"Oh Giselle! It's perfect!" Belle exclaimed as she picked up the newly finished gown Giselle had just delivered to the Dark Castle, "You were able to do everything I asked for!"
"Thanks, I'm glad you like it!" Giselle replied with a huge smile. She watched Belle for a moment as she stroked the wedding gown and looked it over. "Well what are you waiting for? Try it on!"
"But the wedding's not for several hours! I don't want to ruin it. Besides, there are so many laces…it'll take ages to get on, then back off." Belle said reluctantly.
"Oh stop worrying! At least try it on. Something may not fit right, and I would need time to fix it."
Belle grinned. "Your clothes always fit perfect. I doubt I'll have any issues. But, I do want to see what it looks like on, so I guess I can indulge you."
Giselle hopped a little as she giggled and grabbed Belle's hand to drag her into the bedroom to get ready.
Belle happily obliged, and once in the room, they shut the door to ensure Rumple wouldn't see her. Although if he wanted to, there was nothing Belle could do to stop him. He did have magic and could easily make himself invisible and sneak into the room, or he could use a mirror to look in on her. Belle was worried about ruining her dress, but Rumple was the real reason she wanted to wait to put it on. She didn't want him to see it until it was time. But she knew this would be the only day she would get to wear it. Giselle was right. She did need to enjoy it. Telling herself she would just have to trust Rumple, she worked her way out of her blue dress while Giselle prepared the wedding gown.
Giselle took her time helping Belle into the gown, being as careful as possible not to rip it. Once all the laces that extended down the back were tied, Belle stood there and admired herself in the mirror. It was nice to have a mirror for once, with no worries of anyone looking at her without her knowledge. Rumple still wouldn't allow them all the time, but he had agreed she could use it that day since it was a special occasion. Belle assumed he had put some kind of temporary spell on them to make sure they were safe.
Belle smoothed down the front of the gown and examined all the details. It was a very intricate dress. The sleeves were short, but fell off her shoulders. It was form fitting from the bosom to the waist, where it billowed out into a very full skirt. The entire dress was made out of silk, with a laced sheer draped over the top of it. Belle's favorite book quote embroidered the bottom rim of the skirt all the way around. The whole dress was white, except for the embroidery, which was done using Rumple's gold. The veil matched, made out of the same sheer material, with a short quote along its bottom rim as well. It was one of a kind. Belle beamed seeing how much effort Giselle had put into it. "It's so much prettier on. I never imagined it to be so perfect." She turned to Giselle and grabbed her hand, "Thank you. It means so much."
"Your welcome!" The smile never left Giselle's face.
"It is a little tight though," Belle joked.
Giselle smiled, "Well that's to be expected, but let me loosen the laces some."
As Giselle did as she said, Belle giggled. "I'm glad the wedding is today. I don't think I'd fit in it otherwise." Her stomach was still small enough where it wasn't obvious that she was pregnant, but the bottom of her tummy was starting to protrude out a little.
"That's why I put so many laces on it. I knew it would make it easier." She finished up loosening it, "There. Is that better?"
"Yes, very much." Belle stepped away from the mirror. "Perhaps we should do my hair now?"
Giselle paused. "Wait I thought you wanted to take the dress off first?"
Belle blushed slightly, "Well, now that I have it on, I don't really want to take it off. You were right Giselle."
Giselle grinned from ear to ear. "Okay! You sit here while I go get the things we need. I'll be right back!"
Belle nodded, having a seat on the little stool in front of the vanity dresser. While Giselle was gone, she wondered what Rumple was up to. Was he getting ready right now as well? Probably not. Men didn't take as long as women and she knew he used magic most of the time as well. He was also in charge of getting everything else together, so he was probably busy with that.
Bae was with him, but perhaps he would come visit her before the wedding. It wasn't unlucky for him to see her beforehand, so Belle made a note to send Giselle to fetch him for lunch. Even though she was only going to have a light snack, they could still visit.
Sitting there a few more minutes, Belle got lost in her thoughts, thinking about the man she was about to marry, until she was startled by a knock at the door.
"Yes?" Belle asked wondering who it was.
"Belle? May I come in?"
The voice sounded familiar. It was a male voice, but it she knew it didn't belong to Rumple or Bae. Cautiously, she approached the bedroom door, and then cracked it open to see whom it was. She gasped when she saw her father standing there. "Papa!" she exclaimed, then cast her gaze to the ground, not wanting to look him directly in the eye, "Uh, what...what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see you Belle."
