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The sad day came when it was time to put Hazel to rest next to Winston and her three children who had all passed before her. Tommy and Lily had taken the train in from Manhattan the night before and stayed at the Haven so they could drive up with Kim and Christian. Sebastian was to ride with Merrick and Faelan, which Zoe was also going to drive up with Merrick. Everyone was busy trying to get ready to drive up and Merrick was in his room on skype with Rose before her final was supposed to begin. He was fumbling with getting his tie on, wearing an all black four piece suit the only thing that made the different parts stand apart was the type and texture of the fabric. His jacket and slacks were simple cotton as it was going to be a warm enough day, the vest was satin so had more a shine, the dress shirt was also cotton but had a subtle strip pattern to be different from the jacket, and if he could get the tie on it was a satin black like the vest. Rose sighed watching him struggling with the tie and just wishing she was there to help tie it. “Deep breaths love. I know this is going to be the hardest day yet, but just take deep breaths and you’ll get through it.”, Rose tried to be encouraging. She was a bit red eyed, having been crying between the pain of losing Hazel who true she’d not gotten to know as well as she’d have liked but she had liked the woman very much and then knowing she can’t be there when Merrick needed her most. Merrick nodded taking a couple deep breaths. Rose sighed as her alarm on her phone went off. “I need to go for my final. I love you.”, she frowned. “I love you too. Good luck on the final little wolf.”, Merrick gave a small smile before they ended the skype.
“Merrick?”, Sebastian questioned from the doorway fumbling with his own tie. Merrick turned and sighed looking at his little brother. Sebastian wearing a black suit and tie but a white dress shirt not having another colors. “Come here.”, Merrick said sitting on the end of his bed calling his little brother over. Sebastian smiled a little letting his hands fall to the side. “I’ve never been good with ties.”, he frowned. “It’s alright. I’ve got you covered.”, Merrick smiled his hands taking the tie and with a couple deep breaths starting to to tie it. Lily left her room having changed into her fitted boat neck ruched black dress having all her long red hair pulled up into a simple bun. She stopped and leaned in Merrick’s doorway smiling a little watching her brothers, as she put in her earnings. Merrick was always so good with Sebastian. Tommy was already downstairs waiting with Kim and Christian. Zoe stepped out of Faelan’s nursery in her simple black mock wrap jersey dress with it’s fixed red satin waistband carrying Faelan in her arms. She’s just finished getting him into the little black suit set that matched his father's though his tie was a clipon. Zoe smiled a little stepping next to Lily to watch the brothers. “They are adorable together.”, Zoe whispered . Lily nodded a little. “Yeah, I give Merrick credit he’s always been good with the younger kids.”, Lily whispered back turning to look at Faelan. “Hey handsome.”, she smiled giving her nephew a kiss on the cheek. “You do realize I can hear every word you are saying.”, Merrick said finishing Sebastian’s tie. “There you go little brother. Now I need to just get mine done.”, he sighed looking at his tie taking a breath to try and get it tied once more.
Zoe sighed and handing Faelan to Lily. “Yes we know you can hear us.”, Zoe said slapping his shaking hands away. “So what you can calm yourself to tie Sebastian’s tie but your own is too difficult?”, she asked looking down at him as she tied the tie. “Maybe…”, Merrick said looking up at Zoe. “Come on Sebastian. We’ll take Faelan downstairs, we need to get going soon.”, Lily commented putting an arm around her little brother walking away. Zoe sighed adjusting the tie so it was centered before moving to step away. Merrick didn’t let her bringing his arms around her pulling her into a hug resting his head on her abdomen. Zoe sighed and hugging him with one arm lightly and running her hand over his hair with the other. She had to remind herself he wasn’t hers, she was there as a best friend basically a stand in since Rose couldn’t be here to comfort him in person. “Shhh. I know. Today is going to be hard for all of us. You don’t have to put on the strong face. Everyone will understand if you let yourself break down in front of more than just me or Rose on skype.”, she soothed her voice soft. “I know..I just… I can’t. My parents have done nothing but cry, Sebastian cries, I’ve seen Lily crying. One of us has to be the strong one. Has to be the shoulder they lean on.”, he admitted into her stomach. Zoe sighed and continued to run her hand through his hair. “Yeah well tough guy you deserve to get to beak down, you love her as much as the rest of us. And till Rose can be here for you I’ll be the shoulder you can lean on as long as I can lean back.”, she suggested. Merrick nodded taking a deep breath, her scent filling his nose and memories of times spent together flooding into his mind. He pushed them back as he pulled back from the hug standing up. “Always hellraiser. Let’s get today done.”, he said offering his arm. Zoe nodded and walked with him downstairs as they all loaded up into the two vehicles.
At the funeral the first rows were reserved for the immediate family as customary. Cordie, Adien, Lilith, Blake, Eve, Christian, and Kim took up the first pew. Lily, Tommy, Josalyn, and Robert went to sit in the second pew Merrick was following carrying Faelan Zoe moved to take a seat further back but Merrick grabbed her hand and brought her into the row with his triplets so she was sitting between him and Josalyn. Emma glared as she saw Zoe sit in the second pew with Merrick having assumed she could sit there. She tapped Merrick on the shoulder but he just pointed to the next row in silence as Faelan wiggled from his arms to Zoe wanting to get away from Emma’s scent. Sebastian nudged Emma who begrudgingly went to the next row, Sebastian followed by Shaw, Artemis, Adam whose eye was still slightly black and blue, and Larissa. The final row was Gregory, Jordan, Sophia and Arieannah. The rest of the church filled with Adams relatives, distant Frost relatives, and Hazel’s many friends and their families. It was a lovely service and the small video Tommy had but together was well received bringing many to tears as it ended with the Frost crest and motto of ‘E terra ad coelum’. “From earth to heaven.”, Merrick and Christian both spoke softly. Zoe smiled a little hearing Merrick and his father speaking in unison, as they were right behind Christian and Kim.
After the funeral service ended Merrick, Christian, Adien, Blake, Adam, and Shaw all stood up to carry the casket out. “I’ll meet you at the car.”, Merrick said giving Faelan to Zoe before going to perform his paul bearer duties. Zoe nodded and watched trying to not laugh at the awkwardness of the six. The blonde Frost men all carrying the casket on their shoulders where Merrick who stood taller than them had to keep his arms at a certain angle to maintain it being level as his shoulder should be higher than the others. Once they passed the pews slowly emptied out. Tommy helped Zoe by carrying the diaper bag keeping his other arm around Lily as everyone exited the church heading for the cars to follow the hearse to the cemetery. Sebastian waited with Zoe and Faelan at Merrick’s car. It took Merrick a while to get to his car as people kept stopping him wanting to hug him and say how sorry they are for his loss and that they will miss Hazel. He sighed getting to the car. “I think the next person to just say ‘I’m sorry for your loss’ I might punch.”, he grumbled getting into the car. At the cemetery each of the kids threw a bit of dirt onto the casket. As everyone left Zoe went to the headstone and lightly touched it. “I’m going to miss you so much Nana.”, she said feeling tears welling in her eyes. Merrick handed Faelan to Sebastian. “We’ll meet you at the car.”, he instructed walking over to Zoe.
