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After Rose left there was no real quiet in the Haven. Faelan may not have been three months old but as a puppy and kitten he’d bonded with Rose, she left an imprint on him. And so he missed her and cried, whimpered and howled in his longing for her. In the end the resolution was that by chance her riding jacket had been left in the downstairs closet. Aislinn had founded it when cleaning and as soon as Faelan caught wind of the scent the jacket became his. Merrick even had to put it in the crib with him just to get him to sleep and not whine. Merrick couldn’t blame Faelan. Rose was someone worth missing. Merrick didn’t like to think about it much but he missed her too. He just kept that to himself, however having her around the whole month it made it worse when she left again. All the times before he could easily let the missing her roll off his back and be forgotten. He hadn’t spent every day of her vacation with her like this time. And then otherwise he was always able to temporarily forget by sleeping with someone else. But this time he couldn’t do that. There was no losing himself with someone else. He didn’t want anyone else, even Zoe. Merrick and Faelan weren’t the only ones feeling the pain of her leaving. Rose was also feeling them an ocean away. She’d come back her phone filled with pictures of Faelan and Merrick to show the team and probably anyone that would look. A good part of her medical school classmates had grown exhausted listening to her talk to them about Faelan and all the cute thing he had done while she was in America.

Over the months Merrick found himself on the phone and more often on Skype with Rose which seemed to help quell all of their missing each other. Faelan didn’t quite understand that she was just an image on the computer and would sometimes get upset and confused that he could hear her and see her but not smell her or touch her. But it at least helped Rose and Merrick with it this time around. Generally when they were apart for college it was rare they talked to each other and now it was clockwork that they talked. Most often it was Merrick just telling her about the latest things Faelan had done. Such as when he started to crawl in human form at five months, his first word was ‘Ro’ at seven months which he yelled during a Skype chat which made Rose just start crying and then most recently Merrick had gotten Faelan to walk in human form across the living room to the leather riding jacket which his mom had re-stitched to be a blanket for Faelan. So on a cold December morning after a late night patrol Skye was looking at the photos again for the billionth time “So Rose ya love Merrick, why dinna ya tell him and just ask him out?”, Skye asked bluntly looking up from her cup of coffee and bowl of cereal at Rose. Rose coughed on her spoonful of cereal at the random question swallowing before answering. “Because… last time I told someone… told a Bryant how I felt about him I got rejected.”, Rose sighed. “Rejected? Lassie die isn’t yer cousin’s fiancée dis is Merrick. Dis yer bloke. And dinna bother telling me he ain’t yers. Ya talk ta him almost every day. Ya his lad’s first word for Christ sakes.”, Skye protested.

“That’s because my name is the simplest out of everyone he knows.”, she countered rolling her eyes. “No da da, which is more common for a babe to say. And he sees his dah every day.”, Skye matched. “And I see him almost every day too.”, Rose pointed out eating another spoonful of cereal. “Not in person where ya hold him like his dah. So dinna give me yer crap bout dat. Da wee laddie loves ya just like his dah does.”, Skye said eating her cereal. “Fine I’ll say it when Merrick can.”, Rose shook her head. “So wat yer gonna just wait and pine till he finds a voice? Dinna ya say he’s no good with words?”, Skye sighed. “Skye, even if I did love him… which I don’t…and said it what would it change? We talk every day, we laugh, we smile, and I get to see Faelan without missing them as much.”, Rose sighed. “Ya do! Don’t be lying ta a telepath lassie. It would give ya both peace of mind. Put out dere how ya feel. Saying da truth is liberating and generally rewarding.”, she replied pointing her spoon at Rose. “Or maybe we just be happy with what we have?”, Rose offered. “Are ya happy? Just having an unspoken emotion burning at ya to be let out? To live in relationship limbo?”, Skye asked. “I can go out there and day any guy I want.”, she defended. “Aye ya could lassie. Yer pretty and smart. Dey line up and mah twin would take first ticket at da change.”, Skye nodded. “But ya don’t. Just like he could walk out his front door and prolly easy find a lassie happy to date him and be round his lad.”, she added.

Rose frowned a little. “He wouldn’t even need to walk out the door. He’d just have to call her up…”, she muttered thinking about Zoe. Skye raised an eyebrow. “She why ya holding back?”, she questioned. Rose blinked at the question. “What? No…I’m not holding back.”, she said shaking her head. “Ya are. If ya weren’t ya have told him ya love him. Ah hear it get caught in yer throat every time ya say goodnight to him.”, she pointed out. “I don’t have a future with him, Skye.”, Rose protested with exasperation. “Says who? And why?”, Skye demanded. “Says me. Because he has his sanctuary he is building, his son, his entire family there and doesn’t travel then I have my schooling and the team.”, Rose said giving her reasons they couldn’t work. “Oh dat so? Have ya two ever talked bout it? Cause dat should be a choice reached together. Especially with how his lad is bout ya.”, she questioned. “Skye he doesn’t love me.”, Rose said firmly. “Let’s see. He let ya hold his wee babe when no others could, he let ya take his babe alone visiting yer family, he let ya drive his car which before da babe was his most prized possession, he had ya staying wid him. Oh and he calls ya ever day. No no of course he’s not in love.”, Skye rolled her eyes her tone oozing with sarcasm. “If Ah had something to hit ya wid...ya giant idiot.”, she shook her head. “Skye I just..please let’s drop it.”, Rose requested. Skye shook her head. “Lord yer an idiot and ya’ll feel like one if ya let someone like him slip away cause ya dinna want to read the writing on da wall.”, she sighed. “No, that’d be the best thing that could happen.”, she sighed. “He would get someone that is there with him and Faelan and I wouldn’t have to watch him and a ‘son’ grow old and die.”, Rose said her shoulders sinking a little.

She hated saying it she hated thinking it but really it would be the easiest for them both and thus in her mind the best. “But not wid da one he wants. And da babe is rather stuck on ya. Yer his momma, ya can see it in dat pup’s eyes.”, Skye protested. “Skye why aren’t you this pushing in Donovan’s life?”, rose sighed wanting to change the subject. “Cause he ain’t found his match. So let him run round. If he finds a lassie who’s right and he doesn’t see it then Ah’ll knock sense into him.”, Skye explained. She knew her brother had the same issues Rose did in regards to commitment, watching their other half grow old without them. Skye couldn’t say she understood because she didn’t have to go through it. However she didn’t see it a good enough reason to not enjoy being in love with someone. Rose shook her head. “Just..give me a bit okay.”, she requested. “Ya’ve had four years to sort out how ya feel bout him. And it’s almost Christmas, if not during a season as filled wid love and joy like dis when else can ya tell yer special someone how much ya love dem.”, Skye offered up. Rose raised an eyebrow at the statement. “Maybe but I can’t just say something like that on the phone...not a first time saying it.”, Rose frowned. “So take holiday break and go to him. Ya kne ya dinna want ta watch Faelan’s first Christmas on the computer.”, Skye recommended finishing her coffee. “Ah gotta head to class. Just tink on it mate.”, Skye said patting Rose’s shoulder before leaving. With her peace said Rose found herself actually thinking about it. Since starting medical school she’d never been home for Christmas. And what better reason to go home than Faelan’s first Christmas and maybe to tell Merrick how she felt.

Over in Bayville Merrick had been getting it from all sides about not telling Rose how he felt or at the very least asking her out before she went home. True to her word his Nana Hazel came to Bayville for one of Zoe’s plays and did hit Merrick hard in his knees with her hickory cane for not telling Rose how he felt and asking her out. And true to her word Zoe held him still, granted he knew the hit was coming and stood still on his own but it made Zoe feel like she helped by holding his arms. Progress had been being made at Faelan’s Wildlife Sanctuary and any tree that was fallen for the building of the office was brought back to Aonair Mac Tíre for him to use for his other business. He was getting a lot busier with orders as the holidays were coming closer. And on top of the orders for customers he was trying to get things done for presents. Today he was alternating between his rather large gift for Zoe and his smaller but more personal gift for Rose. He could make the bigger gift for Zoe because she lived in town and delivering it wouldn’t be an issue. He had to keep Rose’s gift under a certain size since he knew he’d have to mail it as he’d no inclination she was going to be home again till June. He was in the process of starting to get the pieces of cherry together to build a chair for Zoe that would go with the couch he’d already finished the frame on when he heard footsteps upstairs. He sniffed the air and knew it was Zoe so he quickly covered the sofa and the pieces of the unfinished chair with drop cloths before lifting his protective glasses to turn and look at her.

“Seriously do you ever give a warning that you are coming over?”, Merrick asked shaking his head as he dusted some wood shavings off his hands. Zoe smiled shaking her head back. “Nope. No fun in warning you. What you doing that you think you would need a warning for? You weren't masturbating down here, were you?”, she teased. Merrick rolled his eyes. “No…in twenty-two years I’ve never had to do that.”, Merrick said. “Oh right because you could always find someone willing to help you out.”, Zoe said casually looking around noticing the two drop cloths and went to lift one. “Something like that yeah. Hey stay out of that.”, He said swatting her hand away from the cloth that was covering the finished frame of her couch. Zoe giggled. “Why what’s under there? Is it something for me? Cause that’s a rather large drop cloth.”, Zoe said trying to peek around him. “Don’t worry about it. So what are you here about hellraiser?”, Merrick questioned moving her away from the hidden pieces. “I can’t just drop in and see my best friend? You’ve been rather busy so catching you here and in the evenings at the Haven is about the only times I see you. Faelan getting excited about Christmas? Can’t wait to give him my present.”, Zoe said. She was excited about Faelan’s first Christmas, everyone seemed to be. Merrick nodded going to his smaller work table and sat down picking up a piece of maple that he’d had sitting to dry into the slightly curved shape he wanted.

“Yeah we are all excited about his first Christmas. It sucks that Rose will have to watch it via Skype, but oh well.”, Merrick sighed picking up a stencil he’d printed and carefully pressing it along the curved piece of wood so he’d have proper lines to follow when he started carving. Zoe walked over leaning on his shoulder to see what he was working on. “You know if your stubborn ass had told her how you felt maybe she’d be come for Christmas.”, Zoe commented. Merrick just rolled his eyes as he carefully peeled back the stencil. Zoe watched and cocked her head to the side seeing a wolf head on the right, waves of the ocean in the center leading to the head of a wolverine on the left. “And what’s this?”, Zoe inquired pointing. Merrick smiled. “It’s for Rose, a bracelet.”, Merrick commented. “You are making her jewelry…ooo. You know her wrist size?”, Zoe questioned. Merrick laughed. “Yes. Any idea how many times in the last four years I’ve held her wrists for one reason or another. If it deals with Rose’s body I know it blindfolded.”, Merrick stated. “Fair enough I suppose. You did spend four years getting close to that body.”, Zoe commented. “I know yours blindfolded too so take that for what it’s worth.”, he commented starting to carve the wood with his smallest chisel to get the right amount of details. “Aw how romantic.”, Zoe teased rolling her eyes. “So what’s with the design? I know you enough to know you do nothing by accident or randomly.”, Zoe asked moving to grab a chair and watch him at work. She did enjoy watching him work with wood he was very good at it. “It’s the tattoo Rose always wanted since we were kids but because of her healing powers the ink could never take.”, Merrick stated as he continued his work. “Damn man you are amazing and the sweetest man ever. You know what tattoo she’s wanted since you were kids, I mean wow. You mind is like a steel trap for information.”, Zoe said tapping his head.

Merrick laughed and swatted her hand away briefly keeping his head bent as he focused on the carving. “I remember certain things yes. I remember when Landon got his first tattoo when we were thirteen his whole group thought it rather cool that his dad let him have a tattoo and they talked about what they would want and Rose said she would want a wolverine head to represent the dad she never knew, a wolf head to represent her mom and the ocean in between because she loves the ocean and it represented the distance that had separated her parents before she was born. Granted after that Landon and them rescued her dad from limbo and she’s since gotten to know him but she’s really close to him and even calls herself Wolverine over there with her new team. Here she was known as Lycan.”, Merrick explained. “Uh huh. And what else do you know about Rose from before you two started sleeping together?”, Zoe inquired. She may not get to have Merrick for herself but she liked listening to him talk about Rose because it was in his tone how much he loved her. “Her favorite flower is an Iris and my half brother Demitri long ago made a special breed called Rose Iris just for her that are white with a dark green design on the petals. I know her favorite food is steak medium rare, though she doesn’t eat it around me because she thinks I’ll get offended and doesn’t think it would be well received to make out with me with meat on her breath. Her favorite color is green. Her birthday is June 15th, 2008. She has the most amazing voice with this rich grit to it. Her full name is Roselyn Elizabeth Howlett. Roselyn is a name her mother promised her grandmother she’d name a kid, but Rose was also the name of the first woman her dad loved. Elizabeth was her dad’s mom’s name. Her mother is Aurelia Faith Christian Howlett and dad is James Logan Howlett. She’s the youngest of her dad’s six children. Amiko is adopted, Cero, Raziel is dead, Karli, and Hudson who’s a King. She is for the most part fearless and will do anything for someone she cares about. Though she’s afraid of her powers and that her family and friends will age without her. She also wants kids but fears she can never have them. She’s dreamed of being a doctor for well ever.”, Merrick listed out some of the stuff he had known about rose even before they started hooking up.

