The scene opens with Kirsten and Sophie sitting in the kitchen just staring at their cups of coffee. Each is holding them in their hands, and the silence is deafening. All of a sudden, the doorbell sounds, and Kirsten practically sprints out of her chair to answer it. She leaves her cup on the island countertop and rushes to the door. When she swings it open energetically, Ryan and Marissa are standing there. Their suitcase is on the ground and they are kissing. Kirsten clears her throat and smiles up at them. They pull apart quickly while Ryan offers her a sheepish grin and Marissa blushes. He picks up the suitcase with one hand and with the other he holds hers as they enter.
Marissa: Sorry about that Kirsten.
Kirsten: (She laughs before replying.) Please, don't apologize for that, but I wish you guys would really stop ringing the doorbell when you come here. This is your house, too, for as long as I live here even after you have your own home. (Ryan and Marissa both smile at her. He puts the suitcase down and then goes and shuts the door. Kirsten hugs Marissa hello first and then she turns to Ryan. Without any of them noticing, Sophie has entered the foyer and is standing there watching them.)
Sophie: Well isn't anyone going to introduce me? (Ryan laughs and goes over and hugs her hello which makes her smile.)
Ryan: Sorry about that, we didn't see you standing there. (He leads her over to Marissa.) Sophie, I'd like you to meet Marissa. (Sophie takes her hand and shakes it.)
Marissa: It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Cohen. I'd like to say that I've heard a lot about you, but I haven't. I asked and Seth just kept telling me that I'd find out on my own. And this one over here, (She takes Ryan's hand and pulls him closer to her never letting go of him even after he's standing right beside her.) let's just say that he was a little too distracted to even listen to my question.
Sophie: Please, call me Sophie, no Mrs. Cohen; it makes me feel old. (Marissa laughs and shakes her head up and down.)
Marissa: No problem.
Sophie: So speaking of my grandson, where are Seth and Summer? Didn't you all ride down together?
Ryan: No, we drove separately.
Kirsten: You did? You guys never do that.
Ryan: Yeah well, we wanted to today. Besides, we're here for a long weekend and this way we both can go out at the same time without all having to go together.
Kirsten: What time do you think they'll be here?
Ryan: Soon. Marissa passed them a little while ago just as we got off the freeway, so they should be here any minute.
Kirsten: Well at the rate Seth drives, that could take a while. I'm surprised you didn't pass him earlier than when you did Marissa.
Ryan: She would have except we left a half hour later than they did. (Kirsten laughs and Sophie just watches the three of them as they interact. Marissa blushes slightly.)
Marissa: Ryan, it wasn't a half and hour, and besides, we got lucky, the traffic wasn't bad.
Ryan: (He starts laughing.) It wasn't bad because you just kept weaving in and around everyone.
Marissa: Ryan!
Kirsten: Don't worry about it Marissa. I've already heard that you're quite the driver; Seth told me you'd be quite the drag racer. (Marissa's face continues to redden.)
Marissa: Hey, if you grew up driving on long stretches of deserted highways with no one in sight, you'd be a fast driver, too. Besides, I didn't see you complaining earlier. If it wasn't for my lead foot, we wouldn't have been able to….(She realizes what she is admitting and shuts up while her eyes grow really wide and she gets a terrified look on her face. Kirsten sees this and steps in to help her.)
Kirsten: Why don't you two go out and get settled in the poolhouse. We'll talk some more later during dinner when everyone's home. (Marissa smiles gratefully at her, and turns to Sophie.)
Marissa: It was a pleasure to meet you Sophie, and as I understand it, we're going to be cooking together tomorrow. Now, I don't know much about Seder, so you'll have to fill me in on what we're making. Do we need to go shopping for ingredients? What about a grocery list?
Sophie: Go, go and get settled. We'll talk when you two come back in.
Marissa: Okay. (As Ryan and Marissa walk off, Ryan carrying the suitcase, Kirsten turns to Sophie.)
