Chapter 10

"Rumple, promise me, promise me now that have him. Now that we have our son, you'll find a way to free yourself from the darkness you were plagued with when we met?" Belle pleaded holding their new-born son close as he wriggled and gurgled in his blanket.

Tears fell from his eyes as he kissed her lips and then the crown of his son's head as he nodded full of emotion. "I promise." "You and Bae are my life. I'll never let anyone take you away."

"I love you Belle."

She breathed happily "And I love you both. Forever."

But, he had, he remembered painfully as he watched his wife kiss their son goodnight. Maurice had taken her while he was out searching for help to purge himself. The baby had been left he assumed, because his guards did not believe she would ever lie with a monster.

The nights were so hard and everyone he asked could give him little aid with his wife's whereabouts quite certain that she would be in the farthest realm possible.

It would take a desperate woman fuelled by revenge to reunite his family.

A curse.

"What happened to his mother?" Suddenly cut through his thoughts like a knife and he struggled to compose himself. Belle cared for him but, for all she knew he was just a lonely, middle aged man with a son who had, up until a few days ago been abandoned by a weak father.

Realising how personal it must have sounded Belle recoiled in embarrassment kissing the sleeping boy and then straightening herself up to face the man that she couldn't stay away from.

"I'm sorry- Mr Gold it's none of my business but, I just can't help…"

"No, no!" He took her hands and pulled her near. "Sweetheart its natural." He said gently marvelling at how easily she still fitted in his chest unconsciously breathing him in.

"Sweetheart?" She chewed. A feeling of warmth and familiarity filling her but, he knows it's not enough. Not yet.

"I'm sorry, I just- used to call my wife that."

Looking up and smiling she held his gaze and inched her lips to his before they joined in glorious unison. He cradled her back and deepened it trying to silence the noises that they both wanted to emit. They couldn't wake Bae.

But, he didn't want it to end.

Eventually though…

"I'm sorry! You're married." She gasped, quite unable to believe her own actions but, still feeling his hold. Like a gentle vice grip.

"It's not like that." He pleaded. "If only you knew…"

"Knew what?" His wife replied, eyes searching, pleading as he pulled her out of the room and closed the door.

"How sorry I am."

"How much I love-"

Rumple was silenced by her finger grazing his lips as he exhaled at the touch. "You can tell me anything Mr Gold, but, I won't be responsible for breaking up your marriage."

No! NO! NO! What was she saying? His heart hammered in his chest in horror. "Belle… she was lost to us."

"Is she dead?"

"No, but..."

She broke from his hold tearfully. "Then you're still bound to her. We can only be friends."

"I'm bound to you." He replied, following as she turned and descended the stairs which led to the shop front swiftly.

"You barely know me." She stated when they both reached the centre of the room and he stopped her slightly roughly.

"Search yourself Belle, you know I do. You more than anyone believe in love and blind faith."

"Then, if you know me so well, you also know that I believe in cold, hard facts!" She snapped. "I won't fall in love with that sweet little boy or you at the cost of someone else."

Finally breaking free. She didn't look back as she forced the door open and said: "Goodbye Mr Gold."

"Belle." He sobbed to nothing. Broken.

"Mommy, Daddy I'm hungry." Emma whined as she stood with them in the inn watching as her father paid the kindly woman and she gave her mom a big key.

"Now, don't you worry about that. I'll have whatever you want brought up to your room. Food's free and simple."

"What do you say?" David and Snow prodded.

"Thank you!"

"My pleasure. How long will you folks be staying?" She asked, clearly not recognising her former friends.

Snow looked at David. There was every chance they might have to leave that very night if Regina discovered them but, he still said "A week- maybe more." At twenty dollars a night they couldn't complain.

"Do you need a hand with your bags."

"We've got them. Thanks." Taking Emma's hand with her free one the family moved in unison despite, tiredness. "Room 715. It's on the right. I'll bring you a round of toast and hot chocolate to get you started."

"Thanks Gr- Mrs Lucas." David replied.

An hour later and with stomachs full to the brim they watch over their child in the opposite bed. Safe and dreaming away.

"Sleep." He murmurs thickly, kissing his wife's fore-head until she sighs and turns in his arms pulling the sheets over them.

"I can't." Too many years as a bandit had meant that she was in her default 'sleep with one eye open mode.'

"Then let me help you." He proposed before taking her lips softly pouring all the reassurance and love into it. There were instances when they were fighting Regina where it was not safe or practical to light a candle but, his kisses always worked.

"Thank you." She gasped into his mouth as she responded stilling her desire for fear of waking Emma and other things.

"Glad to be of service my darling."

"I love you." Snow replied easily.

"I love you."

"Now sleep." David soothed

"Why don't you make me?" She challenged playfully whispering in his ear goading him for more kisses to which he happily obliged.

"Mmm- Mmm Mmm. My bandit princess."

She gleamed. "I seem to remember you stealing more than your fair share of kisses during our entire romance."

"What can I say? You make me feel insatiable."

"Mmm." She pecked him hard before wrapping her arms around him and closing her eyes albeit reluctantly.

Her body needed rest.

And so did the baby who in time with his unconscious sister created a sheen of light around the town. No one would be harmed not as long as they were here.

Regina sat bolt upright in her bed.

She'd made her choice.

"I'm sorry Bae. You already have a Mommy- and I'm not it."

"I'm a monster."

"And monsters don't have happy endings." A tear slid down her cheek as her resolve strengthened.

If anyone dared challenge her they were in for one hell of a fight.

Suddenly, she sensed them emotions finally clear from letting go of Baelfire.

"Oh, welcome home Snow WHITE!" She spat the last word already forming a plan of action.