"We're going to need to find a bigger place, and soon," Rumple said as the three of them settled into the small house behind the pawnshop. Belle set Zelena on the ground and she went to play with a few dolls that Granny had given her.
"Yes and we have to get a lot of things. I figured we had some time to buy baby things but now we'll need things for Zelena right away. A bed for one, and toys… we are so unprepared," Belle looked around at their small place.
Rumple took her into his arms. "Everything is going to be ok. We will figure it all out one step at a time. Together. Like you said. I know this was sort of thrown at us but I know if anyone can handle something like this, it's the two of us."
"But what about getting married? My Papa will be furious if he ever found out we weren't."
"Who says we aren't? We lost an entire year. For all we know, we had a beautiful wedding in the garden at the castle. I would assume that we are married by the looks of you," Rumple replied with a small smirk.
"Yes, I don't think I would let you put me in this way without a wedding first. I just wish I could remember it all….the proposal….the wedding…."
"I hope Regina can find some potion or spell that can fix all of that. I want those memories just as much as you do. You must have been so gorgeous in your wedding dress…." Rumple kissed her lips and placed a hand on the swell of her stomach.
"And you so handsome in a tux…" Belle looked at him with a dreamy expression.
"You've seen me in many suits," he reminded her.
"True but this would be extra special," she added.
A crash from the front of the store brought them both back to reality. They both looked around frantically for Zelena but couldn't find her. Rumple rushed ahead into the store and found her standing next to a broken jar, glass fragments all over.
"Sorry Papa," Zelena said looking at him with a very sad expression.
"That's ok, it was an accident. Careful now, go by Mama while I clean up this glass," Rumple replied.
"I can do it!" Zelena announced loudly, waving her hand and the glass fragments were lifted into the air. She moved them around and got them a little too close to Belle who moved back a few feet.
"Careful!" Rumple shouted, spooking her and the dropped her hand and the glass fragments crashed back down with a loud audible clink.
Zelena burst into tears and ran to bury her face in Belle's dress.
"I'm sorry sweet girl, I didn't mean to shout. But you have to be very careful around glass and with your Mama," Rumple said, softening his voice and walking over to her. "Come here," he said, squatting down and opening his arms.
Zelena wiped her eyes and sniffled before running into her father's arms. He lifted her up and hugged her tightly. "How about I help you clean up here and we can go get some ice cream at the diner?"
This turned Zelena's mood right around and Belle smiled brightly at this heartwarming scene. Rumple was such a wonderful father and now he was getting a second chance at it. "I'll just go wait in the bedroom," she told Rumple who watched her walk back.
"Now Zelena, you are just like your Papa with magic but Mama doesn't have any so you must be very, very careful around her. Do you understand?"
Zelena nodded her head.
Rumple set her down. "Now try again, lift the glass pieces up," he said, nodding to her that it was ok.
Zelena hesitated a moment before she lifted the pieces up as she had before. "The garbage can is over in the corner there. Do you think you could put those in there?"
Zelena nodded and smiled. She moved her hand and the pieces went where she led them until suddenly she concentrated a little too hard and the fragments flew across the way.
The little girl looked to her father, tears in her eyes. "Don't cry its ok. You will need help to learn to control your powers. Papa will show you."
"And don't forget Auntie Regina," a voice came from the front of the store. Regina had walked in sometime during the lesson.
"Auntie Gina!" Zelena cried out, using her chubby legs to rush over to her aunt.
"Hello sweetheart, have you been using magic?" Regina asked, bending down to pick her up.
Zelena nodded. "Papa helped. But they fell down," she said her face dropping.
"She just needs to some practice and learn to control her powers. She'll get the hang of it." Rumple waved his hand and the glass fragments lifted up and dumped themselves into the garbage.
"I'd be more than happy to help with magic lessons too. I know you and Belle will soon have your hands full," Regina offered. Deep down she was almost jealous of them for getting a second chance with Zelena. She may be her sister but Zelena would never find that out. Regina got a shot to be her favorite aunt and that's how she wanted it. She missed the time when Henry was this young.
"I think Zelena would really like that, and Belle and I would appreciate that as well." Rumple and Regina would always have a somewhat rocky relationship but in the end, this might just bring them closer than ever.
"Fire! Fire!" Zelena cried out, clapping her hands.
"You want to see a fireball?" Regina asked her and the little girl nodded and clapped her hands again.
"You'll have to ask your Papa," Regina responded.
Zelena looked over at Rumple and pouted her lower lip. "Pwease Papa!"
"Now how could I say no to that face? Alright, but outside please and make sure you listen to your Aunt Regina."
He watched them head outside to the street and he went back to the house to check on Belle. She was digging through the armoire, most likely looking for clothes that might still fit her. Rumple snuck up behind, wrapping his arms around her the best he could, feeling the baby within her kick his hand.
Belle turned to face him. "Did you feel that?" she asked him.
Rumple nodded. "I sure did. Strong little baby in there."
"Like their Papa."
"And their Mama," Rumple reminded her. "You may not have powers but you are still one powerful woman. I love you so much."
"Oh Rumplestiltskin, I love you too," Belle swooned, kissing him right on the lips.
"So what were you looking for in there?" Rumple asked, motioning to the armoire.
"Anything that might fit me. I'm huge…"
"You are not. You look absolutely stunning. You are positively glowing my dear," Rumple replied.
