An Unexpected Surprise [Modern AU]

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur gave a small nod when she said that they could relax on the couch tonight. Perhaps he would gift her with a nice table when she moved into another place. He after all, still felt that he owed her one since it had been his actions that had caused them to break it. But he also knew that if he offered, she would refuse. He looked down at her hand, wondering if she had meant to place it there and was being playful or . . . nope. It was definitely an accident judging from her embarrassed action of quickly pulling it away. Now if her hand had moved lower . . . that would have been a bit more difficult to ignore.

"I think you're the one carrying the baby," he said teasingly, playing it off as a joke rather than making a big deal out of it. But after her pants comment and now this? No! Gentleman! He was to remain a perfect gentleman! "I'll just have whatever you're having," he told her, referring to the drinks. He didn't want her to go through all the trouble of making something. "Come, before the food gets cold," he softly urged, carrying the plates in one hand and the bag of food in the other, waiting for her to head over to the couch so that he could make sure she actually sat rather than sit there on his own and wait for her.

[Guinevère]

She laughed when he told her that she was the one having the baby. Putting her hand on her belly, she was grateful that he played it off as a joke. While they were getting very close, Guinevère still was sure of the rules between them. What he was comfortable with and what he was not. "Yes! I forgot which one of was." She joked.

Getting out the water, she carried it to the coffee table, and curled up on the couch. "What did you end up getting us?" It smelled wonderful--though at this point everything did. Guinevère hopped up, and went to dig in her purse where the camera was, and then came back to the couch, so once she was done, they could look at them before . . . .

Well before whatever they might or might not do, between supper and sleep.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"Are you trying to tell me that I've gained weight?" He asked jokingly, glancing down at his stomach and pretending to be offended. It hardly lasted for soon a smile replaced his small jest and he began to put some food in her plate for her. "Tonight on the menu is chicken alfredo, with bread sticks, because I know how much you like them, and a side of salad." Because she needed to make sure to eat something healthy with the baby growing inside of her. Once her plate was filled with what he had listed, he passed her to her, noticing the camera, before beginning to make his own plate.

"I hope it's to your satisfaction," he added, a bit jokingly. She seemed rather easy going and despite their arguments, she certainly wasn't high maintenance, even with her being pregnant. He knew women who were far more of a handful and they didn't even have the excuse of carrying a baby inside of them. That was one of the many reasons that he greatly enjoyed her company. Because he felt comfortable. Because he felt like he could just be himself, and he couldn't recall being with any other woman who made him feel this way. So relaxed and so at ease.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère laughed when he asked if he was getting fat. “No! I didn’t mean . . . I was just teasing you.” She clarified even while she knew that he knew she was teasing. He was in no way fat, and the reminder made her eyes trail over him, and a blush come to her cheeks at the reminder of how much she knew what was hidden under his clothes. Biting her lip she looked away and finished what she was doing.

“That sounds wonderful! I am surprised I didn’t recognize it from the smell, but I think at this point I just smell food, and not care what it was.” Thanks to eating for two, and all that, she often because very hungry at random times. “My students seem to think it’s amusing, because if I eat in class, they get too as well. So we often all sneak food in past the other teachers and have our lessons sitting on the floor like picnics, or just at our desk.” She tried to bring healthily snacks, like apples and nuts. Sometime though she just wanted junk!

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur smiled, enjoying being able to tease her, without her taking offense to it. Even with whatever hormonal changes she was going through, she was far more easy going than most other -- perhaps all other -- women he had ever been with. "I know," he admitted, slightly winking at her as he took another bite of his food. He continued to smile when spoke of her current eating habits, eating in school and picnicing with the students. The mental image of her being so in tune with her students, and doing things that he couldn't imagine any other teacher doing . . . well, it was clear how much she cared for her students. And how she made sure to keep things fun and fair for them.

"Those students are lucky to have you as a teacher," he said, nothing but sincerity and honesty in his voice. He didn't even realize that he was just staring at her for the next several moments, just thinking. Thinking about how different she was . . . how she made him feel when they were together -- intimately and just casually like this. Finally snapping out of it, he slightly cleared his throat, moving the food around on his plate a little as he spoke. "Besides, you're eating for two right now. You are entitled to eat as much as you want," he added, before taking the last bite of his food.

