The next day Belle and Rumple made plans to have Granny watch over Gideon while they prepared for their date. Belle spent a few hours in the library, hoping to clear her head of guilt after realizing that she almost injured her son. Realizing she might have caused incurable damage to Gideon, whether she wanted to save him or not, helped her realize just how irrational she had been. She was always seen as smart. Logic before action, but maybe that wasn't the case. Of course she could argue that Rumple had made more terrible choices than her, and far more in number, but she shook her head. No, it wouldn't do them any good for her to start putting blame on Rumple.

It was easy. She wouldn't lie. Rumple had a history of making bad and selfish decisions. He's spent years manipulating people and lying. It came so easy for him that he could even lie to her without blinking an eye if it helped his cause.

Belle slammed a book on the counter, startling a few of the patrons that were actually using the library for its proper use. She whispered an apology and they turned their attention back to whatever they were doing. Belle sighed and continued on with her work. Tonight her and Rumple would have their date. Hopefully without interruptions. She was thankful for that. It was one of the few things they could agree on. Every time, ever single time, her and Rumple had tried to have a private moment together, something stopped them. Some sort of interruption. It was mostly from the Charmings but it always had to do with magic. That was the real cause, she knew, but she had to wonder if Rumple was right. Her friends, because they still were to her even if they didn't care much about her, had Regina. And Emma who both had magic. Snow had her arrows and David had his sword. Even Hook could fight. All she had was her brains, but that was all they needed her for. That and babysitting. Belle wondered if her information was the only reason the Charmings ever asked for her help. Information they could figure out themselves. She knew she was far better at research, but were they that helpless?

She shook her head. It didn't matter. All she wanted was to help others. Was that a crime? And she never used the wrong methods as Rumple had. She looked at the clock. It was already almost time to leave. No doubt Rumple would have their dinner prepared at home. Once everyone left the library she packed her things and left.

Belle entered the house to the smell of Italian. It was Rumple's favorite dish to make. She walked into the kitchen to see him fixing the last of the dishes.

"Welcome home." He smiled.

She smiled back. She was surprised to notice her heart jumping at the words. Gods, she had missed that. She had missed his warm smile as he looked at her with loving eyes, but now it wasn't the same. Not exactly. There was so much hurt between them that she wondered if they could ever get back to normal.

"Hi."

"Why don't you go and get ready. I'm almost done here."

She cocked her head, wondering what he meant. It was then she realized that he was dressed in one of his nicer suits. He wasn't wearing his jacket but his shirt was a nice navy blue. A darker color than what she preferred him in, but he still looked handsome. A few days ago she would have cursed herself for noticing how good he looked, but she was learning that all this pain they had been through was probably just as hard for him as it was for her.

"Okay." She said, leaving to her room.

When she entered she saw what he had meant. On the bed laid a beautiful dress. It was quite elegant, a dark green strapless dress. Subtle and beautiful. She tried to fight back the smile that crept on her lips. Had Rumple done all this just for their date, or was he trying to sugar her up? If it was the latter, she wanted to feel angry. How could he think that a dress could make things up?

She shook her head. No, this date was for both of them. A chance to really talk to each other. And she knew if she really wanted him back in her life, she had to try as well. At least for Gideon.

Shortly after getting dressed Belle came out into the dining room. She laughed. She should have known that Italian and a nice dress wasn't the only thing Rumple was going to pull out of his sleeves. The lights were dim and candles were light, soft music played in the background. It was all the hallmarks of a romantic date. Perhaps he really does want to fix this, she thought.

"Rumple," She sighed. "This is-"

"I hope it's not too much." He said, sitting at one of the end of the table.

She shook her head. "No, it's…beautiful."

"As are you."

Belle fought back a blush and pulled her chair out, taking a seat. She didn't mind if he didn't pull it out for her. She understood that they still needed to take things slow.

"So…how would you like to start this?" He asked.

