And then life was calm… well, as calm as life could be with a newborn baby. Milah moved out before Gold got back from the hospital, her dashing sailor having convinced her to come along with him. A journey that suited everyone just fine since Bae had quickly become the center of Gold's focus. As well as Belle, whom he was looking after until Whale deemed her completely recovered.

Which was how Belle found herself in the rocking chair facing the window that looked out over the backyard she had dreamed about, Bae happily nursing at her breast. It seemed as though Bae was always happy. He was a calm, docile babe, giggling and grinning anytime Gold or Belle appeared above his crib. Late night feedings or changes were really the only times he appeared to be cranky.

"Dinner time already?" Gold asked from the doorway. He was still a bit skittish about being in the room while Belle was feeding Bae. It was hard not to become distracted by Belle. It was a beautiful sight on its own, the woman he loved so tender with the life they created. The sight of Belle's bare breasts was equally beautiful and he would often have to find a reason to leave the room before she noticed how he blushed… or worse.

"A big appetite for such a little boy." She laughed. "You can come further into the room if you'd like."

He nodded and sat at the window seat across from her.

"Won't be little for long given the way he eats."

"He'll be strong like his papa then."

"Hardly."

She scowled slightly at his self-deprecation before turning her attention back to Bae.

"I don't know, your papa seems quite strong to me. What do you think?" The baby gurgled happily, squirming slightly in her arms and turning his head to let her know that he was done. "Two against one."

"I'm going to be outnumbered a lot, aren't I?"

"You are, yes." She laughed, patting Bae's back as she shifted him to her shoulder.

"I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner with me tonight…" He ventured timidly.

"We have dinner together every night."

"Aye. But I meant as a date… if you'd like… with me. If you feel up to it, I know you weren't feeling well earlier."

"It's about time you asked. I would love to have a dinner date with you. But perhaps something simple to eat?" Their eyes met, excitement passing between them before Belle's expression changed suddenly. Bae spit up down the back of her dress. "Oh, Bae."

"Here, I'll put him down, you get cleaned up."

"I'll meet you downstairs." She laughed, disappearing down the hall to his room. She had spent the first night in a guest room but ultimately ended up in his bed, sleeping together as they had during her pregnancy.

"Let's hope this goes well." Gold murmured to his son, cleaning him up before gently rocking the baby. It wasn't just dinner. Gold wanted to pursue more of a relationship with Belle, wanted them to be a couple and raise Bae together. A test date seemed like the best idea, he knew that they got along, that they could live in the same space without wanting to kill each other. But more than anything he wanted to see if there was a romantic spark, one that wasn't fueled by her hormones. His self doubt always had to rear its head, even after their shared kisses and her comment that led him to believe that she would like to be a mother to Bae. He couldn't hold her to something she agreed to immediately after waking from a trying c-section and emergency surgery.

The sleeping baby was placed gently in his crib before Gold turned on the baby monitor, taking the receiver downstairs with him. Down the hall the bedroom door was closed and the shower in the en suite bathroom was still running. Gold found himself feeling incredibly nervous, even wondering if it was possible for her to stand him up even with the date taking place in their house… his house. It wasn't theirs just yet.

As he set the table downstairs, Belle stood under the steady stream of hot water, trying to remove the smell of milk and vomit from her skin. She knew that Elliot cared for her, that he wanted her around, but that didn't mean she should go down to dinner covered in what remained of Bae's meal. They hadn't discussed what was said at the hospital after she woke up, although she as willing to bet that he had been thinking about it as much as she had.

Redressing in a pair of leggings and one of his sweaters, Belle pulled her hair into a ponytail before heading downstairs.

She paused at the doorway to the kitchen, smiling as Gold set two plates down on the dining table. The lights had been turned low and a few candles were glowing around the room.

"Smells marvelous." She grinned, finally pulling his focus from setting out their meal.

"Kept it simple. Grilled cheese and tomato soup."

"Perfect."

He looked relieved, pulling her chair out for her before hurrying back to the kitchen to bring the bowls of soup.

"This is magnificent." Belle smiled at the simple meal.

"Feeling better?"

"I am now."

"Not the most romantic first date." He shrugged.

"I like it, cozy, just us, don't have to worry about leaving the baby with a deranged teenaged babysitter." She grinned, reaching across the table and taking his hand in hers. "And afterwards we get to walk upstairs and tumble into bed."

Normally he wouldn't think anything of the comment, but the soft smile that accompanied it made him choke on his soup. Belle giggled, letting go of his hand to pass him a napkin.

"Not just yet I'm afraid, still recovering. But soon, if you'd like."

"Would you like?"

With a nod she reached for her sandwich. They spent the rest of the meal chatting, flirting, grinning far more than anyone in town would think Elliot Gold capable of. Once they finished eating they settled into the living room, curling up together on the couch to watch a movie.

"Is this what life is like for normal people?" Belle asked quietly, pulling a pillow into his lap to rest her head on.

"You're asking me about normal people?"

"I like this. I like being together."

"So do I. I'd like to be together forever… does that… would you like that?"

"I'll give you forever if you'll give me the same." She answered simply, as though they were discussing the weather.

"Really?"

"Really. Besides, Bae's going to start asking for a sibling one day, can't let you go looking for another surrogate to fall in love with."

"Can't have that." He laughed, his fingers gently threading through her hair.

"Plus, the next time we might get to do it the fun way."

"I'll certainly look forward to that."

"Me too." She turned slightly so she could look up at him.

"Movie?"

"Bed."

He nodded and put the remote aside, it made sense to get a bit of sleep while they could, before Bae woke for his next feeding. Belle quietly followed Elliot as he checked that the doors were locked and lights were turned off. It was a strange little ritual he had, checking the house to make sure that no one could get in. The act made Belle feel safe and at home. She wasn't going to be asked to leave at the end of the night, the pink Victorian was as much her house as it was his now.

Belle disappeared into the bathroom to get changed for bed, returning in light blue nightgown. She stopped Elliot on his way past her, pulling him into a quick kiss before letting him continue on to get changed. She liked what her life had become over the past year. Soon she would have her college degree, work at the library would continue, all while helping Elliot raise their child. When she had signed on to carry the child for the Golds she never imagined that she would end up in love with Mr. Gold and starting a life together.

The baby monitor suddenly crackled to life, Bae's cry echoing throughout the room.

"Hello, sweet Bae." Belle greeted the crying baby with a smile. He wailed again, his arms outstretched for her. He wasn't hungry and didn't need a changing, the boy simply wanted to be held. Taking the child, she rocked him in her arms, taking a seat in the rocking chair. Despite her presence, Bae continued to cry, nothing seemed to calm him.

"Come now, sweetheart. Mama's here. Everything's all right." She soothed, unaware that Elliot was standing in the doorway.

It certainly wasn't how he thought he'd find his family. But watching Belle holding their child, referring to herself as his mother, it didn't matter how it happened. Nothing before Belle and Bae really mattered anymore. Not Milah or the fights, not the fact that the town saw him as a monster, though he suspected that his reputation would be in jeopardy when they saw him with the woman he loved and their child. He didn't care about any of those things, all that mattered now was his family, his house was finally a home… their home.

And that's all she wrote. Thank you so much reading, so many of you for reading. I've never had a story have so many followers before, scared the hell out of me truth be told. I hope you all enjoyed, if you'd like a little more Rumbelle from me there is a complete Jane Eyre AU called Fortune & Consequence. Thanks again for reading.