A/N: Hey everyone! Thanks for your reviews – it really makes my day to read your thoughts. Sorry I can't reply to individual reviews – it's an issue with my computer and email. Anyways, for the person who asked, I post this story both on this site and the OC boards. The boards are ahead, because I started there way before. But I continue posting on both – I'm not putting everything up here because that would be a huge amount of stuff, followed by a drastic decrease in posts. So I try to put up about 10-15 pages worth once or twice a week. So you can read it wherever you want, but please keep reviewing wherever you do read. I love reading your comments! End A/N.
Marissa sat on the wooden deck of the lifeguard stand, staring out at the sea, a pensive expression upon her face. She'd been there for hours, watching as the sky turned from light blue to orange and pink, and now was a deep indigo. It was her favourite spot to go and just think – and today she definitely had things to think about.
As Marissa reflected on the past few days, she decided that the only part she regretted was not listening to Ryan right away. Although, as she reasoned with herself, everything had ended up pretty good between them. Until she'd decided that she needed some time alone. Marissa sighed. Alone. Even the word sounded … scary, intimidating, and yet somehow glorious and liberating. And she knew that as much as she wanted to be with Ryan, she needed to be alone right now. She needed some time to pick up the pieces of her life, and put them together to form a new puzzle – one in which she wasn't dependent on a guy, and where she was strong enough to deal with her problems without alcohol or tears.
Marissa had decided that in order to build her new life, she needed a new place to live. The apartment she had shared with Rick, although legally it was hers, had too many memories that were now tainted. However if she sold it, she could afford a nice place in Newport. Because as much as she had tried to leave Newport it kept drawing her back in. It was her home, more than New York ever had or could be. Marissa had realized that her lifelong struggle to escape Newport had actually been a struggle to escape herself, and the expectations society had of her. But staying in Newport also meant giving up her job at the magazine, and finding a new job. Which was a problem, since Newport wasn't the site of any large magazine company. Marissa looked at the waves crashing against the shore, letting their rhythm sooth her. Maybe being alone was good.
Except that she wasn't alone anymore.
"Hey Kiddo." Jimmy greeted Marissa with his characteristic grin as he walked up the steps.
"Hey Dad." Marissa replied, standing up and giving him a hug. "What are you doing here?"
"Well," Jimmy began, sitting down and gesturing for her to do the same. "I stopped by the Haunted Castle to see what was happening tonight, and your mother, between throwing back shots of vodka and ranting under her breath, informed me that you have lost your mind. So I got the story from her, figured that it was either exaggerated or modified, and decided the best thing to do was come find you."
"How'd you find me?" Marissa asked.
"Marissa, I'm your father. I know you pretty well." Jimmy said with a smile. "But what I don't know is why you called off the wedding."
"Mom didn't tell you?"
Jimmy raised his eyebrow. "I don't think that you've gone insane, so her explanation doesn't quite work."
"He was cheating on me. Had been for ages, and was planning on keeping it up." Marissa explained softly.
"Oh Kiddo, I'm sorry."
"It's ok." Marissa said bravely. "I'm better off now. I'm going to move to Newport and get a job here and build my own life. Without a guy."
"What about Ryan?" Jimmy asked.
"What about him?" Marissa bit her lip, wondering how much Jimmy knew. But he couldn't know about her and Ryan. Could he?
"Julie was telling me that you dumped Rick for Ryan." Jimmy clarified.
"She just assumed that." Marissa rolled her eyes.
"So you don't still have feelings for him?"
Marissa looked down, still gnawing on her lip.
"It's ok if you do."
Marissa looked up again to meet her father's eyes.
"I always thought you two would have another chance at some point." Jimmy revealed.
"One day we will."
"Not now?"
"No Dad. I … talked to Ryan. And before I get into another relationship I want to be sure that I can live on my own."
"You've really grown up Kiddo." Jimmy said proudly.
"No I haven't."
"Yes, you have. Maybe you can't see it yet, but you've changed a lot since you were sixteen. And if you want to take your time, and do your own thing, that's fine with me. The only problem is, Julie wants me to tell you that you're not welcome back in her house until you agree to get married this weekend."
