Tempted Chapter Ten, an once upon a time fanfic

After a very long break — I'm so sorry about that: my muse deserted me for a bit — here we are at the last chapter. This starts about a year after the previous chapter, so there's a bit of a time jump. I mention some things in this chapter that I have plans to flesh out a bit in one shots, so I'm definitely not done with the Tempted 'verse, and I also have ideas for a sequel that I will probably write at some point, though it will be a while.

I've really enjoyed writing this, and I'm really pleased that people have liked it. I know reversing the ages for Rumple and Belle is a bit out there and I wasn't sure how people would take it, but I've gotten some very positive feedback, so thank you so very much to the people who've taken the time to read and leave such positive comments. It's been really great and I love you all :) Hope you like the final chapter!

Tempted

Chapter Ten

'Pregnant?'

She nodded, smiling.

Belle reached for her friend's hand across the table.

'Ariel, that's wonderful news! I'm so happy for you, darling. Eric must be so excited.'

Ariel giggled. 'He's over the moon: keeps looking at me like I'm some kind of deity or something. It's very sweet.'

Belle smiled. 'So, how far along?'

'Ten weeks: you're the first to know.'

'Well, I'm honoured,' Belle replied.

'And we'd like you and Tristan to be godparents.'

Belle smiled. 'We'd love to.' She squeezed Ariel's hand. 'I'll tell him when he gets back tomorrow: he'll be delighted.'

'You'll be glad to have him home.'

'I will,' Belle agreed: 'I'm really happy that the album is doing well in Europe, but it's hard when he's away and I can't go with him.'

Ariel nodded. 'I'm so happy it's working out for you two.'

Belle sighed happily. 'So am I. I never would have guessed that I could meet such a man, but he's everything I ever wanted.'

'I feel the same about Eric.' Ariel laughed. 'You should see him: he's so sweet and attentive. I'm sure Tristan will be the same.'

'A baby isn't something we've talked about,' Belle said quietly.

'Do you want one?'

'Yes,' Belle said immediately: 'I would love to have a child with Tristan, but I don't know if it's something he's even considered yet. He may not be ready.'

'Are you?'

'Yes, I think I am, but I don't want to rush him. It's only been a year.'

'It's long enough for you to know that he's committed to you: it's obvious he adores you. It's like you two are two halves of the same whole: there's no breaking what you have apart.'

Belle smiled. 'We are very happy together, but I'm not sure how he'd feel about bringing a baby into the mix. He only just turned twenty-seven: he might not want to be a father yet.'

'And if he wasn't ready, would you be willing to wait for him?'

'I would. I couldn't imagine having a baby with anyone else, and I know that science can do amazing things now if it came to that. I suppose it's something we can at least talk about.'

Ariel nodded. 'Exactly. Then you'll know his feelings and you can plan from there.'

Belle nodded and smiled.

Hey, babe: we're doing a few last radio slots and a photo shoot in the morning and then we're out of here. I can't wait to see you: miss you like crazy. Should be home some time around five. I love you, my beautiful Belle.

Belle smiled at Tristan's voicemail.

'Love you too, darling,' she returned, as if he was in the room with her.

She wondered what his reaction would be to the subject of a baby. She was pretty sure that Tristan would want a child at some point: he was kind to and fond of the children who frequented her library, and she knew from seeing him with them that he would be a wonderful father. She wasn't sure, though, when he would be ready to have one of his own. Twenty-seven was young enough for fatherhood, but Tristan had always seemed older than his years, and she knew that whatever his views and wishes were, they could have a reasonable discussion about it.

She made dinner, but couldn't really eat. Her stomach felt a little sick, but she was always a little out of sorts when Tristan was away. She washed the dishes and watched a movie, and went to bed early.

Gold let himself into the house and dropped his bag by the door. Then he looked up to see Belle coming down the stairs to meet him.

He smiled. 'There she is: hey babe.'

She ran the last few steps to him and they hugged.

'Hey, darling.'

She smiled at him, and then lost her breath as she always did when he gave her one of his reunion kisses. They were always intense, as if he was trying to pack all the kisses they'd missed while he was away into one kiss.

'Hmm: that's better,' he murmured, smiling at the dreamy look in her eyes.

