Chapter 29 Something Blue

'Oh, you poor thing!' Mrs. Mildred moaned as Belle finished her tale, though the story had taken wings and gone off in different directions at least a hundred times. For there must be clarification and questions on why Morris behaved the way he did (which Belle admitted she didn't completely know), and though Belle only gave the vaguest details of her stay at Morris', Mrs. Mildred was ready to stomp off and give the big fellow a piece of her mind by the end.

'And to bring a man twice your age to try to set you up while you are already engaged to such a nice young gentleman as that Roger fellow? I'm surprised you answered as kindly as you did. I know I sure wouldn't have.'

Mrs. Mildred was especially worried about David. There was a pain in the lines of her forehead, thinking of a child that could be less than properly looked after and cared for, when her and her husband had gone so many years without the blessing of children themselves. Belle had a sudden thought-of introducing Mrs. Mildred to David, of having her perhaps look in on him from time to time, or have her as a safe haven if things got tough.

She was very thankful for Mildred's sweetness and kindness towards her, but she was also quite glad to sprawl out on the bed in her room at the end of it and pour over her letters, grasping onto all the bits of wonderful they would bring to a tiring day.

'Belles,

I can well imagine that it was the poem over Haggis that sealed your fate, my friend. I remember your reaction very well, when he quoted that Scottish poet. And of course he fell in love with you too, and traveled to see you, and wants to marry you! This is all blatantly obvious to a good friend, you know. Oh how I wish I could be with you now to help you choose what you will wear and how to do your hair. Instead I've been so busy the past few weeks I've hardly had time to sleep, that I'm sure you believe I'm dead and gone by now. But no, I am well, and only wishing I could be with you now, and we could have a double wedding and make a big spectacle of it all.

Archie writes to me when he can, and I try to return them when I am able. We know how things are, and so we don't hold it against each other. Granny sent me another letter, she too worried I had been stationed too close to all the action (I can tell you that I am not-I do not believe I'll be censored in that way, but I can tell you that I am safe, and ought to be safe where I've been stationed). Again she begs forgiveness for her overprotective ways and promises she'll be less overpowering if I'll just agree to move back to Storybrooke when I am able to come back. Poor Granny. Will you try to convince her how good Archie is for me? I never wanted to be as good as I want to be for him. Not even your influence could induce the sort of level headedness I've discovered with loving Archie, and I believe that is saying something very great indeed.

I am glad you are no longer with Morris-the stupid man. And I know you, you say your Roger did not care for Morris and then couldn't rest until you were away from there, it is Belle code for something I cannot even imagine. Good for Roger. I like him for that alone, already.

Be well, Belle. Marry when you can and do not worry about me. This war feels like it will never end some days. It will end. It has to end. Or so Archie tells me in every letter-Oh that it might end tomorrow!

Your friend,

Ruby'

Belle had smiled from beginning to end, all the troubles of the day that had lingered even after the talk with Mrs Mildred were all but dissipated now. Rogers' letter could only bring her over the edge into the waters of happiness, so she tore the letter open with gusto.

'My Dearest Belle,

The only thing left on my first list, as of today, my Belle, is to marry you. I moved into our little house today and though the description of 'furnished' in the advertisement was a very liberal term, I've bought a small thing or two to help make it feel more like a home. The thing that will make it truly feel like a home, of course, will be you coming to live here. The list I am now working through, will help fulfill all those little details that must be done before the last item can be truly crossed off the first list.

Do you remember the man who helped me with the car, a Mr. Dove? He has been helping me to get a sort of trajectory into what I want to study when I do go to school. He's been at this firm and that one and has seen a thing or two in his years in the field. He never aspired to be anything more than a law clerk, says he doesn't have the stomach to actually be a lawyer, but seems very keen on helping me along that path. I do not long for the long hours of study that must come this fall, but I can only hope that this path will help me give you more than I can at present, which will be very much worth it.

Jeffries sent me a very short note, giving me his congratulations on our engagement and seemed to think he was owed all the credit (which I suppose there is some merit to what he says, though I would never admit it to him, of course, no sense in giving him any bigger head than he does already). He signed the note with 'Captain Jeffries' and while I would like to call him a show off for doing so, I'll admit that he deserves the promotion more than anyone I know. Somehow he keeps a cool head during the most heated battles, and despite his jovial personality can still garner respect, hard thing to do, but he does it.

Your letters keep you near, so I will stop now and anxiously await your next one. What a wonderful thing it will be to see you walk off that bus in a few week's time and know there's no return date to worry about.

May the days hurry on until I see your bonnie face.

With all my love,

Roger'

So the rest of the day got considerably better for Belle, and had much to do with the people that Belle had around her, both physically nearby those who's words could only reach by letter.

The long nosed, black car rattled into the parking space. Dove had told him the rattling signaled nothing disastrous, it was just the car's way of complaining that it had been around for more years than other, newer cars, so Roger ignored it, especially today, as he could think of nothing else than that Belle was coming!