Kirsten: Sophie, I have to go and pick up Zoe from her friend's down the street. Do you want to walk with me or do you just want to stay?
Sophie: I'll come with you, give those two a few minutes of alone time, and you're right Kirsten; she is wonderful, isn't she? (Kirsten smiles at her for the first time that day genuinely.) And she embarrasses easy, which could prove to be fun. (Kirsten laughs at this as the two women walk out of the door and shut it behind them. The camera leaves them and goes to the poolhouse. Ryan and Marissa are just lying down on the bed together, she in his arms.)
Ryan: So, that was the Nana.
Marissa: I like her.
Ryan: She liked you.
Marissa: Really, how could you tell?
Ryan: Well, because, if she wouldn't have liked you, she would have told you to your face.
Marissa: Really?
Ryan: Yeah. (She laughs softly before yawning.) Are you tired?
Marissa: A little, I guess someone wore me out earlier.
Ryan: You were the one who instigated it.
Marissa: Are we complaining?
Ryan: Oh no, you can instigate it anytime you want, morning, noon, night,…now.
Marissa: Not happening. (He laughs.) But, I would take a kiss. (He leans down and kisses her gently.) Good, now I can take a little cat nap. (He starts to get up, but she holds on tighter.) Where do you think you're going?
Ryan: You said you wanted a nap.
Marissa: Yeah, and you know I don't like to sleep when I'm not in your arms. Besides, you make a comfy pillow.
Ryan: Ah ha, your true motivation for keeping me around, don't hold back to protect my feelings!
Marissa: (She laughs.) Don't worry, I wasn't going to. (She sits up one last time and kisses him with a little more passion this time before settling back down. He wraps his arms around her tighter and they both close their eyes as the camera fades away from them. It has been about twenty minutes as the camera goes back to the foyer where the doorbell can be heard ringing. No one answers. The person continuously rings the bell until a voice is heard yelling.)
Summer: Cohen, no one is going to open it, so just go in! (The door opens and they walk in without their bags, presuming that they could get someone to carry them in for them later.) Where the hell is everyone? Your Mom's car is here and so is Marissa's. They're probably off screwing again even after what I told them!
Seth: Ew, Summer.
Summer: What, Cohen!
Seth: My Mom and the Purple Patch Princess, that's just wrong.
Summer: UGH! (Without saying another word or even attempting to hit him, she stomps up the stairs. Seth listens to her the whole way, and then when the door to his room is heard slamming, the door behind him opens and Kirsten, Sophie, and Zoe all walk in together. When Sophie sees Seth she smiles and walks towards him with her arms open.)
Sophie: Sethela! (He hugs her as she was wishing.)
Seth: Nanala!
Sophie: Now, were is that feisty fiancée of yours?
Seth: Upstairs having a rage blackout.
Sophie: Ah ha, and what did you do now?
Seth: I don't know really. I mean, I made a joke, but she's used to them. She's been acting really weird today, must have been…. (He stops himself before he says what happened that day and turns towards his Mom.) Where are Ryan and Marissa?
Kirsten: I sent them to the poolhouse to get settled in a little while ago. They're probably still out there. (He starts to head that way, but her voice stops him.) And Seth, don't barge in on them. Knock, and if they tell you to leave them alone, do it. (She glares at him attempting to convince him to listen to her.)
Seth: (Under his breath he speaks.) Sure, I'll leave them long enough to go and get the key like Summer did a couple of weekends ago.
Kirsten: Seth, I heard that, and don't worry, I hid that key, and you'll never be able to find it so don't even try to look for it. (He shakes his head like he is disappointed in her but doesn't say a thing. Zoe takes off after him and follows him to the poolhouse.)
Kirsten: Zoe, where are you going?
Zoe: I'm going to go and see Marissa! (With that they both disappear without a word to each other out the door. Sophie and Kirsten exchange glances before she replies.)
