Disclaimer: The OC, I like so totally do not own it.
Author's Note: All right kiddies, there is an Adult Swim moment going down in the third to last paragraph. Well, my version of an Adult Swim, more of a stick your toes in the water...but skip it if you know you should.
So, no new ways to get rid of Ed, which means you guys are finally figuring out what a great guy he is.
I'm having so much fun with the reviews. winterrose...thanks for the information concerning surfing. I'll pass it on to Brad.
Thanks so much for all the feedback. I know, I know, I say that all the time. But I mean it, and that counts for something, right? You guys rock. You are the feedback posse. Make me all smiley and such.
Hi crashcmb the wonder-beta. Everyone wave and say hi. She's the brains, I'm the...person who relies on her brains.
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Best of Intentions
Chapter Eleven
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The three of them sit in the dining room eating the results of Pizza Hut on-line coupon number three. For tonight, Sandy has adopted his wife and Ryan's reserved nature. He's exhausted. No sleep last night, insanely busy day, and a night filled with worrying about Ryan and taking care of a sick Seth have taken a toll on him.
Sandy is struck by how right this feels, eating a quiet meal together.
Since coming home, Ryan has stayed close to him, following him around the house, sitting next to him at the dinner table. Maybe it's because Seth isn't around.
Sandy wants to believe that it's Ryan's way of assuring him that everything is ok.
Seth's absence, although unfortunate, may be the best thing right now. Noise and distraction are Seth's answer to everything. For tonight, maybe Ryan could do without the clouds of chaos that tornado around Seth.
Kirsten reaches for a second slice of pizza, catches Sandy's eyes, gives him a quick wink, a silent, "I love you."
Sandy glances over at Ryan. The kid may be caught in one hell of an emotional whirlwind but his appetite is doing all right. He's on his fourth piece of pizza.
"Does anyone want to talk about what happened tonight?" Sandy asks tentatively.
"Which part of tonight?" Ryan inquires cautiously through a mouth full of food.
"Any of it?" Sandy suggests.
"His kid likes to skateboard," Ryan answers, swallows a huge gulp of milk.
"His sister seems nice," Kirsten adds.
Sandy stares dumbfounded at the two of them.
"You met his family?"
"Oh yeah." Kirsten takes a bite of pizza.
"How?" Sandy pushes his plate away, concentrates his attention on Ryan.
The teenager shrugs.
"The sister mentioned something about an earlier flight." Kirsten tries to be helpful but she knows damn well that Sandy isn't inquiring as to a means of transportation.
"Let me get this straight." Sandy runs his fingers through his hair, leans forward onto the table, raises his eyebrows and says disbelievingly, "He's got his family here now?"
Kirsten nods.
Sandy holds his hands up, utters an exasperated, "Am I the only one who can see that this guy is up to something?"
"Sandy," Kirsten exhales wearily, "not now, please."
Ryan stops chewing, places a half eaten piece of pizza on his plate and begins fidgeting with his napkin.
Kirsten locks eyes with her husband and gives a slight bob of her head in Ryan's direction.
Sandy shakes his head slightly, tosses his napkin on the table and mutters, "Fine."
Kirsten pushes her chair out and stands up. "I'm full." She picks up her plate and starts towards the kitchen.
"Me too," Sandy rises as well, slides the pizza box in Ryan's direction. "Three more pieces left kid. Seth's out of the running, so it's all yours."
Ryan looks forlornly at the box. "I can't eat all that."
"Well," Sandy picks up the box, "what the hell, we'll throw it into the blender and give it to Seth for breakfast."
"Sandy," Ryan says softly, looks up at his foster father, "the guy asked me to go live with him."
"What?" Sandy sounds truly flabbergasted. He puts the pizza box back on the table, turns towards the kitchen, "Kirsten, did know about this?"
She slowly shakes her head no, watches Ryan.
Sandy sits down next to the teenager, asks warily, "What did you tell him Ryan?"
The boy averts his eyes, picks at a drop of tomato sauce that has dried on his placemat. "He um, he said that since I've only been here a few months, it shouldn't be a problem, getting used to his family. I moved in here without knowing you guys, so how hard would it be to do with his family?"
"Ryan...Can you believe this Kirsten?" Sandy scoots his chair out from the table in disgust. "Who the hell does he think he is?" The lawyer reaches for Ryan's hand, stops its' movement.
"Ryan, what did you tell him?"
"I told him no." Ryan casts a lightening fast glance at Sandy then back on the table. "I live with you guys now."
"You do," Sandy responds quickly. "You absolutely do live here Ryan. You said the right thing."
"He still wants a paternity test," the teen continues. "But then he said he would back off, so, I don't know what's going on now." Ryan adds a murmured, "I'm sorry."
