All magic comes with a price!

Educated and Expecting || Part VII || ticktockdearieticktock & bellehasalltherum

"Oh," she says, looking to him, not realizing she’d even squeezed his hand. "I was just…reminding myself of my blessings," she admits as she blushes softly. Her emotions are libel to get the best of her again if they didn’t get up the stairs and that might make them late for the appointment.

"Lets go darling," she says quickly, moving to continue them up slowly.

There was a slight smile that formed on his face upon her answer, though he wasn't entirely convinced that was the entirety of her reasoning. But who was he, to judge that? Plenty of times Cameron had shied away from a conversation, or avoided answering completely. Albeit, less and less, where Belle was concerned... but he understood, at least and didn't press the matter.

He nodded, moving slowly to the top of the landing with her. Going towards their room, Cameron went to the closet to pull out his shirt, and began to look for a tie that matched.

Have Faith || AU || Belle & Rumple

Anne considered for a second how they seemed to mirror each other in their emotions. She was just as anxious as he appeared to be, but also just as confused as to why they were face to face.

She debated his question for a moment longer than necessary. ”Uh, I think it… it might be a nice idea to… to bathe myself, perhaps?” Her cheeks reddened at the thought of speaking such matters aloud to him. ”Uh, I mean, a-alone, of course! But are they any supplies I may use?”

From the outside, one may think that it was ridiculous how much this girl stuttered and why on earth she was asking if she could take a bath. But Anne had been through more than most, and when it was bathing time back in the hospital, she was likely to only get lukewarm water in the shower. Just the thought that she may get a nice, hot bath here was enough to make her stutter in excitement instead of nervousness like normal.

#para #achippedbeauty #askthebeautybelle

There seemed to be some kind of internal debate for a moment, with her, and he stood, patiently waiting for an answer. Her request was a simple one, and he gave her a gentle nod, "Anything at all that you need or want, you can have." He said, with a small gesture for her to follow him. Leading her towards the linen closet, he pulled out towels and a washcloth for her. "Everything else you may need is in the bathroom." Thinking for a moment, glad to have grabbed a few dresses from the shop. Not knowing her size or preference, they would do, but had already committed to getting her a few things to wear, after they had eaten, but for now, they would have to do.

"I have a few things for you to try, I will fetch them for you and leave them hanging here." He gestured to just outside of the door, there was a shelf holding a candle and a few bobbles, tall enough that the dresses would hang. "And there will be a meal waiting for you... whenever you're ready." He didn't want to pressure her, but there was just such a feeling he thought he'd never know, just having her there real and alive in his home.

Educated and Expecting || Part VII || ticktockdearieticktock & bellehasalltherum

With her own smile, she takes his hand and follows him up the stairs slowly. He is always so kind and patient with her, she thinks her father might have been like this when her mother was pregnant. She was always told by other her father was a doting and caring husband, that it was only after her mother’s death that he lost his will to live himself.

Squeezing his hand, she pushes such thoughts from her mind, instead thinking about what she should wear and whether it would fit.

#sorry this is terrible #para #bellehasalltherum

Feeling the slight squeeze against his hand, Cameron paused, not knowing if she needed to stop for a moment or not. While he wasn't particularly fast, with his limp and cane, he understood that sometimes she would tire out much more quickly than she used to. "Everything alright, Sweetheart?" He asked her, looking back with concern flashing in his eyes.

Have Faith || AU || Belle & Rumple

The obvious concern in his voice calmed her, allowing her to stand up straighter and approach the top of the stairs. She watched as he came nearer to her. Folding her hands behind her back, she giggled slightly at her predicament.

"Yes, I’m fine… just, uh—" She smiled briefly to herself in her foolishness. "—I forgot where the bathroom was."

#para #askthebeautybelle #achippedbeauty

There was the slightest moment where he was confused. He had her so concerned, just moments before, and limping up the stairs in haste... but as he neared her, she...giggled? That was curious, to say the least. But, as she told him of her reason, he had found himself smiling too.

