An Unexpected Surprise [Modern AU]

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur smiled when she offered the advice she would have given a child at the time. "That's good advice," he said, more as a compliment rather than just a casual comment. "And yet, sometimes all a child every wants, more than anything, is to see the pride in their parents' eyes." To be what their parents wanted them to be. To be a son worthy of being called one by their father. Arthur's thoughts were focusing more on his own circumstances but the comment was general enough . . . though it seemed that she somehow understood him. Understood his reasons for evading the question. Perhaps she knew him better than he thought she did. Better than anyone really, for he did not speak about such things to most others. When she leaned closer as if to whisper words of great importance, he chuckled at the result of them. Offering to do whatever his own hobbies were.

"I'll bring the game Operation with me next time then," he joked, going back to the idea that being a doctor was all he ever wanted to be. He listened attentively as she spoke about her brother, noticing that her smile slipped but she spoke of him with affection. "I admire him. For being able to follow his heart so freely." Arthur wondered if he would eventually meet him. How would he react to such news? Would he be angry at Arthur for what he did? Would he be disapproving? How traditional were their values? 'Are you going to tell him?" About the baby. Though Arthur assumed she knew what he was talking about since there was really only that one major thing. Would she tell him early on, or wait for him to come back to find out he is an uncle? He was curious as to whether he would return from his adventures to take care of her. Arthur for one would feel better knowing that someone was living with her -- someone other than her menacing ferret. For she shouldn't be alone, and he could only be here so often with his work schedule.

[Guinevère]

"And yet, sometimes all a child every wants, more than anything, is to see the pride in their parents' eyes." Was that what he wanted? His parent's pride? "This might sound a little morbid, but as I have lost both my parents, and they are not here to give me any approval. You cannot always live that way. You have to make sure your happy with who you are too."

"Are you going to tell him?" Her brother. Elyan. "Yes," she would tell him, when he called next. She sent him an email--as he tended to switch phones often and email was simpler--telling him that when he had a free moment she had some news to share with him. That had been yesterday before she went to see Arthur, and she didn't expect a reply for another few days. "How will family take the news?"

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[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur paused in thought, thinking about her words. Was he happy with who he was? He wasn't sure. He knew that he had gone quickly through the ranks because of his father. In that way, he fully aware that his position was undeserved for his father used his own connections. On the other hand . . . he did love what he did. And had developed a passion for it, even if it had not been his first idea of what he wanted to do for a career. He often thought if his mother would be proud of him, or if she would think more along the lines of how Guinevère's mind seemed to work: follow your heart and be who you want to be. Her question distracted him from his thoughts, and he was more than thankful for the diversion. "How will your family take the news?" A good question indeed. He doubted that Morgana would care, seeing as how they were at odds right now.

His uncle was on Morgana's side, so he would disregard it as well. And Uther would be furious. 'I'm not entirely sure," he answered, obviously not wanting to scare Guinevère. His father even scared him. "My father has been telling me to get serious with my life for the past few years." In terms of relationships. For he knew his father despised Arthur's lifestyle choices. Everything with the exception of his career path. "He's also a bit of a traditional man." Part of the reason he didn't like the way his son acted. "How do you think your brother will take the news?" Would he have to watch out for an angry brother who lashes out at him for taking advantage of her in such a way?

[Guinevère]

'I'm not entirely sure," Nor was she, so it was even. "My father has been telling me to get serious with my life for the past few years." Guinevère had the feeling however that not only was this not what he meant, but that her and Arthur's two nights now didn't mean serious to a father. "He's also a bit of a traditional man." Especially a traditional one! She had heard stories of older rich men not liking their son's girlfriends who were not of their class but Guinevère didn't believe them. She was hoping this proved her right, rather then wrong.

"How do you think your brother will take the news?" She shrugged, "Elyan is . . . . He's the black sheep of the family. He is the one who always get in over his head and was the good girl, who never got in trouble." Now she was pregnant and not wed! "I've only ever had one serious boyfriend, and Elyan liked him. They weren't close-close but they muddled well enough. I really have no idea how he will react."

