A/N – Hey people. So I'm back in the country and I've managed to find a bit of time to write this. I hope I haven't lost any reviewers over the long wait. Anyways, read and please review, if you do I will try to get a new chapter up ASAP. CHEERS!!

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'Hey Sarah,' Seth said brightly as he walked into his girlfriends room, 'is Sum around?'

'Hey Seth, yeah she's in the shower.'

'Okay thanks.' Seth made his way towards the en-suite door but was cut off by his girlfriend's roommate.

'What the hell are you doing?'

'What any normal boyfriend would do, I'm going to grab a quick feel while she's naked.'

'Oh, I should've known,' Sarah replied with a roll of the eyes. 'Yeah you definitely shouldn't pass up that opportunity because you never get to see her naked,' she added sarcastically.

'Hey,' Seth sniped in reply, 'for your information I haven't seen my girlfriend naked in four days and not seen her period in nearly two, so I think I deserve the right to go in there.'

'How come you haven't seen each other in two days?'

'We've both been really busy. I started at RISD a month into the school year so I'm taking catch-up classes in my own time, plus she's taking on extra shifts at the café because something's wrong with her car and she's too proud to ask her dad, or me for that matter, for the repair money. I'm actually supposed to be in class now but I just got so sick and tired of only being able to talk to my girlfriend through texting that I decided to blow it off.'

'Oh that's so sweet,' Sarah replied with a grin, 'sacrificing your education just so you can spend time with her.' Seth snorted at her words.

'What education, I draw, that's it.'

'Yeah but you do have a minor to fall back on right?'

'Of course, business journalism, but I'm not really interested in that. Nope, if the whole comic book thing doesn't work out I'm pretty much gonna be a washout.'

'Well I wouldn't worry about it, judging on that I think you'll be fine,' she replied, motioning to Summer's little wallboard beside her bed where a drawing from the scrapbook was pinned up. It was one of the best he'd ever drawn and Summer had already declared it as her favourite and hung it up for all to see. It was a close-up of them kissing, incredibly detailed and perfectly shaded. It had taken Seth the best part of a week to draw it, during the summer break before his first year at college when he had been particularly depressed.

'Thanks,' he replied with a smile, 'now if you'll excuse me, I have a hot naked girl to fondle.' Sarah giggled and nodded.

'Okay, have fun.'

'Oh don't you worry about that,' he said over his shoulder as he walked into the bathroom and quietly closed the door. He heard Summer humming to herself behind the shower curtain, completely oblivious that he had snuck in. She was in her own little world, just soaping her body without a care, so naturally she was absolutely scared shitless when out of nowhere, a hand shot into the shower and gave one of her breasts a good squeeze. She couldn't stop herself from letting out a huge scream and ripping the shower curtain down as she toppled out the tub and landed on the floor. She untangled herself from the curtain and looked up only to find Seth bent double, positively howling with laughter.

'YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE!' she screeched, jumping up and walloping him on the arm as hard as she could. Usually he would've clutched his arm and whimpered like a baby, but Seth found the whole thing so hilarious that he was still roaring with laughter, tears in his eyes. 'STOP LAUGHING YOU PRICK, IT WASN'T FUNNY,' Summer shouted angrily, still punching him all over his arms and chest.

'Okay, okay I'm sorry,' Seth gasped breathlessly, tears of laughter pooling in the corners of his eyes. Summer, growing increasingly irate due to the fact that he was still giggling, decided to get revenge by pulling the still running shower head off its holder and aiming it in the direction of his crotch.

This time it was Summer's turn to howl with laughter as Seth just stood there, mouth agape, a huge water stain all over the crotch area of his pants. 'God Cohen,' she gasped out, 'you're twenty one years old, I thought you'd be potty trained by now. Good luck explaining that one to Sarah.' Seth grinned and shook his head.

'Okay I guess I deserved that, but can you really blame me for groping you when I haven't gotten so much as a look in four days.' Summer rolled her eyes.

'We went without it for four years and now you're whining about not getting any for four days.'

'What, are you telling me you haven't missed this,' Seth replied, moving forward, cupping her face in his hands and giving her one of the soft, teasing kisses that he knew drove her crazy. He knew he had succeeded in doing so when he heard her softly moan and she pushed her wet and naked body up against his. 'Yeah, I thought so,' he said with a cocky smirk when he finally pulled away.

'Stop it you ass,' Summer said with a flustered grin, 'I'm showering to get clean and if you keep doing that I'll crack and end up right back at square one.'

'Okay, I'm sorry,' he replied with a grin. 'Carry on,' he added, sitting down on the closed toilet and settling into a comfortable position.

'Umm, what?'

'Don't let me keep you, finish showering.'

'Nuh uh, I don't think so,' Summer replied with a smirk, 'get out.'

'Su-ummmmerrrrrr.'

