Sorry this took long. It was my first multi-chapter fic to end, and I wasn't ready to let it go lol.
-RL
Neal sighed lethargically, dropping his and Emma's suitcases next to his apartment door to search through his pockets for the key.
"I don't know about you Em, but I'm glad to be back home." Neal said, juggling his apartment key in one hand.
"Maybe Fiji was a bit much, but Greece was a must. I couldn't pass up seeing all the history," Emma explained.
"And Croatia?" Neal asked, turning to his wife.
"Well it wasn't that far from Greece, and it was so beautiful."
"And Sicily? Not to mention Morocco." Neal said, naming their travels.
"Okay Okay, I get it. Our extended honeymoon was a tad much, but look at all the fun we had."
"Yes, a whole six months worth of fun."
"Admit it, Neal, you loved our little adventure."
"I'll always love any moments spent with you," He said pressing a kiss on Emma's lips.
On entering the apartment, Neal hoped he wouldn't find a group of his family and friends hiding behind the sofa and curtains, waiting to jump out and surprise him. Thankfully there were none. However, what he did find was an uninviting thick layer of dust covering the furniture and fixtures.
The apartment looked like it hadn't been touched in months. Neal and Emma ventured deeper inside and began looking around the eerie abandon living space.
The lights and water still worked, so someone had to be paying the utilities. Upon further inspections of Belle's room, he noticed that his roommate's clothes no longer filled her closet. The massive bookcase by her window sat empty and voided of all her prized possessions. All that remained of Belle's belongings was a single deserted bed.
"Did Belle move out?" Emma asked, entering the bedroom behind her husband.
"Looks that way," Neal sighed and closed Belle's door. "I thought Belle would have at least told me she was moving out."
"Maybe she found a boyfriend," Emma said, searching for a brighter explanation.
"She would have told me that too."
"Well, It's not like we kept in touch with our family like we should have while we were on our honeymoon."
"Yeah, but when we did, she could have warned me that I was coming home to an empty house."
"Maybe it slipped her mind," Emma said. "Things like that happen when you're in love."
"I guess," he said.
Neal felt like he just had been punched in the gut. Belle was his best friend, and she was gone, without even so much as a goodbye. He just knew that when he'd returned home, Belle would have been waiting by the door to greet him with her welcoming smile and a warm hug. Her soft soothing voice reminding him how much she missed him and how stressed she'd been while he was gone. Like a mother would. But who was he to get his hopes up for Belle to love him in such a way. The vacant room brought up painful memories of his birth mother. Milah left Neal without a goodbye, but he thought Belle would be different.
"Don't feel so down Neal, I'm sure there's an explanation for all of this," Emma said stroking a soothing hand through Neal's hair.
"Like what? It's obvious that Belle's abandon me."
"I doubt that. You know how much she loves you." Emma said before retrieving Neal's iphone from her purse. "Let's call your dad. Maybe he's heard something."
Scrolling through his contact log, Neal finds his father's phone number and presses the call button. The phone hadn't even rang two full times before Mr. Gold answered.
Welcome back.
"Thanks dad, how are you?"
Just fine, considering I haven't seen my boy in six months.
"Your daughter-in-law is to blame."
"Hi, Mr. Gold!"
"Emma says hi dad."
Tell her I said hello. Are you stopping by later? Neal could hear the smile behind his words.
"Maybe, but Dad, have you heard anything from Belle?" Neal asked, trying to hide the slight panic in his tone. "All her things are gone from the apartment, and she didn't call to tell me she was moving out, or even leave a note behind."
That is strange Neal. Uh- hold for one sec-
"Okay?"
Neal! Welcome home. When did you arrive?
"Belle?" He said, looking at Emma surprisingly, and his wife shrugged her shoulders.
Yeah, How was Europe? She sounded cheerful. The kind of way he expected her to sound when he arrived at the apartment.
"It was amazing- but," Neal answered quickly, trying to get back to the point. "What are you doing at my dad's house? Where are all your things?"
Here. I live with your father now.
"You what?"
How about you just come over. I think I can explain everything better in person.
Neal hung up the phone instinctively and turned to Emma. Everything felt bizarre, like he was dreaming or something. Neal even hoped that he was, that he would wake up any moment to reveal that he was still on the plane traveling home. But the distinct touch of his wife's comforting hand around his wrist established that this was not some surreal delusion.
