HOME | DD

Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

Finishing up the furniture item to be shipped didn’t really take up too much time and Merrick ended up getting to the clinic early for the ultrasound appointment. “You excited to find out the gender today?”, Kisa asked taking a seat in the waiting room next to Merrick.“Yes and no Doctor Kearney.”, Merrick sighed looking at her. “I want to know of course if it’s going to be a son or daughter. Will make baby clothes and such a lot easier for sure. But I’m just worried with this ultrasound she’s going to be paying more attention than last…”, Merrick frowned. Kisa nodded knowing what he was worried about. The first ultrasound she’d done for them the baby had shapeshifted during the procedure but thankfully hadn’t been noticed by the mother. “If it happens we will deal with it, but you will eventually need to tell this girl that not only are you a mutant but so is this baby.”, Kisa said patting his knee before standing up seeing Jenna walking in with her parents. “Oh didn’t realize we were going to have a crowd for this. But the more the merrier. Are we ready to see if we have a baby...what did you decide on names?”, Kisa asked. “Falean or Willow.”, Merrick said. “Joseph or Mary.”, Jenna said at the same time. Kisa smiled. “Ah the baby name arguments. It’s normal. I think the only reason my husband and I didn’t have to argue about naming our twin boys was we each had a twin brother who died and we wanted to name a child after them.”, Kisa smiled sweetly escorting the group to the room and got Jenna setup for the ultrasound. Merrick and Kisa both watched the monitor carefully both praying that the baby worked with them and stayed in it’s human form for this not wanting to freak out three humans. And to both their relief the baby did. “And there we go. Congratulations looks like you will have a son.”, Kisa said pointing out the little penis on the screen before printing out some of the pictures for them.
Merrick smiled looking at the screen glad his first born was going to be a boy. He’d probably have to invest in a chastity belt if he had a daughter. “My Faelan...my boy.”, Merrick smiled. “Joseph.”, Jenna protested. Merrick rolled his eyes taking his copies of the pictures from Kisa putting them neatly into his jacket pocket. “We’ll see what happens when the birth certificate gets filled out. I gotta go so I’m not late.”, Merrick said checking his phone. Jenna quickly grabbed his arm. “Where do you need to go so fast? We should maybe go somewhere, talk discuss our son’s name a little more.”, Jenna offered running a hand up and down his arm while her parents were talking to Kisa. Merrick narrowed his eyes and pulled his arm back. “No thank you. I’m supposed to be up my little brother. I promised I would spend some time with him today. And till you can bring something better than Joseph to the table to name our son we have nothing to discuss. I stand firm on Faelan Christian. Have a good day Jenna.”, Merrick said stopping before he left and stooped down by her protruding womb placing a hand on it lightly and smiling feeling the baby kick. “Hey Faelan, you got a strong kick pup. I love you and I can’t wait to meet you in person sweet boy.”, Merrick said softly. It was the closest he’d gotten to Jenna since well she told him she was pregnant. It was a feeling she was reluctant to let end and placed her hand over his. However Merrick pulled his hand away. “Bye.”, he said curtly leaving and heading to the Haven pictures ready to show.
“EVERYONE!?”, Merrick called walking into the Haven. Sebastian came running down the stairs pulling his jacket on ready to leave. The other members of the Haven ventured out from their various locations in the house to see what Merrick was yelling about. Kim walked out from the kitchen carrying a pan of brownies. “What’s going on? Did my grandbaby do good and let you find out if it’s a boy or girl?”, Kim asked. Merrick raised an eyebrow at the brownies but shook his head taking the pictures out. “I present Faelan Christian Bryant-Frost, I don’t care what Jenna says I’m not naming my son Joseph.”, Merrick said holding the picture up proudly. “That’s fantastic! So now we can shop for baby boy clothes.”, Solangel smiled. “That’s wonderful Merrick. A grandson. Just wait till Hazel is told she’s going to have a great great grandson.”, Kim said handing the brownies to Sebastian to hug Merrick and take one of the pictures to look at. “Thanks everyone. Um what’s with the brownies mom?”, Merrick asked sniffing them. “Those are for Sebastian to take to Zoe’s. A thank you for playing along with dad’s chaperone rule. They are my..”, Kim started to explain. “Peanut butter espresso brownies. Mmmmm…”, Merrick sniffed reaching for the pan. Kim slapped his hand. “No Merrick. Now get your brother to his date. I’m sure you have work to do at the shop.”, Kim said. Merrick sighed. “I got my work done at the shop this morning. I was actually going to hang out with Zoe while she chaperoned our siblings.”, Merrick shrugged. “Wait you are sticking around?”, Sebastian asked. “Yeah, Zoe’s my best friend. And want to tell her I’m having a boy. Plus seriously think I’m passing up her cooking and mom’s brownies? Come on Bastian let’s go pick up your Petridis.”, Merrick teased putting an arm around his little brother and leaving.
Once Gina was picked up Merrick drove to Zoe’s. “I’ll call and let Zoe know we are downstai…”, Gina started to say getting her phone out but stopped talking as she watched Merrick get out keys and just unlock the downstairs door. “You have keys?”, Gina asked as her and Sebastian followed him into the building. “Um. Yeah. Remember I build furniture and your sister has some of my pieces it’s easier to deliver stuff if I have the key and don’t need to depend on her crazy schedule.”, Merrick explained which wasn’t exactly a lie. He got up to the apartment and knocked Zoe leaning out of the kitchen and opening the door with a smile. “Hey guys. So dad said I’m supposed to chaperone you. I’m not exactly sure what that entails. So basic rule you don’t leave the living room together and hands stay outside of clothes. Am I forgetting anything?”, Zoe asked. Merrick laughed and took off his jacket taking the picture out putting it on the counter before giving Zoe a hug and kissed her cheek, trying to curb his normal behavior due to their siblings. “Those rules for all of us or just them?”, he asked in a whisper. Zoe laughed shaking her head. “Thanks for letting us come over here sis.”, Gina said stepping inside taking off her jacket and boots. “And don’t worry Zoe we’ll behave. It’s your dad’s belief that we require supervision. And as a thanks for being willing to chaperone my mom made you brownies.”, Sebastian said setting down the pan on her counter. Zoe smiled. “I don’t mind hanging out with my little sister and her boyfriend. And thank your mom for me. They smell tasty.”, Zoe said sniffing the pan before noticing the picture and picking it up. “Awww so Faelan Christian it would appear.”, Zoe gushed seeing where it said ‘It’s a Boy’ on the print out. “Father’s hide their daughters a new male Bryant-Frost is due to arrive in April.”, Zoe joked.
Sebastian and Gina had already headed for the living room area. Merrick just smiled. “Yeah looks that way. And those are mom’s peanut butter espresso brownies and they taste even better than they smell.”, Merrick said before stepping behind her. “Like a certain woman I know.”, he teased nibbling at her neck while their siblings were distracted. Zoe sighed shaking her head. “Stop teasing me our siblings are here.”, Zoe whispered. Merrick kissed her earlobe then smiled looking at their siblings who weren’t really giving them much attention as they were looking at the media center to see if there was anything they would rather watch than what Gina had brought. “They aren’t paying attention to us..”, Merrick whispered grabbing her ass before walking away. Zoe gasped a little and laughed shaking her head. “So Gina what movie did you bring?”, Merrick asked smirking a little having heard Zoe’s gasp. “Well I couldn’t decide, so I brought four of my favorites. An Affair to Remember, Casablanca, It Happened One Night, and Some Like It Hot. What do you all think?”, Gina said pulling the movies out of her bag. “That I am going to be owed so much for this…”, Merrick muttered. Zoe walked past Merrick shaking her head having heard him and pinched him on the butt. “I always liked Some Like It Hot and It Happened One Night.”, Zoe said carrying a bowl of popcorn she’d made for the movie watching. “Merrick grab the drinks please.”, Zoe requested setting the bowl on the coffee table that Merrick had made her. “Alright so Some Like it Hot or It Happened One Night?”, Gina asked holding the cases up to Sebastian. Sebastian furrowed his brow and looked to Merrick who was grabbing the drinks.
Merrick shrugged sitting down on the couch. “Um Some Like It Hot? I don’t think I’ve watched that one before.”, Sebastian said looking to figure out where he was going to sit. Zoe sat down at one end of the couch and leaned grabbing one of the soda’s sitting back to find one of the throw pillows on her lap and she raised an eyebrow and then Merrick was resting his head on the pillow partially stretching out having to still kind of sit indian style since the couch wasn’t long enough to fit him. Sebastian and Gina both blinked looking at their older siblings. “Er?”, Sebastian questioned. “What? Here”, Merrick tossed one of the other pillows at Sebastian. “Sit your ass on the floor and be recliner for your girlfriend.”, Merrick instructed. “Oh like her sister’s being pillow for you?”, Sebastian teased taking the pillow and sitting on the floor with the pillow between the wall and his back. Merrick smirked. “Something like that…”, Merrick said taking his phone out of his pocket and setting it on the coffee table before grabbing some popcorn. “Good popcorn hellraiser.”, Merrick commented “Thank you lupo cattivo.”, Zoe said trying to lean over him to get some popcorn. Gina glanced over as she was putting the dvd in to see Merrick nip at her sister’s stomach and quickly looked back to the dvd player. Zoe hit Merrick in the head as she leaned back for nipping at her.