"Ah, no matter." He said, reaching the top of the landing and gesturing slightly, "It's the second door there." Glancing at her for a moment, still so in shock that she was real and alive, much less in his house, a moment passed before he asked her, "Was..was there anything else you needed?"

Educated and Expecting || Part VII || ticktockdearieticktock & bellehasalltherum

With a smile, she nods as she slips the last dish she’d washed onto the drying rack, leaving the rest to soak.

"Okay, but you might have to help me, it’s getting harder to lean over and get my pants on I must say," she says with a heavy blush. "I mean, you hear these things but don’t really imagine it," she says with a shake of her head.

"I will help you with whatever you need." He said, not batting an eye at the thought. While there was no way at all for him to know, exactly, what she was going through, Cameron did his hardest to make sure she was comfortable, and had whatever she needed or wanted. Honestly, he was glad that she was even letting him be a part of it at all.

Offering her his hand, he have her a soft smile, beckoning her to follow him.

Have Faith || AU || Belle & Rumple

Anne blinked quickly awake as the sun shone brightly through the bare window. The previous night’s happenings ticked through her mind as she reminded herself why exactly she was in a strange room… and in a comfortable bed, for that matter.

Sitting up with the covers to pressed to her chest, Anne breathed deeply into her raised knees. She was at Mr. Gold’s house. He had said he would protect her from… from whatever she needed protecting from.

Maybe from the dark haired woman with the red lips. The memory of her cold smile sorted a shiver down her spine.

But then the icy stare flew from her vision as the smell of bacon filled the house. Her stomach gurgled at the scent of a meat long since forgotten to her taste buds. Taking small steps, she slowly released herself from the covers and made her way to the door. Peaking out into the hall way, Anne realized that she had forgotten a necessary location.

"Mr. Gold?" she called out, her voice shaking slightly as she issued some strength to carry her voice downstairs.

#para #achippedbeauty #askthebeautybelle

With the task of breakfast at hand, it offered a minimal amount of distraction to his thoughts. He was still reeling in his guilt, and hesitation on how to handle the situation with Belle. Or rather, not Belle, but Anne. She had no recollection of their life together, and he was terrified, that once she remembered, he would lose her all over again.

Her voice invaded his thoughts, carrying down the hall with a little shake to it, and Rumple looked up, wondering if she was alright. Turning off the burner, he shifted the pan off the heat, and grabbed his cane, to make his way towards her. Was it another nightmare?

"Anne?" He said, as he got closer to her, his eyes full of concern, "Are you alright?"

Educated and Expecting || Part VII || ticktockdearieticktock & bellehasalltherum

Sighing softly, she leans back into him. With her eyes closed, she feels him there pressed against her and his hands over their child and the world feels right.

It didn’t matter that she was half his age or that they weren’t married. It didn’t matter that she was from a broken home or his family life was just as complicated.

They could just be together with their unborn child in these moments. Turning her head, she kisses his forehead softly. "I love you Cameron," she whispers to him, sighing happily.

"And I love you, Belle." He said, with a soft smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He was beyond lucky, and he knew it. How he had ever gotten that way, he still wasn't entirely sure he'd know the answer to, not now...or ever, but he would never stop being grateful for it.

With breakfast eaten, and dishes underway, he glanced at the clock. Their appointment was slowly coming up, and if they were to keep it, Cam knew that they'd have to leave soon.

"C'mon, love, these can wait." He gestured to the dishes, and kissed her shoulder again, "let's get ready."

And what brings you here?

tiadalmaobeahwoman

Without a word, she followed in his footsteps out through the door and along the strange flat pavement which bordered the slick black motionless river of solid rock. The smooth grey stone beneath her feet felt strange after being accustomed to the uneven cobble-lined causeways of her world.