"Do you think you father will like me?"

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[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur listened to her talk about Elyan, how he was the black sheep and she was the good one. He couldn't help but smile at that, for it wasn't hard to see how she was the good one. She was caring, loving, and took care of people. He hardly knew her and he already could tell that much about her. His interest peaked when she spoke about only having had one boyfriend . . . something he had been asking about before, but they had gotten distracted. She had one serious boyfriend, yet had never slept with him? Was she saving herself for . . . someone else? For when she was married? It only brought that impending question back to his mind, of why she gave her virginity to a guy she didn't know too well -- not that he was complaining. And if he had pressured her in any way. "Do you think you father will like me?" Another difficult question, because he knew the answer. His father would not approve of his choice in women.

For she was not from a prestigious family, she had no wealth and no position in society. And while Arthur didn't exactly prioritize these things, his father did. But again, he didn't want to scare her. "I'm sure you'll see for yourself, whenever we have dinner with him." His voice was optimistic, but deep down, he knew that his father would not going to be happy at all with her. Not wanting to linger on that subject, he decided to go back to a point of curiosity. "What happened with him?" He asked curiously. "Your one serious boyfriend I mean," he added, now wondering about him rather than Elyan. He would have to try to get along with Elyan, and hopefully it wouldn't be too hard. But what he really wanted to know was about her past relationships . . . or, relationship rather.

[Guinevère]

"I'm sure you'll see for yourself, whenever we have dinner with him." Dinner? With his father?! She felt a bit nervous and intimidated at the very idea. "When do you think that might happened?" She asked softly, thinking of everything she would need to do in order to make a good impression as it had not failed on her to noticed he did say that his father would approve. Only that she would see for her self.

"What happened with him?" Her brother? "Your one serious boyfriend I mean," Oh! . . . . Oooohhh. Well, Arthur at least knew what didn't happen, as she had been--well, he had been her first. "Lancelot is a story for another day. The short version? He left . . . . over and over again . . . . I wasn't enough to make him stay. In the end, I realized that I liked him--a lot--but I didn't love him. I wanted to wait for love. I wanted someone who would stay for me, not promise to think of me."

"He follows his heart too, but where as my brother does it for adventure, Lancelot thinks he has to save the world. He's always trying."

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[Arthur Pendragon]

"When do you think that might happened?" A less intense question but one that was a bit hard to answer. "Maybe next weekend?" He offered, unsure of what her plans were. "It'll give us some time to figure things out." So that he wasn't going to his father, looking like he needed his help. So that he could go to him and have somewhat of a plan. Though he knew either way, his father was going to disapprove of it. He then turned his attention to the conversation about Lancelot, though she summed it up. He could respect that. Sometimes break ups didn't go all too well. And if that had been her first -- and only -- serious relationship, then it must have been all the harder for her. "Well its his loss really. Because he doesn't know what he's missing." Her. And any guy should be lucky enough to have won her affections right? Especially if she was not like this with everyone.

He looked at her for a moment, wanting her to know just how sincere his words were . . . how much he meant it. Reailzing he may have been looking a little too long, he broke his gaze and brought up another subject. One that did not stray too far from the current topic of discussion. "I have to ask, you said you were waiting for love." She had been saving herself for love, and apparently she didn't love him. "But that night when we were together." Their first night. "What was it that sort of, changed your mind?" Their connection hadn't been love. There had been chemistry for sure, but they had just properly met that day. He was just trying to subtly find out if he had been too forward, made too many advances . . . taken advantage of her alcohol level. This time, he wasn't asking to feed his own ego, but to put his mind at ease. And at least he could ask when they were both coherent and not overwhelmed with pleasure.

[Guinevère]

"Maybe next weekend?" Next weekend! "That works" She said softly but in her mind was screaming at how nervous she was about meeting his father! Next weekend! She had a week to plan the rest of her lie out enough in her mind to make it seem good and solid for his traditional father! The very idea was making her head spin slightly but she was fairly certain that she was able to just sit there and not expose herself outwardly! "Where at?" She asked, knowing if it was at his home then she needed to prepare for one way--and if it was at a dinner then another way.

