Ryan stared out at Seth's figure until he could not see him anymore. Ryan did want to go back to Newport but his responsibility was Theresa and the twins. He wished that Seth could have at least understood that.

He sighed as he turned around to face the house. This was just a fucking big mess.

Ryan opened the door but did not bother to go in. "Hey man, can I talk to you for a sec?"

Eddie nodded and got up from the couch as Theresa looked at both guys quizzically.

"We'll be right back." Ryan added and Theresa looked slightly more comforted at this. Ryan sighed again and could feel himself getting irritated with her. It wasn't as if they were both going to leave her for good.

Eddie walked out onto the porch, closed the door behind him and looked at Ryan expectantly.

"I heard Seth bribed you into coming back." Ryan started.

"I know what that looks like but it isn't."

"Then what's the story?" Ryan asked, staring straight at Eddie.

"Look, when I visited her that day, she told me she wanted to break off our engagement. Naturally I was upset and needed to know the reason. She refused to tell me at first but finally, she admitted to still being in love with you." Ryan turned away as Eddie took a deep breath and continued. "I was furious. After all I did to win her over, she still chose you over me. I don't know what happen. I guess I just lost control and punched her."

Ryan waited for Eddie to continue.

"When Seth came to convince me to come back, I didn't want to. I didn't want to see Theresa. Then he dropped the bomb – that she was pregnant and it was either yours or mine. I was debating when he offered the cash. I was, and still am, broke. Should the baby be mine, how am I suppose to raise it? I needed the cash." Eddie paused.

"That was then, a few hours back. Now that I've finally straightened out my thinking, I'm doing to do what's right. I'm not accepting the money. I'll word hard, for Theresa and for the baby." Eddie finished.

"Uh... It isn't just a 'baby'..."

"I know it's a life, it's a responsibility-"

"No, what I mean is that there's two." Ryan cut in before Eddie got carried away.

"Two?! Holy crap. Twins?!"

"Yeah..." Ryan watched as Eddie's face fell.

There was a moment of silence before Ryan broke it.

"So you really love her huh?"

"I do. Unfortunately, she doesn't feel the same way about me. But I'll do anything for her now."

"So you're staying?"

"Yeah I am. Got to shoulder the responsibility don't I?"

Ryan did not reply, he just stared out into the darkness, wondering if he could trust Eddie.

Marissa let herself into the mansion, hoping that Julie had not arrived home. She did not want to deal with her yet. All that was in her mind were the happy memories of the day.

"Marissa darling?" Julie's voice called from the second level.

Crap. There went Marissa's holiday of nearly a month without her mom.

"Yeah?" Marissa yelled back and kicked her shoes off, settling herself onto the couch. She figured it was not worth wasting energy on her so-called mother to walk up those stairs and poking her head around each door to find her.

"Honey..." Marissa turned to see Julie walking towards her. So much for avoiding her.

Marissa reluctantly stood up, "Hey mom."

"It's good to see you..." Julie proceeded to hug Marissa tightly as Marissa rolled her eyes and patted her mother gently on the back. She was being all fake and nice in just a second...

"Where were you?" Julie asked.

There. Marissa knew it. Julie wanted to keep a close watch on her and control her every move.

"I was at the beach." Marissa simply said.

Julie's eyes narrowed.

"With Summer." Marissa added. Technically, that was not a lie.

Julie nodded her approval, "Did you have fun over the summer?"

Marissa put a slightly sarcastic tone, "It was the best summer I ever had, mom."

"Now, there's no need to use that tone."

"It was a good summer!" Marissa protested. What made it good was her mother being out of her sight.

Julie stared at her in disbelief, "That... trash isn't in Newport and you're happy? Oh well. At least you've gotten over him."

"Ryan's not trash and I haven't gotten over him!" Marissa shouted, then stormed towards the door.

"You come back right now!" Julie screamed. Then seeing this garnered no response, she had no choice but to tone down. "Where are you going?" Julie's voice was now icy cold.

"Dad's. I've got no clothes here." Marissa did not even bother to look at Julie and slammed the door behind her.

Marissa went over to her dad's to pick up half of her clothes there. She was going to leave the other half there so that she could still stay there whenever she needed an escape from Julie or to spite her.

Next stop was the Cohen's and perhaps it was the final destination as well. Marissa did not feel like going back so soon and thought of sleeping the night at the Cohen's. After all, she would be keeping Summer company.

-----

Marissa found the three of them seated in the kitchen, eating take-outs.

"Hey Sweetie. Hungry?" Kirsten asked, standing up to get Marissa food.

Marissa nodded and joined them.

"So Coop, your mom's back?" Summer asked.

"Uh yeah about that... Would you guys mind if I stayed the night?"

"No, not at all. After all, Julie gets on my nerves too."

"Sandy!" Kirsten exclaimed then turned to Marissa. "You're more than welcome to stay."

"Thanks." Marissa smiled just as the phone rang.

Sandy stood up to get it.

"Yes, Julie?"

That caught everyone's attention and they all turned towards Sandy.

"Marissa? Whether she's here? I think she's eating dinner." Sandy paused as he listened to Julie. "That doesn't answer your question?" There was yet another pause. "Stop repeating everything you say?" Sandy smirked and held the phone a little distance from his ear as Julie shouted at him and slammed the phone down.

"Well, your mom's in a foul mood..." Sandy started as he placed the phone down.

"I think it's better if I head on back. Thanks Sandy, Kirsten. Bye Summer." Marissa got out of her seat and headed for the door.

"If the gruesome twosome gets too much, you're definitely more than welcome back." Sandy said with a smile.

"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind." Marissa smiled in return and walked to her car to face, well, the gruesome twosome.

A/N: So, that was Chapter 9! It has a stupid chapter title but I couldn't think of anything else. Nevertheless, hope you guys liked the story. As usual, feel free to email to give suggestions for the story! I'll try to update more often too! :)