Rumple and Belle spent the rest of the night on the hill talking, drinking, and laughing. Rumple truly felt happy. Belle agreed to marry him. He would finally be with a woman who actually loved him and wanted to be in his life. Everything would finally be perfect. They went on to talking about their wedding. Belle told him of her dream wedding. She wanted a spring wedding in the most beautiful garden. She never wanted a huge and public wedding where half the realm's royals and nobility were in attendance. She wanted a small wedding with her closest friends and family. Rumple was saddened that she wouldn't have everything she wanted. Anyone she knew would reject her marrying the Dark One and they certainly wouldn't show up to the Dark Castle under any circumstances. She said it was alright, but he knew it wasn't. He knew she would at least have liked to have her father there, but he would disapprove more than anyone. He wanted to give her the world, but there are things even he can't do.
The rest of the night was filled with light laughing, soft kisses, and true love. They eventually laid down on the blanket and watched the stars above. The night sky was so clear and bright. They stayed there for hours before they both drifted off into a gentle slumber. A light breeze across her cheek rose Belle from her sleep. She opened her eyes and saw that they were still in the garden. She then felt something warm around her waist and against her back. She looked over her shoulder and saw Rumple's reptilian eyes staring back at her. He smiled.
"Good morning, my love." She giggled as she turned in his arms to face him.
"Good morning, darling." She kissed his cheek.
"It appears that we fell asleep under the stars." She lightly hummed.
"Sounds romantic."
"Indeed, but not nearly as romantic as what happened before that,..." He lifted her hand and thumbed her engagement ring. "...my future wife."
"Hmm. Me. The bride-to-be of the Dark One. That's quite the title."
"Not as impressive as wife of the Dark One. That will fit you even better, my dear." Her eyes went to her ring. The words My True Love glowed from the ring. She looked back up to Rumple.
"This is really happening? We're getting married?"
"Yes, we are. Unless you're having second thoughts." She placed a hand on his cheek and had him look her straight in the eyes.
"Never. I wouldn't dream of passing up the opportunity to be with my one true love. I chose to marry you and that's the best part. I'm not being forced to marry someone I don't love like I was with Gaston. You, Rumpelstiltskin, are the one I wish to be with. And I will never turn away from you nor will I leave you. I will be the most loving, caring, and loyal wife I can be for you because that's what you deserve." Rumple's heart swelled with love and joy. He still couldn't believe someone as wonderful as Belle wanted to be with him. He truly didn't deserve her. She could have any man in the realm and she chose him. He ran a gentle hand down her rosy cheek.
"How you came to fall for me will forever be a mystery, Belle, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I know you will be the most amazing wife."
"I would hope so. And, maybe down the line, a mother to another child." Rumple's eyes widened at this.
"Another child? Belle, you would bear my child?"
"Of course. I will be your wife soon. Why wouldn't I want that?"
"But..." She placed a finger to his lips to silence him.
"Rumple, that is what I wish. Rose is a wonderful child and I'm sure Baelfire will be too. I love them both as if they were my own, but I may actually want to have my own child some day. A child that we will create together. Don't you want that?"
"Of course I do, but I didn't think..."
"You didn't think I would want to bear your offspring? Rumple, you will be my husband. Bearing your children will be one of my duties as your wife that I will be happy to carry out. Besides, I don't think Rose will want to just be a little sister forever. She could have someone else to play with and mentor. And maybe Baelfire will enjoy his extended family. It won't just be us forever." Rumple was surprised that she wanted to have his children. He remembered her telling him that if she had married Gaston, she would've just been a "brooding mare" for his sons. She didn't want to be forced to have a man's children. This was different. She wanted to have his children. He would never force for to have his offspring. He could only imagine her carrying his child within her. Her large swollen belly as a sign of their love. He marveled at the thought of her bearing him a beautiful child. He smiled at her.
"Well, who am I to deny you of what you want? When the time is right and whenever you feel ready, we may have a child of our own. With Rose, Baelfire, and possibly others, our lives will be wonderful." She smiled, but before she could respond, she heard another voice.
"Come on, Quasi! We're gonna miss it!" They then remembered where they were. They were on the hill where Rose would watch the sunrise each morning. And this time she was bringing Quasimodo. Belle giggled.
"Looks like someone's awake." They both sat up and stretched their limbs they didn't realize were sore.
"Yes, well, at least there's something we can look forward to on our honeymoon."
"What's that?"
"No interruptions." She giggled again and saw Rose and Quasi walking up the hill. She turned back to Rumple.
"I suppose that will be nice. I love Rose, but she has the worst timing." He chuckled.
"That, she does."
"So, where is our honeymoon going to be?"
"That, my dear, is to be a surprise." She narrowed her eyes at him.
"Well, Rumple, you seem to be full of surprises today."
"I'm full of surprises everyday, dearie." She rolled her eyes as Rose and Quasi made it to the top of the hill.
"Mama! Papa! You're here!" Belle smiled as she pulled the child into her lap. Quasi sat next to her. "You weren't in your rooms."
"We've been here, sweetheart. Nothing to worry about. And now we can all watch the sunrise together." Rose noticed something shiny on her mother's finger. She lifted up her hand and saw the ring.
"Ooo. Your ring is pretty, Mama. Did Papa give it to you?" Belle looked to Rumple and he shrugged.
"I suppose now is as good a time as any to make our little announcement." Rose's eyebrows knitted together in confusion.
"What? What's going on now?" Rumple took Belle's hand in his.
"Well, Belle has agreed to be my wife. We're getting married." Rose's eyes widened and shined like two large emerald gemstones. Quasi smiled.
