A few days later, after finally coming home to New York City, and giving a goodbye to their hometown, Arthur and Gwen found that they'd been so caught up in everything they'd forgotten it would soon be Christmas. Still, work kept him glued to the office for a few days before he could finally drag her up to his apartment with a big grin on his face. "Com'on, com'on! I really think you're going to enjoy this." He was bouncing on his toes from both cold, and excitement. "A tradition my family used to have."

"What?" Gwen was singing the word over and over again. She had recovered from the minor cloud of depression that had hung over her since London. Christmas always brought out the best in her.

He laughed, and opened the door. Near the window was a Christmas tree, still undecorated, and around it were boxes and boxes of ornaments. "See? We used to do this every year."

"Oh my goodness, I haven't decorated a tree in years!" Gwen exclaimed, laughing.

"Me either. But, I thought I'd like to start again, and who better to do it with than the person you love most?" Arthur smiled up at her, from where he knelt, opening a box.

Gwen smiled, kneeling beside him to open another box. "Where did you even get this tree?" She asked, "It's huge."

"There was a tree lot, in Central Park." Arthur said, as he pulled out a little star shaped one that was more or less...a star. "Oh look. Dad says I made this when I was a kid."

Gwen grinned, "It's adorable." She said. Her eyes widened and her mouth formed a small 'o'. "Wait here." She said, "I left something in my flat. I'll be right back." She stood and practically ran towards the door, and out.

"Alright." Arthur shrugged, baffled by her current state of rambunctiousness, and hung the star on the tree.

Gwen returned a few minutes later, much faster than she could have thought possible, breathing heavily. She held a small cardboard box in her hand, which she opened as she walked in. "I haven't been able to put this up." She said, "Because I haven't had a tree but..." From the inside of the box she removed a small, delicate glass ballerina. "My mother gave it to me."

"That's beautiful." Arthur nodded, as she hung it near the top. "Do you like to dance?"

"Dangerous." She said, giving a mock shudder, "Very dangerous. Especially to all the other little ballerinas."

"We'll settle at dangerously adorable, then?" Arthur peeped, a mischievous look in his eye.

"Fine." Gwen couldn't hold a snicker as she rose up onto her toes and kissed him.

Arthur chuckled, and kissed her back. "Could it be possible to love you more?" Then, he chose a string of lights from another box, and began to wrap them around the great pine. "There are probably enough decorations for both apartments, not only trees."

"Yay!" Gwen exclaimed, her eyes lighting up like the lights did, when he plugged them into an outlet. A million small sparkles all joining into a masterpiece. "I am definitely a fan of sparkly things."

"Dig around." He shrugged, and began roping the lights. "I'm sure there are sparkles. My Mum used to love such things...but, then we just...stopped decorating."

Gwen dug through a few boxes and emerged with a triumphant cry, holding an armful of bright red tinsel. "I live for these things."

"They always made me itchy." He rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but grin as she pulled out more tinsel, nearly being buried alive in the festive colors.

"But they're so sparkly!" Gwen exclaimed, "Besides, you don't have to touch them."

"They still make me itchy." Arthur stuck out his tongue in protest. "But they certainly do sparkle!"

"Then we can save them for my flat." Gwen nodded.

"Deal." He honestly couldn't wait to get rid of them. "And then you can keep them for the rest of eternity." Distracted by tinsel jokes, Arthur somehow got himself stuck in the lights, and sighed. "Gwen? A little help?"

Gwen laughed and put the tinsel down again, going over to Arthur. "How you manage to do these things I have no idea."

"I didn't manage!" The young man was literally shaking with laughter. "I'm stuck!"

Gwen laughed, "I meant how you manage to tangle yourself up in a string of Christmas lights." She started to untangle him, but he kept fidgeting. "Keep still!"

Arthur complied, turning a red that resembled the shade on one of the strings of the Christmas tinsel she'd pulled from the box. "Yes, ma'm."

Gwen smiled, carefully unwinding the lights. "Um..."

He finally got himself out with her help. "Thanks...well, that was a bit...embarrassing..."

