Gwen didn't know how to respond to Arthur's question about tonight's dinner. She could hear so much hurt in his voice.
What could I say? My family never comes to Europe. I don't like them in my special spot. That's not true. Viv comes to escape. They do come to take things away from me. I'm always left alone. Elyan didn't even stay very long after Daddy's death. He jumped on a plane back to Texas. I don't want them to do anything to make Arthur leave me . Maybe, I am that scared little girl with braids, still.
Arthur didn't like a distant faraway look in Gwen's eyes. He knew that she drifted over to a different place. Perhaps, it was a bad memory. He didn't want to push her about tonight. He just needed to understand her motives.
Is she embarrassed of me? Dose she still love Lancelot? No, she couldn't possibly still love him. Something… I don't get it. I met her grandmother and Aunt Maggie last week. They were utterly lovely ladies. This makes sense in Gwen's mind. She'll explain when she's ready.
"I love Italian food. It smells wonderful."
Arthur didn't like a grimace as it across her pretty face. She shifted on her feet as she offered him a sweet smile.
"Tell me."
"It's Vegan and Vegetarian Italian."
Arthur blinked and clicked his teeth. "So, meatless?"
Gwen nodded with a tiny grin like the Joker from Batman. "Lancelot is a Vegan."
Arthur pasted a smile on his face.
"Arthur," Gwaine gushed as he raced over. "I just read the menu. It doesn't have any-"
"Meat."
Arthur brought Gwaine to keep his nerves in check. He didn't know if he could handle the ex-boyfriend. Now, he was going to have to find something to eat on the menu. Besides, Gwaine could tame Vivian's sharp tongue.
"Let's get this over with," Viv spat as she stomped past Arthur, Gwen, and Gwaine. Gwaine's dark eyes lingered over her slender body as she huffed past them.
"She might be rude. Her legs are amazing."
Gwen blinked several times. She didn't know if he was really checking out her cousin, or just merely teasing her. She caught a glimpse of Arthur's face. Gwaine meant it.
"Oh, dear."
"Gwen, he's harmless. One other thing."
'Yes."
"Burgers ?"
"Yes, Arthur."
8888
Arthur didn't loathe Lancelot as much as he expected. He had to admire someone that could eat just vegetables, fruits, and whole grains on a daily basis. Arthur munched on a heaping serving of fried zucchini and tomato sauce. He tried the spinach pizza; it wasn't bad. It was just meatless; it needed chicken. He just kept filling his mouth to keep from talking. Gwen and Viv's relations made idle chit chat. Arthur anticipated this moment. They wanted to trap Gwen and Vivian at their guards down. After a meal and drinks, they were like any predator; just waiting for a chance set a trap, and pounce on a waiting victim, not his Guinevere.
He didn't like her meek; she had to be nice to these people in their world, not here and never with him. Arthur didn't appreciate the way Lancelot's eyes rested on his fiancée. He didn't like Elyan's dismissive manner of his sister. He wanted to jump for joy that a pond separated Gwen from these people. Vivian cast openly hostile looks at her male family members. He didn't know what to call Vivian and Gwaine. Was it flirting? Or was Gwaine really upset over the Smores? Seriously, it was months later.
"Those were the best Smores ever. Worth the money, Shaggy."
"Shaggy?"
Gwen giggled when he missed the reference to Scooby Doo.
Mindlessly, Arthur sipped organic wine as he locked eyes with Lancelot. He sent an open message to leave his fiancée alone.
"Gwen," Elyan began," Have you spoken to Mommy?"
Arthur almost choked on his wine. He calls his mother "Mommy" at his age. Goodness, somebody help me.
"No, I haven't spoken to Shelly for several months."
Elyan's lip pressed into a firm line. "Oh yes, when you refused to back her, your own mother."
Arthur squeeze Gwen's slender knee to give her strength. He changed his mind... he loathed Elyan.
Gwen exhaled. "I'm backing Maggie. I'm not changing my mind."
"I'm with her," Viv muttered under her breath.
Arthur blinked a few times. Did Gwaine just trace circles on her hand?
Elyan tossed down his napkin. "She's our mother. How could you?"
Gwen shrugged. "You didn't see Daddy on his deathbed. You didn't stay longer than three days for his services. How could you?"
"That's different. He didn't raise me.'
"Exactly. I'm not going to back her because she's my mother. I need to think of my future."
"Gwen," Lancelot interrupted. "I see you have a very nice engagement ring. You should worry for the future- if you don't stop making outrageous purchases. We can guide the company."
