The next day, Arthur had to go to work. He realized that surely a pile of work must have accumulated on his desk. He got off the bed, heading straight to the loo to relieve himself and to take a shower. Moments later, Arthur emerged in the kitchen dressed in his normal work attire, a suit. When he finished taking his breakfast, he called Vivian.
" Hello my love," Vivian's voice purred as she answered the phone.
" Hello yourself," Arthur smiled, " Vivian, are… are you working today?"
" I never work on Friday Arthur. Why?"
" I was thinking maybe you could take Rose shopping today since I am clearly not an expert in girl-"
"Wait! The girl is still at your flat!" she exclaimed.
"Well, yeah I couldn't just let Rose wander around the streets of London knowing I'm in power to help her"
" Arthur since when did you begin to care about homeless people. I mean don't get me wrong, but you barely even know her"
Arthur sighed. " Vivian I can't explain why, but I just have to do this and I'm asking you my girlfriend to help me, please" he paused waiting for an answer.
" Fine, Arthur I'll do it, but only because I love you a lot… besides a bit shopping would be good for me."
" Thank you love. You'll be able to get to know her better. She is great, I promise"
" You owe me Arthur, big time"
" I know. I love you, but I got to go must have tones of exciting work waiting for me on my desk. Just bring Rose to my office when you two will be done"
" Sure, I love you too. Have fun with all your work and try not to think of me too much" she teased.
"Yeah, I'll try " he sighed smiling.
"Bye"
" Bye"
Arthur hung up first hurrying to his car. He was already late and his father hated that plus he knew Uther would demand him explanations as to why he didn't came to work yesterday.
Half an hour later, Arthur arrived in front of the Albion Bank. He parked his car in his usual reserved place of the parking lot. He headed towards his office and as usual every employee on his path greeted him.
" Hello Alice, " Arthur said to his secretary who was busy talking on the phone and writing a note on a piece of paper.
The elderly woman looked up and waved at Arthur before resuming the conversation she was having with an important shareholder of the bank. Arthur entered in his office and sighed at the sight of all the documents piled on his desk. He wished there was a way to magically make them all disappear, but being the vice president of the Albion Bank came with its lot of work and responsibilities.
There was a soft knock on the door.
"Come, " Arthur called.
"Good morning mister Pendragon, " Alice said smiling as she came inside Arthur's luxurious yet modestly decorated office. A painting of a castle, his university diploma and a picture of Vivian were hanged on the walls.
"Your father has requested your presence in his office, "
"Now? " Arthur asked annoyed.
"No, he is currently in a meeting, but he said he wanted you there at twelve thirty"
"All right, thank you Alice," Arthur sighed.
"You're welcome Mister Pendragon. If you need anything else I'll be right outside, " she nodded then left the room.
°O°°O°°O°°O°°O°°O°
"Vivian? Hum Arthur is not here. He is at work, " Rose said when she answered the door and saw Arthur's girlfriend standing in front of her.
"I know. I came for you actually¨
" For me? "
"Yes, look I know I've been quite a bitch towards you that day and that is why I'm taking you shopping today, trying to make amend here"
" I – hum… thanks, but you don't need to. It's already forgotten honest, " she shrugged.
"I insist Rose. It would mean the world to me if you'd come, " Vivian lied giving Rose a fake smile.
" Hum, I can't leave the house dressed like this," Rose was still wearing Morgana's pyjamas.
" I know silly that is why I thought about bringing you this," Vivian replied handing her the plastic bag she was carrying.
" Now go change yourself. I'll wait for you in my car"
" Hum, okay,"
Rose went to her room and quickly changed into the strapless floral dress Vivian gave her. Even though Rose had always hated dresses, she couldn't help but notice how the one she was wearing fitted her perfectly. She laced her converse shoes then left the flat locking the door with a key Arthur left for her on the kitchen counter.
Outside, Vivian was busying herself checking her fingernails while waiting for Rose.
My nails could use a manicure ASAP.
" Wow Rose that dress suits you and look at those killer legs you have," Vivian exclaimed as Rose came into view.
" Hum thanks," she replied timidly.
" Come on, we're going to have so much fun!"
°O°°O°°O°°O°°O°°O°
" Come in Arthur," Uther called from his desk comfortably seated on his leather chair.
