Disclaimer: Fox owns everything
A/N: Wow, thanks for the reviews! I've been working on 4 other stories so I haven't been able to update in a few days...This chapter is a 2 parter...meaning the next chapter will cover the plane ride and more!
Loneliness & The Plane Ride – Part 1
Summer was lying in bed. She had taken the day off from her, Luke, and Seth's computer company. Actually, she had taken the last 5 days off. But the company was in good hands with Luke. He understood Summer. With Coop and Chino off on their honeymoon, Summer was feeling lonelier than ever. And more envious than ever. Everyone said she would eventually adjust to life without Seth.
Adjust? You had to be kidding. You'll see, they said. Summer was still waiting.
Like she would ever adjust to sleeping alone in her and Seth's king-size bed. Like she would ever adjust to being alone in their mansion. Like she would ever know what their kids could've been like. She imagined having two boys and a girl. The boys would have curly hair like their father and the girl would have straight hair like their mother. That dream, however, would never come true. Seth had been great at making Summer's dreams come true. He pretty much made all of her dreams come true, and more. But not this time.
Summer decided to call Coop. They had gotten back from the honeymoon last night.
"Hey Marissa, how was it?" Summer asked when a tired-sounding Marissa answered the phone.
"It was amazing! I've still got somewhat of a hangover, and Ryan got sick last night on the plane. But the weather was perfect and Tahiti was gorgeous. Just like you told us it would be," Marissa paused for breath. Summer and Seth had raved about Tahiti when they went there on their honeymoon. Marissa and Ryan had decided to follow in their footsteps.
"Great! I'm so happy for you," Summer said, hoping she sounded happier than she felt.
It wasn't that she didn't want Coop and Chino to be happy. They just reminded her of Seth. Actually, everything reminded her of Seth.
"So, do you want to go shopping today? Maybe get mani-pedi's?" Marissa asked cheerfully.
Part of Summer wanted to get out and get her mind off of Seth. The other part of her wanted to wallow in bed with a pint of Ben & Jerry's Phish Food. Come on, Summer, you have to at least leave the house.
"Sounds good," Summer replied. "Pick me up in an hour?"
After hanging up with Marissa, Summer took a quick shower. She brushed her hair and let it be, knowing it would soon dry straight in the California sun. She opened her closet and walked in to choose her outfit for the day. Thank God she and Seth had gotten separate closets. Summer didn't know whether she could stand to look at all of Seth's clothes and take in the scent of him that still lingered.
She finally decided on white Juicy velour capris and a cute pink halter- top. Since Summer was making such an effort today, she decided to actually put some makeup on. She hadn't touched her makeup for weeks, preferring to go au natural. Not that she looked bad without makeup, but today it was time to hide the sorrow underneath. That is, if it was possible to hide her feelings under makeup.
Grabbing a Nutri-Grain bar, Summer threw her shoes on and ran outside when Marissa honked the horn. She hopped in the passenger seat and off they went.
"So, new car?" Summer asked Marissa on the champagne-colored convertible.
"Wedding present from Ryan," Marissa explained. After going to architecture school, Ryan had become an extremely successful partner with the Newport Group. His floor plans had won awards across the country. Caleb had accepted him, even liked him. And that was really something.
"Wow," Summer was impressed. The Atwoods had really cleaned up. Not that Seth and Summer hadn't, but Ryan had, well, come from Chino. So yeah, it was a major accomplishment.
Summer was happy to find that Marissa still drove a little too much over the speed limit. At least some things didn't change, even if it was an unimportant thing like Marissa's reckless driving habits. They made it to the mall in 20 minutes.
Even shopping couldn't get Summer's mind off of Seth. Every time she used the AmEx or Visa to make a purchase, she got a pang in her stomach. The cards were part of her and Seth's joint bank account. She sighed. What was the point of even trying to forget about him? There wasn't a point.
A few months later...
