Within half an hour they were in a car, Merlin had stood when asked and the two men helped him down the stairs and into the car. Leon went back and brought all of Merlin's things with him on the second trip. Once back at the hotel they got Merlin into a bed and Arthur told Merlin he was getting a doctor, Merlin refused saying he was fine and a good sleep was all he needed. Arthur reluctantly agreed provided Merlin had a good drink and ate something more.
Arthur had arranged to move to a room with two singles, for him and Merlin, so he could keep an eye on him. By the morning Merlin was awake and talking although he was very embarrassed by what had happened. He checked his possessions and said they were all there. So Leon took the key and posted it back through the flat door with a message to say Merlin would not be back and to forward any mail to Pendragon's. Merlin reluctantly agreed to stay at the hotel and Arthur said it would be best if they shared the room as that way the press could be kept an eye on.
Arthur and Leon spent some time discussing things before Arthur took Merlin to see his mother. Once there Arthur apologised for the trouble that had been caused to both Hunith and Merlin, through the leaking of personal information and the distress it had caused both of them. Hunith could clearly see the toll the whole thing had placed her son under and was concerned. Merlin reassured her saying he was better now Arthur was there for him. Arthur spoke to Hunith on her own, when Merlin went to sign some forms with Leon and the hospital administrators. While he was gone Arthur took the chance to speak to Hunith.
"I spoke to Gaius the other day, he told me about the circumstances of your husband's death, and Merlin has told me about his boyfriend Will. I want you to know I have no intention of letting Merlin get hurt. In fact I want to ask you permission to ask him to marry me, I know we haven't known each other long but I don't think we need a long courtship." Arthur said to Hunith.
Hunith looked at Arthur "I want you to answer me truthfully, are you just marrying my son to save your company?"
Arthur looked at Hunith and realised there would be no hiding the truth from her. "You asked for honesty and I will give it to you. Yes, that was the original plan. We would marry and stay married for five years, non consummated. But to the world it would be a love match. My father didn't approve of my homosexuality and wanted to force me into marrying. But the law was passed to make same sex marriages legal in the past months. I asked Merlin because we could both help each other, I would pay your medical bills and give him a lump sum after the divorce in five years, I would also pay for him to continue his medical school in London, although his hospital training would have to wait until afterwards. For us it was a win win situation."
"And is that all you want now?" Hunith asked looking at the blonde carefully.
"I'm not sure to be honest, Merlin is just the sort of man I would have fallen for anyway, but anything else would only be with his full consent, otherwise the deal stands. He would do anything for you and if we don't go through with it I don't want to think about what he will do next. I have already arranged for your bills to be paid but Merlin is a very independent man." Arthur looked at Hunith "I know what we are doing is bending the law but it's not illegal. I hope you understand."
Hunith looked at Arthur "I do, and thank you for your candour, I don't like it but my son has entered an agreement with you, and like you it concerns me what he would do without it, I was deeply concerned about the work he was doing and what it was doing to him, but I know my son and I knew he would do anything to help me. But my agreement comes at a price. You do not tell Merlin I know! Otherwise he will do something stupid, I know he will, he has already been selling his blood to the blood bank, and more often than he should be, he doesn't know I realise that but I saw the needle marks. I couldn't bear to lose him." Hunith paused before continuing "But promise me whatever happens you will take care of him, he's to self sacrificing for his own good. My decision is helped by your uncle's actions; I wouldn't want him to win!" Hunith gave a small smile she thought the two men had a real chance of making the marriage work properly; in fact it might be the only way her son would find happiness.
"I will you, have my word and thank you." Arthur had just finished speaking Merlin came back into the room.
"What's going on?" Merlin asked.
"Your mother was just threatening me with what would happen if I didn't look after you!" Arthur grinned.
