An Unexpected Surprise [Modern AU]

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur listened to her explain how she wanted to talk to him rather than leave a message . . . or just wait for him to come. It made sense, since this wasn't exactly the kind of news you just casually dropped on someone. It was big, for her brother was to be an uncle. She spoke of how he might not want to be there and Arthur gave a bit of a smile. The last thing he was going to do was not be there for support . . . he was not a coward. And he was not going to let her do anything alone if she preferred to have company. But of course, he would also understand if she preferred to tell Elyan alone. "If you want me there, I can be there. If you prefer me not to be, then I of course respect that. Its up to you though. I want to do whats best for you, not whats best for me."

Would Elyan grow angry? Throw a punch? Arthur wasn't worried. What was the worst that could happen? Especially since she said that her brother and him could even get along with each other. At first, perhaps Elyan would be angry at the man that had gotten his sister pregnant. But they were all going to have to find a happy medium . . . for the sake of the child. "Either way, I'm looking forward to one day meeting him," Arthur said, wanting her to know that he wasn't going to cower again. Besides, she had met his father and knew what he was like . . . and no one scared Arthur more than his father. Anyone else, was manageable.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère smiled at Arthur as he explained that he wanted what was best for her rather then him. She wasn't sure what to say to that, and didn't want to say the wrong things--so she just sat there and smiled at him. Watching him drive them down the roads. It was nice to just watch him.

"Thank you," She finally said, but meant it for so many things rather then just her brother and his offer. Watching him a little bit longer, Guinevère felt the baby move again and her eyes went wide but did not leave Arthur. "The baby is moving!" She whispered in a loud voice as if trying not to yell in excitement! Reaching over she took one hand from the wheel, and placed it on her belly where she was feeling the baby. The movement was short but strong. It was over in just a few moments. "Did you feel it?" She asked, letting his hand go so he could move it or keep it there if he wanted.

[Arthur Pendragon]

He was about to tell her that she didn't have to thank him, when her next words immediately distracted him. Was it? Really?! Before he had time to react, she had already taken his hand and placed it over her stomach. He looked at her, then back at the road, then at her stomach, then back at the road. He was so close to pulling over so that they would not get into another accident and he could properly enjoy the moment . . . but it had only lasted a short while. A strong smile was on his lips as he left his hand there after he stopped feeling the movements. It was so strange. He'd felt babies move so many times before . . . yet this time, it was his baby. Their baby. That grew inside her womb. And finally, he could understand the pride and joy parents had whenever they felt the life inside them make any slight movement.

"I did," he said softly, trying to let the magnitude of all this sink in. For he was happy. Scared and nervous as hell to be a father . . . but it was their child. How could he not be happy to know that they had created a life together? He let his hand linger over her stomach for a little longer before regrettably pulling away so that he could properly take his turn for the approaching exit. He remained silent , trying to absorb the sentiment of this moment . . . and found it so very overwhelming. "I'm going to try to schedule an appointment next week with Dr Longstead," he began to tell her. "What day works best for you?" Because it would obviously depend on her schedule.

[Guinevère]

Watching his face was her new favorite hobby. He seemed to happy in these moments and she did not wish nothing to ruin it for him! Her hands moved to cover her belly after he removed his hand, as if trying to hold the warmth of his hand on her skin. Keep the echos of his touch on her skin longer.

His question brought reality closer to her mind however. She was not going back to work this weekend, and she wasn't sure if this would count against her sick time or vacation time. If it did then she had limited amount left to use to skip out for a few hours. "Any afternoon," She told him, "Perhaps sometime after school lets out?" So she did not have to take time off, and could save it for when she needed it.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur gave a small nod at her answer, for it was lenient enough so that they could plan a date around Dr Longstead's schedule. "I'll let you know then," he assured her. The last time they had spoken about having an appointment with this doctor, he knew that money had been an issue. Perhaps it always would be, considering they were from two very different worlds. It was after all part of the reason she didn't want to move in with him . . . because of his hired help. He needed them there to maintain the house because he didn't have time. And surely, it would be easier for her with the baby to have some assistance? What he did know was that he didn't want his child raised by nannies -- as he had been. If he explained that to her, would she be more inclined to move in with him? Or would it just be another subject to dispute about? He tried to dismiss these thoughts, not wanting it to dampen the mood.

