Here's the next chapter of the story. It's a very Cohen-Atwood family drama. This chapter contains a Kirsten-Ryan relationship surprise and a little Seth-Kirsten bonding.

"Dawn. Hi."

Kirsten put her purse and the box aside on the table as she approached Dawn who was sitting across from Ryan on the sofa. Dawn looked up at Kirsten, a look of disgust on her face as she took her hand in greeting. Kirsten leaned for a cheek-to-cheek welcome, as Dawn pulled away and motioned for Kirsten to sit down. She took a seat next to Ryan and asked, "How are you?"

"I don't think that's really what we need to talk about here, Kirsten," replied Dawn, angrily. Ryan looked up and gave Dawn a cold stare. Kirsten noticed this and asked him to them some bottled water.

Ryan walked into the kitchen where Seth and Sandy were waiting. Sandy looked up, mid-schmear. "What's going on?" asked Sandy, passing the cream cheesed bagel to Seth. Seth nodded as he bit into it.

"I don't know she said she wanted to talk to her," said Ryan, opening the fridge and reaching in for two identical bottles of water.

"She looks a little angry," said Sandy, beginning on another bagel for himself.

"Should we really leave mom in there with her, then?" asked Seth, still munching.

"I don't know but I was sent in here to get water. I think they want some time alone," said Ryan, looking back at the living room.

"What's going on, Dawn?" asked Kirsten, crossing her legs and un-crossing them, clearly uncomfortable. Something was wrong. She could feel it. There was an odd tension in the air that made her feel uneasy.

"I think we need to talk about what's been going on with you, Kirsten," said Dawn, standing suddenly.

"What?" said Kirsten, remaining seated but shocked at the confrontation in the other woman's voice.

"I trusted you to take care of him."

"Excuse me? I am taking care of him," Kirsten was taken aback. Clearly, Dawn was accusing her of something. Kirsten didn't like where this was leading. Not one bit.

"Whoa! You can hear everything!" said Seth, excitedly.

"Son, don't eavesdrop," said Sandy, moving closer to the entrance to the living room.

"But you are," countered Seth, staring at his father.

"Shhh! Dawn's harping on your mom."

"Dad? Harping?" said Seth, shaking his head in disapproval.

"Shhh!" Sandy was now enthusiastically gesturing for his son to calm down. I need to hear this. I need to know when to jump in. Knowing Dawn, this conversation can't be good.

"Let me guess, he's like a son to you? Ha! I remember seeing somewhere in the paper that Kirsten Cohen has a drinking problem,"

"I guess you didn't read that I got help for it. Something you neglected to do."

"Wow, I didn't know mom spoke back like that, so quick," said Seth, surprised at his mom's likeness to the rest of the family. What happened to Waspy McWasp, so polite and endearing?

"Well, son, she's been married to me for 20 years. She's known you for 17 years. What do you expect? She was bound to learn something from us," replied Sandy, smiling proudly at his wife. She really was a Cohen. She seemed to be more like Caleb Nichol a lot of the time, except for random moments where you could see why Seth turned out the way he was. Sandy was a natural funnyman and Kirsten was the more drawn-in type. However, when Kirsten did show her Cohen side, it wouldn't be long before Seth would say the same thing. Sandy reminisced at New Year's Eve two years ago. Seth had mentioned to Hailey that he was going to stay home and watch Dick Clark and the ball drop, where he had immediately said "Two things that should not be said he same sentence." Sandy had then seen Kirsten, moments later, explaining to Hailey that they were going to the Arches and then staying home to watch Dick Clark and the ball drop, where she had immediately said "Two images that should not be put in the same sentence." This was a proud moment for Sandy. They were rubbing off on her. She was becoming more and more like Sandy and Seth Cohen everyday.

"Don't put this back on me. I didn't drink my family away," said Dawn, whose voice had gotten a little louder.

"Really? Because if my memory serves me, you left Ryan with me because you couldn't take care of him," replied Kirsten, who had now gotten up and begun to raise her voice to match the other woman's.

"That was two years ago things change."

"Yes, Dawn, things change, I've changed. I don't drink anymore."

"Yeah, I'm sure that's true." Dawn rolled her eyes as she began to pace slightly.

"Don't act like I don't deserve a second chance. We gave you one." Kirsten eyed the woman, as her pacing grew more and more obvious. Dawn was clearing growing angrier.

