Note:

I ...still don't own anything, ...am no native speaker, ... still a newbie, ... still looking for a beta... still love feedback... still hope you enjoy reading...

Thanks SUMMERAN1 & music4mysoul.

What is it that happens to me when you're around?
It seems like my words tremble
Like a creaking ground
What is it that happens to me when you're around?

After a lot of tears and hugging the reunited family had moved to the living room, while Josh and Nick had gone to play some video games, or at least it was what they had told Kirsten. Sandy was making some drinks, while Kirsten and Seth had already taken a seat. An awkward silence hung in the room, and made the twenty-something old Cohen even more nervous than he already was. He avoided to look at his parents and found a great joy in discovering the partly renewed Christmas decoration. Finally also Sandy sat down near his wife, who still had tears in her eyes. There were a lot of answers unspoken and questions unasked, but how could it be different after years of silence.

"Where have you been, son?" The man tried to smile but the wrinkles and his eyes revealed the grief, anger and the desperation that he had experienced over the years. 'Everywhere...anywhere' Seth thought. He knew that his parents only wanted an explanation of why he hadn't returned, but at the moment he felt not able to give it to them. He cleared his throat and wanted to begin to tell them about his journey when they were all startled by the opening of the front door.

"Nicky, Josh... Guess who I've picked up from the airport... and will be here in a minute..." It was unmistakably Ryan who could be clearly heard in the whole Cohen Manor. Seth jumped at the sound of his brother's voice and stared uncertain at the corner after which his brother just had entered the house. Nick rushed through the living room in less than 20 seconds, while Josh was obviously a bit slower than him.

Ryan was a bit puzzled when his son without taking any notice of the bags of presents he had brought with him just grabbed his hand an dragged him to the living room. "Nick what is it... Give your dad a minute to breath will ya?" But Ryan was struck speechless when he saw his long lost brother standing in the middle of the room. "Hi..." Seth said, raising one hand to greet him. Ryan wanted to hug his brother but then a female voice could be heard and he turned round.

"So nobody wants to see me..." The exceptionable beautiful dark haired girl couldn't see Seth as she entered the room at the moment because Ryan was blocking her view, but as she took another step her smile faded and she suddenly looked very grave and pale.

"I'm glad to see you, Summer..." Seth had already been half convinced that the voice belonged to her and was grinning happily, how long he had waited for that moment. How much he had missed her. "Cohen.. what the..." she was about to faint but Ryan instinctively grabbed her and prevented her from falling to the ground.

Josh and Nicky were very worried. "Summy... Summy... you okay?" "Are you ill? Should we get you medicine?" Summer tried to smile. "I'm alright..." She regained her countenance and freed herself from Ryan's grip. "I guess I just ate to much chocolate at the airport..." She explained to them and then looked to Kirsten who seemed to understand immediately.

"Come on, boys... I know we have some ice cream around here..." Mrs. Cohen said and then she, Sandy, Josh and Nicholas disappeared into the kitchen. Summer avoided Seth who kept looking at her ever since she had entered the room, but as soon as the others were gone she glared at him. "How could you, Cohen..." her voice was trembling and tears were running down her face. Seth was unable to answer and looked really beat. She shook her head furiously and then left.

Seth wanted to follow her but Ryan stopped him. "I don't think that's a good idea man." His brother tried to circumvent him but he blocked the way again. "Ryan... I must talk to her." But he had no intention to let him pass. "No... she needs time... she will not talk to you... anyway.." Seth sighed and tried to take a step forward again. "But it's Summer... I owe her answers..." Ryan stepped into his way again. "No no no ... You owe her time."

There was some pushing and pulling because Ryan wouldn't let him pass and Seth wouldn't give up trying. "Let me... Why do you... Oh wait a moment... ARE YOU DATING, HER... ARE YOU DATING, MY SUMMER...?" Ryan shook his head slightly but Seth wouldn't calm down... "You... You... That's why you won't let me pass.. that's why she's here... that's just... that's just..." he shouted. Ryan tried to protest but Seth had already punched him...