Belle was beginning to worry, she had been feeling ill for about a week and it was getting worse. At first Belle had thought she just had the flu but the coughing and stuffiness never came, that brought her second guess: some kind of infection. She was throwing up and just generally didn't feel herself. Belle hadn't told Rum partially because he had become busy over the last few days with several deals that had popped up, but mainly because she didn't want to be a burden on him. Despite everything that had happened, how much she had grown Belle still thought, at times, she was a burden. She had decided that a trip to Victor for his mass of medical knowledge was in order and that was just what she had planned for after her shift at Granny's. Jasmine had met a guy Al-something Belle couldn't remember, but he had taken Jasmine on a weekend to Boston so Granny was down a waitress. Belle did love going back to Granny's, she loved the pawnshop but that didn't smell of cherry pie and BLT's or have Ruby's laugh filling the place.
Marco and Archie were in the middle booth having lunch like always and Ruby kept wandering over to them, Granny didn't look too pleased but she and Belle could handle the customers. Leroy was as always perched at the end of the counter near the kitchen eating his roast beef sandwich along with some guy who looked like he was about nod off at any moment. Emma and Mary Margaret slumped down in the far booth, Emma's arm wrapped around Henry who had a large Ice Cream Sunday in front of him along with a large smile.
Belle handed Jefferson his tea with a smile, he took it and adjusted the rather eccentric top hat.
"Thank you Belle."
"You're very welcome, Jefferson."
People at college called Jefferson 'The Mad Hatter' on account of his slight nuttiness and preference for hats but Belle liked him. Jefferson studied art, so they didn't see much of each other but was always polite and courteous to her, he was a nice man but she couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He was only a little older than her at age twenty and yet had to deal with so much, his girlfriend Alice had left him right after giving birth to their daughter who he had named Grace. Jefferson somehow managed to juggle; college, work, a stray cat he found and named Cheshire and an eleven month old baby girl. Belle couldn't help but admire him.
The day was a slow one, people came in and out, orders where filled and Belle laughed with Ruby. That of course was until Belle ran to the bathroom to through up.
"Are you alright, Belle?"
Ruby asked from outside the cubical. Belle's hair had been held up in a dirty bun yet of course that had collapsed the moment she had hurled her guts up. Sat on the floor, her back against the cubical wall Belle attempted to hold back the need to through up again.
"Fine Ruby. I'm just a little under the weather. I'll be fine."
"You sure hun?"
"Yeah, I'll be out in a minuet."
She could hear Ruby's heals shuffle and then reluctantly click away. Ruby had that big sister instinct, even though she was only a month older than Belle it was strong but Ruby knew that Belle didn't need crowding. She sat there taking deep breaths and getting her body back under her control, she had her appointment with Victor right after her shift so Belle didn't have to wait long, she and Victor had become friends since her Papa's tragic accident and so she knew that he would do his very best to discover what was wrong with Belle. She pulled herself up on shaky healed legs and slipped the engaged lock to vacant, stepping out.
Looking at herself in the mirror Belle quickly wiped away the small tears that had been squeezed from her eyes during her moment of sickness. Her face was a little flushed but nothing a little cold water wouldn't mend, the liquid was like a God send on her heated cheeks cooling them back to a reasonable temperature and making Belle feel once again human. She fixed her hair and straightened her make-up, when she felt more presentable Belle went back to the main counter where Ruby handed her a tall glass of water. Belle took a long sip.
"Thanks Ruby."
"Of course, hun." Belle took another sip. "Are you alright?"
Belle nodded still drinking her water.
"I'm fine Ruby. Just got a bug or something."
"I can get Granny to let you go home early, Gold can take care of his woman."
The last part was a joke, one that made Belle nearly spit out the last of her water. The gargling snorting noise caused Ruby to burst out laughing.
"Careful there Bells, don't want you spitting instead of swallowing."
"Ruby!" Belle smiled with mock anger.
"What? Gold loves it, I'm sure."
Belle couldn't deny that, he did like it and Belle enjoyed doing it.
