End of May or early June, this picture perfect afternoon we share. Drive the winding country roads, grab a scoop at A-La mode and then we're there. An open field That's framed with trees, we pick a spot and shoot the breeze like buddies do. Quoting songs by our favourite band, telling jokes no one understands except us two. And we talk and take in the view
15th May 2021
She sighed as she leant on the side of the sofa and took a few deep breaths in an attempt to stop the rising nausea. Her period was late, she'd been trying with her husband for another baby and it was looking like it had been successful. They'd had a loss before their first child was born so we're naturally rather anxious, though we're exited to have a sibling for their child. Her husband was busy getting some marking done, she made sure that her first-born was safe and content in their cot before she headed upstairs to the bathroom and opened the bathroom cabinet door. A pregnancy test.
Two lines appeared on the stick within the next three minutes. She was going to have another baby.
"Everything okay?" She heard her husband say.
"I'm pregnant, Leon" Mithian smiled as she held the test in her hands.
17th May 2021
"Bye sweetie" Morgana said as she bent down to give Amhar a hug and then kiss his forehead before Merlin did the same thing. He slightly pouted before going to his key worker, holding her hand and walking into the nursery.
"Thank god for no more tears" Merlin sighed with relief.
"I know" Morgana agreed. "He's doing much better now. I think it was good for us to do that and involve him more". Over the last few weeks they'd involved Amhar more about talking with Gwen and Arthur. Instead of mainly having their pictures up on the walls (first dating, wedding day photoshoot, newborn photo shoot, Amhar's first birthday) they'd put up a lot more including some of Arthur and Gwen with Amhar as a newborn, the time that Merlin and Morgana went to alton towers with them and more.
"It was, wasn't it? I also think it's been good for us. At least he's sleeping in his own bed now, even if he does keep having outbursts" Merlin grimaced. Some things hadn't changed, like he'd have a lot of tantrums and sometimes hit and bite when lashing out, though for the most part he was doing okay. He woke up through the night less, he still was in night nappies though as he was still only two Merlin and Morgana weren't worried or bothered at all (besides they did train him rather early and he took to night potty training too easily for it to work properly in their opinion), he was nicer to his friends, he was less anxious and would only pout at being separated from his parents as opposed to full on bawling.
"Well not long before the fifth form and upper sixth leave is it?" Morgana asked.
"Half term time" Merlin replied. "Now it's just last minute tests for them, bless".
"I can't believe that this is still going on" Morgana muttered. "Though at least the euro's still appear to be going ahead this year".
"Happening in 2021 and still being called the Euro's 2020" Merlin chuckled. "I wonder if it's coming home".
"Hopefully" Morgana shrugged. "Remember the World Cup in 2018".
"Oh my god!" Merlin laughed. "Yes. How we all thought it was coming home. Then it was an absolute piss-take".
"Language!" Morgana hissed. "We're on the nursery grounds".
"Whoops" Merlin grimaced. "My bad. Though the fact that schools won't have their sports days and kids events but allow 40K people in a bloody stadium … that's fucked up".
"It is isn't it" Morgana sighed. "Well let's hope that twenty-first June will go ahead. And you need to get to work".
"I do" Merlin agreed with a sigh. "Okay, so looks like I ought to head off. Any plans for today?".
"Hoping to watch Coco with Amhar later for the first time, so he'll have to go up later naturally".
"You'll love it" Merlin vowed. "You're going to love it".
"I'm sure. Though I'm sure I'll cry during remember me. Bye" Morgana said as she kissed her husband. Things had been going rather well as of late. Alongside Amhar's improvement, they'd also booked a holiday with Hunith and Balinor to Woolacombe bay, a seaside resort on the north Devon coast. Though the weather was not typical sunny for May but instead rainy and cold (not unexpected for England, though frustrating as it was almost summer though not at the same time due the end of April heat wave). Fortunately Balinor and Hunith had paid for the holiday, as they wouldn't be able to afford two holidays alongside many of the other things that they wanted to get. Amhar needed a new car seat as he was on the 98th centile and had maxed out the height (102cm which was average for three to four) and weight limit (almost 18kg was average of four) and as he was still two and rather immature, Merlin and Morgana didn't trust him with a seatbelt yet so had to invest in a car seat that had a five point harness up to 25kg, a joie bold at £175. As a result and after more research into car seats, the 3008 was a less likely option as they wouldn't be able to fit three car seats across with Amhar's new seat (it was incredibly wide) and required isofix in all three seats, likewise with the C5 aircross which only had two isofix points (though the 3008 did have isofix in the front, so it was doable) unless they were to move Amhar into a booster seat earlier (they weren't planning on trying for the next baby until after Alfie was one so he'd be at least three and a half by the time the baby would arrive so old enough for one).