"It'll give us some time to figure things out." But not enough, thought nine months, nine years might not be enough. Still she was going to be positive about this! She was going to stand tall, smile bright, and find a way to win over the father! She could do it! . . . Yeah! . . . Sure thing! Just be herself! or a version of her self that had more confidence and her life more stable. "What was it that sort of, changed your mind?" She blinked up at him, knowing he was asking her about something but she had not fully processed his words. When they came to her, she blinked once.

Then twice, in surprise. "Oh, ummm." She had her reason, but she wasn't sure how to tell him with out making---Knock, Knock. She jumped slightly and then stood and walked to the door. "Sorry, one moment." She opened it and looked out side, seeing a package delivery man who needed her to sign for it. "Thank you!" She called as he left.

Walking back in she held up the small package. "I had actually ordered this for you, but decided not to wait for it. It was meant to soften the news slightly." She walked over and held the box out for him.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"That works." Good! So she was free around that time. "Where at?" Arthur would have to check with his father, but he knew it would be a formal event, with formal attire. Meeting his father always was. "It will either be at his place, or we'll go out to eat." Whatever his father preferred as he was the often who made arrangements for such things . . . not that Arthur had a lot of one on one dinners with a woman he had slept with and his father. "It'll be formal dress though," he added, just so she knew what sort of dress code it was. "I can pick you up and we'll go together. As soon as I know where we're going," he said, not exactly fully kidding for this was just a general plan. The more he spoke of it however, the more he was swallowing back his nervousness.

He would have to make this work . . . somehow. But thankfully, this thoughts were quickly put to rest for the time being as the subject of the nagging question at his mind arose. He awaited anxiously for her answer, knowing that she had one. She had to have. With all that she had told him about saving herself, and how uncommon this was for her . . . there had to have been a reason. But alas, he would not hear it right now for there was a knock at the door that broke the moment. Talk about timing! Arthur gave a small nod as he watched her head to the door, silently cursing for his curiosity would once again, go unsatisfied. She then explained that she had ordered this for her, and he paused with surprise. She had gotten him something? Shouldn't he be the one getting her something? Something more than . . . truffles.

"You didn't have to do that," he said in a quiet voice, though reached for the package regardless. He pulled the tape off, opening it and reaching inside to pull out . . . a travel mug. One that had the words 'daddyscrubs' on it. It was enough to cause Arthur to chuckle at the sentiment of it. Looking at it for a few moments, he looked at her so that she would fully recognize the sincerity in his voice. "Thank you," he said, holding it up with a smile. "Really. This is perfect." Daddy. Dad. Father. Papa. In a few months time, he would have a child who would call him by such a title . . . and he was terrified of it. Yet as he had realized before, her calmness and excitement over everything and contagious, and helped ease his own mind. Somehow, she managed to have such a strong effect on him like that.

[Guinevère]

Formal wear to a house dinner? She would have thought dress causal. Apparently ether way she needed to have a dress readied. It made her feel all the more nervous about the upcoming meeting with his father. She would think on it more later, for her excitement over the gift over came her. She wanted him to like it, and had not known if he would or not. "You didn't have to do that," "I wanted too." She wanted to be the first to give him something for being a daddy.

"Thank you," She smiled bright and happy, at his apparently approval and like of the travel mug. It had little foot prints and came from the website called daddyscrubs.com. It had seemed to fit a doctor father. "Really. This is perfect." She laughed once, giddy with excitement before speaking. "I am glad you do. I wasn't sure if you would want something to show off that your a father or not,--Not that I thought you wouldn't!--but I meant this early." He might wish for others to not know this early. Some people needed more time then others.

"If not, then you an at least use it for when you come here. Bring coffee from the shop at the corner and keep it warmer longer." Something useful, but sentimental. Moving to sit on the couch she curled again on the end. "I know we said that we should get to know each other first, but . . . I haven't really been able to speak of the baby to anyone yet."

