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It was late in the morning when Merrick stirred. “Where’s Faelan….”, Merrick muttered half awake his immediate concern being Faelan. Rose grumbled at him opening her eyes. “Isn’t he in his nursery?”, she asked sleepily. Merrick blinked a little and looked at her before smiling remembering that she’d stayed the night. He then listen and sniffed the air. “No he’s not in his room...mom has him downstairs with the rest of the house. Well minus Sebastian who’s at your Uncle’s hanging out with Jimmy. Very weird that my little brother has become best friends with your little cousin. Wonder why mom got him. She is usually willing to help when I have to go to work but I always get up during the night with him.”, Merrick said wondering. She smiled a little and kissed his chin. “You are a good dad, maybe your mom figured you needed a night off and some rest. She knows how tiring children can be she’s had five of them and three at once.”, Rose offered. “Maybe. Though now that they are all awake before us it’s going to be interesting having to explain you being here.”, Merrick said rolling to his back taking her with him. She laughed a little shaking her head as she ended up on top of him. “Guess saying just friends like last year won’t really be accepted, huh?”, she pondered running a hand over his hair while placing another to brace herself on his left shoulder. He smiled and purred a little as she ran her hand through his hair. “I suppose not. Though we are friends just with added benefits.”, he agreed giving her a quick kiss pulling back as he noticed his phone buzzing on his nightstand. He groaned and grabbed the phone.

Rose laughed and sat up not bothering to move off him as she stretched and watched him check his phone. “Comfortable?”, he teased bringing up his missed messages. “Yes. Are you?”, she teased back moving a little on him. Merrick groaned at the movement. “Not fair I still need to go to a store. Now let’s see what messages I missed.”, he said looking. “Oh god...I’m going to kill my mom.”, he said looking at a facebook notification of being tagged in a photo. “Why?”, Rose asked. He turned his phone to show the picture. “That would be why. Not only is my mother aware you stayed here with me, but so does anyone that follows her including your friends and mine. Which let’s see the comments. Zoe said ‘About Time’ and Demitri said ‘Knew It’. I think everyone we know as liked this picture. Oh crap Lily shared it.”, Merrick groaned closing the app and switching to his missed texts. Rose blinked looking at all the likes . “Let’s see missed texts. Nana Hazel ‘Lock that down before she leaves or I’ll beat you with my cane.’ Thanks Nana. Zoe ‘Nana says lock Rose down or she’ll beat you with her cane and fyi I’ll hold you still so she can.’. Great best friend she is. Malcolm ‘sooo….it official yet or you dragging feet?’. Landon ‘you two look good together’. Rachel ‘awwww you three are tooo adorable’. Lily ‘so are you dating her or not?’. Thomas ‘about time man.’. Ashley, how the hell does she have my number? But she says ‘Aw you two are adorable and give Faelan kisses for me he is sooo cute.’. Blaire, okay seriously who’s giving out my number, says ‘OMG the cuteness!’. Tristan...okay what the fuck how does he have my number. ‘Good for you both. You’re fucking hot and she’s damn fine.’. And I’m officially creeped out.”, Merrick said tossing the phone back to his nightstand running his hands over his face.

Rose chuckled listening to him repeat the text messages he’d received and blinked a couple times as most were from her friends. She had to admit she found it a little odd that Zoe was pro her. She wasn’t sure if the situation was flipped how she’d feel about people suggesting Merrick be serious about Zoe. “Wow. Guess the peanut gallery has voiced their opinions on the situation. So Misses Frost and Zoe talk often?”, she questioned casually tracing the lines of the tattoo on his chest. Merrick smirked bringing his hands down from his face to grasp her hips. “Apparently every Sunday after mass. Why?”, he answered rubbing at her hips. “I just thought I’d ask since in Zoe’s text she just referred to Misses Frost as Nana. It’s a rather personal way to refer to the great grandmother of someone you fool around with and are friends with.”, Rose said. Merrick chuckled shaking his head. “Are you jealous? That Zoe is close to my nana?”, he asked. “No. Why would I need to be jealous? I think it’s nice that Misses Frost is close to your friend.”, Rose said trying to play it off that it didn’t bother her. Merrick sighed and sat up kissing at her chest along her bra. “Please stop calling her Misses Frost. She’d go into some long tangent if she heard you calling her that. She told Zoe to call her Nana or Nana Hazel and she’d tell you the same thing. My Nana adores you and you know it.”, he said. “Well she did drive all the way from Boston when I was home last summer and sought me out just to talk to me.”, she sighed.

“See. And you want to know just how much she adores you? I mean beyond the whole telling me to ‘lock down’.”, he offered. “Oh enlighten me….”, Rose encouraged. “The day I was told about Faelan, Nana called after the bomb was dropped on my parents and dad handed me the phone so I had to tell her right then and there. Her reaction was surprising.”, Merrick explained. “She yell and scream because that wouldn’t be surprising.”, she teased. “No she was happy.”, he stated. Rose blinked in confusion. “She thought it was you. She went into a tangent about asking if you were coming home to have the baby or if I was going there.”, Merrick explained. Rose was a bit taken back by that lightly placing a hand over her stomach thinking about the idea of what if it had been her. “She didn’t start yelling at me till I told her it wasn’t with you. She demanded to know the name of the harlot, yup she called Jenna a harlot it was kind of funny. And then wanted to know what I was going to tell you and then told me that if I called again to say I knocked up, started dating, or was getting married to someone she’d only accept one of two names. First and obviously her preferred choice based on her reaction is you.”, he explained. Rose laughed a little there was a part of her that liked the idea that his nana thought so much of her that she would approve of her being the mother to her great great grandchild, but she also had an idea of who the other name was she'd have approved of too. “We should go face the music downstairs.”, she suggested getting off him.

Merrick sighed but nodded getting out of bed. Rose got dressed in what she’d worn the day before and watched him getting dressed smirking a little seeing his wardrobe contained more items that fit him proper. “What?”, he asked pulling on a green polo. “Nothing just...in the time I’ve been gone you’ve had a child and apparently updated your wardrobe to clothes that fit. Why you hid behind baggy clothes all those years I’ll never understand.”, she commented shaking her head. Merrick rolled his eyes. “I think I’ve heard something like that before…”, he said thinking back remembering the day he was told Jenna was pregnant Karli had made a comment about him wearing clothes that fit. “Well it’s true you are an attractive guy and clothes that fit just make the view that much better.”, she commented giving him a kiss on the cheek before walking out of the room. Merrick shook his head following her downstairs both getting looked at by the six adults sitting at the kitchen table as they walked in. “Gooood morning Merrick. Goood morning Rose…”, David greeted in a sing song happy tune. Rose laughed shaking her head and just grabbed a banana from the vegan counter. “Morning David, Aislinn, Jacob, Solangel, Misses Bryant-Frost, Mister Bryant-Frost and of course the too adorable Faelan.”, Rose greeted eating the banana leaning on the counter. Merrick glanced over to her eating the banana and just shook his head leaning around her grabbing an apple. “You are cruel.”, he whispered before leaning away from her. “Morning guys. Thanks mom for getting Faelan. Needed the sleep.”, Merrick said walking over and kissing his mom’s cheek and then Faelan’s head who was finishing his bottle. “Oh I bet….”, David coughed to be elbowed by Aislinn. Rose covered her mouth to hide a laugh.

“Soooo, mom. Post anything interesting on Facebook???”, Merrick asked taking a bite of his apple. Kim smiled and shrugged moving Faelan to her shoulder for burping. “Maybe why?”, Kim asked casually. “Oh no reason other than my phone has been blowing up with people liking and commenting on a photo you tagged me in. Plus all the text messages I’ve been getting many from people who shouldn’t even have my number.”, Merrick said keeping his eyes on his mother. Kim shrugged. “Oh like who? What have they been saying?”, Christian asked. “Well for one I’d like to know how Blaire Delaney and her boyfriend Tristan Whitland got my phone number to text me. Way too early in the morning to be called ‘f-ing hot’, minus the sensor, by Tristan.”, Merrick said with a shudder. Solangel was the first to break out laughing. “Not funny Solangel.”, Merrick glared. Rose finished her banana and went over to Kim. “I’ll take Faelan so you can eat Misses Bryant-Frost.”, she offered. “And Merrick it’s not Tristan calling you hot that’s funny, your shudder is what makes it funny.”, she added. Kim raised an eyebrow and looked past Rose to Merrick who was still eating his apple when Rose asked to take the baby. Merrick kept eating his apple but gave his mom a nod. This got a shock look from the whole table as Kim handed Faelan to Rose. “Hey there pup. Good morning handsome boy.”, she cooed kissing Faelan’s nose which instantly wrinkled and twitched getting Rose to laugh. “Father like son.”, Rose murmured. Faelan wiggled a little in Rose’s arms changing to ocelot with a small meow. “Awww he’s just as cute as a kitten as he is a puppy and baby. So what’s the connections to his transformations?”, Rose asked looking to Merrick. “Human he’s hungry, needs a diaper or wants to play. Wolf pup he’s tired or wants to play. Ocelot kitten he’s cranky or wants to play. By the meow I’d say he wants to play.”, Merrick explained. “Oh well...come on Faelan I remember seeing a toy box last night let’s play.”, Rose said carrying Faelan out of the room to play.

