Ok, so in the last chapter I typed 3 months pregnant instead of 7 and so I don't wanna get their reunion messed up! I'm really worried about her giving in too easily or writing it badly, so please forgive me if it turns out a bit OOC!
Chapter 12
Belle sat down on the large armchair; his arm chair as she waited for him to finish the spell. He was concentrating on the magic so didn't notice her stare. She continued to analyse his face, to see any change. She knew that he couldn't have changed that much, he must still be working with the Queens Of Darkness. That's how he got into town. But, he seemed different. She wouldn't speculate, she didn't want her heart to be broken again.
"All, done." Rumple replied quietly as he sat down on her chair.
"Good, I don't want those two coming in, if things get heated..." Belle attempted to explain.
Rumple gulped, things were gonna get heated, but he reminded himself that he needed to seek forgiveness from her; little did he know that Belle was also thinking on the same lines. They both knew that what they did was wrong, but also that what the other did was wrong.
"Where did you go?" Belle asked, plucking up the courage to steer them in the right direction.
"New York, at first. I needed to find allies to help me with...well everything. I was in no position to do anything by myself. I stayed with Ursula for a while and then we went to find Cruella and Maleficent. We went off together to find something to help us." Rumple explained.
"Oh, did you find everything you were looking for?" Belle asked as she continued to play with her hands.
"We both know the answer to that question." Rumple said timidly with a small smile.
"We do? Because we haven't been thinking on the same lines since you decided to go behind my back, switching daggers, making me look like a fool in love." Belle said angrily. She had promised herself that she would try to stay calm, but all that anger that she had suppressed was releasing itself from within.
"You know I needed to that." Rumple attempted to say calmly.
"Stop saying that I know, I've been in the dark Rumple. You didn't tell me anything. When I told you about Anna and said that I knew you would never keep a secret from me, I meant it. That was what I had believed from the bottom of my heart, you could have told me the truth. We could have fixed this together." Belle said as she stood up and began to pace with her arms crossed over her belly.
"I would never risk putting you in danger to help me! Why do you think I wanted to unleash myself from the constrains of the bloody dagger!" Rumple shouted.
"I don't know, to become all-powerful, to do as you wish, to not have to obey anyone?" Belle said sarcastically.
"No, it was so I would have the power to save you, if it came down to it. So, no one could control me, like Zelena had. I lost Bae because of her; I will not lose you too. And yes, you keep saying I already have, but as long as you're alive and breathing, I'll be happy. You can go fall in love with someone else, start a new family! All of that would kill me but knowing that you're OK, and that you're happy, would always be enough for me. Every moment I had with you was a blessing and when I lost you, I couldn't think straight! I needed to be free of that cursed dagger, for you. If I was stronger, if I had freed myself from the dagger earlier, Bae would be alive!" Rumple shouted as he attempted to keep the tears at bay.
"Don't you dare blame yourself for Bae's death! It's more my fault! I was the one who let him come with me; I should have sent him with the others, while i found a solution. I should have been the one to put the key in! But, if we keep thinking about what could have happened then we will always be stuck in the past. We'll never be able to move past this! But, what confuses me the most is how you could think that I would be able to move on, just like that. I'd never be able to be truly happy, because it's always been you! You just had to touch my heart, didn't you!" Belle screamed at him. She realised she was screaming and immediately began to attempt to control her breathing. The breathing exercises helped with the stress and she couldn't endanger the baby because she was getting angry. As if on cue, the lights began to flash and the mirror smashed. She placed her hands on her head and began to cry. She hadn't fully learnt to control her magic; sometimes she ended up being transported around town by accident.
"It is not your fault that Bae is gone. Look at me! Don't you ever think that for a second." Rumple said as he moved her face so that it faced him. Her face was read, her eyes were puffy. He studied her face and held her arm gently. "Hey, calm down. Sit down and breathe." He instructed. He knelt down next to her and attempted to check her over.
"I'll get you some water." Rumple said as he walked out of the room, quickly.
Ruby and Regina were sitting in the kitchen eating lunch, wondering about what was going on, it was so silent.
"Shut it." Rumple said coldly as he walked in to the kitchen and began to pour some water into a glass for Belle.
He walked out quickly as he ran back to her.
"Oh my god, he's crying!" Ruby whispered to Regina.
"Thank you for stating the obvious, wolf girl." Regina sighed as she attempted to see how Belle was through the open door.
As if sensing her prying eyes, Rumple closed the door quickly.
"Hey, no need to be rude." Ruby sighed. "I hope she's OK, all this stress isn't good for her."
"I know, but she was adamant that she wanted to get this done sooner rather than later, she didn't want it to be close to her due date." Regina explained as she took another bite out of her sandwich.
Meanwhile, Rumple knelt down by Belle and placed the cup near to her mouth and tilted it so she could sip it. She took the cup away from him and glared.
"I can hold a cup." Belle said as she began drinking. The drinking was a brief silence, in which she could order her thoughts. She was so angry, but she needed to calm down, she ended up deciding to get it all out.
