Author's Note: Happy holidays, everyone, whichever holiday you observe! I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year. I dedicate this chapter to my 'Special Guest' reviewer, TS, for always being a cheerleader encouraging (pestering) me to write. Hugs! :-)

Thank you to my husband for proofing this for me. Now, he's having cravings for egg salad. LOL!

The following French references will appear in this chapter. Lumière means light. "Mon petit chou" means my little cabbage, which is a term of endearment in France, also children used to be told that babies came from the cabbage patch. Parfait means perfect. Personne means person. Candide means cadid. Les bébés means the babies. Feu means fire. Volée means volley.

Next day, breakfast is spent with an awkward quiet looming between Rumplestiltskin and Belle. He announces he has work to do in the basement, and she occupies herself with some books they brought from the library...neither wanting to address the elephant in the room, Aastha's (Belle's) contemplating her first sexual experience.

Later that morning, they receive a call from the doctor's office, concerning Belle's elevated blood pressure. After Rumple and Belle confer, they agree to allow a house call from Doctor C. D. Lumière, but no exam. After the doctor, who appears to be in his forties, arrives, the trio walk to the parlor, and Belle notes that he is considerably taller than both she and Rumple.

Once seated, Dr. Lumière checks Belle's blood pressure. With a satisfied smile, he speaks with what would be considered in this realm a thick French accent, "Well, mon petit chou, it appears you simply had a case of white coat syndrome."

Belle's forehead crinkles in confusion, "What's that, exactly?"

Good-naturedly, the slender man with red hair, says, "You just don't like going to the doctor. It happens. But your blood pressure, it is parfait now."

Belle cannot help but be amused by the doctor's habit of mixing French and English in the same conversation. His manner puts her at ease. Rumplestiltskin is less pleased with the man, who appears to be coming dangerously close to flirting with Belle.

Cautiously Belle reaffirms, "I don't want an exam right now."

"Yes, yes, of course. As we discussed on the phone, I will not impose upon your personne. There are other ways. To be completely candide, my wife, Yvette, has been beside herself ever since the curse broke. In our world, I mostly tended to old farmhands, and though I much prefer bringing les bébés into the world, she would not be happy if I were to examine a beautiful woman, particularly you my lovely, without need...my days would be numbered."

"They certainly would." Rumplestiltskin grumbles, glaring at the doctor imagining him as escargot, then he hears Belle's voice in his head, "Rumple, no snails!".

Dr. Lumière chuckles tossing his head back, "Ha! Yvette would kill me before you had the chance, Monsieur Gold...and in the most painful way she can think. I love the woman's feu, however a flaming candelabra thrown at my head would merely be her opening volée. A jealous one she is.", and then with a throaty laugh, "But I love her beautiful madness."

Belle is bemused by the image of the doctor's wife possibly doing him bodily harm in a fit of jealous rage and his acceptance and somewhat admiration of it. The logic eludes her, yet his prattling on about his personal life makes him seem less intimating.

"Now then, Belle, I will ask you questions, and you must be completely honest...yes, mon petit chou?"

Dr. Lumière proceeds to ask her all sorts of questions about her body and its functions, and she answers, turning fifteen shades of red, knowing Rumplestiltskin is right next to her hearing all of it. However, she consoles herself, "It's better than the 'salad tongs'." Satisfied with the answers, that indicate her pregnancy is progressing normally, Dr. Lumière advices Rumple and Belle on her dietary needs, exercise, as well as sex during pregnancy, which makes both Rumple and Belle feel like the couch has become a fiery skillet, then the doctor informs them that an external ultrasound can be conducted after nine weeks gestation for more precise dating the pregnancy. Finally, he bids them farewell, and in the uncomfortable silence left in his wake, Rumplestiltskin and Belle again busy themselves in separate parts of the house.

In the coming days, the awkwardness hardens like a layer of steel between them, both frustrated and at a loss about how to break through. In the meantime, Rumplestiltskin uses Greg's phone to photograph some minor artifacts, the kind any snake oil salesman might own, and sends them to the Home Office to convince them that Greg and Tamara on still on the job, thus buying Storybrooke much needed time for Baelfire/Neal to arrive.

