Chapter 3:

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.

Seth woke up the next day as the smell of bacon wafted to his nostrils. He began to get up, his back sore. Note to self: Never sleep on the floor again, he thought to himself. He looked up to see his parents still dozed off on the couch. The Cohen Family had spent the night recounting tales of the summer to Kirsten, who couldn't help but laugh every time something unexpected or very Cohen-like happened. Her family had a way of keeping things interesting now a day. It was the news about Trey that shocked her laughter away. The shooting. The coma. Ryan and Marissa. The attempted rape. Kirsten asked so many questions about detail that Seth had to step in and change the subject to something more suitable to his tastes. Flashback "Hey mom, did I tell you about me and Summer?"

"Well, sort of. But Seth, I'd really like to know more about what happened with Tr—"

"She and I are back together, stronger than ever. This relationship is just so deep. I'm in love," he interrupted.

"That's great, honey. What did the doc—You're in love?" Seth smiled as he saw his plan worked. Hailey and Ryan laughed as Kirsten looked around the room for answers. Since when was her little boy in love?

"That's right dear mother. I, Seth Cohen am in love," he said, proudly as Sandy patted him on the back smiling brightly.

"That's my son. He learned about life's hardest wonder from the master," Sandy said as Kirsten snorted in laughter, "Hey! Not this again. I managed to get you, my darling wife."

"Actually," she said, seductively wrapping her arms around his neck, "I believe I got you." He smiled as he kissed her. Kirsten wasn't a big fan of public displays of affection but then again, she hadn't intended for Sandy to kiss her like that, a nose graze perhaps but not that. But she accepted it gratefully; she had a lot of catching up to do. They both laughed when Ryan did his signature cough and Seth, his usual moan of disgust. They had had their time. "They are really, so whipped," Hailey said.

"Guys, back to me okay! Can we just focus on me for like 10 minutes? There is nothing as momentous as a young man, such as myself falling in love," said Seth, gesturing toward himself.

"Have you told Summer about said feelings?" asked Kirsten, lacing her fingers between Sandy's.

"Not only have I told her, I proved my everlasting love for her," he winked at Sandy, who smiled and winked back. Kirsten eyed both men as she slapped Sandy's hand, forcing him to let go.

"There's something you're not telling me here."

"I talked it over with Dad. Trust me, Mom, even though it was ridiculously uncomfortable and it didn't really work, it helped me figure out what I needed to do or well what not to do," Seth shuddered; I think I just said too much.

Kirsten stared at her son, wide-eyed, "You… had… the… you had the… the talk? When?"

"You answered the door and were quite busy with Jimmy, Valentine's Day," said Sandy, casually running his hand through his hair. Most uncomfortable talk ever. Hailey and Ryan laughed. Seth had told them about that fateful talk about sex with Sandy. The awkwardness and uncomfortable looks had been exchanged.

"Hailey. Coffee. Black. Now," said Kirsten, unable to grasp what she had just heard. Hailey got up and ventured her way to the kitchen. Finally, she's stopped talking to me in complete sentences. I'm one of the family now. Coffee… coffee…

"Hey, someone want to teach me how to make coffee?" yelled Hailey from the kitchen. Kirsten and Sandy rolled their eyes as Ryan got up to help her.

"Do you want to tell me exactly what you told our son about sex? From what I knew, it was just a little girl talk… about girls… courting! Sandy! What did you tell him?" asked Kirsten, loudly. Seth groaned. This was just far too weird. His parents. His sex life. Just too weird. He got up to the kitchen to "help" with the coffee. Actually, he just needed to get away before the conversation made him vomit.

"What do you mean, what did I tell him? I just gave him a few tips, that's it!" said Sandy.

"Tips like what? Sandy! You tell me right now!"

"Honey, I don't understand why you're so upset about this. I just told him to do what seems to work on you all the time. Massaging. Nibbling the neck." Kirsten stared at him, her mouth slightly open in shock.

"YOU TOLD OUR SON TO DO TO HIS GIRLFRIEND WHAT YOU DO TO ME!" Kirsten accidentally said that part a little louder than she had wanted to. Seth, Hailey and Ryan stood at the entrance to the room, holding a cup of Kirsten's coffee. Seth choked a little, "Yup, just swallowed a little throw-up. Mom! Dad! I did not need that visual. This is disgusting."

End of Flashback

Seth walked over to the kitchen where Ryan and Hailey were slaving away. "Morning."

"Hey Seth, how are you doing?" asked Hailey, popping a blueberry into her mouth.

"Not bad. A little sore," said Seth, rubbing his back.

"Actually, I was wondering how you were doing now that Kirsten's back. I know it's been a little hard on you and everything," she said, putting down the batch of pancakes she had just made. The three of them looked at the couple sleeping on the couch. Sandy was lying down on the couch with Kirsten curled up against his chest.

"Yeah. Well, I'm glad she's back. I've missed her. You know, my mom being here and all. It's great. Everyone's happy again. You would've thought it was Chrismukkah again," he laughed.

Sandy woke up to see his family staring at him. Kirsten was lightly snoring. He laughed, waking Kirsten up. "What? What happened?" she said, completely disheveled.

"Morning, beautiful. Our amazing son, Ryan and your equally amazing sister, Hailey have been slaving away in the kitchen, making a breakfast to die for. What our other son, Seth is doing in our kitchen is beyond me," said Sandy, kissing Kirsten's temple as she smiled. Seth rolled his eyes and faked a laugh. Kirsten stood up, taking Sandy by the hand.

