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Merrick found his schedule rather packed between working at the shelter, working his regular hours at Wal-Mart and then just filling orders for his woodworking business he didn’t really have much time to think that soon it was going to be June and it was likely that Rose would be home. He’d even forgotten about his 21st birthday coming up. And socially he was busy between spending a few hours here and there with girls like Jada and Jenna from his list but he also found himself hanging out at the apartment with Zoe. Who he’d built a large wall length unit of the same cherry he used for the coffee table giving her plenty of open and closed storage plus a space to put a television. He also made the wine rack out of the recycled salvageable wood from the old bookcases. He had already sent the finely carved wooden earrings to Lily and Josalyn knowing he wouldn’t see them for their birthday. He’d also made a necklace for Emma as her graduation present which she seemed to really like and had worn it for graduation. He’d finished the present for Rose having boxed it and wrapped it, which the wrapping looked back because he did it himself but oh well. Today he was down in the basement of the Old Haven which he’d turned what used to be the daycare into his workshop containing various stations and woodworking tools both electric and hand. He wasn’t able to hear his phone going off as he was sawing a piece of oak to the size he needed. He raised the blade up and turned it off blowing on the piece of wood to get rid of some of the shavings before lifting up his protective glasses and finally heard his phone ringing from his back pocket. He quickly reached for it and picked up just before whoever it was could hang up. He only had one cell phone so he was accustomed to answering it for the business. “Aonair Mac Tíre, Merrick speaking how may I help you?”, Merrick greeted.
“Aonair Mac Tíre? Um I’m not sure I have the right Merrick. This Merrick Edward Bryant-Frost?”, Rose asked setting her suitcase down in her hotel room. She’d arrived only a few hours ago. And now having told her parents that after the long flight from England she just wanted to stretch out and sleep she’d checked into her hotel and her first thought was to call Merrick. Merrick blinked knowing the voice in an instant. “Rose? Shit I didn’t even look at the number when I picked up. Sorry. You still in Cambridge?”, he replied taking off his gloves picking up and carrying the piece of oak to another work table. “It’s no problem. No I’m in Bayville. Just checked into my hotel. So what’s Aonair Mac Tíre? And why are you answering your phone with that?”, Rose questioned sitting down on her king sized bed kicking off her sneakers. Sure she knew she could have picked a room with the double queen but she didn’t need two beds. No she wanted one big bed because she had a certain individual in mind to share it with and he took up plenty of room. “Aw I’m touched you check in and immediately call me? You Roselyn are an addict.”, Merrick teased with a laugh putting her on speaker phone setting the phone on the worktable before picking up his stencil and pressing it down firmly to get the ink to transfer to he’d know where to carve. “Maybe I am. But you still didn’t answer me. What is Aonair Mac Tíre?”, Rose repeated. “It’s my company.”, Merrick said carefully peeling back the stencil that was of city skyline someone ordered. “Your what?”, Rose questioned brows raised.
“My company. I blame you and Nana Hazel. I started selling some of the stuff I’ve made from little things like jewelry to large stuff like whole beds online like you suggested. Then Nana Hazel found out and my few random orders became close to a full time job. I ran out of room in the space above the garage at the Haven so David has been gracious enough to let me use the Old Haven house. I am sorry to ruin your childhood but the daycare where you used to play is now my workshop and the rooms upstairs are my gallery so to speak. And Aonair Mac Tíre is Gaelic for Lone Wolf, I figure it was appropriate.”, Merrick said letting a claw grow out as he started to carve into the this rough piece of oak. “That is…wow. That is just amazing Merrick. I’m so happy for you. I told you that stuff would sell for big money. So I guess then you are probably too busy to come over to the Tides Moon Inn room 120.”, Rose said. Merrick laughed and looked at the piece he had started then at the phone. “No I wouldn’t say I’m too busy to go over to a random hotel room. You sure a hotel room is safe with the two of us?”, Merrick teased. “I’ll try to keep my bone claws in and still scratch you just not as deep.”, Rose countered. “Well that doesn’t sound very fun.”, Merrick laughed still carving. “Yes well I figure torn sheets and beds would be bad enough but add blood and I’ll get weird looks from housekeeping.”, Rose chuckled. “Well I been working on a way to maybe avoid the blood without giving up the fun of claws.”, Merrick suggested. “Oh well come over and we can put your theory to the test. When an you get here? Because I think I’m going to get in the shower.”, Rose asked. Merrick’s claw changed back to normal. “No shower till I’m there I could use one myself. I’ll be there in say fifteen maybe ten depending on traffic between the old Haven and the hotel.”, he said picking the phone up starting to turn off lights. “Alright see you then.”, Rose said hanging up. Merrick smirked and went to pocket the phone but stopped sending a quick text to Zoe whose place he was supposed to go to for dinner. ‘Hey hellraiser. Not going to make it for dinner. Going to go eat little red ridinghood .’, he sent the message knowing she’d know who he was talking about. He’d never directly called Rose by name to Zoe but he had referred to the girl who left the bite mark and was the best sex he’d had as little red ridinghood once or twice. He grabbed the poorly wrapped gift before heading over to the hotel.
Zoe checked her phone feeling the buzz in her pocket and laughed shaking her head at the message. ‘Oooh Big Bad Wolf on the prowl.’, Zoe teased pocketing her phone as she went back to her shift at the restaurant. Rose sighed turning her phone to silent and setting inside the nightstand. She had no interest in getting an interruptions tonight. While she waited for him she started to unpack her clothes so they didn’t get all wrinkled crammed into her suitcase and then started to strip down to nothing since they’d agreed on a shower. She couldn’t believe he actually did it, he started a business with his furniture and even made other things like jewelry. She didn’t even know he made jewelry. “Learn something new every day.”, she muttered to herself before she heard a knock at her door. She smiled with anticipation of who was on the other side of the door. She grabbed a large towel from the bathroom wrapping it around her just for modesty sake and pulled open the door but frowned seeing it wasn’t who she wanted. “Cora Lee? Malcolm? What?”, Rose questioned. Malcolm turned away from the door not willing to risk a wardrobe malfunction. “What not happy to see your best friend? Were you expecting someone else?”, Cora Lee teased. “Of course I’m happy to see you. It’s just…well yes I’m expecting someone. He’s going to be here soon so for the love of god, and I say this with love, get lost.”, Rose said shooing them away.
