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It’d been just another morning for Merrick with getting up early to take care of Faelan before heading to the gym then to work at Aonair Mac Tíre. He had a special item he needed to finish today. He’d been commissioned to make an engagement ring for a guy. It was very detailed work and he wanted to get it right. After all this ring could bring about happiness between two people. Which as he worked down in his shop he couldn’t help but think about Rose. His eyes looked to the stack of fresh maple he’d gotten when their maple tree was cut down to build the office structure at the Sanctuary. He wasn’t sure what to do with the bit of scrap that had their initials ‘R.E.H + M.E.B-F’ carved into it. He want’s to throw it in a fire but he couldn’t bring himself to. He’d loved Rose, and even if she didn’t or couldn’t love him he didn't want to destroy that memory. That day had meant too much to destroy it. Which as he turned his attention back to the ring a different name floated through his mind, Zoe. He cared about her, a lot. it’s why he let her get so close. She was a great friend to have and always there for him. She was there when Jenna got pregnant and she cared for him and supported him. And this summer after Rose ripped out his heart she was there for him and supported him and was also there for Faelan too. Then last night, she went to dinner with that Trevor guy. And he hated himself for feeling jealous over it. They weren’t anything more than friends, not since Faelan was born. Maybe it was just the fact it’s been officially a year since he last had sex that was getting him frazzled.
He shook his head and bent to his work. But paused when he heard footsteps but the smell told him it was Zoe and apparently she had lunch. He hadn’t even been paying attention to the time. he continued to work on the delicate ebony band with it’s olive wood interior. “Hey lupo cattivo. What are you working on today?”, Zoe asked smiling as she walked over. She always loved coming into the shop. The smell of all the fresh pieces of woods was amazing and watching him work with the wood was also always a fine sight. When he worked on larger pieces he was generally moving around a lot and sweating often down to a tank top or no shirt at all, today wasn’t one of those days. He was bent over a work table so she knew it was something more smaller and detailed. “Well come see..”, Merrick said holding the delicate ring in his fingers. She set the lunch box on the table and leaned over his shoulder looking. “Wow. That is sfarzoso, gorgeous. I take it it’s supposed to have a stone basked on the little metal brackets there at the top.”, she said looking. Merrick nodded. “Yup man brought me a sapphire and a ring size and asked me to make his girlfriend and engagement ring. Mind handing me that little black felt pouch over there?”, Merrick asked extending one hand keep his eyes otherwise trained on the ring.
Zoe looked to her right and saw what he was talking about and handed it to him. “Thanks.”, he said carefully setting the ring in a small stand opening the pouch and shaking the small sapphire loose into the palm of his hand. He pinched it gently using a thin cat claw on his thumb and index finger. Zoe watched with interest as he was so gentle and careful despite his size as he placed the sapphire into the brackets and started to carefully pinch the prongs closed around the stone. Merrick finally let out his breath when it was done. He carefully picked it up and held it to her. “So? Yes worthy?”,he questioned. Zoe smiled at the ring and then looked at him still smiling. Oh that set of questions and him holding a ring like that to her it was a rather nice thought. But she knew the ring was commissioned by someone to be given to the woman they loved. And the woman Merrick loved was an ocean away having broken left his heart in pieces back in June. “Personally it’s less about the ring being offered and more about the man doing the asking.”, Zoe stated. Merrick furrowed his brow a little. “Not an answer.”, he said. Zoe laughed. “Yes. It’s a gorgeous ring Merrick.”, she smiled. “Now lunch break.”, she said taking out a thermos and two bowls from the lunch box. Merrick rolled his eyes carefully placing the ring into the little black box. the man was going to offer it in. “Soup? What kind?”, he asked clearing a space on the work table.
“Roasted butternut soup with goat cheese toasts.”, Zoe said pouring the soup into the two bowls handing him one with a spoon. She set her bowl down and brought out a little covered plate taking the cover off to reveal toasts setting that down and then offering him a bottle of water. Merrick laughed a little shaking his head. “Why do you still do this hellraiser? You know you don’t need to make me food anymore. I’m grateful of course. Cause I never remember to bring lunch. So thank you.”, he said grabbing one of the toasts taking a bite a small bit of the goat cheese smearing the corner of his mouth. Zoe chuckled and reached over wiping the cheese with her thumb and without much of a thought licked it off her finger. “That’s why. Because you’d forget to eat lunch otherwise.”, she explained starting to eat her soup. Merrick inwardly groaned watching her lick her finger. Yeah it had officially been too long since he’d gotten laid even something that simple was getting him aroused. “So um...how was your late dinner with Trevor.”, he asked starting to eat the soup. “Oh it was fantastic. They added a new burger. A Red lentil cauliflower burger with chipotle habanero mayo, onion rings, spinach, roasted peppers, pickled jalapeno, and cilantro served on a multigrain bun. You’d have loved it. Trevor had a great time because he finally got Rico’s phone number. Which it’s about time. He’s been talking about Rico for weeks and last night plucked up the courage to ask him on a date so they exchanged numbers.”, she answered smiling as she picked up one of the toasts. Merrick suddenly felt stupid as she basically just told him Trevor is gay. He set his spoon down in his bowl and ran a hand over his face shaking his head at his own stupid reaction last night.
Zoe raised an eyebrow at his reaction then started laugh. “Oh my…. were… were you jealous Merrick? That I went to dinner with Trevor?”, she laughed. Merrick shook his head. “No. Gaydar must be broken.”, he said trying to play it off. “You were… that’s why you left so abruptly last night without even giving me a hug.”, she said still laughing. “Nothing to be jealous about. We are just friends after all. So even if Trevor was straight wouldn’t have a reason to be jealous. We aren’t dating and haven’t been together in a physical way in five months.”, he said still shaking his head eating more of the soup. “Uh huh. Oh look at you knowing how long it’s been since we fooled around. Though it lines up with the day your son was born but still. Well you know what you should do about that jealous feeling and even that feeling of I’ll guess being horny?”, she countered taking a drink of her water. “Well I have three options in that department. Option one, which I’ve been doing is ignore it. Option two is to just masturbate but that’s rather sad. And option three would be to break my rule.”, he stated. Zoe laughed a little as he listed his options. Most guys would probably just resorted to masturbation or well just not had the silly rule to begin with. But Merrick was certainly not most guys. Apparently if he was going to get off it wasn’t by his own hand. “And option three is the more tempting one..”, Merrick admitted. “Indeed it is.”, she smirked slightly. She’d always been for breaking the rule but didn’t ever really push out of respect for him.