One afternoon, a couple of days later, Rumplestiltskin enters the kitchen to a surprising sight. Belle looks up guiltily from her seat at the table, and says sheepishly, "The doctor said that I could have sweets in moderation."

"Ah...yes, indeed he did. Uh...but...but...that's a powdered sugar donut with turkey gravy on it.", his revulsion apparent in his voice and the crinkle of his nose.

"It's good. I like it.", she grumbles, taking another large bite, looking a bit like a mother bear protecting her cub. The idea of the gravy covered donut had occurred to her in the middle of the night, and she had been craving it ever since. The warm salty flavor of the gravy contrasted by the sweetness of the donut soothes her. The truth is that ever since their conversation the other night, and the cold front that has settled between her and Rumplestiltskin, food...savory...sensuous...decedent food has been her means of comfort in the face of the frustration and tension that has come between them.

Rumplestiltskin fumbles for words in the face of her aggravation. These past few days have been incredibly difficult. They had made much progress, and then that damn visit to the doctor's office, the trauma and the ensuing conversation seem to have derailed everything. He aches to take her in his arms and comfort her, yet he fears that any physical contact will be misinterpreted. She looks him with eyes that reveal pain and uncertainty. He wishes he could find the right words. In the time prior to the shooting, in the days that lead to the conception of their child, communication had become effortless between he and Belle. He no longer had to figure out the right words, because they would either come naturally or Belle would understand without him speaking.

With an exasperated sigh, he announces, "Since that is the last of the donuts, I thought we could go to Granny's Diner and get some more." She looks at him as though she wonders if he is complaining about her eating all his food, but then he adds awkwardly, "And we can get anything else that strikes your fancy." He then thinks, "Damn, this shouldn't be so hard!"

Wiping the gravy and powder sugar from her lips and swallowing hard as though she's trying to choke down all the tension in the room, Belle says meekly, "Yes, I think that would be nice." As she gets up, she announces, "I want to try a new name.", and thinks, "Aastha hasn't had much luck lately. Maybe somebody else will."

She shows him the baby name book pointing to 'Buthainah', and she haltingly gives an explanation, "It means 'soft sand'...and well, I've never been to the beach or the ocean...that I remember, that is...and well...I guess it's probably silly, but it sounded nice."

He can see the insecurity etched on her form, as he replies, "No, it's nice. Buthainah also means 'beautiful woman', which is appropriate.", and he notices her blush and wring her hands. He deliberately refrains from pointing out that Buthainah also means 'tender body'. Somehow, it feels like that would cross a line into uncomfortable territory, and they certainly have enough discomfort between them.

On the way, Rumplestiltskin tells Belle about the people she's likely to see at the diner, whom she will be attempting to convince that she remembers. Upon entering, he guides her in with his hand gently against the small of her back, but his touch doesn't feel like it did days ago. Now, it is tense and seemingly for show. Belle's stomach knots at this realization. She misses him, misses them...what they had started to build.

He whispers to her, "The man sitting at the counter is a friend of yours from our realm. His name was Grumpy there...but when you met him it was Dreamy, and here is is Leroy.", as he mentally curses how confusing this must be for Belle, and then says, "The older woman is the Widow Lucas, but most call her Granny, and well, you know Ruby."

Belle says stiffly, "Yes, I remember her.", eying the statuesque woman with the long black hair. She doesn't want to hold a grudge, but the memory of Ruby's hospital visit is still vivid...well, the moments prior to being drugged that is.

Getting out of her booth from the right where she was seated with Henry, Emma discreetly approaches them, "Hello Gold...Belle."

Both say, "Hello." at the same time, but then before the conversation can progress, Ruby approaches, "Hey Belle, can I...uh talk to you for a minute?"

Neither Rumple nor Belle like the idea, but for the sake of appearing normal, Belle agrees and walks to the counter with Ruby.

Emma asks, "So Gold, how are things going...you know, with her?"

Trying to keep up a front, he says, "Everything's fine...she's eating well."

Emma's brow furrows, and she whispers, "You say that like you don't know what to make of it, she is pregnant you know." Then tilting her head studying him, she says, "Then again, she could be using food therapeutically."

He stares at her unsure of her meaning, and Emma folds her arms in front of her chest, gives a disbelieving snort, and whispers, "Stress eating...after all, she's pretending for two", and then looking back and forth between them, Emma asks, "Did the love boat hit an iceberg?"