"What are you sorry for Ryan?" Kirsten asks, reentering the dining area.
Ryan turns his gaze to Sandy. "That you guys have to deal with this, especially right now, when Seth is so sick."
Kirsten looks mortified. How many times is this child going to apologize for something that he is not responsible for? "Ryan, you don't owe us an apology. None of this is your fault. This situation isn't something that needs to be apologized for."
"I'll file for a restraining order," Sandy says determinedly. "I don't want you worrying about Ed Carden, Ryan. He's not going to bother you any more. Let me handle it."
The baby monitor crackles to life and a static version of Seth's coughing fills the kitchen.
"I want you to promise me that you'll let me handle this Ryan."
"Ok," Ryan answers. "Do it, do whatever you think is right."
Walking over to the fridge, Kirsten grabs a bottle of water. "I'll go check on Seth." She suggests to Sandy, "Why don't you come help me honey?"
Sandy stands up and lightly slaps Ryan on the shoulder. "I'll be right back. Go watch some television, kick back, try to relax a little bit." As he accompanies Kirsten out of the room, he points to the table, "Eat some more pizza."
Ryan nods and issues an uncertain half-smile.
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The boys don't fight sleep. It's two hours later in Illinois. They're tired.
Ed retrieves two beers from his mini-fridge, hands one to his sister.
"Let's go out to the balcony," he proposes.
The kids look asleep, but there's no use in taking chances. Better safe than sorry.
It's a small rectangular balcony, no chairs. Ed leans up against one wall, Carol the other.
"So. Ed," Carol says flippantly, "Anything specific you want to talk about? How's the weather been?"
Ed ignores her sarcasm. "I'm done trying to convince you of anything Carol. Believe what you want to believe. But I just found out about Ryan yesterday and I'd like your support."
"Well I just found out about him an hour and a half ago Ed, so please excuse me if I'm not quite ready to participate in this deranged version of My Three Sons."
Carden reacts to her harsh words as if he has been slapped.
"He's mine Carol. It's obvious. It took you what, five minutes to figure it out? He's mine and Dawn kidnapped him as far as I'm concerned."
Carol picks at the label on her beer bottle. "Speaking of Dawn Atwood, where is she? Why is this kid living with a foster family?"
Ed watches the traffic that is visible from the balcony. "I'm not sure of all the specifics. Basically, Dawn kicked Ryan out of the house this summer and he's been with the Cohens ever since. She told me that she went back for him once, but left him there. She didn't really go into a lot of detail. Dawn's a drunk, seriously Carol, she's a fucking mess. Russell, big surprise, is in prison. Armed robbery."
"Wow," Carol absorbs the information. "What happened to their other kid?" She snaps her fingers trying to recall the name.
"Trey," Ed solves the problem for her.
"Yeah, that was it, Trey." Carol smiles at the memory. "Cute kid, very active, but cute. What happened to him?"
Ed shakes his head. "Prison."
Poor Dawn, thinks Carol. A husband and son in jail, another son in foster care. Fresno was an escape for her and Ed. But in the end, they were middle class kids who always had their parents to fall back on. Russell and Dawn didn't have that luxury, and their lives are evidently in shambles.
Ed cringes, takes a swig of beer. "Did I mention how poor she is?"
"I...kind of made that connection independently," Carol tells him and then asks, "So what's up with the foster parents? They must be decent people, taking in a kid Ryan's age. He's what, seventeen?" Carol liberates the label off her beer, sets the beer on the balcony's cement floor, and leans on the railing.
"Sixteen." Ed corrects her. "The Cohens. I'm not sure. They're rich as hell. I guess her father built half of Newport Beach."
"We'll she seems pleasant enough," Carol shrugs. "A little skittish, but I wouldn't have pegged her as a snob."
"Her husband's a lawyer and an asshole, if there's a difference. I had a run in with him last night, and then today, on the phone." Ed slides down the wall, sits on the ground. "I just met her tonight."
"You've been busy," Carol comments dryly. "No wonder you were a mess last night."
"Yeah, it's been one hell of a vacation," Ed quips, scratches the back of his head.
Carol picks up her beer, takes a sip. "So where do you see all this going? Paternity test?"
Ed nods, "I asked for one for tomorrow but I don't think the Cohens are going to cooperate."
"Well I'm sure they are just as shocked by all this as you are little brother. Give them some time."
Ed shakes his head. "They shouldn't even be a factor. This is bullshit. This should be between me and Dawn."
Carol turns to him. "And Ryan, right Ed? This should be between you, Dawn and Ryan. I mean, this is really more about him than anybody, right?"
"Of course," Ed answers quickly. "Of course. I'm only thinking about Ryan's best interests. I'm trying to protect him. Dawn's a nightmare."
