Arthur slowly settled in to life at his new...old...home, and even spent time with both of his parents whenever he got the chance. But he wasn't happy, and couldn't deny that. His mother was simply too bouncy, and bubbly excited to have him home to notice his charade, but his dad could read him. He'd always been able to.

"Arthur?" the words were barely audible to him, as he tried to zone himself out by the pool - absorbed in some sunshine and a good book. "Arthur..."

"Woah!" Arthur finally noticed and the paperback slipped from his hands and, and onto the deck below, barely missing the aqua pool waters. "Oh. Hey. Dad...again."

"I really don't mean to be bothering you, son." His father joined him, leaning forewords to peer into his eyes, the way he always did when worried.

"Just trying to get some quiet is all." He replied.

"Your room?"

"Too lonely." Arthur countered.

"The garden?"

"Reminded me of...of.." The young man turned away. He wouldn't think about all the flowers growing there. He couldn't let himself think about the daises. Gwen...his daisy. He missed his little daisy.

"Of Gwen." The answer was finished for him.

"That's why you moved home, isn't it, kid?" He sighed, and tousled Arthur's blonde locks.

Arthur didn't reply, and thought maybe he never would again.

Gwen had barely spoken in weeks. Since Arthur had left, really. She had never felt more alone in her life. She had her favourite songs on nonstop, only to make her feel better. She still went to work, of course, but she avoided any and all contact with Arthur. It hurt too much.

He waited. All he could do was wait for her. He'd thought she'd call, eventually. Arthur finally couldn't convince his parents of his normality anymore, and if he'd been a minor he was certain they'd forced him into a car and the doctor's office.

"I can't do it, dad, I can't go back to work." Arthur said numbly on day at lunch as he played with the food that had been placed on his plate. "You can find...them a new boss. I'll get a new job someday."

"Arthur, you're killing yourself by not talking to her, sweetie." The answer came from his mother. "The longer you wait, the more it will hurt, precious."

"I'm sorry. I wish I'd turned out to be less of a disappointing son." He said, burying his face in his arms, hiding from their tender gazes.

"You will never be a disappointment to us. But we do want you to make an effort here. Gwen loves you, and she misses you, I know it."

The voices and following conversation only seemed to just be a blur, and he zoned out again. Why would she really have a reason to want to talk to him? He didn't even want to talk to himself.

There was a reason Gwen hadn't called Arthur. And it was a fairly good one too. She'd though that he needed time, and that he'd call her when he was ready. Apparently not though. It had been so long, since they'd talked. Sometimes she'd just look at the engagement ring and wonder if he would ever want to talk to her again. Sometimes, it made her want to cry.

It was late one night that week, and Arthur was alone, and probably depressed when he picked up his cell.

It went to messages, and he didn't blame her.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have made you wait." Then he shut the phone, and eventually fell asleep.

Gwen was sleeping, for once. Only because she'd taken a sleeping pill though. That was the only way she could sleep without the nightmares plaguing her. So when she woke up in the morning she practically kicked herself for missing his call. She called back immediately, and waited as the phone rang.

Arthur practically choked on his breakfast when he saw the caller ID. "Huh." He picked up the phone, took a deep breath, and went out on the deck. "Gwen...Hey."

"Arthur." Gwen said, sounding tired, "I saw you called...and...Sorry I was...asleep."

"It's fine. I was probably half asleep myself." He didn't mention how rough last night had been before he'd accidently pressed speedial. "Yeah...um...glad you called back."

"Of course I called." Gwen said, "Why wouldn't I? I..." She paused, "I miss you."

"I miss you too-" Arthur's voice broke, making it clear, even through soundwaves, how miserable he was. "More than you'd understand."

"Do you want to...come over?" She asked.

Arthur wanted to see her more than anything. "Do you really want to see me?" His reply was almost hesitant, which was unusual for the him that left, but not so much for what he'd become.

"Of course I do." Gwen replied, "Arthur...I still love you." She still sounded tired. She'd gotten so little sleep since they'd last talked...

"I love you too." If it was possible, he might love her more than he did before. "And I never once stopped thinking of you."

Arthur drove back to the hotel as fast as he could with it being legal. He had to admit, he was both nervous and completely overjoyed about seeing her again. The elevator dropped him off at floor three, and there she stood. It was like she was waiting. She knew he wouldn't break his word.

