got any heat. Biting her lip, she tried to think of a way to explain to her father the truth but to skip around the parts that would scare or upset him. "Well, I guess you could say we made an agreement of sorts." As she spoke, she took off her gloves so that her hands wouldn't sweat.
An agreement? Oh gods…he hoped Belle hadn't done anything against her will. That man had already taken advantage of Belle enough. Maurice opened up his mouth to ask her something else, when the glimmer of something caught his eye, causing him to look down. Then he saw it…it was unmistakable there on her left ring finger…a large diamond ring…but that could only mean one thing… He gasped, stumbling backwards a few steps before he looked at Belle pleadingly. "Belle, please tell me it isn't so!" he exclaimed, pointing at her finger.
Belle looked at her father extremely confused when he began to suddenly stumble backwards and panic over something. What he was panicking over, she had no idea. Or at least she didn't until he pointed at her hand and reminded her of the ring that was on her finger.
Belle cursed under her breath before she lifted her right hand and placed it on her father's shoulder, trying to steady him. "Papa, it's not what you think. I mean, it kind of is, but it is not as terrible as you are assuming. He is not forcing me to do anything, okay? Calm down. I can explain myself if you just calm down."
Maurice's bottom lip trembled as he tried to remain calm and not have a panic attack. No this couldn't be so. Belle and that man… No. They couldn't be engaged…they just couldn't. The thought of it was starting to make him feel faint. "I…need to…sit down," he stuttered out not looking directly at Belle as he spoke.
Belle nodded her head and led her father over to the steps, that being the closest thing. Helping him sit, she stepped back and took a few deep breaths. "Okay… What I need you to know, is that this is not another deal that I made with him. I said yes to the engagement because… Well… Because I love him… And he loves me." She glanced over at Adam before looking back at her father. "Papa… Please don't hate me."
Gold glanced over at Belle at her father from across the shop, curious what was going on but unable to hear what they were saying. He wasn't going to intrude however, not unless Belle invited him over. He assumed she was just catching up with her father and he didn't want to ruin that for her.
Maurice shot a look over at Gold then turned back to Belle. He smiled weakly at her, but it was only to show that he loved her. He was not happy at all about this arrangement. "Belle I don't hate you…I could never hate you. I just can't understand. How could you love him…after everything he's done, after he ripped you away from me?"
Belle moved to sit beside her father, wrapping her arms around his shoulders in comfort. "Because while I was working for him and living in his home, I got to see sides of him that nobody else sees. I've seen him cry, smile, laugh, weak. I was able to see the man behind the bitter, angry, tough facade; I was able to see the man behind the mask. And if you give him a chance, I am sure you will be able to as well. In fact, we are taking most of his son's old toys and giving them to the Nolan's as well as a wonderful turkey dinner. I don't know how David and Mary-Margaret will feel about this, but I want you to come with us. I don't want you to be alone on Christmas again."
Maurice listened intently to everything Belle was saying. Once she was done he remained quiet, it all being a lot to take in. His daughter and Gold? He still couldn't believe it. He took one of Belle's hands and looked at her compassionately. He spoke softly. "Belle I would love to spend Christmas with you…but are you sure this is what you really want. Are you sure Gold hasn't tricked you into falling for him? He's holding nothing over your head?"
Belle squeezed her father's hand and smiled softly at him, nodding her head. "Yes, Papa. I have seen a change in him that I cannot wait for others to see. And if you don't believe me, ask him yourself and see if you think he is being honest." She looked over at Gold and saw that he was watching. She used her free hand to wave him over. "We both know that I am a good judge of character. And I have yet to be wrong about someone," she told Maurice. "And I know you just worry about my safety. Try asking him some questions and see for yourself that his heart is true."
When Gold saw Belle wave him over, he assumed she was ready to go. From where he was standing, he hadn't been able to hear any of her and her father's conversation, so he thought she had stayed true to her word and not told Maurice anything about their engagement. Picking up the poinsettias he had chosen, he strolled over to Belle.
He could see Maurice looked a little distraught, but he considered it was only because Belle was about to leave again.
Belle but her bottom lip as she looked up at Adam. "I forgot about what was on my finger so I took off my gloves and somebody might have seen it…" Belle looked down, feeling extremely embarrassed. "My father here has something he would like to talk to you about." Belle lifted her hand with the ring on it, indicating to what he wanted to talk about. The girl felt awful for even considering hiding the engagement from her father, but she was afraid of how he might if reacted. So far, it is a lot better than she had expected.
Mr. Gold's eyes widened as he saw Belle's mistake. Taking a deep breath, he braced himself for what was coming, feeling unsure of how he was going to handle the situation.
At least Maurice had not jumped up and started yelling…that was a good sign. But what was he going to say to the man whose daughter he had stolen away and kept from him for three years and now wanted her hand in marriage?
