Springtime had finally come and Belle was very glad. The winter was nice, and in fact it was more beautiful than she had ever imagined it could be, but she was from a land where the winter was mild. The cold and snow were part of her life now. She enjoyed it, but it still felt nice to lie there under a fragrantly blooming tree, basking in the warm sun as she read her novel.

For once, she had a few moments to herself, something she didn't get very often. Although, in that moment she wasn't totally alone. Placing a hand on her swollen belly, she smiled. The baby was due in a month. She couldn't wait for the arrival, but for now she was set on enjoying the warmth and her new book.

Time got away from her, and as she delved deeper and deeper into the storyline, she began to drift off. Pregnancy wore her out, so she didn't try to resist it when her eyes fell shut. A short nap would be refreshing before she went back in to start dinner. But her nap wasn't short at all, and before long she was waking to the sound of footsteps approaching her. Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes, looking to see who it was. "Rumple," she said groggily, but with a smile on her face.

Rumplestiltskin bent down to her level, returning her smile. "Looks like you got a lot of reading done," he teased.

Belle glanced down at the book in her lap, which was still open to where she had left off reading. She had barely gotten through two chapters. She chuckled, "Yes, well it seems I thought a nap was more important."

"Nap? You almost slept the day away. We were wondering where you were. But I told Bae it was nothing to be alarmed about. I know how you are with your books." He reached up and stroked her face, "But choosing sleep over one is a first."

Belle leaned into his touch and agreed with a moan, but didn't say anything else.

"Well you must be hungry," he said standing. Then, without giving her a chance to object, he gently scooped her up into his arms. "And in your condition it is my duty to carry you home."

"Rumplestiltskin!" Belle exclaimed, his action unexpected, "I'm pregnant, not helpless!"

"I know. But that doesn't mean I can't carry you if I'd like."

Belle wasn't going oppose to being carried. She was still very tired, even after that long nap, and it made her happy Rumple was willing to do so. It was easy for her to see how much he loved her. She grinned as her eyes focused on his. "I love you, Rum."

Rumple leaned in close and placed a gentle kiss to her lips, "And I you. Now let's get back inside."

Belle nodded. As he walked, she leaned her head against his shoulder, enjoying the comfort of his arms. She wished she could stay in them forever. Something about all this seemed oddly familiar, maybe like a dream she once had. Yet, she couldn't remember and to her it didn't matter. All that mattered was her family. "Oh, I received a letter from Snow. She promised to visit once the baby arrives."

Rumple nodded. He wasn't fond of visitors, but he didn't want to deny Belle a friend, especially after what they went through. "Will it just be Snow, Charming, and Emma? Or shall I expect to have our home overrun with seven imbeciles?"

"Rum!" Belle scolded. "Don't call them that." She was a little agitated, but she answered him anyway, "I'm not sure, but I'll ask."

Coming to the front entrance of the castle, the doors opened automatically for them. Rumplestiltskin made his way up the front entrance stairs not releasing his hold on Belle. As they neared the doors to the main hall, they expected them to open with magic as usual, but they didn't budge. Looking at the doors quizzically, Rumple softly set Belle down on her feet. Grabbing the handle and pushing on the doors, they still wouldn't move.

Glancing back at Belle briefly, she gave him a look that said she knew exactly what was going on. She raised one eyebrow at him, "How long have you left them alone?"

"Just long enough to come and find you. Bae's almost an adult, he can handle it."

"Obviously," Belle said sarcastically, but with no ill intent. She stepped up to the door and pushed on it as if it would make a difference, "I guess we need to find another way in."

"Or," Rumple moved his hand slowly down the seams of the door, "Magic should do the trick." Slowly but surely a pool of water began to seep out from under the door.

Belle was accustomed to Rumple having magic, but she still wasn't accustomed to using it as a go to every time something needed doing. "There are other ways besides magic," she said.

"Well what would be the fun in that?" Rumple said with a wicked grin and waving his hands through the air flittingly.

Belle just shook her head and smiled at her husband as she grabbed the door handle. Bracing herself for what they might find in the Great Hall, she gave the door another push, this time it opened with ease, revealing the entire room to them. However, Belle and Rumplestiltskin didn't immediately enter; instead they just stood there gawking at the sight before them. It was absolutely breathtaking. The Great Hall no longer looked anything like itself. Everything in it had been completely transformed into ice. It was everywhere, from the floor to the ceiling. Icicles hung from the chandelier and the fireplace. All of the furniture was frozen solid. The floor was one solid sheet of ice. One could easily slide all the way across. There were heaps of ice structures that didn't look like anything in particular lining the walls. But the most remarkable thing about the room was that it was snowing. In the Great Hall. Actually snowing. If Belle hadn't been so familiar with magic, she may have thought it was a dream.

