This story no longer has a beta as she is now studying hard for her exams. But I have tried to follow her example. Thank you jeanshard. Please let me know if there are corrects needed. I was going to end this story but due to the comments and feedback I have decided to continue with some other ideas.

Hope you continue to enjoy.

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The bungalow was still living up to expectations. The layout gave Merlin the independence he needed and with the help of Gwaine he got the best possible use out of the pool spending at least an hour every morning there. Merlin found it soothing as well as good for this leg. They would walk up and down the pool several times before doing other exercises. The water came up to Merlin's shoulders, and being the same depth throughout allowed him to keep his feet on the bottom at all times. Once they had finished with the exercises Merlin would have a few minutes just floating before getting out. If Arthur was at home he would join them and have a swim.

Any of the other staff were allowed to use the pool when Merlin didn't need it. Sometimes Merlin would go in again in the evening just to swim. He had to be careful of his grafted areas and make sure they were well rinsed and creamed so they didn't dry out, but that was no hardship.

Merlin also spent half an hour in the gym each day. Gwaine laughed, saying Merlin would soon have better muscles than Percy. The rest of his time was spent either helping Gwen in the kitchen or with his mother in the garden. Merlin still needed to rest during the afternoon for a couple of hours but his strength was slowly increasing.

His wheelchair gave him freedom outside and the villagers got used to seeing him out with his body guards in the local area going for walks in the local woods. Arthur had helped to pay to lay wheelchair friendly paths in the area so many local people benefited. At first there were some comments about the protection that went with Merlin everywhere, but the locals soon got used to it and he became very popular with them. They in turn became very protective of him and made certain that the press, who still tried to run about him, got nowhere when trying to get local gossip.

The local shopkeeper sent many an enquirer of on a wild goose chase if they tried to get directions to the Pendragon household. The local ladies found the presence of the body guards of interest, with many hoping to get themselves a fit young man.

The gardens were soon finished, and had numerous paths, suitable for Merlin to use in his wheelchair. The large patio area outside the garden meant they could have barbeques when the weather was nice. There were several raised beds where Merlin and Hunith grew vegetables. There was a gardener for the lawns and the large flower beds.

Arthur went back to working four days per week; at least one of those was from home.

The time pasted and soon the date of Mithian and Gwaine's wedding had arrived. As promised Morgana had a tuxedo made for Merlin. The wedding wasn't to big about a hundred guests in total. But that was enough to scare Merlin. He was still having difficulties with strangers.

Arthur helped Merlin as much as he could, and sat next to Merlin throughout the day. When it came to the church Merlin was determined to stand and not use his wheelchair. Gwaine was worried but agreed in the end. The day went well and the reception was held in a marquee on the bungalow lawn. Merlin stood for the speech, and to help Merlin cope with all the strangers Hunith sat to the back of the room. Arthur held the nervous man's hand out of sight and Merlin looked directly at his mum pretending no one else was there.

Arthur could feel the sweat on Merlin's hand and felt him trembling, but the speech went off well. As soon as he could Merlin left and went to lie down for awhile to calm down. Arthur went with him and they both returned later.

The newlyweds had a lovely day, and Merlin being there made Gwaine's day. The party went on into the night and several guests stayed either in the bungalow or the cottages. Mithian and Gwaine left during the evening for the honeymoon to the Seychelles, a present from Arthur and Merlin.

Merlin didn't get up until ten o'clock the next morning, he was exhausted. When he did get up, it was to find all the people who had stayed the night before all in the kitchen having breakfast. He knew most of them so was happy in their company.

By lunchtime they had all left, except for Morgana and Leon who stayed all weekend. They had their own announcement to make, Morgana was pregnant. Merlin and Arthur were asked to be godparents and they both agreed. The news did make Merlin sad, he and Arthur had been trying to adopt before the kidnapping but now Merlin didn't think he would be able to cope. He told Arthur that he already had a child to look after- him. Arthur told him he was being an idiot, as Merlin was far from a child. Arthur said it didn't matter about children they had each other.

