Discl.: I am ...eehhm own nothing

I am generous today, so here you go, another chapter on the same day! ;-)

Thanks again Chuckie for beta-ing!

Chapter 4

Entering the kitchen Ryan found the girls chatting and Kirsten and Bernadette working silently. Catching an uncertain glance of Bernadette he went up to her, tenderly pulling her into a hug, stroking her back gently, making sure that she understood that he was here, giving her all support and strength she needed.

Bernadette wrapped her arms around her husband's waist, burying her head in his shoulder, leaning onto him with all her weight, sighing deeply. Ryan ran his hand through her hair, softly whispering.

"I'm here darling, I'm here now..."

Kirsten shot the couple a curious glance before she shifted her attention to Sandy and Seth who were now entering the kitchen.

"Ok, I'm officially starved, let's eat!" Sandy exclaimed, placing himself on the table.

"Mum, please sit down, I don't wanna see you near the microwave, there is food inside!" Seth told Kirsten on the way to the table, grinning wildly, before sitting down next to Summer. He took her hand gently in his and placed a quick kiss on her forehead, his eyes expressing thankfulness for his beautiful, healthy wife. Summer squeezed his hand quickly and smiled at him, her eyes full of love for the man next to her.

The moment between the two had not gone by unnoticed by Marissa. She felt a pit in her stomach as she often did, when she came across a happy couple. Observing the scene in the kitchen she sighed deeply to herself, trying hard to hide her jealously.

Sure, she always knew that Summer and Seth were meant for each other. Despite all their fighting and bickering, they loved each other from the bottom of their hearts. Like she had loved Ryan...

Over all the years she had spent living her life as far as possible away from Newport, but there wasn't a day she hadn't thought of him. After leaving him, the college and her family and friends behind, she was convinced she did the right thing. Marissa wanted to have her own life, make her own decisions... Yet she realised, how lonely she was. Yes, she was an independent, successful model... But there were no friends, no love.. Sometimes she would call her dad just to hear his voice, without talking to him though. When she left 12 years ago he was devastated. With nothing holding him back he left America and headed to Hailey who was still working in Japan. She hadn't heard from her mother in years.

The only friends she still had were Summer and Seth. Although they didn't see each other often, they talked a lot over the phone.

One year after her overnight run off Summer confessed her best friend that Ryan had a new girlfriend. For one whole week Marissa considered calling him. But finally she decided that he had moved on and that she couldn't just come back into his life and destroy everything.

So she stayed away. Summer informed her about the wedding, the daughter, and Ryan's success as an architect, basically on everything she wanted to know. Marissa knew that there has been a time when Summer had hoped that either herself or Ryan would make the first step, try to make up, allow them to go back to the 'fab four' they had been in high school. But after Ryan's wedding, Summer confessed Marissa that she liked Bernadette and that Ryan was happy. The model was convinced that she did the right thing, staying away from everyone, avoiding to again hurt the people she loved.

Now here she was, sitting in her ex-boyfriend's kitchen, feeling lost between all the happy couples and not sure, what exactly she was doing here.

"You need to talk to him" the voice of Seth interrupted her thoughts.

"Sorry... what?" Marissa shook her head slightly, trying to bring her mind back to the present.

"You need to talk to Ryan" Seth whispered, lowering his voice as Bernadette and Ryan made their way to the table, bringing the food.

Marissa nodded and exchanged a glance with Summer who smiled at her reassuringly.

During dinner the adults tried everything to distract the kids from the fact that something wasn't right. They chatted about school, friends and the babies. Of course Alyssa was excited to get a younger brother, although Cassandra kept telling her that it meant dirty nappies and sleepless nights. But Cassandra couldn't hide her smile when she talked about Benjamin, clearly happy and proud of her little brother.

When everyone had finished eating, Summer and Marissa started cleaning the kitchen, while Seth took the girls to the living room, starting one of their famous playstation tournaments. Bernadette had excused herself to lie down for a few minutes. Ryan followed her immediately while Sandy directed Kirsten outside, filling her in on Bernadette's condition.

"Can I get you something?" Ryan asked softly after he had quietly entered their bedroom.

Bernadette jumped slightly on the bed, not being aware of his presence.

"No thanks, I'm fine" she replied, not sure on how to act around her husband.

"I'm sorry for tonight... For inviting Marissa..." she started, her voice shaking.

"Don't..." Ryan interrupted her. "That's not what we must talk about now..."

Nodding silently Bernadette locked eyes with Ryan, waiting for him to come over to the bed, lying down next to her. She shyly grabbed for his hand and was relieved when he didn't pull away. Turning himself around so that he was laying on his side, he looked at his beautiful wife in front of him. Her dark, long hair was tied back in a ponytail, her blue eyes closed, her face expressing sadness and tiredness. Although her stomach was swollen by the size of their son, she still had a relatively slim figure. He had always admired her for losing the pregnancy-pounds of Alyssa within weeks, turning back into the stunning, well proportioned woman he had fallen in love with such a long time ago.