"You mean eating?"

They both laughed. Belle knew what he meant. She shrugged. "Not really sure. We've never…um-"

"Had much of a date." He replied. She nodded. "Especially not like this. I do hope you don't mind. I took the privilege of unplugging the phones. It was the most I could do without setting up a barrier to block out…interruptions."

She chuckled. "It will be nice to actually have a full date for once."

"Agreed."

They began their dinner, albeit in awkward in silence, but soon they fell into a comfortable silence. Belle talked a little about the library. Apparently the new citizens from the Land of Untold Stories were enjoying more so they the citizens of Storybrooke. Rumple encouraged her that it wasn't her fault the locals didn't like the library. During the curse Regina had made them believe there was something dark and haunting in the library, keeping people away, all because she was hiding Maleficent in the tunnels beneath.

"Well that makes a lot more sense." Belle laughed. "I'm glad to know I wasn't the problem."

"I don't see how you would be."

Belle wasn't sure how to answer, so they fell back into a silence. Soon, they had finished their plates. Belle had even gotten a few second helpings.

"How are you feeling?" Rumple asked.

"Good. It did feel odd having a few week pregnancy and all, but-"

"I do apologize for that."

Belle nodded. She could tell he was sincere and he swore to his breath that he didn't dose her with the magic, even if it was one of his plans, but was still upset about the whole thing. She heard and read so much about these women, those who had a full pregnancy like Mary Margaret, and how beautiful it was to feel their child growing inside them for nine months. How each day they learned something new. She didn't eve get to feel Gideon kick. She hated that. She was robbed of that experience, and to be honest, she had dreamt about it for so long. She always imagined herself having a child. She feared it would be with Gaston at first. While she could never love him, she knew she would their child.

But then she met Rumple, and that dream of having a child, of experiencing all the pain and pleasure that came with it, increased tenfold. When she realized she loved Rumple, that image of a future family always seemed to be there. Then he kicked her out. Then they found each other again and shortly after the curse broke she wondered if she could finally have it all. Rumple as a good man, a child, their child.

But it seemed it was all taken away. Almost all of it. She had her child now. Their child and they had another chance.

"One thing I'm learning through all this," Belle said, "Is that…not everything goes right the first time. I think our first kiss is proof of that."

Rumple chuckled.

"Rumple, may I ask you a question?"

He nodded. "Of course. And I promise…I'll as truthful as I can be."

She smiled. "Do you think…I put too much…expectations on you?"

She held her breath. They talked a little about this in therapy, but Rumple never said for certain. She continued to believe…no, she only wanted to see and believe that it was all Rumple's fault. With all of his lying and manipulation, his need to use dark magic, it was too easy to believe he messed it all up. But now with their therapy, she was beginning to see that maybe…she messed up too. And maybe just as bad.

Rumple took a deep breath. She deserved the truth, but he didn't want to hurt her anymore than he had. Still, she deserved better.

"Yes."

Belle didn't show any sign of that the answer got to her. No gasp, no shuddering of the shoulders, no tears. She just sat their and listened. That's what she was suppose to be doing, right? Listening, and not running away just because she didn't like the answer.

"How…how so?"

"Well…I don't fully understand your…belief..that I can be a hero. Belle, I don't like people."

She laughed. That much was clear.

"And people never really liked me, even before I was the Dark One." He quickly added before she had the chance to interrupt and say it was because of all his lies and tricks.

"I was poor, lame, and branded a coward. Because I chose my son over dying. Even despite my short upbringing by my father, I always tried to do what was right. What I believed was right. But…it never got me anything in return."

"You don't do the right thing for something in return, Rumple."

"Really?" He looked at her. "So, you don't mind that the people of town aren't cheering your name? You don't mind that despite everything you've done for the Charmings and their little band of heroes, they still only look at you as information and a babysitter?"

She glanced down. He was right. She didn't like that all. But being a hero wasn't about praises, right?