Merrick grabbed the bowl and set it on his chest so that Zoe wouldn’t have to reach over him, though he didn’t exactly mind her chest in his face. Gina chose to not say anything and just sat on the floor grabbing two sodas for her and Sebastian before leaning into Sebastian and hitting play on the movie. Gina enjoying not just the movie and the popcorn her sister made but also getting to have Sebastian holding her and his hands lightly rubbing her arms. Merrick brought his right arm up and tucked his hand under the pillow to rest on Zoe’s thigh. He smirked a little as his thumb rubbed at the inside of her thigh and she twitched slightly shaking her head looking down at him as he looked back up at her. Gina noticed them looking at each other and took a quick advantage and used Merrick’s phone to take a photo. Gina wasn’t fully sure what was going on between her older sister and Merrick but she had a good guess. And that guess, if right, wasn’t something she’d be telling their father or brother. She knew how they felt about Merrick. They only liked to see the bad when it came to Merrick, they focused on his negatives. But he had a lot of positives. Gina could remember when Merrick still lived at the Haven and helped take care of the younger kids with his mother.
And Sebastian simply adored his brother and idolized him, well the difference being Sebastian didn’t see a need to be with a number of girls. When Gina brought that up once Sebastian said it wasn’t that Merrick couldn’t be with one woman and be happy it was he hadn’t found one woman that could make him truly happy and smile for real where Sebastian said he hadn’t need to look far to find the one girl who made him happy. But as Gina glanced over at her sister with Merrick, neither thinking they were being observed she saw them smiling, being playful, even feeding each other popcorn. She had seen Merrick like this during the summer with Rose. She didn’t know what all was going on or not going on between Merrick and Rose, heck for all she knew he’d told Rose about getting Jenna pregnant and she’d called whatever was going on quits. But right now Gina wasn’t really thinking about that. Instead she was just seeing her sister happy with Merrick. She sighed a little and cuddled into Sebastian more a smile on her face as she found it amusing the daughters of Phoenix were currently enjoying the company of the sons of Pretender. After the movie was over Zoe nudged Merrick who sat up so she could move, Zoe going into the kitchen taking out two trays from the oven. Merrick sniffed the air. “Stuffed peppers…”, Merrick commented. Zoe nodded plating up two peppers per plate and set them down on the island where she had some mismatched bar stools.
“Ohh dinner.”, Gina said getting up from the floor and walking over. “So we just pick a plate?”, Sebastian asked walking up behind Gina. Merrick stretched walking over and sniffed the plates. “Depends do you like tofus or beef?”, Merrick asked sitting down at a plate he knew had tofu. “Tofu? Yuck…”, Gina said. “Which one has beef?”, she asked. Zoe and Merrick both pointed to the two plates at the end of the counter. “Those.”, they said. Sebastian shook his head pulling a stool out for Gina before sitting down next to her. “Speaking in unison...wow.”, Sebastian chuckled. “We are best friends. I do that with Malcolm sometimes too. Now shut up and eat.”, Merrick said. “Want a beer Merrick?”, Zoe asked opening the fridge. “Yes please.”, Merrick said finishing a bite. Zoe smiled and set a heineken down for him, Gina noticed a case in the fridge thinking that was odd since her sister drank wine not beer. Zoe sat down between her sister and Merrick at the counter to eat, hopeful that her sister wasn’t paying attention to the fact Merrick had placed his left hand high on her thigh rubbing.
They had small talk, mostly talking about school which Merrick’s only active interest was that his brother was passing his classes and not getting into trouble. Sebastian cleared the dirty plates and even loaded them into the dishwasher which Zoe appreciated. “Alright kiddos date night over let’s get Gina home.”, Merrick said handing out jackets. Gina hugged her sister “Thanks for letting us come over. It was fun.”, Gina smiled. “Yeah thanks Zoe.”, Sebastian added heading down the stairs with Gina. Merrick stopped before the door and kissed Zoe. “You coming back or staying in your own bed tonight?”, Zoe asked slightly breathless after the kiss. “I’ll be back.”, Merrick said with a wink. “You realize your family is going to get highly suspicious you spending multiple nights in a row away from home.”, Zoe commented. Merrick shrugged and kissed her again. “So what? See ya in a little bit.”, Merrick said heading after their siblings.
After dropping Gina off Merrick headed to the Haven with Sebastian. “So Merrick are you seeing Zoe?”, Sebastian asked as they were driving. Merrick laughed a little shaking his head. “I’m not dating Zoe.”, Merrick assured. “Alright let me rephrase, are you sleeping with Zoe?”, he asked. “Define sleeping. Look I’ll be straight with you Bastian. I sleep over , well a lot. We share the same bed but we don’t have sex. And since I’m being honest with you little brother, we do fool around and do anything that’s not actually sex.”, Merrick explained. Sebastian furrowed his brow. “So you hang out, you enjoy her company, you laugh and smile with her, you obviously are attracted to her, so I’m confused why aren’t you dating her? I mean she’s neutral not Haven neutral but still neutral with her dad’s protection in the deal he made with Azazel when he retired plus the fact Damon told Talia who told the others that if any of them messed with Zoe their parents would receive their heads in a box. She lives here in Bayville. She obviously doesn’t care and is rather excited about the baby. She’s a great cook. And I know Nana Hazel approves of her.”, Sebastian inquired. Merrick sighed. “I know all that. I know she’s an amazing woman, that she’s kind, and compassionate. And I know Nana Hazel loves her. It’s just well I have rules. You are dating Gina, and one rule is I don’t date or have sex with siblings of someone already involved with our family. And otherwise well it’s complicated.”, Merrick explained.
“No offense brother but that’s a dumb rule. And complicated? You mean Rose Howlett? I saw how you were on that date with Rose during the summer. It was like how you were today with Zoe, except you weren’t trying to be reserved for mine and Gina’s sakes with Rose. Does Rose even know about the baby? Heck have you even talked to her since she left?”,he questioned. Merrick smiled a little parking in the driveway. “You’re a smart kid I’ll give you that. Nana Hazel and Zoe would agree with you that the rule is stupid. And yeah Rose makes it complicated. I care a lot about Rose. I haven’t told her about the baby or even contacted her at all since she left.”, Merrick said. “Why?”, he asked confused. “I’m afraid alright.”, he admitted. Sebastian blinked. “Afraid? Of what? You’re never afraid.”, Sebastian looked at his brother confused. “Of everything. I tell her about getting Jenna pregnant I don’t know how she’ll react. She could be okay with it like Zoe has been. Or she could decide it’s a deal breaker. Then I never see her again. And I’m not really sure I’m prepared for that kind of pain.”, Merrick sighed. “Wait do you love Rose? And what happens in summer when my nephew is here and she comes back? Then she finds out in person?”, he questioned. Merrick shrugged. “I might I don’t know. Rose has her own things going on over there so I don’t think she’ll be coming back again anyways. So shouldn’t be a big deal. I don’t tell her, she doesn't come back anyways so never sees him and I don’t face the pain.”, he tried to explained.
“You mean her Excalibur team?”, he questioned. “How do you know?”, Merrick countered. “Best friends with Jimmy Howlett come on. But so you figure because she’s got her team over there she’s going to not return next summer so if she doesn’t know about the baby it won’t matter and you can feel her lack of return is because of the team and not because she doesn’t want to be with you.”, Sebastian shook his head. “So are you like using Zoe as a crutch in this? I don’t mean it in a mean way but I just want to know. Cause the way you were with her today didn’t seem that way.”, Sebastian questioned looking to his brother. “No of course I’m not. I care about Zoe. She’s my best friend I don’t want to do anything to hurt her. Which is part of why I won’t break the rule.”, he sighed. “Do you love Zoe?”, Sebastian asked. “I don’t know Bastian. I know I care a lot about her and I care a lot about Rose. But alright enough of this conversation. Go inside it’s getting late.”, Merrick said. “You aren’t coming inside?”, Sebastian asked reaching for the door handle. “Nope.”, Merrick said. Sebastian shook his head. “Tell Zoe thanks again for me.”, Bastian teased getting out of the car with a laugh.
Zoe was having a rather similar conversation with her sister Gina. Gina had gotten home and greeted her father and stepmother before going upstairs and calling her sister. Zoe picked up the phone a little confused as she was picking up pillows from their movie night. “Hi Gina what’s going on?”, she greeted. “Hey Zoe. So um what’s going on between you and Merrick?”, Gina asked getting directly to her point. Zoe coughed a little at the blunt question. “We are just friends?”, Zoe managed to say. “Rrrrriiiiiggggghhhhhttttt. Seriously what is going on? You two were so far from acting like just friends. Him having keys to your place, his head on your lap, him nipping at your stomach, and feeding each other popcorn. I mean seriously you two were toothache cute.”, Gina said. Zoe chuckled a little. “You saw all that?”, Zoe replied. “Yeah I’m not blind. So what’s going on with you two then? I’m going to wager it’s your place he’s been staying when he’s not home.”, Gina questioned. “Yes he sleeps here. And we fool around but we don’t have sex. He’s got a rule and I’m not the woman he breaks rules for.”, Zoe sighed a little. She knew Rose was the one he broke rules for. “Which rules? And I know about his rules which if he’s staying the night with you he’s breaking some already.”, she countered. “He’s got a rule about dating or having sex with someone who’s a sibling of someone dating a member of his family. So with you dating Sebastian he won’t do anything serious with me. So we fool around and right now we are happy with that.”, Zoe explained. Gina frowned. “Alright. I mean I want you to be happy. I of course will not be telling daddy or Alexander that you and Merrick are even a tiny level beyond friends. They like to just focus on the negatives about Merrick. But I know there's good about him.”, Gina sighed.
