Radiant

A/AN: It's been a really long time since I've updated this story, but I'm going to update it according to request. I also got inspired to pick it back up again. I have several WIPS so it's hard to say when I'll get back around to it. I'm trying to rotate which fics I update each week so expect another update every other week. It may be even more frequent once I get some of my other stories wrapped up.

Isabelle French arrived at Mr. Gold's estate at exactly a quarter after six. She assumed that her punctuality might win her some brownie points with her 'cursed' husband. She knew that she would have to go above and beyond his expectations if she expected to win his favor.

She took a deep breath before lifting the brass door knocker, allowing it to fall against the wooden door frame. She felt her hands begin to sweat when she heard the heavy thudding of a cane against the hardwood.

She clasped her hands together when she heard the door open. Mr. Gold stood before her, wearing a pristine gray colored suit. There wasn't a hint of a wrinkle, and Belle wondered how he kept himself so immaculate with a one year old running around.

"Ah good morning Miss. French...I'm glad to see that you're here early. I have an errand I need to run this morning before opening up the shop so this is rather convenient." he greeted, and she thought she seen a ghost of a smile crease across the thin lines of his mouth.

"I always like to arrive a little early in case such circumstances are to arise." she chortled faintly, and he nodded, holding open the door, bidding her inside.

Isabelle gasped the moment she walked inside. She stood in the foyer, admiring all of the antique paintings aligning the walls. She scanned the shelves full of dusty nicknacks and obsolete collectibles, like the twin circus bear figurines touching paws on a cluttered shelf.

There was an old recorder sitting on a maroon table in the corner and an antique looking glass perched against the wall. She heard Mr. Gold awkwardly clear his throat as she gaped openly at his collection.

"Do you like my little collection dearie?" Mr. Gold inquired, his eyes beaming with curiosity.

"Yes you have a very lovely collection." she complimented, and he smiled faintly.

"Every item in this room has a story behind it. I don't just keep random objects to take up space. They each are significant to me in some way. For instance, these bears were a gift from my mother when I was just a wee lad. We didn't have a lot of money growing up, but I remember going to the circus with her when I was just a child. She purchased the bears to help me remember my first time at the circus. I'll never forget it because it was the last real memory I have of her." he sighed, brushing his fingers across the dusty ceramics.

The story was touching, but she knew it was fabricated by the curse. She was amazed that he had opened up to her so quickly. In a sense, she could tell he was lonely and had grown unfamiliar with human interaction.

She found herself touching his shoulder softly as he looked at the bears fondly, "They're lovely Mr. Gold. I'm sure your mother was glad she could purchase them for you." He turned around, stiffening at her touch. He pulled away awkwardly, their moment of vulnerability vanishing.

"I'm sorry to take up your time Miss. French. I know you aren't here to hear an old man pine away about his past." he scoffed, and she could feel her heart drop as the walls between them were erected once more.

"Very well then...I'll quit wasting your time and show you to Abby's room." he remarked, leading her towards the stairs. They walked up the first flight. She silently followed , staring at the fading floral wallpaper.

"Here we are..." he whispered softly before opening up the door. Belle took a deep breath, hoping to preserve this moment within her mind forever. The wallpaper was sunshine yellow with the silhouettes of various animals dancing in the background. She watched him walk over to a mahogany crib and pick up the small infant with a mound of auburn curls. They were matted to her head as she gazed around sleepily with big brown eyes—his eyes to be exact.

"Good morning sweetheart." he cooed sweetly to the child, making her heart flutter. The tender affection he showed their daughter made her want to burst into tears. In that moment, he wasn't the infamous dark one but a gentle man who adored his child. He kissed her mound of curls softly before turning around to meet her gaze.

"This is my dearest Abby." he smiled softly, averting his gaze as he walked towards her. The auburn haired babe stared up at the unfamiliar woman curiously. A babyish smile erupted across her face as she held out her little hand.

Belle longed to grab both of them and pull them into her embrace, unwilling to let go of them ever again, but she opted for a wiser approach. "Hello Abby...It's so good to meet you." she whispered adoringly to the toddler who was now babbling, squirming out of her papa's arms.

"It seems she's really taken with you Miss. French." he remarked as he unrelentingly handed his daughter over to her. Abby grabbed one of her curls, pulling on it playfully. Isabelle laughed musically, feeling her heart explode with warmth as she relished the feeling of holding her daughter after twenty-seven long years.

