First, I want to apologize for such a huge delay in getting this up. I have been working on this for at least the past six months, but finally forced myself to sit down and finish it. I would say that real life got in the way, and while it did, it isn't a fully legitimate excuse.
This was a request by Mare43. She wanted a "rewrite" of The Return of the Nana, where the Cohen men go to Miami because Sophie became engaged, and Sandy was worried about what she was getting into. As a reminder, Sandy, Seth, and Ryan fly out to Miami, leaving Kirsten at home to deal with the Carter nonsense and Marissa to "babysit" Trey. It was also at the end of this episode that Trey attacks Marissa.
Well, I'm throwing that out. With the new, improved Cohen family (with Ryan and Trey legally adopted), there is no need for anyone to stay at home. The entire Cohen family goes to Miami to visit The Nana and a bit of vacation. I'm seriously modifying the story line here, because even in Miami, I thought it was pretty ridiculous that Ryan would stick around the retirement community watching Seth play shuffleboard; nor do I think it was fair for Sandy to make Ryan "babysit" Seth.
As Trey took his seat near the window in the fifth row of the airplane that would take them back to California, he had to admit that flying first class was pretty nice. They were able to board the plane first, not to mention the airline's lounge they were able to enjoy before heading to the gate. He never would have thought that he would find himself here, with all these perks, not to mention even getting out of the state!
He glanced to his left to see his brother rooting around in his backpack, before pulling out his iPad and earbuds. Once he threw his bag under the seat in front of him, he leaned back in the seat and looked at Trey. Ryan could tell he was still a little nervous about flying. "Hey, man. You've got this. I know this is going to be a little longer flight, but it will be over before you know it. Check out the movies or shows that are available to watch during the flight. It will make it go faster." He then turned his attention back to his iPad.
Trey looked past his brother, across the aisle to see his mother and other brother. It was somehow inherently decided that it was best they sit next to each other on the plane. While he had no doubt that Kirsten would have preferred to sit next to Sandy, Ryan had explained to him that Kirsten and Seth were able to help each other during flights. Plane trips made them both anxious which made Seth blabber even more than normal, but it helped to distract their mother from the movement of the plane while engrossed in their conversations.
Trey looked to the seat in front of his mother to see his father stand from his seat while the last few passengers were filling past to their seats in the back of the plane. He turned around and looked at his wife and son in the row behind him and smiled at them. When there was a break in passengers, he moved beside his wife and gave her a reassuring smile and kiss.
Sandy then turned around and focused on him and Ryan. Sandy clapped Ryan on the shoulder, as his middle son pulled his earbuds out and looked up. Sandy looked over at Trey and he gave him a reassuring smile. "You good, Trey? Do you need anything before we take off?" he asked his eldest son.
Trey shook his head, "No, I don't think so."
Sandy nodded, "Ok. Well, if you do, don't hesitate to ask." He then leaned forward a little, perhaps invading his middle son's personal space momentarily, and lowered his voice, "Well, I know you're a little anxious about the flight. But you did great flying out, you'll do great flying back. We'll be landing in LA before you know it!"
Trey nodded and couldn't help the smile that formed on his face. He couldn't get past the kindness shown by this man who had become a father to him, a much better father then he could have hoped for himself and his brother.
As he watched the man, no, his father, return to his seat, Trey couldn't help but think about their conversation a week ago when they checked into the hotel in Miami.
Beginning of Flashback
The limo had just pulled up to the Fontainebleau hotel in Miami, and all Trey could do as he climbed out was stare at the massive building - a resort, really. He couldn't believe that he would be staying at this place. For a week, at least!
As the hotel porters started unloading the family's luggage, Sandy and Kirsten went into the lobby of the hotel. Trey still couldn't help but be awed by everything around him. Seth and Ryan came over to him. Since Seth had been out to visit The Nana a couple of times, he knew somewhat what was around and started telling his brothers what was nearby and what they might do.
After a few minutes, Sandy came out and told the boys they were ready to head up. Trey was finally able to pull himself away from the views around him and follow his brothers towards the elevators. On the way up, Sandy started describing a bit the suite they would be staying in. When they got to the room, Trey was again in awe as he took in all the amenities.
