Disclaimer: I don't own the OC
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews! I appreciate them. Mayhem is mainly a Ryan/Marissa story just to clarify but Seth and Summer play a part.
Chapter Six
The school yard was full of screams and yells. Little boys chased little girls around the slides while teachers grabbed students handing out timeouts for various crimes. The sunlight streamed in the cold air creating puff clouds as kids breathed throughout shrieks of joy. School was finally over for the day, and everybody was ready to go home. Ella Atwood stood on the steps of the school gripping her Snoopy backpack possessively. All the other kindergarten kids were being picked up by their mommies, but Ella's was no where in sight. She searched for the familiar red color car, but only saw June's mother pick her up, Timmy's nanny was holding his hand, and the two evil twins Nancy and Ned were whining to their step mom. Everybody was being picked up, but Ella. Two fat tears slowly dripped down her face as she wiped her nose on the sleeve of her coat. A shadow crossed her vision path.
"Ella, honey. Is your Mommy not here yet?" Questioned Mrs. Montgomery, Ella's kindergarten teacher.
Ella moved her head miserably, and looked up into Mrs. Montgomery's kind green eyes. "I don't know where she is. She is always here."
"Did your Mom or Dad say anything this morning about who would be picking you up from school?"
"No," whispered Ella. "All I know is that Mommy had a doctor's appointment, but she promised she was going to pick me up. Tonight is my night to choose the movie, and we were going to stop at the movie store on the way home."
Mrs. Montgomery frowned worriedly, but plastered a bright smile on her face. "Well, I'm sure she is just running a little late. Have you seen Nealy?"
"No," Ella had completely forgotten about her sister, but now she looked up searchingly for Nealy's bright colored hair. "I don't see her no where."
Mrs. Montgomery put her arms around the little girl, and stroked her back as she looked out into the sea of students searching for Ella's older sister. Suddenly, Ella gave a start next to her and went running down the steps into the arms of a petite black haired woman who had swept her up in a hug. She made her way over to the two trying to place the woman.
"Aunt Summer, I was so scared. Mommy didn't come, and I didn't know what to do. She promised, Aunt Summer, that I could pick the movie tonight! It's so not fair!"
"I know baby, I know Ella Bella." Summer said stroking the little girl's curls trying to find comfort. She noticed a woman walking toward them with a question in her eyes.
"Hello, I'm Alice Montgomery, Ella's teacher."
"Oh," Summer struggled to hold out a hand while balancing Ella in her arms. "I'm Summer Cohen, Ella's aunt. I'm here to pick her up instead of Marissa."
Mrs. Montgomery took in the young woman's puffy red eyes and messy hair and gave her a sad smile. "I'm so glad to meet you Summer. Ella is always talking about you and an Uncle Seth."
Summer smiled slightly at this and turned her attention back to Ella. "Ella Bella, where is Nealy?"
"I don't know Aunt Sum. She didn't ever ever show up." Ella threw her hands up as emphasis and almost knocked Summer and her down.
"Ella Bella, I think you are getting too big to be carried. Lets go find Nealy. It was very nice to meet you Mrs. Montgomery." She grabbed Ella's hand and Snoopy backpack that the little girl had insisted on getting and walked into the school. "Show me where Nealy's classroom is." Ella nodded and skipped down the hallway all fear forgotten chattering happily about how Johnny had pulled Emily's hair at recess. Summer pushed her hair off her face and followed trying to block the last few hours.
"Mary, I'm going to need those sketches by tomorrow okay? And please tell Allen not to use hot pink as the…" Summer was interrupted by her phone ringing. Reaching over, she picked it up while waving Mary out of her office. "Hello, Summer Cohen here."
"Summer, it's Ryan."
"This is her classroom Aunt Summer. She has a man for her teacher." Ella made a face as if that was the worst thing in the world.
"Oh, hey Chino. Is there a reason you are calling me at work for?" She busily started crossing off items on the list while talking.
"Summer, I'm at the doctor's with Marissa. I need you to go pick up Nealy and Ella for me."
Summer peered into the classroom with Ella at her side looking for her niece.
"Ryan," Summer complained distracted as Bob stopped by with papers for her to sign. "I really don't have the time to…wait. Why are you at the doctor's with Marissa? Ryan what is going on?" Summer heard him take a deep breath, and it sounded like he was trying not to break down. "Ryan, what on earth is going on?"
Nealy sat slumped in the chair writing line by line on a piece of paper her long blond hair messily falling out of her ponytail. Summer's heart gave a painful thump looking at her best friend's daughter. Her eyes started to tear and for a moment it was as if she was staring at an eight year old Marissa.
"Summer, we are actually at the hospital waiting for test results to get back. We've been here since eight this morning. I…I'm not sure what is going on."
"Nealy, what are you doing?" Ella whispered loudly as Nealy looked up startled.
There was a pause and Summer felt her heart tighten painfully.
Nealy's face changed to complete defiance, and she brushed her hair out of her eyes while glancing at the man sitting at the desk in the corner.
"Hi, I'm Mr. Brown, Nealy's teacher."
"Summer Cohen, her aunt." Summer looked confused while offering her hand. "Why is Nealy still here in the class? She was supposed to meet her sister Ella out front?"
"I'm afraid there was a problem."
"I…I think it's bad," he whispered brokenly trying to find strength.
"It wasn't my fault Aunt Summer," Nealy stated while staring frostily at her teacher. "Dean Thomas started it. He was teasing a bunch of girls and went too far. I had to teach him a lesson."
Summer felt everything go numb and painless. She couldn't speak at first, but then finally forced words out. "I'll get the girls and stay with them as long as needed. I…I, Ryan…it is going to be okay." Summer wondered if it sounded as hollow as it felt. "I'll call Seth and tell him to meet you at the hospital. Tell Coop I love her."
Summer didn't know how she had left her office and driven to the school where she saw Ella sitting dejected on the steps. She didn't even know if she called Seth. Now Nealy was in after school detention for fighting, and Ella was hanging on her pant leg looking scared. Summer felt scared to. "Can she go?" Mr. Brown nodded and Nealy stood up and grabbed her stuff.
"Aunt Sum, why are you here and not Mom?" She suddenly looked worried and glanced at Ella who was being uncharacteristically quiet staring at the floor. Summer didn't know what to say. She was supposed to protect these two little girls from the harsh world. She had promised.
"I can't believe you're pregnant again Coop!" Summer shrieked into the phone. "Nealy is only two!"
"I know Sum, I know," Marissa rolled her eyes at Ryan who had a slight grin on his face. They had just found out a couple of hours ago and were ridiculously happy.
"Don't you roll your eyes at me Marissa Atwood!" Summer teased. She was so happy for her friends. "I bet you and Ryan can't stop smiling."
Marissa glanced at her husband and giggled at his goofy smile. "Yeah, we're ecstatic," she said softly while looking at Ryan with a soft light in her eyes. Ryan walked over to her and sat down next to her. Pulling her into his lap, he pressed his lips against her temple as she chatted with Summer about the possible names. Marissa leaned back against him thankfully and beamed that smile up at him that still made his stomach flip flop. "Summer," Marissa said suddenly serious, "Promise me that you will be there for both of my children."
"Jeeze, Coop. A little paranoid?" Summer teased, but grew serious. "I promise you Marissa that I will protect your little babies with my life. Seth's too. I won't let anything happen to them."
"Thanks Sum, you're the best…"
Summer stared down into the chocolate and sky orbs of her nieces' and found her eyes start to tear. She was not able to protect them against everything; their world was about to come tumbling down.
To be continued…