I do not own 'Once Upon a Time.'
Chapter 20
Belle was sitting in the living room of the apartment when Nick entered with a bag from a nearby restaurant. He was glad to see the filming of her latest project wrap up; in the several months that Belle was working on the film, between her busy schedule and the expansion of his shop, their time together was limited and difficult to plan. Many days Belle would have an early set call and have to leave by five in the morning, hours before Nick awoke, and Nick would often arrive home from work to find her already asleep, exhausted from her busy day on the set. They found themselves having to sneak time together whenever and wherever they could. In addition, Belle began taking two classes at NYU, one on campus which Philip worked around her schedule for, and one online. On top of all of this, they had a wedding to plan, and Belle was scheduled to do a premiere and press junket tour a little over a month prior to their wedding date. Nick's life had never been so hectic before, even when he worked on Wall Street. He was in awe of Belle and how well she kept up with everything, and still managed to find time for him, as challenging as that was.
"Hey – what are you doing?" Nick asked as he entered the living room and set their lunch down.
"Oh, just going through some fan mail." Belle said.
"I thought you had a service that did that." Nick said, sitting down next to her and spreading their lunch out on the coffee table.
"I do but – I like to look at some of them at times. It's kind of amusing. And sweet." Belle said as she opened one of the envelopes. She made a face at its contents. "And sometimes kind of creepy."
"Let me see." Nick said, grabbing the envelope from her. "Fuck! Do you get this sort of thing often?" Nick asked, shocked at what he was looking at. Someone had sent Belle a photo of his exposed male genitals, with a phone number written on the back.
"Not a lot, but more often than you would think. Mulan made me a scrapbook of them once as a joke for my birthday. I still have it somewhere in California." Belle said.
"Right, well we're finding that and burning it next time we're there." Nick said as he started to crumple up the photo.
"Now wait a minute." Belle said, grabbing the picture from his hand. "I'm about to get married, that's a lifetime commitment, I need to weigh all of my options first, this might be a better offer." Belle stared at the photo, then glanced over at Nick, looking down toward his lap, then looked at the photo again and made a face to indicate that she was pondering the decision.
"Fuck you!" Nick said, and he pulled the photo out of Belle's hand and tossed it onto the coffee table as Belle laughed. She gave Nick a quick kiss on the lips.
"I love you." she said, still smiling.
"Right. Eat your lunch, one of us might as well, my appetite has just been ruined. Talk about feeling inadequate." Nick said.
"Well we all can't be gifted in the same way now, can we?" Belle teased, and she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I am perfectly happy with you just as you are." Belle took a bite of her sandwich just as the doorbell rang. "Oh, that's probably Philip, he's bringing over a first edit of part of the movie for me."
"I'll get it – you just stay there and ogle your new boyfriend." Nick remarked sarcastically. Nick answered the door and led Philip into the living room. "Sorry I didn't know you were coming over, I'd have gotten something for you." Nick said as he sat back down next to Belle on the sofa.
"It's alright, I just wanted to drop this off, I have some business to deal with, I can't stay long." Philip said as he handed a package to Belle and sat down in the chair across from them. "What the fuck is this?" Philip asked as he picked up the photo.
"Belle got it in a fan letter." Nick said, not at all pleased.
"Oh, you're opening fan mail, that's always fun." Philip said as he looked over the photo. "Good god."
"There's a phone number on the back Philip, maybe you should give him a ring." Belle teased.
"Don't tempt me, I just might." Philip joked, then he tossed the photo aside. "Listen – I know I pulled one over on you with Nick about the whole Tom Clark thing, but – well, you won't believe it but I actually DID manage to book a shoot with him this coming Monday for you and Robin to do promo shots for the movie."
"Yeah right, sure you did." Belle said, and she looked over at Nick. "What are you two up to this time?"
"Not a damn thing, I swear." Nick said.
"Not a ruse this time, love – he's in town for the weekend, said he'd be willing to do a shoot on Monday morning before he leaves. He's giving me two hours. Sorry about the short notice, but you know how good he is, I had to jump on the offer." Philip said. "I already spoke with Robin and he's good."
"Fine, whatever. What time?" Belle said.
"You need to be there at 7:30 for hair and make-up and costuming. Shoot starts at nine." Philip said. "Here's the address, I booked several rooms." Philip handed her a piece of paper. "I probably should warn you – Clark has a new exclusive for make-up on all of his shoots here in New York." Philip made a face, and Belle reacted immediately.
"Oh, no – not her. Philip, you know she annoys the crap out of me." Belle said.
"What am I supposed to do? No Angela, no Tom Clark. Be a dear and just do this for me, please? My last film didn't get shit for promotion and with Tom Clark's name attached it'll give me an edge." Philip said.
"Who's Angela?" Nick asked.
"Angela Blue. She owns Blue Star Cosmetics – it's a high end make-up line and she has a special line for stage and screen. She does a lot of jobs in the industry, and she likes to do a good deal of work personally, she thinks no one can do it better than she can, which is bull. I really can't stand her – she's one of those people that will be all sweet and nice to your face and the minute your back is turned she's talking shit about you." Belle told him.
"She did the make-up on the promo shoot for Forever and a Day and told Belle that if she had some work done she could probably get rid of the lines forming on her forehead." Philip said, laughing a bit. Belle just glared at him.
"What lines?" Nick said. "Sweetheart, you could still pass for twenty-five easily, who is this woman?"
"Oh, she also offered me samples of her 'magic elixir' that would get rid of the circles under my eyes, I was ready to give her some circles under HER eyes shaded purple after that. Her make-up is crap too, she's a total snake oil saleswoman. I don't know how she made such a name for herself in the business." Belle said.
"On her back, most likely. So you'll do it, right? And you'll behave?" Philip asked.
"I said I'd do it. If I have to behave there better be something else in it for me." Belle joked. "If she makes one crack about my forehead lines, I want permission to slap her."
"When the shoot is over, you can slap her, how's that?" Philip said. "Give the edit a look and email me your thoughts, I have to go. See you Monday, love." Philip got up and left.