"Yeah and then you took my son from me," Dawn pointed at Kirsten with a harsh tone as she glared into her eyes.

"You left him, more than once and he forgave you every time. I don't understand why you're acting this way. What's going on, Dawn? Really?" Kirsten's voice had softened. She chose to believe that she was hiding something. She wasn't meaning to accuse her. She wasn't trying to hurt her. There was something going on. There had to be.

"Nothing's going on. I want my son back. I realize that leaving him with you wasn't the best idea. You're even worse than I was,"

"How dare you insult me in my own home. Who do you think you are?" Kirsten began to yell as tears began to sting at her eyes. No one is taking him away from me.

"His mother. Now get out of my way so I can tell MY son that we're leaving!" Dawn began to walk toward Kirsten, who was blocking her way away from the sofas.

"No. No, you're not. You've been drinking, haven't you?" It was Kirsten's turn to insult her. Something had to be making her act this way.

"Get out of my way. I haven't been drinking."

"High then?" Kirsten asked, raising her eyebrow.

"Something you should know a lot about."

"Excuse me?"

"Get out of my way. Look here, Kirsten, you drunken little bitch, Ryan's coming back with me. He doesn't need you to screw him up all over again," growled Dawn, clearly seething.

"Don't you dare continue what the hell you're saying. You're not taking him away from me. I won't allow it. Now, get out of my house, you SON OF A BITCH!" yelled Kirsten. She felt the lump in her throat grow larger as tears stung her eyes. She was beginning to lose control. The thought of losing Ryan was hard enough without Dawn implying harsh things.

"You broke his heart, princess. He doesn't look at you the way he used to. I can see it in his eyes. He doesn't look at you the same way and you know it," Dawn smiled as Kirsten took her place back on the sofa. Dawn was right. He didn't look at her the same way anymore. It was different now post-rehab. Kirsten hadn't been able to put her finger on it but he certainly didn't look at her the way he used to.

"Please stop." Kirsten was whispering now as she wondered about her relationship with Ryan. He couldn't hate me, could he?

"He's my son, baby. You've been nothing but a bad influence on him with the drinking. Ryan's been through enough don't you think?" Dawn looked down at the shrinking form before her and smiled, smugly. That's for thinking that you, the amazing Kirsten Cohen, could keep my son away from me. You're nothing. Nothing at all.

"Stop it." She continued to whisper as a silent tear fell from her blue eye.

"So far, I've heard that he's gotten into more trouble with you than he did with me. So who's the bad mother in all this?"

"That isn't true! I'm not a bad mot—" Kirsten's head snapped up as she replied angrily to the accusation.

"You've screwed him over, Kirsten. YOU!" yelled Dawn, triumphantly. The beautiful, invincible Kirsten Cohen's been brought down off her pedestal. She's no better than I am. Ryan loves me. Not her.

"Please." Kirsten begged as more tears slid down her face as she drew her gaze to the floor.

"You're a terrible mother who will never amount to anything." Dawn was slowly but surely breaking Kirsten's heart and she was enjoying every moment of it. She liked the thought of being better than Kirsten Cohen, the rich, beautiful, kind woman that everyone aspired to be and everyone wanted to be around. She looked down at her. This was Kirsten Cohen, pathetic, sad and a bad mother.

"Stop it." A small sob escaped her lips as she wiped away some tears. Ryan. I'm sorry.

"Your son left you," A knife through the heart. "My son left you." Twist. "What do you suppose all that means?" she asked as Kirsten broke down completely. So this was it. Kirsten Cohen was weak.

"STOP IT! PLEASE, STOP IT!" cried Kirsten, as her voice became loud sobs. She buried her face in her hands and cried. I couldn't have. Could I? I'm sorry, Ryan. Seth. I'm sorry.

"STOP IT! Mom, are you okay?" Ryan had run into the room, followed by Seth and Sandy, as his gaze altered between Dawn and Kirsten, his voice cold and harsh. Kirsten looked up at him. She had lost him. He was telling her to stop her crying and to leave his mother alone. He was asking his mom, Dawn, if she was okay. She had lost her Ryan forever. Kirsten couldn't handle this and ran toward the kitchen. Her body ran into a solid one that held her as she cried. She recognized the familiar scent as she let go completely. I've lost our Ryan.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Sandy. I've lost him. I've lost our Ryan!" she sobbed into his chest. Sandy and Seth stood at the entrance to the kitchen, Kirsten in his arms. Seth ran his hand up and down his mother's arm as he stared, menacingly at Dawn. The two attempted to soothe Kirsten's pain but the cries didn't stop. The tension in the air was thick and all that could be heard was Kirsten's muffled sobs.

