Rumple arrives in Edinburgh, and Henry comes up to join him for the next leg of the trip. Robin gives his brides-to-be a reminder of what they promised regarding Snow White, while Emma tries to stop her mother from going home in anger.
Edinburgh, Scotland - Henry's Grand Tour – Day 14
Angus Gold was the first to check into the Balmoral Hotel, situated close to the centre of the city.
He'd left the others in London over a week ago, before travelling to Scotland with only his son. Over the next week, he had travelled further north, to the windswept Orkney Islands, where a hidden magical city lay, to discover details of long-dead and unknown relatives in the church archives. It had been Rumple's first ever real vacation, and he managed to fill his time well. Gideon was now standing and attempting to walk, distracting him frequently. Nonetheless, he delighted in the little one's company. Gideon, provided he was entertained, seemed to be a happy child, frequently giggling at the smallest things. His changing expressions, when he sat staring out of the window as the sights fell away, reminded him so much of Belle. They'd left his mother and Ariel in London, though spoke daily with the women to discuss their days and what everyone had been up to.
"Good evening sir! Welcome to the Balmoral," boomed the large doorman, as he opened the even-larger door to them. "I'm Matthew. May I help ye with yer bags, there? Or with the wee 'un?" His deep, rumpling Highland accent echoing across the large foyer.
"Thank you, Matthew. Perhaps the cases please?" as Rumple stumbled in with an increasingly heavy Gideon in the portable car seat. "Do you have parking?"
"Aye, sir. A secure area at the back. I'll sort it out and park her up for ye, then I'll handle the cases and all that stuff? Let Mary here take care of ye?" He pointed to a pretty auburn woman behind the desk.
"Good evening, sir! May I have your name?" her voice was also soft and pleasant to the ear. He gave her the details.
"Let's see now. Gold. Angus Gold? We have a party of four in three rooms, you and the bairn in the Royal Suite…"
"Royal Suite? There must be some mistake. I don't even recall ordering a suite…Mary." How much would that cost in this place?
"Ye didn'ae, sir. I took a call from a Mr. Mills yesterday, who'll be joining us this evening. He said it was a special treat for his grandfatha. And that you'd probably refuse, so he paid in advance! I wish I had someone who treated me like that!"
"Did he, indeed?" His mouth broke into a smile. "I'll be having a word with him about his spendthrift ways?"
"Oh, he bartered me down sir! I had to give him an awfy guid price! Quite the market trader, your grandson. It's Room 5 on the top floor, Mr. Gold. Hamish here will take yer bags up when Matthew gets back. Now, if you and the wee one want to rest up first, shall I sort out some tea and biccies for ye?"
~oOo~
An hour later, Belle and Ariel arrived, having taken the short flight from London.
They'd spent the last week trying to fit in as much as they could. Museums, galleries, some of the most famous historical sites, including the Tower of London, and even a day trip to Windsor Castle. At Ariel's request, they even managed to squeeze in a major rugby match, at a place called Twickenham. Belle didn't understand the attraction, or the game, until she saw the sheer brute physicality, and the size of the players. That's when she was reminded, she was very much bisexual, albeit now in a gay relationship. Some of the guys were gorgeous! They've got arms bigger than my waist!
And her feelings for Ariel only deepened with every day they'd spent together. The mermaid's raw enthusiasm for life, for seeing new things, and new experiences, only encouraged her more. At night, their physical relationship had also changed, going from energetic, urgent sex to slower, more intense lovemaking. However she still missed him! There was still a hole in her heart, which he once filled. And his absence this last week only brought it home that her feelings for her husband were still very much there.
"There's yer key cards, Mrs. Gold and Miss French. Mr. Gold checked in at least an hour ago. He's in the Orangery, with his son..." Mary pointed towards the back. "I can have yer bags taken up to the rooms, if you want? And organise some tea, or coffee and biccies to be sent over?"
~oOo~
Two minutes later, walking into the large conservatory, they spotted Gideon sitting in a high chair.
"Giddie? Hello my darling! Mama's missed you SO much!" Belle ran over to wrap her hands around his cereal-caked cheeks, delivering urgent kisses all over his face. "Have you been a good boy for papa?"
