Arthur and Merlin stepped out of the elevator into, both looking rather dashing in their tuxedos, but Arthur got quite a surprise when he saw Gwen, Elyan, Percy and Gwaine all waiting around in their everyday clothes.
"Why aren't you lot dressed?" he asked, rather annoyed. "We're all needed at the Gala tonight."
"There is no Gala, Arthur." Morgana appeared, wearing a long black formal dress, with a black fur shall over her shoulders. "We made it up. We're going to the ballet." She grinned.
"What?" Arthur exclaimed, going a little pale.
"It's your birthday on Tuesday, and since we won't be able to celebrate it then, Morgause and I thought tonight would be a good opportunity." Morgana explained.
"Morgause…" Arthur said. He noticed everyone else was grinning. Were they all in on it?
"Yes, me." Morgause said, walking through the front door. "Car's here. Best not to too keep everyone waiting. Come on Arthur, you'll have a great night."
"We're going to the ballet." Arthur said, as Morgause took his arm. "You and Morgana will have a good time more like." He complained. "Isn't this meant to be for my birthday?"
"It is for your birthday. It's not easy getting a private box to opening night." Morgana smiled.
"Well at least Merlin has to come too." Arthur said, looking at his friend who was also dressed in a tux.
"I'm not coming." Merlin said, at tad sheepish. "I just got dressed so that you wouldn't suspect anything…"
Arthur glared at Merlin. "Merlin!" he said crossly. "Well, what are you lot going to do all night?" Arthur asked, looking around the room.
"We're still deciding between either a poker tournament or a Mario Kart tournament." Percy said.
"But since you won't be here, and you suck at both, I guess it doesn't really matter." Gwaine grinned.
Arthur fumed. Morgana took his other arm. "Best get going. See you all when we get home." She said. Everyone said goodbye as Morgause and Morgana lead Arthur down to the car.
"Backseat, Arthur." Morgause said, as she took the passage seat and Morgana went around to the driver's seat.
Arthur sighed. "Why would you get a private box if there are only three of us? Aren't they for four?" he asked as he opened the car door.
"I do believe that I make four." Said a voice in the backseat.
"Grampa!" Arthur exclaimed happily, forgetting that he was supposed to be cross at his sisters, as he climbed in.
"You're sisters roped me into coming with you." Grampa teased and added, "With it being my birthday last week, and yours this week, and an opening night at the ballet on the weekend in-between, I guess they just couldn't resist!"
"You used to go to the ballet all the time with Granny, didn't you?" Morgause asked.
"Right you are, Miss MI6. Granny and I were regulars. We'd take you girls sometimes when you were children. Never these opening night extravaganzas though. Just a nice Saturday matinée." Grampa smiled.
"You do looking dashing in your penguin suit with all your badges on." Morgause smiled to her grandfather. The old man had more than a fare collection of military badges pinned to his jacket that he had collected from his years in service.
"Yes, well with you girls in all your sparkly 'bling', I guess I had to compete somehow!" he beamed, obviously very proud of his quite attractive grandchildren.
Morgana drove out through the security gates and onto the road. "I've arranged for dinner beforehand and there'll be champagne at interval." She smiled to Arthur and Grampa in the rear-view mirror.
"I'll admit that you are good at surprises, Morgana." Arthur said. He was genuinely impressed with his sister's efforts. "I can't believe that the other's all kept it a secret though. Especially Merlin and Gwaine. They usually can't even go to the bathroom without letting half of Special Ops know."
Morgana grinned. "It's amazing what people can achieve when paid the right price." She said, and winked to Arthur. Damn his sisters were shifty, he thought.