A/N: In honour of today being Ethereal Wishes twenty-seventh birthday, I have updated this rumbelle fic for her. Happy Birthday, my Love! I look forward to more and more birthdays of yours!

A Taste of Christmas

Chapter Two

Emilie Brown

It was the first morning of the Christmas Baking Contest, and Belle had just woken up. She sat up in bed holding the blanket to herself. She looked to her side, glancing at Nicholas where he slept on his stomach, the sheet slung low on his hips, leaving the tantalizing view of his bare back for her to appreciate. Leaning over to him she crawled onto his back, and started to nuzzle his cheek. Hearing him groan, Belle let out a small giggle. He rolled over onto his back, smiling up at her as he unseated her from her perch. Sitting up in the bed, and pulling Belle with him, he leaned his forehead against hers and brought his fingers up to her cheek, lightly brushing them across her delicate face.

"G'morning, my Belle." Grinning at him, Belle let out a small giggle as Nicholas started leaving a trail of kisses along her jaw.

"Nicholas we can't. I have to go soon. My brother will be here shortly," Belle whined as she pulled away from her lover. Getting off the bed, she looked at Nicholas, and couldn't help but give a little smile at his pout. Walking out of the room, she went to go shower and get ready for the day. Once she was done with her ablutions and wrapped up in a towel, she walked back to the bedroom. Nicholas was still in the bed, staring thoughtfully up at the ceiling. He snapped out of his fugue as his love returned to him.

"Well, my Belle, if you want me to behave ... that is surely not helping," he drawled, gesturing to her shapely legs which were barely covered by her towel. Nicholas got up from his spot on the bed, and made his way towards her, taking her elbow gently and pulling her into the circle of his arms. Belle's arms wrapped around his neck as her love leaned his head towards hers. Just as their lips met, Belle's phone started ringing. Pulling back from Nicholas, Belle gave him an apologetic smile. She picked up her phone from the nightstand and looked at the caller ID before answering it.

"Morning, Gaz!" Belle exclaimed into the phone, a broad grin gracing her beautiful face.

"Morning, Belles! I'll be at the house in a few minutes. Just letting you know in case you weren't up yet." Smiling at her brother's comment, Belle gave a small giggle.

"Thanks, Gaston. I just got out of the shower. I need to get dressed, and I'll be out there shortly," Belle replied as she walked over to the closet and grabbed a pink long-sleeved button down shirt.

"Okay, see you soon. Love you."

"Love you, too." Belle hung up the phone and walked to Nicholas's dresser. Pulling the top drawer open, she grabbed her undergarments. She set her phone atop the ornate dresser, pulling on her clothes quickly in her haste, pairing the shirt she'd chosen with a pair of jeans. Turning around, she spotted Nicholas lying in the bed just watching her. Walking towards him she crawled on the bed and met him in a brief kiss.

"You'll be spending the morning with your brother?" Nicholas asked wrapping his arms around her and bringing her flush against him, their foreheads touching.

"Yes, Gaz and I are going to the animal shelter. He's bringing Marmalade with us, and Mrs. Cassidy's class is going over there today." Belle wrapped her arms around Nicholas's neck as their lips met in a kiss that was slowly building up in passion. Pulling away, Belle gave a small smile at her lover's pout. "Later, Nicholas." Hearing Gaston's truck pull up, Belle slid off of the bed. Quickly, she pulled on her low heeled boots and thrust her arms into her green wool jacket. She gave Nicholas a peck on the lips. "Love you. See you later." Belle ran out of the room, but not before she caught the look of love on Nicholas's face.

"I love you, Belle." He called as she ran down the stairs to meet her brother.

She was smiling broadly as she exited the pink victorian to see her brother waiting patiently in his truck for her. Upon seeing his sister's approach, Gaston gave her a smile.

"Well you're awfully perky today. Bet you had a wonderful and reviving night last night." Gaston winked at his sister. Belle just rolled her eyes as she shut the door behind her. She reached over and took Marmalade - Gaston's Orange cat - from her brother.

"Puh-lease, Gaz. We all know that you and Mulan can't keep your hands off one another. It's quite disturbing walking in on that. I don't think I've bleached my eyes enough to see my brother in the throes of passion." Belle shuddered in remembrance of that day. She couldn't look Gaston and Mulan in the eyes for sometime without getting red in the face.

"Keep telling yourself that." Pulling out of Gold's driveway, Gaston gave his sister a saucy wink before he started paying attention to the road. Belle stroked Marmalade and the cat purred in contentment at the attention he was getting from his pet. The siblings talked and joked around for the ride to the shelter. Once at the shelter, they were greeted by the grinning face of the director, David Nolan.

"Good, you're here. Mrs. Cassidy and her students will be here in a few minutes. So is this Marmalade?" David said taking the orange tabby from Belle.

"Yes. This is Marmalade. We call him Marmi." Belle grinned as David baby talked to the cat.

"The shelter is really thrilled that you both have decided to talk to the children today."