Merrick sighed setting his spoon down and turned on his stool to face her. “It’s always been tempting, and you know what..”, he said contemplating. “What?”, she asked setting her bowl down. “To hell with my rules….”,he said pulling her to his lap and kissing her hard bringing one hand to hold the back of her neck. Zoe blinked a little startled at him kissing her so suddenly. It’d been months since he’d kissed her and she wasn’t about to protest it. Instead she returned the kiss moaning a little into the kiss wrapping her arms around his neck as she got comfortable on his lap. He had to admit it felt good to kiss her again and have her this close again. His arm wrapped tight around her his hand roaming over her back moving up under the back of her shirt. He wanted to do so much more that just kiss her, in fact what he really wanted was to just take her right there on one of his work tables. But he thought better of it. For one he’d had sex with Rose on these work tables. Another reason he didn’t have any protection and then there was the fact it would be her first time. And if he was going to be her first he would rather it actually be nice, like in a bed. He’d been Jenna’s first and that was in the back of the GTO, then he’d been Rose’s first which was against the wall at the XC Castle. And both of those things went bust. Jenna was clingy to the point that he now had a son. Rose he’d fallen for and gotten his heart stomped in the end. Zoe needed to be different and deserved better.
He forced himself to pull back from the kiss before he went further than he’d be willing to stop, taking his hand out from under her shirt. Zoe pouted a little as he pulled back from the kiss, she’d not wanted him to stop. “Sorry...I just..”, he tried to apologize. “Are you apologizing for kissing me or for stopping? Because you should be apologizing for stopping.”, Zoe questioned. Merrick laughed a little. “Both I suppose.”, he admitted. “Why did you stop?”, she asked. “Because if I didn’t I might have gone too far.”, he explained. “Define too far..”, she smirked resting her hands on his shoulders. “Getting you either against a wall or onto one of these work tables and fucking your brains out.”, he said bluntly. Zoe smirked biting her bottom lip. “And if I’d be okay with that?”, she questioned. “Zoe..”, Merrick sighed. “What? It’s a legitimate question. I would not be opposed to having sex with you right here.”, she smiled. Merrick shook his head. “Two problems with that idea. One I don’t have any condoms. Two I don’t really think sex in my workshop with sawdust and wood shavings all over is the best choice of location for your first time.”, he answered. Zoe smiled. “Aw you are trying to be all considerate.”, she smiled giving him a quick kiss. “So if fucking me here and now isn’t your plan. What did you mean by saying to hell with your rule?”, she asked. “Do you want to go out tonight? Say pick you up around 7:30?”, he asked. Zoe blinked then smiled softly. He wanted to take her on a date. She nodded a little. “A real date? With you? Yes, definitely yes. So I’ll see you at 7:30.”, she answered giving him another kiss before getting off his lap. “Yeah I’ll see you then.”, he smiled inwardly sighing in relief. He was mentally trying to figure out what he wanted to do on the date while he watched her pack up the stuff from lunch. “See you tonight handsome.”, she smiled holding the lunch box before giving him another kiss. “See you tonight..”, he said watching her leave.
Today was going to be a good day. After she left he finished up what he needed to and headed home to get ready for the date. Zoe left with an ear to ear smile on her face. “I can’t believe he finally asked me on a date. He is willing to break his rule.”, she sighed going back to her apartment and changing for her short shift at work a permanent grin on her face. Merrick got home and first went to the nursery where Faelan was napping just to look at him before heading downstairs. “Soo...mom can I ask a favor tonight?”, he asked leaning in the archway to the living room. Kim raised an eyebrow looking up from a patchwork quilt that she was working on as a christmas gift for Josalyn. She’d finished the one for Lily already. Each quilt was being made out their old favorite clothes. “What might this favor be?”, she asked. “Think you could watch Faelan and put him to bed tonight?”, he asked. “Um well yes but why?”, Kim asked still stitching the next piece of cloth. “I have a date.”, Merrick smiled. “Ouch..”, Kim said pricking her finger in surprise then looked at her son. “A date? With who?”, she asked. “Yes a date. And with Zoe. Now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to see what I can do about packing a dinner.”, Merrick said heading for the kitchen. Kim was about to say something but just closed her mouth smiling. “About time..”, she muttered to herself.
Blaire had relieved Alex at the hospital taking over holding Tristan’s hand and sitting at his bedside waiting for him to wake up. During the night his breathing had stabilized enough that they took out the breathing tube and just had him on oxygen through his nose. Blaire sighed and looked at him in the bed there were still wires and iv tubes connected to him. She hated seeing him like this. “You’ll get through this Tristan. I’ll be here when you wake up and we will get through this together. I love you…”, she said softly looking at him. She sighed and leaned forward resting her head on his lap as she held his hand. She wasn’t paying attention as her eyes were closed, so she didn’t see the flutter of his eyes. Tristan groaned softly as he woke. His shamrock eyes partially opened glossy from the morphine they had as a drip hooked up to his arm. He could faintly make out where he was the last thing he remembered was getting on the bull. He could see the faint glimmer of light coming through a set of blinds and heard the tiny beeping of machines. He tried to sit up but it hurt and he just couldn’t it hurt too much. He tried to move his legs but they weren’t exactly responding. However he did feel a weight on his lap. He raised his head a little and saw the top of familiar black hair and in his half awake and drugged state he smirked a little at where her head was. “While you’re there…”, he teased his voice a little horse. Blaire blinked hearing his voice and raised her head, her eyes bloodshot from crying and not having slept well. “Tristan? Oh god baby!”, she yelled moving and hugging him and kissing his cheeks.