Unwilling to dignify the very on target question with an answer, he pivots the topic, "Where do we stand on getting my son to come here?"

Running her hand through her long blonde tresses, she shrugs, saying "Neal said he had some lose ends to tie up. He'll be here in a couple of days."

In a serious tone, Rumplestiltskin says, "Emma, I do believe you need to be more persuasive."

"Look, what you want from me? I'm probably not the best one to get Neal to come."

With a humorless smirk, he replies, "No, Henry is. But do you want to involve your child in the reason why time is of the essence?"

"No, he'll reopen Operation Cobra...Operation Scorpion or Operation Wombat. I want him to have a chance to be a normal kid for once."

"A bit late for that.", then leaning forward on his cane, and staring her down, "If you want Bae back, you better make your play now."

"Who says I even want Neal back?"

Smugly, he says, "It's written all over your face. You're really not an accomplished liar, Sheriff Swan. Look, you two can play cat and mouse all you want, once he's here, but get him here, because until then, anybody could come from the outside and cause trouble."

In a tense whisper, she asks, "What kind of trouble?"

With an icy stare as he thinks of what he learned from Tarmara, Rumplestiltskin says menacingly, "The kind you can't even comprehend."

Meanwhile Belle sits uncomfortably at the counter, trying to smile and be pleasant with her friend.

Ruby offers, "I could get you an ice tea, and you can hang out here for a while."

Spending time with this woman, of whom she only has negative memories, is something Belle dreads. Attempting to sound apologetic, Belle says, "I appreciate that, but I'm not sure what Rumple has planned."

Leaning in then shifting her eyes to Rumplestiltskin and then back to Belle, Ruby says with a thinly veiled tone of disapproval, "Uh...are you really sure you want to be with him?"

Belle taps her finger on the counter trying to distract herself from her irritation. "Yes, Ruby, I'm sure. I want to be with Rumple."

Putting her hand on Belle's forearm, making her tense at the contact, Ruby says, "Have you forgotten there are reasons you moved out in the first place? He wasn't honest with you...besides, he got you shot. If it wasn't for him, Hook would have never come after you."

Jerking her arm away, in a tone laced in bitterness, Belle says, "As if you're so much better?"

Stunned, Ruby replies, "Hold on a second, what's that suppose to mean?"

Glaring at her friend, of whom she has no fond memories, Belle responds, "I'll tell you exactly what it means. You're supposed to be my friend. You're supposed to be there when I need you. But you lied to me about magic...you knew I knew you were lying, and when I became justifiably upset by your deception, you stood there and did nothing to help me when that nurse came to stick a needle in me...because of you...and you just left me there for Regina to visit...what kind of friend are you?! And you want to judge Rumple, who is there for me? Well, Ruby, you can keep your judgments to yourself!"

Rumplestiltskin turns his attention from Emma to Belle and Ruby. He can visualized the tension rolling out of Belle in murky colored waves.

Defensively, Ruby says, "Belle...I...I was scared."

With eyes glinting with tears that she refuses to let fall, Belle says, "Yeah, I know you were, and I tried to understand that until you attacked my relationship with Rumple. You were scared? How do you think I felt? I couldn't remember anything, and you told me you were my friend, but you lied to me and let that nurse pump me with drugs to cover your lie. I was terrified and alone. I had no one. But now I have someone, and it's not your place to say whether you think my relationship is okay or not." At a loss for words, Ruby turns and walks back into the kitchen.

From the end of the counter, Grumpy sits and broods over his own actions since the shooting. The man with the woolen cap, and black beard contrasting his hazel eyes, rubs his sweaty hands on his heavy work jacket and sheepishly travels towards Belle. In the interim, Rumplestiltskin has darted to Belle's side.

In a concerned tone he asks, "Sweetheart, do you want to leave?"

"I...uh..."

Grumpy interrupts, "Hey sister...I mean, Belle."

Annoyed, Rumplestiltskin says, "Leroy, now is not a good time."

Belle observes the man, who is a couple inches taller than her with a stocky build, as he turns to Rumplestiltskin, "Look, Gold, I just want to say something to Belle real quick, then I'll be on my way."

