I didn't mention this in the last update, but as you can imagine, I'm not happy with the way the season ended. The Rumbelle ship is sinking and I don't appreciate it! So, for those of you that need Rumbelle happiness, here's the next chapter.

After their talk, Rumple walked Rose from his tower to the kitchen where Belle had prepared her berries and was starting on dinner with Quasi's help. Rumple went back up to his tower to get some more work done. He was also going to strengthen the protection spell around the castle. He didn't know how that fairy got through the first time, but he was going to make sure it didn't happen again. After dinner, Rumple had to pop out for a quick errand. Rose, Belle, and Quasi cleaned up the table and the kitchen. When Rumple later returned, he didn't see anyone. He automatically knew where Belle was. With a thought, he appeared in her library. Just as he thought, she was there going through the books. He quietly walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Planning another night of late reading, my dear?" She jumped and gasped.

"Rumple! You startled me!" He softly chuckled.

"Sorry. Couldn't resist." He kissed her cheek and she smiled.

"Well, if you must know, I thought I'd do a bit of re-shelfing and re-organizing."

"Really? And what's wrong with the way they were already organized?"

"Nothing. I just thought I'd like to have my own system. Is that okay with you?" He chuckled again and kissed her neck.

"It's your library, dearie. You may do whatever you wish to it." He planted soft kisses along her neck and shoulder. Her eyes closed as she moaned. She tilted her head to the side so he would have more access to her neck. He wished he could turn her and capture her soft, ruby red lips, but he couldn't. It would break his curse and he couldn't allow that. He still needed his powers to find his son. Perhaps they could kiss once the curse has been cast. They will be in a land without magic. He wouldn't have to worry about losing something he didn't have. He knew Regina would cast the curse within the next year. He would have to wait until then. He was brought from his thoughts by Belle tugging on his hair to pull him closer.

"Rumple..." He smirked as he pulled away from her neck. She groaned in protest and he chuckled.

"Ah, ah. Can't be leaving marks on you, my dear. Especially since he have another person in the castle." She turned to face him and pouted.

"Why must you tease me so?"

"Because it's fun." She rolled her eyes.

"Of course you would find it funny." He smiled and kissed her forehead. He took the small stack of books from her hands and placed them on a nearby table.

"You can reorganize later. For now, I would like to spend some time with you. If you'll have me?" She smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"I'd be happy to spend some time with my true love."

"Good." A purple smoke surrounded them both and they appeared in the garden. They were at Rose's hill, to be exact. When the smoke cleared, Belle gasped at her sights. There was a blanket laid out with candles, a bottle of wine, two glasses and a picnic basket.

"What's all this?" He led her over to the blanket.

"I thought we'd have some alone time and I couldn't think of a better way to spend it. Some wine under the moon and stars." Her smile widened. She knew Rumple was a romantic, but she had never seen anything like this from him. They sat on the blanket and Rumple opened the bottle of wine. He poured the two glasses and handed one to Belle.

"Rumple, this is beautiful. When did have time to set this up?"

"Magic, my dear. Took no time at all. Of course, I didn't have everything, so I picked them up after dinner."

"When you went to run your errands that you said were a matter of life or death?"

"Yes. If you weren't satisfied, it would kill me." She giggled.

"You can be so dramatic."

"But of course. Would you expect me to any other way than I am?"

"Of course not and I would want you to be any other way." He smiled at her.

"Taste your wine." She raised the glass to her lips and tasted the dark red liquid. It had a familiar taste. The tartness of the grapes collided with a sweet raspberry taste. It had a very definite taste. "Well? How is it?"

"It's good, but it taste familiar. Have you brought this home before?"

"Never. This is the first time." He drank from his own glass.

"Then what..."

"Perhaps I found the wine dealer that sells to the Avolonean royals and made him an offer he couldn't refuse." Belle's eyes widened as she placed her glass down.

"You...went to Avolonea? Just for this wine?"

"Oh no. Not just for the wine. I also brought back something special." He reached into the basket and pulled out a plate of brownies. She laughed as she saw the plate. She remembered when she accidentally thought of brownies on Rose's birthday and pulled out a plate for breakfast.

