Who: Audrey and Merlin When: Early September Where: Their Place What: Catching up Rating/Warnings: Lowish, none Status: Complete
It’d been a while since Audrey and Merlin had some really good, really true alone time. Nina was watching Ben tonight, and Audrey lit some candles. She was back down to her pre-pregnancy weight, and while it was still a bit more than she would have liked, she felt good. Really good. Good enough that she bought some new lingerie, and was planning on seducing the hell out of her husband.
So she had dinner warming in the oven, candles lit, wine breathing on the counter, and romantic music playing for when he came home. They had things to talk about, but more importantly, they had things to do.
Merlin had kind of fallen into a routine which he didn’t mind too much. Ben was with him a couple of half days a week thanks to the creche on site at Stark Industries and he enjoyed seeing his son on breaks and knew Audrey appreciated the rest too.
Knowing that Nina was having Ben tonight Merlin hadn’t actually expected Audrey to go to a lot of trouble, though he should have known she would anyway.
Entering the house he called out a greeting, hanging up his jacket before moving into the living room. “It smells amazing in here” he told her.
“It’s both dinner and these autumn pumpkin spice candles,” Audrey confessed, breaking into a sheepish grin. She’d just finished lighting the last of the candles. “I couldn’t mix them with like, summertime peach or winter evergreen, or anything.” Ugh, the mixing of scented candles was sure to give anyone a headache.
“Pumpkin spice is a good enough scent on it’s own” Merlin told her, moving to give her a kiss, “Mmm that’s better. Now the day is good” he smiled. He was very grateful for her not mixing the candle smells, it became very unpleasant, she was definitely right there. But he knew the most yummy smell was dinner, as it always was when she cooked.
Audrey smirked a little, then leaned in to steal one more kiss. “Now the day is perfect. C’mon, I made your favorite.” She laced her fingers with his and tugged him into the kitchen.
Merlin grinned and followed her, “I’m being spoilt” he said squeezing her fingers and stroking his thumb over her skin.
Audrey laughed. "Aren't you always?" She teased, then pulled him in for a quick kiss. "It's only fair, though," she kissed him again. "You spoil me every day."
The table was set. It was easy to pull dishes from the oven and set them out. Audrey poured some wine into glasses, too, and handed him one.
Merlin smiled into the kiss, “You deserve it, I couldn’t ask for a better wife or mother you know” he told her, holding her close as he kissed her before releasing her.
Taking the wine he clinked a glass with her as they sat, “This is perfect” he said before tucking in happily.
Audrey smirked softly. “Well, I hope that Ben can’t ask for a better mother,” she teased. “But I understand what you’re saying and I love you for it.” She returned his kiss, then released him as well so they could sit.
“I hope you like it.” It was a quiet meal. The food was so good, Audrey was too busy eating to talk too much. She leaned back once she’d finished and sighed happily.
“You know what I mean you minx” Merlin chuckled at her teasing, before smiling, “How could I not?” Audrey was the best cook he’d ever known and everything she made was done with love. Especially a meal like this.
“That was so good love, thank you” he said, leaning back and rubbing a hand over his happily full stomach.
Audrey reached over and took hold of his hand once they were fed and wined. She laced her fingers through his. “You’re welcome.” Her thumb ran back and forth across his knuckle for a moment before she sat up a little and cleared her throat. “...I wanted to talk to you about something. Something kind of important.”
Merlin smiled and pressed a kiss to the back of her hand before his eyebrows rose, “Oh? Is everything okay?” he asked her, “You know you can always talk to me”
“No no, nothing’s the matter,” Audrey said, then turned her hand over in his to lace their fingers together. “I think it’s about time we should start… thinking about giving Ben a baby brother or sister.”
Relief spread through him, the way she’d been so serious had concerned him wondering if something had been wrong. But this wasn’t something wrong. “Are you sure?” he said, though he was smiling, “Two kids under two, I’ve heard nightmare stories” Though they were very lucky with Ben.
It wasn’t something wrong, for sure. But it was something serious. Audrey wanted to have another baby. She was feeling the itch. Now that Ben was starting to pull himself up and eat solid foods and all that jazz…
“Don’t you want them to be close together?” Audrey asked. “I mean, you do want two, don’t you?”
“Yes, yes of course I do” Merlin said, reassuring her. He’d have as many children as she wanted to, he adored Ben. “I just want to make sure we’re ready” It was more on Audrey really, she was the one with Ben the majority of the time. He didn’t want to overwhelm her.
“Well, it’s going to take nearly a year from start to next baby,” Audrey said softly. Smirking. She squeezed his hand. “Maybe we just… stop using protection and let it happen when it happens? I just want the kids to be close enough in age that they can be friends.”
Merlin chuckled, it was true even if they created a baby that week it would still be 9 months until he or she would arrive. “I’m sure they will be” he told her, “But okay then and since we have the evening to ourselves maybe a little practice run is in order” he said with a cheeky playful wink.
Audrey wasn’t interested in her food anymore. She pushed her plate aside and gave her full attention to Merlin. “Let’s leave the leftovers until later,” she suggested, lowering a hand to his thigh. “I figured maybe we could hop in the shower for a start.” It’d been hot. Showers were a good place to cool down and heat things up.
“That is an inspired idea love” Merlin told her leaning in to press a kiss to her lips before he stood and held out a hand to her. “Come on wife, let me ravish you in the shower” he grinned though there was heat in his gaze.