#fandomas 2017

Belle froze. His lack of response made her fear the worst, that his body’s reaction wasn’t at all about her and that she was perhaps taking advantage. The thought made her sick.

“I’m - I’m sorry, I -” she stammered as she started to move away. Her plan was to escape to the library and pretend the entire thing had never happened, but then his arm tightened around her, holding her in place.

“Oh, Belle,” he sighed, pushing his nose in her curls. He lifted his head to speak softly in her ear. “If you can’t tell -”

“I thought -” She interrupted him and laid her arm over his, rubbing his skin. “I mean I didn’t want to presume.”

Gold exhaled, feeling at least a modicum of relief that his attentions weren’t entirely one sided. “Presume,” he said, smiling. “Assume. Suppose. Infer. Surmise.”

Belle giggled and bit her lip. “Sounds like someone is ready for another round of Scrabble.”

He snorted lightly and shook his head, shifting his hips and delighting in the way she gasped and clawed at his forearm. “More than ready for something.”

She shifted then, and turned over, the brevity of the moment fading to something more significant and serious. Her hand came up to his shoulder, drawing him close until their foreheads were touching, her warm breath ghosting over his lips.

For a long moment, there was a cosy, comfortable silence between them. The he felt her move closer, trying to press her body to his, her arms going around his neck as she held him. He allowed himself to close his eyes, dipping his head and burying his face in the puddle of hair at her shoulder as he returned her embrace, his hand pressed against the small of her back.

He had longed for her touch in the months since she had come to work for him, taking small delight in the briefest brushes of her fingers over his arm or his hand. The warmth of her body was comforting and welcome, and he tried not to think about how long it had been since he had touched another person this way.

“I want you,” she said quietly. Her nose stroked along his, and then down to the dip above his upper lip.

“Me too,” he managed, fighting against the lump in his throat that wanted to keep him mute.

She pulled back to look at him, the firelight dancing in her eyes, and then drew him in again, slowly, almost painstakingly so. Her intent was clear, but she wanted to give him time to pull away should he wish to. His mind raced as he felt her lean closer, and his tongue flicked over his lips in anticipation. He had never wanted anything as much as he wanted to kiss her right now, and he only hoped that he wouldn’t disappoint her, or -

She interrupted his dangerous train of thought with her lips, pressing them softly to his. His body felt paralysed at first, but then she sighed and felt himself give in as her hands move from his neck to his hair. He brought his to her waist, tentatively, bunching the silk in his fingers, fitting his palm against her curves. She was so warm, so alive, and he couldn’t believe she wanted him.

Belle gasped against his mouth and her hand tugged lightly on his hair as she returned his kiss hungrily. His tongue slipped into her mouth, gently stroking and probing until he found the places that made her whimper and scrape her nails against his scalp. She lifted her leg and hooked it over his, trying to pull him closer, and a moan rumbled through him.

“Belle,” he breathed, breaking the kiss. “Are you sure this is -?”

She grabbed a handful of his t-shirt and pulled him to her, kissing him hard. “Yes,” she answered firmly, pushing on his chest until he rolled onto his back. She followed after him, pulling the blanket with her, and moving to straddle his hips. She found his mouth again, and he let his fingers slip up under the hem of the pajama shirt to touch the skin above her waistband.

She grinned and adjusted herself so she was over the hard ridge of his cock. “Oh,” she gasped, shifting and rubbing her silk covered sex against him. His fingers tightened on her waist, pulling at the material.

Gold pushed himself up to a sitting position, and then moved until he was propped up by the headboard. Belle followed, scooting up until she was in his lap. He kissed her cheek, her jaw, and down the side of her neck, pulling at the sensitive skin with his lips and nipping at it with his teeth as she gasped and arched into him. Her hand plunged into his hair again, gripping it tightly and directing him where she wanted him to go, down down until he was stopped by the neckline of her top. Before he could ponder pulling it off her, she pulled him back up to her mouth, kissing him with wet lips and an urgent tongue.

They were both panting when they finally stopped, and he gazed up at her in awe. The fire illuminated her perfectly, glowing around the edges of her like a holy light. Her hair fell soft over her shoulders in long curls, messy from his hands, and he could not remember ever seeing anything as beautiful.

He must have said it out loud, because the smile she gave him was bright but shy.

“You are too,” she said softly, her hands coming up to cradle his face, her thumbs sweeping over his cheeks slowly.

She’d always thought he was handsome, but now, rumpled and debauched beneath her, his hair wild from her hands and his mouth wet from her kisses, he was beautiful. He looked up at her like he couldn’t believe she existed, like she was a goddess blessing him with her presence. She’d never felt so powerful or desired, and it made her shiver.

His eyes fluttered closed as she bent to press a long, tender kiss to his forehead. He angled his head up to kiss her again, but she pulled away, just enough to be able to look him in the eyes. Her fingertips traced the edge of his jaw and then down his neck to the sliver of bare skin just above his shirt.

“I want you,” he whispered. “So much, Belle.”

The tension left his body as she smiled down at him, her teeth pressed teasingly against her bottom lip. His hands started to roam, sliding down to grip her thighs, then up again until his fingertips were just at the hem of her shirt. He looked up at her, meeting her dark gaze as he inched his fingers higher. Her legs shifted, parting just a bit more in silent invitation to keep going.

Her nipples tightened again as she let the sheet and blanket fall back, exposing them to the cooler air of the room. The taut buds pushed against the silk top, visible even in the low light. He reached up and brushed his right thumb across her nipple, back and forth, feeling it harden further under his touch. He kept the pressure of his finger gentle, and she squirmed above him, seeking friction for the ache between her legs.

His other hand moved to her back, holding her still as he brought his mouth to her breast, sucking at her through the silk, leaving it damp from his tongue and sticking to her skin. She arched and moaned, the sensation making her squeeze him with her thighs.

Gold pulled back and she immediately lifted her arms, helping him to lift the shirt over her head. The gasp he let out at the sight of her bare chest sent a frisson of pleasure through her. She'd always been a bit insecure about her breasts, but he seemed more than happy with what he saw. Her previous lovers hadn't spent much effort on that part of her, or on foreplay for that matter, but Gold was lingering and teasing, using his teeth and lips to drive her mad. Holding her nipple between his lips, he put his hand between her legs, and used his fingers to gently stroke her through the damp fabric.

“So wet,” he mumbled, lips brushing her nipple as he spoke. “All for me?”

Belle keened. “Yes, god, yes.”

