Serendipity

by pinkserendipity

This story starts out a few months after the end of season one, but quickly jumps ahead to become a future fan fiction that is different then most. It is an RM and SS story in the long run.

10. Chapter 10

A few weeks later the Cohen's sat at their dinner table eating dinner together, which had become an unusual event between their four different jobs, plus the various visitors who frequented their house.

Sophia ate her food daintily while kicking her legs from her booster seat.

"Sophia don't kick the table." Sandy warned.

"Seth does it too!" she objected.

"What?" Seth asked in confusion. "Sophie I don't kick the table."

"Well you kick you legs at the floor. If you were little, you'd be kicking the table. It's not my fault I'm little and I have little legs!" Sophia dropped her fork onto her plate and started crying.

"Seth." Kirsten scolded.

"What? I didn't do anything. It's not my fault I'm big and my legs reach the floor." Seth imitated Sophia, dropping his fork and pouting.

"Ok children. Let's just agree that no one's size is fair, and move on." Sandy compromised, trying not to laugh.

"Hey Munchkin, didn't you go shopping today?" Ryan asked, remembering Kirsten mentioning that she was taking Sophia shopping.

"Yeah!" Sophia immediately brightened up with the memory. "We bought SO much stuff!" she giggled.

"I don't like the sound of that." Sandy said warily.

"Oh Daddy, don't be a Seth." Sophia advised.

"A Seth?" Sandy and Seth asked in unison.

"Like how Seth always tells me 'no Sophie you can't do that' or 'Sophie that's not good'" Sophia explained.

Seth glared at her, while the others all started laughing.

Before Seth could argue with Sophia again, Kirsten interrupted. "Baby tell Daddy and Ryan what we bought."

"Ok." Sophia sat up tall in her seat, her dinner completely forgotten. "I got pink capris and a blue skirt and a white skirt and a stripey dress and a blue shirt and a yellow shirt," Sophia listed, "and - and - and - oh and white sandals to wear to Coop's wedding."

"Sophia I told you to call her Marissa." Kirsten reminded her. Then she turned to Sandy. "We picked up her flower girl dress from Julie's house. It's so adorable! It's-"

"Mommy let me tell!" Sophia whined. When Kirsten stopped talking she continued. "It's white lacey stuff and when I spin the skirt goes way out like this," Sophia held her arms out as far as she could to the sides. "And under the lacey white stuff it's green soft shiny stuff and it has a big green bow. And I get to wear a box in my hair, and Mommy said we'll get green ribbon sewn into my sandals!" Sophia paused to breathe.

"She looks so pretty in it." Kirsten informed the others, smiling at Sandy.

"Well she does always look like a princess." Sandy replied with a grin.

"A princess dragon." Seth added.

"Thanks Daddy." Sophia said, sticking her tongue out at Seth. "Ryan, do you think I'll look like a princess?"

"What?" Ryan had been thinking about the upcoming wedding. "Oh yeah, you definitely will."

Sophia smiled contentedly and resumed eating her dinner.

"So when are you guys going to New York anyway?" Ryan asked casually.

"What? Why would we go to New York sweetie?" Kirsten asked.

"For the wedding." Ryan answered, narrowing his eyes in confusion.

"The wedding isn't in New York. It's here, in Newport." Sandy informed him.

"Like Julie Cooper-Nichol would give up the chance to show off her money." Seth said sarcastically.

"Oh. So uhh when is the wedding?" Ryan asked, stunned at the realization that it was happening right in Newport. That meant he might have to see Marissa at some point.

Kirsten wrinkled up her nose trying to remember, finally telling Ryan the date in late August.

"Hey Ryan, isn't that the -" Seth asked.

"Day before your birthday!" Kirsten finished for Seth. "Sweetie, I'm sorry that totally slipped my mind. I mean I know your birthday, I just didn't make the connection."

Ryan shrugged at Kirsten, letting her know it was fine. She never forgot anyone's birthday - she just wasn't great remembering more than a few days ahead. That's why she wrote everything in her palm pilot. But what wasn't fine with him was the fact that Marissa was getting married the day before his birthday. She was great with dates, and obviously was trying to prove she was over him. Or send him a message that she didn't care about him at all.

"Ryan are you gonna come to Coop - I mean Marissa's wedding?" Sophia questioned, totally missing the mix of emotions Ryan was currently feeling.

"No Munch, I don't think so."

"Oh." Sophia said sadly. "You don't wanna see me be a flower girl?"

"Oh Munch, I would love to see you, but I … wasn't invited." Ryan tried to explain.

"I'll talk to Coop. I'll take care of it." Sophia said confidently, looking like a mob leader from the movies Sandy liked to watch.

"No it's really alright." Ryan quickly objected.

"But you have to see me be a flower girl. You HAVE to. You have to you have to you have to." Sophia cried. "Otherwise I won't love you anymore."

"Sophia Nicole Cohen!" Kirsten scolded.

"Sophia Nicole CHRISMUKKAH Cohen." Seth and Sophia corrected.

"I'll tell you what, we'll see about the wedding. If Ryan can't come, we'll videotape you and he can watch that." Sandy offered.

"Fine." Sophia said. She then continued eating her dinner while sulking.

"So the wedding is in like two and a half weeks?" Seth suddenly realized. "Wait! I did not just say 'like'. But is it actually that soon?"

"Yes it is." Kirsten said, trying to signal Seth to stop talking about it.

Of course Seth didn't quite get what she was doing. "That seems so soon after the engagement - what has it been, four months? Although I guess having short engagements runs in her family. Our family. I still can't keep who's related to who straight."

Ryan's face fell as he thought about how soon Marissa was getting married. In Newport. At a ceremony he might end up present at.

"We're family with Coop?" Sophia asked curiously, forgetting that she was sulking.

"Yes, Marissa is your … step-aunt." Seth said.

"Why?"

"Because her mom is married to Grandpa, so that makes Julie our step-grandmother and Mom's step-mother. So Julie's daughter Marissa is Mom's step-sister, and our step-aunt." he explained.

Sophia looked at him blankly. "So are we family?"

"Yes." Sandy answered for Seth.

"Oh. Mommy can I show Daddy my dress now?" Sophia asked, abruptly changing the topic.

"After dinner." Kirsten said.

"I'm done." Sophia replied, dropping her fork onto her empty plate.

"Me too." Seth and Ryan both added.

"Ok go kids, I'll sit and enjoy dinner with my beautiful wife." Sandy said with a smile.

"You enjoy that." Seth said sarcastically, grabbing Ryan's arm and dragging him towards the pool house. "We don't need to watch you two make doe eyes at each other."

"I think it's so cute." Sophia announced. "They're in love."

"Thanks baby." Kirsten said with a smile. Sophia was obviously more of a romantic than anyone else in the family.

Ryan and Seth went to the pool house. Before Ryan could turn on his playstation Seth started talking.

"So what are your thoughts on the whole Marissa getting married in Newport in less than three weeks thing?" Seth asked.

"Smooth opening." Ryan commented, ignoring Seth's question.

"Ha ha. But really, what do you think?"

"Seth I thought we agreed not to worry about me and Marissa."

"We did. But I just thought it might be weird knowing she was getting married right near where you live."

"Well it's not." Ryan replied shortly.

"Oook then." Seth said. "Let's play ninjas then."

Ryan grunted in agreement, happy to be off the topic of Marissa. What he didn't know was that Seth was no where near done.

"You lose bro." Ryan said as his ninja killed Seth's a little while later.

"Ok the thing is that Summer doesn't think Rick is the right guy for Marissa." Seth suddenly blurted out. His mouth made an 'O' shape in shock as he realized what he'd said.

"What?" Ryan said, suddenly attentive.

"Dmn!" Seth muttered. "That wasn't supposed to come out. Summer was right - I suck at keeping secrets."

"Seth." Ryan said commandingly. "What was that about Marissa and Rick?"

"Nothing. I was just talking. You know how much I love to talk."

"SETH." Ryan ordered.

"Ok so rumour has it, and by rumour has it I mean Summer told me." Seth began, trying to stall.

"Keep going."

"She just thinks Rick isn't the right guy for Marissa."

"What? Why?" Ryan questioned in a voice that was both concerned and angry.

"She didn't really explain it - she just thinks he's wrong for her. Something seems off about him." Seth grudgingly explained.

Ryan's face instantly morphed from a confused yet concerned expression to absolute anger and determination. "She can't marry him then." Ryan stood up, ready to play the role of the hero.

"Ryan man, what are you going to do?" Seth grabbed Ryan's arm and tried to force him to sit down again.

"I don't know. But I have to do something. I can't let her marry the wrong guy." Ryan easily pushed Seth's hand aside and continued towards the door.

"RYAN!" Seth yelled.

Ryan froze and looked at Seth.

"There is nothing you can do. Absolutely nothing. She's in New York, and apparently dead set on marrying Rick. Summer said Marissa won't listen to anyone dissing Rick. And really, we have no proof he's the wrong guy. From your point of view, every other guy will be the wrong guy for her. Maybe Summer still thinks the same way - I mean if me and her and together again, maybe she thinks things should be like they used to be."

Ryan clearly wanted to object, but Seth didn't give him a chance.

"I shouldn't have even mentioned anything. I wasn't supposed to actually. But the thing is, Marissa's happy. And if Rick isn't right for her, that's for her to figure out. We're not in high school any more, and you can't fix all of her problems."

"Wow." Ryan muttered.

"Wow what?" Seth didn't understand Ryan's response.

"When did you get so smart?" Ryan asked in awe.

"Well since Sophie seems so intent on being a genius in every aspect of life, I have to keep one upping her."

"And when did you stop living in the past? The Seth I know would never tell me to get over Marissa."

"Well Ryan," Seth said in his wisest voice. "As I've told you before, if you're meant to be, you will be together. But at some point I realized that pining isn't the way to achieve anything."

"Pining isn't the way?" Ryan asked in mock horror. "Seth what happened to you?"

"Don't worry, I'm still the great Seth Cohen."

