A/N: You lucky people you, another update within the week! LOL!

I really hope you are all enjoying this fic. I really had no idea where I was going to go with it when I started and hopefully you are all enjoying the ride!

This chapter, for its length, I dedicate to Shar, scroll away my dear! Scroll away!

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Chapter 7- Be Yourself

"I want you to promise not to shut me out…just, let me be there for you."

Ryan took her hand and pulled her flush against him. His other hand wound its way around her waist and he looked down into her eyes.

"I promise."

Bringing his head down towards hers, he sealed the promise with a gentle kiss. Capturing her lips with his again and again.

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Ryan was sat at his desk, staring down at the building plans for a new community centre that the team he was a part of, were working on.

He and two other guys, Gregory Fields and Stuart Walker, made up the team. All three had started working at Roe & Manning Architects at the same time, each having landed the coveted training positions that the firm offered to graduates each year.

Ryan liked the two other men; they often went out for drinks after work or round to each other's apartments to watch football (or whatever sporting game happened to be showing), drink beer and make jokes at each other's expense. When he wasn't with Seth and Summer or Taylor, Ryan liked having other people to talk to, other friends; friends who didn't know about his past.

He had made a few friends at college, but they had all dispersed to different parts of the country, following their own goals and dreams.

Ryan's dream had remained right there in Berkeley. There were several well know architectural companies in the city, but none as prestigious as Roe & Manning. Upon starting his degree, Ryan had researched the company and followed their undertakings diligently.

Roe & Manning were known for using classical designs that were reinvented with modern day twists. They not only worked on large, corporate and well-funded private commissions, but also undertook smaller projects that benefited the community, which definitely added to the appeal for Ryan.

He had applied for the training position, holding out little hope that he would be successful Despite Taylor's constant protests to the contrary, Ryan had remained realistic. There would be fierce competition for each of the three places and allowing his hopes to get too high would just increase the disappointment he would feel when they were wiped out from beneath him.

However, his application was successful. Good grades and glowing references from his college professors, assured that his application had been given great consideration.

So, for the past year he had been working in a job he loved. Initially, the three men were each assigned to a mentor who showed them the ropes and delegated work to them. Once settled in their positions, they were allowed to sit in on project meetings to gain an understanding of how a building went from being commissioned to being built within the company, and given tasks to complete for each project.

This community centre, however, was the first project the three had been given to complete without any superior supervision. It may be a small project in relation to others, but it was daunting none the less; a chance to prove their capability and all that they have learnt.

Something like this was a test, and required a great deal of hard work and concentration. However, as Ryan looked at the blue prints in front of him, his eyes were unseeing and his thoughts were a million miles away.

He and Taylor had made up after their argument, his thoughts allowed for a small smile as he remembered just how many times they had made up.

They did talk things out further, and Taylor had attempted to broach the subject of paternity once again, to which Ryan gave her the same response that he had given Sandy. He didn't know how he knew, that feeling he had deep down inside, but he asked her to trust him. She hadn't looked entirely appeased, but after just making up he was thankful that she didn't push the subject further.

Taylor asked about his meeting with Theresa and he told her everything that Theresa had said; all of the reasons for her actions. He had then pulled out the photo that Theresa had given him and showed it to Taylor. She commented on how handsome little Ryan was, she giggled that he was going to break a few hearts when he was older, yet notably she left out that he was the spitting image of the picture Frank Atwood had shown her all those years ago.

Ryan told Taylor that he likes to be called Ry; that his favourite food is pizza and he takes his frog with him wherever he goes. He does well in school and his favourite colour is green.

Ryan confessed that he was worried about seeing him again, that Ry might not like him at all. Taylor had objected to that idea immediately, saying that Ry had seemed like an easy-going kid when they had first met, and besides, Ryan was great with children. Sophie and Joshua both adored their older brother; he connected with them effortlessly. He just had to remember not to push too hard, Ry would open up in his own time.

