An Unexpected Surprise [Modern AU]

[Arthur Pendragon]

Faith. That was a rather pretty name, and it seemed to suit her perfectly. Guinevère Faith . . . what was her last name? That much Arthur should know, and he realized that he couldn't remember! Best not to bring that up right now. And he was thankful for the diversion in conversation when she said that the more she kept herself busy, the faster the mood swings passed. He could deal with her mood swings, it was the nausea he was worried about. "Muffins it is then," he told her, raising himself to his feet as he offered his hand to her to help her up. "I should probably get dressed first," he added, more to help lighten the mood. But also, its not as if he could wear a sheet for breakfast.

Thankfully he had a change of clothes in the car -- something he always took to and from the hospital for he never knew if he was going to stay the night. "I'll leave you to get dressed up here." And he would get dressed downstairs . . . since it appeared she only had the one bathroom. "Are you feeling any better now?" Just so she didn't move too quickly. Even though she said she needed to be doing something, he wanted to make sure she wasn't too active, for the best thing for morning sickness was rest. But from the way she spoke of how they could eat -- relaxing on the couch -- it seemed like a perfect way to help ensure she was not moving about too much.

[Guinevère]

"Muffins it is then," Muffins with Mom. Guinevère smiled softly at the idea, knowing that was an morning event they had once a year at her school, and in a few years she could be going with her son or daughter. "I'd like that." She whispered though she knew she would not eat for a while for her belly was unsettled. Though the smell could either make her hungry or more ill.

"I should probably get dressed first," She liked this look on him. "If you must," She teased and hoped that he still looked casual afterwards. She liked him like this. "I'll leave you to get dressed up here." "I will dress and then be in the kitchens, if you want to shower or anything while they cook." She knew he had came from work, and then worked up a wonderful sweat last night--that thought made her blush--and he might be here until he went back to work today.

"Are you feeling any better now?" Not dressed! "Better, yes." She said and smiled softly, "Thank you."

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[Arthur Pendragon]

He smiled with amusement when she teased him, an indication that she was already feeling better from her sickness. "I may take you up on that offer," he said in agreement when she suggested showering. Looking at her for a moment, a playful smile formed on his lips. "Next time, when you're feeling better, you should join me." A suggestion of his own now, only a bit more flirtatious than the one she had given him. With that, he gave her a small wink and left the upstairs area, heading downstairs to quickly change into his clothes, just so he could walk outside to get his fresh clothing from the car. Reaching into his pocket, he looked at his cell phone, quickly skimming through missed messages, relieved to see that he had not been called, nor paged by the hospital.

He hadn't really thought about it until this morning -- as he was far too distracted last night. And even then, the thought that work may have been looking for him, was not enough to get him out of bed. Once at his car, he grabbed what he needed, locked the door and headed back inside. It was such a quaint area. Her place from the outside even looked so small. He supposed it was a good size for one person . . . a modest size. But still. He wasn't sure he'd ever be able to live in a place so small and so . . . well, just small. He forced such thoughts out of his mind, not wanting to offend her or anything, as he made his way back into her tiny little house.

[Guinevère]

"I may take you up on that offer," She smiled, liking the idea of a man in her shower for some odd reason. "Next time, when you're feeling better, you should join me." Blushing brightly she tucked her hair behind her ear and spoke in a voice that was bold but not as confidant as he was. "I may take you up on that." She teased back.

When he left she dressed in jeans and a pale pink tank-top with another matching cover over it, so she would not get a chill. Walking down she went to the kitchen and noticed that he had cleaned up some last night. Arthur, she thought his name and bit her lip, while moving in the kitchen to pull out the pan and start making muffins from scratch.

Happily.

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[Arthur Pendragon]

When Arthur walked back in, he noticed her measuring things out for muffins. He thought she already had some sort of mix and just needed to pop them in the oven! "You really do like cooking and baking, don't you?" He teased watching her for a minute before looking at the fallen table. He would have to get that cleared out of here for her. Perhaps he could turn it into firewood and she could use it to fuel a fire. Did she even have a fireplace? "I'll be back shortly," he told her, heading upstairs so that he could shower. As Arthur walked into her room, he paused, noticing the creature from hell looking at him. Really, it was a fitting title since his name was Lucifer. Had he been there all night?! Well, that was a bit of a disturbing thought. Arthur stopped in front of the cage, peering at it. "What the hell are you looking at?" He asked, obviously sounding a bit taunting since Lucifer was trapped in the cage. Arthur smirked at the critter. And coincidentally, at that moment, Lucifer stuck out its claw and tried to swipe Arthur right in the face. Thankfully, he managed to move back just in time, though was surprised by the action.

