DISCLAIMER: Only the plot and Isabel!

Chapter Fifteen: Reaching Breaking Point

"Hello?"

"Hi can I please speak to Teresa? It's Ryan… Atwood," replied Ryan sitting on his bed, his head facing downwards at the ground.

"I'll go get her."

There was a muffled silence, with soft voices speaking quickly to each other. The only word's Ryan fully caught were 'Just talk to him Teresa!' then the phone was handed over.

"Hello Ryan."

"Hi… so Summer spoke to me, seeing as you wouldn't," he said coolly.

"I gathered she would."

"And I would've preferred to have heard it from you. Obviously I'm not even good enough for that."

Teresa sighed into the phone, but Ryan remained silent. He had to keep his cool; he needed to if he had any chance of seeing his own flesh and blood.

"I was scared Ryan. I didn't expect to run into Summer or Marissa," she said in a light tone.

"You work at the Coffee Shop, Teresa. That is the most popular spot in Newport; everyone goes there to get coffee. It was bound to be found out eventually… why the hell did you lie to me? I wanted to help… I created that child with you… and for nine years you keep her out of my life?"

"You were miserable Ryan. You didn't belong in Chino anymore. Your home was Newport and it still is. I have raised Isabel just fine on my own. My mother helps with taking her to school and looking after her when I work late."

"Teresa… I want to see her."

"No Ryan. You can't."

"I am her father Teresa and I have the right to be part of my own daughter's life."

"If you want to see her, get a court order!" snapped Teresa before hanging up.

"Fine," muttered Ryan closing his phone, "I'll do just that."

Teresa had changed a lot. She wasn't the same person Ryan remembered. It was as if someone had taken over her body and mind. Ryan stood and finished dressing into his night's attire. As he did his tie up, Sandy called him from the kitchen. Closing the door behind him, Ryan walked over and into the house. Standing in the kitchen were Sandy and Kirsten, dressed in black. Summer walked in, grinning a little dressed in a sunshine yellow, halter neck, knee length dress that did up at the back in a criss cross manner. She wore matching yellow heels and her make up suited her skin tone, with her hair just straight with a flick at the bottom.

"All ready?" asked Sandy.

"I am," said Summer, "And we can't keep the newlyweds to be waiting any longer."

"Seth might begin panicking, thinking we have abandoned him," added Ryan trying to push the situation with Teresa out of his mind for the evening.

"Then let's go," said Kirsten as they headed out to the car.

OC

"We had our prom here!" cried Summer as they pulled into circular drive of the pre wedding dinner location, "It hasn't changed one bit… oh wow."

Sandy stopped the car and valets ran to open the doors. Summer climbed out and walked to the doors beside Ryan, looking around at the familiar surroundings. That night had been beyond magical. The end of it… well that was a memory of it's own.

"Mr Cohen, Mrs Cohen," said a woman with a clip board, "We will announce you in before the Cooper's and then Summer Robert's will be escorted in with Ryan Atwood."

They all nodded and walked into the hall, waiting to the side as other guests and family arrived.

"The Nana is here," murmured Ryan spotting Sandy's mother, "Everyone is surprised she is still alive, but hey, she is one tough lady."

Summer chuckled and looked at the crowd, "Hey… Anna's mum is here… oh my gosh! Look at Stephen! And Jason!"

"They have changed a lot over the years," commented Marissa appearing at Summer's side dressed in a snugly fitting red floor length gown, "How you holding up?"

"Fine. Steven was just another bump in my road."

"We have to assemble now," said Kirsten hurrying over, "Oh Marissa you look gorgeous."

"Thanks Kirsten," smiled Marissa before finding Seth. They were to enter last.

"Firstly introducing, the parent's of the Groom," said a deep male voice, "Mr Sandy and Mrs Kirsten Cohen!"

A spot light hit the top of the stairs as Sandy and Kirsten stepped down the red staircase, smiling at everyone. At the bottom, they walked across the floor and sat at their table.

"Secondly introducing the mother and younger sister of the Bride. Mrs Julie Cooper-Nichol and Miss Caitlin Cooper!"

