A/N: I'm really excited about this! I just love the thought of Arthur being a father, so I couldn't help but make him one. Merlin will come in later, I promise. This first chapter is kind of a prelude, but this will be a slash story later on. I think the only thing I need to mention is that Uther is now Ulysses. Feel free to tell me what you think about this. I always love hearing from readers.

Disclaimer: The only thing I own is Emily.

/

Arthur hung his head and tried to remember how to breathe. It was proving difficult.

"I'm not telling you because I want anything from you. I just thought you should know that you fathered a child."

He looked up at the petite blonde woman standing in the middle of his dorm room. It was true he'd slept with her almost two months ago, but he hardly remembered it. His friends had dragged him to a party and he'd gotten spectacularly drunk. The last thing he remembered was looking at this woman, Vivian was her name, and thinking that she had a very pretty smile. The next thing he knew he was waking up naked next to her. He had then freaked the fuck out because he didn't sleep with women. He was gay. She had taken everything well at the time and left him with a kiss to his cheek and a promise that everything would be fine. Apparently, it wasn't.

"But, I thought we'd taken precautions."

Vivian looked away and wrung her hands together.

"We did, but I guess it broke. Look, it's not the end of the world."

Arthur stood up and began to pace.

"I'm gay and I got someone pregnant, of course it's the end of the world!"

Vivian gently grabbed his arm to make him face her.

"It's not. I'm going to give it up for adoption. In seven months it will be like nothing ever happened."

Seven months, that's right. Graduation was only five months away, so by the time the baby was born they'd both be done with school. Arthur already had a job waiting for him in his family's company. Maybe, just maybe, this would work out.

"You're giving it up?"

Vivian nodded.

"I'm not really in a position to raise a baby right now, so I figured it was the best option. My school health insurance will cover the medical bills until it's born, and then it'll go to a family that can give it everything it needs. Like I said, I don't expect anything from you."

Arthur nodded. Well, if he was going to impregnate someone, it looked like he'd at least chosen a girl with a good head on her shoulders.

"Well, I mean, alright."

Vivian gave him a small smile and made for the door.

"I'll leave you alone to process everything." she said as she started to open it.

"Wait! Um, let me give you my number. Just in case."

He quickly scribbled his name and number down on a post-it and held it out for her. She took it and said, "You're a good guy, Arthur Penn."

She was gone by the time he realized he probably should have responded.

/

"YOU WHAT?" Ulysses yelled at his son. Arthur had driven to his father's house to tell him the news in person.

"I got a girl pregnant. Her name is Vivian and she's in my year. She plans to give up the baby for adoption." Arthur repeated. He was impressed with himself. He'd managed to stay seated instead of running for the door, and his voice had remained steady in the face of his father's utter rage.

"You told me three years ago that you were gay. How then, did you manage to get yourself into this mess when you supposedly aren't attracted to women?"

Arthur swallowed and took a deep breath.

"I was at a party when I met Vivian. I had more to drink than was wise. I think you can figure out the rest."

Ulysses pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Your complete lack of responsibility in situations that have can have life-changing consequences never ceases to amaze me."

"I tried to be responsible! I wore a condom, but it broke. I realize that this is not a good situation, but…"

Ulysses slammed his hands onto his desk.

"Not a good situation? Do you have any idea what this will do to the reputation of this family or that of the company?"

Arthur sighed and tried to remain calm.

"I realize that this could be viewed as a black mark on us, but I don't think we have much to worry about. Vivian made it clear that she doesn't expect or want anything from me. I highly doubt she's going to go to the papers with her condition."

"You better hope she doesn't." Ulysses said pointing a finger at his son. He returned to his seat and began to look over the reports on his desk. Arthur took it for the dismissal that it was and quickly made his escape. Once he was back in the car he breathed a sigh of relief.

"That could have been a lot worse." he muttered to himself as he drove away from the estate.

/

Arthur told his friends, and they were just as shocked as he had been. They took it well though, and when Arthur mentioned the adoption plans they patted him on the back and told him that he was the luckiest guy in the world. After that, life went back to normal. Arthur never got a call from Vivian, and the few times he'd seen her on campus she looked like she was doing well. No story about the Penn heir's illegitimate child popped up either, and for that Arthur was more than thankful. In fact, he'd managed to mostly forget about everything until a week after graduation when he got a phone call from the hospital.

"Hello?" he answered sleepily. When he glanced at his bedside clock he saw that it was just after four in the morning.

"Hello. Is this Arthur Penn?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but I'm calling from Saint Mary's Hospital. We have a patient, Vivian King, who was brought in not long ago. Your number was in her purse. There was no one else for us to call."

"Vivian's in the hospital? The baby's not due for another two months."

"This isn't about the baby, sir. Are you the father?"

