a/n: Guys sorry it's been so long, but here's a very long chapter. Hope you enjoy, and I've already started the next chapter. There is one more plus an epilogue. Please enjoy and review! Thanks for reading!
Once Bae was in the clear, he went back and found Grumpy right where he had left him.
"What did you find out kid?" Grumpy asked relieved the boy had not been caught. He could see by the frown on his face that what ever news Bae had wasn't good.
"The apple! It's not laced with a sleeping curse. She switched it with another! It's poison! Belle is going to die if we don't do something!" Bae was so terrified, he didn't even know where to go from there. How could a boy and a dwarf get an apple from a powerful queen?
Grumpy did his best not to panic. The last thing he wanted was Belle to die. She was such a sweet woman and had been there for him when he needed someone. "Knew this was a bad idea. Shoulda never let her go through with this."
"What can we do Grumpy?" Bae asked looking to him for guidance.
Grumpy pondered for a moment, "Where is the apple now?"
"With the Queen. She was still in her room when I left."
"And your certain she didn't see you?"
Bae nodded, "Yes."
"We need to get to the apple before she tries to give it to Belle. Perhaps if we had another one we could switch them?"
"But where are we going to get another apple?"
"The kitchens, there might be some down there."
Bae grew a little worried. This castle was HUGE. There was no telling where the kitchens were, or how long they had to search for them. Then there was also the very likely possibility that they could be caught. "If we split up, we could find it much faster."
Grumpy hesitated. "I'm in charge of you boy. If any thing were to happen to you I'd be blamed. We have to stick together."
Baelfire nodded not willing to put up much of a fight. They didn't have time for that. "Well let's hurry. The kitchens are usually on the lowest level, let's start there." He had lived in a castle long enough to know how they were set up, yet each one was different. Regina's castle was taller that Rumplestiltskin's, whereas his father's castle was more spread out. Hopefully his gut instinct was right.
Grumpy didn't say another word, and proceeded to follow Baelfire in hopes of pulling this plan off.
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"Huntsman, have the guards bring Snow's lover to the throne room. I have a special treat in store for Snow White, but we must prepare him first." The Queen commanded as she sat in her dressing room working out her final plans to bring Snow White as much pain as possible before finally finishing her off. She had just finished her conversation with Maleficent, and she was grateful her old friend filled her in on the trick that little imp tried to pull. She would have to punish him for it later.
Right now she had more important things to worry about. Capturing the prince was an added bonus, so before Snow White was to join the land of the dead, she would have to suffer just like she made her suffer over the loss of her Daniel.
Regina would have preferred it more if she could first kill the Prince, then let Snow live just a little longer so she would have to endure the pain for an extended period of time. But Snow had slipped through her fingers so many times before; she couldn't take that chance again. She'd just have to settle for what she had now.
"I've instructed Rumplestiltskin what should be done with him when you fetch him. I'll retrieve Snow White while you are readying the prisoner." Regina added before letting him leave.
"Yes, your majesty," the Huntsman replied bowing to her. Leaving the room swiftly, he went off to follow her orders. He took four guards with him, just in case the Prince tried anything.
He was never in much of a hurry to do the Queen's bidding, but he didn't have a choice. She had complete control over him, just like she had control over Rumplestiltskin now. He shivered at the thought of the things she could accomplish with Rumple's powers. Once Snow White was out of the way, he knew she wouldn't be satisfied and would want more. Queen Regina's life was empty. No one cared for her and she cared for no one. And he knew if she suffered every one else needed to as well.
Charming looked up as soon as he heard footsteps. He clutched the bars, pleading with the Huntsman, "Please. Let me free. You can't let her kill Snow." Charming knew the Huntsman was really a good man. Snow had told him of the story of how he helped her escape the Queen by offering Regina a pig's heart in place of Snow's.
The Huntsman frowned as he unlocked the door, "I'm afraid I don't have the power to do that. I must do as the Queen says."
The guards rushed in and grabbed a hold of Charming before he could make a move. "Where are you taking me?" he asked.
"The Queen wants you in the throne room. I fear you may be reunited with your love, but with a dire outcome."
Charming took a deep breath. He knew those words meant death. The Queen was going to kill him as well as Belle. However, as long as their arrangement worked, Belle would be safe, but now he needed to find a way out for him. He tried pleading with the Huntsman more as they walked through the corridors, but it was no use. The Huntsman was not going to free him, Charming knew he couldn't. The Queen had him under some kind of spell.
