Titles and Lessons

By: RosexKnight

Belle gains a title during one of Baelfire's reading lessons. She comes to the realization that the title changes nothing, and she and The Dark One have a lot to talk bout.

(( Anon Prompted: I would love to see Belle referring to herself as Bae's mother, with Bae and Rumple fully approving. ))

Lessons had become a somewhat sacred thing to Baelfire and Belle. They were something Rumpelstiltskin didn't impose upon unless he was called, usually to supervise Bae's jumping progress. The boy could be a knight if he wanted, but Belle had no idea how to even begin teaching swordplay or jousting, and he seemed content with prances and jumps.

"You've taught him well." Runple said one day as Baelfire commanded the horse effortlessly through the jumping corse.

The horse leapt over another obstacle, then two more back to back.

"Look at our little knight." Belle said proudly.

Their heads snapped to each other at the same time, Belle's face holding panic and contrasting with his surprised look.

"Your little knight." She stuttered too quickly. "I...your...him. Look at him. Bae I think that's enough riding for today lets get to your reading."

And then she had rushed off with Baelfire in tow, leaving the boy to give his father confused looks as Rumpelstiltskin was left with a stark realization.

Belle was the closest thing to a mother Bae had ever known. It was no wonder Bae had asked her for a little sister and not him. But he realized that Belle may not be able to give one to Bae. She wouldn't want to be tied down to The Dark One and his son with a husband and a child simply because of a deal made with him and his son. She would want to go out. Live with her family. Raise her child properly. Another man's child.

He didn't want her to leave. He didn't want it to be another man's child.

"Did papa do something?"

"No he didn't." Belle lied easily. "I didn't want you to tire out the poor horse. Go on, choose your book."

"So he's not in trouble?"

"Of course not. He didn't do anything." And that was the problem wasn't it?

Normally Belle insisted on reading aloud. She was able to listen to Baelfire and correct any mistakes. Discuss the story. Though as she and the boy close their books she found she had no energy for it, and the day was spent on silent reading. Not that her mind allowed her to read at all.

She knew this was home. She couldn't picture herself anywhere else but in The Dark Castle. But when had she started thinking of Baelfire as hers?

Belle supposed that want fair. She wasn't his mother. She was more like a governess or caretaker. But then that wasn't fair either. She felt like more. Like she was properly part of this family. But then what? Bae wanted a little sister, and he definitely deserved one. But he also deserved a proper mother who could give her a proper little sister. Would Rumpelstiltskin re-marry? Would she? Somehow she doubted he would considering how he danced around her. But she also doubted he would let another man live in the castle with them, even if it was for Bae.

She didn't want it to be another man.

"Belle?" The princess's head snapped up to see Bae had approached her with his book. "What's this word mean?"

"Maternal." Belle read aloud. "It means having to do with being a mama. Anything like that is maternal."

"The book said something about an instinct mamas have. Do you have that?"

"Maternal instinct? I suppose all women do to an extent, even if they're not mamas."

Bae paused, shifting his weight back and forth. "So you have it?"

"Yes. I have it." She said, but something was going on. "What's wrong sweetheart? Is this about the little sister you want?"

"No." The boy said, sitting beside her on the sofa and closing his book. "I was wondering...of it would be alright if I called you 'mama?'"

Belle's eyebrows shot up. "What...what's brought this about?"

"I..." He paused, looking away from her, gathering his thoughts. "I want a mama more than a little sister. But I can't picture anyone but you. My real mama died when I was little. I don't remember her much. When you came by the cottage and let me ride your horse I decided thats what my mama looked like. A pretty princess. And now you live with us and...And I can only picture you."

"Oh Bae..." She said, taking the trembling boy in her arms and holding him tightly. "There's nothing wrong with that. It's alright."

"You like Papa don't you? You won't leave will you?"

For a moment, Belle wondered if her getting kidnapped affected him more than she realized. She didn't push anything though, only stroked his hair and let him cry softly into her chest.

"I love both of you very much. I'm not going anywhere." She promised. "Not as long as you need me."

"Papa needs someone. And if having a little sister means you leave I don't want one."

"Easy, Bae." She paused. "I'll talk to Rumple about all this. It'll be okay."

"But I can call you 'mama?'"

"Yes. For as long as you want."

"Thank you."

And somehow Bae relaxed under her touch, and Belle realized that the title didn't change a thing. Because really she was the closest thing to a mother Bae had, and she loved him. And Rumpelstiltskin.

Yes, the two of them had a lot to talk about.