“Hey beautiful….why do you look like you’ve been crying? What are you doing here? Then again where is here?”, Tristan asked his voice starting to not be as horse as saliva built up. “Here let me get you some water….”, Blaire said grabbing her water bottle and offering it to him. “I’ve been crying since your dad called me yesterday to say you were in the hospital. I’m here because you are in the hospital. You had a punctured lung that they had to operate on immediately. Then xrays showed damage to four of your vertebrae that they had to operate on too. You were on a breathing tube till late in the night and have been unconscious since you got thrown.”, she explained as he drank some of the water. “Which I should go tell someone you’re awake.”, she said getting up and going to the door calling down the hall. “Nurse! He’s awake!”, she called getting out her phone and calling Alex. Tristan just sat in the bed drinking the water a little confused trying to piece together what he could remember. Alex was quick to answer the phone. “What’s happened?”, Alex answered. A doctor went past Blaire and started checking Tristan’s vitals. “He’s awake.”, Blaire said. “I’ll be right there.”, Alex said hanging up and quickly rolling out of his hotel bed and getting dressed to go to the hospital.
“Alright so Mister Whitland, I’m sure your wife told you what happened.”, the doctor said glancing to Blaire. Tristan smirked a little. “We aren’t married but yeah my girlfriend told me what happened. So how long till I can ride again?”, he asked. The doctor looked at Tristan and sighed softly shaking his head. “It’s going to be a long road just to walk again Mister Whitland. And after that I could not medically recommend you ever get on a bull or anything that bucks like that again.”, the doctor advised. Tristan’s lips tightened Blaire frowned moving around the doctor and holding Tristan’s hand. “So I’ll...I’ll never ride again…”, Tristan sighed sadly. “I’ll leave you two to talk. Just know that you are probably going to need at least one maybe two more surgeries and a long road of physical therapy.”, the doctor sighed before leaving the room. Blaire looked at Tristan and gently touched the side of his face. “Blaire…”, Tristan sighed squeezing her hand. If he wasn’t going to be able to ride anymore what could he do for a living? What did he have to offer her? He wasn’t even sure if or when he’d be able to walk again. He wasn’t sure he could still be the same man he’d been. “I’ll understand if you don’t want to be with me anymore. I mean I can’t ride anymore, so I have no job. I’m going to be in a wheelchair for however long so I’m not sure what I’ll really be able to do. I just..”, he continued to explained. Blaire furrowed her brow. “How hard did that bull hit your head?”, she asked. Tristan looked at her questioningly. “I don’t care about any of that. I love you for you Tristan. If you can’t ride anymore fine you’ll find something else and otherwise I’m going to be a lawyer so I’ll have a good job. As for the wheelchair, who cares. I’ll push you around and otherwise sit on your lap and ride around with you.”, she smiled giving him a kiss.
“I love you Blaire. What happens if...ummm down there doesn’t work the same?”, he questioned looking to his waist. Blaire giggled and reached under the blanket and the hospital gown he was wearing and ran her hand over his penis which reacted getting harder with each movement. Tristan groaned a little as she did her little ‘test’. Even trapped in a hospital bed she could get to him. “Nope looks like that’s still working.”, she chuckled. “Ahem...should I come back?”, Alex asked standing in the doorway. Blaire quickly pulled her hand back. “No it’s alright Mister Whitland. Just proving a point to your son.”, she explained. Tristan opened his eyes slightly. “Yeah...Blaire’s all about proving points… Hey dad.”, he smiled turning to look at his father. He looked like hell. “I’m sorry I’ve worried you like this.”, Tristan said. Alex took a breath and walked over and hugged his son. “It’s not your fault son. It is the hazard of the job.”, Alex said letting Tristan go and lightly messing with his hair. Since the day he was born Tristan had been everything to Alex. Yes early on he shared custody of Tristan with his ex girlfriend Cordelia. Aurelia had happened to be at the ranch during that time while Cordelia had Tristan. But by the time Tristan was two Cordelia wanted to change the agreement to just having visitation, she just didn’t feel she had the mom gene. She’d suffered from postpartum depression and thought that she’d get over it as Tristan got older that she’d feel less like he’d taken her life from her, but when it didn't look like that she knew it was probably better that Alex have him. Alex had done everything he could to protect his son, to raise him and give him chances to experience what was out there. But when Tristan got interested in riding at fourteen it was hard to tell him no and that it was too dangerous. And now this happened.
“So the doctor came in after I woke up…”, Tristan said with a frown. “What he have to say?”, Alex questioned. “Well for one I’ll need one maybe two more surgeries on my back and lots of physical therapy to walk, but I’m sure he already told you that. I also won’t ever be able to ride as he put it ‘anything that bucks’. So twenty-one years old and my career in the sport I love is over. I’ve got no clue what I do from here.”, he sighed heavy. Alex nodded. “You’ll figure it out. You’re still here and that’s what matters. I don’t know what I’d done if you hadn’t made it...or what Blaire would have done. She was so sick with worry she flew here.”, Alex frowned. “Well I’m apparently too stubborn to not pull through. So you got a plane ticket that fast?”, Tristan asked looking to Blaire. “Well Mister Worthington kind of insisted that I use his jet. I was at the office when your dad told me the news and Mister Worthington came upon me crying. And guess the fact he’s known me forever and such he felt bad and wanted to help. So he had me to his jet and set me up with a hotel room nearby.”, she explained. Tristan nodded. “Remind me to thank Gabriel’s dad next time I see him. Was nice to wake up to your face.”, he smiled reaching over and squeezing her hand. “You know...they won’t keep you in this hospital forever. And you’ll need to go somewhere that you can go to physical therapy and when or if necessary have the additional surgeries.”, Blaire said. Alex and Tristan both looked at her. “And we have really good doctors in Boston, ones that specialize in the spine. I did research before I left.”, she explained. “And you’re implying what with this?”, Tristan questioned. “That, since your dad still has his rodeo to run and you can’t just be alone in Oregon… you come stay with me.”, Blaire offered.
