Arthur told Merlin that they would design a bungalow themselves to suit what they wanted and Merlin was excited at the prospect. Arthur also suggested they could build an annex that Hunith could either use when she visited or move into if she wanted.
Merlin was overjoyed, he was worried about his mother, and she wasn't getting any younger. Her two closest friends had moved away from Ealdor and he knew she was finding it lonely. That evening Merlin rang his mum and she seemed interested. Arthur told her to think about it and if she wanted to move she could be involved in the planning of the annex.
With Merlin's agreement Arthur put in an offer on the plot and it was accepted, the sale went though quickly and with no problems. It was when they received this news that Merlin threw his armed around Arthurs neck and drew the blond man's head down and they kissed deeply for the first time both reluctant to stop and only coming up for air when they had to.
Arthur's head was in a spin for days afterwards. Even Lance and Leon commenting at work at what was causing Arthurs good mood.
Merlin then started to make lists and draw rough sketches' of layouts. The idea of building their dream home excited him and his mood lifted. The kissing continued and both men started to feel much closer once more.
The planning process gave Merlin something positive in his life and he improved both mentally and physically. His improved contact with Arthur helped; although he wanted to he still couldn't let Arthur touch his back or private parts.
They soon settled on a basic plan which was for a curved building to maximise the view's for each room. It would make the final cost higher as they planned to make every room face the view with a corridor round the village side. A bungalow was decided on by Arthur taking into account the views of Merlin's medical team. Hunith's annexe was to be at one end of the building with her own access. She would be able to gain access to the main home via a corridor that ran to Arthur and Merlin's kitchen, with a share utility room and body guard's office to one side. The plan then had a dining room a very large living room before an office and separate W.C. The bedrooms would come next with the master first, then the guest bedrooms- each with their own on suit. Lastly came a gym and a hydrotherapy pool.
It wasn't all sweetness and light, they did have a few disagreements, mainly about the design of their new home and mostly due to the size of the property. Merlin felt Arthur was going overboard and wanted too many bedrooms, a master plus four, all with on suits, and all the rooms would be too large, particularly the lounge and master bedroom. Arthur stuck to his guns saying they wouldn't want to spoil the design by adding extensions at a later date. And that the lounge would need to be big for when all their friends visited.
Merlin won on the dining room, saying it wouldn't be used much and if they had a large enough kitchen, they could eat in there. He told Arthur a separate dining room was pretentious, and none of their friends would mind eating in the kitchen. It would be easier for the housekeeper, as she wouldn't have to cart food around.
Arthur also put in for a small gym and a pool on his list of essentials, not saying that he wanted them to help Merlin with this rehab. He intended the pool to be built as a hydrotherapy pool which was something the physiotherapists at the hospital had said would benefit Merlin once his surgery was complete. Having their own would save Merlin having to travel.
The whole of the back wall was to be floor to ceiling glass so that Merlin would have great views whether sitting, standing or lying in bed. This was to be a surprise as Arthur didn't even mention this to his husband knowing he would say the cost was unnecessary. Even more so, as Arthur had decided on the newest heat retentive glass in triple glazing. This feature alone would cost a fortune as all the panels would need to be on a curve.
Once they agreed their list and basic plan Arthur instructed an architect to do the design to include an annex that Arthur had spent some time sorting out with Hunith. Once the plans were complete Merlin loved it, and Arthur conveniently didn't mention the cost of the build. It was within his means but he knew Merlin would create all sorts of problems if he knew. The architect made some changes, two of the guest bedrooms now looked out toward the village but they both agreed the changes. With the land, build costs and finishing Arthur expected the final total it to be in excess of three and a half million pounds due partly to the curved nature of the building. He wanted that shape to make the best of the views in case Merlin was stuck indoors for long periods. After all it was no good building a lovely home without getting the best quality fixture and fittings. The penthouse, once sold would easily raise the cost of the new build.
