Sorry, this is a week late, but I really just needed a week to regroup and really think about where the story was going to go from here. Plus, you have no idea how busy it's been around here! I have missed this story, and I'm so excited to be writing it again!

I wanted to thank everyone who reviewed on the last chapter. It always means so much to me to read your thoughts about my story!

XxxxXXxxXXxxXXxx

To say Mr. Gold had had a good night's sleep would have been an absolute lie. The whole night he was kept awake by the constant thoughts running through his head, thoughts of the past, the present, and the future. His memories were all intact, now that the curse no longer held him. He could remember everything to the last second. He lay on his back, surrounded by the darkness of his room, and he was plagued by his memories. But even more pressing were the questions of the future. What now? To be honest, he hadn't really had time back in Fairytale Land to plan this far ahead. He hadn't even been sure if the curse would work as he had wanted it to. Now that he knew it had, he was at a loss. Emma had to break the curse, but, as far as he knew, she had no idea who she was or where she came from. She would have to remember somehow...and he would have to help jog her memory very subtly. He couldn't give away who he was or that he knew who he was. Regina would certainly be watching for any sign of his remembrance. Right not, his biggest advantage was that she was in the dark. He could wait and watch in secret, and she would be none the wiser.

Finally giving up on the hope of falling back to sleep, Mr. Gold slid out of bed, stretched his back, and got dressed in his standard suit and tie. He found now that the fabric was stifling and uncomfortable. He had the same body, but the Rumpelstiltskin in him desired to be dressed once again in his leather and extravagant vests. He smirkedand shook his head. That would certainly make a fashion statement. Which is why he just chose to try and forget how uncomfortable his suit was and focus on becoming Mr. Gold again. It shouldn't be too hard since that was who he had been for the last twenty-eight years. Twenty-eight years. Had it really been that long?

He looked at the watch on his wrist and saw that it was nearly quarter after seven. He grabbed his cane and began his descent down the stairs and into the kitchen, stopping once to look down at the trinkets still left on the table from the previous night. His fingers instantly went to pick up the chipped cup and he couldn't help but smile softly. After everything he had been through, this cup still managed to follow him anywhere and everywhere he went. It was a comfort as much as it was a terrible reminder. An image of Belle, his Belle, flashed before his eyes, and he cursed. He had completely forgotten about Belinda French until now.

Did she remember? Could she? The hope was shattered almost instantly. Mr. Gold knew that everyone had been cursed and all of their memories had been stripped from him. He had put himself in the clause, to ensure that he would remember once the savior came, but he had never had enough time to put Belle into it too. It was like a heavy blow to the heart and he could feel the tears pricking at his eyes as he placed the chipped cup back on the table. Belle didn't remember him, and all that was left in her place was a shell of the woman she had once been. Belinda French was all there was left of the once courageous, spunky, and independent woman he had taken away all those years ago.

That hurt most of all. To know that he had done this to her. He had created the curse. He had sent them here. He had taken her memories. He had separated them just as they had started to become a family. Family. He had had a family, and he had lost it. Belle and Rose. Mr. Gold instantly had a great desire to see the child again. The last time he had seen her had been nearly four days ago, when he had held her for Belle –no, Belinda. He had to make sure to remember to call her Belinda. Or Miss French.

How could he possibly act like the Mr. Gold of old when he now knew her? When he had spent endless hours listening to her enchanting voice read to him? When he had helped her give birth to Rose and then had watched her die? When he had found himself falling in love with her? When he had kissed her? There was so much he remembered, and she didn't remember anything. How could he possibly act as if that wasn't the case?

He looked up at the clock and saw that it was now 7:45. She would be here within the quarter hour. Then, he would be left to figure out what to do. Mr. Gold grabbed himself some breakfast, but he only succeeded in eating half. He had lost his appetite. Nervous butterflies were floating in his stomach. What would he say to her?

The shrill ring of his doorbell nearly startled him out of his seat. He jumped up and began to limp towards the door at a rapid pace, desperate to see her, until the trepidation returned and he began to walk slower and slower, dreading seeing her.

His hand finally found the doorknob and he gave it a hard twist, and then he saw her for the first time in a long time. Sure, Mr. Gold had seen her many times, but he hadn't. The sight nearly made him happy and when she smiled he couldn't help but return the gesture. But her eyes were vacant, nothing like Belle's. They were Belinda's eyes and she was looking at him with recognition that he was Mr. Gold. She didn't remember him. The thought slashed at his heart and he fought hard to keep the tears out of his eyes.

"Miss French." He nearly choked on the words as he stepped aside to let her in. He tried to think of something else to say, but he couldn't, and so he was left to just awkwardly stand and observe her. She was even more beautiful to him now that he knew who she was. A strange urge to wrap her in his arms and tell her who he really was nearly overtook him, but his impeccable self-control, while waning, stopped him from making the terrible mistake.