Summer couldn't wait to get back to Newport. She had spent the last week in Chicago promoting her company's latest product, a new Internet provider that was faster and blocked more viruses. When and Seth were younger, they used to talk about escaping Newport. Living in another state, another city. But the sad truth had finally hit her. There was no way to escape Newport. Once you lived there, you were there for good. Only a fortunate few made it out...and even they ended up coming back frequently or maintaining McMansions there.
Summer missed Newport. Sure, it had been good to get away, to get through the day without constant reminders of Seth. Well at least she had no tangible reminders of him.
Now she was in the airport waiting for the flight that would take her home.
Summer sighed. There had been a void in social events in Newport. Marissa and Ryan's wedding had been in July, and the only other event that had gone on was Cotillion. Now it was almost Valentine's Day.
Great. Valentine's Day. One of the most romantic days of the year and Summer would be spending it without the love of her life. She didn't have to spend it alone, per se, but there were no other men that she would actually consider spending it with except Seth. There were dozens of guys out there who would kill to be with her. But she couldn't bring herself to return their phone calls or acknowledge their existence.
"This seat taken?" A man who looked about 30 jolted Summer out of her daydream.
"Oh, no," Summer sputtered. She hadn't noticed the man come over to her.
"Thanks," the man sat down and opened his newspaper.
Summer checked him out. She had started to check all guys out, and find something that made them imperfect. That was her excuse for not pursuing them or letting them pursue her.
The man noticed her staring. Summer blushed.
"Peter Weston," the man stuck out his hand. "But everyone calls me Pete."
"Summer Cohen," Summer replied, shaking his hand. Nice, firm grip. Large hands, well-maintained fingernails. But definitely not the kind of guy who would get a man-icure.
"Are you...?" Pete gestured towards the sparkling ring on Summer's finger.
"Yes, well no," Summer saw the confused look on Pete's face. "Actually, my husband died about 9 months ago."
Pete's face dropped. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have--"
"No, it's okay. You didn't know," Summer wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. "Are you married?"
Pete held up his hand and wiggled the ring-less fingers. "No. I was engaged last year but we broke it off before the wedding."
Summer nodded. "Where are you from?"
"Well, I grew up in Anaheim. But now I live in Chicago. I'm just flying home to see my parents. And I have a business meeting there. What about you?" Pete asked.
"I've lived in Newport Beach my whole life. I always used to say that I would leave, but I never did. You kind of get sucked into that lifestyle," Summer confided. Pete was practically a total stranger, but she felt comfortable opening up to him.
"Newport?" Pete's face lit up with recognition. "I'm headed there for my business meeting. Our company wants to redesign our stores and we hired the Newport Group. Heard about it from my secretary. She used to live there for a while. Her name is Anna Stern."
Summer stomach dropped. This was getting weird. "My husband's grandfather owns the Newport Group and his mom is also a partner. So is my brother-in- law, Ryan Atwood. I know Anna Stern. She used to date my husband."
Pete's eyes widened. "And we happened to meet! What a coincidence. I'll tell Anna that I met you. She'll be happy to hear about her old friends."
"No, don't mention me to her. We, um, haven't exactly had the best history together," Summer's mind was racing. "It's better this way, honestly."
Pete looked doubtful. "If you're sure. I've heard of Mr. Atwood. From what I hear, he's an extremely talented architect."
Summer smiled. "Yes, he is," she confirmed.
"Now boarding Flight 818 from Chicago to Los Angeles," a voice came over the loudspeaker. "First-class and passengers with young children may board at this time."
"Well, it was nice meeting you," Summer said, standing up and gathering her things.
Pete was standing up too. "I guess we're both in first class. What seat do you have?"
To Summer's dismay and secret delight they were sitting together. As they boarded the plane Summer took a good look at Pete. He had dark hair and light brown eyes that sparkled. He looked about 6'0 or 6'1. Summer decided to take a chance. He seemed like a nice guy. Besides, it's not like they would ever see each other again...
