When Anna Atwood looks back, she's still not sure how it all happened. Back when they were in high school, everything had been different. She had been in love with Seth Cohen, who, in turn, was in love with Summer Roberts. Summer hadn't cared all that much about Seth. Or so she led people to believe.
Marissa Cooper had broken up with Luke Ward in favor of Ryan Atwood. After Marissa, Luke had strayed, going from girl to girl. Holly to Mary to Katie to Nicole. It didn't really look like she'd ever give him the time of day again.
But somehow Marissa had gotten torn between Ryan and another guy named Oliver, and she couldn't decide. It was easy to see why, too, since Marissa hadn't ever dated anyone besides Luke. She was used to Luke. Which is probably why she went back to him.
This, obviously, left Ryan to brood as he had upon his arrival to Newport Beach. He couldn't feel happy for Marissa – why should he? He only had Seth left, and that seemed to be slightly dwindling, too, as Seth was getting more and more cozy with Summer.
That led to them dating. Summer didn't care about her reputation anymore, and she didn't have to deny her feelings for Seth anymore. This knocked Anna out of the picture.
So it only seemed logical that Ryan and Anna get together. Both losing love, or as close to it as they thought they were ever going to get. And, after all, they were supposed to be each other's date to the Cotillion, right? So Anna wasn't as surprised as everyone else when Ryan asked her out.
That was eight years ago. Now Anna isn't Anna Stern, but Anna Atwood. It has an odd ring to it, but Anna likes it.
She's shaken out of her thoughts as the doorbell rings. Must be the Cohens, she figures, answering the door. Surely enough, Seth and Summer are there with their son Alexander, Sandy for short.
She welcomes them in, telling little Sandy that her and Ryan's own children, Michael and Sarah, are playing in the family room. Anna leads Seth and Summer into the living room, as not to tempt Seth with the smell of the Thanksgiving dinner.
Soon after, the Wards arrive. Luke and Marissa still don't have any children, but they're still trying.
Finally Ryan enters the room, telling his wife and friends that dinner is served. Anna and Summer gather their kids and seat them at their own little table, and Ryan and Seth bring them their small plates of food. The adults seat themselves at the large dining room table and begin their yearly tradition, talking merrily and having fun.
And Anna sits back in her chair and smiles. So maybe things didn't turn out how high school predicted them to. Big deal. This is how it's supposed to be, and this, Anna realizes, is the only way it could ever be.
end