A/N: First of all, I absolutely loved the finale. I thought it gave us closure, and I couldn't see it ending any other way. That said, it definitely left me with questions still, but ones that I wanted to answer myself, it that makes any sense. lol Being an R/T fan, I wanted a little more closure to them. Otherwise, I really think it ended with them as no more than friends. So, I had the idea for an R/T post finale fic. Actually, it's going to be R/T/T, but that'll be revealed more really really soon. lol If you're wondering, this does start in the last scene of 4.16, The End is Not Near, It's Here. If you haven't seen it yet, you've been forewarned. Please review if you do read. Thanks in advance.

Ryan Atwood couldn't keep the smile from his face as he surveyed the building in front of him. It was one of many architectural projects he had taken on recently, but this one was by far his favorite. There was something about being back in Chino again, well being back and knowing that he could return to his almost perfect home after a long day of work and being greeted by his favorite person in the world. The fact that he didn't feel trapped there was enough to keep him coming back to help the still struggling community. This time, it was a children's hospital. The time before, it had been a community center. Any project that could help the kids here in Chino end up half as great as he did, he was all for.

Reminding him of just how lucky he truly became, he felt his cell phone vibrate in his back pocket. He quickly interrupted Rick, the leader of the team actually constructing the hospital as he relayed the progress from the day, telling him he had to take the call. As he moved away from the choking noise of power saws, drills, and yelling, he smiled to himself as he saw the number displayed on his phone, a nice surprise that he wasn't expecting. He planned to see that it was Seth calling once again. Even if they were living separate lives in separates places, Seth would usually find time to call to talk about himself at least two times a day. And if Ryan was honest with himself, he wouldn't have it any other way.

Honestly, he missed having Seth around all the time. After a year apart from Summer, the two of them decided that they really were in their relationship for the long haul. Newly engaged, with no pregnancy scare involved, the two agreed to get married as soon as they graduated. And five years later, that dream became a reality as they were married in the backyard of the home of Sandy, Kirsten, and six year-old Sophie in Berkley. Seth had been the one to want to leave Newport the most, but he hadn't counted on missing it. When he was offered a contract to write Atomic County, he took it without hesitation. And with Summer working as a guidance counselor, she could work wherever there were high school students. The two relocated back to Newport, close enough to see their family on a regular basis, but far enough away to make a name for themselves.

Ryan and Taylor, on the other hand, were a different story. She had realized that Oxford really was her dream, that the city of Paris meant more to her than she had thought originally. And as she told him strictly the day she decided to leave, it wasn't his. As much as she wanted to be with him, she wanted to see him discover his own dreams as well. So, they spent four years apart, with both of them staying with Sandy and Kirsten over breaks. It wasn't ideal, but it worked for them. As soon as they had both finished school, they bought an apartment together in L.A., where he had been offered a great internship at an architectural company. Taylor had taken odd jobs, not really finding anything she especially liked. Even though she had a teaching degree, she didn't take to teaching the way she originally thought she would. Only two years later, the two of them decided to do something risky: start their own company. Ryan would have his dream job as an architect, and Taylor would be his personal assistant when it came to organization, something that she loved to do. Especially if it meant they could spend every day together.

A year and a half later, their business was still going strong. Ryan had built the apartment complex they now lived in, as well as half of the new attractions available to children in Chino. Yet, there still was no ring on Taylor's finger or any mention of getting married at all. They were both perfectly content to be bond together by only their love and not a legal document. They lived together in an apartment within walking distance of Ryan's office, they were close to their families, and they were happy. Really happy. And it only made Ryan happier to flip his phone open and be met by her cheerful voice.

"Are you coming home soon?" The tiny honey blonde on the other line gushed, trying hard to hide her excitement. It had been a long day since she had arrived home after a meeting with a potential new supplier and found the news she had been looking for. She had waited as long as she possibly could before calling him at 5:01 exactly, knowing he usually aimed to be home by five.