"Belle, I love that you want to be a hero. You always saw the best in me and that's what kept me going just a little longer. But I've played this game for a long time."

She looked up.

"And when you've suffered as I have for hundred of years, trying to do the right thing in the end with nothing in the return but kicks to the face and scorns behind your back…you get tired. You get tired of tiring." He paused. "You get tired of living."

Belle's voice hitched. Could it really have been that bad for him.

"I don't get it. When I first met you, you seemed…not happy, certainly, but-"

"When you've lived as long as I have, you learn to put on a mask. All I am, or all that I show, are nothing but tricks. Gleams of light. Performances I've gathered over the years. I only show what I want people to see."

"So you being the beast is just an act?"

He smirked. "When you wear a mask for so many years, you become it. After becoming the Dark One I quickly learned that being a beast got me what I wanted. Power, respect, wealth, a good life where I didn't have to beg and scrape for food, security for my son. Being a beast, being cruel was the only thing in my life that ever got me anything good, anything back in return. While everyone else in my life left me, my papa, my wife, my son…you. Power never did. It was always there."

He cleared his throat. Apparently those therapy sessions were making it easier for him to open up, but he shook the thought of in fear of getting scared and running away, and continued on.

"Without that power, well, you've seen it. I'm just a cripple that's too afraid to fight. I couldn't protect you from Merida."

"But you did in the end. You saved me and Merida. You even defeated your father and saved the whole town."

"And were people cheering my name then?" He quickly turned the question.

She blinked. No, they weren't. In fact, when her and Neal wanted to go to his castle to find a way to bring him back, Snow and David were too quick to dispute the idea.

"Snow and David…they said they understood what we, me and Neal were going through. But…I don't think they did. Emma and Henry were still alive."

She didn't dare mention that when she fell to her knees once the light vanished and so did he, no one helped her up.

"Yes, those two have a tendency to believe that their pain is the worse. That their problems matter the most. A trait they learned from Regina no doubt."

"How did Regina ever become like that?" Belle asked, careful not to ask how she became the Evil Queen, but Rumple caught on to it.

"You mean how she became the Evil Queen?"

Belle looked away, ashamed.

"As I said. I might have helped her, but I never forced anyone. However, when I approached her she already had the hatred and need for vengeful bubbling inside her. I didn't make that, I just…took advantage of it. I know it wasn't right, but…she was the key to getting back to Baelfire. But no good deed goes unpunished."

"What did she hate?"

"Not what, who." Rumple said. "First it was her mother."

"Cora?"

He nodded. "She smothered Regina into a life she never wanted. And then there was Snow, a ten year old who spilled a secret to her mother, thus, ending the life of her first love."

Belle blinked, her mouth wide open. "But, if Snow was just ten-"

"Because of that spilled secret Regina lost the love of her life. That does something to people."

"But when you….I would have-"

"Belle, Regina didn't immediately become the Evil Queen. That actually took time. Even after embracing the darkness she was only known as the queen."

"Clearly there's still a lot don't know about." She sighed.

"The point it, because of her mother, Snow, and the lost of Daniel, her love, Regina believed she owned a monopoly on love and lost. The problem is, everyone believes that."

"Did you?"

Rumple chuckled. "Not to an exaggerated sense as Regina. I just knew how to keep my monopoly to myself and not oppress others with it."

Belle scoffed loudly, not believing the ridiculousness of that idea, but Rumple quickly continued, helping her understand.

"When I hurt others I did it because I was acting the beast. I did it because it was necessary to create the curse, gathering everything I needed. I didn't do it like Regina. She went on killing people at their wedding just because she didn't have one. But I never hurt someone like that because of my own pain. I made careful to keep that to myself."

"What about Hyde and Jekyll? You helped Jekyll create that formula because you wanted to separate your love from me."