"Emma, change of plans, we need to go to my dad's place." He said, pulling his wife out of the apartment.
During the couple's travels through Europe, Gold told his son that he'd moved to Manhattan, stating that there was nothing left for him in Storybrooke and that all his family was in New York. He also mentioned that it was time for his firm to branch out to other states. New York was the perfect place to set up another office for his business and that way he would be able to work and be closer to his family.
It was only a half an hour drive from downtown Manhattan to the upper east crust of the city. The homes in upper Manhattan housed only the most prestige residents within its suburban-like community. Unlike the bustling environment of the lower city, the neighborhood his father moved to was a place meant to raise a family.
Neal and Emma parked their car in front of his father's house. He hopped out quickly, paying no mind to the considerable amount of cars lined along the street.
"Slow down Neal," Emma said, trying to keep up with her husband. "They're not going anywhere."
"What if something bad happened to Belle?"
"Don't you think you're overreacting just a tad bit. She sounded fine to me."
"What other reason could Belle have to be living with my father?"
Emma rolled her eyes. "Neal, just ring the doorbell."
He sighed. Maybe he was overreacting, but he and Emma were gone and out of the loop for a while. A lot could happen in six months. But Emma was right, Belle sounded fine and in fact, happy. Neal pulled himself together, taking a deep breath and pressed the doorbell.
"You looked beautiful by the way," Neal told her. During the car ride, Emma took the time to reapply her make-up, stating she wanted to look at least presentable in front of his father.
"Thank you, and maybe you should tuck in your shirt."
"What, why would-"
Before Neal could finish his question, the door swung open. His father welcomed him with a hug and pulled them both into the dark foyer area. The only light came from the open front door, but it soon faded too when Mr. Gold shut the door behind the couple. Without giving his son a chance to catch his bearings, Mr. Gold flicked on the lights.
"Welcome home Neal and Emma!" It sounded like a thousand voices all at once. Balloons fell from the ceiling and confetti was thrown on the couple from the hands of their family and friends.
"Dad I said no surprise party." He whispered through a forced smile while waving to everyone.
Gold smiled. "Wasn't my idea."
Neal took in the excitement in stride. First, he went around the room and greeted all the guests with Emma. He hugged everyone and made small talk with his friends and family. Next up was speaking with Emma's parents. Mary- Margaret wanted to hear about all their honeymoon adventures. Even about the ones that happened in the bedroom. David, fortunately, saved Neal and Emma from the embarrassment of that conversation.
After all the conversing and repeated mention of how pleasant their vacation was, Neal was finally able to take a breather. He took Emma to the refreshment table and poured them a glass of punch. After all the excitement he needed something much stronger, but he settled for the carbonated beverage instead. Neal was relieved when the commotion began to calm down. He took the time to look around the room to locate Belle, but she was nowhere to be seen. However, while looking around, Neal started to notice the decorations in the room. They were blue, the streamers and the balloons that had fallen from the ceiling were also a light shade of blue. The tablecloths, the decorative covering on the chairs, everything was blue, even down to the plastic cup he was drinking his punch from. And that's when Neal looked up and noticed the banner.
Welcome Home Neal. Your little brother is on his way.
He read it again, and once more, this time slowly and aloud. When it finally it dawned on him that the banner was talking about him having a little brother, Neal goes into shock and forgets how to swallow. He begins choking on his drink and gasping for air.
"Neal, What's wrong? Are you okay?" Belle said, placing a hand on his shoulder while Emma pats his back to clear his airways.
The color in his face returned to normal, and Neal was finally able to catch his breath. He stood up straight and took a long look at his former roommate. She was glowing. Her hand was perched on her stomach, caressing it in a motion that suggested that she had something cooking in there.
"Belle, you're pregnant?"
"What gave it away?" She giggled. "Was it the belly?"
Neal looks around again. "This isn't just a welcome home party, is it?"
"Nope, it's a baby shower too."
"And you and my d-dad," He stammered as his face quickly became scarlet. "When? I- I mean how?"
Belle gave Neal a confused look. She was sure Neal knew how these things worked. "Come with me to the parlor." She said taking him by the hand. "We can talk in private there."
