A week has passed. Ryan stumbles into the kitchen, in his left hand, he holds the baby monitor, his right hand busy rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He makes a beeline for the coffee pot, pouring himself a cup and taking a few gulps before giving into a large yawn.
Sandy: You look like a man who's had his first full night of sleep in a week.
Ryan spun around looking at Sandy who was leaning against the kitchen counter near the stove.
Ryan: Yeah, something like that.
Sandy laughed and took a few steps towards Ryan.
Sandy: Hang in there, kid…
Sandy approached Ryan and patted him on the back a few times while walking past him.
Sandy: …only eighteen years left.
Sandy smiled to himself as he walked out of the kitchen leaving Ryan alone to his thoughts. Ryan shook his head and walked over to the kitchen table, taking a seat and picking a section of the newspaper to read. A few minutes later, Kirsten entered the kitchen, her hair pinned up and wearing her robe. She offered a smile to Ryan, and walked to the coffee pot. She poured herself a cup, fixed herself a bagel, and joined Ryan at the table.
Ryan: Morning.
Kirsten: Morning.
Ryan went back to reading and Kirsten bit into her bagel.
Kirsten: How did you sleep last night?
Ryan: Well, I slept. So that's an improvement.
Kirsten smiled and took another bite of her bagel.
Kirsten: How is Marissa doing? I know Julie's still pissed off about it…we've had words at the office.
Ryan dropped his head and shook it.
Ryan: I'm sorry Kirsten…
Kirsten: No, Ryan. Don't be. I can understand where Julie is coming from, but I have a feeling Marissa is going to do what she wants.
Ryan: Yeah…she's hanging in there though. I guess by now she's used to fighting with her mother. Julie's never going to accept me as a part of Marissa's life…I know that, so does she. But that's not the problem…part of me agrees with Julie, even though I hate to say it.
Kirsten nodded her head understandingly.
Ryan: I try to talk to her about it, but she's not really having it.
Kirsten: Can I ask you something, Ryan?
Ryan: Um…yeah.
Kirsten: Have you ever actually asked Marissa to help you with Samantha?
Ryan: No…I mean she knows that I want to be with her.
Kirsten: That's what I thought…Ryan she's doing this because she wants to. I get the feeling that it isn't a choice for her at all.
Ryan stared down at the newspaper in front of him, but he wasn't reading it. He was letting what Kirsten had said soak into his brain. Kirsten watched Ryan for a few seconds and then finished off the first half of her bagel.
Kirsten: Have you eaten?
Ryan looked up at Kirsten and shook his head. Kirsten slid the other half of her bagel across the table to Ryan and stood up, coffee mug in hand.
Kirsten: I better go get ready.
Ryan nodded and offered a smile; Kirsten returned the smile, before turning around, and walking through the kitchen. At the same time, Marissa, who had let herself into the house, walked into the kitchen, passing Kirsten.
Kirsten: Morning, Marissa.
Marissa: Morning, Kirsten.
Kirsten: Help yourself to coffee or a bagel, anything you want.
Marissa: Thanks.
Kirsten left and Marissa made her way towards Ryan. She gave him a kiss on the cheek as she sat down next to him at the table. She reached over taking hold of his coffee mug, and took a sip. Ryan smiled and bit into Kirsten's bagel.
Ryan: We have clean mugs, you know.
Marissa: That's okay. I only wanted a sip.
Marissa smiled as she returned the mug to its original place on the table. Ryan returned the smile and then took another bite of his bagel. He set it back down on the plate and stood up, crossing over to the fridge and grabbing Samantha's formula. He prepared a pot of water, and then the bottle. He hovered around the stove waiting for the water to heat up. Marissa crossed the kitchen and came up behind Ryan.
Marissa: I can do this…why don't you go take a shower.
Ryan: Are you trying to say I stink?
Marissa laughed and took the bottle from Ryan's hand placing it into the water, and turning the flame down slightly.
Marissa: No, I'm trying to say we'll be late for school if you don't.
Ryan smiled and took a small step towards Marissa.
Ryan: Come here…I have to tell you something.
Marissa looked over at Ryan, and took a step towards him. They both leaned towards each other.
Ryan: (Near whisper) Thank you.
A smile escaped from Marissa's lips briefly before Ryan closed the gap between them, and kissed her. When the kiss broke, Ryan pulled away with a smile on his face. He hooked the baby monitor onto Marissa's jean pocket and turned, walking out the door.
Fifteen minutes later, Ryan walked out of the bathroom in the pool house, wearing a pair of jeans and a tank top, a towel draped over his head. Marissa sat in a chair by the pool house doors, Samantha was cradled in her arms, finishing up her bottle. Ryan ran the towel through his hair and crossed to his dresser, pulling out one of his many button-up tees.
Marissa: You better hurry up, Seth's been here twice already. And apparently he's already had his quota of caffeine for the day.
Ryan laughed slightly and pulled his shirt on, leaving the top few buttons open, and rolling up his sleeves. He grabbed his backpack of the small kitchen counter and crossed the room, taking a seat on the bed and pulling his shoes on.
Ryan: Okay, I'm ready…is she done with her bottle.
Marissa: Yeah, for the most part.
Ryan nodded and slung his backpack over his shoulder before walking towards Marissa and extending his arms out to take Samantha. Marissa passed her off and Ryan looked down at Samantha for a few seconds.
Ryan: Kirsten told me I should talk to her…but what am I supposed to say to a baby?
Marissa laughed and picked up her purse from the floor next to the chair.
Marissa: I don't know, and I can't see you really making all those baby noises.
Ryan: Yeah, me either.
They both smiled at each other and walked into the house. Seth was sitting at the kitchen island, polishing off his fourth cup of coffee. His leg was bouncing up and down feverishly, and his fingers were continuously drumming on the counter top. Ryan and Marissa both paused for a few second taking in the sight of him.
Ryan: You okay, man?
Seth: Yeah, sure…never been better.
Marissa: How's the comic book coming along?
Seth: Oh great…great.
Ryan: Good…you ready?
Seth: Yeah, let's go…pronto.
Seth rolled his "R" a little better than a white, half Jewish kid from Newport Beach should, and popped up from his seat walking quickly out of the kitchen and towards the front door.
Ryan: I'm going to find Sandy and give him Samantha…you make sure Seth stays far away from the drivers seat.
Marissa: Gotcha.
Marissa nodded and headed out the kitchen following Seth, while Ryan crossed over to Sandy and Kirsten's bedroom and knocked twice on the door. Kirsten opened the door, fully dressed for work.
Ryan: Hey, we're heading out, so…
Kirsten: Okay.
Kirsten extended her arms out for Samantha, and Ryan passed her off. Kirsten looked down at Samantha and made a baby face at her that made her squirm slightly and giggle.
Kirsten: See you later, Ryan.
Ryan: Have a good day.
Kirsten: You too.