I do not own Once Upon a Time.
Hello! So I decided to rewrite this chapter. Giving it a read, I thought it had been too dark, and it is not my intention to leave this as macabre story. I hope you forgive me for this, and enjoy this chapter now most. Please share your thoughts! :)
Rodez, France, 1944.
"Someone is coming!" James shouted. "Where is Belle?"
"At the basement, sleeping" Mary Margaret said, immediately putting herselves in a state of alert.
"Go and tell her that she mustn't scream."
Motionless, James peered through the peephole of the door of the wine-vault.
"Wait... Is August!" He said, turning to Mary with a sigh of relief, and opened the door to greet him. Mary watched August while he leaned his bike against the outer wall and entered the place. After a month without seeing anyone but James and Belle - Johanna had left the château at the beginning of the it to go live with her son in another home in the area -, Mary was extremely happy to come across his smiling face.
The two men embraced, and James led August the passage to their home.
"Sit down, my mate, and share the news. Long time we haven't received any. Mary, can you prepare some coffee?"
Mary nodded reluctantly, wanting to hear every bit of information that August had to offer. Her current role, to serve as governess and consoling an Isabelle that during the last month, refused to get out of bed in the basement, to breathe clean air in the walled garden of the château, not eating right and did not responding to requests of Mary Margaret to not surrender the points, was becoming increasingly difficult.
Hastily putting three cups on a tray and pouring coffee in them, Mary led it to the living room.
"Thank you, Mary Margaret. And happy New Year to you!" August said, as he pulled one of the cups from the tray and drank the contents with gusto.
"We pray that 1944 be the year of the liberation of our country," James said with conviction.
"Yes," said August, nodding as he pulled a small rectangular box from his purse. "This is for Mademoiselle Isabelle, but I'm sure she will not mind if you open it, ma'am. There is good news in it.".
Mary took the box and opened it. She looked at the lone red rose lying inside the package and smiled.
"A red rose" commented, looking at James with bright eyes. "The red rose that Belle had mentioned to me. This means that he is safe?".
"Yes, ma'am. Gold's safe" August confirmed. "And he is very close to finding his son, although in a somewhat delicate and dangerous circumstances. I'm sure that Mademoiselle Isabelle will be more happy to hear that he is alive and well. However, I don't think he'll come back even if he wanted. He is far away from here just to protect her.".
"Know anything about Laura?".
"There is no news about her, I'm sorry" August said, shaking his head sadly. "Like many others, she simply disappeared. And how is Belle?".
James and Mary Margaret looked at each other.
"She's not bad," James said wearily. "She's sad because of Gold and she miss the freedom. But what can we do until the war ends?".
"Tell her not lose hope. It'll be over soon and we can all come out of this darkness. The date of the Allied invasion is coming and we are doing what we can to help them." August said, smiling at Mary. Faith and hope in the eyes of the man helped to restore her own forces. "Well, I must go now.".
James and Mary Margaret watched as August pedaled his bike away, feeling grateful for the change in the solitary life that they were living. Belle could feel a prisoner in the basement of the château, but on the surface, her jailers also felt pressured by the responsibility to protect her.
"How is she today?" James asked as Mary took the coffee cups to the kitchen.
"As always. It is as if given up to live.".
"Perhaps the news that Gold is safe and healthy can help cheer her up." James said, shrugging.
"I'll go down and tell her." Said Mary.
James nodded silently when Mary Margaret returned to the kitchen. She took a jar sealed with milk in the pantry, put it in bags that she used to bring supplies to the basement and put it on her shoulders.
"Try to encourage her to get out of the basement for a little fresh air" James added.
"I'll try".
Mary ducked into the huge oak barrel, removed the false bottom, lit the oil lamp and started the journey through the tunnel. A journey through the labyrinth that was part of her daily routine. When he reached the door, she opened it and saw by the dim light gray that came from the small window that Belle was still asleep. It was almost lunchtime.
"Belle, wake up" Mary said, shaking her gently. "I have good news."
Belle rolled on the bed and stretched. Under the white sweater, it was possible to notice that her belly was bigger - during the first few days when they arrived at the house, Belle had been quite tired. At first Mary thought it had been because of the journey they made, but soon the young woman had adopted strange behavior. Almost all the time, complained that she felt her body ache and muscles complained because of fatigue, and even if she sleep for hours, when she woke up she felt even more exhausted; Mary Margaret began to realize that those symptoms were not being caused because of her stay there, and when at end of the month, Isabelle began to feel sick because of the food that was served to her or simply because of some smell, she had no doubts: Belle was pregnant.
"What happened?"
"A messenger has just brought great news. Gold's safe!"
Hearing that, Belle sat on the mattress.
"He's coming here? He'll come to get me out of this place?"