Gwen loved his awkwardness, "You are hilarious."

"Thank you?" Arthur really wished the red flush on his face would dissipate, even just a little bit.

Gwen, after finally getting him completely untangled, kissed his cheek gently.

He smiled. "Now. Let's get this tree done."

"Jolly good plan!" Gwen said with a grin.

The weeks of the holidays passed by all too quickly for the little couple, and precious moments were spent and cherished, before the vanished like the snowflakes that melted on their tongues. Soon enough, Christmas Eve was upon them, and Arthur happily complied with Gwen's wishes of staying up until it was 'Officially Christmas'. It was far past midnight by the time their party-of-two was over, and she'd fallen asleep on the couch before long. It was around eight the next morning that Arthur peeked out his bedroom door nervously hoping she was still there. Gwen softly tossed in her sleep, and he smiled a bit, a few of the butterflies in his stomach abating. Trying not to wake her, he quietly assumed a place on the edge of the couch. Ever so carefully, Arthur pulled her left hand from underneath her body, and slipped an engagement ring onto her finger. He squeezed the fingers softly and just as she opened her eyes, found the courage to ask. "Marry me?"

Gwen woke up to muddled thoughts and an extremely handsome face. Her left hand was being held and there was a new pressure on her finger. She looked down and saw the ring, shining, and heard Arthur's question. The breath was pushed from her lungs as a flurry of emotions passed over her. Then she launched forwards, hugging Arthur hard. "Yes." She whispered in his ear.

Relief poured over him, and his eyes shone as her thin arms wrapped his shoulders. Arthur couldn't stop the grin from spreading out over his face, and though that, perhaps, it would be there for a very long time.

Gwen let go and kissed him gently on the lips. "You are my life, Arthur Pendragon."

Arthur's radiant smile was the only answer that was necessary. "And you mine." He pulled her close onto his chest. "And Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas Arthur." Gwen replied. "A very, merry Christmas."

Arthur did his best to help Gwen be comfortable as they drove out towards the suburbs of New York for Christmas dinner with his family, but he could tell she was nervous.

"They're normal. Really, they won't hurt you. Promise." Arthur had said. It didn't help that he'd not seen them in two years. Soon, a white mansion flashed up behind a grove of trees. It looked almost like something from a story book.

Various cars had arrived, and people were being helped from them by chauffeurs, and servants.

"Fancy." Gwen said, smiling nervously. She'd dressed up slightly, a black dress, form fitting, to her knees. It was probably the fanciest thing she owned, and she still felt out of place.

"You look beautiful." Arthur helped her from the car, and gently pressed his lips to her tan forehead. "Trust me, I'll be by your side the entire time."

"Thank you." Gwen said, taking hold of his hand. "And I'm here for you. You know that, don't you?"

"I do." Arthur squeezed her hand, and led her forwards. "Forever."

An older gentleman and a very distinguished looking lady rushed towards them a few moments later. Together, Arthur noticed. 'Oh, no. This cannot be good.' They reached him at the same time, and both grabbed on his hands, shooting fiery looks at each other that certainly couldn't be described as Christmas Spirit.

"Mum...Dad." Why had he brought Gwen? Emotional support, probably.

Gwen followed behind, more than slightly confused. These two people did not look like loving, caring parents. Not that Gwen had been expecting that.

"Please. You will both get your fair share of time with me...Yes...that's a promise." Arthur shot Gwen a look of desperation, as he was almost dragged away. "I know I was gone, but I needed some time to be alone."

He looked back again, and mouthed. 'Help me.'

Gwen, not knowing what else to do, moved forwards. "Hi." She said, putting on that even felt false, "I'm Guinevere. Everyone calls me Gwen...though." She said it almost like a question. She was unsure of herself.

Arthur politely tugged his fingers from his mother's surprisingly hard grip, and took Gwen's hand in his own. "Gwen and I have been spending a lot of time together over the past few months, and I thought Christmas wouldn't be a better time to...introduce her to the family."

The pair of older adults composed themselves, and gave forced smiles to Arthur's unknown fiancée, while their eyes still shot daggers at one another.