"But..." Carol sits down next to her brother. "Ryan's living with these people the Cohens now. And while the guy may come off like a jerk to you, she seems ok and the kid looks well fed, so...they are...kind of an important factor too Ed."
Ed ignores her innuendo. "My lawyer seems confident I can be granted a paternity test fairly quickly."
"You have a lawyer already?" Carol asks skeptically. "Why do you need a lawyer? What's the rush?"
Ed concentrates on the traffic again, avoids his sister's eyes. "I just want to be on an even playing field Carol. I told you, Cohen is a lawyer, they're rich. I don't intend to be pushed around."
"Well she brought him here, that's an act of good faith. Get his e-mail, call him, and let him get to know you. I think with a little time the Cohens will come around. They're just looking out for this kid Ed, he's their responsibility."
Ed finishes his beer, opens the balcony door. "Not by my choice."
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Seth is awake, sitting up in bed, coughing. Nights are worse than days, he's decided. He kicks off the blanket. It's hot and stuffy in his room. His throat is killing him. His head hurts. He's pretty sure his limbs are made of cement. He's thirsty, too tired to get up and get a drink and scared to swallow it even if he can somehow manage to procure one. His life, at the present moment, is not so much made of the fun.
He glances at his alarm clock. His mom and Ryan have been gone for a long time, maybe they're home. He needs to check. And if they are home, he needs to get his ass out of bed and find Ryan. 'Cause there is some seriously messed up shit raining down on him right now.
Seth swings his feet over the side of his bed. He feels like he's eighty. This is silly. He's sixteen. He's being a wuss. Standing up should not take concentration. He feels so sorry for himself. There should be an award for surviving the mono. He's saved from his labors by the arrival of his mother and father into his bedroom.
"Hey," Kirsten greets him, pushes sweaty hair off his forehead. "How are you feeling?"
Seth coughs.
"Stupid question," Kirsten chastises herself. "Sorry." She screws the top off the water bottle and hands it to her son. He makes a face and then takes a sip, followed by a grimace as he swallows.
"How'd you know I was awake?" He asks with a voice made of sandpaper.
Sandy points to the monitor base on Seth's dresser.
"Ok, that's not staying here." Seth grumbles. "I tolerated the bath but I'm relatively sure that this violates several of my civil liberties. Besides," he mocks a shiver, "it's creepy."
"Only for a few days Seth," Kirsten assures him. "Just until you feel a little better. I promise. Give us a break here, ok? You just got out of the hospital." She looks at Sandy, "What bath?"
"I'll explain it later," Sandy contributes. "Do you need anything kiddo? Are you hungry?"
"No," Seth states with such conviction that even Kirsten doesn't push the point.
Sandy takes his temperature and announces happily that it's down to 100.7. The Motrin is doing its job.
"Where's Ryan?" Seth asks, follows up the question with a cough and a wince.
Kirsten cringes with sympathy. "Downstairs. I think he's planning on hanging out with you tonight. Do you want me to go get him?"
Seth closes his eyes, rubs his temples, and issues a hoarse, "Yes."
"He's had a rough night Seth," Kirsten says. "I know you did too but..."
"I understand Mom," Seth replies. "It's cool."
Ryan materializes in the doorway, peeks into Seth's room and offers his friend a hesitant wave.
"Hey, that was quick," observes Seth. Too quick. Nobody left his room yet.
Ryan points to the baby monitor, looks apologetic. "I was in the kitchen cleaning up."
"I want that thing out now," Seth reiterates.
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Brad's too big for Carol to carry. Ed takes him to her hotel room. The child stirs slightly, but settles immediately into the new bed. Ed leans down and kisses the boy on his forehead.
Carol walks her brother to the door. Far enough away from Brad to avoid being overheard, she asks Ed, "Are you doing ok? I'm sorry I was so angry before. All I could think about was that you were having a long-term affair and hiding this kid and woman from all of us. I know that's stupid and completely irrational, but things were just coming at me too fast. I'm here for you Ed, you know that."
He gives her a hug, "Thank you."
"This is crazy, I can't believe I have another nephew," Carol allows herself to finally process tonight's disclosure. "When are you going to tell the boys? Josh already knows something is up."
"Well, I'd like to wait until we get the paternity test back. I'll call Josh's therapist in the morning, see what she thinks."
Carol nods, tells him, "Brad wants to go to the beach."
"We'll see," Ed answers. "I'm hoping the Cohens roll over on the paternity test and we can get it taken care of tomorrow. But I'll stop by the front desk, find out where the best beach around here is."
