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While Inola was adjusting to being at the institute, attending the public school and volunteering at the sanctuary Landon was having to do some adjustments as well. As part of his curriculum he’d been randomly assigned a local school to be a teacher's assistant. His assignment was at Léman Manhattan Preparatory School for the Seventh Grade Social Studies class. At first Landon was rather excited about this prospect. Sure teaching junior high was not his final goal but it was a start. And with the research he’d done during the summer on the school it was supposed to be rather progressive. So he was a bit disappointed when he showed up the day before school started to meet the teacher he’d be working with. He’d peaked into other classrooms on his way and saw a lot of tech and more modern educational tools. But as he opened the door to Professor Cuthbert’s class he was very disappointed. A standard chalkboard with basic white chalk. Nothing modern in sight. And certainly not the older gentleman haunched over at his desk. “Ahem. Professor Cuthbert?”, Landon questioned walking into the room. He was dressed down wearing cargo shorts and a t-shirt since it wasn’t an official workday. Cuthbert looked up over the top of his small bifocal glasses and looked at Landon rather unimpressed as his arm and leg tattoos were very visible.
“Tell me you aren’t my TA for this year. I was told that Columbia was sending their best and brightest.”, he said sitting up straight in his chair. “Sorry to disappoint. But I’m Landon Bryant, your teacher assistant for the year. And perhaps my outward appearance isn’t exactly what you feel should go along with being the brightest Columbia University has to offer from their history education masters programs, but I am. I’m top of my class.”, Landon said offering his hand. Cuthbert snorted a little and shook his hand only to be polite. “Well I like to run my class my way. So when you show up tomorrow I expect you to be dressed appropriately.”, he said looking Landon over again. “Well of course. This is casual clothes not work clothes. I only came to meet you before classes start tomorrow and see if there was anything you needed me to prepare for class tomorrow.”, Landon explained. “Alright fine. Here..”, he said sliding three large stacks of paper in Landon’s direction. “I need all of these to be correlated and stapled to be given to each student tomorrow. I suggest you get started.”, he said standing up putting a stapler down. Landon wanted to ask if the printer’s correlator had malfunctioned when Cuthbert printed the pages but decided better of it. Instead he just took a chair and started to staple the pages together.
It took a while but Landon accomplished the task and even made a neat pile with the exact number of students per class before he left. He sighed the next morning as he was getting ready to head to the school as he was tying his brown, light blue plaid pattern tie. “Oh come on you’ve been waiting for the part of your master's program that would let you start teaching.”, Rachel said shaking her head at him as she slipped into her shoes. “I know and I have been. But meeting Professor Cuthbert yesterday. God it’s like the stone age in his classroom. All the others are modern and fantastic rooms. Then his looks like your dad or Sensai Logan attended them when they were boys.”, Landon explained. Rachel laughed a little walking over and straightening his tie. “You will do just fine. Come on you are Landon Rouss Bryant. You fearlessly faced death multiple times. You bought Wanda twice. You trained with Uncle James. You have the heart of a warrior and a brilliant mind to go with it. I don't think there’s a situation in this world you can’t think your way out of and find ways to make it work to your advantage. Plus you are doing this because you want to teach and mold young minds. And I’ve got to say..”, she smiled taking a step back looking at him. The brown and light blue plaid tie worked well with the darker brown slim fit dress shirt that had the same shade of light blue on the cuffs, the dark wash jeans and even his grey and cream suede wingtip paneled shoes As with any shirt that wasn’t a turtleneck the tips of the crow and raven wings on his neck were visible.
“Say what?”, Landon asked folding his arms smirking at her. “Those private school girls are going to be paying attention in class, well paying attention to you as they try to not drool.”, Rachel teased. Landon rolled his eyes but smiled pulling her closer kissing her deeply. “Mmm...yes well look as much as they or any woman likes...I know who I always come home to.”, he smiled pulling back. Rachel smiling a little rubbing her lips together enjoying the lingering feeling and taste of his lips on hers. “Damn straight you come home to me. And after I graduate from university there will be a ring on your finger to ensure they know you aren’t a free man.”, she chuckled lacing her fingers with his. Landon smiled pulling her left hand up and kissing her ring. “And that’s a day I can’t wait for. You’ve had me since high school and I don’t ever want that to change. Guess I should get going though. I love you.”, he smiled giving her lips a soft kiss. “Mmm..love you to. Have a good first day.”, Rachel sighed watching him leave. She didn’t doubt that he would make this assignment work for him. He’d find a way to make his impact on those students no matter the teacher. Cuthbert wasn’t extremely impressed when Landon showed up in the classroom wearing jeans. “What? I meet dress requirements for the staff.”, he argued as he put the lanyard he’d been given at the office over his head. He turned it so that his name wasn’t visible and from his messenger back he pulled out a sheet of ‘hello my name is’ tags he’s prepared. He selected the one that said ‘Hello My Name Is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.’ and stuck it to the left breast of his dress shirt with a smile.
Cuthbert rolled his eyes as he started writing on the chalkboard. Landon shrugged and took out his tablet to work on a song as he sat down in a chair putting his feet up on the edge of the desk. “Oo...apple.”, Landon smiled noticing a red apple in his bag. “God I love you Rachel.”, he said taking the apple out and started to chew on it. Slowly students started to file into the room in their school uniforms, the boys in their chino slacks, the girls in their knee length skirts and all wearing the oxford white dress shirt with the school crest and the blue stripe tie. They all looked at him with a bit of confusion and intrigue. Some of the girls smiling and whispering to each other as they went to find their seats. Landon just smiled eating his apple and gave a playful wink as he shut down his tablet taking his feet off the desk to sit up straight. He did notice that one girl, a blonde who seemed maybe to have not woken up yet, walk in alone her blue eyes a bit glazed over. He wondered if it was just she was still sleepy it being first period and the first day of school, he’d prefer that over the idea maybe the student had gotten stoned before class. Cuthbert turned his attention to the class as the bell rang.
“Welcome to American History . I am Professor Cuthbert.”, he greeted in his monotone voice pointing to the blackboard where he’d written his name. “As you may have noticed, we have a guest with us. Columbia University’s teaching college has sent us it’s, supposedly, brightest student Mister Bryant.”, he introduced pointing to Landon but saying the ‘supposedly’ under his breath. Landon smiled with a small wave. “Good morning. You don’t have to call me Mister anything. Today I’m…”, he said looking at his name tag. “Inigo Montoya.”, he smiled. Cuthbert rolled his eyes and snatched the sticker from landon’s shirt throwing it out. “Um alright. Well i guess Landon will do. My dad saw fit to give me the name, so feel free to use it. Looking forward to working with you all this school year.”, he said not losing a beat. Some girls just smiled giving him one of the daydreaming looks. Cuthbert sighed and picked up the stack of papers and handed them to Landon. “The packet Mister Bryant is handing out is the course syllabus. It outlines all twenty-three chapters in your american history books that will be covered, what each week’s lesson will be on, how much homework, quizzes, tests and the final exam will play into your overall grade for this course. My subject is American History . I deal with facts, not myths and legends. So we will only cover facts.”, he explained. Landon sighed and went around handing out the packet of paper.
