An Unexpected Surprise [Modern AU]

[Arthur Pendragon]

"You need to report to my office. With in the hour." Oh hell. What did Morgana do now?! Surely it was something about her. As Arthur could tell the sternness in his father voice . . . well, more sternness than usual. As if he was, angry? Yes. It definitely had something to do with Morgana. "I'm on my way. Everything alright?" He asked, refraining from rolling his eyes as he thought of all the ways Morgana was trying to ruin his life. He would now have to see what her latest stunt was for whatever she had done, had clearly upset his father. And he hated that! At that moment, his phone beeped, indicating call waiting. "Hang on a second. I'm getting another call." Arthur didn't even bother checking the number for he was too busy driving and just quickly switched it over. "Hello?" To hear a very frantic Leon.

"Arthur! You need to come to the ER, and avoid your father for a bit!" Well, its a bit late for that. "One in the same Leon. I'm heading over to the hospital to meet with him. Why? Did something happen?" Was Leon at the ER? Was everything alright? As a cop, Arthur wasn't too surprised to hear he was at the hospital. It was more so the panic in his voice that was cause for alarm. He knew he could not prolong the conversation either. The last thing he wanted to do was keep his father on call waiting; that would only provoke him. "One minute, let me get my dad off the phone." And with that, switched back to his father. "I'm here," he said to Uther. "So whats going on?" He asked, going back to his initial question.

[Guinevère]

"I'm on my way. Everything alright?" --- "Hang on a second. I'm getting another call."

'Yes!' Guinevère heard Leon say then he tried to talk again, this time Leon was close enough in his pacing for Guinevère to hear Arthur on the other end. "One minute, let me get my dad off the phone." Leon looked down at his phone and then hung up before calling again so his call would ring again and get Arthur's attention. "I do not think you are going to get to him first." Guinevère said softly, almost sadly for she did not envy Arthur right now.

Leon looked at her for a moment before explaining, 'Arthur is one of my best mates. I have to try.' She understood that, she only feared that if Arthur would shifted his whole life because his father wanted him to be a doctor, then what would he say about the tests his father was trying to make her have? "I don't want test done. Once the baby is born, and can be alright they can have some blood drawn if they need it to know for sure--but I will not risk my baby's life because a stranger doubts my word." She wanted that clear.

"I'm here," "Do not put me on hold again." He demanded. "So whats going on?" "We will have a conversation when you are here and can explain yourself! Do not waste my time, Arthur, I am ordering some test to be done, and you will see them done. Then we can deal with your mistress." With that Uther hung up.

Guinevère noticed Leon's face change, and she guessed he finally got a hold of Arthur. 'Gwen's in the ER, there was a wreak due to drunk driver, can you get here soon?'

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur could hear the click of Leon hanging up and then his phone ringing again. But his father was already telling him off for putting him on hold in the first place. "Sorry," he said apologetically, not wishing to further anger his father. It was his next words that confused him. Tests? Mistress? What the hell was he talking about? What had Morgana set up?! "What tests father?" He asked, having no idea what was happening right now. And with Leon trying to desperately get a hold of him . . . Arthur knew that the two were connected. Mistress though? Really? "Uh, hang on, I'm getting paged." A total lie, but he needed to act as if had a call pertaining to his work . . . rather than it being Leon. But it was then that he realized his father had hung up anyway. Whatever Leon had to say felt like it was of similar importance. He changed the call so that Leon was back on, but before Arthur even said a word . . . Leon spoke.

"Gwen's in the ER, there was a wreak due to drunk driver, can you get here soon?" They say that one phone call can change your life . . . and this was his. Arthur slammed on the breaks for no particular reason, apart from having just heard news that he could have sworn made his heart skip a beat. The car screeched to a halt, as he sat there, eyes wide, all the honking of horns and cuss words being thrown at him . . . totally tuned out. For the only words he could focus on was: Gwen, accident, ER. "Wh-What do you mean? What the hell happened? Is she alright? The baby?!" He didn't even care if Leon knew or not. The baby. THE BABY! Tests! Mistress! Oh . . . Oh no no no no no! Arthur jumped when he heard someone tapping on the window of his car. "Oye! What the bloody hell do ye think yer doin?!" Apparently Arthur had stopped in the middle of the street. But he didn't care.

