Once in a lifetime
Okay guys... I put the sequel to "Kiss me Baby" on hold. Somehow I don't seem to come anywhere. Anyway this is my new story. "Once In A Lifetime". Did any of you see "The Bridges of Madison County"? I saw that movie for the first time, like a week ago, and fell in love in no time! So I thought, I'll turn it into a story about Seth and Summer. It's of course different from the movie. But the essence of the storyline is the same.
Pre-Information:
The story is kind of AU. Basing on the idea that the Cohen-Family never moved to Newport. So of course Summer and Seth never met.
Summer grew up in Newport. After high school she went to UC Arizona. Where she met Zach. (No for some reason, they didn't meet in Newport! Don't scrutinize. This is my story!) They decided to get married after he had gotten her pregnant in their sophomore year. The story starts with Summer being 27 and the mother of a six year old daughter (Lilly) and a three year old son (Michael). (The story is written out of Summers POV)
Seth, 28 by now, who grew up in Berkeley (the Cohen's also adopted Ryan. You wanna know how they did that if they didn't live in Newport? Again: Don't scrutinize! lol) , is an very successful artist. (You'll get more info later in the story)
Okay... I think I gave you all the info you need for now. If there are still any questions just ask me via email!
Chapter 1: Can't take my eyes off you
It was, what the, what the meteorologist would call the hottest summer California had seen in 50 years. The ice cubes were melding inside of the fridge. Our a-c-system was running 24/7. The kids were grouching 24/7 too. The heat seemed to make everybody crazy.
That's my explanation for it today. It's the heats fault, clearly.
The morning it all begun my husband Zach and I were standing in our kitchen. I was sipping my iced coffee. Zach was getting the kids ready for their annual trip to Washington. His parents lived there. His parents celebrated there 40th wedding anniversary. Of course, out of politeness they invited me too. Not that there was anything that would me make going. And Zach knew that. But since we had gotten up that morning he kept going on about why I didn't wanted to go along with him and the kids.
"You sure you don't wanna come to D.C. with us? My mother is really looking forward to see you."
"Oh please! She hates me! And I won't give her a chance to let her tell me what a bad mother I am or wife..." I poured myself some more coffee, threw a few ice cubes into my cub and looked at my husband again.
"You and the kids go. Visit your parents, let your mother spoil Michael and Lilly all she wants. I'll be alright."
To be honest: I would be more than alright. I haven't had a week for myself since Lilly was born. I would enjoy that week downright. There's just no way I would've changed that for a week with my mother in law.
As much as I love my family - they were exhausting sometimes. The kids were fighting most of the time and while I had to deal with them Zach was at his office. Preparing for the next election. But this week I would turn the tables. Usually he kept telling me how lovely our babies are and that they couldn't be as much stress as I claimed. I was pretty sure he would have changed his opinion after a week alone with them.
"You sure?", he checked again.
I nodded with a bright smile: "Positive! But if you don't leave soon you guys are gonna miss your plane."
With Michael up on his hip, a suitcase in the other hand and Lilly holding onto his sweater he kissed me on the lips: "I call you as soon as we get there!"
After saying goodbye to my little boy I bended down to my six-year-old daughter: "You make sure to be a good girl, alright?Do what your daddy says!"
I embraced her tightly: "Mommy misses you already!"
"I'll miss you too, Mommy", her short arms twined around my neck and I got a peck on the cheek. "Luv ya!"
I guided them outside where the cab were waiting already. After almost dying because of a wave of heat we tucked the kids in the car Zach turned to me again.
"Say hello to your mother for me!", I said with a forced smile. Not that that witch would care.
"I will!", he pulled me into a passionated kiss. "I love you!"
"Love you, too!", I replied while watching him getting into the car.
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When I got back into the car I thanked god again for the air conditioner we had in our house. Looking around I couldn't really decided what to do. The house was spick and span. That was when the lowest drawer of our living room cupboard came into my field of view. Almost reverent I keeled down and opened it for the first time in six years and brought out my sanctuary:
My DVD-collection of The Valley.
I hadn't had time to watch since Lilly was born. Every time I switched on the TV, one of the kids started crying or hurt itself in some way. I used to have this theory that the theme-song has some hidden lyrics in it, that freak the kids out. But Zach opined that they were just mad because my complete attention didn't apply to them then. So I didn't watch it for about five years but bought every single DVD that was released.
