Due to certain issues, we will assume that Marissa still lives at Caleb's. Kirsten doesn't eat kiwis and Sandy doesn't eat peaches.
Chapter 7: The Deliciousness and the day they got their grooves back
He remained pensive for a moment. I want you to be my mother. I want to be your son. "I… love you, mom." Kirsten cried tears of joy as she hugged him tightly. Her head was buried in his shoulder as she cried. It was official. He was her son and she was his mother. Whether or not Dawn or his father would return, nothing was going to change that. They pulled away smiling. She kissed his forehead and let him rest his head against her stomach, his arm draped around her middle. They lay in silence happily, as she stroked his hair gently. They finally shared a comfortable silence, where there was no tension, just sheer happiness. Eventually they fell asleep. Ryan had shifted back upwards. Kirsten lay on her side, with Ryan right behind her, his arm wrapped around her protectively.
Marissa and Summer came over that night. They just wanted to make sure their boys were okay. They had all talked about the Kirsten situation many times but this time their hopes had finally become reality and she was home. Summer walked straight upstairs to Seth's room as Marissa was drawn completely to the pool house. She knocked gently and pushed open the door. She pulled the door closed behind her and looked up expecting to see Ryan sitting on the bed, looking back at her. She stood, trapped in her tracks. Ryan was in bed but sleeping, his arms around a girl. Ryan's chest was close against the girl's back protectively as his arm was draped over her waist, clutching her hand, seeming never to want to let go. She quickly gave the girl a look over. The blanket above them drew out the girl's figure. She was slender with a beautiful figure. Sexy, even. Her mass of blond hair covered her face. Marissa realized she recognized the figure but couldn't quite put her finger on which it was. She continued examining the girl. Her hair was slightly curled and shone beautifully. The girl was wearing a tight black tank top and was a few inches smaller than Ryan, obviously younger. She's around our age; she decided based on the attire the girl was wearing. She heard them begin to stir but she was still unable to get her legs to move away. Ryan whispered, "I love you" to the girl as he rolled onto his back, placing his arm beneath her. The girl groaned quietly and whispered, "I love you, too" as she rolled onto his arm and curled up against his chest, her head resting on his shoulder. Marissa stood smiling, tears welling in her eyes. Kirsten wrapped her arm around Ryan, tightly, protectively. They were protecting each other in their sleep. Marissa wanted to laugh aloud at her paranoia. She knew the girl seemed familiar. Or woman, rather. Marissa gazed at Kirsten, lovingly. She had never seen her look so content. She glowed with happiness, which took years off of her. The door's sudden opening interrupted her thoughts. It was Sandy.
He smiled and laughed, "I would've been jealous if he wasn't my son. That would just be so wrong," he imitated Seth, forcing Marissa to laugh. Ryan and Kirsten woke up with a start. She smiled at Sandy and Marissa, who waved then looked up at Ryan, who was looking down at her, in that new way she had never understood. She did now. It was a look of complete love and admiration. She was his mother, now. Nothing would change that. Her eyes drifted to a close as he kissed her forehead gently. He lay there with her in silence as Sandy put an arm around Marissa, enjoying the moment. Ryan stroked her hair, watching her. I love you, mom. I can't believe this is how I ended up. I'm so fortunate to have met you and Sandy and Seth. You have changed my life for the better. No more fights and drinking and drugs and crime. None of it. I never thought I'd ever live without all the drama my life brought to me and now it's a reality. I have a real family. Finally, I feel like I belong. Finally, I have a home. You may think you're not perfect but you are. This family is.
Kirsten began to snore lightly. She had fallen back to sleep. Sandy laughed as he walked over to her and threw the blanket off. Kirsten clutched to Ryan for warmth. It was Marissa's turn to laugh. Kirsten had innocence about her, almost like a child, vulnerable. Marissa had never seen this side of her before. She had always put up a resilient, strong front and now; she seemed almost helpless in her quest for warmth. Sandy leaned on the bed as he gently put his arms beneath her. "Sandy?" she mumbled.
"Yeah, darling?"
"I'm cold."
"I'm taking you to bed," he said, scooping her into his arms.
She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in him, taking his scent in, smiling. She kissed his neck, gently, still groggy, "Don't get any ideas, Sandy. I'm tired and I'm not in the mood."
Ryan groaned as Marissa laughed. More and more like Seth everyday.
The next morning, Kirsten had gotten up early. She wanted to do something for her family. It was about 4:30 in the morning. She had tried pancakes and failed miserably. She needed help but not from her boys. It was 5:00 in the morning, now. Maybe she needed some bonding time with her future daughters-in-law. She decided to first call Marissa.
"Hello?" asked the young girl on the other line, rather groggily. She was obviously still asleep.
"Marissa? Hi. I'm sorry to wake you. It's Kirsten," she said, fiddling with her rings.
"Oh, hi, Kirsten. Everything okay?"
"Uh yeah. I just needed some help with something for the boys. I've been gone for a while and I just wanted to, you know, try making them breakfast. Try… eh, cooking?"
"Kirsten, I don't know if that's such a good idea. The last time I remember you cooking, you burned a turkey." Marissa was now clearly awake and clearly concerned for the woman's abilities.