Instead, he distracted himself with something else. Knowing that they were nearing the exit sign for where he was taking her, Arthur decided that may as well prolong the surprise a bit more. "Can you do me a favor?" He asked. Not that he needed the favor, but he just didn't want her looking outside. "In the glove compartment, there's a -- " What was in his glove compartment?! "Pair of sunglasses." Oh! That's a good job Arthur! Perfect excuse! "Do you mind just handing them to me please." And the best thing about it, she may have to rummage around a bit in order to find them. Hopefully long enough for him to pass the sign that would reveal where they were going.

[Guinevère]

Arthur asked for a favor and Guinevère smiled, "Sure!" He had seemed to think the afternoon appointment would work out so she was trying not to think about the money aspect. Moving forward she tried to open the glove box, and it took her a moment to see how the designer latch worked, and then opened it. There was some papers in there, and she lifted them and paused.

Pulling out a long strand of square packets she looked at them for a moment. He kept condoms there?! Looking over at him for a moment she raised her eye brows, but as she knew he had spent time with girls before he met her, she wasn't going to hold them over his head. He had not seen or dated anyone since he began sleeping with her again. Right? . . . . surely he had not. He wasn't that much of a play boy! He was a one girl guy. She liked to think he was at least.

Deciding to have faith in him, she put them back and then looked for his sunglasses. Finding them she held them up and over to him while she shut the door. "Quite an arrange of things you have in your car." she teased.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur glanced at her, seeing that she was distracted from the sign just when they were passing it. His plan worked! Fantastic! He then noticed her hold up a big string of packets and . . . . . . . suddenly remembered what else he had in his glove compartment. Trying to keep his cool, he slightly opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. How did he explain that?! He knew it was never wise to speak about women he'd been with to a woman he slept with . . . especially since she was expecting their child. So there was no point in justifying it. He couldn't say something suggestive like we can save those for later for it would just make him sound a bit like a pervert. Not to mention the fact that they sort of wouldn't serve their purpose since . . . she was already pregnant.

So what did one say in this situation? Relieved for his sunglasses, he took them from her and put them on immediately, clearing his throat before speaking. "Thank you," he said, still trying to figure out if they should talk about that, or just move past it. Either way, Arthur felt embarrassed that she'd found them. "They're just . . . there. In case." Right. Best not to say anything at all, but it was too late for that now. He didn't even know what he meant by his words. They were good to have . . . but . . . really. He should have not said anything. He just casually took a sip of his coffee to keep himself from talking and digging his hole deeper.

[Guinevère]

In case? Guinevère knew she was being mean to toy with him so, but it was rather enjoyable to pretend to hold them over him. She had to fight to keep the smile from her voice. "In case . . . what?" An emergency? She kept a twenty folded up and stuffed in her wallet hidden behind her ID for 'In case' and apparently he kept not one but a strong of 'in cases'.

"I carry an umbrella with me sometimes . . . you know . . . in case." She teased him, "Or extra money, just in case." Who knew when she might need a few dollars. "My co-workers will keep a tire iron in their cars for in case they reach an emergency and really need one . . . and can't even wait to get to the store." She smiled and then bit her lip to keep from laughing. She was not worried about his past. She did not own him.

The important point was, he had not needed them nor dated anyone since her. The rest she could forgive. "I am being mean and teasing you. I'm sorry." she broke and told him.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"In case . . . what?" Was it getting warm in here? It felt like it was getting warm in here. Arthur slightly opened the window to let some fresh air in. He was growing more and more uncertain as to how to respond to her question. Did she expect an answer? They had never exactly spoken of . . . what was between them. Of expectations when it came to dating, and what was and was not acceptable. They weren't, together really. They weren't an official couple. So . . . did it bother her? Not that he used them every single day or anything. But the last thing he wanted to do was get another woman pregnant. That . . . would not be a good situation. She went to give examples of 'emergency' things that people carried around just in case. If he didn't know any better, he would think that she was teasing him. For she was comparing condoms to more practical things like umbrellas, or extra bills, or . . . tire irons?