Nearing the door of what she understood to be a tavern, she was struck by how alarmingly clean and civilised the place was in contrast to the squalid, raucous taverns back in Tortuga and Port Royale. The outside walls did not stink like a latrine and there were no women of ill repute hanging around. The town itself was an extreme improvement compared to what she was used to, despite the strange mechanical carriages which seemed to belch noxious fumes. Though all things considered this did not seem worse than lanes slopped with foul smelling horse manure and household waste.

Her attire attracted a few puzzled looks and mutterings from the tavern’s patrons, but she paid no attention. The woman before her, whom Rumpelstiltskin had referred to as Lacey, was indeed a reflection of her true name. The woman’s beauty was clear even through the blood shot eyes and pallid cheeks of her alchohol soaked stupor. Frowning, Calypso bent slowly to meet the other woman’s gaze. Eyes widening, with a reassuring tone she spoke softly in response to her question “I am ‘ere ta ‘elp." Standing straight again, she turned her gaze to Rumpelstiltskin shaking her head “She is not in a state ta be cured" she confided in a hushed tone “she must be made sober. Is ‘dere anywhere more private we might go?"

#para #sorry if this is bad. I'm a little rusty!#tiadalmaobeahwoman

Rumple watched, as Tia looked at Lacey for a moment, his hand gripping his cane tightly, in his nerves. Lacey wasn't entirely thrilled to have a strange looking woman eying her, Rumple could see that immediately. But at this point, he was desperate to have his Belle back, that he'd do whatever it took to convince Lacey that it was a good idea to trust her.

"My shop." He said, knowing that it was a much closer trek then that of his home, to sober up Lacey. That would be easy enough, he knew the right spell for it, but never performed it upon the woman, knowing how much she favored the bottom of a bottle.

After a few minutes of convincing Lacey, and more than a fair share of promises of more alcohol and whatever else she had in mind at the moment, Rumple managed to get her to agree to leave the bar with him. Leading the way, and being sure to act a gentleman, in the manner of door opening and the like, Rumple got the trio back to his shop. "There is a workroom, that should suffice." He told Tia, and gestured towards the curtain that sectioned off the room. With a spared glance at Lacey, as she started to protest, wondering what was this all about, he sighed a little and assured her that it was alright.

ooc

At my in-laws, and should be home by Saturday night, Sunday at the latest. I will do my best to be all replies done then. Thank you for you patience, you all rock <3

#bellehasalltherum #tiadalmaobeahwoman #achippedbeauty

Educated and Expecting || Part VII || ticktockdearieticktock & bellehasalltherum

"And don’t you worry," she says as she takes his dishes and places them with hers, beginning to wash them, “I will! You can be sure of it!" she says with a huge smile.

"Just so you know, I love pasta, especially alfredo," she says, wiggling her brows as she begins to wash their dishes.

As she washes the dishes, she thinks to Monday when he starts back to teaching, his spring break over and she starts…being alone during the day. She hadn’t not had a job or been in school since…middle school? This would be a challenge, a big one for her.

He laughed, coming up behind her, and wrapping his arms about her, his hands flat against her stomach, rubbing it slightly, "I know you do, Sweetheart." Kissing the curve of her neck, Cam rested his forehead against her shoulder, his thoughts revolving all around her.

In all honesty, Cam had never thought that he could feel the way he did around Belle, ever again. He'd given up hope, thinking that he had completely messed up his one chance at happiness, love or a family. Of course he missed Bae, but the child that Belle carried, was a new start, a beginning that he silently vowed would have a much happier ending.

Educated and Expecting || Part VII || ticktockdearieticktock & bellehasalltherum

As she slowly finishes, she wipes her mouth with a smile, “Wow Cam, you never cease to amaze me. I mean…You don’t let on to being such a good cook just from meeting you," she says as she slowly climbs to her feet, taking her empty plate and glass to the sink.

"You really should do more with it, you really are amazing darling," she says as she sets them down and rubs her swollen belly.

