My One and Only (Bewitched and Bewildered #10)(5)

Pip nodded. "It makes it hard to sleep."

"Even though you're tired and want to sleep your body keeps telling you to eat," Nigel said quietly.

Meryn looked at the twins that sat on her other side. "You too?"

Neil smiled weakly. "Sometimes there wasn't a lot of food at the orphanage, so we gave ours to the little kids."

Micah could only stare. His childhood hadn't been all roses and puppies but his grandmother made sure he had never gone without.

Meryn shook her head as if to chase away her thoughts. "Yup. But we don't have to worry about that now. We have Ryuu and Sebastian to feed us."

The twins smiled. "They rock!"

Pip turned to the witches. "Do you belong to Meryn too?"

Nigel laughed. "She adopted us as her brothers."

"Brothers? Not servants?" Pip tilted his head.

"What?" Meryn asked frowning.

"Did you not bring me here for me to serve you?" Pip asked.

"No! I wasn't kidding when I said I just wanted you to keep me company. If that's not what you want, you can do whatever. I don't see you as a servant." She jerked her thumb toward Ryuu. "I can barely handle having one."

Pip twisted his hand nervously. "I do not understand. What am I supposed to do to earn my food?"

Meryn's mouth opened and closed. "Ryuu? I need some help here."

Ryuu stepped closer to stand behind Meryn and Pip. "Master Pip, my charge views you as someone to be protected. She does not require payment for things such as clothes and food. You bring her happiness by simply accepting her kindness. If you feel you must do something in return, help me watch over her and keep her safe."

Pip nodded quickly. "I can do that. Meryn is nice. Bad things should not happen to her."

"You will do very well here," Ryuu said smiling.

"Are we keeping him?" Nigel asked his eyes filled with tears.

Meryn nodded. "He's one of us now."

"This is awesome! We now have another brother!"

"What?" a deep voice asked.

Aiden strode into the room scowling. Immediately Pip popped out of his chair to stand in front of Meryn. He stretched out his arms. "You will not hurt her."

Aiden stopped dead in his tracks and stared down at the young man who was about the size of one of his legs. "Huh?"

Meryn giggled. "Pip that's my mate Aiden McKenzie. He would never hurt me, I have access to his unconscious body."

Aiden rolled his eyes. "And you love me."

"And I love you," she added.

Behind Aiden everyone else began to file in for lunch.

Pip eyed Aiden suspiciously. He made a 'V' with his fingers and pointed to his eyes. "I will keep an eye on you." He sat back down in his chair and scooted closer to Meryn.

Aiden's mouth dropped as Colton burst into laughter. "Better sleep with one eye open tonight."

Aiden snarled at his best friend then realized that Pip was in his chair. Grumbling he sat down next to the odd vampire and one seat down from his mate.

"Who's the cutie?" Anne asked.

"Anne, everyone, this is Pip Maverick, my newest brother. DeLaFontaine is his sperm donor," Meryn announced.

Aiden inhaled and began to choke on his breadstick. "What? Again?"

"Yup." Meryn gave a single decisive nod.

"But you already have Jaxon, Noah, Nigel and Neil," Aiden stuttered.

"And? I can't have another brother?" Meryn asked.

"I think he is absolutely adorable," Bethy added.

Meryn turned to Pip. "Beth adopted me as her sister, so technically y'all are related too."

Pip turned his large liquid-like blue eyes to Bethy. "She's so pretty."

"Oh!" Bethy blushed then blinked. "DeLaFontaine?"

"Caught that did you?" Micah asked raising an eyebrow.

Bethy turned to Gavriel. "I thought you said he didn't have any heirs."

Gavriel stared at Pip frowning. "He does not. Pip's name is not in the DeLaFontaine Book of Life."

"Because I am broken," Pip whispered.

"You are not!" Bethy said indignantly.

Pip raised his head and looked around. "Really? Everyone in my father's home said I was good for nothing."

"That's why you don't live there anymore remember?" Meryn pointed out.

Pip's face contorted in confusion. "Then why did they say such things? Why did they do bad things?"

"Because they are assholes. Trust me, the world is full of them," Meryn said sagely.

Pip looked around nervously. "If you say bad things the men will take you away."

Meryn shook her head. "Not down here."

"I would like to see them try to take you or Miss Meryn away," Sebastian said darkly as he wheeled in a huge cart piled high with food. He steered it over to Pip first. "I did not know what you liked so I made bit of everything. Sandwiches, soup, finger foods, and even a pizza." He leaned down. "Save room for dessert," he said winking.

Pip's eyes locked on the cart. "I do not get served first," he said in a panicked voice. "I get the leftovers in my bowl on the floor." Pip looked as if he was fighting his body's knee jerk reaction to drop to the floor.