Full planning permission was applied for and obtained for both the main residence and converting one pair of the cottages into one for Gwaine. The build started before Merlin went back into hospital for his orthopaedic operations. He had to attend several out patient's appointments to plan for the surgery. He needed MRI scans and would need sedation for these as the doctors knew he wouldn't cope with being placed in the confined space without panicking.
Once these were done the results were discussed with several experts both in the UK and the USA, before a plan of surgery was made. After further discussion with the psychiatric team it was decided to do both operations at the same time. This was against normal protocols but it was felt best for Merlin mental health which continued to be fragile.
The couple went in to discuss the surgery with the surgeons to be told that it was unlikely that Merlin would regain full strength in his leg. But he would be in less pain and be able to potter about indoors, still needing his wheelchair outside. There was too much nerve, tendon and muscle damage to get a better result, due to not getting the correct treatment at the time of the break. Also having his injured wrist on the same side would stop him getting the best use from a stick. The wrist was even worse. They had two choices the first was to fuse the bones to stop the pain and leave his hand in its present bent position with the fingers near the inside of his wrist; this would have the quickest recovery. Or they could repair the wrist to some extent, leaving it with some movement. The nerve and tendon damage was extensive as the injury had received no treatment or splinting when it occurred, the forced movement done by Morgause at the time had made a bad injury worse and the swelling and constriction by the metal shackles had exacerbated the injury. Once the wrist was repaired extensive physiotherapy to the wrist and hand would be needed, to increase mobility. It was hoped Merlin would to gain about fifty percent use in his hand. He would not be able to make a fist but should be able to hold articles loosely so he could use this other hand to perform tasks.
He would be offered a residential place in rehabilitation unit after surgery, or if they preferred private physiotherapy could be provided at a cost as this service could not be provided on the NHS. The amount of movement would depend on Merlin undertaking the physiotherapy and working hard. The recovery time would be much longer than the first option.
They were offered time to think about it but Merlin said he wanted to be able to use his hand even if it wasn't as good as before so plans were to be made for the surgery. He would be called once the doctors could arrange it. As he would be in surgery for about eight hours and would need two teams of surgeons it would need time to organise.
As they had chosen the more complicated option Merlin would have to stay in hospital for at least three weeks and he was warned it might be longer. He would also go to ITU for one or two nights following surgery, maybe longer if his breathing became on issue. The Doctors went through all the possible complications and Merlin signed the consent form.
It was two weeks before he was called and in that time he became more and more nervous. It wasn't helped that Alator also wanted to see him in that two weeks.
Arthur almost asked the surgeons to delay the operation for a while but in the end decided that that might well make things worse. At least this way Merlin major surgery would be finished with and once the court case was over they would be able to concentrate on sorting out their lives.
The building had started and the ground works were complete. Hopefully it would be completed in seven months as Arthur was able to pay for large numbers of builders to be on site at the same time. Their site agent would get a bonus if it was ready early and there was a penalty clause if it took longer than the seven months.
Merlin's birthday occurred before the operation and the group of friends, including Hunith and Mithian, went out to a restaurant for a meal. It was the first outing Merlin since their Christmas shopping trip and the first where he would be out in a public area. They went in the week at lunchtime so it would be quieter and Arthur booked the whole of the backroom. It went well and Merlin seemed to enjoy it and it took his mind of the operation. Freya was able to go with them as well this time, as she managed to get the time off work. Her employers had been difficult on other occasions. Merlin didn't get to see her very often so it was a nice treat for him.
Merlin was to be admitted the afternoon before his operation and the night before admission Mithian suggested giving Merlin a sedative tablet before he went to bed. Despite this he another nightmare with a minor panic attack but Arthur and Mithian managed to calm him down without having to resort to injecting him with a sedative.
Arthur hadn't been surprised at the nightmare as Merlin had been working himself up all day. The night he was admitted the hospital also gave him a sedative and left the night light on, he managed to get a good night's sleep, to everyone's relief.