Finishing the last few bites of his own plate, Cameron chuckled. No, he didn't suppose that it was something that anyone would have thought of him, upon first impression. Or, any impression, really. With his thick veneer that he tended to keep, there wasn't much about him that anyone knew, upon talking to him. Save for Belle. Though, the reason behind his culinary talent wasn't particularly happy-- bittersweet, really... with so much time and so little to share with for so long, he had taken it upon himself to learn, not fancying the idea of cold beans out of a can or ramen noodles for staple meals.

"I don't think bacon and eggs count much as a delicatessen, Belle." Cam said, joining her by the sink with his dishes. "But, if there is anything you'd like, you know all you have to do is tell me."

Have Faith || AU || Belle & Rumple

Anne allowed the sound of his footfalls to relax her muscles into the mattress. She was safe here. Mr. Gold would protect her, be there for her, and comfort her when her fears got the better of her. She knew this. She could believe in it.

Anne wasn’t entirely sure what prompted her to spill her secrets to Mr. Gold after only meeting him a few hours earlier. There was just… something about him. It was like she had known him before, like he had held her before. His arms were familiar around her. His voice… it had a touch of familiarity to it as well, but there was also a feeling of it being off to her. Like it wasn’t quite what it should be.

But that was ridiculous, wasn’t it? Anne had never met him before.

‘Had she?’ her mind whispered as her conscious slowly slipped into black, and sleep enveloped her into - for once - empty embrace.

#para #achippedbeauty #askthebeautybelle

Even within the confines of his dark bedroom, slipped between the covers of his bed, sleep would not come to him. His mind was whirling about thoughts of Belle... thoughts of Anne, and how to break the Curse that loomed over the town. True Love's kiss, of course would break any curse... but he had been incredibly lucky that Belle had loved him, there was no chance, really that it would happen again, that Anne would love him...Even under the guise of Mr. Gold, he was still a monster. There was also the matter of bringing magic to the town, and exacting his revenge on Regina, for what she had done to Belle. Over the years they had crossed one another, taken cheap shots and used one another....but never, not ever was someone else so poorly treated or abused, until Belle. He shouldn't have been surprised, with the Huntsman as her pet, and a genie forever trapped to be with her... but he had blindly taken her word that Belle had died, he had believed... and Belle had paid the price for it.

Rumple's thoughts consumed him, leaving him more exhausted and guilt ridden than he had been the night before. Things were going to change, he vowed, as the first rays of light kissed the walls through the slits in the blinds. He would find a way to fix all of this, and he would set things right. Pulling back the covers, Rumple dressed and head down towards the kitchen, to make breakfast.

livealifewevealwaysdreamedof-de

Milah?

"You know what. I don’t know. I don’t know anymore." It was true. She was tired of fighting with him, it was honestly exhausting. She couldn’t get through his thick hard head, just as he was convinced that he couldn’t get through hers; but the difference is that she was right and he was the one in the wrong.

#livealifewevealwaysdreamedof

"What to do?" He asked, a hint of an incredulous tone slinking into his voice, "It's all be done, long ago, Milah. You've had your words, and I've had mine. There is nothing left to do."

Educated and Expecting || Part VII || ticktockdearieticktock & bellehasalltherum

Shaking her head, she accepts the bottle from him and begins to put it over her eggs and even bacon. As she digs in again, she cannot help but moan even louder in pleasure of the taste. "Oh gods yes," she says before opening her eyes and blushing at his face.

"Sorry, its just really good," she says softly as she smiles even with her blush.

Cam had to take a moment to remember his composure as Belle made lovely sound of appreciation for the meal. Clearing his throat a little, he sat back down and picked up his own fork. "It's alright." He said, returning the smile warmly, and smirking the slightest bit, at her blush. Belle was beautiful, no matter what she wore, said, or did. She simply embodied the very core of the meaning... but Cam always liked when there was a hint of a blush staining her cheeks. It was a rather lovely look on her.

"I'm glad that you're enjoying it." He added, before taking a bite of his own breakfast.