Belle was ecstatic when Snow relayed the news that Jiminy agreed to marry her and Rumplestiltskin. Belle thanked Jiminy immensely before he left, and he promised to return the next day to work out the details.

Belle and Snow sat at the table to discuss her upcoming wedding while they waited for Rumplestiltskin to return.

"We must go to town tomorrow and find you a dress!" Snow exclaimed.

Belle smiled, but she wasn't too enthralled with the idea, "I don't want anything too extravagant, something simple will do. Perhaps I will just alter one of the dresses I already have, it's really not that big a deal."

"Aww, Belle. You need to have something more special than that," Snow thought a moment, then smiled, "Hang on I have just the thing!" She hopped up from the table and ran to her room to retrieve something.

Belle waited patiently for Snow to return. Snow came back into the room carrying a simple but elegant cream colored gown. Belle stroked it lovingly, "Oh Snow, it's beautiful, but I can't accept this."

"Nonsense. I never wear it and it just sits in the closet. You can put it to some good use. I can help you alter it and add anything you want to it."

Belle took the gown from Snow to examine it, "Are you sure? Do you not want to use it for your wedding?"

"No, it's fine. I won't be getting married for a while. Charming and I talked about it, we want to wait until we get everything sorted out with King George and Regina. Besides, it's not actually a wedding dress. I never had any plans for it."

Belle smiled and spoke less reluctantly, "Well if your sure then, this will be perfect!" She held it up to her body to get an idea of what it might look like on.

Snow grinned, "I'm glad you like it."

"Let's put it away before Rum gets back, I wouldn't want him to see it before our wedding." Belle began to neatly fold the dress.

"You don't want to at least try it on?"

Belle smirked looked at the dress then back at Snow, "Ok, but we must be quick. Rum could appear anytime, anywhere."

The girls ran off into Snow's bedroom giggling like teenagers. Belle was happy to find out that Snow's dress fit her almost perfectly. There was very little, if any alterations that would need to be done.

"You should at least let me add something to it to make it more personal," Snow commented.

"What could I add?" Belle examined the dress trying to think of something.

"Some lace, buttons, or embroidery?"

"Maybe...let me think about it, I'll come up with something and let you know."

Snow helped Belle out of the dress, and they returned to the kitchen. Snow looked at Belle as if she was about to ask a very awkward question, but she didn't hold back. They had been friends for a very long time and discussed almost everything there was to discuss. It was something she had been wondering for some time. "So, do you think you'll have children with Rumplestiltskin?"

Belle blushed, "We haven't really discussed it, but I would be lying if I said I didn't want children. I think Rum would make a wonderful father."

Rumplestiltskin returned in time to catch most of Belle and Snow's conversation. He hadn't intended on eavesdropping, but when he heard the subject they were discussing, he paused in the shadows.

Snow tried to stifle a giggle but was unsuccessful, "I'm sorry. It is hard for me to picture him as a father, even though I know he has a son."

Belle looked at her friend questionably, "How did you...?"

"Oh, the Blue Fairy mentioned it. It was quite a shock. Do you know what happened to his son?"

Rumplestiltskin's fists clenched once he heard the Blue Fairy had been telling others about his son. It was none of her business.

Belle saddened, "He lost him, a long time ago. I don't really want to tell you too much because Rum trusts me with his secrets."

"I understand. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose a child. It would be very heartbreaking."

"Yes I know. It's kind of the reason I haven't brought children up to Rum. Finding his son is the priority and I don't want him to think I want to try and replace him."

"I don't think he would think that."

"Well than you don't know Rumplestiltskin. I've gained his trust, I don't want to lose it by asking for something like that."

Snow gave her friend a concerned look, "Well you should at least talk to him about it. You don't want to come to regret it one day."

"You're right Snow, and I will. I just have to wait for the right moment."

Snow thought back to that morning's awkward incident, "You do think you're already well you know...do you?"

Belle's blush grew darker, "Oh no, I don't think so."

There was an awkward pause, but their conversation didn't continue because Rumplestiltskin walked into the room. Belle's face lit up and she gave him a hug. The first thing she did was tell him about how Jiminy agreed to marry them. Even after a few jokes, she knew he was happy and grateful to the cricket.

They spent the rest of the afternoon and evening discussing the details for their wedding. They decided to have their wedding on the next Saturday, which was only two days away. Since Belle didn't want to do too much for it, it would be very easy to put together. Neither one of them had anyone to invite, so everything came together pleasantly. Also, as much as Belle would like to extend her visit with Snow, they needed to resume their search for Rumplestiltskin's son. When Jiminy came the next day they planned to make sure everything would work for him.

