Indecent Proposal

Prompt: Belle and Mr. Gold get married. (Rated T)

Ideally, when a girl fantasized about her wedding it puts out all the stops to make it memorable. The beautiful white church, roses galore, the snowy white ball gown fit for a princess, and the handsome prince as the groom. Belle wasn't alone to dream of her big day with her friends and family at her side, the lacy Vera Wang gown she had her eye on, and the love of her life waiting by the altar.

Instead, there was no church or floral arrangements. There were no friends and family present, except the local psychiatrist (although an acquaintance is more accurate), and the groom was definitely not the love of her life.

No… Standing in the courtroom with Judge Midas as officiate was the groom, Mr. Gold, her landlord and business partner (in a way). He made her an offer that she refused, but her fiancé insisted she accept the terms to his contract. The marriage was a sham, a façade, and nothing more so Mr. Gold could claim his true prize—a business deal with another investor. The only emotions she had in her heart for him were indifference and resignation. He promised to save her bookstore on the condition she'd become his wife to trick the family-oriented figurehead, and in turn, she will have a divorce and the funds to run her business so it won't ever collapse.

At the last second, Mr. Gold added another stipulation that some of the monies he will give her and her fiancé must be used to pay for their actual wedding. When Belle saw the additional bullet in the contract, she wondered if this was some kind of sick joke. Mr. Gold gave her one of his wry smirks. "I don't joke, my dear. I know how unpleasant this deal is for you and Mr. Knight. Once our divorce is finalized I have no doubt you would want to hasten your nuptials with your true intended. I'm speeding up the inevitable so you won't have to look back at this time of your life and remember what had to be done. You two can still have your happily ever after and pretend that the villain never interfered in the first place."

Of course, Belle doubted if she or Grayson could ever forget such a thing. But it was generous of him to make sure they wouldn't have to wait. The quicker she was Mrs. Knight then the quicker she won't ever have to remember she was Mrs. Gold first. However, it was going to be difficult for their friends to accept this, especially when she was going to have to pretend that her marriage to Mr. Gold was the real McCoy.

Unfortunately, the terms of the agreement prevented her and Grayson from speaking in public or about this deal after it has been concluded. Not that they would wish to converse about this once it's over, but Belle understood Mr. Gold's reasons. During the false marriage, Belle and Grayson would have to act as if they parted ways once it came into light she was having an affair with Mr. Gold. It was up to them how they wanted to spread the story as long as the end result was that Belle ultimately chose Mr. Gold. It hadn't been easy to do, especially when Grayson looked to be the victim in this situation. He wanted Belle to do it despite her protests. Of course, it was not like anyone knew this so to their friends Belle was the home wrecker and broke his heart.

It was no wonder she didn't have any support from the people she cared—all who were against this union from taking place. Her closest friends, Ruby and Ariel, couldn't grasp the idea that Belle had cheated with Mr. Gold of all people. They were the firsts to sniff out that it had to be something diabolical or else Belle wouldn't have followed through. Knowing exactly what was hanging in the balance, Belle had to maintain the story they forged and prayed that her friends would forgive her when she returned to Grayson. She claimed that Mr. Gold made her feel things about herself that Grayson never could and he got her as a person. She also claimed that Mr. Gold wasn't as nasty or horrible or evil as everyone made him up to be. He was kind and caring and she fell in love.

A lie, of course. But she had said it with such sincerity and with such compelling adoration that they bought it. Or, she hoped she did. If they hadn't, then they didn't voice it.

Yet it would have been nice to have some moral support present. Even seeing Grayson would have given her the solace and strength to follow through, knowing she wasn't the only one suffering and that this was to ensure their future together.

But the contract… not even he could be there for her. Belle was alone.

"Ready my dear?" Gold asked, waking her from her reverie.

She hadn't realized she already walked down the aisle and was standing next to him. "Let's get this over and done with," she whispered hastily, before straightening her posture and fixating him with a smile that could convince the skeptics she did love him. "As ever darling."

No… this wasn't her dream wedding she hoped for. But Belle will endure this obstacle with everything she could muster, playing the role as the happy and besotted bride should be.

Little did she know Mr. Gold was pretending that her smile was genuine and she was happy to be marrying him. The fantasy helped to ease the pain that this will never be real to her.