AN: This chapter is dedicated to smc36. Sorry I haven't killed her for you yet but I hope this chapter helps you out with your rage.

Kirsten knocked tentatively on the door. "Sandy, are you sure…" Her eyes searched her husband's face.

"Hey, guys. It's good to see you," Teresa said, welcoming them inside as she swung open the door.

"How are you? You look well," Sandy gave her a gentle hug.

Kirsten was still hesitant. She stepped inside the house. She wasn't sure what to expect, but the clean, vibrantly painted living room wasn't it. Pictures of Teresa and her family were all over the walls and she glimpsed several with Ryan's familiar blond figure in them. She felt a pang when she pictured her own living room with the antique paintings and latest floral arrangements. Family photos were reserved for the nightstands and the mantle alone. This living room was an archive of family.

"Kirsten?" Teresa called. "How are you?"

"Oh, I'm fine. I was just admiring the pictures," Kirsten replied. "I had no idea you had such a large family." With a big family, she had to have other people that could help her raise this child. She didn't need Ryan.

"Ryan's out back," Teresa said, blushing a little from Kirsten's gaze.

"Be nice," Sandy whispered in her ear as they followed her outside. He put his hand on her back and she forced herself to relax.

It wasn't like she didn't like Teresa, she did. She just didn't like Ryan here. If Teresa was willing to stay in Newport, Kirsten would undoubtedly be close with her, but since she'd taken Ryan away from them and was keeping him in Chino, Kirsten didn't want anything to do with her. She wanted Ryan to come home. If Ryan came home, Seth would come home. She wanted her family back.

Ryan looked blonder when she saw him at first. His hair was longer and he was dark with tan. He was wearing his trademark wife-beater and was standing with his back to them in front of a small grill.

She felt a chill rush through her. It'd only been a few weeks since she'd seen him in person, she wouldn't cry.

"Ryan? Sandy and Kirsten are here," Teresa said. She walked over and put her hand on Ryan's shoulders.

Kirsten tensed up immediately. She didn't like the way Teresa touched him. Like he belonged to her. Ryan didn't belong to her.

"Hey, guys, what's up?" Ryan turned and smiled at them, his blue eyes sparkling. He looked genuinely glad to see them.

She felt a little better when she saw the dark circles under Ryan's eyes. He was tired. He was happy to see them. He wasn't settling in here despite the way Teresa had her hands on him.

He put his arms around her for a hug. She held him tightly against her. She missed him. She missed his sparse comments and eagerness to help. She missed his breakfasts. She missed his bleary-eyed trek to the coffeepot. She missed the way he smiled and flashed a few of his perfect teeth.

The boy she knew never hugged. Teresa was changing him. All Kirsten needed was a few minutes to talk to him and she was sure that she could get him to reconsider.

He released her and slapped Sandy on the back. Their hug was more relaxed. She knew that Sandy and Ryan had a special connection. They talked almost every day. Sandy wasn't going to force Ryan to come home, he was too emotionally invested in the situation. He felt pity for Teresa.

She didn't anymore. She had to protect what was hers.

"I'm making cheeseburgers, I hope that's okay," Ryan said. Kirsten watched as his hand found Teresa's and they walked together back toward the grill.

"Sounds delicious," Sandy grinned. "Thanks for having us."

"You guys are always welcome. My mom wanted to meet you but she had to go help out at the church," Teresa said.

"So how is everything?" Kirsten asked. She had barely spoken since she got here.

"Good, it's good," Ryan replied. "Has there been any news on…"

"No. Nothing yet," Sandy said before he could finish his question. Kirsten took her husband's hand. He couldn't talk about Seth's disappearance. Not even with Ryan.

"Oh. Teresa, could you go get the cheese for the burgers out of the kitchen?" Ryan asked.

"Sure." She kissed Ryan on the cheek and went into the house.

"You guys are certainly domestic," Kirsten said once she was gone.

Ryan didn't seem to sense the tension in her words. "Yeah, well, before you guys came along, Teresa was like family to me, too." He glanced at them. "Trey and I spent a lot of time here."

"Ryan, do you love her?"

He glanced from her to Sandy. "What kind of question is that, Kirsten?"

"It's a valid question."

Ryan didn't reply immediately. He flipped a burger before regarding her. "You think I'd be here if I didn't Kirsten? You really think I'd walk away from Newport if I didn't care about her? How can you even ask me that?" He shook his head and returned his attention to the grill.

"Kirsten," Sandy scolded her with his hushed tone.

Teresa returned with the cheese and walked over to stand beside Ryan. Kirsten watched them with interest. Ryan would flip a patty and Teresa would gingerly lay a slice of cheese on it. They worked together fluidly.

"I'm sorry, Ryan."

Teresa looked at her and put a hand on Ryan's back. "You okay?" She asked him.

Kirsten didn't want to watch them anymore. She didn't want to watch that girl comfort Ryan. It wasn't right. She sat down at the picnic table.