Hearing the excited tone to her voice, Ryan felt happier himself. Quickly motioning to Rick that he had to leave, he made a promise to himself that he would call him later. He had barely seen Taylor so far this week, and he had already heard enough to know that everything was right on schedule. As he headed to his car, he squinted in the harsh late afternoon sun. "Yeah, I'm heading to my car right now… Why? Did I forget something? Are we baby-sitting again for Sandy and Kirsten tonight?"

"No… I just miss you. You left early this morning, and I was asleep when you got back last night, so I miss you. Can't a girl miss her boyfriend and want him there with her?" He laughed softly to himself as he heard her response, loving how it sounded just like her.

"Well, I'll be there soon, okay? As long as traffic's okay, I'll be there within a half hour. Is that good?"

"It's perfect!" she responded quickly, having to fight harder to contain her enthusiasm. Within the hour, their lives would be changed forever, and she couldn't wait to tell him the good news. She had to try her hardest not to tell him right then over the phone. Hearing the sounds of someone behind him, she suddenly remembered that he had told her he was planning on visiting the site that day. "Oh! I totally forgot, Ry! How are things there?"

"Right on schedule. If things keep going this well, we'll be done by the end of the month. I'm at the car now though, so I should go. I'll be home soon though…. I love you too, Taylor. Okay, bye." He shut his phone and replaced it in his back pocket before moving to grab his keys. As he went to unlock the door, he finally saw the boy. If he had been paying attention, he would've noticed this same young boy had been sitting there for most of the day, since about eight that morning. He would know that the boy wore that same dazed expression every day as he walked alone, wanting to be anywhere but where he belonged.

As he watched the young boy, probably 12 or 13, stare at his feet with that same lost expression, he felt almost sick to his stomach. He had been that same kid once, almost 12 years ago. He had needed someone to help him, and his savior had been Sandy Cohen. And he wasn't about to let this kid just remain here like that. He waited another minute, trying to catch his attention before speaking. His voice was loud to rise above to chaos behind him, but not strong enough to scare the child in front of him. "Hey, kid…. Do you need help?"

He watched as the boy raised his head so his light baby blue eyes met Ryan's. Seeing him straight on, Ryan realized that he seemed much younger than he had at first. He watched as his gaze quickly snapped back down to his feet and he started to shake his head. He stopped a minute later as he looked back up to Ryan once more. "Who are you?"

Ryan moved cautiously around his Range Rover, still not wanting to scare the boy as he sat down next to him on the small concrete wall. "Ryan Atwood. I'm helping to build that building right there," he responded, pointing to the hospital across the street. "Do you want to tell me who you are?"

The boy was silent for a minute before he spoke again, pondering whether or not to give out this tiny bit of information or not. "Tyler. My name's Tyler Collins." It was the only information the boy gave before looking back down to his worn sneakers. From his appearance, it was clear the boy could use a warm meal and a good night's sleep. He was exhausted, hungry, and all alone in the world. Satisfied with the single answer he got from the kid, Ryan decided to continue on, see what else he could gather.

"Where are your parents, Tyler?"

"My mom left when I was four. I haven't seen her since then. And my dad… I don't know. I haven't seen him in a couple of days… He says that I can take care of myself, now that I'm 12." Ryan's heart broke as he heard the child's response, his curiosity now replaced with anger. Who in their right minds would leave a child this young alone like that in a place like Chino? He no longer needed to think over whether or not to take action, he had no other choice. "How old are you?"

Ryan's anger dissipated as he heard Tyler's innocent question, knowing he would've probably asked the same thing had he been 12. "Well, Tyler, I'm old."

"How old?" he questioned, laughing a little at the young man's response.

"I'm 27, almost 28. And I live in L.A. with Taylor, my girlfriend…" He watched as the boy nodded in response, taking in this new information. Ryan took it as his opportunity to finally do something. "And you know what? I'm sure she'd love to meet you too, Tyler. How about you come over for dinner? And then first thing in the morning, I'll help you find our dad, okay?" Ryan took note of the way the boy cringed as his father was mentioned, but didn't say a word. A long stretch of silence took place before Tyler finally nodded in response. And Ryan couldn't remember a time he had been more relieved.