“Stay with you and your gang? Wouldn’t I be kind of a burden? And imposing on you all? You have classes and your job…”, Tristan said shaking his head a little. “You wouldn’t be a burden or imposing. I can call and ask the others to confirm. I may have classes and my job but it’s not like you’d be left alone for overly long as our schedules don’t all line up. And with Bianca in the house you’d have a healer who’s also a med student on call. Plus if you stay with me that means every morning you wake up and every night you fall asleep it’s next to me.”, she countered. Tristan smirked. “Have to admit that last part sounds very good. Talk to your friends counselor and see if you can negotiate a deal.”, he chuckled a little. Blaire smiled and pulled out her cell phone calling the house. Bianca instantly picked up. “So how is he? What happened? What kind of medical care has he been given?”, she answered not bothering with a greeting. Blaire smiled a little loving how concerned her friend was. “He’s awake now. He was brought in unconscious, they did surgery for his punctured lung, and they did surgery on his back for damage to the T11, T12, L1, and L2 vertebrae.”, Blaire answered. Bianca breath a slight sigh of relief. “Alright. At least that part of the spine doesn’t always result in paralyzation. With the right care and treatment he should be able to walk again.”, Bianca sighed pacing around the living room. “Stop pacing.”, Hope said in the background. “Yes please sweetheart you are making us dizzy.”, Gabriel added. Blaire laughed a little hearing them in the background. “Hey Bianca put me on speaker I need to talk to all three of you.”, Blaire requested. “Sure.”, she answered hitting the button for speaker.
“Can everyone hear me?”, Blaire asked. “YES! Tell Tristan we were worried about him!”, Hope yelled. Blaire smiled. “Hope says they were worried about you.”, she said looking over at him. Tristan smiled. “You’ve got some very kind friends.”, he commented. “So what do you need? The flight and room are okay right?”, Gabriel asked. “Yes I don’t think I can thank your dad enough. He really earned that codename Angel.”, Blaire smiled. “As for what I ‘need’. Well I have a question about Tristan that I need your opinions on.”, she added. “Answer is yes.”, Hope said. “I haven’t even asked the question and I know I’m too far for your telepathy.”, she said. “We can all guess the question. He’s been injured he’s going to need physical therapy and medical care. You want to bring him home. I already discussed that option with Hope and Gabriel this morning. And we all agreed. Bring him home. With my internship at Boston Medical I can easily check into who the best spinal doctor is and see who is the best we’ve got for physical therapy. Gabriel already went to medical supply store and got a ramp he’s going to install on the front steps since he’ll be in a wheelchair for a while. Hope said she’ll use her telekinesis to swap the downstairs office and your bedroom so he’ll be on the first floor.”, Bianca answered. Blaire started to tear listening to everything her friends were doing. Tristan arched an eyebrow at her crying. “They already figured I’d be bringing you home with me. Gabriel is installing a ramp on the front stairs and Hope’s moving my bedroom to the first floor.”, she explained to Tristan.
“You’re friends are literally the most amazing kind people I’ve ever known.”, he said. “You guys are just..the best. Thank you so much. I’ll let you know when they plan to release him here so we can fly back. I’ll have to get plane tickets for that.”, Blaire said. “The jet hasn’t left Blaire. Dad said that jet will stay till you need to leave. So when you know you are going to leave just tell your driver and he’ll let the pilot know.”, Gabriel spoke up. “How am I ever going to repay your dad for his kindness?”, Blaire sighed shaking her head sniffling a little. “Give him a hug when you see him next and just be happy. You know dad. He’s got a soft spot for couples that get separated by circumstances out of their control. His way of paying forward your dad rescuing him so he could get back to my mom.”, Gabriel explained. “Yes well he’s getting the biggest hug I can give and I will be baking pies for months to give him.”, she smiled. “I’ll let mom know to plan on letting his clothes out. Give Tristan our best and tell him we look forward to having him here. It’ll be nice to have another guy around.”, Gabriel said. “Yes tell him we love him.”, Bianca added. “And no more doing stupid shit.”, Hoped chimed in. “I will. Thank you guys. You’re the best. I’ll talk to you soon.”, she said hanging up. “So looks like you are going to be coming home with me when they release you handsome. Mister Worthington is leaving the jet he sent me here on at the airport here to take us home. Bianca said to tell you they love you. Gabriel is looking forward to another guy in the house. And Hope just said no more doing stupid shit.”, she said pocketing her phone. Tristan smiled. “Well I’ll try to keep the stupid shit to a minimum. No promises though.”, he chuckled.
“Dad you alright with me going to Massachusetts instead of back home?”, he asked looking to his dad. “Of course I am. Blaire I’m sorry that now it’ll be your job to try and keep this one in line.”, Alex smiled a little. “Oh I think I can handle him.”, Blaire smirked. Alex nodded. “I know you’ll be in good hands with Blaire and her friends. And you’ll be close to Holly so she can check on you too. She was worried sick when I called her.”, Alex sighed. “Yeah. And me living closer to Holly just gives you an additional excuse to come east to bang your girlfriend.”, Tristan teased. Alex narrowed his eyes. “Sex isn’t always priority in a relationship.”, Alex said shaking his head. Tristan chuckled and looked over at Blaire smiling. “Oh I know dad. It’s just one of the fun parts of it.”, he stated. “So what’s a guy gotta do in his place to get food?”, Tristan asked. Blaire chuckled and found the hospital menu and handed it to him. She wasn’t sure how long he’d be in that hospital bed but she knew she wouldn't leave his side ever. In a way she was glad he couldn’t ride again, she wouldn’t have to worry about getting a call like that again. But she was also sad because it was his passion it was what he loved to do. But she knew they’d figure it out, together.