'Yes,' she agreed, relaxing in his arms. She was sure she'd feel better now that he was home again. What Ariel had said was true: they were like two halves of the same whole, and neither of them felt right without the other.

'How was the trip?' she asked.

'The schedule was crazy, but we got a lot of publicity out of it, and the album's doing well.'

'That's wonderful.'

He put his arm around her and they went into the living room and sat on the couch, cuddling close together.

'So, anything exciting happen here while I was away?' he asked.

'Yes, actually,' she told him. She smiled at his questioning look. 'Ariel's pregnant,' she announced, 'and she and Eric want us to be godparents: I told her we'd be delighted.'

'Wow: well, of course. That's great news. How far along?'

'Ten weeks.'

He sighed. 'A baby, huh? They must be over the moon.' He knew he would be if he'd gotten the news Eric had gotten.

Belle smiled and cuddled closer, thinking now was as good a time as any to have this conversation.

'Missed you,' he whispered, and he tipped her chin up and kissed her gently.

She pulled back before it could get too heated and caught his hand before he could start unbuttoning her blouse.

'Something wrong?' he asked.

'No,' she returned immediately, soothing him: 'I was just wondering if we could talk about something.'

'Of course: what do you want to talk about, Belle?'

She smiled and took a breath. 'Ariel's news just got me thinking, is all, about you and me maybe having a baby of our own one day, and I wondered what you would think of that.'

Gold stared at her. Was she saying what he thought she was saying?

'Belle, do you…are you saying that you wanna have a baby with me?'

'I'd like to, yes,' she said.

'You want me to be the father of your baby?'

Belle bit her lip. She'd shocked him. Oh, dear, this wasn't going well. Perhaps her intuition had been wrong: perhaps he didn't want a child. Perhaps he liked other people's children, but had no thought of having any of his own.

'I-I'm sorry,' she began: 'I'm sure you never envisioned having a partner and child so young, so if you don't want to–'

'Oh, I want to,' he said, cutting across her because he saw that his initial reaction had given her the opposite idea from the one he'd intended.

'You do?' she asked hopefully.

'God, yes. Belle, anyone can see you were born to be a mother, and to see you carrying my child would be the most incredible thing.'

She smiled tearfully. 'Oh, Tristan.'

'God, I love you,' he murmured, and he began unbuttoning her blouse as he kissed her. 'You're going to look so beautiful carrying my child, Belle: our child.'

Belle shivered and smiled, but, wait, did this mean he was ok with this happening sooner rather than later?

'Tristan,' she breathed, pulling away in surprise.

'What is it?' he asked, seeing the confusion on her face.

'Are you…do you mean you're ready for this now? You don't want to wait?'

He smiled. 'Why wait? I already know I'm going to spend the rest of my life with you, Belle, and I've always known you'd be a wonderful mother. I knew the first time I saw you reading to the kids at the library that I wanted you to be the mother of my child. I don't need to wait, babe: I'm ready right now.'

Tears were trickling down Belle's cheeks, but she was smiling.

'Alright,' she said calmly, 'now it is.' She bit her lip in excitement. 'You're going to be an amazing father, Tristan. I do love you.'

'I love you too, Belle.' He kissed her softly.

Belle smiled. 'I'll make a doctor's appointment for us and we can make sure everything's ok.'

He nodded. 'But, in the meantime, there's no reason we can't get started.' And he took her hand and stood from the couch, urging her up too.

'Well, I am still on birth control,' she reminded him: 'and it can take a while.'

'All the more reason to practice,' he returned, grinning.

She smiled. 'You really think we need practice?' she asked as she went with him to their room.

'Practice is always good, Belle, especially when it's so much fun.'

She laughed. 'I can't argue with that.'

'Good,' he growled, and kissed her.

Gold smiled and pulled the blanket over Belle, as she lay curled up in their bed. She was a little pale this morning: she said she thought she might be getting a bug or something, so he told her to stay in bed and he would bring her something to eat.

'I'll be right back,' he told her.

'Ok,' she murmured, and snuggled under the covers, smiling at him.

Gold padded down the stairs and into the kitchen. As he was waiting for the eggs to finish boiling, he made a phone call.

'Good morning, Tristan,' Ariel greeted.

'Hey, Ariel: how's the mum-to-be?'

She laughed. 'No morning sickness yet today: hoping I'm over the worst of it, but I've probably cursed myself now!'

