Ch. 25

By the time Belle arrived at the hospital, the room that Rumple was in was already crowded. David was there, as was Mary Margaret, Neal and Emma.

Doctor Whale was there as well. When Belle entered the room, everyone turned to look at her. She quickly pushed past the crowd and sat down by Rumple's side, on the edge of the bed.

"Are you alright?" She asked, nervously.

She was clearly out of breath and was sweating.

"I should ask you the same," Rumple replied.

"Huh?" Belle thought for a moment, then realize how she looked. "Oh, I ran here. Literally. I'm sorry it took so long - I grabbed the first clothes I could find but it's still a couple of miles."

"Oh, man," Mary said, in an annoyed tone. "I should've picked you up. I got the call from David and came straight over and didn't think of you. I'm sorry."

It was then that Belle noticed that Mary Margaret was holding Rumple's hand in what looked like an attempt to comfort him.

"I owe you an apology as well," Emma added.

"It's fine, all is forgiven, now, is Rum okay?"

"I was just explaining to everyone that from what we can tell, the baby is fine. He's moved into an odd position - that's why Mr. Gold couldn't feel him, but we did an NST and he's definitely alive."

At this point, Rumple blushed.

"I've worried you all for nothing. I apologize."

Everyone in the room gave him an odd look.

"You don't have to apologize," Emma finally said. "Hell, if it were my kid, I'd be concerned too. Especially if I were a guy. You did the right thing."

"To be safe, we can keep him overnight, if that's alright by you of course," Dr. Whale said to Emma.

Emma looked at David.

"I'm fine with it so long as there's someone here with him. Someone besides Belle, I mean."

"I guess I can stay, unless you need me at home?" He questioned his wife.

"No, no. Neal and I will be just fine," Mary smiled at him.

"Good. Okay then. I'll see you both in the morning," David said. He kissed Mary on the lips and waved goodbye to Emma, then took a seat next to Rumple.

The man didn't say anything, but David could tell that he wasn't pleased with the situation. It was definitely going to be a long night.

00

Thankfully for David, Belle soon started a conversation with Rumple and David soon got pulled in.

"I knew you had nightmares before, but I never thought they were this bad," Belle said, holding Rumple's hand a little tighter.

"It wasn't that bad," Rumple replied.

"You were screaming in your sleep," David remarked. Rumple again looked embarrassed, and David softened his tone. "It's okay, you know. To show weakness. Everyone has one."

Rumple was just about to respond with something angry or sarcastic when Belle spoke up.

"He's right, you know. Maybe talking about the nightmares would help. You talked about them with Mary, right?"

"I did."

"And didn't it help?"

"It did. It doesn't seem right to burden you or anyone else with it now, though. Not after all I've done."

"You can always tell me," Belle whispered, kissing Rumple's hand.

"Thank you," He whispered back.

"This isn't good for you," David said, looking Rumple over. He still looked extremely tired. The stress of the evening probably didn't help much. "I know you and I have had our differences but I understand you better than you think. You're scared. You feel guilty. All of that is normal. Maybe it would help to remind yourself that soon enough, you'll be free."

Rumple perked up when he heard that.

"Do you truly think the judge will allow it?"

"I do. He'll want to remain on everyone's good side, and pretty much everyone wants you out, so I doubt he'll protest it. At most, maybe he'll give you probation as a mandatory minimum sentence or something."

"And the dagger…"

"The dagger will be kept safe, with me. Again, we've had our differences, but I won't hurt you with it."

Rumple felt that David was telling the truth. He could tell by the way the younger man spoke and his general mannerisms.

"Thank you. I don't want Tristan growing up without a father."

"Is that the name you've chosen? Tristan? I've heard you mention it a few times but wasn't sure if it was official."

Rumple looked at Belle. She then looked at David.

"I think we can say it's officially his name. Tristan Gold."

"A very handsome name," David replied. He then looked at the clock, noting that it was near two am. "Now, you should probably get some rest."

Rumple nodded and accepted a goodnight kiss from Belle. He pulled up his blankets, feeling slightly better with her by his side.