Neil stared down at the eight and a half by eleven piece of paper that had just turned his world on its head. After speaking to Sandy, the doctor had requested a paternity test from a lab tech that owed him a favor. There it was in black and white – he had a son.

Neil closed his eyes and moaned as the ramifications filtered through his mind in fast forward. Summer had a brother. He could only be thankful that Ryan and Summer had never dated. Now he had to decide what to do about the adoption. Was he truly willing to give up the son he had never known just like that?

Taking a deep breath, Neil picked up his phone and dialed his daughter. Before anything else happened, Summer needed to know. Despite her young age, Neil's daughter was very wise when she wanted to be and he needed a second opinion.

"There was no damage to the ICD." Dr. Taylor began. He paused as the Cohen family expressed their relief. "We are going to keep him an extra day just to make sure that no complications arise from Ryan's fall. After that you can take him home and I'll see him in my private practice for a follow up."

"Are you sure I have to stay?" Ryan asked softly.

Dr. Taylor smiled regretfully. "Sorry Ryan, I know you're not a fan of this place, but we don't want to take any chances."

"That's fine Doctor." Kirsten declared with a pointed look at her blond son.

Ryan sighed and nodded. "Yeah."

Dr. Taylor gave his goodbyes and left the room.

The second that the doctor was out of the room, Kirsten was at Ryan's side straightening the blankets and running her fingers through his hair. Ryan just watched her curiously. Seeing his look, Kirsten gave him a self-depreciating smile.

"I'm sorry if I'm smothering you, but I faced a life without you a few days ago and it scared the hell out of me." Kirsten confessed.

Ryan stared into his foster mother's tear-filled eyes. He wasn't used to anyone taking care of him like this and even though it made him a little uncomfortable, it also felt nice.

"I'm sorry that I scared you." Ryan began. "I've never had anyone really take care of me like this before, but I kind of like it."

Kirsten sniffed and kissed his temple. "You're our son Ryan. We will always be here to take care of you."

"I told you once before Kid. You're with us and you don't have to be the parent anymore." Sandy stated as he came to stand beside his wife and laid his hand on Ryan's knee.

"Thanks." Ryan said softly.

Seth grinned and joined the rest of his family. "Besides, I've always wanted a little brother to teach the ways of the world."

Ryan shot a glare at the other teen.

Sandy and Kirsten chuckled at their son's antics. For the first time since Ryan collapsed, it felt like everything was going to be okay.

"Hey Dad, what did you need to talk about?" Summer asked as she let herself into her father's office and plopped down in a chair across from his desk.

Neil took a deep breath and stared down at the paper in his hand. "You know how Sandy and Kirsten want to adopt that boy Ryan?"

"Yeah, I told you – remember?" Summer nodded.

"Yes, well it seems that Sandy hit a snag. He got Ryan's mother's signature on the adoption papers, but Ryan's mother told him that her husband wasn't Ryan's father. It turns out that she had a one night stand with a man from Newport who was having marital problems." Neil explained.

Summer's eyes widened. "Ryan's dad is a Newpsie?"

Neil was startled. "A what?"

"Oh that's just what the Cohen's call Newport natives." Summer informed him nonchalantly.

Neil let out a nervous chuckle before taking another deep breath. "Anyway, Sandy asked me to help him figure out who Ryan's father could be. His only clues were that Ryan was conceived in the Fresno area and the man was complaining that his pregnant wife would leave him as soon as their baby was born."

Summer whistled low under her breath. "That's harsh. No wonder the guy cheated."

Neil couldn't help but be relieved at Summer's comment. Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad after all. "When I heard the story, I asked a colleague to run a quick test for me just to discount a hunch I had. The test came up positive."

Summer gasped. "Dad, are you saying that you know who Ryan's father is?"

Neil nodded slightly. Here it comes.

"So? Who is it?" Summer demanded, sitting on the edge of her seat.

"It's me."

Summer was sure that her heart stopped and all the air was sucked out of the room at those words. "What?" She whispered in shock.

"Ryan is my son. It was right after we had found out about you. Your mother had already been unhappy for a long time, and she was determined to leave as soon as you were born. She was too far along when she found out she was pregnant to abort – thank God. She stayed long enough to deliver you and she was gone within two days. I'm sorry Summer. I never wanted you to know about your mother so I said that she just up and left one day. The night that Ryan was conceived, I was at a convention in San Francisco and one of the doctors with us knew of a restaurant in Fresno that he claimed we had to try. After dinner we ended up at this bar nearby. I was drowning my sorrows and that's when I met Ryan's mother. I never even knew her name. The next morning I was on a plane back to Newport." Neil explained.

