Once again, this is my attempt at updating a story and moving it forward to completion. Thank you for staying interested in this and my other stories.
I do not own Merlin or the characters.
Gwen and the kids were having a wonderful time at Morganna's.
They were currently enjoying a picnic on the grounds close to a pond on her vast property.
The kids and Merlin decided to have a rock skipping competition to see who was best at it, leaving Morganna and Gwen sitting and chatting.
Morganna was saying, "Gwen, I have been meaning to ask you something. I know that you are happy with your job and your life with the kids, but...did you ever consider changing jobs and moving? Before you answer that, hear me out.
You are a wonderful mother and home-maker for your kids, you work well and very hard, and you are very independent...this is by no means me pitying you or putting pressure on you...it's just that...you have had to grow up at a very early age...without parents, and you have made it through some very tough times...the best of us probably would have caved and given up...but you didn't, you stuck to your task and took the bull by the horns.
I just think that it is time for you to have another chance at making life a bit easier...and better of course, for you and the kids.
Your kids deserve it and you certainly do."
Gwen sat listening to her friend as silent tears spilled from her eyes.
Life could certainly be a bit tough and has been, but she rose above all those adversities and became stronger.
She can freely admit that she has wished for an easier life, especially for the kids. She doesn't mind working hard for what she wants, it's one of her traits, but sometimes, she has wished for better.
Morganna moved to embrace her sweet friend.
"I didn't mean to make you sad Gwen. I'm sorry... I just want things to be easier for you and the kids...that's all."
Gwen pulled back after a few seconds and dried her tears. "Sorry Morgs, I'm not sad...believe me... It's just that everything you said resonated within me.
Sometimes I wish things were different, especially for the kids. I miss my parents so much and sometimes it gets very lonely, even with the kids around.
I love my life, but...yes...if I had the chance for better, I would take it."
Morganna smiled. Her spirits lifted hearing her friend admit that she would indeed take a chance for betterment. Gwen went on.
"It has never crossed my mind that you would pity me Morgs. I know you genuinely care for me and the kids and that you want what's best for us. Thank you for that." Morganna's smile widened.
"Yes I do Gwen. You and the kids mean a lot to me. We've not know each other for that long, but the minute I met you, I knew you were a wonderful person and it felt as though we'd known each other for years."
Tears welled up in Gwen's eyes again as Morganna went on.
"As you know, Arthur runs the family business. Merlin is his Personal Assistant and I am the Chief Operations Officer. I desperately need a P.A, because the one I have is incompetent...and that is putting it mildly.
I know you don't exactly have the training, but I will provide that...on the job, and anyway, it will be very easy. I know you will be able to handle it and be very good at it."
Gwen allowed everything her friend said to sink in. She took a calming breath and asked,
"Do you really think I can do a good job Morgs? And what will people say when they find out that you and I are close?"
Morganna understood the genuine concerns that Gwen had. She knows all about office gossip, but she also knows it is pretty harmless.
"Gwen, to answer your first question, let me just say, I think you will do a brilliant job and to your second question, people will talk regardless, but they mean no harm...they are going to love you there.
Anyone who has spent anytime with you, has instinctively liked you, I know that for a fact. Now..what do you say? Will you be my new P.A?"
Gwen looked at Morganna's hopeful face. This is her friend. She trusts her completely.
"How can I say no after all of that. You are a wonderful friend Morgs. I look forward to working for you and with you."
Morganna squealed. She was so happy.
"Thank you Gwennie, you won't regret it. I know we haven't talked about where you're going to live...but...just hear me out once again.
This house comes with a huge cottage...which I don't think you've ever seen...anyway, it's yours and the kids' for as long as you want it. Please say you'll take it."
The protest died in the back of Gwen's throat. She internally reminded herself that this is her friend and what she has offered is not charity, but a chance to be closer to her and be part of her life.
"Thank you Morgs. I'm forever grateful. I'm sure the kids an I will love it there. Can you please grant me a couple favors?"
"Anything Gwen."
"Please don't tell the kids until I get a chance to...because I have to decide about their schooling...it might be better for me to transfer them out here, that way I won't have to worry about the distance they will have to travel, and...can you get me some information about the schools around here?"
Morganna could do better than that, but she didn't want to overwhelm her friend. She knows that, at the snap of a finger, she could get the kids into the best school out here.
"Sure Gwen. Is it okay if I do some research about the schools over here, pick out the best and send it to you?"
"That would be wonderful Morgs, thank you. I think the kids are going to be very excited. They love it over here."
Morganna looked at her friend, she could see a change in her already. She looked happier, lighter, as if a weight has been lifted from her shoulders. It made here equally happy to see that.
"That certainly makes things easier then. When you go back and settle things, let me know when you will be ready to move, so that I can help.
I know that it will be a bit daunting to get everything packed and organized to be moved, so I want to offer my services to help things run smoothly."
Gwen wasn't sure what she ever did to deserve a friend like Morganna, but she was very thankful.
"You are amazing Morgs. Besides Merlin, you're the best friend I could ever ask for. Thank you."
Morganna reached over and hugged her tightly, as tears welled in her own eyes.
She has never had such a humble genuine friend. Those that came before, only wanted what her title and her pocket could offer.
There were so many times she wished she had a friend to do girl stuff with, and now she does.
"Thank you Gwennie. Thank you for being my best friend."
They were interrupted by Arthur's voice telling Merlin he was rubbish at skipping stones. Gwen and Morganna both looked at each other wondering the same thing.
"When did he get here?" they asked in unison. They both laughed.
Arthur had decided to take Merlin up on his offer, to come over and join the picnic.
He wasn't going to at first, but as soon as Merlin mentioned Gwen's name, he was sold.
