Disclaimer: I don't own the OC
Chapter 10
The waves crashed restlessly plundering the sand as crystal sparkle stars shone down on the millions of anticipating children being tucked into bed with visions of sugar plums. The cottage by the sea was iced with streaks of bright color giving the overall look of a gingerbread house from a fairy tale. In every window, shone a brightly lit candle illuminating the sign stuck crookedly into the ground telling the world that Santa Stops Here.The faint hint of Deck the Halls resounded throughout the calm night adding to the holiday spirit. The cottage itself was lit up from within with tempting smells drifting through the crack window in the kitchen. Sandy and Kristen Cohen tugged up the stairs with presents piled high in their arms and managed to ring the doorbell. High pitched shrieks were heard inside and they exchanged smiles. The door was flung open and there stood Ryan decked out in a red sweater for Christmas with a slight smile on his face.
"Sandy, Kirsten. I'm so glad you could make it."
"We wouldn't miss it for anything," beamed Kristen standing on her tiptoes and giving him a big hug. She hugged him a little bit tighter, and released him while looking up into his eyes. He looked tired and his blue eyes didn't shine so brightly, but Kristen didn't want to bring it up quite yet.
"Honey, move over so I can give our favorite son a hug." Ryan grinned as Sandy enclosed him in a big hug while clapping him on his back. "Merry Christmas, Ryan."
"Thanks, don't let Seth hear that…"
"Favorite? Favorite! Ryan is the favorite? And what I'm I? The leftovers? At least, we know that I am the funny one."
"Right son, right." Sandy grinned as Kristen threw her arms around Seth and muffled, "My little boy, all grown up!"
"Mom, please that was a little embarrassing!" Seth attempted to wipe his mother's kisses of his cheeks while making his way over to Sandy and giving him a hug while rolling his eyes.
Suddenly a blur was seen followed by a yellow streak that threw themselves into their grandparents' arms.
"Grandpa, grandma you came!" Sandy lifted Ella off the floor and gave her a small twirl. "Did you bring any presents!"
"Ella," scolded Ryan gently while looking at Sandy with a don't-look-at me-you are the one that spoils her and its Christmas look.
Ella pouted charmingly and leaned into Sandy while whispering loudly in his ear, "I've have been a very good girl this week. I didn't pull Nealy's hair or make Grace cry."
Sandy laughed and pinched her cheek, "Only this week, huh El?"
Ella smiled up at him and looked over at Nealy that was being held captive in Kristen's arms, "Nealy didn't get into any fights this week, Grandpa." She smiled victoriously at Nealy as she turned bright red.
"Ella! I didn't tell Mom that you were the one that went through her makeup and smeared it all over Grace!"
"Girls!" Laughed Kristen while steering Nealy toward the kitchen. "Let's go see if Summer needs any help in the kitchen." Both girls followed their grandma into the kitchen chattering merrily about school and Santa Claus.
Summer looked up from the turkey she was trying to baste while wiping her hair off her hot face. "Kristen, Merry Christmas." She was pulled into a hug and felt herself relax into the older woman's arms.
"Merry Christmas, sweetie. Has Seth been driving you crazy? He is still like a little kid around this time."
"Tell me about it," Summer huffed but smiled as Nealy quickly snuck a piece of frosting from the pie. "Nelly Belly, leave that alone!" Nealy looked up sheepishly as Ella demanded Kristen to tell a story about Daddy and Uncle Seth when they were younger. Summer smiled as she listened to Kristen's smooth calm voice wash over her and continued basting.
Meanwhile Sandy, Ryan, and Seth had adjoined to the living room where a fire crackled merrily. "So, Ryan. Where is your lovely wife?" Sandy's eyes penetrated Ryan's eyes with concern and worry.
"She is laying down for a couple of minutes. In fact, let me go see if she is awake. She was so happy that you and Kristen could make it."
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Sandy smiled and followed Ryan with his eyes as he walked up the stairs. "So," turning to Seth, "how bad is it really?"
Seth swallowed and watched Ryan disappear around the corner, "It's not good Dad, but somehow the both of them are hanging in there. I think they are trying not to ruin the holidays for the girls. Marissa starts radiation in a week."
Sandy starred at Seth sadly and leaned back in his chair deep in thought. The fire crackled loudly over the silence as both occupants became lost in their own thoughts with the faint noise of the girls voices in the kitchen as background music.