"Well at least some things don't change." Ryan smirked. "So wise sage, do you have any more advice for me?"

"Well actually I do young Jedi. Listen carefully:" Seth paused dramatically. "You can't fight fate, but you can't force it either."

"Fate?" Ryan scoffed. "You've been hanging around Summer too much."

"Summer and Sophia - that kid loves all those princess stories where the two are fated to be together. And Ryan, one day you will thank me for my wisdom. And on that day, I will accept your apology for doubting me."

"Hahaha." Ryan said dryly. "Anyways, I have some work to do - do you mind if we finish playing another time?"

Seth looked at Ryan suspiciously, but didn't say anything. "Ok, see ya." He stood up and walked towards the door, but then quickly ran and grabbed Ryan's cell phone and cordless phone before leaving. "You'll thank me!" Seth called back towards the pool house, ignoring Ryan's glare.

Ryan flopped down on his bed with a loud groan. "What do I do?" he muttered. He was totally torn - he knew he still had feelings for Marissa, but he had pretty much accepted that she was marrying another guy. Except that now she was getting married in Newport, and the guy might not even be right for her. He couldn't let her go through with it. But he couldn't do anything about it either - Seth was right, he was way to old to play the white knight. Plus why would Marissa listen to him anyway? He was screwed either way. "Dmn it!" Ryan punched his pillow angrily.

"Don't say bad words." Sophia chastised, totally startling Ryan.

"Munchkin!" Ryan gasped. "How did you get in here?"

"I walked in the door." Sophia answered as if it was the stupidest question she'd ever been asked.

"Oh you walked in the door. Of course." Ryan said sarcastically. "What would you like Munchkin?"

"I have to tell you something." Sophia announced.

"Yes?" Ryan prompted.

"I know why you don't wanna come see me be a flower girl."

"Why?" Ryan asked curiously.

"B'cause you still love Coop." Sophia stated.

"What?"

"You told me - that day you told me the story 'bout you and her. And you said she's your princess." Sophia reminded him.

Ryan cursed inwardly. Why was her memory so good?

"So I wanted to tell you not to worry."

"Worry about what Munch?"

"Her marrying that guy." Sophia rolled her eyes. Ryan was taking too long to understand her.

"Munch they're engaged. Their wedding is really soon."

Sophia shrugged. She didn't really understand the whole concept of being engaged - she thought of weddings the way they happened in movies. The two people fall in love, some bad things happen, it all works out, they had a huge pretty wedding. "Ryan I told you it's gonna be ok."

"How do you know?" Ryan asked sceptically.

Sophia sighed. She had the dumbest brothers in the world. "Because she's your princess."

"So?" Ryan didn't understand her fairy tale logic.

"So Mommy always says that I'm the family princess, which makes you and Seth princes. And if you're a prince, and Coop is a princess, that means you'll end up getting married and living happily ever after, because the prince and princess always get married and live happily ever after. Always." Sophia finished solemnly.

Ryan wanted to argue with her, but he couldn't bear to destroy all of her beliefs in love. "Ok Munchkin, whatever you say."

Sophia gave him her most dazzling smile, as if acknowledging that she was always right. "Now Ryan I gotta go to my room so I don't get in trouble. But remember what I told you, b'cause I don't wanna explain it you again. Night!" Sophia gave him a hug, then blew him a kiss on her way back to the house.

Ryan smiled gravely, her heartfelt words echoing in his head. "Happily ever after." he murmured. "I wish."

"Did you talk to him Sophie?" Seth asked the second Sophia re-entered the kitchen.

"Yeah. I told him about how he's a prince and Coop's a princess and they're gonna live happily ever after." Sophia informed Seth.

Seth's eyebrows wrinkled in confusion. He had no idea what his sister was talking about. As long as she'd talked to Ryan and made him feel better, it was all good.

Little did he know Sophia had done more than cheer Ryan up. Through her own childish logic she had given him a form of hope.

Ding dong!

Summer sighed, pushing the pause button on her DVD player and ran downstairs to answer the door. She looked through the window on the door and a smile lit up her face. Then she threw open the door and gave Seth a kiss before pulling back and saying in her best attempt at an angry voice "Cohen this better be good – you're interrupting my Valley watching." She then gave him a smile to show she was joking – Seth was way better than the Valley.

"Hello Summer darling." Seth said in his sweetest voice.

Summer's eyes narrowed suspiciously and her smile dropped. "What did you do Cohen?" she asked wearily. "Or what did you say?" She paused for a second to think. "Ohmigod you told Ryan what I said! Cohen I told you not to tell! You moron!"

Seth was unable to respond, he was so shocked.

"I can't believe you! This is why I don't tell you secrets. Cohen you idiot!" Summer ranted.

"Summer!" Seth finally interrupted. "You don't even know if I told him. In fact, you don't know that I did something wrong at all. You're just jumping to conclusions."

Summer calmed down. "I'm sorry Cohen, I just thought you told him, which would be awful. I'm glad you didn't though. So why are you calling?"

"Well actually … I did tell him." Seth grudgingly informed her.

"WHAT! Cohen you just said you didn't."

"No, I said that you were assuming I did without proof. I never said that your assumption was wrong." Seth attempted to clarify.

"YOU A$$!" Summer shouted.

"Whoa rage blackouts much?" Seth joked.

"Cohen this isn't funny! Ryan was NOT supposed to know what I said! Now he's going to do something … Ryanish. And then everyone will end up hurt." Summer panicked.

"Summer, it's ok." Seth said soothingly. "I talked to Ryan, explained that it would be a bad idea for him to do anything."

"And what did he say?"

"He really seemed to agree."

"Seemed to agree, or did agree?" Summer asked.

"Uhh … both?" Seth tried.

"Cohen! He better have agreed. Marissa will die if anything happens between her and Rick before the wedding." Summer worried.

"Well Summer, you know he still loves her. What am I supposed to do about that?" Seth asked.

Summer softened noticeably. "I know he does. And I still think they're meant for each other. But Marissa really does love Rick, and she won't listen to anything against him. She's going to make their marriage work. And Ryan … he'll have to find someone else." Summer obviously didn't like what she was saying, but knew it was true.

"But Summer, what happened to all that stuff you say about soul mates, and being meant to be together?" Seth questioned.

"Seth you know I think we're meant to be together, and that Ryan and Marissa are too. But maybe they're not? I was thinking about it earlier, and we all see it from our own point of view – we like them being together because they were happy back in high school. But Marissa knows what's best for her, and she wants to marry Rick." Summer said quietly.

"What if she's wrong?" Seth persisted.

"What if we're wrong?" Summer countered. "What if we convince Marissa Rick isn't right for her, and she goes back to Ryan and things don't work out? It's not our place to play matchmaker for them."

Seth sighed. He knew Summer was right, but he hated seeing Ryan so upset.

"So how's he doing now?" Summer asked.

"I think better. Sophia talked to him before I left the house."

"You made your little sister talk to him?" Summer asked disbelievingly.

"She's smart!" Seth defended himself. "And she says she made him feel better. She's really good at giving advice actually."

"Hmm. I'll have to talk with her next time I need advice." Summer said with a smile.

"What? You'd talk to my sister over me?" Seth asked in shock.

"You said yourself that she's good for advice. Plus if you couldn't help Ryan and she could, why should I waste the time talking to you, when I could go straight to her?" Summer joked, leaning against Seth and playing with the buttons of his shirt.

"My girlfriend likes my sister more than me." Seth whined, circling his arms around Summer.

"I never said that. You're good for a lot of other things." Summer said with a mischievous grin, pulling at the buttons now.

"Like what?" Seth pretended to be oblivious.

"Come with me upstairs and I'll show you." Summer said with a wink, letting go of him and walking seductively up the stairs.

"Ok!" Seth ran after her, following her to her bedroom.

As soon as he entered the room Summer pounced on him, pulling off his clothes and pushing him onto the bed, then removing her own clothes before joining him.

"Oh! I'm good for things like this!" Seth said.

Marissa stepped out of the plane she had just spent a few hours on, into the bright California sunshine. She stood for a moment, allowing the warm light to wash over her. New York had many things, but the California sun she loved wasn't one of them. Feeling a smile grow across her face Marissa continued walking towards the airport terminal. The second she entered the building she heard someone call her name.

"Marissa!" Julie Cooper-Nichol exclaimed in her most refined voice. She rushed over and gave Marissa a light hug and kiss on the cheek. It would have been a sweet moment, except that Julie seemed to be putting on a show for all the other people in the airport. "Darling, I'm so glad to see you!" Julie continued her fake Newpsie voice.

Marissa tried not to cringe at the sound of her mother calling her darling. "I'm glad to be here Mom." she said honestly.

"Well you should be. You're getting married in the most exclusive chapel in California." Julie reminded her. "Now let's hurry along – we have tons of things to do and only two weeks to do them in." Julie grabbed Marissa's arm and dragged her towards the exit.

"But my-" Marissa trailed off, looking towards the baggage claim.

"Oh don't worry. The driver will get your bags." Julie said disinterestedly. "Now listen while I tell you what I've got planned."

Marissa sighed resignedly and walked faster to keep up with Julie. For someone wearing such high heels, the woman could walk fast.

"So here's the plan." Julie began. "We're going straight to the tailor, after which we'll go to the florist and the caterer. Tomorrow we'll spend the day at the church, finalizing everything there. Of course we'll have to go back again next week with Rick, but I'd rather have everything ready before he gets in. Then tomorrow night I'm having some people over for a little dinner party. The next day we have some more shopping to do, plus another visit to the tailor. There's also a few people who've invited us for dinner over the week. Then Saturday once Rick is here we're having a bigger party at the house, so everyone can meet the two of you. The week after that will be spent fixing up little details, along with a few more dinners. And Summer mentioned something about having a bachelorette party for you." Julie paused to allow Marissa to process all of the information.

Marissa rolled her eyes thinking about all the boring parties she was going to be forced to attend. Especially those before Rick came. "What's happening tonight?" she finally asked, afraid to hear the answer.

