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.

"Belle. Belle where are you?"

Mr. Gold was not surprised at the lack of reply. If she was caught up in a really good book, he would have to find her and tap her to get her attention. He headed to the living room and found her curled up on the couch and crying. He was at her side instantly, ready to make whoever had done this pay.

"Belle. Dearie, what's wrong?"

Belle looked up at her husband's concerned face and smiled. "It's nothing, Rum. I'm fine. I just got emotional over the movie."

Gold blinked. She was upset over a movie? He would never understand women. "Okay. And, just what were you watching that got you so upset?"

"The Phantom of the Opera. It was on television when I got home. I've read the book already, but it's even sadder in the movie." Gold vaguely remembered Belle telling him about the book once, but that was it. "It's playing again after dinner. Do you want to watch it with me?"

"Are you sure you want to watch it again if it upsets you this much?"

"I can handle it this time. Besides, you'd like it."

He shot her a small smile. "Sure, I would. It has nothing to do with the fact that you want to use me as a pillow while you watch it."

"You said it not me, love," she said, grinning back at him.

"That's because I know you, dearie, but I will watch it with you."

After dinner, Belle was busy finding the channel the movie was on in their room when her husband came into the room with a bowl of popcorn and Draco behind him.

"You just ate, Rum! How do you still have room for popcorn?"

Mr. Gold stretched out beside her and popped a few kernels into his mouth. "I didn't eat that much. This is just a snack."

"You ate two bowls of stew and four dinner rolls with them. Honestly, where do you put it all?"

"It's not my fault I eat so much. You've been over feeding Draco and I for years. If we're fat, it's entirely your fault. Right, boy?"

Draco barked in agreement before taking his usual spot in front of the bed. Belle rolled her eyes and rested her head on Gold's shoulder.

"If you keep blaming me for your overeating, I'm going make good on my threat to stop cooking."

"Shush, dearie," he said quickly to change the subject. "The movie's starting. Popcorn?"

Belle passed on the popcorn and focused on the movie.

At the end of the movie, Mr. Gold felt his heart clench. The sight of Christine choosing Raoul made him think of Belle choosing Gaston over him. He knew that it was a stupid thought, but he doubted that his reaction would have been any different from the Phantom's.

"Christine was a fool," Belle said as the credits rolled. "She picked the pretty boy over Erik."

"Not all women are able to love monsters, dearie," he reminded her softly. "Especially ones who don't look like the 'pretty boy' she picked."

Belle rolled over to face him and pulled the covers tighter around the both of them. "Shallow fools, the lot of them. He did everything for her, and she betrayed his trust. Even if she didn't love him, what she did was just cruel."

"True. You were right though. I did enjoy the movie. I see why you like it."

To his surprise, she giggled into his chest. "The story is only one of the reasons I like it."

"What's the other, then?"

She smiled up at him. "I have a thing for Scottish men in tight pants, and Gerard Butler has a very nice ass."

Gold chuckled. "Should I be worried about competition?"

"No. Yours is much nicer, and I can touch it when I please." To prove this, she gave his left cheek a hard squeeze.

He gasped at her touch before smiling down at her. "Indeed, you can dearie. Though, I suggest you stop or you won't be getting any sleep tonight."

"Now, when have I ever complained about you keeping me up?" she asked before pulling him into a kiss.

TBC