Date Night

Chapter 1

BELLE POV
I could tell, lately, that Rumple had been having a hard time at work. He came home later and later each night, and now he barely came home at all. I began to grow worried, and I longed for such nights with my husband where we could lie in bed together and the world felt still. The bags under his eyes grew as did my worry, so earlier this morning I had suggested to the sleepy husband of mine, that a date night is what I needed, and being the kind man he was, he agreed. We discussed the time, 6pm. Sharp. I made sure he knew it was at 6pm, not 6:16 and not 6:01pm. It was 6pm sharp. He nodded slowly. I admired the soft smile that lay upon his lips as he gobbled down my breakfast rushing out the door. I made sure I left the library early today, because not only was this our date night, but I had something special to tell him, hopefully something that would make him over-the-moon with joy, as lately, I seemed unable to do. I dressed in this nice white lace dress, my heals tan, as I fixed my makeup to what I thought was worthy, and curled the tips of my hair, which was now waves down to my back. I dressed my chest in pearls he'd given me quiet some time ago. As the time for him to come slowly approached I sat myself in his recliner, the one recliner that sat closest to the window which peered over the driveway, his recliner. It smelt of his cologne which I couldn't wait to fully embrace in a long hug. The recliner warmed me from the inside out.

RUMPLE POV
The nights seemed to grow longer. My work had taken over my life. There was so much that needed to be done, and there never seemed to be enough time. There was files to sort and correct, money to collect, people to hassle, cleaning to be done, and much more that I can't recall. I could tell that lately my wife, belle, had seemed a bit disappointed in the lacking of my appearance in our bed. My side seemed flat and lacking warmth, which I knew she didn't enjoy. It hurt me to stay away, but I had to work. Every morning I awoke, maybe 2-6 hours of sleep, then I would devour her amazing breakfasts she made me, and that was it. Oh and a kiss. I always have her a kiss on the way out. Just to remind her that I loved her. She was so supportive sometimes I wondered how she was really feeling. She seemed though, lately, that something was off about her. I couldn't put my name on it, but she seemed to want to say something, knowing her I know every facial expression of her sweet little face, and what's on her mind. She wanted to tell me something. I agreed to her request for a date night knowing it was the least I could do to please her. I longed for her in those endless nights at the shop. All I wanted was her body next to mind, my arm around her, maybe on the couch, on the bed, heck anywhere would suffice. As I noticed it growing close to 6 I packed up early with the thought of only her on my mind as I locked the door, getting into the car and heading home. About half way home I stopped. Surely I had enough time to grab the love of my life a simple bouquet of flowers, maybe some chocolates? I turned around and quickly went through the story getting her a beautiful bouquet of roses, and chocolates together, my smile wider than anything else. I got up to the driveway seeing her little self propped in my recliner watching her as she stared at the clock. I got out with my case and her flowers and chocolates and slowly turned the key walking into my home.

BELLE POV
I heard the door slowly opening, the clock read 6:21pm, and I wasn't too pleased. For the brief 21 minutes he didn't come, I had thought that for the first time in the 7 years we've been married, he forgot. Once I heard that door, I pulled myself out of the recliner and giddied over to him with such joy, maybe a little anger that he was late, but giddy. I crossed my arms, staring up into his eyes as I spoke "you're 21 minutes late. You scared me." She spoke not wanting him to be let off this easily and that's when he popped the roses and box of chocolates in front of me. How could I stay mad? He responded with "I, I got you flowers. And chocolates" I could tell he was sorry, his eyes spoke for him. I immediately after embraced him into the biggest hug I could. I felt worse for saying that to him "thank you." I blushed taking the roses and placing them into a vase and setting the chocolates onto the counter. I walked back looking at him, he was already ready to go as I grabbed my purse I watched him grab his coat and wallet before extending an arm to me. I gladly took it looking into his caramel eyes that seemed to say more than he ever did. When he opened the car door I got in, slowly, before buckling and watching as he closed the door behind me. As I was fiddling with my buckle he got in on the other side and buckled. My hand found its way to his thigh as I tucked one of his dangling hairs behind his ear and sighed "you're so handsome." I blurted without control, but I didn't regret a single word of it.

RUMPLE POV
As I saw her fold her arms I immediately knew I was in the dog house. I listened as she spoke, feeling bad that she had thought that before popping the gifts in front of her and seeing that her mood changed completely "I, I got you flowers. And chocolates." I spoke softly looking down into the sea of blue which were known as belles eyes. God she was gorgeous. Even angry, she was the most beautiful woman in any realm or world. Her hair seemed to fall effortlessly onto her shoulders with the small hint of a bounce. Her smile, with or without makeup seemed to fill me with something I couldn't quiet name. Her eyes dug deep into mine and felt as though she was exposing my every secret, although she knew most. Her nose popped off her face just that perfect amount, and seemed to have the smallest yet cutest little point as she looked up to me. I knew this was love the instant I saw her, day after day I fell for her. I embraced her hug, wrapping my arms around her body. Her arms couldn't wrap the length of my body, but mine surely could hers. I fixed my tie as she put away my gifts before grabbing my coat, knowing I wouldn't get cold, but she most likely would. I held my arm out for her as I escorted her to the car opening and closing the door behind her then getting into my side of the car and closing the door starting the car. She still had that look of needing to say something, something important. I didn't feel like harassing her, i probably was just seeing things. While driving there, as we spoke about the most random of things I was reminded of what I had been missing. Those long nights in bed together where we talked until she fell asleep, I was always able to stay up late. Those nights where a simple board game or movie and some popcorn seemed to bring us closer. I couldn't have chosen anyone else. I wished I could be there more often, I had gone home lately to find her small self, in one of my shirts wrapped in the covers, knowing that every night she stayed up as long as she could before falling fast asleep. I watched the road as we slowly pulled into the dim parking lot of 'Granny's diner' and parked. I turned to face her, my smile wider than most times "You're more beautiful than the sun and the moon."