He didn’t speak, just rested his hand gently on her shoulder. Zoe sniffled back some tears and leaned her head against his hand. “Do you think...would it be okay if I added her favorite flower to the stone?”, she asked. “She’d like that, I’m sure.”, Merrick nodded. Zoe sighed and ran her hand over the corner of the stone and added to it was a bouquet of lady slippers which she knew to be Hazel’s favorite. “Come on Zoe. Everyone’s going to the house. We’ll make an appearance and get something to eat before I think we then head back.”, he suggested. Zoe nodded getting up tears slowly streaming down her face. Merrick sighed and brought an arm around her to comfort her as they walked. At the Frost estate a few people who didn’t know any better mistook Zoe to be Faelan’s mother or Merrick’s wife. Some even called her Rose not knowing what Rose looked like. Merrick just had enough of being there and Faelan was starting to get cranky needing a nap. So Merrick asked his parents to drive Sebastian since they were leaving early. On their way out Merrick was stopped by Hazel’s lawyer. “Merrick, you must be, I’ve seen many pictures of you. I’m Stan Mosgrove, Hazel’s lawyer. You and your family heading out already?”, he asked seeing Zoe carrying Faelan in her arms whose eyes were starting to get heavy. Merrick rolled his eyes a little. “Yeah me and my friend Zoe are taking my son back to Bayville. It’s been a long day.”, he explained. “Oh yes Zoe, Zoe Deluca I apologize for not placing your face sooner. Hazel bragged of you often. Well I will see you both tomorrow at the will reading then?”, he asked. “Um I don’t think so. My dad will tell me if there was something I needed to know.”, Merrick sighed. Zoe looked confused at him saying both of them. “I strongly recommend you and Miss Deluca come and if possible Miss Howlett too. See you tomorrow.”, he smiled before walking away. Merrick furrowed his brother. “Um okay then guess we come back tomorrow of this will reading.”, Merrick sighed as they headed to the car. “So it seems.”, Zoe agreed getting Faelan into the carseat.
Merrick had felt bad that all this chaos and mourning had overshadowed that Zoe turned twenty-one. So when they got back to Bayville he drove over to her apartment, carrying a the diaper bag, containing a wrapped present up the stairs with Zoe behind him holding the sleeping wolf pup. “His playpen is still setup back in the office.”, Zoe said quietly as they got inside and she headed in that direction to lay Faelan down. Merrick nodded setting the diaper bag down and taking off his suit jacket, unbuttoning the vest, loosening the tie and unbutton the top two buttons before sitting down on the couch he’d built. He sighed and took the poorly wrapped rectangle out of the diaper bag and set it on the coffee table. Merrick sighed running his hand over his face looking at the box. He knew that inside was the pearl ring he’d picked out and with Hazel had purchased for Zoe. It was the last time he’d seen his Nana alive. “You were supposed to be here when I gave her this. You were going to bring the liquor.”, he whispered softly looking up at the ceiling. Zoe quietly crept from the office, taking off her shoes not wanting to wake Faelan. She sighed seeing him sitting on the couch faintly hearing him talking to the ceiling. “Penny for your thoughts handsome…”, she offered setting her shoes down and getting onto the sofa curling her legs up under her leaning into him. “Just...I miss her is all.”, he sighed moving his arm around her hugging her. Zoe nodded silently nuzzling into his chest, it wasn’t more than what it was just two friends in mourning.
She closed her eyes hugging him trying to not cry too much on his nice suit but the tears still fell. Merrick didn’t bother stopping his own tears but sat in silence as they fell lightly rubbing her back and hair. At that moment they needed each other. She sniffled a little opening her eyes and looking at the poorly wrapped box on the coffee table. She furrowed her brow sitting up, wiping her tears away with the back of her hands. “What’s that?”, she asked. Merrick brought his arm back and wiped his own face. “Well I know it’s late, and well these past days have been hell. But happy birthday.”, he sighed. “I hadn’t...I had completely forgot.”, she admitted. She’d been in mourning and each day just seemed a blur from the moment he told her that Hazel had died. “Go ahead, open it. Inside is something from both me and Nana.”, he said choking a little saying ‘Nana’. Zoe sighed trying to not start crying again and reached over picking up the box which had some weight to it. She sat up looking at him with a small smile, she could tell it was probably something made of wood. “What did you make this time?”, she asked teasing a little as she started to pull at the wrapping paper. Merrick just sat back and waited for her to open it. He enjoyed seeing her reaction to things he made her.

Zoe blinked looking at the box and ran her hand over the raised lotus flower he’d intricately carved out. “Merrick...this is...it’s beautiful. Thank you.”, she smiled hugging him and giving him a kiss on the cheek. “You’re welcome. Figure all the sadness need some amount of happy today. Open it.”, he said. “Alright...she said lifting the lid and as she did the instrumental of ‘music of the night’ began to play. Zoe covered her mouth, it was her parents song. “Merrick….this is….”, she sighed opening the lid fully. Her eyes went wide as she blinked seeing one piece of jewelry sitting in the black fabric of the ring tray. She looked over at him and then back at the pearl ring before her. If this had been before Rose she’d wonder if this was a proposal the ring was beautiful enough to be an engagement ring. “This is...I mean...wow..”, she said looking at the ring not daring to pick it up. “So you like it?”, he asked. “Like it? Merrick it’s breathtaking. I just.. I can’t believe you got me this. I mean the music box was plenty. And so thoughtful.”, Zoe sighed shaking her head smiling. “When did you get it? You said it was from Nana too?”, she asked.
“When I was in Boston with Nana and Tristan, looking at the storefront she wanted me to see. We were walking and she got Tristan on her side about the idea I should propose to Rose. And I said something that I’m not Landon who will walk past a jewelry store and in the window find the exact ring for her. I set myself up, because there in the window of the shop we were walking by was this beautiful moonstone ring. Which I can’t think of a better ring to give Rose when I propose. So we go in. The ring is just the right size but the shopkeep is also trying to get me to look at more traditional engagement rings. I was already set on the moonstone for Rose. But I look down and I saw that and all I could think about was you and how perfect it was for you. Which Nana agreed. So we bought it, she paid for two thirds and I paid the remaining third. Tristan joked that I was buying two engagement rings. I told him no, that the moonstone is for Rose when the day comes I’m ready to propose. But the pearl is for your birthday. Cause you know polygamy is illegal and I kind of doubt Rose is okay with sharing anymore or that you’d be willing to share either.”, he explained. Zoe nodded. “It’s gorgeous Merrick. Thank you so much. And yeah you’re right if I could have you again I wouldn’t share. And I don’t see Rose being okay with sharing either.”, she chuckled. “Here put it on.”, he said taking the ring from the box. Zoe nodded and held up her right hand, it would have felt wrong to have it on her left. “Happy birthday.”, he smiled putting the ring on. “Wow perfect fit…”, she chuckled. “Size five, you’ve got slender fingers hellraiser.”, he shrugged.
