Disclaimer: I own nothing at all. What a pitty...

1. Chapter: New life, old life

'Don't worry. You'll be okay. So will your baby.' He sighed. 'I will take care of you both.'

It was deep in the night, and Ryan was still awake. He could feel the tiredness throughout his whole body, but the events of the recent days were still swarming in his head. He found it difficult to believe that he didn't live with the Cohen's anymore; that he was back with Theresa instead and that she was expecting a baby. His baby.

His heart started beating faster: A child. A little person, he must look after. At this moment, Ryan was fearful of his future. He knew that it could support his family when he would work hard, but he also knew that he would have to give up his own dreams. Dreams, the Cohen's had shown him.

Ryan looked to the right where Theresa was sleeping. He didn't love her. He knew it, and she probably knew it too but both of them were living the lie. Quietly, so as not to wake Theresa, he left the bedroom, took his shoes and his jacket and went out of the house. He couldn't lie there anymore, he needed fresh air and above all, he needed a clear head.

Ryan was walking down the streets. He hadn't a destination; he was just following his feet as suddenly his cell phone began to vibrate.

'Hello?' He asked unsure because hardly anybody had this number, just Theresa and the Cohen's.

'Hey dude, I couldn't sleep and since you have been having the habit of no-sleeping at all, I was thinking of calling you. So Ryan, what's going on in Chino? Maybe I can visit you in the next few days?

'Hey Seth, it's nice to hear your voice. Everything is fine and no, you cannot visit me.'

'Why? Come on, Ryan. I'm your best friend, your brother and you don't have time for me. He sighed. 'We are living in a sad, sad world.'

'Seth', Ryan suppressed his laughter. 'You do know that I have a lot to do and the last time I saw you, you were under house arrest. '

'I know Ryan, I know. But I have a solution for this. I could put a doll in my bed so that my parents…'

'Seth, stop it, please. No more lies. Your parents deserve a quiet time. And Seth, please stop calling me. I need sleep at night. Okay, bye.' Ryan hung up. His fist with the cell phone inside was shaking and the pain in his chest raising. He missed the Cohen's so much.