“There is a lot of good about Merrick. I mean I don’t think I need to list them, but he’s amazing at well everything I’ve seen him try. “, Zoe smirked a little. “I don’t even want to know I’m sure. But he’s Sebastian’s big brother and has had a line of women wanting to be with him so I’ll assume he’s a good kisser and beyond.”, Gina giggled. “Oh very much. Honestly didn’t think that the things he does could be that good.”, she laughed a little. Gina giggled shaking her head. “Well I hope maybe he will break that rule. You two were very cute together today. And I know he’s a sweet guy. He’s always been super nice to me. Alexander likes to remember how Merrick was when they were teenagers where they didn’t see eye to eye literally and figuratively. But I will always remember being like seven and I had a nightmare and couldn’t go to back to sleep because I was afraid there was monsters. Dad was out on a mission otherwise he’d have sang to me so I would fall asleep. Merrick being one of the eldest was in charge of helping with us younger kids. I shared a room with his cousin Sophia so she went and got him. I remember him coming in and he ever so gently scooped me up and cuddled me to his chest and rocking lightly sitting on my bed just purring till I fell asleep in his arms.”, Gina said thinking back to that night so long ago. Zoe smiled listening to the story. “Aww. God so he was always a sweetheart. I miss his purring when he actually sleeps at home. Harder to fall asleep without the comforting rhythm. He’s going to make such a great dad.”, Zoe sighed. “Indeed he will. He was always good with us younger kids.”, Gina agreed. Zoe heard someone in the stairs. “Gina I gotta let you go.”, Zoe said. “He there?”, Gina teased. “I think so.”, Zoe answered rolling her eyes. “Yeah well have fun sis. Night.”, Gina said hanging up.
Merrick walked into the apartment and raised an eyebrow seeing Zoe putting her phone down. “Gina called.”, Zoe explained. Merrick nodded. “Ah. You have about the same conversation with her I had with Sebastian?”, Merrick asked hanging up his jacket. “Maybe. What was your conversation with your brother?”, she asked leaning against the island counter. “Oh asking what is going on between us. If we are dating or at least sleeping together. Then of course telling me my rule about not dating or having sex with you is stupid.”, he answered placing his hands on her waist. Zoe smirked a little. “Had the same conversation with my sister. And she agrees your rule is stupid.”, she said. Merrick shrugged. “Yeah well maybe it is. But for right now I’m sticking to it.”, he said picking her up setting her on the counter. Zoe rolled her eyes and put her legs around his waist and then her arms around his neck bring him closer. “It’s a stupid rule Merrick, but I won’t argue with you about it. Right now I like what is going on between us. If you decide it ends or goes further, then I’ll be okay with that too. Because either way I still have you as my friend.”, she assured. Merrick smiled a little. “Right you’ll always have me as a friend.”, he agreed before being done with words and kissed her having gone a better part of a day without getting to kiss her because of their siblings.
After the new year Merrick had completed the nursery furniture and Zoe along with her mother had finished the mural. Merrick had moved everything into the room and positioned it within the configuration he liked. Zoe leaned in the doorway to the nursery looking around. She was rather proud of the art work that she and her mother had done from the panoramic photo Merrick had given them. “This nursery furniture is amazing Merrick. Looks right at home with the mural mom and I painted.", she said walking in and sitting down in the rocking chair. It was rather comfortable with its plush cushions. Merrick looked over putting the mattress into the crib. "You look good in that chair.", he teased walking over placing his hands on the arms of the chair to stop her from rocking. "Should I take that as a compliment?", she asked with raised brow. Merrick chuckled and leaned closer giving her a kiss. "Take it however you want. Now get out of my chair. Didn't you say something about going to some baby stores to make me get a registry together for this baby shower you plan to throw.", Merrick smirked leaning back. Zoe rolled her eyes but smiled. He didn't generally, even privately show her affection other than a hug while at the Haven. "Right baby registry. Should you coordinate with Jenna?", Zoe asked standing up. "Nope. Jenna's friends are doing a baby shower for her and she'll get stuff to have at her house and I'll have stuff for here. So let's go then.", he said heading down the stairs to leave. Zoe rolled her eyes but said nothing following him.
They found their way to the store setting Merrick up with a registry and started walking around the store with the gun marking things. They joked around a little Zoe picked up a little sleeper that was light blue with paw prints and held it up to his chest. "Aww this would look so cute in you.", she teased. Merrick smirked. "Trying to get a visual of what my son is going to look like?", Merrick joked. "Maybe. But with you for his daddy father's should lock up their daughters when he's older.", she said putting the outfit back. "Come on bedding next.", she said taking his hand and heading in the direction of the bedding. Merrick being him looked more at the neutral colors. Zoe sighed shaking her head. “No Merrick, you can’t just go neutrals on the bedding. Your furniture is exquisite but it’s also neutral as you didn’t stain the birch. And then other than the mural is mostly muted tones minus the reds, purples, and blues of the twilight from your picture. He needs some color.”, Zoe said picking up a set that had some bright colors. “Really? That bedding? You want me to put my pup to sleep with that to cover him?”, Merrick sighed shaking his head. “It would look better with the colors of the mural and stand out against the wood.”, Zoe defended. Merrick rolled his eyes. “What’s wrong with this set? It’s got the earth tones and muted colors”, he said holding up a bag of bedding.
Neither knew that in the same store Jenna and her best friend Michelle were making a baby registry for Jenna. “Oh Jenna this mobile it just perfect for your nautical theme. It’s got the red, white and blues that you wanted and would look great with the stripes that your dad painted the nursery.”, Michelle gushed picking up a mobile that had sailboats and a lighthouse. Jenna however wasn’t paying much attention as her head had turned hearing Merrick’s voice. “Merrick…”, Jenna questioned walking in the direction she’d heard his voice. Michelle put the mobile down and followed along. “Because you are going to make everything muted.”, Zoe sighed. She held up another set of brighter greens and some blues. “This would add some brightness to the room and don’t dare say these aren’t colors of nature. The shades of blue in this appear in the mural as doe shades of green in the leaves. It’ll match the highlights in the trees.”, she explained. Merrick grumbled. “I’m not going to win this am I?”, he sighed looking at to her beddings. “What about this one?”, he asked picking up a soft blue , cream and brown where the the pattern looked like trees. “It has color.”, he pointed to the blue. At this point Jenna had enough watching Merrick and Zoe going back and forth talking about baby bedding as if it was their child’s nursery it was going in and not hers. So Jenna walked over and placed her hands on her hips, she was six months along and just really starting to show as the baby was getting bigger and stretching out her stomach more. “What the hell is going on?”, Jenna demanded. She was still not okay with the fact Merrick had refused to even try dating her. And now here he was shopping for baby stuff, for their baby, with another woman.
“Ugh too much cream and brown. Why does everything you grab have so much brown?”, she shook her head before looking at Jenna who seemed a bit red in the face and Michelle not far behind her. “Hi Jenna.”, she greeted with a polite smile. “How about because brown is my favorite color.”, Merrick said sticking his tongue out at Zoe. His shoulders sank a little when he heard Jenna’s voice. He turned and looked at her, as he looked at her he could still see why he’d slept with her over the years though pregnancy was having it’s effects slightly altering the contours of her body in different ways. She was still pretty but knowing that she’d done this on purpose that she’d tried to use this child to trap him into a relationship he didn’t want outraged him, that she would bring a life into this world for that purpose alone was deplorable. And because of that any attraction he’d once held for her was destroyed. “What does it look like? We are trying to piece together a baby registry and discovered that bedding we can’t agree on. And mind your language, Faelan can hear you.”, he answered. Jenna narrowed his eyes. “Joseph…”, she corrected. “And don’t tell me to mind my language. I find you here with this whore making a baby registry for OUR baby. You should be making a registry with me.”, Jenna said outraged her face getting flushed with anger. “Excuse me? I don’t take kindly to being called names like that especially when they aren’t deserved. And settle down we are just talking about the nursery at his house.”, she said trying to calm the situation. “I’m in charge of throwing a baby shower, which I understand Michelle is throwing one for you. It’s what best friends do. My mother and I painted the mural in the nursery. So I have the better eye for color.”, Zoe explained.
Merrick rolled his eyes putting the bedding back. He took a deep breath not really wanting to angry. “Again watch your language and what you call my friend.”, Merrick warned before looking to her bump. “Don’t worry Falena, daddy won’t let you end up being a Joey I promise little wolf.”, he said speaking sweetly as he addressed his son. Jenna tried to hide a smile, she liked it when he talked to her belly even if she didn’t like what he was saying. “Mural? You didn’t say you were doing a mural. We never agreed on a theme.”, Jenna said. “No we never agreed because it doesn’t matter. He’ll have a nursery at my house and one at yours we don’t need the same theme. Zoe and her mother were nice enough to paint a mural of a forest for me. Since as I’ve told you the theme at my place is the forest and wolves. I didn’t need your approval since it’s at my house.”, Merrick explained. “And calmer scenes and colors have been known to help babies.”, Zoe said. “So right now I’m trying to get this idiot to understand brown doesn’t need to be everywhere.”, she added nudging Merrick. Merrick grumbled. “I like brown. Which of us is going to be the one having to sit in that nursery and rock him or pace around with him when he’s fussing at 2am? But given we aren’t going to agree I have a compromise. We each find fabric we like and get mom to make the bedding. That way one side can be the fabric your artistic eye things is better and the other one I like better.”, he offered up a compromise. Jenna rubbed her bump still very unhappy. “What else have you two been picking out for our son?”, she asked.
