"Theresa…." Ryan stares at the girl beside Seth without blinking, and an awkward silence fills the room.
"It's good to see you Theresa." Marissa says a moment later as she walks over to her old friend, and gives her a welcome hug "And who is this?" she asks, bending over to shake the boy's little hand.
"I'm Jaiden." The little boy says happily, not letting go of Summer's hand.
"Well, hi there Jaiden." Marissa says with a smile on her face, "I'm Marissa."
"Theresa's been here for a couple of days to visit." Sandy points out, finally Ryan breaks his focus on Theresa and looks down at the little boy. "Seth, Summer, why don't you go take Jaiden in the back to play, your mother and I are gunna talk to these three." Sandy continues.
"Sure, let's go Jaiden." Seth says taking the little boy's hand and gestures for the back door.
"We'll be in the pool house, Coop." Summer says before the three disappears into the kitchen.
"Listen, I'm sorry to just come here unexpectedly…I just, I didn't know where else to go." Theresa begins.
"What do you mean?" Ryan asks confused with a little bit of aggravation.
"On second thought, Theresa, why don't you go to the back with Seth and Summer, we'll talk to Ryan and Marissa." Sandy says calmly. Theresa looks at Ryan sadly and then nods before heading to the back.
"Sandy, can you explain to me what's going on?" Ryan asks, torn between being confused, and being slightly angry.
"Okay, look, money's pretty tight for Theresa right now; her mother's getting sicker and sicker and Eddie's no where to be found." Sandy explains. Ryan doesn't say anything so Sandy decides to continue, "She can't take care of Jaiden and her mother by herself…she came here because she didn't know what else to do."
"Jaiden can stay with us." Marissa finally says, causing Ryan to look at her.
"What?" Ryan asks in disbelief.
"He can stay with us." Marissa repeats, "Chino's what? An hour away? Theresa can come and visit him a few times every week or whatever, I'll even pick her up myself."
"Marissa, we can't deal with this right now. This isn't as easy as you make it sound to be." Ryan says, frustration in his voice.
"Ryan, if you can't help her, it's fine, we'll lend her some money and…" Sandy begins
Ryan lets out a frustrated sigh as Marissa and Kirsten watch intently at the two men. "She's your friend Ryan…she needs your help." Kirsten finally says. Silence again fills the room as Ryan thinks about how he's gunna pull through this one. "We'll leave you two to talk." Kirsten says before her and Sandy walk out of the living room.
"What are you thinking?" Marissa asks softly as Ryan runs his hand through his hair.
"Things were finally going well. I just…I don't think we can deal with this right now…with the babies coming, that's putting too much stress on you itself." Ryan says, frustration in his voice.
Marissa takes Ryan's hand into hers and lets out a small sigh, "Theresa is our friend and she needs our help. We can get through this, and besides since Kristen is insisting I start my maternity leave soon, I'm gunna need some company in the house…and it's gunna be good practice, plus Summer can always help." Marissa says reassuringly.
Ryan forces a small smile and lifts Marissa's hand to his lips. "But if it gets too much for you…I'm sure Sandy and Kirsten would love to have another little kid in the house." He says softly.
Marissa gives him a reassuring smile and nods. "So let's go and see our new room mate shall we?" she asks, getting up.
In The Pool house"Press the O button to kick…and then…no, that's square Jay…yeah that one…"
Ryan and Marissa hears Seth talking to the little boy in the pool house, clearly teaching him how to play the play station already. "I don't wanna play anymore Uncle Seth, this is too hard." They hear little boy say followed by a laugh from Summer.
"Cohen, stop trying to force him to play. The kid doesn't like Star Wars." She says plainly.
"Already trying to corrupt the kid, Seth?" Ryan asks jokingly as they walk into the pool house causing everybody to turn their heads.
"Dude, I'm just trying to cultivate some culture in the child's life." Seth utters not taking his eyes off the TV.
"Yeah, and he's doing that by showing him how to play Star Wars. Classic." Sandy says with a small smile.
Ryan lets out a small laugh and then a sigh. "Umm, Theresa, can we talk to you? With Sandy and Kirsten."
Theresa nods and walks out with Ryan and Marissa, followed by Sandy and Kirsten.
Ryan runs his hand through his hair and begins to talk "Okay, umm, we decided that Jaiden can stay with us for a while and—
Theresa shakes her head and cuts him off, "No, I can't let you guys do that. With a baby coming? I can't do that…"
"Babies…actually." Ryan says, correcting her.
"Ryan." Marissa shoots her husband a glare and then back to Theresa, "Listen, really it's fine with us. Summer can always help, and I can use the practice. Really it's fine. You have to take care of your mom." Theresa lets out a sigh and looks down at her feet. "We'll make sure he calls every night. Ryan and I can pick you up from your mom's house whenever you want to see him…"
"Or we can." Kirsten points out as Sandy agrees.
"Yeah, and we can drive to Chino so your mom can see Jaiden too." Marissa finishes, "Really, this is fine."
Theresa lets out a small smile and looks at Ryan, "Is this okay with you?" she asks.
Ryan looks at Marissa and then to Sandy and Kirsten and then back to Theresa, "As my oldest friend…anything." He says, giving Theresa a small smile.
Theresa gives him a small smile and nods. "Thank you guys so much." She says as she gives Marissa and then Ryan a hug. "I'm glad I can make sure Jaiden's safe."
"Mama, I'm hungry." The five adults turn their heads and sees Jaiden standing by the door of the pool house, Summer standing beside him.
"Okay, I'll get you something to eat." Theresa says with a smile, walking over to her son.
"The hotdogs are in the house." Kristen says, "I'll go and get them." Theresa nods her head and picks up Jaiden before walking over to Ryan and Marissa.
