I am writing this mostly for myself, but am choosing to share it with you. I would love comments and reviews, but please make sure that any criticism offered is constructive, because, while I do hope to improve and wish for you to enjoy my work, I also have no obligation to allow you to read this, because it is my personal work.

This work is not meant to be heavy in terms of drama and plot twists and angst (although I might get there eventually, I haven't decided yet). It is meant to be kinda fluffy and funny.

Some background:

Modern day AU. Gwen is Mordred's teacher, Mordred is Morgana's son, and Morgana is not Uther's daughter. Uther was Morgana's mother's brother, making Morgana and Arthur cousins. Also Morgause doesn't exist (because I hate her), and neither does Nimueh (because she also pisses me off). Couples/ships to expect: Morgana/Gwen and Merlin/Arthur

"Mordred," Morgana called upstairs, "we're going to be late! Shoes, jacket, backpack, lunchbox! Let's go go go!"

Mordred let out a groan of protest around his toothbrush, before rinsing and spitting out his toothpaste. He dashed out of the bathroom and into the hall, haphazardly pulling on his favorite zip-up hoodie over his uniform, and grabbing his bag and lunchbox from the wall between the kitchen/dining area and the living room. He bounded down the stairs, bouncing slightly as he reached his mother in front of the door. He grinned up at her, and she kissed his forehead and ruffled his hair good-naturedly, before they walked out the front door and loaded into the car parked in the driveway.

Starting the car, Morgana called to the backseat, "Seat belt buckled?"

"Check!" Mordred replied. "Seat belt buckled?" he echoed back to his mother.

"Check!" Morgana responded, turning the radio on. A popular 80s song came on, and Morgana and Mordred began singing along as they drove to Mordred's new school.

Mordred was 10, and was starting the fifth grade. They'd had to move from their old town back to Camelot, where Morgana had grown up. She'd had to begrudgingly return after she'd been let go from her previous job at a law firm that had just gone under. With no job prospects nearby, she'd had to return home and ask her cousin for a job at his firm. He'd accepted her immediately and promoted her to full partner status. She'd accepted, but she'd needed to move back to her hometown in order to work, so she and Mordred had to pick up their lives and return to Camelot. Morgana had done everything in her power to avoid telling Mordred about her falling out with her family, but she supposed she'd have to fess up sooner or later. She planned on telling Mordred after his first week at school, so he could have some time to adjust. They'd been in their current home for about a month now, and seemed to be adjusting well, but Morgana still wanted to wait until she saw how Mordred handled his new school. She'd wanted to take longer, but her uncle demanded to see them soon, especially since her new job was at his old law firm, before his son, Morgana's cousin, had taken over. She'd convinced him to wait, but he was impatient, so she only had the one week left. Glancing back at Mordred in the mirror, singing along to the radio cheerfully, she felt some anxiety building in her chest. Looking back at the road, she steadied herself and focused on her coping mechanisms that her therapist had told her about.

Soon, they were pulling into the school parking lot, and parking the car. Though Morgana had told Mordred they were going to be late, they were actually about 45 minutes early. They'd had to arrive early for Morgana to fill out paperwork, briefly meet Mordred's teacher, and settle payment. Mordred was to be attending Camelot Preparatory School, the same school that Morgana had attended with her cousin after her parents had passed away, and her uncle had taken her in. She'd prefer if he went to Camelot Local School District, the public school that's nearer by, but, even with her vendetta against the place and the memories here, even she couldn't deny that their college preparation program was truly excellent, and she had to do what was best for her son's future. Plus, having been an alumna, she got a really good discount, and with her pay bump from her promotion to partner, she could easily afford the school now, whereas before, it would've broken the bank.

A much older gentleman with shoulder-length white hair came down the stairs to greet Morgana and Mordred as they approached the entrance. "Ah, Miss Fay. Wonderful to see you again. And this must the young Mr Fay. Mordred, is it?" the man asked as he looked towards Mordred. He seemed kind and friendly, and Mordred nodded shyly in response. "Good. I am Mr Borden, the principal at this academy. It is lovely to meet you," he introduced himself as he shook Mordred's hand.

"Please, Mr Borden, call me Morgana. After all, you are my uncle's closest friend; you're practically family."

"Well, alright, Morgana. But then you must call me Gaius. Come inside, let's get the paperwork started, and I'll direct you to Mordred's class if you need direction, though I doubt you'll need it, Morgana!" Gaius chuckled at his own joke, a twinkle in his eye as he winked at Mordred.

Morgana followed Gaius as Mordred trailed behind, holding on to his mother's hand as he looked at the building in awe. It was an old, historic building, that had been maintained and restored as needed, while maintaining its older essence. The place was a castle, though on the smaller side for a castle. As Gaius led them towards his office, he spoke of the academic prowess of the university, and pointed out certain statues and paintings to explain their historic origin and prevalence. Soon, they arrived at his office, and Mordred plopped into one of the cozy chairs by the fireplace and began reading a book from his backpack as his mother took a seat in front of Gaius's desk, as Gaius sat behind it and began fishing out papers and a pen from the drawers for Morgana to fill out.

As she signed the last page of the registration forms, Gaius took them from her and handed her the bill for the year's tuition. As she began filling them out, he went over the registration forms. He stopped, adjusted his glasses for a moment, and squinted down at the page. Noticing, Morgana asked if there was a problem with the forms.

"No, I don't believe so. It just says here that you're 26, and that Mordred is 10. I thought there must be some mistake, since you're so young, but the timeline matches up from when you attended… and when you, ah, left, our institution." Gaius responded, concern in his eyes as he looked at Morgana.

Morgana nodded and sighed. She hated talking about it, but at least she knew with Gaius that he would keep the information to himself. The last thing she wanted to deal with was gossip about hers and her son's ages. Plus, heavens forbid the information get to the students? That would be hell on Mordred, and he would already have a rough time, being the new kid. She made it a point to never tell him her age, so she wasn't sure if he knew just how young she was for the mother of a 10 year old. She planned on telling him when she informed him of their family background.

"I wish I could have done more for you, Morgana. I wish you would've let me take you and the boy in. You could have finished your education here, free of charge, and I would have protected you from your uncle -" Gaius began.

"No, Gaius, really it's fine. You know I couldn't stay and face Uther and Arthur. It was too much. Honestly, I needed the time on my own. My aunt's old landlady let me stay in the basement while I was in school and watched Mordred for me, and I worked at the library on the weekends and in the summer, which helped me become interested in law as a career. Life needed to work out that way, otherwise we wouldn't be here now," Morgana reassured him. She truly believed that. She had to believe that she didn't suffer for nothing. Finishing the bill, she handed it to Gaius. He handed her a map of the school, which she gave to Mordred, as well as a copy of his schedule. He then wished them luck as they left the office, still wishing he had done more.