Disclaimer: I don't own anything OC related.
AN: Following The Ties That Bind
"Seth."
Seth turned around. "Ryan? Oh my god…what are you doing here?" Seth had been sitting on the beach outside his hotel when he heard him.
"You okay?" Ryan approached him warily. He was out of place on the beach in his jeans and wife beater and boots.
"Yeah, I'm fine…what are you doing here?" Seth had been gone for three weeks. He'd spent two weeks sailing with a family he met and one week in a hotel here in Hawaii.
"I came to get you."
"What?" Seth paused. He had left because he was upset about Ryan leaving and here he was coming to get him. Seth had dreamed of this day, he'd have his brother back, but he wasn't sure if he was ready to go. He didn't know if he was ready to go back.
"You have to come with me," Ryan said. And Seth could tell by his voice that something was wrong. He was chilled. Ryan's eyes were dark with exhaustion and seriousness.
"Ryan…"
"Please don't argue. We have to go." Ryan took his elbow and Seth nodded. He followed Ryan to the hotel.
"Ryan?" Seth called.
"I'll explain on the plane," Ryan said. They hadn't spoken since the beach. They were in a taxi now on the way to the airport.
"Rhyming?" Seth smiled.
Ryan didn't respond. He had his phone to his ear. Seth never knew he had a cell phone.
"Hey…how's he doing today? Still sleeping…good…Don't wake him…I've got Seth…I'll see you in a few hours, Jimmy…"
"Why are you calling Jimmy?" Seth was totally confused.
"He's watching your father," Ryan replied quietly.
"What do you mean he's 'watching' Dad?" Seth asked.
"On the plane. Where you can't run away from me." Ryan's eyes were unfocused out of the window. He wouldn't look at Seth.
"Dude, I need to know…"
"You're right, you do. On the plane."
Seth was bursting with questions but the taxi screeched to a halt.
"Let's go."
"Ryan…"
"Just wait. Believe me, I have questions for you, too. Let's go."
It was a small private jet.
"Is this Grandpa's?" Seth asked as they walked on.
"Caleb's in jail. This is Summer's father's plane," Ryan said as he closed and latched the small door.
"What?" Seth froze. Caleb, his grandfather, was in jail? He'd only been gone 3 weeks…
"Sit down, man. Put your seat belt on." Ryan was calmer than Seth had ever seen him. He wasn't expressing anything. Except calm.
"Ryan…"
"It's a long ride," Ryan sighed, rubbing his temples.
The pilot came back and secured all the doors.
Seth waited until the man left to speak. "What the hell, Ryan?"
"You left, Seth…and your parents didn't handle it well. Let's just say that it didn't come at a real good time. They freaked. Not right away…the first week was okay, and then your grandfather got arrested…and Sandy's mom died…"
"Nana?" Seth gasped.
Ryan nodded. "And your mother hasn't said a word in four days. She's catatonic. She's in the hospital…"
"The hospital.?"
"She won't eat, she won't take care of herself and Sandy…Sandy can't do it. Not right now…"
"You had her put in a hospital?" Seth muttered.
"I didn't have her put anywhere," Ryan said quietly. "Hailey and Jimmy, they've really came through and she needs help that we can't give her…"
"Is she going to be okay?"
"The only thing I could think of to do was to find you. She won't see me, she blames me for leaving but at least…at least I can bring you home."
"But…"
"You are Kirsten and Sandy's life, Seth," Ryan said seriously. "Don't you understand that? It's killing them to not know where you are, to not see you…Sandy won't sleep and yesterday I had to sedate him…"
"Not Dad, I don't believe you…"
"Caleb's in jail. All of Kirsten's assets are frozen. Sandy can't think straight enough to write a check. Things are out of control." Ryan met his gaze. "You have to fix this."
"What…"
"Things are fucked up, Seth. I'm sorry…that I drove you away or whatever but I did what I had to do…"
"Ryan…"
"But you have to fix it. I…I can't stand seeing Kirsten and Sandy like this…" Ryan's gaze faltered. "So I hope you had your epiphany because you're coming home to a whole new world."
The jet landed at a small airfield in Newport.
"So who's meeting us?" Seth asked.
"Hailey's going to take you to your father," Ryan answered.
"What about you?"
"I have to go," Ryan said.
"You mean…"
"I live in Chino, Seth. With Teresa. That doesn't mean that I don't care about you and your family, it just means that things are different. I have responsibilities…and so do you," Ryan said quietly.
"I can't believe this…"
"Drop it. Hailey knows how to reach me." Ryan opened the door and stepped out into the sunlight.
"Ryan?" Seth called. He followed him off the plane.
"Thank god…Seth…" Hailey embraced him desperately. "Thank god you're back…"
"Aunt Hailey…"
"Your father is going to just die," She grinned, holding his face in her hands. She turned to look at Ryan. "Your flight okay?"
"I made it," Ryan muttered. "Are you taking him straight to Sandy?"
"Yeah. He's still sleeping. This will be just what he needs to see when he wakes up. You off to work?"
"Yeah. You'll call…"
"You know it, kid. You better get going," Hailey nodded.
Ryan glanced at Seth but didn't hug him or say goodbye. He turned and walked away.
"Hailey…"
"I'll explain on the way, come on, kid. Welcome home."
"Jimmy and I stay here now. Your father…he's not himself. He can't be by himself," Hailey said as they parked outside his house.
"Ryan said…he was upset."
"He's…I don't want you to get upset, but he's really sick, Seth. Not in the same way your mother is sick…but he's messed up," Hailey said quietly.
"I need to see him." Seth followed her inside.
The house was dark and all the shades were drawn. "Jimmy?" Hailey called.
"We're in the kitchen. Hey, Seth. It's damn good to see you," Jimmy said as they entered.
Sandy had a thick beard and looked twice his age. He was unkempt in a pair of torn jeans and a dirty t-shirt. His eyes were glazed and unfocused.
"Sandy, I thought you were going to change clothes today," Hailey said gently. Seth was frozen in the doorway.
"I'm waiting…Ryan's supposed to come over and help me shave…I think I forgot how…" Sandy murmured.
"Dad?"
Sandy regarded Seth with dull eyes. "Hey, Seth."
"Dad, I'm back…" Seth walked over to his father and put his hand on his shoulder. Sandy shuddered.
