A/N thank you all for reviewing. It means so much!
"A little pinch of brown sugar, mix in the blueberries and... Voila!"
Belle said in a sing-song voice as she finished preparing the last of the blueberry muffin mix. It was not like any other muffin out there, she had spent weeks developing the recipe, and finally she had it perfect.
The smell of the muffins baking was so tantalizing, she couldn't wait to put them out on display so other could enjoy the decadent delicacy. The phone rang, so she wiped her hands on her apron and went to fetch it.
"Hello?"
"Hey, this is Sheriff Swan speaking. Is this Arabella French?"
"Yes." "Hold on one moment." The phone clattered around for a moment, then someone else came on the phone.
"Belle?" It was Sydney.
"Hey Sydney. What are you doing with the Sheriff?"
"That's...uh. Why I'm calling. I seem to have gotten myself in a bit of a sticky situation."
Belle had a gut feeling that this wasn't going to be good. She sat down on the counter, letting her legs dangle over the sides.
"What happened?" She could hear him sighing.
"Gordon came over this morning, looking for you. He was saying all sorts of stupid, juvenile things so I just ignored him, but then he threw a few punches. Lets just say that I returned his actions with more vigor and uh...both of us landed in jail."
Belle rubbed her temples. "Oh goodness." She said. "I'll be right there. How much is bail?" He told her what it was for him and what it was for Gordon.
She took some time getting the money, but eventually everything was sorted out. She got to the jail and was let in by Sheriff Swan, a pretty blonde woman in a tight red jacket, who seemed a little gruff but was especially nice to Belle.
"You have some relation to Mr. Gold?" She asked when getting the paperwork ready.
"Daughter? Niece?"
Belle blushed deeply. She knew she was young enough to be his daughter, but the thought still made her uncomfortable.
"No." She said quietly. "We're. Uh. Together."
The blonde smiled. "Sorry. I'm glad he has someone like you. Us girls are good at straightening out men like that. You should have seen the shambles my boyfriend Nick was in before we were together."
Belle smiled and instantly felt a little more comfortable with the sheriff.
"The names Emily. Emily Swan." The blonde said, extending her hand.
"Arabella French. But you can call me Arabelle, or just Belle."
"I think Belle suits you."
After a while, when everything was sorted out, Belle had bailed both Sydney and Gordon out of jail.
Gold rubbed the back of his neck and leaned over to Belle.
"Now why on God's green earth d'ya bail him out, Love?" He whispered.
"Oh come on. You both were equally guilty." She replied back in the same whisper tone.
" And just because you're the one I'm in love with, doesn't mean I should leave him in jail."
He sighed heavily. "I suppose you're right. Thank you for doing this. I knew I could count on you."
Before they left the station Gold wrapped Belle in his arms and peppered her face and shoulders with kisses.
"I love you Belle." He said, touching her face.
"I love you too." She smiled. There was a gagging noise behind them and they both turned to see a repulsed Gordon.
"Oh don't mind me." He said, backing away from them as if they had leprosy.
Sydney smirked, which earned a disapproving look from Belle. He draped his arm over her shoulder and they left the station together.
"Wait!" Belle said, breaking away from him. "I'll be right back. I have to do something." She turned around and pushed open the door to the station. "Sheriff Swan?" The sheriff turned around from the papers she was filing. "Forget something?" She asked. "No. No. Not that." Belle said. "I just wanted to know if you and your boyfriend would like to join Sydney and I for dinner at Granny's diner tonight?"
Emily smiled. "Sounds good. What time?" "Does five work?" "See you then."
Belle walked back outside to where Gold was waiting for her.
"What did you do?" He asked, when he saw the amused look on her face. "Invited Sheriff Swan and her boyfriend to have dinner with us at Granny's." Gold sighed and rubbed his temples. "Belle, dear. I'm not sure if you realize that I am not a sociable person. And now you invited the woman who arrested me, to have dinner with us?" "Oh come on Sydney. You're charming and funny. And to me you are always gentlemanly and sweet. You'll survive."
That evening at Granny's, there were hamburgers and ice teas all around. At first Nick seemed to be having a good time, but when he got a closer look at Sydney, he became quieter and seemed anxious to leave. Belle wondered if Sydney had such a horrible reputation that it cause people he didn't know to shy away from him.
"So do you guys have any plans to have children?" Belle asked out of the blue.
Emily grinned. "Already got one. His names Harry." "Aww." Belle smiled back. "How old?" "Eleven." Nate and Emily said together. "Next time, you should bring him a long." Gold said. Emily smiled and nodded, but Nate had a fleeting look of panic that only Belle caught.
When they finished, Belle walked back to the bakery, and Sydney insisted on going with her. When she had gathered her things he asked her if it would be easier if she just went back home with him. "I already move some of my things into Ruby's. Sorry." She said, noticing the downcast look on his face she added, "Maybe I'll be moving into your hose sometime soon." "Really?" He asked, perking up instantly. "Yup." She said, kissing his cheek. "When we get married."