I do not own Once Upon a Time

Chapter 17 Deserved Happiness

Belle was certain she would be too happy to sleep, but she did, in fact, enter slumber eventually and woke up wondering if everything had truly been a dream. Would she walk downstairs to breakfast and meet the ever stoic Mr. Gold and not Rowland, the man who had professed his love for her? Dream or no, she giddily got ready for the day, taking extra pains to look as well as she could. She decided on the blue dress that had caused such a reaction was no transition from mourning wear to pastels to make such a difference, but there was the memory itself, and how Belle could not think of it now without blushing a little. That her Mr. Gold had been loving her the whole time! There was certainly more color in her cheeks this time around, that was indeed a blessing. Mr. Gold-Rowland had given her all that color just by making her so happy. If only he could see just how wonderful he was. Every kindness shown, every witty conversation replayed in her mind as a joyful melody that she would not stop wanting to dance to.

Pulling herself together, she glided down the stairs in a dream-like state. Entering the dining room she was met with someone who was neither the Mr. Gold of the past year, nor the Rowland of last night, but someone altogether different. He looked like Rowland Gold-the cane was propped to the side of his chair as it always was, his hair was hanging about his face, framing it, and his scars peeked from behind the brown locks and she was met with the one glassy and one good eye she had seen so many times before. But whereas before, there was a sort of wistful sadness weaved along the lines of his sharp features, there was softness now, and dare she say, happiness. He had been happy last night, but this was joy seeping out of every glance, out of every fiber of his body. And he was smiling! Truly smiling! The one side of his face would not let him engage in the widest of smiles, but it was there and it was whole and noticeable. She caught her own self beaming in reaction to his happiness. Their eyes met and his smile went so wide she saw teeth.

'Good morning, Miss French!' Bae had taken no notice at the smiling looks his governess was giving his father and assumed she was that happy to see him, surely.

'Good Morning, Bae.' She responded, beaming at him too. She was happy with everyone, happy with the world-she was just so happy.

It was then that the servant came in and dished their food. Bae had turned his head and noticed his father looking particularly happy at Miss French and Miss French could feel the curiosity of the one and the pure joy of the other and reddened promptly, causing Bae to scrunch up his little nose in even more curiosity. Once the servant left, Belle was thankful to hear Rowland begin the conversation that needed to be had.

He began by clearing his throat, which Belle was beginning to understand was his sign that he was nervous. They sat in a formation where he was at the head, she beside him on his left, Bae on his right. She put her hand underneath the table and felt for his and squeezed it reassuringly. Rowland looked over and smiled warmly at her in thanks.

'Belle and I have something we would like to speak to you about.'

Bae's eyes looked expectantly from his father to his governess. His little eyes were full of curiosity and perhaps even some hope. He was a bright lad, after all and his father's use of his governess' Christian name, might have been the source of said hope.

'Belle-Miss French that is,' Rowland seemed to recollect himself. Belle loved that her name so easily slipped out. ' has very graciously agreed to be my wife, therefore, she will also become your new mother.'

Rowland's eyes went searching the face of his son for any hint of disappointment. Though Belle knew he loved her, she wouldn't doubt that he would sacrifice even that if it meant pleasing his son. Neither needed to worry, for he had hardly gotten the words out before Bae jumped out of his chair and flung his arms around his father's neck. Rowland was almost knocked over from the force, but he caught himself and wrapped his arms around him in return.

'Oh thank you, thank you Papa!' His face was tight against Rowland's neck and Rowland himself shed a tear or two in gratitude that his son looked so favorably towards his future wife.

He settled himself on his father's knee, breakfast almost forgotten.

'So do you love her, Papa? I think she's very nice.' Belle was almost embarrassed from all the praise.

'She is very nice-and yes, I do love her. So am I understanding that you are happy with the arrangement?'

'Oh yes! It's been my wish for ever so long.' Then looking at his Miss French. 'Will I be able to call you mama, then? Please say I may!'

Belle had to wipe her own tears to the side. To be wife to the love of her life, and at the same time a mother to the boy who had taken hold of her heart, and to know that they both loved her in return was almost too overwhelming.

'Of course you may.' She managed. Tears, happy ones, seemed to be a permanent fixture in Rowland's eyes too.

Breakfast was finally remembered and Rowland pushed them both to eat, but none of them had much appetite.

'Will we still have lessons?' Bae wanted to know.

'Of course! Don't you think, Rowland?' He smiled at Belle's use of his name. 'We won't marry for another month, and there are still a few weeks before we would have stopped anyway.'

Rowland nodded his head. 'That is fine with me, as long as it's alright with you. If you feel like it is too much, as you start planning things, do not feel the need to over exert yourself. As you said, it was just a few weeks shy of him stopping anyway.'

