A/N- So, so sad.  This is the last chapter for Summer Paradise in December.  It will be sad to see this story go but there will be a sequel and I will try to get it up quickly so the heartache from losing this story is not as bad. lol.  Thanks to all of you who have been reading my story from the very beginning!  Please, please review! I still really want your feedback about this story as a whole and what the sequel should be about.  These stories are for you guys, obviously, and I want to write something I know you will like.  So leave your suggestion for the sequel in your review! Thanks!

-Nicole

Summer Paradise in December

Ch. 21 – Back Home

            Summer awoke from a long nap on the plane as the drink cart rolled past her row.  She gently nudged Seth and he slowly opened his eyes. 

            "Hey, what do you want to drink?" Summer asked Seth.

            "Mountain Dew", he mumbled sleepily.

            The flight attendant gave Summer the drinks and made her way towards the back of the plane.  Seth took a sip from his cup and then set it back down. 

            "So did you sleep well", Seth asked his girlfriend as he gave her a playful kiss on the lips.

            "How well could I have slept, cramped in a tiny airplane seat?" she answered.

            "Not that great, I guess", he admitted.

            "So", Summer said gesturing across the aisle to where Ryan and Marissa were, "I guess they made up."

            Marissa's head was resting gently on Ryan's shoulder and his head was resting on top of hers.

            "Yah, I guess so", Seth said.  "So, what do you want for Christmukkah?"

            "You don't have to get me anything big Seth", Summer told him.  "I don't want you to feel like I guilted you into buying me a big present."

            "Summer", Seth began.  "You're my girlfriend.  It's my job to buy you lots of nice, big presents that you don't deserve."

            Summer shot him a death glare.  "Well, if you insist", Summer said.  "There is this totally cute new green sweat suit from Juicy.  And Donna Karen has this new pink leather clutch with diamond studding around the handle…" Summer rambled on.

            Seth listened to Summer name off all of the latest trends all the designers were releasing just in time for Christmas for the next half hour.  He eventually fell asleep while Summer was just finishing with the clothes portion of her list.  She claimed that there was a jewelry section, a clothes section, a movie/CD section and an accessory section.  When Seth woke up, the plane was just about ready to land according to the pilot who was now broadcasting the "please fasten your seatbelt", message over the PA system.  Ryan and Marissa had woken up by this time and were slowly gathering their things from under the seats. 

Ten minutes later the plane landed with a jolt and came to a halt a few seconds later.  Ryan, Marissa, Summer and Seth got off of the plane quickly seeing as they had been sitting in the first class area of the plane.  They walked through the congested terminal and slowly made their way to the baggage claim area.  All of them got their suitcases quickly except for Summer, who delayed everyone an extra ten minutes because she had twice as many bags as anyone else.  They walked out of the LAX airport and ventured to the car service they had left their car with.  The attendant at the lot showed the four to their car.  Seth clicked the unlock button on the Range Rover and everyone piled their suitcases into the trunk.  Seth and Summer climbed into the front seat and Ryan and Marissa got into the back.  Seth started the ignition and set off towards his Newport Beach McMansion.  They arrived at the house about an hour and a half later and were greeted warmly by Sandy, Kirsten and Jimmy.

"So how was the trip", Sandy asked no one in particular.

The four friends glanced at each other and all answered "fine", in unison.

Sandy laughed knowing he would get the details of the trip later.

The group moved into the living room to chat and catch up but Ryan held Marissa back.

Marissa looked at him with a bewildered look on her face. 

"I know I said it would be hard for me to forgive you, but it will be even harder for me to live without you in my life", Ryan said.

Marissa blushed.  "Go on", She said.

"And I want to try and make this work.  Take things slow.  But, only if you promise to stop drinking.  As in, no drinks at all", Ryan gave her an ultimatum.

"Okay, I promise.  I'm just so sorry.  Things were never supposed to turn out that way. I mean—

Ryan silenced her with a kiss.  "I don't care.  Let's not talk about it anymore.  Okay?"

Marissa nodded her head and the two walked hand in hand into the living room to join the rest of their friends and family for a fun filled Christmukkah Eve.

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A/N- Hope you liked the ending.  Yes, I know.  That chapter was short but I just kinda needed it to be a wrap up of the whole story and the trip. I know I said that Ryan and Marissa were not going to get back together but I changed my mind.  lol.  Thanks for being such loyal readers and I hope you liked this story.  This was my first fan fiction ever and I put a lot of effort into making it good.  I plan on writing a sequel soon.  I should have it up by Friday.  Please review and tell me what you thought of the story overall and keep giving me feed back of what you want to be in the sequel.  This is your last chance to suggest something! lol.  Once again thanks for reading and I hope you read the sequel.  Don't forget to review!! I really want to make it to 200 reviews before I start the next story so please, please, please review!!  Thanks!  (Sorry for the really long note.  I just needed some closure.  lol.)

-Nicole! J