Robbie 'Rumpelstiltskin' Gold

‘’Mm, soon.’’ She agreed softly, giving a smile though they both knew the time wasn’t right yet. When they would feel comfortable enough to leave Eliza overnight, she wasn’t sure. She wasn’t even six months old yet, she was still breastfeeding regularly and wasn’t sleeping through the night so it felt unfair to leave her for the entire evening just yet. Belle knew there were things they could do; that they had plenty of frozen milk if they wanted to spend a night away and she could just pump when necessary to ensure she didn’t lose her supply but it was still a scary thought. Neal was different, he knew they’d be home when they told him they would be because he was older and had a deeper understanding - despite his separation anxiety - but Eliza was only a baby, she relied on them for everything and it just went against her every maternal instinct to leave the infant for too long. Hopefully that feeling would fade at some point, but not yet. 

His words had her grinning to herself, holding back a laugh. Her words couldn’t have been further from the truth, because she loved him dearly and found him to be the most interesting person she knew, or had ever met. He was smart - though not as smart as her, obviously - well travelled, and he constantly made her laugh. Even when they sat in silence, she was happy. ‘’The money definitely helps.’’ Belle retorted teasingly, eyes sparkling as she poked her tongue out at him, unable to resist. They could joke about money together, even if they both knew he could be penniless and they’d still be as happy as they currently were. 

‘‘And dessert would help even more.’‘ 

He laughed heartily, well aware that whilst the money they had gave them a comfortable life that she enjoyed, she would have loved him even if he had none. It meant that they truly could do anything they wanted, go anywhere they wanted and buy anything they could desire. But money didn’t buy love, and it didn’t buy the connection that the two of them had. Money would never be the most important thing to them, and it would never be a foundation to their love. He knew many people thought otherwise, that she was a gold digger and he was a dirty old man. At times it bothered him, even now, but so long as people didn’t judge Belle negatively, he could take any judgement against himself. They knew the truth of their love, and that was all that mattered.

“Oh, I’m sure,” he teased, leaning in to peck his lips quickly to her cheek. “I suppose I could stretch to a dessert then for my dear, darling wife. But, for a price,” he paused, head bobbling slightly as he grinned. “A proper kiss on the lips. See how I specified proper and lips? I know you too well,” he joked, aware that she’d likely mess with him and peck his cheek otherwise.

Their life together was far from boring. They had incredible wealth and perhaps some people in their social circles spent every weekend travelling around the world and eating at fancy restaurants, but they spent the weekend taking the kids to the park, trying to entertain an 8 year old while getting a 4 month old to nap, and it was certainly more interesting than any pompous event they could attend. Sometimes she enjoyed the quiet, she really did, and it was nice to get away, but she also didn’t know what to do with herself when both kids were napping or playing quietly. Her life had once been incredibly empty, she hadn’t really had anyone, but now she had two children and incredible husband, and that would never get old. 

A soft chuckle left her, nodding her head in agreement. ‘’It would be nice.’’ She agreed, unable to deny that. Their honeymoon, where they had spent 10 days alone together on a secluded island, was one of her most favourite memories and she’d love to recreate that experience one day but it would certainly be a long time. Belle couldn’t even consider leaving Eliza for one night yet, let alone over a week, and it would have to be something they built up to. Neal was older, he understood, he even loved his nights with Wendy, but leaving a newborn was another thing entirely. She didn’t want to lose their relationship or bond, or lose their identity as a couple, but she knew she wasn’t alone in worrying whenever they were away from home. 

‘‘Hmm, it’s been a good evening. Shame about the company.’‘ She retorted teasingly, nudging his side before she tilted her head to kiss his cheek playfully.

“Mm one day. When we’re both comfortable leaving Eliza overnight. We should go away for a weekend. Anywhere you want,” he smiled warmly. Cost would never be an issue but for just one night he suspected they’d stay in the States, go to another city or a little town somewhere. See some sights, enjoy each other’s company. He knew neither of them was especially in a rush to be away from Eliza for a night just yet, but that day would eventually have to come. 

