I'm sure this'll make you all happy -- Could It Really Be? is back in action...wow I sound like some action movie preview or something... Anywho, sorry I haven't written in a while...I've been suffering from writer's block... As a warning, not much going on in this chapter, but hey, it's something, right? Well, please review if you want more of the story ! hehehe I'm so mean P

Chapter 5

Ryan left the hospital to get home and tell the Cohen's before they heard it from Julie Cooper-Nichol.

As he walked in through the front door, he heard laughter in the living room. Walking in slowly, he saw Kirsten and Sandy sitting and talking. Thank God. He made it in time.

"Look, I really need to talk to you," Ryan stated.

Sandy and Kirsten exchanged glances, and Sandy moved over to make room for Ryan. Ryan sat down and let out a sigh.

"Marissa's pregnant."

Kirsten gasped and Sandy dropped his jaw.

"And it's my fault."

"Oh my God," Sandy and Kirsten both managed to choke out of their throats together.

"You told the Cohen's!" Marissa said in horror. "Whatever made you do a stupid thing like that?"

"I had to," Ryan argued back. "If I didn't, your mom would have told them."

"Well, what did they say?"

"They were...definitely surprised...I mean what else could their reaction be?" Ryan smiled a little.

Then the doctor walked in the room. His name tag read 'Dr. Fardez'.

"Marissa, you can go home as soon as I fill out these papers," he informed her, then left the room.

"Oh thank God...this hospital is so boring!" Marissa yawned.

Ryan placed his hand on top of Marissa's. It was cold and he gently rubbed his fingers back and forth over it. Marissa gave him a small, yet warm smile and she felt like everything was going to be okay.

Later on, after Marissa had been released from the hospital, Sandy and Kirsten agreed to let Ryan stay at Summer's with Marissa. After all, it wasn't like much worse could happen. He explained to them that he knew it was his fault, and he wished none of it had even happened, but he also told them about how he was willing to take full responsiblity and help Marissa out as much as possible. They both felt that was a very mature thing to do (of course as parents would say) so they figured it would be best for him to stay there and take care of Marissa. Being that it was Friday helped a lot, too.

Ryan and Marissa had stopped in a their usual restaurant to grab a bite to eat.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"I feel fine and I have this whole time, except for the nausea, of course. But I didn't feel any different at the hospital," Marissa answered quickly.

"Yeah, I bet having your mom visit didn't make you feel a whole hell of a lot better," Ryan laughed.

"Actually, once I finally stood up to her, I felt a lot better. I mean, now that I don't have to deal with her trying to tell me what to do or how to run my life anymore makes me feel really good." She smiled to herself.

"Not to ruin the moment or anything, but I have a feeling that isn't the last we are going to see of Julie Cooper-Nichols," Ryan told her.

"Yeah, I don't think so either, but at least it will work for a little while," Marissa said. They both laughed.

Once they had finished their food, they got in the Range Rover and took a little drive by the beach. The sun was shining and it was a nice, warm day - perfect for the beach. They talked a little bit, about plans for their future living arrangements, then decided to head back to Summer's.

No one was home when they got there, and Marissa was starting to feel tired again. They picked out a DVD and layed on Marissa's bed. Half-way through the movie, Marissa fell asleep with her head on Ryan's chest.

A little while later, Seth and Summer appeared in the doorway.

"Hey, man," Seth said.

"What happened?" Summer asked immediatly. "Why is Coop wearing a hospital bracelet?" Her eyes were wide.

"She thought something was wrong with the baby, but it turns out everything is normal. But while we were there," Ryan smirked, "we ran into someone."

"Who?" Seth and Summer asked in unison.

"Her mother."

Both gasped in horror. "She knows?" Summer questioned.

Ryan nodded, "Yep. She knows. And she didn't take it very well either."

Marissa shifted in her sleep, and opened her eyes slowly. "Hey everyone," she smiled sleepily.

"Hey," they all replied.

"Sleep well?" Ryan asked. She nodded. "WellI was just getting to the part of how your mom flipped out when she found out about the baby, and I know you love this part, so why don't you tell them what you did?" He gave her a reasurring smile, which she greatfully returned.

"I told her off. And I don't think she'll be bothering us again - at least not for a while. But Ryan and I are gonna live together," she told them.

"Yay!" Summer cheered. "You finally told the bitch to shove it!" Everyone laughed.

"It's about time," Seth added.

"Yep," Marissa agreed. "It definitley is."