When Merlin got home he was surprised to see Arthur had beaten him to it. As soon as he opened the penthouse door he saw Arthur sat on the sofa looking out the window.

"Have you calmed down yet." Arthur asked "Because if you have, I want to explain something to you." his voice had an underlying edge of anger to it.

"Explain away." Merlin snapped back.

"I haven't booked an expensive holiday, but one I thought you would enjoy. It was a surprise, which is why I didn't tell you." Arthur started to explain.

"Did it not occur to you that I might not want to go abroad?" Before Merlin got any further Arthur butted in:

"Yes it did, that is why I booked a ten day holiday in Wales, and a few days afterwards here, so we could have time to ourselves, to make up for my long hours lately. You've often mentioned you wanted to show me all your childhood haunts, and I thought ten days would allow us to spend some time with your mum. I booked a cottage just down the road from her."

Merlin looked at Arthur and realised he'd cocked up. "I'm sorry, thank you." he walked up to Arthur and sat beside him. "I guess I jumped in to fast, but I thought… well I thought you had gone mad again, and I don't want you to spend so much." Merlin looked so much like a kicked puppy that Arthur didn't have the heart to stay cross with him.

"Merlin I do listen to you, I realise you have a problem with my money, but you shouldn't. It's there and we'd be mad if we didn't make use of it. Anyway do you want me to cancel…. I'm not going on my own. Mind you your mum might be upset, especially as she found the cottage for us."

"Don't you dare! I said I'm sorry." Merlin protested.

"Well if you're sorry you can buy us a meal out tonight. I've booked a table for seven so go and get ready." Arthur pushed Merlin off the sofa.

"Are you wasting money again?" Merlin demanded.

"Yes but its ok, it's your money!" Arthur smirked "And when we get back here I want to see just how sorry you are."

Two weeks later they were sat in the holiday cottage, they had spent the day with Hunith and tomorrow they were taking her out for the day. Now they were relaxing over a glass of wine.

"Have you ever thought of children Arthur?" Merlin asked "Adopting I mean."

"No I hadn't, but you obviously have." Arthur looked at his husband. "I take it you'd like to."

"Yes I would, not yet, but I love kids and you'd be a great dad." Merlin was deep in thought "Perhaps two, a boy and a girl. I wouldn't want just one. It must be nice to have a sister."

"Not if it's Morgana!" Arthur jested.

"Seriously, what do you think?" Merlin asked again.

"Yes why not, it would be nice either adoption or maybe surrogacy. But wait for a few years, I want to get established first, and also have time with just us."

"You have thought about it then."

"Well just a passing thought or two." Arthur admitted. "But I want to set up my own chambers first. I have been talking to Leon and we've been qualified a year now we'd like to strike out alone. I have the money, and we could establish ourselves in our own premises. Leon is happy to come with me if I go."

"Oh, won't that be a lot of work for you?" Merlin was surprised this was the first Arthur had mentioned this.

"It won't be too bad, I already own premises, and the present tenants aren't renewing the lease. I've been involved in some quite high profile cases and with my work for the Crown Prosecution Service building; I'm in a good position. I've managed to build myself a good reputation in the past year."

"I don't doubt that, you're good I know that." Merlin grinned.

"I've made a few discrete enquiries, and I'm confident I can make it work. Lance will come with me and be my PA so I'll have his help as well."

"It sounds like you've thought it through, so go for it. You have my backing for what it's worth." Merlin added.

"Thanks love, that means a lot. If you're on board I think I'll go for it once I get back. Then we can be up and going in about three months. Now that's enough of work, give me a kiss."

The rest of the holiday went well, and Merlin and Arthur both enjoyed spending time with Hunith. Arthur found in Hunith the mother he'd never had, and they were very close. Once they got home they spent more time discussing the future and decided that Arthur would defiantly set up his own firm and then in three or four years they would start a family. They had their future planned. Neither realising that their lives would change forever, in ways they could never plan for. But for now they had their dreams and life was good.

Arthur and Leon made their move once Arthur got back and moved into their new offices just two doors down from their previous employers. They soon had a full complement of staff and as Arthur predicted work was good. As Arthur was the owner, and the one with the financial wherewithal, the new company was called Pendragon's. Lance, Arthur's new PA, was pleased with his new position and rise in pay and had at long last managed a delayed honeymoon with his wife Gwen, they had two days away when they married as they had spent all their money setting up home together.

Arthur was soon picking up more and more top cases. His reputation was high and much to his surprise he was approached to see if he wanted to apply to become a Queens Counsel. He was amazed, normally this didn't happen until over ten years experience and even then it was difficult. He applied not really expecting to get accepted. When he got the news that he was the youngest ever QC he really couldn't believe it. Merlin was so proud of him he agreed to an expensive holiday to celebrate. Even then Arthur's father had not congratulated him. Uther still wanted his son to go into politics, and also refused to accept his son's partner or sexuality. They hardly ever contacted each other.

Merlin continued to work as Morgana's PA and he also insisted on catching the tube home everyday unless Arthur finished the same time as him, which wasn't that frequent. Arthur worked long hours, but it was paying off for him and his career was on a high. At the moment he was working on the largest case of his career for the Crown Prosecution service, He was the main prosecuting barrister in the case of a major gang boss Alined. For the first time the police had managed to get enough evidence to mount a prosecution that stood some chance of success. The pressure on Arthur to succeed was immense but he seemed to thrive on it.

Their private life was also good Merlin had gradually accepted that his husband was wealthy and wanted to spoil him. At the same time Arthur accepted that Merlin had a strong independent streak. Their love had grown and settled into something few people managed to have, they were totally devoted to each other and neither could see themselves with anyone else.

Merlin was looking forward to Arthur finishing the case, he had been working so hard on it that they hadn't had much time to themselves. The trail was due to finish later in the week, and then there would be a delay of a week for sentencing then they were planning a holiday. Merlin had no idea but at least this time he knew they were going away. Arthur was booking it last minute in case there was a delay in the courts for any reason.

Merlin couldn't believe how lucky he had been, he loved Arthur so much, but when he thought back to how they had met, and how long it had taken for them to get together, it was a wonder they had got this far. He was so pleased he had waited for the love of his life to find him, instead of settling for someone else.

Arthur was also looking forward to spending quality time with his husband. Like Merlin he sometimes looked back to their extended courtship, or rather the trouble he'd had to get Merlin to go out with him. It had been worth the wait. He regretted the dozens of one night stands before Merlin but in the end he had found his soul mate and he wanted to stay with him forever. He might have turned into a sop, as their friend Gwaine had accused him of being, but for Merlin he didn't care. In his mind their wedding rings said it all

Together forever Your mine.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

The rest of this story is told in HE PAID THE PRICE, which is posted in full as I wrote that part first. Thank you for staying with me on this epic journey.