Chapter I A journey has begun
"So this is Newport?"
"Yeah. This is Newport," The woman with the Aviator sunglasses on paused for a brief seconds when she stepped out from the airport. The words she had just said seemed to have some kind of weight on her which caused her breath coming out in a rugged pattern. Drinking in the sight of the surroundings, she noticed the changes of this place compared with her last visit five years ago. "God, was it really that long ago?" she murmured beneath her breath. However, if she was completely honest, she might admit that the place was no longer familiar. The airport was renovated and was doubled in size than it had once been. And the people…well, she wasn't certain about that but any wild guesses could tell it didn't take long for a person to change, let alone five years. Besides, she wasn't totally detached from her friends and had been informed beforehand that her best friend, Summer, was expecting her first child in less than a month's time with her husband, Seth. Her mum, the famous Julie Cooper-Nichol-Cooper had taken over the Newport group and surprising enough managed to keep up the work as a CEO, just as she had always dreamt to be. And Ryan…a name she hadn't brought up for a while, was doing fine according to Summer. She had heard that he moved in with a girl called Stacey, whom he met in college, and the two were now living happily together and ever after. Right, that's the end of story.
Shaking her head in disbelief, she refused to let her thoughts travel further. This had been her own way to deal with hard times concerning with that particular matter and experiences had proved that it worked; at least that's what she thought. So why not now? It wasn't like she had any sources of help back then, she was sure that this time was no different. Luckily, she did not have to continue with the debate just yet as a voice called from the back. "Maris? Are you okay? You look like you have an electric sock," Jack asked with concern written all over his face. Damn. Marissa cursed silently. She had completely forgotten his existence just now and, to make matter worse, she was zoned out because her thoughts were lingering on another man even though she had already got the impeccable boyfriend on her side. It was, in any way, unforgivable. As if trying to lessen her guilt, Marissa flashed a loving smile at his direction and immediately broke into laughter when she caught the sight of Jack nearly tripped over with his hands full of their luggage. "Hell, do we really need all these? I thought we're only here for a couple of days." "Oh, so you're now complaining? My fiancé was the one begging to come with me or so I thought," Marissa said with a mischievous grin. "I am not complaining…wait, what did you say?" Jack asked. "I said you're complaining," Marissa giggled whilst enjoying her little tease. "No, after that." "Fiancé. I can take it back though if you don't like— her comment was cut by Jack's lips crashing into hers, letting the herbal mint of his breath danced with fruity lip gloss of her own. When he finally pulled apart, she was left with an amazed smirk on her face. "No, I want you to say it more. I can never get enough of you." Marissa has realized the reason she had fallen in love with him. He always viewed her as the centre of the world, as if her beauty banished the twinkling stars from his sight. And just now, she was reminded anew of her fortune to have Jack of all people to be her fiancé.
"Come on. We're getting late. You don't want Summer to wait for us, do you?" "Whatever you say, your highness." "Good. So let's get all your stupid luggage down here. We're getting a cab to Summer's." "You're so cute when you're being bossy," Jack laughed. He was not going to let the chance passed without teasing her a bit. "And who is being a bitch now?" Marissa playfully slapped his back before embarking on a journey towards the unknown end.
Later that day, when they finally pulled up at the front lawn of a bungalow, Summer was, as expected, the first to greet them. She immediately pulled Marissa into her arms followed by tears of joy rolling down her cheek. Jack simply watched the two entwining in a tight hug after exchanging a knowing glance with Seth, who appeared from nowhere but just in time to catch this lovely scene.
"Wow, Coop. You look gorgeous. I bet the spell of love has something to do with the glow on your face," Summer said with a wink when she released her. "You look— Marissa shifted her gaze from the brunette's head to her belly and back to her face again whilst searching for a right word to say. "You look like you have swallowed a ball." At that, the two burst into a series of giggles. "Well, that's because I am carrying my baby. Little Cohen Roberts," she announced proudly with a broad smile as a ready-to-be mother.
"Gee, I am so sorry. I didn't notice you're here. Are you mad? Cause you cannot be upset with me, you know it's the hormone thing…" Summer tried to explain when she suddenly realized they have another guest out there waiting, who began to wonder if he would ever allowed into the house, "Jack, right? Marissa talks about you all the time." It sounded normal enough for an opening statement, especially one from your girlfriend's best friend, he thought. Even though he was told to prepare for embracing the surprises once he got to meet her friends. "I hope they're all good things." "Sure, she told me you're an ass." Jack's face fell as if he was annoyed. "But a hot one. I am kidding of course," Summer quickly added. "Where's all the humour from?" Seth chimed in and at the same time, kissed her nose tip. "Let's get inside, shall we?" "That's a good idea."
They shared a decent meal wrapped in plenty of laughter. In between goofs and sarcasms, Summer cleared her throat and said something that sent shiver to Marissa's spine. "Tonight is great fun. You guys, why don't we have a gathering at Atwood's mansion tomorrow?" Summer suggested, oblivious of the sudden change in Marissa's facial expression. "Sum, I am not sure about that…I don't even know if he'd like to see me after all these years," Marissa said upon a shaking voice. "Coop, he misses you just as much as we do. We're friends, remember? To the fantastic four," she toasted. To Marissa, Summer seemed to have stressed on the word 'friends' but then maybe she heard it wrong. There wasn't space left for a name of the past and they all knew it. Reaching for her glass, Marissa swore she can see the reflection of her old shelf. May it be only an illusion, she wasn't sure any more. Nothing came certain these days, she finally decided. God, what's with her today? Meanwhile, Jack was feeling strangely out of place. Sure, Marissa was his fiancée and Summer and Seth were her friends so supposedly that made them his friend as well. Perhaps, whoever stated it should look at things at his position before giving a new annotation to the saying. Wait, what is this Atwood guy about? But at this moment, with Marissa sitting by his side, sharing a feast of joy together, it is enough. At least for now.