Disclaimer: Sorry guys, I still don't own them! Although, it's nice that we're able to borrow the Fantastic Four.
A/N: I cannot believe how long it's been since I've updated! Shame on me… I'm sorry for taking so long to get this chapter up everyone, however I've had the most atrocious writer's block, and I've been so busy with school, and soccer. You might need to re-read chapter nine, in case you've forgotten what's been going on… I promise that I'll try to get the next chapter up as soon as possible, but please take it easy on me! I'm trying. :0)
I-Believe-In-The-Butterflies: Thanks so much for your review hun, it means a lot to me that you thought that I wrote chapter nine very well. I promise the hating, and the fighting will come to an end, very soon!
Kursk: Thank you for your kind review, and don't worry, Ryan will find a solution for his sticky situation.
xGoingUnderx: Aww, thanks a million for your sweet review! I agree, no one likes to see Marissa unhappy, myself included. I know that the awkwardness between them stinks, but I think it's only natural since they're going through such a rough time. I'm sorry that I didn't update as soon as you would have hoped…but please know that I really appreciated your review!
Somebody's Dark Angel: Thank you for taking the time to review. I am really glad to hear that you think that I'm having Marissa and Ryan handle the "Trey dilemma" realistically. I definitely wanted it to be believable. I apologize for the lack of Seth and Summer interaction. I believe that the next chapter will have much more of them in it! I have a hard time writing S/S scenes, therefore I stray away from them.
Katie: Thank you for reviewing…it's always nice to have a new reviewer! I'm glad that you think the character's emotions are being portrayed well, and I'm sorry if you're disappointed that Ryan's the father, but things will work out in the end. You'll see… :0)
KC-Chick: Thank you so very much for your amazing review! I loved it, and I really appreciated the constructive criticism. Ryan is an extremely difficult character for me to write…he's not as bad as Seth, but come on…he's a freaking rock half of the time, and it's hard to imagine how he would react to being the father of Theresa's baby. I'm trying to write him more in-character, so please let me know if he was more himself in this chapter. You always make me smile with your awesome compliments, and I just wanted to let you know that your words are very encouraging!
Rainygal: Thank you for reviewing, I was very glad to hear that you enjoyed chapter nine! Yay, you thought Ryan and Marissa were (very) in-character? That's awesome, and I'm so happy that you thought so.
Crazymack69: So, you're a Seth and Summer fan, but you're enjoying the RyRissa end of my story? That's awesome! I totally hope you convert once my story comes to an end. Of course, S/S are great too…I just love the Fantastic Four. Thank you for your helpful advice, I absolutely agree that a Sandy and Ryan convo is in order.
Marissa sat contently in the shadows of her safe sanctuary, also known as the lifeguard post. She was huddled up in a fetal position, her back pressed firmly against the solid wood of the structure. For a reason unknown to her, she always sought refuge in the same place. Marissa had hidden out there the entire summer before junior year, after Ryan had left. Ryan…yet again he was the cause of her seeking peace and solace on the beach. She had gone there immediately after hearing the news of Matthew.
Marissa sat staring out at the turbulent ocean, its fierce waves crashing along the shore. She couldn't understand how something so beautiful could be so threatening. It reminded her of the relationship she shared with Ryan. They had gone through some rocky times before, yet somehow they always managed to find a way back to one another. Although, she wasn't so faithful about their future anymore, there was a possibility of him leaving again. Ryan had even admitted that to her face. As much as it hurt Marissa to picture Ryan sharing a life with Theresa, it also made her love and admire him even more, because of his selflessness.
Marissa glanced down at the half-empty bottle of Vodka that resided in her hands. She unscrewed the lid, bringing the toxic beverage to her lips. Before she could take a swig of the liquid, Marissa caught herself. As usual, she was drowning her sorrows in alcohol. In fact, her drinking had caused many problems in her relationship, and she recognized that getting wasted wouldn't prevent Ryan from leaving her.
Angrily, she rose from her seat on the ground and marched towards the rough water. With all of her might, Marissa flung the alcohol into the sea, and watched as the bottle shattered, and dissolved into a thick puddle of sea foam. She sunk down in the sand, her legs feeling as wobbly as Jell-O. Hot tears stung her wind-burned face, as she was sprayed with misty saltwater.