Zoe sighed looking at the ring as the music of the box finished playing out. “So an engagement ring for Rose?”, she teased closing the lid to the box setting it back on the coffee table. “Yeah, for when I’m actually ready for that. I’m not planning to pop the question when she comes up in June or anything crazy like that. She’s still has medical school to finish and I’ve got my shop and the sanctuary here. Can’t just pick up an leave a the drop of a hat to be with her. No matter how much I love her, I have to be responsible and rational about things with Faelan.”, he explained. “But you do want to marry her? Kids the whole shabang?”, she asked. Merrick smiled a little. “Yeah, I love her so I could see marrying her and kids. Granted the longest span of time we’ve spent together consistently has been a month. And that was her staying a the Haven, so I’ve got an idea of how living with her would be but not enough to move an ocean away.”, he chuckled. “So you need more time to see if living with her would work. That makes sense especially if that decision would mean moving that far away.”, Zoe nodded. “Yeah. I mean I want to be with her, just a lot of uncertainty with it. Because if I go I’d be leaving everything else behind. Then staying in the cottage with her and Atif and William with the Kearney cousins randomly popping in just...I don’t know.”, he sighed. “Yeah you’d have to leave your family to be with her.”, Zoe frowned. “Yeah which would be hard. And not having you around would be difficult.”, he frowned thinking about it. To have Rose fully he’d have to eventually give everything else that he cares about up. “You’ll never really lose any of us, we’d all be a phone call away. Which I know isn’t exactly the same, but you love Rose so it only makes sense to be with her.”, Zoe said being the good friend.
Merrick nodded. “I’ll figure out...eventually. Right now I just need to focus on getting through each day. Today has been a killer and now tomorrow this will reading. I wonder why her lawyer said you and Rose should be there, I mean that means Nana left you both something.”, he pondered. “We will find out tomorrow. I’m a bit curious myself to know. I mean I’ve only known Nana a little over a year, I can’t imagine why she’d put me in her will. And I guess you’ll find out what she added Rose in for and have to let her known. She’s still got finals right?”, she asked. Merrick nodded. “Yeah she’s got one more final tomorrow morning. Which reminds me I should call her. Do you mind?”, he asked taking out his phone. Zoe shook her head getting up. “No go ahead I’m going to fix something to eat, Faelan will be hungry when he wakes up soon.”, she commented. Merrick called Rose who quickly answered. “Hey how you holding up baby?”, she asked. “I’m surviving. The service was nice and they did a reception type deal at the house. Lots of people I don’t really remember or even known hugging me and telling me how sorry they are for my loss. And you know how I am about weird people touching me.”, Merrick frowned. Rose laughed a little. “Aww my poor Merrick, doesn’t like hugs from strangers. I would rather have been there to hold your hand and hug you then my finals today.”, she sighed. “I know baby. The will reading is tomorrow, so Zoe and I are driving back up. Apparently you and Zoe were added to the will. Going to eat dinner soon, but wanted to call. Tell you I survived, that I miss you, and I love you.”, he smiled a little. “I made the will? Hmm okay. Let me know how that goes. I miss and love you too and I’ll be there before you know it. Bye baby, give Faelan a big hug and kiss from me.”, Rose smiled a little as the call ended.
Rose could have told Merrick that after her final tomorrow she was getting on the Howlett company jet and flying home instead of waiting for her flight she’d planned with Atif and Billy. It wasn’t going to get her there in time for the will reading but it would still get her there and that’s what mattered. So while Merrick was driving to Boston with Zoe again Rose was taking her final wanting to finish it so she could get on the jet for the nearly eight hour flight. Merrick left Faelan home with Sebastian and Gina as babysitters while he went with Zoe for the will reading. The room was rather crowded as most of the older great grandchildren had come. Zoe was given a dirty look from Emma upon entering with Merrick, Zoe glared right back. “Cool it hellraiser.”, Merrick whispered finding two chairs and grabbing Zoe’s right hand taking her to sit down next to him. Emma snorted, but her eyes did notice a pearl ring on Zoe’s finger and for a second she had to double check which hand it was on before a small sigh of inward relief that it wasn’t an engagement ring. She couldn’t decide which would be worse Merrick marrying Rose Howlett or him marrying Zoe Deluca both sounded terrible. “Thank you all for coming today. We are here today to read the last will and testament of Hazel Willow Adams Frost.”, the lawyer started stepping in front of the gathered people.
“I will read the will exactly as it was written by Hazel, so I ask that you do not get upset with me in regards to any of the information contained within.”, Stan started. “I Hazel Willow Adams Frost of the City of Boston and the State of Massachusetts, being of full age and of sound mind and memory do hereby make, publish and declare that this is my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking any and all wills codicils by me heretofore made. Item One; I direct that all of my debts, funeral expenses, costs and expenses of administration be paid at my Executor's discretion from the income or principal of my estate as soon as practicable after the time of my decease; all estate, inheritance, or other taxes imposed by reason of my death, together with interest and penalties thereon, shall be paid without apportionment from the income or principal of my residuary estate at my Executor's discretion. Item Two; To my surviving daughter Cordelia Marie Frost I leave my residence in Boston, an assortment of jewelry that I have marked, and eighty thousand dollars. Item Three; To my grandson Adien Winston Frost I leave my residence in Manhattan with the condition that he may not do anything with the property till all it’s current residents have moved out, and fifty thousand dollars.”, Stan started.
Cordelia nodded a little at what she was getting. Adien seemed okay with what he was left, thought Lily and Tommy smirked a little at Hazel’s condition that prevented Adien from forcing them and the others to leave the house. “Item Four; To my grandson Blake Adam Frost I leave my residence in Los Angeles and fifty thousand dollars. Item Five; To my grandson Christian Michael Bryant-Frost I leave my residence in Brookline and fifty thousand dollars. Item Six; To my granddaughter in-laws, Lilith Alexis Hammer Frost, Eve Michele Hammer Frost, and Kimberly Anne Bryant-Frost I leave an assortment of jewelry which I have marked. Item Six; To my great granddaughter Lily Rosalyn Bryant-Frost I leave an assortment of jewelry I have marked, a set of china dishes, a set of polished silver silverware, and twenty thousand dollars. Item Seven; To my beloved great grandson Merrick Edward Bryant-Frost I leave my property in Surrey, England and two hundred thousand british pounds. I hope that was a clear enough hint for you Merrick.”, Stan continued. The whole room turned to look at Merrick blinking as Stan reviewed what Merrick was going to be getting. Merrick froze not certain he heard Stan right. Zoe even blinked and looked up at Merrick squeezing his hand. “Seems Nana had plans for you Lupo Cattivo.”, Zoe whispered. “Apparently now if people would just stop staring at me.”, he whispered back.
