Sorry for the long wait, I hope you all enjoy this chapter. (It was hard to write) Please review!

P.S. This chapter features two instances of stronger language.I Hope no one is offended

Chapter six: Consequences

Seth sat on the hood of his car, looking up at the blackness of the cool California night. After a few minutes, Carter came out of the house and walked up to Seth.

"Seth, I'm sorry, but I care about your mother very much. I know the wounds are still raw, but you have to move on sometime...Can you forgive me?" Carter said while extending his hand out for Seth to shake.

"Carter...shove the apology up your ass, and get the hell away from me..." Seth said not once looking at Carter. Carter walked away defeated. He glanced back at Seth once more, but saw no emotion from him.

Seth went back inside the house, Kirsten stood behind the kitchen island with a glass of merlot, and a sad look on her face. "Seth...I'm so sorry sweety." She said walking towards him with her arms open, suggesting a hug.

"While you're at it, why not go down to Hawaii and fuck Jimmy Cooper huh?" Seth said in anger as he stomped up the steps. Kirsten's arms fell, and tears ran down her cheeks. She knew it was a mistake, but she didn't know how much she was going to lose.

-meanwhile in Hawaii-

Ryan walked up to Theresa's Mother's house, and knocked on the door. Theresa answered it, and wasn't surprised to see him. "Wanna come in?" She asked looking at the father of her child.

"No...but we need to talk, now." Ryan said as Theresa, and he walked away from the doorstep. "Listen, I don't want to sound like an ass right now...but I can't be a father to this kid...Marissa, and I are just starting to get things back together...and now this." Ryan said sincerely. He was trying to be forceful, but he felt bad for her.

"So what? You decide to come down here, act all tough, and tell me off? That's nice Ry... I'm starting to think we're 15 again." Theresa said with a sharp edge to her words.

"I'm not trying to tell you off Theresa! I'm telling you that I can't be a father to your kid." Ryan said trying to soften his tone.

"Technically, he's your kid too" Theresa replied angrily.

"No, eleven years ago, he was my kid, but you lied to me. I would have been a father to Jake. "

"But you would have hated me, and would have been unhappy." Theresa reasoned

"I was unhappy that entire Summer! But I took two jobs, and lived with you for the sake of the child. The fact that you lied to me, and got me out of your life is not my problem anymore."

"Maybe not, but the only reason I lied to you was because I wanted you to be happy. I knew you would never be happy with me, no matter how much I loved you, so I did what I had to, to make you happy." Theresa said sadly.

"...It didn't matter how I felt about you, I would have stayed with you anyways, now I've done exactly what I said I would never do...I let this kid grow up without a father...For his sake, I hope he doesn't turn out like me." Ryan said sadly.

"I hope he does...because when we were together...when we were younger, you were the greatest guy I ever knew. You would treat me so good, and we both know that for chino, to find a guy like that, is something special... Jake is a great kid, you not being around was tough, but you know me, I'm tough. We'll get through it, I always do." Theresa said kneeling next to Ryan who had sat down on the sand. "You and Marissa just..work. Even after 11 years apart, you two are back together again...My place is here with Jake and my mom. You belong with her. Even when you aren't a couple, you will always be a couple. You can't fight that Ryan...not that you'd ever want to." Theresa said smiling as she ran her hand through Ryan's hair.

"Maybe...but she chose to come here instead of staying with me...maybe she doesn't feel the same way I do...maybe she never did." Ryan said not responding to Theresa's wandering hand.

"Bullshit Ry, she fought for you, she told me off right in front of you and Seth. She always cared about you, just like I did...The point is that we both love you...but I lost you. Don't let her lose you too...it's not fun." Theresa said looking defeated.

"What am I supposed to do. The woman I have a child with lied to me for eleven years, and now tells me she loves me...and the woman I love left me to live with her father...what am I supposed to do?" Ryan said standing up frustrated.

"Do what you feel is right...do what you want...Look, one of us is gonna end up hurt, and the way stuff is going for me, one more heartbreak isn't gonna make a lot of difference...I know you love her, and maybe it's time I finally realize that...Ryan Atwood...whatever you choose..I love you." Theresa said in a near whisper as she kissed Ryan softly on his lips, to which he only slightly returned. He was more torn now than ever before, and now, he knew Theresa still loved him.

-Meanwhile in Newport-

Kirsten had began to down her second bottle of wine in less than two hours when Summer walked down the steps. "Kirsten? What's wrong Mrs. Cohen?" Summer asked sitting next to Kirsten on the couch.

"Seth came home, and saw me...kissing Carter...he's an old friend." Kirsten said sadly before downing a large glass of wine.

"Oh my god, he just went right to sleep, he didn't say anything...should I talk to him?" Summer said taking away Kirsten's wine bottle, and glass, and sitting it on the kitchen counter.

"No...I should, it's not your problem Summer" Kirsten said appreciating the offer.

"Yes it is. Seth is my husband, and he's just gone through a hard time, just like everyone else. I think we should talk to him together." Summer said while giving Kirsten a bottle of water.

"Ok... but let's wait till' tomorrow. Okay?" Kirsten said sadly.

"Ok...He'll come around...I know." Summer said as she walked away from Kirsten. As soon as Summer walked up the stairs, Kirsten grabbed the wine bottle, and sat on the couch. She knew it was wrong, but her old habits overtook her, and she drank all night.

-meanwhile in Hawaii-

Ryan walked into The Cooper's Hawaii estate, and was immediately engulfed with a hug from Marissa. Ryan's face didn't light up as Marissa's did. She knew right away that something was wrong. "Ryan...what's wrong?" Marissa asked as stepped back a little.

"Marissa...I'm going back to Newport tomorrow...and I'm not sure that I want you to come with me." Ryan said sadly.

"What?...Why? Don't you want to be with me?" Marissa said as her eyes almost immediately filled up with tears.

"Yeah, of course. The question is do you want to be with me?" Ryan said wiping away Marissa's tears, and calming her down.

"Ryan? You know I do!" Marissa said while frantically searching for the reason for his apprehension.

"Well, you chose to leave me just a few days ago...how can I know that some situation might come up and take you away from me forever? I want to be with you, I just need to know that your heart is with me." Ryan said sadly.

"Ryan... My decision to leave you was a mistake, and even though we're together, I still feel like I let you down...I promise, that will never, ever happen again." Marissa said pleading with Ryan.

"Maybe it wasn't a mistake...maybe you're more important to me than I am to you...whatever. I'm leaving tomorrow, and I want you to be with me, I swear to god I do, I just want to be sure that you are sure of your love for me, and that you're ready to commit. I got you a plane ticket...I love you...more than words can ever say...please be there." After Ryan said his piece, he kissed her softly and walked out of the house. Marissa fell to her knees and sobbed. The man she loved had left her a choice. One that she felt sure of, but would turn out to be the most difficult decision of her life