When she finally raised her brows and gave him a strange look, he noticed that he had been staring at her for several seconds. He mentally pinched himself awake and plastered on a smile. He really didn't feel like smiling anymore. He just felt sick to his stomach. It was a wonder he hadn't thrown up the menial breakfast he had eaten.

"Mr. Gold?" Her concerned voice reached his ears and he suppressed the urge to shudder. How he had missed that accent, the lilt of her voice, the sparkle in her eyes as she spoke. She furrowed her brows when he did not answer. "Between last night and this morning, I think you should see a doctor."

He licked his lips. His throat suddenly felt very dry. "I'm fine, dearie. Just experiencing a strange case of deja vu'." It wasn't completely a lie.

"Oh?" She became curious. "What about?"

He shook his head and replied in a soft tone. "Nothing."

Again, the confusion and concern. "Are you sure you're alright? You look pale."

"I can assure you, I am." He coughed and just looked at her.

"Well, then," she smiled, though he could tell she didn't completely believe him. "I best finish cleaning this mess that I started yesterday." She dropped her purse in a nearby chair and then went to take off her jacket.

Mr. Gold reached out on instinct and, before he could stop himself, had grabbed the jacket. "Here, let me." He ignored the surprise on her face as he helped her out of the clothing and then placed it onto the chair for her. He could tell she probably wanted to ask him if he was feeling well, for a third time, but thankfully she didn't. She just gave him a small smile and walked into the dining room.

He just stood there and observed her for several seconds. She was dressed in jeans and a green-knit sweater. He found that those clothes were not nearly as flattering as the dresses she had used to wear, but she still looked lovely in them. And yet, she was a complete stranger to him. This wasn't his Belle. He needed to remember that.

Not keen on leaving just yet he stepped towards the dining room and into her peripheral view. "How's Rose?" He surprisingly kept his voice steady. He couldn't wait to see the child. His daughter.

Belinda smiled at him. "Wonderful. Her first tooth came in a couple of days ago. They grow up so fast, don't they?"

He just shrugged. "I wouldn't really know, dear." He watched as she tensed at the endearing name he had given her. He cursed inwardly but chose not to dwell on it. "I have no children."

"None?"

He shook his head. Best to lie. Besides, the children he had had had been taken away from him before he had been able to experience all of the wonders of childhood with them. First Bae. And then Rose. Hell, he had only had a few days with Rose. Now she was nearly a year old. How could that be?"

"A wife?" Belinda asked and his head shot up to look at her.

"No," his voice said a bit more stiffly. They had been engaged, but had never married. Yet another thing to regret about his life.

Belinda turned to him and quirked her lips slyly. "But, surely, you've been in love, Mr. Gold?" If she knew she was prying, she didn't seem to care. She just looked at him and gauged his response.

"Yes, I was, once."

"What happened?"
He shrugged. "I lost her. A long time ago."

"Oh," she actually sounded sad for him, "I'm sorry."

Again, he shrugged, as if he didn't care, when he really did. "It doesn't matter now." Liar, his mind hissed at him. Again, the tears threatened to prickle at his eyes and he hastened to get away from her. "I'm going to the shop now, Miss French. I'll be back around five." She nodded her head and offered him a small smile before he turned to leave.

Mr. Gold drove to his pawn shop and was just about to turn into his own private driveway and park when he noticed the diner, just sitting a few blocks down. The pull was too strong and he began to drive again. He needed to see her.

The moment he stepped into the diner he began seeing faces he hadn't seen in a long time. Granny and Red. Doctor Whale. God knows why he wasn't at work yet. His jaw tightened when his eyes fell upon the Rheul Gorm and his initial hatred for fairies returned. She noticed he was staring and offered him a smile of greeting. He just nodded in her direction and continued to scan the diner. As he walked up to the bar, his eyes fell upon the one person he had wanted to see.

Rose was seated in a high chair just behind the bar and Ruby was trying to feed her. Trying, because it seemed most of the food was ending up in Ruby's hair or on Rose's clothes. Ruby scowled at the child and tried again. No luck. This time because Rose's eyes had captured Mr. Gold's and the two just stared at each other. It sent Mr. Gold's heart into a frantic beat. She had grown up so much, he hardly recognized her as the baby he had once held in his arms. He longed to hold her again.

"Can I help you, Mr. Gold?" His thoughts came to a screeching halt as he suddenly saw Ruby standing in front of him, hiding Rose from his view.

"No, I-" Mr. Gold licked his lips. He hadn't a single explanation for why he was there, and he couldn't think of one fast enough. "I-"

Ruby furrowed her brows in suspicion and crossed her arms.

Mr. Gold decided it would be best to just be on his way before any trouble was caused. So he just plastered on his crocodile grin and shook his head. "No, I'm just leaving." As he was walking out the door he gave one last look at Rose and then he left.