"I thought we would have a quiet dinner at home." Julie suggested.

Marissa wrinkled her nose. She hated dinners with her mother and Caleb. "No thanks. I'm going to visit Summer."

"Suit yourself." Julie said. She hadn't really expected Marissa to have dinner with her and Cal, but figured if Marissa thought she had won for that night, she would agree to some other plan in return.

"Thanks." Marissa said quietly to the driver as he opened the door of the limousine for her. "Mom, was a limo really necessary?"

"Of course. You're only going to get married once, so I'm going all out." Julie said, ignoring the driver as he opened her door.

Marissa bit back a comment about how her mother got married more than once and still went all out, deciding not to pick a fight so early. "Hey when does Dad get in?"

"Friday." Julie replied shortly.

"Is he staying with us?"

"No."

"Then where is he staying?" Marissa pressed.

"Your father and Hailey are staying with Kirsten." Julie said with no attempt to hide her disgust.

"Ook." Marissa sat quietly for a minute, trying to think what else to talk about. "How's Kaitlin doing?" she finally asked.

"Well she's much better behaved than you were at sixteen." Julie replied.

Marissa mentally translated that to mean that Kaitlin was still Julie's perfect society child. Everything Julie had tried to make Marissa be; everything Marissa had rejected after Ryan came to Newport. And everything Marissa had become again after meeting Rick.

Later that day Marissa and Julie returned to the "Haunted Mansion" after a long afternoon of wedding planning. Marissa had tried on her wedding dress at the tailor's, and was surprised when Julie actually teared up at the sight of her daughter. Then they'd gone to the florist where Marissa had been shocked to discover that instead of the simple yet elegant bouquets and centerpieces she'd planned, Julie had picked out the most elaborate ones she could. They'd argued over it, with Marissa finally giving in to her mother. The trip to the caterer yielding a similar battle, which ended the same way.

Marissa headed up the stairs to her bedroom which was unchanged. She lay down on the bed, feeling like she had traveled back in time to her senior year. The worst year of her life. Suddenly Marissa remembered something. Without even thinking about it she instinctively walked over to the closet and rummaged through the boxes on the floor, finally finding the plain cardboard one she had hidden. She took the box to her bed and sat down beside it. Then she opened the flaps and pulled out the top item. It was a picture of her and Ryan taken at her mother's wedding. Their last picture together. She placed it on her bed and took of the next item – another picture, this one of them in her bedroom, the night Seth and Summer had presented the newly redecorated room to her. The last time they had really been happy. She continued going through the box which was filled with every memento she had of her relationship with Ryan, as if guided by some outside force. She knew that she shouldn't be reliving their relationship two weeks before she got married, but couldn't help herself.

Knock knock knock.

Marissa looked towards the door in panic. "Just a second Mom." she called out as calmly as she stood. Then she quickly stuffed the items back in the box and returned it to the closet. "Come in."

"What were you doing?" Julie asked as she entered.

"Changing." Marissa replied, thankful she had changed her clothes before going through the box.

Julie accepted that and began looking around the room. "It's so nice having you back here." she said with a smile. "And with your life back on track."

Marissa smiled back. She knew that 'back on track' meant that she was following the plan Julie had always had for her – finish university with honours and marry into a rich, influential family.

Just then Marissa's cell phone began to ring.

Marissa picked it up and looked at the caller ID. "It's Rick." she informed Julie.

"I'll let you two lovebirds talk." Julie said with another smile, quickly leaving the room.

"Thank you for saving me from my mother." Marissa said as she answered the phone.

"No problem babe." Rick laughed. "So how's Newport?"

"Same as always. I miss you." Marissa said affectionately.

"I miss you too. But I actually have to go. I just wanted to make sure you arrived ok."

"Ok. I love you." Marissa said.

"Love you too. I'll call you later." Rick promised.

Marissa clicked the end button on her phone, then sat on her bed wondering what to do. She heard the front door open and slam shut downstairs, then the muffled sound of her mother talking to someone, then the sound of someone running up the staircase and towards her bedroom.

"Marissa!" Kaitlin exclaimed as she threw open Marissa's bedroom door and ran in.

"Kaity!" Marissa exclaimed in return as she stood and gave Kaitlin a hug. "How are you?" She pulled back from her sister and examined her.

Kaitlin had grown up since Marissa last saw her. She'd finally gone through the growth spurt that she'd waited years for. In fact she now bore a striking resemblance to Marissa when she was sixteen. Though she didn't quite have Marissa's unusual yet stunning features, she was definitely beautiful.

"I'm good – I have a boyfriend now." Kaitlin replied with a slight giggle.

Marissa raised her eyebrows. "And who might that be?"

"Matt Ward."

"Luke's little brother Matt?" Marissa said in disbelief.

Kaitlin nodded, her cheeks turning pink.

Marissa suppressed her giggles at the realization that Kaitlin really was a mini her.

"So are you excited – about the wedding?" Kaitlin asked.

"Yeah. It's weird to think that in two weeks I'll be married." Marissa said wistfully.

"Weird good or weird bad?"

"Good." Marissa said. That wasn't exactly the truth, but she didn't want to get into it with Kaitlin. Although she loved her sister, she was a bit too much like their mother to understand. "Hey do you want to do something tonight?" Marissa asked suddenly.

"I can't – I have a date. With Matt." Kaitlin said.

"Oh ok. Just promise me one night before the wedding."

"Deal." Kaitlin smiled. "So I have to get ready now."

"Have fun." Marissa called after her. She wanted to say more – to warn Kaitlin to be careful incase Matt took after Luke. To somehow protect her sister from all the heartbreak she'd gone through. To tell her that acting like Julie's prodigy would only lead to a life of unhappiness. To somehow save Kaitlin from the fate Marissa herself hadn't been able to escape. But she couldn't do it.

Marissa sat for a moment before she remembered her original plans for the night. She picked up her cell and dialed Summer's number.

"Hey Coop!" Summer answered cheerfully.

"Hey Sum. What's happening?"

"Not too much. Where are you?" Summer asked.

"At my mom's house."

"WHAT?" Summer shouted.

"At my mom's." Marissa repeated.

"You're in Newport? When did you get in? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I got in this morning, but my mom made me run errands with her for the wedding. And I told you last week I was coming in today."

"You said tomorrow." Summer argued.

"No I didn't, I said today. Why would I lie about my flight?" Marissa said smiling to herself. Summer was such a scatterbrain.

"I have it written down Coop. You said …" Summer trailed off as she found the post it she'd written on. "Ok maybe you did say today. I'm so sorry."

"It's ok. But now what are you doing tonight? I don't feel like spending time with my mom."

"I actually have a date with Seth." Summer replied.

"What's with everyone having a date tonight." Marissa joked. "Whatever, we can go out tomorrow."

"No Coop, come with us." Summer suggested.

"It's really ok. I don't want to play the third wheel." Marissa objected.

"Oh you won't be a third wheel. Cohen's bringing his sister, so you'll be like the fourth wheel. Which makes things even. Everything needs a fourth wheel." Summer pleaded.

"Well if you want me that badly." Marissa teased.

"Good! I'll pick you up in twenty minutes – is that ok?"

"Yeah for sure. See you Sum." Marissa clicked off her phone and grabbed her purse, sticking it in. Then she ran down the stairs.

"Hey Mom I'm going out with Summer." Marissa informed Julie upon finding her sitting outside.

"Ok. Have fun." Julie replied distractedly, more concerned with making sure her tan was even.

Marissa went back inside and flipped through a magazine she found in the kitchen until she heard the doorbell.

"Hi Sum!" Marissa said happily as she opened the door.

"Coop!" Summer gave her a quick hug. "Sorry to rush you, but we're late." She quickly led Marissa back to her car.

"Since when does Seth care if you're late?" Marissa questioned as she sat in the car.

"He doesn't. Sophia does." Summer said with a smirk. "She yells at him when he makes her late."

"She sounds quite interesting." Marissa giggled.

"Oh she's adorable. And so excited to be a flower girl – she's been practising everyday." Summer divulged.

"She should talk to my mom – she's got the wedding planned to the smallest detail, including the way I'm going to walk." Marissa said, rolling her eyes.

Summer looked at Marissa. "But you're happy with the plans, right?"

Marissa paused for a long moment. "Yeah sure."

"Cause you know Coop it's your wedding. Everything should be exactly like you want it."

"It'll be great Sum. Plus I don't care much about those details. But my mom does, so might as well make her happy." Marissa said, looking out the window.

Summer wisely decided to drop the subject. "Anyways, Sophia wouldn't want to practise with your mom. She's terrified of her."

"Why?" Marissa turned back to Summer with an amused look on her face.

"Seth told her that your mom's a vampire." Summer rolled her eyes. "And she believed him."

Marissa suddenly burst into laughter. "That's the funniest thing." she gasped between giggles.

Summer smiled, happy that Marissa had taken it well. She and the Cohens had agreed that Marissa should be warned in case Sophia got scared at the wedding.

"Hey Sum, what are we doing anyway?" Marissa asked.

"Oh sorry Coop, I totally forgot to tell you. We're going mini golfing and then out to dinner at McDonalds."

"Interesting date." Marissa smirked.

"We let Sophia plan it. She always gets upset when Seth and I go out because she's not included, so we figured we'd take her out so she could have some fun." Summer explained.

"You sound pretty attached to her." Marissa noted.

"Yeah." Summer agreed. "I am."

"And how are things going with Seth?" Marissa continued.

"Good. Really good. I mean, I totally expected him to do something … Cohenish, and mess everything up. But he hasn't. Things are really going well." Summer's face lit up as she talked about it.

"Maybe you'll be getting married soon too." Marissa said suggestively.

"Coop!" Summer scolded. But Marissa saw the little smile that crept across her face.

"You've thought about it!" Marissa accused.

Summer opened her mouth to argue, then changed her mind. "Ok maybe a little." she admitted.

