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Rose knew it was strange probably for people to see her at the Institute. Her and the others hadn’t exactly graduated on the best of terms with Duncan. He had not been happy with how they first revealed the truth of the past, freed her father, and then took Wanda down on their own. And then when Landon graduated he made it clear to Duncan he had no intentions of ever becoming headmaster of the school. And because the rest of them took Landon’s side on basically everything she and the others were trusted a little less. Then last summer she, with some suggestion from Landon, started Excalibur over in Cambridge without even talking to Duncan got her on his bad side too. Though she didn’t get his issue. Excalibur was needed in the United Kingdom, someone had to step up and protect people. And the X-Men weren’t the world police, they couldn’t be everywhere all the time nor should she have to report to Duncan on anything. And she knew it got Forge into some trouble because he was helping Excalibur on the tech side of things. She was half worried that when she got to the danger room her code wouldn’t work, but her passcode let her in.
Apparently Forge didn’t take her out of the system. She smiled a little grateful that Forge either was slacking or just didn’t see the point as she walked into the danger room. “Lycan sessions 9-20.”, she instructed. It was the same session she’d created the day Landon gave her the friend talk. It was a mix of opponents from the Academy. She felt odd saying ‘Lycan’ as she was no longer known as that having taken up the mantel of ‘Wolverine’ given her father had officially retired. Rose took a breath tossing her leather riding jacket aside before letting her bone claws pop. Emma was the first to appear in the simulation. Rose went into attack mode and started fighting her way through the simulation taking out Academy student after another. It was helping, but only to get her anger out. She stopped when she came up against Alexander who had the same hair as his older sister. Rose growled and paused. “Pause simulation. Reprogram Alexander Petridis to Zoe Deluca Petridis.”, she declared figuring the system was up to date on who Zoe was. Forge never missed a chance to add any new mutant to the system. Alexander fizzled out and in his place was Zoe. Rose narrowed her eyes growling low. Sure it wasn’t Zoe’s fault that she decided that her and Merrick couldn’t be together anymore. But she was still a little angry that Zoe had so easily gotten Merrick’s trust. Merrick became her friend so easily, Rose had to fight for his friendship. Then he stayed the night with Zoe just to sleep next to her it wasn’t till last year that Rose got that from him. “Resume session.”, Rose declared. The Zoe started to move taking a defensive stance, Forge apparently had programmed that she had gotten training from her father. Rose wasn’t in the mood to really fight Zoe and just slammed her claws into the simulation’s chest.
As the simulation ended Rose sighed letting her claws slide back into her hands as she slumped to the floor. She pulled her legs up to her chest and rested her head against the legs starting to cry. Twice now in her life she had cried about a guy and both of them have been Bryants. Though this time it was her decision to be in the friend zone. “Ahem…”, a voice coughed behind her. Rose tried to get herself together as she looked over her shoulder to see Karli Fearbirgh standing in the danger room behind her. “I’d say I care but that’s not exactly true. However I’ll ask. What has you crying in the danger room?”, Karli asked faining interest. “You don’t care so why ask.”, Rose said getting up and grabbing her jacket. “Look we’ve never been friends or really close. After all I came home and you were five and I basically kept my distance from your generation since really I don’t fit into it. But I am curious as to what would cause you to come back into the institute and use the danger room just to cry on the floor. So you can tell me or not whatever.”, Karli shrugged stretching as she was getting ready for her danger room session. “Just getting out some frustrations is all.”, Rose said putting her jacket on. “I’ll hazard a guess a guy? Last time I saw you crying in the danger room I didn’t bother to check because I knew it was Landon. So who’s it this time?”, Karli asked. “Not that it’s your business, but Merrick.”, Rose said narrowing her eyes.
Karli started to laugh. “Merrick? Oh brother.”, Karli shook her head. “What exactly is funny about that? Merrick is an amazing guy. He’s sweet, kind, and loving when he wants to be and well…”, Rose went into defensive mode. “And physically he’s a stud. I’m well aware.”, Karli said rolling her eyes. Rose raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”, Rose asked. “I suppose we should both be equally shocked, but Merrick never really was one to disclose the names of women he slept with. But that bite mark on his shoulder now makes a world of sense.”, Karli smirked. Rose blinked. “Wait...you? Merrick slept with you? Where you black book or off book?”, Rose questioned. Karli smiled. “I was in the book. Well for two years at least. Then Jenna got knocked up and being a reasonable enough guy he stopped sleeping around. I was the one he was with the day he got the call about her being pregnant. Didn’t even know someone could roar ‘fuck’ that loud before.”, Karli explained with a shrug. Rose shook her head trying to wrap her mind around the idea that Merrick had been sleeping with Karli Fearbirgh who was eleven years older than him. “You look surprised. Don’t worry too much about it. I was in it only for the sex. You apparently weren’t. So what he tell you the same speech he gave me that he couldn’t just hook up with people anymore now that he has a son?”, she questioned. “Um no. Opposite. I told him we had to stop because of his son. I didn’t want to get close to Faelan just to leave.”, Rose answered. Karli nodded. “Fair enough. Well I scheduled some training time. So if you’ll leave.”, Karli said pointing to the door. “Um yeah. Bye.”, Rose said leaving the danger room. Rose returned to her hotel, having grabbed some food on the way just wanting to be alone.
Merrick forced himself to finish the storage bench he was working on for an order before locking up and going home. He hadn’t even eaten the food that Zoe brought him. He hadn’t felt all that hungry. He took a deep breath and did his best to get his emotions in check as he walked into the doors of the Haven. He could faintly smell Rose from when she was there last night and then he smelled another Howlett and his shoulders sank a little. “Jimmy..”, he sighed remembering that his brother was having the younger Howlett over. “Oh there you are Merrick. You are going to be on your own tonight with the boys.”, Kim said walking over handing Faelan in his wolf form to him. “What do you mean? What’s going on?”, Merrick asked. “Well Aislinn and David are out as are Solangel and Jacob. And we just got a call that your Nana Hazel is at the hospital. Apparently she had a heart attack. It was minor but they are keeping her overnight to keep an eye on her. So your father and I are going to go to Boston.”, Kim explained double checking her purse had everything she needed. Christian was rushing down the stairs with a suitcase of clothes for him and Kim. Merrick looked from his mother to his father a massive mix of emotions. He’d just gotten his heart torn out and now being kicked when he was down was getting told his Nana Hazel was in the hospital. He wondered if her heart attack coincided with his heart breaking. Christian sighed and looked at Merrick giving him a hug. “It’ll be alright Merrick. Nana Hazel is a tough woman it’s going to take more than a minor heart attack to bring her down. Sorry to leave you like this with the boys. But Sebastian and Jimmy should be easy.”, Christian assured. Merrick nodded and hugged his parents. “Tell Nana Hazel to get better and I love her.”, he said. “We will sweetie.”, Kim said heading out the door with Christian.
Merrick sighed and hugged Faelan who was licking his face being intuitive enough to know his dad was sad. “It’ll be alright pup. I think I’ll be alright eventually.”, Merrick sighed walking into the living room. Sebastian and Jimmy were each on a couch hanging upside down over the edge tossing playing cards at the other. “What are you two doing?”, Merrick asked with a raised eyebrow. “Killing time.”,Jimmy answered. “Is Nana Hazel going to be okay?”, Sebastian asked. “Yeah Nana Hazel will be fine. It was minor and I don’t think she’s going to die till she’s good and ready. Which if she has her way she’ll live longer than Jimmy’s Uncle.”, Merrick answered. Jimmy smiled a little. “Good luck on that. So what are we doing for dinner? Want to start on our zombie marathon.”, Sebastian chuckled. “They didn’t give you dinner?”, Merrick groaned. “Um alright. Let’s see what can I make while holding Faelan….”, Merrick said trying to think walking to the kitchens looking in the cupboards. “Don’t you have like frozen pizzas or something?”, Jimmy asked as he and Sebastian rolled off the couches and followed Merrick. “With our mom and Aislinn? No they don’t keep anything frozen around.”, Merrick sighed setting his lunchbox on the counter. Jimmy sniffed the air and went closer to the lunch box. “What’s in here? It smells amazing.”, Jimmy asked. “Um...Greek salad, whole wheat hummus, falafel, olive tapenade and greens pita pocket, some yellow peppers with olives, and fresh mango.”, Merrick answered. “Nice...who made it?”, Jimmy asked popping open the lunch box to look at the food.
“My friend Zoe did.”, Merrick answered still trying to figure out what he was going to to feed the two teenagers. “Gina’s big sister?”, Jimmy asked. “Zoe is still making your meals? Thought you said she’d paid back the cost of the furniture you’ve made”, Sebastian asked. “I said she did, she doesn’t agree with that.”, Merrick shrugged. “Oh she just likes an excuse to bring you lunches at work.”, Sebastian teased. “Not in the mood little brother. Today has been a bad day so try to not make it worse.”, Merrick warned. “Well if you can’t figure out what to make us why don’t you just call Zoe and see if she’d come over. She’s an awesome cook.”, Sebastian offered. Faelan had switched to a baby in Merrick’s arms and was wailing wanting to be fed. Merrick sighed getting a bottle starting to one handed mix it up. “Alright fine whatever. I could just order pizza for you.”, Merrick offered. “Nah I’d rather get something good and Zoe is a good cook.”, Sebastian said. Jimmy cautiously reached into the lunch box snagging a slice of yellow pepper. Merrick narrowed his eyes at Jimmy as he shifted Faelan in his arms giving him his bottle. “Fine take my phone and call her.”, Merrick sighed giving up offing his phone as he held the bottle with his chin. Sebastian grinned taking the phone and easily hitting the speed dial #3 to call Zoe.