Arthur and Hunith went to the hospital early and Arthur was allowed to go with Merlin and stay with him until he was anesthetised. Merlin was quite well known amongst the theatre staff and was popular with them. They all knew his history and couldn't help but admire how he had coped. Arthur went to work, after taking Hunith back to the penthouse, for the day leaving his contact numbers. There was no point him hanging about at the hospital Merlin wouldn't be out for hours.
At work he got very little done, but at least Lance made sure he was kept busy and Morgana bought him lunch and made him eat it. As soon as five o'clock came he left and went straight to collect Hunith once more and then headed to the hospital and they waited in the ITU visitors lounge.
Merlin was in theatre for nine hours in the end. The surgeons came to see Arthur afterwards and said all had gone well and they hoped he would get the result they had discussed. Merlin was on the ventilator and would be sedated for twenty four hours before being woken up.
When Arthur saw him he had a blood transfusion going but otherwise looked peaceful. Arthur and Hunith stayed with him until visiting hours were over and then left. Arthur said goodbye to Tristan and Galahad, the body guards, on his way out. He told them he would be back at ten the next morning but to ring anytime if he was needed.
Arthur got no sleep that night, he kept thinking of when Merlin was last in ITU. But at least they were on the home straight now. Merlin had lots of physiotherapy ahead, and it might be years before he recovered mentally, but at least the pain would less and that would surely help. As soon as eight o'clock arrived he rang ITU to find out how Merlin was to be told he was doing well. Arthur said he would visit at ten.
Happier now he knew his husband was progressing well, he went and had a shower and had a quick breakfast before putting on his suit and heading for the office. Hunith was still asleep so he left her a note. After checking with Lance he headed to the hospital.
Once there he sat with Merlin, Gwaine and Hunith arrived at about eleven and joined him. The Doctors were pleased with the young man's progress. The nurses checked his wrist and arm every half an hour and remained pleased.
As promised, Merlin was back on the orthopaedic ward in two days, and although he was in pain, it was well managed. He made a surprising recovery from such a long operation. Within a couple of days he started on his gentle hand exercises. His wrist was still held immobile by a splint but was now in a more natural position. His wrist wouldn't be moved for several weeks. His Leg was also kept immobile but a splint.
Merlin was allowed home after three weeks as planned. At home he remained in bed for the next couple of weeks, only sitting out for short periods, but he seemed much happier in himself.
Arthur had given Mithian a paid holiday whilst Merlin was in hospital. He didn't have to as she was paid by the agency but he didn't want her to find different employment for when Merlin came home. Gwaine spent a week of it with her and he hoped that they made a go of their relationship.
The physiotherapist came to the penthouse every day and continued the gentle movements. These gradually increased both in length of time and amount of movement. Once all the stitches and splints could be removed for periods the regime stepped up a gear and Merlin was put through his paces. After a month he was taken for his first hydrotherapy session and loved it.
Being in the water relieved all the weight on his leg and he was able to walk along supported by a physiotherapist. It was the first time he had 'walked' since his original injury. He hated not being able to go more often but only had one session a week.
Arthur was so pleased he had insisted on have a pool put in their new home. The pool was heated far more than a normal pool so that too much body heat wasn't lost and was more soothing. Arthur was having PV electric generating panels on the roof of the bungalow to help offset the high running costs of keeping their pool so warm. The build was progressing well and was a couple of weeks ahead of schedule.
Whenever he visited the site he took photos for Merlin, who thought the bungalow looked the size of a hotel and said so. Arthur laughed. They were awaiting the delivery of the windows and then the second fix would start. All the doors were extra wide to allow for easy wheelchair access.
Once the second fix started all the electric switches were also set lower than normal. One of the work surfaces in the kitchen was set at wheelchair height, with one of the two microwaves built in at wheelchair height.
Arthur was having a surprise put in the master bedroom as well as the wet room being fitted out for Merlin to use easily the lighting was going to be spectacular. A planetarium was being set out on the ceiling and walls. This would mean instead of keeping a light on at night they could have the stars and moon bathing the room in soft light.
Arthur had spent ages sourcing the firm who could do this and the electrics had been a nightmare. But he knew Merlin would love it. Arthur was determined to make their home special.