"You want to come and watch the shoot?" Belle asked.
"To see you slap some condescending woman? Oh I wouldn't miss it, love. Looking forward to it, actually." Nick said, and he gave her a kiss.
Nick entered the studio quietly and sat down in the back of the room to watch the photo shoot. He smiled as he saw Belle come out and take center stage in front of the camera with her co-star, Robin Sherwood. He wasn't thrilled with some of the more provocative poses that the photographer put them in, but he understood this was all for publicity. He and Belle had gone out to dinner several times with Robin and his wife Marian, and Nick thought they were very nice people. Marian had just given birth to their son six weeks prior, and Nick could tell that Robin was anxious to get the entire activity over with so that he could go home and be with his wife.
The entire time that the photo shoot was going on, the petite woman who kept stepping in every few minutes to touch up their make-up and hair kept eyeing Nick and staring at him with puzzlement, but said nothing. Nick presumed that she was Angela Blue, particularly when viewing Belle's numerous eye rolls behind the woman's back. After the shoot was over, everyone cleared the room quickly except Belle and Nick. Belle walked over to Nick.
"What did you think?" Belle asked.
"Uncomfortable. Were those poses really necessary?" Nick asked.
"It's a steamy romantic thriller – hate to say it, sweetheart but – sex sells." Belle said. "Just remember who I'm going home with, and Robin is on his way home to messy diapers and middle of the night feedings."
"I know you're right. I can still be a bit jealous though, right? You wouldn't like it if some woman were draping herself all over me, would you?" Nick asked.
"Oh, I'd want to kill her, absolutely." Belle said, and she gave Nick a kiss. "I'm gonna go change – they probably want to close this room up, so just wait for me in the hallway, I'll be out in a bit and we'll go grab lunch." Belle said.
"Alright." Nick said. "I am a bit disappointed that there was no smack down though, was looking forward to that." Belle just smiled and laughed a bit. He and Belle left the room in opposite directions. Nick started walking down the hall. He heard voices coming from a nearby room and nosily listened in on the conversation.
"Hey – who's the um – who's the geezer with the cane that sat in the back of the room the entire time? Was he supposed to be there?" Angela asked Tom.
"You don't know? That's Belle French's fiancée." Tom said.
"That old man is marrying Belle French? She went from Philip Prince and Tyler Gaston to – THAT?" Angela asked.
"Yup. She did. I don't get it – my only guess is she's some sort of bizarre fetishist, you just never know sometimes with these actresses." Tom said.
"Well – does he have money? I could understand if he has money." Angela said.
"He owns a craft store." Tom said. Angela started laughing.
"A craft store, are you serious? How do you know all of these things?" Angela asked.
"Are you kidding? They've been one of THE hot topics in the gossip sites and magazines lately. Her likeability rating has really taken a nose dive too, ever since she went public with their relationship. She was at ninety-two percent likeability – she's down to seventy-three now. You should read some of the fan comments." Tom said.
"You know, I try to avoid that tripe but – I may have to have a look now." Angela told him.
"Her career is pretty much shot to hell at this point. Between the relationship with her geriatric boyfriend and her foray into the artsy-fartsy world of August Booth – her fans aren't going to stick around for that shit." Tom said. "If she wasn't such good friends with Philip she never would have gotten this role here."
"You ready?" Belle said, popping up behind Nick. Nick turned to look at her; he looked visibly upset. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Let's go." Nick said, but Belle started to hear the conversation between Tom and Angela.
"So why did you even bother doing this shoot?" Angela asked.
"Sherwood. I mean come on, he's married to Marian Forrester, this is his first film, he's huge in the theatre world, everyone's watching him like a hawk. I figure if he makes it big I want my name attached to his first film promo shoot." Tom said. "I can just Photoshop Miss French out of the pictures for my portfolio - lord knows everyone else will."
"Is it me or has she gained weight? I mean, she was never the thinnest thing to begin with, she's always had those chubby cheeks, I don't know how she's gotten work with those, you'd think she'd have gotten them fixed by now." Angela said.
"People like that about her - gives her that 'girl next door' look that she's profited off of all these years. It just doesn't play as well once you hit thirty." Tom said. "I've heard she refuses to have work done though - good luck to her getting jobs, between the natural aging process and that goblin of a boyfriend she's dating, she's gonna become box office poison, mark my words. Just watch - this next film of hers will be Booth's first bomb, he won't be able to disassociate from her fast enough."
"I just find it amusing when these former models think they can actually act in a serious role once their looks start to fade." Angela said.
"That's it." Nick said, he and Belle still listening without being seen, and he moved to make his way into the room.
"No - no, let me." Belle said, and she marched into the room. She walked up behind Angela and tapped her on the shoulder. Angela turned around, and Belle lifted up her hand and slapped Angela across the face, hard. Angela gasped in shock and was silent. Nick stood in the background, his eyes widened, trying not to laugh. "Gee, I'm surprised my hand didn't just bounce right off of your face given the amount of Botox you have pumped in there."
"You little bitch. How dare you!" Angela shouted at her.
"Who the hell do you think you are, talking about me that way? At least I didn't make my career by sleeping with every director and photographer that looked my way." Belle said, and she glanced over at Tom with the comment. "And you – you should be so lucky to be half as good of a man that Nick is. You both spend your entire day photographing all of these pretty people and you don't have a damn clue what real beauty is, neither of you do." Belle's voice rose in volume as she spoke.
"What's going on in here?" Philip asked as he entered the room.
"These two good people were insulting Belle and me." Nick said.
"Oh really? How's that?" Philip asked.
"It was a private conversation." Angela said.
"With the door wide open for anyone to hear." Nick said. He moved toward Tom, pointing his cane at him. "This prat here called me a goblin; said that my presence in Belle's life made her box office poison, isn't that right?" Nick said as he pushed the man back with his cane.
