After the three month mark had passed the men told their friends the good news, everyone was very pleased for the couple they deserved some happiness and good fortune. Morgana was over the moon at the idea of being an Aunty and was already making plans to spoil the child something rotten.

Uther contacted Morgana once he arrived back in the country just after the announcement and invited her to lunch. She knew it was an order rather than an invitation but decided to go anyway. It would be interesting to see what he had to say. The day arrived and she found herself at the dining table with Uther and Nimueh. Not the most pleasant of experiences. The conversation eventually came round to Arthur. Morgana immediately stuck up for her brother saying how well the company was moving forward under him.

"So I understand, but at what cost, driving another company under just to get his own back for that…person." Uther couldn't even say Merlin's name.

"Even if that was true Uther, I would have thought you would have approved its good business after all. Anyway King is in jail, hardly as good example." Morgana couldn't help herself gloat.

"Your brother has disgraced the family name." Nimueh joined in.

"Well I don't think so, I thought you would be pleased father, a grandchild on the way to carry on the family name." That wouldn't have happened without Merlin."

Uther looked surprised at the news.

"Oh you didn't know, yes Merlin and Arthur are having a baby." Morgana smirked.

"Don't mention his name in this house! What do you mean a grandchild? If they are having a child it's adopted therefore nothing to do with Pendragons. It's a disgrace two men bringing up a child.

"Oh no Uther you've got it all wrong, it will be a Pendragon by blood. They have used a surrogate and Arthur is the father. You are to be a grandfather and you will never see your grandchild if you persist in your attitude."

Uther stared at Morgana; he was completely taken aback by the news.

"Oh and before I go I want to ask you something. Did you have anything to do with the attacks on Merlin… don't tell me you were out of the country I know you remember. Well did you?"

Uther looked at his daughter; she could see the truth in his eyes. "You dare to suggest."

"Yes I dare, and I believe you did. You'd better hope that Arthur never gets proof because if he does you'll be finished. That was a step too far, and if you have anything else planned I suggest you stop. You wouldn't like jail." Morgana stood up. "Don't invite me again I won't come, I just wish right now you weren't my father." With that she left her family home with no intention of ever returning.

Cenred meanwhile was back in jail awaiting trial. He sent a message to Uther via a visitor. He wanted out and he wanted out now. He expected Uther to do something or he would keep implicating Uther and mud stuck. The plan of his being in prison for a short sentence had been Uther's idea, to give him a cast iron alibi and it hadn't worked. What was worse was the second stage of the plan hadn't worked. His life was in tatters and he wanted to get out and back to life. He blamed Merlin and Uther for his problems. He brooded as Uther didn't reply, he wanted revenge, as he thought he considered contacting Arthur, although he had been a major player in his downfall it was Uther's plan that had put him in prison. The more he brooded the worse he felt. He needed a plan.

Arthur was worried; he couldn't help but think Merlin was in danger still. He had suggested getting in security for him but Merlin refused. He said there was no point, Cenred was in jail awaiting trial and he wouldn't life his life in fear. He tried to reassure his husband that he had the panic button and the alarms, and that he would be careful who he opened the door to but that was as much as he would allow.

In the end Arthur had to agree, but it didn't stop him worrying, so much to Merlin's disgust, he took to phoning Merlin several times per day. Gaius and Alice also called in more often. Merlin began to feel like a prisoner in his own home and it was pissing him off. It was a good job he didn't know that Arthur had a tracing devise put in this car. Merlin had recently passed his driving test so was now mobile, even more cause for concern for Arthur.

Merlin often visited Isobel to make sure all was ok. He like the woman and was fascinated by the thought she was caring Arthur's baby, their baby. Arthur also saw he some weekends. The pregnancy was progressing well and Merlin was getting more and more exited, He couldn't have been happier if it was his own child. Isobel was now six months pregnant so the two men felt it safe to start to prepare the room and buy things for the baby.

One weekend they decorated the room in pastel green with various large animal stickers to make it look jungle like. Percy had arranged for a specialist occupational therapist to visit with ideas and suggestions. Then they had gone out and purchased the correct height cot, that opened specially for chair users and carrier that would allow Merlin to carry the baby in his wheelchair as well, as the car seat. There was a small cupboard with a changing mat chosen at the correct height, as well as several other items that would help Merlin cope with the baby. There was a stack of nappies and baby grows. Most of the rest would wait until the child was born and they knew the sex. The idea of then becoming parents was now a reality.

Uther had given a lot of thought to what Morgana had said and he liked the idea of having the Pendragon line continuing. He still couldn't stomach the idea of Merlin being involved, but decided to make overtures to Arthur. So one day he called into the office to see his son. Arthur was less than pleased but his father was still a major shareholder so couldn't refuse to see him. At first Uther had spoken about the business before coming round to the real reason for his visit.

"I hear you are to become a father, congratulations."

"Yes, we are both very excited." Arthur tried to keep calm.

"We would like to have some input into the child's upbringing; it will after all be a Pendragon. Both Nimueh and I would like access to the child and expect it to come and stay with us at least once a month. You would be welcome as well of course." Uther spoke as if it was going to happen regardless.

"I'm sorry Sir, but I don't think Merlin would be happy with that, he would feel uncomfortable staying with you after all that has happened."Arthur refused to call Uther father.

"I wasn't suggesting he came. I am the grandfather, and I expect to have access." Uther was adamant.

"What you expect and what you get are different things, the child may be mine biologically but he is just as much Merlin's. If you can't accept my husband then you have no rights. You should have thought of that before. Now if you don't mind I have work to do." Arthur stood up and walked to the office door.

"You can't dismiss me like that!" Uther was outraged.

"I think you'll find I can, Oh and by the way in case you weren't aware, Gaius has given Merlin his shares in the company, as a wedding present, so he is now a part of this company as well as family, like it or not."

Uther stood up and went to the door. Just as he was leaving Arthur spoke once more. "Merlin has been through a lot, and if I ever find you were anything to do with it I will refuse ever to see you again. Just remember that. I won't want you to have any more ideas. I am enough of your son not to make idle threats." With that he shut the door.

Uther left he hadn't expected his son to react how he did. The child was his blood after all. He left feeling less confident than when he had arrived. It seemed Arthur was now his own man and could no longer be made to see sense.