For the Love of Family Chap 8

Chapter 8

Rumpelstiltskin found a dress for his beautiful Belle. The dress was fit for a princess. It was her signature color, blue, and it went just a little below her knees. On her feet, she wore blue polka dotted stiletto heels.

When Belle walked out of the bedroom, Rumpelstiltskin smiled. "Belle, you look beautiful," he told her.

Belle gave him a small blush as well as a small smile. "Thank you," she replied.

"It's not too big? Not too small?" Rumpelstiltskin asked.

Belle shook her head. "No," she said. "It's perfect."

Rumpelstiltskin continued to smile. "I'm glad," he said.

Belle's smile got bigger. "What's your plan?" she asked.

Rumpelstiltskin gave her a look.

Belle sighed. "You should use your magic to help people," she told him.

"Belle, you know that magic always comes with a price," he reminded her.

Belle gave out another sigh. "Yeah, I know," she said solemnly, "but what if it didn't?"

"Consequences," Rumpelstiltskin told her. "Repercussions. It would be on bot my side as well as the other party's. Why do you think I had contracts?" They walked downstairs to the kitchen. "I will say that magic is different here. I don't know if-" He waved her to a stool that sat by the kitchen nook.

"The same rules apply when we lived in the Enchanted Forest," Belle finished for him as she took her seat and watched him to start to prepare their meal. "What exactly can you tell me about the curse?"

Rumpelstiltskin sighed. "I can tell you that I gave it to Regina," he said with a hint of a smile.

Belle glared at him. "That's not what I meant, and you know it," she scolded.

"I know, dearie," he replied.

"Which begs the question," Belle replied. "Why did you have to give the curse to Regina?"

"I knew she wanted revenge on Snow, and since I had nothing left to lose, I gave it to her," Rumpelstiltskin replied.

"What activated the curse?" Belle asked knowing Rumpelstiltskin enough to know that there would have to be heavy price for heavy magic.

"Why the thing she loves most," Rumpelstiltskin replied.

Belle stared at him. "Her father," she said. She was aware of Regina's love for her father; it was all over the Enchanted Forest. "You gave Regina the curse because you didn't have anything else to lose, because you knew she would sacrifice her own father which is something I wouldn't do to my own regardless of whoever I want revenge on, and because you know that she would use it?" she asked incredulously.

"Essentially," Rumpelstiltskin replied after Belle was done with her rant.

"And you did all of this so you can find your son in this world?" Belle asked.

"Now, Belle," Rumpelstiltskin replied.

"Please tell me, in the twenty-eight years we've been in this world, you've changed," Belle replied.

"When we came to this world, all I wanted was to find my son, Baelfire, and now I find out you're still alive," Rumpelstiltskin replied, "when Princess Emma" he smiled knowing the current sheriff of Storybrooke wouldn't like her new found title "finds my son, we'll be transferred back to the Enchanted Forest, of course, after we help Snow and Charming with Regina, you, me, and Bae can live happily ever after."

"With no magic?" Belle asked.

"With no magic," Rumpelstiltskin promised as he put the meal in the oven.

Belle smiled as she walked to him and kissed his cheek. "I don't suppose after our meal if I can go visit my father, could I?" Belle asked as she stood near her chair.

Rumpelstiltskin sighed. He knew he has been a little harsh with Maurice than anyone else in town, which included the Fairies, and he wondered if he should tell Belle. "I suppose we could do that," he said knowing he really is going have a hard time saying no to Belle no matter what she asked for. He walked to her and hugged her. "Just remember I'd protect you from anyone who wants to harm you."

Belle laid her head down on his shoulder while she enjoyed the fact that she was in his arms. "I know," she said. "I also want to thank the person who let me out."

"I thought it was Dr. Whale," Rumpelstiltskin replied.

Belle shook her head. She knew who Dr. Whale was; he had treated her after all. "He dressed kind of like you do," Belle replied. "Like he had money."

Rumpelstiltskin started connecting dots and said, "Brown hair? This tall? Possibly has a thing for hats?"

"How did you know?" Belle asked surprised.

"We're acquainted," Rumpelstiltskin informed her. He wasn't going to mention how. "Though he probably had a different motive in mind."

"Different motive?" Belle asked curiously.

"Regina probably promised him something, and she most likely didn't deliver," he said knowing Jefferson quite well.

"So he would want to make trouble for her," Belle concluded.

"Yes," Rumpelstiltskin replied. "He would."

"Why would he do that?" Belle asked confused.

"Probably because of Grace," Rumpelstiltskin replied and then elaborated knowing she wouldn't know who Grace is, "his daughter."

"The spell is broken now," Belle replied. "They can find each other now."

"Yes, they would," he said. If he knew Jefferson well enough like he did, he knew Jefferson would have to be talked into going to reunite with his daughter just because of the belief that he abandoned her, but Rumpelstiltskin knew better. He's the one who abandoned his son; Jefferson didn't abandon his daughter because he hoped to make a better life for them. He hoped someone would tell him this. "Speaking of Jefferson, we'll need to get his hat to get home."

"I thought you needed Prince James, Princess Emma, and her son," Belle said.

"I do, but they're the only ones who can get the hat to work," Rumpelstiltskin replied as he pulled the meal out of the oven.