Dislcaimer: I own nothing.

Thanks for all your reviews. I'm in a hurry so I can't respond personally. Sorry, but I will next time. Hope I haven't lost your interest. Just a little filler here. Again, thanks for all your reviews. I really do appreciate them.

"I don't think I've ever tasted anything so delicious!"

Taylor rolled her eyes. "It's just a burger, Alex."

"Wrong," countered the brunette. "It's a heavenly burger. It's a burger that I had to endure hours of torture to have." To prove her point, Alex took another bite and gave a very satisfying moan. Taylor only laughed.

After finishing up at the mall, the girls headed out for lunch. They ended up at a place where the specialty was burgers and shakes. It wasn't what Taylor had in mind, but Alex claimed that her hunger had her stomach eating itself. She needed food like yesterday. So they pulled into the first decent looking place they could find. Taylor had to admit though, her burger was very tasty.

"It's good to know that our quality time together is torture for you," Taylor sighed dramatically.

"Well, if you didn't spend it trying on a million thing and only buying less than half of them, maybe I wouldn't," retorted Alex.

"Well, someone's gotten brave," Taylor teased. "What's the matter? Are you no longer scared of me just because I've been nice to you today?"

"No, I'm very much scared of you," Alex said seriously. "It's just this burger is so good, I'm not thinking straight. I'm on a high right now."

Taylor laughed and shook her head. "Kelly, you are a weird one. I hope your kids don't take after you."

"Whatever."

"Oh, what a mature response," teased Taylor.

Alex only rolled her eyes and looked at the seat on her other side. "I hope Summer didn't get lost," Alex said after taking a long sip from her milkshake. The short brunette had excused herself a couple minutes ago to go to the ladies' room.

"Oh, you know Summer-she's gotta be in the bathroom for at least ten minutes," Taylor replied, half-joking. "I wouldn't worry. She's probably decided to give Marissa a quick call."

"What makes you say that?" wondered Alex.

Taylor shrugged her shoulders. "It's no secret that something went down between the two of you last night. Summer's probably just checking up on Marissa. She does that often. She's quite concerned about her, everyone is."

"Are you?"

Taylor looked at Alex a moment before answering. "I'm sure by now you've heard that things aren't the greatest between the two of us." Alex only nodded. Taylor sat up a little straighter as she set out to explain things. "When she told us that you were gone, I immediately blamed her. I lashed out and said some things that weren't particularly nice. They were the truth, mind you, but I could've said them a bit more nicely. I was just so livid. However, truth was, I wasn't completely mad at her. I was also mad at you, but you were gone. So I focused it all on Marissa. Everyone was angry with her, except Summer. However, I dare say that I was the most harsh. In time, she earned everyone's forgiveness, even mines. I just haven't told her that yet. If you ask her about it now, she'll just shrug it off. She'll claim that it was well deserved, and to an extent it was. The worse part is that she'll let us off the hook by saying that we weren't that bad. Well, we were. We were quite horrible." Taylor paused as she let Alex take everything in. She waited a bit longer to see if the girl needed to say anything. When Alex remained silent, Taylor continued.

"Second to me, Seth was the most furious. As I did, he called Marissa out on her poor treatment of you. He went on a terrible rant. His words were pretty much the same as mines, but I think his hurt her more. They were closer than Marissa and I. That put Summer in a terrible position. Her best friend was hurting and her boyfriend wanted it. It wasn't as if she was forced to choose between the two, but it was still a strain nonetheless. Eventually, Summer broke it off with Seth, which didn't help his anger. While, Summer insisted her reasons had nothing to do with Marissa, neither Seth nor Marissa believed her. Seth grew angrier and Marissa had another reason to feel even lower. Soon enough, Seth's anger subsided. It was then replaced with pain that came with losing Summer. I'm not quite sure how it initially started, but somehow Marissa and Seth began bonding. I guess Seth realized just how much pain Marissa was in because he was going through the same thing. However, at least Marissa knew why she lost you. Seth on the other hand, isn't quite as lucky. As you can see now, they've actually become quite close. They've proved that misery does indeed love company."