Rumplestiltskin looks at Belle for confirmation, and she nods, and says, "It's alright, Leroy, what did you want to say?"

Looking down at his feet, sighing and then bringing his eyes to Belle's, Grumpy says, "Look, I'm sorry I wasn't around to visit you in the hospital. I was there when you were first admitted, but...you were upset...and crying...and I knew you wouldn't remember me...and thought it might scare you if some strange man came barging in. I'm not good with all the touchy feely emotional stuff...but you've always been a good egg. You helped me when I needed someone to talk to...and well, I'm sorry...is all. I shoulda come to visit."

Belle feels a warmth at his words. Though she can't remember their friendship, she feels it in the conviction in his voice. She notes ironically that she is not upset with him like Ruby. Perhaps, it is because he is apologizing for what he feels is his failure to be the friend that he wishes he had been, and in doing so, reveals himself to be a true friend. Ruby had gone on the attack against her relationship with Rumple and only addressed the situation at the hospital when confronted, making excuses, not bothering to apologize. However, this man is doing the brave thing and owning up to his choices, and Belle finds herself in admiration of him. Something about him makes her smile. Putting her hands on his shoulders, Belle says earnestly, "It's alright Leroy. I understand. I was in quite a state then. It really means a lot that you're talking to me now."

Smiling against his own gruff instinct, "Anything for you, sister.", as he thinks, "She's too good for Rumplestiltskin, but he's who makes her happy, so I'll be damned if I'll interfere."

Then from somewhere within her a thought erupts into words, Belle says, "Maybe we could have lunch sometime?"

Grumpy blushes slightly and says, "That would be great! You still like egg salad sandwiches, right?"

In truth, Belle doesn't recall ever eating such a thing, thus she doesn't know if she likes it or not, yet wishing to make this man smile, which she suspects is a rare thing since they call him Grumpy, she replies sweetly, "Of course, as always. I look forward to it."

A hint of a smile graces his bearded face as he nods, and they say their goodbyes. Before leaving Rumplestiltskin and Belle get a fresh supply of donuts, as well as a blueberry pie to take home.

The rest of the day and the following one are spent in the vice of tension that had claimed Rumplestiltskin and Belle's interactions since the conversation. That night after a day of making preparations to cloak Storybrooke once his son arrives and beginning work on a new potion, Rumplestiltskin paces his bedroom in his midnight blue pajamas, when he hears a demanding knock on his door.

The instant he opens the door, Belle, wearing a set of blue rose print flannel pajamas, strides in like a woman on a mission, walking right past him to his bed and flopping determinedly on to the mattress.

With a tone that could rival a military drill sargent, she says, "I'm tired of this. Let's just do it and get it over with."

Looking back and forth between her and the doorway that she just marched through, his mouth hangs open unable to form words for this situation that strikes him as nothing short of bizarre. He slowly, cautiously turns and walks towards the bed, while Belle, a rigid form, stares unblinkingly at the ceiling.

His seats himself tensely at the edge of the opposite side of the bed, trying to force his stunned mind to think of what could possibly be an appropriate response to her outlandish entrance.

"Bel...Buthainah...darling, what's going on?"

Turning her gaze to him with her jaw clenched and her eyes piercing, she says flatly, "I don't remember how this goes, so you'll have to take the lead. What do you want me to do?"

He never thought it was possible for Belle to be in his bed and for him to be unaroused, yet he is too confused by her behavior to register any sexual impulses.

In a tender yet determined tone, he says, "What I want is for you to tell me what's going on."

She takes a shuttering breath and says as her voice cracks, "We have to fix this. We have to fix us. I...I can't take this anymore. I miss you.", tears form in her eyes and run down her cheeks as she squeezes them shut, "The past few days have been awful. I'm all alone. You're all I have. I need you. I need it to be like it was before." She opens her eyes, with a pleading expression, "You're the only one I can really count on in this messed up town...the only one I know I can trust. But I don't have you...I haven't had you for days. We don't talk or touch anymore. Please, Rumple, we need to fix this...just show me what to do...please."

He feels his heartbreak at her despair, yet feels as though he is out of his own body watching this surreal scene. Tentatively, he reaches for her hand and says, "Buthainah...sweetheart...I'm not having sex with you tonight. You don't want this. I've seen people more enthusiastic heading for the gallows. Sex won't fix things...not like this."

