Xxx

Luvetta stared at her newborn children, confusion tearing at her heart. They looked like him. She could see it in their faces. They even had his eyes. But those similarities, the similarities that should anger her, should make her sick, made her happy. She felt as though someone else's emotions were bleeding through. She closed her eyes, inadvertently remembering the night he... the night he attacked her...

…and it was all wrong. The man she remembered was too big, too heavy. Too tall. And he definitely didn't have a crippled leg. But she had made sure to have a DNA test run and they were definitely his. So why-

She was brought out of her thoughts by the sound of an excited squeal. She looked over at the boy who couldn't be more than three. He stared wide-eyes at Nicole and Nicolas, grinning and giggling.

"Um... hello."

The boy turned to look at her. Belle found himself mesmerized by his eyes, which seemed both shocked and hopeful. Than he blinked and he turned to leave.

"Wait!"

"I'm sorry," he said sadly. "I'm not allowed to talk to you."

"Why not?"

He didn't answer.

"I'm Luvetta. What's your name?" she asked.

"... Ste-" he stopped. "Ezra."

Luvetta blinked, an unfamiliar feeling hitting her.

"Ezra," she said. "It's nice to meet you. But where are your par-"

"There you are!"

Luvetta stared at Mr. Gold as he walked swiftly down the hall. Luvetta's initial instinct was to reach forward and pull the child behind her, but before she could, Ezra ran over to the monster of Storybrooke.

"Daddy!"

Mr. Gold managed to lift the boy up with his free arm, giving him a concerned look.

"How many times do you I have to tell you not to wonder off?" Gold scolded softly.

"Sorry, daddy," Ezra said.

Gold looked over at Luvetta, than looked away uncomfortably.

"That- that's your boy?" Luvetta asked.

"Yes," Gold said softly.

"I'm so sorry, Mr Gold!"

"Anita! If something goes wrong again, I'm firing you."

Mr. Gold's voice was softer than usual, likely due to the presence of the child in his arms. Anita took Ezra gently.

"I will be along in a few moments," Gold said.

Anita nodded and left. Gold turned back to Luvetta, waiting until they could no longer hear Anita's steps before either spoke.

"Did you want to see them?" Luvetta asked coldly.

"Not if you don't want me to," Gold said, barely covering the hurt in his voice. "I understand if you don't want me to have anything to do with them... but..."

"But what?"

"Could.. could at least tell me their names?"

Luvetta stared at him.
"Nicole... and Nicolas."

Gold smiled sadly and looked at them.

"Beautiful names..."

Belle felt like her heart was breaking when she saw the look on his face. She felt like she should say something, but before she had the chance, his face turned to one of determination and he turned back to her.

"As said before, I will not go near them if you do not wish it, however," Gold said firmly. "You must leave Greg."

"W-what?"

"I am not an idiot," Gold said. "I know he hits you. Even when you were pregnant. If you do not leave him, I will take them from you."

"Y-you can't!"

"With the power I have? I think I can, and I will. Unless you leave him. I will provide you with a place to stay and enough money to last until they are grown," Gold said. "And I will stay out of their lives, if that is what you wish, unless they choose to seek me out."

"Why?"

"I will not put them in danger," Gold said firmly. "And you shouldn't either."

"Greg would never hurt them!"

"You say that, but you don't believe it yourself," Gold said. "You have one week after you are released to leave, or I am taking them."