Two years had passed. Two amazing years, where Rumplestiltskin and Belle divided their time between raising their son Gideon, loving each other and making short trips whenever a deal was required. She got to know various places what really fulfilled her wishes to see the world, but there was one wish she found herself unable to fulfil. Being a mother again.

No matter how much they tried, her body kept betraying her, bleeding each and every month, washing away her dreams of having another baby. Mrs. Potts insisted that she was in perfect health and sooner or later it was going to happen, it just probably didn't yet because she was too anxious, but Belle wasn't sure if she believed her. Rumple never said anything more than that he was happy with the family they already had, even though he wanted the same thing as her.

One night, laid by his side in their bed still blissful from their lovemaking and specially feeling that she had somehow failed him, she dared to ask: "Could you use magic to make sure that this time we will have a baby?"

Rumplestiltskin shooked his head. "Magic comes with a price. One that neither I nor you want a child of ours to pay."

"Yeah, you're right. I just - " She took a deep breath, thinking of how mad she should have sounded asking that to him. "I'm sorry I was feeling a little desperate."

"Sleep, sweetheart and don't think about this anymore." When she nodded hiding her face in his skin, Rumple stroked her hair slowly and whispered: "It will happen, Belle, I promise."

After that episode, she decided that she was going to be content with what they had and forget about getting another child.

It was spring and the weather was wonderful, making her pull on her old blue dress and take Gideon to the gardens. Mrs. Potts had stretched a towel in the lawn, bringing some fruits for them and now the two women were sat, watching the little boy chase after some squirrels.

"He has energy. I wouldn't stand running for more than five minutes." The maid pointed out, when Gideon passed in front of them for the fourth time.

Belle laughed slightly, closing the book she had in her lap and taking a strawberry from the plate. "This boy will be tough and tall, apparently. Have you realised how much he had grown these past few months?"

"Oh, he is still little." Mrs. Potts said. "But I bet he will be a tall man."

"Mama!" They heard Gideon calling. "Mama!"

"And there I go." Belle said, rising up from the ground and heading to where the sound of her son's voice came from, near the shrubs. "What is it, Gid?"

"Fire!" The boy said, looking at the trees behind it with despair.

Startled, Belle grabbed him by the hand, pulling her son behind her. "Stay away."

She looked around attentively to certify if anyone who could have start this fire was around, but there it was only them in the gardens. At least, until Rumplestiltskin appear, brought by a cloud of purple smoke. Quickly waving a hand, he extinguished the fire.

"Alright, it's over." The imp said.

"Where does that fire came from?"

Rumplestiltskin pointed a finger to where their son was, still hidden behind his mother. "Him."

"What?"

"The fire came from Gideon. His magic is starting to show up."

At the sound of his name, Gideon peeked a look at his father, blinking slightly. "My magic?"

"Aye, my boy. It seems that we are going need to have some lessons."

"Cool. I'm going to tell Mrs. Potts!"

The boy ran back to where the maid was leaving his parents alone. Belle's heart was racing and she had to lean on a tree to keep her balance. Rumplestiltskin approached her, holding his lady close.

"Belle, are you feeling well?"

"Yeah, I just almost forgot that he had magic." She sighed. "Three years and nothing happened until now."

"Things usually happen when are not expecting them to. He will be fine, I will teach him to control his powers and incidents like that will be avoided."

A little part of her, told Belle that his first phrase did not just applied to that situation and that he was trying to give her some hope with their baby problem too, but she wasn't interested in keep dreaming with something that clearly wasn't going to happen, so she pretended that she didn't get it. The lady let her hands ran through Rumplestiltskin's arms, caressing him, but trying to find comfort for herself in the fact that he was there with her and he loved their family.

She was worried about Gideon's powers and wanted more than anything to fill her lover with questions about it, however Belle didn't get the chance to ask him just yet, because Rumple turned his head to the gates, listening something that she couldn't hear.

"Enter the castle." He said.

"Why?"

"There is someone coming."

Knowing exactly what she should do, Belle rushed to Gideon and Mrs. Potts, gathering all the things that were spread over the garden and taking them inside. Rumple followed them a minute later, leaning on one of the hallway's pillars and waiting for the moment his visitor would enter the castle. He heard the carriage parking outside the gates, letting them open with magic, just like the front door, to show the tall man.

"Rumplestiltskin."

"King David," A languid smile passed through his lips. "I would like to say that it is a pleasure to see you, but I would be lying if I did so."

David didn't even bother to roll his eyes, he was focused in a mission. "I need information."

"You always do."

The King opened his mouth to continue, but jumped in place when someone came running from the stair in the end of the hallway and collapsed against the imp's legs, hugging the tightly and laughing a little. "Papa, who is him?"

He almost stormed out. In his mind Rumplestiltskin could already see himself screaming angrily with the child for daring to come downstairs when a stranger was there, after he clearly instructed the whole family to stay hid when he received a guest, but he couldn't do it. The last time he lost his nerves and did something so stupid was when Regina appeared there asking to spend a night in the Dark Castle and Belle showed up.

