Kirsten, Ryan and Samantha were standing at the counter of the pediatrician's office scheduling Samantha's next appointment, after getting finished with Samantha's check up.
Dr. Lucas: Okay, well I think we're all set. You'll have to bring her back in soon so we can start the vaccinations, but otherwise, she's perfectly healthy.
Kirsten: Thank you so much Dr. Lucas, and thank you for fitting us in today.
Dr. Lucas: It's no problem Kirsten, tell Sandy and Seth I said hello.
Kirsten: I will.
Ryan: It was nice to meet you.
Ryan extended his hand out, and the doctor took his hand, shaking it.
Dr. Lucas: You too Ryan.
The three of them exchanged smiles as Kirsten and Ryan turned towards the door.
Dr. Lucas: Oh, wait a second…there's one more thing…
Kirsten and Ryan stopped, and turned around to face the doctor once again.
Dr. Lucas: I'm going to need Samantha's medical history from her previous doctor…
Dr. Lucas pulled a pad of paper out of jacket pocket and quickly jotted a number down, before passing the paper off to Ryan.
Dr. Lucas: …you can have them fax it me, and if possible I'd like to get her mother's medical history as well. That may be a problem without her consent, but I'd like to have it, just incase anything is to come up with Samantha over the next couple months.
Ryan: What do you mean?
Dr. Lucas: When a baby is as young as Samantha is, the first months of her life depend greatly on the mother's immune system. If she were to get sick soon, it would help me if I knew the mother's history.
Ryan looked down at the floor as he got a worried look on his face. Dr. Lucas noticed this immediately, and took a step towards Ryan, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Dr. Lucas: It's strictly precautionary Ryan, you're daughter is healthy…I just want to keep her that way.
Ryan nodded his head and looked up at the doctor.
Ryan: I'll try to have it to you by the end of the day.
Dr. Lucas: Thank you.
About fifteen minutes later, Kirsten was pulling the car into a small parking lot. Kirsten, Ryan and Samantha exited the car, walking through a large glass door and into a small store.
Ryan: What are buying?
Kirsten: We need a crib, a car seat, a stroller, and a high chair.
Ryan: Um…okay.
Kirsten: I know you don't like shopping Ryan, I'll try to make this quick.
Back at Harbor, the lunch bell had finally rung, and both Seth and Marissa made their way to their usual table.
Seth: Hey, how are you?
Marissa: I'm okay I think…it's all a little overwhelming.
Seth: Yeah, imagine how Ryan feels.
Marissa: (Quietly) I know how Ryan feels.
Seth: Huh?
Marissa: Oh, nothing…what were you trying to tell me earlier?
Seth: I just thought you weren't coming to school today.
Marissa: Now that I'm here, I wish I hadn't.
Seth: That's pretty much what I think everyday.
Lunch was progressing slowly and Marissa and Seth remained at their usual table, discretely discussing the events of the previous night. Eventually they were interrupted as Summer and Zach made their way towards the table and sat down in the two empty chairs.
Zach: Hey guys.
Seth: Hey man…hey Summer.
Summer sat down next to Marissa, without even a glance towards Seth, while Zach took the seat between Summer and Seth. It didn't take long before the four of them were discussing Ryan and newfound fatherhood.
Zach: Okay, so let me get this straight. You and Ryan…
Zach motioned across the table to Marissa.
Zach: …were dating, and then broke up. At which point he hooked up with his ex-girlfriend, and slept with her. Then they broke up, and you two got back together, only to find out that a week later, his ex returns with news that she's pregnant. So then, Ryan leaves to go back to Chino with her, to raise the baby.
Seth: Wow, that was good.
Summer shot a glare across the table towards Seth. It wasn't exactly the look he was hoping to receive, but it was better than nothing.
Zach: Okay, but here's what I don't understa-
Zach was cut off by Lindsay approaching the table.
Lindsay: Hey guys, can I sit with you?
Seth: Sure.
They each looked around the courtyard for an empty chair, but seemed to be coming up short. Seth looked up at Lindsay who was still scanning the area with her eyes, and then looked back at Summer quickly. Summer had been watching Seth the whole time, and as his eyes darted towards her, she quickly looked away.
Seth: Here Lindsay, you can sit with –
As Seth began to speak, Summer immediately had visions of Seth and Anna sharing a seat together. Not wanting to see Seth and Lindsay partake in the "one cheek off, one cheek on" seating arrangement, she quickly spoke up.