"That's awesome!" Marissa said happily. "We'll both be married women. We'll be Mrs'es."

Summer's mouth dropped open in shock. "Ohmigosh!" she exclaimed.

"What?" Marissa asked, her voice laced with concern at Summer's sudden mood swing.

"You're not going to be Coop anymore." Summer said sadly, her eyes wide.

Marissa stifled a giggle. "Summer that doesn't matter. You can still call me Coop."

"But it won't be the same. You won't actually be Coop. You'll be … Wallington."

Both girls wrinkled their noses. That was not a cute nickname.

"Cooop." Summer wailed.

"It's ok Summer. We'll still be best friends." Marissa soothed her.

"But you'll have a husband. It'll be different."

"Summer I've lived with him for ages, and been dating him even longer. It won't be different. Plus you have Seth anyways." Marissa reasoned.

"Fine. But if you start acting all weird and differently, I will come to New York and kick your a$$ all the way back to Newport." Summer threatened.

Marissa smiled. "Deal." She noticed they'd pulled into a parking lot. "Wow. Mini golf. I definitely haven't done this in a while."

"It'll be fun. As long as Cohen and Sophia don't start fighting over who's winning." Summer said with a smirk. "C'mon Coop, let's go kick some mini golfing a$$."

Just as they were about to enter the gate Marissa's cell phone began to ring.

"Sorry Sum, I have to get this." Marissa said apologetically. "It's Rick."

"He's already coming between us." Summer pouted, only half joking. She knew she was being a brat, but she really wasn't sure if Marissa should marry Rick.

"Haha. You go on ahead, I'll be there in a minute." Marissa promised.

Summer shrugged and entered.

"Summer!" Sophia immediately ran over and threw her arms around Summer's legs.

"Hi there Miss Sophia." Summer smiled. "How's my favourite little girl today?"

"I'm so good! And we're gonna have so much fun! Me and you and Seth and Ryan are gonna play forever and ever and then go to Old McDonalds and then …" Sophia continued babbling.

Summer however wasn't listening. "Ryan?" she muttered.

As if to answer her question Seth walked over with Ryan in tow.

"Hey Summer." Seth said, giving her a quick kiss. "Ryan didn't have plans so we figured we'd bring him along."

Summer gave Ryan a tiny smile, trying to stop her horror from showing.

"Wow you make me sound so pathetic." Ryan said to Seth.

Sophia didn't know what that meant, but she figured Seth was being mean to Ryan, so she kicked him.

"Hey!" Seth yelled. "Sophie!"

"You started it!" she yelled back.

"Seth." Summer interrupted.

"What?" he said, looking at her briefly. "Ok fine Summer, I won't fight with Sophie."

Sophia stuck her tongue out at Seth.

"Sophie!" Seth scolded.

"Seth." Summer repeated.

"Hold on Summer." he said distractedly. "Sophie remember how Mom told you sticking out your tongue isn't polite?"

"SETH." Summer said desperately.

He turned to look at her. "What?"

"I think you guys should leave." Summer said quietly, looking towards the entrance, then over to Ryan who was listening to Sophia talk.

"What? Why?" Seth said in confusion.

"Or maybe I should. Someone has to leave." Summer said, twisting her hands in worry.

"Why?" Seth whined.

Just then they were interrupted by Marissa, who had just run over to them.

"Sorry about that Sum." Marissa said.

Summer gave her a weak smile. Seth saw Marissa and his mouth dropped open as he realized what Summer had been getting at.

"Hey Seth." Marissa said happily, turning towards him.

"Hey." Seth said quickly.

Behind him Ryan looked up, as if the mere sound of Marissa's voice had attracted his attention. He caught sight of Marissa and froze. It had to be a dream. There was no way Marissa was standing a few feet away from him, looking even more beautiful than he remembered.

"Who's that?" Sophia asked Ryan, noticing that he wasn't listening to her anymore. When he didn't reply she spoke again more loudly "RYAN!"

When she heard his name Marissa automatically turned towards the direction of the voice that had spoken it. And found herself looking straight into Ryan's eyes.

"Oh god." Summer muttered.

"Why didn't you tell me she was here?" Seth accused her.

"I tried! You were too busy with Sophia." Summer defended herself.

The two continued arguing quietly, momentarily distracted from Ryan and Marissa.

Ryan and Marissa on the other hand were definitely not distracted. They remained staring at each other for what felt like ages, but in reality was only seconds, until they were interrupted.

"WHO IS THAT?" Sophia yelled, upset she was being ignored.

All four others turned and looked at her, startled out of what they were doing.

"Sophie don't yell." Seth scolded reflexively.

"Miss Sophia, this is Marissa Cooper." Summer introduced her. "Coop, this is Miss Sophia Nicole Chrismukkah Cohen."

Sophia's face lit up with a grin. "You're Coop!"

Marissa smiled. "Yes I am."

"I'm your flower girl!" Sophia said excitedly. "And I've been practising and practising!"

"Wow that's really nice." Marissa said, smiling at Sophia before her gaze wandered back to Ryan.

Sophia followed her gaze, then screwed up her face in thought before it hit her. This was Ryan's Marissa. If anyone had been looking at Sophia, they would have seen the mischievous look that came across her face. Luckily everyone else was distracted.

"Let's go get golf sticks." Sophia announced, grabbing Summer's hand.

"What? Just wait a minute Sophie." Seth replied.

"No. Now." Sophia demanded, tugging on Summer's hand and dragging her towards the booth to pay.

"Wait Sophie I have the money to pay." Seth called after her.

"Then you can come too." Sophia said, continuing to lead Summer away.

"It's ok Cohen, I'll pay." Summer said, turning back to face Seth.

Sophia paused for a second and watched her brother's face. Just as she had expected he ran after them. She turned and continued dragging Summer along, this time even faster, a wicked grin on her face.

Ryan was shocked to suddenly find himself alone with Marissa. "Hey." he finally murmured, desperate to break the awkward silence.

"Hey." she replied.

"How's it going?" he asked politely.

"Good. How about you?" she answered in the same polite tone.

"Good."

"That's good."

They stood for a minute.

"So you're getting married?" Ryan blurted out.

Marissa nodded.

"Well … congratulations." Ryan said softly.

Marissa looked down, unable to meet his eyes. It was weird – it had been years since they had dated, yet she somehow felt she was betraying him.

"When's the date?" Ryan asked, although he knew very well when it was. He couldn't think of anything else to say, and any conversation was better than the silence.

Marissa opened her mouth to tell him, when she suddenly realized that her wedding was the day before his birthday. How had she not noticed that before?

Ryan looked at her expectantly. "Marissa?"

"Oh sorry." Marissa said. Then she told him the date.

"Well I hope it goes really well." Ryan said.

"You should come." Marissa blurted before she could stop herself.

"I don't think that's a good idea." Ryan said carefully.

"Why?" Marissa asked. "Sorry. Stupid question. But can't we try to be friends? Please?"

Ryan could think of a million reasons that they couldn't be friends, the biggest being that he still had feelings for her. But he could stand to say no to her. He'd never been able to. "Sure." he relented.

"Time to golf!" Sophia announced as she, Seth and Summer returned with all the necessary equipment.

"Is everyone going to play?" Summer asked, eyeing Ryan and Marissa.

Ryan and Marissa looked at each other and shrugged. "Sure." they both said.

Sophia smiled her mischievous little grin. She loved when things went her way.

They walked towards the start of the golf course, where they handed their tickets to the attendant.

"I'm sorry, there's a maximum of four people per group per timeslot." the attendant informed them snobbishly.

"Oh. Well there's really only four of us playing." Seth attempted to argue. "The little kid isn't really going to play, she's just watching."

"I am not!" Sophia yelled angrily. "I'm gonna play golf too!"

Seth crouched down to her height. "Sophie, only four people can play. Now tell the nice man how you're going to be on my team and we'll take turns playing as one person."

"NO!" Sophia shouted. "I'M NOT ON YOUR TEAM! I WANNA PLAY BY MYSELF!"

"Ok sweetie, you can be by yourself." Summer quickly tried to calm her down. "We'll just make two groups."

"Ok." Sophia quickly cheered up again. "I wanna be on Ryan's team."

"Ok. How about you, Ryan and Seth can be one group?" Summer suggested.

"No." Sophia retorted.

"Why not?"

"I don't wanna be with Seth." Sophia whined.

"Sophie don't be a brat." Seth admonished. He wasn't surprised though; Sophia and he never were in a group or team together, since that only led to fighting.

"Miss Sophia, I think that it'll be really fun if you go with your big brothers." Summer pleaded.

"Well I don't. If you think Seth's so great, you go with him." Sophia said stubbornly.

Summer couldn't help laughing at that. "Well I would love to go with Seth, but I think you should take him."

"This is like elementary school all over again. People trying to trade me off their team." Seth whined.

"How about you take Seth and go be all kissy, and I'll take Ryan and Coop and play real golf." Sophia suggested.

Seth was about to argue with her when Ryan cut him off. "It's fine Seth. I mean I'm fine with it, as long as Marissa is."

Everyone looked over to Marissa. "Yeah whatever." she shrugged.

Sophia let out a whoop of excitement. "Ok you go first b'cause Seth is slow and needs more time to play."

So Seth and Summer started their round of mini golf, which as Sophia had predicted, went very slowly. Ten minutes later Ryan, Marissa and Sophia started their round.

"Seth I don't think this is a good idea." Summer worried while she waited for Seth to hit the ball.

"No really." Seth said sarcastically, stamping his foot angrily as he missed his shot.

"Seth we shouldn't have left Ryan and Marissa alone together."

"They're not alone. They have Sophie with them. Having her will force them to at least act civil." Seth rationed.

"Don't you remember what happened the last time they went golfing together?" Summer fretted.

Seth's face screwed up for a moment in thought before he remembered what she was talking about. "The Oliver incident." he said seriously.

"What if something like that happens again?" Summer said anxiously.

