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Merrick was on cloud nine after he left the airport a permanent smile on his face. She’d said yes, better than that she said it back. Rose Howlett loves him, that was something he couldn’t get over. He’d gotten to his car just in time to not have it be towed and drove back to the Haven. Upon walking in he could still smell Rose in the air but another familiar scent was there. “Zoe?”, he called. Taking off his winter jacket and boots. “Si Lupo Cattivo?”, she said smiling walking out of the kitchen eating half a cookie Faelan in her arms eating the other half. “Getting into cookies before mom has frosted them?”, he teased smiling walking over giving Faelan a kiss on the forehead and Zoe a kiss on the cheek. Zoe blinked but smiled at the kiss on the cheek. She knew it was just a friend kiss but he did seem to be in a very good mood for having just taken Rose to the airport. “Yes well she said we could split one then she’d take Faelan to decorate, apparently he’d old enough to help frost cookies.”, Zoe smiled taking part of her cookie out of her mouth to speak. “Ah I see.. well..”, he said leaning taking the bite that was in her hand and eating it smirking. “Someone’s in a good mood for just having to take Rose to the airport. What’s going on?”, she asked shifting Faelan in her arms as he gnawed at his half cookie.
“I finally said it.”, Merrick stated that grin still on his face. “Said it?”, Zoe questioned. She was smiling on the surface knowing what he must have said but inside any tiny amount of hope was crumbling. “I told her I love her.”, he answered. “That’s great Merrick.”, she smiled encouragingly. “No great is she said it back. Hear that pup, Rose loves daddy.”, he smiled messing Faelan’s hair a little. “Aw that’s probably the best Christmas gift you got.”, Zoe laughed meaning it but teasing too. She knew the pair loved each other, but there was still a small part of her that was in pain because she had fallen in love with Merrick. “Yeah certainly up there. Along with her agreeing to date me. I mean we have to figure out how the long distance is going to work. But we’ll figure it out. I just know she’s who I want. And I’m not going to let some stupid ocean stop me from having her.”, he explained with a sigh smiling brightly. “That is awesome and about damn time. You need to give me all the details. I have to live vicariously through you.”, she laughed nudging him to the living room to talk.
Merrick chuckled heading to the living room taking a seat. Zoe set Faelan on the floor and he started to play with the new toys he’d gotten for Christmas before she sat next to Merrick. “Alright regale me with the story.”, she encouraged waiting to hear it all. “Well drove her to the airport, which I’ve never done. Generally we say goodbye in town like the day before she leaves so it’s not as shitty. So we were both kind of bummed as we pulled up to the airport. She says she had a good visit and thanked me for the bracelet I made and gives me a kiss goodbye. I say it was nice having her home for Christmas and bye. She got out of the car and I’m just sitting there kicking myself because it was my chance to just say it. Hit my head on the steering wheel at my own stupidity. Then said fuck it and got out of the car not thinking about it being the loading and unloading only area and went into the airport.”, he started. Zoe’s eyes went a little wide as she smiled. “You went into the airport after her?!”, she exclaimed. Merrick chuckled and nodded. “I didn’t know what flight she was on but even in a busy place like the airport I can find her scent so I followed it. I caught up as she was in line for TSA. I yelled her name to get her attention and pushed past some people to get to her. She was a bit confused what I was doing and actually asked what I was doing. I said something I should have done last summer and kissed her.”, he continued the story.
Zoe awed a little and with her hand encouraged him to keep talking. “She pulled back from the kiss and pointed out I’ve been kissing her since was sixteen. And I try to explain it wasn’t the kiss that I was talking about. I think I literally said ‘fuck I’m bad with words’. Then I just blurted it out telling her I love her. This of course caught her apparently off guard. And I told her it again and explained I couldn’t let her leave again without saying it and without knowing if she felt the same. And she said it back. I think the only time I’ve been happier was when I first held Faelan. So kiss her again and then ask the question if she’d be my girlfriend. Her exact answer was ‘Four years and you finally ask. Yes of course.’. She was about to argue if I was sure because of the whole distance thing. I pointed out if Xavier and Ashley hell if Tristan and Blaire can do long distance we can. Then they called for the owner of the Pontiac GTO to come move their car or be towed. So I told her to not argue, said I love you again and ran to save my car.”, he said finishing his story. “Oh my god. That is just...soo sweet. You two have one of those romance stories from Gina’s favorite movies or even sort of the plays I perform. You started off hating each other growing up, realized there was an attraction and started seeing each other, then an ocean separated you except for one month a year when you got to be together, and that attraction became love but you were both too dumb or proud or afraid to just say it. And finally it culminated with an airport chase and confession of your love. I’m sooo happy for you Merrick.”, she said hugging him tightly. “Thanks Zoe. You are the first person to know. I’d actually planned to call you when I got in but you were already here. I wanted to share that news with my best friend.”, he smiled hugging her back.
“Share what news?”, Emma asked coldly glaring at Zoe as she walked in carrying bags of gifts Josalyn and Robert right behind her. Zoe pulled back from the hug and glared back at Emma but then smiled because Emma was about to get the news that her brother was in love with someone she didn’t like. Merrick smiled turning to look at his sisters and Robert. “MERRY CHRISTMAS!”, he greeted with a wide smile. Josalyn and Emma both raised their eyebrows at how cheerful their brother was. Robert looked scared almost but laughed nervously not knowing Merrick as well as his sisters. “Um Merry Christmas Merrick. Hi Zoe. Hey little Faelan.”, Robert greeted setting some gifts down. “Are you alright? Did mom already spike the eggnog?”, Josalyn asked setting her gifts down making sure that the canary diamond engagement ring Robert had given her last night was visible. Zoe noticed the ring and shifted on the couch to look. “That’s gorgeous Josalyn. Congratulations.”, she smiled. “Thank you. Robert proposed last night. He took me down into New York City and we went ice skating at Rockefeller Center and he proposed on the ice.”, Josalyn told the story smiling. Merrick smiled and stood up offering a hand to Robert. Robert didn’t think twice and shook his only to have it slightly crushed. “Congratulations Robert. Welcome to the family, formally. And my original warning about ever breaking my sister’s heart now stands double.”, he smiled. Josalyn rolled her eyes. “He’s just playing Robert.”, she said. “No I’m not. You hurt my sister your kibble.”, Merrick smiled letting Robert’s hand go watching Robert rub his hand.
“Now what news are you so happy about Merrick?”, Emma asked wanting to get back on subject. “Me? I’m happy because I’m in love.”, Merrick explained. Emma blinked. “With who?”, she demanded to know. “Rose.”, Merrick said simply. Josalyn and Emma both blinked as that was far from what they’d expected. “ROSE! Like Rose Howlett?!”, Emma demanded. Emma’s normally pale complexion was almost as red as Josalyn’s hair with anger at this. Josalyn however had gone completely white at the thought of her brother with Rose Howlett. Zoe covered her mouth trying to not laugh at the reactions of his sisters. She figured that Lily would have a different reaction as she actually is friends with Rose. “Yeah. I love Roselyn Elizabeth Howlett. God I love saying that. And more to the point I’m dating her.”, Merrick stated still smiling He didn’t expect Josalyn or Emma to be thrilled with his selection, but he didn’t give a shit. About then Kim walked in to get Falan just in time to hear Merrick say he loves Rose and is dating her. “Congratulations Merrick. About time. The whole house will be thrilled at this. Why you let her leave back at the end of June after her staying the whole month here with you without tell her was beyond us.”, Kim smiled picking up Faelan. Emma and Josalyn blinked and looked at their mother. “What? You knew about him and her? And what do you mean she stayed here in June?”, Emma asked.
“Of course I knew. Start of June came home with your father to find him and Faelan sleeping on the floor with Rose cuddled with them. Then she was here in the morning and your brother let her hold Faelan. And asked her to stay during her visit here. David obviously wouldn’t tell her she couldn’t stay she had basically grown up a the Haven. And I don’t care how many times the two of them said it wasn’t more than just friends with benefits. Your brother wouldn’t just let someone hold Faelan back then and certainly wouldn’t have let her take Faelan on her own to visit with her parents. Heck he even went into the city to the Manhattan house for her birthday and you know how your brother feels about the city.”, Kim explained. Both girls were shocked by this having had no clue. Kim noticed Josalyn’s ring and smiled. “Aw and congratulations Josalyn. Welcome to the family Robert.”, she said hugging her daughter and giving Robert a kiss on the cheek. “Well time to decorate cookies. Me and Faelan will be in the kitchen if you need us.”, Kim said exiting the room. Emma waited for her mother to leave before looking to Merrick. “You cannot be serious.”, she said folding her arms trying to be stern looking up at her brother. Merrick narrowed his eyes slightly folding his arms. “I am extremely serious. So I’m going to say this in advance so we don’t have another Leslie incident. You are my little sister and I love you. I will always as we are family. However I love Rose and you touch her you will deal with me and I will not be held back by our parents again. That goes for you too Josalyn, I know you probably wouldn’t but this is a general notice anyone in this family messes with Rose they deal with me.”, he stated looking between his sisters.
Emma glared and turned on her heels and walked out the front door. Josalyn sighed and went after Emma. “Well...um that was…”, Robert said uncomfortably. “Welcome to our family. Apparently some old grudges never go away.”, Merrick sighed. Zoe frowned and hugged Merrick giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t worry about your sisters. If you are happy with Rose then that’s what matters. You should be allowed happiness. I should get heading back. I’ll talk to you soon alright.”, she smiled. Merrick nodded giving her a tight hug. “Thanks Zoe. Always can depend on you to be there for me. Talk to you soon. I should go check on Faelan, icing is messy, come on Robert.”, Merrick said leading Robert to the kitchen where Faelan was already covering himself with the frosting instead of the cookies. “Mom!”, Merrick exclaimed shaking his head. Zoe chuckled and started to gather her winter jacket to head for the door but stopped hearing Emma and Josalyn on the other side of the door. Emma was furious about her brother dating an X-Men.