“Wow…just wow.”, Zoe commented. Merrick smirked. “I also remember it was August 19th, 2024 that she first kissed me. One September 27th, 2024 she bite my shoulder rather hard during a make out session and I just let it scar instead of having it healed. It was December 17th, 2024 when we first head sex and that was at the XC castle against one of the bedroom walls. The claw marks are still there etched into the stone.”, Merrick sighed a little thinking back. “Awww you remember all that. And you say you aren’t smart.”, Zoe gushed. Inside she wished he knew things like that about her. “Knowing things like that about women doesn’t make me smart in most regards. Unless you are saying smart in regards to never getting in trouble for forgetting something special about her.”, Merrick defended. “Yes well I think it shows how much you care about her. To remember all that. Maybe someday I’ll find a guy that remembers those little things about me.”, Zoe sighed. Merrick set down his little chisel and the bracelet lifting his protective glasses turning on his stool to look at her. “You’re Zoe Alexandria DeLuca. Your mother is Isadora Nicci Deluca Petridis your father is Damon Alexander Petridis. Your middle name is your grandmother Petridis’ first name. Your birthday is May 21st,2008. You are the oldest of three; Alexander and Gina. You’re favorite flower is the lotus, you don’t love one color more than another you just prefer textured colors on a whole, you devour Spaghetti alla Norma like someone’s going to take the plate from you. You want to be on broadway someday. You have the sweetest voice I’ve ever heard. You fear going all Medusa and losing control of your powers. You want kids but would but okay if you didn’t have them. And you want the fairytale romance like the plays you perform depict.”, Merrick said.

“I first met you on March 27th, 2027. First song I heard you sing was Quando La Stella. I helped you move into your apartment on May 26th, 2027. First meal you made to pay me back for the media unit I built was Florentine Ravioli. First time we kissed was September 7th, 2027.”, he said listing off some more information. She smiled a bit and stood up leaning on the table. “Aww I’m important to you.”, she said. “Of course you are Zoe.”, he said glancing up from the bracelet. He’d just finished getting the wolverine head etched in with great detail. “You’re important to me too, Merrick.”, she smiled. Merrick smiled back before looking back to the bracelet starting on the waves of the ocean. “Good because I like having you as a best friend.”, he commented. “And that won’t ever change. You’re stuck with me.”, she stated firmly. “Could think of worse to be stuck with. Certainly better view than my other best friend. No offense to Malcolm.”, he joked. “You’re a better view too.”, she chuckled. He looked up at her over the brim of his protective glasses and gave her a wink before returning to his etching. “So you spending Christmas at the apartment or your parents house this year?”, he asked. “Haven’t decided, honestly. Though not exactly like one is far from the other.”, she shrugged. “Guess that’s true. Well…”, he said standing up slightly reaching into his back pocket and handing her an envelope.

“Nana sent you this. It’s an invitation to the Frost Pre-Christmas party this Saturday. Zoe blinked taking the envelope and tore it open reading the invitation. “Oh well yes.”, she answered. Merrick laughed. “She figured it’d be a yes, so she already marked you as attending. She said you can bring a plus one if you want.”, he explained. “I don’t have any plus ones.”, she shrugged. “I’m not allowed a plus one. Apparently it’s my pence for not asking Rose out this summer.”, Merrick rolled his eyes. “Well you can have mine.”, she teased. “I don’t have anyone to bring.”, she added. “I don’t have a plus one to bring either. Unless you count Faelan. Which the party generally runs late and is more adult oriented so Aislinn and Solangel are watching him for me.”, he explained. “Then we just go together.”, she offered. “Sounds like a plan. There will be single guys there. I can be your wingman. Or for the situation of creepers bodyguard.”, Merrick chuckled. “Single guys there?”, Zoe asked with raised eyebrow. “Yeah, grandkids and such of her friends. I don’t remember all their names. Most are ivy league college guys like Harvard, Yale and Princeton.”, he explained. She smirked. “Merrick, help me find a dress. I’m not above looking awesome to tease those boys.”, she requested. “Whoa. Clothes shopping? Why would you want me for that? I’m more about taking your clothes off than carrying what they look like on.”, Merrick questioned.

“Because you know what looks best in a man’s mind to take off.”, Zoe answered. “You’re talking to the guy that your work clothes and even your sweats look good enough to pull off to get to what’s underneath.”, Merrick said shaking his head. “And yet, you didn’t sleep with me.”, Zoe shrugged. Merrick set his small chisel down and looked up at her. “Because I have a rule that I cling to like my life depends on it.”, he stated. Which it was true there’d been so many times he wanted to break that rule but something always stopped him. He wouldn’t say it aloud but it was Rose that always stopped him. She smiled. “Relax. I’m not complaining exactly. But fine I’ll ask Gina to help pick out my dress.”, she assured. Merrick chuckled. “That’s an idea. However if Gina is busy I’ll go if you really want my opinion.”, he offered. “You’re my back up then.”, she smiled. “Can do.”, he said returning to the etching. “Well I better go see if Gina can go dress shopping. Have fun.”, she said giving him a kiss on the cheek before heading up stairs.

Zoe was able to get her sister go to dress shopping with her. Gina was rather jealous that Zoe was getting to go to the event. Because Sebastian is under eighteen he wasn’t going and therefore she couldn’t go either. Zoe wasn’t the only one getting ready for the part either. Merrick’s sisters were also all going as well. Tommy of course didn’t mind going to the party even if it meant having to dress up he liked getting to go out with Lily. He would even suffer the long train ride to Boston not to mention dealing with her sisters Josalyn and Emma. For Josalyn, her boyfriend Robert, and Emma the distance was no issue given they didn’t live far from Nana Hazel’s house. Emma had decided to go solo, she figured there would be single guys there not that she was overly interested in getting involved with anyone at present.

Merrick made sure to have his Skype with Rose before he had to leave. He had the laptop sitting on the bed to Skype while he was getting dressed. “So what are you getting up dressed up for again?”, Rose asked propping her head up on her hand leaning her head slightly to the side watching as he undressed. “I told you it’s Nana Hazel’s holiday party. She insisted that I go this year, something about knowing some investors that are interested in donating to the sanctuary. So yeah I get to go and meet a bunch of random people who think donating money to my animal sanctuary will make a good tax write off.”, Merrick explained as he pulled his black suit out of the closet. “Right…”, Rose said half listening mostly just staring. “Are you listening or just drooling over there little wolf?”, Merrick teased. Rose laughed and shrugged. “I can do both. Investors. Old farts that want a tax write off. See I’m paying attention.”, Rose defended. Merrick shook his head. “Yes well I’m not looking forward to it. I hate talking to people.”, Merrick frowned getting his pants on and then grabbing a dark blue dress shirt turning back to the laptop as he buttoned it. “God you are hot.”, Rose commented.

Merrick laughed. “Anyways. So tonight Aislinn and Solangel will be watching Faelan and Sebastian since mom and dad are also going too.”, he continued talking getting the final button and tucking the shirt neatly into his slacks before getting his belt on. “So you are going stag? That sounds dangerous for the single girls there.”, Rose said trying to be casual about it. She hadn’t mentioned that she’d bought her ticket and was going to be home for Christmas. She wanted to surprise him and it wouldn’t have changed tonight since she wouldn’t be there till just in time for Christmas. Merrick rolled his eyes picking up his black tie and using the little image of himself on the Skype chat to judge as he tied it with a trinity knot. “I’m technically going stag. Not that really any of the single girls that Nana invited have much to fear from me hitting on them. Since I don’t plan to and I’m pretty sure that Nana Hazel and Zoe will keep me clear of them.”, Merrick assured. Rose felt a sharp pain in the pit of her stomach when he said Zoe.

“Zoe’s going?”, Rose asked. “Yeah, Nana Hazel invited her. I feel bad for her because Nana Hazel will no doubt be introducing her to the single guys there.”, Merrick explained slipping his jacket on and neatly putting a matching dark blue handkerchief into the jacket pocket. “Alright so honest opinion little wolf, I look like someone you’d give money to?”, Merrick asked doing a turn. Rose laughed. “More ways than one.”, she commented. “And that means?”, Merrick asked with a smirk. “I’d give you money to take all that off.”, Rose smirked. Merrick winked. “Don’t need money to undress for you little wolf. However you already got your peep show for the night.”, Merrick said picking up the laptop. Rose frowned. “Alright fine. Well go have fun, tell your nana hello for me. I’ll call later near his bedtime to talk to Faelan. Night.”, Rose said. “I’ll try and I’ll tell her. He’ll like that. Night Rose.”, Merrick said ending the chat and closing the laptop.

He came down stairs and went into the living room to say goodbye to Faelan. “Da-da.”, Faelan called in his small voice smelling him before seeing him. Aislinn and Solangel both turned to look at the archway of the living room from where they were on the floor playing with Faelan and his toys. “Hey pup.”, Merrick greeted crouching down. “So I want you to be a good boy for Aislinn and Solangel while daddy and your grandparents are at Nana Hazel’s. Rose said she’ll call later to say goodnight before you go to bed.”, Merrick said picking Faelan up, whose small hand was gripping what used to be Rose’s leather riding jacket till his mother re-stitched it to be a blanket for him. “You talk like this sweet pup is ever bad.”, Solangel said with a laugh. Merrick smiled and hugged Faelan and gave him a kiss setting him down. “Yes well like father like son, so better safe than sorry. Thanks again for watching him. Night.”, Merrick said standing up giving a wave walking away. Solangel picked up Faelan and looked at him. “You aren’t going to grow up to sleep around with a bunch of women to avoid admitting to the one you really want that she’s the one are you?”, Solangel asked. Faelan cocked his head to the side more than a little confused. Solangel giggled. “Of course you won’t. You’ll learn from your daddy’s errors and when you find love you’ll tell her. Now come here it’s time for raspberries.”, Solangel said blowing raspberries on Faelan’s tummy through his sleeper which got the eight month old to giggle with delight and wiggle from Solangel’s hands and waddle to Aislinn for safety.

Merrick’s parents had already headed for Hazel’s house before him so Merrick went straight over to Zoe’s apartment. He had no idea what her and Gina had found for a dress. But he figured it wouldn’t really matter, they were going as friends. He didn’t bother texting to get in, he still had a key to the stairs and apartment for that matter so he let himself in and headed up the stairs knocking. “Hellraiser you ready? We need to hit the road if we are going to get there close to on time.”, Merrick called. “Almost! Come in!”, Zoe yelled from the other side of the door. Zoe was just finishing zipping the back of her dress. She rather liked the dress that she and her sister had chosen. She liked the eggshell wrap-over bodice with its deep v neck then it’s glitter gold a-line skirt that included pockets. Merrick stepped inside and looked around not seeing her. “Whenever you are ready Zoe.”, Merrick said leaning against the kitchen island. “Coming..”, Zoe said slipping her feet into her black heels remembering she left her jacket on a bar stool in the kitchen. She walked out having doing a final check of her hair. “So what do you think? Going to knock some ivy leaguers out?”, Zoe asked with a laugh as she walked out. Merrick looked up from fixing his tie at her and blinked. “Yeah. You… you are definitely going to get ogled.”, he said rubbing his lips together looking at her. Zoe smirked and grabbed her black blazer. “Yes well thank you and same could be said for you.”, she teased. “I’m going to have to keep an eye on you tonight so you stay out of trouble aren’t I?”, Merrick said shaking his head as they walked out. “You never know…”, Zoe shrugged as they got into the car to head up to Boston.