"Nick, come on – let's go." Belle said, reaching for Nick's hand and pulling him away. "I'm sorry Philip – but I'm not putting up with this, I'm tired of people saying hurtful things about me and Nick. I'm going home with my goblin boyfriend now – he can help me scour this shit make-up off of my face before it sets in and leaves a rash." Belle dragged Nick out the door, not once looking back.
Upon their arrival home, while Belle spent the day with homework and studying, Nick spent the rest of the day searching websites for recent articles on Belle, and reading comments that fans left. He knew that he should just let go of what was said earlier, but he had to find out what the public was saying, despite his promise not to read these things. He found many hurtful comments about himself, Belle, judgments about their relationship, and couldn't help but wonder if he was his presence in Belle's life really was a detriment to her career. After spending several hours on the Internet, Nick went into the bedroom, opened one of his dresser drawers, and pulled out a kilt. He held it up to look at it and sighed.
"What is that?" Belle asked upon entering the room.
"It's – it's my dad's kilt." Nick said, setting it down on the bed. "He gave it to me before I came to America – told me that if I ever got married I had to wear it. He said that he didn't give a shite if I was going to America; I'm still a Scotsman, and I should honor that tradition."
"Did you wear it when you married Milah?" Belle asked.
"Milah and I got married at the courthouse on our lunch break." Nick said. "I wasn't wearing a kilt to the office at the time."
"Well – do you want to wear it for our wedding?" Belle asked.
"Yeah." Nick replied. "But I'm not going to." Nick picked up the kilt, folded it carefully and placed it back in the dresser drawer, then sat back down on the bed.
"Why not?" Belle asked, sitting down next to him. Nick grinned a bit and shook his head.
"You've seen my leg, Belle. The only people in this world aside from doctors that have seen my leg besides you are Bae and Ruby." Nick said. "And I intend to keep it that way."
"Nick, no one is going to be looking at your leg during the wedding." Belle said. "And you wear knee stockings with a kilt, don't you? All that will be showing is your knee." Nick chuckled a bit in frustration.
"My knee – Belle, that is the worst part to be showing, it's all swollen and scarred and – ugly. It's ugly, Belle. And I don't want anything about our wedding to be ugly." Nick said.
"So you're just going to throw away a tradition from your heritage that's very important to you because you're afraid of what other people will think?" Belle asked, and she took his hand. "Nick – I – I spent months away from you because I was afraid of what other people would think. I went against my own better judgment, and my heart, and what I knew deep inside was what I truly wanted – because I was afraid of what other people would think. And what did it get me? It got me months of tears, and regrets, and worst of all, it hurt you. I will never again worry about what other people think. Because it doesn't matter. It only matters if you let it matter. Nick, you walk with a cane. People know that you have a physical impairment in your leg, it's not something you can hide. But you can't let it define you, Nick. And no one thinks you're ugly."
"They do on TMZ, I've read the comments on there." Nick said. Belle laughed.
"Yes, I'm sure that the people who comment on TMZ are all beauty contest winners, right?" Belle said. "Why were you reading those things?"
"Because, they're out there, Belle. And they hurt you. People judge you because of me. I don't want to give them one more reason to judge you." Nick said.
"Fuck them. They don't know me. They don't know you, and they don't know US." Belle turned and kissed him softly. "I want you to wear that kilt."
"I'll have to wear my brace. I'm not going to make it through the wedding and the reception and all of that without it, I'll be laid up for days if I try, you saw what happened from just a little shopping trip without it. They'll see my brace, I can't hide that with a kilt." Nick said.
"We'll tell the photographer to only shoot photos from the waist up. Same with the video." Belle said.
"What about the paparazzi?" Nick asked.
"Sweetheart, you haven't met my dad's friends in Australia; they could give the Secret Service a run for their money. No way they're letting anyone in that doesn't belong there." Belle said.
"I wish I could be better for you, Belle. I wish I was more handsome, I wish I was taller, I wish I wasn't so – damaged." Nick said, his eyes welling up with tears.
"Is this about all of that bullshit today?" Belle asked. "Come here." Belle scooted back and leaned against the headboard, and Nick climbed into her arms. Belle held him tightly as she ran her fingers through his hair.
"How did you see past it? Past the cane and the limp and everything else?" Nick asked.
"Because it was clear you didn't know who I was and you were flirting with me and doing a piss poor job of it and I just thought it was adorable, I wasn't paying attention to anything else." Belle said, and she kissed him on the forehead.
"I fell in love with you that day, you know. Hit me like a ton of bricks, didn't even see it coming." Nick said. "When did you know you loved me?"
"On the bench in Washington Square – after Ruby's party. I suspected after our dinner that there was something there but – when I saw the way you were with your kids and their friends and then we kissed and – I knew." Belle said.
"So why the fuck did we have to spend so much time apart and go through all of the shit we went through to get here?" Nick asked.
"Fear. Cowardice. Stupidity. Lots of reasons." Belle said. "None of which really seem to matter anymore, do they?"
"No, I suppose they don't." Nick said.
"I was afraid to fully let you into my life because I knew that everything would change and I didn't know what that would mean. I was scared. When I went home to Australia to visit my papa, after the movie shoot, I told him everything, and he said to me 'Marty, what would your mother tell you to do if she were here?' and I said 'Do the brave thing, and bravery will follow.' That's what she would have said. So that's what I did." Belle said. "Sweetheart – be brave. If wearing that kilt is important to you, you need to do that. You don't worry about how you look to other people or what they'll say. Because to me – you're going to be the handsomest man there, and you would be if you were wearing nothing but rags. Isn't that all that matters?" Nick sighed in her arms.
"Yeah. You're right." Nick said, and he tilted his head up and kissed her. "You were brilliant today, by the way. Smacking that little bitch down."
"I don't usually do things like that. But good lord, she is annoying. Someone was bound to do that eventually, she had it coming from many people, not just me."
"Was Philip pissed when you talked to him?" Nick asked.
"Not really. He smoothed things over with Clark – Angela left in a huff, threatened to go to the press – let her. I'll probably get a medal for what I did, maybe she won't be so catty to people from now on."