“How the hell is this possible!? I have not gotten rid of Katherine, Leslie and that idiot Jenna just for him to end up with a fucking X-Men!”, Emma shouted in rage. “Emma you need to calm down. This is Merrick’s life, we need to let him live it. He lets us live ours and is there for us when we need him. And what do you mean you got rid of Katherine and Jenna? Sadly I know what you and Talia did to Leslie. But what did you do?”, Josalyn questioned. Emma shrugged a little. “Emma Grace Bryant-Frost the 2nd tell me now. What did you do to those girls!?”, Josalyn demanded. “Fine Katherine was easy she was a fucking slut and didn’t deserve our brother and if I’m going to blame anyone for the man whore he became in high school I’ll blame her for starting him on that path. So I felt no qualms messing in her mind to make her decide to become a nun. And I didn’t do anything to Jenna that she wasn’t already thinking, except I gave her an easy out by wiping our nephew and brother from her and her parents memories. She was already thinking of giving up our nephew because of his mutation so I say she didn’t deserve them and got her to write that letter anyways.”, Emma snorted. Josalyn’s mouth went open in shock.
Zoe however was only seeing red hearing that. She may not have liked Jenna but Faelan deserved to have his mom given a chance. Zoe was trying to control her anger but decided she couldn’t and flew up the door. “How dare you…”, Zoe said focusing on Emma with dark blue eyes narrowing with anger as Emma became a piece of solid marble. “What did you…”, Josalyn stammered. “I heard everything she just said. How dare she do that to Merrick and Faelan. How dare she make herself judge jury and executioner and meddle in her brother’s life like that.”, Zoe said glaring at Josalyn almost waiting for Josalyn to try something so she would have to make her stone too. “I know what she did and I don’t approve of it. But you just used your powers on her.”, Josalyn said. “And? I’m not Haven. And not like she hasn’t probably used her powers on me. So question is are you going to tell Merrick what Emma did or not?”, Zoe demanded folding her arms looking at her. “He’s happy right now. I don’t want to mess with that. And well he might kill the messenger. How long will she be like this?”, Josalyn asked. Zoe didn’t particularly care for Josalyn’s answer. “Twenty four hours max. And if you won’t tell him what she did I will.”, Zoe said turning to head for the kitchen.
Josalyn frowned and sent a text to Robert. ‘Come help me with Emma. We need to go ASAP’. Robert’s phone buzzed as he was helping front a cookie and he checked it. “Oh well sorry to cut it short but there’s an emergency going on back in Boston. So we’ll be heading out. The first are all in the living room. Merry Christmas.”, Robert said before ducking out of the kitchen. he went past Zoe noticing she looked rather angry and he stopped when he saw a statue of Emma. “What happ..”, he started to ask. “Don’t asked just help me load her into the car. Things are about to get way worse and we do not want to be in the line of fire.”, Josalyn explained. Robert nodded still uncertain what happened but helped pick up the statue and get her into the back of the car laying across the back seat. “How long is she going to be like that?”, he asked. “Twenty-four hours. And in that time she better be thinking really hard about how she’s going to apologize to Merrick.”, Josalyn answered getting in. Robert nodded getting in still not sure what was going on but started to drive back to the house in Boston.
Kim was confused by Robert’s random disappearance but shrugged putting the cookies on trays and in tins. “I’m going to go get Sebastian so we can take some of these cookies to friends.”, Kim said. “You worry about cleaning up Faelan.”, she smiled looking at her grandson covered in red and green icing. She walked past Zoe and smiled at her. “Now Zoe there’s a tin for you, your parents and your Uncle Alec. We will take the one to your parents since I’m sure Sebastian wants to see Gina. But if you wouldn’t mind taking the tin for Alec when you take yours.”, she smiled patting her shoulder before heading upstairs to find her other son. “Sure thing.”, Zoe answered but took a breath as she walked into the kitchen. She looked over and started to laugh seeing Faelan licking his face which had red and green icing what was also in his hair and Merrick had a baby wipe that he was trying to clean him with. “Aww piccolo lupo (little wolf).”, she laughed walking over picking up a wipe and starting to help. She wanted to to him but how could she with Faelan right there. Merrick chuckled as Faelan growled as they tag teamed him. “I don’t know why mom thinks this young is okay for icing cookies. I think he’s a bigger mess than Emma her first year. God she tried to use the red icing to make her hair red so she’d match Lily and Josalyn it was so funny.”, Merrick smiled thinking back to Emma’s first christmas. Zoe just nodded silently as he relived a happy memory of the bitch sister she’d just turned to a statue.
Kim came back down with Sebastian just in time as Zoe and Merrick had finished cleaning up Faelan. “Alright give me my grandson. Sebastian you get the tins loaded into the car while I change him into something adorable for going visiting.”, Kim instructed. “Alright mom.”, Sebastian said starting to stack the tins. Kim carried Faelan out to change him. “Merry Christmas Zoe.”, Sebastian greeted stacking tins to carry. “Merry Christmas. Tell my sister hi. I was there for Christmas day.”, Zoe smiled washing her hands. “I will. Bye guys.”, Sebastian said taking his load of tins and leaving grumbling something about his mother going overboard on cookies this year. Merrick chuckled shaking his head. “Half a pack of wipes cleaning that baby.”, he sighed. Zoe smiled. “Well little ones do tend to be messy, he was cute with all that frosting on his face.”, she commented. Merrick nodded picking up the red piping bag and walking over to her putting a streak of red down her nose and across her cheeks with a laugh. “Works for you too hellraiser.”, he teased. Zoe chuckled shaking her head. “No fair. You have a girlfriend so you can’t lick it off.”, she said using her index fingers to wipe away the frosting and licked them. Merrick smirked but nodded. “True… fun as licking icing off you can be.”, he winked setting the piping bag down.
Zoe sighed shaking her head getting a wipe and cleaning her face. “Merrick there’s something I want to talk to you about.”, she said getting serious. Merrick frowned and leaned against the counter holding the marble edge lightly. “Alright. What’s going on hellraiser?”, he asked. “About Emma…”, she started. Merrick sighed. “What about her?”, he asked. “I was getting ready to leave and well you know how she stormed off when you gave that speech that you won’t tolerate her going after Rose. Well I heard her talking to Josalyn and I’m going to quote here about having ‘not gotten rid of Katherine, Leslie and that idiot Jenna just for him to end up with a fucking X-Men’.”, Zoe said a little afraid to look at him. Merrick took a deep breath and exhaled through his nose. “Okay… I’ll bite figuratively, what exactly does that mean. I know what she did to Leslie.”, he questioned his grip on the counter tightening. “Something about using her powers to make whoever Katherine was go be a nun. And well she said she got Jenna to do what she was already thinking, and write the letter to give up Faelan and just wiped Jenna and her parent’s minds of you and Faelan.”, Zoe said now scared of how he might react. Merrick’s jaw tightened as his grip intensified without him thinking and the marble started to crack under the pressure.
“I’ll kill her.”, he growled. Zoe gulped. “I think Josalyn and Robert already took her home. Because well I heard that and um I turned her to marble.”, she admitted. Merrick was still growling and Zoe could see the marble cracking and his knuckles going white. This was one of those fight or flight moments because there was a look in his eyes she’d never seen and it did scare her. She chose fight, in a sense, and moved forward hugging him tightly rubbing his back. “Breath Merrick… please because you are kind of scaring me right now.”, she whispered. Merrick was still growling it wasn’t that about Katherine, that actually didn’t bother him, but Jenna did bother him. It wasn’t because he cared about Jenna or loved her, but she is Faelan’s mother and deserved the chance to change her mind, to realize what an amazing son they had. He didn’t speak he just kept growling trying to control his temper. He could feel Zoe’s heart beating and it was a bit fast she was a bit scared. It took him a few minutes but he let go of the counter and instead brought his arms around her hugging her back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to scare you. I just… I can’t believe she would do that. I can deal with her crap, I don’t care what she does to try and hurt me. But to take Jenna from Faelan doesn’t hurt me it hurts him. I may not ever have loved her but she could have changed her mind and learned to love our son. This… this I can’t forgive. Hurt me all she wants, I have broad shoulders and am strong enough to take it. But my son...he’s just a pup.”, he said shaking his head.
“I know. I’m sorry I’m the one who had to tell you. It should have been your sisters to tell you. Though I’m kind of glad that Josalyn took Emma because well you cracked that counter I can’t imagine what you’d do to the marble Emma if you got your hands on her.”, she frowned still hugging him tight. “Yeah it’s probably better that she’s not where I can get my hands on her. And it’s alright, it’s probably better you told me. If Emma had told me I’d have hurt her, if Joslayn had told me I might still have hurt her.”, he admitted. “But you wouldn’t hurt me?”, she asked. Merrick shook his head and kissed the top of her head still hugging her. “I could never bring myself to hurt you Zoe. You're my best friend and I love you.”, he sighed before letting her go. She knew that the ‘love you’ was just as a friend, but she liked hearing it anyways. “I love you too Merrick. And I’m glad you wouldn’t hurt me. Are you going to be alright alone? I really do need to get home to get ready for work. But I want to know you will be alright.”, she asked looking up at him. Merrick sighed and nodded. “Yeah I’ll be alright. I need to just think. I’ll probably go to the gym and get some exercise in while mom’s out with Faelan. Need to punch a few things I think.”, he nodded. Zoe sighed and nodded she understood the urge to hit things when upset. “Well you get the aggression out. And if you need to talk...I’m just a call away.”, she sighed giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Yeah. I will and when Rose lands I’ll have her to talk too.”, he smiled a little. “I’ll give you a ride to the restaurant before heading to the gym. That way you don’t have to catch a cab or the bus.”, he said. “Thanks Merrick.”, she smiled heading for the door. Merrick grabbed his jacket and followed her out dropped her off then going to the gym to get out some aggression out.
