Who: Gwen and Merlin When: Saturday, April 18th Where: Baxter Bakery What: Friends grabbing lunch Rating: Low/None Status: Complete
It felt like ages to Gwen since she’d actually gotten to spend time with her friend Merlin. Starting her job and moving not once but twice had eaten up a large chunk of her time but a part of her knew those were just excuses. When it came right down to it - she’d been nervous to see him for more than a quick visit. She hadn’t done a very good job of staying in touch while she’d been gone - it had just hurt too much trying to put things into words. And while she could have sent him an email telling him about where she was right then, what she was seeing that, it had just seemed like it would be impersonal.
She gave him a bright smile when she saw him, making her way towards him and reaching to give him a quick hug. “Hi.”
*** It had been too long since Merlin had seen Gwen, he missed her easy happy smile and he wanted her to meet Ben too. It was important to him that his son and one of his oldest friends meet. He knew it had been hard on her to keep in contact but he didn’t hold it against her and just wanted a chance to talk to her properly.
“Hey” he greeted with a grin, standing to hug her back. Ben was asleep in his pram next to their table but he’d wake up soon. “How are you?” he asked her as they sat, he gestured to one of the girls to come and take their order.
***
Gwen waited until she was sitting down and had ordered to look into the pram, getting her first real look at her friends son. He looked so peaceful in his sleep and she looked back at Merlin when she heard his question. “I’m doing okay I think. I’m finally used to being home and making some new friends. Best part though is getting to catch up with old ones.” She thanked the waitress when she brought over their drinks and waited until she’d walked away to begin speaking again.
“How are you? What have you been up to? Besides the obvious,” she said, looking over at Ben again. “He’s beautiful by the way.”
*** Merlin smiled, “You shouldn’t have any problem making new friends, though your old ones are glad to hear they’re the best part” he teased her gently. Nodding at Izzy as she set down the drinks and little menu’s.
“I’m good. Between work and this little one things have been pretty busy. Audrey and I are making sure we get good quality family time though” he grinned, “Thank you. I think so too but then I suppose I’m biased”
***
Gwen grinned at his teasing, any nervousness she’d still been falling disappearing. She should have known that things between her and Merlin would still be good, that their friendship would be okay. After all, it had survived her moving to the United States years before and not seeing each other again until he’d moved to California as an adult. When she really thought about it she was fairly certain their friendship could survive almost anything either of them could throw at it.
“Family time’s important,” she agreed with him, proud of herself when she heard her steady her voice sounded. She still missed her parents and older brother but the pain was a lot less now, more like a dull ache when she thought about her family than anything. “Being a dad suits you Merlin. In case you hadn’t realized that,” she added picking up her menu. She always tried to order something different when she came here for lunch. It didn’t take her long to make up her mind and she was ready to order when Izzy came back a few minutes later to find out what they wanted to eat.
*** Merlin wouldn’t let their friendship be anything but strong and lasting. He loved Gwen and she was a good friend. He’d been a little sad in the dreams when they had drifted apart, they’d been good allies in the beginning but as time went on they’d interacted less and less. He had no plans to let that happen here.
Reaching over he squeezed her hand when she spoke about family time, he knew it wasn’t easy for her. “Thanks” he said, “I’m doing my best. Ben’s lucky he has so many amazing aunts and uncles too” meaning her as well. Ben would have a very large extended family thanks to his parents knowing so many lovely people.
Once Izzy took their order and went off to get it Merlin asked, “So anything new I should know about? Any particular friends?” he asked curiously.
***
Gwen gave him a slight smile when he reached over to squeeze her hand. That simple gesture meant more than anything anyone could have said, just reminding her that he knew how difficult things still were for her at times. But she wasn’t going to let that stop her from enjoying the family she still had - maybe not family in the traditional sense but she’d always preferred to think of family as the people you loved who loved you in return. And for her that was her friends and she was going to be there for Ben as much as she could. “He is going to be an incredibly loved little boy with all of you and Audrey’s friends,” she told him, taking a sip of her drink.
“There might be a particular new friend you’d be interested in hearing about,” she told him, a part of her wondering if there was a better way to tell him she’d met someone new that she was really starting to like. “Actually I think you might know him already - Lance?”