The room was larger than the house he and Ryan lived in with Dawn in Chino! Sandy showed them the master bedroom and then took them to the second bedroom that offered two King-sized beds. He told Seth and Ryan this would be their bedroom. Trey made his way over to the couch and placed his bag on one end.
Sandy joined Trey at the couch. Ryan followed them over. "Listen, Dad. I can sleep here on the couch. Trey can have the bed."
Before Trey could turn down the offer, their father started speaking. "No one is sleeping on the couch." Turning to his oldest, "I'm sorry, Trey, but as nice as this hotel is it doesn't have a suite large enough to sleep five. So, we got you your own room a couple of floors down."
As Sandy handed him his keycard, he didn't quite know what to say and tried to give it back. "No, Sandy, that's too much. I can just sleep here on the couch. Really, it's fine."
Sandy shook his head, still extending the card, "No, son. I appreciate the offer, I really do. But we're all going to be here for at least a week of vacation, and we're all going to enjoy it."
In addition to everything else he was trying to take in at the moment, it still amazed him when Sandy called him 'son'; and it didn't seem like just a random nickname. Still, Trey was hesitant to take the key from Sandy. So, Seth came up and tried taking it, "Well, since he doesn't want it…".
Sandy slapped his hand away, "No! This is one of the perks of being the older brother." He said it in such a way that Trey knew he couldn't refuse.
All four men left the suite and headed towards the elevators. Coincidentally, the doors opened to reveal Kirsten waiting for them. Trey noticed that Sandy's face lit up at her sight. He still couldn't get over that there were actual marriages that worked out and were happy. That was definitely not his experience. And then to think that this happily married couple were legally his parents, he discretely pinched himself to make sure this was a reality.
Sandy stepped into the elevator to kiss his wife and explained they were on their way down to show Trey his room.
Kirsten gave Trey a big smile. "Well, then. Perfect timing! Come on, boys, lets go," she said, ushering her three kids into the elevator. Sandy hit the button for the appropriate floor, while Kirsten filled them in on the menus of the hotel's restaurants. Trey didn't quite understand everything she was saying but based on the reaction of the rest of his family, he guessed it was all supposed to be really good food. He just kind of shrugged his shoulders as the elevator came to a stop and everyone stepped out.
Sandy led them down the hall and around the corner and stopped in front of a door and indicated to Trey that this was his room. Trey slid his key into the lock, a little apprehensive about what the room would be like. As he stepped in, again he was in awe at the room he would be staying in for the next few days. It was bigger and nicer than most of the apartments his old buddies used to have back in Chino! And he noticed his luggage had already been delivered to his room.
Kirsten started in the bathroom and made her way around the room inspecting the various amenities. Finally, she stopped and said, "It looks like you're all good. You have enough towels and pillows and such." She indicated the phone on one of the bedside tables, "If you do need anything else, just call the front desk and they'll take care of you."
Trey nodded, still not sure what to say or do, but noticed that his brothers had already made themselves at home on the couch and one of the beds. Again, he just shook his head at their level of comfort with all the 'luxury'.
They continued for a few minutes talking about their plans for the rest of the day. It was mid-afternoon, so there wasn't much time to really do anything, so it was decided they would settle in and unpack before going to one of the hotel's restaurants.
The parents started to leave the room, with Kirsten leading. As she got to the door and opened it, Sandy snapped his fingers and turned back to his boys. "I should have mentioned this earlier, but Trey although this is your room, you don't have to confine yourself here. You are more then welcome to come up to our room whenever you want. As a word of caution," he continued, "it would probably be wise to avoid any large parties in here." And then in a hushed voice, he continued, "Or at least so your mother doesn't find out!" Although he was joking with his oldest son, Sandy's eyebrows told him to avoid parties either way.
He looked at all three of the boys as though he was forgetting something. Finally, it came to him, "Oh, and since you have two King sized beds, if you want, one of your brothers could stay here with you. But that's completely your call; this is still your room and they have beds in our room." He smiled at Seth and Ryan while finishing, "I suppose this is the time you can expect them to convince you who's the favorite brother!"