Kirsten: I told you she was very fond of Marissa. (Sophie laughs and they both walk back into the kitchen. Meanwhile out at the poolhouse, Seth and Zoe are both knocking on the door annoyingly and rapidly. After a moment, a groggy Ryan opens it, rubbing his eyes and only noticing Seth making it so as Zoe can run in and jump on the bed waking Marissa.)
Ryan: Look, Seth, I'd love to chat, in fact we need to talk, but not right now. Marissa's taking a nap, and she's exhausted. I'm kind of tired, too, so how about you give us an hour and then we'll be in, promise. (Seth smirks at him the entire time, knowing that Zoe was getting Marissa up as he spoke by jumping on the bed. Marissa sits up at the very end of Ryan's speech.)
Marissa: Hey Ryan. (Surprised that she's awake he turns around with an apologetic look on his face and sees Zoe. He goes over, picks Zoe up off the bed, puts her over his shoulder, and then puts her in Seth's arms. Seth feigns as if he's going to drop her, which makes Zoe giggle, but Ryan slams the door shut and locks it.)
Seth: (He is yelling outside of the door. As he talks, Ryan goes back over to the bed and gets under the covers again as Marissa crawls back into his arms.) Hey, what do you think you're doing? You can't leave me alone with an emotional Summer, Mom and the Nana in the same room, and Zoe! Can't she at least take a nap with you and Marissa….well unless you're taking a nap like you did on New Years, because that would just be creepy, but you looked tired, like you were actually sleeping, but you never know with you two. Marissa hangs around actors all day; she may have picked up a few tricks, and your facial expressions really don't vary much between being tired and being mad, let alone happy or sad or depressed or well any mood for that matter. (Ryan and Marissa both take their pillows and put them over their heads trying to block Seth out.) Come on Ryan, please, I need your help! Actually, I need Marissa to come and take the little potato bug (Zoe can be heard giggling here.) here out of my arms. She's really getting heavy, and then she can go in and keep the Nana entertained, you know talk about cooking and…..and….whatever else the ladies do on the east coast. Then maybe you and I would be able to have some Seth/Ryan time, play a little Playstation….
Zoe: I want to play!
Seth: Sssh, Zoe, they're trying to take a nap. (She giggles again.) And we should really get Mom to order dinner soon, because the tummy, it's a rumbling! Hm…., what is Seth in the mood for tonight? Ideally, the Nana and Marissa would cook tonight as well, but I will just have to wait until tomorrow to taste their yummy, scrumptious creations, so take out will have to do. We could always go with the tradition Thai, Chinese, or Pizza, but for some reason, the day before Seder seems to warrant something a little bit more special than just our usual. There's always French or Italian or Moroccan, but Ryan, buddy, you're already messy enough with your food; I'd hate to see you have to eat with your hands. Then there's Greek, Japanese, Indian,…. (Ryan gives up and sits up in the bed and throws his pillow aside before yelling.)
Ryan: Seth! Shut the hell up! Leave now! We'll be in five minutes.
Seth: Five minutes, buddy, no more, I'm warning you.
Ryan: (Getting really annoyed now.) And what are you going to do, Seth!
Seth: I haven't figured that out yet, but it will be BAD!
Ryan: Seth!
Seth: Got it! Brian Gatwood is angry and we don't need those fists of fury to mess up the Ironist's handsome face. See you in five, man. (Ryan lies back down and Marissa snuggles close again. After they don't hear anything for a few seconds, they assume the coast is clear and begin to talk.)
Ryan: I'm sorry. I didn't see Zoe sneak in, and then Seth…
Marissa: Ryan, quit, like you could control either of them. I'm not mad, and although I was enjoying our nap, there is an advantage to all this.
Ryan: (He looks at her like she is insane.) There is?
Marissa: Yep. We can now go to bed early, and they won't be able to say a thing because we have reason to be tired, our nap was interrupted. (He smiles at her.)
Ryan: But, we're not going to go to sleep right away, right? (With just a smile, she gets up out of the bed, and pulls him up after her. The camera leaves them and goes back into the house where Seth and Zoe have just entered. Seth is opening the fridge when Kirsten walks in behind him and slams it shut. Zoe is off playing with Sophie in the family room.)