The second floor of the hotel was open to the parking below and Malcolm blinked seeing a very familiar car pull into the parking lot. He raised an eyebrow seeing Merrick getting out of the car and heading for the stairs in a rather good mood. He glanced over his shoulder to Rose and quickly grabbed Cora Lee’s arm. “Come on babe. We’ll see Rose later when she’s not entertaining. Have a good night Rose.”, Malcolm said starting to tug Cora Lee away. “But I wanted to talk to my friend.”, Cora Lee pouted. Malcolm just continued to tug her to the opposite set of stairs. “Cora Lee you don’t like when people come knocking at our door when we are going to or are having sex. So let’s just leave Rose alone so her mystery guy can show up and she can get laid.”, Malcolm said heading down the stairs. “You really think Rose is hooking up with someone in a hotel?”, Cora Lee asked. “Well given she was in a towel and certainly wouldn’t bring a guy to her dad’s or Uncle’s houses, yeah.”, Malcolm said. Cora Lee laughed. “Well good for her I guess. I’ll talk to her tomorrow then.”, Cora Lee conceded. Merrick wasn’t even paying attention to recognize the faint scent of his best friend Malcolm or his cousin Cora Lee in the corridor. Instead he was only focused on finding room 120 his gift under his arm. Sure it was early but whatever this way he didn’t forget. Rose sighed relieved that Malcolm at least got the idea of they should leave. She’d closed the door again as had turned away when the knock came again. She growled and pulled the door open. “I swear Cor…”, her words of anger cut off by Merrick’s lips on hers. He pulled back and raised an eyebrow. “Cor?”, Merrick questioned before looking at her. “Nice towel.”, he teased. Rose smiled. “Sorry Cora Lee had just been here and left. So I thought it was her knocking again. Now get in here.”, Rose explained before grabbing the front of his shirt and pulling him into the hotel room and closing the door.
“God you smell good. Like a forest.”, Rose commented pulling him in the direction of the bathroom. Merrick laughed a little setting the gift down following her. “Well I was at the Old Haven actually working with a piece of oak when you called.”, Merrick explained pulling his shirt off and tossing it to the floor. Rose leaned into the shower turning the water on and then leaned against the counter in the towel just watching him get undressed. She smiled seeing the bite mark. “Why did you keep the scar? I mean couldn’t they heal that when you go to the clinic.”, Rose questioned. “Because it’s like a battle scar I don’t know. Just like having the bite mark on my shoulder I guess. So I told Kisa to not heal it. It’s like a conversation starter any time I take my shirt off.”, Merrick said with a smirk stepping out of his sneakers and starting to get out of his pants. “Mmmhmmm….”, Rose said rubbing her lips together head tilted slightly as she watched him continue to undress. “And what do you tell people?”, Rose asked. “That I got into a fight with a little wolf.”, Merrick said finishing undressing, grabbing a condom from his pants pocket, and stepped closer and pulled the towel away. “Seemed the most accurate description that wasn’t exactly a lie. So we taking a shower now?”, Merrick asked his hands already gripping her sides. Rose smirked and nodded stepping out of his grip and into the shower which he quickly followed no thought of actually getting clean on his mind.
Both in the shower and when they made it to the bed Merrick managed to prove his theory in practice could work. Given that he was able to call upon any animal traits he wanted so he took on the more unique talent of the African spiny mouse which yes her claws still cut into his skin but it didn’t bleed as badly and actually healed itself. He’d never thought about using this animal trait before since he’d never know about it, but when he was doing some research for his animal sanctuary he was working on building he came across a species of mouse that could have its skin literally ripped off and heal without scars. He stretched out on the bed next to her catching his breath, Rose moved closer and ran and over his chest digging her claw in just to watch his skin slowly regenerate. It wasn’t instant like her powers but it was close. “So exactly how are you doing that? It’s like a slower version my healing. Like Mikali or Kisa’s personal healing.”, Rose commented watching. Merrick smirked. “African spiny mouse. I read about them recently, they have a trait where if they lose skin they can actually regenerate it.”, Merrick explained. “Hmm….now that is interesting. See a power like that in a person they call you mutant, in a little animal they call it interesting and Darwinism.”, Rose said shaking her head. Merrick shrugged and sat up getting off the bed to hunt for his boxers. “Where do you think you’re going?”, Rose questioned crawling to the end of the bed to watch him disappear into the bathroom. “To find my boxers. Why am I not supposed to leave or something?”, Merrick asked walking out from the bathroom fixing the band of his boxers.
Rose smiled and stretched a little. “Maybe.”, Rose stated. Merrick raised an eyebrow. “I don’t do overnights little wolf.”, Merrick said picking up the package he’d brought with him. “Anyways, to change topic I know it’s early but wasn't’ certain I’d actually see you on the actual day. So well I made you something for you birthday.”, Merrick said laying the gift down on the bed between them as he sat down. Rose was ready to argue the whole not doing overnights but was caught off guard by the fact he had a birthday present. She had one for him too, but that wasn’t till tomorrow so t could wait since her gift was basically getting some good liquor and wearing a particular piece of lingerie that she’d bought for the sole purpose of him ripping off. “You made me something?”, Rose questioned as she didn’t have to tear too much at the poorly wrapped box. She tossed the paper aside and then opened the box itself and looked at the piece of oak inside. It had two holes close to the edges of the circle and a larger hole cut near the center then a handle and a long stand. She pulled it out of the box curiously and unfolded the top and realized what it was. “You made me a little wine table? A portable wine table?”, Rose said looking over the piece. Merrick nodded. “I figured this way doesn’t matter where you want to drink. So you like it?”, Merrick questioned. Rose smiled as she turned the table all around and ran her hand over the wolf print branding she found. She figured that was his brand as he’d explained the company’s name mean lone wolf. “I love it Merrick. It’s beautiful and the fact you made it with…”, she set the table and the box down on the floor taking his hands. “Your own hands makes it even better. You are definitely skilled with these.”, Rose answered. Merrick smirked. “Speaking from firsthand experience?”, Merrick teased bringing his hands out of hers and running them over her legs and inner thighs.