"Well it serves her right then." Nick said. They snuggled together in silence for several minutes until Belle spoke up again.
"Do you believe in past lives?" Belle asked.
"Never gave it much thought, why?" Nick asked.
"I um – well ever since our first night together I sometimes have these – really odd dreams. But they don't seem like dreams, really. More like – memories. Of us." Belle said.
"From the past? So what – we were together in the past?" Nick asked. "You're saying we're what, soul mates?"
"Is that so hard to believe?" Belle asked. "I mean really Nick – we're not exactly a conventional couple, and yet we were both drawn to one another for reasons that don't really make much sense."
"So – what were we like in these dreams of yours?" Nick asked.
"You'll laugh." Belle said.
"Well I'm not laughing at the whole 'past lives' nonsense and I really should be so – tell me. You've got me curious now." Nick said.
"We were – I don't know it's not always clear but – I think we lived in a castle." Belle said.
"A castle. Well that makes sense, we do have castles in Scotland, and my dad has said that he thinks we have royal blood in our lineage somewhere." Nick said.
"No – no it wasn't Scotland, it was – I don't know where it was." Belle said.
"But we were king and queen then? Sounds alright to me." Nick said.
"No, we weren't royalty." Belle said.
"Then how did we live in a castle?" Nick asked.
"I don't know. I think it was your castle – I think you were – I don't know, a wizard or something." Belle said.
"A wizard?" Nick said, laughing. He gave Belle a quick kiss on the forehead. "You read too many books, dear."
"You promised you wouldn't laugh." Belle said, pouting a bit.
"Alright, alright. So – I'm a wizard. What are you, a witch?" Nick asked.
"NO – why would you think that? I think – I was your servant. And we were in love. But there was something keeping us apart."
"Well you'd think if I was a wizard I'd be able to get rid of whatever that was." Nick said. "Must not have been a very good one." Nick couldn't help but start laughing again.
"Alright, enough – I never should have told you, I knew you wouldn't take it seriously." Belle said, and she sat up and pushed him away.
"Wait a minute – you actually think that this little dream story of yours happened?" Nick asked.
"Well why not?" Belle asked. "I just think that – well I think that whatever the circumstance was in the past – we knew we were meant to be together, but – we couldn't be. We were separated. And our souls have spent lifetimes trying to find one another. And now we finally did." Nick gave Belle a quick kiss on the lips.
"We're not living in a castle. Your bloody mansion in California is close enough to one." Nick said, and he moved to get up out of bed.
"Why would you think I want a castle?" Belle asked.
"I saw you looking at the real estate sales that Mulan sent you this morning – you found some fancy old gothic home that's far too expensive and you're going to try and talk me into living there." Nick said.
"That has nothing to do with it – oh, forget it. I'm sorry I said anything." Belle said. She stood up and moved to leave the bedroom.
"Belle, come on – hey." Nick said, grabbing her with his left hand as he leaned on his cane. "I'm sorry I teased you."
"I don't want a castle." Belle said. Nick pulled her into a hug.
"Okay." he said, and he cupped her chin in his hand and kissed her. "And I do think we're soul mates."
"You do?" Belle said.
"Of course I do. Because I feel like I've been searching for you forever." Nick said.
"Me too." Belle said, and they melted into a kiss.
Nick and Belle arrived at the movie premiere in Dublin amidst a crowd of fans. Since the film was shot completely in Ireland, August felt that the first premiere should take place there. It wouldn't be as star-studded as the one the following week in Hollywood, but several A-listers showed up to be in attendance. Belle stepped out of the limousine dressed in a long, sparkly blue gown, and Nick followed behind her wearing a tuxedo, holding onto her hand the entire time. The cameras flashed at both of them as they walked down the red carpet into the theatre, with several reporters shouting questions to Belle about her wedding, her next project with Philip Prince, and whether or not she thought she would get an Oscar nomination. Mulan was also in attendance, ushering Belle from interview to interview, while Nick stood in the background and waited and watched her, both uncomfortable in this setting and yet beaming with pride for the woman he loved.
The film was titled Choices, and it was about a plain, simple Irish woman in her early 30's who spent all of her free time caring for her ailing father, when she unexpectedly met an American tourist, fell in love with him, and was torn between her life in Ireland and her future with the man she loved.
The crowd reacted with loud applause as the film ended. Belle was absolutely brilliant, and the Oscar buzz among those in attendance began immediately. Nick couldn't have been more proud of her as they walked back out into the lobby hand in hand. August approached Belle amidst the crowd.
"Belle – they want to do some cast photos, it'll only take a few minutes." August said.
"I'll be right back, sweetheart – you just wait here." Belle said. She gave Nick a quick kiss on the cheek and walked off with August. Nick glanced around the room to take in all of his surroundings. Take away the cameras and this wasn't much different from the functions he used to attend when he worked at Regal. Just prettier people in nicer clothes, but still the same amount of bragging and ass kissing.
"Hello, Nick." a voice from behind said to him. Nick felt a chill down his spine and drew in a deep breath, recognizing the voice immediately, and he turned around.
"Milah." he said, a look of surprise on his face. "What are you doing here?"
"Killian's friend that worked on the film – he got us in." Milah said.
"So Jones is here too, then?" Nick asked.
"He's over on the other end of the room. I told him to back off, this isn't the time or place for any sort of scene between the two of you." Milah said. "You look well."
"Thank you. So do you." Nick said.
"You know, I had many thoughts and predictions as to how you would fare after the fallout from your accident but – marrying Belle French was not even something I considered within the realm of possibility." Milah said.
"Yeah it wasn't very high up on my list either, given that until I met her I had no clue who in the bloody hell she was." Nick replied.
"Bae and Ruby say you're happy." Milah said.
"I am. Very much so." Nick replied. "Are you going to come and visit our grandson anytime soon?"
"Well I've seen him plenty on Skype. He's lovely, isn't he?" Milah said.
"Yes he is." Nick replied.