He thought frantically of what else he could do to get out of this situation. However, his thoughts were quickly interrupted when one of the guards shouted, "Halt! Who goes there?!"
His head shot up in the direction of the person they were shouting at, and gasped when he saw Bae and Grumpy stumble out from behind the corner.
Bae looked worried, and Grumpy rolled his eyes, clearly agitated that they had been discovered. They both attempted to sprint away, but two of the guards caught a hold of them before they could escape.
Charming narrowed his eyes at the pair, but didn't speak. Instead, the Huntsman stepped toward them as they guards held them still. "What are you doing here?" he asked, "Where's your mother?"
"She's not here," Bae lied.
"We're here for Snow," Grumpy said forcefully.
The Huntsman let out an exasperated sigh. "You were safe with your mother, you didn't need to come back here. You know I must deliver you two to the Queen now."
"No you don't! You don't have to do this," Charming interrupted.
The Huntsman sent a side-glance at the Prince, but said nothing.
"Yeah, you could let us go so we could save them." Bae continued, "You'd be doing the right thing."
"It's not that easy, she has my heart," the Huntsman told them sadly.
"Then we'll help you get it back. You have my word," Charming promised. "You helped Snow once, so I'm willing to help you. But you have to let us go first."
The Huntsman hesitated, debating internally about what he was going to do. He was conflicted. He sighed coming to a decision, "Guards leave us! All of us."
Swiftly the men obeyed. The Huntsman addressed Grumpy and Bae, "I can let you two go. She doesn't know about you, so I wouldn't be disobeying orders." He looked over at Charming, "However, as for you, by my own free will, I cannot set you free."
Bae had perked up for a second, but he frowned with the last statement. "But.." he objected, but the Huntsman stopped him before he could say more.
"BUT…If you were to overpower me and he were to escape…"
All three of them saw where he was going, and nodded. "Well then," Grumpy said, "He's coming with us!" He said pointing to Charming.
"I think not!" he replied loudly then changed his voice to a whisper, "Go." The three fled without hesitation. He let them have a head start before calling for assistance and hid his sword to give the illusion of being overpowered. "Guards! Help! They stole my sword! They're getting away!"
As the guards came rushing back, the Huntsman pointed down a corridor, the opposite way the group had went, one that anyone could easily get lost in, "They went that way! They kidnapped the prisoner!"
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Belle sat in her cell with her head bowed. She just wanted this to be over. She wanted to be safe. And she wanted to remember. The cell seemed awfully familiar, but she couldn't recall ever being there before. And it seemed likely that Rumplestiltskin or Bae would have mentioned if she had? She had heard of Queen Regina from her father, but had never met the woman till that day.
She didn't know how long the Queen would make her sit there. If it was too long, would the disguise spell wear off? That hadn't even occurred to her. If it did, then the Queen would know she had been betrayed, and she would be angry. Belle didn't know what that anger would make her do, but she assumed she would die along with Snow White.
There was nothing to do while she waited, and every second was agonizing. If she was found out…No, she had to stay positive. This would work. Rumplestiltskin would be free, she would get her memories back, and everyone would be safe.
The door clanking open startled her. The Queen stood before her. It was time. All the emotions she could possibly feel at one time came to her, relief, anger, nervousness, fright, and another wave of nausea. Something new that seemed to be happening to her more often than it use to. She threw her hand over her mouth to try and hold it back.
"Something wrong my dear?" The Queen asked with fake concern.
Belle shook her head and composed herself.
"Well, you're coming upstairs with me. I have a surprise for you!" She replied excitedly.
A surprise? What could she mean? Then Belle remembered. It had to have something to do with Snow's love, Prince James. But Belle didn't argue, obediently following the Queen to see what she had in store knowing it was going to be dreadful.
As they made their way to the throne room, the Queen made several unpleasant comments, trying to get a rouse out of who she thought to be Snow. Yet, Belle remained quiet the entire time, frightened she might accidentally give herself away if she were to say the wrong thing.
