An Unexpected Surprise [Modern AU]

[Arthur Pendragon]

Was Doctor Longstead expensive? Yes. But was she worth it? Absolutely. Arthur didn't know how much Guinevère made, but he did know that Mary charged quite a bit, and had he not been comfortable paying for it . . . then he would not have asked Guinevère if Mary could be her doctor. "I'm not saying don't buy anything for the baby." Good. Because he wouldn't just stand by and not share any expenses. He wanted to pay for those little things, like diapers, and clothes, and toys, and a crib, and so on. Things that the baby needed. Their arrangement wasn't exactly traditional for they weren't married so they couldn't just share one account and put both their earnings in there. They would have to share the cost, and Arthur wanted to offer more than just doctor appointments. He paused for a moment though, her words taking a few moments to absorb. "I'm not in this for the money." Is that what she thought he thought? Is that how she believed he perceived her? "Have I ever said that you were?" He asked, knowing his tone was slightly defensive. He knew she was modest, and that she had a humble and simple lifestyle.

But its not as if he had come in here, throwing money at her. "Is that how you think I see you?" His perception of her was something that made him slightly more defensive . . . for he never saw her in any negative way. So to hear her feel the need to reassure him that she wasn't a gold-digger, that she wasn't doing this for the money . . . made him feel that he wasn't doing an adequate job of making sure that she knew that. That he never believed for one moment that she was in this for the money. He just hadn't felt the need to say such blunt words, but apparently, he should have. "For the record, I don't see it that way at all. Perhaps I owe you an apology for not making that clear early on." He knew he shouldn't be so defensive, for it would be a lie to say that some women were not intrigued by him due to his money. But . . . with her it was different. And he felt a bit offended -- or perhaps agitated with himself was the better way to put it, that she had to reassure him that she wasn't in it for the money. That she had not shared that night with him, because he was rich.

[Guinevère]

"Have I ever said that you were?" No, but she didn't want to feel that way! She knew he wasn't doing anything to make her feel that way, but she never wanted him to doubt in that, and she had--"Is that how you think I see you?" "N-no!" She assured him, trying to tel if he was angry. "For the record, I don't see it that way at all. Perhaps I owe you an apology for not making that clear early on." Yes, he was angry,

"I did not mean to suggest that you were thinking I was, there is nothing to apologize for!" she tried to explain, "I was just trying to tell you that I wanted to be able to do my part too." For a baby that half her as well. "I have been on my own since I was nineteen." When her father died, but even before she had been self supporting. "I am not saying your doing anything wrong . . . . only that this is what I need to do . . . . for me." Because she was afraid that he would not be here forever. He would be there forever for his child! She knew that! She was speaking of herself.

[Arthur Pendragon]

He paused, allowing her to finish her words. He wondered if she meant that, or if she still feared that he saw her that way; a woman after his money. Some women were indeed like that, but she was far different from them. She seemed more genuine, more sincere . . . he felt that her need to tell him that, and assure him . . . was a failure in his part for not making her feel more secure. "I never asked you to be dependent on me," his said, his tone less defensive and was more so just trying to explain how he had interpreted her words. Misinterpreted, perhaps. But still, they had been said. "I know you are self sufficient, and I am not trying to compromise that." It wasn't as if he was going to pay for every single little thing . . . though he would not hesitate to do so if she asked him to. But maybe that was why he was so willing; because he knew she would never do that. She would never come to him and ask him for anything . . . she had not even pressured him to play a role in this child's life.

"I did not say that I should pay for everything." Just because he could afford to. "But nor have I ever suggested that that's why I thought you were with me. Never once did I doubt your sincerity." That, was something he would remain defensive about: his feelings for her. Whatever they may be. On the night they slept together for the first time, he did not see her as a woman just trying to get to him for his money. Especially not with the way she had panicked the next day. When she had come to tell him she was pregnant, the thought that she was lying to exploit him had not once crossed his mind. He knew she was not like that, even more so when she explained that she did not do this often. Other women he may have had doubts with . . . but not her. She was not manipulative nor coy. The apparent modesty about her was part of why he had been drawn to her. The way she had blushed at his words of flattery that night, as if she was so unused to hearing them. Something that had not lessened since they were together again after all those months of being apart.

