An Unexpected Surprise [Modern AU]

[Arthur Pendragon]

She seemed so genuinely appreciative of the small gift . . . making him wish he could have gotten her something better. It was easy to tell she was modest, but it was highly refreshing to be in the presence of someone who was truly thankful. Rather than toss things away and expecting something more along the lines of a diamond necklace. "You're welcome," he replied, knowing he would have felt even worse had he come empty handed. "Not sure if you like truffles, but chocolate is chocolate right?" And who didn't like chocolate. Besides, with her being pregnant, he imagined that she would eat just about anything. Women tended to have a substantial appetite. He listened to her explanation about her apartment, his eyes going to where she motioned: the stairs. "Ah right," he said understandingly. "Well if you like, I can help you find a place," he offered.

Knowing that it was still too early to speak about how close in proximity they should live to each other . . .or even talking about moving in. No no. It was far too early for that. He followed her -- though not really far -- when she headed to the kitchen, saying that she hoped he was hungry. It was then that he noticed the place setting, and all the effort she had put into preparing a meal. "You shouldn't have gone through all the trouble," he said, looking at the table set for them, and then turning back to her. "Chinese take out could have worked just as well," he said teasingly. But . . . there was something so much more, domestic really about this. Women had cooked for him before, but this was different. He wasn't sure why, it just was. "Though I have to admit, its been a while since I've had a good home cooked meal." If she was even a good cook. Judging from the smell though, that question was easily answered.

[Guinevère]

"Not sure if you like truffles, but chocolate is chocolate right?" "And who does like chocolates?" She asked, more as a joke then as anything. She liked them, surely every woman did. "I will eat them while grading papers to help encourage me to give me better marks." Joking lightly would help them both get though the first few awkward meetings before they could be at ease with each other.

"Well if you like, I can help you find a place," "Thank you, I will try to let you when I plan to go looking, if you want to go and give your thoughts. . . . It would be where the baby would be growing up mostly so I want to make sure you are comfortable with as well. I thought something close tot he hospitle? Maybe a few blocks from it?" The traffic would be troublesome, but at least he could visit between shifts. Besides, her school was close to their as well. "The high school I work for is about five blocks from your work, so it would be convent."

"You shouldn't have gone through all the trouble," 'No trouble, I never get to do this. I wanted too. Take out does not fit into my budget very often, so home cooked is about all I do."

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[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur gave a small chuckle when she said she would eat them while grading papers . . . to help put her in a better mood. "Well then I think your students owe me for that," he said, encouraging the joke and light mood that seemed to so easily form between them. Which was truly a relief. He could only imagine if he didn't get along with her . . . and how much more difficult it would made things. So far, there was no fault he found in her. And he was just waiting for it . . . waiting to see one that one turn off was. Not that he was cynical enough to let it effect the mood between them. "It's a busy area," he said pensively, trying to think of which place would be the best for a child to be raised. "At least the close proximity of the school and hospital will be convenient for the next few months," he pointed out. For as both of them worked quite a bit, it would be easier to see one another.

"We have time to figure out a new place for you," he added casually. He would keep an eye out for a good location . . . though they would still have to work out some sort of living plan. Another serious conversation that it was far too early in the night for. He continued to smile when she assured him it was no trouble . . . and that take out didn't fit into her budget. Oh right. He kept forgetting that. Money was always something he took for granted, not always realizing that another's simplistic lifestyle was not of choice, but a necessity. "Well I can tell from the smell that you're a good cook," he complimented. "So I'm sure I won't be regretting not picking up something on the way here," he further teased. It was certainly a good start to the evening, and any trace of uneasiness that he previously felt was starting to ebb away.

[Guinevère]

He said it was a busy area, and she knew that. Though she didn't have a car, and the buses in that area were hourly. That was a bonus. There were parks near by, and her job and his job. Not that he would be living here but with the baby she planned to make sure he felt more welcome then anyone else. She had no mother or father to help, and her brother only rarely made it to town. It would be her, him and his family. Besides, the place she was looking at allowed pets. That was a must!

"Well I can tell from the smell that you're a good cook," She hoped it tasted as good as he was smelling it. "So I'm sure I won't be regretting not picking up something on the way here," "Well, any time you feel like stopping by," She told him with a shrug, "I will be glad to make something and for the company." She had friends and she went out, but she lived alone, and on school weeks it was mostly just her and Lucifer until the weekend when she could stop grading papers long enough to go out with friends.

