A moment had turned into an hour since Dr Whale had ushered them all of the room, nurses coming and going from the room with various things. Rumpel had paced the corridor, his head snapping in the direction of the door every time it opened, hoping to be allowed back into the room. After about half an hour, he decided to go up and visit his daughter, if they were not going to let him back in with his wife. So that was where he was, sat on a chair near his daughter's plastic tub, holding her in his arms after the nurse had carefully put her.
Rumpel could not get over how small she was compared to how big Baelfire had been. It surprised him how much growing she would have done in the next eight weeks, if she had not come so early. He gently rubbed his thumb against her cheek, observing her sleeping form in his arms. So many memories of holding Baelfire as a baby kept coming to mind, reminding him of how much work they had in front of them. It was only now that he realised how much, he regretted not having the same memories about Gideon. He had been glad before that he had not had to do the late night feeds and put up with the tantrums. With his daughter in his arms, he wished he could go back and stop Belle sending Gideon away.
The door to the baby room opened causing Rumpel to look up, surprised to see Belle being pushed into the room in a wheelchair. He smiled at her as an orderly pushed her over to them, her face lighting up at the sight of their daughter. Belle was reaching for her daughter even before the orderly had gotten her over to where Rumpel sat. Allowing his gaze to fall down to their child, Rumpel watched as Belle gently stroked the top of their daughter's head, whispering sweet nothings before she kissed the top of her head.
"You're so tiny." Belle whispered.
Rumpel contently sighed at them, as he said. "You're both so beautiful."
Her eyes twinkled at Rumpel as Belle looked up at him. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Mr Gold."
Smiling Rumpel leaned over to her and captured her lips, sweetly but firmly kissing her. Her hand touched the side of his face, keeping him still as they kissed. Their kiss naturally ended but they did not move away from one another, instead they rested their foreheads against one another. Rumpel was glad for closeness.
"Got any ideas then?" She said her voice quiet.
"Ideas for what?" Rumpel asked, his gaze returning to their daughter in his arms.
Belle giggled at him. "Names for this one."
"Oh!" He paused to think and then said. "Annabelle." Belle raised her eyebrows at the name, pondering over it as she stroked her thumb over their daughter's forehead. Rumpel did not say anymore, leaving Belle to decide, he was just happy to have them both there with him.
Belle shifted in her wheelchair. "Do you think maybe I could get a hold of her?"
"Sorry, Belle. I didn't think." Rumpel was suddenly alarmed, embarrassed he had not offered sooner. "Excuse me." He said to the nurse that was floating around the babies. "Can you…?"
"Course." The young woman came over swiftly, carefully taking the baby from Rumpel to lay into Belle's arms.
Belle thanked the nurse with a nod as she spoke to their daughter. "Hello, Annabelle."
Rumpel's smile was broad whilst he put his arm around Belle's back, moving the chair closer to be nearer to them. Belle was chatting away to Annabelle, telling her about her big brothers. So enthralled by the scene before him, Rumpel sat and watched, and loved every moment. He did not want anything to break it.