𝑶𝑪𝑬𝑨𝑵 𝑬𝒀𝑬𝑺 - Rumplestiltskin [1]

FIFTY

50|THE LIBRARY

"Father?" Celeste jumped in fright as she spotted her father waiting outside Mr. Gold's Pawn Shop. "What are you doing here?"

"So you really are still with this monster?" Her father scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest as his eyes darted between the pair.

"Married to him actually." She raised her hand, holding Rumpel back as a emotionless look overtook her face. "And last I checked, you were dying and I was Queen."

"I'm still alive and well so that fake crown of yours can be taken off." John stepped forwards, towering over her to intimidate her.

"You can have your throne and your crown on one condition." Celeste growled, pushing her finger against his chest to move him back. "You leave me the fuck alone."

"Deal." And then he left, shoulders slumped with anger while Celeste just laughed to herself.

"I love when you can handle yourself." Rumpel chuckled, kissing her forehead gingerly. "Here, take my card and go get yourself some coffee."

"You know me too well." She kissed his lips, pulling him close with a grin. "Thank you."

Celeste waved at him before wandering down the street, a skip in her step as she knew her father would not back down from their deal.

"Hello, sexy!" She sang as she burst into Granny's, grinning at her old friend. "The usual."

"Cel, where have you been?" Red chuckled, setting up the machine to make her a sweet coffee. "You keep randomly appearing then disappearing."

"I'm married to the most hated man in town, I'm trying to avoid the pitchforks and flaming brooms." Celeste joked, sitting up at the counter to watch her work. "I'm scared what people might do to me. I'm still me, I'm still innocent old Celeste. Well, debatable on the innocent part."

"Is he a monster?" The waitress winked at her with a smirk. "I mean, there has to be a reason you're married to him."

"Beast." She nodded eagerly. "I feel like a horny teenager."

"I can see why you were a mess when Snow found you." Red nodded, leaning forwards to speak more quietly. "Ten years without your Beast."

"Married at eighteen before being kidnapped and held for two years." The Princess bit her lip as she remembered the trauma. "Then I spent eight years wandering the lands only to find out a spell had been cast on me so I could never find him while Snow and Charming kept him locked in their basement."

"I'm sorry, Cel." A coffee was placed in front of the sad looking woman before she leaned across the counter and embraced her friend. "You like books, right?"

"I love them, why?"

"The library in town has been closed for years and Whale was in here the other day talking about how they don't need much staff in the hospital anymore." Red hinted. "You could open up the library again."

"You're a genius!" Celeste kissed her friends cheek and jumped up, grabbing her coffee. "I'll talk to you later, text me if anything interesting is about to go down."

"Celeste, slow down." Rumpelstiltskin chuckled as his wife burst into his store. "I didn't realise coffee worked this fast."

"Can I get the keys to the library?" She begged him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him in close. "Please?"

"I will give you anything you want." He kissed her nose while wrapping one arm around her waist.

"Anything?"

"Of course, love."

"I want you to help them get Emma and Snow White home." Celeste stroked his cheek, kissing the corner of his mouth.

"How, dearie?" Rumpel asked, sinking into her touch. "I don't have the power to create a portal."

"I know, but I know you're smart enough to figure something out." She sighed, finally kissing his lips. He lifted her up, sitting her on the counter as he deepened the kiss. Celeste moved the coffee cup away from them and chuckled as she heard the doors lock and blinds shut.

Rumpel stroked his fingers down her neck to her chest before unbuttoning her blouse. Then he pulled away causing her to whine.

"What?"

"I think we should bless your new home." He chuckled, reaching into a box and pulling out the keys to the library.

"You're lucky I don't know how to use magic or else I would curse your ass." Celeste cursed at him, shuffling off the counter moodily. "You're lucky you're cute."

"I know, love." Rumpel grabbed her hand and pulled her out the store and towards the town library. "But I hope you know that you are still wanted at the hospital."

"My skills are just that amazing." She gasped in amazement at the sight of the many books around the library. It was not like her one back in the Enchanted Forest and it would not take her long to read through them all. "Thank you, Rumpel."

"I love you, dearie."

"Really?"

"Always." He stroked his thumb over her wedding ring, feeling a powerful claim over the smiling woman in front of him. A claim that would never allow him to harm her and always protect her.