Rumplestiltskin chuckled, "It may be springtime outside, but it's always winter in our house."

Before Belle could reply, the door shooting open from across the room caught her attention. "Elsa Rose!" Belle exclaimed sternly as her three year old daughter came sprinting into the Great Hall shooting ice crystals at the wall.

"Mommy! Daddy!" the white haired, blue eyed little girl exclaimed happily as she laid eyes on her parents. She was completely oblivious to the warning tone in Belle's voice.

"Where is your brother?" Belle demanded, but she didn't have to wait for the answer, because Bae came sprinting out into the room right behind Elsa. "I've got you!" he exclaimed to his sister.

Elsa giggled hysterically and tried to duck behind a chunk of ice as she covered her face. "No, no, no, no!" she squealed.

Bae grinned; he held a snowball in his hand and now had her cornered. "Oh yes, yes!"

"Baelfire!" Belle said firmly, causing him to pause and look up at her innocently, "You're supposed to be looking after your sister!"

"I am!" Bae argued.

"Yes, but you're also letting her make a mess of the entire castle! At least next time, do this in one of the hundreds of rooms we don't use!"

Out of nowhere, Rumplestiltskin burst out into laughter, amused by the entire situation.

Belle turned to him angrily, "And you! You're supposed to be teaching her to control those powers!"

Rumplestiltskin looked mockingly appalled, bringing his hand to his chest, "I am, but she's only three." Leaning in towards Belle he grinned wickedly, "And she has a mind of her own…stubborn…just like her mother."

Belle rolled her eyes, knowing she wasn't going to win, "Before we know it the Dark Castle is going to turn into the Ice Castle."

Elsa came running, or more like skating, up to her mother forgetting that her brother had just been threatening her with a snowball. She threw her arms around Belle's legs, "Mommy! We just wanna build a snowman!" The little girl jumped up and down with excitement, clearly full of energy. "We're playing! You wanna play Mommy?" She grabbed a hold of Belle's hand and tried to pull her into the ice-covered Great Hall. "C'mon, let's build a snowman!"

Belle smiled, unable to stay angry. As Elsa looked up at her eagerly with her bright blue eyes, it was hard to say no to the child. She didn't move though, fearing that if she stepped foot in the room, she would slip and fall on the ice. "Maybe later sweetheart. Mommy's a little tired right now. But I could read to you if you like?"

"Aww!" Elsa groaned disappointed, letting go of Belle and crossing her arms in front of her. "But I want you to build one now!"

Rumplestiltskin bent down to Elsa's level and placed his arm around her. He smiled lovingly at his daughter, "Elsa, if you join your mother now for a story, I promise you and I will build a special snowman later."

The little girl looked at her father, intrigued, "A special snowman?"

Rumplestiltskin nodded.

"What about Mommy and Bae Bae?"

He leaned in closer to her ear, grinning up at his wife and Bae who had joined them, "They want to build this snowman. But they're jealous because they know they can't. If you want to build this snowman, then it will just have to be you and me." Rumple pointed to himself as he spoke, then bopped Elsa on the nose with one finger, eliciting a giggle from the child.

Watching her husband and daughter interact brought the biggest smile to Belle's face. Each and every day she grew to love Rumplestiltskin more and more. They had been through so much, and now they were finally together. And they had their own family that was only growing. It was amazing that they had actually had peace and quiet since Elsa was born. Well at least peace and quiet from other people.

Before Elsa was born, neither one of them had known what to expect. She was conceived while Rumplestiltskin was still the Dark One. Belle didn't mind at all if her baby was to get the reptilian skin Rumple once had. Belle thought she would have been beautiful either way. While it worried Rumple some, they were both more concerned about what, if any, kind of powers the child would possess. Yet their biggest concern was what being poisoned and put under the sleeping curse might have caused.

To their relief, Belle gave birth to a healthy girl with creamy skin, dark brown hair, and huge blue eyes. Although she had most of Belle's features, it was easy to see she was Rumple's child. Her face overall reflected his and she was beautiful.

Over the next several months, they keep their eyes out for any sign that she possessed magic, but there was none. At least, not until Elsa was almost a year old.

It was the middle of the afternoon. Rumplestiltskin was working in his lab while Belle was sitting in the library reading next to the fire. Baelfire was enjoying playing with Elsa, trying to get her to walk. Every once in a while, Belle would look up from her book to watch them. It always brought a smile to her face to see Bae and Elsa together. He was so good with her. Being a big brother came naturally to him.

