The entirety of Storybrooke had been thrown into chaos. What was new? This was a typical Sunday it seemed for anyone who lived in this town. Of course, it was nice when things weren’t completely messed up and monsters weren't coming in from another realm and attacking people in the streets. Also, she wasn't always pregnant. That was something that was going to take a bit of time to adjust to, but she was excited for the baby, even if growing up in a town full of danger at every turn would be a bit of a concern.

However, among this chaos, there was always a bit of light. How when Rumple had returned from the Underworld not only were monsters released, but those who once were dead had come back as well. Which included a very important man in her husband's life: his son. It meant she was his step mother, and well, she needed to talk to Neal about everything that was going on. It was unfortunate they hadn't really the chance to talk since Neal's death and his recent resurrection.

Belle had been doing some snooping around (and by snooping around it meant asking Granny), and got a  hold of Neal's apartment. She had figured that he was probably busy as Rumple was, but unlike Rumple, he wasn't under the pressure of being powerful and needing to save this town from the things that were happening. She hoped that he would be home, and if not, she would wait for Neal to come back to his apartment.

It was difficult, this whole situation. Her husband, father of the child she carried, was off saving the town. While she was proud of that fact, she wanted him around… but that was selfish of her. Either way, Neal was back, and she wasn't going to let this opportunity pass her by. She didn't know much about Neal except for the short time they were able to spend together before his death, and the sparse times Rumple talked about his son. She was going to at least talk to the boy, and nothing was going to stop her.

It was a slow approach to the apartment, her worry seeping in as she approached but once she reached the door, she knocked and wore a big smile, despite the inner sadness she was feeling due to the whole situation in the town.

---

Neal Cassidy

❝ Everything that happens ❞

Neal was still getting used to being in a chaotic city again, he had thought that Storybrooke was supposed to be quiet, or at least that's what he had been told. Neal wanted more then anything to just be calmed down from the chaos for once in his life. His life had been full of chaos and running, but, Neal was tired of all of it. Of course, he was sure he'd get used to it, because his family was here. Even if it involved his son growing up in a dangerous town like this one, which concerned him slightly.

Henry was the light in all of this chaos. He was his happiness, and, the one real person who was the most important to him at this moment. Coming back from the Underworld, he'd been able to get his light back, but, it also meant that he was back with his father as well. But, it also brought someone else with him, his new step-mother Belle. The two of them hadn't had a chance to get to know each other or really talk since that moment at his father's vault, but, even then it hadn't been something that gave them a chance to get to know each other.

But, Neal wasn't sure whether she would want to talk to him, so, he had kept his somewhat distance from her. Plus he'd been busy at the same time, looking for a job, and, filling in some other parts of his life in this town. Even if they were somewhat limited right now.So, it meant he was able to be at his room for a while.

It was hard for him. His son, the only person he loved, was with his mothers at the moment, and, while that was something he was ok with, he kind of wanted his boy around at the same time. But, that was selfish and he knew it. Neal was ok with just being around by himself for a while, just wrapping his heads around his thoughts. Neal knew that there was hardly anything that the members of his 'family' that he knew much about. Not even his own father, because they'd been seperated for far too long, and, he felt like he didn't know much about him at all anymore. And then there was Belle, they had hardly had a chance to get to know each other. Aside from that small space of time, and, what his papa had told him about her.

He was sitting on the bed, as he heard a knock on the door of his apartment. Neal looked towards the door, not sure who to expect. Aside from either his father or Henry. Standing up, Neal headed over to the door, and, opened it. He was surprised to see Belle on the other side of it. "Oh Belle. Hi" Neal said, just looking at her.

❝ happens by design ❞

Belle French

NEAL CASSIDY

THISKIDSNOTALRIGHT of Adoxography

Storybrooke had always been just how Storybrooke always had been in her memory of the place. Having been locked up during the curse she didn't really remember the times when it was peaceful, just staring at the grey walls of an asylum with an occasional book that a nurse would sneak in for her to read to appease her boredom. She'd of course heard the stories after she was out of the peaceful town before Emma had arrived, though her knowledge of that 28 years was severely limited. Unlike most of the people who lived in Storybrooke, she'd only known this town with magic, where there was danger at every turn, a new villain to face, and once that villain was her own husband.

Even those who came to Storybrooke during the second curse knew of the Enchanted Forest where the main bad guys they faced in Storybrooke were, well, not there. Of course ogres were always a hard thing, but that was just normal life in the Enchanted Forest. Except she didn't know much of that either having been mostly in her castle and then in the Dark Castle. Of course, she knew the threat of the ogres, but it wasn't like she went out fighting them, and it wasn't until the ogres breached their town and her mother died, did she really feel threatened all the time. Lucky her, she was hidden away safely for most of her life, even though she wanted to help.

Today even, if she got into some sort of danger, she was sure that Rumple would end up coming and helping her out. She really wanted to help out, but she was worried that she would just get in the way, and distract her husband and just mess up -

Oh good, Neal was here. Belle was grinning despite the thoughts running through her head as her step-son (wow it was odd to call him her step-son, even though that was exactly what he was) greeted her. "Hello, Neal." Belle bit her lower lip and stared awkwardly. "I just wanted to stop by and say hello and… well, I know it's been difficult since you got back with your father and everything going on…"

---

Neal Cassidy

❝ Everything that happens ❞

Neal had never known the town before magic had come to it, when it was just a normal town. That was something he'd longed for, but, never got. A normal life just him and his father in a land without magic, but, thanks to that dagger, Neal had only gotten the life in a land without magic. Not even his father. Neal had, of course heard stories about the town when it was like that. It had made him wonder if he would ever get that normal life he'd always longed for, and, everyone had managed to get. All Neal had gotten was the town when magic is back, and, monsters were always around. One of the villains being his own father.

Even the stories of the Enchanted Forest had sounded different then he'd remembered. The scariest thing he'd ever faced was a werewolf when he was 13, and later on his father. He'd been kept away from most of that stuff though, of course. Since his papa kept him locked away in the cottage for most of their time there. Until that incident with the Piper of course. Neal had never felt threatened or scared by much in the Forest, until they started coming to the village to take people to the Ogre Wars. Including his only friend Morraine. He wanted to help, but, he'd not had much of a chance to.

Neal was sure that if he did get into some danger, his papa would be there to protect him this time. But, he wanted to help other people, he was worried that he would be yelled at and told he was in the way again. And to butt out.

Standing by the door, Neal smiled softly at Belle. His step-mother of sorts. Wow, that sounded weird, but, she was in a way. Neal waved softly as she greeted him. Hearing what she said he smiled "Thanks. Yeah, it has, but, it's not anything I'm not used to. Do, you, uh, want to come in?"

❝ happens by design ❞

Belle French

NEAL CASSIDY

THISKIDSNOTALRIGHT of Adoxography