Rose sighed and rolled her eyes. “Yes that too. Now about this whole overnights…”, Rose said having not forgotten the subject. Merrick sighed. “I don’t stay the night Rose. I just don’t. Staying the night generally means cuddling and I just don’t do cuddling.”, Merrick explained. “Merrick I want you to stay the night, please. I just spent a year alone, and don’t tell me I wasn’t alone because of Atif and Billy. I mean alone in regards to no intimacy. And you have a ladies choice rule, one of those top ones. And I want you to stay. I know I can’t make you, but I just want to have you here.”, Rose said making her case. Merrick sighed and looked at her. “I do have a rule of ladies choice, but generally staying the night and cuddles are a no. But fine because you asked ever so nicely.”, Merrick conceded. Rose grinned. “Well then off with the boxers and back in bed.”, Rose said moving back up to lay down getting under the covers. Merrick rolled his eyes and stood up removing the boxers since apparently he was not only supposed to stay the night but he was going to do so naked. “You are offly demanding little wolf.”, Merrick said getting under the covers next to her. Rose just smiled and snuggled up to him. Merrick rolled his eyes and let her snuggle close and brought his free arm over her to hold her. “See this isn’t so bad.”, Rose said quietly running a hand lightly on his chest. “I suppose. Am I allowed to sleep now? I’ve been up since 4am.”, he asked. Rose tilted her head back and leaned up a little and kissed the end of his nose. “Yes you can sleep.”, Rose said before getting comfortable again. Merrick’s nose wrinkled and twitched as she giggled softly into his chest at his reaction to the kiss on the nose.
Merrick closed his eyes trying to just go to sleep. He felt a mix of emotions in regards to holding Rose so close and knowing he was sleeping there beside her. It was different than just holding her and sleeping with her. He felt guilty in a way because the only other person he’d laid like this with was Leslie. And part of the guilt was he was actually enjoying it, having Rose so close like this. It was intimate in a different way. And the fact he liked it was the other issue, it wasn’t just guilt he felt he was also just terrified. He didn’t want to fall for Rose or anyone for that matter. Not after what happened to Leslie. He didn’t want anyone else to get hurt because they were too close to him. His mind going through all these worries as he laid there. He tried to focus on something else and found himself listening to her breathing and feeling the faint rhythmic thumping of her heart as she was pressed close to him. He smiled a little and opened his eyes and looked at her she looked so peaceful laying there, he brought a hand up and carefully moved a few stray hairs away from her face he saw the corner of her mouth twitch as she faintly smiled in her sleep. “God you are beautiful.”, he whispered closing his eyes again seeking out sleep just listening to the sound of her breathing and heart beating. Eventually sleep found him and he slept content for the first time in a long time and contently purred loudly. Rose’s eyes shot open hearing the purring and then closed again with a smile as she realized he was purring. “God you’re adorable.”, she whispered falling back asleep.
Cora Lee and Malcolm headed back to the house in Manhattan their quest to return with Rose for a party was a bust. Cora Lee sighed as she unlocked the door to the house with Malcolm right behind her. Landon looked up from where he was seated one drink in his right hand and his left arm around Rachel as his band mates and the other housemates were hanging out just enjoying some music and food, those over twenty-one drinking and the others just drinking sodas. “Hey guys. How was the train? Wait where’s Rose?”, Landon asked looking at Cora Lee and then Malcolm. “Um….want to field that one Sparky?”, Cora Lee said looking over her shoulder at Malcolm before walking in stepping over Gavin who was sitting on the floor. “Pardon me Gavin.”, she said before grabbing a drink. “Er...um...she was entertaining a...um...er...gentlemen caller….”, Malcolm said awkwardly since he knew who the guy was. “So yet again we miss our chance to meet the infamous Rose Howlett?”, Jackson questioned with a laugh. Landon nudged Jackson with his foot. “Don’t start man.”, Landon said shaking his head taking a sip from his beer. Since the first time he talked to the band about Rose and Rachel Jackson had taken an interest in Rose. “Wait so Rose has a boyfriend in Bayville?”, Rachel questioned. “Well…um..I wouldn’t call it a boyfriend. More…er…a with benefits situation.”, Malcolm explained grabbing a drink trying very hard to not look guilty of knowing something. He couldn’t out Merrick, the guy is his best friend and well Merrick didn’t out him for being with Cora Lee. Tommy raised an eyebrow looking at his cousin. Having known Malcolm his whole life he knew his tells. “You know who the guys is! Who is it man?”, Tommy questioned. The whole room turned and looked at Malcolm. “You know? Well who is it Mal?”, Cora Lee questioned. Malcolm pressed his lips tight and shook his head no. Landon blinked and laughed a little. “Whoa someone mark a calendar Malcolm just told my sister no. I’ve never seen this phenomenon.”, Landon teased.
“I just can’t believe that Rose would get with some random guy. That does not sound like my cousin.”, Rachel said shaking her head. “Um..not exactly sure how random he is…”, Malcolm commented quickly taking a long sip of his water. “Oh this is getting interesting now..”, Gavin said sipping his beer. “Who is it Malcolm? Come on you tell me everything.”, Cora Lee insisted. “This I can’t tell you babe. I’m sorry but I can’t. It’s between them and I owe him this.” , Malcolm said shaking his head. Everyone else in the room was mentally trying to figure out who the guy could be. Tommy was the one to piece it together and slapped his knee when he figured it out and just looked shocked. “You have got to be kidding me! Serious Malcolm? HIM!? Oh boy.”, Tommy said shaking his head. Malcolm raised an eyebrow. “What?”, Malcolm questioned the rest of the room looking to Tommy. “What you figure it out babe?”, Lily questioned. Tommy nodded. “The clues are all there. The guy isn’t exactly random. He won’t talk about who it is, so it’s like he has some kind of loyalty to the mystery man Rose is hooking up. Then he said he owes the guy. I only know one man that Malcolm would stand up for and defend and who he’d feel he owes.”, Tommy said looking to the others to see if they could piece it together. Landon’s mouth went opening getting the clues and nearly dropped his beer bottle. “Holy…wow..”, Landon said starting to laugh and leaned resting his forehead on Rachel’s shoulder shaking his head. Rachel blinked her eyes getting wider. “Oh…oh wow, really?”, she asked. Cora Lee blinked then frowned. “Merrick? No way.”, she said firmly. Lily went blank in shock as Ashley coughed nearly chocking on her drink. The guys from the band all looked around confused. “So who’s Merrick?”, Mitch asked. “My triplet!”, Lily stated still in shock. “So wait…Landon’s cousin is sleeping with Rachel’s cousin?”, Ben asked.
