Chapter 3! Woot. So this chapter turned out very long, only because there were a lot of things that I wanted convey in this chapter. Mostly because this is probably only going to be one more chapter: C I know. The thing is, I really like this story and I don't want to drag it out like a dead cat. This only really needs to be like one more chapter to be complete. It's also something to think about that I am absolute bollocks at writing lengthy stuff. It just seems repetative. I like being able to write stuff like this, but I have to work my way into the length of it all. Anyway. Enjoy and Review. Look forward to the next chapter, and remember that all you need is love. : D

Love,

Hotpantsheather.

Integral felt nervous butterflies flutter in her stomach. She squeezed Arthur's hand and he looked at her with his same dashing smile. He never changed. How long had it been? Two years now, since she'd met this man. Since she'd fallen in love with him, night after night. Every night. Arthur held her arm hooked in his like they were gentleman and lady. They stood in the hallway of the Palace. Inside the ballroom music swelled and crescendo. It was the Queen's birthday. Integral looked at him and frowned.

"The Queen won't like me," She insisted.

"Nonsense, the queen likes everyone," Arthur smirked. "Trust me."

Integra scoffed playfully. "And why should I trust you? You've tricked me into being here since the beginning."

Arthur mimed offense. "Tricked you! I dare not say that I have tricked you in anyway, fair maiden!" he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. She smelled of honey today. His knees wobbled a bit. She always had that effect on him, especially in tiny moments. Moments where he saw her carrying trays with Walter and laughing. Moments where he found her in the library reading one of the dusty copies of Dracula or Crime and Punishment. Moments where he tickled her and she kicked him in the face with an elegant foot and broke his nose. Moments.

Arthur watched the doors open to allow them into the ballroom and entered, bringing the prostitute he had fallen in love with along. She was introduced to the Queen (who did in fact, like her) and to various other members of the Protestant Knights. Each of which had to dance with Arthur's lady. Arthur fumed as Hugh Islands led Integral in a seductive Tango, giving his friend a wink when he dipped the woman and then sent her giggling and blushing back to Arthur.

The night ended much the same way, with Integral giggling and Arthur fuming.

"You really shouldn't be so mad. I took it as a compliment," Integral said.

"Sir Penwood is a married man he shouldn't be grabbing bottoms willy nilly!" Arthur insisted.

Integral stopped walking to where Walter waited with the car and looked at her boyfriend. "Did you just say willy nilly? Honestly Arthur," she laughed at him and put her and on her hips. Arthur stared longingly at her.

"I had some wine," he told her and scuffed his feet. "Now…you look very enticing so I would appreciate it if you would get in the car so I can kiss you very sloppily."

XxxxxX

The mansion was dark and quiet in the wee hours of the morning. Arthur's bedroom, however, was a different story. There were no words exchanged as they made love, but when they finished conversation's were held.

Integral was pinning her hair up in the bathroom across the floor from the bed. She wore his white dress shirt, which only went to about mid- thigh. Arthur watched her and smiled.

"You look amazing."

"Shut up, you're drunk," Integral smirked and looked at her man.

"Am not. You've squeezed out the drunk out of me," He smirked at his woman. She made a face.

"Am I amazing now?"

"Yes."

"Now?" another face, this one equally disgusting.

"Unfortunately, yes," Arthur chuckled.

"Damn," she said and walked the floor to the bed again. She climbed on and sat on Arthur's stomach. "Oh! Look at this," she said and with great precision she turned her eyelids inside out and looked at Arthur.

"Oh ew! Ew!" Arthur said and pushed her off, crawling away. Integral cackled and sat up to see Arthur digging through his bedside table drawer.

"What are you doing?" She asked, her eyelids the proper way now. He climbed back onto the bed and smiled at her.

"I love you. I didn't like that, that was gross, but I love you," he said and smiled wider.

Oh god, thought Integral.

Arthur presented the ring, in all it's glory. It was simple, nothing too overwhelming for an engagement ring.

"Wait, wait, before you answer I've prepared a speech. I have words," he said and cleared his throat. "Integral, you are my necessity. You make me mathematically sound. I am very close to nothing without you. There are things we don't know about each other and things we know too much of, but that's okay, because we have forever to forget and to learn," Arthur wrinkled his nose. "Well that made me sound like a blooming wank, didn't it?"

Integral laughed and looked at him. Arthur looked back.

"Your answer, fair maiden?" he asked.

Да

Sì

Ja

Oui

Yes.

There were years between that and the day that Arthur burst into his office and picked Islands up off the chair where he had been waiting and twirled him around so violently that he looked a bit green from it.

"I have such news!" he told the other man.

"You've brought more tea? The kettle's gone cold waiting for you," Islands said and straightened his tie a bit. He frowned at Arthur and took his seat again. He was glad he set his cup down just as Arthur had burst in.

"No, you twit, Integral is pregnant!" he shouted and waited for Islands to respond similarly. Islands twirled his finger.

"A boy I hope," he said without enthusiasm.

Arthur frowned. "Oh that's right you don't love your wife. That explains why you are not happy for me as my friend!" Arthur shouted and crossed his arms. "And I don't know yet, it's only a thing. I couldn't even see it. I don't think Integral could either, but she made a big show to the lady doctor about it."

"Lady doctor? Ladies can be doctors now?"

"It appears so," Arthur shrugged and the two men stood in silence for a moment.

"Aren't you a bit old to be having a child?" Islands asked and sipped his cold tea.

"Shut it, you wank. I can have a kid at any age I want."

Islands smiled. "Congratulations, Arthur."