When We Were Young
Disclaimer – I own nothing to do with The O.C, they belong to Josh and the people at Fox!
A/N; Here is chapter seven the boys birthday one more chapter before we hit some real angst for a while so enjoy it while it lasts.
By the way all the chapter titles (except the first two) come from an album so they also don't belong to me. Well done to anyone who can name that album you have great taste in music!
Enjoy and please review!
Kirsten and Sandy were exhausted; the boys had finally gone to bed just before eleven. Bathing and changing two very excited pre-birthday children had been started with mirth, parents enjoying their children's antics but had quickly worn off when it became apparent that the boys were engaging in tag team tactics.
The trouble began when Seth mysteriously disappeared from the living room while the dinner dishes were being put away. Once everything had been tidied away in its appropriate place the Cohen adults had headed in to start bath time to find Ryan sitting alone by the coffee table playing with his dumper trucks. Ryan denied all knowledge of where his brother was so it took Sandy ten minutes to find him crouched behind the vacuum cleaner in the cupboard under the stairs. It was then Ryan's turn to act up – showering both his parents and the bathroom in a tidal wave of tepid water and bubbles.
Then the many, many questions began; Why did they have to go to bed? When could they get up in the morning? What were they getting as presents? The list went on and on, the boys knew every trick in the book to delay their bedtime. Tomorrow was a big day, Kirsten had been planning it for months now, Caleb had promised to take the day off completely free from work so he and Anne could drive down with Hailey for the whole day. All of the boys pre-school class had been invited, balloons, streamers and party supplies bought in bulk as well as two enormous cakes made especially for each boy.
Over the years Kirsten and Sandy had discovered how incredibly hard it was to shop for twins. They had started out – as most parents probably do – buying two of everything, the same style, make and colour but due to the boy's difference in size Ryan's were always at least a size smaller. Sandy and Kirsten had always been pleased at Ryan's development, he had come on so much since he was born, that they never paid attention to the fact he was smaller. Sometimes, on occasion it was drawn to their attention, people never meant their comments to be offensive but it hurt Kirsten more than she showed. Ever since the boys had been born she had been trying to make it up to them for giving them such a rough start.
Dressing them the same was her way of showing the world that they were twins – regardless of size. Kirsten's hopes had been short lived however because as the boys grew they developed their own unique styles. Ryan was like her he preferred simple matching items while Seth was more eccentric choosing the brightest colours he could find. This was often a flash point when shopping with the boys, many a tantrum had been thrown when Seth had been refused a new item of clothing.
Kirsten smiled in her sleep remembering one particular orange polka dot incident which saw Sandy carrying a screaming Seth to the car. Suddenly the bed dipped mysteriously low, Kirsten heard Sandy grunt from beside her. A gust of cold air hit her toes and was closely followed by her face being assaulted by course tickly hair. Opening her eyes slowly she was met by Seth grinning like a Cheshire cat, suddenly she realised that it must be morning already.
Saturday 5th May her boys fifth birthday.
Kirsten tried to shut her eyes again but she had been spotted by her eagle eyed son. He sighed overdramatically, opening her eyes Kirsten saw her miniature teenager had folded his arms over his chest and cocked his head to the side. Cracking a wicked grin she ripped her arms from there protective positioning and grabbed her eldest around the waist causing him to shriek with laughter. She wrapped her arms around him pushing her cheek against his little one she smoothed down some of his unruly curls. Sneaking a look over at her husband to see how he was coping with his early morning wake up call. Her heart strings automatically constricted at what she saw – Sandy had merely shifted his arm to make room for Ryan's little body. Obviously awakened before he was ready by his over zealous brother Ryan lay snoring snuggled safety in his father's arms.
Seth's head fitted snugly in the crook of her neck trying to keep Seth calm and respectful of the others in the bed she whispered "Happy birthday baby. You excited?"
She knew it was a stupid question but usually engaging him in a controlled conversation stopped him turning into a hyper maniac.
"Yes mommy it's gonna be the best birthday ever." Seth pulled away from his mother's chest sitting up cross legged on the bed. "Everybody at school says it'll be the best even though Jamie had a bouncy castle because only eight people can be on it at the same time and we have way more friends than Jamie."
"Seth." Kirsten used her best motherly tone; she didn't want to be upset with him today. "Be nice to everybody today okay?"
Seth pouted momentarily but quickly realised that a lot was at stake. "'Kay mommy."
