HOME | DD

Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

Merrick was finally going to head up to Boston to do the interviews for the store to get it going sooner than later. The day before he got a text from Tristan asking if he could get a ride from the hospital as everyone else had classes or work and he wasn’t really going to be in any condition to drive as he was having his second, however minor, back surgery that was considered outpatient. Merrick agreed if Tristan didn’t mind sitting around the shop while he did the interviews, which of course Tristan didn’t. So Merrick dressed in his charcoal gray slacks, white button up and a striped green tie to head up for the interviews pulling up outside of Boston Hospital first getting out seeing a nurse holding the wheelchair handles and Tristan sitting in it waiting holding his cane. “Hey gimpy. Ready to go?”, Merrick greeted teasing. “Hi asshole and yeah. Thanks for the ride.”, Tristan teased back. “I’ll take him from here.”, Merrick smiled giving a nod to the nurse. “Okay just keep him out of trouble.”, she said. “I make no promises because that would mean staying out of trouble myself.”, Merrick replied helping Tristan out of the wheelchair. The nurse rolled her eyes taking the now empty chair back inside. “So how was the wedding. Rose said it was a lovely event with no real hiccups or even fights till the end when Donovan and his date had a blowout.”, Merrick asked opening the passenger door for Tristan.
“Oh that wedding was the best ever.”, Tristan grinned deviously getting in. Merrick laughed shaking his head and getting in the driver's side. “Yeah I heard something about you bagged a Kearney door prize?”, he commented pulling away. “Oh yes we did. Hadyn Kearney. God was he hot. And the sex….wow. Blaire and I had a great night and following afternoon with him. Lived up to that Kearney legend.”, he smirked. “I just...look I get you are bi, whatever. But seriously you let another guy fuck your girlfriend and watched/participated? I mean I know that I could never do that. Not just the whole sex with another man because that’s never happening don’t swing or even lean slightly that direction. But I know that I could never share Rose with anyone.”, he shook his head. “That’s because you sir are selfish.”, Tristan teased. “Fuck yes I am. I am the only man Rose has been with and I’m keeping it that way. She can fuck whoever she wants after I’m out of the picture. Till then it’s not happening. I’ve been her only since she was sixteen and I like it that way.”, Merrick shrugged. “Selfish selfish man keeping that beautiful woman all to yourself.”, he laughed. “But seriously isn’t that kind of double standard you have been her only but she was far from your only.”, Tristan countered. “I don’t see it that way. Before we started dating yes I slept with other women, I have a son to prove that. But she had that option open to her. She could have screwed anyone she wanted especially when she went to Cambridge. Donovan would jump at the opportunity to screw her. She never did. She made the conscious choice to not sleep with anyone else and just wait till she could come back to Bayville and fuck me. I’m apparently that good.”, he smirked.
Tristan laughed shaking his head. “Oh I bet you are. So even if Rose suggested or showed interest in inviting another guy to your bed you’d say no?”, Tristan asked. “Yeah I’d say no. And basically state if she feels that strongly that she wants to fuck someone else we can call it quits and she can see if the grass is greener elsewhere. Cause I’m sure if I ever suggested bringing another girl to bed she’d say no, punch me, and dump me. Which is fine we are territorial animals. I wouldn’t suggest adding a second girl to our bed and I would hope she’d never suggest a second guy.”, Merrick answered. “Not even Zoe? Come on you can’t tell me the idea of having both never crossed your mind? You are obviously attracted to Zoe and enjoy her body for as far as you went with her.”, Tristan smirked. Merrick sighed shaking his head pulling up to the shop. “Not even Zoe. That’d be way too dangerous. They wouldn’t agree because both are territorial and don’t swing that way. And I wouldn’t suggest it because as hot as the idea of Zoe and Rose sounds it’d be a no go. I love Rose and only want her in my bed. Yes I admit that if things were different and I didn’t have Rose I’d have tossed my rules out the window and screwed Zoe till she couldn’t stand. A few times recently I’ve had to remind myself that I have Rose and my rules to not do that.”, he sighed getting out.
“Oooh really? What happened?”, Tristan asked intrigued getting out of the car. “With my nana passing away dad gave her old clothes to Zoe since she and nana had the same body type from when nana was young. And nana left her her wedding gown. Zoe tried the clothes on and I got a mini fashion show. Me sitting in the foyer at the Haven and her coming down the stairs in different outfits.”, Merrick explained. “Uh huh and….”, Tristan encouraged wanting more details. “She looked amazing in everything she put on. And when she came down in the wedding dress, you ever see the movie Sabrina?”, he asked. “Um yeah. Audrey Hepburn was a fine woman. Why?”, Tristan asked. “Know the strapless gown she wore? Well it was based off my grandmother’s wedding dress that the same designer made for her wedding before the Sabrina movie. So that’s what Zoe walked down wearing last.”, he explained. “Wow nice. Bet that was a good sight.”, Tristan teased elbowing Merrick’s side. “Yeah, a very good sight. I kept reminding myself that I have Rose, that Zoe is my best friend, and that my nana’s wedding dress should not make me think that way. It at least worked enough that I didn’t push her against the wall and make the white in that dress a total lie not even caring if someone walked in. Did however have to take a long cold shower after she left.”, Merrick smirked shaking his head. “Hot damn. So on less over sexualized topics how’s life going otherwise?”, Tristan asked as they walked into the shop.
Merrick had gotten most of his finished pieces set up and the spaced looked a lot like a showroom. “Damn man you do fantastic work.”, Tristan whistled looking around. “Thanks. And life’s been going. Sanctuary is doing well. Obviously this is going good since I’m here to hire people. I just I don’t know. It kills me that I’m going to be leaving it all behind soon.”, Merrick commented grabbing a clipboard and some papers. “What does that mean?”, he asked. “That I can’t keep doing this, living here and Rose living there. Something’s gotta give or it’s going to break. So I’ve made up my mind, she’s not going to be the one that gives in. She’s got school and Excalibur over there and I hate saying it but no matter how much she says she loves me she’ll never walk away from it. It’s in her blood to save lives.”, Merrick sighed. “Well I mean she grew up with the stories of her dad and amongst X-Men. It’s a lot of weight on her shoulders to live up to the Howlett legacy. But what do you mean give or break? What’s going on man?”, Tristan asked. “That come the new year it won’t matter anymore. I’ve put in for a transfer with Wal-Mart. I’m going to start as manager of a store outside of Surry next year. I’ve applied for my work visa and as long as things work I’ll apply for citizenship for me and Faelan. Cause I can’t do this. I can’t be over three thousand miles from the woman I love. I can’t do skypes and phone calls as my only way of seeing and talking to her. I can’t keep doing the whole one month a year of getting to touch her. So I’m going to make use of my inheritance. Nana left me the original Frost estate in Surry in her will along with two hundred thousand pounds. I hate to leave all my family and the very very short list of friends I have behind. But to be with Rose fully I don’t care the cost.”, he explained.
