Marissa got up early, cleaned her room and packed her bag. The limo was picking Kirsten up in an hour, she wanted to get there before then.
"Dad can you drive me over to the Cohen's? I want to see Ryan before I go." Marissa asked.
"Sure kiddo but I thought Kirsten has a limo arranged to pick everyone up?" Jimmy asked.
"She does but it's picking Kirsten up first, So'll just go with her." Marissa replied.
Jimmy drove Marissa and wished her a good time. Marissa knocked on the door and Kirsten answered.
"Marissa hey, you know we were going to pick you up." Kirsten said letting her in.
"Yeah I know but I thought I'd come see Ryan before we left." Marissa said as she laid her bags down.
"Oh sweetie, he's not here. He's gone sailing with Seth and Sandy. Did he know you were stopping by?" Kirsten asked.
"Oh no he didn't, when's the limo getting here?" Marissa replied.
"About a half hour, I have a few calls to make before we go, so make yourself at home ok?" Kirsten said just as her cell went off.
Marissa nodded and headed outside. She looked out into the ocean which was scattered with boats. She sat down on the edge of the pool and dangled her feet in the cool water. After about 10 minutes she got up and went back into the house.
She went into the tv room to watch tv before leaving. The house phone rang, Marissa could hear Kirsten on her cell so Marissa decided to answer it.
"Hello?" Marissa answered.
"Hi may I speak to Ryan please?" The female asked.
"I'm sorry Ryan's not home right now but would you like to leave a message?" Marissa asked a little curious why a girl was calling him.
"Yeah, can you tell him Theresa called. I don't think he has the number to call me back with." Theresa said.
"Theresa! Hi it's Marissa." Marissa said.
"Um Marissa, hi. How are you?" Theresa replied stunned.
"I'm good and you?" Marissa replied.
"Oh could be better, I needed to speak with Ryan." Theresa said.
"Ryan's gone sailing with Seth and Sandy, you could talk to me but I'll understand if you'd rather not." Marissa suggested.
"Actually I'd rather talk to Ryan but don't worry it's nothing like the news I had before." Theresa stated.
Ok, I'll get the number and I'll leave it for him in the poolhouse." Marissa said grabbing a pen and paper.
It's 904-523-7671. I'm staying with my aunt and uncle in Chino." Theresa said.
"Ok I'll put it our right now. I hope everything turns out ok." Marissa offered, "Bye Theresa."
Marissa took the note and put it on Ryan's bed so he wouldn't miss it and returned to the house.
"Who was on the phone Marissa?" Kirsten asked, "Thanks for answering it, I was in the middle of an important call."
"Uh, it was Theresa looking for Ryan." Marissa informed, "I think there is something wrong."
"Reall, I hope she's ok." Kirsten said concerned.
"Yeah, I just brought the message out to the poolhouse so Ryan would get it." Marissa said.
"Well the limo should be here soom." Kirsten said as the boys walked in.
"You haven't left yet?" Snady said as he walked into the kitchen.
"Soo, the driver should be here any minute." Kirsten replied
"Good day Marissa." sandy said and Seth nodded her way as he entered and sat down on the chair.
"Hey I thought Kirsten was pcking you up at home." Ryan said as he approached her to give her a kiss.
"She stopped by to see you before she left, but you were sailing." Kirsten stated.
"Sorry I didn't know." Ryan said smiling at Marissa.
"It's ok, it was a last minute idea." Marissa stated.
The limo arrived and honked the horn.
"Our ride's here, let's go Marissa." Kirsten said before giving a kiss to Sandy and one to Seth, "Have a good weekend Ryan."
"Oh before I go, Theresa called and wants you to call her. I wrote down the message and put it on your bed. Love you and I'll see you on Sunday." Marissa said quickly before hugging him and left behind Kirsten.
"Theresa? Are you still talking to her buddy?" Seth questioned.
"No, I haven't talked to her in a while." Ryan answered.
"I bet Marissa's spooked about Theresa calling." Seth hinted.
"Nah, she's fine." Ryan replied.
"Just wait till she comes home SUnday." Seth stated and headed outside.
Ryan headed to the poolhouse to get the message. When he got it he immediately dialed the number.
"Hello?" Theresa answered.
"There it's me, what's going on?" Ryan asked.
"Hi Ryan, can you come down to Chino?" Theresa asked.
"What's wrong Theresa. Are you ok?" Ryan asked.
