Chapter 21: The Big Day
Saturday morning
After the sudden rainstorm hit last night, everyone awoke to a bright and beautiful day at Emery's Estates. The sun is shining high in the sky, it so pretty outside it almost seems as if the thunderstorm of last night was a dream, an awful dream. But when Gwen woke up to a lonely bed for the first time in almost a week, she knew.
A whole week sleeping next to Arthur, though she was joking, when she said she probably couldn't sleep without his snoring, last night was the most difficult sleep of her life. Was it the lack of his snoring that kept her awake or that everything horrible thing she said to Arthur was real, it happened and now she had probably lost him forever.
She should have just been honest with him and with herself. She didn't give a shit about Lance or whoever else he was screwing. That fact that her own cousin could be so treacherous stung a bit but, Lance's behavior wasn't too much of a shock considering how he meet Vivian.
No what her hurt was that she felt that all this week Arthur had played her. That everything they shared had been false. That she was just another client and next week he'd probably be telling some other woman that he'd miss her if they never met. Hell maybe even a few days from now he'd be sharing a bed with a beautiful woman telling her how special she was. It hurts because this was the week she feel in love with Arthur and she can't tell if she's something more to him or just another job. Despite being in such a large house surrounded by family and friends Gwen has never felt so alone.
She prepared herself for the day,slipping on a plush robe over her pajamas. She heads across the hall to brush her teeth and wash her face afterwards she heads down stairs to have some breakfast. She still didn't want to talk to anyone and lucky for her she was able to dine alone. The same could not be said when she returned to her room. Both Freya and Morgana were nervously waiting outside the door for her.
"Gwen, we just want to say-"
Gwen held up her hand to silence them. "Inside." She states and all three women enter the room and Morgana shuts the door behind them.
The tension in the room is unbearable and neither Morgana or Freya know what to say so Gwen breaks the silence.
"How long have you known? Years? Months?" Gwen questions her sister and friend.
"No Gwen I swear I only found out that day at the spa." Freya admits.
"And Tasha told me at the bachelorette party I swear." Morgana confesses.
"Wait, did you say years?" Freya asks suddenly.
"How long has this shit been going on?" Morgana asks her fury building.
Gwen sighs. "From Lance told me for most of our relationship."
"I'll kill him." Morgana starts up.
"No it's not worth it, him or her for that matter. But why didn't either of you just pull me aside and tell me?"
"because we didn't want to cause you more pain." Freya says.
"I didn't know how to tell you Gwen. You know Frey and I would never do anything to hurt you."
Gwen sniffs holding back tears. "I know you're both right, because that's what Arthur said."
"Where is Arthur anyway?" Morgana questions.
"He left we got into a huge fight last night because he knew about the affair as well. And I blew up. I said some shit I didn't mean and I told him to get away from me. He's gone."
"He didn't leave." Freya announces. "Merlin told me he stayed over in the boathouse overnight."
Gwen face brighten just a little. "So it's not too late. I can still make things right with him with us." Gwen says to herself.
"So Gwen are we good?" Morgana asks.
Gwen walks up to them and hugs them both in a big group hug. "Yeah we're good I know that you both we're trying to protect me. I forgive you both I just lost control."
"I'm still gonna kill Lance and Tasha." Morgana admits.
"No you won't." Gwen states.
"Aww how about we just cut em' just a tiny bit." Freya asks.
"Not you too Frey. Morgana you have been a bad influence on my little sister. No violence of any kind." Gwen says trying not to laugh a her sister and best friend.
Dressed in a pair of jeans and a short-sleeved top Gwen climbs down the steps and is preparing to head out the door.
"Gwen there you are." Her mother calls.
"Hey morning mom."
"Good morning to you too. Where are you going?"
"Uh for a walk." Gwen lies she doesn't need her mother butting in on what's happened between her and Arthur. I would rather just keep that to myself. Alright, fine it wasn't a private matter anymore between Arthur and I. Frey, Morgs, Merlin, Tasha and Lance all knew. But mom is the meddler-in-chief and if she knew she'd be upset and want to help and I really can't deal with mother interfering.
"Gwennie the stylist is here and she ready to get you all done up."
"But I'm just going out for a few minutes. I'll be back later."
"Well then you can get dress and go out afterward."
"Mom I just-"
"You just what? If you're only going out for a walk surely whatever you want to see will be there after you're dressed and ready for your sister's wedding."
"But-"
"No butts Guinevere Esmerelda Degrance! March upstairs get dressed and get your butt back down here."
Ouch, its been a long time since mom used my full name. I'd better do what she says."Okay I'm going."
They prepare to get dressed the wedding is a few hours away. Gwen gets dressed in her gown, it's a beautiful sleeveless pale teal dress all the bridesmaid have the same dress but Freya made sure the designer added special embroidery to Gwen's dress. And then the stylist comes over and fixes everyone's hair and makeup. The hair stylist fixes Gwen hair up high on the top of her head with a few curls draping down her neck and matching earring and necklace set in silver.
