Chapter 36

Disclaimer: Usual disclaimer applies. I don't own anything except the kids they are all mine!

Author's Note: Sorry this one is so short but I like how it turned out.

Ryan was still sitting on the steps when the girls showed up. They got out of the car and Summer took the girls inside and Marissa sat next to Ryan.
Marissa: Ryan what happened you fall into the bathtub with your clothes on?
Ryan: I had to go save your son from drowning in the pool.
Marissa: What?
Ryan: Yeah he went out to the pool while I was talking to Seth and he fell in when I called his name.
Marissa: How many times have we told him not to go out there? God I swear that kid is always getting into trouble. Is he okay?
Ryan: Yeah he's fine Seth took him inside.
Marissa: I'm going to go talk to him.
Ryan: Okay. I'll be here.

Marissa went inside and saw that Seth and Summer were talking in the kitchen she couldn't help but listen in.
Summer: Seth what's going on that has you so upset?
Seth: Ryan he said he was god I can't even say it.
Summer: Come on Seth.
Seth: Lets talk about it later okay.
Summer: Okay well let me just grab the kids and go okay.
Marissa started running up the stairs and went to Parker's room.
Marissa: Parker do you have any idea what could have happened if your dad wasn't out there?
Parker: Mommy, I'm sorry.
Marissa: Sorry doesn't cut it. You could have died!
Parker: I know daddy already talked to me. He's real mad at me.
Marissa: It's not that he's real mad he was just scared. You can't go out there when there are no adults around you know that.
Parker: I wasn't going to get in.
Marissa: I don't care Parker we told you not to even go out there.
Parker: I know.
Marissa: Now you're going to Seth and Summer's house but when you get back you're grounded. Which means no video games no swimming and no playing outside for a week. Got that?
Parker: Yes ma'm.
Marissa: Good now lets get your stuff together.
Parker: Okay.

Marissa and Parker got all his stuff packed into his bag and walked downstairs. She handed his bag to Summer and they said bye and left. Marissa walked back outside where Ryan was sitting with his head in his hands.
Marissa: Ryan what's going on with you?
Ryan: I don't know.
Marissa: Yes you do. What's wrong?
Ryan: I keep thinking that you and Parker would be better off without me.
Marissa: WHAT! Are you an idiot?
Ryan: Come on Marissa. I'm trying to be honest with you and talk through it with you. I knew I shouldn't have told you. I should have known this is how you would react.
Marissa: What do you expect me to do? You want me to come over there and cuddle you and beg you to stay? It's not going to happen Ryan. You know that Parker and I love you and need you more than anything. If you want to leave don't say it's because you think it would be better for us.
Ryan: I don't want to leave.
Marissa: Then why are you saying all this.
Ryan: Because I'm scared I'm going to hurt one of you.
Marissa: Hurt us! You don't think by leaving you will be hurting us?
Ryan: That's not what I mean. What if I turn out to be like A.J. or my deadbeat father?
Marissa: Ryan, have you ever lifted your hand to hit me or any woman for that matter?
Ryan: No.
Marissa: What makes you think that you will? You're just feeling insecure about your fathering skills. Everyone goes through this.
Ryan: All Parker and I do is fight and I yell at him all the time.
Marissa: Ryan it's not your fault that Parker is always getting himself in trouble.
Ryan: I lose control and yell at him I'm scared that I'm going to yell at him so much he'll be afraid of me.
Marissa: I yell at him too every parent loses control sometimes. If you wait until you cool off a bit to talk to him then you won't yell at him.

Marissa sat down next to him and took his hands in hers.
Marissa: Ryan listen to me. You aren't anything like them other men you are a loving and concerned father. What you're feeling is normal.
Ryan: If it's normal then why did Seth and you bite my head off when I told you about it?
Marissa: Because we don't want you to make a mistake by leaving. Nobody would be better off without you.
Ryan: Then why do I feel like this?
Marissa: Because you're feeling insecure.
Ryan: Why does everything have to be so damn difficult?
Marissa: It doesn't you're just making it diffucult.
Ryan: It's just so hard to know if you're doing right by him.
Marissa: You'll never know and it really doesn't matter all you can do is the best you can. I think that you are doing to best you can do right.
Ryan: Yeah I am.
Marissa: Well then you're doing okay. We're going to get through this Ryan we always do.
Ryan: How do you know?
Marissa: Because we love each other and we love Parker and that's really all you need.
Ryan: I guess you're right. I'm sorry Marissa.
Marissa: For what?
Ryan: For doubting you and our child.
Marissa: It's perfectly fine Ryan. Now lets go spend some time ALONE.

Marissa raised her eyebrows suggestively and gave him a seductive smile before running into the house. Ryan got up and ran after her and caught her in the hallway and kissed her deeply and passionately.
Ryan: God I've missed this.
Marissa: Me too. I've missed you most of all.
Ryan: I'm so sorry I've been all distant lately.
Marissa: I told you it's okay.
Ryan: I know that you said that. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?
Marissa: I can think of a few things. Let's go to bed.
Ryan: But I'm not tired.
Marissa laughed.
Marissa: Who says we're sleeping?
Marissa and Ryan walked into the bedroom and closed the door. They were both very happy that they worked it out and they planned on celebrating that.