" Father," Arthur nodded, " Alice said you wanted to see to me"
" Take a seat," Uther indicated one of the two chairs facing his desk.
Arthur closed the door behind him then sat down. Uther had his arms crossed over his chest and that wasn't a good thing at all.
" Where were you yesterday Arthur?" he asked going straight to the point.
I see he's not wasting any time, Arthur thinks.
" Good morning to you father, how are you?" Arthur joked, but Uther didn't laugh and instead kept his face serious." I was feeling good yesterday so I stayed home," Arthur lied shrugging.
" You were sick… what did you have?"
" Headache, not it was more than that it was a migraine… a strong and painful one. That's basically why I didn't call"
Uther knew Arthur was lying, but didn't press. He knew he would eventually find out the truth. After receiving a long lecture about how he would one day become president of the bank taking the relay of his father's legacy. How he couldn't afford to miss any day of work even if basically the world was ending, Arthur found himself dismissed by his father promising that it would never happen again.
He definitely couldn't tell Uther now about Rose.
Not now… but when?
°O°°O°°O°°O°°O°°O°
The girls stopped at a beauty salon to get a manicure and pedicure after nearly two long and unbearable hours of shopping for the teenage girl. They bought shoes, clothes, handbags as well as essentials for Rose such as a toothbrush, towels, knickers and socks. Just as they were about to leave the salon, Vivian suggested to get Rose's hair straighten just like hers. Personally, Rose loved her curls, but seeing Vivian's enthusiasm she just couldn't refuse. Her golden curls were now slightly wavy just like Vivian's hair. They had lunch at Vivian's favourite café where she ordered two Cesar salads with two bottle of mineral water for Rose and her and while they ate Vivian kept talking and talking about how Arthur and her met, how she didn't like him at first, but fell madly in love with him somehow. About how she dreamt every night Arthur would soon propose to her so they could soon get married in Hawaii.
…But it was only just a dream.
After that, they made their way to the Albion Bank.
" We're here my love!" Vivian exclaimed as she and Rose got into Arthur's office just as Arthur was finishing a call.
" Who was that?" Vivian asked sitting on Arthur's lap circling his arms around his neck.
" Uh, nothing really important," he replied hesitantly kissing away all her questions.
" I've missed you," she smiled
"And I've missed you too," Arthur responded stroking her cheek.
Ugh gross, this is so gross.
Rose cleared her throat loudly feeling quite uncomfortable.
" Oh sorry," Arthur apologized looking at Rose finally noticing her new haircut, " Wow Rose! Is that really you?"
Rose rolled her hazel eyes smiling. "Yeah it's still me," she muttered looking down at her hands.
"It was my idea. See it looks just like mine," Vivian added.
" It's quite a change, but yeah I like it"
°O°°O°°O°°O°°O°°O°
Rose thought Arthur was going to drive them back to the flat, but Arthur had somewhere else important to go first.
'' Where are you going?" She finally dared to ask after a while, her eyes leaving the window to look at him.
Arthur sighed." First you have to promise me that you won't get mad,"
'' I-w- won't,'' she stammered nervously.
He took a deep breath. '' We are going to the Public Assistance. I actually was on the phone with them when you and Vivian came and-''
'' What!"
" Listen to me first Rose. We have to go there because I can't keep you with me without their consent. It's illegal and I could get in trouble,'' he explained stopping the car at a red light.
'' Th-then just let me go. I promise not to bother you ever again'' she panicked gripping her the door handle.
"Wait! I'm not going to let them take you. I have reached a decision Rose that is going to change my life and yours too. All I'm asking is for to trust me,"
The light turned green and Arthur hit the gas. Rose was too shocked and confused to ask more questions. What did Arthur have in mind?
They entered inside a small building Rose easily recognized. Immediately, a tall brunette woman whom Rose didn't recognize welcomed the both of them. Her name was Sefa and she was new here. She led them to the director's office, which was on the third floor of the establishment.
'' Please wait here a moment. I'll inform the director that you have arrived. It won't be long,'' Sefa indicated them a small waiting room with three chairs and a little table.
They sat there in silence. Rose was looking down at her hands her heart pounding in her chest while Arthur was checking emails on his cell phone. Arthur seemed to have the situation under control as to the child sitting right beside him well she was terrified.