'Ugh, fine, just sit there and shut up,' she said as she stepped back under the water. Seth grinned happily and nodded. 'Oh and no touching yourself,' she added fiercely as she saw his hand make a beeline for his pants. Seth pouted but obeyed her command nonetheless, sitting back and watching his girlfriend showering. God she was so perfect, both physically and personality-wise.

'Why are you blushing,' Seth asked with a smirk when he saw she was a little red in the face, 'I've seen you naked in the shower like a million and one times.'

'I know but this is weird, usually you're naked too and in here with me, not just sitting there watching my every movement.'

'God, can't a guy just sit back and stare at his beautiful girlfriend every once in a while. And if it would make you feel any more comfortable I can easily join you,' he added, beginning to pull off his shirt.

'No don't,' Summer said forcefully to stop him, 'I mean we both know that would only lead to one thing and it would kinda defeat the whole point of showering.' He nodded and they settled into silence again. Seth was itching to just dive in there and take her up against the wall but respected her wishes by not actually doing so. 'Hey I forgot to ask,' she finally spoke up, 'what are you doing here, don't you have a class Wednesday afternoon?'

'I do, but we haven't seen each other in two days and I was kinda missing you so I blew it off to come here,' he mumbled. This time it was Seth's turn to blush while Summer felt like squealing at his words. She didn't do that though, she just turned off the water, hopped out and wrapped herself in her towel before walking over to him and slipping into his lap. She curled her wet arms round his neck and kissed him slowly and passionately, letting him know that she felt the same way.

'I've missed you too Cohen. God you're too sweet.' Seth grinned dumbly and nodded. 'No I mean you are literallytoo sweet, because if you keep saying things like that I'm just gonna end up raping you.'

'And that's supposed to deter me,' he replied with a smirk and raised eyebrows. Summer giggled and shoved him playfully.

'Get out assface while I dry and put on clothes, go change your pissy-pants.' She giggled again when Seth gave her his supposed "scary look." In actuality it was scary at all, it just made him look even more pathetic but in a cute, adorable way. He did as she said though (as usual), walking out into her room and closing the door behind him. Sarah looked up and her nose instantly wrinkled in disgust.

'Oh my God, I know Summer can be scary sometimes when she gets angry but please tell me that isn't what it looks like.' Seth rolled his eyes.

'Calm down woman, she wasn't too happy about me scaring her so she decided to aim the shower at this particular area of my body,' he replied, motioning to his soaking crotch, 'an area which I could enquire as to why you are staring at it,' he added with a smirk. Sarah blushed and averted her eyes.

'It's not like I meant to look, it just stands out a bit,' she mumbled.

'Don't lie,' Seth teased, 'I know you're attracted to me, all girls are.'

'Whatever,' Sarah replied with a roll of her eyes, though the fact that the reddening of her cheeks increased at his words did nothing but confirm his suspicions that she was indeed attracted to him. Seth grinned before unzipping his pants and pulling them off. Sarah gawped at him, her wide eyes alternating between his face and his tight boxers that didn't leave much to the imagination.

'Uhh, w-wh-what the hell are you doing?' she spluttered out. Seth wasn't sure if her crimson coloured face was still because he'd embarrassed her a few seconds before or now for an entirely different reason.

'What does it look like, I'm changing out of these wet pants.'

'Well do you have to do it in front of me?'

'Oh don't act like you're not enjoying this. Go ahead, say what you're thinking, impressive isn't it,' he added with a cocky smirk. Sarah rolled her eyes and was about to reply before she interrupted by a freshly dressed Summer walking in.

'What the hell is going on here?' she said, her eyes narrowing menacingly, 'I walk in to find my boyfriend stood in front of my best friend with no pants on, I thought I meant something to both of you but obviously not.'

'Well I wasn't looking to hook-up, I was just looking for a blowjob because it's not like I'm getting anything off you at the moment,' Seth replied teasingly. Summer grinned, pulled a pair of his pants out of the specially assigned "Cohen drawer" and threw them at him.

'Put these on assface,' she said before flopping down on her bed and turning on the TV at the foot of it, along with the playstation 3 connected to it.

'Ahem, I seem to remember you getting pissed of when I bought that for you,' Seth said with a smirk as he pulled his pants on and sat down beside her.

'Well that's because you got me all excited by saying you had a present for me, and then you pull out this, a freaking videogames console. It's more like a present for you Cohen, plus it gives you yet another excuse to ignore me when you're round here,' she replied with a glare.

'Hey this thing's expensive, and I don't hear you complaining now.'

'Well that's because it's grown on me. God what have you done to me Cohen, you've turned me into this weird half-normal, half-geek hybrid, I'm surprised they don't make people like me live in caves or something.' Sarah laughed at her words while Seth rolled his eyes and picked up the other controller.

They began an intense game of PS3 table-tennis, Sarah moving onto Summer's bed and began cheering her best friend on. After about five minutes of playing in silence Seth spoke up. 'You not working today?' he enquired, not tearing his eyes away from the screen though.

