Two months later...

It had been two months. She had been there for two months and time had seemed to grow wings and fly. How could she have been there for all that time and only feel as if a couple of weeks had passed? It puzzled Belle but that did not change the fact that the time spent at the Dark Castle had been a happy and blessed time for her, and dare she say, for Rumpelstiltskin too.

Since that night in the ballroom, it had seemed something had changed in their relationship. All of the previous worry and pain had been dislodged. She could still feel the echo of pain, as well as the warning beating within her heart. She knew that with each and every day that passed she was falling even more in love with the fiend than she had ever thought possible. Her soul was clinging to him and she had accepted it. She knew that it was dangerous because she would have to leave him in the end. It was inescapable and she would be broken. She only hoped that her child would be enough of a reason to live on. But she would be forced to live on without him. Could she really do that? After the two months she had spent with him? And how would he cope? He would be all alone again. And this time it would be forever. He would surely be broken.

The summer had waxed and waned. The autumn had arrived and had brought the brightly arrayed colors of the leaves. The days were sunny and comfortably temperate. Rumpelstiltskin had even insisted they spend more time outside now that he seemed certain she wouldn't leave. They spent the days either having picnics or walking the grounds, simply basking in the golden sun, and delighting in the company that neither desired to think of as only temporary. The nights were getting chillier though and so they would both sit before the crackling hearth. Some nights Belle would read to him and others they would just sit with their silent thoughts. But both seemed to notice that Rumpelstiltskin did not spin nearly as much anymore.

In two months time, Belle's stomach had blossomed very much. Her morning sickness had ended, to the delight of both Rumpelstiltskin and Belle. She had hated being sick and there had been many days that she could't do anything. No housework and no reading. She had been left to sit and sleep in her bedroom, constantly hurling the contents of her breakfast, lunch, and dinner into the chamberpots. To her surprise, Rumpelstiltskin had taken very good care of her during that time. He had diligently emptied the foul chamberpots, as well as made her all of her meals. He was not a superb cook, but he had chosen not to conjure food with magic, opting to make her food with more flavor and more comfort. And when she had been so emotional that she had cried her eyes out, he had been there to hold her close, never once asking her what was wrong, because he knew that nothing was wrong. It was simply a symptom of the pregnancy. But now that was all over. And she just had a large stomach to prove that she was with child. It was quite a strange feeling to be so heavy with child. To be so large that she had to put forth extra effort to reach for things. She could barely bend over anymore.

Rumpelstiltskin estimated that though it had been only two months and two weeks since she had conceived, that she was nearly the equivalent of five months pregnant. More than halfway through. Another two months or so, maybe even a bit less, and there would be a beautiful baby to take care of. At least, she hoped it was beautiful. But as long as it was healthy, she could care less. Speaking of which, Rumpelstiltskin had still refused to tell her what the child was, much to her irritation. He seemed to think it was just a game. She, on the other hand, had little patience for the matter. Still, she just ignored it. She had enough to worry about. Like baby clothes. Rumpelstiltskin had tried to insist that he could conjure the child the best clothes possible but she had flatly refused. Instead, he had agreed to spin wool into yarn that she could use to knit the clothes and the blankets. It was a shame the baby wouldn't have anything else. Not when they were going to leave when the child was still so young. Too young to have remembrance of the little imp that had touched it's mother's heart. No remembrance of her dear friend Rumpelstiltskin. But she would tell the child about him and would pray that it would have better luck in love than she ever had.

All these thoughts and more circled through Belle's pretty head as she sat there, gazing listlessly into the flickering flames. She was warm and comfortable, a woolen blanket was over her shoulders. She had had no choice but to put aside her blue dress and exchange it for clothes of comfort that would accommodate the large bump of her abdomen. Her clothes were now very plain. She wore a linen shirt that had once been Rumpelstiltskin's which she had converted into something that would fit her. It was a dark purple but it was one of his less elaborate shirts. And her legs were covered by a plain white muslin skirt, within which the shirt remained untucked. Her hair was hanging down her back in loose curls. And the book she had been reading was resting in her lap. One hand was gently treading its way across the cover while the other was gently stroking the nape of his neck.

Belle squirmed gently into a more comfortable position upon Rumpelstiltskin's lap, a position that they both had become accustomed to. He had one arm wrapped around her waist and he was unconsciously stroking his fingers across her stomach. She doubted he even knew that he did so, or else he would stop and probably never do it again. One of her arms was wound around his neck as she played with the lank curls at his nape. Her head lay upon his shoulder and their foreheads rested against each other. Neither, if you asked, could explain what the position possibly meant to either of them. To anyone else it would seem as if it was an incredibly intimate position, and it probably was. More than that, it was a comfort to them. Probably very dangerous to grow any closer, but neither chose to think about that at the moment. They were far too happy to be in each other's arms, snuggled up against the cold of autumn.