Meanwhile, Ryan wandered around the Cohen house trying to find Seth, who was nowhere to be found. Ryan figured that he was still at the pier with Summer. He walked into the kitchen, looking for something refreshing to drink, when he noticed Sandy standing at the kitchen island. He was schmearing cream cheese over, what appeared to be an "Everything" bagel. Sandy looked up from his tedious task and smiled at Ryan.
"Hey kiddo, something on your mind?" he asked.
Ryan knew he would eventually have to tell Kirsten and Sandy the truth about Theresa and the baby. He sighed, deciding that it would be better to get it over with sooner, rather than later.
"Yeah actually…are you busy?" Ryan answered nervously.
"Well, I was just working on my masterpiece," Sandy smirked, pointing towards his breakfast. "However, I've always got time for you, kid."
Ryan smiled slightly, and some of his fear melted away. He sat down at the table and Sandy followed in suit.
"What's going on Ryan?" Sandy questioned, as he placed a thin layer of lox on his bagel.
Ryan clenched his hands together tightly, not sure of how to begin the conversation.
"It's about Theresa," he finally said.
"Oh yeah, how is she doing?" came Sandy's oblivious voice.
"Sandy, last summer when I returned home, it was because Theresa told me that she had lost the baby," Ryan started.
Sandy listened to him intently, not saying a word, waiting for the boy to continue.
"She lied to me," Ryan blurted out, once he found the courage to. "The baby is very much alive, and it turns out that I am the father."
Sandy pushed back his chair, and stood up. He began pacing around the room, his head spinning. He couldn't believe what he had just heard, as if Ryan hadn't endured enough drama, and now his life was falling apart again.
"I see. Now all of a sudden she wants you back in the child's life?" Sandy asked, his voice cracking with emotion.
"What am I supposed to do? I can't just let Theresa deal with this by herself," Ryan said defensively.
"You know, one of the many reasons that I am so proud of you, is because of your sense of responsibility. I'll tell you what you are going to do, you are going to finish your senior year, graduate with honors, get into a great college, and have a wonderful life," Sandy announced sternly, yet lovingly.
"What about Matt?"
"He can stay with us," Sandy offered.
"I can't ask you and Kirsten to do that for me," Ryan insisted.
"You didn't ask. I was the one who proposed the idea. Ryan, when are you going to learn that we're on your side, kid?"
"Sandy, as much as I appreciate…" he was abruptly cut off mid-sentence.
"I am not asking you anymore, I am telling you. No one leaves the Cohen house more than once. That goes for both you and Seth. Besides, what's in Chino? Who is in Chino, that's worth going back for? You can make things work here. Matthew—is that his name? He can live a better life, a safer one, away from Chino."
"It's not that I want to leave, please don't think that! It's just… I highly doubt that I will be able to convince Theresa to let Matthew stay with me, much less move to Newport. I don't want to leave this family, or Seth…Marissa," Ryan said forcefully. His head rested in his hands, and he hadn't felt such conflicted feelings since the day Trey had died.
Ryan felt a warm hand on his shoulder, and looked up to see Sandy hovering over him.
"Everything is going to be all right. I promise… Hey, why don't you invite Theresa and the little tyke over for dinner tonight? We can work out the arrangements over…why take-out of course!" Sandy smiled at his pseudo-son, gave him a pat on the back, and then exited the kitchen with his breakfast in hand.
Ryan took in a deep breath of air, and sighed. He knew what he had to do. He would call Theresa later; there was someone else he needed to attend to first.
Back at the beach, Marissa sat in the sand, her legs curled up towards her chest. She rocked gently in the wind, and stared out at the seemingly endless, vast sea. Suddenly, she felt another presence, and sure enough when she turned her head, she noticed Ryan sitting beside her. His brilliant eyes were filed with unspoken love and emotion.
"Ryan," Marissa whispered carefully. "What's going to happen to us?"
Instead of waiting for a response, her gaze drifted back to the water.
"I am so sorry Marissa, I'm such an ass. I shouldn't have ever let you think that I was leaving. I'm not going anywhere ever again," Ryan told her, his voice hoarse.
She quickly looked back at Ryan, her face holding an expression of pure shock, surprise and happiness.
"Oh, you don't know how happy that makes me! Do you really mean it…? But what about the baby?" she asked, her joy slowly fading away.
"Don't worry; I'm going to take care of everything. Right now, all that matters is you and me."