“Whoa. I mean I thought you buying the ring was a big step but...wow. You hate flying and being more than a couple hundred miles from family. And you are going to move an ocean away for Rose. That’s love. I should know I mean I’m an ex bull rider from Oregon that ended up on the east coast for a woman. Sure people say the bull made my choice. But he didn’t. He just got me to make it that much sooner. It hasn’t been easy since moving in with Blaire and the others. And feeling a bit useless and such since I just get disability as far as money goes and sometimes my dad sends me a cut of the profits from the ranch back home. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I get to fall asleep and wake up with the most amazing and perfect for me woman in my arms. Blaire is everything I didn’t realize I wanted or needed till I found her. And now I wouldn’t give her up for anything.”, Tristan smiled. He understood what Merrick was doing. How Merrick was willing to give up what was familiar just for his chance to have Rose in his life. “So what happens with the shop and with the Sanctuary?”, he asked. “I’m going to talk to Logan about taking over the Sanctuary. He’s good with animals and doesn’t take shit just like me and is probably much better at business management than me. As for the shop it keeps going. I’ll just build in Surrey there’s probably some shed or if not I’ll build something on the property to work out of.”, he answered. “Nice.. Oh looks like your interviews have started to arrive.”, he nodded to a line of people at the door. “Yeah mind letting them in and sending them back one at a time?”, Merrick asked taking a seat in the small office room. “Sure thing.”, Tristan smiled going and letting the people in.
It was mid October when Alaric Lowe showed up at the Xavier Institute for his not date with Ororo. He was a couple years older than her, tall with black hair and blue eyes he’d not really wanted to set a date with her. Not that she wasn’t pretty or interesting. He just...well Alaric prefered guys but this was just for work. That’s how he was keeping this in his mind. It was good for his career to be seen with her is all. he sighed and knocked on the door. Ororo had been expecting him at least and quickly answered before a different student did. “Hey Alaric.”, she smiled giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek welcoming him inside. “Welcome to my school. Come on in. We can hang out in the media room and watch a movie if that’s cool.”, she suggested. “Sounds wonderful Ororo. You’re looking beautiful as always.”, he smiled slipping an arm around her shoulders. Ororo shook her head a little and led the way to the media room. “Thanks Alaric. I didn’t go special since we are just hanging out. Figured jeans and my sweater was appropriate.”, she commented as they sat down on the sofa, Alaric keeping his arm around her. “Yes but of course you styled it up with the belt to accent that tiny waist of yours.”, he smiled. “Yeah well you know me always gotta look at least nice. Which you look very nice that’s one of the tops from the fashion show we did. Still looks good on you.”, she smiled.
Stephan, Evan and Hiro were planning to do another round of flight training and decided to see if Ororo was coming up to watch again, knowing her ‘partner in crime’ Inola was at the animal sanctuary working. “Hey Ororo you want to….”, Evan started to ask as the trio started to walk into the media room and froze seeing a boy with his arm around Ororo. Stephan’s eyes grew wide for a moment and he clenched his jaw. Even if she’d said she had not planned to date the boy seeing her there with him and his arm around her he couldn’t take it. They looked like a perfect fit. The guy was handsome, and normal looking. Stephan didn’t say a word just quickly turned around leaving both to not see the sight and to not be seen. Ororo raised an eyebrow and looked over now just seeing the twins. “Stephan…”, Evan sighed looking over his shoulder as Stephan left. Ororo frowned a little. Alaric turned and blinked seeing the two guys with their wings. “Nice wings.”, he commented. The blonde was rather cute he had to admit. “Um thanks.”, Evan muttered. “Thanks.”, Hiro smiled. “Um Alaric meet the Kearney twins Hiro and Evan. Guys this is Alaric Lowe we worked together this summer while I was away.”, she introduced. “And did you say Stephan?”, she asked. “Nice to meet you guys. Stephan? Oh now this one I want to meet. Any guy that Ororo is head over heels for has to be the best looking in the world.”, Alaric smiled.
“Yeah we were going to do some training outside and wanted to see if you were joining as observer. But you are apparently busy. I’m just going to go find something else to do then…come on Hiro.”, Evan said reaching for his twin. “Oh feel free to join us. We were going to watch a movie. You can tell me about this Stephan guy.”, Alaric offered patting the spot next to him. “It'd be rude to decline.”, Hiro smirked at his brother pulling away and sitting down next to Alaric. Evan groaned and shook his head walking away wanting nothing to do with this. “Um I’ll go get some popcorn.”, Ororo said pulling away from Alaric’s arm to head to the kitchen. It bothered her that Stephan would just walk away like that. She worried if something was wrong again. While she was popping the popcorn Hiro was left along with Alaric. “So you’re a model with Ororo? Jealous that even though Stephan doesn’t know it Ororo’s his?”, Hiro asked. Alaric smiled. “Yeah I model with Ororo. And no not really jealous. Ororo’s not my type really. This was kind of a set up from our agents looking to make us an 'it' couple in the industry kind of ignoring our opinions.”, he explained. “Not your type? Gorgeous isn’t your type? What is your type? And well setting her up with you Shawn totally ignored her type because he’s well aware she likes Stephan and you two are so opposite it’s not funny.”, Hiro smiled. “Ororo is gorgeous but well I tend to like guys more than I do girls. For example I find you more attractive than I do Ororo, not to be rude or too forward or anything.”, he answered. Hiro smirked. “Nope not too forward or rude at all. Because that I can work with.”, he grinned deviously before closing the gap between him and Alaric kissed him.