They were laughing and playing, having a good time with one another, so she let them be and focused on her book.

"Mom?" Bae called, his voice a little shaky.

"Hmm?" Belle replied without looking up from her book, not recognizing the worried tone of his voice.

"Elsa, her hair…"

Belle looked up then, "What about her hair?" But Bae didn't have to say anything else. Belle could see what was happening with her own eyes, causing her to gasp loudly. A bright white streak was visible down the side of Elsa's hair, and another was beginning to form in the back. Slowly the brown color was disappearing. Her hair was turning white.

Belle dropped the book she was reading, rushed to the floor, and took her daughter in her arms. Elsa cooed happily and reached up for her mother's face, thinking she had joined them to play. "Baelfire, go get your father," she commanded. Baelfire nodded, rushing from the room as fast as he could to fetch Rumplestiltskin.

"Hi sweetie," Belle said, reaching up to cup Elsa's face, then ran her fingers through the white portions of her hair, examining them curiously. What was happening? Belle was worried, but she remained composed. It seemed there was no immediate danger. Elsa was calm, acting completely normal. She was even giggling at Belle, thinking they were playing some sort of game. She reached up to grab Belle's hair, tugging on it hard.

"Ow!" Belle exclaimed as she tried to loosen the incredibly tight grip Elsa had on her hair. Elsa just giggled more, bouncing up and down in Belle's lap, then using her other hand to go for another strand.

Belle was able to dodge her that time and distract her long enough to free the rest of her hair. Belle went to push it behind her head so Elsa couldn't grab it again, but she paused when she felt something odd. Her hair felt cold. Well at least the strand Elsa had been clinging to. Glancing down at it she noticed there were small ice crystals running up and down that one curl.

Looking up at her daughter, who was still just as happy as ever, she tried not to panic. Had she gotten in one of Rumple's potions? But she never let Elsa in the lab. Could Rumple be playing some sort of cruel joke on her? If he was, she certainly would not be happy. Still she hoped he would be there soon. Hopefully he would know what was going on.

At least Elsa was content. It was obvious that she wasn't hurt or in pain. Belle smiled at her daughter, not sure what to do until Rumple got there. Elsa grinned back, then reached up for Belle's necklace, grabbing it, and yanking it off her neck.

"Elsa!" Belle reached forward and took the broken necklace from her so she wouldn't strangle herself. Elsa looked down at her hand a moment then over at the necklace, now in Belle's hand. Her eyes were filled with confusion, but only briefly. In an instant, they welled up with tears, and Belle suddenly had an inconsolable infant to deal with.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"PAPA! PAPA!" Bae shouted as he came bounding up the tower stairs that led to Rumplestiltskin's lab.

Rumplestiltskin looked up startled as Bae sprinted in the room, "Bae?"

Bae stood there trying to catch his breath, "Come quick. I think something's wrong with Elsa!"

Rumplestiltskin immediately dropped what he was doing and hurried as fast as he could run with Baelfire to the library to see what was wrong.

"What happened?" he asked Bae on the way.

"Her hair started changing color."

"Changing color?" Rumple furrowed his brow.

As they got closer to the library, Elsa's cries reverberated through the hallways, causing his pace to quicken. Bae had left the library doors wide open. Yet, as they rushed inside they were not prepared with what lay before them.

Belle sat in the middle of the floor, trying her hardest to console Elsa. She was crying, flinging around in a fit, trying to get the necklace back. In any other instance, it would have just seemed to be a normal child tantrum. However, this was different because as Elsa flung her arms around, little bouts of ice shot out from her palms, freezing whatever they hit.

"Rumple!" Belle cried pathetically when she saw her husband in the room. She looked defeated.

Rumple rushed to Belle's side, scooping the sobbing child up into his arms. She calmed down slightly with the presence of her father, but was still upset. "Shh," Rumple coaxed. Holding out his hand, he summoned her teddy, and held it out for her. The crying ceased almost immediately as Elsa watched her bear appear out of thin air. It seemed to amuse her and she stared at the animal a moment then clapped her hands before reaching for it.

Bringing the teddy up to her face, Elsa squealed loudly, the bear freezing solid instantly. Elsa giggled loudly.

"Whoa," Bae said in disbelief, his mouth hanging open as he watched the scene.

Standing to her feet, Belle looked at her husband for answers. "What's happening to her?"

"Belle, I think she has magic." He said as he moved his fingers through the child's hair, which was now completely white.

"Magic?" Belle objected, "But how? Why? Why didn't it show up until now?"

"All magic is different. Some you learn. Some you're given. Some you're born with. It may be evident immediately or take time to develop."