“Item Eight; To my great granddaughter Josalyn Marie Bryant-Frost I leave an assortment of jewelry, a set of china dishes, a set of polished silver silverware, and twenty thousand dollars. Item Nine; To my great granddaughter Emma Grace Bryant-Frost I leave an assortment of jewelry I have marked, and five thousand dollars. Item Ten; To my great grandson Shaw Winston Frost I leave five thousand dollars. Item Eleven; To my great grandson Adam Michael Frost I leave five thousand dollars. Item Twelve; To my great grandson Gregory Adien Frost I leave five thousand dollars. Item Thirteen; To my great grandson Jordan David Frost I leave five thousand dollars.”, Stan continued. Merrick continued to get more looks of people rather upset at the amount of money and property he was getting. “Item Fourteen; To my great grandson Sebastian Winston Bryant-Frost I leave ten thousand dollars. Item Fifteen; To my great granddaughter Sophia Evelyn Frost I leave an assortment of jewelry that I have marked and five thousand dollars. Item Sixteen; To my great granddaughter Areiannah Joy Frost I leave an assortment of jewelry that I have marked and five thousand dollars. Item Seventeen; To my precious great great grandson Faelan Christian Bryant-Frost I leave sixty thousand british pounds for your future. I know you will become an amazing man just like your father.”, Stand continued. Merrick smiled softly, she’d thought to take care of Faelan. Kim leaned over and patted Merrick’s leg. “Looks like Faelan will go to whatever college his heart desires.”, she smiled. Merrick nodded giving Zoe’s hand a squeeze.
“Item Sixteen; To my nightingale Zoe Alexandria Deluca I leave an assortment of jewelry that I have marked and ten thousand dollars. Item Seventeen; To my darling Roselyn Elizabeth Howlett I leave an assortment of jewelry that I have marked and ten thousand british pounds. Item Eighteen; To Faelan’s Animal Sanctuary I leave one hundred thousand dollars, may it always prosper. Item Nineteen; To Bayville Opera House I leave one hundred thousand dollars. As my side not to all of my family, I loved you all however I know many will be displeased with how I have chosen to divide out my money and property. To any displeased you can forfeit your inheritance if you would prefer and any forfeited items will be given to charities.”, Stan completed. Zoe blinked and looked at Merrick. “Wow...I...wow.”, she said. Merrick nodded. “I know the feeling. A hundred thousand for the sanctuary. That’s going to go a long way.”, Merrick smiled. Stan walked over to a stack of jewelry boxes along with papers and other times and began to hand them out he stopped carrying Zoe and Rose’s. “Could Miss Howlett not make it?”, Stand asked handing the stack of seven various size cases to Zoe along with the check for ten thousand dollars. He’d only given three maybe five boxes to the others in the room. “No my girlfriend attends university in Cambridge, England. She’ll be home in another four days. I can take her things and she’ll get them whens he arrives.”, Merrick offered taking his and Faelan’s paperwork. “That seems reasonable then.”, Stan said handing over the seven boxes and the check.
“I think we should go, quickly to the car.”, Merrick suggested seeing the female members of his family opening their jewelry boxes trying to see who got what of Hazel’s vast collection. Zoe nodded in agreement getting up and heading for the car. Neither aware that Rose had arrived at the Haven, not really bothering to knock just walking in. It’d been since Christmas since she’d seen Faelan but he knew her scent anywhere. He frozen in the living room where he was playing with Sebastian and Gina and raced out of the room changing to human dragging the leather blankie in his left hand. “MOMMA!”, Faelan shouted arms outstretched. Rose chuckled smiling as she set her suitcase down and bent picking up Faelan hugging him tight giving him kissed. Sebastian and Gina raced after Faelan and froze when they saw Rose. “Rose? Merrick is going to flip!”, Sebastian exclaimed. Rose smiled as Faelan was still snuggling his head under her chin hugging her as tight as his small arms could. “Hi my beautiful boy. I’ve missed you so much. Hi Sebastian, Hi Gina. I’ll assume that Merrick is still at the will reading?”, she greeted. “Yeah they are all still up in Boston. I’m thinking it shouldn’t be long. Weren’t you not supposed to be here till next week?”, Sebastian asked. “Hi Rose.”, Gina smiled. “Well my last final was this morning and with everything that’s happened here I talked my parents into letting me use the company jet to get home sooner. I wanted to be here for Merrick and June just wasn’t soon enough. But guess him still being there gives me time to unpack and just spend with my puppy here.”, she explained. “Well you know where his room is.”, Sebastian chuckled pointing to the stairs. Rose chuckled and ruffled Sebastian’s hair before picking up her suitcase. “Indeed I do.”, she smiled heading up the stairs taking Faelan with her.
“Well look in your boxes what did you get from Nana?”, Merrick asked as they got into the car. Zoe adjusted the boxes on her lap to take a look. She started with one of the smaller boxes. “This is a beautiful brooch.”, she said looking at the crescent moon shaped brooch with amber gemstones and them smaller crescents of diamonds. Merrick nodded looking. She opened the next small box to find a silver hair comb shaped to look like two feathers covered in diamonds, the next box contained another hair comb with a floral design with diamonds and pearls on it. “Nana had great taste.”, Zoe commented opening the fourth small box and her jaw dropping open. “The...the bird brooch…”, she exclaimed lifting the gold bird shaped brooch with its yellow and purple gems. Merrick blinked. “Okay...so my sisters and cousins will not like you, because that was a special brooch. Guess she figured give her bird to her nightingale.”, Merrick smiled. “I guess. I just wow. I will wear it with honor and for special events.”, she said carefully placing it back to look at the three other boxes. In the remaining boxes she found necklace and earrings sets. The first had a white gold with light blue sapphires in delicate flower shapes necklace and matching dangling earrings. The second had white gold with diamonds in a flower pattern necklace and matching dangling earrings. The final had white gold with diamond vines and pearls necklace with matching dangling earrings. “Wow this set..”, she looked at the pearl set. Merrick chuckled. “She knew. That’s why she was all in about getting that ring for you.”, Merrick chuckled.
“So you going to open Rose’s or wait till she gets here to let her get the first look?”, Zoe asked pointing. “Oh I’m looking. I’m not waiting a week to know.”, he smiled picking up one of the small boxes. Rose was given a crescent moon brooch like Zoe but with emeralds and diamonds, a second brooch like a flower with black and white diamonds, an aged silver butterfly with diamonds hair comb, and white gold with diamond filigree hair comb. “Those are all beautiful. I do find it a little funny Nana gave her an I matching brooches just of different colors.”, Zoe commented. Merrick smiled. “Because scent, hair color, eye color, and general body type wasn’t an easy enough way for me to tell which is my girlfriend and which is my best friend.”, Merrick smirked moving to the larger boxes. First a necklace earring set of white gold with diamonds and pearl in a teardrop design and second a white gold with black diamonds in a flower pattern like Zoe’s light blue sapphire necklace set. The final box Merrick froze when he opened. Zoe covered her mouth recognizing the set from a picture. “Her pearls…”, Zoe exclaimed. Merrick couldn’t believe it but there the two row white gold, diamond and pearl choker necklace set was. “My female relatives are all really going to hate, well more in some cases, or at least be jealous of Rose when they find out. Let’s head back home before it gets too late. Relieve our siblings of babysitting Faelan.”, Merrick suggested setting the items into the back safely. “Sounds good.”, Zoe agreed.

