An Unexpected Surprise [Modern AU]

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur smiled at her as she teased him, and moved to brush his hair back. Such a small gesture gave him unimaginable comfort. He wrapped one arm around her from behind, pulling her close to him so that she could nestle near him, using his chest as a pillow. "Well you have plans now," he told her. Of course she could say no if she wished, but he hoped not. He wanted to spend time with her and prove to her that he could be someone that didn't fight with her all the time. He could be someone who could be relied on and dependable, which he knew would be extremely important qualities in the months to come and then especially after the baby was born.

"I'll come to pick you up at ten in the morning," he further explained, though purposely left the whereabouts out of his words. For he wanted to surprise her, and where would the surprise be if he told her everything right now. He wanted it to be a special day, the first time they would spend the entire day together. Free of tension and arguments. Free of any circumstance that forced them to see each other. He wanted to just casually spend time with her . . . and already found himself greatly looking forward to it.

[Guinevère]

"Well you have plans now," Arthur told her, causing Guinevère to look at him for a moment, as if trying to read his mind and know what he was up too. "I'll come to pick you up at ten in the morning," Really? They were going somewhere? She wondered what he was doing now more then ever before. " . . . Alright," She agreed after a moment, a smile on her lips.

"What should I wear?" Lady clothes or real people clothes. Lady clothes were nicer more dressy things, that would be good for Arthur's higher class life. Dinners, parties, and shopping in places she could not afford. They would also be good for if they could squeeze in apartment shopping in their day. Real clothes were jeans and comfortable things.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"What should I wear?" Arthur wanted to answer without giving anything away. "Wear something comfortable," he told her, not wanting her to be in something uncomfortable when they would be doing a lot of walking and moving about. "Comfortable clothes and shoes," he elaborated, still leaving it ambiguous. If she wasn't up for it, then he of course would pick another day to go, and they would hopefully still be able to spend some time together as he was going to make sure he would the night shift before, got some sleep and them met her in the morning. He would just have to find a way to do this without his father knowing the details . . . as well as think of an excuse of why they couldn't do dinner.

Perhaps he should just tell him that Guinevère wasn't up for it as she was still recovering. And while he knew his father would not approve of the excuse, he would have no choice but to accept it. But all these things Arthur would figure out tomorrow. Right now, he was far too comfortable and relaxed to think about anything that would cause him tension. He was so incredibly comfortable, holding her like this, and he found himself closing his eyes from this pure relaxation. Though was still awake, wanting her to fall asleep first to make sure she actually slept. "Lucifer isn't going to attack me in the middle of the night is he?" Arthur asked, only half kidding.

[Guinevère]

Comfortable. She mentally planned her outfit for a moment letting herself drift as she moved closer to him. Curling up to sleep with her whole self pressed against him from her head which rested on him, to her toes which sought out his warmth. Sighing contently she let her mind wonder over shirts and colors and things.

Then Arthur asked about her pet, and she laughed softly. "At night he tends to go down and cause trouble, until he gets tired and comes up to curl at my toes." She explained, "Just don't kick him while if you feel it, it's how they bond." Though she knew his keys would be hidden if he did not put them up and out of reach. Thinking of things that made her smile, Guinevère finally drifted off into a peaceful sleep with Arthur protecting her from any bad dreams that might have touched her.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur made a mental note not to kick his feet if he felt something slither onto them. He hoped that he wouldn't though. The last thing he needed was to yell out again and wake up Guinevère when she should be getting as much as she could. Though, he didn't recall Lucifer climbing on him. And if he did, then Arthur hadn't noticed in the slightest. He'd been in such a comfortable sleep, that when he felt his phone alarm vibrate, he silently cursed, feeling like he could lie like this for the rest of his life. He slowly opened his eyes, seeing her still sleeping. Doing his best not to move her too much, he carefully slipped out of the bed and went downstairs. The plan had been to get her breakfast in bed, but as Arthur was a rubbish cook, he knew he couldn't exactly make anything. Plus, it would take too long. It was already ten and he needed to be at work soon, but didn't want to just leave her. So he made a call and waited at the door for the delivery to come.