Kirsten: You're not ruining your dinner, Seth, with pudding. You can have some later.
Seth: I wasn't getting pudding; I was getting…..something to drink.
Kirsten: Yeah, sure you were. Can you go and pick dinner up for me?
Seth: What? You already ordered? I was going to choose for all of us though!
Kirsten: I guess if you don't like it then you don't have to eat it, right? (She leaves him standing by the fridge after giving him a glare to warn him not to open it again.)
Seth: Fine, what'd you order?
Kirsten: Wings, and before you say a word, the Nana is right in the other room and we're not supposed to eat anything made of grains. (Seth's face shows that he would like to complain but knows better.)
Seth: Well, if I have to pick it up, Ryan's coming with me, because we need to have some male bonding time.
Kirsten: And you do this over picking up take out?
Seth: Hey, I take it where I can get it. Besides, I really need to talk to him.
Kirsten: (She laughs.) Don't you always?
Seth: Pretty much, but this is important, (He sees Ryan and Marissa walk through the door. Marissa yawns but tries to hide it.) and speaking of Ryan, there he is. Ready to go, buddy?
Ryan: Where are we going?
Seth: You, me, take out, now.
Ryan: (Ryan gives him a weird, confused look.) Take out what, and when did you give up full sentences? You sure were using them a few minutes ago when you wouldn't let Marissa and I go back to sleep.
Seth: We're not taking out anything; we're picking up the take out, and as for the abbreviated sentences, I thought I'd give it a shot. It works so well for Mother here, but I see that words are my thing; I shouldn't use less of them.
Marissa: Uh, yeah you should, Seth.
Kirsten: You woke them up?
Seth: Technically, I only woke Ryan up, but in my defense, I didn't even know they were sleeping. Zoe woke up Marissa, and when we saw that they were already awake, we just decided that they shouldn't go back to sleep this close to dinner.
Kirsten: But you didn't know yet that I'd already ordered dinner.
Seth: Intuition?
Kirsten: Intuition my ass, Seth. (She looks around them.) Where's Summer?
Seth: Probably chewing through my pillows right about now. She's not quite in the best mood today.
Kirsten: Is something wrong?
Ryan: Oh, I'd say so!
Seth: Hey, how do you know already?
Ryan: Know what? All I know is that she stormed into our room today, flipped out, said some extremely rude, ignorant, and mean things to us, especially Marissa, and, oh yeah, she threw cold water all over our bed.
Seth: And that ladies and gentlemen is a rage blackout. What were you doing that set her off? (Ryan and Marissa exchange glances and both blush slightly.) Oh, that, well it is all starting to make sense to me now. Why don't we go now Ryan, and I'll tell you what you need to know during the car ride, and Mom, would you mind going and talking to Summer? I'd ask you Marissa, but you're obviously not her favorite person right now, and that is partly my fault. I'll let Ryan fill you in later, okay? (Kirsten and Marissa exchange glances before both women nod. Kirsten walks off and goes upstairs, while Seth moves to the front door. Ryan remains and turns to Marissa to kiss her goodbye. After it lasts a few seconds too long for Seth, he yells out.) Dude, let's go! I'm hungry.
Ryan: (Whispering so that only Marissa can hear.) I'm always hungry, too, but not for food. (She smiles.)
Marissa: I know, and that's exactly how I like it. (He kisses her once more on the nose, which makes her smile even more and then walks off to join Seth.)
Seth: So, Ryan, what were you two whispering about? (Ryan gives him a sideways look.) Okay, then, you're not in the mood to talk, but that's good, that's really good, more time for me to talk then. (They disappear out of the kitchen and Marissa laughs as she walks to the family room to sit with Sophie and play with Zoe. When she walks in, she sits down on the couch with them, and Zoe immediately climbs into her lap while she continues to talk. Marissa plays with her hair, Sophie smiles at the two of them, and Zoe just continues to talk, but the camera is far enough away that what she is saying cannot be understood. It then goes upstairs to Seth's room where Kirsten is knocking on the door.)
