"She's mine?" Ryan asked, making sure he heard right. "Yes, she's yours," Marissa repeated, waiting for his reaction. Ryan smiled. "Well that explains why she's so great," he said. A look of relief came across Marissa's face. "So you're not upset?" she asked. "I never said that. How could you hide your pregnancy from me?" he asked. "You were with Sadie," she mumbled. Guilt came over his entire body.
"So you and Lindsay, huh?" Marissa asked. "Yeah. We started dating when she came back from Chicago a year ago and then we got engaged," Ryan stated. "Well I hope this news won't change anything in your relationship," Marissa said. "Well, after seeing her tonight, things were going to change anyways," Ryan said. "She just really loves you that's all," Marissa replied. "Or she's just really jealous and clingy," Ryan said. Marissa giggled. "Well, you deserve the best, and Lindsay is closer than anyone else you've been with," Marissa said sadly. "Marissa…" Ryan started. "No Ryan," Marissa cut him off. "You are this great, amazing, strong guy. I was never good enough. I always brought you down. And I'm sorry for that. I really am," Marissa started to cry. "Hey. Of coarse you were good enough for me. Sure you go into trouble sometimes, but saving you was all worth it. And every time I did I always knew I'd gladly do it again," Ryan explained. "But I'm weak!" Marissa protested. "No Marissa…" She cut him off again. "I am. I let Kevin hit me. I let him pressure me into sex. I watched as he hit our little girl! And I couldn't do anything about it!" She cried even harder now. And all Ryan could do was hold her until they were both asleep.
The next morning, Ryan woke up with Marissa in his arms, and Krista right beside her. He knew he shouldn't be here, but it all felt so right. Marissa's eye fluttered open and she turned to Ryan. "I miss the days when we were aloud to do this," Marissa whispered. Ryan was about to reply, but Krista started to cry. "Baby, what's wrong?" Marissa asked. "I don't wanna go back to Kevin Mommy! He hurts me!" Krista cried. Hearing this broke Ryan's heart. He took the little girl in his arms and said. "Krista, listen to me. I'm not going to let Kevin come near you or mommy ever again," he said. Krista smiled at him. "Thanks Ryan," she gave him a huge hug.
"Well I'm going to get back now. Lindsay's going to freak," Ryan said. He knew he had to leave, as much he wanted to stay. "Oh yeah. Well see you," Marissa said sadly. Ryan was about to speak up, but Krista ran up to him. "Bye RYAN! Come play with me soon!" She said. "I promise I'll play with you as soon as I can," Krista smiled, content with the answer she got," He kissed the top of her head. And before he left, he absent mindedly gave Marissa a kiss on the cheek.
"Where the hell have you been?" Lindsay yelled as soon Ryan walked in the door. "I was at Seth and Summer's," Ryan replied. "All night?" Lindsay asked him, quite annoyed. "Yeah," Ryan said. "You slept with her didn't you?" Lindsay interrogated. "Look, I'm not going to lie to you. We fell asleep together, but nothing happened. She was crying and she was worried and Krista..." Lindsay cut him off. "Krista? Is that another slut ex girlfriend?" Lindsay snapped. "No, Krista is a three year old girl, Lindsay. She's Marissa's daughter," Ryan told her. "I knew that skank would get pregnant before she finished school," Lindsay said to herself more than anyone. "Krista is Marissa's daughter, and she's mine too," Ryan admitted nervously. "Oh that's just great I'm engaged to the father of a brat, whose mother is an absolute slut!" Lindsay said. Ok she had gone too far. "Yeah, well not anymore," Ryan said. "What?" Lindsay asked, confused. "You heard me. I've had enough!" he said firmly. But he softened when he saw her crying. "Lindsay, you're great when you want to be, but the engagement is off," And with that Ryan left.