Disclaimer: I don't own anything OC related.
AN: This is a simple one-shot. It's almost Chrismukkah so I wanted to get this evil little plot bunny out of my head.

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"Teresa…its Ryan. Wanted to wish you a merry Christmas. Hope everything's okay…" Ryan closed his phone and let out the breath he'd been holding. It was a week until Christmas and Seth's 'Chrismukkah spirit' was in full swing.

This year was definitely different from last year. He'd forced himself to be happier this year and he had genuinely felt better. He'd left his past behind and started fresh. Really fresh this year.

But Chrismukkah was seriously bringing him down. He needed to brood. Teresa…something wasn't right. She'd moved and her mother had finally given him a cellular phone number today when he'd called. He'd closed off the Chino summer in his mind, letting it drift as a faded memory. Newport was his life. Self-absorbed Seth and school, that's all he could focus on without drowning in guilt and self-doubt. He was an honorary Cohen, he had to act like it. Nothing was supposed to keep him down. The Nana was beating cancer, Sandy was saving Caleb, Kirsten was tackling Julie Cooper and Seth, well, Seth was still on his crusade to bring Chrismukkah to the world.

"Ryan. Your brother, or whatever, is insane," Lindsay said, stepping into the poolhouse.

"Seth?"

"'Chrismukker?'"

"'Chrismukkah'. And yes, he's a little insane," Ryan smiled. Lindsay was fun. And cute. And nice. She listened to him and really seemed to enjoy his company. "What's up?"

"Bored. What are you doing today?"

"Napping," Ryan replied, sprawling out on the bed. "Been looking forward to it since the last bell rang at school."

She stared at him. "Well, I'm still bored. Let's do something. What about the beach?"

"The beach."

"Sure. We should appreciate where we live. Where else in the country can you go to the beach at Christmas?" She asked.

Ryan got up and started gathering his beach gear. "It's not Christmas here. At least in front of Seth, it's 'Chrismukkah'. It'll save us both a lecture, I promise.

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Kirsten's bags were heavy and she didn't see the girl until she'd already made contact. "Oh, excuse me…Teresa?"

Teresa was even more startled. "Mrs. Cohen…"

But Kirsten was staring at her rounded stomach. "Teresa…Ryan said…"

"He didn't lie. I did. I did it for his own good…" Teresa whispered.

"You told him you lost the baby?"

"He was so unhappy…so tired…I needed to let him go. Please don't tell him."

"Teresa? Everything okay?" A gruff voice asked from behind them.

"Fine. Can you go get the car?" Teresa asked, lowering her gaze and not meeting Kirsten's piercing eyes.

Kirsten recognized Eddie immediately.

"Mrs. Cohen. Nice to see you. How's Ryan?" Eddie asked.

"Fine. I'll let him know you asked," Kirsten replied coldly, still staring at Teresa.

"Mrs. Cohen…" Teresa started.

"Tell Ryan I appreciate him looking out for Teresa like that." He kissed Teresa's cheek. "I'll get the car."

Kirsten watched him walk away.

"Please, Mrs. Cohen, it would kill Ryan…you can't tell him…"

"If you're having his baby…" Kirsten started.

Teresa was crying softly. "He doesn't deserve this…I mean…god, this was so hard…I can't make him give up his life for me…" She wiped her face. "I love Ryan, I'll love him for the rest of my life and I've always wanted him to be the father of my children…he's not cruel like my father or his mother…he's a pure soul. I don't want to be what ruined his life…" Teresa took her hand. "Please. I am begging you. Don't tell him."

Kirsten was too shell-shocked to react. "Eddie…"

"Eddie's going to AA and to counseling. He's serious about the baby…"

"Does he know it could be Ryan's?"

"No," Teresa whispered.

"Teresa…" Kirsten had so many conflicting emotions running through her head that she couldn't focus.

"My mom knows this is the right thing. She knows this is for the best. I have to go. I hope you'll make the right decision…Ryan belongs with you, not with me…"

Kirsten stood, frozen as Teresa walked away.

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"Sandy?" All the way home from the mall, she'd wanted her husband. He'd know what to do. Whether or not to tell Ryan that Teresa was still pregnant. That she was back with Eddie. Of course, telling him that would almost certify his exit, Ryan Atwood was not one to walk away from something like that, he'd proven it all summer. He'd be devastated and knowing that Teresa didn't want to see him would probably send him into a tailspin.

"Hey, honey. Done shopping? Where are all the bags?" Sandy smiled and closed the folder on his desk.

"In the car," Kirsten said, closing the door to his office behind her as she walked in.

"What's wrong?" Sandy could read her immediately.

Kirsten looked at Sandy. She looked at the picture of Seth and Ryan on his desk. She heard Seth and Ryan laughing through the door.

She knew what she had to do. For her family.

"Nothing, honey. I missed you so much today…" She embraced Sandy and held him tight.