4/2/13 IT'S LAUNCHED - THE BLOG IS UP - SEE PROFILE FOR LINK
AN: (1/31/2013) So seriously y'all...how much do you rock? A WHOLE FRIGGIN' LOT! Give yourselves big pats on the back, or I may be able to arrange some lovely Bobby Carlyle action...okay, no I can't, but it's nice to pretend! Pretend the darlin' Mr. Carlyle is all up in your awesome business reading you freakin' Robert Burns and giving you presents and shit...seriously, that got me through the most inane 2 hour conference call today. Don't ask me any business questions today though, for real...I was up all night writing and semi-editing that last chapter for you...I'm barely half here today lol (so yeah, seriously you rock...your reviews so totally made every ounce of missed sleep worth it.)
Y'all have also inspired me to write when I'm nearly drunk from lack of sleep, cause you had such lovely things to say on the improvement of the flow and writing of the story...most of which was written in a state of exhaustion and under the influence of excessive caffeine (seriously, don't start 4 serious fanfics, 2 new TV series and a new job during the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year holidays...at least if you're as OCD as I am, you'll go crazy)!
Big awesome thanks for that...also, I'm sure no pressure or anything for this chapter ;-)
I kind of have to say, last chapter...kind of my favorite so far. Also, and I didn't quite realize it when I was writing, I mean I sort of did...but it wasn't entirely on purpose... Mr. Gold got kind of Mr. Darcy-fied. I think it's because my Facebook has been flooded with P&P anniversary stuff...it just got all tangled up in there... Either way, I sort of like where my Mr. Gold is going, he is an old fashioned, romantic, debonair, classic kind of soul...Perhaps not quite as Darcy-like as I (at least in my mind) am making him out to be...but ya know... And he texts! I love a classy man that can text...with whole, normal...even smart words! You rock and roll you sexy beast you!
So...I am feeling terribly chatty today, if my co-workers knew that I wrote fan-fic on my lunch (and sometimes while on conference calls - shh don't tell!) they'd laugh me right out of my office, stilettos and all ... I hope you like this chapter as much as the last...I think we're really rolling into the downhill stretch...(still probably a good 5-6 chapters away though).
I think...later on down the road I'm going to have start fanfic blogging 'cause I like rambling at you guys, and I love getting your far more eloquent replies back... Yes, I think we all should start blogging...one big, awesome, dysfunctional fandom together.
NOW - on with the show! ...no, seriously, it's time for the dinner party, grab some popcorn and the Johnnie Walker if you've got any left after the last chapter, it's gonna get fun.
Chapter 13: Hugger-Mugger
To say that the atmosphere in the Nolan house was tense would be probably the greatest understatement of the year. There was currently a busted wine glass soaking red wine onto the grey carpet under the dining table, and a Dalmatian eating a fallen plate of chicken Marsala off the kitchen floor. The two teenagers had been banished to backyard sans chaperon, which, made David Nolan especially uneasy, however it was certainly a minor problem in light of what was currently happening in his front room and the sirens of the sheriff's car in the driveway.
He wasn't even sure how it had happened actually; it was kind of a blur. An Italian scented, red colored blur...
Dinner was scheduled for 7 and Belle was at the Nolan's by 5, just as soon as she had left the store. She hadn't spoken with Mr. Gold, well Roderick...she didn't know if she was ever going to get used to that name. It fit, no doubt, it was a strong, masculine name she just supposed she had just sort of named him Rumplestiltskin in her head, an on-running joke that had unconsciously fit and stuck. He was Mr. Gold or Rumplestiltskin...she would need time to adapt to Roderick.
He had sent a brief good morning text saying that he was sorry he wouldn't be in, that while he had completed his work in Boston he still had phone calls to take care of...
She had gotten the single message at 5 in the morning, before she had woken up. She had struggled with what to reply with all morning. The truth was she was more confused than she had ever been. There were more questions, more holes in the story; more worries that crashed in on her when she woke on this crisp, grey morning.
He owned her store.
He owned Granny's Diner.
He owned the Storybrooke Apartments.
The pawnshop.