"We're thrilled to be here and talk to the children," Gaston said taking off his yellow fireman's jacket. Belle grabbed it from her brother, while David showed them where they would be giving their speech. Not long after everything was settled and discussed, Tinkerbelle Cassidy and her students showed up.

"Hello, children. My name is David Nolan, and I own and run the animal shelter. This is Gaston French. He's - as most of you know - a firefighter."

"We know who he is, Uncle David. He gave a speech to our class last week about fire safety and other weird things." Little Ava Zimmer said giving her Uncle David a cheeky grin and a wink that made David quite unnerved for a moment.

"Very well then, Ava." Walking over to Belle, David put his hands on Belle's shoulders. "This is Belle French, the town librarian, and Gaston's little sister.

"Are you cheating on Aunt Kathryn? Uncle David, I thought you had better class than that. Mr. Gold won't approve of you stealing his woman from him." David turned bright red and Belle started to resemble a tomato.

"Ava! That's enough," Mrs. Cassidy said to her disrespectful student." Standing up she walked over to Ava as the girl had to give one last dig.

"Oh come on! We all know Mr. Gold has a thing for Belle. I bet they'll be having a kid before next Christmas." Belle was getting even redder if that were even possible. Gaston was trying to hide his snickering, and David looked mortified at his niece's antics.

"Anyways, Mr and Ms. French will be discussing animal safety. This is Gaston's cat, who always goes to the firehouse with him. Sort of their mascot. The cat's name is Marmalade. Be respectful, and remember to raise your hands if you have any questions." David went and took his place on the floor by Mrs. Cassidy as Belle and Gaston took their lead.

"Hi class. I'm Ms. French, and as I've been told, you already know my brother Gaz. This is his cat Marmalade. He's six years old. Gaz found him when he was two after his original owner had passed away. Before we begin are there any questions you have?" A hand raised up in the back. It was little Tiana Polliwog. "Yes. Tiana?"

"Um. I was just wondering. Why do you call Mr. French Gaz?" The shy child asked.

"Well when I was little - maybe around two - I couldn't say Gaston so I always called him Gaz. It just stuck. I call him Gaston every now and then, but to me he is Gaz. He's my older brother, and he doesn't seem to mind the name." Belle grinned, and her brother brought his arm around her shoulder and squeezed her to him.

"Indeed not. I quite like it." He gave Belle a kiss on the forehead. The children giggled. Tiana looked at Gaston and Belle with hearts in her eyes. It was common knowledge that she was in love with the relationship the siblings had. She always wished she had a sibling. "Any other questions you have for us before we get to the discussion?"

"Mingyu has a question but she's too shy to ask. No doubt because she's a weirdo and has four eyes … " Ava said pointing to the small obsidian haired girl and giving a sly grin as the girl sunk further into herself. David who'd had enough of his niece stood up and grabbed her, walking away behind his office door with her, no doubt going to talk to her. Gaston stood up, handing Marmi to his sister as he walked over to where his step-daughter sat trembling, bending down where he was on eye level with her.

"It's okay Mingyu. You don't have to ask if you're not comfortable." Gaston opened his arms, and his child rushed into them, trying not to cry. Gaston looked to his sister, giving her a nod to take place where he left off. He sat down holding his child on his lap.

"Well, children. Let's get right to it, shall we? Who all in here has an animal?" The majority of the students raised their hands. Belle asked what animals they had. The students were excited to tell her about their animals, and what they had, and how old, and how many. Belle gave a little giggle at their enthusiasm. "As you know it's getting colder out, it's snowing, super windy, and below freezing. Remember that you want to keep your pets indoors, out of the cold. If you can't stay out long in it, then they sure as muffins can't. If you see a stray animal on the street remember to make sure to call David and let him know. He'll either find the owner or bring it to the shelter. If you see one and want to bring it in, tell a parent first. They could be dangerous and we don't need you getting hurt." A jingling of the bell announced an arrival to the animal shelter. It was Ava's dad, Michael. He didn't look too happy. He entered his brother-in-law's office. No doubt to pick up Ava, and take the child home on this half day of school. Upon exiting the office, Ava was glowering and shooting daggers at her Uncle. David looked irritated with his niece, but he did wish her a happy holiday, and told her he loved her. Ava gave him a whatever.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, Belle, but Michael would like to talk to Gaston and Mingyu." Gaston stood up with his daughter in tow and followed Michael and Ava back to David's office. After her brother and niece were out of sight and behind the closed door, Belle continued from where she left off. After her speech was over, she had the students come up in twos to pet Marmalade. They were in love with the cat. Some found it strange that he was the firefighter's mascot. That they had a cat mascot instead of the normal Dalmatian. Once all was over, the student's parents came and picked up their children, and wished everyone happy holidays. Once everyone was gone, and it was just Belle, David and Marmalade in the room, David walked over to his desk and grabbed a deck of cards. He and Belle started to play Rummy.

"How are you doing, David?" Belle asked her friend, knowing he was upset.