"You don't want me?", and then ruefully, she says, "Of course not, you want her."

"Darling, it's not that...well, it is, but it isn't. You are her...you are Belle. No matter what we call you privately, you're Belle. But it hasn't been that long since you lost your memory, and well...I haven't completely processed it myself. It's hard not being able to just act on what used to be instinct...to speak of our past and have those shared moments acknowledged and understood...to know that you indeed want me. I've hated the distance between us the last few days, and I'm trying to understand your feelings at not recalling our first time...your first time and possibly wanting to recreate that memory. But now, is not the time...for either of us. Neither of us is ready to take that step."

Wiping her tear streaked cheeks, with a voice infused with fragility, she says, "Then what do we do? I need you...I need us. How do we fix it?"

With a wisp of smile, he says warmly, "We're doing it right now. There's no magic for this...we have to work at it.", and then he lays on his side, and strokes her cheek. Then biting his lip in concentration, he glides his hand along her neck, over her shoulder and says, "We have to keep working at this... for us, and...", sliding his hand down her side watching her eyes for any sign of discontentment at his touch, he finally rests his hand on her abdomen, saying, "...for whoever's in there. We've got to find our way back to each other for our wee lass or lad."

Belle's body begins to relax as a soft smile graces her full lips, "And this...whatever this is...whatever we're doing, is enough?"

With a smirk he says, "Well, we're talking, now aren't we? That's better than we've been doing.", and then he leans over and softly kisses her forehead, then her nose, then places a tender lingering kiss upon her lips. He pulls away slowly and lies on his back, letting a sigh escape him. After a moment, Belle rolls on her side to face him, propping herself up with her arm. She silently ponders the nuances of his face and experimentally repositions herself closer to him, resting her head upon his chest. He wraps both his arms around her, mindlessly letting his fingers play with the curls of her hair. They lay quietly, breathing each other in, until they fall fast asleep in each other's arms.

Rumplestiltskin and Belle awaken the next morning, lying on their sides spooned together with his hand resting upon her abdomen. They share a few lazy kisses and tentative caresses, before Belle abruptly excuses herself as her morning sickness rules the moment. Though he wants to help her, at least hold her hair, she is adamant that this is not an experience for the two of them.

The last few days have been unseasonably warm for Maine in February, with temperatures in the forties. Though it is still cold the sun makes it seem less so. Rumplestiltskin has Belle get bundled up to go out for a surprise. Donning heavy coats, scarves and gloves, with a picnic basket and blanket in tow, Rumplestiltskin drives them to an undisclosed location. A sense of giddy excitement envelopes Belle as her eyes gaze upon their destination.

He chuckles warmly, pleased by her reaction, "You said that you can't remember ever going to the beach. Well, it may be a wee bit cold for going in the water, but I believe there is no time like the present to have a picnic in view of the wonders of the sea."

She throws her arms around his neck, her breath teasing the skin of his neck, "Oh Rumple, this is amazing. Thank you!"

After she pulls away, Rumplestiltskin says sincerely, "The light in your beautiful eyes is all the thanks I need, sweetheart.", and he links arms with her as they walk carefully across the sand to a formation of large rocks at the shoreline. Spreading the blanket over the largest rock, which can comfortably seat them both and offers a spectacular view of creatures going about their lives in the shallow water.

Once they are settled, Rumplestiltskin hands Belle a bottle of pomegranate and blueberry juice and an egg salad on seeded rye-bread.

She eyes it curiously, and he says, "I know you don't remember having egg salad sandwiches before, so I thought perhaps you should have it before your lunch date with the dwarf."

Belle smirks at the barely perceivable hint of jealously in his voice. She takes a bite of the sandwich and closes her eyes, experiencing the contrasting textures of the rough surfaced bread with the creamy contents with chunks of eggs. She enjoys the savory taste and thinks that tasting things for the first time must be a hidden benefit to the amnesia.

He studies her, as she revels in the new flavors. After a moment, He notes an odd expression on her face.

He questions, "Is it not to your liking?"

Self-consciously, she replies, "No, it is...it's great. I just...never mind."