"He's been grand." Rumple put down the baby spoon. "And trying to walk and talk!"
The almost one-year-old gave a cheesy grin. "Mmmmmm!"
Both parents beamed at their boy. "And you, Rumple?" Belle bent down, kissing him warmly on the cheek, wrapping her arms around his chest from behind, as he sat. The she remembered her slip-up. "Sorry...Angus...I keep forgetting! Did you find what you were looking for?"
"I did. There's a hidden town, about the size of Storybrooke, close to a place called Stromness. Some of my ancestors on my mother's side hail from there."
Just then Ariel walked in, followed by a woman bearing a large tea tray and cookies.
"Hi Angus, hi Giddie!" Seeing Belle now playing with her son, she also bent over the back of Rumple's chair, turning her head to deliver him a welcome kiss. As she did, Rumple turned his head, receiving her open lips on his own. It was quite chaste, but the simple act was immediately spotted by Belle, who gulped in surprise, saying nothing. "You had a good week? Taking care of your handsome young man here didn't wear you out?"
"It did, but I wouldn't have it any other way," he smiled warmly at the mermaid. Belle noticed that, too!
"So what's your plans tonight? You've had him all week, so I'm happy to stay in and look after him, if you wish? After I've had a decent bath, mind. Belle, you could go off and explore the city with Angus tonight if you want?"
"I'm a bit tired quite frankly, and I've really missed Gideon. I'd prefer to stay in tonight. Angus, what's your plan?"
"Nothing tonight, dearie, though someone else looking after him would be nice. Henry gets in soon. He's taking the train up from York, so it's unlikely he'll want to go out. How about dinner here?"
New York
"So you both had a bust-up with Snow, she stormed off, and now she's taking the bus home?" Robin had been updated on the web call. He was surprised at just how quickly his fiancées' weekend had deteriorated. "And that's before you even went shopping for dresses?"
Emma had just explained what happened that morning. How her mother flew off the handle at them. Robin had probed a little more until the pair had told him what had caused her reaction. "So although you didn't exactly accuse Snow of outright adultery in a gay bar, you basically implied it?"
"Yeah, pretty much. That's when she went ballistic! She told me I was a Stepford Wife! Letting Gina have control over everything. Said it didn't matter, that whatever she said, Gina would always have her own way, anyway! Then she dragged up all the crap about our last wedding? How much we hurt her."
"Well, it's no more than the truth, is it, Emma? Let's be honest, if Honour came home after getting married, without even telling us, you and Gina would be pretty pissed off, wouldn't you? Can't blame the woman for being sore!"
Emma rolled her eyes at him. But she, and Regina, knew it was a fair point.
"And Emma, let's be honest, you do kind of take a back seat to Regina when organising things, don't you? I bet she chose the date, the venue, your dress and everything else, didn't she?" Regina stayed quiet, just listening.
"That's not fair, Robin. Regina always consults me! I'm no fucking Stepford Wife!"
"Consults you after she's chosen the options to choose from, though? Regina, I love you and you're a fantastic organiser, but you do always try to take control! Who chose not to tell Snow, last time you married? And why?"
"I did," Regina groaned. "I thought it best to get it done quickly, without the fuss."
"Knowing full well it's the biggest slap in the face any mother-of-the-bride could receive? That's just cruel! Let's face it, you two screwed up the first time!"
"Gina and I would never deliberately set out to hurt my mum! And anyway, we asked her to come with us this time."
"To do what? To manage anything? To choose anything? Or just to nod her head happily, at whatever you decide? She sort of has a point, Emma!"
"Never mind!" said the brunette, ignoring him. "If she goes, she goes. We're booked in Kleinfeld's at 2.30; I've already seen three dresses online that I'd like to try on, and there's more that would suit you. We can follow that with the bridesmaid options next door. Get it all done. There's a stunning-"
"And once again, Regina takes over the show!" said Robin, sarcastically. "Snow White is officially now redundant! Just like the first time, eh Emma?"
"Robin, someone has to organise this!" Regina was now more than irritated.
"And that someone ALWAYS has to be YOU, doesn't it Regina? Other people can give you all the suggestions they want – provided they're yours?"