'No I'm back to my normal shift pattern, I've finally saved up enough to get that piece of shit fixed,' she replied happily.

'Sum it's a Beemer, not exactly what I'd call a piece of shit, I mean at least you have a car. And does that mean it'll be fixed by Friday?'

'Yeah it's in the shop now, I pick it up tonight. Why?'

'Well I was thinking we could drive up on Friday night, it's only a four hour drive and that way we'll avoid most of the traffic.'

'Drive where,' Summer said confusedly.

'Umm, my house, it's Thanksgiving this weekend remember. Y-y-you uhh, you do wanna come right because I know I never actually asked you, I-I………I just…………you know, I just thought it was a given,' he mumbled, a little scared that she might say no.

'Oh, umm, yeah of course I'd love to come Cohen,' Summer replied with a huge grin, 'I just haven't really thought about it, in fact I forgot Thanksgiving was even coming up because the last two years I've just stayed here and been miserable on my own.'

'And you're gonna be okay seeing everyone again? You know, after everything that went on with my mom and all that stuff.'

'Cohen,' she replied softly with a reassuring smile, 'I can't wait to see your mom.' Seth smiled and leant across to give her a quick peck on the cheek. 'What about them, are they looking forward to seeing me?' she asked, a large hint of nervousness in her tone.

'Umm, I haven't actually told them about you yet.'

'WHAT!!' Summer shrieked, 'we've been back together for six fucking weeks and your family doesn't even know about me? You know, sometimes you can be a real dick Seth,' she muttered, turning away from him with a massive scowl on her face.

'Oh come on Summer, I bet you haven't told your dad about me either.'

'Well that's because I never talk to my dad, you talk to your family all the time.'

'Look the reason I haven't told them is because I want to surprise them. Imagine how cool it will be when they answer the door and you're standing there with me, my mom will throw a fit.'

'I suppose,' Summer replied with a sigh, 'but how do you know I'll be a good surprise or if they'll even like me. You know better than anybody that I've changed a lot, what if they don't like the new me.'

'Trust me Summer, they're gonna love you just as much as they did back then.'

'Yeah,' Summer sighed miserably, 'we'll just have to wait and see.'

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'God can you like, talk to me or something, I'm falling asleep here. Connecticut is so freaking boring to drive through, it's just a bunch of trees and the occasional trailer-trash small town. Helloooooooo, Summer?' Seth gave a quick glance across to the passenger side of the car to see his girlfriend sleeping peacefully, her head resting against the window. He scoffed and rolled his eyes but couldn't prevent a small smile from creeping onto his face, she just looked too damn cute.

'Nice talking to you,' he mumbled. 'God everyone is gonna freak when they see you, it's gonna be so funny.' He knew he was basically talking to himself but he had to do something to stop himself from falling asleep at the wheel. 'So I was thinking about having a little chat with Ryan. He's been living with Ellie for a month now and I was just thinking about, you know, asking him what it's like. I mean I know we've only been back together less than two months, but I kinda think I'm ready. I dunno how you feel though, I hope it's the same but, umm…………God, why am I talking to myself, I'm such a loser. Anyway, yeah, I'm gonna ask Ryan what it's like and if I think we're ready for it, I might bring it up at some point in the near future.'

Seth settled back in his seat and focused intensely on the dark road ahead of him, so he failed to see the massive smile that had spread across his girlfriend's face. She just wanted to squeal, throw her arms around him and kiss the hell outta him but she couldn't do that, she knew he wouldn't be happy if he found out she'd been awake the whole time and heard what she'd said. At first she'd felt a little guilty that she was faking unconsciousness to get five minutes respite from his never-ending rambling, but now she couldn't have been happier that she'd ignored him.

Summer was ready too, there was nothing she wanted more than to take their relationship to the next level. She couldn't wait for him to bring it up now because she knew she'd just scream yes, jump on him and they'd end up having possibly the hottest sex of their lives.

After about ten more minutes of faking sleep while his words continued to roll round her brain and send her giddy with excitement, Summer opened her eyes. She turned to see her boyfriend focused on driving, not having realized that she'd "woken up." Summer leant across and buried her head in the crook between his shoulder and neck, causing him to jump and look at her.

'Jesus Sum you scared me, I didn't know you'd woken up.'

'Mmmmm, sorry Cohen,' she mumbled in her best attempt at a drowsy voice while placing soft kisses on the side of his neck.

'Don't worry about it, good nap?'

'The best,' Summer replied with a grin. They settled into a comfortableness for a few minutes, both giggling as she tickled a sensitive spot on his neck with her nose and he tried to squirm away, until she spoke up. 'I love you,' she said out of nowhere.

'Uhh, thanks?'

'Jeez, not exactly the response I was hoping for,' Summer countered with a smirk.

'Sorry, I love you too, its just I don't think I'll ever be able to get used to you spontaneously saying it outta the blue.'

'Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realise we needed to make officially scheduled "I love you appointments" so not to take each other by surprise. And here I was thinking a little bit of spontaneity was a good thing for a relationship,' Summer said with a glare.

'Calm down woman you know what I mean. It just takes me by surprise that's all, but in a good way.'

'Well what about this, does this take you by surprise but in a good way,' she whispered huskily in reply before snaking a hand down to his package and rubbing. She grinned as Seth inhaled a sharp breath and let out a low groan.

'Umm, well in any other situation that would definitely be a good surprise, but when I'm driving down an unfamiliar road in the dark, yeah not so much.'

'Ooooh you're all tense baby,' she whispered playfully, nibbling on his earlobe seductively as she continued to rub and began to undo his pants buttons with her other hand, 'maybe I should loosen you up a little.'

'Summer I-I-I'm driving, p-p-please don't.'

'Please don't what?' she replied innocently with a grin as she finally freed his ever-hardening manhood from his boxers and began slowly stroking him.

'P-p-please d-don't…………oh God please don't stop.' She grinned at his words and began to place wet and urgent kisses across his neck as she continued to stroke him. Seth had to slow down to thirty even though they were in a sixty zone so that he didn't kill them if he accidently ran them off the road, and the way she was making him rapidly losing control was causing that to look more likely with every passing second. 'Oh God,' he whimpered, 'Sum, why do you do this to me?'

'Because you love it and I love you, which means that I love it too,' she replied in a sultry murmur, 'besides, you ain't seen nothing yet Cohen.' With that, she unbuckled her seatbelt and dipped her head towards his midriff.

'No Sum, don't. I don't think I'll be able to keep control of the ca-……………oh. OH GOD, SHIT SUMMER,' he moaned loudly when she ignored his pleas and reached her target. She grinned up at him, never once letting him out of her mouth. It infuriated him yet drove him wild at the same time.

Summer began to do what she did best, putting her big mouth to use. It was mostly used for insulting him or shouting at him and while she enjoyed that, she definitely preferred this more. She wasn't a slut or anything, she just loved him so she loved to please him. Plus it was always nice to watch him buckle under her actions, and he always seemed to do whatever she wanted after this, it was her ultimate weapon for controlling him.

It wasn't long before Seth's moaning became more vocal and rapid but that was to be expected, Summer had done it to him so many times before that she had perfected the technique that drove him craziest. 'Shit Summer, stop, I'm gonna come and I'll probably crash the car.'

Summer merely giggled with a tight lock still round him, something that gave him even more pleasure and pushed him closer to his imminent climax. She continued to work her magic until she felt him begin to throb in her mouth, a sign that she knew meant he was about to let go. Seth moaned loudly while he struggled to keep his eyes on the road, something that confirmed her suspicions. Then all of a sudden, he exploded powerfully and shuddered in utter bliss. For a few seconds he swerved out into the middle of the road, but luckily there wasn't much traffic for 8pm on a Friday and they were on a particularly straight section of the old costal highway.

Summer took all that he had to offer, something she didn't normally do but she wasn't particularly keen on him wrecking her car's expensive interior. When she was sure he was done she let him out of her mouth for the first time in well over ten minutes and tucked him back in his pants, before eyeing him with a flustered grin. 'How long until we get there?' she asked with a sweet smile as if nothing had happened.

'What, that's it?' Seth replied breathlessly, his mouth hanging open in disbelief, 'where the hell did that come from?'

'Where did what come from,' Summer replied innocently, 'I thought I got it all.'

'You know what I mean Summer,' Seth countered with a roll of the eyes, 'what the hell was that?'

'That was me showing you just how much I love you Cohen.'

'What, by nearly making me run us off the road,' he replied incredulously. Summer rolled her eyes.

'God, I get you off and this is the thanks I get, assface.'

'Okay I'm sorry,' Seth replied with a grin. 'Thank you, that was awesome. Do you wanna drive now and I dunno, maybe I can return the favour.'

'Uhh, that sounds great but I think I'll pass. You did really well to keep composed there but I know it wouldn't be the same for me, I would run us off the road.' Seth laughed at her words.

'Okay then, I guess it'll have to wait till tonight.'

'No it won't, it'll have to wait till when we get back to Rhode Island. You do remember my rule about sex when your parents are in the house right?'

'Yeah, there isn't any,' Seth replied with a glum sigh.

'Exactly, sorry to disappoint you baby,' Summer said, leaning across to give him a peck on the cheek. 'I mean that's partly the reason I just gave you a little fun, hopefully that should be enough to last you three days.'

'I very much doubt it but thanks for the effort anyway.' Summer smirked and rested her head on his shoulder. They settled into a relaxed silence for a few minutes until she broke it.

'I can't wait to see your family again, thank you for inviting me.'

'Like I was ever not gonna. You're my family now too Summer, even if it's not official…………yet.' She smiled widely at his words. The thought of being a genuine member of his family, of being Mrs Seth Cohen, was a thought that had been creeping into a mind a hell of a lot the last few months, and it was a thought that sent her giddy with excitement and happiness.