"I need to freshen up. I'll be right back," said Kirsten, suggestively. She and Sandy walked to the bathroom as Seth rolled his eyes. Disgusting.

"I don't know. It does feel a little awkward. Just the fact she was at rehab and I couldn't do anything to protect her. I'm just a little confused and well… awkward about everything," sighed Seth, out of the blue. Hailey and Ryan exchanged looks as the finished placing the remaining food on the table.

"Seth, maybe you should talk to her," said Hailey, setting the plates down.

"About your feelings, man," finished Ryan, noticing the look of confusion on Seth's face.

"Since when have you two been the Super Team?" he asked looking at the pair. They both shrugged as they finished the final touches to their family breakfast. "Don't tell me you and my other aunt are hooking up," Seth said, sarcastically. Ryan punched him in the chest, causing Seth to yelp in pain and call for his parents.

"That's Seth. It's time to eat," said Kirsten, breathlessly. She was sitting on the sink with Sandy between her legs, kissing her neck, "We can't do this right now."

Sandy sighed, "You just don't know the meaning of a quickie, do you?" Kirsten smiled. They hadn't gone far enough, both parties fully clothed, hair a little fussed but that was the extent of it. He helped her off the sink. He smiled at the present he had left Kirsten. She hadn't noticed as she began to fix her hair. He ran a hand through his as he opened the door. He wondered who would be the first to notice the mark on his wife's neck. Hailey, Ryan or Seth.

The pair walked out of the bathroom as if nothing had happened, hand in hand. They sat down at the table with their family. Kirsten smiled at the food. She was starved. The trio stared at Kirsten, who helped herself to some fruit and a pancake. "Am I the only one, other than Sandy, who is going to be eating this feast?" she asked, biting into a piece of cantaloupe.

"Mom," began Seth.

"There's something on your—" said Ryan.

"Oh my God, Kiks. Is that a hickey?" interrupted Hailey. Kirsten stared at Sandy wide-eyed as he smiled, chewing innocently on his food.

"I'll be right back," she said, casually. She ran to their room and concealed the mark. Hopefully her family would still have an appetite. She came back to find that Sandy, Ryan and Hailey were eating poolside, while Seth was in the kitchen, helping himself to some coffee.

"Hey, why's everyone outside?" she asked, helping herself to a mug.

"Yeah, they, um, left so we could, um, talk," said Seth, uncomfortably. He never really talked with his mother. Not about his feelings or what he thought, just usual ramblings and sarcastic remarks. Kirsten nodded and sighed as she sat down at the table, waiting for him, coffee in hand.

"This is about me being back isn't it? About the rehab? The drinking?" she asked, sipping at her coffee. Seth walked toward her, his gaze at the floor and nodded. Kirsten sighed. She didn't know how to approach the subject without breaking down or going into hysterics. She had left her family and for that, she believed, she had no excuse.

"Mom, I don't know… about things… between us. Are we… okay?" he asked, taking a seat next to her.

"They are… or will be… only if you want them to be. I know I shouldn't have left you or put this on you. You didn't need to be abandoned by your mother. I'm sorry, Seth. I'm so sorry. Sandy told me you felt as if somehow this was your fault. Honey, it wasn't. I screwed up. Me. Seth. I'm sorry. I never meant to put you through this. But sweetheart, it's not your fault. It never has been," she blurted out, tears forming in her eyes. She looked away, ashamed. She felt warmth upon her hand. Seth rubbed her hand, reassuringly but unsure at the same time.

"I just… I should have noticed what was going on. I should have been there, at least attempted to protect you. Been a little more supportive. A little less focused on me. Mom. I let you down," said Seth, tears beginning to form in his own eyes. Kirsten's heart broke as she pulled him into a deep hug.

"Seth, baby, no, no, no, no. You didn't let me down, honey. You were part of the reason I went and got help. Baby, when you stood in the kitchen doorway and asked me to get help. I knew I had to do it. Sandy, Ryan and Hailey, yes, they were reason, too but you were the determining factor, Seth. I was in deep denial when the three had finished. But you, you Seth, you made everything come together. What Hailey said, what Ryan and Sandy said. You made me realize I had to go. I did it for my family. For you, Seth. You didn't let me down. It breaks my heart to know you feel that way. But you didn't let me down, sweetie. You and Ryan and Hailey and Sandy. You saved me. I'm sorry, Seth. I'm so, so sorry, baby," she wept into his shoulder, "Forgive me." The last line came out as a whisper, Kirsten unable to compose herself any longer.

Seth let his tears flow freely as he clung to his mother. "Mom. There's nothing to be forgiven. I love you." Kirsten pulled away from the hug and smiled as she wiped some of his tears away. She leaned forward and kissed his forehead, murmuring, "I love you, too Seth." She resumed the hug, each closing their eyes, savoring the moment.

Sandy, Hailey and Ryan stood at the doorway, empty plates and mugs in hand. They smiled. A genuine Mother-Son, Kirsten-Seth bonding moment. This was rarely ever seen and this was it at it's best. Ryan's gaze altered from Seth and Kirsten to the floor. Would I have a moment like this with Kirsten? Mother-Son? Even if I'm not really her son?