Merrick leaned slightly eating his apple watching her leave to then look back at the table everyone watching him. “What?”, he questioned. “So...what’s going on here?”, Christian asked. “You’re the telepath you tell me dad.”, Merrick said tossing the apple core into the compost bin. “You know I would never use my powers on you, son. And I don’t really need them to know that look.”, Christian stated. “What look?”, Merrick asked innocently. David laughed. “Um the Bryant look kid. Same one I get looking at Aislinn, Landon gets looking at Rachel, Cora Lee gets looking at Malcolm, Lily gets looking at Tommy, and your mom gets looking at your dad.”, David explained. Merrick shrugged. “I’m going to the living room to play with my son.”, Merrick said avoiding answering and ducking out to the living room. “Alright so that was awkward. “, he laughed getting on the floor picking up a ribbon to help play with Faelan. “Indeed. So why did I get the looks when I asked to take him?”, Rose asked moving her hand around while kitten Faelan tried to chase her fingers. “Because I don’t let anyone hold him. My parents, Solangel and Aislinn are the only exceptions and well now you.”, Merrick explained. Rose blinked not even noticing that her hand stopped moving till she felt the sharp tiny teeth of the kitten. “Ow..”, she said pulling her hand back. “Wait so you don’t trust even say Zoe to hold him?”, Rose questioned. Merrick raised an eyebrow at the question and reached over taking the hand Faelan had bitten and kissed the finger even though her healing had already resolved the tiny bite. “No I don’t let Zoe hold him. That make a difference somehow?”, Merrick asked. Rose smiled softly, it did actually. Her concerns last night and even this morning in regards to how close he might be with Zoe were erased when she had it confirmed Zoe didn’t get to hold Faelan but she’d been trusted to.

“So where are you staying?”, Merrick asked as they played with Faelan who changed to wolf. “Over at the Tides they gave me the same room as last year. Though they seemed a little scared when I checked in after the damage we caused last summer.”, Rose answered with a smirk. Merrick chuckled recalling some of the nights they had last summer at her hotel room. “Well if you want to skip the cost of damages….”, Merrick started to say. Rose tilted her head as she rubbed Faelan’s belly. “Hmm?”, she asked. “You could just stay here with m..I mean us.”, Merrick quickly correcting himself to include Faelan. “Stay here? With you? You mean that?”, she asked a little taken back by the offer. Merrick shrugged. “With the pup and such I’m generally here with him or working. So if I stand a chance of spending time with you while you’re here you staying at the Haven is my best bet.”, he admitted. “I would like that. Last night was rather nice. Beats spending the money on a hotel.”, she agreed. “So if you don’t think it will be a problem with the others…”, she said nodding to the kitchen. “I wouldn’t mind staying here with Faelan and you. Do you have to work today?”, she asked. “Yeah I’ve gotta head to work actually soon then I’ve got an order to build at the Aonair Mac Tíre. But I’m free tonight.”, Merrick sighed looking at the time.

“Well I still need to go check out at the hotel and get my stuff and visit my family. Think it’d be alright if I maybe took Faelan with me to mom and dad’s this afternoon while you’re at work?”, Rose asked glancing up to Merrick from Faelan. Merrick furrowed his brow. “You want to take my pup to your parents?”, he asked. “Yes. Come on my mom would flip over Faelan. A little wolf puppy…you don’t get more momma wolf than my mom. And this way gives the others time off from babysitting. So tonight they might be more willing to watch him and we can go out.”, she suggested. Merrick sighed. “Alright fine. But he’s not going on your motorcycle. You can use my car since you know how to drive stick.”, Merrick agreed picking Faelan up and standing up. Rose smirked, being trusted to take Faelan and his car. Merrick headed to the kitchen. “Hey you guys care if Rose stays here during her visit?”, Merrick asked. “Stay here? That’s fine the Haven is always open to Rose after all.”, David commented. “Alright. So mom, favor.”, Merrick said looking to his mother. “What is it? And give me my grandson I know you need to go to work so I’ll watch him.”, Kim asked holding her arms out to take Faelan. “Well actually…”, Merrick said handing Faelan over. “Just need you to watch him for a little bit. Rose is going to drop me off at work to keep my car. She wanted to spend some time with Faelan so he’ll be with her most of the day. But the favor is tonight do you mind watching him so Rose and I could go somewhere baby free?”, Merrick asked. All six adults coughed in shock. “Um...sure sweetheart. I’ll watch him tonight so you two can go out.”, Kim nodded. “Thanks mom.”, Merrick said before leaving the Haven with Rose.

“Did that just happen? Not only is Rose allowed to hold him, but she’s going to be staying here and she’s getting to take the GTO and Faelan for the afternoon? If that doesn’t say he’s serious about her I don’t know what does.”, Kim said in disbelief shaking her head. “Yes well he better just come out and say it to her this time.”, Jacob said. David nodded. “I agree. He should just come out and say it to her. Because she won’t believe it till she hears it.”, David commented. “My son isn’t like yours he can't generally put into words what he’s feeling.”, Kim sighed. “He’ll find the words when he wants them. You can’t rush him. If Rose feels the same and knows him as well as I think she does, she will know his unspoken feelings by his actions. After all doesn't the saying go ‘actions speak louder than words’?”, Christian stated. Solangel sighed. “He needs to speak up before it’s too late though. I don’t want to see my Rosie get hurt again.”, Solangel said getting up to clear her plate. “And none of us want see Merrick get hurt again either. We all remember the last time he let himself love a woman.”, Aislinn said. The nodded in agreement. Both Rose and Merrick had been burned by love. Which was probably why both seemed reluctant to admit what they all saw in that picture Kim took and this morning.

It’d been an odd homecoming for Rose. Within hours of landing she’d found out Merrick had a child, she was changing from staying at the hotel which gave her personal space to staying with him at the Haven, and now she was being trusted to drive his previous GTO and take his newborn for the afternoon. She didn’t want to read into any of it, but she couldn’t help it. She knew what his car means to him, what his personal space means, and certainly what his child means to him. And she was being let in and trusted with all of it. As she checked out of the hotel and was driving back to the Haven in the GTO many thoughts kept running through her mind. All these signs pointed to that he might love her, though he never said the words. As she thought about the idea of him loving her, she smiled because she knew but didn’t want to admit she might have fallen in love with him years ago. As she parked she frowned a little a thought crossing her mind. “Being together isn’t possible. He has his son, his family, his business his life all here. And I have my classes and my team back in Cambridge. I can’t abandon them and he can’t just leave all this for me. And the whole I’m not going to age and he will. With Zoe he’d have someone here to grow old with him…”, Rose sighed leaning her head against the steering wheel. “Maybe staying here and letting myself get closer to him and get close to Faelan is a bad idea…”, she groaned. She snapped out of it hearing a tapping on the window. She looked out the window and saw Kim standing there holding baby Faelan.

Rose reached turned off the engine and got out. “Sorry Misses Bryant-Frost just having a…”, Rose tried to explain. Kim raised an eyebrow. “A moment of doubt? Yeah doesn’t take a telepath to know that Rose. And you know you can call me Kim. You get all checked out of your hotel?”, she asked shifting Faelan in her arms. Rose raised an eyebrow. “How do you know? And um yeah they were rather happy to be rid of me after last year…”, Rose said cutting herself off quickly leaning into the back getting out her suitcase. “Because we’ve all had doubts about things. Which love and relationships are generally up there on the list of things people will doubt. Don’t forget I detested my husband when I first met him. And then I became a single mom to triplets, one who was kidnapped from me. But Christian was there not batting an eyelash or backing away slowly or running as fast as his legs could carry him which would have been justifiable under the circumstances. I had lots of doubts. Doubts that I should let him in, doubts about letting him close to my children. But like my son is doing now I didn’t let the doubts stop me and I let Christian in and trusted him with not just my heart but my children’s, no matter the cost. I’ve found that If you want something bad enough you make it happen. Now come on inside I’ll get Faelan packed up for whatever adventure you have planned.”, Kim suggested nodding to the house. Rose wanted to counter to say that the situation between her and Merrick was different than her and Christian but really how different was it. Merrick was in his mother’s shoes being the single parent who had to decide if they let someone close to them and their child while she was in Christian’s wanting to get close but always second guessing if it would be right for all involved. Rose nodded and followed Kim and Faelan inside.

“Thanks for the help Mis…. Kim”, Rose corrected herself. “I’m supposed to go see my parents so I’m going to take Faelan with me. I figure my mom will go gaga over a wolf puppy.”, Rose explained. Kim stopped and looked down at her only grandchild and then back at the daughter of two people who in a past life, or so it felt, she’d wronged deeply. “You are taking my grandson to meet your parents?”, Kim questioned. Rose nodded. “Yeah. I’m kind of hoping his cuteness factor will distract them from the whole being around your son. I am certain the whole animosity of what happened between you and my parents has died down, but I know that with some of Merrick’s actions growing up and general tendency of being promiscuous my parents don’t really see him in a favorable light.”, Rose admitted. Kim nodded. “Yes well… Merrick’s a better man than many including him give credit.”, Kim sighed heading up the stairs to get Faelan’s diaper bag packed. Rose nodded in agreement carrying her suitcase up to Merrick’s room setting it onto the bed. She leaned in Faelan’s nursery doorway looking around at the mural and furniture. “He really went all out with this nursery.”, Rose commented. Kim nodded. “Yes he did. He put so much into making the furniture. The walls he took a photo at the place he plans to build his sanctuary and got his artist friend Zoe and her mother Isadora DeLuca Petridis to paint the walls and ceiling based on the photo. He even got the mother/daughter duo to sign the wall.”, Kim said putting Faelan into his car seat. Rose blinked as she was told Zoe and her mother had painted the walls. “They are excellent artists. So Merrick is very close to Zoe.”, she commented. Kim shrugged a little counting bottles and getting three with water into the bag along with a can of formula. “Yes I suppose they are. She’s a nice enough girl, but neither have the illusion they’d be more than they are. Well Faelan is all packed.”, Kim said offering the diaper bag. “Thanks again Mis…Kim.”, Rose said again forcing herself to not be formal taking the bag. Kim nodded and then handed her the car seat. “Now Faelan you be a good boy.”, Kim said giving him a kiss on the forehead. “I’m sure he will be. We’ll see you later.”, Rose said heading out.