Belle glanced back up at him, her face filled with anger, "Why? Last time I saw you, you locked Bae and I up in my room…told me you were going to make me forget about Rumplestiltskin. You were going to send clerics in to cleanse my soul!"
"Clerics? Who told you that?" Maurice looked confused.
"Why...the," Belle paused remembering that day. Her father had never said anything about clerics. Just that he wanted her to forget. It was Queen Regina who had said he would do it with scourges and flaying. 'Why did I ever believe her?' She looked up at her father regrettably. "I...it was the Queen, Queen Regina."
"And you believed her?"
Belle nodded. "You were so angry...I didn't know what you were going to do."
"Belle...I...I would never let any harm come to you. I overreacted. When I found out you were in love with that beast..."
Belle threw her head to the side, and shut her eyes to keep calm. "Please don't call him that. He's not a beast. He's done so much for me, shown he truly loves me. Yes, he has made some bad choices in his life, but who hasn't? He is a great father, and I truly love him!"
There was a moment of awkward silence before Maurice asked, "Is it true?"
"Is what true?"
"That you almost gave your life to save Snow White? That Rumplestiltskin gave up everything to save you?"
Belle glanced back up at her father and although there were tears in her eyes, she smiled thinking about it, "It is. He gave up his power to save me and our child." She placed her hands on her slightly swollen belly.
Maurice took a deep breath, "You, you are with child?"
Belle nodded averting her eyes from her father's. "I am."
"And he's really the good man you say he is?"
"He is."
"Then you have my blessing."
Belle's head jerked up, surprised. "What?"
"I said you have my blessing. You've always been able to see people for who they really are. It's still hard for me to believe Rumplestiltskin is a good man, but I trust your judgment. You've never been wrong in the past. Hopefully one day I can see it too. That is, if you allow me back in your life..."
Maurice's face told Belle that he was being entirely honest and sincere. She loved her father. It had been the worst day of her life when Rumple ripped her away from him. She had thought she would never see him again. But things had changed, and here he stood. Throwing her arms around his neck, she held him close. "Of course Papa. I love you!"
Maurice embraced her in return, but as he pulled back concern still filled his expression. "Will Rumplestiltskin allow this...I know his deal...he said."
"I know what the deal was Papa, but he loves me. But he wants to see me happy. And having my father in my life would make me happy."
Maurice breathed a sigh of relief, and then noticed her attire for the first time. He had known she was getting married that day, that's why he had come. Although they had made amends, he still wasn't sure if she wanted him to attend. "You look beautiful, Belle. Uh do you think…if you say no I will understand…but I was wondering…"
Belle chuckled, stopping him before he could continue, knowing exactly what he was going to ask. She placed her hands on her father's shoulders and smiled, "I would be honored if you were at my wedding."
Maurice smiled and embraced his daughter again. Belle had known this was going to be the happiest day of her life, but having her father back made it all the more special.
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"Papa you look so handsome!" Bae exclaimed as he helped his father add the finishing touches to his outfit. Rumplestiltskin's clothes had always been nicer than most, but somehow he had managed to procure fancier ones for the wedding. He still wore the black leather pants, but instead of a dragon hide vest, he wore a dark blue silk waistcoat outlined with gold. Underneath he wore a matching gold vest and a white cravat, pinned at the chest with a gold broach. For once, he had brushed his shoulder length hair and pulled it back.
Rumplestiltskin grinned. "Thank you, son. Now you go get ready, I can finish up. I'll meet you outside when you're done."
Bae nodded, hurrying off to do as his father said.
Once he was gone, Rumplestiltskin pulled a hand mirror out of his dresser. It was unusual for him to use one, but that day he was feeling more nervous than ever. Although he always looked his best, he wanted to make sure. It was his wedding day.
It was odd seeing his old face, his human face, looking back at him. He was still getting accustomed to not being the Dark One anymore, but having Belle and Bae by his side made it easier. He was thankful practicing magic over the years hadn't rendered him totally powerless. It would come in handy if he ever needed it.
Rumplestiltskin turned around to leave, ready to meet Bae out in the gardens. It was almost time and he couldn't wait. However, as he walked out the doorway, he paused noticing an unwanted visitor. He grimaced and did not speak friendly, "What are you doing here?"
Maurice stood there staring at him, not speaking immediately. He had only seen the Dark One in his reptilian form, so for a second he believed he wasn't Rumplestiltskin. But he knew it was. "I came to see Belle, to make amends."