[Guinevère]

"I never asked you to be dependent on me," Not yet. Not that he would, but she knew that if she let him it could start off with this, and then something else and something else. She only wanted to make sure they both knew how she felt about his money--That it was his money. She had her's. "I know you are self sufficient, and I am not trying to compromise that."

"I did not say that I should pay for everything." No, he had not. "I don't know you well, but I am good at reading people--" Sometimes. "If I let you, you would though. Wouldn't you?" She was asking him to see if she was right, "I can see it in your eyes, Arthur. You want to take care of people." Her, the baby. "I only wanted . . . . . I had meant to make sure . . . . " She wasn't sure what she was trying to say. "I felt it was something I needed to make sure you knew, how I felt." Before things got too personal between them.

"Never once did I doubt your sincerity." "Thank you." She was glad that he had not, "I know there might have been some who would have taken advantage of this." But not her. She would do this her way.

[Arthur Pendragon]

She asked him a question that his mind already knew the answer to. Still, he did pause before answering. Though he held no doubt in his response. "I would." He would rather be honest than lie about that, even if it proved something. "But part of my willingness to do so, is also due to the fact that I know you would never ask me to." He liked the thought of taking care of her and the baby, because she would never take it for granted. She would never take advantage . . . nor would she let him. And it almost made him want to persuade her to let him. But he didn't. She seemed very adamant about wanting to contribute financially, and as he said before, he would not tell her not to pay for anything. It was her words of wanting to take care of people that surprised him.

And made him feel uncomfortable with how she was able to tell this from him . . . when his actions showed otherwise. But that's what it was. On the surface he was one way, deep down, he was different. That was how everyone was. And she was getting to know him more in the past few days, then some had in the past few months. "Its just that, our . . . situation, isn't exactly traditional." He specifically used this word because they both came from traditional families and therefore, she would know what he was talking about. "I just don't want you to feel like you're overwhelmed by financial burdens, because you're a single mom." A better way to say it, rather than unmarried. "I don't want you to feel that you can't come to me whenever you need something, or that I won't provide what I can for you and the baby." He wanted to make that clear here and now.

It was difficult enough for her to accept him paying for the doctor . . . would she actually come to him if she needed something financially. "Can you promise me that you will come to me?" He asked, unsure of whether it was pride that would prevent her from doing so, or something else. Either way, he hoped it was not because she felt he saw her as someone taking advantage of him. But it seemed that they cleared that up . . . hopefully. She was however right in thinking that some would take advantage of this, but wanted her to no that he did not hold doubt in her. "But you're not one of those people. And I won't ever think you are." More reassuring words to further convince her to make the promise he asked of her . . . to come to him should she need anything, or should she find herself in a difficult position.

[Guinevère]

"I never doubted that you would not take care of baby, Arthur." She told him, knowing that their first meeting in his office had caused her almost change her mind on that, but she could tel he was a good man. Their miss understandings seemed to be their biggest flaw. "Can you promise me that you will come to me?" For money he was meaning. She knew that was what he was asking. For a moment she thought about trying to lighten the mood, avoid the request, and change the subject by going to him and kissing him, and joking about coming to him now.

Yet she would not be that disrespectful. "I promise," She told him, "I do not intend to let our baby suffer for my pride. If I need something, I will seek you out first." With the baby. She still felt she wasn't his responsibility. "I am sorry that I upset you with my words." But better now then later.

