Really, really, REALLY grateful for all of you wonderful comments! Hope you enjoy this one - there's a BIG surprise for you at the end! ;)
I do not own 'Once Upon a Time.'
Chapter 11
Gold was still sleeping soundly in her arms when Belle awoke the next morning. They had slept quite late, as it was nearing ten in the morning. Neither of them had been sleeping well for the past week, and now that the unresolved tension between them was becoming resolved, they could both relax at last.
Belle ran her fingers through Gold's hair and peppered his cheek with gentle kisses until he began to stir awake. He opened his eyes and looked up at her and smiled.
"Good morning." Belle said softly.
"That it is." Gold said, and he moved his lips to her and kissed her. "How late is it?"
"Almost ten. I think this was first real sleep either of us have had all week." Belle said.
"I like waking up in your arms. I think I'd like to always wake up in your arms." Gold said, and he snuggled up with her and sighed.
"Do you um – have anything to do today? For work?" Belle asked.
"Miss Swan has the day off – we'll be quite busy this week so I told her to just take some time for herself." Gold said. "So – to answer your question – my plans today are whatever you would like me to do."
"Well, I have to clean your office first." Belle said.
"That can wait. I told you – there's no need to clean for me any longer, you're not my maid." Gold said.
"What am I then?" Belle asked.
"You," Gold began, and he gave her a quick kiss, "are beautiful," he said, and he kissed her again, "and smart," he said, followed by another kiss, "and a lovely little chatterbox that I could listen to all day." Gold finished his sentence with several more kisses.
"I thought my 'earbashing' annoyed you." Belle said.
"Never." Gold said. Belle raised her eyebrow at him. "Well, maybe at first but – I would gladly listen to your earbashing all day long." They kissed once more.
"Are you hungry?" Belle asked.
"Starving." he replied.
"You should be, you didn't eat much yesterday. How about I bring us breakfast in bed, would you like that?" Belle asked.
"That sounds absolutely heavenly." Gold replied.
"Do you want your usual Sunday fare then?" Belle asked. Gold thought about it for a moment.
"You know what? Why don't you surprise me with something different today?" Gold asked.
"Really? First no cleaning and now this. You sure you're alright with breaking your routine?" Belle asked.
"You were right about me, Belle. I haven't been living, I've been existing. You – you make me want to live again. About time I started doing that and – trying different things is probably a good move toward that." Gold said.
"Well alright then." Belle said. "I know just what I'm going to make." Belle sat up and sprung out of bed.
"What is that?" Gold asked.
"It's a surprise." Belle said, and she smiled at him as she bounced out of the room. Gold watched her leave, and he sat up in bed, leaned against the headboard, and sighed. He never, not in his wildest dreams, thought that he would ever have this. He never fathomed that he would have someone in his life that loved him, let alone someone as beautiful and perfect as Belle French. He didn't even want to think about the fact that she had to leave soon – because now that he found her, and admitted his love for her – he didn't know how he was going to manage without her.
Belle came back into the bedroom about thirty minutes later with a tray. She set it on the edge of the bed carefully and climbed back in next to him. "What is that?"
"Eggs in a basket." Belle said. "My mum used to make them all the time, it's my favorite. Here – give it a try." Belle put a piece on a fork and put it up to Gold's mouth, and he took a bite.
"It's good." Gold said. "Fabulous."
"Well I know how you like your eggs too, so – I made yours exactly I how I thought you'd prefer it. I like mine a bit runnier." Belle said, and she took a bite from her own plate. They sat and ate their breakfast while snuggled together. "So – what do you want to do today?" Belle asked as they finished up.
"I'm good staying up here all day. With you." Gold said. Belle smiled at him.
"That does sound nice. But I thought – well, since we really haven't had a 'date' per se, we could get a couple of those in." Belle said.
"Belle, you can't leave the house and I – I don't think that I'm ready for that just yet." Gold said.
"Well, we don't have to leave the house, we can - be creative. How about this? I'll plan an afternoon date for us, and you come up with something for the evening. Sound good?" Belle asked.
"That sounds lovely. I think I could do that, yes." Gold said.