"I bought the what to expect when your expecting book, and thought about little else . . . . but I never spoke of it to anyone."

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[Arthur Pendragon]

He knew he wouldn't be able to use it in the hospital until he told his father. Out of pure fear that someone would see something and tell him. One couldn't be too careful. Though he did want to use it . . . certainly would be a conversation starter. But more importantly, he wanted to use it because it was something she had given him. "I will definitely be putting this to good use," he assured her. It was probably the most sentimental travel mug that he had, and therefore, he would use it the most. He then listened as she spoke of wanting to get to know each other first, but then referred to how she had no one else to talk of the baby about. He didn't want her to feel like she couldn't talk to him, just because he had tried to take a less stressful route for himself. And knew now how selfish that was. "You can talk to me anytime about it," he assured her.

"I know this must not have been an easy thing to deal with on your own. And you don't have to anymore." Despite what he said, they only had months to make plans and such. Last night, they had explored another aspect of their building relationship. But he knew it could not all be fun and games. And not having taken anything in his life seriously -- apart from his job -- he wasn't quite used to it. But this time, he didn't have a choice but to get used to it. "Have you started reading the book?" He asked, knowing that he would probably have to get one too . . . or just borrow hers. He knew everything from a medical perspective but not from a more practical point of view; not from the point of view of a parent . . . of the father.

[Guinevère]

"I know this must not have been an easy thing to deal with on your own. And you don't have to anymore." It had been at first, but she'd had almost a month to get used to the idea. "I should be saying the same too you," She told him, "For this is all very new to you!" He was doing better then she had been. Guinevère had been in so much shock and surprise that she doubted she could have held a conversation. "I guess in this, we are sort of a team now." Linked. Together.

She liked the idea in a way but didn't want him thinking she expected allot from him. Guinevère knew he was rich and she knew that some women saw children from rich men as a money tree. She didn't want money from him. She just wanted a father for their child. "Have you started reading the book?" "Some, I am reading each part as I go along. It has a few pages on each week of pregnancy. How big the baby is, and what parts are growing."

"Most women are showing at four months, but I am not." She was a bit worried about that but her belly was tighter, and when you pressed on it you could feel a firmness there. She only spoke up because he was a doctor and if there was something to worry about then he would know. "Though the book says that the baby is the size of a lime, or a bit bigger now. And they have fingers and toes."

Her voice was growing softer, almost applogticly since she was not told him sooner. "I am supposed to be setting up an ultrasound soon . . . If you want to go."

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[Arthur Pendragon]

"I should be saying the same too you." He wasn't sure he had still fully absorbed the news, but the more they were talking about it . . . the more real it was becoming. Perhaps it would feel less surreal when he told his father, for he knew he would have a few things to say about it. Many along the lines of clear disapproval. Of how this would tarnish his image, and so on. "For this is all very new to you!" It was! But it was just as new for her. Perhaps even scarier for her as she was the one carrying the child. Though, he did like the way she phrased her next words. That they were a team. "I like the sound of that," he told her smiling. Not only to make her feel less alone . . . but because it made him feel less alone as well. She went on to speak about how she had read some parts of the book, detecting the underlying worry in his voice about not showing after four months. "Don't worry," he said in a calm and reassuring tone. "Its not uncommon at all to not show after four months. One day you'll wake up and wonder where your feet are," he teased, knowing it was a bit exaggerated.

But he was trying to assure her that before she knew it, she would be showing . . . bulging even. "As long as you haven't been bleeding and you aren't experiencing severe cramps, then this is completely normal." Every woman was different in how much they showed and when. And if she wasn't bleeding, if she could still feel the baby, then it wasn't a miscarriage causing her not to show. Just nature. He smiled when she spoke of how the baby had fingers and toes . . . making it sound more and more like . . . well, a real person. "He or she is also starting to grow hair, have eye lashes and eyebrows." His own words brought to mind a question that he suddenly had . . . one that would probably be more relevant to when she had more regular ultrasounds. "I would love to come with you," he said, grateful that she asked. Wanting to be a part of this. "Which doctor have you scheduled the ultrasound with?" And were they any good? Because he only wanted the best for her. "As well, do you want to know the sex of the baby?" Prematurely, before she brought it into this world.