"Where've you been?" Sandy asked. He looked at his son and Seth realized that something really had broken inside his father. His eyes were empty.
"I'm sorry…"
"You're sorry? Jimmy…I don't want to eat today…I think I want to go surfing…" Sandy stood up and walked over to the window, forgetting Seth's presence.
"Sandy, you know you can't go surfing…" Jimmy said quietly.
"Why not? I love to surf…I need to surf," Sandy said.
"Last time we let you go surfing, you almost drowned…" Hailey replied.
"Can't you call Ryan? He'll take me surfing…"
"Sandy, you know that Ryan has to work today, remember? Why don't you come over here and talk to Seth…"
"Seth…Seth's gone…Kirsten's gone…they're all gone…" Sandy muttered.
"Don't get upset, Sandy, come back over here," Hailey urged. Seth was silent, stricken by his father's condition. If his father was this bad off, he really didn't want to see his mother.
Hailey led him back to the counter.
"I'm not hungry today."
"You have to eat, Sandy…"
"No." He was adamant, like a child that didn't want to eat his vegetables.
"Sandy…"
"No. I want to go surfing," Sandy pouted. Jimmy had his phone out.
"Sandy, please…" Hailey tried again.
"No!" He slammed his fist on the counter.
"Sandy? Here you go, man. Talk to the kid, okay?" Jimmy held out his phone.
Sandy accepted it, his anger gone. "Hello? Hey, Ryan…they're trying to make me eat again…"
"Seth? You okay?" Jimmy asked, pulling him from the room.
"What happened?" Seth whispered.
"It was like…one day, something just snapped. He's been out of it for about a week. He really missed you, kid, and losing his mother…wasn't the best thing for him," Jimmy said quietly. "Ryan's the only one he'll listen to…and he can't be here full time…"
"So you and Hailey stay here?"
"Yeah. Ryan, he works out in Chino, 2nd shift and he comes here every morning to take care of things…"
"Things. Like Dad?" Seth whispered.
"Your father…he can't do the simple things, like…like pay bills," Jimmy tried to explain. "He doesn't want to admit to me or Hailey that he's incapable…so he lets Ryan do it. All of Kirsten's money is tied up in litigation from Caleb's case and…"
"Okay, Jimmy. What can I do?" Seth couldn't hear anymore.
"I thought seeing you would help him…but I think he's still just too tired to process that you're really here. Would you like me to take you to see your mother?"
"Where is she?"
"She's okay. She just needed some rest so we took her to the hospital…" Jimmy said quietly. "Did you want to change or anything?"
"I'm okay. I need to see her."
The nurses recognized Jimmy as he entered with Seth. One of them stopped him.
"Can I help you?" Jimmy smiled.
"Yes, sir. The person in charge of Mrs. Cohen's billing…the young guy…"
"Ryan?" Seth asked, startled.
"Yes, that's the one," She grinned. She returned her attention to Jimmy. "We need to speak with him. Do you have a number where we can contact him?"
"Of course. Is everything okay?" Jimmy asked, scribbling a number on a paper that she held out.
"There's a problem with her insurance and we need to speak with him. It's not urgent, but it needs to be taken care of." She gave Jimmy a grateful smile and left them.
"Ryan handles this, too?" Seth asked quietly.
"He pays the bills. With Sandy's money. We wanted to help, but Sandy insisted that…that he could do it himself. Which means that Ryan does it." Jimmy turned to face Seth. "Don't mention Ryan around your mother. She gets upset. Don't say his name, don't mention him at all."
"Okay," Seth responded, confused. Jimmy stepped inside first.
"Hey, Kirsten. How are you doing today?" There was no response. Seth stepped inside. His mother was pale and curled up in the hospital bed in a gown. Her hair was limp and uncombed. "I brought a visitor for you, Kirsten. It's Seth…"
Seth sat down beside her bed and tried not to cry. It was his mother…he had done this to her…
"Seth's gone…" She murmured. Her blue eyes were focused on the wall, facing away from Seth and Jimmy.
"Hey, she can talk," Jimmy smiled. He put his hand on Seth's shoulder, urging him to speak.
"Hey, Mom. Can't you look at me?" Seth said gently.
She gasped and immediately sat up, startling Jimmy and Seth. "Seth? Oh god…" She reached out and embraced him desperately.
"I'm going to go talk to the doctors, let them know that you're…better," Jimmy grinned.
"I was so worried…"
"I'm so sorry for upsetting you, but I'm back now…" Seth said as she cried in his arms.
"You're back? Where were you? Did Sandy find you? Where the hell were you, Seth?" Kirsten's voice rose with each question and her blue eyes were wide with panic.
"Relax, mom…" Seth realized that his mother was fragile and he had adjusted his voice to be calming like Jimmy and Hailey had talked to his father. "Everything's going to be all right…"
"You're home…I'm so glad you're home…"
"I'm home now…" Seth held his mother tightly. He was home. But it wasn't the home he wanted.
"Ryan? Seth's here to see you," Teresa woke him from his sleep with an apologetic look. He never let himself sleep more than four hours a night and she hated that she had to interrupt his sleep.
"What?" Ryan murmured, rolling over to face her.
"Seth's here."
"Oh. Here?" Ryan sat up and rubbed his pounding head. Teresa put an arm around him.
"He's in the living room."
"Thanks…"
"You want me to come with you?"
"Whatever you want," He replied, kissing her before getting to his feet. They had become domestic in the past few weeks, their friendship turning into a relaxed relationship. She was really supportive of his caretaking of the Cohens and he hadn't neglected her or their unborn baby. He worked really hard to keep the people he cared about safe.
"Hey, man," Ryan slapped Seth's hand as he sat down in the recliner. He was wearing sweatpants but he was in the apartment that he shared with Teresa so he didn't feel like putting on a shirt. He was too tired.
"Hey."
"What's up? I'm going to head out that way in a couple of hours…"
"What the hell happened to them, Ryan? I mean…Dad…he can't even button his own shirt and Mom…she just cries…" Seth said quietly.
"She cried? Damn, duke, that's…that's awesome…" Ryan smiled.
"What?"
"She's crying, she's talking, I mean, did she talk?" Ryan asked.