"Oh my mum's fierce alright like a tiger with her cub." Merlin walked forward and kissed his mum "I've been talking to the doctors they told me your treatment is doing working. I will get hold of Gaius and once your better you can go and stay with him until I can get something sorted out. They think you might be able to be discharged in about a month all being well. We just need you to finish your treatment and get strong"
"All right my dear, but tell Gaius I will do my fair share." Hunith told him then she looked at Arthur "I lost my housekeeping job when I got ill, it came with a flat. The people kindly stored my things for me. But my uncle has offered me a home in London."
Arthur glared at Merlin "And I didn't know this"
"You didn't need to it'd all sorted. Mum has a joint American and UK passport so it's not a problem." Merlin told him.
"Now now boys no arguing, go and get your selves something to eat and I'll see you tomorrow Merlin." Hunith said "I'm tired"
"Sorry mum" Merlin said and he hugged his mum before he left the room.
As they walked down to the car Arthur looked at Merlin "Your mother gave me her blessing to ask you to marry me, she thinks I'll be a good influence." He grinned "So we are now engaged, I've got the ring back at the hotel. By getting engaged it will be easier to keep the press away from you. I won't be able to say in New York, too much to do in London, but you will keep the hotel room and I will pay all the bills, I will also give you an allowance now you are out of work. The hotel are used to dealing with the press." Arthur said all business once more. "Tonight we will go out of a private celebration and I'm sure your pet reporter can get a photo of the ring." Arthur looked at Leon "You can sort that I hope."
"Yes boss" Leon laughed "It will be all over the papers in England tomorrow. I just wish I could see your uncles face. You do realise your sister will be planning a party as soon as she hears?"
"Good ask her to put Agravaine and his wife on the list." Arthur said "I want this all official. Morgana will know who else to invite. Make it for this weekend. We'll fly back for it then Merlin can come back to be near his mother."
"Don't I get a say in any of this?" Merlin asked.
"I don't expect I will either, not if Morgana's organising it, just shut up and do as you're told. Unless of course you want to tell Morgana she can't give us a party?" Arthur told him.
"You're evil, but your sister worse, no offense Leon." Merlin said knowing he was defeated on this.
"None taken Merlin I know my wife only too well, when we got engaged, I just did as I was told. She's a wonderful woman but it doesn't do to cross her."
That evening Merlin and Arthur changed into suits and headed for the Upper East Side and Daniel's. There they had a table for two and campaign was waiting in an ice bucket. Both men were wearing gold and platinum bands on their ring fingers. They had a romantic meal with Arthur showering Merlin with affection throughout the meal. As they left there were several paparazzi waiting outside and Arthur stopped Merlin so they could show off the rings and Arthur pulled Merlin into a passionate kiss for the cameras. Merlin melted into Arthur, the champagne he had drunk had gone straight to his head. Arthur then turned to the reporters.
"We have given you your photo's so I ask now that you leave us in peace." A black limousine then pulled up and the couple were driven off before Merlin or Arthur had chance to answer any of the questions thrown at them. They walked up to their hotel room with Arthur's arm around Merlin's waist, as much as anything because Merlin was distinctly wobbly, but Arthur thought it would look good if there were further cameras anywhere. Not to mention that Arthur was rather enjoying the slim mans closeness. Arthur hadn't been lying when he told Hunith that he was no longer sure if it was just a business deal. As they went into their room Arthur turned to Merlin "You are such a light weight, here let me help you, you need to go to bed."
"Mfine" Merlin mumbled "Let me go, can do it" Merlin struggled to undress and decided to get in bed with his boxers on but nothing else. Arthur made him drink a glass of water before he fell asleep. Then the blonde cover Merlin over with the duvet and smiled before sorting himself out.
The next morning as Arthur had predicted Merlin woke with a hangover, he was given some ibuprofen and a large glass of water before Arthur forced him into the shower. By then room service had arrived with breakfast and the papers. Sure enough the engagement had reached even the New York papers, mainly due to the leaking of the will. Arthur left Merlin to sleep off the rest of his hangover while he went to work.