Taylor took another pause before continuing. "Ryan's anger was a result of his guilt. You see, he really did enjoy his friendship with you. He was quite intent on being great friends with you. When he learned that Marissa had mistakenly thought it was him that brought Mr. Cooper, he felt horrible. Add the fact that it seemed to be the breaking point for you, and well…I tried to console him. Marissa just misunderstood her dad's words. The fact that he wasn't even supposed to be with me to begin with didn't exactly help either. I think he was more mad at himself than Marissa, but it was easier to take it out on her."

"But they're good now right?" questioned Alex.

Taylor nodded her head. "Yep. At his core, Ryan's too sweet of a guy to stay mad at Marissa. They had shared too much. He knew she was hurting. He didn't want to add on to it. I still can't believe you thought they were married!"

"What was I supposed to think? Will's last name is Atwood and Julie's his grandmother. Anyone would've made the same assumption. Then with the way Marissa spoke of Will, I just assumed…"

Taylor knew what Alex meant by that. "Marissa is quite fond of Will, and why wouldn't she be? He's the best kid in the world. I think with Will, it's that first kid syndrome kind of thing. I mean, obviously he's our first kid, but it wasn't just that. He was the first kid of the bunch, of our bunch. I was the first to get pregnant so everyone was just kind of living through me. They were all kinds of excited. The pregnancy was hell though."

Immediately, Alex was worried. "You didn't have a difficult pregnancy, did you? What symptoms did you have?"

Taylor smiled. "Look at you get all doctor-like on me. Don't worry, Dr. Kelly. My pregnancy was just fine. It was the people around me that weren't so great. It was like I had inherited extra mothers. Everyone was always on my case about being careful. They didn't want to risk anything happening to the baby. It was terrible. Even Marissa mothered me, in her own way of course. Prior to then, she had kept her distance from me, as you can understand. However, with the news of my pregnancy, she reached out to me a bit more. It was little things like offering to go to doctor appointments if Ryan couldn't make it. Offering to help around the house so that I didn't have to be on my feet as much, help with my errands, things like that. My first instinct was to tell her to get lost, but she was trying so hard. Instead, I accepted her help from time to time. We never really talked or anything. However, I did tell her that if she expected to have any part in my kid's life, she needed to clean up her act. Cut back on the drinking and whatnot…and she did. She loves Will like crazy. She takes the whole aunt thing to a completely different level. Julie's even worse, but to be honest, I'm grateful for it. It's a nice feeling to know that your kid is so well loved. Still, you thinking that Marissa and Ryan were married meant that you thought I couldn't hold on to Ryan. Please. I know how to keep my man."

Alex laughed. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry. I should've known better."

"Well, don't make that mistake again," warned Taylor.

"Taylor, you look like you're about to strike. Alex, what did you say to her?"

Both girls looked up to see that Summer had made her way back to the table.

"I didn't say anything," defended Alex. "We were actually just talking about Taylor's pregnancy. Heard everyone got a little overprotective."

"And rightfully so!" exclaimed Summer. She pointed a finger at Taylor. "Did you know this girl put so much processed food into her body when she was pregnant."

"Summer, I had to eat."

"So munch on a salad and eat leaner proteins. With all that cholesterol you were hoarding in your mouth, I'm surprised Will didn't have a heart attack in the wound."

Taylor rolled her eyes at Summer's dramatic words. "Do you see what I mean, Alex?" Alex only laughed in response. "Changing topics now. I assume things are good with Marissa?"

Summer sighed. "For the moment they are. She's having ice cream with Cohen at the moment."

Alex felt compelled to ask, "so what is it with them and ice cream?"