Ryan pulled open the top drawer of his desk and took out the picture of Ry that he had stashed away in there. Two days ago he had got a call from Theresa, asking if he would like to meet her and Ry at a small family pizza restaurant that she was taking him to on the Friday. Ryan had agreed right away.

So, in a few hours, when work was over, he was going to meet them.

Ryan had spent the week in anticipation of meeting his son and had wondered if he should get him something. He had asked Taylor if it would seem strange to Ry that a virtual stranger was giving him a gift. She had replied by saying that, she doubted a boy of nine would think too much about it and would just be pleased with having been given a present. So then Ryan was faced with the problem of what to buy for a nine year old. In the end he settled for a video game that the assistant at the games store said was very popular with kids of that age.

Ryan wondered what the meeting would be like; would it be awkward? Would Theresa tell Ry exactly who he, Ryan, was right away? Or would she decide to let Ry get familiar with him first, before telling him? These were things he should have discussed with Theresa, but having had so many issues and thoughts to deal with, he had let these questions slip his mind at the time. Only now had he really thought about it, with hours to go. He could kick himself for being so unprepared.

The sound of his phone ringing pulled him out of his musings.

"Ryan Atwood," he answered in a professional manner.

"Hey, it's me." Taylor's warm voice floated from the other end of the line. "Are you busy? Can you talk?"

"Yeah, I can talk. I was just looking over some plans for the Anderson Community Centre project."

"How's it going?" She questioned. Taylor knew that this project was important; Ryan had been working on it intensely for the past four months. It was why she was so surprised at the effort he put into her birthday party.

"Yeah it's moving along, there were a few glitches but we're working on it." Ryan loved that Taylor took an interest in his work; she was always asking him questions. He had joked once that she must find it all boring, but she had just shook her head saying learning about new things was never boring.

"That's good. This building will be the first of many that'll be known as an Atwood work of art." After a pause she added, "and the other's will be mentioned too, of course."

"So, what are you going to do tonight?"

The dinner tonight was just going to be him, Theresa and Ry. Ryan hadn't asked Taylor to come with him when he told her that Theresa had called and Taylor hadn't mentioned going with him. She understood that Ryan just wanted it to be him. There was silent communication between the two that it was for the best that way. He wasn't shutting her out. Just like he had promised, he told her everything and she was going to be there for him when he needed her.

"Lucas and Sarah are taking me for some late birthday drinks. I think Lucas wants to grill Sarah on her new boyfriend, he keeps going on about having to give approval." She laughed, "which you just know means he just wants to drool over another "Newport Hottie."

Ryan cringed; Lucas also worked with Taylor and Sarah at the paper. The flamboyant man had given Ryan that nickname upon meeting him, much to Taylor's amusement. She constantly used it to tease Ryan.

"Taylor," Ryan warned, good-naturedly.

"Okay, okay" she appeased through a giggle, "I was actually just calling to wish you…good luck, I guess."

"Thanks."

"Are you still nervous?"

Ryan's mind went through the questions he had been asking himself just before Taylor called. "It's hard not to be." He replied honestly.

"You'll do great, Ryan. You're great with kids, just be yourself. I've gotta go, I've got a call waiting. I'll see you at home later?"

"Yeah."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

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In the corner of a dimly lit bar, after several 'excuse me's' and some careful manoeuvring, Taylor and Sarah had managed to find a booth housed just inside a small alcove, as Lucas had gone to buy them drinks.

"And you're not in the least bit concerned about Ryan having dinner with his ex?" Sarah continued on the conversation they had been having as they had walked from the office to The Red Lounge, their regular after work hot spot.

"No," Taylor replied as she took off her coat, "why would I be? He's gone to meet his son, it's not a date."

"Not for him maybe."

"I doubt it is for her either." Taylor shrugged, "I don't think Theresa has come back into Ryan's life with the purpose to go after him. Ryan told me that if she had had her way, she never would have seen Ryan again."

"Here we are ladies, three Cosmos." Lucas placed the tray in the middle of the table and slid into the booth next to Taylor, "so what are we talking about?"

