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“Belle? Belle, it’s all right. ”
The words barely registered in her head at that moment. All Belle could feel was blackness. Falling. As if she’d descended from the top of a castle tower. Eyes still closed, Belle felt the events replay in her mind.
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Belle snuggled deep into the warm wool blanket, one hand rubbing the sleep from her eyes as the first few flecks of daylight peeked through the castle windows. Their castle.
The chirping of a far-off bird and the tramping of horse hooves signalled it was time to wake up. He’d come home at last and if she knew her husband, he’d be famished.
Smoothing down the edges of her gown, Belle headed for the kitchen as the noise of the hoofbeats ceased and the door opened. Her face broke into a huge smile as a leather clad knight entered the room, his face obscured by the helmet, but it could only be one person.
“Rumplestiltskin!” She exclaimed, kissing the top of his head before he’d removed the helmet. “ You’re back!”
“ You assumed the worst, dear, every time I embark on a new quest.” He chuckled softly. “ But as promised, I always return. “ He wrapped a gloved hand around her waist. “ No ogres could keep me from our little family.”
Belle leant into the embrace. “ I know, it’s - it’s just, you were gone longer this time. It’s almost midwinter.”
Lifting his helmet, Rumplestiltskin gave her a small nod. “Ah, midwinter. Time for the festivities then?” Belle watched him glance around the castle. “ I see you have already begun the preparations?” He pointed to a tiny evergreen tree in the corner.
“ A little,” Belle replied. “ We’re still weeks away, and —-- Oh!” She placed a hand on her middle. “ Someone else is glad you’re back, I think.”
Rumplestiltskin placed a hand on hers. “ Imagine, an ex- spinner becoming a knight. Finding you, and now we have a son on the way.”
“Or a daughter!” Belle chirped, trying to stifle a giggle. “Now, what about breakfast? I’ll put the tea on.”
He kissed her once more. “ That would be an excellent idea.”
At that, Belle bustled around the kitchen, making sure she’d gathered enough water from the well before starting the tea. “ So, tell me. How did everything go in Andalasia ?”
“ For me, very good.” Rumplestiltskin sat at the small table. “ Less so if you are a dragon. “
“ Dragon?” Belle added the leaves while he spoke.
“Mmm, Narissa again. Should no longer be a problem, thanks to the Light One.”
Belle brought the cups to the table. “ You know I love hearing your stories, Rumplestiltskin. “ She looked at him fondly. “ And I just know our child will too.”
Outside the castle, the first few flakes of snow fell in a soft pile . Like a minute army , they gathered along the castle wall.
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Belle stood on the top step of the ladder, a small gold bauble in one hand. The midwinter festival was days away now and she still had lots to do to prepare the castle. Today’s project: finishing the tree.
“Need some help?” came a whisper near her.
Within a split second, a sound like breaking glass filled the air as the bauble collided with the stone floor. “ You irritating man!” she teased. “ I told you not to startle me like that!”
Rumplestiltskin’s expression became one of mock offense. “ Forgive me. You know , I could accomplish that a lot quicker, dearie. “
A puff of smoke, and the bauble was repaired.
Belle shook her head. “ I want this to be done with our own two hands. “
He bowed. “As my princess commands.”
Belle winked. “ Though, um, …” She paused in thought. “I wouldn’t mind you holding the ladder for me?”
“ Naturally.”
The snowflakes outside kept falling. What had been a small spattering on the walls had now blanketed the parapets in a sea of white. As more fell, each one seemed to pulsate with a spark of magic.
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“One more chapter.”
Belle looked up from her book. “ What?” Had she really been that loud?
“ I love hearing you read, Belle” Rumplestiltskin’s voice sounded like a purr as they sat together by the fireplace, cups of warm mulled wine steaming next to them.
“Oh, it’s - it’s just this.” She held out the book, its cover proudly displaying a young couple and a title in faded script. “ I’ve read it before.”
Rumplestiltskin sighed. “ Even so, “ he said, “ Whenever I am away, I take a moment to picture you. “
Belle placed the book down. “ You picture me reading?”
“ Always.”
Belle watched the embers crackling in the fireplace. “ You haven’t made your wish yet, have you?”
Rumplestiltskin took a sip of mulled wine. “ I have no need for a wish, dearie. I have all I need .”
Snow now reached from the top of the tower to practically the whole grounds. Mounds of white stretching as far as the eye could see, each one full of blue sparking magic.
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The morning of the midwinter festival came early. Belle rose before the sun, preparing breakfast and making sure the castle looked its best. She did take a few minutes to rest, given her now- expanded middle. Their child would be here any day now.
Belle finished setting the breakfast table when the familiar call of “Morning!” grabbed her attention.
“Well, you’re in a good mood today” she remarked, spreading jam onto two pieces of bread before licking any excess from her fingers.
Rumplestiltskin kissed her forehead. “ I was hoping you would accompany me for a walk this morning, my princess.” He offered a hand.
“ Let me just—” Belle cut the bread before slipping her pink traveling cloak over her gown. “There!”
Both of them stepped out of the castle, talking about this and that, laughing ike they were newly married.
“ The snow…” Belle said suddenly, catching a flake in her hand. “ It’s- it’s..
“Beautiful?” He placed a tiny kiss on her hand.
Belle shook her head, watching as the snowflake, instead of melting, pulsated with blue sparks before reforming into something akin to a piece of paper. Belle paled as more and more snowflakes took on the same shape , swirling around them.
“What- what is this place?” she asked, her voice shaking as the pieces now encircled her and Rumplestiltskin like ropes.
“ Oh, you are in my domain now” came a loud voice, booming and resonant .
Belle looked at Rumplestiltskin, whose face appeared blank. “ Rumple? What’s going on?” she asked.
“I know who you are” the voice echoed. “The Dark One’s little princess. Welcome to your dream world. “ The voice gave a mocking laugh. “ Isn't this what you wanted, a nice, peaceful midwinter? “
“ I didn’t want it to be like this!” Belle exclaimed, reaching out a hand only to find more of the pieces winding around her and Rumplestiltskin gone. “Who are you? What did you do ?”
“I have a lot of names.” This time , the voice sounded calmer, almost soothing.
“So, you want to just trap me here? “ Belle asked, summoning any bravery she had.
“ If it can make the Dark One squirm, I am willing to try anything.”
“ Well, you should’ve tried a bit harder, dearie.” A familiar giggle cut through the chaos as where Rumplestiltskin had stood, a puff of red smoke emerged.
Belle’s face lit up. “ Is it really you?”
The imp tsk’d. “ Who else would it be? As for you…” He raised a hand. “ If anyone is allowed to harm Belle—-”
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Belle gasped, eyes now open. Squinting as the room came into focus, her heart skipped a beat.
“Sweethear, it’s all right. You’re back in the shop.”
The shop. She looked over to a spilled bottle of something electric blue.
“I was… I mean, I thought…” She tried to say, not finding the words. “ We were happy there.”
Rumple nodded. “ I know.” He kissed her hand. “ I remember. “ He gave her a little smile. “ Now, I suggest we make our way to the diner.”
“Oh!” she’d nearly forgotten. “ The town Christmas party, We’re going to be late.”
As they dashed from the shop, Belle couldn’t help but notice the remnants of blue liquid slowly forming the shape of a snowflake on the floor.