Michelle sighed resting an arm on Jenna wanting to calm her down. “Kim will agree with me. Maybe we can ask Nana Hazel.”, Zoe said sticking out her tongue at him. “And fine. we each pick fabric and have something custom for your son.”, she chuckled then looked at Jenna. “Oh I haven’t been doing anything he hasn’t asked, well besides colors.”, Zoe said trying to let underlining meaning slip out with her words. “No we aren’t bringing Nana into this. I may be her favorite great grandchild but we both know she will take your side. Mom might side with me, let’s get dad’s opinion so I’m not outnumbered by female opinions.”, he said shaking his head. “Kim? You call his mother by her first name? And who is Nana Hazel?”, Jenna asked not liking one bit how familiar Zoe was with Merrick’s relations. “We haven’t picked much. Some bottles and bath stuff so far. And Nana Hazel is my great grandmother, which unless she tells you otherwise you address her as Misses Frost.”, Merrick answered. “Yeah just very basic things. Trying to make sure they are unique in shape so Aislinn doesn’t get confused when she grabs them.”, Zoe added. “Who’s Aislinn? Why does she know more about people than I do?”, Jenna asked putting her hands on her hips. “Aislinn would be my blind cousin that lives at the house with the rest of my family. And oh maybe because Zoe is my best friend thus she knows everything there is to know about me.”, Merrick shrugged. There really wasn’t much he hadn’t disclosed to Zoe. About the only thing he hadn’t gone into was his biological father and how he was related to Demitri.
“I had to stay at the Haven when I first came to America. So I’m familiar with the residents of the Haven.”, she said. “Exactly. She’s already acquainted with my family. Kind of helps that her kid sister and my kid brother are dating too.”, Merrick smiled. “You don’t have platonic relationships with women not related to. I know that much.”, Jenna glared a little. Merrick could hear the tiny heart beat of his son and faintly see his movements as Jenna was getting more angry it was having an upsetting effect on the baby. Without a word Merrick placed his hand over the bump feeling Faelan kicking. “It’s alright Faelan. You just chill out pup.”, Merrick said sweetly like he did every time he’d addressed his child. Jenna blinked. “What...are you?”, she stammered. “You need to calm yourself Jenna. You are upsetting Faelan.”, Merrick said looking at Jenna. Zoe smiled softly at Jenna. “Hey, relax Jenna. Merrick is my friend. We don’t mess around with people relations to those our siblings are dating. Kinda of creepy.”, Zoe said trying to give assurance. Though it was only a partial truth. They did mess around just not to the extent that she’d like or Jenna thought. Jenna took a couple deep breaths. Michelle sighed. “Come on Jenna. We told your parents we’d meet them at the baby gap to look at baby clothes.”, Michelle offered as an escape for the situation. Jenna nodded a little and without a word stepped away from Merrick’s touch and walked away with Michelle.
“Baby gap? God my poor son…”, Merrick sighed shaking his head. Zoe chuckled and patted his back. “It’ll be okay.”, she assured. “This poor child. She’s going to dress him preppy.”, he groaned. “Maybe he’ll like preppy.”, she shrugged. Merrick’s eyes went slightly wide like a cat’s the pupils becoming like saucers. “Don’t say such things.”, he said appalled. “Face it Merrick, he might be the double popped collar dude-bro.”, she teased. “I refuse. That’s just...god. Not if I can help it.”, he said shaking his head. “Maybe all about sports and crushing beer cans on his forehead? Oooooh or maybe the yuppie style pressed polo with white pants and constantly clean.”, she joked finding his reactions amusing. “Sports that’s one thing, but I dunno about the beer can crushing. No to the yuppie too. Ugh. I mean I wear polos but they aren’t pressed and I don’t own a pair of white pants. I get too dirty for white clothes.”, Merrick sighed shaking his head. “Cardigan sweat around his shoulders..”, Zoe added. “Ugggh. You’re killing me Zoe.”, he groaned. Zoe laughed and patted his back. “This poor kid is going to have a double life. I have no idea what’s she’s setting up for him at her house.”, he sighed.
“She’ll relax.”, she assured. “No she won’t.”, he said shaking his head. “First time he shifts in front of her it’s going to be zero to total freak out in about a millisecond.”, he explained. “You still haven’t told her?”, Zoe questioned hitting his arm. “I know...I know. I need to tell her about him and about me.”, he sighed. “I don’t get how she has gone this long not knowing you’re a mutant. I mean seriously you growl, bite and claw in the bedroom and after you purr. How can she know realize it?”, Zoe shook her head a little. “Because I never did that with her. There are only four women I’ve been with that know I’m a mutant. And because they’ve known I’ve not held back on the growling, biting and clawing. And only three have heard me purr because that only happens after when cuddling. And I don’t generally cuddle after.”, he explained. “Well as flattered as I am to be in such a short list. Jenna isn’t just any woman now. She’s the mother of your son and needs to know.”, Zoe argued. “I’m aware of that. She’s also the woman who decided to tamper with a condom in an effort to force me into a relationship by leveraging the child. But I know she needs to be told before she just finds out. However getting Jenna upset has effects on Faelan. She was only mildly angry just now and I could hear his heart rate going through the roof. I drop that bit of information on her I don’t know what will happen.”, he sighed.
“I just hope this doesn’t backfire on you.”, she sighed. “And it's not like we talk a lot. I’ve tried to tell her a couple times at appointments so Kisa could act as buffer. But Jenna gets into her tangents and I don’t say anything because I’m just busy trying to remind myself I don’t hit women.”, he explained. “Just...be careful.”, she sighed. “I know. And part of my issue is I know she’s pro mutant registration, She thinks mutants need to be regulated.”, he added. “I can see in the case where powers endangered others like I don’t know constantly seeping radiation and it truly can’t be controlled. But registration...really?”, Zoe shook her head. “Yeah. The hospital rules are to report any signs of mutation. Granted it’s rare at birth for mutation to be noticeable but it happens. That’s why I wanted the Hamilton clinic because they do everything in house. So I just..how do you tell someone that they are having a mutant baby with a mutant knowing what they feel about mutants?”, Merrick asked. She was quiet for a bit before talking. “Because she's afraid.”, she said softly. “I get the idea behind the registration. I just think it’s wrong but I understand why people think it’s needed.”, she said. “The way I see it if people can’t be discriminated against for ethnicity, religion, gender and sexuality being a mutant should be under that umbrella of protection. After all it’s not something you can choose to be or not be. I get we scare humans but humans can be just as scary.”, he shrugged.
“Humans generally can’t set other people on fire.”, she said. “Well without, you know, more fire.”, she added with a light laugh. “I know. Kind of like they can’t go all medusa on someone or put someone into a snow globe.”, he smiled a little. “I get why they’re scared. Anything humans are capable of, we are too and more.”, she said. “Yeah. I just worry how she's going to react. If she’ll reject him for being a mutant. There are parents out there they have done it. I mean I don’t like Jenna, heck I can barely look at her with what she’s done. But I don’t want him to not have his mom. If she rejects him it’ll just be me he gets.”, Merrick frowned. “Oh like that’s so terrible.”, she teased. “Listen, coming from someone who was raised by a single parent. You just as a little kid, you’re confused where that second parent is. But then you grow up and realize it’s okay. That you never needed that second person.”, she assured with a smile. “I guess. He no matter what has my family to love him.” , Merrick shrugged. “And I’m not exactly mom material, but I’ll be a kickass aunt.”, Zoe smiled. Merrick chuckled. “Well if you ask Nana Hazel she’ll say you are.”, Merrick said. “Thanks.”, she smiled a bit. He wasn’t sure why, but knowing that Jenna and Michelle were long gone he felt safe, he leaned in giving her a quick kiss. “And I think whenever you become a mom you’ll do good in that role.”, he said with a smile. Zoe sighed softly and smiled. More PDA from him, she just had to keep reminding herself they weren’t dating and never would because of his rule and she knew he was in love with Rose.
June was a month she dreaded, it was the month that Rose usually came to the states. And soon if Rose did return and proved to be the type of woman Zoe was thinking, it would mean losing Merrick. Well not fully losing him just reverting back to their friendzone which Zoe kept telling herself she was okay with. She wondered what would happen if she told him before June how she felt, if it would change anything or just make this more complicated for him when Rose returned. Zoe didn’t want to make Merrick’s life complicated, so she stayed quiet about her feelings. Merrick raised an eyebrow at Zoe who looked a bit lost in thought. “Come on hellraiser let’s get some more stuff on this registry for Faelan and pick out some fabric for mom to make into his bedding.”, Merrick said picking up the little scanner gun they were given with a smile. Zoe nodded laughing a little. “Yeah come on, get this registry together so when I send out invitations to the baby shower people know what you need and want for him.”, she agreed looping her arm with his as they moved around the store adding various baby related items to the registry.

Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

Finishing up the furniture item to be shipped didn’t really take up too much time and Merrick ended up getting to the clinic early for the ultrasound appointment. “You excited to find out the gender today?”, Kisa asked taking a seat in the waiting room next to Merrick.“Yes and no Doctor Kearney.”, Merrick sighed looking at her. “I want to know of course if it’s going to be a son or daughter. Will make baby clothes and such a lot easier for sure. But I’m just worried with this ultrasound she’s going to be paying more attention than last…”, Merrick frowned. Kisa nodded knowing what he was worried about. The first ultrasound she’d done for them the baby had shapeshifted during the procedure but thankfully hadn’t been noticed by the mother. “If it happens we will deal with it, but you will eventually need to tell this girl that not only are you a mutant but so is this baby.”, Kisa said patting his knee before standing up seeing Jenna walking in with her parents. “Oh didn’t realize we were going to have a crowd for this. But the more the merrier. Are we ready to see if we have a baby...what did you decide on names?”, Kisa asked. “Falean or Willow.”, Merrick said. “Joseph or Mary.”, Jenna said at the same time. Kisa smiled. “Ah the baby name arguments. It’s normal. I think the only reason my husband and I didn’t have to argue about naming our twin boys was we each had a twin brother who died and we wanted to name a child after them.”, Kisa smiled sweetly escorting the group to the room and got Jenna setup for the ultrasound. Merrick and Kisa both watched the monitor carefully both praying that the baby worked with them and stayed in it’s human form for this not wanting to freak out three humans. And to both their relief the baby did. “And there we go. Congratulations looks like you will have a son.”, Kisa said pointing out the little penis on the screen before printing out some of the pictures for them.
Merrick smiled looking at the screen glad his first born was going to be a boy. He’d probably have to invest in a chastity belt if he had a daughter. “My Faelan...my boy.”, Merrick smiled. “Joseph.”, Jenna protested. Merrick rolled his eyes taking his copies of the pictures from Kisa putting them neatly into his jacket pocket. “We’ll see what happens when the birth certificate gets filled out. I gotta go so I’m not late.”, Merrick said checking his phone. Jenna quickly grabbed his arm. “Where do you need to go so fast? We should maybe go somewhere, talk discuss our son’s name a little more.”, Jenna offered running a hand up and down his arm while her parents were talking to Kisa. Merrick narrowed his eyes and pulled his arm back. “No thank you. I’m supposed to be up my little brother. I promised I would spend some time with him today. And till you can bring something better than Joseph to the table to name our son we have nothing to discuss. I stand firm on Faelan Christian. Have a good day Jenna.”, Merrick said stopping before he left and stooped down by her protruding womb placing a hand on it lightly and smiling feeling the baby kick. “Hey Faelan, you got a strong kick pup. I love you and I can’t wait to meet you in person sweet boy.”, Merrick said softly. It was the closest he’d gotten to Jenna since well she told him she was pregnant. It was a feeling she was reluctant to let end and placed her hand over his. However Merrick pulled his hand away. “Bye.”, he said curtly leaving and heading to the Haven pictures ready to show.
“EVERYONE!?”, Merrick called walking into the Haven. Sebastian came running down the stairs pulling his jacket on ready to leave. The other members of the Haven ventured out from their various locations in the house to see what Merrick was yelling about. Kim walked out from the kitchen carrying a pan of brownies. “What’s going on? Did my grandbaby do good and let you find out if it’s a boy or girl?”, Kim asked. Merrick raised an eyebrow at the brownies but shook his head taking the pictures out. “I present Faelan Christian Bryant-Frost, I don’t care what Jenna says I’m not naming my son Joseph.”, Merrick said holding the picture up proudly. “That’s fantastic! So now we can shop for baby boy clothes.”, Solangel smiled. “That’s wonderful Merrick. A grandson. Just wait till Hazel is told she’s going to have a great great grandson.”, Kim said handing the brownies to Sebastian to hug Merrick and take one of the pictures to look at. “Thanks everyone. Um what’s with the brownies mom?”, Merrick asked sniffing them. “Those are for Sebastian to take to Zoe’s. A thank you for playing along with dad’s chaperone rule. They are my..”, Kim started to explain. “Peanut butter espresso brownies. Mmmmm…”, Merrick sniffed reaching for the pan. Kim slapped his hand. “No Merrick. Now get your brother to his date. I’m sure you have work to do at the shop.”, Kim said. Merrick sighed. “I got my work done at the shop this morning. I was actually going to hang out with Zoe while she chaperoned our siblings.”, Merrick shrugged. “Wait you are sticking around?”, Sebastian asked. “Yeah, Zoe’s my best friend. And want to tell her I’m having a boy. Plus seriously think I’m passing up her cooking and mom’s brownies? Come on Bastian let’s go pick up your Petridis.”, Merrick teased putting an arm around his little brother and leaving.
Once Gina was picked up Merrick drove to Zoe’s. “I’ll call and let Zoe know we are downstai…”, Gina started to say getting her phone out but stopped talking as she watched Merrick get out keys and just unlock the downstairs door. “You have keys?”, Gina asked as her and Sebastian followed him into the building. “Um. Yeah. Remember I build furniture and your sister has some of my pieces it’s easier to deliver stuff if I have the key and don’t need to depend on her crazy schedule.”, Merrick explained which wasn’t exactly a lie. He got up to the apartment and knocked Zoe leaning out of the kitchen and opening the door with a smile. “Hey guys. So dad said I’m supposed to chaperone you. I’m not exactly sure what that entails. So basic rule you don’t leave the living room together and hands stay outside of clothes. Am I forgetting anything?”, Zoe asked. Merrick laughed and took off his jacket taking the picture out putting it on the counter before giving Zoe a hug and kissed her cheek, trying to curb his normal behavior due to their siblings. “Those rules for all of us or just them?”, he asked in a whisper. Zoe laughed shaking her head. “Thanks for letting us come over here sis.”, Gina said stepping inside taking off her jacket and boots. “And don’t worry Zoe we’ll behave. It’s your dad’s belief that we require supervision. And as a thanks for being willing to chaperone my mom made you brownies.”, Sebastian said setting down the pan on her counter. Zoe smiled. “I don’t mind hanging out with my little sister and her boyfriend. And thank your mom for me. They smell tasty.”, Zoe said sniffing the pan before noticing the picture and picking it up. “Awww so Faelan Christian it would appear.”, Zoe gushed seeing where it said ‘It’s a Boy’ on the print out. “Father’s hide their daughters a new male Bryant-Frost is due to arrive in April.”, Zoe joked.
Sebastian and Gina had already headed for the living room area. Merrick just smiled. “Yeah looks that way. And those are mom’s peanut butter espresso brownies and they taste even better than they smell.”, Merrick said before stepping behind her. “Like a certain woman I know.”, he teased nibbling at her neck while their siblings were distracted. Zoe sighed shaking her head. “Stop teasing me our siblings are here.”, Zoe whispered. Merrick kissed her earlobe then smiled looking at their siblings who weren’t really giving them much attention as they were looking at the media center to see if there was anything they would rather watch than what Gina had brought. “They aren’t paying attention to us..”, Merrick whispered grabbing her ass before walking away. Zoe gasped a little and laughed shaking her head. “So Gina what movie did you bring?”, Merrick asked smirking a little having heard Zoe’s gasp. “Well I couldn’t decide, so I brought four of my favorites. An Affair to Remember, Casablanca, It Happened One Night, and Some Like It Hot. What do you all think?”, Gina said pulling the movies out of her bag. “That I am going to be owed so much for this…”, Merrick muttered. Zoe walked past Merrick shaking her head having heard him and pinched him on the butt. “I always liked Some Like It Hot and It Happened One Night.”, Zoe said carrying a bowl of popcorn she’d made for the movie watching. “Merrick grab the drinks please.”, Zoe requested setting the bowl on the coffee table that Merrick had made her. “Alright so Some Like it Hot or It Happened One Night?”, Gina asked holding the cases up to Sebastian. Sebastian furrowed his brow and looked to Merrick who was grabbing the drinks.
Merrick shrugged sitting down on the couch. “Um Some Like It Hot? I don’t think I’ve watched that one before.”, Sebastian said looking to figure out where he was going to sit. Zoe sat down at one end of the couch and leaned grabbing one of the soda’s sitting back to find one of the throw pillows on her lap and she raised an eyebrow and then Merrick was resting his head on the pillow partially stretching out having to still kind of sit indian style since the couch wasn’t long enough to fit him. Sebastian and Gina both blinked looking at their older siblings. “Er?”, Sebastian questioned. “What? Here”, Merrick tossed one of the other pillows at Sebastian. “Sit your ass on the floor and be recliner for your girlfriend.”, Merrick instructed. “Oh like her sister’s being pillow for you?”, Sebastian teased taking the pillow and sitting on the floor with the pillow between the wall and his back. Merrick smirked. “Something like that…”, Merrick said taking his phone out of his pocket and setting it on the coffee table before grabbing some popcorn. “Good popcorn hellraiser.”, Merrick commented “Thank you lupo cattivo.”, Zoe said trying to lean over him to get some popcorn. Gina glanced over as she was putting the dvd in to see Merrick nip at her sister’s stomach and quickly looked back to the dvd player. Zoe hit Merrick in the head as she leaned back for nipping at her.