Zoe was worried about Merrick and how he was going to handle this. But she couldn't focus on that as she had to work. After her shift ended she went to head up to her apartment and found her brother sitting on the stairs holding a wrapped gift. "Alexander?", she questioned startled that he was in the stairs. "Merry Christmas sister.", Alexander greeted standing up. He'd wanted to speak privately with his sister. Emma had returned from her Nana's holiday party with some distributing information implying that his sister Zoe was sexually involved with Merrick. Alexander didn't want to believe his sister would get involved that way with Merrick. "Merry Christmas. How'd you get in?", she asked. "Uncle Alec let me in while he was on a break and said I could wait here for you.", he explained hugging her and handing her the gift. "Thank you. I hadn't known what to get you, I'm sorry.", she smiled. "It's alright. We are still getting to know each other as siblings. I found something for you from a conversation with dad. You going to invite me up and you can open your gift?", Alexander smiled. "Of course. I have some holiday cookies from Kim if you'd like some.", she offered heading up the stairs. Alexander nodded following his sister. "I haven't had one of Misses Bryant-Frost's holiday cookies in about five years. Did she still let the young ones, which I'd guess is only Merrick's son now, help with the frosting?", he asked following her into the apartment. He hadn't been in her apartment. So as he took off his jacket he was looking around at the rather fine crafted furniture. "Oh yes. It took half a container of wipes to clean Faelan up he had so much frosting on him. Did you used to help decorate when Kim lived at the academy?", she asked setting the present in the coffee table Merrick made her last year for a housewarming gift and opened the run of cookies before curling up in the chair she'd gotten for Christmas from Merrick.
Alexander nodded sitting down in the sofa taking one of the cookies. "Yes. We all did till she moved away. It was something that made the holidays but we all eventually got too old. Generally after thirteen we stopped helping.", he answered taking a bite of the cookie and mmmed. "Exactly as I remembered them.", he sighed a little the cookie reminding him of what he'd call happy times. Zoe smiled a little looking at her brother as he was smiling in remembering a good moment. Generally if the Bryant-Frosts were mentioned he didn’t always seem the happiest. She knew he didn’t care for Merrick, and Merrick had explained why but to hold something so trivial as besting him in a fight all those years ago seemed silly in her mind. “Soo… nice furniture. I didn’t exactly expect to see all this when I walked in. Last I knew you had the old furniture that was left behind by a previous tenant.”, Alexander commented. Zoe nodded. “Yeah… I did. But well Merrick figured I shouldn’t have to have used furniture.”, she shrugged. “Merrick?”, Alexander asked raising an eyebrow. “He does make furniture for a living. So he made me furniture.”, she explained. Alexander nodded slowly. “I know. Though my understanding his pieces aren’t exactly cheap…”, he stated. “No they aren’t. But we worked out a trade.”, Zoe smiled. Alexander didn’t really like how that sounded. “Uh huh. And what kind of trade?”, Alexander inquired.
Zoe sighed shaking her head. She had kind of figured her brother had slightly alternative motives for his visit and it was becoming clear what they were. “Yes trade. He made me furniture and I cooked for him. I’d make dinners, lunches and sometimes breakfasts.”, she explained. Though most of the breakfasts had been during times he’d stayed the night with her. Which it saddened her a little that that time was over. He had Rose and was happy in love. In her head she told herself that it was for the best, because if he found love with someone else then so could she. Alexander raised an eyebrow as she said ‘breakfasts’. “Is there something you want to just say or ask Alexander?”, she asked. “Alright fine. I never hid the fact I didn’t like you hang around Merrick, but I can’t tell you who to be friends with. But recently I’ve been told something that I found greatly disturbing and well I trust the source as far as I could throw her. So I’ll just come out with it. Are you with Merrick, meaning in a lovers way?”, Alexander said not bothering with tact. “Her? Let me guess Emma. Not sure what she told you but it was probably at least somewhat true.”, she said. “What?”, Alexander asked. “Merrick and I fooled around during Jenna’s pregnancy, never went past third base. I wanted to, but he wouldn’t. For the sake of his rules and our friendship he figured going further would destroy that. We haven’t been together in a physical way since Faelan was born and never will be again. He’s in love with someone else and is dating her.”, she answered a twinge of sadness as she said they’d never be like that again.
Alexander had wanted his sister to just tell him Emma was wrong and making things up. Not confirm it. He wanted to be angry but he heard the sadness in her voice. And his eyes looked to the large media center at the shelves that contained pictures. As he looked at the pictures there were many that included Merrick. There was the picture from when Zoe had first come to America and she’d gone to the Draven with Merrick them both smiling. Then there was a picture of her with him laughing in the kitchen, another with his head on her lap on her old couch looking at each other smiling, and a picture of her next to Merrick while he held Faelan. He may not like Merrick but he knew him and knew his true smile. And the pictures of him with his sister on the shelves was his true smile. He knew his sister less than Merrick but her smile seemed genuine in all the pictures. He sighed and looked at her a mix of emotions. He was glad that she wasn’t with Merrick for his own selfish reasons, but realizing she had cared for Merrick he felt bad. “You love him don’t you?”, Alexander sighed. Zoe frowned a little but nodded. “Yeah I suppose I did...or do. But it doesn’t matter. He loves Rose and she’s who he is with. I knew how he cared for her before we started fooling around. I knew what we had would probably be temporary. But I suppose having even that long of being happy and in love is better than not at all. And if he can be happy and in love with another I’m certain I can too.”, she said mostly trying to convince herself.
Alexander sighed as she admitted it but looked back to her blinking in shock as she said ‘Rose’. “Rose? You mean Rose Howlett?”, he questioned. Zoe nodded. “That would be her. I don’t know how long he’s loved her, but I knew he did before he started up with me. He finally told her today when he took her to the airport and asked her out. So he’s officially dating her. And other than the day Faelan was born I don’t think I’ve seen him happier.”, she answered. “Wow… um that will go over real well with his sisters that I live with.”, Alexander said shaking his head in disbelief. “Oh they know and it didn’t go well. They stopped by the Haven this morning when I was over there. Josalyn took it a bit better than Emma she at least didn't’ have a full freak out. Have you um talked to them today?”, she asked. Alexander shook his head. “No I was at dad’s this morning then Talia and I have been at the Academy before I came over here. Why? What happened?”, he asked. “Well Emma had her freak out and she mentioned using her powers to get rid of a girl named Katherine, Leslie, and Jenna.”, she explained. “Uh huh…”, Alexander nodded waiting for her to get to the point. “And well I heard it and lost it. I don’t know who Katherine is or why she went after that girl. I know what her and Talia did to Leslie, Merrick told me. But Jenna, I didn’t like her but Faelan deserved the chance to know his mother. So well I turned her to marble.”, Zoe shrugged. “You… you turned her into a statue…”, Alexander sighed running his hand over his face shaking his head. “She pissed me off. And she deserved it and then some. I had to be the one that told Merrick about what she’s done. He’s pissed… he actually kind of scared me he was so angry.”, she admitted.
Alexander shook his head. “You shouldn’t have gotten involved. I know he’s your friend and I know you love him. But getting in the middle of the Bryant-Frost issues isn’t a good idea. I wish Talia hadn’t helped Emma deal with Leslie. Because it pulled her and by association me into that drama. And I can imagine he was scary. When he found out about Leslie he went wolf and tried to kill Emma and Talia his parents had to knock him out so he didn’t. You’re probably lucky you didn’t get hurt for being the messenger.”, he sighed. “Merrick would never hurt me, he said so. And I trust that no matter how much rage he was feeling he couldn’t hurt me. Someone needed to do something and put Emma in her place. She shouldn’t meddle in Merrick’s life like that.”, she said sternly. “Yeah.. well now she’s going to want to go after you.”, Alexander frowned. “Let her try…”, Zoe said. “No. Zoe you don’t get it. Emma is well trained in combat, our dad trained her. And her telepathy… her dad and uncles trained her and she’s very skilled. You know what she’s done to people. How long until your power wears off?”, he asked being serious. “Tomorrow, why?”, she asked. “Because I want to know how much time I have before I need to do damage control.”, he explained. “Damage control?”, Zoe asked. “Yeah. Like I said she’s going to want to go after you. And I need to make sure she doesn’t. You’re my sister and I’ll be damned if I let Emma hurt you.”, he said firmly. “Didn’t you just say she’s well trained?”, she asked. “Yeah but I’m better. I learned more from dad than her. I’m the one that’s going to be taking his role when I graduate. Hopefully it won’t require more than reminding her of dad’s threat.”, he sighed.
“His role? His threat? What are you talking about?”, Zoe asked. There was much about her father she didn’t know. She only knew him as the loving man she’d seen since her arrival last year. Alexander sighed realizing his sister didn’t know much about their dad and his life as an Acolyte. “Yeah, his role. Not just as healer but as torturer. Before dad retired if information needed to be gotten from someone whose mind wasn’t just easily read by one of the Frost triplets, they were taken to dad. People break when you hurt them enough and well as healers we know how to inflict pain and can heal the person. As for dad’s threat. After you first came to Bayville and he found out that Talia and the Nikolaidis twins went after you he gave a threat. He told Talia that if she or anyone else ever went after you he’d send their heads to their parents in a cardboard box. So I’m hoping just reminding Emma that dad will ship her head to her parents will be enough to discourage her from going after you. If it’s not then I’ll have to make my own threat.”, he explained. Zoe blinked a little shocked to be told what their father did. She found it hard to believe the man who loved her mother so dearly and was so gentle and kind could be like that. That he could be someone who’d inflict such pain on others. “Dad...tortured…. people?”, she gulped.
Alexander sighed. “Look I know you’ve only seen dad as the nice guy. The man who loves your mom and who is gentle and kind. And that’s who he is, most of the time. But with the ancestors inside him there’s an aggression that he bottles up. And it was that side that made him the perfect torture and probably the side that let him be with my mom for so long. But he gave that all up, to have your mom back. Which I think that he’d walk away from everything he’d known for the woman he loves says more about his character than anything he did as an Acolyte.”, Alexander explained. Zoe nodded a little it still a shock that this man who’d been so loving and supportive of her and accepted her so quickly into his life could be cruel. But Alexander had a point, he’d walked away from it all because he loves her mother. And if a man is willing to give up everything to have his love that says more about the depths of his heart than any cruelty he’d ever caused. “Yeah. I can’t and won’t judge dad on what he used to do. I’ve only known him as a loving man and devoted father.”, she smiled a little. “Good. And soon you won’t have to deal with worrying about Emma. Now open your present.”, he encouraged. Zoe raised an eyebrow at the statement about Emma but reached for the gift opening it. She smiled as she took the lid off the box and saw a leather case inside.
