Rumbelle One-shots

When Life Comes Knocking

"Shhhhh, it's okay, sweetie. It's okay, mommy's here," Belle tried to soothe her crying daughter, but to no avail. Lily, her one year old, was in a mood and nothing would help her stop crying. Wilby, her dog, also decided to chime in and had been barking for the last fifteen minutes. The sharp cry of the doorbell only served to intensify the situation. Wailing child in her arms, Belle stepped around the dog and answered the door. 

"Good afternoon, Miss French."

"Mr. Gold!" she gasped. 

"I apologize for the intrusion, but it is rent day," he explained, trying to make himself heard over the infant. Miss French had always been one of his favorite tenants, she always dropped off her rent at his shop three days ahead of time. He still remembered when she had moved into the small green house on the outskirts of town, small enough for her little family. She never mentioned any relationship or who her baby's father was, so he never asked. When she had missed dropping off her rent this month, he included her on his rounds.

"Yes! Yes, oh my goodness, I completely forgot! Please, come in," she swung the door open and stepped aside, shooing Wilby back as he considered dashing out the front door.

"Here, let me," Gold offered, holding out his arms for Lily. Belle hesitated a moment before allowing her landlord to hold the girl. Belle then left the room to get the rent for Mr. Gold. When she returned a few minutes later, her face was tear-stained. Mr. Gold, however, was not in the foyer where she'd left him. Silence filled the house, and Belle followed a hushed voice to the living room where she found landlord, daughter, and dog all seated on the couch. Gold held Lily in his lap and was telling her all about how she could play with Wilby when she got older. Wilby sat attentively, as if learning his responsibilities as a pet to a young child. A sniffle from Belle drew Gold's attention, and he stood sheepishly.

"How'd you get her to stop crying?"

"Hmm? Oh, we just started petting your dog. It seems your daughter likes dogs and your dog likes attention," he explained, pulling his tie from the infant's grasp before she could put it in her mouth. "Have you been crying, Miss French?"

"Yes," she admitted, wiping the heel of her hand across her eyes. "Look, Mr. Gold, I don't have all the rent. I didn't drop it by your shop three days ago because I've been trying to get the rest of it, but I couldn't."

"I see," Gold commented. Belle searched his face for some indication as to what he was thinking, but he had returned to stone-faced landlord once more.

"Please, don't kick us out! I have no where to go, Mr. Gold."

"I can give you another week, Miss French, but I don't want to find out that you've been telling this to other tenants. I'd have a mob on my hands."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Gold!" Belle smiled broadly and held out her arms to take Lily back from Gold. "And I promise, today will be a secret."

"Good to hear it," Gold gave a lopsided grin. Belle scooped Lily out of his arms, but the infant had a strong grasp on his tie once more. He smiled fondly at the child and pulled his tie loose from his neck. "If you like it that much, keep it."

Immediately, Lily shoved her new toy into her mouth and gazed at Mr. Gold, her deep blue eyes sparkling.

"Good afternoon, Miss French."

"Goodbye, Mr. Gold," Belle replied as he stepped out the door. 

***

Four days later, Mr. Gold found himself inside Granny's for his lunch hour. He immediately spotted Belle and Lily across the diner, facing away from him. In one hand, Lily held a French fry and in the other she held Gold'd tie.