Xxx
Rumplestiltskin spent more time with his wheel than he did making deals nowadays. It was hard; every time he went to make his deal, his mind would wonder about what Belle would think about what he was doing. This usually led to him giving his 'victims' a 'discount'. It was really bad for business. Not even in his sleep could he be rid of her. It seemed like he plagued his every waking hour. It was only after at least an hour of watching the wheel spin would he be free. Free of her smile. Free of his memories. Free of...
Rumplestiltskin stopped. His eyes widened in shock. It couldn't be. That spell... that spell was the one...
That spell was the one he put on Belle to warn him when the baby was coming.
Within a second after the sensation came, he was gone.
Xxx
"HELP!"
Belle cried, over and over. Her water had already broken, the baby would be there any moment. She was scared. She was alone. She knew there were guards on the other side of the door, but they refused to heed her pleas.
"Please... please... Help me... plea-"
Belle froze when she felt his presence. She had learned to feel the magic that swirled around him, it was dreadful, yet beautiful. Belle couldn't bring herself to look up. What if he wasn't actually there? What if she was imagining things? What if-
"Belle?"
His voice was soft and spoke of all the emotions that ran through him. The anger, the surprise, the hope, the disbelief.
Belle looked up, emulating his emotions.
"Rumple?"
The Dark One broke down, throwing his arms around Belle and sobbed.
"I... I thought... she said... you were..."
His words were garbled and confused, but Belle was somehow able to understand what he was trying to say. Regina had lied. He didn't abandon her.
The next moment, the two were gone.