(A.N.) Another update for you. The chapter's may be a little boring to start off with but they get a lot better. I've got about a 1/4 of the story written already and i know that there's more drama and action so keep reading!

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The Practice Parents

The baby giggled as she was bounced on Summer's knees. She pulled stupid faces at her, making the baby laugh even more.

"Aww, Sum, you're gonna be such a great Mom," Marissa smiled, looking on as Summer played with Maia.

"Thanks Coop, but I'm definitely gonna need all the help I can get!" Summer handed the baby back to Marissa.

"Oh don't worry Summer, I was as clueless as you but I'm fine now." She rocked Maia gently in her arms, pausing to fix her soft white hat. Ever since she'd left the hospital, Marissa had been attached to her daughter.

"Hey Marissa, oh hi Summer," Ryan entered the living room, having just returned from work.

He was now one of the top architects working for the Newport Group.

"And how's my favourite little girl?" He walked over to Marissa as Maia perked up, hearing her Daddy's voice.

She began to gurgle excitedly. Summer watched as Ryan held the baby close, his protective hands making sure that she wouldn't fall.

It was so weird seeing him being so, well, paternal.

"So Summer, you've got all this to look forward to," Ryan smiled, cradling the baby.

"Yeah I can't wait, Seth is totally ecstatic."

"Well tell him about the sleepless nights, midnight feeds and diaper changes. I'm sure he'll still be stoked," Marissa laughed, sipping her coffee.

"So you still get those? Like now?" Summer asked.

"Yeah, totally, I haven't had a good nights sleep in weeks!"

"Great! Oh I'm gonna be such a failure! I can't even get up at 7am!" Summer whined and placed down her coffee. Marissa frowned.

"Oh Summer! You're gonna be great. Actually, why don't you look after Maia for a full weekend, like as a practice?" Summer raised her eyebrows.

"Yeah, Marissa and me could use a full weekend to ourselves," Ryan said.

"Sure, I mean why not? It'll be good practice." Summer smiled at the two who looked very happy.

"Here, take her for a sec. Marissa, come to the kitchen, I'll help you make dinner." Ryan and Marissa left the room.

"Three days and nights with no crying would be bliss," Marissa whispered excitedly.

"Yeah, just don't tell Summer that!"

"Cohen!" Summer shrieked from the top of the stairs. Seth was trying to hide in his office from his wife.

The wailing of Maia from the guest room upstairs shook the house. It was only Friday night and the two were at their wits end.

When Marissa and Ryan had dropped her off a couple of hours ago, she was silent and happy but after 10 minutes without her parents, Maia was a nightmare.

Summer stomped back into the guest room where she was screaming in her small crib.

"Shhhh, come on Maia. Please please be quiet!" Summer pleaded.

She picked up her purple Care Bear and made it do a dance on the edge of the crib. Nothing.

She wasn't hungry and she didn't need changing. What was wrong with her? Summer stormed to the stairs.

"Cohen please! You said you'd help! I need you!" Summer felt tears prickle at her eyes. She slumped onto the floor, holding her head in her hands.

Seth appeared at the foot of the stairs, his eyes filled with regret.

"Summer, I'm so sorry. I did promise I'd help you, so I'm going to. Do you forgive me?" He sat beside her on the floor.

"I can't do this," she whispered.

"Yeah you can, its just a shock to your system. Now lets go shut that damn baby up, huh?" Summer looked up at him.

She bit her lip and nodded. He took her hand, pulling her up and they walked to the baby's room.

"Hey, Maia. What is wrong with you?" Seth said. He leaned in and picked up the wailing baby. He rocked it slowly, gently bouncing it.

After a couple of minutes, the house fell silent and the baby drifted off to sleep.

Summer stood by the door, her eyes on the floor.

"Hey, see there's nothing to be scared of," Seth handed her the baby and she looked down at it.

Her tiny little hands and feet, her tiny features, the absolute double of Marissa.

"She's actually not so bad when she's asleep," Summer smiled. She walked over to the crib and placed her down carefully, leaning in to kiss her tiny head.

"Night, Maia." Seth hugged her comfortingly.

"What did I tell you? Everything will be fine Sum, you're gonna be the best Mom."

"Hey sweetie, are you okay? You look tired." Kirsten hugged her son warmly.

"Yeah, that kid is cute but she's the child from hell!" Seth glared jokingly at the smiling baby, sat in her stroller.

"Yeah, I know. We were up all night the last time we had her. But she's still my favourite likkle granddaughter!"

Kirsten bent over and tickled her playfully. Seth took the stroller and the two walked down the driveway, headed for the beach.

"So, how's Summer?"

"Oh, she's at home. She needs to rest, after last night she's shattered, I'm worried about her. I don't think she's going to be able to cope. It s a lot." Seth replied.

Kirsten nodded knowingly.

"Summer is a strong girl, but she needs your support more than anything. Its not going to be easy Seth, you need to be there for her. This is probably the hardest thing she'll ever have to do." Seth nodded.

"When's the due date?" Kirsten asked.

"Oh Summer's like nearly four months pregnant now so it'll probably be around August or September. We're going for the first ultrasound tomorrow so we might get a better estimate." Kirsten smiled.

"You know it isn't gonna be easy Seth, but I want you to know, your father and I are always here. Always."

"Thanks Mom, that means a lot," Seth smiled.

"No problem."

They looked out onto the beach, the warm March wind rippling through their hair.