And Sometimes It's For The Better

Disclaimer- It ain't mine foo'!

A/N- Hey cool cats, I'm back, and am a posting machine! That's right, another post. And longer than the last one. At least I think so. Anyways, see, this is fiction, and since Anna was always a do gooder, like broke up with Seth so he could reunite Summer...she has to havesome faults, and I gave her one. And the threats are really appreciated, lol. No, it's okay, I don't mind, as long as you don't go through with them. But I've had this storyline planned out for a while now and and here it is...

ocRM4eva- Ryan was trying to settle...and it was becoming a hard case to settle so he had to do some from home. Yeah...I'm not a lawyer so I think that's a good enough reason.

And now here it is...

...his lips near her ear. "I have a girlfriend," he repeated. "Who I love."

Anna sighed and leaned back when she knew she wasn't getting her way. "Always gotta do the right thing don't ya Atwood?"

He shook his head. "I do what I wanna do. And this time, I know it was the right thing." He paused for a few seconds before gethering her papers and going out into the living room. "Anna, I think it's best if you leave. And I hate to say this, at least so far in the case, but I'm giving your case to someone else." Anna nodded solemenly. "I understand. Sorry Ryan, just got caught up in the moment."

Ryan shrugged and opened the door for her as she whispered a quick bye and than left. He sighed and started to loosen his tie up, debating weather to tell Marissa or not.

--

Marissa laughed quietly to herself as she stroked Ryan's hair. "Sleepy head, wake up," she sang to him. Ryan stirred but eventually woke up to the smooth hands touching him. "Hey..." he greeted sleepily. "What are you doing sleeping?" Marissa asked, also laying on the bed. "Uh...sorry," he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, "I forgot...the dinner. Sorry."

"It's okay," she assured. "Are you tired? Long day at the office?" Ryan tilted his head, snaking his hand into hers. "Yeah, you could say that."

"Anna here today?" She finally asked the question she had meaning to. Ryan diverted his eyes as he pretended to be intersted in the decor of the room. "Yeah...actually, she was."

"Oh. Is she coming back?"

Ryan's eyebrows rose as he looked at her. "Why would she come back?"

"Well I'm sure there's another dinner she'd like to ruin," she snapped. He sighed and leaned on his elbow to face her. "I know...these last few weeks have been...not fun. But actually, I gave her case to someone else." Marissa immediately shot up, shocked. "What? Why?" Ryan laughed to himself and laid her on the bed again. "Promise you won't get mad?"

Marissa eyed him suspiciously. "Why? What happened?"

"Promise?" he asked again. She sighed. "All right, all right, I promise." "She tried to kiss me."

Wow, that sounded like we were back in high school all over again, he thought. Marissa raised her head from his chest. "She tried to?"

"Yeah. Don't worry, nothing happened. I don't think you'll have anymore ruined dinners."

She sighed. "That's why you did it?" Ryan shook his head. "I didn't do it just for that...I think I was making this case a little too personal. She's just an old friend who I was trying to help." "I know that and I understand. I don't want you to go and give up clients just because of me."

"Don't worry, I'm not doing it just because of you. I just--really don't want a repeat of my past and she is. I don't mind really. And besides, think of how uncomfortable it would be if I did agree to do it."

She smiled up at him, "Yeah, I guess you're right." She leaned in for a kiss, twisting her body so she could get better access to his lips. "Besides, it's not like I can blame her for wanting to kiss you-- you're very kissable," she murmured into his lips. He smiled and made a mmhmm, and put his arms tighter around her waist, pulling her in closer to himself.

--

"YOU CAN"T MAKE ME!"

"Wait! Just wait..." the voice whimpered, grabbing her purse and storming out of the small cabin.

Ryan sighed as he switched the channel. "Hey!" Marissa protested. "I was starting to like that movie." "Marissa," he sighed, "the whole movie consisted of yelling and horrible mother/daughter relationships." He explained.

A cheesy smile appeared on her face as she shrugged and made her head more comfortable on his chest. "I can relate," she half joked, half being serious. "Your Mom still the same way?" he asked.

Marissa nodded. "Yep. I have to see her in a few days," she groaned, "and you're coming with me." Ryan shook his head as he looked down at her. "No way. I haven't seen in your Mom in forever--"

"Neither have I." Her eyes were starting to brim with tears. "I wasn't invited to her wedding, with Richard" she explained sadly. "Neither was I," he told her.

"I'm her daughter Ryan, her daughter. I guess I never expected her to not to invite him. She just said that I wouldn't wanna be there to because I had to "work to make a life." She sighed. "Whatever."

