A/N: Hope you guys enjoy the chapter! I have found it a little difficult to write the Super Couple when they are not yet the Super Couple. Hope you like it anyway! And I need your guys' help! PLEASE! I have been looking for a story on here that I read a while ago and want to re-read but I cannot find it! UGH! Anyway it is about Ryan and he hurts his shoulder, dislocating it. He pops it back in himself and ends up needing surgery because of damage because of the years that he has just been popping it back in without a doctor. Please help me if you can! I have been looking for it for like two weeks. It is driving me nuts. Thanks.
READ AND REVIEW! And I own nothing!
Over the next week Ryan and Seth became good friends, playing at daycare every chance they got. The two had once dreaded daycare and now they both looked forward to it. They hadn't yet been able to hang out away from Little Sun and Surf.
Finally, after much begging from Seth, Kirsten called Sandy Cohen to set up a time. That was the Wednesday a week after Seth and Ryan had met and the following Saturday is when they set up the play date. Kirsten had everything planned she and Seth would meet Sandy and Ryan at the pier for lunch then they'd take the boys to the amusement park for a few hours, then a snack and the beach for a little while. Getting all four home to their own houses for dinner. Kirsten had the day planned; now all she had to do was wait and not go nuts because of Seth's excitement.
Kirsten really was happy for Seth, in fact she couldn't be happier. With Anna and Zach out of town for most of the summer, she was afraid Seth would stay cooped up with Captain Oats, not even trying to make a friend at the daycare. That had been one of the reasons she had him in daycare and not with her mother; Seth needed to be around kids his age. The other reason was the fact that her mother was ill, but Kirsten didn't want to talk about that or even think about that. Though she had been through it once with Jimmy, it felt ten times worse with her mother. This was her mom, she couldn't lose her mom.
Sandy was so happy for Ryan; he seemed the happiest he had been in awhile. Sandy knew that for Ryan to really enjoy it here and call it home, he needed a friend. And from what Sandy had observed between the boys and what Shelby had told him; the boys were complete opposites. Ryan being the quiet one and Seth loud and talkative, Ryan strong and athletic and Seth skinny and nerdy. Everyone agreed that the boys complimented each other nicely. Ryan the giver and Seth the taker; the perfect match.
The dinner table each night at the Cohen pad since the two met was filled with their adventures from the day. Ryan laughing and rolling his eyes at something Seth said or did. Sandy was extremely happy; he hadn't seen this side of Ryan since before they moved. Ryan was excited for their play date Saturday; he had the date circled on the calendar in bright red Sharpie. Sandy was excited too; he had laughed when Kirsten said she had the whole day planned. Sandy was planning on just winging it, but she had a whole itinerary set. Sandy was hoping to sway off of it a little though.
"Mom!" Seth whined as he waited by the door Saturday.
"Seth, do not whine or we will not go, I will call Mr. Cohen and cancel," Kirsten said firmly but on the inside she was smiling at her son's eagerness.
"No! Sorry, mommy. But can we go now?" Seth asked jumping up.
"Sure, honey, let me just grab the bag," Kirsten said and then turned to go to the kitchen and came back with Seth's backpack over her shoulder.
"YES!" Seth yelled jumping up and pumping his fist as Kirsten opened the door to the backseat.
"Seth, how about you get in, honey, so we can go," Kirsten said smiling at Seth who had started babbling about how fun the day was going to be.
Kirsten shook her head and laughed at her son as he hopped in the car. She was so happy.
"Ready, Ry?" Sandy asked when he walked in the living room where Ryan was trying his best to compose himself. But Sandy noticed his legs bouncing and the second he heard Sandy Ryan jumped to his feet.
Ryan nodded, the only thing that gave Sandy any clue that Ryan was excited about the day at this moment was the fact that he was smiling from ear to ear.
"Alright, then let's go have some fun," Sandy said smiling and waving Ryan towards the door. Ryan smiled even bigger, which was something that Sandy had not thought possible at that moment, and ran towards and then out the door. Sandy followed smiling as he locked the door. When he turned around Ryan was in the car and fighting with his seat belt still with the same smile on his face.
"Daddy?" Ryan asked once Sandy was pulling out of the driveway.