The . . . Guinevère . . . and . . . his . . . father . . . if ever there was a time Arthur thought he would faint, now would be it. He ignored any further curse words from the man with road rage. Arthur didn't even think to hang up, nor could he find the words to speak. Instead, he slammed on the accelerator and sped toward the hospital. That, was when the texts came in. People asking if it was true. Coworkers, nurses . . . even a random one from Gwaine which sounded more sarcastic than anything. But Arthur didn't care. His head was spinning and he was fairly certain that he ran two red lights. Getting to the hospital he illegally parked and leaped out of the car, racing inside as fast as he could. Hurrying to the emergency room, he didn't even bother going to the front desk first. He just ran through the halls, looking at the open doors until he saw --

"Guinevère!" He exclaimed when he saw her sitting on an examining board with her cut getting cleaned. The nurse paused when she saw him but Arthur paid no attention to her. He couldn't even think of meeting his father right this second. Not until he saw her and . . . she was alive! She was sitting, she did not look to be in critical condition! He rushed to her and quickly inspected her face. Was she alright? What happened? How long had she been here? So many questions flooded his mind and there was so much he wanted to, no needed to ask her. But he could not think enough to speak, any words of coherence. Instead, he just looked at her for a few moments, before his arms wrapped around her and he pulled her toward him in a hug, putting his hand on the back of her head as he breathed a massive sigh of relief. She was alive. She was safe. And she was in his arms. For now, nothing else mattered.

[Guinevère]

Leon was getting annoyed because his phone signal was getting cut off, thanks to the thick walls here, but Guinevère wasn't watching him, she was only--"Guinevère!" Arthur! Her eyes flew to the door, and she sat up straighter, the nurse took a step back, and for Guinevère--everything felt better! He tilted her head to look at the cut on her temple but then wrapped his arms around her, and she returned the hug, clinging tightly to him.

Guinevère heard Leon tell the nurse they should give the a moment, shit the blinds and then the door. She was alone with Arthur now, and nothing else mattered. She started crying there, feeling the safe feeling fill her after so many un-safe ones. Arthur was here! He would make sure nothing bad would happen! She knew that in her heart, and while she had doubted or wondered in it a moment ago, the look on his face reminded her of who he was. No, Arthur would protect her. She knew that. "The baby is ok." She whispered while hugging him, so he would know that wasn't why she was crying. She was relived and there were tears of that feeling. "They did an ultra sound and said everything was alright."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur felt the slight tremble in her body, knowing without seeing her that she was crying. He closed his eyes, trying to keep all his emotions in check. For he didn't know why she was crying. It could be relief, or . . . because they had lost the baby. Either way, he was here for her. Even if they lost the baby . . . he would be with her to console her. Whether it took months, years, or forever. He was not going anywhere. He was fearing the fate of their unborn child, while basking in the relief of her own safety. It was a strange mix of emotions, but Arthur didn't bother trying to explain them to himself. He was only trying to keep a handle on them, so that he could be strong for her. So that he could be whatever she needed him to be. "The baby is ok." Another wave of relief washed over him as her words processed in his mind.

The baby was ok. The baby was safe. She was safe. Everything would be ok. He wasn't sure how long he was holding her close to him, until he slowly pulled back. Without thinking, he leaned forward again, very lightly kissing her lips. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew he shouldn't. She had made it clear where they stood before, and he would apologize for this later. But right now, he just needed to feel the softness of her lips, and feel the emotions that a kiss from always caused to rush through him. As well as give himself that comfort that she was well. It was not a long kiss, but a tender one. "I was so afraid . . . " So afraid that he'd lost her. Not that she was even technically his to lose. But still. She was important to him, and what he had fully come to the realization of was that she wasn't only important to him because she was carrying his baby.

[Guinevère]

Arthur pulled from their hug, and then kissed her. Really kissed her in a tender way that was made of emotion more then physical need. She moved her hands to cup his cheeks to encourage him to linger near. "I was so afraid . . . " Yes! So was she! Especially of his father, but she would not speak of that first. Soon--before they left this room--they would need to speak of it, but not in this moment.