Merlin missed Gwaine's company for the next fortnight, but Percy went into the pool with him each morning so he could keep up with his exercises. Freya came in with them one day, but the water was too deep for her to put her feet on the bottom, so she didn't stay in very long. The pool had been built to Merlin's requirements and by being the depth it was allowed Merlin's shoulders to be underwater and keep warm.

Gwen loved her job as housekeeper and kept them very well fed. She enjoyed having Merlin help her in the kitchen and he soon learnt several recipes from her. Hunith laughed saying she had never been able to get Merlin to cook when he lived at home. Gwen and Hunith went together for food shopping and had become great friends. The vegetables that were grown in the garden were shared between the two. Merlin was now eating some meat dishes. Although he had been vegetarian, this had stopped in captivity, and in the effort to get him recover and gain weight he had continued to eat what he was given. So he now continued to eat some meat dishes.

Merlin often made something for Arthur to take to work for lunch. Arthur knew this made Merlin feel useful and he always took it with a smile.

The commute into the city worked well for Arthur and Lance. Travelling together gave them the change to do some work on the train. On the days Arthur worked from home, Lance would either work with him, or travel in to the office alone. Arthur had resumed taking on the big cases but very seldom worked more than four days per week. His home office opened up onto the lounge and Merlin would bring him coffee as he was working. Sometimes however Arthur found himself doing more talking than working, but he could always make up the time later, as Merlin nearly always went to bed by nine thirty.

A couple of months after Morgana and Leon's announcement, Gwen and Lance announced that they too were expecting a child. Once again the two men were asked to be godparents. Mithian said she would cover for Gwen when she needed maternity leave. It seemed the place would soon be full of children.

Morgana visited one day to speak to Merlin, she looked nervous:

"Merlin I'm sorry to bring this up but I need to sort something out." It was obvious she was finding it difficult.

"Go ahead Morgana, it can't be that bad."

"Well…I haven't ever filled your job as my PA. I've used temps but the latest one is good, and I would like to offer her a permanent contract. I feel bad but I don't think you will be coming back."

Merlin was amazed "I thought you would have filled that ages ago Morgana"

"Well no….it was your job… I couldn't… until we knew."

"Well I won't be any good to you now, will I" Merlin sounded bitter, he didn't mean to.

"Oh Merlin I don't mean it like that, if I thought you would want the job I would keep it open" she sounded really upset.

"Sorry Morgana, I didn't mean it like that, anyway can you see Arthur letting me back, even if I could. You wouldn't want Percy sitting next to me, even if I was able to do the work" Merlin smiled at her.

"That's true, I'm glad you're ok about it. Thank you. I couldn't have just done it without telling you" Morgana looked relieved.

"Don't be daft, like I said, I thought you will have got someone before now. Does that mean I have a leaving present due?" he smiled at his sister in law.

"Yes of course, what would you like? Do you feel up to coming in one day and seeing everyone? They would love to see you and we could have a leaving party."

"I doubt it, sorry. I can't go anywhere near the park. I won't go to Arthur's office either. I should I suppose, but I can't. I'm being stupid." Merlin looked at his old boss hoping she understood.

"That's fine Merlin I understand" she sat not knowing what to say.

"Well change of subject. How are you and the baby?" Merlin smiled at her.

"Doing well, at least I'm not sick any more, fancy Gwen being pregnant as well. By the way it's a girl. We weren't going to say but Leon went and told his mother so it's out now."

They sat and chatted for awhile before Morgana left. After she had gone Merlin found himself getting upset. It was silly he hadn't even thought of his old job, but now he knew it wasn't there anymore he felt rejected. Gwaine had come back to bring him a coffee. He had left the Merlin alone with his visitor, but now Morgana had gone had come to check on his charge. He found Merlin looking out of the lounge window tears running down his face.