He practically owned Storybrooke. What did that mean? What did that mean for the town, for her? Ruby said he was raising the payments on the diner, it was no secret that the diner and most of the businesses barely survived on the local business as it was. Storybrooke didn't have a tourist season as some towns did, there were good points and bad points to that but mostly it was just the way it was. Good, bad or indifferent. An increase on the payments for loans for the businesses of the town would be devastating.
What if people had to sell?
What if new people came in? New people that wanted to turn Storybrooke into a tourist town?
Was that the aim? Had that been his goal all along, Belle wondered. Was she the way in? Had he come out to personally handle her business just so he could snoop around without drawing too much question? It was highly unusual for a businessman of Mr. Gold's prowess to personally handle something so small and trivial as My Father's Shop, she had to think.
Her mind ran back over every moment since his arrival. The day they had gone for ice cream; he had asked her about the old pawnshop. Her heart was hammering in her chest, had she been duped? Had she been used to get the inside track on her beloved little town? She had to sit on the edge of the tub as she started to ready for a shower.
What if everyone she loved lost everything because of this man that had been introduced into their tiny little town world because of her? Because of her mistakes?
What if she had introduced a snake to the rabbits?
But certainly that wasn't true? Right? Certainly that was all wrong...that beautiful necklace that was tucked in it's velvet little pouch in her jewelry box, that couldn't come from a man that was looking to throw her and her family and friends on the street...right? That beautiful, perfect, note with it. That wasn't fraud; there was no reason for that, right? No reason to make her fall in love, to confess his love, right?
She had been so quick to trust him, so quick to put all her faith in him, when all the evidence was stacking up against him. What had she had to prove his loyalty, his goodness? A few flowery words, a very sad story about his son and ex-wife, what was there really to recommend him?
She felt tears stinging her eyes as she dressed for the day, phone sitting untouched on her kitchen table. She had to think.
She quietly went about opening the shop as per usual, it was again a slow day, and she sold a few books, mostly used and closed up early to gather her things and head over to help Mary Margaret with dinner. She still had no idea what she was going to wear tonight and some of the joy that she had had about selecting her outfit was drained. She wasn't as excited about dressing for Mr. Gold as she had been.
She striped off her regular clothes from the day and shrugged into a robe going to turn on the radio. She plugged in her iPod and hit her 'mellow' music playlist. Kate Walsh filled her apartment as she turned the shower on, piling her hair under a shower cap. It was the second shower of the day but somehow, after all the thoughts she had been thinking, the doubts she had had...she needed to be washed clean again.
Haven't you heard?
I'm stuck on a face
I'm stuck on a boy who fills me with joy
I knew I was wrong to
Jump straight on into the picture so pretty
But he is so pretty to me
And he doesn't know just how far I would go
Just to kiss him
He doesn't know I pine
She sang along in the shower, if tears mixed with the soap and water she wasn't admitting it.
So I make whirlpools
And watch him sparkle
And we'll make love make magic
And haven't you heard?
I thought I had first
And he loves me so
We're two in a row
Just look in his eyes
They're blue as the skies
Are picture so pretty
But he is so pretty to me
Clean and wrapped in a towel she stood in front of her closet, moving hanger after hanger. Nothing looked right, nothing felt right. She hated feeling like this. Hated feeling so terribly in love and yet...like she was just steps from being heartbroken.
As she tore through the closet she came across the garment in far back corner. It was her mothers wedding dress. She pulled it out and laid it on the bed on a whim, she hadn't looked at it in ages.
She ran her hand lovingly over it. She had pulled it from storage when she had been planning a wedding with Rupert. She shuttered, was Mr. Gold going to hurt her like Rupert had?
Rupert hated this dress; he had seen it accidentally when she had been taking it to the cleaners after pulling it from the hope chest in storage. He had said it was old fashioned and out of style.
It was old fashioned...it was old. It had been her mother's, and her mothers before that. Ivory satin with yards of Scots lace that was patterned with thistles. Her mother had taken out the fine lace collar, leaving the off the shoulder lace draping and. It fit slim, a lace peplum at the waist, pleating and a court length train. Belle loved the lack of zipper, it having instead a row of satin covered buttons all down the back. She had put it back in the closet after Rupert had said how he hated it...