"Alright then – why don't you get ready for the day and – I'll go take this back downstairs and come up with something fun for us this afternoon." Belle said. "By the way, do you um – you don't have any other clothes but suits, do you? Something a bit more – casual?"
"Actually, yes I do. I just – there's a hidden door in my closet, they're all in there. Haven't worn them in years." Gold said.
"Well – since we're doing different things today – maybe that would be another thing you could try. For our afternoon date – if you don't mind." Belle said.
"Okay." Gold said. "I suppose that's not too difficult a task."
"You see – you can start living again. Let me get some things ready and – meet me in the living room in two hours." Belle said. "No peeking until then."
"Alright – I'll see you in two hours then." Gold said. Belle picked up the breakfast tray and left the room.
Lunchtime arrived, and Belle was waiting outside the living room for Gold. She greeted him outside of the room with a kiss on the cheek. As per her instructions, he was wearing a pair of jeans and one of his button-down shirts. "Couldn't find any other shirt to wear other than the ones I have for my suits." he said.
"It's okay. You look wonderful." Belle told him.
I wasn't supposed to bring anything, right?" he asked.
"Only yourself." Belle replied. "Come on – let's go." Belle took his hand and led him into the room. The coffee table was covered with a tablecloth, and there was a picnic basket lying in the middle of the table, along with two paper plate place settings and cups of iced tea.
"A picnic? Belle, this is lovely, where did you find these things?" Gold asked.
"Oh, I've discovered all kinds of things hidden in the pantry. Come on, let's sit." Belle said, and she and Gold sat down on the sofa. "I hope you like this, it's not something you normally eat." Belle opened the picnic basket; inside it was a plate with two hamburgers and a bag of chips.
"Belle, I – I haven't had a hamburger in forever." Gold said.
"Well I know you like steak, but – I'm more of a burger girl myself. I'd bought these for me but – well I thought you might enjoy it." Belle said. "Didn't know what you liked on it though so I just put everything in the basket."
"It's been so long but – I did always like them with ketchup." Gold said, and he pulled the ketchup bottle out of the basket. "How about pickles?"
"They're in the basket too." Belle said. She watched as Gold took a bite of his hamburger. "You like it?" she asked.
"Fantastic. Best hamburger I've ever had." Gold said. Belle smiled happily.
"See, it hasn't been that bad – trying new things." she said.
"I'm still having my haggis on Tuesday." Gold insisted.
"Oh, of course, wouldn't dream of taking your illegal haggis from you." Belle said.
"You know – why don't I order a plate for you this week? You should try it." Gold said. "Why should I be the only one to try new things?" Belle made a face.
"You're going to make me eat that stuff?" Belle asked.
"Well – how about we make a deal? You try haggis, and I'll try kangaroo meat." Gold said, and he took a bite of his burger.
"That IS kangaroo meat." Belle said, and Gold choked and spit out his food onto his plate. Belle smirked at him. "That was a quip." she said, and she started laughing.
"You think you're funny, do you? I'll show you how funny you are." Gold said, and he tackled her onto the sofa and began to tickle her as Belle squealed. He did this for about a minute, then stopped and kissed her. "I love you." Gold said quietly.
"I love you, too." Belle replied in agreement, and they kissed once again, a deeper kiss than they had shared up until that point.
Gold instructed Belle to wait in her quarters in the basement until their evening date, and she couldn't wait to see what he had planned. At about 6 p.m. there was a knock on her door. "Ian?" she called out.
"I have something for you, Belle." she heard him say. Belle opened the door – Gold wasn't there, but a large box was sitting on the floor. The words 'wear this tonight' were written across it. Belle picked up the box and took it in her room. She opened it and gasped – it was a yellow evening gown. It was beautiful, and she could tell it was quite expensive. She smiled excitedly and put it on.
At promptly s 6:30 in the evening, Belle made her way upstairs. Gold was waiting for her at the top of the steps. He was decked out in a tuxedo. "You look lovely, my dear. Absolutely lovely." Gold said, and he kissed her hand.
"And look at you. So handsome. Where did you get these clothes on such short notice?" Belle asked.
