Usual Disclaimers…
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Three Months Later"Mom, Dad, don't you think a car for Ryan and I to share would be the perfect adoption present?"
The Cohens were standing around the kitchen doing some last minute planning for the adoption party. They were due in court the next morning where the judge would finalize the adoption. Despite Ryan's protest Kirsten was throwing a typical Newport bash. The only thing Kirsten had conceded was the dress code. Formal wear was out and casual was in. But Seth wasn't concerned with the party. He was concerned with the presents.
"It's just like a birthday. Ryan's birth into our family. The occasion deserves something big. Something memorable. Something that will cut the umbilical chord between parent and child and foster our independence. Allow us to spread our wings."
They all let Seth ramble a little while longer. But finally, Kirsten's head started to pound and she said, "Seth. Enough. No car until you turn eighteen. If you keep it up you won't get one then either."
"Ryan work with me. Get over this newbie feeling. You've got to start asking for things."
"You're right." Ryan straightened up and looked from Sandy to Kirsten. "Can I try to get my job back at the Crab Shack or some other place?"
"That's not what I meant bro. You're making me look bad with this responsible persona you've got going here."
Again, no one was listening to Seth. "You need to concentrate on school," Sandy said shaking his head. "Senior year is going to be stressful with college applications. You've had enough going on without the added pressure of a job. And I want you to enjoy this summer. Relax. Enjoy your last taste of freedom.
"Thanks," Ryan said with a sigh. Adoption or not, he still hated taking money for nothing.
"Ryan we do have something for you." Kirsten said taking out a small package and handed it to Ryan.
"It's not necessary," he said. "I should be the one getting you something."
"Open it," Seth said jumping up and down. "It's a present. Never turn down a present."
"For once Seth is right. Come on Ryan," urged Sandy. "Open it."
Ryan undid the wrapping paper, taking care not to rip it.
"Jeez Ryan, you're not one of those," Seth said rolling his eyes. "If you're going to be a Cohen you've just got to rip into it."
"Shut up Seth," they all said simultaneously.
"Shutting up family." He held up his hand in surrender.
Ryan finally got the wrapping paper open, revealing a new top of line cell phone.
"It's digital and has web surfing capabilities. It takes pictures."
Ryan smiled. "So you can keep tabs?" he asked not bothering to hide his amusement.
Kirsten blushed. "Seth has a phone. There's no reason you shouldn't have one." She pointed to the box. "Your number is already programmed into it."
"And programmed into theirs of course," Seth interjected.
"You're always borrowing Seth's phone," Kirsten insisted, hating that their present was so obvious.
"Thanks. It's great," Ryan said smiling.
"Oh man," Seth groaned. "He likes the idea of the leash. He likes it when you keep tabs on him."
"Shut up Seth."
"They're making a wuss out of you."
"I can still kick your ass," Ryan said menacingly.
"Yes you can, so I'll shut up now."
Kirsten yawned. "I'm going up to bed. We have an early day tomorrow. You boys should go to bed too."
"Yes Mother." Seth said looking at his watch. "Two virile teenage boys will go to bed at ten o'clock, when their mother tells them. Not."
"Whatever," she said sleepily. "But if I can't get you up in the morning, I'm pouring a pitcher of ice water on your head. Consider this your warning." She waddled out of the room leaving the Cohen men behind.
Nine o'clock the next morning they were gathered in the judge's chamber. Ryan was wearing a suit and a tie, which Sandy had helped him fasten yet again. Seth wore a dress suit and a tie too, but his shirt was hanging out and his hair didn't look combed. Kirsten had given Seth a reproving look, but didn't comment on his wardrobe choice. Nervously, the family waited for Rachel and the judge to arrive.
From the corner of his eye, he noticed Kirsten wince in pain. She had started her ninth month a week earlier, but the doctor had assured her she would go full term and hinted that there was a slight possibility their original due date was a bit early.
"You okay?" he whispered.
"Fine," she answered. "Little Cohen is just kicking up a storm again."