Laughing quietly, Robbie pushed his lips together in to a little smirk. “Oh I know, that husband of yours is such a bore. I don’t know how you put up with him,” he played. Whilst he knew that to many he wasn’t especially interesting he never had such fears with her. They could talk for hours on end about anything at all, and had done countless times before now. With Belle he was fully confident in who he was, what kind of man and husband he was and that she loved him for him. 

“But I did hear a rumour that he was willing to buy a dessert for his wife to eat when walking home, if she was nice to him.” 

Her arm slipped around his as they sat together, tucking herself against his side happily. She knew they couldn’t sit there all evening, partly because he’d be cold with her wearing his jacket and party because they didn’t like to keep Wendy too late, but that didn’t stop her from enjoying the time they could enjoy together. Wendy would stay overnight if they really wanted her to, without question, and occasionally they did take her up on that offer, but they hadn’t done since Eliza’s birth, because neither of them had felt ready to leave her for that amount of time yet. Maybe soon, they would want to plan a romantic night at a hotel with zero interruptions but for the moment, they were pretty happy getting a few hours of the house then stealing whatever time they could when they were at home in their own bed. 

Deep down, she knew that he hadn’t enjoyed that lifestyle. It’d been quieter, easier, but it had been empty and lonely and not very fulfilling. He hadn’t had someone to come home to, someone keeping the bed warm, but now he did. They’d found each other, they’d created this wonderful family and she felt so happy about that. ‘’It’s definitely as real and wild as it gets.’’ She agreed with a chuckle, aware that their life could be incredibly chaotic sometimes. They were always rushing to do something, a diaper needed changing, someone needed feeding or someone needed a nap, but she wouldn’t have changed it for the world.

‘‘I kind of enjoy it, though.’‘

Chaos was a part of their every day and truth was, he wouldn’t change that for the world. He liked the crazy, he liked the noise. Yes, he did still enjoy some peace when he could have it, but he loved his family so very much. His children were the two things he was the most proud of creating in his life, and the marriage that he had with Belle was such a fulfilling relationship. When you knew that you were with your soul mate, when you knew that you had an undeniable connection with someone, it just worked. 

“As do I. Admittedly, it would be nice to whisk you away somewhere at some point, have a night or two with just us. But I know we’d both be terrible and miss the kids too,” that was the way they were though, the dedicated parents that were finding a balance between being married and parents, and being two people who were very much in love with each other.

Exhaling low, turning his head to kiss the top of hers, Robbie hummed briefly. “I’ve had a lovely evening. Have you?”

It always made her heart ache that Robbie blamed himself for so much that had happened with Neal. She hated that her boys had been through such strife and she always strove to make it better, to try and take care of both of them. Belle, personally, blamed Milah for all of her boy’s issues with separation and abandonment, rather than her husband. It was Milah who’d left him with the Nanny almost constantly, it was Milah who had only gained any interest in him when she realised he could be a bargaining chip against his Father and his new girlfriend and it was Milah who had left him alone for hours in the middle of the night. That woman was despicable, and she felt grateful everyday that she was currently in jail, where she belonged. Maybe that wouldn’t always be the case, but Belle would make damn sure she went nowhere near her son.

Her lips curved into a smile when he nudged his shoulder against hers, chuckling softly. ‘’They are pretty strong…’’ She agreed teasingly, aware that he was being self-depreciating by saying that but she told him, almost every single time, how handsome she thought he was. Eliza had definitely inherited her blue eyes and rosy cheeks but her little nose and her smile, they were all her Papa. It was likely she could change as she grew up but for now, she was a good mix of both of them. 

Once her hot dog had been consumed, she tilted her head, resting it against his shoulder. Her smile remained as he continued, listening to him talk about how much he loved her, and how much he cared for her and their family. ‘’Are you sure?’’ She teased lightly, one hand reaching to squeeze his knee. ‘’You used to spend your weekends attending fancy parties and drinking champagne, now you spend it at Chuck E. Cheese…’’

Finishing off his own hotdog and carefully dabbing at his lips with his paper napkin just to be sure no mustard lingered, more for his wife than anything else, Robbie had to smile with the position she settled in. If he could just spend his life, settled by her side like this, he would consider it a life very well lived. Still, he laughed quietly, humming briefly in acknowledgement of the life he used to live. 