"Yeah, but…"
"You don't understand. Crying is an improvement and talking…"
"What happened, Ryan? I mean, this is just…"
"I don't know what happened, Seth. It was a gradual thing…"
"Jimmy said, he said that Dad only responds to you…he barely knew I was there."
"He has his bad days," Ryan said quietly. "It'll get better."
"Why aren't you with him?" Seth asked.
Ryan's eyes flashed. "I have to be here. With Teresa."
"Dude…"
"We were going to move back and live in the poolhouse," Teresa said as she stepped in. She handed Ryan a cup of coffee. Seth was surprised when she turned and offered one to him.
"Why didn't you?" Seth asked as she sat down beside Ryan in the small chair. She put her arm around Ryan and he reciprocated.
"Kirsten," Teresa answered.
"What are you talking about?"
"Your mother is angry at me," Ryan said quietly.
"Kirsten is sick. She's not thinking straight," Teresa whispered. She squeezed Ryan close to her, comfortingly.
"She…but you've been taking care of them, Jimmy says that you pay the bills…"
"Sandy, he's too proud to ask for help…but I do what I can."
Seth took a deep breath. "I can't handle this. I don't know what to do…"
"I'm here. You're not alone," Ryan said quietly. "Just because I don't live in your backyard, doesn't mean that I'm not still your friend."
Seth sighed. "I know."
"Sandy and Kirsten will be okay," Teresa said. "Ryan and I are here, Jimmy and Hailey, Summer…"
"Summer?"
"Summer…you didn't tell him about Summer?" Teresa asked Ryan.
"Is she okay?" Seth asked.
"She's fine. She helps out a lot with your parents," Ryan said immediately. "She stays in the poolhouse a lot."
"You really hurt her, Seth," Teresa said.
"Teresa and Summer have bonded," Ryan smiled. "And when Hailey gets involved, the girls have been known to get a little rowdy."
"What about Marissa?" Seth asked.
"She's in rehab," Teresa replied.
"Oh. Damn."
"It's a lot to get thrown at you," Teresa acknowledged.
Ryan looked at her. "He said Kirsten talked to him…"
"She's talking?"
Seth nodded.
"That's great. You guys want some breakfast?"
"No thanks," Ryan replied immediately.
Teresa gave him a scolding look. "How about you go get dressed, I'll call Summer and we'll all go over to Sandy's? I'll make breakfast, you can catch a nap and it might be good for him to be around his family…"
"Can you cook?" Seth asked after a beat.
"Who do you think taught Ryan?"
Seth, Ryan and Teresa parked in the driveway. Summer's car was between Hailey and Jimmy's cars.
The front door swung open. "Thank God. Hailey's trying to make omelets and she's making a huge mistake…" Jimmy said.
"Damn, Jimmy, you're supposed to be taking care of the house," Ryan joked.
"I'll take care of it," Teresa gave Jimmy a friendly hug.
"You okay, Seth?" Jimmy asked.
"I'm okay, thanks," Seth said, patting him on the back. He had been freaked when he had left the house this morning to see Ryan but after their short conversation, he felt like he could do this. With everyone's help, of course. He hadn't grown up like Ryan, he didn't know how to handle things like bills or insurance, his parents had always taken care of that trivial stuff. Seth was going to need help.
"The prodigal! Hey, Cohen," Summer was sitting in the kitchen. She gave him a slight smile.
"Summer," Seth whispered.
Summer turned her attention to Ryan. "Hey, Chino. You look rough."
"Good morning to you, too, Sunshine," Ryan stuck his tongue out at her. "Where's Sandy?"
"He had a rough night," Hailey replied.
"Where is he?"
"In the study," Jimmy replied.
Ryan kissed Teresa on the cheek before disappearing.
"He get any sleep?" Jimmy asked Teresa.
"As much as he ever does," She replied.
"How are you, Seth?" Hailey asked. "You left pretty early this morning."
"I'm okay," Seth replied. He was watching the comfortable interaction of the people in his kitchen. Ryan and Summer had acted like siblings, Teresa and Hailey were chatting over the stove like family, too. It was like a new family had formed while Kirsten and Sandy were recovering.
"You certainly left some wreckage," Summer muttered.
Seth glanced at her.
"Walk outside with me," Summer led him to the patio.
"I'm sorry, Summer," Seth said once they were alone.
"I know, me, too. You're stupid. I mean, you were upset about Ryan, but everyone else was too…your parents really needed you, I really needed you and you…"
"I'm sorry. I had no idea…"
"Like I said, you're stupid. You never know what you've got 'til it's gone, they say, don't they?"
Seth looked at her. "Did I lose you, too?"
"Yes, you did," She replied immediately.
"Summer…"
"You're lucky I'm not kicking your ass, Cohen. Your friend Chino has been teaching me about anger management, if you can believe that," She snorted. "But you have enough to worry about. Focus on your family and we can be friends…"
"Friends?"
"Yeah." She met his gaze with sad brown eyes. "Without you here…I needed friends. Ryan and Teresa, even your aunt…they came through for me and we're friends…so I hope you and I can be friends, too."
"I guess it's more than I deserve. Thank you for helping with my parents. It means a lot," Seth said.
"I've been visiting your mother every day. You should come with me."
"Definitely. I should go check on my Dad."
They stepped into the kitchen. Summer went to the stove to help Teresa and Hailey.
Seth walked down the hall and heard Ryan's soft voice.
"Sandy, I need you to listen to me, okay?"
"Okay," Sandy murmured.
"Seth is back."
"Seth…"
"Sandy, look at me, man."
Ryan was sitting on the couch beside Sandy. Sandy's gaze was locked on the floor.
"Come on, Sandy."
"Seth's back?" Sandy looked at him.
"You saw him yesterday, do you remember?"
"Seth's gone…"
"He's home now, Sandy."
"Seth's back?"
Ryan nodded toward the doorway. Seth stepped in.
"Seth?" Sandy whispered.
"I'm sorry, Dad…"
Sandy stood up and embraced his son.
Ryan left Seth and Sandy in the study and returned to the kitchen.
"Everything okay?" Teresa called.
"Sandy recognized him. I gave them a minute."
"That's great," Summer grinned.
Hailey glanced at Ryan. "You okay?"
"I think I'm going to go lie down." He walked into the den and stretched out on the couch.
Teresa turned over omelet duty to Summer and went to check on him. She kneeled beside him.
"I'm tired," He murmured.
