Ch. 10-Of Pancakes and Pleasantries

Gold awoke with a start, his face a little damp from crying in his sleep. He heard some commotion downstairs and the smell of coffee registered in his brain. Grunting, he hobbled to his bathroom for his morning ablations.

Coming downstairs, wearing his signature suit with a dark blue silk shirt and black silk tie, Gold enjoyed the sight of Mahveen chatting with Regina as Henry was scrambling eggs. A pile of pancakes and bacon were already done, the aroma a beacon to his growling stomach. A quick glance showed that Regina did bring over some orange juice and creamer as well.

"Good morning," he said as he walked in and sat down. Mahveen quickly placed a cup of coffee in front of him.

"I already put in 2 servings of sugar in it for you, but I didn't know if you wanted milk or creamer," Mahveen said, passing plates around as Henry joined them with his scrambled eggs.

"Creamer, please," Gold indicated as Regina passed it over to him.

"The coffee is delicious Mahveen," Regina said. "And the eggs are wonderful Henry."

"Thank Mom," Henry said, between mouthfuls of syrup laden pancakes and sips of orange juice.

"So, Gold." Regina said, after taking a sip of coffee, "I spoke to David last night and we've come up with a solution in regards to Henry."

Not waiting for a response and her usual brusque manner, Regina continued, "Since the Charmings have an infant and Snow is feeling a sense of loss due to the disappearance of Emma, we've agreed that during the week, Henry will live with me. After school, he will either go to Mary Margaret's or to your store until I come to pick him up at 5PM. On Fridays until Saturday night, he will stay with his grandparents so we three can have some time to work with Blue or doing research. From Saturday night to Monday Morning, Henry will stay here with you."

Gold didn't blink an eye as he chewed his eggs and then took a sip of coffee. Glancing over at Henry showed that the child seemed fine with these arrangements as it did ensure that he would, for the most part, be protected and safe. He was just a little but surprised at how Regina was so willing to, well, compromise.

"I know that this is not what you're expecting Gold," Regain said after a few beats of silence (except for the scraping of silverware against plates coming from Henry's direction). "Emma's disappeared and regardless of how I feel, this is for Henry."

"It sounds like a good compromise Regina," Gold stated, "but how safe is Henry going to be with me powerless?"

"Give me one of your rings," Regina asked. Gold slipped one off and handed it over. A brief flash of white light confirmed that she placed a protection charm on it.

"Also, I will be with you," Mahveen stated, slowly setting her coffee down. "And I can do a simple charm of protection to repel those that wish to cause you harm around the shop. Regina already cast one around the house, so you don't have to worry about that."

Gold sighed, running his hand through his hair "OK, it's a deal."

"Now, Henry, you go get your backpack and meet me at the door," Regina said. "And Gold, I'll be stopping by the shop at about 2PM. Belle called and she wants a divorce settlement. I figured that would give you enough time to either talk to her or start the paperwork."

Gold nodded as he lifted the coffee to his lips to take a sip.

"It was nice meeting you," Mahveen said, shaking Regina's hand and waving farewell to Henry.

"You as well," Regina said, and smiled before ruffling Henry's hair and hugging him close as they left by the front door.

"More coffee" Mahveen asked Gold after the sound of Regina's car leaving filled the silence.

"Yes, that would be lovely dearie," Gold stated, finishing his pancakes.

As he was sipping his second cup and eating a piece of bacon, Rumpelstiltskin watched Mahveen as she tidied up the kitchen. She was humming and putting a few left over pancakes away. As she was washing up the skillet, he noticed she was wearing a long tunic with jeans and flats. Dangling earrings and his necklace completed the look. He saw and approved the light amount of makeup and how it brought out her eyes. Her hair looked curly today and she looked so young to him.

His eye appreciated the way the jeans hugged her curves and enjoyed with way the slits on the side of the tunic helped reveal those legs of hers when she moved. He felt-attracted to her on a physical level and it felt different than his attraction to Cora or even Belle. There was a part of him that was also attracted by her intellect and her wit, which was a first for him. He liked her body; he knew that images of her legs and hands made his pulse race, but her mind! Gods! From what he remembered when she was little to what conversations that had yesterday and so far today, he felt a pull to her charm and did love the way he was playful with Henry-it did something to him-made him feel something. It terrified him.