So folks, that's it - the end! A big THANKS to all of you who stuck with me till the end of this story. It was a long journey to get here and it's done, time to push the 'Complete' button. THANKS to all who leaving Comments, they always made me smile. Greetings Chrissi

Epilogue

The scent of burning cake filled the house. Merlin sniffed the air. Was the house on fire? He raced down to the kitchen where he found Tristan and Arthur, both staring at the stove. Tristan wore an apron tied around his waist while smoke wafted from the oven. He wrinkled his nose. "I think it's done, Uncle Arthur."

"Is it?"

Oh, what the hell? Merlin pushed past them and grabbed a towel. After removing the charred cake, he set his hands on his hips. "It's very done." He eyes his husband, who offered a sheepish grin. "Burned around the edges, in fact. What were you trying to do?"

"Surprise you?" Arthur took Tristan by the hand. "We thought we'd bake you a birthday cake."

His birthday? Merlin had forgotten completely. With another glance toward the guilty pair, Merlin's heart softened. He examined the cake. Though it was black around the edges, likely it was raw in the middle. They had stoked the fire too hot. "You didn't have to go to all of this trouble."

"It was baked with love." Arthur came up behind his husband and wrapped his arms around Merlin's waist. He nipped at Merlin's ear, sending shivers through him.

"A great deal of love," Merlin managed, fighting a laugh. But when Arthur's mouth met his in a soft kiss, Merlin lost sight of everything else. When Arthur broke away, they realized Tristan had gone.

"Smart lad," Arthur commented. He reached into a small bowl and drew out a finger dripping with chocolate icing. "Taste."

Merlin licked the icing from his husband's finger, letting his tongue sliding over Arthur's skin. The look in Arthur's eyes turned dark and hungry. He stole a kiss, melting with the sweetness against Merlin's mouth. The sweet chocolate tempted Merlin, and he reached into the bowl again. Arthur took his husband's finger into his mouth, gently sucking the icing away. With a seductive glint in his eyes, Arthur spread more icing upon Merlin's lips and proceeded to kiss it off.

"We've been invited to Lady Mercia's dinner party tonight," Merlin reminded his husband as Arthur nuzzled his neck.

"Damn… I curse that day my father took you under his wing," Arthur murmured. "I'd be overjoyed if I never had to attend another society event. Let's stay home tonight." He drew Merlin against his body, fitting his husband against him.

Merlin held him close, strongly contemplating it. "Your family is expecting us. And I would like to attend."

"You're trying to avoid our cake." Arthur cast a chagrined look toward the disastrous pastry.

"That, too."

Arthur released a sigh. "As it is your birthday, I will bow to your wishes. But you'll have to wait on your presents."

His husband's disappointment was so obvious, Merlin leaned in to kiss him. "Not all of them." He slid his hands beneath Arthur's coat, fumbling with his waistcoat and shirt, until his palms touched the bare skin of his husband's back. "Perhaps I'll unwrap one now."

"Will you?" Arthur's voice deepened, even as he removed his coat.

Merlin used his necktie and wound his hand around it, using it to pull Arthur forward. "Unless you have an objection?"

Arthur remained decidedly silent.