That was his whole day. He wasn’t given a chance to really participate. He was to just stand there and hand out papers as Cuthbert deemed necessary. The only highlight was that he had sheets of nametags and each time Cuthbert ripped one off him he put another on. During the eight period day he’d been Inigo Montoya, Captain Spock, Gizmo, Chunk, Chewbacca, Mr Peabody, Optimus Prime, and Batman. Every kid, except that one Alice Gryphon from first period, had found it amusing that he was trying to be funny. Most teachers had just kind of gone an easy on the first day. Not Cuthbert. He immediately after handing out the syllabus started them into his lecture about the first inhabitants of North America and even assigned ten pages to be read for the next day. And it didn’t get much better then next day or after. Cuthbert had his way of doing things and it was not going to be altered with Landon’s presence. Landon just stood by handing out quiz papers and such as Cuthbert requested. The best he got in regards to any interaction with students was that some had asked him for help understanding something during a free period. Which he was happy to explain what Cuthbert was trying to get across in a way they could understand better. But other than that he could only stand back and watch. Homeroom though he kept a specific eye on Alice, he was a bit worried about her. She was very quiet, which that’s fine some people are, but any time he saw her outside of the class she still had that same glassy look in her eyes. When he did inquire about it in the staff lounge he got an answer. Apparently the girl was new to the school and had some medical condition that she had to go to the nurse at midday to take her dose of medication. Landon wondered what kind of medication would be given to a child her size that would make her seem so out of it.
While Landon tried to figure out how he was going to make this teaching assistant program really work for his benefit and hopefully the students, the Frost brothers were still working on trying to organize Hazel’s Boston home so that her daughter Cordie could actually move in. Christian had been given the task of going through his grandmother’s walk in closet. Cordie had already made it clear she did not want any of the clothing, between it not being her style and more importantly not her size. So Christian was going through everything with two piles; donate, and trash. The majority of the items were going to be donated as they were all in excellent condition and he was certain there would be women out there of his grandmother’s age who would appreciate the rather fine clothings items. But the deeper he got into the closet the older the clothes he began to find. Some that would be considered retro and actually instyle for younger women like his daughters. However he knew that none of them were as slender at his grandmother had been. His daughters and even his nieces had all gotten a bit fuller of figures from the Frost side and their mothers. So he wondered for a moment if he knew anyone that could wear such clothes. He thought of Rachel Howlett, but she couldn’t do it either. He thought of giving some of the clothes to Solangel, but she was much taller and even skinnier than his grandmother had ever been. Then a name crossed his mind and he look out his phone and called his eldest son.
Merrick was at the sanctuary, out with the wolves when the phone started to ring. His newest hire, well volunteer, decided to pick up the phone. “Hello. Mister Bryant-Frost’s phone. He is currently unavailable. May I help you?”, Inola greeted. “Um..hello. I suppose this means my son left his cell on his desk. Could you please get him for me and tell him his father is on the phone.”, Christian requested. “Oh..alright Mister Bryant-Frost. One minute.”, Inola said setting the phone down and going outside. “BOSS! YOUR DAD IS ON THE PHONE!”, Inola called. Merrick patted a would on the neck looking up hearing Inola. “I’ll be right in!”, he called back. “I’ll see you guys later.”, Merrick smiled before leaving the fenced pen of the wolf pack. “Thanks kiddo.”, Merrick said purposely messing up Inola’s hair before grabbing his phone. Inola glared a little fixing her thick black hair smoothing it back into it’s neat ponytail before going back to work. “Hey dad. What’s going on?”, he greeted. “What size is Zoe?”, he asked. Merrick blinked confused by the question. “Size? For what?”, he asked. “Clothing. I'm in Grandma’s walk in closet and I’ve gotten to some of her older clothes from when she was younger and much of it would now be considered retro and in fashion speaking. But none of the girls could ever fit, they aren’t as petite as grandma was.”, he explained. “Clothing? Why do you think I’d know that?”, Merrick asked faining innocence.
Of course he knew she was a size four. He’d taken off enough of her clothes, washed them, folded them, ironed them, and put them away to notice the tags. And then otherwise he was familiar enough with her body to know her size. Christian sighed pinching his brow, he was an idiot and didn’t even need his telepathy to have known that for months before the birth of his grandson Merrick was involved on an intimate level beyond their normal emotional bond of friendship. “How about we not pretend I’m an idiot for half a second and you just answer my question. What size does she wear?”, Christian repeated. Merrick sighed, caught. “Four. Okay. She wears a size four. Now unless you are going to ask me bra size…”, Merrick answered. “No I’m not going to ask that. It is always my opinion that undergarments are not donate material and therefore must be thrown out. So alright, then these pieces would easily fit her. I’ll pack them up for her and she can decide if she likes any of them. Grandma did always have good taste in clothes.”, Christian said. “Okay. And now that I’m partially embarrassed. Want to explain why and how you knew?”, Merrick asked. “You don’t know how to be embarrassed. And it didn’t take rocket science to know that before my grandson was born you were staying at Zoe’s and it eventually turned into a physical relationship on top of your existing emotional relationship of being close friends. I just never brought it up because I figured you’d have to make up your mind who you wanted to be with. Then we came home that day and Rose was there with you and Faelan and the decision was made. Granted I did not see that coming having not known about Rose. However you seem happy with who you’ve chosen and obviously grandma was happy with it and seemed insistent that you go to be with Rose. But you still have your bond with Zoe which I hope is never altered because you need someone close like that.”, Christian explained. Merrick sighed shaking his head looking at a picture of him with Zoe and smiled. “Yeah I hope it doesn’t either. I love Rose and know she’s where I belong. But Zoe will always be my hellraiser and my best friend.”,he commented. “Alright I better get back to work here and you back to work there. I’ll see you at home.”, Christian said ending the call.