"Why don't you call in sick tonight?"
"We need the money…"
"You're exhausted, Ryan," Teresa said urgently.
"I just want to take a nap…"
"I'll call your supervisor."
"No, Teresa. Please. I'm okay." He put a hand on her face. "I'm just tired."
Seth walked into the kitchen. Summer and Hailey were setting the table. Jimmy was watching the den.
"Hey. What's up?"
Jimmy seemed startled. "Nothing. Ryan's girl…she's good with him. She really loves him and she's better with him than Marissa ever was. But sometimes, I just kind of wish Marissa could've made it work with him."
"How's she doing?" Seth asked.
Jimmy sighed. "Not so good. But she'll get better."
Teresa returned to the kitchen, walking past Jimmy and Seth.
"Everything all right?" Seth asked.
"He's tired," Teresa replied.
"He's working tonight?" Summer asked.
"He's always working," Teresa muttered.
"Why does he have to work? I mean, if he's in charge of Dad's money…" Seth asked. The kitchen was silent.
"Ryan won't touch Sandy's money. He's too proud," Teresa said quietly. She walked outside and Summer followed her.
"Seth, your mother said some things to Ryan that…that he took pretty seriously," Hailey said quietly.
"Like what? I mean, it seems like a full time job just taking care of Mom and Dad and if he's running back and forth…"
"She didn't mean what she said but until she apologizes, he won't go against her wishes…" Jimmy said.
"Guys. Drop it." Ryan's voice was tired from the den.
"Let's eat. I'll get Sandy."
After breakfast, Sandy was tired and Seth put him to bed. Sandy was on medication that tired him out. Teresa had a doctor's appointment and Ryan had meetings with the insurance rep at Kirsten's hospital as well as Rachel, who had been helping out with Sandy and Kirsten's legal problems.
Seth and Summer were on the way to visit his mother.
"What did Mom say to Ryan?" Seth asked.
Summer sighed.
"Everyone keeps telling me to drop it…but it seems to affect everything."
"She said that…that Ryan had done nothing but bring trouble to her family. That he drove you away so he could take your place. She was really mean to him…she told him that she wouldn't let him take advantage of her and Sandy anymore…that he wasn't welcome at your house…"
"That's so messed up…"
"He's getting over it. But since your Mom's getting better...you might want to think about what's going to happen. He won't come to the house if she's there."
"She has to get over it," Seth said.
"She has to get well first," Summer said quietly.
Kirsten was sitting up when Seth and Summer stepped in.
"My baby boy…" She smiled, embracing him.
"It's nice to see you looking better, Mrs. Cohen…"
"Thank you, Summer. Sit down! Talk to me…tell me where you were, Seth!"
Seth sat down beside her on the bed. "I am so sorry. I just…I needed to get out of town for a while…so I met up with this family and we made it, with a little help of course, in about ten days. Anyway, I was at a hotel when Ryan…"
"Ryan found you?" Kirsten snapped.
"Mom…"
"He was supposed to leave you alone. Has he bothered Sandy?"
"Stop it. You're wrong and you know it," Seth said immediately. He kept his voice stern but low, so as not to upset her.
"He's…"
"He's the only think holding Dad together right now," Seth said. He took his Mom's shoulders. "You know he'd never hurt us."
Tears filled her eyes. "But you left…"
"Because I'm selfish. I threw a tantrum, I can't explain it, but Ryan doesn't deserve your anger. I do." Seth said urgently. "You have to get better, Mom. Dad needs you. I need you."
"I'm sorry…"
"I'm a bastard for scaring you…I love you, Mom, and I'm here to help you through this." He embraced her gently. Summer smiled at him, nodding.
The doorbell rang around ten that night. Seth, Summer, Hailey, and Jimmy were eating pizza while Sandy was sleeping. Sandy had dressed himself and seemed to be slowly waking up from the trance he'd been in for the past few weeks. He clearly had memory issues, but he had improved and Jimmy and Hailey assured Seth that today was the best day he'd had in weeks.
"I'll get it," Seth said. He went to the door and swung it open.
Teresa and Ryan were standing on the porch. Ryan's face was bruised and swelling and she had her arm around his waist, supporting him. Blood stained his shirt.
"Hey, guys, come in…what happened?" Seth held the door open.
"Nothing. Can I borrow your bathroom for a few minutes?" Ryan asked. He pulled away from Teresa's support and staggered to the bathroom.
"What happened?"
"He doesn't want me to talk about it," Teresa said, worried. "He didn't even want me to bring him, but I thought…"
"Teresa? What's wrong?" Hailey and Summer joined them in the foyer.
"Did I hear Ryan? Why isn't he working?" Hailey asked.
"He didn't make it to work today, he had to call out because Rachel's meeting went long…" Teresa said.
"So what's going on?" Summer asked. She examined Teresa and finally lifted her arm and pulled up her sleeve. There was a bruise on her forearm. "Teresa…"
"What is going on?" Seth demanded.
"You guys ran into Eddie again?" Hailey asked quietly.
"Are you okay?" Summer embraced her.
"Ryan would never let him hurt me," Teresa whispered, letting the tears escape.
"Did you call the police?"
"Ryan put the fear of god in him again…everything's okay…don't worry about it…" Teresa whispered.
"Let's get you cleaned up, honey. Seth, can you check on Chino?" Summer guided Teresa into the den.
Seth knocked on the door to the bathroom. "Hey, man. Can you open up?"
Ryan swung the door open. "Do you have a t-shirt I can borrow?"
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine…"
"Sit down, man," Seth urged, gently pushing Ryan to a sitting position on the toilet.
Ryan sighed.
"I'm not going to panic, Ryan, but can you tell me what's going on?"
"It's nothing…"
"Eddie's still hassling you and Teresa?" Seth asked quietly.
"I can handle it…"
"I'm sure you can, but didn't you just say today that we were still friends…that we had to help each other? Talk to me, man…" Seth said.
Ryan sighed. He covered his face for a moment. "He's a little punk bitch and if Teresa hadn't been with me I would've killed him…"
"Okay, that's a start…"
"He comes around every couple of weeks to try and convince Teresa to leave me…"
"But, doesn't Teresa love you?"
"Yeah…but she loves him, too, I guess. But lately, he's been drunk and he…he had her by the arm and I just fucking snapped," Ryan murmured.