"What is it, sweetheart?"

Hesitantly, she responds, "I just...well...had a craving for something."

"What?"

She shrugs, "It doesn't matter. We don't have it with us."

With tender sternness, he commands, "Out with it."

"Stuffed grape leaves."

Surprised, he asks, "When have you eaten those?"

"I haven't. I read about them in a book...and well, I've been craving them. It's silly...sorry."

Then seemingly from nowhere a plate of stuffed grape leaves appears.

She shakes her head in amazement, knowing she really shouldn't be surprised when things just magically appear around Rumplestiltskin.

Belle eagerly partakes of the new delicacy. The oil laden grape leaf feels slick and sensuous as the spices in the rice filling make her lips and tongue tingle.

After a few moments of studying her reaction, he tilts his head with a curious expression, "So you chose the name Buthainah because of the beach and the ocean...what was the allure?"

Taking a moment to think, she says simply, "Freedom."

Worry shrouds his face, as he asks, "You feel...trapped?"

She observes the concern in his expression and chews her bottom lip, trying to find the right words to express what she is feeling, "Someone is growing inside me. I love her or him, but it's a peculiar feeling. There's no escape from knowing that I have to do the right thing for our child. I have to know what the right thing is. There's this presence all the time...always with me. There's worry, and I can't run away from it. No matter where I am, it's there."

An uneasy knot forms in his stomach, "You want to get away from our child?"

"No...heavens no...it's the worry...the fear. I don't like being afraid, but I am. No matter what, I know there's this ticking clock inside me, and when the time comes, I need to know things, I just don't know. I need to know how to protect our child and make him or her feel loved...and well, just do things right.", she breaks eye contact, hanging her head, "I'm sorry. I wish I were better at this."

He puts down his food and wraps an arm around her, kissing the top of her head, "You don't have to be better. You're putting too much pressure on yourself."

She mumbles, "And there's the whole idea of how the baby will come out of me."

He looks at Belle sympathetically, pushing down his own nervousness imagining her going through childbirth, and says, "This is the point at which many men will say the mother of their child that if they could go through that for her, they would. If you ask me, it's a rather meaningless gesture, considering they know it will never happen."

Going for a different approach, Rumplestiltskin reaches for her, stroking the nape of her neck with his long artistic fingers, and instructs, "Look down into the water." Belle complies with his request, gazing at the marvel of the lives below the water; colors and light dancing before her captivated eyes, and he continues, "Those creatures don't fret about the future. They just are."

Looking back at him skeptically, she replies, "That's hardly the same thing. Besides how do you know they don't fret about the future?"

With mock exasperation, he frowns at her, "Now you're just being difficult. I'm trying to create a moment here."

She snickers and shakes her head, "Oh pardon me, please go on."

Removing his glove, pushing up his sleeve, he carefully reaches into the water, plucking a Clypeasteroida gently from the sand of the shallow pool and lifting it to just below the surface for Belle to get a better view. Mesmerized, she looks at the round, flat creature with tiny hairs on its body.

In a rather professorial tone, Rumple says, "This lad, or lass as the case may be, doesn't seem to have much of a life. Most people call his kind a sand dollar. Folklore says that these are coins that mermaids lost. That is the extent that most humans ponder this creature's existence. Sand dollars, or rather Clypeasteroida, seem like inanimate beings to most humans...yet this little wonder prefers to live in groups and burrow in the sand traveling quite well for something with hairs that serve as legs."

Belle watches the creature in his hand, impressed by Rumplestiltskin's knowledge and intrigued, wondering where he is going with this train of thought.

Continuing, he says, "What we as humans would dismiss as not much of a life is what life is about for this creature. He doesn't feel trapped...unless perhaps if I'd take him from his home. It's what he knows, and he deals with each moment as it comes...including some big oaf plucking him off his cozy sea bed."

At that, Rumplestiltskin gently places the Clypeasteroida where it had laid, dries his hand and arm, pulling down his sleeve and returning his glove to its rightful place. They watch as it once again begins to burrow itself into the wet sand.

Placing a finger softly upon her chin, turning her to face him, he reassures, "You're not alone. I am here, and we will take each day as it comes...together."

She gazes at him with appreciative eyes, "How do you know all this?"