Ryan was about to ask something else when Rachel scurried into the room followed by a tall black man clad in his judicial black robes. Everyone stood in the judge's presence and they sat as soon as he instructed them to be seated. The judge looked up from the stack of papers in front of him and smiled at the Cohens.
"Where's Ryan?"
Ryan raised his hand.
The judge looked at Seth. "You are…"
"Seth Cohen, sir. I'm Ryan's brother."
The judge smiled. "Older or younger?"
"Older by a couple of months."
"And you must be Mr. and Mrs. Cohen."
Sandy and Kirsten nodded.
The judge eyed Kirsten's belly and said, "Is that the newest Cohen? When are you due?"
"In a couple of weeks," Kirsten answered. "That's why we were so anxious to finalize the adoption. I want our family complete when this baby is born."
"Well unless you have this baby in the next five minutes I think we can grant that wish." The judge looked through the papers and then at Ryan again. "I see you're biological mother passed away quite recently. I'm sorry for your loss."
"Thanks," Ryan mumbled.
"And you're biological father has terminated his rights." The judge shuffled some of the papers. "Everything looks in order." He looked up at Ryan. "It's not usual for someone to get adopted at so late an age."
"The Cohens aren't usual people," said Ryan.
Seth sniggered. Kirsten slapped him lightly from where she was seated.
"Well, congratulations," the judge announced scribbling something with his pen. "I just signed my name so it's official Ryan Cohen."
"Thank you judge." He leaned over and accepted the judge's outstretched hand, not bothering to let the judge know he would be keeping his own name.
Sandy shook the judge's hand while Kirsten hugged Ryan and then they switched. Seth squeezed in, throwing his hands around his brother. The judge called out congratulations and left his chambers, giving the Cohens a moment alone to celebrate.
"Thanks Rachel," Sandy said. "You did a great job expediting all the paperwork."
"My pleasure, Sandy," she said. "I'll leave you to celebrate."
"Rachel," Kirsten called. "You'll be there tonight at Ryan's party?"
"I wouldn't miss it. Congratulations all," and she left.
The Cohens stood around for a little while not sure what to do or say next. It was hard to believe that the roller coaster ride that they had been on for the past few months was coming to an end.
"So this is it," Ryan said softly. "Funny, I don't feel any different."
"Why should you?" asked Seth.
"You've been our son for a long time already," Sandy finished.
He swung his arm around Ryan's shoulder, and put his other arm around Kirsten's waist. Seth walked next to his mother and together the Cohens left the judge's chamber.
The party was in full swing. The summer heat was stifling, so both Seth and Ryan changed from their formal court attire into casual wear. Kirsten hadn't changed and Ryan wondered if it had anything to do with her cringing every so often. He sidled up to her and asked her if she was okay, but every time he asked, she shooed him off and told him to enjoy the party.
"Ryan Atwood-Cohen," Marissa whispered in his ears. "Your new name turns me on."
Ryan smiled.
"Are we going to christen it?"
"Don't start," he moaned. "Not here."
Marissa giggled. "Can we go out tomorrow night?"
"Don't' see why not. I'll just have to clear it with S- with the parents," he corrected himself. He liked the sound of that. He never had to clear anything with Dawn. Dawn had never kept tabs on where he went or whom he was hanging out with. He knew most teenagers with parents as caring as Sandy and Kirsten felt suffocated, but he didn't. He just felt protected.
"I hope your parents are reasonable."
"They usually are."
He and Marissa sat on one of the lounge chairs. He nestled his chin on top of her head and wondered if he would have a dreamless night. For the most part the past three months had been nightmare free, but every so often dreams would plague his sleep. Dr. Acobas assured him it was insecurities and as long as it wasn't night after night and he could go to sleep afterwards it was okay. He didn't always fall back asleep, but he didn't want to worry Sandy or Kirsten about it. Maybe he would always be overwhelmed by dreams in times of stress. Maybe he couldn't change that.