"Maybe he doesn't take much long" Mary Margaret lied. "But it's great to know he's okay, right? He sent this to you" Mary gave to Belle the rectangular box, and when she opened it, she gasped, visibly moved by the little rose. "Remember? You told me when you found a rose like this one in his room.".
"Yes," Belle said, lifting her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. "They were wonderful days."
"And they will come back, Belle. I promise.".
"And then he will come here to get me out of this hell," she said, she said, with her face turned to a point in the darkness. "My Adrian..." Belle said suddenly, grabbing the hand of Mary Margaret tightly. "You cannot imagine the longing I feel of him".
"I suppose so. I also had to be separated from a person I love very much. A person I love as much as you love Adrian."
"Yes, your husband." Suddenly, all the energy of Belle left her and she lay back down on the bed. "But I cannot believe this war will end sometime. And I think I'll die here in this miserable place.".
Those were the words that Mary listened, day after day, in recent weeks. From her own experience, she knew that there was not much to say or do to take Belle from that torpor.
"Spring is coming Belle, is the arrival of a new era. You have to believe it.".
"I want to believe. I really want to, but down here alone at night, I find very difficult to believe in something good.".
"I understand it must be very difficult for you, but don't lose hope.".
The two women were sitting quietly in the shadows. Mary Margaret pondered why Belle had not mentioned the fact that she was pregnant. Surely she should know, with the changes that her body was passing. Several times Mary had wanted to talk to her about it. By her accounts, that woman would give birth to a baby in less than six months. And at that moment, Mary was sure that that was the only thing that could take Belle off of despond in which she found herself. She would have to broach the subject.
"Belle, you know, shortly, you will give birth to a baby?"
The words echoed through the air moist and fetid for so long that Mary wondered if Belle had gone back to sleep.
Finally, Belle said:
"Yes."
"And is the baby from Gold?"
"... Yes." Belle said, and for a brief moment Mary Margaret could see that there were certain affection when she said that. But Mary knew the consequences of that, by more that Belle knew that Gold was sorry for his actions, her words would not save him from a conviction, much less a baby.
"And you know that pregnant women need to do everything for their children to be well nourished? Not just with food, but with fresh air and good mood?".
The silence continued for some time.
"How long have you know?"
"From the first day we got here," Mary answered.
"I knew you would realize" Belle said, sighing and moving to find a more comfortable position in bed. "Forgive me, Mary Margaret. I know how much you care for me and how much you effort do to take care of me, and I am very grateful. Regarding the baby, I was too embarrassed to tell you. I understand what it means, I know what I did," Belle said, clasping her hands in despair. "Perhaps it is better that I die. What my father would think about it? My God, what will he say?".
"He will understand that you are human and you did what you did out of love" Mary lied. "And now, the fruit of this love is a new life that will come into the world. Belle, you cannot give up everything. You must fight like you never fought before, for the sake of this child.".
"But my father will never forgive me, never. And you, Mary Margaret, how could I tell you that I had slept with Adrian and that would bring disgrace to your family? It's my fault you were forced to abandon your lives to protect me. You must hate me!" Belle said, shaking her head in despair. "And here you are, taking care of me, just because you're a gentle woman and has no alternative. But Mary, you don't understand what is it to being a burden to everyone around you. Since childhood, when I lost my mother, I was never left alone. Being treated like a child frail and failing, without having the lap of a mother to cry. And my father never stopped seeing me as a helpless little girl. I wish I could run, but couldn't do that to him. If I flee I would be ruining him. But somehow I did that when I decided to come to war." Belle whined, running her fingers through her hair. "Forgive me for my laziness.".
"I understand," Mary said, putting a hand on Belle's shoulder. "It must be really awful for you."
"My life has always been so, till I met a man who sees me differently, not like my family does, like an incapable child. No, Adrian treat me as a woman. He listens to what I have to say without paternalism, love who I am inside. But, unfortunately, he is part of my mission, I should kill him. And because of that, I cannot, I must not love him, because I would be betraying my family, my country and causing them other problems. Now he's gone and I bring his son inside me. It's one more burden I bring o the shoulders of the people who are around me. Mary Margaret, you still wonder why I'm lying here, waiting and willing to die? I know how everyone's lives would be easier without me.".
Mary Margaret was shocked by the force of Belle's explosion. Those words made her realize, first, that Belle really understand the world in which she lived and had a deep sense of guilt for having done Mary and James come to the château.
"If not for my sake, Laura would not be arrested for being on that train" Belle continued. "Probably, she's dead now, or was sent to one of those horrible camps where she will die soon.".
Mary sought the right words.
"Belle, your presence in the life of our family is so valuable that we don't think about the care we provide to you. Like your father. We are people who love you."
"And as I reciprocate this love? Bringing disgrace to the family." Belle shook her head, tears running down her face. "No matter what you say, my father will never forgive me for that. How can I tell him?".