Rose sighed as she pulled in outside the Wolverine Pub that her parents lived above and looked into the back and the rear facing car seat. “Well Faelan this is going to be interesting. You are going to meet my parents. They don’t know that your daddy and I have been friends let alone more than that. Kind of hope you soften that blow with your cuteness.”, she laughed a little. “You don’t understand a word I’m saying. But tell you things is at least making me feel better.”, she admitted getting out and shouldering the diaper bag then holding the car seat in her left hand as she headed up the stairs. Logan and Aurelia had expected her, but as they heard the door downstairs open an unfamiliar scent mixed with Rose’s scent came up from the stairs. “Rose is here, but with who?”, Logan questioned turning his attention to the door. Rose didn’t bother with knocking and just walked in carrying the car seat getting a look of utter confusion from both her parents. “Hi mom. Hi dad. Hope you don’t mind I brought a ‘date’. Meet Faelan Christian Bryant-Frost.”, Rose said with a smile placing the car seat onto the coffee table as she walked into the living room area. Aurelia looked to Logan who was looking back at her. “Faelan? Bryant-Frost?”, Aurelia repeated knowing the name was Gaelic and meant little wolf. Logan looked at his daughter from his seat on the couch in a mix of confusion and shock. “You’ve been in town since last night and you’ve already been to the Haven and are now going around town with Merrick’s child?”, Logan asked. If not for his healing he was certain he was on the verge of a heart attack. “Um yeah. I stopped by the Haven last night and got to meet this little cutie and well Merrick is at work and he said I could watch Faelan.”, Rose shrugged like it was nothing. Aurelia looked from Logan to the baby and then to Rose. She took a sniff and tilted her head to the side. “And what spent the night at the Haven too?”, she asked suddenly the question Alex called to ask hitting her. “Are you dating Merrick?”, Aurelia questioned.

And now Logan was sure heart failure was going to happen. “What? No. No I’m not dating Merrick. We just…well we’ve…”, Rose searched for the words to explain what her and Merrick where these last four years. “Sleeping together?”, Logan found the words though they let an odd sour taste in his mouth to say. He knew enough about Merrick to know yes he wasn’t all bad but he was promiscuous not exactly top choice in his mind for his little girl. Rose shrugged now was as good as a time to be honest. “Yes, though it’s more than that. We’re friends.”, Rose said clearly not wanting to act like she was ashamed of it. “Uh huh. My understanding is that boy doesn’t let anyone but his parents and Aislinn and Solangel hold that baby let alone go anywhere alone with him. Which how did you get him here? I didn’t hear the motorcycle.”, Logan questioned. “He trusts me that’s all. Nothing major about it. And the motorcycle is at the Haven. Merrick is letting me drive the GTO while he’s at work since it’s got the car seat base.”, Rose said. Faelan let out a small woof having had enough of being in the car seat and wanting to play as he changed to wolf and started gnawing at the straps wanting to escape. Aurelia blinked distracted looking at the dark brown wolf puppy that had taken the place of the cherub cheeked brown eyes human baby. Aurelia tried to fight her initial instinct which was to turn wolf herself to nuzzle and play with the puppy. Even Logan found himself distracted by the transformation. Rose tried to not laugh mentally thankful hat Faelan was filling his role of distraction. She took him out of the car seat and nuzzled him.

“Alright pup I know you want to play. He also has an ocelot form too. Merrick said he generally is wolf when he’s ready to nap or when ready to play.”, Rose explained and looked seeing the wagging of Faelan’s little tail. “And my guess he wants to play. Probably smells you mom and knows you are like him and Merrick.”, Rose added. Logan got up from the couch and walked over and leaned a little looking at the puppy. He glanced up at the smile on his daughter’s face, he’d seen a smile like that before. When Aurelia met Hudson and basically instantly fell in love with his youngest son. “Alright so he’s cute, all pups are.”, Logan commented. Faelan wiggled in Rose’s arms and sniffed Logan before licking Logan on the nose. Rose and Aurelia both laughed as Logan’s nose twitched and he tried to not smile. “Go ahead mom. You know you want to.”, Rose said setting Faelan down on the floor. She knew her mom loved being in wolf form and suspected part of her was always sad she’d not gotten the ability to transform like her. Aurelia looked uncertain if she should and glanced to Logan. Logan shrugged. “Go ahead pup you know you want to.”, he said with a sigh. Aurelia smiled a little before changing to a red dire wolf. Faelan stayed by Rose’s feet at first before very cautiously moving closer to the wolf. She wasn’t his dad sight and smell told him that. So he moved closer and sniffed to know it was still the woman he’d seen and when he realized it was he gave a playful nip at her and ran wanting to play. Aurelia followed after him being careful since he was only eight weeks old. Rose moved to sit down on the sofa and took of her phone and snapping a picture of her mother playing with Faelan sending it to Merrick with a message ‘Well mom seems like him and vice versa.’.

Logan sighed and sat down next to his youngest. “You realize a cute puppy only distracts her from this not me.”, Logan stated. Rose nodded putting her phone away. “How long?”, Logan asked. “Four years. It started out just physical and then we became friends.”, Rose answered with a shrug. Logan sighed shaking his head knowing that four years meant she was sixteen when this started. “Uh huh and now he trusts and cars enough about you to let you borrow his car and take his son out.”, Logan stated. “It’s just friends dad. We are no strings after all.”, Rose tried to counter. “You should know how that goes.”, she added. “After all how many lovers have you had dad?”, Rose questioned. Logan rolled his eyes not feeling like counting. “I didn’t keep a tally. But what I do know is that I never let a lover around my children if there wasn’t something more between me and them. I’m protective of my children like that.”, Logan stated. “Good dads are, and you are a good dad.”, Rose said giving her dad a side hug. “You aren’t distracting me or changing the subject kiddo. You can pretend all you like that there no strings and there’s nothing happening but as a man who was a single father and as you kindly pointed out got around I know what’s between the lines of him letting you be around Faelan like this. And I know that look you have when you were holding him.”, Logan stated. Rose blinked. “What look?”, she questioned. “The same look your mother got when we were first together and she met Hudson and he stole her heart.”, he answered. Rose sighed and looked over to her mother playing on the floor with Faelan both in wolf form. “It doesn’t matter dad. I’ve got medical school to finish and Excalibur to run and Merrick has his family here, his son and then his business. I just… I guess I look at Faelan like that because I don’t think I can ever have children.”, Rose explained. Logan frowned. “Rose nothing is impossible. You’d be surprised what amount of distance and adversity people will overcome for the right person.”, Logan stated. Rose nodded silently and just sat there with her dad the two watching as Aurelia played with Faelan.

Merrick knew he should have felt anxious letting Rose drive his car and terrified letting her take Faelan anywhere much less to see her family. He knew that it sent a message to her parents about how close they were. He found himself laughing at the pictures she was sending him during her visit with her parents, her mother in wolf form playing with Faelan and then pictures of her holding Faelan. They were distractingly adorable together in the pictures. He had ran from the Wal-Mart to his shop taking back wooded ways as he ran in wolf form. He wasn’t surprise that when he got to his shop Zoe was sitting on the steps. He changed out of wolf form knowing she was the only one around. She smiled shaking her head at him. “What?”, he questioned moving past her to unlock the old Haven. “Oh nothing…so where’s your car?”, Zoe asked following him into the house. “Rose has it.”, he said heading down to the basement and picking up a plank of hickory for his project. Zoe blinked and started to laugh following him downstairs. “Oh boy. I even look at the steering wheel I get my hand slapped.”, she teased. Merrick rolled his eyes pulling down his goggles as he ran the hickory through the saw and held up the smaller piece at her. “You got a point hellraiser or looking for me to spank you with this?”, Merrick asked with a smirk. “Ooo spanking threats? My point is you don’t trust basically anyone but your parents behind the wheel of that car. And without batting an eyelash Rose gets the keys? Guess I’m just saying it’s good to know that me and Nana were right about Rose and that she wouldn’t run away over Faelan and that you’re in denial about how much she means to you. After all they say a picture is worth a thousand words…”, Zoe teased leaning against the wall. Merrick shook his head setting the wood down taking the piece he wanted over to his work table and setting it down before turning his attention to Zoe putting a hand on either side of her so she was kind of trapped.