"Thanks." Belle said with a weak smile.
"My pleasure." Rumple said. "Are you sure that you're alright, we can continue this later, if you wish."
"No. I... mean yes. I mean I want to finish this now." Belle clarified.
"As you wish." Rumple said as he made his way back to Belle's chair.
Belle sighed; he made her heart melt even when she was angry with him. As you wish. Who did he think he was?
"I just don't understand, why. Yes, you didn't want to lose me, but surely you realised that I would find out eventually. You sucked the nuns into the hat! When I was there!" Belle said as she realised.
"Yes but," Rumple began.
"No, no buts." Belle shouted, she saw him breathe deeply, he was controlling his anger for her, the least she could do was hear him out, whatever lies he was going to spin today.
"Go on." Belle said as she slumped back and watched him.
"The Blue Fairy was the one who sent Bae to this world! She wasn't exactly innocent! And they were a necessary sacrifice. I would kill everybody in this town if it meant keeping you safe." Rumple replied honestly.
"But the others! They were innocent! They were my friends! And you can't say that! You can't expect me to love the fact that you would murder everyone for me!" Belle shouted.
"Well, you wanted the bloody truth." Rumple replied snarkily.
"Oh you just have to always win, be right!" Belle huffed.
"You say you understand but you don't! You have no idea what it's like being controlled; having to hurt someone you don't want to. Having to adhere to every bloody wish someone has. I was at peace when Zelena thought I was bloody crazy with Bae inside me!" Rumple shouted.
"Oh yes, poor Belle! Doesn't understand anything! Just a pretty face, Belle who married the Dark One when everyone told her who he was and what he was capable of. Belle, the one who overlooked every bad thing her husband had done in the past, just because she loved him. Belle, the naive little princess, who's pregnant with the Dark Ones bloody baby!" Belle screamed and just as before the room began to flash and shake.
"You know what! I wish things were different! I wish we could change what happened! I wish I could know what happened to make you like this! I wish for a lot of things but most of all I wish we could go back to the start!" Belle cried. "When everything was OK, when we were OK!" Belle screamed louder.
The room turned light blue and began to spin!
"Belle calm down!" Rumple shouted from the other side.
"I can't, what's happening!" Belle screamed over the wind that engulfed the room.
"Belle, you need to calm down." Rumple instructed as he attempted to reach her.
"You can't tell someone who's panicking to just calm down and expect them to do so!" Belle said frustrated.
"I'm coming." Rumple shouted, he managed to grab onto her small hand before they were both sucked in. Into what seemed to be a vortex, something powerful, even Rumple could feel it and suddenly they hit the floor with a thud.
"Rumple?" Belle said groggily as she attempted to open her eyes.
"I'm here, I'm here." Rumple said as he scrambled onto his feet and ran over to her. He helped her up and checked over her. "Are you ok? Is the baby?" Rumple said panicked.
"Yes, We're fine." Belle replied with a smile. "Where are we? What happened?"
"Well, it seems that your new powers are stronger than we thought. We're in the enchanted forest." Rumple stated as he observed their surroundings.
"Oh my god, I did this! Oh god! We need to get back." Belle said flustered.
"That might be harder than we thought." Rumple said as he pulled Belle into the bushes and covered her mouth.
She attempted to break free when she saw what he was doing. It was Regina, but she looked younger, she was riding a horse and quite fast, when suddenly Cora appeared from behind her and stopped her, she had made the trees rope her in.
"Mother, please, I." Regina began.
"You what? Don't want to marry the King. Grow up; I'm doing what is best for you. Don't ever try something like this again." Cora scolded.
"Or what? You'll kill someone I love? Oh wait, you already did." Regina said as she mounted her horse and began to ride off back the way she came, crying.
Cora followed her and when the coast was clear, Rumple let go of Belle.
"Was that? Before she went all crazy and evil?" Belle said astonished.
"Yep, sweet innocent little Regina, who 'just wants to be free'." Rumple mocked
"Her love? Her mother really killed him?" Belle said sadly.
"Cora was a very determined woman, she wouldn't let Regina throw away, and everything she had worked for, because of a stable boy. She was the one who started it all, Snow's horse, Regina saving Snow. Snow's father wanting Regina's hand in marriage. Cora started it all." Rumple explained.
"Yet, Regina seemed to forgive her, in Storybrooke?" Belle asked.
"Yep, now we need to figure out how to get back." Rumple said as he helped her up.
He waved his fingers and suddenly he was back in his old clothes and Belle in a baby pink dress.
"We need to blend in." Rumple smiled as he led her into the horse and carriage he had conjured.
Belle sat down and her mind began to wonder, if they were here, when Regina was this age, Snow would be about 10, which would make her around seven. Her mother would still be alive! Wait, her mother was already alive in Storybrooke. She wondered what Rumple would be like. He'd obviously still be the Dark One and he would be impartial to her, at this moment in time. He'd probably kill her for making his future self, soft.