That life had been so hollow and lonely. He’d done what he had to do in order to advance his business prospects, to add to the wealth he didn’t need to add to. He’d kidded himself for years that he had done it for his son, when in reality he’d been repeating the same mistakes his own Father had done. But unlike Malcolm, Robbie had done it with the best of intentions. “As terrible as the pizza is at Chuck E Cheese, and as loud as it all can get, I wouldn’t trade that back. This is a real life. The best kind.” Moving his own hand to rest atop her own, he truly meant it. Life before had been hollow, but now he was full of love.

Even if she’d already seen the photograph a few moments ago, it still made her beam to look at their sleeping little girl. Belle felt utterly in love with their daughter, just as she was in love with their son, and admired everything from her tiny hands and her sweet, long eyelashes. It might have made her bias, but she thought that Eliza was the most beautiful baby she’d ever seen, with her dark tuft of hair and her pouty lips too, and she would never get bored of staring at their little angel. Except maybe on those days where she cried continually and wouldn’t let her parents get any kind of rest, because then all Belle wanted to do was fall into bed for the next year, but one little smile from their girl tended to make it all better.

‘‘Don’t say that, you’re going to jinx it and we’ll have both of them in bed with us.’‘ She warned when he made his hopeful comment, a grin tugging at her lips. Belle certainly wouldn’t be surprised if that happened, especially after they’d been out for the evening. Neal was used to them going on little date nights every so often, he knew they’d be back by morning most of the time, but he still craved their attention more than usual when they got back and she was sure Eliza was doing the same thing as well. The picture still made her beam, however, cooing at the picture.

‘‘We made a pretty damn cute kid, huh?’‘ 

Laughing low, he wouldn’t be remotely surprised if that were the case. Still to this day he blamed himself for the way Neal could often be needy and insecure and he knew that even if he had all the security in the world right now, that those feelings didn’t ever really fade. Feeling like he did, that was something that Robbie had to accept was always going to be a part of Neal. A part he would just have to be patient with, he would have to make sure to re-emphasise to him on occasion just how important he was to his Mama and Papa. It was Robbie’s cross to bear, and Neal’s pain to live with. 

Nodding warmly, he could only agree with her. To him, no little baby girl had ever been as beautiful as Eliza. “Good job your genes are strong,” he quipped softly, leaning in as he did so to gently nudge their shoulders together. “But we did. I can’t imagine a day of my life without you three right there, smack dab in the middle of it. I don’t want to. You changed my world, Belle. Always for the better.” It was soft, it was sweet and entirely out of place with the hotdogs they were eating but he wanted to say it and he wanted her to hear it. It didn’t matter how many times he’d said it before, or would do again; telling her how important she was to him, how much their family meant to him was important to Robbie. Just as important as showing her, and their kids, what they meant to him was.

His words had her laughing, a sparkle in her eyes as she looked at him. It was so easy to be with her husband, they just had an easy chemistry that meant conversation flowed easily and she had never felt so comfortable with another person. She’d had always enjoyed her own company, she’d preferred spending time in her room with a book rather than socialising when she was younger, but then she had met him and slowly she had come to prefer his company over her own. They could sit in comfortable silence for hours, watching a movie or reading their own respective papers - because they both needed their own copy to complete the crossword in - and it was so easy, so utterly effortless, because they were so comfortable with one another. 

Taking her hot dog from him, she did a quick assessment, checking for any signs of mustard. Deep down, she knew that he would ensure that never happened, because he knew she didn’t like it. He was sensitive to her needs, he knew what she liked, and was so whipped that he always made sure she got it. Belle always insisted that she wasn’t spoiled in any way, at least where money was concerned, but she knew she was spoiled with attention and affection where her husband was concerned.

Taking a bite, she chuckled around her mouthful when he asked her about the kids, giving a nod of her head. Slowly chewing before swallowing, she nodded her head again and cleared her throat. Reaching with her spare hand, she whipped out her phone again to show him the sweet picture of Eliza sleeping her crib, a smile tugging at her lips. ‘’Neal went to bed about an hour ago, and our princess is sleeping soundly too.’’ 

