Gratitude
Chapter 18
Belle has reluctantly confessed to inviting way too many people to what was supposed to have been a quiet Thanksgiving Meal. Rumple has, with some insight, accepted that this is a result of Belle's generous nature. The two celebrated their reunion with some rushed and, then, some gentle physical contact, reiterating their love for each other.
The next morning came too soon. They had only made two more rooms, the bedroom and his bathroom by the time the alarm rang out and Belle let him know they needed to get on the road to get her father and bring him over to the apartment.
"I'm making a green bean casserole. It doesn't take a lot of work and we can all watch the parade before we head off to the Diner."
As they made their way out of the apartment, Rumple observed all the pieces of dropped clothing, including her little panties, which were on the floor right in front of the door.
"I guess we need to have a talk with your maid, Mr. Stiltskin," she told him as she bent down to pick up her underwear, along with his jacket and sundry other garments that were scattered in a line back to their bedroom.
"She's a lippy wench, so watch yourself," he told her, picking up his suitcases to bring them back to the bedroom. He'd worry about unpacking later. "But don't upset her," he called back. "She's too valuable for me to risk losing her."
Thanksgiving Begins
Belle and Rumple had driven out to pick up her father. He was in good spirits and recognized Rumple as his landlord. As they pulled up to Granny's Diner, Belle was holding her breath. Whatever happened today would be on her. She'd allowed this mis-matched group of people to come together.
Ruby greeted her with a big smile at the car. "Need any help?" she asked.
Belle looked back in the car. "I'll help my dad inside. Can you get my casserole?"
Rumple smiled at Belle's best friend, "I'm bringing in some liquor," he told her.
Ruby nodded, "Glad somebody thought to bring some booze. This is going to be a real fun par-tay."
"Fun is one word for it," agreed Rumple, who opened the trunk of his car and picked up one of two boxes he'd brought that contained multiple bottles of strong alcohol from dubious origins.
Ruby had seen into the car trunk. "Two boxes of booze. Two turkeys. I think this is going to go along just fine," she told him, approvingly.
Rumple nearly grinned. He liked this friend of Belle's. Hell, he liked all of Belle's friends, perhaps better than he liked most of his own friends.
"I'm just a little worried about the weather," Belle told her friend as they walked into the diner. "We're supposed to have snow. It's so early in the season."
"We should be all right here, even if we get snowed in. We've got a back-up generator," Ruby told her.
"But what if we get snowed in?" Rumple asked. "I only signed on for part of one day with these people."
"If it starts getting bad, we can just break it up early," Belle advised him. "Part of one day is probably the maximum amount of time this group of people will be able to manage without a fight breaking out."
"Hey, I've had a lot of experience dealing with 'diverse' family groups. Granny's had even more. Worse case scenario, she'll let Bessie do her talking," Ruby told them and she made her hand into the shape of a gun and 'fired' it.
"Won't be nothin' goin' down that Granny can't handle," Ruby assured them both. She glanced down at Belle's covered casserole dish. "I'm going to put your green bean casserole on the buffet with the other ones."
"Oh, somebody else brought a green bean casserole?" Belle asked.
"Everybody else brought green bean casserole . . . or they will," Ruby told her. "I'm holding out hope that someone will bring a pie, even if it's a Mrs. Smith's from the grocery store. Pie, I'm so hoping for pie."
Belle glanced around. Rumple had dropped the liquor in a corner and then escorted her father to a quiet corner. He'd sat down next to the older man. Her father was doing well, still frail and easily confused, but certainly no longer losing ground. There was a large television screen across from them and they were watching the dog show. Rumple had brought her father some iced tea and he was beginning on his second mixed drink, if Belle had kept an accurate count.
Already arrived ahead of them were Mary Margaret, David, and David's mother, a delightful older woman, who David set next to Belle's father.
Mary Margaret had quickly pulled Belle aside, "Do we expect fireworks?" she asked in a low tone.
"Probably, I'm hoping we can keep Rumple set far enough away from his parents to prevent too much happening."
"I've never met his mother," Mary Margaret told her. "What's she like?"
"Beautiful, even for her age, especially for her age. But . . ." Belle didn't like to speak ill of anyone, "according to Rumple, she's a heartless harpy."