"Yes. What happened to Vivian?"

"She was in an accident. We're doing everything we can for her, but she's sustained major injuries. I think you should come down here."

Arthur was definitely awake now.

"I'll be there shortly." he said and then hung up. He jumped out of bed and threw on the first clothes he came to. He'd just moved into his new apartment and hadn't really had time to unpack. A swig of mouthwash later, he grabbed his wallet and keys and flew down the stairs. When he got to the hospital he was led to a waiting room and told that a doctor would be out to speak with him shortly. A half hour later, a tired looking man in blue scrubs came out and called his name.

"That's me." he said as he stood up.

"Are you the father of Vivian King's baby."

"Yes. Is she all right? What about the baby?"

The doctor motioned back to the chair and asked him to have a seat.

"Ms. King was in a car accident. A man ran a red light and hit the driver's side of her car. We did everything we could, but we couldn't stop the swelling in her brain in time. I'm so sorry, but she didn't make it."

Arthur's mind went blank. The only thing he could think was, "And the baby?"

"We did a C-section and delivered the baby. She's in the NICU right now getting tests done."

Arthur nodded. The baby was alive. At that moment his brain registered the pronoun that the doctor had used.

"It's a girl?"

"Yes. She was born at 4:48am and she was three pounds two ounces and fifteen inches long."

"Can I see her?"

The doctor nodded and started to lead Arthur to the NICU. When they got there he ushered Arthur in.

"That's her."

He pointed to an incubator that held a tiny baby. The little girl was hooked up to machines and had an IV, but she was pink and wiggling. When Arthur stepped closer he saw that she had wisps of blonde hair and when she opened her eyes he saw that they were the same color as his. He gently took a seat next to her and just stared.

"Excuse me, sir, I need to get your name for the birth certificate."

He looked at the nurse next to him. She was holding a clipboard and had a pen in her hand ready to write.

"Oh, it's Arthur Bradley Penn." He spelled it for her and then she glanced at the baby.

"And her name?"

Arthur looked once again at his baby, his daughter. She turned toward him and held out her tiny hand as if she was reaching for him.

"Emily Jane. Her name is Emily Jane Penn." he said without hesitation. He spelled it for the nurse and then he was left alone with his little girl. He pressed his fingertips against the plastic and Emily once again reached for him. He felt tears sting his eyes. This little person was his. She was his, and he wasn't going to give her up. He stood up and told one of the nurses that he was going to make a phone call. When he was in the hallway he dialed his father.

"Arthur? What is it? I've only just woken up."

Arthur tried to speak, but his throat closed up and all he could get out was a sob.

"Arthur? Are you all right? What happened?"

"I'm at the hospital. Vivian's dead. She was in an accident, but Emily's fine."

"Emily? Who is Emily?"

"Emily is my daughter. I have a daughter. She's tiny, but she's mine."

"Are you at Saint Mary's?"

"Yes." Arthur choked out.

"Stay there. I'll be there in twenty minutes."

The line went dead and Arthur collapsed against the wall. He tried to get a hold of himself, but he couldn't stop crying. A passing nurse handed him some tissues after giving him a knowing look. He took them without a word. When he could finally breathe normally again he went back to Emily. She was asleep, but he sat beside her and was soothed by the even rising and falling of her chest. After a while, he became aware of a commotion going on out in the hall. When he turned to see what was going on, he saw his father and George Gaius, his family's lawyer, outside. His father was trying to get into the NICU, but the nurse wasn't letting him. Arthur stood up and walked to the door.

"It's alright. He's my father." he said to the nurse. She looked between him and his father and then nodded.

"Alright, but only two people are allowed in at a time."

Gaius stepped back and Ulysses walked into the room. When he saw Emily a look crossed his face that Arthur didn't recognize. He only looked at her for a moment and then he took Arthur's elbow.

"We need to talk."

He led Arthur back out of the room and Gaius followed after them. They found an empty room and closed the door.

"What are you doing?" Ulysses asked.

Arthur crossed his arms over his chest.

"I don't know what you mean."

Ulysses shook his head.

"Why did you name the child? She's going up for adoption. You knew this."

"No. I changed my mind. I'm keeping her."

Ulysses pinched the bridge of his nose and took a few calming breaths. Gaius just stood silent by the door.

"You can't keep her, Arthur."

"Yes I can! She's mine! I have every right to keep her, don't I?" he asked looking to Gaius for confirmation.

"Technically, yes. You have a home and means to support her, and you are her biological parent. No court would contest your rights to her, especially since the mother is no longer with us."

"Be that as it may, you don't know the first thing about being a father." Ulysses added.

Arthur let his hands fall to his side and replied, "I can learn."

"He is all the child has in the world, Ulysses."