He laughed. 'Ah, hopefully you're done with that part of pregnancy. Listen, I'm calling because I was wondering if I could ask for your help with something.'

'Oh, I'm intrigued. Of course I'll help: what do you need?'

'I'm planning a surprise for Belle: can I come over and talk to you about it this afternoon?'

'Sure.'

'Two o'clock ok for you?'

'Perfect.'

'Alright: see you then.'

Belle held Tristan's hand as they waited for Dr Frost to come back with their files. They'd each had a check up and bloods taken to be sure that everything was as it should be for them to start trying for a baby. Belle was nervous, but excited too.

'Alright?' Gold asked, squeezing her hand.

She smiled. 'Yes: nervous, excited, and happy.'

He laughed. 'That's about how I'm feeling too.'

Dr Frost came in and smiled.

'Sorry to keep you waiting: I just needed to check something from your blood test, Belle.'

'Is everything alright?' Belle asked, her heart fluttering with nerves.

Gold squeezed her hand.

'Everything's fine,' Dr Frost assured them: 'it just seems that you're a little further along in the process than we all expected.' And she smiled.

'I don't understand,' Belle said.

'You're already pregnant, Belle,' Dr Frost told her.

Belle stared at her. 'What?'

'Did you just say pregnant?' Gold asked.

'I did.'

'But I was on birth control.'

'Well, that doesn't always work, as I'm sure you're aware.'

'Yes, but…'

'Belle,' Gold breathed.

She turned to him, shocked.

He smiled and cupped her cheek. 'We're having a baby.'

She stared at him. 'We are, aren't we?' she breathed, awed.

He laughed. 'Yeah, we are. Oh, Belle.' And he reached out with his free hand and touched her stomach.

She placed her hand over his. 'A baby,' she whispered, and her face broke out into a radiant smile. She laughed happily and then turned to Dr Frost. 'Thank you.'

'I'm always happy to be the bearer of good news. It seems that your body got a little ahead of you: about a month ahead, to be precise.'

'That's not normal, though, is it?' Gold asked.

Dr Frost smiled. 'Sometimes it's when you're not actively trying that you get pregnant. Some people would say it was meant to be.'

Belle smiled at Tristan. That was them all over: meant to be.

'I can't believe it: I just can't believe it!'

Gold laughed at the joyful surprise on her face.

She looked up at him and smiled tenderly. It was just so wonderful to her that she was going to have a baby with this incredible man.

'I love you,' she told him: 'I love you so much.'

He pulled her closer, smiling. 'Well, good, because I love you right back, you and the little one.'

She smiled as he leaned in to kiss her. They were standing by the lake in the park. It was a rather public place for this kind of kissing, but Belle was too happy and too wrapped up in him to care.

He pulled back a little and put a hand on her belly again, staring down at where their child was growing.

'I wanna do this right,' he told her.

'Of course you will,' she assured him, one hand stroking his cheek and the other moving down to hold his hand against her stomach.

'I don't exactly have the best role model in my father,' he said quietly, his tone a little sad, a little bitter.

'You are not Malcolm,' she told him firmly, seeing the flash of uncertainty in his eyes. Her darling Tristan was a confident man, but the one thing that could rip all of that away was Malcolm Gold.

Belle had met him about six months ago in London. Malcolm had turned up at their hotel looking for money and in his presence, Tristan went from a confident man to an uncertain little boy. She was not surprised to hear him express doubts about his own ability to parent a child, having had such a rotten father himself, but she knew that the man she loved with all her heart was a very different man from his father.

He looked at her. 'I don't wanna be like him, Belle: I don't want to screw our child up the way he did me.'

'Listen to me,' she commanded, both hands on his face now: 'you're not going to screw up.'

'How do you know?' he asked, looking very much like a lost little boy.

'I know because I know you, darling. You're a good, kind, honourable man: you're nothing like him. Do you think that I would be here with you if I thought that's the kind of man you were? I know what's in your heart, Tristan.'

He smiled at her, reassured. 'Do you know how much I love you?' he asked.

She smiled. 'I love you too, and our baby will love you. You're going to be a wonderful father, sweetheart.'

He kissed her, soft and reverent.

'You're an angel,' he whispered.

She smiled and shook her head, but he cupped her cheek.