As Christian packed away a number of dresses, skirts, pants, shorts, tops, and sweaters for Zoe to look at he found a large box that had an envelope attached to it. “What is this?”, he asked picking up the envelope. It was sealed with blue wax and the Frost seal and in Hazel’s elegant cursive handwriting it said ‘Zoe’ on the outside. “Hmm..I wonder what grandmother set aside for you..”, he shrugged putting the envelope back. He packed all the boxes he was taking into the back of his truck and returned to the Haven. Kim helped him unload the boxes into the living room. “So all this stuff is for Zoe?”, Kim asked. “The big box apparently grandmother left for her. It had that envelope with her name on it and the Frost seal. The rest of the stuff I boxed because it’s considered in style.”, he explained. “And you know her size?”, Kim questioned with a raised eyebrow. “I called Merrick and he told me what size.”, he answered. Kim sighed shaking her head. “Of course our son knows what size clothes that girl knows. He freak out that you knew he’d know what size she wears?”, she asked. “Oh he tried to play innocent and then asked me how I knew. Said I’m not any idiot. Didn’t even need my telepathy to know he was having a more than friend relationship for a while with her. I mean even know it’s still easy to see there was a connection that still burns they just don’t act on anymore.”, Christian shrugged getting out his phone and calling Zoe.
Zoe had the evening off and was spending the day painting in her small office at the apartment. She had splatters of various colors on her cheeks, hands, and her apron. This painting was something very special for her. She was using a number of pictures she had as reference to paint a portrait of Nana Hazel. She paused after a final brush stroke taking a moment to step back and admire her work. “Looking beautiful..”, she sighed before looking to the black walnut desk Merrick had built hearing her phone. She set her brush down and looked at the caller id, and furrowed her brow answering. “Ciao Christian.”, she greeted. “Hello Zoe. I know I’m not generally the Bryant-Frost that calls you.”, he greeted with a smile. “No you aren’t. What may I assist you with?”, she asked. “Well it’s more what I may assist you with. If you could please stop by the Haven. I would recommend if possible borrowing Alec’s car.”, he explained. “Um..alright. I’ll talk to Uncle Alec and be by shortly..”, Zoe agreed ending the call. She looked to the mostly finished portrait of Hazel. “What on Earth could your grandson want with me…”, she wondered taking off her apron and going to the bathroom to wash up. Once she was cleaned up she went into the kitchen of the restaurant below. “Uncle Alec may I borrow your car?”, she asked. “Si nipote.”, Alec nodded paying attention to what he was cooking on the stove. “He doesn’t even know what you asked..”, Klaus teased. “Sure I do. She asked about borrow my car. Unlike you I can multitask.”, Alec smirked. Zoe chuckled giving Alec a kiss on the cheek before taking his keys.
She was certainly curious what Christian would be calling her about. She wasn’t one of the people helping with Josalyn’s wedding which was next week. She had merited an invitation to the wedding which she was going to go with Merrick and Faelan, since Rose wasn’t going to be able to fly home in time for the wedding. She pulled up to the Haven and headed inside. “Christian?”, she called as she walked in. Faelan heard her and came running barking happily. “Ciao cucciolo.”, she smiled scooping up the wolf puppy. “Oh you keep getting bigger.”, she sighed cuddling him and nuzzling into his soft gray fur. “In the living room Zoe.”, Christian called. “Let’s see what your nonno wants with your zia Zoe.”, she smiled carrying Faelan. She blinked seeing the boxes. “What...what is going on?”, she asked. “I was in charge of emptying my grandmother’s walkin closet. And after of course sorting her more matronly articles I found she’d never once gotten rid of any of her clothes even going back to before she became a Frost. I confirmed with Merrick on the phone that these would be your size. Don’t really know anyone else who is as petite as my grandmother was.”, Christian explained pointing to the boxes. The words ‘confirmed with Merrick’ echoed in her head. And for a moment she felt perhaps she should feel embarrassed. “Ah well Merrick has been nice enough to sometimes throw a load of my clothes into the washer for me.”, she said setting Faelan down just playing the situation off as casual. “Right...he knew because he’s done laundry… anyways. Feel free to look through and see if any of the items you might like. If you like them by all means take them, I’m sure my grandmother would approve. But first…”, he said moving the larger box forward.
Zoe withheld the urge to blush, his father apparently knew they’d been a bit more than friends it would seem. Zoe looked at the larger box curiously. “This literally had your name on it.”, he said handing her the sealed envelope with her name on it. She blinked taking the envelope looking at it. She recognized the elegant handwriting for Hazel’s and as she turned it over she saw the wax seal and recognized the crest and the motto she’d heard Merrick and Christian both say during the funeral service. “What...what does it say?”, she asked. Christian shrugged. “I don’t know, it was sealed with the family crest and addressed to you. Open it and find out.”, he answered. Zoe nodded a little and carefully lifted the wax seal and took out the neatly folded piece of white parchment and unfolded it. The Frost crest was embossed at the top of the stationary in gold and below in her elegant swirls of cursive was Hazel’s final message. Zoe didn't dare read the words out loud, not trusting her voice to speak the words Hazel had written her. The letter was dated the day she passed away.
‘My Darling Nightingale,
If you are reading this and I am not the one who gave it to you I am with my Winston. If that is the case please don’t feel bad for me. I have lived a long and happy life. I had the love of an amazing man and the joy of four beautiful children, three wonderful grandsons, eleven terrific great grandchildren and one outstanding great great grandson. They have all filled my life with love and joy. And through them I have had the pleasure of knowing some incredible people. And of those incredible people who have entered my life thought one of my family few are held as dear to my heart as you. I am sure that some would question how I could love you so dearly in the short time I have had the pleasure of knowing you. But like you have done to my great grandson, you have stolen a piece of my heart.
We both know kindred when we see them. And you my darling girl are kindred and could pass for a Frost or more likely an Adams, my maiden name, than any I have known. You are a special and talented young woman. You are fearless. You like the nightingale have a powerful and beautiful song to sing. And even if our time has been short I am glad I have heard a portion of the song that you call your life. Always be fearless my dear. Do not accept or settle for anything less than you deserve and desire. And if I am gone so soon, please just watch out for our boys Merrick and Faelan. Keep them on the straight and narrow. They need to have someone like you in their lives. I know they have Roselyn. That Merrick has Roselyn to love. But he will always need you my dear. You are his dearest friend and that is a bond I pray is never broken between you come what may. You both need each other, sometimes friendship is a more valuable form of love.
Now that I have gotten that all off my chest. On to the original reason for the letter. The article of clothing that is contained in the box. There is not anyone else in my family that I could give this to. I am sure many would have wanted this, but none of them deserve it nor could wear it. Love them all, but they do not exactly have our figure. I can not think of anyone who could do this dress justice but you. I hope that I am to see you wear it. If I am not I will look down and you will know I am there because a ray of sunshine will be on you like the perfect spotlight. May this gown bring to around you the type of joy it brought me.