He paused for a minute looked back over his shoulder at his brother and them grinned impishly. "Can I open a present now mommy?"
Kirsten couldn't help but smile at his underhanded tactics, trying to get one up on his brother. "I think we should wait for your daddy and brother to wake up."
A glint appeared in Seth's eye he swivelled round to the sleeping males reaching out a hand he captured Sandy's nose between his thumb and index finger. Sitting still for a few moments Seth withdrew his hand quickly when Sandy gasped deeply and sat up in the bed. Kirsten giggled athis puzzled expression, hair all tussled as he tried to arrange his garbled thoughts. She did however feel sorry for a very disgruntled Ryan – she loved him dearly but when he had his sleep disturbed he was such a grump.
Sandy's thoughts suddenly seemed to clear; his eyes homed in on Seth. "Oh you are so dead!"
He launched himself up off the bed taking Seth with him, tossing him over his shoulder he stomped around the room. Seth was shrieking and attempting to wrestle his way free, meanwhile Ryan had crawled up onto Kirsten's lap. For a few months after Ryan's asthma attack Kirsten had been so fussy with him never letting him out of her sight. Although he still had trouble if the pollen count was high or was particularly overexerted the attacks had been few and far between. That didn't stop Kirsten from panicking every time he took an one, often she flapped uncontrollably so Sandy had to take charge of the situation. The asthma didn't seem to faze Ryan at all; he took it all in his stride like only a child could.
Once the two ruckus Cohen's had fallen onto the bed exhausted, Sandy and Kristen shared a look above the boys head.
"I think it's time for Ryan to get his presents." Sandy tried to keep a straight face as Seth gasped.
"What about me?" Seth tried to pull his best puppy dog eyes.
"What about you? Why should you get any presents?" Sandy grabbed Seth's nose between his fingers mimicking what Seth had done to him earlier. Kirsten shot him a warning glare when Ryan stiffened in her arms, he hated it when Seth was upset and sometimes had a hard time telling when his father was joking.
"'Cos it's my birthday daddy." Seth swiped his fathers hand from his nose wrinkling it slightly to check it was still there then he threw himself on his father. "Sorry for waking you up daddy."
He planted a soft kiss on his father's cheek and then settled on his lap mimicking Ryan's position. Reaching down to their sides Sandy and Kirsten opened the drawers that were under their bed. Both boys looked at each other astonished they hadn't known there were secret compartments to the bed – not that they had looked there during their search, their parent's bedroom was the only room in the house they weren't allowed into without adult supervision.
They leaned over and peeked down the side of the bed each drawer was crammed full of neatly wrapped presents. Sitting back up Seth and Ryan looked at each other with awe as their parents laughed at their expressions.
The party was in full swing, Kirsten's family had arrived mid morning so they could spend some time with the boys before everyone else arrived at twelve. Her mother in particular had been ecstatic to see the boys she loved her grandchildren like nothing else on earth and she spoiled them rotten.
Caleb was a great grandfather to the boys he too enjoyed spoiling them but for different reasons – he was still disappointed at Kirsten's decision to marry Sandy and live in Berkeley. He would buy the boys everything they desired hoping to coax her back to Newport, but Kirsten held firm determined, with Sandy's help, that her children would be raised knowing that there was more to life than money.
For this reason Kirsten had loved planning the birthday party, it was a simple humble affair. Kirsten could serve chips, store bought pizza slices and ready made sausage rolls without any complaints from the children or adults. The kids could run in and out of the kitchen, jump around in the paddling pool or play tag around the adults; they wore smart/casual party clothes but soon stripped off in the heat. The adults sat around in folding chairs drinking wine from plastic cups and nibbling on the children's food served on paper plates.
Kirsten was happy that her children were growing up in this environment, if they lived in Newport she probably would have been expected to hire caterers, face painters and entertainers. This suited the kids fine they were having just as much fun than if the party had cost ten times as much, it was easier on Kirsten and Sandy's friends as well no one they knew from college or kinder garden had enough money for a lavish party.
Guest had been coming and going all day some popped in just to wish the boys a happy birthday and then had to head off for work but most got caught up in the backyard talking to everyone they passed.
Sandy was in his element working the small barbeque they had placed in the garden beside the kitchen steps. He was chatting with everyone but kept glancing up at the backyard searching out Seth and Ryan's faces; reassuring himself they were having a good time.
