Disclaimer: I don't own anything OC related. Seriously.
AN: Possible One-shot. We'll see. I'm not promising anything.
This work can occupy my mind
But it won't convince my body that I've been satisfied
And I'm most alive and I'm most like myself in my dreams
Your eyes connect the mis-remembered me
-7 Mary 3
God, he was tired. Dawn to dusk at the work site was kicking his ass. He ran his hand through his dirt-caked hair as he walked up the porch to Teresa's. His feet were heavy from exhaustion and the steel-toed requirements he was forced to wear. He'd stripped off his work shirt on the walk home and had it draped over his shoulder. His white wife-beater was dark with grime and dirt from the site.
He heard voices inside as he opened the door. He leaned over and unlaced his boots, stepping out of them and leaving them on the porch.
"Ryan?" Teresa appeared in the kitchen. She was rosy with the pregnancy but he could tell that something was wrong.
They hadn't fallen into their old habits right away, the tension and residual guilt making a wall between them but they had remembered why they were so close in the past. They were friends again. And Ryan didn't have anyone else left, since Seth had disappeared after he'd left and he was still feeling the loss. Teresa was his best friend again and he knew that something was wrong.
"What is it?" He asked. His voice was gravelly from lack of use. He hadn't bothered to make friends with the men on the construction crew, he knew that the turnover rate was outrageous out there and he rarely felt like conversation.
Teresa turned and motioned toward the living room.
"I'll be damned. She was telling the truth. How the hell are you, little brother?" Trey was grinning from him from the doorway.
"You calling my sister a liar?" Arturo chimed in.
Shit.
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He sat with Teresa's hand in his while Arturo talked. He was numb. He vaguely registered the words, 'work detail' and 'escape' and 'fugitives'.
Trey was drinking from a six pack sitting beside the recliner. They'd only been home a few hours but they'd already ransacked the fridge and managed to get beer.
Ryan didn't scold them. This wasn't his house. This was Teresa's mother's house. He couldn't kick them out, Trey was his brother, Arturo was Teresa's brother. They had to help them.
Teresa squeezed his hand tightly.
"So, how long's Mom going to be gone?" Arturo asked.
"A few weeks," Teresa answered. "Auntie is going to die. Ma's going to stay until she goes."
"We should be gone by then. We just need to save up enough cash to skip town," Trey said, meeting Ryan's gaze. Ryan looked at Teresa's hand in his.
"How much?" He asked quietly.
"Two grand. You think you can help me out with that?" Trey asked.
Ryan glared at him but he didn't argue. He didn't say anything. He'd get the two grand if it would get Trey out of town. He had about 4,000 saved for the baby's expenses but he wouldn't give that to Trey. He'd have to make more money.
"Damn. So, Ryan. What the hell are you doing here?" Arturo asked.
"Eddie didn't tell you?" Trey sneered. "Ryan knocked up Teresa."
"Fuck you," Teresa snapped, storming out of the room.
Arturo was clearly surprised. "But you weren't even in Newport…"
"Teresa and Eddie had some problems. We hooked up again," Ryan said slowly.
"What kind of problems?" Arturo asked.
"You can ask Eddie all about it," Ryan said, meeting Eddie's gaze as he walked into the living room. Ryan stood up and followed Teresa into the bedroom. He tried to ignore the jubilant welcome Trey and Arturo gave to Eddie.
He could do this. He had to help Trey. He had to take care of Teresa. He could handle this. He'd get another job and he'd take care of it.
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"Sandy Cohen."
"Sandy? It's Ryan…I hope its okay that I called…"
"Of course it is, kid, what's going on, is everything okay?"
"Yeah, yeah…I just wanted to call."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just…I haven't talked to you in a while."
"Kirsten fills me in. I'm sorry that I haven't been there to talk to you lately, Caleb's case has me swamped…"
"How's that going?"
"It's going. How's Teresa?"
"Good, she's good."
"You don't sound so good, kid."
"I'm fine. I just…I needed to hear a friendly voice…"
"What's wrong, Ryan?"
"Nothing, Sandy, I swear. I won't bother you…"
"You're not bothering me…"
"I'm sorry. I'll call Kirsten tomorrow."
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"You'll call if you see them?" The cop held out his card and Ryan took it, twirling it in his fingers.
"Yes, sir."