She shuddered as he ran a finger back and forth through her slit several times, slowly spreading her juices, the silk getting so wet it clung to her folds. He bit down on her nipple, not hard but enough to make her squeak in surprise, the slight pain rippling through her straight to her core. Then he massaged the tender bud with his tongue, drawing out another gasping moan. His mouth moved back to her other breast, and he nibbled that one too, and she made a low whining noise behind her closed lips, breathing hard and shutting her eyes. She pushed her hips forward, grinding against his palm, trying to get more stimulation.

Gold moaned against her skin, kissing his way up the side of her neck. He could feel how swollen she was, her pussy hot and ready to be filled, and he ached to be inside her. He pushed his fingers into the wet silk, feeling the outline of her slit, dragging them over and up the front of her mound. She cried out when he found her clit, and he stroked the little nub lightly, watching her body move, rhythmically thrusting into his hand. Warmth spread through him like fire as he rubbed her through the cloth, his other hand coming up to squeeze her breast. It was getting damp between his legs as well, his cock twitching with every movement she made and leaking into his pajamas.

He tried to remove her pants, but she was intent on staying right where she was until she came. The glide of the fabric over her sensitive skin was too good and his fingers were doing all the right things. One of her hands moved from his shoulder to tangle in his hair, the other clawed at his shirt to steady herself. He moved his thumb in a slow, circular motion, and she rolled her hips, the wet silk giving her even more friction. Her legs ached, her cunt throbbed, but the only thing she cared about was the white hot pleasure building in her core. She was so close, but she needed more, something inside her to fill the burning need, and she swore.

“What do you need?” he asked, licking at her breast with the flat of his tongue. “Tell me, sweetheart.”

She bit her lip and let her head fall back. “Oh - fuck - more, please - inside me!”

Pushing her pajamas down as far as he could, his thumb returning to her clit as a finger pushed slowly inside her. Her eyes closed again, and she fell forward, her forehead against his. He wanted to close his eyes too, to lose himself in the moment and revel in her warmth, in the way she felt in his hands. But he needed to see her face when he made her come in case he was never this lucky again.

Belle was gasping, almost uncontrollably, and riding his hand with abandon. He pushed a second finger inside her and she nearly screamed. Her body was warm all over, flushed and blushing, her pussy clenching around his fingers as he slid them in and out. He was whispering nonsense to her, telling her how good she felt, how amazing she was, and for once she believed it, felt it in her heart as her orgasm shook her body.

Gold groaned as she came around his fingers, and he pressed an open-mouthed kiss to her throat as her body gave up and gushed over his hand. She grabbed at his shirt, bunching the fabric, and brought her head down to look at him, her hair falling like a veil around her face as the feverish blue of her eyes met his gaze.

Gold was mesmerized by the way she looked, her eyes glazed, mouth hanging open, panting and whimpering as she worked herself against his hand, drawing out her pleasure. It was a sight he hoped to remember for the rest of his days, and he knew then that he was completely in love with her and utterly lost.

“Beautiful,” he whispered.

She laughed breathlessly before throwing her head back with a shudder. He removed his hand and let her watch as he licked her essence from his fingers, groaning at the sweet taste. His other hand came up to her hair, pulling her down for a kiss. She moaned into his mouth tasting herself on his tongue as her hands moved down his chest, pausing at the waistband of his pajamas, and then lower, cupping him through the silk. He broke the kiss and sucked in a breath, his eyes not leaving hers as she reached in to stroke him lightly.

Her fingers on his heated flesh were almost enough to undo him right then and there, making him feel like a fumbling teenager. He swallowed and shook his head, clearing the fog of lust long enough to remember that they needed to be practical and safe. “I - I don’t have any, um, I mean -’

She stopped him with a kiss and shook her head, smiling. “Protection?” He nodded, looking away and avoiding her eyes. “It’s alright,” she said, drawing her hand up his length. Her fingers tugged and pulled, sliding over the soft, velvety skin until his eyes found hers again. “I, um, I’m on the pill.”

He could only manage a nod, and watched as she lifted herself off his lap. She sat back on the bed, and worked her pajamas down her legs, baring herself fully to his gaze. He licked his lips, imagining what it might be like to taste her, to put his mouth on her pussy and work her into another frenzy. He wanted to make her scream like that and pull his hair, to have his face covered in her, smelling and tasting her everywhere.

“Do you need help?” she asked, shifting to straddle him again. She smirked at him and tugged his shirt over his head, his arms lifting and lowering automatically. Then pulled she at his pajamas, stopping and giving him a look until he shook himself and finally lifted his hips, helping her push them down.

He braced for some kind of reaction to his nakedness, a wince or a frown when her eyes found his twisted ankle and scarred knee. It was something he’d seen before from his ex wife, Milah, and a later an almost bigger mistake named Cora. But none of that came. His gaze drifted up her body as she knelt beside him, until he met her eyes. They were soft and dark, her lips parted as she breathed deep and steady. She licked her lips, and he swallowed as her eyelids lowered, looking very much like she wanted to devour him.

He was certain he’d let her.

Belle reached for him, her hands running up his legs from knees to hips as she straddled him again. Then she took his cock in hand, wrapping her delicate fingers around the shaft and guiding him between her folds. She pressed him against her entrance, letting the head rest there for a moment before she eased herself down, slowly. The burning ache that made her scream to be filled only increased as she stretched to accommodate him, and she let out a sharp gasp as he finally slipped inside.

They were both breathing hard, and he gripped her thighs tightly, squeezing his eyes shut. She was so soft and wet and warm, her pussy fluttering around him, pulling at him like her body couldn’t get enough. It took every bit of his self-control left to not come right then. He looked up when he heard her exhale sharply, her hips shifting as she dropped down a little more, taking all of him. There was a hint of discomfort on her face, and his hand immediately reached up to her cheek, meeting her eyes, but she smiled and covered it with hers.

She let her eyes close and then open again, her body adjusting and the brief pain subsiding to a hot throbbing need. “Been a while,” she said, wiggling her hips.

Gold managed a quiet chuckle, not wanting to think about how it had probably been twice as long for him as her. “Yeah,” he nodded. “Me too.”

His hands moved to her hips as she kissed him as she started to move, her hands braced on his shoulders. Slowly, almost agonizingly so, she rolled her hips, letting his cock slip almost all the way out before it went back in. It wrenched a loud groan from him, and she spread her knees to take him deeper, biting her lip when he bottomed out inside her.