He had arrived a few minutes before, and seeing the girls in deep conversation, he decided to join Merlin and the kids, until they were finished.
"Merlin, even the kids are better than you. Makes me wonder who is teaching who." Merlin rolled his eyes.
"Listen you prat, we are having a competition, if you must know. Nobody's teaching anybody anything."
Arthur laughed loudly. He threw his head back and howled, whilst Merlin stared at him as though he wanted to throw him into the pond.
After he had composed himself sufficiently, Arthur said, "Really Merlin...a competition...there is no competition...the kids have got you beat. Not one of your stones have made it to at least half the pond. The kids' on the other hand, have all gone skipping and skating across the pond and over on the grass. You're such a loser Merlin."
Poor Merlin, he looked absolutely mortified.
He was really bad at skipping stones, but hearing Arthur say it, made him feel grossly inept.
Just then, Morganna shouted, "Arthur, leave Merlin alone and come say hi to Gwen."
Gwen was nervous all of a sudden. She started wiping her face and fixing her clothes.
Morganna caught on and said, "You look beautiful Gwen. Stop fidgeting."
Immediately Gwen stopped and looked up into the clear blue eyes of Arthur Pendragon.
Arthur was mesmerized. Internally he asked, "Is it possible that she has gotten more lovelier since I last saw her?"
He smiled as their eyes remained locked on each other. They didn't even notice that Morganna had left to join Merlin and the kids, who were going for a walk around the property.
"Hi Guinevere. May I sit?" Once again the way he said her name undid her. He looked so nice, so handsome.
"Hi. Of course you may Arthur." He sat beside her and stretched his long legs out.
"So...it's been a while since we last talked. How have you been?" he asked. Gwen took a calming breath before she replied.
"I've been well, thanks. How has things been going for you?"
Arthur wanted to tell her exactly how things have been. He wanted to tell her that he missed her the minute she went back home. He wanted to tell her that he has contemplated many times, just dropping what he was doing, to come by and see her.
He wanted to tell her that he wished she was living closer to him, so that their paths could cross regularly. He wanted to tell her that he hasn't looked at another woman since they kissed and he wanted to tell her, that she made a significant impact on him the night of the office party.
He drew one leg up and rested his arm across it, as he chose his words carefully. "Business wise, things have been great. Me, personally, I have been a bit out of sorts.
I met an amazing woman a few months ago at my sister's home. I got to dance with her, gotten to know a bit about her and I even got the chance to kiss her.
For just a few hours, I got the chance to see what it would be like to be with her and then she had to leave.
We both lead busy lives and it's quite hard to make time to see each other, but there isn't a day that goes by, that I haven't thought about her. Sometimes she's all I think about."
He turned then, looking directly at her and saw tears in her eyes. His heart softened. He leaned over, caught the first tear with his thumb, and softly kissed her lips.
Gwen was a mess.
She has not cried this much since her parents' deaths and when Lance left.
"I think about you too Arthur...so much. I have these feelings...I felt them that night...the first time in five years and although we don't see each other, they haven't disappeared." Arthur smiled. It felt good to hear her say that.
"I don't know how we will do it...but I think we owe it to ourselves to at least give things a try. I really like you Guinevere and I would like to take you out sometime. I know you have the kids to think about, but I will see that they are well taken care of. Only the best for them. I guarantee it. So...what do you say?"
Gwen looked into Arthur's eyes. She saw complete honesty and sincerity in them. She really didn't have a doubt, she could tell what type of man he was the minute she met him.
"I say, let's give it a try."
The minute she said the words, she found herself in his arms with his soft lips covering hers. He poured his feelings into that kiss and left her breathless.
"You've made me very happy Guinevere. Just say when it's convenient for you to go out and I will make it happen."
Gwen smiled sweetly. Arthur's happiness was contagious. Just then, she remembered what she and Morganna had talked about earlier.
"I have something to tell you Arthur. It's not official yet, but I'm moving here to live. Morganna has offered me a job...and the cottage to live in for as long as I want to. I..."
Once again she found herself in Arthur's arms.
"That is wonderful Guinevere. This makes me even happier. I will be able to see you as often as I want."
"Yes Arthur. I feel very honored. Morganna is a great friend. I haven't told the kids as yet...so..." She left the statement to hang.
"Of course. I won't say anything, but, how long do you think it will take for you to finalize things back home? I don't mean to pressure you...or pry...I just want to know, so that, if you need any help whatsoever, I'm here."
Gwen was floored. First Morganna and now Arthur. She felt really special to have people care for her in such a manner.
"Thank you Arthur. I will let you know if I do need help. Morganna said almost the same thing. She wants to help if she can."
Arthur knew his sister didn't have nice friends when they were growing up, neither did he, and he knows even in adulthood, she has struggled to find a genuine friend, but seeing her with Gwen, he knows she has found a rare one, one that she has come to care for. Thus made him happy in many ways.
"Brilliant. All of your bases are covered."
He looked around then, noticing for the first time that they were alone. "I wonder where everyone disappeared to," he said.
Gwen, only just noticing too, listened intently, and smiled as she faintly heard her kids' voices over the wind. Pointing, she said,
"I think they are over that way. I heard the kids laughing."
Arthur was gob smacked. He didn't hear a thing. His eyes held the question he wanted to ask. Gwen answered.
"A mother knows and hears things other people don't."
Arthur inched closer then, his lips ghosting hers. He quietly asked, "Okay, mum, do you know how much I want to kiss you right now? Can you hear how loud my heart is beating, just by being this close to you?"
She didn't get a chance to answer. He captured her lips in a deep passionate kiss and held them ransom until the others returned.
This too is a little short, but I just wanted to get a feel for the story. Still, I hope it was good enough.