She was beginning to wonder if she was meant to fall in love and get married, first Rupert now Gold, maybe she was just doomed to pick men that would only hurt her, only want something from her.
Mr. Gold hadn't hurt her yet though, no he hadn't. He had been kind, patient and soft. He had been gentle and real. He hadn't hurt her yet. She had to keep reminding herself of that.
She hung the dress back up in the closet and finally pulled out a pale yellow sheath dress. She had never worn it; it had been a present from Mary Margaret several months ago. High square neckline, the skirt hit just above her knees, black belt and solid black flower details on the top left shoulder. The back was completely open to the waist.
She morosely did her makeup, finding her mood made her apply it with an unusually heavy hand. She dressed and did her hair, leaving it loose and in waves. She slipped on flats to head over to Mary Margaret's taking her heels with her.
She silently prayed that tonight went well, that there was no fuss or fights...and that Mr. Roderick Gold would give her more reason to believe in him...love could exist on a little bit hope, and that was all she needed, just a little bit.
She had just a little bit. She slipped on the necklace from him and smiled. Oh, she had faith in him, she would hang onto to hope.
So I make whirlpools
And watch him sparkle
And we'll make love make magic
But I couldn't tell you
Just tell that it takes you
'Cause words don't make
What I make with you
Haven't you heard?
I'm stuck on a face
I'm stuck on a boy who fills me with joy
I knew I was wrong
To jump straight on into this picture so pretty
But he is so pretty to me
David Nolan didn't know what to think of the young man standing in his living room. The young man standing in his living room intending on dating his daughter. He had seen him in passing at the stables, but he just had never really looked before. The boy was hardly a boy. He was a good looking kid, so far well mannered, called him sir and shook his hand, looked him in the eye. Didn't make over Emma in an inappropriate way...he was on his best behavior obviously. Still, he was 17 and his daughter was 15. There would far more to winning any kind of 'approval' and even at that, it would be more like hostile tolerance than actual approval.
"I'm really sorry that my mom is running late Mr. Nolan, there was a problem with the feed delivery...the driver was late and she had to get the paperwork for the accountant. She shouldn't be more than 20 or so minutes."
David nodded, wanted very much to dislike the boy but found he was struggling, "Oh it's not a problem at all Neal, things happen...it gives us time to talk," Mary Margaret beamed waltzing in from the kitchen a tray of stuffed mushrooms and bacon wrapped asparagus hors d'oeuvres.
"And we're still waiting on Mr. Gold," David added pointedly. He had heard about Gold buying up the town.
"Dinner is at 7, it's barely 6:50, he's not late David, and Ruby and Archie are going to be late as well," Belle tried to keep the stress and irritation out of her voice. Truth was, she was anxiously awaiting his arrival too. As stressful as is it might end up being, it was more important that he kept his promise and show up.
Just as Belle was about sit on the overstuff ottoman there was a knock on the door, "I'll get it!" she exclaimed just a little too quickly, a little too enthusiastically.
David and Mary Margaret frowned shaking their heads.
Belle rushed to the door opening it with flourish.
Mr. Gold was turned partway looking at the street, apparently not expecting her so quickly to the door. Belle was rather glad for that, it gave her a few moments to catch her breath.
He stood in the glow of the porch wearing dark wash, perfectly fitted jeans; they shaped to his body in nearly unseemly ways. He had a lightweight V-neck black sweater over a crisp white dress shirt. There was no suit jacket, this time he wore a black leather jacket and Belle began to feel her knees weaken. Everything was perfectly tailored, perfected fit to his lean body and just looking at him made her shiver.
"Mr. Gold?" she spoke his name, it felt a bit formal and odd on her tongue.
He immediately moved his gaze to her and he smiled. His eyes caught onto her necklace and he smiled wider.
"Belle," he breathed, his accent thicker, warmer tonight.
"Roderick..." she felt her face cracking into a large natural smile, "I was close with Rodriquez...you look amazing tonight, I like the jacket," she grinned, "Good choice."
