The Scare
A/N: An AU fic about Arthur and Gwen and a possible life changing event.
The sun is bright as it filters in from the wide curtainless windows. The office continues to buzz with busyness and life seems to move right along despite the turmoil Gwen is feeling inside. She sighs heavily as she packs her meager belongings into a cardboard box. She'd had the desk for three weeks and now her dream internship was at an end. She was only standing up for herself, something her father taught her, and now she feels as if she's being punished for not allowing a client to talk down to her.
She can feel the eyes of the other office occupants as they glance her way, some with sympathy and some with a good riddance smirk. Her choice of vocation is competitive and she has already mired her path to success. The realization of loss is heavy and stifling. She tosses the last few items into the box, grabs her purse and exits with her head held high. Once she's in her car, the tears start to stream down her cheeks and she can't muster the energy to start the vehicle and drive away. She reaches for her mobile and taps the last number called.
He answers hurriedly. "Hey. I'm kind of busy at the moment. Can I ring you back?"
She is so choked up she can barely talk. "Ar….Arthur….."
"Guinevere….what's wrong? What's happened?" He asks anxiously, noticing her difficulty to speak.
"I….I need you."
"It's fine. Tell me where you are and I'll come to you," he offers.
"Can you…..meet me at the park? By the fountain?' She asks.
"I'll be there in fifteen minutes."
Twenty minutes later, they are walking hand in hand as Gwen relays the incident with the client and then her boss and her subsequent firing.
"I thought for sure she'd speak up for me or at least see my side of things. She completely threw me under the bus and told me I should have never spoken to a client in that manner." She pauses as she looks her boyfriend in the eye. "I wasn't cross with her like she was with me but I wanted her to know I would not tolerate being talked to like I was an imbecile. How was that wrong?"
"It wasn't wrong at all." He shakes his head. "Maybe you can speak with Isabel again, explain yourself…."
"You want me to grovel after the way she treated me? She didn't have to fire me you know. This was an isolated incident. Maybe I didn't handle it as I should have. Maybe I should have allowed the client to speak to me the way she did."
"No. You weren't wrong for standing up for yourself. I just hate to see you so miserable."
"Well you'd better get used to it. I can't afford my flat now so I guess I'll go back to Reading with dear old dad. That means an hour commute each day for school, add in the wear and tear on the car and it all equals misery in my book." She stops walking and drops his hand. "Oh Arthur what am I going to do?"
She feels awful asking her boyfriend of six months for answers but she is desperate. Her life here was starting to come together nicely and now she appears to be backtracking. It's not fair.
He steps in and hugs her tightly. "It will be fine. I promise." He places his hands on either side of her face. "Why not start plans for your own business?"
"Are you forgetting I have one more year of uni? No one's going to take a graduating senior seriously. I have to have that degree in hand. Not to mention a bit of experience under my belt," she reminds him.
"Ok. Well this will leave you more time to devote to your studies. You may even finish early," he suggests.
"Did I fail to mention my other problem?" She lets out a soft breath. "I need to complete an internship to get all my credits to graduate. I've clearly mucked that up now." Her voice breaks on the last word and Arthur cringes, wishing he could take it all away.
"Let's solve at least one of these problems. Move in with me. That way you won't be back with your dad, you won't have to drive so far, and I'll cook breakfast each morning."
Gwen smiles and wipes her tears. "Eggs and toast?"
"Only the best for you."
"Oh Arthur please be serious. I really need some answers here."
He frowns. "Who says I'm not serious?"
"I couldn't do that. I mean, it's too soon. We've only been dating for a few months. What would everyone think?"
"Who cares what others think? I understand this would be a big step for us but….I'm ready."
"Ready? Ready for what exactly?"
"Guinevere….I love you. Moving in together is a big commitment and I want that…..with you."
"I…..I love you too Arthur but I don't want you to feel obligated just because I'm having a bit of bad luck," she states.
"This is not about your incident today. This is about two people in love….taking the next step."
She looks at him for a few seconds, recognizing his seriousness. "Well, since you put it that way….."
They laugh and she loops an arm through one of his as they exit the park.
Two months later
Gwen has ensconced herself into Arthur's living quarters seamlessly. He made good on his promise to prepare her breakfast every morning, she attended her classes during the day, he worked until six most evenings and she usually had dinner prepared for them once he was home. Their lives merged almost perfectly. The only thing she hadn't accomplished was securing another internship and she had to have that in place within the next few weeks in order to complete her graduation requirements.
