Okay I love how badass Belle was in this week's episode! Standing up to the Queen's of Darkness with all the sass! I love her so much. I'm also super excited about ScarletBeauty! It's not MadBeauty but it has potential :) Please enjoy this chapter!

Henry and Grace were giddy with excitement over Regina's decision to join Operation Beautiful Hatter. By the time she pulled up to the school gym they'd relayed everything they had planned and questioned her on what her role would be.

"So mom what do you have planned for Operation Beautiful Hatter?" asked Henry leaning forward in his seat. "Is there some magical spell or jewelry you're going to use?"

"No!" said Regina firmly turning toward the backseat with a raised eyebrow. "Let me make something clear to both of you. This operation is no longer about the tricks and traps that you two have been setting up. This is a very delicate situation. Belle is still fragile from what happened with your grandfather and Grace your father… well let's just say there's a reason he hasn't dated since you were born. If we want those two to actually realize their feelings for each other it's going to take a little more than the ineffective parent-trapping that you two have been doing."

"Ineffective?" said Grace incredulously. "I got them hand-holding within two minutes today! I'd say that's pretty effective."

"Yes you did," conceded Regina. "But you did so through your own personal bonding with Belle. You saw how grateful your father was to Belle for mentoring you. Now do you really think he's going to risk the relationship that you have with her just start one of his own?"

Grace leaned back in her seat and pouted. The queen had a point. There was a chance that she had set things back a little by bonding with Belle but she couldn't help it. Belle was one of the few adults in town that didn't look down on her because of her youth. She talked to her like she an actual person and not a child. It was refreshing. "Okay you might have point there."

Regina nodded her head in triumph. "Look kids you have done inspired work trying to get Belle and Jefferson together but the truth is… you're just amateurs. It's time for a master to step in."

"And I'm guessing that master would be you?" said Henry giving his mother a smirk.

"Exactly," she said with a devious smile.

"Okay," said Grace resignedly. "But while you're plotting what are we supposed to do?"

"Your job is to go to the dance, smile, laugh and take pictures. Just have fun together and when I have something up my sleeve I'll let you know. And you will do the same for me. Deal?"

Grace thought for a minute before nodding her head. "Deal."

Henry shrugged his shoulders. If it was okay with Grace he supposed it was okay with him. "Deal."

"Good," said Regina giving them a toothy grin. "Now Emma's going to pick you guys up at nine once she's done with her patrol. She'll meet you out front. Do not be late."

"Okay," said Henry helping Grace step out of the car. He then told her to go ahead while he talked with his mother alone.

Regina sighed as her son walked over to her window. "Henry I know you like to be control of your operations but trust me I know what I'm doing."

"That's not why I wanted to talk you," he said leaning against the driver's door.

Regina raised her eyebrows at him. "Really? Then what's the hold up?"

"I'm worried about you," said Henry somberly.

"What do mean?" asked Regina, her voice laced with concern.

"Mom you've been acting sort of strange lately. You practically collapse into bed every night. Sometimes you even nod off during dinner. And it's like your mood flits to extremes at the drop of a hat. I mean you even cried tonight."

"I didn't cry!" protested Regina. "I just had allergies!"

"Mom no one believes that," said Henry shaking his head. "Seriously, you just got engaged and you're taking care of all those rental properties for me and now with Operation Beautiful Hatter… I'm just worried that you're feeling overwhelmed."

"Henry I promise you that I am fine," she said patting his hand and giving him a reassuring smile. "Things might be a little stressful lately but I promise that I'm taking care myself. Now go have fun at your dance."

Henry gave her one last look. "Okay. Love you."

"Love you too." Said Regina. She watched as her son led his girlfriend into the school gymnasium. Her not so little prince. She wondered how he would react when he found out the truth.

XXXXXX

Shortly after Regina took the kids to the dance Jefferson started to walk Belle back home. On his exterior he was keeping cool but he had to admit that he was excited at the prospect of being alone with her again. Belle, for her part, was equally excited for a chance to talk with the Hatter. Not that she would ever admit that to herself. The pair walked in perfect sync down the road toward Regina's house.

"You know I really hope you're not doing this just to pay me back for tonight," said Belle. "Because I told you it was my pleasure to help Grace."

"Oh no," said Jefferson shaking his head. "As far I'm concerned after tonight you actually owe me."

Belle looked at him quizzically. "For what exactly?"

"For the emotional distress that you put me through by turning my baby girl into a young woman," said Jefferson with a smirk. "You are going to owe me for years to account for this pain."

Belle let out a laugh. "You're ridiculous."

"Call me names all you like but I distinctly remember her being a toddler before you worked your magic," he joked.

"She was a young woman long before I got there. The fact that you didn't notice is a problem you should take up with your eye doctor and not me," said Belle with a sly smile. "Besides I wasn't the only one playing fairy godmother for a day. I heard that you took Henry suit shopping."

