Three days had passed and Gwendoline hadn't left Nikolaj's place. They got into a strangely domestic routine in those three short days. They woke up, they talked about anything and everything, they cooked together, they watched a movie or show while they responded to different emails and talked with their PR people, and of course they had sex - that's a given.
Nik had gone to his Public Relations agent and informed him that he and his wife were divorcing, discussing how this would change his public view. But Nik didn't care what the people thought, his family knew, his fans would... well, the fans would lose their shit. They'd already been making assumptions about him and Gwen for years, this would only add fuel the flames. This would only cause rumors to get worse, except now they'd be true.
Shortly after Nikolaj had left, Gwen had asked Giles if they could do lunch at Nik's place, after getting Nik's permission of course. Giles happily agreed and arrived shortly with paninis. Gwendoline poured them each a glass of wine and they ate outside in the shade.
Gwen spilled all the dirty details about what happened over the last few days - all the surfaces of the house they'd tainted, all the scratches, bruises, and love bites the both of them now adorned, and how incredibly sore she was. Gwen had bumped her head one too many times on the shower wall and was on her knees more often than she'd like to admit. She couldn't count how many times she'd tripped up or down the stairs, still not used to Nikolaj's house. And right at the end, she ever so casually slipped in that she was thinking about a baby.
Giles was smiling and goading her on the whole time, wanting every single detail she was willing to give. But as soon as she mentioned a baby he fell silent, his smile faltered and was replaced with a thin-pressed line accompanied with furrowed brows.
He blinked at her a few times before downing the rest of his drink. "Right, well the Miu Miu event is next week, we've both been invited. The Tomo fashion show is right after that. Then you have photoshoots, more interviews, the premiere, a Comic Con to attend, the Graham Norton Show - eventually, and filming for the Rolls Royce advertisement. Oh, and then you're filming In Fabric, doing more photoshoots and interviews, and then we have a three month long play where you will be there every...single...day. Can we hold off on this conversation for a while?"
Gwen scoffed, absolutely baffled. "I... I don't even know-"
"You've waited 40 years of your life for this, can't you wait just one more?"
"You are being a real ass right now, do you know that?" She gave a tight-lipped smile.
"I'm being realistic, Gwendoline. Do you want to do any of those things pregnant? You wouldn't be able to drink and have fun at the parties, you'd be exhausted all the time. You would hardly be able to take care of yourself during Midsummer, that's a lot to put your body through."
She cocked her head, lifting her chin defiantly. "I could do it if I wanted."
"I'm not implying that you couldn't . You're perfectly capable. I just wouldn't recommend it." Giles said flatly.
"And what if I wanted to still try for a baby?"
"I truly couldn't stop you. Why now though? Because it would be Nik's and not mine?" The slight anger in his tone had diminished. He was hurt.
"No!" She said, a defensive undertone creeping in.
"Honey... yes it is. You and I haven't talked about this in six years. Why else would you want one now, of all times?"
"I just ended the largest project of my career. I will never get an opportunity like that again. After Midsummer, I have no idea what the future holds. But you and I both agreed that having a marriage and a baby just wasn't in our cards alone... But what if they are in our cards with... a little help."
"I'm not legally binding myself to Nikolaj." He mused.
She shook her head, sparing a smile. "No, definitely not marriage. But think about it, you'd have a tiny muse to dress for the rest of your life. Imagine fashion week in London with a designer baby carrier." She chuckled. "We'd be the most talked about, downright outrageous assholes out there."
"Oh, I'm sure Kim could fashion something for you."
"Oh no, for you, good sir. I'll be carrying the thing for nine months, you could carry it around for a while."
"The thing , what an endearing nickname you've given your child already."
Gwen grabbed his hand. "Hey, our child. You're still a part of this." She paused. "Right...?"
Giles kissed her knuckles. "If you'll have me."
"How could I deny you a mini muse?"
"Mini? That thing will come out three feet long!" He huffed out a laugh.
"See? Thing has a nice ring to it." She guffawed and gripped his hand tighter.
He smiled and rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. "So you're really thinking about this, huh?"
"I guess I am. I don't want to try try. Just... if it happens, it happens. I'm not going to get too caught up in thinking about 'what if's." She grabbed her glass and leaned back in her chair, taking a long sip.
"So... you really said "put a baby inside me?" To Nik? During sex?" He snorted.
Gwen shuddered. "Don't remind me."
"I can't imagine anything sexier, Gwendoline, really." He said jokingly. "You couldn't have found anything better to say? Like, oh I don't know, 'shoot your hot cu-"
" Giles!" She squealed. A warm blush was creeping up her neck. "I don't do dirty talk."
"Oh I know you don't. But I don't imagine Nik does either."
"No, or when he does, it's in Dansih." She smiled and glanced over at the sound of the front door opening.
Nikolaj stepped inside and kicked off his shoes. "Gwen?"
"Outside, darling! Giles is still here with me!"
He smiled softly and walked out to them. "Hey, Giles."
Giles gave a little nod. "Nik."
Gwen looked up as Nik leaned in and kissed her head. "You two have a good chat while I was gone?" He sat beside her and stretched out, crossing his legs at the ankle.
Gwen gave Giles a look that said "please don't tell him that we discuss our sex life." Giles simply smiled. "Yes."
"A rather nice chat. Giles brought paninis, there should still be one inside for you."
Nik raised his brows. "Oh, thank you."
Gwen rubbed Nik's knee under the table. "How did your chat go? I'm sure that was nerve-wracking."
"It went... well? As well as it could have gone. They're already releasing articles about the news soon, unfortunately, so I'm going on radio silence until this blows over."
"When do you leave for Denmark?" Giles piped in.
"The third. Most of my things will be going into storage until I find a more permanent solution. Until I buy a house, I'll be living here in LA."
Gwen couldn't stand being away from him for longer than she had to. "What if you came to London for a bit?"
Both pairs of eyes snapped to her as they said in unison, "What?"