Summer: Zach, come sit here.
Zach looked slightly confused, as Summer stood up from her chair and pulled Zach over towards her. Summer sat Zach down in her chair, and then proceeded to sit in his lap, leaving an unoccupied chair for Lindsay. As Lindsay sat down at the table, Seth and Summer exchanged glances, which were unseen by Zach and Lindsay, but discretely observed by Marissa.
Zach: Okay…so what I don't understand; is how Ryan didn't know about the baby.
Marissa: She lied to him, and told him she lost the baby.
Seth: Ryan came up to Portland to convince me to come back to Newport. While he was there, she called him and told him.
Zach: So that's when you both came home?
Seth: Pretty much.
Zach: Wow…my life was a lot less interesting before I knew you guys.
Summer: Oh yeah, we're just full of fun and excitement.
Marissa: More like drama and pain.
Seth: Actually, I think it's all of the above.
Lindsay: So what's he going to do?
Marissa, Seth, Summer and Zach all looked over at Lindsay, what with this being the first thing out of her mouth since she sat down. Marissa looked over at Seth and the two exchanged concerned glances before returning their attention to Lindsay.
Marissa: Honestly, I don't know.
Back at the store, Kirsten had been dragging Ryan around, for what seemed like forever.
Ryan: Kirsten, I don't think Samantha cares what kind of crib she sleeps in.
Kirsten: Ryan, a crib is very important.
Ryan: Right, but we've looked at every one in the store.
Kristen sighed as she looked over at Ryan who was shifting his weight under his feet.
Kirsten: Do you have any suggestions?
Ryan: How about that one?
Ryan motioned to the crib he was standing next to.
Kirsten: Are you choosing that one because it's right there?
Ryan looked down at the floor and then slowly brought his eyes back up, looking at Kirsten.
Kirsten: How about the one over in the corner.
Kirsten pointed across the room, and Ryan followed her arm, looking at the crib.
Ryan: Isn't that the first one we looked at?
Kirsten: I think so.
Ryan let out a sigh and nodded his head.
Ryan: I'm sure that'll be fine.
Kirsten: Okay, I'll go tell the clerk, why don't you go look at the strollers. I'll meet you over there.
Ryan nodded his head once again and turned, walking towards the strollers. Ryan eyed each of strollers, not really able to tell the difference between all of them. Regardless, Ryan remained in front of the strollers, looking them up and down, while Kirsten eventually made her way towards him.
Kirsten: What do you think?
Ryan: I think that I have no idea what I'm doing.
Kirsten took a step towards Ryan, and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Kirsten: It's all still new to you Ryan, but trust me, you'll be fine.
Ryan managed a smile and nodded his head, not completely convinced, but willing to let Kirsten think he was.
About half an hour later, Ryan was loading all of the things Kirsten had bought into the back of the car. He walked around the car to the passenger side and got in, immediately taking Samantha from Kirsten who was sitting in the driver's seat. Kirsten put the car in gear and backed out of her parking space, heading out onto the street once again.
Ryan: Now where are we going?
Kirsten: Just one more stop, then we can go home.
Ryan nodded his head and stared out the window.
A few hours had passed, and Ryan and Kirsten had returned home with all their newly bought baby goodies. Currently, Ryan was sprawled out on the floor in the pool house surrounded by broken down crib pieces. Ryan let out a sigh as he tried to attach part A to part B, but was having no luck. Just then, Sandy walked into the pool house and walked into the center of the room, joining Ryan on the floor.
Ryan: This is hopeless. I have the directions, I have the tools, and I have all the parts. How come I can build a house, but I can't put a crib together?
Sandy stifled a laugh and looked towards Ryan.
Sandy: Putting the crib together is the first test of fatherhood.
Ryan: Well, it looks like I'm passing with flying colors.
Sandy: You're doing fine Ryan.
Sandy reached over pulling the directions for the crib out of Ryan's hand. He stared at the piece of paper for a few seconds before getting a confused look on his face. Ryan smiled and reached over, flipping the paper over in Sandy's hands.
Ryan: You're holding it upside down.
Sandy: Oh, no wonder it didn't make any sense.
An hour later, Sandy and Ryan stood over the newly assembled crib with satisfied looks on their faces.
Sandy: Well, the crib may have won the battle, but we won the war.
Ryan: Definitely.