Thank you for your continued support for this and my other stories. This is another attempt at moving this story along.
I do not own Merlin or the characters.
Gwen and the kids were having a wonderful time over at Arthur's.
Their weekend kicked off from Friday, at about six thirty in the evening, and the first thing the kids did when they got there, was to take an impromptu tour of the property, including all of the outdoor facilities
The two were given the opportunity to pick which room or rooms they wanted to stay in for the weekend, and they both decided to share one room with twin beds.
Arthur, being a nice host, and potential step-dad, completely surprised them with some of the latest toys and gadgets, which he had previously bought, for their weekend stay over. The looks on their faces were priceless, and it brought joy and happiness to both Arthur and Gwen, though she thought that it was a bit too much.
That night, they decided to have a pizza party, allowing the kids to choose their own toppings and pick what they would like for dessert.
At the dinner table, Gwen smiled at the interaction between her kids and Arthur. Somehow, there was a rightness about it. The way the kids held Arthur's attention and the ease in which the three conversed about any and everything, spoke volumes to her.
As she looked at his handsome face, enraptured by the things the twins were telling him, she fell for him a little more. He caught her eye for a moment and the twinkle in his blue orbs, unsettled her, as he smiled the way he always does for her.
Her breath caught and her heart rate sped up, making her flush under his unwavering stare. In a flash, her eyes were trained on the plate in front of her, where she discovered that she was yet to at least take a bite from her pizza. She missed the smug look on Arthur's face, as he turned his attention back to the kids.
Later that night, after dinner, a movie and huge popcorn fight, involving everyone, the kids were finally told it was time for bed. When Alexandria asked Arthur to tuck her in, goodnight kiss and all, his eyes snapped to Gwen to get her reaction.
"It's fine Arthur…but if you're uncomfortable…" she left the statement hanging.
"No, I'm not uncomfortable Guinevere. I just didn't want to overstep my boundaries."
"You could never do that Arthur, they really like you."
The kids agreed with simultaneous nods and matching smiles on their faces, invoking the same reaction from him. With a soft smile, he kindly asked, "Shall we?"
They headed to the kids' room, Arthur holding Alexandria's hand and Gwen holding Alex's.
Once inside, Gwen supervised the twins' nightly routine. When they were finished, she sweetly kissed Alexandria and allowed her to go to Arthur, who was patiently but nervously waiting to tuck her in.
He wasn't sure what to do, but as soon as little Alexandria got into bed and pulled the covers up, he snapped into action.
He fixed the covers securely around her, asked if she was comfortable and placed a sweet kiss on her forehead. The smile on her face warmed him. For a few seconds, he saw her as his daughter, a product of his and Gwen's and he wanted that more than anything in that moment.
As he came out of his thoughts, he felt eyes on him, and looked over to see Gwen watching him with a smile on her face.
He turned back to his charge, seeing her intently looking at him. Her eyes held his for a few moments, until they started to droop. As her eyes closed, she quietly said,
"Goodnight daddy."
Arthur's eyes widened. He was rendered numb. His eyes remained on Alexandria as she peacefully drifted off to dreamland. The sound of Gwen's soft voice brought him back to his assumed role for the night.
Tenderly, he ran his hand over the covers, as little Alexandria's chest moved with every inhale and exhale. After a few seconds, he softly brushed her hair back, whispered, "Sweet dreams," and with one final kiss goodnight, he turned down the light, and moved away.
On the outside, Gwen reached for his hand and laced their fingers together as they headed down the stairs in comfortable silence.
There was something different about Arthur, she felt it, but she decided to let him share it when he was ready.
Entering the den, they both started to tidy up the mess from their popcorn fight. After a few minutes of silence, Arthur said,
"Thank you Guinevere...for trusting me with something so important. I enjoyed every minute of it."
His words stilled her actions.
She could see he was clearly affected by her daughter's request, but in a good way.
"You're more than welcomed Arthur, but I should be thanking you. You did a great job. Thank you."
With that she walked to him and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.
They finished tidying up and sat cuddled together on the couch watching TV.
After a while, Gwen turned to him and said,
"Arthur, there's something I need to speak to you about. Is now a good time?" Arthur took the remote, turned the television down and said to her,
"For you, anytime is a good time. What's on your mind?" Gwen took a deep breath and shifted her position, so that she could speak to him face to face.
"What I have to say is hardly any concern to you, but I don't want to keep secrets from you." Arthur interjected.
"Does it have anything to do with you or the twins?"
"Yes, it does."
"Well, my dear Guinevere, I beg to differ, anything that involves you or the twins are of great concern to me. Tell me."
Gwen looked at him and held his gaze. There was nothing but complete honesty and love there. Besides Merlin, this was a man she could definitely trust. She could feel it deep down inside. With a gentle squeeze to her hand and an encouraging nod, he urged her on.
"Two days ago, I received a letter in the mail from the kids' father."
She saw Arthur's countenance changed right before her eyes, his whole body tensed. She reached out and gently touched his hand, feeling him relax, she continued.