Rumplestiltskin glared at him. "She doesn't want to see you, not after what you did to her." Belle had told him about trying to return home before being captured by Regina. It had taken all her strength to keep him from leaving and killing Maurice. "And you are not welcome in my home."
"I already spoke to her, apologized, and she accepted. I didn't do what she thought I did. I was never going to harm my daughter."
"And yet you didn't seem to care when you let her walk out of your throne room with a monster who could have done unspeakable amounts of harm to her. I don't believe one word of it, so you better get out before I lose my temper."
"I know there's nothing I can say to get you to believe me, but I wanted to see you, to let you know that she wants me at the wedding."
Rumplestiltskin huffed, but Maurice didn't let him say anything. Holding up his hand in defense he continued, "Now I'll leave if you really want me to, but we both have one thing in common. We want Belle to be happy, and having me there would make her happy. I told her I would be there, but honestly I was going to speak to you first so you weren't surprised. I gave her my blessing."
Rumplestiltskin stared daggers at the man, trying to read him, trying to figure out if it was a trick. Slowly he stepped toward Maurice, then grabbed him by the collar, "You try anything, ANYTHING, and you'll regret it."
Maurice nodded, shivering from intimidation, "Just one more thing before I go."
Rumplestiltskin shoved him away, turning his back to him, "I'm not dealing today."
"No, not a deal. Just a promise. A promise that'll you'll take care of her, treat her like she deserves. Promise that your love for her is true."
Rumplestiltskin's answer was immediate, not even having to consider it, "That is a promise I can keep."
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The wedding was small. That was the way Belle preferred it. She had grown up in royalty around big flashy weddings and could never imagine hers being like that. All that mattered was Rumplestiltskin, and a small wedding was enough as long as they were together.
Word spread fast that the Dark One was getting married; a very shocking bit of news for the entire land, but there still wasn't very many attendees. Rumplestiltskin remained the most feared being in the lands. No one wanted to be near him, even if they so desperately wanted to find out if the rumors were true.
Not many knew of the situation that occurred at Regina's castle. Rumplestiltskin ensured that Snow and the dwarfs were going to keep their mouth shut. He definitely didn't want word to get out that he had lost his power. And although he still had magic, it wasn't as strong as it used to be. However, it was enough to keep his cover if he ever had to deal with anyone who tried to seek vengeance on him. Over the years of being the Dark One, he had made more enemies than friends. It was best to uphold the illusion.
Snow had managed to get a knight from her kingdom called Sir Lancelot to agree to officiate the wedding. Snow trusted Sir Lancelot and knew Rumplestiltskin would not intimidate him.
Rumplestiltskin had rearranged the castle gardens for the wedding, creating an open space bordered by rose bushes and a large archway of roses for them to stand under as they said their vows. Spring had arrived so all of the snow had melted, and the temperature was comfortable.
Greeting Bae as Rumple made his way out to the gardens, they took their place under the archway as they waited for Belle to arrive. Everyone else who was coming was already there: Snow, Charming, the seven dwarfs, Lancelot, and Giselle. Belle had decided to let her father walk her down the isle and Rumplestiltskin wasn't going to object.
Rumplestiltskin didn't have to wait long for Belle to arrive, for which he was grateful; the anticipation was killing him. And when he saw Belle stroll around the corner, in the loveliest gown he had ever seen, he had eyes for no one else. For once he didn't wear a mask, didn't hide his emotions. As his brown eyes met her blue ones, he smiled ear-to-ear, feeling tears forming. This amazing woman loved him and was about to promise herself to him forever. It was more than he could ever ask for and definitely more than he deserved. He really was the luckiest man ever. He wasn't looking for love that day he walked into that throne room, but he found it.
When Belle stepped foot into the gardens, the excessive amount of flowers made the area very fragrant. However, the smell didn't bother Belle despite her condition. She was glad for that because she loved roses and would have been disappointed if she wasn't able to have them at her wedding.
Once her eyes fell on Rumplestiltskin, nothing else mattered. In the back of Belle's mind she had considered he would back out, deny her love like he did the day he kicked her out of the castle, but now she knew those days were over. This was really happening, they were really getting married. She was going to spend the rest of her life with the man she loved. She couldn't be happier, and from the look on his face she knew he was feeling the same.
So as she strolled down the isle toward the man she loved, she knew she had made the right decision all those months ago when he came into her life. She had promised him forever, and forever it would be.
a/n: There is still an epilogue! Thanks for reading and reviewing!