With all my love,
Hazel Willow Adams Frost’
As Zoe read the words her eyes started to well and tears started to slid down her cheeks the more she read. It was like Hazel had known she was on her way out. Christian had picked up Faelan and both were looking at zoe concerned as they saw tears. “You okay, zia?”, Faelan asked sweetly. Zoe sniffled and wiped her cheeks with the back of her free hand. “I’m okay sweetie. I just.. oh wow. That woman. She just...she knows how to get to me. God I love her.”, she said starting to cry. “I miss her so much.”, she said clutching the letter to her chest. Christian sighed and moved giving Zoe a hug and Faelan moved and put his little arms around her neck. “We all do.”, Christian assured. “Did her letter say what is in the box?”, he asked. “Apparently a gown.”, Zoe sniffled as she took Faelan from Christian hugging him. “Shall I open the box for you then?”, Christian asked wondering what gown. Zoe nodded softly. “Yes please.”, she said as Faelan nuzzled hugging her wanting to make his auntie feel better. Christian nodded and went to the box carefully opening it. As he peered inside his eyes went wide and his mouth fell open knowing the gown in an instant.
“What is it?”, Zoe asked seeing the expression on Christian’s face. Christian gently reached in and by the hanger brough the floor length white satin strapless gown with black twirl floral applica. Zoe immediately recognized the gown too, it was in that picture Merrick showed her, of Hazel on her wedding day. She covered her mouth with her hand holding the letter in shock. “Her...her…”, she stammered. In that same moment Merrick was walking in, he’d seen Alec’s car so figured Zoe was there. He walked up behind her moving to give her a kiss on the cheek and Faelan a kiss on the dea when he saw the gown. “Nana’s wedding gown?”, he asked breathless. Zoe blinked hearing Merrick’s voice behind her and turned a little. Faelan lit up, “DADDA!”, he exclaimed. “Hey pup.”, Merrick said not looking away from the gown and half kissed Faelan’s head. “Dad you are giving Zoe the wedding gown?”, Merrick asked thinking it was part of the clothes his dad had set aside for her to look at. Christian shook his head holding the gown. “Not me son. Grandma.” , Christian answered. “Nana…”, Merrick asked puzzled. Zoe nodded and handed him the letter. Merrick quickly read the letter and sighed smiling a little as he read it. “Nana...that woman.”, he sighed. “Well at least this is a dress that my female relatives can’t pitch a fit about till much later if any of them go actually looking for it.”, he smiled. “You see what else my dad brought back for you yet?”, he asked kissing her cheek giving her the letter back. “Um not..I hadn’t yet.”, Zoe admitted. Merrick nodded a little. “So take the stuff upstairs and try them on.”, he suggested taking Faelan from her. “Right now?”, she asked. “Sure, you got somewhere to be?”, he asked. “Well no. So alright...should make sure I’m only taking things that fit and I like.”, she agreed picking up the smaller boxes. “I’ll help you.”, christian offered carefully carrying the wedding gown up the stairs for her.
Merrick took a chair from the office and set it at the bottom the the stairs taking a seat holding Faelan. Christian came back down shaking his head at his son. “This a good idea?”, he asked taking Faelan. “Sure why not?”, Merrick said. “Okay...well come on Faelan. Let’s go meet grandma at the tailors so you can be fitted for your suit.”, he said. “Have fun.”, Merrick smiled. HeH was glad he wasn’t part of the wedding party itself. He just hoped that Faelan would stay human for the whole ceremony. Zoe looked at the gown and decided that would be last. So instead she opened the other boxes pulling a set of high waisted black fitted pants that had two buttons on each hip that as she slipped into them she was impressed with how well the fit the subtle curve of her body. “We apparently did have the same shape..”, she commented to herself as she grabbed a blouse to pair with it. Merrick sat and waited patiently. Then he heard footsteps and looked up seeing her starting down the stairs. “So you are just going to sit at the bottom of the stairs and I’m supposed to model the clothes?”, she teased. Merrick sat back a little in the chair and just looked at her from her barefeet moving up the shape of her legs that the pants hugged almost as tight as they hugged her hips. “So?”, she asked coming down the stairs and doing a little spin. Merrick gulped a little noticing how well the pants also fit her small but round ass. “I’ll take your silence as a good sign. Let’s try another couple items.”, she smiled before turning and going on the stairs.
Merrick watched her intently as she went up the stairs. He was having an internal mantra. ‘I’m dating Rose. I’m dating Rose. I’m dating Rose. Those clothes belonged to my nana.’ he kept thinking. But as Zoe glanced back over her shoulder she could read his face like a book and smiled. he’d looked at her like that before, back when they were more than friends. Part of her like to know that she could still have that effect on him. Even if she didn’t have him. It was still nice to know she was considered attractive. And so she tried on all the outfits in the boxes; the various fitted pants that didn’t just look like they were from the fifties but really were, the blouses, the shorts, the skirts, and the dressed that varied from a little more innocent but progressive for that era to the tighter dresses that made her almost curveless form seem voluptuous and her small chest seem to almost pop out. zoe was learning that in her heyday Hazel had been a vixen. And as the torment continued to Merrick he still sat in the chair, when she came down in the more form fitting dresses he had to tuck his fingers to hide that claws had started to form. The urge to just rip the dress off her not even thinking that a fellow Haven member or family could walk in. He sat silent and just watched resisting that urge that would have gotten him in such trouble. As she went back up to try on the wedding gown Merrick let out a breath leaning forward resting his elbows on his legs. “Seriously? Why does this have to happen when I’m not single and therefore can’t just act? And why does the fact these clothes previously belonging to my Nana not altering the fact I want to take them off her and fuck her on the stairs?”, he muttered to himself rubbing his hands over his face.
Up in the room Zoe slipped into the wedding gown. Hazel was not the sort of woman she’d have taken to accept anything but the finest things in life. And all the casual and even formal clothes she’d tried on so far had been of great quality fabric and obviously stood the test of time. But this dress...this wedding gown took the cake. It fit her like a glove and the fabric felt so soft against her skin. She stopped and looked at the mirror on the closet door. “Dear lord. I ...I look beautiful.”, she admitted a little boastful. But the dress was just that sort of dress which made the wearer feel like the most beautiful woman ever. She could see why Hazel had chosen it to be her wedding gown. She carefully lifted the hem as she started down the stairs and paused seeing Merrick his hands over his face. “Merrick?”, she asked. Merrick moved his hands and looked at her. “Dear god…”, he said softly shaking his head a little. Zoe raised an eyebrow as she walked down the rest of the stairs. “Merrick? Well what do you think?”, she asked doing a slow turn in the gown. “I think...my Nana’s wedding gown on you shouldn’t have this kind of effect on me.”, he stated just staring at her his eyes moving over her body. Yes he was undressing her in his mind knowing exactly what the flesh beneath looked like. Zoe chuckled. “Do I want to know what kind of effect?”, she asked. “The kind that I need a cold shower now.”, he stated. She laughed again. “Well let’s hope it has that effect on whoever I end up marrying.”, she smiled. “It better or he’s an idiot.”, he commented. “I’m going to go change and get everything back into boxes to take home. I can’t believe how well everything fit.”, she smiled heading back up the stairs.

