Arthur had spent some time with the physios learning how to help Merlin transfer from bed to chair and chair to toilet. He also had a couple of appointments with the psychiatrist to discuss Merlin's progress and how he could help Merlin to adapt. They spent quite some time discussing the effects that Merlin's sexual abuse would affect their relationship and Arthur felt more confident he wouldn't cause more difficulties for his husband by saying or doing the wrong thing.
Arthur had hired a private nurse to stay in the flat to help look after Merlin. Arthur met her beforehand he found her to be very sensible. Her name was Mithian Nemeth and she was happy to work five days per week and live in. On the weekends Arthur would manage with the help of Gwaine, who would say in the penthouse at those two days. The hospital giving backup if needed. Hunith was coming to stay for a few weeks once more and would also help.
Merlin met her several times before he was discharged and seemed to like her.
Once Morgana found out he was going home she turned up at the hospital with a tape measure and then went on a shopping trip for cloths for him as the cloths he had at home were still too large. She also filled the kitchen cupboards with all sorts of treats and nutritious food. Gwen cooked several meals to go in the freezer so Arthur wouldn't have to worry about cooking too much.
Arthur, with advice from the hospital, went out and bought a car that would allow Merlin to sit in his wheelchair and be transported safely. It would probably be needed long term. They would also have to carry bottled Oxygen as Merlin still needed it occasionally and they also had bottles at home for when it was needed.
So it was on a sunny day in November that Merlin finally saw his home once more, and that was the day that Arthur saw Merlin really smile for the first time in nearly thirty months. As soon as he was in the lounge moved his electric wheelchair to the large picture windows and sat and stared at the view.
Arthur knelt down in front of him and put his arms around Merlin's waist and looked into Merlin's eyes they both started to cry. Arthur lent forward and rested his forehead against Merlin's forehead and they stayed there for several minutes. Arthur moved away and looking once more into Merlin's eyes said:
"Together forever your MINE" in a deep and he hoped sexy voice with a grin. It was what each of their wedding rings had engraved on the inside rim. He had realised a couple of weeks ago that Merlin's ring was missing and had asked the police if they had found it. They looked in the jewellery recovered from the farmhouse and had returned it to him the day before.
Arthur took the ring from his pocket and placed it on Merlin's right middle finger. It was loose but Merlin was overjoyed at getting it back. He would be able to put it on his left ring finger once he had had the surgery.
They kissed each other and sat side by side on the sofa looking at the view that Merlin had thought he would never see again. It was the first time they had been able to sit in the same seat for so long. Arthur felt Christmas had come early.
An hour later, as arranged, Mithian arrived, one of the bodyguards knocked on the door. They were both stationed in the lobby between the penthouse door and the lift so no one could get passed them. The body guards would both stay there unless Merlin was on his own or whoever was with him wanted one of the in the Penthouse with them. If Merlin was taken out by anyone they would both accompany him.
Mithian came in and after saying hello sorted out the bags that had been brought back from the hospital checking all she needed was there. She then made them all a cup of tea and then left them and went to settle into her room.
Hunith arrive a little while later, Gwaine had fetched her from Wales. After saying hello to the two men she took Mithian into the kitchen to leave the pair alone together for as long as they could, realising that this was the first time they had truly had time to themselves since Merlin's release from his kidnapping.
They had their evening meal early and then the two men sat together on the sofa and enjoyed each other's company. There was a great deal of gentle kissing and cuddling. Hunith sat knitting happy that her son was home at last. Arthur noticed that Merlin still pulled away if his arm slipped down Merlin's back so he made certain to keep his arm over Merlin's shoulder and did not slip lower.
About nine o'clock Merlin was obviously tired so Arthur put him in his wheelchair and took him to the bedroom. Mithian came out of her room and took over helping Merlin with his wash and getting into his nightclothes and into bed. She then connected his feed and started the small pump that regulated the rate and timing of the fluid before calling for Arthur. She began explaining that she would come and switch off the feed disconnect the tubing and flush the system in eight hours.
She reminded Arthur to make sure Merlin moved position at least once during the night as they had already discussed then she left the two men alone. Arthur knew the importance of Merlin changing position to help prevent his unhealed sores from getting worse and had told Mithian he would turn Merlin and only call her if he needed help.
Arthur had offered to get twin beds for awhile but Merlin was determined he wanted Arthur in the same bed. So Arthur changed into some night clothes and got into bed making sure he kept well away from Merlin's back. He normally slept nude but had decided that this would be a bad idea for the foreseeable future. A small price to pay if it meant he could share a bed with Merlin.