Summer sat in silence as her father told his story. It was surreal, but all that she could think of was that Ryan was her brother. "What are you going to do Dad? Are you going to give him up for adoption?"

Neil sighed and ran a hand over his face. "I don't know. That's what I've been trying to figure out since the test came back."

"Can I see it?" Summer asked.

Neil handed the oh so important paper over to his daughter. Summer stared down at the words. There it was in black and white. She had a brother and it was Ryan Atwood – or Ryan Cohen or Ryan Roberts. God this was a mess.

"What do you think I should do?" Neil asked softly.

Summer looked up at her father. She should be angry at him for cheating on her mother, but she couldn't. Her mother had thrown her away while her dad had always been there for her. "Do you want a relationship with Ryan?" She wanted to know.

Neil stared into his daughter's dark eyes and nodded. "I think I would, but I don't want to stand in the way of what would make him happy. You said that he's had a rough life and that this adoption would mean everything to him. I don't want to ruin his happiness with my selfish desire to know my son."

"You need to talk to them Dad. They all need to know what's going on, and you need to let Ryan decide for himself." Summer stated. "In fact, they're all in Ryan's room right now. Why don't we go down there and talk to them? You could meet Ryan."

"Are you sure that Ryan is recovered enough for this?" Neil asked.

"If he's not what better place than the hospital to tell him? At least he will get help quickly if he needs it." Summer shrugged. She stood and started towards the door before stumbling to a halt. She turned and looked at her father fearfully. "Dad, Ryan's condition is hereditary. His mom doesn't have it." Summer stated, putting the pieces together.

Neil sighed heavily. "I have HCM sweetheart, but I control it with medication and exercise. I've never had a heart attack, and I have regular checkups with my cardiologist. I had you tested when you were little and you tested negative. I thought that would be the end of it."

"Oh Dad." Summer cried before throwing her arms around him. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

"I didn't want to worry you. I'm very healthy at the moment Summer. My medication is working perfectly." Neil replied.

Summer sniffled and nodded into his chest. "Okay, so we just have to worry about keeping Ryan safe. Oh my God, I have a brother!" Summer exclaimed. Then she remembered and her face scrunched up. "Oh my God! I hit on him at Holly's party – eww!"

Neil couldn't help but chuckle at his daughter's antics. "Well at least nothing ever happened."

"No kidding! It's weird enough that Ryan is dating Kirsten's sister." Summer shook her head. "But then he also dated Kirsten's step-sister. How's that for sick and twisted."

Neil shook his head. "You'll have to explain to me how that happened some time."

Summer chuckled. "It is pretty funny."

Caleb Nichol stood in the doorway of Ryan's hospital room and watched the cozy scene. Kirsten, Sanford and Seth were standing around Ryan's bed as they made plans for when the boy got to go home. He squared his shoulders and tapped on the open door. Caleb didn't miss the distrust in his grandson's eyes. He was used to that look from Sanford, but it was strange to see Seth look at him like that.

"I just came by to see how Ryan was feeling." Caleb stated.

"Hi Dad." Kirsten greeted her father with a quick hug. "Ryan has to stay an extra day, but then if everything is alright, he can come home." Kirsten explained while smiling gently at the boy.

Caleb glanced at the teen in the hospital bed. "Why? What's wrong?"

"Oh just Marissa being her usual destructive self." Seth declared.

"Seth!" Kirsten scolded.

"What did she do?" Caleb demanded.

"It was an accident. It doesn't matter." Ryan stated softly.

Seth snorted his derision. "Yeah, I'm sure it's a new form of healing to tackle patients in the hallway."

"Seth, stop it." Ryan growled.

"Sorry man, but she's a menace. Marissa's been nothing but bad news since you met her. I know that you care about her, but you can't afford her kind of trouble anymore." Seth argued.

"Seth that's enough." Sandy ordered when he noticed how agitated Ryan was getting. He laid his hand on Ryan's arm. "Just relax Kid. You know Seth's just worried about you."

Ryan nodded. "I know."

Seth ran a hand over his hair. "I'm sorry Ryan. It just scared me when they had to wheel you back on a gurney."

"It's okay." Ryan assured his brother.