"Not going to say a word are we?" Regina asked with a smile, "Well you'll be talking soon enough when you're begging for your lover's life." However, Regina's smile didn't last long. When she entered the throne room it turned to confusion when all she saw standing there was Rumplestiltskin, the Huntsman, a few guards, and no Charming. Belle's and Rumplestiltskin's eyes met for a brief second, both averting their gaze from each other, but Regina didn't notice. She was to busy with the lack of a prisoner.
"What's the meaning of this?!" Regina demanded striding over and clutching the Huntsman's shirt, "Where is he?!"
"He escaped your majesty. There was nothing we could do about it."
Regina glared at the Huntsman, clearly angry with his mistake. "You'll pay for letting him free!" She waved her hand through the air causing the Huntsman to disappear through a cloud of black smoke. "But, I'll deal with your insubordination later." She looked over at Belle and frowned. "If I don't do away with you now, your Prince is surely going to show up to save the day!" She made her way over to Belle making a delicious juicy red apple appear in the palm of her hand, "It's too bad. I was so looking forward to enjoying you watch your love suffer and die, just like I had to so long ago." She held the apple out for Belle.
Belle kept her composure and took the offered fruit, "An apple? What do you want me to do with this?"
"I want you to eat it you daft girl! What else?"
Even though Belle knew what was in the apple, she pretended she didn't. She looked at Regina as if she was first confused, then pretended that she understood. "It's cursed isn't it?"
"Very good my dear," Regina said impatiently, "Now eat it!"
Belle nodded taking her gaze off Regina and letting it fall to the apple. It took all her will power not to look over at Rumplestiltskin again. It would make the Queen suspicious. This was the moment; this was really happening. As she begun moving the apple toward her mouth, she hoped all would be well.
Rumplestiltskin watched from the distance, resisting his urge to run out and stop her. It wasn't easy, but he just kept telling himself it was too late now. If he were to revel her so soon, then the punishment would be great.
"STOP!" Bae screamed out as he suddenly came bolting into the room toward Belle.
Everyone startled, looking toward the boy sprinting in the room with Grumpy and Charming behind him.
"Don't eat that!" Bae directed toward Belle, "IT'S POISION!"
When Belle heard those words, she knew everything had gone wrong. Of course Regina must have fooled with the apple herself. Why would she trust Rumple? How did they not think of that?
She attempted to spit out the portion that she had already bitten, but it was too late. The piece had already traveled down her throat. Their plan had failed, all because they didn't consider that Regina wouldn't trust Rumplestiltskin. She was about to die. And true love's kiss couldn't bring back the dead. Nothing could bring back the dead.
Regina sneered at Bae, knowing she had won, but turned her attentions back to Belle who she still thought was Snow White. "Oh, and one more thing before you go. It seems my revenge is sweeter than I could ever imagine. And your lover has returned too late to save you, but just in time to find out." She stared at Belle a second to increase the suspense, making Belle wonder what she could possibly be referring to. "You're pregnant." Regina finally spat out with an evil uncaring smirk.
Belle gasped, the apple falling to the floor. No. NO. It couldn't be. It wasn't possible. But it was. Even if she didn't remember, they had told her she had fallen in love with Rumplestiltskin. Could that be why they whispered behind her back so much? Was this what they were keeping from her? She shook off the notion. If it were true they never would have let her do this. They never would have put her in danger. Glancing up, her eyes met Rumple's and in that moment she knew. There was no doubt in her mind. It was written on his face. It was true. She was with child. His child.
She didn't have long to ponder over it though, as she could feel herself growing dizzy, and it wasn't long before she collapsed on the floor. Rumple attempted to catch her, but he was too far away to make it in time, causing Belle to hit it hard.
"Belle!" Bae screamed, sprinting towards her fallen form.
"Belle?" Regina questioned, confused by the boys words, and Rumple's actions. Why did he care about Snow White, and why was this boy calling her Belle? But she didn't have much time to wonder about it, because as she stared at Snow lying on the ground fighting for life, the cloaking spell began to fade revealing that she wasn't really Snow White after all, but Belle.
"What's the meaning of this?" Regina demanded still stunned by the new information. But before she could get an answer, she felt herself slammed up against the wall, a pair of hands gripping her tightly around the neck.
"You've harmed Belle, my Belle, which effectively terminates our deal. I have control over my powers again," he paused increasing the pressure around Regina's neck, "Which means you're going to pay for what you've done. And if she dies you die with her!"
