Her Dark Guard

by rosexknight

Belle had married Gaston. The two would happily rule over Avonlea, and had together for a year now. However, it had soon became apparent that Gaston could not give them an heir. So, they had called upon The Dark One for help. The last thing Belle had expected was the deal he had offered them. Even less was how she'd reacted to it. Five years later, everything changes.

20. Epilogue

Her Dark Guard

By: RosexKnight

Happily ever after...

Epilogue

"Papa!"

Baelfire stood before the full-length mirror in the hallway, fiddling with his dress robe. No matter what he tried, something always seemed to be off. He was far too gangly for it. That was the trouble. At twenty, he still hadn't grown into his tall body. His mother giggled from her place on the settee by the fire. Her gown was large and ornate, but did little to hide the bump that was forming in her belly.

"Baelfire you look fine." Mama said, standing to cross to him, smiling at his reflection in the mirror. "Honestly you better worry less about the way you look or I might think you like this girl."

"He does seem to." Rumpelstiltskin said, limping into The Great Hall.

The Dark Curse really hadn't stood a chance when Baelfire and her moved in. The talk of daggers and magic and enemies had unsettled Belle at first, but the magic never left, and they had all settled into a simple life, or as simple as it could be in The Dark Castle with Children of the Moon constantly coming and going to visit Belle since traveling was now less simple.

"I...she's different. I dunno." Baelfire objected, turning to his father. "Does this suit?"

"Well it's no leather breeches and dragonhide vest…"

"Rumple." Belle chided gently, coming to kiss him on the cheek, giggling at the stubble lingering there. "Look how handsome our boy looks."

Yes. Their boy. Eleven years later and Rumpelstiltskin still couldn't get enough of that. His family.

"Quite handsome." The spinner agrees. "She's a lucky girl."

A knock at the door broke the conversation, and Baelfire suddenly looked like he was ready to bolt. Belle stepped forward, squeezing his shoulder.

"Do the brave thing." She said with a smile. He nodded, kissing her cheek and hugging his papa before going to the door, ready to welcome Princess Emma into The Dark Castle.

"He owed you a favor, didn't he?" Belle asked, turning to go back to the settee. It was much easier to sit with the life growing in her.

Rumpelstiltskin joined her, allowing her to lean back against him. He hummed in response, nodding his head. "Aye. He did."

"What was it?" Belle asked.

Rumpelstiltskin chuckled, taking her left hand in his and straightening the ring on her finger, a simple gold band with a single red jewel, the perfect match to the necklace she never removed, a lingering effect of the events that took place in Avonlea. "To let me marry his mama."

Belle laughed, giving him a playful swat. She had no doubt that was the truth, but something told her there was much more to it than that. Either way, she was quite happy. Perfectly content.

"I suppose I'll have to thank him." She said, turning to kiss him. "I'd be lost without you, Rumple."

"Nay." He said, kissing her temple. "I'd be lost. And I might be again. But I'll come back to you. I'll always come back to you."