Hey guys this is the final chapter of Hide and Seek I'm hoping you'll enjoy it…and I hope you've find this story intriguing to read I loved writing it, but as they say everything comes to an end! Well I had planned an utterly different ending for this story as I began…but I think this is the most realistic and best way to do it. I hope you'll enjoy! Hugs and kisses Noor! It was great and my other stories will obviously continue! Song I used is called 'IF YOU WAIT FOR ME by Tracy Chapman'
Chapter 10: Together again
She was driving through the hot sun, her tears didn't stop from rolling down her rosy cheeks, she was extremely nervous although she didn't know why. She had to keep it together not only for herself but for him to; he would want her to keep it together. As she stopped at a red light she looked in the rear view mirror to check her make up and she was surprised there wasn't a lot of smudge just a little black underneath her eyes, she wiped it away and tried to stop herself from crying more.
The red light turned green, but Marissa was too lost in her thoughts, someone behind her honked and she again was shaken out of her daydream, she put the car in drive yet again and drove to the please she seemed to be so nervous about. Years…years had it been, and every single time she was going to that place she came in a sudden emotional roller-coaster.
She didn't know what was going to happen after today, how things were going to work out, if everything would fit into place…if everything was going to be okay. She was scared that was for sure but she didn't know what she could do to prevent it. Nothing much she reasoned with herself, it was probably better if she didn't think about the 'what's next's' and the 'what if's' she just had to focus on her final destination.
Just one corner to turn and then she was there, the big grey building she had dreaded to go to exactly 9 years ago. Ever since that November afternoon she had envied the building, but now even after all these years it had become her place to find her safety, she had mixed feelings about being here she hated it but she found safety in it as well.
Marissa parked her car in the car park and took her keys out of the ignition; she stepped out of the car and could hear other foot steps as well. A soft voice screamed happily. 'DADDY!!!' the 8 year old bubbly Marissa-like girl said as she run towards her father, who she only saw when she and her mother came to this place which had become his home for the past 9 years.
If you wait for me the real name of the song is THE PROMISE
Then I'll come for you
Although I've travelled far
I always hold a place for you in my heart
Little Isabel run as fast as her legs could carry her, she had very distinctive eyes, which were very very blue, just like her daddy. Her father bent down a little bit and scooped her in his arms, he kissed her temple and smiled as she held him tight. He was standing outside in his suit he had worn to court all those years ago. Marissa smiled at him and walked towards him, she came closer to him and the tears again rolled down her cheeks.
'Hey Ry…' she said softly with her raspy voice. He nodded at her and said 'hey'. The two lovers stood in front of each other and soon enough hugged each other in a lovers embrace. It felt so good to be free again, for both of them. After the group was found in Italy by the police, the man of the house had been executed, and Ryan had been charged with man slaughter. Sandy had tried to be the best attorney he could be and with it all he had tried to be the best father. Not once had he been mad at Ryan, if anything everyone was mad at justice. Still Sandy could only do so much, like letting Ryan go to a prison in California, and reduce his punishment of 12 years to 9 years.
Luke and Emily had stayed good friends with Ryan, Marissa, Summer, and Seth during everything. But after a few months, they too had to pick up their lives, they got married, and two years ago Emily died from cancer, leaving Luke heart broken. He had moved back to the OC and visited Ryan regularly again.
Seth and Summer had two children already and were married as well, the latest member of the family was due in June which was only two months from now. Kirsten and Sandy were both retired and had left the Newport Group to Ryan. Everyone visited Ryan in prison regularly, yet Marissa and Isabel visited him every single day. Isabel was conceived during the trial period of Ryan. Marissa had been staying in the pool house with Ryan a lot, and one thing let to another.
If you think of me
If you miss me
Once in a while
Then I'll return to you
I'll return and fill that space in your heart
Marissa was a successful journalist and had her own column in the Cosmopolitan, she and Isabel lived in a nice beach house and today Ryan was going to move in as well.
Ryan looked at his beautiful girlfriend who still loved him after everything she was 27 now, but she hadn't aged at all in his eyes. She was still just as beautiful as she had always been. Her green eyes locked with his blue ones, and all the suppressed love came urging right out as their lips connected with one another her tongue slipped into his mouth and there they stood the legendary couple who had survived everything which was thrown at them. They were the perfect couple indeed.
Ryan and Marissa broke apart and Isabel was smiling at her parents her arms still safely wrapped around her daddy's neck, this time she didn't have to go back with her mommy to their home and leave daddy behind, this time she could take him with her. But just to be sure she asked. 'Daddy you're coming home with us today right.' She asked him still a little scared of what the answer might be.
Remembering your touch
Your kiss, your warm embrace
I'll find my way back to you
If you be waiting
Marissa and Ryan had always told her the truth about why he was in prison and that he was in prison they never lied to her about anything they of course didn't tell her that Ryan had killed a rapist and a murderer, but they did say that Ryan tried to protect Marissa with all his power and in the end did something bad. That was a good enough explanation for Isabel.
