A/N- Hello, welcome to day eight of the "12 Days of Christmas Fanfic Palooza." Today, we're once again exploring Once Upon a Time (who's character rights belong to ABC.) Enjoy! :)
"Open this one first," Rumple instructed.
"Why?" Belle inquired, taking the rather large box from him. "I happen to know that just because this is the biggest box doesn't make it the best gift."
"Well, it might not be your favorite gift, but it's definitely the most impatient to be opened," Rumple explained mysteriously. "Just open it, and all will become clear."
Belle gently tore open the paper on the package to reveal a small carrier containing a snow white kitten.
"Oh, Rumple," She exclaimed, gently lighting the young kitten from its carrier. "He's beautiful! What's his name?"
"That's up to you to decide," Rumple answered. "But if it's my opinion you're seeking, I was thinking something like Snowball."
"Oh no," Belle argued. "That's much too simple and meaningless. You of all people should understand the importance of names."
"Yes, but it's a cat, dearie," Rumple disputed.
"His name still matters!" Belle cried. Rumple threw his hands in the air in surrender.
"Alright, alright. We shall have to put a bit more thought into his name," Rumple sighed.
"What about. . . Moby?" Belle suggested. "After Moby Dick."
"No," Rumple disagreed. "You can't name him after a whale, dearie. He'll be the laughing stock of the town."
"Okay, how about. . . Oliver?" Belle tried again. "Like Oliver Twist?"
"No, that was in a Disney movie already," Rumple pointed out.
"True," Belle agreed. "We wouldn't want to steal someone else's ideas. What about. . . Heathcliff? After the man in Wuthering Heights?"
"I think if he was black instead of white, that would work," Rumple argued. "But he's too pure a color to be named for a man so dark."
"You actually read Wuthering Heights?" Belle asked, setting their unnamed kitten on the floor.
"Of course," Rumple looked offended. "You asked me to, didn't you?"
"Yes, but I didn't think you'd actually read it," Belle admitted.
Suddenly, they were distracted by the sight of their pure white kitten strutting across the floor as if he owned the place. His chin was held high in the air, and he had an almost haughty look on his handsome little face.
"I think I've come up with the perfect name," Belle smiled, scooping up their adorable new kitten.
"And what's that?" Rumple inquired.
"Darcy," Belle decided. "After William Darcy in-"
"Pride and Prejudice," Rumple cut her off, grinning at the look on Belle's face. "I read too, you know."
"Yes, of course," a flustered Belle responded. "I'm sorry I doubted you."
"All is forgiven," Rumple replied, lightly kissing Belle.
The kiss didn't last long, however, as it was broken apart by their mischievous little Darcy swatting at an ornament on the tree.
"What have I gotten us into?" Rumple moaned. All Belle could do was laugh and reach down to collect their mischievous little kitten.
A/N- So, what did you think? Leave a review if you enjoyed it. The name was my mom's idea, so don't bash it too hard. Anyway, thank you for reading. As always, have a blessed day, loves!