Zoe had just finished her shift and was about to head upstairs when her phone started to ring and she knew the tone meant Merrick. She wondered why he’d be calling her if Rose was in town again. She was rather certain he’d be a bit occupied for probably the whole month. “Hey lupo cattivo. I’m surprised to get a call from you with Rose in town.”, Zoe greeted cheerfully. “Um it’s not Merrick. Didn’t realize she was in town….”, Sebastian frowned looking at his brother sitting at the table feeding Faelan. There was worry and pain in his eyes but he’d thought it was because of the news of their Nana Hazel. “Sebastian? What’s wrong? Why do you have Merrick’s phone?”, Zoe asked immediately concerned. “He’s feeding Faelan and said I could call and ask if you’d come make dinner.”, Sebastian explained. Jimmy went to reach into the lunch box again. “James Logan Howlett the 2nd you get into my lunch box again you'll be thankful that you heal because I’ll break your arm.”, Merrick warned. Jimmy instantly stopped and closed the lunch box giving a smile. Zoe raised an eyebrow hearing Merrick in the background. “Um where’s your mom or Aislinn?”, Zoe asked. “Aislinn went out with David. And mom had to leave with Dad, Nana Hazel had a minor heart attack and is at the hospital. So they are in Boston.”, Sebastian explained. Zoe frowned hearing about Hazel. She liked the old woman. “I’m sorry to hear that. I hope Nana Hazel feels better soon. I”ll be over shortly. I’ll ask to borrow the car from Uncle Alec.”, Zoe said hanging up.
She leaned into the kitchen of the restaurant. “Uncle may I borrow your car?”, she requested. Alec didn’t even look up from what he was cooking but reached into his pocket tossing keys to her. “Go for it nipote.”, he said. “Thanks.”, Zoe said not bothering to change and just went straight to the Haven. Something was obviously wrong. Nana Hazel was in the hospital and yet Rose was in town but Merrick was home and calling her for help. Why wasn't he getting Rose to come help. After all Jimmy was her cousin. “Alright Zoe is on her way.”, Sebastian said sitting down at the table. “So um you can say it’s not my concern. But...Rose is in town?”, Sebastian asked. Jimmy raised an eyebrow hearing his cousin’s name and sat down. “What about my cousin?”, Jimmy questioned. Merrick sighed setting the empty bottle down and shifting Faelan to burp him. “Not your business Bastian. And how do you know Rose is in town?”, Merrick asked. “When I called Zoe. She thought obviously you because of the number and was surprised she’d hear from you since Rose was here.”, he explained. “What? Someone want to tell me what my cousin being in town has to do with Merrick?”, Jimmy questioned. “Rose has nothing to do with me.”, Merrick said his voice however had a small inflections of pain. Jimmy looked at him curiously. Sebastian frowned. “So you were right?”, Sebastian asked with a sigh. Merrick sighed a little. “Apparently.”, he shrugged. Faelan yawned on his shoulder changing to wolf resting his head on his dad’s shoulders closing his brown eyes. “You seriously have the cutest kid.”, Jimmy commented. Merrick smiled a bit as he gently petted the soft fur of the wolf. “Thanks Jimmy.”, Merrick commented.
It hadn’t taken long for Zoe to get from the restaurant to the Haven. She’d driven a little faster than she should but she was worried about Merrick. Hazel in the hospital and obviously something bad went down after she left his shop that afternoon. She parked behind the GTO and walked in not bothering with knocking. “Guys?”, Zoe called. “In the kitchen.”, Merrick called. Zoe walked into the kitchen seeing the three sitting at the table baby Faelan sleeping in wolf form in his father's arms. She looked at Merrick’s face and despite him trying to hide it she could see the pain in his eyes. Without a word she walked over and just hugged Merrick and kissed the top of his head. “Nana Hazel will be alright.”, she assured deciding to go with the one concern she could easily identify. She’d have to probably probe a little and wait to find out what happened with Rose. Merrick nodded. “Yeah I know. Thanks for coming. Hard to make dinner for two teenagers that just want to plant themselves in front of the tv to start their zombie movie marathon while handling Faelan.”, Merrick said forcing a smile. Zoe nodded reaching over and lightly petting Faelan. “I’m happy to help. So movie marathon. Hmm..”, Zoe said turning to the pantries and fridges.
She apparently got an idea in her head and started pulling meat and veggies out of the fridges working in the non-vegan side of the kitchen as she prepped kebabs. “Kebabs?”, Jimmy asked. Zoe nodded. “You two are both meat eaters and this way it’s something easy for you to eat while watching the movies yet filling. I can make you some veggie only or add tofu for you Merrick.”, she offered getting the rill portion of the one stove heated and oiled before putting the kebabs on it with a sizzle. Merrick shook his head. “No I’m good. Didn’t even eat the lunch you gave me. Haven’t really been hungry.”, Merrick answered. Zoe frowned a little and went about getting some fruit kebabs for the boys together too so they’d have those as well. Jimmy looked between Zoe and Merrick and then to Sebastian with a raised eyebrow. Sebastian just shrugged a little. “Alright well here you go boys. beef kebabs with red onion, green pepper, and mushrooms plus some dipping sauce then some fruit kebabs of strawberry, mango, and honeydew with some honey yoghurt for dipping.”, she turned offering the two trays of the food. “Thanks Zoe. You rock.”, Sebastian said taking a tray while Jimmy took the other. “Thanks.”, Jimmy said grabbing a couple sodas from the fridge before heading upstairs to the media room with Sebastian. Merrick let out a heavy sigh as the boys left. “Thanks for the help.”, Merrick said. “Any time. Now you want to tell me what happened?”, she asked walking up behind him and starting to rub at his shoulders.
“I should put Faelan down so he can sleep in his crib.”, he said standing up. Zoe nodded. “Alright. I’m not going anywhere Merrick.”, she sighed and gave Faelan a light kiss. “Night cucciolo. (puppy)”, she whispered. Merrick gave a partial smile but then carried Faelan up the stairs. He peeked into the media room seeing the two boys sitting on separate couches gnawing away at the kebabs that Zoe had made starting their first movie. “Alright boys I’m putting Faelan down. I’ll be downstairs with the baby monitor so if he fusses I’ll hear him.”,he advised. “Yeah alright. Thanks.”, they said not even looking at him watching their movie. Merrick shook his head and carried Faelan to the nursery tucking him in before grabbing the monitor and walking out closing the door quietly. “Can you two use the headphones so it doesn’t get too loud and wake him up?”, he requested. “Yeah no problem Merrick.”, they said picking up the wireless headphones turning them on so that the audio from the television now only fed into the headphones. Merrick nodded at the silence and headed down the stairs. Zoe hadn’t let instead she’d sat down on the sofa in the living room and waited for him. He leaned in the archway of the living room looking at her. She hadn’t left, not that he should be surprised. Zoe was the one that stuck by him through Jenna’s pregnancy always there to listen objectively and never judge him and had been here for him when Jenna ditched on Faelan.
Zoe turned her head and looked at him her brow furrowed a little worried about him. “Alright so come sit and tell me what happened.”, she said patting the couch. Merrick sighed and walked over grabbing a pillow and setting it on her lap before laying down the on sofa resting his head on the pillow. “The last almost twenty-four hours have been the worst in my life. Hands down the worse.”, he sighed. She sighed looking down at him letting one hand rest over his on his chest and the other start to run through his short dark dirty blonde hair. “I’m listening. What happened Merrick?”, she asked. “Rose texted me last night wanting to meet up. I was home alone with Faelan so couldn’t. Instead I told her to meet me here. Figure get the surprise of Faelan out of the way first thing.”, he started. “And she didn’t react well to him?”, she questioned a little surprised at that idea. She had thought Rose would be like her in this, not care and just love that baby as much as she already loved his daddy. “Not at first. She was a bit surprised obviously and angry that I hadn’t told her while she was gone. She said she wasn’t going to run. And well then I told her about what happened between us just wanting to get that on the table. That she was taken back by and then said she needed to go and had to think and asked to meet today at the shop.”, he explained. “So she could be okay that you have a son but we fool around for a few months and that’s the deal breaker? You’ve been sleeping with Rose for years always maintaining your little black book but you fool around with insignificant me and she’s suddenly offended?”, Zoe said sounding a bit outraged.
Merrick laughed a little. “You weren’t a little black book girl and you are far from insignificant hellraiser. And I’m pretty sure that she left last night because I told her about you. I had to tell her. I think it’s because what happened between us wasn’t about sex was the deal breaker. Black book girls I think she didn’t care about because it was just sex. But with you it wasn’t sex at all. It was having someone there to talk to and to hold and be held by.”, he sighed. “Yes but we are just friends. We’ve always been friends even with fooling around we were friends first. So today when she came to the shop...oh wow that would at least explain the look she was giving me. What happened at the shop then?”, she inquired. “What I thought was going to happen. I got my heart ripped out. She wants to just be friends. She didn’t mention you, said she didn’t care what I did with you. She said we couldn’t be more than friends anymore because of Faelan. That getting close to him wouldn’t be fair to him, me, or her. Since she lives an ocean away and only ever comes home for a month. And I didn’t fight her about it. I wanted to. God I wanted to tell her to not do this, to not decide what was best for me and Faelan. Not not walk out of my life. Tell her that I ...that I love her.”, Merrick said closing his eyes frustrated with himself.
Zoe frowned still running her hand through his hair. “Oh Merrick…”, she sighed softly. “But you didn’t tell her that. Why? It could have changed her mind.”, Zoe said. “She had made her mind up. To her this was the right decision. I didn’t want to hurt her by telling her how I feel after she’d made this choice. And in a way I agree with the choice. The logic is there. My son’s mother walked out on him the day he was born basically. If he’s going to have a mother figure she needs to be full time, to be all in. Rose could never be full time and all in. She’s an ocean away and fighting injustice with her team. She’s a full time college student and she’s all in on her hero team. That doesn't exactly leave time to be full time and all in with me and Faelan. And he deserves better than that.”, he answered. “You deserve better than that too Merrick. I’m so sorry that this happened to you. But like always I’m here for you. I’m your friend and I will always be here for you. So just don’t shut down on me.”, Zoe sighed leaning a little and kissing his forehead. Merrick nodded. “I know. You are an awesome friend to put up with my crap. Would you mind staying tonight?”, he asked. “Stay? I mean I can hang out a bit longer.”, Zoe agreed. “I mean stay the night. No fooling around just stay with me.”, Merrick explained. Zoe nodded. “Alright. I’ll stay, help you out with the boys.”, she smiled a little messing up his hair. Merrick smiled a little and squeezed her hand that was over his. “Thanks.”, he said before grabbing the remote and turning on the tv.