“Do… not… start with me about that picture my mother posted. Understood hellraiser?”, he said slowly leaning rather close to her. Zoe took a breath feeling her heart race a little as he leaned in so close. She knew he wasn’t going to do anything. No Rose was back which meant she was friend zone. Part of her was upset by that but it was a small part she primarily was happy for him. She knew what Rose means to him even if he doesn’t say it. “Whatever you say. So anyway you let Rose take your car. Why?”, Zoe asked . Merrick locked his eyes on hers and for half a moment when he heard her heart racing in her chest he thought about leaning in the rest of the way and kissing her and more against the wall but he was able to easily push the urge aside at the thought of Rose. So instead he pulled away and went back to his work bench to work on building a storage bench someone had ordered. “She’s got my car because she has Faelan with her and I wasn’t going to let her put his car seat on her motorcycle even if it had room.”, he explained starting to hammer pieces together. Zoe coughed a little. “Wait…she has Faelan? Like completely alone unsupervised you let her take your eight week old precious son?”, Zoe asked in almost disbelief. Merrick glanced over at her. “Yes. What of it? I trust Rose. And I don’t know…something about last night with her….”, he tried to explain shaking his head. Zoe moved closer grabbing a chair and sitting down backwards in it looking up at him. “Come on tell me. We are best friends after all. I’m the one you’re supposed to be able to say anything to.”, she encouraged.

“I know we are best friends and I should be able to just tell you anything. Cause I’ve always told you everything this past year knowing you. But I dunno if I can talk about it with you. When we started fooling around…”, Merrick said with a sigh still putting the bench together. “You didn’t think you’d see Rose again. And now that you’ve seen her and you know that Faelan doesn’t make her want to run from you… you think talking to me about her is weird?”, Zoe offered. Merrick nodded. “Yeah. Because well I…”, Merrick searched for the right words. “You have feelings for me beyond friends and figure that since they aren’t as strong as what you feel for Rose I’ll get weird or upset?”, Zoe suggested. Merrick laughed. “For someone who’s not a telepath….stay the fuck outta my head.”, he said shaking his head. “Look Merrick I told you before nothing’s changed for me. You are still my best friend and I’m not going to be all butt hurt about you loving Rose. I knew you were in love with her last summer and was well aware of it the whole time since. So it’s alright. We are still best friends so talk to me. What happened last night?”, Zoe asked trying to assure him that she wasn’t going to be weird about things. Merrick nodded. “She stayed the night with me.”, Merrick said. “Ooo for someone how got laid you’d think you’d be in a less grumpy mood.”, she teased. “Fuck you…”, Merrick said shaking his head. “Oh I would if I could but you have rules and love someone else handsome.”, Zoe teased. Merrick rolled his eyes. “We didn’t have sex or do anything last night. I haven’t bought condoms in ten months and she didn’t have any with her so sex was out of the question. Instead we just laid there in bed together. Like you and I have on nights I’ve stayed with you but we didn’t do anything physical. But it was different… God I don’t know what the fuck I’m saying.”, Merrick sighed picking up his electric drill and screwing in the piano hinges on the top.

Zoe sighed smiling a little thinking of the nights spent just cuddled close to him in the bed he’d built her. She had enjoyed those nights especially during the cold New York winter having her own little furnace to cuddle into. “It was different because it’s Rose. Because you love her.”, Zoe stated. “And beyond how it felt to just hold her during the night it was how she was with Faelan. After that picture mom posted we woke up to Faelan crying in human form. She didn’t know my protective rules about him and without question just picked him up off me and cradled him in her arms and spoke sweetly to him giving him the love that Jenna never would. Showing no fear of what he is. And when I went to sit up I thought about saying something but then I looked at them. At her cradling my newborn son in her arms and I couldn’t think to yell or ask her to give him back. They just…”, Merrick sighed closing the top to the storage bench. “They fit. It’s alright to think that way Merrick. I know when it all happened you wished it was Rose you’d gotten pregnant. So it’s natural and okay that seeing the woman you want children with holding your child for it to feel right. You need to tell her that though. To tell her how you feel about her. And I mean if you can’t find the words show her somehow. I mean she should be smart enough to see the writing on the wall of you letting her drive your car and not just hold your son but take him for the afternoon alone.”, Zoe encouraged. Merrick sighed. “I just I don’t think I can say it. She’s going to leave at the end of the month. She’s got her team and school over there and I’ve got Faelan here. I can’t make her choose. But it kills me because unlike Jenna who tried to trap me with having a baby Rose could. Rose could trap me because I’d willingly step into the trap.”, Merrick admitted leaning against his work table. “So tell her that.”, Zoe said getting up. She leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Lock it down or remember nana will beat you with the cane.”, she teased. “I gotta head to an audition.”, she said. Merrick sighed and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Good luck hellraiser.”, he said. “You too.”, she said with a wave leaving.

As Zoe walked out of the old Haven she stopped seeing the GTO had pulled into the driveway and watched as Rose got out slinging the diaper bag over her shoulder and then reached into the back taking the car seat out carefully. Rose hadn’t noticed Zoe at first being careful with Faelan as he’d fallen asleep and was now in wolf form in the seat. Rose blinked a little startled as she turned and saw the white haired girl standing on the sidewalk. “Um..hi Zoe. Visiting Merrick at work?”, Rose asked trying to be casual and not ask what kind of ‘visit’ it had been. “Hi Rose. Nice to see you again. Yeah just wanted to bust his chops a little in person about the picture. You two still make a cute couple.”, Zoe explained. Rose nodded. “Um thanks though we aren’t really a couple.”, Rose said. “Right…”, Zoe said rolling her eyes walking over and looking into the car seat. Rose raised an eyebrow watching Zoe. She could see the soft loving looking on Zoe’s face as she looked at the sleeping pup. “They are both amazing guys and deserve someone who can love them the way they need and want to be.”, Zoe commented giving the sleeping Faelan a soft kiss on the head. “Well was nice to see you again Rose. I need to head to my audition.”, She said with a wave and a smile walking away. Rose watched her walk away the last commented about Faelan and Merrick deserving someone who can love them as they need and want to be rolling around in her head. Though at least Zoe coming so close it was at least clear by scent that Merrick and her had not done anything.

Rose carried Faelan car seat and all into the old Haven and down to the basement where she could smell Merrick was. Merrick heard the creaks in the floorboards upstairs and put down his hammer and walked to the stairs about to head up but found himself looking up at Rose and Faelan. He smiled taking the car seat from her and carrying Faelan down setting him on the work table. “I see you tuckered him out at your parents.”, Merrick whispered turning to Rose who was setting the diaper bag down. “Yeah him and mom had a lot of fun.”, she whispered. Looking at her he had the urge to just kiss her. “So um I saw…”, Rose started to speak but found herself cut off as Merrick kissed her giving into the urge. With Faelan safe on the table and sound asleep Merrick hadn’t given a second thought when he leaned in and kissed Rose backing her up to the wall as he tongue slipped into her parted mouth as he’d stopped her midsentence. Rose blinked a little at the sudden kiss and finding herself in an all too familiar position pressed between him and a wall, but as he held the kiss and his tongue went to mingle with hers she gave in and kissed back. It was only the small puppy yawn as Faelan dreamed that caused Merrick to pull back from the kiss. Rose smiled running her tongue along her bottom lip. “Hi to you too…”, she said with a soft laugh. Merrick smirked. “Sorry, not sorry. Just really wanted to do that, and if my son wasn’t in the room a lot more.”, Merrick stated. “Oh really…that mean you picked something up before leaving your other job?”, Rose teased. “Yes. So what did you see? You were saying something before I cut you off.”, Merrick said taking a step back and starting to pick up around the workshop since he’d finished the piece he was working on.

“Oh was just going to say saw Zoe on my way in.”, Rose commented having finally collected her thoughts. “Yeah she stopped by. Apparently couldn’t miss an opportunity to pick on me about the picture of us in person. We had a good chat and then she had to head to her audition. I’m sure she’ll text later to say if she got the part or not. She’ll of course call to tell Nana.”, Merrick said not even thinking twice about how it could appear. “So Zoe is just a friend again? Is that because I’m in town?”, she inquired. “Like I said we fooled around before Faelan was born. I haven’t done anything with her since he was born. So last night when we talked about it’s been ten months since I’ve had sex well add to that it’s been two months since I’ve done anything with a woman. Which might explain the whole out of blue kissing you and resisting the urge to screw your brains out against the wall over there.”, Merrick explained. Rose smiled a little she had to admit it took very little imagination to know what it would be like for him to have taken her against the wall like that, he’d done similar at the old XC castle over the years. “You about finish here? We can take the baby back to the Haven and go out to wherever.”, Rose suggested. Merrick nodded. “Yup just putting things away then we can go. I’ve got somewhere I want to take you tonight”, Merrick said putting away his tools. Rose smiled. “Alright well let’s go then.”, she said picking up the car seat with the still sleeping Faelan. Merrick did a quick check before heading out with her and Faelan taking Faelan back to the Haven. Merrick grabbed a quick shower and changed his clothes before going out with Rose leaving Faelan in the care of his parents who along with the rest of the house were wondering exactly what might happen between the pair.

Despite numerous chances and perfect moments neither Rose or Merrick told the other how they felt during the month she spent at the Haven. It was enough to drive the residents of the Haven along with their collected family and friends insane. Even Rose’s cousin Jimmy saw how they were together when he hung out with Sebastian at the Haven. But instead of saying how they felt or either of them asking the other to be more than they were they instead spent the month together with Faelan. For Faelan is was a month of basically having two parents, two people who loved him and took care of him. He didn’t understand that Rose was going to leave and no one really seemed to question what kind of impact it would have on him when she did leave as he was still young they figured it wouldn’t have too much of an impact. But when the time came and she left he moped and kept sniffing around trying to find her. Merrick felt rather terrible for letting his son get so close just for her to leave them.