"What if a crazy guy wanders in, falls in love with Marissa, and tries to run Ryan over with a golf cart?" Seth deadpanned. "That's highly unlikely, seeing that we're on a mini golf course."

"Still. What if something happens?"

"Well Summer, we just have to hope nothing does. Who knows, maybe they'll get along."

Summer scoffed at him. "Seth he's upset that she's getting married, she's nervous around him, and they both still have feelings for each other. There's no way it'll go well."

"Then hopefully Sophie will figure out what to do."

"Seth!" Summer hit him across his stomach.

"What! Sophie is better at dealing with people than either of us. Plus there's no way Ryan will upset her in any way, and I'm sure Marissa is above upsetting small children."

"That's true." Summer said thoughtfully, standing up on her tiptoes and giving Seth a quick kiss.

"Hey move along folks!" an angry man waiting in line shouted.

Seth and Summer gave the man an apologetic smile and decided to move on to the next hole.

"It's our turn!" Sophia announced happily. "I'll go first." She paused for a second, suddenly remembering something Kirsten always told her. "Actually Coop you can go."

"Thank you Sophia." Marissa grinned as Sophia made her politest face.

"You can call me …" Sophia trailed off trying to decide what Marissa could call her. "Sophie. Or Miss Sophia like Summer does. Or …" Sophia wrinkled up her nose trying to think of more nicknames she had.

"Munchkin." Ryan added for her.

"That's cute." Marissa said with a little smile.

"Ryan's the only person in the whole wide world that calls me that." Sophia informed her proudly.

"Does he?" Marissa asked, raising her eyebrow at Ryan and trying not to giggle at the thought of him calling his little sister Munchkin. She never imagined him having such a soft side, although she knew he wasn't as tough as he let on.

"But you can call me that too!" Sophia added, sending a mischievous glance in Ryan's direction, which both he and Marissa luckily missed.

"As long as it's alright with Ryan." Marissa said as she turned expectantly to Ryan.

Ryan stood in a daze for a moment, lost in thought. That was until Sophia hit him with her golf club.

"What? Oh yeah it's fine." Ryan said quietly.

"Good. Now go golf." Sophia instructed Marissa.

The three started off their game with an awkward silence in the air. Both Ryan and Marissa played quietly, while Sophia kept talking to fill the silence. A few holes later it was Marissa's turn again.

Marissa hit the ball and it rolled about a foot to the side. She picked it up, put it back in the starting spot and tried again. This time it moved even less. She sighed exasperatedly.

Ryan snickered behind her, while Sophia laughed out loud.

"What?" Marissa asked, turning to face them.

Ryan's smile dropped and he tried to keep a straight face. "Nothing." he said quickly.

Marissa raised her eyebrow at him and Sophia, then tried to hit the ball once more. This time she missed the ball altogether.

Ryan snickered again, then quickly covered his mouth with his hand.

"What's so funny?" Marissa demanded.

"Nothing." Ryan repeated, snickering even more.

"Ryan! Tell me."

"It's just that it's good to know some things don't change." Ryan teased.

"You're really bad Coop!" Sophia added with a giggle. "Ryan plays better than that. Even SETH plays better than that."

"I'm so hurt." Marissa pretended, casting her eyes downward and pouting.

"I'm sorry Coop!" Sophia ran over and gave her a hug. As honest as she was, she also hated hurting people's feelings. Except for maybe Seth, and sometimes Ryan. Sophia was famous in her family for her brutal honesty, often followed by a sincere apology. "Please forgive me! I didn't mean to hurt your feelings!"

"Aww it's ok sweetie." Marissa smiled at Sophia, returning her hug.

"So I'm not fired?" Sophia questioned.

"Fired?" Marissa repeated in confusion.

"From your wedding. I really wanna be a flower girl." Sophia explained.

"Oh no you're not fired! Where else would I find such a cute flower girl?" Marissa tried not to laugh at Sophia's serious expression.

"It would be hard." Sophia admitted. "Daddy says I'm a one of a kind."

"You're so adorable!" Marissa exclaimed.

Sophia nodded modestly. "Ryan you can go golf now."

Ryan took his club, set the bright blue ball Sophia had chosen for him on the ground, then swung at it.

"Ryan!" Sophia yelled, as she watched the ball fly over the boundary of the hole they were playing, and land a few holes away.

"Ryan the point is to aim for this hole." Marissa joked, pointing to the flag.

"Ha ha ha." Ryan said dryly. "Well at least I can hit the ball more than two feet."

"Ohhh! That hurt me right here." Marissa held her hand over her heart.

Sophia was watching the two carefully, trying to figure out if they were fighting or just joking like Seth and Summer always did. She decided not to take a chance. "Ok that's enough. It's my turn now." she announced.

Ryan and Marissa watched as Sophia hit the ball to a spot just a few feet from the hole. "That's how it's done." Sophia informed them with a grin.

They continued playing, with Marissa always hitting too short, Ryan hitting way too hard, and Sophia playing extremely well considering her age.

"ARGH!" Marissa stamped her foot angrily as she missed the ball once again. "I HATE this game!"

"Don't be a bad sport." Sophia advised half-heartedly. The truth was that she was tired of playing golf – her attention span wasn't long enough for eighteen holes of mini-golf.

"Marissa it's not that hard." Ryan tried to calm her.

"Coming from the guy who has yet to hit the ball onto the right green that advice doesn't really mean much." Marissa replied.

"Ryan's getting better." Sophia defended. "He hit the ball near the hole three times now."

"See. I know what I'm doing." Ryan said. "Here, I'll help you. You can't get any worse."

Marissa looked at him for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Ryan walked up beside her and took the club from her hands. "Ok now stand with your feet shoulder length apart, back straight, arms shoulders perpendicular to where you want to hit the ball."

Marissa complied wordlessly.

"You sound like Daddy." Sophia commented.

Ryan gave Sophia a half smile, then turned back to Marissa. "Ok now take the club like this" he showed her how to hold it "and hold it just an inch or so away from the ball. Now swing with medium strength." he instructed.

Just as she was about to swing Marissa's posture changed, and she loosened her grip on the club, which resulted in the ball curving way over to the side.

"Not quite like that." Ryan gritted his teeth as he looked where the ball had gone.

"This is hopeless." Marissa sighed.

"No don't say that." Ryan admonished. "Come on, let's try again." He stepped behind Marissa and gestured awkwardly towards her, trying to show that he would help her hit, and waiting to make sure it was ok with her.

Marissa looked him in the eye, then smiled a little and nodded.

Ryan moved closer to her and put his arms around her, gently placing his hands over hers on the golf club.

Marissa let in a sharp intake of air as she felt Ryan take her hands. She tried not to shudder from the sparks she felt running through her hands and arms where Ryan was touching them. She closed her eyes for a second, willing the feelings to go away. She was engaged to Rick she reminded herself. She loved Rick.

Ryan felt his breathing get faster as she stood behind Marissa, the scent of her shampoo mingling with her perfume to create the familiar unique scent she had.

Sophia watched the two carefully, her eyes wide as she tried to figure out what was going on. Even she could see the attraction between the two, but their combinations of feelings were too much for her to understand. "Go." Sophia whined, getting tired of them just standing there.

"Oh!" Ryan started. "Ok so you just pull back like this" he said quietly, as he pulled his and Marissa's hands back a bit "then swing like this." He swung the club and hit the ball straight towards the hole.

"Hole in one!" Sophia cheered. "Good job Coop! It's my turn now!" She ran in front of Ryan and Marissa and put her own ball on the ground.

Marissa disentangled herself from Ryan. "Thanks." she said quietly, her eyes focused on the ground.

"No problem." Ryan replied distractedly. Inwardly he was cursing all his buried feelings for Marissa that were rushing back.

Sophia looked at Ryan and Marissa, and seeing that they were distracted she picked up her ball, walked over to the hole, and dropped it in. "All done!" she announced.

Ryan turned his head towards her in surprise, having almost forgotten she was there. "Good job Munch." he smiled.

"Ryan I'm tired of mini-golfing." Sophia whined, handing him her ball and club.

"Ok let's skip the rest of the game." Ryan agreed gladly. "Is that ok Marissa?"

"Yeah it's fine." Marissa said distractedly.

"We're gonna have to wait for Seth and Summer." Sophia reminded Ryan.

"How about we go to the snack shop and I'll get you a popsicle or something?" Ryan suggested.

"Ok!" Sophia exclaimed, suddenly energetic again. "Come on, let's go!" She grabbed Ryan's free hand and started running. "Coop! Hurry!" she yelled at Marissa. Sophia sighed at how slowly Marissa was walking, not realizing that she was deep in thought. She grabbed Marissa's hand and dragged her along, excited about the treat Ryan was going to buy her.

To anyone who didn't know Ryan Marissa and Sophia the three looked just like a happy family, with the excited little girl pulling the two adults along by their hands. If Ryan and Marissa hadn't been so caught up in their own thoughts, they might have noticed the perfect picture they made, and maybe even taken it as a hint towards the future.

"Hurry up Ryan!" Sophia yelled as she pulled him and Marissa towards the snack shop. "C'mon Coop!"

"What's the rush Munchkin?" Ryan panted.

Sophia stopped abruptly and turned to look at Ryan. "We're rushing to get popsicles." she said, punctuating her words with a dramatic roll of her eyes.

"Oook sorry, we'll keep going." Ryan quickly said.

"What are you laughing at Coop?" Sophia barked out at Marissa.

"Sorry." Marissa tried to stop laughing.

"Don't apologize Marissa." Ryan interjected. "She's just in a bad mood and taking it out on anyone she can."

"I am NOT in a bad mood." Sophia yelled, glaring viciously at Ryan.

"Sophia Cohen." Ryan scolded.

Sophia promptly burst into tears.

Ryan groaned softly, then stooped down and picked the crying child up. "Don't cry." he said softly, rubbing her back soothingly.

