Later that night when Asher is tucked into bed i wait in the living room for Belle to come back down stairs. I flip channels on the Tv as i lay against the couch. I land on some Friends reruns and smile happily.

"I see you haven't changed a bit." i hear over my shoulder and sit up quickly. I don't know if she is irritated but when she walks around to where i can see her, i see an amused look on her face.

"I love this show." i say and she laughs

"I know you do." she throws herself onto the couch next to me. I sigh when she curls into me and hums.

"Is the kid finally asleep?" I ask after a few moments of silence.

"Out like a light" she kisses my neck softly and i fight a moan.

"I should probably get going." i say moving to sit up. She looks at me shocked and almost angry.

"Why?" she asks puzzled.

"Because i really want to take a shower." i say standing and i feel her stand after me.

"I have one up stairs." she says wrapping her arms around me from behind.

"And i can help wash your back." she purrs

"I don't have any clothes." i retort weakly.

"You don't need any we are just going to bed." she says laying her head against my back.

"I want to go to sleep." i try another excuse and she laughs.

"Well its a good thing there is a king size bed up there than." she chuckles and i take a deep breath before turning around.

"Sweetheart I'm exhausted and i know if i sleep in the same bed as you tonight i wont get any sleep. So please don't be mad but i'm going home." i say and she gets a small pout on her face.

"Okay thats fine." she says turning to walk away.

"Good night Red." she throws over her shoulder and i know she is mad at me, but i leave anyway.

-Later

I get out of the shower and towel off my hair when i hear my phone ring. I look around the room for the offending sound.

Who is calling at one in the morning?

I find it and flip it open answering it.

"Hello?"

"What the hell are you doing?" I hear Emma's voice pour out of the phone.

"What Emma?" I ask sitting on the bed.

"Belle just called me in tears saying you wouldn't stay with her tonight and she couldn't figure out why." Emma says and i feel my heart clinch at Belle crying.

"Stay out of it Emma."

"I will not stay out of it when my best friend is about to lose the love of her life she has been trying to get back for five years." Emma growls

"Emma-…"

"No! if you screw this up you don't get another go." she says before hanging up.

I sigh before pulling on some sleep shorts and a tank top. I head out to my car and drive over to Belle's. I walk up the lawn and see the lights off. The door is locked but i use my old key and enter the dark house. Locking the door back i climb the stairs to Belle's room and push the door open.

I see her figure laying under the covers in a fetal position. I walk over and slip my shoes off before sliding in behind her.

"Go away." she whispers horsily and i shuffle closer to her.

"I'm sorry baby. I shouldn't have left." I say spooning her from behind. She doesn't say anything and i kiss her neck.

"I love you." i whisper and after a few minutes feel her fall asleep.

— A Few Days Later

I look at the clock as it flashes 6:15. I slide out of Belle's bed and sneak out of the house to start my day. I go home and change before heading to work. By the time i get there, there is a text on my phone from Belle.

(You leaving before i get up is starting to piss me off.)

I sigh and close the station door. When i come into the main room Emma is leaning against a desk with her arms crossed staring at me.

"Whats up?" i ask and she reveals a coffee.

"We need to talk." she says and i sit down a crossed from her.

"About?"

"You and Belle." Emma says and i shake my head.

"What are you doing? Belle says every morning since you have gotten back you leave before she is up. She says you wont have sex with her even though she tries to get you to. What gives?" Emma asks and i sip my drink.

"You want to know the truth?" i ask and Emma nods motioning with her hand.

"The truth is… One morning she is going to wake up and realize Asher is safe and she is safe-… she wont need me anymore. I cant-… my heart wont be able to take it. I cant wake up one morning and see the regret in her eyes. I leave before she wakes up so my last image of her is-… my angel wrapped around me with messy hair and a faint smile gracing her perfect face." i explain and Emma looks at me dumb struck.

"It wont be that way anymore Red. She wants you for good." she says and i shake my head.

"We cant know that. You never saw her-… all those mornings in the past five years. She would look so peaceful curled around me until she woke up and kicked me out." i explain and Emma shakes her head

"She wants you." Emma says and i set my drink down.

"She needs me right now. Thats why she wants me." I say before grabbing my files to start working on them.

-Belle-

"Hello my love. What time do you get off work?" I ask Red. I am a little surprised she answered my calls since i sent her a mean text earlier this morning.

"Hi baby. I get off at five. Why?" she asks and i smile.

"Meet Asher and I at Granny's for dinner?" i ask

"Of course sweetheart." She says and i smile.

"Okay great! see you later… I love you." I say my pulse pounding.

"I love you to." she replies.

I sit down on the bed and rub my forehead. Emma called me earlier and told me what Red told her this morning. I asked Emma to help me figure out why Red is being so distant with me because i cant lose her.

-Red-

I come into the diner later after work. I don't know what Belle is going to be like but i cant hold in my excitement at seeing my family. The bell dings and i look around for them.

"Hey sweetheart." Belle says coming up to me. I start to answer but she leans up and places a kiss on my lips. I stand in shock which she uses to her advantage. When i snap out of it we are sitting at the table.

"Hi momma." Asher says smiling brightly

"Hi baba." i blow her a kiss since Belle has trapped me on the inside of our booth.

"So what do you want to eat baba?" Belle asks looking at a menu. I glance over and see the light reflect off of something.

"What is tha-…" i take her hand and see her wedding band back in its place on her left hand. I stare at it stunned not moving. I hold her hand in mine for a long while.

"Why are you wearing that?" i ask looking up at Belle confused.

"Well your my wife and we are together are we not?" she asks and i nod dumbly making her smile.

"I want everyone to know that i'm taken-… and i want you to know that i'm all yours." she says leaning over and placing a soft kiss on my lips.

"Okay lets order some food." She says sliding her free hand down to lace with mine.

-Later That Night

I climb out of the car and walk up the lawn to Belle's house. She told me to come by when we left dinner. I cant stop myself, i will be here as long as she wants me.

I enter the house and see the lights off. I call her name walking through the house looking for her. Walking down the hallway i see a soft glow coming from under her bedroom door. I push the door open and look around.

"Belle?" i ask taking in the sight of dozens of candles lining the room.

"There you are baby." i hear her voice and a moment later the comes out of the bathroom. My jaw drops at the sight of her. She saunters over to me in black lace underwear.

"i was worried you wouldn't come." she says wrapping her arms around my neck.

"Belle what are you-…" she puts her finger to my lips silencing me before pulling me over to the bed and pushing me down.

"I need you to listen to me okay?" she says kneeling between my legs and looking up at me. I find myself nodding without thinking.

"I didn't put my ring back on or do all of this to pressure you. I wanted you to know that i'm serious about this. I was a bad wife to you the first time around and after we divorced i was even worse to you. I hurt you very bad-… i know. I understand that you dont trust me and i deserve that, but sweetheart i'm all in. Tell me what i need to do to get you to believe me?" she implores grasping my hands.

"I need you to tell me if you cant do this. I cant wake up one morning and you not want me anymore. My heart cant take it. " I say and she kisses my knuckles.

"I wont change my mind. I need you. I want you." she says and i smile at her. i tug on her hands pulling her up. She stands and straddles my lap.

"I have missed this body" i groan resting my hands on her waist. She chuckles leaning forward placing kisses on my neck.

"Asher is at Emma and Regina's tonight." She whispers in my ear.

"Well than… I think its time the neighborhood remembers my name." i smile leaning up and nibbling on her lip.

"Bring it." she licks my jaw and i hiss in pleasure.