A/N: Wow, thanks for the reviews! I've been working on 4 other stories so I haven't been able to update in a few days...This chapter is a 2 parter...meaning the next chapter will cover the plane ride and more!
Loneliness & The Plane Ride – Part 1
Summer was lying in bed. She had taken the day off from her, Luke, and Seth's computer company. Actually, she had taken the last 5 days off. But the company was in good hands with Luke. He understood Summer. With Coop and Chino off on their honeymoon, Summer was feeling lonelier than ever. And more envious than ever. Everyone said she would eventually adjust to life without Seth.
Adjust? You had to be kidding. You'll see, they said. Summer was still waiting.
Like she would ever adjust to sleeping alone in her and Seth's king-size bed. Like she would ever adjust to being alone in their mansion. Like she would ever know what their kids could've been like. She imagined having two boys and a girl. The boys would have curly hair like their father and the girl would have straight hair like their mother. That dream, however, would never come true. Seth had been great at making Summer's dreams come true. He pretty much made all of her dreams come true, and more. But not this time.
Summer decided to call Coop. They had gotten back from the honeymoon last night.
"Hey Marissa, how was it?" Summer asked when a tired-sounding Marissa answered the phone.
"It was amazing! I've still got somewhat of a hangover, and Ryan got sick last night on the plane. But the weather was perfect and Tahiti was gorgeous. Just like you told us it would be," Marissa paused for breath. Summer and Seth had raved about Tahiti when they went there on their honeymoon. Marissa and Ryan had decided to follow in their footsteps.
"Great! I'm so happy for you," Summer said, hoping she sounded happier than she felt.
It wasn't that she didn't want Coop and Chino to be happy. They just reminded her of Seth. Actually, everything reminded her of Seth.
"So, do you want to go shopping today? Maybe get mani-pedi's?" Marissa asked cheerfully.
Part of Summer wanted to get out and get her mind off of Seth. The other part of her wanted to wallow in bed with a pint of Ben & Jerry's Phish Food. Come on, Summer, you have to at least leave the house.
"Sounds good," Summer replied. "Pick me up in an hour?"
After hanging up with Marissa, Summer took a quick shower. She brushed her hair and let it be, knowing it would soon dry straight in the California sun. She opened her closet and walked in to choose her outfit for the day. Thank God she and Seth had gotten separate closets. Summer didn't know whether she could stand to look at all of Seth's clothes and take in the scent of him that still lingered.
She finally decided on white Juicy velour capris and a cute pink halter- top. Since Summer was making such an effort today, she decided to actually put some makeup on. She hadn't touched her makeup for weeks, preferring to go au natural. Not that she looked bad without makeup, but today it was time to hide the sorrow underneath. That is, if it was possible to hide her feelings under makeup.
Grabbing a Nutri-Grain bar, Summer threw her shoes on and ran outside when Marissa honked the horn. She hopped in the passenger seat and off they went.
"So, new car?" Summer asked Marissa on the champagne-colored convertible.
"Wedding present from Ryan," Marissa explained. After going to architecture school, Ryan had become an extremely successful partner with the Newport Group. His floor plans had won awards across the country. Caleb had accepted him, even liked him. And that was really something.
"Wow," Summer was impressed. The Atwoods had really cleaned up. Not that Seth and Summer hadn't, but Ryan had, well, come from Chino. So yeah, it was a major accomplishment.
Summer was happy to find that Marissa still drove a little too much over the speed limit. At least some things didn't change, even if it was an unimportant thing like Marissa's reckless driving habits. They made it to the mall in 20 minutes.
Even shopping couldn't get Summer's mind off of Seth. Every time she used the AmEx or Visa to make a purchase, she got a pang in her stomach. The cards were part of her and Seth's joint bank account. She sighed. What was the point of even trying to forget about him? There wasn't a point.
A few months later...