Belle rolled her eyes at him playfully. "Where's Zelena?"
"Auntie Regina took her out for a little magic lesson," Rumple responded.
Belle's eyes widened. "Auntie….Regina?" she asked, dragging out the words as if she might not have heard correctly.
Rumple laughed. "I wouldn't have believed it either if I hadn't heard it come from her own mouth. In all fairness, Zelena is going to need a lot of help controlling her powers. She's very young and she might do harm when she doesn't mean to. It wouldn't be a bad idea for Regina to spend time with her either. I think deep down she misses being a mom. Henry is much older now."
"She's really changed, I can tell. I think it will be good for both of them. And that leaves you and I some time to be alone….." Belle smiled sweetly.
Outside Regina was showing Zelena her fireball trick, throwing them harmlessly down the road and having them evaporate into thin air.
Zelena mimicked what her aunt did, trying hard and concentrating but nothing appeared in her hand. She looked a bit disappointed.
"Don't be sad, little one. You will have plenty of time to learn that. But I think its best we hold off on that one for a while. Maybe we can start on something simple." Regina reached into her pocket and took out the only thing she had in there, a stick of gum. She set it down on the ground in front of Zelena. "Try and move that over to me," she said, walking a few feet away and extending out her arm, palm side up.
Zelena nodded and concentrated on the stick of gum on the ground. She lifted her own hand and extended it and the stick of gum lifted off the ground. She started to move her hand, and the stick of gum started to travel to Regina, and landed neatly in her palm.
"Excellent job sweetie!" Rumple exclaimed as he and Belle came up to the two of them.
"I did it!" Zelena yelled out, clapping her hands and running to her aunt.
"I think this calls for an ice cream celebration," Belle told her. "Regina, you can join us too if you like."
"I would love too but I think I need to go back and try and figure out how to reverse this curse that "you know who" placed on us. I would really like to remember my last year. We'll practice more another time Zelena," Regina said, giving the little girl a hug.
"Ice cweam! Ice cweam! Did you see Papa? I did it!" Zelena ran over to her parents and jumped up and down.
"Yes, you did such a good job. And now we'll head to Granny's to celebrate," he told her, picking her up as the family walked down the street to the diner.
Ruby smiled as they walked in. "The fatherly look suits you," she complimented Rumple.
"Thank you, I'd like to think so too. And we're here to celebrate with some ice cream sundaes." They took the nearest booth, Zelena sitting in the booth between her parents.
Ruby took their orders as Henry walked over. "Is it true? Is that really…?" he asked, his voice trailing off.
"Henry!" Zelena exclaimed when she caught sight of him. "Are you gonna eat ice cweam too?"
"She knows me?" Henry asked a little confused.
"I'll explain later I promise but for now, just go with it," Rumple told his grandson.
"Actually dad and I were going to go throw a ball around for a bit," Henry explained. Baelfire standing at the doorway, calling him over. "I'll see you later." And with that he took off with his father.
"If the offer is still on the table I will most definitely join you for ice cream. The baby would love it," Snow replied, walking over.
"Where's David?" Belle asked.
"He went to the store, freaking out that we didn't have anything for a baby. And he started rambling on and on and I finally told him I was going to leave him to it," Snow answered with a laugh.
"We were saying the same thing. We might be headed to the store soon as well. We hardly have anything besides the dolls Granny gave Zelena," Belle replied. "We might be going to the store soon after this."
"I'm sure I have some stuff lying around from Ruby. I'll look in storage," Granny said coming over and bringing their ice cream. "Snow, are you having one?"
Snow nodded her head. "Yes please Granny."
"Snow has a baby boy in her tummy," Zelena announced matter-of-factly.
Snow had been in the middle of taking a sip of water and nearly spit it out all over the table. She swallowed hard and coughed. "What did she just say?"
"A baby boy," Zelena said again.
Snow looked over at Rumple. "Does she really know that?" she asked him.
Rumple shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure; she told Belle she was getting a sister. It's entirely possible she has the ability to see into the future like I do."
"Well if that's true then I guess we don't have to pick out many names then. She is one remarkable child."
"I never got to do this the first time but now that I was given a second chance, I'm making every moment count. I wonder if I would have known all of this about her, if that would have changed anything," Rumple looked at his daughter and then Belle.
Granny brought over Snow's ice cream, overhearing their conversation. "It was a really nice thing the Blue Fairy did. She saved us but in the process she gave you back something you lost. I do hope you'll realize how special it is and treasure every moment."
"I plan on doing just that. This time around everything is going to be different. I regret not being there for Bae when he was really little but I will be here for Zelena and our next little one. We're a family now and we're going to have wonderful adventures together."
"Auntie Gina showed me fire!" Zelena exclaimed, telling Snow about her fun.
"Aunt Regina eh? I think it's a great role for her," Snow replied.
"Zelena's powers are unpredictable especially with her being so little. It will be a help to have Regina teaching her as well, especially when the new baby arrives. I want her to be able to get her powers under control so she doesn't accidentally harm anyone," Rumple explained.
"I don't think she would ever intentionally hurt someone," Belle said.
"No, but she hasn't gotten control of her powers yet so she could accidentally harm you or the baby without meaning to. We just have to keep an eye on her is all," Rumple replied.