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[Arthur Pendragon]

He smiled at her offer, grateful for it but knew that they had to be fair. And he could not always be inconveniencing her. At the same time . . . she would not be able to move around a great deal once she was in the later stages of her pregnancy. "Well, the next time is my treat," he told her, wanting her to know that he planned to return her kindness. Somehow. He casually leaned against the counter, trying to think of how it would be most convenient for them to see each other. Set up a regular time each day? "And should you ever need anything, I hope you'll come to me." Whether it was a bizarre craving in the middle of the night . . . or even money. But he didn't want to sound offensive by throwing that out there. It was just a general offer, that he wanted to be supportive and there for her as much as he could.

After all, as he had previously acknowledged, he was responsible for this too. As the memory of the night resurfaced in his mind -- as did her words of him being her first, something that he was still going to work into the conversation at some point -- he knew there was another question that he was curious about. One that went along with getting to know her better. "Are you seeing anyone?" He asked casually. There was no hidden implications in his words, for he knew that they were friends and would continue to remain so. "I'm just wondering if we need to break the news to someone else," he added with a playful smile. Purposely using the word 'we' for he didn't want her to feel like she was alone in any of this. Even if it was going to tell a potentially jealous and furious boyfriend that he had gotten his woman pregnant.

[Guinevère]

"Well, the next time is my treat," "Really? I didn't know you cooked." She challenged, not wanting him to feel he had to do anything for her. She dropped a lot on him, and she was trying to play fair. As there would be some things that she would not bend on, she wanted to let him feel as a great part of their lives as he could.

"And should you ever need anything, I hope you'll come to me." "It's a promise." Though she knew that she wouldn't go to him for everything. She would make sure it was something important rather then something silly. Pulling the steaks out she moved to sit it on the counter so they could make their plates and"Are you seeing anyone?"and she nearly dropped them on the floor. What?! Was he asking her out?! Really? "I'm just wondering if we need to break the news to someone else," o-oh! Right! Of course! The baby.

"No, not for almost half a year now." She told him, so he would know there was no one. "Ar-are you?" She asked, thinking of the nurse.

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[Arthur Pendragon]

"Really? I didn't know you cooked." Arthur smiled with amusement. "I don't," he said with a small wink, leaving it at that so that he could plan some sort of evening with her. He was not even going to try and cook. That would undoubtedly end in disaster. His attention was diverted when he saw her reaction to his question, wondering if that was a yes and she was suddenly feeling very uncomfortable being alone with another man. Or if that was a no and it was just the unexpected question that had caught her off guard. "No, not for almost half a year now." Ahh. So it was the latter. "Ar-are you?" Arthur knew fair was fair and that he had to truthfully answer. While he liked to keep private about his personal life . . . he knew that that was practically impossible with his family's position in society.

"No," he replied nonchalantly. Commitments, relationships . . . they were not exactly his scene. But with her, he would have no other choice. "How come?" He asked, going back to her personal life rather than focusing on his. "I know you said that I was your first, and that there hasn't been anyone since . . . or anyone for the past several months. But, I'm just curious as to why." And it was too intrusive, he would back off. "I know its not due to lack of attention. You're far too beautiful for a man not to pay notice," he said flirtatiously. Why not throw a little flirtation into the mix? They had after all slept together. There was no secret in his attraction to her. So he was just curious as to why she hadn't been, and wasn't seeing anyone. And ultimately . . . why he had been her first.

[Guinevère]

"No," Really? That was surprising. She thought again of the nurse, and wondered why he was not seeing anyone now. "How come?" She looked up at him in surprise, trying to think of a good answer that would not complicate anything. In truth it was a very complicated answer. Very,

"I know you said that I was your first, and that there hasn't been anyone since . . . or anyone for the past several months. But, I'm just curious as to why."

"I know its not due to lack of attention. You're far too beautiful for a man not to pay notice," Blushing she looked down and away, "You flatter me." She told him, knowing that he was either too hungry to see correctly or he was being nice. "I ummm," What to tell him? "It's a complicated story my life." She admitted. "Perhaps it's best to start eating first, or the length of my life would make you faint from hunger." She teasing and stalling but in truth she didn't know how to answer him. How did she tell him how everyone in her life left?

Her mother died, her father died, her brother left down. The one man she thought she had fallen in love with, he left too. Over and over again.