Belle and Rumplestiltskin retired to the barn for the night once they finished dinner. Belle was extremely happy, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Rumplestiltskin had seemed to be acting distant ever since he returned that afternoon. They sat down on their make shift bed and she was about to ask him if everything was ok, but he spoke first, "Belle, we must speak."

His tone of voice worried her, "Is something wrong?"

"I overheard part of your conversation with Snow White this afternoon when I returned."
Belle became flustered and embarrassed, "Oh, Rum, I know what you heard, but I don't want to rush into anything. I was going to talk to you, but I know finding Bae is the more important thing right now..."

He gently took her hands in his and looked into her eyes, "Belle, it's not that."

She looked at him questionably.

"I don't think I can give you children."

She paused as she processed his statement, "Uh...wha...how do you know?"

"Because of this," he gestured up and down at his body, "As much as you want to believe I'm a man, I'm not."

"But you have a son…"

"Yes, and he was born when I was still an ordinary man. The Dark One curse changed me, it changed my body."

"Oh," Belle averted her gaze to keep her tears from flowing, "So it's a curse. Does that mean if it were to be broken and you were a man again, then there might be a chance?"

Rumplestiltskin stroked her cheek, "Do you want me to be a man again?"

"I don't know, I never thought about it. I didn't even know you had been an ordinary man once until yesterday. I can't imagine you looking different from what you do now, but it wouldn't change the way I feel about you. I love you for you."

Rumplestiltskin took her by the chin and lifted her gaze, "I'm sorry Belle, perhaps we should have discussed this sooner. If you want to call off the wedding, I will understand."

Belle grabbed him by the arm, "Call off the wedding? NO OF COURSE NOT! I love you Rumplestiltskin, and while it breaks my heart to know we may never have children, I wouldn't leave you because of it."

He looked down at his lap, "I'm sorry you had to fall in love with a monster."

Belle pulled his face to where their foreheads met, "Shh, please don't say that. Even if you're not an ordinary man, you're still not a monster. You'll never convince me otherwise."

He gave her a weak smile, "I don't deserve you Belle."

Belle smiled back, "Yes you do," She reached up and moved a piece of hair out of his face so she could kiss him. The kiss was soft and sweet and she knew if they stayed that way it would progress much further. She wanted to be with Rumplestiltskin but she felt she needed some alone time after the news he just told her. She pulled away before they could get carried away, "I would like to be alone for a little while if you don't mind?"

"No, go ahead."

Belle gave him one last kiss then left the barn. She walked through the woods until she came to the pond she visited with Grumpy earlier. She plopped down on the pond bank, pulled her knees up to her chest, and finally let her tears free. She didn't want to let Rumplestiltskin see how upset she was. It always upset him more to see her cry, especially when she was crying like she was now.

She sat there alone for a while with her thoughts and continued sobbing. She knew she would eventually come to terms with the fact that she may never have children but she needed the time to adjust. She wanted this time to be alone to cope and did not expect a visitor, "What ails you child?"

Belle jumped and looked up to see who was speaking to her. She looked around for her company, but saw no one.

"Up here," the female voice said.

Belle glanced up and saw a fairy floating down toward her. Belle had never met a fairy before. She couldn't help but stare a little. The fairy was only a few inches tall and wore a shiny blue dress. Her wings matched her dress and Belle wondered if that was coincidence. She was certain this was the Blue Fairy.

Belle wiped her eyes, "Oh it's nothing, thank you for your concern, but I'll be fine."

The Blue Fairy came closer, "What is your name dear?"

"It's Belle, and I really must be going..." Belle stood and pointed in the direction of the cottage.

The Blue Fairy looked at Belle confused, "Have I done something to offend you?"

"Oh no! It's just my betrothed…I don't think I should be speaking to you.

He wouldn't like it very much…"

"Betrothed?" she understood now, "Ah, I presume you're the girl who is to wed Rumplestiltskin."

"Yes, and it's best if I do not go against his wishes."

"Or he'll what?"

Belle thought the fairy's tone was a little snippy, "He won't hurt me if that's what you're insinuating. I just don't want to betray his trust."

She smiled at Belle, "I respect your choice. I only came because I heard your wish."

Belle furrowed her brow, "What wish?"

"Your wish for children."

"How did you know about that?"

"I have the ability to hear wishes and your's was rather loud. But I had no idea you were Rumplestiltskin's true love."