"That's how their friendship got back on track," explained Summer. "Marissa was on her way to the beach one day to try and clear her head. She saw Seth on the pier just staring at the ocean. We had broken up a couple of few months before, and I guess he was there for the same reason as Coop. She took a chance and walked up next to him. They didn't speak at first, but somehow the ice was broken. There was an ice cream stand so they got ice cream, and that's how it began. That's what she told me anyway."

Alex only nodded in silent acknowledgment. The three girls ate their food quietly for the next few minutes. Then, Taylor broke the silence.

"This is for you, Alex."

A mix of surprise and confusion showed on Alex's face. She looked down to see Taylor handing her an envelope.

Seeing Alex's hesitancy, Taylor encouraged, "Go on. Take it and open it."

Alex did as she was told. It was a card, an invitation to be exact. Alex read it in confusion. She looked up at Taylor for answers. "I don't-"

"It's an invitation to my wedding," confirmed Taylor. "Of course, my wedding has long since passed. I just wanted you to know that you were invited, that I wanted you there. I wanted it so much that I actually had Ryan try to find you. That's all I wanted. Of course, he was unsuccessful." Taylor's features were saddened a bit. "I wasn't angry that he couldn't find you, but I knew he felt as if he let me down. He didn't, but I didn't exactly do anything to dispel that notion either. To this day, there's a part of him that feels like that, like I blame him for you not being there. Of course I don't. I blame you, and I mean that in the nicest way."

Words were failing Alex. "I don't know what to say except I'm sorry."

Taylor shrugged her shoulders. "Don't worry about it. It's in the past now. You'll make up to me by letting me be a bridesmaid at your wedding. If you really want to make it up to me, I'll be your maid of honor."

"Oh! I get to be a bridesmaid too then!" added Summer.

Alex just laugh. "Sure, but I've to warn you-wedding bells are a very long way off."

"I can wait," Taylor said simply. Alex smiled. She had no doubt about that.

--

A couple of hours later, Alex had her car packed and was ready to head back home. Seth, Ryan, Taylor, Will, and Summer were all crowded around Alex and her sons to say goodbye.

"I can't believe you're leaving already," whined Summer.

"It's not like I'm leaving forever," answered Alex. "I'll visit, and you guys are always welcomed to visit me anytime."

"Don't worry, we will," Seth threatened sweetly. He gave Alex a long hug, followed by everyone else doing the same. Seth went in for one last hug. "She's not coming," he whispered in her ear. When they broke the hug, Alex saw the apology in Seth's eyes and offered a small side. She had been waiting and looking around to see if Marissa would show up. Alex had to admit that it hurt that Marissa didn't see her off. Alex didn't blame her. She said it herself, it wasn't like a permanent goodbye. She'd be back. Still, it hurt.

Seth bent down and said to Kyle and Joey, "You boys take care of your mom, okay?"

Both boys nodded. "We will," Joey said.

"Okay boys, in the car," ordered Alex. However, as soon as she said that a car pulled up and out came Julie.

"I'm so glad I caught you in time," exclaimed Julie a little frazzled. "Do you have enough time to spare me a few minutes?"

"Uh…yeah," replied Alex.

Julie looked at everyone standing and added, "alone."

"It's okay, Alex," Seth said. "Go on. I'll take the boys inside." Alex sent him a grateful smile.

"We'll just go inside too," added Ryan. Alex nodded and watched as everyone retreated inside. She turned back to face Julie. "So…what can I do for you?" While Alex waited for Julie's answer, she noticed that the older woman looked a little a nervous, scared even. Alex mentally shook herself. She must have been seeing things. This was Julie Cooper we were talking about.

"Well," Julie started. She let out a nervous chuckle. "Oh hell. I'm just going to come out and say it. What will it take for you to give Marissa another chance?"