'You are,' he insisted, 'and I adore you.'

She blinked, overcome by emotion.

She caught her breath a moment later when he stepped back slightly and dropped to one knee in front of her.

'Tristan…' she breathed, her eyes widening: 'what are you doing?'

He smiled and took her hand.

'Belle, this last year has been the happiest of my life,' he began, 'and I love you more than I knew it was possible to love someone. I've known for a long time that I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and now, with the baby, I know I'm the luckiest man alive, so I need to know…will you marry me?'

'Yes!' Belle cried, laughing and crying at the same time. 'Yes, I will. Oh Tristan.' And she threw her arms around his neck as he stood and kissed him.

'My beautiful Belle,' he breathed, pulling back to stare at her, tears in his eyes.

'Tristan,' she murmured, crying even harder at the sight of his tears. 'I love you, I love you, I love you!'

'Those words from your lips are sweeter than any music I could ever make.' And he kissed her, his hands pulling her closer, her hands sliding into his hair.

'Take me home, Tristan,' she requested: 'take me home and let's celebrate properly.'

He smiled and grabbed her hand, and she followed him, laughing.

Belle smiled dreamily as Tristan's fingers danced over her skin. He was lying on his side, his head level with her stomach, and he was alternating between kissing and caressing it. She smiled at his fascination, his devotion.

'Hard to imagine it, isn't it?' he asked. 'Our love planted a seed and now it's growing here.' And he traced her stomach gently again, making her hum. 'She's going to be beautiful, just like her mum.'

'She?' she asked, raising her head.

He kissed her hip and looked up at her, nodding. 'It's going to be a girl.'

'How do you know that?'

'Gut feeling,' he told her.

'And if it turns out to be a boy?' she asked, smiling.

He kissed her hip again. 'Then that'll be good too.' He moved up her body and kissed her gently on the lips.

Belle raised her left hand to stroke through his hair, but he caught it in his and looked down at it.

'I forgot something,' he told her, and abruptly got out of bed and disappeared out the door, leaving Belle confused.

He returned momentarily, his jacket from earlier in his hand.

'I meant to do this right,' he said apologetically.

'Do what right?' she asked.

'I was supposed to give you this when I asked you to marry me, but I got swept up in the moment.' As he was speaking, he pulled a little velvet box from his pocket. 'I hope you like it,' he said, and opened it.

Belle caught her breath. Inside the box was a beautiful diamond ring. It had two smaller diamonds set either side of a larger diamond, and it looked to be antique. It was just what she might have picked for herself.

'It's very beautiful,' she murmured, her emotion getting the better of her again. 'I love it,' she said sincerely. 'Would you put it on for me?'

He smiled and took the ring from the box, placing it on her waiting hand.

'It fits,' he sighed, relieved.

'And it's just my taste,' she said, admiring it. 'How did you know I would like it?'

He smiled. 'Ariel.'

Her eyes widened. 'Ariel knew?'

'I asked for her help a few days ago. I'm pretty sure it's been killing her to keep quiet, but now you can tell her and put her out of her misery.'

She laughed. 'I think I'll let her stew a bit longer.' And she kissed him. 'Thank you for my beautiful ring.'

'Thank you for agreeing to marry me.' And he kissed her again.

They agreed that they would tell everyone about the engagement, but keep the news of the pregnancy to themselves as long as they could. If no one guessed, they planned to reveal the news at the wedding, which they were planning on having over Christmas or New Year.

Ariel was delighted when she saw Belle wearing the ring.

'Oh, sweetie: congratulations! And thank God I don't have to keep that secret any more: that nearly killed me! Stress is not good in my condition.'

Of course, Ariel had a myriad of questions about everything, which Belle answered as best she could, and then she had a request to make.

'I was wondering if you'd be my maid of honour, if it wouldn't be too much for you by then?' she asked.

'Not at all: I'd be honoured.'

'Thank you, darling.'

'Ok, Christmas isn't that far away: let's get planning.'

Belle laughed and succumbed happily.

She arrived home to find Tristan on the phone to his mothers. Aggie and Elsie were on speaker, finishing each other's sentences as usual. She'd gotten used to them doing that when she met them last Christmas and she smiled at their excitement now.

'Belle just walked in the door,' Tristan said, smiling over at her.

'Belle, dear!'

'What wonderful news, lassie!'