“Callum,” she gasped. “Oh, fuck that’s -”

He couldn’t remember how long it had been since he’d heard his name that way, or if he ever had, and he felt his control slipping. His hips bucked, and she cried out, and he feared he might have hurt her. She shook her head and took one of his hands in hers, raising it to her mouth to kiss his palm.

“I won’t break,” she said, grinning down at him as brought his hand to her breast. He tweaked her nipple, sending a jolt of pleasure through her that made her arch her back, her body begging for more.

“Fuck me,” she pleaded. Her steady thrusting faltered for a moment as his fingers pulled and pinched.

Her words broke any semblance of will he had left. He moved against her, lifting his hips as she rocked forward, meeting her thrust for thrust, harder and harder as he lost himself in her. His eyes didn’t leave hers as their rhythm sped up, their voices melting together in a symphony of moans and gasps and unintelligible curses.

She cried out as her eyes closed, pressing her hand to his chest, while the other laced with his, gripping him tight. “Cal - um - oh fuck!”

Gold had never heard such words from her before, but he reveled in it now, loving that he could push her to the edge like this. He pulled her down to his chest and planted his feet on the bed to give him more leverage.

Belle cried out again as he thrust hard, bouncing her against him, his lower abdomen rubbing against her still sensitive clit. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, squeezing his eyes shut, and she felt her pussy tighten again. Everything was sharper this time, her breath coming in gasps as her second orgasm approached faster and more intense than the first.

A tight ball of heat built up in his belly, ready to burst any moment. “Belle, I’m – I can’t –” he pants, vaguely aware of her voice answering him.

“Yes!” she gasped, snapping her hips faster. “Gonna - oh!”

She clamped down hard on his cock, a strangled scream escaping from her throat as her orgasm hit like a wave slamming down on the shore. A second later, he grunted and then let out a long, low moan as he came apart inside her, pumping into her as he felt the hot gush of their fluids dripping out of her.

She kissed his forehead, his temple, his brow, and he rolled his hips, sending a few hard jolts through her and dragging out her pleasure until she was quivering in his arms. She flopped against him, panting and sweating.

For a time, the crack of the fire and their heavy breathing were the only sounds, and he was content to leave it as it was and hope that maybe in the morning she wouldn’t have any regrets.

“That was -” she started, then paused to swallow. She desperately needed a drink of water.

“Yeah,” he breathed, sighing as she stretched and rolled to the side.

His cock slipped out of her and he hissed as the cooler room air hit his hypersensitive skin. He bent and reached for the edge of the blanket, pulling it up over them. She laid her head on his chest, her arm wrapped around him and her leg over his, trying to be as close as possible. Her lips pressed together, trying to hold in the emotions that were too close to the surface. She told herself it was too soon. Just because she had fallen in love with him, didn’t mean he felt the same. This was just sex and -

“I love you,” Gold blurted. His body tensed and he closed his eyes, cursing himself as he waited for the inevitable disappointment. She’d probably run now, happily venture out into the storm to get away from his unreciprocated feelings. But there was no stopping now as the words tumbled out.

Belle’s breath caught and her eyes went wide. She lifted her head to see his face as he spoke, but his eyes stayed fixed on the ceiling.

“I miss you when you’re not here,” he continued. “Everyday I think about asking you to stay for dinner, or to out go to dinner. I wake up in the morning thinking of you, wishing you were here.” He paused again, closing his eyes so he wouldn’t see the horror on her face. “I - I know you don’t -”

“I love you too.”

He blinked and turned to look at her. “Wh-wha -? You - you do?”

She nodded and bit her lip, her hand coming up to trace the side of his face and down along his jaw with her fingertips. “I - I think I have for a long time. So long that I don’t even know when it happened.”

Her words made him feel light, made everything that had happened this evening seem even more like a dream. Except she was here, she was in his bed and his arms, and she loved him. He grinned and reached up, sliding his fingers in her hair and pulling her down for a kiss.

“Guess it’s a good thing it snowed,” she said, later after they’d taken some time to clean up and find fresh pajamas.

Gold tossed another log on the fire and then climbed into bed, snuggling up behind her. His arm wrapped around her and his nose breathed in the scent of her hair. “Indeed.” Then he smiled. “I could have done without getting my arse kicked at Scrabble though.”

Belle snorted and swatted at his arm. “Twice.”

He grumbled and kissed her shoulder. “And at gin rummy.”

She laughed softly and wiggled down under the covers. The motion had her rubbing her backside against his groin again, and she bit her lip when she felt him stirring. She wasn’t sure her body was ready for more, but there was plenty of other things they could do.

“Admit it,” she teased, “it was all part of your plan to get me to stay.”

One Tuesday afternoon, he was in the kitchen making tea and grousing about one of his tenants. He muttered a rather snide quip, and Belle couldn’t help herself. She snickered and he gave her the strangest look right before his face broke out in a wide smile. Her heart fluttered and she knew she was blushing, but then the water for the pasta boiled over on the stove and it was a mad dash to turn the flame down and grab a rag. She felt like a fool, but he insisted on helping to clean it up, and that it was his fault for distracting her at the wrong time.

After that seemingly small moment it was like a switch had been flipped. He was less rude, more friendly, and slowly, they warmed to each other. He was frequently in the kitchen when Belle arrived in the morning, ready with a fresh cup of coffee. After a few days she didn’t even need to add her own cream and sugar, it was already done perfectly. Occasionally, he would bring his papers into the kitchen while she prepared supper, and they would chat about the goings on of their small town, where they’d like to travel, or what books they were reading.

That was how Gold found out she’d originally been a librarian. Unfortunately there were very few such opportunities in this area. Sure, she could have gone to a bigger city, but she’d lived in Boston for a bit before moving to Storybrooke, and barely gotten by on a public library salary even with two roommates. Besides, her father lived here, and she thought it would be nice to be close to him since he was getting on in years, and a few months ago was confided to the care home run by the Sisters of Mercy.

Belle found him quite interesting and funny, his sharp humor meshing well with her brand of eye rolling sarcasm. As the months went on, she found the weekends held no real interest for her beyond a few hours of reading while she was waiting for her laundry to finish. By the end of the summer she could say with great certainty, and to odd stares from her friends, that she loved working for Mr. Gold.

And secretly, maybe she was a bit in love with him too.

Belle walked down the hall to the study, and stopped in the doorway. She watched for a moment as Gold scribbled a note in the margin of some papers, his lips pursing as he did so. It was something he did when he was intent on whatever he was reading or writing. Sometimes his lips would move a little as well, like they were almost saying the words he was thinking in his head. She bit her lip to hold back a smile, and then rapped her knuckles on the molding.