Tilting his head and leaning in a little towards her phone, Robbie couldn’t help but smile through his own mouthful of hotdog. It was a given that they’d want to know all they could about their little ones, as much as they trusted Wendy. Eliza looked absolutely beautiful in that photo and it had him beaming brightly. How something so beautiful came from him was beyond him - just like how something so handsome in Neal had - but he at least knew Belle’s genetics were to thank for the little girl who he was sure was going to be the spitting image of her when she grew up.

“Beautiful, and I’m glad he went to bed then too. Should be alright for a while then. Who knows, we might even get the bed to ourselves tonight,” he drawled, wishful thinking perhaps but he was certainly going to hope. Love their children as much as he did, and he absolutely did, he loved her too and wanted to really enjoy an evening with his wife. Belle was his best friend, his soul mate, and not a day had gone by since the one they’d met where he felt anything less than total comfort in her presence. He’d gone from a man who hated the company of others, to hating being anywhere but in hers.

A grin spread across her lips as she considered giving him a massage later, trying to hold back a laugh. Belle knew she’d definitely be up for that, she’d enjoy getting to massage his bare back later on. Maybe they could light a few candles, used some of her favourite scented oil and put the music on low - providing that their children remained asleep and allowed them to do that. That thought had her snorting, eyeing him knowingly. ‘’You really think our darling children are going to give us any alone time after spending 2 and a half hours out of the house?’’ Hell, for them, a couple of hours out of parental duties was a real luxury and she wouldn’t have been surprised if one - or both - of the kids woke up as soon as they got home. Because they’d missed their parents and because they wanted to punish them. 

Settling on the bench, she waited for Robbie to return, watching him as he ordered their food at the truck. She did take a few moments to look at her cell phone, wanting to check whether she’d somehow had any texts from Wendy alerting them to any issues. Instead, she’d sent a sweet picture of Eliza sleeping peacefully in her crib, swaddled in the blanket that her Papa had knitted for her. That was a relief, something that definitely made her feel better about leaving their two children, because they were safe with someone who looked after them and someone who loved them. Wendy might have been technically their employee but she was also a close family friend.

With him returning, she grinned at him. ‘’If that’s true, you might as well call the divorce lawyer yourself.’’ She retorted, one hand swatting his rear as she sat and he stood, waiting for him to join her on the bench. 

Smirking with a shrug, Robbie pretended to look thoughtful for a moment. “As the late John Lennon might say, you might say I’m a dreamer,” he quipped. Their kids would likely make sure they didn’t get too much privacy that night but he could certainly hope. Either way, he was getting time with his wife right now that meant so much to him. To just be with her, to spend time with his best friend, was everything to him. Life could be busy and take these moments away from them sometimes, which only made him cherish them more.

Laughing as she swatted his rear, Robbie’s eyes were bright with joy, holding her hot dog out to her. With Belle taking hers, the drinks rested down, Robbie took his seat beside her with his side resting against hers. That closeness too was something he always craved with her. To be just next to her was something he loved and as much as people wouldn’t expect a man like him to be content with hotdogs on a park bench he was, simply because he was doing it with her.

“How are the kids?” he asked, sure she would have fired off a text when having a few moments to herself. They both knew of course that they would be fine, Wendy someone he knew they could absolutely trust with the two most important parts of their lives, but they both still had their children on their mind even when not with them. 

Even as he said he was fine, she did give him a sceptical glance, not quite believing that. Belle knew deep down he would never drop her purposefully or hurt her, but she was definitely glad that it was a short trip to the park and they wouldn’t be struggling the entire way home. Even if a fall was accidental, Neal would still be absolutely furious to see his Mama in less than perfect condition. He pouted when she did something ridiculous like burning herself with her hair curler, glaring at her hair curler like it was responsible for all the evil in the world and it was adorable, if nothing else. Her son was just as protective of her as her husband was, and she knew both of her boys would be just as defensive over Eliza, too. 

With her arms slung around his shoulders, she gave a laugh and a nod when he questioned whether she wanted to sit down. ‘’Sure, we don’t wanna damage your back. I’ll never hear the end of it.’’ She teased, tilting her head to bite at his ear-lobe before she waited for him to pause, so she could jump down from his back. Belle brushed a hand over her dress, smoothing over the material to straighten out any wrinkles, a smile on her lips.