"That's why I need you and Summer here. Do you think you two could come and help me? I was thinking you and Summer could make something for Seth and you could maybe make something for Ryan. And I could use the supervision,"
"Kirsten, you don't even have to ask about supervision. We'll be there in a few. Have you called Summer?"
"No. I was going to right after I called you."
"I think maybe it's best if I called her. Summer, in the morning. Rage blackouts, you know."
"It's true? She really does have rage blackouts?"
"Yeah. Remember when we were in Tijuana? Seth told me that they were having breakfast and she freaked about something and ended up with a fork in her hand. Something about a fork in his eye. But she means well. She's not dangerous or anything." Marissa concluded, understanding that rage blackouts seemed a little dangerous for a parent to hear.
"Okay. Thank you, Marissa. I'll be waiting." They hung up as Kirsten looked through the fridge for food.
When the girls arrived, Kirsten had taken out everything possible to eat for breakfast. They walked in and stared at her. She had flour on her forehead and batter in her hair. "Hi, guys. Aprons are over there," said Kirsten, pointing to the pink aprons on the counter. Summer and Marissa grabbed one each and gathered around the counter.
"So, what are we making Mrs. Cohen?" asked Summer. Kirsten gave her a look. "Kirsten. Sorry."
"Oh, don't be, Summer. It's okay," replied Kirsten, washing her hands, "I was thinking bacon, eggs, hash browns, toast, coffee and fruit with whipped cream?"
Summer and Marissa stared at her. It was a lot to tackle and Kirsten in the kitchen was probably not the best idea. However, her excitement made her seem so cute and that much more hard to resist. Summer took care of the hash browns, Marissa, the bacon and Kirsten the eggs. Kirsten however was very heavily watched. While cracking the eggs, many pieces of shell fell in. It took them twenty minutes to get every piece out, there were so many. Kirsten managed to make the eggs without burning them. A proud moment. They plated the food and set it on the table. There was only fruit left to be cut. Kirsten had found kiwis, peaches, strawberries and three kinds of melons. They stared at the cutting boards and knives in front of them. Marissa and Summer were on one side of the island and Kirsten was on the other. They each picked up a knife and held their melon down. They looked at their nails and put the knives down. Even though they were trying the cooking thing, they still valued their nails. They were afraid of ruined nail polish and even worse, a chipped nail. "Manicures, tomorrow?" asked Kirsten. The girls laughed and nodded. They eventually finished preparing breakfast in time for Ryan, Seth and Sandy to waltz in, hungry. The girls had cleaned up the kitchen and had changed into more suitable clothes. Kirsten had cleaned the food off of herself as well. They stood behind the island holding a cup of coffee for their loved ones. They boys walked to their women, taking the cup of coffee and presenting them with a hug. Kirsten hung on a little longer, enjoying the scent of him, the feel of him. He kissed her gently as Ryan and Seth groaned and walked Marissa and Summer to the table.
"Summer, you cook?" asked Seth, taking a seat in front of her.
"Not really," she replied, flipping her hair over her shoulder. Kirsten took a seat next to Summer as Sandy sat next to Seth.
"You don't cook, Summer?" asked Kirsten, as Marissa sat down next to her, Ryan in front of her.
"Uh, no," said Summer, taking a sip of her coffee.
"Do you?" Kirsten asked Marissa. Marissa shook her head. The three of them had managed to cook an entire meal without burning anything. "You mean?"
"We cooked this whole thing without knowing anything!" said Marissa, realizing that the situation was more dangerous than they had known but had succeeded to making a meal without burning the house down.
"You guys!" Summer exclaimed, suddenly hugging Kirsten, who jumped slightly, shocked. Summer pulled back and motioned for her to hug Marissa. Kirsten stared at her, unable to understand what the youth was trying to communicate.
"Kirsten! Hug!"
"Oh! I'm sorry," said the older woman, pulling the younger girl into a hug. Summer laughed. She had meant for Kirsten to hug Marissa, not her.
"Ladies. Up," she said, getting out of her chair. Marissa had gotten up as well. Kirsten put aside her napkin and reluctantly got up. Now she was just plain confused. They stood in a triangle. Summer suddenly took both ladies in her arms in a group hug. Summer jumped around. Marissa laughed, as Kirsten stood, wide-eyed, her body being dragged up and down by Summer's excitable gestures. The boys stared at them. Sandy looked at his wife. He knew she was just keeping the younger Kirsten under control. A part of her wanted to let go and jump around too, it was only a matter of when. Marissa had begun to jump, too, forcing Kirsten's feet to slightly come on and off the ground. This had begun to provoke her. Pretty soon, she was jumping, excitedly too. It was a slight jump, hopefully unnoticed by her family. Sandy laughed, as the trio broke apart. "Tomorrow. Nails. Spa. Shopping?"
"Sounds great," said Kirsten, taking a sip of her coffee.
The room became silent as they began to eat. Ryan and Marissa had a visual conversation. They smiled at one another, flirting as they ate. Their conversation was short and sweet, filled with random "I love you" with their eyes. They had what Seth liked to call "The Silent Groove."