Julie and Caitlin posed at the top of the stairs, Julie wearing a pale pink gown and Caitlin in a silver one. They stepped down the stairs like a supermodel before walking over to Sandy and Kirsten.

"And now the Best Man and Maid of Honour," said the man as Summer and Ryan stepped up next, "Mr Ryan Atwood and Miss Summer Roberts!"

The spot light hit on them, shining them both for all to see. Summer linked her arm through Ryan's and plastered a smile onto her face as they stepped down the staircase and walked across the room to their table.

"I hate being on parade to all of blood Newport," muttered Summer, "I can't believe I enjoyed it as a teenager."

"And now, the Groom and Bride! The star couple of tonight! Mr Seth Cohen and Miss Marissa Cooper!"

Marissa and Seth smiled at the crowd, who were applauding them. They stepped down the stairs and circled around the room like experts before sitting at the table with everyone else.

"When I get married," said Summer gesturing around the room, "This is not happening."

Everyone laughed as Summer looked around in disgust. Soon the plates of food were served and as they were eating the deep voiced man spoke again.

"Sorry to disturb you all, ladies and gentlemen, but it appears we have a late arrival. Please welcome the father to the Bride, Mr Jim Cooper!"

Marissa stood up in surprise and upon seeing her father at the top of the stairs, ran across the room and up the stairs. She grabbed him by the arm and dragged him from the room and into the side waiting area.

"What are you doing here?" she hissed glaring at him, "Now of all times?"

"Well I couldn't miss my daughter's big day," replied Jimmy with a shrug.

"What difference would one more make? You missed my graduation, my prom, and my graduation from Providence you have been out of my life for eight years now and here you are, just two days before my wedding? What do you expect? The right to give me away?"

"Marissa, I'm your father…"

"No!" screamed Marissa with venom, "No you aren't. You were someone who has become a distant memory to both Caitlin and me. Mum will be giving me away on Saturday. You… you aren't even invited to the wedding, tonight or the rehearsal. Just… just go back to Hawaii on your boat. Isn't running away the one thing you really are good at?"

Marissa pushed past Jimmy and walked down the stairs, smiling at everyone to hide her anger and hurt from her father's unexpected and unwanted arrival.

OC

Summer watched on as the couples danced away together to an Il Divo song. She envied them in a way. Ryan had gone off to talk to Sandy and Kirsten was chatting away to friends. Summer stood and walked around the edges of the room, walking slowly as the song swelled around her. She reached the table with food and wine set on it and poured herself a red wine.

"Hello Summer."

Summer spun around and smiled when she saw it was Anna's mother, "Hi. How are you?"

"I'm fine and yourself?"

"Great… I ah, got Anna's last letter last night… she really opened my eyes to some things."

Anna's mother smiled, "She had a way with words. She knew the right things to say or suggestions to make… even after all these years I still look back and then I will think of something she told me and it helps me."

Summer smiled, "She was a wonderful person… I still call her my bestfriend to this day."

"Well… let's not turn this into a sad night. I'd better go find Stephen and Jason. See you later Summer."

Summer waved goodbye and was once again left standing alone. She walked towards a open door and stepped out into the cool Californian air. She sat on a park bench and looked at the starry sky. A chill ran down her spine, making her turn around. She saw no one there and turned back around, only she stood up and moved around the edge of the little courtyard towards the doors. She just didn't feel safe sitting alone. She stepped inside and sighed in relief only to be grabbed and pulled into a dark corner.

"Hello Summer."

"You! You're not meant to be here, you're meant to be locked away," said Summer trying to hide the panic and fear in her voice.

"I got out… lucky me, but for you who knows?"

His breath reeked of rum and whiskey making Summer turn her face away and hiss at him, "You're drunk!"

Steven laughed with a deep chuckle, "Just a few drinks."

"It's takes more then a few drinks to make you drunk! Now let me go!"

Summer yanked away from him and fell backwards onto the ground, crashing into a chair making it slide across the ground.

"Get up you stupid bitch!" he roared catching the attention of the peoples close to them. Steven stumbled over to Summer and pulled her up by her arm, "We are going home and you will go back to work at Vouge and life will return to normal again."