Maurice looked down into his lap for a few moments, trying to think of what to say instead of 'What the hell do you want with my daughter, you bastard?!'. When he gathered his thoughts, he looked back up at him, heart racing a little. He worried about his daughter more than he could ever say. "Are your feelings for her true or is this just some ploy you're pulling to upset me and hurt her?" he asked Gold, letting go of his daughter so he could stand, not wanting to look up at the man in front of him.
"I can assure you this is no ploy. My feelings for your daughter are true." Gold's eyes wandered over to Belle and he smiled. "I want nothing more than to make her happy. That's why I let her come here today. I don't want to keep her from you any longer-I shouldn't for as long as I did, but I let my anger blind me. Not anymore. I'm prepared to be a better man for her-be who she wants me to be." He looked back at Maurice. "And I want to start by helping you get on your feet-find a better home. You've lived here long enough."
Belle smiled softly back at Gold when he looked at her, doing the same. As he continued to speak, her heart fluttered madly and a lovely shade of red crept up onto the porcelain skin of her cheeks.
Both Maurice and Belle's jaws dropped when they heard him say that he was going to get her father a new home. A REAL home. Maurice stood there, shocked for a few moments. Both from what he had last said and from what he had said about his feelings for his daughter. "You… You want to get me a new home..? Also, do you promise to keep my daughter happy, safe and cared for?"
Gold nodded. "It would be my pleasure. I've held onto my money long enough. It's about time I use it for good. And as for your daughter…" He took a step toward Belle and reached out to take her hand. All the love he held for her was obvious in the way he was gazing at her. "I want nothing more than to do all those things."
As Adam walked over to her and held out his hand, Belle got up off the stair she was on and gently slipped her hand into his, smiling up at him and gazing back with the same loving look in her blue eyes. Her heart beat fast and hard in her chest. She mouthed a subtle 'I love you' before turning to look at her father who was still standing there looking awestruck.
Maurice blinked a few times to pull himself out of the little stupor he was in before he spoke. "Is this house going to be part of a deal? Am I going to have to work for you now?" he asked. He could easily see the type of look that was in Gold's eyes directed towards his daughter; it was the same way he used to look at Collette.
"No, it's a gift," Gold told him, "but if you're looking to leave the flower business, I'm sure we could work something out…" He wasn't implying one of his usual deals, but offering Maurice the chance to let him find a job he would enjoy more if he chose to.
Maurice couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth quirk up a slight bit in a smile. The flower shop had been his wife's, but maybe he could find someone to run it that would take better care of it than he. "I'll get back to you on that," he said, looking over at Gold, not as reserved anymore. He wasn't ready to be all buddy-buddy with him yet, but he was willing to be less hostile.
Gold was feeling relieved that the situation hadn't escalated like he had predicted it would and he was very glad to seemingly have Maurice's blessing. It made everything so much easier and he was sure they could work things out.
But he also needed to work things out with another important person in his life and time was getting short. "Perhaps we should be on our way," he said to Belle, squeezing her hand.
Belle looked up at Adam and nodded her head. She let go of his hand reluctantly to hug her father once more, giving him a big squeeze before she spoke ."I will call you after talking to Mary-Margaret about you coming over, okay?" she said softly, a warm smile on her face. "But whatever happens, I won't allow you to be alone on Christmas again." She pecked his cheek before digging into her pocket to grab money for the poinsettias from the change purse Gold had gave her to pay for the turkey. "I'm sure this will cover the flowers…"
Maurice's mouth hung open when he realized how much money Belle gave him. It was way more than enough. "Belle are you sure…" He asked feeling a little uncomfortable taking that amount even if it was from his daughter and even though he had basically just agreed to let Gold buy him a house.
Belle glanced back at Adam and when she received confirmation that it was okay to give the money to him, she put it in her father's hand and nodded, pecking his cheek again. "Get yourself a new tie or dress shirt for tonight," she said softly before hugging him once more. When she finished, she walked back over to Gold and picked up what she needed to carry. "I'll pay you back. I promise," she murmured to Adam as they walked out of the shop and down the street.
"No, Belle, you won't. You're to be my wife, so it is our money now. I want you to help your father get back on his feet," he said honestly.
He strolled beside her at a moderate pace, both of them having picked up a little speed because the snow was beginning to come down a bit heavier than earlier.
Belle nodded her head understandingly and moved a little closer to him as they continued to walk. Her heart felt like it would soon grow wings. It was unbelievable how many feelings he could successfully make her feel.
As they neared the Nolan's house, Belle's arms got tired and she couldn't get the snow out of her face that had fallen onto it. But still, she pushed herself onward, not wanting to complain, knowing that Adam was probably in pain too. When they finally reached their destination, Belle put down the trunk and stretched out her aching arms while simultaneously trying to blow the snow off her face.