"Actually – I was planning on coming to visit Bae and Ruby and Henry after your wedding, while you and your new wife are off vacationing. I thought that would be best to be there while you're away."
"Thank you for the consideration, but I'm perfectly capable of being civil, Milah, as long as you can do the same." Nick said. "I have changed."
"Yes, the kids keep telling me that – I guess I needed to see it to believe it." Milah said. Belle came bounding back to Nick's side.
"Well, that's done." Belle said as she put her arm around Nick's waist, then she looked up at Milah with surprise. "Hello." Belle said to her, recognizing her from photos Bae and Ruby had shown her.
"Belle, this is Milah. Her husband has a friend who worked on the film." Nick said.
"Oh really, who's that?" Belle asked.
"Keith Williams." Milah replied. Belle made a face, which Nick immediately noticed. "It's very nice to meet you, Miss French. Congratulations on the film and – well on everything with Nick."
"Thank you." Belle said.
"Well, I should get back to Killian. It was good to see you, Nick." Milah said, and she walked away. Belle looked up at Nick with surprise.
"Well I assumed I'd meet your ex-wife one of these days, just didn't think it would be here. I thought you said she was a screeching harpy." Belle said to him.
"Oh, she is. Just not in public, unless it's to her benefit." Nick said.
"Maybe she's changed, too." Belle suggested.
"Perhaps she has." Nick said. "So who's this Keith fellow? I saw the way you looked when she mentioned him."
"He was a cameraman. And kind of creep." Belle said. "Kept hitting on me – even tried to grope me once."
"Where is this bloke, is he here? I'll show him what he gets for groping you." Nick said angrily.
"Nick, don't worry about it, I handled the situation fine when it happened." Belle said.
"What did you do?" Nick asked.
"Same thing I did with Angela Blue." Belle replied, grinning a bit. "When that didn't work, I used my knee and aimed a bit lower. He got the message."
"Figures a creep like that would be friends with Jones." Nick said. "Are we done here yet?"
"You don't like these things do you?" Belle asked.
"They're like Wall Street parties for pretty people." Nick said. "Same bullshit, different players."
"Yeah, I've never much cared for it either – it's part of the job, that's how I see it." Belle said. "You know we have to do this all over again in Hollywood next week."
"I know." Nick said. "And then you get to go on every talk show to promote your film and all they're going to ask you about is your upcoming nuptials to that strange little man you keep being seen with." Belle smiled at him.
"It won't be that bad, I promise. Your business will probably pick up a bit again." Belle said.
"Well, at least I can make some money off of you, that's good." Nick teased. He put his arm around her and pulled her into a kiss. Several photographers noticed and started snapping pictures.
"Come on – let's go back to the hotel. We do have a Jacuzzi in our room." Belle said.
"Ah, that's right. Well then what the hell are we wasting time here for? Let's go." Nick said. Belle took his hand and they walked away together.
Nick and Belle spent two weeks on a press junket tour together; after their stop in Ireland, they headed for London where Belle did interviews on several talk shows to promote the movie. They were able to squeeze in a day and a half of time in Glasgow, where Nick showed Belle where he grew up and even managed to locate a few friends from his childhood and visited them for a bit. They then headed out to California for a week, where they attended another red carpet premiere for the film, and Belle did a round of interviews. Finally, they made their way back to New York, Belle did one final round of interviews, and then they packed and headed for Melbourne, Australia, where their wedding was to take place in two weeks. Belle had been doing all of the arrangements over the phone or via Skype with a wedding planner; Nick gave his input now and then but mostly just nodded in agreement with whatever Belle wanted. It was to be a December wedding, just a week before Christmas. Nick had Jefferson, Ruby and Bae and some of his students manning the storefront while he was traveling with Belle, but he made the decision to close the store for the holiday the week of the wedding through the end of the year so that everyone could attend the wedding and he and Belle could enjoy their honeymoon.
The limo driver pulled up in front of Belle's childhood home, and removed their bags from the back as Belle and Nick made their way to the door. It was only around lunchtime in Australia but Nick and Belle were both exhausted, having been traveling and jumping between time zones for nearly three weeks.
"Papa!" Belle shouted when Maurice "Moe" Francis opened the door, and she jumped into his arms and hugged him.
"Marty! Oh I've missed you so much." Moe said as he hugged Belle tightly.
"Papa – I know you've met on Skype but – now it's official. This is Nick." Belle said, introducing the two men. Nick politely extended his hand.
"Hello sir. Nice to finally meet you in person." Nick said nervously, waiting for the man to simply slug him at any moment.
"Yes. It is." Moe said, extending his hand in return, much to Nick surprise. "Well come on in, it's bloody hot out here." Moe said as he led them into the house, their bags having been set inside by the driver. "Have you had lunch?"
"We ate on the plane, Papa. We're really tired, we've just been traveling around so much, I think we'd just like to lie down and have long nap." Belle said. "We can talk more tonight."
"Of course. I'll get your bags, let's go upstairs." Moe said, and Belle and Nick followed Moe up the stairs. He turned into a room and set the suitcase he was carrying down, and Belle and Nick followed him inside. "I'll bring the rest up while you get settled. Nick, this is Marty's room – I'll show you to the guest room."
"Um – Papa – Nick is staying with me. In my room." Belle said.
"Oh, I don't think so. You're not married yet." Moe said.
"Papa – we live together. We don't like being apart." Belle said.
"You'll manage. It's just two weeks." Moe said.
"Papa – you're not listening. Nick and I made a promise to one another that we would never spend another night apart from one another and we meant it. He's staying in my room." Belle insisted.
"Mr. Francis, I completely understand, I have a daughter myself. But Belle is right – we did make a promise and we intend to keep it. I would, however, like to offer you a deal." Nick said.
"A deal? What sort of deal?" Moe asked.
"Well – this is your house after all, and your rules, and I respect that. I would like to promise you that all Belle and I will do in this room is sleep – nothing more. I will not do anything with your daughter that you would find unacceptable in this room while we are still unmarried. You have my word." Nick said. Moe thought about it for a moment.
