Chapter 3
Not Okay
"Ryan!" Marissa cried out in a mix of laughter and panic as Ryan pinned her to the bed and started to relentlessly tickle her. "Cut it out!"
"Hey! That's not fair. We're not allowed to wrestle in the house." Ryan immediately unpinned Marissa to find Angel standing in the door way tapping her fingers gently against the doorframe.
"Yes Angel?" Ryan rolled back over on his side of the bed as Marissa tried catching her breath.
"Are we still going over to Aunt Summer and Uncle Seth's tomorrow?" she asked.
"Yeah why?" Marissa asked. "Aren't you excited?"
"Don't get me wrong mom of course I'm excited. It's just that…don't you remember last time when we had this whole 'family gathering' all Aunt Summer could talk about was how sad she was about Caden?" Angel asked.
"Things are hard for them these days honey. We just have to be there to listen and try and make Seth and Summer feel better about the whole thing," Marissa said. "Goodnight Angel."
Ryan went in to cuddle with Marissa when he realized Angel was still standing there.
"I guess that's not the only reason I'm apprehensive. You know ever since Priscilla got in that car accident we haven't…exactly…been on talking terms," Angel plopped herself down at the foot of their bed.
"What do you mean?" Marissa asked stifling a yawn.
"I don't know," Angel shrugged her shoulders gently. "Priscilla…I don't know…she hasn't talked to anybody at school since the accident. I've tried to listen to her but she doesn't talk more then a couple of words to me." Marissa thought of the nights when the girls were giggly 4th graders, staying up late on the weekends talking about boys and promising to be best friends forever. A lot had changed in 4 years.
"Priscilla was pretty reserved to begin with," Ryan stared up at the ceiling, twiddling with the tips of Marissa's hair absentmindedly.
"You're not helping Dad," Angel sighed. "It's okay. I guess things will sort themselves out. Night." Angel kissed Ryan and Marissa before heading back to her bedroom.
"I worry about her sometimes," Marissa commented as Ryan snuggled up to her side.
"Why?" he asked.
"I don't know. It seems like she's under so much stress but somehow is able to still act like our laid back little Angel. Just like her Daddy," Marissa ran her fingers through Ryan's hair and went in for a kiss.
"Momma! Momma! Daddy! Daddy!" two energetic voices broke them out of their trance. Ashton and Adrian attempted to climb up on the bed only to discover that they were still too short. Ryan sighed and lifted his shaggy haired twins up on the bed.
"What's up guys?" Marissa asked as Adrian crawled into her lap.
"Nothing…what is up with you?" Ashton asked innocently, sitting himself down on top of Ryan's chest.
"I thought you were sleeping," Ryan inquired ruffling Ashton's hair.
"No seep! Not tonight!" Adrian said in a serious tone.
"But you guys have to go to sleep. You need your rest because tomorrow, when Angel and James get home from school we're going to go see Auntie Summer and Uncle Seth," Marissa said.
"Okay I want to seep here with you," Ashton said climbing under the covers next to Ryan.
"But Pop-Pop bought you those nice big boy beds to sleep in," Marissa said referring to her father, Jimmy Cooper.
"I don't want to seep in my big bed!" Ashton said. "Monsters live under there."
"Who told you that?" Marissa asked.
"Angel," Ashton answered simply.
"There are no monsters under your big boy bed," she assured him.
"I am still seeping in here," Ashton nuzzled in next to Ryan and closed his eyes.
"But you guys…," Marissa was about to argue when she realized that Adrian was already sound asleep in her lap.
"I guess it's only for one night," Ryan motioned for Marissa to lie back down. He lent over and kissed her gently on the nose.
"Night mommy. Night daddy. Love you," Ashton murmured. Ryan and Marissa exchanged a small smile.
"Love you too baby."
"Priscilla! Will you please just listen to me for two seconds?" Angel was on the phone busy arguing with her long time buddy.
"Sorry," Priscilla apologized on the other end.
"I want you to know that you can always talk to me. About anything," Angel said, petting Chino gently on his wet nose.
"Where's all this coming from Angel?" Priscilla asked suspiciously. "We've done this same dance since the 2nd grade."
"It's just…ever since the accident…you've seemed kinda distant," Angel said slowly. Angel, at that moment, realized why. Priscilla's friend Marilyn's older sister, Tanya, had driven them home that night from the cheerleading tournament. Tanya was 23 years old and was under the influence of alcohol when she was behind the wheel. Angel only knew this because Ryan had told her. And Ryan only knew because Seth knew from Helena. Angel knew Priscilla could sense she was hiding something from her. But Seth and Helena were just as guilty of doing the same thing.
"I'll see you in a bit okay?" Priscilla said quietly, obviously not wanting to carry out the rest of the conversation.
"Okay. Bye," Angel hung up the phone and left her room. She liked the sound of her feet padding softly on their bur bur carpet.
