The Light in the Dark Kingdom

Eleanor and Thomas

The happy eyed couple walked into the diner with bright smiles on their faces, the boy with his arm wrapped tightly around the girl's thin waist, "What can I get for the happy couple?" The owner asked as they took a seat at the bar.

"Pancakes and the usual coffee for the lovely lady," the dark haired man said with a smile as he rubbed his hand over his lady's back, "french toast and a hot chocolate for myself, please." He smiled, kissing the blonde girl that sat to his right.

"Y'all have to be the cutest couple in this town," Ruby said to them with a bit of sarcasm as she handed them their drinks, "How long until the wedding?"

"A year," the man said with a bright smile as she looked to her fiancé, then down at her ring, "I can't wait." She smiled up at the brown-eyed man and kissed him, leaning her head on his shoulder for a moment.

The bell on the front door rang and a dark haired woman dressed in black entered with her ten year old son, "Madame Mayor, to what do we owe the pleasure?" Granny asked roughly, receiving a glare in response.

Henry took a seat at the bar beside the woman and dropped his back pack onto the floor, "Cool bracelet," the child said happily, pointing to the straw bracelet around the woman's wrist as Ruby served him a hot chocolate with cinnamon, "my teacher has one just like it."

The woman smiled at him, "Henry, right?" She asked, shaking the child's hand as he smiled, "It's nice to meet you," she glanced up to look at his mother, "and you, madame mayor." She said with a smile and glanced back at her fiancé.

"Yes," the dark-eyed woman said slowly, "Thomas and Eleanor, correct?" She smiled, looking through them, "You're the butcher's son." He nodded, shaking the mayor's hand.

"Its a pleasure to finally meet you, Mayor Mills," he said with a chuckle and glanced down at her son, "Strapping young boy you have here."

"Thank you," she said with a smirk and glanced down to look at the woman's hand, "Are you two engaged?"

"We are," the woman said with a bright smile, offering for her to see the ring.

"Beautiful," she said unenthusiastically as a small smile tugged at her lips, "I have an idea. How about you two run over to Mr. Gold's shop after you leave, and pick out whatever you'd like. Think of it as an engagement gift." She smiled down at Henry as he finished his drink, "I'll tell him to expect you."

"Thank you so much, Mayor Mills," Eleanor said with a big smile, glancing at Henry before turning back to face the counter as the food was served.

"Time for school," the woman told her son and he hopped from his seat, grabbing his bag and walking out of Granny's toward the bus stop, "Make sure you choose something nice," the mayor said to the couple and gave them a quick smile before turning to leave the diner.

When the couple finished, the man led his fiancé out of the door, happily holding his arm tightly around her thin waist, "I couldn't ask for anything more, darling." He told her happily and kissed her forehead as they moved down the street towards Mr. Gold's shop, "I love you."

"I love you too, dear," she said with a smile and lightly kissed his shoulder. 

They walked through the door to Mr. Gold's shop with their eyes locked on one another, the woman tucked beneath the man's arm, "How may I be of assistance?" The tall man asked from behind the counter as his work phone began to ring.

He answered the phone and looked up to meet woman's eyes as the boy kissed her forehead and held her closely, "Gold," The mayor said roughly through the phone and he searched the beautiful woman's eyes for a moment, recognizing her immediately.

"Regina, to what do I owe the pleasure?" He asked through tight lips and tore his eyes away from the woman's.

"I need a favor," she told him and he looked back up to watch the young couple's eyes roaming the store as their hands roamed each other, "I met a young couple at Granny's this morning, Thomas and Eleanor. I sent them to pick out one item at your store as an engagement gift," she told him happily with a smile tugging at her straight lips, "Show them your best, and allow them whatever item they choose," she lightly chuckled, adding, "Please."

"Anything for Madame Mayor," he said to her as willingly as he possibly could and placed the phone down, "I assume that you've been sent by Mayor Mills?" He asked, catching the couple's attention, "Whatever you'd like."

"My name is Eleanor and this is my fiancé Thomas," she said with a stunning smile and the owner nodded once, "It's nice to meet you." The boy nibbled at her ear and Mr. Gold turned his eyes as he held his fiancé from behind, swaying on his feet.

"Whatever you'd like, princess," Thomas said happily and kissed her neck, Mr. Gold's eyebrows rising for a moment as he strolled behind the counter.

"Whatever I'd like?" She asked, turning to face him for a moment as he held her against the glass counter, "Darling, I'm so lucky to have you!" She kissed him and Mr. Gold turned to look at the ground, "How will I ever choose!" She exclaimed happily and spun to look around the room, her husband's hands leaving her body for only a short moment before he took her hand.

"If I may," Mr. Gold interrupted as Thomas spun the woman into his arms, "I have this old relic," He told them, catching the woman's attention as he revealed the black cauldron from beneath a sheet, "Its is an antique that has been in my shop for as long as I can remember, but it could be used for a simple decoration in a living room or perhaps a nursery." He cleared his throat, dropping his eyes to see the straw bracelet tied around her wrist and the engagement ring on her finger.

"It's a bit large," the man said, kissing his wife's neck as he rested his hands over her stomach.

"I think it's perfect," The woman said calmly to her fiancé and they kissed, "It's what I want."

"It was a pleasure doing business with the two of you. If you could just sign a few papers, I can have it delivered to you," he said to the couple, hesitantly offering his hand to the man with pride hidden behind his dark eyes, "You are a very lucky man," Mr. Gold said to him with a nod, "Treat her right." The man stepped behind his fiancé and kissed the top of her head.

The woman offered her hand and Mr. Gold hesitantly shook it, "The cauldron is a perfect choice," he told her, searching her stunning eyes for a moment, and quickly taking the signed papers, "Thank you for stopping by. I will have your gift delivered as soon as possible." He said, watching as the cursed couple strolled out of his shop with anger hiding deep behind his eyes.