Ryan, Marissa, Seth, and Summer are all 25.

Seth and Summer are married. They have a 3 year old, curly haired son named Smith. They live in NewPort where Summer is now a stay-at-home mom and Seth owns his own comic book store. They are wealthy and very happy together.

Ryan is an architect and is doing very well. He is seeing a girl named Maggie. She is very pretty and still in school. They have been dating for almost a year. Although things are getting serious, Ryan still can't get Marissa out of his head.

Marissa moved to New York to go to school. After a big blow out with Ryan a little over 2 years ago, she knew she had to get away. But after a shaky 2 years and a degree in design under her belt, she knew it was time to go back to Newport. She still loved Ryan, but was aware of his redheaded beautiful girlfriend. She planned on moving into Julie's husband of 4 years, Mark's, cottage. It was small but beautiful and they told her she could stay in it as long as needed.

Sandy and Kirstin are still married, still in the same house, and still very much in love.

Chapter One: Coming Home.

Marissa's flight was long, but she was surprisingly glad to be back. She missed the warm weather that was year-round and the ocean. As the cab pulled into the driveway of the cottage, she could tell it was the start of new beginnings. Her mother's very wealthy and very nice husband already had her things taken care of over a week ago, so all of Marissa's things were inside. Talk about hospitality, Marissa barely knew the guy. She walked in and loved what she saw. A place that was bigger than the studio apartment in New York. Wonderful.

Summer was so happy that her best friend was home. Immediately she went to Marissa's new place.

Summer: Coop, Oh my gosh, I'm so happy to see you.
The girls hugged for a good ten seconds.
Marissa: I know me too. It's so good to be back.
Marissa looked down at the small boy beside Summer. He was adorable, looked just like Seth.
Summer: Say Hi to Marissa, Smithy.
Smith was shy but told Marissa hi in the most quiet voice possible.
Summer: Come on Coop, let's go to lunch, my treat. I want to hear all about the past few weeks.

Although the girls had not been keeping up with each other as much because of their busy lives, it was like Marissa had never left at all as they shared info over sandwiches and salads. Marissa told Summer about the job she had in NYC with a fashion designer. How the designer put a good word at the famous boutique "XTATIC" in Newport. Marissa has a job interview at the boutique this week. Summer listened about the boys that never lasted, and the one that did ended up cheating on Marissa with his secretary. Summer gushed to Marissa about how she loved staying home with her son. She and Seth planned on trying to get pregnant again soon. The topic of Ryan was not brought up yet, although both girls knew it was coming.

Marissa: So.. how's... Ryan?
Summer: He's good. He works with that big architect company, making lots of money. Perfect for his little girlfriend.
Marissa cringed at the thought of her.
Marissa: So, what's she really like?
Summer: I'm not going to lie, Coop, she's very pretty. Young and nice.. but nothing compares to you at all. She's not so adventurous. And Ryan.. well, I'm not sure he's so happy.
Marissa: What makes you think that?
Summer: He's mentioned you a lot to Seth lately.. but that's just pillow talk he tells me.
Marissa: But Ryan doesn't know I'm back, right?
Summer: Nope, not yet.

He was soon to find out, though, as he and Maggie walked through the restaurant doors.