Ororo was walking back in carrying the bowl of popcorn and stopped dead almost dropping it. Her mouth fell open a little at the sight which greeted her. There where she left them Alaric and Hiro sat on the sofa but unlike how she left them they were making out. Or she figured it was classified as making out as it appeared tongues were involved. She kept her composure and set the bowl down and backed out of the room quietly to not disturb them. Well that certainly explained why Alaric seemed indifferent to her saying it wouldn’t be a date. She sighed shaking her head. “Hiro Kearney...lord what will we do with you..”, she laughed. “Well if he’s keeping Alaric contently busy I can go check on Stephan and see what’s wrong. He’s probably on the roof, it’s where he always goes.”, she said heading for the stairs. She was of course right. Stephan had gone straight up to the roof and sat on the ledge his legs curled up to his chest and his arms wrapped around them. His tail was wrapped tight around his waist and his wings were tucked around him like his own little cocoon shielding him from the cold autumn breeze that was blowing in from the bay and over the town bringing in a frost. Ororo sighed as she got to the roof opening the hatch seeing him there. “Stephan..”, she sighed climbing out and carefully walking down the shingles and taking a seat between him and the observation deck. She gently nudged him. “Stephan? Want to tell me what’s wrong? What’s really wrong?”, she asked gently moving his feathers to look at him.
Stephan blinked figuring Ororo would be too busy on her date to even come looking for him. Yet here she was. And as he turned his head he could see her hazel eyes peeking through his feathers at him. She had the most beautiful eyes with flecks of what looked like gold in her pure hazel eyes, and there was always shine to them that was even brighter when she smiled. “Shouldn’t you be on your date?”, he questioned instead of answering. Ororo sighed letting his feathers go and lightly tried to move his wing. He allowed it moving his right wing for her so she could see him, his wing stretching out behind him instead. “It wasn’t a date Stephan. And if it is a date, it’s a date with him and Hiro.”, she explained. “Now what is wrong?”, she asked. “Hiro? What?”, he asked confused tilting his head fully to the side. “I went to get popcorn and came back and they are on the couch frenching. So I’m pretty sure I’m not Alaric’s type. Which is fine by me.”, she stated. “Wow...um. So it doesn’t bother you that he asked you on a date and apparently prefers guys?”,he asked still avoiding why he was upset about Alaric being here in the first place. “Nope. Because he’s not my type.”,she stated. “He’s not? He’s tall, handsome, and is even in the same profession.”, Stephan questioned. “No he’s not. I do like tall and handsome. But not the handsome most people seem to think of when they hear the word. And well I already like a tall, sweet, gentle, intelligent, completely original guy that makes me laugh and I think is the best looking guy I’ve ever known inside and out.”, Ororo explained.
Stephan smiled a little at being told Alaric was not her type, but the smile faded as she said she liked someone already. “I see. Well the guy you like sounds...nice. So if you like someone why...um why aren’t you dating him?”, he asked trying to not sound like his heart was breaking. “Probably because the feathered brain furball hasn’t even realized I just described him.”, Ororo stated looking at him smiling a little as she chewed nervously on her bottom lip. She’d just basically said she liked him, she hoped he actually got the picture this time. Stephan blinked his wide eyes and gulped a little. “Did you...did you just say…”, he attempted to ask. Ororo nodded a little. “That I like you. Yeah.”, she said softly. “But...I…”, he tried to find the right words because this couldn’t possibly be real. “Don’t like me that way? It’s okay, kind of figured like the other older boys I’m the little sister handled with kid gloves being the headmaster’s daughter.”, she sighed starting to stand up. Stephan reached out grabbing her wrist. “Don’t go. That’s not what I was going to say Ororo. I have never thought of you like a little sister. It’s just I don’t get why someone like you could ever be interested in someone like me. I mean come on you're on your way to being a supermodel and I’m more likely to be featured in a sideshow somewhere. You are the most beautiful person I’ve ever known, and I know people tell you how beautiful you are all the time. But it’s not just your appearance that makes you beautiful. You are the sweetest and most compassionate person and you have a beautiful soul. So I don’t really get it. It’d be like Esmeralda being in love with Quasimodo.”, he shook his head a little.
Ororo was smiling she’d kind of stop listening after he said he never thought of her as a little sister. Sure she heard him complimenting her and trying to put himself down. “Stephan…”, she sighed putting her hands on either side of his feathered face. “Do yourself a favor and just shut up.”, she smiled leaning up a little and kissing him. She’d often wondered what it’d be like to kiss him with all the feathers and such that surrounded his lips. And now she had her answer the feathers were just soft and warm against her face a bit like his lips felt. Stephan blinked for the first couple seconds that she kissed him before letting them close and returning the kiss. His right wing moving to wrap around her as he reached and held the sides of her face. He wasn’t sure if this was really happening. He was kissing Ororo Fearbirgh. Ororo smiled into the kiss when he started to return it and brought his wing around her. She pulled back a little with a small sigh rubbing her lips together. “Ororo?”, he asked rubbing his claw like hand lightly over her cheek. “Yes?”, she asked smiling. “Do you want to go out, I mean like be my girlfriend?”, he asked kind of certain of the answer. “Yes, of course.”, she smiled kissing him again. Stephan smiled into the kiss letting his legs relax and hang over the edge of the roof and just enjoyed the kiss hidden away on the roof with his wings as their shield. Both had completely forgotten that Alaric was in the media room, but then Alaric had completely forgotten he’d been there to see Ororo as he was busy kissing Hiro.
Merrick still hadn’t told Rose that he was planning to move to Surrey. He wanted it to be a surprise basically. He’d told his very short list of friends, his family and his employees that he was going and made them all especially Landon promise not a word would be breathed to Rose on the subject. Today he’d asked Logan to come up to the Sanctuary, he was running low on time as his move date just seemed to keep getting closer. Inola and his two employees were working with the animals when Merrick heard the sound of Logan’s harley pulling into the parking lot. Merrick sighed taking a deep breath. This was a big favor to ask of the man that eventually he hoped would let him marry Rose. Logan left his helmet on his bike as he walked inside, there was a vast array of smells surrounding him all at once but he knew Merrick’s and followed it to the office walking in, not bothering with knocking. “Alright, you asked me to come here and I’m here. What’s going on?”, Logan asked looking directly at Merrick who was sitting at his desk having taken a break from balancing the books to make sure the Sanctuary had enough money to feed the animals, pay the bills and pay his two employees. “Nice to see you too Logan. I wanted to talk to you about the sanctuary. And about Rose.”, Merrick explained. Logan raised an eyebrow. “And how exactly does this place and my little girl have anything to do with the other?”, he asked taking a seat and pulling out a cigar from his riding jacket pocket.
