A/N: Hello everyone! This chapter contains some explicit content, so if that's not your cup of tea then it would be best to skip the last part. Also, Hunith is now Helen. I think that's it, so happy reading and as always, feel free to review.
Disclaimer: The only thing I own is Emily.
/
It turns out that when Merlin called his mom to tell her he got an apartment, she didn't feel like shipping his things. She rented a small moving van and drove everything over herself. Of course, she didn't tell anyone she was going to do that until she was an hour from the city. Merlin was sitting on the couch in Arthur's apartment coloring with Emily while Arthur picked up some take-out for dinner.
"What do you mean you're about an hour away?" he asked into his phone.
"I mean I should be there in an hour. I brought your things."
"Mom! You didn't have to do that! I can't move in until tomorrow anyway."
"You don't have that much, honey."
"I know, but I can't ask Gwen and Lance to put up me and my stuff."
Arthur came through the door at that moment and Emily held a finger up to her lips to silently tell him to be quiet. Merlin met his gaze with a bewildered and amused look.
"We'll figure something out. Anyway, I've got Gwen's address in the GPS so I'll see you soon. Oh! And I want to meet this Arthur you told me about."
She hung up before Merlin could say anything else. He could only laugh as he dropped the phone back on the coffee table.
"Who was that?" Arthur asked as he unpacked the take-out.
"My mother. She's on her way here with all my stuff."
"I thought she was going to ship it to you."
Merlin shook his head.
"So did I, but apparently she decided to hand-deliver it."
"So I can meet your mommy?" Emily asked as she crawled into Merlin's lap. He wrapped his arms around her and nodded.
"Yay! I bet she's really nice and really pretty."
Merlin and Arthur laughed.
"I bet she is. Now, let's eat before it gets cold." Arthur said as he set out plates and silverware. Merlin carried Emily to the table and set her down in her chair.
"You can keep your stuff here if you want." Arthur said after he took a few bites. Merlin raised an eyebrow at him.
"What? There's plenty of room for some boxes and stuff in here." Arthur defended.
"There's only eight boxes, but I've also got a futon and my piano."
"What's a futon?" Emily asked.
"It's a small couch that can also be used as a bed. It was in my dorm room at the Conservatory."
She nodded and went back to her meal. Arthur continued, "It won't be a problem. Besides, you're moving into your place tomorrow, so it's not like it'll be here long. There's an elevator in your new building, right?"
Merlin nodded.
"It's an industrial one too. That's one of the reasons I got the place; the elevator was big enough to fit my piano."
"What about other furniture? And I'm assuming you'll need dishes and cooking stuff."
"I know. I was going to look this weekend. I can sleep on my futon until then and I have a few pots and pans, so it'll be fine."
"Can I go with you?" Emily asked.
"I'd love if you came with me, but you need to ask your daddy."
Emily looked at Arthur and asked, "Can I, Daddy? Please?"
"It's alright with me if it's alright with Merlin."
"Yay!"
"You can come too, if you want." Merlin said.
Arthur shook his head.
"I'll pass. I hate shopping."
Merlin laughed and they finished their meal in comfortable silence.
/
An hour and five minutes after Merlin hung up with his mother she called him again to let him know she was out front. He went next door to tell Gwen and Lance and Arthur picked up Emily. As a group they went down to meet her and help her get Merlin's things upstairs.
"Hi, Mom!" Merlin said as he wrapped her in a hug. Gwen was next in line, followed by Lance and Tommy. When she had given the boy back to his father she turned to Arthur and Emily.
"Mom, this is Arthur and his daughter Emily." Merlin said by way of introduction.
Arthur set down Emily and the little girl extended her hand to the older woman.
"It's very nice to meet you. My name is Emily Penn."
She shook the little hand with a smile and said, "The pleasure is all mine, Emily. My name is Helen Emrys."
She then looked up at Arthur and he tried to shake her hand as well, but she batted his hand away and pulled him in for a hug. After that everyone grabbed a box while Helen stayed with Tommy and Emily. Once all the boxes were in Arthur's apartment, Lance and Arthur each took an end of the futon while Gwen and Merlin wheeled the piano together. When everything was settled and Helen had gotten her things Lance took the moving van to drop it off.
