Chapter Twelve

Chipped Cup

A/AN: Ugh last night's episode was so depressing! I hope this chapter can make your Rumbelle hearts feel better. You guys are awesome! Thank you for all your amazing reviews!

Belle sat on the settee, curled up in a good book lazily. She turned another page, focusing on the text. She hadn't noticed her master had entered the library with their afternoon tea. He smiled fondly at the beauty, enraptured in another world entirely. She licked her lips, concentrating harder on the words until she heard someone clear their throat awkwardly. She looked up from the text hazily, startled by her current company.

"Rumplestiltskin." she smiled coyly at him, abandoning her forgotten book. She stood up throwing her arms around him exuberantly.

"Why hello there." he purred gently in his thick brogue, giving her a half lidded gaze. He pulled her flush against him causing her to shudder with delight, sending warmth pooling in her belly.

"Hello yourself." she smirked, something mischievous dancing in her cornflower blue eyes.

"Do you know what time it is?" he inquired against the shell of her ear.

"What's it time for?" she gasped at his close proximity, sending waves of pleasure coursing through her.

"It's time for our afternoon tea." he supplied pulling away from her. She groaned inwardly at the loss of contact. He had been toying with her ever since they'd gotten back from Elameth. He was having fun by putting them in compromising situations, leaving her all hot and bothered at the end of a make out session or just a simple embrace.

In just two days she would be Mrs. Belle Stiltskin or Gold as Rumple liked to refer to himself. Stiltskin was his father's last name, and he hated the ugly moniker, but he couldn't easily throw away his title. Gold was his mother's maiden name and what he liked to refer to himself outside of court.

Belle sat down in the chair adjacent to him. He poured them both a cup of chamomile tea. She nestled the warm cup in her hands before bringing it to her lips. She allowed the soothing liquid to cascade down her throat, making her toes curl. Tea had turned out to be their signature drink. They both adored it.

Rumplestiltskin took a short sip of his drink before placing it haphazardly next to the edge of the table. He was going to pick it up for another sip until he accidentally knocked it off the edge. He sighed reaching down to pick up his cup. He examined it, wrinkling his nose in disgust.

"It's chipped…I guess I'll have to throw it away now." he scoffed ready to toss the cup until she touched his hand lightly.

"Let me see it." she commanded. He shrugged reluctantly handing her the blue and white ceramic cup.

Belle examined the cup's rim, running her fingers over the chipped surface, "I find it adds charm to the cup. I think you should keep it." she smiled handing it back to him.

"Charm?" he asked her skeptically with a raised brow. Belle took this opportunity to crawl into his lap. He gazed at her, heart thrumming erratically. She smiled pushing strands of his grayish brown hair from his eyes.

"I find that the most broken people are the most beautiful." she whispered dusting his jaw line with her fingertips sending shivers down his spine. He grasped her hand in his own, raising it to his mouth to kiss it.

"You're the most beautiful woman in the world." he returned, continuing to kiss up her arm. The feel of his lips on her skin was doing miraculous things to her body. In two more days she would be completely his. Why was he making it so hard to relinquish her self control?

He pulled her strap down to expose her shoulder blade, branding his lips there. Belle threw her head back, stifling a moan.

"How does that make you feel Belle-of-mine?" he hissed sensually in her ear. Belle answered his question by pressing her lips against his own in heated passion. Rumplestiltskin groaned, running his fingers through her thick mane of curls. She grabbed the lapels of his shirt willing him closer. They didn't hear the sound of the library door open or a very unamused party groan in response.

"You know…You two are worse than a couple of dogs in heat!" Baelfire scoffed as he made his way past them towards the other end of the library. They pulled away immediately, flustered at being caught.

"Don't you have somewhere you should be? Like jousting lessons?" Rumplestiltskin inquired to his son, Belle still sitting in his lap. She could sense the irritation in his voice.

"Rupert is sick papa, so I decided to come to the library and find something to read. I mean I thought this library was built for the entire purpose of expanding my knowledge?" Bae remarked with a raised brow.

"It was." he coughed awkwardly. Belle took this as a hint to put some distance between them. She began to uncomfortably gather up the tea tray.

"Well I see no problem then." Bae shrugged picking out a couple of tomes about ancient history on dragons and tales of knighthood. Belle nodded to the young prince as he made his way out of the library.

"Where were we?" Rumplestiltskin growled playfully, reaching out to her. Belle smacked his hand away gently. "I think we should part ways for the night. The wedding is the day after tomorrow, and I have much to prepare for."

"Ahh you're no fun!" he whined giving her a pout that greatly resembled the look Bae gave her when he didn't want to complete an assignment.

"Some things are worth waiting for Rumple. In two more days I'll be yours forever." she winked before sauntering off.

"It's a good thing we won't be seeing much of each other for these next two days…I don't think I could hold out much longer." he groaned inwardly watching his beauty sway her hips, taunting him. Just two more days…He could do this even if it killed him.

~X~

Regina gazed in the full length mirror at her magnificent wedding gown. She would be getting married in just two short days. This was her final fitting for the dress. The tailor examined the train, surmising he should probably take it in a few more inches.

The dress was white made out of silk with an empire waist, a row of glimmering pearls were sewn underneath the bust and along the neckline. More rows of pearls served as sleeves while a lace overlay covered the bodice. The skirt was full and flowing.

Regina was surprised when her maid Johanna burst through the door. She had requested the woman accompany her to Astyn. She was the only one in Avonlea to ever show her any kindness, and she sure wasn't leaving her at the mercy of her mother. Wisps of ginger hair fell erratically around the woman's face, sweat beading her brow.

"Johanna what's wrong?" Regina inquired picking up her skirts, walking over carefully to the other woman. She heard the tailor hiss in protest. She gave him a sharp glance. He averted his gaze awkwardly, shuffling to the other end of the room.

"It's Snow! She fell off her horse while riding earlier! They say she's broken out with fever. They don't know what's wrong with her!" Johanna exclaimed in a panicked voice.

"Where is she?" Regina inquired fearfully. She'd grown extremely close to the young girl over her visits to Astyn within the past few months.

"She's in her chamber at the moment. The doctor won't allow any visitors." Johanna sighed, wiping the sweat from her brow.

"I suppose the wedding shall be delayed then." Regina supplied feeling relieved yet empty all at the same time.

"Perhaps not Regina…I'm sure the king still intends to wed you." Johanna encouraged her, but she shook her head.

"Yes but not until Snow is better. She's everything to him, and I just hope she recovers soon." Regina sighed remorsefully, the melancholy evident in her voice. Johanna gave her a sympathetic glance grasping her shoulder tightly.

~X~

Cora stood in front of her full length mirror, the bottle of dream shade still clasped in her hand. Thwarting her daughter's plans had been way too easy. The naïve Snow White had been easily persuaded to try her "special" apple turnovers. In just a matter of hours Snow White had fallen deathly ill. She knew Regina would realize she was behind it soon enough and would come to her begging for the remedy, but she wouldn't give it unless she bowed to her every whim and woe. It was high time her daughter realized who was really in control of everything.

"You've waged a war you cannot win my dear." Cora smirked at her reflection sinisterly, ready to have power back in her hands. She would always come out on top. She would let no one stand in her way, including her own daughter. Love was weakness, and Regina would soon have everything she loved ripped away from her until she snuffed out every last bit of hope she had left.

A/AN: I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter! What's in store for Regina, Snow, and Leopold? The next chapter will be full of many surprises! I hope you're going to stick this out with me until the end. We still have much trails left to cover, so please stay with me! You won't want to miss what's up next! :D