Marissa watched silently, captivated by the sight of Ryan acting so paternally with his sister. In that moment she knew that one day he would be a wonderful father. And for a fleeting instant she wished that he would be a wonderful father to her children, but she quickly pushed the thought out of her mind. Still, she did want to have children one day, and she suddenly wondered if Rick was the one she wanted to have them with. Would he be a good father?

"What's wrong?" Ryan asked Sophia, shaking Marissa out of her thoughts.

"I wanna popsicle." Sophia wailed, her head on Ryan's shoulder. "I'm tired and I'm hungry and - and - and you called me SOPHIA!" With that she broke into a fresh round of tears, putting her head on Ryan's shoulder and sobbing.

"I'm sorry Munchkin," Ryan said softly. "That was because you weren't behaving. You know how your mommy says you have to be good, especially in front of company. I know you're tired and hungry, but you can't throw a fit like that."

"I'm sorry." Sophia whimpered. "I'm sorry Ryan, and I'm sorry Coop."

"It's ok Munch." Ryan said. "Now come on, let's get you a popsicle."

They entered the building, and Ryan carried Sophia to a booth. "Do you mind sitting here with her?" he asked Marissa.

"Not at all." Marissa said, sitting down beside Sophia with a smile.

"Ryan I want OC-sicle." Sophia requested, referring to the orange flavoured "Orange County Popsicle" she loved. She gave him her biggest smile, her bad mood from a mere minutes ago forgotten.

"Of course." Ryan half smiled at Sophia. "What about you?" he asked Marissa.

"Oh I'm fine, thanks." Marissa said politely.

Ryan raised his eyebrows. "It's ok, it's not a problem. Tell me what you want - wait, let me guess - the same as Sophia?"

Marissa nodded, surprised he still remembered her favourite summer treat.

"Ok you two wait here, I'll be right back." With that Ryan turned and headed towards the counter to get the popsicles.

"So Coop," Sophia began conversationally. "Why don't you live in Newport anymore?"

"Well I went to New York for university, and I really liked it there, plus I met my fiancé - the guy I'm going to marry - and we both decided to live there." Marissa explained.

"Liked?" Sophia repeated.

"What?" Marissa asked in confusion.

"You liked it there, or you like it there?" Sophia asked, careful to enunciate her words.

Marissa frowned a little. This kid was perceptive. "I like it there."

"But?" Sophia prompted.

"But … I miss Newport. A lot." Marissa revealed.

"And?"

Marissa looked at Sophia carefully. What was it about this little girl that made Marissa want to tell her things she hadn't told anyone else? "And sometimes I wonder if I'm doing the right things. Staying in New York. Marrying Rick."

"Hmmm." Sophia said thoughtfully. Although she appeared calm, her little mind was racing. She knew Ryan still loved Marissa, and now Marissa didn't seem to want to marry Rick. Sophia didn't quite understand the idea of being engaged, or that someone could love more than one person, but even she could tell that there was something between Ryan and Marissa. And since no one else was doing anything, it was up to her.

"I shouldn't have said that." Marissa worried out loud. "Sophia you can't tell anyone I said that."

"I can keep a secret." Sophia said innocently, but Marissa noticed the sneaky look Sophia shot at her.

Marissa flashed back to that night years ago when she and Ryan had sat on the edge of the empty pool, and she'd revealed her concerns about her father. Did Sophia know - no she couldn't. It was just a coincidence.

"Coop, do you like princesses?" Sophia asked suddenly.

"Pardon me?" Marissa asked, unsure of the change in conversation.

"Do you like princesses?" Sophia repeated.

"What do you mean?"

"Princesses - like Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Belle. Disney princesses." Sophia explained slowly.

"Oh. Well then yes, I do like princesses." Marissa answered.

"Me too! I always play princess games!" Sophia happily said.

"I used to do that when I was little." Marissa smiled. "I used to pretend I was a princess, and that my prince charming was coming to save me."

"And now?"

"Now?" Marissa was having a hard time following Sophia.

"What do you think about princess and prince charmings now?" Sophia asked.

"I … I don't know. I guess I outgrew that idea."

"What idea?"

"The idea that every girl was a princess with a prince charming." Marissa explained.

"Oh." Sophia said sadly. "I'm never gonna outgrow it. I think every girl is a princess, and she has a prince charming and they'll live happily ever after."

Marissa smiled wistfully at Sophia. She wished she could share Sophia's childish, optimistic view on love.

"And I don't think you should give it up either." Sophia added mysteriously.

Before Marissa could question Sophia's comment Ryan returned with their treats.

"Two OC-sicles." Ryan announced, handing one to Sophia and the other to Marissa.

"Thank you Ryan." Sophia said sweetly.

"Thanks." Marissa added more quietly.

"So what were you two talking about?" Ryan asked.

Marissa opened her mouth to tell him that they were talking about princesses, but Sophia quickly cut her off.

"I'm gonna be a flower girl." Sophia said loudly.

"Yeah." Ryan looked confused, as he could tell Marissa wanted to say something else, but figured it was better to just leave it.

They sat for a few minutes, the girls eating their popsicles and Ryan drinking the pop he'd bought. Sophia made sure there was no awkward silence though - she kept up a constant stream of chatter.

"Look!" Sophia suddenly exclaimed, sitting up in her seat and pointing out the window.

Ryan and Marissa looked where she was pointing to see Seth and Summer walking towards them. Summer was looking at Seth and laughing hysterically, while Seth was pouting.

"Ha ha!" Sophia giggled. "Seth lost!"

"Wow she's really … compassionate." Marissa whispered to Ryan with a smile.

"Just with Seth. They act like little kids together." Ryan replied, rolling his eyes.

Seth and Summer walked into the building and promptly did double takes when they saw the others sitting there.

"Ohmigod! How'd you guys finish before us?" Summer asked. A thoughtful look came over her face. "Actually I'm not surprised considering how slow Cohen is. Seriously I think we were overtaken by a group of four year olds."

"Hey!" Sophia objected angrily.

"Thanks Sophie. I'm glad you believe in me." Seth said.

"No not that. You're slow, everyone knows that." Sophia quickly brushed off his comment. "But four year olds are NOT slow."

"Sorry." Summer bit her lip to keep from laughing at Sophia's annoyed expression, and Seth's disbelieving one. "So how did your game go?"

"Well it was going well until someone got tired." Ryan joked.

"Ryan hits too hard, Marissa can't hit at all, and I was playing really good." Sophia tattled. If she was going down, they were going down with her.

"Munch!" Ryan scolded, trying not to laugh.

"Ok fine. Ryan was getting better, Marissa was getting better, and I got bored." Sophia admitted.

Seth smirked.

"But at least it didn't take us a bazillion hours." Sophia taunted Seth.

"So let's go." Ryan suggested before Sophia and Seth could start fighting.

"Yeah. Someone needs an n-a-p." Seth said, spelling out the word nap.

"You're right Seth, you do need a nap." Sophia agreed. "While you nap I'll play with Summer and Ryan and Coop."

"I'm glad you agree - wait no. Sophie!" Seth glared at Sophia.

"Ok. Seth. Munchkin. Let's go. Now." Ryan said, picking Sophia up out of the booth and pushing Seth towards the door.

"Way to take charge Chino." Summer smirked.

"Yeah Chino." Sophia added, trying to sound like Summer.

Summer, Seth and Ryan all laughed at Sophia's comment. Marissa smiled weakly, too deep in thought to really listen to what Sophia said. She was thinking about how much Ryan sounded like a parent. He really would be a good dad. Marissa shook her head - she had to stop imagining having kids with Ryan.

"Hey do you ladies want to come back to the house with us?" Seth asked.

Sophia smiled brightly. "Yeah! Come!"

Summer looked at Marissa to see her opinion.

"Umm I can't." Marissa murmured. "I have … stuff to do." She knew her lie was obvious, but she also knew she should spend any more time with Ryan. "Wedding stuff." she added.

"Oooook." Summer said, squinting at Marissa and trying to figure out what she was thinking.

"Coop!" Sophia whined.

"I'm sorry." Marissa said sadly.

"C'mon Coop, I'll drop you home." Summer said.

"And then you'll come to our house?" Sophia asked.

"You know what, I think I'm going to skip it today Miss Sophia." Summer replied.

"Why?" Sophia whined loudly. "Why doesn't anyone want to come over?" She pouted as tears began to fill her huge blue eyes.

"Sophie they have other things to do." Seth explained.

"WHY!" she yelled, kicking her legs against Ryan's chest.

"Hey." Ryan objected, holding her body away from him.

Tears began to roll down Sophia's cheeks.

"Aww sweetie don't cry." Summer said compassionately. "I'll tell you what - we can't come over today, but how about tomorrow night we will?"

Sophia blinked her watery eyes at Summer. "Both of you?"

Summer looked at Marissa.

"Yeah. Both of us." Marissa agreed with a sigh.

Sophia smiled. "Ok then. See you tomorrow!"

Ryan smiled apologetically at Marissa, then exited the building carrying Sophia. Seth gave Summer a quick kiss then followed his siblings.

"So …" Summer said, looking at Marissa.

"So what?"

"What's going on with you and Ryan?"

"Nothing." Marissa replied quickly.

"Uh huh." Summer nodded, her tone making it clear she didn't believe her. "C'mon Coop - let's get you home. Do you want to hang out or something tonight. I know you have no plans."

"Sure." Marissa said, ignoring Summer's invitation to explain why she'd said no to going to the Cohen's.

A few minutes later they were driving along in Summer's car. Summer was concentrating on driving, while Marissa stared out the window.

"Summer?" Marissa said, turning to face her friend.

"Yeah?"

"Do you remember how we used to play those princess games when we were little?"

"Ohmigod yes! Where one of us would be the princess, and the other would be the prince who saved her. I remember we always fought over who would be the princess." Summer smiled at the memory.

"What happened to stuff like that?" Marissa asked wistfully.

"Like the game?" Summer wrinkled up her nose in confusion. "Well you can only play the same game so many times before it gets old."

"No I mean that whole idea. The princess and prince charming thing. The idea that every girl has one person she's supposed to be with." Marissa tried to explain.