"I'll steer clear of her."
"I've put Ruby on one side of her and Jefferson on the other. I think they'll be able to handle her," Belle told her friend.
Jefferson came in just then. He had bought three pies which immediately put him into Ruby's good graces. Belle was pleased that effervescent Ruby and out-going Jefferson hit it off – they both had similar open, honest outlooks and jived on most issues.
And the pie had helped.
"And Mr. Stiltskin's father? What have you done with him?" Mary Margaret had asked.
"Put him next to Leroy and Neal, who was all right with me doing that. Just watch yourself around him. He still fancies himself irresistible to women."
"Well, he is kind of a cutie," Mary Margaret was looking over the older Stiltskin, who had just come in. He was carrying a case of beer.
"Only from a distance," Belle assured her. She put a smile on her face and went over to her boyfriend's (Rumple was her boyfriend, her lover, her companion, her partner, her employer, what was the right word?) father.
"Oh, Miss Belle," he was effusive as always. "You are the kindest person to have invited this poor lonely man to your celebration."
"Promise me, you'll be on your best behavior," Belle told him as sternly as she could, without dancing around the issue. "If you get into anything with Rumple, I'll have you thrown out."
The older man gave her a slow smile, "A spine of steel. Good girl. I'll be good." He leaned in to her, "Please, tell me though. There is a nasty rumor that Rumple's mother will be in attendance. Please, please, tell me it's not true."
"She was given an invitation and said she would come," Belle told him. "You won't be sitting near her."
"Thank you," he muttered.
Belle handed him one of the beers he'd brought to the meal.
"Thank you very much," he told her.
The rest of the guests trickled in, everyone bringing in their own version of green bean casseroles, except for Jefferson and Whale (who had both brought multiple pies) and Malcolm Stiltskin (who'd brought beer).
Zelena had made a entrance, waiting until past the time dinner was to be served. A tall man with pleasant features followed her. Zelena made a bee-line to Rumple.
"Darling, this is my new boyfriend, Walsh Singe. He adores me and I'm so very happy with him."
Rumple rose and shook hands with the somewhat bewildered Mr. Singe. "I'm very glad that you and Miss Hart have found each other. She's . . . special."
"I understand you and that homely little maid you acquired have paired off," Zelena continued.
"Yes, it was only at her intercession that you've been accepted as a guest." Rumple narrowed his eyes at the tall red-head who didn't seem to understand. "She intervened on your behalf," he explained. When he was still met with uncertainty, he again attempted to clarify, "Miss French was the one who said you could come."
"Oooh," Zelena said, then she tried to look pretty, pouting. "Well, I guess I just owe her one."
"Yes, so play nicely or Granny will ask you to leave," he warned her.
"Granny?! That little ole lady? What will she do?" Zelena didn't appear concerned.
"Well, I just understand that she can be very persuasive," he finished up, nodding at the young Mr. Singe and, to Zelena's frustration, turning his attention elsewhere.
The last to arrive was Miss Black. The woman had stopped at the door, her eyes scanning the crowd. She seemed reluctant to come inside the large room already filled with people. Belle saw her and went over to greet her.
"Miss French," she nodded at the younger woman. "I didn't quite know what to bring." And she pointed to a cooler she was pulling. "I brought liquor – a lot of liquor."
"Seems appropriate," Belle told her. "I'll take that and put it aside. Let me introduce you to a few people." Belle led her over to Jefferson who immediately adopted his most charming manner, even to kissing the back of the woman's hand. Ruby greeted the woman in her usual forthright manner.
"We're your seatmates," Ruby told her. "I can tell you who everyone else here is, that is, if you want to know."
"Is that Malcolm Stiltskin?" Miss Black asked, peering through the throng of people. "I had no idea he would be here."
"He's your ex, isn't he? Plenty of those here," Ruby told her. "One of my ex-boyfriend's here."
"The tall, blond doctor?" Jefferson had asked her, his interest perking up. "You must introduce us, Ruby darling," his eyes flicking over the stalwart young surgeon. Jefferson sighed and continued, "Now, as for exes, Rumple's got everyone beat. He's got an ex-wife, an ex-girlfriend, his ex-wife's lover, and his ex-girlfriend's lover here."
