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.

"Are you sure you don't want to rest, sweetheart? I don't mind making breakfast."

Belle turned off the stove and glared at her husband over her shoulder. "If you ask me that again, I'm going to hit you. I'm pregnant not invalid."

Mr. Gold chuckled and wrapped his arms around her as best he could. His darling Belle was seven months pregnant with his child. He'd been acting like a mother hen since she told him she was pregnant and showed no signs of stopping. He refused to let something happen to either of his girls. Belle held his heart and soul, and the life they'd created was equally precious if not more so. He would do anything to protect them. That single thought made him feel stronger than ever.

"I know," he said, plucking the spatula from her hand. "I just don't want you overexerting yourself. When you do, our daughter takes it out on me at night. Now sit down. I'll finish up here."

Belle sighed but did as he asked. If he wanted to act like her personal slave, there was little she could do to stop him. He'd been more attentive than ever after she told him she was with child. He refused to let her out of his sight for more than an hour and had even found someone to take over the library for her. Belle sat down and felt a sharp pain followed by a wet sensation down her thigh.

"Rum. I think the baby's coming."

Gold nearly dropped the plate as he rushed to her side. "What?! She's not due for another two months."

Her breath hitched as another sharp pain hit her. "Apparently, she wants to come early."

"Will you stop pacing? You're giving me a headache."

Mr. Gold glared at Moe French and continued pacing the floor of the hospital. Belle had been in there for hours and both men were getting worried. Finally, the door opened and Dr. Whale came out looking grim.

"I'm sorry Mr. Gold. They didn't make it."

Gold finally stopped pacing and walked up to Whale. "What?"

"There were...complications during the birth. I'm sorry. They both died."

Numbly, Gold found a chair and slumped down in it. Gone. They were both gone. He felt a shadow come over him and looked up to find Moe standing over him. Tears were rolling down the larger man's face as well.

"You killed her. You and your demon seed killed her. I always knew you would be the death of her. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Gold could no longer look up at Moe and put his head in his hands. "I'm sorry. Belle, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

"Rum!"

Mr. Gold's eyes snapped open as he awoke gasping for air. He looked to his left and saw Belle, alive and well, staring at him. Without a word, he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. She let him and rubbed his back to calm him down. It broke her heart seeing him like this. Knowing that his own memories and thoughts tormented him made her want to do nothing more than hold him and never let go. She especially wished that she'd known about this sooner.

Despite having lived with Rumpelstiltskin for years, Belle had never spent the night in his bed when they stayed it the Dark Castle. Now in Storybrooke, she'd come to love it. Falling asleep and waking up in his arms had become a necessity, and she soon found herself unable to sleep properly without him. Mr. Gold's sleeping patterns were another matter entirely. It was after their first week together under the curse that Belle found out about his nightmares.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked softly just as she did every time he had a nightmare.

He shook his head and kept his face buried in her chest. This was a new nightmare for him. Usually, it was just flashes of memories from the Ogre War or losing Bae. He'd grown used to those. This one was new and had terrified him than ever. He felt Belle's hand slowly run through his hair and released a shaky breath.

"It's alright, Rum," he heard her say above him. "It was just a dream. I'm here."

That seemed to do the trick. His breathing slowly evened out, and his heart returned to its normal speed. Traces of the nightmare still lingered in his mind, however, and he remained pressed against her breast. Belle said nothing and kissed his forehead as he tried to focus on her. The scent of roses that always clung to her smooth skin, the soft touch of her hand as she petted him, anything to banish the nightmare from his mind.

"I'm sorry for waking you," he muttered after a while.

"Don't apologize," she said, brushing his hair out of his eyes. "I don't mind. Do you think you can go back to sleep?"

He nodded mutely and closed his eyes. "I love you, Belle," he whispered. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Belle smiled a bit and continued to run her hand through his hair. "I love you too, Rum, and you'll never have to find out. I'm not going anywhere."

Gold kissed her softly before settling once again in her arms. She was the only one who would ever see him like this. When he was at his weakest, he could trust her to stay strong for the both of them.

TBC