An Unexpected Surprise [Modern AU]

[Arthur Pendragon]

Night shifts either dragged on or went by extremely quickly. Thankfully tonight, there were no major accidents that would require him to stay longer than his initial shift. After his power nap however, he was rather away for the next few hours. That, and he had food and caffeine to help power him through. He didn't have time to eat the lunch she packed for him at work, but did so when he went home after he was off. Once he ate, Arthur lay down for a couple of hours before it was time to get up and ready for his date with Guinevère. He showered and got dressed, even having a few moments to spend with his dogs, which he felt like he hadn't done in forever.

Until it was time to go. Thankful for the sunny day, he drove over to Guinevère's. He hadn't been able to message her and hoped she was well and that her condition hadn't worsened. He was about to find out. He parked the car and went inside, wanting to do this properly rather than just honk his horn expectantly. He knocked on her door a couple of times, checking his watch and relieved to see that he was actually on time.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère heard the knock and knew who it was. When she moved to her next place she should really think of getting him a key, as doctors were in and out at odd hours and with a baby it might be easier then getting up to let him in. Would that be too much? Surely not. He could come see the baby when he could, and she could even get a couch . . . or let him join her . .

Standing she walked to the door and opened it, peeking out. "Can I help you?" She asked in a teasing tone, knowing why he was here and who he was but pretending--a bit badly--that she didn't. Then she smiled and opened it all the way, stepping out to kiss his cheek. "Want to pop in for a moment? I can have some coffee for you to drink or take with us in just a second?"

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur smiled, giving a small chuckle when she asked if she could help him. "Chauffeur services My Lady," he returned teasingly, playing along with the joke she had commenced. Soon enough she opened it all the way . . . and kissed him on the cheek. A gesture that seemed so casual and yet he felt his heart beat harder in his chest whenever she kissed him. Something else he could not explain. He walked inside, closing the door behind him but not planning to stay too long. "I think I may just take a coffee to go if that's alright?" He asked, as he held up the travel mug that she had gotten him. He wasn't sure if she noticed that he'd taken it . . . but he wanted her to know how much he appreciated the gift. Even though he had left it here when they'd argued about . . . something.

What was it? Moving in together? It didn't matter. Today was about proving to her that fighting wasn't all they did. "How are you feeling?" He asked. Though she looked a lot better, as it seemed her condition was healing quickly . . . he just wanted to be sure. Because they had a lot of walking ahead of them and a lot of time out in the sun, so he didn't want to tire her too much, for if she was unwell then today would be all the more draining. "Last chance to back out of today," he said teasingly, though with truth, for he wanted to give her that out if she needed it and was too polite to tell him so.

[Guinevère]

"I think I may just take a coffee to go if that's alright?" said holding up the mug she had gotten him and had not even noticed he had taken. She stared at it a moment before her eyes watered and she smiled brightly. "I'll make it real quick, you should rest! You've have no sleep!" Reaching for the mug she took it, and walked to the maker. It was a simple button to press to make a new batch, but she wanted to do it for him.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, "Last chance to back out of today,""-NO!" She was not staying in this flat another moment! "I was a good girl and rested for a day! I want to get out! I feel fine! The only time I even feel my head is when I brush my hair, and other then that I feel wonderful. Where are we going?" She asked, wanting to know for he had not told her yet. With the coffee almost ready she knew they could leave soon. "I am dying to find out what you've been planning."

When his coffee was ready she poured it into the mug and held it out for him. "I am glad you like the mug." She told him, having been afraid it was too much too soon.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur smiled when she offered to make the coffee and took the mug from him. Then she quickly answered his question, saying that she was up for today. "I would say that you didn't need to brush your hair . . . but I know better than to say that to a woman," he said teasingly. Truth be told, he was extremely relieved to hear and see that she was doing better. "Well don't worry, you only have to wait a little longer to find out," he said, purposely withholding it from her . . . even though she may already be familiar with the route. If she had been there before . . . which he wasn't sure if she has or not.