They stayed up rather late watching tv before Zoe noticed him starting to doze. “Hey… lupo cattivo. Sleep is for beds. Come on.”, she said nudging him. Merrick grumbled and rolled off the couch and her lap. “Alright alright. Let’s go upstairs then.”, he said. Zoe put the pillow back where it was knowing how Aislinn was about things before getting up. Merrick quietly walked up the stairs though knowing the boys had the headphones on they wouldn't hear them anyways. He paused looking into the media room and saw each of the boys stretched out on the couches sleeping. Merrick laughed a little. “Some movie marathon.”, he whispered. Zoe peeked around him and smiled at the sight. Merrick crept into the media room picking up the dirty plates, turned off the movie, carefully removed their head phones, before pulling blankets over each of them tucking them in. He first addressed his little brother bringing one of Sebastian’s arms up to the couch as it was hanging down tucking him in under the blanket and lightly touched the top of his head. “Sleep well Bastian.”, Merrick whispered before moving to their guest. At least asleep Jimmy only resembled his older sister and he didn’t have to look at those Howlett eyes that Rose had. He brought Jimmy’s leg up onto the couch and tucked him in under a blanket doing the same of lightly touching the top of his head. “Night Jimmy.”, Merrick whispered before he crept out of the room carrying the dirty dishes. Zoe standing there smiling. “God you are an amazing dad.”, she said softly. Merrick rolled his eyes. “I’ll be right back going to get these into the dishwasher. You can head in if you want.”, he said pointing to his room. “And what exactly am I wearing on this sleepover? Didn’t pack.”, Zoe asked. “Um you can grab one of my shirts from the closet should be long enough on you to be a nightshirt.”, he suggested heading down the stairs.
Zoe sighed watching him go down the stairs. This Rose friendzoning him was taking a big toll on him. Since Faelan was born he’d not stayed the night with her once and now he was going to have her stay here with him. Girls weren’t generally allowed in his room, so he must really need the company tonight. And she was okay being that company. Someone had to be here for him. She walked into his room and changed out of her work clothes keeping her underwear on and then grabbed one of his older baggy shirts from the rather organized closet before climbing onto the massive bed. “God this bed is huge and comfortable.”, she commented to herself as she got comfortable. “Yeah well it’s my bed of course it is.”, Merrick commented walking into the bedroom closing the door, but not full as it was easier for him to hear Faelan with the door left slightly open. Zoe rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Come on get some sleep before Faelan wakes up. Though I could help with him if you want.”, she offered. Merrick shook his head pulling off his polo and sitting on the edge of the bed to take off his shoes and socks. Zoe pressed her lips together watching him, him undressing was always something she enjoyed even though she knew nothing was going to happen. And with his current mental state nothing should either. Merrick finished undressing tossing his polo and khakis into his hamper and setting his phone on the nightstand getting into the bed in just his boxers next to her. “Goodnight Zoe.”, he said closing his eyes. "Night Merrick.", she answered. This wasn’t like when they’d slept in the same bed before, no he wasn’t trying to hold her or cuddle. And she wasn’t going to try to hold or cuddle him. He just wanted her next to him to be there if he needed her. And so she would do just that, be there for him. She tried to not press too close to him as she fell asleep.
Aislinn, David, Jacob and Solangel didn’t really think to question the car in the driveway or the lack of Kim and Christian’s car. Kim had already called and told them that Christian’s grandmother was in the hospital so they were going to Boston for a few days. Faelan had managed to sleep through the night for the first time in three months. Merrick tossed and turned a little plagued by some bad dreams during the night, which the tossing and turning woke Zoe who sighed looking at him. “Screw this…”, she said putting her arms over him and cuddling up to him one hand running through his hair the other lightly pressed against the foot/paw prints tattoo he had over his head for Faelan. “Shhh...lupo cattivo. Sono qui. Sta andando tutto bene. (Shhh...big bad wolf. I'm here. It's going to be alright.)”, she whispered softly trying to calm him. Merrick grumbled a little but the creases of his brow started to relax. He rolled a little and in his sleeping state wrapped his arms around Zoe holding her tight to him. She sighed a little she did miss this. “Ti amo…”, she said in barely an audible whisper before going back to sleep content in his arms. During the night she rolled his in arms so her back was pressed tight against his chest her hands over his as they were wrapped around her. It was the way they had often sleep in her apartment. And even with all the space his bed offered right there close to him in his arms was where she wanted to to be. And having her close at least drove away the worries that plagued his sleep.
Merrick had forgotten the baby monitor downstairs so it was Solangel that woke to the sound of Faelan and half awake went upstairs. She looked into the media room and smiled softly seeing Sebastian and Jimmy tucked in sleeping. Solangel figured Merrick had tucked them in, he was at the very least a loving big brother and a good dad. She rubbed her eyes and started down the hall. She saw Merrick’s door slightly ajar and peered in and blinked seeing Merrick snuggled in his bed spooning with Zoe Deluca. “Ooookkkay.”, Solangel whispered backing away from the door and went across the hall getting Faelan out of his crib changing his diaper and getting him dressed before carrying him down the stairs to fix him a bottle. “Your daddy is slipping.”, Solangel teased sweetly as she talked to Faelan sitting on the sofa in the living room. “Who’s slipping?”, Jacob yawned giving his wife a kiss on the cheek as he sat down next to her. He smiled sleepily over his coffee at baby Faelan. “Hey little guy.”, Jacob greeted. “His daddy. Leaving the monitor down here, not getting up when he started to fuss in his crib, and well then there's the girl in his bed with him.”, Solangel said with a chuckle making faces at Faelan who was reaching trying to grab at her blue hair with it’s streaks of gray from age. Jacob nodded at the first two items and then spit his coffee back into the mug on the third. “What? Wait there’s a girl in Merrick’s room? I thought that was one of his infinite rules that no girls come home.”, Jacob questioned. Solangel nodded. “Yup. Not just any girl. His best friend Zoe DeLuca.”, Solangel explained setting the bottle down and turning Faelan to burp him. “Well maybe it’s nothing. Like how that one time Landon slept in bed with Rose, Ashley and Cora Lee. Excluding Cora Lee he was sharing a bed with two girls he wasn’t related to and best friends with.”, Jacob offered a neat solution. “Maybe. Guess we’ll find out.”, Solangel said getting a burp out of Faelan. “That’s a good boy.”, she said sweetly giving Faelan a kiss on the cheek before sneezing a little as Faelan changed to a wolf. “Oh you are lucky you are so cute that I take allergy shots.”, Solangel teased setting Faelan on the living room floor and he instantly went to his toy box pulling out a chew toy.
Rose had gotten up early at her hotel she just wasn’t sure she wanted to stay in Bayville or in America at the moment. She had called the airline to see if she could move her return flight to sooner. The soonest she could get back was two weeks. She made the switch, eager to get back to Cambridge where she could just focus on being Wolverine and training with the team. She wondered how he was doing and looked at his contact in her phone debating calling him or at least texting him. But she stopped herself. She remembered how it felt to be placed in the friend zone. She had needed space from Landon. And to get past this her and Merrick needed space too. She decided to take Landon’s invitation to stop at the Manhattan house anytime and went to the train station. Maybe being around her friends would serve as a distraction. And she hadn't gotten to see her cousin’s engagement ring in person yet. So there was that. Rose didn’t call ahead just grabbed a train and went to the house and rang the bell hoping someone would be up already. Landon was actually the only one awake. He’d been using the MDR on the terrace since he refused to not stay in shape and ready. Too many years of training at the institute to just stop training. He had just closed the MDR down and grabbed a water bottle in the kitchen when he heard the bell.
He furrowed his brow looking at the time it was before eight. So he wasn’t sure who could be here. The band wasn’t swinging by till after noon. So he shrugged and headed for the door. He cared very little that he was just in a pair of shorts and his sneakers. He had zero shame of his physic or the tattoos that decorated it. He’d actually not gotten a tattoo this year as he couldn’t think of anything worth tattooing on his body. He took pulled open the door and did a double take seeing Rose standing there. Rose blinked looking at him, it’d been a number of years since she’d seen him shirtless. Apparently a few tattoos ago too. She tilted her head slightly looking at the dragon on his left ribs and then down to the sax with his jazz band’s logo and then the Columbia university crown on his calfs. “Um morning Landon.”, she greeted. “Morning Rose. Enjoying the view?”, he teased with a laugh stepping aside. “Always.”, Rose teased back walking inside. “You’ve gotten a few more tattoos since I last looked.”, she commented. Landon smiled. “Yeah well last time you looked the newest one was the arabic ‘joy’.”, he said pointing to the word printed on his chest over his heart. Rose nodded looking at the other tattoos. “So um this one is my Nazir, he obviously doesn’t pull off my skin and walk around the house like the real one. Then this one is for Blaze Halo and this one is pretty obvious since it’s the crown symbol Columbia University uses.”, he explained pointing out the three tattoos she’d not seen.
“No new one for turning twenty-two?”, she asked. Landon shrugged. “Nothing worth getting this year. My tattoos need to mean something to me. Guess it’s something me and my cousin have is common.”, Landon said. “Which cousin?”, Rose asked. “Merrick.”, he commented. “Mer...Merrick? He’s got a tattoo?”, she asked. “Um yeah. After Faelan was born he got a tattoo that’s his baby print with his wolf print and then ocelot print layered with a banner that has Faelan’s name and date of birth on his chest over his heart. Kind of surprised you haven’t seen it yet.”, Landon said taking a sip of his water. Rose frowned. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”, she asked. “Just that last year you and him were hooking up at your hotel. Wasn’t sure if the whole him having a kid would change that.”, Landon explained. “Yeah well...how do you know about last year?”, she questioned. “Rose who am I? What do I do best?”, Landon asked with a raised eyebrow. “Annoy me?”, Rose partially smiled. “I figure things out and Malcolm kind of spilled that he saw Merrick at the hotel that day coming up to your room.”, Landon shrugged. “And you didn’t say anything at all last summer to me about it?”, she questioned. “Why should I? Rose you are my best friend and I love you. So if my cousin was making you happy, which you were rather smiley when I saw you last summer, then so be it.”, he explained. Rose frowned a bit. “What’s wrong? What happened?”, Landon asked knowing her enough to know that something wasn’t right.
