Chapter 10 The Meaning of the Rose

After their little session in the garden maze Belle finally had her book. Before cleaning, she thought about spending a few minutes to look through it at the dining room. Pulling out a chair from the long wooden table, she crossed her legs and sat comfortably with the book in her hands. Flipping through several pages of illustrations, Belle couldn't hold back a shy smile. Within seconds, the doors opened and Rumplestiltskin came walking through.

"Reading it already?" he teased.

Folding the corner of the page, her hands closed it shut setting it down on her lap.

"Of course"

The way his dark brown eyes looked into hers made a warm blush spread across her face.

Rumplestiltskin picked up a large basket filled with plants and unusual items and placed it next to the spinning wheel. As he began to rummage through the things he had brought from outside Belle opened her book back to the page she was on.

"Have everything you need?" Belle asked, eyes refusing to break from their place.

"Why yes…yes it appears so…"

"Sure?"

With one finger at his lips, his other hand rested at his hip. "Well there is one thing that is missing from here…"

This caused Belle to look up in curiosity.

"Oh? What is that?"

"A kiss from a beautiful woman"

His childish and gleeful tone made her chuckle at his response. Laying the book down on top of the seat, Belle walked over to him leaving only an inch between their bodies.

"Well…I'm afraid you will have to go into town to search for one then" she teased. Turning on her feet, Belle prepared to leave just until he reached out to grab her arm and swing her to his chest. An arm wrapped tightly behind her back as her lips were pushed against his own. It was a quick kiss but so much passion went into it taking her breath away.

As they broke apart, a bright red rose bud bumped against her chin. Smiling she took the long stem from his offering hand.

"Not a face in town could defeat your beauty love…"

"You're lucky I love flowers this much you know"

"All the flowers around my estate are for you…only you…but the rose…it belongs to you"

…

The front door slammed shut causing Belle to jump as she was reading on top of their bed. Rum was finally home.

Leaning his cane against the small desk in the foyer, his mood was still sour from the confrontation he had with Gabriel. His blood still boiled as his words repeated in his mind over and over. With his gun elsewhere he was rather glad that it was out of his reach at the moment. If it were closer, he would have thought about paying the man a little visit. Footsteps tore him from his thoughts as he was welcomed by his one and only. His one and only.

"Rum…what's going on…are you alright?"

As much as he wanted to mask his anger, his lips couldn't form the usual warm smile he always gave her coming home.

"I'm alright dear, just a bit tired is all"

His flat answer frustrated Belle, making her believe that nothing was alright as he said it was. But it was this kind of mood of his that she would find out the real problem later in bed. So without pushing for the real reason she stepped onto the main floor and proceeded down the hall to the kitchen.

Leaning against the kitchen counter, Gold had his arms crossed.

"Let's go out tonight"

His very sudden proposal caught Belle off guard.

"Oh…um…where do you want to go?"

"I'm sorry love…were you planning on making anything tonight?"

"Oh no I…"

"Good, let me take you out tonight…some place nice" his trademark grin came to show as he got out the last word.

"Nice as in…fancy?"

"Yes my sweet Belle…" he walked forward to the doorway to get closer. Leaning in close to speak into her hear he added, "Your dress is waiting for you upstairs". "Dress?" Belle asked in confusion. He nodded in reply and passed the doorway.

What exactly is he up to? Belle thought. She couldn't even remember when he got her a dress. Of course, he always did like giving her things but something was a bit off this time.

"Okay…let me take a shower and get ready first…"

"Sounds good…I will shower myself, after you"

Looking back from taking the first couple of steps, Belle raised her eyebrows as if persuading him to save water.

"Oh no…that will have to wait my dear…go on" he said flashing a teasing grin in response. Belle quickly turned back and continued walking up to the second level. Making it into their bedroom, her eyes fell upon a deep blue dress lying on the bed. Her feet padded across the room to get closer. Bending over to pick it up, the smooth texture of satin slid across her fingers easily. It was short and elegant with a slight V-neck. Bumping against something on the side of the bed, she looked down to take in a pair of patent black pumps. He knees bent slowly, reaching down to pick the shoes up. Hugging them tightly against her chest, it has been such a long time since she was able to put on anything this nice. He had definitely gone the extra mile this time. Dropping the shoes to the ground, Belle took off to the bathroom to get ready.

Minutes went by and by the time Belle had gotten out of the steam wrapped in a towel, Gold entered the room.

"I'm finished…you may go in now" Belle motioned towards the shower as she exited. His eyes lingered on the droplets scattered on her body.

Grabbing all the clothes she needed, Belle shot him one last look before leaving to change in the next room. Pulling off his tie he walked in the bathroom shutting the door closed.

….

Short chapter I know! But…don't worry next chapter is going to be steamy, juicy whatever you want to call it lol Anyway he's got something up his sleeves just for her.