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[Arthur Pendragon]

There it was again. Her endearing modesty. He loved it. It was not often that he could compliment a woman and they would be so genuinely flattered. "You flatter me." That was his reason for having said it, and he would only continue to do so with how she reacted to his compliments. "It's true," he continued. "I wouldn't say it otherwise." Granted, he had made up a lot of flattering remarks for women in the past, but this time . . . he was being sincere. He did not however fail to notice the slight discomfort she felt in his question, not wanting her to feel pressured to tell him. He moved from having been leaning on the counter and took a few steps to her, standing directly in front of her. "I didn't mean to pry," he said with an apologetic tone.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." While he was still extremely curious . . . he didn't want to force it out of her. Standing there looking down at her intently for a few more moments, he moved to pick up the tray of steaks, sliding them into a platter that was on the set. Once they were on there, he proceeded to carry it over to the table, setting it down in the middle, before pulling out the chair for her to sit. "Let's eat then, before I really do faint," he teased, obviously not famished enough to the extent of risking passing out. He just didn't want to let his question cause any awkwardness between them. When there were already so many other things that had the potential of doing that. He would not add to that list.

[Guinevère]

He told her that he meant it, and she just smiled because she wasn't sure what else to do. She could take a complement, but she wasn't sure she had ever received one that was given about 'how beautiful' one thought it was. They were mostly about what she'd done with her life or on a project. I didn't mean to pry," "No, it's alright. I was taken by surprise."

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." "It's just a long story." She explained, knowing that it wasn't too long of one but she didn't want to say it in a way that made anyone feel sorry for her. She loved her life, and looked forward to each day. "Let's eat then, before I really do faint," "You've been working all day, sit, I will bring you a plate. . . . though to warn you, I only have milk, apple juice or tap water to drink. I forgot I was out of anything else when I stopped by the market today."

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[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur smiled when she urged him to sit down and that she would bring him the food. He did as requested and took a seat in his chair, keeping his eyes on her as she further explained that she didn't have anything apart from juice, milk and water. "That's alright," he assured her. "Water will be just fine." Since he would be driving and it would be best not to over do it on the alcoholic beverages . . . especially in her presence. Since that had caused things to shift during their last encounter together. "I thought that today, we could just spend it getting to know each other," he suggested, giving reason as to why he asked that particular personal question. Well, getting to know each other in a less physical way.

"We can make plans and things for the baby another day. But, I would like to get to know the mother of my child," he said with a bit of a smile. First dates often entailed of that casual small talk, with the basic questions of 'what do you do for a living', 'what are your hobbies', 'where were you born' etc etc. They had skipped most of that conversation -- or if they had it, he didn't remember -- so he hoped they could have that opportunity tonight. He knew that he had to build a proper relationship with her and it would be easier if he knew as much about her as she would let him get to know. "If you would let me," he added, obviously not wanting to force her to talk about her personal life this early on. He would understand that, and of course respect her decision.

[Guinevère]

"Water will be just fine." "Ice?" She asked, before fixing it so she would know. Guinevère poured her some ilk before fixing the plates. For her own plate she put smaller helpings but with the large amount of food she knew she would not only be full by the end of the night but gained a stone and would have left overs for the next few days. For his plate she made sure he could eat his fill. Surely men were always hungry.

"I thought that today, we could just spend it getting to know each other," Smiling Guinevère looked up at him, liking the idea of almost being casual. "We can make plans and things for the baby another day. But, I would like to get to know the mother of my child," Pausing her actions she just watched him for a moment, a soft smile on her lips and just the hint of surprise around her else. "I like that." She admitted, "Getting to know you before talking about linking out lives."

"I have been on the verge of euphoria and panic ever since I found out I was pregnant. At first it was more the later, but then I grew to love the idea of a baby. . . . I've not been able to talk to anyone about it, because--call me old fashioned,--but I thought the father should always be the first to know." Which he was, other then Lucifer. "Hearing you say what you did . . . so casually. . . . "

"Is it wrong to like it? I mean, I know it's hard and new and will mean allot of changes for everyone, and the pressure is enough to break someone but . . . . but I still like it."

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[Arthur Pendragon]

"No thanks," he said when she offered ice, not wanting to be any more trouble. Though soon enough, it would be him taking care of her . . . once she grew larger and mobility was a bit more difficult for her. He smiled when she said she liked that, and was in agreement of making the focus of tonight getting to know each other better. It would help them figure out what kind of person the other was, and thus . . . make it easier to establish plans for their future, and the future of their baby. He listened attentively as she went on to explain the emotional roller coaster she had been on since finding out. And found himself rather liking the fact that she felt he should be the first to know. "I'm glad you told me first," he said appreciatively. Not only because he feared his father's reaction if he heard from someone else . . . but it just made him feel more, involved. Even though he was inevitably so.

"It's not wrong at all," he assured. "I'm glad that you already carry a love for the baby. I have to admit that seeing how positive you were about it, helped me." For if she had come to him all panicked and frenzied . . . he would have been the same. She had said that she loved it, and recalled how defensive she had been when he'd not so subtly suggested alternatives -- not that he had wanted them. "Just knowing that it was your first time, and this was the result of it . . . " With a man she barley knew, as she did not do this sort of thing often as she stated. "It takes a strong person to be as optimistic about this as you are. And for that, I'm grateful." Because he could list of women who would not have reacted to news of being pregnant with his child so well. And it made Guinevère stand out among them. Well, at least among most of the women he'd dated.