Rachel groaned a bit. “It seems so. And he’s a…he wanders.”, Rachel said trying to be delicate in her wording. “He’s a man whore.”, Cora Lee said firmly. Malcolm frowned. “Uncalled for. I mean come on after Leslie you going to blame him for going back to being emotionally detached from women?”, Malcolm defended. Landon sighed lifting his head from Rachel’s shoulder. “Mal has a point. We saw how he was with Leslie. He isn’t always a bad guy.”, Landon agreed. Cora Lee frowned. “Not uncalled for. He was before, he happened to fall in love and when that happened yeah it sucked. But that was a while ago. You want to say him being ‘emotionally detached’ with women including my friend is a good thing?”, Cora Lee countered. Malcolm sighed. “I’m saying he’s my best friend and I’ll defend him even from you. And Rose knows this reputation just like the rest of us. So it’s not like she went into that clueless.”, Malcolm stated. “Look Rose isn’t an idiot or a little kid. If she’s sleeping with Merrick that’s her choice. As Malcolm said Rose knows his reputation. So she’s obviously okay with it.”, Landon said. “Still. Just EW.” Cora Lee said. “Sleeping with someone how has been with that many people? I mean if he was as old as Logan, sure. But eww…”, Cora Lee said shaking her head. “Hey that’s my brother you’re talking about. No girl has slept with him against their wishes. And as of late his list of partners has dwindled down to I think three, well four counting Rose. He’s too busy with work at Wal-Mart and the business he opened out of the old Haven. And give him credit these earrings he made me are amazing. And what I know he mostly spends his free time with a platonic female friend.”, Lily argued narrowing her eyes at her cousin, pointing to the two town engraved earrings in her ears when she mentioned the. “The ‘ew’ wasn’t a Merrick only thing. That was an ‘ew’ to sleeping with any guy that has slept with easily a dozen girls.”, Cora Lee said. “Why does the number matter?”, Mitch asked. “I mean if he’s safe and gets check out regularly what’s the big deal? Lily said those girls all slept with him because they wanted to. So the boy has game.”, Mitch shrugged.
“Still just ‘ew’ to me. I’m not saying he ever tricked any of them. He is an ass, but he isn’t a bad guy. And he was really sweet with Leslie and yes is awesome as a wood worker. “, Cora Lee said shaking her head again. “Well as much as we love and care for Rose. It’s her life and she’s allowed to sleep with whoever she wants. And I mean she just got into town and is already meeting him. So obviously she enjoys being with him.”, Ashley commented. “From the list, Merrick probably gives mind blowing sex. His girls didn’t stay with him because of his personality.”, Rachel said softly. “That’s probably true. People don’t go back if it’s bad. And certainly wouldn’t cross and ocean to get it.”, Jackson nodded. Landon laughed a little. “I’ll admit my best friend sleeping with my cousin is weird. But like I said the night Cora Lee and Lily happened upon them making out in the cave, Rose can and should do whatever is going to make her happy and as her friend I’ll back whatever decision she makes.”, Landon said. Cora Lee sighed. “Even if I don’t like it…maybe Merrick is at least nice to her instead of being the cold ass he is to everyone else.”, she said. “Exactly we don’t know how he is with her. And really Cora Lee you are dating your childhood tormentor so not much room to talk.”, Ashley pointed out. Atif and Billy had finally arrived, being held up at Atif’s parents talking. As they opened the front door and walked in the raised an eyebrow as it seemed like there was one hell of a conversation happening. “Hey guys Sorry we are late. Did we miss something?”, Atif asked looking around the room.
The room turned and looked to Atif and Billy. “Oh yeah you missed lots.”, Landon said. “How is it that you can get a vision about Tristan needing his flower order ready for pickup half a world away but you can’t get a vision f our best friend Rose sleeping with Merrick ?”, Ashley questioned looking at her twin. Atif blinked and Billy’s jaw dropped open. “Rose is sleeping with Merrick?”, Billy asked. “Damn we missed a lot by talking to your parents sweetheart.”, Billy said. “Um. I mean I get visions about all of you, including Rose. But well any vision I have about Rose where a guy is involved I can never see him. He’s a blur.”, Atif explained. Lily raised an eyebrow. “Have you ever had a vision about Merrick?”, she asked. Atif shook his head. “No never. I’ve tried but I can never get one. I’ve seen visions of you and even Josalyn…”, Atif said as something suddenly hit him. “What?”, Billy asked looking concerned at Atif. “In visions I’ve had with Lily and Josalyn there was a third person sometimes but I couldn’t see them they were a blur and when the vision actually occurred Merrick was in the spot of the blur. Oh Christ the blur I’ve seen in my vision of Rose….oh wow…”, Atif said recalling his vision of Rose with a boy, and two blurs. He held his hands over his face as in his mind that connected to mean Rose ends up having kids with Merrick. Everyone looked at Atif with raised eyebrows. “Atif?”, Landon asked. Atif blinked. “Yup I’m good.”, Atif said. Landon raised an eyebrow. “You sure?”, Landon asked. Atif nodded. “Yeah. So guess maybe I have had a vision about Rose being with Merrick just didn’t know it because he’s for some reason immune to my visions.”, Atif said. “Well what do you see in the visions?”, Cora Lee asked. “Rose smiling is about all I’m going to say.”, Atif said deciding he wouldn’t talk about the children. “So how about we just go on with the party?”, Landon suggested looking around the room. “Yeah. Let’s just celebrate you being twenty-one and Lily turning twenty-one in a matter of hours.”, Dan said holding up his beer. “Happy Birthday guys!”, Ben said clanking his beer with Dan’s. So the Manhattan house pushed the idea of Rose being with Merrick aside to just enjoy the evening and celebrate two birthdays.

