ajsrandomTitle: Meeting Mum
Rating: G
Pairing/s: Merlin/Morgana
Character/s: Merlin. Morgana, Hunith
Summary:The couple has decided it's time to meet each others' families.
Warnings: none
Word Count: 632
Prompt: #226, Welcome Home
Author's Notes: This is part of my "Twist on Fate" series. Previous entries are here.
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“How did you manage to arrange this much time off so early in your employment?” Morgana asked as she placed her bag in the boot of the car.
“Well, Leon put in a word with the Prince. And apparently they both ‘ship’ us,” Merlin replied, tossing his own bag in.
Morgana put her hands on her hips. “If it gets us time off together, I don’t actually care.”
Merlin laughed and closed the lid of the boot. “It’s a little unnerving, but I agree.”
As they got settled into the car, Merlin mused on the past month. He and Morgana had gotten closer and had agreed they were at a critical point in their relationship—it was time to meet each other’s families. On this particular trip they were driving to Wales, to Merlin’s home village of Ealdor. There Morgana would meet Merlin’s only remaining family, his mother, Hunith.
“Hello, Earth to Merlin.” Morgana waved her hand in front of her boyfriend’s face.
“Just thinking,” he replied.
“You’re also driving,” she pointed out. “Or you would be if you started the car.”
He laughed and started the car, then pulled out of their parking place. They drove for several hours, stopping now and then. Not soon enough, they pulled into the driveway of Hunith’s house.
Merlin turned off the car. “We’re here,” he said unnecessarily.
“Yeah,” Morgana breathed out.
Merlin looked over at his girlfriend. “Are you all right? You don’t sound all right.”
“I’m fine,” she replied, twisting the bottom of her sweater.
Merlin put a hand over hers. “Are you nervous?”
“No, of course not.”
He turned to face her and took her hands. “It’s okay to be nervous. This is a big step.”
“I just don’t know if she’ll like me.”
“Hey, you don’t have to worry about that. I’ve already told her about you. She’s so excited to meet you.”
“Okay, okay. I’ve just got to relax.”
Merlin’s eyes sparkled. “I know just the way.” He leaned down and gave her a tender, lingering kiss.
“Mm,” Morgana said when they broke. “Any more of that and we can skip going inside.”
Merlin laughed. “Come on.” He got out of the car and crossed behind it to the boot. Morgana got out a moment later. He took his bag out and tossed hers to her, then reached over to take her hand. “Let’s do this.”
They walked the path to the front door, which Merlin opened then closed behind them. “Mum!” he called out.
A female face appeared from the side of the hall. “Merlin!” A smile lit up Hunith’s face and she hastened around the corner of the room and down the hall to throw her arms around her son. “Welcome home,” she said, taking a step back.
That’s when she noticed Morgana. “You must be Morgana! I’m Hunith, of course, Welcome to my home.” She threw her arms around Morgana.
Surprised, Morgana wobbled as she got used to Hunith’s weight. “Um, hello.” She could see Merlin grinning behind Hunith, as if to say “see, I told you not to worry.”
Hunith stepped back and took Morgana’s hand. “You’re just like he described you, only more beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Morgana replied.
“Mum, do you have anything to eat? I’m starved.”
Hunith hit him lightly on the side of his head. “That’s for ruining the moment.”
“Ow.”
Morgana smirked. “You deserved it.”
Hunith laughed and said, “Come on Morgana, dinner is ready. Let’s get you fed.” She pulled Morgana to the room she’d just exited, the dining room. “Come along, Merlin,” she said behind her.
Soon they were seated at Hunith’s lovely table. And Morgana’s nerves were gone as if they’d never been there. Hunith was adorable and they got along fine thanks to Merlin’s smoothing the way.