'Yeah princess I'm coming home.' He said, and Marissa could feel the shivers in her stomach when she heard him talk, for the first time since nine years her tears weren't of sadness, but of sincere happiness. Isabel smiled the biggest smile she had since a while and Marissa could feel her entire life fit into place yet again. Isabel hugged Ryan tighter and said 'I love you daddy!'
Ryan closed his eyes for a moment, he opened them again and looked at her. 'I love you to Izzy don't ever forget that.' He said with a strong voice, he then looked at Marissa whose arm was laced around his middle. 'And I love you to so much; I never want to leave you again.' He said while his voice was a little shaky and one tear made its way down his cheek. Marissa couldn't believe she saw Ryan cry she had never seen him cry only in Italy and now here, she brought her shaky hand up to his face and wiped the tear away while crying herself.
'Ry I love you.' she said while smiling through her tears Ryan kissed her temple and nodded. They smiled once again and started to walk towards Marissa's Range Rover. As Ryan buckled Isabel up in the back seat and moved to the passenger side he could hear Marissa say his name, and as he looked up a pair of keys were thrown in his direction which he was just able to catch. 'I'm sure you've missed driving.' She said while walking towards him.
'Riss I haven't driven in a car since nine years ago...' he said, Marissa smiled and kissed him yet again, while her hand travelled under shirt to feel his still very apparent muscled back. 'Ry it's like riding a bike you never stop knowing how to.' she whispered in his ear while kissing it as she did so. He smiled and had to swallow the lump she caused by only kissing him, he hadn't felt her kiss him like she did in nine years.
'You do know I haven't had this kind of affection since nine years…' he said while trying to focus on her lips. She nodded and took her lips of his ear and turned towards him while smiling a sly smile at him and kissing the tip of his nose. 'Neither have I' Marissa said, and opened the passenger side's door climbed into the car and closed it. Leaving a happy and proud Ryan behind, when she said she would wait for him she really meant she would wait for him.
Ryan was driving to the place he had missed so much, he drove on the pier, passed Harbor High, passed the beach, and he knew what he had missed so much, it was still very unreal for him to get a taste of everything again, he looked at Marissa and the day the jury had reached a verdict came back to him. The memory he dreaded to remember the most kept hunting him nine years in a row.
Ryan sat in his chair next to Sandy waiting for the jury to come back and hand the piece of paper with the decision of Ryan's future to the judge who would read it out. Soon enough the jury came in and sat down, Ryan turned around one last time and saw all the people he loved and all the people who supported him. He saw Luke and Emily, Julie and Neil, Summer and Seth, Kirsten and then he saw Marissa. She had been going to the bathroom every few minutes and she looked kind of pail, she was a little weird and didn't let go of her stomach he was sure the nerves were getting to her, and she was probably very nauseous.
'Has the jury reached a verdict?' the female judge addressed the spokes person of the jury who nodded and said. 'We have your honour.' The middle aged man got up form his seat and as Ryan had predicted took the piece of paper in his hand and gave it to the judge who nodded and told the man he could sit back down. 'Mr Atwood, could you please stand up.' Ryan does as he is told and stands up, he can feel the nerves increasing.
'The jury has reached a verdict, which is that you, Ryan Atwood have been found guilty on the murder of Mr. Antonio Luiginy you will serve all 12 years in the prison of Newport Beach California. Case closed.' And with that the judge knocked the hammer once more. Ryan was standing there looking straight ahead, he didn't know what to think, feel nor say. He was shocked, he really thought they would see what he did as self defence, but they didn't.
Ryan could feel a pair of arms around him and he saw it was Sandy who was telling him everything was going to be alright. That they were going to fight this, but Ryan knew there was not much to fight anymore. Kirsten, Seth, Summer, Julie, Neil, Luke and Emily were soon by his side. Kirsten, Seth, Summer and Julie were crying their eyes out, even Luke and Neil were crying but Ryan wasn't. He knew somewhere in the back of his mind that his happiness wasn't forever it had to go wrong sometime.
The guard came and apologised to the family, he told them he really had to take Ryan with him. Marissa suddenly came out of her shock, and started to yell. 'No you can't do this he was trying to save me!!! You can't do this.' She run towards Ryan and held him tight while crying her heart out, she was screaming over and over again that they couldn't take him away from here. Another police officer came to Marissa side and tried to pull her back, but Marissa struggled and kept pushing and screaming as hard as she could.
If you dream of me
Like I dream of you
In a place that's warm and dark
In a place where I can feel the beating of your heart
Julie couldn't look at her heart broken baby girl. Ryan couldn't see how much she was hurting and the way the police officer was holding her. 'Don't hurt her!' he screamed and all the attention was turned to Ryan and Marissa. He pleaded with the guard who was holding him who nodded and told him he had five minutes. Ryan thanked him and walked as fast as he could to Marissa. Who was still crying and struggling with all her might. 'Riss…' he said softly and within seconds she flew her arms around his neck and held him tight. The police officer backed off and looked at the notorious couple. Ryan held her tight and tried to sooth her while his own tears finally came out of his eyes. 'I love you Riss, I always will.' He said softly but just loud enough for the rest to hear. 'I love you too Ry…' Marissa said in between her sobs.