Gwen froze at Lancelot's words. Vivian turned her eyes away. Gwaine leaned back in his chair and smirked. This is finally going to get good.
"Guinevere did not purchase her own ring. It's a family heirloom, my family. It has been in my family for over 120 years. My grandmother wore it. My mother wore it. Guinevere wears it, and my son's wife will wear it. I don't need her money. "
"Okay, Buddy. Don't get your chomps in a twist."
Arthur counted to ten in his mind. Finally understood, these people were just rude. Guinevere would not spend another minute with them pushing and pressing her around.
Arthur rose from his seat. He had enough. He withdrew his wallet. He tossed a few pounds on the table. He wrapped his hands around Gwen's cold fingers. "We're leaving. I'm Arthur Pendargon, and I don't make scenes. This is over. Don't ever ask her about the trust again. Gwaine and Vivian."
Gwen was a bit speechless as Arthur ushered her out of the restaurant dining area. Somehow, he wrapped Gwen in her coat. Cool night air greeted her as Arthur helped her into a cab. Gwaine smirked like a cat with a full belly of young mice. Viv stared into his wide brown eyes.
Did I miss something Gwen wondered.
Arthur flipped out his mobile.
"Morgana, how do burgers sound?'
Arthur laughed into his mobile. "I had a bunch of grass and weeds for dinner."
888
Gwen stood in the doorway of Arthur's living room in her nightgown. She watched him a moment as he flipped around a bunch of stations on the telly. His handsome face marred with boredom.
"Arthur."
"Yes, Love."
Gwen slowly walked until she stood by him on the couch. Mindlessly, Arthur dropped the remote to pull Gwen into his arms. She snuggled down until her head rested on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry for not inviting you.'
"Why not, Guinevere?"
Gwen took a deep breath. "They take everything from me. I didn't want them to take you."
Arthur froze for a moment. He pressed a soft kiss on Gwen's mouth. "I met Madame M and Grandmommy last week in Texas. Wild Horses couldn't keep me away from you."
Gwen cupped Arthur's face.
"Really?"
"I asked for your hand in marriage. I negotiated a wedding in London, instead of Texas.
"How come?"
"Pendragons marry in Avalon."
"Oh, they accepted that?"
Arthur rolled his eyes. "We have to spend a month in Texas until they die, "Arthur moaned.
"State Fair!'
"If you say so."
"You'll love it.'
Arthur didn't know what to think; he was full of insecurities that he hid. Gwen was afraid of losing her loved ones. Somehow, they balanced each other out.
Arthur stroked Gwen's bare arm.
'Gwen, I've been thinking."
"About?'
"Let's wait until our wedding night to make love."
"Okay."
"Just plan a quick wedding.'
"Morgana and Viv are going to plan it. They decided tonight. I just want to be married to you. I don't care about the other stuff.'
"Red velvet cake and you at wedding. That's all that I need," Arthur requested
"Mashed potatoes and you. I'm good."
Arthur twisted his fingers in Gwen's hair. "I think you need to read your grandfather's letter. We're opening and closing doors, and starting a future."
Gwen wriggled around in his lap. "I don't know."
"Think about it."
One month later
Gwen sat on her couch. Her feet in Arthur's lap. She met with a dress maker today. It was just downright awful, and Morgana and Viv were awful together.
Her brown eyes rested on her grandfather's handwriting.
"Dearest Gwennie,
I never said it. I love you. I didn't want too. You're very existence was a hurtful blow to my old fashioned family values. Your arrival opened my eyes to my own bias, and it hurt me to my inner core. You taught me the meaning of love, unconditional. I adored my children and your grandmamma. But, you were different. Just nudged yourself into my heart. I know you didn't open this after my death. I left you those shares because you were given a raw deal in life. Your brother is a nit wit. Elena is a nutcase. That Lancelot boy ruined so many holidays... no turkey at thanksgiving. What the hell is a Tofukey? They don't understand the concept of family. Vivian will take care of my legacy, our family legacy as will you. Just remember that I love you.
Love always,
PS. if you are married or have an intended… read this line to him…
I'll hunt you from hell, if your hurt her. I'm a Texan, and I can come back from hell. Yes, that's where I at it. I'll be watching you.
Big Daddy"
Gwen lowered her letter as Arthur sat shaking his head.
"Don't say one word about my family, Arthur Pendragon…"
"Not one," he smirked as he thought about the old man lurking in his dream state. "I can think several words to use."