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While Inola was adjusting to being at the institute, attending the public school and volunteering at the sanctuary Landon was having to do some adjustments as well. As part of his curriculum he’d been randomly assigned a local school to be a teacher's assistant. His assignment was at Léman Manhattan Preparatory School for the Seventh Grade Social Studies class. At first Landon was rather excited about this prospect. Sure teaching junior high was not his final goal but it was a start. And with the research he’d done during the summer on the school it was supposed to be rather progressive. So he was a bit disappointed when he showed up the day before school started to meet the teacher he’d be working with. He’d peaked into other classrooms on his way and saw a lot of tech and more modern educational tools. But as he opened the door to Professor Cuthbert’s class he was very disappointed. A standard chalkboard with basic white chalk. Nothing modern in sight. And certainly not the older gentleman haunched over at his desk. “Ahem. Professor Cuthbert?”, Landon questioned walking into the room. He was dressed down wearing cargo shorts and a t-shirt since it wasn’t an official workday. Cuthbert looked up over the top of his small bifocal glasses and looked at Landon rather unimpressed as his arm and leg tattoos were very visible.
“Tell me you aren’t my TA for this year. I was told that Columbia was sending their best and brightest.”, he said sitting up straight in his chair. “Sorry to disappoint. But I’m Landon Bryant, your teacher assistant for the year. And perhaps my outward appearance isn’t exactly what you feel should go along with being the brightest Columbia University has to offer from their history education masters programs, but I am. I’m top of my class.”, Landon said offering his hand. Cuthbert snorted a little and shook his hand only to be polite. “Well I like to run my class my way. So when you show up tomorrow I expect you to be dressed appropriately.”, he said looking Landon over again. “Well of course. This is casual clothes not work clothes. I only came to meet you before classes start tomorrow and see if there was anything you needed me to prepare for class tomorrow.”, Landon explained. “Alright fine. Here..”, he said sliding three large stacks of paper in Landon’s direction. “I need all of these to be correlated and stapled to be given to each student tomorrow. I suggest you get started.”, he said standing up putting a stapler down. Landon wanted to ask if the printer’s correlator had malfunctioned when Cuthbert printed the pages but decided better of it. Instead he just took a chair and started to staple the pages together.
It took a while but Landon accomplished the task and even made a neat pile with the exact number of students per class before he left. He sighed the next morning as he was getting ready to head to the school as he was tying his brown, light blue plaid pattern tie. “Oh come on you’ve been waiting for the part of your master's program that would let you start teaching.”, Rachel said shaking her head at him as she slipped into her shoes. “I know and I have been. But meeting Professor Cuthbert yesterday. God it’s like the stone age in his classroom. All the others are modern and fantastic rooms. Then his looks like your dad or Sensai Logan attended them when they were boys.”, Landon explained. Rachel laughed a little walking over and straightening his tie. “You will do just fine. Come on you are Landon Rouss Bryant. You fearlessly faced death multiple times. You bought Wanda twice. You trained with Uncle James. You have the heart of a warrior and a brilliant mind to go with it. I don't think there’s a situation in this world you can’t think your way out of and find ways to make it work to your advantage. Plus you are doing this because you want to teach and mold young minds. And I’ve got to say..”, she smiled taking a step back looking at him. The brown and light blue plaid tie worked well with the darker brown slim fit dress shirt that had the same shade of light blue on the cuffs, the dark wash jeans and even his grey and cream suede wingtip paneled shoes As with any shirt that wasn’t a turtleneck the tips of the crow and raven wings on his neck were visible.
“Say what?”, Landon asked folding his arms smirking at her. “Those private school girls are going to be paying attention in class, well paying attention to you as they try to not drool.”, Rachel teased. Landon rolled his eyes but smiled pulling her closer kissing her deeply. “Mmm...yes well look as much as they or any woman likes...I know who I always come home to.”, he smiled pulling back. Rachel smiling a little rubbing her lips together enjoying the lingering feeling and taste of his lips on hers. “Damn straight you come home to me. And after I graduate from university there will be a ring on your finger to ensure they know you aren’t a free man.”, she chuckled lacing her fingers with his. Landon smiled pulling her left hand up and kissing her ring. “And that’s a day I can’t wait for. You’ve had me since high school and I don’t ever want that to change. Guess I should get going though. I love you.”, he smiled giving her lips a soft kiss. “Mmm..love you to. Have a good first day.”, Rachel sighed watching him leave. She didn’t doubt that he would make this assignment work for him. He’d find a way to make his impact on those students no matter the teacher. Cuthbert wasn’t extremely impressed when Landon showed up in the classroom wearing jeans. “What? I meet dress requirements for the staff.”, he argued as he put the lanyard he’d been given at the office over his head. He turned it so that his name wasn’t visible and from his messenger back he pulled out a sheet of ‘hello my name is’ tags he’s prepared. He selected the one that said ‘Hello My Name Is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.’ and stuck it to the left breast of his dress shirt with a smile.
Cuthbert rolled his eyes as he started writing on the chalkboard. Landon shrugged and took out his tablet to work on a song as he sat down in a chair putting his feet up on the edge of the desk. “Oo...apple.”, Landon smiled noticing a red apple in his bag. “God I love you Rachel.”, he said taking the apple out and started to chew on it. Slowly students started to file into the room in their school uniforms, the boys in their chino slacks, the girls in their knee length skirts and all wearing the oxford white dress shirt with the school crest and the blue stripe tie. They all looked at him with a bit of confusion and intrigue. Some of the girls smiling and whispering to each other as they went to find their seats. Landon just smiled eating his apple and gave a playful wink as he shut down his tablet taking his feet off the desk to sit up straight. He did notice that one girl, a blonde who seemed maybe to have not woken up yet, walk in alone her blue eyes a bit glazed over. He wondered if it was just she was still sleepy it being first period and the first day of school, he’d prefer that over the idea maybe the student had gotten stoned before class. Cuthbert turned his attention to the class as the bell rang.
“Welcome to American History . I am Professor Cuthbert.”, he greeted in his monotone voice pointing to the blackboard where he’d written his name. “As you may have noticed, we have a guest with us. Columbia University’s teaching college has sent us it’s, supposedly, brightest student Mister Bryant.”, he introduced pointing to Landon but saying the ‘supposedly’ under his breath. Landon smiled with a small wave. “Good morning. You don’t have to call me Mister anything. Today I’m…”, he said looking at his name tag. “Inigo Montoya.”, he smiled. Cuthbert rolled his eyes and snatched the sticker from landon’s shirt throwing it out. “Um alright. Well i guess Landon will do. My dad saw fit to give me the name, so feel free to use it. Looking forward to working with you all this school year.”, he said not losing a beat. Some girls just smiled giving him one of the daydreaming looks. Cuthbert sighed and picked up the stack of papers and handed them to Landon. “The packet Mister Bryant is handing out is the course syllabus. It outlines all twenty-three chapters in your american history books that will be covered, what each week’s lesson will be on, how much homework, quizzes, tests and the final exam will play into your overall grade for this course. My subject is American History . I deal with facts, not myths and legends. So we will only cover facts.”, he explained. Landon sighed and went around handing out the packet of paper.