Regina looked at him with eyes that still reflected shock, but now a mixture of fear. She was beginning to lose her ability to breathe, and she was clawing at him to free her. But Rumplestiltskin didn't have time to dawdle with threatening the Queen. So with a snap of magic, Regina was unconscious, and Rumplestiltskin let her slump to the floor. He would deal with her later. Belle was the only important thing right now.
"Belle!" he exclaimed as he finally met her at her side.
Bae was still there weeping, "Papa, please do something before it's too late!"
Gently, Rumple lifted Belle's top half into his lap. He slowly waved his hand over the back of her head, healing the injury that had caused her memory loss. Her eyes remained closed and her breathing was shallow, her body lifeless otherwise. She was still alive, but barely. "Belle, sweetheart, can you hear me?" He got no response.
"Papa?" Bae was still in tears.
"I can remove the poison. Let's hope it's not too late."
Bae nodded, indicating for him to hurry.
Concentrating with everything he had, Rumple put both hands on Belle, closed his eyes, and imagined all the toxins seeping from her body. Everyone around them, stood back and gawked as red smoke dispelled out of Belle, lifting higher and higher, until it dissipated completely.
Bae leaned in feeling optimistic, when Rumplestiltskin was finished, "Mom?" She was still breathing, but even with all the poison gone, she would not stir. He looked to his Papa completely helpless.
"Bae…I…" Rumple said, his voice shaking, "I've removed all the poison. She should be waking." He wasn't quite sure why it wasn't working. Perhaps after all the bad things he had done, this was his punishment. He knew he didn't deserve her, but at the same time, she didn't deserve to die. She was the brave one, he was the coward. It should be he who was dying. "I don't know what to do." His magic hadn't worked.
"Papa no…" Bae said, tears filling his eyes now, barely able to form words, "Please! She can't die!"
The others stood a good distance away, unable to take their eyes off the heartbreaking scene except for Charming. As he watched the family being torn apart, he couldn't help but think of Snow. He blamed himself. He could have found another way to save his love, then to put Belle in danger, danger that clearly resulted in the worst possible outcome. He bowed his head, feeling his company would not be welcome after everything came to pass. Turning to exit, no one stopped him.
Snow waited patiently with the other six dwarves on the top of the hill where she had been instructed to stay. She couldn't help feeling helpless sitting around doing nothing. She didn't even know what was going on and every second that passed by was agony. The dwarves tried to console her, but it wasn't working.
Looking back toward the castle, she suddenly caught a glimpse of a figure heading her way, a figure she would know anywhere. "Charming," she breathed, but didn't dare run to him, unsure of the situation and not wanting to get captured. As he made his way too her, and she could finally see his face, it wasn't pleasant, and she knew something devastating had happened. "Belle?" she questioned, Charming's eyes giving conformation. Snow frowned but remained strong, "You must take me to her."
"What no! What about Regina?"
"I don't care about Regina! Belle died for me! I want to see her. I will not run from the Queen anymore. I will not let anyone else get hurt because I am too afraid to face her!"
Charming just nodded, knowing there was no way he was going to be able to change his love's mind. So, with the other dwarves in tow, they all made their way down to the castle to pay their respects to the woman who had so bravely sacrificed herself to save another.
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Rumplestiltskin held Belle close, and stroked her hair, her breathing becoming shallower by the second. "Belle, please don't leave me," he begged feeling completely helpless.
"What about true loves kiss?" Bae asked as a last resort.
"It won't work Bae. True love's kiss only works for curses and the apple was laced with poison, not the sleeping curse." Rumplestiltskin knew that if Belle were under the sleeping curse than she would appear as if she was dead; she wouldn't be breathing.
But she wasn't breathing, not anymore. Her breathing had been so shallow that they hadn't noticed the moment it had stopped. "Belle?!" Rumple exclaimed as if he almost believed that is wasn't going to happen, that she would wake, "BELLE! No!"
Beginning to sob, Rumplestiltskin pulled her closer where he could press his head up against hers, uncaring that there was a whole room of onlookers watching the Dark One for once becoming totally helpless and weak. Tears rolled down Bae's cheeks as well, as he fell to the floor uncontrollably crying.
Snow rushed into the throne room, just in time to see Belle draw her last breath. She halted, causing Charming to almost run into her. Turning around, Snow buried her face in Charming's shirt as he held her. "I should have never let this happen. I should have never let Belle go through with this."