"So you're saying you wouldn't help me now that you know that?"

"No, that's not what I meant. I can't help you. His magic and my magic don't mix. However, it may be for the best."

Belle took an angry step toward the fairy, "Why do you say that?! Rum would make a wonderful father! If it weren't for you, he would have never been separated from his son in the first place!"

The Blue Fairy gave Belle a sympathetic look, "Is that what he told you? That it was my fault?"

"You gave his son the magic bean that sent him to another world."

"Yes, but I was only trying to help. It wasn't my actions that led them to be separated. Rumplestiltskin could have gone with him, but he was too coward to do so. After taking on those powers he caused that boy tons of pain and suffering, he may only do the same to you."

"Don't you dare call him a coward!" Tears welled up in her already strained eyes, "And what do you know about how he'll treat me? Have you ever been in love?"

"No I can't say that I have."

"And can you see the future?"

"No."

Belle's voice raised with every word, "Then how do you know that my relationship with Rumplestiltskin will be so painful? Why are you so sure he's going to hurt me? Yes, I'm sure there will be some hardships, but we love each other, we truly love each other, and that's all that matters. We'll see through any obstacle that comes our way."

"Yes, but you choose not to see the darkness that surrounds him, that surrounds his heart. He will do anything to hold onto his power, never forget that."

"Well he'll have me by his side to keep the darkness from putting out the light. His heart is true. I will never leave him. Now, please, will you just leave me alone?"

"I'm sorry I've upset you child, that was never my intention. And I'm sorry I can't help you. I would have never bothered you if I'd known. However, I leave you a gift, some fairy dust which may come in handy for you one day." The Blue Fairy held out a small cloth bag.

Belle shrugged away from it, "No thank you. If there's one thing I know, it's that's magic always comes with a price. I have no desire to use it."

The Blue Fairy was slightly appalled at Belle's actions, "Very well. I wish you good luck in all your endevors, Belle. I only hope you're not wrong in your decision." She gave Belle one last sympathetic glance then left.

Belle breathed a sigh of relief once the Blue Fairy was gone. Her presence had done nothing to help her. It only made things worseNow she was wondering what really went on between Rumplestiltskin and his son. She pondered asking him, but she felt like now was not the time. Too much had already happened that evening and she was exhausted.

She dried her eyes the best she could as she made her way back to the barn. She knew Rum would know she had been crying. Her face was puffy and her eyes were red. She would have to stay away for a long time for the puffiness to go down, and she didn't want to worry him. Besides if she did stay away, she wasn't sure she could keep the tears at bay.

"Sweetheart, you've been crying," was the first thing Rumplestiltskin said to her when she returned. He gathered her in his arms.

It actually brought a smile to Belle's face to hear him call her sweetheart. Up until now he had only called her dearest and my Belle, which she didn't mind, but she really liked the new nickname, "I'm ok, just tired."

"You just seem more upset now than when you left, can we talk about it?"

"In the morning, I promise. For now I just want to sleep."

Rumplestiltskin sighed in defeat, "As you wish."

Belle curled into Rumplestiltskin and he stroked her hair as she fell asleep. He couldn't help but worry what the morning would bring, and what may have happened to her on her walk. 'She said she wouldn't leave me because of this...' he thought. However, he wasn't convinced. He had lost everything that he had loved, and he didn't want to lose her too.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Sir, I've found their whereabouts."

King George looked up from his task to see Sir Lancelot standing before him, "Snow and James?"

Lancelot nodded.

"Where are they?"

"They're saying with some dwarfs in a cottage near the fairy dust mines," Lancelot paused, "They've gathered a council and are planning to attack."

"Did you gather any details on their plans?"

"Yes, but not much."

"What about an army? Do they have one?"

"I'm not sure Sir."

King George didn't seem too worried, "Well we must attack and capture them before they can carry out their plans. Gather your soldiers and meet back here first thing tomorrow to formulate an attack plan."

"Yes, your majesty," Lancelot bowed.

King George went back to what he was doing, but Lancelot did not retreat.

The King glanced up at him, "Is there something else?"

"Yes," Lancelot hesitated, then laid down a flyer in front of the king, "Princess Belle is with them."

King George smirked, "Excellent, send word immediately to King Maurice and especially Queen Regina. It's nice to know we have two things she's after."

"Yes, sir." Lancelot bowed again, then left the throne room.

a/n Just to give you a heads up my updates will be a bit more infrequent because I have a baby due in the next couple weeks :) but i will try to get one more ch up for each story at least until then