Indecent Proposal

Prompt: Belle sees a new side to Mr. Gold and it's not what she expected. (Rated K+)

Home.

It was an odd word to say to describe the Victorian house, yet home it was until the business transaction was over.

Mr. Gold was anxious to have her moved in and her belongings secured at once. She assumed he was afraid she would get cold feet, but she was wearing his ring now and they had shared their first kiss—a shocking intimacy that still shook her to her core.

Who would have thought Mr. Gold would be so chivalrous? Or thoughtful? Or gentle?

It was a contradiction she wasn't used to seeing, but she had to remind herself that Gold was a means to an end and the sooner she helped him… the sooner she could return to her old life and marry Grayson. With that firmly set in her mind, Belle finished unpacking her clothes and other accessories she brought. He told her she needn't worry about certain trivial things (i.e. hairbrush, tooth brush, toiletries) but Belle insisted she bring the ones from her home. At least they were hers and it gave her some piece of mind that not everything she used was bought with his money. After all, this debt was plenty in itself.

He kindly gave her the day to herself so she could get acquainted with the old house and do what she wished to make it a happy, newlywed nest.

Easier said than done.

Mr. Gold owned too many unique and priceless items that Belle was more afraid of disturbing them than anything else. Even with his permission she couldn't bring herself to upset the atmosphere. She had no idea what they were worth, but she knew they had to be expensive and irreplaceable.

So she chose a safe route and elected to place some of her pictures and books around so it did have some of her touch to it. Belle was mindful not to bring any pictures of her and Grayson, and only focused on friends and family. As she did this she couldn't help but notice the lack of photos and picture frames period. There was no trace or evidence to give her any kind of insight to her husband's life. All there was was an endless collection of antiques and dust.

Strange, she thought. I would think he would have some type of picture lying around. It became a search for her to uncover something about the man she agreed to marry.

As Belle explored the house, she did stumble upon a room on the second floor whose door was locked. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the key he gave her so she could have access to any of the rooms. But for some reason this key wouldn't unlock this particular room. Obviously, Mr. Gold was hiding something and Belle was curious to know what.

Grateful for wearing hair pins, Belle removed one from her curls and stretched the wire out so she could pick it. After a few twists and turns she heard the lock click and the door opened with ease.

Brushing her hands against her knees, Belle stood up and went inside. The last thing she expected to find was a young boy's bedroom. Looking around the place was neat and tidy—nothing was out of place or dirty. Toys were lined up on shelves with a stuffed bear sitting on top of the bed, waiting to greet its young friend. The closet was filled with more toys and games with clothes hanging neatly inside. Even the dresser drawers were filled with clothes—all folded and stacked on top of the other.

Belle carefully took out a shirt and unfolded it. The top was small, red, with a yellow excavator on the front and the words "Daddy's Little Digger" on the back. It was the right size for a child of five or six.

Belle quickly folded it back up and returned it in its rightful spot and closed the drawer. As she looked up she found a picture frame on top. There was a boy wearing the same red and yellow digger shirt she had held and he was grinning widely at the camera—a toothy smile of any proud and happy six-year-old could give. Behind him was a cage from the zoo with a monkey looking on with his arm raised in a "hello." But it was the person next to the boy that drew her attention.

He was much younger then with the same long hair but fuller and darker with no silver streaks. Even his features were lighter—his eyes bright with fond amusement as he smiled on with one arm over the boy's shoulder. The cane was sorely missing, not that this Mr. Gold needed one. No… he was happy and full of life, not a trace of darkness or cynicism etched on his face.

There was no denying the likeness and resemblance of the two, which Belle knew at once to be his son. She couldn't help but wonder where this boy was and why would Mr. Gold keep this room frozen in time to suit a child? Clearly he had to be an adult by now with no need for these toys and clothes.

Unless…

Belle looked around noting the somber cheerfulness the room seemed to have. A different notion took wing and she realized this was a memorial she was standing in. A homage to a little boy who clearly adored his father and his father him.

Something terrible had happened and Belle stumbled upon this resting place with no thought at all as to why her husband would keep it locked.

She put the frame back and quickly snuck out as to not disturb anything else. She was relieved the door locked behind her, although she wouldn't know how to explain her presence if it didn't. This room meant something to Mr. Gold and to intrude upon that privacy was unforgivable. But it did leave her with questions—questions she wasn't sure she had to right to ask or know. All she knew it was a room for mourning and she respected that.

A son!

She couldn't believe Mr. Gold once had a son and they were happy. A long time ago he was a different man and that man had changed drastically to what he was today. Belle doubted if anyone knew this. If they did, then people wouldn't despise him as much. Or… at least be understanding.

However, finding the room gave Belle a new perspective about her husband. He was only a man and a grieving father as well.

I guess there is more to him than I thought. Nonetheless, Belle decided to make an effort with the situation and fixed dinner for him by the time he returned from work. It was a delightful surprise, and more so with the kindness she seemed to give him. For a second, he had believed Belle was feeling something for him.

Not wanting to spoil the evening or the magic in the air, Gold and Belle passed a pleasant evening together with conversation that was normal and natural for a married couple. He never knew she had uncovered the painful secret of his and it wouldn't be for some time that he would eventually confide in her about what happened to Bae.

That ends this next four. The next ones are based on a favorite movie of mine starring Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh called Dead Again. This literally screamed Rumbelle to me and you will soon see why! Don't forget to review!