CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO- Outside in the Courtyard (Colette, Rumplestiltskin, and Future Belle's Point of View)
"Sit. Both of you," Colette said sternly to her parents.
The courtyard was a mess. Flower petals carpeted the ground, tree branches were strewn about the pathways, the fountain was filled with debris, and the benches were sopping wet. Rumplestiltskin waved his hand, using magic to dry the bench and motioned for Belle to sit. They both knew they owed it to their daughter to explain.
"Dearie, I-"
"No! I am going to talk and you are going to listen!" The wind picked up a bit. "How could you keep this from me? I have lived for eighteen years thinking that I didn't have a father, and then I learn that he has been my magic teacher! Did you think that I would never find out?"
"It was my choice not to tell you, dear. The circumstances of your father and I parting ways was not ideal, it was the hardest time of my life. When I found out that I was going to be a mother, at the time it seemed like the best option and-"
"Belle, don't blame yourself. She deserves to know the whole truth, it was my fault. Dearie, I was foolish back then. I thought I could have everything I wanted and more, and I was willing to kill to get it. My thirst for power consumed me. Your mother tried to see through my darkness and help me, but in the end it was too much. I tried to cleave myself from the Dark One's dagger, the source of my power and tried to kill Hook in order to do it. Belle stopped me and banished me from Storybrooke. After I returned, and I learned that I was once again a father, I tried to get everything I had lost back. I had hurt your mother too much though, and my actions with the Queens of Darkness didn't help our relationship."
"I still had the right to know though. I wouldn't have cared of what you did! You are my father regardless of what your past holds!" Tears filled Colette's eyes as she tried to hold herself together.
"I know, as the years went on I felt guilty of my decision to keep you from the truth. When you started developing your powers, I was relieved. I sent you to him right away, hoping that we could ease you into the truth as well, but we kept putting it off. I am so sorry."
"When your mother brought you to me, I was excited that I got to be with you. I wanted us to have a relationship, even if your mother and I couldn't have one after what I did to her. You are, without a doubt, the best thing that has happened to me. Is there any possible way we could start over, will you let me be your father?"
Rumplestiltskin's eyes pleaded for her for her forgiveness. He wanted nothing more than to be her father. He still felt guilty about not being there for Baelfire, he had messed up the first time at being a father, and he didn't want to make the same mistake with Colette, now that he had the chance to fix it.
"I don't want to start over."
Both Rumple and Belle looked at each other, shocked at what their daughter had just said, color draining from their faces. Colette took a deep breath in.
"I have always looked up to as a father. You have taught me so much in the years I have been going to you, and not just magic. Honestly, I spent nights wishing that you were my father. Mom, I understand how hard it must have been for you to live with me as a reminder of the pain you went through. I know that you kept me from the truth to protect yourself and me. I don't want to start over because there is nothing I want to start over for. I love both of you and nothing in your pasts could make me love you any less."
Belle gathered her daughter in her arms. "You were never a reminder of the pain. You were always my new beginning."
Colette released herself from her mother's arms and immediately embraced her father.
"I love you very much dearie, always have always will."
They all wiped the tears, happy ones, from their eyes. A smile slowly spread across Belle's face.
"I am surprised you didn't let the truth out when Colette started courting Liam Jones."
Rumple's face went from a smile to a frown instantly. His lack of powers had only allowed him to see Colette when she was actually with him.
"My daughter is doing what with whom?! She failed to mention during her lessons that she was involved romantically with the pirate's son. It seems as if I have some parenting business to attend to." He instantaneously turned and started marching back towards the library.
"It wasn't a subject that I thought I needed to enlighten my magic teacher on!"
Belle and Colette followed closely behind him towards the library. They did not want to leave those two, or rather-three, to discuss their children's courting decisions.