"Physically I'm fine, emotionally not so fine." Theresa replied.
"What is it Theresa" Ryan asked again.
"It's my mom, she's in the hospital. Eddie's away working and I need someone." Theresa began crying.
"I'll be there as soon as I can." Ryan said and hung the phone up.
Ryan quickly packed a bag and went to ask Sandy for the car. Sandy handed him the keys, a cell phone and some money.
"Be careful and call when you get a chance, ok?" Sandy said, "Are you sure you don't want me or Seth to go with you?"
"Thanks, but it's ok. I'll call you." Ryan said and headed out the door.
Ryan arrived in Chino around 2 and headed straight to Theresa's aunt and uncles place. She was sitting on the step alone when he pulled up.
"Hey how are you doing?" Ryan asked as he approached her.
She had been crying and Ryan went into hug her.
"She has cancer Ryan and she dying." Theresa cried in his arms.
"Your mom is a fighter, she's strong and don't forget that." Ryan said brushing the hair from her face.
Theresa's cousin came out of the house.
"Ryan Atwood? Is that you?" Nat said.
Ryan stood up to greet Nat, "Hey man, it has been awhile."
"Yeah too long, we should get together soon and hang out like old times." Nat suggested.
"Yeah man." Ryan replied but knew he wouldn't anyway.
Nat took off a few minutes later and Ryan returned his attention to Theresa.
"Have you been to see your mom lately?" Ryan asked softly.
"I saw her last night." Theresa replied.
"Not today?" Ryan asked.
"No." Theresa answered.
"Come on, let's go. I just have to call Sandy quickly." Ryan stated.
There was no answer at home so Ryan left a message saying he got to Chino ok and that he would call again later.
The girls arrived at the spa around 4:30. They were brougt to their suit after taking time to book their various spa treatments for the weekend.
"I can't wait to have a message, Cohen sucks at giving them. He nearly murdered me last time he tried." Summer stated, "And Coop we haven't gotten a pedicure since like Chino arrived in town."
"You call Ryan, Chino?" Kirsten laughed.
"Yeah, I don't think he minds it." Summer replied.
The phone ryan ans Kirsten got up to answer it. It was the restaurant getting a booking time for dinner, which was decided for 7.
"I'm going to go down to the pool for an hour, anyone want to come?" Marissa asked.
"No sweetie, I'm going to unpack and give Sandy a call before dinner." Kirsten replied.
"Sum?" Marissa asked.
"Yeah let's check it out." Summer agreed and grabed her new bikini and followed Marissa out of the room.
"Coop you ok?" Summer asked.
"yeah why wouldn't I be?" Marissa responded.
"The call you answered earlier, it's spooking you out isn't it?" Summer said.
"No, I just hope Theresa is ok." Marissa replied.
"You're afraid they're spending the weekend together." Summer teased.
"Sum can we please talk about something else?" Marissa defended.
After an hour of swimming and lying by the pool Marissa and Summer headed back to the room to get ready for dinner. Kirsten was on the phone with Sandy when they walked in and Marissa headed straight for the shower.
At 7 the three girls headed down to the restaurant and was seated.
"So what are the boys doing this weekend while we're away?" Summer asked Kirsten.
"I think Seth and Sandy are shopping tomorrow. Sandy is determined to pick out the perfect gift for the Nana and he's determined that him and Seth can do it alone." Kirsten laughed.
"What about Chino? What is he up too?" Summer asked knowing Marissa was probably curious but would never ask.
"Ryan? Oh he went to Chino earlier. He called Theresa back and left immediately, Sandy hasn't spoken to him since but he did call and leave a message saying he arrived ok." Kirsten said.
"Did he say why he was going to Chino?" Marissa asked.
"No he said he was going to see Theresa, that was all." Kirsten replied feeling really bad for Marissa.
"I'm sure there is a really good reason why he went to Theresa." Marissa said.
"Ryan has Sandy's cell phone, if you want to call him I can give you the number." Kirsten said as she pulled out a pen a a piece of paper from her purse and passed Marissa the number, "Take it just incase."
"Thanks." Marissa said and put it into her purse.
"Coop don't worry about it, Ryan loves you and he wouldn't do anything to hurt you." Summer said holding Marissa's hand.
Ryan took Theresa to the hospital to see her mother. When they got to her room Ryan told Theresa he'd wait outside the room.