While before they were unsure as to whether to get a seven seater, the fact that the boot would be much bigger and they'd have the option to take Hunith and Balinor along too, they'd been looking at the Seat Alhambra or VW Sharan (same car more or less) and had decided that it was absolutely on the list of ones that they wanted, if not their favourite. It had five isofix points so any child could sit in any of the two back rows, it was one of the few seven seaters that actually had a good boot with all seats up and therefore would be the best option if they were to go for a fourth.
Morgana was also preparing for her return to work. Her application to go part time was accepted and she'd be working Monday and Friday mornings (8:30-12:30) and all day on Tuesday and Thursday. Amhar would be at nursery on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday then would go to the local primary school nursery and preschool on Monday and Friday's. As the hours were shorter (8:30 until 3:15) he'd have to go to Hunith's to be dropped off as Merlin and Morgana wouldn't be able to squeeze drop off in (mornings would busy enough the way things were currently standing) before getting to work, though would walk to pick him up. They'd visited the local primary school down the road—The Round Table primary school which they'd decided was best to suit their needs—having a good reputation and a much better nursery than their other contender, Camelot CofE primary school (with the nursery hours being eight until six for a full day, eight until one or one until six) which Merlin and Morgana weren't the biggest fan off.
After Amhar had finished nursery they walked home and had dinner straight away followed by a bath then once the children were in their pyjamas settled down for the movie. Surprisingly he sat rather well throughout the movie though did fidget quite a bit, Merlin getting his marking done before joining his wife and boys. As expected, Morgana was absolutely bawling during the flashback of remember me with Amhar being rather concerned and hugging his mummy immediately as they looked at the pictures on the walls.
"Arwur and Gwen gone but we remember them" Amhar said as he gave Morgana a cuddle.
"Yes" Morgana agreed with a sigh as she wiped at her tears. It had gotten easier, the whole dealing with the fact that they'd gone, though at the same time it wasn't. Things were different though and she had been able to move on, though they would always remember them.
22nd May 2021
"I know we live in England but this is ridiculous" Morgana muttered. Throughout May, after an initial week of warmth and sunshine they were now instead plagued with cold weather and rain. While rain wasn't unusual, it was too cold with Morgana going back to using her thick winter coat instead of her usual summer rain Mac.
"I take it that way coffee will be good?" Merlin shrugged.
"Maybe" Morgana sighed. "I hate iced coffee, it's just so well … Bleh. Though this weather is also ridiculous, so it'll probably be a case of me and Mithian having coffee and cake then heading home".
"That's okay" Merlin smiled. "Small steps, though he should be okay?".
"I've already fed him and left some expressed milk in the fridge just in case he needs a feed" Morgana said. "Though I think he should be okay seeing as he's already down for his nap. Try not loose his dummy or let Amhar fall in the toilet and everything should be okay".
"Okay, dummy, no falling in toilet and only give baby healthy food then should be fine".
"You've got this" Morgana smiled as she pressed a kiss to Merlin's lips. "Well I better go now or I may cry too much".
"Indeed" Merlin agreed with a chuckle. "Have fun". They lasted all of two minutes before Merlin ended up loosing Amhar. He knew he was in the house so he couldn't have gone far. He found him sticking his fingers down the toilet and trying to pick up some water to drink.
"Why are your hands in the toilet?" Merlin frowned as he picked him up and held him at a distance.
"Thirsty" Amhar shrugged.
"You could've asked me for a drink" Merlin said.
"Not fun" Amhar shrugged again. "Daddy has boring water". Merlin rolled his eyes and made Amhar wash his hands. It was going to be a long day.
"Well what you ordering?" Mithian asked.
"I miss my baby" Morgana pouted. "I think I'll order a babycino".
"Come on Morgana" Mithian chuckled. "Aren't you tired? Get some caffeine".
"A latte does sound a bit better, especially since it's freezing" Morgana shrugged. They ordered their drinks with a cake or cookie and sat down at a table by the window.
"Well any news on your vaccine?" Mithian asked.