She'd be lying if she said she wasn't a bit stressed over it but she had a couple of prospects and she was just waiting for an interview. She puts the finishing touches on tonight's dinner and goes over a couple of assignments while she waits for Arthur to arrive. She smiles when she hears the lock turn on the door and the love of her life enters their home. He walks over to her and plants a sweet kiss on her lips.
"Sorry I'm late. My father is really bad at knowing when to call it quits." He sets his keys in a bowl on the coffee table and moves towards the stairs. "I'm going up to change. Be right back."
That night was like so many others they've had. Discussing their days, current events, news from friends, etc. They spend an hour or so on their devices, checking emails, work obligations, school assignments and then they take a long hot shower together that ends with sensual lovemaking in his oversized king bed.
The next day, Gwen is seated at the coffee shop near her school with friends.
"Where's Jessica?" She wonders.
"Sick with cramps. She has them something awful. I feel sorry for her," Dreena answers.
The others continue their conversation but Gwen is stuck on the word cramps. It automatically brings to mind her monthly cycle and she realizes she hasn't gotten it yet. She quickly thinks back to last month and knows she should've had her period by now. She takes out her mobile and pulls up the calendar to figure out just how late she is. She gasps and tries not to panic as her heart rate increases with the thought of what could be causing her late period.
"Gwen are you ok?" Eugenia asks.
"Yeah….I…..yes I just remembered an assignment that's due. I really need to go. I'll see you guys later." She grabs her belongings and makes a beeline for her car. She picks up her mobile several times to ring Arthur but she's not sure what she would say, so she drives home and waits for him. She can't even think about eating she is so consumed with her thoughts.
The clock reads 7:30 and she scoffs as she thinks, 'of all nights for him to be late'. He did send a text earlier but she thought late would be 6:30 or 7. At this rate, he could be even later and she knows she will be out of her mind in only a few more minutes. She grabs her shoes and rushes down the stairs ready to snatch up her keys and drive to the nearest drug store.
Arthur walks through the door looking a bit disheveled. "Hi love. Sorry I'm so late. Merlin actually closed a deal and we had to celebrate."
Gwen stands silently, looking at him.
"Are you ok?" He asks.
"I'm late."
"Late for what?"
"I mean…..I'm late."
Her boyfriend's eyebrows go up in surprise as his mouth forms a silent 'oh'. "Have you taken a test? Do you know?"
She shakes her head. "No."
He nods slowly. "Okay. Okay….well let's uh…..let's get a test."
"A test?" She agrees. "Yes we should get a test."
They take his car and drive a few minutes away to a nearby drug store. The entire time Gwen is racking her brain trying to think of how this could have happened if it has actually happened. She and Arthur were careful. They used condoms and she was on the pill although she was a bit forgetful from time to time. Surely that wouldn't result in a pregnancy?
She places the test on the counter to purchase it only to have Arthur drop a big box of condoms right next to it. She gives him an annoyed look and remains silent as he retrieves some cash from his wallet and purchases their items.
The silence between them continues on the ride home, her mind still racing as she makes a beeline for the bathroom upstairs. He follows at a slower pace and sits on the bed quietly. He checks his watch, wondering how long this would take. He stands quickly as he hears the door open. She holds a white device in her hand and shakes her head.
"It says I'm not pregnant."
Arthur lets out a loud 'Woo!' He claps his hands together, then scrubs his face with them, releasing a relieved breath. "That was close." He walks toward her and places his hands on her shoulders. "Gosh I feel like we dodged a bullet."
Gwen scoffs. "I didn't know you'd be quite so relieved."
Arthur scoffs back. "Well aren't you?"
"Yes….and…no," she answers.
"What? What does that mean?"
"I don't know. The thought of being pregnant terrified me but now that I know I'm not…..I guess I'm just a bit disappointed," she admits.
"Disappointed? Guinevere, we are not ready for a child. You haven't graduated uni and I've just started a leadership role in my father's company. The last thing we need is a baby."
"I know that Arthur. Don't you think I know that? You just…..you've just made me feel like a child with me would be the last thing you'd want. If two people love each other, isn't it natural that they'd want children together?"
"Children? We've never even discussed children. You've never expressed a desire to have any and to be honest I haven't given it much thought. All I know is that I'm not ready to change nappies and be up all hours of the night with a screaming infant."
"You make it sound so dismal and I think it's one of the most beautiful things in the world," she answers softly.
"I'm sure it is beautiful for those who plan it and want it. I'm not saying we won't have kids but it's just not something that should happen now," he offers.
"So you're saying you wouldn't mind having kids with me?"
