Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-26643527-20160404160929/@comment-24674051-20160408170650

First, while we all agree that Rumple is the Dark One, there is nothing to suggest that any of the Darkness will pass to his child. (There are no recorded events of previous dark ones having children that we are aware of).

Of course, there's nothing that says that the child won't inherit some of his father's darkness, either, using the same argument.

Setting the genetic aspect aside for a moment, let's look at the environment that the child will be reared in. Belle is very intelligent, but somewhat naive (though she's getting better). She has a tendency to believe the best in a person or situation until proven otherwise. And she feels deeply. While there is no evidence, the indications would say that she would be a decent mother.

Now to Rumple. Yes, he's the Dark One, but he's also shown to be fiercly protective of his family (with the exception of his Dad). He is capable of love, though he doesn't choose to show it very often. He may not be the best Papa in the world, but as long as he has Belle to hold him somewhat accountable, I think he could be a decent dad. and He would definitly instruct his child in the proper caution and respect for Magic. And, if track record means anything, Neal ultimately turned out OK. Rumple was way overprotective of him, but he definitely loved his son.

Now, if Rumple and/or Belle could just find a way to be a part of the main group, that would provide additional social support for the child (having friends like Neal, Alexandra, Philip, and even Pistachio).

Bottom line, there is nothing that would indicate that, even with a bit of Papa's darkness, Rumbelle child would turn out to be a mass murder, or evil witch/warlock, or anything else that is hideously evil.