"Not to mention his current lover," Ruby added with a twinkle in her eye.
"Interesting," was all Miss Black said. Her eyes had strayed to her son who was now leaning back having yet another drink. He was engaged with David's mother, Belle's father and Leroy, who were all talking horticulture. Rumple was obviously bored, having no interest in flowers, but he was sufficiently mellowed out from alcohol imbibition that he would have sat in on a conversation about dust.
Miss Black also took in the father of her son. Malcolm had managed to gather a group around himself, David, Killian, Archie and Whale and they were in an animated discussion about cars well, Belle had thought it was about cars – there had been comments about someone having a nice chassis.
Miss Black slid herself off to one side of the room where she could watch the crowd. Jefferson had brought her a drink from one of the whiskey bottles she had brought, pouring himself one also. He had then stayed by her side and began to share funny stories about the different people there, some of them actually true. Miss Black found herself amused by the young man and at the end of his third story, she graced him with a smile.
"Why did you want to come here?" Jefferson asked her quietly.
"I had nowhere else to go. And this is one of those few times that it is lonely to be by yourself," she'd answered him. "Why did you want to come here?"
"It's my daughter's turn to spend Thanksgiving with her mother. This is a holiday all about family and she is the only family I have, so without her, I'm all alone," Jefferson explained.
Miss Black looked at the handsome younger man, her eyes flicking down his lean, strong body. "I can't imagine you being alone, Jefferson," she told him. "Unless, you wanted it that way." And she smiled at him again.
"There are limits even to my powers, Miss Black," he admitted. "But the day's not over. I've yet to get my introduction to Miss Ruby's doctor friend."
By one thirty everyone was gathered and Ruby gave a nod to Belle.
"Let's all take a moment and say grace," Belle announced. "Then we can get plates and find our way to the table. We're going to pretend this is a formal dinner party and I've put place cards where you're to sit." She turned back to her father.
"Daddy, could you say the blessing?"
Rumple put down his drink, not exactly sure of the protocol for such an event but pretty sure he shouldn't be drinking through it. Mr. French stood and, evidently taking the responsibility seriously, he began, "Lord, bless this food and this company that we may come together in peace and harmony and have a good meal and a good year."
He paused and Jefferson spoke up, "Amen."
As typical for large groups, everyone was hesitant to begin, but Belle ushered Astrid and Roland, the sweet little son of Regina's new beau, forward. "Pregnant ladies and well-behaved children get to go first," she told them.
"Thanks, I'm starving," Astrid told her.
Regina followed Roland to help him load his plate, and then served herself. Her new young man followed her.
And quickly other members of the group filed in, getting turkey, dressing and gravy and filling in with samples from the many green bean casseroles.
Rumple had held back, essentially being the host, waiting for the last spot. He found himself standing behind his parents.
"How are you doing?" Malcolm asked him.
"Three sheets to the wind," Rumple had answered him honestly.
"But you don't show it. Good genes for that," Malcolm told him proudly.
His mother glared at them both, but didn't say anything.
"You are looking very good, Corby," Malcolm addressed Miss Black.
"I take care of myself," she replied shortly.
"It's working. You look like a woman twenty years younger than what I know you to be."
"You look twenty years older than you are," she told him.
"It's been tough on me."
"I'm sure, after you lost your meal ticket," she said.
"And was left with a baby to care for," he began.
"Mother, Father," Rumple interrupted. "Let's not fight. It's Thanksgiving and you two are my guests."
They both turned on him.
"We're Belle's guests," his mother corrected him.
"Yeah, if we'd asked you if we could come, you would have said you'd prefer it if we'd eat shit and die," Malcolm told him.
"You're my guests," Rumple repeated keeping his temper, just keeping his temper. "I support Belle and if she saw fit to invite you, then it's all right with me."
"A supportive partner," Malcolm turned back to Miss Black. "I wonder how that feels."
"I wouldn't know," Miss Black shot back at him.
Belle, spotting a trouble spot, had come up to the threesome and put herself between Rumple and his parents.
"Malcolm, did I thank you for bringing the beer? And Miss Black," she addressed Rumple's mother, "I hope you have time to visit with my father. He knows you're paying the bills for his recovery and he wants to thank you personally. He's doing so much better, we hope we can start getting him out for a day more frequently."
