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"Ryan?"
Ryan and Theresa had been walking in silence for the past five minutes since they left the doctor's clinic.
"How did you not know there were twins?" Ryan's voice came off sharper than he intended it to be. "I mean you went to a gynecologist back in Newport..." He trailed off, softening.
"I... I ran out of the clinic right after the doctor confirmed my pregnancy." Theresa drew in a deep breath.
Ryan nodded as if it explained everything.
There were twins.
Double the diapers.
Double the milk.
Double the crying.
Double the attention.
How were they going to cope with two of them? They both needed to work to support the babies. This was going to be a real headache.
Double the shopping sprees.
Double the clothes.
Double the make-up.
He did not mind a girl. But two of them? He hoped not, thinking along the lines of Marissa and Summer. They practically went to the mall everyday. The amount of money they managed to spend on just clothes alone, to him, was amazing.
Double the expenses.
He doubted the money he had was enough for one baby, even if there was enough, it would just be enough. Now, there were two. Where was he going to find twice the amount? Strike the lottery? He seriously pondered over this. What were the odds of him winning?
"We can't handle this on our own." Ryan was aware that it was highly impossible for two of them to manage the situation now.
"Yeah, I know. But whom do we go to? My mother?" Theresa scoffed.
"No, I was thinking along the lines of getting advise from my parents."
"Your parents? Right. You don't even know where they are."
Ryan flushed, realizing that he had referred to Sandy and Kirsten as his parents.
"Look, I got to get back to work. I'll meet you back home later."
Theresa nodded and watched as Ryan turned and went off in the direction of the restaurant.
Later that night.
Ryan stepped out of the restaurant, feeling helplessness over the twins' situation. He recalled what he had blurted out earlier that day. Calling the Cohens' his parents. It had just slipped out and it seemed so natural to him. His parents.
He had never really thought of Dawn as his mother. In his mind, a mother was caring and loved him. A mother was someone who would want the best for him. Dawn did not fit into Ryan's criteria of a mother figure, but Kristen sure did. He knew Kirsten could offer suggestions.
Suddenly feeling a strength of encouragement, he dialed the Cohen's number.
Back at the Cohen's.
Marissa and Summer had just returned from a day out shopping, both carrying many carriers.
Marissa looked thrilled, her face lit up. Kristen rarely saw her like that, the only occasions when she did, was during Ryan's calls.
On the other hand, Summer's face was almost expressionless. During these few weeks, Summer had been pretty good in hiding her emotions, Kirsten realized.
"Guess what?" Marissa asked, her excitement growing.
Kirsten smiled, it was wonderful to see Marissa so ecstatic for once.
"We were scouted at the mall!"
"That's great!" Kirsten tried to sound enthusiastic. However, Summer's actions caught her attention instead. Summer tried walking inconspicuously around the table where the mail was. She knew Summer was looking for Seth's new postcard.
The thing was, it had not arrived yet. It was suppose to have arrived today though. The postcards had always arrived 4, 5 days after the previous one had arrived and it had been 5 days since they received the last postcard.
A look of anxiousness appeared on Summer's face for just a moment before it was replaced by a forced yawn.
"I'm so tired after all that shopping. I'll head up first."
Kirsten and Marissa both nodded as Summer slowly walked to the stairs.
Once Summer was out of earshot, Marissa turned to Kirsten. "She's been like that these few days. That's why I thought it was great when we were scouted at the mall. If we have jobs, she would be distracted most of the time by the stuff we have to do."
Kirsten nodded once again, Marissa had certainly thought through it. "What were you guys scouted for?"
"Modeling. What do you think?"
"I- I think it's a great idea."
"Really?"
"Yes. Now why don't you go on up and accompany Summer?" Kirsten suggested, giving Marissa a smile and squeezing her arm gently.
"Okay then. Night." Marissa leaned in to give Kirsten a hug before heading towards the stairs. However, before she reached them, the phone rang and she heard Kirsten mention Ryan's name. Curious, she made her way back to where Kirsten was.
Kirsten noticed Marissa hovering nearby and mouthed to her that it was indeed Ryan on the phone.
Marissa nodded back, concerned. Ryan never called twice in a day, had something happen? She did not have to wait long to figure out what was wrong though, she had just heard the word twins.
Marissa immediately made the connection. Theresa was having twins. God, there were two of them. Not one, but two. She knew she was selfish, but she couldn't help thinking that another baby was all the more of a reason Ryan had to be with Theresa.
She forced herself to tune back to the conversation and heard Kirsten suggesting Ryan getting another job. Another job, that would just take up more of Ryan's time! Ryan would be exhausted by all the work! Irritated, she tried to wait patiently for Kirsten to end the call so she could get all the details.
How fast could her mood change. She went from elated to glum from in a matter of minutes. That was just the way in Newport, the never-ending drama. The drama that had to affect everyone.
Over at Chino.
Ryan continued his walk back to Theresa's house, contemplating what Kirsten had advised.
She had readily offered financial help upon hearing that Theresa was expecting twins. However, Ryan had turned her down. This was his fault, he would handle it on his own. The Cohens had helped him enough, he really owed the wonderful life he had lived to them.
Thus, he was going to take Kirsten's last suggestion of getting another job. He knew she was reluctant to tell him that, yet he also knew that she could tell he was not going to let anyone help him this time around.
It made sense, after all, he did not have to work at the restaurant for long hours. It was just around six hours on average. He would have time for another job and he was determined to find one.
Opening the door, he was mildly surprised, to say the very least, at what he saw.
A/N: If you guys have any suggestions, please put them in the review or email me! Review please :)
