Fresh Existence

Author's Note:

Wow!! Thanks for all the wonderful reviews. I'm sorry, but I can't make Seth 16 instead of 10, I already had it throughout the story so I cannot change it.

Well, hope you like this next chapter.

Disclaimer:

I own nothing in relation to the OC except for a few books and DVDs.

Chapter 3

Kirsten stood looking at Ryan thoughtfully for a minute. She didn't rightly trust this kid yet, but he was only ten years old after all. What could he do?

Ryan stood there alongside Kirsten while she silently debated about what she could do to keep him busy while she did her work. A thought suddenly sprung into her mind.

"So Ryan, how about you watch a movie while I do some work?" she asked with a sweet smile on her face.

"I guess, sure," responded with a slight shrug of his tiny shoulders. Kirsten once again led him into the family room. Walking to the wall unit, she opened the doors to display a massive selection of kids movies. There were more movies than Ryan had ever seen in a house other than Timmy's but his were all worn unlike these who looked to be brand new. He looked with slight awe as Kirsten began to name out movies.

"Okay, we have The Mighty Ducks, The Lion King, The Great Mouse Detective..." Kirsten went on listing titles even he hadn't heard of. "So, which one do you want to watch?" asked Kirsten bringing Ryan back into the present world.

"Uh, The Mighty Ducks," answered Ryan after much deliberation.

"Okay, I'll just get my work books then I'll set everything up," said Kirsten as she headed out to her office to collect whatever she would need over the next hour and a half. After everything was set up, Kirsten took a seat on the loveseat while Ryan reclaimed his seat on the lazy boy.

While the previews and credits passed on the screen, Ryan sat watching Kirsten through his shaggy bangs. 'He really needs a hair cut,' mused Kirsten to herself as she continued to do her work.

When the movie was over it was 2:30pm, only another half hour before Seth would return home from school with stories about Summer no less.

Kirsten looked over at Ryan when the credits began rolling up the screen, he was silently watching her again. When he realized he was caught, he quickly shifted his gaze to his hands in his lap.

"My you're quiet," commented Kirsten lightly. The tips of Ryan's ears turned slightly pink as he shrugged his slightly. "How about I show you to your room so you can get settled for the night?" suggested Kirsten to break the silence.

"Okay," agreed Ryan. He to the front door where he left his forgotten backpack. Lifting it onto his shoulder, he winced slightly.

"You okay?" asked Kirsten. Ryan nodded his head." Well, if you're sure... Your room will be this way," she said leading him upstairs to a room on the immediate left once you turned down the hall. "You will be staying here. Mine and Sandy's room is right there at the end of the hall and Seth's room is right across the hall from you. Is that okay?"

"Ya."

"Okay, well, I have to go prepare Seth's after school snack. Would you like some too, it's cookies and milk," offered Kirsten as she led him back downstairs after he had dropped his bag off in his temporary room.

"No thanks," responded Ryan with a slight shake of his head.

"You can watch TV until he gets home if you like, it's better than watching me get a carton out of the fridge," said Kirsten," just holler if you change your mind," she joked. Not needing to show Ryan to the family room any longer, Kirsten continued onto the kitchen to prepare Seth's snack. The distant sound of the Power Rangers could be heard as the TV was switched on.

Seth came home right on time. The minute he steps in the door you know who it is because as soon as his foot hits the threshold, his day is being recounted word for word, action by action. Today is not different for as soon as the door is opened, Seth's exasperated 'Mom!' could be heard. Kirsten laughed silently to herself as she heard her son tramping towards the kitchen in anticipation of his milk and cookies.

"Mom, you would not believe what Summer did today!" began Seth breathlessly in his excitement. "Oh my gosh, she..." Seth trailed off as he noticed a boy in his house that he had not met before let alone seen. "Hi, I'm Seth. Who are you?"

"Seth, this is Ryan, he'll be staying with us for tonight," introduced Kirsten," Ryan this is my son Seth."

"Hi," greeted Ryan shyly.

"Hey Ryan," said Seth not so shyly. Ryan looked up expectantly. "You want to play Nintendo? I just got this awesome game! It has monkeys..." Seth's voice faded as he led Ryan away from the kitchen to his bedroom upstairs, all stories of Summer forgotten and surprisingly so were his cookies.

Sandy returned home at 6:30pm thankfully alone.

"Hey!" he greeted enthusiastically," how did it go? Was Ryan well behaved? Did he and Seth get along well? How..." Kirsten silenced Sandy's myriad of questions with a finger on his lips.

