The first thing he was aware when he woke was that he was comfortable, very comfortable in fact, something he wasn't expecting. He buried his head in the pillow more, he'd never been more comfortable.
The second thing he was aware of was that it was light out, it had been night in the tower but now the sun was in the sky and birds chirped outside.
Rumplestiltskin opened his eyes slowly, letting them adjust to the light. He was surprised to find that he was in a bedroom that was not his own. The sheets were of fine light blue silk with hand embroidered roses, not the red he was used to.
He looked around once more, trying to find out where he was. He raised his hand to rub his eyes but stopped to look at his hand, his human hand, he looked in the mirror on the opposite wall. He was the man he once was. The darkness was gone.
As he studied his reflection from his place in the bed he noticed that he wasn't alone.
The man turned and looked down at who was in bed beside him. It was Belle and she looked far better than she had the last time he saw her. He couldn't help but run a hand along her arm.
She wore a different dress that she had yesterday, a less regal looking one. This was a long sleeved white dress with little blue flowers embroidered into the bust area. He then looked down at himself and found that his long black leather coat with the spikes had been discarded, leaving him in a dark blue silk shirt and black leather trousers.
Rumple couldn't help but wonder what he would do now, he had not magic, or he didn't believe he did. Perhaps he could get a new start, spin for income like he used to. He'd had many years of practice of it.
After a few moments Belle began to wake up, she sat up slightly "Your awake" she commented before reaching over to run a hand down his cheek, tracing his stubble gently. "I know what you did Rumple….thank you" she told him with a slight blush that graced her cheeks.
"You don't need to thank me" Rumple told her "You know how I feel Belle…..You've always known" he told her, running his own hand down her cheek.
Belle grinned before reaching up, her hands on either side of his head as she kissed him, he returned the kiss running his hands through her soft brown curls. Both had tears running down their cheeks.
"Stay with me" Belle breathed as they pulled apart.
"What do you mean?" Rumple asked her, his brown eyes meeting her blue.
Belle sighed, now was her time to be brave "I want you to stay here with me, rule beside me"
"Like….like…." Rumple wasn't sure he could say what she was suggesting.
"A king" she told him with a nod of her head.
"But….But….." was his only reply. He couldn't be a king, he didn't want to be a king, he had no reason, no right.
"Why not?" Belle asked "You're a man of Avonlea, you fought for our town against the ogres, you already know all the airs and graces of a gentlemen….also we wouldn't be breaking our deal….if you're here as king then the town and army are at your disposal" she said with a flutter of her eyelashes.
Rumple couldn't help but smile "Mmmmh you know how I like my deals" he almost grinned as he stole another kiss from her ruby red lips. If she wanted him to rule beside her then how could he say no. how could he let her down.
"How about you and I finish the deal we made years ago" he suggested taking Belle's hands in his.
"What are you trying to say?" she asked him.
A smile grew across rumple's face "I'm saying that I am for now and all the future yours" he stated with a slight nod "Belle will you marry me?" he asked, his voice and eyes full of hope
"Of course I will" Belle practically jumped across the bed to him, covering his face with kisses. Soon she pulled apart and rested her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her and held her close.
After a few moments and with a flick of his wrist, he produced a beautiful engagement ring, fit for a queen. Belle gasped "Rumple I thought..." she trailed off thinking he didn't have magic
"It seems I still have light magic in me" he smiled before slipping the ring onto her finger sealing their last deal. Belle was glad he still had some power, she didn't want him resenting her in later years for making him lose his powers.
"How long was I out love?" he asked her as she settled back into his side once again.
Belle looked over at the clock on the nightstand "twelve hours or so" she told him "Would you like to have some tea?" she asked.
"That sounds lovely" Rumple sighed.
"Good, I'll get some sent to the room" Belle said as she hopped off of the bed but Rumple reached out and grabbed her wrist and pulled her back to him.
"No" he shook his head "I think it's time I got up" he suggested as he got up out of the bed, his legs were a little wobbly at first but then he felt fine, he walked around the bed until he was at Belle's side, she took his hand in his and entwined their hands. Both smiled at the feeling of the new engagement ring on her finger.
….C\_'/….
Snow, Charming, Granny, Red and the dwarves all sat around the dining table, enjoying breakfast. "Are you excited to finally be able to set a date?" Red asked Snow and Charming across the table.