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It’d been just another morning for Merrick with getting up early to take care of Faelan before heading to the gym then to work at Aonair Mac Tíre. He had a special item he needed to finish today. He’d been commissioned to make an engagement ring for a guy. It was very detailed work and he wanted to get it right. After all this ring could bring about happiness between two people. Which as he worked down in his shop he couldn’t help but think about Rose. His eyes looked to the stack of fresh maple he’d gotten when their maple tree was cut down to build the office structure at the Sanctuary. He wasn’t sure what to do with the bit of scrap that had their initials ‘R.E.H + M.E.B-F’ carved into it. He want’s to throw it in a fire but he couldn’t bring himself to. He’d loved Rose, and even if she didn’t or couldn’t love him he didn't want to destroy that memory. That day had meant too much to destroy it. Which as he turned his attention back to the ring a different name floated through his mind, Zoe. He cared about her, a lot. it’s why he let her get so close. She was a great friend to have and always there for him. She was there when Jenna got pregnant and she cared for him and supported him. And this summer after Rose ripped out his heart she was there for him and supported him and was also there for Faelan too. Then last night, she went to dinner with that Trevor guy. And he hated himself for feeling jealous over it. They weren’t anything more than friends, not since Faelan was born. Maybe it was just the fact it’s been officially a year since he last had sex that was getting him frazzled.
He shook his head and bent to his work. But paused when he heard footsteps but the smell told him it was Zoe and apparently she had lunch. He hadn’t even been paying attention to the time. he continued to work on the delicate ebony band with it’s olive wood interior. “Hey lupo cattivo. What are you working on today?”, Zoe asked smiling as she walked over. She always loved coming into the shop. The smell of all the fresh pieces of woods was amazing and watching him work with the wood was also always a fine sight. When he worked on larger pieces he was generally moving around a lot and sweating often down to a tank top or no shirt at all, today wasn’t one of those days. He was bent over a work table so she knew it was something more smaller and detailed. “Well come see..”, Merrick said holding the delicate ring in his fingers. She set the lunch box on the table and leaned over his shoulder looking. “Wow. That is sfarzoso, gorgeous. I take it it’s supposed to have a stone basked on the little metal brackets there at the top.”, she said looking. Merrick nodded. “Yup man brought me a sapphire and a ring size and asked me to make his girlfriend and engagement ring. Mind handing me that little black felt pouch over there?”, Merrick asked extending one hand keep his eyes otherwise trained on the ring.
Zoe looked to her right and saw what he was talking about and handed it to him. “Thanks.”, he said carefully setting the ring in a small stand opening the pouch and shaking the small sapphire loose into the palm of his hand. He pinched it gently using a thin cat claw on his thumb and index finger. Zoe watched with interest as he was so gentle and careful despite his size as he placed the sapphire into the brackets and started to carefully pinch the prongs closed around the stone. Merrick finally let out his breath when it was done. He carefully picked it up and held it to her. “So? Yes worthy?”,he questioned. Zoe smiled at the ring and then looked at him still smiling. Oh that set of questions and him holding a ring like that to her it was a rather nice thought. But she knew the ring was commissioned by someone to be given to the woman they loved. And the woman Merrick loved was an ocean away having broken left his heart in pieces back in June. “Personally it’s less about the ring being offered and more about the man doing the asking.”, Zoe stated. Merrick furrowed his brow a little. “Not an answer.”, he said. Zoe laughed. “Yes. It’s a gorgeous ring Merrick.”, she smiled. “Now lunch break.”, she said taking out a thermos and two bowls from the lunch box. Merrick rolled his eyes carefully placing the ring into the little black box. the man was going to offer it in. “Soup? What kind?”, he asked clearing a space on the work table.
“Roasted butternut soup with goat cheese toasts.”, Zoe said pouring the soup into the two bowls handing him one with a spoon. She set her bowl down and brought out a little covered plate taking the cover off to reveal toasts setting that down and then offering him a bottle of water. Merrick laughed a little shaking his head. “Why do you still do this hellraiser? You know you don’t need to make me food anymore. I’m grateful of course. Cause I never remember to bring lunch. So thank you.”, he said grabbing one of the toasts taking a bite a small bit of the goat cheese smearing the corner of his mouth. Zoe chuckled and reached over wiping the cheese with her thumb and without much of a thought licked it off her finger. “That’s why. Because you’d forget to eat lunch otherwise.”, she explained starting to eat her soup. Merrick inwardly groaned watching her lick her finger. Yeah it had officially been too long since he’d gotten laid even something that simple was getting him aroused. “So um...how was your late dinner with Trevor.”, he asked starting to eat the soup. “Oh it was fantastic. They added a new burger. A Red lentil cauliflower burger with chipotle habanero mayo, onion rings, spinach, roasted peppers, pickled jalapeno, and cilantro served on a multigrain bun. You’d have loved it. Trevor had a great time because he finally got Rico’s phone number. Which it’s about time. He’s been talking about Rico for weeks and last night plucked up the courage to ask him on a date so they exchanged numbers.”, she answered smiling as she picked up one of the toasts. Merrick suddenly felt stupid as she basically just told him Trevor is gay. He set his spoon down in his bowl and ran a hand over his face shaking his head at his own stupid reaction last night.
Zoe raised an eyebrow at his reaction then started laugh. “Oh my…. were… were you jealous Merrick? That I went to dinner with Trevor?”, she laughed. Merrick shook his head. “No. Gaydar must be broken.”, he said trying to play it off. “You were… that’s why you left so abruptly last night without even giving me a hug.”, she said still laughing. “Nothing to be jealous about. We are just friends after all. So even if Trevor was straight wouldn’t have a reason to be jealous. We aren’t dating and haven’t been together in a physical way in five months.”, he said still shaking his head eating more of the soup. “Uh huh. Oh look at you knowing how long it’s been since we fooled around. Though it lines up with the day your son was born but still. Well you know what you should do about that jealous feeling and even that feeling of I’ll guess being horny?”, she countered taking a drink of her water. “Well I have three options in that department. Option one, which I’ve been doing is ignore it. Option two is to just masturbate but that’s rather sad. And option three would be to break my rule.”, he stated. Zoe laughed a little as he listed his options. Most guys would probably just resorted to masturbation or well just not had the silly rule to begin with. But Merrick was certainly not most guys. Apparently if he was going to get off it wasn’t by his own hand. “And option three is the more tempting one..”, Merrick admitted. “Indeed it is.”, she smirked slightly. She’d always been for breaking the rule but didn’t ever really push out of respect for him.
