Home and Family

By:RosexKnight

Belle learns how hard it is to love a Dark One. Ruby gives her confidence. It's time...

Filling a couple prompts:
Anon - A Perfect Match
Anon - Bittersweet and Strange

(( This is the last chapter and I'll admit it HURTS to see this go! Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who nominated this fic for Best Spinner!Rumple in The Espenson Awards! We made the ballot! Now to win the votes! Please consider voting for this fic here: You have to have a Tumblr to vote, and today is the last day! Win or lose this fic has been amazing! THANK YOU! ))

Chapter 22

"Suppose she has magic…"

Belle's voice stirred him. They were both lying across the deter before the fire. It was a familiar position, Belle's back tucked against his chest, his arms draped around her. He must have dozed off for a moment, the last month of sleepless nights catching up to him. Belles cravings weren't as severe but he was fairly certain the poor fish sellers in Arendelle would be scared of him for years to come. Not that he minded that.

"Hm?"

"Magic." Belle repeated, squeezing his hand as it rested on her nine-month baby bump. It was any day now, really. "Do you think she'll have it?"

Rumple's brows furrowed for a moment. "She might. Anyone can have magic."

"You don't have to be born with it?"

"No. It runs through our lands naturally. Some are just more naturally gifted with it."

"Well then…" Belle smiled. "You can teach her magic. I can teach her to read, and…"

"Bae can teach her to ride?"

She giggled, kissing his cheek. "Exactly."

Rumpelstiltskin smiled, leaning in to kiss her. She hummed, her hands moving to run through his hair. He made a satisfied sound in the back of his throat as her nails scraping his scalp. His grip tightened on her, feeling almost possessive. Her breath hitched in her throat as she slanted her lips against his. After a moment, however, he tensed and pulled away.

"Rumple?"

He sighed, looking quite annoyed for a moment before giving her an apologetic smile. "I'm being called."

"Now? But we-"

"I'll be quick." He promised, standing. He helped her settle back onto the setee. He kissed her again, but his body was tight, as if he was fighting something. Whatever it was, he was quite good at winning against it now. "It's only Prince Charming. No doubt he needs a potion of some sort."

"Tell him he can't have you."

"Sweetheart…"

Belle sighed. "Fine. Trade for some fresh apples? For an apple pie."

"As you wish, my princess."

He lifted her hand to his lips to kiss her knuckles, and was then gone in a puff of smoke. Belle sighed. Loving a Dark One was bittersweet. She enjoyed the luxuries magic brought, but she missed her husband. He'd be holed up in his tower now, making the potion and following magic's strange laws.

Bittersweet and strange. That's what magic was.

Belle felt a kick, and rubbed her belly to soothe her daughter. "I know. Your father can be difficult. But he loves us very much."

The kicking subsided, and Belle relaxed, moving to her book to try and relax. She didn't know she'd drifted to sleep until she awoke with a start. The disappearing footsteps, blanket around her, and fresh apple pie was the only indication her husband had returned.

Rumpelstiltskin had been distant. It wasn't unlike her first few days in the castle. They shared the same bed and often sat together to read in the evening. He and Bae refused to miss any of her examinations with Granny and Red, which was comforting. And yet…

"He barely kisses me anymore…" Belle said, sipping at a glass of apple juice.

Rumpelstiltskin had excused himself after dinner, scurrying off, up to his tower not unlike a rabbit.

Ruby frowned. "Because of the magic?" Belle nodded. "Well, I can't say I agree with him, but I can understand wanting to protect his family."

"It comes at a price. And that price is the darkness. It's eating away at him, Ruby. If only he could see how brave he already is…"

"It's darkness, Belle. Eating away is what it does."

"But he's okay right?"

The two women turned to see Baelfire had entered the Great Hall, looking worriedly between them. Belle smiled, opening her arms to him. He stepped into them easily, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"He's fine, sweetheart." Belle said. "It's the magic. He wants to keep it, and True Love is getting in the way."