[Guinevère]

Bringing his plate and drink to the table, she went back--the whole two steps--to the counter and got her own before going to sit down across from him. "I'm glad you told me first, For her that had been the plan, and there wasn't a tell the press or tell her brother, or tell her friends before he knew.

"It's not wrong at all," Good! She had not wanted to stop. "I'm glad that you already carry a love for the baby. I have to admit that seeing how positive you were about it, helped me." Really? Guinevère smiled with a soft blush at his words, but didn't interrupt. She thought she liked him a little. Like this. When he had his footing and she wasn't sweeping the ground from under him with big news. "Just knowing that it was your first time, and this was the result of it . . . " Bigger blush now, but she still managed to keep her eyes on his face.

"It takes a strong person to be as optimistic about this as you are. And for that, I'm grateful." "There is no use getting bend out of shape for things you cannot change," she told him, "Besides, once I got over the shock . . . I wanted the baby. I'm looking forward to her--or him--when they arrive. To . . . . well to not living alone. To having family close by."

He wanted to know her . . .

"My mother died shortly after I was born, my father some years back. I have a brother and we're close, but he travels a lot. He follows his heart wherever it takes him, and it has taken him all over the world. I have a million post cards from his travels but . . . I see him once a year if I am lucky. He calls sometimes once a month.He get just gets forced in what he is going."

"I guess I am more like my father. I like home." Placing her hands over her belly she looked down at it for a moment before looking at him again, "I didn't plan this, but I am really grateful. I want to be this baby's mother." She laugh softly, 'I sound horrid when I say things like that--about my family. I normally don't speak of them, but . . . " She smiled softly but shrugged as if to say or remind him that he had asked her. "Now there is not just me."

"Well, me and Lucifer." Little did they know, that at that moment, her little pet was under the table, taking interest in the smell coming from it.

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[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur listened quietly and attentively when she spoke first of the baby, and then of her family. He did not miss the fact that she seemed to emphasize her desire for a girl . . . something that he may tease her about later, once the conversation rest on the child. But for now, it was about her. He wanted to get to know her, as he had previously made known. And he felt all the more grateful that she was opening up to him about things. Even more so when she said that she did not often do this. He found they already shared something in common: both of them had lost their mother. Though he did not know the loss of a father, and was saddened that she had felt the pain of it. "I'm sorry. That can't have been easy for you," he said in a sincere tone, though did not want to drag down the conversation by focusing on past deaths. When she seemed more uplifted by the future of new lives. Or well, a single life . . . one that was growing inside of her. "Your brother sounds like an adventurous man," he said, meaning it more as a comment of praise than an insult.

"Admirable, for him to follow his heart. And not be constrained by things like a job." Though Arthur also valued family, so leaving a sister behind . . . he could see how that would be difficult for both Guinevère as well as her brother. He continued to smile when she spoke of how grateful she was for this. He wasn't sure if grateful was the right word he would use to describe his own emotions. Perhaps it was still the shock of it all that had not yet surpassed. When they talked of it more, he would have a better idea of how he felt. Right now, he would concentrate on learning more about the woman who carried his child . . . rather than the actual child. "Now there is not just me." "You're not alone," he reminded her. At least not anymore. "Even if I can't be here all the time, you still have someone constantly with you," he said, referring to the baby that grew in her belly. And . . . Lucifer, apparently. "Lucifer?" He repeated curiously, unsure if he had noticed her pet the last time he was here. "Dare I ask how he got that name?" He questioned with a bit of a smirk.

[Guinevère]

"I'm sorry. That can't have been easy for you," No, but nor was she about to make him feel bad for her when they were he had just said he liked her positivity. She wanted to keep that good opinion he had of her! "Your brother sounds like an adventurous man,". "Yes, you could call him that." When he wasn't in trouble. "Admirable, for him to follow his heart. And not be constrained by things like a job." "I just hope it does not catch up with him one day. Until then he shows up sometimes--once a year or so--sleeps for a week on the couch and then is off on his next heroic adventure."

"You're not alone," She smiled brighter at his words, "Even if I can't be here all the time, you still have someone constantly with you," In the emotional sense, he meant. "Thank you." She said and she meant it. "Lucifer?" She laughed then, "Yes! My 'class room pet' turn my home bound pet." "Dare I ask how he got that name?" Yet before she could answer, Lucifer took that moment to find Arthur's pant leg and decide that looked like a good tunnel to try to climb to attempt to get to the top of the table and he dived in . . .