Belle let out a content sigh and smiled lazily as her thoughts broke and she remembered that she was still laying in Rumpelstiltskin's lap.

"You sound tired, dearie," he pointed out.

She shook her head, her skin brushing up against his forehead. "Not at all. Just thinking."

"Hmm. About what?"
"Oh, lots of things," she replied mysteriously, a gently grin tugging at her lips. "Mostly thoughts about the baby."

"And what are you thinking about the baby?"

Belle chuckled. "You know, I can't really remember."

He chuckled back. "It really doesn't surprise me. First, morning sickness. Then, emotional swings. Next, those horrid food cravings. And now, forgetfulness. I think I am finally convinced you are pregnant."

"Oh, because this didn't convince you?" She pointed down to her stomach.

He smirked and gently rubbed his forehead against hers. "I'll want my shirt back, dearie."

"Nope," she replied, her lips making a popping noise at the 'p'. "It won't fit you anymore anyway."

"I still want it back," he teased and she giggled lightly, but said nothing else. It was silent for a few moments before Rumpelstiltskin asked, "Have you thought of a name yet?"

Belle pulled away a bit so that she could look at him. They were still very close, but the proximity didn't seem to bother them nearly as much as it had used to. She shook her head and frowned. "No. And for the life of me I cannot think of a single name!"

"Surely you could find something in one of your books to use?"

But she shook her head. "I can't. I just- I want the name to be perfect."

"I'm sure your baby's name will be wonderful. You know," he said as she laid her head back down to rest on his shoulder, "I have some names in mind too."

"You do? What?" The beauty responded, truly curious.

"I was thinking Archibald if it's a boy and Hannelore if it's a girl."

Belle snorted. "Remind me never to ask you for names again."

"Just kidding, dearie. I think that whatever you choose will be perfect. At the very least, the child has no father, so you don't need to worry about naming the baby after him."

She frowned. "I would rather the baby have a father, Rum. Perhaps, if it is a boy, I will name him after you."

"Good Lord, don't, Belle!" He exclaimed and then saw that she was teasing him. "I know it is a hideous name," he mumbled afterward and stopped rubbing his fingers over her stomach, realizing he had been doing so the entire time.

"It is NOT. I think it is a lovely name. But you're right in one thing..." she grinned even though he couldn't see her, "There should only be one Rumpelstiltskin, and he is you. And that makes you even more special." She snuggled just a bit closer to him before adding a bit disappointedly, "And don't stop."

"Don't stop what?" The beast sounded confused.

Belle huffed and grabbed his hand before he could react and placed it on her stomach. "It is soothing. And I think the baby likes it."

He quickly pulled his hand away, just as she knew he would. He shook his head and she was surprised that he did not get up out of the chair right then and there. "It is not my place, Belle. Were I the baby's father, then perhaps it would be alright. But it is not proper."

"Do you want to be the baby's father, Rum?" She asked. It sounded innocent enough, but she felt him tense and knew that she had asked the wrong question. Nevertheless, he answered her.

"I wouldn't be a very good father, Belle. I failed at it once. Besides, that is not something you should be asking me. Your father would be appalled."

She snorted. "My father isn't here. You're here. And I want to know."

"I will not tell you," he replied stubbornly and she pouted.

"Fine, but..." she paused and then squirmed in discomfort before laughing quietly, "You may want to touch my stomach now."

"Why?"

She grabbed his hand and placed it on her stomach. He sat there for several uncomfortable seconds as she just stayed frozen and waited. Finally, he felt something. He felt something move underneath his fingertips and he looked at Belle to see that she was grinning from ear to ear. "Did you feel that?" She asked breathlessly and then giggled excitedly. "That was it's first kick."

Even Rumpelstiltskin could not hide his smile as he and Belle sat there, feeling the child move from within her. He had never been able to experience such a beautiful moment with Milah. He had not been there to see Bae grow within his mother's womb. The miracle of life was truly a special thing, and he was witnessing it that very moment as his fingers sought to calm the wriggling infant growing within his Belle.

XxxxXXxxXXxxXXxx

So, yeah, it's not the longest chapter, but I was hard pressed for time. I hope you all enjoyed it. It was just a bit of fluff to get us away from some angst, which by the way might be coming up soon. Just saying. You might want to be on heavy Regina watch! Yep, Regina's coming. *Que evil music

Also, I've become obsessed with the song "A Time for Us" and I listened to it while I wrote this. Gosh, it is so awesome, and is the theme for the 1968 version of Romeo and Juliet. Have any of you ever watched that movie? How was it and would you recommend it? I haven't watched it yet but it looks absolutely beautiful.