Merrick grabbed the bowl and set it on his chest so that Zoe wouldn’t have to reach over him, though he didn’t exactly mind her chest in his face. Gina chose to not say anything and just sat on the floor grabbing two sodas for her and Sebastian before leaning into Sebastian and hitting play on the movie. Gina enjoying not just the movie and the popcorn her sister made but also getting to have Sebastian holding her and his hands lightly rubbing her arms. Merrick brought his right arm up and tucked his hand under the pillow to rest on Zoe’s thigh. He smirked a little as his thumb rubbed at the inside of her thigh and she twitched slightly shaking her head looking down at him as he looked back up at her. Gina noticed them looking at each other and took a quick advantage and used Merrick’s phone to take a photo. Gina wasn’t fully sure what was going on between her older sister and Merrick but she had a good guess. And that guess, if right, wasn’t something she’d be telling their father or brother. She knew how they felt about Merrick. They only liked to see the bad when it came to Merrick, they focused on his negatives. But he had a lot of positives. Gina could remember when Merrick still lived at the Haven and helped take care of the younger kids with his mother.
And Sebastian simply adored his brother and idolized him, well the difference being Sebastian didn’t see a need to be with a number of girls. When Gina brought that up once Sebastian said it wasn’t that Merrick couldn’t be with one woman and be happy it was he hadn’t found one woman that could make him truly happy and smile for real where Sebastian said he hadn’t need to look far to find the one girl who made him happy. But as Gina glanced over at her sister with Merrick, neither thinking they were being observed she saw them smiling, being playful, even feeding each other popcorn. She had seen Merrick like this during the summer with Rose. She didn’t know what all was going on or not going on between Merrick and Rose, heck for all she knew he’d told Rose about getting Jenna pregnant and she’d called whatever was going on quits. But right now Gina wasn’t really thinking about that. Instead she was just seeing her sister happy with Merrick. She sighed a little and cuddled into Sebastian more a smile on her face as she found it amusing the daughters of Phoenix were currently enjoying the company of the sons of Pretender. After the movie was over Zoe nudged Merrick who sat up so she could move, Zoe going into the kitchen taking out two trays from the oven. Merrick sniffed the air. “Stuffed peppers…”, Merrick commented. Zoe nodded plating up two peppers per plate and set them down on the island where she had some mismatched bar stools.
“Ohh dinner.”, Gina said getting up from the floor and walking over. “So we just pick a plate?”, Sebastian asked walking up behind Gina. Merrick stretched walking over and sniffed the plates. “Depends do you like tofus or beef?”, Merrick asked sitting down at a plate he knew had tofu. “Tofu? Yuck…”, Gina said. “Which one has beef?”, she asked. Zoe and Merrick both pointed to the two plates at the end of the counter. “Those.”, they said. Sebastian shook his head pulling a stool out for Gina before sitting down next to her. “Speaking in unison...wow.”, Sebastian chuckled. “We are best friends. I do that with Malcolm sometimes too. Now shut up and eat.”, Merrick said. “Want a beer Merrick?”, Zoe asked opening the fridge. “Yes please.”, Merrick said finishing a bite. Zoe smiled and set a heineken down for him, Gina noticed a case in the fridge thinking that was odd since her sister drank wine not beer. Zoe sat down between her sister and Merrick at the counter to eat, hopeful that her sister wasn’t paying attention to the fact Merrick had placed his left hand high on her thigh rubbing.
They had small talk, mostly talking about school which Merrick’s only active interest was that his brother was passing his classes and not getting into trouble. Sebastian cleared the dirty plates and even loaded them into the dishwasher which Zoe appreciated. “Alright kiddos date night over let’s get Gina home.”, Merrick said handing out jackets. Gina hugged her sister “Thanks for letting us come over. It was fun.”, Gina smiled. “Yeah thanks Zoe.”, Sebastian added heading down the stairs with Gina. Merrick stopped before the door and kissed Zoe. “You coming back or staying in your own bed tonight?”, Zoe asked slightly breathless after the kiss. “I’ll be back.”, Merrick said with a wink. “You realize your family is going to get highly suspicious you spending multiple nights in a row away from home.”, Zoe commented. Merrick shrugged and kissed her again. “So what? See ya in a little bit.”, Merrick said heading after their siblings.
After dropping Gina off Merrick headed to the Haven with Sebastian. “So Merrick are you seeing Zoe?”, Sebastian asked as they were driving. Merrick laughed a little shaking his head. “I’m not dating Zoe.”, Merrick assured. “Alright let me rephrase, are you sleeping with Zoe?”, he asked. “Define sleeping. Look I’ll be straight with you Bastian. I sleep over , well a lot. We share the same bed but we don’t have sex. And since I’m being honest with you little brother, we do fool around and do anything that’s not actually sex.”, Merrick explained. Sebastian furrowed his brow. “So you hang out, you enjoy her company, you laugh and smile with her, you obviously are attracted to her, so I’m confused why aren’t you dating her? I mean she’s neutral not Haven neutral but still neutral with her dad’s protection in the deal he made with Azazel when he retired plus the fact Damon told Talia who told the others that if any of them messed with Zoe their parents would receive their heads in a box. She lives here in Bayville. She obviously doesn’t care and is rather excited about the baby. She’s a great cook. And I know Nana Hazel approves of her.”, Sebastian inquired. Merrick sighed. “I know all that. I know she’s an amazing woman, that she’s kind, and compassionate. And I know Nana Hazel loves her. It’s just well I have rules. You are dating Gina, and one rule is I don’t date or have sex with siblings of someone already involved with our family. And otherwise well it’s complicated.”, Merrick explained.
“No offense brother but that’s a dumb rule. And complicated? You mean Rose Howlett? I saw how you were on that date with Rose during the summer. It was like how you were today with Zoe, except you weren’t trying to be reserved for mine and Gina’s sakes with Rose. Does Rose even know about the baby? Heck have you even talked to her since she left?”,he questioned. Merrick smiled a little parking in the driveway. “You’re a smart kid I’ll give you that. Nana Hazel and Zoe would agree with you that the rule is stupid. And yeah Rose makes it complicated. I care a lot about Rose. I haven’t told her about the baby or even contacted her at all since she left.”, Merrick said. “Why?”, he asked confused. “I’m afraid alright.”, he admitted. Sebastian blinked. “Afraid? Of what? You’re never afraid.”, Sebastian looked at his brother confused. “Of everything. I tell her about getting Jenna pregnant I don’t know how she’ll react. She could be okay with it like Zoe has been. Or she could decide it’s a deal breaker. Then I never see her again. And I’m not really sure I’m prepared for that kind of pain.”, Merrick sighed. “Wait do you love Rose? And what happens in summer when my nephew is here and she comes back? Then she finds out in person?”, he questioned. Merrick shrugged. “I might I don’t know. Rose has her own things going on over there so I don’t think she’ll be coming back again anyways. So shouldn’t be a big deal. I don’t tell her, she doesn't come back anyways so never sees him and I don’t face the pain.”, he tried to explained.
“You mean her Excalibur team?”, he questioned. “How do you know?”, Merrick countered. “Best friends with Jimmy Howlett come on. But so you figure because she’s got her team over there she’s going to not return next summer so if she doesn’t know about the baby it won’t matter and you can feel her lack of return is because of the team and not because she doesn’t want to be with you.”, Sebastian shook his head. “So are you like using Zoe as a crutch in this? I don’t mean it in a mean way but I just want to know. Cause the way you were with her today didn’t seem that way.”, Sebastian questioned looking to his brother. “No of course I’m not. I care about Zoe. She’s my best friend I don’t want to do anything to hurt her. Which is part of why I won’t break the rule.”, he sighed. “Do you love Zoe?”, Sebastian asked. “I don’t know Bastian. I know I care a lot about her and I care a lot about Rose. But alright enough of this conversation. Go inside it’s getting late.”, Merrick said. “You aren’t coming inside?”, Sebastian asked reaching for the door handle. “Nope.”, Merrick said. Sebastian shook his head. “Tell Zoe thanks again for me.”, Bastian teased getting out of the car with a laugh.
Zoe was having a rather similar conversation with her sister Gina. Gina had gotten home and greeted her father and stepmother before going upstairs and calling her sister. Zoe picked up the phone a little confused as she was picking up pillows from their movie night. “Hi Gina what’s going on?”, she greeted. “Hey Zoe. So um what’s going on between you and Merrick?”, Gina asked getting directly to her point. Zoe coughed a little at the blunt question. “We are just friends?”, Zoe managed to say. “Rrrrriiiiiggggghhhhhttttt. Seriously what is going on? You two were so far from acting like just friends. Him having keys to your place, his head on your lap, him nipping at your stomach, and feeding each other popcorn. I mean seriously you two were toothache cute.”, Gina said. Zoe chuckled a little. “You saw all that?”, Zoe replied. “Yeah I’m not blind. So what’s going on with you two then? I’m going to wager it’s your place he’s been staying when he’s not home.”, Gina questioned. “Yes he sleeps here. And we fool around but we don’t have sex. He’s got a rule and I’m not the woman he breaks rules for.”, Zoe sighed a little. She knew Rose was the one he broke rules for. “Which rules? And I know about his rules which if he’s staying the night with you he’s breaking some already.”, she countered. “He’s got a rule about dating or having sex with someone who’s a sibling of someone dating a member of his family. So with you dating Sebastian he won’t do anything serious with me. So we fool around and right now we are happy with that.”, Zoe explained. Gina frowned. “Alright. I mean I want you to be happy. I of course will not be telling daddy or Alexander that you and Merrick are even a tiny level beyond friends. They like to just focus on the negatives about Merrick. But I know there's good about him.”, Gina sighed.