"It is lovely to meet you, Guinevere." Arthur's father finally came around to showing some hospitality, and shook her hand. "You are welcome to share our Christmas."

Arthur stood quietly, and watched his mother walk off in a huff. She never liked to be bested in public situations, but the divorce made it harder on all of them.

"I'm sorry. I thought would different." He finally said when they got inside, and a butler was taking their coats. "I thought...maybe they'd finally...changed."

"You can't expect people to change." Gwen said with a sigh, "Because people do whatever they want, and they don't care what other people think." She shrugged, "I'm sure we'll be able to make the best of it though."

Arthur put an arm around her shoulders, and frowned "I shouldn't have forced you into this." There were people watching, or he'd of kissed her, there and then. It would be easier to let his family into it lightly, he figured. "But I promise. Our life doesn't have to be like theirs."

"And it won't be." Gwen replied, "Besides, you didn't force me into anything. If I hadn't wanted to come, I wouldn't have. We're going to enjoy ourselves, and I'm sure your parents will be happy for you."

He could only hope. Arthur's parents weren't exactly the kindest people in the world, especially his mother. But his life was a profit of his own decisions, he decided, and it was much better that way. It would hurt, but he needed Gwen. If they didn't approve of her, he'd face the consequences, far before he'd think of leaving her.

Gwen gently linked her arm with Arthur's. She didn't know how much he wanted to tell his parents right now, but she wanted him to know she was right there with him.

The house was swarming with people, mostly relatives that all wanted a word with him. The young man tried to keep it short and simple, but quickly felt himself getting overwhelmed. It was getting dark finally, and Arthur excused himself out onto the porch.

Gwen had remained mostly to herself. She knew she didn't fit in with these people, and they didn't seem to accept her. So when she saw Arthur make his way out onto the porch, she followed him, walking up beside him quietly, then turning and pulling herself up to sit on the railing.

"Lonely?" Arthur looked at the sky, taking in a deep breath of the night air and looking up at her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get pulled away." He couldn't seem to shake the guilt. If he felt lost with these people, he could only imagine how she felt.

"It completely fine." Gwen said. It was really, not completely fine as she said. But she was holding her own. "How're you doing?"

"Lost. I really don't belong here, Gwen. All my life, I'd been searching for who I was, and I found that when I was with you, not with them." He blinked. "Still. We'll need to tell them."

"And when will that be?" Gwen asked, looking at him, "We don't have to do it tonight."

"Whenever you'd like. But I can't say I will be...looking forwards to getting together with them again." Arthur blinked, and looked up at her, then made sure no one was around before he put an arm around her shoulders and tenderly locked his lips into hers.

Gwen, who was still sitting on the porch railing, leaned down to kiss him, the old thrill lighting her heart. "We can tell them tonight." Gwen said, "And if they're not happy for you, then that's their problem. Because I love you."

"You're so much braver than I am." Arthur nodded, and lifted her down. "Somehow I think you always will be."

Gwen gave a small, almost sarcastic laugh, "Brave." She repeated, "Only when it comes to people I barely know, darling."

"Well, then for tonight, you'll be my heroine." In that moment, it was obvious that he completely adored her.

Gwen leaned into him again, with another kiss. "What does that make you then?" She asked, "In the span of our story?"

"I'm not sure. I think this time..." Arthur gently bopped her nose, his eyes sparkling. "Maybe I'm the one in distress." Then he laughed.

Gwen joined him. "Makes a nice little change." She said through the giggles.

"Shall we?" Arthur held open the door, composing himself a bit.

Guinevere smoothed a stray piece of blonde hair from his eye before taking his strong hand. "We will brave the crowds together, dearest."

It was after dinner had been eaten, and presents had been exchanged that Arthur finally was able to gather everyone's attention as they sat before the fireplace. For a brief moment he felt his voice would leave him, as the nearly unfamiliar faces stared at him, but Gwen squeezed his hand and he smiled over his family. "I know, it has been...a very long time since I have seen most you...and in that time, many things have...changed." Arthur looked down at Gwen, and then found his father's eyes. Somehow, the old man had known all along. "Not long ago, I made a very important decision. I decided that Guinevere was someone I wanted in my life forever." Arthur didn't stop talking, but continued to watch the reactions of the once close family, and friends around him. "I've asked her marry me, and she has accepted."

