Ryan and Seth noticed Marissa and Summer in the back and walked up to join them.

Ryan looked like he had just seen a ghost, Marissa started to worry.

"Ryan? Are you ok?" Marissa asked as he sat down.

"Yeah I'm fine." Ryan said distantly.

"You sure?" Marissa asked again. As she was talking she noticed Seth motioning her not to mention it again, so she stopped talking.

"I'm fine." Ryan answered as the waitress approached and passed Ryan and Seth a menu.

"Can I get anyone here a drink?" The waitress asked.

"I'll have an iced tea." Summer said.

"Same with me." Marissa replied.

"I'll have a root beer." Seth asked.

"Just water for me thanks." Ryan said quietly.

Marissa looked over at Seth with a worried look, Seth just shook his head to tell her not to worry.

After they ate Summer told Marissa she was going to go with Seth. Ryan decided he'd leave with Marissa then.

Marissa got Summer's dress out of the car for her as Ryan crawled into the passenger seat. When Marissa got in she quickly started the car.

"Do you want me to drie you home?" Marissa asked softly.

"Actually, is your dad home?" Ryan asked, finally looking Marissa in the eyes.

She got a sick feeling when their eyes met. She couldn't tell what was wrong but she definitely knew something was wrong.

"I don't know for sure but he's normally out with Hailey around this time. We can check." Marissa offered and looked at him for approval. He nooded and slowly reached his hand out for hers.

She smiled at him and accepted the gesture by taking his hand into hers.

Jimmy wasn't home so Marissa pulled into her driveway and they headed up to her room.

Ryan sat down on her bed, Marissa hung her keys up and put her purse down then made her way to the bed. She crawled behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Ryan, I know something is not right. I'm not going to ask you to tell me what it is but I want you to know I'm here for you." Marissa said and kissed his neck.

Ryan closed his eyes and ran his hands over Marissa's, which were still wrapped around his waist.

"Thanks." Ryan said.

They continued to sit exactly that way for the next few minutes.

"My brother got out of jail." Ryan said softly.

Marissa was stunned, "He did? Did he contact you?"

Marissa continued keeping her arms around Ryan, Ryan felt at ease finally with them around him and Marissa sensed it.

"He's with my mom, they came to the house today." Ryan said.

"You saw your mom? That must have been tough." Marissa sympathized.

"They bought a small house not far from Newport," Ryan said, "mom said she finally has a stable job and Trey is doing factory work."

"Really, that's a good thing right? You'll be able to keep in touch with them." Marissa offered.

"They want me to move in with them, be a family again." Ryan said quietly.

Marissa took her arms off of Ryan and sat next to him, she was shocked.

"Are you moving in with them?" Marissa asked.

"I don't know what to do." Ryan answered.

"That's a tough situation." Marissa informed.

"I was actually hoping you could help me." Ryan said looking up at her.

"Umm," Marissa started, "I don't know how Ryan."

"I don't even know where to begin thinking about it. My mom and brother are my biological family you know but the Cohen's have been so great to me over the last year." Ryan said.

Marissa jumped up and left the room. She returned a few minutes later with 2 drinks, a pen and a pad of paper.

"What are you doing?" Ryan asked as she drew lines on the paper.

"We're going to make 2 pro and con lists, one for your mom and brother, the other for the Cohens." Marissa said, "Maybe it'll help."

Ryan layed down on the bed and Marissa sat next to him, back against the head board.

They spent the next 4 hours discussing the pros and cons of each family.

At 11, Ryan finally knew what to do and he was feeling so much better.

Ryan leaned over and kissed Marissa.

"What was that for?" She asked.

"For helping me out." Ryan said before kissing her again.

After a little while of making out, Ryan asked Marissa if her dad was home yet.

"Yeah, he's gone to bed." Marissa answered, "He's a really heavy sleeper, his alarm clock hardly ever wakes him up."

Ryan pulled Marissa back down towards him and they began pulling each others clothes off.