"I'm not your little robot Steven," said Summer, "We have already had this argument, remember? How is your nose going by the way?"

"Shut up, get walking."

He pushed Summer forward, into a crowd of dancers. Summer fell too the ground, twisting her ankle and snapping the heel of her shoe. She slid along the ground trying to escape Steven's clutches, but he found her and yanked her up roughly.

"Obviously you don't know how to walk," he said holding her close, "Maybe this will remind you."

Summer knew what was coming, having experienced his violent nature before. She turned away, cowering from him in a complete un Summer like manner, as his hand connected with her face. The people around him gasped, none knowing what to do. It seemed to Summer her friends had disappeared.

"Let's go!"

"No," said Summer knowing she had to fight for herself now.

"What?" he hissed coldly.

"I'm not with you anymore Steven, this town in my home."

Steven shook his head, "Go, now!"

"Which part of NO don't you get?" cried Summer, her cheek beginning to sting, "The N or the O?"

"Summer-" he said in a deadly tone.

"DON'T!" cried Summer holding a hand up and shaking her head, "Do not 'Summer' me. You are nothing more then a stupid, ignorant bastard! I have met a few ignorant bastards in my time but you out do them all! Get over it Steven! I'm not your punching bag anymore! I don't need you for anything and I never want to see your ugly face ever, ever again! So take this, huge hint and get lost! Stay out of my life, go play with Tessa, you two dogs are made for each other!"

The room was silent, even the music had stopped playing and all eyes were on them. From a back room, Ryan, Sandy, Kirsten, Seth and Marissa came out, weaving through the crowd to see what the commotion was.

"Is that so?" said Steven, "Nobody says no to me or refuses me in anyway."

"Then obviously you are experiencing something new," replied Summer, "Because I am saying no and refusing all the useless things you have to offer. If I wanted someone to beat me, I would travel back in time and live with my dad."

"Obviously his beatings didn't tow you in line enough," snapped Steven grabbing Summer by the arm.

As Ryan stepped forward, Summer slapped Steven hard across the face, startling him. He let her go and Summer grabbed him by the balls, glaring up at him. Steven cried out in pain and Summer twisted – hard.

"Is it fun?" she yelled at him, "Does it feel like you are being tickled?"

"L-let go!" he cried, only amusing the Newport crowd.

"No… I think I'll hurt you some more, because like you I find it so entertaining to watch someone look at me in pain, making them cry, watching them whimper like an injured animal… feel small and worthless around loved ones! Does that give you great pleasure Steven? Do you enjoy doing that to me?"

Sandy finally let Ryan step forward and pulled Summer away from Steven. As she released him, Steven fell to the ground crying. Summer struggled against Ryan, glaring at Steven with hatred.

"Now you know what it is like!" she screamed, "You and my father now know what I went through everyday! You sick bastard! You fucking dirty, hurtful, prick!"

Ryan pulled Summer from the large room and into the back one he had just come from with the Cohen's and Marissa. He shut the door and turned to Summer, who was looking at her hands in disgust.

"I stooped to his level," she whispered, "I'm as bad as him… and my father."

"No you aren't," said Ryan leading Summer to a white couch. He sat down beside her holding her hands, "Summer, we all snap at sometime and you have bottled it your anger towards your father and Steven for a long time. It happens."

"I hurt him, Ryan," said Summer looking at him, "I… I did something…"

Summer let out a sudden sob, followed by another and another. Ryan pulled Summer closer and held her while she cried. It was a few minutes before she finally stooped, sniffling as Ryan held her, his run rubbing up and down her arm.

"Where do things stand for us?" she asked in a mumbled tone.

"I don't know… more then friends?" he replied as Summer finally sat up and used a napkin Ryan handed her to clean up her mascara.

"I like that idea," said Summer quietly, "We can… take it slowly, like you said… just get to know each other again."

Ryan smiled and both stood up. Ryan slipped his hand into Summer's and smiled. With a deep breath, Summer walked with Ryan to face the Newport people, acting as though the Steven incident never happened.