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Sandy pulls Kirsten into their bedroom, closes the door, puts his arms around her waist, and gives her a kiss. "I assume that when you asked me to help you carry a bottle of water into Seth's room, what you were really trying to do was get me the hell out of the kitchen."
"That transparent, huh?" Kirsten kisses him back, puts her arms around his neck.
"So, what's up?" Sandy asks, leads her over to the bed.
God she smells good. She feels good.
He's tired, but tired ain't dead.
Yeah, his kid has been sick and Ryan's going through hell, but he and Kirsten has been squabbling at each other off and on since yesterday afternoon. A little impromptu sex suddenly seems like just the ticket to get them back on track.
"I need you to do me a favor." She pushes him back on the bed, positions herself on top of his hips.
"Anything" Sandy instantly agrees.
She leans in close, kisses him again.
"Stop bad mouthing Ed Carden in front of Ryan."
"Kirsten," Sandy wrangles her top off, throws it on the floor. "I really, do not...want to talk about... Ed Carden...right now." He fumbles with her bra strap. He likes the ones with a clasp in the front a hell of a lot better.
Kirsten takes mercy on him. "Later then." She pulls at his belt. "This is important to me Sandy, I want to talk about it later. We need to talk about this for Ryan's sake."
"That's fine." Sandy's lust triumphs over Victoria Secret's best.
The bra takes flight and coasts in for a comfortable landing next to the shirt.
"Anything you want honey."
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Ryan sits on the floor, looks up at Seth from over his shoulder.
"What's this about a bath?" Ryan ribs. "What are you, four?"
"Don't ask." Seth groans, points lethargically at the monitor on his dresser. "Ryan, dude, please, put those Chino skills to good use and get rid of that thing. Make it disappear."
Ryan smiles mischievously, reaches into the waistband of his jeans and produces the handheld portable listening devise from the kitchen. "I'm already on it," he assures Seth.
"You are the man, Ryan." Seth flops back on the bed. A few moments of silence are followed up by, "Wanna talk about this whole extra dad thing?"
"Want to tell me about that bath?" Ryan counters.
"Game, set and match to Atwood." Seth concedes. "I'm falling asleep now. I'm sorry. I appear to have very little control over these things."
Ryan waits until Seth is truly out of it before he hightails it to the pool house, changes into sweats, grabs his pillow and blanket from the living room floor. He's surprised when he makes it back up to Seth's room without having run into either Sandy or Kirsten. Actually, he's thankful. His full stomach combined with sheer exhaustion from lack of meaningful sleep have him barely better off than his sick foster brother.
He settles himself on the floor next to Seth's bed.
This room, he's always relaxed in it.
Ryan decides he definitely did the right thing tonight, telling Carden to fuck off. He belongs at the Cohens.
Sandy's happy again.
He kinda feels bad for the guy though. Another victim of Dawn Atwood thank you very much.
Ryan flips over, hugs his chest.
He's sure of it now. Tonight was his wake up call. He belongs here with Sandy, Kirsten and Seth.
That little boy reminded him of Seth, crazy mad energy.
Except for the blond hair and the blue eyes.
Those reminded him of something else.
Ryan flips over.
He can't seem to find a comfortable position.
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Kirsten's glad she and Sandy took the time to make love. They needed the release. It's been a horrible couple of days.
As she lies in his arms, her head on his chest, she thinks about the words she needs to express to her husband.
Be careful of what you say to Ryan about Ed. Tread lightly. I've seen too much of Ryan in this man and his children to casually dismiss him from Ryan's life. Ryan trusts us to do the right thing. We can't let our desire to keep him overshadow the fact that Ryan deserves a chance to get to know Ed Carden and his family. We cannot be responsible for vilifying this man.
Kirsten leaves the comfort of Sandy's chest, curls up on her side and starts crying, just a little bit, quiet and soft.
She thought Seth was dying yesterday. For a few hours, she let herself think about the possibility of her son no longer being in her life, and she and Sandy living without him. And it has scared her in ways she did not believe possible.
What does Dawn Atwood think about everyday? Knowing that one child is in prison. Knowing that Ryan is living under another woman's roof. Dawn chose her to be Ryan's mother.
She has been given the gift of another woman's child.
What did Ed Carden feel yesterday, the moment he learned that he had another son, but was never given the opportunity to be his father? How would Sandy feel, if he found out tomorrow that he had another child? How would he react? What would he do?
"Kirsten?"
What is this doing to Ryan? What is happening deep inside this child, in the places he keeps to himself.
Out the windows, the places Ryan goes, when he looks out windows.
Sandy has to lean over her small frame to have access to her face. He brushes away her hair, his hand coming away wet with Kirsten's tears.
"Honey, why are you crying?"
Kirsten doesn't offer a response.
All he can do is hold her.
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To be continued........................