"Wakie Wakie," Esme whispered in Gwen's ear.
Gwen lifted her tired head from her pillow. It's morning already? Bright light streamed into her bedroom at the Pendragon House. Turning her head, Gwen looked into two sets of identical blue eyes-one happy and one apprehensive. She noticed Arthur holding a breakfast tray. He offered Gwen a tight grin. "It was her idea." Great Arthur, I'm half dressed; unbrushed hair and teeth, and I'm not dressed.
"Listening to the four year old."
Arthur shrugged.
"Daddy made breakfast for you. I had porridge with toast and orange marmalade," Esme whispered. "He brushed my hair too. I helped style him this morning."
Gwen pulled a white sheet closer to her chin as she sat up in bed. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry when she saw Esme's hair. The part was crooked. Huge misshapen braids tangled with five different ribbons decorated her baby's head. Gwen didn't say one word-he tried.
Arthur moved forward timidly. He placed breakfast tray on Gwen's lap. "She woke up at 5:30."
"I told you…"
"She wanted to chat. She was hungry. She selected my clothing for the day."
"You match perfectly."
Arthur didn't know what to say to Gwen. Guilt constantly ate at him. Her words echoed in his head last night. He was controlling and selfish during their teen years. Lancelot's return wreaked havoc on his psyche back then. He didn't realize what he did to her. He only thought he hurt her with the divorce. It never dawned on him about their teen years. They were never married legally in the eyes of the church and court… dammed annulment. She made so many sacrifices for him, and he took –never gave anything of himself. Fate gave him a chance to be a father. He was learning as he went. He was very lucky that Esme was such a sweet child. He had nothing to say about her development. He didn't nurture her or see any milestones. Arthur wanted to be friends with Gwen.
"She's good."
Gwen smiled gently. She had a full English breakfast to eat. "Did you cook this?"
"No… I can't cook."
"Some things never change."
During the early days of their marriage, Arthur attempted to prepare meals for Gwen. Laughing, Gwen would attempt to eat tough steak, burnt chicken, mushy pasta, or lumpy gravy. They spent a small fortune on take away.
"Those times were good,' Arthur remembered.
"Those were good times."
Gwen looked at her breakfast tray. She didn't want to reminiscence on good happy times with Arthur. Arthur sat in an arm chair; watching Esme pick at Gwen's bacon. My little girl… Esme is my little girl. I'm a father... I have a child with Gwen. This is what I always wanted… a life with Gwen… children. I don't really have what I dreamed of.
"Arthur…"
Arthur shook his head. "I was lost in my thoughts."
Gwen kissed Esme's forehead. "Can you go find an outfit for Mommy?"
Esme's eyes lit with joy as she hurried into Gwen's closet. Gwen arched an eyebrow at Arthur.
"We need to tell her about Henry."
"Do you think she'll be scared?'
Gwen shook her head. "She's brave and very empathic for other children."
Esme snuggled into Arthur's lap as Gwen cradled her little hands. Esme was dreadfully happy with herself. She had Mommy and Daddy together.
"Esme," Gwen began. "You have a cousin named Henry."
"Where," she asked excitedly. Her eyebrows rose; her little body wriggling in glee.
"He's Uncle Gawain's son."
"Does he have a beard?'
Arthur chuckled and shook his blonde head." No, he's much too young for that. Maybe, one day."
"Henry is sick, Esme."
Her little face clouded with sadness. "I'll draw a picture for him."
Gwen licked her lips. "He's very sick. He needs medicine ... special medicine… family medicine. We need to take a needle for him."
"A needle," Esme questioned. She snuggled further in Arthur's arms. "That will hurt."
"I know, Baby. It could make him better. We are all going to take the needle."
"Even daddy?"
"Even Daddy," Arthur agreed. Arthur kissed her forehead. Esme reached up and hugged Arthur's neck tightly.
Arthur helped Esme from the car; he opened the car door for Gwen. Warily, she took his offered hand. She decided to ignore the feeling of touching Arthur's flesh. He was like chocolate-bad for you; yet, so tempting.
Gwen's fingers awakened old feelings in Arthur's mind with her light touch. He swallowed as he held her hand.
"Thank you, Arthur. Gwen replied brightly as she snatched her hand away.
Gwen took Esme's hand. Esme offered Arthur her other hand. They walked in the direction of the hospital.
"You're doing this wrong," Esme chastised. "We're a family. Mommies and daddies swing their little girls when they walk with them. Please, do it right," she implored sweetly.
Arthur and Gwen looked at each other, and burst out laughing.
"What's funny?'
Arthur stroked Esme's hair. "We'll try harder, Esme."
Arthur and Gwen started walking again. "Gwen, on the count of three"
"One, two, three."
Arthur and Gwen raised Esme from her feet and swung her back and forth. Her giggles floated around them.
"More," she screamed.
People smiled at the young couple playing with their daughter. Her curls blew in the air; a full grin on her little mouth.
An older man held the door for them. "Enjoy these precious moments," he urged Arthur. Arthur nodded his head. "Thank you."
Gwen and Esme waited for Arthur in the lobby. Arthur made up his mind that he was going to do everything in his power to regain his family. He wouldn't stop until they were a part of his life permanently, even if he had to move to California. Goodness… he didn't want to live in the States again.