Sure enough, Seth and Ryan looked at each other as though they never considered that part. They both sat up and moved closer to Trey.
Ryan started, "I'm your favorite brother, right, Trey? I mean, I have been forever, right?"
Trey chortled a bit, "Ry, up until a little bit ago, you were my only brother!"
Before Ryan could respond, Seth chimed in, "Hey, remember that I always save the last piece of pizza for you, bro!"
Ryan scowled at his curly-haired brother, "That's only so you don't have to throw the box away!"
"So, it doesn't matter why, Ryan, as long as it gets him to let me stay here!" Seth paused briefly, realizing what he just said, "Oh, I mean, as long as it gets Trey the last piece of pizza!"
As Ryan and Seth continued to bicker back and forth with each other about who was the favored brother, interspersed with comments to him about why he should choose one over the other, Trey looked back at their parents standing at the doorway with a firm scowl on his face. Sandy and Kirsten couldn't help but break out laughing at their kids as they closed the door and headed back upstairs!
End of Flashback; Back on the plane
Trey came back to the present as the plane lurched slightly as it backed away from the gate. He glanced out the window to his right and was still somewhat amazed at all the activity on the tarmac.
He turned to the left, past his brother to look out the other window across the aisle. It was then that his focus returned to his mother, who at the same moment looked at him with a reassuring smile. He couldn't help smiling back but could tell a slight reddening of his ears at getting caught. He turned back out his window, as he thought again back to his conversation with Kirsten next to the pool a few days ago.
Beginning of Flashback
Trey slowly roused himself from an impromptu nap. He really tried to stay still so as not to attract too much attention to himself. He was actually embarrassed a little bit at having let his guard down and fallen asleep. He glanced at his watch and was relieved to see that he was only asleep for about 20 minutes.
As he slowly came out of the fog of sleep, he looked out and saw his little brother still lounging in the pool. He actually had to smile and chuckle softly to himself as he remembered when he, Ryan, and Kirsten came out to enjoy the sun and pool.
He nearly shook his head as he remembered how Kirsten fussed over both of them about sunscreen. Ryan tried to good-naturedly argue that he wasn't a little kid anymore. That only earned them a short lecture on the dangers of skin cancer, even at his and Ryan's ages. Finally, Ryan sat down at the foot of the lounge Kirsten had claimed and allowed his mother to slather lotion all over his back. When he was released, Ryan turned to him with a smirk and slight roll of his eyes, and mouthed, "Mothers!" And then he was off to enjoy the pool.
As Trey continued watching his little brother lounging on a float in the pool, lazily flicking his hand in the water, presumably to stay in the shade of the pavilion over the pool, he realized that he had never seen his brother look so relaxed. And despite the lack of a smile on his face, Trey could swear he saw joy, or maybe contentment. Something he never saw in Chino.
As he continued watching Ryan in the water, he still sensed that Kirsten was next to him. He could tell she was awake, as he detected her periodically reaching out to the table between them for sips of her tall glass of iced tea. He knew he needed to talk to her, somehow thank this family for everything they'd done recently. He tried to think of what he wanted to say, and as the anticipation of having to talk with her, he found he was no longer enjoying the moment.
Despite not really knowing how she would respond, he took a deep breath, and spoke. "Hey, Kirsten, can I talk to you about something?"
"Sure, honey. Give me just a moment to finish this chapter; I just have a paragraph or two left."
It was then that Trey glanced over to her and was slightly embarrassed again at having disturbed her reading. He was just about to retract his request, when she put her iPad down on the table between them and picked up her iced tea.
"So, honey, what's on your mind?" Kirsten asked, giving Trey her attention.
He tried again to backtrack, "No, that's ok. I didn't realize you were reading. I'm sorry." He even tried to get up.
She reached out and put a hand on his arm to stop him. "No, honey, it's ok. Really. What's on your mind?" She gave him an encouraging smile to continue.
As he settled back on the lounger, he picked up the bottle of water on the table and took a drink to try and calm himself. Finally, he said, "Well, I just wanted to thank you."
Kirsten was taken a back slightly with that; she didn't know why he would be thanking her. Her brows knit together in confusion, "Thank me for what?"