Was Guinevère even safe around this creature?! Would their baby be safe around it?! Arthur just shook his head as if to say 'you missed sucker' and then went to take a shower. He grabbed a towel and hung it over the bar, as he turned the water on, undressed and let the refreshing liquid soothe his body. Just what he needed after a long day. And an incredibly wonderful night. He was so distracted by the refreshing effect, that he saw no sign of Lucifer . . . until he felt something leap at him. Arthur let out a loud yell at the unexpected intruder, and went into a panicked frenzy. Causing all the bottles of shampoo and conditioners to fall on the ground. Arthur grabbed the hairy beast and threw him out of the shower. Then took his towel to wrap around him. He looked around for a weapon, but the closest thing he could find was the toilet plunger. He saw the tail of the beast scurry behind the toilet, and grabbing hold of this makeshift weapon, Arthur attempted to get a hold of Lucifer . . . and beat him to death. But the ferret was so flexible, that it was in a spot that was far too awkward for Arthur to reach. Still. He could wait here all bloody day!

[Guinevère]

Guinevère put the muffins in and then looked at the table there, This had to go. She pulled it until ti was as much to the side as the two sides would go. At least now it as mostly out of the way and they could not walk around all day. She went and pulled out juice and put the pitcher with two cups by the couch. There now--

Guinevère jumped at the sounds coming from the upstaires. "Arthur!?" She called running up them as quickly as her little feet could take her and rushing toward the washroom. Pushing it open--as she feared he was hurt--and came right in. Noticing his plunger and state she could guess what happened. Oh! Oh no! "Lucifer!" She whispered in a horrified tone. "I'm sorry!"

Now their morning was back to embarrassing! "I am so sorry! He's not used to men here! He thinks he is protecting me!" She explained, before moving around to reach for her pet. Taking him into her arms she backed away slightly. 'I am so sorry! I his cage does not have a lock, and he sometimes finds a way out of it." She was backing away slowly, but stopped when she knew the steps were just behind her.

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[Arthur Pendragon]

The hatred that Lucifer had for Arthur was officially mutual. He came out so easily when Guinevère was there, when all Arthur wanted to do was smack him a few hard and good times with the plunger he had gripped in his hand. His eyes narrowed at the critter, and Arthur could have sworn that he was giving him a smug look! Even for a ferret! . . . Could ferret's look smug? He didn't care. He just knew his eyes weren't playing tricks on him. "That thing," he said, motioning toward toward Lucifer using the toilet plunger as the pointer. As she stepped back, he walked forward. "Thinks he's protecting you?!" Surely not. Surely he was not that smart.

"How does he manage to get out of the cage?" No. Not that smart at all. One day, that creature was not going to escape. One day, Arthur was going to claim his revenge. And Lucifer wouldn't be able to hide behind Guinevère. "He better get damn well used to you being around men. Otherwise, he and I are going to have a serious problem." Arthur didn't care how threatening he looked with his plunger and clad only in a towel. He was going to be visiting here frequently. In the span of what, 12 hours, Lucifer had already managed to climb up his pants and attack him in the shower. He could only imagine what would be next!

[Guinevère]

"That thing," Arthur walked forward as she walked back, butt he steps were just behind her and she could not step back any longer. "Is a ferret." "Thinks he's protecting you?!" "yes!" She told him, noticing how he was pointing the plunger at him. It was only then that she realized why he'd had it. Not trying to defend himself from a surprise but attack. "How does he manage to get out of the cage?" "Wh-why?"

"He better get damn well used to you being around men. Otherwise, he and I are going to have a serious problem." She took another step back, and this time her foot hit the top step but she had been unready to step down causing her to tilt sharply, Lucifer to cry out as she grabbed him tighter, and have to grab onto the railing to keep from falling. "Per-perhaps threatening him isn't the best way to make peace!" She yelled back at him before turning to hurry down the steps.

There she ran to the couch--out of Arthur's way--and sat there holding Lucifer to her. Apparently amidst being gentle and kind to her, and making her fleet warm and safe and special, Arthur Pendragon also had a temper?