Merrick had assumed the party at his Nana Hazel’s would be boring as most of it was. He was dragged around by his Nana to meet this person and that to discuss the sanctuary he was starting in Bayville. Zoe had been mostly left on her own though Hazel did introduce her to Alan Snyder a law student at Harvard. While Zoe seemed to be having a good time talking and flirting with Alan Merrick kept looking over finding himself rather annoyed with this Alan guy. He just didn’t like the smell of him. So while he was being walked around he sent a text to Blaire, the only Harvard Law student he knew asking, ‘Do you know an Alan Snyder?’. Blaire found it rather odd to get a text for Merrick even odder that he was asking about Alan Snyder. ‘Yeah. Creepo Factor deathcon 10. Why?’, Blaire asked stretched out on her bed back home having came home for winter break. Merrick got the text and glared a little harder at Alan who was smiling and flirting with Zoe. ‘Because he’s hitting on my friend Zoe. Thanks for the intel.’, Merrick replied. Blaire laughed getting the text.

Merrick continued to keep an eye on Zoe and Alan not really liking where he was hearing that conversation going and hating himself for it. Zoe wasn’t his girlfriend or even a lover anymore he wasn’t allowed to be jealous. Zoe and Alan both seemed oblivious to Merrick keeping tabs on them. During his rounds however he learned from Robert and Thomas who were also glaring at Alan that Alan had last week taken Emma out on two dates the first he tried to get her to give him a handjob during a movie and the second he tried to get her to have sex with him in his car at a make out area near Boston University. Which that got Merrick’s blood boiled. Between what Blaire said and now this there was zero chance he was going to let Zoe wander off with Alan. “We’ll take care of him. Let me first get him away from Zoe. Thomas watch the exits. Robert there’s a shed out in the garden that will do. After all won’t fight inside Nana’s house.”, Merrick said giving his sisters’ boyfriends their marching orders. Tommy laughed. “You know man you are going to have to tell Zoe why he’s getting his ass kicked or she’s going to think it’s because you’re jealous that she’s talking to him.”, Tommy said. Merrick looked to Tommy and shook his head. “Yeah well we are just friends. And I’m a protective friend, going to let a sleaze like him be around my best friend.”, Merrick said making his head in the direction of Alan and Zoe.

Zoe was whispering in Alan’s ear. “So what do you say we go somewhere and get to know each other a little bitter. Keep in mind sex isn’t on the table but everything else is.”, Zoe gave as her counter offer. Alan nodded ready to leave with Zoe. Merrick however coughed. “Excuse me can I borrow her a minute?”, Merrick asked not really giving a chance for an answer taking Zoe’s hand and walking away from Alan. “What are you doing Merrick?”, Zoe demanded pulling her hand back. “I’m giving you a warning.”, Merrick stated. “And what’s the warning? Not to go make out with Emma’s ex?”, Zoe asked folding her arms across her chest. Merrick rolled his eyes. “I don’t consider someone who takes my little sister on a date where first date he tries to force her to give him a handjob in a movie theater or the second tries to get her to have sex with him in his car an ex anything. Other than he might be an ex member of the living population when I’m done.”, Merrick said glaring over at Alan. “Oh…um well can you wait till later?”, Zoe asked looking to Alan who seemed rather confused. “Well given I don’t exactly have the right to tell you not to go off with him. Go ahead. At least one of us can have some fun. But after I am at least breaking his arm for touching my little sister without her consent.”, Merrick sighed. He wished he had a reason to give her. If this had been last year’s party she wouldn’t even have been talking to Alan because last year’s party they’d spent in her bed together having the kind of fun she was talking about going to have with Alan. But that wasn’t the case anymore, they weren’t like that since Faelan and since this summer and Rose. Zoe kissed his cheek with a smile. “Thanks..”, she teased heading back to Alan. Merrick watched her walk away and shook his head. He hadn’t even told Rose he loved her or asked her out yet here he was acting like he was committed to her.

“So we good to go?”, Alan asked as Zoe walked over. “Sorry… but that was Merrick Bryant-Frost, he’s Emma’s big brother. And um well he wants to kill you. Something about being too forward and trying to do something without Emma’s consent. He’s a stickler for no means no. And I may hate Emma and she’s a massive bitch but she’s his bitch-sister. So I would recommend running.”, Zoe said. Alan blinked and looked to Merrick. “That’s…that’s her brother. She said she had a big brother…”, Alan gulped. “I just didn’t think she meant that big.. um well sorry to cut this short then. Perhaps another time… bye.”, Alan said not even trying to give her a kiss or give his side of the story. He just went to duck out a different direction than Merrick was standing. Zoe watched him and almost felt pity wondering if her warning would let him escape or just send him to his doom anyways. Merrick walked up behind her leaned to rest his head on her shoulder and look at her. “You warned him? Why?”, he asked playfully smiling as his phone buzzed. “I figured he deserved a sporting head start.”, Zoe answered. Merrick laughed and took his phone from his pocket and pulling up the text from Tommy and showed it to her. ‘Got him we are in the garden shed, you can take your time if you want me and Robbie will keep him busy.’ Zoe rolled her eyes. “You had people waiting for him?”, she asked. “Yes, though he couldn’t get far anyway. Thomas runs faster than sound and I could track him easy. I may be Emma’s big brother and therefore it’s my job to defend her honor but those two have their minds and hearts set on forever with my sisters so they are big brothers in this too. So I’m going to go outside I’ll be back soon.”, Merrick said giving her a kiss on the cheek before heading out to the garden shed to provide a lesson in what happens when one doesn’t respect a woman’s wishes…especially his sister’s.

As a result of his misdeeds Alan left the party with a broken right arm, black eye, and broken nose. Which were all deserved as far as Merrick, Tommy and Robert were concerned. Lily nor Josalyn had made any attempts to intervene they had actually been told to just let them deal with Alan both being told they felt one sibling, Merrick, doing damage was enough as they figured the sisters would probably inflict worse if given the chance. It was a rare moment when Josalyn and Lily agreed. And that they agreed on, neither took kindly to guys that got handsy and both would have probably beaten the guy bloody. Zoe had managed to find Hazel and just stuck by the side of the elderly aristocrat till Merrick returned. His hands cold from being outside and placed his hands on the exposed area of her back. Zoe jumped and started cursing in Italian. Merrick laughed at her reaction as she spun and slapped at him. “What my hands cold?”, Merrick teased. “YES, you bastard.”, she said still hitting him shivering a little from the cold of his hands. Merrick continued to laugh as he took off his suit jacket and placing it over her shoulders knowing it was warm. “Better?”, he asked. Zoe glared a little but pulled the suit jacket closer absorbing the warmth he’d left behind. “Si cucciolo.”, she grumbled. “Cucciolo?”, he asked. “I’m not translating.”, Zoe said snuggling into the jacket. She wasn’t surprised how warm the jacket was as he was always so warm typically. It however just served to remind her that she wouldn’t get to snuggle into him and enjoy his warmth like she had last winter. “Fine I’ll look it up.”, he said taking out his phone and pulling up google translate. “Cucciolo, puppy. Aw you trying to give me a pet name hellraiser?”, he teased. “Cheater. Come on my feet are killing me. If you are done trying to get donations let’s head back to Bayville.”, she offered. “Alright come on.”, he said putting an arm around her shoulder. They gave their goodbyes to his nana and then left.

The Haven was fully decked out for Christmas as everyone seemed to want to make Faelan’s first Christmas spectacular. It was still a few days before Christmas but the tree was up and decorated. Everyone had helped to decorate as Landon, Rachel, Cora Lee, Malcolm, Lily and Tommy had all come to the Haven for the holiday. Faelan was given the privilege, with the help of a step ladder and his father, to place the star on top of the tree. Merrick had also made a special first Christmas ornament for Faelan to hang. Faelan had his own stocking that had been hung along with the stockings that belonged to all the kids. It wasn’t fancy just a green stocking with a white lettering of his name across the top. After the tree trimming party was over Merrick approached the guys. “Hey Mal, Thomas, Landon think I could borrow you for a couple hours?”, Merrick asked. Malcolm shrugged sipping his beer that legally he wasn’t supposed to be drinking. “Sure what do you need?”, Malcolm asked having no reservations at his best friend asking for help. Landon raised an eyebrow setting his beer down, for him it was weird that his cousin would ask for help from him. “Yeah I’ve got time before Rachel wanted to go to her parents’ house.”, Landon agreed. Tommy shrugged. “I guess. What are we doing?”, Tommy asked. “Moving furniture, get it done faster with more than just me lugging it up the stairs to the apartment.”, Merrick said heading for the door. The three all looked confused. Merrick rolled his eyes. “I made a couch and chair for Zoe as a Christmas present. She’s at work for the next couple hours so right now is the window I have to get the stuff in and set up without her there.”, Merrick explained. “You made her furniture for Christmas? Wait if she’s at work how are we getting in?”, Landon asked. “Yes. At this point the only things in her apartment I didn’t build are the kitchen and bathroom cabinets.”, Merrick explained and held up a set of keys. “And we are getting in because I have keys to her place.”, Merrick said heading to the GTO.

That statement however had gotten the attention of all three of them who grabbed their jackets and shouted goodbye to their girlfriends before racing out the door after Merrick getting into his GTO. “Whoa. Want to explain why you have keys to Alexander’s older sister’s apartment?”, Tommy asked leaning from the back seat having gotten stuffed in the back with Landon as they were smaller than Malcolm and Merrick. “She’s my best friend.”, Merrick said simply. “I’m your best friend and you don’t have the keys to the house in Manhattan.”, Malcolm said. “Rose know you are so close to your female best friend?”, Landon asked. Merrick rolled his eyes. “I’m not you Landon.”, Merrick stated. “That doesn’t answer any of our questions. Why do you have keys to her place and does Rose know?”, Tommy asked. Merrick sighed pulling up to the old Haven getting out. “Fine, I have keys to her place because during Jenna’s pregnancy I stayed there a lot and before you read between the lines too far I have a rule about sleeping with anyone who’s a sibling to someone that is already involved with a family member. So given Gina is with Bastian I can say with all honesty I never fucked Zoe.”, Merrick said heading for the front door. “Wait so you never slept with her, but stayed at her place? And still doesn’t say if Rose knows.”, Landon said following his cousin. Merrick sighed unlocking the house. “We fooled around till Faelan was born not a big deal. We haven’t done anything since Faelan was born. And yeah Rose knows. Second damn thing out of my mouth when she got home. First was ‘hey I have a kid’ and second was ‘oh and I fooled around with Zoe’. Again, cousin, I’m not you I’m upfront about my dirty deeds.”, Merrick said heading inside.

“And you didn’t get knocked the fuck out? Damn…”, Landon chuckled following his cousin along with the others. “I didn’t get knocked out because one Zoe isn’t related to Rose, two I was upfront about it, and three I gave the correct assurance that it’s not Zoe I want.”, Merrick said heading to where the couch and chair were. “But not actually telling Rose outright she’s who you want.”, Tommy commented. “No I didn’t outright say…”, Merrick stopped himself moving to grab the end of the couch. Malcolm grabbed the other end. “Didn’t outright tell her you love her.”, Malcolm finished. “God damn it you and Zoe. Stop finishing my fucking thoughts.”, Merrick grumbled. Landon laughed. “So Zoe knows how you feel about Rose and is cool with being friends?”, Landon asked picking up the chair with Tommy’s help because it was heavy being solid cherry. “Yeah of course she is. I kind of doubt she’d still be my best friend if she wasn’t. Plus she has known about me and Rose since last summer. Zoe kind of subscribes to the philosophy that since she can’t have me then Rose should. She’s rather pushy about it and when Rose left and I hadn’t told her or asked her out Zoe held my arms so Nana Hazel could hit me with her cane. And that old bat has a hell of a swing. Almost regret making that cane out of a hardwood like hickory.”, Merrick laughed as he talked carrying the couch out and to the box truck in the driveway he’d bought for local deliveries.