[Arthur Pendragon]

He felt immediate comfort in her promising him that she would come to him. That she would not let their child suffer, though he doubted that anything he or she lacked would cause it to suffer. For Guinevère would not allow that, with or without Arthur's assistance. "Thank you," he said gratefully, as he gave a small nod of appreciation. He felt much better now, knowing that she would come to him should she needed anything . . . that she would not hesitate for his views of her were no where close to being one who used him for money. She then apologized for having upset him, and did not want her to feel bad. For he knew her words were not spoken with bitterness or any other negative emotion.

She had just been trying to express something, and he had taken it the wrong way. "The subject of money is always a bit intense," he said lightly, hoping to help alleviate some of the tension. "It's fine. I'm glad we sorted that out," he added, not wanting to keep the subject focused on money. His mind searched for something else to talk about, something less . . . intense. "So have you thought of any names?" Something that hopefully would help bring some positivity to the mood, and not cause any more words of hurt justification. Just something casual they could talk about. Casual, but very necessary.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère was glad that everything seemed to be calming down and relaxing. The tension from a moment ago melting away into their more mellow and easy way of just being together. "If it helps, I fully plan to ask you to pay for their college." She teased, knowing that was years away. she also meant it as a way to tease them both with their more recent disagreement and small fight. She was hoping it would help them not hold a grudge at the subject.

Then he spoke of names, and she felt more at ease. "Well, i have not planned to be a mother, but . . . there is name that I always thought of for a girl. My mother's name. She died when I was so small, and I always thought I could name a daughter for her. If you agree and like the name it could be a first or middle name.. . . Her name was Anna." She hoped Arthur liked the name, at least for a middle name. "Or we could pick a name that would have a nickname of Anna."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur chuckled as she told him that she intended to let him pay for college. He was of course aware of the teasing in the words, though it was yet again not something he minded paying for. Though he knew better than to bring that up now. Besides, that was years and years away. Eighteen at the very least. They had plenty of time to plan for such things. And . . . well, he was already overwhelmed with the news of being a father. The last thing he should be thinking about is the distant future, for he feared it would only cause further stress and anxiety. When she said that she already had a name in mind, Arthur listened attentively. At least one of them had thought of a future with children. His own mind had not considered having them until much later in his life . . . though it seemed that it wouldn't be as far away as he had initially thought.

Anna. Arthur smiled when hearing it. "I like it," he agreed, not really having any doubts about his like for it. It sounded sweet and perfect for a little girl. "And its all the more perfect if it holds sentiment to you." Apart from the name sounding nice, it was her mother's name. And if this was something that she was considering for a while . . . who was he to discourage such a desire? "If its a boy, do you want to name it after your father?" He offered, unsure if it was something she wanted, or something she felt too shy to ask him. He didn't want to name the children after his own parents. His mother's name would be too painful for him to call his child -- plus it was a subject never broached by him or his family. And his father was still alive and UJ or Uther Junior didn't exactly have a good ring to it. So he left the option for naming it after ones that Guinevère loved and held dear to her heart.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère smiled brightly when he said that he liked her mother's name. She hoped that he meant it and that he really did like the name because there was a chance that he would be thinking it every day for the rest of his like. Though if it was a boy, then he would have another name to think. "Have you a name you like for a girl?"

Yet he had asked about her father. Guinevère thought of her Papa, and her eyes moved around her home while she thought over his offer. Her father had been a good man, but it was hard to talk about him without missing him and thinking of him. While her memories were fond, his death had not been of natural causes, and she had allot of trouble moving past that. "No, I think another name might be better." She told him, looking back at him. "My father was a good man, but I still miss him too much. I think if I do give him my father's name them it will be a middle name. Do know any boys names you do like? Is there someone special you wish to honor?"

[Arthur Pendragon]

"Have you a name you like for a girl?" "I do," he answered quickly and confidently. Letting a few moments of 'suspense' pass, he answered with a bit of a cheeky smile. "Anna." Because it was the name she wanted. And he wanted her to be able to honor her mother. Though it seemed that the memory of her father was too painful. Something that he could completely respect. It was after all the same reason he did not want to name any child after his own mother. "I completely understand," he said with a bit of a smile. It was clear that she missed her father a great deal, and he was of course not going to push the subject on naming a potential son after them. "What was your father's name?" He asked, realizing that he didn't know it. He didn't know a lot about her. While they were indeed getting to know each other, there was still so much about her that he was completely clueless to.