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[Arthur Pendragon]

Why? WHY?! Because that thing was a menace! A hazard! What if it crept out of its cage and attacked their child in the middle of the night?! Clearly, it had no problem attacking him! Arthur was just about to answer her question by speaking aloud his thoughts . . . when he noticed her stumble and nearly fall down the stairs. At that moment, he could sworn his heart had skipped a beat due to the fear alone. The fact that she could have stumbled down the stairs, and had such a serious accident. Even potentially lost the baby. Thankfully, she managed to catch her balance, though he felt some of the anger subside. That is, until she gave her parting words before running down the stairs, cradling the devil's spawn. HE wasn't the one who had declared war; it was Lucifer! There was a reason she hadn't called him Gabriel! Arthur just stared at the space she had once occupied, before spinning around and going back to the bathroom.

He quickly got changed into his new clothing, freshened up, and angrily stuffed his worn clothes in his bag. Damn bloody stupid idiotic useless ferret! Something that she seemed far too protective of. Once he was dressed, he headed back downstairs, not looking at her, though with the small sized area, it was impossible not to notice her on the couch. He was going to walk out right now, claim that he had to get to work . . . but then he saw the table. Something that he still had to take responsibility for. Besides, he didn't want her holding that against him. So tossing his back to the ground, he began to break apart the table. He put his foot on it, and began to fully break off the legs, one by one. It wasn't too difficult since the wood was already split and had significantly weakened it,. He was just breaking it apart so that she could burn it. And hopefully throw Lucifer in the fire while she was at it.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère saw him walk out of her room and down the steps and over tot he door. Her heard beat faster and she realized he was leaving! Then he stopped tossed his bag down and walked to the broken table to take it apart. It would be easier to move out in whole parts but she said nothing to him. Afraid of this angry side him. Lifting Lucifer she walked up the steps and put him in his cage again, this time placing a book by the door to make it harder to open.

Walking back down the steps she paused half way and then sat down, watching him. The room was starting to fill up with the smell of the muffins but she doubted he would stay for them. He had been about to leave again. Guinevère wondered if he would always leave when things got hard.

Not that she was doing a good job of helping him stay. She wasn't. Perhaps that was her fault. With everyone in her life. She always let them go, knowing that if she loved them it was supposed to be what she did. Wasn't that the saying? If you love someone let them go, and if they love you then they will return? "The muffins are almost done." She said in a small voice, as if she didn't know he was about to leave.

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[Arthur Pendragon]

He still kept his gaze fixated on the table, even when she moved upstairs, taking the beast with her. And returned back down without him. Good. He was locked up. But who knew for how long. If that ferret ever stepped claw in Arthur's house, then he would let Cabal and Bohrs use him as a rag toy. The thought of vengeance made him pull apart the table more aggressively, and at the same time, helped calm his racing mind. He could feel her eyes on him, though he didn't look at her. Even though he wanted to. Why was this ferret such an interference? Everything always went so well, until Lucifer showed up and then did something to embarrass the hell out of him, and cause them to be completely awkward. "The muffins are almost done." The muffins? Oh right. The muffins. The smell of them filled the room and caused the emptiness in his stomach to intensify. NO! He was not staying for muffins. He was supposed to be coming up with the excuse that he had to work. Even though he didn't have to go in for hours. No muffins. He was not staying. He should just tell her that and go.

Before she did something sweet like give him a muffin to go and then he would feel bad for leaving. Then he would decide to stay, kiss her and ---- NO! He had to leave. This was just ridiculous. Things shouldn't be so awkward. He knew he couldn't just fully walk away from her. She was carrying his child. And . . . she had just been sick earlier because of it. Was she still feeling unwell? What kind of man would he be if he just left her? Probably the kind of man he had been these past years when it came to woman. No commitment. With her, there was inevitable commitment. In terms of how they would always be linked because of the child. Intimately . . . he didn't know what was going on between them. He could either suffer through the awkwardness now, or wait for it to build up, and then be ten times worse next time they met. What was better? What did she prefer? Did she want him to leave since he had threatened the life of her pet -- which she was clearly over protective of. "Do you have any coffee?" So apparently, he was staying after all.

[Guinevère]

"Do you have any coffee?" He asked and she wondered if that meant he was staying or just thinking of staying. "No, I'm sorry." She should have shopped for a man in mind but she had not known he would be here in the morning. "I have juice or there is a coffee shop just at the corner if you rather coffee." She told him, a bit afraid that if he left that he might not come back. Yet she knew she could not keep him here if he wished to leave for home.

