My contribution to a plotbunny challenge

[anne35]

Title: Moms and Dads
Ratings/Warnings: None
Beta: loracj2, but any errors are all mine.
Disclaimers: I own nothing in relation to The O.C. All mistakes are mine.
Summary: Approximately a million years ago Yessi_5 posted a plotbunny challenge asking for a story where Little Sophie asks Ryan why he doesn’t call their parents “Mom” and “Dad” like she and Seth

Comments

[60schic]

How much did I love this? Let me count the ways:

Ha-ha. Seth’s right, you should never try to be funny.

“Because I’m almost thirty and it would be kind of weird and frankly, really creepy.”

You told me you didn’t want anyone to save me but me. Whatever that means.

Benji

I love that you have Ryan at Ben's age b/c I can see him so clearly. I love how savvy Sophie is in the ways of their family life. I love your explanations. I love that Ryan is doing his best to see that Sophie doesn't ever end up like she-who-shall-remain-nameless. I love this plot bunny for all the marvelous fic it has inspired. I could read 10 more versions of this and still not be tired of it. And I especially loved this: You know, her special smile. The one she saves for when she’s really proud of you. What immediately came to mind, since we are doing the ocitagain thing, is her expression at the end of The Chrismukkah, as Ryan finally hung up his Christmas stocking...was that the one you had in mind?

[anne35]

I am beyond flattered that you like this story so much. I don't think that Ryan will ever be funny to anyone other than Taylor.
The line about Sophie saving herself was a very last minute addition. I just thought that Ryan would want his baby sister to be stronger than the women in his past. He's still overly protective, but only because he wants to be not because he needs to be.
Honestly, I could not think of a good name for Julie and Frank's son for the life of me...so why not Benji. I bet Ben was Benji for a little while, at least until third or fourth grade.
And yes, the Chrismukkah smile was the exact smile I had in mind. It was the first time I really got the feeling that Kirsten loved Ryan. I know she thought of him as part of the family, but I don't think she showed her love for him until I saw that expression.
Thanks again for such a lovely review.

[helen_c]

Awesome. Loved big brother!Ryan, making a note to check who's this boyfriend her sister is seeing.

“I was not headed towards a life of crime.”
“That’s not the way Seth tells it.”
The more things change, right...

“I didn’t change the subject. You were the one who started rambling about ponies, Seth Jr.”
Eh, she is like Seth, isn't she?

Very nice talk, anne!

[anne35]

Thanks, helen.
I totally see Ryan as the protective big brother type. After all, he did mention how often he spent his time climbing out of windows and into the front seat. He knows how boys are, even eleven year old boys.
I don't know why I cursed poor little Sophie into being a mini-Seth, but I did. I do however think she would be a cooler more popular version of him.
Thanks again for reading and commenting.

[katwoman76]

This was really sweet. Although the idea of another child of the Cohen's turning out to be like Seth scares me a little.
Poor Ryan...between Seth, Sophie and Taylor it must be hard. ;)

[anne35]

I'd like to think that Sophie is a non-stop talker like Seth, but has the spirit of someone more like Summer. Sophie is never going to let anyone push her around. I believe she turned out more like a nice mixture of every important person in her life.
Poor Ryan...between Seth, Sophie and Taylor it must be hard. ;)
Well, he never was much of a talker. Now he just has to save it up for when it really, really counts.

[brassebouillon]

I've loved all the stories written for the plotbunny challenge and this one definitely is a great one! And an original one because Sophie is ten year old.
“Did I ever tell you that you’re my favorite big brother?”
“That would mean a whole lot more if I hadn’t heard you say the very same thing to Seth the last time he was home.”

Really funny! I've totally enjoyed all the dialog between Ryan and Sophie, but this part is my favorite!!

[anne35]

I wrote that with my baby sister in mind. She's nine years younger than me and I'm sure she used that line on me when we were kids. Of course, in my case I would have been her only sister.

Thanks for commenting.

[chaseii]

This is delightful. I like your take on a ten-year-old Sophie -- and I adore the relationship between Ryan and Sophie. (I'm also very happy to see that Sophie will never be a simpering, helpless 'damsel-in-distress' like someone we will not mention.)

As always, you've given us a very realistic Ryan -- grown up, but still thoughtful, attentive, intelligent, and savvy. He detects Seth's work quickly, and doesn't let Sophie scam him. Still, we get the very real feeling that he's completely smitten with his little sister, and that he'll indulge her, protect her, and love her beyond all measure.

I like the idea of Kirsten evesdropping at the end. Of all the primary relationships in the series, I always felt that the one between Kirsten and Ryan was the most neglected. Thanks for giving us this moment where Kirsten could hear Ryan affirm that when he thinks 'Mom' he thinks of her.

[anne35]

Thank you for all the kind words.
I can't imagine Ryan or an adult Summer letting any little girl growing up to be a helpless female. I think he'd try to install in her the need and the desire to take care of herself. Plus, she is Caleb Nichol's granddaughter. I believe she'd like to kick a little ass herself.
Of all the primary relationships in the series, I always felt that the one between Kirsten and Ryan was the most neglected
You're preaching to the choir on that one!
Ryan did say in S2 that "Kirsten is like my mom" I believe that feeling grew with each passing year, even though we never got to see it developed in canon.