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It was late in the morning when Merrick stirred. “Where’s Faelan….”, Merrick muttered half awake his immediate concern being Faelan. Rose grumbled at him opening her eyes. “Isn’t he in his nursery?”, she asked sleepily. Merrick blinked a little and looked at her before smiling remembering that she’d stayed the night. He then listen and sniffed the air. “No he’s not in his room...mom has him downstairs with the rest of the house. Well minus Sebastian who’s at your Uncle’s hanging out with Jimmy. Very weird that my little brother has become best friends with your little cousin. Wonder why mom got him. She is usually willing to help when I have to go to work but I always get up during the night with him.”, Merrick said wondering. She smiled a little and kissed his chin. “You are a good dad, maybe your mom figured you needed a night off and some rest. She knows how tiring children can be she’s had five of them and three at once.”, Rose offered. “Maybe. Though now that they are all awake before us it’s going to be interesting having to explain you being here.”, Merrick said rolling to his back taking her with him. She laughed a little shaking her head as she ended up on top of him. “Guess saying just friends like last year won’t really be accepted, huh?”, she pondered running a hand over his hair while placing another to brace herself on his left shoulder. He smiled and purred a little as she ran her hand through his hair. “I suppose not. Though we are friends just with added benefits.”, he agreed giving her a quick kiss pulling back as he noticed his phone buzzing on his nightstand. He groaned and grabbed the phone.

Rose laughed and sat up not bothering to move off him as she stretched and watched him check his phone. “Comfortable?”, he teased bringing up his missed messages. “Yes. Are you?”, she teased back moving a little on him. Merrick groaned at the movement. “Not fair I still need to go to a store. Now let’s see what messages I missed.”, he said looking. “Oh god...I’m going to kill my mom.”, he said looking at a facebook notification of being tagged in a photo. “Why?”, Rose asked. He turned his phone to show the picture. “That would be why. Not only is my mother aware you stayed here with me, but so does anyone that follows her including your friends and mine. Which let’s see the comments. Zoe said ‘About Time’ and Demitri said ‘Knew It’. I think everyone we know as liked this picture. Oh crap Lily shared it.”, Merrick groaned closing the app and switching to his missed texts. Rose blinked looking at all the likes . “Let’s see missed texts. Nana Hazel ‘Lock that down before she leaves or I’ll beat you with my cane.’ Thanks Nana. Zoe ‘Nana says lock Rose down or she’ll beat you with her cane and fyi I’ll hold you still so she can.’. Great best friend she is. Malcolm ‘sooo….it official yet or you dragging feet?’. Landon ‘you two look good together’. Rachel ‘awwww you three are tooo adorable’. Lily ‘so are you dating her or not?’. Thomas ‘about time man.’. Ashley, how the hell does she have my number? But she says ‘Aw you two are adorable and give Faelan kisses for me he is sooo cute.’. Blaire, okay seriously who’s giving out my number, says ‘OMG the cuteness!’. Tristan...okay what the fuck how does he have my number. ‘Good for you both. You’re fucking hot and she’s damn fine.’. And I’m officially creeped out.”, Merrick said tossing the phone back to his nightstand running his hands over his face.

Rose chuckled listening to him repeat the text messages he’d received and blinked a couple times as most were from her friends. She had to admit she found it a little odd that Zoe was pro her. She wasn’t sure if the situation was flipped how she’d feel about people suggesting Merrick be serious about Zoe. “Wow. Guess the peanut gallery has voiced their opinions on the situation. So Misses Frost and Zoe talk often?”, she questioned casually tracing the lines of the tattoo on his chest. Merrick smirked bringing his hands down from his face to grasp her hips. “Apparently every Sunday after mass. Why?”, he answered rubbing at her hips. “I just thought I’d ask since in Zoe’s text she just referred to Misses Frost as Nana. It’s a rather personal way to refer to the great grandmother of someone you fool around with and are friends with.”, Rose said. Merrick chuckled shaking his head. “Are you jealous? That Zoe is close to my nana?”, he asked. “No. Why would I need to be jealous? I think it’s nice that Misses Frost is close to your friend.”, Rose said trying to play it off that it didn’t bother her. Merrick sighed and sat up kissing at her chest along her bra. “Please stop calling her Misses Frost. She’d go into some long tangent if she heard you calling her that. She told Zoe to call her Nana or Nana Hazel and she’d tell you the same thing. My Nana adores you and you know it.”, he said. “Well she did drive all the way from Boston when I was home last summer and sought me out just to talk to me.”, she sighed.

“See. And you want to know just how much she adores you? I mean beyond the whole telling me to ‘lock down’.”, he offered. “Oh enlighten me….”, Rose encouraged. “The day I was told about Faelan, Nana called after the bomb was dropped on my parents and dad handed me the phone so I had to tell her right then and there. Her reaction was surprising.”, Merrick explained. “She yell and scream because that wouldn’t be surprising.”, she teased. “No she was happy.”, he stated. Rose blinked in confusion. “She thought it was you. She went into a tangent about asking if you were coming home to have the baby or if I was going there.”, Merrick explained. Rose was a bit taken back by that lightly placing a hand over her stomach thinking about the idea of what if it had been her. “She didn’t start yelling at me till I told her it wasn’t with you. She demanded to know the name of the harlot, yup she called Jenna a harlot it was kind of funny. And then wanted to know what I was going to tell you and then told me that if I called again to say I knocked up, started dating, or was getting married to someone she’d only accept one of two names. First and obviously her preferred choice based on her reaction is you.”, he explained. Rose laughed a little there was a part of her that liked the idea that his nana thought so much of her that she would approve of her being the mother to her great great grandchild, but she also had an idea of who the other name was she'd have approved of too. “We should go face the music downstairs.”, she suggested getting off him.

Merrick sighed but nodded getting out of bed. Rose got dressed in what she’d worn the day before and watched him getting dressed smirking a little seeing his wardrobe contained more items that fit him proper. “What?”, he asked pulling on a green polo. “Nothing just...in the time I’ve been gone you’ve had a child and apparently updated your wardrobe to clothes that fit. Why you hid behind baggy clothes all those years I’ll never understand.”, she commented shaking her head. Merrick rolled his eyes. “I think I’ve heard something like that before…”, he said thinking back remembering the day he was told Jenna was pregnant Karli had made a comment about him wearing clothes that fit. “Well it’s true you are an attractive guy and clothes that fit just make the view that much better.”, she commented giving him a kiss on the cheek before walking out of the room. Merrick shook his head following her downstairs both getting looked at by the six adults sitting at the kitchen table as they walked in. “Gooood morning Merrick. Goood morning Rose…”, David greeted in a sing song happy tune. Rose laughed shaking her head and just grabbed a banana from the vegan counter. “Morning David, Aislinn, Jacob, Solangel, Misses Bryant-Frost, Mister Bryant-Frost and of course the too adorable Faelan.”, Rose greeted eating the banana leaning on the counter. Merrick glanced over to her eating the banana and just shook his head leaning around her grabbing an apple. “You are cruel.”, he whispered before leaning away from her. “Morning guys. Thanks mom for getting Faelan. Needed the sleep.”, Merrick said walking over and kissing his mom’s cheek and then Faelan’s head who was finishing his bottle. “Oh I bet….”, David coughed to be elbowed by Aislinn. Rose covered her mouth to hide a laugh.

“Soooo, mom. Post anything interesting on Facebook???”, Merrick asked taking a bite of his apple. Kim smiled and shrugged moving Faelan to her shoulder for burping. “Maybe why?”, Kim asked casually. “Oh no reason other than my phone has been blowing up with people liking and commenting on a photo you tagged me in. Plus all the text messages I’ve been getting many from people who shouldn’t even have my number.”, Merrick said keeping his eyes on his mother. Kim shrugged. “Oh like who? What have they been saying?”, Christian asked. “Well for one I’d like to know how Blaire Delaney and her boyfriend Tristan Whitland got my phone number to text me. Way too early in the morning to be called ‘f-ing hot’, minus the sensor, by Tristan.”, Merrick said with a shudder. Solangel was the first to break out laughing. “Not funny Solangel.”, Merrick glared. Rose finished her banana and went over to Kim. “I’ll take Faelan so you can eat Misses Bryant-Frost.”, she offered. “And Merrick it’s not Tristan calling you hot that’s funny, your shudder is what makes it funny.”, she added. Kim raised an eyebrow and looked past Rose to Merrick who was still eating his apple when Rose asked to take the baby. Merrick kept eating his apple but gave his mom a nod. This got a shock look from the whole table as Kim handed Faelan to Rose. “Hey there pup. Good morning handsome boy.”, she cooed kissing Faelan’s nose which instantly wrinkled and twitched getting Rose to laugh. “Father like son.”, Rose murmured. Faelan wiggled a little in Rose’s arms changing to ocelot with a small meow. “Awww he’s just as cute as a kitten as he is a puppy and baby. So what’s the connections to his transformations?”, Rose asked looking to Merrick. “Human he’s hungry, needs a diaper or wants to play. Wolf pup he’s tired or wants to play. Ocelot kitten he’s cranky or wants to play. By the meow I’d say he wants to play.”, Merrick explained. “Oh well...come on Faelan I remember seeing a toy box last night let’s play.”, Rose said carrying Faelan out of the room to play.