“Because I can’t really have both, at least not fully.”, Merrick explained. “Rose is never going to leave the United Kingdom, she has Excalibur and she’s too much like you to give it up to have me and Faelan.”, he sighed. “You don’t know that. My daughter loves you and is crazy about that pup of yours. And I’d hoped she learn from my mistakes. That being a hero means nothing if you don’t have your own happiness to come home to. I know that she looks forward to when she talks to you and even more so when she comes home to see you. Don’t tell me you are planning to take that away not even into a year of trying to really be together. Because if that’s what you asked me here about…”, Logan narrowed his eyes his middle claw popping out and cutting off the end of his cigar before slipping back into his knuckles. “Intimidation Logan? Interesting tactic, cause I’ve never used my claws to intimidate. And claws don’t scare me, your daughter has claws. Granted they aren’t coated with adamantium, but they hurt just the same and I like the pain. So no I didn’t ask you here to tell you I plan to end things with Rose. I’m not an idiot. I refuse to give up the best thing I’ve ever had because of an ocean.”, he shook her head. “Good, you’re smarter than people give you credit. So what did you ask me here about?”, he asked pulling out his torch lighter and lit his cigar before take a couple puffs from it.
“I want you to do me a favor. To take over the Sanctuary for me.”, Merrick answered. “Take over? This place is your brainchild, your dream as I’ve been told. What are you playing at kid? What’s going on?”, Logan asked the cigar still between his lips. “I’ve made my choice. She won’t come to me so I’m going to her. I leave just before the end of the year to officially be in England at the start of the new year.”, Merrick explained. “You’re...you are going to move to England? Just pack up you and the pup and go?”, he asked a little taken back by how far the kid was willing to go to be with his little girl. “Yes. My Nana Hazel left me the Frost estate in Surrey and two hundred thousand pounds. I’ve already got paperwork getting finalized for my work visa as I’m transferring Wal-Marts internationally to work at one near Surrey. My Aonair Mac Tíre I will keep going I’ll just build stuff there and ship to the store here and do online orders, maybe even eventually open a store there. If things work the way I want them to I'll apply for citizenship for me and the pup.”, he elaborated on his plans. “Rather foreshadowing inheritance she left you. The way you want them too?”, Logan asked. “Nana had her plans and come hell or high water she’d see them happen. And well that…”, Merrick sighed looking at Logan. “That means if things go well I already have a ring.”, he shrugged.
“A ring? You haven’t been dating officially for a year and you have a ring? When did you buy that?”, Logan questioned. “Yes a ring…”, Merrick answered reaching into his desk taking out the ring case and setting on his desk opening it to show the white gold band with the moonstone. “I bought it back in the spring before my Nana died, she was with me and Tristan when I bought it. And so we’ve been dating officially for less than a year. We’ve been together since she was sixteen. I know that for most of that I wasn’t her boyfriend let alone close to faithful. And you might not believe it and I don’t care if you do or don’t, but I’ve wanted to be with Rose since I was a kid. The fact that Wanda assigned Rose as my target was just a good excuse to find out things about her. But most of the things I know about Rose I know because I wanted to know them. I just never said or did anything about it for so long because well I was Academy, she’s Rose Howlett a legacy hero, and she was head over heels for my cousin. And now that I’ve got her I’m not going to let her go.”, he explained closing the box and putting the ring back. “You aren’t asking me to marry my daughter.”, Logan commented. “No I’m not. I’m telling you that when the time is right I’m going to ask her. And if she accepts you’ll have to deal with the son of Pretender as your in-law.”, Merrick stated. Logan smiled teeth clenching his cigar taking a couple short puffs before taking the cigar from his mouth blowing rings. “Well if Rose says yes to you then welcome to the Howletts. And since I know having you and Faelan with her will make her happy, I’ll take over the Sanctuary for you. Not like I have a lot going on in my retirement.”, Logan smiled. “Thanks Logan. So let’s go over business.”, Merrick said going into discuss the Sanctuary and its daily operations and long term goals with Logan.
Zoe was trying to not think so much about the fact that there was only months left till her best friend would move away. So instead she had been focusing on getting ready for an audition for a performance of Chicago. She really wanted to get a lead role as she had in Pride and Prejudice. So when she wasn’t working down in the restaurant she was spending her time practicing. And since her apartment had less floor space Alec had allowed her to use his apartment and the roof terrace for practicing some of the dancing that was going to be necessary for this production. As she was walking down the stairs to her apartment from using the open space of the roof terrace to practice she felt her phone buzzing and pulled it out not recognizing the number. “Ciao Zoe Deluca.”, she greeted. “Um hey Zoe. It’s Devon Montgomery. Robert’s friend. We met at his wedding.”, Devon greeted explaining who he was. Zoe unlocked her apartment walking in and stretched out on the extra long sofa Merrick had made her last Christmas. “Devon?”, she questioned thinking back to Josalyn and Robert’s wedding. A couple people had given her their number and vice versa. She was just trying to place Devon from the three guys she knew had talked about maybe going on a date. “Robert’s best man….”, Devon explained. “Si. I remember now. Sorry. So how are you?”, she asked.
“I’m doing alright. I’m in Manhattan during the weekend so thought maybe while I’m on the Island catch a movie and have dinner with you. Are you free Saturday night?”, he asked. Zoe smiled a little he was calling to ask her on a date. She hadn’t been really asked on a date since she had moved to America. Though she attributed that to her always working and when she wasn’t she was hanging out with Merrick. And well Merrick seemed to intimidate people. Not that she could blame them Merrick was a big guy and well they were generally always very close so it probably gave the impression they were more than friends. She sighed inwardly a little remembering the all too short period of time that they had been more than friends. And they never officially went on dates but they went to clubs and had meals together and watched movies during those months they’d felt like dates at least. “Um let me check my work schedule.”, she smiled taking the phone from her ear and pulled up her calendar, she worked an afternoon shift. “Yes I’m free Saturday night. So I’d be happy to go on a date with you.”, she confirmed. “Fantastic. There’s a place called Black Tree Orchard they are really good and have a unique menu.”, he suggested. “Sounds good meet you there say 7ish?”, she offered. “Sounds good. See you then gorgeous. Bye.”, he grinned. “Ciao.”, she smiled hanging up. “A date? A real date. This should be interesting.”, she sighed rolling off the couch to go take a shower and get ready for her evening shift down in the restaurant.

Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

Merrick was finally going to head up to Boston to do the interviews for the store to get it going sooner than later. The day before he got a text from Tristan asking if he could get a ride from the hospital as everyone else had classes or work and he wasn’t really going to be in any condition to drive as he was having his second, however minor, back surgery that was considered outpatient. Merrick agreed if Tristan didn’t mind sitting around the shop while he did the interviews, which of course Tristan didn’t. So Merrick dressed in his charcoal gray slacks, white button up and a striped green tie to head up for the interviews pulling up outside of Boston Hospital first getting out seeing a nurse holding the wheelchair handles and Tristan sitting in it waiting holding his cane. “Hey gimpy. Ready to go?”, Merrick greeted teasing. “Hi asshole and yeah. Thanks for the ride.”, Tristan teased back. “I’ll take him from here.”, Merrick smiled giving a nod to the nurse. “Okay just keep him out of trouble.”, she said. “I make no promises because that would mean staying out of trouble myself.”, Merrick replied helping Tristan out of the wheelchair. The nurse rolled her eyes taking the now empty chair back inside. “So how was the wedding. Rose said it was a lovely event with no real hiccups or even fights till the end when Donovan and his date had a blowout.”, Merrick asked opening the passenger door for Tristan.
“Oh that wedding was the best ever.”, Tristan grinned deviously getting in. Merrick laughed shaking his head and getting in the driver's side. “Yeah I heard something about you bagged a Kearney door prize?”, he commented pulling away. “Oh yes we did. Hadyn Kearney. God was he hot. And the sex….wow. Blaire and I had a great night and following afternoon with him. Lived up to that Kearney legend.”, he smirked. “I just...look I get you are bi, whatever. But seriously you let another guy fuck your girlfriend and watched/participated? I mean I know that I could never do that. Not just the whole sex with another man because that’s never happening don’t swing or even lean slightly that direction. But I know that I could never share Rose with anyone.”, he shook his head. “That’s because you sir are selfish.”, Tristan teased. “Fuck yes I am. I am the only man Rose has been with and I’m keeping it that way. She can fuck whoever she wants after I’m out of the picture. Till then it’s not happening. I’ve been her only since she was sixteen and I like it that way.”, Merrick shrugged. “Selfish selfish man keeping that beautiful woman all to yourself.”, he laughed. “But seriously isn’t that kind of double standard you have been her only but she was far from your only.”, Tristan countered. “I don’t see it that way. Before we started dating yes I slept with other women, I have a son to prove that. But she had that option open to her. She could have screwed anyone she wanted especially when she went to Cambridge. Donovan would jump at the opportunity to screw her. She never did. She made the conscious choice to not sleep with anyone else and just wait till she could come back to Bayville and fuck me. I’m apparently that good.”, he smirked.
Tristan laughed shaking his head. “Oh I bet you are. So even if Rose suggested or showed interest in inviting another guy to your bed you’d say no?”, Tristan asked. “Yeah I’d say no. And basically state if she feels that strongly that she wants to fuck someone else we can call it quits and she can see if the grass is greener elsewhere. Cause I’m sure if I ever suggested bringing another girl to bed she’d say no, punch me, and dump me. Which is fine we are territorial animals. I wouldn’t suggest adding a second girl to our bed and I would hope she’d never suggest a second guy.”, Merrick answered. “Not even Zoe? Come on you can’t tell me the idea of having both never crossed your mind? You are obviously attracted to Zoe and enjoy her body for as far as you went with her.”, Tristan smirked. Merrick sighed shaking his head pulling up to the shop. “Not even Zoe. That’d be way too dangerous. They wouldn’t agree because both are territorial and don’t swing that way. And I wouldn’t suggest it because as hot as the idea of Zoe and Rose sounds it’d be a no go. I love Rose and only want her in my bed. Yes I admit that if things were different and I didn’t have Rose I’d have tossed my rules out the window and screwed Zoe till she couldn’t stand. A few times recently I’ve had to remind myself that I have Rose and my rules to not do that.”, he sighed getting out.
“Oooh really? What happened?”, Tristan asked intrigued getting out of the car. “With my nana passing away dad gave her old clothes to Zoe since she and nana had the same body type from when nana was young. And nana left her her wedding gown. Zoe tried the clothes on and I got a mini fashion show. Me sitting in the foyer at the Haven and her coming down the stairs in different outfits.”, Merrick explained. “Uh huh and….”, Tristan encouraged wanting more details. “She looked amazing in everything she put on. And when she came down in the wedding dress, you ever see the movie Sabrina?”, he asked. “Um yeah. Audrey Hepburn was a fine woman. Why?”, Tristan asked. “Know the strapless gown she wore? Well it was based off my grandmother’s wedding dress that the same designer made for her wedding before the Sabrina movie. So that’s what Zoe walked down wearing last.”, he explained. “Wow nice. Bet that was a good sight.”, Tristan teased elbowing Merrick’s side. “Yeah, a very good sight. I kept reminding myself that I have Rose, that Zoe is my best friend, and that my nana’s wedding dress should not make me think that way. It at least worked enough that I didn’t push her against the wall and make the white in that dress a total lie not even caring if someone walked in. Did however have to take a long cold shower after she left.”, Merrick smirked shaking his head. “Hot damn. So on less over sexualized topics how’s life going otherwise?”, Tristan asked as they walked into the shop.
Merrick had gotten most of his finished pieces set up and the spaced looked a lot like a showroom. “Damn man you do fantastic work.”, Tristan whistled looking around. “Thanks. And life’s been going. Sanctuary is doing well. Obviously this is going good since I’m here to hire people. I just I don’t know. It kills me that I’m going to be leaving it all behind soon.”, Merrick commented grabbing a clipboard and some papers. “What does that mean?”, he asked. “That I can’t keep doing this, living here and Rose living there. Something’s gotta give or it’s going to break. So I’ve made up my mind, she’s not going to be the one that gives in. She’s got school and Excalibur over there and I hate saying it but no matter how much she says she loves me she’ll never walk away from it. It’s in her blood to save lives.”, Merrick sighed. “Well I mean she grew up with the stories of her dad and amongst X-Men. It’s a lot of weight on her shoulders to live up to the Howlett legacy. But what do you mean give or break? What’s going on man?”, Tristan asked. “That come the new year it won’t matter anymore. I’ve put in for a transfer with Wal-Mart. I’m going to start as manager of a store outside of Surry next year. I’ve applied for my work visa and as long as things work I’ll apply for citizenship for me and Faelan. Cause I can’t do this. I can’t be over three thousand miles from the woman I love. I can’t do skypes and phone calls as my only way of seeing and talking to her. I can’t keep doing the whole one month a year of getting to touch her. So I’m going to make use of my inheritance. Nana left me the original Frost estate in Surry in her will along with two hundred thousand pounds. I hate to leave all my family and the very very short list of friends I have behind. But to be with Rose fully I don’t care the cost.”, he explained.