She carefully took it out and saw it had a strap for carrying and embossed on the front was a phoenix rising and something in Greek written in an arch over the top of the wings ‘Εμείς θα αυξηθεί’. She ran her hand over the letters and phoenix. “What does it say?”, she asked still learning Greek. “It’s our family motto ‘We will rise’ or in Greek ‘Emeís tha af̱xi̱theí’.”, Alexander explained. Zoe nodded smiling as she opened the case to see new willow stick pencils along the left in a row and then on the right a large new sketchpad. “Thank you Alexander. It’s beautiful.”, she smiled. “Dad said you were running low on willow sticks and paper. And well I figured get you a good case to carry it in so when you run out you can just restock the case.”, Alexander smiled. “Now I truly feel bad that I didn’t get you a gift.”, she frowned. Alex shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. As I said you don’t really know me well enough to figure out a present.”, he assured. “Well perhaps we will find more time to spend together so I might know you more.”, she suggested. “Yeah. We’ll figure it out eventually. I’ve still got six more years of medical school before we move.”, he sighed. “Move?”, Zoe questioned. “Yeah. We got our assignments for post graduation. In about two years Emma is to go to England as her assignment. Josalyn will be staying local. And in six years when I’m out of medical school Talia and I are to go to California.”, he explained.
“You figure in six years this is still what you will want? That she’ll still…”, Zoe asked. Alexander laughed a little and smiled. “Yes. I’ve known my whole life I was going to be an Acolyte. Just as I’ve known my whole life that I love Talia. I know you don’t like her. And that’s okay. I don’t need you two to get along. You are my sister and for that Talia will respect you, but I can’t make her like you. But given that she’s who I plan to marry I hope you can respect her to that extent. Because I can’t make you like her.”, he explained. “Marry? You’re certain that you will marry her?”, Zoe asked. Alexander sighed and reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring box and opened it. Inside was a black gold double band ring with chocolate diamonds around the two bands and at the center a teardrop traditional diamond. “Yeah I’m certain.”, he stated. Zoe blinked looking at the ring, it was beautiful in a gothic sense but for Talia it was probably very fitting. “I spoke with her father today privately about proposing. We’d wait till she finishes college at least which is in two years to get married though I’d still have four years left for medical school.”, he explained before putting the ring back. “Well as long as you are happy, that’s what matters brother.”, she sighed. “Thank you. I should get going through. I’ll try to come home more often to see you.”, he said standing up. She smiled and stood up hugging him. “I’d like that. Thank you again Alexander.”, she said. “Bye Zoe.”, he said heading for the door. “Ciao.”, she waved sitting back down with her new sketchbook.
It wasn’t till later in the afternoon that Merrick got a call from Rose. He quickly answered knowing her ringtone. “Hey. So made it alright then.”, he greeted. “Yeah. Just got to the cottage, Octopus apparently missed me.”, she laughed looking down at the large orange cat rubbing a figure eight around her legs. “Oh I bet. Can’t blame him. You’ve been gone just over seven hours and I already miss you.”, he smiled sitting down on the sofa in the living room. Rose smiled she’d been smiling since he said he loved her. “I miss you too. You do realize being long distance like this is going to suck. I mean it sucked before having to spend eleven months out of the year away from you.”, she sighed sitting down on a chair octopus jumping on her lap purring. Merrick chuckled hearing the purring. “I can hear him purring, god almost forgot how loud he can be. And yeah long distance isn’t the greatest thing, but we’ll survive. Just means more likelihood of phone or skype sex.”, he teased. Rose rolled her eyes but was laughing a little. “I suppose that’s true. Guess take a page from Tristan and Blaire’s book and invest in a vibrator.”, she laughed. Merrick covered his face laughing. “Three years at university and you don’t own one? Damn you have way more restraint than I do.”, he laughed. “Yeah well you could just go call someone in your little book to get laid. I didn’t have that option and well I dunno guess the idea of a vibrator wasn’t the same as having you.”, she said a bit embarrassed.
“Yeah well I don’t have that option. Little black book doesn’t exist, heck it hasn’t existed since I found out about Faelan. And now that I’ve got you I don’t really need anyone else. It will be a bit odd I suppose.”, he shrugged. “What will be a bit odd?”, she asked petting Octopus. “Phone sex or skype sex. Never really done that. Never had to before.”, he admitted. “Wait am I understanding you correctly that you’ve never masturbated?”, she questioned with a raised eyebrow. Merrick chuckled. “Yeah that’s correct. I’ve never had to. Why jerk off when I was able to easily found someone willing to do that for me and more. Anyways let’s change the subject, I’m in the living room and mom should be home soon from taking cookies to people with Sebastian and Faelan.”, he said wanting to not be discussing this when people were in hearing range. Rose laughed a little. “Alright let’s change subject. I’m sure Atif and Billy will be home soon too. Can’t wait to see them and the rest of the team so I can tell them about us. Which reminds me after I get off the phone with you I need to call my parents to tell them I got home safe and about us.”, she said.
Merrick smiled he liked the word ‘us’. “Yeah I’ve told some people already.”, he said with a sigh thinking about the reactions he got. “Oh? Who have you told so far? Don’t want to double up.”, she asked. “Well got back and Zoe was here. So she was the first one I told. She was happy for us and said it was about time I told you. She had me give all the details of how it went down and she was gushing about it saying it was like a scene from one of Gina’s romance movies.”,he smiled thinking about Zoe’s reaction. “Who else did you tell? I’ll assume your mom.”, she smiled. “Mom overheard while I told my sisters. Josalyn and Emma came to visit. Which Josalyn got engaged to Robert he proposed yesterday at Rockefeller Center while ice skating.”, he explained. “Oh well congratulations to them. So how did they take being told you are with me?”, she asked knowing it was probably bad. Josalyn and Emma hated her. “They weren’t happy. Especially Emma she was pissed. And I don’t fucking care. Right now Josalyn is on thin ice with me. And Emma I might kill if I see her too soon.”, he said growling a little thinking back to that morning. He’d spent the afternoon at the gym, the shop and the shelter to try and calm down.
“What happened?”, she asked. The last time he wanted to kill Emma she’d harmed Leslie. “Zoe overheard Emma and Josalyn talking. And Emma well she admitted to being behind more than just Leslie. She admitted to being behind Katherine deciding to become a nun. for starters.”, he shrugged. “Katherine?”, Rose asked trying to place the name. “You probably wouldn’t remember her. Katherine was a senior when I was a freshmen in high school. And she was the first girl I ever slept with, we didn’t date but we certainly had a good time together. Apparently Emma didn’t like the idea or whatever and used her powers to get Katherine to give up sex and become a nun. Which whatever, Katherine from what I understand has been happy as a nun. No what I’m really pissed about is that what she did to Jenna. I didn’t love Jenna but for Emma to use her powers to have Jenna give up Faelan and wipe her mind of me and Faelan is just… unforgivable. Zoe got so mad she turned Emma to a statue. Josalyn and Robert took Emma home before I was told and could go ballistic.”, he explained. Rose covered her mouth she shouldn’t be shocked that Emma would do something like that to Jenna but still that was such a low thing to do. To take a mother away from Faelan was just horrid. “Ohh Merrick… I… I am so sorry. I wish I could be there for you.”, she frowned.
Merrick nodded. “Yeah I don’t mind when Emma does things that hurt me, but don’t hurt my son. Zoe told me what happened and I owe the Haven a new section of marble counter having cracked it with my anger. I feel bad I scared Zoe with how angry I got. I give her credit scared as she was she didn’t leave. Instead she hugged me trying to get me to calm down. It worked. I wouldn’t and couldn’t ever hurt her so her telling me was probably the safest bet. Once I had calmed down I drove her back to the restaurant since she had to work and went to the gym and went through five punching bags before going to the shop to do some work and then the shelter to try and zen.”, he sighed a little. Rose nodded. Of course Zoe comforted him, and if this had been yesterday maybe she’d have been more bothered by it. But this was today and he loves her and is dating her. So there was nothing more than friendship between him and Zoe. “I still wish I could be there for you. I just can’t believe she’d go that low. Because that hurts Faelan not you. She took his mother away from him.”, she sighed. “Yeah and I can’t forgive her for that. But he’s got you, we both have you. And sure maybe Jenna could have changed her mind about him. But who knows how long that’d take. With you he got immediately loved and accepted in all his forms.”, Merrick assured smiling a little. “Yes you both have me. I love you. I’m going to go find something to eat and call my parents. I’ll talk to you soon.”, she said.
Merrick sighed. “Say it again please.”, he asked. Rose raised an eyebrow then smiled knowing what he wanted to hear. “I love you Merrick Edward Bryant-Frost.”, she chuckled a little. “I like how that sounds. I love you too Roselyn Elizabeth Howlett”, he smiled. “I like how that sounds too. Alright, love you and I’ll talk to you later.”, she said. “Love you, bye little wolf.”, he said hanging up with a sigh. Waiting till June to have her with him again was going to be hell. It was then that he got an idea. It was a scary idea to him. But Rose was worth it. So he started plotting a surprise trip to Cambridge to see her around Valentine’s day. He knew getting the time off would be easy and having someone watch Faelan wouldn’t be an issue. No the issue would be the flying. He’d have to talk to Kisa and Mikali to see what they could maybe prescribe him for the flight that would help him not go nuts or get sick. But this would be his big gesture. To show her that an ocean wasn’t enough to keep him from being with her. Even if getting there was going to be the worst experience of his life it would be worth it to see her.