"Thank you," he said gratefully when she passed him the coffee. "I love this mug!" He exclaimed while he held the door open for her. "I felt awful when I left it here, and feared it would be a poor reflection of my true appreciation for it." Because, he really had liked it. "It keeps my coffee nice and hot, has a personal touch to it . . . and its from you. What more could I ask for?" It was the thought behind it that had truly touched him, and knew he should be doing a better job of taking care of her and making her smile.

[Guinevère]

". . . and its from you. What more could I ask for?" When he said such things to her, she always felt her face flush and her heart beat a little quicker. It made it seem as if he was thinking it a better gift because it had come from her, when in truth he seemed to not know her well when she had gotten it for him. True, they had known each other for a short while as children when her father had worked for his father at one of their estates, but Arthur seemed to not recall that time to well.

"Such a charmer," She said as she looked down and blushed for a moment, then returned her eyes up to his face, clearly pleased by his words. "And smart too, to know when to pick your battles." And not ask her to not brush her hair, for then it would be a mess! Charming, smart, good looking, a doctor, from a well established family, and had the world at his feet. Arthur Pendragon seemed to be the perfect man at a glance. The one men were jealous of and all women dreamed of.

Then here she was . . . an underpaid teacher with only a brother and a head full of too many ideals. It amazed her how he could look at her like he did sometimes. As if he could see into her. As if he was looking at someone whom was special and rare and wonderful . . . because that was how he made her feel. "Shall we solve our mystery, and see what you have planned?" She asked softly, feeling a bit of the amazement in this moment.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur grinned smugly when she called him a charmer and then spoke of how he was smart to know when to pick his battles. "I try," he teased, taking a sip of his coffee. "Ready when you are," he said in response to her latter words about solving the mystery. Holding the door open for her he waited for her to exit before he followed suit. Waiting for her to lock up, he went to the car and opened the passenger door for her. "Since you already think I'm a charmer, wouldn't want to do anything to make you regret saying that," he teased once again. He didn't want to start the day with being serious . . . which was why he had not mentioned his father.

Or anything else that would potentially spoil the mood. He wanted today to be fun for her; fun and carefree. She didn't need to stress about anything and she had such a stressful past few days. From her accident, to his casual revelation about the lie he'd told his father -- one that heavily involved her. He still hadn't exact been honest to his father about that, but would not dwell on it today. Today was about her . . . and he wished to do nothing to spoil it. Waiting for her to be seated, he closed the door and went into the driver's sea so that they could head off to the surprise he had planned for her.

[Guinevère]

Arthur seemed to be trying to live up to the charmer title for he not only opened her door but pointed out why he was doing it. Smiling, Guinevère waited until they were on the road before looking at where they were headed. "Not the park then, for we just past it." She was trying to be able to guess where they were going. "Nor the hospital for it's the other way." So not his work.

Looking out the window she waited another turn before speaking again. "Not a restaurant for we are heading away from the middle of the city!" She laughed and looked at him, "Are we going . . . . . . hmmm . . . . . " To his house? Surely not! Her face shifted and she forced a smile--though a more believable one--on her lips. Were they going to his home?!! "Arthur . . . . Where are we going?" She asked as if teasing him, trying to find out if she was right and WHY he had not told her to dress up more.

[Arthur Pendragon]

He smiled when she tried guessing where they were going. "You thought I would take you to the hospital as a surprise?" He asked with a teasing tone, pretending like he was offended. "I like to think I'm a bit more creative than that. Besides, where would the fun be in taking you to my work place?" He added jokingly, knowing that she was just guessing aloud but was still having fun teasing her. "Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride," he told her, suggesting to her that he was not going to answer her question. He had kept it secret this long, where was the fun in revealing at this point? "If you want to put on music or anything, feel free," he added, unsure if being in the car for too long would make her sick or anything.

It was a little ways out of the city, so it would be a bit of a drive . . . especially since they were getting further and further from the core of the city and onto the highway and more rural area. "Thank you by the way, for all the good you had packed for me." He had written it on a note but never properly thanked it. "It was so considerate of you," he added, not wanting her to doubt how appreciative he was of how she had made sure he had everything he needed for his shift.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère looked at the radio a moment, before deciding that she rather talk to him rather then play music to drown him out. One her her hands rested casually over her belly while the other hand--the one closer to him--reached out to glide over the expensive car's dash and seats. The car's seats had to cost more then she made in a year!