'Hello, Aggie: hello, Elsie,' Belle greeted 'So, it's alright with you if I marry Tristan?' They'd been very accepting of and kind to her, but this was a big step she and Tristan were taking, and she wanted his mothers' blessing.

'Oh, my dear!'

'Of course!'

'We were hoping for this.'

'We're so glad he finally met a woman worthy of him.'

'Thank you,' Belle said, tears trickling down her cheeks at their sincerity. 'Thank you so much: I don't know what to say.'

'Och, lassie, we're very fond of you.'

'We are, and thank you for making an honest man of our Tristan.'

Gold laughed.

'And you'll both come to the wedding?'

'We will, surely.'

'Just try and stop us.'

'Great,' Gold said, pleased: 'we'll do Hogmanay here this year.'

'Wonderful.'

'Looking forward to it.'

They told Jefferson and Victor over dinner that evening, along with Victor's girlfriend Ruby.

'I told you!'

Jefferson looked rather smug, while Victor stared at them. Ruby sat between the boys, shaking her head at them.

'Well, I think it's wonderful,' she said, standing and coming to hug Belle and Tristan. 'Congratulations to you both.'

'Thank you,' Belle said, smiling.

'Yes, thank you, Ruby,' Gold added. He looked at his two friends. 'Was kind of expecting a different reaction, boys,' he said.

'Ah, shit: of course it's fantastic news, mate!' Victor said, jumping up and hugging his friend. 'It's just that I now owe Jeff fifty dollars. Sorry about the swearing, Belle,' he said sheepishly, and smiled and hugged her. 'Congratulations.'

She smiled. 'Thank you, and you're forgiven.'

'Hang on a sec: why do you owe Jeff fifty dollars?' Gold asked, bewildered.

'Because I bet him fifty bucks that you'd popped the question and that's why you invited us to dinner tonight. Victor, stupidly, took the bet.' As he was speaking, Jefferson rose from his seat and hugged his friend.

'Congrats, man,' he murmured.

'Cheers, brother,' Gold returned.

'So, who gets to be best man?' Victor asked expectantly.

Gold groaned. 'Should've known this was going to come up.'

'It's alright, sweetheart,' Belle soothed.

'But how am I supposed to choose?' he asked her.

'Who says you have to choose?' she asked: 'why can't you have both of them?'

He frowned. 'That's not how it's done, though.'

'Who cares? Is anything about you and me traditional, darling?'

He grinned. 'You are a genius.'

She smiled. 'I know.'

'That alright with you two?' he asked Victor and Jefferson.

'Cool with me,' Jeff said, smiling.

'Me too,' Victor agreed.

Gold smiled and hugged Belle.

As the weeks passed, plans for the wedding proceeded smoothly. They'd set a date — the first of January — and they'd booked a mansion outside the city for the ceremony and reception. Flowers, dresses, a cake, a photographer, and music had been chosen, and Belle and Ariel talked every day about the arrangements.

Belle felt her body start to change with her pregnancy and every day she wondered if someone would notice, but so far only Tristan noticed the subtle changes in her figure.

He found her in their room one day, gazing into the mirror, her sweater pulled up so she could examine herself.

'You ok?' he asked, coming to join her.

'Trying to imagine how I'll look at nine months.'

'Beautiful, of course,' he returned, and kissed the top of her head.

She smiled wryly. 'I'm not that tall, you know: I'm going to be huge.'

'You're going to be the most beautiful woman on the planet: you are as it is anyway.'

She turned to face him. 'So, you won't mind when I start waddling around like a penguin?'

He smiled. 'You'll be the sexiest penguin I've ever seen. Hey, come here.' He pulled her close.

'What is it?'

'Just this,' he said, kissing her. 'You're gorgeous, Belle: you'll be gorgeous even if you look like a balloon.' He ducked as she swatted him. 'I'm just saying that I love you no matter what, so stop worrying.'

She smiled. 'I love you too.'

Belle was trying on her wedding dress before the final alterations were made. Ariel was with her and she was gushing over the dress as Belle stood on the pedestal examining herself.

'Belle, you look absolutely stunning,' she said, staring at her in the mirror.

'Do you like it?' Belle asked.

'It's perfect.'

'I didn't want anything very traditional,' Belle explained.

'It's just right,' Ariel said, awed.