“How did it feel?”, she asked walking to the living room sitting down. Landon furrowed his brow following her sitting next to her. “How did what feel?”, he asked. “Telling me that you only wanted to be friends. Then when you found out I made out with Merrick that summer at the party. And last summer finding out I was sleeping with him and he was making me happy.”, she answered. “Um. Well...it was gut wrenching telling you we should just be friends. But it was the right thing to do. I’m head over heels for Rachel so I knew she was who I should be with. It just hurt that I was going to be hurting you. Because you are someone I never wanted to hurt and would have killed someone for hurting. And well when you made out with Merrick a part of me was jealous. I’ll admit that. Then being told last summer you were sleeping with him and he’s why you were smiling it didn’t hurt as bad because well it’s been a long time since I had to make the call to be just friends. Why? I mean something is obviously wrong so tell me.”, Landon answered. “I gave that talk to Merrick yesterday.”, Rose said tears welling in her eyes. “He’s got a son now, and it's not even that he got someone pregnant because were were never exclusive. But I can’t be with him now. I was starting to really have feelings for him. And when it was just him it didn’t matter that I was only home one month a year and lived an ocean away. But I can’t get close to Faelan and be in that role if I’m not here. So I told me had to stop being anything but friends because it’s better for all three of us if I don’t get involved just to disappear. And then there’s Zoe. Which I didn’t bring up in my reasons to him but she’s part of it.”, Rose admitted.
Landon sighed and hugged her. “It’ll be alright Rose. It sucks I know. But you have valid points. You are an ocean away from them most of the year. It’d rip you apart if you had them here and distract you while on missions or in classes over there. And what about Zoe? Alexander’s sister? The one that threw Merrick’s baby shower?”, Landon asked. Rose sniffled back tears hugging him. He still smelled the same as she remembered. She pulled back from the hug when he asked about Zoe. “Wait she threw him a baby shower?”, Rose asked. “Yeah her and Malcolm did. She and her mom did a really nice mural for the nursery. But what about Zoe is part of this?”, Landon asked. “They were together, while Jenna was pregnant for Faelan he was with her. He said they weren’t dating or even having sex, but they were fooling around so anything but intercourse. And I mean I shouldn’t be upset or jealous about that. He knocked someone up while I was gone for christ sakes. But what got me was he said he’d spend the night at Zoe’s with her and not even do anything sexual just sleep in bed with her. I’ve been with him since I was sixteen and till last year he never stayed the night with me let alone met up with me just because with no agenda of sex on his mind. So am I wrong to get upset that in less than a year of knowing him she’s gotten him to open up more to her than I did in four?”, Rose asked.
Landon sighed. “No you aren’t wrong. I’d question were you put your human nature if you didn’t get upset. So Zoe was a factor because you figure she’s someone else that could make him and Faelan happy and be here for them?”, he asked. Rose nodded. “It won’t be something you get past easy. But you will. You are tough and you’ll get through this. Alright so distraction. I'll get shower and get dressed and we can go grab breakfast okay?”, he offered. “Really? What about everyone else?”, she asked. “What about them? I’ll let Rachel know I’m going to breakfast with my best friend. She’ll just go back to sleep. Otherwise rest of the house doesn’t need to know where I go.”, he smiled. Rose nodded. “Alright I’ll be right back down.”, he said giving her another hug before heading up to his bedroom. He was quiet as he got clothes and took his shower. The running water partially woke Rachel but she figured he’d finished his session in the MDR and went back to sleep. Landon walked back out dressed and leaned over the bed giving Rachel a kiss. “I'm going out to breakfast with Rose. We’ll be back soon. Love you.”, he whispered. Rachel snuggled into the blankets. “Okay. Have fun. Love you too.”, she said sleepily not even opening her eyes. Landon smiled and headed out of the bedroom and down stairs in shorts and a Johnny Cash tee. “Alright like I said she went back to sleep. Come on. I know a good coffee shop.”, he said nodding to the door. Rose smiled a little and got up walking out of the house with him. She hadn’t spent time with just Landon since he told her he wanted to just be friends. As they walked she wondered if someday maybe years from now if she could have this with Merrick.
Merrick woke up before Zoe, which wasn’t unusual she wasn’t what would be defined as a morning person. But as he opened his eyes to the familiar sight of white hair he inwardly sighed. He’d wanted to try and keep some resemblance of space between them. Yet during the night this was apparently how they ended up. Try as he might keeping away from her didn’t seem possible. He carefully got out of the bed, leaving her sleeping soundly in his bed rolling a little into the area of warmth he’d left behind. He sighed looking at her sleeping and shook his head. One phrase came to his mind as he looked at her, glutton for punishment. Though he wasn’t sure which of them that described. Her for always being there for him or him for not being able to stay away from her. He decided it had to be both of them. He put on a pair of short and a shirt before leaving the bedroom. He peeked into the media room seeing Sebastian and Jimmy exactly as he left them before going downstairs knowing by sounds and smells that Faelan was downstairs already. He walked to the living room to see Faelan on the floor playing with Solangel and Jacob on the couch drinking coffee. He could hear Aislinn in the kitchen making breakfast and David getting his coffee. Solangel and Jacob looked at Merrick. “Morning sleepy head. Um have a good night?”, Solangel asked. Faelan bounded past her changing from wolf to ocelot trying to climb his father.
“Whoa Faelan I’m in shorts and your claws are sharp.”, Merrick greeted bending down and picking up his son. “No I had a pretty bad night actually. I get some news I didn’t want to hear from someone I never wanted to hear it from. Then got home to be told my Nana had a heart attack and is in the hospital though expected to be fine. Yesterday was officially the worst day of my life. Thanks for asking.”, Merrick answered sitting down with Faelan. “And Zoe staying the night factors in how?”, Solangel asked. Merrick rolled his eyes. “She’s my best friend. It’s not like that. She came over because Sebastian called her to come help me with getting something for him and Jimmy to eat. Then I told her about my terrible day and she stayed the night because she’s a good friend and wanted to be here for me. Sooo let’s not read into it further.”, Merrick requested. The last thing he wanted right now was more people thinking that there was something going on between him and Zoe. It was bad enough he’d shot himself in the foot with Rose telling her and apparently leaving the impression something was still going on. “Alright. We won’t.”, Jacob assured. “Thanks.”, Merrick partially smiled as he played with Faelan.
Zoe woke up and squinted trying to figure out where she was at first then smiled a little remember she’d stayed at not just the Haven but in Merrick’s bed. Which as she sat up and looked around she realized he wasn’t there. But that made sense he was a morning person and have sweet little Faelan to look after. She changed back into her clothes from last night and headed down the stairs. She looked to the door but could hear voices and the adorable sounds of a kitten in the living room. So she crept over and peeked into the living room and smiled watching Merrick in his ocelot from rolling around on the floor playing with Faelan in his kitten form. “Awww. God you two are just...I need a dentist.”, Zoe commented which Solangel and Jacob looked at her as did the ocelot Merrick. “Good morning all. I should probably head home before Uncle Alec starts to worry about the location of his car.”, Zoe said pointing over her shoulder to the door. Merrick shifted back to human form picking Faelan up as he stood up. “Alright. Was going to get Faelan packed up and drive up to Boston. I want to see for myself that Nana Hazel is okay.”, Merrick said. “Tell her I send my love and hope she gets better.”, Zoe said. “If you aren’t working you could tag along.”, Merrick offered. Zoe nodded a little. “Sure. I’d like that. But I should still get back to my apartment. Need to change clothes and such.”, she said. “Right. We’ll swing by in about an hour to get you then. I’ll see if the boys are going to try their marathon during the day or if Sebastian wants to go check on nana too.”, Merrick said. “Alright. See you later then Merrick. And I’ll see you later too you cutie..”, she said giving Faelan a kiss between his kitten ears before leaving.
“Taking her to check on your Nana?”, David questioned walking out of the kitchen with coffee in hand. “She talks to Nana Hazel every sunday. So I don’t see how it’s weird to take her with me.”, Merrick said shaking his head going up the stairs. He went into the media room and nudged his little brother and Jimmy. “Hey you sleeping beauties you want to wake up?”, Merrick asked. Sebastian and Jimmy both grumbled and looked at him. “What?”, Sebastian asked. “I’m driving up to Boston to check on Nana Hazel. You coming or staying?”, he asked. Jimmy closed his eyes again. “Staying.”, Sebastian said going back to the sleep. Merrick sighed shaking his head going to his bedroom with Faelan. He placed Faelan down into a playpen he kept in there so he could get clothes out to wear. Faelan changed to a baby pulling himself to a sitting position in the playpen looking at his dad curiously. Merrick sighed and looked at Faelan. “Hey little guy. You still can sense something wrong with daddy huh. I’ll be alright eventually. Right now daddy is just still in pain. But don’t worry it’s nothing you did. I love you.”, Merrick assured getting dressed and picking Faelan up. “No matter what I’m going to love you.”, he added kissing his son on the cheek. “Lets get a diaper bag packed for you then we’ll pick up Zoe and go check on Nana Hazel. It’ll be a good distraction for daddy and ensure I don’t risk running into Rose.”, Merrick sighed carrying Faelan into the nursery and packing up the diaper bag.
Zoe still couldn’t believe that Rose was so stupid, to walk away from someone as amazing as Merrick and to miss out on knowing Faelan. “That you Zoe?”, Alec called from the restaurant's kitchen. Zoe leaned into the open door and smiled. “Yes. Good morning Uncle.”, she greeted setting his keys on the counter. “You were out all night?”, Alec questioned seeing she was in the same clothes as the night before. “I stayed at the Haven. Merrick’s going through a tough time right now, his Nana Hazel had a heart attack. I’m actually going to shower and change before he picks me up and we are driving with Faelan to Boston to see her.”, she explained. “Oh well send my sympathies. She seemed like a nice woman when she came to see you perform in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers during the fall.”, Alec said. “I will.”, she answered before heading up to her apartment taking a quick shower and getting changed. It was a rather warm day for June so she’d picked a simple cotton navy wrap dress and flat sandals. She quickly took a tupper of cookies from her pantry that she’d recently baked and had intended to mail up to Hazel to bring to her instead before locking up and heading down to the parking lot timing rather well with Merrick pulling in. She got into the front turning and setting the container of cookies on the back seat by Faelan and his diaper bag. “So we are without teenagers I see.”, she greeted. “Yeah they wanted sleep more. So let’s go then.”, Merrick nodded pulling out heading for the ferry and then up to Boston Medical to find his Nana.