The other three laughed as they helped carry the items to the truck and load it up. “Alright so honest question. As Rose’s best friend I want to know when are you going to tell her? Because she’s not going to say it first. She said it first to me and got burned. She won’t take the risk of getting burned by another Bryant.”, Landon asked pulling closed the back of the truck. Merrick sighed. “I don’t know honestly. When it feels like the right time to say it. And trust me I’m aware how bad she got burned by you dating Rachel. But I don’t want to be the guy who blurts out how he feels and makes her think she’s gotta choose. She’s in England for Christ sakes. She’s got medical school to finish and then there’s Excalibur. I don’t want her to think it’s a choice between that and me especially with Faelan involved now.”, Merrick explained. “But you do love her?”, Landon asked. Merrick sighed. “Yes. I love Rose. Now drive the box truck with Tommy and follow me and Malcolm.”, Merrick said tossing a set of keys into Landon’s hands. Landon chuckled he at least got Merrick to say the words out loud now if only his cousin would say them to Rose. So Landon and Tommy followed in the box truck over to the restaurant. “She lives above Two Brothers?”, Landon asked getting out. “Yeah her ‘Uncle’ Alec D’Amour owns the restaurant and she works as a waitress here.”, Merrick explained. “D’Amour? Why is that name familiar……”, Landon said searching his brain for the name. “Twin brother named Chesed very dangerous mutant has black wings, yellow eyes, strength and minor healing factor. Wanted in almost every state for being a serial killer.”, Landon said remembering the name now. Merrick blinked. “Um I guess. Alec doesn’t talk about his brother.”, Merrick shrugged unlocking the lower door and propping it open. “So we don’t close the door till we are inside because it’s got an automatic lock.”, Merrick said opening the truck and with Malcolm getting the heavy couch out of the truck and with some turning into the hallway. Tommy and Landon followed behind with the chair closing the door behind them.

“Alright to the second floor. Be glad this isn’t for Alec he’s on the third floor.”, Merrick said picking up the couch again and walking backwards up the stairs. They were careful to make sure not to hit the walls or the railing not wanting to damage the furniture. Merrick stopped at the door and unlocked the apartment carrying the couch in. Malcolm and the others looked around as they walked and could easily tell Merrick hadn’t lied when he said the place was furnished with this pieces. “Wow, man you have really hooked this girl up in the furniture department.”, Malcolm said as the set the couch down. Merrick nodded. The guys looked around briefly seeing pictures of Zoe’s family and a number of her with Merrick and Merrick smiling in all of them. “Yeah. Now let’s get this trash couch out of here”, Merrick said picking up the lighter piece of furniture on his own. “Open the door downstairs please.”, Merrick requested. Tommy raced down the stairs to hold the door. Merrick tossed the old couch into the dumpster before heading back upstairs. While he’d been downstairs the others had decided to look around the apartment. When he came in he didn’t see them. “What are you guys doing?”, Merrick asked walking down the hall seeing his cousin and Malcolm in her office looking at her sketches and paintings that were arranged around the room either hung or just hanging from strings or sitting on an easel in the case of a rough painting of Faelan. “So she’s a rather good artist.”, Landon commented. “Yeah now come on. Out of her office.”, Merrick said pushing them away though glanced at the painting of Faelan with a small smile on his lips. Tommy was in the next room looking at the bedroom set. “Alright Tommy I swear to god I’ll knock you the fuck out. Out of her bedroom.”, Merrick growled shooing Tommy out of the room. “Nice bedroom set you built. So I’ve seen the cost of your furniture, which is worth it, but how’s a waitress afford your furniture?”, Tommy asked glancing to a pair of lace thongs on the floor before he was being shoved to the living room.

“Some of the stuff were gifts. The coffee table was a housewarming present last May.”, Merrick explained moving the couch into position and then the chair. “Uh huh and the rest of the stuff?”, Tommy asked. “Media center, the bar stools, the desk, and office chair she paid me in food. Which seriously I ate dinner here a lot and not just because Zoe is hot.”, Merrick stated and stepped back to make sure the furniture was where he wanted it. “And the bedroom set?”, Malcolm asked. “She insisted on still cooking food. But the bed was made for my convenience.”, Merrick explained carefully moving the chair to a different angle wanting the best light from the lamp and the window since she liked reading books and play scripts. “Your convenience?”, Landon asked. Merrick sighed and looked at them. “She had a crappy metal frame full size bed. I barely fit on that myself let alone with her. So I built the bed because, sorry, if I’m going to be spending time in a bed it better be able to fit me and be comfortable. The rest of the bedroom set was just to make sure it all went together.”, Merrick said. Malcolm covered his mouth to stifle his laughter where Landon and Tommy both leaned on his shoulders laughing. “Oh go to fucking hell.”, Merrick said rolling his eyes. “Sorry man it’s just funny. You built a bed for a woman for the purpose of sleeping with her in it.”, Tommy said laughing. “Point of order, we never had sex.”, Merrick defended fixing the covers on the furniture so she couldn’t see them immediately when walking into the apartment. “I think what they are saying is that if you didn’t love Rose you’d be with Zoe.”, Malcolm stated. Merrick shook his head. “Nah. She’s Gina’s sister, my rule is clear on that. Though it would piss Alexander off a lot if I did date Zoe. Heck I think he’d try to kill me if he knew what I have done with her.”, Merrick smirked but shrugged.

All four started laughing as they pictured the look of intense anger Alexander would have at this information. Zoe was tired from a long shift in the restaurant and so she took the side entrance from the kitchen into the stairs to her apartment. As she started up the stairs she heard muffled voices and froze not sure how someone would have gotten into the building not even thinking about Merrick having keys. She quietly walked up the stairs and to her door where she heard laughing on the other side of the door. Based on the tones of the laughs she could tell whoever was in her apartment were men. She took a breath grabbing the handle ready to turn the intruders to stone as she threw open the door. But instead of turning them to stone she stopped mouth open blinking. There in her apartment was Merrick and three other guys, one she recognized as Tommy from the Christmas party at Hazel’s. She didn’t even notice that beyond the four men her couch was gone and instead there were two odd shaped items covered by white drop cloths. “Wow. You know if I had known I’d be walking into a porn set I’d have worn less clothing.”, Zoe teased looking down at her slacks, blazer and white button up from work. The guys were still laughing when they turned to look at her. “Ooh she’s got a dirty mind and sense of humor, unlike her brother. Now her being your friend makes sense.”, Tommy said still laughing a little. Merrick shook his head a little. “Sorry to disappoint hellraiser. But wouldn’t do porn with my cousin and I’m not really the type that likes to share my toys.”, Merrick explained with a wink.

“Awwww that’s no fun.”, she said pouting a bit. “Got all types of boys in here to play with.”, she smirked then laughed softly. “Um…Tommy, Landon, and Malcolm right?”, she asked pointing to each of them. Tommy she’d seen at Hazel’s party and Malcolm was easy to identify as she was studying for her citizenship and his mother was part of the study material as a recent president. The each nodded and gave a wave. “Yeah. So formal intro. That’s Thomas Maximoff Lily’s boyfriend, Malcolm Durvo my other best friend and Cora Lee’s boyfriend, and my cousin Landon Bryant Rachel’s fiancée. Guys this is Zoe Deluca my best friend.”, Merrick introduced. “Heard lots about you guys, mostly good things too.”, she chuckled setting her purse on the counter and walking over to offer her hand to them. “Hi. I’d say I’ve heard lots about you from my cousin. But today’s the first time he’s really talked to me as a person. Do however know about you through other sources. Ocular based mutation that allows any substance to be changed into a form of stone you choose. Very interesting.”, Landon said with a smile shaking her hand. “Don’t mind Landon. He’s a history major and wants to create his own field on mutant history.”, Tommy said smiling taking her head. “I remember you from Nana Hazel’s party last week. You had Emma very pissed, good job.”, Tommy chuckled. Malcolm smiled and shook her hand. “Thanks for keeping an eye on Merrick for me. Hard to keep him out of trouble from Manhattan.”, Malcolm greeted. “Yeah, I’ve been making sure he gets into trouble in the right places.”, she laughed. “Like in your be…”, Tommy started to talk before Merrick’s elbow landed in his gut. “Thomas silence is golden and life prolonging.”, Merrick stated.
“You’re right Landon. I’m a gorgon. And Tommy pissing Emma off is one of my favorite things.”, she laughed “So why does it look like I’m doing renovations in here?”, she asked. “Not renovations exactly. Go remove the clothes and see for yourself.”, Merrick said stepping out of the way. Zoe frowned and walked over to the smaller and pulled off the sheet. She blinked in shock then laughed realizing that her couch was missing. “Bastard, these are beautiful!”, she said. She reached over and pulled the cloth from the couch and sat down on the comfy microfiber cushions. “Ha, this is awesome!”, she exclaimed. “I do something nice and get called a bastard? Why do I keep coming here?”, Merrick teased with a smile. “The couch is long enough even Malcolm or I could stretch out comfortably. From armrest to armrest is seventy-seven inches or six foot four inches.”, Merrick explained. “Dio…”, she shook her head leaning back into the comfortable couch. “And you all need food! I have enough and everything else I can steal from downstairs. Uncle Alec won’t mind. Give me orders and I can good.”, she said getting up and walking to the kitchen area. “We don’t need food Zoe. We just ate at the Haven. They are in town for Christmas and we were trimming the tree. Which reminds me..”, Merrick said taking out his phone and pulled up some pictures walking over to her. She held out the phone to show her the picture of baby Faelan wrapped in silver garland and then the one of him holding Faelan as they put the star on the tree. “Awwww look at the cucciolo!”, she said smiling at the pictures. “So adorable. Well I owe you food and you boys too sometime then.”, Zoe said looking to the others.

“I’ll forward them to you later. And you don’t owe me food. They are a present.”, Merrick aid putting the phone away. “And we just helped move them. No need for you to owe us. Merrick never asks for help or really talks to us like we might be friends. That’s payment enough.”, Landon said. She chuckled a bit. “Still confuses me that people think Merrick can be an ass. First time I really talked to him he was making sure I wasn’t crying because of Geri.”, Zoe said. The guys all looked at Merrick with raised eyebrows though Malcolm was smiling. “I’ve never thought he was an asshole. But he was my roommate in the academy days and was always nice to me.”, Malcolm said. Merrick raised an eyebrow at Tommy and Landon. “What? Don’t look at me like that. I’m not always an asshole.”, Merrick defended. “Seriously, he hasn’t been an asshole at all to me.”, she chuckled. “And he makes the cutest purring noises.”, she teased. “Purring??”, Tommy asked. “Wonder when he does that…”, Tommy teased. “Tommy remind me why I’m not allowed to kick your ass.”, Merrick asked glaring at Tommy. Landon sighed and nudged Tommy as he shook his head. “Because Lily wants to keep him around. And it’s good to know you aren’t an asshole to everyone. Then again if my best friend Rose can love you, you obviously have some good in you. Rose is a good judge of character.”, Landon stated. “Oooh so they’re in on the loop that your head over heels?”, Zoe teased. Merrick rolled his eyes. “They follow mom on Facebook so saw that picture this summer.”, he explained. “Was a bit shocking to see the picture, but was easier to digest than last summer when my sister and Malcolm were a few minutes shy from catching them in bed together at the hotel.”, Landon teased. “Wow, that’d have been scary.”, she laughed shaking her head. “Own fault for being nosey.”, Merrick shrugged. “Nosey? Let’s think which mutant with hyper sensitive sense got into my business one new years about making out with Cora Lee?”, Malcolm pointed out.

She smiled and pushed some hair back. “Well you guys probably should get back to your families.”, she said. Merrick rolled his eyes at Malcolm. “Yeah. I’m supposed to go to the Howletts. Want me to send your holiday wishes to your in-laws too?”, Landon teased. “Landon…just shut up.”, Merrick said pointing to the door. Zoe chuckled. “Well go on guys. And thanks again Merrick.”, Zoe said hugging him about the neck. “Nice to have met you Zoe.”, the guys said with a wave heading for the door. Merrick shook his head a little and returned the hug giving her a quick kiss. “You’re welcome. Merry Christmas, Zoe.”, he said. The others had stopped in the hall watching the exchange. Zoe smiled and returned the kiss. “Merry Christmas handsome.”, she said letting him go. “Enjoy your new furniture. And sorry about the guys. They are like small breed dogs. Get all hyper and excited when they get taken anywhere.”, Merrick laughed heading for the door. “No problem, I like dogs.”, she smirked. “Love you Merrick. See you”, she said. Merrick stopped in the doorway. “Yes well I’m no small breed dog.”, he replied with a wink. “Love ya too. See you later.”, he said as the others were heading down the stairs. Zoe waved and Merrick waved back as he followed the guys down the stairs. Zoe sighed after closing her door and went and stretched out on the new sofa a mix of emotions. He could say it to her, but it wasn’t the same way he needed and wanted to say it to Rose. The guys all saw the kiss and heard the ‘love you’s being exchanged but knew from the tone it wasn’t really the same but all three could see easily if not for Rose it could have been meant in a more than friends way.