'Well, hopefully one day it will be official Cohen,' she replied with a happy sigh, taking his free hand and playfully twisting her fingers through his.

'Yeah, but what are you gonna do when that happens?'

'What do you mean?'

'Well you'll be Cohen too, people will think you're crazy and you're always talking to yourself.'

'Oh yeah,' Summer said with a big grin when it finally dawned on her what he meant, 'well I guess I'll have to call you something else. OOH I GOT IT,' she squealed excitedly, 'you can be Ezekiel.'

'Or how about Seth,' he replied with a glare.

'Nah, Seth's too boring, it's gotta be Ezekiel,' she teased.

'Well good luck getting me to propose then if that's gonna be my nickname when we get married.' Summer smiled into the side of his neck and didn't bother replying. She didn't need to, she knew he'd propose to her and she knew he'd even be an Ezekiel for her if she wasn't joking. He was just that kinda guy, the perfect guy.

After about another hour of driving, the forests and small towns began to disappear, only to be replaced by large suburban masses with the unmistakable metropolis that is New York visible in the distance. 'So we're gonna be there pretty soon right?' Summer mumbled, the nervousness evident in her tone.

'Yeah, you okay?'

'Yeah I'm fine, just a little nervous.'

'Awww, you're adorable,' Seth replied with a big grin. Summer giggled and shoved him playfully. 'Don't be nervous okay, it's not like you need to make a good first impression because you already have. They already love you Summer, they're gonna so happy to see you.'

'I hope so. So where is this fancy apartment?'

'Umm, it's right in the middle of Manhattan, but we relocated to a house in Long Island when my mom got better. In fact, here we are,' he said happily, pulling up beside an average detached four-bedroom house.

'Oh, umm, wow, so soon,' Summer replied in a squeaky voice. Seth noticed her hands were shaking slightly.

'Oh baby,' he said softly, wrapping his arms around her, 'how many more times do I have to tell you, you've got absolutely nothing to worry about. Wait, it's not just my mom you don't wanna see is it, because I thought you understood why she did the things she did.'

'No Cohen,' Summer replied softly, cupping his face in her hands and smiling reassuringly, 'I wanna see everyone, especially your mom, and I honestly have no idea why I'm freaking out.'

'Well please calm down, I love you, they love you, everybody who meets you loves you. You're just………you're very loveable.' Summer grinned at his words.

'Thank you baby, you're very loveable too. Okay,' she added, taking a deep breath, 'I think I'm ready.' They stepped out the car and made their way up the pathway to the front door. Summer's mind was racing, she had never been more nervous. Would they all still like her, would they be happy to see her? She had a right to be nervous though because she knew that if everything went according to plan, this family would be her family one day.

'You ready?' Summer smiled and nodded.

'I've been ready all my life.' Seth grinned, took her hand in his and rapped on the door with the other one. After a few seconds the door swung open to reveal a middle-aged blonde woman that Summer never thought she'd see again. A woman that held a bigger place in her heart than her own mother. And Summer instantly knew from the look on her face, she had nothing to worry about.

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'OH MY GOD!!'

Kirsten threw her arms round Summer with such force that she nearly sent her only biological son flying backwards down the porch steps. She immediately burst into tears and Summer had to bite down hard on her lower lip to stop herself from doing the same.

'Jeez mom, nice to see you too,' Seth grumbled as he went to stalk past her. When he passed her she grabbed the back of his collar, pulled him back and threw an arm round him too, sobbing into both their shoulders. Seth grinned at his girlfriend over his mom's shoulder, and she returned a wide smile with watery eyes.

'H-h-how, w-when, I-I………I don't-' she stuttered when she pulled away, smiling widely with huge red puffy eyes. 'A-are…………are you two-' When Summer merely grinned massively and nodded, the older blonde erupted into a fresh round of sobs and threw her arms round the both of them again.

Summer looked up over Kirsten's shoulder to see Sandy gawping at her, his mouth hanging open in utter disbelief. She smiled at him and gave a small, dorky "Seth-like" wave, a wave he returned with the same dumbstruck expression.

'Oh my God sweetie. Hi, I've missed you so much,' Kirsten practically squealed when she pulled away.

'Yeah, hi Kirsten, I've really missed you guys too. It's been a long time.'

'Too long.'

'I see no one's missed me,' Seth mumbled with a pout.

'Don't worry son, I've missed you,' Sandy chimed in, walking over a capturing his son in a big bear-hug. 'And I don't believe it, Summer Roberts. It's great to see you, I didn't think I ever would again.'

'Yeah well me either but surprise surprise, here I am. It's great to see you too Sandy, how are you?'

'Excellent thanks, how are you?'

'Great, really really good thanks,' Summer replied with a huge grin, linking fingers with her boyfriend again.

'And how have you been the last four years,' Kirsten asked concernedly.

