Bubbles

Belle sank down chin-deep in Ruby's bathtub. The water coated her like lava and she sighed. Her curly locks were piled atop her head as she stuck her feet out to hang over the side of the tub. She grabbed the stir stick from inside the bubble container and blew a large, clear circle into the messy room.

Ruby had a late shift the night before and she hit the town with Whale, leaving Belle the apartment to herself. She came home two hours ago, her eyes red and swollen with her heels in her hand. Belle wanted to ask, but the bedroom door slammed shut before she had the chance.

She wondered how long it would take before she felt ready to move back in with her husband. As she blew another bubble, Belle remembered their last session with Dr. Hopper. It was rare for Rumple to cry in front of anyone he wasn't completely comfortable with, but as he begged for her to please come home, his cheeks were covered in salt water. She almost caved.

Mrs. Gold gave herself a beard with the bubbles from her bath then looked at the clock hanging on the wall. Ruby's shift started in an hour.

The telephone rang. Belle started to pull herself out of the water when the door opened. Ruby, clad in her underwear and bra, handed it to her friend.

"It's him."

Belle blinked. She took the phone from her best friend and pressed it tight against her ear. "Hi."

"Belle," he sighed. "How are you?"

She glanced at Ruby, who now sat cross-legged on the closed toilet lid. "I'm fine. How are you?"

"Better. I wanted to apologize for my behaviour at our last session. I got a little," he cleared his throat, "carried away."

"Rumple," she said with a softer voice. "It's fine. It's a very emotional time for us." It's not like I don't want to come home. I'm just . . . scared.

"I'm glad you understand. There was another reason I called. I was hoping you would join me for dinner tonight at your favourite restaurant."

Belle squinted. "Granny's?"

"No, the one we went to for our honeymoon."

"But that's in another town two hours away!"

"I know, I just thought it would be something you'd like to do. I promise I would have you home before midnight."

She rolled her eyes. "Tonight?"

"Tonight. I'll pick you up."

Belle looked at Ruby again. She hadn't moved. Belle stared at the clock. "Okay. What time should I be ready?"

"Seven," he replied eagerly.

"You already made the reservations, didn't you?" Rumple didn't reply. She smiled. "You're lucky I said yes, then. I'll be ready for seven. Goodbye, Rumple."

"I love you, Belle."

She stared at the bubbles. "I love you, too." She hung up. Belle put the phone on the ground then turned to Ruby. "I have a date tonight."

"So I heard," Ruby replied. She put on one of Belle's short robes, looping the tie shut to hide her white, lace bra. "Nice beard," she smirked.

"Nice underwear," Belle said. "So are you going to tell me what happened or do I have to guess?"

Ruby shrugged, pushing back her messy hair. "Whale and I broke up."

Belle's eyes widened. "What happened?"

"Nothing really, I guess I just thought we were at a different point in our relationship than he did and," she wiped her nose on the sleeve of the robe, "we ended it, like, four hours ago." Ruby's lower lip trembled. "That's that."

Belle grabbed a towel and got out of the tub. She handed Ruby the stir stick and bubble container. "Bubbles always make me feel better. That, and chocolate chip pancakes. I'll make us some."

Ruby sniffed as she took the bubbles. "Boys are dumb."

Belle paused in the doorway, thinking of her husband. She couldn't say anything in response.