"Would someone please explain to me what happened and what Marissa has to do with it?" Caleb exclaimed.

Kirsten glanced over at Ryan who sighed and nodded. "Marissa came to visit Ryan. She and Alex arrived while Ryan was walking in the hall. She forgot to be gentle when she went to hug him and knocked him over. It tore some stitches in his surgery site so the doctor is keeping him an extra day just to make sure there are no complications. It was an accident."

Caleb shook his head at the news of his step-daughter's latest mess. He didn't miss that the rest of the family knew who Alex was, but he didn't think this was the time to bring that up. He turned his attention to his new grandson. "So how are you feeling?"

Ryan looked at the large man warily and shrugged. "I'm fine."

"Hey, none of that." Sandy scolded gently.

Ryan sighed. "It aches a little, but it's nothing I can't handle."

"That's better. You know the rules Kid." Sandy smiled.

"Yeah." Ryan cut his eyes at his foster father and lifted the corner of his mouth.

Caleb couldn't help but admire the way that Sanford handled the quiet teen. He wouldn't admit it under torture, but Sandy was a good father – much better than he himself could claim to be. Unless it was business, even Kirsten didn't come to him with her problems and he had a closer relationship with Kirsten than he did with Hailey.

Just when Caleb was about to make another comment, Neil Roberts and his daughter came into the room. He took one look at their serious expressions and his curiosity was piqued.

"Neil, it's good to see you again." Sandy greeted the doctor.

"Hello Sandy. Summer and I need to talk to all of you." Neil replied.

Sandy's face was speculative as he nodded. He glanced over at Caleb questioningly.

Neil grimaced. "I'm sorry, but this is a very delicate matter." He told the real estate tycoon.

Caleb nodded while internally cursing the fact that he would have to wait to find out what was going on. "That's fine, I only had a few minutes anyway." He looked over at Ryan. "I hope that you get recover quickly."

"Thanks." Ryan replied softly and watched as the older man left the room. He visibly relaxed once Caleb was gone.

"So I'm guessing you have some information for us." Sandy stated. He came to stand next to Ryan. Despite the fact that the teen had taken the news that he wasn't truly an Atwood well, Sandy was still concerned with how he would feel when he found out who his father truly was.

Neil took a deep breath and nodded. "When you told me about Ryan's father, I had a hunch. I was able to run a test to find out if I was right." Neil paused to gather his courage. "Ryan is my son."

"Holy shit." Seth breathed.

It was telling that Kirsten didn't correct her son about his language.

"What?" Sandy asked softly.

Neil sighed and nodded. "When you told me where and what was said I knew that I was the most likely suspect. Not many people know this, but I also have HCM. I've been on medication for years." He went on to describe the circumstances of that night in Fresno. "I had no idea that you existed. You have to know that if I had, I would have come for you immediately." Neil seemed desperate for Ryan to know that.

Ryan felt like he was in the twilight zone. It was surreal that Summer's dad was his father. It seemed even stranger to think that Summer was his sister. As if thinking it had put her into motion, Summer came to his side and ran her hand over his.

"Dad just told me." She informed him. She smiled shakily. "So I guess that makes me your big sister. Not that you can call me big."

Ryan swallowed hard. "What happens now?" He whispered.

Neil sighed heavily. "If you want the Cohen's to adopt you I won't stand in your way. I just want you to be happy. I would like to get to know you better and maybe develop a relationship, but I also understand if that would be too difficult for you."

Ryan looked at his father shyly. It was obvious by the way that Summer looked up to her dad that Neil Roberts was a much better man than Frank Atwood. This was the man responsible for his life. His dad could be demanding full custody, but instead he's willing to give him up if it made Ryan happy.

"I don't know what to think." Ryan said softly.

"Then take your time and figure it out. There are no deadlines here. This is your life Kid. You know that Kirsten and I still want to make you our son, but this is something that you have to decide." Sandy suggested.

Ryan nodded. He glanced back over at his father. "I wouldn't mind getting to know you."

Neil smiled in relief. "Thank you." He replied. "I want you to know that I wouldn't hold it against you if you still wanted to be a Cohen. They're good people who obviously love you. I'm thrilled just to get to be in your life at all."

Ryan still felt as if someone had dumped him in an alternate universe, but he was thankful that Dr. Roberts was so understanding. Despite his desire to know his father, Ryan couldn't help but feel like the Cohen's were his parents.

TBC…