"Its just in case . . . I need to help out one of my mates if they get lucky." Had Arthur waited just one more second, he would have heard her apology and admittance to teasing him. Which only made him inwardly curse and kick himself for having opened his mouth again to say something stupid. She was teasing him! And . . . he had spoke too soon. Damn him. He turned his head to give her a mock glare, though his eyes were concealed by his sunglasses. Thank goodness for that. What he didn't miss was that she seemed to be taking it well . . . teasing him about being with other women. Not that he said that was what they were for but . . . it was still interesting. "I don't think I've ever come so close to turning red. Almost as much as you when you blush," he said teasingly. Though with his whiter skin it was far more noticeable and . . . he didn't usually get embarrassed or blush, and she had nearly made him do both!

[Guinevère]

His mates? THAT sounded like a typical guy excuse. Then he relaxed and teased her in return about blushing. "You like to make me do that." She teased also then made sure to clear the air and he didn't feel bad about her joking. "I should not have teased you so much. It was just a amusing to watch you try to talk your way out of it. I know you had a life before I came in and completed things. I'm not going to hold it over you and be the possessive jealous girl."

Guinevère had not called herself girlfriend because he had not clarified what they were yet. Yet he had slept with her that night when he came over to talk about the baby. And then again and again. To her while it might not apply they were official it did mean that they were testing the waters. She assumed that meant they both didn't test the waters with other people.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"You like to make me do that." That was true, he did. He loved seeing her blush, knowing he was the one who had caused such color in her cheeks. "So was this revenge for all the times I made you blush?" He asked jokingly . . . or well, somewhat jokingly. For he really had come close; closer than he ever had before. Who knows, maybe he would have had he not opened the window. She went on to say how she should not have teased him, and seemed to understand that he had a past . . . one that she would not hold over him. It just made him wonder all the more why she had chosen him to give herself to, when she knew of his . . . tendencies. Had he known that was her first time, he may not have been so . . . careless, in how he may have acted. Either way, he didn't regret that night. He just wondered if he would have acted differently, had he known she was a virgin. He knew better than to make any jokes about jealousy and such. She had nothing to be jealous or possessive about. He had made a decision to prioritize her, before he went on any dates or spent time alone with another woman.

Guinevère would always be first, even if they were not together, their lives were now bound together. "Thank you, for understanding." For perhaps most women would not. It eased his mind a bit to know that she was so . . . open to this. Even if he had no immediate plans to date as frequently as he did before . . . to know that she would not hold it against him, was a massive relief. And at the same time, he felt . . . strangely . . . disappointed, to know that she would not care if he went out with another woman. Why was it that he wanted her to care? Why was it that he wanted her to be jealous? He wouldn't do it to purposely get that reaction from her but . . . he just didn't understand why he wanted her to care. "And hey, you don't have to feel bad about teasing me. Who knows how many times I do it to you. You don't have to feel bad. You should feel proud that you were able to get me as good as you did." Because as he had already realized, no one had come so close to making him actually turn red from embarrassment.

[Guinevère]

At least Arthur had not been mad about her joke! Guinevère smiled and leaned back to look up and out the window at the sky and the near perfect weather. She wondered how far his house was, as she had assumed it would be closer to his work then this?

