Chapter Ten

Marissa and Ryan left the hospital after a long while of discussion, with their best friends, Summer and Seth. Luckily, they seemed to be recovering well. Marissa and Ryan walked hand in hand, toward Ryan's car. Not too long ago, they were coming back miserably from the dinner with Ryan's mom. That was already forgotten, no longer important. Marissa sat beside Ryan, in the passenger seat up front. She was looking out her window, admiring the silence. She had one question though; pertaining to her relationship with Ryan. One question that made her excited, and happy, and warm throughout her body.

"Ryan," Marissa started to say. He fastened his seat belt quicker, as he looked up at her.

"Yeah?" Ryan asked. Once Marissa had gotten his full attention, she continued.

"This morning we had a discussion about how what we have isn't yet love. I respect that. But. Did you mean what you said about me at your mother's house? Did you mean it; that I'm the 'love of your life'?" Marissa quoted sceptically.

"Of course I meant it." Ryan said slowly, after a moment's thought. "What I meant this morning, was that I don't want to be just another couple slapping these words into each others' faces, and breaking up two weeks later. I want this to be special." Ryan said, "But I would not lie about something so true. You are the love of my life, and I want to keep it that way." Marissa smiled gently.

"Ryan." Marissa said again, "I've dated people in that past. But I have never felt what I feel to you, toward them. Them; I knew it was just a fling. I was actually scared when you came into town, 'cause right away, I felt something more to you. Something like chemistry, and attraction, despite the fact that I knew nothing about you. It was so sudden. I wanted to keep away, because you also looked like a heartbreaker. How wrong I was, in the end. This feeling, I'm just so sure of Ryan. If this isn't the real thing, I don't think I can handle anything more." Marissa smiled truly. "You know Ryan. For future reference, I just want us to be open with each other. Even if it means me turning the stereo up to full sound, and making you yell. I want to be honest with you forever more. So please. Keep doing what you're doing. I, lov," Marissa stopped, as she closed her eyes for a second, "I like you for it." Marissa gulped painfully.

The word 'Like' was such an understatement. In no way, was it true. In no way did it mean what she felt. Love, on the other hand, was an overstatement; well actually. Not really. Marissa didn't know if any word fit what she was feeling. She didn't know if she was supposed to feel so confused about it all. She reckoned that love brought confusion on even the most intellectual of individuals; so she hoped. Ryan looked at her, weirdly. They were still, conveniently, parked in the hospital parking lot. They could have been halfway home already, if it wasn't for such an absorbing conversation.

"I love you." Ryan said quietly. Marissa looked up at him, in shock.

"I thought, I mean, You said," Marissa shut herself up in time. "I love you too." Marissa said deeply, with all that was in her. She hoped that some of her passion would actually be exerted with such a feeble word. Marissa leaned over to kiss Ryan, and Ryan met her halfway. Just a kiss, had never been so special to Marissa; or Ryan.

Meanwhile, in the Cohen residence. Kirsten sat cuddled into Sandy's chest, both watching a late night horror movie. They never spent so much time with each other, until now; when Seth was in the hospital, both parents worrying, and hurrying. They realised that the best way, was to worry together. So there they were. Laughing, remembering, worrying, kissing, cuddling.

"Are you scared yet?" Kirsten looked toward Sandy, as she covered her own eyes. A splattering shriek escaped from the surround sound. Sandy laughed,

"Peeing-my-pants-silly-scared." Sandy admitted sarcastically. Kirsten giggled, as she uncovered her eyes a tiny bit. She shivered a little, underneath Sandy's cold hand against her skin. Sandy started to stroke her stomach slowly, and carefully, so she would be the least bit comforted. Kirsten wasn't much of a horror movie fan- Any person could pick her out from thousands and know that she was like a snail; poking its head out very slowly, and suspiciously, but when it heard the least bit of noise it would shrivel up in it's shell. This of course, only pertained to Kirsten, and her fright of horror movies.

Sandy started to romantically kiss his wife's neck. "Sandy," Kirsten giggled, "What if the kid's come?" She tried to protest, but she rolled her eyes in content.

"So what if the kids come?" Sandy reverberated, quickly, taunting Kirsten's worries.

"Sandy," Kirsten begged childishly, hoping he would stop to save them the embarrassment. Sandy ignored her plee, as he continued to kiss her gently. Sandy turned Kirsten's head around, so that she would face him. He touched her chin pleasingly, and ever so slowly, his face got closer to Kirsten's, until finally, their lips met.

"I'm home!" Ryan called out, as he opened the front door. Kirsten shot out from underneath the kiss as fast as she could, glaring at Sandy.

"I told you!" Kirsten hissed silently to Sandy. He grinned, and shrugged, saying nothing but 'Oh well' in his laughing eyes. Kirsten got up quickly, to welcome Ryan, and to her surprise Marissa. "Marissa! Hi! How nice to see you!" Kirsten said as warmly as she could.

"Hi Mrs. Cohen." Marissa said politely, with a wide smile. "Pleasure is all mine. How are you doing?" Marissa asked kindly, and thoughtfully.

"I'm great, and you," Kirsten looked into the recreation room, where her and Sandy were just residing, "Sandy! The kids are here!" Kirsten called to Sandy, knowing that he would much rather avoid getting up from his behind. As soon as he was called, he jumped from the sofa, and with a smile he approached the small group.

"Hi Ryan, Marissa." Sandy nodded, extending his hand for Marissa to shake. "Where were you guys all this time? We haven't you," Sandy looked at Ryan particularly, "Since the morning. We were getting worried." Sandy said, in a parent-like voice. Ryan grinned, in a 'I bet I know what you two were JUST doing' kind of smile, and he added a 'And it wasn't worrying about me' kind of smirk.

"Well," Ryan started his account of the evening, "Marissa and I drove down to Chino, to meet my mom. No comments about that." Ryan nodded, as Marissa smiled, "Then, we went to visit Summer and Seth at the hospital for a bit. After that, we came back."

"Didn't go too well, did it?" Kirsten asked, touched by the story. She wished things would be okay between the Atwoods; she somehow felt as though she were interfering in the family life, "Are you guys hungry? Yeah. That's not even a question. You probably ate nothing due to awkwardness at Ryan's. I know how it is. Sandy's mom wasn't too fond of me either when we first started to date. I remember that first dinner clearly- even though I wish I could forget." Kirsten reassured with her bright smile, "Come into the kitchen. I'll fix something."

"Thanks, Mrs. Cohen. That's really nice of you." Marissa showed her gratitude. Both Ryan, Marissa and Sandy sat down at the table.

"So, Ryan, why did you want to go back to Chino?" Sandy asked curiously.

"I wanted Marissa to meet my mom. And I wanted my mom, to meet Marissa." Ryan said, as he nodded, looking at Marissa. "If my mom doesn't like her, then the old woman really is a little messed." Ryan declared.

"Ryan, try to better things with your mother." Kirsten called from the counter. "You never know how things might end."

"You're right." Ryan admitted, "But as hard as I try, she made it pretty clear that she didn't want me coming back."

"So it was that tough, huh." Kirsten asked.

"I can only speak for myself, but yes." Marissa answered, so that Ryan wouldn't have to.

"Was she usually like this?" Kirsten asked.

"Well," Ryan tried to scrounge for the right answer, as he looked onto the ceiling. Then he looked at Kirsten, and simply said, "Yes." He seemed not to be bothered at all. At all.