Merrick leaned slightly eating his apple watching her leave to then look back at the table everyone watching him. “What?”, he questioned. “So...what’s going on here?”, Christian asked. “You’re the telepath you tell me dad.”, Merrick said tossing the apple core into the compost bin. “You know I would never use my powers on you, son. And I don’t really need them to know that look.”, Christian stated. “What look?”, Merrick asked innocently. David laughed. “Um the Bryant look kid. Same one I get looking at Aislinn, Landon gets looking at Rachel, Cora Lee gets looking at Malcolm, Lily gets looking at Tommy, and your mom gets looking at your dad.”, David explained. Merrick shrugged. “I’m going to the living room to play with my son.”, Merrick said avoiding answering and ducking out to the living room. “Alright so that was awkward. “, he laughed getting on the floor picking up a ribbon to help play with Faelan. “Indeed. So why did I get the looks when I asked to take him?”, Rose asked moving her hand around while kitten Faelan tried to chase her fingers. “Because I don’t let anyone hold him. My parents, Solangel and Aislinn are the only exceptions and well now you.”, Merrick explained. Rose blinked not even noticing that her hand stopped moving till she felt the sharp tiny teeth of the kitten. “Ow..”, she said pulling her hand back. “Wait so you don’t trust even say Zoe to hold him?”, Rose questioned. Merrick raised an eyebrow at the question and reached over taking the hand Faelan had bitten and kissed the finger even though her healing had already resolved the tiny bite. “No I don’t let Zoe hold him. That make a difference somehow?”, Merrick asked. Rose smiled softly, it did actually. Her concerns last night and even this morning in regards to how close he might be with Zoe were erased when she had it confirmed Zoe didn’t get to hold Faelan but she’d been trusted to.

“So where are you staying?”, Merrick asked as they played with Faelan who changed to wolf. “Over at the Tides they gave me the same room as last year. Though they seemed a little scared when I checked in after the damage we caused last summer.”, Rose answered with a smirk. Merrick chuckled recalling some of the nights they had last summer at her hotel room. “Well if you want to skip the cost of damages….”, Merrick started to say. Rose tilted her head as she rubbed Faelan’s belly. “Hmm?”, she asked. “You could just stay here with m..I mean us.”, Merrick quickly correcting himself to include Faelan. “Stay here? With you? You mean that?”, she asked a little taken back by the offer. Merrick shrugged. “With the pup and such I’m generally here with him or working. So if I stand a chance of spending time with you while you’re here you staying at the Haven is my best bet.”, he admitted. “I would like that. Last night was rather nice. Beats spending the money on a hotel.”, she agreed. “So if you don’t think it will be a problem with the others…”, she said nodding to the kitchen. “I wouldn’t mind staying here with Faelan and you. Do you have to work today?”, she asked. “Yeah I’ve gotta head to work actually soon then I’ve got an order to build at the Aonair Mac Tíre. But I’m free tonight.”, Merrick sighed looking at the time.

“Well I still need to go check out at the hotel and get my stuff and visit my family. Think it’d be alright if I maybe took Faelan with me to mom and dad’s this afternoon while you’re at work?”, Rose asked glancing up to Merrick from Faelan. Merrick furrowed his brow. “You want to take my pup to your parents?”, he asked. “Yes. Come on my mom would flip over Faelan. A little wolf puppy…you don’t get more momma wolf than my mom. And this way gives the others time off from babysitting. So tonight they might be more willing to watch him and we can go out.”, she suggested. Merrick sighed. “Alright fine. But he’s not going on your motorcycle. You can use my car since you know how to drive stick.”, Merrick agreed picking Faelan up and standing up. Rose smirked, being trusted to take Faelan and his car. Merrick headed to the kitchen. “Hey you guys care if Rose stays here during her visit?”, Merrick asked. “Stay here? That’s fine the Haven is always open to Rose after all.”, David commented. “Alright. So mom, favor.”, Merrick said looking to his mother. “What is it? And give me my grandson I know you need to go to work so I’ll watch him.”, Kim asked holding her arms out to take Faelan. “Well actually…”, Merrick said handing Faelan over. “Just need you to watch him for a little bit. Rose is going to drop me off at work to keep my car. She wanted to spend some time with Faelan so he’ll be with her most of the day. But the favor is tonight do you mind watching him so Rose and I could go somewhere baby free?”, Merrick asked. All six adults coughed in shock. “Um...sure sweetheart. I’ll watch him tonight so you two can go out.”, Kim nodded. “Thanks mom.”, Merrick said before leaving the Haven with Rose.

“Did that just happen? Not only is Rose allowed to hold him, but she’s going to be staying here and she’s getting to take the GTO and Faelan for the afternoon? If that doesn’t say he’s serious about her I don’t know what does.”, Kim said in disbelief shaking her head. “Yes well he better just come out and say it to her this time.”, Jacob said. David nodded. “I agree. He should just come out and say it to her. Because she won’t believe it till she hears it.”, David commented. “My son isn’t like yours he can't generally put into words what he’s feeling.”, Kim sighed. “He’ll find the words when he wants them. You can’t rush him. If Rose feels the same and knows him as well as I think she does, she will know his unspoken feelings by his actions. After all doesn't the saying go ‘actions speak louder than words’?”, Christian stated. Solangel sighed. “He needs to speak up before it’s too late though. I don’t want to see my Rosie get hurt again.”, Solangel said getting up to clear her plate. “And none of us want see Merrick get hurt again either. We all remember the last time he let himself love a woman.”, Aislinn said. The nodded in agreement. Both Rose and Merrick had been burned by love. Which was probably why both seemed reluctant to admit what they all saw in that picture Kim took and this morning.

It’d been an odd homecoming for Rose. Within hours of landing she’d found out Merrick had a child, she was changing from staying at the hotel which gave her personal space to staying with him at the Haven, and now she was being trusted to drive his previous GTO and take his newborn for the afternoon. She didn’t want to read into any of it, but she couldn’t help it. She knew what his car means to him, what his personal space means, and certainly what his child means to him. And she was being let in and trusted with all of it. As she checked out of the hotel and was driving back to the Haven in the GTO many thoughts kept running through her mind. All these signs pointed to that he might love her, though he never said the words. As she thought about the idea of him loving her, she smiled because she knew but didn’t want to admit she might have fallen in love with him years ago. As she parked she frowned a little a thought crossing her mind. “Being together isn’t possible. He has his son, his family, his business his life all here. And I have my classes and my team back in Cambridge. I can’t abandon them and he can’t just leave all this for me. And the whole I’m not going to age and he will. With Zoe he’d have someone here to grow old with him…”, Rose sighed leaning her head against the steering wheel. “Maybe staying here and letting myself get closer to him and get close to Faelan is a bad idea…”, she groaned. She snapped out of it hearing a tapping on the window. She looked out the window and saw Kim standing there holding baby Faelan.

Rose reached turned off the engine and got out. “Sorry Misses Bryant-Frost just having a…”, Rose tried to explain. Kim raised an eyebrow. “A moment of doubt? Yeah doesn’t take a telepath to know that Rose. And you know you can call me Kim. You get all checked out of your hotel?”, she asked shifting Faelan in her arms. Rose raised an eyebrow. “How do you know? And um yeah they were rather happy to be rid of me after last year…”, Rose said cutting herself off quickly leaning into the back getting out her suitcase. “Because we’ve all had doubts about things. Which love and relationships are generally up there on the list of things people will doubt. Don’t forget I detested my husband when I first met him. And then I became a single mom to triplets, one who was kidnapped from me. But Christian was there not batting an eyelash or backing away slowly or running as fast as his legs could carry him which would have been justifiable under the circumstances. I had lots of doubts. Doubts that I should let him in, doubts about letting him close to my children. But like my son is doing now I didn’t let the doubts stop me and I let Christian in and trusted him with not just my heart but my children’s, no matter the cost. I’ve found that If you want something bad enough you make it happen. Now come on inside I’ll get Faelan packed up for whatever adventure you have planned.”, Kim suggested nodding to the house. Rose wanted to counter to say that the situation between her and Merrick was different than her and Christian but really how different was it. Merrick was in his mother’s shoes being the single parent who had to decide if they let someone close to them and their child while she was in Christian’s wanting to get close but always second guessing if it would be right for all involved. Rose nodded and followed Kim and Faelan inside.

“Thanks for the help Mis…. Kim”, Rose corrected herself. “I’m supposed to go see my parents so I’m going to take Faelan with me. I figure my mom will go gaga over a wolf puppy.”, Rose explained. Kim stopped and looked down at her only grandchild and then back at the daughter of two people who in a past life, or so it felt, she’d wronged deeply. “You are taking my grandson to meet your parents?”, Kim questioned. Rose nodded. “Yeah. I’m kind of hoping his cuteness factor will distract them from the whole being around your son. I am certain the whole animosity of what happened between you and my parents has died down, but I know that with some of Merrick’s actions growing up and general tendency of being promiscuous my parents don’t really see him in a favorable light.”, Rose admitted. Kim nodded. “Yes well… Merrick’s a better man than many including him give credit.”, Kim sighed heading up the stairs to get Faelan’s diaper bag packed. Rose nodded in agreement carrying her suitcase up to Merrick’s room setting it onto the bed. She leaned in Faelan’s nursery doorway looking around at the mural and furniture. “He really went all out with this nursery.”, Rose commented. Kim nodded. “Yes he did. He put so much into making the furniture. The walls he took a photo at the place he plans to build his sanctuary and got his artist friend Zoe and her mother Isadora DeLuca Petridis to paint the walls and ceiling based on the photo. He even got the mother/daughter duo to sign the wall.”, Kim said putting Faelan into his car seat. Rose blinked as she was told Zoe and her mother had painted the walls. “They are excellent artists. So Merrick is very close to Zoe.”, she commented. Kim shrugged a little counting bottles and getting three with water into the bag along with a can of formula. “Yes I suppose they are. She’s a nice enough girl, but neither have the illusion they’d be more than they are. Well Faelan is all packed.”, Kim said offering the diaper bag. “Thanks again Mis…Kim.”, Rose said again forcing herself to not be formal taking the bag. Kim nodded and then handed her the car seat. “Now Faelan you be a good boy.”, Kim said giving him a kiss on the forehead. “I’m sure he will be. We’ll see you later.”, Rose said heading out.

