Summer took pity on Seth and helped him clean up the kitchen after breakfast. Once they were finished, she took Ryan's plate up to his room, knocking softly.

"Come in," he murmured. He was already dressed in black slacks and a dress shirt.

"You didn't eat."

"I wasn't…"

"Hungry?" she smirked. "Yeah, I got that."

"My stomach sucks. I'll eat lunch, I promise, but all that cooking, it just isn't good for my appetite," he said. "How are you doing today?" He took the plate from her and wrapped his arms around her.

"I'm…I'll be okay. Today's…it's going to be hard. But I have to get through it if I want to move on," she sighed, relaxing against him.

"It'll be okay."

"Everything's going to change."

"But we'll be okay."

"We won't change?" she asked quietly.

"Well, I can't promise that. You're living here now…that's bound to change some things. But I can promise that I'll never leave you…"

"Me either…you're stuck with me, Chino," she smiled, kissing him.

--------

Summer squeezed Ryan's hand as the priest began his eulogy. She needed him so much. His arm wrapped around her shoulders and she leaned into him as the tears came.

Her father. The first man she ever knew. The man that gave her her first dress, first kiss, first haircut, first dance…he was gone. She'd never be anyone's daughter again.

"Shh…I'm here…I'll always be here…" Ryan pulled her close and she laced her fingers as she buried her face in his chest. She cried. She cried until she lost her voice. The priest was still talking and she held him tight.

--------

"Summer. Do you want to go home?" Ryan asked softly. The pallbearers were carrying Mr. Roberts to the hearse and Summer was still clinging to him, crying.

"Can you take me? Can you stay with me?" she whispered, desperate.

"Dude, I have the keys, we'll take you," Seth said, pale beside him.

"Thanks," Ryan nodded.

"Oh god…I'm a mess…" Summer choked, pulling away.

He caught her by the wrists. "Hey, you're beautiful, just relax…"

She settled back into his arms and he wiped the mascara trails from her cheeks.

"Ryan…"

"I'm here," he answered.

"Take me home…"

He smoothed her hair and once the church was quieter, stood up, bringing her with him. When she didn't respond, he lifted her petite body and carried her into the foyer.

"Ryan, your shoulder…I'll take her," Sandy said, not waiting for a response and taking Summer from him.

"I'm sorry…" Summer murmured.

"It's not your fault, honey, Ryan's taking you home," Sandy said, carrying her outside.

"Are you okay?" Kirsten stopped him.

"I will be."

"Okay. We'll be home soon," she said.

Ryan met Sandy by Anna's car. Summer was curled up in the back seat. Sandy held open the door.

"Take care of her. Call me if you need me."

"Thanks," Ryan said gratefully, getting in.

Summer adjusted to his presence by stretching across his lap. He stroked her hair. Her eyes were closed and he accepted her silence.

Mr. Roberts had hurt her…but he didn't deserve to die. Ryan didn't know about Summer's childhood, the man hadn't been evil, he'd been sick. Ryan had to accept Mr. Roberts' place in Summer's memories…as a father. Ryan's father was a cruel man, but it didn't change the fact that Ryan cared about him. He knew about family. Unconditional love was literal with family.

"I love you," Summer whispered suddenly.

"I love you, too," he answered instinctively. Truth came easily to him.

"Five minutes," Anna said from the front.

"We love you, too," Summer announced.

"Thanks," Seth replied, startled and amused.

"You're mushy," Ryan whispered, pleased when Summer smiled up at him.

"Mushy?"

"Yes. Definitely mushy. But it's cute."

"Sexy?" she grinned.

"Cute."

Seth chimed in. "No talking of 'sexy' when you're living in my house. 'Cute' is acceptable. 'Sexy' is not."

"See?" Ryan smiled, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "Cute."

"Okay. I'll settle for that for now," she whispered.

--------

Sandy and Kirsten walked in and immediately recognized the smell of pizza. Seth and Anna were sitting at the counter.

"They're asleep," Seth said, nodding toward the den.

Ryan and Summer were cuddled under a blanket on the couch.

"They both ate some pizza; we were all starving when we got back. Summer's still a little upset, but she swears it's just because she's tired," Anna explained.

"Did Ryan take his medicine?" Kirsten asked.

"He said he didn't need them yet. He said he was fine," Seth responded.

"How are you guys doing?" she asked.

"I'm going to give my Dad a big hug when I see him," Anna whispered. "But I think we're all glad that it's over."

Sandy and Kirsten both agreed, sitting down at the counter and digging into the pizza.

Summer woke up to the sound of Anna giggling at something Sandy was saying. Ryan was sleeping soundly and she sat up after she glanced at the clock. He'd been holding her for over an hour and she didn't even remember falling asleep. She disentangled herself from his arms and stood up, tucking the blanket around him.

"Hi, honey. How're you doing?" Kirsten asked.

"Better. I think…everything I've been avoiding came out today…is my family…" Summer started.

"They understand, Summer. You did better than I did at my mother's funeral…Sandy had to call the doctor because I got so upset. I still don't remember it," Kirsten said quietly. "It's hard."

She nodded.

"Is there anything we can do?" Anna asked.

"Nothing that you aren't already doing. You guys have all been great. Now that I'm officially all cried out…what's the plan for the rest of the day?" Summer asked.

"Well, your other half seems to be a little tired…" Seth pointed.

"I know, but he's earned his rest," Summer replied.

"Well, we have that pool outside, want to go swimming?" Seth asked.

"I could use some sun," she replied.

"Sounds like a plan," Anna smiled.

"We'll keep an eye on Ryan. You guys go ahead," Sandy nodded.

"Thanks," Summer said, glancing at Ryan before leaving to get changed.

--------

Ryan sat up with a yawn and knocked the blanket to the floor.

"What do you have against this blanket?" Kirsten asked from the chair beside him. She was smiling.

"I don't know…"

"You must've kicked it off at least six times in the past hour," she explained. "How're you feeling?"

"Sore. Tired. Where's everyone?" Ryan asked.

She held out his pills and he didn't argue, swallowing them dry. "Outside by the pool. You've been asleep a few hours. Sandy's grilling and the kids are tanning and fighting."

"Fighting?" Ryan asked, surprised.

"Seth splashed the girls and it started a small war," Kirsten admitted.

"Ah. I get it," Ryan smiled.

"Why don't you go get changed. I'm sure Summer would like to know you're awake," Kirsten said.

He realized that he was still in his suit and was relieved that she'd reminded him. He got up and hurried to change. Before he was finished pulling on his shirt, Summer walked in. She had a robe around her and her feet were bare from the pool.

"Hey. Kirsten said you were up," she smiled.

"Yeah," he replied, accepting her hug.

"We're going to be okay, Ryan."

"I know," he said, kissing her forehead.

"Now. We have to discuss this brother of yours. We're at war and I expect you to be on my side…" Summer started, leading him out of his room toward the stairs.

Fin