“There is a lot of good about Merrick. I mean I don’t think I need to list them, but he’s amazing at well everything I’ve seen him try. “, Zoe smirked a little. “I don’t even want to know I’m sure. But he’s Sebastian’s big brother and has had a line of women wanting to be with him so I’ll assume he’s a good kisser and beyond.”, Gina giggled. “Oh very much. Honestly didn’t think that the things he does could be that good.”, she laughed a little. Gina giggled shaking her head. “Well I hope maybe he will break that rule. You two were very cute together today. And I know he’s a sweet guy. He’s always been super nice to me. Alexander likes to remember how Merrick was when they were teenagers where they didn’t see eye to eye literally and figuratively. But I will always remember being like seven and I had a nightmare and couldn’t go to back to sleep because I was afraid there was monsters. Dad was out on a mission otherwise he’d have sang to me so I would fall asleep. Merrick being one of the eldest was in charge of helping with us younger kids. I shared a room with his cousin Sophia so she went and got him. I remember him coming in and he ever so gently scooped me up and cuddled me to his chest and rocking lightly sitting on my bed just purring till I fell asleep in his arms.”, Gina said thinking back to that night so long ago. Zoe smiled listening to the story. “Aww. God so he was always a sweetheart. I miss his purring when he actually sleeps at home. Harder to fall asleep without the comforting rhythm. He’s going to make such a great dad.”, Zoe sighed. “Indeed he will. He was always good with us younger kids.”, Gina agreed. Zoe heard someone in the stairs. “Gina I gotta let you go.”, Zoe said. “He there?”, Gina teased. “I think so.”, Zoe answered rolling her eyes. “Yeah well have fun sis. Night.”, Gina said hanging up.
Merrick walked into the apartment and raised an eyebrow seeing Zoe putting her phone down. “Gina called.”, Zoe explained. Merrick nodded. “Ah. You have about the same conversation with her I had with Sebastian?”, Merrick asked hanging up his jacket. “Maybe. What was your conversation with your brother?”, she asked leaning against the island counter. “Oh asking what is going on between us. If we are dating or at least sleeping together. Then of course telling me my rule about not dating or having sex with you is stupid.”, he answered placing his hands on her waist. Zoe smirked a little. “Had the same conversation with my sister. And she agrees your rule is stupid.”, she said. Merrick shrugged. “Yeah well maybe it is. But for right now I’m sticking to it.”, he said picking her up setting her on the counter. Zoe rolled her eyes and put her legs around his waist and then her arms around his neck bring him closer. “It’s a stupid rule Merrick, but I won’t argue with you about it. Right now I like what is going on between us. If you decide it ends or goes further, then I’ll be okay with that too. Because either way I still have you as my friend.”, she assured. Merrick smiled a little. “Right you’ll always have me as a friend.”, he agreed before being done with words and kissed her having gone a better part of a day without getting to kiss her because of their siblings.
After the new year Merrick had completed the nursery furniture and Zoe along with her mother had finished the mural. Merrick had moved everything into the room and positioned it within the configuration he liked. Zoe leaned in the doorway to the nursery looking around. She was rather proud of the art work that she and her mother had done from the panoramic photo Merrick had given them. “This nursery furniture is amazing Merrick. Looks right at home with the mural mom and I painted.", she said walking in and sitting down in the rocking chair. It was rather comfortable with its plush cushions. Merrick looked over putting the mattress into the crib. "You look good in that chair.", he teased walking over placing his hands on the arms of the chair to stop her from rocking. "Should I take that as a compliment?", she asked with raised brow. Merrick chuckled and leaned closer giving her a kiss. "Take it however you want. Now get out of my chair. Didn't you say something about going to some baby stores to make me get a registry together for this baby shower you plan to throw.", Merrick smirked leaning back. Zoe rolled her eyes but smiled. He didn't generally, even privately show her affection other than a hug while at the Haven. "Right baby registry. Should you coordinate with Jenna?", Zoe asked standing up. "Nope. Jenna's friends are doing a baby shower for her and she'll get stuff to have at her house and I'll have stuff for here. So let's go then.", he said heading down the stairs to leave. Zoe rolled her eyes but said nothing following him.
They found their way to the store setting Merrick up with a registry and started walking around the store with the gun marking things. They joked around a little Zoe picked up a little sleeper that was light blue with paw prints and held it up to his chest. "Aww this would look so cute in you.", she teased. Merrick smirked. "Trying to get a visual of what my son is going to look like?", Merrick joked. "Maybe. But with you for his daddy father's should lock up their daughters when he's older.", she said putting the outfit back. "Come on bedding next.", she said taking his hand and heading in the direction of the bedding. Merrick being him looked more at the neutral colors. Zoe sighed shaking her head. “No Merrick, you can’t just go neutrals on the bedding. Your furniture is exquisite but it’s also neutral as you didn’t stain the birch. And then other than the mural is mostly muted tones minus the reds, purples, and blues of the twilight from your picture. He needs some color.”, Zoe said picking up a set that had some bright colors. “Really? That bedding? You want me to put my pup to sleep with that to cover him?”, Merrick sighed shaking his head. “It would look better with the colors of the mural and stand out against the wood.”, Zoe defended. Merrick rolled his eyes. “What’s wrong with this set? It’s got the earth tones and muted colors”, he said holding up a bag of bedding.
Neither knew that in the same store Jenna and her best friend Michelle were making a baby registry for Jenna. “Oh Jenna this mobile it just perfect for your nautical theme. It’s got the red, white and blues that you wanted and would look great with the stripes that your dad painted the nursery.”, Michelle gushed picking up a mobile that had sailboats and a lighthouse. Jenna however wasn’t paying much attention as her head had turned hearing Merrick’s voice. “Merrick…”, Jenna questioned walking in the direction she’d heard his voice. Michelle put the mobile down and followed along. “Because you are going to make everything muted.”, Zoe sighed. She held up another set of brighter greens and some blues. “This would add some brightness to the room and don’t dare say these aren’t colors of nature. The shades of blue in this appear in the mural as doe shades of green in the leaves. It’ll match the highlights in the trees.”, she explained. Merrick grumbled. “I’m not going to win this am I?”, he sighed looking at to her beddings. “What about this one?”, he asked picking up a soft blue , cream and brown where the the pattern looked like trees. “It has color.”, he pointed to the blue. At this point Jenna had enough watching Merrick and Zoe going back and forth talking about baby bedding as if it was their child’s nursery it was going in and not hers. So Jenna walked over and placed her hands on her hips, she was six months along and just really starting to show as the baby was getting bigger and stretching out her stomach more. “What the hell is going on?”, Jenna demanded. She was still not okay with the fact Merrick had refused to even try dating her. And now here he was shopping for baby stuff, for their baby, with another woman.
“Ugh too much cream and brown. Why does everything you grab have so much brown?”, she shook her head before looking at Jenna who seemed a bit red in the face and Michelle not far behind her. “Hi Jenna.”, she greeted with a polite smile. “How about because brown is my favorite color.”, Merrick said sticking his tongue out at Zoe. His shoulders sank a little when he heard Jenna’s voice. He turned and looked at her, as he looked at her he could still see why he’d slept with her over the years though pregnancy was having it’s effects slightly altering the contours of her body in different ways. She was still pretty but knowing that she’d done this on purpose that she’d tried to use this child to trap him into a relationship he didn’t want outraged him, that she would bring a life into this world for that purpose alone was deplorable. And because of that any attraction he’d once held for her was destroyed. “What does it look like? We are trying to piece together a baby registry and discovered that bedding we can’t agree on. And mind your language, Faelan can hear you.”, he answered. Jenna narrowed his eyes. “Joseph…”, she corrected. “And don’t tell me to mind my language. I find you here with this whore making a baby registry for OUR baby. You should be making a registry with me.”, Jenna said outraged her face getting flushed with anger. “Excuse me? I don’t take kindly to being called names like that especially when they aren’t deserved. And settle down we are just talking about the nursery at his house.”, she said trying to calm the situation. “I’m in charge of throwing a baby shower, which I understand Michelle is throwing one for you. It’s what best friends do. My mother and I painted the mural in the nursery. So I have the better eye for color.”, Zoe explained.
Merrick rolled his eyes putting the bedding back. He took a deep breath not really wanting to angry. “Again watch your language and what you call my friend.”, Merrick warned before looking to her bump. “Don’t worry Falena, daddy won’t let you end up being a Joey I promise little wolf.”, he said speaking sweetly as he addressed his son. Jenna tried to hide a smile, she liked it when he talked to her belly even if she didn’t like what he was saying. “Mural? You didn’t say you were doing a mural. We never agreed on a theme.”, Jenna said. “No we never agreed because it doesn’t matter. He’ll have a nursery at my house and one at yours we don’t need the same theme. Zoe and her mother were nice enough to paint a mural of a forest for me. Since as I’ve told you the theme at my place is the forest and wolves. I didn’t need your approval since it’s at my house.”, Merrick explained. “And calmer scenes and colors have been known to help babies.”, Zoe said. “So right now I’m trying to get this idiot to understand brown doesn’t need to be everywhere.”, she added nudging Merrick. Merrick grumbled. “I like brown. Which of us is going to be the one having to sit in that nursery and rock him or pace around with him when he’s fussing at 2am? But given we aren’t going to agree I have a compromise. We each find fabric we like and get mom to make the bedding. That way one side can be the fabric your artistic eye things is better and the other one I like better.”, he offered up a compromise. Jenna rubbed her bump still very unhappy. “What else have you two been picking out for our son?”, she asked.