"We'll think about it later, Belle" Mary said. "For now, the most important is to take care of your health and the health of the baby as well. You must do what you can to help your baby come into the world. Belle, you want this child?"
There was a long silence before Belle answered.
"Sometimes I think it would be better if we both just lie down and we die down here. But then I think about all the people that I loved gone and that the life inside me is all I have. And it is a part of him, a part of Adrian... Oh, Mary Margaret, I'm so confused! Don't you hate me for what I did?".
"No, Belle" Mary sighed. "I don't hate you in any way. You need to realize that you're not the only woman who met in this situation, and will not be the last. I agree that the circumstances are very complicated, but remember that this innocent little life that grows within you, don't have any concept about what happened. And, whatever the legacy that the child receives, or whatever it future, you need to give your child a chance to live, is not it? There have been many deaths, much destruction. A new life is a new hope, whatever the circumstances of conception. A baby is a gift from God, Belle." When finished, Mary wondered if her Catholic creation was responsible for bringing those emotional words to her realized that she believed in each one. "I think, for now, all we can do is to appreciate what is growing inside you," she said quietly.
"Yes, you're right" Belle said. "You are very clever and gentle, Mary Margaret, and there are no words to thank you for what you are doing for me. Someday, I hope to find a way to give back.".
"Well, maybe you can do it if not stay holed up in this place, wanting only to die," Mary suggested. "Please, Belle. Let me help you and your baby as well."
Belle sighed.
"Yes, it's true. I am being selfish about myself, when so many others are suffering more. I'll try to have hope from now on. And maybe when Adrian comes, we can draw a plan.".
Mary Margaret stared at Belle in disbelief that she still thought that was possible.
"You really think he will come?".
"I know he will come" Belle said with certainty that love gave her. "He said he'd find me and my heart knows that he will not disappoint me.".
"So, Belle, you should also not disappoint him.".
In the following days, Belle reacted. Began to eat properly and climbed the stairs to go to the château or to breathe fresh air in the walled garden where she walked with Mary Margaret to exercise. One morning, she inspired air.
"Spring is coming. I can smell it. Life will be much more enjoyable.".
March has arrived and with it, the flowers and foliage back to cover the walled garden. The château received no visits and James refused to let Mary Margaret go to the village on her bike to buy groceries, and insisted to took care of all purchases himself. They lived in a constant alert against the possibility of a visit from the Gestapo soldiers who operated nearby, but all the attention they have received in recent weeks was a recruit German who came to demand a hundred bottles of wine and two barrels of alcohol to the factory torpedo.
"Our life is a lonely and safe life" James said one night. "You cannot trust anyone, and while Belle is under my protection, cannot get complacent. Thus, we must endure loneliness and monotony, and enjoy each other's company until everything is finished." James said, raising an eyebrow and smiling at his woman.
Mary Margaret felt that there was a perpetual darkness in both Belle's chambers underground and in the rooms of the château, with its windows were closed permanently. Occasionally she took Belle to the floor of the house and sat with her in the magnificent library that Mary's parents had created. Belle took a book from the shelf and read to Mary Margaret in the lamplight.
When spring arrived, the body of Belle grew. With advancing pregnancy, her face was pink after spending every afternoon sitting under the protective branches of the walnut tree, which was within the walled garden. Whenever Belle was there to breathe clean air, James watched the surrounding area for the case of unwanted visitors. Mary noticed that her husband had adopted a stance protective of Belle, like a brother.
One night, when Mary put Belle to sleep in the basement, James took an amphora of wine and poured a glass for himself and one for his wife.
"You know when the baby will be born?" he asked.
"By my calculations, in June."
"And what do we do when this happens? Does a baby can spend the first few weeks of its life in a cold and dark basement? Also, what do we do if the baby cried and someone listen? And how Belle will take care of the baby?".
"Under normal circumstances, she would have a nanny to help her. But the circumstances in which we're are not normal" Mary said.
"We really aren't.".
"Well, looks like I'll be the babysitter. I know I can help Belle, although I has not a clue about how to care off a baby.".
"I was wondering, dear, the best thing to do would be to take the child directly to an orphanage. So no one except you, I and Belle would know of its existence. What future could have this baby?" James said, shaking his head disconsolately. "When Colonel French uncover the truth, I don't even dare to think what he will do.".
"Certainly, this is an idea to consider" Mary Margaret agreed, though she hesitated. "But it's not something that we should propose now to Belle. She is doing well.".
"Surely" James nodded. "Still, I know of an orphanage run by a convent in Draguignan, which takes care of such cases.".
"Maybe.".
Mary Margaret didn't think it would be appropriate to mention the connection that Belle had recently established with the child inside her or the way she saw it as a part of Gold and a symbol of their love. It was an attitude that Mary herself had encouraged Belle to try to take her torpor. James was a man. He couldn't understand.