'Honestly, really really not good.'

'Oh, a-a-and it's all m-my f-fault,' Kirsten wailed before running off to another part of the house. sandy sighed and Seth rolled his eyes while Summer nearly started crying on the spot. She felt terrible, she had never meant to hurt Kirsten, she loved her like a mother, it had just slipped out.

'I best go check on her,' Sandy said.

'No Sandy, can I go talk to her,' Summer said desperately.

'Umm, sure. She's most likely in our bedroom, upstairs, last door on the left.'

'Okay thanks,' Summer replied as she walked off.

'No problem. And Summer,' he said, causing her to turn to him, 'welcome back.' She grinned widely at him.

'It's great to be back Sandy, it's great to be back.'

'So son, the love of your life is back huh, how did that happen?'

'It's a long story dad, a good one but a long one. I'll explain later.' Meanwhile, Summer had found Kirsten and her heart broke at what she saw. She was sat on her bed, not sobbing anymore but sniffling heavily, with tears still pouring down her face.

'Hi,' she said softly, causing the older woman to jump, 'can I come in?'

'Uhh, sure,' Kirsten mumbled. Summer moved forward and sat beside her on the bed, eyeing her cautiously. Before she could say anything though, Kirsten burst into a fresh round of sobs. 'I'm s-s-so s-sorry Summer,' she spluttered out, 'I hate myself for what I did to you guys. I know I wrecked my son's life and I bet I probably wrecked yours too, I'm evil.'

'No you're not Kirsten, you're like a mom to me, you always have been. I love you so much,' Summer whispered, a few tears beginning to slip down her own cheeks.

'How can you, I destroyed your relationship, your happiness.'

'No you didn't, cancer destroyed it, and it doesn't matter now anyway because things worked out. I'm back with Seth in an even deeper relationship than last time and I've honestly never been happier.'

'Really, you don't blame me, you don't hate me?'

'No Kirsten, I don't hate you, I love you, and I sure as hell don't blame you.'

'Well I blame myself,' she mumbled.

'Well then I guess I will have to blame you then.'

'Umm, what?'

'Yeah, the only way I could ever be angry at you for the last four years is if you keep blaming yourself for them.' Kirsten smiled faintly at her words.

'So you're saying you really will hate me if I keep blaming myself.'

'Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying,' Summer replied with a sweet smile. Kirsten gave a watery-eyed smirk and shook her head.

'You really are an amazing girl aren't you, I guess that's why my son loves you so much. Okay then, I suppose it was no one's fault, I guess it was just one of those horrible things in life that happen.'

'Exactly, and even if I did consider you in any way responsible for the last four years, I would have to thank you.'

'How come?'

'Well even though they have been by far the worst years of my life, they've made me who I am today. Although I love Seth more than life itself, our four years apart have really given me the chance to grow up. I mean I know for a fact I wouldn't have got into Brown if I'd been with Seth.'

'You go to Brown? Wow, impressive.'

'Thanks, and I'm guessing a little unexpected judging by your tone. Its okay, I never thought I was that smart either, but apparently I am when the guy I love isn't around to distract me. I will always choose being with Seth over not being with him, but I can't deny that plenty of changes for the better occurred in me while we were apart. I'm more mature, I'm independent, I'm a woman basically. And even though he can still be an immature dork sometimes, I think he's turned into an amazing man too. Sure it would've happened if we'd been together, but the changes wouldn't have been as drastic.' Kirsten smiled widely at her words.

'God I've missed you Summer, you were always like the daughter I never had,' she whispered emotionally, a few tears falling.

'And you've always been a mother to me too, I love you Kirsten,' Summer replied, also beginning to cry again. They hugged and cried together, all issues from the past resolved. As far as they were both concerned, they were family again, just the way it was meant to be.

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'RYANNNNNNN!!' Seth squealed as he ran towards the adoptive brother with open arms. When he reached him all the shorter guy did was give him a sharp shove to the chest to stop him from hugging him, but it was enough to send Seth toppling over the back of the couch.

'OW!!'

'Oh hey Ellie, how are you?'

'Seth, get off me you big lump.'

'Hey man,' Ryan said with a smirk, peeking over the top of the couch, 'good to see you. Now if you don't mind can you get the hell off my girlfriend?'

'Yeah, sorry man, sorry Ellie.'

'No problem dork. So how's life, how's the whole chess thing treating ya?' Seth rolled his eyes.

'For your information it's table-tennis, and I'm okay. And please will you get a new running joke, after three years it's kinda wearing thin. Yes we get it, I'm a geek, move on.'

'No point talking to her about jokes man, she's just not funny,' Ryan cut in with a smirk, eliciting a glare from his girlfriend.

'Well I guess you're perfect for each other then,' Seth replied sweetly.

'Whatever, so how's life bro?'

'Life is good man, LIFE. IS. GOOD!!'

'Whoa, someone's mood's picked up since I last saw him, what's going on?'

