Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Valentines Day was one of Belle's favorite holidays. Her husband knew this, so they always did something to celebrate the day. Every year was different, and every year was special. Bailing said husband out of jail, however, was not what she'd had in mind to do to celebrate.

Thanks to Ruby, Belle had managed to find out that Mr. Gold had gotten into it with her father again. It soon got physical and resulted in her father having a black eye and a concussion. Now, she and Draco entered the police station to bail him out.

"Hey, Emma. How much is bail for Slugger over there?"

Inside the cell, Mr. Gold smiled a bit at the sound of his wife's voice."Hello to you too, love."

Both women ignored him, and Emma replied,"It hasn't been set yet. You father wasn't awake and able to press charges. I was just holding him until you came and found him."

Gold stood, using the bars of the cell to steady himself in the place of his cane, and yelled."I can hear both of you perfectly fine, you know. I'm not a dog."

At this, Draco barked, as if he were offend, and Belle patted his head as Emma went to find the cell keys."If only you were, my life would be a lot easier. Honestly, picking a fight with my father on Valentines Day?"

"He started it,"he grumbled as Emma unlocked the cell.

Trained well by his owners, Draco grabbed Gold's cane from where it was leaning against the desk in his mouth and brought it to him; he even tilted his head so that Gold could grabbed the handle. Gold took it and scratched Draco behind the ears before whispering something so low that only Draco could hear it. The dog bark before going to sit in front of Belle with Gold standing behind him. Two sets of brown eyes gave her with the saddest looks she'd ever seen, but Belle knew better.

"You're still not getting out of this. When we get home, you're explaining yourself."

With that, she walked off, and Gold cursed.

"You really didn't think that would work, did you?"Emma asked, trying not to laugh.

"No, but it was worth a try,"he replied before following his wife out.

"Well?"Belle asked.

Gold sighed and sat down on their bed."I know how much you love Valentines Day, so I planned to get you a rose like I do every year, but every shop I went to was out of roses so I had no choice but to visit your father."

He paused and dropped his head, but she tilted it back up to look at her."Go on."

With another disgruntled sigh, he began his tale.

Every store had been a bust. Not one single rose in sight on Valentines Day, no less. Mr. Gold knew that was one place in Storybrooke he hadn't tried yet. The Game of Thorns van was only a few blocks away, and Gold knew Moe French specialized in roses. However, Gold was not exactly on speaking terms with his father-in-law. He hadn't spoken to the man since the wedding and that had been an argument of epic proportions. Talking to him now, especially without Belle to intervene, would most likely be a bad idea.

Gold then remembered their tradition. He'd gotten her rose on every major holiday, her birthday, and their anniversary for the past twenty-eight years without fail. He wasn't about to let anything or anyone stand in the way of that. With thoughts of pleasing his wife on his mind, Gold headed down the street.

Moe French had been busy all day. Valentines Day was always a busy day for him, but this year it seemed even more so. It was days like this that he missed his daughter. His Annabelle rarely visited him now that she was married to Mr. Gold, and their last conversation had not ended well. That man had probably warped her mind to make her never want to see him again. Moe sighed when he heard someone bang on the side of the van. Maneuvering around the various plants, he carefully exited the back of the van.

"Alright, alright. Welcome to Game of Thorns. How may I help-Oh it's you."

Mr. Gold's grip on his cane tightened a bit."Yes. It's me."

"If you're here for rent, you know I'll have more than enough to pay you by the end of the day."

"I'm not here for rent. I need a rose. A thornless red one if you have it. Every other shop in town is out of red roses, and Belle loves them."

"I know." Gold wasn't sure if he meant the roses or what Belle liked.

"Do you have one? Just one is all I require."

"You're in luck. I always grow extra roses on Valentines Day, and I have some left."

Finally, a break. Gold pulled out his wallet."How much?"

Moe looked up at him, confused."You're actually going to pay me?"

"How else am I going to get the rose, you twit?"

"I just never expected you to pay for anything. I figured that you usually just take what you want."

Gold sensed that this was about more than the rose."Believe me, I know better than anyone that everything always comes at a price, and every man must consider what he is willing to pay to get what he wants. To please Belle, there is no price I would not pay."

"Then why give her one? You have more than enough to by dozens of bouquets like she deserves. My daughter deserves the best."

Gold glared at him."You act as though I don't already know that."

"No. I'm not saying that at all,"Moe replied, but his tone said otherwise.

"If you have something to say, spit it out already."

"I just want to say that I wish my daughter had never met you. She deserves more than a lame, cankerous, old snake in the grass for a husband! I sometimes wish that she were dead instead of with you."

At that moment, Gold's control snapped. Without warning. He raised his cane and swung with all his might. The golden handle caught Moe across the face, and he dropped like a sack of potatoes. People on the street stopped to stare at him, but Gold didn't notice. He prodded the unconscious man with his shoe before walking off. He turned the corner to head back to his shop but was met by Emma.

"Miss Swan arrested me on the spot and took me to jail before calling you. I'm sorry."

Belle could tell that he was more upset about the flower than her father. She sat down beside him and took his hands in hers."It's alright, Rum. I'll talk to my father when he wakes up and after that I'm done with him."

"What?"

"If he can't learn to at least tolerate you then there's no place for him in my life. If I have to choose, I will always choose you."He smiled at her and leaned in for kiss, but she stopped him by putting a single finger to his lips."But only if you promise not to doubt me ever again. Agreed?"

"Agreed."He wrapped his arm around her to pull her closer."I never meant to doubt your love for me. I just didn't want you upset, especially on today."

"Hmm. I know. I also know that you aren't the least bit sorry for hitting him."

Gold smiled sheepishly."You know me too well, dearie. I won't tolerate people who insult my woman."

Belle smiled at the flare of possessiveness."Your woman, am I?"

"Completely and utterly."

"Prove it."

Not one to refuse a challenge, especially one from Belle, Mr. Gold rolled over and trapped her underneath him.

"With pleasure."

TBC