"Then what do YOU suggest?" she growled, irritation now bordering on anger.
"Well that depends. Emma, three weeks ago you were in tears, because you thought you'd screwed up your relationship with your mother. You made promises to her to try harder. Now, you've broken them, and made snide remarks, even implying she wasn't being faithful to David? Do you actually want her as a mother, Emma?"
Robin always had a horrible knack of getting straight to the heart of the problem. Last time, she screamed at him. This time…no, this time she was going to remain calm!
"What do you suggest, o' wise one? Stop the coach, and beg forgiveness? Yet again?" said Regina.
"Stop the coach, certainly! Then give her control."
"Control of what?" She was finding his supercilious attitude infuriating.
"Everything! Your dresses, the venue, the catering. Everything…"
"Robin, you can't possibly mean that?"
"Of course I do! Regina, you promised to do better by her, yet here you are yet again, taking over and dividing mother from daughter. Keeping her out of it! You hurt her when you married. You hurt her today. Time to step back, Regina! Time to show her you were serious."
"Robin, this is our wedding, not just a goddam party! I can't just let her take over."
"But I can!" said Emma, her voice now more assertive. "Gina, there's two of us in this marriage. And soon there's going to be three. I agree with Robin. Two out of three?"
And so, just before twelve thirty in the afternoon. Emma jumped on board the coach, waving her sheriff badge, hoping to god the driver didn't suspect and call another cop to validate it, and insisting the driver hold on till she checked the passengers on board.
Spotting her mother at the back, she quickly covered the distance. The pixie-haired former princess looked glum, covering herself with a travel blanket.
"Mum, please get off the coach? There's something we need to tell you."
Snow looked unimpressed. "Just leave me alone, Emma. I'm not interested. You've said enough."
She had already guessed this wasn't going to be easy. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? I shouldn't have said what I did."
"Sorry for what? For wrongly accusing me of being unfaithful to your father?" That earned a few gasps from nearby passengers who'd overheard, and even a 'bitch' from someone nearby.
"I shouldn't have said that! I'm sorry, I know I screwed up."
"Yes, you did, didn't you? Just…just go, Emma! Go be with your perfect wife. Go organise your perfect wedding. Who knows, perhaps your father and I might get even an invite this time!"
Emma heard more comments from other passengers. "Selfish," from one. "What a shit – not inviting her!" and "cow".
"For god's sake, mum! I'm trying to…"
"You're organizing the wedding, for god's sake! All of it!" yelled Regina, appearing behind Emma. "You've won, Snow! You get to choose. All of it! Just get off the goddamn bus and let her explain?"
Back in Scotland...
Henry Mills checked into the Balmoral late. Dropping his bags into his room, and following his grandfather's message, he appeared in the regal dining room, to see his grandfather, step-grandmother and her lover gathered around a large round table, having almost finished dinner.
"Hi grandpa!" he said, hugging the older man, before pressing a polite kiss on Belle's and Ariel's cheeks. "I got held up. Train problems. You all just finished?"
"Hello, my boy. Yes, although, I was considering a pudding. Come join us!"
"How was Oxford, Henry? Did you get to see the University college you want to get in to?" asked a smiling Ariel.
Henry went off at length about all the amazing things he'd seen and learned over the past seven days, particularly about the English city he was considering studying in for his post-graduate years. He told them about the people he'd met and the wonderful pubs he'd visited. "I see where Robin got his ideas for the Earl of Locksley from!" He told them about the trip to York, and his plans to go back. It had been an exhausting week.
Rumple looked at Ariel's face as she took it all in. The mermaid had a zest for life and a keenness to learn that he had only really seen before in Belle a few years ago. Everything seemed to be an adventure to her, and he noticed how easily she'd integrated herself into their odd little 'family'. He noticed Belle studying her, as her lover told them about what she'd seen at the Victoria and Albert museum in London, the Tower of London, the maritime dockyard on the south coast and her trip into the London Eye, a big wheel on the river overlooking the capital. It was obvious to Rumple that Belle had now fallen in love with the woman. He was unsure whether Ariel felt quite the same, but he felt a mixture of emotions at the change. Pleased Belle had someone to love. Pleased to see her with their son. But saddened that the split between the had become more permanent.
