Safe With You || Seth Cohen

||73||

I walked into the kitchen with Seth and Ryan. Sandy and Kirsten were there, seeming to be in conversation about something.

"Hey why don't you all say good morning to Newport's Man of the Year?" Kirsten asked us all.

I glanced at Sandy in surprise, while Seth grinned.

"I knew it was only a matter of time before this time recognized my contribution to the community."

"Have to be a man first. Congratulations, Sandy." I stated, smiling at Sandy.

"Thank you. Big party tomorrow night. Everybody's gotta dress up and represent."

"And just think I couldn't get you to wear a tie to Ally's cotillion." Kirsten muttered and I laughed.

"College letters, senior prom, this family's on a streak. Let's try to enjoy it." Sandy told us.

"I gotta go." Ryan said suddenly.

"Me too." Sandy stated.

They both left the kitchen and Seth glanced at Kirsten.

"You excited?"

"It'll be good for your father's career." Kirsten told him and the look on her face definitely showed she was not excited.

~~~~

Later that night, Seth and I were about to head to dinner, but we stopped by Kirsten's room to let her know.

"Hey, Mom, Ally and I are gonna head to the diner and grab something to eat. Do you want anything?" Seth asked as we walked in.

We both immediately stopped as we saw Kirsten was asleep with a glass of wine next to her. There was an empty glass next to the full one.

I immediately walked over and grabbed the two glasses, while Seth went and covered Kirsten up with her blanket.

"Seth, are you coming?" I asked him.

"I think I'll stay for a little while and watch her."

"Okay, I'll stay with you."

"You don't have to, Ally."

"No, I understand how hard this is for both of you. I'm staying."

~~~~

I was sitting in the kitchen with Seth the next day when Sandy walked in. Seth immediately looked angry and I grabbed his hand.

"Where you headed?" I asked him.

"I have to finalize a few things for the ceremony tonight. A lot of people are gonna be helped with that hospital." Sandy told us.

"Maybe if you paid attention to anything other than that stupid hospital, you'd notice Mom's been drinking again." Seth snapped.

"Don't talk to your father like that." Sandy said angrily.

"That would require you to act like my father." Seth snapped before walking off. I winced and followed after him.

~~~~

Seth and I were in his room, looking at his old comic drawings when Kirsten walked in.

"I know you two know about my drinking." She stated and Seth and I glanced at each other.

"I assume that means you talked to Dad. Sorry to rat you out to him, it was a heat of the moment thing." Seth told her.

"No, I'm glad you did. I know things have been difficult, but we're still a family."

"Yeah, we're a great family, Mom's been drinking, Dad's being investigated by the DA and about to go to jail.." Seth trailed off.

"Seth.." I started, but Kirsten stopped me.