Belle of Storybrook Farm-Chapter 2
Chapter 2 of 2! For my wonderful giftee @kleptomaven!
Prompt: Society ball backroom, tight corset Rating: M Summary: Belle French has become the local oddball. But there’s more to the story than meets the eye
“Belle!”
Belle couldn’t help but smile as her father came to give her a big hug. At first he hadn’t supported her idea of living out at the farm, but when she saw how content she was he threw all of his support behind her. Now he was thrilled that they had a closer relationship than ever.
The French family had always held a bonfire for the Feast of Epiphany. Belle wasn’t sure what fire had to do with the three wise men coming to visit, but she suspected it was just a good time for everyone in the village to come together for one last winter party. She hadn’t been up for going to the party the year before as one of her prize goats was giving birth to a lamb, but she found herself looking forward to the celebration.
It had been two years now since Robert Gold had left. Her crying jag the night of the Nolan Christmas party aside, she felt that it was time to start moving on. Not letting go as how does one let go of someone that is a part of them. She knew she could never love another as she still loved Robert Gold. But moving forward, trying to be happy for both of them.
She had been quietly making the arrangements for weeks. To travel the continent with Ruby as her companion. She had found a newspaper publisher in the city that expressed interesting in having stories about travel written from a woman's perspective, and would provide a advance depending on how her first article was received.
“Not bad for the Mad Goat woman.” She thought smirking as she saw Granny Lucas in the sitting room. Bonfire night was something that some of the matriarchs never approved of, calling it a pagan tradition. Even when one pointed out it was to celebrate the magi, they had all clucked and fluttered their fans in disapproval.
Peeking in, she saw Zelena Green sitting at her mother’s elbow. It seemed as if she was well on her way on becoming another battle axe that just sat in judgement of the community around them.
“I am not some country gentleman who would never stir except to say ‘I told you so.’”
Smiling bittersweetly at the memory and wondering what Robert would say if he saw the women in the sitting room, she turned to go to the dining room when she spied the Nolans with their daughter Emma.
There was nothing like a warm fire on a cold night to warm up the soul. Children were running about the yard throwing chestnuts into the fire and giggling at they popped. Some of the younger gentleman had started out passing out brandied raisins singing the old 12th night tune,
Here he comes with the family bowl.
Don’t be mean to take his toll
Snip! Snap! Dragon!
Belle looked over when she heard Zelena Greene cluck her tongue in disapproval. She smiled as she saw Granny Lucas and Widow Mariah cheerily take a raisin and a steaming mug from one of the lads and laughed. It made for a beautiful milieu. If an incomplete one. If Gold has stayed, would they have had a young boy dashing back for chestnuts? Would she be chattering with her group of girlfriends as they fussed over Emma Nolan and straightening her hat?
Shaking her head of these morose thoughts, she raised up her own mug in a salute to her father and Mr. Dove. Dove had become quite close to Maurice since taking over Gold’s property in his absence, and helping keep the French estate afloat. She knew that if Mrs. Dove hadn’t been a formidable woman her father would have tried his hand at matchmaking. Yet another reason to leave Storybrooke while she could. A few years away herself, and she could find a way to put herself back together again.
Laughing as Ruby pulled her into a dance she put the thoughts of the future out of her mind. Singing the old magi song at the top of her lungs with the other young people, she could only think of the moment. Not the future or the past.
“But Belle it’s nearly two in the morning! And it’s dark out! Surely it’s far too late to be walking across the property by yourself.”
The party had been another roaring success. Even if Granny Lucas had taken too much mead in her cup and had to be sent home early. Normally she would have stayed the night in her old bed, but she knew she had stock to care for in the morning.
“Father I walked over here by myself. I’ll be fine.” She had taken her cloak and lantern from Mrs. Potts and had been given an extra muff just in case.
“At least let me call for one of the footmen to bring you a carriage or to escort you.”
Belle laughed as she reached up to kiss her father on both cheeks. “They are all far too into their cups this fine evening as well. I’m not sure they could find the carriage if you asked, and who would escort them back in the dark?” Noticing his put out expression, she squeezed his hand. “I promise, I’ll send Dove or someone by tomorrow. I’ll be fine I promise.”