"Thank you. Congratulations to you and your wife," The officer said as Ryan closed the door. He turned and leaned his back against it as Teresa stared at him from several feet away.
"Ryan…" Teresa walked over to him and put her arms around him. He immediately returned her hug. She was one of the few people he allowed to hug him like this. She knew him. She knew how hard this was going to be.
"We can't tell the cops," Ryan whispered.
"I know, but…" She started. "You're always at work and what if the cops come and you're not here…"
"Teresa. You're freaking out.." He said calmly, running his hand through her long hair as she started to cry.
"I love 'Turo…but what are we going to do?"
"We can't kick them out, Teresa…"
"Mom would…if she were here…"
"Have you told her?"
"Auntie's still really sick, I don't want to worry her…" She sniffled, linking her arms behind his back.
"Then don't. They're just going to lie low here for a few days and then they'll go. Trey says that he's only trying to save enough money to skip town to Mexico…"
"You believe him?"
"Arturo hasn't told you anything?"
"He's my brother, not my friend," She sighed into his chest. He knew what she meant. Arturo was fiercely protective of his little sister, but he'd never treated her like an individual. Just his baby sister.
"It'll be okay."
"I'm sorry I lost my job. You're working so hard…"
"We'll figure something out. Something to get you out of the house all day when I'm gone. Something that won't be too stressful."
"Okay. We'll figure it out."
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The calls started coming more frequently. Sandy would be in the office studying a file and his pocket would vibrate. It was always late and it was always that Chino area code.
Sandy was glad that Ryan was calling him, he never made it home in time for his calls to Kirsten, but he was growing more and more curious as to why the boy was calling. Ryan had always been cryptic and uncommunicative but it had started to grate on Sandy's nerves. He needed to know why the kid kept calling and not saying anything.
"Hey, kid."
"Sandy. What's going on?"
"Not much."
"How's the case coming?"
"It's coming. Caleb's got a long fight ahead of him. How are you?"
"Fine."
"Ryan…you keep calling and it's great to hear from you, but…is everything really okay?"
"Yeah, is this a bad time?"
"No, kid, it's never a bad time…"
"I guess…I guess I just miss you guys."
"We miss you, too. Ryan…do you need something? Do you need money?"
The line was silent.
"Ryan? You know that we will help you…"
"That's not why I call. I'm sorry if you thought that. I won't call you anymore…"
"No, Ryan, wait…"
"I don't call you because of that. I can't believe…I can't believe you'd even think that."
The line went dead before Sandy could even reply.
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Ryan shed his work shirt in the kitchen and walked over to the refrigerator for something to scratch the itch in his throat. He sighed as he realized that there was nothing but beer in the fridge.
"What's going on, little bro?" Trey's voice still made him jump.
"Nothing."
"So, how was work?"
Ryan glared at him as he closed the door to the fridge. "Why are you asking? What's going on?"
"Fuck me for showing an interest," Trey snapped.
"Yeah, fuck you, Trey," Ryan replied, walking past him into the den.
"What's your fucking issue, Ry?" Trey asked, reaching out and grabbing his arm and spinning him around.
It'd been a long time since anyone had grabbed Ryan like that and he retaliated, shoving Trey back several steps. Trey seemed stunned and stared at his brother.
Ryan leaned in close, his eyes sizing up Trey. His brother had always kicked his ass, but Ryan was bigger now, he was stronger. Trey was just a wiry little man and Ryan's clothes hung loosely off his frame.
"What's your beef?" Trey whispered, looking in Ryan's eyes.
"You. You come in here and take over everything. We're supposed to feed you, clothe you, keep the cops away…and you don't have any respect for me or Teresa…"
"Respect? You want respect?" Trey snapped.
Ryan pushed Trey against the wall with the palm of his hand pressed against his chest. "I expect a little respect. Teresa is carrying a child. She doesn't need to have to worry about your bullshit…"
"That baby's Eddie's…" Trey muttered and Ryan punched him before he finished.
He didn't really think about what he was doing. He just hit.
"Trey! Ry! Stop it…" Arturo's voice broke into his consciousness and the next thing he knew, he was on his back and Trey was on top of him.
"Stop it! Ryan, stop it right now!"
It took Teresa's voice to break them up. Ryan shoved Trey off him during a pause and Arturo pulled Trey away. Teresa grabbed Ryan's arm and pulled him to his feet.