Arthur turned towards Gaius.

"What do you mean?"

"Your father had me do some digging into Vivian after you told him of your situation. I discovered that she was a ward of the state."

"She was an orphan?"

Gaius nodded and Arthur turned back to his father.

"Then that's all the more reason for me to keep Emily. She's got no one else."

Ulysses shook his head.

"She could be adopted and then she'd have a family."

"I am her family! Please, don't make me give her up. I can't."

Ulysses took a step towards Arthur, but Arthur stepped away from him.

"Arthur, I know this is hard for you, but…"

"Could you have given me up?" Arthur interrupted.

"What?"

"Could you have given me up? When Mother died you became a single father who didn't know how to raise a child. So, we're the same. Could you have done what you're asking me to do? Could you have given me up?"

The room was deathly silent. Even Gaius seemed to be waiting for the answer. Finally, Ulysses sighed and said, "Of course not."

"Then don't ask me to do something that you wouldn't have done. Emily is mine, and I'm keeping her."

As far as Arthur was concerned, that was the end of the discussion. He made for the door and no one stopped him.

/

Over the next few weeks Arthur spent as much time at the hospital as he could. He still went to work, but if he wasn't there or sleeping, he was beside Emily. She was growing like she was supposed to and all the doctors said that there was nothing to say that she wouldn't be a normal, healthy girl.

Gaius took care of Vivian's affairs. Her possessions were sorted and either thrown out or sold and all of her money went into a bank account in Emily's name. A small funeral was arranged for her and Arthur and Gaius were in attendance. Ulysses even showed up, much to the other two's amazement. Vivian's friends were shocked to find out that Arthur was keeping the baby, but they were glad and wished him well. As they were leaving the graveyard Gaius pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to Arthur. He looked at it and saw that it was a picture of Vivian. She was sitting against one of the trees on the lawn of their university. The sun was hitting her in just the right way to accentuate the blue of her eyes and the shine of her blonde hair. She was smiling and Arthur once again noticed how pretty her smile was.

"I thought Emily might like to know what her mother looked like one day." Gaius said. Arthur smiled and gave him a hug.

"Thank you."

The next Saturday, Arthur was about to leave for the hospital when there was a knock on his door. When he opened it he saw a group of delivery men.

"Can I help you?"

"We've got a shipment for Arthur Penn. Is that you?"

Arthur nodded and a clipboard was thrust in his direction.

"Sign at the bottom and tell us where you'd like this stuff."

Arthur signed the form and then asked, "What is it?"

"Uh, it looks like a crib, changing table, dresser, and desk."

"What? I didn't order any of that."

The guy took the clipboard back and flipped to the next page.

"Well, a Ulysses Penn did, and it's already been paid for, so where would you like it all?"

Arthur showed them to the spare bedroom. When they were gone he called his father.

"You ordered furniture for me?" he asked before his father could speak.

"You got it then?"

"Yes, just now. Why did you buy me furniture?"

"Well, it's not for you. It's for Emily. I knew that you probably hadn't had time to get anything for her, so I took the liberty."

Arthur was silent for a moment.

"I don't know what to say."

"One usually offers his thanks in these situations."

"Thank you." Arthur said quickly.

"You're welcome. Perhaps tonight I could help you put the crib together. I've made a list of other stuff you'll need to get before she comes home, so I'll bring it with me."

"That would be great. I'll, uh, I'll see you tonight. Is six good?"

"Six is fine. Goodbye."

The line went dead but Arthur couldn't help staring at his phone for a while. This was a side of his father that he'd never seen. Frankly, it made him nervous. Before he could think about it anymore he grabbed his things and left for the hospital.

/

"She's doing very well." the nurse was telling Arthur. Emily was in his arms and had his finger wrapped in her little fist.

"Yeah? She's a lot bigger than she was when she was born."

The nurse nodded and smiled.

"Her doctor will have the final say, but I think you can probably count on taking her home next weekend."

"Really?"

"Yep. She's strong. I bet she gets that from her father."

Arthur looked down at Emily and was once again struck with how much she looked like him.

"It seems she got a lot from me."

Emily just squeezed his finger.

/

"So, I might be able to bring Emily home next weekend." Arthur said as he and his father sat on the floor of what would be her bedroom. Ulysses looked up from where he was reading the assembly instructions for the crib.

"That would be good." he finally replied. They worked in silence after that. Once the crib was done Arthur tested it for stability.

"It looks like we make a pretty good team." he said once he was assured that it wasn't going to fall apart.

"Well I should hope so." Ulysses said.

"Where are you going to put everything else? You can't very well leave it all against that wall."

Arthur looked at the other things and sighed. He pointed to the desk and said, "Well, I think that should go on the wall by the door."