“Whoa. I mean I thought you buying the ring was a big step but...wow. You hate flying and being more than a couple hundred miles from family. And you are going to move an ocean away for Rose. That’s love. I should know I mean I’m an ex bull rider from Oregon that ended up on the east coast for a woman. Sure people say the bull made my choice. But he didn’t. He just got me to make it that much sooner. It hasn’t been easy since moving in with Blaire and the others. And feeling a bit useless and such since I just get disability as far as money goes and sometimes my dad sends me a cut of the profits from the ranch back home. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I get to fall asleep and wake up with the most amazing and perfect for me woman in my arms. Blaire is everything I didn’t realize I wanted or needed till I found her. And now I wouldn’t give her up for anything.”, Tristan smiled. He understood what Merrick was doing. How Merrick was willing to give up what was familiar just for his chance to have Rose in his life. “So what happens with the shop and with the Sanctuary?”, he asked. “I’m going to talk to Logan about taking over the Sanctuary. He’s good with animals and doesn’t take shit just like me and is probably much better at business management than me. As for the shop it keeps going. I’ll just build in Surrey there’s probably some shed or if not I’ll build something on the property to work out of.”, he answered. “Nice.. Oh looks like your interviews have started to arrive.”, he nodded to a line of people at the door. “Yeah mind letting them in and sending them back one at a time?”, Merrick asked taking a seat in the small office room. “Sure thing.”, Tristan smiled going and letting the people in.
It was mid October when Alaric Lowe showed up at the Xavier Institute for his not date with Ororo. He was a couple years older than her, tall with black hair and blue eyes he’d not really wanted to set a date with her. Not that she wasn’t pretty or interesting. He just...well Alaric prefered guys but this was just for work. That’s how he was keeping this in his mind. It was good for his career to be seen with her is all. he sighed and knocked on the door. Ororo had been expecting him at least and quickly answered before a different student did. “Hey Alaric.”, she smiled giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek welcoming him inside. “Welcome to my school. Come on in. We can hang out in the media room and watch a movie if that’s cool.”, she suggested. “Sounds wonderful Ororo. You’re looking beautiful as always.”, he smiled slipping an arm around her shoulders. Ororo shook her head a little and led the way to the media room. “Thanks Alaric. I didn’t go special since we are just hanging out. Figured jeans and my sweater was appropriate.”, she commented as they sat down on the sofa, Alaric keeping his arm around her. “Yes but of course you styled it up with the belt to accent that tiny waist of yours.”, he smiled. “Yeah well you know me always gotta look at least nice. Which you look very nice that’s one of the tops from the fashion show we did. Still looks good on you.”, she smiled.
Stephan, Evan and Hiro were planning to do another round of flight training and decided to see if Ororo was coming up to watch again, knowing her ‘partner in crime’ Inola was at the animal sanctuary working. “Hey Ororo you want to….”, Evan started to ask as the trio started to walk into the media room and froze seeing a boy with his arm around Ororo. Stephan’s eyes grew wide for a moment and he clenched his jaw. Even if she’d said she had not planned to date the boy seeing her there with him and his arm around her he couldn’t take it. They looked like a perfect fit. The guy was handsome, and normal looking. Stephan didn’t say a word just quickly turned around leaving both to not see the sight and to not be seen. Ororo raised an eyebrow and looked over now just seeing the twins. “Stephan…”, Evan sighed looking over his shoulder as Stephan left. Ororo frowned a little. Alaric turned and blinked seeing the two guys with their wings. “Nice wings.”, he commented. The blonde was rather cute he had to admit. “Um thanks.”, Evan muttered. “Thanks.”, Hiro smiled. “Um Alaric meet the Kearney twins Hiro and Evan. Guys this is Alaric Lowe we worked together this summer while I was away.”, she introduced. “And did you say Stephan?”, she asked. “Nice to meet you guys. Stephan? Oh now this one I want to meet. Any guy that Ororo is head over heels for has to be the best looking in the world.”, Alaric smiled.
“Yeah we were going to do some training outside and wanted to see if you were joining as observer. But you are apparently busy. I’m just going to go find something else to do then…come on Hiro.”, Evan said reaching for his twin. “Oh feel free to join us. We were going to watch a movie. You can tell me about this Stephan guy.”, Alaric offered patting the spot next to him. “It'd be rude to decline.”, Hiro smirked at his brother pulling away and sitting down next to Alaric. Evan groaned and shook his head walking away wanting nothing to do with this. “Um I’ll go get some popcorn.”, Ororo said pulling away from Alaric’s arm to head to the kitchen. It bothered her that Stephan would just walk away like that. She worried if something was wrong again. While she was popping the popcorn Hiro was left along with Alaric. “So you’re a model with Ororo? Jealous that even though Stephan doesn’t know it Ororo’s his?”, Hiro asked. Alaric smiled. “Yeah I model with Ororo. And no not really jealous. Ororo’s not my type really. This was kind of a set up from our agents looking to make us an 'it' couple in the industry kind of ignoring our opinions.”, he explained. “Not your type? Gorgeous isn’t your type? What is your type? And well setting her up with you Shawn totally ignored her type because he’s well aware she likes Stephan and you two are so opposite it’s not funny.”, Hiro smiled. “Ororo is gorgeous but well I tend to like guys more than I do girls. For example I find you more attractive than I do Ororo, not to be rude or too forward or anything.”, he answered. Hiro smirked. “Nope not too forward or rude at all. Because that I can work with.”, he grinned deviously before closing the gap between him and Alaric kissed him.