"No. Not for me yet. I'm still on the fence about it as I'm still breastfeeding, how about you?".
"I've had mine already I had moderna. Though I stopped breastfeeding in March so unsure about that side of things".
"I'm hoping for Pfizer" Morgana said. "I've heard some concerns about moderna drying up breast milk and Pfizer just seems the best. Though would be happy to get any of them".
"I was so relieved to get mine too" Mithian agreed. "It just felt good to get it. Then again now we're just walking around half vaccinated so it's a bit odd".
"I get you" Morgana sighed. "Three months between the doses is a long time".
"It's going to fly at the same time though" Mithian sighed.
"I can't believe Alfie's nine months old, nine! Amhar's going to be three soon enough, we've moved into our dream house".
"I can't believe it's already May" Mithian commented. "Then next thing we know restrictions are lifted hopefully".
"Hate to be the pessimist but I doubt we're going restriction free on June 21st".
"I doubt it too. Any plans for the half term?".
"We're heading over to Merlin's parents to spend some time with them and go on lots of hikes. Then soon enough they're moving down here".
"That's lovely, it'll be good to have some family nearby".
"That isn't Morgause" Morgana chuckled.
"You two getting on now?".
"Better than before" Morgana smiled slightly. "Things will obviously never be the same though we're getting there. She helped with the move and whatnot so".
"I'm glad" Mithian smiled. "That way things won't be frosty upon your return to work? That was awkward".
"Hopefully indeed".
"How's Amhar getting on?".
"He's been doing better though still is struggling a bit. We've seen some rather good emotional development movies which helped, he rather liked coco though is a bit young for inside out. Any other suggestions?".
"Lion king" Mithian suggested. "And i think it could be the best one, especially with Mufasa's death and since Arthur well … he died too".
"You're making me cry" Morgana pouted. "It's the greatest though, I know he'll love it. I mean I love the live-action one though growing up with it was just bliss".
"Two whole years since that one too" Mithian shook her head. "Well almost".
"We had 'can you feel the love tonight' as we walked away after getting married" Morgana sighed wistfully at the memory. "I can't believe I didn't think of it!".
"That's sleep deprivation for you" Mithian shrugged.
25th May 2021
"Hopefully the sea will be warmer this time" Merlin commented. "It's ridiculous that it's so bloody hot but the sea is ridiculously freezing".
"I'm thinking find a good part of shade and bring the spare pool along. Then using the buckets bring some water over so we can have warmer water by keeping it in the sun and have our own little pool or keep it in the shade too".
"That sounds good" Merlin smiled. "I have my swimming trunks, spare underwear and shorts for later. Packed all the kids things—swimming nappies, sunscreen, clothes, food, drinks".
"Okay sounds good, I'll add my stuff then we can go. Wales today".
"We don't even live there anymore. How did we not know this place existed until recently!".
"Morgause is useful after all" Morgana shrugged. "Hopefully she'll take care of the kids, give us a break".
"Hopefully. Though if not there's always our other holiday with my parents". Fortunately Amhar was much happier with his new car seat, sitting up higher in the car and being able to see out the window as well as falling asleep rather quickly while Alfie did too, leaving Merlin and Morgana in peace for their journey.
"This'll be a good week" Morgana commented as they drive towards Barry beach. "So tomorrow wake up late and head over to your parents, we've got the ergo and the hiking carrier".
"I think it'll be fun" Merlin smiled. "Especially now since this one doesn't escape his car seat".
"Plus we get our new car soon. Remember how we met up accidentally all those years ago up in the peaks?".
"I do" Merlin smiled. "Though ironic how we managed to be at the same place at the same time".
"You don't think they … no, they couldn't have" Morgana shook her head.
"Planned it?" Merlin completed. "Perhaps they did. I mean we're cute together, they'd be cute together".
"Merlin!" Morgana exclaimed with a laugh. "Morgause and Will? I mean … really?".
"Just think about it" Merlin shrugged.
"Morgause is with Cenred, will's single …. I don't know. I suppose they would be after all".
"I'm asking her later" Merlin decided. "That way we can get her to babysit while all we do is sunbathe".
"I like your thinking" Morgana smirked. "Scare her off with the kids". Morgause was surprisingly nicer than usual, giving Amhar piggy back rides and helping Merlin and Morgana with the double buggy across the sand, paying for fish and chips followed by ice cream (and then another one after Amhar dropped his on the floor and cried).