Ulysses nodded and moved toward it. With Arthur's help they got it in place. Arthur pushed the chair underneath it and then nodded toward the dresser.

"That can stay where it is on the wall with the closet. The changing table can go under the window."

It was moved and then Arthur looked around with a smile. Everything looked fine.

"Well, here's the list of things I thought you should buy." Ulysses said holding out a slip of paper. It was quite a long list.

"Is all of this necessary?" he asked scanning it.

"It's what I remembered needing for you, so yes, it's necessary."

Arthur nodded but didn't take his eyes off the paper.

"Well, I guess I'll be doing some shopping tomorrow."

"Yes. Well, since everything is finished here I suppose I'll go."

Arthur watched his father walk out of the room. He didn't want him to leave just yet.

"Wait! Um, I was wondering if I could take you out to dinner to thank you for the furniture. I really do appreciate it."

Ulysses looked like he was going to decline, but then he nodded.

"Fine, but I'm picking the restaurant. The last time you took me to dinner the food was awful."

Arthur laughed.

"Fair enough."

/

The next day found Arthur shopping for car seats, strollers, baby monitors, bottles, formula, diapers, wipes, clothes, blankets, sheets for the crib, and a bassinet for his room because apparently newborns weren't supposed to sleep in their own rooms. He had two carts worth of supplies and the girl that checked him out gave him a strange look. He ignored her. When he finally got everything home and put away all he wanted to do was go and see Emily. His phone rang before he could even make a move toward the door.

"Hello?"

"Arthur, are you at home?"

"Yes."

"I have something that I'd like to bring by, if that's alright."

"That's fine."

"I'll be there shortly."

The line went dead and Arthur was left wondering what in the world his father was bringing over. Fifteen minutes later, he had his answer. His father appeared and he was carrying an old rocking chair. He placed it in the corner of Emily's room and then turned to Arthur.

"Your mother picked it out. When she was pregnant with you she would sit in it and rock for hours stroking her stomach and talking to you. After you were born, if there was ever a time when you would cry and I couldn't find any other way to make you stop, I would rock you in it. It always calmed you down. I thought you should have it."

A lump appeared in Arthur's throat and all he could do was nod his thanks. When he could speak again he motioned to the door.

"I was just about to go see Emily. Why don't you come with me?"

His father hadn't seen her since the day she was born. The older man hesitated for a moment, but then he said, "I suppose I could go for a half hour or so."

Arthur nodded and they both made their way to the hospital. When Arthur placed Emily in his father's arms, he knew that the older man was hooked. Ulysses didn't put her down for the whole afternoon.

/

Over the next five days Arthur and his father spent more time together than they had in years. Arthur got to see a whole new side to the man he'd known his whole life; a more relaxed and smiling side. On Monday night they painted Emily's room a soft yellow. Tuesday they washed all her clothes and Ulysses told him the proper way to change a diaper, heat a bottle, feed, and burp a baby. Wednesday had them baby-proofing the apartment even though it wasn't necessary until Emily started crawling. On Thursday Ulysses brought over stuffed animals and books about princesses that he'd bought. Arthur had made the finishing touches to her room and was eager to show it off. The crib was made, the changing table was stocked, her clothes were in the dresser, and he'd even gotten her a mobile that had pink, blue, and yellow flowers hanging from it that played "You Are My Sunshine." Ulysses clapped his back and told him that it looked like he was ready. Friday finally arrived and Emily's doctor said that she could go home the next afternoon. Arthur felt like jumping he was so happy. He called his father that night as he was putting the car seat in the back of his car.

"I'd like to come with you to bring her home, if that's alright?"

"Of course it is! I don't know what I would have done without your help this past week. It's only right that you're there when she comes home."

They agreed on a time for Arthur to pick him up and then the call was ended. Arthur picked out an outfit for Emily to wear and then tried to get some sleep.

/

The next day Arthur waved goodbye to the nurses and doctors and walked proudly out of the hospital with his little girl. Ulysses brought the car around and then helped Arthur get the car seat secure. Arthur had never driven more carefully than he did on his way home. Finally, finally, he walked through the door of his apartment with Emily in his arms.

"Welcome home, Emily." he said as he gave her the tour. She just stared up at him with her big blue eyes.

"And this is your room. I hope you like it, because your grandfather and I put a lot of work into it." Arthur said kicking open her door. He sat down with her in the rocking chair and began to gently rock with her. Ulysses watched from his place by the door. It didn't take long before Emily was yawning and closing her eyes. When she was asleep Arthur carried her into his room and put her in the bassinet. He flicked on the monitor and then walked back into the living room. He sat on the couch next to his father and smiled.

"She's finally home." he whispered.

"Now comes the hard part." Ulysses reminded him.