Belle turned again. The dress was a pale gold colour with an overlay of delicate lace. It was off the shoulder and the bodice had tiny crystal embellishments over the lace. The skirt was a-line, with a short train behind. It was vintage-inspired, and Belle loved it.

'Tristan's gonna think you're an angel in that dress,' Ariel commented, smiling.

Belle smiled and Ariel watched her smooth her dress out and saw her hands rest over her stomach. Then she saw the little smile on Belle's face and she suddenly had a thought. Belle had been looking a little different lately, and she'd noticed Tristan being very tender with her, just like Eric was with her at the moment.

'Belle?'

'Hmm?' Belle asked, looking over at her.

Ariel took a step towards her. 'Are you pregnant?'

Belle smiled. 'Yes.'

'Oh, my God…sweetie!'

Ariel made a funny sound between a laugh and a sob, and she went to her friend for a hug.

'I'm so happy for you, sweetie: so, so happy. You deserve all the happiness in the world.'

'Thank you, darling,' Belle whispered. 'Just think, now our children will get to grow up together.'

The two women pulled back and smiled at each other.

Just before Christmas, Gold and Belle went to the airport to pick Aggie and Elsie up.

The two women spotted them in the crowd and came hurrying towards them, but they stopped just before reaching them and looked from Belle to each other. Belle knew that they'd guessed.

'My dear.'

'Are you?'

'I am,' she said, and smiled.

'What wonderful news!'

'How far along?'

'Almost three months.'

'Wait, how on earth did you know?' Gold asked, bemused, as he watched his mothers hug Belle. He'd been confused about how Ariel had known too, and Belle had said that sometimes people just guessed.

His mothers looked at him, smiling.

'We've been around a long time, lad.'

'We know these things.'

'And just look at her: she's glowing.'

He smiled: she was that.

Aggie and Elsie grabbed him and hugged him.

'You're a good lad.'

'We're very proud of you.'

'We know you'll make a wonderful father.'

'And we're very happy for you.'

Belle watched her husband-to-be with his mothers and smiled tenderly. They were going to be a wonderful family, all five of them.

The first of January dawned cold, but sunny. Belle woke alone, having parted from Tristan after their kiss at midnight. She would have stayed with him, only Ariel, Elsie, and Aggie insisted that it was bad luck, so she reluctantly went to bed alone. In a few short hours, though, she would become his wife, and then, in six months or so, they would have a child. She smiled to herself: nothing had ever felt so right.

She'd been happy marrying Greg, but it was nothing like this. She'd been optimistic, but there had still been doubts. There were no doubts this time, because she knew that she and Tristan would be happy together: they already were. She was going into this marriage knowing everything about Tristan: it hadn't been that way with Greg. She'd barely known him at all, really, but she knew Tristan as well as she knew herself.

Her phone beeped and she sat up and looked at it. There was a message from Tristan.

Good morning, my beautiful bride, she read. I hope you slept well. I can't wait to see you. You've made me the happiest man on earth and I love you more than anything. See you soon. All my love, Tristan.

She quickly texted back.

Good morning, my darling. I've been lying here thinking about becoming your wife, and nothing has ever felt so right. I feel like I'm doing all of this for the first time and I never thought I would be given a second chance at happiness. You're a wonderful gift and I treasure you. See you soon, my love. Yours always, Belle.

Gold smiled at Belle's message and read it over a few times as he sat up in bed. Of course she'd done this before, but for her to say it felt like the first time gave him a sense of immeasurable confidence. He'd almost had a wedding himself once, but that felt like another man's life now, and he wouldn't trade his life now to have that back again. He'd loved Milah, but not like this, not with his whole heart and soul. She'd done him a favour by leaving him for Jones, because by doing that, she'd left him free to find the love of his life.

Today was his wedding day. Tonight he would have Belle in his arms and she would be his wife, his forever, and then there would be a beautiful child. How on earth did he get to be so lucky?

'Oh, my God,' Gold breathed, as he stood watching Belle walk down the aisle. She was a vision, an absolute dream, and, God, he was the luckiest man on the planet.

Belle's smile widened as she approached the man who was about to become her husband. He looked so dashing in his suit and the look on his face told her that she'd wowed him.

You look stunning, he mouthed as she joined him, and she smiled radiantly and returned the compliment by mouthing you too.