Marissa gasped. "God she's so evil and manipulative. What a b!tch!"
"Marissa." Jimmy scolded.
"What Dad? You can't tell me that you don't agree."
"Oh I agree, but you should talk about your mother like that. I on the other hand can say whatever I want, as she's my ex-wife. Now about your living conditions, I have an idea."
"What is it?"
"Remember back in the day when Caleb bought our old house?"
"Yeah."
"Well he gave it to Hailey, hoping she would come back to Newport and live in it. Of course Hailey has no interest in doing that, so I bought it from her, to keep as an investment. So now I own the house, but since I'm not using it, I thought maybe you want it." Jimmy offered.
"Really?" Marissa couldn't stop a smile from spreading across her face at the thought of living in her childhood house again. "But no. I shouldn't. If I want to be independent, I should buy my own place."
"Kiddo, you can't afford a place in today's market." Jimmy informed her.
"I can after I sell my New York apartment." Marissa replied.
"You're selling it? But that's such a gorgeous place." Jimmy protested.
"It is," Marissa agreed, "But after what happened with Rick I can't live there again."
"Well then how about I sell you the house. That way it'll be your own house." Jimmy suggested.
Marissa thought about it for a second before nodding in agreement. "Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure. I'd love to see you living in that old place again."
"Thanks Dad." Marissa gave Jimmy a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Now what do you say we head over to your new place?" Jimmy suggested.
"Let's go!" Marissa agreed, jumping up and heading down the stairs.
"Seth is that you?" Kirsten yelled the second Seth walked down the stairs the next morning.
Seth froze, trying to remember if he had done anything recently that would cause Kirsten to yell at him. He thought he was ok … but Seth was generally wrong about things like that.
"There you are!" Kirstensaid as she walked over to the door to find Seth. "I've been waiting for you to come downstairs for ages."
"Why would that be mother dearest?" Seth asked as sweetly as he could.
"I have news." Kirsten announced.
"Are you pregnant again Mom?" Seth asked suspiciously. "Because I mean Sophie's great, but I don't think we can deal with another kid around here."
"No I'm not." Kirsten glared at Seth. "Now come into the kitchen so I can tell you."
"Can't you tell me here?"
"No I want to tell everyone at once." Kirsten informed him. "Now hurry up, before your father starts singing to pass the time."
"I'm coming." Seth said as he hurried into the kitchen.
"Morning Seth." Sophia immediately greeted him.
Seth gave Sophia a slight wave as he looked around the kitchen. "Wow this really is a family meeting." he commented, noticing that for the first time in ages the whole family was in the kitchen at the same time on a weekday morning.
"Be quiet Seth and let your mother talk." Sandy instructed. "We have to leave for work soon."
"But breakfast." Seth protested.
"Seth Mommy's talking."
"You know what? You all can't tell me what to do!" Seth yelled, trying to sound tough.
Everyone fell silent for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"Hey!" Seth protested.
"Sorry sweetie." Kirsten bit her lip to keep from laughing.
"Nice try Seth." Ryan added with a smirk.
"You should learn from Mommy how to yell at people." Sophia suggested.
Seth sighed in defeat. "Ok Mom, go ahead. What's the big news?"
"So I just got off the phone with Julie." Kirsten began.
"This can't be good." Sandy interrupted.
"Yuck?" Sophia commented, wrinkling her nose.
Kirsten glared at the two of them before continuing. "And she told me, in many more words, that Marissa decided not to marry Rick."
"What?" Sandy was so shocked he spilt coffee all over his shirt.
Sophia gasped, an elated expression upon her face.
"Oh." Ryan said dully.
"Wow." Seth added in the same tone.
Kirsten frowned at the boys. "That's it?"
"What?" Seth asked.
"Oh and wow? After news this huge that's all you have to say? You're not interested or confused or happy or sad or anything?"
"Well the things is …" Ryan began weakly.
"You see Mom, it's not really news." Seth informed her.