Hopefully in time, that would be remedied. She asked if there were any boy's names he liked and he paused in thought before shaking his head. "None I can think of at the moment." Because . . . he hadn't been thinking about children. From the time she had told him to when he saw her again, he had been distracted with the news, and work. Then . . . well, they hadn't spent much of last night talking. "I'll let you know if I think of any," he told her. "But if there's any name that you like in particular, then feel free to tell me." In the meantime, he would be searching his mind for a name that would be well suited for a boy. Who would have thought he'd need to consider such things so soon. Life had a funny way of throwing the unexpected at you. And this was perhaps the biggest shock and most life changing news he would ever get in all his life . . . he hoped.

[Guinevère]

He liked Anna! Really liked the name Anna! That made her feel glad for she had hoped whomever she married . . . well, whomever was the father would like the name Anna. It was another reason she had not wanted to name her son after her father. He was the not the first to suggest such a thing. When her father had died, Lancelot had been her current boyfriend, and he ad suggested it shortly after. Not speaking of their children but her one day children.

Even after his careful wording, she still didn't wish to give this child a name suggested by another. "We have time to think of names." She told him, "Five whole months!" Then they would be parents! With their baby son or daughter. she could only imagine waking up every morning and seeing them there with her . . .

Which brought up another point. Where would their child live? "Without this sounding forward, or . . . . or well . . . . I was thinking that when the baby is born, if you wanted to stay with me for while . . . " So he could be close and they could experience the first few days or weeks solidly together without missing anything.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"We have time to think of names." That was true. So very true. They had a great deal of other things to plan and sort out, and names was something of the lighter and more fun nature. "Five whole months!" Good gosh! 5 months! It sounded far away, yet he knew these months would fly by so quickly. And as he had just been thinking, they still had so much to do! So much to figure out! When she went on to speak, he was grateful from the distraction of allowing his mind to become overwhelmed. He paused when she realized what she was asking him. Moving in together. Of course that would be the most convenient thing. It would be what made the most sense . . . but . . . he couldn't help but wonder where they stood. They were still casual, right? Still friends? He thought back to her telling him she'd never been with another man.

"Guinevère, are you asking me to move in with you?" He asked teasingly, forcing himself to keep the mood light and not sounding like a girl himself by asking about the nature of their relationship. "You're looking for a new place, right?" He asked rhetorically for he already knew the answer. "Why don't you just move in with me. I have plenty of space and you won't have to worry about finding a new place for some time." Plus, he didn't like the thought of her being alone, so moving in together made the most sense. Better him than another man. Plus . . . he wasn't sure he would be able to live here. It was so, small. So . . . not what he was used to. But he knew better than to say that out loud. It wasn't the primary reason he was offering her to move in with him rather than the other way around, but it was on the list of reasons for sure.

[Guinevère]

"Guinevère, are you asking me to move in with you?" Oh! Oh dear! "n-no!" She assured him, "Not really . . . . sort of . . . I was thinking just while the baby is new and we are both in parent mode, and wanting to be with them ever second. I wanted to be fair so neither of us had to give up any time." She explained but she wasn't sure what he thought she meant. Move in? would he want too? Were they that close now--or well official? Oh dear! Where they official!? That was something she needed to know!

"You're looking for a new place, right?" "Yes," She whispered and then spoke up though her mind was trying to decide on how he saw their relationship. "The steps, I didn't want steps with a baby." Climbing them with a baby in her arms was dangerous and then when the baby could crawl!! It had danger all over it!

