Hello everybody, I'm back! I know it's been a while but I'm here and I'm ready to finish this story once and for all! Throughout the rest of the summer I will be updating approximately once a week starting today. Unfortunately what I'm posting now is fairly short compared to some of the other chapters I've written in the past but I wanted to put something up and I feel this sets up the next chapter nicely. I want to say a huge thank you to anyone who is reading this now and to everyone that has been encouraging me to continue through reviewing and favouriting. It is truly because of you that I am finishing this story. I know it's been almost 3 years (OMG!) since I began writing this but if you could all stay with me just a few more weeks, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks again!

"Coop, stop fidgeting" Summer Roberts prodded her best friend, adjusting her niece's sleeping body in her arms as the two of them approached the enormous off-white house. Marissa frowned, dropping the strand of hair she'd been twisting between her fingers and turned, trying not to wake an equally exhausted Nate who was asleep on her shoulder.

"I can't help it!" She moaned. "I'm nervous! And I can't believe we're actually here!" She sighed and looked at her son, stroking his hair softly. It was only eight o'clock at night in Newport however to the group, who was still functioning in New York time, it felt like eleven, and was therefore way past the twins' bedtime. The time change, coupled with the full day of travelling, had left them, and Marissa too for that matter, completely drained and Nate and Lucy had nodded off the instant they'd gotten in the taxi.

"It's going to be okay Coop." Summer said quietly, the two friends hovering on the Cohen's doorstep.

"I hope so." Marissa answered dubiously, giving her a tight smile. Summer was right of course. Everything would be okay- eventually, but Marissa didn't want to wait around for that to happen. She didn't want to have to face Sandy and Kirsten's questions, hurt and anger. She would much rather skip past all the difficult conversations and explanations to a time when they could all get along happily. To a time when they could be like they were. Still, Marissa knew that she had brought all of this upon herself and that the painful conversations were inevitable. She had started this mess and she needed to finish it, as much as she didn't want to.

"What are you guys waiting for?" Seth gasped as he caught up to them, knees buckling under the weight of the seven suitcases he'd somehow managed to carry from the car. "Knock!"

Summer ignored him, rolling her eyes as she turned back toward Marissa. "Are you ready for this?" She asked, a worried expression on her face.

"I don't really have a choice, do I?" Marissa grimaced and Summer gave her a sympathetic smile.

"It's going to be okay." The brunette said again. "Seth and I won't leave your side, I promise."

"Thanks." Marissa gave her a genuine smile. "I really appreciate it."

"Okay this is all very touching." Seth cut in. "But would somebody please open that door! I'm about to be crushed to death by a pile of luggage!"

"God, stop whining Cohen!" Summer exclaimed, shooting him a glare as she knocked gently on the solid wooden door. "We all have our designated roles. Marissa and I are carrying the children and you are responsible for the bags. Do you see either of us complaining? No, you don't."

"Well maybe that's because one suitcase weighs more than both the littl'uns put together!" Seth countered. "You guys had to bring your entire wardrobes." He grumbled as Summer smacked him. "Ow, hey!"

Their bickering was interrupted by the scraping of a lock and Marissa immediately tensed as the door was pulled open to reveal a slightly older looking, but no less intimidating Sandy Cohen.

"Father!" Seth cried, pushing forward past the girls and into house where he deposited the luggage.

"Seth!" Sandy responded, equally enthusiastic as he pulled his son into a friendly embrace.

"And mom!" He moved on to Kirsten who stood beside her husband.

"Hey Seth!" She beamed, hugging him tightly. "How have you been?"

"I've be very well mother." He chattered pulling back. "Very well. How have you been?"

"Summer!" Sandy called cheerfully as the two women cautiously followed Seth into the house, Summer leading Marissa with a reassuring squeeze of the hand. "Great to see you!"

He gave his soon-to-be-daughter-in-law a brief hug, eyes never leaving the child in her arms. "And Marissa!" He moved on to the blond who stood nervously behind her friend, cradling her son as if to protect him from the man's anger. "Long time, no see!" Sandy said, his tone friendly but an unfamiliar glint in his eye giving way to the fact that he was less than pleased with her. Marissa smiled apprehensively but nevertheless returned his light hug.

"Hey girls!" Kirsten stepped forward as Sandy released Marissa, an authentic look of happiness on her face. "It's really good to see you both!" She hugged Summer, then Marissa who relaxed slightly into her arms. There had been a time when Kirsten was like a mother to her and Marissa was suddenly grateful that she was treating her the same way she always had. There were no underlying messages in the hug, no disappointment or anger behind her smile, only comfort and, in that moment, Marissa had never loved the woman more. Kirsten, sensing the young mother's uneasiness, gave her a final squeeze before stepping back. "It's going to be okay." She said simply and Marissa couldn't help but believe her. Kirsten gave her a soft smile before turning her attention to the children. Bending down to get a better look she gasped, smile even brighter, if possible.

"This must be Nathaniel and Lucy!" She gazed at them lovingly, eyes wide with joy. "Oh Marissa, they're adorable! Nate looks just like Ryan, doesn't he Sandy?"

Marissa smiled, relaxing at the mention of her children, and was opening her mouth to respond when she felt Nate shift in her arms.

"Mommy?" A small voice asked tiredly as the little boy lifted his head from his mother's shoulder, tugging on one of her curls. "Where are we?"

"We're in Newport Natey." Marissa explained, taking in the slight of her son, bleary from sleep, hair sticking out every which way. She had never been able to resist her twins when they were fresh from sleep, when their voices were thick with slumber and their hair rumpled. They were so innocent and clingy after a nap and she loved it.