“Mr. Gold?” she called out as she stepped into the room.

“Miss French.” Gold looked up and then frowned. “I thought you’d gone home?”

She smiled. “I wanted to make sure you didn’t need anything else before I left.”

He waved and hand, and pushed to his feet, using his cane to brace himself, and came around the side of the desk. “I’m sure I’ll be fine, thank you.”

“Alright then,” she replied, her fingers bunching the pleats of her skirt.

Gold smiled softly. Belle was the bright light in his otherwise dull existence. He’d been so uncertain when he hired her, but she had proven herself capable very quickly. Their slightly rocky start aside, which was entirely his fault for being grumpy, miserly old man too set in his ways, she slotted right into his household and his life like she was always meant to be there.

That was what terrified him.

Some time ago he’d determined that the odd feeling he got when she brushed past him, and the way his chest felt lighter when she smiled was because he was completely in love with her. It was just his luck that he would fall for someone so out of his reach, so young and smart and beautiful that there was no way she’d ever feel the same for him. He couldn’t possibly deserve her, not with the things he’d done.

“Dinner is in the oven,” she started, “the timer has about ten minutes left on it, and the mail is in the box on the side table.”

He shook his head, standing with both of his hands on the handle of his cane. “Thank you, Miss French. I’m sure -”

Suddenly, the room went dark and they both froze. Belle held her breath until a second later the backup generator kicked in, powering one of the lamps in the room.

“What the hell?” Gold made a face and crossed to the window behind his desk.

“The neighbors are out too,” she said, peeking through the curtains. “Maybe a power line iced up or someone hit a telephone pole?”

The snow seemed to be falling faster now, the flakes shrinking in size which allowed the wind to whip them about even more. After a long moment staring out the windows, Belle closed the curtains and turned around.

“I should get going,” she said. “The roads will be awful soon, and -”

Gold stepped back and tsked. “The roads were awful an hour ago, now their bloody treacherous.”

She bit her lip. “Oh, I’m sure they’re not -

“If you say they’re not that bad,” he interrupted, “I’ll have you committed.” She frowned, and he gave her a crooked smile. “I’m not making you go out in a blizzard, Miss French.”

Belle crossed her arms and shifted from one foot to the other. “You...want me to stay here then?”

His eyes went wide and he pressed his lips together. He’d been concerned for her safety that he hadn’t quite thought through the consequences, which was that he’d be spending possibly the entire evening snowed in with Belle French.

He swallowed. “If, uh, if - that’s alright? There’s plenty of food, and the generator will hold for a couple of hours. I’m sure the power won’t be out too long. Perhaps by then the snow will have let up.”

She smiled and nodded. “Alright then. Thank you, Mr. Gold.”

“It’s no matter,” he said, averting his eyes. If he gazed at her too long he might make a complete idiot of himself.

Secretly, Belle was glad he was so concerned for her safety, and she was more than happy to stay a little bit longer. The power company would probably have crews out shortly and it would be back on in an hour at most.

Gold tapped his cane on the rug. “I guess - uh, I’ll start a fire.”

“And I’ll go find some candles,” Belle said, pulling her phone out of her pocket.

She used the light from the screen to guide her down the dark hallway, returning a few minutes later with the two large candelabras from the dining room. One was set on his desk, the other on the table at the end of the leather sofa. Combined with the large candles on the mantle and the burgeoning fire, the room was soon lit with a warm, golden glow.

“The back of the house is freezing,” Belle said, rubbing her hands together.

“The generator will keep the heat going,” he said, proding the fire to urge the flames higher. “But I’m afraid this house is a drafty old thing, and I have the vents closed in some of the rooms.”

She frowned. “Why?”

“No reason to use them, I guess.” He shrugged. “You don’t need so much space when it’s just one person.”

“Oh,” she said absently, wandering over to the window to peer out at the snow. She knew he had a son from a couple of pictures on his desk, but he never talked about him and the pictures were clearly from a decade ago or more. She assumed something had happened between them that left them estranged. At least she hoped that’s what it was.

Gold glanced over his shoulder. “Not how you imagined spending your evening?”

Belle tilted her head and moved closer to the fire. “No, but aside from the lack of electricity and some modern conveniences, I can’t say I mind too much.”

He smiled at that and pushed to his feet. “I hope dinner isn’t ruined.”

She shook her head. “Not at all. It was practically done anyway and the oven’s still hot. I’m sure it’s fine.”

“The generator only runs the stove at the refrigerator, I’m afraid. We’ll need to take some candles with us.”

“A candlelit dinner?” she asked, feigning a heavy sigh and pressing the back of her hand to her forehead.

The corner of his mouth curved slightly. The prospect of an evening with Belle, even with minimal power and a blizzard outside, was enticing. He hoped the power would stay off as long as possible. “What a terrible fate.”

Belle laughed lightly, her heart skipping a beat at the thought of an intimate dinner with Mr. Gold. “Truly awful indeed.”

Mr. Gold huffed. “He was careless and irresponsible is what happened.”

He looked up at his father and then back at Belle, sighing. “I was sledding down the big hill by the school, and, uh, I got too close to one of the trees and, um, kinda wiped out.”

“And you’re lucky it wasn’t worse,” Gold muttered.

“I see,” Belle said, glanced up at Gold and giving him a stern look. Then she stood briefly and shifted to sit on the edge of the bed, turning to face Baeden. “Do you mind if I look at your wrist?”

The boy shook his head and extended his arm carefully, wincing as it stretched.

She probed the tissues with her fingertips, being as gentle as possible, stopping after Bae hissed in pain. “Okay, okay,” she said soothingly. “Can you move it this way?”

She demonstrated the motion she wanted him to make and he repeated it as best he could, pulling a face when it hurt too much.

“I don’t think it’s broken,” she said, picking up the chart and pulling her pen from the pocket of her lab coat. “But I’m going to order an x-ray to be sure. There’s two patients ahead of you right now, so it might be a little bit before they come get you. Do you need anything before I go?”

Bae shook his head and went back to holding his arm gingerly.

“Something to read?” she offered as she stood. “I think Dr. Whale left a couple of his Spiderman comics in the breakroom. I’m sure he won’t mind.”

Bae lit at that and nodded. “Yeah, cool.”

