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Recap of Chapter Three: At the graduation party there was a lot of drama! Ryan had a discussion with Caleb as Marissa and Julie had a rather physical argument (lol). Then, Ryan and Marissa talked a little about college. At the end of the party there was an unexpected knock at the door, and when Sandy went to open it he was surprised at who he saw...
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Float On

Chapter Four: Hello Again!

Knock. Knock. Sandy Cohen went over to the door and opened it slowly. There in the doorway stood a rather drunken woman who looked a bit like a lost dog looking for its home.

Sandy recognized the woman from when they first met about two years ago, "Umm...Hi...Dawn." he said, shock evident in his voice.

"Ughhhh..." she slurred, as she tilted a little to the side, about to fall over. Sandy caught her just in time and led her into the house where confused people stared at them with open mouths.

Ryan seeing Dawn, quickly got up and walked hesitantly over to where she stood next to Sandy.

Even though Ryan knew that she wasn't quite in the right state of mind, he attempted to ask her a question, "What are you doing here?"

"Ughhhh..." she slurred once again, as she dropped to the floor.

Ryan and Sandy knelt down beside her and pulled her up quickly, leading her over to the couch.

Once she was seated, they looked around the room at all the bewildered faces. "Ummm..." Sandy, spoke up. "I'm so sorry, but we have a little something that we need to deal with, so..."

Kirsten took this as her queue to lead all the frustrated guests out the door, and that's exactly what she did.

After minutes, all the guests were gone and Kirsten, Sandy, Seth, Ryan, Summer and Marissa were the only ones left.

"So, ummm.... I guess I'll take Summer home," Seth said, as he got up from the couch. "Dad can I take the car?"

"Sure, son." Sandy said, as he handed Seth the keys. Summer got up from the couch as well and took Seth's hand as they walked out the door.

By this time Marissa decided she should say something, "Ryan, I think I should go." she said, as she got up.

Ryan pleadingly, grabbed her arm and said hopefully, "Marissa will you please stay...just for a little while?"

She smiled and sat back down next to him. "I'll get Dawn some Tylenol," Kirsten said, as she left the room.

"Yeah, um I'll go get her a cool washcloth. It might make her feel better." Marissa said. As a previous alcoholic Marissa knew the kinds of things that would make you feel better when drunk.

"Thanks," Ryan replied.

Marissa just smiled as she too left the room. Even though she didn't really know Dawn besides the fact she was a drunk, Marissa still wanted to be there and help out with the situation......for Ryan!

By that time Kirsten came back with the Tylenol and a glass of water to give to Dawn."Here you go," she said, as she handed it to Dawn.

"Ughhhh...." she slurred, as she took the water and medicine .

"I guess we should just let her sleep on the couch tonight and talk about everything tomorrow when she's not drunk," Sandy said.

Kirsten nodded her head, "I'll go get the pillows and blankets," she said, as she left the room.

"You know you don't have to do this. I can..." Ryan began.

"I have to do this. You are our son now, Ryan and we'd do anything for you." Sandy said, as he patted Ryan on the back.

Ryan just smiled, "Thanks."

"Here's the washcloth," Marissa said, handing it to Dawn.

"Ughhhh....." Dawn slurred, as she placed it on her forehead and closed her eyes.

"Thanks Marissa," Ryan said, taking her hands in his.

"Okay, I've got the pillows and blankets," Kirsten said, as she set them down on the couch.

"Thanks guys, I'll take care of everything from here," Ryan said.

"Are you sure, sweetie? We can..." Kirsten started.

"No, it's okay." Ryan replied.

"Okay, well we'll go back to bed. But we need to talk in the morning." Sandy said, as he took Kirsten's hand. "Oh and Ryan, you can take the car to take Marissa home when Seth gets back."

"Thanks, you guys."

"Sure, honey." Kirsten said, as she hugged Ryan...'her son.'

Sandy gave Ryan a pat on the back before leaving the room, with Kirsten by his side.

Ryan carefully placed a pillow behind Dawn's head, making sure not to wake her up. Then, he laid the blanket over her pale body and turned the light off.

"Hey, you want to go outside and talk by the pool?" Ryan asked Marissa.

"Sure," she said, taking his hand and leading him outside.

They walked out by the pool and sat down in one of the chairs; Marissa in Ryan's lap.

"So......" she started.

There was an awkward silence as Ryan and Marissa sat there, holding each other tightly.

"Ryan..." Marissa said, a single tear rolling down her cheek.

Ryan saw this and took his free hand, wiping the tear away from her face, "What's wrong Marissa?" he asked, concern taking over him.

"Nothing....It was stupid," she said, trying to change the subject.

"Marissa please, you can tell me anything," he said, smiling at her slightly to try and reassure her.

"Well, it's just that," Marissa hesitated before saying, "Ryan I'm afraid something is going to happen with your mom and you are going to be taken away from me...I'm sorry...I'm so selfish." she said, tears falling from her face.

Ryan looked deeply into her eyes, trying to calm her, "Marissa, I am not going back to Chino. It isn't my home anymore...You...New Port are my home. Dawn has never been there for me as a mother, but the Cohen's and you and even Summer...you are the ones who have taken me in...Besides I'd be stupid to leave everything that's been good in my life behind..."

Marissa smiled as Ryan leaned in and kissed her on the lips. Ryan picked Marissa up and carried the laughing and screaming girl in his arms as he jumped into the pool.

They came up from the water; Marissa still in Ryan's arms. "Hey....." she said, as she laughed uncontrollably. "What was that for?"

"I don't know." he said. "It just felt like the right thing to do at the moment."

Marissa smiled slyly and began splashing him with water. "Hey...Stop!" Ryan exclaimed.

"Come and get me," Marissa said, as she swam towards the other end of the pool.

Ryan laughed as he swam towards Marissa. He caught up to her quickly considering the fact he was so strong (lol)! Marissa laughed as well, as Ryan picked her up and began tickling her. "Ryan...." Marissa cried, through laughter. "Stop."

"Okay," he said. "I'll do this then," he said, as he kissed Marissa passionately.

It was a kiss that had a lot of meaning...a kiss that left all the worries that Marissa was feeling behind...a kiss that brought Ryan and Marissa even closer!
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A/N: Okay guys, that was Chapter 4, I really hope you liked it!! I know a lot of you thought that Theresa would be the one at the door, but I decided to try something else and bring Dawn back. I'm not saying that Theresa won't come back...or that she will (lol) but you'll just have to wait and see! By the way, a very smart reviewer (who-am-i-91) brought up the fact that you should apply to colleges before high school is over, which is absolutely true! But, instead I started out with their graduation and decided to have the discussion about college after, which I know is totally unrealistic and wouldn't happen in real life, so I'm really sorry about that...hopefully that won't change your view of the story!! So, anyway go ahead and shoot me ...well, actually do it after I finish the story! lol. Okay, well thanks a lot and again I apologize about the college thing! Please REVIEW!!!!

Sanddollar527