"Jay, sweetie, you know Uncle Ryan right?" Theresa asks. Jaiden nods his head and Theresa continues, "Well you're gunna be staying with him and Aunt Marissa for a while, okay?"
Jaiden looks over at the couple and then back at his mother, "Where are you going?" he asks, sadness in his voice.
"I have to take care of your abuela, sweetie." Theresa replies and Marissa can tell that she was full on fighting back tears.
Jaiden looks down at the ground with a small frown on his face, and from what everybody can see, the little boy was thinking. Finally, he looks back at Theresa, "Will you come and visit?" he asks.
Theresa nods with a small smile, "Of course I will, and they'll even drive you back to our house sometimes so you can see abuela."
The little boy nods and flashes Ryan and Marissa a smile that makes their hearts melt at the sight. "Okay." He says quietly as Theresa puts him down, "Can I have my hotdog now?" he asks, looking up at his mom.
Theresa nods her head and looks back at Summer.
"Oh, umm, I'll get you your hotdog Jay. Let's go inside." She says, "Cohen! Let's go!" she screams into the pool house before heading into the kitchen, and almost instantly, Seth comes into view and follows.
"Thanks again you guys. Once I get things in order, I promise, I—
"Don't even mention it. We're happy to help." Ryan says with a smile as Marissa nods in agreement.
"Well let's go, kids. The hotdogs are waiting." Sandy says as he gestures for the kitchen.
"Jay, be good for your aunt and uncle, okay?" Theresa says as Ryan puts Jaiden's things in the trunk.
The little boy nods, holding Marissa's hand. "Tell abuela I love her and get better, okay?"
"I promise, baby." Theresa says with a nod walking to her son. "Come here." Jaiden walks over to his mother and throws his arms around her neck. "I love you, okay?" Theresa says softly in his ear, tears running down her face.
"I love you too." The little boy whispers before pulling away. He sees his mom crying and gives her a kiss on the cheek, "Don't cry, mommy." He says softly, bring his small hands to Theresa's face. "I'll be good, I promise."
Theresa nods and laughs between tears and kisses her son's forehead gently, "I know you will." She says softly before getting up and taking in a deep breath. "Thank you guys for doing this." She says.
Marissa smiles and gives Theresa a comforting hug. "It's good to see you again. We'll call you as soon as we get home." She says, pulling away.
Theresa nods her head and looks at Ryan. "Congratulations on the twins." She says softly.
Ryan smiles and wraps his arms around his friend. "Thanks. And I promise, Jaiden's in good hands."
"I know he is." She says softly with a smile. The two friends pull away and Theresa says her goodbyes to Sandy and Kirsten and then to Seth and Summer before walking over to her car.
Jaiden waves goodbye to his mother in Marissa's arms and with that, the car drives away.
"I'm just gunna go to the store and grab some food for Jaiden, I'll be back." Ryan says quietly. Marissa nods and gets out of the car and then takes Jaiden into the house.
Ryan keeps his eyes focused on the road with thoughts racing through his head. Just a week ago, he had a wife and was about to be a father of twins. Now, he has a wife, twins, and a 5-year-old living in his house. What was he suppose to call Jaiden? Who was he to be taking care of Theresa's son?
Suddenly, Ryan turns the car around, worries and doubts clouding his mind. He pulls over on the driveway and gets out of the car, hurrying to get to the front door. Finally he gets there, and all he could do was stare at the door, until finally the door swings open.
"Ryan!" Kirsten looks at him and could already tell something was wrong. "Come in."
Ryan shakes his head, "Actually, umm I can't take long, is Sandy here?" he asks.
"Yeah, he's in his office. Why, is everything okay?" she asks, even though she feels that the question was already answered.
Ryan looks down at his feet and then back to Kirsten, "This whole Jaiden thing…I just don't feel comfortable with it. I mean…he's Theresa's son…for a while I thought I was the father…and…I don't know…"
Kirsten forces out a small smile and gestures for them to sit on the steps. "Ryan, if this is too much, we'll take Jaiden. But, I mean, Theresa went to you because she felt that she could trust you with her son…and you may not think it now, but that's incredible courage to leave your child with someone else." Kirsten says gently, "And to be the person that parent trusts, that's a pretty amazing feeling too. When your mom left you with me, do you know how scared I was?" she asks, with a small laugh, "I thought it was such an irresponsible thing to do, leaving your child, but sometimes, you have to make sacrifices to keep them in good hands." Ryan lets out a small sigh and looks up at the sky, "Theresa needs you right now, and she trusts you to take care of Jaiden…more than anyone else."
Finally, Ryan smiles and looks at Kirsten, "You think Marissa and I will do a good job as parents?" he asks softly.
Kirsten nods with a smile, "There's not a doubt in my mind." She replies, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Thanks." Ryan utters, "Well then I should go, I'm suppose to get food for Jaiden, and Marissa's probably wondering where I am."
Kirsten nods and Ryan gets up and heads back to his car. Kirsten watches as her son waves at her goodbye and drives away.
"That was pretty good."
Kirsten turns around and sees Sandy leaning on the doorframe, arms across his chest. "Well, I figured, since you always give the advice to the kids, I could take this one." She says with a small smile as Sandy takes a seat beside her.
"Well, I think you did a great job." Sandy says, putting an arm around her, "You know, for a rookie."
Kirsten lets out a small laugh and rests her head on her husband's shoulder.
I'm back to more fluff...but I'll put in some drama too...don't worry. Glad you guys like it. Reviews are awesome!
P.S- I don't know how far away Chino is from Newport..so forgive me if I'm wrong on the "one hour away" thing..lol