"Again, I didn't do that." He sneered, a little more violently than Belle expected. "I only gave him one final ingredient needed. Magic. Jekyll already had the whole formula and potion created. That was all his doing, the works of a madman. However, I also helped in the need because he was like me. A beast inside waiting to get out, someone he wanted separated. I knew exactly how that felt. Of course he claimed it all for science."

Belle sighed. Again she had jumped to conclusions but once Rumple spelled it all out, she actually understood.

"I still don't agree with everything you did-"

"Understandable."

"But…I understand. I…I couldn't have imagined all you've been through. Compared to all that I seemed to have it easy with my life. And I thought an arranged marriage was the worst thing imaginable."

Rumple laughed but she didn't take it personally. She had meant it as a joke.

"You never told me about your life before me. I mean, I know there was Gaston, and your mother died from the Ogre Wars, but nothing else."

Belle cleared her throat, not sure where to begin. "Well, nothing as bad as yours." She smiled.

"Was Maurice always…"

She laughed. "Yes. Well, not always. It got worse when mother died. He wanted me to be primp and proper, like all the other ladies of the court. Mother actually encouraged me to read while father agreed with Gaston. It wasn't right for a lady to read. So whenever mother was around he eased up and allowed me to…be me."

"What's the full story with Gaston?"

"Um, father." She chuckled. "The ogres were on the brink of our country, no big damage yet and no real threat of attack, but father wanted an alliance. Gaston's father was a lord, not a big army, but I guess father thought we were desperate. So he proposed an arranged marriage and tried to get me to believe that mother agreed, but she never would."

"Did she marry for love?" Rumple asked. He always wondered what kind of woman raised Belle. Surely she would have been brave and independent as well, and certainly headstrong; but that woman married for love, with Maurice as the contestant, he would have to lower his expectations of her.

"You know, I don't really know. She never said. But I knew the threat of the ogres and if they attacked us what it could mean. So I agreed. But mostly because I was cornered."

"What do you mean?"

"Father invited Gaston to our home without notifying me, so I was left acting the part of the good girl and going along with everything."

"You poor girl, trapped by that buffoon."

"Gaston or my father?" She eyed him with a hidden smile.

"Does it matter?" Rumple smirked. They both laughed.

"Anyways, on our 'date'," She held up her fingers to emphasize the air quotes, "We came across a trap in the woods. I later learned that he had set it up to make himself look all impressive and such, but he said that there was an ogre in the woods and he and my father had to kill it. I couldn't stop a bunch of men who were bent on a fight."

"But you wouldn't stop trying."

She smiled. "Of course not. I did some research-"

"Of course." They laughed.

"And found a mirror that could show the true nature of a person, or beast. So I went to search for it, but once I came back I learned that Gaston, my father, and their men had already trapped a baby ogre in the woods. Gaston was ready to kill it. He shot the arrow but I held up the mirror to stop it, but the mirror broke. However, in one of the shards that remained I saw Gaston's eyes. They were red, meaning his soul was dark and evil. After all that the ogres were enclosing on our land and father, well, he blamed me."

Belle looked down and Rumple felt an urge to punch the man.

"He thought that if they managed to kill the baby ogre, they could have stopped the war."

"How foolish." He spatted.

"I tried to get to see that perhaps it wasn't my act of kindness towards their youngling that angered them but their need to kill him for no reason…..anyways, I…"

Rumple blinked, putting the pieces together. "You blame yourself for your mother's death."

He wanted to turn off the music because it certainly wasn't helping Belle's mood lightening, but he didn't move. He kept staring at her, her eyes starting to water. He wanted to get up and comfort her but knew that would be the wrong move. She probably wanted space from him.

"Belle, I'm sorry."

She wiped her eyes. "No, it's okay. It's not your fault."

"It's not yours either. They were ogres. They couldn't be reason with, whether you or your father tried."

"But you did."

Rumple looked at her oddly. "Excuse me?"

"Rumple, everyone knows how you stopped the first Ogre Wars."