Dawn and Ryan stood in the center of the room, Dawn smiling proudly at what she had done. She had ruined the famous Kirsten Cohen and had taken away from her, a son.

"Stop yelling at her. Do you hear me? You stop yelling at her. She's been more of a mother to me in the last two and some odd years than you have in my entire life," growled Ryan. Kirsten looked up at Sandy. Her eyes asking him if she had just heard what she thought she had heard. He nodded smiling.

"You haven't lost him," said Sandy, stroking his wife's hair. Kirsten turned around, Sandy's arms still wrapped around her, Seth, still touching his mother's arm, reassuringly.

"Kid, you don't know what you're saying, you're just a child. And I'm your mother." Dawn leaned forward and grabbed Ryan's arm.

"No, you're not. You abandoned that position when you left me the first time. You leave her alone," said Ryan, jerking his arm away from her, disgusted.

"What are you saying here, sweetie?" asked Dawn, innocently looking at Ryan. I've done nothing wrong. It's your fault isn't it, Kirsten? Dawn glared at Kirsten, who met her glance and gave the same glare back. Sandy and Seth noticed this and stared along with Kirsten. Dawn would be outnumbered in the vicious staring game. Family came first.

"She did what you never did. She got help for me. She fixed her mistake and you kept making the same one over and over. You abandoned me. She never did. She's making it better. All better. Don't you dare speak to her that way, again. Get out." Ryan motioned for her to leave. Tears began to fall down Kirsten's cheeks again. She hadn't lost him. He was defending her.

"I love you, honey." Dawn stepped closer to Ryan and he stepped back. He was moving toward Kirsten, she discovered and further away from her. It can't be.

"And I love her," said Ryan, motioning to Kirsten. Her heart skipped a beat. She couldn't believe what she had just heard.

"What?" asked Kirsten, in disbelief. I love you? He had never said that to her before. The only time he had implied he loved her, he sounded hesitant and he was supporting Sandy's decision to send to rehab.

"I love you mom." Ryan took her hands in his as he wiped a tear from her face with his other hand. He looked into her eyes as Sandy and Seth exchanged glances and smiled. Dawn looked taken back.

"Did you just…?" Kirsten was at a loss for words. She didn't know what to say or how to say it. Ryan knew what she was to say. They bonded that way. They were far more alike than they realized. Other than the odd resemblance, they were quiet, thoughtful, serious people, contrary to Sandy and Seth, who were loud, outspoken and full of humor. Ryan and Kirsten knew how to handle a joke but making them was a little out of their league other than the random opportunities that they had. Kirsten understood what it meant to be away from society. Sure, she was a Newpsie but not like the others. She didn't base her life on social events and gatherings or on the scandals that seemed to be attracted by Newport. Just like Ryan and the family. He was part of it but wasn't really like the others. Kirsten understood this every time he hesitated to spend long quality time with them. She would always give him the "You fit here" look that made his uncertainties go away. They were alike. In more ways than one, they were like mother and son.

"If that's okay. I didn't mean to assu…" Ryan looked down and his hands dropped to his sides as he stuttered.

"You thought right, Ryan. I love you, too… son," she replied. It was her turn; she lifted his face with her fingers and kissed his forehead. She ran her finger over where her lips had been and then through his hair. Son. Sandy put his arm around Seth and squeezed. His family was whole and this time it was out in the open that they loved each other. Every single one of them loved each other, openly.

"What about me? Don't forget me, Ryan. I love you," said Dawn, interrupting the Cohen family moment in front of her. She tried to hide her anger toward them as she tried to reach Ryan.

Ryan walked closely to her, his face inches from hers as he spat "Get out. Now. Don't ever come back. Not if you're going to hurt her." He turned around, leaving Dawn, dumbfounded at Ryan's confrontation and harshness. He meant it. Ryan walked out toward the pool house, confused about what he was feeling. He had thrown Dawn out of his life and accepted the Cohen family as his own. Kirsten as his mother, Sandy, his father and Seth, his brother.