"You need to get some rest, man."
"We need to have a meeting. I have some news," Ryan said after a pause. "Now about that t-shirt…"
"I'm not talking about it so everyone can just stop staring at me. We have bigger issues to discuss tonight," Ryan said as he walked out wearing one of Seth's shirts.
"Ryan…" Jimmy started.
"I'm serious. I met with Kirsten's doctor today. And I met with Rachel. There's some news on one of Caleb's legal issues," Ryan said. "Let's just sit down. Is Sandy sleeping?"
"Yeah. Out cold after dinner. He's doing much better," Hailey replied. They sat down around the kitchen table.
"Good. Kirsten's doctor thinks that she's almost ready to come home. She's doing better with the antidepressants and now that Seth's back, he thinks that she's ready. He thinks day after tomorrow," Ryan said.
"That's good, right?" Jimmy asked.
"He's an old friend of Caleb's. He wouldn't release her if he didn't think she was ready," Ryan added.
"What else?" Hailey asked. "You said something about Dad?"
"Julie Cooper was caught this afternoon in Arizona," Ryan sighed. "She spent all the money that she stole from Caleb and she was stripping when the cops found her…"
"What about Caitlyn?" Jimmy asked.
"Caitlyn's been hiding with Julie's parents for the past week," Ryan replied, passing him a piece of paper.
"Julie robbed Grandpa?"
"When he got arrested, she flipped, stole everything she could carry. A lot of the jewelry was your Grandma's and the cops have been following her trail with pawn shops. We've gotten most of it back," Hailey replied. "Anyway, she's in a lot of trouble."
"She wants to cut a deal," Ryan said.
"How do you know all this?" Seth asked after a beat.
"Sandy and Kirsten are out of it, Seth," Hailey said quietly. "Rachel, she's been helping out with Dad's case, since Sandy can't really work. Ryan…Ryan speaks for Sandy. He's been trying to help Rachel make the decisions that Sandy can't make."
"If you want to take over, Seth," Ryan said quietly. "You can…"
"No, dude, I trust you. I mean, Dad obviously trusts you and I wasn't here…"
"He always discusses it, Seth, with everyone…" Hailey said.
"No, it's seriously cool, I just didn't know. Go on, man, what's the story?"
"She wants a divorce from Caleb. No strings. He has money in off-shore accounts but she agreed to cut all ties with him. Rachel said that it should be pretty easy for her to pull out an annulment due to the fact that they never consummated their marriage…" Ryan said slowly.
"Ew," Summer muttered.
"But she wants him to drop all the charges against her. So she goes free with nothing and he's free of her."
"What does Caleb say?"
"He wants to send the bitch to jail," Ryan replied. "But he also wants to protect the assets that he has left. He told Rachel to do whatever Sandy suggested. And since Sandy…"
"Damn. What do you think?" Hailey turned to Jimmy.
"I don't know. If they stay married…" Jimmy muttered.
"She could sue the hell out of him. I say cut her loose. Get custody of your kids, Jimmy, and then we send her off into the sunset," Ryan said.
"She won't leave town…" Jimmy replied.
"Yeah, she will. There's nothing left for her here," Summer remarked. "What do you think, Seth?"
"I think…damn. I think we should sleep on it and talk about it in the morning. It's a decision that none of us are qualified to make. Maybe I should go see Grandpa," Seth replied.
"That's a good idea," Hailey said. "But he doesn't know about Kirsten and Sandy…he doesn't know how sick they are…"
"Oh," Seth replied.
"There's nothing he can do in there. He just thinks Kirsten's angry at him," Hailey replied. "It's for the best."
"So. We'll convene again in the morning?" Ryan asked.
"Meeting's totally not over," Summer said. Ryan glared at her. "What are you guys going to do about Eddie?"
"Summer," Teresa sighed.
"You should take out a restraining order against him," Hailey said.
"It's under control."
"Yeah, but whose control, Ryan? You took some hits tonight, your face is really bruised," Jimmy remarked.
"I appreciate the concern…"
"Man, you've got enough on your plate without having to dodge crazy ex-boyfriends," Seth muttered.
"It's okay," Ryan said.
"There's really nothing you guys can do…" Teresa said quietly.
"You shouldn't be alone all the way out there. If something happened, it would take us, like forever to get there…why don't you guys find something closer to Newport?" Seth suggested. "I mean what about school in the fall?"
"I'm not going back to Harbor," Ryan said quietly.
"What?" Summer and Seth asked in unison.
"You had, like straight A's, Chino, you can't drop out…"
"I thought the plan was for you to work all summer and come back to Harbor, that's the only reason Mom and Dad let you go in the first place," Seth protested.
"Guys, relax," Ryan said quietly, clearly disturbed by their attention. "It's not a big deal…"
"It is a big deal…" Seth said.
"I can't afford it," Ryan admitted quietly. "It's…its too expensive and I spoke to Dr. Kim and she says that there's nothing she can do."
"I'm sure we can work something out, kid," Hailey said quietly.
"It's not a big deal. I couldn't swing working and going to school anyway. It's for the best," Ryan said quietly. Teresa was silent.
"You agree with him? You're going to let him do this?" Summer asked.
"I don't have a say in the matter. It's his decision," Teresa replied tersely.
"Look, I'm sort of beat, I think we should be getting back," Ryan sighed.
"This conversation isn't over, Ryan…"
"Yeah. It is. I'll see you guys in the morning. I want to go over some stuff with you, Seth. If your mom's coming home, then you're going to have to take over a lot of the little things," Ryan sighed.
"Why don't you guys stay here tonight?" Hailey asked.
"You know why, Hailey," Ryan said suddenly.
"Come on, baby, let's get you home and in bed…" Teresa got up and went to Ryan's side.
"I'm sorry, Hailey. I'm just a little on edge. I'll see you guys tomorrow," He sighed, letting Teresa pull him to his feet.
"Call us if you need anything, okay?" Summer got up and stopped them, wrapping Ryan in a hug.
"Okay…Thanks," Ryan replied.
"Call us when you get home, too," She added as she embraced Teresa.
Seth walked into the kitchen and found Summer eating cereal. "Morning," She smiled.
"Ryan said you crashed in the poolhouse a lot," Seth smiled. "It's nice to have you around."