Jefferson shrugged his shoulders in response. "I couldn't very well let my daughter go out with a hobo now could I?"

"You know it's okay to say you like him," said Belle teasingly.

"He's… not the worst 14-year-old in the world. I will give him that," conceded Jefferson.

"Oh that's such a high compliment coming from you," mocked Belle. "I'm actually surprised you didn't offer to chaperone the dance tonight. It's the perfect opportunity to keep an eye on them."

"In all honesty I did think about it," admitted Jefferson. "But then I remembered that this woman told me I would be better off leaving my traditional values in the past."

Belle chuckled at that. She thought about the conversation they had on Granny's patio quite often. "Well she sounds like a wise woman."

"I thought so too," he replied with a warm smile. "Enough about my parenting. I want to hear more about you."

"Me?" said Belle raising her eyebrows.

"Yes you!" said Jefferson. "I hear around town you've become quite the literary hero these days. Raising Storybrooke's collective intelligence one novel at a time."

"Well I would hardly call myself a hero for my literacy program but it is something I'm quite proud of," said Belle bashfully.

"Tell me about it," said Jefferson giving her a soft nudge with his elbow. Even through two layers of clothes the contact made his heart race.

"Okay," said Belle softly. They talked about her program and the library the entire way home. Jefferson had never seen Belle more passionate than when she talked about all the good she'd accomplished. You could feel the excitement flow off of her and onto you. She talked about expanding the program to start book clubs and mommy and me readings. Jefferson got the distinct feeling that she wouldn't stop until the whole world learned to love books as much as she did. Before they even realized it they had reached Mifflin Street.

Jefferson let out a sigh as they stopped in front of the mansion's gate. "Well here we are."

"Back home and I've spent all this time talking about myself," said Belle with a shake of her head. "You must think I'm really self-absorbed."

"Not self-absorbed," said Jefferson shaking his head with a small smile. "Just passionate about what you do."

Belle smiled back at him. "I didn't even get the chance to ask if there was anything new with you. Has anything changed lately?"

"Since I last stood here with you?" he said staring deep into her eyes. "No…nothing has changed at all."

Belle felt her heart stop at his words. The last time they were together here he'd just asked her out. And she'd rejected him. Given the mess with Rumpelstiltskin that had followed afterward she couldn't bring herself to regret that decision but she still remembered the promise that she had made him. To consider him as an option. She hadn't broken it. Whenever she thought about romance his face was the only thing that came to mind.

"Well that's good to hear," she said breathlessly.

For a minute they stood there having their own tension-filled staring contest. Both wanting to make a move, neither of them being brave enough. Finally Jefferson cleared his throat and gave her a polite nod. "It was good to see you Belle."

He started to walk past her when she called out to him. "Jefferson!"

"Yes?" he said quickly turning back to her. Hope was painted all over his face.

As she looked into his expectant eyes Belle was reminded of that night so many months ago and the reason why she'd denied him. She wanted to go further with him but her heart wouldn't let her. It was true that night… and it was true this night as well.

"I-I just… thank you for walking me home," she stuttered.

Jefferson pressed his lips together in disappointment and nodded his head slowly. "Anytime."

She watched his back as he walked away from her. What the hell is wrong with me, she thought.

XXXXXX

Belle fell back against the front door and took a deep breath. It not so many words she had once again rejected Jefferson. She knew she wanted more from him so why was it so hard for her to take the next step? She thought it over as she walked to her room but was shaken out of her thoughts by the noise coming from Regina's master suite. It sounded like she was choking in there. Filled with concern Belle rushed into the room and found Regina in her bathroom bent over the toilet spilling what was probably her entire lunch into its basin. Without even thinking about it Belle rushed to her side and pulled back her hair.

"Regina what's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing is wrong with me. I'm fine," said Regina wiping the corners of her mouth with toilet paper as she leaned against her bathtub.

Belle raised an eyebrow at her in disbelief. "Do you honestly expect me to believe that after what I just saw?"

She put her hand to Regina's forehead. "You don't have a fever so if its food poisoning you better tell me because I eat pretty much everything that you eat."

Regina batted her hand away. "I'm not sick Belle… I'm pregnant."

Belle fell to her knees with wide eyes. "What?"

Regina sighed. "It's still early but I've known for about a week now."

"Oh my god!" said Belle, still in shock. "Oh my god… just… oh my god."

Regina glared at her. "You're the town librarian and you can't think of anything to say besides those three words!"

"I'm sorry," said Belle covering her mouth with joy. "I'm just a little in shock but this is amazing! Regina you're going to have a child!"

"I suppose so," mumbled Regina, not meeting her gaze. Belle furrowed her brow and looked at her friend with concern.

"Why do I get the feeling you're not happy about this?" she asked.

Regina hugged her knees to her chest and shrugged with tears in her eyes. "Because I'm afraid."

"Afraid of what?" asked Belle softly.