"Something's going on," Marissa said. She squinted in the direction of Sandy, Kirsten, Jimmy Cooper, and Caleb huddled together near the barbecue.
"Kirsten hasn't been feeling well all day," he observed. "She just wouldn't admit it." He disentangled himself from Marissa and stood up from the chair. "I'm going to check it out."
"'kay," she mumbled and lay back in the chair.
Ryan weaved through the crowd, smiling and thanking people as they congratulated him on the adoption. Kirsten was already heading inside when Ryan arrived.
"What's going on?" he asked Caleb.
"It looks like Kirsten is going into labor."
"She's been having contractions all day, hasn't she?"
Caleb nodded. "That's what she just told us. Seems like her water just broke."
"Oh!"
"Sandy is going to take her to the hospital. As soon as the guests leave we'll join them."
"It's not too early for her?"
"She's in her ninth month, it's perfectly fine. Don't worry," Caleb said, slapping him on the back. Ryan tried not to raise his brow. "Enjoy the party. It's for you."
"Shouldn't we ask everyone to leave…"
Caleb shook his head. "Kirsten doesn't want everyone to know she's in labor. Let her make a discreet exit. We'll wrap it up soon enough."
Ryan sighed. "Okay."
He went back to Marissa who was joined with Summer, Seth and Luke. Anna had moved back to Pittsburgh during the winter, claiming she missed the seasons. They e-mailed every so often, and Ryan knew Seth e-mailed her daily. Ryan had told her about the adoption and she had been genuinely pleased, sending him e-cards for the occasion. Anna had been the only one to understand how Ryan felt like an outsider in Newport. He surprised himself when he occasionally missed her.
"What's up?" Seth asked. "Marissa said Mom, Dad, Jimmy and Grandpa were all in a huddle."
Ryan surveyed the crowd and decided to let his friends know. They'd find out soon enough. "Looks like Kirsten is in labor. Her water broke. Sandy's taking her to the hospital."
Summer squealed. "That's so exciting. Why are you still here?"
Ryan laughed. "If you haven't noticed, there's a party going on here in my honor. They want us to stay and not make a fuss."
Seth eyed his brother. "You want to go to the hospital, don't you?"
Ryan nodded.
"So do I. Come on guys, let's wrap this party up."
And so Luke, Marissa, Summer, Seth and Ryan circled the guests making up excuses as to why the party had to end, never once revealing the truth. It took them nearly an hour, but the house was clear except for the catering crew and Caleb, Jimmy and Haley.
"What are we waiting for?" Seth cried. "Let's get to the hospital!" He grabbed the keys to the Land Rover, grateful Sandy had taken his car to the hospital. Seth was at the end of the driveway when he suddenly jumped out and called to his grandfather, in the car behind him, "Which hospital?"
Kirsten's labor wasn't short. Seth and Ryan took turns pacing the waiting room and going to the atrium with their phones updating their friends since cell phones were only allowed that part of the hospital. It seemed like half the night had passed when Sandy, dressed in a sterile gown came out and said, "It's a girl."
"How's Kirsten?" asked Ryan immediately.
"Tired, but well. Everything went smoothly. She was amazing."
"How big is she?" asked Caleb.
"They're weighing her now. But she's a big one. Kirsten really had her work cut out for her."
"Can we see them?"
"In a little while," said Sandy.
An hour later, Ryan timidly knocked on the door of Kirsten's private room. She was pale, and her hair, which was always perfectly combed, was limp, sweaty and matted to her scalp. But she wore a huge smile. In the crook of her arms she cradled the new baby who was swaddled in pink blankets.
"Come in Ryan. Come see your new baby sister. She patted the side of her bed, which offered some space. Ryan took the seat she offered.
"She's beautiful."
"She sure is."
"Hey is there room for one more?" Seth asked, poking his head in.
"Of course there is." Kirsten patted the other side of the bed and Seth sat down on her left side.
Suddenly, tears were pouring down Kirsten's face.