"Yes, dear. Stopped. I didn't reason with them. I used magic to make them go away. Apparently I didn't send them far enough because, well, they came back."

"So you didn't reason with them to end the war?"

"Is that people think? They are certainly more fickle than they appear."

Belle smiled. There was another moment of silence, but after the stories of pain and lost, they both appreciated the quiet. Then Rumple spoke up.

"You blame yourself for your mother's death, so that's why you feel the need to be a hero." He said. It wasn't a question, he was right.

Belle nodded. "I thought that maybe if I could have fought, or done something different, maybe she would still be alive. But every time I've tried to be a hero, it's always failed."

"That's not true."

"Yes, it is. I tried to fight the Yagoui, but ending up needing Mulan to save me."

"You might not have fought it, but you did save it. If you hadn't, Prince Phillip would still be a cursed beast and Aurora would still be asleep. You did better than fight. You used your own brains and smarts to save a man. I find that rather heroic."

Belle smiled at the sweet words before her mind stopped short. "Wait, how do you know that?"

He blinked. "You told me."

"I did? When?"

"After the curse. Before…you left. You told me all about your adventures before Regina capture you."

Belle scoffed. He was right, though they weren't really adventures so much as that one, but how could she have forgotten that she told him? Was it possible, that with all the heartbreak and pain they put each other through, that she forced herself to forget the better times? Had she really wanted nothing more to do with him to that extensive level?

"I…I had forgotten. I guess…" She stopped. No, she could tell Rumple the truth. It would hurt him too much.

"Belle?"

She looked up. He was looking at her. He was worried. She quickly composed herself together.

"Oh, I'm sorry. It's…it's nothing." She tried to smile.

He forced one back. "Well, since dinner is done why don't I put these up."

"I'll help."

"Belle, you don't have to."

"No, it's okay." She smiled. "I want to help."

Rumple was thankful for all his years of 'acting' because surely that was what was keeping him from dropping the plate in his hand at Belle's words.

"Uh, very well."

They put the dishes up and cleared the table. Rumple blew out the candles and turned on the light.

"That was a lovely dinner, Rumple. Thank you."

"You're welcome. I thought it was better if I cooked. If we plan on keeping the Apprentice's house we shouldn't burn it down." He teased, which earned him playful slap on the arm. He just laughed. "However, I had thought there was something else we could do tonight, if you would like."

She turned to look at him, wondering what he had in mind. Surely it wasn't…

"The ballroom hasn't been used much." He said.

Belle stared at him for a moment or two before a gentle smile crept on her lips. So that was why he had set out such a lovely dress for her. She had thought it was a little much for dinner.

"Rumple-"

"Of course, it's your choice." To be honest, he feared Belle would think it was inappropriate, considering their current situation.

"I would actually love that." She smiled.

Rumple turned on the music, he turned on the chandelier above, all in the same manner as he did on their honeymoon. The only thing he kept different was their clothes. He didn't want to remind her of a time when things were better. A time before he hurt her and deceived her. He wanted a new beginning for them, one she deserved.

No words were exchanged between them, and as they started their waltz they never took their eyes off the other. The music filled them just as it did the ballroom and soon they got lost in the dance. Belle wasn't sure if it was the light from the crystal chandelier above or some other trick of light, but she saw as Rumple's eyes shined as she watched her, her beauty only enhanced by the glow of their evening.

Belle thought back to all that she had learned about Rumple. His hard life, which she assumed he hadn't even told her all of it yet, his fear and need for power. She thought about her own actions, reckless and irrational. She had nearly sacrificed their child's life and she knew the bitter truth about it. She had wanted to save Gideon, truly, but she also knew that going to Zelena for help, putting herself under a sleeping curse, doing anything that didn't involve Rumple, was to hurt him. To hurt him like he had hurt her. And she realized that in that grief and anger she had blinded herself. She laughed at the irony.