Even Grumpy, who was normally so composed, and rarely showed emotion, could feel a few tears roll down his cheeks. He made no motion to hide it and he and the other dwarves removed their hats to show respect for the fallen princess.
"Belle…" Rumplestiltskin said through tears again as if she would somehow wake. But her body remained lifeless as he held her in his arms. "Belle, I love you. I'm sorry all this happened. I know it's too late now, but I should have never cast you out. If I wasn't so selfish then you'd still be with me." Gently he laid her back down, his words barely audible to anyone over Bae's tears. Brushing the curls out of her face as lovingly as he did when she was still alive, he watched her a moment. She looked just as beautiful as she ever had in real life. He couldn't believe he was actually having to say goodbye. All the power he had, it wasn't enough to save her and their unborn child's life. "Belle, I'm so sorry," he said again, leaning closer, "I love you." Slowly he inched closer to her, bringing his lips down upon hers for the last time ever. Letting them linger there, he took time to memorize their taste and feel, as this would be the last time he would ever have the pleasure to kiss his true love.
Bae managed to open his eyes long enough to look at his father as he kissed Belle for the last time. However, once his eyes laid upon Rumple, they widened in surprise. As Rumple's lips met with Belle's, his gold skin began to transform into pale pink, slowly seeping throughout his entire body. Rumplestiltskin was too entranced with her, seemingly not even knowing anything was happening. "Papa?" Bae questioned to get his attention.
Rumplestiltskin lifted up, but his eyes didn't leave Belle. "She's gone Bae," he answered believing his boy was still in denial.
"No, Papa, your face," Bae pointed at him, "Your curse is breaking."
Rumplestiltskin straightened, holding his hands up and looking at them in almost awe, surprised that true love's kiss still worked even though one party was dead. Yet, he made no move to rejoice, nor get angry, because at that point he had lost the one thing he truly cared about. "So it seems," he managed to say emotionless.
Bae frowned. He should have been happy that this happened, that the curse had finally been broken just like he wanted after all this time. Yet, he never wanted it to happen like this. He would take his father's curse over Belle's life any day. In a way, over the past several months, it seemed like he actually had his old father back when Belle was around even with the curse. She always brought out the good in him. The curse was broken, but would that good fade away now that Belle was gone?
Bae continued watching as Rumplestiltskin closed his eyes in sadness, not seemingly caring that he was no longer the Dark One. Bae sighed deeply, averting his eyes back to Belle feeling nothing but despair. Why hadn't he fought harder to do this? If it had been him in Belle's place, her and the baby would be just fine. Yes, he had failed her and no one could tell him otherwise.
He was about to move away from her to go console his father, when something caught his eye. He gasped as he realized it was color that had returned to Belle's cheeks. True loves kiss, had it worked on Belle as well? But how? She wasn't under a curse, was she? "Belle!" he exclaimed unsure if he was seeing things. "Papa, look at Belle!"
Rumplestiltskin's eyes popped back open to see what his son was talking about. "Bae?" he questioned wondering why his son sounded cheerful all of a sudden. Glancing down at Belle he noticed exactly what Bae had seen, the color in her cheeks. Leaning down over her, he brushed his hand against her cheek, then hovered it above her mouth hoping he would feel something, anything. A smile crossed his face as he indeed felt the warm sensation of her breathe upon his fingertips, "She's breathing! Bae, she's breathing!"
Bae perked up, watching to see what would happen as his father cradled Belle in his arms. Slowly, Belle began to stir, eventually her eyes popping open. She looked around a little disoriented at first. "What happened?" she asked groggily.
Rumplestiltskin held her gently and stroked her face as spoke softly to her, "True loves kiss saved your life."
"But I thought...I heard Bae...he said the apple was poison." She rubbed her eyes, still disoriented.
"Perhaps the Queen poisoned the apple that contained the curse, I'm not sure, but I have you back, you're safe, and that is all that matters!"
Belle looked up at her love, her eyes finally meeting Rumplestiltskin's for the first time since she awoke. She squinted, reached up, and brushed his cheek, confused by his new appearance, "Rum?"
Rumplestiltskin leaned into her touch, "Belle, yes, it's me."
Belle took a second to look at him, examining him closely. If it was true love's kiss that broke her curse, then she knew it broke Rumple's too. He offered her a smile she brightened and exclaimed, "It is you!"