"Ryan being on a date." Sarah quickly replied, earning a glare from Taylor.

"It's not a date." She argued, "he's just gone to meet his son, and she's the mother of his son, she kinda has to be there."

"Why aren't you there?" Lucas questioned, as he sipped his drink.

"It was something that Ryan had to do himself. And Ry's only a kid, why complicate things further for him by adding in another person. He'll already be confused, no need to overwhelm him. I'll get to meet him eventually."

"Well, I still think you should watch out. Playing happy families may give Theresa ideas."

"Just because she may get some ideas doesn't mean anything. Have you seen the way Ryan looks at Tay?" Lucas began to fan himself exaggeratedly with a napkin, "how do you not melt when he looks at you?"

"Who says I don't?" Taylor raised an eyebrow and laughed.

"Speaking of looks," Lucas now directed his gaze towards Sarah. "On a scale of one to me, how hot is James?"

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At exactly 6.05 p.m. Ryan pulled his car up into the parking lot of Lorenzo's Family Pizzeria. It being a Friday, many families were walking into the entrance, familial sounds of conversation, laughter and parents calling out to their children could be heard with each open and close of the door, along with the sound of music.

Taking a deep breath, Ryan grabbed the neatly wrapped present, courtesy of Taylor, from the passenger seat and made his way inside.

Once in the door he looked around for Theresa and as he looked, a harassed looking waitress came up to him.

"Er, is it just you?" She asked.

"No, I'm meeting someone…" A wave of a hand caught Ryan's attention. It was Theresa. The waitress had followed Ryan's line of sight, smiled and let him past, already beginning to greet the customers behind him.

He made his way over to the table where Theresa was sat facing him, and the figure of a small boy, hunched over a menu, was sat facing the opposite way.

Theresa stood up as Ryan approached the table.

"Hi," he greeted, looking from one to the other. "Sorry I'm late. Traffic."

"You're not late, we just sat down actually." Theresa smiled. "Ryan this is my friend you met, remember? His name's also Ryan."

Ryan may not have asked Theresa how they were going to handle the situation of introducing Ryan to Ry formally, but she had thankfully answered the question for him anyway. He had decided that Theresa would know how to handle it best; she was Ry's mother after all. Ryan just had to follow her lead.

The young boy glanced at Ryan and then Theresa, "Mom," He whined, "stop calling me Ryan. It's Ry."

"Aren't you going to say 'hello'?" She asked, ignoring his comment.

"Hello." Ry sullen said, and then went back to reading his menu.

"Hello, Ry." Ryan shifted uncomfortably, unsure of himself and of what to do next.

Ry apparently seemed to be upset over something. This wasn't going how Ryan had hoped; not that he was entirely sure how it was going to go at all. He hadn't expected Ry to run into his open arms, but he had thought he'd be received with more than a forced 'hello'. He had been expecting a greeting with some of the enthusiasm similar to when he had first met Ry at the Yatch Club.

"He's upset because I wouldn't let him bring Wort." Theresa offered in explanation of Ry's behaviour, and then on Ryan's obvious look of confusion, she clarified, "his frog."

"Oh."

Theresa sat back down on her side of the booth but moved further up to allow room for Ryan to sit next to her. He took his seat and looked at the top of Ry's head, he searched his brain of what to say to a nine year old who happened to be sulking.

With Sophie or Joshua it was easy for him to coax them out of a tantrum. He had known them all their lives, he knew how to read their moods, knew their likes and dislikes and he knew just what to say to get them to smile.

In front of him sat his son who he didn't know at all, apart from what he had been told by Theresa.

"So, you're mom tells me you like pizza, what's your favourite?" It was a start at least.

"Pepperoni." Ry mumbled. He may have been sulking but he still remembered his manners; when someone asks you a question, it's polite to reply.

"I'm more of a ham and pineapple fan, but I could go for pepperoni." Ryan looked at Theresa; she smiled and nodded her head encouragingly, telling him silently not to give up. "You wanna share?"

