Crap! Now Ellie felt sorry for him. He looked so hurt. Maybe she had been too hard on him? "I may feel better about your mating if..." She trailed off and watched him look up, his face full of hope. He looked like an eager to please overgrown kid.
"If?" he asked.
She smiled, relenting. "If you can find some time to help us set up the temporary hospital tomorrow. I'd like to get to know you better since we're going to be family."
Warrick's knees looked like they were about to buckle; he was that relieved. "Of course, anything you need."
Avery beamed up at his mate. "My mate is absolutely amazing."
Warrick's megawatt smile nearly blinded Ellie. Warrick sat down on the floor next to his mate so that their arms were touching. He seemed so content just to sit next to Avery. "Oh that's not fair," Ellie murmured.
"Tell me about it," Kari agreed. "I try to play the strict one to protect Avery, but Warrick has a way of making me feel like I killed his puppy. They are so ridiculously adorable together, I do not have the heart to chastise them too much."
One of the twins tapped Avery on the shoulder and then looked at Kari. "We're ready."
Ellie watched as her friend got up and sat down in the empty gaming chair. "Ready for what?"
Meryn held up her controller. "A very important quest."
"Right." Kari picked up a clipboard from beside her chair. "Does everyone know what to do?"
"Check!" Avery announced and turned back around in his chair to face the television.
"Roger!" the twins replied.
"Okay, we're going to slowly..." Kari began, starting their strategy meeting.
"Leeeeroy Jeeeennnkkinns!" Meryn shouted.
"Godsdammit, Meryn!" Kari yelled, dropped her clipboard, and picked up her controller.
"Where are you?" Avery asked frantically.
"I'm pinned! I'm pinned!" Nigel called out.
"Shoot the animal thing in the corner!" Declan cried out, pointing to the upper corner of the television.
"What do I do? What do I do?" Avery cried out in blind panic.
All the while, Meryn was laughing as she used her character to run around the screen killing things at random. After the quest was over, the five gamers sat back, breathing heavily.
Ellie had collapsed against Grant chortling. Grant's face was buried against the back of her neck, and he was also laughing uproariously.
"You crazy pint-sized terror! I cannot believe we won," Kari exclaimed.
Meryn was still cackling in her chair.
Kari's eyes narrowed, and she reached out and grabbed Meryn's nose. "What should your punishment be for that crazy-ass stunt?"
"Get off my nose Kari!" Meryn tried without success to pull free.
Kari ignored her. "You have to collect all the ingredients the five of us need to complete the next potions quest." She looked at Avery and the twins. "No helping." They nodded, and Kari released Meryn.
Meryn smirked. "It was worth it. I've always wanted to do that."
"Brat," Kari said, shaking her head and smiling.
Aiden stood over his mate, his features drawn taunt. "Who the hell is Leroy?"