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Rose knew it was strange probably for people to see her at the Institute. Her and the others hadn’t exactly graduated on the best of terms with Duncan. He had not been happy with how they first revealed the truth of the past, freed her father, and then took Wanda down on their own. And then when Landon graduated he made it clear to Duncan he had no intentions of ever becoming headmaster of the school. And because the rest of them took Landon’s side on basically everything she and the others were trusted a little less. Then last summer she, with some suggestion from Landon, started Excalibur over in Cambridge without even talking to Duncan got her on his bad side too. Though she didn’t get his issue. Excalibur was needed in the United Kingdom, someone had to step up and protect people. And the X-Men weren’t the world police, they couldn’t be everywhere all the time nor should she have to report to Duncan on anything. And she knew it got Forge into some trouble because he was helping Excalibur on the tech side of things. She was half worried that when she got to the danger room her code wouldn’t work, but her passcode let her in.
Apparently Forge didn’t take her out of the system. She smiled a little grateful that Forge either was slacking or just didn’t see the point as she walked into the danger room. “Lycan sessions 9-20.”, she instructed. It was the same session she’d created the day Landon gave her the friend talk. It was a mix of opponents from the Academy. She felt odd saying ‘Lycan’ as she was no longer known as that having taken up the mantel of ‘Wolverine’ given her father had officially retired. Rose took a breath tossing her leather riding jacket aside before letting her bone claws pop. Emma was the first to appear in the simulation. Rose went into attack mode and started fighting her way through the simulation taking out Academy student after another. It was helping, but only to get her anger out. She stopped when she came up against Alexander who had the same hair as his older sister. Rose growled and paused. “Pause simulation. Reprogram Alexander Petridis to Zoe Deluca Petridis.”, she declared figuring the system was up to date on who Zoe was. Forge never missed a chance to add any new mutant to the system. Alexander fizzled out and in his place was Zoe. Rose narrowed her eyes growling low. Sure it wasn’t Zoe’s fault that she decided that her and Merrick couldn’t be together anymore. But she was still a little angry that Zoe had so easily gotten Merrick’s trust. Merrick became her friend so easily, Rose had to fight for his friendship. Then he stayed the night with Zoe just to sleep next to her it wasn’t till last year that Rose got that from him. “Resume session.”, Rose declared. The Zoe started to move taking a defensive stance, Forge apparently had programmed that she had gotten training from her father. Rose wasn’t in the mood to really fight Zoe and just slammed her claws into the simulation’s chest.
As the simulation ended Rose sighed letting her claws slide back into her hands as she slumped to the floor. She pulled her legs up to her chest and rested her head against the legs starting to cry. Twice now in her life she had cried about a guy and both of them have been Bryants. Though this time it was her decision to be in the friend zone. “Ahem…”, a voice coughed behind her. Rose tried to get herself together as she looked over her shoulder to see Karli Fearbirgh standing in the danger room behind her. “I’d say I care but that’s not exactly true. However I’ll ask. What has you crying in the danger room?”, Karli asked faining interest. “You don’t care so why ask.”, Rose said getting up and grabbing her jacket. “Look we’ve never been friends or really close. After all I came home and you were five and I basically kept my distance from your generation since really I don’t fit into it. But I am curious as to what would cause you to come back into the institute and use the danger room just to cry on the floor. So you can tell me or not whatever.”, Karli shrugged stretching as she was getting ready for her danger room session. “Just getting out some frustrations is all.”, Rose said putting her jacket on. “I’ll hazard a guess a guy? Last time I saw you crying in the danger room I didn’t bother to check because I knew it was Landon. So who’s it this time?”, Karli asked. “Not that it’s your business, but Merrick.”, Rose said narrowing her eyes.
Karli started to laugh. “Merrick? Oh brother.”, Karli shook her head. “What exactly is funny about that? Merrick is an amazing guy. He’s sweet, kind, and loving when he wants to be and well…”, Rose went into defensive mode. “And physically he’s a stud. I’m well aware.”, Karli said rolling her eyes. Rose raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”, Rose asked. “I suppose we should both be equally shocked, but Merrick never really was one to disclose the names of women he slept with. But that bite mark on his shoulder now makes a world of sense.”, Karli smirked. Rose blinked. “Wait...you? Merrick slept with you? Where you black book or off book?”, Rose questioned. Karli smiled. “I was in the book. Well for two years at least. Then Jenna got knocked up and being a reasonable enough guy he stopped sleeping around. I was the one he was with the day he got the call about her being pregnant. Didn’t even know someone could roar ‘fuck’ that loud before.”, Karli explained with a shrug. Rose shook her head trying to wrap her mind around the idea that Merrick had been sleeping with Karli Fearbirgh who was eleven years older than him. “You look surprised. Don’t worry too much about it. I was in it only for the sex. You apparently weren’t. So what he tell you the same speech he gave me that he couldn’t just hook up with people anymore now that he has a son?”, she questioned. “Um no. Opposite. I told him we had to stop because of his son. I didn’t want to get close to Faelan just to leave.”, Rose answered. Karli nodded. “Fair enough. Well I scheduled some training time. So if you’ll leave.”, Karli said pointing to the door. “Um yeah. Bye.”, Rose said leaving the danger room. Rose returned to her hotel, having grabbed some food on the way just wanting to be alone.
Merrick forced himself to finish the storage bench he was working on for an order before locking up and going home. He hadn’t even eaten the food that Zoe brought him. He hadn’t felt all that hungry. He took a deep breath and did his best to get his emotions in check as he walked into the doors of the Haven. He could faintly smell Rose from when she was there last night and then he smelled another Howlett and his shoulders sank a little. “Jimmy..”, he sighed remembering that his brother was having the younger Howlett over. “Oh there you are Merrick. You are going to be on your own tonight with the boys.”, Kim said walking over handing Faelan in his wolf form to him. “What do you mean? What’s going on?”, Merrick asked. “Well Aislinn and David are out as are Solangel and Jacob. And we just got a call that your Nana Hazel is at the hospital. Apparently she had a heart attack. It was minor but they are keeping her overnight to keep an eye on her. So your father and I are going to go to Boston.”, Kim explained double checking her purse had everything she needed. Christian was rushing down the stairs with a suitcase of clothes for him and Kim. Merrick looked from his mother to his father a massive mix of emotions. He’d just gotten his heart torn out and now being kicked when he was down was getting told his Nana Hazel was in the hospital. He wondered if her heart attack coincided with his heart breaking. Christian sighed and looked at Merrick giving him a hug. “It’ll be alright Merrick. Nana Hazel is a tough woman it’s going to take more than a minor heart attack to bring her down. Sorry to leave you like this with the boys. But Sebastian and Jimmy should be easy.”, Christian assured. Merrick nodded and hugged his parents. “Tell Nana Hazel to get better and I love her.”, he said. “We will sweetie.”, Kim said heading out the door with Christian.
Merrick sighed and hugged Faelan who was licking his face being intuitive enough to know his dad was sad. “It’ll be alright pup. I think I’ll be alright eventually.”, Merrick sighed walking into the living room. Sebastian and Jimmy were each on a couch hanging upside down over the edge tossing playing cards at the other. “What are you two doing?”, Merrick asked with a raised eyebrow. “Killing time.”,Jimmy answered. “Is Nana Hazel going to be okay?”, Sebastian asked. “Yeah Nana Hazel will be fine. It was minor and I don’t think she’s going to die till she’s good and ready. Which if she has her way she’ll live longer than Jimmy’s Uncle.”, Merrick answered. Jimmy smiled a little. “Good luck on that. So what are we doing for dinner? Want to start on our zombie marathon.”, Sebastian chuckled. “They didn’t give you dinner?”, Merrick groaned. “Um alright. Let’s see what can I make while holding Faelan….”, Merrick said trying to think walking to the kitchens looking in the cupboards. “Don’t you have like frozen pizzas or something?”, Jimmy asked as he and Sebastian rolled off the couches and followed Merrick. “With our mom and Aislinn? No they don’t keep anything frozen around.”, Merrick sighed setting his lunchbox on the counter. Jimmy sniffed the air and went closer to the lunch box. “What’s in here? It smells amazing.”, Jimmy asked. “Um...Greek salad, whole wheat hummus, falafel, olive tapenade and greens pita pocket, some yellow peppers with olives, and fresh mango.”, Merrick answered. “Nice...who made it?”, Jimmy asked popping open the lunch box to look at the food.
“My friend Zoe did.”, Merrick answered still trying to figure out what he was going to to feed the two teenagers. “Gina’s big sister?”, Jimmy asked. “Zoe is still making your meals? Thought you said she’d paid back the cost of the furniture you’ve made”, Sebastian asked. “I said she did, she doesn’t agree with that.”, Merrick shrugged. “Oh she just likes an excuse to bring you lunches at work.”, Sebastian teased. “Not in the mood little brother. Today has been a bad day so try to not make it worse.”, Merrick warned. “Well if you can’t figure out what to make us why don’t you just call Zoe and see if she’d come over. She’s an awesome cook.”, Sebastian offered. Faelan had switched to a baby in Merrick’s arms and was wailing wanting to be fed. Merrick sighed getting a bottle starting to one handed mix it up. “Alright fine whatever. I could just order pizza for you.”, Merrick offered. “Nah I’d rather get something good and Zoe is a good cook.”, Sebastian said. Jimmy cautiously reached into the lunch box snagging a slice of yellow pepper. Merrick narrowed his eyes at Jimmy as he shifted Faelan in his arms giving him his bottle. “Fine take my phone and call her.”, Merrick sighed giving up offing his phone as he held the bottle with his chin. Sebastian grinned taking the phone and easily hitting the speed dial #3 to call Zoe.