*** Merlin knew and would always offer his support when she needed it and even when she didn’t realise she needed it. He definitely considered her family, and Merlin could be very protective of his family. “He is indeed. Which I couldn’t be more thankful for”
A large bright grin spread across Merlin’s face at the mention of Lancelot, “Wonderful. He’s a lovely man, kind and loyal” he said approvingly.
***
The grin on Merlin’s face was enough to convince Gwen that telling him about her developing friendship with Lance the way she had. Especially when she heard that approving note in his voice. “I’m enjoying getting to know him better. We’re actually having dinner tonight,” she told him, grinning a little herself. She felt something almost like butterflies in her stomach when she thought about her plans with Lancelot that night. She wasn’t sure if it was a date or not but a part of her was hoping it was.
*** Merlin absolutely approved of Gwen and Lancelot, he hoped that they'd have the happy ending they were denied in the dreams. He cared for them both and wanted them happy. "Oh how wonderful. I'm so glad, have you picked out your outfit?" Because girls did that sort of thing.
***
Gwen couldn’t help but laugh a little at Merlin’s question as she shook her head. “Not yet. I’ll probably do that when I get home. I overslept a bit this morning. I went out with a friend last night to help celebrate her birthday,” she told him. She really did enjoy keeping herself busy whether it was with work or spending time with friends.
*** Merlin laughed too, “Sounds like you are definitely settling in and having fun. As you should do” he added with a smile. He was glad to hear she was going out with friends, with a wife and newborn Merlin wasn’t much use in that department at all.
***
Gwen had missed this, sitting here and talking with Merlin, laughing with him. It was still hitting her at times the things she’d missed about home. She started to ask him a question about work but stopped when she noticed their food coming their way, giving their waitress a bright friendly smile as she thanked her, stopping a moment before she started to eat to pray over her food. That was one habit from living with her parents that she’d never broken. She heard a noise over to the side and glanced over, seeing what she thought was movement in Ben’s pram but she wasn’t sure if it was a sign of him waking up or just normal sleep movements.
She looked back at Merlin questioningly. “I haven’t been around enough to know if he’s waking up or just moving in his sleep. Or if I’m imagining that Ben’s moving,” she told him. Most of her experience with children had been with kids a bit older than Ben.
***
Merlin always loved chatting with Gwen, it was nice and relaxing. She knew him so well and he never had to pretend with her. Nodding his own thanks at Izzy he took a bite of his food before noticing Ben moving too.
“I think he smelt the food, he’s a little piggy” Merlin said affection in his voice as he picked his son up and balanced him in one arm as he removed a bottle from the bag, handing it to Izzy who had noticed already and knew how to warm the bottles.
***
Gwen couldn’t help but laugh at Merlin’s comment about Ben being a little piggy, recognizing that affectionate tone and she smiled as she watched him with his son. “I’m willing to bet you wouldn’t want him any other way,” she said, reaching out with one hand and lightly touching Ben’s arm. She could tell she was at risk of losing her heart to the little one that she was already starting to think of as a nephew of sorts.
***
“Nope not at all. He pretty much owns me, just don’t tell him” he added in a stage whisper. When Izzy returned with the bottle he looked at Gwen, “Do you want to feed him?” he offered, since it was all part and parcel of the auntie duties and Ben would grow up calling Gwen, Auntie Gwen after all.
***
“Your secret’s safe with me,” Gwen promised him with a teasing grin. She hadn’t been expecting him to ask her if she wanted to feed Ben and she stared at him for a minute before nodding. “I’d love that.”
*** Merlin smiled, “Ready Ben? Be good for Auntie Gwen” he said to his son as he handed over the baby to his friend. “There we go, you’re a natural” he told her as she automatically supported his head, once she was settled he handed her the bottle and Ben took over there. He loved his food and knew exactly what to do.
***
Gwen had babysat some in high school but never for a child as young as Ben and she was relieved when Merlin said she was a natural because she was just acting on instinct - supporting his head and getting settled before taking the bottle and beginning to feed him. She thought she was probably pretty lucky that Ben started drinking again as soon as she gave the bottle back to him. “I doubt he’s anything but good right now Merlin,” she said quietly, tearing her eyes away from Ben to look at her friend. “In a few years though...he’ll be adorable and probably mischievous.” She was speaking from experience - most of the students in her class could be described like that.
***
“Oh I have no doubt he’ll probably be a little troublemaker but he’ll be your responsibility then” Merlin teased her with a wink. He was hoping they wouldn’t have too many problems with him but it was fun to tease his friend.