"That's amazing. Congratulations."
"Yeah. When's the wedding? Can I be in it? Can I be your flower girl? What's your dress gonna look like?" Rumple paused her many questions.
"Calm down, flower. I only just proposed last night. There is plenty of time to plan everything and your input will considered during that time." Rose couldn't stop smiling. Her parents were getting married. She didn't know much about marriage, but from her stories, people are always happier when they get married. She hope Rumple and Belle would be happier once they're married too.
After watching the sunrise and Rose's mass amount of questions, everyone returned inside for breakfast. After that, Rose and Quasi went to play in the garden while Belle and Rumple stayed inside. He sat at his wheel and started to spin for a spell he was working on. Belle went on cleaning. Rumple had been trying to convince her that she was no longer a maid and didn't have to do any chores, but she insisted on keeping busy. Plus, since Quasi got there, she hadn't had to watch Rose as much. After she finished up with the kitchen, she went on to dusting his collection of antiques. As she dusted, she could feel Rumple's eyes on her. He had a habit of watching her when she cleaned. He did this since she first got there. She smirked to herself as she dusted.
"You know, Rumple, it amazes me that you ever got work done while staring at me." Rumple was stunned. Did she see him? She never turned around.
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean, my dear." She playfully rolled her eyes as she turned to face him.
"You don't have to hide it. You're always staring me down. Am I truly that mesmerizing to you?" He smirked at her.
"Mesmerizing is only the tip of the iceberg, my dear, but no one word can describe wonder that is you." Belle felt her cheek burn with a bright blush.
"Well, aren't you quite the Romeo?" He scoffed.
"Romeo wishes he was that romantic." She giggled as she sat beside him.
"I take it you don't enjoy the tale of Romeo and Juliet?"
"Had you met them, you'd wish you hadn't." She raised an eyebrow.
"You've met Romeo and Juliet?"
"Do you think a simple friar could create a potion that would slow one's heartbeat and breath to appear dead? She would've died the second she drank it." Belle thought on this. Romeo and Juliet had always been one of her favorite stories to read and now Rumple is telling her it happened differently.
"So if you gave her the potion, what did she trade you for it? You never do something for nothing."
"Nothing extravagant. I simply asked for the pendant from her deceased cousin."
"What did want with that?"
"I had my reasons."
"Well, perhaps that's a story you can tell me sometime." He smiled.
"Perhaps I will, but for now, I need a favor from you." She narrowed her eyes at him.
"What sort of favor?" He chuckled.
"It's a fairly simple favor, my dear. I'm running out of straw. Will you be a dear and a fetch me some more from the shed in the garden?"
"Really, Rumple? Couldn't you just use your magic to make appear to you?"
"I could, but you insist on keeping busy. This a simple thing I ask of you, my dear. Would you mind?" She had the feeling he wanted her out of the room for something, but she couldn't even being to guess what. He could be a very complicated man.
"Alright, since you asked so nicely." He smiled and kissed her cheek.
"Thank you, love." She stood and headed out of the room. As soon as she left, the doors to the Great Hall opened. Rumple looked from his wheel to his guest. "Ah, Regina. Uninvited, as usual."
"And here I thought you'd be happy to see me. I have a deal to discuss. A certain...mermaid."
"Well, unfortunately for you, I'm not dealing with you today."
"Are you angry with me? What is it this time?" He was still angry with her. He didn't forget when she had her knights almost kill Rose and Belle. Because of her, Belle had a scar that would never go away and Rose feared her. At the moment, he wasn't thinking about any of that.
"On the contrary, dearie, I just happen to be a particularly good mood and I don't need you ruining it." She raised an eyebrow.
"And what, pray tell, has you in such a good mood?" He stood from his wheel and faced her.
"That's my own business. And your business with this mermaid doesn't concern me. I'm sure you can handle her on your own."
"Well, I never thought I'd see the day Rumpelstiltskin turns down a deal."
"You can marvel at it all you'd like, dearie, but you must do it on your way out of my castle."
"Alright, I'll go, but first there is something I must know."
"And what might that be?"
"Rumors have been spreading around the kingdom. Something about the Daughter of the Dark One. She's said to have powers as well. Care to respond to that?" He knew the rumors. They had spread all over and everyone knew, but not many believed the rumor. There was no way he was going to admit to Regina that she's real.
"You shouldn't believe everything you hear, dearie. You've known me a long time and have been in and out of this castle many times. Have you ever once seen a child here?" She narrowed her eyes at him.
"No. I suppose I haven't."
"Then why question such a silly thing?"
"Hmm. Well, I suppose I should just take your word for it, then."
"You're going to have to. Now, while things are still pleasant, I will ask you once more to leave." She eyed him for a moment.
"Fine. I'll go, but I shall return about this mermaid."
"Looking forward to it, dearie." With that, she turned and left. He felt her leave through the magic barrier. Moments later, Belle returned carrying a basket of straw.
"Here is your straw." He smiled at her as he took the basket.
"Thank you, my dear. This will be more than enough to finish my work."
"Good. Was someone here? I thought I heard talking." He didn't want to lie to her, but he didn't want her asking too many questions about Regina. With any luck, she will never have to meet the evil queen.
"Just thinking out loud. It helps me gather my thoughts better." She narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
"Really? I've never heard you think out loud before."
"Most is done in my tower. Rose tends to stick her nose where it doesn't belong and question what she shouldn't. Much like her mother." He tapped her nose once and she giggled.
"Alright." They both sat back down at the spinning wheel. "So, what other pieces of classic literature have been told wrong?"
"Well, are you familiar with Macbeth?"