"It's over. Come on, baby, let's get you cleaned up…" Teresa said, almost touching his face with her hand, but hesitating, not wanting to hurt him. She waited until he met her gaze before pulling him down the hall to their room.
It took Ryan twenty minutes to get his breathing back to normal. Teresa washed his face and after she was satisfied, she ran her fingers through his hair until he was okay. She made him okay.
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Ryan took off his hard hat and perched on the hood of Teresa's car. She hadn't been able to get a job yet and Trey and Arturo were still staying with them. Two weeks of them raiding the fridge and eating all the groceries. Two weeks of drunken interruptions when he was trying to get some much needed sleep. Two weeks of having Eddie laughing with Trey and Arturo in their living room.
Teresa brought him lunch every day. When they were at home together, they stayed sequestered in their room, talking quietly. Arturo had taken the TV and pawned it so he'd been entertaining her by teaching her how to count cards. She loved her brother, but their arguments were volatile. Arturo would never hit a woman, but he'd 'slap some sense into T' in a heartbeat. Ryan couldn't do anything about it, Teresa insisted that 'sibling violence' didn't count. It wasn't like Ryan and Trey didn't do their share of battling.
He was falling in love with her again and it wasn't exactly the best time. He knew that she loved him and he knew that she had given up a lot to be with him from Eddie's glares every time she walked out of the bedroom. She loved Ryan. She always had.
She sat down beside him and held out his bag. He ran a hand through his sweat plastered hair and gave her a smile.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. How's work?"
"Fine," He answered. She could tell he was exhausted. She turned him gently and began to massage his shoulders as he took a bite of the sandwich she'd brought. He kept his fingers on the outside of the sandwich bag to keep the filth on his hands from tainting the food.
"So, someone called for you, today. You didn't tell me that you were applying for another job."
"Yeah, part-time at the diner. They've been having some crime problems and needed a waiter that could double as a bouncer of sorts. The only man in the place is the cook and he's only got one leg," Ryan explained.
"Sounds like a plan," She said quietly. He immediately turned to face her.
"I don't want to. But Trey and 'Turo aren't going to leave without money. If I take this job, I can make the money faster."
"I know. This whole thing…it just blows, Ryan. We don't need this…"
"I told the diner guy that my girlfriend would be keeping me company. He said you get to eat for free, if I work out," Ryan said with a smile.
"You…you wouldn't mind?"
"I don't get to see you enough as it is. I mean, I'm here for you and I never get to see you. I know you hate being cooped up in the house and this way…I can make sure you're safe."
She embraced him gently. "I'm always safe if I'm with you."
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He didn't bother taking his boots off anymore, he swung the door open and stepped inside. The house was trashed again, beer cans and empty food containers everywhere.
"You're going to drag your brother into every one of your fuck-ups?" Ryan froze at the sound of Sandy's voice.
"Fuck you," Trey snapped.
"Sandy? What are you doing here?" Ryan hurried into the living room.
"Ryan, thank god…" Sandy said, relieved. He was standing toe to toe with Trey and both men were flushed with anger.
"You better get him the hell out of here," Trey told Ryan.
"You're the one that should get the hell out…" Sandy snapped.
Trey took a step forward but Ryan quickly pushed Sandy back and stepped between them.
"Trey, stop it."
"He's going to snitch…"
"Chill out, Trey. Go downstairs," Ryan said evenly. The basement had become their panic room. Arturo and Trey both had cots down there and it was the only room where they could smoke inside. It was one of the few rules they'd follow.
"Fuck you, Ry…"
"Dammit, Trey, go downstairs."
Trey turned and stormed out of the room.
Ryan sighed and turned to face Sandy.
"Ryan, what the hell are you thinking?"
He looked at Sandy for a long moment and then walked past him toward his bedroom.
"Ryan, wait…" Sandy said immediately, regretting his tone.
"I have to get ready for work, come on." Ryan unlocked the door and stepped in.
"Hey, baby…" Teresa was sitting on the bed with a book opened and Ryan's headphones on her ears.
Ryan kissed her on the cheek and motioned to the door where Sandy was standing.
"Mr. Cohen…"
"Teresa…"
"I have to get a shower, can you…" Ryan started.
"I'll stay with Mr. Cohen," Teresa said immediately.
"Ryan, we have to talk…"
Ryan closed the door to the bathroom. Sandy winced at the slam.