"We'll see," was all she could say.
Paris
Walking through the streets, one black Citroën stopped at the entrance to a bridge on the Seine. A soldier, who was on the bridge, hit the car window with the barrel of a Luger. The driver lowered its window and spoke to the soldier in German, showing a sheaf of papers. The soldier looked into the backseat, lingering on a woman with black hair and fair skin, who was wearing an elegant evening gown, made of red satin.
"Guten Abend" the woman said with what seemed a perfect German accent.
"Guten Abend" muttered the soldier, examining the papers and then gesturing to cross the bridge.
Going up a wide stone staircase of a banquet hall municipal whose classical façade sported a number of columns, and where men in suits evening went arm in arm with beautiful women. German soldiers were guarding the door. The raven-haired woman passed by the soldiers smoothly, reaching the heated interior, noisy and luxurious banquet hall.
It took a few moments for her to get used to noise and extraneous light, but when she did, she realized that the dining room was long and narrow, with a high ceiling. The walls were mirrors that reflected the crowd, capturing the nape of a woman here, the glow of a watch chain there... Red banners emblazoned with black swastikas were hung on the walls at regular intervals. The tables sported white linen, sets of china and in the center, bouquets of flowers - roses. Crystal chandeliers cast a flickering light on the dark tile floor, which was reflected in satin shoes. Champagne, jewelry and beautiful people gathered to light candles. Hands rose toasting with wine glasses - Zum Wohl! Zum Wohl!
At the moment she entered the great hall, a tall man with dark brown hair, dressed in a uniform of the Gestapo came to greet her.
"Regina" He took her hand, kissing. "It's a pleasure to see you again.".
"Same, Colonel Von Gaston." Regina's lips, painted red, opened in a wicked smile. "I am grateful that you agreed to talk to me.".
"It's always an honor to receive you. But please follow me to my office," he said, offering his arm for her to hold. "We can talk there where we will not be interrupted."
The German led Regina to a port that was located on the second floor of the building; was a huge office with a desk in the center. Gaston offered the chair in front, and sat in his customary place behind the desk.
"My dear Regina, I thought I wouldn't see you again. How did you get in France?" Gaston said, lighting a cigarette and offering another for woman, which she accepted.
"Well, you know I always get what I want. Coming here was simple." Regina replied. Was in no hurry to discuss the reason that brought her here.
"Well, I think what you have to say to me is something relevant" The German said, assuming a rigid posture. "Normally the information you have in the past were of great value."
"Yes" Regina swallowed, savoring the moment. "But I think what I came here to discuss today is not important to the Führer. Say it's more for personal benefit. Your benefit."
Gaston didn't answer, staring at the woman in front of him, puzzled. "Proceed". He had always been greedy and proud, and she certainly caught his attention.
"I presume that you should know a young woman named... Isabelle. Am I correct?"
The man stopped smiling at that moment, taking a completely different approach; gross and evil. "Isabelle Chesneau?"
"Actually, it's French." Regina blew cigarette smoke that swallowed, knocking the cigarette butt in the ashtray, letting the ashes fall there. "Got some success with your hunt?".
"How do you... No matter. The nut is gone. Like family Bougton. Been missing for months." German grunted.
"And I'm sure you know who helped them escape."
"The one all know as Anton Carruthers... Adrian Gold ".
Regina smiled at how much he hated Gold. "Well, I have a... Gift for you. Let's say I know the exact location of your Isabelle... What would you do if you found her?".
"You know where she is?" Gaston looked at Regina, somewhat fearful but with much greed.
"Yes."
"And why are you telling me this?" The German smiled, knowing that the woman was up to something. "Everything has its price."
"Indeed. Let's say that, like you, I also hate Adrian Gold. I also saw all that I value most be taken out of my hands."
"What was that?"
"Power, of course." She said, as if nothing was more obvious. "Tell me, what would you do if you found Gold?"
Gaston kept his gaze locked with hers; Less than a month, the bastard had invaded one of the great mansions they left some prisoners and freed his son; Gaston knew exactly what he would do if he found that damn Scottish again. "I'd kill him."
Regina shook her head. "Don't be so stupid."
"How dare you..." Gaston raised, not liking the attitude of that woman. He was German; superior. Not admitted to speak to him that way.
"Calm yourself, my dear colleague. You need to think. Where is the fun killing Gold? With just one shot you finish him, but then what? You want to make him suffer, and what better way to do this than reaching the weakest point of your opponent? I'm sure you know which is the weakest point of him, is not it? ".
It was clear he knew. "Isabelle".
Regina smiled devilishly at the German. "Well?"
"What do you want in return is to see him in pieces...".
"Just like you. What do you say?" She stood up, depositing the cigarette on the table.
"Deal".