"A drink ran their light, and his truck was big." She started explaining, keeping her voice low and her face near his. "I was half standing and when he hit I feel to the side, and his my head. I was the only one--other then the driver of the truck--who was injured." Though she wasn't sure how he was doing, she only knew she had heard them talking about a blood transfusion. "They brought me here for test, since I hit my head enough for me to black out."

Her hand moved up to brush his hair back, and then she kissed him lightly, before moving her head to rest softly on his shoulder. "They said it would be tender for a few days but then think I am ok." Though she could not sleep for a few hours yet.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Maybe he couldn't have to apologize for the kiss after all, for she returned it, and he felt her hands gently cup his cheeks. He should be the one giving her comfort, yet he found himself soaking up all the comfort he could from her. She then went on to explain what happened, the mental image of it all causing a shiver to run up his spine. From a drunk driver in a truck, to her hitting her head and blacking out. It could have been so much worse, and while he wished he could have spared her the pain from all of this, he was just so grateful that she was alright. "You have no idea how relieved I am," he whispered, not even fully certain that he had said it out loud. All he knew was that he could have lost her today. And that, was not something his mind would allow him to think about. For the what if scenario of it was far too painful. "You probably have a concussion," he said, not even thinking of the words for he was too busy gently running his hand over her head, as her head was rested on his shoulder.

He couldn't explain what he was feeling right now, and didn't even want to bother trying. One thing was for sure . . . he was going to make certain that the man was arrested and charged. And hoped that Leon was taking care of that. Remaining in this position for a few moments, he looked at the blood stained swab that the nurse was cleaning Guinevère's head with . . . finally able to snap out of his state of relief, enough to function and concern himself with her inured. "Let me see," he said softy as he moved her forward a bit, his hand cupping her chin as he titled her head to the side to better look at the wound on her head. He picked up the swab and continued to clean it, as carefully as he he could wiping away the now dry blood. "How long have you been here for?" He asked, wondering if they needed to run any further tests, and if the results indicated that they wanted to keep her here overnight, or if they planned to discharge her. Either way, Arthur did not plan to leave her.

[Guinevère]

"You have no idea how relieved I am," Or how relieved she was to have him so close to her! "You probably have a concussion," That word again, "They said something about that. I think my chats are behind you, but I am not quite sure. I was supposed to meet with the actual doctor after the nurse finished cleaning and patching me up." Though truth be told, she rather Arthur do it. She wanted him to be the one to be with her right now.

"Let me see," He pulled back to look at her head, and then began to finish cleaning it. "How long have you been here for?" Glancing at the clock on the wall she was not surprised that it was almost all day. "A few hours." She admitted, "They couldn't get in touch with my emergency contact, and I tried to ask them not to brother, to only call you."

"I asked them to page you, but I called you Mr. Pendragon, forgetting to say Doctor . . . I didn't want to see too familiar since it was your work and I didn't know what you wanted, and they thought I meant your father." Now was when they needed to say it.

She looked up into his face, "He frightens me. He said something about test and making me do them, and said--" Threatened "--something about extreme measures if I did not tell him everything he wanted to know." She's ended up running away.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur would take a look at her charts as soon as he was done this, and making sure she was alright and not too shaken up. She hadn't even seen a doctor yet? What were they waiting for?! Although it was the answer to her next question that really surprised him. Hours. She had been here for hours?! And he hadn't known?! He'd been . . . somewhere that he felt all the more guilty being now that he knew what Guinevère had been enduring. He should have been here sooner, and fully intended to find out why he wasn't called the moment she had been brought in. He was on call! What doctor did they even have on staff today?! "I'm sorry. I wish I could have been here sooner. I should have been." And now, it seemed as if he was the last to know. Even his father had found out before him. Ah. Yes. His father. Another lovely topic of discussion. Guinevère spoke of how she met him, and where the confusion came up. She had done it out of consideration for her unsure as to how he wanted to classify their relationship . . . and in the end, she had only gotten frightened.