It might have been a small tradition, but it was a tradition all the same, and she was happy that they could do this together. Their life together was incredibly busy, they were always on the go, so taking some time to just walk home together, and she took steps towards the bench. ‘’Make sure that the mustard doesn’t go anywhere near my hot dog, but don’t forget the pickles.’’ 

Laughing as she bit his earlobe, Robbie couldn’t help but enjoy that little action. A brief sting of pain with a definite jolt of pleasure. “Excuse you, my back is just fine. Even better when my beautiful wife gives me a massage later. Preferably with little clothing on both of us,” he drawled low, moving his body in to position to allow for her to get down safely. Straightening and briefly stretching, he reached out to her to pull his jacket a little more around her to ensure she kept warm. 

His hand rested on her lower back those few steps to the bench, laughing quietly as he nodded, taking in her orders for the retrieval of the food. “Yes, yes of course. I shan’t be long, my love,” he smiled, leaning in to peck his lips to her cheek briefly before he was moving to go to the hotdog vendor. As almost regulars there now - at least, they visited enough after events they attended - he smiled politely as he put in the order, the vendor putting extra pickles for Belle. Also requesting two bottles of water than he carefully tucked under one arm as he carried a hotdog back to his wife in each, he let Belle retrieve those from him first so they didn’t drop.

“I promise there is no mustard even remotely in the vicinity of your hotdog. Aside from the stripe I hid under the sausage,” he teased, of course never dreaming of doing such a thing to his wife. She wasn’t a fan and he was. He wasn’t a fan of ketchup on his hotdog though always had a slight slither as the sweetness contrasted the stronger mustard quite nicely in his opinion. With onions on top of his he knew that he would be sent to brush his teeth when they got home before any solid kissing between the two of them, but he didn’t mind at all.

Glancing down at her husband’s legs, Belle held back a laugh, glancing between the two of their feet. Sometimes she was sure Robbie had almost more clothes than she did, something she often teased him about. It was true that she was the real winner, with an entire walk-in wardrobe full of different kind of shoes, from the red-bottomed kind to the odd pair of sneakers for when she was with the kids, but that didn’t stop her from teasing him. ‘’Surprisingly, your legs aren’t the sexiest part of you, no.’’ She retorted back, a hand reaching to swat his rear and making it clear what she thought was the best part of him. 

Her legs wrapped around his hips, arms around his neck securely. She did have a brief moment of fear, worrying that he’d drop her straight on the floor and her pretty dress would get covered in dirt, not to mention the bruises she’d end up with. Neal would be utterly distraught if his Mama came home in less than pristine condition, their sensitive boy always worried about her. He was concerned when she got the sniffles, and was only just getting over her having sepsis and being rushed to the hospital. He woke up crying in the night occasionally, and the only thing that soothed him was being next to her, being reassured that she wasn’t going anywhere, and it broke her heart. He’d been through a lot of turmoil in his little life, but she was the one person who had never, and would never, leave him. 

Belle trusted her husband implicitly and was well aware that he’d keep her safe, but she also knew that brute force wasn’t his strong suit and she gripped his shoulders tightly for a few moments, until he shifted and relaxed. She nodded when he questioned whether she was alright, a little grin passing across her lips. ‘’You’re not going to drop me, are you? Neal won’t forgive you if you put me in the hospital.’’ 

Robbie could only laugh, his head bobbling a little as a smug look crossed his face. Why she was so fond of his rear he had no idea, but he certainly had no complaints. His favourite part of her could only be summed up as her as he could never quite choose. He loved her legs, he loved her rear. Her breasts, her eyes, those incredible lips; every day it changed for him. He was just a lucky, lucky man.

“Excuse you, I am perfectly fine right here.” He replied, shaking his head confidently. “Park’s not far.” He added, sure that he wold get her there safely. He knew that if he ever took Belle home looking less than pristine that their boy would have his head for it. He was protective of his wife, incredibly so, but their boy was too. He was a good boy, the best, and he was simply glad Neal and Belle had each other. 

In fact, after a few minutes he was getting them to the hotdog place in the park that he and his wife usually stopped by, the churros spot just a few feet away from it. “Want to take a seat on the bench and I’ll fetch the food?” he asked as he held her, willing to put her down wherever she wanted. Admittedly by this point he was starting to feel the strain and needed a little rest himself, so sitting to eat was absolutely what he’d like to do if she wanted another piggy back ride for the rest of the way home.