"So you think she's had it all along?"

"Yes. But this is magic I've never seen before. The ability to produce ice and ice alone? It's unique, and certainly new to me." Rumplestiltskin's worry was completely gone now. It had been replaced with intrigue. He was going to do what he could to find out more.

"Are you sure that's all she can do?" Bae asked, still amazed that his sister had magic. Although shocked, he was also concerned. He had been happy when he thought she was powerless. He didn't want things to turn out the way they once were with his father. Yet, if she did have the same powers Rumple once had, he trusted his father to teach her to use them only for good. At least he hoped Rumple would do that. No, he would. Bae would make sure of it.

"Only time will tell. It took a year for this to surface. It's entirely possible she could develop other powers."

Belle sighed, but smiled nevertheless, "Well it seems we have a magical child after all."

And a magical child they had indeed. It had been almost three years since that incident and there had been no more signs of any other powers. However, the ice power Elsa did possess grew stronger everyday. She was at the point where she could turn an entire room into a winter wonderland. Belle could only imagine what she would be capable of as an adult.

Although Belle wasn't fond of magic, she didn't mind Elsa's. Something about it reminded Belle of the light she always saw in Rumple's heart. And it suited the little girl. Belle couldn't imagine her daughter without it.

"Here, sweetheart, you must be parched," Rumple said holding out a glass of water for Belle. He had cleared the room of ice, so she was able to safely go in a sit down to rest before dinner.

Belle smiled up at her husband, accepting the drink. "Thank you."

She rubbed her belly while she sipped at the water and waited. Baelfire had taken Elsa up to the library to pick out a book Belle had promised to read while Rumple finished dinner. "Rum?" she inquired while thoughts of her baby swam in her head, "Do you think this baby will have magic?"

Rumple knelt down on the floor next to Belle and reached up to caress her stomach, "There's always the possibility. But I'm not the Dark One anymore. The magic I use now could be taught to anyone. So perhaps she won't."

"She? You think it's a girl?" Belle bent down closer to her husband.

Rumple grinned, "I know it's a girl."

"Rumplestiltskin!" Belle sat up straight and scowled, "Did you use magic to check after I told you not to?"

He chuckled, and then reached up to stroked Belle's cheek, "No, I promise I did not. I just know."

"Oh you do do you?" She leaned down toward him again.

"I do." He moved his face closer to hers.

"Well, we'll just have to wait and see." She reached out and cupped his cheek. It had been a few days since he had shaved, his stubble scrapped her hand lightly. She didn't mind; she actually preferred it that way. It made him all the more handsome.

They sat there a moment, looking in each other's eyes lovingly, before finally closing the distance between them. Rumple reached up and gently placed his hands on the sides of her face. He pressed his lips against Belle's softly before coaxing her to open her mouth for a deeper kiss. Belle sighed contently, giving in to him. She loved these moments. She loved every moment they had. And more than anything, she loved him. "I love you," she said as they finally pulled away.

"I love you too, Belle."

Resting their foreheads together, they enjoyed a few more moments of silence before Elsa came bursting into the room with Bae. "Mommy! Daddy! I want this one!" She ran up to her parents, holding up a book.

Belle laughed, "Of course sweetheart!"

Elsa jumped up and down delightfully, and then scrambled to climb in Belle's lap, inadvertently shoving Rumple out of the way.

Rumple shook his head with a smile, "I'll leave you two to enjoy your book then."

"No Daddy! You sit there," she pointed to the floor on the left side of the chair, "And Bae Bae, you sit there." She pointed to the other side.

Bae and Rumplestiltskin looked at each other. Bae smirked at his father, then motioned toward the floor "Well, you heard her."

Rumple snorted with a smile, doing as he was told, taking his place on the floor. After Bae had settled down too and Elsa was happy, Belle opened the book to page one and began reading. Reading had always brought her happiness. However, when she was able to read like this, with her whole family gathered around to listen, it brought her more happiness than anything else ever could. She had found true love and a family, even gotten some adventure she always craved. Her life was perfect. And with another addition to the family arriving soon, she knew her life would only get better and that more adventures were sure to come.

a/n: Oh my goodness! It's the end! I teared up a little writing this, this was one of the first Rumbelle fics I wrote, and now it's over! I hope you enjoyed the story. (and the little twist I threw in at the end ;) ) I enjoyed reading all of your lovely reviews :) The fic is technically over now, but I know I will write a scene here or there that fits somewhere in the story, so it's possible for the fic to still be updated once in a blue moon. But you could always prompt me if you wanted to, I don't mind! Thanks everyone for reading and reviewing. I really enjoyed writing this story!