;) (Wink) — Description
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Merrick found his schedule rather packed between working at the shelter, working his regular hours at Wal-Mart and then just filling orders for his woodworking business he didn’t really have much time to think that soon it was going to be June and it was likely that Rose would be home. He’d even forgotten about his 21st birthday coming up. And socially he was busy between spending a few hours here and there with girls like Jada and Jenna from his list but he also found himself hanging out at the apartment with Zoe. Who he’d built a large wall length unit of the same cherry he used for the coffee table giving her plenty of open and closed storage plus a space to put a television. He also made the wine rack out of the recycled salvageable wood from the old bookcases. He had already sent the finely carved wooden earrings to Lily and Josalyn knowing he wouldn’t see them for their birthday. He’d also made a necklace for Emma as her graduation present which she seemed to really like and had worn it for graduation. He’d finished the present for Rose having boxed it and wrapped it, which the wrapping looked back because he did it himself but oh well. Today he was down in the basement of the Old Haven which he’d turned what used to be the daycare into his workshop containing various stations and woodworking tools both electric and hand. He wasn’t able to hear his phone going off as he was sawing a piece of oak to the size he needed. He raised the blade up and turned it off blowing on the piece of wood to get rid of some of the shavings before lifting up his protective glasses and finally heard his phone ringing from his back pocket. He quickly reached for it and picked up just before whoever it was could hang up. He only had one cell phone so he was accustomed to answering it for the business. “Aonair Mac Tíre, Merrick speaking how may I help you?”, Merrick greeted.
“Aonair Mac Tíre? Um I’m not sure I have the right Merrick. This Merrick Edward Bryant-Frost?”, Rose asked setting her suitcase down in her hotel room. She’d arrived only a few hours ago. And now having told her parents that after the long flight from England she just wanted to stretch out and sleep she’d checked into her hotel and her first thought was to call Merrick. Merrick blinked knowing the voice in an instant. “Rose? Shit I didn’t even look at the number when I picked up. Sorry. You still in Cambridge?”, he replied taking off his gloves picking up and carrying the piece of oak to another work table. “It’s no problem. No I’m in Bayville. Just checked into my hotel. So what’s Aonair Mac Tíre? And why are you answering your phone with that?”, Rose questioned sitting down on her king sized bed kicking off her sneakers. Sure she knew she could have picked a room with the double queen but she didn’t need two beds. No she wanted one big bed because she had a certain individual in mind to share it with and he took up plenty of room. “Aw I’m touched you check in and immediately call me? You Roselyn are an addict.”, Merrick teased with a laugh putting her on speaker phone setting the phone on the worktable before picking up his stencil and pressing it down firmly to get the ink to transfer to he’d know where to carve. “Maybe I am. But you still didn’t answer me. What is Aonair Mac Tíre?”, Rose repeated. “It’s my company.”, Merrick said carefully peeling back the stencil that was of city skyline someone ordered. “Your what?”, Rose questioned brows raised.
“My company. I blame you and Nana Hazel. I started selling some of the stuff I’ve made from little things like jewelry to large stuff like whole beds online like you suggested. Then Nana Hazel found out and my few random orders became close to a full time job. I ran out of room in the space above the garage at the Haven so David has been gracious enough to let me use the Old Haven house. I am sorry to ruin your childhood but the daycare where you used to play is now my workshop and the rooms upstairs are my gallery so to speak. And Aonair Mac Tíre is Gaelic for Lone Wolf, I figure it was appropriate.”, Merrick said letting a claw grow out as he started to carve into the this rough piece of oak. “That is…wow. That is just amazing Merrick. I’m so happy for you. I told you that stuff would sell for big money. So I guess then you are probably too busy to come over to the Tides Moon Inn room 120.”, Rose said. Merrick laughed and looked at the piece he had started then at the phone. “No I wouldn’t say I’m too busy to go over to a random hotel room. You sure a hotel room is safe with the two of us?”, Merrick teased. “I’ll try to keep my bone claws in and still scratch you just not as deep.”, Rose countered. “Well that doesn’t sound very fun.”, Merrick laughed still carving. “Yes well I figure torn sheets and beds would be bad enough but add blood and I’ll get weird looks from housekeeping.”, Rose chuckled. “Well I been working on a way to maybe avoid the blood without giving up the fun of claws.”, Merrick suggested. “Oh well come over and we can put your theory to the test. When an you get here? Because I think I’m going to get in the shower.”, Rose asked. Merrick’s claw changed back to normal. “No shower till I’m there I could use one myself. I’ll be there in say fifteen maybe ten depending on traffic between the old Haven and the hotel.”, he said picking the phone up starting to turn off lights. “Alright see you then.”, Rose said hanging up. Merrick smirked and went to pocket the phone but stopped sending a quick text to Zoe whose place he was supposed to go to for dinner. ‘Hey hellraiser. Not going to make it for dinner. Going to go eat little red ridinghood .’, he sent the message knowing she’d know who he was talking about. He’d never directly called Rose by name to Zoe but he had referred to the girl who left the bite mark and was the best sex he’d had as little red ridinghood once or twice. He grabbed the poorly wrapped gift before heading over to the hotel.
Zoe checked her phone feeling the buzz in her pocket and laughed shaking her head at the message. ‘Oooh Big Bad Wolf on the prowl.’, Zoe teased pocketing her phone as she went back to her shift at the restaurant. Rose sighed turning her phone to silent and setting inside the nightstand. She had no interest in getting an interruptions tonight. While she waited for him she started to unpack her clothes so they didn’t get all wrinkled crammed into her suitcase and then started to strip down to nothing since they’d agreed on a shower. She couldn’t believe he actually did it, he started a business with his furniture and even made other things like jewelry. She didn’t even know he made jewelry. “Learn something new every day.”, she muttered to herself before she heard a knock at her door. She smiled with anticipation of who was on the other side of the door. She grabbed a large towel from the bathroom wrapping it around her just for modesty sake and pulled open the door but frowned seeing it wasn’t who she wanted. “Cora Lee? Malcolm? What?”, Rose questioned. Malcolm turned away from the door not willing to risk a wardrobe malfunction. “What not happy to see your best friend? Were you expecting someone else?”, Cora Lee teased. “Of course I’m happy to see you. It’s just…well yes I’m expecting someone. He’s going to be here soon so for the love of god, and I say this with love, get lost.”, Rose said shooing them away.