OC

With Sandy beside him and Summer, Ryan walked up the front walkway of his ex-girlfriend's place. Sandy rang the doorbell and the door was opened second's later by none other then Isabel. Ryan looked at her stunned, but Isabel recognised Summer and smiled.

"You're Mum's friend," she said opening the door wide before turning away to bellow for her mother, "MUM! Some people are here for you!"

Summer smiled at her and squeezed Ryan's hand, "She has your attitude for manners."

Ryan cracked a smile as Isabel gave a huffy sigh and called for Teresa again in annoyance.

"You can come in," she said unlocking the screen door, "Mum is probably still in her room."

"Okay," said Summer as the three stepped into the dark living room.

Isabel went off down the hallway and pushed open her Mum's bedroom door. Summer looked around the room at the few pictures on the wall and TV turned off in the corner where a lounge was positioned to watch it.

"HELP!" screamed Isabel from the hallway, her face pale white, "MUM WON'T WAKE UP!"

Ryan bolted down the hallway with Sandy and Summer following. They ran into the darkened room and Summer gasped when she saw Teresa laying on her bed with a syringe sticking out of her arm with rope tied at the upper part of her arm.

"Teresa," said Ryan shaking her roughly, "Teresa wake up, it's Ryan… come on, wake up."

"I'll call an ambulance," said Sandy, "She's overdosed on something."

"Come on Isabel," said Summer taking the young girl's hand, "Show me your room."

"Is Mum going to be okay?" she whimpered looking up at Summer with tears in her dark eyes, "She did this before… I had to call Nan. Nan said if it happened again I would be taken away."

"Your Mum will be fine," said Summer as Isabel pushed her bedroom door open, "Sandy and Ryan will take care of her. I like your room! Do you like dolphins?"

Isabel nodded, "I want to go swimming with them one day. Mum keeps on saying she will take me, but her money is always going to some men who give her needles. She has to have medicine every day."

"Oh."

"It's a lie," whispered Isabel sitting on her bed and looking at Summer, "I heard Nan telling her to get clean. That's a saying people say to people who take drugs. I know Mum is taking drugs. She thinks I don't know, but I do."

"I see," said Summer as siren's filled the air, "Let's just stay here, okay? The paramedics will take care of her."

Isabel stood and walked to the front window and turned away looking a little upset, "Nan is here."

Summer walked over to the window and spotted an older version of Teresa stepping out of the car. She walked over to a police officer who had arrived and began talking to him. A few seconds later, Sandy walked in.

"She's been pulled up for this before," he said gravely, "And it seems that Teresa will loose Isabel."

"Where will she go?" cried Summer, one hand on Isabel's shoulder.

"Her grandmother's."

"…your daughter, you take her!" came a angry female voice from the lounge room, "From day one, things went down hill! She was too young and couldn't handle it, so she turned to drugs and partying and now look, over dosed twice! Isabel belongs with you! I am not being a mother again, I have done that more then enough!"

"Or not," said Sandy with a sigh.

Isabel began to cry a little and Summer knelt down to hug the child.

Ryan walked in looking grave himself, "They say she should make it, but Child Welfare are going to do an investigation. So Isabel will be staying with us, seeing as I am the father."

Isabel pulled away from Summer and looked at Ryan with her eyes wide, "Y-you're my Dad?"

Ryan smiled and nodded at her, "I am. Would you like to come and live at my friend Sandy's place? That is where I live."

"Yeah, we have a room you can sleep in. It used to be my son's room when he was a kid," said Sandy.

Isabel turned to Summer looking a little scared, "Will you be there?"

Summer smiled and nodded, "I live there too. I moved back recently from New York."

"Okay. I will," grinned Isabel.

"Excellent," said Ryan smiling.

"You know what Ryan," said Summer looking at him smiling, "We have to take Isabel clothes shopping now."

"You do?" cried Isabel her eyes wide.

"We do," said Ryan, "Because we have a party tonight and a wedding tomorrow. Sandy's son is getting married to Summer's bestfriend."

"Yeah and we need to get you a pretty dress and shoes," said Summer, "But let's pack your things up to take to your new place."

Isabel nodded eagerly and pulled Ryan over, "You can help too, because you are my Dad."