"So, where are you staying?" Arthur asked as he got drinks for everyone from his kitchen.
"I figured I'd get a hotel room for the night and get a train back to Philadelphia tomorrow."
"You should stay with us." Emily offered.
Helen was about to decline when Arthur said, "Of course you should. There's no need to pay for a place."
She looked at Merlin and her son nodded at her.
"Well, if you insist then I won't turn down your generosity."
They all sat talking until Lance got back and then it was time for the kids to go to bed. Gwen and Lance took Tommy home and Arthur led Emily away so she could get a bath. When they were alone, Helen turned knowing eyes on her son.
"He's very nice."
"Yeah, he is. Emily's a sweetheart too."
Helen nodded and smiled.
"She certainly is. I just have to wonder if maybe this is all happening too soon."
Merlin took his mother's hand.
"I know that you'll worry about me no matter what I say, but I'm telling you that you don't have to. I know my relationship with Arthur happened suddenly, but I really care about him. I know he cares about me too. And I adore Emily."
Helen squeezed his hand.
"I know that you're an adult and perfectly capable of making your own decisions about your life, and I'll support those decisions, no matter what they are. I just want to make sure that you know what you're getting into here. Arthur is a father, and by having a relationship with him you will have to be a father too. Are you ready for that?"
Merlin didn't hesitate to answer, "Yes."
"As long as you're sure then I'm happy for you."
"I'm sure, and thank you."
After that, talk turned to his new place and how playing for the Philharmonic was going. It wasn't too long before Emily came running down the hallway with wet hair and dressed in her pajamas. She launched herself at Merlin and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Goodnight, Merlin! I'll see you tomorrow when Daddy and I come to see your home."
Merlin hugged her back and said, "Yes you will. Have good dreams."
She kissed his cheek and then waved at Helen before running back down the hall. Arthur emerged a few minutes later and Merlin stood up.
"I should go too. Rehearsal starts early tomorrow."
"I'll walk you back." Arthur said. Merlin leaned down to give his mother a hug and a kiss and then followed Arthur out into the hall. As soon as the door closed he pulled Merlin in for a kiss.
"I've wanted to do that all day."
"You weren't the only one."
They exchanged chaste kisses for a minute or so and then Merlin pulled back.
"Good luck with my mom tonight. She's probably going to ask you all kinds of embarrassing questions."
Arthur smiled.
"She wouldn't be a very good mother if she didn't."
Merlin kissed him one more time before disappearing into Gwen and Lance's apartment. Arthur made his way back to his own home. If he was a little nervous he didn't let it show as he opened the door.
/
Luckily for Arthur, Helen didn't interrogate him until the next morning. She had gotten up, put her sheets in the washing machine, and made breakfast by the time Arthur walked into the living room.
"You really didn't have to do all this. I could have handled it." he said as he made himself a cup of coffee. Helen just waved him off.
"It's the least I can do after you let me stay here."
They each took a plate of eggs and toast and sat down at the table. Arthur was halfway through his meal when Helen finally asked, "So you're dating my son?"
Arthur met her gaze and nodded.
"Yes. I know it happened pretty suddenly."
"It did, but as long as you care about him and take care of him then you have my blessing."
"You have my word that I will."
Helen finished her breakfast and then said, "The way he looks at you, I've never seen him look at anyone like that. And how he acts around Emily, I know he loves her."
"He's really great with Emily, and she thinks the world of him."
Helen nodded and then got up to clear away the dishes. Arthur tried to stop her, but it was no use. She had just put them away when Emily came down the hall.
"Good morning, Daddy!" she said as she climbed up in his lap.
He kissed the top of her head and said, "Good morning, sweetheart. Helen made us breakfast."
Helen brought her a plate and she smiled.
"Thank you!"
"You are most welcome."
Arthur moved her over to her chair and said he was going to take a shower.