"I'm mad … so put out with Ava. She knows better than this. I just hope this can be dealt with. Ever since she lost her mother, she's just spiralled out of control. Usually I can handle her, but today I couldn't. I had to call Michael, and usually I never have to do that. I don't know what more I can do. She needs help, and I don't think Michael, Kathryn or I can give her the help that she needs.

"Honestly. This is just my opinion, but I think maybe you guys all need to go to family counseling with Dr. Hopper. He can do so much more than Viktor can. Viktor is her primary doctor, but maybe she needs a psychiatric doctor or just someone to talk to about her mother. Maybe it's not even the death of Jacqueline that's causing this. Maybe it's something else. But it does need to be dealt with. The bullying needs to stop. She's been bullying too long, and poor Mingyu is fragile as it is, and Ava picking on her just pisses me off," Belle said moving around her cards.

"Wow, look at you, Belle. You're starting to sound like Mr. Gold. I think you need a different second job," David said, smirking. Belle gave David a deadpanned look.

"Seriously, David. Shut up before I send Jefferson your way. You know how he finds himself in love with your wife." Belle snickered as David paled.

"That's not even funny, Belle. Kathryn and him used to date after Frederick passed, and I always think she's going to run away with him and leave me with a broken heart shattered in a million pieces to pick up by myself."

"Oh David, she's not going to. She's in love with you. Kathryn gets all gooey eyed when she sees you. You two are just perfect together, and you both look gorgeous on one another's arms." David gave a little blush at that. He was about to say something else when the squeaking of his office door gained the duet's attention. Michael came out with a sulking Ava who was having a tantrum, saying how the world was out to get her, and no one loved her, and that it wasn't fair that Mingyu was getting all the attention. The girl stormed out of the building. Michael giving an apologetic look to both David and Belle.

"Aunt Belle," Mingyu squealed running into the comforting arms of her aunt who always smelled like lavender and old books. Belle hugged her niece and grinned.

"Why hello, Mingyu. Are you feeling better, sweetling?" Belle cupped her niece's cheeks, and locked eyes with her dark brown orbs. Mingyu looked so much like her mother and her father, Shang. Shang had died in battle when Mingyu was just three months old. She really never got to know him. Gaston entered their lives when she was three, and became a permanent fixture. Especially when he married Mulan.

"I'm feeling okay. Daddy looked so angry. I've never seen him that angry before. It was sort of scary." Mingyu whispered to her aunt.

"That's because daddy loves you very much."

Entering the Pawnshop, Belle grinned when she saw her love slowly getting irritated with Storybrooke's illustrious mayor, Regina Mills. Regina was no doubt threatening him with whatever she could. Probably trying to blackmail him into cheating during the contest so she could win and no one else. Regina, hearing the bell, turned around, her narrow-eyed gaze focusing on Belle.

"Why Ms. French, whatever are you doing here? Trying to seduce Mr. Gold into letting you win the contest? Come on, dear, we all know you're not that pretty. Good afternoon." With that Regina walked out of the door. Belle frowned. Regina's words were very hurtful. Looking down at herself, Belle couldn't help but think Regina was right. Belle wasn't very pretty, and she sometimes wondered why Nicholas loved her. Seeing the look on Belle's face, Gold could have killed Regina for that comment. Belle was already self conscious enough. Walking from behind the counter, he walked over to Belle, grabbed her by the wrists, and pulled her to him. He encased her in his arms and gave her a kiss to her neck.

"Don't take what she says to heart, my darling Belle. She's just mad that I wouldn't do what she asked of me, is all." Nicholas and Belle entered the backroom. The two settled on the bed together, Belle curled up in the arms of her love. Nicholas stroked her arm and whispered how beautiful and in love he was with her. Belle's azure eyes locked with Nicholas's chocolate ones, and the two met in a sweet kiss. Belle moaned when Nicholas trailed kisses down to her neck and suckled her pulse point. Her hands trailed up, unbuttoning his shirt. Once it was unbuttoned, her hands fisted his hair, and she arched when Nicholas had managed to get her shirt open, and was mapping a wet path across her breasts . The alarm of Belle's phone separated them with a groan. Belle sighed as she glanced at the caller ID.

"The contest begins in ten minutes. I have to get ready." Nicholas groaned, touching his forehead to hers.

"It's best we head out then, before the town finds us in a compromising position and comes looking for us." Belle slid off of his lap, buttoning her shirt up as she did. Nicholas's eyes held nothing but love and desire in them. Grinning, Belle couldn't help but be satisfied with his look. His hair was in disarray and his shirt was hanging half off of him, he looked thoroughly debauched. Belle lent down and gave him a peck on the lips.

"See you soon. Love ya." She turned to leave, but Nicholas caught her hand in his, interlocking their fingers. He brought her hand to his lips, giving her a kiss as his chocolate eyes locked onto her azure eyes.

"Remember, I will be absolutely fair in this contest, love. Don't worry about me cheating to let you win."

"I know, Nick. You'll be fair; I trust you on this. See you soon. I love you." Belle walked away her hands falling to her side as Nicholas's left her.

"I love you, too."

To Be Continued

Beta-ed by: CharlotteAshmore :D