Gold chuckled lightly as he watched Belle fight with the snow. To him, she was absolutely adorable in that moment, but he wasn't going to continue to let her struggle. He stepped toward her and held out his hand. "Here, let me help you," he said softly. Taking his hand, he lightly brushed the snow off Belle's face, pushing her stray hair out of the way, all the while gazing down into her bright blue eyes. Once the snow was all gone, he let the back of his hand linger on her cheek, unable to break eye contact.
Belle blushed a little when Adam took over, brushing the snow off her face with ease. Gods, she must have looked like such a fool. Despite her slight embarrassment, she smiled a little up at him, heart fluttering in her chest. She knew she would never get over his touch. It would definitely always make her feel butterflies in her stomach.
When he finished but just continued to gaze down at her, she gazed back until she realized how many times that day that had just been caught in each other's eyes or touch. Chuckling softly, she pressed a kiss to the hand that was on her cheek. "How many more times today will we forget about the world around us and get lost in each other?" she whispered to him in a joking manner, love filling her cerulean eyes.
"I'm sure plenty more," he told her with certainty. "Now that I have you, I almost can't believe it." This was all real and he was still coming to terms with that. Every time he looked at Belle he was filled with both shock and wonder. It was quite distracting.
"But I think you have a point…" he glanced over at the Nolan's front door and took a deep breath. "We should worry about the Nolans for the moment."
Stepping up to the door, he raised his hand to knock, but paused and swung back around to face Belle. He looked at her sheepishly. "I don't suppose you would be willing to play along…" he asked, implying he wanted to pretend like nothing had changed, just like he had done with her when he had woken her that morning.
Belle chuckled again and immediately felt the loss of his closeness, already missing it greatly. But she was glad he had caught onto what she was hinting at. She wasn't as important as mending things with the Nolans and his son. They would be able to gaze at each other and kiss each other later.
When she heard his question, she quirked a brow as she nodded. If that was what he wanted, then she would be fine with it. "For how long? The whole night? Or just until somebody sees my ring again?"
"No not the whole night," he told her. He knew he wouldn't be able to keep up the act for that long. He would be lucky to do it for several minutes. "But just follow my lead. For now, for all they know you are still just my maid and we are here on business."
Turning back around, he took a moment to wipe the smile of his face, looking as gruesome and angry as ever. Then, when he was ready, he knocked on the Nolan's front door and waited for an answer.
Belle lifted the box back up and suppressed a groan from how sore her arms still were. She would go along with Adam's little plan for as long a he wanted, but she knew that on the inside, she would not last very long. At least if she gazed at him, it will just seem like she was smitten, which they all knew she was.
As David heard a knock, he was helping Mary-Margaret prepare dinner. Wiping his hands on a dishcloth, he kissed her cheek before leaving to kitchen to open the door. When he did, he was shocked to see who was on the other side. "Mr. Gold... Belle... What are you two doing here?" He asked, looking between them. Sure he had invited them, but Gold looked like this was the last place he wanted to be.
"What are we doing here?" Gold retorted with a grimace. "No, I believe the question is what are you doing here?" He pointed a finger at David's chest. "You sir, were not at work this morning."
David stepped back when he heard Gold. His mind wracked for a second before he stood up a bit straighter. "You told me I could have today off, Mr. Gold. Last night you told me this," he said, getting rather defensive now. How dare Gold come to his house after he clearly told him to have the day off?
Gold looked appalled. He pulled his hand to his chest in mockery. "Me? Give you the day off? You really think I would do something like that?"
David's eyes narrowed a little as he listened to what Gold said. "Well actually, yes. I had thought that you would have had a heart enough to let me spend Christmas with my family." He did his best to stay calm, knowing this job was the only source of income his family had. "And besides, I was in town an hour ago and your shop was closed. So you didn't show up either."
"Christmas, bah," he replied, the words coming out as if there was something sour in his mouth. "A poor excuse for one to be lazy. And perhaps you should pay better attention to your surroundings. I was at my shop earlier. Belle here can vouch for my word, because it just so happens she was there too." He was still managing to hold a straight face; he just hoped Belle wouldn't give anything away.
Luckily, the trunk Belle was carrying was hiding most of her face. When she heard Gold refer to her, not even knowing what he had said, she nodded her head in agreement, trying her best not to giggle at the act Adam put on, knowing that what David currently looked like, was what she must have looked like.
"Well I find that hard to believe because I tried calling both your house phone and the shop to see if you would allow Belle to come over for Christmas dinner. I got no answer from either and you NEVER let a call go unanswered." David put his hand on the door. "Now if you excuse me, I have a FAMILY to get back to."
"You know, I'm getting quite fed up with this, with everything, with you," Gold said, causing David to pause and look back at him. Mary Margaret and Tim had migrated into the living room as well to see what was going on. Gold had to really hold back his smile when he laid eyes on the boy.
