Rebecca

Guest prompted: Belle has a nightmare and Gold comforts her. (Rated T)

All eyes were on her—waiting for the new Mrs. Gold to make some grand speech before the Masquerade Ball could go underway. They were eagerly and anxiously awaiting the profound and witty words that surely should come natural to Mrs. Gold. After all, Cora always knew what to say so Belle shouldn't be any different.

Yet as Belle stared at the massive crowd, she found herself faltering, her tongue thick and heavy and stuck in her throat. What can she say? What can she say to these people that she barely knew? She wasn't some lady born in a well to do family. She was a lowly daughter of an inventor—nothing more.

She wasn't anyone special.

"Go on and say something, my dear," Anthony said, encouraging and kind as he nudged her closer. "Show the world that you're Mrs. Gold now."

Her mouth opened as a pitiful squeak came out. She tried to cover it up as if she cleared her throat, and then went to try again.

"You're an imposter!" came a shout from the crowd. "You're not the true Mrs. Gold!"

A resounding gasp gathered from the guests as a woman barged through. Belle tensed as the woman lifted a finger to her. "Look at her! She's not a lady befit to the likes of Manderley! She's nothing more than a common peasant!"

"No—not anymore. I'm Mrs. Gold now—" Belle's voice trailed off as the woman disappeared. Looking around, she jumped when the woman rematerialized next to her.

Bending her face to Belle's ear, she sneered, "You're worthless. You think he loves you? You're nothing more than a bed warmer, and even then, you're a poor substitute compared to the pleasures I gave him. You're a charlatan, a fraud. You're not worthy of possessing the Gold name. I was born to be mistress, not you!"

With that exclamation, Cora shoved Belle and she was falling backwards—falling, falling, until her body plunged in the tumultuous waves of the freezing water of the sea.

"You're better dead!" Cora cackled, her voice ringing in her head as Belle fought to stay afloat. Yet the prickling pull of icy fingers grabbed at her skirt and arms, pulling her down in the murky depths—

Belle screamed, jumping up in bed as her husband, also startled, woke up in alarm.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his brow frowning as he felt his wife tremble uncontrollably at his side. "Belle?" he spoke with concern as he carefully placed his hand on her shoulder.

"A nightmare," she replied, breathing hard. "Oh Anthony! It was a horrid nightmare!"

At once, he pulled her into the safety of his arms, his right hand sneaking up to delve into her curls, holding her closely as she wept against his shoulder.

"Tell me," Anthony bid gently, stroking her tresses softly.

Sniffling, Belle did. "It was the Masquerade Ball and I had to give a speech and—" She choked as she confessed, "I was so scared Anthony! I was afraid I was going to say the wrong thing and be an embarrassment to you. Worst of all, they all knew."

"Bloody Hell," he muttered. "I feared this would be too much for you. Damn my wretched sister! You shouldn't have let Mary Margaret persuade you to host this in the first place—"

"No!" Belle exclaimed. "Please don't blame Mary Margaret. It's just me being silly 'tis all. Nerves getting the best of me. I'll be fine. I promise."

Anthony didn't look convinced, but Belle couldn't let him cancel this ball. This was her chance to prove she was worthy of carrying the Gold name. This was her party, not Cora's, and Belle will make him proud.

To prove she was well, Belle kissed him on the mouth. To her chagrin, he didn't return the kiss… and why should he? Ever since they arrived at Manderley, Anthony rarely showed his affections anymore. Smiling sadly to herself, Belle looked down at her lap. "It was only my doubts affecting my dreams. I assure you that everything will be perfect. It shall be the most talked about ball in years to come. I have a very good feeling about it."

He nodded and patted her hand. "Very well. Do try and get some rest."

As her husband slid back under the covers, Belle followed suit and it wasn't long after that she heard his quiet snores. Closing her eyes, she refused to let her nightmare rule her. Cora Gold was dead but Belle Gold was alive and well. She will show that ghost that she is capable of putting on the best ball.

With that firm thought in mind, she fell back into a wonderful slumber. There was certainly one thing she was looking forward to and that was for Anthony to see her costume.

She knew he would love it.