A/N: Just to clear something up. No one hit Rumple in the back, but something slammed into it. What is was will be make clear by the end of the story. :) The next chapter is all about Regina and where she went and why.

Chapter Five

Baelfire hugged both of them after they told him about the engagement and Belle had suggested they tell her father, Sir Maurice. Rumplestiltskin hadn't forgotten that it had been her father who had broken into his house and stole the chipped china cup. What made it worse was when they were in Storybrooke and Sir Maurice had placed Belle in a mine cart, was going to send the mine cart across the city line and erase her memories that he deemed him unforgiveable. Belle had been furious as well and the idea of going to see him made Rumplestiltskin's stomach churn.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Dearie?" Rumplestiltskin asked while they rode in the carriage he had bought and she snuggled closer, placing her head on his shoulder.

"I owe him," she said then looked to see the angry, cold look on his face. The last time she saw that look was when they had their fight and he demanded she leave the Dark Castle and she ran her fingers under his jawline. She felt a soft shiver move through him when he glanced at her and smiled.

"You don't owe him anything," he finally said, sliding his arm around her. "If he cared at all about you, he would have come to see if we had come back…or sent someone."

"We could have done the same," she said and he nodded his head. Snuggling closer, she placed her head against his chest and could just hear the gentle thump of his heartbeat. Sighing, he wrapped his arms around her when he leaned his head against the side of the carriage and watched the scenery moving by the window.

Sir Maurice sat on the throne as he sipped on the wine in the gold goblet and sighed. It had taken months to inspect his kingdom to see if everyone had returned safely, but there was one person he hadn't located…Belle.

He had hoped he would have time to make up what he had done to her, but she was always with Rumplestiltskin. Even when Rumplestiltskin, Emma and the others had left Storybrooke, she was too busy to see him. Then the curse was broken and they were sent back here. He had sworn he was never going to go to the Dark Castle and he sighed, sipping on the wine.

"Your Highness, there is someone here to see you," the guard said as he walked in the room and Sir Maurice looked at him.

"Who is it?"

"It's…your daughter," the guard said and the goblet fell from Sir Maurice's hand onto the floor.

"Send her in," he said and the guard nodded, leaving the room. A few minutes later the guard returned with Belle and Rumplestiltskin and Sir Maurice glared at Rumplestiltskin. "What is that doing here?"

"Father, please…," Belle said when he stood up and walked to her. He stopped as his eyes glanced over her and a cold chill moved along her skin.

"So you decided to come back," he said and Rumplestiltskin glared at him.

"No, we came to tell you something," Belle said, moving closer to Rumplestiltskin.

"Go on," Sir Maurice said with his eyelids half closed.

"We're getting married," Belle said and Rumplestiltskin was slightly amused when Sir Maurice's eyes went wide, his skin turned almost purple and he snorted through his nose.

"No you are not!" he exploded.

"Yes, we are," Rumplestiltskin said then giggled.

"I will never allow my daughter marry the likes of you!"

"And what is wrong with me?" Rumplestiltskin asked, giving him a shocked look.

"You are a monster!"

"I never said I wasn't, Dearie."

"You are an ungodly beast!"

"And yet she wants to marry me," he said with a smug look.

"I will stop you!"

"How will you accomplish that?"

"I will see to it that no priest will marry you!"

"Father!" Belle shouted with tears rolling down her cheeks and Rumplestiltskin pulled her to his chest, feeling her tears soaking into his shirt. Sir Maurice watched his daughter sobbing while the Dark One rocked her and stroked her hair. He was whispering comforting words to her as she clung to him and the tenderness in his eyes made Sir Maurice's heart feel like lead.

How could she love such a creature?

Had he enchanted her or corrupted her in some way?

He was pure evil yet watching him comfort her with eyes that were wet with tears of his own made him wonder.

He watched while Rumplestiltskin slowly led Belle out of the room then Sir Maurice fell to his knees, cupped his face in his hands and wept.