Half an hour later, Henry rose, telling them he was too tired to stay awake, before bidding everyone Rumple goodnight.
"I'll go up with you, Henry. Angus, thank you for a lovely dinner. See you in the morning." As earlier, she leant down and gave him a quick peck, but on the cheek this time. "You coming up, Belle?"
"In a few minutes. I'll just have a nightcap with Rum… with Angus." She looked at her estranged husband. "If that's alright with you?" Ariel smiled before leaning down and giving her a kiss. "Okay, I'll see you soon."
The two left the table, leaving Belle and her husband alone for the first time in weeks.
he noticed her anxious expression. "Something on your mind, Belle? You seem out of sorts."
"I'm not sure. May I ask you a personal question?"
"You may; though I may choose not to answer."
"Gabriella Weiss. Gabbie. Are you together now? Sorry, it's just, well you know about me and Ariel. I just want to know whether it's serious between you? Whether it might affect my living with Gideon?"
"I could decline to answer, but I don't see why I shouldn't just tell you. Gabbie and I are close friends. She's an independent, mature woman, a grandmother herself, widowed but with a life of her own. We have an understanding. Is there a physical relationship? Yes, but the friendship is far more important. Are we exclusive with one another? No. We both agreed that if circumstances were to change for either of us, we would revert to just being close friends. I find her intelligent, delightful company and a welcome break from Storybrooke! Why do you ask?"
"Thank you for telling me. She's clearly made a big difference. You seem happier, more relaxed, Rumple? Certainly a lot better dressed!" She gave him a sad smile. "Ariel's always commenting on the way you dress recently, your kindnesses to her, and your way with our Gideon. She thinks very highly of you, you know?"
"I have a respect for her, too. She has a very sweet nature, and a remarkable way with our son. A marked cut above your other lovers, certainly!" Belle frowned, but he carried on regardless. "Don't be like that? It's fairly obvious your relationship has deepened, and as I only wish for your happiness, your change of orientation doesn't concern or bother me. Not any more. Are you perhaps wanting us to sign the divorce papers we drew up?"
"Despite what you think, Rumple, I'm not a lesbian! I still find men attractive, and, judging by the looks Ariel was giving some of the Rugby players this week, so does she! If anything, we're probably both bi, albeit in a gay relationship."
"Well either way, I want you to be happy. Fascinating though this may be, why are we discussing this?"
"Because I've thought about this over the last week, while we've been apart. It's painful to admit but, whilst I think it's true and I have fallen for Ariel, I'm also still very much in love with someone else. Someone who, whenever I hear about him with this other woman, makes me feel like I want to spit blood! The same person who, I pray, one day, might be able to forgive me for my past misjudgements, and perhaps learn to trust me again?"
Rumple wasn't expecting such a frank confession. Then she added, "Ariel also thinks I'm still in love with you!"
"She said something similar to me. She even offered to step away, if we wanted to get back together."
"She did?" It was Belle's turn to be surprised.
"Aye. She told me she believed I was also still in love with you, too. She's a perceptive woman! I may have been angry with you, Belle, but I never stopped loving you. It was trust that was the problem! But Ariel offers you something that I can't. Light, and a better future. I have a darkness in me, and I'll never escape it."
"Could you ever grow to trust me again?"
"You have to remember, that I lost Baelfire! First to my own cowardice, and then to a vile bitch I still want dead!"
Belle winced, remembering she'd shared a bed with that 'vile bitch'. "You didn't answer the question. Could you ever trust me?"
"I acted in anger, after losing Gideon. But…I believe I can now trust you with him. After all, I regularly leave him with you at home, do I not? Now I'll be leaving him with you, and Ariel, for days when we all head to Norway. And then when you take him home?"
"'You'? You mean you're not coming home with us?"
"I'll be flying from Rome back to London. I'm booked to have an operation. Once recovered and convalesced, I'll return to Storybrooke."
"An operation? Why? Is it serious?" Her voice started to rise. "Why on earth didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want to burden you. I had a consultation in London, shortly after we arrived. Merlin, or should I say Professor Sage in this world, introduced me to a specialist."