"I just...um..." There weren't really any words that Gwen could use to describe how happy she was to see him. Pajamas, flipflops, and all - she was the same as when he'd left, on the outside, but so much more grown up on the inside.

But he knew what could be done. There and then, in the middle of the hallway, he kissed her. One moment quickly turned into two, and his tender arms found a way around her shoulders, where they'd always seemed to fit perfectly. Two moments ticked away into several. "Maybe we should go inside..." Arthur breathed, as their lips parted.

"Inside's a long way away." Gwen managed to murmur, before her lips were completely occupied with his again.

Arthur didn't pull away again until she did, and by then they were both thoroughly out of breath, but had barely noticed. All he could see was her beautiful eyes, that stared right into his.

"Um..flat." Gwen said, taking his hand and pulling him in. She closed the door behind him and seemed to be kissing him again. Though she didn't remember making the decision. It just sort of happened.

Arthur could barely tell what was happening anymore, only that he was completely and totally lost in his fiancée, perhaps more than he'd ever been. "Don't ever leave me." Were the next words he said, at the occasional pause they took between being completely absorbed in one another's romance. "I promise I'll never leave you again."

"Never." Gwen whispered. Her fingers were twisted in his hair, her body pressed against his. The flurry of emotion she was feeling didn't seem to make any sense, but she didn't really care anymore.

"Ever." Arthur echoed, a brief smile lighting his lips. He belonged right there, by her side, and being anywhere else made him feel something that was so much less than human. He gently pressed her head to his chest, and felt he could finally breathe again.

Gwen had never, ever loved anyone more in her life. She wanted...no, she needed to be with him. He was completely, and totally hers.

He blinked his blue eyes, and kissed her one more time. This one was on the nose, square and soft. "You have never looked more beautiful."

Gwen actually laughed, for the first time in ages, even as she still lay against him, listening to his heartbeat. "Don't lie." She said, "I look horrible and tired."

"Mmm. Here's the truth. You have honestly, never looked more beautiful to me...ever." Arthur cradled her, and rocked.

"Oh god." Gwen said, standing on her tip toes to kiss him again, cupping his face in her small hands. "Why did I ever let you leave?"

"Because you knew I was wrong." Arthur confessed. "I left in a temper...and I hurt you, Gwen. I'm sorry."

"Shut up." Gwen replied, stopping him from saying anything else by planting her lips into his again, full force.

"Well, that was the nice way to tell me to shut up." He chuckled, and scooped her into his arms.

Gwen smiled, her arms around him, feeling completely contented. "You're welcome."

"I can't wait to marry you." His eyes sparkled, as they curled up on the couch together.

She looked up at him adoringly. "Well, that's definitely a nice change."

"It was there all along, but my foolishness hid it." Arthur said softly, pulling her onto his lap, where they cuddled.

Gwen had her arms around Arthur, her head on his shoulder "Yeah, your foolishness is annoying...but so sweetly adorable."

"We all have those moments..." He sighed, "But you're just the sweetly adorable part."

"Don't make me laugh." Gwen said, drawing hearts on his chest with her finger.

"What are you doing?" Arthur said curiously looking into her eyes. "That kind of...tickles...you know. I am...very...ticklish."

Gwen smiled, "Bit of an absentminded thing." She said, though she didn't stop.

"That really tickles..." His tone was playful, and he had to shut his eyes in order not to start laughing. "Guinevere. Stop..." He had to laugh.

"No, I like having you at my mercy for once." Gwen said, mischief in her big brown eyes.

"This is unfair. Oh, this is so unfair." Arthur groaned. "Please, please, please stop." He stopped his pleadings the moment he had the idea. "Or maybe, I should tickle you."

"No!" Gwen bounced off his lap the minute it came out of his mouth, "Bad plan!" Then she stood, holding her hands out in front of her, and giggling furiously. "Please no."

"Ooh, good plan." Arthur's grinned, and aimed a set of wiggling fingers at her thin waist. "Poke...poke...poke!"

"No!" Gwen shrieked, turning and hiding behind the couch.

"Would you rather I kiss you?" He peeped over the top of it, his eyes bright. "That provides me just as much joy."

"I think I would prefer that, yes." Gwen replied, rather out of breath, even though he'd barely touched her.

