Title: Black Diamonds

Summary: Ryan makes friends with an African-American student at Harbor.

Disclaimer: I own nothing related to The O.C..

Chapter 15

On Saturday morning, Henry woke up to little Maggie snuggled against him. He smiled and put his arm around her. He was glad that she hadn't been going out to the pool house to sleep in Ryan's bed. It was fine when Ryan was staying in the guest room last time, but he didn't want Maggie going outside the house to the pool house at night, even if it was just in the back yard. He told her not to go out there, and she listened, but she was just 3 years old. He knew that just because you told a 3-year-old something didn't mean they'd do it. He was glad that she did it this time.

Henry gently disengaged from his daughter and got up. He got dressed and headed out to the kitchen to start breakfast, letting his wife sleep a little bit longer. As he started the coffee he looked out towards the pool house where Ryan was staying. He wasn't sure how this weekend was going to go, trying to fool Nathan into believing that they had taken in Ryan. It was kind of nice having Ryan here, though. Maybe the reason why they hadn't found a teenager to live with them in six months of trying was because they were looking for another Ryan. That was something to think about.

As each member of the family, plus one, made their way into the kitchen for breakfast, Henry greeted each one with a smile and a "Good Morning." Except for Gwen, of course, who got a kiss. Then they all sat down to breakfast.

Henry told the kids, "I was thinking about how we should do this. I think it would work best if you kids go out for a while with Ryan, and so you're out when Uncle Nathan and Aunt Beverly arrive. That will give your mother and me time to tell them about Ryan. And then when you get back, it will be a surprise."

Ryan and Sam and Angela looked at each other and nodded their heads and said, "Sure."

Henry explained to Ryan, "Nathan and Beverly live about 4 hours from here. They usually get here in the middle of the day, like around noon or 1 O'Clock."

Sam came in with an idea, "Yeah, we can go down to the pier or something and have lunch."

"Sounds good, Sam. Make sure you bring your cell phone with you. We'll call when your Aunt and Uncle get here."

"OK."

After breakfast, they all helped clean up the kitchen and do a few final chores around the house in preparation for their visitors, although most of it was taken care of by their housekeeper Manuela yesterday.

As it approached late morning, the teenagers prepared to go out. Henry took out his wallet and handed Sam then Angela some money for lunch and whatnot. They took it without hesitation. "Thanks, Dad."

Henry tried to hand Ryan money, too, but he refused to take it. "No, thanks, Mr. Reese. I'm fine."

"Henry."

"Right, Henry."

Sam told Ryan, "Take it, man. How often do you get the parental units handing you money?"

"No, that's OK."

Henry tried to give it to him again. "Go ahead, Ryan. I'm the one sending you guys out to buy lunch. The least I can do is pay for it."

Henry wasn't sure if Ryan would take it or not. Sandy had told him how Ryan had insisted upon getting a minimum-wage job last summer because he didn't like to take their money. Henry thought that was admirable, but maybe Ryan was taking it a little too far. He was still a kid. He needed the financial support of adults. He thought it was good that Sandy and Kirsten hadn't let Ryan work during school. Kids needed to focus on their school work during the school year, especially in a demanding school like Harbor.

Henry smiled when Ryan finally took the money and shoved it into his pocket, looking a little embarrassed. Henry herded the three teens out the door quickly, trying to keep Ryan's embarrassment to a minimum and to make sure he didn't have time to change his mind and give the money back.

Once the kids were gone, Henry and Gwen settled down to wait for Nathan and Beverly. They showed up as expected a couple of hours later. Henry and Gwen and Maggie met them at the door and exchanged hugs all around.

Gwen told them, "Come in, come in, how was your trip? You must be starving. Come into the kitchen and I'll get lunch ready."

Gwen and Beverly headed towards the kitchen, chatting about the trip. Henry picked up Maggie.

Nathan picked up his and his wife's bags. "I'll be with you ladies in a minute. I just want to put our bags in the pool house first."

Before Nathan could start towards the back yard, Henry told him, "Actually, you can't stay in the pool house this time. We have the guest room all set up for you."

Nathan nodded and turned towards the stairs instead. Henry followed him with Maggie. It was time for Maggie's nap. She already had her lunch.