"I'm sorry for that too," he said, in reference to her having to meet his father alone. He would have to meet with his father at some point, but not right now. "If it makes you feel better, he frightens pretty much everyone," Arthur added with a slight smile . . . wishing that he was kidding. When in actuality, there was some truth to his words. She spoke of the same tests that he had told Arthur he was going to do . . . and he now understood which tests his father was talking about, for he knew Uther well enough. Paternity tests. And he could also tell how nervous Guinevère seemed about them, and the other threats that his father had insensitively thrown in. He paused his actions for a moment, so that he could look her straight in the eyes and she would be assured in his next words and not doubt the sincerity and confidence of them. "I don't want you to worry Guinevère. I'll take care of him and deal with everything." He would have to have a word with his father, for while Arthur was not showing it now . . . he did not take too kindly to his father making threats on her. It was only making him dread the 'meeting' with him all the more, but now, it was one of necessity of his father was demanding that they run tests.

[Guinevère]

"I'm sorry. I wish I could have been here sooner. I should have been." "You didn't know." She assured him, not wanting him to feel guilty for something that wasn't his fault. Other things that he had done, was different, but this wasn't even close to his fault. "I am only sorry I ruined your day. I hope you didn't have anything important planned. Or that you can reschedule?" She hoped that this had not caused him to miss something as he had so little free time left.

Arthur made sure she was looking into his eyes when he assured her about his father, as his joke about frightening everyone had not made her smile. "I don't want you to worry Guinevère. I'll take care of him and deal with everything." And the safe feeling that his presence had summoned filled her completely now. "Thank you." She whispered, and watched him for a moment before speaking in a stronger voice. "I feel safe when your near," she admitted, "This whole day has been one fright after another and the moment you said my name . . . the moment I knew you were here it all faded to the background." She was explaining to him why she was thanking him.

Lifting her hand she wiped the few tears on her cheek away then looked back at him and tried to force a smile out. "Do you think they will let me go home?" She asked him, knowing that she would rest better there, and Lucifer needed someone to feed him and this paper shirt wasn't very good at keeping her warm.

[Arthur Pendragon]

He didn't know and he should have. "Do me a favor, and add me to your list of emergency contacts." This was not something he was joking about. He should have been informed the second she was brought it and while he prayed that nothing like this ever happened again . . . in the event that it did, he wanted to be sure that he came straight away. Her next words caused him to pause as he just looked at her. "You're the one who has been through such an ordeal and you're worried about having ruined my day?" He wasn't sure he'd ever met anyone as considerate as her. As his question as a rhetorical one, he softly smiled and shook his head, before finishing cleaning her wound. "Don't apologize for this," he said almost teasingly, though there was truth in his words. "I feel safe when your near." Did she? Despite everything? Despite their arguments and disagreements? The words meant the world to him, and he knew that he would never be able to properly show her how much he valued them. She explained how she felt better when he had come, and it only made him wish all the more that he'd come sooner.

When her wound was clean for the most part, he put the swab down and placed his hand on her cheek, wiping away her tears with his thumb. "I'm not going anywhere," he told her softly, wanting her to know that he intended to take care of her. That he planned to stay with her. He leaned forward to kiss her forehead and when he pulled back, she asked if she could go home. He could imagine that it would be hard for her to rest here. He rose from the stool he was seated on and picked up her chart to skim through it, making sure they did a thorough ultra sound and did all the necessary tests. "Let me speak to the nurses and sonographer to make sure that everything looks ok. Then I'll take you home." Setting the chart down for only a moment, Arthur took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders. Holding it around her for a moment he leaned forward a bit. "Will you be alright?" He asked, his voice filled with concern. He would also have to speak to Leon, to make sure that the proper police report was filled out and . . . then of course, would have to have a meeting with his father. And Arthur intended to keep it as brief as possible.

[Guinevère]

"Do me a favor, and add me to your list of emergency contacts." So far there wasn't much of a list, "Your name would be the only one on it." She told him, knowing that her list so far involved people that couldn't be reached easily. There was her brother who would always stay on the list--despite what she just told Arthur--but Elyan's jobs often meant he didn't have easy each to a phone. Then her other contact . . . . would need to be removed. Completely.