"To do what, for heaven's sake?" tears shone in her eyes. He didn't tell me!
"He's an orthopaedic surgeon. He's going to operate on my leg. Belle, it's something I should have done as soon as I found a way to enter this world without magic, without losing my memories. I intend to spend more of my time in these lands in the future, so needing a walking stick isn't conducive to bringing up a small child!"
"I'm staying with you! I'm NOT having you here alone when you go through that!"
"There's no need. I'll be in good hands."
"I didn't ask you, Rumple, I'm telling you! I'm going to be here when you wake up! And so is Gideon."
"Belle, it's only corrective surgery. It's nothing too serious."
"I don't care! I'm still your wife, and I love you. I'm staying!"
Rumple sighed heavily. He would love to have her with him, but she was now in a committed relationship with someone else.
"Rumple, you said you could trust me now. And that you still love me. Then there's hope, right? I don't want to divorce you, dammit. I want to see if we can save our marriage!"
"Then what of Ariel? If that's what you really want, is it fair to her?"
"No, of course not! That's the problem. I love you and I love her. But that's not allowed, is it? I want you both in my life! It's greedy, I know. But, you said you and Gabriella are 'not exclusive'. Is there a chance we could also one day be non-exclusive? It's ridiculous, I know…"
Rumple was confused, unsure how to respond. "Have you discussed these feelings with Ariel? It seems she could be badly hurt. You also run the risk of losing her."
"Not in any detail. But I need to. I just need to know whether you're open to the idea?"
"I need time to think. And you definitely need to discuss this with her."
New York
It took another two hours for them to persuade Snow to stay.
Unusually, Regina left the talking to Emma, to avoid any tension. If Robin hadn't requested her to keep the peace, she felt like she might have just gone back on the bus herself, and left Snow behind. The coach driver had almost called the cops to have them chucked off, beginning to suspect Emma wasn't a real cop. The fact the blonde kept calling the woman 'mum' despite being virtually her own age, made the decision. But Emma won and they left the bus.
As a condition, Snow made them swear she would not be overruled, and Regina almost ground her teeth to a pulp as the grudgingly agreed. The married couple now sat back in the hotel dining room, an hour before the booking at the bridal shop. Snow checked back in, and left the to make phone calls, before emerging with a small pad and a determined look on her face.
"Right! Kathryn Nolan is now checking on availability on the Town Hall roof garden! In case it's full, she's getting Little John to check upstairs at the Earl of Locksley. If that's booked, I'll ask your fiancé to overrule the booking. It is for his own wedding, after all."
"Why the Town Hall roof?" asked Regina, feigning interest.
"Because it can cope with up to one hundred and fifty guests, so should be large enough. If it's raining or windy, the room below it will be big enough. It's close to about three caterers, including Ruby as a backstop. There's parking, bars and cafés nearby, and near enough to the hospital should anybody be ill."
Regina's brow arched as she looked at Emma, who was now sporting an annoying smirk. Her mother had thought things through, after all! "Sounds good so far, mum."
"Now the catering. Ruby's on the case. It's too big a project for them to manage, but she's got good relationships with other caterers and venues in the area. I've given her the numbers, so I need you to figure what foods you would like. I've pulled off and emailed you about twenty different sample menus. Robin's also put in a call to that fancy restaurant he and Emma went to last year. What's his name now?" She stopped to look at her notes. "Pierre Roch? Yes, that's it. According to Robin, he's more than happy to help us, but suggested you three go to his place, and discuss the menu options over a meal."
"The owner of L'Auberge Cachée?" Regina eyes widened in disbelief. "Pierre Roch is willing to cater for our wedding?" She sounded like a groupie about to meet her hero. "He's one of the world's best chefs!"
"yeah, and Rob and I met him when we went there. For a legend, he's actually rather sweet!"
"While I'm impressed, it would be hideously expensive, no doubt?" Regina was still stunned. "He's a five-star Michelin chef! I'm not sure we'd have that sort of budget for a wedding…"
"Robin thought you might say that! He said don't worry about it. He'll cover it outside the wedding budget. Now, let's talk about the wedding attire? I propose you both choose your dresses first? That'll then dictate what the groom, best man and bridesmaids should be wearing. So let's go to this place you've booked."