They both drew back from Belle's cheeriness. "Thank you," Malcolm told her warily.
"I'll make a point to speak to your father," Miss Black told her.
Belle didn't take a breath. "The meal is coming along great. I'm already hearing that Granny's turkey is just perfect and everyone is taking samples of the different green bean casseroles. If we do this another year, I guess I'll have to tell people to bring a salad or casserole or bread or dessert so we'll have more choices."
"Oh god, you think we might do this another year?" Rumple asked her halfway under his breath.
"Maybe. Everyone, most everyone, seems to be enjoying themselves. And we haven't had a major disaster – I think as long as the turkey is okay, everyone is happy."
"That and there's plenty to drink," Rumple said softly. But he said to himself so Belle couldn't hear, "but the day's not over yet."
The meal had begun. Everyone seemed all right. They were talking and laughing and joking around.
It was Belle's father who stood and began the whole round of thanks. "I want to express how thankful I am for all the good that has happened to me. A wonderful daughter," he glanced at Belle. "Someone to be running my business," he looked at Leroy. "My health returning," he then toasted Miss Black, who seemed surprised and embarrassed when everyone at the table turned to look at her. "And all the people who have gotten close to my daughter and are making her life a good one," and he nodded at Rumple. He sat down. Belle was surprised at her father's coherent moment. It was a good sign.
Leroy picked up on it and he stood next. "I'm most thankful for the opportunity to run a business. It's going like gangbusters. And I'm even more thankful for this wonderful woman coming into my life," and he toasted Astrid.
Astrid smiled and stood, knocking over her glass of water. She shared, "I'm so thankful that I took an enormous leap of faith, going against the advice of just about everybody – and I took a chance on this man, this man who has turned out to be the best thing that's ever happened to me," and she leaned down and kissed her husband.
Ruby stood up. "I have to say, this has been a great year for me and I'm thankful for . . . well, just everything. Even though every one of you gets on my nerves from time to time – as I'm sure I get on yours."
Granny could be heard to mutter, "Amen to that."
"But," Ruby continued, "I'm still so happy to have you all in my life."
Granny took the next opportunity. "Well now, I was thinking I would be spending this Thanksgiving all by myself, that my granddaughter here would be off with one of her boyfriends and . . . well, there just wouldn't be anyone who wanted to spend time with an old woman. It's wonderful having all of you here and you need to know that there is a second turkey in the wings."
Everyone applauded and Neal took the next opening. "I too am grateful for so many things. My business which is doing very well, my family, fractured and scattered though it may be, beginning the process of trying to heal itself," and he looked at his mother, his father and his grandparents. "I'm especially thankful for an energetic, exciting, kind woman who has come into my life and who has blessed me with her love." He looked down at Emma, who stood up and joined hands with him. "I wanted to share," and he turned to his father, "Dad, Belle," he began, then turned to his mother, "Mom, I had wanted to tell you all privately, but I can't wait any longer. I proposed marriage to Emma and she . . ." Neal took a deep breath. "She's accepted me."
The group applauded. Someone, probably Jefferson, suggested a toast for the couple.
Malcolm stood up next, "I can't possibly top that, Neal. Congratulations, best wishes." He sighed, "I'm grateful for second chances." He looked at Belle, "Thank you." And then he sat down.
The group continued to share, Regina thanking Rumple for being her best client and her current boyfriend and his son for now being in her life, Zelena being thankful for her looks and her new boyfriend, and Mary Margaret and David both being grateful for each other and sharing their hopes that they might soon have their own baby on the way. Whale was grateful for his job and the opportunity to save lives. Archie, Ruby's current boyfriend, was grateful for all the kindness in the world.
Jefferson was quiet and didn't stand. He spoke softly, "Many of you know that I have a daughter, a really wonderful precious daughter. But I've made some mis-steps in my life and I can only see my daughter a couple of weekends a month. I'm trying to be better, make better decisions, be a better person – all for my daughter. I guess, I'm grateful for those friends who help me make those decisions, decisions that are hard for me," he glanced up at Belle. "Maybe next year, Grace will be with me and we'll be with a group of friends, like all of you."
