Once Merlin had got hold of his emotions went to join the others in the living room where they had all gathered around the Christmas tree. Ygraine had made a large pot of tea and as Merlin came in Gwaine made way for the wheelchair. "You had just as well stay in it for now, until we have opened our presents as we have breakfast afterwards" he grinned at Merlin

"I have had mine thank you" he said tears of happiness in his eyes.

"You mean the stocking with the satsumas? No Merlin that was just a token, something we do now we are all grown up and open our presents together" Ygraine told him.

Merlin looked puzzled "No I meant the envelope with the tickets" he explained.

"What envelope?" Ygraine persisted

Merlin went back to his room and came back with the tickets, glad he still had the room downstairs "This" he handed the envelope and contents to her.

Ygraine opened it after looking at the outside, on seeing the tickets she looked at the others "This is very generous, who gave it?" she asked.

No one owned up and all the faces looked surprised Mordred was the first to speak "So we all go on holiday together, that's great! Was it you Gwaine?" he looked at his brother.

"Not me sprog" Gwaine replied

"Well whoever it was thank you" Merlin said "I for one don't think it was Father Christmas. And I didn't hear anyone come in" He carefully tucked the tickets down the side of his chair.

"Well shall we open the rest? Morgana could you hand out the presents please?" Uther asked his daughter.

It took some time for everything to be opened. Merlin was thrilled with his gifts and everyone was pleased with the sweets he had made. As Ygraine knew about the sweets Merlin also gave her a wooden carving he had made. He had started whittling pieces of wood with Percy and found it therapeutic. He didn't think he was very good but Ygraine was thrilled with the dragon he had made her. Merlin himself had lots of clothes an ipod, phone as well as new shoes from Gwaine ready for when he could walk outside. His grandfather had given him another gardening book and a set of tools.

As the group made their way to the dining room for breakfast Merlin was overjoyed with what the day had already given him. Uther and Arthur had set the table. They had a simple breakfast but one of Merlin's favourites boiled egg and toast. "We can't eat too much now Merlin as we have a huge lunch" Gwaine explained.

Merlin grinned "I know I helped Aunty Ygraine and, Morgana do the vegetable yesterday. And I didn't know birds came so big!"

"Well it's been in the oven for a couple of hours already!" Ygraine told him. "So make sure you are all hunger and don't eat all the sweets Merlin has made."

Arthur and Gwaine cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher, telling Merlin that they all helped with the chores at Christmas. Then everyone went and dressed before coming downstairs once more. Gwaine checked Merlin didn't need help as Percy had gone home for a few days to his own family. The he supervised Merlin using his frame to walk to the lounge once more.

Merlin then sat with Mordred and played one of the younger boys computer games with him. As the other watched and cheered then on. Christmas dinner was in the dining room and Merlin gazed at the table in wonder. With the candles and table decorations it was a thing of beauty. He ate as much as he could as he sat between his brothers with his grandfather opposite. He loved the crackers and wearing the paper hats, which he insisted everyone wore. The others all enjoyed the day so much more seeing Merlin's wonder at what for the older of them had become somewhat routine.

After lunch Merlin surprised then by asking to watch the Queens speech, it seemed when in Mumbai he had watched it in the clinic with all the other street children. After all the Queen was also Queen of India. After that no one was surprised when Merlin fell asleep leaning up against his older brother. Gwaine gently ruffled his hair with a tender smile on his face. Uther turned to Gwaine "That was a nice thing you did Gwaine" on seeing the brunettes blank look he added "The tickets"

"It wasn't me I wish it had been" Gwaine admitted "I would have taken him but that didn't cross my mind"

"I did it" Gaius admitted "You boys deserve a holiday together after Merlin has finished with the operations. Also it will allow Merlin to make proper choices about his life. I think he will realise he is better off here, but Mumbai was his home for a long time." He paused "He is a good boy, I want him to be happy and forcing him to stay here is not the thing to do" he looked at Gwaine "He's no fool Gwaine he will love you all the more if he feels in charge of his life and destiny"

Gwaine nodded "I know, I think I've learnt that lesson. We talked when we went away, he thinks he wants to move there with me, and Mordred once he's finished school. I think the walled garden will become a project for him, if he stays. If he doesn't will we will face that, that's if he decides he wants to live in India. But Merlin is family now whatever happens"

Uther smiled "I'm glad the estate will come back to life, I know your parents would be pleased. I take it you won't be working at the firm then." There was no reproach in Uther's tone.

"No I'm sorry, maybe Mordred will, but I want to run the estate and be with Merlin. Whatever Mordred decides he knows he will always be more than welcome to be with us. I was going to sell up but once we went there I saw it through Merlin's eyes and fell in love with it again." Gwaine grinned sheepishly "I hope you don't mind, I do appreciate it and I want to keep the families interests in the company"

"Won't have it any other way Gwaine. Mordred will be welcome if that's what he wants when the time comes. To be honest I think Arthur will be enough for now! You two are always trouble together" that was said good naturedly.

Arthur went out side with Mordred to try out his new bike and remote controlled helicopter and once Merlin had woken up Gwaine helped him exercise before they sat down to Christmas tea. Merlin said he had never seen so much food and he tried a small bit of everything before declaring himself full. They settled down to play board games then watch a film before turning I for the night.

As Gwaine and Mordred helped Merlin into his room they felt closer than they ever had. "Thank you for everything" Merlin said "It has been so nice, can you thank everyone else for me? I forgot"

"I will" Mordred said "It has been good hasn't it" he hugged his brother "Better than last year, that's because you were here. It was just right"

Gwaine hugged both his brothers. "Maybe next year we will ask everyone up to the estate? I know I have another two tears at university if I stay on. But I night leave after all if I'm not working at the company I don't need to. I'm going to talk to Uncle Uther after Christmas. Today has been brilliant."

Once Merlin was in bed his brothers left him and the young man was soon asleep, He felt really happy and content and part of his new family at last.