"This is the first contact he's made since he's left. In the letter, he asked about the twins...if they still looked like him, he stated he hoped the letter finds us in good health, he misses us…he regrets his actions. He spoke about his mum passing two years ago and the effect it had on him…he's blamed himself for the twins not knowing her and vice versa. He went on to say other things…he wants to know if we're still living the same place…and if I've moved on. He's hoping that I haven't... and…that this, is a second chance for us…meaning me and him."
There was a brief spell of silence after that, as both allowed everything to sink in. It was Arthur who spoke first.
"Wow! He's said a mouthful for a guy who has been missing for quite some time. How do you feel about the things he's mentioned?"
Gwen took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled. She locked eyes with Arthur and honestly said.
"I'm really not sure how to feel. On one hand, I think it would be good for the kids to get to know him and hear what he has to say to them, on the other, I want nothing to do with Lance Wallenza.
The most I can do, is to be civil to him for the twins' sake. His hopes and dreams are ideas of grandeur, and I don't want any part of them."
Arthur released the breath he had been holding. He was a bit apprehensive as he awaited her answer.
He lifted her hands to his lips and softly kissed them, as he held her gaze.
"That makes me happy. I don't want to lose you Guinevere…nor the kids. I know Lance is their father and I would never try to come between them, or try to replace him, but I really like them and I hope things don't get confusing for them."
"I know what you mean Arthur, about them being confused, and as hard as it will be, I'm going to sit them down and tell them about the letter. Now, for your other concern, you won't lose us Arthur. The kids adore you and I do too…I just hope that we don't end up losing you in the process."
Gently, Arthur pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. It felt so right to hold her in his arms and to feel so at peace, at the same time. Kindly, he said,
"That will never happen Guinevere. You seem to forget that I'm completely smitten by you. If Lance thinks he can come back after five years and take up where he's left off, then I feel sorry for him. He will have the greatest fight on his hands if he attempts to get back with you…and if at any time, those kids are hurt by him, he will have me to deal with."
Gwen felt lighter than air.
Hearing Arthur's words made her feel like the luckiest woman in the world.
Thank you Arthur, for caring about the kids and me. We are very lucky."
"There's no luck involved here Guinevere. It's what you do when you love someone. Do they ask about him?"
A stumped Gwen sat speechless for a beat. She looked at Arthur's calm features with mild shock on her face. It was as if he hadn't realized what he had just said. His subtle declaration threw her. She stuttered out,
"Uhm…actually, they don't anymore. They used to…and I would always tell them that he had to leave, but he still loved them. It seemed to work, when they were about two years old, but as they got older, they stopped asking about him. I kept photos of him in their room, still do, but they don't seem to care about any of that stuff. I try not to force them to speak about him…they didn't deserve him walking out on them…so I just let them be. As long as they are happy, I'm happy."
Arthur took in everything she said, processing every piece of information, and filing it away in his head.
"Good, because the twins' and your happiness mean the world to me...but...saying that, I believe in doing the right thing. I know it's not my place, but I have a suggestion. I think you should write him back and let him know where you are living. You don't have to give him personal details about yourself, and your life…unless you want to, but I think it's only fair, that he gets to see his kids and bond with them."
A smiling Gwen looked at her handsome suitor and kindly said,
"Anything you have to say or add is important Arthur. It's your place, I gave you that right when I accepted you into our lives. Never discount yourself or your place…ever. I've been on my own for a long time and it feels good to have someone and need someone…the way I need you."
Arthur's heart soared in his chest. It felt good to be appreciated, especially by someone he cared deeply for. He was at a loss for words, for the second time that night.
Sensing this, Gwen continued, "There's so much think about. I need to handle this situation carefully. I don't know what state of mind Lance will be in or how he will take it when he sees that I am not interested in reconciling with him. I might need a back-up plan…like seeking counsel from a lawyer…but, I'm going to take your advice and write him, after I tell the twins, of course."
The wheels in Arthur's head started to turn. He found his voice.
"If you want, I can help in securing an attorney for you Guinevere. I know a few people who would be willing to counsel you on how to deal with this matter the correct way and advise you on the next step to take. Just say when, and I'll sort it out."
"Thank you Arthur. I appreciate that. The sooner the better...and preferably before Lance gets here."
"Say no more. I will get on it first thing Monday morning. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to change the subject. We are all alone and there's something I've been wanting to do for hours now...in fact...since you arrived earlier this evening."
Amusement blossomed in Gwen's eyes. She felt herself leaning back, until she was laying on her back, with Arthur's muscular frame covering her. She tenderly brushed the hair from his eyes and playfully asked,
"What are you up to Arthur Pendragon?" An equally playful Arthur brought his face inches from hers and cheekily said,
"Nothing...I just need you to put me out of my misery Guinevere."
At that, he planted a scorching kiss on her lips and settled into her warmth.
That's it for this chapter. A little short, and not much action, but hopefully I can make up for it in the next chapter. Much love and gratitude to you.