Her hand fell from it's path when he thanked her for the food. "There is no need to thank me." She told him softly, having enjoyed making sure he was ready for work, like she might have done with her father or Elyan if her brother lived closer and let her. Only with Arthur it felt different. As if it was a bit more domestic feeling. "I hope it was enough, I wasn't sure how much you might eat or have time to eat."

[Arthur Pendragon]

"There is no need to thank me." There was every need to thank her. For it was not something he could just take for granted. "It was more than enough," he assured it. "I'm actually not used to eating that much. Sometimes I get something from the cafeteria." If he had time. "But I don't think I've ever had such a good and satisfying meal on one of my shifts as the one you made me." Or at all. For her food had that homey taste to it. As oppose to eating food that someone was paid to make. She did it out of kindness, rather than obligation . . . and in some strange way, it affected how it tasted. For the thought behind it made it all the more delicious.

"Although, you didn't rest with me like you said you would," he teased, not failing to have noticed that in order for her to have done all that, that she had gotten up from bed after he fell asleep. And the lay back down when she was done, for he'd woke up with her next to him. Another strong comfort that he'd never gotten with any other woman. It was even more rare because he hadn't been intimate with her. He could just casually lie next to her as they slept, and it all felt so very natural. In ways that he couldn't quite explain . . . not even to himself. "Next time I'll have to make sure you fall asleep before me," he further teased. Because there would most probably be a next time. Because . . . he wanted there to be a next time.

[Guinevère]

Blushing at his 'next time' words Guinevère used the hand not resting on her belly to reach up and cover her eyes for a short moment. "Then I will have to make sure that the next time something is packed for lunch before we go to sleep." She countered with a bright smile at the idea of there being a next time that they just sleep and breath and 'be' while around each other.

"Though I did not loose sleep. I napped during the day so it balanced out, and I had not even been up that long." He was distracting her from the idea of going to his house, but her mind had not forgotten. So she decided to keep things from the topic of wear so she would look surprised when she reached his home. "I asked you once, but you did not answer . . . If you could be anything besides a doctor . . . what would you be?"

[Arthur Pendragon]

He glanced at her as he covered her eyes for a moment, almost seemed . . . embarrassed? Either way he noticed her bright smile and smiled in return as his turned his eyes back to the road. She didn't seem opposed to a 'next time' and that just made him feel all the more at ease for making the suggestion. He was glad to hear that she had napped, and slept in. He didn't want his obscure sleeping schedule to effect hers . . . which was also why when the baby comes, it would be so much easier to live together. But that was not a subject he was about to bring up, because he didn't want to argue in case she was still opposed to the idea. "I asked you once, but you did not answer . . . If you could be anything besides a doctor . . . what would you be?" An interesting question indeed. He paused in a pensive silence, trying to think. It had never occurred to him to be anything but a doctor, for his father had made that very clear at a young age.

That he would be a doctor and continue the family tradition, as well as become chief of the hospital one day. "Maybe an athlete? A professional foot ball player perhaps," he said casually, not thinking too deeply on it . . . for the desire and passion was there. "I love what I do, I'm just not sure it would have been my first choice," he admitted. Something he didn't really tell others, not only because he knew they probably wouldn't care . . . but because it was too personal, and opening up about his dreams and emotions was not easy for him. "What about you?" He asked, wanting the conversation to shift away from him. "How did your family react when you told them that you wantd to be a teacher?" She seemed to have the passion for teaching, and that was something he admired about her. That she had a passion for teaching, and had pursued a career in it. He wondered if her family was supportive of it, for he was fairly certain without him having to give details that she knew it was his own father that had pushed him toward his current career path.

[Guinevère]

A football player? She could recall that he had said he played on the weekends but she had never known he was so strongly passionate about it. Arthur was admitting to her that he might not have been a doctor had he been given the choice. "I want to watch you play." She told him, wanting to support that when then she had the feeling others were used to giving him. "You said played on weekends? Can I start coming? I could get out of the house, and learn the rules . . . I've never really seen a game before." She wasn't too big into sports.