Dawn walked angrily toward Kirsten, who stood staring wide-eyed, unable to move. Dawn's hand began to swing backward. She's going to hit her, thought Sandy as he stepped in front of her, taking Dawn's attack, a punch in the face. Kirsten gasped as Seth rushed forward, pulling Dawn away from his parents. Sandy's eyes gleamed with anger as he yelled, "Get out! How dare you try and hit my wife! She's been nothing but—"

Sandy's rant was cut short by Kirsten's hand across Dawn's face, "You should be ashamed of yourself. If you love him, let him do what he wants. Don't come after my family or me, again. Do you hear me? Leave. Now." Kirsten turned around and began to walk away as she felt someone grab her arm and then a hand across her face. Sandy and Seth hadn't had time to react. Kirsten's face was bright red, where Dawn had slapped her, her head tilted to one side, her hair falling around her, a tear sliding down her hot cheek. Sandy restrained Dawn and forced her out of the house. Seth ran and got his parents ice packs, her hand must've been burning and so must've her face, his too. Kirsten and Seth were seated on a couch, his arm around her.

Sandy smiled at the sight of his wife and his son. She looked up at him and nodded. He looked into her eyes, "I'm going to check in on Ryan." She nodded again as he took the ice pack from Seth and walked toward the pool house.

Seth looked at his parents, confused, "Why is dad going? Shouldn't you be the one to talk to him?"

Kirsten sighed, massaging her face with the cool ice, "He knows I want to calm down first. I don't want for you boys to see me cry." She sniffled, wiping off the remaining tears from her face. She was done crying for the day. She was sure that would be the last they saw of Dawn. She hoped she was right. Dawn couldn't come after them for custody of Ryan, knowing she had nothing to offer him compared to what they had to offer, she had already abandoned him twice and he had chosen not to live with her. Kirsten smiled. He was theirs, forever.

"It's a little late for that, mom," said Seth, startling his mother out of her thoughts.

"Huh?"

"You've cried amazingly hysterically more than once in the time you've been back. Twice or thrice the day you left, twice or thrice when you returned. I never knew Kirsten Cohen cried so much."

"Oh Seth," Kirsten laughed but then she became serious, "I—this whole mom thing. Is it okay with you if Ryan decides—"

"To actually start calling you and dad… mom and dad? Yeah. We talked about it once. He considers you his parents but he never said he was going to start addressing you as such but its fine with me. That'll make him seem like more of a brother and more like part of the family," interrupted Seth. Kirsten smiled and leaned into her son's arms. He kissed her forehead.

"Yeah. Part of the family," she sighed. They were a family; Sandy, Kirsten, Seth and Ryan. Family. Kirsten savored the thought of her family, her completely little family, which through everything never broke.

"Does that mean I get to start calling you and dad, Kirsten and Sandy?" asked Seth, breaking the moment.

"Nice try," Kirsten laughed. The thought of Seth calling her Kirsten was something she had never thought of before. It would be a funny little change.

"Oh please," begged Seth, "Kirsten! Ooo. Nice ring to it." Seth laughed aloud, testing the waters. Kirsten eyed him, jokingly. I know how to get you back.

"Well, that's rad, son," said Kirsten, smugly.

"Kirsten, no," Seth shook his head, repeatedly as Kirsten smiled, "No."

"No? No rad? How 'bout tight? Dope?" asked Kirsten, mockingly making "cool" gestures at her son. Seth stared at her, appalled. Oh. My. God.

"Kiki, no," said Seth, who immediately noticed his mother, who first looked shocked and then countered with a head tilt, pout and a double peace sign, "Fine. Mom it is, Kirsten. Just never do that, AGAIN!"

Kirsten laughed as she smacked Seth's shoulder playfully. She liked this. It was moments like this that had made her want to come home. Her boys, Seth and Ryan, who never ceased to make her laugh and her man, Sandy, who never ceased to make her feel like she was the only woman in the world, even after everything that had happened. Post-rehab life wasn't as bad as she thought it was going to be. In fact, it was a lot better. She leaned in and kissed Seth's temple. She sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder. "I love you, Seth." She closed her eyes as she heard him say quietly, "I love you, too, mom."

The next chapter should build on the Kirsten-Ryan relationship as well as a little Sandy-Ryan time.