"What do you think?" Belle asked while Snow White watched her spin around in her wedding gown and Snow White smiled. The gown was pure white silk with long sleeves that puffed out at the shoulders and was snug enough to show off her curves. The front was cut low enough to show the top of her breasts and tiny crystals were sewn into the silk fabric. The gown ended at her ankles and she wore white slippers with heels. A thin veil of gossamer with small crystals sewn in encircled her head and was pinned into her hair with silver pins.

"You look amazing," Snow said.

"I'm still in awe that you could do all this so quickly."

"Well, Charming and I thought this would pay you back for what happened," she said and Belle sighed, hugging her friend. Snow White's stomach stuck out a bit and Belle swore she was glowing. She wondered what it would be like to have Rumplestiltskin's baby growing inside her and she moved back, smiling at her.

"You didn't know he was down there. None of us did," she said and Snow White softly smiled.

"He is going to faint when he sees you," she said as they giggled then turned and walked out of the room.

Snow White was almost right as Rumplestiltskin watched his son lead Belle down the aisle of the small chapel Charming offered for them to use for the wedding and he swallowed hard, feeling his heart slamming in his chest.

He was wearing a white shirt open enough to show his collarbones, a gray vest and waistcoat, black trousers and black shoes. His hair has been brushed back and tied by a black leather cord and a white rosebud was in the top buttonhole the waistcoat.

Holding his hand out, he took Belle's hand then turned and they looked at the priest. Snow White, Charming, Baelfire, Robin Hood, his men and Roland were in attendance as the ceremony started and Rumplestiltskin looked deeply into Belle's eyes. He was so enchanted with her that the priest had to tap his arm and remind him to recite his vows. Belle just smiled at him as Rumplestiltskin shrugged and gently squeezed her fingers.

The wedding feast lasts most of the night as Rumplestiltskin and Belle slid out of the room and headed up to the room Snow White and Charming had given them. The room was located in one of the towers and Rumplestiltskin opened the large ivory doors. After picking her up, Rumplestiltskin carried Belle into the room then set her on her feet and turned, closing the doors.

"Oh," Belle said, looking around the room. The floor was a hard wood with ornamental rugs under the bed, tables and couches and large wooden and glass doors led out onto the balcony. The walls were a cream color with white marble columns in the corners and the ceiling was white stucco. Crystal chandeliers dangled from the ceiling on gold chains and tapestries and paintings were on the walls. Plants were in white marble pots and three suits of armor were against the wall on the right. Elegant statues, a crystal bowl with fruit, rich wood furniture and other knick knacks decorated the room and the large windows on either side of the large, wood and glass doors had soft, ice blue curtains pulled open and tied with a gold cord. A large, brass bed with four posts was at the center of the room with marble steps leading up to the bed and the bedding was a soft, ice blue color. "It's beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you," Rumplestiltskin whispered as he came behind her and slid his arms around her. She moved back into him as he held her and gently rocked her. Turning, she kissed his lips while moving her fingers through his hair and untied the cord. His hair floated loose as he smiled and she saw the love in his eyes. She slowly unbuttoned his shirt then opened it as she moved her hands up his bare chest and he looked down. The beast inside him growled as his eyes darkened then he smiled and took her hand, leading her up the marble stairs to the bed,

The sunlight behind the curtains lightened the room as Belle opened her eyes and stretched like a cat under the soft bedding. She was a little sore from their love making and he had been so gentle with her. They had talked about Milah, Rumplestiltskin's first wife and Baelfire's mother, and Cora, Regina's mother, and how his heart had been shattered by both of them. She had kissed the spot over his heart a few times while promising to never break it, but he didn't want to tell her that she had when she left and Regina told him she had "died". They had explored and touched each other until they found what each other liked and she found the places where he was ticklish. She loved making her imp giggle in that high pitch sound he made and he, in turn, tickled her back.

He was curled up on his right side as she looked at him and brushed some hair out of his face. He looked so peaceful. When he had hurt his back, he had a waxy look to his skin and the pain could be seen on his face. Now he looked pink and healthy and she tried to not giggle because his lower lip stuck out. She had seen him do that when he was troubled, but it looked sweeter this way. She wanted to move her finger over it, but didn't wish to wake him and he sighed, wiggling on the bed.