Kirsten: Summer, it's me, Kirsten. Would you like to talk? Is everything okay? (She stands outside of the door for a moment before a Summer with a tear stained, puffy face opens the door. She doesn't say anything but leads her to Seth's bed and sits down dejectedly. There is music playing in the background. Summer has on the song "A M Slow Golden Hit" by Hotel Lights. Kirsten sits down beside her and takes her in her arms and hugs her while a fresh bout of tears surface and fall. As Summer sobs, the camera switches to Ryan and Seth in the Range Rover. Ryan is driving; Seth is talking. The same song is playing in the car as well.)
Seth: So, our six week check up was today.
Ryan: What, you guys hadn't had that yet?
Seth: I know, I know, but Summer's schedule has been hectic these last few weeks, but she was off today, so we could go.
Ryan: Well judging by her actions earlier today, I take it you didn't get good news?
Seth: That's like the understatement of the millennium!
Ryan: So, how bad it is?
Seth: Looks like Summer and I have no choice but adoption.
Ryan: Whoa, wait, what do you mean, start at the beginning. (The camera goes back to Summer and Kirsten, and although she is still crying softly, she is able to talk.)
Summer: So I guess that there was a lot of scarring after the surgery.
Kirsten: And it's going to be difficult to conceive a child?
Summer: If only. It looks like it's going to be nearly impossible.
Kirsten: What's the percentage?
Summer: Dr. Kline told me that there is a 95 chance that I will be infertile, and even if I did become pregnant, there's a good chance I would have another ectopic pregnancy or just spontaneously abort in my first trimester.
Kirsten: So, what are your options? Are you eggs still viable?
Summer: She thinks that my ovaries will stop producing because of the amount of damage they sustained, and as for other options, well…. (The camera leaves them and goes back to Seth and Ryan.)
Seth: The doctor did say that a host mother would be an option. (He looks at Ryan who is lost.) That would be where they would use her egg but impregnate her with my sperm, so technically the baby would be half hours biologically.
Ryan: I imagine Summer did not like that idea.
Seth: No, and I can't really blame her. I'd feel awkward if I was the one who couldn't have children and then have her impregnated by another man.
Ryan: I couldn't handle that either. What were the other options?
Seth: Other than adoption, it was surrogacy. (The camera goes back to Summer and Kirsten.)
Summer: but the doctor didn't really recommend that idea.
Kirsten: Why?
Summer: Because of how difficult it is to find a suitable candidate, because of complications and disagreements with the birth mother, because of custody issues, and besides, we don't even know if I would be able to…if my eggs would be…
Kirsten: It's okay, you don't have to say anymore, I understand.
Summer: And then Cohen decided to offer his suggestion of who should be our surrogate.
Kirsten: Oh, this aught to be good.
Summer: He thought it was a good idea to ask… (The camera leaves them and goes back to Ryan and Seth.)
Seth: Marissa.
Ryan: What! No! Absolutely not, no way, no how, don't even think about it!
Seth: Wow, buddy, way to hold in your true feelings there. (Ryan realizes that he must have hurt Seth, so he softens his tone.)
Ryan: Look, I'm sorry, but I could not handle seeing Marissa carry a baby for nine months that was not mine, even if it wasn't technically hers either, and besides, how would she give the child back to you? The baby would have been growing inside of her, day after day, and no matter if it is your child or not, that has to be a tremendous feeling, a bond that DNA does not dictate.
Seth: Okay, so I see now that the idea was flawed, and let's just say that Summer did not appreciate the idea….for several reasons.
Ryan: What do you mean?
Seth: Well you see, Summer is a little… (The camera leaves them once and again and goes back to Seth's room where Kirsten is still comforting Summer as she talks.)