Summer couldn't wait to get back to Newport. She had spent the last week in Chicago promoting her company's latest product, a new Internet provider that was faster and blocked more viruses. When and Seth were younger, they used to talk about escaping Newport. Living in another state, another city. But the sad truth had finally hit her. There was no way to escape Newport. Once you lived there, you were there for good. Only a fortunate few made it out...and even they ended up coming back frequently or maintaining McMansions there.
Summer missed Newport. Sure, it had been good to get away, to get through the day without constant reminders of Seth. Well at least she had no tangible reminders of him.
Now she was in the airport waiting for the flight that would take her home.
Summer sighed. There had been a void in social events in Newport. Marissa and Ryan's wedding had been in July, and the only other event that had gone on was Cotillion. Now it was almost Valentine's Day.
Great. Valentine's Day. One of the most romantic days of the year and Summer would be spending it without the love of her life. She didn't have to spend it alone, per se, but there were no other men that she would actually consider spending it with except Seth. There were dozens of guys out there who would kill to be with her. But she couldn't bring herself to return their phone calls or acknowledge their existence.
"This seat taken?" A man who looked about 30 jolted Summer out of her daydream.
"Oh, no," Summer sputtered. She hadn't noticed the man come over to her.
"Thanks," the man sat down and opened his newspaper.
Summer checked him out. She had started to check all guys out, and find something that made them imperfect. That was her excuse for not pursuing them or letting them pursue her.
The man noticed her staring. Summer blushed.
"Peter Weston," the man stuck out his hand. "But everyone calls me Pete."
"Summer Cohen," Summer replied, shaking his hand. Nice, firm grip. Large hands, well-maintained fingernails. But definitely not the kind of guy who would get a man-icure.
"Are you...?" Pete gestured towards the sparkling ring on Summer's finger.
"Yes, well no," Summer saw the confused look on Pete's face. "Actually, my husband died about 9 months ago."
Pete's face dropped. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have--"
"No, it's okay. You didn't know," Summer wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. "Are you married?"
Pete held up his hand and wiggled the ring-less fingers. "No. I was engaged last year but we broke it off before the wedding."
Summer nodded. "Where are you from?"
"Well, I grew up in Anaheim. But now I live in Chicago. I'm just flying home to see my parents. And I have a business meeting there. What about you?" Pete asked.
"I've lived in Newport Beach my whole life. I always used to say that I would leave, but I never did. You kind of get sucked into that lifestyle," Summer confided. Pete was practically a total stranger, but she felt comfortable opening up to him.
"Newport?" Pete's face lit up with recognition. "I'm headed there for my business meeting. Our company wants to redesign our stores and we hired the Newport Group. Heard about it from my secretary. She used to live there for a while. Her name is Anna Stern."
Summer stomach dropped. This was getting weird. "My husband's grandfather owns the Newport Group and his mom is also a partner. So is my brother-in- law, Ryan Atwood. I know Anna Stern. She used to date my husband."
Pete's eyes widened. "And we happened to meet! What a coincidence. I'll tell Anna that I met you. She'll be happy to hear about her old friends."
"No, don't mention me to her. We, um, haven't exactly had the best history together," Summer's mind was racing. "It's better this way, honestly."
Pete looked doubtful. "If you're sure. I've heard of Mr. Atwood. From what I hear, he's an extremely talented architect."
Summer smiled. "Yes, he is," she confirmed.
"Now boarding Flight 818 from Chicago to Los Angeles," a voice came over the loudspeaker. "First-class and passengers with young children may board at this time."
"Well, it was nice meeting you," Summer said, standing up and gathering her things.
Pete was standing up too. "I guess we're both in first class. What seat do you have?"
To Summer's dismay and secret delight they were sitting together. As they boarded the plane Summer took a good look at Pete. He had dark hair and light brown eyes that sparkled. He looked about 6'0 or 6'1. Summer decided to take a chance. He seemed like a nice guy. Besides, it's not like they would ever see each other again...