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Merrick was on cloud nine after he left the airport a permanent smile on his face. She’d said yes, better than that she said it back. Rose Howlett loves him, that was something he couldn’t get over. He’d gotten to his car just in time to not have it be towed and drove back to the Haven. Upon walking in he could still smell Rose in the air but another familiar scent was there. “Zoe?”, he called. Taking off his winter jacket and boots. “Si Lupo Cattivo?”, she said smiling walking out of the kitchen eating half a cookie Faelan in her arms eating the other half. “Getting into cookies before mom has frosted them?”, he teased smiling walking over giving Faelan a kiss on the forehead and Zoe a kiss on the cheek. Zoe blinked but smiled at the kiss on the cheek. She knew it was just a friend kiss but he did seem to be in a very good mood for having just taken Rose to the airport. “Yes well she said we could split one then she’d take Faelan to decorate, apparently he’d old enough to help frost cookies.”, Zoe smiled taking part of her cookie out of her mouth to speak. “Ah I see.. well..”, he said leaning taking the bite that was in her hand and eating it smirking. “Someone’s in a good mood for just having to take Rose to the airport. What’s going on?”, she asked shifting Faelan in her arms as he gnawed at his half cookie.
“I finally said it.”, Merrick stated that grin still on his face. “Said it?”, Zoe questioned. She was smiling on the surface knowing what he must have said but inside any tiny amount of hope was crumbling. “I told her I love her.”, he answered. “That’s great Merrick.”, she smiled encouragingly. “No great is she said it back. Hear that pup, Rose loves daddy.”, he smiled messing Faelan’s hair a little. “Aw that’s probably the best Christmas gift you got.”, Zoe laughed meaning it but teasing too. She knew the pair loved each other, but there was still a small part of her that was in pain because she had fallen in love with Merrick. “Yeah certainly up there. Along with her agreeing to date me. I mean we have to figure out how the long distance is going to work. But we’ll figure it out. I just know she’s who I want. And I’m not going to let some stupid ocean stop me from having her.”, he explained with a sigh smiling brightly. “That is awesome and about damn time. You need to give me all the details. I have to live vicariously through you.”, she laughed nudging him to the living room to talk.
Merrick chuckled heading to the living room taking a seat. Zoe set Faelan on the floor and he started to play with the new toys he’d gotten for Christmas before she sat next to Merrick. “Alright regale me with the story.”, she encouraged waiting to hear it all. “Well drove her to the airport, which I’ve never done. Generally we say goodbye in town like the day before she leaves so it’s not as shitty. So we were both kind of bummed as we pulled up to the airport. She says she had a good visit and thanked me for the bracelet I made and gives me a kiss goodbye. I say it was nice having her home for Christmas and bye. She got out of the car and I’m just sitting there kicking myself because it was my chance to just say it. Hit my head on the steering wheel at my own stupidity. Then said fuck it and got out of the car not thinking about it being the loading and unloading only area and went into the airport.”, he started. Zoe’s eyes went a little wide as she smiled. “You went into the airport after her?!”, she exclaimed. Merrick chuckled and nodded. “I didn’t know what flight she was on but even in a busy place like the airport I can find her scent so I followed it. I caught up as she was in line for TSA. I yelled her name to get her attention and pushed past some people to get to her. She was a bit confused what I was doing and actually asked what I was doing. I said something I should have done last summer and kissed her.”, he continued the story.
Zoe awed a little and with her hand encouraged him to keep talking. “She pulled back from the kiss and pointed out I’ve been kissing her since was sixteen. And I try to explain it wasn’t the kiss that I was talking about. I think I literally said ‘fuck I’m bad with words’. Then I just blurted it out telling her I love her. This of course caught her apparently off guard. And I told her it again and explained I couldn’t let her leave again without saying it and without knowing if she felt the same. And she said it back. I think the only time I’ve been happier was when I first held Faelan. So kiss her again and then ask the question if she’d be my girlfriend. Her exact answer was ‘Four years and you finally ask. Yes of course.’. She was about to argue if I was sure because of the whole distance thing. I pointed out if Xavier and Ashley hell if Tristan and Blaire can do long distance we can. Then they called for the owner of the Pontiac GTO to come move their car or be towed. So I told her to not argue, said I love you again and ran to save my car.”, he said finishing his story. “Oh my god. That is just...soo sweet. You two have one of those romance stories from Gina’s favorite movies or even sort of the plays I perform. You started off hating each other growing up, realized there was an attraction and started seeing each other, then an ocean separated you except for one month a year when you got to be together, and that attraction became love but you were both too dumb or proud or afraid to just say it. And finally it culminated with an airport chase and confession of your love. I’m sooo happy for you Merrick.”, she said hugging him tightly. “Thanks Zoe. You are the first person to know. I’d actually planned to call you when I got in but you were already here. I wanted to share that news with my best friend.”, he smiled hugging her back.
“Share what news?”, Emma asked coldly glaring at Zoe as she walked in carrying bags of gifts Josalyn and Robert right behind her. Zoe pulled back from the hug and glared back at Emma but then smiled because Emma was about to get the news that her brother was in love with someone she didn’t like. Merrick smiled turning to look at his sisters and Robert. “MERRY CHRISTMAS!”, he greeted with a wide smile. Josalyn and Emma both raised their eyebrows at how cheerful their brother was. Robert looked scared almost but laughed nervously not knowing Merrick as well as his sisters. “Um Merry Christmas Merrick. Hi Zoe. Hey little Faelan.”, Robert greeted setting some gifts down. “Are you alright? Did mom already spike the eggnog?”, Josalyn asked setting her gifts down making sure that the canary diamond engagement ring Robert had given her last night was visible. Zoe noticed the ring and shifted on the couch to look. “That’s gorgeous Josalyn. Congratulations.”, she smiled. “Thank you. Robert proposed last night. He took me down into New York City and we went ice skating at Rockefeller Center and he proposed on the ice.”, Josalyn told the story smiling. Merrick smiled and stood up offering a hand to Robert. Robert didn’t think twice and shook his only to have it slightly crushed. “Congratulations Robert. Welcome to the family, formally. And my original warning about ever breaking my sister’s heart now stands double.”, he smiled. Josalyn rolled her eyes. “He’s just playing Robert.”, she said. “No I’m not. You hurt my sister your kibble.”, Merrick smiled letting Robert’s hand go watching Robert rub his hand.
“Now what news are you so happy about Merrick?”, Emma asked wanting to get back on subject. “Me? I’m happy because I’m in love.”, Merrick explained. Emma blinked. “With who?”, she demanded to know. “Rose.”, Merrick said simply. Josalyn and Emma both blinked as that was far from what they’d expected. “ROSE! Like Rose Howlett?!”, Emma demanded. Emma’s normally pale complexion was almost as red as Josalyn’s hair with anger at this. Josalyn however had gone completely white at the thought of her brother with Rose Howlett. Zoe covered her mouth trying to not laugh at the reactions of his sisters. She figured that Lily would have a different reaction as she actually is friends with Rose. “Yeah. I love Roselyn Elizabeth Howlett. God I love saying that. And more to the point I’m dating her.”, Merrick stated still smiling He didn’t expect Josalyn or Emma to be thrilled with his selection, but he didn’t give a shit. About then Kim walked in to get Falan just in time to hear Merrick say he loves Rose and is dating her. “Congratulations Merrick. About time. The whole house will be thrilled at this. Why you let her leave back at the end of June after her staying the whole month here with you without tell her was beyond us.”, Kim smiled picking up Faelan. Emma and Josalyn blinked and looked at their mother. “What? You knew about him and her? And what do you mean she stayed here in June?”, Emma asked.
“Of course I knew. Start of June came home with your father to find him and Faelan sleeping on the floor with Rose cuddled with them. Then she was here in the morning and your brother let her hold Faelan. And asked her to stay during her visit here. David obviously wouldn’t tell her she couldn’t stay she had basically grown up a the Haven. And I don’t care how many times the two of them said it wasn’t more than just friends with benefits. Your brother wouldn’t just let someone hold Faelan back then and certainly wouldn’t have let her take Faelan on her own to visit with her parents. Heck he even went into the city to the Manhattan house for her birthday and you know how your brother feels about the city.”, Kim explained. Both girls were shocked by this having had no clue. Kim noticed Josalyn’s ring and smiled. “Aw and congratulations Josalyn. Welcome to the family Robert.”, she said hugging her daughter and giving Robert a kiss on the cheek. “Well time to decorate cookies. Me and Faelan will be in the kitchen if you need us.”, Kim said exiting the room. Emma waited for her mother to leave before looking to Merrick. “You cannot be serious.”, she said folding her arms trying to be stern looking up at her brother. Merrick narrowed his eyes slightly folding his arms. “I am extremely serious. So I’m going to say this in advance so we don’t have another Leslie incident. You are my little sister and I love you. I will always as we are family. However I love Rose and you touch her you will deal with me and I will not be held back by our parents again. That goes for you too Josalyn, I know you probably wouldn’t but this is a general notice anyone in this family messes with Rose they deal with me.”, he stated looking between his sisters.
Emma glared and turned on her heels and walked out the front door. Josalyn sighed and went after Emma. “Well...um that was…”, Robert said uncomfortably. “Welcome to our family. Apparently some old grudges never go away.”, Merrick sighed. Zoe frowned and hugged Merrick giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t worry about your sisters. If you are happy with Rose then that’s what matters. You should be allowed happiness. I should get heading back. I’ll talk to you soon alright.”, she smiled. Merrick nodded giving her a tight hug. “Thanks Zoe. Always can depend on you to be there for me. Talk to you soon. I should go check on Faelan, icing is messy, come on Robert.”, Merrick said leading Robert to the kitchen where Faelan was already covering himself with the frosting instead of the cookies. “Mom!”, Merrick exclaimed shaking his head. Zoe chuckled and started to gather her winter jacket to head for the door but stopped hearing Emma and Josalyn on the other side of the door. Emma was furious about her brother dating an X-Men.