After two hours, an amazing love making sessions and cuddling time, Ryan took off home.

Ryan went straight to bed as soon as he got home. He woke up early, he was finding it pretty hard to stay asleep.

He made his way to the kitchen to grab some breakfast.

"Hey Ryan, how did you sleep?" Sandy asked. He had just gotten back from the beach.

"Not well." Ryan answered.

"I guess your mom's offer has been on your mind." Sandy said.

"Yeah, I spent a lot of time with Marissa talking about it last night." Ryan stated.

"Really, did you decide what you want to do?" Sandy asked putting his newspaper down.

"Actually I have." Ryan answered.

"So are you staying with us?" Sandy asked.

"I called my mom and Trey this morning, I'd rather tell you all at the same time." Ryan answered.

"Ryan we just want you to know that even with your mom back, we'd love for you to stay with us. But we want you to be happy too, so we'll respect what ever you want to do." Sandy offered.

"Thanks." Ryan said, "I asked Marissa to be here as well, is that ok?"

"Yeah sure, we love Marissa." Sandy said, "I'll go tell Kirsten Dawn and Trey are on their way over."

A few minutes later Marissa arrived at the Cohen's. Ryan answered the door and they went to sit down in the living room to wait for Trey and his mom.

"Hey let's play a video game, it'll take your mind off everything and maybe it'll relaxe you." Marissa suggested.

Ryan set the game up, they both were zoned right into it and didn't hear Dawn and Trey arrive.

"Hey Ry." Dawn said entering the room with Kirsten, Sandy and Trey.

"Hi." Ryan said stopping the game.

Ryan and Marissa stood up.

"Uh, mom this is Marissa my girlfriend." Ryan informed, "Marissa, my mom."

"It's nice to meet you Ms. Atwood." Marissa said leaning in to give her a small hug.

"Well your beautiful, I can see why my son likes you." Dawn said.

Marissa looked over at Ryan and Ryan gave her one of his half smiles.

"So how long have you two been together?" Dawn asked Marissa.

"Umm, almost a year but we were apart for a couple months during." Marissa replied.

"Oh, I see." Dawn said.

"Trey you remember Marissa don't you?" Ryan asked trying to break Marissa and his mothers conversation.

"Yeah, hi." Trey said reaching out to shake her hand.

"Hi." Marissa said taking her hand back after the shake. She was feeling a little uneasy but she was going to stay for Ryan's sake.

"Why don't we go into the other room so we all can sit down." Sandy suggested.

Everyone followed Sandy and took a seat.

Ryan sat quietly for a few minutes. He looked from person to person trying to find the words to start with. He took one more look at Sandy then his mother before he began talking.

"You all know that I don't really say much and when it's about the way I feel it's extremely hard for me." Ryan said.

"It's ok Ryan, take your time." Marissa whispered at him and reached out and took his hand into hers.

"Last year when Sandy and Kirsten took me in, it was hard for me, it felt like I was entering a whole new world." Ryan said, "I was afraid of life before I came here. I didn't believe that I'd achieve any of the things I dreamt about when I was young."

Ryan paused for a few seconds gathering his thoughts, no one else spoke and sat quietly till he began again.

"When the cops arrested us Trey, who would have thought it would be the best thing that could ever happen to me. I now realize I can do what ever I want to do, I can look forward to the future and I'm not afraid anymore."

"Mom I love you but when you walked out on me a year ago I felt betrayed and abandoned." Ryan said.

"I did it for you baby." Dawn said almost in tears.

"I lost the last bit of trust I had left for you. I don't think I can go back to the way things were; your boyfriends and your alcohol is way too much for me to handle any more." Ryan said softly.

"I've changed Ry, I have." Dawn said.

"I've heard that so many times mom, and I don't believe you ever will." Ryan said.

"But Ry I have I swear it." Dawn begged.