[Guinevère]

He liked the sounds of that! Good! Then she might use it more often. Because Guinevère liked being a team with someone after being on her own fr so long. "Its not uncommon--" He began to explain and her fears were eased. Good! She had thought she wasn't giving her baby enough food or room. Of course, she could have asked a doctor, but she had been a bit afraid of the answer. He went on to explain that as long as she wasn't having certain things going on--down there--then everything should be normal. "None!" She quickly assured him!

"He or she is also starting to grow hair, have eye lashes and eyebrows." That made her whole face brighten with a large smile! Guinevère loved hearing these sort of things! "Eye lashes!" She said in a laugh as she thought about it!

"I would love to come with you," Turning her head she looked up at him, and her smile stayed on her lips. "Which doctor have you scheduled the ultrasound with?" "Oh, ummm," Sher smile slipped and she went back to her more hesitant tone as she hated telling a doctor that she had not really been to one yet for a detailed check up. "I've not." She admitted, "I know I am a bit late in doing so, but I found out sort of late, and then I was just trying to come to terms with things, and I knew you were a doctor, and wanted to speak with you first. When I went to your work the first few times you were not there, and they wrote my 'messages' on post it notes, and I was doubtful they'd make it too you."

" . . . . I know that's excuses, but . . . " No butts. They were excuses.

"As well, do you want to know the sex of the baby?"She tried to think about her answer--trying to think about what he might want. "I think that will depend on you." She admitted, "I want to know so I can make things and plan for things but at the same time . . . . I think I really just want the mystery of it. I want to be surprised." Yes, that was what she wanted.

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[Arthur Pendragon]

"None!" Good! He was very relieved to hear that. Then it meant that so far, there were no signs that the baby wasn't growing healthy. But, he did become concerned when she said that she had not scheduled an appointment yet. After four months, she had no doctor? He tried to follow along with her slight ramble . . . and got the basic gist of her message. She had no doctor, and had wanted to talk to him about it. "If you will allow, a highly renound gynecologist, Doctor Mary Longstead, is the best in her field in the whole country. If you have no doctor, and no other in mind, can I recommend her? I would only want the best for you and our baby and she is just that." Her and their baby. Their baby. The words sounded so unfamiliar on his tongue and came out with such ease . . . that he wondered if he was actually realizing what he was saying. But right now, he needed to focus on the more medical aspect of things. Rather than try to break out of his seemingly still existent denial.

When she went on to answer his question, he really hoped she wasn't basing her answer on what he wanted, or what she thought he wanted. So he waited, before answering himself. Subconsciously, holding his breath. For he knew it could cause a bit of slight tension if they were in disagreement . . . though if she really wanted to know the sex of the baby then he supposed he could -- "I want to be surprised." This caused him to instantly feel relieved in her answer. Seemed they were on the same page after all. "That is exactly what I want too," he told her sincerely, hoping she didn't think he was saying it just to be in sync. For it was really what he had wanted. To not know before hand. "All it means is that we need to think of both girls and boys names," he added, trying to keep things light and stress free . . . until he left and she was no longer here to give him that sense of calm. That, was when he would most likely freak out.

[Guinevère]

"Doctor Mary Longstead" Guinevère knew of the name, she was referenced in the 'What to expect' book! She was highly skilled and respected! . . . Which meant that the free healthcare system wasn't going to cover the private practice doctor. "I would only want the best for you and our baby and she is just that." That made her heart soften, but she still could not ask him--or let him pay for everything for her. He might be rich, but she didn't expect to automatically join his world. "Isn't she private practice?" She asked as a way to bring the topic up between them causally.

