Merrick never thought having kids would be chaotic. So he tried for years always wanting his own children. His wife was getting annoyed with him but eventually she fell pregnant.

She ended up having twin boys, you and Keegan, but she didn’t want boys and filed for divorce letting Merrick have you kids. He happily took you both home and redecorated his wife’s room for Keegan to have while you got the original room he’d made up.

You two grew up best friends and Merrick adored you both. He hated having to leave for deployments since he was still in the Ghosts unit but he’d hire the babysitter that Elias used. Elias’s two boys were a similar age to you two so he knew he could trust them with you two.

When you two were old enough, both of you joined the Ghosts too and Merrick started to date again. Not seriously but a man has needs.

Then Kick showed up. Merrick got handed a toddler and was told one of his short term girlfriends claimed he was the father, it wasn’t like he could deny the resemblance.

You and Keegan immediately fell in love with your new brother and helped Merrick parent him when he was busy. But Kick was different. He was quiet. Very quiet and would go days without talking but it was just his personality.

One evening, you were driving while Kick slept in the back and Keegan was dozing in the passenger seat after having gone out all day when both of them got jolted awake. Another car had rammed into you knocking you out. Keegan recognised the men getting out the other car as federation soldiers.

He simply grabbed Kick and ran feeling sick with guilt that he’d left you behind but knew damn well you’d have done the same thing. Keegan got his phone out and called Merrick.

“Keegan? You alright, son?” Merrick asked casually not knowing the gravity of the situation.