"Yeah, kiddo, what's wrong?" Sandy asked stopping, just in case Ryan forgot something or he had to use the bathroom.
"Do you think Brady would be mad if he knew that I had another best friend?" Ryan asked quietly as the smile that had been planted on his face for a week disappeared.
Sandy's heart melted at his son's innocence and Sandy knew if Brady were to be upset and Ryan knew it, Ryan would be sure not to have fun at all today.
"No, buddy, I'm sure Brady is making new friends too. He has Theresa and Eddie still; you don't have anybody, except for your dear old dad. No, Brady would be happy for you," Sandy replied truthfully.
"Ok," Ryan said and then smiled again. Sandy smiled back and then turned back to the wheel.
"Ryan!" Seth yelled the minute he spotted Sandy and Ryan in front of the diner. Seth took off towards his new friend.
"Seth!" Kirsten yelled after her son as she ran towards him.
"Hi Seth!" Ryan said once his friend was next to him.
"Are you alright?" Sandy asked Kirsten when she got up to the trio. She was bent over in front of them and out of breath. Kirsten looked up at Sandy through her bangs and nodded. Sandy held in his laughter as Seth and Ryan were oblivious to what Kirsten was doing.
"Seth," Kirsten said as she stood up after a moment. Seth stopped talking and turned to his mom, realizing what he had done.
"I'm sorry, mommy, I forgot," Seth said as he looked at his shoes and then up at his mom.
"We've talked about running away from me like that, it is not safe and something could have happened," Kirsten said kneeling down in front of Seth.
"But nothing did," Seth said quietly and full of innocence. Sandy looked on trying hold in a smile as he rested his hands on Ryan's shoulders. He wasn't smiling at Seth running away because if Ryan had done that he would be having the same conversation; he was smiling at Seth's quiet response.
"Just don't do it again, honey," Kirsten said and then stood up and kissed his forehead.
"Mom," Seth whined. "Not in front of Ryan," he said through gritted teeth.
Sandy and Kirsten both shared a laugh.
"How are you today?" Sandy asked Kirsten as the boys went back to babbling about some cartoon.
"Glad that today is here, Seth has been excited and running around all week. He is even more hyper than usual. I'm glad today has finally arrived for my sanity and the boys. Was Ryan pretty excited?" Kirsten asked smiling at the new friends.
"Oh yeah, it takes a lot to get Ryan excited and today had him. I think he talked more this week than he has in his whole life. I think Seth is rubbing off on him and… ah… I don't mean that in a bad way, by the way. Ryan is a little quiet and it takes a whole lot of sugar to get him talking and hyper. Seth had managed to do that with very little sugar. I am very impressed," Sandy said with a smile.
"Well for my sake I hope Ryan rubs off on Seth. Be careful what you wish for I guess," Kirsten said smiling too, Sandy knew she was kidding.
"Boys, are you ready to eat?" Sandy asked looking down at them.
"YAY!" both boys yelled turning to their parents.
"Well then, let's go," Kirsten said as Sandy opened the door to the diner and she waved them in.
The four of them ate and talked and laughed at jokes Seth made and the looks Ryan gave. After lunch they headed down the pier to the Balboa Fun Zone, a small amusement park for little kids. The four of them walked in and got their wrist bands. The boys figured out where they wanted to go, steering clear of the high rides.
As they watched the boys ride around on the mini roller coaster, Sandy caught a look at Kirsten a few times. She was a very beautiful woman and he wondered if she would date a man like him.
Kirsten thought as she watched her son and his new friend riding the kiddy roller coaster. She thought Sandy was pretty funny and was a great father. Watching him interact with Ryan, she knew he was a good man.
"So, did you grow up near Berkeley?" Kirsten asked Sandy as they watched Seth and Ryan hit each other in bumper cars.
"No, actually I grew up in the Bronx, but I left home at 17 and headed west. My mother is a social worker; she worked a lot so my siblings and I had to take care of ourselves. My father left when I was about 10 and I haven't seen him since. I knew if I kept living in the Bronx, I wouldn't go anywhere in life. My ma was livid when she found out that I wanted to be a lawyer, she thinks all lawyers are heartless. Don't get me wrong my mother is a wonderful woman. Scary? Maybe. Stubborn? Definitely. So it was her way or the highway, I chose the highway. She is really great at her job; she helps a lot of kids, she just wasn't always there to help her own. Well when I got to California, I got a job and got into Berkeley and then law school. After law school I worked at a private law firm for awhile. But I could only take so much of neighbors arguing about property lines and fence rows. I wanted something more, I wanted to help people; I wanted to make a difference. So when Newport came-a-calling, I couldn't pass it up," Sandy explained as the boys exited the cars and came running towards them, laughing.