"Well, for everything you guys have done not just for my little brother," he said, pointing over to the pool. "But also, what you've done for me." Then indicating the massive building surrounding them, "And letting me come on this trip!"
She tilted her head slightly, and gave him a look, "Of course, we'd bring you along! You're a part of this family now, legally even! What? You thought we would make you stay home and maybe get Marissa or someone else to periodically check on you?" She finished her statement with another look that told him if he had been thinking that, he's better stop!
Trey immediately got the message included in that look, and for moment thought back to the times where Seth and Ryan both referred to their mother as The Kirsten. He could definitely see how she could very easily become that feared entity! "Well, still, thank you!" he acquiesced.
He took a beat as he looked back over at the pool and mused out loud, "You know, there are times, I can't even recognize him as my little brother. He seems like a completely different person now."
Kirsten was kind of surprised to hear a wisp of sadness in her eldest son's voice. "Well, in a way, sweetie, he his. But I'm going to let you in on a little secret… Since you've joined our family, I've been watching the two of you together, and I've realized that many of the things that have made him the young man that we love, have come from you." She almost laughed at the complete look of disbelief on his face.
"No, I'm serious, honey," she continued. "We recognized very shortly after moving in with us that Ryan is very sweet, compassionate, honest, and loyal. We've noticed similar qualities in you. Just never underestimate the role you've played in your brother's life." She squeezed his arm a bit to try and assure him of her seriousness.
Now, it was Kirsten's turn to take a beat, and then turned herself in the lounger so that she could face Trey a little better. In more of a hushed tone, she told him, "I want to let you in on another secret. This is something that your father and I have talked about a few times before. I would prefer that this stay between the three of us; please don't mention it to your brothers."
She glanced back over to the pool, and pointed to the blond-haired boy and continued, "You know, he will always hold a special place in my heart. He brought us together in ways that we didn't even realize we had drifted apart. I mean, Seth was mostly holed up in his room; we didn't know what he was doing. I was following in my father's footsteps, becoming the Ice Queen of Newport. And while Sandy and I still loved each other, we had somehow drifted apart. I was actually really upset with him when he brought Ryan home; I had completely forgotten that was just the type of person Sandy was.
"But when Ryan joined our family, everything changed. Seth came out of his room and started thriving!" Looking at Trey with a large grin on her face, "Seth even had two girlfriends at once! Granted it only last about an afternoon, but he did!" Then she realized what she had just told her oldest son. "Not that I condone that kind of thing!", she corrected herself with a stern expression.
Trey chuckled slightly and threw his hands up in a placating manner, "Yes, ma'am! Got it!"
"Good!" was her reply with an even larger smile. She continued, looking back out at the boy in the pool, "Somehow, he even got me and Sandy to actually be parents, which meant we had to strengthen our relationship."
Trey nodded slightly, and with maybe a slight pang of jealousy for everything Ryan had received and been able to do for this family, he said, "Yeah. Somehow, Ryan has the ability to bring out the best in people." After another beat, he quietly said, almost so that no one could hear, "I wish that was one of those things I taught and gave to Ryan."
Although he nearly whispered the words, Kirsten had heard them clearly. And somehow, she was ready for that. "You know, sweetie, as much as Ryan has helped our family, so have you!"
When he whipped his head around to scoff at her, she nodded her head intently. "It's true! You have been able to bring this family so much closer together. I look at Ryan, and I can see him almost shining in excitement that you are back in his life and a part of his new family. I know this might sound a little minty, but I know Seth adores you and is ecstatic to have you as an older brother. And I have to tell you, your father and I are so proud of the changes that you've made in your life, and the improvements you've made. I can't tell you how many reports I've gotten from people at work on the outstanding jobs you've done! While it isn't widely known, there are a small few that know you're my son, and they tell me how proud I should be of your work ethic and how important you take your jobs."
When she saw the tinge of red start to creep up into his cheeks and ears and how he ducked his head, she was again instantly reminded of one of her other sons. She decided that she had tortured him enough. "I can't tell if that's embarrassment on your cheeks or if you need another dose of sunscreen, so I'll stop there," she teased. Trey's only response was a good-natured scowl in her direction.