"Wait – you knew?" Ryan asked Seth.
"Yes I – you knew?"
"Yeah." Ryan looked away, unwilling to explain exactly how he knew.
Luckily Kirsten saved him. "You BOTH knew? And didn't tell me?"
"Don't fight." Sophia instructed. "Be happy."
"Sweetie that's not a nice thing so say. Think about how Marissa feels." Kirsten chided.
"I think she feels like a princess." Sophia replied, shooting a look at Ryan and hoping for confirmation from him.
"Why would you say that Soapy?" Sandy asked as he mopped coffee off his shirt.
"Just because."
"Ok then." Sandy shrugged, knowing that it was better not to push the subject. Unless he wanted an hour long story – Sophia took after him in that way. "So why did Marissa call it off?" he asked his wife.
"I don't know. Julie was too busy whining to tell me." Kirsten rolled her eyes.
"He was cheating on her." Ryan blurted out.
"Well you see, it turns out Rick-" Seth began. "Wait! Ryan how did you know?"
Ryan looked down at his shoes. "I just … heard."
Seth looked at Ryan suspiciously. "From who?"
"Someone."
"Who cares? We should celebrate!" Sophia interrupted.
"Sophia!" Kirsten scolded. "That's an awful thing to suggest – celebrating because Marissa's wedding was called off."
"But things will be good now." Sophia insisted. "She couldn't have married Rick anyways."
"And why is that?"
"Because he isn't her prince." Sophia explained, rolling her eyes.
"And who is?" Sandy questioned.
Sophia gave them her most mysterious look. "Wait and see."
"So how's Marissa doing?" Sandy asked Kirsten, once again deciding to ignore his daughter's comment.
"Julie didn't say. She told me how she was doing, and how this is the end of her life in Newport, and how the good reputation she worked so hard to build is ruined."
"She has a good reputation?" Seth interjected.
"But she didn't actually mention how Marissa is doing." Kirsten finished, glaring at Seth.
"That's original – Julie finds a way to make the situation all about her." Sandy commented.
"Typical Julie Cooper-Nichol." Seth agreed. Then he frowned. "Doesn't it bother you guys how well we know her? I mean we don't like her, yet we always see and talk to her. I mean it's weird."
"Ok now you boys have to get to work. And I was supposed to be in the office already." Kirsten announced. "Ryan you're bringing Sophia with you in a little while, right?"
"Yeah." Ryan agreed. Kirsten had insisted that he go in late to work, as he had a late meeting that night. And Sophia had promptly insisted that she be allowed to go in late with Ryan.
"What're you going to do while Ryan gets ready Sophie?" Seth asked as he slowly helped himself to a bagel.
"Seth hurry up." Sandy warned.
"I'm going to practice my flower girl walk." Sophia replied.
Everyone stopped what they were doing to look at her.
"Your what?" Ryan asked.
"My flower girl walk." Sophia repeated.
"Why would you do that sweetie?" Kirsten asked.
Sophia rolled her eyes. "So I do it good at the wedding."
Sandy and Kirsten exchanged looks, silently debating who would break the news to their daughter.
"Soapy there isn't going to be a wedding." Sandy informed her gently.
"Why Daddy?"
"Because Marissa isn't going to marry Rick any more." Kirsten joined in.
"I know that Mommy. But why wouldn't there be a wedding?"
"Well you see sweetie, people only having weddings when they're getting married. So since they're not getting married, they're not going to have a wedding."
"Oh." Sophia frowned. "So where will I do my flower girl walk?"
"Umm you … won't." Sandy said softly.
"What?" Sophia gasped, her eyes filling with tears.
"Uh oh." Seth muttered to Ryan, well aware what was coming.
"But WHY?" Sophia wailed, her lower lip quivering as tears began to slide down her cheeks. "Is it b'cause I didn't practice enough? Was I a bad flower girl?"
Kirsten looked at Sophia sadly. "Oh no baby, you were a wonderful flower girl. But you see people only have flower girls at weddings, and now that Marissa isn't having a wedding, she doesn't need a flower girl."