[Guinevère]

He said he knew and even though she had k.own he knew she still smiled feeling joyful in that moment at their playful banter. Knowing they could be relaxed and playful was important too her. Never before had she been with a guy that she could just laugh so freely with. That she could say anything around. Someone who she was starting to feel grateful for. Her father and mother were dead, Elyan left, even Lancelot left. She wanted dependable. Someone who sod stay, for her. Arthur had plans to stay, even if it was for the baby she was looking forward to a life with him.

However he could be in it.

She noticed he was staring and her smile faultered slightly before she found herself blushing. After a a few minutes he spoke, and she smiled again, still wondering what is behind that look. "Very true." Putting her hand over her belly, she sat her empty plate on the table. She had not filled it up and would be going for seconds once this bit settled. "Today was wonderful for the baby too. Getting exercise is important and my idea of it is safely lacking." She tease. Then her face grew serious. "Can I ask you something? Something personal."

Once he agreed she asked her question in a softly curious tone. "Are you happy? I mean with......things." Her. The baby. Changes. Did he look forward to it or was he just going with the flow and making the best of things?

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur noticed that her tone and expression slightly changed when she asked if she could ask him something personal. He grew rather curious as to what she wanted to inquire about, so he gave a bit of a nod. "Of course," he answered, wanting her to feel comfortable asking him anything. And while he wasn't very good at personal . . . she was the mother of his child. They had already shared so much together, how could he say no to answering anything she asked. "Are you happy?" The question caught Arthur off guard as he just looked at her. She went on to explain a little bit more, but the first part of the question rung in his mind . . . because no one had ever asked him that before. No one had actually genuinely wondered if he was happy, so her question, her concern for his happiness . . . well, as small as it may be to some people, it was not small to him. Merely asking meant far more to him than he could say. And so with that, she deserved a completely honest answer.

"I think I'm still absorbing the full magnitude of it," he admitted, knowing that would probably be the case up until he held their baby in his arms for the first time. "But I am," he answered -- his response even slightly surprising himself. "And its really all thanks to you," he added, softly smiling at her. Perhaps this was the most vocally honest he'd ever been with a woman. He wasn't saying what he thought she wanted to hear, he was truly being honest it. "I don't think I would be happy, had it been any other woman." He didn't know what he felt for her, but he knew that most others would not be as . . . open minded, as understanding, as compassionate, and so many other traits that Guinevère possessed that seemed like such a rarity. "What about you?" He asked. He knew she could do better, of course he knew that. They had already gotten in fights about things that he should not have debated, and he had hurt her far more than he ever wanted to. Still. If there was ever a time to ask, a moment that called for such a question, now would be it.

[Guinevère]

She waited for his answer, finding herself tensing from the slight anticipation of his answer. Was he happy? Would he tell her if he was not? When he said he was, she smiled softly but did not relax, because his next words surprised her. Because of her? Not happy with another? He had said that her positive sight on this helped him. Was it still? Blushing she looked down at her lap while trying to figure out his words.

Then he turned her words on her. That was an easy answer. "Yes, but I think it's different for me." Looking up at him she shrugged and smiled softly. "I want to be a mother. I always I would have children. It might not be how or when I expected it. But I know men it can be different."

She made her smile bigger, though it wasn't completely genuine. "I like that it was with you. For a moment in your office that day, I about panicked but for the rest you've surpassed my expectations of how I saw this." Her smile faded and she looked at his face, seeing more then him now in this moment but also in their short history. "Your not as arrogant as you seem. And I like that you've been so kind. That you honestly want the best us....the baby and me."

"Your a good man, Arthur, you make this easier for me, too."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur listened intently as she explained how it was different because she always wanted to be a mother. Granted, surely she envisioned it differently. Had she wanted to be one with her former boyfriend? Had she wanted to be married first? While this had been unplanned -- so very unplanned -- she was making the best of it. And it was why Arthur could remain so calm in a situation that he knew could otherwise cause massive panic and stress. She complimented him in ways that no other had. For it was spoken with a sincerity he'd never heard before. He had surpassed her expectations . . . he had been kind . . . he was a good man. All these words were so, unexpected and so unfamiliar that he found himself speechless. Usually he could make a joke and laugh it off or divert the conversation, but this time, his mind was drawing a complete blank.

Not only because of the unfamiliarity but also because he knew he was undeserving of her praise. If he was truly a good man, the he would offer her a better committment. He wouldn't throw the idea of servants at her, but rather offer to do everything himself. He wouldn't argue about living in his home, but rather find a place that was suitable to her needs. He wouldn't curse her pet when it was himself who was the stranger in her home and life. His father had taught him that whatever good was done wasn't enough, because he could always do better. A motto that seemed strong in the Pendragon family. Yet here, being with her for a matter of days . . . she seemed to see a side of him that no one else did or ever had. She deserved better, he knew that.