He explains, "When I was a wee boy, I was fascinated by them. I wanted to get lost in their world and forget my own."

Belle frowns in confusion at his desire to forget.

Continuing, he says pensively, "When I was older...well, much older...after I became cursed, I had access to a vast array of books. Collections greater than the wealthy and noble had. So at times when I was feeling...well, especially lonely. I'd read about them."

Suddenly, his eyes glistened with a hint of excitement for something catching his eye on the dry shore line, and he walks over to retrieve the mysterious treasure.

Laying his palm open for Belle to see as he returns, she looks at him puzzled, "Why is the sand dollar on dry land?...and why isn't it fuzzy?"

"He has shaken off his mortal coil, and this is what remains. It probably washed ashore during the last storm. His 'test', that's what his skeleton is called, is all that's left marking his existence in the world. He lived his life, and now he's done. Placing the fragile specimen in her hand, "Life is full of tests. But you're not facing your tests alone. Anytime you feel overwhelmed, look at this and remember, I'm here, and you are loved."

Her eyes shine with tears that sparkle in the sunlight, and she marvels at how he can make her feel as though her addled mind is perfect as it is...accepted. She reaches up and places a slow, warm kiss upon his lips, then reverently wraps the sand dollar in a couple of napkins, placing it in their basket.

Going back to their meal, they sit in silence for several minutes. When Rumplestiltskin's attention appears to be diverted to the ocean horizon, Belle stealthily inserts a stuffed grape leaf into her egg salad sandwich and takes a bite.

His head quickly turns to Belle, as a somewhat repulsed expression claims his face, "What did you do?"

With sheepish look and her mouth full, trying to get rid of the evidence, she mumbles, "Nuf-fing."

He barks a laugh, shaking his head, "You're worse than a child."

She refrains from sticking her tongue out at him, knowing doing so would put the contents of her mouth in view, instead giving him a glare of mock annoyance. Then once she swallows, she says, "The baby wanted it."

His lips twitch in amusement, "Really?...the baby? Is that going to be your excuse for the rest of the pregnancy?"

She smirks and shrugs, replying, "Depends on how well the excuse works."

He snickers at her response and glazes at her, realizing how much he is enjoying this time with her. Even without her memories, no one can reach him like Belle.

After a moment, Belle gathers her bravery to ask a personal question about which she's been wondering. "What were your parents like?"

Rumplestiltskin's body visibly stiffens at the question, and part of her regrets asking, yet she wants to know. She has no memories of her own mother, and well, her father is clearly no prize. She wishes to know more about the family from which their child has sprung.

A myriad of emotions play across his visage as he contemplates where to begin, while wishing to say nothing. Sensing his vacillation, Belle puts her hand on his shoulder and gently kneads the tense muscles, and he closes his eyes focusing on her touch, as she asks, "Can you tell me about your mother?"

He clears his throat apprehensively, "I'm not sure I have much to tell. I was quite the wee one when I lost her. I have a vague memory that she was kind and had a pretty smile, but...but I don't know if the memory is real."

Belle's brow gathers in confusion, and he clarifies, "She was gone from my life before I knew her.", gritting his teeth, "My father never spoke of her." He looks down at the water below and swallows hard, "I don't know if she was ever in my life, or if it is a memory created by a child desperate for any connection to the woman who bore him."

Belle repositions herself, her bulky winter coat rustling, as she nestles her body against him. She has no memory of her mother, and desperately wishes for some piece of her mother to cling to her in mind, while he holds a tattered memory of his mother that may not be real. She feels a strong kinship with him.

Softly, she asks, "And what of your father?"

He breathes out hard, as if trying to expel something foul from his body, "Him, I remember. He wasn't good or kind...but like any child, I hoped things would change...that he'd change...that he'd love me enough to want to." Swallowing hard as his trembling hand mindlessly rubs his lips, he squeezes his eye shut, trying to steel his resolve to say his next thought. Tears trickle from the corner of his eyes, as he shakes his head, saying "I'm not sure he ever loved me, at all. When I was eight or nine years old...I don't remember exactly, since my birthday was never celebrated...I thought I'd found a way that we could go somewhere new and start over. I made the mistake of letting him choose our destination. I...I guess I thought if he chose it, he'd want to be there...there with me. But he sent me away. He traded me for eternal youth. I didn't see him again until the vile rat tried to take my son."