Zoe had just finished her shift and was about to head upstairs when her phone started to ring and she knew the tone meant Merrick. She wondered why he’d be calling her if Rose was in town again. She was rather certain he’d be a bit occupied for probably the whole month. “Hey lupo cattivo. I’m surprised to get a call from you with Rose in town.”, Zoe greeted cheerfully. “Um it’s not Merrick. Didn’t realize she was in town….”, Sebastian frowned looking at his brother sitting at the table feeding Faelan. There was worry and pain in his eyes but he’d thought it was because of the news of their Nana Hazel. “Sebastian? What’s wrong? Why do you have Merrick’s phone?”, Zoe asked immediately concerned. “He’s feeding Faelan and said I could call and ask if you’d come make dinner.”, Sebastian explained. Jimmy went to reach into the lunch box again. “James Logan Howlett the 2nd you get into my lunch box again you'll be thankful that you heal because I’ll break your arm.”, Merrick warned. Jimmy instantly stopped and closed the lunch box giving a smile. Zoe raised an eyebrow hearing Merrick in the background. “Um where’s your mom or Aislinn?”, Zoe asked. “Aislinn went out with David. And mom had to leave with Dad, Nana Hazel had a minor heart attack and is at the hospital. So they are in Boston.”, Sebastian explained. Zoe frowned hearing about Hazel. She liked the old woman. “I’m sorry to hear that. I hope Nana Hazel feels better soon. I”ll be over shortly. I’ll ask to borrow the car from Uncle Alec.”, Zoe said hanging up.
She leaned into the kitchen of the restaurant. “Uncle may I borrow your car?”, she requested. Alec didn’t even look up from what he was cooking but reached into his pocket tossing keys to her. “Go for it nipote.”, he said. “Thanks.”, Zoe said not bothering to change and just went straight to the Haven. Something was obviously wrong. Nana Hazel was in the hospital and yet Rose was in town but Merrick was home and calling her for help. Why wasn't he getting Rose to come help. After all Jimmy was her cousin. “Alright Zoe is on her way.”, Sebastian said sitting down at the table. “So um you can say it’s not my concern. But...Rose is in town?”, Sebastian asked. Jimmy raised an eyebrow hearing his cousin’s name and sat down. “What about my cousin?”, Jimmy questioned. Merrick sighed setting the empty bottle down and shifting Faelan to burp him. “Not your business Bastian. And how do you know Rose is in town?”, Merrick asked. “When I called Zoe. She thought obviously you because of the number and was surprised she’d hear from you since Rose was here.”, he explained. “What? Someone want to tell me what my cousin being in town has to do with Merrick?”, Jimmy questioned. “Rose has nothing to do with me.”, Merrick said his voice however had a small inflections of pain. Jimmy looked at him curiously. Sebastian frowned. “So you were right?”, Sebastian asked with a sigh. Merrick sighed a little. “Apparently.”, he shrugged. Faelan yawned on his shoulder changing to wolf resting his head on his dad’s shoulders closing his brown eyes. “You seriously have the cutest kid.”, Jimmy commented. Merrick smiled a bit as he gently petted the soft fur of the wolf. “Thanks Jimmy.”, Merrick commented.
It hadn’t taken long for Zoe to get from the restaurant to the Haven. She’d driven a little faster than she should but she was worried about Merrick. Hazel in the hospital and obviously something bad went down after she left his shop that afternoon. She parked behind the GTO and walked in not bothering with knocking. “Guys?”, Zoe called. “In the kitchen.”, Merrick called. Zoe walked into the kitchen seeing the three sitting at the table baby Faelan sleeping in wolf form in his father's arms. She looked at Merrick’s face and despite him trying to hide it she could see the pain in his eyes. Without a word she walked over and just hugged Merrick and kissed the top of his head. “Nana Hazel will be alright.”, she assured deciding to go with the one concern she could easily identify. She’d have to probably probe a little and wait to find out what happened with Rose. Merrick nodded. “Yeah I know. Thanks for coming. Hard to make dinner for two teenagers that just want to plant themselves in front of the tv to start their zombie movie marathon while handling Faelan.”, Merrick said forcing a smile. Zoe nodded reaching over and lightly petting Faelan. “I’m happy to help. So movie marathon. Hmm..”, Zoe said turning to the pantries and fridges.
She apparently got an idea in her head and started pulling meat and veggies out of the fridges working in the non-vegan side of the kitchen as she prepped kebabs. “Kebabs?”, Jimmy asked. Zoe nodded. “You two are both meat eaters and this way it’s something easy for you to eat while watching the movies yet filling. I can make you some veggie only or add tofu for you Merrick.”, she offered getting the rill portion of the one stove heated and oiled before putting the kebabs on it with a sizzle. Merrick shook his head. “No I’m good. Didn’t even eat the lunch you gave me. Haven’t really been hungry.”, Merrick answered. Zoe frowned a little and went about getting some fruit kebabs for the boys together too so they’d have those as well. Jimmy looked between Zoe and Merrick and then to Sebastian with a raised eyebrow. Sebastian just shrugged a little. “Alright well here you go boys. beef kebabs with red onion, green pepper, and mushrooms plus some dipping sauce then some fruit kebabs of strawberry, mango, and honeydew with some honey yoghurt for dipping.”, she turned offering the two trays of the food. “Thanks Zoe. You rock.”, Sebastian said taking a tray while Jimmy took the other. “Thanks.”, Jimmy said grabbing a couple sodas from the fridge before heading upstairs to the media room with Sebastian. Merrick let out a heavy sigh as the boys left. “Thanks for the help.”, Merrick said. “Any time. Now you want to tell me what happened?”, she asked walking up behind him and starting to rub at his shoulders.
“I should put Faelan down so he can sleep in his crib.”, he said standing up. Zoe nodded. “Alright. I’m not going anywhere Merrick.”, she sighed and gave Faelan a light kiss. “Night cucciolo. (puppy)”, she whispered. Merrick gave a partial smile but then carried Faelan up the stairs. He peeked into the media room seeing the two boys sitting on separate couches gnawing away at the kebabs that Zoe had made starting their first movie. “Alright boys I’m putting Faelan down. I’ll be downstairs with the baby monitor so if he fusses I’ll hear him.”,he advised. “Yeah alright. Thanks.”, they said not even looking at him watching their movie. Merrick shook his head and carried Faelan to the nursery tucking him in before grabbing the monitor and walking out closing the door quietly. “Can you two use the headphones so it doesn’t get too loud and wake him up?”, he requested. “Yeah no problem Merrick.”, they said picking up the wireless headphones turning them on so that the audio from the television now only fed into the headphones. Merrick nodded at the silence and headed down the stairs. Zoe hadn’t let instead she’d sat down on the sofa in the living room and waited for him. He leaned in the archway of the living room looking at her. She hadn’t left, not that he should be surprised. Zoe was the one that stuck by him through Jenna’s pregnancy always there to listen objectively and never judge him and had been here for him when Jenna ditched on Faelan.
Zoe turned her head and looked at him her brow furrowed a little worried about him. “Alright so come sit and tell me what happened.”, she said patting the couch. Merrick sighed and walked over grabbing a pillow and setting it on her lap before laying down the on sofa resting his head on the pillow. “The last almost twenty-four hours have been the worst in my life. Hands down the worse.”, he sighed. She sighed looking down at him letting one hand rest over his on his chest and the other start to run through his short dark dirty blonde hair. “I’m listening. What happened Merrick?”, she asked. “Rose texted me last night wanting to meet up. I was home alone with Faelan so couldn’t. Instead I told her to meet me here. Figure get the surprise of Faelan out of the way first thing.”, he started. “And she didn’t react well to him?”, she questioned a little surprised at that idea. She had thought Rose would be like her in this, not care and just love that baby as much as she already loved his daddy. “Not at first. She was a bit surprised obviously and angry that I hadn’t told her while she was gone. She said she wasn’t going to run. And well then I told her about what happened between us just wanting to get that on the table. That she was taken back by and then said she needed to go and had to think and asked to meet today at the shop.”, he explained. “So she could be okay that you have a son but we fool around for a few months and that’s the deal breaker? You’ve been sleeping with Rose for years always maintaining your little black book but you fool around with insignificant me and she’s suddenly offended?”, Zoe said sounding a bit outraged.
Merrick laughed a little. “You weren’t a little black book girl and you are far from insignificant hellraiser. And I’m pretty sure that she left last night because I told her about you. I had to tell her. I think it’s because what happened between us wasn’t about sex was the deal breaker. Black book girls I think she didn’t care about because it was just sex. But with you it wasn’t sex at all. It was having someone there to talk to and to hold and be held by.”, he sighed. “Yes but we are just friends. We’ve always been friends even with fooling around we were friends first. So today when she came to the shop...oh wow that would at least explain the look she was giving me. What happened at the shop then?”, she inquired. “What I thought was going to happen. I got my heart ripped out. She wants to just be friends. She didn’t mention you, said she didn’t care what I did with you. She said we couldn’t be more than friends anymore because of Faelan. That getting close to him wouldn’t be fair to him, me, or her. Since she lives an ocean away and only ever comes home for a month. And I didn’t fight her about it. I wanted to. God I wanted to tell her to not do this, to not decide what was best for me and Faelan. Not not walk out of my life. Tell her that I ...that I love her.”, Merrick said closing his eyes frustrated with himself.
Zoe frowned still running her hand through his hair. “Oh Merrick…”, she sighed softly. “But you didn’t tell her that. Why? It could have changed her mind.”, Zoe said. “She had made her mind up. To her this was the right decision. I didn’t want to hurt her by telling her how I feel after she’d made this choice. And in a way I agree with the choice. The logic is there. My son’s mother walked out on him the day he was born basically. If he’s going to have a mother figure she needs to be full time, to be all in. Rose could never be full time and all in. She’s an ocean away and fighting injustice with her team. She’s a full time college student and she’s all in on her hero team. That doesn't exactly leave time to be full time and all in with me and Faelan. And he deserves better than that.”, he answered. “You deserve better than that too Merrick. I’m so sorry that this happened to you. But like always I’m here for you. I’m your friend and I will always be here for you. So just don’t shut down on me.”, Zoe sighed leaning a little and kissing his forehead. Merrick nodded. “I know. You are an awesome friend to put up with my crap. Would you mind staying tonight?”, he asked. “Stay? I mean I can hang out a bit longer.”, Zoe agreed. “I mean stay the night. No fooling around just stay with me.”, Merrick explained. Zoe nodded. “Alright. I’ll stay, help you out with the boys.”, she smiled a little messing up his hair. Merrick smiled a little and squeezed her hand that was over his. “Thanks.”, he said before grabbing the remote and turning on the tv.