That night at the town line, when she believed she would never see him again, she commented how she could finally see the beast. She could finally see Rumple for what he was, but had she become a beast in return? She never did ask him about the gauntlet. She took that right from him and left him in the cold, crippled and broken. Was that their relationship? That one of them had to be the beast?

Of course she knew that was ridiculous, but she also knew that they both had to work on this. Not just Rumple alone. And it wasn't right of her to put all the blame and expectations on him.

Rumple twirled Belle around to the soft music, enjoying Belle being in his embrace, even for a moment. He had missed it. Her warmth, her hands, her smile. Gods, he missed everything about her and he wondered why he ever found comfort in the Evil Queen. Of course he knew why. Belle didn't want him. In fact, she had said herself that she didn't care what he did or who he did it with. But he did.

He hated every moment he had being with Regina's better half. He hated her lips, her taste, anything to do with her really. She only made him hate her more when he sped up Belle's pregnancy. He would never have done that. Never! Despite Belle's belief he had only wanted to scare her. Just a little to have her use the shears on their son.

His thoughts were interrupted when Belle placed her head on his shoulders, closing the gap between them. He wasn't sure if she had done that on purpose or if she even knew she did it, but he savored ever second of it. If they couldn't fix this mess they created, he knew he would never be able to be this near her again, so he wasn't going to waste it.

He thought back to his three hundred years alone. Everything he had done, both bad and the few good deeds in between, were all for his son. He never worked so hard for anything before. But now, he had another chance with Belle and Gideon, and damn it if he wasn't going to pull out all the stops.

He didn't deserve Belle, but he needed her. She was his only hope and she had been when Bae died. He just didn't know how to tell her except for foolish mistakes in the name of love.

Belle lifted her head off his shoulder and he realized the music had stopped. How long had they been dancing?

"Um…" Belle blushed. "Thank you. For tonight."

Rumple smiled. "Your welcome. I'm glad you joined me."

Belle looked up, her eyes shining. She knew her next move probably wasn't the best idea, but damn Rumple! He had given her this romantic night, second only to their honeymoon, how else was she suppose to feel?

Belle was loved high heels. It allowed her to be closer to Rumple, so she didn't have to stand on her toes when she brought her lips to his. A small gasp from him told her he wasn't expecting this. He probably thought she didn't want this, but they had already kissed before. Just a few nights ago, right? Or was it a few days? She couldn't remember and she didn't want to. All she focused herself on was the soft feel of Rumple's lips, finally moving against hers. One hand gently wrapped around her lower back while he brought the other to cup the back of her neck, pulling her just gently closer. Belle wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him closer as well.

They deepened the kiss, more so than the first time after they started therapy. A few moments later they had to pull apart for air. Her cheeks were blushed. Rumple kept his eyes closed, wanting to savoring this moment just a little longer.

"Rumple." Belle whispered, lowering her head a tad. She felt a stronger urge to want him. She giggled lightly. No matter how angry she was, he would always drug her with a kiss, making her knees buckle.

"What is it?" He quietly asked, noticing her giggle.

"You. You do all this. You keep on trying over and over, even when I reject you." She looked up. "Why?"

He stared at her, lost for words. His mind flew through ways, words, that could help him be more open with her. But that wasn't him. He was a showman and all he knew how to do was lie. So what was he suppose to say?

"I love you." He whispered. "I always will. Even if you don't love me."

And with that, Belle started crying. She pushed her head into his chest as Rumple wrapped both of his arms around her, hoping to soothe her.

"Rumple," She cried. "How? How can you love me after I've been so….cruel?"

He scoffed. "I've been more cruel. Believe me."

Belle shook her head. "No. You haven't. All this time you only tried to protect me and Gideon. And all I've done was through back in your face. Every since I found that dagger I never could trust you, but that was because I never gave you the chance to talk in the first place. I jumped to conclusions, I didn't listen, I was rash and…and stupid." She sniffed, drying up her tears, hoping to make a little more sense.