'Well then, Bae.' She said looking at the pupil that would become her son in just a few short weeks! 'Let's go upstairs then, shall we?'

Rowland groaned. 'Business has never seemed so grim. If you both choose to go outside for any reason, you'll let me know, won't you?'

Belle stifled a merry laugh and only nodded her head in assurance. 'Come along, Bae, the quicker we have begun, the quicker we are done. Sir?' She said as she turned back towards him for a moment.

He raised his eyebrows and smirked.

'Rowland?' She corrected.

'Yes?'

'Will you be sharing our news with the staff today?'

'I didn't know how involved you wanted to be in that process.' He was taking up his cane and preparing himself to stand now. If it wouldn't completely hurt his pride, she would have taken the opportunity to help him up, but him being as independent as possible was so very important to him, and something she would not take away from him, no matter how much she would have loved to help.

'I don't know that I feel equal to the role of mistress yet, sir-Rowland. I would feel so out of place.'

'You ought to get used to it soon, Belle, it will be your role in no more than a month's time. But if you would like, I can have the news be given to Mrs. Lucas and Dove and I am sure they have the means of spreading the word. No doubt the word would be spread whether we wanted it to or not then.'

They shared a knowing smile and Belle headed towards the schoolroom with her pupil.

Of what lessons they would accomplish that day was beyond both of them. Belle too happy to notice how her student and future son would continually get distracted, and Bae too happy to focus.

'Do you think it alright to call you mama now?'

It warmed her that he was so happy about everything, even if his eagerness made her laugh a little.

'Do you not think you should wait until your Papa and I are married?'

Something along the lines of a pout formed on the sweet boy's face as he pointed out that he would be so close to going to school by that point, he would hardly have time to call her that before leaving.

'But you'll come back every summer and Christmas, and every holiday that is allowed. And you must write to your Papa, and your new mama. That is why it is important to learn to spell now, so you can write to me with ease later. Shouldn't we go back to our spelling list?'

He did for five minutes.

'What will you do when I'm gone and you aren't teaching any more?'

'Perhaps I'll talk to your papa all day in the library.' She teased, though her duties as mistress of Dark Manor felt a little like rivers of the unknown to her at present. What would she do when she became its mistress?

'That sounds dull.' His nose wrinkled but his eyes were too bright and happy to keep them that way for long.

'We shall both be ever waiting for your return, I am sure. And I shall prepare you a room, shall I-for when you come back? You'll be a big boy of eight by then and too big for the nursery.'

Bae very nearly went into a long speech about which room he wanted, and what he wanted it to look like, but Belle had the good sense to breathe in deeply and try to focus her student once more. The hour when lessons were over came eventually and she let Bae run and fetch his father before they headed outdoors, while she straightened the classroom.

Mabel, one of the servants, walked in claiming to want to do some extra cleaning of the room. Belle knew her to be the main gossipers of the Manor and saw how her dark features were itching to share, Belle prepared herself for what was surely the gossip of the decade in such a quiet home as Dark Manor.

'Congratulations are in order, miss and I give 'em to you with many wishes for your happiness.'

Her lips said what was needed, her eyes said there was much more to be said on the subject.

'I thank you, Mabel.' And she went back to stacking books and wiping the board of their lessons. There was silence for a little while before the gossiper could stand it no longer.

'Begging your pardon, but you know you'll have to look at 'im every once in a while-will it be worth it?'

Belle turned around with wonder at her words, too baffled for anger at present.

'I think you forget your place, Mabel.' She said, colder than she had ever spoken before.

The servant seemed affronted at Belle's tone. 'Well it ain't much lower than yours as of right now, is it? And at least I'm not so much a money grubber as to set my cap at the master. Not that I would. He's rich to be sure, but as ugly as sin!' She said the last so conspiratorially, as if she thought Belle might actually join in the sentiments, despite the fact that she had accused her so warmly.

Belle curled up her fingers within her fists, putting pressure on the insides of her hands so as to help her calm down before she was tempted to put said fist across Mabel's nose.

'So I'm a money grubber and your master is ugly as sin. Is there anything else you would like to share before you quit the manor-for that is what you will do, or else you will be fired.'

'Oh so that's how it is now, miss? Give him some looks with those blue eyes of yours and you've got the master under your thumb?'

The girl had to be truly stupid not to see the anger steaming from Belle at the moment.

'I think no so such thing. I will not explain myself to someone who behaves in such a manner. I do wish you to know that I could have borne any unkind words you spoke towards me, but you have greatly disrespected your employer. Mr. Gold has been nothing but kind-is nothing but kind to his staff and yet you treat him thus. You must have known the consequences of your words before you spoke them. Did you think I would just laugh and agree with you? Please leave.'