"Daddy!" Ryan called as he leapt into Sandy's arms, surprising him. Seth did the same to Kirsten.
"Did you see me? Did you see me bump Seth?" Ryan asked as Seth told Kirsten the same thing but with more action and he made noises and motions with his hands.
"Yes, I did, buddy, you both did great. Where to next?" Sandy asked and then put Ryan back on the ground.
"Can we go to the bikes, mommy?" Seth asked as both of them looked up at their parents, smiling widely.
"Sure, honey, whatever you guys want," Kirsten replied smiling as she looked down at Seth.
"Sweet-o, let's go Ry!" Seth said excited, both boys took off running.
"Wait for us, guys," Sandy called before Seth and Ryan could get too far away.
Both of them stopped abruptly and turned, trying to wait patiently for their parents. Once all four were together they walked the rest of the way and the boys got on the ride while Sandy and Kirsten found bench right next to it.
"Wow, I don't think I could do that; move across the country, away from my family and do as great as you ar…did," Kirsten said referring back to their bumper cars conversation. She watched the boys as her cheeks grew red.
"Oh, I don't know, I think you could do it. You seem like a very strong, independent woman, I have no doubt that you could do it," Sandy said smiling as he acted as if he didn't notice the color of her cheeks turn a different shade.
"Thank you, but I couldn't leave my family. You left your support system for some place where you had no one," Kirsten said with a small smile as she turned back to Sandy. Kirsten was trying to figure out how someone could leave their family when she couldn't imagine life without her mother.
"Of course I miss them and I went back when I could afford it and wasn't too busy. But life takes hold and times rushes by. But I built a new family and support system here. I worked the summer before I started college for a lawyer, Brendon Farmer; he became my mentor and I lived with his family before school started. They became my family. Then school started and I moved into the dorms and became great friends with my roommate, Jack Gray. The Farmers and Jack were my family. Jack's parents died when he was young so he didn't have a family either. Seth and Ryan remind me of Jack and me; two opposites that got along great. The summer after our first year, Jack and I got an apartment. Our sophomore year we met Laura, Jack started dating her and they married a year later. Laura was added to the family. Laura moved in with us, but as you can imagine living with your husband and his best friend, wasn't much fun. So I let them have the apartment and I went back to the dorms. A year after we graduated, I was in to law school; Jack was still going for his PH.D. in Social work and Laura was in med school. That same year Jack and Laura had a son. I was his Godfather. So when they died in a car accident when Ryan was two, I was granted custody and a month later I adopted him. Ryan is my family now and the way I see it, if I hadn't moved to California I would never have met Jack and I wouldn't now have my son. And my life without Ryan is something I don't even want to think about. I couldn't imagine my life without my son," Sandy explained as the two adults looked at each other square in the eyes, neither faltering nor looking away.
"How great is he?" Kirsten wasn't exactly sure what she was feeling but she was definitely feeling something.
"You love her and you know nothing about her, you idiot," Sandy thought as he looked at Kirsten.
"That's great that you did that, not many would take in a child while they are still putting their career together. Does Ryan know about his parents?" Kirsten asked as they directed their attention back to their conversation.
"He knows. I've told him about his parents since I adopted him. I'm sure more questions will arise when he gets older but for now he's a happy six years old boy and is just glad he has someone to protect him," Sandy replied as he watched Ryan.
"He's so quiet and polite," Kristen observed as she watched the boys go around.
"That he is and he gets it from Jack. Jack was pretty quiet and always considerate of others, putting himself last. Ryan is like that even at his age, he is a very selfless child; very sensitive to others. I love him so much," Sandy said smiling.
"Seth is great though, he is quite a ham. He definitely has a sense of humor and I love that he's doesn't care that he's different. He's just having fun," Sandy added as watched as he watched Seth making funny faces at Ryan.