So ten minutes later, he had everything he needed. He put them in plates and rummaged around for a tray to take it all up on. There were bagels, eggs, and croissants, so that there was plenty of selection for whatever she preferred. And recalling that she didn't drink caffeine -- nor should she drink too much as she was pregnant -- Arthur made sure there was orange juice there so that she would have something healthy to drink. Furthermore, he had ordered a bouquet of flowers and set them in a vase in the middle of the tray. He had not been able to pick up any yesterday when he went to the hospital, so made up for it now. Checking to make sure everything look presentable, he finally lifted the chair and took it up stairs, walking into her room and expected that she should be up soon as she didn't seem like someone who was used to sleeping in. "Guinevère?" He asked in a quiet voice, not wanting to wake her if she was in deep sleep, but wanting to get her attention in case she was in the process of waking up.

[Guinevère]

Anna was a bright eyed chubby little toddler as she ran over the yard of grass and over to what looked like a drive way. As Guinevère was dreaming, it did not seem odd that she had a daughter, a yard--as this was the city and no one had a yard--nor a driveway when she owned no car. As a car pulled into the driveway, she watched unworried as Anna jumped up and down. Arthur stepped out of the car and lifted the little girl up, spinning her around, before walking over to Guinevère and dropping a kiss on her lips.

"Guinevère," he said in a tone that seemed to be trying to get her attention. "Arthur," She said his name but her own voice seemed to be off from her dream for it was thicker as if she was waking up. That was when she smelled the food. Was she cooking?

Opening her eyes she saw her apartment and . . . "Arthur!" She said surprised though not sure why. She smelled the food and prayed that when she sat up the morning sickness would not roll around in her belly. "Good morning!"

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur heard her say his name once, though her eyes were not open. He just watched, waiting for her to wake up, assuming she was party awake if she was responding to him saying her name. He then smiled when she did open her eyes, saying his name again and then offering words of greeting. "Good morning," he greeted back as he stepped closer to her. He set the tray on her bedside table and sat at the edge of the bed on the side she was on. "I brought you some breakfast," he told her, stating the obvious though said it anyway. "How are you feeling?" He asked, as that was his primary concern.

Did her head feel better or worse? Was it throbbing or was the pain tolerable? He had the medicine she needed help ease any pain she may be feeling, but Arthur hoped she would not need it. Yet there was only one way to find out. "Are you feeling dizzy at all?" He asked more specifically. If she was not well then . . . well, he wasn't sure what he would do. He would have to figure something out as he had to go to work. Yet didn't like the idea of her being here by herself with no one to help her or take care of her.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère smiled softly at Arthur as she moved to sit up, making sure to move slowly so that if she did feel sick she would not get sick on him. However everything seemed to be settled for the moment Even still, she knew better then to eat too much too quickly. "I feel fine." She told him, reaching up to touch her head which felt tender when she touched it but not when she left it alone. It might ache later after she had been up a while but for the moment, she felt well.

Looking over the food, Guinevère smiled, taking in the smell. She reached for one of the smaller flowers, tucking it behind her ear before looking over at him. "Thank you for this." She had never had breakfast in bed and she found her eyes watering at the thought he put into this. Hormones she knew could make her cry at things she normally would only enjoy. "Sorry." She laughed and wiped her cheeks, "I've never had breakfast in bed like this. Thank you. It was a wonderful and thoughtful surprise."

[Arthur Pendragon]

"I feel fine." Arthur was relieved to hear that, but knew he would continue to be worried about her until she was completely better. Even more so as he could not be here to see for himself. He smiled as he watched her take a flower and tuck it behind her ear, before thanking him for this. He would have said something, had he not seen the tears in her eyes. Had he done something wrong? Concern filled him but she then apologized and he realized that she was not upset . . . but overwhelmed. She was overwhelmed with something so small as this? No. She didn't see it as something small, for she never took anything for granted. He may not know her too well, but he knew her well enough to know that. And it was part of the reason he wanted to do all that he could for her. Because she did not expect it and she was the most modest, humble and grateful person had ever met.