They had always slept with Merlin as the small spoon to Arthur's big spoon, but this was the wrong position at the moment so they settled facing each other and Arthur held onto Merlin's good hand to spend their first night together in the same bed, for what seemed to both of them, for an eternity.
"I am worried I will put my arm over your back in the night"
"Don't worry so much, I'm sure you won't and if you do we can sort it out just talk to me if I panic. I want you here we have been apart for too long, I won't sleep in a separate bed for one day longer."
Arthur lay looking at Merlin's face as the younger man drifted off to sleep. Arthur was certain he didn't sleep much that night in fear of cuddling up to Merlin in his sleep. At about two o'clock Merlin woke up and Arthur helped him move position and get comfortable once more. When Mithian came in at six to sort out the feed Arthur got up and went for a shower. Merlin didn't wake up and they left him asleep until he woke at nine.
For next few days' visitors had been asked not to visit, to let Merlin settle, and each day was spent with the two men lazing around and enjoying each other's company. Hunith kept in the background most of the time, but having her there seemed to help Merlin. She also made Arthur go out for short walks to the shops. Often for things they didn't need just to give him a break. She knew he was still having problems coming to terms with everything and was trying to support both of her boys.
Mithian gave Merlin his medicines, redressed Merlin's open wounds when needed, helped him with his washes, letting him have a shower on the days his dressings were done. But otherwise she left the men alone as much as she could. Hunith and Mithian soon became good friends. The four of them had all their meals together and Mithian insisted doing the washing up and most of the housework, saying she was being paid a great deal of money for little work and she didn't mind. Arthur was grateful to her.
Merlin continued to touch Arthur and seemed to get great comfort in cuddling into his chest when they went to bed at night. But Arthur was still only allowed to touch his back when he helped Merlin wash at the weekends. This was something Merlin hated and even with the two men talking him though what they were doing he still found it difficult. Merlin also hated either Arthur or Gwaine helping him out of or into his boxers and trousers at the weekend He trusted them, but his brain still couldn't accept such intimate touch. Even with Mithian he was nervous.
It had been planned that at the weekend they would have a lunch for all their friends in the penthouse, which Gwen offered to cook. It was the first time they had all been together for two and a half years. Although Merlin got very tired he enjoyed himself and managed a small lunch followed by his favourite Chocolate pudding. Although it was noticed by the others that he kept looking at the place that Will had normal sat in but that Hunith was now filling, he said nothing and the others kept quiet.
After lunch Merlin went to lie down for a rest and the rest cleaned up the kitchen before sitting down for a chat.
"How's he coping being at home?" Percy asked.
"Good, we are taking it slowly and not doing much- but it's good to have him home." Arthur had been surprised just how well Merlin seemed to settling back to normal life.
"Keep it slow and easy Arthur, I expect he will have some problems yet, he was away for a long time" Morgana wasn't trying to be downbeat but she was genuinely worried.
"I know Gana, but we'll go at Merlin's pace. I'm having two weeks off, and then I'm going back part time. I have to get some work done and the psychologist seems to think Merlin will need time without me to process everything. Hunith is staying for a couple of weeks and Mithian will be here of course. If one of you can pop in each morning for a short visit I'm sure that will help."
"It might be an idea if we get together and decide on different days so we can cover them all." Gwen was always the practical one.
"I can always pop out and not be here all the time when you come round if you like" Hunith wanted to do the best for her son and felt uncertain how to best help.
"When can he start to go out? It would drive me nuts being here all the time, nice as it is" Leon butted in
"Well I'm giving him a bit longer and see if he asks, otherwise I am going to wait for a nice day and go out just for a short trip somewhere. Perhaps a drive, he still has open wounds and I don't want him catching anything" Arthur didn't want to push Merlin to fast.
After that the conversation turned to general matters for a while, and then Arthur went to check on Merlin. He came back a short time later with Merlin in his wheelchair. He looked better for his short nap and the group sat and watched DVD's until early evening when they all went their separate ways. Mithian came back from her weekend off as they were all leaving and Gwaine decided to hang back to speak to her.
"Watch out Mithian- he's a heart breaker" Percy warned her.
"I'm a great man, don't put the girl off before I've even spoken to her" Gwaine said giving one his customary head toss's.
"Don't worry I'm here to work, I'll check with Merlin before I believe anything you lot say" Mithian laughed.
"Don't bring me into it!" yelped Merlin "I'm not getting involved!"
With that, they all set off home. Gwaine stayed for about half an hour chatting to Merlin, not Mithian, before giving him a hug before winking at Mithian as he left.