Neal followed her into the next room. He sat down and blew out a long breath, trying to regain his composure and think rationally so he could figure out just what the hell was going on. Six months ago Belle barely knew his father, and now she's expecting his child. It wasn't something he wanted to visualize. As a matter of fact, he just wanted to skip over that part entirely. Gold came in shortly after and placed a tender kiss on Belle's cheek before sitting down next to her.
"Can someone please explain to me what's going on?" Neal asked when nobody spoke up.
"Six months ago after your wedding, Belle and I got married." Gold said, putting it simply.
"You're married too?" Neal shook his head. All this information was coming too fast and too sudden. "Why am I the last to find out about this?"
"We knew you would overreact and we wanted you to enjoy your honeymoon with Emma," Belle said.
"When you so graciously decided to pressure Belle and me to share bedrooms, we got to know each other better."
"I'll say. A little too better."
Belle giggled. "What did you expect? Your father's a nice man, good looking too, and an excellent father." Belle said, and Neal could have sworn he saw his father blush.
"And Belle is insightful as she is beautiful." Mr. Gold said. "We should be thanking you son. Without playing along with your little scheme, Belle and I would have never known that we were meant to be."
"No thanks' are necessary, I didn't know either," Neal sighed. "Well, at least I won't have to tell Emma's parents your not my real mother."
"So you're okay with this?" Belle asked.
Neal looks at his best friend and then to his father. He's never seen either of them so happy. Not only was Belle glowing so radiantly, but so was his father. He had a small glint in his eyes whenever he looked at Belle. And as for her, at least he didn't ever have to worry about some dude coming into her life and causing her any problems. Honestly, this worked out perfectly for the three of them.
"Of course I am. You've basically been my mother ever since I've known you, now it's true. You're my step-mom."
"And what about-?" Belle asked, rubbing her belly.
Neal smiled. "I've always wanted a little brother. And sorry for overreacting."
"Well, it was a lot to take in. We would have told you sooner, but you and Emma were gone for a very long time," Belle said.
"Probably off making their own little one." Gold reminded her.
"I hope so. Mary-Margret has been talking about grandchildren ever since you left. If you two don't give her any, I think she may explode."
The color in Neal's cheeks rose when he thought about how much he and Emma worked on making grandchildren.
"I'm happy for you dad. You too, Belle. I wish I could have been at the wedding."
"It was a small outdoors ceremony in our hometown," Belle explained. "Just my father and your uncle. Nothing flashy like yours."
"Well, that's because you didn't have Mrs. Nolan for a mother-in-law."
"Thankfully." Gold added, and Belle nudged him with her elbow.
"Have you decided on any names for the little guy?" Neal asked.
"Not yet," Belle said, almost bashfully. "Actually, we were waiting on you."
"You want me to choose a name?" he asked hesitantly and Belle nodded yes. He took a short moment to think to himself. "Belle, remember that book you showed me?
"I've shown you a ton of my books."
"You said this one was your favorite."
Belle stood up, provided with the help of her husband, and walked over to the bookcase to search through the shelves for the book in question. She let out a small ah-ha and pulled the blue leather-bound book from its slot.
"This one?" Belle said handing Neal the book. "When did you read this?"
"I read it a couple of times after you mentioned how much you loved it." He opens the book, flipping through the pages and begins reading. "... but Gideon was unafraid. He drew his sword and turned to face the evil sorcerer, ready to save the people he loved." Neal closes the book. "How 'bout Gideon."
"I love that name Neal," Belle said before turning to her husband. "What do you think honey."
"It's perfect, and I think I need to read this book."
"You should, dad. Gideon is so cool. He's a hero. Brave and strong, but compassionate."
"Gideon it is then." Mr. Gold agreed, wrapping his arm around his wife.
Three months later, Neal entered the labor and delivery wing of a New York hospital after receiving a phone call from his father. His brother was finally here. He approached Belle's room and walked in. Mr. Gold was rocking a baby in his arms swaddled in a small blue blanket. He handed Neal the baby before returning to Belle's side to hold her hand and watch his two sons.
"Welcome to the world little bro." He said as baby Gideon cooed in his arms. "You've got an awesome family. Our dad is the best. He'll probably be tough on you like he was with me, but it's because he loves you. Our mother is amazing and beautiful, so you'll probably have her looks, and have way more girlfriends than I did." That made Belle and Gold laugh. "I can't wait for you to meet Emma, She's my wife and your sister in- law. And guess what Gideon, you have a nephew on the way, his name is Henry."
-A family's always there for you.