Vivian couldn't remember a time that Gwen was so beside herself. Her emotions flipped and flopped constantly like a fish out of water. Her bottom lip poked out, and she moped around the house like she just found out that the tooth fairy was fake. Gwen was actually in love with blonde and cocky, handsome. Arthur went to the States for a month, a very long month that felt like a year.
Gwen sat in the living area wrapped in Blankie as she watched Beauty and the Beast over and over again until Vivian wanted to scream. After the first week, Vivian wanted Belle with Gaston. It made her think stupid things about the movie. Where did they get furniture after the curse was broken? The beast was a bit better looking than Prince without a name. How long had the Prince been a beast? How come we never saw Chip's brothers and sisters? What if Arthur and Gwen have a theme wedding? Or Gwen wants a wedding at Disney World?
It was cute and pathetic at the same time. Viv wanted to swipe Gwen's laptop, and beg Arthur to return. Gwen waited up to speak with him daily. She was cranky and tired afterwards. Then, she was mopey. Viv preferred cranky and nasty to mopey and sad.
"Gwen, did you ask him?"
Gwen shook her dark head. "No, he's going to be so tired from the time change. He'll need a nap, not a dinner on the town."
"He loves you. He likes taking care of you. It gives him the jollies to look after you. He's the superman of possessive and crazy jealousy boyfriends. Ask him."
Gwen shook her head. "I just can't ask him. I can handle it. We can handle it."
"Famous last words…."
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Morded adored Gwen. He adored happy go lucky and sweet Gwen. Emo Gwen had to go. He kept waiting for her show up dressed in black reading Edgar Allan Poe. He was forever in her debt. Happily, he dated Sophia. His heart sang every time that he stared into Sophia's eyes. Gwen was his personal cupid.
Morded placed a hot chocolate in front of Gwen.
"Look, I didn't like Pendragon, at first. He's good mate. He loves you. Stop moping. Drink your Hot Chocolate, and go rescue a bunch of kittens."
Gwen blinked sadly. "I couldn't find any kittens."
"Puppies, Unicorns, grasshoppers, earthworms… save something. Just be Gwen! He's coming home to you."
"I know."
Morded made a mental note to slaughter Arthur if he didn't marry or hurt Gwen.
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"Arthur will gladly give you one," Morgana remarked as Gwen sat cradling Vivi. Softly, Gwen spoke to Morgana's wriggling daughter in her arms. Her dark green eyes focused on Gwen as she whispered tender words. Gwen squealed when Vivi smiled briefly at her.
"One day."
"Soon."
Gwen blushed. "We're not married or anything."
Morgana waved he hand. "Any day now, Love."
"It's too soon."
"Who puts a timeframe on love? I married Merlin after 3 months of dating. Yes, I knew him most of my life. I wouldn't change a thing. Why do you have to date two years? Plan a wedding for one year. When it's right, you know it."
Gwen licked her lips. "I … I…"
Morgana was like a hawk; she saw an opening, and she pounced on it. She needed to hear Gwen say the magical words about Arthur. She need to know that Gwen loved her brother.
"Gwen, do you love him?"
Gwen opened her heart to her friend as she smiled with love shining on her face.
"My heart belongs to Arthur. I adore him. I love him desperately. I miss him so much."
Morgana scooped Vivi from Gwen's arms. She kissed her daughter gently as she placed her in her pink cradle. Puzzled, Morgana watched as fat tears dropped from Gwen's sad brown eyes.
Morgana slid next to Gwen. Her cool hands wrapped around Gwen's tiny fingers.
"Why are you crying, Gwen?"
"I'm not use to needing anyone except Daddy and Viv. I didn't need Lancelot like this."
"Lancelot?"
"My ex-boyfriend that knocked my horse loving cousin and married her."
"Really?"
"Really."
"I love Arthur so much. I miss him so much. And…"
"And what?"
"Nothing…"
"You're' pregnant?'
"No, we haven't yet."
Morgana shook her head. It's been almost eight months. Arthur hadn't touched a woman in almost eight months. My brother was stuck like chuck in a good way. I can't select proper words to form a thought. Oh, dear!
"Really."
"Timing is never right."
Morgana nodded.
"What's the and?"
"You know about the trust?"
"Yes."
"Lancelot and Elyan, my foolish brother are coming here in two days for dinner. They want to chat with Viv and me. Browbeat us into supporting Shelly over Aunt Maggie. Viv said to invite Arthur. I just can't," Gwen muttered sadly. "I'm a bit nervous."
"Tell Arthur."
"I can't"
"Because of Lancelot."
"No, I don't want to frighten him away."
"Gwen, he loves you. Tell him."
"I'm big girl. I can handle this."
Morgana offered Gwen a dubious look. Gwen and a hostile takeover had disaster written all over it.
"Promise me, you won't tell him."
"Of course not."
"Thanks."
Morgana grinned as she wiped Gwen's face with a handkerchief. I'll tell Merlin, and have him order Arthur home.
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Gwen used her keys to slip into Arthur's flat. She couldn't believe that he was home two days early. She jumped with glee when she received his call. He asked her to bring her a meal of fish and chips.
"Arthur?"
Gwen tossed her purse and keys on a table top. She walked slowly to his bedroom.
"Arthur?"
She heard a horrid sound vibrating from his bedroom. She was bit fearful that Arthur choked on something. She opened his bedroom door. Gwen found him sprawled on his stomach. His blonde hair messy around his head. Gwen tiptoed to his bed. Her fingers caressed his warm skin. She dropped a kiss to his forehand.
"I missed you," Gwen whispered. "I love you, Arthur Pendragon."
"I've missed you too. It was worth it to hear those lovely words," Arthur replied sleepily.
"You're up."
" A bit."
"Do you want me to go?"
"No, can you get me a bottle of water for the fridge?"
"Sure."
Happily, Gwen sauntered into his kitchen. Swinging open the door, Gwen noticed a large Venti Green Ice Tea in his icebox surrounded by lavender , white, and silver roses. She smiled at Arthur's masculine handwriting on a white vellum card.
"I supposed this is for me."
Gwen reached for her flowers and drink. Her eyes widened when she spotted a huge diamond ring nestled on her straw. It was large perfectly round diamond encased in a flowery silver band.
"You aren't a showy girl. Something sweet is your style. You ruin tea, and you're always a surprise. I can't live without you. Being away was awful. Marry me." Arthur licked his lips. "It's my Mum's ring. I'll get you another one, if you don't like it."
Gwen ran over and jumped into Arthur's waiting arms.
"Yes, a thousand times. I love you. I love your mother's ring."
"Me too. I love her ring too. She's a part of our lives."
Gwen placed a soft kiss on his cheek.
"Gwen?"
"Yes."
"Can we finish my nap? I'm really beat."
"Okay."
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Gwen rocked on her feet lightly as she waited to be seated for dinner. Her stomach felt a bit queasy. Her thumb rubbed her engagement ring as she prayed for strength to make it out in one piece
I should have called Arthur. It's okay to need help. What was I thinking? Just say no.
"It's okay, Guinevere. I'm here," Arthur soothed as he entwined their fingers together. "We're a team. Together forever."
"Who told you?'
"Not you. I can't fathom why you didn't confide in me. However, that's a conversation for later. Let's go meet my future brother and cousin-in-laws."