He moved his hand forward to gently wipe a couple of tears from her eyes. "As long as they're good tears," he said, slightly teasing. He kept his hand rested on her cheek, leaning forward to kiss her forehead in a lingering embrace. After a few moments, he pulled back and just looked at her. "You're welcome," he answered in response to her gratitude. "You deserve it. You deserve to take a break, and you deserve someone taking care of you for a change." For she was so caring and so thoughtful. He'd not forgotten about how she had sent him food for lunch, or how she had given him a thermos as a gift. And what had he done for her? Hardly anything. "I just wish I could stay with you all day," he said, expressing his sincere regret that he could not and feeling guilty for it.

[Guinevère]

"As long as they're good tears," Arthur told her wiping some away and Guinevère nodded, "With the baby I cry too easily. When I am happy, when a Hallmark ad is on TV, or when I just see a baby." She teased, knowing that being emotional sometimes was normal but hoping he knew that this wasn't who she was when she was herself. That she didn't cry at every breakfast.

"You're welcome," He told her after she thanked him, "You deserve someone taking care of you for a change." That made her blush, and Guinevère shook her head this time, "I like being the Mom. Or well, taking care of people. It was why O became a teacher . . . No one else really lets me. It was why I think that I wanted the baby so much at first. Someone to take care of and be able to build memories with, and who would be there." Not leave. Just be there.

"I just wish I could stay with you all day," Work. She knew he must have to go. "You save people's lives." She reminded him, "I will be fine. I promise to rest all day. Watch War And Peace or something simple." Something easy and not working so he would not worry. "And if I promise not to do ANYTHING all day . . . . if you want . . . I can have a supper ready for you when you get home--I mean. Not home but here. . . . . " Blushing she looked down, "If you want to come here, I can. Something simple."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur smiled when she spoke of how she liked being the mom and taking care of people. It was not difficult to get that impression from her. The fact that she took care of him was something he was not used to. Growing up, he didn't have that same close family dynamic. There was a bit more formality in his family, so to spend time with her and see how much she took care of people . . . meant a great deal to him. And made him feel . . . well, he wasn't sure how he felt. What he did know was that he never felt this way for anyone else, whatever the emotions were. "Well, you're very good at it," he complimented. He wished he could see her around the children some day, see her in her work place. For he knew how much the children must love her. He was relieved to hear her promise that she would rest and just watch a movie. "Good," he stated.

"I will call just to make sure," he added, making it sound like a threat rather than something good. Of course he was just teasing, though he knew she would be on his mind most of the day, concerned for her. She then offered to have supper ready for him, saying that it would be prepared when he came home. Home. This home? Her home? It did feel like a home . . . perhaps more so than his own at times. And once again, it was due to that nurturing feeling that she emanated to anyone who was near her. "I would like that," he said, not teasing about her choice of words. Who knows. Maybe one day they would be living under the same roof as he still wanted her to move in with him so that he could properly take care of her and their unborn baby. "Although you shouldn't have to cook. I can pick something up on my way back from work. Cooking is not resting," he reminded. He especially didn't want her to inconvenience herself for his sake.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère smiled at him as he spoke to her about getting food, and she shook her head slowly no. "If I am going to agree to doing nothing all day then you are going to come home to a small dinner cooked by me." And that was the deal she had made with him and one she planned for them both to keep. She would not over tax herself and he would come to her after his shift.