"Like fate?" Summer asked.

"Yeah."

"I still believe in fate Coop."

"You believe that every person has one person they're meant to be with?"

"Yeah. Their soul mate." Summer replied. "Coop I always say stuff like that to you."

"So Seth is yours?"

Summer paused to think about it. "You know Coop, I always used to imagine my soul mate would be this tall gorgeous guy with huge muscles who would be great at everything. But now I've realized that all that is fantasy. I mean Seth may not be really tall, or muscular, or good at sports, or the best people person, or –"

"Summer." Marissa interrupted with a smirk.

Summer stopped. "Yeah so he's not those things, but he is … Seth. And when I'm with him it just feels … right. Like it doesn't matter what he isn't, because everything he is and isn't makes him … well him."

"How did you know?" Marissa asked.

"Know what Coop?"

"That he was the one."

Summer looked at Marissa thoughtfully. "Coop are you having second thoughts about Rick?"

"What! No! I mean I don't know. Just … how did you know with Seth?"

"Well …" Summer bit her lip as she thought about him. "I guess I just knew. I know that sounds totally cheesy, but it's like we dated in high school, and broke up. Whatever – I mean that happens all the time to tons of people. But for us it was never really over. Like most couples that break up never talk to each other again, or they stay friends. We had this weird … dynamic. Like we weren't friends, but we just kept meeting up after a long time."

"Fate." Marissa whispered.

"Yeah. And this time things were just different. We're both really different, but still the same. That sounds weird. But yeah. And just the idea that no matter what happened, and how many times things didn't work out, we always found our way back to each other. We kept letting each other go, and kept coming back to each other." Summer explained with a small smile on her face.

"You always say that thing about letting things go." Marissa commented.

"Well it's so true Coop – if you love something you let it go, and if it comes back to you then it's meant to be." Summer said emphatically. "Like me and Seth."

Marissa sat quietly for a moment, processing what Summer had said. "Wow Sum, that was deep."

"I'm not the person I used to be." Summer joked. Then her expression turned serious. "But Coop, really, are you having second thoughts about Rick?"

Marissa let out a huge sigh. "Not really. It's just that things with us don't seem as … destined as things with you and Seth."

Summer opened her mouth to say something, then closed it.

"What Sum?" Marissa asked anxiously.

"Nothing."

"Sum! Tell me." Marissa demanded.

"Ok maybe things don't seem right because he's not your soul mate." Summer blurted out.

"Then who is?"

Summer stared at Marissa as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Well actually, to Summer it was. "Ryan."

Marissa shook her head. "No Sum. You know Ryan and I don't belong together."

Summer exhaled loudly, losing whatever tact and patience she had. She quickly signalled and pulled the car over to the side of the road before opening her mouth to speak. "Coop what I do know is that your feelings for him in high school were deeper than you've felt for any guy. I know that when he left you were so depressed you started drinking all day to numb the pain. That you hooked up with DJ to make your feelings for Ryan go away."

Marissa tried to interrupt, but Summer didn't give her the chance.

"I know that your relationship with Ryan never properly ended, and that all the feelings you two had for each other were never dealt with or resolved. I know that those feelings made you two fight after we graduated, and that a year later in New York you fixed things, but also would have hooked up if I hadn't come in. I know that as much as you say you two had a proper end, you didn't because you both still have feelings for each other. I know that your feelings for Rick are nowhere near what yours for Ryan were, and that you probably accepted it as a more 'mature' relationship."

"Sum that's not true." Marissa protested weakly, but again Summer cut her off.

"Coop let me talk! I know you gave up on a relationship with Ryan, and that you decided Rick was the guy for you. But what I also know is that for some reason, whether it be fate, or just coincidence, you and Ryan keep being brought back together. What I want to know is if you let Rick go, would he come back to you? Because Ryan sure as he! would – he's done it before, and he would do it again."

Summer finished the rant that she'd been building up for years, and the frustrated tears that had pooled in her eyes began to spill down her cheeks.

"Wow." Marissa murmured in total shock. She was shocked by everything – that Summer somehow knew all the details Marissa had never filled her in on, and the brutal honesty which Summer had displayed. In that second it was clear exactly why Summer was her best friend – who else would know her so well that they could explain her deepest thoughts, and actually bring it up to her.

"I'm sorry Coop!" Summer cried.

"Don't be sorry Summer. Everything you said was the truth." Marissa pulled Summer into a hug, tears spilling down her own cheeks.

"But I'm sorry it was so harsh. And I'm sorry that I knew about all the drinking and everything and didn't do anything. I'm the worst friend ever!" Summer wailed.

"Sum I wouldn't have listened to you. You know I thought nobody noticed any of that stuff, but you did, and that makes you the best friend ever. I mean you know me better than I know myself." Marissa smiled.

"So you think I'm right?" Summer asked. "About the Ryan thing?"

"I … don't know." Marissa said helplessly.

"Coop you have to give it a shot. Find out. Because if it really is over between you two, then you need real and final closure. But if it's not, you owe it to yourself, Ryan, and Rick to figure things out before you make any moves."

"So what do I do?" Marissa asked.

"Talk to Ryan."

Marissa nodded her head, mentally preparing herself for what might be the hardest decision in her life.

Later that night Marissa slowly approached the Cohen mansion, her whole body shaking with nervous anticipation of what was to come. She smoothed her hair and adjusted the straps of her shirt. It had taken her almost an hour to pick an outfit to wear, before she'd finally picked a simple, but fitted tank top, and her favourite jeans. She figured Ryan wouldn't really care anyway, and didn't want it to seem like she'd tried to hard. Marissa took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She needed a drink.

Marissa was nothing like the drinker she used to be, but she did drink socially, and it seemed that she and Rick went to events where alcohol was served almost daily. And maybe she drank alone once in a while. But not today. She needed to be sober when she talked to Ryan.

Marissa took another deep breath, closed her eyes, and began counting to ten in her mind. One, two, three, four, five, six – she couldn't put it off any longer. She rang the doorbell quickly before she could chicken out.

Nothing happened. Marissa sighed in relief. Maybe they weren't home. Maybe she could put this off until tomorrow. Or maybe not, she thought as she heard the sound of someone running towards the door. But then silence again. Now Marissa was confused. Had they seen it was her and decided not to open the door? Was someone playing games with her. Then she noticed the two big, blue eyes peeping through the window beside the door. Seconds later the door was flung open.

"Hi Coop!" Sophia said with a happy smile.

"Hey Sophia." Despite her state of mind Marissa couldn't help but find Sophia's smile contagious. And the My Little Pony pyjamas only added to the little girl's cute factor.

"You came to play with me!" Sophia continued excitedly.

Marissa's smile turned into a sad expression. "No, I'm sorry Sophia, I actually wanted to talk to Ryan."

"Oh." Sophia said, conflicted between her social life and the good of her big brother. Of course she picked Ryan, just like any good matchmaker would. "He's in the pool house." she informed Marissa. "I'll take you there!" she added, grabbing Marissa's hand and leading her towards the back of the house.

"SOPHIA?" Kirsten called from another part of the house. "Baby come back here, it's bed time!"

Sophia stopped walking and held up one finger towards Marissa, meaning she would just be one second. "Not now Mommy, I'm busy." Sophia yelled back.

"SOPHIA. Bed. Now." Kirsten commanded.

Sophia rolled her eyes dramatically. "Not now Mommy. I have company."

"What?" Kirsten ran from wherever she was to the foyer. "Who?"

"Coop!" Sophia informed her mother, as Kirsten came face to face with Marissa.

"Hey Kirsten." Marissa said with a nervous smile.

"Marissa!" Kirsten gave Marissa a hug. "It's good to see you." She turned to her daughter and raised her eyebrow. "Since when do you call her Coop?"

"Since forever." Sophia said, rolling her eyes again. "C'mon Coop."

"I wanted to talk to Ryan." Marissa explained to Kirsten.

"And I'm taking her to the pool house." Sophia added.

"Well sweetie I think Marissa can find her own way." Kirsten said, picking up Sophia.

"Mommy!" Sophia whined, struggling in Kirsten's arms. She lowered her voice a bit and continued "you're embarrassing me in front of Coop."

"That's my duty as your mother." Kirsten said dryly. "Just ask Seth."

Sophia sighed dramatically.

"Sorry Marissa, she really does need to go to bed." Kirsten smiled apologetically. "I know you can make it to the pool house."

"Of course." Marissa said, her nerves kicking in again.

"Say goodnight to Marissa." Kirsten instructed Sophia.

"Night Coop." Sophia said. "Have fun talking to Ryan."

Kirsten gave Sophia an odd look as she carried her away and up the stairs, leaving Marissa alone in the foyer.

"It's too late now. Kirsten knows you're here. You can't leave without talking to Ryan. Just go do it." Marissa thought to herself. She summoned up all of the courage she had, and began the extraordinarily long walk to the pool house.

"Sweetie I'm sorry you couldn't talk to Marissa, but it's already past your bed time." Kirsten said softly to Sophia as they entered her bedroom.

"That's ok Mommy. I still love you." Sophia assured Kirsten.

"That's good to know." Kirsten smirked." Now which story would you like to read tonight?"

Sophia's little face scrunched up in thought, and then she had an idea. She yawned elaborately. "You know Mommy, I think you're right. I'm really really tired. I should just go to sleep right now." Sophia said in her sleepiest voice.

"Without a story?" Kirsten said in surprise. Sophia never turned down a bedtime story.

"Yeah I'm just so tired." Sophia yawned again. "But thank you for the offer Mommy."

"Ok." Kirsten stood up in confusion. "Goodnight then baby."

"Love you, goodnight!" Sophia punctuated her traditional goodnight with a kiss to Kirsten's cheek.

Kirsten tucked in Sophia, then exited her room, knowing that her daughter was planning something, but unsure what it was. She flipped off the light and closed the door, hoping that it wasn't anything too bad. Although Sophia was generally well behaved, when she decided to misbehave she did it with style.