"When you're done you need to brush your teeth and get dressed." he told Emily. She nodded and then he left. When he came back out dressed and ready for work he found Emily waiting at the door with her backpack and Merlin and Helen standing with her.
"I didn't expect to see you this morning. I thought you had an early rehearsal."
Merlin smiled.
"The conductor gave half of us the day off so that he could work with the string section. I got the call right as I was about to leave and decided that I'd take my mom out to see the city before she goes home."
Arthur nodded and reached for Emily's hand.
"Will you walk with us to drop me off?" Emily asked. Merlin knelt down and kissed her cheek.
"Of course!" he said. She gave him her brightest smile. Helen watched and a small smile graced her face as well. The four of them made their way out of the building and onto the street. At the entrance to Emily's daycare she hugged Merlin and his mom and then ran inside. Arthur hugged Helen and told her that she was welcome back at anytime and then he gave Merlin a quick kiss with a promise to see him later. Then he followed after Emily to see that she was all settled. As Merlin and Helen walked away she took her son's hand.
"You've got a good thing with them."
"I know."
/
That night everyone helped Merlin move into his new place. Once everything was there and unpacked, Lance opened the wine while Gwen took some glasses out of her purse. Arthur brought sparkling grape juice for the kids.
"You didn't have to do this." Merlin said as Gwen handed him a glass.
"Just be glad this is all we did." Lance added.
"To your new place! May you be happy here." Gwen said as she raised her glass.
Everyone joined her and they drank.
After he swallowed Merlin looked at Arthur and said, "I'm sure I will be."
They didn't stay long after that since the kids needed to be getting to bed, but Merlin told Emily that he would pick her up at nine on Saturday for their shopping date.
"I should have her back by dinner time at the latest. We'll get lunch somewhere in the city." he told Arthur.
"That's fine, as long as you have dinner at our place."
Merlin nodded and then leaned in to kiss him. Emily giggled at the sight. Arthur sighed and pulled away.
"I'll see you later." he said as he picked up his daughter. Merlin waved them both away and then leaned against his new front door. Life was good.
/
Saturday came and went. Emily and Merlin had a fun and productive day. Emily helped him pick out a bed (they both agreed on the bounciest one), dishes (colorful ones), sheets ("These feel like my daddy's shirts!" "Then those are the one's we're getting."), and a few other essentials. Dinner was good, but making out was even better after Emily went to bed. By the time Merlin got home that night it was well past midnight and his lips still tingled.
/
The next few weeks passed in a whirlwind of rehearsals, deadlines, play dates, movies, dinners, and kisses. Arthur couldn't remember a time when he was as happy as he was now. Even the upcoming dinner with his father couldn't dampen his mood. He and Merlin had been dating for two months and Ulysses thought it was time for him to meet the man who'd stolen his son's heart. Merlin was incredibly nervous, but Emily told him not to be.
"Grandfather is very nice. He'll love you."
That didn't really help much, but Merlin smiled for her and she was happy. As it turns out, dinner was a pleasantly uneventful affair. Ulysses asked about Merlin's family and about his job. He wanted to know how he and Arthur had met and where he was living, but overall he was cordial and relaxed. At the end of the evening Ulysses shook his hand and told him that he was a fine young man and that he wished him all the best. After hugging both Emily and Arthur he saw them out and that was that. Merlin felt like he'd won a major battle, and Arthur laughed when he told him.
"There was a time when I would've agreed with you. My father wasn't always so personable. But ever since Emily was born he's mellowed out a lot. We get along a lot better now than we ever did when I was younger."
Merlin nodded, because he could easily see how that would be true. He was just infinitely grateful that it wasn't so true now.
/
Two weeks later Emily was spending the night at Gwen's again. As soon as he dropped her off he called Merlin.
"Come over tonight."
"What about Emily?"
"She's spending the night with Tommy."
"I'll be there in twenty minutes."
As soon as Merlin was through the door Arthur locked it and pinned him up against the wall. He kissed him with a desperation that Merlin matched and they slowly made their way to Arthur's bedroom. Once they were inside, Merlin kicked the door shut and pulled of his shirt.
