A/N: I had plans for a long time to write a Rumbelle one-shot based around Rose's wedding day. Well, here it is. Just so you know, I nearly came to tears when writing it. Most of this one-shot is based on a favorite childhood song of mine, Bob Carlisle's "Butterfly Kisses." I thought it would be a nice song to set the tone of this one-shot, especially on Rumpel's part.

I want to thank the reviewers for leaving me amazing reviews: orthankg1, AbbieT, CocoRocks, NinaGold, belle, Fairy the Freak, MyraValhallah, Grace5231973, crazykat77, and MistleSnow. You guys are the best and I hope you'll enjoy this sweet, sad one-shot.

Butterfly Kisses

"Are you ready, Papa?"

Rose's arm looped through his, clinging to him tightly.

His beautiful little girl, all at once transformed into an equally beautiful woman clad in pure white. There would never be a day where he would be ready for this, not in centuries, but somehow he managed a shallow nod. She leaned up to press a kiss to his cheek and warm tears welled up behind his eyelids.

"You are so beautiful today," he told her for the third time that morning. He never wanted her to doubt it on her special day. Rose graced him with one of her ear-to-ear smiles, her blue eyes dazzling in the sunlight.

Together they emerged into the gardens of the Dark Castle, greeted by a field of multi-colored roses. Pink, red, yellow, white, blue. As they walked, dozens of memories swarmed his mind, memories he hadn't bothered to recall in years. They seemed so fresh now and when he glanced over at Rose, he found himself struggling to transform her mature features into that little girl again.

In this garden she would play, day in and day out, picking flowers for hours on end, with patches of dirt covering her knees. Sticking white flowers in her long dark braids, the petals fluttering on the wind in her wake.

This was where she first rode a horse, when he took her by the hand and walked alongside her until she felt confident enough to ride alone. Galloping off into the sun, laughing all the while, even as he came to terms with the fact that he would never be able to keep up with her after that.

Hugs in the morning when she woke. Soft kisses before bed. Butterfly kisses all over his cheeks.

Those childish years spun away fast. He remembered the days when she started to become a woman, at the ripe age of sixteen. When she wanted to be free, independent, untethered to this world. How much she looked like her mother, just as beautiful, brave, and good. The silky ribbons that belonged to that little girl were put aside in favor of perfume. He still smelled the vanilla and floral fragrance in her hair.

That precious time flew by before he even knew it was slipping through his fingers. Every step down that aisle required every ounce of his strength and he held onto her hand tighter than he should have. She tucked a curl behind her ear and smiled reassuringly at him again.

I can do it, Papa, he suddenly heard that little girl once more, sitting proudly atop that horse. Don't worry, Papa. You can let go now. I won't fall.

The end of the aisle was close now. Too close for comfort. Once they reached the end of their walk, he would have to give her away. This wouldn't be the last time he held her hand or watched her smile or listened to her laugh until she was red in the face, but somehow...his heart failed to understand that. Somehow he felt like he was losing her today.

"Papa, don't cry," Rose pleaded beside him, gently rubbing his hand.

He hadn't realized the tears had overflowed and ran down his face in silver streams. He wasn't ready for this. Yet they made it to the end and Rose put her arms around him for one last bear hug. He didn't know if he would have the strength to let her go.

"I love you, Papa," she whispered in his ear.

"I love you, Rose," he gasped and kissed the crown of her head. He remembered when he first did that-the night she was born into this world. The night he promised with his heart and soul that he would protect her at all costs.

Still he could not release her from his embrace.

"Papa, it's time," she hinted, soothingly rubbing his back. He sniffled and shook his head. He knew he had to let her be happy, to spread her wings beyond the Dark Castle, but no one ever warned him it would be so hard.

He felt another warm hand touch his shoulder and he glanced up to see Belle by his side, a vision in pink. Her cheeks were wet and flushed, too, but she helped him to let Rose go. With a heavy heart, Rumpel placed his daughter's hand in Adam's, effectively giving her away. He liked the boy more than he would ever admit. Especially on the day he was taking his baby girl away.

"Take care of her," Rumpel warned, not for the first time. Adam bowed his head respectfully.

"You have my word," he said, sounding more sincere than Rumpel could handle. Then he carried Rose away to the very head of that aisle, where they would swear their vows of love and be bound together forever. Belle guided Rumpel to his seat in the front row, where he would perfectly witness the ceremony.

"She's happy," Belle said quietly, resting her head against his shoulder. "You know she'll always be your little girl. Nothing will ever change that, Rumpel." He nodded weakly and wiped the tears away.

I've done so many wrong things in my life, he thought, unable to count them all if he had one hundred fingers and toes. What in the world did I ever do to deserve her?

I must have done something right, after all.