"Decisions, decisions..." He leaned down. Then in a simple and sweet moment, Arthur gently gave her one kiss. "And I have made mine."

"Oh good." Gwen said. She couldn't seem to keep her hands off him for some reason, and sighed contentedly, playing with his hair, even as he hung upsidedown over the sofa.

"We should get you some lunch. You must hungry." Arthur could always tell when she hadn't been eating.

"Not really." Gwen said with a shrug, although she loved how he always seemed to want to take care of her.

"Not really is good enough, by the looks of you." He said compassionately. "Com'on, let's go down to deli. You can still hold my hand, we don't have to be completely apart. We are engaged."

"I don't want to be apart at all," was Gwen's reply, while she ran her index finger down his tan cheek. "Ever."

"Take my hand." Arthur stood, and held it out to her. "This is my promise to you. Right now, that I will never leave you again."

Gwen, without hesitation, took his hand, and stood beside him, happily getting lost in those diamond blue eyes. "I trust you."

"I promise." Arthur grapsed her small fingers, and somehow, he knew he'd communicated his message.

"I promise." She said, feeling perfect faith in him.

Hand in hand, they went down to get Gwen's lunch, and hand in hand, Arthur felt sure they'd be forever.

"We will take care of eachother, won't we?" Gwen asked, clutching his hand tightly.

"Always."

Arthur liked the way Gwen didn't let go of his hand as they sat down for lunch together. Actually, he loved it. "So, I've been thinking." He said quietly. "Maybe you'd like to get away for a while?" After everything, he could use some time away from the noise and people of New York.

"I think that would be a wonderful idea." Gwen replied. "What did you have in mind?"

"The beach?" Arthur shrugged. "I haven't been in a while, and...sounds relaxing." He wanted time with her, only her. He felt he needed a time to get to know every little detail.

"Oh my goodness I haven't been to the beach since I was little!" Gwen squealed, both her hands rising her cover her mouth, "Oh, could we?"

"Of course!" He grinned. "My family has a timeshare there. We used to go several times a year, before everything changed."

"Then yes, I think we should definitely go to the beach." Her eyes shone.

"It's settled then! I'm sure my dad will let me take you. You just have to choose...which one." Arthur said.

"Which one what?" Was the reply, completely confused.

"Which beach, silly!" Arthur ruffled her hair.

"Oh my god there's a choice of more than one?" Gwen asked, mouth gaping. "Sometimes, I forget how rich you are."

"There is a choice between four." He laughed.

"Arthur, it takes me days to choose which nail polish colour I want. How am I going to choose a beach? Why don't we just go between them all?" She grinned, clapping her thin hands together in excitement. "Road trip."

"You can't get to them on a roadtrip..." Arthur wrinkled his brow in faux thought. "No...unless cars can fly."

"We can make cars fly." Gwen said with a toss of the head, "The world is ours. We can do what we want."

"Cars can't fly, darling, but any sort of plane can." He chuckled. "But, really, you pick. I love them all." He took out his cellphone, and opened a map. "See. There is...a long way from home. A short way from home. Oh, or a very long way from home if you want to go to Hawaii or somewhere in Europe."

"I would like to go a very long way from home." Gwen smiled, feeling very grown up. "Somewhere...fresh...exciting."

"I said, it's all up to you." Arthur laughed. "Com'on. Surely you have some idea. All of them have their perks."

"A very long way from home." Gwen repeated, then stopped, "Hawaii is nice I hear. Extotic."

"My wish is your command." He chuckled at her brightness.

Gwen grinned, "Oh my god! Beach!"

"And you'll be the queen of it." Arthur smiled.

"Only if you'll be my king." Gwen sweetly blinked, looking straight into his deep blue eyes. She'd never noticed before how much they were like the colour of the ocean she'd seen when she was small.

"Of course. I am whatever you will me to be. Your Arthur." Arthur let go of her hand, and and gently placed his lips onto her forehead, but only briefly.

Gwen sighed in contentment, "Guinevere's Arthur." She said, then perked up, like a hyper pup or child again, "Now can we go to the beach...please?"

"After we go see my parents. Then, I promise it's all yours." He frowned, but also managed to look rather amused. "Do...you happen to like shopping...by any chance?"