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The sad day came when it was time to put Hazel to rest next to Winston and her three children who had all passed before her. Tommy and Lily had taken the train in from Manhattan the night before and stayed at the Haven so they could drive up with Kim and Christian. Sebastian was to ride with Merrick and Faelan, which Zoe was also going to drive up with Merrick. Everyone was busy trying to get ready to drive up and Merrick was in his room on skype with Rose before her final was supposed to begin. He was fumbling with getting his tie on, wearing an all black four piece suit the only thing that made the different parts stand apart was the type and texture of the fabric. His jacket and slacks were simple cotton as it was going to be a warm enough day, the vest was satin so had more a shine, the dress shirt was also cotton but had a subtle strip pattern to be different from the jacket, and if he could get the tie on it was a satin black like the vest. Rose sighed watching him struggling with the tie and just wishing she was there to help tie it. “Deep breaths love. I know this is going to be the hardest day yet, but just take deep breaths and you’ll get through it.”, Rose tried to be encouraging. She was a bit red eyed, having been crying between the pain of losing Hazel who true she’d not gotten to know as well as she’d have liked but she had liked the woman very much and then knowing she can’t be there when Merrick needed her most. Merrick nodded taking a couple deep breaths. Rose sighed as her alarm on her phone went off. “I need to go for my final. I love you.”, she frowned. “I love you too. Good luck on the final little wolf.”, Merrick gave a small smile before they ended the skype.
“Merrick?”, Sebastian questioned from the doorway fumbling with his own tie. Merrick turned and sighed looking at his little brother. Sebastian wearing a black suit and tie but a white dress shirt not having another colors. “Come here.”, Merrick said sitting on the end of his bed calling his little brother over. Sebastian smiled a little letting his hands fall to the side. “I’ve never been good with ties.”, he frowned. “It’s alright. I’ve got you covered.”, Merrick smiled his hands taking the tie and with a couple deep breaths starting to to tie it. Lily left her room having changed into her fitted boat neck ruched black dress having all her long red hair pulled up into a simple bun. She stopped and leaned in Merrick’s doorway smiling a little watching her brothers, as she put in her earnings. Merrick was always so good with Sebastian. Tommy was already downstairs waiting with Kim and Christian. Zoe stepped out of Faelan’s nursery in her simple black mock wrap jersey dress with it’s fixed red satin waistband carrying Faelan in her arms. She’s just finished getting him into the little black suit set that matched his father's though his tie was a clipon. Zoe smiled a little stepping next to Lily to watch the brothers. “They are adorable together.”, Zoe whispered . Lily nodded a little. “Yeah, I give Merrick credit he’s always been good with the younger kids.”, Lily whispered back turning to look at Faelan. “Hey handsome.”, she smiled giving her nephew a kiss on the cheek. “You do realize I can hear every word you are saying.”, Merrick said finishing Sebastian’s tie. “There you go little brother. Now I need to just get mine done.”, he sighed looking at his tie taking a breath to try and get it tied once more.
Zoe sighed and handing Faelan to Lily. “Yes we know you can hear us.”, Zoe said slapping his shaking hands away. “So what you can calm yourself to tie Sebastian’s tie but your own is too difficult?”, she asked looking down at him as she tied the tie. “Maybe…”, Merrick said looking up at Zoe. “Come on Sebastian. We’ll take Faelan downstairs, we need to get going soon.”, Lily commented putting an arm around her little brother walking away. Zoe sighed adjusting the tie so it was centered before moving to step away. Merrick didn’t let her bringing his arms around her pulling her into a hug resting his head on her abdomen. Zoe sighed and hugging him with one arm lightly and running her hand over his hair with the other. She had to remind herself he wasn’t hers, she was there as a best friend basically a stand in since Rose couldn’t be here to comfort him in person. “Shhh. I know. Today is going to be hard for all of us. You don’t have to put on the strong face. Everyone will understand if you let yourself break down in front of more than just me or Rose on skype.”, she soothed her voice soft. “I know..I just… I can’t. My parents have done nothing but cry, Sebastian cries, I’ve seen Lily crying. One of us has to be the strong one. Has to be the shoulder they lean on.”, he admitted into her stomach. Zoe sighed and continued to run her hand through his hair. “Yeah well tough guy you deserve to get to beak down, you love her as much as the rest of us. And till Rose can be here for you I’ll be the shoulder you can lean on as long as I can lean back.”, she suggested. Merrick nodded taking a deep breath, her scent filling his nose and memories of times spent together flooding into his mind. He pushed them back as he pulled back from the hug standing up. “Always hellraiser. Let’s get today done.”, he said offering his arm. Zoe nodded and walked with him downstairs as they all loaded up into the two vehicles.
At the funeral the first rows were reserved for the immediate family as customary. Cordie, Adien, Lilith, Blake, Eve, Christian, and Kim took up the first pew. Lily, Tommy, Josalyn, and Robert went to sit in the second pew Merrick was following carrying Faelan Zoe moved to take a seat further back but Merrick grabbed her hand and brought her into the row with his triplets so she was sitting between him and Josalyn. Emma glared as she saw Zoe sit in the second pew with Merrick having assumed she could sit there. She tapped Merrick on the shoulder but he just pointed to the next row in silence as Faelan wiggled from his arms to Zoe wanting to get away from Emma’s scent. Sebastian nudged Emma who begrudgingly went to the next row, Sebastian followed by Shaw, Artemis, Adam whose eye was still slightly black and blue, and Larissa. The final row was Gregory, Jordan, Sophia and Arieannah. The rest of the church filled with Adams relatives, distant Frost relatives, and Hazel’s many friends and their families. It was a lovely service and the small video Tommy had but together was well received bringing many to tears as it ended with the Frost crest and motto of ‘E terra ad coelum’. “From earth to heaven.”, Merrick and Christian both spoke softly. Zoe smiled a little hearing Merrick and his father speaking in unison, as they were right behind Christian and Kim.
After the funeral service ended Merrick, Christian, Adien, Blake, Adam, and Shaw all stood up to carry the casket out. “I’ll meet you at the car.”, Merrick said giving Faelan to Zoe before going to perform his paul bearer duties. Zoe nodded and watched trying to not laugh at the awkwardness of the six. The blonde Frost men all carrying the casket on their shoulders where Merrick who stood taller than them had to keep his arms at a certain angle to maintain it being level as his shoulder should be higher than the others. Once they passed the pews slowly emptied out. Tommy helped Zoe by carrying the diaper bag keeping his other arm around Lily as everyone exited the church heading for the cars to follow the hearse to the cemetery. Sebastian waited with Zoe and Faelan at Merrick’s car. It took Merrick a while to get to his car as people kept stopping him wanting to hug him and say how sorry they are for his loss and that they will miss Hazel. He sighed getting to the car. “I think the next person to just say ‘I’m sorry for your loss’ I might punch.”, he grumbled getting into the car. At the cemetery each of the kids threw a bit of dirt onto the casket. As everyone left Zoe went to the headstone and lightly touched it. “I’m going to miss you so much Nana.”, she said feeling tears welling in her eyes. Merrick handed Faelan to Sebastian. “We’ll meet you at the car.”, he instructed walking over to Zoe.