"You should go, I will be here." She looked for her cell phone but knew she must have left it below. "Just call my cell, I will be moving to the couch after breakfast, and read for a few hours or nap there." Something that would drive her crazy if she did it for more then a day. She did not like being idle for so long, and enjoyed working and cleaning.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur smiled at her when she made a deal with him. He still didn't want her to cook, but he supposed if she was keeping to her promise, then he should try to compromise. After all, he didn't want this to lead to an argument or anything. "You have yourself a deal," he told her. She then told him that he should go, causing him to glance at his watch and knew he should, for he was getting a bit late. "You have my number right? Just page or call me if you need anything Guinevère." He hoped that she would, and would not feel shy to do so. "I'm off around seven for a few hours, so will come right after my shift." Before he was back to work so that he could take her to the zoo the following day. Looking at the tray to make sure everything was there, he then looked back at her while rising to his feet.

He reached into his pocket and put a small bottle of pills on the tray. "If you start feeling unwell, take two of those." He paused for a moment, looking at her. "I really wish I didn't have to leave you," he said, speaking aloud the thoughts that were strong in his mind. What if she needed something? What if she wasn't feeling well? He wanted to stay here and take care of her. With the feeling being so strong, the worry for her as well as the want to stay, he leaned forward and lightly kissed her lips. He hadn't even over thought the gesture, for it felt oddly natural . . . even though they weren't officially together or anything. Though even when he pulled away, there was no expression of awkwardness or apology. "I'll see you later," he told her and then regrettably, left the room and went down the steps to head to work.

[Guinevère]

Only for a few hours? He had to return to work so quickly then? She worried he would not rest enough but knew this was the life a doctor. Even still she had not known they got just hours before their shifts changed. "Have a good day," she called as he walked down the steps, "Be safe!" She was worried for him, but knew if she gave him a good meal then packed them both to bed then surely that would help him.

Guinevère sat there staring after him until she heard the door shut. Lucifer came up to her and stole a bit of bread but she didn't say anything to him about it, for her mind was thinking only of Arthur, and that was how she spent her day. Thinking of him as she moved the the couch and flipped though baby magazines to look at cribs, and things that she needed once she found her new place. She also texted a few people from work who had husbands and sons and offered to feed people who could help her move at the end of the month or sometime when she found a place, knowing that if Arthur happened to be free she would feel bad about making him be the only one here to help. With her being so far along she wasn't supposed to lift much so she HAD to have help.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur drove quickly home first to freshen up, take the speediest shower of his lief and change into a clean change of clothes, as well as packing some for the night shift. He made sure Cabal and Bohrs were fed, and Morris -- his butler -- informed him that his father had called to confirm tonight. That was when Arthur recalled he needed to cancel those plans, for the only thing that would anger his father more than Arthur canceling the plans, was not showing up when he said he would. He arrived at the hospital just in time and stopped at his office to drop everything off before starting his round of patients. The day went by rather quickly, as his mind was occupied with many thoughts . . . of Guinevère mostly.

During his short five minute breaks, he first texted her to make sure she was alright, and then called the zoo to make special arrangements for them. After a couple more hours of work, he spent his next break talking to his father and explaining that they needed to cancel dinner. His father was -- as expected -- angry and told Arthur had no choice. But he wasn't going to force Guinevère to go, and explained that he needed to make sure she and the baby were well, for it was imperative that she get rest. Even using it from a medical point of view, his father was not pleased. But nor did Arthur change his mind because of it. After that conversation, he needed something to calm him down . . . so texted Guinevère again before going off to finish the rest of his shift.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère smiled whenever she got texts from Arthur, and she always replied as quick as she could so he get them before he had an emergency that he had turn it off or tuck it away for whatever reason. She made sure to tell him she was resting. Even taking a photo of a bed sheet that looked like 'Stary Night' the painting and sending it too him since it was something that they had spoken of before.