Her eyes went to Mr. Gold again, who was staring rather pensively at the floor and twisting his cane back and forth. She knew the Golds a little bit, enough to say hello at Granny’s and make small talk, and she’d heard of Mr. Gold plenty since moving to town a few months ago. Of course her house was rented from Gold, but neither had been a patient of hers until now.

“How about you?” she asked, looking at Gold. “A cup of coffee, the newspaper, or a book while you wait?”

“Is this a hospital or a library?” he snapped, his lip pulling back until she could see the shine of his gold tooth. “Just order the damn test.”

She frowned and squared her shoulders. “Well, too bad there’s no treatment for rudeness.”

His mouth open again to say something else, but he thought better of it and settled for clenching his jaw.

With a smile for Bae and a glare for his father, Belle left. She entered the x-ray order, and asked one of the nurses to fetch the comic books from the break room. When she was done adding her notes to Bae’s chart, she leaned on the counter at the nurses station and rubbed her eyes. She was nine hours into her twelve hour urgent care shift and greatly looking forward to a long soak in her bathtub. After the previous day of screaming children and parents insisting they needed antibiotics for the common cold, she’d decided this was the last time she was covering for Whale.

A moment later, she heard the metallic scrape of the curtain being pushed aside and looked up to see Mr. Gold coming towards her.

“Need something Mr. Gold?” she asked, crossing her arms and giving him a blank, nonplussed stare.

His lips twisted and then he sighed. “I’m sorry,” he said. “About - about back there. It’s just that - he’s my son, and -” He stopped and exhaled, giving her a plaintive look. “It's the first time he's been seriously injured.”

Belle saw his eyes brighten, and then he blinked and looked away. “It’s alright, Mr. Gold. Parents are always a bit stressed when their child is hurting or sick.”

“I know, but that is no reason to take it out on you, or anyone else.” His face softened and he gave her a small smile. “You were right to call me on it, I was being rude.”

She smiled. “It’s okay, I’ve had worse.”

He chuckled at that. “And I imagine you were just as brave in front of them.”

Her face flushed she looked away for a moment, flipping the chart closed. “Oh, I hardly think telling off a snippy parent is being all that brave.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ve heard plenty about me to know I can be more than snippy.”

Belle looked at him and shook her head. She had to admit that she’d been strangely intrigued by the stories some people told about him. He was either a wealthy eccentric or a lying bastard depending on who you asked, but his interactions with his son always seemed very sweet and loving. Even though he was a bit grumpy and snappish, she could tell it was only out of stress and concern for his son. He even looked rather handsome just now, with the small half smile on his face and his silver streaked hair falling in his eyes. It was quite a sudden and surprising thought.

The town seemed to have decided for themselves what kind of person he was based solely on the fact that he owned the places they lived and they didn’t like it, or that he dealt with them according to the details of contracts they agreed to and then didn’t want to follow. She supposed he could probably be all the things they said and more, but people like that didn’t usually apologize for their behavior, or think she was brave for standing up to them.

“I think,” she said, giving him a coy smile, “that’s something you might want to get a second opinion on.”

Gold’s eyebrows lifted. “I’ll, uh, consider that, Dr. French,” he said, and then he gave her a small nod and went back to his son’s bedside.

Three hours, and several promises that it would be just a little bit longer, later, Belle was handing Mr. Gold his son’s discharge papers and care instructions for a very sprained wrist.

“Ice it for thirty minutes every three to four hours, ibuprofen and rest it for at least the next two days,” she said, double checking the wrap on the young boy’s wrist. It was a bold blue color which had at least made him smile through the process. “I don’t want to see you without this wrap for the next week, okay?”

Baeden nodded solemnly.

“I’m giving you a sling as well,” she added. “And a note for school in case you need it.”

Mr. Gold smiled and took the school form from her and folded it before putting it in his jacket pocket. “Believe it or not, he’ll actually be sad to sit out gym class.”

Bae looked at them both and sighed. “We’re supposed to play dodgeball in the gym next week too.”

“I’m sure there will be other games,” Belle said, giving his shoulder a little squeeze. Then she looked at Gold. “I’d like to see him in ten days, so I can track how he’s healing, and see if we still need the wrap.”

Gold nodded. “Thank you. I’ll call the office and make an appointment.”

She walked them to the waiting room, and said goodbye, feeling a little disappointed that they were leaving. Oddly, Gold and his son had been the bright spot in her day, and she looked forward to seeing them for Bae’s follow up appointment. She might even keep Whale’s comics and let the boy have them. Victor could easily buy more, and besides, he’d left them sitting in the break room unattended while he went skiiing.

“Dr. French,” Gold called out.

She turned around and saw Bae standing by the row of chairs in the waiting room, grinning, and then looked at Gold. “Yes, Mr. Gold?”

“I, um, I was thinking that I might take you up on that cup of coffee after all.”

Belle frowned. “Oh, um, okay, I’ll be a minute -”

“No, no,” he said, covering the space between them in three long strides.

She thought he was strangely graceful and elegant with his cane.

“I mean, uh, maybe we could - could have coffee sometime?”

His face was open and hopeful, and she bit her lip. Mr. Gold was - oh.

“I’m sorry,” he said quickly, shaking his head. “That was -”

“No!” She reached out and touched his arm to stop him. “No, that’s - I’d like that.”

Gold swallowed. “Granny’s?” She nodded. “Tomorrow?”

Belle nodded again. “My shift starts here at three, so, before that. Two o’clock?”

His lips parted and his tongue touched his bottom lip briefly as he twisted his cane against the floor. “It’s, uh, it’s a date then.”

“A date,” she said softly, and Gold smiled.

She watched him walk back to Bae’s side, where the boy leaned in and asked him something. He looked back at her briefly, still grinning, and then nodded to his son.

He smiled ruefully. “I’m not sure everyone else feels the same, including me, but thank you.”

Her head tilted and she handed him a cup of punch. “You know if you came to these kinds of things more often, people’s opinion of you might change.”

Gold scoffed. “I sincerely hope not.” He sipped at the punch and coughed a bit as the taste of rum and fruity punch hit his tongue.

Belle giggled softly and raised her eyebrows at him over the rim of her own cup. “I may have added a little something extra to our cups.”

He licked his lips and grinned, taking another drink. “I may need it to get through the rest of this night.”

“Oh, I don’t think it will be that bad,” she said, nudging his side gently. “The food’s good at least, especially those cheese filled mini quiche cups.”