"To be honest, I haven't really thought about it" Snow confessed as Charming who sat next to her rested his arm on the back of the chair.
"Maybe there will be more than one wedding in the future" Granny mused aloud as she took a gulp of her tea.
The double doors opened moments later making everyone look up from their breakfast. Belle and Rumplestiltskin walked in, still hand in hand. Everyone watched as Rumple pulled out the chair at the head of the table for his lady to sit in before sitting beside her.
"Rumplestiltskin it's good to see you awake" Snow smiled at the former dark one. "We haven't had a chance to thank you for all you've done for us, all of us"
"No thanks necessary" Rumple assured them all giving a glance to Belle "It's Belle and the people of Avonlea you should be thanking" he continued.
Belle smiled at her fiancé before deciding perhaps there were some announcements in order, Rumple gave her a simple nod to encourage her. The Queen stood after a moment "I have some announcements" she admitted.
Everyone looked at her, even the few guards dotted around the room. "First of all, I want to announce that Avonlea will from now on officially have an alliance with the kingdom of Snow white and Prince James, may your town prosper and life flourish" she began nodding to Snow and Charming.
She gave another look to Rumple before speaking "The second thing is that Rumplestiltskin asked me to marry him" she said proudly meanwhile Granny looked smug all of a sudden "And of course I said yes" Belle grinned "And as a result Rumple has consented to rule beside me….as king" she grinned.
All of a sudden the guards dotted around the room fell to their knees before raising their swords "To the king" they chanted.
Rumple rose from his chair "Please, Stand, there's really no need" his face became a little red with embarrassment. He didn't feel any man should kneel before him, even when he was the dark one he'd hated it.
The guards nodded before standing to their feet. Belle then approached one of them "I was wondering if you would call the council for a meeting this afternoon?" she asked one man.
"Of course your majesty" the guard nodded before leaving the room to send a message to the other council members.
Belle then made her way back to the dining table where Rumple still stood behind his seat waiting for her to sit before taking his own seat. As they sat Rumple took Belle's hand and pressed a quick kiss to the back of it.
"Well, congratulations" Snow raised her mug of tea to the newly engaged couple, who at this moment seemed happier than Charming and herself.
The Queen nodded "Thank you, we only hope we will be as happy as charming and yourself" she complemented. "Have the two of you set a date, now that Regina has been dealt with?" Belle asked as Rumple poured her some tea, of which she was grateful.
Snow looked at charming before speaking "We will set a date when we are settled at home" she explained "You will be the first to receive word if you do the same for us?" she suggested.
"Of course" Belle nodded. "When do you plan to return to your kingdom?" she asked after a few moments.
"Actually we plan to leave in an hour or so" Charming explained.
Belle was very surprised, she'd expected them to stay a few more days at least, "So soon" she mused allowed.
"We wish not to trespass on your kindness any longer" Granny explained.
Inside Rumple and Belle couldn't help but feel a little relived that they could have some time together , to deal with the future they were about to embark on.
….C\_'/….
As Charming had predicted, an hour later Snow and her band of followers stood outside the Avonlea castle. They were borrowing two carriages from Belle that would return once Snow and her friends had been dropped off.
Rumple and Belle stood outside beside Mrs Potts. All ready to say goodbye to people who had grown to become their friends. "Have a safe journey" Mrs Potts told Granny Lucas as they shared hug.
Belle finished hugging the dwarfs as Rumple shook Charming's hand. "Remember you are always welcome here" the Queen told them all before turning to Snow "I guess the next time we see you will be your wedding day"
"Then I hope it is soon" Snow grinned before hugging Belle "I'm so glad you found your true love" she whispered.
"It would never have happened if it weren't for you" Belle assured her before they parted.
"Oh I think love would have found a way" Snow gave her new found friends a smile before giving Rumple a quick nod of thanks knowing he wouldn't accept anything else.
Charming wrapped an arm around snows waist "we should leave now if we want to make it by dark" He then led his future bride to the carriage where he helped here inside before getting in himself.
As the two carriages pulled away Belle looped one of her arms through Rumples and rested her head on his shoulder. "How about we go for a little walk?" she suggested.
Rumple nodded before letting the Queen pull him in the direction it was that she wanted to go. Mrs Potts just smiled at the couple before disappearing inside, happy that Belle had found her happiness.
After a few moments Rumple realised where she was taking him and couldn't help but smile as he took charge and eagerly dragged her to the shore under the bridge on castle street. Both laughing with delirious happiness as he did so.