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After Rose left there was no real quiet in the Haven. Faelan may not have been three months old but as a puppy and kitten he’d bonded with Rose, she left an imprint on him. And so he missed her and cried, whimpered and howled in his longing for her. In the end the resolution was that by chance her riding jacket had been left in the downstairs closet. Aislinn had founded it when cleaning and as soon as Faelan caught wind of the scent the jacket became his. Merrick even had to put it in the crib with him just to get him to sleep and not whine. Merrick couldn’t blame Faelan. Rose was someone worth missing. Merrick didn’t like to think about it much but he missed her too. He just kept that to himself, however having her around the whole month it made it worse when she left again. All the times before he could easily let the missing her roll off his back and be forgotten. He hadn’t spent every day of her vacation with her like this time. And then otherwise he was always able to temporarily forget by sleeping with someone else. But this time he couldn’t do that. There was no losing himself with someone else. He didn’t want anyone else, even Zoe. Merrick and Faelan weren’t the only ones feeling the pain of her leaving. Rose was also feeling them an ocean away. She’d come back her phone filled with pictures of Faelan and Merrick to show the team and probably anyone that would look. A good part of her medical school classmates had grown exhausted listening to her talk to them about Faelan and all the cute thing he had done while she was in America.

Over the months Merrick found himself on the phone and more often on Skype with Rose which seemed to help quell all of their missing each other. Faelan didn’t quite understand that she was just an image on the computer and would sometimes get upset and confused that he could hear her and see her but not smell her or touch her. But it at least helped Rose and Merrick with it this time around. Generally when they were apart for college it was rare they talked to each other and now it was clockwork that they talked. Most often it was Merrick just telling her about the latest things Faelan had done. Such as when he started to crawl in human form at five months, his first word was ‘Ro’ at seven months which he yelled during a Skype chat which made Rose just start crying and then most recently Merrick had gotten Faelan to walk in human form across the living room to the leather riding jacket which his mom had re-stitched to be a blanket for Faelan. So on a cold December morning after a late night patrol Skye was looking at the photos again for the billionth time “So Rose ya love Merrick, why dinna ya tell him and just ask him out?”, Skye asked bluntly looking up from her cup of coffee and bowl of cereal at Rose. Rose coughed on her spoonful of cereal at the random question swallowing before answering. “Because… last time I told someone… told a Bryant how I felt about him I got rejected.”, Rose sighed. “Rejected? Lassie die isn’t yer cousin’s fiancée dis is Merrick. Dis yer bloke. And dinna bother telling me he ain’t yers. Ya talk ta him almost every day. Ya his lad’s first word for Christ sakes.”, Skye protested.

“That’s because my name is the simplest out of everyone he knows.”, she countered rolling her eyes. “No da da, which is more common for a babe to say. And he sees his dah every day.”, Skye matched. “And I see him almost every day too.”, Rose pointed out eating another spoonful of cereal. “Not in person where ya hold him like his dah. So dinna give me yer crap bout dat. Da wee laddie loves ya just like his dah does.”, Skye said eating her cereal. “Fine I’ll say it when Merrick can.”, Rose shook her head. “So wat yer gonna just wait and pine till he finds a voice? Dinna ya say he’s no good with words?”, Skye sighed. “Skye, even if I did love him… which I don’t…and said it what would it change? We talk every day, we laugh, we smile, and I get to see Faelan without missing them as much.”, Rose sighed. “Ya do! Don’t be lying ta a telepath lassie. It would give ya both peace of mind. Put out dere how ya feel. Saying da truth is liberating and generally rewarding.”, she replied pointing her spoon at Rose. “Or maybe we just be happy with what we have?”, Rose offered. “Are ya happy? Just having an unspoken emotion burning at ya to be let out? To live in relationship limbo?”, Skye asked. “I can go out there and day any guy I want.”, she defended. “Aye ya could lassie. Yer pretty and smart. Dey line up and mah twin would take first ticket at da change.”, Skye nodded. “But ya don’t. Just like he could walk out his front door and prolly easy find a lassie happy to date him and be round his lad.”, she added.

Rose frowned a little. “He wouldn’t even need to walk out the door. He’d just have to call her up…”, she muttered thinking about Zoe. Skye raised an eyebrow. “She why ya holding back?”, she questioned. Rose blinked at the question. “What? No…I’m not holding back.”, she said shaking her head. “Ya are. If ya weren’t ya have told him ya love him. Ah hear it get caught in yer throat every time ya say goodnight to him.”, she pointed out. “I don’t have a future with him, Skye.”, Rose protested with exasperation. “Says who? And why?”, Skye demanded. “Says me. Because he has his sanctuary he is building, his son, his entire family there and doesn’t travel then I have my schooling and the team.”, Rose said giving her reasons they couldn’t work. “Oh dat so? Have ya two ever talked bout it? Cause dat should be a choice reached together. Especially with how his lad is bout ya.”, she questioned. “Skye he doesn’t love me.”, Rose said firmly. “Let’s see. He let ya hold his wee babe when no others could, he let ya take his babe alone visiting yer family, he let ya drive his car which before da babe was his most prized possession, he had ya staying wid him. Oh and he calls ya ever day. No no of course he’s not in love.”, Skye rolled her eyes her tone oozing with sarcasm. “If Ah had something to hit ya wid...ya giant idiot.”, she shook her head. “Skye I just..please let’s drop it.”, Rose requested. Skye shook her head. “Lord yer an idiot and ya’ll feel like one if ya let someone like him slip away cause ya dinna want to read the writing on da wall.”, she sighed. “No, that’d be the best thing that could happen.”, she sighed. “He would get someone that is there with him and Faelan and I wouldn’t have to watch him and a ‘son’ grow old and die.”, Rose said her shoulders sinking a little.

She hated saying it she hated thinking it but really it would be the easiest for them both and thus in her mind the best. “But not wid da one he wants. And da babe is rather stuck on ya. Yer his momma, ya can see it in dat pup’s eyes.”, Skye protested. “Skye why aren’t you this pushing in Donovan’s life?”, rose sighed wanting to change the subject. “Cause he ain’t found his match. So let him run round. If he finds a lassie who’s right and he doesn’t see it then Ah’ll knock sense into him.”, Skye explained. She knew her brother had the same issues Rose did in regards to commitment, watching their other half grow old without them. Skye couldn’t say she understood because she didn’t have to go through it. However she didn’t see it a good enough reason to not enjoy being in love with someone. Rose shook her head. “Just..give me a bit okay.”, she requested. “Ya’ve had four years to sort out how ya feel bout him. And it’s almost Christmas, if not during a season as filled wid love and joy like dis when else can ya tell yer special someone how much ya love dem.”, Skye offered up. Rose raised an eyebrow at the statement. “Maybe but I can’t just say something like that on the phone...not a first time saying it.”, Rose frowned. “So take holiday break and go to him. Ya kne ya dinna want ta watch Faelan’s first Christmas on the computer.”, Skye recommended finishing her coffee. “Ah gotta head to class. Just tink on it mate.”, Skye said patting Rose’s shoulder before leaving. With her peace said Rose found herself actually thinking about it. Since starting medical school she’d never been home for Christmas. And what better reason to go home than Faelan’s first Christmas and maybe to tell Merrick how she felt.

Over in Bayville Merrick had been getting it from all sides about not telling Rose how he felt or at the very least asking her out before she went home. True to her word his Nana Hazel came to Bayville for one of Zoe’s plays and did hit Merrick hard in his knees with her hickory cane for not telling Rose how he felt and asking her out. And true to her word Zoe held him still, granted he knew the hit was coming and stood still on his own but it made Zoe feel like she helped by holding his arms. Progress had been being made at Faelan’s Wildlife Sanctuary and any tree that was fallen for the building of the office was brought back to Aonair Mac Tíre for him to use for his other business. He was getting a lot busier with orders as the holidays were coming closer. And on top of the orders for customers he was trying to get things done for presents. Today he was alternating between his rather large gift for Zoe and his smaller but more personal gift for Rose. He could make the bigger gift for Zoe because she lived in town and delivering it wouldn’t be an issue. He had to keep Rose’s gift under a certain size since he knew he’d have to mail it as he’d no inclination she was going to be home again till June. He was in the process of starting to get the pieces of cherry together to build a chair for Zoe that would go with the couch he’d already finished the frame on when he heard footsteps upstairs. He sniffed the air and knew it was Zoe so he quickly covered the sofa and the pieces of the unfinished chair with drop cloths before lifting his protective glasses to turn and look at her.

“Seriously do you ever give a warning that you are coming over?”, Merrick asked shaking his head as he dusted some wood shavings off his hands. Zoe smiled shaking her head back. “Nope. No fun in warning you. What you doing that you think you would need a warning for? You weren't masturbating down here, were you?”, she teased. Merrick rolled his eyes. “No…in twenty-two years I’ve never had to do that.”, Merrick said. “Oh right because you could always find someone willing to help you out.”, Zoe said casually looking around noticing the two drop cloths and went to lift one. “Something like that yeah. Hey stay out of that.”, He said swatting her hand away from the cloth that was covering the finished frame of her couch. Zoe giggled. “Why what’s under there? Is it something for me? Cause that’s a rather large drop cloth.”, Zoe said trying to peek around him. “Don’t worry about it. So what are you here about hellraiser?”, Merrick questioned moving her away from the hidden pieces. “I can’t just drop in and see my best friend? You’ve been rather busy so catching you here and in the evenings at the Haven is about the only times I see you. Faelan getting excited about Christmas? Can’t wait to give him my present.”, Zoe said. She was excited about Faelan’s first Christmas, everyone seemed to be. Merrick nodded going to his smaller work table and sat down picking up a piece of maple that he’d had sitting to dry into the slightly curved shape he wanted.

“Yeah we are all excited about his first Christmas. It sucks that Rose will have to watch it via Skype, but oh well.”, Merrick sighed picking up a stencil he’d printed and carefully pressing it along the curved piece of wood so he’d have proper lines to follow when he started carving. Zoe walked over leaning on his shoulder to see what he was working on. “You know if your stubborn ass had told her how you felt maybe she’d be come for Christmas.”, Zoe commented. Merrick just rolled his eyes as he carefully peeled back the stencil. Zoe watched and cocked her head to the side seeing a wolf head on the right, waves of the ocean in the center leading to the head of a wolverine on the left. “And what’s this?”, Zoe inquired pointing. Merrick smiled. “It’s for Rose, a bracelet.”, Merrick commented. “You are making her jewelry…ooo. You know her wrist size?”, Zoe questioned. Merrick laughed. “Yes. Any idea how many times in the last four years I’ve held her wrists for one reason or another. If it deals with Rose’s body I know it blindfolded.”, Merrick stated. “Fair enough I suppose. You did spend four years getting close to that body.”, Zoe commented. “I know yours blindfolded too so take that for what it’s worth.”, he commented starting to carve the wood with his smallest chisel to get the right amount of details. “Aw how romantic.”, Zoe teased rolling her eyes. “So what’s with the design? I know you enough to know you do nothing by accident or randomly.”, Zoe asked moving to grab a chair and watch him at work. She did enjoy watching him work with wood he was very good at it. “It’s the tattoo Rose always wanted since we were kids but because of her healing powers the ink could never take.”, Merrick stated as he continued his work. “Damn man you are amazing and the sweetest man ever. You know what tattoo she’s wanted since you were kids, I mean wow. You mind is like a steel trap for information.”, Zoe said tapping his head.

Merrick laughed and swatted her hand away briefly keeping his head bent as he focused on the carving. “I remember certain things yes. I remember when Landon got his first tattoo when we were thirteen his whole group thought it rather cool that his dad let him have a tattoo and they talked about what they would want and Rose said she would want a wolverine head to represent the dad she never knew, a wolf head to represent her mom and the ocean in between because she loves the ocean and it represented the distance that had separated her parents before she was born. Granted after that Landon and them rescued her dad from limbo and she’s since gotten to know him but she’s really close to him and even calls herself Wolverine over there with her new team. Here she was known as Lycan.”, Merrick explained. “Uh huh. And what else do you know about Rose from before you two started sleeping together?”, Zoe inquired. She may not get to have Merrick for herself but she liked listening to him talk about Rose because it was in his tone how much he loved her. “Her favorite flower is an Iris and my half brother Demitri long ago made a special breed called Rose Iris just for her that are white with a dark green design on the petals. I know her favorite food is steak medium rare, though she doesn’t eat it around me because she thinks I’ll get offended and doesn’t think it would be well received to make out with me with meat on her breath. Her favorite color is green. Her birthday is June 15th, 2008. She has the most amazing voice with this rich grit to it. Her full name is Roselyn Elizabeth Howlett. Roselyn is a name her mother promised her grandmother she’d name a kid, but Rose was also the name of the first woman her dad loved. Elizabeth was her dad’s mom’s name. Her mother is Aurelia Faith Christian Howlett and dad is James Logan Howlett. She’s the youngest of her dad’s six children. Amiko is adopted, Cero, Raziel is dead, Karli, and Hudson who’s a King. She is for the most part fearless and will do anything for someone she cares about. Though she’s afraid of her powers and that her family and friends will age without her. She also wants kids but fears she can never have them. She’s dreamed of being a doctor for well ever.”, Merrick listed out some of the stuff he had known about rose even before they started hooking up.