"That is exactly what I want too," Really?! Guinevère was glad for that! She wanted to be surprised too, and it would be easier if he was in agreement. "All it means is that we need to think of both girls and boys names," NAMES! That idea was enough to excite her, but she knew they needed to figure out the doctor aspect before she suggested the name she already wanted--if he was in agreement!

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[Arthur Pendragon]

"Isn't she private practice?" "She is," Arthur said almost just as causally . . . until he realized why she was asking. He often forgot about the differences in their financial situation. As his extravagant lifestyle was something he took for granted . . . but having walked into her apartment yesterday, he quickly realized how different their worlds were. Not that it had been enough to stop him from being with her. But it was situations like these, that he knew he had to be a bit more respectful . . . though he wasn't sure how to phrase the offer of paying, because he could afford it. Some were easily offended by this, others more willing to accept.

Sometimes it was to take advantage of a richer person, other times it was because they had little other choice. Arthur would just have to come right out and say it, with the hope that she wouldn't be too offended by his offer. "She's a good friend of the family's," he added, hoping that that personal connection also helped some. "If you're worried about cost, you don't have to be. I'll take care of it." His voice was casual, not wanting to make a big deal about it and hoping she wouldn't either. Though, she clearly had a very modest lifestyle. He had however said that he wanted nothing less than the best for them . . . and with such words, he hoped that 'whatever the cost' was a clear implication in them.

[Guinevère]

"She's a good friend of the family's," Really?! Guinev�re looked at him in surprised, though not sure why. He was a doctor, and she was a doctor. Not that all doctors run in the same circles, but having him know someone so casually who was so well known was still surprising to her. She just watched him, thinking how odd it was that he could speak of such talented people the same way she spoke of . . . . well, Merlin mostly.

"If you're worried about cost, you don't have to be. I'll take care of it." That was where she looked away. It had been as she thought, with him wanting to use him money. Not that wanting to his his child the best was bad! And she wanted to take it for her baby, but . . . it was hard to just take,

Did she take the care for the child, or did she ask him for another recommendation. After a long silence she spoke in a soft voice, and her tone filled with hesitancy and discomfort. "Alright," She would take his offer of the doctor, though it hurt her pride to do so. "But nothing else." No other taking bills, or money. "I take care of everything else."

[Arthur Pendragon]

The long silence was . . . to be expected, he supposed. The way her eyes had averted his own made him fear he had offended her. He didn't want to do that. He had the money and he may as well put it to good use. Using it now for their baby, rather than buying an unnecessary car, or taking women out on overly expensive dates, or going on vacation . . . the money would be spent either way. He was just happier to be doing it for an actual good cause. After what felt like hours of silence, she finally broke it. Her words both comforting and ones that Arthur could not just comply with. She was allowing him to pay for this, but she said that she would take care of everything else. And he knew that was unfair.

That it was both their responsibility to take care of the baby and pay for bills and expenses associated with them. "I can't let you pay for everything else," he told her softly, not wanting her to be burdened with such a thing. "Its both our jobs as parents to share the financial responsibility. I wanted Doctor Longstead for you, and its only fair that I take care of the cost. But that doesn't mean you should be left with everything else." She was a single mother, living on her own, on a teacher's salary . . . with a ferret. He didn't have to ask to know that her budget must be tight, and didn't want her to stress over how she was going to afford to have a baby during her pregnancy, and after even.

[Guinevère]

"I can't let you pay for everything else," He should, it would be the only fair thing left! "Its both our jobs as parents to share the financial responsibility.--" Of the child, not of her. "--I wanted Doctor Longstead for you, and its only fair that I take care of the cost." "One appointment with her will cost more then I make a year." She told him, guessing but knowing she could not be too far off.

"I'm not saying don't buy anything for the baby." She wanted to let him give the baby the best he could. "When he or she is born, you can pay for their doctors, but . . . . " Not her's. Not her bills, not her things. "I'm not in this for the money," She assured him, "I want to do my part too, and if you pay for the doctor then I will do my part as well." She wasn't completely poor, she had savings! She could spend that.