Tears came to both of their eyes as their lips met again for a kiss. Rumplestiltskin pulled her up into his arms so he could hold her close and relish every moment. He had lost his power, but he had gained something that mattered more. He had his Belle back; he had his family and they were safe.
Belle suddenly pulled away from Rumplestiltskin, looking at him very concerned and upset, "Rum! The baby! I don't know if our baby is okay!" She began to sob softly. She had after all eaten poison and most likely underwent a curse. How could the baby not have been affected? How could she find out?
"Shh," Rumple said reassuringly, but was actually doing his best not to panic as well. He had momentarily forgotten because of everything that had just happened. "I can check," he offered, forgetting that his curse had been broken moments before. Placing his hand over her belly he sent his magic through her body to see if all was well. Using magic had been a habit for so long that it never occurred to him that he didn't have it anymore. Yet, as he willed the magic to examine her, it did work. "Belle," he smiled, caressing her once more, "The baby is fine. When I removed the poison from your body, it must have removed it from our child as well."
Belle beamed and pulled him down for an embrace. Then something else occured to her and she pulled back once again, stunned, "Wait? You still have your magic?"
Magic? Why wouldn't he have his magic? Then he remembered he curse was broken. Rumplestiltskin hadn't even considered that his magic would be gone too. It seemed if he lost his power than he would lose his magic too. He held his hand up in the air, and called forth fire. Instantly in his palm a ball of fire appeared. He whisked it away. He thought a moment before speaking, "It seems in my years of learning magic, not all of it came from the curse. I can still perform magic, it is weaker, but it is still there."
Belle didn't know exactly how she felt about that, but in that moment she didn't care. Magic was able to tell her that her child was safe, and she was thankful, breathing a sigh of relief. Rumplestiltskin helped her to her feet, and she didn't let go of him as she got her balance. Looking to the rest of the room he eyes finally met Baelfire's. "Bae!" she exclaimed through tears and she held out her arms for him.
"Mom!" he cried as he threw himself into her arms, "I'm so glad you're okay!"
Belle pulled him close and placed a kiss on his forehead, "All thanks to you and your father. You're very brave you know that?"
Bae looked up at her, "You really think so?"
"I know so."
Rumplestiltskin watched with a smile on his face as Belle engulfed his son in a hug. He could see that she really did love him as if he was her own son, and Bae loved her as a Mama in return.
After Baelfire finally let go of Belle, Rumplestiltskin took one of Belle's hands in his to grab her attention. "Belle, there's been something I've been meaning to ask you, and I'd like to do it now before another obstacle stands in my way again."
Belle looked at him unsure, but Baelfire knew exactly what his father was referring to, so he stepped back and flashed his father a reassuring smile.
"Rum?" Belle said questionably as she looked at him.
The corner of Rumple's mouth twitched upward as he reached into his vest pocket with his free hand and pulled out the ring he had made for Belle some time ago.
He held it out for her and Belle gasped as she realized what it was. Her eyes went back to him, and he was totally focused on her. "Belle, I know we've been through a lot, and you didn't come into my life on the best terms. Not that I was the best toward you either, I was too scared of losing my power. Too much a coward. I almost threw away one of the greatest things that had ever happened to me because of it. But now I see, power doesn't matter. You have this ability to bring the good out in me. And I like the good. There are many path's I could take from here, but there's only one future I'm interested in. The one where you and I are together. I've never loved anyone like I love you. Belle will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Belle couldn't hold back the tears any longer; they flowed freely down her cheeks as she looked from the ring to Rumplestiltskin. Yet she hesitated.
Her hesitation caused Rumplestiltskin's stomach to tie up in knots and he feared for the worst. They had true love. It was proven by the kiss. There was no doubt in his mind that she was in love with him, why wasn't she saying yes? "Belle?" he said his voice filled with worry.
She averted her eyes from him, trying to form her words, "Rum, I…" She looked back up at him, "I know you love me, and I love you, but I need to know that you're not just doing this because I'm carrying your child. I need to know that you are solely asking me because you really want this, not out of obligation."