'Well my cheeriness might have something to with the beautiful lady I've brought along to meet you guys. And before you say anything,' he added quickly with a glare at the both of them, 'no she isn't imaginary.'

'Then where is she?' Ellie countered with a smirk.

'She's upstairs talking to mom.'

'Wow that's great man, you actually seem happy, something I haven't seen you like for far too long.'

'I am happy Ryan, I'm really genuinely happy.'

'Well that's great, I'm happy for you. It seems like you're really into this girl, do you think that maybe she's the one to replace, you know.…………Summer?'

'Ahh, somehow I don't think so buddy,' Seth replied with a grin.

'What, why not man. You need to move on, it's just not healthy. I mean I loved Marissa, I once thought she was the only one for me, but I think this is proof that there is more than one person out there for everybody,' Ryan said, motioning to himself and his girlfriend.

'No I don't think so man, I think Summer's it for me.'

'Trust me man, she isn't. You need to move on and get over Summer.'

'No I don't.'

'Yeah you do.'

'No I don't.'

'Yes Seth, you do.'

'Umm, no he doesn't.' Ryan's head shot up at the voice that came from the kitchen door, and he was instantly hit by what could only be described as a blast from the past. He never thought he'd ever see her again, he thought about her from time to time with fond memories. Sure they'd never been hugely close but she had made his brother indescribably happy, and he'd always be thankful to her for that.

'Umm, no I guess he doesn't,' Ryan said blankly, a shocked looked still plastered all over his face. 'Roberts, is that really you?' Summer giggled and nodded.

'Hey Atwood.'

'Hey,' Ryan said rushing forward and wrapping her in a hug, 'I never thought I'd see you again.'

'Yeah well sorry to disappoint you,' Summer replied with a smirk. Ryan grinned.

'You know I don't mean it like that. Summer this is my girlfriend Ellie, Elle this is Summer, Seth's high school girlfriend.'

'Now college girlfriend,' Seth added, snaking his arm round her waist.

'Hi,' Ellie said, shaking the brunette's hand, 'so you're really dating Seth?' Summer laughed and nodded.

'Yeah I am, though I sometimes wonder why too.' She smiled sweetly when she received a glare off Seth.

'Oh, I mean he's okay looking but he's annoying as hell, why do you put yourself through that?'

'Helloooooo, standing right here.'

'Well you see, I have a problem,' Summer went on with a smirk, ignoring her boyfriend, 'basically I'm a dorkaholic, I'm addicted to dorks, this one in particular.' Everyone in the room laughed, apart from Seth who pouted.

'Hey it's good to see you two getting along already. You've already found something in common, insulting me.'

'Oh I'm sorry baby, but you just make it so damn easy,' Summer replied with a grin.

'Right, so come on, sit,' said Kirsten, who had appeared in the room beside Summer, 'we all wanna now how and when this happened,' she added, motioning to her son and his girlfriend.

'Okay well I met her on the first day I got to Rhode Island. She works in a little coffee shop on Thayer Street, I walked in and ordered something and guess who brought it to my table. Things went from there and now here we are, that's it I guess.'

'Aww, that's sweet, like you were meant to find each other or something,' Ellie said with a grin.

'Believe me, it wasn't as simple as he makes it sound. I was devastated when he left, but I was even more heartbroken when I didn't get a reply to any of the letters I sent him.' Summer glanced at Kirsten to make sure she was okay, her eyes were slightly watering but she nodded for her to continue. 'Anyways, I was so angry at him that I wouldn't listen to a word he said. The first two months we only saw each other once or twice and it always ended in a big argument. Then one night, when it was starting to look like we were never gonna work things out, he showed up at my place and forced me to listen. I found out that he had a perfectly good reason for doing the things he did and it was like a light went off in my head. I just thought "oh my God, I still love him and I still want to be with him.' So I told him I wanted to be with him and seven weeks later, here we are.'

'SEVEN WEEKS!!' Kirsten shrieked, 'you've been dating for seven weeks. SETH EZEKIEL COHEN,' she shouted with a look of death, 'all those times I've called you in the last two months you've been sat beside someone you know I think about every single day, and you didn't tell me.'

'Geez, relax mom, I wanted it to be a nice surprise for you, I think I succeeded in that.'

'Well I suppose I can forgive you then because you're right,' Kirsten said with a smile at Summer, 'it was the best surprise ever.'

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Two hours later it was 11pm and time for bed. Summer had spent an hour of catching up with his family, an hour in which she had settled back into things with ease. It was like she had never been away, and she was loving every minute of it. The younger adults had now retired to the den and were playing playstation just like in the old high school days, minus Marissa but plus Ellie.

Even though they'd only known each other a few hours, Summer though Ryan's girlfriend was awesome and vice versa. She was smart, witty and apparently shared her love of insulting Seth. Summer was definitely sensing best friend material. Even though Sarah was her best friend and so was Seth to some degree, there was no rule about having more than one.