"Brownies?" He picked one up and held it up to her.

"Yes. Taste them." She took the brownie and took a bite out of it. The gooey treat melted in her mouth. She tasted the semi-sweet chocolate, the sweet sticky caramel and just a hint of hazelnut. She knew the taste of the brownies. They were a special recipe that one of her favorite bakers would always make for her.

"Rumple..."

"It wasn't easy tracking her down, but I found her and she made this batch special for you."

"I hope you didn't threaten her."

"Of course not, dearie. We made a deal. She made the brownies and, in return, all she wanted was for you to be happy and safe. Since you already are, I offered to protect her family instead." She smiled.

"That was very nice of you."

"Don't go spreading that around." She giggled as she placed the brownie back on the plate.

"Oh Rumple. I can't believe you went through all of this trouble just for me."

"It was no trouble at all. For you, I'd do anything to make you happy. I'm the luckiest man in the world to have you and I will do whatever it takes to keep you." Her heart ached at his words. Others had no idea what he was really like. He was the sweetest man who just wanted to be loved. She was able to do the impossible and love him. He had told her about his past wife Milah and she thought her as a fool. She didn't love him and it was her loss. She had a wonderful man and she gave him up for a pirate. She scooted closer to him and climbed in his lap. He held her close as they looked into each other's eyes.

"I'm the lucky one, Rumple. You're a wonderful man. Any woman to have ever turned to down was a fool, but had they taken you, I wouldn't have you. After everything you've gone through, I'm glad that I can help you forget it."

"You do, Belle. You make everything do away. You are the first woman to ever truly love me and I don't want to lose you. I couldn't bear the thought."

"And you won't have to. You will never lose me. We may have our bad times, but at the end of the day, I will still be by your side because I love you." He pulled her closer until their foreheads touched.

"How did I ever come to obtain your heart?" She smiled.

"We made a deal for me to be yours, remember? It's forever, dearie." He chuckled at her imitation of him.

"Forever. Will you love me forever?" She smirked.

"I don't know. Ask me when forever ends." They both chuckled. "Of course I will. And long after that."

"And I will love you until the end of time. And even beyond that." She sighed in content. She had never felt so happy. She was glad she made that deal with him. Of course she missed her home, but what was there for her to look forward to? She would be forced to marry Gaston. He never supported her reading. He only wanted her to bear his sons and make him look better. She didn't want that life. She wanted love. She wanted free will. She wanted adventure and Rumpelstiltskin gave her all of that. He loved her with all his heart and she loved him back. He didn't try to control her and she had her fair share of adventures with him. He even gave her an entire library. He encouraged her love of reading and learning. She may have missed her old life, but there was nowhere she'd rather be. "Belle, my love?"

"Yes, Rumple."

"There is something very important I must ask you."

"What is it?"

"Since the day you came here, you've made everything better. My daughter is the happiest she's ever been. You took the time to look into my heart and love every part of it, even the less desirable parts. No one has ever made me feel as happy as you make me feel. Will you do one last thing to make me the happiest man in all the realms?"

"Of course. Anything." He waved his hand and a small box appeared.

"Will you marry me?" He opened the box and she gasped. It was a gold band ring with large diamond in the center and smaller diamonds on each side. On the side, the words My True Love were engraved. Belle was speechless. She had always dreaded marriage because she wouldn't get the chance to choose. Now, the man she was in love with was proposing to her. She eagerly nodded.

"Yes."

"Yes?"

"Yes! Yes, I will marry you!" She hugged him as tears fell from her eyes. Rumple could hardly believe it himself. He half expected her to say no. He was so happy she said yes. Belle pulled away from the hug and cheek the corner of his mouth. She wished she could kiss his lips, but she knew what would happen if she did and she didn't want to ruin the moment. He took the ring from the box and slid it onto her finger. She examined the ring closer and admired the way the diamond glittered in the moonlight. "It's beautiful, Rumple."

"I hoped you would love it."

"I do. And I love you, my future husband." He chuckled and kissed her cheek.

"I love you too, my future wife."