Not only that, but it would be a historic day for the both of them. He took a glance to the small seats behind where he had laid what he hoped would make the day feel a little more like it should instead of how they had both agreed that it could be. It was alright for him but what did Belle really think? No matter that she had written numerous times to say that she would have it this way, really didn't mind, probably preferred it with the war still going on and the way her family was at the moment, but he still wondered… He loved her, would do anything for her, wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, this he knew. He also was certain that Belle was all goodness and kindness itself-not to mention beautiful, exactly the sort of woman he could only dream of spending his life with, this was another established fact. However, though it felt as if he was closer to her than any being on earth (which he was) he still had questions and wonderings, and doubts. No doubts about her, no, they were doubts that the dream would end and he would discover all this some sort of gigantic trick. He would wake up and find himself sleeping in the rain, in the freezing rains of a rocky, mountainous Italy with no letters from Belle to warm his pocket. He would have two good legs and still what he had now would be heaven compared to that hellish nightmare of no Belle. Yet, he thought that the image he had just conjured would be more realistic than what he was experiencing now.

Nothing for it but to continue on with the dream as long as it lasted. He would do what he could to keep it going for as long as it could possibly go. Before she woke up and realized that it was her stuck in the nightmare, finally waking up to reality.

The thump of the cane and the mental work it took to keep the momentum of the false leg to continue at a gait that wouldn't appear too odd, was background noise to his eyes peering for signs that the bus could be early. It wasn't, of course, he had gotten there some minutes early so he wouldn't be surprised, yet he couldn't help but secretly wish she was here all the sooner.

He was the first person to arrive in trepidation, a handful of others came as the time got closer to time. The day was mild but Roger felt as if he was sweating absolute buckets.

The cream and tanned striped bus finally came into view and he hoped his good leg wouldn't buckle beneath him and cause a great scene on top of everything else. Thankfully he was able to remain upright, his body tense, but his eyes going this way and that as he tried to catch his first sight of her. She was a wee thing, he must remember, the others crowded around would drown his little love out. But no, he found her with no trouble at all, though it helped him not at all to move towards her, as every bit of breath he had was sucked right out at the sight of her.

There she stood, clutching a stiff suitcase with one hand and a sort of satchel in another, the wind was daring to move her soft curls that she had very neatly pulled up close to her face. Her dress, the color which had struck him first, the very shade of her eyes, pulled close to her at the top but allowed to be picked up by the wind by the hem. She was a bonnie thing and no mistake.

He knew the moment she saw him, for the light that came to her eyes and the smile that met them was enough to make some of the breath come back and his legs begin to work again. She met him, lip firmly between teeth and her eyes seeming both nervous and dancing at the same time.

'Hello Roger.' somehow the smile was even bigger than it had been before.

'Hey' He said with a smile, but felt as if there was so much that ought to be said or done or something... The air around them was moving, but felt suddenly stilted with the way that though he knew she wasn't shuffling her feet with the weight of the luggage in her hand, he felt that she would be if she could.

'And you're still sure, ye think?' He couldn't help saying as she allowed him to take one of her bags. It wasn't very heavy, he ought to be able to take both from her, but his cane wouldn't allow him, he was just glad she let him take the one.

He couldn't help asking, giving her one more out. It was one thing to hide confidence behind the letters they exchanged, but another thing entirely to be seeing her, right there, he couldn't but ask her to make sure she was sure.

She looked almost exasperated towards him, but shook her head, her curls bouncing with the motion and looked up sideways towards him and practically smirking, which gave him much relief.

'Of course I'm sure, Roger. And are you sure you are ready for a little wife that will burn your pies if she gets a little too involved in a good story?'

He smiled. 'I wouldnae mind if you bernt every pie for the rest of my life, as long as you're a part of it, Belle.'

'Well good, though I'm hoping for at least a decent one among all that number, you know.' She spoke with a blush and by this time they had made it to the long black thing that was their car. It was the first of the 'presentations' that he would be giving her that day. His chest tightened and he knew it would with each one.

'It's our car! Exactly like you described, well done.'

He smiled with relief and held the door after they had put away the luggage.

He made his way to the drivers side and went through the process of getting himself into it. He had learned to drive it with his one good leg, though it had been difficult. He had never driven before, so that actually worked in his favor, since he didn't have anything to compare it to. He had learned, and both he and his car were still in relatively good shape to show for it.

Belle's fingers were clasped in front of her, while her eyes were taking everything in. She had glanced towards the back and noticed what was there, his heart constricted a little more as he did the second bit of 'presenting'.

He turned in his seat a little and grabbed hold of the roses and the little box with them.

'F-for you, if you'll have it. I, I know this isn't the big wedding you ought to have…'

'Roger'

'No, I know, I know what you'll say, Belle, but it doesn't stop me from thinking that there ought to be a white dress and a long train and a preacher and all yer family and friends. I can't give you any of that, so I'm trying to give you at least a little tradition.'

Belle smiled and sighed. 'Thank you, Roger, they're beautiful. Oh!' She had opened the case and was gaping at the contents, much to Roger's satisfaction.

'Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. I knew you were making the dress, though I didn't know the color, it's a bit of luck, that.' He said as he gestured towards the necklace that she had now taken out of the case to admire it. He had chosen a tiny sapphire pendant because the gem reminded him of Belle's eyes, so naturally he had been drawn to the piece in the second hand jewelry store. She ought to have one new, but he had promised himself to replace it with a new one at some point, when things were smoother. If Belle's excitement and slight squeal (very amusing and not unladylike in the least, in his opinion) over it were any indication, she didn't seem to mind.

'So we've got the old and blue jewelry, the new and blue dress-I'm sorry that I didnea have anything borrowed for you.'

Belle shook her head fondly again. 'Mrs. Mildred took care of that, for the buttons on this dress are hers. She became quite dear to me, you know.'

'Aye, your letters made me quite fond of the cat lady, myself.'

A laugh was exchanged, she held onto the necklace as he began to drive, him assuring her that he would put it on her as soon as they stopped, as he was no good at maneuvering himself inside the car very much.

The third bit of presenting was now being done. What a sight for a wedding venue, though when Belle had told him that she didn't think she could bear the thought of certain family members showing up and perhaps interrupting their wedding somehow (and the reasons for her fears were a thing he would not dwell on this day, for this day was supposed to be happy and he certainly was not that when she told him a little about Morris' set up), he had mentioned the thought of just getting married right there in Portland. She could come on a sunny day in September (it had to be sunny, though the day was mentioned beforehand he had complete faith that the sun would shine on Belle's day if for no other reason), and they could get married and go to their home. She had seemed to like the idea, so he had made arrangements, though it did make him very red in the face and worried that he would be singled out in some way to be teased, and had gotten the license to be ready for when she came. And here she was.

'And this is where you work?'

'Aye, some wedding venue, 'm sorry, Belle.'

'This is our wedding day, Mr. Gold, there shall be no more apologizing allowed. I just want you, do you understand? I found upon reflection that a large cathedral wouldn't suit-lawyer's office just might do.' She smiled shyly and he sighed and tried to believe her.

He had put on her necklace and admired her dress again as she tugged it this way and that.

'And you see this pleat here, and here? I had to take it out five times before it was up to Mrs. Mildred's standards!' She had said, and so, of course, he had reiterated how beautiful it was. He liked the pleats, and the tiny puff at the top of her sleeve and the way the skirt curved out and well, he mostly liked how she looked in it.

Roses in one arm, him on the other, they walked towards his office.

Scarlett was there, of course, but he had to be there to officiate since his boss had been too busy on that particular day. Dove was also there and he was glad of that, if there was one among his new co-workers he would have wanted there, it was the one who had helped him so much over the past few months. The final witness was one of the female employees that had probably decided to come, mostly out of curiosity. Roger wished Belle had Ruby, he wished Jeffries was also there, but though things sometimes seemed rather hopeful, the war still carried on.

A couple of largeish plants had been put on either side of the front of a conference room, the table scooted back to allow some space at the front. Scarlette gaped a little at Belle when she came in, and Roger only momentarily didn't like it, though he was too nervous to give it much consideration. Dove smiled warmly and said something like 'You must be Miss French.' and shook her hand very kindly when she offered it with a smile. Scarlett cleared his throat a few times and began…

'...You may now kiss your bride.' And the man said it so cheekily that Roger might have also thought something of that, had Belle not been looking at him so lovingly, so intently with those blue eyes that he got lost in them and kissed her, not caring if he raised up with a smile on his face, to what he was sure was the amusement of his two co-workers (and perhaps the female too, but he didn't know).

'Well, Mrs. Gold, may I be the first to congratulate you.' Scarlett said with as much swagger as he had seen him when he was confident of a case going his way.

Mrs. Gold

The little woman beside him had taken on his name. His scrawny self as a newly turned twenty year old, desperate to leave Scotland could not have foreseen such an outcome. Who would have thought?

He leaned close to his chatting wee wife, all smiles and sweetness to the little assembly, thanking them for helping and everything. He leaned close and whispered-'are you ready to go to our home , Mrs. Gold?'

She bit her lip and smiled up at him, quite forgetting the people around them entirely and shook her head.

Author's Note

History Stuff: In Maine you cannot get married by the Justice of the peace, as there are none. However, Lawyers can officiate weddings there, and so I saw a little ceremony in the office (yes, it could have been a little more romantic in a park or something, but I could see Roger worried about asking for too much, and still being unfamiliar with the area-for some reason, when I saw them getting married, this is what I saw :) ) . Roger's car is from the mid 1930's. I am terrible with cars, I did do some research on American brand ones that I thought he might would choose and described it a bit here, but I was purposefully vague as I was worried to be inaccurate, lol Story Stuff: I hope you are pleased with the updates on the two friends-Ruby and Jeffries :) I really wished they could be at the wedding, but I just didn't see them waiting that long to get married. I DO see a dinner of some sort in their future where they celebrate belatedly. Also a note, just so some of my newer readers are aware-I always set my stories at Teen just to be on the safe side with some of the heavier themes. However, I never go that way in terms of bedroom stuff-that remains strictly pg. I will be sticking with all the plot stuff that goes on after the wedding, not, you know...that. Thanks so much for reading, and as always, I love hearing your thoughts!