That morning they had torn eagerly into their presents and then tucked into their birthday breakfast – Sandy's homemade pancakes. They had spent the morning playing with all the toys their parents had bought them; allowing Sandy and Kirsten to set up for the party, and then dress them in newly bought clothes.
More presents were opened once their grandparents had arrived but the boys had been told that they were to accept gifts from people at the party and place them on the table – no opening until everyone was here.
Kirsten noticed her father was no longer in the garden so she ventured into the house to find him; they hadn't talked yet one to one. She found him perched on the bench below the living room window in the front garden.
Approaching quietly she took him by surprise when she dropped down beside him, "Hey dad, what you doing out here?"
"Just needed a break from the noise." He raised his eyebrows slightly but couldn't hold that expression long breaking out into a grin along with Kirsten. "The boys are having a great time you'll never get them to sleep tonight."
"Oh don't say that we had a hard enough time settling them last night." Kirsten turned her wrist over and looked at her watch the day was going in so quickly. "Come on time for cake!"
They went in through the front door to avoid the boys, reaching up into the highest cupboard Caleb pulled out two huge boxes. Kirsten took one from him and made her way down the steps concentrating very hard on not tripping, Sandy removed his grubby apron and headed over to join her taking the other box from Caleb.
"Okay everyone attention, everyone attention please…umm boys come here, Seth? Ryan?" Kirsten called in her mannerly hostess voice.
Seeing she was getting no response Sandy yelled from beside her, "Cake!"
Automatically everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to face the table, two little heads dashed to the front forcing their way through the party goers. Sandy reached down and lifted each boy up onto a chair so the could reach the table and be seen.
"Okay thanks everyone, so we all know why we're here. To celebrate our boys fifth birthday," Sandy wrapped his arms around Ryan as Kirsten did the same to Seth making the boys flush with embarrassment.
"We couldn't have asked for a better day, I hope everyone has had a good time?" Sandy was looking at all the little faces who had made their way to the front but laughed when it was mostly adults who answered.
"Okay well the day is about to get better," Nodding to Kirsten they both flipped open the lids to the boxes simultaneously revealing the cakes they had specially ordered. Seth's was shaped like a stegosaurus; he had read about it at school and become quite the expert, while Ryan's was a red racing car just like his favourite model Caleb had bought him.
Both had the boys name written on them (Seth's on the platelets and Ryan's on the licence plate) and five candles protruded up ready to be lit. Sandy struck a match and lit all ten candles before he began the chorus of "Happy Birthday To You" everyone around him joining in, including the boys who had decided last year that as it was the others birthday they should sing too. When they finished Seth and Ryan took in a deep breath racing to see who could blow out all the candles first, everyone clapped and cheered for them.
It had taken hours before everyone had left the house the whole Cohen family were exhausted. Seth and Ryan had a mountain of presents ranging form action men to fancy dress costumes, never the less they were over the moon with each present and the fact that they mostly had one of each.
Kirsten's parents had left last, much to the relief of a teenage Hailey, she loved her nephews but she couldn't spend a whole day with a large number of kids. She had been particularly miffed when one of the boy's class mates had spilled ketchup all down her new jeans, she had stomped indoors and it had taken a stern word from her father before she returned outdoors.
The Cohen's lay on the sofa wrapped under the throw watching one of the many videos the boys had received. Sandy reached forward and turned off the video player glad to hear that there were no complaints both boys had fallen asleep in there parents arms. Shifting Seth into his arms he stood expecting Kirsten to do the same when she made no move he looked down at her, only to find that she too was asleep.
Having stripped Seth down and gingerly put on his pyjamas Sandy placed him in bed wiping curls from his forehead and kissing him goodnight. Returning to the living room he removed Kirsten arms from Ryan and picked him up too, a relatively light sleeper Ryan wakened and looked at his father with questioning eyes.
"Shhh baby it's bedtime okay, just go back to sleep." He bounced slightly on the spot and rubbed Ryan's back soothing him back into the world of dreams.
The next time he returned to the living room he contemplated his options; waking Kirsten, letting her sleep here or carrying her to their room. Grunting in her sleep Kirsten flipped over to get more comfortable, smiling Sandy decided to let her sleep here, he pulled the blanket tighter around her and planted a soft kiss on her temple.
As he walked away Sandy laughed to hear Kirsten begin to snore loudly, that was another reason to be glad she was sleeping on the sofa. At least he would be able to get some sleep too.
Well that was their birthday party - hope you enjoyed it.
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