Ryan walked up the stairs two at a time fully aware that Sandy and Seth were following his movements closely. Taking a moment leaning against the door, he ran a hand raggedly down his face. He really hated the holidays. It had gotten a lot better since moving in with the Cohens, marrying Marissa, and having three little girls full of excitement and wonder, but everything bad seemed to happen around this year. Pushing the door open quietly, he peeked into the dark room and was surprised to see the bed rumpled but empty. Walking quickly to the bathroom with a sense of dread, he breathed a sign of relief when it became obvious that it was empty. In the past week, Marissa had been continuously getting sick emptying her stomach of everything she had eaten that day. Ryan felt his heart thump painfully at the thought of his wife in pain. Walking back into the room, he noticed her dressing gown thrown carelessly across the bed and then turned suddenly as he heard her voice from somewhere down the hall.
"Hello, Button. How is Mommy's baby doing? Are you excited that it's Christmas? You properly don't remember the last one. Sweetie, you are getting so big and…"
Ryan stood in the doorway silently watching his wife interact with their youngest daughter as she picked Grace up from the crib and gave her a butterfly kiss.
"Mama, Mama!"
"That's right Gracie, did you have a sweet nap?"
"Na?"
"Yes, a nap." Marissa smiled down at her daughter's big gray eyes so much like Ryan's but at the same time not. Out of all three girls, Grace looked the most unlike her parents. She apparently inherited the darker hair color from the Copper family, and her eyes were almost like Ryan's beside the color that he claimed came from his grandmother.
Smoothing her daughter's wispy hair, she turned startled as Grace babbled, "Dada!"
"Ryan," she held a hand to her chest. "You scared me. You know better than to sneak up on me!" She smiled laughing softly and took Grace over to the changing table intent to get her dressed as Ryan gazed at his wife. Pulling a little white dress from the corner, Marissa signed contently as two strong arms wrapped around her waist, and she sank into the familiar strength. Giggling softly as Ryan softly pressed his lips against her neck, she tilted her head to allow him better access. Taking Grace and setting her on the floor, she turned fully into Ryan's embrace resting her head under his chin snuggling up comfortably. Looking up at him, she gave him a quick kiss while moving her hands up his torso and straightening his collar. "My, my don't we look handsome tonight." She smiled up at him and smoothed his hair as he tightened his arms around his waist.
"You, my dear are breathtaking," he whispered huskily into her ear.
Blushing slightly, Marissa grinned a slight crooked smile at Ryan wondering how after all these years he could still make her feel like she was sixteen. And she hardly thought she looked beautiful right now. Not with her dark circles and tired eyes. She had lost weight and nothing fit anymore.
As if reading her thoughts, Ryan reached up a tucked a slight wisp of hair that had escaped her bun and traced her cheek gently. "You are beautiful. You are always beautiful to me and always will be no matter what."
Looking up at him with liquid glistering on her lashes, she crashed her lips desperately against his trying to say what she couldn't. Ryan pulled her closer and the two became lost in each other until a little hand pulled at the bottom of Marissa's black dress.
"Mama! Mama! Dada!" The little girl demanded holding her chubby arms up to them queenly.
Marissa and Ryan laughed as they calmed their breathing. Marissa bent down and picked up Grace only winching slightly at the movement. Such simple things were become slightly harder. Ryan rubbed a hand gently across her back as they walked out of the room and down the stairs while Grace played with the bells attached to her little socks babbling and singing.
"Well, look who decided to join us," teased Sandy from the table where everybody sat waiting to eat with a turkey rising magnificently in the middle.
Kristen rose and gently took Marissa into a hug smiling, "Oh it is so good to see you, sweetie."
Marissa felt herself relax into the woman's embrace that was like a mother to her. She felt her eyes prickle slightly, but pushed the tear from the corner while smiling as Sandy gently elbowed Kristen out of the way and pulled her into a big hug. Not saying anything, Sandy led her over to the seat next to Ryan and Nealy. Sitting down, Marissa kissed Nealy gently on the forehead and tugged on Ella's braid. "Don't you look sweet, Ella Bella."
"You are finally here Mommy! I was a starving and Grandpa and I decided that we both would eat all the turkey and not share it with anybody else!" Ella swept her arms up dramatically as everybody laughed.
For that moment in time, everything seemed okay. Kristen's eyes seemed to be brighter and Summer's smile appeared. Seth told outrageous jokes that had everybody holding their sides desperately, and Nealy giggled again as Sandy teased her. Ella entertained everybody with her antics as Grace commanded an attentive audience. Ryan and Marissa caught each other's eye and smiled hopefully at each other. Maybe everything was going to be okay.
To be continued! Thanks for the reviews!