The second floor of the hotel was open to the parking below and Malcolm blinked seeing a very familiar car pull into the parking lot. He raised an eyebrow seeing Merrick getting out of the car and heading for the stairs in a rather good mood. He glanced over his shoulder to Rose and quickly grabbed Cora Lee’s arm. “Come on babe. We’ll see Rose later when she’s not entertaining. Have a good night Rose.”, Malcolm said starting to tug Cora Lee away. “But I wanted to talk to my friend.”, Cora Lee pouted. Malcolm just continued to tug her to the opposite set of stairs. “Cora Lee you don’t like when people come knocking at our door when we are going to or are having sex. So let’s just leave Rose alone so her mystery guy can show up and she can get laid.”, Malcolm said heading down the stairs. “You really think Rose is hooking up with someone in a hotel?”, Cora Lee asked. “Well given she was in a towel and certainly wouldn’t bring a guy to her dad’s or Uncle’s houses, yeah.”, Malcolm said. Cora Lee laughed. “Well good for her I guess. I’ll talk to her tomorrow then.”, Cora Lee conceded. Merrick wasn’t even paying attention to recognize the faint scent of his best friend Malcolm or his cousin Cora Lee in the corridor. Instead he was only focused on finding room 120 his gift under his arm. Sure it was early but whatever this way he didn’t forget. Rose sighed relieved that Malcolm at least got the idea of they should leave. She’d closed the door again as had turned away when the knock came again. She growled and pulled the door open. “I swear Cor…”, her words of anger cut off by Merrick’s lips on hers. He pulled back and raised an eyebrow. “Cor?”, Merrick questioned before looking at her. “Nice towel.”, he teased. Rose smiled. “Sorry Cora Lee had just been here and left. So I thought it was her knocking again. Now get in here.”, Rose explained before grabbing the front of his shirt and pulling him into the hotel room and closing the door.
“God you smell good. Like a forest.”, Rose commented pulling him in the direction of the bathroom. Merrick laughed a little setting the gift down following her. “Well I was at the Old Haven actually working with a piece of oak when you called.”, Merrick explained pulling his shirt off and tossing it to the floor. Rose leaned into the shower turning the water on and then leaned against the counter in the towel just watching him get undressed. She smiled seeing the bite mark. “Why did you keep the scar? I mean couldn’t they heal that when you go to the clinic.”, Rose questioned. “Because it’s like a battle scar I don’t know. Just like having the bite mark on my shoulder I guess. So I told Kisa to not heal it. It’s like a conversation starter any time I take my shirt off.”, Merrick said with a smirk stepping out of his sneakers and starting to get out of his pants. “Mmmhmmm….”, Rose said rubbing her lips together head tilted slightly as she watched him continue to undress. “And what do you tell people?”, Rose asked. “That I got into a fight with a little wolf.”, Merrick said finishing undressing, grabbing a condom from his pants pocket, and stepped closer and pulled the towel away. “Seemed the most accurate description that wasn’t exactly a lie. So we taking a shower now?”, Merrick asked his hands already gripping her sides. Rose smirked and nodded stepping out of his grip and into the shower which he quickly followed no thought of actually getting clean on his mind.
Both in the shower and when they made it to the bed Merrick managed to prove his theory in practice could work. Given that he was able to call upon any animal traits he wanted so he took on the more unique talent of the African spiny mouse which yes her claws still cut into his skin but it didn’t bleed as badly and actually healed itself. He’d never thought about using this animal trait before since he’d never know about it, but when he was doing some research for his animal sanctuary he was working on building he came across a species of mouse that could have its skin literally ripped off and heal without scars. He stretched out on the bed next to her catching his breath, Rose moved closer and ran and over his chest digging her claw in just to watch his skin slowly regenerate. It wasn’t instant like her powers but it was close. “So exactly how are you doing that? It’s like a slower version my healing. Like Mikali or Kisa’s personal healing.”, Rose commented watching. Merrick smirked. “African spiny mouse. I read about them recently, they have a trait where if they lose skin they can actually regenerate it.”, Merrick explained. “Hmm….now that is interesting. See a power like that in a person they call you mutant, in a little animal they call it interesting and Darwinism.”, Rose said shaking her head. Merrick shrugged and sat up getting off the bed to hunt for his boxers. “Where do you think you’re going?”, Rose questioned crawling to the end of the bed to watch him disappear into the bathroom. “To find my boxers. Why am I not supposed to leave or something?”, Merrick asked walking out from the bathroom fixing the band of his boxers.
Rose smiled and stretched a little. “Maybe.”, Rose stated. Merrick raised an eyebrow. “I don’t do overnights little wolf.”, Merrick said picking up the package he’d brought with him. “Anyways, to change topic I know it’s early but wasn't’ certain I’d actually see you on the actual day. So well I made you something for you birthday.”, Merrick said laying the gift down on the bed between them as he sat down. Rose was ready to argue the whole not doing overnights but was caught off guard by the fact he had a birthday present. She had one for him too, but that wasn’t till tomorrow so t could wait since her gift was basically getting some good liquor and wearing a particular piece of lingerie that she’d bought for the sole purpose of him ripping off. “You made me something?”, Rose questioned as she didn’t have to tear too much at the poorly wrapped box. She tossed the paper aside and then opened the box itself and looked at the piece of oak inside. It had two holes close to the edges of the circle and a larger hole cut near the center then a handle and a long stand. She pulled it out of the box curiously and unfolded the top and realized what it was. “You made me a little wine table? A portable wine table?”, Rose said looking over the piece. Merrick nodded. “I figured this way doesn’t matter where you want to drink. So you like it?”, Merrick questioned. Rose smiled as she turned the table all around and ran her hand over the wolf print branding she found. She figured that was his brand as he’d explained the company’s name mean lone wolf. “I love it Merrick. It’s beautiful and the fact you made it with…”, she set the table and the box down on the floor taking his hands. “Your own hands makes it even better. You are definitely skilled with these.”, Rose answered. Merrick smirked. “Speaking from firsthand experience?”, Merrick teased bringing his hands out of hers and running them over her legs and inner thighs.