Rose sighed as she pulled in outside the Wolverine Pub that her parents lived above and looked into the back and the rear facing car seat. “Well Faelan this is going to be interesting. You are going to meet my parents. They don’t know that your daddy and I have been friends let alone more than that. Kind of hope you soften that blow with your cuteness.”, she laughed a little. “You don’t understand a word I’m saying. But tell you things is at least making me feel better.”, she admitted getting out and shouldering the diaper bag then holding the car seat in her left hand as she headed up the stairs. Logan and Aurelia had expected her, but as they heard the door downstairs open an unfamiliar scent mixed with Rose’s scent came up from the stairs. “Rose is here, but with who?”, Logan questioned turning his attention to the door. Rose didn’t bother with knocking and just walked in carrying the car seat getting a look of utter confusion from both her parents. “Hi mom. Hi dad. Hope you don’t mind I brought a ‘date’. Meet Faelan Christian Bryant-Frost.”, Rose said with a smile placing the car seat onto the coffee table as she walked into the living room area. Aurelia looked to Logan who was looking back at her. “Faelan? Bryant-Frost?”, Aurelia repeated knowing the name was Gaelic and meant little wolf. Logan looked at his daughter from his seat on the couch in a mix of confusion and shock. “You’ve been in town since last night and you’ve already been to the Haven and are now going around town with Merrick’s child?”, Logan asked. If not for his healing he was certain he was on the verge of a heart attack. “Um yeah. I stopped by the Haven last night and got to meet this little cutie and well Merrick is at work and he said I could watch Faelan.”, Rose shrugged like it was nothing. Aurelia looked from Logan to the baby and then to Rose. She took a sniff and tilted her head to the side. “And what spent the night at the Haven too?”, she asked suddenly the question Alex called to ask hitting her. “Are you dating Merrick?”, Aurelia questioned.

And now Logan was sure heart failure was going to happen. “What? No. No I’m not dating Merrick. We just…well we’ve…”, Rose searched for the words to explain what her and Merrick where these last four years. “Sleeping together?”, Logan found the words though they let an odd sour taste in his mouth to say. He knew enough about Merrick to know yes he wasn’t all bad but he was promiscuous not exactly top choice in his mind for his little girl. Rose shrugged now was as good as a time to be honest. “Yes, though it’s more than that. We’re friends.”, Rose said clearly not wanting to act like she was ashamed of it. “Uh huh. My understanding is that boy doesn’t let anyone but his parents and Aislinn and Solangel hold that baby let alone go anywhere alone with him. Which how did you get him here? I didn’t hear the motorcycle.”, Logan questioned. “He trusts me that’s all. Nothing major about it. And the motorcycle is at the Haven. Merrick is letting me drive the GTO while he’s at work since it’s got the car seat base.”, Rose said. Faelan let out a small woof having had enough of being in the car seat and wanting to play as he changed to wolf and started gnawing at the straps wanting to escape. Aurelia blinked distracted looking at the dark brown wolf puppy that had taken the place of the cherub cheeked brown eyes human baby. Aurelia tried to fight her initial instinct which was to turn wolf herself to nuzzle and play with the puppy. Even Logan found himself distracted by the transformation. Rose tried to not laugh mentally thankful hat Faelan was filling his role of distraction. She took him out of the car seat and nuzzled him.

“Alright pup I know you want to play. He also has an ocelot form too. Merrick said he generally is wolf when he’s ready to nap or when ready to play.”, Rose explained and looked seeing the wagging of Faelan’s little tail. “And my guess he wants to play. Probably smells you mom and knows you are like him and Merrick.”, Rose added. Logan got up from the couch and walked over and leaned a little looking at the puppy. He glanced up at the smile on his daughter’s face, he’d seen a smile like that before. When Aurelia met Hudson and basically instantly fell in love with his youngest son. “Alright so he’s cute, all pups are.”, Logan commented. Faelan wiggled in Rose’s arms and sniffed Logan before licking Logan on the nose. Rose and Aurelia both laughed as Logan’s nose twitched and he tried to not smile. “Go ahead mom. You know you want to.”, Rose said setting Faelan down on the floor. She knew her mom loved being in wolf form and suspected part of her was always sad she’d not gotten the ability to transform like her. Aurelia looked uncertain if she should and glanced to Logan. Logan shrugged. “Go ahead pup you know you want to.”, he said with a sigh. Aurelia smiled a little before changing to a red dire wolf. Faelan stayed by Rose’s feet at first before very cautiously moving closer to the wolf. She wasn’t his dad sight and smell told him that. So he moved closer and sniffed to know it was still the woman he’d seen and when he realized it was he gave a playful nip at her and ran wanting to play. Aurelia followed after him being careful since he was only eight weeks old. Rose moved to sit down on the sofa and took of her phone and snapping a picture of her mother playing with Faelan sending it to Merrick with a message ‘Well mom seems like him and vice versa.’.

Logan sighed and sat down next to his youngest. “You realize a cute puppy only distracts her from this not me.”, Logan stated. Rose nodded putting her phone away. “How long?”, Logan asked. “Four years. It started out just physical and then we became friends.”, Rose answered with a shrug. Logan sighed shaking his head knowing that four years meant she was sixteen when this started. “Uh huh and now he trusts and cars enough about you to let you borrow his car and take his son out.”, Logan stated. “It’s just friends dad. We are no strings after all.”, Rose tried to counter. “You should know how that goes.”, she added. “After all how many lovers have you had dad?”, Rose questioned. Logan rolled his eyes not feeling like counting. “I didn’t keep a tally. But what I do know is that I never let a lover around my children if there wasn’t something more between me and them. I’m protective of my children like that.”, Logan stated. “Good dads are, and you are a good dad.”, Rose said giving her dad a side hug. “You aren’t distracting me or changing the subject kiddo. You can pretend all you like that there no strings and there’s nothing happening but as a man who was a single father and as you kindly pointed out got around I know what’s between the lines of him letting you be around Faelan like this. And I know that look you have when you were holding him.”, Logan stated. Rose blinked. “What look?”, she questioned. “The same look your mother got when we were first together and she met Hudson and he stole her heart.”, he answered. Rose sighed and looked over to her mother playing on the floor with Faelan both in wolf form. “It doesn’t matter dad. I’ve got medical school to finish and Excalibur to run and Merrick has his family here, his son and then his business. I just… I guess I look at Faelan like that because I don’t think I can ever have children.”, Rose explained. Logan frowned. “Rose nothing is impossible. You’d be surprised what amount of distance and adversity people will overcome for the right person.”, Logan stated. Rose nodded silently and just sat there with her dad the two watching as Aurelia played with Faelan.

Merrick knew he should have felt anxious letting Rose drive his car and terrified letting her take Faelan anywhere much less to see her family. He knew that it sent a message to her parents about how close they were. He found himself laughing at the pictures she was sending him during her visit with her parents, her mother in wolf form playing with Faelan and then pictures of her holding Faelan. They were distractingly adorable together in the pictures. He had ran from the Wal-Mart to his shop taking back wooded ways as he ran in wolf form. He wasn’t surprise that when he got to his shop Zoe was sitting on the steps. He changed out of wolf form knowing she was the only one around. She smiled shaking her head at him. “What?”, he questioned moving past her to unlock the old Haven. “Oh nothing…so where’s your car?”, Zoe asked following him into the house. “Rose has it.”, he said heading down to the basement and picking up a plank of hickory for his project. Zoe blinked and started to laugh following him downstairs. “Oh boy. I even look at the steering wheel I get my hand slapped.”, she teased. Merrick rolled his eyes pulling down his goggles as he ran the hickory through the saw and held up the smaller piece at her. “You got a point hellraiser or looking for me to spank you with this?”, Merrick asked with a smirk. “Ooo spanking threats? My point is you don’t trust basically anyone but your parents behind the wheel of that car. And without batting an eyelash Rose gets the keys? Guess I’m just saying it’s good to know that me and Nana were right about Rose and that she wouldn’t run away over Faelan and that you’re in denial about how much she means to you. After all they say a picture is worth a thousand words…”, Zoe teased leaning against the wall. Merrick shook his head setting the wood down taking the piece he wanted over to his work table and setting it down before turning his attention to Zoe putting a hand on either side of her so she was kind of trapped.