"It went fine, Ryan was well behaved and yes they are getting along great, they are actually in Seth's room. In fact, right now they are playing some game with monkeys," answered Kirsten in order," Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go order supper. Why don't you go check on them? They are being entirely too quiet." Kirsten turned toward the kitchen to order Chinese, Mexican, anything but her own cooking.

Sandy meanwhile, continued down the hall and up the staircase to Seth's room. As he got closer, he could hear Seth's constant chatter and the sounds of whatever game they were playing.

Sandy walked into the room to a site he had wished for ever since Seth was two years old. Both Seth and Ryan were sat cross-legged on the floor with a controller in their respective hands.

"XOXO, check out that unbeatable combination, said Seth excitedly. Ryan briefly looked at Seth, then to Sandy and once again turned his attention to the screen.

"Hey guys, how are ya?" asked Sandy as he took a seat beside Ryan on the floor despite his bones protests. Ryan unconsciously leaned away from Sandy.

"Oh hey Dad, great," answered Seth who was too engrossed in the game to care what his father ahd just said. Ryan simple shrugged while glancing at Sandy briefly.

"So Ryan, what did you and Kirsten do this afternoon?" asked Sandy.

"Well, she gave me a tour and we watched a movie," answered Ryan.

"Really? What movie?" asked Seth no longer interested in the game.

"The Mighty Ducks," said Ryan as he stared at the controller in his hands as if it held all the answers.

"Oh man! That movie is awesome!" exclaimed Seth," with all the hockey and the quacks and..." Seth stopped talking as he realized everyone was staring at him." What? It's a good movie."

"Anyway, supper will be here in about fifteen minutes so I suggest you boys wash up soon," sadi Sandy as he stood groaning. Holding his back he walked out of the room like a hunchback. Seth laughed at his dad while Ryan looked at him perplexed. Shrugging off his confusion, he turned back to the game which was now being played full force.

During supper, Seth carried most of the conversation with his exaggerated tales of his day at school. Occasionally, everyone including Ryan, would chuckle at his rendition of his run-ins with Summer, the girl he has 'loved since like forever' as Seth would say.

When everyone had completed their meal, Ryan got up to start clearing away the dishes.

"Oh no Ryan, you don't ahve to do that," said Sandy quickly.

"No, it's okay," said Ryan as he continued to clear the table. Seth and Sandy shared a knowing look.

"Hey Ryan, come on, monkeys await," said Seth as he began to pull Ryan away from the table and out of the kitchen.

"But," started Ryab as he fought to break free from Seth. He succeeded temporarily until Seth grabbed hold of his arm again but this time in a tender spot. Ryan winced but nobody noticed.

"No buts," reassured Seth," all work and no play makes Ryan a dull boy. Now come on!" he urged. Ryan quickly looked back to where Sandy and Kirsten still sat some in shock, some in knowing.

"Go on Ryan," said Kirsten," we can take care of the dishes." Ryan still looked uneasy as he disappeared around the corner. "Why was he so adament about clearing the table?" asked Kirsten confused.

"It's probably been bred in him to do it or else," responded Sandy sadly.

"You know we can't keep him Sandy, it's not like he's some stray puppy," said Kirsten.

"I know, I know," stated Sandy with his arms raised in the classic surrender pose. "I'll bring him home tomorrow morning, let's just let his mother come to her senses." And so the discussion continued, only with a third set of ears that managed to escape under the pretense of having to use the bathroom.

Seth and Ryan spent the next two hours playing video games until they were kicked to their respective beds at 9:30pm.

Ryan went to his room and picked up his backpack. Rooting around, he prayed his mother had at least remembered to pack his most prized posession. He removed his hand with the prize clutched firmly in his hand. It was his all time favorite posession; 'Nicholas Nickelby' by Charles Dickens. Ryan contentedly lay down and turned to the page he was currently reading.

At 10:30pm, Kirsten made her nightly rounds to check on Seth. This time however, she had a second person to check on, whether out of trust or distrust she did not know.

After checking on Seth she moved across the hall and gently knocked on the door. When she received no answer, she silently pushed the door open. Ryan was fast asleep, Nicholas Nickelby forgotten on his stomach. Gently removing the book from its resting place, she grabbed a blanket from the closet and draped it over his still frame. Turning off the bedside lamp, she left leaving the door slightly ajar for in case he needed anything; though she knew he wouldn't.

Ten minutes later, Kirsten crawled into her own bed next to Sandy who was reading that day's paper.

"What kind of ten year old reads Nicholas Nickelby?" asked Kirsten now slightly amazed.

"A smart one," answered Sandy simply. He placed the newspaper on the nightsatnd and turned off his lamp. "G'night," said Sandy as he turned over and immediately went to sleep, snoring softly. Kirsten sat thoughtfully for a few minutes before following Sandy's example and settling in for the night.