Belle lay in bed, staring up at the white ceiling if there was enough light to see it. It was a quarter past six, and her new job would officially start in fifteen minutes. She had slept poorly due to the nerves, she guessed. The bed was all big and comfy, so she had nothing to complain about. With a soft sigh, she reached for the bedside light and flicked it on. She yawned and stretched before she climbed out of bed. Fifteen minutes later, she was all dressed, with her hair in a low bun.
"Bae, are you awake? It is time to get up." Belle waited for a moment before she knocked and called again.
"I am awake." Baelfire called back after a minute.
"All right, go and do your thing, then I will get breakfast ready." She replied and returned for the binder before she went to the kitchen. There was already a pot with hot water upon the stove, so Belle assumed Gold had made himself some tea. She started on Bae's lunchbox before she went to make the boy and herself some breakfast.
"Good morning, papa." She heard Bae call through the door, before some rustle of paper.
"Good morning Bae. Have a nice day at school." Gold's voice sounded before the scraping of wood against wood, indicating Gold had pushed his chair back from the table. When Belle entered the dining room with a cup of tea and plate for Baelfire, Gold was already gone. The folded newspaper and his dirty dish and teacup still stood at the head of the table.
"Good morning Baelfire." She greeted as she put the items down. "Where did your father go?" She curiously asked.
"He went to work." Bae gave a small shrug.
"Would you mind if I sit with you while having breakfast?" Belle asked. If they both had to eat alone, they could just as well eat together.
"No, I do not." Bae said, a little brighter.
"Then I will be right back." Belle said and came to sit at the other side of the table with the boy before starting her own breakfast. "Do you like it?"
"It is fine." Bae nodded as he tucked in his meal. "Can I sometimes have something different for breakfast? I like have this always." The boy motioned to his with hazelnut paste covered scone.
"I am sure you can. I will bring out the basket of spreads, then you can make your own breakfast."
"I'd like to try that." Bae said and soon had finished. Belle checked the time. "All right, we have ten minutes before we need to leave. Is there anything you would like to do in that time?"
"I still need to put on my shoes."
"You go and do that, then I will go and clean up here." Bae nodded and once he wheeled himself to the hallway, Belle gathered the dishes to put them in the dishwasher. She took Baelfire's lunchbox before she went to go and see where the boy was. "I have your lunchbox." Belle said as she watched the boy tie his laces.
"My bag is still in my room." Bae replied before he turned around to go and fetch it. "Thanks." He said as he stuffed it in his bag. "You only need to put it on the back of my wheelchair."
"Anything else we need to do before we go?" Belle asked once the bag was in place.
"I have everything." Baelfire said as he started to wheel himself over to the door.
"In a moment, then I will get the car." Belle said and soon had the van parked in front of the house.
"That was quick." Bae remarked when Belle had his wheelchair strapped in the van in less than three minutes.
"I had my fair share of practice." Belle flashed a smile through the mirror. Ten minutes later, Belle had the van parked at the disabled spot. "Do you need me to walk you to your class?" Belle asked once Baelfire was out of the van.
"No, I will be fine, thanks." Bae said looking at her. "Are we still going to visit the library when I have finished school?"
"If you want to, we can go." Belle smiled. "Now off to your classes before you are too late. "I will wait for you here when you finished school today."
"Okay. I will see you in the afternoon." Bae said with a wave before he started wheeling himself across the playgrounds and then disappeared inside. Belle made for a quick grocery stop before she went back to Gold's house. Once all the groceries had found their way into the pantry, she took up her binder that she left at the kitchen table to see what her chores were. She decided to go and clean Bae's room and bathroom. Once she had finished, it was already past noon, she really needed to go and get a watch or something…. She however had finished her chores for today and had another hour and a half before she would need to go and collect Baelfire. She kept a good eye upon the big grandfather's clock in the living room in between trying to read from her book. When it was a quarter to three, she put her book away and took the van.
"Hello Baelfire, how was your day?" Belle greeted as she opened the back so they could wheel himself in the back.
"Good." Baelfire replied as he locked the wheels before Belle strapped him in. "Are we still going to the library?"
"You seem eager to get some books." Belle chuckled. "It's just a few minutes away." Belle promised before she went to sit behind the wheel. Baelfire smirked once he wheeled himself up to the library, followed by Belle.