The boy deflated. "So...He's choosing the magic then. Not us…"

"No! No sweetheart." She squeezed him. "He wants to protect us. He wants us to be safe and believes keeping the magic is the best way to do that."

"What do you think."

Belle considered this. "I think if you do the brave thing, bravery will follow, and right now your Papa is battling the darkness in him, and that's very brave."

Baelfire considered this, then nodded. "He's still my Papa, but...I don't like the darkness. It makes him do things. You don't think he'll leave, do you?"

Ruby laughed, chiming in from her spot across the table. "Oh Baelfire your father would never leave. I've never seen a man as attached to family as he is. He'd go to the end of the realms to protect you and your mother and now little sister. Don't lose faith in him."

Baelfire smiled, looking almost guilty. "You're right."

"Come on." Belle said. "Go pick out a bedtime story. I'll be there to read it in a bit. Or I can get your Papa to."

"No that's fine. I want you to read it to me, mama." Baelfire gave her a hug. "Don't you think I'm getting a little old for bedtime stories though?"

"You're never too old for a bedtime story!"

With a laugh the boy was scurrying off to find the story he'd want that night. As he disappeared, Belle deflated. Her shoulders sagged as she flopped back in her chair.

"He's grown already, Ruby." She said. "I blinked and he's grown."

"It happens." The other woman said. "Are you okay?"

The princess shrugged. Belle knew in her gut that it wasn't Rumpelstiltskin being different. She knew he wasn't keeping the magic because he was choosing it over his family. He was fighting the darkness, just as he always was.

"It's hard." She admitted. "Loving a Dark One."

Ruby nodded, but rolled her eyes after a moment. "Do you remember when you and I drank at the tavern? And you told me about your spinner?"

Belle nodded. "You talked about your meeting with Gaston and the creep tried to flirt with us."

"And your spinner came to your rescue and ran you a bath. When you two were walking away, I thought 'Those two are a perfect match. They've got something worth fighting for.' Do you know what you do when you have that?"

Belle smiled, "You never stop fighting for it."

"Never." Ruby agreed. "So? You gonna go get your spinner?"

"Always."

Baelfire was snugly in bed, and the sun has set long ago. Normally Rumpelstiltskin sought her out by then, coming to bed. Somehow, though, Belle knew he wouldn't. Perhaps it was the hormones that made the frustration build, but she found herself in a familiar spot. At the door of his tower workroom. The dread that normally filled here there wasn't present, replaced by a confidence that made her feel everything had come full-circle.

"Rumple?"

The door creaked open as the dim room came into view. She stepped inside, finding him at his spinning wheel. Around him was nothing but candles. He didn't look up as she approached, so focused on the straw he was turning into gold. He gave a start as her hands found him.

"What have I told you about spinning my candlelight, my spinner?"

Her voice was sweet, and her fingers against his scalp immediately relaxed him. "I'm The Dark One. I can use magic, dearie. Or have you forgotten?"

"Yes well, it's not The Dark One I'm worried about, is it?" Her arms wrapped around him a bit awkwardly. He felt her tummy against his back, and concentrated on that. If he concentrated, he could feel his daughter move. It grounded him like nothing ever had. "Rumple talk to me. I can help. This means it's true love. We're family. We're home. Everything will be alright."

He smiled, turning to kiss her wrist tenderly. "Oh Belle. My Belle. All magic comes with a price. You know it's not that easy…"

"Love is. Or can be."

He shook his head, "I have to keep you here. Protect you. You said it yourself. Home. Family. I want to give you and Bae and my daughter what you deserve. I can't lose you"

"Yes, but together-" He felt her tense against his back, gasping as she stumbled back slightly.

He turned, grabbing her arm to steady her "Belle?"

She looked pale for a moment, eyes wide. She looked up to him, smiling ever so slightly. He gasped, understanding. She nodded, her voice coming out as a squeak.

"It's time."