"I don't know what I would do if I didn't have Seth, he definitely keeps it interesting," Kirsten said with a little laugh. "He is my whole life".
Sandy nodded his understanding and then stood to greet the boys that were walking towards them.
"What do you say, fellas? How about some arcade games?" Sandy asked as he bent down in front of Ryan.
"Yeah and then we'll go to the beach, how about it, boys?" Kristen asked as she bent down and straightened Seth's shirt.
Ryan and Seth looked at each other and then back at their parents and nodded 'yes' quickly.
"Great, let's go," Sandy said standing up and taking Ryan's hand as Kirsten did the same with Seth.
They played games with the boys and even by themselves for about an hour. After the boys played all the games they wanted to, it was going on 3:00 and they were complaining that they were hungry.
"Ooh… Daddy, can we get some ice cream? Please?" Ryan asked tugging on Sandy's shirt as they walked down the pier.
"Ooh, yeah, Mommy, can we get Balboa Bars?" Seth almost shouted with excitement as he looked up at his mom.
Sandy looked up at Kirsten as she looked at him. Kirsten looked apprehensive but Sandy just shrugged.
"Sure, honey, we'll get Balboa Bars and then we'll get you changed into your swim trunks for the beach," Kristen replied giving in to the six year olds who abruptly celebrated with the same excitement that they had been filled with all week.
"You father is Caleb Nichol, huh? The self made, ruthless, real estate king? So you grew up in Newport?" Sandy asked Kirsten, not trying to be rude. But everyone knew about Caleb Nichol and his personality.
Kirsten and Sandy were sitting in sun chairs as Seth and Ryan built a sand castle and played with their toys on the beach.
"Yes, that's my father," Kristen said with a small smile, not taking his comment as rude at all. She knew her father did not have a lot of fans.
"I've spent my whole life in Newport, except for when I was in college at USC. I lived in L.A. with my husband and Seth, but when Seth was two Jimmy died of cancer and we moved back to Newport. Jimmy and I grew up together, but we married our freshman year at USC, then we had Seth the year after we graduated. Now I am the CFO at my father's company and a single mom. Like you said I couldn't imagine life without my son," Kirsten replied, smiling at the boys.
"I'm sorry about your husband," Sandy said sincerely.
"Thank you, he was a good man and really cared about his family," Kristen said turning back to Sandy.
"My story isn't nearly as exciting as yours," she said with a laugh.
"What did you go to college for? Did you always plan on working for your father?" Sandy asked.
"No, I didn't plan on working for my father until after I moved back to Newport. I majored in Art History, I was thinking about being an architect. But after Jimmy died and I moved back here, things changed and it was just easier for everyone if I worked at the Newport Group," Kristen replied.
"Plus, I keep my father in line, while my mom isn't around," she said with a laugh.
Sandy nodded and laughed.
"So, do think that they had fun today?" Sandy asked sarcastically.
"I think it is pretty safe to say they did," Kirsten said smiling.
"You know, Ryan really needed this, thank you," Sandy said seriously. "He was not too happy about moving and leaving his friends and he's pretty shy, so I'm just happy that Seth came along".
"You're welcome, but I have to thank you too, Seth doesn't really have a lot of friends. Other kids, sort of pick on him because he's different and his two friends are away on vacation, so really I'm glad they met too. I'm happy they get along so well, he gets along well with Anna and Zach too but not like with Ryan. They act like they have known each other forever not just a week," Kirsten said smiling as Seth sent one of his Super Man crashing into the castle and Ryan laughed and did the same with his superhero.
"Well you are very welcome and maybe sometime we could get lunch or coffee or maybe even dinner without the boys," Sandy said trying to be sly.
"Please say yes, please say yes," Sandy was smiling and waiting as Kirsten continued to watch the boys.
"Absolutely," Kirsten thought watching Seth and Ryan play.
"That would be nice," Kirsten said smiling and turning back to Sandy.
"Great, I will have my people call your people," Sandy said jokingly.
"Great," Kirsten smiled and then looked at her watch.
"I think they are calming down, they aren't running like they were, what time is it?" Sandy asked when he noticed her looking at her watch.
"Almost 5, what do you think? Call it a day?" Kirsten asked looking over at Sandy again and then the boys.