"He only has 45 minutes to get to his job at the diner," Teresa explained. "Have a seat…"
"Teresa, what is Ryan's brother doing here?"
"Arturo's here, too. They escaped a few weeks ago…" She said quietly once the shower was heard from the bathroom. Sandy didn't move from the doorway.
"You're harboring fugitives…"
"They're family…we don't have a choice."
"Teresa…"
She got up and closed the door behind Sandy. "You don't understand." She searched Sandy's face for doubt but he really didn't understand. He was angry.
"I thought your mother lived here…" Sandy's anger was fading into confusion and concern.
"She's out of town taking care of her sister. My aunt has cancer."
"God, Teresa, why didn't you call me?"
She gave him a tired look. "There's nothing you can do. 'Turo and Trey…they have nothing to do with you. They're only staying until they save enough money…"
"Where are they getting the money?"
Teresa sighed. "People know them around here so they…they don't really go out much…"
"So…the money?" Sandy urged.
Ryan stepped out wearing fresh jeans. His shaggy hair was still damp and he was more muscular from working construction.
"They said they only need two grand. So I'm taking care of it?"
"How? Ryan…"
"I'm not breaking the law…"
"You're breaking your back, instead?" Sandy snapped. "You look exhausted and…"
"Mr. Cohen…" Teresa started, seeing the effect his anger was having on Ryan. Ryan's eyes were dimming, getting harder as he tried to ignore Sandy's words.
"I need to speak to Ryan," Sandy said quietly, giving her a stern look.
Ryan walked over and put an arm around Teresa. "There's nothing we can't say in front of her."
Teresa turned and got Ryan's shirt from a drawer. She didn't want to come between Ryan and Sandy, but she knew that both were stubborn and that this was just the beginning.
"Ryan, I can't let you stay in this environment?"
"This 'environment?'" Ryan snorted.
"If the cops find out…"
"I won't turn my brother in. I can't," Ryan said, pulling the shirt over his head. Teresa smoothed out his hair and straightened his shirt. Sandy was clearly surprised at the caring routine between them.
"Ryan…" Sandy started.
"There's nothing you can do. You've made it worse by coming here," Teresa said quietly.
"I'll give you the money…"
"I won't take your money, not for this. Listen, I have to get to work…will you drive me?" Ryan was clearly torn but focused.
"Can we talk?" Sandy asked. He had to talk some sense into Ryan.
"While I work." Ryan turned to Teresa and kissed her softly. "I'll see you at nine?"
"Absolutely."
"Tell Trey…" He needed to talk to his brother, he needed to make sure he wouldn't do anything stupid.
"I'll take care of it. Talk to Sandy." Teresa gave him a reassuring hug.
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Sandy followed Ryan out of the bedroom and past Eddie onto the porch. Sandy did a double take, glancing back at the boy that had attacked Ryan months earlier.
"Eddie's here, too?"
"Eddie, Trey and Arturo are pretty tight," Ryan said flatly.
"Ryan, this is just…"
"It's a big fucking mess. You think I don't know that? You think I wanted this to happen?" Ryan whispered urgently, spinning around to face Sandy. "I am here for Teresa. There's no other reason. I'm dealing with this shit the best I can and the faster I can get them the hell out of here, the faster we can get on with our lives."
"Ryan…"
"Dammit, Sandy, I'm trying…"Ryan said seriously and Sandy could see on his face how hard he was trying. He'd been managing with his construction job but now he had to take another job to support his fugitive brother.
"Calm down…"
"You should've called," Ryan whispered as Sandy popped the locks on the BMW so Ryan could get in. Once Ryan had given him the directions to the diner, three blocks away, Sandy started to drive.
"So. That's why you've been calling?"
"No. I called you because I wanted to talk to you. I didn't call you for help or for money, I called because I wanted to talk to you. It was a mistake, I see that now. What the hell are you even doing here, Sandy?"
Sandy was stricken to hear the question. He never wanted Ryan to doubt him, he never wanted Ryan to question his importance in his life but Ryan's voice was cold.
"I came to check on my son. You call Kirsten but you never tell her anything…"
"She's worried sick about Seth. Anything I can do to make it better, I will. This isn't your problem…"
"You don't have to take care of your brother…"Sandy said as he parked the beamer.
