Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of The OC. They all belong to Josh Schwartz.
A/N: This takes place post-Oliver, Ryan and Marissa did not get back together, and Seth did not run off to Portland. This story is AU and I've taken liberties with some of the characters including Theresa and Kirsten. Be easy on me, this is my first story.
Just a sidenote: I'm not following the way the Ryan/Theresa relationship was portrayed on the show after he moved back to Chino. In my story, Ryan truly loves Theresa, and even though he may not be ready for fatherhood, he genuinely wants to do what's right and take responsibility. Having such selfless convictions is one of the traits I admired so much about the character, especially in one so young.
Chapter 13
Theresa sits in the restaurant booth next to the window, sipping a cup of decaf coffee as she keeps an eye out for Caleb Nichol. She has a vague memory of what he looks like from seeing him at an extravagant party the Cohen's hosted, celebrating him as Newport's Man of the Year. She remembers that party ending badly for Ryan. Why did Eddie have to show up and ruin the evening, Theresa thinks to herself. She's sure Ryan was probably blamed for ruining Caleb Nichol's egocentric celebration, even though it was Eddie's fault for crashing the party, being drunk and starting the fight.
Theresa spots an older, impeccably dressed, well-groomed man walk into the restaurant. She stands up to get his attention, then quickly sits down when she notices his glaring look of disapproval.
"Miss Diaz, I presume?" Caleb stands next to the table, towering over Theresa with an arrogant, domineering air of authority. "I don't have a lot of time, so what is this 'proposition' you spoke of yesterday?" Caleb sits down in the booth across from Theresa. He's immediately taken in by the girl's natural beauty. Well, at least the boy has good taste in women, Caleb thinks to himself as the waitress pours him a cup of coffee.
Theresa quietly clears her throat as she tries to remain undaunted by Caleb's overbearing presence. "Mr. Nichol, I need your help," Theresa states calmly. "Kirsten, as well as my ex-fiance, has been pressuring me into getting a prenatal paternity test."
Caleb looks at the girl sitting across from him, confused as to why she would think he would have any interest at all with her family predicament.
"I need proof that states Ryan is the father of my baby, but a paternity test may prove otherwise." Theresa sits back and takes a deep breath. She knows she is laying it all out on the line. She just hopes she's laying it all out to the right person.
"And how exactly do I fit in, Miss Diaz?" Caleb asks.
"You have clout, Mr. Nichol... connections." Theresa can hear her heart pounding through her chest, but she steadies her nerves. I can do this, she thinks to herself. This is for my future with Ryan.
"You mean I have money," Caleb states.
"You know people," Theresa replies.
Caleb sits back and folds his arms, calculating the direction this conversation may be heading. "I have money, so I can manipulate people I know."
"Phrase it however you wish, Mr. Nichol, but let me assure you, we are both on the same side."
"And, what side is that, Miss Diaz?" Caleb asks, now completely intrigued by the young girl who sits before him.
"I love Ryan. I always have," Theresa states with the utmost resolve. "And, I know you would like nothing more than for Ryan to just go away. He's a thorn in your side, Mr. Nichol, and I know you want him out of your family's life." Theresa takes a deep breath. She knows that if this meeting doesn't go the way she's planned, she will lose Ryan forever. "If I go through with getting a paternity test, I need to be absolutely sure that Ryan will be found to be the baby's father."
"Are you saying that Ryan is not the father of your baby?" Caleb asks.
Theresa suddenly becomes very nervous. She's not sure now if she's done the right thing in contacting Caleb Nichol. "I'm saying that if you want Ryan out of Newport, the Cohen's need to know, without a doubt, that Ryan is the father of my baby."
"I'm still confused, Miss Diaz," Caleb states as he takes a sip of bitter, slightly burnt coffee. "My daughter and her 'bleeding heart liberal of a husband' consider Ryan to be a part of their family. He's like a son to them," Caleb explains, cringing as he thinks of the truth in his last statement. "Ryan becoming a father, especially at such a young age, will only bring them closer together."
"I understand that," Theresa replies. "But, I know Ryan. He gave up his life with the Cohen's when I told him I was pregnant and he was the father. I guarantee you, he will remain loyal to me and my baby."
"But, just moving back to Chino is hardly getting the boy out of my family's life," Caleb explains. "It's not worth what you're asking me to do. It's not worth the risk."
"We wouldn't move back to Chino," Theresa replies. "We would move to Atlanta. I have an aunt who lives there. The sooner I can get this paternity test over with, the sooner Ryan and I can move in with my aunt and start a new life."
"And your aunt is okay with you moving in with her?" Caleb asks, still skeptical.
"Yes, I spoke with her a couple of days ago. My uncle died last year of a heart attack and so my aunt is all alone now. She's a retired nurse and told me she would be overjoyed if Ryan and I came to live with her. She said she could take care of the baby while we work and saved up our money. Even my mom has been wanting to move there... to be closer to her sister."
"I see," Caleb states as he ponders over the proposition the young girl has presented to him.
"Mr. Nichol, I'll be honest with you. I'm not sure I can completely remove Ryan from the Cohen's life, at least not emotionally. But, I can physically," Theresa explains. "And I believe that over time, the long distance between Ryan and the Cohen's will work in our favor. Ryan and I will start a new life together, far away from here."
Theresa sits completely still and slowly begins to feel uncomfortable with the silence that has developed between them.
Caleb doesn't say a word, but just stares at Theresa.
"And besides, Ryan loves peaches. It's his favorite fruit," Theresa states, breaking the silence. "I can't think of a more perfect place to live than Georgia."
Caleb smiles. He likes this girl. She's smart and tenacious. She knows what she wants and does what she needs to do to get what she desires. And, if her desire happens to be that no-good street thug from Chino, then who is he to stand in the way of true love. Caleb knows she's exposing herself to him, allowing him to be privy to her devious charade. But, the idea of Ryan moving clear across the country is well... to say the least, an extremely pleasant thought.
"Alright, Miss Diaz, I will help you," Caleb states as he clasps his hands together on the table and leans forward towards Theresa. "I happen to know a certain OB/GYN with a nasty gambling habit and an even nastier gambling debt that is... well how should I say... destroying his life. I know he can always use a little extra cash. I can set the appointment up for you, but you will have to find a way to pay for the actual procedure yourself. I cannot be linked to this in any way. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, very clear. Thank you, Mr. Nichol. You won't regret helping me."
"I never regret anything I do, Miss Diaz," Caleb states coldly. "But, I will tell you this much. If you, in any way, cross me and decide to expose my part in your devious little scheme, you will be the one who will regret this meeting. You will wish you never called me."
Theresa's throat is bone dry, and she tries to swallow as she looks into Caleb Nichol's eyes. She's never seen such brazen, empty coldness before, and she feels an unnerving chill drift through the air.
"You have my word, Mr. Nichol. I never called you... we've never met."