Hi there, this is my latest attempt at moving this story along to completion.
Standard disclaimer
It's been four months since Gwen received Lance's letter, and four months since she told Arthur about it.
In that time, she had tentatively sat her kids down and explained everything to them. That day, as she held in a breath, she didn't know she was holding, her two kids pleasantly surprised her.
They took it in stride.
While they weren't anxiously looking forward to seeing their biological father, they were glad that he wanted to see them and get to know them.
Alexandria was the more concerned of the two.
She wanted to know, if they had to stop seeing and being around Arthur, because their dad was coming back.
In no uncertain terms, Gwen told her, she could see and be around Arthur, as much as she wanted. The smile on her cute face spoke volumes and warmed Gwen's heart.
Arthur adored the twins and vice versa, and she wanted it to stay that way.
Two weeks after she had told the kids, she wrote to Lance, telling him,
'Dear Lance, just like you, I hope this letter finds you in good health. I was very surprised to hear from you…and…this is, by no means a dig at you, but…after not hearing anything from you for years, I didn't expect to. The kids are great. It's hard to say, but, I think they look like both of us…maybe you, a bit more, though. They are happy, healthy and beautiful. They are into everything kids their age are and at the same time, they're doing fantastic in their school-work. We have moved. I've changed my job, also, and things are going great for us. I'm very sorry to know that your mum has passed…and, to know, you haven't been able to contact your father. I sincerely hope that changes for you and that he would reach out to you, the way you are doing now, to the kids. Before I close this letter, there is something you should know, I have moved on. I've met a wonderful guy, by the name of Arthur Pendragon and we have settled into an exclusive relationship. He's great with the kids. He cares deeply for them and they, for him. I'm sorry if this isn't what you wanted to hear, but, Arthur makes me happy…and…I love him. I can't see any chance of us getting back together, anywhere in my future. You will find my new address on the outside of the envelope. If you are still interested in seeing the kids, you are welcomed to visit them. Just say when. P.S. To shorten the time frame, I have enclosed my number on the back of this letter. Sincerely, Gwen.'
It took Lance all of two months, to get back to Gwen, about his intended visit with the kids.
Her letter threw him.
He wasn't expecting to hear, she had moved on without him.
In a matter of hours…two, to be exact, he would be seeing his kids…and her. God, he missed her. He could kick himself, for being the biggest nincompoop ever. She was everything he needed and more and he threw it all away.
He swore at himself, as he glanced at the address on the letter, once again.
People like him…and Gwen, didn't live in places like this…unless they were rich, or famous.
His thoughts drifted to Arthur Pendragon.
According to Google, he was wealthy beyond measure, one of the top three, most eligible bachelors, listed in Forbes magazine, one of the richest and most successful young businessmen of this era…and on and on.
Recalling some of the most significant information on Arthur, he couldn't find one bad thing listed about him, and that was something akin to a punch in the gut.
He would never be able to compete with the likes of Arthur Pendragon. And knowing Gwen, she had to be really in love with Arthur to be in a relationship with him.
She wasn't the kind of woman to be kept by a man, or be impressed with his wealth. In essence, she wasn't a gold digger.
His head began to hurt, thinking and over-thinking everything.
The best thing he could do at the moment, was to see his kids and get to know them. Anything else, he would have to think long and hard about, before he made a move.
He made a quick decision then, to take a look around his old neighbourhood, before he headed out to meet his estranged family, as a way of calming his nerves.
Gwen was at work, trying to finish up her tasks, before she picked up her kids and headed out to meet their father.
Her thoughts were all over the place.
She wonders what she will say, when she sees him.
There is still some residual hurt there, but she has long forgiven him.
Her biggest worry, was his intentions for the kids…she didn't want them hurt.
Her thoughts were interrupted, by Arthur's concerned voice, softly calling for her.
A genuine smile blossomed on her pretty face, when she saw him standing by her desk.
"Arthur. I didn't hear you come in."
"I gathered that. Where were you just now?" A loud exhale escaped her, as she stood and went around her desk, and faced him.
"I was thinking about the meeting with Lance."
"What about it? Do you want me to come along with you?"
"Uhm…no Arthur. You don't have to. I'm fine…really. I was just a bit concerned about the kids' reaction to seeing him…and…thinking…rather...hoping, that they won't be hurt in any of this…by him, I mean."
Arthur pulled her into his arms and gently squeezed her to him.
"My dear Guinevere, you're their mum, and you love them. Of course, you will be worried about Lance's intentions where they are concerned, but, you're not alone in this. Yes, he might hurt them…then again, he may not. But if he does, it'll only be once…because, if I know you, my love, you won't give him half a chance to do it again."