After a short moment, Sefa returned beckoning them to follow her. The three of them made their way to Mister Wilson's office.
'' Ah, Arthur Pendragon,'' the director greeted the young man offering his hand to shake.
" Mister Wilson, hi " Arthur replied nodding and shaking the old man's hand gently, but firmly.
" Hello Rose. Please take a seat. I have already prepared the papers. Now I'll explain to both of you the procedures,'' Gaius stated.
'' What papers? Can somebody tell me what is going on?" Rose asked once seated.
Gaius looked at Arthur raising an eyebrow, " You haven't told her yet?''
Arthur took a deep breath biting his lower lip. " Rose, I told you earlier that I had reached a decision. I … hum,'' Arthur swallowed hard, '' I would like to be your foster parent of course if you are fine with it. I want to be able help you because you've gone through so much and you deserve to have a normal and happy life"
Through her glassy eyes, Arthur could the joy.
'' I don't know what to say. I…thank so much and yes I would be honoured to have you as my foster parent," Rose sniffed quickly wiping away tears that escaped from her eyes.
Arthur smiled reaching for her hand.
'' Well, that is certainly the most emotional moment I've ever witnessed,'' Gaius interrupted.
" So Mister Wilson how is this going to work,"
" Well, first of all you have to know that Rose is still in the legal custody of the Public Assistance and under the jurisdiction of the Court until you decide whether you want or not to adopt Rose"
'' What about the Ellis? Will it cause any problem with them?" Rose asked suddenly worried about the fact that her now former foster family might want her back.
" You no longer have to worry about them Rose," Gaius reassured.
"So is that all?"
" Yes Mister Pendragon except for one more thing. You will receive visits from her social assistant just to make sure everything is safe and all right for her while she's staying with you"
" Hum, Mister Gaius… I would like to have another social assistant please. I want to have someone who can truly understand me because I think and I don't want to sound rude or ungrateful that Elena isn't right for me"
" Of course, as you wish. I will try to find someone suitable for you," he smiled at her, " We are done. Now if you have any questions please feel free to call me at any time," Gaius stood from his chair shaking Arthur's hand.
Arthur and Rose left the place both excited and ready to begin a new chapter of their lives.
"How did you manage to make this happen so fast? I mean it usually takes months for anybody who wants to foster a child" Rose told Arthur once outside.
" Well I'm not just anybody you know. I'm Arthur Pendragon," he stated proudly earning him a chuckle from Rose.
She held Arthur's hand looking up at him so grateful and thankful that a man whom she barely knew but somehow trusted was ready to take care of her. She felt extremely lucky and privileged.
°O°°O°°O°°O°°O°°O°
Two days later in the afternoon…" I'll get it," Arthur shouted rushing towards to the door of his flat. He opened it and there was standing a petite woman with Rose's same skin colour, lovely brown eyes, long dark curls… one natural beauty. She was wearing a lavender lace pencil dress with flutter sleeves ending just above her knees and black heels.
Arthur was mesmerized; he couldn't bring himself to speak.
" Hello, I'm Guinevere, but everyone calls me Gwen. I'm Rose's new social assistant," Guinevere introduced herself offering Arthur her hand to shake.
Wow! She's…
" Oh, hum sorry I'm uh," Arthur stammered not letting go of her soft hand.
" Arthur, his name is Arthur," Rose supplied. " And I am Rose"
"It's nice to meet you both," Gwen smiled.
" Please Guinevere come in," Arthur finally managed to say coming back to his senses. He stepped aside in order to let her enter.
Oh my, the way he said my name.
They sat at Arthur's dinner table and talked occasionally laughing at Arthur's jokes. Gwen learned more about Rose and what she had been through, how Arthur saved her and all. Guinevere herself had never known her own mother, so she could understand the emptiness Rose was feeling. Emptiness that Arthur was now filling with pure happiness. Gwen noticed how they were nicely getting along. Rose witnessed as Arthur and Guinevere randomly looked at each other smiling.
" I must go now, but I will come back next week. Arthur, Rose it was really nice to meet you both," Gwen hugged each one of them goodbye then left satisfied of her visit.
" She's really lovely, isn't she Arthur?"
" Indeed," Arthur responded.