Ry shrugged his shoulders, "I guess."

"Well, you boys can share the pizza, I think I'll go for the pasta today."

"Mom, you always go for the pasta." Ry rolled his eyes.

"With the carbonara sauce, right?" Ryan grinned at Ry.

"Yeah, how do you know?" Forgetting that he was meant to be sulking, Ry sat up straighter to look at Ryan. His eyes swept over Ryan in assessment, the innocent gaze of a child who was deciding whether he would like a person or not.

"I told you, sweetie. Ryan and I are friends; he used to live next door to me when I lived with Grandma in Chino."

"You're from Chino as well? I've only been there once."

"Don't you go to your Grandma's every Sunday?" Ryan was sure that was what Theresa had told him.

"He does," Theresa replied, "my mom moved a few years back. She didn't want to live on her own, so she bought an apartment a few blocks from our own."

"So, Ry, do you like going to your Grandma's? Ryan asked.

Ry shrugged, "Sometimes, when she's made cakes. But I don't like it when she makes me watch her soaps." He pulled a face. "They're boring."

"Hi, folks. Are you ready to order?" A waitress interrupted their conversation, pen and notepad poised.

"We'll have the pepperoni pizza and the carbonara pasta?" Ryan looked to Theresa for confirmation. She nodded her head.

"I'll be back with your order." The waitress said as she picked up the menus off the table and then left.

"So, you like frogs, huh? Wort, that's a good name for a frog." Ryan smiled at Ry.

"Yeah, he doesn't have an actual wort though." Ry clarified. "But it was weird to call him Pete, that's what the guy at the pet store said his name was. There's a boy in my class called Pete, so I changed it."

"Yeah, I guess that would have been weird." Ryan laughed. The conversation seemed to be flowing easier, now that Ry had abandoned sulking. He seemed like he was actually quite talkative, if he was anything like Sophie it wouldn't take much to get him to talk.

"What about video games, do you play those with your friends?"

"Yeah, I'm really good at the racing ones. I always beat my friend Jack." Ry said, looking proud of himself.

"I play against my brother, I always beat him too."

"But you're old. Old people don't play video games!" Ry stated as though that was common knowledge.

Ryan laughed, at 25 he never thought of himself as old, older yes, but definitely not old. "I don't think you're ever too old to play video games."

"Jack just got this new game that I really want, but Mom says I have to wait till my birthday before I get it. That's a whole month from now!"

"Well, how about an early birthday present?" Ryan said as he pulled out the wrapped gift that he had bought for Ry and handed it over to his excited hands.

Ry, just as Taylor had predicted didn't question being given a present. He tore at the wrapping paper and his face broke out into a grin as he found what was underneath.

"Wow, this is so cool! Thanks, Ryan!"

"You're welcome. You just have to promise to let me play next time, you can show me just how good you are."

"Ok. You're much cooler than Mom's boyfriend."

"Ryan!" Theresa admonished. "That's not a very nice thing to say. You like Dominic."

"Yeah, but Ryan's still cooler, Mom."

If Ryan was shocked at the revelation that Theresa had a boyfriend, one she hadn't mentioned, he didn't show it. Instead he just continued on his conversation with Ry without comment.

Even after their meal had arrived, Ryan continued to ask questions, nervous that silence would result in the awkward atmosphere from before returning. He savoured each morsel of information that Ry revealed about in himself in the process. Theresa for the most part remained quiet, allowing for Ryan to get to know his son. She smiled at Ryan occasionally as he looked in her direction.

Near the end of their meal Ry pleaded with his mother for ice-cream as dessert, as Ryan sat back and took his time to look around the restaurant.

It was full of couples and families, some more conventional than others. Some were talking, smiling and enjoying the time spent together. And some looking like they just wanted to go home. He looked at the fathers of these families, wondering what made them so distinguishable as fathers.

Did he look like a father? Did they look like a family?

The idea that they did, both excited and disturbed him at the same time.

TBC

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