"You're in a good mood today" Morgana commented.
"Cenred took me for a spa weekend" Morgause confessed. "And…".
"And what?" Morgana raised an eyebrow.
"We're engaged!" Morgause exclaimed. "So I proposed … using a Bath bomb".
"A bath bomb?" Morgana's frowned. "Dear god". "Well I said 'oh this one looks lush! But it's so expensive!' And then he goes 'bloody hell, it's like the same price as engagement rings' and I was like 'engagement rings?' then he said 'yeah, I've been looking as of late. Thinking about things, we're getting old' then I said 'well I don't need a ring, I need a lovely bath with an expensive bath bomb and my future husband'".
"So you proposed" Morgana waggled her eyebrows.
"And he said yes so we're getting married! February 2022. So don't get pregnant in the next few months".
"We're not planning to until after Alfie's one. Even then we'll have to wait and see".
"Having second thoughts lil sis?" Morgause asked as she leant in closer.
"Oh we're doing great. Just that I'm sort of scared about the morning sickness again, the possibility of depression and".
"And what?".
"Still haven't got my periods back".
"Well you lucky bitch!" Morgause exclaimed.
"Inna pop ate" Amhar yelled.
"My bad" Morgause shrugged. "Lucky you! Been up to much?".
"Going to Aldi for milk and spending around a hundred pounds is what we've been doing lately".
"How do you spend so much? This is why I stick to tesco".
"Three words: the middle aisle. Honestly we ended up leaving with a bunch of new pacifiers and other random things we though would be useful. Had Alfie in the sling and Amhar in the trolley and he kept pointing out things that he'd like, to be fair we were bored with the freezing cold weather and rain so".
"Fair enough".
"So, care to tell us something about the summer of 2018?" Morgana teased.
"What the flip are you on about!" Morgause exclaimed as she threw her hands up.
"You know … all those hikes we went on. Just happening to bump into Merlin and Will you didnt happen to arrange it … did you?".
"Oh shut up" Morgause snarled, though she had a slight smirk on her face that was indicating she was joking. "Come on Amhar, let's go in the sea with uncle Cenny".
"I guess that confirms it" Merlin smirked.
"I suppose so" Morgana agreed as she held the baby in her lap.
"I still think she and Will would make a good couple" he added with a chuckle.
"Merlin, she's engaged!" Morgana exclaimed.
"Proposing with a bath bomb … I'm excited for that wedding".
2nd June 2021
After spending the Tuesday morning relaxing at home, Merlin and Morgana drove up north to Merlin's parents place in the afternoon arriving in time for dinner. They had a huge backpacking carrier that Merlin would wear Amhar or Alfie in and took the ergo in case both children needed carrying as they planned to go off the beaten track, up hills and down the hills and there was no way they could take a buggy. Hunith and Balinor lead the way in their car with Merlin and Morgana behind them as they drove up to Buxton country park.
"Blimey. I forgot how tiring hiking is" Morgana huffed.
"How long's it been now? Two years?" Merlin asked.
"We've been stuck inside with lockdown so around that. Wow, it is hot! How the hell did I used to do this on the daily?".
"No idea, but now we don't only have one baby waking up through the night we have two" Merlin sighed. Even though it was tiring, they took the higher and harder path going up the hills and steps. Fortunately it was within a forest so they had lots of trees to shade them which was lovely. Amhar had adopted a stick that was almost as tall as him that the used a lot, likewise with Morgana but a lot taller with Merlin carrying Alfie. It took twice as long as it would have taken Merlin and Morgana to get to the top, having to go at toddler pace though it was enjoyable. As they reached the top and climbed over a stile, Amhar and Alfie gasped as they took in the view.
Rolling hills and some lowlands (like hills, though they went down instead in a concave) could be seen for miles and miles.
"Picture time" Hunith decided as Merlin took the carrier off, Morgana holding Alfie and the former Amhar as Hunith took lots of photos off then as they made their way up to Solomon's temple. At the top Merlin and Morgana held the children, looking at the view while Hunith and Balinor took pictures from behind (Morgana planned on using this as her new Facebook picture and didn't want to put the kids on social media) then went on walks throughout. They ran down and up the mini hills they had, the lowlands admiring the views as they walked around. Morgana smiled as she saw the happiness on her husband and children's faces. Life was perfect.