The girl's eyes sparked at her and left. Belle had to take several deep breaths to calm herself. To hear such brazen, hurtful words spoken about Rowland, and then to hear her accusations against herself! She had been worried that things would look so lopsided in their union. He was so rich and so great a man, and then she with nothing but what he had paid her to her name. Then to have her be verbally accused as only marrying him for his money and to think she was making such a great sacrifice to do so! She could hardly see clearly. She was so angry as she made her way to meet her future little family.

Dove was at the foot of the stairs, smiling up at her so kindly that her anger subsided to a great degree when she saw him.

'We are so happy for you and Mister Gold, ma'am.' His whole face was softer with the sentiments.

'Thank you so much, Mr. Dove.' Her stomach knotted automatically, as if waiting for the accusatory aftermath, though she should have known better than to expect it from someone so dear as Mr. Dove. She just worried it was the agreement of the entire house, that she was marrying Mr. Gold for money, and if anyone should be more upset at such a thought, the man who was closest to Mr. Gold ought to be.

Too many thoughts warring in her mind, she bowed her head to Mr. Dove and went outdoors.

She was eager for the smiles of her Mr. Gold and the happiness of Bae to calm her nerves. To assure her that they were happy, genuinely happy, despite her lack of birth or money.

Rowland was smiling, very warmly, up until he saw Belle's face.

'What's wrong?' His face dropped with concern.

'It's nothing really.' She took a chair near him. He searched her face, wrinkles deepening.

'It's not nothing. You were happy this morning and something has happened. Surely not Bae? Was he not good for you…'

'Oh no, he was good, though a little distracted.' She gave a small smile. She paused for a moment, wondering how she should begin. 'Mabel came in to do some cleaning in the classroom.'

The lines deepened even further on his face. 'And she upset you?'

Belle attempted to keep the smile on her face, while her mind replayed the hurtful words that were levied at her.

'She seemed to think I was a mercenary woman. I-You must know, don't you sir, that I love you, don't you? That I did not have my sights set on your money or anything so vulgar.'

Bae was running and pretending at a great distance, unaware of the subject of their conversation, or to be much of a chaperone either. It made Rowland brave enough to tuck one of Belle's errant curls closer to its more uniform sisters. Belle smiled at the loving gesture.

'I think you're much too kind to be mercenary-though I would have been happy enough to have you under those terms too, if that was the only way to have you. You remember the phrasing of my proposition to you, I am sure.'

They both reddened at the remembrance.

'But I'll not have a servant speak to you like that, Belle. It was Mabel, did you say?'

'Mmmm, though I may have hinted that she should go ahead and quit the place before I encouraged you to let her go.'

Rowland smirked good naturedly. 'You did, did you? Getting comfortable in your role as mistress, after all are you?'

'I couldn't help it, sir! She said such things about you too! She was so brazen with her words and it angered me so badly. I'm sorry If I overstepped.'

He took her hand in his. 'You did not. I'm sorry she upset you so. She's always been one with a difficulty holding her tongue. She will not stay here long, either way. In more brighter news, Mrs. Lucas and Dove seemed very pleased with the idea of our union. I think Mrs. Lucas's words under her breath were 'about time.' Belle allowed a chuckle at that. 'Dove was much more practical in his congratulations, but I think he approves.'

'I was mostly worried about Bae's approval, so any others I suppose is a bonus.' She smiled.

'Are you happy here, Belle?' He said, as if Belle's worries about what they had been accused of had stolen her happiness suddenly.

'Happier than I deserve.' She comforted him.

'Now I shall endeavor not to disagree with you on much hereafter, but on that score, I must protest.'

Author's Note:

I hope this was a satisfactory chapter. I was thinking of the hard time Belle had in the beginning, and how that she skirted the line between gentry and staff, and wondered if not ALL the staff would be happy. Gold thinks so little of himself, that as long as servants aren't openly hostile and do their job, he doesn't begrudge them thinking the worst of him. I saw perhaps a wagging tongued servant having the cheek to say some of their thoughts out loud, thinking that Belle might would even agree, or share her secrets as a fellow salaried person. Of course, it would backfire, and Belle isn't going to stand for anything less than even behind the scenes respect towards Rowland.
I also thought about how that Mrs. Fairfax in Jane Eyre was wary of a girl so young and a governess to boot, marrying her employer. She didn't think it was proper. (Whether or not she knew of the 'impediment' or not, this was the pov from Jane at the time, in the story)
That's where I was going, and I hope it wasn't too outside the realm of believably. And then, of course, Bae is very happy :)
I hope you enjoyed the chapter! There are still several chapters to write. I have some plot ideas that I'm excited to share.
Next up is the wedding!