Tears stream down Belle's cheeks, drenching the scarf around her neck. She physically aches for him...his heartbreak tears at her own heart. Without a thought, she abandons her food, wraps her whole body around him and holds him tightly as she can as she whispers, "I'm sorry he did that to you...I'm so, so sorry. You didn't deserve to be treated like that. You should have been loved...only loved." They both break into sobs, bodies shaking from the force of their shared emotion.

He had never been able to tell anybody the complete truth of what his father had done. Even Milah, when he believed she loved him, only received shades of his tale, as he was unable to completely bare himself and the betrayal of his father. However, Belle has always has managed to coax him beyond the point where he thought he would break. Even now, he knows that she is his safe harbor. Each in their own way knowing, they are kindred spirits. They met all those years ago, as two lonely people, who had been waiting to find each other...their missing piece.

That evening, Belle has another bout of so-called 'morning sickness'. While he uneasily waits for Belle to finish, he paces the parlor and checks his messages to find one message. It is from Emma, informing him that Neal is en route to Storybrooke.

Later, readying himself for bed, putting on his silk burgundy, gold trimmed pajamas, Rumplestiltskin hears a faint knock at his bedroom door. He opens the door to reveal Belle, in a lavender flannel nightgown with multicolored hearts on it.

With a timid expression and her top teeth grasping her bottom lip, she looks up at him. Just above a whisper, she asks, "Can I sleep in bed with you tonight...just sleep?"

He thinks to himself, as he views her in her nightgown that goes down to right above her knees, there are moments like this that it's a shame she can't appreciate how incredibly adorable she is.

He smiles warmly at her, "Of course, Buthainah. You're welcome in my bed...our bed, anytime darling."

She gazes at him in wonder, very appreciative of his gesture of still using her chosen name. She smiles sweetly as she enters the room and takes her place on the bed. He joins her on the bed, kissing her tenderly, before they assume the same position they awoke in...snuggled together on their sides with his hand on her abdomen. He breathes in the intoxicating scent of her hair, and she relishes the warmth of his body pressed against her back as they drift into a peaceful, contented slumber.

Author's Note: Please review...guest reviews are fine. You don't need a FFnet account; I just like to read people's thoughts on my stories. Sorry it took so long to update. The combination of health problems, a dying computer (which my new laptop was just delivered – Yay!), and a writer's block on the picnic scene held things up.

I knew after "Dark Hollow" I wanted to include something special about sand dollars, so I researched them, but got stuck on how to weave it into a lesson from Rumple to Belle...finally the dam broke and things started flowing again.

Now, I've got to get working on some of my other fics, and finish first two chapters of a new fic...(yes, I'm serious another one...the plot bunnies keep attacking me)...the new fic is a GoldenBelle with little Bae...and it involves chocolate somehow, but that's all I'm revealing right now.

What did you think of the scene with Belle and Ruby having it out, and Grumpy talking to Belle? That's the first time I've written Grumpy, so I hope I did him justice, since he is one of my favorite OUAT characters.

RumBelle are getting on track in the aftermath of 'the conversation'. Poor Rumple hardly knew what to say when she demanded sex to 'get it over with' to fix things, but he worked through it.

So Belle finally met with Lumière...what did you think of him? My German mother has a habit of throwing German words in while she's speaking English, so I thought that would be a fun aspect of his character to have Lumière periodically do that with French words. To anybody who speaks French, I hope I didn't butcher things too bad. I hope Google was my friend.

SPOILER ALERT

Last week, Adam Horowitz tweeted a pic that revealed part of a storyboard with Belle and Lumière written on it for episode 15 of season 3. In this fic, chapter 3, posted on October 5, 2013, mentions Belle's doctor will be Doctor C. D. Lumière, and the Dr. Lumière scene in this chapter, I wrote about a month ago. So I guess I'm ahead of my time. ;-) Now, if only the OUAT writers will hurry up and bring Rumple back...alive...with his memories...and Belle having her memories, and being in the same time, place and metaphysical plain together, I'd be a happy girl.

Don't forget to review. Thanks! Have a happy and safe New Year!