“Wow…just wow.”, Zoe commented. Merrick smirked. “I also remember it was August 19th, 2024 that she first kissed me. One September 27th, 2024 she bite my shoulder rather hard during a make out session and I just let it scar instead of having it healed. It was December 17th, 2024 when we first head sex and that was at the XC castle against one of the bedroom walls. The claw marks are still there etched into the stone.”, Merrick sighed a little thinking back. “Awww you remember all that. And you say you aren’t smart.”, Zoe gushed. Inside she wished he knew things like that about her. “Knowing things like that about women doesn’t make me smart in most regards. Unless you are saying smart in regards to never getting in trouble for forgetting something special about her.”, Merrick defended. “Yes well I think it shows how much you care about her. To remember all that. Maybe someday I’ll find a guy that remembers those little things about me.”, Zoe sighed. Merrick set down his little chisel and the bracelet lifting his protective glasses turning on his stool to look at her. “You’re Zoe Alexandria DeLuca. Your mother is Isadora Nicci Deluca Petridis your father is Damon Alexander Petridis. Your middle name is your grandmother Petridis’ first name. Your birthday is May 21st,2008. You are the oldest of three; Alexander and Gina. You’re favorite flower is the lotus, you don’t love one color more than another you just prefer textured colors on a whole, you devour Spaghetti alla Norma like someone’s going to take the plate from you. You want to be on broadway someday. You have the sweetest voice I’ve ever heard. You fear going all Medusa and losing control of your powers. You want kids but would but okay if you didn’t have them. And you want the fairytale romance like the plays you perform depict.”, Merrick said.

“I first met you on March 27th, 2027. First song I heard you sing was Quando La Stella. I helped you move into your apartment on May 26th, 2027. First meal you made to pay me back for the media unit I built was Florentine Ravioli. First time we kissed was September 7th, 2027.”, he said listing off some more information. She smiled a bit and stood up leaning on the table. “Aww I’m important to you.”, she said. “Of course you are Zoe.”, he said glancing up from the bracelet. He’d just finished getting the wolverine head etched in with great detail. “You’re important to me too, Merrick.”, she smiled. Merrick smiled back before looking back to the bracelet starting on the waves of the ocean. “Good because I like having you as a best friend.”, he commented. “And that won’t ever change. You’re stuck with me.”, she stated firmly. “Could think of worse to be stuck with. Certainly better view than my other best friend. No offense to Malcolm.”, he joked. “You’re a better view too.”, she chuckled. He looked up at her over the brim of his protective glasses and gave her a wink before returning to his etching. “So you spending Christmas at the apartment or your parents house this year?”, he asked. “Haven’t decided, honestly. Though not exactly like one is far from the other.”, she shrugged. “Guess that’s true. Well…”, he said standing up slightly reaching into his back pocket and handing her an envelope.

“Nana sent you this. It’s an invitation to the Frost Pre-Christmas party this Saturday. Zoe blinked taking the envelope and tore it open reading the invitation. “Oh well yes.”, she answered. Merrick laughed. “She figured it’d be a yes, so she already marked you as attending. She said you can bring a plus one if you want.”, he explained. “I don’t have any plus ones.”, she shrugged. “I’m not allowed a plus one. Apparently it’s my pence for not asking Rose out this summer.”, Merrick rolled his eyes. “Well you can have mine.”, she teased. “I don’t have anyone to bring.”, she added. “I don’t have a plus one to bring either. Unless you count Faelan. Which the party generally runs late and is more adult oriented so Aislinn and Solangel are watching him for me.”, he explained. “Then we just go together.”, she offered. “Sounds like a plan. There will be single guys there. I can be your wingman. Or for the situation of creepers bodyguard.”, Merrick chuckled. “Single guys there?”, Zoe asked with raised eyebrow. “Yeah, grandkids and such of her friends. I don’t remember all their names. Most are ivy league college guys like Harvard, Yale and Princeton.”, he explained. She smirked. “Merrick, help me find a dress. I’m not above looking awesome to tease those boys.”, she requested. “Whoa. Clothes shopping? Why would you want me for that? I’m more about taking your clothes off than carrying what they look like on.”, Merrick questioned.

“Because you know what looks best in a man’s mind to take off.”, Zoe answered. “You’re talking to the guy that your work clothes and even your sweats look good enough to pull off to get to what’s underneath.”, Merrick said shaking his head. “And yet, you didn’t sleep with me.”, Zoe shrugged. Merrick set his small chisel down and looked up at her. “Because I have a rule that I cling to like my life depends on it.”, he stated. Which it was true there’d been so many times he wanted to break that rule but something always stopped him. He wouldn’t say it aloud but it was Rose that always stopped him. She smiled. “Relax. I’m not complaining exactly. But fine I’ll ask Gina to help pick out my dress.”, she assured. Merrick chuckled. “That’s an idea. However if Gina is busy I’ll go if you really want my opinion.”, he offered. “You’re my back up then.”, she smiled. “Can do.”, he said returning to the etching. “Well I better go see if Gina can go dress shopping. Have fun.”, she said giving him a kiss on the cheek before heading up stairs.

Zoe was able to get her sister go to dress shopping with her. Gina was rather jealous that Zoe was getting to go to the event. Because Sebastian is under eighteen he wasn’t going and therefore she couldn’t go either. Zoe wasn’t the only one getting ready for the part either. Merrick’s sisters were also all going as well. Tommy of course didn’t mind going to the party even if it meant having to dress up he liked getting to go out with Lily. He would even suffer the long train ride to Boston not to mention dealing with her sisters Josalyn and Emma. For Josalyn, her boyfriend Robert, and Emma the distance was no issue given they didn’t live far from Nana Hazel’s house. Emma had decided to go solo, she figured there would be single guys there not that she was overly interested in getting involved with anyone at present.

Merrick made sure to have his Skype with Rose before he had to leave. He had the laptop sitting on the bed to Skype while he was getting dressed. “So what are you getting up dressed up for again?”, Rose asked propping her head up on her hand leaning her head slightly to the side watching as he undressed. “I told you it’s Nana Hazel’s holiday party. She insisted that I go this year, something about knowing some investors that are interested in donating to the sanctuary. So yeah I get to go and meet a bunch of random people who think donating money to my animal sanctuary will make a good tax write off.”, Merrick explained as he pulled his black suit out of the closet. “Right…”, Rose said half listening mostly just staring. “Are you listening or just drooling over there little wolf?”, Merrick teased. Rose laughed and shrugged. “I can do both. Investors. Old farts that want a tax write off. See I’m paying attention.”, Rose defended. Merrick shook his head. “Yes well I’m not looking forward to it. I hate talking to people.”, Merrick frowned getting his pants on and then grabbing a dark blue dress shirt turning back to the laptop as he buttoned it. “God you are hot.”, Rose commented.

Merrick laughed. “Anyways. So tonight Aislinn and Solangel will be watching Faelan and Sebastian since mom and dad are also going too.”, he continued talking getting the final button and tucking the shirt neatly into his slacks before getting his belt on. “So you are going stag? That sounds dangerous for the single girls there.”, Rose said trying to be casual about it. She hadn’t mentioned that she’d bought her ticket and was going to be home for Christmas. She wanted to surprise him and it wouldn’t have changed tonight since she wouldn’t be there till just in time for Christmas. Merrick rolled his eyes picking up his black tie and using the little image of himself on the Skype chat to judge as he tied it with a trinity knot. “I’m technically going stag. Not that really any of the single girls that Nana invited have much to fear from me hitting on them. Since I don’t plan to and I’m pretty sure that Nana Hazel and Zoe will keep me clear of them.”, Merrick assured. Rose felt a sharp pain in the pit of her stomach when he said Zoe.

“Zoe’s going?”, Rose asked. “Yeah, Nana Hazel invited her. I feel bad for her because Nana Hazel will no doubt be introducing her to the single guys there.”, Merrick explained slipping his jacket on and neatly putting a matching dark blue handkerchief into the jacket pocket. “Alright so honest opinion little wolf, I look like someone you’d give money to?”, Merrick asked doing a turn. Rose laughed. “More ways than one.”, she commented. “And that means?”, Merrick asked with a smirk. “I’d give you money to take all that off.”, Rose smirked. Merrick winked. “Don’t need money to undress for you little wolf. However you already got your peep show for the night.”, Merrick said picking up the laptop. Rose frowned. “Alright fine. Well go have fun, tell your nana hello for me. I’ll call later near his bedtime to talk to Faelan. Night.”, Rose said. “I’ll try and I’ll tell her. He’ll like that. Night Rose.”, Merrick said ending the chat and closing the laptop.

He came down stairs and went into the living room to say goodbye to Faelan. “Da-da.”, Faelan called in his small voice smelling him before seeing him. Aislinn and Solangel both turned to look at the archway of the living room from where they were on the floor playing with Faelan and his toys. “Hey pup.”, Merrick greeted crouching down. “So I want you to be a good boy for Aislinn and Solangel while daddy and your grandparents are at Nana Hazel’s. Rose said she’ll call later to say goodnight before you go to bed.”, Merrick said picking Faelan up, whose small hand was gripping what used to be Rose’s leather riding jacket till his mother re-stitched it to be a blanket for him. “You talk like this sweet pup is ever bad.”, Solangel said with a laugh. Merrick smiled and hugged Faelan and gave him a kiss setting him down. “Yes well like father like son, so better safe than sorry. Thanks again for watching him. Night.”, Merrick said standing up giving a wave walking away. Solangel picked up Faelan and looked at him. “You aren’t going to grow up to sleep around with a bunch of women to avoid admitting to the one you really want that she’s the one are you?”, Solangel asked. Faelan cocked his head to the side more than a little confused. Solangel giggled. “Of course you won’t. You’ll learn from your daddy’s errors and when you find love you’ll tell her. Now come here it’s time for raspberries.”, Solangel said blowing raspberries on Faelan’s tummy through his sleeper which got the eight month old to giggle with delight and wiggle from Solangel’s hands and waddle to Aislinn for safety.

Merrick’s parents had already headed for Hazel’s house before him so Merrick went straight over to Zoe’s apartment. He had no idea what her and Gina had found for a dress. But he figured it wouldn’t really matter, they were going as friends. He didn’t bother texting to get in, he still had a key to the stairs and apartment for that matter so he let himself in and headed up the stairs knocking. “Hellraiser you ready? We need to hit the road if we are going to get there close to on time.”, Merrick called. “Almost! Come in!”, Zoe yelled from the other side of the door. Zoe was just finishing zipping the back of her dress. She rather liked the dress that she and her sister had chosen. She liked the eggshell wrap-over bodice with its deep v neck then it’s glitter gold a-line skirt that included pockets. Merrick stepped inside and looked around not seeing her. “Whenever you are ready Zoe.”, Merrick said leaning against the kitchen island. “Coming..”, Zoe said slipping her feet into her black heels remembering she left her jacket on a bar stool in the kitchen. She walked out having doing a final check of her hair. “So what do you think? Going to knock some ivy leaguers out?”, Zoe asked with a laugh as she walked out. Merrick looked up from fixing his tie at her and blinked. “Yeah. You… you are definitely going to get ogled.”, he said rubbing his lips together looking at her. Zoe smirked and grabbed her black blazer. “Yes well thank you and same could be said for you.”, she teased. “I’m going to have to keep an eye on you tonight so you stay out of trouble aren’t I?”, Merrick said shaking his head as they walked out. “You never know…”, Zoe shrugged as they got into the car to head up to Boston.