Where would they go besides that?! She waited there, looking out the window before she looked over at him. "Where are we going?" She asked in a teasing tone, trying to see if he would casually let it slip out, though the mystery was rather enjoyable. The unknown and knowing it was getting closer and closer!! She knew the area they were in, but not the roads they were on. This was one of the roads that she had never been down before, and it made her wonder what was down this way. No more big city lights and sounds but more trees and openness. Nature rather then steal.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"Where are we going?" He smiled at her question, knowing that she would not have to wait too much longer to find out. "If you wait just a few more minutes, you'll see," he explained. Having talked to the management, they told him to come through the back exit to save them from all the walking, and the hassle of parking. A small thing, but it would make all the difference. The trip was going to entail enough walking so there was no need to add on to it by taking a more central route. Soon enough they were nearing their destination and he took the turn to get to the back area of it . . . hopefully one that she would not recognize right away. Once he parked the car, he got out and looked around the area as he went over to her side and opened the door for her. It didn't take long for someone to come out of the building and rush over to them.

"Dr. Pendragon?" He both questioned and greeted, as trying to make sure it was him. Arthur smiled and gave a nod, holding out his hand. "Good to meet ye! I'm Grettir. We spoke on the phone I believe?" He said as he shook Arthur's hand. "Pleausre to meet you too," Arthur returned politely. "This is Guinevère," he introduced, motioning to her as Grettir extended his hand to her as well. "Nice you meet ye Miss!" He stated enthusiastically. "Shall we get ye folks started then?" He asked as he gestured to the building so that they could be given maps and get a general idea of where to go from this location.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère got out of the car and smiled, wondering where she was at. Looking around at the vague surroundings, Guinevère smiled at the little man whom was expecting them apparently. "Oh, Hullo," She said in greeting. He then lead them toward where they needed to go, while she tried to look around. Walking along next to Arthur she looked up at him and whispered, "Where are we?"

It was then she heard a strong sound, VERY close to them. She jumped slightly, knowing what the sound was but it made no scene. The only things around here were what looked like large delivery trucks and golf carts. Large trees heavy shrubbery covered any sign of where the were other then the walk way they were on. The sound had come from behind the trees. Looking closer as they walked, she could see a wall behind the trees, as if they were there to cover it. The wall looked large and thick. Finally after walking some more the sound came again.

She knew what that was. The man whom was leading them was talking about the weather and how Arthur picked a good day for a visit, but Guinevère stopped walking for a moment and everything clicked. She wanted for Arthur to stop walking and turn to look at her before her smile broke in and her eyes lit up in surprise. "Arthur . . . . are we at the Zoo?" She asked in a controlled excited tone. Because THAT sound was an elephant and where else did you find them!?

[Arthur Pendragon]

"Where are we?" Arthur still didn't answer her question, though they were only moments away from finding out. He was listening to the man go on and on about the perfect weather, but said nothing too revealing about the location. Though Guinevère seemed to figure it out on her own. For she stopped walking for a moment and it took Arthur a few seconds to realize that she had paused. He stopped and looked at her as she asked a very specific question that Arthur found no reason to lie about anymore. He loved the way her eyes seemed to light up and the bright smile on her face . . . and knew that every attempt to conceal the surprise until now -- even the discovery of the condoms in his car -- were well worth it. "Surprise!" He exclaimed, holding out his arms a bit as if to make a grand announcement.

Grettir was still talking and Arthur took a few moments to quickly explain. "I know how excited you were to go on Monday, and even though I can't make up the experience of how it would have been with the kids, I wanted you to still be able to come." With him. Though she had been before, he wanted this time to be different. Not because of the company, but in terms of the experience of feeding the animals, and be able to see them close up. Money may always be an issue between them, but she deserved to enjoy herself and she deserved someone to put her above all others. From the sounds of it, she was used to people going off -- like her brother and whomever her ex boyfriend was -- and Arthur wanted her to feel like she was first priority, as she would always be to him.

[Guinevère]

Surprise! She laughed and hurried toward him to frame his cheeks and leave a quick but happy kiss on his lips! "You planned this!?" She asked, knowing that he had said ti would not be the same without the children but . . .

Every year she went with them, and she spent more time chasing them rather then looking at the animals. She moved at their pace and saw what they wanted. While she loved it, loved seeing their faces and the excitement, she had never been just to look around at her own pace. Kissing him again, she pulled back to look around. THE ZOO! "Where did we park?" She asked as they began walking behind their host again. She could not see any animals yet but she could still hear them!