The two women silently nodded, giving each other a look. They'd asked Snow White to take responsibility, and she seemed to be doing just that! Regina was impressed, but she sure as hell wasn't going to tell her that!
Two hours later, and the three women found themselves at the bridal shop.
After being ushered into a large fitting room by one of the staff, a tall, statuesque woman walked in, She looked rather like a theatrical grand dame, Regina thought, and judging by her clothes and confident manner, she was obviously the owner, rather than a manager. They later found out, from a member of the team, that she was known as The Marchioness behind her back. Unfortunately, the cold aloofness also reminded Regina of her own mother.
The Marchioness sat them at a table, directing one of her staff to pour the trio some chilled champagne, while other staff presented three identical white picture books.
"Now ladies..." Emma thought her French accent was possibly fake, or at least exaggerated. "Which of you is the bride-to-be?"
Regina knew they'd face this, and was ready with a retort. However Snow stepped in first.
"Madame Valerie, this is my younger sister Emma and her wife, Regina. They married some time ago, ut are now solemnizing their vows, also having a more formal, traditional wedding. So they will both be choosing today. I trust that isn't an issue?" Snow had already seen some people's looks when they heard Emma had married Regina.
The tall, haughty woman's severe face broke into a small smile. "No issue whatsoever, Mrs. Blanchard. My wife and I were wed as soon as same-sex marriage became legal in France, two years before this country."
That little comment put them more at ease. "That's good to know."
"Now, in the catalogues are the dresses we can provide in all our ranges. Try not to worry about your sizes at this stage. Everything is adjusted to fit, or bespoke. Think about the feel as much as the look, after all you need to be comfortable in them all day. Some questions to consider. What time of year will the event be held? Morning or afternoon? Indoors or out? Then consider the event. Will there be a theme? Try not to get too set on a particular style, as when you try it on, you may change your mind entirely. Don't lose sight of what type of bride you want to be. Remember, you want to look back at photos of yourself in ten-years-time, and still love your dress! Now I'll leave you in peace to browse. I suggest you each select four or five styles. My team will not bother you until you're ready or need assistance. Please don't rush, just take your time. Enjoy the champagne, and relax."
She bade them farewell, with a smile. Then Snow stood.
"Alright, I suggest you two start to do this bit together, and shortlist a few things? I'll have a look through the store, and come back in a while…"
Regina was surprised. "Really? You don't want to choose?" After all the bloody fuss getting you making?
"No, that should be you two. Besides, I've already seen the perfect dress, while you were talking to her! It's a cut above the rest."
"For me, or for Emma?" said Regina. "Who should wear this perfect dress of yours?"
"Either of you. or both! If I had a wife, and we were jointly getting married to our new husband, I'd personally like to wear the same style as her for that special day."
"Mum, we have totally different tastes, and styles! Gina's dark, and I'm fair. Shouldn't they be different?"
Snow just laughed at that. "Different? You think so? Have you seen how you two dress these days? Emma, I hardly ever saw you in a skirt before you moved in with her. And as for you Regina, how often have I seen you in jeans recently? No, you've both changed and become a couple. But, to answer your question, for me, it would just be a symbol of our female love already being as one! Just my opinion. Still, you'll know when you find them. Good luck."
~oOo~
Later...
Emma and Regina spent the best part of an hour working through the choices. They selected six each, and the staff came and helped them try them on.
By the end, neither entirely happy with any single one, Regina sat back, now dressed in one of the shop's silk dressing gowns, to take another large slug of the champagne. "I'm exhausted! I knew it was tiring but…"
Emma came out of another changing room, while the staff set the last dress aside. "You're exhausted? Well I'm totally fucked! Still not sure."
As they slumped at the table, helping themselves to the canapes in the centre, Snow reappeared.
"Any luck?"
"Nope. Seen 'em all, tried a few. Not there yet…"
"We looked right through the catalogue. So much for your perfect dress, Snow!" Regina added.
"Oh, it isn't in the catalogue. It's one of the new arrivals! I saw it hanging, on the way in. I didn't want to say anything, until you made your choices."