“How the hell is this possible!? I have not gotten rid of Katherine, Leslie and that idiot Jenna just for him to end up with a fucking X-Men!”, Emma shouted in rage. “Emma you need to calm down. This is Merrick’s life, we need to let him live it. He lets us live ours and is there for us when we need him. And what do you mean you got rid of Katherine and Jenna? Sadly I know what you and Talia did to Leslie. But what did you do?”, Josalyn questioned. Emma shrugged a little. “Emma Grace Bryant-Frost the 2nd tell me now. What did you do to those girls!?”, Josalyn demanded. “Fine Katherine was easy she was a fucking slut and didn’t deserve our brother and if I’m going to blame anyone for the man whore he became in high school I’ll blame her for starting him on that path. So I felt no qualms messing in her mind to make her decide to become a nun. And I didn’t do anything to Jenna that she wasn’t already thinking, except I gave her an easy out by wiping our nephew and brother from her and her parents memories. She was already thinking of giving up our nephew because of his mutation so I say she didn’t deserve them and got her to write that letter anyways.”, Emma snorted. Josalyn’s mouth went open in shock.
Zoe however was only seeing red hearing that. She may not have liked Jenna but Faelan deserved to have his mom given a chance. Zoe was trying to control her anger but decided she couldn’t and flew up the door. “How dare you…”, Zoe said focusing on Emma with dark blue eyes narrowing with anger as Emma became a piece of solid marble. “What did you…”, Josalyn stammered. “I heard everything she just said. How dare she do that to Merrick and Faelan. How dare she make herself judge jury and executioner and meddle in her brother’s life like that.”, Zoe said glaring at Josalyn almost waiting for Josalyn to try something so she would have to make her stone too. “I know what she did and I don’t approve of it. But you just used your powers on her.”, Josalyn said. “And? I’m not Haven. And not like she hasn’t probably used her powers on me. So question is are you going to tell Merrick what Emma did or not?”, Zoe demanded folding her arms looking at her. “He’s happy right now. I don’t want to mess with that. And well he might kill the messenger. How long will she be like this?”, Josalyn asked. Zoe didn’t particularly care for Josalyn’s answer. “Twenty four hours max. And if you won’t tell him what she did I will.”, Zoe said turning to head for the kitchen.
Josalyn frowned and sent a text to Robert. ‘Come help me with Emma. We need to go ASAP’. Robert’s phone buzzed as he was helping front a cookie and he checked it. “Oh well sorry to cut it short but there’s an emergency going on back in Boston. So we’ll be heading out. The first are all in the living room. Merry Christmas.”, Robert said before ducking out of the kitchen. he went past Zoe noticing she looked rather angry and he stopped when he saw a statue of Emma. “What happ..”, he started to ask. “Don’t asked just help me load her into the car. Things are about to get way worse and we do not want to be in the line of fire.”, Josalyn explained. Robert nodded still uncertain what happened but helped pick up the statue and get her into the back of the car laying across the back seat. “How long is she going to be like that?”, he asked. “Twenty-four hours. And in that time she better be thinking really hard about how she’s going to apologize to Merrick.”, Josalyn answered getting in. Robert nodded getting in still not sure what was going on but started to drive back to the house in Boston.
Kim was confused by Robert’s random disappearance but shrugged putting the cookies on trays and in tins. “I’m going to go get Sebastian so we can take some of these cookies to friends.”, Kim said. “You worry about cleaning up Faelan.”, she smiled looking at her grandson covered in red and green icing. She walked past Zoe and smiled at her. “Now Zoe there’s a tin for you, your parents and your Uncle Alec. We will take the one to your parents since I’m sure Sebastian wants to see Gina. But if you wouldn’t mind taking the tin for Alec when you take yours.”, she smiled patting her shoulder before heading upstairs to find her other son. “Sure thing.”, Zoe answered but took a breath as she walked into the kitchen. She looked over and started to laugh seeing Faelan licking his face which had red and green icing what was also in his hair and Merrick had a baby wipe that he was trying to clean him with. “Aww piccolo lupo (little wolf).”, she laughed walking over picking up a wipe and starting to help. She wanted to to him but how could she with Faelan right there. Merrick chuckled as Faelan growled as they tag teamed him. “I don’t know why mom thinks this young is okay for icing cookies. I think he’s a bigger mess than Emma her first year. God she tried to use the red icing to make her hair red so she’d match Lily and Josalyn it was so funny.”, Merrick smiled thinking back to Emma’s first christmas. Zoe just nodded silently as he relived a happy memory of the bitch sister she’d just turned to a statue.
Kim came back down with Sebastian just in time as Zoe and Merrick had finished cleaning up Faelan. “Alright give me my grandson. Sebastian you get the tins loaded into the car while I change him into something adorable for going visiting.”, Kim instructed. “Alright mom.”, Sebastian said starting to stack the tins. Kim carried Faelan out to change him. “Merry Christmas Zoe.”, Sebastian greeted stacking tins to carry. “Merry Christmas. Tell my sister hi. I was there for Christmas day.”, Zoe smiled washing her hands. “I will. Bye guys.”, Sebastian said taking his load of tins and leaving grumbling something about his mother going overboard on cookies this year. Merrick chuckled shaking his head. “Half a pack of wipes cleaning that baby.”, he sighed. Zoe smiled. “Well little ones do tend to be messy, he was cute with all that frosting on his face.”, she commented. Merrick nodded picking up the red piping bag and walking over to her putting a streak of red down her nose and across her cheeks with a laugh. “Works for you too hellraiser.”, he teased. Zoe chuckled shaking her head. “No fair. You have a girlfriend so you can’t lick it off.”, she said using her index fingers to wipe away the frosting and licked them. Merrick smirked but nodded. “True… fun as licking icing off you can be.”, he winked setting the piping bag down.
Zoe sighed shaking her head getting a wipe and cleaning her face. “Merrick there’s something I want to talk to you about.”, she said getting serious. Merrick frowned and leaned against the counter holding the marble edge lightly. “Alright. What’s going on hellraiser?”, he asked. “About Emma…”, she started. Merrick sighed. “What about her?”, he asked. “I was getting ready to leave and well you know how she stormed off when you gave that speech that you won’t tolerate her going after Rose. Well I heard her talking to Josalyn and I’m going to quote here about having ‘not gotten rid of Katherine, Leslie and that idiot Jenna just for him to end up with a fucking X-Men’.”, Zoe said a little afraid to look at him. Merrick took a deep breath and exhaled through his nose. “Okay… I’ll bite figuratively, what exactly does that mean. I know what she did to Leslie.”, he questioned his grip on the counter tightening. “Something about using her powers to make whoever Katherine was go be a nun. And well she said she got Jenna to do what she was already thinking, and write the letter to give up Faelan and just wiped Jenna and her parent’s minds of you and Faelan.”, Zoe said now scared of how he might react. Merrick’s jaw tightened as his grip intensified without him thinking and the marble started to crack under the pressure.
“I’ll kill her.”, he growled. Zoe gulped. “I think Josalyn and Robert already took her home. Because well I heard that and um I turned her to marble.”, she admitted. Merrick was still growling and Zoe could see the marble cracking and his knuckles going white. This was one of those fight or flight moments because there was a look in his eyes she’d never seen and it did scare her. She chose fight, in a sense, and moved forward hugging him tightly rubbing his back. “Breath Merrick… please because you are kind of scaring me right now.”, she whispered. Merrick was still growling it wasn’t that about Katherine, that actually didn’t bother him, but Jenna did bother him. It wasn’t because he cared about Jenna or loved her, but she is Faelan’s mother and deserved the chance to change her mind, to realize what an amazing son they had. He didn’t speak he just kept growling trying to control his temper. He could feel Zoe’s heart beating and it was a bit fast she was a bit scared. It took him a few minutes but he let go of the counter and instead brought his arms around her hugging her back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to scare you. I just… I can’t believe she would do that. I can deal with her crap, I don’t care what she does to try and hurt me. But to take Jenna from Faelan doesn’t hurt me it hurts him. I may not ever have loved her but she could have changed her mind and learned to love our son. This… this I can’t forgive. Hurt me all she wants, I have broad shoulders and am strong enough to take it. But my son...he’s just a pup.”, he said shaking his head.
“I know. I’m sorry I’m the one who had to tell you. It should have been your sisters to tell you. Though I’m kind of glad that Josalyn took Emma because well you cracked that counter I can’t imagine what you’d do to the marble Emma if you got your hands on her.”, she frowned still hugging him tight. “Yeah it’s probably better that she’s not where I can get my hands on her. And it’s alright, it’s probably better you told me. If Emma had told me I’d have hurt her, if Joslayn had told me I might still have hurt her.”, he admitted. “But you wouldn’t hurt me?”, she asked. Merrick shook his head and kissed the top of her head still hugging her. “I could never bring myself to hurt you Zoe. You're my best friend and I love you.”, he sighed before letting her go. She knew that the ‘love you’ was just as a friend, but she liked hearing it anyways. “I love you too Merrick. And I’m glad you wouldn’t hurt me. Are you going to be alright alone? I really do need to get home to get ready for work. But I want to know you will be alright.”, she asked looking up at him. Merrick sighed and nodded. “Yeah I’ll be alright. I need to just think. I’ll probably go to the gym and get some exercise in while mom’s out with Faelan. Need to punch a few things I think.”, he nodded. Zoe sighed and nodded she understood the urge to hit things when upset. “Well you get the aggression out. And if you need to talk...I’m just a call away.”, she sighed giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Yeah. I will and when Rose lands I’ll have her to talk too.”, he smiled a little. “I’ll give you a ride to the restaurant before heading to the gym. That way you don’t have to catch a cab or the bus.”, he said. “Thanks Merrick.”, she smiled heading for the door. Merrick grabbed his jacket and followed her out dropped her off then going to the gym to get out some aggression out.