Merrick sighed setting his spoon down and turned on his stool to face her. “It’s always been tempting, and you know what..”, he said contemplating. “What?”, she asked setting her bowl down. “To hell with my rules….”,he said pulling her to his lap and kissing her hard bringing one hand to hold the back of her neck. Zoe blinked a little startled at him kissing her so suddenly. It’d been months since he’d kissed her and she wasn’t about to protest it. Instead she returned the kiss moaning a little into the kiss wrapping her arms around his neck as she got comfortable on his lap. He had to admit it felt good to kiss her again and have her this close again. His arm wrapped tight around her his hand roaming over her back moving up under the back of her shirt. He wanted to do so much more that just kiss her, in fact what he really wanted was to just take her right there on one of his work tables. But he thought better of it. For one he’d had sex with Rose on these work tables. Another reason he didn’t have any protection and then there was the fact it would be her first time. And if he was going to be her first he would rather it actually be nice, like in a bed. He’d been Jenna’s first and that was in the back of the GTO, then he’d been Rose’s first which was against the wall at the XC Castle. And both of those things went bust. Jenna was clingy to the point that he now had a son. Rose he’d fallen for and gotten his heart stomped in the end. Zoe needed to be different and deserved better.
He forced himself to pull back from the kiss before he went further than he’d be willing to stop, taking his hand out from under her shirt. Zoe pouted a little as he pulled back from the kiss, she’d not wanted him to stop. “Sorry...I just..”, he tried to apologize. “Are you apologizing for kissing me or for stopping? Because you should be apologizing for stopping.”, Zoe questioned. Merrick laughed a little. “Both I suppose.”, he admitted. “Why did you stop?”, she asked. “Because if I didn’t I might have gone too far.”, he explained. “Define too far..”, she smirked resting her hands on his shoulders. “Getting you either against a wall or onto one of these work tables and fucking your brains out.”, he said bluntly. Zoe smirked biting her bottom lip. “And if I’d be okay with that?”, she questioned. “Zoe..”, Merrick sighed. “What? It’s a legitimate question. I would not be opposed to having sex with you right here.”, she smiled. Merrick shook his head. “Two problems with that idea. One I don’t have any condoms. Two I don’t really think sex in my workshop with sawdust and wood shavings all over is the best choice of location for your first time.”, he answered. Zoe smiled. “Aw you are trying to be all considerate.”, she smiled giving him a quick kiss. “So if fucking me here and now isn’t your plan. What did you mean by saying to hell with your rule?”, she asked. “Do you want to go out tonight? Say pick you up around 7:30?”, he asked. Zoe blinked then smiled softly. He wanted to take her on a date. She nodded a little. “A real date? With you? Yes, definitely yes. So I’ll see you at 7:30.”, she answered giving him another kiss before getting off his lap. “Yeah I’ll see you then.”, he smiled inwardly sighing in relief. He was mentally trying to figure out what he wanted to do on the date while he watched her pack up the stuff from lunch. “See you tonight handsome.”, she smiled holding the lunch box before giving him another kiss. “See you tonight..”, he said watching her leave.
Today was going to be a good day. After she left he finished up what he needed to and headed home to get ready for the date. Zoe left with an ear to ear smile on her face. “I can’t believe he finally asked me on a date. He is willing to break his rule.”, she sighed going back to her apartment and changing for her short shift at work a permanent grin on her face. Merrick got home and first went to the nursery where Faelan was napping just to look at him before heading downstairs. “Soo...mom can I ask a favor tonight?”, he asked leaning in the archway to the living room. Kim raised an eyebrow looking up from a patchwork quilt that she was working on as a christmas gift for Josalyn. She’d finished the one for Lily already. Each quilt was being made out their old favorite clothes. “What might this favor be?”, she asked. “Think you could watch Faelan and put him to bed tonight?”, he asked. “Um well yes but why?”, Kim asked still stitching the next piece of cloth. “I have a date.”, Merrick smiled. “Ouch..”, Kim said pricking her finger in surprise then looked at her son. “A date? With who?”, she asked. “Yes a date. And with Zoe. Now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to see what I can do about packing a dinner.”, Merrick said heading for the kitchen. Kim was about to say something but just closed her mouth smiling. “About time..”, she muttered to herself.
Blaire had relieved Alex at the hospital taking over holding Tristan’s hand and sitting at his bedside waiting for him to wake up. During the night his breathing had stabilized enough that they took out the breathing tube and just had him on oxygen through his nose. Blaire sighed and looked at him in the bed there were still wires and iv tubes connected to him. She hated seeing him like this. “You’ll get through this Tristan. I’ll be here when you wake up and we will get through this together. I love you…”, she said softly looking at him. She sighed and leaned forward resting her head on his lap as she held his hand. She wasn’t paying attention as her eyes were closed, so she didn’t see the flutter of his eyes. Tristan groaned softly as he woke. His shamrock eyes partially opened glossy from the morphine they had as a drip hooked up to his arm. He could faintly make out where he was the last thing he remembered was getting on the bull. He could see the faint glimmer of light coming through a set of blinds and heard the tiny beeping of machines. He tried to sit up but it hurt and he just couldn’t it hurt too much. He tried to move his legs but they weren’t exactly responding. However he did feel a weight on his lap. He raised his head a little and saw the top of familiar black hair and in his half awake and drugged state he smirked a little at where her head was. “While you’re there…”, he teased his voice a little horse. Blaire blinked hearing his voice and raised her head, her eyes bloodshot from crying and not having slept well. “Tristan? Oh god baby!”, she yelled moving and hugging him and kissing his cheeks.
