Ryan sits in one of the pool house chairs. The empty chair opposite him is pulled up in front of him and used as a desk, holding Ryan's physics book. A spiral notebook sits in Ryan's lap as he hunches over, reading the book and jotting things down on the paper. Marissa lies on the bed with Samantha, who is pushing a toy around and crawling around the bed. Every so often Marissa has to pick Samantha up and put her back in the middle of the bed, to make sure she doesn't fall off. Occasionally, Ryan is distracted from his studying by small giggles coming from both Marissa and Samantha. More often than not, Ryan would turn his head and smile, then go back to his physics, trying to focus.

Marissa: How's the studying coming along?

Ryan: It's coming.

Marissa went back to playing with Samantha and Ryan went back to studying. About five minutes later, Seth walked into the pool house.

Seth: Dude! I need you to do me a huge favor.

Ryan didn't look up from his book.

Ryan: Can't. Busy. Studying.

Seth: I know for a fact that your quiz is Friday, and I'm pretty sure that today is Wednesday, so…put the pencil down.

Ryan sighed and dropped his pencil into the seam of his textbook; he looked up at Seth.

Seth: I need you to draw backgrounds for me.

Ryan: You've got to be kidding me.

Ryan picked up his pencil and went back to his studying.

Seth: Come on, man. I don't have enough time, I still have other sketches to finish…days are just going by here, Ryan. I don't know what to do, my meeting is Saturday, and I'm not even close to being finished. I stay up all night, I've drunk more coffee in the past seventy-two hours than I have in my entire life, and I'm still not done. Summer is on the verge of driving me insane; Zach and his constant questions aren't doing much for my headache, and dammit! I need help…

Ryan opened his mouth to speak, but Seth pushed ahead, his previous rant left lingering in the air for mere seconds.

Seth: …and you know what I just realized? Today's Wednesday…it's comic book day. The Holy Grail of all days, and not only did I not go to the comic book store, but I also didn't attend my meeting of the comic book club, of which I am president. There is something seriously wrong with me…

Ryan: (Interrupting) Seth…whoa, man. First of all, calm down. Secondly, yes there is seriously something wrong with you. And lastly, I couldn't help you even if I wanted to. I'm not an artist; I can't draw anything for you.

Seth: Come on, man. I see you drawing sketches of buildings all the time.

Ryan: That's different.

Seth: No it's not…they're just lines man.

Seth pulled out a notebook and a few different comic books. He walked over to Ryan, and handed him the notebook, laying the comics over Ryan's physics textbook. Seth flipped to a page and pointed to a building drawn in a comic. He then opened the notebook on Ryan's lap, and flipped to a section, pulling out four sheets of loose paper and handing them to Ryan. Seth slid one of the pages to the top and then pointed to the building in the comic.

Seth: I need you to draw that…here.

Ryan looked down at the comic and then up at Seth.

Ryan: I think I can probably do that.

Seth: Good.

Seth reached down, picking up another comic and flipping to a page in that one as well. He showed Ryan what background went with what picture, and then continued on, showing him each one he wanted him to do.

Seth: They don't have to be exact…or perfect. Just…you know, make them look good…

Ryan looked up at Seth hesitantly, and nodded his head.

Seth: Don't worry about the inking or shading…I'll do that.

Ryan: Um…okay.

Seth: Great. Thanks man.

Seth was out the pool house door as quickly as he'd entered, leaving a dazed Ryan and Marissa remaining.

Marissa: What just happened?

Ryan stared down at the pile of comics in front of him.

Ryan: I'm not sure.

The clock in the pool house reads 1:45am. Marissa is contently sleeping in the pool house bed. Ryan paces back and forth in the upper half of the pool house. Samantha is wide-awake and in his arms, her cheeks red from crying. Ryan bobs her up and down in his arms, humming softly into her ear. He had been trying to get her back to sleep for close to forty-five minutes and as his grand finale, and often times, last ditch effort, he resorted to singing. It wasn't working. And since he could only sing one song, things weren't looking good for him.

In an instant, Ryan turned and walked out the pool house doors, Samantha still cradled in his arms. He walked quietly into the house and then towards the stairs. He arrived at Seth's bedroom door and saw light shining from under the crack. He knocked softly and then turned the knob, pushing the door open.

Ryan: Seth…

A sleep deprived looking Seth came into view, looking curiously at Ryan.