She was still angry, there was no point attempting to bring out the worst in Rumple, by herself. She groaned, she hadn't eaten lunch. She should have listened to Regina.
As if he heard her thoughts Rumple conjured up a sandwich for her to eat.
"I thought you'd conjure pancakes." Belle replied more snarkily than she had intended to sound.
"You know I made them, I only conjured this because I couldn't make it here." Rumple replied, pleased with himself.
Belle rolled her eyes, she was still angry and she was sure he was too, but they couldn't fight here, they needed to get back and for that, they needed to be able to trust each other. Although she wouldn't admit it, Belle knew in the bottom of her heart that she would and could trust him. Despite everything, she knew that if there were one person in all the realms that could keep her safe it would be him, even if his methods hurt her or didn't include her. He would always keep her safe. She let out a small smile as she thought about it to herself.
"You know, I've always wanted to know what you looked like when you were younger." Rumple said as he pointed to her father's castle.
"I'm sure they wouldn't mind a short visit from us. They won't even recognise me, I haven't changed back and besides you need to rest." Rumple smiled.
"Fine, but we can't change anything, OK?" Belle warned.
"I would never." Rumple smiled.
The carriage halted outside her castle's gates. Her castle. Her mother, her father, her friends. She was very excited and sadly, wasn't very good at containing it.
"Stop smiling like a mad woman, they'll think you're crazy and won't let you in!" Rumple quipped.
"Ha ha ha, very funny." Belle said as she stepped out of the carriage.
They walked up to the door and knocked. Almost instantly, the door opened.
"Hello, maam, we were wondering if we could talk to Lord Maurice." Rumple said politely.
"Of course, this way. I'll send someone to call him." The woman replied as she walked off.
After 10 minutes Belle saw him, her father, a younger version of course, but nevertheless her father. His eyes locked with hers as he made his way down the grand staircase, almost as if he recognised her.
"Hello there, I am Lord Maurice, and you are?" Maurice asked politely.
"I am Lord Gold and this is Lady Isabelle." Rumple said but, at the same time, Belle had blurted out "Lacey."
They looked at each other angrily.
"My name is Isabella but, my friends call me by my middle name, Lacey." Belle attempted to make amends.
"Oh of course, well it's a pleasure to meet you both." Maurice said cautiously.
"We were wondering if we could stay at your castle for a few nights, Isabella is pregnant and the journey to our castle is very long, she needs to rest." Rumple said with a smile.
"Oh of course! Maurice don't be so rude! I'll have someone to show you to your rooms immediately!" Colette said as she came down the stairs.
"Forgive me for being so rude, Lady Colette." Colette bowed with a smile.
"It's nice to meet you." Belle said with a smile and Rumple nodded silently.
"Now, let's get you to your rooms, and get you something to eat." Colette smiled.
They began walking upstairs and Belle could not help but gaze at everything, it was like a dream. Then she heard it; it was a child's giggle. It was herself.
"Leonardo! That's cheating!" Belle's younger self laughed.
An older boy appeared from the shadows, Belle stopped in her tracks when she saw him, he was only 10, but she recognised him immediately.
"Now, a Lady never shouts out!" Leonardo mocked.
"Lady or not, you cheated and cheating is wrong." Belle said proudly as she stood on a large chest and jamp down.
"Excellent, my sweet. Now, are you going to say hello to our guests?" Colette said with a smile.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm Lady Belle." Belle giggled as she curtsied and fell down, due to the ball that her friend had placed by her foot.
She immediately turned around and rolled her eyes, she looked up to Belle and simply said "Boys."
Rumple couldn't help but laugh, she was adorable, exactly the same, a miniature version of his Belle.
"I am Lord Gold, milady." Rumple teased with a smile.
"And what's your name." Belle's younger version asked her older self.
"Belle. You need to let people finish talking." Colette sighed.
"Oh sorry." Belle said.
"No need to be sorry, my names Isabella." Belle said with a smile.
"It's nice to meet you! But, I must go, to check what trouble Leonardo's gotten himself into!" Belle laughed as she ran off.
"She's a lovely girl." Rumple smiled to Colette.
"Yes she is, if not a bit abrupt at times, but nevertheless lovely." Colette smiled.
"We're still working on her acting like a proper Lady." Maurice sighed.
"She's just a child, she'll grow out of it." Colette said with a smile, which Belle returned.
Rumple snickered. "Is something funny, my dear." Belle said through her teeth.
"Not at all." Rumple smiled as he began to follow her parents.
"I do hope this is alright, there are two rooms, with an adjoining bathroom, I wasn't sure if..." Colette started.
"It's perfect!" Belle said with a smile. "Thank you both so much for your hospitality."
"No problem." Colette smiled and Maurice nodded.
Belle could sense that the next few days were going to be very long indeed.
SOOOO? HOW DO YOU LIKE IT? I hope you guys like where the story is going, I just couldn't resist! And we all know where they'll be headed next, that's right! When Belle is living in the Dark Castle. Double the Rumbelle!