“Hey beautiful….why do you look like you’ve been crying? What are you doing here? Then again where is here?”, Tristan asked his voice starting to not be as horse as saliva built up. “Here let me get you some water….”, Blaire said grabbing her water bottle and offering it to him. “I’ve been crying since your dad called me yesterday to say you were in the hospital. I’m here because you are in the hospital. You had a punctured lung that they had to operate on immediately. Then xrays showed damage to four of your vertebrae that they had to operate on too. You were on a breathing tube till late in the night and have been unconscious since you got thrown.”, she explained as he drank some of the water. “Which I should go tell someone you’re awake.”, she said getting up and going to the door calling down the hall. “Nurse! He’s awake!”, she called getting out her phone and calling Alex. Tristan just sat in the bed drinking the water a little confused trying to piece together what he could remember. Alex was quick to answer the phone. “What’s happened?”, Alex answered. A doctor went past Blaire and started checking Tristan’s vitals. “He’s awake.”, Blaire said. “I’ll be right there.”, Alex said hanging up and quickly rolling out of his hotel bed and getting dressed to go to the hospital.
“Alright so Mister Whitland, I’m sure your wife told you what happened.”, the doctor said glancing to Blaire. Tristan smirked a little. “We aren’t married but yeah my girlfriend told me what happened. So how long till I can ride again?”, he asked. The doctor looked at Tristan and sighed softly shaking his head. “It’s going to be a long road just to walk again Mister Whitland. And after that I could not medically recommend you ever get on a bull or anything that bucks like that again.”, the doctor advised. Tristan’s lips tightened Blaire frowned moving around the doctor and holding Tristan’s hand. “So I’ll...I’ll never ride again…”, Tristan sighed sadly. “I’ll leave you two to talk. Just know that you are probably going to need at least one maybe two more surgeries and a long road of physical therapy.”, the doctor sighed before leaving the room. Blaire looked at Tristan and gently touched the side of his face. “Blaire…”, Tristan sighed squeezing her hand. If he wasn’t going to be able to ride anymore what could he do for a living? What did he have to offer her? He wasn’t even sure if or when he’d be able to walk again. He wasn’t sure he could still be the same man he’d been. “I’ll understand if you don’t want to be with me anymore. I mean I can’t ride anymore, so I have no job. I’m going to be in a wheelchair for however long so I’m not sure what I’ll really be able to do. I just..”, he continued to explained. Blaire furrowed her brow. “How hard did that bull hit your head?”, she asked. Tristan looked at her questioningly. “I don’t care about any of that. I love you for you Tristan. If you can’t ride anymore fine you’ll find something else and otherwise I’m going to be a lawyer so I’ll have a good job. As for the wheelchair, who cares. I’ll push you around and otherwise sit on your lap and ride around with you.”, she smiled giving him a kiss.
“I love you Blaire. What happens if...ummm down there doesn’t work the same?”, he questioned looking to his waist. Blaire giggled and reached under the blanket and the hospital gown he was wearing and ran her hand over his penis which reacted getting harder with each movement. Tristan groaned a little as she did her little ‘test’. Even trapped in a hospital bed she could get to him. “Nope looks like that’s still working.”, she chuckled. “Ahem...should I come back?”, Alex asked standing in the doorway. Blaire quickly pulled her hand back. “No it’s alright Mister Whitland. Just proving a point to your son.”, she explained. Tristan opened his eyes slightly. “Yeah...Blaire’s all about proving points… Hey dad.”, he smiled turning to look at his father. He looked like hell. “I’m sorry I’ve worried you like this.”, Tristan said. Alex took a breath and walked over and hugged his son. “It’s not your fault son. It is the hazard of the job.”, Alex said letting Tristan go and lightly messing with his hair. Since the day he was born Tristan had been everything to Alex. Yes early on he shared custody of Tristan with his ex girlfriend Cordelia. Aurelia had happened to be at the ranch during that time while Cordelia had Tristan. But by the time Tristan was two Cordelia wanted to change the agreement to just having visitation, she just didn’t feel she had the mom gene. She’d suffered from postpartum depression and thought that she’d get over it as Tristan got older that she’d feel less like he’d taken her life from her, but when it didn't look like that she knew it was probably better that Alex have him. Alex had done everything he could to protect his son, to raise him and give him chances to experience what was out there. But when Tristan got interested in riding at fourteen it was hard to tell him no and that it was too dangerous. And now this happened.
“So the doctor came in after I woke up…”, Tristan said with a frown. “What he have to say?”, Alex questioned. “Well for one I’ll need one maybe two more surgeries on my back and lots of physical therapy to walk, but I’m sure he already told you that. I also won’t ever be able to ride as he put it ‘anything that bucks’. So twenty-one years old and my career in the sport I love is over. I’ve got no clue what I do from here.”, he sighed heavy. Alex nodded. “You’ll figure it out. You’re still here and that’s what matters. I don’t know what I’d done if you hadn’t made it...or what Blaire would have done. She was so sick with worry she flew here.”, Alex frowned. “Well I’m apparently too stubborn to not pull through. So you got a plane ticket that fast?”, Tristan asked looking to Blaire. “Well Mister Worthington kind of insisted that I use his jet. I was at the office when your dad told me the news and Mister Worthington came upon me crying. And guess the fact he’s known me forever and such he felt bad and wanted to help. So he had me to his jet and set me up with a hotel room nearby.”, she explained. Tristan nodded. “Remind me to thank Gabriel’s dad next time I see him. Was nice to wake up to your face.”, he smiled reaching over and squeezing her hand. “You know...they won’t keep you in this hospital forever. And you’ll need to go somewhere that you can go to physical therapy and when or if necessary have the additional surgeries.”, Blaire said. Alex and Tristan both looked at her. “And we have really good doctors in Boston, ones that specialize in the spine. I did research before I left.”, she explained. “And you’re implying what with this?”, Tristan questioned. “That, since your dad still has his rodeo to run and you can’t just be alone in Oregon… you come stay with me.”, Blaire offered.