Seth: What's up, man? It's late.

Ryan: I know. I knew you'd be up.

Seth: Yeah. I'm inking those sketches you did for me.

Ryan: So you're going to be up for a while?

Seth: Probably…

Ryan: Perfect.

Ryan took a step towards Seth and quickly placed Samantha into his arms before Seth knew what was going on.

Seth: Wh—wh—whoa…wait a second, man.

Ryan: Look, I spent all yesterday working on your sketches, instead of studying…

Seth: (Interrupting) You were totally enjoying that.

Ryan: Seth! I was up late studying tonight anyway…my test is tomorrow and I need some sleep. She's awake…you're awake. Makes sense to me.

Seth: I see your point, but…I've spent like zero time with this baby.

Ryan: This baby, is my daughter…your niece, and her name is Samantha.

Seth: I know her name.

Ryan: Give me five minutes, I'll be right back.

Ryan turned and walked out of Seth's room before he could object. Seth held Samantha up in front of him and she smiled to him.

Seth: Cute kid…

Seth stared at Samantha for a few seconds before moving towards the bed to set her down. Half way to the bed, he rethought that plan, and looked around his room quizzically. It wasn't really baby friendly. Seth shrugged his shoulders and set her down on the floor. He crossed his arms and looked down at Samantha, sitting at his feet.

Seth: Hmm…me and the baby…baby and me…

Suddenly Ryan appeared in the room again. A diaper bag slung over one shoulder, the folded up playpen in one hand and an armful of blankets and toys in the other. He dropped them on the floor, while Seth watched. Ryan set up the playpen, and then situated all the blankets he'd brought inside, creating a little pillow like bed for Samantha to sleep…when she finally did fall asleep. He tossed a few stuffed animals in as well, and moved towards Samantha, swiftly picking her up.

Ryan: You're going to stay up here with Uncle Seth tonight.

Samantha smiled innocently, oblivious to everything Ryan was saying. Ryan kissed her nose and set her down on the blankets in the playpen.

Seth: Are you sure about this?

Ryan: It's not that hard. If anything crazy happens, you can come and wake me up.

Seth: Okay.

Ryan: Okay…her diaper bag is over there, and the wipes and stuff…

Seth: Dude! Diapers?

Ryan: Deal with it. I don't think she'll get hungry, but if she does…prepare some water, and follow the directions on the formula.

Seth: Sometimes I think you forget that, before you came along…I was an only child. And you know what else…you're older than me, so that makes me the baby of the family.

Ryan: Not anymore.

Ryan and Seth stood in silence for a few seconds as Seth stared at the diaper bag and the playpen…the toys and the baby.

Ryan: If you really can't do this…

Seth: No. It's cool. I'm pretty sure I can handle her.

Ryan: Okay, thanks.

Seth nodded his head and stared at Samantha who had crawled her way off the blankets and was reaching out for one of the stuffed animals. Ryan was almost out the door when he turned around, and walked back towards Seth again.

Ryan: And um…if she starts crying sometimes she likes to be bobbed up and down instead of rocked back and forth…

Seth: Okay.

Ryan nodded and turned towards the door again.

Ryan: Oh! And if you get really desperate…sing to her.

Seth: You sing?

Ryan: It's amazing the things a baby will push you to do.

Seth: So I should sing.

Ryan nodded again.

Seth: Is that it?

Ryan: I think so.

Seth: Well I'm sure you'll let me know if you think of anything else.

Ryan: Just…come get me if anything happens, okay?

Seth: Will do.

Ryan nodded and turned once again for the door.

Ryan: And you know what…

Seth: (Interrupting) Ryan, I got it!

Ryan: You're sure.

Seth: This was your idea.

Ryan: Yeah…okay. I'll see you in the morning.

Seth: Yeah…night.

With one last hesitant look back into the room, Ryan left, closing the door behind him. Seth stood awkwardly in his bedroom looking down at Samantha in her playpen. He moved to his bed and sat back down getting back to work. Every so often he would glance up and look at Samantha in her playpen. He set his pen down and walked over to the playpen, picking Samantha up, and then taking a seat on floor. He placed Samantha in front of him, and she giggled and crawled towards him.

Seth: I bet that thing feels like a prison…

She smiled and slumped onto the ground for a few seconds. She quickly picked herself up and crawled around some more.

Seth: …what am I supposed to do with you all night?