The timer over the stove went off with a little ding and Guinevère got up to walk over and pull them out. Using the potholder, she tilted it on it's side and pushed them into a plate, so they could be eaten. She paused and then lifted the plate. Trying to decide on if she should offer him some or just assume things and take them to the couch. In the end she took them toward the couch so she could sit there and at least enjoy the smell if he left. "They're best while hot." She told him, after sitting and pulling her feet up on one side of the couch.

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[Arthur Pendragon]

Alright so no coffee. He would just pick some up on his way to work . . . or, whenever he left here. There was still an awkward tension between them. Who would have thought a pet would be the cause of it. A perfectly good morning was ruined, because the critter had to attack him in the shower. Utterly ridiculous! "It's alright," he assured her when she apologized for not having coffee. Even though she didn't need to apologize for it. So she wasn't a coffee drinker, something else he learned about her. Which was good at such a time, since she was pregnant and too much caffeine was not good for the baby. When he felt the table had been ripped apart enough, just time for when she said that they were best when hot, Arthur made his way to the couch. He leaned against the arm of the couch, rather than sitting right down on it, as he took a muffin in hand. He slowly pulled the lining on it, and broke a small piece off, popping it in his mouth.

It was good. Very good. It tasted very . . . homemade. "It's really good," he said, speaking his mind. Better that then let the awkwardness ensue. Was it always going to be like this? One incident and then many moments of tension between them? Or was it because they didn't know each other well? Either way, he was going to have to figure out a way to make this work. Usually with women, he was so carefree. Able to just casually see them, casually date. But with Guinevère, there was so much pressure to make this work; to make them establish some sort of relationship, whatever kind of relationship that may be. Perhaps that was why he was failing; because he wasn't doing well under all this pressure. Which meant, he would only have to try harder. "How long have you been baking for?" There. A start. A question. An attempt to show that he was at least trying, even if he was failing.

[Guinevère]

Arthur complemented her baking and Guinevère felt herself smile softly, "Thank you." She noticed however that he wasn't sitting, and she assumed he was just eating before he left. She was good at being supportive when people needed to do what they felt they had to do. She had been trying to do things differently with him but as they were not working Guinevère decided to just be herself.

"How long have you been baking for?" "Oh ummm, my whole life really. As long as I can remember I was learning to cook and later cooking. I was the only girl so it was sort of my job. And I sort of just fell in love with cooking." She told him, "I like taking nothing and making something. I used to think about being a baker, but I liked children better then cookies." She tried to joke, to help them both feel at ease.

And fair was fair, "Did you always want to be a doctor?"

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[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur listened attentively as she explained that she had been baking all her love. Baking and cooking. From the way she spoke of it, it sounded like she should have been a chef. Then again, sometimes when a hobby turned into a profession, it took the fun out of it and turned it into something stressful. When it was otherwise done to help a person relax and distress. "Well, at least you can somewhat combine the two together," he began to suggest. "You can bake things for your students," he explained, only half kidding with his words. She seemed like a homemaker type of person. Someone who loved cooking and baking, and . . . cleaning, and whatever else she did in her spare time that he didn't know about. Just as he was sure there was a lot he didn't know about her. "And they' be lucky to have anything made by you," he added, further flattery at her cooking and baking abilities.

For the food last night had been delicious, and the muffin he was certainly consuming was also incredibly delicious. "Did you always want to be a doctor?" A question about himself. He knew it was only fair, though speaking of his personal life was something he seldom did. The honest answer to the question was no. He had always wanted to be a professional athlete. However, it had never been a matter of choice. "I come from a family of doctors," he began to explain. His father was a doctor and his father before him. "Sort of a family tradition," he said nonchalantly. He loved his job, but also knew that he had no choice but to love it for at a very early age, he had been pushed toward this. And sometimes knew he didn't deserve it. Not wanting the subject to rest on him, he tried desperately to distract his thoughts that arouse from her question, to direct the conversation back on her. "What's your favorite thing to cook, or bake?" He asked curiously, taking another bite of the muffin.

[Guinevère]

"Well, at least you can somewhat combine the two together She tried to tease them both, and it came out easier then the last time, "Bake my children?" She managed to sound lighter, as if everything eased in these moments. "You can bake things for your students," "I do when they do well on tests and things. Reward them with goodies." "And they' be lucky to have anything made by you," She laughed softly, "Well, it's better then cafeteria foods."

"I come from a family of doctors, sort of a family tradition," Guinevère had spend enough time around children to know when someone was avoiding the question. She wanted to ask more but, fair was fair. "What's your favorite thing to cook, or bake?" Shrugging she explained, "I like to bake for people. I more like to cook for certain people rather then certain things. Food makes people happy, and stop moving for a moment to eat. I wanted more family sit down suppers. Everyone was always too busy, but when I cooked my Papa and Elyan would make time to come sit and eat." They were together for an hour.