***
Gwen laughed at Merlin’s teasing and shook her head as she looked down at Ben. “Your dad thinks he has things all figured out,” she said quietly. “The school does allow parents to request specific teachers I think. If you and Audrey decide you’d want him in my class when he was ready to start school.” There was a part of her that liked the idea of getting to teach her friend’s son in a few years. And she didn’t think there was much risk of her treating Ben any differently than the other students if he did end up in her class. She treated all of her students with love - just some of them brought out the tough side of that more than others.
***
"I've definitely got it all figured out" Merlin said with a smile, "And we definitely want you to teach Ben if you're okay with that" it obviously wouldn't be for a while yet but he liked planning ahead.
***
“I’d love to teach Ben in a few years.” Gwen told him with a grin. She didn’t think there was anything wrong with planning ahead. Especially when it came to kids. “Just don’t be expecting a lot of special treatment from your Auntie during school hours,” she told the baby, shifting her arms when she thought Ben was starting to slow down in his eating.
***
Audrey and Merlin definitely didn’t think there was anything wrong with planning ahead, it was important. He chuckled, “Oh he’ll expect it I’m sure. But Auntie Gwen will soon show you better” he added with a wink to Ben, who waved his little fist at them both.
***
Gwen smiled when she saw Ben waving his little fist. “You are going to be a handful for your mum and dad aren’t you? Good. It’ll keep him on his toes.” She told him in a stage whisper. “And I’m probably going to end up spoiling you absolutely rotten if your parents let me.”
***
“I’m not sure we could stop you” Merlin said with a smile, not that he wanted to. Ben deserved a little spoiling as long as he didn’t get a big head about it as he grew up Merlin didn’t really mind. He fully expected some surprises along the way, after all they had no idea if Ben would inherit the magical abilities of his parents or not. That was going to be fun to find out.
***
“Probably not. I can be pretty stubborn when I want something,” Gwen told him, looking at him and grinning. “But I hope you know that I’ll ask both of you before I get him anything big, make sure you’re okay with it.” She didn’t just mean items that were big physically, but also items that were expensive.
***
“Of course. We know that Gwen” Merlin assured her, “You’re pretty safe as long as there are no drum kits ever involved” he teased though he was half serious about that one.
***
Gwen laughed at Merlin’s teasing, shifting Ben in her arms so she could grab her drink and take a sip before setting it back down. “Well now I’m going to have to figure out a whole new birthday present idea for him,” she teased back. To be perfectly honest, she hadn’t given much thought to what she might get Ben for his first birthday. Granted she had a few months to figure it out but she didn’t want to wait until the last minute.
***
“Oh don’t. I’m not ready for him to be a year old yet. We still have a while” Though he kind of felt sorry for Ben being born on Christmas, they’d have to make sure to celebrate separately. So it didn’t seem to get forgotten or just mixed in with the celebrations.
***
Gwen looked down at Ben’s face when Merlin said he wasn’t ready for him to be a year old yet. She wasn’t sure she was ready for her little...nephew to be a year old yet either and she’d only just now gotten to see him, to hold him. “Alright alright. I’ll wait until closer to his birthday to pick something. Same with his Christmas present,” she said. “I don’t see any reason to rush him growing up Merlin. Not even a little bit.”
**** Merlin smiled, “I want to savour his childhood as much as possible. We’re documenting everything” he told her, “And I’m probably going to be in denial that he’s growing up for a good few years” he joked.
****
Gwen grinned when he said they were documenting everything. “Trust me - he’ll love that when he’s older. Seeing that you two took pictures and kept track of everything, it’ll mean a lot to him. Even if he does complain about it as a teenager,” she told him. “Here take Ben back so I can eat. I haven’t learned how to hold a baby and eat yet,” she said, leaning down to press a kiss to Ben’s forehead before holding him out to Merlin as carefully as she could and picking up her sandwich to take a bite after Ben was safely back in Merlin’s arms.
***
“I hope so” Merlin said taking back his son so that Auntie Gwen could eat. “He’ll always know he’s loved that’s for sure. By everybody” he smiled, because the number of people who asked after him at the bakery was quite astounding and went to show how much Audrey was liked. It would be a nice way to bring Ben up. And when he looked down at his baby boy he smiled, being a dad was pretty much the best thing ever.