A sweet smile lit up her face as she looked up at him. Rising to her toes, she planted a soft kiss to his lips and said,
"I think you do know me, Mr. Pendragon…and you are so right, if he does, he'll never hear the end of it from me and he won't ever get a chance to, again. You always know what to say to me."
"That's because, I love you, Guinevere. I would do, or say anything, to make you and the kids happy."
"I know that, Arthur, and I love you too...so much…and the kids love you."
"Brilliant! Are you sure you don't want me to come with you? Because I can, you know. All I have to do, is call that lazy bum Merlin…who's probably in my sister's office, doing God knows what, with each other…and let him take over a few things for me."
A soft chuckle sounded from Gwen, as she listened to Arthur rant.
"I'm sure, Arthur. We'll be fine. If I need you, I'll call. And yes, Merlin is in Morganna's office…been there for the last hour."
"Dear God! I don't know what I'm paying him for. He's my assistant and he spends more time in her office, than in the one he's supposed to be in. You know, Guinevere, you've done more work for me recently, than he has, in months. I should switch with Morganna…she can have him."
Another chuckle sounded from Gwen. She kissed his chest, exposed, from the top button being opened and felt him shiver. A smile grew on her face again, hearing him catch his breath, also. As innocently as she could, she looked up into his face, and said,
"I don't think that would work Arthur. Not because I don't want to, but we both know, we won't get much work done, if I become your assistant."
"What's so bad about that?" he asked. She playfully slapped his strong, toned arm and blushed at the thoughts that appeared in her head.
"Uhm…nothing, but..."
His lips descended on hers, abruptly cutting off anything else she was about to say. He took his time and thoroughly kissed her, leaving her with a dazed look on her face.
A couple of pecks later, he said to her,
"You should get going. Say hi to the kids for me."
With a smug smirk, he turned away and headed to his office, with a spring in his step.
About a minute later, Gwen returned from wherever she had floated off to, and shook her head, to clear her thoughts. Arthur knew exactly how to throw her off-kilter.
"That blonde, handsome devil…I'll get my revenge."
She smiled to herself, wrote out a simple message on the computer for Morganna and exited her office.
On the outside, she caught sight of Mithian, hovering beside Arthur, as he spoke to one of his long-term employees. He wasn't taking notice, or so Gwen thought, at Mithian's antics and her not so subtle way, of trying to join the conversation, between him and his employee. But he was noting everything and filing it away in his head...for future purposes.
With one last look, she made for the door and exited.
A pair of loving blue eyes followed her, unknown to her, as she disappeared around the corner, and into the employee's parking lot.
Half-an-hour later, Gwen and the kids, were headed to a little café, to meet Lance.
The kids were their usual happy, chatty selves, as they told their mum about their day at school.
"Alex has a girlfriend, mum," Lexi said. Alex's face turned red in embarrassment.
"No, I don't!"
"Yes, you do. Her name is Aurora."
"Not true, mum. Lexi is making that up."
"Okay, okay, you two. Having a girl that's a friend is nothing to be ashamed about," Gwen said.
"But she's not just his friend, mum. She says she's his girlfriend…and she's going to marry him…gross…"
"She did not!" Alex shouted.
"Alright. That's enough. Alex, inside voice, please."
"Sorry, mum."
"Alexandria, please don't fret your brother. He doesn't want to talk about it…anyway, let's shift gears for a moment. How are you guys feeling? Do you still want to meet your dad today?"
Both nodded their heads, yes.
"I want to see if he still looks like the picture you gave us," Lexi said.
"Me too…but I don't know if I should hug him," Alex said.
"Me either. I like to hug Arthur. He makes me feel safe…like a real dad," Lexi threw in.
Tears stung Gwen's eyes, as she listened to her two kids. Sometimes she forgot that they were only five years old.
"You can do whatever your heart tells you to…if you feel to hug him, then hug him, if not, then don't. He won't be mad."
"Do you think he still loves us, mum?" Alex asked.
"Yes, I'm sure he does. What's not to love about you guys?" Smiles broke out on their two angelic faces. "Never worry about someone not loving you. Love yourselves…and always remember, I love you."
"And Arthur, and uncle Merlin and aunty Morganna," Lexi said, enthusiastically.
"Yes, they all do. Very much," Gwen said.
Presently, she pulled into the small parking lot, belonging to the café and parked.
Releasing her seatbelt, she looked back and asked,
"Are you guys ready?"
Once again, the two nodded their heads and started to undo their own seatbelts.
As they exited the car, and moved off, Gwen spotted Lance sitting in a booth, looking right in their direction.
"Here goes," she quietly said, as she walked to the door and entered, with the kids in tow.
I hope this makes sense. It was written mostly in one go. These days I am super busy, but I will try to get the next chapter out as soon as possible. Until next time, much love to you.