He didn’t speak, just rested his hand gently on her shoulder. Zoe sniffled back some tears and leaned her head against his hand. “Do you think...would it be okay if I added her favorite flower to the stone?”, she asked. “She’d like that, I’m sure.”, Merrick nodded. Zoe sighed and ran her hand over the corner of the stone and added to it was a bouquet of lady slippers which she knew to be Hazel’s favorite. “Come on Zoe. Everyone’s going to the house. We’ll make an appearance and get something to eat before I think we then head back.”, he suggested. Zoe nodded getting up tears slowly streaming down her face. Merrick sighed and brought an arm around her to comfort her as they walked. At the Frost estate a few people who didn’t know any better mistook Zoe to be Faelan’s mother or Merrick’s wife. Some even called her Rose not knowing what Rose looked like. Merrick just had enough of being there and Faelan was starting to get cranky needing a nap. So Merrick asked his parents to drive Sebastian since they were leaving early. On their way out Merrick was stopped by Hazel’s lawyer. “Merrick, you must be, I’ve seen many pictures of you. I’m Stan Mosgrove, Hazel’s lawyer. You and your family heading out already?”, he asked seeing Zoe carrying Faelan in her arms whose eyes were starting to get heavy. Merrick rolled his eyes a little. “Yeah me and my friend Zoe are taking my son back to Bayville. It’s been a long day.”, he explained. “Oh yes Zoe, Zoe Deluca I apologize for not placing your face sooner. Hazel bragged of you often. Well I will see you both tomorrow at the will reading then?”, he asked. “Um I don’t think so. My dad will tell me if there was something I needed to know.”, Merrick sighed. Zoe looked confused at him saying both of them. “I strongly recommend you and Miss Deluca come and if possible Miss Howlett too. See you tomorrow.”, he smiled before walking away. Merrick furrowed his brother. “Um okay then guess we come back tomorrow of this will reading.”, Merrick sighed as they headed to the car. “So it seems.”, Zoe agreed getting Faelan into the carseat.
Merrick had felt bad that all this chaos and mourning had overshadowed that Zoe turned twenty-one. So when they got back to Bayville he drove over to her apartment, carrying a the diaper bag, containing a wrapped present up the stairs with Zoe behind him holding the sleeping wolf pup. “His playpen is still setup back in the office.”, Zoe said quietly as they got inside and she headed in that direction to lay Faelan down. Merrick nodded setting the diaper bag down and taking off his suit jacket, unbuttoning the vest, loosening the tie and unbutton the top two buttons before sitting down on the couch he’d built. He sighed and took the poorly wrapped rectangle out of the diaper bag and set it on the coffee table. Merrick sighed running his hand over his face looking at the box. He knew that inside was the pearl ring he’d picked out and with Hazel had purchased for Zoe. It was the last time he’d seen his Nana alive. “You were supposed to be here when I gave her this. You were going to bring the liquor.”, he whispered softly looking up at the ceiling. Zoe quietly crept from the office, taking off her shoes not wanting to wake Faelan. She sighed seeing him sitting on the couch faintly hearing him talking to the ceiling. “Penny for your thoughts handsome…”, she offered setting her shoes down and getting onto the sofa curling her legs up under her leaning into him. “Just...I miss her is all.”, he sighed moving his arm around her hugging her. Zoe nodded silently nuzzling into his chest, it wasn’t more than what it was just two friends in mourning.
She closed her eyes hugging him trying to not cry too much on his nice suit but the tears still fell. Merrick didn’t bother stopping his own tears but sat in silence as they fell lightly rubbing her back and hair. At that moment they needed each other. She sniffled a little opening her eyes and looking at the poorly wrapped box on the coffee table. She furrowed her brow sitting up, wiping her tears away with the back of her hands. “What’s that?”, she asked. Merrick brought his arm back and wiped his own face. “Well I know it’s late, and well these past days have been hell. But happy birthday.”, he sighed. “I hadn’t...I had completely forgot.”, she admitted. She’d been in mourning and each day just seemed a blur from the moment he told her that Hazel had died. “Go ahead, open it. Inside is something from both me and Nana.”, he said choking a little saying ‘Nana’. Zoe sighed trying to not start crying again and reached over picking up the box which had some weight to it. She sat up looking at him with a small smile, she could tell it was probably something made of wood. “What did you make this time?”, she asked teasing a little as she started to pull at the wrapping paper. Merrick just sat back and waited for her to open it. He enjoyed seeing her reaction to things he made her.

Zoe blinked looking at the box and ran her hand over the raised lotus flower he’d intricately carved out. “Merrick...this is...it’s beautiful. Thank you.”, she smiled hugging him and giving him a kiss on the cheek. “You’re welcome. Figure all the sadness need some amount of happy today. Open it.”, he said. “Alright...she said lifting the lid and as she did the instrumental of ‘music of the night’ began to play. Zoe covered her mouth, it was her parents song. “Merrick….this is….”, she sighed opening the lid fully. Her eyes went wide as she blinked seeing one piece of jewelry sitting in the black fabric of the ring tray. She looked over at him and then back at the pearl ring before her. If this had been before Rose she’d wonder if this was a proposal the ring was beautiful enough to be an engagement ring. “This is...I mean...wow..”, she said looking at the ring not daring to pick it up. “So you like it?”, he asked. “Like it? Merrick it’s breathtaking. I just.. I can’t believe you got me this. I mean the music box was plenty. And so thoughtful.”, Zoe sighed shaking her head smiling. “When did you get it? You said it was from Nana too?”, she asked.
“When I was in Boston with Nana and Tristan, looking at the storefront she wanted me to see. We were walking and she got Tristan on her side about the idea I should propose to Rose. And I said something that I’m not Landon who will walk past a jewelry store and in the window find the exact ring for her. I set myself up, because there in the window of the shop we were walking by was this beautiful moonstone ring. Which I can’t think of a better ring to give Rose when I propose. So we go in. The ring is just the right size but the shopkeep is also trying to get me to look at more traditional engagement rings. I was already set on the moonstone for Rose. But I look down and I saw that and all I could think about was you and how perfect it was for you. Which Nana agreed. So we bought it, she paid for two thirds and I paid the remaining third. Tristan joked that I was buying two engagement rings. I told him no, that the moonstone is for Rose when the day comes I’m ready to propose. But the pearl is for your birthday. Cause you know polygamy is illegal and I kind of doubt Rose is okay with sharing anymore or that you’d be willing to share either.”, he explained. Zoe nodded. “It’s gorgeous Merrick. Thank you so much. And yeah you’re right if I could have you again I wouldn’t share. And I don’t see Rose being okay with sharing either.”, she chuckled. “Here put it on.”, he said taking the ring from the box. Zoe nodded and held up her right hand, it would have felt wrong to have it on her left. “Happy birthday.”, he smiled putting the ring on. “Wow perfect fit…”, she chuckled. “Size five, you’ve got slender fingers hellraiser.”, he shrugged.