Theresa went in and came out a few minutes later to tell Ryan her mother wanted to see him.
"Hey." Ryan said entering the room, it was dark and Theresa's mom looked really ill.
"Ryan, how are you?" She asked smiling as he entered.
"I'm ok." Ryan said feeling really horrible for her.
"I'm really happy you're here with Theresa right now, she needs you." She stated.
"I'm going to do what ever it takes to help out, do you need anything?" Ryan asked.
"No just company." She answered, "Will you two stay with me? We can watch tv together like we used to."
"Of course." Ryan said.
"Ryan can't stay for too long, he has to drive back to Newport tonight." Theresa said.
"It's ok, I'll stay in Chino tonight." Ryan offered.
Theresa looked at Ryan strange, "Won't Marissa get mad?"
"Marissa's gone away with Kirsten and Summer for the weekend and I don't think she'll mind." Ryan said sitting down, "What do you want to watch?"
Ryan and Theresa stayed at the hospital until visiting hours were over. Theresa and Ryan were starving so they went to get something to eat. They went thru a drive thru and parked the car to eat.
"So where did Marissa go for the weekend?" Theresa asked.
"They went to Palm Springs, some spa or something." Ryan replied.
"Wow must be nice, so Kirsten took them?" Theresa asked.
"Yeah, Kirsten thought it would be nice to get to know them better." Ryan answered.
"So you and Marissa are good?" Theresa asked.
"Yeah we are, well her mom and Mr. Nichol were trying to break us up. They are moving to Boston and we went along with them for a weekend, they even got Cat involved. They told her they would pay for her education if she was able to break Marissa and me up." Ryan laughed.
"Your kidding, it didn't work though obviously." Theresa stated.
"No, so Marissa is living with her dad again." Ryan said.
"I can't believe how tanned you are Ryan, I've never seen you that dark before." Theresa stated.
"Yeah actually Seth, Summer, Marissa and I were in the Bahamas not to long ago." Ryan said.
"Really, who would have know Ryan Atwood as the type to travel. You've changed, where else are you going? Paris, Italy?" Theresa joked.
"Actually the Nana is getting married next weekend, so we're all going to New York." Ryan replied.
"I guess your fear of heights isn't as bad as it used to be?" Theresa laughed.
"Yeah, no it's still bad, I hate every minute being up on a plane." Ryan laughed.
"I'm really happy for you Ryan, you're life is really changing." Theresa said.
"I guess it is isn't it." Ryan agreed.
"Are you happy?" Theresa asked seriouslly.
"Happy? Yeah I guess I am, who would have though huh?" Ryan replied.
"Yeah who would have thought." Theresa agreed.
They stopped talking and finished eating.
Ryan and Theresa finished eating and continued to sit in the car.
"How are you and Eddie doing?" Ryan asked after a while of silence.
"We're taking things slow, we're kind of trying to gain eachothers trust back. Me for taking off to you and him with his temper." Theresa answered.
"Has he been treating you ok?" Ryan aked.
"Better than ever." Theresa replied.
"Where are you staying tonight?" Ryan asked, "At your mom's or back with your aunt and uncle?"
"At my mom's, we'll be more comfortable there." Theresa said.
"Let's go." Ryan said as he started the car.
When they arrived at Theresa's Ryan stayed out on the porch to call Sandy.
"Hello?" Sandy answered.
"Hey it's Ryan." Ryan said.
"You on your way home?" Sandy asked.
"If it's ok, Theresa's going through some things, so I was going to stay with her so she's not alone." Ryan said.
"Ok, is Theresa going to be ok?" Sandy asked.
"Eventually but I'll talk to you when I get home." Ryan said.
"Call me tomorrow." Sandy suggested.
"I will." Ryan hung up and went into the house.
"Theresa do you mind if I grab a shower?" Ryan asked.
"Yeah sure, I'll grab you a towel and I think Eddie has some clothes here, I'll grab you a shirt and a pair of shorts." Theresa said heading upstairs.
She returned with a towel, clothes and blankets for the couch.
"Hee you are, I'll make the couch for you." Theresa said handing him the towel and clothes.
"Thanks, I'll be right back." Ryan said and headed for the shower.
Theresa started making up the couch for Ryan to sleep on and his cell phone started ringing. Theresa debated on answering it but decided to in case something was wrong.
"Hello?" Theresa answered.