Rose sighed and rolled her eyes. “Yes that too. Now about this whole overnights…”, Rose said having not forgotten the subject. Merrick sighed. “I don’t stay the night Rose. I just don’t. Staying the night generally means cuddling and I just don’t do cuddling.”, Merrick explained. “Merrick I want you to stay the night, please. I just spent a year alone, and don’t tell me I wasn’t alone because of Atif and Billy. I mean alone in regards to no intimacy. And you have a ladies choice rule, one of those top ones. And I want you to stay. I know I can’t make you, but I just want to have you here.”, Rose said making her case. Merrick sighed and looked at her. “I do have a rule of ladies choice, but generally staying the night and cuddles are a no. But fine because you asked ever so nicely.”, Merrick conceded. Rose grinned. “Well then off with the boxers and back in bed.”, Rose said moving back up to lay down getting under the covers. Merrick rolled his eyes and stood up removing the boxers since apparently he was not only supposed to stay the night but he was going to do so naked. “You are offly demanding little wolf.”, Merrick said getting under the covers next to her. Rose just smiled and snuggled up to him. Merrick rolled his eyes and let her snuggle close and brought his free arm over her to hold her. “See this isn’t so bad.”, Rose said quietly running a hand lightly on his chest. “I suppose. Am I allowed to sleep now? I’ve been up since 4am.”, he asked. Rose tilted her head back and leaned up a little and kissed the end of his nose. “Yes you can sleep.”, Rose said before getting comfortable again. Merrick’s nose wrinkled and twitched as she giggled softly into his chest at his reaction to the kiss on the nose.
Merrick closed his eyes trying to just go to sleep. He felt a mix of emotions in regards to holding Rose so close and knowing he was sleeping there beside her. It was different than just holding her and sleeping with her. He felt guilty in a way because the only other person he’d laid like this with was Leslie. And part of the guilt was he was actually enjoying it, having Rose so close like this. It was intimate in a different way. And the fact he liked it was the other issue, it wasn’t just guilt he felt he was also just terrified. He didn’t want to fall for Rose or anyone for that matter. Not after what happened to Leslie. He didn’t want anyone else to get hurt because they were too close to him. His mind going through all these worries as he laid there. He tried to focus on something else and found himself listening to her breathing and feeling the faint rhythmic thumping of her heart as she was pressed close to him. He smiled a little and opened his eyes and looked at her she looked so peaceful laying there, he brought a hand up and carefully moved a few stray hairs away from her face he saw the corner of her mouth twitch as she faintly smiled in her sleep. “God you are beautiful.”, he whispered closing his eyes again seeking out sleep just listening to the sound of her breathing and heart beating. Eventually sleep found him and he slept content for the first time in a long time and contently purred loudly. Rose’s eyes shot open hearing the purring and then closed again with a smile as she realized he was purring. “God you’re adorable.”, she whispered falling back asleep.
Cora Lee and Malcolm headed back to the house in Manhattan their quest to return with Rose for a party was a bust. Cora Lee sighed as she unlocked the door to the house with Malcolm right behind her. Landon looked up from where he was seated one drink in his right hand and his left arm around Rachel as his band mates and the other housemates were hanging out just enjoying some music and food, those over twenty-one drinking and the others just drinking sodas. “Hey guys. How was the train? Wait where’s Rose?”, Landon asked looking at Cora Lee and then Malcolm. “Um….want to field that one Sparky?”, Cora Lee said looking over her shoulder at Malcolm before walking in stepping over Gavin who was sitting on the floor. “Pardon me Gavin.”, she said before grabbing a drink. “Er...um...she was entertaining a...um...er...gentlemen caller….”, Malcolm said awkwardly since he knew who the guy was. “So yet again we miss our chance to meet the infamous Rose Howlett?”, Jackson questioned with a laugh. Landon nudged Jackson with his foot. “Don’t start man.”, Landon said shaking his head taking a sip from his beer. Since the first time he talked to the band about Rose and Rachel Jackson had taken an interest in Rose. “Wait so Rose has a boyfriend in Bayville?”, Rachel questioned. “Well…um..I wouldn’t call it a boyfriend. More…er…a with benefits situation.”, Malcolm explained grabbing a drink trying very hard to not look guilty of knowing something. He couldn’t out Merrick, the guy is his best friend and well Merrick didn’t out him for being with Cora Lee. Tommy raised an eyebrow looking at his cousin. Having known Malcolm his whole life he knew his tells. “You know who the guys is! Who is it man?”, Tommy questioned. The whole room turned and looked at Malcolm. “You know? Well who is it Mal?”, Cora Lee questioned. Malcolm pressed his lips tight and shook his head no. Landon blinked and laughed a little. “Whoa someone mark a calendar Malcolm just told my sister no. I’ve never seen this phenomenon.”, Landon teased.
“I just can’t believe that Rose would get with some random guy. That does not sound like my cousin.”, Rachel said shaking her head. “Um..not exactly sure how random he is…”, Malcolm commented quickly taking a long sip of his water. “Oh this is getting interesting now..”, Gavin said sipping his beer. “Who is it Malcolm? Come on you tell me everything.”, Cora Lee insisted. “This I can’t tell you babe. I’m sorry but I can’t. It’s between them and I owe him this.” , Malcolm said shaking his head. Everyone else in the room was mentally trying to figure out who the guy could be. Tommy was the one to piece it together and slapped his knee when he figured it out and just looked shocked. “You have got to be kidding me! Serious Malcolm? HIM!? Oh boy.”, Tommy said shaking his head. Malcolm raised an eyebrow. “What?”, Malcolm questioned the rest of the room looking to Tommy. “What you figure it out babe?”, Lily questioned. Tommy nodded. “The clues are all there. The guy isn’t exactly random. He won’t talk about who it is, so it’s like he has some kind of loyalty to the mystery man Rose is hooking up. Then he said he owes the guy. I only know one man that Malcolm would stand up for and defend and who he’d feel he owes.”, Tommy said looking to the others to see if they could piece it together. Landon’s mouth went opening getting the clues and nearly dropped his beer bottle. “Holy…wow..”, Landon said starting to laugh and leaned resting his forehead on Rachel’s shoulder shaking his head. Rachel blinked her eyes getting wider. “Oh…oh wow, really?”, she asked. Cora Lee blinked then frowned. “Merrick? No way.”, she said firmly. Lily went blank in shock as Ashley coughed nearly chocking on her drink. The guys from the band all looked around confused. “So who’s Merrick?”, Mitch asked. “My triplet!”, Lily stated still in shock. “So wait…Landon’s cousin is sleeping with Rachel’s cousin?”, Ben asked.