Taylor's whole body shook in excitement as the headlights of Ryan's car flashed their yellow orange glow on the side of the building below. Making her way through their spacious two-floor apartment, she checked on the dinner she had made one more time before waiting for him in the living room. She had no idea how she had lasted just this long without spilling to him, and she didn't feel like testing herself any further. It wasn't long before she could hear the sound of the elevator approaching, then watched as its doors opened, to the inside of the apartment. But as she stood up from the couch to make herself apparent, she was shocked to find that Ryan wasn't alone.

She didn't hide her surprise well, she could tell as the young boy with Ryan quickly looked down to his feet and Ryan gave her a nervous half smile. As he stepped into the apartment, he set down a small backpack along with his briefcase, obviously belonging to the boy. She let him wrap an arm around her waist and kiss her softly before giving him a puzzled expression. It was then that Ryan finally motioned toward the boy, his voice not hiding his anxiousness. "Taylor, this is Tyler. He's going to stay with us for tonight."

Now, Taylor was more confused than ever, as she looked between the man she loved and the boy she had never met. Ryan had already rehearsed what to do, going over the situation many times. He quickly led Tyler to the couch, giving him the remote and making him promise to stay there before leading Taylor back to their bedroom. He knelt down in front of her as she sat down on the edge of the bed, still wearing a bewildered expression. He sighed softly, kissing her hand softly as he took it in his own. "Tay, I'm sorry… I didn't know what else to do?"

She nodded in response, now shocked. "Didn't know what to do? Ryan, he's not a lost puppy. He's a little boy. He's someone else's little boy. You can't just bring him home like this."

Ryan sighed, running his other hand through his hair. "Taylor, you don't understand. I was Tyler at one point, and the Cohens took me in. This kid, he's exactly the same way, Tay. His mom deserted his family, his dad left him alone for days… He's only 12. Would you want our 12 year-old son living like that?"

Hearing him say their son, Taylor felt a flutter in her stomach, excited once again. She shook her head in response, sighing softly. "No, I guess not…" Knowing that she was right, she finally looked back at him, biting her lip lightly. "Okay, he can stay here for tonight. But you're calling Sandy right away, and we're going to find his family starting tomorrow morning, okay?"

Ryan nodded in response, relieved that she had agreed. He knew that she would see the situation the way he had, it would only take her longer. He kissed her softly as he stood up, talking as he walked towards the dresser. "That's exactly what I had planned to do. I'm just going to change really fast, and then we'll talk to Tyler a little more, and I can call Sandy once…"

As Taylor processed everything he was saying, she finally realized he was heading into the bathroom, and he was bound to find out. She suddenly jumped up from the bed, not even noticing that he had stopped mid-sentence as she began to speak herself. "Wait, Ry!"

As she arrived in the doorway, she realized she was too late as he gazed down at the piece of white plastic in his hand, biting his lip in thought. He paused for a long time before looking back up to meet her face, his face and voice expressionless. "You're pregnant." He said it just like that, not even questioning it. She waited a moment before nodding slowly in response, still watching him carefully. Her worries disappeared altogether as a smile spread across his face. He placed the test back on the counter, moving to wrap his arms around her, kissing her more passionately than he had all week. He pulled back, resting his forehead against hers, staring into her eyes as he spoke. "I love you so much, Taylor."

"I love you too, Ry."

"God, this is great… This is the best news I've gotten all week…" She felt his hand fall to rest on her perfectly flat stomach, his lips covering hers once again. She kissed him back just as lovingly, but she had to force a smile as he pulled back. Suddenly, it didn't seem so great. It didn't seem so perfect. She had always hated change, and a baby was change. Good change, but change all the same. And if they couldn't find Tyler's family… well, that would be change too. It was a lot of change to handle all at once. And she wasn't sure they were ready for this. She wasn't sure she was ready for this.