Belle noticed the hand not holding his cane was behind his back, obviously hiding something, she lifted an eyebrow at him in question. He shrugged and gave her a mischievous little flutter of his eyelashes. Mr. Gold was a flirt.
"Are you hiding something Mr. Gold?" she teased.
"Depends, are you going to let me in, or shall I fetch a blanket and set up camp on the stoop?" he tossed back.
"Oh fine, but I'll warn you, when Ruby and Archie get here you might wish you were outside," she laughed sarcastically but stepped from the doorway and waved him in.
They entered the living together from the small entryway, every eye in the room all fell on him and the room went silent.
"Everybody, Emma and Neal, I know you've already met... but Mary Margaret and David, this is Mr. Gold... Mr. Gold, Mary Margaret and David Nolan," Belle made the awkward introductions.
"It's a pleasure..." Mr. Gold advanced, "For the lovely hostess, thank you for having me Mrs. Nolan" he offered Mary Margaret a small bouquet of white roses mixed with white jasmine.
"Oh these are beautiful, thank you!" Mary Margaret gushed, sounding truly sincere, "It is very nice to finally make your acquaintance but please, it's just Mary Margaret," she added.
Mr. Gold nodded then offered a smaller bouquet of white carnations and crocuses to Emma, "For you Miss Emma."
"Thank you Mr. Gold, they're very pretty," Emma grinned, very much appreciating being acknowledged, "I'll put them with the ones from Neal," she headed for the kitchen with a warm and tender smile for Neal. Mary Margaret asked her to put hers in water also as she passed.
"Mr. Nolan, I wasn't sure if you were a roses guy or more for lilacs so I opted with flowers just the Nolan ladies," Mr. Gold smiled offering his hand, "It's a pleasure and I thank you having me over tonight."
David tried to hold his glare, but Mr. Gold was being entirely affable, in the end he couldn't help but smile and shake his hand, "The infamous Mr. Gold, won't lie I've heard a lot of interesting things about you... I'm hoping we can clear the air a bit tonight."
The handshake was firm, "And for the record I'm more of a dogwood kind of guy." Both David and Mr. Gold shared a laugh.
Mary Margaret and Belle who had been watching with bated breath breathed a sigh of relief when the men were done sizing each other up.
The night really hadn't started all that bad. They were holding dinner until Mrs. Cassidy and the Hoppers to arrive. David played bartender making sure the ladies wine glasses stayed full and he and Mr. Gold sipped at scotch. Neal and Emma drank sparkling cider, Mary Margaret thought they might feel more included if their drink was in wine glasses and bubbled.
Emma and Neal really couldn't have cared less, they would have been just as happy with Coke in the can, but Emma didn't think pushing the issue would have really won her any points with her parents.
Conversation moved pretty smoothly between everybody, the issue of buying the town and Belle's shop avoided, at least for a time. Neal was in the hot seat for a lot of it, David wanted to know what he planned on doing with his life. Where he saw himself in 5 years and what his long-term professional goals were and what was his opinion on short term versus long term – safe versus risky, investment options.
Mary Margaret halted the inquisition when David tried to get Neal's social security number to run a background check.
"I think that's quite enough…I'm not sure what is keeping Ruby and Archie but I think I'm going to give them a call…David why don't you come help me."
David looked totally confused, "Seriously Mary Margaret…help you with a phone call?" he looked confused.
"Now David," she narrowed her eyes and gave him a tight-lipped grimace and gestured with her head to the kitchen.
David finally caught on and followed her, though not terribly happily.
Belle giggled quietly rising from her spot on the sofa to fill her wine glass, "How long have you had your drivers license Neal?" she asked, instead of going back to the sofa, perched herself on the arm of Mr. Gold's over stuffed chair.
Neal looked a little confused about the question but slid to the front of his chair as he answered, "I got it when I turned 16…my permit when I was 15."
Mr. Gold seemed to catch onto to her train of thought.
"How many times tickets have you had?" Mr. Gold asked.
"None sir."
"How many times have you pulled over?" Belle tagged in.
"None ma'am…I've a perfect driving record."
"You told Mr. Nolan you have a 3.4 GPA, which college are you hoping to get into?" Mr. Gold stared into the face of a man that reminded him so much of himself it made his chest ache.
