𝑶𝑪𝑬𝑨𝑵 𝑬𝒀𝑬𝑺 - Rumplestiltskin [1]

SEVEN

7|MR GOLDS PAWN SHOP

"This place is so cool!" Bella gasped, her fingers stroking a crystal rose. She turned around to face the smiling man, getting lost in his eyes before remembering why she was there. "Right, your cut! Please, take a seat somewhere."

Mr. Gold lead her to the back of his shop and sat down on a small bed which sat against the wall. She sat beside him and grabbed a cotton ball and disinfectant, dabbing it on his wound.

"I'm sorry." She squinted when he winced with pain. "I promise it will help."

"I know, Miss. Richards." Mr. Gold smiled at her, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Please, call me Bella." Bella tried to fight the blush making its way to her cheeks when she noticed how close they were. "I'm going to put a small bandage on it. You were lucky it wasn't any deeper or else you'd need stitches."

"Bella." He tested her name, noticing her red cheeks and smiling to himself. "Thank you."

"It's nothing, just doing my job." She grinned, standing up to throw away the rubbish. "Can I look around?"

"Of course, dearie. Take your time." Bella went back to the front of the shop, looking over everything with stary eyes. She could feel him watching her, knowing that he was curious why she was being so open to him. "Here, try this on."

"It's beautiful." She walked over to him and let him slip the ring on her fourth finger. Bella held it up to the light and admired the simple gold band. In the centre lay a moonstone with a circle of diamonds around it. On both sides were two small cresent moons followed by two small diamonds. "Where did you get this?"

"It belonged to someone I knew a long time ago." He answered her distantly, his tone of voice sounding sad. "Keep it. Take it as a way to show my gratitude."

"I could never!" She gasped, trying to take it off to hand it back but he grabbed her hand and stopped her.

"Please." His hand cupped hers and held it tight, the warmth soothing her wild beating heart. "It's better than collecting dust in this old store."

"Thank you." Bella moved her hand away from his, instantly missing it as she readjusted the ring on her finger.

"Would you like some tea?" He offered, gesturing to the back room. She nodded her "yes" and sat back down on the bed. Bella hummed in satisfaction as the hot liquid poured down her throat, warming her insides.

"Oh, do you mind if I take this call?" She jumped up in fright as her phone went crazy in her pocket. Mr. Gold waved his hand casually to her indicating he did not mind. "I have to go to the hospital, someone just went into labour." Bella informed him after her call, downing the last off her tea. "Thank you so much for everything, I'll come visit again soon if you'd let me."

"Of course, dearie." Mr. Gold raised to his feet and walked her to the door. "You are always welcome here."

"Thank you." Bella gave the man one last look before running away to the hospital, forgetting her medical bag by his bed.

~•~

"Emma?" Bella wandered through the halls and found the blonde and Henry in the waiting room. "The baby is a healthy six pound girl. And the mother is doing fine."

"What lovely news." Mr. Gold announced his presence, an evil smile on his lips which sent a shiver down the doctor's spine.

"Uh, if you'll excuse me I have to fill out some paperwork." She excused herself from the room, letting her eyes wander over the man she had been with only hours ago, his entire aura shifted.

Bella wandered back into the new mothers room, checking over the pair as she filled out some paperwork about the baby.

"She is so beautiful." She smiled at Ashley before grinning at the curious baby girl. "Do you want me to get you anything? Water?"

"Water, please." Ashley said with exhaustion, tired from her long labour.

"You two can go visit her now." Bella said to Emma and Henry who were still waiting. "Do you mind bring her this water?"

"Thank you." Emma grabbed the cup of water off her and followed her instructions to find the room.

"Mr. Gold?" The doctor waved at the man, trying to catch his attention before he left. "A baby? That's why you employed Emma?"

"You know a lot, Bella." He chuckled, leaning against his stick as she walked over to him.

"If you wanted a baby so bad you should just get married, it's not that hard." Bella joked, folding her arms over her chest as a grin played on her lips.

"Are you married?" Mr. Gold asked, his tone of voice turning dark as his eyes narrowed.

"Oh, God, no." She laughed while shaking her head. "No man has ever been able to handle me."

"Is that a challenge?" He challenge her, leaning in close to cause a reaction. Her face went bright red in response before her over confidence kicked in.

"Good luck, you're going to need it." Bella leaned in too, watching him with her ocean eyes. "I hope you win."