The stylist took forever in Gwen's mind maybe she was just nervous to face Arthur again. She said some pretty horrible things last night. Would he forgive her? Would he even want to see her after everything?Unsure of what will become of them, Gwen mentally braces and tries to calm herself, after is all set she sets out in search for Arthur. She walks toward the boathouse and hears someone call her name she turns and sees the last person on Earth she would want to talk to right now or ever really.
"Gwen."
"What?" Gwen snaps at her cousin Tasha.
"I just wanted to say thank you for not outing me in front of Tony."
"Oh yeah you're welcome." Gwen says sarcastically.
"I just wanted to talk to you." Tasha saya softly.
"About what how you slept with my boyfriend while we were together? Or how you could come around my place pretending that everything was just peachy fucking keen when you sleeping with Lance? Or how you continued to sleep with him, even after we broke up? Or how about the fact that you continued sleeping with him even after he was married? Or do you just want to make sure I don't tell your husband what a skanky whore you are!"
"I'm sorry Gwen. I'm so sorry and I deserve all of that and more. But please I beg you please don't tell Tony. He's a good man he doesn't deserve this."
"You mean you don't deserve him." Gwen replies hitting Tasha with her words. She flinched like she's been slapped.
"You're right I don't deserve Tony he's too good for me. But please don't say anything. I'll tell Tony I swear I just need to time it right. You know."
"You're right. Of course you're right. You should time it right so when Tony finds out that you've have been repeatedly fucking his best friend, he won't feel like the world is collapsing and there's no escape. Whatever. I'm through with you and all the drama you bring. I won't say anything. Besides I can't be the one who breaks his heart, no that's your job." Gwen says as she walks away leaving a stunned and teary-eyed Tasha in her wake.
As the boathouse comes into view Gwen can feel her heart lighten. She not sure what to say to Arthur exactly but, it will certainly start with I'm so sorry. She knocks on the door to the boathouse and waits for Arthur to answer. She knocks again and still she gets no response.
"Arthur." She calls out opening the door and stepping inside. She looks around the room. The bed is made there is no trace of Arthur or any of his things she walks around the room and spots an envelope on the desk. Walking over to it she picks up the manilla envelope. It's the same envelope she gave to Arthur when she paid him. There is small handwriting on the back and what she read make her eyes swell with tears.
It's all there trust me, Arthur.
"What have I done?" She questions. "He's gone and I've ruined everything."
She walks out of the boat house in a state of shock. He's gone. Arthur's gone.
Her mother walks by and glance at her momentarily. "You don't look to well darling. It's hot out make sure you drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated."
"Okay." Is all a sorrowful Gwen can say.
She slowly walks back to the main house and her father walks over to her she sits down on a bench outside.
"Hey kiddo."
"Hey dad." Gwen tries and fails to make herself sound okay. They both know it's a lie.
Arnold scrutinizes her in that annoying way that all parents do when they know, how the hell do they always know when something in bothering you?
"I'm ok."
"I don't believe you."
"Really I'm fine."
"So why did you let him go?"
"It's complicated dad."
"Right. It probably wouldn't have worked out anyway, huh?"
Gwen shrugs.
"I remember reading a very fascinating article in one of your mother's magazine's once, where this guy said "Every woman has the exact love life she wants".
Gwen tries to keep her expression neutral.
"You know what? I agree with him. But I refuse to believe that this is what you want, Gwennie."
Tears again threaten to spill from her eyes as she listens to her father.
"Every since you were little, you always worried about what other people think. Now come on, tell me what do you think is he the guy for you?"
Gwen smiles and nods her head.
"Then go and get him." He orders kissing her on the head. "The wedding starts in two hours."
A/N: ANNOUNCEMENT TO MY FELLOW ARWEN/GUINTHUR LOVERS! I AM WORKING ON A NEW STORY! YES THAT'S RIGHT A NEW FICTION FROM YOURS TRULY I AM SUPER EXCITED ABOUT IT BUT I'M SURE YOU COULD TELL BECAUSE OF ALL THE YELLING! IT'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER MODERN GWEN/ARTHUR STORY AND BONUS POINTS IT'S RATED M. GIVEN MY HISTORY I'M SURE YOU ALL KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS. *wink wink* HEY I'VE BEEN REALLY GOOD I'VE GONE A WHOLE 2O SOMETHING CHAPTERS AND KEPT THIS RATED T. (An accomplishment in it self I wasn't sure I could even write a non smut story, there were times when I was very tempted to upgrade the rating to M, I'm just saying.)
*Rambles along* Anyway the new story is called Afternoons with Arthur. I will post another note when the story has been published thank you everyone who's read, reviewed, followed and favorites this story. Your support has made this possible!