Untangling herself from her husband, she grinned at him, a breathy laugh escaping her lips at the thought of swapping places. Given her yoga and pilates session, she liked to think that she was pretty fit, or at least had been before having Eliza. She had slowly started going back to yoga, trying to regain that flexibility and lithe figure she’d had before, but she was also trying to learn how to love her newfound curves without putting a whole heap of pressure on herself to snap back into shape. Things were different now, she might not have had abs but she was also busy trying to feed their little girl, to take care of their boy and keeping everything running smoothly and didn’t care all that much about eating the perfect things or going to the gym everyday. 

Belle liked to think that she probably had the right amount of stamina to manage it, however and poked her tongue out at him. ‘’I don’t think you could pull these shoes off, love.’’ She quipped in response, gesturing towards the gorgeous rose-gold coloured high heels, sky high as always. It had been fairly obvious that they’d hurt her feet eventually, but they were gorgeous and she loved them, so she’d been willing to suffer for a little while. Robbie would carry her for a block or two, to give her a break, then she’d walk the rest of the way. 

With him squatting, she all but jumped onto his back, arms circling his shoulders and legs wrapping around his hips. ‘’You okay?’’ 

Gasping as if he were offended, Robbie looked down towards her shoes and then back up at her face. A playful shift of his legs as if he were modelling them to her and he gestured down towards his own feet. “Are you saying my legs aren’t fabulous enough? Offensive.” He joked, eyes bright, cheeks warm with the way he grinned at her. He certainly did not envy her or other women for that matter for the footwear they often made themselves endure. He had a fair few pairs of shoes himself but the majority of the pairs he owned and wore were very expensive and stylish, all incredibly comfortable too. Not a single heel, or lifted heel either, in sight for him.

With Belle getting on to his back, he took in a little breath and laughed quietly, arms tucking under her legs and holding on to her securely. “All okay, my love. Hold on,” he encouraged, straightening up as he held her. He could manage a little while but he knew that he wouldn’t get her all the way home. Still, close enough to the park and the hotdogs and churros that she had her heart set on. He started to walk then, humming briefly as he did so. “Comfy up there?”

Even if they both had plenty of money and it wouldn’t make any kind of difference for him to buy their dinner, she still teased him about it. They had a joint account that they used often, both of them putting money into that even if she knew his contributions were much bigger than her own. It was something she’d learned to deal with, to get over, and money was something they could joke about 90% of the time. Evidenced in how he teased her right back, pointing out that he was currently unemployed, and it had Belle giggling at her husband. ‘’My poor baby. I guess I’ll treat you, since you’re essentially unemployed now and I’ve gotta provide for us.’’ She spoke teasingly, fingertip bopping against his nose, before she drew away. 

His offer had her grinning, raising an eyebrow at him. She would be pressed to point out that he probably couldn’t carry her the entire way home, because she still had those post-baby curves and he wasn’t exactly a gym bunny, but she held back, not wanting to insult either of them. ‘’You might regret that offer.’’ Belle spoke with a laugh, before she gave a nod of her head, pausing as they stood together on the street, waiting for him to turn around so she could climb on his back. 

Robbie just grinned at his wife, loving when they could just joke together like that. Money was something he’d never had to worry about, but he was more conscious of these days thanks to Belle. In the sense that he was more giving, more open with understanding and sharing in his blessings. He’d always contributed at charity auctions but it was different now, and as a person he had grown so much thanks to her influence.

There was a part of him that knew that giving her a piggy back wasn’t his smartest idea simply because he wasn’t as strong or as fit as he could be but a few blocks he could do if he had to. They could stop off and sit with their food to give him a rest at least. So when she accepted his offer he laughed quietly, humming briefly. “If worst comes to worst we can swap shoes and you can carry me.” She was probably stronger, or at least had better endurance than him. Yoga and that hellish experience giving birth was proof enough.

He did shift his position though, squatting a little and adjusting his arms so he could hold her legs when she had them around him so he could carry her. It was ridiculous, but he’d do it for her, and it was oddly sweet and fun amidst the slight insanity to it all.