Yes, I know. It's been a long time. My laptop was down so I had to save up the money for the hardware repair plus I lost all of my work so you can imagine the stress I've been going through with my internship, money problems and lack of access to a computer these past few months.

I know these sound like excuses but honestly I did not mean to make you wait. I love you guys very much and from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for your support thus far and really hope it continues as well.

I'll continue to try my best. Thank you all for your patience.

Love,

Hime

"Tell Arthur? No Layla, he isn't ready."

"Then when is the time to tell Arthur Merlin?"

"I don't know but it's definitely not now love. "

"And why not?"

Her husband's tone was firm in his reply, "Because he isn't ready Layla"

"Why isn't he ready?" she challenged him.

"Because I say so" looking down at the witch, a little irritation in his voice.

"Merlin, you can't keep this from him forever."

"I am not. It's just that the right time hasn't come for him to know yet."

"So how will you decide when is the 'right' time?"

"I will know" Merlin told his wife firmly.

"Merlin…"

"Layla, why are you questioning my decisions? Arthur is MY mission."

"Yes he is but isn't he also your friend?"

Merlin's eyes softened at that and his brunette wife continued.

"How long can you hide your true self from him my love?"

Merlin sighed and his wife took a step forward and hugged her husband tightly. Merlin gave in and returned her embrace, his chin resting on the top of her head. They stayed like that for a while, just taking in each others warmth. It was Layla who pulled away first.

She raised her hand and cupped her husband's cheek with tender fingers, "Merlin, you know Arthur better than anyone so you would know best but just remember this, you can't keep it from him forever. If the mission was to succeed, he has to know eventually."

Merlin didn't reply her verbally so he just nodded his head solemnly. Afraid that her husband was upset with her; she raised her head, closing her eyes as she kissed him fully on the lips. It was a soft, tender kiss which deepened as his mouth opened against hers. She bit down gently on his lower lip and he groaned pushing himself even closer to her. His hands moved up from her waist, up her back and then to the back of her neck.

The kiss intensified quickly as she gasped in his mouth when the warlock moved to press his wife up against the wall off the cave; stroking his tongue over her bottom lip and then taking advantage of the gasp that had parted her lips and granted him access to the sweet, hot mouth he could never tire of since their first kiss. She tangled her fingers in his hair and rose on tiptoe, striving to be closer. A deep half sigh, half groan purred from the back of her throat. Her tongue met his, eager and Merlin felt the heat stroking his entire body.

Layla, filled with desire, wrapped one leg around him and he lifted her off the ground so her other leg could follow suit. The dark dress she had changed to just before her husband had arrived was now riding up and his hands held her bare thighs with an unwavering strength. She pushed off Merlin's brown jacket and broke away from the kiss then, their heavy breaths the only sound she could hear. Her gaze never left his as she tugged on his shirt, looking at him with eyes filled with want but became startled when he stopped her, placing his hands over hers.

"Layla no, I won't be able to stop myself" he warned, his voice husky.

"So don't" she whispered.

"But Myrridin is still asleep love."

Layla's eyes widened and her cheeks reddened, "W-we didn't wake him did w-we?"

Merlin turned to check and to his relief, saw that their child still asleep.

"No, he's fine."

Layla exhaled in a long sigh, her cheeks slowly losing its blush as she relaxed in her husband's arms, breathing easier.

"I'm sorry."

Merlin blinked out of his reverie, "Whatever for?"

"For well…erm…escalating things to almost…that point…"

The blue eyed man chuckled and kissed his wife on the nose, "Think nothing of it, I wanted it just as much as you. I can never get enough of you."

The grey-eyed woman let out a girlish giggle and Merlin admired his wife's beauty till she stopped, brushing his long fingers against her face: the arch of her cheekbones, the pout of her mouth, her large, expressive eyes. He lifted her chin and pecked her on the lips.

"I love you"

"I love you too" she told him, cupping her partner's face in his hands.

They kissed again and again, just enjoying each other's touch in the dim light from the fireplace.

The next morning~

Mordred caught Merlin sneaking into the house.

"Good morning Lord Emrys, what were you doing for you to return so early in the day?"

Merlin straightened his posture, chuckling sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head, "Well…"

"Were you with your family?" the former druid cut in, smiling at the thought of the druid lord's wife & child.

"Yes, they're hiding out in a cave not too near to be discovered but not too far off to take long to check on them."

Mordred nodded, "May I visit them with you tonight?"

Merlin grinned, "I don't see why not. I'm sure Myriddin would recover by then and would like to see his 'big brother'."

Mordred's smile widened, "You have a beautiful family Merlin. I find it hard for me to understand why you keep them such a secret though."

"What family? What secret?"

Mordred turned around shocked and Merlin stared at the man before him, "Gwaine."

Gwen turned to see her husband sleeping soundly; she kissed him on the cheek before getting up from the bed but was stopped when she felt a strong pair of arms wrap around her naked waist, pulling her back.

"Don't"

"Arthur"

"Please" he begged.

Gwen groaned when she felt his lips on her skin; kissing her up back, her shoulder and then her neck before nibbling on her ear.

"Please Gweneviere."

"Arthur we need to get up."

"I rather later" he whispered into her ear, causing the female to shiver.

"Gosh, fine…"

With a chuckle, Arthur pulled her underneath him and wasted no time in tearing the sheet away from her before leaning down to kiss at her breasts before going even lower much to the delight of his gorgeous wife.

Hime: Please review!