A few hours later I was completely sucked into the whole high school drama of April, Jake and the gang as my phone rang. My friend Holly. She asked me what the hell I was doing. I was supposed to pick up Marissa an hour ago and show up at the community center, we had a meeting with the other Newpsies today to plan Newport's latest charity event.
When I was young I never thought that I would become the typical Newport women one day. I wanted to make a great career in fashion. Maybe set up my own boutique. Now I was just another Newpsie, I lived of my husbands money, supported him with his political-career, took care of the kids and sold the appearance of the perfect family.
When I was arriving at Marissa's I found her drunken in her kitchen. Again. She also was a typical Newpsie, but in an other, far worse way.
Considering we were already far to late for the meeting I decided to pour her some coffee and sober her up again, before her kids would come home. She told me about the fight she had with her husband Luke. In my opinion he was pretty much of a asshole. Hired a new assistant every week who's skirts got shorter every time. On the other hand she was not so innocent either. But instead of assistants and secretary's she hired pool boys and gardeners.
She was in a bad condition, that day. All I could do is sit there and listen to her worries and problems as usual. I didn't even bother to tell her about mine. Zach called our friendship one-sided. Of course I knew he's right. But I knew her since preschool. It was hard to look away when she was that miserable.
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After six more hours in the house of tears and pain I was home again. Taylor Townsend, the queen of Newport charity events, had left a message. She wanted to know where me and "Mrs McDrinkison" were today. They had decided to do an art exhibition with following auction. The money would go to the children's hospital. She made it obvious that she wanted us there tomorrow, after all we were in the board of the charity table.
That woman was a pain in the ass. Even if there was no doubt that she was born for that job, she also would have also made a great career in the third Reich.
I decided to push aside all the negative thoughts and let the day die away with Frank Sinatra, a glass of wine and a long bubble bath.
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I was already in bed, zapping through the channels when the phones rang again. Zach.
"Everything alright home, Honey?"
I couldn't do other than smile. He was really protective. "Yeah. I just noticed how big and empty this house can be... how are the babies?"
"I just tucked them in. They were really tired. No wonder. The day were really exciting for them. You did realize we're raising little terrorist, right?"
"Oh so I guess they were on their best behavior during the flight, huh?"
"What a understatement! American Airways will never let us in again..."
"So it sounds like your having fun...", I really missed them.
"We do. We just wish you were here. We really miss you."
"I miss you, too. But it's only a week. I think we'll survive."
"I love you."
"I love you. Give Michael and Lilly a kiss from me."
"I will."
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When I arrived at Newport's community-center the next morning I found Peggy and Taylor in a heavy discussion. Peggy is the former head of the charity table and not so easy to push back even if she was over seventy already. I hadn't even taken a step into the room when Holly dragged me with her.
"It's about time you show up! Do you think rules don't apply for you just because your husband is a member of the congress?"
I answered by rolling my eyes while following her through all the flushed Newpsies. They seemed like a hen house with a fox in the middle of them.
"So anyway: Your job will be to raise our inventory of art objects."
I simply nodded. There was nothing I wanted to do less but I was not in the mood for an argument with her.
So Holly showed me the direction and disappeared again. Arrived in the storeroom I'm faced a good dozen of pseudo Jason Pollocks. Nothing spectacular. I wouldn't have bought any of those. I was almost ready to go on to the sculptures as I saw it. At the farthest end. This wasn't some usual abstract painting. There was something about it. I couldn't even explain what it is. At a first glance it looked like every other picture in here but it reminded me of something. I just didn't know what it was.
"You like it?"
I jerked. Turning around I was facing a guy my age with tender brown eyes and curly hair.
"Jesus Christ!", I snapped at him. "Do you always sneak around like that?"
"No not like that... I usually got a mask and a chainsaw with me."
Ha Ha!Ate a clown for breakfast?Rolling my eyes I passed him to go across the room to continue my inventory. I tried to concentrate on some artistic photographs as he was behind me again, reaching out his hand.
"Seth Cohen."
Shacking his hand quickly I turned around again.
"So... did you like it?"
And there I was, thinking Taylor was a pain in the ass. That guy was really annoying...
"Like what?" I don't even bothered to turn around.
"My painting you were looking at so intensely."
"I don't know. I'm not much of an art connoisseur. Now listen I have some work to do here so if you don't mind--"
"You don't have to be an art connoisseur to tell me if you like it!", he had cut me off.
I was about to answer when Taylor entered the room, it seemed like she cleared out her differences with Peggy.