"I want to go to Columbia and take a year abroad to study at Cambridge. I want to go into international business law sir."
Mr. Gold perked up, "Cambridge aye? Why the UK?" He knew he had happened upon the lad's job, and it was so clear he had solid passion for his academic goals in the brilliance of his eyes and eager tone. These were things people would have noticed of young Mr. Roderick Gold when he had spoken of his future law career as a young man.
Belle kept her eyes on Emma; she seemed a bit put out that the conversation had moved Neal's attention from her.
"Well sir, my mother's family is from there and I think if I'm going to be successful in international law I need to study abroad, it seemed like a natural fit."
Mr. Gold felt his pulse increase. Something was falling into place, gears were turning and his heart was beating way too fast. His mind was whirling…
"Your mother's family? From England?" Mr. Gold heard himself ask, his voice was breathy and high, his accent had thickened so that the others brows creased as they struggled to understand him.
Before Neal could answer knocking at the door interrupted him.
"I'll get it," Belle called sliding from the chair, patting Mr. Gold's arm and giving him a smile.
It was entirely likely the tension in the room was going to go up if it was finally Ruby and Archie showing up.
"Ruby said they'll be here in ten minutes, that must be Mrs. Cassidy, I'm going to put the dinner out," Mary Margaret called to Belle as Belle headed for the door.
"Hello," Belle smiled as she opened the door.
"I'm so sorry I'm late, I got held up at the stables…" Mrs. Cassidy brushed by Belle shrugging out of her long beige trench coat.
"Belle French? Is that really you? Goodness you've grown…it's been what? Almost 9 years? You watched Neal…" Mrs. Cassidy gushed.
Belle felt like she had been hit by a whirlwind tornado that was disguised as a nearly 6' tall, brunette in slinky black dress.
"Bloody hell!"
Belle froze as Mr. Gold shouted and sprang from his chair, knocking Belle's wineglass from where it had been sitting on the ottoman.
"Milah!"
The dark haired woman looked just as shocked as Mr. Gold, Belle perhaps more confused than either of them.
"Milah?" she mouthed to David and Mary Margaret who had come from the kitchen at the commotion.
The entire living room was in a state of paralysis. No one moved and no one spoke. Mr. Gold and Mrs. Cassidy were locked in an icy fiery gaze. Belle swore they could have killed each other with their looks.
How strange, how actually incredibly bizarre, where in the world did they know…
Milah Cassidy…
"Oh my bloody god! You're Milah?" Belle shrieked paling. It could not be possible! Not possible at all!
"I'm sorry we're late!"
All eyes, including Mr. Gold and Milah's turned to the front door where cheerfully Ruby and Archie and Pongo came bounding through.
"I hope…" Archie stopped short, dropping his hands from helping Ruby with her coat as they fumbled into the living room.
"Did we interrupt something?"
AN: (2/1/13) Do I get points for how quickly I got this out? Lol I truly enjoyed starting the dinner party and I hope you don't hate me for leaving it here…there should be another chapter before too long :)
A couple notes…
One: I'm a little sorry the crisis of faith Belle had in the beginning, I just kind of felt that is how I would have reacted if I were here. She wants so badly to trust him…but she has to look at the big picture and there were some suspicious things when put in the right context… I mean I wrote the damn thing and some times I think my brain conspires against me because I didn't plan on Gold buying up Storybrooke, the guy is crafty, all there is too it… The groundwork and hints were there…*sigh.
Two: Hugger – Mugger, real word, who knew. I forget how I discovered it today…but its definition is 'utter disorder' and it seemed totally appropriate lol.
Finally, seriously you guys…did you see how fast this chapter got done? That was you. Your reviews were SO awesome and SO fantastic…and seriously motivated me SOOO much.
A special shout out I think really needs to go out to PrincessTiannah, tigger64 and Grace5231973. You guys have been here since the beginning and I SO appreciate it. I appreciate every review and it tickles me to no end when new readers discover my little story…but really appreciate I ALL of you. I know I haven't done replies in ages, it's not because I don't care, I so totally do…just so…overwhelmed lol.
Lots of love and happy reading! RA