Merrick had assumed the party at his Nana Hazel’s would be boring as most of it was. He was dragged around by his Nana to meet this person and that to discuss the sanctuary he was starting in Bayville. Zoe had been mostly left on her own though Hazel did introduce her to Alan Snyder a law student at Harvard. While Zoe seemed to be having a good time talking and flirting with Alan Merrick kept looking over finding himself rather annoyed with this Alan guy. He just didn’t like the smell of him. So while he was being walked around he sent a text to Blaire, the only Harvard Law student he knew asking, ‘Do you know an Alan Snyder?’. Blaire found it rather odd to get a text for Merrick even odder that he was asking about Alan Snyder. ‘Yeah. Creepo Factor deathcon 10. Why?’, Blaire asked stretched out on her bed back home having came home for winter break. Merrick got the text and glared a little harder at Alan who was smiling and flirting with Zoe. ‘Because he’s hitting on my friend Zoe. Thanks for the intel.’, Merrick replied. Blaire laughed getting the text.

Merrick continued to keep an eye on Zoe and Alan not really liking where he was hearing that conversation going and hating himself for it. Zoe wasn’t his girlfriend or even a lover anymore he wasn’t allowed to be jealous. Zoe and Alan both seemed oblivious to Merrick keeping tabs on them. During his rounds however he learned from Robert and Thomas who were also glaring at Alan that Alan had last week taken Emma out on two dates the first he tried to get her to give him a handjob during a movie and the second he tried to get her to have sex with him in his car at a make out area near Boston University. Which that got Merrick’s blood boiled. Between what Blaire said and now this there was zero chance he was going to let Zoe wander off with Alan. “We’ll take care of him. Let me first get him away from Zoe. Thomas watch the exits. Robert there’s a shed out in the garden that will do. After all won’t fight inside Nana’s house.”, Merrick said giving his sisters’ boyfriends their marching orders. Tommy laughed. “You know man you are going to have to tell Zoe why he’s getting his ass kicked or she’s going to think it’s because you’re jealous that she’s talking to him.”, Tommy said. Merrick looked to Tommy and shook his head. “Yeah well we are just friends. And I’m a protective friend, going to let a sleaze like him be around my best friend.”, Merrick said making his head in the direction of Alan and Zoe.

Zoe was whispering in Alan’s ear. “So what do you say we go somewhere and get to know each other a little bitter. Keep in mind sex isn’t on the table but everything else is.”, Zoe gave as her counter offer. Alan nodded ready to leave with Zoe. Merrick however coughed. “Excuse me can I borrow her a minute?”, Merrick asked not really giving a chance for an answer taking Zoe’s hand and walking away from Alan. “What are you doing Merrick?”, Zoe demanded pulling her hand back. “I’m giving you a warning.”, Merrick stated. “And what’s the warning? Not to go make out with Emma’s ex?”, Zoe asked folding her arms across her chest. Merrick rolled his eyes. “I don’t consider someone who takes my little sister on a date where first date he tries to force her to give him a handjob in a movie theater or the second tries to get her to have sex with him in his car an ex anything. Other than he might be an ex member of the living population when I’m done.”, Merrick said glaring over at Alan. “Oh…um well can you wait till later?”, Zoe asked looking to Alan who seemed rather confused. “Well given I don’t exactly have the right to tell you not to go off with him. Go ahead. At least one of us can have some fun. But after I am at least breaking his arm for touching my little sister without her consent.”, Merrick sighed. He wished he had a reason to give her. If this had been last year’s party she wouldn’t even have been talking to Alan because last year’s party they’d spent in her bed together having the kind of fun she was talking about going to have with Alan. But that wasn’t the case anymore, they weren’t like that since Faelan and since this summer and Rose. Zoe kissed his cheek with a smile. “Thanks..”, she teased heading back to Alan. Merrick watched her walk away and shook his head. He hadn’t even told Rose he loved her or asked her out yet here he was acting like he was committed to her.

“So we good to go?”, Alan asked as Zoe walked over. “Sorry… but that was Merrick Bryant-Frost, he’s Emma’s big brother. And um well he wants to kill you. Something about being too forward and trying to do something without Emma’s consent. He’s a stickler for no means no. And I may hate Emma and she’s a massive bitch but she’s his bitch-sister. So I would recommend running.”, Zoe said. Alan blinked and looked to Merrick. “That’s…that’s her brother. She said she had a big brother…”, Alan gulped. “I just didn’t think she meant that big.. um well sorry to cut this short then. Perhaps another time… bye.”, Alan said not even trying to give her a kiss or give his side of the story. He just went to duck out a different direction than Merrick was standing. Zoe watched him and almost felt pity wondering if her warning would let him escape or just send him to his doom anyways. Merrick walked up behind her leaned to rest his head on her shoulder and look at her. “You warned him? Why?”, he asked playfully smiling as his phone buzzed. “I figured he deserved a sporting head start.”, Zoe answered. Merrick laughed and took his phone from his pocket and pulling up the text from Tommy and showed it to her. ‘Got him we are in the garden shed, you can take your time if you want me and Robbie will keep him busy.’ Zoe rolled her eyes. “You had people waiting for him?”, she asked. “Yes, though he couldn’t get far anyway. Thomas runs faster than sound and I could track him easy. I may be Emma’s big brother and therefore it’s my job to defend her honor but those two have their minds and hearts set on forever with my sisters so they are big brothers in this too. So I’m going to go outside I’ll be back soon.”, Merrick said giving her a kiss on the cheek before heading out to the garden shed to provide a lesson in what happens when one doesn’t respect a woman’s wishes…especially his sister’s.

As a result of his misdeeds Alan left the party with a broken right arm, black eye, and broken nose. Which were all deserved as far as Merrick, Tommy and Robert were concerned. Lily nor Josalyn had made any attempts to intervene they had actually been told to just let them deal with Alan both being told they felt one sibling, Merrick, doing damage was enough as they figured the sisters would probably inflict worse if given the chance. It was a rare moment when Josalyn and Lily agreed. And that they agreed on, neither took kindly to guys that got handsy and both would have probably beaten the guy bloody. Zoe had managed to find Hazel and just stuck by the side of the elderly aristocrat till Merrick returned. His hands cold from being outside and placed his hands on the exposed area of her back. Zoe jumped and started cursing in Italian. Merrick laughed at her reaction as she spun and slapped at him. “What my hands cold?”, Merrick teased. “YES, you bastard.”, she said still hitting him shivering a little from the cold of his hands. Merrick continued to laugh as he took off his suit jacket and placing it over her shoulders knowing it was warm. “Better?”, he asked. Zoe glared a little but pulled the suit jacket closer absorbing the warmth he’d left behind. “Si cucciolo.”, she grumbled. “Cucciolo?”, he asked. “I’m not translating.”, Zoe said snuggling into the jacket. She wasn’t surprised how warm the jacket was as he was always so warm typically. It however just served to remind her that she wouldn’t get to snuggle into him and enjoy his warmth like she had last winter. “Fine I’ll look it up.”, he said taking out his phone and pulling up google translate. “Cucciolo, puppy. Aw you trying to give me a pet name hellraiser?”, he teased. “Cheater. Come on my feet are killing me. If you are done trying to get donations let’s head back to Bayville.”, she offered. “Alright come on.”, he said putting an arm around her shoulder. They gave their goodbyes to his nana and then left.

The Haven was fully decked out for Christmas as everyone seemed to want to make Faelan’s first Christmas spectacular. It was still a few days before Christmas but the tree was up and decorated. Everyone had helped to decorate as Landon, Rachel, Cora Lee, Malcolm, Lily and Tommy had all come to the Haven for the holiday. Faelan was given the privilege, with the help of a step ladder and his father, to place the star on top of the tree. Merrick had also made a special first Christmas ornament for Faelan to hang. Faelan had his own stocking that had been hung along with the stockings that belonged to all the kids. It wasn’t fancy just a green stocking with a white lettering of his name across the top. After the tree trimming party was over Merrick approached the guys. “Hey Mal, Thomas, Landon think I could borrow you for a couple hours?”, Merrick asked. Malcolm shrugged sipping his beer that legally he wasn’t supposed to be drinking. “Sure what do you need?”, Malcolm asked having no reservations at his best friend asking for help. Landon raised an eyebrow setting his beer down, for him it was weird that his cousin would ask for help from him. “Yeah I’ve got time before Rachel wanted to go to her parents’ house.”, Landon agreed. Tommy shrugged. “I guess. What are we doing?”, Tommy asked. “Moving furniture, get it done faster with more than just me lugging it up the stairs to the apartment.”, Merrick said heading for the door. The three all looked confused. Merrick rolled his eyes. “I made a couch and chair for Zoe as a Christmas present. She’s at work for the next couple hours so right now is the window I have to get the stuff in and set up without her there.”, Merrick explained. “You made her furniture for Christmas? Wait if she’s at work how are we getting in?”, Landon asked. “Yes. At this point the only things in her apartment I didn’t build are the kitchen and bathroom cabinets.”, Merrick explained and held up a set of keys. “And we are getting in because I have keys to her place.”, Merrick said heading to the GTO.

That statement however had gotten the attention of all three of them who grabbed their jackets and shouted goodbye to their girlfriends before racing out the door after Merrick getting into his GTO. “Whoa. Want to explain why you have keys to Alexander’s older sister’s apartment?”, Tommy asked leaning from the back seat having gotten stuffed in the back with Landon as they were smaller than Malcolm and Merrick. “She’s my best friend.”, Merrick said simply. “I’m your best friend and you don’t have the keys to the house in Manhattan.”, Malcolm said. “Rose know you are so close to your female best friend?”, Landon asked. Merrick rolled his eyes. “I’m not you Landon.”, Merrick stated. “That doesn’t answer any of our questions. Why do you have keys to her place and does Rose know?”, Tommy asked. Merrick sighed pulling up to the old Haven getting out. “Fine, I have keys to her place because during Jenna’s pregnancy I stayed there a lot and before you read between the lines too far I have a rule about sleeping with anyone who’s a sibling to someone that is already involved with a family member. So given Gina is with Bastian I can say with all honesty I never fucked Zoe.”, Merrick said heading for the front door. “Wait so you never slept with her, but stayed at her place? And still doesn’t say if Rose knows.”, Landon said following his cousin. Merrick sighed unlocking the house. “We fooled around till Faelan was born not a big deal. We haven’t done anything since Faelan was born. And yeah Rose knows. Second damn thing out of my mouth when she got home. First was ‘hey I have a kid’ and second was ‘oh and I fooled around with Zoe’. Again, cousin, I’m not you I’m upfront about my dirty deeds.”, Merrick said heading inside.

“And you didn’t get knocked the fuck out? Damn…”, Landon chuckled following his cousin along with the others. “I didn’t get knocked out because one Zoe isn’t related to Rose, two I was upfront about it, and three I gave the correct assurance that it’s not Zoe I want.”, Merrick said heading to where the couch and chair were. “But not actually telling Rose outright she’s who you want.”, Tommy commented. “No I didn’t outright say…”, Merrick stopped himself moving to grab the end of the couch. Malcolm grabbed the other end. “Didn’t outright tell her you love her.”, Malcolm finished. “God damn it you and Zoe. Stop finishing my fucking thoughts.”, Merrick grumbled. Landon laughed. “So Zoe knows how you feel about Rose and is cool with being friends?”, Landon asked picking up the chair with Tommy’s help because it was heavy being solid cherry. “Yeah of course she is. I kind of doubt she’d still be my best friend if she wasn’t. Plus she has known about me and Rose since last summer. Zoe kind of subscribes to the philosophy that since she can’t have me then Rose should. She’s rather pushy about it and when Rose left and I hadn’t told her or asked her out Zoe held my arms so Nana Hazel could hit me with her cane. And that old bat has a hell of a swing. Almost regret making that cane out of a hardwood like hickory.”, Merrick laughed as he talked carrying the couch out and to the box truck in the driveway he’d bought for local deliveries.

