It's Crazy How Things Work Out For the Better


Disclaimer: I know I don't own the O.C. . . don't make me repeat it.

Chapter 6

"So we're having an ice cream celebration."

Sandy glared at Seth, "Yes son, for the fiftieth time, we ARE having an ice cream celebration to celebrate Alex having twins. Is that a problem?"

By this point, Sandy was standing over Seth, looking down at him, daring him to question this impromptu ice cream trip once again. Seth made the smart decision to remain silent.

After Alex's announcement and their guests' departure, the Cohens had decided to make a run down to the pier for ice cream. Alex and Kirsten were walking up in front, talking about baby-related things, while Sandy and the boys brought up the rear, not wanting to be warped into THAT conversation.

"Aren't you going to tell everyone about your 'plan'?" Kirsten turned around and asked Sandy.

"Ah, yes. The plan," Sandy looked around at the teenagers, "You see, technically, this ice cream trip had three purposes: One, we can celebrate the fact that Alex is having twins; two, we can officially initiate Alex into the Cohen clan; and three, we can get cartons of ice cream so that yours truly will not be making runs to the store at 3 am to satisfy someone's baby-craving."

"Nice," Alex, Seth and Ryan said in unison, causing the group to erupt in laughter.

After a few more minutes, the family made it to the ice cream stand. They all ordered what they wanted while Sandy paid for it all. The Cohens then went to walk around town.

The family had just rounded a corner when Alex walked right into someone.

"Oh God! I am so sorry! I was not paying attention!" Alex said as she helped pick up the woman's fallen purse.

"It is all right, Alexandra."

Alex's head snapped up at the sound of her name. It was only then that she realized whom she had run into.

"Mom?" Alex was almost praying that she was seeing things.

"It has been a long time. How are you?" Alex's mother, Adrianna asked the girl.

"I'm good. How are you?" Alex suddenly turned shy at the sight of her mother, "Where's Dad?"

"We're good. Your father is around here somewhere," Alex visibly shuddered at her mother's words. He was the very last person she wanted to see.

Yet, despite that fact, the man in question walked out of a store and up to Adrianna.

"So, they didn't have it. Why in God's name would John tell me that they had what I was looking for if they have never carried it in that store! I need to have a serious word with that man when we get home," Andrew Kelly noticed the guilty look on his wife's face and turned to look in the same direction, "Oh, why didn't you tell me you were talking to someone. Do you know these people, Adrian-"

Andrew's eyes fell on his daughter. His obviously fake smile turned scowl within seconds. The Cohens took a step backwards.

"Hey Dad," Alex felt the sudden urge to take off in the other direction. Forget Julie Cooper, Andrew Kelly was the most heartless and terrifying person Alex had ever met, hands down.

"What are you doing here, ingrate?" Andrew spat at his youngest daughter.

Everyone standing around the pair were shocked. What man calls his daughter such a rude and hurtful name?

Alex was about to respond to the insult when her father's eyes dropped down to her obviously swollen stomach. 'Oh, shit' Alex thought, 'And now he knows.'

"You got yourself pregnant?" The remark was so cold; people could have mistaken it for then next Ice Age.

"Technically, someone else got me . . ."

Alex had no chance to finish her comment because a hand connected with the left side of her face. Just the force of the slap caused Alex to stumble back a few steps.

"How dare you speak to me like that! After all that I've done for you, you disgrace me in this way? You ungrateful little slut!"

Andrew backhanded Alex, and Alex fell to the ground. Within an instant, Sandy was standing inches away from him.

"I suggest you walk away now before I disable you from walking at all," Sandy was not one for fighting, but these were extenuating circumstances.

"And just how are you going to do that?" Andrew shoved Sandy backwards, "She's my daughter, and I'm allowed to do whatever I want to her!"

Sandy had heard enough. He was getting ready to punch the asshole, when Alex stepped in front of him.

"Walk away, Sandy. He isn't worth it," Alex pleaded with him, "I don't want there to be a fight over me."