"Is Ryan there?" Marissa asked surprised to hear a girl answer Ryan's cell phone.
"He's in the shower." Theresa answered.
"Really, in the shower?" Marissa stated.
"Can I get him to call you back?" Theresa asked.
"No, never mind." Marissa said and hung up.
Theresa looked down at the phone confused why Marissa would hang up like that. She sighed and finished making Ryan's bed.
Ryan came out and sat down on the bed Theresa made for him.
"Last time you slept there you disappeared for months." Theresa stated.
"I'll be here in the morning." Ryan laughed.
"I know, well I'm exhausted so I'm going to bed. Good night Ryan." Theresa said.
"Good night Theresa." Ryan replied crawling into his blankets.
Theresa started up the stairs but realized she forgot to tell Ryan something so she returned to the living room.
"Ryan?" Theresa said.
"Yeah?" Ryan replied.
"Your cell phone rang while you were in the shower, it was Marissa. I think she got the wrong idea when I answered and told her you were in the shower because when I asked if she wanted you to call her back she said no." Theresa said, "I just thought you should know."
"Thanks for telling me." Ryan replied.
"I hope I didn't cause a fight." Theresa said.
"No once I tell her why I'm here everything will be ok." Ryan said not really believing it himself.
"OK good night." Theresa replied and headed to bed.
Ryan stayed in Chino until Sunday morning when Eddie returned. He arrived back in Newport just before noon.
"Your back, how's Theresa doing?" Sandy asked.
"Not good, Eddie got back today so hopefully that'll cheer her up a bit." Ryan said.
"I was afraid Eddie was the problem." Sandy said.
"Actually her mom is in the hospital dying of Cancer." Ryan informed.
"Oh that is horrible, Theresa really needed you this weekend. I'm glad you were there for her." Sandy said.
"Where's Seth?" Ryan asked.
"He had some sailing lessons to teach today, he should be back in an hour or two." Sandy answered.
"What time is Kirsten expected back?" Ryan asked.
"Around 7 or 8." Sandy answered, "I should tell you Marissa knew you were in Chino."
"Yeah she called your cell on Friday night, Theresa answered it because I was in the shower. From what Theresa told me, Marissa's not to happy with me." Ryan stated.
"Once you tell her the situation, she'll understand." Sandy said.
"Yeah I hope so." Ryan replied.
Kirsten arrived home around 9, the three boys were playing video games when she walked in.
"Hey how was your weekend?" Sandy asked giving her a kiss.
"It was great, those two girls are wonderful and so much fun." Kirsten said smiling at Ryan and Seth.
"We know how to pick our ladies don't we Ryan?" Seth said hi-fiving Ryan.
"I just hope mine will still speak to me." Ryan stated.
"She's a little confused but I don't think much damage is done." KIrsten said.
"Is it ok if I borrow the car to go talk to her?" Ryan asked.
"Can I offer some advice?" Kirsten asked.
"Shoot." Ryan replied.
"Let her come to you." Kirsten said.
"Really?" Ryan replied.
"Really." Kirsten answered.
"Ok Seth, another game?" Ryan asked.
"Nah, I'm going to call SUmmer." Seth said getting up.
Eventually Ryan was the only one left in the room so he headed out to the poolhouse.
To his surprise, Marissa was waiting for him when he walked in.
"Hey." Ryan said as he saw her.
"Hey." Marissa replied.
"How long have you been out here?" Ryan asked, "Why didn't you come inside?"
"Just a couple minutes, I didn't feel like going inside." Marissa replied.
"How was your weekend?" Ryan asked sitting next to her.
"It was nice, Kirsten is so much fun. Sum and I love her." Marissa said.
"She said the same things about you and Summer." Ryan replied.
They sat there quietly for a few moments until Ryan finally spoke up.
"I know you're mad a me but the reason I was in Chino all weekend is because Theres's mom is really sick. She's in the hospital with cancer." Ryan stated, "Eddie was away working until this morning and she really wanted someone around to talk to."
"Ryan I'm not mad at you, really." Marissa said, "I don't understand why Theresa was answering your phone really late at night while you were in the shower though."
"We were at the hospital until visiting hours were over and we went to get something to eat. We sat in the car for hours talking. When you called she was making up the couch for me to sleep on." Ryan answered.
Marissa studied his facial experessions, "Nothing, absolutely nothing happened between you and Theresa this weekend."
"Nothing." Ryan replied.