Gold hummed in agreement, watching as Ms. Lucas brought out another two trays. He couldn’t really counter that statement. Martha Lucas may run a small town diner, but she could cook well enough. The burgers were quite good, and though he’d admit it to no one, those little quiches Belle spoke of were addicting.

Belle French herself was also quite addicting, which was why he was here in the first place. She’d been in his shop earlier in the week, as she often was when her shift at the library was over, and she’d asked if he was attending. When he’d scoffed at the idea, she’d seemed disappointed, and he found himself helpless in the sight of her pout.

“You know,” Belle said, leaning in as her voice lowered, “we could steal one of those trays and split it.”

“I think someone might notice,” he said with a chuckle. The sweet floral scent of her perfume invaded his senses, a smell which had been torturing him for months. “We could escape and head back to your shop?” she offered.

Her lips twitched in amusement, and he caught himself gazing at her entirely too long. He imagined the two of them hurrying across the street, chased by Granny’s angry voice, and laughing as the snow fell around them. He’d have to pause before he unlocked the shop door, momentarily lost in the beauty of her rosy cheeks and the sparkle of the flakes caught in her delicate eyelashes.

The shop would be warm and cozy in the back, where he would light the old wood burning stove he’d repurposed from his cabin. They’d drink from the stash of whiskey he kept in a cabinet for late nights reviewing his ledgers or to alleviate his more morose days. She’d probably insist on something ridiculous like using one of the ornate tea sets to sip it, and he’d let her because everything about her was utterly charming. He kept warm blankets folded on the cot, which would be perfect for the two of them to sit on, the pilfered tray of food between them, until their bellies were full. Naturally, they’d drift closer, warmed by the alcohol and the spirit of the season, sharing a blanket. Perhaps the whiskey would make him brave enough to -

“Kiss or get the hell out,” Leyro grumbled as he pushed past them.

“Excuse me?” Gold snapped, spinning on his heel and glaring at Leroy. Beside him, Belle nearly dropped her punch.

Leroy stopped and fixed Gold with a look before his eyes drifted up to the top of doorway. Gold and Belle looked up as well, both of them taking a step back when they spied the mistletoe above their heads. Leroy shrugged at them with a smirky grin, and then stepped into the men’s washroom.

The thud from the door closing seemed especially loud in the moment. Gold blinked at the offending weed dangling over him, and then looked down at Belle. Her eyes were wide, and when she caught him staring at her, her lips curved.

“Well?” she said, twisting her body one way and then the other, making the skirt of her green dress flare out over her knees. Gold’s brow furrowed, and she bit her lip. “You heard the man…”

He barely had a moment to blink before her mouth was on his, firm and warm and pulling at his lips. Her hands slid up the lapels of his jacket as his settled at her waist, and he made a noise when she licked the fruity flavor of the punch from him. There was a noise in the dining room, the sound of something breaking, followed immediately by a thump as the bathroom door opened and closed.

The kiss broke as Leroy moved past them again, muttering finally under his breath.

Gold smiled down at Belle, who slid her arms up and circled his neck. “So,” he said softly, sparing only a quick glance towards the rest of the diner where it seemed everyone was looking at them without trying to be caught doing so. “I suppose now we should get the hell out?”

“Sorry.” Belle bit her lip and gave him a sheepish look. “We can play something else if you like?”

He huffed. “No, it’s - I’m sorry my head’s probably not in the game.” He started gathering up the loose cards and straightening them into a neat stack. “Perhaps everything is just going your way this evening.”

She snorted and laughed. “Oh, I’d hardly say that.”

If it was, she thought, my stupid phone wouldn’t have ruined the moment. The way he’d jumped away from her when it went off and looked so relieved confused her. There had been a connection when she met his eyes, and she felt the way he leaned closer, the way his hand on her back pulled just a little. If her stupid phone hadn’t ruined the moment who knows where it might have lead. To a pile of clothes and blankets on the floor if she was truly getting her way.

Gold split the deck in half and started shuffling. He avoided looking at Belle and kept his eyes trained on the cards as they flipped. They’d been so close, and for that long moment, the way her eyes sparkled, he thought maybe - maybe there was a chance. But she’d said it was good timing, and he knew that he must have read her wrong. Of course she was probably terrified he was going to make some kind of move on her like a bad pick up at a bar. He shook his head and prayed the storm would cease, the lights would come back on, and this torturous evening could be at an end.

“So, is there there’s anything special I should do for the holiday?” she asked. “Anything you want me to prepare?”

He dealt one card and then paused. “Oh, uh, no. Thank you, Miss French.”

She nodded. “Alright then. I just thought, since it was Christmas and all.”

He continued to flip the cards between them. “There’s no need. In fact, I was going to tell you that you can take the entire week off if you like. Christmas through New Years.”

Belle’s mouth opened in surprise. “Oh, I - I, uh - oh. That’s very nice of you, Mr. Gold.”

She frowned as she picked up her cards and sorted them. Gold living alone was a given, that was something everyone seemed to know. But doing nothing for Christmas just seemed so sad. Not that she would be doing anything either, so her hope was that Gold might need something that would give her an excuse to be here instead of in her lonely apartment. She was beginning to realize that she and Mr. Gold had a lot more in common than books and card games and an extensive vocabulary.

“I’m sure you have better things to do,” he said, moving two cards from one side of his hand to another.

She bit her lip and took the upturned card, a two of spades, and slotted it next to the three of spades in her hand. “Actually, I don’t.”

Gold stopped with his hand hovering over the deck and frowned.

“My father,” she continued. “He’s - he’s in the care home. Sisters of Mercy, the one that’s next to the convent?”

He drew a card and his frown deepened. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I had no idea he was that bad.”

She had explained when she started working for him that part of her reason for moving to Storybrooke was her father’s health. But she had never said much about it beyond that. He knew Maurice French only a little, but his impression was generally favorable. He paid his rent on time, and eventually he bought the small building from which he’d run his flower shop. To be frank, he hadn’t noticed that the man wasn’t actually working there anymore. There was no need for him to buy flowers.

Belle sighed and dropped her hands to her lap, folding her cards together. “Most days he barely knows who I am, or that anyone is there at all.” Her lip trembled when Gold met her eyes, and she tried to smile. “Sometimes he’s lucid, and almost like he was before, but - but the other day, he, uh, he called me by my mother’s name.”

Gold winced and set his own cards aside. “I can imagine that was a bit awkward.”

“Yeah.” Her eyebrows lifted and her lips pressed together. “Especially since my mother’s been dead for more than a decade.”

