One year later.

Rumpelstiltskin and Belle eventually fell into a comfortable routine. Belle would tend to some housework although nowhere near as much as she had done before. Living in such a large estate required a large amount of work for upkeep and they both found that they were content to only manage the rooms and corridors that they actually frequented. When Belle wasn't cleaning, she spent a majority of her time in their enormous library. Rumpelstiltskin often would find her asleep with a book half open while she casually laid on the small sofa. He always made it a point to see her throughout the day as often as possible, but as of late; he had been having difficulty doing so. Rumpelstiltskin spent most days in his laboratory. He was working on something unbeknownst to Belle as to what it was. However, she was becoming more curious by the day. She respected his privacy and his need to keep secrets but she felt that whatever he was working on for so long was something bigger than his silly dealings.

Belle knocked on the wooden door of Rumple's laboratory. She cracked the door open and peered in.

"Is it safe to come in?" she asked.

He grinned slightly at the sound her voice. "Magic is never safe, but that's never stopped you before dearie," he mused. He turned around on his stool so that he was faced away from his table full of potions.

Belle took this opportunity to sit on is lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he kissed the side of her forehead.

"You need to get out of this lair more often," she told him.

"Tell you what. How about for dinner, we go out for a picnic. Say around sunset?"

"That sounds wonderful!" she squealed.

"I'm glad you think so. But until then, I need to finish something, so off with you," he said as he playfully shooed her off of him.

A few hours passed and sunset was nearing. When Belle went to prepare a basket for their dinner, she found that Rumpelstiltskin had already beat her to it. They met in the dining hall before leaving.

"So where are you taking me?"she asked as she linked arms with him.

"Nowhere you haven't been before. The pond," he answered.

The pond. It was one of the more beautiful parts of his estate. Crystal clear water surrounded by freshly blossomed spring daisies around this time of the year. It was abnormally warm out for this time of the year, but Rumple packed an extra cloak in case the temperature decided to drop. With in a few minutes, they arrived at the pond. Belle spread the blanket out on the soft grass while Rumple got out the plates and wine glasses. Next, he served their meal: roasted chicken, fresh rolls, and mashed potatoes, all of which were still warm. Belle poured them each a glass of wine. They ate their dinner, stealing bites from each other, teasing, and conversing.

"So what brought on all this?" Belle asked as she was finishing her meal.

"Think about it dearie. What happened a year ago today?" He asked her.

Belle smiled. "It's already been a year since I came home?"

Rumpelstiltskin moved behind Belle's sitting form. She leaned backed against his chest and he kissed her neck.

"Indeed it has." He paused. "Belle, there has been a reason as to why I've been locked up in that wretched room for most hours of the day. Well, actually two reasons. One is because of a deal that I had made a few years ago. A curse to end all curses. The Dark Curse. And because of that title, I will leave further explanation to another day, I'd rather not ruin this night with talk of it," he said into her ear.

Trusting that he would soon tell her of his plans, she let it slide. "And what's the other reason?" she asked.

"The other reason," he began, "is this." He waved his hand and wisps of purple smoke released a gold ring into his palm. The ring hand been spun from gold thread and contained the most beautiful, shimmering diamond.

"It's beautiful," she whispered. Her breath quickened when it dawned on her what was happening.

"Not quite as beautiful and wonderful as you though. Belle, there hasn't exactly been much in my life that would qualify as spectacular. You started out as a brief flicker of light amidst an ocean of darkness and you evolved into this ever lasting glow that fills my heart. I love you my dearest Belle. Would you do me the extraordinary honor in becoming my wife?"

Belle was grinning from ear to ear with happy tears streaming down her face. "Yes! Of course!" she shrieked.

Rumpelstiltskin placed the ring on her finger. A perfect fit. A shimmer of light danced briefly across the metal of the ring before dulling. Rumpelstiltskin wrapped his arms around her and placed kisses on her temple, cheek, and jaw.

"This ring is enchanted my dear. As long as you are wearing it, I will always be a call away," he informed her.

"I thought you always heard when a person called you."

"Yes, but I am very good at drowning those calls out. With this, I won't be able to ignore it."

"Like I would ever let you ignore me," she teased. "There's just one problem."

"What is that sweetheart?"

"Who is going to marry us?" she laughed.

He laughed with her. "I believe I know of someone who owes me something."

"Of course you do," she teased.

A/N

Sorry it took so long to update. I thought I told you people to send me hate mail if I waited this long to post a new chapter lol Anyways, thanks for reading. Special thanks to all how followed, favorited, and reviewed. Let me know what you think:)