Zoe sighed looking at the ring as the music of the box finished playing out. “So an engagement ring for Rose?”, she teased closing the lid to the box setting it back on the coffee table. “Yeah, for when I’m actually ready for that. I’m not planning to pop the question when she comes up in June or anything crazy like that. She’s still has medical school to finish and I’ve got my shop and the sanctuary here. Can’t just pick up an leave a the drop of a hat to be with her. No matter how much I love her, I have to be responsible and rational about things with Faelan.”, he explained. “But you do want to marry her? Kids the whole shabang?”, she asked. Merrick smiled a little. “Yeah, I love her so I could see marrying her and kids. Granted the longest span of time we’ve spent together consistently has been a month. And that was her staying a the Haven, so I’ve got an idea of how living with her would be but not enough to move an ocean away.”, he chuckled. “So you need more time to see if living with her would work. That makes sense especially if that decision would mean moving that far away.”, Zoe nodded. “Yeah. I mean I want to be with her, just a lot of uncertainty with it. Because if I go I’d be leaving everything else behind. Then staying in the cottage with her and Atif and William with the Kearney cousins randomly popping in just...I don’t know.”, he sighed. “Yeah you’d have to leave your family to be with her.”, Zoe frowned. “Yeah which would be hard. And not having you around would be difficult.”, he frowned thinking about it. To have Rose fully he’d have to eventually give everything else that he cares about up. “You’ll never really lose any of us, we’d all be a phone call away. Which I know isn’t exactly the same, but you love Rose so it only makes sense to be with her.”, Zoe said being the good friend.
Merrick nodded. “I’ll figure out...eventually. Right now I just need to focus on getting through each day. Today has been a killer and now tomorrow this will reading. I wonder why her lawyer said you and Rose should be there, I mean that means Nana left you both something.”, he pondered. “We will find out tomorrow. I’m a bit curious myself to know. I mean I’ve only known Nana a little over a year, I can’t imagine why she’d put me in her will. And I guess you’ll find out what she added Rose in for and have to let her known. She’s still got finals right?”, she asked. Merrick nodded. “Yeah she’s got one more final tomorrow morning. Which reminds me I should call her. Do you mind?”, he asked taking out his phone. Zoe shook her head getting up. “No go ahead I’m going to fix something to eat, Faelan will be hungry when he wakes up soon.”, she commented. Merrick called Rose who quickly answered. “Hey how you holding up baby?”, she asked. “I’m surviving. The service was nice and they did a reception type deal at the house. Lots of people I don’t really remember or even known hugging me and telling me how sorry they are for my loss. And you know how I am about weird people touching me.”, Merrick frowned. Rose laughed a little. “Aww my poor Merrick, doesn’t like hugs from strangers. I would rather have been there to hold your hand and hug you then my finals today.”, she sighed. “I know baby. The will reading is tomorrow, so Zoe and I are driving back up. Apparently you and Zoe were added to the will. Going to eat dinner soon, but wanted to call. Tell you I survived, that I miss you, and I love you.”, he smiled a little. “I made the will? Hmm okay. Let me know how that goes. I miss and love you too and I’ll be there before you know it. Bye baby, give Faelan a big hug and kiss from me.”, Rose smiled a little as the call ended.
Rose could have told Merrick that after her final tomorrow she was getting on the Howlett company jet and flying home instead of waiting for her flight she’d planned with Atif and Billy. It wasn’t going to get her there in time for the will reading but it would still get her there and that’s what mattered. So while Merrick was driving to Boston with Zoe again Rose was taking her final wanting to finish it so she could get on the jet for the nearly eight hour flight. Merrick left Faelan home with Sebastian and Gina as babysitters while he went with Zoe for the will reading. The room was rather crowded as most of the older great grandchildren had come. Zoe was given a dirty look from Emma upon entering with Merrick, Zoe glared right back. “Cool it hellraiser.”, Merrick whispered finding two chairs and grabbing Zoe’s right hand taking her to sit down next to him. Emma snorted, but her eyes did notice a pearl ring on Zoe’s finger and for a second she had to double check which hand it was on before a small sigh of inward relief that it wasn’t an engagement ring. She couldn’t decide which would be worse Merrick marrying Rose Howlett or him marrying Zoe Deluca both sounded terrible. “Thank you all for coming today. We are here today to read the last will and testament of Hazel Willow Adams Frost.”, the lawyer started stepping in front of the gathered people.
“I will read the will exactly as it was written by Hazel, so I ask that you do not get upset with me in regards to any of the information contained within.”, Stan started. “I Hazel Willow Adams Frost of the City of Boston and the State of Massachusetts, being of full age and of sound mind and memory do hereby make, publish and declare that this is my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking any and all wills codicils by me heretofore made. Item One; I direct that all of my debts, funeral expenses, costs and expenses of administration be paid at my Executor's discretion from the income or principal of my estate as soon as practicable after the time of my decease; all estate, inheritance, or other taxes imposed by reason of my death, together with interest and penalties thereon, shall be paid without apportionment from the income or principal of my residuary estate at my Executor's discretion. Item Two; To my surviving daughter Cordelia Marie Frost I leave my residence in Boston, an assortment of jewelry that I have marked, and eighty thousand dollars. Item Three; To my grandson Adien Winston Frost I leave my residence in Manhattan with the condition that he may not do anything with the property till all it’s current residents have moved out, and fifty thousand dollars.”, Stan started.
Cordelia nodded a little at what she was getting. Adien seemed okay with what he was left, thought Lily and Tommy smirked a little at Hazel’s condition that prevented Adien from forcing them and the others to leave the house. “Item Four; To my grandson Blake Adam Frost I leave my residence in Los Angeles and fifty thousand dollars. Item Five; To my grandson Christian Michael Bryant-Frost I leave my residence in Brookline and fifty thousand dollars. Item Six; To my granddaughter in-laws, Lilith Alexis Hammer Frost, Eve Michele Hammer Frost, and Kimberly Anne Bryant-Frost I leave an assortment of jewelry which I have marked. Item Six; To my great granddaughter Lily Rosalyn Bryant-Frost I leave an assortment of jewelry I have marked, a set of china dishes, a set of polished silver silverware, and twenty thousand dollars. Item Seven; To my beloved great grandson Merrick Edward Bryant-Frost I leave my property in Surrey, England and two hundred thousand british pounds. I hope that was a clear enough hint for you Merrick.”, Stan continued. The whole room turned to look at Merrick blinking as Stan reviewed what Merrick was going to be getting. Merrick froze not certain he heard Stan right. Zoe even blinked and looked up at Merrick squeezing his hand. “Seems Nana had plans for you Lupo Cattivo.”, Zoe whispered. “Apparently now if people would just stop staring at me.”, he whispered back.