On the way up, Nathan asked Henry, "Is there something wrong with the pool house?"

"Um, no, nothing's wrong. We, uh, we have a surprise for you."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, just let me put Maggie down for her nap, and I'll meet you in the kitchen and Gwen and I will let you in on it." Nathan nodded.

When they got upstairs, Nathan headed for the guest room, and Henry took Maggie into her bedroom. After he put Maggie down on her bed and closed the door, he quietly took out his cell phone and called Sam.

"Hey, Dad."

"Hey, Sam. So your Aunt and Uncle are here." Henry talked as quietly as he could, while making sure that Sam could hear him. He didn't want Nathan to overhear.

"OK, good, so you want us to head back now?"

"Why don't you give us about half an hour. That will give us time to eat lunch and talk to them about Ryan."

"OK."

"Have you guys had your lunch yet?"

"Um, yeah."

Henry thought his son's voice sounded a little strained. "Sam, is something wrong? You sound a little funny."

"Um, no, nothing's wrong. We'll see you in 30 minutes."

Then Sam hung up. Henry wasn't sure if he believed Sam. It sounded like there was something wrong. Well, he'd just have to ask Sam about it when they got back. Henry went ahead and put Maggie down for her nap and went downstairs for lunch.

Over lunch, Gwen and Henry told Nathan and Beverly the story that they had planned, about how Ryan was the boy that Gwen had told Nathan about in March. Ryan was 16, he stayed in the pool house, they had gotten him through their lawyer Sandy Cohen, who was also Ryan's lawyer, he'd been there for a month, and the rest of it. They intentionally didn't mention what race Ryan was, letting Nathan and Beverly make assumptions. They wanted to see their faces when Ryan walked through the door with Sam and Angela.

By the time they finished with the story, and answering questions, the four of them were relaxing in the livingroom, drinking coffee. They were chatting about other things when the front door opened. The kids were home. Henry put down his coffe and stood up. Sam and Angela came in first, followed by Ryan, who closed the door behind them.

Henry smiled at the kids. "Hey, guys, you're back."

As soon as Ryan turned around, Henry's smile faded. He could see what Sam didn't want to tell him over the phone. Henry forgot about Nathan and Beverly and came forward to meet Ryan, who also stepped forward, in front of Sam and Angela.

"Ryan, what happened to your face?"

Ryan looked down. He clearly had a black eye. Henry's gaze went down to Ryan's right hand. It was scraped and bruised. He looked back up at Ryan's face.

"You got into a fight? What did we say about fighting?"

Sam jumped to Ryan's defense. "Dad, it was totally not his fault."

And Angela jumped in, "Yeah, Dad, these guys were hassling us, and they blocked our way --"

Ryan stopped her. He put out his hands a little to the side, in front of Sam and Angela, who were at this point on either side of and a little behind him.

"Guys, it's OK. I got this."

Henry looked closely at Sam and Angela. "Are you two all right?"

Before Sam or Angela could answer, Ryan did. "It was just me."

Henry looked back at Ryan, who was looking at him by now. He wasn't looking down any more. He was looking straight into Henry's eyes. Henry nodded at Ryan, glad that he was taking responsibility. But Henry was not looking forward to explaining to Sandy that they let Ryan get into a fight while he was staying with them.

Henry took a deep breath. "Ryan, why don't you go into the kitchen and put some ice on that? I'll be with you in a few minutes."

Ryan lowered his eyes and blinked a few times, then he nodded and headed for the kitchen, followed closely by Sam and Angela.

Henry sighed and turned around. Gwen, Beverly, and Nathan were all standing up. Beverly and Nathan were staring at the backs of the kids, who quickly went out of sight into the kitchen. Nathan turned towards Henry.

"That was Ryan?"

"Yes, Nathan, that was Ryan."

"I can't believe it."

When Nathan turned back to look in the direction of the kitchen, Henry realized that maybe Ryan getting into a fight was a blessing in disguise. His interaction with Ryan just now had apparently convinced Nathan that Ryan was really their foster son, or rather ward to be more accurate. He had just treated Ryan like he was, and Ryan had responded that way.

Henry turned to look in the direction of the kitchen himself. Now he'd have to figure out what he could say to Ryan, especially since he wasn't really his guardian.

To Be Continued