Sandy and Alex turned back to the Kellys, but they were already walking away. That was over way too quickly for Alex's liking. Andrew Kelly never walked away from a fight, but Alex was in too much pain to think about it further.

"Σ αγαπώ. Ελπίζω ότι ξέρετε αυτόν. Και λυπάμαι ότι εάμαι μια τέτοια ντροπή." Alex yelled to her mother in Greek. 'I love you. I hope you know that. And I am sorry that I am such a disgrace.'

Adrianna Kelly turned around to face Alex with tears in her eyes, "Σ αγαπώ, η κόρη μου. Δεν θα είστε ποτέ ντροπή στα μάτια μου. Μην ξεχάστε ποτέ αυτός."

Then she walked away. 'I love you, my daughter. You shall never be a disgrace in my eyes. Never forget that.'

* * * * * * * * *

Back at the Cohens, Alex sat on the couch in the living room with Kirsten alternating between holding an icepack to her right cheek and then to her left.

"You really don't need to do this," Alex protested, "It doesn't even hurt anymore!"

Kirsten ignored her. Alex may be a badass on the outside, but even a 'badass' is allowed to admit to feeling pain. Alex may fool most, but that act did nothing for Kirsten. Alex turned her head to face Kirsten and had opened her mouth to speak when Marissa and Summer charged in the room.

"Oh God, Al!!! Are you okay . . . I mean, obviously not, but are you hurting? What happened? Seth was pathetically stingy on the details!" Marissa sped through those sentences in one breath.

"I'm fine. I just got hit . . . by my Dad," Alex looked away from the fiery woman. The incident was not something she wanted to talk about.

"Your Dad hit you? For what reason?" Summer was taken aback. Was Alex father really abusive? Is that why she got emancipated?

"Hey you guys, why don't you lay off of the questions for awhile and hang with me and Seth in the pool house." Ryan, who had just re-entered the room, suggested to the girls.

"Yeah, I was going to put Alex to bed anyways," Kirsten said.

"You know, Kirsten, I can do that!" Marissa chimed in, "That is, if you want, Alex."

Alex shrugged and started up the stairs to her room. Marissa followed her up there after a couple of minutes later.

When Marissa walked into the bedroom, Alex was sitting on her bed sobbing. She had kept her emotions well hidden in front of everybody, despite her hormones, but now, the weight of the entire evening just came down onto her. Alex could not help the floodgates from opening . . . even if it was in front of Marissa.

"Oh Honey, it will be okay. You have all of us here for you, you will have the twins; it will get better. Plus, I'll be here. I promise I won't leave you," Marissa held Alex close to her, and ran her fingers through her hair.

"You did before. How do I know you won't do it again?" Alex really wanted to believe everything Marissa said, but she didn't know if she could trust her with her heart again.

"Because I've learned from my mistakes."

After Alex had stopped bawling, Marissa stood Alex up and started to take her clothes off for her. Alex had become an empty shell; she had wanted to get out of her clothes and get into bed, but because of her dejected state, she was unable to force her own body to move on its own accord.

Marissa had finished peeling off Alex's shirt and had knelt down to unzip her pants when she looked at Alex's belly. Really looked at it. Alex had been gaining a lot weight in the past couple of weeks, and despite what she said, pregnancy worked well with her body.

Marissa brought her hand up and rubbed it on Alex's baby bump, "So beautiful," she murmured on Alex's skin before she placed two gentle kisses on her stomach.

Despite wanting to continue to lavish Alex's body, Marissa stopped herself and just helped her out of her pants, and into bed. Marissa had every intention of leaving, but Alex grabbed onto her wrist before she could.

"Stay." It wasn't a question, but Marissa was given the choice to leave if she wanted.

But she stayed. Marissa took off her socks and pants, and climbed into bed with Alex, pulling the other girl back so that she was spooning her.

Marissa was almost asleep when she heard a soft voice in the darkness, "I love you, Rissa."

Marissa smiled a sad smile, "I love you too, Al."

Both girls then fell asleep with tears running down their cheeks.


Sooo. . . here's chapter 6. . . I hope you all enjoy!!!!