MERRY CHRISMUKKAH

The day finally came! It was Chrismukkah! Seth quickly got changed into his best Christmas sweater and ran over to the pool house.

"DUDE WAKE UP. Today's the day," He started pacing back and forth while Ryan slowly woke up. "I'm freaking out. I woke up and realized the possibility of Summer saying no. What if she does? Not only is Chrismukkah ruined but my heart would be ripped out of my body on my favourite holiday by the only girl I've ever loved."

"Seth," Ryan yawned, "She's not going to. She loves you. Everything'll be just fine. Now leave. It's too early."

"Uh, Ryan, it's noon. Everyone's coming over in like, an hour to open presents."

Ryan's body shot up, "Damn it! My alarm didn't go off!" He ran to the bathroom to take a shower.

"Okay, I'll be out here buddy!" Seth called out to him.

After Ryan showered, he came out of the bathroom to find Seth pacing back and forth once again.

"Seth, why are you pacing? Summer isn't going to say no. Stop stressing. This will be the best Chrismukkah present you've ever given to anybody."

"I know, Ryan. But I don't think I can do this."

"What?! You're backing down on the day of?"

"I just can't bear to see Summer turn me down. I don't know how I'd live life after that.." Seth stopped pacing and sat down, taking out the ring and looking at it.

Ryan went over and sat on his bed. "You're overreacting..." Seth didn't respond. "Look, Summer and you, you guys have this unbreakable bond. Nothing can separate you. She knows you love her and you know she loves you. And I know you, Seth. You do want this, you're just scared. Marrying Summer, imagine that?"

Seth did and smiled. He looked at the ring. "I'd be the happiest man."

"Then go make yourself a happy man and propose!"

"I'm going to do this. By the end of the day, Summer will be my fiancée." He stood up and made his way out the pool house. Before he left, he turned back around and said, "I'm gonna get changed into something more... 'I'm going to be an engaged man' outfit. Thanks."

Ryan gave him his crooked smile and watched as his brother walked back inside the main house. He couldn't be any more happy or excited for his brother. But also, as for himself, he couldn't wait to give Marissa her present. This would be a good day.

/

"MERRY CHRISMUKKAH!" Marissa said as she walked inside the Cohen's house, her sister and mother following behind her. And behind them, there came along Summer and her dad.

"Merry Chrismukkah!" Sandy said, hugging Marissa and everyone else that came behind her. "Neil, I'm surprised to see you today." But then Sandy clicked in as to why he was there.

"Well it's Christmas... I mean Chrismukkah. Nothing going at the hospital. I wanted to spend it with my daughter and every else."

"Well, you are definitely welcome!" Kirsten said, hugging him and her other guests.

Ryan greeted his girlfriend with a warm hug and a kiss, "Mmm I missed you. These past 12 hours have been very lonesome." Marissa laughed at his comment and kissed him back.

"C'mon everyone, let's open presents!" Kirsten motioned them to the living room. The adults gathered on one side of the living room, exchanging gifts while the kids were on the other.

Ryan and Marissa gave Caitlin her present. She opened an envelope and found cash.

"This should help you and the situation you're in..." Ryan commented.

"Oh my God, Marrissa, Ryan... all of the 2 grand?! THANK YOU! You're a life saver." She hugged them.

Marissa then grabbed a box with a christmas bow on it, "here," she said, handing it to Ryan. He opened it and saw a tie and a pair of dress shoes.

"Marissa, this must've cost you a fortune."

"Well, you're going to be an architect, I figured, you need to look like a fortune." He smiled at her and gave her a kiss.

"Keep looking." She instructed. Ryan listened to her orders. He saw a sketchbook and pen. "Those are for all your designs."

"It's perfect, thank you." She leaned in and gave him a deep, passionate kiss.

"And that was just a little sneak peak of your last present."

"Looking forward to that. Now my turn," He went to the tree and grabbed a red box.

Marissa gave Ryan a look, wondering what it could be. She opened the lid of the box slowly and inside was a key chain. "Wow, a key chain..." Marissa said trying to hide the disappointment.