The look on David's face was pure panic and he was about to say something, but Gold stopped him before he could.
"So unfortunately you leave me no choice….it's about time for you to have a new job." Gold managed to keep the scowl on his face still and it sounded like he was about to fire David.
David felt his heart stop and his breath catch in his throat, his world shattering around him. No… No! He needed this job! He needed to pay for Tim's hospital bills! "Wh-What..? I can't… I can't lose my job, Mr. Gold! I have a family with mouths to feed! I have bills to pay!" he stammered out, trying to say things to change Gold's mind. "I-I have my son's treatments to pay for.. Please, Mr. Gold. Don't do this… Don't fire me." David wasn't one for begging and letting his everything-is-going-to-be-okay facade drop. But right now was an exception.
"Who said I was firing you?" Gold replied, letting a very small smile creep up on his face. "No…I said it's time for you to have a new job…and with a new job comes a higher salary. A much higher salary, enough to pay the mortgage on a new house, buy anything your family needs, and pay for the best doctors money can buy so your son can get better. You David Nolan, are going to be my new partner."
When David saw the sudden creeping smile on Gold's lips, he expected it to turn into a sneer but it didn't; it stayed a smile. An earnest looking smile. Confusion washed over David in waves as he listened to Mr. Gold talk to him. No. This couldn't be true. This had to be some kind of cruel joke. "You want me to be what? Are you kidding? Is this a joke?" There was obvious hope in his voice that Adam was being honest. But he wasn't quite sure that type of change could happen overnight.
Gold's smile only continued to grow. "Yes, David. My partner. It's time your hard work for me be rewarded."
As Gold and David spoke, little Tim had walked up and he was peeking up at Gold from behind his father.
Gold flashed the boy a smile, "And you…"
Tim bashfully cowered back a little, clutching to his father's leg when he realized Gold was addressing him.
Gold turned around to look at Belle. "I believe Belle here has something special for you and your little brother."
David just stood there in shock as Belle gently pushed past him, smiling brightly and she put the box down to see Tim.
The little boy hadn't even realized that it had been Belle standing beside Uncle Bae's daddy. The boy's eyes widened and a smile bloomed onto his lips when he watched Belle put down the box and kneel down. Tim limped over as fast as he could before practically throwing himself at her. "Belle!" he yelled as he hugged her tightly.
Belle chuckled and hugged him back, as tight as she knew his little fragile body could handle. "Hey, Tim… You've grown so much since I last saw you!" Belle said as she pulled back to smile at the boy. "How about we go open Mr. Gold's present, hmm? I know your going to love it." She glanced over at Adam, smiling at him before Tim began to drag her over to a spot on front of the fire, telling her to bring the trunk too.
"Partner?" David repeated.
Gold's heart swelled as he watched the scene transpire between Belle and Tim. He turned his attentions back to David when Belle took Tim inside. "Aye, partner," he confirmed.
David couldn't help but smile a little as he realized that the man in front of him was telling the truth. He held out his hand and nodded his head. "Then so it shall be… Partner."
He gestured inside for him after shaking his hand. "Please, come inside."
Gold nodded and walked in, happy to finally get out of the snow and even happier to have made David's day. He took a quick glance around the little house…it looking exactly like it had looked on his journey the night before. That sent another shiver up his spine-knowing that he had really been visited by ghosts that evening-knowing that ghosts were real.
Mary Margaret had heard everything as well and she was in total shock. Was this really happening? She looped her arm through David's as she came to stand next to her husband. "Mr. Gold…I don't think we can thank you enough…" She stuttered out, unable to believe the words that were coming out of her own mouth.
Mr. Gold offered her a small smile. "There's really no need." He paused and remembered the food, " Ah and I almost forgot." He held out the bagged turkey along with the other food he a brought from his home for Mary Margaret. "For your family on Christmas."
Mary-Margaret's eyes widened as she saw all the food and looked between Adam and the food for a few moments. When she finally came to the conclusion that it wasn't a mirage, she smiled warmly. "OUR family," she corrected him in a friendly manner as she took the bags from him, excited that she would finally be able to make her family the meal they deserved. "Please, make yourself comfortable." The woman said, motioning over towards the area where there was a couch in front of a fireplace, the place where Belle, Tim, and Neal sat.
Belle sat on the carpet with Neal in her lap, who had woken up from a nap while his parents were talking with Gold, and Tim standing in front of the open trunk with a bright smile on his face. He took out a teddy bear and gave it to his brother before he took a car out for himself. Sitting down, Tim began to play with it enthusiastically, loving the present dearly.
Mr. Gold strolled leisurely over to Belle and the children while David and Mary Margaret took all the food into the kitchen to prepare it. He observed little Tim for a few moments, seeing that it was clear the boy was really enjoying the toys he brought.