He looked at her sadly. “You know Blue Belle, I’ve always been proud of your independent spirit. Your mother would have been so proud of you. And I know it’s been a difficult few years since Lord Gold left for the Far East.” At her look of surprise he continued, “Do you honestly think I wouldn’t notice how you were floating on air those few months? Or the way you two danced together at the Nolan Christmas ball? Other people might not notice, but I know you my darling girl. That’s why I supported you in this farming venture, I thought it would be good for you.” Here he paused as Belle began to cry. “Now now my dear, there’s no need to cry. But it’s a new year, and I want you to considering that being independent on your walks or on your farm isn’t enough. It’s been two years, and none of us know if Lord Gold will ever return. And I think when you look around here, all you see is him everywhere you turn. It’s time to go out and live my dear. Truly live. That’s my new year wish for you.”
Belle couldn’t be bothered to wipe her tears away as she threw her arms around his neck, “That’s what I want for myself as well papa. I love you.”
Hugging her back he stepped away, wiping away his own tears. “Now look what you’ve done. Your father has had too much to drink this evening myself it appears. It’s loosened me up.” He patted her shoulder. “It’s getting late, you head back and later this week we will talk about what the future holds for the French family alright? Now off with you.”
Grinning at her father, Belle stepped out the front door and off to home.
It was only a few miles through the forest and Belle had made it plenty of times before. Tonight however, with the full moon shining and her father’s words in her ears it felt shorter than ever before. It was a new year, a time for new beginning.
Her father was right. Every hill, every home, every festival just reminded her of Lord Gold. Leaving for a while would be good for her, perhaps her father could come along with her and Ruby as well. He’d never seen the continent. And maybe after living some life she could come back to Storybrooke and be perfectly content.
Almost.
Smiling to herself, she turned down her lane to be startled as she saw the shadow of a man standing in front of her house. His back was to her, but he seemed to be gazing at her door. He appeared not to have noticed the glow from her lantern. She was still quite a distance away, but she could just make out something in his right hand. A weapon? Belle found herself cursing and wishing she had taken her father’s offer of a escort back to the house. But she had always felt safe on the estate. Now for the first time she was afraid. There was no one around for miles. No one would be able to hear her once this man realised she was there. She had a few meters on him, maybe she could outrun him.
Just as she started to back up quietly so he wouldn’t hear her, the man turned around and she almost dropped her lantern in shock.
It was Lord Gold.
“Miss French.”
“I’m dreaming.” she whispered out softly. “Either that or I’m seeing a ghost.” Could it be? Could it really be him?
Squinting, she edged forward holding up the lantern like a shield towards his face. As she got closer she could see that it was in fact him. He was a bit thinner and even more grey tinted his hair-but it was him. Lord Gold had come home.
They continued to stare at each other before she was able to speak. “You’re back. When?”
“Only just a few hours ago. I wasn’t able to send word ahead. Once I caught up with Mr. Dove, he mentioned you were living out here. I apologize. I had no intention of invading your privacy.” He stopped speaking as she continued to move closer to him
As she continued to gaze at him in shock she realized that the item in his hand was a cane. He must have seen her glance at it as he continued on, “Ah yes the cane. Well there was an accident a few months ago and my ankle has yet to recover. I don’t quite know what possessed me to come out here Ms. French. But I had to see if….that is to say I wanted to make sure that...blast.” He held up his hands, “This is all coming out wrong.”
“You had to see if I was alright. To see if I was happy.”
He sighed as she stopped less than a foot from him. “And there you are my dear. Still finishing my sentences after all this time.”
“Yes.”
“And are you Miss French?”
“Am I what?”
“Are you happy?” He looked at her as if he was about the face the firing squad. He clenched both hands on his cane so tightly, that she could see his knuckles turn white.
“That depends.” He stared at her feet unable to meet her eyes. “It depends on what? Tell me, I will do anything to make sure you are happy. After all that’s happened, you should be happy.” He looked up to her face. “I would move heaven and earth to make sure you were happy Belle.”