Ryan rubbed her back soothingly as he was laying under her. They were seated on the couch; watching a movie after their dinner, lying on each other. "You know..." he started out, "the divorce is final on Tuesday." Marissa's hopeful eyes looked at him. "Really? That fast?" He laughed. "Well, Marissa, I am a lawyer, I have connections." She laughed at him, patting his chest. "Are you glad?"

"That I'm getting divorced?" She nodded. "I am. Than I won't feel as guilty," she whispered quietly into his shirt.

"You're guilty? For what?"

"Ryan, I think I can be accountable for this divorce. If I hadn't slept with you..."

"Than I'd be living a lie!" Ryan retorted softly. "I agree...what we did wouldn't make us people of the year...but I love you...and that's what matters." His roaming hand finally rested on the small of her back, rubbing it soothingly. "I think that you have no reason to feel guilty. In fact, I should if anyone is feeling guilty." Marissa lifted her head and glared at him, almost in a playful way. "If I did. But I don't. You know I hate dwelling on the past...it's not something I'm proud of." He explained.

"Neither am I. But..." she let out a small smile, lifting the champagne flute off of the wood stained coffee table. She grabbed Ryan's as well and handed it to him. "To us?" Ryan suggested.

"To our future..." she grinned. "To our future..." Ryan repeated. He took a quick sip, Marissa lifting it up to her lips, but not taking a sip; putting the flutes back on the table. Ryan's hand roamed down her pajamas, ending at the elastic waistband and playing with it.

"Doctor? There is an emergency! Room 322 is about to go into labor!" the nurse's voice on the T.V. sounded as Ryan watched on, interested. Marissa looked up at him, trying to get any type of reaction. "Babies huh?" she asked, gesturing towards the T.V. "Uh...yeah, if it lives," Ryan explained, "this stupid doctor needs to get his ass to deliver the baby though." She laughed. "No.." she turned off the T.V. and continued, "I meant babies in general."

"Oh...well, yeah, I have raised one, they're not so bad."

"What would you say to raising another one?" she asked cheekily. Ryan shrugged. "I do--" His eyes bulged out of his sockets. "What are...what are you saying?"

Marissa took a deep breath. "I'm having a baby. Our baby." She whispered. She leaped into his arms, snuggling up against his head. "Oh god." He blinked, "When did you find out?" he asked. "Not too long ago," she answered. "You're pregnant," he stated as he laid back down, Marissa following suit. "I am," she repeated. "This is...a good thing? Right?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"Because...we've only been together for a few months, you have a child, and you're in the middle of a divorce."

"We've known each other since we were 16, I do have a child...and my divorce is finishing up..." Ryan reworded, "and now...you're having a baby."

"So you're happy?" she asked. "Aren't you?" he asked. Marissa nodded, wiping her joyful tears from her eyes. "I am...I just...didn't expect this reaction."

"What reaction?"

"Just the kind...just this kind. Happy."

"You want me to be sad?" grinned Ryan.

"Not sad...I don't know...but this is too perfect," she smiled, kissing him hard on the lips. Ryan kissed back. "This is a good thing? Us having a baby together?"

"I couldn't think of anything more perfect," he murmed in the kiss. Marissa pulled back, her eyes wide. "Maddy..." she said quietly. Ryan's eyes drooped as his hands flew to Marissa's still flat belly. "She doesn't have to know right away, does she?"

"Ryan!" Marissa exclaimed, outraged. "I'll be showing. That's horrible to do to her!"

"Marissa! She has Eddie and Theresa's genes...who knows what she'll do if she finds out!"

"Look...you have her on Sunday? Right? Today is Friday. You have plenty of time to think of a speech."

Ryan sighed, but nodded. "But you know...I can help...if you want," she tried to stifle a giggle, getting up from the couch. He grinned brightly at her, taking her hand in his as they ran to their bedroom, screaming and laughing the entire way. Marissa already had half of her clothes stripped down, Ryan soon following suit, but having some trouble with his wifebeater, cursing at it slowly under his breath. "Ryan, calm down," Marissa warned, helping him take off the material. "Right, sorry." He smiled and took her by the waist, swiflty sneaking under the covers as the door quickly shut and the only sounds that could be heard were muffled giggles and groans, along with the quiet humming of a few electronics that were throughout the apartment.

A/N- See? Now it's a happy chapter! And no, I'd kill Anna if she kissed Ryan. Bitch would get an ass whooping! Anyways, if you have any idea or suggestions, let me know, especially about Maddy's reaction. And I have the whole baby situation situated so sit tight, and review, as always, please.