"Let me speak to the nurses and sonographer to make sure that everything looks ok. Then I'll take you home." Home! Good! She wanted a good hot soak in her bath tub or to curl on the couch and watch bad TV until she fell asleep. If she was allowed to sleep at that point. The surprising aspect to both of her ideas was that she wanted Arthur to be there for both of them.

"Will you be alright?" "Now that you're here, yes." She told him honestly, believing that in her heart. Arthur wouldn't let anything bad happen to her, he would fight for her and keep her safe. All she had to do was be strong enough to stand by him. "I'm just going to wait here, and drink my water." His coat smelled of him, and filled her with warmth. It made her eyes fill with tears that didn't fall. "Thank you for coming."

[Arthur Pendragon]

His name would be the only one? Which emergency contact were they trying to reach that they couldn't? Her brother? Whoever it was, he did feel better about her listing him now. For then he would be the first to know if something happened to her, rather than the last. Or in the future months, she went into labor and they weren't together at the time. He gave a soft smile as she said that alright now that he was here . . . though he doubted his presence was helping much considering how he often caused stress rather than a relaxation and peace of mind. Never the less, he was not going to debate with her. She had just been through such a traumatic experience and he wanted to take her home so that she could be somewhere familiar, rather than the hospital. "You never have to thank me for something like this," he assured her. Just as she never had to apologize.

"I'll be right back then. Leon is just outside the door should you need you anything." He kissed her cheek once more before reluctantly leaving the room. His first stop was Leon, to ask him to keep an eye on her and thank him for all that he had done. The next step was finding the on call, and then the sonographer. They said that the ultrasound showed that the baby was well, but that she should not do anything physically straining for the next several days. Arthur met with all that he could -- including the doctor treating the drunk driver. With him having spoken to everyone . . . there was just one person left he needed to see. His father. For he knew he couldn't leave the hospital without meeting him. Taking a deep breath, and feeling the nervous emotions building inside of him he made his way to his office, and knocked on the door, awaiting to be granted entrance.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère watched as he walked out of the room, and she reached for the edges of the coat around her, before pushing her arms though the shelves. She felt tired but didn't want to frighten anyone by making them think that she had fainted, so she forced herself to sit up. There she wanted for Arthur.

Uther's office was made of dark mahogany wood, and was dark in nature to better help when he got mirgains from the irritants of the company. While he loved it, sometimes he wished that he could be more stern with employees so they would do what he asked, when he asked rather then having this chain of command he had to go though. When someone knocked he looked up, knowing it better be his son, and spoke; "Enter."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur had stopped trying to read his father's tone years ago. For he never knew what his reaction would be. This was no different. He knew well enough from the phone call that Uther was less than pleased with him . . . and threatened to take tests, clearly against Guinevère's will. That, and he had frightened her to a great extent. Arthur took a deep breath and opened the door to his father's office, stepping inside and then closing the door behind him. "Father," he greeted formally, aware that this was not a time where he could soften the moment with a joke. Arthur knew he was about to get lectured, scolded, or threatened. One of the other, yet all he could think about was how relieved he was that Guinevère was alright.

If he could survive that terrifying news of having heard she was in an accident, and not knowing if she or the baby was well . . . then surely he could survive the wrath of Uther Pendragon. "You wanted to see me," he added as he took a few steps toward his father. Though getting closer to him and trying to study his expression, the more relaxed and relieved emotions were starting to be replaced with an abundance of nervousness and fear . . . fear of disappointing him, which was not an uncommon state for Arthur. As he had felt it for the majority of his life.

[Guinevère]

Uther watched his son enter and he tossed the pen down to his desk and stared at him for a moment before putting his hands palm flat on the desk and pushing to a stand. "You need to clean this mess up, and squared away before the press gets wind of this." Uther demanded. "Before she leaves this building, I want proof." He demanded.