“Stay with you and your gang? Wouldn’t I be kind of a burden? And imposing on you all? You have classes and your job…”, Tristan said shaking his head a little. “You wouldn’t be a burden or imposing. I can call and ask the others to confirm. I may have classes and my job but it’s not like you’d be left alone for overly long as our schedules don’t all line up. And with Bianca in the house you’d have a healer who’s also a med student on call. Plus if you stay with me that means every morning you wake up and every night you fall asleep it’s next to me.”, she countered. Tristan smirked. “Have to admit that last part sounds very good. Talk to your friends counselor and see if you can negotiate a deal.”, he chuckled a little. Blaire smiled and pulled out her cell phone calling the house. Bianca instantly picked up. “So how is he? What happened? What kind of medical care has he been given?”, she answered not bothering with a greeting. Blaire smiled a little loving how concerned her friend was. “He’s awake now. He was brought in unconscious, they did surgery for his punctured lung, and they did surgery on his back for damage to the T11, T12, L1, and L2 vertebrae.”, Blaire answered. Bianca breath a slight sigh of relief. “Alright. At least that part of the spine doesn’t always result in paralyzation. With the right care and treatment he should be able to walk again.”, Bianca sighed pacing around the living room. “Stop pacing.”, Hope said in the background. “Yes please sweetheart you are making us dizzy.”, Gabriel added. Blaire laughed a little hearing them in the background. “Hey Bianca put me on speaker I need to talk to all three of you.”, Blaire requested. “Sure.”, she answered hitting the button for speaker.
“Can everyone hear me?”, Blaire asked. “YES! Tell Tristan we were worried about him!”, Hope yelled. Blaire smiled. “Hope says they were worried about you.”, she said looking over at him. Tristan smiled. “You’ve got some very kind friends.”, he commented. “So what do you need? The flight and room are okay right?”, Gabriel asked. “Yes I don’t think I can thank your dad enough. He really earned that codename Angel.”, Blaire smiled. “As for what I ‘need’. Well I have a question about Tristan that I need your opinions on.”, she added. “Answer is yes.”, Hope said. “I haven’t even asked the question and I know I’m too far for your telepathy.”, she said. “We can all guess the question. He’s been injured he’s going to need physical therapy and medical care. You want to bring him home. I already discussed that option with Hope and Gabriel this morning. And we all agreed. Bring him home. With my internship at Boston Medical I can easily check into who the best spinal doctor is and see who is the best we’ve got for physical therapy. Gabriel already went to medical supply store and got a ramp he’s going to install on the front steps since he’ll be in a wheelchair for a while. Hope said she’ll use her telekinesis to swap the downstairs office and your bedroom so he’ll be on the first floor.”, Bianca answered. Blaire started to tear listening to everything her friends were doing. Tristan arched an eyebrow at her crying. “They already figured I’d be bringing you home with me. Gabriel is installing a ramp on the front stairs and Hope’s moving my bedroom to the first floor.”, she explained to Tristan.
“You’re friends are literally the most amazing kind people I’ve ever known.”, he said. “You guys are just..the best. Thank you so much. I’ll let you know when they plan to release him here so we can fly back. I’ll have to get plane tickets for that.”, Blaire said. “The jet hasn’t left Blaire. Dad said that jet will stay till you need to leave. So when you know you are going to leave just tell your driver and he’ll let the pilot know.”, Gabriel spoke up. “How am I ever going to repay your dad for his kindness?”, Blaire sighed shaking her head sniffling a little. “Give him a hug when you see him next and just be happy. You know dad. He’s got a soft spot for couples that get separated by circumstances out of their control. His way of paying forward your dad rescuing him so he could get back to my mom.”, Gabriel explained. “Yes well he’s getting the biggest hug I can give and I will be baking pies for months to give him.”, she smiled. “I’ll let mom know to plan on letting his clothes out. Give Tristan our best and tell him we look forward to having him here. It’ll be nice to have another guy around.”, Gabriel said. “Yes tell him we love him.”, Bianca added. “And no more doing stupid shit.”, Hoped chimed in. “I will. Thank you guys. You’re the best. I’ll talk to you soon.”, she said hanging up. “So looks like you are going to be coming home with me when they release you handsome. Mister Worthington is leaving the jet he sent me here on at the airport here to take us home. Bianca said to tell you they love you. Gabriel is looking forward to another guy in the house. And Hope just said no more doing stupid shit.”, she said pocketing her phone. Tristan smiled. “Well I’ll try to keep the stupid shit to a minimum. No promises though.”, he chuckled.
“Dad you alright with me going to Massachusetts instead of back home?”, he asked looking to his dad. “Of course I am. Blaire I’m sorry that now it’ll be your job to try and keep this one in line.”, Alex smiled a little. “Oh I think I can handle him.”, Blaire smirked. Alex nodded. “I know you’ll be in good hands with Blaire and her friends. And you’ll be close to Holly so she can check on you too. She was worried sick when I called her.”, Alex sighed. “Yeah. And me living closer to Holly just gives you an additional excuse to come east to bang your girlfriend.”, Tristan teased. Alex narrowed his eyes. “Sex isn’t always priority in a relationship.”, Alex said shaking his head. Tristan chuckled and looked over at Blaire smiling. “Oh I know dad. It’s just one of the fun parts of it.”, he stated. “So what’s a guy gotta do in his place to get food?”, Tristan asked. Blaire chuckled and found the hospital menu and handed it to him. She wasn’t sure how long he’d be in that hospital bed but she knew she wouldn't leave his side ever. In a way she was glad he couldn’t ride again, she wouldn’t have to worry about getting a call like that again. But she was also sad because it was his passion it was what he loved to do. But she knew they’d figure it out, together.