He swallowed and blinked in shock. “Oh, I - I didn’t - Miss French I -”

“Belle,” she interrupted. “Please. We’ve known each other long enough, you should call me Belle.”

The corner of his mouth curved. “Only if you call me Callum.”

“Callum,” she repeated, smiling, and he very much liked the way that sounded coming from her lips.

He reached out and touched her knee through the blanket, giving it a soft squeeze. “I didn’t mean to bring up anything uncomfortable. I’m sorry.”

Belle shook her head and put her hand over his. “No, it’s fine. Really.” Then she sighed. “It was a long time ago, and I’m - I’m over it. But now my father is - and I’m -”

She blew out a breath and then bit her lip, trying to figure out what to say, or what she even really felt. It wasn’t something she had let herself examine too much since coming to Storybrooke. “He’s all I have.”

Her eyes closed and Gold turned his hand over to hold hers without thinking, and smiled softly when she left him. “It’s alright, Belle.”

She gave him a wobbly smile in return and looked down at their hands. “It just feels strange, I guess, knowing that someday, not that far in the future, both my parents will be gone. And I’ll be - I’ll be alone.”

She looked away as she said it, her vision blurring as she blinked away tears. She felt Gold’s fingers squeeze hers and then the sofa dip as he moved closer. Without hesitation, she leaned to the side and rested her head on his shoulder. The draft of cold air from the hallway made her shiver, and together they pulled the blanket higher until they were quite well cocooned. Her thumb started to rub back and forth over his, a small gesture, but quietly intimate.

Gold couldn’t decide if his heart was leaping for joy or breaking for Belle. He knew what it was like to be alone in the world, to be without family. Now perhaps he could at least count her among his very short list of friends, making them both a little less alone.

“My son lives in New York City,” he said, softly. She lifted her head for a moment and looked at him, then settled again. “We - we don’t speak often, and truthfully I’ve done some things in our relationship that I regret. But he’s all I have too.”

“What’s his name?” she asked.

Seeing the shine of unshed tears in his eyes, Belle sent aside her drink and moved closer, until her knees were just shy of touching his leg. She reached for his hand at the same time he reached for hers, clasping their hands together and holding them in her lap.

“Thank you for staying,” she said, giving him a quick squeeze.

He nodded and stared down at their hands. “Thank you for letting me.” Then he sighed. “I know I shouldn't have come, but -”

He was interrupted by Belle’s lips pressing against his. The kiss was firm at first, but then she moved back and tilted her head, catching his bottom lip in hers and pulling softly. The angle was a bit awkward, as she was sitting next to him, but he wouldn’t have stopped her for the world.

She pulled away and leaned her forehead against his, their warm breath mingling in the small space between them.

“Jack, I - I’m - ”

He kissed her the same as she had done to him, stopping her words abruptly.

“Please don’t say you’re sorry,” he said, breathless. “Please.”

She swallowed and pressed her lips together. “I am sorry, though. For all of it.” Then she shook her head. “I said things, and - and I don’t know how to take them back.”

Belle blinked, sending tears trickling down her cheeks. Gold caught them with his thumb and swept them away before pulling her to him. She went willingly, and shifted into his lap, laying her head against his shoulder, her face turned into his neck.

She sniffled and licked her lips, tasting the faint saltiness from her tears. “I’m so sorry.”

His hand started to move up and down her back, and he shook his head. “Don’t, Belle, it was my fault. I didn’t tell you what I was doing, I tried to take care of it myself like I always do.”

She rubbed her nose against his skin and sucked in a shaky breath. “It’s my fault too,” she insisted. “I thought you were up to your old ways, and -” She paused to sniff loudly and wipe at her eyes. “I was stupid to trust my father over you.”

Gold hugged her tight and closed his eyes. “I wanted to be wrong about him, Belle. For your sake and Gideon’s. I wanted things to be different.”

“I know.”

After a long moment, clinging to each other at the far end of the sofa, she blew out a breath and sat up.

“I don’t want to cry anymore, Jack.” She rubbed under her eyes with her fingers, brushing away the last of her tears as she stood. There was a peace in her now, and a firm resolution. If they had a way forward it started here and now, but only if they were both willing to put aside the past and try again.

“I’m done with it, with all of it.”

Gold nodded and swallowed, staring at her back as she faced the fireplace. He knew this would be it then, his last moments with his family. At least they were good ones, ones that he could use to sustain him through the dark times he knew were ahead. Loneliness had made a monster of him before, and it would again.

He pushed to his feet, leaning on his cane, his voice soft and resigned. “I’ll go.”

Belle whirled around, wide eyed. “Why?”

He blinked. “I thought -? You said -”

She crossed to him in two quick strides and kissed him again. He gasped, and her tongue pushed at his lips, seeking entrance. He opened his mouth and her tongue slid over his, pulling a small noise of surprise from the back of his throat. Her fingers slid in his hair, nails scraping his scalp, and he growled into her mouth before hauling her against him. His hands roamed, reacquainting himself with her curves while his mouth sought the places that always drove her mad. She grasped at his shirt with one hand and moaned. He drew out all the little sounds he’d missed for so many months, and dared to let his heart hope this was real.

When he pulled back, her mouth hung open and her eyes were dark and wide. They stood for a few minutes, breathing each other in, not wanting to part just yet.

“We both made mistakes,” she said, her hands sliding down his chest. “And for the same reasons, to protect each other and our family. We just came at it from different sides, and we didn't listen to each other like we should have.”

One of her hands wrapped around his tie, and he arched an eyebrow. She looked up at him with a determination that made his heart skip a beat. “I love you. So don't you dare walk out that door if you feel the same.”

Gold cupped her cheek, brushing over the faint track left by her tears. “Oh, Belle,” he sighed. “I love you too. Of course I do, but I have so much to make up for.”

“We both do,” she insisted.

Then Belle's mouth curved as she glanced over at their sleeping son. “If you like,” she added, meeting her husband's eyes, and tugging on his tie until his lips were just brushing hers. “We can go upstairs and you can start by making me scream your name.”

The sonic went off, and Rose took a step back a split second before everything went white.

After the smoke - or rather haze of flour - cleared, they surveyed the damage. The mixing bowl was half melted into the formica countertop, and what was inside had gone from looking like a proper mixture of butter and sugar to a blackened, gooey mess.

“Well,” Rose said, waving her hand in front of her face and blinking away the sting in her eyes. “That was absolutely useless.”

The Doctor coughed and frowned down at his screwdriver. “Bloody stupid thing,” he spat, tossing the offending instrument down on the counter.