Zoe was worried about Merrick and how he was going to handle this. But she couldn't focus on that as she had to work. After her shift ended she went to head up to her apartment and found her brother sitting on the stairs holding a wrapped gift. "Alexander?", she questioned startled that he was in the stairs. "Merry Christmas sister.", Alexander greeted standing up. He'd wanted to speak privately with his sister. Emma had returned from her Nana's holiday party with some distributing information implying that his sister Zoe was sexually involved with Merrick. Alexander didn't want to believe his sister would get involved that way with Merrick. "Merry Christmas. How'd you get in?", she asked. "Uncle Alec let me in while he was on a break and said I could wait here for you.", he explained hugging her and handing her the gift. "Thank you. I hadn't known what to get you, I'm sorry.", she smiled. "It's alright. We are still getting to know each other as siblings. I found something for you from a conversation with dad. You going to invite me up and you can open your gift?", Alexander smiled. "Of course. I have some holiday cookies from Kim if you'd like some.", she offered heading up the stairs. Alexander nodded following his sister. "I haven't had one of Misses Bryant-Frost's holiday cookies in about five years. Did she still let the young ones, which I'd guess is only Merrick's son now, help with the frosting?", he asked following her into the apartment. He hadn't been in her apartment. So as he took off his jacket he was looking around at the rather fine crafted furniture. "Oh yes. It took half a container of wipes to clean Faelan up he had so much frosting on him. Did you used to help decorate when Kim lived at the academy?", she asked setting the present in the coffee table Merrick made her last year for a housewarming gift and opened the run of cookies before curling up in the chair she'd gotten for Christmas from Merrick.
Alexander nodded sitting down in the sofa taking one of the cookies. "Yes. We all did till she moved away. It was something that made the holidays but we all eventually got too old. Generally after thirteen we stopped helping.", he answered taking a bite of the cookie and mmmed. "Exactly as I remembered them.", he sighed a little the cookie reminding him of what he'd call happy times. Zoe smiled a little looking at her brother as he was smiling in remembering a good moment. Generally if the Bryant-Frosts were mentioned he didn’t always seem the happiest. She knew he didn’t care for Merrick, and Merrick had explained why but to hold something so trivial as besting him in a fight all those years ago seemed silly in her mind. “Soo… nice furniture. I didn’t exactly expect to see all this when I walked in. Last I knew you had the old furniture that was left behind by a previous tenant.”, Alexander commented. Zoe nodded. “Yeah… I did. But well Merrick figured I shouldn’t have to have used furniture.”, she shrugged. “Merrick?”, Alexander asked raising an eyebrow. “He does make furniture for a living. So he made me furniture.”, she explained. Alexander nodded slowly. “I know. Though my understanding his pieces aren’t exactly cheap…”, he stated. “No they aren’t. But we worked out a trade.”, Zoe smiled. Alexander didn’t really like how that sounded. “Uh huh. And what kind of trade?”, Alexander inquired.
Zoe sighed shaking her head. She had kind of figured her brother had slightly alternative motives for his visit and it was becoming clear what they were. “Yes trade. He made me furniture and I cooked for him. I’d make dinners, lunches and sometimes breakfasts.”, she explained. Though most of the breakfasts had been during times he’d stayed the night with her. Which it saddened her a little that that time was over. He had Rose and was happy in love. In her head she told herself that it was for the best, because if he found love with someone else then so could she. Alexander raised an eyebrow as she said ‘breakfasts’. “Is there something you want to just say or ask Alexander?”, she asked. “Alright fine. I never hid the fact I didn’t like you hang around Merrick, but I can’t tell you who to be friends with. But recently I’ve been told something that I found greatly disturbing and well I trust the source as far as I could throw her. So I’ll just come out with it. Are you with Merrick, meaning in a lovers way?”, Alexander said not bothering with tact. “Her? Let me guess Emma. Not sure what she told you but it was probably at least somewhat true.”, she said. “What?”, Alexander asked. “Merrick and I fooled around during Jenna’s pregnancy, never went past third base. I wanted to, but he wouldn’t. For the sake of his rules and our friendship he figured going further would destroy that. We haven’t been together in a physical way since Faelan was born and never will be again. He’s in love with someone else and is dating her.”, she answered a twinge of sadness as she said they’d never be like that again.
Alexander had wanted his sister to just tell him Emma was wrong and making things up. Not confirm it. He wanted to be angry but he heard the sadness in her voice. And his eyes looked to the large media center at the shelves that contained pictures. As he looked at the pictures there were many that included Merrick. There was the picture from when Zoe had first come to America and she’d gone to the Draven with Merrick them both smiling. Then there was a picture of her with him laughing in the kitchen, another with his head on her lap on her old couch looking at each other smiling, and a picture of her next to Merrick while he held Faelan. He may not like Merrick but he knew him and knew his true smile. And the pictures of him with his sister on the shelves was his true smile. He knew his sister less than Merrick but her smile seemed genuine in all the pictures. He sighed and looked at her a mix of emotions. He was glad that she wasn’t with Merrick for his own selfish reasons, but realizing she had cared for Merrick he felt bad. “You love him don’t you?”, Alexander sighed. Zoe frowned a little but nodded. “Yeah I suppose I did...or do. But it doesn’t matter. He loves Rose and she’s who he is with. I knew how he cared for her before we started fooling around. I knew what we had would probably be temporary. But I suppose having even that long of being happy and in love is better than not at all. And if he can be happy and in love with another I’m certain I can too.”, she said mostly trying to convince herself.
Alexander sighed as she admitted it but looked back to her blinking in shock as she said ‘Rose’. “Rose? You mean Rose Howlett?”, he questioned. Zoe nodded. “That would be her. I don’t know how long he’s loved her, but I knew he did before he started up with me. He finally told her today when he took her to the airport and asked her out. So he’s officially dating her. And other than the day Faelan was born I don’t think I’ve seen him happier.”, she answered. “Wow… um that will go over real well with his sisters that I live with.”, Alexander said shaking his head in disbelief. “Oh they know and it didn’t go well. They stopped by the Haven this morning when I was over there. Josalyn took it a bit better than Emma she at least didn't’ have a full freak out. Have you um talked to them today?”, she asked. Alexander shook his head. “No I was at dad’s this morning then Talia and I have been at the Academy before I came over here. Why? What happened?”, he asked. “Well Emma had her freak out and she mentioned using her powers to get rid of a girl named Katherine, Leslie, and Jenna.”, she explained. “Uh huh…”, Alexander nodded waiting for her to get to the point. “And well I heard it and lost it. I don’t know who Katherine is or why she went after that girl. I know what her and Talia did to Leslie, Merrick told me. But Jenna, I didn’t like her but Faelan deserved the chance to know his mother. So well I turned her to marble.”, Zoe shrugged. “You… you turned her into a statue…”, Alexander sighed running his hand over his face shaking his head. “She pissed me off. And she deserved it and then some. I had to be the one that told Merrick about what she’s done. He’s pissed… he actually kind of scared me he was so angry.”, she admitted.
Alexander shook his head. “You shouldn’t have gotten involved. I know he’s your friend and I know you love him. But getting in the middle of the Bryant-Frost issues isn’t a good idea. I wish Talia hadn’t helped Emma deal with Leslie. Because it pulled her and by association me into that drama. And I can imagine he was scary. When he found out about Leslie he went wolf and tried to kill Emma and Talia his parents had to knock him out so he didn’t. You’re probably lucky you didn’t get hurt for being the messenger.”, he sighed. “Merrick would never hurt me, he said so. And I trust that no matter how much rage he was feeling he couldn’t hurt me. Someone needed to do something and put Emma in her place. She shouldn’t meddle in Merrick’s life like that.”, she said sternly. “Yeah.. well now she’s going to want to go after you.”, Alexander frowned. “Let her try…”, Zoe said. “No. Zoe you don’t get it. Emma is well trained in combat, our dad trained her. And her telepathy… her dad and uncles trained her and she’s very skilled. You know what she’s done to people. How long until your power wears off?”, he asked being serious. “Tomorrow, why?”, she asked. “Because I want to know how much time I have before I need to do damage control.”, he explained. “Damage control?”, Zoe asked. “Yeah. Like I said she’s going to want to go after you. And I need to make sure she doesn’t. You’re my sister and I’ll be damned if I let Emma hurt you.”, he said firmly. “Didn’t you just say she’s well trained?”, she asked. “Yeah but I’m better. I learned more from dad than her. I’m the one that’s going to be taking his role when I graduate. Hopefully it won’t require more than reminding her of dad’s threat.”, he sighed.
“His role? His threat? What are you talking about?”, Zoe asked. There was much about her father she didn’t know. She only knew him as the loving man she’d seen since her arrival last year. Alexander sighed realizing his sister didn’t know much about their dad and his life as an Acolyte. “Yeah, his role. Not just as healer but as torturer. Before dad retired if information needed to be gotten from someone whose mind wasn’t just easily read by one of the Frost triplets, they were taken to dad. People break when you hurt them enough and well as healers we know how to inflict pain and can heal the person. As for dad’s threat. After you first came to Bayville and he found out that Talia and the Nikolaidis twins went after you he gave a threat. He told Talia that if she or anyone else ever went after you he’d send their heads to their parents in a cardboard box. So I’m hoping just reminding Emma that dad will ship her head to her parents will be enough to discourage her from going after you. If it’s not then I’ll have to make my own threat.”, he explained. Zoe blinked a little shocked to be told what their father did. She found it hard to believe the man who loved her mother so dearly and was so gentle and kind could be like that. That he could be someone who’d inflict such pain on others. “Dad...tortured…. people?”, she gulped.
Alexander sighed. “Look I know you’ve only seen dad as the nice guy. The man who loves your mom and who is gentle and kind. And that’s who he is, most of the time. But with the ancestors inside him there’s an aggression that he bottles up. And it was that side that made him the perfect torture and probably the side that let him be with my mom for so long. But he gave that all up, to have your mom back. Which I think that he’d walk away from everything he’d known for the woman he loves says more about his character than anything he did as an Acolyte.”, Alexander explained. Zoe nodded a little it still a shock that this man who’d been so loving and supportive of her and accepted her so quickly into his life could be cruel. But Alexander had a point, he’d walked away from it all because he loves her mother. And if a man is willing to give up everything to have his love that says more about the depths of his heart than any cruelty he’d ever caused. “Yeah. I can’t and won’t judge dad on what he used to do. I’ve only known him as a loving man and devoted father.”, she smiled a little. “Good. And soon you won’t have to deal with worrying about Emma. Now open your present.”, he encouraged. Zoe raised an eyebrow at the statement about Emma but reached for the gift opening it. She smiled as she took the lid off the box and saw a leather case inside.