Ororo was walking back in carrying the bowl of popcorn and stopped dead almost dropping it. Her mouth fell open a little at the sight which greeted her. There where she left them Alaric and Hiro sat on the sofa but unlike how she left them they were making out. Or she figured it was classified as making out as it appeared tongues were involved. She kept her composure and set the bowl down and backed out of the room quietly to not disturb them. Well that certainly explained why Alaric seemed indifferent to her saying it wouldn’t be a date. She sighed shaking her head. “Hiro Kearney...lord what will we do with you..”, she laughed. “Well if he’s keeping Alaric contently busy I can go check on Stephan and see what’s wrong. He’s probably on the roof, it’s where he always goes.”, she said heading for the stairs. She was of course right. Stephan had gone straight up to the roof and sat on the ledge his legs curled up to his chest and his arms wrapped around them. His tail was wrapped tight around his waist and his wings were tucked around him like his own little cocoon shielding him from the cold autumn breeze that was blowing in from the bay and over the town bringing in a frost. Ororo sighed as she got to the roof opening the hatch seeing him there. “Stephan..”, she sighed climbing out and carefully walking down the shingles and taking a seat between him and the observation deck. She gently nudged him. “Stephan? Want to tell me what’s wrong? What’s really wrong?”, she asked gently moving his feathers to look at him.
Stephan blinked figuring Ororo would be too busy on her date to even come looking for him. Yet here she was. And as he turned his head he could see her hazel eyes peeking through his feathers at him. She had the most beautiful eyes with flecks of what looked like gold in her pure hazel eyes, and there was always shine to them that was even brighter when she smiled. “Shouldn’t you be on your date?”, he questioned instead of answering. Ororo sighed letting his feathers go and lightly tried to move his wing. He allowed it moving his right wing for her so she could see him, his wing stretching out behind him instead. “It wasn’t a date Stephan. And if it is a date, it’s a date with him and Hiro.”, she explained. “Now what is wrong?”, she asked. “Hiro? What?”, he asked confused tilting his head fully to the side. “I went to get popcorn and came back and they are on the couch frenching. So I’m pretty sure I’m not Alaric’s type. Which is fine by me.”, she stated. “Wow...um. So it doesn’t bother you that he asked you on a date and apparently prefers guys?”,he asked still avoiding why he was upset about Alaric being here in the first place. “Nope. Because he’s not my type.”,she stated. “He’s not? He’s tall, handsome, and is even in the same profession.”, Stephan questioned. “No he’s not. I do like tall and handsome. But not the handsome most people seem to think of when they hear the word. And well I already like a tall, sweet, gentle, intelligent, completely original guy that makes me laugh and I think is the best looking guy I’ve ever known inside and out.”, Ororo explained.
Stephan smiled a little at being told Alaric was not her type, but the smile faded as she said she liked someone already. “I see. Well the guy you like sounds...nice. So if you like someone why...um why aren’t you dating him?”, he asked trying to not sound like his heart was breaking. “Probably because the feathered brain furball hasn’t even realized I just described him.”, Ororo stated looking at him smiling a little as she chewed nervously on her bottom lip. She’d just basically said she liked him, she hoped he actually got the picture this time. Stephan blinked his wide eyes and gulped a little. “Did you...did you just say…”, he attempted to ask. Ororo nodded a little. “That I like you. Yeah.”, she said softly. “But...I…”, he tried to find the right words because this couldn’t possibly be real. “Don’t like me that way? It’s okay, kind of figured like the other older boys I’m the little sister handled with kid gloves being the headmaster’s daughter.”, she sighed starting to stand up. Stephan reached out grabbing her wrist. “Don’t go. That’s not what I was going to say Ororo. I have never thought of you like a little sister. It’s just I don’t get why someone like you could ever be interested in someone like me. I mean come on you're on your way to being a supermodel and I’m more likely to be featured in a sideshow somewhere. You are the most beautiful person I’ve ever known, and I know people tell you how beautiful you are all the time. But it’s not just your appearance that makes you beautiful. You are the sweetest and most compassionate person and you have a beautiful soul. So I don’t really get it. It’d be like Esmeralda being in love with Quasimodo.”, he shook his head a little.
Ororo was smiling she’d kind of stop listening after he said he never thought of her as a little sister. Sure she heard him complimenting her and trying to put himself down. “Stephan…”, she sighed putting her hands on either side of his feathered face. “Do yourself a favor and just shut up.”, she smiled leaning up a little and kissing him. She’d often wondered what it’d be like to kiss him with all the feathers and such that surrounded his lips. And now she had her answer the feathers were just soft and warm against her face a bit like his lips felt. Stephan blinked for the first couple seconds that she kissed him before letting them close and returning the kiss. His right wing moving to wrap around her as he reached and held the sides of her face. He wasn’t sure if this was really happening. He was kissing Ororo Fearbirgh. Ororo smiled into the kiss when he started to return it and brought his wing around her. She pulled back a little with a small sigh rubbing her lips together. “Ororo?”, he asked rubbing his claw like hand lightly over her cheek. “Yes?”, she asked smiling. “Do you want to go out, I mean like be my girlfriend?”, he asked kind of certain of the answer. “Yes, of course.”, she smiled kissing him again. Stephan smiled into the kiss letting his legs relax and hang over the edge of the roof and just enjoyed the kiss hidden away on the roof with his wings as their shield. Both had completely forgotten that Alaric was in the media room, but then Alaric had completely forgotten he’d been there to see Ororo as he was busy kissing Hiro.
Merrick still hadn’t told Rose that he was planning to move to Surrey. He wanted it to be a surprise basically. He’d told his very short list of friends, his family and his employees that he was going and made them all especially Landon promise not a word would be breathed to Rose on the subject. Today he’d asked Logan to come up to the Sanctuary, he was running low on time as his move date just seemed to keep getting closer. Inola and his two employees were working with the animals when Merrick heard the sound of Logan’s harley pulling into the parking lot. Merrick sighed taking a deep breath. This was a big favor to ask of the man that eventually he hoped would let him marry Rose. Logan left his helmet on his bike as he walked inside, there was a vast array of smells surrounding him all at once but he knew Merrick’s and followed it to the office walking in, not bothering with knocking. “Alright, you asked me to come here and I’m here. What’s going on?”, Logan asked looking directly at Merrick who was sitting at his desk having taken a break from balancing the books to make sure the Sanctuary had enough money to feed the animals, pay the bills and pay his two employees. “Nice to see you too Logan. I wanted to talk to you about the sanctuary. And about Rose.”, Merrick explained. Logan raised an eyebrow. “And how exactly does this place and my little girl have anything to do with the other?”, he asked taking a seat and pulling out a cigar from his riding jacket pocket.