"Sandy. You don't know anything about this. Please. Just go home." Ryan stepped out.
"We are going to talk, Ryan…" Sandy followed him out of the car.
"Okay. This is where I work. It should be pretty slow, I just need to clock in and then I'll take your order. Sit over there, down by the end." Ryan pointed out a booth in the corner.
"Ryan, let me talk to your boss, we need to sit down and…"
"I can't lose this job. We'll have time to talk. Unless you don't want to wait…"
"I'll wait."
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Sandy drank three cups of coffee before Ryan slid into the booth across from him.
"Ryan. It's good to see you. Have I told you that yet?"
Ryan met his gaze for a split second before lowering it. .
Sandy's anger had disappeared while watching Ryan work. The kid was in a bad situation and was just trying to hang on. He was good at his job, Sandy noticed that he was bussing tables and serving customers that weren't even his tables. The waitresses respected him and the customers seemed to respect him, too.
"Ryan. I want to help you…"
"I don't need your help. I have it under control…"
"Ryan."
"I know it doesn't seem like it, but I do. And…I love Teresa. This is where I need to be."
"I want you and Teresa to come home with me."
Ryan shook his head. "We can't."
"Ryan…"
"You don't understand. Seth hates me, Sandy. He really hates me. I won't come back. I won't go back there…no matter how much I want it…I can't…"
"Ryan, Seth will come to his senses…" Sandy started, enlightened by Ryan's confession. Now that he had something to work with, he knew he could convince Ryan to come home.
"Ryan…"Eddie ran up to the table, breathless. He skidded to a stop and collided with the edge of the booth, upsetting both the coffees.
"What the hell, Eddie?" Ryan snapped.
"It's Teresa, you have to come…" He panted.
"What? What happened?" Ryan asked immediately, standing up.
"She was arguing with 'Turo and he shoved her, she fell and…"
Ryan turned and saw several of the waitresses watching him. They nodded and waved for him to go.
Sandy stood up and took Ryan's arm. "I'm driving. Let's go."
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Ryan jumped out of the car before Sandy even stopped. An ambulance and several police cars were blocking the street.
He recognized Trey and Arturo in handcuffs beside the porch. Arturo had blood all over him. Ryan tried to get to the porch, but the cops stopped him.
"My girlfriend's in there, you have to let me by…" Ryan insisted. Sandy approached and pulled Ryan back.
Sandy spoke to the officer quietly while keeping his hand clenched around Ryan's muscular arm. Finally, after a panicked few seconds, Sandy led Ryan behind the officer to the front porch.
"Ryan, I'm sorry…" Arturo started, his face streaked with tears. "I didn't mean to hurt her…"
"You never mean to hurt her, but she's your sister…she's pregnant, she has a life inside her and you don't even care…if you hurt her, I'll…" Ryan snapped. Trey kept his eyes locked on the ground. Sandy pulled him away from the men and into the house.
The paramedics were lifting Teresa's body on a stretcher when they got inside.
"Teresa? Is she okay? What happened?" Ryan asked quickly, looking at the medics desperately. Sandy held his arm tightly and Ryan was barely staying beside him, pulling toward Teresa.
"Son, just let them work…" Sandy urged, seeing the blood dripping from the stretcher. Something was sticking out of Teresa's side.
"Are you family?"
"He's her boyfriend, she's carrying his baby," Sandy answered when Ryan finally pulled away and went to Teresa's side.
"Oh…I'm sorry, sir, but…"
"Is she going to be all right?" Ryan asked, his eyes flashing as he realized what the EMT was trying to tell him.
"We're going to do everything we can for her…she fell down the stairs and landed on a tool someone had left out…we need to take her to the hospital…"
"I want to go with her…" He said.
"I'm sorry, sir…"
"We'll follow the ambulance, okay?" Sandy said gently, taking Ryan's arm again as the medics rolled Teresa outside.
"I can't lose her. Sandy, I can't…" Ryan said blankly.
"You won't. Let's go, okay?"
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"I can't lose her…I can't…" Ryan said suddenly, coming to life and starting for the doors.
"Ryan, no, you have to let the doctors work…" Sandy and several orderlies and nurses held him back.
"She needs me…"Ryan said, his blue eyes dark with desperation.
Teresa's anguished voice echoed through the hallway. "Ryan! Ryan…"
"Please…please, let me go…" Tears started to streak down his face as he struggled.