They stayed up rather late watching tv before Zoe noticed him starting to doze. “Hey… lupo cattivo. Sleep is for beds. Come on.”, she said nudging him. Merrick grumbled and rolled off the couch and her lap. “Alright alright. Let’s go upstairs then.”, he said. Zoe put the pillow back where it was knowing how Aislinn was about things before getting up. Merrick quietly walked up the stairs though knowing the boys had the headphones on they wouldn't hear them anyways. He paused looking into the media room and saw each of the boys stretched out on the couches sleeping. Merrick laughed a little. “Some movie marathon.”, he whispered. Zoe peeked around him and smiled at the sight. Merrick crept into the media room picking up the dirty plates, turned off the movie, carefully removed their head phones, before pulling blankets over each of them tucking them in. He first addressed his little brother bringing one of Sebastian’s arms up to the couch as it was hanging down tucking him in under the blanket and lightly touched the top of his head. “Sleep well Bastian.”, Merrick whispered before moving to their guest. At least asleep Jimmy only resembled his older sister and he didn’t have to look at those Howlett eyes that Rose had. He brought Jimmy’s leg up onto the couch and tucked him in under a blanket doing the same of lightly touching the top of his head. “Night Jimmy.”, Merrick whispered before he crept out of the room carrying the dirty dishes. Zoe standing there smiling. “God you are an amazing dad.”, she said softly. Merrick rolled his eyes. “I’ll be right back going to get these into the dishwasher. You can head in if you want.”, he said pointing to his room. “And what exactly am I wearing on this sleepover? Didn’t pack.”, Zoe asked. “Um you can grab one of my shirts from the closet should be long enough on you to be a nightshirt.”, he suggested heading down the stairs.
Zoe sighed watching him go down the stairs. This Rose friendzoning him was taking a big toll on him. Since Faelan was born he’d not stayed the night with her once and now he was going to have her stay here with him. Girls weren’t generally allowed in his room, so he must really need the company tonight. And she was okay being that company. Someone had to be here for him. She walked into his room and changed out of her work clothes keeping her underwear on and then grabbed one of his older baggy shirts from the rather organized closet before climbing onto the massive bed. “God this bed is huge and comfortable.”, she commented to herself as she got comfortable. “Yeah well it’s my bed of course it is.”, Merrick commented walking into the bedroom closing the door, but not full as it was easier for him to hear Faelan with the door left slightly open. Zoe rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Come on get some sleep before Faelan wakes up. Though I could help with him if you want.”, she offered. Merrick shook his head pulling off his polo and sitting on the edge of the bed to take off his shoes and socks. Zoe pressed her lips together watching him, him undressing was always something she enjoyed even though she knew nothing was going to happen. And with his current mental state nothing should either. Merrick finished undressing tossing his polo and khakis into his hamper and setting his phone on the nightstand getting into the bed in just his boxers next to her. “Goodnight Zoe.”, he said closing his eyes. "Night Merrick.", she answered. This wasn’t like when they’d slept in the same bed before, no he wasn’t trying to hold her or cuddle. And she wasn’t going to try to hold or cuddle him. He just wanted her next to him to be there if he needed her. And so she would do just that, be there for him. She tried to not press too close to him as she fell asleep.
Aislinn, David, Jacob and Solangel didn’t really think to question the car in the driveway or the lack of Kim and Christian’s car. Kim had already called and told them that Christian’s grandmother was in the hospital so they were going to Boston for a few days. Faelan had managed to sleep through the night for the first time in three months. Merrick tossed and turned a little plagued by some bad dreams during the night, which the tossing and turning woke Zoe who sighed looking at him. “Screw this…”, she said putting her arms over him and cuddling up to him one hand running through his hair the other lightly pressed against the foot/paw prints tattoo he had over his head for Faelan. “Shhh...lupo cattivo. Sono qui. Sta andando tutto bene. (Shhh...big bad wolf. I'm here. It's going to be alright.)”, she whispered softly trying to calm him. Merrick grumbled a little but the creases of his brow started to relax. He rolled a little and in his sleeping state wrapped his arms around Zoe holding her tight to him. She sighed a little she did miss this. “Ti amo…”, she said in barely an audible whisper before going back to sleep content in his arms. During the night she rolled his in arms so her back was pressed tight against his chest her hands over his as they were wrapped around her. It was the way they had often sleep in her apartment. And even with all the space his bed offered right there close to him in his arms was where she wanted to to be. And having her close at least drove away the worries that plagued his sleep.
Merrick had forgotten the baby monitor downstairs so it was Solangel that woke to the sound of Faelan and half awake went upstairs. She looked into the media room and smiled softly seeing Sebastian and Jimmy tucked in sleeping. Solangel figured Merrick had tucked them in, he was at the very least a loving big brother and a good dad. She rubbed her eyes and started down the hall. She saw Merrick’s door slightly ajar and peered in and blinked seeing Merrick snuggled in his bed spooning with Zoe Deluca. “Ooookkkay.”, Solangel whispered backing away from the door and went across the hall getting Faelan out of his crib changing his diaper and getting him dressed before carrying him down the stairs to fix him a bottle. “Your daddy is slipping.”, Solangel teased sweetly as she talked to Faelan sitting on the sofa in the living room. “Who’s slipping?”, Jacob yawned giving his wife a kiss on the cheek as he sat down next to her. He smiled sleepily over his coffee at baby Faelan. “Hey little guy.”, Jacob greeted. “His daddy. Leaving the monitor down here, not getting up when he started to fuss in his crib, and well then there's the girl in his bed with him.”, Solangel said with a chuckle making faces at Faelan who was reaching trying to grab at her blue hair with it’s streaks of gray from age. Jacob nodded at the first two items and then spit his coffee back into the mug on the third. “What? Wait there’s a girl in Merrick’s room? I thought that was one of his infinite rules that no girls come home.”, Jacob questioned. Solangel nodded. “Yup. Not just any girl. His best friend Zoe DeLuca.”, Solangel explained setting the bottle down and turning Faelan to burp him. “Well maybe it’s nothing. Like how that one time Landon slept in bed with Rose, Ashley and Cora Lee. Excluding Cora Lee he was sharing a bed with two girls he wasn’t related to and best friends with.”, Jacob offered a neat solution. “Maybe. Guess we’ll find out.”, Solangel said getting a burp out of Faelan. “That’s a good boy.”, she said sweetly giving Faelan a kiss on the cheek before sneezing a little as Faelan changed to a wolf. “Oh you are lucky you are so cute that I take allergy shots.”, Solangel teased setting Faelan on the living room floor and he instantly went to his toy box pulling out a chew toy.
Rose had gotten up early at her hotel she just wasn’t sure she wanted to stay in Bayville or in America at the moment. She had called the airline to see if she could move her return flight to sooner. The soonest she could get back was two weeks. She made the switch, eager to get back to Cambridge where she could just focus on being Wolverine and training with the team. She wondered how he was doing and looked at his contact in her phone debating calling him or at least texting him. But she stopped herself. She remembered how it felt to be placed in the friend zone. She had needed space from Landon. And to get past this her and Merrick needed space too. She decided to take Landon’s invitation to stop at the Manhattan house anytime and went to the train station. Maybe being around her friends would serve as a distraction. And she hadn't gotten to see her cousin’s engagement ring in person yet. So there was that. Rose didn’t call ahead just grabbed a train and went to the house and rang the bell hoping someone would be up already. Landon was actually the only one awake. He’d been using the MDR on the terrace since he refused to not stay in shape and ready. Too many years of training at the institute to just stop training. He had just closed the MDR down and grabbed a water bottle in the kitchen when he heard the bell.
He furrowed his brow looking at the time it was before eight. So he wasn’t sure who could be here. The band wasn’t swinging by till after noon. So he shrugged and headed for the door. He cared very little that he was just in a pair of shorts and his sneakers. He had zero shame of his physic or the tattoos that decorated it. He’d actually not gotten a tattoo this year as he couldn’t think of anything worth tattooing on his body. He took pulled open the door and did a double take seeing Rose standing there. Rose blinked looking at him, it’d been a number of years since she’d seen him shirtless. Apparently a few tattoos ago too. She tilted her head slightly looking at the dragon on his left ribs and then down to the sax with his jazz band’s logo and then the Columbia university crown on his calfs. “Um morning Landon.”, she greeted. “Morning Rose. Enjoying the view?”, he teased with a laugh stepping aside. “Always.”, Rose teased back walking inside. “You’ve gotten a few more tattoos since I last looked.”, she commented. Landon smiled. “Yeah well last time you looked the newest one was the arabic ‘joy’.”, he said pointing to the word printed on his chest over his heart. Rose nodded looking at the other tattoos. “So um this one is my Nazir, he obviously doesn’t pull off my skin and walk around the house like the real one. Then this one is for Blaze Halo and this one is pretty obvious since it’s the crown symbol Columbia University uses.”, he explained pointing out the three tattoos she’d not seen.
“No new one for turning twenty-two?”, she asked. Landon shrugged. “Nothing worth getting this year. My tattoos need to mean something to me. Guess it’s something me and my cousin have is common.”, Landon said. “Which cousin?”, Rose asked. “Merrick.”, he commented. “Mer...Merrick? He’s got a tattoo?”, she asked. “Um yeah. After Faelan was born he got a tattoo that’s his baby print with his wolf print and then ocelot print layered with a banner that has Faelan’s name and date of birth on his chest over his heart. Kind of surprised you haven’t seen it yet.”, Landon said taking a sip of his water. Rose frowned. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”, she asked. “Just that last year you and him were hooking up at your hotel. Wasn’t sure if the whole him having a kid would change that.”, Landon explained. “Yeah well...how do you know about last year?”, she questioned. “Rose who am I? What do I do best?”, Landon asked with a raised eyebrow. “Annoy me?”, Rose partially smiled. “I figure things out and Malcolm kind of spilled that he saw Merrick at the hotel that day coming up to your room.”, Landon shrugged. “And you didn’t say anything at all last summer to me about it?”, she questioned. “Why should I? Rose you are my best friend and I love you. So if my cousin was making you happy, which you were rather smiley when I saw you last summer, then so be it.”, he explained. Rose frowned a bit. “What’s wrong? What happened?”, Landon asked knowing her enough to know that something wasn’t right.