She carefully took it out and saw it had a strap for carrying and embossed on the front was a phoenix rising and something in Greek written in an arch over the top of the wings ‘Εμείς θα αυξηθεί’. She ran her hand over the letters and phoenix. “What does it say?”, she asked still learning Greek. “It’s our family motto ‘We will rise’ or in Greek ‘Emeís tha af̱xi̱theí’.”, Alexander explained. Zoe nodded smiling as she opened the case to see new willow stick pencils along the left in a row and then on the right a large new sketchpad. “Thank you Alexander. It’s beautiful.”, she smiled. “Dad said you were running low on willow sticks and paper. And well I figured get you a good case to carry it in so when you run out you can just restock the case.”, Alexander smiled. “Now I truly feel bad that I didn’t get you a gift.”, she frowned. Alex shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. As I said you don’t really know me well enough to figure out a present.”, he assured. “Well perhaps we will find more time to spend together so I might know you more.”, she suggested. “Yeah. We’ll figure it out eventually. I’ve still got six more years of medical school before we move.”, he sighed. “Move?”, Zoe questioned. “Yeah. We got our assignments for post graduation. In about two years Emma is to go to England as her assignment. Josalyn will be staying local. And in six years when I’m out of medical school Talia and I are to go to California.”, he explained.
“You figure in six years this is still what you will want? That she’ll still…”, Zoe asked. Alexander laughed a little and smiled. “Yes. I’ve known my whole life I was going to be an Acolyte. Just as I’ve known my whole life that I love Talia. I know you don’t like her. And that’s okay. I don’t need you two to get along. You are my sister and for that Talia will respect you, but I can’t make her like you. But given that she’s who I plan to marry I hope you can respect her to that extent. Because I can’t make you like her.”, he explained. “Marry? You’re certain that you will marry her?”, Zoe asked. Alexander sighed and reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring box and opened it. Inside was a black gold double band ring with chocolate diamonds around the two bands and at the center a teardrop traditional diamond. “Yeah I’m certain.”, he stated. Zoe blinked looking at the ring, it was beautiful in a gothic sense but for Talia it was probably very fitting. “I spoke with her father today privately about proposing. We’d wait till she finishes college at least which is in two years to get married though I’d still have four years left for medical school.”, he explained before putting the ring back. “Well as long as you are happy, that’s what matters brother.”, she sighed. “Thank you. I should get going through. I’ll try to come home more often to see you.”, he said standing up. She smiled and stood up hugging him. “I’d like that. Thank you again Alexander.”, she said. “Bye Zoe.”, he said heading for the door. “Ciao.”, she waved sitting back down with her new sketchbook.
It wasn’t till later in the afternoon that Merrick got a call from Rose. He quickly answered knowing her ringtone. “Hey. So made it alright then.”, he greeted. “Yeah. Just got to the cottage, Octopus apparently missed me.”, she laughed looking down at the large orange cat rubbing a figure eight around her legs. “Oh I bet. Can’t blame him. You’ve been gone just over seven hours and I already miss you.”, he smiled sitting down on the sofa in the living room. Rose smiled she’d been smiling since he said he loved her. “I miss you too. You do realize being long distance like this is going to suck. I mean it sucked before having to spend eleven months out of the year away from you.”, she sighed sitting down on a chair octopus jumping on her lap purring. Merrick chuckled hearing the purring. “I can hear him purring, god almost forgot how loud he can be. And yeah long distance isn’t the greatest thing, but we’ll survive. Just means more likelihood of phone or skype sex.”, he teased. Rose rolled her eyes but was laughing a little. “I suppose that’s true. Guess take a page from Tristan and Blaire’s book and invest in a vibrator.”, she laughed. Merrick covered his face laughing. “Three years at university and you don’t own one? Damn you have way more restraint than I do.”, he laughed. “Yeah well you could just go call someone in your little book to get laid. I didn’t have that option and well I dunno guess the idea of a vibrator wasn’t the same as having you.”, she said a bit embarrassed.
“Yeah well I don’t have that option. Little black book doesn’t exist, heck it hasn’t existed since I found out about Faelan. And now that I’ve got you I don’t really need anyone else. It will be a bit odd I suppose.”, he shrugged. “What will be a bit odd?”, she asked petting Octopus. “Phone sex or skype sex. Never really done that. Never had to before.”, he admitted. “Wait am I understanding you correctly that you’ve never masturbated?”, she questioned with a raised eyebrow. Merrick chuckled. “Yeah that’s correct. I’ve never had to. Why jerk off when I was able to easily found someone willing to do that for me and more. Anyways let’s change the subject, I’m in the living room and mom should be home soon from taking cookies to people with Sebastian and Faelan.”, he said wanting to not be discussing this when people were in hearing range. Rose laughed a little. “Alright let’s change subject. I’m sure Atif and Billy will be home soon too. Can’t wait to see them and the rest of the team so I can tell them about us. Which reminds me after I get off the phone with you I need to call my parents to tell them I got home safe and about us.”, she said.
Merrick smiled he liked the word ‘us’. “Yeah I’ve told some people already.”, he said with a sigh thinking about the reactions he got. “Oh? Who have you told so far? Don’t want to double up.”, she asked. “Well got back and Zoe was here. So she was the first one I told. She was happy for us and said it was about time I told you. She had me give all the details of how it went down and she was gushing about it saying it was like a scene from one of Gina’s romance movies.”,he smiled thinking about Zoe’s reaction. “Who else did you tell? I’ll assume your mom.”, she smiled. “Mom overheard while I told my sisters. Josalyn and Emma came to visit. Which Josalyn got engaged to Robert he proposed yesterday at Rockefeller Center while ice skating.”, he explained. “Oh well congratulations to them. So how did they take being told you are with me?”, she asked knowing it was probably bad. Josalyn and Emma hated her. “They weren’t happy. Especially Emma she was pissed. And I don’t fucking care. Right now Josalyn is on thin ice with me. And Emma I might kill if I see her too soon.”, he said growling a little thinking back to that morning. He’d spent the afternoon at the gym, the shop and the shelter to try and calm down.
“What happened?”, she asked. The last time he wanted to kill Emma she’d harmed Leslie. “Zoe overheard Emma and Josalyn talking. And Emma well she admitted to being behind more than just Leslie. She admitted to being behind Katherine deciding to become a nun. for starters.”, he shrugged. “Katherine?”, Rose asked trying to place the name. “You probably wouldn’t remember her. Katherine was a senior when I was a freshmen in high school. And she was the first girl I ever slept with, we didn’t date but we certainly had a good time together. Apparently Emma didn’t like the idea or whatever and used her powers to get Katherine to give up sex and become a nun. Which whatever, Katherine from what I understand has been happy as a nun. No what I’m really pissed about is that what she did to Jenna. I didn’t love Jenna but for Emma to use her powers to have Jenna give up Faelan and wipe her mind of me and Faelan is just… unforgivable. Zoe got so mad she turned Emma to a statue. Josalyn and Robert took Emma home before I was told and could go ballistic.”, he explained. Rose covered her mouth she shouldn’t be shocked that Emma would do something like that to Jenna but still that was such a low thing to do. To take a mother away from Faelan was just horrid. “Ohh Merrick… I… I am so sorry. I wish I could be there for you.”, she frowned.
Merrick nodded. “Yeah I don’t mind when Emma does things that hurt me, but don’t hurt my son. Zoe told me what happened and I owe the Haven a new section of marble counter having cracked it with my anger. I feel bad I scared Zoe with how angry I got. I give her credit scared as she was she didn’t leave. Instead she hugged me trying to get me to calm down. It worked. I wouldn’t and couldn’t ever hurt her so her telling me was probably the safest bet. Once I had calmed down I drove her back to the restaurant since she had to work and went to the gym and went through five punching bags before going to the shop to do some work and then the shelter to try and zen.”, he sighed a little. Rose nodded. Of course Zoe comforted him, and if this had been yesterday maybe she’d have been more bothered by it. But this was today and he loves her and is dating her. So there was nothing more than friendship between him and Zoe. “I still wish I could be there for you. I just can’t believe she’d go that low. Because that hurts Faelan not you. She took his mother away from him.”, she sighed. “Yeah and I can’t forgive her for that. But he’s got you, we both have you. And sure maybe Jenna could have changed her mind about him. But who knows how long that’d take. With you he got immediately loved and accepted in all his forms.”, Merrick assured smiling a little. “Yes you both have me. I love you. I’m going to go find something to eat and call my parents. I’ll talk to you soon.”, she said.
Merrick sighed. “Say it again please.”, he asked. Rose raised an eyebrow then smiled knowing what he wanted to hear. “I love you Merrick Edward Bryant-Frost.”, she chuckled a little. “I like how that sounds. I love you too Roselyn Elizabeth Howlett”, he smiled. “I like how that sounds too. Alright, love you and I’ll talk to you later.”, she said. “Love you, bye little wolf.”, he said hanging up with a sigh. Waiting till June to have her with him again was going to be hell. It was then that he got an idea. It was a scary idea to him. But Rose was worth it. So he started plotting a surprise trip to Cambridge to see her around Valentine’s day. He knew getting the time off would be easy and having someone watch Faelan wouldn’t be an issue. No the issue would be the flying. He’d have to talk to Kisa and Mikali to see what they could maybe prescribe him for the flight that would help him not go nuts or get sick. But this would be his big gesture. To show her that an ocean wasn’t enough to keep him from being with her. Even if getting there was going to be the worst experience of his life it would be worth it to see her.