But he also made a silent vow that he would do everything within his power, to make sure she was happy. To make sure she never regretted her words, and that he provided for her and their baby . . . not only through monetary means, but also emotionally. "Thank you," he said in a soft voice, kicking himself for coming up with two such stupid words when hers had been so impactful. "You and the baby deserve the best. And if ever you feel unhappy . . . please tell me." Because the thought of doing something to hurt either her or their baby, was unbearable. He would hate himself more than he already did for the times he'd upset her thus far.

[Guinevère]

He seemed surprised, or in thought. He silently watched her for a long moment before he spoke, and it was his last words that touched her more. He thanked her, which she found a little odd, but welcome at the same time, but his later words. "And if ever you feel unhappy . . . please tell me." Made her wonder how much weight he put on himself. How much he carried with him every moment of every day.

"No one's happiness relies on one person. The fate of the world does not rest with you, Arthur" She told him kindly. "I know you have a lot of pressures at work, and with your life . . . " His was in the media some, and social pressures could be just was strong as work ones. "Here it does not have to be that way. Your just Arthur here. The only one's happiness you need worry about is yours. If you are happy--really happy, not pretending--then the people around you will be happy as well. If you are not, then how can others be?"

"I am happy when you are you. Like today. There wasn't anything depicting what you did, or said. We were happy today." Leaning forward she kissed his cheek and pulled back slightly. "Don't worry so much. We don't have to do this alone."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur absorbed each and every word she said, still amazed by how someone could be so understanding and comforting. Wise and . . . seeming to know exactly what to say to fill his heart with a pride and honor he'd never quite felt before. He enjoyed her company -- that much should be clear -- but all she was saying now was different. She didn't expect him to be anything more than he was. She wasn't placing herself above him. She was telling him words that filled him with a warmth that he'd never experienced. He felt he was being himself with her, and she liked him like that. She enjoyed his company when he was so at ease. How could someone be so . . . he couldn't even think of the word to describe it. He only knew that the beauty she had was not only outer, but inner. That it radiated from her because of moments like this. He had no words. Nothing he could say could match hers nor express how much it meant to him for her to be so . . . for her to be just her. She leaned forward to kiss his cheek and spoke of how they didn't have to be alone. He instinctively turned his head, slightly leaning forward yet stopping before their lips would have otherwise touched.

It was so odd, so unfamiliar to not want to be away from her. To feel like . . . he needed her. This time it wasn't in a physically intimate sort of way, but rather, in a deeper sense. Emotionally. How could he need someone? He never really needed anyone. Wasn't that how his father taught him to be? And yet, here she was, and here he felt like he was relying on her for more than she knew. He looked at her, his eyes glancing at her lips. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her, but she was being so incredible with him and . . . he could not betray what she had once asked him. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. He slightly moved his head back, not even realizing that his hand was on her arm, as if still . . . afraid -- was that even the word -- that there would be too much distance between them. "For the first time in my entire life, I don't feel alone." He wasn't saying these words to evoke sympathy. He wasn't even talking about their baby this time. He was talking about her. Referring directly to her in that she was giving him something that he'd never had before. Something that far surpassed any sort of friendship. But what that something was, he still could not clearly define.

[Guinevère]

He turned his head and for a moment Guinevère thought he would kiss her. She hoped he would but Arthur instead spoke worlds that broke her heart. He didn't fill alone for the first time in his life. How heartbreaking. He was one of the riches men around, had to be the most handsome, had hundreds of people begging for seconds of his time, and was successful at a startling young age.

Yet here in her little one window flat did he not feel alone. She did the only thing she could think of, she kissed him. Put her hands on his cheeks and kissed him soundly. Pulling back just enough she spoke, "Your not alone Arthur. You have friends--real friends. Me included." And then she kissed him again.

[Arthur Pendragon]

It was as if she knew exactly what he had wanted to do, though he wasn't sure how guarded he kept his expression. Usually, he suppressed any sign of what he was feeling yet with her, he couldn't. He wasn't even fully aware he was doing it. There were just moments when he realized that he wasn't as guarded as he was around others . . . nor did he think it a bad thing to be so open with her. When she kissed him, it was shorter than he would have liked. But her words filled him with that familiar comfort that most of her words tended to do. She assured him he was not alone, and that he did have friends, her included. That was all he needed to hear right now.

