"See, whenever it happens, you'll have all the support you need." Elizabeth wiped her mouth and sat back with her cappuccino.

"I'll talk to Aiden tonight. But in the meantime, what are we doing today?" Meryn turned to face her.

"I don't suppose you know how to get to the city do you?" she asked.

"I sure do. Ryuu, will you come with us?" Meryn turned to her squire.

"Of course, denka. Just give me a few minutes to finish cleaning up after breakfast." He stood went to the hallway and returned with a coat and scarf. He hung it on the back of Meryn's chair and with a bow left for the kitchen.

"Our order for supplies shouldn't arrive today. Who did you call yesterday to place the order?" Elizabeth asked.

"Ohmigosh, I need to introduce you to Adelaide, that's Aiden's mom. I placed the order with her squire, Marius. He is marvelous." Meryn pulled her backpack onto her lap and pulled out a tiny coat. "Here you go Felix." The coat was visible and suspended for one second, then disappeared. Meryn turned to her. "Sprites are sensitive to the cold. I also had Adelaide knit me a scarf with a sprite pocket so he could be warm on my shoulder. She made it look like the fourth Doctor's scarf for me." Meryn lifted a brightly colored scarf from the back of her chair.

"That's really neat." Elizabeth paused, her own coat was probably stiff as a board caked in mud, growing mushrooms in her trunk. She eyed the tiny Meryn. She was at least six inches taller than her friend.

"Could we head to the cleaners? My coat is going to need to be cleaned before I can wear it."

"That's cool. I know the witches that run the tailors shop that does cleaning and preserving. It's where Aiden keeps his dress whites." Meryn wrapped the scarf around her neck until her lower face disappeared. Elizabeth smiled at the young woman. By paranormal standards Meryn was still almost a child. Sisterly affection welled up inside her.

"You are too cute!" She laughed as Meryn tried to spit out yarn fuzz.

"I am not cute. I am sexy and alluring," Meryn protested.

"Sorry to burst your bubble short stack, but you're so cute, it should be illegal."

"You were an only child weren't you?" Meryn asked sourly.

"Yes and I have always wanted a sister. You're it."

"Is it just me or are you teasing me more today than yesterday?"

"Of course I am. I have adopted you so gloves are off. You now matter to me, so I don't have to be nice."

"Wait. So, because I'm now family you can be mean to me? How does that work?" Meryn demanded.

"Meryn, I grew up the only niece to the ruling vampire elder. I was constantly at court. I learned from an early age that it's just easier to be pleasant to the people who don't matter. I don't let them see the real me. But once you're my friend, all bets are off."

Meryn shook her head. "I'm exactly opposite. I don't talk to and am mean to anyone I don't know and am only nice to the ones I do know and like."

"Just different sides of the same coin. Now. What am I going to do about a coat?" Elizabeth frowned. Maybe she could borrow one of Gavriel's.

Ryuu walked in carrying her now immaculate looking full-length grey wool trench coat. "Lady Elizabeth, when taking out your luggage yesterday I noticed the state of your coat. I hope you don't mind that I took the liberty of cleaning it for you." Ryuu held her coat open for her.

Elizabeth looked at Ryuu and smiled. "You're amazing, you do know that right?" She slipped her arms through the sleeves and inspected the wool. Not a single stain or mark. She stuffed her wristlet in her coat pocket.

Ryuu gave a nod, smiled and went to help Meryn who was turning circles trying to get her arm in her other sleeve. Once Meryn had her coat on they headed to her car. She smiled when she saw that someone had changed her back two tires. Living with a house full of men was looking better and better.

"Okay, where am I heading?" Elizabeth asked after they got in. She adjusted her mirrors before turning to look at Meryn.

"Go down this road until we get to the Shifter Elder's estate, you really can't miss it. That's where Aiden's parents live. I want you to meet Adelaide and Marius, from there we can head into the city and I can introduce you to Sydney and Justice at my most favorite place ever, their café The Jitterbug," Meryn said sounding slightly muffled from her scarf.

"Looks like we have a plan." Elizabeth put it in drive and rolled out of the driveway. Looking in her rearview mirror she hoped her mate was having a good day with his pissed off commander.

*****

"Why would she say that?" Gavriel heard his friend ask for the tenth time. The men were standing around the training grounds as Aiden vented.

"I have to admit, it's not like her. She'll tease as good as the next guy, but she never tries to hurt you," Colton agreed.

"Does a wedding mean that much to her?" Keelan asked.

Aiden shook his head. "I asked her about it once, she said there was no point because there wouldn't be anyone to invite from her side of the family. If she had honestly shown any interest I would have already planned the biggest wedding this city had ever seen." Aiden paced back and forth.

"Maybe she's upset about something else?" Sascha suggested.

"Do you hog all the blankets?" Quinn asked. The men turned and stared at him. "What? My mom is always complaining to my father about that," he said defensively.