Summer: jealous of Ryan and Marissa, their relationship, the fact that they could be having a baby any time. Hell, she might be pregnant right now as we speak. (Kirsten is shocked by this.)
Kirsten: What! Marissa might be pregnant! (Summer senses the excitement in her tone and is hurt. When Kirsten sees this, she changes her tone and apologizes.) I'm sorry Summer, you just took me by surprise there. But, I didn't know that they were even trying.
Summer: They're not. (Kirsten looks at her confused.) They just decided to let everything happen naturally; whenever she gets pregnant is fine with them, whether it's now or five years down the road.
Kirsten: Well, that is a healthy attitude about it, but it must be difficult for you right now. (Summer shakes her head yes.) But, you have to know that they're not doing this to hurt you, and I know that deep down you want them to have children. You wouldn't want them to face the same fate that you and Seth are going to, do you?
Summer: No, but I just have this fear that years down the line they're going to have this perfect marriage with all these children…
Kirsten: (Slightly curious.) How many do they want?
Summer: I don't know, but seeing them with Zoe, I'd say at least a few. (Kirsten smiles to herself but does not let Summer see.) Anyway, I see them happy with this great big family, and then there's Cohen and I all alone in this big mansion living with our cats, and I don't even like cats that much, miserable and fighting all the time. And then he leaves me for someone who can have children. (She starts to cry again.)
Kirsten: Summer, that's not going to happen and you know it. That's just your fear talking. What does your heart tell you?
Summer: That the doctor was right; we'll just…. (The camera leaves Summer and Kirsten and goes back for the last time to Seth and Ryan.)
Seth: adopt.
Ryan: I think that would be great. Besides, think of it this way, your kids will actually have a chance to be athletic and cool now. (He purposely is teasing him trying to get him to laugh and lighten the mood.)
Seth: Yeah, and Summer won't be able to pass down those frightening rage blackouts.
Ryan: I'll second that idea. (Seth laughs softly as does Ryan. The car stops as they come to the restaurant.) You just stay put; I'll get it. (As he opens the door, Seth stops him by talking.)
Seth: Hey Ryan?
Ryan: Yeah.
Seth: Thanks, for everything, listening, understanding, for agreeing to tell Marissa later for me. I don't think I could share that story again.
Ryan: It's no problem, Seth. Come on, what are brothers for, right? (Seth smiles.)
Seth: I'm remember that; brothers are for listening and giving compassion. Hm, I like it.
Ryan: Don't push your luck. (He gets out, shuts the door, and walks towards the entrance leaving Seth to smile and laugh to himself quietly as the song fades out and the camera goes to the family room where Marissa, Sophie, and Zoe are still sitting.)
Zoe: ….and then I married them and they danced and everyone watched and they kissed and then we talked about babies and I told them that they had to have twelve. (Marissa is laughing at the story Zoe is telling as she recalls their Valentine's Day to the Nana, while the Nana listens intently. When she hears twelve children, a shocked expression covers her face.)
Sophie: Wait! You want them to have twelve children? (Zoe shakes her head up and down to signify that she does. Sophie turns to Marissa.) And, you how many kids do you want?
Marissa: I don't really know…at least a few.
Sophie: Really?
Marissa: Yes, I've always wanted a big family, and I'm starting to get it already with you guys. Sandy and Kirsten have been so welcoming to me, including me as a part of the family, and it's been wonderful, but I want my own large family some day, too.
Sophie: Sandy will love that you kids want to have a large family. (Marissa smiles while Zoe just looks confused. She gets up off Marissa lap and starts to walk off.)
Marissa: Hey, where do you think you're going, Tink?
Zoe: (Without looking at her.) Potty, I'll be right back. (As she rushes off down the hall, Sophie and Marissa laugh softly.)
Sophie: So tell me everything, all about you and Ryan.
Marissa: That's a lot to tell. I wouldn't even know where to begin.
Sophie: How about how you guys met?