“Because I can’t really have both, at least not fully.”, Merrick explained. “Rose is never going to leave the United Kingdom, she has Excalibur and she’s too much like you to give it up to have me and Faelan.”, he sighed. “You don’t know that. My daughter loves you and is crazy about that pup of yours. And I’d hoped she learn from my mistakes. That being a hero means nothing if you don’t have your own happiness to come home to. I know that she looks forward to when she talks to you and even more so when she comes home to see you. Don’t tell me you are planning to take that away not even into a year of trying to really be together. Because if that’s what you asked me here about…”, Logan narrowed his eyes his middle claw popping out and cutting off the end of his cigar before slipping back into his knuckles. “Intimidation Logan? Interesting tactic, cause I’ve never used my claws to intimidate. And claws don’t scare me, your daughter has claws. Granted they aren’t coated with adamantium, but they hurt just the same and I like the pain. So no I didn’t ask you here to tell you I plan to end things with Rose. I’m not an idiot. I refuse to give up the best thing I’ve ever had because of an ocean.”, he shook her head. “Good, you’re smarter than people give you credit. So what did you ask me here about?”, he asked pulling out his torch lighter and lit his cigar before take a couple puffs from it.
“I want you to do me a favor. To take over the Sanctuary for me.”, Merrick answered. “Take over? This place is your brainchild, your dream as I’ve been told. What are you playing at kid? What’s going on?”, Logan asked the cigar still between his lips. “I’ve made my choice. She won’t come to me so I’m going to her. I leave just before the end of the year to officially be in England at the start of the new year.”, Merrick explained. “You’re...you are going to move to England? Just pack up you and the pup and go?”, he asked a little taken back by how far the kid was willing to go to be with his little girl. “Yes. My Nana Hazel left me the Frost estate in Surrey and two hundred thousand pounds. I’ve already got paperwork getting finalized for my work visa as I’m transferring Wal-Marts internationally to work at one near Surrey. My Aonair Mac Tíre I will keep going I’ll just build stuff there and ship to the store here and do online orders, maybe even eventually open a store there. If things work the way I want them to I'll apply for citizenship for me and the pup.”, he elaborated on his plans. “Rather foreshadowing inheritance she left you. The way you want them too?”, Logan asked. “Nana had her plans and come hell or high water she’d see them happen. And well that…”, Merrick sighed looking at Logan. “That means if things go well I already have a ring.”, he shrugged.
“A ring? You haven’t been dating officially for a year and you have a ring? When did you buy that?”, Logan questioned. “Yes a ring…”, Merrick answered reaching into his desk taking out the ring case and setting on his desk opening it to show the white gold band with the moonstone. “I bought it back in the spring before my Nana died, she was with me and Tristan when I bought it. And so we’ve been dating officially for less than a year. We’ve been together since she was sixteen. I know that for most of that I wasn’t her boyfriend let alone close to faithful. And you might not believe it and I don’t care if you do or don’t, but I’ve wanted to be with Rose since I was a kid. The fact that Wanda assigned Rose as my target was just a good excuse to find out things about her. But most of the things I know about Rose I know because I wanted to know them. I just never said or did anything about it for so long because well I was Academy, she’s Rose Howlett a legacy hero, and she was head over heels for my cousin. And now that I’ve got her I’m not going to let her go.”, he explained closing the box and putting the ring back. “You aren’t asking me to marry my daughter.”, Logan commented. “No I’m not. I’m telling you that when the time is right I’m going to ask her. And if she accepts you’ll have to deal with the son of Pretender as your in-law.”, Merrick stated. Logan smiled teeth clenching his cigar taking a couple short puffs before taking the cigar from his mouth blowing rings. “Well if Rose says yes to you then welcome to the Howletts. And since I know having you and Faelan with her will make her happy, I’ll take over the Sanctuary for you. Not like I have a lot going on in my retirement.”, Logan smiled. “Thanks Logan. So let’s go over business.”, Merrick said going into discuss the Sanctuary and its daily operations and long term goals with Logan.
Zoe was trying to not think so much about the fact that there was only months left till her best friend would move away. So instead she had been focusing on getting ready for an audition for a performance of Chicago. She really wanted to get a lead role as she had in Pride and Prejudice. So when she wasn’t working down in the restaurant she was spending her time practicing. And since her apartment had less floor space Alec had allowed her to use his apartment and the roof terrace for practicing some of the dancing that was going to be necessary for this production. As she was walking down the stairs to her apartment from using the open space of the roof terrace to practice she felt her phone buzzing and pulled it out not recognizing the number. “Ciao Zoe Deluca.”, she greeted. “Um hey Zoe. It’s Devon Montgomery. Robert’s friend. We met at his wedding.”, Devon greeted explaining who he was. Zoe unlocked her apartment walking in and stretched out on the extra long sofa Merrick had made her last Christmas. “Devon?”, she questioned thinking back to Josalyn and Robert’s wedding. A couple people had given her their number and vice versa. She was just trying to place Devon from the three guys she knew had talked about maybe going on a date. “Robert’s best man….”, Devon explained. “Si. I remember now. Sorry. So how are you?”, she asked.
“I’m doing alright. I’m in Manhattan during the weekend so thought maybe while I’m on the Island catch a movie and have dinner with you. Are you free Saturday night?”, he asked. Zoe smiled a little he was calling to ask her on a date. She hadn’t been really asked on a date since she had moved to America. Though she attributed that to her always working and when she wasn’t she was hanging out with Merrick. And well Merrick seemed to intimidate people. Not that she could blame them Merrick was a big guy and well they were generally always very close so it probably gave the impression they were more than friends. She sighed inwardly a little remembering the all too short period of time that they had been more than friends. And they never officially went on dates but they went to clubs and had meals together and watched movies during those months they’d felt like dates at least. “Um let me check my work schedule.”, she smiled taking the phone from her ear and pulled up her calendar, she worked an afternoon shift. “Yes I’m free Saturday night. So I’d be happy to go on a date with you.”, she confirmed. “Fantastic. There’s a place called Black Tree Orchard they are really good and have a unique menu.”, he suggested. “Sounds good meet you there say 7ish?”, she offered. “Sounds good. See you then gorgeous. Bye.”, he grinned. “Ciao.”, she smiled hanging up. “A date? A real date. This should be interesting.”, she sighed rolling off the couch to go take a shower and get ready for her evening shift down in the restaurant.