Suddenly Marissa fell into his arms, never wanting to let go. It was as if she were clinging to him for dear life. It had been so long since they had, had any physical contact, and it felt wonderful to be in one another's arms again. Their embrace heated up as their lips met in a searing, passionate kiss, which soon led to a steamy make-out session on the beach.
As Ryan deepened the kiss, Marissa gently pushed him away.
"Ry…we can't do this here," she muttered breathlessly.
"Right," he agreed, sitting up. "The pool house?"
Marissa quickly stood, and reached for Ryan's hand. They sprinted towards his car eagerly. As they arrived at the Cohen residence, Ryan realized that Sandy's car was missing and Seth was most likely with Summer. He smirked as he figured that they had the house to themselves.
Ryan hopped out of the vehicle, and Marissa followed after him, her hand in the back pocket of his jeans. Ryan opened the door to the pool house, his entire body tingling with excitement. The feeling diminished immediately when he looked up, and noticed a dark-haired young woman sitting on his bed.
"T-theresa?" he stuttered, silently cursing her for ruining his and Marissa's moment.
"Ryan. I hope you don't mind, Rosa let me in. I wouldn't have even shown up like this, except I have something important to tell you," Theresa said, all in one breath.
Matthew was sleeping soundly in his carrier, which rested on Ryan's futon. Marissa stood staring wide-eyed at the baby, and Theresa, realizing the reality of the situation.
"Oh Marissa, hi…I didn't see you there," Theresa replied, with an obviously insincere apology.
"Theresa, hey," Marissa managed to choke out.
"I hope you don't mind, but Ryan and I have something serious to discuss. Would you mind giving us some privacy?" Theresa asked as a sickeningly sweet smile plastered across her face.
"Anything you need to say to me, Marissa can hear as well. We don't have secrets," Ryan cut in, coldly.
"Very well," Theresa sighed in disgust. "This is so hard for me to do, but I have no other choice. You see…Eddie found out about our little affair, which resulted in Matthew. He's gone crazy; he won't stop harassing me, and refuses to leave me alone. I've tried everything, I even threatened to call the police, but he's ruthless. Ryan, I'm moving back to Atlanta. I had a good life there, and I'll be safer."
"What? You can't just leave! Are you forgetting about Matt?" Ryan asked, incredulously.
"I want him to stay with you, at least until I can get back on my own two feet. I know that the Cohen's wouldn't mind having him around. Ryan, you don't know how difficult this is for me, please… You have to understand that this is my only option. I need you to take care of Matthew for me. Raise him to be a good person," Theresa confessed, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"There has to be another way," Ryan stated, helplessly.
"There isn't," came Theresa's determined voice.
"You cannot just run away Theresa, he's your son!" Marissa exclaimed, not believing the mayhem which was unfolding before her very eyes.
"This is none of your business," Theresa said, her voice raising an octave.
"Everything he needs is in this bag," she explained, holding up a blue diaper bag. "His schedule and clothing are in there. Basically anything else you could think of."
"If you leave, don't come back. He deserves better than that. Matthew doesn't need a part-time mother. You either stay and be a part of his life, or go and never return," Ryan remarked sternly.
Theresa nodded in compliance, and walked back over to her son. She placed a lingering kiss on his head, and whispered something inaudible in his ear. She then stood up, and approached Ryan and Marissa once more.
"Take care of my baby," Theresa practically begged, a sob catching in her throat. With that, she ran out of the pool house, the door slamming shut behind her.
Ryan stood stock-still for a few moments, then took a few steps towards his bed, and sat down. Marissa followed in suit. They sat quietly, not talking, absorbing the scene that had just occurred. Marissa took Ryan's hand and gently squeezed it in hers, all the while smiling at the sweet, sleeping infant.
"It's like you said, we'll get through this…together."
Ryan turned to face Marissa, grateful for her company.
"I love you," he whispered, leaning in to kiss her temple.
A/N: For some reason that took all of the strength that I have, and my entire weekend, to complete this chapter. It's been in the back of my head for a while; I hope I did it justice. I also, threw in a twist…with Theresa leaving. At first I was going to have her go back to Chino, then I decided that the farther away she is…the better! I didn't want things to be too fluffy, just yet. Please review…I need to know what you all thought of this chapter, especially since I've been going through such excruciating writer's block. Also, this story is coming to a close soon. I'm not sure if I should end it here, or write one more chapter. Please let me know what you think. Thanks for reading…you all rock:0)