"Mom!" she called through the house. "Momma!" Marissa was asleep on the couch in the family room, Operah on in the background. Angel poked her softly. Her eyes fluttered open and she got to a sitting position.
"How long have I been asleep?" she asked groggily.
"Don't know Ma. Where's Daddy?" she asked.
"Outside with the boys. Be ready to leave by 5 okay?" she rubbed her tired eyes and got to her feet.
"Alright," Angel called behind her. She was already on her way out to the backyard. James and the twins were jumping on the trampoline. She spotted Ryan asleep on a lawn chair a few feet away. Angel rolled her eyes and poked her father awake.
"How long have I been asleep?" Ryan asked the same question in a tired voice.
"What's up with you and mom? How come you're so tired?" Angel asked.
"I made the mistake of letting Ashton and Adrian sleep with us," Ryan rubbed his head and looked over at his sons who were getting increasingly tired jumping up and down.
"Save some of it for Chris guys," Ryan went over to the trampoline and lifted them off one by one. James raced Ashton and Adrian into the house as Angel sat down on the lawn chair Ryan had vacated.
"I think Priscilla knows I've been keeping something from her," she set her sad eyes on her dad.
"Priscilla is just confused Angel. I think she knew something was up with Tanya that night but didn't want to hurt Marilyn's feelings by saying anything," Ryan tossed Chino's tennis ball up in the air as the hyper dog jumped up and caught it. Angel rubbed her arms distractedly and then looked back up at her dad.
"You have my eyes," Ryan said gently as Chino dropped the ball at Ryan's feet again.
"I do?" Angel asked. She loved it when Ryan and Marissa would pick things out of her that they saw resembling themselves.
"And my hair," he said tossing the ball further for Chino.
"I'm happy you and Mom got married," Angel said, smiling. She had been saying the same thing since she was a little girl but it never lost any meaning in her heart.
"Yeah," Ryan agreed. "Me too."
Seth whistled a random tune as he strolled down the hallway on the way downstairs. He had the feeling that he needed to do something but couldn't remember what it was. He was stopped by sniffling coming from Priscilla's room.
"Scilla?" Seth knocked gently on the door before he entered. Priscilla sat on her bed cradling her hurt arm close to her chest.
"Hi daddy," Priscilla sighed heavily.
"Am I supposed to believe its allergies?" he asked wiping a tear away from her cheek. He knew Priscilla was slowing growing unhappier every day. At first he thought it was normal teen hormones but Helena never acted so sad all the time. He knew a great deal of it came from stress over Caden. He felt that if a little girl had her arm in a sling or a bruise on her body or even a tear on her face it was the sign of an irresponsible father.
"I don't know what's wrong anymore Daddy," Priscilla said gently. Seth noticed the tattered plastic horse in her hands. He eased it out of her grasp and stared into the horses painted brown eyes.
"Does Captain Oats still listen?" Seth asked.
"Always," Priscilla murmured leaning into her fathers arms. When Priscilla was a little girl, she refused to go to sleep without the horse right next to her on the nightstand. Captain Oats still had a home upon her dresser.
"I bet this horse has seen and heard more problems in his life then any other plastic horse ever has," Seth said.
"Probably," Priscilla agreed. The doorbell chimed through the house.
"COHEN!" Summer's voice carried.
"Oops," Seth said in a panic. "I forgot to clean up Amanda and Ryan and Marissa are here."
"I got her Dad," Priscilla stood up next to him.
"Thanks honey," Seth kissed Priscilla gently on the forehead and rushed down the stairs to meet Summer who was tapping her foot impatiently.
"Hey baby Summer honey bear," Seth put on a smile for his anger wife.
"Don't start Seth." With that Summer opened the door and was immediately attacked by a blonde headed whirlwind of kids.
"Aunt Summer!" Ashton, Adrian, James, and Angel all cried happily, squishing each other in an effort to throw their arms around Summer.
"Hey guys! I missed you so much," she hugged them all tightly before they ran over to Seth.
"Coop!" Summer spotted Marissa and the two threw their arms around each other like they hadn't seen the other in years.
"Chino," Summer hugged Ryan tightly around the neck.
"Ryan buddy," Seth always denied that Ryan and him ever got excited when they finally saw each other, but the truth was they both did.
"Where's the rest of the Cohen Clan?" Marissa asked.
"Hey guys," Christopher entered in from the garage, the trucks of his skateboard clasped in his hand.
"Hey Chris," Angel put her hand out and Chris slapped it.
"Hey Chris! What's up?" little James asked, trying to have the same effect as his sister. After giving Marissa a hug and high fiving Ryan, Christopher begged Summer to let James and Angel come outside to skateboard.
"I want to go too!" Adrian piped up.
"Me too," Ashton said excitedly.
"But you're too small. You can't skateboard," James snapped.
"James," Marissa warned.