"I love you..." Ryan started softly.

Tears filled Bernadette's eyes while she listened to the husky voice of her husband.

"I have and will always love you, do you understand?"

When she nodded wordlessly he continued.

"I...I still... don't understand why you didn't tell me, but there's nothing we can do about it now... Just know that I would have never expected you to keep the baby... Cause I don't wanna lose you... But no matter what, I want you to know that I will be here for you; support you all the way through... I'll get in contact with the best doctors available, I'm not giving up, there must be something we can do!"

Placing a finger over his lips, Bernadette forced him to be quiet, listening to her trembling voice:

"Honey, I don't want any doctors... All I want is you..."

Moving closer Ryan gently embrace his wife, holding her close to his chest, feeling the warmth of her skin against his, listening to her steady heartbeat.

Bernadette buried her head in Ryan's chest, grateful for the safety and support his presence could give her. They lay silently on the bed for several minutes before the door was rushed open and a light brown head appeared, curiously looking at the two adults.

"Daddy! We need your help! Uncle Seth is beating us in playstation!" she exclaimed, running over to their parents.

Ryan let got of Bernadette and embraced his little daughter after she had climbed onto the bed.

"Is everything ok?" Alyssa asked suspiciously, when she felt the tension between Ryan and Bernadette.

"Sure honey, don't worry" Bernadette assured, running her hand down Alyssa's cheek, giving Ryan a warning glance.

Alyssa cuddled herself to her father's chest for a few seconds before she draw away, jumping off the bed, taking Ryan's hand and announcing: "Dad, are you coming now?"

Ryan smiled at the energy of his little angel and after a quick kiss on Bernadette's cheek he left the bedroom, obeying his daughter's will.

Bernadette got up slowly and changed clothes before she went back to the guests. She had no idea how to figure this all out, but she knew that she had to make the best out of her remaining time.

When she entered the living room she had to stifle a laugh at the sight of Seth and Summer fighting on the playstation against Marissa and Ryan. Meanwhile Cassandra and Alyssa were sitting on the floor, playing Jenga.

"Seth, what did you do!" Bernadette exclaimed, interrupting the adults, leaving them puzzled about her outburst.

"What?" Seth turned around, giving Bernadette a startled look.

"Jenga! In my house! That's probably the most boring game ever! Isn't it enough that I can't stop Alyssa from reading your comics?" Bernadette laughed, feeling all the pressure and the worries dropping from her shoulders.

"Graphic novels, my dear, I don't write comics!" Seth grinned, immediately understanding her intentions.

"But I love Jenga mummy" Alyssa told Bernadette offended, getting up and walking over to Seth, placing herself on his lap.

"Uncle Seth says that it's the only thing boys want to play with girls, so I wanna be really good at it!"

"Seth!" Ryan called, giving Seth a stern look.

"What! That's true, isn't it!" his brother laughed, winking at Summer. His wife's head turned visibly read and all the adults broke out in laughter.

Bernadette placed herself on the couch next to Ryan; resting her head on his should before she said:

"Ok, now that you are all back together I wanna hear some gossip and embarrassing stories of you all from high school!"

"I know a good one I have been waiting to hear all my life" Sandy told them, entering the living room with Kirsten. They sat down on the couch as well and were immediately joined by Cassandra and Alyssa who placed themselves on the lap of each grandparent.

"What story do you mean?" Summer asked curious.

"I vaguely remember an egg, a yard sale for charity, without a yard though, which turned out awfully strange..." Sandy stated, looking at everyone before turning his head towards Marissa.

"As I know that my son is not very familiar with words, you might wanna share?" Seth and Summer started giggling while Ryan's face showed embarrassment.

Marissa's head turned red, remembering the eventful charity auction.

"Well, Alyssa, have you ever heard of your uncle Trey?" she started with an amused undertone in her voice, telling the story to a very eager audience. The time quickly passed by and soon it was time for the kids to go to bed. Seth and Summer packed their stuff and said goodbye to Ryan and Bernadette, leaving with Sandy and Kirsten in tow.

"I should go home too..." Marissa began, looking at Ryan with an uncertain look in her eyes.

"Yeah, it's already late..." Ryan answered, avoiding her glance. Bernadette felt the tension between them and decided to force them into talking.

"I don't think you should go right now... I'm off to bed, I'm really tired, but you two have some catching up to do I guess..."

Hugging Marissa she kissed Ryan goodnight and went to bed, hoping the two of them could straighten out their issues.

So will Marissa and Ryan have the talk? Keep reviewing, so I keep writing...