"Afraid everything will be ruined," answered Regina in a trembling voice. "Belle I have never been this happy before. I have Henry and Roland and Robin. And everything has been so perfect these past few months I've just been waiting for the other shoe to drop. What if this is it? Robin and I just got engaged and we always said that the boys would be enough for us. What if it's too much? What if he thinks I'm trying to trap him and decides to leave me? And what if Henry thinks I'm trying to replace him and he hates me again. Or what if something goes wrong with the baby and I lose her? I don't think I could handle it."

"No no no no," said Belle crawling over to take Regina's hands in hers. "You cannot think like that Regina. That is not possible. None of that is going to happen. This baby is a blessing and everyone is going to see that. I promise."

Regina let out a dry laugh. "How do you know that?"

"Because I live here," said Belle with a straight face. "I have seen you and Robin together. And I've seen the two of you with the boys. You're a family. And as perfect as the four of you are now it's only going to get better when it's the five of you."

Regina just shook her head unconvinced. "It's too soon."

"Okay I know that it feels that way but I want you to think about when you were younger and you were on your estate with Cora and your father. What did you want the most?" asked Belle.

Regina closed her eyes as she thought back to her time as a young girl. She thought about how trapped she felt, and how much she loved Daniel and how more than anything she just wanted to be with him. "I wanted to escape. I wanted to be with the man I loved and just have a family with him," she answered wistfully.

"Exactly," said Belle with a smile. "Regina you have waited more than thirty years for this. And I know it's not exactly how you pictured it but this is your happy ending. And this baby is only going to add to it."

"What about the boys?" whispered Regina.

"The boys are going to be thrilled!" said Belle enthusiastically. "You've seen how Robin is with Roland and Henry. He loves being a father. He's going to be so happy when you tell him the news. And so is Henry. He'll be giving your pregnancy an operation name before you can blink."

Regina let out a laugh at that. It would be just like her son to turn her pregnancy into a full-fledged mission. "You're right. He would do that."

Belle nodded her in agreement. "Just take a breath Regina. You can't keep looking around for the next thing to go wrong. You can't plan to be happy. Sometimes you just have to let it happen."

"I just never want her to feel that she's unloved," said Regina sadly.

Belle tilted her head. "'She?'"

Regina felt a smile come across her lips. "It's just a feeling that I can't shake."

Belle smiled back at her. "Well this baby will be the most loved little girl on the planet. And I promise you she'll know it before she's even born."

"Do you really believe that?" whispered Regina.

"With all my heart." Said Belle standing and pulling Regina to her feet. "But she's only going to start feeling that love once you allow yourself to."

"You're right. Thank you Belle," said Regina giving her a hug.

Belle rubbed her back as she returned the hug. "Don't worry about it. And that's an order," she said firmly.

Regina let out a laugh at Belle's strictness. The bookworm was right. She had to let herself feel joy over this baby or her stress would seep into her womb. She had to make sure that her daughter (or son, she reminded herself) felt the love she carried for her in her heart. Belle had one thing right. She was going to make sure this baby was the most loved baby in all the realms.

XXXXX

Belle laid in her bed that night thinking about Regina and Robin and their new baby. She was so happy for them. She knew they were going to make excellent parents. Things had started out pretty rocky for the couple but they'd made it to their happy ending and she couldn't be prouder of Regina. She hoped that she had gotten through to her tonight. She sighed as she thought over all the she had said to the queen. You can't plan to be happy. Sometimes you just have to let it happen. She had said that to Regina… maybe it's time she started saying it to herself.

XXXXX

As she walked up the steps to Jefferson's house it took everything in her not to run away and forget she was ever there. She was more nervous than she had ever been in her life but she knew she had to do this before she lost her nerve. She gave the door three solid knocks. After a moment Jefferson opened the door wearing the same look of confusion he had worn last night.

"Belle?" he said with a touch of surprise. "What are you doing here so early? Did you forget something here last night?"

"No I came to talk to you," she said nervously.

"Oh," he said leaning against the door frame. "About what?"

"About a promise I made you," said Belle. "When you asked me out six months ago I told you that I wasn't ready and you understood. You were so kind and understanding that I made you a promise that if I was ever ready to start something romantic that you would be considered. And the thing is… I am not ready. And I'm not sure that I will ever be ready to open my heart in that way again."

Jefferson felt his heart drop at Belle's words. He wasn't sure that he could handle rejection this early in the morning.

"But I want to be," continued Belle. "And I'm tired of waiting for the right moment to get started. I don't want to keep putting things off just because I'm not entirely sure that I'm ready. I want to start now. So I guess the reason I'm here is because I wanted to know… if you were still wanted a chance to throw your hat in the ring?"

Jefferson grinned at her. "Absolutely."

YAY Belle and Jefferson are finally getting things started!In the next chapter we'll see their first date so stay tuned! Also if you want to get a look at Robin and Regina's daughter check out my other story You Ask The Father First. Thanks!

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