"I was cruel. I went to Zelena because I knew it would hurt you. And yet you never did anything like that. So how can you still love me?"

Rumple laughed, causing Belle to look at him shocked. He noted her face and quickly apologized.

"I'm sorry, Belle. I didn't mean that the wrong way, it's just….at the beginning of our relationship, I thought the same exact thing. I could never understand how you could continue to see the good in me. How you continued to believe in me and have hope for me. It baffled me. But still you stayed. And I knew was only throwing that back in your face. Going behind your back, lying and manipulating. I knew I shouldn't have. I knew you would hate me-"

"I…I don't think I ever…really hated you, Rumple." She said. "I was angry. I was furious. But hate?" She shook her head. "I don't know."

"You always said love was a mystery, waiting to be uncovered. Maybe that's what we're doing now. Uncovering all the truths."

Belle smiled. "Throwing my own words at me isn't going to help your case."

He smirked. "I think it might."

They both laughed.

"Maybe you're right." Belle said. "After I…well, after that night at the town line I did a lot of thinking. For so long I wanted love, I wanted that life. Maybe we…started off too quickly?"

Rumple's heart nearly stopped. Was she…?

Belle's eyes widened. "Oh, no! No! That's not what I meant." She laughed. Rumple lowered his shoulders, releasing a breath. "No, I didn't mean it like that. I…I don't want a divorce. I'm just saying….I guess I felt that those twenty-eight years apart meant…." She smiled, cocking her head. "I don't know what they meant. I guess we never really got to know each other to the core."

"That might be my fault."

"What do you mean?"

"After Zelena…Did I rush you?"

"What? No, no. Rumple, do you not remember how fast I said yes."

"You said it three times I believe."

They smiled.

"We've both made mistakes. I know that now. And I know I shouldn't expect you to do all the fixing. I need to work on somethings too."

She looked at Rumple, who didn't respond. She squinted her eyes, giving a tight smile. "What?"

Rumple grinned. "Maybe."

Belle gave him another playful slap. "Rumplestiltskin!"

Belle had forgotten how good it felt to laugh. She had forgotten how funny Rumple could be.

"What did you have in mind?"

Rumple questioned, "Excuse me?"

"What do you think I need to work on?"

"What do you mean?"

"We never went over your list in therapy."

Rumple blinked. She was right, and he was thankful they never did. He was glad he 'got out of it' in a sense, but he guessed this was what he got for not completing his homework. He sighed. "Very well, if you really want to know."

"I do."

"Magic."

"Magic?" Belle asked. That word, that subject, always made her nervous. Especially around Rumple, but she reminded herself she was suppose to be patient and listen. "Okay. What about magic?"

"I've used magic for centuries. I…" He hesitated. He didn't really want to say he knew more about it than her, but it was true. To his shock, Belle was nodding.

"You know more about it than I do. Maybe I could offer you suggestions and you decided? Because clearly putting myself in a sleeping curse while pregnant…wasn't the best idea."

"No, no it wasn't."

A loud chime from the grandfather clock brought the couple out of their trance. While they were talking they had forgotten that they still stood in the middle of the ballroom, holding hands.

Once they noticed they let go of each other and took a step back.

"So…" Rumple started. "What happens now?"

Belle stared. What did they do now? Did they go on about their business or…? "I guess…I guess we should check on Gideon."

Rumple nodded. "Yes. I'm sure Granny isn't expecting to watch over him all night."

Belle smiled. "No, probably not."

So….tell me what you think! Writing romantic scenes isn't my best skill, I get too blushy. lol I was blushing hard near the end and oh the feels! This is helping me heal so much! I hope I'm doing a great job still. I also think we've reached a big turning point for the better in their relationship. We still have things to talk about however. But now that they are almost done with lessons, it's time for the tests. And that's plural.