Author's Note: Just so you know, Julie & Jimmy got remarried after Caleb died.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything! There is a song in this chapter, I don't own that either. I write fanfics for fun, nothing else!

Chapter 5- The Reunion Part 1:

The following day, Kaitlin was very nervous about seeing her parents again, especially Julie. She had no idea what she would say to her, explain why she was expelled, why she was back in Newport. Kaitlin went downstairs when Marissa was making breakfast and Ryan was reading the paper.

"Marissa," said Kaitlin. "What am I gonna tell Mom?"

"Kaitlin, you know I've had a lot of bad experiences with Mom in the past, but I think this question is best answered by Ryan."

"Okay, look Kaitlin. I think it's best if you just tell her the truth. She's going to hate hearing it but you have to simply tell her the truth. It might be hard for her to hear, but she has to know. So does your dad. Don't let your Mom boss you around though. Stand up for yourself. And you are welcome to stay with us as long as you need to."

Marissa smiled at Ryan. She had an amazing boyfriend.

"Okay let's go and get them, or we'll be late for dinner." she said.

"Where are we going?" asked Kaitlin.

"Sandy & Kirsten's house," said Ryan. "Come on!"

On the aeroplane Julie is sitting quietly thinking about Marissa. She missed her daughter very much and was looking forward to seeing her again. Jimmy put his hand on his wife's knee.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, just um… tired," replied Julie.

The plane landed.

The pilot's voice came on over the loudspeaker. "Welcome to Newport Beach passengers. Business class passengers please disembark first. Thank you for flying with us."

Julie and Jimmy headed off the plane and into the terminal. They saw Marissa and Ryan immediately. But there was someone else with them. It was Kaitlin.

"Kaitlin!" Julie and Jimmy cried at the same time. They all gave each other hugs.

"This isn't so bad," thought Kaitlin as they walked to the car. Then Julie asked the inevitable question. "Kaitlin, what are you doing here in Newport? Why aren't you at school?"

Kaitlin took a deep breath. "I got expelled Mom," she said.

Julie was shocked. "WHAT? WHY? WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?"

"Julie, hear her out," said Jimmy. "Go on Kaitlin."

"Well after the summer, late at night, all my friends and I were sitting in our dorm room. My boyfriend Josh brought some pills into our room and-"

"What kind?" Jimmy asked.

"Ecstasy," replied Kaitlin. "Anyway we all had one; I'd had them before. And then my friend Sara started to feel really sick. She threw up and then went unconscious. So we told the teachers and Sara went to the hospital. She died. All of six were expelled because of having pills in our room and the fact that the boys were there too. Her funeral was last week."

"Kaitlin, I don't know what to say. I'm very disappointed in you. Drugs?" said Julie. "I'm so ashamed of you Kaitlin. I never would have expected you to do this."

"No, you wouldn't. You shipped me off to boarding school when I was twelve! I've barely seen you since then. You never wanted to spend time with me when I was home. You were never a mother to me. You didn't care Mom. You never did," said Kaitlin. She was practically yelling now.

"Why do you think I sent you to Evergreen in the first place? I didn't want you to go through to same things Marissa did," said Julie incredulously.

"No. You sent me away because you couldn't be a mother to me. Marissa already hated you. You didn't want me to hate you too. Back then I didn't understand why Marissa hated you so much. Now I do. And I think I feel the same way. And I don't want to live with you. I want to stay with Marissa, at least for now." said Kaitlin. She was so mad. She didn't care what Julie's response to this was.

"It doesn't matter. Kaitlin, I'm so ashamed. I don't want you in my house anymore anyway. When we get home, you can take you stuff and leave," said Julie.

"Gladly," said Kaitlin.

"Julie-" started Jimmy but Ryan cut him off. "Jimmy, I suggest you leave it." he said. "This is what they both want."

"Just because Julie is happy to give up Kaitlin, it doesn't mean I am." Jimmy said firmly.

"You don't have to." said Kaitlin. "I'm not mad at you Dad, I never was."

Marissa pulled up outside the Cooper mansion. Kaitlin got out of the car and Julie unlocked the house. They didn't say a word to each other. Kaitlin got her stuff out of the house, not that there was a lot there. She put it in the car and they drove away.

At home when Kaitlin was putting away her things Marissa decided to have a conversation with Ryan about Kaitlin.

"Are you okay with Kaitlin living here now? I mean, if it's not okay then please tell me," Marissa asked Ryan.

"No, it's cool. It's for the best right?"

"Yeah, it is. I understand why she doesn't want to live with Mom. She's kinda insane."

Ryan smiled. "Go and get ready. We're having dinner with the Cohens tonight remember?"

"Okay. Hang on, Sandy and Kirsten know that Kaitlin's here, right?" asked Marissa.

"Yeah, I told Kirsten at work but she probably thinks Kaitlin's with your parents tonight, so I'll ring her and tell her to set another place for Kaitlin, okay?"

"Okay," said Marissa.

"Now hurry up, we don't want to be late!" said Ryan.

Marissa hurried upstairs to get ready.

Kaitlin was lying on her bed listening to her iPod.

'Breakaway' by Kelly Clarkson came on. She hadn't heard this song for ages. Kaitlin found herself singing along.

Grew up in a small town

And when the rain would fall down

I'd just stare out my window

Dreaming of what could be

And if I'd end up happy

I would pray

Trying hard to reach out

But when I tried to speak out

Felt like no one could hear me

Wanted to belong here

But something felt so wrong here

So I prayed I could break away

I'll spread my wings

And I'll learn how to fly

I'll do what it takes

Till I touch the sky

And I'll make a wish, take a chance, make a change

And break away

Out of the darkness

And into the sun

But I won't forget all the ones that I love

And I'll make a wish, take a chance, make a change

And break away

"Wow," thought Kaitlin. "I never realised how much I get this song. It seems like it was written about me." When the song finished, Kaitlin smiled to herself and got ready for dinner at the Cohens.