Belle handed off her bouquet to Ariel and the ceremony began.

It seemed as if there was no one there but them as they looked at each other. It was a wonder that they remembered to give the appropriate responses when prompted.

They'd prepared a few words to say to each other and Belle went first.

'Tristan, when I met you, I'd had my heart broken and my spirit trampled on. I wasn't the easiest person to talk to or get to know, but you persevered. You didn't give up on me and your friendship helped me find my confidence again. You helped me remember the woman I used to be and you loved me in a way I never thought anyone ever would. I love you, and I'll spend every day of my life wondering how I got to be so lucky as to meet with such a man as you.'

'Belle,' he began, 'the night I met you I knew I'd found what I'd been missing in my life. As good as things were getting for me, I quickly came to realise that nothing would mean much at all without you. Without you, all the success and fame felt empty. Without you, I didn't know where I was going. You're my inspiration, my muse, and I don't know what I've done to have you in my life, but I'm going to spend the rest of it showing you just how much I love you.'

They exchanged rings, Belle's a simple gold band and Gold's a more elaborate ring with a stone that was the same colour as Belle's eyes set into it.

Moments later, they were married, and Gold was kissing his wife amid cheers from their friends and family.

Belle felt like she was floating. She couldn't remember ever feeling so calm or so happy before. She'd just married the love of her life and everything was perfect.

She looked up at him now as they danced together and smiled.

'Remember the first time we danced together?' she asked, smiling.

'On the street the night we celebrated your divorce,' he said immediately.

'Yes. I'm sure people thought we were mad, but I didn't care.'

He kissed her gently. 'Neither did I.' He smiled. 'So, Mrs Gold, we have an announcement to make, don't we?'

'We do indeed,' she agreed. She gave him her hand and they went up to where the band was set up.

'Ladies and gentlemen, can we have your attention, please?' Gold requested as the music stopped.

Everyone looked up at them expectantly.

'Tristan and I have some news,' Belle said. 'A few of you know this already, but for those who don't, we're expecting a baby in June.'

There were loud exclamations of delight from everyone and then they were inundated by people wanting hugs and to shake their hands. Belle couldn't keep from smiling as everyone wished them well and asked questions about the baby.

Gold smiled as Belle was surrounded by friends asking about how her pregnancy was progressing and sympathising with her about morning sickness and weight gain. God, she was beautiful.

'Hey.'

Gold had been sitting up in bed, waiting for Belle, who had gone to freshen up. Now she was standing at the foot of the bed, her hair down around her shoulders, wearing a short silk nightgown.

'Hey,' he returned. 'Are you coming to bed?' he asked, his eyes raking over her figure in the flimsy nightgown.

'Yes,' she said, moving towards him, her eyes looking him up and down too. 'Happy to see me?' she asked, smiling at his obvious arousal.

'I'm not unhappy,' he said, smirking.

He leaned up for a kiss and then wrapped his arms around her and, pulling her down, rolled her onto back and hovered over her.

'Are you very tired?' he asked.

She smiled, stroking his hair back off his face. 'I'm not tired at all,' she told him. 'I've been waiting for this all day.'

'Waiting for what?' he asked, wanting her to say it.

'Waiting to make love with my husband for the first time.'

He smiled. 'And I've been dying to make love to my beautiful wife.'

Belle reached up and kissed him. 'Come on, then,' she whispered breathily.

He didn't need to be asked twice.

Six months later

Belle could not believe this was happening. She'd kissed Tristan goodbye early this morning so he and the boys could go and do an interview and a few songs on a talk show in LA and now, here she was, in labour.

He hadn't wanted to go, but she'd insisted that she would be fine, and, not three hours later, she'd started having contractions.

She knew labour could take hours, but still, she was seven centimetres dilated now and Tristan wasn't here: she didn't want him to miss this.

'Did you get him?' she asked Ariel as she came back into her room.

'Eric's still trying, sweetie. Don't worry, we'll get in touch with him. The show should be over any time now and he'll be on the next available flight. You just try to relax and concentrate on delivering the little one.'

'Your friend is right, Belle,' Dr Frost said. 'Try not to worry, alright?'

'I know,' Belle said: 'I'm trying. I just don't want him to miss this.'

'He won't: he'll be here,' Ariel promised.