That was his whole day. He wasn’t given a chance to really participate. He was to just stand there and hand out papers as Cuthbert deemed necessary. The only highlight was that he had sheets of nametags and each time Cuthbert ripped one off him he put another on. During the eight period day he’d been Inigo Montoya, Captain Spock, Gizmo, Chunk, Chewbacca, Mr Peabody, Optimus Prime, and Batman. Every kid, except that one Alice Gryphon from first period, had found it amusing that he was trying to be funny. Most teachers had just kind of gone an easy on the first day. Not Cuthbert. He immediately after handing out the syllabus started them into his lecture about the first inhabitants of North America and even assigned ten pages to be read for the next day. And it didn’t get much better then next day or after. Cuthbert had his way of doing things and it was not going to be altered with Landon’s presence. Landon just stood by handing out quiz papers and such as Cuthbert requested. The best he got in regards to any interaction with students was that some had asked him for help understanding something during a free period. Which he was happy to explain what Cuthbert was trying to get across in a way they could understand better. But other than that he could only stand back and watch. Homeroom though he kept a specific eye on Alice, he was a bit worried about her. She was very quiet, which that’s fine some people are, but any time he saw her outside of the class she still had that same glassy look in her eyes. When he did inquire about it in the staff lounge he got an answer. Apparently the girl was new to the school and had some medical condition that she had to go to the nurse at midday to take her dose of medication. Landon wondered what kind of medication would be given to a child her size that would make her seem so out of it.
While Landon tried to figure out how he was going to make this teaching assistant program really work for his benefit and hopefully the students, the Frost brothers were still working on trying to organize Hazel’s Boston home so that her daughter Cordie could actually move in. Christian had been given the task of going through his grandmother’s walk in closet. Cordie had already made it clear she did not want any of the clothing, between it not being her style and more importantly not her size. So Christian was going through everything with two piles; donate, and trash. The majority of the items were going to be donated as they were all in excellent condition and he was certain there would be women out there of his grandmother’s age who would appreciate the rather fine clothings items. But the deeper he got into the closet the older the clothes he began to find. Some that would be considered retro and actually instyle for younger women like his daughters. However he knew that none of them were as slender at his grandmother had been. His daughters and even his nieces had all gotten a bit fuller of figures from the Frost side and their mothers. So he wondered for a moment if he knew anyone that could wear such clothes. He thought of Rachel Howlett, but she couldn’t do it either. He thought of giving some of the clothes to Solangel, but she was much taller and even skinnier than his grandmother had ever been. Then a name crossed his mind and he look out his phone and called his eldest son.
Merrick was at the sanctuary, out with the wolves when the phone started to ring. His newest hire, well volunteer, decided to pick up the phone. “Hello. Mister Bryant-Frost’s phone. He is currently unavailable. May I help you?”, Inola greeted. “Um..hello. I suppose this means my son left his cell on his desk. Could you please get him for me and tell him his father is on the phone.”, Christian requested. “Oh..alright Mister Bryant-Frost. One minute.”, Inola said setting the phone down and going outside. “BOSS! YOUR DAD IS ON THE PHONE!”, Inola called. Merrick patted a would on the neck looking up hearing Inola. “I’ll be right in!”, he called back. “I’ll see you guys later.”, Merrick smiled before leaving the fenced pen of the wolf pack. “Thanks kiddo.”, Merrick said purposely messing up Inola’s hair before grabbing his phone. Inola glared a little fixing her thick black hair smoothing it back into it’s neat ponytail before going back to work. “Hey dad. What’s going on?”, he greeted. “What size is Zoe?”, he asked. Merrick blinked confused by the question. “Size? For what?”, he asked. “Clothing. I'm in Grandma’s walk in closet and I’ve gotten to some of her older clothes from when she was younger and much of it would now be considered retro and in fashion speaking. But none of the girls could ever fit, they aren’t as petite as grandma was.”, he explained. “Clothing? Why do you think I’d know that?”, Merrick asked faining innocence.
Of course he knew she was a size four. He’d taken off enough of her clothes, washed them, folded them, ironed them, and put them away to notice the tags. And then otherwise he was familiar enough with her body to know her size. Christian sighed pinching his brow, he was an idiot and didn’t even need his telepathy to have known that for months before the birth of his grandson Merrick was involved on an intimate level beyond their normal emotional bond of friendship. “How about we not pretend I’m an idiot for half a second and you just answer my question. What size does she wear?”, Christian repeated. Merrick sighed, caught. “Four. Okay. She wears a size four. Now unless you are going to ask me bra size…”, Merrick answered. “No I’m not going to ask that. It is always my opinion that undergarments are not donate material and therefore must be thrown out. So alright, then these pieces would easily fit her. I’ll pack them up for her and she can decide if she likes any of them. Grandma did always have good taste in clothes.”, Christian said. “Okay. And now that I’m partially embarrassed. Want to explain why and how you knew?”, Merrick asked. “You don’t know how to be embarrassed. And it didn’t take rocket science to know that before my grandson was born you were staying at Zoe’s and it eventually turned into a physical relationship on top of your existing emotional relationship of being close friends. I just never brought it up because I figured you’d have to make up your mind who you wanted to be with. Then we came home that day and Rose was there with you and Faelan and the decision was made. Granted I did not see that coming having not known about Rose. However you seem happy with who you’ve chosen and obviously grandma was happy with it and seemed insistent that you go to be with Rose. But you still have your bond with Zoe which I hope is never altered because you need someone close like that.”, Christian explained. Merrick sighed shaking his head looking at a picture of him with Zoe and smiled. “Yeah I hope it doesn’t either. I love Rose and know she’s where I belong. But Zoe will always be my hellraiser and my best friend.”,he commented. “Alright I better get back to work here and you back to work there. I’ll see you at home.”, Christian said ending the call.