He flashed Belle a smile before looking back to Tim. "Well now, we have yet to be properly introduced," Adam said to the boy, eager to meet him.
Tim looked up from his toy and smiled. "You're Mr. Gold," the boy said matter-of-factly.
"Aye," Adam replied as he carefully took a seat on the floor between Tim and Belle, making sure to be weary of his ankle. "But you may call me Adam."
Tim watched him a curiously. "You have a cane, just like me!"
Adam nodded and offered him another smile. "Yes I do."
"Are you sick too?"
"I'm afraid not." He motioned toward his bad ankle. "I broke my ankle many years ago and it never healed properly."
Belle couldn't help but smile as she watched and listened to Adam and Tim talk, getting to know one another. A small chuckle fell from her lips as Tim tried walking with Adam's cane before going back to the toys and bringing over a few so that he and Mr. Gold could play with them together. Her heart fluttered and her cheeks flushed a little at the thought of having a child with Adam. She wondered if the child would turn out to be as wonderful as Baelfire.
Belle moved a little closer to Adam and hugged Neal a little tighter as Belle hesitantly rested her head on Adam's shoulder, waiting to be accepted or denied.
Gold glanced over at Belle from the side and sighed happily as he put his arm around her so that he could pull her closer.
He turned his attentions to the baby in her arms. Just like in the visions, Belle seemed so natural with the babe and with Tim. He briefly wondered if she would want children. She was so much younger than him…it was possible.
"So this is little Neal? How old is he?" he wondered.
Belle smiled softly and moved closer to him as he wrapped his arm around her, moving until their hips touched. When she heard his question, she lifted her head momentarily to turn Neal in her lap so he was facing her and Adam.
"I believe that he is about… Nine months... Maybe ten? I'm not exactly sure but he is as adventurous as his older brother and sister. Started crawling at four months." She smiled down at the child before allowing him to turn back so he could go back to watching his brother. "I've known Tim since he was a few weeks after his first birthday. I use to babysit for the Nolans to make extra cash."
"You seem to be very good with them," Gold noted.
He chuckled as little Neal reached out and tugged on his jacket sleeve, babbling something that was indistinguishable. "I'm afraid my jacket is not as interesting as you might think," he said to the baby. Gold reached down and picked up the little teddy bear. "But you might find this more amusing."
Neal giggled and took the bear from Adam with small hands, bringing the bear's face up to his so he could suck on the nose. Belle chuckled softly and kissed his forehead before cradling him in her arms. "That means two things. One, he is never going to let go of that bear, and two, he is hungry." With Gold's help, Belle got up and walked into the kitchen where Mary-Margaret was. "Hey. You got a minute? Two things. One, I'm pretty sure Neal is hungry, and also, I was wondering if my papa could join us for dinner. I really don't want him to be alone on Christmas again."
"I can make him a bottle," David said when he heard Belle mention Neal was hungry.
Mary Margaret nodded at her husband in confirmation, before answering Belle's question about her father. "Oh, of course he can come, Belle. You know I don't mind," Mary Margaret replied. She was busy prepping the vegetables when it suddenly hit her what Belle had just said. She stopped what she was doing and turned to Belle.
"Wait…I thought…Gold…is he allowing you to see your father again?" she asked, both confused and surprised.
David glanced over Mary Margaret's shoulder as he mixed the bottle, curious about Belle's answer.
Belle nodded her head understandingly and slipped Neal into his high chair for his dad before walking over to Mary-Margaret, a smile on Belle's lips. That was right, neither of the Nolan's knew about what had happened that morning.
"Well, Adam and I sort of came to an agreement about that. Well, we came to an agreement about many things this morning. One agreement that tied a whole bunch of things together." She purposely lifted the hand that had the ring on it to scratch her cheek, subtly letting Mary-Margaret in on what she was getting at.
"What agr…ee…ment…" Mary Margaret started to ask, but her words trailed off as the diamond glistened in the light catching her eye. Her mouth hung open in shock and she swiftly reached out to grab Belle's hand and examine the ring. "Belle, is this real…are you telling me what I think you're telling me?"
"Telling you what?" David asked as he stepped over to the pair while he was trying to screw the top on the bottle, but when he saw the ring too, the bottle slipped from his hand. It landed on the floor with a thump, causing Neal to squeal when he saw the milk spill out onto the floor.
David quickly came out of his stupor and picked up the bottle, rushing to clean it up and make another before Neal could get very upset, all the while trying to listen to Belle.
Belle got a little worried by their reactions. They didn't seem to be as happy as she had hoped. Blush flooded the girls face, smile faltering a little as she nodded. "Y-Yes... It is..." she said, moving to help David. "I thought you guys would be happy for me. But I suppose no one can be. Not when they still think Adam is a horrible person. Which he isn't." She used a dish cloth to clean up the milk, trying to defend her decision on the engagement, feeling like the Nolans were going to lecture her on making the wrong choice.
