I plan to get deeper with Seth in later chapters.
Chapter 11
Seth Cohen watched as his younger sister ran from one end of his yard to the other. He sat down on the steps pulling his daughter onto his lap. Summer had spent most of the day trying to entertain the seven year; which is exactly what she was trying to do now.
Seth had taken to barely speaking to Sophie. It wasn't that he didn't love his little sister, it had more to do with their mother. Sophie was the spitting image of Kirsten Cohen. Everything about the little girl screamed Kirsten. That's what seemed to be bothering Seth. Like Ryan he was trying to keep his feelings inside; which was strangely unlike the talkative man. This was just something he didn't feel like discussing unless it was his with wife. She was the only person he'd even bring up the death to.
After the death and the reading of the will he had a hard time understand why his parents would choose Ryan and Taylor. What did they have against him and Summer? Even though his parents had written him a letter it still didn't explain as much as he wanted to know. He needed their reasoning's in full other than just a 'we felt it in our hearts.' That wasn't enough. There had to be something more there but Seth knew he would never know what it was exactly. It was gnawing at his insides. It was as if he was searching for that answer, it was as if he wasn't going to let this go until he figured it all out.
"Come play, Seth." Sophie ran up to stand in front of him. Seth didn't meet her gaze only looking up at his wife with pleading eyes. Summer just shook her head and glared him down.
"What are we playing? Just know I do not do contact sports or actually any sports for that matter." He gave in. As much as he wanted to not look at his sister, he knew it was inevitable for the little girl needed him as much as he needed her right now.
-
"Was she okay?" Ryan asked Seth once he had walked into his and Summer's house. Seth sighed before sitting down on the couch putting his head in hands.
"Is it supposed to be this difficult? Am I supposed miss them this much? Why do I feel like I can't even spend time with Sophie? She needs me and I'm basically ignoring her when she tries to talk to me. Sure I played with her for a second but that's not enough…Ryan what's wrong with me?" Seth looked up at Ryan with pleading eyes. He needed an answer but little did he know that Ryan was searching for the same answers.
"She's a good kid." Was all Ryan could get out. Seth shook his head at Ryan knowing that he should have known better than try to get something out of him.
"She's my Mom reincarnated." Seth muttered. Ryan took a deep breath before sitting down on the couch across from the one Seth was sitting at. "Are you happy they chose you?"
"How can you ask me that? How can I answer a question like that, Seth?" Ryan wondered from his brother.
"It's as simple as telling me you are happy or you're not. If you aren't then I know my parents made a bad choice in picking you."
"I'm happy but I still can't stop wondering why me? They know me almost as much as my wife does, you'd think they would see that I wouldn't be the one get this little girl to talk or get her through this." Ryan sighed leaning back.
"She's sleeping." Seth was done talking about this. This conversation was over and Ryan couldn't have been more happy for that. He realized that maybe Seth wasn't the one he needed to talk to about the death, since he was obviously not doing well with this either.
-
"Have fun?" Taylor smiled brightly at her husband and his sister as they walked through the front door. She scrunched her nose up at how terrible Sophie smelled. "Did you play in the dirt or something?" She questioned her. Sophie just gave her a grin before walking past her and up the stairs. "You're getting a bath little lady." Taylor called after her. "Did you talk to Seth?"
"For a little bit." Ryan shrugged walking towards their kitchen to get something to drink. "He's having a hard time with everything…"
"So are you." Taylor pointed out.
"Let it go, I am fine." Ryan rolled his eyes at her. "I know he doesn't think his parents made the right choice in picking us."
"Do you?"
"Sometimes, then there are the times that I'm no so sure about everything." He told her.
"I think we're all going to be just fine. And I am not going to let go that you need to talk this out. At least not until you actually do." She walked over and put her arms around his waist.
"Are you happy with how things have turned out?" Ryan's question caught her a bit off guard. She pulled away from him and pushed the fallen hair out of her bangs.
"I don't regret my choices, if that's what you mean. I'm sure there are things in the past that I would love to change but I can't so I'm not going to dwell on them, such as Sandy and Kirsten dying. But, honestly Ryan, yeah I am happy. Are you?"
"Yeah…I am." He kissed the top of her head before pulling her closer to him. Their moment was broken when they heard Caden crying and then Sophie's voice yelling for Taylor. "I'll get Caden." He kissed her on her lips before pulling away from her.
-
"What's wrong, Sophie?" Taylor walked into the girls room.
"Does Seth still love me?" She asked her. Taylor walked over to Sophie's bed before sitting down next to her.
"Of course he does, why would you ask a thing like that?" Taylor questioned her.
"Cause, even though he played with me he won't look at me…I know it's because of Mommy and Daddy…is it my fault they died?" Taylor's face fell at the little girl. She didn't want Sophie to ever think that she had anything to do with her parents death.
"Of course not, Sophie. You didn't do a thing. These things just…they happen and we can't control them. Seth is just upset…it might take him some time just like it's taking the rest of us time. Your parents were a huge impact on each of our lives in a different way." Taylor explained to Sophie.
"I love you Taylor." Taylor had to fight back the tears as Sophie hugged her tightly.
"I love you too, Sophie." Taylor kissed the little girls forehead before she released her grip.
"I think I'm ready for that bath now." Sophie scrunched her nose making Taylor laugh.
"I think you're right." Taylor stood up from the bed before taking Sophie's hand and leading her to the bathroom.