"My dad and stepmom split up and he's never home. So I spend a lot of time here," She admitted.
"Seeing you…is awesome, Summer," Seth admitted. "I mean, stuff's so messed up right now that we haven't even gotten a chance to talk."
"Well, if you'd wanted to talk, you'd have called before sailing away to find yourself," She replied. "Let's not do this. Not now. I don't want to upset you and I don't want to get upset. We're friends, that's all we can be right now. And it's a tentative friendship at that," She added.
He sighed. "Okay. I'll take what I can get."
"So how's Ryan today?"
"He hasn't called."
"He hasn't called? It's after eight, he always checks in before eight," Summer said, going to the phone.
"Summer…"
"Something's wrong…Chino's like clockwork…" She paused with the phone to her ear. "Teresa? What's up? How's Chino? Still asleep? Is he okay…oh…do you want me to come over there? Okay…call me as soon as he wakes up, okay? Thanks…"
"What's going on?"
"She can't wake him. He's out cold. She says that it happens sometimes, when he's really tired…"
"Ryan's been doing a good job taking care of everything. I don't know if I can do it."
"He's amazing, I mean, when Hailey and Jimmy had to take your mom to the hospital, he was totally in control with the financial people. Your dad can't really do anything so Ryan learned all about the bills and the legal stuff that's coming down on your mom from Caleb's trial. It's a lot of work. But you'll get it…he's always going to be around to help, Cohen."
"I know…but I don't know how to be in control of all of this…"
"You don't have to be, Seth. Just by you coming home, things have gotten better. If Kirsten comes home, maybe she'll be okay enough to take over mother duty again," Summer said gently.
"I hope so…I miss them, Summer. I mean, I missed them when I was gone, but even now…they're not here."
"I know. But it'll get better," She smiled.
"You and Ryan seem pretty close," He replied, sitting down beside her.
"As close as anyone can be with Chino. He's loyal, you know? He'd do anything for his friends. I'm lucky to be considered a friend of his. So are you, Cohen."
The phone rang and Summer answered it before he could reach it. "Hello? Damn, Chino, you had me worried…you're on the way? All right, we'll see you soon."
Jimmy walked into the kitchen and gave Seth a silent hug.
"What was that for?" Sandy asked.
"Your father…he got up and is taking a shower. Without me or Hailey waking him. This is big, Seth. I think…I think the tide may have turned for him," Jimmy said.
"Ryan's on his way with Teresa, he's going to be thrilled…" Summer agreed.
"I hope it lasts…but he had such a good day yesterday and for him to be up already…it's going to be a good day."
Ryan rode with Seth and Hailey to the hospital after having breakfast at the Cohens so he could talk to the financial representative and the doctor to coordinate Kirsten's release. He had a black eye but looked more rested than the night before. He was clearly preoccupied. He wouldn't answer their questions about school or Eddie, he would simply shake his head.
"Good luck, guys. I'll meet you outside when you're done," Ryan said.
"Man, you're going to have to face her eventually," Seth said quietly.
"I have a meeting to go to. Go visit your mother," Ryan replied. His eyes were dark.
"You should give him some time. He's got more on his mind than all of us combined, kid," Hailey said.
"I know. But if Mom's going to get over this, he has to talk to her. They need to have an argument or something…"
"Seth…you weren't here. Ryan, he…he didn't respond to her at all. She just yelled and he just took it. I don't want him to have to go through that again. And I don't know if she's going to let all of that go as easy as you think," Hailey said quietly.
"I think my mom will come around. She has to. He's family. We have to make her see what she'd done. I think we have to bring him up, we can't just tiptoe around him, he's too involved in everything."
Kirsten was dressed and drinking juice when then walked in. She gave them both big hugs.
"You're looking great, big sister," Hailey smiled.
"I feel much better. I can't believe I've been curled up in this bed for the past few days, I just…"
"Its okay, Mom. You just needed a break."
"I needed my son. How's Sandy doing?"
"He's doing much better, Kirsten, don't worry," Hailey replied. "Everyone's doing better now that Seth is home."
Kirsten seemed hesitant. "Who's been taking care of things, Hailey? I mean, there's lawsuits and bills and insurance…"
"It's all under control, okay? Just relax."
"There's good news, though, Mom. You're getting sprung from this place."
She smiled warmly. "I'm so fucking glad."
Seth recoiled from her language but she was smiling. "Mom…"
"I mean, I know that I was being stupid…but I really don't want to stay here anymore. I want to go home, I want to check on Sandy and make sure he's okay…"
"Slow down, Mom. Everything's okay. Just one more night."
"Can't you talk to the doctor and get me released today? I'm your mother, Seth…"
"He's actually not the one in charge," Hailey said quietly. She glanced at Seth.
"Then you, can you talk to the doctor?"
"Ryan's meeting with him now," Hailey replied.
"Ryan…why…"
"Ryan's handling Sandy's business. You're Sandy's business. He's in charge of everything, Mom. The doctor called him and suggested that you stay tonight so they can make sure you don't sink back into your depression," Seth said quietly. He waited until she met his gaze.
"But he…"
"He has obeyed your wishes, Kirsten. He drives in every day to take care of Sandy and to check on things. He's at this hospital every other day talking to your doctors and nurses and fixing the finances. He drives back and forth to take care of things because…"
"Because I told him he wasn't welcome in my home," Kirsten murmured. "You think I made a mistake?"
"I know you did. So do you. And as soon as we get you home, I expect you to apologize and make things right," Seth said, parentally. "It's what you taught me."
"Is he…is he okay? Is Teresa okay?" She whispered.
"They're fine. It'll work out, Kirsten."
Her earlier upbeat mood is gone. "Do you think he'll forgive me?" She murmured, looking between Hailey and Seth.
"He loves you, Mom."
Ryan was sitting on the trunk of Hailey's car smoking a cigarette when they exited.
"Hey, man. What's the word?" Seth asked.
"We're go for release tomorrow, first thing. You guys can pick up the paperwork at the front desk around nine. They'll explain her meds to you," Ryan replied.
"She's not angry at you anymore, man. Maybe you should go see her?" Seth asked.
"I can't, I have somewhere to be…"
"Where?" Hailey asked.
"Nosy much?" Ryan raised an eyebrow at her.
"Yeah. So spill."