Mr. Gold watched the scene unfold in front of him. It felt natural seeing Isabelle French holding his daughter. It almost felt like she was meant to be there all along. He shook those thoughts from his mind. He knew it was silly to think of her that way. He convinced himself that it was because he was lonely.

"Well that takes care of the most important thing then. She already adores you so everything else should fall in line." he remarked, gaining her attention. Isabelle smiled, cradling Abby against her shoulder, who was mumbling incoherently.

"Let me brief you on everything else." he supplied leading her out of the room and back down the stairs. They walked into the kitchen where he proceeded to open the refrigerator.

"Here are Abby's bottles. She gets one every four hours. Warm them in the microwave for about a minute but make sure you test the temperature before giving them to her. She has her first nap at ten and will usually sleep until twelve. When she wakes up give her another bottle. There are some games she likes to play in her room. Don't let her watch TV. I'm trying to keep her away from that mindless nonsense. There are some cloth diapers in her chest of drawers upstairs. I don't use store bought diapers because her skin is sensitive to the fragrances they put in them. I will call to check in with you every few hours. Please don't hesitate to call me if anything were to go wrong." he explained with a worried expression.

"I promise you that she's in capable hands Mr. Gold." she assured him as he watched his daughter continue to play with Isabelle's hair like it was a knotted maze. He watched her enviously run her chubby fingers through Miss French's beautiful locks. He began to wonder what they felt like but shook that thought from his mind as he bent over to kiss her forehead gently.

"I'll see you this afternoon my brilliant rose." and Isabelle shuddered as he caressed his daughter's cheek affectionately. A hazy memory assaulted her subconscious of him sneaking up behind her in the library at the dark castle, whispering those very same words in her ear.

"Have a nice day at work Mr. Gold." Isabelle smiled sweetly, causing his heart to beat just a little bit faster.

"Same to you Miss. French." he nodded before seeing himself out. He was sure if he stood there any longer that he wouldn't be able to leave.

He found his mind drifting towards his beautiful caretaker on and off throughout the day. He couldn't shake the image of his daughter's eyes lighting up as she latched onto Miss. French like it was some happy reunion. He was certain that he would worry himself senseless throughout the day about his daughter, but he didn't. He had called Isabelle twice that day to check in with her. The first time he'd called, Abby was sleeping soundly, and the second time Isabelle had put her down for a nap.

He almost couldn't wait to make it back home to her. He found himself jamming his door key in the lock anxiously. He wasn't sure if it was because he missed Abby or he wanted to bask in Miss. French's presence. She was like warm sunshine to his withered soul.

His cane tapped softly against the hardwood as he made his way up the steps. He stopped when he heard soft music coming from his daughter's room. He crept softly to the doorway to watch the chestnut haired beauty serenading his daughter to sleep.

"Hush-a-by, don't you cry. Go to sleep my little baby. When you wake, you shall have all the pretty little horses." She sang, and Mr. Gold felt something brilliant assault his memory as a woman with long auburn locks that hid her face sang her child to sleep.

"Blacks and bays, dapples and grays, all the pretty little horses..." she sang softly to the little girl who now snoozed softly in her crib. He watched Isabelle gently tuck the blanket over her and turn off the bedside lamp. He stepped away from the door, hurrying towards the stairs to make her believe he hadn't been watching her.

"Mr. Gold you're home." Isabelle stated a bit startled to see him.

"Aye well it is six-thirty Miss. French. That is what time I arrive home on a daily basis." he stated pointedly, resting both hands on his cane.

"Well I guess I should probably go then...I know that it wasn't expected of me, but I made some spaghetti earlier for myself. I was feeling a bit hungry, and I'm sure you've had a long day so I thought you might like some." She said briskly, hoping she hadn't over stepped her bounds.

"Thank you Miss. French that was very kind of you. I presume I'll see you at seven-thirty then?" he inquired as she stood beside him.

"Yes I'll see you at seven thirty..." she said before making her way down the stairs.

"Have a good night Miss. French." he respired before heading to his daughter's room until he heard her alluring voice from behind.

"Call me Belle." she commanded, and he turned around to meet her gaze but all he saw was her bouncing auburn curls as she made her way down the stairs.

"Belle..." he whispered softly once he heard the front door click, signifying she'd left. Her name tasted sweet on his tongue, like a rare fruit or a vintage wine. He felt something stir inside of him that he hadn't felt for someone in a very long time: desire. He would never admit it but seven-thirty couldn't come fast enough.

A/AN: Well that's all for this chapter...Is Mr. Gold falling for his darling beauty all over again? In the next chapter we'll get to meet some 'old' friends. Stay tuned!