We will call this place our home, the dirt in which our roots may grow. Though the storms will push and pull, we will call this place our home. We'll tell our stories on our walls. Every year measure how tall. And just like a work of art, we'll tell our stories here on our walls. Let the years we're here be kind, be kind. Let our hearts—like doors, open wide, open wide. Settle our bones like wood over time, over time
17th April 2021
"Okay one week to go, the skip is coming in half an hour so let's go go go!" Morgana ordered as she walked around the house with Alfie on her hip. He'd seemed to become an extension of her hip as of late, not wanting to be put down and crying whenever he became close to other people. "Morgause I need you to get Amhar strapped in the buggy to contain him then help Merlin, Merlin you need to get the things we're getting rid of up front, Hunith I'd like you to batch cook the meals please and Balinor please ensure most of the fridge is empty. Everyone got a job? Okay, let's go!".
"I don't know how I'm supposed to look after a toddler when I had my covid vaccine yesterday" Morgause drawled.
"Plenty of people do it Morgause" Morgana shrugged. "Some people have no choice and you volunteered to come help so help".
"I had the AstraZeneca one I could have a blood clot for all I know" Morgause added as she strapped Amhar into one of the buggies. "My arm hurts so I don't know how to push this one, I mean it's got two handles".
"Morgause you were on the pill for twenty years for goodness sake" Morgana rolled her eyes. "You have more chance of getting a blood clot from the pill—or worse actual coronavirus, so stop whinging and bloody help".
"Alright, alright miss grumpy pants" Morgause chuckled as she strapped Amhar in the buggy, twisting the crotch buckle around to stop him escaping. As of late Amhar had been rather troublesome, escaping his car seat both by slipping his arms out and pressing the buckle open. This was extremely frustrating for Merlin and Morgana, having to temporarily move his car seat into the front seat as the novelty had managed to stop him doing so (for now at least).
"I'm not grumpy" Morgana muttered while Alfie pawed at her breast. "And I know you're hungry little man, but mummy's busy and tired and you need a nap seeing as you're not—OW! Alfie!".
"Eight month sleep regression?" Hunith asked.
Merlin and Morgana sighed enigmatically. "Plus a clogged duct which I really do not need right now. On top of the baby waking up eight to ten times a night to feed as opposed to his usual three to four times is just exhausting".
"Eh, if I was you I'd put him in his cot and let him cry it out. Sleep for all and big win" Morgause piped up.
"Thank you for your input, Morgause" Merlin resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "But we've decided to co-sleep, it works for us and we don't want to do controlled crying".
"I can't feed him in the sling sorry I'm going to have to help later" Morgana said as she sat down on the sofa and fed the baby. "Okay let's get toys all away. I plan on keeping Amhar out in the garden as much as possible so getting all the things out of the loft and sealed into boxes alongside the old clothes that no longer fit the kids would be tremendous".
"Let's get all our jobs done then" Hunith said. "Oh, where do you keep the thermometer?".
"It should be in the overnight bag" Morgana closed her eyes and waved one arm slightly. "That's by the front door I believe. Someone add removing the bottom stair gate to my list please". The steps of people running around could be heard as they all went about their jobs, Morgana keeping her eyes shut to help with the pain. Clogged ducts were something that she thought she'd left behind in the newborn days though apparently not. At least everyone seemed to be going about their jobs, though she was rather perplexed as to why Hunith wanted a thermometer. She did feel slightly feverish herself so would book a covid test for the test centre soon or talk to 111.
"Ah—what the—" Morgana exclaimed at feeling a rather nice cool thing being stuck into her ear. She opened her eyes to see Hunith sticking the thermometer in her ear.
"Thirty-eight point seven" Hunith said. "Morgana, you have a fever".
"That's about the last thing I need right now" Morgana muttered. "I can't have coronavirus again, I've been careful".
"It seems like you might have mastitis" Hunith suggested. "I'd say call 111 and speak to them for advice". Morgana spoke to the service and was advised that she needed bed rest, massaging the breast to clear the duct, hot showers and lots of fluids (alongside feeding from the clogged breast). Morgana was not a fan of this at all, finding information online and feeding Alfie on all fours (while alone in the bedroom), taking paracetamol and combing it with a wide toothed comb in a hot shower. She ended up in comfortable shorts with a nursing talk, walking around the house with Alfie on her hip feeding from the infected boob as they prepared.
"Okay, everything we needed to go in the skip?" Morgana checked.