Alex was a bit surprised. "I…"

"She's changed," continued Julie. "She really has. She won't repeat her mistakes. She misses you, Alex. In a sense, she misses you more now than ever." At Alex's confused expression, Julie elaborated. "You're back in her life again Alex, something she's been dreaming of since you left. However, at the same time, you're not back in her life. I mean, you are, but only by default. You've revived your friendship with Seth and everyone else, so naturally your paths will probably cross paths but that's all it'll be. That's not enough for Marissa, but she'd take it regardless. She'd take what she could get. Still, it's going to be hard for. She'll see you around when you visit spending time with everyone but her. She'll hear countless stories about everyone's adventures when they visit, and it'll hurt. As happy as she is that you're back in everyone's lives, it still hurts to know that she's not really included in that."

"I told her we could be friends," Alex defended. "I want to be friends."

"Then, why didn't you invite her to go shopping with you?" questioned Julie.

"It was just supposed to be Taylor and me."

"Did Summer not go too?"

"Yes, but she invited herself-"

"So then it was no longer just you and Taylor. Why not invite Marissa as well?"

"She was going to watch my sons-"

"Which Seth could've done. Can you imagine how she felt? She was left out. It was a girl's morning out and she wasn't invited."

Alex cursed herself. Why didn't she invite Marissa? The thought never even crossed her mind. Did Marissa want to go?

"And if you wanted to be friends," continued Julie, "then why haven't you given her your number? I assume you've exchange numbers with everyone else, but her."

"She could've asked," Alex said. "Or she could've given me hers."

"Do you really she would?" came a voice. Alex and Julie turned to see Summer making her way towards them. "Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I just figured it'd be about Marissa and well, I wanted to be a part of the conversation."

"Why wouldn't she give me her number?" Alex asked. "Unless she didn't want me to have it."

Both Summer and Julie looked at Alex like she was insane. "Are you serious?" Summer asked in disbelief. "You've shown no interest in keeping in contact with her, Alex. Do you really think she'd do something so bold as asking for your number? Or giving you hers? I don't know if you've noticed but Marissa's scared of you. Well, maybe not of you, but she's scared. She's scared that one wrong move on her part will have you leaving again. Last night certainly didn't help either. If anything, it proved her fears."

Alex suspected that Summer knew what happened between her and Marissa, but she wasn't sure until now. "How does that prove anything?"

"You ran, Alex," Summer answered. "She said something that upset you, and your first instinct was to leave her. And you did, even after you guys…" Summer let her words trail off. She wasn't sure if Julie knew and didn't want to risk upsetting Alex by letting it slip.

"Please," pleaded Julie. "Don't you feel anything towards her?"

"It's been eight years, Julie," Alex said a little harshly. "I don't love her anymore. I don't know what you guys expected from me-"

"We didn't expect anything," assured Julie. "You loved her once. Even when I didn't like it, I couldn't deny that fact. I never doubted that you loved her deeply. I just thought it was deep enough to have at least a little survive all this. I see now that I was wrong."

"Julie…"

Julie put her hands up. "I'm not trying to take away from the love that you did have for her. I just…I'm her mom. I just want to see her happy, truly happy. Can't blame me for that, can you?"

"No," agreed Alex. "I'm just sorry that I can't be of any help."

Both women nodded. "I'll get your sons," offered Summer.

After Summer left, Julie said, "If you ever change your mind, you know where to find her." Julie walked back to her car. She about to get in, but stopped at the last minute. She looked at Alex and added, "Cut the whole friends crap though. Even after all this, you still haven't asked for Marissa's number." Alex open her mouth to speak but Julie was already speeding away. She rubbed her forehead and prayed that the ride home would be a quiet, uneventful one.

--

"Finally! I was wondering when you'd get here."

Alex smiled at her friend. "Tell me, Max, what made you so certain that I'd come."

Max handed a customer their drink before he answered. "Are you kidding me? You spent a weekend with your ex. Just the thought of it screams bar time."

Alex laughed at her friend as she got herself situated behind the bar. "You know me too well."

"I tend bar. I'm supposed to know people. Now hurry up. We got a packed crowd here."

"What else is new?" Alex asked before she started taking orders.