Trey actually felt a certain amount of excitement and his stomach felt lighter when he heard Kirsten's, no, his mothers, melodic laugh. He'd heard it a few times before as a result of something one of his brothers or his father said, and he reacted similar. But this time, having been the one to cause it, his reaction was so much deeper and so much more real! He had to continue finding ways of producing that kind of laugh from her. He almost found the feeling intoxicating. He was brought back to the present when she started talking again.
"I'm just going to say a couple of more things, and then I need to check on your brother. And your father and Seth will be back soon, so we'll need to clean up. What I've been trying to tell you is, don't underestimate the role you play, in either your brother's lives or this family!" Again, pointing to her middle son, "As much as he has changed this family for the better, so have you. And I will always love you both for bringing this family so much closer and for the better! OK?" She raised her eyebrows to indicate her seriousness.
Trey was lost in his mother's eyes for a moment, nearly stunned by the honesty and earnestness in her words. Finally, he was able to respond by nodding, "OK. I'll try to remember all of this." He swallowed again, trying to think of something he could do to express his appreciation for everything she revealed to him this afternoon. He swung his legs to the side of the lounger, so he was facing her, swallowed again, and took a deep breath, "Thanks…m.. Mom!" He felt kind of awkward afterwards, until Kirsten's next reaction.
Upon hearing those treasured words, Kirsten immediately wiped tears from her eyes, "Oh, sweetie!" Then she moved closer to sit next to him and wrapped her arms around her eldest in a huge embrace. They held each other for a few moments, until they were startled by someone approaching them.
"Hey. What's… um, what's going on? Is everything ok?" Ryan asked, as he approached them with a towel wrapped around his waist and sat down on the lounger his mother just vacated.
They pulled apart, but Kirsten kept her hand on Trey's arm. She was a bit surprised when Trey was the first to respond.
He looked at Ryan, then turned to Kirsten and said, "Yeah. Everything's great. Mom and I were just talking about a couple of things."
When they both looked at Ryan, they saw him looking back and forth at them. It then, kind of hit Ryan that he was pretty sure that was the first time his brother had actually called their mother 'Mom'. He could tell it now in his brother's eyes, that something had changed in not even an hour. But he could see more joy in his brother's eyes and smiled as a result.
Kirsten then saw Trey's face light up with a smile, and figured she had to do something or else this would really turn minty! She rose and pulled both boys to their feet. "OK. Enough of this mushy stuff! Your father and brother should be back soon, and we need to go get cleaned up. So, go! Now!" She shooed both boys away towards their rooms. Both boys turned to their mother and saluted her, "Ma'am, yes ma'am!" They then broke into laughter at the roll of her eyes and turned to get cleaned up.
End of Flashback; Back on the plane
The Captain announcing they just received clearance to take off brought Trey back. As the plane maneuvered into position on the runway, he could feel his stomach knotting up in nervousness. He happened to look at his blond-haired brother to his left and Ryan patted his arm and told him, "You got this!" Trey slightly nodded in response.
He looked past Ryan and caught his mother's eyes watching him. She gave him a reassuring smile, and Trey could help the smile on his own face in response.
He looked past her, and his curly-haired brother was giving him a big goofy grin and two thumbs up. All Trey could do was shake his head, but somehow his grin grew larger.
Trey's eyes shifted to the row in front of them and made eye contact with his father. Sandy winked at him and mouthed, "You'll do great!" He would never have believed it possible that his smile could be so big!
Trey relaxed fully into his seat and found that his nervousness was all but gone. As the engines roared to life, he looked out the window, unseeing. He then realized a couple of things. First, all of these people loved him. He couldn't really understand why or how they could, but they did. And maybe for now, that was all that mattered. He could figure the hows and whys later. Second, he realized, while he was nowhere nearly ready to admit it out loud to anyone else, he loved these people too.
So, as the plane lurched forward and started racing down the runway, he came to a final realization. While he didn't really care for all of this flying hullabaloo, with these people, this family, his family, beside him, he could do damn near anything!
Please let me know what you thought. If anyone is interesting in more stories of this series or The Defense, please let me know. I kind of enjoy writing them, I know I've had some major breaks in between postings, but I think I can change that if there's interest.