"Mostly" Merlin replied. "We found some of Arthur and Gwen's old things … things we didn't know what to do with". There were many things that they were still uncertain as to whether they were keeping or tossing and those things that they were uncertain about almost immediately went into the loft as they were too emotional at the time to deal with those things. Now it has been almost two years it was easier to decide what to do with those things, sorting it all out within the hour and being ready to move. All they had to do now was live of freezer food for the next week (Hunith's batch cooking and other things like fake chicken nuggets and pizza that they had when they needed food in a pinch).
23rd April 2021
"We are moving tomorrow!" Morgana jumped up slightly. Fortunately her mastitis (alongside the very bad mood) had disappeared after a long sleep so Morgana didn't have to see the doctor for antibiotics and was back on her schedule by Monday. She managed to secure a Tesco delivery to the new house on Sunday at any time between ten and four so that meant they could pack rather 'lightly' and not have to lug many things around, just the essentials and the furniture. Everything was packed up in boxes around the house—the loft empty, fridge empty, bathroom empty bar a cup with toothbrushes and toothpaste, all the toys (especially the bulky ones like the jumperoo and baby walker) bar a few that were currently in the travel cot to keep the children amused. They'd labelled the boxes with the rooms they wanted them to go into and what contained them, wrapped up the plates and kitchen stuff to ensure no breakage. The cot had been dismantled (Alfie never used it anyway) alongside the changing table, Amhar was currently sleeping on an air mattress on the floor which he was thrilled about as they'd packed up his bed too and were simply awaiting the move.
The moving essentials (papers, folders, pens, coffee, tea, biscuits, food, phone chargers) were in a box on the kitchen counter, table dismantled with the adults eating on the floor and both kids in the highchairs. Clothes were in a suitcase or boxed up, boxes covering the living room and conservatory as opposed to toys. The only things remaining in the house were a couple of disposable plates, juice and milk in the fridge and the takeaway pizza that they decided to order. Morgana was usually strict on ensuring that she and the children ate healthily, though given that they were stressing about the move and doing a lot of exercise (she classed moving the car seat from car to car as exercise alongside dismantling furniture) she didn't seem to care, even letting Alfie have a few bites of a cheese pizza that he absolutely loved.
"I can't believe this is the last time we spend the night in this place" Merlin remarked. "The end of an era".
"I know" Morgana agreed as she looked around. "Us getting together. Amhar's first steps. Bringing Alfie home".
"It's rather emotional" Merlin agreed. "Though it's nice for us to be moving on".
"It's not like we're not coming back" Morgana added. "Still gotta sort this place out for the tenants".
"True, it's just not the same".
"I know" Morgana said and leant up to kiss her husband. "Though we are starting out new life".
Later that night as Merlin and Morgana lay in bed, they grinned at each other and then kissed the baby as they saw the clock change from 23:59 to 00:00. Moving day had arrived.
24th April 2021
The day of the move had begun. Merlin and Morgana had set their alarms for six o'clock. For once in their lives as the alarms went off they grinned as they sat up in bed, high-fiving silently as to not wake Alfie. They headed straight to the bathroom, Merlin using the loo while Morgana threw her retainer away (she'd worn it for over ten years and kept it in a great condition, though decided it was now the best time to get rid of it) and brushed her teeth before they swapped, Merlin washing his hands then brushing his teeth while Morgana went to the loo. Morgana went over to Amhar's room and fed Alfie in the rocking chair as they watched Amhar sleeping on the floor mattress, clutching his bat, bunny, Elmer comforter and bunny comforter. They decided on keeping the rocking chair in the room as it was nice to be able to rock the children even if they had all the other furniture dismantled and downstairs. They hadn't planned to take Amhar's bed downstairs but as soon as he saw Alfie's cot dismantled he was adamant he wasn't sleeping in a bed either and insisted on the inflatable bed.
"I can't believe we're moving" Morgana said softly as she cupped Alfie's head.
"Me neither" Merlin agreed. "Look how cute Amhar looks sleeping".
"Adorable" Morgana agreed. "Grab a photo of me and Alfie while you're at it". As promised, Merlin took many photos of his wife and sons before Amhar woke, thrilled to see his whole family there.
"Good morning" Amhar grinned and stretched.
"Good morning" Merlin and Morgana said in unison, though Alfie just babbled "mamama".
"Do you know what day is it today?" Merlin asked.
"New house day!" Amhar squealed.
"It is" Morgana confirmed with a smile. "Come on, let's go for a wee and brush your teeth".
"TV?" Amhar asked. They'd decided to stop the TV a few days back, taping the remote to the back of the tv to stop it getting lost and save on electricity bills as they transferred.