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[Arthur Pendragon]

It was good to hear that she at least maintained a close relationship with her brother. Perhaps not physically but emotionally. "Are you able to reach him to tell him the happy news?" Arthur asked, wondering if she had plans to tell him about the baby. Or if he would just return one day to find out he was an uncle. Arthur obviously didn't know her brother, so didn't know which outcome was more likely -- hence the reason he asked. If her brother was here, it could help so that she was not living alone. Because as much as Arthur would like to be here for her, he knew that actually moving in together was a huge step. Perhaps one that neither of them were prepared to take yet . . . if ever. But again, tonight was not about making life changing plans. It was about asking questions and learning of each other. He took a bite of his steak as she went on to explain that Lucifer had once been a classroom pet, later to become a house pet.

He was just about to ask what kind of animal it was . . . when Arthur nearly choked on the piece of steak he was in the process of swallowing. For in that moment, he felt something crawl up his leg, and it caused him to leap out of his seat, hit his knees on the table causing the entire thing to shake, and stagger back. "There's something touching me!" He exclaimed. "A rat! Or a snake!" GOOD GOSH! She had rats?! Or other critters lurking around?! No wonder she wanted to move! Arthur was in a frenzy, trying to stop the movement though he could see the bulging figure make its way up his pants . . . so he did the only 'logical' thing in this situation: he unfastened the top of his jeans and pulled them down to get whatever the hell was crawling up his leg, OUT!

[Guinevère]

"There's something touching me!" She was about to tell him when he reacted to something, jumping up and back. "A rat! Or snake!" No! "Lucifer!" She squeaked and ran over to him, but by that point he was undoing his pants, and dropping them! "OH!" She squeaked again, coming to a stop. This was bad! This was really bad! How embarrassing to see him in his boxers! Well, she had seen more--but not like this!

Finally Lucifer crawled out of the top and crawled toward her. She bent down and scooped him up before her wide and slightly frightened eyes went to Arthur's face. "I am so sorry!" She said, "I didn't think he'd come this close to a stranger or I would have warned you sooner!" "I am so sorry!" Her eyes dropped for a moment, lingered and then shoot up quickly to his face, "Ssssooo sorry!" That she'd just got caught looking at him there. Her eyes moved up to above his head, finding it safer. Then she felt the slight nervous ramble coming but only JUST held it back. "He means no harm--" Unless your fingers were close by, "--He just likes to crawl and run."

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[Arthur Pendragon]

THIS was Lucifer?! This creature who ran up men's pants?! Arthur just stared at her as she scooped up the critter, surprised that she had such a pet. He had been expecting Lucifer to be a dog, or a cat, or a hamster, or even a damn bird! But this?! A ferret?! "You have a bloody ferret?!" He questioned, expressing his shock about the unexpected revelation of the nature of her pet. It wasn't until her eyes darted away from him that he realized why. Blimey! His pants were down! He quickly bent over to pull them up, and just held them there for a moment. Granted, she had seen more than this, especially in his more conservative dress, but still. The moment was not intimate . . . and now it was just awkward. He had pulled down his pants in front of her, and was thankful that in the panic of the moment . . . he had not accidentally pulled down his boxers too.

"At least now I know why he has that name," he stated, though not yet fully at ease to laugh at his own realization. She had a ferret. What a peculiar pet to posses. One that he would not have expected her to own. Staring at it for a few more moments, he then decided it was probably a good time to fasten his pants once again, though that feeling of something creepy and crawly running up his leg caused him to inwardly shudder. Zipping and buttoning his jeans once again, he kept his gaze on the ferret . . . out of the embarrassment he felt in this moment, it was safer to look at the creature then at her.

[Guinevère]

Maybe it made her old fashioned to rather be a homey girl, and stay at home rather then go out drinking. Or to not sleep with every man she met. Or to disapprove of cursing. Yet it was who she was, and when he cursed she looked over to the side instead of to him, feeling herself want to cry for how embarrassed she was in this moment. "At least now I know why he has that name," He said and she couldn't smile or make a joke to put them at ease. Not this time.

"I should," She said softly, and then pointed tot he steps. "His cage." She explained with out looking at him, and then hurried up them. She did not often lock him up, but tonight she should have. Putting them there and locking the cage he gave a sound of dis-approval before she took a step back and just stood there a moment to gain some since of calm. She didn't want to go down there! How embarrassing to have one's pet make an entrance like that! She waited another few moments before she turned so she could walk back down and find some way to save tonight.

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