"You have no idea how hard it's been to keep my hands to myself." he said.
Arthur dropped his own shirt on the floor and smirked.
"I think I do actually. I've been wanting to get my hands on you ever since I met you."
"The feeling's mutual."
Merlin backed Arthur up until he fell across the bed then he crawled over him and straddled his waist.
"My god! You look even better under your clothes." he said as he ran his hands over Arthur's chest.
"And you haven't even seen all of me yet." Arthur gasped as Merlin ran his thumb over a nipple.
"We'll fix that soon enough." he said leaning down to devour Arthur's mouth. The kiss was deep and wet and left both of them even more desperate to feel skin. Pants came off with record speed and underwear shortly followed. Merlin trailed kisses down Arthur's chest and bit at his hipbone. Arthur could only moan and run his fingers through Merlin's dark hair.
"How long has it been?" he asked as he gripped Arthur's cock.
"A disgustingly long time." he answered through clenched teeth.
"How long?" Merlin asked again as he stroked the throbbing hardness.
"God! Al…almost four years. Before Emily was born."
Merlin smirked.
"Best not keep you waiting any longer then."
He swallowed Arthur's cock and Arthur screamed. He tried to thrust up into Merlin's mouth, but Merlin had a firm hold of his hips. He pulled off and licked a lazy stripe up the underside and then swirled his tongue over the head.
"How long's it been for you?" Arthur gasped out while Merlin stroked him.
"Over a year. It was a hook-up in one of the practice rooms my junior year."
"Kinky." Arthur laughed.
Merlin shook his head.
"Awful actually. He didn't know what he was doing and didn't remember to watch his teeth when he blew me. That was all I let him do."
He swallowed Arthur again and smiled when Arthur groaned. The next time he pulled off Arthur flipped them over. He had to taste Merlin and he couldn't wait anymore.
"Shit!" Merlin cried when Arthur sucked on his head. He clenched the sheets in his fists and tried to ground himself. Arthur took his time as he licked and sucked on Merlin. He finally swallowed him down when Merlin begged for it. Arthur wasn't nearly finished when Merlin pulled him off and up for a kiss. Merlin attacked his mouth with tongue and teeth. The kiss was filthy, and Arthur couldn't get enough of it; couldn't get enough of Merlin. He pulled back and rolled so he was on his back. Merlin gave him a confused look, but then Arthur spread his legs.
"Condoms and lube are in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom." he said. Merlin raised an eyebrow in question and Arthur answered it with a nod. Merlin jumped up and practically ran to the en suite. When he came back in he had already put on the condom and was slicking his fingers with lube.
"I'm going to tell you right now, I probably won't last very long." Merlin said as he rejoined Arthur on the bed.
"That will make two of us then, but I don't care. I just want you inside me."
Merlin made quick work of preparing and stretching Arthur. The whole time Arthur begged for more. Finally, Merlin lined up his cock with Arthur's entrance and slowly began to thrust into him. When he was buried to the hilt Arthur moaned and Merlin said, "Fuck yeah!"
They built up a slow but steady rhythm, Arthur moving to meet him with every thrust. When Merlin twisted his hips and managed to hit Arthur's prostate, the dam broke. Their movements became frantic and uncoordinated. Merlin began to furiously stroke Arthur and that was his undoing. He arched up into Merlin and came harder than he had in his life. Watching was Merlin's undoing. He kept thrusting into Arthur through the aftershocks until he finally couldn't hold himself up anymore. Pulling out, he collapsed beside Arthur. They lay there panting for a few minutes and then Merlin got up to dispose of the condom and get a washcloth to clean up with. After he was done with it he threw it at Arthur who wiped at himself with shaking hands and then tossed it onto the floor. Merlin climbed back into the bed and laid his head on Arthur's chest. Arthur pulled him close and tangled their legs together.
"I would say that that was amazing, but I wouldn't want to inflate your ego." Merlin whispered.
Arthur laughed.
"You're such an idiot. Go to sleep."
Merlin didn't need to be told twice.