"It depends what kind of shopping." Gwen replied, looking slightly suspicious, "Why?"

"Because...my mother loves shopping. She always went shopping before we went vacation, and I have a feeling she's going to drag you out the door, before you know what's going on."

"Fascinating!" Gwen laughed, "Some bonding time." She didn't sound in the least sarcastic, though maybe slightly scared.

"I'll tell her to be nice." Arthur grimaced. "But you don't have to go! You can say no. You can always say no."

"No, your mum's nice." Gwen replied, "If not a little...overbearing."

"Just a tad. Maybe just a little." He held his fingers an inch apart, illustrating his point. "Though she did make me the best dressed lad in secondary school."

Gwen grinned, " I have no doubts you were the envy of all the girls. And, I'm sure it'll be fine."

"As long as you want to go."

" Of course I do." Gwen said, poking him, with a smile.

"Stop. Don't torture me." Arthur pleaded, puppy eyes appearing. "Not in public."

"Oh goodness. Why can't I say no to you?" Gwen asked.

"Because I have puppy eyes. And a very convincing pout." He used it.

"That is definitely the reason." Gwen said, nodding.

"Yes!" Arthur grinned. "Knew it."

"Oh shush." Gwen replied.

"Shush I shall." Arthur blinked, looking mischievous, if only slightly.

"Perfect." She giggled.

There was a moment of silence. "Do you really like me better when I don't talk?" Arthur made a face.

"No." Gwen said. "I like you better when you're you."

"Which means...?" He cocked an eyebrow, and stood to go, after paying the bill.

"It means I like it when you don't pretend you're okay when you're not." Gwen responded, soft eyebrows pointing downwards, in a worried expression.

"So I see." Arthur opened the door, and stepped into the bright light, looking up at the sky. The truth was that he didn't, but that he'd try.

Gwen took his hand, "Don't worry." She said, "No matter what you do, I still love you."

Arthur sighed, and slid his fingers into hers. "Thanks, Gwen."

"Don't worry about it." Gwen said, lying her head on his shoulder.

"I always worry. You know me." Arthur said quietly.

"Unfortunately, yes, I know you." Gwen responded, actually able to keep the jest out of her tone.

He snickered, catching the joke.

"Ah, he sees the humour." She smiled up at him.

"Of course." He got that impish look over his face again. "Or I couldn't do..."

"Couldn't do...what?" Gwen asked.

Arthur pulled her onto the grass, and tickled - gently but crazily. Then for a brief moment threw his head back into the sun, and really laughed. "Couldn't do this!"

"Oh, no please!" Gwen exclaimed, her body twisting to get out of his reach. This was the second time that day, and her stomach hurt from laughing.

He stopped, then lay down on the warm grass, beside her, and looked perfectly content.

Gwen moved her hand back to his, and just put it on top of his gently, her face turned upwards towards the sun, eyes closed.

"Beautiful." It was a simple remark, but it was all he needed to say. The day was beautiful.

His fiancee turned her head to look at him, squinting to block the sun. She rolled over onto her stomach and brushed his hair back off his face. "You are amazing." She said, her voice low and soft.

He smiled, his ribs shaking in a short laugh. "No...you are."

"Oh, don't make me argue with you." Gwen said, continuing to brush at his hair.

"What are you doing?" His blue eyes slowly blinked open, just a bit lazily. The sun was making him tired.

"I am trying to be romantic." Gwen replied, "And you are ruining the moment."

"I'll shut up." He moved closer, wrapping one arm around her shoulders.

"Good. It's hard enough as it is." She said, continuing to play with his hair.

"One question?"

"And one question only." Gwen crooned.

"May I kiss you?" His eyes were still closed, but the curiosity was peppering his voice. The moment was so perfect. That was the only thing he felt was missing - their lips locked into eachothers.

"Well, I don't know..." Gwen said, teasing him.

"Guinevere." Arthur raised a hand and caressed her face.

"Arthur." She replied.

"Kiss me." It was more of a dare, this time.

"Hmmm...to do or not to do?" Gwen asked, more to herself, but aloud.

He smiled.

"Well, since you asked nicely." Gwen ducked her head gently and kissed him.

Arthur opened his eyes, relishing the brief moment, before turning to look up at her. It was a day he never wanted to forget.