'Oh my God, have you like played playstation nonstop for the past four years or something?'

'That's my fault bro, I made the mistake of putting my PS3 in her room because I spend more time there than my own. Apparently not such a good idea because she plays it religiously which has resulted in her getting good.'

'Good? That's it? Don't you mean really really good, you haven't beaten me in like three weeks Cohen.'

'I know, and I'm so proud of you baby, I always knew I'd turn you into one of my people.'

'Oh really, one of "your people?" would I be classed as one of "your people" if I said I still think Deathcab are a bunch of sucky whiners?'

'HEY, do not insult Deathcab.'

'Whatever, I'm going to the toilet, back in a few.' Summer got off the sofa and walked out of the room. She made it halfway to the bathroom before she was interrupted by a tap on the shoulder. She turned to see Ryan smiling at her. 'Hey Chino, what's up?'

'Wow, flashback, I haven't been called Chino in like four years,' he replied with a smirk.

'Well someone's gotta remind you where you came from you Ivy League big-shot.'

'Same to you. Actually no we don't, you've always been set up for the Ivy League haven't you Barbie.'

'Okay firstly Barbie is like your stereotypical blonde Valley-girl slut, whereas I'm brunette and as it turns out, pretty smart. And secondly, Barbie has Ken, the most perfect guy in the world, while I've got…………I've got Seth Cohen.' Ryan laughed.

'How can Ken be the most perfect guy in the world, the man's got no freaking dick? I mean I don't know Seth's, umm, "dimensions", but surely he's gotta be bigger than that.' Summer giggled and nodded.

'Good point, actually Cohen's like ten times more perfect than Ken.'

'Ten times nothing is still nothing Summer,' Ryan replied with a smirk. Summer rolled her eyes.

'Whatever. What do you want Chino, I have to go pee.'

'Umm, I was just wondering, you know, how Marissa is doing. I mean even though I'm with Ellie and I really love her, I still sometimes think about Marissa from time to time.' Summer tensed at his words and sighed.

'I wish I could help you Ryan I really do, but I don't have a clue myself. About two months after you left we kinda had a fight, and I'm not talking about a petty little thing, I'm talking about the mother of all fights, a fight that sent an eleven year friendship up in flames. I haven't talked to her since then and I have no idea where she is or what she's doing,' she added sadly.

'Oh, wow, I didn't expect that. What did you two fall out about?'

'That doesn't matter, it's not important,' she mumbled, 'I'm sorry Ryan but I really can't help you.'

'Okay, thanks anyways Summer. Oh and welcome back to the family,' he added with a warm smile before turning and walking off.

'Thanks,' Summer whispered to herself with a miserable sigh before making her way to the bathroom. In an instant, with the mention of that name, Summer's night had gone from being one of the best of her life to being not so good. Summer still loved her but even if she ever did see her again she knew their friendship was way past the point of repair.

After she was done in the bathroom, Summer made her way down the hallway and was met by Seth leaning against the frame of his bedroom door. 'Hey,' he said with a smile, taking her hands and pulling her in, 'everyone else has gone to bed, you ready?' When Summer merely nodded, Seth frowned. 'Are you okay, five minutes ago you were all smiles and now you look a little sad.'

'Yeah I'm fine, it's just been a long and emotional day that's all.'

'Okay well get some sleep, you'll feel better in the morning.' Twenty minutes later they were washed, undressed and curled up together in bed. They almost always slept together naked, they just wanted to be as physically close as possible all the time, even when they were unconscious. 'Night Sum, I love you,' Seth muttered, spooning her from behind and burying his face in her neck.

'Love you too Cohen,' Summer whispered, but if she had been facing him he would've seen that she still had an unhappy frown on her face. It wasn't long before Seth fell asleep. Summer listened to his heartbeat, his slow breathing, and couldn't stop the tears from slipping down her face.

She was crying because memories of losing her childhood best friend hurt. It was her fault, she'd made a huge, unforgiveable mistake, a mistake she regretted every single day. She knew she could never let him know, she just couldn't. It would hurt him more than words could describe and she refused to hurt him but most of all, she refused to lose him, and if he ever found out she knew that was exactly what would happen.

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A/N – There you go folks. I wanted to go into more detail with this chapter but it was really getting quite long. Anyways, please review because I'm afraid that I will be moving away on December 2nd and will be without computer access for three weeks, then I get back for two weeks at Christmas so I can update then, then I will be gone again for at least a month without computer access.

I will not go into great detail about why I won't have computer access. Lets just say that my life is changing rapidly. I'm 18 and I'm going out into the big wide world to start my own life in a new career. I won't say anything else because I know plenty of you won't agree with my decisions, but if I've got you intrigued and you really want to know then feel free to ask me and I will PM you and explain what's going on.

Anyways, the more you review the faster I update and I want to get as much of this story out before I leave, so please leave your comments folks. THANKS :)