"BUT I WANNA BE A FLOWER GIRL!" Sophia cried.
Kirsten knelt down and hugged Sophia to her. "I know you did baby."
"And you would have been the best flower girl ever." Seth helpfully added.
"But remember how you said that things will be better now?" Kirsten reminded her. "And if you think Marissa will be happier than you shouldn't mind giving up your chance to be a flower girl."
Sophia pondered this for a moment. "I guess you're right Mommy. But I'm still sad about it."
"Well who knows. You might get another chance sooner than you think." Sandy commented mysteriously.
"When? Daddy tell me!"
"That's my secret." Sandy teased, glad to finally have one secret over his daughter.
Sophia pouted, but then smiled again. "Ok I guess it's ok I'm not gonna be a flower girl."
"I'm glad you see it that way. Now I need to head off for work." Kirsten announced. "I'll see you boys later. And Sophia, don't bother Ryan while he gets his things ready for work."
Kirsten left the kitchen, soon followed by Sandy.
Seth lagged behind for a few minutes.
"So how did you really know about Marissa calling off the wedding?" Seth asked Ryan.
Ryan shrugged and took another sip of coffee.
"Ok then. How do you feel about it?"
Ryan shrugged again.
"Hmm tough crowd. Do you think that you two have a chance now?"
Ryan shrugged once again and took a bite of his bagel.
"Well then. I can take a hint."
Ryan raised his eyebrow.
"Just because I can take a hint, it doesn't mean I always do." Seth admitted. "But today I will. Plus I'm late for work. But this isn't over."
Ryan nodded as he drank more coffee.
"I mean it." Seth insisted.
Ryan shrugged.
"Fine. Bye Ryan. Bye Sophie."
As soon as Seth was gone Sophia perched herself on the seat beside Ryan.
"So." she began nonchalantly.
Ryan looked up at her and raised his eyebrows. "Yes Munch?"
"What made Coop change her mind about marrying Rick?"
"Well he … did something really bad." Ryan attempted to explain.
"Oh." Sophia shrugged. "I knew he was a bad guy the second I saw him."
"Did you really?"
"Uh huh." Sophia paused a moment before continuing on to her main question. "So are you and Coop gonna be dating now?"
"What? No Munch."
"Really? Why?"
"Well you see Marissa just broke it off with Rick, and now she needs time to do some stuff."
"Oh. Why?"
"Because she needs to."
"Did she tell you that?"
"No." Ryan lied. "I haven't talked to her in a while. I'm just assuming."
"Really?" Sophia asked suspiciously.
"Yes."
"So what were you doing when she here yesterday?"
Ryan paled. "You saw Marissa here?" he asked, too shocked to deny it.
"Yeah yesterday in the pool house." Sophia nodded happily. "You know lying is bad Ryan. Especially lying to your little sister."
"What was Marissa doing when you saw her?" Ryan asked, afraid to hear what Sophia had seen.
"She was sleeping in your bed. And you were sleeping too. And it looked funny because you were really far apart and that's not how grown ups sleep because Mommy and Daddy always sleep beside each other and sometimes they cuddle and if I'm there then Mommy cuddles me and Daddy pretends I'm taking up too much space and pushing him out but I'm really not because I'm too small to do that." Sophia paused, as if trying to remember what she had been talking about. "But yeah, she was sleeping."
"Oh." Ryan breathed a sigh of relief. "When was this yesterday?"
"In the morning. Mommy sent me to check on you before we left, and I opened the door and saw you sleeping and then I-" Sophia stopped abruptly, her mouth forming an 'O' shape.
"You what?" Ryan prodded suspiciously.
"You know Ryan, Mommy was right. I shouldn't be bothering you when you have to get ready for work. So I'm just gonna go upstairs and play with Princess Chrismukkah until you're ready." Sophia said quickly before running out of the kitchen.
Ryan watched her go with a smirk on his face. Although he knew he should yell at her for locking him in the pool house, he also knew that she had done him a huge favour.