"I have to meet with a bank in Chino. See about getting a loan," He admitted. "So can we get on the road? I need to get Teresa so we can get going."
"Sure. But…" Seth started.
"I don't want to hear it," Ryan replied. "Just drive. Tell me how Kirsten was."
The next morning, Ryan called around seven to explain how Seth needed to go get his mother. He explained everything in explicit detail.
"You're not coming over to see Dad?"
"Not today. He can call me, Seth, if he needs me. I won't ruin your mother's first day back…"
"Ryan…"
"I don't care. I won't do it. Tell Sandy to call me, okay?"
"Okay, Ryan. So you're not going to come around at all anymore?"
"Not for a while. She needs her space. I'm hoping that she can put Sandy back together again. If you have any questions about anything…"
"And I will, I'll call."
"Good. Tell everyone that…that I said hello."
"Definitely." Seth put the phone down.
"He's not coming, is he?" Jimmy asked.
"Nope," Seth sighed. "But we'll give it a couple of days. Let Mom get readjusted before pushing the reconciliation on her any further. Let's get her home where she belongs."
Kirsten's first action back home was to take a long shower. Sandy had embraced her and doted on her until she had to send him away with Jimmy. He was doing much better and had even called Rachel to inquire about his job. Ryan and Rachel had arranged for Sandy to take a leave of absence so he wouldn't be fired.
Kirsten's second item of business was to check on the bills. She sat down in Sandy's study and pulled out the checkbook. She was surprised to see everything up to date and balanced. A ledger was neatly arranged and recorded everything in Ryan's neat script. She leaned back, guilt-ridden. She had blamed everything on a kid that didn't deserve it. And he'd still handled everything in her absence. He had held her family together, he'd even brought her son back to him. And he thought she hated him.
She went into the kitchen and found Seth sitting with Hailey at the counter.
"I'm sorry."
"What?" Seth asked. "You've been home an hour and you're already upset?"
"No, I'm not upset, well, I am, but…"
"Just spill it, Kirsten," Hailey said.
"Ryan…he's taken care of everything. Everything, I mean…how could he do this?"
"He…he didn't go against your wishes, it's just Sandy wouldn't listen to anyone else…"
"No, I mean, how could he physically do this? He's a kid…"
"Rachel got him emancipated," Hailey replied.
"What?" Kirsten asked.
"He's a legal adult. It took some doing, but she managed it. When you said…those things, Kirsten, it really upset him. He needed some stability so he filed for emancipation. He's a smart kid and he's been juggling everything. There's a file in the study that he left for you. So you could see what he's done…"
"I need to talk to him…"
"He's at work right now, Mom," Seth replied.
"He works?"
"He has to. He pulls twelve hour shifts at a factory out in Chino. He has an apartment with Teresa…"
"They aren't staying with her mother?"
"Her mother wants them to get married, she's catholic. They don't want to so they had to move out," Hailey answered.
"What have I done?" Kirsten sighed, sitting down between them.
"Its okay, Mom. He's fine. Really. You're home, I'm home and Dad's getting better…"
"But I've driven him away, we gave him a family and then I took it away from him…"
"Mom, he loves you. He loves Dad. He's the only person that could get through to Dad, he's closer than I'll ever be with Dad…just give it some time…" Seth said.
"I'm so sorry…"
"It's going around."
Ryan walked out of the hospital despite the doctors and nurses yelling behind him. He pulled out his cell phone as he started to limp down the street toward his apartment.
"Hello?" Hailey answered.
"Hailey."
"Hey, kid. What's going on?"
"Yeah. Nothing. Can I ask you a favor, Hailey?"
"Of course. Are you okay?"
"Not really," He muttered.
"What's going on?"
"Yeah…"
"Ryan, talk to me…" Hailey was worried.
"Something's happened. I can't…I can't make it tomorrow…"
"But Kirsten really wants to talk to you and you said…"
"I can't. Tell her that I'm sorry…" He staggered and fell against a nearby building.
"Ryan? Tell me what happened. Where are you?"
"I'm…I'm on my way to my apartment…"
"Are you okay? Where's Teresa?"
"Teresa…Teresa won't be coming back…"
"What? Ryan…"
"She's dead. The baby's dead. I'm going home." He flipped the phone closed and tried to make himself breathe.
Teresa had picked him up from work, he'd simply been too exhausted to drive himself and they had been chatting in the car. She was excited because she'd been promoted to manager at the restaurant where she worked and she'd get benefits that would cover more of the expenses. They'd gotten the loan so for the first time in weeks, things were looking manageable. They were happy.
Then she'd gasped as the homeless man stepped into the street. She'd swerved to miss him and ended up colliding with a telephone pole. Somehow, the doors had been crumpled and it took them two hours to cut them out. And Teresa had been dead after the first hour.
He'd sat with her, sirens in his vision, blood in his mouth, and listened to her. She loved him, she'd always love him and he was the only one she'd ever loved. He didn't have to say anything, he just listened, holding her hand.
When the Jaws of Life finally cut through the metal, there was no life left. Ryan had watched her die, watched the life within her fade and he had died, too.
He couldn't do it without her. He just couldn't. He was too tired and he'd been fucked over for the last time. He didn't wait for the doctors to stitch him up or set his bones. He had to go.
Hailey hung up the phone with a stricken expression. She turned to see Kirsten helping Sandy into the Jacuzzi in the backyard.
"Hailey?" Summer appeared beside her.
"We have to go, get your jacket…" She said immediately.
"What?"
"Ryan just called, he sounded…he's not himself and he said that Teresa was dead. I believe him, Summer…we have to go to him, he's going to lose it…"
"What about Kirsten and Sandy? Who'll stay with them?"
"What's going on?" Jimmy stepped in with Seth.
"Jimmy, can you stay here and make sure everything's okay? We need to take Seth with us…"
"What's going on?" Seth asked. Summer took his arm and pulled him toward the door. Hailey kissed Jimmy.
"I'll call you when I know something."
"Know what?" He asked as the front door slammed.
"Ryan, open the door, please…we know you're in there…" Seth banged on the door again. There was a trail of blood leading up the stairs and under his locked door.
"I know she gave me a key…" Summer was fumbling in her purse.
"Please, Ryan…open the door…" Hailey called.
"Bingo!" Summer found the key and immediately unlocked the door.