Gwen stayed quiet as the room erupted around her, sinking quietly into her chair to observe the people. Everyone seemed to be talking at once. Some looked happy for Arthur, others Gwen had no idea what their reactions were. She kept her head up, but clung tightly to Arthur's hand.

"Arthur." He turned from where his cousin was congratulating him, and faced his mother. She didn't look unhappy...only concerned. "May I...speak with you, alone?"

Arthur sighed, and let go of Gwen's hand reluctantly. He knew he needed to give his Mum the one chance. They stepped into privacy, and she was quickly talking, before his ears could even recover from the noise of the other room.

"Arthur. It's too soon. You barely know her. I admit, she seems sweet, but it's too soon, my son." She attempted to hug him, but he pulled away defensively, barely registering her words before a look of betrayal came over his face.

"I've been making my own decisions for years, mother! I think I know when I love someone-" Arthur's voice broke.

"Sweetie. Honey," Her tone could be described as belittling. "The last person you said that about...killed herself. What if...Gwen...isn't stable?"

He really didn't need to be reminded about that right now. Arthur held up a hand, and began to leave. "I'm sorry. I've made my choice. Now, you have to make yours."

In the other room, Gwen brightened as people started to talk to her. The family began to really talk to her, not like they had before. It was like they were starting to consider her as a person. And as she spoke intelligently, she could see people warming to her. And that was all she needed to be happy.

"Let's go." Arthur said quickly, reentering the crowd, and taking her hand back, his face a mask of no emotions. "Please." He didn't know what happened, but he couldn't stay in one house with his mother for much longer before his head would explode...or his heart.

With hurried, rather confused goodbyes, Gwen followed after Arthur. "What happened?" She asked quietly. She knew he was upset, it was obvious.

The car was waiting for them, and Arthur helped her into it rather quickly before shutting the door, well, slamming it.

"Nothing. Nothing at all." His voice was thick by the time he could speak.

"Arthur, come on." Gwen said her tone gentle, "What's wrong? Tell me, please."

"It doesn't matter." Was Arthur's reply. "You'd be better off never knowing."

"Arthur, you know I can take it." Gwen said, "It's something your mother said." It wasn't a question.

He sighed, and ran his fingers through his hair. "You can always tell." She always could.

"She doesn't approve." Gwen said, biting her lip. Again, it was not a question.

"She never approved of anything I did." Arthur said bitterly, covering his eyes, trying to sooth a now throbbing head. "You don't ever have to go again."

Gwen moved closer to him, running her fingers though his hair and kissing him. "Don't worry." She said, "Once she sees how happy you are, she'll come around."

"She won't. It's not like that with her." He murmured, looking deep into her eyes. "We can a little wedding all to ourselves, without them."

Gwen was disappointed. She had hoped she could get along with some of Arthur's family. Some of them seemed to like her. But that was all. "Dean will probably want to come." She said.

"You've never mentioned him before." Arthur said. "Your dad?"

"My older brother." Gwen said, grinning as she thought of him. "Wait, I've never mentioned him? I thought I had."

"No. I'd like to meet him though. Hopefully, we will approve of me." His chuckle was more than slightly sarcastic.

"Dean's great." Gwen said, brushing off the comment, "Seriously, he'll be cool with it. He's a kind of protective, but I'm sure he'll like you in person. We've talked on the phone once or twice since I met you."

"I'm glad. We have enough to deal with from my side of the family." It was late, and a long drive back. Arthur was actually tired, and yawned.

Gwen ran a finger down Arthur's cheek, "It has been a really, really long day." She said soothingly.

"Mhm..." It always made him tired when she did that, and he pulled her close.

Gwen rested her head on Arthur's chest as they drove through the city, but she was completely wide awake.