The two worked side by side throughout the night. In between serving drinks, Alex relayed her weekend towards Max.

"So you're definitely not getting back with her?" the blonde bartender asked as he prepared a rum and coke.

"No," confirmed the blonde.

"Oh," was all Max said, but Alex detected something in his voice.

"Don't tell me you want me to give her another chance," Alex said in shock. "You're the last person that would want that…or so I thought."

"It's not that I want that. It's just that…" He trailed off as he handed the customer the drink and got ready to prepare another.

"It's just what?" prompted Alex, as she handed someone a beer.

Max took in a deep breath. "I've been thinking. Ever since I've known you, you've had this…aura about you."

"Aura? Since when did you use words like that?"

Max glared at Alex. "I'm trying to be express myself here. I'd appreciated it if you didn't make fun of my words."

Alex smiled and said, "Sorry. Please continue."

"Anyway, there was always something about you that was off. I can't explain it. Just looking at you and anyone would've thought you were happy, and I'm not saying that you weren't. But there were times when I'd see something in you that told me otherwise. When you told me about Newport, I realized that was it. You were nursing a broken heart. However, as the years went I realized it wasn't just that. You were nursing a broken soul, a broken spirit. A part of you was permanently damaged and nothing or no one could fix that. Not Jodie. Not even your sons. And as much as I hate what that girl has done to you, I can't help but wonder if she's the one, the only one, that can fix the part of you." Max paused to let his words sink a little.

A few minutes of silence between them passed as they continued to take drink orders. Finally, Max decided to continue. "Last week, I saw and heard how nervous and scared you were to go visit your friend. I also saw how happy and excited your were. However, I am certain I saw something else."

"And what would that be?" asked Alex.

"A yearning, I guess. You wanted to see her. You needed to see her again. I think when you saw her that first time, something came rushing back."

"I don't feel that way about her anymore!" Alex exclaimed. "How many times do I have to say that?"

"Maybe not prior, but I think the moment you saw her again, you started to fall for her again. At the very least, you started the process of falling for her, and you're fighting it." Alex remained silent. "I'm not saying I blame you. I just…I'd just like to look at you and for once not see someone so...broken. It hurts to see you hurting. Stop fighting it. Embrace it. It's a tall order, I know. It's also one that I'm not entirely sure you take, but you've been through so much, lost so much. I don't want you to be denied of happiness, even you're the one doing the denying. Maybe giving her another chance isn't the best thing to do, but you need some kind of closure from her. As you much as you've claimed that you're over it, you know it's not entirely true. You need closure. Whether or not that includes giving her another chance...I don't know. I wish I did though."

Alex took in Max's words. It was possible that he could be right, but she wasn't sure if wanted to find out if he was. She thought about what Summer said. It was low of her to walk out on Marissa after they had just slept together. Even worse, she called their being together a mistake, but it wasn't. Alex recalled how good it felt to hold Marissa, to feel her, to taste her. No, it wasn't a mistake. It was right. Still, was it enough to risk everything again? She didn't know, and soon Alex realized that she needed to find out.

"Max-"

"Go." Max saw Alex thinking things through. He had already known what she decided before she opened her mouth to speak.

Alex sent him a grateful smile. "Thanks." She finished up her last order and got ready to leave. Before she left she gave her friend a hug and a kiss. "I'll call you," she told him and left. She looked at her watch. It was barely ten. It'd take her about an hour to make it to Newport, less if she sped. She just hoped she wasn't making a mistake.

--

Marissa had been sitting on the beach for half an hour now. She found that she couldn't sleep, which was nothing new. She came to the beach hoping the was waves would be able to help soothe her. It helped, but only a little.

Marissa thought about Alex. She thought about their night together, minus the shattering ending. She clung onto the memory, savored every detail. After all, it was all she ever really had these days-memories. As she was reliving her memories, she heard a voice.

"I figured you'd be here."

Marissa looked up to see who voice's owner was. To say that she was surprised was an understatement. "What are you doing here?"