"Clothes stay on." Moe said.
"Absolutely." Nick replied.
"Nothing more than kissing." Moe said.
"Wouldn't think of it." Nick replied.
"Alright then. But if I find out that you didn't keep your end of the bargain -" Moe began.
"Oh I assure you, I don't break my deals, ever. And by making this deal with you, I can honor my deal with Belle." Nick said.
"Well I suppose that'll be fine. I'll bring up the rest of your bags, leave them in the hall." Moe said.
"We'll be down for supper, Papa. Thank you." Belle said, and she gave Moe a hug.
"You behave yourselves up here." Moe said sternly, and he left the room, closing the door behind him.
"That was absolutely brilliant. I think he actually believed you." Belle said, and she kissed Nick on the lips.
"Why wouldn't he, I was telling the truth." Nick said as he sat down on the edge of the bed and began to remove his shoes.
"Two weeks? Oh please, Nick – it was four days after your accident and you couldn't wait to jump me, you'll never last two weeks." Belle insisted as she sat down next to him.
"I didn't say I was going to go without for two weeks. I said nothing would happen in this room. I'm assuming that there are – other places that we can find." Nick said.
"You're toying with words again." Belle said.
"I know you don't like when I do that. I'm sorry." Nick said.
"Well – in this case – I think I'm fine with it." Belle said, and she and Nick kissed once again.
Nick and Belle's wedding guests began to arrive several days before the ceremony. Belle paid for round trip airfare and hotel accommodations for Bae, Emma and Henry, Ruby and Graham, as well as their friends David and Mary Margaret and even Jefferson and his daughter. She wanted to make sure that everyone who was important to Nick was at the wedding. It was to be a small event and Belle and Nick hoped that by having it in Australia the press wouldn't be as abundant. Plus, the weather was warm and sunny in Australia in December, and Belle wanted an outdoor ceremony. Belle asked Philip to be her "best person" and Ruby and Emma were her bridesmaids. Bae was standing up for Nick as his best man, and he asked Jefferson and Graham, who he had warmed up to quite a bit after man saved Belle's life, to be his groomsmen. Other guests included many of Belle's friends and colleagues from the Hollywood scene, including Mulan and Aurora, as well as August Booth, whom Belle had promised an invitation to after their conversation a year ago that led Belle to take the chance and open her heart fully to Nick. Belle even decided to invite Ashley; they had begun to renew their friendship in the months prior, and even though Belle didn't feel comfortable asking Ashley to be in her wedding this point, and there was still a bit of a strain between them which they were working through, Belle did want Ashley to attend the wedding, and she happily agreed.
The weather was perfect the day of the wedding. Nick was dressed in his father's kilt complete with full Scottish formal regalia. Belle's gown was simple yet stylish; short sleeves and a V-neck with a very small train. Instead of a veil, Philip convinced Belle that her dress would be well complimented by rows of small, individual white flowers scattered throughout her hair. It was a stunning look for her.
As the wedding began, Nick took his place with Bae at his side at the front of the aisle. He and Belle agreed to spending the one night apart in keeping with tradition, but remained together until one minute before the clock struck midnight the day prior. Nick had not seen Belle's dress, nor had Belle seen any of Nick's attire aside from his kilt. He watched nervously as Belle made her way down the aisle to him, her father escorting her. She looked exquisite. He couldn't believe that this beautiful woman was coming down that aisle to marry him. Two years prior he had been living a simple, pleasant but very lonely life. And now – now he had more than he ever dreamt possible.
Belle and Nick decided to write their own vows to one another. Belle was adamant about going first, because she was afraid she wouldn't get through her own vows once she heard Nick's. Nick was extremely nervous; he was an adequate enough public speaker but never to this big of a crowd and with so much pressure on him.
When the time to exchange their vows came, they joined hands and faced one another, and Belle began. "Nick – we have had a long and rather challenging journey getting to where we are today. There are many things I wish I would have done differently, but – if even one different turn meant that we wouldn't be where we are today – I wouldn't change a thing. I promise you, Nick – you will always come first in my life, from this day forward. You are my lover, and my best friend, and I cannot wait to see what the rest of our journey together has in store for us. I promise you faithfulness, and honesty, and everything I have to offer you. But most of all, I promise you my love – forever." Nick started to regret agreeing to let Belle go first, because he started to tear up at her words. With all eyes on him, Nick began to speak.
"Belle – I've done nothing in my life to deserve the love of someone as incredible as you. But I will spend the rest of my life trying to be worthy of that love. Because you – you make me want to be a better man. You give me the strength to BE that better man. You taught me what love is, Belle – real, true love. And I will love you, and honor you, and be faithful to you forever. Everything I have, and everything I am is yours, Belle. I love you."
Belle and Nick exchanged rings, and then they kissed. And even though the crowd in attendance cheered for them, while their lips were locked together they didn't hear a sound, because as far as they were concerned they were the only two people there.
Belle and Nick arrived at the door to their Honeymoon Suite after the wedding reception. Bae had taken all of their luggage into the room earlier that day; Nick fumbled through his pockets for the key. "Bae gave you the key, right?" Belle asked.
"I thought he did. Crap it must have fallen out somewhere." Nick said. Belle sighed.
"I'll go downstairs and get another copy." she said.
"I'll do it." Nick said.
"No – I know your leg is sore, I can tell by the way you're walking. You just wait here, I'll be right back." Belle said. She walked down the hall and about fifteen minutes later she arrived with a replacement key.
"About time you got back – I had several people walk by me, gave me odd looks, I thought a few were going to call security on me for loitering in a kilt." Nick said as Belle opened the door.
"Well I'm sorry, there was a line at the front desk." Belle said.
"You're Belle French – why didn't you play the 'Do you know who I am?' card." Nick said.
"Because I don't do things that way." Belle said as they entered the room.
"It wouldn't have killed you just this once." Nick said. He sighed and groaned a bit as he sat down on the bed. He stretched his leg and reached down to remove his brace.