Seth and Summer were both reading the newspaper. They simultaneously picked up their mugs of coffee and took a sip. Summer reached over for Seth's toast but couldn't reach. Without looking, Seth pushed the toast to her hands as she broke off a piece. They were in sync. This was "The Cutesy Groove."
Everyone had a groove. It was what defined what couple you were. It also was the greatest proof of whether or not you were meant to be. Having a groove was what somewhat held a couple together. This was perhaps why there were times when Sandy and Kirsten were unsure about their relationship. They had lost their groove last year after the boys left and were not able to restore it. They still loved each other, that was sure but they needed their groove back or else they would need to question their compatibility.
Kirsten began to eat her fruit when she found a piece of kiwi. Not her favorite food. Sandy casually lifted his plate and allowed her to put the fruit on it. Sandy looked down from his paper. Something was wrong with his food. A piece of peach was sitting there amongst the kiwi. Not his favorite food. He forked it and put it up, never looking up from his reading. Kirsten instinctively leant over and bit into it. "Baby, its still…" he started, still knowing that it was there without looking.
"I know, working on it," she said, swallowing the piece she had and leaning in again. She leant in again, her mouth open, attempting to put the final piece in her mouth. Sandy swayed the fork. She giggled as he finally let her take the fruit. She wrapped her mouth around it, as he lowered his paper to look into her eyes as she smiled seductively at him, licking her lips of the peach juice. They smiled, looking deeply in each other's eyes. She mouthed, "I love you" as he did the same. They suddenly felt eyes upon them. They looked around and then it hit them.
"Baby, does this mean—" began Sandy, looking at her wide-eyed.
"—We have our groove back?" finished Kirsten.
"Should we—"
"—Test it?" Sandy finished off his coffee as he got up and ran to the coffee machine. Kirsten threw her napkin off her lap as she excitedly followed him.
"Close your eyes."
"You too," said Kirsten, as the couple closed their eyes, "Kiss me?"
"For good luck," said Sandy, leaning in and finding her lips with his eyes closed. Maybe we are back. He kissed her gently, a butterfly. She pulled away and kissed him again. Maybe we don't need the groove. Maybe we just are. She picked up the coffee pot and poured. This used to be their morning ritual. She would meet him in the kitchen. He would pull out a mug and she would pour the coffee. When he had the right amount, they both knew. She would stop pouring and she would pull. Maybe this time it would work. They had tried sometime after Rebecca but they had lost their groove. She pulled up as he removed his mug.
"No spill?" asked Kirsten, keeping her eyes closed. She didn't know how she would handle such a disappointment. She was so in love. She was so happy. The last thing she needed was to have this bring down her romantic life. She was in marital bliss with him. This groove they had, just reinforced that. She needed it back.
"No spill," he concluded, opening his eyes and smiling at her. She smiled back.
"Baby, that means we—" she began.
"—Have our groove back!" he finished. Kirsten leaped into his arms, putting her arms around his neck and pressing her lips against his. He ran his tongue across her bottom lip, begging for entrance. She groaned as she began to open her mouth and he pulled back.
"Kids," he started, his eyes closed, murmuring against her lips.
"I know. I don't care," she said against his as she kissed him again.
"Neither do I," said Sandy as Kirsten bit his lower lip. They resumed kissing, deeper every time.
"But I'm—" she began, not wanting to part lips.
"—Hungry." Sandy knew his wife all too well. She was always hungry. She was like a child. Innocent.
"Tonight?" she said, seductively. Her tongue resumed its exploration of his mouth. But not that innocent.
"But we should—"
"—Talk about us…" began Kirsten.
"—And Carter," said Sandy abruptly. Kirsten looked taken aback.
"—And Rebecca," she countered, "before doing something else, yeah." She sighed, kissing him again, suggestively. She ran one of her hands down up his leg, very slowly, lingering at the top of his thigh. She had hoped this was hidden from the kids but Seth and Ryan's groans as well as Summer and Marissa's giggles interrupted her train of thought.
Sandy shrugged, "At least the groove's back…"
"We're back." Kirsten leaned in for another kiss, one that would linger on his lips until tonight. They walked back, hand in hand to eat. Marissa and Summer smiled.
"You guys are like the cutest couple. Don't you think, Seth?" asked Summer, eating a piece of strawberry in her mouth. Seth rolled his eyes as Ryan choked on his bacon. Kirsten laughed.
They spent over two hours eating breakfast. And only breakfast. They talked about everything, music, movies, Kirsten's snoring and short attention span when it came to movies and Kirsten's lack of appreciation for the ocean and physical sports. This concluded Seth, was the reason that he didn't play sports but was addicted to sailing. It was his parent's fault. By the end of the meal, the boys had planned for a "Boys day out" since the girls had planned their own little "Ladies day". Kirsten smiled. This was what she came home to. She loved every minute of it.
We're sorry that this chapter isn't as detailed as the others. We thought it would be a good idea to add something a little less dramatic. This is probably one of the only comedic portions of this story. We hope you enjoyed it. The story should be concluding in a few more chapters. Kirsten needs to have a few things sorted out. Read and Review. Please and thank you.