The three of them sat and talked by the time they had finished they had all reached a point where they could look at each other without tears. Merlin was still upset that his mother had kept her secret for so long and hadn't made the effort to contact her parents. He felt guilty thinking he should have pushed her harder. Arthur hugged him and told him that hindsight was a wonderful thing, but Merlin had done what he thought best with the information he had.
Gaius and Alice were devastated that their daughter was dead and that they hadn't been able to see her, or help her in her final days. They were also upset that they hadn't been there to help Merlin after her death and then his accident. They also regretted not being there to see him grow up, but they were old and wise enough to know they couldn't change what had passed, but they could change the future for their grandson.
The couple spent the rest of the day with Gaius and Alice, Arthur did leave for an hour just to give them some privacy but Merlin rang him on his mobile asking him to return. He just needed the support of his lover. The fact that Arthur knew them so well and was also like family to them helped.
Merlin also showed the couple the other contents of his memory box. He had the locket his mother had worn until she died. It turned out to be a present from her parents on her seventieth birthday, just before she left home. He also had a few other pieces of his mother's jewellery including her wedding ring and engagement rings. There were several photos of his mum and dad as well as ones of him growing up. He had his parents wedding, birth and death certificates. It didn't seem much for two lives but Merlin said his parents had never been ones for processions, they always said that happiness and memories were worth more. Right in the bottom of the box was as photo of Gaius and Alice and some drawings Merlin had done when he first started school. The box its self turned out to be one Gaius had made for Hunith to keep her precious thing in so it was nice that was always its use. Merlin had added a lock of his mother's hair when she died.
By that evening they had started to build a understanding and friendship. Both Alice and Gaius asked if they could visit Merlin at his flat over the next few weeks so they could continue to get to know one another. Merlin was happy with that. He wanted them to meet Gwen and Lance who had helped him so much. When the new grandparents found out that the couple were planning to move in the near future they asked if there would be any objection if they also moved to the same area.
"Only we've only just found you and we don't want to loss you again. This house is far too large for us now; we didn't move before in case your mother ever came back, but there's nothing holding us now. We won't get in your way or bother you too much." Alice asked looking fondly at her newly found grandson. All she wanted to do was hug him.
"No that would be nice, wouldn't it Arthur." Merlin looked at Arthur hoping he would agree.
"Yes it would, it will be nice for Merlin to have someone around when I'm not there." Arthur smiled at Merlin, glad that the emotions of the night before seemed to be settling.
By the time they got home that night Merlin was exhausted both emotionally and physically. He sorted himself out and went straight to bed, as did Arthur. The cuddled up and were soon asleep. The next day was a Sunday and the couple decided to have a day to themselves. Alice rang and invited them to dinner but Merlin declined. He needed time to think.
The sale on their new home had gone through so they decided to go and have another look and make some plans for the changes they wanted. Both of them thought that a complete change would do them good and also give them something else to think about.
The first thing they decided on was the style of the new kitchen, Merlin fancied a range cooker, which made Arthur laugh as Merlin hardly cooked. Merlin retaliated saying when they had children he would be doing all the cooking. It was apparent to both of them they would need lots more electric sockets. They had far more gadgets than were available a few years ago. They also decided to have the outside doors and all the windows upgraded. Merlin suggested they have ceramic tiles in the kitchen instead of the lino that was there at the moment. The whole place needed new carpets and decorating.
The couple argued on the colour scheme especially in the master bedroom, Arthur wanted red and black Merlin refused saying he wanted something more restful. That was an argument that would go on for some time. Arthur agreed to find out how much Photovoltaic panels would cost and how many they would need. Merlin liked the idea of being greener.
Looking round outside Arthur realised the paths needed replacing. They were wide enough for the wheelchair but were very uneven. The list grew and grew making Merlin panic at the cost. Arthur laughed at him and reminded Merlin he had a sugar daddy, a comment that earned him a slap across the back of the legs. The trip out had worked they both felt more relaxed by the time they got home.