Epilogue…
News had reached Snow six months after Regina's disappearance that thanks to Rumplestiltskin giving her a second chance Regina had found the man with the lion tattoo and they had settled down together in some part of the woods with the rest of his merry men.
Three months after their return Snow and Charming were happily married, their wedding attended by many in the land. Including the king and Queen of Avonlea.
It had taken Belle a while to truly convince Rumple to accept the title of king, he didn't want to take any power or control from her. He also was unsure of other peoples trust considering his very dark past. Eventually he had given in and accepted the role with the promise to try his best to fill it.
Belle and Rumple had married the month after Snow and Charming and Rumple had been crowned in the same ceremony. All of Avonlea were happy and faring better than they ever had before.
Now almost three years after the events with Regina the town of Avonlea was abuzz once again. Banners and bunting lined the streets. Everyone was excited with the latest new from the castle.
Six months ago it had been announced that the royal couple were expecting their first child. It had been announced in the early hours of the morning that the little prince or princess was on its way.
Rumple paced outside of the bedroom he and Belle shared while her screams echoed through the corridors. It pained him so not to be there to sooth his wife's pain, for it was all partly his fault. His hands were balled into fists at his side.
He reached once more for the door handle unable to stand it all any longer but one of the many council men he often found himself surrounded by hit him once more on the arm. "It is not proper for you to go in" he was scolded.
"To hell with tradition" he all but growled before marching into the bed chambers. He ignored the midwife positioned at the end of the bed and made his way straight to Belle's side. He brushed back her sweaty curls before pressing a kiss to her forehead then wrapped his arms around their shoulders.
"Rumple" she sighed with relief at being in her husband's arms once again. Unbeknownst to her Rumple began to use the little good magic he had to numb some of her pain and discomfort.
"The baby is crowning" The midwife informed the mother and father to be. "Just one more big push your majesty"
Belle gripped her husband's hand tight and with gritted teeth she did as the midwife had instructed. Soon Belle's screams of agony died down and instead they were replaced with the high pitched squeak's of the baby.
"You did it" Rumple smiled to his wife before stealing a kiss from her lips.
The midwife then approached the couple with a pink fleshy bundle wrapped in a white blanket "Your son sire" she offered he babe to Rumplestiltskin.
"A son" he breathed taking the baby into his arms "We have a son" Rumple dipped his arms to offer the child to its mother. The boy had dark brown curls upon his head like his mother, the eyes fluttered open to reveal a deep chocolate brown colour so similar to his fathers.
"He is as handsome as his father" Belle complemented as the father in question settled in the new-born into her arms.
"I assure you he gets his good looks from his mother" Rumple repaid the complement as he pressed another kiss to his wife's head.
Mrs Potts approached the couple after a moment. "What is the prince's name?" she asked them.
"Baelfire" Belle grinned, a name she had stumbled upon one night when she and Rumple had been relaxing in the library.
"A good name, a strong name" Mrs Potts smiled at the little prince. "He shall be a fine king indeed" she complimented.
"That he will" Belle ran a hand down her child's arm, never believing she would be this happy again.
…C\_'/…..
Eight years later Belle found she was just as happy again, if not more so. She sat on the sea bank, a smile spread across her face. The moment was one she wished to cherish forever.
The salty wind blew threw her hair and sand from the air stung her eyes but she wouldn't change the moment for anything. She watched as the men she loved most were pretend sword fighting on the shore of the beach.
Rumple was teaching eight year old Baelfire and six year old Andrew play with wooden swords on the sand. All of them smiling as they hit their swords together. The boys ganging up on their father in mock fight.
"Mama mama" 4 year old Rose came running over to her mother, the bottom of her dress wet from where she'd been standing in the sea.
The older women opened her arms allowing the little girl to hug her mother, "I found something" she told her "an r and b" she said pointing to the cement column holding up the bridge. The one that had cemented Belle and Rumples love all those years ago.
"There's a story that goes with them" Belle told her as the girl settled in her mother's lap "Would you like to hear it sweet heart" she asked her running a hand through her daughters auburn curls.
"Oh yes Mama, I love stories!" Rose said excitedly.
Suddenly the boys and Rumple stopped fighting and gathered around Belle as she began to tell the story of the princes and spinner who fell in love under the bridge on castle street and sealed their love in the concrete.
….The end….C\_'/…..