“How did it feel?”, she asked walking to the living room sitting down. Landon furrowed his brow following her sitting next to her. “How did what feel?”, he asked. “Telling me that you only wanted to be friends. Then when you found out I made out with Merrick that summer at the party. And last summer finding out I was sleeping with him and he was making me happy.”, she answered. “Um. Well...it was gut wrenching telling you we should just be friends. But it was the right thing to do. I’m head over heels for Rachel so I knew she was who I should be with. It just hurt that I was going to be hurting you. Because you are someone I never wanted to hurt and would have killed someone for hurting. And well when you made out with Merrick a part of me was jealous. I’ll admit that. Then being told last summer you were sleeping with him and he’s why you were smiling it didn’t hurt as bad because well it’s been a long time since I had to make the call to be just friends. Why? I mean something is obviously wrong so tell me.”, Landon answered. “I gave that talk to Merrick yesterday.”, Rose said tears welling in her eyes. “He’s got a son now, and it's not even that he got someone pregnant because were were never exclusive. But I can’t be with him now. I was starting to really have feelings for him. And when it was just him it didn’t matter that I was only home one month a year and lived an ocean away. But I can’t get close to Faelan and be in that role if I’m not here. So I told me had to stop being anything but friends because it’s better for all three of us if I don’t get involved just to disappear. And then there’s Zoe. Which I didn’t bring up in my reasons to him but she’s part of it.”, Rose admitted.
Landon sighed and hugged her. “It’ll be alright Rose. It sucks I know. But you have valid points. You are an ocean away from them most of the year. It’d rip you apart if you had them here and distract you while on missions or in classes over there. And what about Zoe? Alexander’s sister? The one that threw Merrick’s baby shower?”, Landon asked. Rose sniffled back tears hugging him. He still smelled the same as she remembered. She pulled back from the hug when he asked about Zoe. “Wait she threw him a baby shower?”, Rose asked. “Yeah her and Malcolm did. She and her mom did a really nice mural for the nursery. But what about Zoe is part of this?”, Landon asked. “They were together, while Jenna was pregnant for Faelan he was with her. He said they weren’t dating or even having sex, but they were fooling around so anything but intercourse. And I mean I shouldn’t be upset or jealous about that. He knocked someone up while I was gone for christ sakes. But what got me was he said he’d spend the night at Zoe’s with her and not even do anything sexual just sleep in bed with her. I’ve been with him since I was sixteen and till last year he never stayed the night with me let alone met up with me just because with no agenda of sex on his mind. So am I wrong to get upset that in less than a year of knowing him she’s gotten him to open up more to her than I did in four?”, Rose asked.
Landon sighed. “No you aren’t wrong. I’d question were you put your human nature if you didn’t get upset. So Zoe was a factor because you figure she’s someone else that could make him and Faelan happy and be here for them?”, he asked. Rose nodded. “It won’t be something you get past easy. But you will. You are tough and you’ll get through this. Alright so distraction. I'll get shower and get dressed and we can go grab breakfast okay?”, he offered. “Really? What about everyone else?”, she asked. “What about them? I’ll let Rachel know I’m going to breakfast with my best friend. She’ll just go back to sleep. Otherwise rest of the house doesn’t need to know where I go.”, he smiled. Rose nodded. “Alright I’ll be right back down.”, he said giving her another hug before heading up to his bedroom. He was quiet as he got clothes and took his shower. The running water partially woke Rachel but she figured he’d finished his session in the MDR and went back to sleep. Landon walked back out dressed and leaned over the bed giving Rachel a kiss. “I'm going out to breakfast with Rose. We’ll be back soon. Love you.”, he whispered. Rachel snuggled into the blankets. “Okay. Have fun. Love you too.”, she said sleepily not even opening her eyes. Landon smiled and headed out of the bedroom and down stairs in shorts and a Johnny Cash tee. “Alright like I said she went back to sleep. Come on. I know a good coffee shop.”, he said nodding to the door. Rose smiled a little and got up walking out of the house with him. She hadn’t spent time with just Landon since he told her he wanted to just be friends. As they walked she wondered if someday maybe years from now if she could have this with Merrick.
Merrick woke up before Zoe, which wasn’t unusual she wasn’t what would be defined as a morning person. But as he opened his eyes to the familiar sight of white hair he inwardly sighed. He’d wanted to try and keep some resemblance of space between them. Yet during the night this was apparently how they ended up. Try as he might keeping away from her didn’t seem possible. He carefully got out of the bed, leaving her sleeping soundly in his bed rolling a little into the area of warmth he’d left behind. He sighed looking at her sleeping and shook his head. One phrase came to his mind as he looked at her, glutton for punishment. Though he wasn’t sure which of them that described. Her for always being there for him or him for not being able to stay away from her. He decided it had to be both of them. He put on a pair of short and a shirt before leaving the bedroom. He peeked into the media room seeing Sebastian and Jimmy exactly as he left them before going downstairs knowing by sounds and smells that Faelan was downstairs already. He walked to the living room to see Faelan on the floor playing with Solangel and Jacob on the couch drinking coffee. He could hear Aislinn in the kitchen making breakfast and David getting his coffee. Solangel and Jacob looked at Merrick. “Morning sleepy head. Um have a good night?”, Solangel asked. Faelan bounded past her changing from wolf to ocelot trying to climb his father.
“Whoa Faelan I’m in shorts and your claws are sharp.”, Merrick greeted bending down and picking up his son. “No I had a pretty bad night actually. I get some news I didn’t want to hear from someone I never wanted to hear it from. Then got home to be told my Nana had a heart attack and is in the hospital though expected to be fine. Yesterday was officially the worst day of my life. Thanks for asking.”, Merrick answered sitting down with Faelan. “And Zoe staying the night factors in how?”, Solangel asked. Merrick rolled his eyes. “She’s my best friend. It’s not like that. She came over because Sebastian called her to come help me with getting something for him and Jimmy to eat. Then I told her about my terrible day and she stayed the night because she’s a good friend and wanted to be here for me. Sooo let’s not read into it further.”, Merrick requested. The last thing he wanted right now was more people thinking that there was something going on between him and Zoe. It was bad enough he’d shot himself in the foot with Rose telling her and apparently leaving the impression something was still going on. “Alright. We won’t.”, Jacob assured. “Thanks.”, Merrick partially smiled as he played with Faelan.
Zoe woke up and squinted trying to figure out where she was at first then smiled a little remember she’d stayed at not just the Haven but in Merrick’s bed. Which as she sat up and looked around she realized he wasn’t there. But that made sense he was a morning person and have sweet little Faelan to look after. She changed back into her clothes from last night and headed down the stairs. She looked to the door but could hear voices and the adorable sounds of a kitten in the living room. So she crept over and peeked into the living room and smiled watching Merrick in his ocelot from rolling around on the floor playing with Faelan in his kitten form. “Awww. God you two are just...I need a dentist.”, Zoe commented which Solangel and Jacob looked at her as did the ocelot Merrick. “Good morning all. I should probably head home before Uncle Alec starts to worry about the location of his car.”, Zoe said pointing over her shoulder to the door. Merrick shifted back to human form picking Faelan up as he stood up. “Alright. Was going to get Faelan packed up and drive up to Boston. I want to see for myself that Nana Hazel is okay.”, Merrick said. “Tell her I send my love and hope she gets better.”, Zoe said. “If you aren’t working you could tag along.”, Merrick offered. Zoe nodded a little. “Sure. I’d like that. But I should still get back to my apartment. Need to change clothes and such.”, she said. “Right. We’ll swing by in about an hour to get you then. I’ll see if the boys are going to try their marathon during the day or if Sebastian wants to go check on nana too.”, Merrick said. “Alright. See you later then Merrick. And I’ll see you later too you cutie..”, she said giving Faelan a kiss between his kitten ears before leaving.
“Taking her to check on your Nana?”, David questioned walking out of the kitchen with coffee in hand. “She talks to Nana Hazel every sunday. So I don’t see how it’s weird to take her with me.”, Merrick said shaking his head going up the stairs. He went into the media room and nudged his little brother and Jimmy. “Hey you sleeping beauties you want to wake up?”, Merrick asked. Sebastian and Jimmy both grumbled and looked at him. “What?”, Sebastian asked. “I’m driving up to Boston to check on Nana Hazel. You coming or staying?”, he asked. Jimmy closed his eyes again. “Staying.”, Sebastian said going back to the sleep. Merrick sighed shaking his head going to his bedroom with Faelan. He placed Faelan down into a playpen he kept in there so he could get clothes out to wear. Faelan changed to a baby pulling himself to a sitting position in the playpen looking at his dad curiously. Merrick sighed and looked at Faelan. “Hey little guy. You still can sense something wrong with daddy huh. I’ll be alright eventually. Right now daddy is just still in pain. But don’t worry it’s nothing you did. I love you.”, Merrick assured getting dressed and picking Faelan up. “No matter what I’m going to love you.”, he added kissing his son on the cheek. “Lets get a diaper bag packed for you then we’ll pick up Zoe and go check on Nana Hazel. It’ll be a good distraction for daddy and ensure I don’t risk running into Rose.”, Merrick sighed carrying Faelan into the nursery and packing up the diaper bag.
Zoe still couldn’t believe that Rose was so stupid, to walk away from someone as amazing as Merrick and to miss out on knowing Faelan. “That you Zoe?”, Alec called from the restaurant's kitchen. Zoe leaned into the open door and smiled. “Yes. Good morning Uncle.”, she greeted setting his keys on the counter. “You were out all night?”, Alec questioned seeing she was in the same clothes as the night before. “I stayed at the Haven. Merrick’s going through a tough time right now, his Nana Hazel had a heart attack. I’m actually going to shower and change before he picks me up and we are driving with Faelan to Boston to see her.”, she explained. “Oh well send my sympathies. She seemed like a nice woman when she came to see you perform in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers during the fall.”, Alec said. “I will.”, she answered before heading up to her apartment taking a quick shower and getting changed. It was a rather warm day for June so she’d picked a simple cotton navy wrap dress and flat sandals. She quickly took a tupper of cookies from her pantry that she’d recently baked and had intended to mail up to Hazel to bring to her instead before locking up and heading down to the parking lot timing rather well with Merrick pulling in. She got into the front turning and setting the container of cookies on the back seat by Faelan and his diaper bag. “So we are without teenagers I see.”, she greeted. “Yeah they wanted sleep more. So let’s go then.”, Merrick nodded pulling out heading for the ferry and then up to Boston Medical to find his Nana.