That day he had been a monster to his pregnant lover and he had learned the lesson of never doing that again, so he breathed in, kneeling on the floor and showing a calm smile to his son.

"He is just a visitor, my boy. And you should be playing upstairs with your mama."

In perfect timing, Belle crossed the hallway, her cheeks flushed and a silent apologise in her eyes. "I'm so sorry, he escaped."

"It's alright, sweetheart." Rumple assured, stroking his boy's soft green-gold cheek. "King David, these are my son Gideon and Belle, my Dark Lady."

When he lifted his reptilian eyes to the King, he realized that his jaw was funnily dropped as he looked to Rumplestiltskin's family in disbelief. "Belle, that princess you got from a deal?"

"It was my choice to come here, sir." Belle said before he could even think about answering, making the imp smile. "And certainly, it was also my choice to become Rumplestiltskin's lady."

"I see." David swallowed. "Well, I'm here because of my daughter, Princess Emma."

Standing up on his feet, Rumplestiltskin grabbed his son from the floor, swinging the boy in the air to make him laugh, even knowing that he was probably ruining a little his reputation of being a heartless beast by doing this. But he couldn't resist, he loved to make his son laugh. "What about her?"

"She was engaged to Prince Eric, but last week she decided to tell everybody in their engagement party that she had a child with a thief."

"Why would she do this?" Belle asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Emma never wanted to marry Eric, so I guess she found a way to break their compromise."

Glancing at his son like he was saying how bored he was, Rumplestiltskin said: "I still don't understand what this have to do with me."

"I need you to find my grandson and that thief. Emma said that her boy is with the Evil Queen."

"Sorry, dearie, I have no idea of where Regina might have been hidden at this point and I can't find a thief whose name I don't even know."

"Neal." David replied. "She told me his name is Neal. The same one she chose for her little brother when he was born."

"Is this his real name?"

"How am I supposed to know that? I didn't even know that I was a grandfather until a couple of days ago."

Rumplestiltskin sighed, annoyed by all that drama. "Did you have something that belonged to him?"

King David blinked. "Actually yes." He reached for his cloth's inner pocket and took a little metal circle from inside there. "This pendant was in one of Emma's necklaces, the last thing he gave her."

"I think I can make a location spell with this." Rumplestiltskin said, reaching to grab the little thing from his hands. "It may take us to him if he is still in this realm."

"Will you help me?"

"For a price."

This time, the king indeed rolled his eyes. "Of course. What do you want?"

"Now? Nothing. But you will owe a favour when I need it."

"Deal."

Pulling his son down to the floor again, the imp fixed his auburn hair, before nodding to the king. "Let's go find this thief." He leaned in to press a kiss to his Belle's lips, under David's disgusted watch. "Do not wait for me awake, sweetheart."

Belle was already sleeping peacefully, when Rumplestiltskin finally arrived. He used magic to change his clothes for a nightshirt and laid by her side in the bed, slipping under the covers and cuddling against his lover, causing her to wake up.

"Have you find the thief?" She asked, sleepy.

"No." The imp answered clutching his face against her neck. "His trail disappeared in the sea. He is probably very far away from here now."

"Poor King David. With this scandal, Princess Emma is never going to be a queen."

Breathing the sweet smell of her hair, he giggled. "Lucky her to have a brother. She never wanted the crown."

"So, King David just gave up on his search?"

"Oh no, I came home for my beautiful family, but I'm totally sure that he is still out there looking for thieves and former queens."

The lady moved in his arms, turning around to face him. She traced his jawline with the tip of her finger. "Why didn't you tell him where Regina was?"

"She never told anyone about your pregnancy. Hook and your father was the actual responsible for half of the world knowing that we had a child."

"Yeah, that's true. She is a good person."

A loud laugh attempted to leave him, but Gideon's room was right beside theirs and he didn't want to wake their boy, so he held it. Remembering to help transform the sad teenager Regina in the Evil Queen, was one of the facts that assured him that Belle was completely wrong in her judgment this time. "You really don't know her."

"I know enough of her. The best part."

He pulled her closer for a kiss, his dry and cold lips brushing softly against hers wet and warm, their breaths turning into one as their mouths opened for the tongues to make a slow dance. Rumplestiltskin could feel her necessity to sleep, by the way her movements were sluggish. Beautiful Belle, even exhausted wanting to give him everything he could wish for. He smiled, pulling away, suddenly deciding something. "We are going to make a new trip next week."

"Where?"

"Agrabah."

"Really?"

Rumplestiltskin nodded, already planning the trip in his head. He knew that it would be needed sooner or later because of the deal he was going to make, but now he just imagined the perfect way of giving his little goddess a great time too. "Aye, and this one will be special."

"Why?"

"Not telling."

Belle rolled her eyes. "Sometimes I hate you, Rumplestiltskin." She said in a playful tone.