"What did you want to be before you went into the family business?"

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[Arthur Pendragon]

"Bake my children?" He smiled with amusement as she suggested an alternative to his comment about combining the two. At least she seemed to be relaxing some. And the tension from just a few moments ago was starting to decline. That was a relief. So she didn't have a favorite thing to cook or bake . . . though her answer was still a rather optimistic and positive one. She liked to bake, because food made people happy? Was she really so . . . high spirited? He wasn't sure he's ever met someone so, happy. Apart from the moments that her ferret interfered between them. "That makes sense," he said in agreement. Though he obviously didn't understand it for they had chefs to cook for them. Which was why there was something unique about these muffins; something that made it particaruly delicious.

Because they were made from someone who did it for the fun of it, rather than someone who did it because they were getting paid to do so. "Did you ever think about making it a career? Or did you always want to be a teacher?" He asked. Deeper questions. Right! Now they were getting somewhere. Though, he wished it was one sided. "What did you want to be before you went into the family business?" He wasn't sure he wanted to answer such personal things on his own part. Besides, women loved to talk. So he should be giving the questions and her the answers . . . right? "All kids dream of being things," he said casually. "An actor, an astronaut, a singer, so on. For me, there was no other path than being a doctor." Because that was what his father wanted him to do, and he couldn't disobey his father.

[Guinevère]

Everything was easing, and it started to feel relaxed between them. Mostly. "All kids dream of being things," But he was still avoiding her question. Looking into the blue of his eyes as he spoke again, Guinevère knew that he was trying to not give something away. "An actor, an astronaut, a singer, so on. For me, there was no other path than being a doctor." For no child wanted only to ever be just one single thing.

'You know, as a teacher I see so many boys tell me something that their parents have told them, and they say it because they think they must." She explained, "But you can see it in their eyes, Arthur, what they really want." What he really wanted, "If you don't want to tell me, that is fine. I just want you to know that, I can tell the difference between wanting something, and wanting something for the family."

"So to answer you question, I liked teaching better. So when I got out of grade school and had to pick a college I went to a local tech school--" Not a credited four year college, "--and got my degree so I could teach."

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[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur returned her gaze when she spoke of being able to tell that he was not properly answering her question. And that she could tell the difference between wanting something and wanting it for the family. Had she experienced that? He was avoiding any questions about her father and mother, not wanting to speak about such upsetting things. But if she spoke of always wanting to be a teacher, and thus able to achieve her dream career, then it didn't sound like she was getting a great deal of family pressure, straying her from what she wanted. His family was very different. But he was not going to go into that. He was fairly certain she would meet his father one day -- probably soon. For he had to eventually tell him that he was going to be a grandfather.

"And what do you tell those boys?" He asked, more out of curiosity but not so much in a way of seeking advice. For he was no longer a child. He was grown, this was his career path, and one that he could continue with until he was too old and forced to retire. "That's good," he said, in reference to her words as he took another bite of the muffin. "That you were successful in what you wanted to do. And what you enjoy doing as well," he said with a smile, referring to her success as a cook and baker. "What does your brother do that sends him all over the world?" He asked, assuming that he had to have some sort of income as traveling was expensive. And if he was always doing so . . . then was he perhaps achieving his own dream?

[Guinevère]

"And what do you tell those boys?" "To follow their heart." She told him, "That they will have years to learn to balance the pressures of life with the fulfillment of their hearts. My brother does nothing but follow his heart." And Arthur she thought, followed his family's wishes. "You have to find a balance. Perhaps whatever it was you really wanted, can be made a hobby, or just done for the fun of doing it." She leaned her head forward as if to whisper a secret thought he wasn't close enough to make it so. "I will even do it with you if you like."

"What does your brother do that sends him all over the world?" Oooohhhhhh. Elyan. Guinevère's smile slipped slightly and her eyes drifted down to the couch. "I don't quite know." Because Elyan would drop a call in, but he never spoke of his other life. He just came home sometimes and disappeared at others. He didn't stay. His heart was not home bound.

Forcing her eyes up to him, she smiled, "He's a good man you know. My brother. If I ever called him up and really needed him there would not be a mountain nor force that could stop him from coming. I know that. . . . " But she wanted someone that was there on the good day, and not just the bad.

she wanted someone who didn't leave.

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