Esme didn't understand why everyone in the house was crying. Mommy's face was wet. Daddy hugged Grampy in his arms. Even, Hunny's eyes were teary. She just set at the table ; her small head on her hands. She knew that she should remove her elbows. It was okay. Her ears perked when she overheard… daddy mumbling about a match, hospital, doctor, and a needle. Esme sighed her poor daddy had to play tennis, and got a shot from the doctor… another one. It would make me cry too.

I'm a first class idiot. I shouldn't have shut down last week over Henry. His plight pulls me back into my youth… losing Morded. I'll never get over losing Morded. Just like I'll never forgive myself for losing Guinevere. I'm a blasted fool. Guinevere must feel something in her heart for me. Just remember, and she came to me in my hour of need. I don't know how to beg for her forgiveness. I'll plead and rip my eyes out. No… that's just gross… might scare my baby.

A knock at the door broke Arthur's thoughts.

"Come in."

Gwen's head popped around his door. "Can we chat about Morgana?'

Arthur's face turned beet red. "Yes… of course."

Gwen slide next to Arthur on his bed. 'Esme is sleeping… I need to speak with you about Morgana."

Arthur sighed. "We have to discuss the past. I was a fool. I should have trusted you. Uncle Aggy is dead… I don't know why he didn't like you. Why he did this to you and Esme? I'll spend my life earning your forgiveness."

Arthur looked Gwen in the eye hopefully.

Gwen clasped his hand. "Be a good father until you die, and you're forgiven." Gwen lost herself in his eyes for a moment. His familiar pull broke down her barriers. His hand was so blessedly warm and inviting. It made her think of other things about Arthur.

Great… I'm on his bed. Esme's sleeping… Uther is doing god knows what… I'm staring into perfect sapphire eyes…

"Lets' chat about Morgana. I think she's having an affair with Helios."

Arthur offered Gwen a baffled look. "They just met."

Gwen shot Arthur a direct look. "Helios likes fragile… he was like a knight in shining armor after Dad died." Arthur diverted his gaze. Gwen pinched his hand. "Ouch,' he yelped. " Arthur turned to face Gwen.

'"You aren't shying away from my relationship with Helios. It happened. It was fun. It's over. She's prime picking for him. Why wasn't she at the hospital? I bet that they were together. Stop with the look… How many tarts have you touched in the last five years?"

'A few,' Arthur admitted weakly. "I'll speak with her."

"So, will I… we need to chat anyway.'

Arthur stroked Gwen's hand. "I hope this works.

"Me too."

"About Morded and Henry…"

Gwen' rested her fingertips on Arthur's lips. "You don't have to say anything. I understand."

She 's always understood. She's the only one that loved me for my faults, and never tried to force me into changing. Her gentle ways made me a better person. I'm just sinking without her.

Arthur kissed Gwen's fingertips causing her eyes to widened.

'Arthur…"

"Just a kiss."

She should have rolled from his bed. Something made her stay when his lips approached her face. His touch was tender and tentative… almost like their first kiss. Arthur added pressure until Gwen opened her lips. His lips touched her with gentle caresses. Gwen's eyes shut as pleasure and excitement built from Arthur's touch. Arthur pushed Gwen down on his bed as he kissed her passionately. His hand grabbed her curls as they laid kissing on his bed. They were lost in their kiss; they didn't hear the bedroom door open.

"Why are you wrestling Mommy, Daddy?'

Gwen attempted to push Arthur away as he hauled them upright. Both of their faces were flushed with desire and embarrassment. Esme swayed as she stared at her parents.

'Mommy… said that… I couldn't… beat her…I had to prove it."

Esme grinned. "I can beat you!" she climbed on her father's bed and launched herself at her parents. Esme bounced on Arthur's chest as Gwen laughed. He tuned dark blue eyes in her directions. She decided to ignore a dark passionate gleam in Arthur's eyes.

I'm a complete an utter moron. How many times do I have to say this.. The last few days were awful. We should have explained to Esme. She smiled happily at her appointments. Gwen held at the pre op appointment. She howled and cried at another needle. Today is killing me… watching Gwen cradle our daughter as she sleeps. She has to stay the night, and we can take her home in the morning. I held Gwen when she cried after nurse took Esme away. Now, I just sit in the chair stroking Gwen's hair as Esme sleeps. I hope Gwen is asleep too. I'm grateful that Father pitched a fit … we were allowed to stay.

Arthur spooned Esme a bit of chicken soup as she laid in her bed. Esme was a bit sore and stiff in her hips after the donation. She kept mentioning Toffee. He left to buy candy, and Esme frowned when she saw it. She mumbled, "Tell Grampy. He knows."She spent hours sleeping, and Arthur and Gwen rarely spent time away from her.

Henry 's conditions improved. His doctors said he could go home in about ten days. Arthur tracked his sister's movements. She was cold and distant to Gawain… and he even tried to hug her. Something was amiss. Gwen and Arthur never discussed that day on his bed. Arthur knew that they would.

Arthur arrived from the office. His head tilted when something grabbed his pant leg and pulled roughly.

Gwen appeared with folded arms. "This is Toffee."

Arthur didn't know the breed. It was bronze, little, and fluffy… a puppy. "I didn't know. I didn't do it." Oh.. Heck Father bought Esme a puppy.

"It was Grumpy. Did you know that we're all going to Disney when Henry is well?"

Arthur shook his head "No." Arthur was almost afraid to correct her. "It's Grampy."

"It's Grumpy," she yelled back.

Gwen huffed as she stomped up the steps. Arthur peered down at Toffee. "You are cute."

Gwen napped on a leather sofa as Arthur read a legal brief. Father had taken Esme to the Zoo. Gwen and Arthur gave him strict orders… purchase nothing.

"Arthur…"

Arthur's jaw set when he met Morgana's green eyes.

"Morgana."