Marissa: (She smiles over the memory before speaking.) It was pretty amazing actually. It was the very first day I was ever in California, and I only came to Newport because I had heard how beautiful it was here. I saw this lifeguard stand, went to sit on it to watch the ocean and soak in the sun, and he just walked up the ramp and into my life and we haven't been apart for longer than a few hours since.
Sophie: (Smiling.) Yeah, I'm going to have to have more information than that.
Marissa: (She laughs.) Okay, so after a few seconds of awkwardness, we just started talking, which I found out later was rare for Ryan around most people.
Sophie: He's definitely no Seth in the talking department. (They both laugh.)
Marissa: Well we talked so long that he lost track of time, and the next thing we knew Seth was calling demanding to be fed as Ryan was to pick up the take out while he was out, but instead of letting me go, he insisted that I come home to have dinner with him and his family. I was hungry, didn't know a single soul in this whole state, and I liked him, a lot, already, so I said yes. Then he found out that I was living in my car until the dorms opened back up, so he insisted that I stay with him here, but I wasn't going to until the whole family invited me to spend the holidays with them.
Sophie: So when was the first kiss, that same night? (Marissa laughs at her forwardness.)
Marissa: Nope. I made him wait till New Year's Eve.
Sophie: But that was weeks! (Marissa laughs again.)
Marissa: Yep, but it was worth it.
Sophie: Well, what are you waiting for, spill.
Marissa: So, (Just as she begins to talk, Zoe runs back into the room and the doorbell chimes. Zoe leaps into Marissa's arms and Sophie stands up annoyed at the interruption.)
Sophie: You stay right there. I'm going to go get rid of whoever that is, and then you're going to tell me everything. (She walks off as Marissa smiles up at her.)
Marissa: Did you wash your hands honey?
Zoe: Yyyyyeeeessss, Marissa. Geez, only Seth doesn't wash his hands after he goes potty. (Marissa laughs and hugs Zoe to her, tickling her at the same time. The camera leaves them and goes to Sophie as she opens the door to see Caleb standing there just about to ring again.)
Sophie: Do not even think about touching that bell again.
Caleb: Sophie.
Sophie: Mr. Nichol.
Caleb: Please call me Caleb.
Sophie: Please call me Mrs. Cohen. (Caleb laughs.)
Caleb: You might not like me, Sophie, but I sure do get a kick out of you. So, are you going to invite me in or are you going to make me stand out here until my daughter realizes that you've barricaded the door to keep her beloved father out?
Sophie: You're not welcome to come in, but since this is not my house, I guess I can't stop you. (She opens the door wider and steps aside as Caleb walks in. She shuts the door loudly. He hears Zoe giggling from the family room and starts to walk in there.) So I take it you were invited to dinner?
Caleb: No, but thank you for the invite. I'd love to stay. (She rolls her eyes at him as he walks into the family room and sees Zoe.) Hello there Marissa, and Zoe, can you come over her and give Grandpa a hug and kiss?
Marissa: Hello Mr. Nichol. (Zoe jumps off Marissa's lap and runs to Caleb who picks her up and hugs her. She kisses his cheek as he talks.)
Caleb: Caleb, please. (Marissa smiles.) So, by the evidence of the amount of laughter coming from this room, I'd say that someone was having a good time. (Zoe laughs as Caleb talks to her.) And just exactly what were you up to missy?
Zoe: Marissa was tickling me!
Caleb: She was? (He feigns shock, but Zoe doesn't understand that he's just playing.) How dare she!
Zoe: She's allowed, and you better be nice to Marissa because she's my favoritest person in the whole world! (Caleb smiles at Zoe and then over at Marissa who is laughing softly at Zoe.)
Marissa: Zoe, honey, it's okay. He was just teasing me.
Zoe: Oh, okay! (She squirms in his arms until he puts her down. Then she goes over to Marissa and takes her hand to pull her up. Marissa plays along.)
Marissa: Where are we going?