“Do… not… start with me about that picture my mother posted. Understood hellraiser?”, he said slowly leaning rather close to her. Zoe took a breath feeling her heart race a little as he leaned in so close. She knew he wasn’t going to do anything. No Rose was back which meant she was friend zone. Part of her was upset by that but it was a small part she primarily was happy for him. She knew what Rose means to him even if he doesn’t say it. “Whatever you say. So anyway you let Rose take your car. Why?”, Zoe asked . Merrick locked his eyes on hers and for half a moment when he heard her heart racing in her chest he thought about leaning in the rest of the way and kissing her and more against the wall but he was able to easily push the urge aside at the thought of Rose. So instead he pulled away and went back to his work bench to work on building a storage bench someone had ordered. “She’s got my car because she has Faelan with her and I wasn’t going to let her put his car seat on her motorcycle even if it had room.”, he explained starting to hammer pieces together. Zoe coughed a little. “Wait…she has Faelan? Like completely alone unsupervised you let her take your eight week old precious son?”, Zoe asked in almost disbelief. Merrick glanced over at her. “Yes. What of it? I trust Rose. And I don’t know…something about last night with her….”, he tried to explain shaking his head. Zoe moved closer grabbing a chair and sitting down backwards in it looking up at him. “Come on tell me. We are best friends after all. I’m the one you’re supposed to be able to say anything to.”, she encouraged.

“I know we are best friends and I should be able to just tell you anything. Cause I’ve always told you everything this past year knowing you. But I dunno if I can talk about it with you. When we started fooling around…”, Merrick said with a sigh still putting the bench together. “You didn’t think you’d see Rose again. And now that you’ve seen her and you know that Faelan doesn’t make her want to run from you… you think talking to me about her is weird?”, Zoe offered. Merrick nodded. “Yeah. Because well I…”, Merrick searched for the right words. “You have feelings for me beyond friends and figure that since they aren’t as strong as what you feel for Rose I’ll get weird or upset?”, Zoe suggested. Merrick laughed. “For someone who’s not a telepath….stay the fuck outta my head.”, he said shaking his head. “Look Merrick I told you before nothing’s changed for me. You are still my best friend and I’m not going to be all butt hurt about you loving Rose. I knew you were in love with her last summer and was well aware of it the whole time since. So it’s alright. We are still best friends so talk to me. What happened last night?”, Zoe asked trying to assure him that she wasn’t going to be weird about things. Merrick nodded. “She stayed the night with me.”, Merrick said. “Ooo for someone how got laid you’d think you’d be in a less grumpy mood.”, she teased. “Fuck you…”, Merrick said shaking his head. “Oh I would if I could but you have rules and love someone else handsome.”, Zoe teased. Merrick rolled his eyes. “We didn’t have sex or do anything last night. I haven’t bought condoms in ten months and she didn’t have any with her so sex was out of the question. Instead we just laid there in bed together. Like you and I have on nights I’ve stayed with you but we didn’t do anything physical. But it was different… God I don’t know what the fuck I’m saying.”, Merrick sighed picking up his electric drill and screwing in the piano hinges on the top.

Zoe sighed smiling a little thinking of the nights spent just cuddled close to him in the bed he’d built her. She had enjoyed those nights especially during the cold New York winter having her own little furnace to cuddle into. “It was different because it’s Rose. Because you love her.”, Zoe stated. “And beyond how it felt to just hold her during the night it was how she was with Faelan. After that picture mom posted we woke up to Faelan crying in human form. She didn’t know my protective rules about him and without question just picked him up off me and cradled him in her arms and spoke sweetly to him giving him the love that Jenna never would. Showing no fear of what he is. And when I went to sit up I thought about saying something but then I looked at them. At her cradling my newborn son in her arms and I couldn’t think to yell or ask her to give him back. They just…”, Merrick sighed closing the top to the storage bench. “They fit. It’s alright to think that way Merrick. I know when it all happened you wished it was Rose you’d gotten pregnant. So it’s natural and okay that seeing the woman you want children with holding your child for it to feel right. You need to tell her that though. To tell her how you feel about her. And I mean if you can’t find the words show her somehow. I mean she should be smart enough to see the writing on the wall of you letting her drive your car and not just hold your son but take him for the afternoon alone.”, Zoe encouraged. Merrick sighed. “I just I don’t think I can say it. She’s going to leave at the end of the month. She’s got her team and school over there and I’ve got Faelan here. I can’t make her choose. But it kills me because unlike Jenna who tried to trap me with having a baby Rose could. Rose could trap me because I’d willingly step into the trap.”, Merrick admitted leaning against his work table. “So tell her that.”, Zoe said getting up. She leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Lock it down or remember nana will beat you with the cane.”, she teased. “I gotta head to an audition.”, she said. Merrick sighed and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Good luck hellraiser.”, he said. “You too.”, she said with a wave leaving.

As Zoe walked out of the old Haven she stopped seeing the GTO had pulled into the driveway and watched as Rose got out slinging the diaper bag over her shoulder and then reached into the back taking the car seat out carefully. Rose hadn’t noticed Zoe at first being careful with Faelan as he’d fallen asleep and was now in wolf form in the seat. Rose blinked a little startled as she turned and saw the white haired girl standing on the sidewalk. “Um..hi Zoe. Visiting Merrick at work?”, Rose asked trying to be casual and not ask what kind of ‘visit’ it had been. “Hi Rose. Nice to see you again. Yeah just wanted to bust his chops a little in person about the picture. You two still make a cute couple.”, Zoe explained. Rose nodded. “Um thanks though we aren’t really a couple.”, Rose said. “Right…”, Zoe said rolling her eyes walking over and looking into the car seat. Rose raised an eyebrow watching Zoe. She could see the soft loving looking on Zoe’s face as she looked at the sleeping pup. “They are both amazing guys and deserve someone who can love them the way they need and want to be.”, Zoe commented giving the sleeping Faelan a soft kiss on the head. “Well was nice to see you again Rose. I need to head to my audition.”, She said with a wave and a smile walking away. Rose watched her walk away the last commented about Faelan and Merrick deserving someone who can love them as they need and want to be rolling around in her head. Though at least Zoe coming so close it was at least clear by scent that Merrick and her had not done anything.

Rose carried Faelan car seat and all into the old Haven and down to the basement where she could smell Merrick was. Merrick heard the creaks in the floorboards upstairs and put down his hammer and walked to the stairs about to head up but found himself looking up at Rose and Faelan. He smiled taking the car seat from her and carrying Faelan down setting him on the work table. “I see you tuckered him out at your parents.”, Merrick whispered turning to Rose who was setting the diaper bag down. “Yeah him and mom had a lot of fun.”, she whispered. Looking at her he had the urge to just kiss her. “So um I saw…”, Rose started to speak but found herself cut off as Merrick kissed her giving into the urge. With Faelan safe on the table and sound asleep Merrick hadn’t given a second thought when he leaned in and kissed Rose backing her up to the wall as he tongue slipped into her parted mouth as he’d stopped her midsentence. Rose blinked a little at the sudden kiss and finding herself in an all too familiar position pressed between him and a wall, but as he held the kiss and his tongue went to mingle with hers she gave in and kissed back. It was only the small puppy yawn as Faelan dreamed that caused Merrick to pull back from the kiss. Rose smiled running her tongue along her bottom lip. “Hi to you too…”, she said with a soft laugh. Merrick smirked. “Sorry, not sorry. Just really wanted to do that, and if my son wasn’t in the room a lot more.”, Merrick stated. “Oh really…that mean you picked something up before leaving your other job?”, Rose teased. “Yes. So what did you see? You were saying something before I cut you off.”, Merrick said taking a step back and starting to pick up around the workshop since he’d finished the piece he was working on.

“Oh was just going to say saw Zoe on my way in.”, Rose commented having finally collected her thoughts. “Yeah she stopped by. Apparently couldn’t miss an opportunity to pick on me about the picture of us in person. We had a good chat and then she had to head to her audition. I’m sure she’ll text later to say if she got the part or not. She’ll of course call to tell Nana.”, Merrick said not even thinking twice about how it could appear. “So Zoe is just a friend again? Is that because I’m in town?”, she inquired. “Like I said we fooled around before Faelan was born. I haven’t done anything with her since he was born. So last night when we talked about it’s been ten months since I’ve had sex well add to that it’s been two months since I’ve done anything with a woman. Which might explain the whole out of blue kissing you and resisting the urge to screw your brains out against the wall over there.”, Merrick explained. Rose smiled a little she had to admit it took very little imagination to know what it would be like for him to have taken her against the wall like that, he’d done similar at the old XC castle over the years. “You about finish here? We can take the baby back to the Haven and go out to wherever.”, Rose suggested. Merrick nodded. “Yup just putting things away then we can go. I’ve got somewhere I want to take you tonight”, Merrick said putting away his tools. Rose smiled. “Alright well let’s go then.”, she said picking up the car seat with the still sleeping Faelan. Merrick did a quick check before heading out with her and Faelan taking Faelan back to the Haven. Merrick grabbed a quick shower and changed his clothes before going out with Rose leaving Faelan in the care of his parents who along with the rest of the house were wondering exactly what might happen between the pair.

Despite numerous chances and perfect moments neither Rose or Merrick told the other how they felt during the month she spent at the Haven. It was enough to drive the residents of the Haven along with their collected family and friends insane. Even Rose’s cousin Jimmy saw how they were together when he hung out with Sebastian at the Haven. But instead of saying how they felt or either of them asking the other to be more than they were they instead spent the month together with Faelan. For Faelan is was a month of basically having two parents, two people who loved him and took care of him. He didn’t understand that Rose was going to leave and no one really seemed to question what kind of impact it would have on him when she did leave as he was still young they figured it wouldn’t have too much of an impact. But when the time came and she left he moped and kept sniffing around trying to find her. Merrick felt rather terrible for letting his son get so close just for her to leave them.