Seth and Ryan were playing quietly in the sand and, they looked worn out.
"I think that is a good idea," Sandy said as he stood up, "I'll get them and make sure they get their toys".
"Great, I'll start picking up here," Kirsten replied who now was also standing.
"Come on, Ry, let's go little man," Sandy said as he turned and stopped waiting for Ryan who was dragging behind.
The four of them were walking back to the parking lot, Seth had already asked Kirsten to carry him but Ryan being the tough guy, said he could walk. He had gradually slowed down and was almost dragging his back pack behind him.
"Come here, kiddo," Sandy said as he picked him up and slung his back pack over his shoulder. Ryan made himself comfortable and laid his head on his father's shoulder, like he did so many times before.
"We will see you guys on Monday," Kirsten said as they arrived at her car first.
"Yep, thanks for a great day," Sandy said smiling as Kirsten set Seth in his booster seat. "Say bye, Ry".
Ryan lifted his head and waved, "Bye, Kristen. Bye, Seth," Ryan said quietly and then laid his head back on Sandy's shoulder.
"See ya Ryan, it was nice hanging with you today," Kirsten said sweetly and as she rubbed his back.
"See ya, Ry-man, see ya on Monday," Seth said waving from the car. "Bye, Mr. C.".
"See ya Seth," Sandy said smiling. "I'll call ya and we'll make plans," he added looking at Kirsten.
"That'd be great. Good night, guys," She said and then walked around to the driver side.
"Good night," Sandy said and then turned to walk to his car.
"Thank you, mommy," Seth said drowsy as Kirsten tucked him to bed.
"You're welcome, honey, I'm so glad you had fun today," Kirsten replied smiling at him.
"Sleep tight, sweetheart," she said and then kissed his forehead and stood up.
"Mommy?" Seth said as Kirsten made her way over to turn on his night light.
"Yeah, sweetie?" Kirsten said turning back to him.
"Do you think Ryan will still be my friend when we go back to school?" Seth asked sweetly.
"Of course, honey, I think you have a great friend in Ryan and I don't think he will ever not be your friend. You guys may fight or argue, but I don't think you will ever stop being his friend, at least I hope not, sweetie. Now get some sleep, you've had a long day," Kirsten said, trying to reassure her son.
Seth, apparently, satisfied turned over and closed his eyes.
Kirsten smiled and left the room, she had believed her words, and she believed that Ryan and Seth would be friends when school started. Ryan seemed very loyal and she didn't think that he would turn his back on Seth, just because other kids thought he was weird.
As Kirsten made her way to the living room, she thought about the day and Sandy. She liked him and really couldn't wait to get to know him better. Yes, Kirsten was looking forward to her date with Sandy Cohen.
"Did you have fun today, buddy?" Sandy asked Ryan as he tucked him in.
Ryan nodded and smiled, he was tired and back to his quiet self. A day with Seth had run him ragged.
"Tomorrow, how about we just take it easy? Just stay home and hang out with each other. How about it? You wanna hang with dear old dad?" Sandy asked smiling and sitting on the edge of the bed.
Ryan nodded again and Sandy smiled.
"Great, good night, buddy, dream sweet," Sandy said and then kissed Ryan's forehead.
"Daddy? Do you think Seth will be my friend forever?" Ryan asked when Sandy sat back up.
"I think, if you want him to be, he will be," Sandy said smiling and remembering again just how much he loves his son.
"I do," Ryan replied quietly.
"Then he will be, buddy," Sandy said still smiling. "Go to sleep, kiddo, I'll see ya in the morning, sweet dreams".
Sandy stood up as Ryan turned over on his stomach, hugging his stuffed monkey, tightly. Sandy turned on Ryan's night light and then walked out, shutting his door only part way.
Sandy walked out on the back deck, thinking about the day and how much fun Ryan had with Seth. Then about his conversations with Kirsten, he couldn't wait for their date, he was hoping something would come of their day together. He smiled and took a swig from his beer. Yep, Kirsten Nichol was quite the woman.
A/N: Thanks and hope you liked it! Review please and let me know! And if you could help me, I would really appreciate it! I have my class on Monday so I'm not sure when Ch 7 will be up but I will get it up whenever I can! Thanks!