"This place is simply amazing!" Belle exclaimed stunned looking around after Rumplestiltskin uncovered her eyes right in the middle of Agrabah's market. She looked down to surprisingly see herself dressed pink outfit that was nothing like anything she had ever wore before, fluttering pants and a top that covered too little, showing her belly. "Do I look weird in these clothes?"

Shooking his head, Rumplestiltskin took a moment to admire the view, lust appearing in his eyes. "You are very far away from weird in this."

The lady blushed. She loved when Rumple looked at her like that, but even after all those eyes it still embarrassed her. "So, what are we here for?" Belle said, trying to feel less uncomfortable under his glance.

"A young girl called Jasmine wants to ride away from her fiancé."

"Girls like I once was, usually does."

He gesticulated for her to start walking through the market, with a hand placed in her back. "Yeah, it seems a common thing to reject an engagement."

"Thank gods you saved me from mine with Gaston." Belle said, gripping his arm, happily, her chin coming to rest on his shoulder as they walked together. "And what is your plan for her?"

"I have someone to help her escape to the Land of the Untold Stories." He made a pause, adding wickedly: "For a price, sure."

"Which one?"

"This is a secret for now."

Belle sighed. "You are keeping to much secrets from me lately."

"Don't worry, this one you will like."

They made their way to a hidden place near the palace, where a young lady was standing in the shadows, her clothes very similar to the ones Belle was wearing, but in a light tone of blue.

"Princess Jasmine." Rumplestiltskin greeted her.

The lady gave a look full of mistrust to the two of them. "You're the Dark One?"

"Yes, and this is my Dark Lady, Belle."

Jasmine waved her head in Belle's direction. "It's very nice to meet you."

"Come with us, dearie, your helper is waiting."

Hesitantly, the princess followed them to a tent that was equally set in one of the darkest places of Agrabah, been covered by the big shadow of the palace. Rumplestiltskin pulled the fabric walls away and let the ladies enter first. Inside there was a thin man, sat in the tapestry floor. Jasmine immediately look back at the Dark One in shock. "Him? But he is a thief!"

"Yeah, but I'm also your only chance to escape, Princess." The man said.

"Belle, this is Aladdin." Rumple introduced them. "Now, princess, are you going with him or not?"

"Fine." Jasmine said, clearly not liking the fact that it happened to be her only choice and picked up a piece of jewellery from the velvet bag she was holding. "Here is your payment."

Accepting it, Rumplestiltskin nodded for her and let Jasmine go on her own way with Aladdin by her side. When they disappeared, sneaking around, the Dark One turned to his lady showing the jewel he got from the princess.

"A necklace? Why do you want this?"

"You will see, now come on."

Leading her out, the imp took his lady to walk through the market again, seeing the beautiful exotic things they were selling there. Agrabah was different from everything she had ever seen before, what made Belle want to explore each tiny corner of it to make sure that her mind had absorbed every single aspect of this new culture.

The people who walked around there had a different shining light in their eyes than the ones' in the Enchanted Forest used to have, their clothes were some kind of thing that no one would ever wear there, the weather was hotter than the best summers in her land had ever been. Belle breathed in that fresh air, smelling all the new scents, feeling delighted by her latest adventure.

They stopped in front of a red tent which walls were made of a gorgeous printed fabric and had two man guarding its entree. One of them stepped forward at their sight. "You're Princess Jasmine's guest?" He asked.

Taking the necklace from his pocket, Rumplestiltskin showed the jewel to him. "Yes."

With a brief curtsey, the man pulled the fabric away to let them get inside, closing it when they passed. The vision in there was breath-taking, the walls with the same red print from the outside, two golden chairs and a little table in one of the sides, a low larger table in the other, full of various kinds of food, all seeming incredibly delicious. But in the middle of the tent was a huge bed whose mattress were almost touching the floor and it would be if it wasn't for the wooden board that separated it from the tapestry floor. "Whoa, that is beautiful."

"It is all for you." Rumple said in a whisper, leaning on Belle from behind, his body touching hers as his hands were placed to her hips. "You were sad and I thought this might cheer you up a little."

"It does."

"Lay down, darling Belle." He commanded with a kiss to her ear. "I intend to properly make love to you now."

A shiver passed through her body when Rumplestiltskin nibbled her ear lobe, before she could pull away to attend his request and lay on her back in the bed. He approached her, laying above his lady and kissing her neck with no hurry.

"Such a gentleman." She said in a whimper.

Lifting his face to meet her gaze, he touched Belle's face. "I love you. I always will."

As they kissed, the time seemed to have stopped and the only thing that mattered in the world was the two of them alone in that tent, the way their hands ran through each other's body, taking off clothes, caressing the naked skin, with no pleasure games in mind, just the true pure act of loving one another and showing it in the most intimate way possible. When he slipped inside her and made loving promises to her ear, the only thing that could be heard from Belle were sweet whimpers and ragged breaths that repeated until his seed was been spilled inside her and the two of them laid side by side, enlaced together as if it was the very first time.