"Not yet sweetie" Morgana said. She moved Alfie into the crook of her arm and wet the toothbrush then squeezed some toddler toothpaste onto it. "In the new house".
"And going today?" Amhar asked.
"We are" Morgana confirmed with a smile. "Grandma and grandpa are going to come help us as we have to do a lot of work".
"Okay mummy" Amhar said as he began brushing his teeth.
"So you need to be on extra good behaviour" Morgana warned.
"Yes mummy" he said though it was slightly muffled by the sound of his toothbrush. Morgana headed down with the children and put Alfie in the bigger more supportive highchair and Amhar in the antilop. She rather did like to be able to 'trap' him at times especially given that now he could open his own car seat straps, with the highchair being the only solution that still worked (fortunately on the buggy they could twist the straps to make it harder for him to do so though in the car seat it was not safe).
"Breakfast?" Amhar asked.
"You have cereal and milk" Morgana answered as she poured it into a bowl. "And here's your milk". She stopped almost right away to chug at her coffee. "And Alfie has a chopped banana and some almond butter on a rice cake".
"Me have some?" Amhar asked.
"Of course sweetie, after you finish your cereal" Morgana said as she shovelled some cereal into her mouth. Fortunately her allergies ended at peanuts and she could have all sorts of other nuts. They all had the almond butter on rice cakes, relaxing as it was only seven o'clock in the morning.
"I guess we ought to head off then, get on with it" Merlin sighed.
"I guess so" Morgana agreed with a sigh. She ensured there was no liquid left in the cups or bowls then put them in the bin (they opted to use disposables to make it easier and have less packing to do). She put him in the Next2Me while she changed and Merlin sorted out Amhar before changing the baby's nappy (as it hadn't leaked they'd keep him in his babygrow all day) then began packing up the bedroom. Merlin joined after he'd changed himself and Amhar, the couple working together to bundle the duvet into a bag alongside the bed sheets. They detached the co-sleeper and folded that down too then deflated the air mattress and folded it into the bag then headed down. Merlin opened the door to the movers (and Morgause) while Morgana put the kids down in the buggy and put her hair up into a messy bun. All the adults had to mask up and after the initial greetings the movers (Pete, Dave and Boris) began to move the boxes into the moving van slowly but surely. Though due to the guidelines there was only allowed to be six people inside the house at a time so Morgause and Morgana headed into the garden with the children.
"I can't believe you're actually moving out of this place" Morgause remarked as she began dismantling the swing while Morgana did the same with the sand and water table (fortunately easy to dismantle and had no sand in it since 2020).
"Me either" Morgana agreed with a wistful sigh. "I mean this is where .. it all happened you know? Coming home after the accident, deciding to get married. Finding out I was pregnant with Alfie and then bringing him home".
"Cant forget the conception" Morgause winked.
"He …." Morgana blushed. "He wasn't conceived here".
"Bloody hell woman!" Morgause hissed. "Then … where?".
"Avalon hospital" Morgana deadpanned.
"I'm not, I'm not even going to ask" Morgause shook her head. "I am going to continue dismantling this swing and then go offer the moving people tea or coffee". True to her word, Morgause finished dismantling the swing then headed inside starting with the drinks. Morgana sighed and looked at Alfie in the sling.
"Your auntie. Honestly" she shook her head. Alfie began chewing on the ergo and Morgana gave him a banana chew toy before continuing to help pack up. In the end Amhar was left outside with Morgause playing with a ball while Alfie sat in the travel cot as Merlin and Morgana helped to pack up the house. They'd finished by twelve o'clock when everything was packed up in the moving van (or the cars). Morgana would be driving herself, the children and Merlin in her car, Hunith would be taking Merlin's car and Morgause and Balinor in their own cars.
"Last day in the old house!" Morgause exclaimed. "Come on, one last photo?".
"Okay" Morgana grinned. She took Alfie out his car seat and she and Merlin stood with Amhar outside the front door, massive grins on their faces as Hunith and Morgause snapped a few pictures.
"How long to the new house?" Merlin asked as Morgana began to drive.
"Six minutes. Just gotta get over the border and into central Camelot" Morgana replied with a smile. "Say bye to the old house".
"Bye old house!" Amhar eagerly waved from the back seat. They'd moved him back there as they needed the space and he knew he'd get a telling off if he tried to escape while the car was moving. Besides, it wasn't the best given that his leg's were squashed under the dashboard as Alfie's car seat took up a lot of space.
Six minutes later they pulled up to Essetir road and into the driveway of their new home.
"Look! We're here boys!" Merlin exclaimed as he went to the back. Amhar waited until the car had stopped before he undid his car seat straps and Merlin picked him up, Morgana held Alfie's car seat as they looked up at the house.