The group remained quiet for a moment and several people muttered supportive phrases to Jefferson. "We're here for you, man." "Anything we can do." "Hope this works out."
Milah stood. She was drunk. "Well, I'm just grateful for Killian and his play working out and living in New York and not here and getting on with my life."
Killian rose and kissed his lover. "Milah, you're the best. I'm always grateful for you and your support."
Belle couldn't stop herself. She leaned over to Rumple and whispered, "And to my girlfriend's ex-husband for saving my rear end." Rumple didn't answer but did squeeze her hand.
And now, only Rumple, Belle and Miss Black were left. The group, still quiet, turned to Miss Black, who had stood. "I struggle with gratitude," she admitted. "I've always gotten everything I wanted growing up and I grew to expect that I should always get everything I wanted. It's hard for me when I don't get things." She took a breath before she continued. "I'm starting to learn that perhaps things aren't what I want." She tossed her lustrous black hair over her shoulders. "I'm not grateful to be learning this. I liked it the way it was, when a new dress, new shoes, jewelry would make me happy. It's very hard." She licked her lips. She looked over at Regina who was sitting with little Roland in her lap. "Perhaps it is hardest for me, when I see a mother and a child together. I walked away from having that and never realized what it would cost me. I . . . it always makes me sad realizing, remembering, what I missed." She stopped talking a moment and reached up to wipe a tear from her eye. Her voice was halting when she spoke again. "If . . . if I have anything to be truly grateful for, it is the young woman that has come into my son's life, a young woman who has gone out of her way to be nice to me."
And she sat down.
Belle stood then. "Thank you. Folks, I'm grateful for . . . everything. I'm just grateful for everything and everybody. I have all these wonderful friends, some of whom are married or getting married, some who are just hanging out with each other. I've got my dad, thanks to Miss Black," she beamed at the older woman, "and I've got the affection, the respect, and the love of the most wonderful man I've ever met." And she leaned down and kissed Rumple lightly on the cheek.
Now it was Rumple's turn. "I'm here to tell you, I didn't want to do this," he told everybody. "I just wanted to come home and be with my girlfriend, but all of you know Belle – some of you know her very well – and, of course, she wanted me to be nice to other people and connect with family." He paused a moment before continuing, "She is this beautiful woman who fell in love with a selfish, ugly man. She makes me want to be the best man I can be and I try every day to be worthy of her. Everything, right now everything good in my life, is because of her. I'm grateful for you, Belle," he turned to her. "You're everything to me. I love you."
"Well, that's just precious," Milah could be heard to say.
"It is," Emma agreed, cutting off Milah's sarcasm at the knees. "It's amazingly precious."
The group broke up after the meal, people nibbling on different dishes and drinking, mostly drinking.
Rumple had ended up in a corner with his mother. "That little speech you gave was pretty impressive."
"You think people bought it?" she asked him.
"Oh hell yeah. I almost bought it. However, the . . . the hand to the eye to wipe away the tear . . . well, at that point, I knew it was all an act," he told her.
"Too much?" she asked him.
"A little," he had to agree.
The group was feeling pretty mellow by this point, both from the over-consumption of turkey but mostly from the over-consumption of various alcoholic beverages. And so, the argument – the tussle - was unexpected. Leroy's voice was heard and, of course, Malcolm's. Jefferson seemed to be involved and Corby Black's sharp contralto was in the fray. After a moment, Rumple could hear even-tempered David, likely to try to calm things down and there was the ever-quiet voice of Archie Hopper, Ruby's current beau, also trying to get things calm. There was a scuffle. Some dishes hit the floor. Things were getting knocked over, people were getting knocked over. Astrid, pregnant, had been pulled over to the side by Belle, not wanting her, in particular, to get hurt.
Granny, meanwhile, calmly went into the kitchen and came back out with a sawed-off shotgun. She climbed onto a chair and from there onto one of the tables. She fired a shot above the heads of the combatants.
Thx to all my readers and special thanks to those of you who took the time to review (Grace5231073, Wondermorena Erik'sTrueAngel, jewel415, and arynwy). And an extra special thanks to Wondermorena who, a while ago, suggested the 'wiping away a tear' scene with Rumple's Mommy Dearest.
NEXT: Christmas and January (and something really, really sad)