"After the baby is born, we can all go!" That sounded exciting! "Maybe after some of the games we can grill steaks or hamburgers and invite your team over? I can cook for people like I enjoy and we can forget about the world for a while." Just be happy, and casual.

"How did your family react when you told them that you wanted to be a teacher?" He turned her question onto her. "They were happy. That was important to my family, for us to do what made us happy. My mother had been a teacher for a while, and I think my father was glad I was like her. He said it was a good safe job," Guinevère laughed very softly as if still humored by her father's opinion that everyone would always need teachers so she wasn't likely to loose her job if the economy suffered.

Her turn again, to ask a hard question. "Does your father ever come to your games?"

[Arthur Pendragon]

"I want to watch you play." Did she? He knew that they had talked about it before, but he only thought she was trying to b polite in saying she wanted to see him play. Though . . . she sounded like she genuinely wanted to watch him. And it made him feel . . . excited. For no one else had expressed interest in wanting to watch him play. Not that he often advertised his hobby, or how important the sport was to him. Except to her. "I would like that," he admitted. "Although if you get bored, then I won't be offended," he teased, knowing that most of the guy's girlfriends who came just ended up gossiping. The idea of her and their baby coming . . . that filled Arthur with different emotions. He knew he would have to tell them soon that he was expecting a child, though Leon already knew. It felt so odd, to know that he was going to be a father in a matter of months. "Are you sure you want to do that?" He asked, half jokingly and half serious.

"You'll feel like you're cooking for an army," he warned her. His friends . . . ate a lot. Especially Gwaine. "Though I do like the idea of forgetting the world for a while," he said smiling, not thinking it was fair for her to have to cook for all of them. But certainly enjoyed the thought of all of them spending time together. He knew that with the baby coming, he needed to properly introduce her to the people that were practically his brothers; for they were his family of heart. His attention was diverted when she answered his question about her family's reaction to her wanting to be a teacher. It sounded . . .nice. Like a loving, warm and supportive family. Her mother was a teacher yet it didn't sound like she had pushed Guinevère toward that career. "That sounds nice," he said, speaking aloud his thoughts. "That you took after your mother, without feeling forced to." It genuinely sounded nice and the memories of her family seemed like fond ones from the way she spoke of them. "Being a teacher is a good job," he agreed.

"You have that quality in you. That . . . caring and nurturing personality," he told her honestly, looking at her with a soft smile before turning his head back to the road. "What did your mom teach?" He asked, hoping it wasn't crossing a line to ask about her mother . . . for he knew that if the situation were reversed . . . well, he never spoke of his mother. And doubted he ever would. He forced his smile to remain when she asked her next question about his father attending his games. He loved his father and respected him . . . but his family was not like hers. It was not a happy supportive family. It was torn and filled with pressure. "No," he answered simply. Plus, he never told his father when he was playing for he knew if he did . . . his father would only lecture him about how he should be putting in time at the hospital rather than waste time playing games. "I don't think sports are his thing," Arthur said jokingly, trying to make it sound less personal, and more general and filled with jest.

[Guinevère]

"If you get bored, then I won't be offended," She knew she needed to google the game and learn about how to play and what to cheer for. "I will watch you and learn and then make you play me on Sundays!" She teased, knowing she could not take up all his time like that, but the idea of trying to play him was amusing. "You'll feel like you're cooking for an army," THAT she could handle! "I love to cook, and I would pick things simple and filling." She promised, "Spending the afternoon feed hungry men who will let me cook for them or a normal one of grading papers and cooking for one?" She pretending to think. "Can we start this weekend?"

"No, I don't think sports are his thing," That made her heart go out to him. "Perhaps he will come one day." For even if sports were not his thing, his son should be! "We can invite him for a big game and too the cook out?" If he wanted. "Perhaps once things calm down some?"

As for her mother, "She moved around allot because of my Dad, so she substituted mostly teaching a bit of everything. When she was a teacher she taught the hard stuff. High school maths, and classes for advance students. She was smart."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur chuckled when she said that she would watch, learn and challenge him to a game. He tried to stop laughing at the thought, for his amusement was in a teasing way and he slowly attempted to cease his laughter while highly entertained by the thought of playing her. "Sorry," he said smugly, still grinning with amusement. "I'm not sure it would be fair. I might need a couple more people on my team," he said teasingly, his words countering his initial reason for being amused. Though on the subject of her cooking for everyone . . . it sounded like something she genuinely wanted to do. And he had to resist the temptation to offer his chef to help her, for he knew that she wanted to do this . . . out of the kindness of her heart. And . . . she wanted to do it this weekend? So soon?