Ryan laughed, "keep looking." Attached to the key chain was a locket. She opened it and on one side was a picture of them: their foreheads leaning against each other and they were both smiling. They were both wearing formal attire, and oblivious the photo was taken. Seth or Summer probably took it during the night of their prom. On the other side of the locket were the letters R & M engraved. He looked at her and she started to have watery eyes. His smile quickly faded, "I can always get you like a Louis Vuitton purse or something..?"

"Ryan, no I'm crying because I'm happy. I love it. Thank you." They shared another sweet kiss. "I love you."

Ryan looked deep in her eyes. He quickly remembered the first time she said this, he wasn't expecting it and replied with a 'Thank You'. But he's come a long way from that night. They both have. With her, he finally found love. He finally figured out what it was and he felt it. He loved her. He smiled and kissed her again.

"I love you too."

As everyone continued to exchange presents, thank you's and hugs, Seth figured it was time.

"Excuse me everyone, I'd like to make an announcement." Seth said standing up. Summer looked at him with curiosity, but Sandy, Ryan and Neil all knew what was going to happen next and smiled. "First of all, you should know by now that Chrismukkah is my favourite holiday, so I wanted to say I'm happy to be spending it here in Newport with all of you guys. Secondly, aside from my favourite holiday, I also have a favourite person. That is Summer. This girl, no matter how many bruises she gives me, rage blackouts I have to suffer through, I love this girl with all my heart. Summer, ever since the poem you read in 5th grade, I fell in love with you. From when I was 8 to now, I still am. With every conversation during Seth-Ryan time, it's usually about you."

Summer smiled and tears started forming in her eyes. She looked at Ryan and he nodded, agreeing to what Seth said.

"I can't get enough of you. I never will get tired of you. So with that said," Seth got down on one knee and pulled out a velvet box out of his pocket. He heard gasps come out of the mouths of his mom, Julie, Marissa and Caitlin. Summer froze and was speechless.

"Summer Roberts, will you please, please, please, marry me?" He opened the box to reveal a beautiful diamond ring.

Summer began to cry. "YES, OF COURSE YOU MORON!" She kissed him hard and he stood up and hugged her. Pulling away, he slipped on the ring on her finger. "Merry Chrismukkah, soon-to-be Mrs. Cohen."

Summer smiled and kissed him again. They heard their family around them, clapping and cheering.

"Congratulations!" Caitlin said.

Kirsten ran over to hug them, "I'm so happy for you two!"

Marissa was next, "Good job, Seth. Sum, I'm so happy for you!"

They continued to celebrate and talk about the wedding. It was a happy Chrismukkah morning. But not yet for Ryan. He still had one more present to give.

/

After a while, Neil, Julie and Caitlin left, Summer and Seth went out on a date to celebrate, Sandy and Kirsten the same, and Ryan and Marissa were in the pool house.

Ryan was on top of Marissa and they were busy making out. "I love my present." Ryan said causing Marissa to laugh.

"I'm glad."

His phone started to ring, "Ignore it, they'll leave a message." As they continued to kiss, the answering machine went off and they was a female voice leave a message.

"Hey Ryan! It's me, did you tell Marissa yet? Tell me how it goes! I'm so excited! See you soon? Call me.

Marissa pushed him off, "Um.. who was that?"

Ryan was caught blindsided. "What... Nobody it –"

"Nobody? Ryan, they knew your name." She stood up.

"Look, Marissa –"

"Don't 'look Marissa' me. Who is she and what is she talking about? She was stunned.

Ryan, at first, was speechless. The day was going by so well, "I didn't want to tell you like this but..."

Marissa began to cry and she was overcome with anger. "Save it. Bye Ryan."

Ryan got up from his bed and tried running after Marissa but she was already gone. He immediately called back Callie and exploded at her, "She thinks I'm cheating on her!"

"Wait, what?"

"I wasn't really expecting you to leave a message like that. She heard it and thinks I'm cheating on her with you!"

"Did you even tell her who I am?"

"Well... no. But why did you have to call?" He was getting more angry.

"I just wanted to see if you already told her and what her reaction was! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ruin anything. Look Ryan, just go find her and explain; tell her! She'll realize it was all a big misunderstanding and you two will be fine again!"

"I... guess... Sorry I didn't mean to explode I was just,"

"It's okay, go find her and call me back later."

"Bye Callie. I really shouldn't be like this after everything you've done. I'll call later." He hung up and immediately made his way to the lifeguard station. It was like a first instinct. If he was wondering where Marissa would go, she would always end up there.