As Christian packed away a number of dresses, skirts, pants, shorts, tops, and sweaters for Zoe to look at he found a large box that had an envelope attached to it. “What is this?”, he asked picking up the envelope. It was sealed with blue wax and the Frost seal and in Hazel’s elegant cursive handwriting it said ‘Zoe’ on the outside. “Hmm..I wonder what grandmother set aside for you..”, he shrugged putting the envelope back. He packed all the boxes he was taking into the back of his truck and returned to the Haven. Kim helped him unload the boxes into the living room. “So all this stuff is for Zoe?”, Kim asked. “The big box apparently grandmother left for her. It had that envelope with her name on it and the Frost seal. The rest of the stuff I boxed because it’s considered in style.”, he explained. “And you know her size?”, Kim questioned with a raised eyebrow. “I called Merrick and he told me what size.”, he answered. Kim sighed shaking her head. “Of course our son knows what size clothes that girl knows. He freak out that you knew he’d know what size she wears?”, she asked. “Oh he tried to play innocent and then asked me how I knew. Said I’m not any idiot. Didn’t even need my telepathy to know he was having a more than friend relationship for a while with her. I mean even know it’s still easy to see there was a connection that still burns they just don’t act on anymore.”, Christian shrugged getting out his phone and calling Zoe.
Zoe had the evening off and was spending the day painting in her small office at the apartment. She had splatters of various colors on her cheeks, hands, and her apron. This painting was something very special for her. She was using a number of pictures she had as reference to paint a portrait of Nana Hazel. She paused after a final brush stroke taking a moment to step back and admire her work. “Looking beautiful..”, she sighed before looking to the black walnut desk Merrick had built hearing her phone. She set her brush down and looked at the caller id, and furrowed her brow answering. “Ciao Christian.”, she greeted. “Hello Zoe. I know I’m not generally the Bryant-Frost that calls you.”, he greeted with a smile. “No you aren’t. What may I assist you with?”, she asked. “Well it’s more what I may assist you with. If you could please stop by the Haven. I would recommend if possible borrowing Alec’s car.”, he explained. “Um..alright. I’ll talk to Uncle Alec and be by shortly..”, Zoe agreed ending the call. She looked to the mostly finished portrait of Hazel. “What on Earth could your grandson want with me…”, she wondered taking off her apron and going to the bathroom to wash up. Once she was cleaned up she went into the kitchen of the restaurant below. “Uncle Alec may I borrow your car?”, she asked. “Si nipote.”, Alec nodded paying attention to what he was cooking on the stove. “He doesn’t even know what you asked..”, Klaus teased. “Sure I do. She asked about borrow my car. Unlike you I can multitask.”, Alec smirked. Zoe chuckled giving Alec a kiss on the cheek before taking his keys.
She was certainly curious what Christian would be calling her about. She wasn’t one of the people helping with Josalyn’s wedding which was next week. She had merited an invitation to the wedding which she was going to go with Merrick and Faelan, since Rose wasn’t going to be able to fly home in time for the wedding. She pulled up to the Haven and headed inside. “Christian?”, she called as she walked in. Faelan heard her and came running barking happily. “Ciao cucciolo.”, she smiled scooping up the wolf puppy. “Oh you keep getting bigger.”, she sighed cuddling him and nuzzling into his soft gray fur. “In the living room Zoe.”, Christian called. “Let’s see what your nonno wants with your zia Zoe.”, she smiled carrying Faelan. She blinked seeing the boxes. “What...what is going on?”, she asked. “I was in charge of emptying my grandmother’s walkin closet. And after of course sorting her more matronly articles I found she’d never once gotten rid of any of her clothes even going back to before she became a Frost. I confirmed with Merrick on the phone that these would be your size. Don’t really know anyone else who is as petite as my grandmother was.”, Christian explained pointing to the boxes. The words ‘confirmed with Merrick’ echoed in her head. And for a moment she felt perhaps she should feel embarrassed. “Ah well Merrick has been nice enough to sometimes throw a load of my clothes into the washer for me.”, she said setting Faelan down just playing the situation off as casual. “Right...he knew because he’s done laundry… anyways. Feel free to look through and see if any of the items you might like. If you like them by all means take them, I’m sure my grandmother would approve. But first…”, he said moving the larger box forward.
Zoe withheld the urge to blush, his father apparently knew they’d been a bit more than friends it would seem. Zoe looked at the larger box curiously. “This literally had your name on it.”, he said handing her the sealed envelope with her name on it. She blinked taking the envelope looking at it. She recognized the elegant handwriting for Hazel’s and as she turned it over she saw the wax seal and recognized the crest and the motto she’d heard Merrick and Christian both say during the funeral service. “What...what does it say?”, she asked. Christian shrugged. “I don’t know, it was sealed with the family crest and addressed to you. Open it and find out.”, he answered. Zoe nodded a little and carefully lifted the wax seal and took out the neatly folded piece of white parchment and unfolded it. The Frost crest was embossed at the top of the stationary in gold and below in her elegant swirls of cursive was Hazel’s final message. Zoe didn't dare read the words out loud, not trusting her voice to speak the words Hazel had written her. The letter was dated the day she passed away.
‘My Darling Nightingale,
If you are reading this and I am not the one who gave it to you I am with my Winston. If that is the case please don’t feel bad for me. I have lived a long and happy life. I had the love of an amazing man and the joy of four beautiful children, three wonderful grandsons, eleven terrific great grandchildren and one outstanding great great grandson. They have all filled my life with love and joy. And through them I have had the pleasure of knowing some incredible people. And of those incredible people who have entered my life thought one of my family few are held as dear to my heart as you. I am sure that some would question how I could love you so dearly in the short time I have had the pleasure of knowing you. But like you have done to my great grandson, you have stolen a piece of my heart.
We both know kindred when we see them. And you my darling girl are kindred and could pass for a Frost or more likely an Adams, my maiden name, than any I have known. You are a special and talented young woman. You are fearless. You like the nightingale have a powerful and beautiful song to sing. And even if our time has been short I am glad I have heard a portion of the song that you call your life. Always be fearless my dear. Do not accept or settle for anything less than you deserve and desire. And if I am gone so soon, please just watch out for our boys Merrick and Faelan. Keep them on the straight and narrow. They need to have someone like you in their lives. I know they have Roselyn. That Merrick has Roselyn to love. But he will always need you my dear. You are his dearest friend and that is a bond I pray is never broken between you come what may. You both need each other, sometimes friendship is a more valuable form of love.
Now that I have gotten that all off my chest. On to the original reason for the letter. The article of clothing that is contained in the box. There is not anyone else in my family that I could give this to. I am sure many would have wanted this, but none of them deserve it nor could wear it. Love them all, but they do not exactly have our figure. I can not think of anyone who could do this dress justice but you. I hope that I am to see you wear it. If I am not I will look down and you will know I am there because a ray of sunshine will be on you like the perfect spotlight. May this gown bring to around you the type of joy it brought me.