Michelle sighed resting an arm on Jenna wanting to calm her down. “Kim will agree with me. Maybe we can ask Nana Hazel.”, Zoe said sticking out her tongue at him. “And fine. we each pick fabric and have something custom for your son.”, she chuckled then looked at Jenna. “Oh I haven’t been doing anything he hasn’t asked, well besides colors.”, Zoe said trying to let underlining meaning slip out with her words. “No we aren’t bringing Nana into this. I may be her favorite great grandchild but we both know she will take your side. Mom might side with me, let’s get dad’s opinion so I’m not outnumbered by female opinions.”, he said shaking his head. “Kim? You call his mother by her first name? And who is Nana Hazel?”, Jenna asked not liking one bit how familiar Zoe was with Merrick’s relations. “We haven’t picked much. Some bottles and bath stuff so far. And Nana Hazel is my great grandmother, which unless she tells you otherwise you address her as Misses Frost.”, Merrick answered. “Yeah just very basic things. Trying to make sure they are unique in shape so Aislinn doesn’t get confused when she grabs them.”, Zoe added. “Who’s Aislinn? Why does she know more about people than I do?”, Jenna asked putting her hands on her hips. “Aislinn would be my blind cousin that lives at the house with the rest of my family. And oh maybe because Zoe is my best friend thus she knows everything there is to know about me.”, Merrick shrugged. There really wasn’t much he hadn’t disclosed to Zoe. About the only thing he hadn’t gone into was his biological father and how he was related to Demitri.
“I had to stay at the Haven when I first came to America. So I’m familiar with the residents of the Haven.”, she said. “Exactly. She’s already acquainted with my family. Kind of helps that her kid sister and my kid brother are dating too.”, Merrick smiled. “You don’t have platonic relationships with women not related to. I know that much.”, Jenna glared a little. Merrick could hear the tiny heart beat of his son and faintly see his movements as Jenna was getting more angry it was having an upsetting effect on the baby. Without a word Merrick placed his hand over the bump feeling Faelan kicking. “It’s alright Faelan. You just chill out pup.”, Merrick said sweetly like he did every time he’d addressed his child. Jenna blinked. “What...are you?”, she stammered. “You need to calm yourself Jenna. You are upsetting Faelan.”, Merrick said looking at Jenna. Zoe smiled softly at Jenna. “Hey, relax Jenna. Merrick is my friend. We don’t mess around with people relations to those our siblings are dating. Kinda of creepy.”, Zoe said trying to give assurance. Though it was only a partial truth. They did mess around just not to the extent that she’d like or Jenna thought. Jenna took a couple deep breaths. Michelle sighed. “Come on Jenna. We told your parents we’d meet them at the baby gap to look at baby clothes.”, Michelle offered as an escape for the situation. Jenna nodded a little and without a word stepped away from Merrick’s touch and walked away with Michelle.
“Baby gap? God my poor son…”, Merrick sighed shaking his head. Zoe chuckled and patted his back. “It’ll be okay.”, she assured. “This poor child. She’s going to dress him preppy.”, he groaned. “Maybe he’ll like preppy.”, she shrugged. Merrick’s eyes went slightly wide like a cat’s the pupils becoming like saucers. “Don’t say such things.”, he said appalled. “Face it Merrick, he might be the double popped collar dude-bro.”, she teased. “I refuse. That’s just...god. Not if I can help it.”, he said shaking his head. “Maybe all about sports and crushing beer cans on his forehead? Oooooh or maybe the yuppie style pressed polo with white pants and constantly clean.”, she joked finding his reactions amusing. “Sports that’s one thing, but I dunno about the beer can crushing. No to the yuppie too. Ugh. I mean I wear polos but they aren’t pressed and I don’t own a pair of white pants. I get too dirty for white clothes.”, Merrick sighed shaking his head. “Cardigan sweat around his shoulders..”, Zoe added. “Ugggh. You’re killing me Zoe.”, he groaned. Zoe laughed and patted his back. “This poor kid is going to have a double life. I have no idea what’s she’s setting up for him at her house.”, he sighed.
“She’ll relax.”, she assured. “No she won’t.”, he said shaking his head. “First time he shifts in front of her it’s going to be zero to total freak out in about a millisecond.”, he explained. “You still haven’t told her?”, Zoe questioned hitting his arm. “I know...I know. I need to tell her about him and about me.”, he sighed. “I don’t get how she has gone this long not knowing you’re a mutant. I mean seriously you growl, bite and claw in the bedroom and after you purr. How can she know realize it?”, Zoe shook her head a little. “Because I never did that with her. There are only four women I’ve been with that know I’m a mutant. And because they’ve known I’ve not held back on the growling, biting and clawing. And only three have heard me purr because that only happens after when cuddling. And I don’t generally cuddle after.”, he explained. “Well as flattered as I am to be in such a short list. Jenna isn’t just any woman now. She’s the mother of your son and needs to know.”, Zoe argued. “I’m aware of that. She’s also the woman who decided to tamper with a condom in an effort to force me into a relationship by leveraging the child. But I know she needs to be told before she just finds out. However getting Jenna upset has effects on Faelan. She was only mildly angry just now and I could hear his heart rate going through the roof. I drop that bit of information on her I don’t know what will happen.”, he sighed.
“I just hope this doesn’t backfire on you.”, she sighed. “And it's not like we talk a lot. I’ve tried to tell her a couple times at appointments so Kisa could act as buffer. But Jenna gets into her tangents and I don’t say anything because I’m just busy trying to remind myself I don’t hit women.”, he explained. “Just...be careful.”, she sighed. “I know. And part of my issue is I know she’s pro mutant registration, She thinks mutants need to be regulated.”, he added. “I can see in the case where powers endangered others like I don’t know constantly seeping radiation and it truly can’t be controlled. But registration...really?”, Zoe shook her head. “Yeah. The hospital rules are to report any signs of mutation. Granted it’s rare at birth for mutation to be noticeable but it happens. That’s why I wanted the Hamilton clinic because they do everything in house. So I just..how do you tell someone that they are having a mutant baby with a mutant knowing what they feel about mutants?”, Merrick asked. She was quiet for a bit before talking. “Because she's afraid.”, she said softly. “I get the idea behind the registration. I just think it’s wrong but I understand why people think it’s needed.”, she said. “The way I see it if people can’t be discriminated against for ethnicity, religion, gender and sexuality being a mutant should be under that umbrella of protection. After all it’s not something you can choose to be or not be. I get we scare humans but humans can be just as scary.”, he shrugged.
“Humans generally can’t set other people on fire.”, she said. “Well without, you know, more fire.”, she added with a light laugh. “I know. Kind of like they can’t go all medusa on someone or put someone into a snow globe.”, he smiled a little. “I get why they’re scared. Anything humans are capable of, we are too and more.”, she said. “Yeah. I just worry how she's going to react. If she’ll reject him for being a mutant. There are parents out there they have done it. I mean I don’t like Jenna, heck I can barely look at her with what she’s done. But I don’t want him to not have his mom. If she rejects him it’ll just be me he gets.”, Merrick frowned. “Oh like that’s so terrible.”, she teased. “Listen, coming from someone who was raised by a single parent. You just as a little kid, you’re confused where that second parent is. But then you grow up and realize it’s okay. That you never needed that second person.”, she assured with a smile. “I guess. He no matter what has my family to love him.” , Merrick shrugged. “And I’m not exactly mom material, but I’ll be a kickass aunt.”, Zoe smiled. Merrick chuckled. “Well if you ask Nana Hazel she’ll say you are.”, Merrick said. “Thanks.”, she smiled a bit. He wasn’t sure why, but knowing that Jenna and Michelle were long gone he felt safe, he leaned in giving her a quick kiss. “And I think whenever you become a mom you’ll do good in that role.”, he said with a smile. Zoe sighed softly and smiled. More PDA from him, she just had to keep reminding herself they weren’t dating and never would because of his rule and she knew he was in love with Rose.
June was a month she dreaded, it was the month that Rose usually came to the states. And soon if Rose did return and proved to be the type of woman Zoe was thinking, it would mean losing Merrick. Well not fully losing him just reverting back to their friendzone which Zoe kept telling herself she was okay with. She wondered what would happen if she told him before June how she felt, if it would change anything or just make this more complicated for him when Rose returned. Zoe didn’t want to make Merrick’s life complicated, so she stayed quiet about her feelings. Merrick raised an eyebrow at Zoe who looked a bit lost in thought. “Come on hellraiser let’s get some more stuff on this registry for Faelan and pick out some fabric for mom to make into his bedding.”, Merrick said picking up the little scanner gun they were given with a smile. Zoe nodded laughing a little. “Yeah come on, get this registry together so when I send out invitations to the baby shower people know what you need and want for him.”, she agreed looping her arm with his as they moved around the store adding various baby related items to the registry.