Especially after her accident . . . he didn't want her to push herself. At the same time, it was better than her going to work. "If you're sure . . . " He just had to be certain that she was absolutely positive about this. "Then I guess we're going grocery shopping tomorrow," he said, not wanting her to do this alone. His aid was a given, since she was basically doing this for a bunch of strangers; his friends. "Perhaps he will come one day." He wouldn't. And Arthur would never dare ask. Nor would he ask him to come for the cook out . . . for he already knew what his father's answer would be. "Its alright, I don't think he would be interested," Arthur said dismissively. Though he had to admit that he was a bit surprised to hear her make a suggestion, considering how much his father had interrogated and pressured her upon their first meeting. And yet, she would invite him for a cookout?

That surprised him indeed, though he tried not to show it. For he knew that it just further proved what kind of person Guinevère was. He was glad when the subject moved on from his father, not wanting to speak of it in too much detail . . . and was also relieved that the topic of her mother didn't seem to be one that was too personal for him to ask about. "Good subjects, but different from your own interests," he said, as she had told him that she was more interested in history. Though as he had studied sciences and math, his interest had lay with those kinds of courses, rather than the arts. "Did your dad move around a lot for work?" He asked, hoping he wasn't asking too much, for he was just trying to get to know her better.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère smiled when he said they could go shopping to plan for this weekend and she felt excited for all that might come!! Yet his question faded her smile some. Her father had been a good man, and strong worker. He worked with his hands and had taken what jobs he could. Yet with less and less people needing his type of labor thanks to cheaper work and machines he had trouble in his younger days holding a good steady job.

When he got a job working a steal mill it had been good, hard on him but a good steady job. "Did your dad move around a lot for work?" "He went where the jobs were. He's been so many things in his life time." Even working for Arthur's father for a while. It was how she had known him from before that night when . . . when they . . . .

She wondered if he remembered him at all.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur glanced over at her and noticed that her smile had become less bright and . . . he realized that the subject of her father may be a difficult one for her to talk about. He didn't want to pry or make her feel uncomfortable and hoped that he had not killed the mood of the day. "Well since you tell me your brother likes traveling, seems he got that from your father." Though for different reasons. He was just trying to help lift the mood. "Have you told your brother yet?" He asked . . . and once again, realized that may be a mood killer. It had sounded like she and her brother were close so he hoped it wasn't too intrusive of a question. He was just wondering if she had spoken to him about it, or if Elyan had any plans to return home.

Because, if he and Guinevère were not going to live together . . . then it would put Arthur's mind at great ease if he knew that her brother was staying with her to help take care of her. Right now her pregnancy was not overly limiting her, but soon . . . she would need help. And he wanted to be there as much as he could for her, but it was impossible to always be there. He hated leaving her when his shift started, and knew these past few days had been lucky for they were able to spend time together. He wanted to revisit the subject of her moving in, yet . . . didn't want to argue about anything. So would have to keep all these thoughts to himself, for the time being anyway.

[Guinevère]

Elyan might have gotten that from his father, but she thought more he got that from their mother's death. While she would never know for sure what drove Elyan to 'follow his heart' and do what he felt he could do int he moment, she wondered if it was because he had known and loved their mother for longer then her, and then never got over the loss of her.

"Elyan . . . . " She said his name as if thinking of him would bring him closer to her. "I will tell him, but this is not something I want to just leave in a message. I am hoping he will call soon. Or perhaps even will just come over. With him you just have to wait." And hope he was really safe when he did call or show.

Wanting to clear the air and lighten the mood she took a deep breath and then looked up at him. "You might not want to be around when I do tell him." She teased, knowing that Elyan was a clam and level headed man--hard to anger--but that she was his little sister and if anything could push him, it was her. "Though I think he would like you. You might get along."