"Oh no Belle," Mary Margaret quickly retorted, "I am…" She glanced over at David to see the look on his face, before altering her sentence. It was pleasant. "We are happy for you…just shocked…everything that's happened today is shocking. I'm still in disbelief about Gold giving David a promotion. Now this…when just yesterday he…"
It was all such a surprising turn of events. Mary Margaret nor David could put it into words. "Tell me… how did this all come about?"
Belle finished wiping up the milk and rung out the cloth over the sink. "Well… Last night, I confessed my feelings to him but he turned me down.. Then, this morning, he played me like he did you two. Got mad at me for not making him breakfast. I went downstairs and found that he had prepared us the most wonderful breakfast. That was when he confessed his love for me and proposed. After breakfast, he started planning on how he could make it up to you for being so cruel. And before you question his intentions, know that we have both already talked to my father and I know Adam's heart is true."
David, having stepped up next to his wife, after handing Neal his bottle, exchanged a glance with his wife, both of them clearly thinking the same thing.
"You say he turned you down?" David confirmed. "But why the sudden change of heart?" Was the whole thing an act? It couldn't have been… "I mean it's no secret the way the man has treated you…me…everybody…for so long…"
Belle looked up from the ground to look between David and Mary-Margaret before she shrugged. "I don't know… I didn't believe it myself until I saw the way he looked at me… I recognized it as the way my father looked at my mother when I was little… He looked at me with love and warmth in his eyes… And he is openly smiling and from experience, I know that it is a genuine smile." Belle couldn't help but smile a little herself as she thought about Adam. "I don't know what happened last night that made him change for the better, but I am so glad that he is finally able to be happy again."
David and Mary Margaret both smiled at one another when Belle spoke of love. And once Belle was done cleaning, they both brought her in for a hug. "We are so happy for you Belle," Mary said.
"I know you've been wanting this for a long time," David added. "I hope he can be the man you want him to be."
Belle smiled and hugged them back. "He already is and so much more." Pulling back, she smiled up at them before remembering Adam was still in the little living room with Tim.
"I should probably get back to him before Tim talks Adam's ear off," Belle said with a chuckle. "If you two need any help, just call for me," she said before walking to go back to Adam. She smiled a little as she saw the back of his head. "Neal is being fed. How are you and Tim getting along?"
"Very well," Gold replied as he briefly turned back to address Belle. He turned his attentions back to Tim. "Tim here was just teaching me how to build a castle."
Tim looked up at Belle and beamed. "Look Belle! Look at our castle!" he said pointing to the little cluster of blocks in between him and Gold. They were stacked almost as tall as the boy, and looked like they would topple any moment now.
Belle smiled to herself at how well Tim and Adam were getting along. She always worried about Tim getting hurt because of how trusting and loving he was, but she knew he had a good sense of character. The girl sat on the couch that Adam was sitting in front of and leaning against, sitting right next to him so her leg was against his arm. "Wow! That's amazing!" She smiled brightly at the boy. "I wish I could live in a castle as amazing as that one," she said with a slight chuckle in her voice. The 'Castle' was a complete disaster but Tim looked so proud of it.
Tim giggled and reached out to place another block on top. The little bit of movement caused the structure to come crashing down, most of it falling over into Mr. Gold's lap.
Mr. Gold laughed and began collecting the blocks into a pile.
"Awww…" Tim said, dissapointed.
Belle slid off the couch and sat next to Gold on the ground to help him pick up the blocks. "Don't fret over it, Tim. We will make another one!" She smiled over at him and mussed his hair before leaning over Adam to help Tim build a stronger base.
"You'll help me?" The boy exclaimed eagerly as he helped her pick up. "And Mr. Gold too?"
"Of course we'll help you," Mr. gold replied with a smile, knowing Belle would say yes.
Belle smiled at Tim and nodded her head when she heard Adam. Belle glanced over at him and got her gaze caught on his handsome face. She tried to pull her eyes away but she found that she couldn't just like every other time.
Adam continued helping Tim, when out of the corner of his eye he caught Belle staring at him. Turning his head, he let his eyes meet hers and didn't have to ask what she was thinking. The look in her eyes said it all. She was happy. She was in love. And it was with him. How could he be so lucky?
Belle was so gorgeous and he found he couldn't break away from her gaze either.
Belle felt like the luckiest girl in the world as Adam returned her gaze, reflecting the warmth and happiness that she knew was filling her own. What had she done to deserve such a wonderful man?
Her heart fluttered in her chest and she began to unconsciously smile over at him, wearing her feelings for him on her sleeve. She couldn't break the gaze she held with him even if she wanted to, at least not until she heard a sound coming from beside them that sounded like a child's laugh. Belle tore her eyes away from Adam's to look at Tim who was snickering.