The second the door clicked shut Sophia jumped out of her bed and ran over to the window. She sat herself among the various stuffed animals on the window seat, and pulled the lace curtains aside so she could see outside. The window gave her the perfect view of the pool house – she could she the door and the area outside it. Sophia snuggled into the sea of animals on the seat, making herself comfortable while she waited and watched the pool house. There was no way she was missing whatever happened – bed time or no bed time.

Inside the pool house Ryan was sprawled across the bed, listening to Seth ramble on about some theory he had. Or at least pretending to listen.

"So I mean I get what Summer's saying, but still. You know what I mean?" Seth chattered. "Do you? Ryan? Ryan are you listening? Ryan? Ryan? Ryan? Monkey butt. Oranges. Bananas. I love Julie Cooper-Nichol." Seth sighed irritatedly. "RYAN!"

Ryan jumped at that. "What?" he asked in confusion.

"Were you listening to a word I just said?"

"Yeah." Ryan nodded confidently. "You were talking about … Summer."

"Lucky guess." Seth said.

"Educated guess is more like it." Ryan smirked.

Seth frowned at Ryan. "So what were you thinking about? Wait let me guess – she's … tall, brownish-blonde hair, big blue eyes, impossibly beautiful, engaged to be married in less than two weeks?"

Ryan glared at Seth.

"Ryan what's wrong with you?" Seth asked.

Ryan gave Seth a look.

"I mean you still like her. That's obvious. But are you planning on doing anything about it? Or are you just going to brood about it forever?" Seth questioned. "Because at this point it's do or die."

"Seth I think you've been watching too much TV."

"No seriously. Either you do something about it, or you just give it up. Marissa is not just going to call off the wedding and then sit around waiting for you. Even if she still loves you, which I think she … never mind. But even if she love you, she won't break up with Rick unless you give her a reason to."

"You think she still loves me?" Ryan asked.

"Ok I didn't finish that sentence for a reason." Seth said.

"Do you?"

Seth sighed. "Yes I think it's obvious she still loves you. Almost as obvious as it is that you still love her. Seriously at the golf course today there was sparks everywhere. And we didn't even play the actual game with you guys."

Ryan took a moment to process what Seth was saying. "But … Rick." he stuttered, finally getting his thoughts together.

"Well that's the thing Ryan – you have to pick. Do you want to take the easy route and just let her go, and spend the rest of your life wondering what could have been, or do you want to tell her how you feel and risk hurting both of you?"

"I … don't know." Ryan murmured in distress.

"Well what do you want?"

"I just want her to be happy."

"Ok I know how to figure this out." Seth announced.

Ryan looked at him expectantly.

"Close your eyes." Seth instructed.

Ryan gave him a suspicious look, but complied silently.

"Now imagine: what would you do if Marissa walked in here right now, totally willing to discuss your future?"

Ryan's eyebrows furrowed together as he thought about it. "I guess I would-"

Seth never got to find out what Ryan would do, because at that exact second there was a knock on the door to the pool house.

"Ok Ryan, hold that thought. It's probably just Sophie coming to say goodnight again. She only said it twice so far." Seth said quickly, not wanting Ryan to give up the one time he was about to actually open up. "COME IN." Seth said more loudly.

The handle turned and the door began to inch open slowly, almost cautiously, to reveal the one person Ryan and Seth least expected to see. Marissa Cooper.

Seth and Ryan stared at her in shock.

"Wow." Seth muttered. "I'm good."

"Hey." Marissa said hesitantly. "I … um … wanted to talk to Ryan."

"Say no more. I'm out of here." Seth stood and quickly left the pool house, but not before he could give Ryan a subtle thumbs up.

"Hey." Ryan said as soon as the door clicked shut after Seth's departure.

"Hey." Marissa's mind went blank as she stood staring at Ryan. At his body, stretched across the bed, clothed in his standard wife beater that highlighted his muscles. At his eyes, so dark and blue that Marissa felt lost in them.

"So … uh … what did you want to talk about?" Ryan prompted.

"Well … we haven't talked in a few years. So I … wanted to see how you're doing." Marissa lied awkwardly.

"Good. How about you?"

"Good. Busy. With plans for …" Marissa trailed off, cursing herself inwardly. She was supposed to see if Ryan was her soul mate, not bring up her wedding to Rick.

"Your wedding." Ryan finished for her.

"Yeah." Marissa nodded. Ok. She had to do this. Now. "Ryan do you ever think what things would have been like if we hadn't broken up?" she blurted out. Wow. Doing it now didn't mean making a fool out of herself.

"Sometimes." Ryan replied. Everyday was more like it.

"Me too."

"Marissa are you having second thoughts about marrying Rick?" Now it was Ryan's turn to blurt something out and immediately regret it.

"No!" Marissa objected reflexively. "I mean … I don't know."

Ryan looked at her silently, waiting for her to continue.

"It's just … things with Rick aren't like things with us were."

"So are you having second thoughts?" Ryan persisted.

"I just wanted to know what you think about … things." Marissa said, ignoring Ryan's question.

Ryan bit his lip. This was his chance. Like Seth had said, it was do or die. He opened his mouth, ready to profess his undying love for Marissa, to pull her into his arms and never let her go, to kiss her. But then he stopped. This wasn't right. He shouldn't be making her decisions for her. This was typical Marissa Cooper – always trying to make other people figure things out and tell her what to do. And he couldn't do it. He couldn't decide her entire future for her.

Marissa watched Ryan, unsure what was going through his mind.

And then Ryan was hit by a flash of realization. "You know what Marissa, this isn't about me." he suddenly said loudly.

"Yes it is." Marissa insisted.

"No, it isn't. And I don't think it ever has been about me. You've always known where I stood – my feelings have never changed. You're always the one who has to decide – between me and Luke, or me and DJ, and now me and Rick. So instead of asking what I think and hoping I'll make things easy and make your decision for you, why don't you figure it out on your own. And let me know when you do." Ryan paused for a second. "You know what, no. You obviously don't feel very deeply for me if you need someone to tell you what to do. If I ever had to choose between you and someone else it wouldn't even really be a choice. Just the fact that you have to think about it means more than anything you could say. So consider yourself lucky, because I'm going to make this easy for you. Go marry Rick, and have a great life with him, and just forget this whole thing ever happened."

Marissa stood staring at Ryan, her mouth open in shock, tears pooling in her eyes. "Ryan." she whispered. "It's not like that."

Ryan closed his eyes, trying to erase the image of her pained expression from his mind. He opened them again, this time looking at the floor to avoid seeing her face. "Yes it is. I can't be with someone who actually would have to think about whether she wants to be with me. Just go."

Marissa was frozen in her place, the tears now streaming silently down her cheeks.

"GO!" Ryan repeated more loudly, refusing to look at her.

Marissa let out a strangled sob, then turned and ran out of the pool house.

Ryan dropped back against the pillows on his bed. What was wrong with him? Marissa had basically given him another chance, and he'd rejected it, all for his pride. Ryan stood and walked to the door. He opened it and stepped out, but Marissa was gone. He returned to his bed and lay down again. As much as he regretted what he'd said, he also knew everything he'd said was true. Ryan closed his eyes and tried to sleep, hoping for the escape it would give him from his thoughts, and from the image of Marissa's hurt expression that was now permanently branded in his memory.

Marissa continued to run out of the pool house, around the main building, and to her car. She drove home quickly, frequently wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. Then she ran up to her room, avoiding her mother's call to her, and collapsed on her bed in a fresh flood of tears.

Sophia watched Marissa run out of the pool house, and knew she was upset from her expression and the way she wiped at her eyes. Sophia sighed. Grown ups made everything so complicated. In her mind it was simple – Ryan and Marissa loved each other, so they should be together. Out of the corner of her eye she saw another motion at the pool house. She watched as Ryan took a few steps towards the house, looked around, then sadly re-entered the pool house. Sophia sighed once more. She had no idea what had gone on in the pool house, but it obviously had upset both Ryan and Marissa.

Though she didn't understand the implications of what had happened, or even what had happened, Sophia was old enough to understand that they were hurting. And like a devoted little sister, when her brother was sad, she was sad too. And the events of the night upset her more than she could understand – her own view of the world, and of love and relationships, was being threatened. And like any child, she couldn't deal with that.

Sophia slid off the window seat, then crept out of her bedroom, down the stairs, and towards the family room where she found her parents watching a movie. They sat cuddled together on the sofa underneath a blanket, so it was hard to tell where one of them ended and the other began. Sophia watched them quietly for a few minutes, basking in their love and happiness. She watched as Kirsten turned and said something to Sandy, to which he responded with a kiss. Sophia loved watching her parents together when she was upset – somehow just seeing them like this made her feel that everything would be alright.

"Soapy?" Sandy suddenly noticed his daughter standing and watching him and Kirsten.

Sophia giggled at his use of her old nickname. When she was little she couldn't say 'Sophia', so she instead called herself 'Soapia', which resulted in her daddy calling her 'Soapy'.

Kirsten sat up on the couch to look at Sophia. "Sweetie is something wrong?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Sophia walked over to her parents and held her arms up to Sandy, who lifted her onto the sofa. She snuggled happily between them.

"Baby what's wrong?" Kirsten asked again.

"I was feeling sad." Sophia informed her.

"What happened?" Sandy asked.

Sophia shook her head, not wanting to get into it. "Mommy can you tell me a story?"

"Sure." Kirsten said, her forehead wrinkling slightly in confusion. "Which story would you like?"

"A happy one. A really really happy one about a prince and princess who live happily ever after." Sophia said, tucking her head under Kirsten's arm. "Tell me the story of you and Daddy." Sophia looked at Sandy. "Both of you tell it."

"Well one there was a beautiful little girl who lived in a huge mansion and had everything she'd ever wanted." Sandy began, smiling at Kirsten.

"And on the other side of the country there was a handsome little boy who wanted to have adventures." Kirsten continued.

Sophia smiled as she closed her eyes and listened to her parents tell their story.