"Made a few phone calls. It's one of the few perks of what I do." Gold said. "Are you ready?"
"Alright." Belle said, and Gold offered her his arm, and she happily took it. They walked through the kitchen and into the dining room. The lighting was dim and there were what appeared to be plain white Christmas tree lights strung across the walls, with soft classical music playing in the background. Belle was surprised to see a man standing there dressed in a waiter's uniform. He was a bit short and stocky with a receding hairline and a beard.
"Belle – this is LeRoy." Gold said. "He'll be our maître d' for the evening.
"It's um – Leroy." the man retorted.
"I'm paying you an entire weeks' salary for the next hour; it's LeRoy." Gold said to him through gritted teeth. "Welcome to Chateau Gold, where you will have a romantic dinner of French cuisine." Gold held out a chair for Belle and she sat down.
"Oh, Ian – it's beautiful." Belle said.
"So what do you want to drink, sister?" Leroy asked. Gold glared at him. "I mean – mademoiselle."
"Oh – I don't want any alcohol." Belle said.
"I believe we do have sparkling cider though – isn't that right, LeRoy?" Gold asked.
"Yeah, we got that, Mr. G. – I mean – mon-soor Gold." Leroy said, getting the pronunciation wrong. Gold rolled his eyes.
"Well that would be nice then." Belle said. Leroy left the room. She looked at Gold. "Who is he really?" Belle asked.
"Don't worry, he's good. He's um – he's an agent, one of the security officers assigned to guard duty." Gold said.
"Well shouldn't he be doing that instead of – this?" Belle asked.
"This was his night off – I offered him the chance to moonlight for a bit this evening and he took it." Gold said. Leroy came back into the room with a bottle of sparkling cider. He poured some into Belle's glass and then Gold's, and set the bottle down on the table. He then stood there and watched them.
"Shouldn't you be getting the appetizers, LeRoy?" Gold asked.
"You didn't say please." Leroy said. Gold sighed.
"Please bring us the appetizers, they're over on the table." Gold said, and Leroy moved to get them. "My apologies, my lady. I'm afraid that LeRoy can be a bit – grumpy at times." Gold said.
"Well he's in good company then, isn't he?" Belle teased.
"Heh. I like her." Leroy said, laughing as he placed the plate of appetizers on the table. Gold glowered at him. Belle and Gold enjoyed a nice romantic dinner that evening as Leroy waited on them. After their final course, Gold looked up at Leroy.
"That will be all LeRoy – I'll take care of everything from here." Gold said. Leroy looked over at Belle.
"You sure you're okay with me leaving you alone with this guy, sister?" Leroy asked.
"We're fine. Thank you; everything was lovely." Belle said.
Leroy grumbled under his breath as he left the room. "Un-freaking-believable. Guy lives locked in his house for twenty years and he gets a date with a beautiful woman, and I can't even get ONE of them to reply to my profile on Match dot com." Belle giggled at bit.
"I apologize for him. Best I could do on short notice. He's actually very good at his job, just – not much else, it appears." Gold said.
"This was wonderful, Ian. Really, it was." Belle said. She stood up and walked over to the sound system that was sitting on one of the cabinets. She turned the volume up and looked over at Gold. "Dance with me. Please?" Belle asked. Gold looked down at his leg.
"Belle, I um – I can't dance. Not anymore." Gold said sadly.
"You can manage a slow dance. Just for a minute." Belle said. Gold stood up nervously and approached Belle. She took his cane from his hand and leaned it against the table, and Gold wrapped his arms around her tightly. "This has been such a nice day. It really has." Belle said as they began to sway to the music.
"I never, ever thought that anything like this would happen to me. Nice things don't happen to me, Belle. Not anymore." Gold said.
"Well get used to them happening again." Belle said. She looked up at him and touched his cheek. "Because I promise you – there will be more coming." Belle nuzzled her cheek against Gold's chest and held him even tighter.
"Belle – I'd like to um – I'd like to tell you about my boy. If that's alright." Ian said. Belle looked up at him.
"I'd love to know about your son, Ian. I want to know everything about him." Belle replied.