"Why don't you just move in with me.""What?" She whispered, looking at him. "I have plenty of space--" "Space." "--and you won't have to worry about finding a new place for some time." Sometime. So not forever? Wait so were they only temporarily official? Her head spun slightly with everything he was saying and he wasn't even SAYING that much, for it was what he wasn't saying that made her head spin more!

She knew she needed say something for for the longest time she could only stare at him. Finally when she did speak it wasn't what she planned to say at all. "You don't like Lucifer."

[Arthur Pendragon]

From the way she had been nervously talking and then staring at him . . . it was as if the subject had never been broached before. He wondered if she had been asking just to be nice, not having expected him to make the offer. Or if she had asked because she wanted him to be here, rather than her at his place. But, was there really such a difference? Her logic about the stairs was sound, and there was an easy fix to that problem at his place; there was a guest room on the lower level. Plus he could take a couple of servants from his father's place and have them work at his, so that she wouldn't have to be alone. By the time she moved in with him, they would have already told his father so it would make sense. After a long silence, during which Arthur just stared back at her, she concluded that he didn't like Lucifer. Ah right. The devil creature.

"Well I care about you and the baby a hell of a lot more than I hate Lucifer," he told her. Maybe he would just lock the creature in the cupboard or something. "If you do want to move in, I can start making arrangements. If you don't, that's fine too." He obviously didn't want to pressure her but she had made a valid point before; it would be much easier if they were living together. "That is if you don't mind dogs as well," he added with a bit of a smile. He could send Cabal and Bohrs to his father's if she was allergic or had a strong aversion to them. Though he hoped she was neither . . . he knew he would have to start making sacrifices already. One of which may be sending his dogs from his place, for the baby's sake, and hers of course.

[Guinevère]

"Well I care about you and the baby a hell of a lot more than I hate Lucifer," Good! "Once he comes to trust you, then he will come to love you!" She assured him, "He is just protective over me because you are a stranger to him and you react violently when you see him! Try making peace with him! Please." It would be safer for them BOTH.

"If you do want to move in, I can start making arrangements." Arrangements! How . . . fast this was happening. "Are you sure?" She asked, knowing she would feel better with him close, "I mean, not forever but for a while. When it's time for the baby and the baby is new." And maybe while the baby was small if the muddled though well enough. It would be easier then picking weekends and her missing her child and him never getting enough time. "I want to return the favor!" She told him, "I can cook your suppers, and do your laundry with mine to pay for my stay." She knew he had money so she would not offer that, but nor could she stay free and feel good about it!

"That is if you don't mind dogs as well," . . . . "Dog's don't like Lucifer either!" She said, wondering how that would work! She would need to get him one of them clear balls to run around in.

[Arthur Pendragon]

He had to build trust with a ferret? That sounded so absurd yet he knew it was the same way with dogs, and most other animals. "I promise that I will make an effort. I'd rather we live in peaceful coexistence than have more, shower attacks." Like the one from earlier today where Arthur wanted to do nothing more than flush the critter down the toilet. "Are you sure?" He wasn't even sure all this had processed in his head, or that he had really thought it through carefully. He just knew that it was what was best for them both . . . and for the third person she would soon introduce in this world. "Positive," he assured her confidently. Whatever doubts and uncertainties he had, he would deal with them on his own, and quickly put them to rest. Because this was happening.

And there was no backing down. Not anymore. It would be the first time he lived with a woman . . . only, it was for reasons he never would have predicted. "Right," he agreed, seeming to have somewhat forgotten that it was only a temporary arrangement. "It'll be good," he added, trying to stay positive. She then spoke of how she would make it up to him, doing his laundry and cooking. He didn't want her to feel the need to do that as some sort of payment. Besides, she was pregnant and should be getting as much rest as she could. Not doing his laundry for him. "You don't have to worry about those things," he began to explain. "I'll have a few servants at the house to come in and do the cleaning, and cooking. So all you need to do is take it easy."