'I shouldn't have told him to go,' Belle said sadly.

'No, you bloody shouldn't.'

Belle gasped. 'Tristan!'

There he stood in the doorway, dressed in his leather pants and black t-shirt for the show that he'd obviously missed. He was staring at her, half annoyed and half relieved.

'How did you know?' she asked.

'I got to the studio and my phone was dead,' he told her, coming into the room. 'Something told me I needed to be here, so the boys did the interview without me and I managed to get a flight back. God, you are one stubborn woman.'

'I'm sorry,' she said meekly. 'I really thought it would be ok. I still have a week, and first babies are often late. I'm sorry, Tristan: you nearly missed our baby's birth because of me.'

He stroked her cheek. 'Shhh,' he soothed, 'I'm here now, love: don't worry, and you couldn't have known anyway.'

'I'm so glad you're here,' Belle murmured.

He kissed her gently; then he looked over at Ariel.

'Thanks for being with her, Ariel: I'm very grateful.'

She smiled. 'It's no problem.'

'How's Melody?' Melody was Ariel and Eric's daughter: she was almost two months old.

'She's wonderful: looking forward to having a playmate. Eric's got her in the stroller outside: he was trying to get in touch with you.'

'Thanks,' Gold said.

'Well, at least you made it.'

He nodded and smiled, and then smiled at Belle.

'We'll be outside,' Ariel told them, and left them.

'So, it's really happening,' Gold said.

Belle smiled. 'And I'm so glad you're here with me.'

He kissed her. 'Me too.'

It was nearly four hours later when Dr Frost was telling Belle to push again.

'You're almost there, Belle: the head is crowning. Push for me until I say stop, ok?'

'Ok,' Belle said, clinging to Tristan's hand.

'Almost there, love,' he told her, wiping her sweaty brow gently.

'I love you,' she told him.

'I love you too.'

Dr Frost said 'push' and Belle pushed.

'Ok, the head is out. Just one moment, Belle, and you can push again. Alright, one more big push ought to do it.'

Belle pushed once again and then she and Tristan heard their baby cry.

'It's a little girl!' Dr Frost announced.

Belle and Tristan were both crying and holding each other.

They waited as the nurses checked their daughter over and cleaned her up. Then they wrapped her in a blanket, put a little hat on her, and brought her over, placing her in her mother's arms.

'She's so tiny,' Gold whispered.

'Isn't she beautiful?' Belle asked.

'She is,' he agreed, touching his daughter's hand with a gentle fingertip as it curled around the blanket. 'Oh, Belle,' he whispered.

Belle looked up at him, smiling tearfully at his happy tears.

'Thank you, Tristan,' she murmured: 'you've made me so happy.'

He smiled. 'You did the same for me, you know. I love you, my beautiful Belle.'

'I love you too, darling, and this little lady loves her daddy.'

'Told you it would be a girl,' he said, smiling, 'and she's just as beautiful as you.'

'Our little girl,' Belle breathed, awed.

'What shall we call her?' he asked.

'What do you think?'

'Well, we both liked Lucy, didn't we?'

'Yes,' Belle agreed.

'Then Lucy it is, but she needs a middle name.'

'Do you want to name her Agnes or Elspeth for one of your mothers?'

He smiled. 'I was actually thinking we should name her for the grandmother she won't get a chance to know.'

Belle blinked back tears. 'You want to name her for my mother?' she asked, smiling.

'What do you think?' he asked.

Belle swallowed the lump in her throat. 'I think that would be lovely. Lucy Colette Gold,' she recited.

'Lucy Colette Gold,' he agreed, touching his daughter's head, gently.

'I love you,' Belle whispered, reaching up for a kiss.

He obliged. 'I love you too.'

'Want to hold her?' she asked.

'Yeah,' he said, his eyes soft as he looked at their tiny baby.

Belle placed their daughter in her father's waiting arms, smiling as he cradled her close. The sight of him holding Lucy so tenderly captured her heart all over again.

Three years ago, she would never have guessed this happiness was waiting for her, and she certainly wouldn't have been brave enough to go after it. All it had taken in the end was this wonderful man to get her to open up and give in to temptation.

The end

Thank you so, so, so, so, SO much for reading. I hope you've enjoyed the ride as much as I've enjoyed taking you on this journey :)