At those words, Rumplestiltskin let out a sigh of relief. He knew exactly what to say. "I made this for you before I ever even knew about the baby. I was going to ask you at the Winter Ball you and Bae threw. But I lost my courage when you started talking about wanting adventure. Milah left me for adventure, and I feared you'd do the same. I didn't love her like I loved you, so I knew the pain would be unbearable. At the time, I didn't think you could love me, but that perhaps you could at least be happy with me. Yet, I knew that wouldn't have been enough. That's why I never asked you. I was going to try another time, the day you came home from town, but then...well you know..."
More tears formed in Belle's eyes thinking about what could have been. But it didn't matter anymore. They were together now, "Oh Rum!" she exclaimed throwing her arms around his neck, "Of course I love you! And yes! I want to be by your side forever. I will be your wife."
Ecstatic Rumplestiltskin wasted no time planting his lips upon hers in the most passionate kiss. Belle's fists clenched in his hair as their tongues moved together in union and they had no desire to separate. It didn't matter who was watching; Rumplestiltskin wanted the whole world to see.
As their kiss finally came to an end, Belle held out her hand, letting Rumple place the ring on it. "It's so beautiful," Belle commented as she admired the piece of jewelry on her finger and how the gold was delicately etched into the shape of roses, "Where did you get it?"
"I made it," Rumple said feeling proud. "And this," he held Belle's hand up, pointing to the white piece of wool woven into the gold design, "Bae made this part. Spun it and everything."
More tears formed at the corner of Belle's eyes as she stared at the ring, then flashed a glance over at Bae. "It's lovely Bae, thank you." He smiled at her in return.
She turned her attentions back to Rumple clutching at him, unwilling to let go, "It's perfect Rum. I could never imagine it any other way."
While they were occupied with each other, Regina began to wake up. "What happened? Where am I?" she said disoriented, as she lay on the floor from the recent blast of magic. She reached up to grab her now pounding forehead.
Snow White ran to her side and knelt down beside her, "Here let me help you."
Regina looked up at Snow, "And who are you?" Her voice was unsure and unsteady.
Snow furrowed her brow, confused, "Regina, I'm Snow."
"Snow? Snow White?"
Snow nodded.
Regina appeared to be in denial, "You can't be. Snow's only a little girl. You're a grown woman."
As Snow registered the Queen's words, she glanced to Rumplestiltskin for answers. He was smiling ear-to-ear, clearly pleased with himself, "I warned her not to mess with me or my family."
"So you took her memories?" Snow was angry.
"A fair price to pay I think. And it seems she won't bother you anymore. That is unless you decide to tell her all that has happened."
"Yes, but I didn't want things to happen like this!" Snow whined.
Rumplestiltskin brushed his hands through air uncaring, clearly not going to do anything about the situation. "There is nothing you can do about it now dearie. Be thankful you are free."
Regina did not understand anything they were saying and began asking a lot of questions, "My memories? What do you mean? Who are you? Who are all of you?" She looked around the room and was becoming frightened, "Where am I? Where's mother, father? Mother!"
"Regina calm down," Snow said, trying to coax her, "Let's take you to lie down. I'll explain everything soon."
Regina stared at Snow and nodded, feeling very uneasy, but following her anyway.
"Best not mention the part about you know who, less you want this to happen again. I won't come to your rescue again." Rumplestiltskin scoffed as Snow walked by.
Snow just glared at Rumplestiltskin, but stopped so she could speak with Belle. She took Belle's hand in hers, "I want to thank you for everything you did for me. You put yourself and your child in danger just to save my life. If ever you need anything do not hesitate to ask. I will always be there for you."
Belle smiled placing her free hand on their interlocking ones, "I will call on you if the need ever arises. Hopefully our paths will cross again one day, on better terms I mean, but until then I wish you all happiness." She flashed a glance at Charming.
Snow returned the smile, bidding them goodbye, then joined Charming and the dwarves to discuss what they were going to do with Regina.
Rumplestiltskin, glad to be done with the drama, put an arm around Belle and Baelfire, "Now, let's go home and try to forget any of this ever happened."
Belle and Bae both nodded, not willing to reject and just wanting to be home. As they exited the throne room, Charming and Snow could be heard arguing about what to do with Regina. It seemed enough of her memories had been taken from her, back to a point in her life before she came evil. Belle hoped it was for the best; perhaps the family could actually live a normal life now. Either way, she was going home to start her new life with her family and as she squeezed her loves arm she wouldn't have it any other way.