Chapter 17

"Yes, of course I'll be there." Ryan switches Aurora's weight to his other arm. "Of course, alright, I'll talk to you later." Ryan shuts the phone off as Sandy walks into the room.

"About ready?" Sandy asks.

Ryan nods, "I've got all of Aurora's things packed."

"You know you don't have to go to this thing tonight, if you're to tired or sore..." Sandy suggests. "I wish I had a way to get out of this thing. From what I hear Hailey's nearly gone insane."

"I'm fine," Ryan nods. "Is Kirsten alright? She's seemed jumpy all week."

Sandy nods, "she's fine. You know Kirsten, she's probably just having a hard time adjusting to not having to work."
"Come in!" Summer calls in response to the knock on her door.

"Rosemary says you've been moping around the house again," Neil Roberts states when opens the door.

"I haven't been moping," Summer responds. "I just haven't gone out."

"You spent nearly the week straight with the Sinclaire boy, did you break up?" Neil questions.

"We were never actually dating, Daddy, we're just friends." Summer responds.

"Oh, well good, he's downstairs wondering if you were still going to his football game tonight."

"He's here?" Summer asks.

"He's waiting for you in the living room." Neil informs and then broaches "We were invited to the Cooper/Nichol wedding, Lana said we'd all be there. I hope that's alright?"

Summer waves her hand, "whatever. Could you tell Tate that I'm coming to the game, and that I'll be right down."

Once her father has gone Summer quickly changes into in a soft red sweater and a pair of jeans and quickly hurries down the steps, "hi."

"Hey," Tate grins at Summer. "I didn't know if you wanted to come or not, but I figured I'd stop by on my way to see."

Summer glances at her father, "bye Daddy."

"Back by my curfew?" Neil questions.

"Before, sir," Tate responds, "I have to be up early."

"Sounds good, good luck on your game tonight Tate."

"Come on," Summer grabs Tate's hand and pulls him toward the door. "I didn't think you would want me at the game tonight, I haven't heard from you since we last went out."

"I didn't think you wanted me to call you, you seemed kind of angry."

"I wasn't, not at you." Summer responds, "so you think you guys'll win tonight?"

"We're going to kick ass," Tate states. "A bunch of people go out for pizza after we win, feel like going?"

Summer smiles, "sure sounds cool."
"So let's see your room Marissa," Seth states, the movers had moved everything in and the dinner everyone had been promised was happening in between Hailey directing movers and wedding decorators.

"Nah," Marissa waves her hand, "it's no big deal."

"Come on," Seth urges, "I want to check out your new, permanent this time, room."

"Well..."

"Come on Marissa," Anna chimes in. Marissa sighs and finally she leads the two of them up to her large room, "very cool," Anna comments.

"It's..." Seth trails, "authentic."

Marissa clears her throat and explains to Anna, "it's actually Summer's design, she and Seth did my bedroom up like this when I was living with my Dad in his old house, so I had them recreate it."

Anna nods, in only a week Summer had become a name that was nearly taboo. Neither Marissa or Seth had any desire to talk about her and while Anna felt bad for Summer she was about to reach out to her after what she had said to Seth.

"So we should get back down to poor Ryan," Marissa comments, "Hailey had been in this way nurturing mood lately, I think it's her adjusting to being pregnant. So she may be unintentionally be tormenting Ryan."

"Ryan are you sure you're comfortable there?" Hailey's words can be heard as the group walks down the stairs and into the living room, sure enough Hailey was fussing around Ryan and Aurora.

"I'm fine Hailey, thank you," Ryan responds. "I'm sure you have something else to worry about, then me."

"Well if you're sure you're fine," Hailey states quickly before disappearing.

"Is that my aunt?" Seth asks staring after the woman he hardly recognizes.

"Yes," Ryan sighs. "I need to change Aurora, Seth do you know where your mom left the diaper bag?"

"She left it by the front door I think, I'll go get it for you." Marissa offers.

"I can get it," Ryan snaps struggling to his feet carefully, not to disturb the baby.

"Ryan..." Marissa trails and then taking a deep breath she states, "I just want to help."

Anna and Seth exchange glances, "so are you thirsty Anna? I think I'm thirsty."

Anna nods, "why don't we try the kitchen?"

"Yeah, the kitchen," Seth nods hurrying with Anna out of the living room.

"I don't need your help," Ryan's words are low. "I can take care of my own daughter."

"I never said you couldn't," Marissa responds. "I don't mind helping out with Aurora, I love doing it."

"You're not her mother!" Ryan exclaims suddenly.

"What? I never said..."

"You hover around insistently offering help, trying to be maternal, but it isn't needed Marissa, you aren't Aurora's mother." Aurora begins to cry in Ryan's arm and with a wince Ryan picks up the diaper bag, "I'm going home."
"That game was kick ass,"one of Tate's teammates cheers as they walk into their traditional post-game pizza place.

"Totally," Summer nods, "you guys were awesome."

"Summer, right?" The cheerleader hanging onto the loud teammate asks. When Summer nods she turns to Tate, "you should totally bring Summer to my party next Friday."

"What do you think?" Tate questions Summer.

Summer nods, "a party sounds cool."