"Let me help." Belle said, and she knelt down on the floor. She took off his shoes and started to unfasten his brace. As she pulled it off of his leg she squealed a bit. "Shit."
"What?" Nick asked.
"My hair. It got caught on the brace." Belle said. Nick started to laugh a bit. "It's not funny!"
"I'm sorry, but it is funny." Nick said. Belle whined as she carefully played with her hair until it twisted off of the brace, leaving a chunk of hair behind.
"Oh crap." Belle said, removing the large chunk of hair from the brace's hinge and getting up to throw it in the trash.
"It's just a bit of hair, sweetheart. Come here." Nick said, and he reached for her and tried to pull her close, but she pulled away.
"I want to get this dress off and get these damn things out of my hair before it gets all messed up and they start falling out and taking the rest of my hair with them. It's already all knotted and tangled." Belle said.
"I can help with that." Nick said.
"No, I'll take care of it. You need to stay off your leg anyway; how bad is it hurting?" Belle asked.
"It's alright." Nick replied.
"Married half a day and you're already lying to me?" Belle asked. Nick said.
"Alright, it hurts. A lot." Nick said.
"I told you not to be up and about so much." Belle said.
"Belle, it was my wedding, I wasn't going to sit on my bum while you went around chatting with our guests. It was one night, it's not going to kill me." Nick said.
"Well let me get the hot tub ready – you can sit in there while I take care of getting these flowers out of my hair and then I'll join you." Belle said. She went into the bathroom and approached the Jacuzzi; she tried to turn it on, but it wasn't working. "Dammit!" Belle shouted angrily.
"What's wrong?" Nick called out. Belle stomped back out into the room.
"It's broken. The damn Jacuzzi is broken!" Belle said, and she picked up the phone in the room. After a brief but terse conversation she hung up. "They'll be by to fix it tomorrow after two. And they have no other rooms, they're booked solid. They have a room with a Jacuzzi at a sister hotel – ten miles away."
"Ah, fuck that. Just get me some Advil and be done with it." Nick said. He had removed his stockings, kilt and shirt and was sitting back on the bed in his underwear, the covers on his side of the bed pulled back.
"Let me massage it a bit, that always helps." Belle said.
"Sweetheart, it'll be fine, this happens once in a while, it's no big deal." Nick said. "We didn't have any real plans tomorrow anyway, if we can just stay in the hotel and relax tomorrow like we intended I'll be fine by the next day."
"Okay." Belle said. She began to search through one of the suitcases and pulled out a pill bottle. She removed a bottled water from the refrigerator in the room and gave the water and pills to Nick. He took out four of the pills and swallowed them, then set the pill bottle and water down on the nightstand.
"Four pills? You only take four when it's really bad."
"It'll be better in the morning. Besides I don't need my leg to do the rest of what we're planning for tonight." Nick said, smiling at her.
"Well I'll have to be on top, it'll be easier on you." Belle joked.
"I like you on top." Nick said, and he grabbed her and pulled her into a kiss.
"Alright, let me get out of this dress." Belle said after they kissed for a bit. She stood up and sat back down on the edge of the bed with her back to Nick. "Zipper." she said. Nick sat up and started fiddling with her zipper. He got it down a quarter of the way and then stopped.
"What's wrong?" Belle asked.
"Your hair is stuck in the zipper." Nick said.
"Are you fucking kidding me?! How much bloody hair am I going to lose tonight?" Belle asked.
"Just be still, I'll get it." Nick said, playing carefully with her hair and untangling it. "Just wait till we have a kid and watch it fall out AND turn gray."
"Shut up." Belle said, as Nick finally got her hair free from the zipper and unzipped the back all the way down. "You just lie back and rest and wait."
"I'm not going anywhere love. How long is this going to take?" Nick asked.
"Well I want to look nice for you. It's our wedding night." Belle said.
"You look fine, sweetheart. I really don't see what you could do to improve on perfection." Nick said.
"I have a special outfit for you and I want to get these damn flowers OFF of my head before they attach themselves permanently. Plus I want all of this make-up off." Belle said.
"You're the one who decided on the flowers, don't complain to me about them." Nick said.
"It's was Philip's idea; if I lose any more hair he's the one who's going to pay for extensions." Belle said. She gave Nick a quick kiss on the lips. "I'll be done as quickly as I can."
"Right. See you in an hour. Can I have the telly remote?" Nick asked. It was on the nightstand on Belle's side of the bed. She walked over to that side, picked it up, and tossed it at Nick.
"It won't take an hour." Belle said.
"Forty five minutes then." Nick said. Belle stuck her tongue out at him and smiled as she made her way over to her suitcase. She pulled out an article of clothing and made her way out of the room.
Belle spent the next half hour carefully removing each flower from her hair; she couldn't believe it took that long. She then took another ten minutes removing her make-up, brushing her hair, and getting dressed for the night. She wore a semi-see through negligee that Ashley bought for her as a gift for her bridal shower. Nearly forty-five minutes later, as Nick predicted, Belle made her way back into the bedroom area of the suite. Her eyes widened at and she let out an exasperated sigh at what she saw – Nick was sound asleep on the bed, the television glowing in the background. "Seriously?" Belle said to herself. She made her way over to the bed, picked up the remote, turned off the television and climbed on top of Nick, straddling him. She began to kiss him on the neck. "Nick." she whispered. "Wake up. It's our wedding night, love." Nick mumbled a bit but did not awaken. "Come on sweetheart – don't you want to see what I'm wearing for you?" Belle asked, as she started to kiss him up and down his bare chest, but he still didn't stir, just mumbled sleepily. "I don't believe this." Belle said. She sighed as she got up out of the bed. She picked up the half-empty water bottle Nick had taken his pills with to put it back in the refrigerator, knocking the pill bottle over on the nightstand as she did so. She picked up the pill bottle and glanced at it – she had accidentally pulled out the 'Advil PM' bottle instead of the normal pills. "Oh shit, that's why." she said, laughing to herself a bit. "Well – so much for tonight, love." Belle said, and she gave the sleeping Nick a kiss on the cheek. Belle took a drink from the water bottle then put it back into the refrigerator. She moved to her side of the bed, pulled back the cover, and climbed in. She carefully covered Nick up a bit with the blankets, and spent a few minutes staring at him. She smiled and ran her fingers through his hair gently, then kissed him on the lips softly. "Goodnight sweetheart. I love you." Belle whispered. She turned the lights off and sidled up close to Nick, snuggling up next to him. Nick groaned a bit and instinctively wrapped his arms around Belle and pulled her close.