Regina sighed, much louder than necessary. "Go on then - let's see it!"
Snow nodded, leaving them to speak to a member of staff. A few minutes later, two girls appeared behind her, holding two sizes of the same dress. The Marchioness appeared behind them.
"Ah, I see you've spotted one from our new British designer? The Belle Epoque range? New in this week. Very elegant and, I have to admit, rather pricey! I've a couple of pictures you can see, or you can try them on?"
~oOo~
Fifteen minutes later, each bride-to-be-again appeared outside their respective rooms, facing each other, the assistants flapping behind to adjust the trains.
Regina gasped when she saw Emma in all her glory, clad in the most beautiful, simple yet elegant silk dress she had ever seen her in. "Oh my goodness. Emma, you're stunning!"
"I have to agree," Madame Valerie nodded in approval. "It seems to complement both your figures perfectly. You certainly wouldn't be the first bridal pair to choose the same dress."
"It's an old cliché, but I feel like a million dollars!" Emma then looked Regina up and down. "And you're a goddess! Jeez, I wish we'd done this the first time?" Then she heard a sob nearby. "Mum…you okay?"
"Perfect. You both look just…perfect!" Snow almost choked on her tears. "Robin will be struck dumb when he sees you both!"
"Robin?" said the Marchioness.
"Our fiancé!"
That earnt an odd, disappointed look from the proprietor, and a smirk from Snow.
The Balmoral, Edinburgh
A gentle knock sounded on the door of the Royal Suite. Rumple sat upright in his bed, reading a tourist guide for Edinburgh. Gideon lay sound asleep in the adjoining room, the door open.
"Dammit!" he grumbled, getting up to open it. "Oh, it's you!"
Belle and Ariel both stood in the corridor, in matching hotel dressing gowns. "Sorry to disturb you, but I had a talk with Ariel, after you and I spoke. May we come in?"
"Well, I guess so, though you'll need to keep your voices down. Gideon's asleep in the side room. Come in."
"Hell, this room is bloody enormous!" said Belle. "Henry said he's upgraded you. But this?"
"Aye, it is rather grand for just me. A bit ostentatious. Can I get you both a drink? They have a decent whisky in that tantalus over there. Fancy a dram?"
"Yes please, Angus!" Ariel didn't hesitate. "That bed's huge! You could get all five of us in there and still have space!"
He poured three generous measures from the crystal decanter, handing one to each of them before moving to deposit himself on the bed.
"Yes, well. There's just me. Now ladies, what can I do for you?"
"Belle told me about your hospital visit and your operation after the trip. And I agree with her. I want to stay too. We can look after Gideon rather than take him back. He'd want to be near his father. So If it's alright with you, we'll both stay in London till you're ready to leave hospital?"
That's kind of you but, what about the library?"
"Oh, bugger the library, Rumple! You're more important. We want to be with you when you go through this. We're still family, of sorts, aren't we?"
He smiled at them, feeling genuinely flattered they cared so much, though he saw the nervous look in Belle's eyes. "And is there anything else?"
Once again, Ariel saw her nervousness and took the initiative. "It's about us. Belle and me. And you. She told me what you discussed, so I think I'm the one that still needs to say something." Taking a large gulp of the whisky, she moved around the large bed, lifting herself up to sit on the end of the mattress, bringing her legs up. Belle copied her, so Rumple had them both facing him at the foot of the bed.
"We talked. As I told you before, I believe you and Belle are still very much in love, despite everything you've been through together, And you've both virtually admitted it to me! I know there are obstacles, but it's the small things I notice between you. I told you both that, if you decide you want to be together, I won't stand in your way. I do love Belle and, if I'm truly honest with myself, I've developed feelings for you too, Angus. And despite everything, I sorta regard Gideon as one of my own. Belle's told me she loves me, but I don't want to be a barrier between you two."
Rumple stayed silent for a while, considering his words carefully. "I want you to stay, Ariel. As I said to Belle, you give her something I cannot. You complement one another. What do you want to do?"
"I want you and Belle together. She's still your wife, after all. I'm prepared to share her with you."
Belle didn't seem surprised, having clearly just discussed it. "But I'm also prepared to share Ariel with you, Rumple."
