It's her day off and she drops by Dr Gaius's in the morning and gives him his Christmas present. He hugs her briefly then hands her a small box, telling her not to open it till Christmas. She kisses him on the cheek and slips the box into her bag.

Then she makes her way to her father's place where she finds him and her brother Gordon watching some Christmas special on television. They gather her into enthusiastic hugs and kisses when she arrives and her heart swells. They may not meet up very often but she knows she's loved and it's the best feeling. As they lounge round the television, eating lunch, Gwen looks at her father and brother and wonders if they too are reincarnated. But even if they are, they have given no sign of remembering anything. They spend a nice day together bonding over television shows and family gossip. Gordon gives her a book voucher and her father passes her a nice bottle of wine.

"What's new with you?" Gordon asks absently, his eyes still on the television. "Dad says you're dating someone new. When do we get to meet him?"

She can't help but feel the blood heat her cheeks. "How does tomorrow sound? He's having a small gathering at his coffee shop." The moment the words come out of her mouth, she regrets them. Not only has she not asked Arthur if this is ok, despite their years of history, she really has only been dating him slightly more than a week.

When she leaves, her father hugs her tightly. "You deserve someone special. I hope this guy is special."

"He's a prince," she says with a smile.

"Hello Gwen!" Kilgarrah is the first to greet her. She waves to him.

Merlin is nowhere to be seen when Gwen arrives at Round Table Coffee. Arthur is wiping down the tables so, after hanging up her coat, she goes over and slips her arms around him. "Can my dad and brother come by for Christmas drinks tomorrow?"

He lets the cloth drop from his hand, turns and hugs her. "Sure. You'll be coming after dinner?"

"Yeah. Where's Merlin?"

"In the back." Arthur rubbed her back and nuzzled her ear.

"More drinks?"

With a laugh, Arthur shook his head. "I think he's given up on that. Go and see what he's up to. He'll be glad to see you."

Upon entering the small kitchen at the back, she sees Merlin hunched over the counter, piping bag in hand, tongue sticking out of his mouth, hard at work.

"What are you doing?"

He jumps. "Gwen! I'm making Christmas cookies."

Gwen peers at the cookies, with Merlin's crooked Christmas trees drawn on them. "You really enjoy Christmas."

"This year is especially good," says Merlin with a smile so bright, it hurts her heart. "But I knew it would be good when Gaius told me you were working for him."

Her curiosity piqued, she asks Merlin more, leaning against the counter and sneaking bites from the cookies. She learns that Merlin met Arthur in school and he knew immediately who Arthur was. Arthur didn't then and although Merlin tried to keep his distance – reincarnation makes things awkward – they end up in detention together and have been friends ever since. Apparently Arthur didn't take Merlin keeping his reincarnation a secret well.

"He's an ass," huffs Merlin.

"You did lie to him."

"It isn't like I had a lot of choice. It never ends well when people don't remember on their own." There's a story behind this but Gwen can see from Merlin's face that he doesn't want to talk about it.

Their conversation turns to the small party Arthur is hosting the next evening and she learns that Arthur's step-sister will be there. According to Merlin, she's not the warmest of people and she's never liked Mithian. It makes Gwen a little nervous.

Then Arthur steps into the small kitchen, pulls her back against his chest and kisses the top of her head and Gwen's misgivings disappear.

AN: Sorry this is late. Eep. Real life got in the way. Thanks again for the encouragement!