Guinevère kept looking at the wall of trees and tried to see if anything could be seen though them, but the wall the trees hid kept her from seeing them. How close where they!? "Thank you!" She added in quickly, "I forgot to say thank you! But thank you!! This is wonderful!! Such a wonderful surprise!" She moved to kiss his cheek again while they walked.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur paused in surprise as she kissed his lips, and then pulling away to claim that he had planned this. That he did. He didn't want it to be just an ordinary trip to the zoo, but one where she could interact with the animals and thoroughly enjoy herself. The second time she kissed him he was able to react a bit better and found himself rather enjoying the feel of her lips against his. She asked a question, and then added in such a sincere thanks for everything. He casually draped his arm around her as they followed Grettir. "You're welcome," he replied, her excitement so very contagious. Her sincerity and genuine appreciation and excitement for all this . . . made every single effort and dime worth it. Not that he believed her to be someone who would take such a thing for granted.

The fact that she didn't just made him want to do more for her. "I parked so that we wouldn't have to do as much walking. As so we can get closer to the animals," he explained. A hint as to how their day would be for they could move at their own pace, but Arthur still had made plans with each zookeeper responsible for different animals. "Besides, you owe me a picture with the giraffes," he said teasingly, as she had asked him before she was planning to come which animal he would like a picture of.

[Guinevère]

Closer to the animals?! How much closer could they get? There were walls, and gates that kept everyone a safe distance away, just as they had large dips or pools to keep a distance from people. "Besides, you owe me a picture with the giraffes," She laughed brightly at the reminder but knew that she had no camera! She had not even packed for the zoo but just her normal bag of things!

"No one has ever done anything even close to this for me before. I cannot express how excited I am and how wonderful this is." She told him, not wanting him to think she wasn't aware of how wonderful the gesture was. "So if you want a photo of giraffes, I will make sure that if I leave with nothing else today, it's with that!" She promised him, and reached up to wipe a happy tear from her cheek, as she wrapped her arm around him too. They walked that way, with their arms around each other as they followed their host into the gates, and came out on the other side . . .

There she saw what he meant by getting closer! They were where the employee's walked and did things. The gate to the elephants was just a few dozen feet from them and opened as someone was loading food into a golf cart to drive in there. The zoo here wasn't like big city zoos, but it was a Official Reservation for wild animals. You often had to use binoculars to see them for other then a few of the animals they often stayed away from where the people came. They were down WITH the animals.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur smiled proudly when she said that n one had ever done something like this before. Though . . . he wondered why. Was it because she didn't let anyone close enough to her? Or because her previous boyfriend held no interest in such things? He knew it wasn't important right now. He wanted her to enjoy the day, not answer a hundred of questions he may have. "Well, you deserve it," he told her, as if it was as simple as that. She deserved to be treated and spoiled for a day . . . at least. As they made their way into the building Grettir was ready with a map, some pamphlets and a camera which Arthur had requested to borrow.

"Here's a map of the reserve for ye folks!" Arthur took one, passing it to Guinevère since she knew the zoo better than him. "I'll be talking ye around. Anywhere ye would like to start?" He asked rather enthusiastically. Arthur looked at Guinevère. "Up to you. We can start with whats closest or if there's something specific you want to see right away?" Today was her day.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère wasn't sure if her eyes COULD get wider from more surprise or not, but when she was told they would be going down onto the reservation rather then just touring from the normal view points with the crowds of people her eyes surely went more wide as they moved from their wonderful little host to Arthur's face.

"I . . . . " Was speechless! Honestly speechless for a few moments as the idea of going SO CLOSE to animals that she normally only saw from afar was rather exciting! " . . . . I . . . " Arthur had done this for her!? Looking up at him she just stared for a moment before laughing excitedly at her own lack of words. "I have no idea where to even start! Whatever is closest! We are in your hands." She told Grettir, knowing that right now she could not pick. She wished she had her camera so so could remember this day forever!