She wanted him to feel involved with the child, even more so since they seemed to be looking at different lives at the moment. She also texted him a photo of a themed bed room with the night sky done up with 'bright' dark colors. Making the room bright and welcoming but at the same time look like a night sky. It wasn't one she liked completely but she told him about changes she would make if she could. She knew he might not even be getting them, but at least he could see them when he had another break or meal time.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur didn't get to reply to her messages as much as he liked. Whenever he had a small few minute break, he would check his phone, smiling when he saw first the bed sheet of something they had spoken of while dancing under the stars, and then he saw that she was already planning out a room with that same theme. He only had time to check the messages, and didn't want to sound dismissive of them by sending back laconic phrases of something like 'I like it'. Even though he did, he didn't want to sound insincere or disinterested. He would wait until he saw her tonight to talk about it in detail. He did however make an extremely quick call to place an order for something that took all but five seconds. Part of the advantage of having a lot of money, was that people didn't exactly argue or protest at the short notice.

That was the last time he was able to use his phone, for afterwards the ER became extremely busy and he found himself running from patient to patient. Such chaos wasn't anything out of the ordinary . . . but nor had he had something he was really looking forward to, or someone rather. The hours went by both slowly and quickly . . . so when his shift was done, he changed back into casual clothing. Before going to Guinevère's, he went to pick up the order. He had gotten cupcakes in the shape of stars, the icing colored to the picture that she loved so much. He knew it wasn't a whole lot, but he waned to show her that he liked the idea. He inspected them, and gave the payment before driving to Guinevère's, hoping she was doing alright. After parking, he picked up the box of cupcakes and knocked at her door.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère cooked Shrimp Pasta, which was a simple yet filling meal. He had noodles, with cheese sause and tomattoes and itlian dressing. The smell was her favorite part of it, and the taste was wonderful! She stole a few bits of shrimp once it had cooked while waiting on him. Then when she knew he would be close, Guinevère put out two plates and glasses so they could sit on the couch and he could rest while eating.

He was a little later then she thought but she assumed he got hung up at the 'office'. When she saw him on the street she smiled, and walked to her door, to wait for him to enter the building and come up to her apartment. That was when Guinevère noticed he had something. Two somethings really. An over night bag and something in a bakery box! "What have you been up to?" She teased as her way of asking what was in the box.

She shut the door after him, and reaching for the over night bag to put it on the steps out of the way and so he could take it up when he was ready. Then she waited for him to show her the box, so they could sit down and she could make HIM rest and relax.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur smiled when he saw her. She looked well, and for that he felt immediately relieved to see. "What have you been up to?" He gave an innocent smile when she asked him and just playfully shrugged his shoulders as he stepped inside her home. He was about to protest when she reached for the bag but she only set it to the side and was glad she didn't carry it too far. "Something smells delicious," he commented. The smell only seemed to drastically remind him how hungry he was . . . and once again, hoped she didn't go through too much trouble.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, turning from looking at the kitchen to her. He wanted to make sure she was well for tomorrow would be a long day and he did not want her to tire. If she was feeling dizzy at all then he could of course reschedule their date . . . he just wanted to be absolutely sure. Judging from the smell and how the dishes were set for them . . . it didn't seem she had trouble moving. Unless she was just pushing herself too much, as she wasn't exactly the kind of person who enjoyed lounging in bed all day.

[Guinevère]

"It's Shrimp Pasta," Guinevère told him when he was looking around for food, "With extra shrimp in there for the hungry man who might need more meat." She was teasing him for she had seen how he enjoyed his food. Not that he over ate for he was in wonderful share, but men liked their meat. He asked how she was feeling and she smiled, knowing he asked as a . . . . friend. . . rather then doctor.

"My head is a bit tender when I brush my hair for example, but no dizzy spells, no real headaches. I need good . . . bored, for I had been sitting ALL day but good." Hopefully tomorrow would get them both out of the house, since he said he would pick her up from her place. "No show me what your brought, because I can almost smell the sugar in the box and it's making the baby excited."

She teased, putting her hand over her belly, feeling little bitty flutters there as their child moved and churned and--OH! "AND! I think I am finally starting to grow, for I can notice more of my belly now!" She told him excitedly, forgetting about the box for a moment!