And not worry about any sort of domestic work. They were doing this to make things easier for her and to create the best living conditions for them and the baby . . . not so that she would have twice as much workload. "Dog's don't like Lucifer either!" Ah. Right. Arthur had considered feeding Lucifer to his dogs -- one of the many murderous plots that entered his mind -- but he knew he could make sure it didn't happen. "Cabal and Bohrs are extremely loyal and obedient. If they know not to hurt the ferret, they won't hurt the ferret. But if it makes you feel better, we'll keep them separated." He could confine the dogs to one level . . . it was just a matter of controlling that creature of hers and where he roamed about.

[Guinevère]

"I'll have a few servants at the house to come in and do the cleaning, and cooking. So all you need to do is take it easy." Servants?! He had servants? As in people who worked to clean up after him so he didn't have too? "I can't live with servants." She told him, ignoring the part about his loyal and obedient dogs. She would just find Lucifer a ball to be in to run around and leave his cage and things in her room. Perhaps even buy one of them more elaborate cages for him.

"I can't." She repeated in an apologetic sort of way. "It would feel too weird for. I'm sorry! I am! But I can't sit back while making others work to keep a place I lived in clean. That is not an idea of a home to me." It sounded like a hotel! "I'm sorry!" Because he seemed to have wanted this, and she was turning it down but the idea of servants--and him calling them that so casually when they were people! Employees! It was just didn't sit well with her.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"I can't live with servants." Wait . . . what? Weren't people supposed to love the idea of not having to do any work and just let someone else take care of everything? With the way she spoke however, it was clear that such was not the case for her. She claimed that it was not a home to her . . . but it was home to him. It was how he grew up, what he was accustomed to. "Guinevère, I work . . . a lot." He seldom had a full day off, and his shifts were not in any steady schedule. Unlike a teacher who had set hours, his were all over the place. "I've always had people take care of my place." And, his house was rather large . . . making it difficult for one person to maintain.

"And you can't clean and do everything. You're pregnant, and you should not be putting strain on yourself." Cooking a meal here and there was one thing, but other stuff like laundry and cleaning . . . that was a whole other matter. "If you don't want them to tidy your room for you, or tend to you, then that's fine. They don't have to. But they work for me." As they always had. Was it really that bad to let someone else tend to her? Strange. Most women seemed so impressed with him having a butler, and maids, and a cook and a driver, and so on. This just proved yet again how different Guinevère was from all the other women he had been with.

[Guinevère]

She understood what he was saying but she needed him to understand what she was saying too. "I know it might hard it you work allot and your house is too big, and you have the money to spend . . . . . but it's not how I wish to live, Arthur." She told him, trying to explain things to him from her point of view, from how she was raised and how she felt about her home and the work you put into it.

"I want that life. The one were I am a full time mother, even though I work full time too. I want to come home to my home and my family. I want to put clothing with questionable markings on it into the wash, and then pull it out clean and smelling wonderful! I want to cook supper and then make everyone turn off TVs and computers and come and sit for an hour to eat. Together."

"I want to curl up on my couch with my husband one day and just talk. I know there is allot of work put into a home, and servants would make it easier, but . . . . I want that work. I want to do it because it is what makes you love it more. I want to learn what my family likes and be the one who can give it too them."

"I know it sounds silly, and foolish to want to be that sort of mother but I really do want that. I never had a mother growing up and in my head that was everything she was meant to be. In my mind and in my heart she was this perfect person my mother who would make everything easier. I want to be that for my children. Our child."

"Perhaps if you wished to live together--" For any amount of time, "--we should find a place together." One large enough to suit him, but small enough she could have her dream. "I know you don't know me well, and I know just as little about you and we've not known each other long and this whole thing is just a foolish idea but . . . "

"I never make decisions like this, and I want to follow my heart in this. . . . . So is you wished too, we could compromise, Find a place together, and instead of trying to fit you in my life or me in yours we just . . . reset everything. Together . . . for however long we decide this is for."