“Item Eight; To my great granddaughter Josalyn Marie Bryant-Frost I leave an assortment of jewelry, a set of china dishes, a set of polished silver silverware, and twenty thousand dollars. Item Nine; To my great granddaughter Emma Grace Bryant-Frost I leave an assortment of jewelry I have marked, and five thousand dollars. Item Ten; To my great grandson Shaw Winston Frost I leave five thousand dollars. Item Eleven; To my great grandson Adam Michael Frost I leave five thousand dollars. Item Twelve; To my great grandson Gregory Adien Frost I leave five thousand dollars. Item Thirteen; To my great grandson Jordan David Frost I leave five thousand dollars.”, Stan continued. Merrick continued to get more looks of people rather upset at the amount of money and property he was getting. “Item Fourteen; To my great grandson Sebastian Winston Bryant-Frost I leave ten thousand dollars. Item Fifteen; To my great granddaughter Sophia Evelyn Frost I leave an assortment of jewelry that I have marked and five thousand dollars. Item Sixteen; To my great granddaughter Areiannah Joy Frost I leave an assortment of jewelry that I have marked and five thousand dollars. Item Seventeen; To my precious great great grandson Faelan Christian Bryant-Frost I leave sixty thousand british pounds for your future. I know you will become an amazing man just like your father.”, Stand continued. Merrick smiled softly, she’d thought to take care of Faelan. Kim leaned over and patted Merrick’s leg. “Looks like Faelan will go to whatever college his heart desires.”, she smiled. Merrick nodded giving Zoe’s hand a squeeze.
“Item Sixteen; To my nightingale Zoe Alexandria Deluca I leave an assortment of jewelry that I have marked and ten thousand dollars. Item Seventeen; To my darling Roselyn Elizabeth Howlett I leave an assortment of jewelry that I have marked and ten thousand british pounds. Item Eighteen; To Faelan’s Animal Sanctuary I leave one hundred thousand dollars, may it always prosper. Item Nineteen; To Bayville Opera House I leave one hundred thousand dollars. As my side not to all of my family, I loved you all however I know many will be displeased with how I have chosen to divide out my money and property. To any displeased you can forfeit your inheritance if you would prefer and any forfeited items will be given to charities.”, Stan completed. Zoe blinked and looked at Merrick. “Wow...I...wow.”, she said. Merrick nodded. “I know the feeling. A hundred thousand for the sanctuary. That’s going to go a long way.”, Merrick smiled. Stan walked over to a stack of jewelry boxes along with papers and other times and began to hand them out he stopped carrying Zoe and Rose’s. “Could Miss Howlett not make it?”, Stand asked handing the stack of seven various size cases to Zoe along with the check for ten thousand dollars. He’d only given three maybe five boxes to the others in the room. “No my girlfriend attends university in Cambridge, England. She’ll be home in another four days. I can take her things and she’ll get them whens he arrives.”, Merrick offered taking his and Faelan’s paperwork. “That seems reasonable then.”, Stan said handing over the seven boxes and the check.
“I think we should go, quickly to the car.”, Merrick suggested seeing the female members of his family opening their jewelry boxes trying to see who got what of Hazel’s vast collection. Zoe nodded in agreement getting up and heading for the car. Neither aware that Rose had arrived at the Haven, not really bothering to knock just walking in. It’d been since Christmas since she’d seen Faelan but he knew her scent anywhere. He frozen in the living room where he was playing with Sebastian and Gina and raced out of the room changing to human dragging the leather blankie in his left hand. “MOMMA!”, Faelan shouted arms outstretched. Rose chuckled smiling as she set her suitcase down and bent picking up Faelan hugging him tight giving him kissed. Sebastian and Gina raced after Faelan and froze when they saw Rose. “Rose? Merrick is going to flip!”, Sebastian exclaimed. Rose smiled as Faelan was still snuggling his head under her chin hugging her as tight as his small arms could. “Hi my beautiful boy. I’ve missed you so much. Hi Sebastian, Hi Gina. I’ll assume that Merrick is still at the will reading?”, she greeted. “Yeah they are all still up in Boston. I’m thinking it shouldn’t be long. Weren’t you not supposed to be here till next week?”, Sebastian asked. “Hi Rose.”, Gina smiled. “Well my last final was this morning and with everything that’s happened here I talked my parents into letting me use the company jet to get home sooner. I wanted to be here for Merrick and June just wasn’t soon enough. But guess him still being there gives me time to unpack and just spend with my puppy here.”, she explained. “Well you know where his room is.”, Sebastian chuckled pointing to the stairs. Rose chuckled and ruffled Sebastian’s hair before picking up her suitcase. “Indeed I do.”, she smiled heading up the stairs taking Faelan with her.
“Well look in your boxes what did you get from Nana?”, Merrick asked as they got into the car. Zoe adjusted the boxes on her lap to take a look. She started with one of the smaller boxes. “This is a beautiful brooch.”, she said looking at the crescent moon shaped brooch with amber gemstones and them smaller crescents of diamonds. Merrick nodded looking. She opened the next small box to find a silver hair comb shaped to look like two feathers covered in diamonds, the next box contained another hair comb with a floral design with diamonds and pearls on it. “Nana had great taste.”, Zoe commented opening the fourth small box and her jaw dropping open. “The...the bird brooch…”, she exclaimed lifting the gold bird shaped brooch with its yellow and purple gems. Merrick blinked. “Okay...so my sisters and cousins will not like you, because that was a special brooch. Guess she figured give her bird to her nightingale.”, Merrick smiled. “I guess. I just wow. I will wear it with honor and for special events.”, she said carefully placing it back to look at the three other boxes. In the remaining boxes she found necklace and earrings sets. The first had a white gold with light blue sapphires in delicate flower shapes necklace and matching dangling earrings. The second had white gold with diamonds in a flower pattern necklace and matching dangling earrings. The final had white gold with diamond vines and pearls necklace with matching dangling earrings. “Wow this set..”, she looked at the pearl set. Merrick chuckled. “She knew. That’s why she was all in about getting that ring for you.”, Merrick chuckled.
“So you going to open Rose’s or wait till she gets here to let her get the first look?”, Zoe asked pointing. “Oh I’m looking. I’m not waiting a week to know.”, he smiled picking up one of the small boxes. Rose was given a crescent moon brooch like Zoe but with emeralds and diamonds, a second brooch like a flower with black and white diamonds, an aged silver butterfly with diamonds hair comb, and white gold with diamond filigree hair comb. “Those are all beautiful. I do find it a little funny Nana gave her an I matching brooches just of different colors.”, Zoe commented. Merrick smiled. “Because scent, hair color, eye color, and general body type wasn’t an easy enough way for me to tell which is my girlfriend and which is my best friend.”, Merrick smirked moving to the larger boxes. First a necklace earring set of white gold with diamonds and pearl in a teardrop design and second a white gold with black diamonds in a flower pattern like Zoe’s light blue sapphire necklace set. The final box Merrick froze when he opened. Zoe covered her mouth recognizing the set from a picture. “Her pearls…”, Zoe exclaimed. Merrick couldn’t believe it but there the two row white gold, diamond and pearl choker necklace set was. “My female relatives are all really going to hate, well more in some cases, or at least be jealous of Rose when they find out. Let’s head back home before it gets too late. Relieve our siblings of babysitting Faelan.”, Merrick suggested setting the items into the back safely. “Sounds good.”, Zoe agreed.