"Mom I spent too many days and nights taking care of you, I want to work on my own life now and I don't think I can do that with you and Trey." Ryan finally said, "I can't leave here, the Cohen's have treated me like their very own son and I love them all like my family. I don't want to loose everything they worked so hard to give me."

"But Ryan, you're my son. You should be with your mother." Dawn said.

"You didn't want me as a son last year, you left me in their care. They are my legal guardians now." Ryan said, "I still want you in my life, I just can't be with you."

Seth walked into the living room.

"What's going on here?" Seth asked.

"Nothing Seth, wait for us in the kitchen." Kirsten said.

"Wait is something wrong? Ryan are you leaving?" Seth asked, "Did you decide to move out?"

"Seth Kitchen now." Kirsten said and pointed for him to leave.

"Ok fine don't tell me then." Seth said leaving the room.

Dawn looked hurt, "I guess we should go then."

"Why don't you stay for awhile. We'll all catch up?" Sandy asked.

"I have to get going, unpack and stuff." Dawn said.

"Mom, I'm sorry." Ryan offered.

"I understand Ryan and I'm the one who should apologise for being such a horrible mother." Dawn said looking at her sun.

Trey came over to give his brother one last good bye.

"You probably made the best choice but I'll miss you at home." Trey said grabbing Ryan's hand before leaving.

Dawn and Trey quickly left, Ryan stayed sitting on the couch thinking about what just happened. He felt horrible but he did what was in his heart.

Sandy approached Ryan and Marissa, "We're happy you're staying, and Ryan."

"Yeah?" Ryan asked.

"We love you like our son." Sandy said.

Ryan looked up at him, "Thanks."

After Dawn and Trey left Sandy, Kirsten, Ryan and Marissa went to find Seth.

"I guess you're leaving again." Seth said while chomping on his cereal.

"Actually no, I'm staying." Ryan said tapping Seth on the back.

Seth swollowed his food, "Man your staying for real?"

"Yes Seth, Ryan's not going anywhere." Kirsten smiled.

"I want you guys to know I'm not staying with you because of your money but because I finally feel like I'm part of a real family here and I'm really liking it. I do love you guys for everything that you've done for me." Ryan informed.

"We know, the minute you joined our family you wanted a job and you went out and got one." Sandy joked, "We love having you part of the family."

The phone rang and Kirsten answered it. She laid the phone down and turned towards Marissa.

"Marissa what are you doing this weekend?" Kirsten asked.

"Nothing I think, why do you need me to help with something?" Marissa answered.

"No, that's Palm Springs Spa on the phone and I've been trying to get into it for almost ever. They have some cancellations and can fit me a some friends in. I was going to ask Julie but this will give us the chance to get to know each other better. Summer can come too. I can spend some quality time with my 2 son's girlfriends." Kirsten smiled.

"That sounds amazing, I'll definitely go and Summer will want to to." Marissa replied happily.

"It'll be good, then the next weekend we're off to New York for the Nana's wedding." Kirsten said and picked the phone back to book the weekend.

When she hung the phone up she asked Seth for Summer's number to call and ask her.

"Hello?" Summer answered.

"Hi Summer this is Kirsten, Seth's mom." Kirsten said.

"Hey Mrs. Cohen, what's up?" Summer asked.

"Well I just came across an opportunity to go to the Palm Springs Spa and I asked Marissa to come along, she is. I was hoping you'd join us to." Kirsten said.

"Really, OMG I'd love to." Summer said, "When are we going?"

"This weekend. I'll rent a limo to drive us there and back, it'll be fun." Kirsten said.

"Thank you so much for inviting me, this is going to be so cool." Summer said and they both hung the phone up.

"Is she going?" Seth asked.

"Yes she is." Kirsten replied.

"My mom and my girlfriend going away on a weekend together, scary!" Seth said, "Do I have any say in this?"

"None." Kirsten said, "Besides I'm sure she won't have any stories to tell me, oh wait I have some stories to tell her."
Kirsten laughed.