"Shit…" Seth muttered. Ryan had made it to the couch and was lying on his side, pale, with his eyes closed.
"Did he even go to the hospital?" Summer fell to her knees beside him and took his face in her hands. "Chino?"
His eyelids fluttered.
"Chino, come on, look at me…"
He opened his eyes. "Summer?"
"You're scaring the hell out of us…are you all right?"
"What are you doing here?" He sat up and immediately winced in pain.
"What happened to you?" Seth sat down beside him on the couch as Hailey and Summer pulled at his bloody clothes, searching him for injuries.
"Nothing…" Ryan muttered. "What are you doing here?"
"Ryan…were you in a car accident?" Hailey asked, seeing the red mark from his seat belt.
"Accident…shit…Teresa's dead…"
"Ryan, can you tell us what happened?"
"She…she swerved to avoid this guy…she hit a pole…it took a while to get us out and she was dead…she died in the car…" Ryan said slowly.
"Did you go to the hospital?" Seth asked, stricken.
"I couldn't stay there…don't make me go there…" Ryan covered his face.
"Honey, you don't look so good…" Summer urged.
"It doesn't matter…" He muttered.
"Yeah, kid, it does," Hailey whispered. "You walked out of a hospital…"
"I'll be fine…"
"Ryan. You're not fine. Look at me." Seth waited until Ryan met his gaze. "You know you can't handle this by yourself, right?" Ryan didn't respond. "Let us take you to the hospital, just to get you checked out. Let us take care of you, okay?"
He finally nodded. "I have to call Teresa's mom…"
"We'll take care of all of that. Come on, can you walk?" Summer stood up and helped him to his feet. He was shaky but he allowed them to lead him to the car.
"Doctor, he's not going to stay, we had to beg him to come in for this," Seth told the doctor that was talking to him in the hallway. Ryan had freaked out when they mentioned staying overnight.
"We want to keep our eye on him, he's suffered a terrible trauma, he has a fractured femur, a broken collarbone, several broken ribs and a serious concussion, not to mention all the lacerations…" The doctor protested.
"You aren't listening. He won't stay. He walked out of your ER already tonight, he won't hesitate to walk out of here again. I promise that we will bring him back tomorrow but you have to tell me how to take care of him tonight," Seth demanded.
The doctor sighed. "You're going to stay with him?"
"He won't be left alone. Just tell us what to do."
Summer and Hailey were standing beside Ryan's bed in the ER. He'd finally drifted to sleep.
"How could this happen to him?" Summer whispered.
"He…I think he loved her. Like, more than he'd ever admit…" Hailey said. She brushed a stray hair out of Ryan's eyes.
"I don't think we should take him back to the apartment, I mean, all her stuff is there…" Summer added.
"He's not going to come home with us, Summer," Hailey sighed.
Seth stepped in with a handful of paperwork. "The doctor's letting us take him home."
"How'd you swing that?" Hailey grinned.
"I told him that we'd bring him in tomorrow for a checkup," Seth replied.
"Chino, wake up…" Summer gently shook him awake.
"Yeah?"
"We're getting you out of here, okay?" Summer smiled at him.
"Where?" Ryan asked, sitting up gingerly. Hailey passed him his crutches.
"Will you come with us to Newport?" Hailey asked.
"No…I want to go home…" Ryan replied, rubbing his temples.
"Okay, Ryan."
"I'm sorry…I shouldn't have called you…" He whispered as he got to his feet.
"What? God, Ryan, after all that you've done for us lately, you had to call us. This is a two-way street. Let us help you, okay?"
"Okay…" He slowly walked to the door. Seth and Summer followed him, making sure he was steady on his feet.
"Hello?" Kirsten answered. She was watching Sandy and Jimmy make breakfast. Hailey, Seth and Summer hadn't returned after disappearing the night before. She knew that Jimmy was protecting her from getting upset but as the sun rose, she was getting worried. She had been anxiously awaiting this morning. Seth was supposed to have convinced Ryan to come see her so she could apologize.
"Kirsten?"
"This is her…Hailey?"
"Yeah. How're you feeling?"
"I'm worried. Where are you?"
Hailey hesitated.
"Don't lie. What's going on?"
"Something's happened to Ryan…"
"Is he all right?" She asked after a pause.
"There was a car accident and Teresa…she didn't make it. He's sleeping now but…"
"Where are you? I'm on my way…"
"No, Kirsten…"
"I have to come, Hailey. Please."
Hailey sighed. "I can't let you upset him…"
Kirsten was frustrated but she knew that Hailey was right. Only one person would be able to get through to Ryan after something like this.
"Can I talk to Jimmy?" Hailey asked. Kirsten passed the phone to him. She pulled Sandy aside.
"What's wrong?"
"Sandy, I know you're not 100 percent yet, but I need you to listen to me."
"Okay…"
"Something's happened to Ryan…"
"What? What's wrong?"
"Teresa was killed…"
"Oh no…is he okay?"
"Hailey and the kids are with him. They think I'll upset him if I go but…"
"I'll go. Can I go, Jimmy? Will you take me to him?" Sandy pulled on Jimmy's shirt.
"What?" Jimmy lowered the phone. "Sandy, you can't..."
"I'll be fine. I need to be with him. Please, Jimmy. I can handle it."
Jimmy gave Sandy a hard look. "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
Sandy and Jimmy park outside Ryan's apartment. Sandy was impressed by the place. He was better now. Stronger now that his wife was back. He knew how much losing his mother had broken him and he couldn't imagine what Ryan was going through.
Jimmy knocked and Hailey let him in with a hug. "Where's the kid?"
"He's asleep on the couch. He won't go in the bedroom," She whispered.
Sandy went to the couch and sat down on the edge beside him. Ryan stirred, opening his eyes sluggishly. "Sandy?"
"Hey, kid."
"What are you doing here?" Ryan asked immediately.
"I'm repaying the favor. How're you doing?"
"I'm fine, you shouldn't be here…" Ryan protested, starting to sit up.
"I have to be here. Relax. Just get some rest, okay? I'll be right here," Sandy was speaking to Ryan in the same tone the teenager had used to talk to him earlier in the week. Calm. Placating. Loving.
"But you…"
"I'm okay now. It's your turn to grieve."
Ryan shook his head, confused.
"Just lie down. I'll be here when you get up."