"We're at your grandparent's house." She looked at Sandy and Kirsten uneasily as she said this, unsure if they wanted to be called grandma and grandpa or not.

As if able to read her thoughts, Kirsten stepped forward at that very moment and smiled at the little boy.

"Hi." She said kindly. "I'm your grandma Kirsten, your daddy's mother." She explained confidently. "It's really good to meet you Nathaniel". Nate blinked in confusion and rubbed his eyes, burying his face in his mother's hair and wrapping his arms more tightly around her neck. Kirsten stepped back looking slightly hurt and Marissa apologized.

"I'm sorry," She said. "Nate's shy and it's been a really long day. Do you mind if I just put them down in the pool house actually? It's past their bedtime in New York."

"Of course." Kirsten nodded. "I made up the bed for you earlier so it should be all ready."

"Great." Marissa thanked her, moving to take Lucy from Summer.

"Coop, it's fine, I've got her." Summer offered and Marissa smiled weakly.

"Thanks." She said, grabbing the handle of a suitcase and starting toward the pool house with Seth and Summer following suit.

"Oh once you guys get settled why don't you come back here for a drink?" Sandy suggested. "We have a lot to catch up on." He spoke to the three of them but was looking directly at Marissa and his eyes told her that it was not over, that she was not going to get off so easy.

"Sandy it's late." Kirsten cut in. "We can do this tomorrow, for now just let them go to bed."

"It's okay Kirsten." Marissa swallowed nervously. "I don't mind talking tonight." Kirsten frowned in thought but eventually nodded. "If you're sure." She said firmly.

"I'm sure." Marissa agreed numbly. "We'll be right back." Stomach churning with fear, Marissa brushed past the Cohens and into the kitchen. Of course she would rather go to bed than be interrogated by Sandy all night but she also wanted to get all the difficult conversations over with as quickly as possible. If an awkward and uncomfortable talk tonight meant that she could enjoy her trip with her five-year-olds tomorrow than Marissa would do it.

As the three of them trekked through the kitchen Marissa was struck with the strangeness of the situation. After spending so much time there as a teenager it was weird to be back in the Cohen house. Everything was so familiar yet at the same time so different, almost as though she had stepped into a dream. Marissa hadn't been in the house in over five years and as she followed Seth and Summer into the pool house she was immediately hit with a rush of memories, all of them of her and Ryan and not all of them good.

Thought you wanted to sleep?

Suddenly, not so tired.

I'll dance, you can watch.

Work's for me.

Can't you just forgive me?

I don't know if we should be together. I mean look how easy it was for someone to come into our lives, come between us. How do I know it won't happen again?

It won't. You have to trust me.

Like you trusted me?

"Marissa?" Summer glanced at her worriedly as she laid Lucy gently on the bed. "We'll meet you inside in a few minutes, okay?"

Marissa nodded wordlessly, mind still lost in the past, and Summer patted her arm, a look of concern on her face, before she and Seth exited the pool house.

Marissa sighed, trying to clear her head as she laid Nate down beside his sister, rooting through the bags for the twins' pyjamas. She changed Nate first and then tucked him beneath the sheets; the same sheets, she couldn't help but notice, as the last time she'd been there.

She rubbed her temple, kissing her son's forehead. "Night Natey. Love you."

"Night." He yawned, turning over and closing his eyes, instantly consumed by sleep. Marissa dressed Lucy carefully next, trying not to wake the sleeping child as she tucked her in.

"Mommy?" Lucy mumbled just as Marissa was kissing her goodnight.

"Shh, it's okay baby, go back to sleep." She whispered and for once the little girl obliged, turning the opposite way as her brother, thumb slipping into her mouth.

She watched the kids sleep for a moment, postponing the conversation that she knew had to happen. Glancing around the pool house, Marissa's eyes were immediately drawn to the punching bag, still hanging in the corner from senior year. Everything was as she remembered it, from the jumbled bookshelf to the neatly folded towels. The only thing missing were his clothes; the hoodies and t-shirts that had once covered the shelves. Her headache worsening, Marissa turned to leave and caught sight of a photo on the bedside table. A photo of them. A sudden bout of nausea crippling her, Marissa sank to the floor, once again overcome by a wave of reminiscence.

If anyone should know about knocking before entering the pool house, it'd be me. Nothing you haven't seen before, right?

So I'll make you a deal. Whatever song comes on the radio next will be our song, okay?

My life just doesn't work without you.

Cause it always goes so smooth when we're together.

Hope you don't mind, I'm early for your going away party.

I need to make a change.

A change.

Not from us.

Right, cause you taking off for weeks at a time won't change us at all.

The need to escape overpowering her, Marissa leapt to her feet and fled the pool house to the kitchen where the Cohen's were waiting. She paused for a moment, closing her eyes and taking several deep breaths in an attempt to calm her stomach. Memories of Ryan still flashing through her mind at an impossible speed, Marissa sighed. It was now or never. Her face hard with resolve, the young woman forced herself to take a step forward, bracing herself for what was sure to be an excruciating conversation. With a final glance back at her sleeping children Marissa entered the house and made her way to the living room to take a seat next to her best friend. Summer smiled at her encouragingly before both girls turned to face Sandy and Kirsten, ready for the overload of questions that were about to be thrown their way.

And that's where we'll leave it for today. The next chapter will basically be a recount of everything that happened in Marissa's life during the five years between the prologue and chapter one. I've been meaning to write something along these line for a while now just because I've always sort of had the story in my head and I thought other people might be curious about those five missing years as well. This seemed like the perfect place to put it in. The next chapter is already about as long as this one and nowhere near finished so expect a lot of words! Thanks again everyone and don't forget to review! I need to know that people are still interested! xoxo