She burst out laughing and dove for him. Her prayers had been answered, he was back. And with nothing more than a glance she knew that their feelings were unchanged.
As her lips met his, she felt him stir in shock before putting his hands around her waist and lifting her up into the air as he kissed her back. Between laughing, crying, and kisses she was just able to lift her head to say, “It depends on if you have come home to me. I could never truly be happy without you.”
As she touched his face she felt him shiver. “If you’ll have me, yes. Yes I have come home to you. It was a mistake not taking you with me, but I was so afraid sweetheart. I was so afraid and I was so mistaken.” He kissed her passionately again, pulling her tightly against him and then resting his head on her shoulder. “I love you. I love you so much.”
Her eyes filled with tears, she spoke the words in her heart. “And I love you to.”
She wasn’t quite sure how it had happened. One moment they were kissing, and then next she was pulling him into her foyer with her arms wrapped around his neck. “Come Robert. Be with me.” Running her fingers through his hair again, she beamed up at him. “I have waited over two years for you. I have dreamt about feeling you against me. Longed for you. Come. Come with me.”
He nodded and then allowed her to take his hand and lead him up the stairs. As they reached the threshold of her bedroom, he stopped. “Sweetheart wait.” She gazed up at him, fear in her eyes. Would he think he to forward once again? Kissing her gently, he murmured. “It’s not that. I just...I just don’t know if I can give you what you what. What you deserve.”
Smiling, she pressed her lips to his again. “All I want is you.”
He undressed her slowly as she stood before him on the bed. Each time he revealed a new patch of skin, he kissed it lovingly.
“I knew I loved you from that first time I saw you at the May Day festival. That lovely grin.” He kissed her mouth. “Those lovely arms.” He kissed her under her elbow. “You were perfection. I should have never have left you. Never.”
She shushed him quietly. “We can talk about that later, what matters now is that you’ve come back to me.”
Belle had read up on the subject of lovemaking and had thought herself prepared. And that fact that Robert’s kisses and touches made her feel like she was on fire sounded correct. Even getting to feel his taut muscles of his back as he laid over her was unsurprising.
But when he had moved down her body to kiss her in her most intimate place, she found that her breath left her as if she was wearing that to tight corset again.
“What...oh god...What are you doing?”
He looked up at her from where he had settled between her thighs to give her that smirk that she found so attractive. “I told you sweetheart. I want to give you want you deserve.”
He had lowered his head and she felt his tongue dance across her sensitive nub. When she gasped, he continued to suckle, kiss, and work his tongue in a way that drove her wild. Soon the pressure was building up in her legs and raced through her blood until we a cry, her body began to shake and quiver.
Crawling back up her body, he held her rocking quietly as her shivers subsided.
“I love you Belle.”
She sighed contentedly. “And I love you. Why did you do that?”
He gazed at her lovingly as he rolled on top of her, settling in between her thighs. “I’m not quite sure how long I will be able to stay inside of you. I thought it was best to see to your needs first. Are you ready sweetheart?”
“I am.”
And with that, he slowly pushed inside of her. It stung for a few moments, but he held still once he had pushed in fully and allowed her to adjust. Once he felt her body relax he began to move.
“Ah sweetheart. You are so amazing. So very very amazing.”
Belle was just starting to get into the rhythm of their rocking motion when Robert groaned above her and began to shake himself. Grasping onto his shoulders as he collapsed on top of her, she remembered what she had read about men who hadn’t engaged in love making for extended periods of time.
When he rolled off of her body and drew her close, he kissed the top of her head. “I’m sorry sweetheart. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to stay long inside of you. But it was our first time. Next time it will be even better. “
Basking in her afterglow Belle could barely process what he was saying. “It’s even better that that?”
“Oh yes sweetheart. Much better. And next time I’ll show you.”
She looked up at his face, “Next time?”
He kissed her lips softly and said “Yes next time. After this, I think a conversation with your father is in order yes?”
She was so happy she felt like she could burst. She dove for his lips and kissed him again. “Yes yes you should. I’m so happy sweetheart. We’re going to have the most amazing life. Happy new year.”
He laughed as his nose tickled her ear, “Happy new year.”