And here it is, the last chapter in "Learning Curve". I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Epilogue

10 Years Later

Merlin turned to his husband and spoke under his breath, "Shoot me now."

Arthur laughed under his breath.

"It's not that bad," he said.

"Morgana's is better than this," said Merlin.

Arthur winced a little. Ten years and three kids hadn't mellowed Morgana one bit. In fact, it made her even more of a spitfire, and her kids seemed to have inherited her personality. They didn't know how Leon put up with it.

"Arthur, Merlin, great party, guys," said Gwaine waling up with Percival.

"Thanks, Gwaine," said Arthur. "Though Merlin's ready to get out of here."

"Yeah, you were never one for the limelight, were you, Merlin," said Gwaine with a humorous smile.

"Bite me, Gwaine," said Merlin taking a sip of champagne. Gwaine's grin grew.

"Where at?" he asked. Percival smacked him over the head. "Ow. Perce."

"Congratulations, you two," said Percival, shaking their hands. "You deserve this."

"Thanks, Percy," said Merlin.

"Attention, ladies and gentlemen." The crowd turned to see Morgana standing on top of a platform with a microphone in hand. "As anyone knows, it's a great honor to have a song be the theme song to a major motion picture, but it's also a great honor to have your book be made into a major motion picture, and both happened to Merlin and Arthur and we're here to celebrate their achievement."

The crowd cheered and applauded as Merlin and Arthur smiled politely. The last ten years had been like a fairy tale for the couple. Nothing was perfect, there were a few fights and storming out of the house, but they always returned to each other as much in love as they always were. Since his first novel, Arthur had become a best seller and was publishing at least two books a year. He knew he could publish more, but he always made time for his friends and family.

Merlin had contacted Helen and now his songs were produced by major artists. He still had a slight limp and his right hand would become painful when overused but he couldn't be happier with his life and never stopped doing what he loved.

Mordred did make a reappearance not long after his release from seven years in jail. This time he was arrested for attempted murder, breaking into the Pendragon-Emrys household in the middle of the night. He had forgotten that Arthur a high school champion boxer and held Mordred off in time for the police to arrest him. He is now in jail with a life sentence.

Both husbands turned to thank the crowd and thanked Morgana for the announcement. All around them were people that helped make the movie a success. Directors, producers, and actors chatted amongst themselves and tried to get a spot for the next upcoming movie to be produced.

Finally, after the movie was watched and after party died down, Merlin and Arthur were able to head home where both planned to go to bed and sleep till the next day. Yawning as he opened the door, Merlin was surprised to see his mother on the couch.

"How was the party?" asked Hunith smiling at her two sons.

"It was all right, but we really just wanted to be home," said Merlin. "We thought you were asleep. What are you doing up?"

"Someone had a nightmare," said Hunith looking down at the couch.

Arthur and Merlin looked over the couch to see their six year old son curled up on his grandmother's lap. Dark brown hair cut in a wild style and blue eyes showed which father he favored. Even though they found a surrogate with blonde hair and blue eyes to resemble Arthur, and used both genes so there was no argument over parenting their son took after Merlin more than Arthur. On the floor was Sherlock, their border collie, dutifully guarding his young charge. His tail thump on the floor at the sight of them but didn't leave his spot.

"Same one?" asked Arthur as Merlin moved around the sofa to take their son back to bed.

"Yeah, he wanted to know if you both were all right, and cried when I couldn't reach you…"

"Left my phone in the car," said Arthur.

"Battery died," said Merlin picking up the boy.

"Luckily, I got a hold of Gwaine and assured him that both of you were fine. He still insisted on staying awake to greet you home."

"Someone was just worried, weren't you, Cal?" said Merlin and smiled when Cal opened his eyes sleepily. "Hey, buddy."

"Papa, where Daddy?" asked Cal.

"Right here, buddy," said Arthur coming up behind Merlin so Cal could see him.

"Had dream. Bad man came again."

"That man can't hurt you anymore, Cal," said Arthur. "Daddy and Papa made sure of that."

"Want Papa to sing the song," said Cal. Merlin laughed softly.

"You'll probably be asleep before I get to the end."

"Don't care. Want song."

"I'll let you put him to bed," said Hunith standing. "I'll see you all in the morning. I'll make pancakes."

"Thanks, mum," said Merlin.

"Thanks, Hunith," said Arthur.

"It's no problem. I love looking after my grandchildren."

Giving all three a peck she went to the guest room to go back to sleep. Merlin and Arthur carried Cal back up to his room and tucked him back into bed. Sherlock jumped on the bed and curled up next to the boy.

"Star too," said Cal.

"Star's asleep, little man," said Arthur.

"Star too," Cal repeated in a toddler demanding way. Both fathers knew that they wouldn't be able to get their son asleep otherwise.

"I'll get her," said Arthur. "She's probably waking up anyway."

Arthur left the room and Merlin turned back to their son, still on the verge of sleep. Cal had only been three when Mordred broken in and the experience still gave him nightmares still Cal had been in the room with them after having a nightmare. Now, Cal can't sleep without speaking or seeing Merlin and Arthur before going to bed and slept with a night light and a walkie-talkie on the nightstand. Both fathers didn't say anything against their sons fears and always tucked Cal in every night.

"Here she is," said Arthur walking in with six month old Star. Star was awake and was happily drinking from a bottle, her blue eyes taking everything in and her soft baby blonde hair curled around her forehead. "Already changed her diaper."

"She'll want a story too," said Cal.

"Well, we can't disappoint Star, can we?" asked Merlin.

"No we can," said Arthur sitting on a rocker. Merlin smiled at his husband before turning back to his son and began to sing.

When the rain is blowing in your face,

And the whole world is on your case,

I could offer you a warm embrace

To make you feel my love.

When the evening shadows and the stars appear,

And there is no one there to dry your tears,

I could hold you for a million years

To make you feel my love.

Merlin sung softly and true to Merlin's prediction, Cal was asleep by the end of the song. Star, on the other hand, was still awake. As soon as Merlin finished the song, they got up and left the room to let Cal sleep. Merlin turned the light off as he smiled at Cal's sleeping form.

"That's our little fire sprite," he said. Arthur chuckled.

"He certainly takes to his name."

They walked to the nursery and put Star to bed. Merlin sat in the rocker as Arthur retrieved the book they were going to start reading to her.

"Did you want to start?" asked Arthur handing the book to Merlin.

Merlin took the book and looked at the worn cover. It was a family favorite and the genesis of their children's names.

"Ready?" Merlin asked Star. Star gurgled and smiled up at her father. Merlin opened the book and began to read. "Okay, then. In the land of Ingary, where such things as seven-league boots and cloaks of invisibility really exist, it is quite the misfortune to be born the eldest of three…"

The End

Once again, what was to be a short story turned into a multi-chaptered novel! I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.