"Ready?" Merlin asked with a smile as he squeezed Morgana's hand.
"Ready" Morgana confirmed. She put Alfie on the floor and unlocked the door and walked in to their new house. The hallway was small though big enough to store a double pram in, a cupboard under the stairs straight ahead with curving stairs above. There was a study (or possible playroom) on the right with a lounge right ahead. It had patio doors leading onto a patio in the garden with a lovely grassy patch too. On the left after a little hallway was a huge kitchen and diner combined leading onto a little downstairs loo and utility room. Having an actual utility room instead of the washing machine just opposite the downstairs loo.
Going up the stairs and around the corner into the landing. Right opposite was the master bed with an en-suite and a small bedroom to the side. Next to that was a family bathroom, then a large bedroom looking out to the garden. Opposite the family bathroom was a medium-sized bedroom, with a large airing closet in the walkway.
"I love it!" Amhar emphasised excitedly. "Can we go in?".
"After photos" Hunith said as Morgana lifted Alfie out of the infant carrier and held him as she happily snapped lots of photos. Time passed quickly with the moving van arriving within ten minutes. Amhar had claimed the medium sized bedroom immediately (fortunately for Merlin and Morgana as they'd planned it that way, the smallest bedroom would be for Alfie and in case of more lockdowns the bigger bedroom would be better as an office or a playroom of sorts).
It had taken quite a few hours and there were still a lot of boxes, though by five o'clock they had somewhat managed to get everything done nicely. The dining table and chairs were set up right next to the kitchen area, washing machine slotted nicely in the utility room and beds set up in their respective rooms. Sofa and coffee table were nicely in the living room along the large array of toys (most were still boxed up though), both desks set up (being used more for storage—at least today) in the study.
Morgana and Merlin were exhausted by the end of the day though they had all their clothes up in their wardrobes and a few toys out a lot of the other things were still boxed up. Moving had proved to be exhausting. The beds were set up and so was Alfie's co-sleeper next to the bed and the cot in his room. They decided that while it was a good idea to get Amhar a new bed, it'd be better to wait for baby number three as Alfie would be moving out of the cot and into Amhar's bed (or another one that they might find instead, depending on whether they'd have the children share a room or not).
The children had a bath together that night (naturally meaning Amhar couldn't have his 'big boy bubbles which he did throw a bit of a strop about though with the promise to have a long bath while the baby was changed and had a feed).
Hunith and Balinor had showered them with gifts—two new rocking chair (the same as the old one so that they could keep the theme the same and both Morgana and Merlin loved the design—even though it was originally bought by Arthur and Gwen), alongside many rugs. For Alfie's room they purchased a grey rug that said 'I love you more than all the stars to the moon and back', fitting well with the hues of baby blue and grey that Merlin and Morgana had decided on. A part of them knew they should've decorated and done painting before they moved in though they were simply too eager to start their adventure. The kitchen was nicely painted in a turquoise-blue, the family had already made their mark by measuring their heights up on one wall and putting the date— 24.04.21.
Amhar's rug was covered in the alphabet with animals in each letter cube to match the letter alongside what the animal was (such as 'L is for Lion'). They were unsure on what theme of a room he would have, deciding to wait and see as his interests changed though the rug of choice would fit with whatever they went with. The final rug was a reversible one with car tracks on one side and a farm track with mud on the other. This would be kept in the living room for the children to play with.
The garden was almost certainly set for the next few years. Hunith and Balinor had bought them a wooden toy pirate ship, a bigger (more proper) slide with a baby swing on the slide that could be mounted into the ground and a mud kitchen. There was also some smaller gifts (dinosaur croquet, milestone chalkboard and Mr and Mrs Emrys mugs) though Merlin and Morgan's truly appreciated all of that and the help. They'd helped to make moving day much less stressful as they helped around the house and took turns with the children. Now that they would be closer together, they'd be a part of Merlin and Morgana's support bubbles as well as childcare, planning to see each other often.
The house Hunith and Balinor had decided on was slightly further up the road and closer to school, around a five to ten minute walk. They didn't need a big house, downsizing to a three bed bungalow though they still had their three bedroom house up in Edale.
"I'm shattered!" Morgana excaliemd as she climbed into bed with the baby. "It's so good. But I'm so tired".
"The best sort of tired" Merlin agreed with a grin. "This is our home. Our family home".
"Goodnight Merlin" Morgana grinned as she kissed her husband, laying her head down ready for the first night in their new house. Though due to exhaustion all they did was sleep, and sleep, and sleep.