Chapter Eleven: Breakfast

Belle woke the next morning feeling better and in high spirits. She put on one of her new dresses, a green one outlined in cream colored lace. It came with a matching sash, which she did her best to tie around her waist. She looked for a mirror to help, but there wasn't one to be found. 'Are there no mirrors in this castle?' She made a note to herself to look for one as she cleaned the castle today. Even if she could find just a tiny one, it would be better than nothing.

When she was done dressing she made her way down to the kitchen to start on breakfast. Bae was there waiting for her, "Good morning, Belle. How you feeling this morning?" he asked.

She flashed him a smile, "Much better, thank you. What would you like for breakfast?"

"How about some eggs and bagels?"

"That sounds good," she walked over to the pantry to retrieve what she needed.

"Can I help?"

"Sure, you can set the table if you'd like."

"Ok!" Bae went to get plates and utensils out of the cabinet while Belle cooked.

Belle began to wonder when and if Rumplestiltskin would appear, "Do you know if you're father is coming down?"

"I don't know. I haven't seen him all morning. I think he's working in his lab today."

Belle silently hoped Rumple was not going to continue ignoring her. She wasn't sure she could handle it.

Just when she was about to give up hope of him coming to breakfast, Rumplestiltskin strolled in the kitchen right when the food was finished cooking. Bae was already eating at the table; Belle was taking the teakettle off the stove. When she turned around and saw him her face lit up, "Good morning Rum!" she said happily.

Bae looked up from his plate when he heard Belle call his father by a nickname. He was confused as to why she would do such a thing. He continued to watch the two as they conversed.

Rumplestiltskin took a step forward toward Belle, "I can see you are feeling better today."

"Oh, yes very much."

"Nonetheless, you should stick to light chores for the next few days until you are completely healed."

A warm feeling welled up in Belle at his concern for her, "Yes, I will. Breakfast is ready if you'd like to have a seat." She turned and poured a cup of tea in the chipped cup and handed it to him.

Rumplestiltskin took the teacup from her, "Uh, no I have a lot of work to do in the lab today. I will take my tea and breakfast there." He chose to ignore the hint of disappointment, which was displayed on Belle's face.

"Oh, ok. Will you be down for lunch or supper at least?"

"Lunch no, we will see about supper."

Bae, sensing the mood change in Belle after hearing Rumplestiltskin would not join them chimed in, "I would like it if you had supper with us Papa."

Rumplestiltskin looked over at his son and a small smile appeared on his face. His son rarely voiced wanting to spend time with him and this made Rumple feel good, "Sure Bae, I'll make sure I come down for dinner."

Belle cheered up a little hearing this, but she couldn't help but feel Rumplestiltskin was still trying to stay away from her. She sighed and looked down at the floor. She stroked her right arm with her left hand. She was unsure of what to say next. Eventually, she poured herself a cup of tea.

Rumplestiltskin, disliking uncomfortable silence, decided he would take his leave, "I will see you two around sevenish then." He turned to leave but Belle's sash caught his eye. It was coming undone, and about to fall to the floor. 'Don't do it,' he told himself, but found himself walking over to Belle despite his objections. Her back was facing him, so as not to startle her he said in a high pitched joking manner, "Don't know how to tie your own sash, dearie?" He took the sash in his hands and began to tie it around her waist.

Belle's heart almost stopped feeling him so close and the sensation of his hands on her waist. She tilted her head towards him where she could look at him as he fixed her sash. She could feel his hands linger at her waist as he looked back into her eyes. She leaned back into him yearning for him to completely embrace her. Instead, he stepped back, grabbed his plate and tea, and left. Belle watched saddened as he walked out.

Bae almost couldn't believe his eyes after watching the scene that just happened in front of him. 'Does my Papa have some sort of feelings for Belle? Is it possible she returns his feelings? It sure does look that way. I've never seen him act that way around another woman. It sure would explain a lot…' Suddenly a thought entered his head that never occurred to him before, 'Perhaps if he finds someone to love, and she returns his love, then maybe he'll stop being so evil...and then I can have my Papa back, and a mother, and we could be a real family.' Bae smiled at the thought, 'Maybe I can find a way to bring him and Belle closer together. I would love it if she was my mother.'

Belle glanced over and noticed Bae staring at her. She blushed in embarrassment. Bae detected her embarrassed look and decided he wouldn't say anything to her. Besides he didn't want to bring something up that most likely wasn't true, and could just be a figment of his imagination. Then again, he was positive he saw something there as Belle and his father looked at each other…

After breakfast, Belle went to clean one of the many rooms on the second floor with Bae in tow. She told him he didn't have to help her, that she didn't want to upset his father, but Bae insisted. "How about you just keep me company today?" Belle suggested, "Your hands are not completely healed."

Bae was let down Belle didn't want him to help, but he was glad she wanted him as company. Besides she was right, it was still painful to use his hands. The two engaged in light chitchat as Belle dusted and straightened up the room. Belle told Bae stories about growing up as a princess. Bae listened intently.

When lunchtime came around, they decided to eat in the room she was currently cleaning. Bae offered to go fetch it, and bring it up to her. Belle accepted since she wouldn't let him help her clean.

While Bae was away she opened a drawer to examine it's contents. In the corner of the drawer she noticed something oval covered by a piece of cloth. She reached in, pulled it out, and removed the cloth. 'A mirror! Finally!' She held it up and fixed her hair.

Bae walked in the room and gasped, "What are you doing?!"

Belle, startled, almost dropped the mirror, but caught it in time, "I just found this mirror in the drawer."

Bae sat the food down, ran over to Belle, snatched the mirror from her, and covered it back up, "Never, ever, uncover the mirrors!"

"Why? It's just a mirror."

"My father says bad people can spy on you through a mirror. That's why we don't have any around, or the ones we do are covered up."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know."

"It's ok, but let's not tell Papa about it, he won't be happy." Bae placed the covered mirror back in the drawer.

Belle nodded in reply. She felt uneasy about keeping something from Rumplestiltskin, but the mirror had only been uncovered for a couple minutes. 'What harm could have been done in such a short period of time?'

Meanwhile somewhere far away…

"Your majesty," said a male voice, "You told me to notify you if any of the mirrors in Rumplestiltskin's castle were ever uncovered."

A tall thin black haired woman, known as Regina the Queen, walked over to her magic mirror. The male voice was coming from a ghostly blue face embedded in the mirror, "Well did it show anything interesting?" she snapped.

"Yes, ma'am." The blue face faded away to show what had been visible from Rumplestiltskin's mirror. Regina watched as the cloth fell off to reveal a beautiful woman looking at her. The woman smiled and arranged her hair. The woman was startled by a boy entering, "What are you doing?!" cried the boy.

The mirror slipped in the woman's hand, "I just found this mirror in the drawer."

Regina's last glimpse was the boy snatching the mirror and covering it back up.

Regina was in utter shock. She knew Rumplestiltskin had a son. She had attempted to capture him in the past but failed. She had never been able to get her hands on him because Rumplestiltskin almost never let him out of his sight. 'But a girl? What was a girl doing in his castle? And a very beautiful one at that. Surely she can't willing be there. What woman in her right mind would choose to be with Rumpletiltskin?' she shuddered at the thought. However, she never knew Rumple to take unwilling women. 'He must've secured her in a deal.' Although, the question remained: Did he care about this girl?

The blue face reappeared, "Are you pleased your highness?"

An evil grin emerged on Regina's face, "Very much so. I might have just found what I need to finally gain power over Rumplestiltskin."