"Ryan do you know how bad this weekend is going to be." Seth said, "Stop your girlfriend from going and maybe mine won't go."

"Actually I think it's cool they're going away together. Besides it'll give us some Seth Ryan time." Ryan said.

Sandy looked at them, with a look "What about me?"

"Well, Seth Ryan Sandy time." Ryan corrected himself.

"Ryan aren't you afraid of what my mom might tell Marissa?" Seth asked.

"She has no growing up stories to tell about me, I'm pretty much safe." Ryan laughed.

"Well I have to head to work and so do you Sandy." Kisten said grabbing her work she brought home with her.

"Yup I'm on my way out, have a good day boys and Marissa." Sandy said leaving the kitchen.

"I'm calling Summer, maybe I can talk her out of going." seth said about to leave the room.

"You won't be able to Seth, she loves that place more than shopping." Marissa warned.

"A man's got to try." Seth said and left.

"You don't mind me spending the weekend with Kirsten do you?" Marissa asked wrapping her arms around Ryan.

"No, I think it's great." Ryan smiled, "Guys don't go to these things do they?"

Marissa laughed, "Are you worried I'll find someone else?" Marissa teased.

Ryan looked her in the eyes and leaned in to kiss her, "I know you won't be looking for anyone else."

"I can't with your mom around." Marissa joked.

"I guess not." Ryan said not realizing Marissa refered to Kirsten as his mother.

"What are you, Seth and Sandy going to be doing this weekend?" Marissa asked kissing his neck.

"Picking up girls!" Ryan said, "Going to the strippers? Who knows!"

"Sounds like fun." Marissa smiled, "So what do you want to do today?"

"Let's hit the beach, maybe Summer and Seth will come along too." Ryan suggested.

A couple hours later Marissa headed over to Summer's house. Once there the house keeper let her in and Marissa headed up to Summer's bedroom.

"Hey Coop." Summer said.

"Hey, are you busy?" Marissa asked standing in the doorway.

"No, I was just checking my email." Summer replied and started towards her bed to sit down. Marissa joined her.

"Can you believe we're going to PSS (Palm Springs Spa) tomorrow." Summer said happily.

"It was cool of Kirsten to invite us." Marissa said.

"Can you believe Cohen tried to convince me not to go. He said it'll doom our relationship. What's up with that?" Summer stated.

"I know I was over there earlier and he's freaked out about you and his mom telling stories and stuff about him." Marissa laughed, "He's paranoid."

"It'll be a fun to hear stories about Cohen but it'll be a cool girls weekend." Summer said.

"I can't wait! So Sum I was headed to the mall, want to come?" Marissa asked.

"Shopping? You know I'll come." Summer said jumping up to grab her purse.

Summer and Marissa spent hours at the mall. They bought new bikini's, skirts, shirts and sunglasses all for the trip.

Marissa eventually dropped Summer off at her house at 8.

"Coop today was totally fun spending the day with just you, you know not having the guys around." Summer stated.

"I know, I miss this." Marissa agreed.

"Yeah so do I, I'll see you tomorrow on our way to PSS!" Summer said and grabbed her bags before leaving the car.

Marissa looked at the time and debated heading over to the Cohen's to visit Ryan.

She decided to head home instead. When she got home she washed her face, brushed her teeth and got dressed for bed.

She sat down on the couch and picked the phone up to dial Ryan's number.

"Hello?" Ryan answered.

"Hey, it's me." Marissa said.

"Hey, I was hoping you'd come over." Ryan stated.

"Sum and I were out all day shoppin and I only just dropped her off, so I decided to just come home. Are you mad?" Marissa asked.

"No of course not." Ryan replied.

"I was thinking we could talk on the phone. We've never done that before." Marissa suggested.

"Actually, I kind of like the sounds of that." Ryan stated.

They spent hours on the phone. Ryan opened up to Marissa more then he ever had before. When they finally hung up, they both felt closer to eachother and extremely satisfied.