Marissa lied in the hospital bed with Ryan by her side. Holding her new daughter in her arms, she was still in a love induced haze. The huge smile on her face hadn't left from the moment she first saw her. As she lied there just staring in amazement, she heard a knock at the door and saw her family peaking in

"You guys up for some visitors?" Seth asked.

"Yeah come on in" Ryan responded. The family gathered in swarming around the new baby. The adults all made their own comments on how beautiful she was how cute and tiny she looked. They were in awe as much as the new parents.

"So...whats her name?" Jimmy asked. Marissa looked over and Ryan and smiled.

"Guys I would like you to meet Autumn Reese Atwood"

"Ohh Marissa what a beautiful name" Kirsten exclaimed.

"I feel honored" Summer added.

"Autumn? Your name your kid Autumn??" Seth questioned.

"Yeah well Ryan and I didn't exactly get around to thinking about baby names and since its October, we thought Autumn was the perfect fit besides now she'll always remind me of Summer" Marissa explained.

"Am I the only one who finds this strange?" He asked.

"Yes" They said as a group.

"Okay then carry on" He stated.

Marissa was in awe of her life at that moment. Here she was only 23 years old already married to the man she loved most with a gorgeous baby girl to love for the rest of her life. She and Ryan both graduated from Berkley. Ryan was quickly becoming one of the top architechts in Newport and Marissa had quickly adapted to her job as a guidance counselor at Harbor. They had married the previous year and had a picturus garden wedding with all their families in attendance. They hadn't even waited a year for kids. Marissa had completely unexpectedly gotten pregnant on their honeymoon in Cozumel. They took this "surprise" however in great stride and since both were against abortion, they decided they would handle it and continue her pregnancy. And in that moment, as Ryan watched in amazement as Marissa gave birth, he was happier beyond words that they had made the decision to carry out the pregnancy. He looked over at his beautiful wife more happier than he had ever been before. Life no longer was Ryan and Marissa. It now consisted of Ryan, Marissa, and Autumn.

6 years later...

He could hear them jumping up and down on the bed laughing and yelling when he passed by the "Princess Suite" as he called it. He could tell by the excitement that they were listening to one of the many kidz bop cds that they owned. He walked down the back stairs that lead into the kitchen. He could see Marissa in there making ice cream sundae's for the both of them. Quietly he snuck up behind her and placed his arms around her waist causing her to jump.

"Jeezus!" He laughed at her comment.

"Don't do that to me" She told him turning around and swatting him with the dish towel.

"So now these two sundaes here one of them is for me right? or are you going to use the but I'm eating for two excuse again?" She opened her mouth immediatly in protest but before she could speak, he kissed her pationately.

"Don't you know your not supossed to make comments about how much about a pregnant woman is eating?" He smiled fully.

"Yeah I know, I want you eating good though this little guy needs to come out big and strong just like his daddy" He said as he rubbed Marissa's 8 month pregnant belly.

"So lemme ask you what makes you think this one is a boy?" She asked

"A father knows these things just trust me on this"

"Riiight so is this the same instinct that told you we were having a boy last time? Because last I checked we had 2 daughters but ya know I could be wrong" She teased

"You are so not funny have I ever told you that?"

"Maybe once...or twice" She laughed as her arms went around his neck and they kissed gently and lightly. The "conversation" didn't tlast long though as they could hear the commotion going on upstairs. Marissa pulled back and looked at the clock.

"Okay its definitely time for bed"

"Yeah agreed" He said as he walked over to the intercom system.

"Attention all Atwood children. The time is now currently 8:30 PM in 20 minutes at 8:50 PM, you are to be in bed with your pajamas on and teeth brushed. Your mother and I will be up for bedtime stories and kisses goodnight. Affirmative?"

"Afirfative!" The two girls shouted back knowing the nightly routine but still being too young to pronounce 'affirmative' correctly. This always caused a nice laugh for the two adults before bed. Ryan could always tell they were really getting ready for bed when he heard the patter of feet running around upstairs.

"I'll put these sundaes in the freezer we'll have them when their in bed?" She asked

"Yeah sounds great." He said following her up the stairs to their daughters room. They lived in a 5 bedroom house and yet their 5 year old and 6 year old daughtes insisted they get to share a room together. They walked in at 8:50 exactly to find them both in their own beds ready for bed. They thanked their lucky stars every night to have such easy children.

"Okay so whats the story tonight?" Ryan asked.

"When were at Uncle Seth's house, he tells us stories of when you guys were teenagers!"

"And that's why your not sleeping over Uncle Seth's anymore" He joked. Eventually they settled on a Junie B. Jones book. Ryan read one chapter and Marissa read one chapter. They then tucked the girls into bed kissed them goodnight and put on the nightlight.

"Goodnight Autumn, Goodnight Erica, we love you"

"Goodnight mommy, goodnight daddy"

The two then went downstairs to get started on the sundaes and watch a little t.v

"Ugh I cannot wait to just lie down and relax"

"I know exactly what you mean...remember when we were teenagers and we could stay out till all hours of the night, hit up clubs, just stay up talking till 4 am?"

"You mean before we both had jobs and 2 kids and didn't get up at 8 o'clock all the time?"

"Yeah right back in the day"

"Do you miss those times Marissa?"

"Yeah, I do sometimes. Back when we were young and in love. Before we had any responsibilty"

"Well I'd like to think that were still madly in love and I'd also like to think that 29 really isn't that old. But I do miss not having any responsibility" She smiled for what had to have been the millionth time that night and kissed him once more.

"Are you happy Marissa?" She nodded her head.

"Yeah I am happy. Happier than I ever was as a teenager"

"Well then thats all that really matters. As long as your happy, I'm happy"

And with that, they walked upstairs to bed ready for whatever tomorrow brought them.