"Summer! What are you doing back here? I need you help with the decorations. I know how good your with that!" She spotted Seth standing there.
"Ah! If it isn't our big artist! It seems like you already met. Summer this is Seth Cohen. We're really lucky he donated his work for this auction! And we can make a lot of money for the hospital with it. I'm thinking that we start with 10.000 $ at least! Thank you again so much, Mr. Cohen."
"Well, it's for charity and I'm getting publicity... there's nothing bad about that. It's Seth, by the way."
He didn't look away from me while saying that. For the first time I looked at him for real. He wasn't bad looking in hisown geeky way. A little bit skinny perhaps. But cute. Stop it! I had to bring myself down! I was married, after all. By instinct I glanced down on his hand. No ring. Apparently he was not.
That old hag of Taylor noticed our eye-locking, within' a second. With a faked smile she pulled me with her:
"Would you excuse us, Seth?"
A few feet away from him she stopped and threw me a concerned look: "Summer, you can't be serious! I can't believe you would do something like that to Zach!"
"I don't know what you're talking about!" I freed myself of her and walk back to Seth.
That had been good. I did almost convince myself.
On half way I turned to her again: "I fear you will have to do the decorations by yourself, Taylor. I have to do a lot of inventory back here! I guess that's going to take quite a while."
Taylor raced away with gritted teeth.
"She is some kind of an alien, right?" Seth and I looked after her.
"I wish. If she was, all I'd have to do to get rid of her is call the FBI." I answered.
He laughed. Oh my God! He had dimples... I felt my knees becoming weak.
"So... this really seems like a lot of work. If you want me to help..."
"Thank you, but I'm okay..."
Seth stood in the doorway, looking concerned in my direction. I tried to lift up a wooden fertility-goddess, which was a little bit taller I. Before it knocked me over and buried me under it he was there, holding it.
"Yeah, I can see that." Together we put the heavy thing down on the floor again. Our hands met slightly and I felt a bunch of lightings flashing through my body. I dismissed it as static charge and took a deep breathe.
He looked around: "So were should we start?"
I smiled uncertain: "I guess with the pseudo-Pollocks..."
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Honestly, I couldn't remember when I laughed like that the last time. Of course I had fun with Zach... but not like that. Seth had an amazing, charming, sarcastic character.
After bringing the last piece into its final position I leaned back against a shelve: "So tell me Seth. How comes it, that a guy like you remains up for grabs? Have you never thought about marriage."
"I did. But it turns out I'm not really the person for marriage."
I looked at him questioning.
"Divorce number two was granted four years ago. If I may quote a really smart TV-show: The second bitch is got everything the first bitch didn't."
"You watch Sex and the city?" I had got to say I was impressed.
"There's no better way if you try to understand women..."
"You just told me that your got divorced the second time when you were like twenty-six, it doesn't seem to me like you understand women that good."
"You have no idea...", he flirts. I felt a lot of blood rushing into my head. I tried to persuade that it was because of the not working ac in the storeroom.
I quickly turned away: "So... were are you staying?"
I mentally slapped myself for that question. He flirted with me and I asked him in what hotel he was staying? Broad hint par excellence.
"I live on a boat. Down in the harbor."
"Very Miami Vice..."
More flirting! Argh! I could've strangle myself with my own hands. What the hell was going on with me?
"Yeah... indeed... so Summer, seeing we're finished here... Can I call you sometimes?"
Taking a sharp breathe I looked down: "Don't misunderstand this, I think you are a really great guy, but I don't think that's a good idea. I'm married."
His disappointed facial expression nearly killed me. He took my hand in his and looked at my wedding ring. I never knew that a simple touch like that could turn me on that much.
"I can't believe, I didn't notice before... That's usually the first thing I check..."
Our eyes locked again. I wanted to kiss him so bad, that moment.
Pardon the way that I stare.
There's nothing else to compare.
The sight of you leaves me weak.
There are no words left to speak.
But if you feel like I feel.
Please let me know that it's real.
You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.
"I'm sorry."
Almost panicked I pulled away from him practically storming out the stock to the ladies room. I leaned back against the locked door. My heart was racing in a way I'd never experienced before. I walked over to the sink and splashed some water into my face. Looking into the mirror again I noticed a sparkle in my eyes I've never seen before. Was all of this because of Seth Cohen? This couldn't be happening. I'd met the guy like five minutes ago. Was I falling in love?
TBC
Next Chapter: "We've got tonight"
AN: So what do you think? I'll update as soon as I get five reviews! ;)