"You two look like my mother and father right now!" he said with a smile, referring to the way they were looking at each other.
"Yes I suppose we do," Adam said in all seriousness, not letting the smile leave his face. He reached over and gently squeezed Belle's hand. "We love each other very much-we're family-just like your parents." Gold reached over and nuzzled the boy's cheek with his knuckle. He recalled the vision where Tim had been so insistent with Belle that they were family. It was easy to see it was something the boy felt was important and it was. "We're all family."
Tim smiled big focusing on Gold's comparison to his parents. "So does that mean you're Uncle Bae's mother?" he asked Belle.
Belle smiled over at Adam, squeezing his hand back as she rubbed her thumb over his knuckles. Her heart fluttered as he said they were all one big family and she knew it was true. Now that Adam and Belle were to be married, she would truly be part of their family.
But Tim's question about Belle being Bae's mom made the girl laugh almost uncontrollably. Belle and Bae were about the same age. He was a year or two older, but that was because she knew Adam had him at a young age. She glanced over at Adam before looking back at Tim. "Sort of.." she answered with a chuckle.
A few hours later, there was a knock on the door and a wonderful smell of food in the air. Bae and Emma had arrived as Belle and Adam continued to play with Tim.
Gold had moved to sit on the couch, only able to sit on the floor for so long. When he heard Bae walk in, who didn't notice him immediately, he looked to Belle for support, unsure of how Bae was going to react when he found his father there.
When Belle saw the desperate look in Adam's eye, she slipped her hand into his, squeezing it comfortingly and she placed her other hand on his knee, rubbing circles on it in a soothing manner, letting him know she was right there. She would always be there for him. "Just breath… It will be okay. I KNOW he will forgive you." Belle brought his hand up to her lips and kissed it before placing it back down between them.
Tim jumped up and hobbled over to Emma and Bae as fast as he could. "Emma! Uncle Bae!"
Adam nodded at Belle and took a deep breath before standing and turning around to face Bae, who was giving Tim a big hug.
"Hey little guy, how you doin?" Bae asked Tim, ruffling his hair.
"Awesome!" Tim exclaimed and his face lit up as he began to tell him all that happened. "Uncle Bae your father's here and Belle and they brought all these wonderful toys! And he said they were yours when you were little! Come see, come see!" Tim grabbed Bae's hand and tried to drag him over toward the fireplace where all the toys were.
Belle felt Adam squeeze her hand as Bae walked over to them, being dragged by Tim. Belle got up and smiled over at Bae to hug him like she always did. As she did, she whispered in his ear. "Be easy on your father."
When she had called her father to let him know he could come, she had also called Bae to warn him about his father's change so that it wouldn't be a huge shock for him. But she didn't say too much, knowing that Adam and Bae needed to do the talking.
Belle moved away so Adam could greet his son now.
A weak smile spread across Adam's face when he locked eyes with his son. "Bae…hi," were the only words he could manage. He didn't know Belle had spoken with him already. Any moment, he assumed Bae would yell at him or get defensive.
But Bae didn't. Instead he returned the greeting with a small smile of his own. "Hello, Papa."
There was a moment of awkward silence, until Tim spoke up, still eager about showing Bae the toys. He tugged on Bae's sleeve. "Look at this plane!"
Belle went and sat back down next to Gold, recapturing his hand for a moment to give him the strength she knew he needed as she gave him an encouraging smile. Belle knew the smile Bae gave his father was to silently let him know that things were okay between them; that he wasn't mad.
As Tim showed Bae all the toys that Adam had given him, Bae felt happiness and warmth spread inside his chest. His father had really done that? Perhaps what Belle had said about him changing was true.
"And look at the castle we built!" Tim continued, very proud of the creation. "Belle and Mr. Gold helped make it!"
"Did he now?" Bae said a little surprised as he examined the block structure.
He glanced around at all the toys, taking them all in, seeing that they were in fact his. So many emotions began surfacing as memories of everything flooded his mind. He bent down and picked up the toy train and he twirled it in his hands. "This is the one you gave me the Christmas mom left…" Bae said softly to his father, looking at the train sadly. "You kept these, all these years?" he asked. He was shocked Gold had not tried to sell them just to add to his fortune.
Gold nodded. "Despite what you might think, they mean a lot to me…you mean a lot to me. I know I've made a lot of mistakes with you son, but I want the chance to make it right. I want to be a part of your life. And I want to get to know Emma."
Belle smiled as she listened to Bae and Mr. Gold converse. She could hear the desperate tone in Adam's voice and see the pleading look on his face as he tried to show his son that he was sorry for everything and was ready to make a change. Everyone knew that what Mr. Gold had done over the years was bad, but now he did too.
