This chapter is basically about Kirsten returning to Newport and to her family.

Chapter 2: Welcome Home, Kirsten

The house was empty. All that could be heard was Rosa cleaning up Kirsten's bags upstairs and a feeble "Welcome Back, Mrs. Cohen." Kirsten sighed a "thank you" that she knew no one would hear as she stood, trapped in her tracks.

She began her walk toward the kitchen, she wasn't exactly hungry but the chocolate had made her thirsty and she needed something to comfort her. Cake, ice cream, and the usual "comfort food" she always turned to after an argument with Sandy or her father. Caleb. It had been so long since she had thought of him. This made her sick. Her father, not less than three months dead, already at the back of her mind. He had apologized to her in the letter she had received shortly after his death. It's not that she didn't miss him but being in rehab helped her accept the inevitable in life, meaning death. She knew he was in a better place. Now, he could watch over her, properly, not having to deal with problems with the Newport Group or Julie or any other debacles that he seemed to getting himself into. She smiled at the fond memories she had of him. Him buying her, her very first ring when she was six, just because she wanted one. Getting her the doll she wanted for her birthday, or even just saying "I love you."

She wandered slowly to the kitchen, hearing something stir beyond the wall. She stopped, raising an eyebrow and cautiously proceeding forward. She jumped, startled at the loud outburst made by Sandy, Seth, Ryan and Hailey. She never knew four people could make such noise. It was just them. Family. She smiled and began to tear as Hailey stepped forward and took her in her arms.

"Welcome home, Kiks. I've missed you," said Hailey, rubbing her sister's back. Kirsten was at a loss for words. Hailey was back from Japan. For her. Not for money, not to "mooch" as Sandy always lovingly put it. But for her. Her sister. Kirsten could only mutter an "I missed you, too, sis," through the tears.

Hailey felt a tap on her shoulder. Ryan sheepishly looked to the floor and up into Hailey's eyes. This was her sign to let go. Ryan wanted to welcome her back, too. Hailey smiled and let go of Kirsten, who was attempting to wipe her tears. Ryan opened his arms to her, causing her to sob once again. Ryan smiled. He missed her. "Hey Kirsten," was all he could mutter. Kirsten sobbed a small "Hey you," back. He missed their random moments of Mother-Son bonding. He missed how she always made him feel as if he was her real son. How whenever she hugged him, it was tight but so full of care that it didn't matter. He was shocked at how her body seemed to radiate the same feelings that existed before everything. She was still the same Kirsten, small and warm. He heard someone behind him clear his throat. Seth wanted his turn.

"Mom?" he asked, tentatively, stepping closer to her as Ryan stepped back, allowing them to reach each other. Seth wrapped his arms around his mother as she sighed and wept a little more. Her little boy was grown up. Taking everything in a mature fashion, accepting her. No words needed to be exchanged in this embrace. The hug said everything that was needed to say. He needed his mother, she needed her son. She had tended to him when he was 8 and came down with the chicken pox. She took care of him, took time off of work when his allergies got to the stage where he had to be brought to the emergency room. Now, he was there for her. Just holding her made her feel like the last two months never really existed. That time healed everything. Even absence. He felt as if in her going to rehab, being a voice she could listen to, he was taking care of her, even if it didn't mean that he was holding a cold compress against her head or giving her children's medicine. It wasn't the same as giving her, her vitamins but it was something nonetheless.

Sandy smiled and sighed at the sight of his family. Ryan and Hailey, her arm over his shoulders, Seth and Kirsten, wrapped in a tight embrace. Seth, wiped a tear and stepped back from his mom, paving the way for Sandy to come forward and take the love of his life in his arms. Sandy smiled at his wife's tear stained eyes and trembling lower lip. He missed her. She looked up at him, watching him smile that Cohen smile she loved so much. She ran to him as he gathered her small frame in his arms. He picked her up off the ground, never wanting to let go. She buried her face in his shoulder, baring her soul. She wept hardest with him. He placed her feet delicately back on the ground, stroking her hair. He touched her back in long strokes, whispering, "I love you," over and over. Never wanting her to ever doubt it. Trying to make up for two months worth of it, trying to prove it. He missed saying it to her and hearing her say it back He missed her scent. He missed his Kirsten. He missed the way they were in sync every morning, the way her hair smelled even after a long day. The way she would claim something was important to her, even if it was just Valentine's Day. The way she would say his name, as if she were as innocent as the day. He missed her beauty, which always guided his day, no matter how tough, she shone through. She was his rock and now it was his turn. She was always so strong. Even now, in her time of weakness, she emitted a strength that he recognized. It was the same strength that kept him sane all the days she was gone. It was knowledge that there was something waiting. Something loving on the other side. A basic fundamental of life. Love. She pulled back, but remained in his arms. She looked deep into his eyes, a luxury she never got to experience for such a long time that she smiled for the first time since she had arrived. "I love you, Sandy." She waited. He leaned in and brushed his lips gently against hers. "I love you," he murmured lightly against her lips. He leaned in again and kissed her a little deeper, trying to show her just how much. He was trying to give her a kiss, full of two months worth of loving, waiting.

Seth smiled but turned around. As much as he didn't want to ruin the moment, for the first time, he didn't want to see them kissing. Hailey and Ryan smiled at their family. They motioned for Seth to join them as they left the kitchen and walked to the TV room, ninjas awaited them and Sandy and Kirsten, needed a few minutes alone before they would bestow upon her all the stories and experiences she had missed in the two months.

Kirsten ran her slender fingers through Sandy's hair. She missed his hair. His cute little ears she loved to surround her fingers with when they kissed. The feel of his skin beneath her fingertips. The noises he made when she ran her tongue against his. She remembered this fondly and pulled away from the kiss. He looked at her, raised eyebrows; inquiring as to why she stopped the kiss he loved so much. She smiled as she leaned in and kissed him lightly, feathering little kisses against his lips. She ran her tongue delicately against his upper lip, making this a sign that she wanted to resume their earlier state of romance. She ran her tongue against the top of his; causing him to make the noise she loved so much. "Oh, baby. I missed this." Kirsten laughed as she kissed him again.

Seth, Ryan and Hailey looked up and smiled at the sound of Kirsten's laugh. They were glad she was finally home, where she belonged.