XXXX
The time came when Belle's shift was over, she gave Ruby a hug as they said goodbyes and then she left the diner for the hospital. Snow had started to build up again along Main Street as she walked. Christmas was almost upon them and Belle was determined to be well for it, It would be her first Christmas with Gold, without her father. There would be food and drink, a real tree decorated to the nines and presents. Belle hadn't had a Christmas present from anyone except Ruby since she was five years old. Rum liked to spoil her and Belle was prepared to be spoilt.
Her walk to the hospital didn't take too long and to be honest Belle was thankful for the cold air of her walk, it helped the sick feeling that had been again building be pushed back down. Victor smiled at her as he closed the door to the exam room, Belle returned it and took the seat that the doctor gestured at.
"What can I do for you Belle? Are you ill?"
He sat down opposite her and leaned forwards, a look off concern in his blue eyes.
"I may be wasting your time Victor."
"Well, I'm sure that's not true. I'm the doctor here." He laughed and Belle joined in.
"I just don't feel like myself, I keep throwing up too."
"That could be any number of things Belle, an infection, food poisoning. The list goes on."
Belle nodded knowing that Victor was right, it could be nothing or something serious.
"Could it be to do with the accident and my scar?"
Belle had told Victor about what had happened to her on the phone when she booked her appointment, she trusted him enough to tell him. Belle had always been worried about what could happen to make her impossibility to have a child worse. Victor stood.
"Well, lets do a Sonogram and we can take a look. Okay?"
"Yeah, thank you for this Victor."
"No thanks necessary. I'll be back in a moment to run the Sonogram, would you just lay back on the table for a moment?"
Belle nodded as Victor left the room, it was quiet without his soft voice filling it. She did as asked and went to the table, laying back and trying to relax. It didn't take long for Victor to return setting a brown file on the white table beside Belle. Rolling his sleeves up he came towards her and switched on the Sonogram. Belle pulled up her green frilled top revealing her tanned stomach, blemished only by the scar along her abdomen.
"This gel will be a little cold." Victor smiled.
Belle couldn't help the intake of air, that gel really was cold against her skin.
"Sorry, Belle."
"Its okay."
The Sonogram went on for a few minuets before Victor's eyes widened.
"What is it?"
Victor turned the machine for Belle to see and then took a deep breath as if preparing himself.
"Belle, you're...you're pregnant."
Belle froze, and then started to giggle.
"Yeah great joke Victor. What is it really?"
Victor pointed to a small speck on the screen.
"You see that Belle?"
"Yeah."
"That is your babies heart beating. Belle I would never lie or joke about this, not with you. You are pregnant."
"Victor I can't be."
"Well its unlikely but not impo..."
"What?! I can't have a child Victor."
Victor and Belle where looking very confused now.
"Belle...when you were told about what the doctors had done during your operation, what did they say?"
He asked so slowly, like he would upset her. Victor could be so gentle when he wanted to be.
"I was ten, they used a lot of long words I didn't understand most of them so they told my Papa. He said that they had taken one of my ovaries out and the other one was none functional, but it would do more damage to remove that one as well. I got the message though."
"Belle, either your father didn't understand or he lied. You can have a child Belle, the second ovary if damaged yes. A lot of the eggs you produce are incomplete genetically speaking only eight or nine chromosomes in each one function. However, every now and again a few will be produced that are perfectly ordered DNA wise, yet it is unlikely that while those eggs are there you would be sexually active."
Everything went silent for a short while as Belle tried to taking in the rush of new information, she could have a child and more importantly she was. There was a baby inside her at that very moment and Belle almost started crying at how happy she was. A child was all that Belle had wanted since she saw that woman with her baby when she was ten and now she could have one. Belle practically jumped into Victor's arms and pressed a kiss to his cheek, her eyes finally giving up and letting her cry.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you."
"Belle." Victor chuckled embracing her. "You don't have to thank me, I didn't get you pregnant."
She laughed in between her happy sobs.
XXXX
Christmas day finally came and Belle was worried about how Rum would take the news. He had already been a father and lost Bae, she didn't want him to be in pain because of her, or to think she had lied to him. Rum's side of the bed was cold when Belle woke, he had always been an early riser and couldn't just turn over and go back to sleep. Belle slipped out of bed and took a quick shower, as the lava washed over her body Belle automatically put her hand on her stomach and smiled. There was a life inside her.