The other three laughed as they helped carry the items to the truck and load it up. “Alright so honest question. As Rose’s best friend I want to know when are you going to tell her? Because she’s not going to say it first. She said it first to me and got burned. She won’t take the risk of getting burned by another Bryant.”, Landon asked pulling closed the back of the truck. Merrick sighed. “I don’t know honestly. When it feels like the right time to say it. And trust me I’m aware how bad she got burned by you dating Rachel. But I don’t want to be the guy who blurts out how he feels and makes her think she’s gotta choose. She’s in England for Christ sakes. She’s got medical school to finish and then there’s Excalibur. I don’t want her to think it’s a choice between that and me especially with Faelan involved now.”, Merrick explained. “But you do love her?”, Landon asked. Merrick sighed. “Yes. I love Rose. Now drive the box truck with Tommy and follow me and Malcolm.”, Merrick said tossing a set of keys into Landon’s hands. Landon chuckled he at least got Merrick to say the words out loud now if only his cousin would say them to Rose. So Landon and Tommy followed in the box truck over to the restaurant. “She lives above Two Brothers?”, Landon asked getting out. “Yeah her ‘Uncle’ Alec D’Amour owns the restaurant and she works as a waitress here.”, Merrick explained. “D’Amour? Why is that name familiar……”, Landon said searching his brain for the name. “Twin brother named Chesed very dangerous mutant has black wings, yellow eyes, strength and minor healing factor. Wanted in almost every state for being a serial killer.”, Landon said remembering the name now. Merrick blinked. “Um I guess. Alec doesn’t talk about his brother.”, Merrick shrugged unlocking the lower door and propping it open. “So we don’t close the door till we are inside because it’s got an automatic lock.”, Merrick said opening the truck and with Malcolm getting the heavy couch out of the truck and with some turning into the hallway. Tommy and Landon followed behind with the chair closing the door behind them.

“Alright to the second floor. Be glad this isn’t for Alec he’s on the third floor.”, Merrick said picking up the couch again and walking backwards up the stairs. They were careful to make sure not to hit the walls or the railing not wanting to damage the furniture. Merrick stopped at the door and unlocked the apartment carrying the couch in. Malcolm and the others looked around as they walked and could easily tell Merrick hadn’t lied when he said the place was furnished with this pieces. “Wow, man you have really hooked this girl up in the furniture department.”, Malcolm said as the set the couch down. Merrick nodded. The guys looked around briefly seeing pictures of Zoe’s family and a number of her with Merrick and Merrick smiling in all of them. “Yeah. Now let’s get this trash couch out of here”, Merrick said picking up the lighter piece of furniture on his own. “Open the door downstairs please.”, Merrick requested. Tommy raced down the stairs to hold the door. Merrick tossed the old couch into the dumpster before heading back upstairs. While he’d been downstairs the others had decided to look around the apartment. When he came in he didn’t see them. “What are you guys doing?”, Merrick asked walking down the hall seeing his cousin and Malcolm in her office looking at her sketches and paintings that were arranged around the room either hung or just hanging from strings or sitting on an easel in the case of a rough painting of Faelan. “So she’s a rather good artist.”, Landon commented. “Yeah now come on. Out of her office.”, Merrick said pushing them away though glanced at the painting of Faelan with a small smile on his lips. Tommy was in the next room looking at the bedroom set. “Alright Tommy I swear to god I’ll knock you the fuck out. Out of her bedroom.”, Merrick growled shooing Tommy out of the room. “Nice bedroom set you built. So I’ve seen the cost of your furniture, which is worth it, but how’s a waitress afford your furniture?”, Tommy asked glancing to a pair of lace thongs on the floor before he was being shoved to the living room.

“Some of the stuff were gifts. The coffee table was a housewarming present last May.”, Merrick explained moving the couch into position and then the chair. “Uh huh and the rest of the stuff?”, Tommy asked. “Media center, the bar stools, the desk, and office chair she paid me in food. Which seriously I ate dinner here a lot and not just because Zoe is hot.”, Merrick stated and stepped back to make sure the furniture was where he wanted it. “And the bedroom set?”, Malcolm asked. “She insisted on still cooking food. But the bed was made for my convenience.”, Merrick explained carefully moving the chair to a different angle wanting the best light from the lamp and the window since she liked reading books and play scripts. “Your convenience?”, Landon asked. Merrick sighed and looked at them. “She had a crappy metal frame full size bed. I barely fit on that myself let alone with her. So I built the bed because, sorry, if I’m going to be spending time in a bed it better be able to fit me and be comfortable. The rest of the bedroom set was just to make sure it all went together.”, Merrick said. Malcolm covered his mouth to stifle his laughter where Landon and Tommy both leaned on his shoulders laughing. “Oh go to fucking hell.”, Merrick said rolling his eyes. “Sorry man it’s just funny. You built a bed for a woman for the purpose of sleeping with her in it.”, Tommy said laughing. “Point of order, we never had sex.”, Merrick defended fixing the covers on the furniture so she couldn’t see them immediately when walking into the apartment. “I think what they are saying is that if you didn’t love Rose you’d be with Zoe.”, Malcolm stated. Merrick shook his head. “Nah. She’s Gina’s sister, my rule is clear on that. Though it would piss Alexander off a lot if I did date Zoe. Heck I think he’d try to kill me if he knew what I have done with her.”, Merrick smirked but shrugged.

All four started laughing as they pictured the look of intense anger Alexander would have at this information. Zoe was tired from a long shift in the restaurant and so she took the side entrance from the kitchen into the stairs to her apartment. As she started up the stairs she heard muffled voices and froze not sure how someone would have gotten into the building not even thinking about Merrick having keys. She quietly walked up the stairs and to her door where she heard laughing on the other side of the door. Based on the tones of the laughs she could tell whoever was in her apartment were men. She took a breath grabbing the handle ready to turn the intruders to stone as she threw open the door. But instead of turning them to stone she stopped mouth open blinking. There in her apartment was Merrick and three other guys, one she recognized as Tommy from the Christmas party at Hazel’s. She didn’t even notice that beyond the four men her couch was gone and instead there were two odd shaped items covered by white drop cloths. “Wow. You know if I had known I’d be walking into a porn set I’d have worn less clothing.”, Zoe teased looking down at her slacks, blazer and white button up from work. The guys were still laughing when they turned to look at her. “Ooh she’s got a dirty mind and sense of humor, unlike her brother. Now her being your friend makes sense.”, Tommy said still laughing a little. Merrick shook his head a little. “Sorry to disappoint hellraiser. But wouldn’t do porn with my cousin and I’m not really the type that likes to share my toys.”, Merrick explained with a wink.

“Awwww that’s no fun.”, she said pouting a bit. “Got all types of boys in here to play with.”, she smirked then laughed softly. “Um…Tommy, Landon, and Malcolm right?”, she asked pointing to each of them. Tommy she’d seen at Hazel’s party and Malcolm was easy to identify as she was studying for her citizenship and his mother was part of the study material as a recent president. The each nodded and gave a wave. “Yeah. So formal intro. That’s Thomas Maximoff Lily’s boyfriend, Malcolm Durvo my other best friend and Cora Lee’s boyfriend, and my cousin Landon Bryant Rachel’s fiancée. Guys this is Zoe Deluca my best friend.”, Merrick introduced. “Heard lots about you guys, mostly good things too.”, she chuckled setting her purse on the counter and walking over to offer her hand to them. “Hi. I’d say I’ve heard lots about you from my cousin. But today’s the first time he’s really talked to me as a person. Do however know about you through other sources. Ocular based mutation that allows any substance to be changed into a form of stone you choose. Very interesting.”, Landon said with a smile shaking her hand. “Don’t mind Landon. He’s a history major and wants to create his own field on mutant history.”, Tommy said smiling taking her head. “I remember you from Nana Hazel’s party last week. You had Emma very pissed, good job.”, Tommy chuckled. Malcolm smiled and shook her hand. “Thanks for keeping an eye on Merrick for me. Hard to keep him out of trouble from Manhattan.”, Malcolm greeted. “Yeah, I’ve been making sure he gets into trouble in the right places.”, she laughed. “Like in your be…”, Tommy started to talk before Merrick’s elbow landed in his gut. “Thomas silence is golden and life prolonging.”, Merrick stated.
“You’re right Landon. I’m a gorgon. And Tommy pissing Emma off is one of my favorite things.”, she laughed “So why does it look like I’m doing renovations in here?”, she asked. “Not renovations exactly. Go remove the clothes and see for yourself.”, Merrick said stepping out of the way. Zoe frowned and walked over to the smaller and pulled off the sheet. She blinked in shock then laughed realizing that her couch was missing. “Bastard, these are beautiful!”, she said. She reached over and pulled the cloth from the couch and sat down on the comfy microfiber cushions. “Ha, this is awesome!”, she exclaimed. “I do something nice and get called a bastard? Why do I keep coming here?”, Merrick teased with a smile. “The couch is long enough even Malcolm or I could stretch out comfortably. From armrest to armrest is seventy-seven inches or six foot four inches.”, Merrick explained. “Dio…”, she shook her head leaning back into the comfortable couch. “And you all need food! I have enough and everything else I can steal from downstairs. Uncle Alec won’t mind. Give me orders and I can good.”, she said getting up and walking to the kitchen area. “We don’t need food Zoe. We just ate at the Haven. They are in town for Christmas and we were trimming the tree. Which reminds me..”, Merrick said taking out his phone and pulled up some pictures walking over to her. She held out the phone to show her the picture of baby Faelan wrapped in silver garland and then the one of him holding Faelan as they put the star on the tree. “Awwww look at the cucciolo!”, she said smiling at the pictures. “So adorable. Well I owe you food and you boys too sometime then.”, Zoe said looking to the others.

“I’ll forward them to you later. And you don’t owe me food. They are a present.”, Merrick aid putting the phone away. “And we just helped move them. No need for you to owe us. Merrick never asks for help or really talks to us like we might be friends. That’s payment enough.”, Landon said. She chuckled a bit. “Still confuses me that people think Merrick can be an ass. First time I really talked to him he was making sure I wasn’t crying because of Geri.”, Zoe said. The guys all looked at Merrick with raised eyebrows though Malcolm was smiling. “I’ve never thought he was an asshole. But he was my roommate in the academy days and was always nice to me.”, Malcolm said. Merrick raised an eyebrow at Tommy and Landon. “What? Don’t look at me like that. I’m not always an asshole.”, Merrick defended. “Seriously, he hasn’t been an asshole at all to me.”, she chuckled. “And he makes the cutest purring noises.”, she teased. “Purring??”, Tommy asked. “Wonder when he does that…”, Tommy teased. “Tommy remind me why I’m not allowed to kick your ass.”, Merrick asked glaring at Tommy. Landon sighed and nudged Tommy as he shook his head. “Because Lily wants to keep him around. And it’s good to know you aren’t an asshole to everyone. Then again if my best friend Rose can love you, you obviously have some good in you. Rose is a good judge of character.”, Landon stated. “Oooh so they’re in on the loop that your head over heels?”, Zoe teased. Merrick rolled his eyes. “They follow mom on Facebook so saw that picture this summer.”, he explained. “Was a bit shocking to see the picture, but was easier to digest than last summer when my sister and Malcolm were a few minutes shy from catching them in bed together at the hotel.”, Landon teased. “Wow, that’d have been scary.”, she laughed shaking her head. “Own fault for being nosey.”, Merrick shrugged. “Nosey? Let’s think which mutant with hyper sensitive sense got into my business one new years about making out with Cora Lee?”, Malcolm pointed out.

She smiled and pushed some hair back. “Well you guys probably should get back to your families.”, she said. Merrick rolled his eyes at Malcolm. “Yeah. I’m supposed to go to the Howletts. Want me to send your holiday wishes to your in-laws too?”, Landon teased. “Landon…just shut up.”, Merrick said pointing to the door. Zoe chuckled. “Well go on guys. And thanks again Merrick.”, Zoe said hugging him about the neck. “Nice to have met you Zoe.”, the guys said with a wave heading for the door. Merrick shook his head a little and returned the hug giving her a quick kiss. “You’re welcome. Merry Christmas, Zoe.”, he said. The others had stopped in the hall watching the exchange. Zoe smiled and returned the kiss. “Merry Christmas handsome.”, she said letting him go. “Enjoy your new furniture. And sorry about the guys. They are like small breed dogs. Get all hyper and excited when they get taken anywhere.”, Merrick laughed heading for the door. “No problem, I like dogs.”, she smirked. “Love you Merrick. See you”, she said. Merrick stopped in the doorway. “Yes well I’m no small breed dog.”, he replied with a wink. “Love ya too. See you later.”, he said as the others were heading down the stairs. Zoe waved and Merrick waved back as he followed the guys down the stairs. Zoe sighed after closing her door and went and stretched out on the new sofa a mix of emotions. He could say it to her, but it wasn’t the same way he needed and wanted to say it to Rose. The guys all saw the kiss and heard the ‘love you’s being exchanged but knew from the tone it wasn’t really the same but all three could see easily if not for Rose it could have been meant in a more than friends way.