That brought a surprised gasp from the mermaid. "Belle?"
"You don't think I've noticed? The shared kisses outside Gideon's door when you both settle him? The looks. The hugs. It's something I'd like to explore. I don't want to be the centre of attention, a future battleground for you two to argue over when times are rough. But if you two can explore your own feelings for each other? Well, that would be the ideal solution for me."
"You're suggesting something like Robin has with Emma and Regina?"
"Possibly. Though it wouldn't hurt to try, would it?"
The women exchanged a look, each trying to guess the other's thoughts. "Well I'm certainly willing to try. Angus?"
The Dark One was desperate to hide his confusion under the usual layer of calm. Looking at the pair, sitting there facing him, on his bed, in their dressing gowns, made his mind whirr. "Well let's see where we get to, shall we?"
"I suggest we try some date nights?" the mermaid pondered. "Perhaps me and Angus on evening, then you and Angus. Then you and me?"
"Makes sense," Belle nodded. "I was hoping to stay close to Giddie tonight, as I've missed him all week. May I."
"Of course," Rumple slid out from under the sheets. "We'll swap rooms, as this bed's bigger. I'll take yours and see you early in the morning."
"Why? This bed's plenty big enough for all of us! If you don't mind, of course?" said Ariel.
"What? Oh…no problem." Shit! There could be a problem!
A moment later, the mermaid slipped off her gown to reveal an alluring deep-red satin chemise, that Belle had worn when he first returned from Boston. Belle similarly dropped her gown to the floor, revealing the pale blue version previously worn by her partner. There they stood, two beautiful visions, standing either side of his bed.
Rumple quickly swallowed his drink, sliding under the sheets to ensure they didn't see the growing bulge in his pyjamas.
"Belle, probably best you get in the middle? I'm the lighter sleeper, so I'll get up if Giddie wakes in the night?"
Belle nodded, shuffling into the middle of the large bed, opening the duvet for Ariel to climb in beside her.
Having the two of them here, dressed like that, and beside him, was playing havoc with the uncontrollable organ in his pyjamas. Just when he thought he was a suitable distance from resting against Belle's rear, the mermaid pushed herself into the chestnut haired beauty's front, before leaning right over her, pushing her back, to quickly plant a warm, not-entirely chaste, kiss on Rumple's mouth. "Goodnight Angus! And thanks again for this wonderful holiday! It's been great so far, best thing I've ever done, and we're only ten days in!" she breathed, enthusiastically.
Unfortunately, seeing the redhead virtually mount his wife, pressing her back into his erection, had the effect of only enlarging it even further!
And Belle had noticed! She'd felt it against her buttocks, and smiled inwardly with delight. She turned her head to one side, trying to look at him. "So, don't I get a kiss then?" she asked.
"Oh, sorry!" He used the excuse to pull his lower body away from hers, before raising himself on his elbow to plant a kiss on her cheek. "Good night, Belle."
She wasn't finished torturing him yet! "Oh, so she gets one on the lips, and I have to make do with one on the cheek? That hardly seems fair!"
He knew she was playing him. "Oh, very well!" he breathed, leaning over again, and this time covering her lips with his own and pressing in firmly. She almost gasped she felt his tongue quickly slide in and out, briefly massaging hers before withdrawing. "Good night, Belle!"
"Ooh, that looked nice!" whispered Ariel, who saw everything. "One of those for me too please?" Without asking, the redhead pushed in again, to seize his lips in a more heated, though equally swift, kiss. Seeing her lover and her husband exchange what was basically, a fleeting French kiss, had an instant effect between her thighs. Ariel unpeeled her lips from Rumple's to latch them on to Belle's, giving her the same treatment. A swirl of tongues. Over in seconds, the simple exchange left two people feeling very flustered. Belle damp and Rumple with a cast iron erection.
"Good night, you two!" breathed the mermaid, rolling to face away, before pressing her bottom into Belle lap, which now forced hers into Rumple's painfully hard member.
How the hell am I going to get any sleep now? Thought Rumple.
I'm never getting any sleep now! Thought Belle. Thanks a bunch, Ariel!
~oOo~