Rachel groaned a bit. “It seems so. And he’s a…he wanders.”, Rachel said trying to be delicate in her wording. “He’s a man whore.”, Cora Lee said firmly. Malcolm frowned. “Uncalled for. I mean come on after Leslie you going to blame him for going back to being emotionally detached from women?”, Malcolm defended. Landon sighed lifting his head from Rachel’s shoulder. “Mal has a point. We saw how he was with Leslie. He isn’t always a bad guy.”, Landon agreed. Cora Lee frowned. “Not uncalled for. He was before, he happened to fall in love and when that happened yeah it sucked. But that was a while ago. You want to say him being ‘emotionally detached’ with women including my friend is a good thing?”, Cora Lee countered. Malcolm sighed. “I’m saying he’s my best friend and I’ll defend him even from you. And Rose knows this reputation just like the rest of us. So it’s not like she went into that clueless.”, Malcolm stated. “Look Rose isn’t an idiot or a little kid. If she’s sleeping with Merrick that’s her choice. As Malcolm said Rose knows his reputation. So she’s obviously okay with it.”, Landon said. “Still. Just EW.” Cora Lee said. “Sleeping with someone how has been with that many people? I mean if he was as old as Logan, sure. But eww…”, Cora Lee said shaking her head. “Hey that’s my brother you’re talking about. No girl has slept with him against their wishes. And as of late his list of partners has dwindled down to I think three, well four counting Rose. He’s too busy with work at Wal-Mart and the business he opened out of the old Haven. And give him credit these earrings he made me are amazing. And what I know he mostly spends his free time with a platonic female friend.”, Lily argued narrowing her eyes at her cousin, pointing to the two town engraved earrings in her ears when she mentioned the. “The ‘ew’ wasn’t a Merrick only thing. That was an ‘ew’ to sleeping with any guy that has slept with easily a dozen girls.”, Cora Lee said. “Why does the number matter?”, Mitch asked. “I mean if he’s safe and gets check out regularly what’s the big deal? Lily said those girls all slept with him because they wanted to. So the boy has game.”, Mitch shrugged.
“Still just ‘ew’ to me. I’m not saying he ever tricked any of them. He is an ass, but he isn’t a bad guy. And he was really sweet with Leslie and yes is awesome as a wood worker. “, Cora Lee said shaking her head again. “Well as much as we love and care for Rose. It’s her life and she’s allowed to sleep with whoever she wants. And I mean she just got into town and is already meeting him. So obviously she enjoys being with him.”, Ashley commented. “From the list, Merrick probably gives mind blowing sex. His girls didn’t stay with him because of his personality.”, Rachel said softly. “That’s probably true. People don’t go back if it’s bad. And certainly wouldn’t cross and ocean to get it.”, Jackson nodded. Landon laughed a little. “I’ll admit my best friend sleeping with my cousin is weird. But like I said the night Cora Lee and Lily happened upon them making out in the cave, Rose can and should do whatever is going to make her happy and as her friend I’ll back whatever decision she makes.”, Landon said. Cora Lee sighed. “Even if I don’t like it…maybe Merrick is at least nice to her instead of being the cold ass he is to everyone else.”, she said. “Exactly we don’t know how he is with her. And really Cora Lee you are dating your childhood tormentor so not much room to talk.”, Ashley pointed out. Atif and Billy had finally arrived, being held up at Atif’s parents talking. As they opened the front door and walked in the raised an eyebrow as it seemed like there was one hell of a conversation happening. “Hey guys Sorry we are late. Did we miss something?”, Atif asked looking around the room.
The room turned and looked to Atif and Billy. “Oh yeah you missed lots.”, Landon said. “How is it that you can get a vision about Tristan needing his flower order ready for pickup half a world away but you can’t get a vision f our best friend Rose sleeping with Merrick ?”, Ashley questioned looking at her twin. Atif blinked and Billy’s jaw dropped open. “Rose is sleeping with Merrick?”, Billy asked. “Damn we missed a lot by talking to your parents sweetheart.”, Billy said. “Um. I mean I get visions about all of you, including Rose. But well any vision I have about Rose where a guy is involved I can never see him. He’s a blur.”, Atif explained. Lily raised an eyebrow. “Have you ever had a vision about Merrick?”, she asked. Atif shook his head. “No never. I’ve tried but I can never get one. I’ve seen visions of you and even Josalyn…”, Atif said as something suddenly hit him. “What?”, Billy asked looking concerned at Atif. “In visions I’ve had with Lily and Josalyn there was a third person sometimes but I couldn’t see them they were a blur and when the vision actually occurred Merrick was in the spot of the blur. Oh Christ the blur I’ve seen in my vision of Rose….oh wow…”, Atif said recalling his vision of Rose with a boy, and two blurs. He held his hands over his face as in his mind that connected to mean Rose ends up having kids with Merrick. Everyone looked at Atif with raised eyebrows. “Atif?”, Landon asked. Atif blinked. “Yup I’m good.”, Atif said. Landon raised an eyebrow. “You sure?”, Landon asked. Atif nodded. “Yeah. So guess maybe I have had a vision about Rose being with Merrick just didn’t know it because he’s for some reason immune to my visions.”, Atif said. “Well what do you see in the visions?”, Cora Lee asked. “Rose smiling is about all I’m going to say.”, Atif said deciding he wouldn’t talk about the children. “So how about we just go on with the party?”, Landon suggested looking around the room. “Yeah. Let’s just celebrate you being twenty-one and Lily turning twenty-one in a matter of hours.”, Dan said holding up his beer. “Happy Birthday guys!”, Ben said clanking his beer with Dan’s. So the Manhattan house pushed the idea of Rose being with Merrick aside to just enjoy the evening and celebrate two birthdays.