And as if to rectify the earlier moment, she kissed him again. This time, he leaned forward, not wanting her to pull away. Somewhere in his mind, he knew it was selfish and unfair considering what she had told him before . . . but he couldn't stop himself. He didn't know why nor did he care to spend this moment trying to figure it out. He just let everything else go, save for the emotions and feelings she always caused to stir in him. He deepened the kiss, letting his emotions reveal themselves through his actions rather than his words. His hand moved to her upper leg as it slowly glided up and down over it. He wasn't even aware that he was gently leaning forward, thus moving her back to rest on the couch. He felt like everything else ceased to exist, and knew that this was why she said she couldn't trust herself around him . . . because he couldn't control himself when he was around her either.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère only knew that she was kissing him, and that he was kissing her. Slowly one moment she was leaning toward him, and the next she felt the couch on her back. His hand on her leg. "Arthur," She breathed his name, surely meaning to tell him to . . . . to . . .

She knew she was fooling herself. She had never had an plans to tell him to stop. She had sighed his name to encourage him, not to slow or stop him. Everything was forgotten, even the food as she moved her hands to the bottom of his shirt and slid them under it so she could hold onto his strong back. Tilting her head back she sucked in air, giving him access to her neck if he wished. Lifting her knee, she let it rest over the back of his own, and give him more room to touch her.

[Arthur Pendragon]

When he heard her say his name, he wondered if she was going to urge him to stop. He knew he should, and by doing this . . . she may regret it. Yet her next actions indicated that he perhaps misread the silent urge. And with her encouragement, it was practically impossible to stop. He wasn't that strong. He took full advantage of her position, creating a trail of kisses from her lips, down to her neck where he buried his head into, caressing her skin with his lips. Feeling her hands on his skin reminded him of just how incredible it was whenever they had this sort of contact. And finding that he desperately wanted -- needed -- it right now.

He moved his head back a little, only to remove his own shirt, quickly tossing it to the side as he regained his former position. His own hands began to slide under her shirt, feeling her soft skin as they trailed up to her back to unfasten her bra. Yes. He knew this was wrong, and yet it felt so incredibly right. How could he pay attention to reason and rationality when he found himself filled with such desire. He knew that it wasn't one sided, it couldn't be . . . and perhaps that was what motivated his actions. Knowing that if she wanted him with even a fraction of how much he wanted her, then it was well worth it.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère knew she had once told him that she needed to only see him in public places because she did not trust herself, but then she had been injured and he had come to her. He had protected her from his father's test, and he believed her. She knew things were not the same for them. That they might seen this differently, but she also knew that he was here. He could be anywhere with anyone, but he was here. He was with her. He spent time with her. Told her things that mattered. He wasn't dating other girls. There was only her. If that wasn't a sign of something, she didn't know what was. Actions spoke louder then words for her. His actions spoke louder then his words.


He had removed his shirt, and his hands were working on her own. "Arthur," She whispered, holding the back of his head to her. She wanted to ask him to go them to bed, but she also knew they were still dirty from a day int he sun with animals. His words from that first morning--the second morning, but the first one since THEY had begun. Pulling back, she looked into his face, she smiled, "I am going take you up on your offer you know." She teased him, before moving to whisper in his ear, "We need a shower." Together. Now.

[Arthur Pendragon]

He heard her speak her name again but this time shortly after, she pulled back. He forced himself to stop, looking at her and trying to determine what expression she held. This time, was his name spoken to stop him? Was she beginning to recall her earlier words? Did she wish to protect herself and keep her emotions guarded? -- Which he would completely understand of course. He smiled eased his worries a little, but it was her next words that were really starting to make them slowly fade. Unless of course his current one track mind was misinterpreting her implications. He couldn't even fully remember what offer he had made, until she seemed to once again read his mind and answer it for him. A shower.

Oh yes. That was exactly what they needed. But . . . wait. Was she just teasing him with the promise of one? Or was she saying she wanted to get cleaned up? "Now, when you say we need a shower," he began to say, just wanting to be sure that he wasn't assuming something that she had not meant at all. "I assume it is in a way that will converse water," he said, or well, slightly questioned. Having gotten as far as they did right now -- which really wasn't too far at all considering what they had done in the past -- he desperately hope he was reading into her words properly. As if afraid that she was going to tell him he assumed wrong, he leaned down to kiss her lips again, his hand other hand moving to the lower half of her body, clearly wanting to sway her answer in his favor.

[Guinevère]

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