With all my love,
Hazel Willow Adams Frost’
As Zoe read the words her eyes started to well and tears started to slid down her cheeks the more she read. It was like Hazel had known she was on her way out. Christian had picked up Faelan and both were looking at zoe concerned as they saw tears. “You okay, zia?”, Faelan asked sweetly. Zoe sniffled and wiped her cheeks with the back of her free hand. “I’m okay sweetie. I just.. oh wow. That woman. She just...she knows how to get to me. God I love her.”, she said starting to cry. “I miss her so much.”, she said clutching the letter to her chest. Christian sighed and moved giving Zoe a hug and Faelan moved and put his little arms around her neck. “We all do.”, Christian assured. “Did her letter say what is in the box?”, he asked. “Apparently a gown.”, Zoe sniffled as she took Faelan from Christian hugging him. “Shall I open the box for you then?”, Christian asked wondering what gown. Zoe nodded softly. “Yes please.”, she said as Faelan nuzzled hugging her wanting to make his auntie feel better. Christian nodded and went to the box carefully opening it. As he peered inside his eyes went wide and his mouth fell open knowing the gown in an instant.
“What is it?”, Zoe asked seeing the expression on Christian’s face. Christian gently reached in and by the hanger brough the floor length white satin strapless gown with black twirl floral applica. Zoe immediately recognized the gown too, it was in that picture Merrick showed her, of Hazel on her wedding day. She covered her mouth with her hand holding the letter in shock. “Her...her…”, she stammered. In that same moment Merrick was walking in, he’d seen Alec’s car so figured Zoe was there. He walked up behind her moving to give her a kiss on the cheek and Faelan a kiss on the dea when he saw the gown. “Nana’s wedding gown?”, he asked breathless. Zoe blinked hearing Merrick’s voice behind her and turned a little. Faelan lit up, “DADDA!”, he exclaimed. “Hey pup.”, Merrick said not looking away from the gown and half kissed Faelan’s head. “Dad you are giving Zoe the wedding gown?”, Merrick asked thinking it was part of the clothes his dad had set aside for her to look at. Christian shook his head holding the gown. “Not me son. Grandma.” , Christian answered. “Nana…”, Merrick asked puzzled. Zoe nodded and handed him the letter. Merrick quickly read the letter and sighed smiling a little as he read it. “Nana...that woman.”, he sighed. “Well at least this is a dress that my female relatives can’t pitch a fit about till much later if any of them go actually looking for it.”, he smiled. “You see what else my dad brought back for you yet?”, he asked kissing her cheek giving her the letter back. “Um not..I hadn’t yet.”, Zoe admitted. Merrick nodded a little. “So take the stuff upstairs and try them on.”, he suggested taking Faelan from her. “Right now?”, she asked. “Sure, you got somewhere to be?”, he asked. “Well no. So alright...should make sure I’m only taking things that fit and I like.”, she agreed picking up the smaller boxes. “I’ll help you.”, christian offered carefully carrying the wedding gown up the stairs for her.
Merrick took a chair from the office and set it at the bottom the the stairs taking a seat holding Faelan. Christian came back down shaking his head at his son. “This a good idea?”, he asked taking Faelan. “Sure why not?”, Merrick said. “Okay...well come on Faelan. Let’s go meet grandma at the tailors so you can be fitted for your suit.”, he said. “Have fun.”, Merrick smiled. HeH was glad he wasn’t part of the wedding party itself. He just hoped that Faelan would stay human for the whole ceremony. Zoe looked at the gown and decided that would be last. So instead she opened the other boxes pulling a set of high waisted black fitted pants that had two buttons on each hip that as she slipped into them she was impressed with how well the fit the subtle curve of her body. “We apparently did have the same shape..”, she commented to herself as she grabbed a blouse to pair with it. Merrick sat and waited patiently. Then he heard footsteps and looked up seeing her starting down the stairs. “So you are just going to sit at the bottom of the stairs and I’m supposed to model the clothes?”, she teased. Merrick sat back a little in the chair and just looked at her from her barefeet moving up the shape of her legs that the pants hugged almost as tight as they hugged her hips. “So?”, she asked coming down the stairs and doing a little spin. Merrick gulped a little noticing how well the pants also fit her small but round ass. “I’ll take your silence as a good sign. Let’s try another couple items.”, she smiled before turning and going on the stairs.
Merrick watched her intently as she went up the stairs. He was having an internal mantra. ‘I’m dating Rose. I’m dating Rose. I’m dating Rose. Those clothes belonged to my nana.’ he kept thinking. But as Zoe glanced back over her shoulder she could read his face like a book and smiled. he’d looked at her like that before, back when they were more than friends. Part of her like to know that she could still have that effect on him. Even if she didn’t have him. It was still nice to know she was considered attractive. And so she tried on all the outfits in the boxes; the various fitted pants that didn’t just look like they were from the fifties but really were, the blouses, the shorts, the skirts, and the dressed that varied from a little more innocent but progressive for that era to the tighter dresses that made her almost curveless form seem voluptuous and her small chest seem to almost pop out. zoe was learning that in her heyday Hazel had been a vixen. And as the torment continued to Merrick he still sat in the chair, when she came down in the more form fitting dresses he had to tuck his fingers to hide that claws had started to form. The urge to just rip the dress off her not even thinking that a fellow Haven member or family could walk in. He sat silent and just watched resisting that urge that would have gotten him in such trouble. As she went back up to try on the wedding gown Merrick let out a breath leaning forward resting his elbows on his legs. “Seriously? Why does this have to happen when I’m not single and therefore can’t just act? And why does the fact these clothes previously belonging to my Nana not altering the fact I want to take them off her and fuck her on the stairs?”, he muttered to himself rubbing his hands over his face.
Up in the room Zoe slipped into the wedding gown. Hazel was not the sort of woman she’d have taken to accept anything but the finest things in life. And all the casual and even formal clothes she’d tried on so far had been of great quality fabric and obviously stood the test of time. But this dress...this wedding gown took the cake. It fit her like a glove and the fabric felt so soft against her skin. She stopped and looked at the mirror on the closet door. “Dear lord. I ...I look beautiful.”, she admitted a little boastful. But the dress was just that sort of dress which made the wearer feel like the most beautiful woman ever. She could see why Hazel had chosen it to be her wedding gown. She carefully lifted the hem as she started down the stairs and paused seeing Merrick his hands over his face. “Merrick?”, she asked. Merrick moved his hands and looked at her. “Dear god…”, he said softly shaking his head a little. Zoe raised an eyebrow as she walked down the rest of the stairs. “Merrick? Well what do you think?”, she asked doing a slow turn in the gown. “I think...my Nana’s wedding gown on you shouldn’t have this kind of effect on me.”, he stated just staring at her his eyes moving over her body. Yes he was undressing her in his mind knowing exactly what the flesh beneath looked like. Zoe chuckled. “Do I want to know what kind of effect?”, she asked. “The kind that I need a cold shower now.”, he stated. She laughed again. “Well let’s hope it has that effect on whoever I end up marrying.”, she smiled. “It better or he’s an idiot.”, he commented. “I’m going to go change and get everything back into boxes to take home. I can’t believe how well everything fit.”, she smiled heading back up the stairs.