Hi everyone. Since its Christmas time I thought we could do with a little gift. So I have this Merwenthur Christmas fic. This is the second installment in the How to Live modern AU series which for the moment is hosted at AO3. Though I might bring it here. Expect daily updates as OT3 Merlin/Gwen/Arthur host their first Christmas dinner. As always please remember to comment. I always love to hear from you.

12 Days of Christmas: Prologue, Friday night

Guinevere set her cell phone down on the little bar in their kitchen and felt a grin bloom on her face. Her family wanted to have Christmas dinner with them.

The apartment was fairly small and it didn't take too much to walk from the eat-in kitchen to the living room. She smiled down at the two men on her couch and wiggled her bare toes in the soft white carpet. Arthur's golden-blonde head rested in Merlin's lap as he studied his pad and Merlin channel surfed.

"Merlin, Arthur."

"What's up?" Merlin looked up from his flicking.

"My parents are coming to Christmas dinner, mom, dad and Elyan."

"Your dad?" Arthur looked at her now. "That's great."

"I think it could go really well." Gwen said voice hopeful. "My dad really wants to have a nice dinner with all of us."

"All of us? It'll be a Christmas miracle." Arthur said drily and turned his attention back to his pad.

"So the three of us, plus your parents and Elyan?" Merlin asked before she could respond to Arthur's comment. "What about Janine?"

"I don't know what Janine is gonna do." Gwen said trying not to think about the last time she'd spoken with her sister. Arthur gave her thigh a comforting squeeze and she felt some of her tension ease just a bit.

"Do you think we can fit my mom in here too?"

"Of course Hunith can come," Gwen said. "So it will be seven of us total and it's gotta be perfect." She looked at Merlin. "What should we cook?"

Merlin paused before answering, studying her face. Her warm brown eyes gleamed with excitement and her white teeth seem to sparkle against her sweet brown skin. For the briefest moment he wondered, as he sometimes did how he had been content to simply be her friend for nearly seven years.

"I dunno know," Merlin said thoughtfully "But I don't wanna do a ham or a turkey. What's he gonna do?" Merlin pointed at Arthur, the other man's attention seemed to be almost entirely on his work.

"I'll pay." Arthur said without looking up.

They both frowned.

"Nah, rich-guy you've gotta do something." Merlin declared and Gwen snickered.

"I am doing something, money does wonders." Arthur said without looking up from his pad.

When neither said anything Arthur looked up to see matching expressions of disapproval on both of their faces. The two of them communicated so well without words and usually it was about him.

"No." They said in unison.

"Did you two rehearse this?"

"Arthur," Gwen tapped one of his bent knees and indicated that he should move his feet so she could join them on the couch. He obliged happily and settled his feet in her lap once she was seated. They both looked at her expectantly and she took a moment to gather her thoughts rather than surging forward.

"This dinner is really important. It's the holidays, my father has said its time he start respecting my decisions and frankly," She paused and met his eyes "Merlin and I have jobs. Your money is nice but we can make a wonderful dinner without it." Gwen rubbed one of his shins absently as she spoke.

"I know you both have jobs," He said indulgently "but you guys should keep your money for other stuff. I'll call Amex as soon as I am done with this "

"You can't just throw money at us Arthur." Merlin chastised.

"That's not what I'm doing." They stared at him again wearing identical frowns."There's no point in arguing is there?"

"Arthur," Merlin said taking his turn to speak up."It's Christmas, this is about family. We need to know that you'll really be here for us."

Arthur thought it over for a moment.

"I'll help with the decorations?"

They still watched him expectantly.

"And everything else."

Twin smiles answered that statement and Arthur went back to his work with a sigh.

"I guess that settles it then." Merlin said. "What's on the menu?"

Gwen clasped her hands together with a smile. Her dad could finally see that their relationship wasn't just some sex driven freak show. That it was as important and meaningful as any two person relationship.

"Duck, I think I want a duck, two, no three ducks maybe a goose and cornbread stuffing of course."

"Of course," Merlin smiled. "Ducks are small we should probably get something else like a leg of lamb."

Guinevere's eyes grew bright at the thought and they threw themselves into planning Christmas dinner.

Hope you enjoyed it don't forget to comment.