"Where do I need to go and start?" Bae asked as he looked around with big eyes.
"To the back, I think there you will find something you will like. Just call me if you need help or anything, then I will be picking out some books for myself."
"Okay." Bae nodded and went to look at the shelves full of books. "Belle?" Bae called after he found a book that he liked to go and read.
"One moment." Belle answered and after a moment found the boy, already three books in her hands. "What can I do for you?"
"You think I can take this one to borrow?" Bae showed her the book he had found.
"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from Roald Dahl." Belle read aloud. "That sounds like an excellent choice. Is that the only book you want to take, or do you like to look around for a little bit longer?"
"Don't you think we will get home too late?" Bae asked, obviously concerned.
"I do not think so. Although you might have to finish your homework after dinner." Bae gave a small nod before his eyes started to roam again over the backs of the books, looking for another title that might interest him. "What about this one?" Belle asked as she showed him another book.
"What's Eighty Days Around the World about?" He asked as he took the book from her to have a better look.
"You will have to read to find out." Belle said with a smile. "Would you like to try that one as well?"
"I think so." Bae said with a smile.
"Then let's go and check these out, then we can go home for a well-deserved cup of tea and biscuit before you need to go and do your homework.
"Yes, Belle." Bae said, even if he really wanted to go and read now. She added both books to her stack, and soon they were outside of the library with a bag full of books. After Belle drove them home, she sent Bae to his room to go and do his homework, promising he could go and read when he had finished. Her first priority was making some tea, bringing Baelfire a mug and a biscuit. Belle took a moment to nurse her tea before she decided it was best to start preparing the ingredients for dinner. It was exactly half-past five when Belle heard the front door, signalling the Lord of the house had arrived. When she had almost finished dinner, she went to get Bae and Gold.
"How is your homework coming along?" Belle asked after she lightly knocked on the open door of Bae's door.
"Almost finished." Bae looked up from his desk.
"Well, dinner is almost finished as well, so if you go and wash your hands?"
"I will be right there." Bae said with a nod and finished making the exercise before going to wash his hands. Belle gave him a smile before she knocked on the door of Gold's study.
"Dinner is about to be ready." Belle called, not waiting for Gold's reply, lest she burn anything. Belle filled two plates before bringing them to the dining room, where both Gold and Baelfire sat in their place, patiently waiting. "I do hope it is good enough." She said as she put the plates down.
"Thank you." Gold politely said.
"Thank you, Belle." Bae said with a little more enthusiasm. Belle nodded and made sure they both were provided with a glass of water before she returned to the kitchen to have her own meal. She had to be patient, right? After everyone had finished, she cleaned up and had some tea, waiting till Bae had finished his homework. "Belle? Can I have my book now?" Bae asked as he rolled himself in the living room, looking quite proud.
"Have you all finished then?" Belle asked.
"Yep. I even did a few exercises for tomorrow, then I have even more time to read tomorrow."
"Really? Then you for sure have deserved to have some fun now." Belle smiled and handed him the two books. "Knock yourself out."
"Thanks!" Bae beamed up a smile before he opened Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, captivated by the story in moments.
"Time for bed, Baelfire." Belle called just before the clock struck eight. "Finish your page, then put this in between." Belle said and held out a single sheet of the sticky note. Bae gave a pout but did as he was told.
"I will come and tuck you in." Belle promised as she took the book back when the boy handed it back. "Are you in bed?" Belle asked about thirty minutes later, standing in front of the closed door of Bae's room.
"I am." Bae replied, and only then did Belle come in, and went to tuck the boy in.
"There, all settled?"
"Yes." Bae nodded. Getting tucked in was a little childishly, but he could not find it in himself to complain. It felt at least if Belle cared enough to come and wish him a good night. It had been so long ago he had been tucked in…
"All right, sweet dreams." Belle said with a little smile before she flicked off the light and closed the door behind her. Belle decided for a long hot shower before she would crawl into bed with one of her new books to get started.
It was near midnight that Gold emerged from his study, feeling quite ready for bed as well. With a soft breath, he opened the door of his son's room, to watch his precious boy sleep. He wished he could be a better father; he knew he should do better. Letting out a soft sigh, he closed the door again, to limp upstairs, to his own bed.
A/N It appeared the second chapter was faulty, I repaired that now. Please enjoy!