/

He walked slowly up the ramp and saw her sitting there.

"What do you want?" She said hoarsely. He noticed her cheeks wet, meaning she has been crying.

"Remember the last time we were here? Started off like this and ended in one big misunderstanding?"

"What are you talking about?" Marissa said, looking up to him.

He sat down next to her and looked her in the eye, "I'm not cheating on you."

"Whatever."

"You know I wouldn't."

She stayed silent.

"I may have caused a lot of problems but, Marissa, I love you."

"I... know." She whispered.

"What?" he asked surprised with her answer.

"Well I don't know what that message was all about. And I definitely don't know about her," She said with anger. But then she eased down, "But I do know you would never... I love you too."

He leaned in for a kiss but she turned away. He didn't know what else to say so he pulled out a little box.

"What's this?" She asked.

"Your other present." He replied. "Before you open it, I need you to tell me you believe me; That the girl on the phone, she's no one and that I'm not cheating on you." She looked into his eyes and saw the truth. She knew he would never do such a thing. She opened it slowly and there revealed a key. "Marissa, will you move in with me?"

Marissa eyes shot open. She turned to Ryan who was waiting for her answer. She gave him a big smile, "YES!" she replied kissing him, "Of course you moron" imitating Summer's response to Seth's proposal.

"It's an apartment walking distance from Berkely. Good view, everything."

"But how?"

"That's what Callie was for, the girl who left the message? She's in one of my classes and her mom's a Real Estate Agent. I got her to help me out with finding an apartment."

"Oh my God."

"Hey, it's okay, no need to feel ashamed. I would have thought you were cheating if you were doing the same thing. But I mean, you said yes, we're moving in together, let's celebrate. We can both forget you storming off on me. It never happened."

Marissa couldn't help but kiss Ryan, "I love you, you know that?"

"Glad to hear it. I love you too."

"So that's what the key chain was for."

"Yeah, I had to give something to you in front of everybody. But this present, I wanted it to be just us. In case you'd say no."

"I'd never turn this down..." She put her head on his shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her. "But wait, how are we going to afford this?"

"The internship, I forgot to mention is with pay. So we're fine."

"But Ryan, our apartment, I mean I'll find a part-time job. I don't want you to be paying for everything all by yourself..."

Ryan smiled at her. She said 'our apartment'. He kissed her, "I like the sound of that: OUR apartment."

She looked into his eyes and kissed him back, "Me too."

"You know, I've never really stopped loving you, but it was this very day last year: Christmas Eve, when I realized how much I love you, how much I missed you. Ever since then, all I've wanted to do was kiss you, hold your hand, have you beside me." Marissa intertwined her fingers with his. Her fingers were cold, his were warm, but they fit perfectly together.

"Well here we are, making out, holding hands, sitting side by side. Your wish came true.."

He smiled at her then continued, "I remember we were all watching a movie and everyone fell asleep, except me. I looked around and there you were, beautiful as ever."

"Wow, never knew you had a thing for bedhead, drool, and slobbiness." She joked.

He laughed, "No, you were..." she faced him and he looked into those beautiful eyes, "perfect."

She kissed him and he gladly accepted. But before things got more heated, she pulled away, "C'mon, let's go back to the pool house. I still need to finish giving you your last present."

/

They arrived at the Cohen's, just themselves. Everyone was still out on their own dates leaving Ryan and Marissa alone. She led them both into the pool house and as soon as he closed the door behind him, she attacked him with her lips. Things got more heated and sooner or later, Marissa began unbuttoning Ryan's shirt. Once it was fully unbuttoned, Ryan pulled away, "Wait, it's been a while since...Are you sure?"

She thought for a moment then replied, "Yes. I love you." she continued to kiss him and take his shirt off.

Ryan then took the lead, he lifted her off her feet and carried her to the bed. He laid her down gently and hovered on top of her, "I love you too." He left trails of kisses on her neck.

They began undressing each other and Marissa stopped, "Ryan, wait." Ryan immediately stopped. She looked him straight in the eye and smiled, "Merry Chrismukkah."

Ryan was relieved that she didn't say anything like regrets, so he returned the smile and replied, "Merry Chrismukkah."