Teresa cried out for him again.
"Let me go…"
Sandy held Ryan's arms as he deflated. "Ryan, you have to wait…" One of the nurses rushed into Teresa's room.
"She needs me, please, Sandy…please…" He begged. Sandy couldn't look in Ryan's eyes, he couldn't bear to see the emotion in his eyes.
The nurse returned and nodded to Sandy, taking Ryan by the arm and leading him into the room.
He immediately went to her side, by her head where the doctors weren't gathered. "It's all right, baby, I'm here…" He said.
"Ryan…" She whispered, grabbing his hand desperately.
"Shh…" He wiped her face with his hand. "It's going to be okay…" He didn't look at the blood trickling onto the floor or hanging in the bag beside him. He kept his eyes locked with Teresa.
"Don't leave me…"
"I'll never leave you, Teresa, I'm right here…"
"I'm sorry, I…"
"You didn't do anything wrong, just relax and keep looking at me…they're taking care of you…"
She swallowed thickly and something flashed in her eyes. "I think I'm dying, Ryan…"
"No, no…you're okay…"
"Ryan…"
"Do something," He ordered the doctors, turning his attention to them quickly.
"Sir, she's losing too much blood…"
"Ryan, look at me…I love you, okay?"
He couldn't breathe, he couldn't think. He finally settled his gaze on her again. She was squeezing his hand still but her grip wasn't as strong.
"Teresa, you're going to be fine…"
"Listen, Ryan…please…I love you, okay? And if I don't…"
"Stop it, you're going to be fine…" He said. He saw the doctors shaking their heads out of the corner of his eye.
"Ryan…just stay with me, okay?"
One of the doctors tapped Ryan on the shoulder and he glanced over. The doctor said something to him quietly but Ryan didn't listen. She wasn't going to die. She wasn't going to die today. Please.
The nurses and doctors started to file out of the room and Teresa let out a whimper, grabbing Ryan's other hand and holding them both tightly.
"Oh, Ryan…I'm so sorry…"
"You have nothing to be sorry for…just calm down, okay? Everything's going to be fine. Remember…remember when we first went to the park? You were sitting on the swing in that little skirt…"
"Ryan…no…"
"No, listen…" He said gently and she immediately relaxed, listening. "You were wearing that little skirt and you really wanted to swing but you didn't want the boys looking at you…"
"So you told me to wrap my arms around the chains and hold my skirt down…you said you'd catch me if I fell…" She finished.
"And I did…you almost went headfirst into the sandbox…"
"You skinned both your knees and you didn't even shed a tear…" She whispered, crying.
"I was just glad I caught you…"
"You always caught me…please, Ryan…just…will you just hold me?"
He could see her fading and he leaned over the bed and wrapped his arms around her. She wrapped his arms around him and clung to him.
"Please…don't say anything…just stay…" She murmured into his chest. He rocked her gently. He heard the monitor beeping urgently but he focused his attention on Teresa. When the beeping turned into a constant tone, he didn't release her.
After several minutes, her arms relaxed and he lowered her back to the bed. Her eyes were closed and she wasn't breathing.
A nurse was waiting by the door, she had remained behind when the doctors had given him time with Teresa. She walked over to him and patted him on the back. "Your father's outside…"
"Can I have some time with her?" Ryan managed.
"Sure."
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Sandy was pacing outside the room. The doctors had left Ryan alone in the room with a nurse, so either Teresa was stable or she…or she was gone.
His mind was spinning. Ryan's broken voice saying that he couldn't lose her. Ryan's eyes when he told him that Seth hated him. Ryan's plea for him to leave.
His phone was buzzing in his pocket but he didn't feel like talking to anyone. He needed to see Ryan.
The door opened and Ryan stepped out.
"Ryan?"
"I have to go."
"Ryan, no, wait…how's Teresa…"
"Teresa's dead. She's dead." Ryan walked past him but Sandy jogged to catch up with him. He grabbed his arm and stopped him.
"Ryan. Wait. Just wait. Please. Let me take you home."
"Teresa…Teresa was my home. Let me go, Sandy. Please."
Sandy released his arm. He couldn't deny Ryan the chance to grieve. He didn't know that Ryan loved her to such an extent. Ryan took several steps away from him. "I'll call."
"Will you?"
"I'll call," He repeated and then walked out of the hospital.
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