"I don't know how you could be so careless, Arthur, but it ends here. You are not going to ruin your bright future over this mess." Arthur had worked hard for years to be where he was, right were Uther wanted his son to be so he could take over the company--despite what Morgana thought--and no one was going to mess this up, especially not some girl with nothing to bring tot he table.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Clean this mess up? Proof? It ends here? Arthur wasn't sure what his father was implying. If he was talking about abortion . . . surely he knew that wasn't an option. And if he was talking about Arthur having no involvement with the child, then that wasn't right either. What he did know was that he trusted Guinevère emphatically, and so could say his next words with confidence. "I give you my word father, that the child is mine." His word; something that he would never give unless he meant something. After all, it was often his father who told him that without his word, a man has nothing. "This doesn't have to ruin my life though," he added. Arthur had spent so many hours thinking about the situation and he knew he could make this work . . . he had to for there was no alternative.

"I can still have my career and raise my child. Just because of the unexpected circumstances, does not mean everything else is ruined." Besides, he was not going to abandon Guinevère. She would have to take time off teaching -- something that he knew she loved -- and he was not going to leave her with all the responsibility. When it had been his actions that had caused this. He had been reckless, and perhaps his father was right when he said careless . . . but was done was done, and now he was going to do the right thing. And that was not running away from this.

[Guinevère]

"I give you my word father, that the child is mine." Uther nearly rolled his eyes at his son's words, for while spoken like he believed them, Uther knew there was no way for Arthur to know for sure without a test done. Then his son arrogantly went on to say that he could balance a child and his carrier as a rising well known doctor in his field.

With some years of long hours and hard work under his belt Arthur could have a name built up were everyone knew of him, and his skill, even being chief of the medical bay he worked in, in just a handful of years--and he wasn't giving it up! "I will not repeat my self. The press would have field day if they learned of this, and we need to know. The only reason she is batting her eyes and crying is because she knows it's a lie, Arthur. She'd calling your bluff."

[Arthur Pendragon]

His father was so sure that the child was not his . . . just as Arthur was positive that it was. He was not giving her the benefit of the doubt, for he knew Uther regarded this all as some ploy to exploit him and their wealth. When Guinevère had made it clear that she didn't want his money . . . hell, she wouldn't even move in with him because he had servants. But he knew that if his father was anything, it was stubborn. And it would take a great deal to change his mind. "I know in my heart that the child is mine," Arthur said confidently, unwavering in his determination and certainty of this fact. He did not believe his father, because Arthur knew Guinevère. And he knew she was not like that -- even before sue assured him she wasn't. "Besides, you and I both know that we can not run tests without the consent of the parents." Mostly the mother if she was unwed. It was policy and he knew his father was well aware of it. It was also Arthur's way of subtly hinting that he was not going to make Guinevère take tests that she didn't want to take.

Nor did Arthur wish to make it seem like he was questioning the legitimacy of her claim that he was the father. He was. He knew it. Because, she was not the kind of woman to do this . . . and he didn't believe that she slept around with so many men that she couldn't know who the true father was. If she said that he was his first and only, then he was her first and only. Still. It didn't make it any easier to blatantly defy his father . . . for it was not something he did. And was afraid to start now, but knew he had to stand his ground. "I apologize if it places you at an inconvenience with the press." For Arthur knew that there was no hiding it as too many were now aware of his relationship with Guinevère, and the child produced from it. "But as we can not hide it any longer, it is best you accept it. And know that I will not let my career suffer from this." As he knew that his father prioritized his career above all else. And Arthur wanted him to know that he didn't plan to drop all career prospects. Even if there would be days where he had to cut back a shift or two.

[Guinevère]

His heart? Uther stood straight and looked down at his son, trying to bed decide how to deal with this act of rebellion. Arthur occasionally had them, and Uther had long since learned to handle them by half ignoring them and half guiding them from afar. Sometimes it worked, and sometimes he had to put his foot down and make things happen for Arthur.

"Your heart? So it's love then?" He asked in a bit of sarcasm, but serious at the same time. What was his sorcery? "When is the wedding then? What date have you set?" He demanded, knowing he would never allow it. He was just leading up to his point that Arthur was not serious about this girl, and there for needed to do what was best for his reputation and that of his legacy!