Having shifted in his sleep overnight, Nick awoke the next morning lying on his stomach, his right hand draped across Belle as she slept, his face buried in the pocket between her neck and shoulder. He blinked and opened his eyes and lifted his head up a bit, his disheveled hair falling onto his face. "Oh, bloody hell." he whispered to himself as he saw the light streaming through the curtains. He ran his fingers through his hair to push it out of his eyes and sat up, looking down at Belle asleep next to him. He fell asleep – he fucking fell asleep on his wedding night, and he was certain that his lovely wife was not going to be pleased with him when she awoke. His throat was dry and scratchy and somehow his head felt a bit heavy, not like a hangover which wasn't possible because he didn't drink one bit of alcohol at the reception, but more like waking from a drug-induced sleep, the way he often felt when he was on painkillers during his recovery. Nick glanced up and saw his shadow reflected in the stream of sunlight coming into the room, his hair looking like he had stuck his finger in an electrical socket. Belle was lying in bed asleep without a hair out of place, looking lovely as ever, like something out of a fairy tale, and he looked like – well, like a beast, he was sure of that without even glancing in the mirror. He needed coffee – or about two more hours of sleep. But he'd settle for his wife, once she was done unleashing her wrath on him, which he completely expected.
Nick sat up and smiled as he watched Belle sleep for a moment, in awe of how truly beautiful she was. Trying his best to be romantic, and hoping she would forgive his current hideous state and the events (or lack thereof) that occurred the evening prior, Nick reached over her and kissed her on the lips. Belle awoke with a start, and to Nick's astonishment, screamed and abruptly sat up and pushed him away. Belle looked around, almost in shock and trembling a bit.
"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" Nick asked worriedly. "Are you alright?" Belle blinked a few times, then looked at Nick and reached out for him, and he pulled her into his arms.
"I was having – this dream. I was being chased by someone. A pirate, I think." Belle said as Nick leaned back and she snuggled in his arms.
"A pirate?" Nick asked. "Is this more of that 'past lives' nonsense?" he teased.
"Maybe." Belle said. "I was scared but – you rescued me."
"I did?" Nick asked.
"I think it was you. Or who you used to be." Belle said.
"I see. So I'm the hero who saves you from pirates in your little story then, in addition to being a wizard. That's always good." Nick joked. "So – how angry with me are you?"
"For what?" Belle asked.
"Well obviously nothing happened last night or something did and I don't remember anything about it, and I really would prefer it be the former even if it does piss you off because I'm not ready for senility to set in just yet." Nick said. Belle chuckled a bit.
"You took four pills." Belle said.
"Yes, so what? I've taken four ibuprofen many times, they don't make me tired. And I was a bit wiped out from everything yesterday but I could have lasted for one go-round."
"Look at the pill bottle, Nick." Belle said. Nick reached over to the nightstand and picked up the pill bottle, glancing at it.
"Oh fuck Belle, you gave me the night time pills?" Nick said, tossing the pill bottle aside.
"Well to be fair, you could have looked at the label before you gulped four of them down." Belle said.
"You could have looked at the bloody label when you were getting them out of the bag." Nick said. "Jesus – I hardly ever take sleep aids unless I have to, you know I hate them. I get knocked out by two of those, four of them probably put me in a coma."
"Pretty much – I tried waking you but – you were out cold." Belle said. "You feel alright?"
"I need some coffee. Any chance you can make us some, love?" Nick asked.
"I suppose I can do that." Belle said, and she sat up. She looked Nick over before she got up and smiled.
"What?" Nick said.
"Nothing. Just – I'm just amazed at how you can lie there basically looking like shit with stubble growing and your hair all over the place – and you've never looked more gorgeous to me." Belle said.
"Except for when I wake you and you scream in fear." Nick teased. Belle laughed.
"Be right back." Belle said, and she went into the adjacent room which had a dining area complete with a small kitchenette. Belle brewed some coffee and went back to bed with two cups for them. "Here you are." Belle said. She handed Nick a cup and climbed back into bed with him, drinking from her own cup.
"Thank you, sweetheart." Nick said, taking the cup from her.
"Your leg better?" Belle asked.
"I could really use that hot tub. Make sure it's fixed this afternoon." Nick said.
"I will. And I'll play the 'Do you know who I am?' card just this once if need be – only for you." Belle said.
"I'm so sorry, Belle. I wanted last night to be a night that – well that we'd remember forever." Nick said.
"Oh, trust me, I will never forget it." Belle said, and they both laughed. They shared a quick kiss, then pulled away from one another, both of them making a face.
"Coffee breath and morning breath really aren't the best combo, are they?" Nick teased.
"No, definitely not." Belle said. They both finished their coffee and put their cups aside, then snuggled up together again.
"You know what?" Nick said.
"What?" Belle asked.
"We're married." Nick said.
"Yeah, we are." Belle replied. They put their hands together and glanced down at their wedding rings.
"You want to take a shower? Brush our teeth and everything? You know, before we – well, I assume we're going to spend some time today finishing what we never started last night." Nick said.
"Yeah, that's probably a good idea. You're kind of gross right now – sweaty and – well, your hair looks like shit." Belle said.
"I though you said I looked gorgeous." Nick said.
"Well you do but – there are limits." Belle joked. "Come on – my gorgeous beast of a husband." Belle said as she got out of bed and offered him her hand.
"You know I'll follow you anywhere – my beautiful wife." Nick said as he took her hand and lifted himself out of bed to go with her.