After the short shower Belle pulled open her closet and while looking for a suitable dress she sent a text to Ruby.
'Happy Christmas Ruby, love you.'
She went through the closet slowly and soon found the perfect one. It was a black and white plaid strapless dress with a matching belt, as with most of her dresses it came down to mid thigh and presented her cleavage beautifully. As Belle was putting on her light make-up her cell buzzed with Ruby's response.
'Yeah and to you hun, love you lots. Hope all goes well with lover boy.'
"'Lover Boy'"
Belle couldn't help but laugh, only Ruby would refer to Rum in such a way. Belle had of course told Ruby that she was pregnant, she could never hide it from her; not for long anyway Ruby always figured things out.
When her make-up was done Belle slipped on her wooden heeled black suede ankle boots and laced them up, then padded down stairs where she found Rum up and dressed, head tilted in confusion as he looked at a large gold wrapped present with a large red ribbon. It was large, so large that it was almost half the height of the Christmas tree.
"What is in it?"
He asked not looking at her, Belle was surprised that he had even heard her come down the stairs.
She made her way over to him and slipped her arms around him then placed a soft but loving kiss to his cheek.
"You really want to know?"
Rum turned in her arms so he could put his own around her waist, his cane pressing into her back ever so slightly. Belle looked him in those beautiful chocolate eyes and then dragged him into a passion fill kiss, his tongue licked along her bottom lip seeking entrance that was quickly granted. He knew just what to do to make Belle moan into his mouth, where to lick and where to nibble.
"I do want to know. You look gorgeous today by the way."
"Flattery will not get me to let you open the box."
"Oh come on, I need to know what it is. I am Mister Gold, don't come between me and something I want, dearest."
Belle smiled and kissed him again.
"Or what?"
"I'll figure something out. Maybe I'll spank you." That only made Belle laugh harder. "Please let me open it."
"I'll make you a deal."
"Oh now I'm intrigued...do tell my dear Belle."
"You can open it, if and only if...you don't freak out."
Rum raised an eyebrow at that but soon nodded.
"Deal. I will do my very best."
"Then you can open it."
Gold practically ran to the box and dragged it over to the couch and Belle joined him, for a man with a cane he could move quick. She had never been so nervous in all her life. He pulled the ribbon and golden paper, opening the big box to find...another box.
"What is this, pass the parcel?"
Belle pressed a kiss to his tea coated lips.
"Yes, now carry on."
"Of course my lady."
The next box was green, Rum pulled of the paper and opened the box...another one.
"Again?"
"Oh just keep opening it."
The new box was a little smaller than the last one and purple. He pulled it open then opened the rest each with different paper: Red, pink, Robins, orange, silver, Christmas trees, blue, yellow, white, lavender and holly berries.
"How much longer does this go on for?"
"You're almost there."
He carried on opening box after box until he got to a black pen box. Rum noticed Belle looked about ready to cry and was chewing on her bottom lip. He tugged the lid off the last box and looked inside, Rum gasped. Inside was a pregnancy test, she had done several just to be sure, Rum looked to down to the little screen eyes widening; two pink lines...pregnant. He didn't speak, just sat there staring at the test in his hands.
"You're...you're..."
"Yeah. Please don't be angry, I didn't lie to you, I didn't know I could. I..."
Belle didn't get chance to finished her panicking as Rum dropped the test, pushed her backwards against the couch and pressed his head to her stomach.
"Hello little one." He said and gave a kiss to her stomach softly.
"You...you're not angry?"
Rum looked up a smile on his face.
"Belle, how could I ever be angry about this? A child is all you have ever really wanted and I am getting a second chance." Belle just started crying with pure happiness, Rum couldn't stand for that and so pulled her into a hug. "My darling Belle, you're almost done with college and then you will have the library. I will help you in any way I can."
"You really don't want me to get rid of it?"
"What? No! Belle this could be our only chance, I wouldn't ever make you do that. I love you and I love her."
"Her?"
"I have a feeling."
Belle laughed and kissed him.
"So we're having a baby."
Rum nodded placing a hand on her stomach.
"I think we are."
"Its a miracle, Rum."
"A miracle is something that seems impossible but happens anyway."