Zoe: To set the table, silly. (Marissa laughs at her young friend, and Caleb and Sophie follow them into the kitchen. Marissa goes and grabs the plates from the cupboard and sets them down on the table while Zoe attempts to climb the stool. When Marissa sees this, she rushes over and picks her up holding her tightly to her.)
Marissa: Oh no, I don't think so. You know you're not allowed to climb up here Zoe. Now, what did you want, I'll get it for you. (Just as Zoe is about to answer, the front door can be heard opening and Seth begins to yell.)
Seth: Food's here! (He walks into the kitchen carrying nothing, while Ryan is burdened down with many bags of take out. He puts them on the counter and goes up and wraps his arms around Marissa's waist. Seth just opens a bag, takes out a box of wings, heads to the table, opens it, and starts eating without saying a word. Sophie and Caleb watch them all with keen interest.)
Ryan: (Arms still around Marissa's waist as he kisses her neck softly.) And how are my two favorite girls? (He lets go of her with one arm and ruffles Zoe's hair who laughs.)
Marissa: Great, now that their favorite boy is here.
Ryan: Hey!
Marissa: (She laughs.) Okay, their favorite man, is that better oh macho one?
Ryan: Much. (He takes Zoe from her as she grabs the silverware. They go back to the table, put the silverware down beside the plates, and buckle Zoe into her seat. When Ryan sees the silverware, he picks it up. Marissa gives him a strange look.) We're eating wings; don't need silverware. (She smiles at him.) We'll be right back. We're just going to grab enough drinks for everyone and then we'll get you your food, okay?
Zoe: Okay, I want pop.
Marissa: You get juice. (Zoe pouts for a moment, but then reaches out and kicks Seth. He just ignores her, so she loses interest and just watches Ryan and Marissa. As Caleb and Sophie continue to watch them, Marissa and Ryan go the fridge, open it, but share a kiss behind the door as they think they are undetected, before grabbing the beverages.)
Sophie: Now aren't they a beautiful site, especially with Zoe. Now I see why she wants them to have a dozen children, and I have to say I agree with her.
Caleb: (Caleb laughs.) Marissa wants a dozen kids?
Sophie: No, Zoe wants them to have that many, but I guarantee you that Ryan and Marissa will have a large family.
Caleb: Oh really, how do you know?
Sophie: She told me. (She walks off and he follows as they grab some of the food and take it over to the table and sit down. She starts to fill a plate for Zoe as Ryan and Marissa come over and sit down. Kirsten and Summer walk in just as they do.)
Kirsten: Glad to see you could wait for the whole family, Seth, and Dad, when did you get here, and what are you doing here?
Caleb: Sophie invited me.
Kirsten: Since when are you two on a first name basis, and she did? (Sophie shakes her head no and rolls her eyes, but Caleb just laughs at her and continues.)
Caleb: The first names started today, at my insistence and Sophie's annoyance, and she really didn't really invite me, I just took it as an invite.
Kirsten: Why are you in such a good mood?
Caleb: Because I got out of the house and away that terrifying woman.
Sophie: Aw, so you've found yourself some new jailbait? How old is she this time, 18? (Seth, Ryan, Marissa, and Kirsten all laugh. Zoe looks on confused, and Summer just fills her plate.)
Kirsten: Actually, Sophie, he's getting better. This one is my age. (Sandy walks in behind them, startling everyone when he speaks because no one heard the door open.)
Sandy: Ma, (He's excited until he sees Caleb.) Cal!
Caleb: Glad to see you could finally make it home, Sanford. (Sandy rolls his eyes and kisses Kirsten hello on the cheek. They make their way over to the table and join the rest of the family.)
Seth: How did you get in here so quietly, Father? Have you been hiding out on us, is there a secret, private door somewhere?
Sandy: No, it's just that some of us actually know how to be stealth, son. (Everyone laughs, except for Seth, who fake laughs, and Summer who just plays with her food without looking up from her plate, but no one notices her mood as they are enjoying themselves too much. The camera pans away as the scene ends.)
Commercial Break