The Best Tea Cup is Chipped: Book 2

Plans

Rumplestiltskin sat in the modest living room of Pip's apartment. The place was really quite tiny with two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a kitchenette attached to a living room. The furniture in it was all second hand and the only real decorations were drawings done by Grace.

"Really can't wait till this is over and Alice and Grace can move in with me," Jefferson said as they waited for Henry, Pip, and Grace to return from school, which had just let out.

"I admit even as one of my properties it leaves something to be desired. They do deserve better," agreed Rumple sipping tea. One wouldn't call this living in squalor. But Grace and Pip both ought to be living in a much more comfortable fashion. As Jefferson said it was simply one more reason to get the curse removed. The sound of the door unlocking broke up their conversation and the two children followed by Pip came through the door.

"Oh Mr. Gold!" Grace smiled. "And Jefferson!"

"I see you two helped yourselves." said Pip closing the door behind her.

"You did give me a key," said Jefferson "Hello Rabbit, Hello Henry."

"Hello," said Henry who was eyeing Rumple warily.

"What are you doing here Mr. Gold?" asked Grace curiously.

"Yes, rent week was last week," said Henry.

"And how would you know when rent week is Mr. Mills?" asked Rumple humorously. Henry shrugged.

"People complain more during rent week."

"An observant lad." chuckled Rumple. "However, I'm not here about the rent. I'm here because there's a little something Miss Belle, Mr. Madden and I wished to speak with you two about."

"Oh could you not be all enigmatic for once? They are kids. Not someone you need to make a deal with." scoffed Jefferson and Rumple rolled his eyes. Pip overrode both of them.

"What Mr. Gold was getting at was that we wanted to talk about your...theory Henry. The one about the town." Rumple watched as the boy's eyes widen.

"Wait! You remember?"

"Our lives in the Enchanted Forest? Yes. Though I question the moniker of MAD hatter." said Jefferson.

"Oh no I think despite all the inaccuracies this world got that one quite aptly." snarked Rumple.

"Well at least I didn't get portrayed at three feet tall," scoffed Jefferson.

"Boys!" said Pip clapping her hands and they both froze in their banter.

"So if your the Mad Hatter, then that makes Miss Belle your true love..." began Henry.

"The Pied Piper," said Pip with a bow.

"But then who are you Mr. Gold?"

"He's Rumplestiltskin! Aren't you?" said Grace.

"Well done. Though I'd expect nothing less from you," said Rumple inclining his head with a smile. Henry's look of wariness was back.

"You helped the Evil Queen cast the curse," he said.

"True," said Rumple. "Though I had my reasons. And now I want your mother to break it. I'm actually quite grateful for the work you two have done so far."

"If you three remember, can't you tell Emma it's real?" asked Henry eagerly. But Pip shook her head.

"Unfortunately, your mother is the type of woman that only believes what she sees. If she won't believe you even us saying the same won't do much. Especially considering between the three of us, Jefferson is the town hermit, she dislike's Rum here, and will quickly throw my acquaintance out the window if I start spouting things that don't match her reality."