"I thought you were grounded Chris. Which means no skateboarding," Summer took the board out of her son's hand.
"But mom!" Chris cried. Skateboarding was basically the kids' life.
"You can skateboard tonight while Angel and James are here," she reluctantly handed the skateboard back.
"Mommy can I please go outside with Christopher?" James begged.
"Yes honey. But please be careful," Marissa said.
"Yes! Come on Chris, lets go," James headed towards the garage.
"Okay. You coming Angel?" Chris asked.
"Maybe later. I still want to see Priscilla," she replied.
"You saw her like an hour ago at school," Chris whined.
"Chris, go play with James," Summer pushed him in the direction of the garage.
"Hurry up Angelica!" James ran out before he could get chastised by Ryan or Marissa.
"Aunt Marissa! Uncle Ryan!" Priscilla came down the stairs, letting go of Amanda's hand before hugging Marissa tightly.
"Hey hop-along," Ryan smiled as Priscilla punched him in the shoulder.
"It's only temporary," she said pulling away from him, wincing slightly from the pressure on her wounded shoulder. Amanda hid shyly behind Seth's leg.
"Come on Coop, I have to show you this blouse I found the other day," she took Marissa's hand and began to lead her upstairs.
"I see you hiding behind your daddy Ms. Amanda," Marissa ruffled the small girls' hair before continuing up the stairs with Summer. Instead of leading Marissa to her bedroom Summer opened the door of Priscilla's room and pulled her inside.
"Sum, what are we doing?" Marissa asked, wondering what Summer had in store. She opened the door of the bathroom that connected Priscilla's with the nursery.
"Aunt Marissa!" Helena jumped in surprise and threw her arms around Marissa's neck.
"Oh my gosh! Helena! Your home," Marissa pulled the curly haired college girl in front of her.
"Surprised?" Summer asked.
"Yes," Marissa said looking Helena over. "You've grown so much! You look just like your grandmother." Marissa was referring to Kirsten Cohen, the proud grandmother to eight grandchildren. Helena smiled.
"That reminds me, aren't Gamma and Grandpa coming for dinner too?" Helena asked.
"It was supposed to be a surprise Helena," Summer scolded.
"Sorry Ma," Helena gave Summer an apologetic smile.
"That's okay. I rather have Coop in on it anyway," she ran her fingers through her messy black hair. "I invited Sandy and Kirsten to dinner to surprise Seth, Ryan, and the kids."
"That was smart," Marissa said. "Do you need any help in the kitchen?"
"Yeah, come on you two," she motioned for Marissa and Helena to follow her to the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Seth took Ryan over to his 'bar'. It was really just a long counter that was in the family room where Seth kept all of his comic book memorabilia. Summer had also bought him a sign that said 'Cohen' a few years ago he also kept down there for looks.
"Mandy, don't you want to say hello to your Uncle Ryan?" Seth asked the small girl who had attached herself to his leg.
"Yes," Amanda stated shyly. Seth sighed.
"Might as well get things started… 'Hello Uncle Ryan. I missed you and I really do love you even if it takes me a while to say hi'," Seth said in a baby voice, setting Amanda into Ryan's arms.
"Well I missed you too Ms. Mandy," he kissed her on the forehead and set her on the ground.
"Why don't you go see what Mommy's doing?" Seth suggested. Amanda nodded her head and ran off happily.
"And don't be afraid to say hello to your aunt!" Ryan called after her.
"So," he said turning to Seth. "How's life?"
"I was about to ask you the same question," Seth said the paused for a second. "We still haven't heard anything from Caden."
"Daddy, I want to play skateboard," Adrian appeared in the room with Ashton.
"James said we were too little," Ashton added sadly.
"James just found an excuse to play alone with Christopher guys," Ryan said lifting Adrian up on the counter as Seth did the same with Ashton.
"What's an escuse Uncle Seth?" Ashton asked.
"Its something someone says to get the outcome they want pal," Seth said.
"Listen guys, James has been feeling pretty lonely at home so we're going to let him and Christopher play alone for a little while," Ryan said.
"When are we going to be big?" Adrian asked innocently.
"You guys are big," Seth said ruffling his hair. "Bigger then the last time I saw you that's for sure."
"DAD!" It seemed like Priscilla's voice got to Seth before her tear-streaked face met his shirt.
"Priscilla, hang on," Angel entered a few seconds later.
"I want you to go home," Priscilla snapped angrily. "I never want to see you again!"
"Calm down Scilla," Seth said. "It's okay." Angel lowered her head and cowered into Ryan's arms. He knew his little girl was lost on what to do from here. He guessed Angel had brought forward to Priscilla the things she knew about the accident that Priscilla was still in denial about. Ashton and Adrian seemed to exchange worried glances before they latched onto Ryan's pant legs.
"That's just it Daddy," Priscilla whispered.
"Things aren't okay anymore."