Gold took Belle hand as he walked with her to the west wing of the manor. He took out a key and opened the door to Bae's room. He walked over to the nightstand and turned on the light. "This is um – this is how he left it." Gold said. Belle looked up at him sadly. "I know – it's been twenty years, I should let him go but – he's all I had left, Belle. I just haven't been able to do it."
"It's okay, Ian. So – you have pictures? I want to see them." Belle said. Gold led her to the bed and they sat down together. He opened the nightstand drawer and took out a photo album. It chronicled all of Bae's life, from his birth until his tenth birthday. Belle leafed through the photo album, and Gold commented on several of the photos. She noticed that some of the photos were cut, as if someone were deliberately cut out of them. "Ian – what about – what about Bae's mother?" Belle asked.
"I really don't want to talk about her, Belle." Gold said.
"Did you cut her out of the photos?" Belle asked.
"Yeah." Gold said, looking down. "She wasn't a nice person, Belle. She wasn't – like you. I wish you had been Bae's mum. Things would have been better then."
"I'm the same age as your son, Ian, I don't know how that would have worked." Belle said.
"Are you bothered by that?" Gold asked.
"With all of your other flaws Ian, you think your AGE is what will be a dealbreaker for me? No, I'm not bothered by that at all." Belle said, and she gave Gold a kiss on the cheek. "I don't see you as any particular age, I just – see you. And I love you." Gold kissed her on the lips. Belle went back to perusing through the photo album. She noticed some photos that were taken when Bae was about five years old, and there was a little blonde girl with him, she looked to be about three years old. "Ian – who's the little blonde girl in these photos?"
"She um – she was a girl that I took into my home for about four months. Her parents had died and – well, I offered to care for her. I fully intended for my wife and I to adopt her, but – my wife decided that she didn't want another child. So I – well, the little girl had no other family that was known, so she went into the foster system. I kept an eye on her though, till she came of age. Made sure she was provided for, discreetly, of course. Bae adored her – the four months she was here, they were inseparable. He used to say that he was going to marry her someday, I tried to explain to him that if she were to be his sister that couldn't happen, but – you can't really explain that sort of thing to a five-year-old. But – well, that didn't come to fruition." Gold said sadly.
"You loved her, didn't you?" Belle asked.
"Yeah. I did. She was a sweet, lovely child. To me, she um – I'll always think of that little girl as my daughter." Gold told her.
Twenty-five years ago . . . .
Gold stared down at the lifeless bodies of the man and woman lying in front of him in the foyer of their house. He looked at the gun in his hand as he ran the fingers in his other hand through his hair. A woman that looked to be in her late forties came into the room, her gun raised up. "You alright, dear?" the woman asked – she had a pronounced cockney English accent.
"Yeah. Fine." Gold replied, and he put his gun back in his holster.
"You want me to call this one in?" the woman asked as she put her gun away.
"Yeah. Go ahead." Gold agreed. He sighed, a look of sadness coming across his face.
"You're gonna have to get used to this sort of thing, dear. Part of the job. They were bad people, you know that." the woman said. "They could have come with us peacefully. They chose to fight, and they lost. It happens." she said. They both heard a noise coming from upstairs.
"What was that?" Gold asked. "There shouldn't be anyone else here."
"You want me to go have a look?" the woman asked.
"No, you – you call this in. I'll go." Gold said.
"Be careful." the woman said, as Gold made his way up the stairs. He took out his gun and held it out in front of himself. When he reached the top of the stairs, he heard a distinct noise. It sounded like a child crying. It was coming from one of the bedrooms. Gold cautiously entered the room, still pointing his gun ahead. He put it away as soon as he saw the culprit; it was a little girl with blonde hair. She was huddled in a corner on the floor next to her bed, crying. Gold moved toward her and knelt down in front of her.
"Hey – hello there, sweetheart." Gold said quietly. "It's alright – no need to be scared." The little girl looked up at him. "My name is Ian. What's your name?"
"Emma." the girl whispered quietly.
"Emma. Well, that's a lovely name. Emma." Gold said to her. He reached his arms out to her, and she clung to him tightly.