"You okay Mom?" Ryan asked. He called her that purposefully, knowing how much she craved those words from him. He wouldn't always be able to do it, but it seemed okay now, natural.
"I'm fine." She patted his head and then did the same to Seth. "I just feel so blessed. I have the three most beautiful children." And the tears came pouring down some more, rendering Kirsten unable to speak.
Sandy walked in. He had run home to shower and change, but was back with Kirsten's suitcase and a camera. "Say cheese." Kirsten and the boys looked up and Sandy snapped before they could protest. He couldn't stop looking at his wife, his sons, and now his beautiful daughter.
"What's her name?" asked Ryan.
Sandy and Kirsten's eyes met. "Christina, after Kirsten's mother," Sandy finally said.
"But we thought about Dawn for a middle name, after your mother," Kirsten added.
To their surprise, Ryan vehemently shook his head. "Names have too much power," he whispered. "I want my sister to have a better life than Dawn had."
"It was your mother that brought you to us. I'll always be grateful to her."
But Ryan just shook her head. "Christina's a beautiful name and I can't tell you what to do, she's your daughter, but I want better for my little sister than to end up in a morgue because of a drug overdose."
"Are you sure?"
Ryan nodded. "I love you for wanting to do something so special, but it's misguided."
Ryan closed his eyes. Why had he chosen those words? Couldn't he have said it a better way? He was their son for two minutes and already he was being a pain in the ass brat. He opened his eyes and realized Sandy and Kirsten weren't mad at him. They had proved themselves over and over again, promising him that he could stay no matter what he said or did. He had tested them enough and they had still moved forward with the adoption. So he could tell them the truth and how he felt. And Ryan had always believed in the power of names.
"What about Nana's middle name?" Seth asked.
Ryan looked up at Seth.
"Why don't you name her Christina Esther after Grandma and Nana."
Ryan shook his head up and down. "Esther's a nice name. It's Persian for star," he said, quoting the baby name book he had browsed through last month in anticipation of the baby. "And I had to read up on Queen Esther for History. She represents hope and strength to the Jewish people."
Kirsten's eyes lit up. "It's a beautiful name."
But Sandy shook her head. "My mother would think we were trying to kill her. In the Jewish tradition you usually don't name for anyone until they're dead. And with the cancer, I don't want her to think we're trying to put her into an early grave."
They all murmured agreement, but sighed in despair. Ryan wasn't sure that this little person needed a middle name, but Sandy and Kirsten seemed determined. "So we need to find you a middle name," Ryan said, peering at the small bundle still in Kirsten's arms. "Can I hold her?" he asked.
Kirsten nodded, giving Ryan a list of instructions about holding a newborn. "You have to support her head," she reminded him for the third time, before actually transferring Christina into his arms. Seth walked over to Ryan's side of the bed, jealous that Ryan thought to ask Kirsten first.
Christina's two big brothers peered into her tiny face.
"She has your eyes, Seth," Ryan told him.
"She has your scowl."
Ryan laughed.
"She's beautiful," Seth said.
"What about Hope?" Ryan said suddenly. "Christina Hope. Because that's what she is for us."
"I love it," Kirsten agreed.
"Love what?" Haley peered into the room. Pink helium balloons were bobbing behind her. Caleb was standing next to her, a bouquet of flowers filling his hands.
"We love the baby's name," Kirsten explained. "Ryan just chose her middle name and it's perfect."
Kirsten took the baby out of Ryan's arms and held her up so that Haley and Caleb could see. "Dad, Haley, I'd like you to meet your new granddaughter and niece, Christina Hope Cohen."
Sandy inched closer to Kirsten. He threw a protective hand around the boys as Caleb and Haley cooed at the newest Cohen. Ryan looked up at Sandy and quickly smiled before turning back to the baby.
His family, thought Ryan. Not some strangers off the street.
So this is the end…. I have a sequel in mind… sort of… but I also have a One Tree Hill Fic in mind. I'll probably start both and see which one flows better…. Thanks for reading and reviewing. Hope you enjoy.