“What the hell?!”

They both turned to find Jackie Tyler standing in the doorway of the kitchen, looking like she was about to exploded even worse than their failed attempt at baking cookies.

“Oi! You!” she hollered, stepping into the room and jabbing a finger towards the Doctor. “Get your arse out of my kitchen! Rose, help me clean up after your boyfriend.”

The Doctor winced and snatched up his jacket, hurrying out of the flat as Jackie continued to hurl some choice words at his back.

Later, after the kitchen and her hair had a good scrub, Rose opened the door of the TARDIS. The console room was empty, but the ship whirred and glowed in greeting. She smiled and ran her fingertips along the controls.

“Where’s he gone then?” she asked the ship. “Off sulking somewhere? Hiding from my mum?”

The lights dimmed briefly and then lit up, and Rose grinned, biting her lip. There weren’t words in her head exactly, just an impression, an image of the Doctor pouting like a petulant child, but looking entirely too endearing while doing so. She made her way out of the console room and down the corridor, her fingers touching the wall lightly as she went.

The ship quietly guided her around two corners and to the end of a long hall that ended in a set of double doors. She smiled and shook her head. Of course the sod would be in the library. It was where he did his best skulking. She pushed open the doors, and crossed the room to the sofa where he was stretched out on his back, staring at the ceiling.

“Did your mother send you to chastise me some more?”

Rose looked down at him, her lips curved in a half smile, and shook her head. “Came to invite you to dinner actually, if you’re not too busy brooding.”

He sighed and reached for her hand, threading his fingers through hers. “‘m sorry.”

She shook her head. “‘S okay. Just, maybe, listen to me next time? Before you go and do something stupid.”

The Doctor huffed, but his lips twitched slightly and she knew he was alright, just nursed a bruised ego from not being the smartest person in the room. She sat down next to him on the edge of the sofa, and he shifted a little bit to give her more space. He wasn’t wearing his jacket, just a soft green jumper. She liked him like this, without all the bluster and armor.

“I just - I wanted to help, I wanted to do something nice.”

Rose lifted his hand to her lips and kissed his knuckles. “For me?”

“And me,” he said quietly. His eyes met hers, steely blue on soft brown, and he sighed. “Never had a proper Christmas. Not a family one. Not -”

She leaned over and kissed him, one hand braced on the back of the couch, the other still holding his, pressing it between their chests. When she pulled back, he followed her, not letting his lips leave hers for more than a second. His free hand slipped into her hair and held the back of her neck, guiding her as he deepened the kiss.

He started to push her back, to lay her out on the sofa, and Rose knew exactly where that would lead if she let him. Breaking the kiss, she pulled away, licking her lips.

“Later,” she said, pushing her tongue against her teeth. “There was only twenty minutes left on the turkey when I came to find you, so come on.”

She stood and he flopped back against the cushions with an exaggerated groan. “Do I really have to suffer through Christmas dinner with Jackie?”

“She’s my mum, so yes,” she said crossing her arms. “She even got you a present.” The Doctor gave her a look that was both alarmed and suspicious, and she laughed. “Besides, you left your sonic in the kitchen, and she might be holding it hostage until you show up.”

He grumbled some more but she could see the smile pulling at his mouth as he got up. “Well, come on, then,” he said, holding out his hand for her to take.

They exited the TARDIS into a light snow and headed back towards the estate building, swinging their hands between them.

“I can probably use the sonic to carve the turkey faster,” he mused.

Rose looked up at the sky and groaned. “Please no more sonic screwdrivers or culinary explosions?”

He huffed and shook his head. “You’re no fun.”

She rolled her eyes and smiled up at him. “I am tons of fun.”

From his darkened corner, he could see across to the gap in the kitchen window curtains. Inside, warm and cozy, were two loves of his life, his beautiful wife and his precious son. This was the time of year he missed them the most, the time when everything should be about family and friends and celebration.

But those times for him were long gone; he’d seen to that through his own actions.

He couldn’t blame Belle for finally having had enough, for doing what she felt was best for her and their child. It didn’t matter if it pushed him to change, to really understand what his wickedness had done to her and their relationship. His family deserved better, and while he was still drawing breath he would do his best to make sure that happened. Whether it was the tiny deposits into her checking account that ensured she always had just enough for whatever was needed, or sneaking through the backyard of his own house to check on them, she could never know that he still lingered in their lives.

It was as much for her and Gideon’s safety as it was for his own benefit. If she caught him, she would probably have him arrested. Even worse, she might move and leave him with no way to know where they were or how to protect them. And without the ability to see them, even from a distance, through weather and darkness and glass.

Sighing, Gold straightened, and moved a little closer, hoping to see just a little bit more, but a loose paving stone rocked under his cane. It scrapped and thudded softly, making him freeze in place. His heart pounded as he waited for Belle to look out the window and see him, but she didn’t seem to notice.

He smiled as she laughed and bent to kiss Gideon’s head, ruffling the boy's hair as she passed by. His eyes started to water and he turned away, making his way back across the yard and out the back gate. Tonight he would stay in his old cabin out by the lake. Tomorrow he would sneak back to the house and maybe catch a glimpse of their Christmas morning. If he couldn't be there with them, he'd at least be there in his heart.

Belle moved around the small island, with Gideon propped on her hip, carrying the mixing bowl to the sink. “There we go, Gid,” she said smiling. “All cleaned up!”

“Want!” Gideon called out, trying to reach over her shoulder for the plate of cookies on the counter. He gave her his best puppy eyes. “Please?”

Her mouth curved and she shook her head. His please sounded more like ‘peas’ but she was not swayed by his cuteness. “Not tonight, sweetheart.”

He pouted and looked ready to throw a fit.

“In the morning,” she said leaning into nuzzle his nose with hers. “It’s Christmas tomorrow, and you can have all the cookies you want okay?”

Gideon sighed leaned his head on her shoulder, blinking sleepily.

“Let’s get you to bed, little man.”

A noise at the window made her stop. She waited by the refrigerator, her ears straining to see if the sound would come again, but it didn't.

“Papa?” Gideon asked, looking up at her.

A sudden pain hit her in the chest and she almost couldn’t breathe. As much as she might want it to be true, it wasn’t. It was probably just an animal or the wind or her imagination. He would never come back, not after everything that had happened between them.

“No, sweetheart,” she said with a sigh, and pressed her lips together to keep them from wibbling. “Bedtime now, okay?”