Remembering your touch
Your kiss, your warm embrace
I'll find my way back to you
If you be waiting
'Atwood…' the guard said and Ryan released Marissa, he kissed her on her lips once more and started to walk away. 'Take care Riss.' He said and again Marissa broke down only this time she wasn't kicking just yelling at Ryan. 'Ryan I'm pregnant…' she said and all eyes except Summer's looked shocked. 'What…?!?' came Ryan's uncertain voice, before he was pushed through the back of the door.
That was the memory Ryan had from that fateful day in the court house, luckily for both Ryan and Marissa, she had figured everything out with Julie, Neil and Kirsten and Sandy, then she told Ryan her plan and they both agreed that everything was going to be okay, from that day on she visited him 2 times a day and their love for each other only grew.
Oh I've longed for you
And I have desire
To see your face, your smile
To be with you wherever you are
Ryan watched Isabel in the rear view mirror and saw that she had fallen asleep in the back seat, as had Marissa, which left him alone with his nerves and memories. He was nervous about seeing Kirsten, Sandy, Seth, a pregnant Summer, Julie, Neil, Luke and of course his nephew and niece. Although he had seen his parents and his brother last night, it was still scary to see them now, without having to go through another painful goodbye.
As the years passed by the goodbye's became more of a routine but they never became less excruciating. It was always the same thing, Sandy and Kirsten had to leave their son behind in a place they hated, and Ryan always had to see them leave him, knowing they couldn't do anything about the situation he was in.
Ryan drove up the driveway of his old house, his stomach did flip flops just like the first time Sandy and he drove up the driveway. It was as if he saw the house for the first time, and didn't know what was going to happen. The sun was setting which he clearly saw through the rear view mirror. He killed the engine as he had parked Marissa's car next to what he could only imagine was Luke's car, it was too big and overprized, he probably got it as a present from his dad's dealership.
'Riss…we're here.' Ryan said softly as his right hand lightly shook her. Marissa moaned and opened her eyes, while yawning a little bit. 'Hey' she said with a tired smile on her face. 'Hey' Ryan replied like he had so many times before. 'Are you ready?' Marissa asked knowing Ryan was nervous even though he wasn't going to tell her. 'No…I'm as nervous as hell.' Ryan said and surprised both him and Marissa with his integrity. He smiled shyly, and Marissa gave him a heartening smile back, she leaned in and kissed him, when she pulled away their heads were merely millimetres apart her hand was on the back of his neck and their eyes locked like they had so many times before. 'You've got nothing to be nervous about.' She said reassuringly.
Remembering your touch
Your kiss, your warm embrace
I'll find my way back to you
Please say you'll be waiting
'Well here we go.' Ryan said while ringing the bell, as he and Marissa stood next to each other, Marissa with a sleeping Isabel in her arms. The door opened and Kirsten was already crying tears of happiness fortunately. She hugged her son who had been through hell for the passed nine years and kissed his cheek lovingly. 'Oh honey I'm so glad it's over…I love you.' Kirsten said just like she had said last night. Ryan smiled and a tear couldn't help but escape his eye. 'I love you too mom.' He said back.
Together again
It would feel so good to be
In your arms
Where all my journeys end
Soon enough Ryan had taken two steps before he was stopped yet again, this time by Sandy who hugged him and told him he was never leaving them like that again, Ryan agreed and smiled as he hugged his father. After Sandy Seth hugged Ryan who at times couldn't deal with the emotional greetings or goodbyes, he could this time, seeing as it was his brother. 'Dude we can finally have some decent Seth/Ryan time, it didn't feel right with all those cons listening to us, and we have a play station three and some pudding.' Seth said cheerfully as he hugged Ryan. Ryan laughed and held Seth tight, how he had missed all of this. 'I'd like that Seth.' Ryan said.
'Atwood!' Summer said while weeping like a baby. Ryan hugged her and tried to shush her, while smiling a little. 'I can't Atwood it's these damn hormones.' She said while holding him as good as she could with her seven months pregnant belly. 'Dude…it's good to see you.' said Luke as he to hugged Ryan for a few seconds.
'Ryan' came Julie's voice who smiled at him and she to had a few tears which had been pouring down her cheeks as she saw the family being reunited with their lost son, brother, brother-in-law, friend, and now her own son-in-law. They hugged each other and as did Neil while saying 'It's good to have you back son.'
If you can make a promise
If its one that you can keep
I vow to come for you
If you wait for me
And Say you hold
A place for me
In your heart
A place for me in your heart
A place for me in your heart
A place for me in your heart
'Uncle RYAN!!!!!' the twins said in unison while running towards him, Ryan crouched down and scooped either one of them in one arm while kissing each temple. By the screaming Isabel had woken up and was smiling. Marissa put her down and kissed her head as she did so. Isabel went to her cousins and smiled up at her daddy. 'Daddy let's play hide and seek!' she said cheerfully, both her cousins agreed as did Ryan. 'Okay we'll all play hide and seek, everyone will play with us.' Ryan said while he closed his eyes and started to count. Everyone ran an opposite way and Ryan kept counting while smiling to himself as he could hear Kirsten tell Sandy not to follow her, and find his own hiding spot. He smiled contently and was so glad to be back home.
The End