He takes his time answering her. For some reason becoming a father is something that terrifies him. His mother died giving birth to him and his father never truly got over her death. He's not sure he can put the woman he loves in the same predicament. "Can we please discuss this later? I'm feeling a little drained right now."
"Arthur…..I need to know. I love you but if you don't see a future for us….."
"What are you talking about? We had a scare Guinevere. We're ok now and we know to be more cautious in future."
"But if we don't want the same things then how can we stay together?"
"There's no urgency here. How about we revisit this in another….five years?"
Five years? She watches dumbfounded as Arthur removes his jacket and tie and leaves the room.
That night, Arthur pulled her into his arms and held her closely. The previous scare and conversation lingered in the room but they didn't discuss it any further. Gwen was surprised by her feelings and Arthur's admission. She replayed the conversation in her head again and again, her thoughts keeping her awake long into the early morning hours.
Two weeks later
"Arthur, I need to talk to you," Gwen expresses as they place their dinner plates in the sink.
He nods. "I know what it's about and I haven't changed my mind."
"So are you admitting there is no future for us…..that we want different things?"
"No, of course not. I'm just saying we aren't ready to be parents. Don't you agree?" He wonders.
"Yes but…..if we're going to have a future together, shouldn't we discuss the things we want and expect when it comes to family?"
"It's not a conversation we have to have right now. We have plenty of time," Arthur reminds her.
Gwen accepts that as his reluctance to discuss a future therefore he must not want a future that includes her and what she wants. This only added to the stress she was experiencing which resulted in a late period. She realizes she needs to relieve some of that stress so her decision was the right one. "Well, I've accepted an internship."
Arthur smiles, relieved to change the subject. "That's great!"
"In France."
Her lover falters. "Wh…what? In France? Why?"
"I need to get serious about this, Arthur. I scratched France off my list because I couldn't bear being away from you but if I truly want to graduate and if I truly want the experience, I need to accept the opportunities granted to me."
"So you're leaving just like that?"
"It's for 6 weeks and I've been approved to complete my courses online for that duration. It's all going to work out."
"But what about us?"
"You've made it clear that we should concentrate on our careers right now and I've decided that you're right."
"Are you dumping me?" He doesn't give her time to answer as he steps to her and lifts her chin to look directly into her eyes. "I love you." He swallows nervously. "If this is about a baby….then….we'll have one. I'll give you whatever you want."
"I love you too but I think some time apart is what we need now. I don't want you to do something you don't want to do."
"Great coz I don't want this. I want you to stay."
"I want you to take this time to consider what you truly want. If you don't see yourself as a father in a couple of years then we want different things, Arthur, and we shouldn't be together if our expectations don't coincide."
He motions to say more but Gwen crushes her lips to his, pushing her tongue into his mouth and wrapping her arms around his neck. She pushes her body against his and gasps as Arthur pulls back.
"Guinevere, we need to talk about this."
"I leave in two days, Arthur. I want to spend that time wrapped in your arms." Not another word is spoken as they resume their kiss and move into their bedroom.
The next few weeks are torturous for the both of them but they contend by keeping busy, Arthur in his new position at his father's company and Gwen with her thriving internship. They talk on the phone daily, send each other text messages and emails and the 6 weeks are done before they realize it.
Gwen can barely contain her excitement as she presses the garage opener and parks her car beside Arthur's. She leaves her bags in the boot as she hurriedly unlocks the door and enters their home. Arthur stands by the kitchen counter and she races to him, jumping into his arms and hugging him tightly. His arms snake around her waist and he kisses her neck soundly.
"I missed you so much," she gasps then kisses him gently.
"I missed you too."
"Arthur, I want to apologize. I did a lot of thinking while I was away but I couldn't say this over the phone or in an email. I was wrong to make you feel like you had to tell me exactly what you wanted for your future. We have time and I hope you can forgive me. I wasn't very understanding and I don't want to lose you. I love you with all my heart."
He smiles. "I want to apologize too. I allowed my knowledge of what happened to my parents to cloud my judgment about my own future. I will admit that I don't know what the future holds for us but as long as I'm with you I don't care. I love you, Guinevere, more than anything."
They kiss passionately, their love for one another more evident and stronger than ever. She grabs his hand and leads his towards the stairs.
"I've dreamt about you almost every night for 6 weeks. I hope you're prepared to remain in bed for the next few days."
Arthur laughs as they climb the stairs together, enter their bedroom, close the door and start to disrobe before falling onto the bed where they make love slowly and intensely.