His long lashes were resting on his cheeks and he scrunched his nose up slightly. She didn't know why, but he looked so sweet and she went onto her side and placed her head in her hand. She watched him sleep when he softly sighed and moved his head on the pillow. Sleep was releasing him as he blinked his eyes open and she reached over and stroked his bare shoulder.

"Good morning," she said softly and he looked at her with sleepy eyes.

"Yes," he said then yawned and rubbed his face with his hand. "It is."

She watched him move his hand up her bare arm then stroke her hair and she leaned closer, kissing his lips. He deepened the kiss as he rose up and soon was on top of her. She stroked his bare arms when a knock came from the door and he lifted his head.

"You have to be kidding," he said as she smiled and he looked down at her. She slid out from under him when she got out of bed and he flopped down onto his back. She slid his shirt on as he smiled, stretched under the soft bedding then placed his hands behind his head. "You look better in that than I do, Dearie."

Smiling, Belle walked down the marble stairs as she headed for the large ivory doors and opened the door on the right a bit. The maid looked embarrassed as Belle opened the door a little wider and looked at the cart in front of the maid.

"I am sorry, Lady. Snow White thought you and your husband would like something to eat," the maid said and Belle smiled, looking back at Rumplestiltskin.

"That's alright," she said as Belle wheeled the cart in the room and closed the door. She moved the cart to the marble stairs when she lifted the silver tray off the cart and walked up the marble stairs.

"We could eat at the table," Rumplestiltskin said as he sat up and placed the pillows behind him.

"I know," she said as she placed the silver tray on the bed next to him then climbed onto the bed. She picked up a ripe slice of melon then dipped it into the silver bowl filled with whipped cream. She fed him then he fed her as they kissed between bites and softly smiled at each other. They finished their meal when she placed the silver tray on the floor, moved the bedding back and yelped when he pulled her toward him. She ended up lying on her back when he carefully climbed on top of her and pulled the bedding up. "You are so handsome."

"No, I'm not," he said, supporting himself on his elbows then lowered his head and his hair tickled her.

"Yes, you are."

"What's handsome about me?" he asked as he looked at her and she gently stroked his cheek.

"You have the sweetest, little toes and feet."

"I do?"

"Yes, and wonder legs, slim hips and a nice bottom."

"You like my bottom, Dearie?"

"Yes," she said with a grin. "You have such a wonderful torso and the cutest navel."

He felt her run her hands along his back and shoulders and he arched his head back.

"You have strong arms and shoulders, gentle hands and magic fingers," she said and he brushed the hair from her eyes.

"Is that it?"

"No," she said and kissed his lips. "You have soft, silky hair and I love how the golden brown hair hides the silver and white hair underneath. Your eyebrows are velvet soft and you have long eyelashes. You have a sweet nose and I love when you scrunch it up. You have nice, high cheekbones, a strong jawline and a strong chin. You have the sweetest ears. You have soft lips and the lower one sticks out when you sleep."

"It does?"

"Yes, and you look adorable," she said and he blushed. "Finally, you have the most expressive eyes I have ever seen."

"I do?"

"Yes, they say more than your face. Most of the time they are a soft, chocolate brown and they sparkle when you're happy, being shy or up to something. I love how the corners crinkle when you smile."

"You mean like this, Dearie?" he asked and smiled.

"Yes," she said. "When you're angry, they turn cold and hard…like when you said you didn't want me anymore."

"I must have looked frightening," he said softly and she kissed his lips.

"You looked hurt as well."

"I was," he said then sighed and she moved her hands along his sides, sending tiny shocks through him.

"What kills me is when you're sad. I have never seen so much pain and sorrow as when you start crying."

"And all that makes me…handsome?" he asked and she ran her hands over his bare shoulders.

"Yes," she said. "You are my handsome husband…now and forever."

"And you are my wonderful wife…forever and beyond," he said then lowered himself down on her and kissed her lips.