fic : Better Days
title
Better Days
fandom
The OC
summary
A presumed dead Ryan returns home after a few months
timeline
AU (season 1)
beta
If it counts, MS Word 03
disclaimer
Sadly "The OC" isn't mine, but belongs to others (Josh Schwarz, FOX, ...)
previous
0 : The Worst Day |
1 : Realization
2 : Home
It was not long after they left the cemetery that Ryan and Luke were standing in front of the Cohen mansion. Ryan was really glad the Luke had accompanied him. Despite his eagerness to get his family back, he still worried about their reaction to his ‘resurrection’.
Once they reached the front door, Ryan reached for the bell, but hesitated.
“You aren’t chickening out of this, are you?” Luke asked him, but didn’t get a response.
“Dude, I’m not letting you get out of this. So if you don’t get over your resurfacing insecurities and press that damn button I’ll do it for you.” Luke said impatiently and true to his word rang the bell since Ryan didn’t even make an attempt to move.
When the door opened shortly after, Ryan was overwhelmed with emotions - a mixture of joy and happiness that he’d finally get his family back, but also worry and fear about their reactions.
He wasn’t sure if he should be relieved or disappointed that it was “only” Rosa opening the door.
“Hi Luke, how are you? You don’t happen to have Seth with you, do you?” Rosa questioned him hopefully while they shock hands.
“No I don’t, but I’ve another friend with me.” he replied while pointing at Ryan, who anxiously stood next to the door, in a position where she hadn’t noticed him so far.
Rosa studied Ryan carefully while he approached her and eventually said “Ryan never mentioned anything about his biological family, but apart from the hair cut you just look like him. Were you a relative of Ryan?”
“Sort of” Ryan replied using the same vague answer he’d also given Luke at first.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Rosa, the housekeeper.” she said shaking his outstretched hand.
“I’m Ben, nice to…”
“Come on Ryan, cut the crap. Or do you really want to keep this up with everybody?” Luke interrupted annoyed.
“Ryan?” Rosa asked puzzled.
“Yeah, the not so dead Ryan Cohen” Luke stated.
“Is it really you?” Rosa asked Ryan directly.
“Yes, it’s me, Ryan”
“But you died in that crash?” she asked suspiciously.
“It wasn’t me in the car. I got robbed. The thief took the car.” he explained.
“The Cohen’s will be thrilled.” Rosa said.
“But you aren’t?!” Ryan teased.
“Well, why should I? You did all you could to sabotage my job as housekeeper. And I’m sure you’ll do it again.” Rosa countered.
“Right, so what if I promise to leave you a mess to clean up or some dirty laundry once in a while?” Ryan replied, not the slightest offended, but well aware of what Rosa had in mind. In all the months he had stayed with the Cohens he’d always made sure that the pool house was as spotless as possible and she’d always ‘complained’ that she’d lose her job because of him.
“Nice try young man, but I don’t think you’ll stick to it.”
“Don’t jinx it. I might turn into a real Newpsie, making you a lot of work, just to prove you wrong.”
“You wouldn’t. And you know that as well as I.”
“Right, I wouldn’t. There isn’t much I’m more afraid of than turning into a Newpsie.” Ryan said, shuddering at the very thought of it.
“So how comes you didn’t show up earlier?” Rosa asked curious while she gestured for the two boys to come into the house.
next
3 : Dreams