Bae fought back tears as he listened to his dad and saw the heartfelt emotions on his face too. Both Emma, who was standing there quietly with Belle, and Belle knew that this was all Bae ever wanted. He wanted his dad to be a part of his family again. He wanted his dad to be his dad again. And now, Adam was making the effort instead of just Bae.
Bae stepped forward and walked closer to his dad. "And this isn't just some act to help with a little ploy you came up with?" It was hard to believe that his father would do something like that, but he had done it before a long time ago.
"I swear to you son, this is not what this is. I've recently come to realize the errors in my ways and that everyone I care about-you, the Nolans, Belle, are miserable," Gold explained. He was miserable too, but that wasn't important to mention. "I don't want to be that man anymore. I have the power to help others in need and I want to use that power. I almost lost Belle," he glanced over at her briefly and took hold of her hand, "but luckily I came to my senses and now I'm gaining a wife." He didn't think Belle had told Bae yet about the engagement, nor did he know that Nolans already knew, but he honestly didn't care.
His gaze went back to Bae and there were a few tears in the corners of his eyes. "And now I'm so desperately close to losing you, my only son. I don't want that to happen. I love you son. I want to be a part of your life. And I know you've never asked me for money, but anything you need it's yours-a wedding present for you and Emma."
When Belle had talked to Bae, she had left out the fact that her and Adam were engaged, wanting his father to be the one to tell him.
Bae looked at his father with the same shocked expression both Belle and The Nolan's had looked at Adam when he had let them know that he was ready to change his ways. After a few moments, Bae stepped forward and pulled his dad into a tight hug, letting a few tears of his own leak out of his eyes. "I missed you, Papa. I missed you so much," he told him as he hugged him tightly. This was the father he remembered from when he was growing up. The one who loved everyone and wanted everyone around him to be happy.
Gold froze for a second, not realizing Bae would accept him back into his life so easily. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around his boy and held him close. "I missed you too son…I love you so much." The few tears that were in his eyes escaped and he closed his eyes for a moment so he could just hold his son and take everything in.
Bae sniffled and let a tear fall as he hugged his father for a little longer. He knew his father was telling the truth and truly meant what he said because he had started to get emotional and cry a little. His father! After he became so cold refused to shed a tear in public! This meant his old father was back. "I love you too, Papa."
After holding his son for a bit longer, he finally pulled back and sighed happily.
"Uncle Bae! Play with me!" Tim exclaimed.
Gold glanced over at the little boy and smiled. His gaze rested on the toys in Tim's hands. "I hope you don't mind I gave your toys to Tim," he said to Bae, worried he might have wanted some for himself.
Bae smiled up at his father and waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. There is no one in this world I would want to have these toys more than Tim and Neal. They deserve them more than any other child." Giving his father one more smile, he let Tim drag him over to the toys to play with him, Emma leaving the room to go see her parents.
Gold turned his attentions back to Belle, taking her hand and leading her over to sit with Bae and Tim while they played and waited for dinner to be ready. They sat on the little couch and he moved to sit close to Belle with his arm draped around her and placed a small kiss to her lips. Bae hadn't said anything about their engagement, but he was certain Bae approved.
Belle cuddled into Adam and smiled, kissing him back. "I love you, Adam… Merry Christmas," she whispered to him before turning her attention back to Tim, watching him and Bae play with the toys.
Soon enough, Belle's father had arrived and food was being put out on the table for dinner to begin soon. This was turning out to be an amazing Christmas.
Mary Margaret had set the poinsettias that Gold brought out on the table and she was bringing out the last of the food while Tim helped Belle and Emma set out all the dinnerware.
David greeted Maurice and engaged in light conversation with him before he went and said hello to Gold once more. Maurice was still stunned about everything that had happened and it would take time to warm up to the man, but he was able to be civil.
Gold returned the greeting, but was unsure what to talk about. Luckily, he didn't have to think long on it as Mary Margaret called for everyone to gather around the table. Dinner was ready.
Belle got up with Adam and walked over to the table where all the food was set out, sitting down between her father and her fiance, across from Mary-Margaret and David. With everyone sitting in their appropriate spots, Belle couldn't help but notice that she was surrounded by all the people she loved most and it made her smile.
"Let us say our thanks! I want to thank Mr. Gold for all this food and for all the toys!" Tim said enthusiastically, a bright smile on his little face.
Gold smiled big when he heard the boy's words. It warmed his heart to hear Tim speak so nicely of him. Yet, even though he had given the family those things, he still didn't think he was worthy of their thanks-not yet. No, it would take a lot more for him to make it up to them-to everyone-and that would only take time, but he was willing to do anything he could. He was never going to revert back to the man he used to be. His journey had taught him a lesson and as everyone finished saying thanks, began to eat, and converse happily, he knew this was only the beginning of making a better life for both him and all of those he cared about.