"Look Ryan!" Sophia exclaimed as they backed out of the driveway later that day.
"What is it Munch?" he asked.
"Somebody's moving in to the neighbour house." Sophia announced.
Ryan turned his head to see a large moving truck parked in the driveway of Marissa's old house. "Wow. That place has been empty for years." he commented.
"Not any more! Hey do you think they'll have kids my age?" Sophia asked. "Maybe a boy, and then I can be friends with him and we can stand on the driveway and be like 'who are you' 'whoever you want me to be' and then be best friends forever and ever and get married and he can be my prince!"
"You're a big dreamer." Ryan laughed.
"Daddy said I'm an optimist Daddy. What does that mean?" Sophia was now distracted from the new neighbours, and spent the rest of the ride alternating between telling Ryan stories and asking him questions.
Ryan however couldn't get the old Cooper house out of his head. It would be weird to see it inhabited after all these years – he'd come to see it as some sort of symbol of his relationship with Marissa – empty since he'd left for Chino years ago. He didn't quite like the idea of some strangers living there.
"Morning Mr. Atwood." Kirsten's secretary slash Sophia's nanny Tia greeted Ryan as he approached Kirsten's office, Sophia in tow. "Morning Sophia."
"Morning Tia." Ryan replied. "And once again, call me Ryan."
"Good morning Tia!" Sophia greeted her enthusiastically. "Is Mommy busy right now?"
"Well cutie she's just on the phone. Why don't you wait here with me for a few minutes until she's done, so Mr. Atw – Ryan can go to his office?" Tia smiled.
"Ok." Sophia agreed. "I can show you the new outfit Summer made Princess Chrismukkah."
"Thanks Tia." Ryan said as he headed off for his own office.
Tia nodded at him briefly before returning her attention to Sophia. Just then the phone rang. "Good morning, Newport Group. How can I help you?"
"Good morning, Newport Group. How can I help you?" Sophia repeated quietly, adding a new phone greeting to her long mental list of them.
"So what's new with you Sophia?" Tia asked after she was finished on the phone.
"Well Coop called off her wedding," Sophia began.
"Oh I heard about that." Tia murmured. "Poor thing."
Sophia scoffed. "She's gonna be happier now." she informed Tia. "Anyways, now that there's no wedding Mommy says I don't get to be a flower girl any more."
"Oh that's too bad." Tia said sadly. "I'm sure you would have been adorable."
Sophia pouted for a moment, but suddenly a smile spread across her face. "Tia?"
"Yes?"
"Are you married?"
"No I'm not."
"Good." Sophia smiled. "So you can get married!"
"Excuse me?"
"You can get married, and then I can be your flower girl." Sophia explained.
"Oh cutie I don't think that's going to happen soon." Tia informed her. "I have a few more years before I'll be ready to get married."
Sophia sighed. "What's happening to the world these days?"
Over the next few days Sophia continued on her quest to get someone married so she could be a flower girl. She suggested it to Seth, who refused and threatened to throw out Princess Chrismukkah if she mentioned it to Summer. She tried Ryan, who laughed and refused. She even tried the idea on her parents.
"Sweetie we're already married." Kirsten reminded her.
"So? I watch TV. I know you can get married more than once." Sophia informed her. "Julie did it."
"Soapy first of all that was to different people." Sandy began. "And second, I never want to hear you use Julie as an example again."
"But can't you just get married to each other again?" Sophia pleaded. "Last time you got married you didn't invite me or Seth or Ryan. That was really mean of you."
"Baby, none of you were born yet."
"So? Now we're all born. So you should get married again and we can all be there and I'll be flower girl and Coop and Summer can be bridesmaids Seth and Ryan can be groomsmaids."
"Sophia, enough." Kirsten said sternly, since Sandy was too busy laughing about the thought of his sons as 'groomsmaids' to say anything.
In a final desperate attempt Sophia tried to convince a telemarketer that instead of 'needing to tell her about an amazing offer on cruises' he actually needed to get married and let her be the flower girl. It was the first time a telemarketer ever hung up on a Newport customer.