Chapter 22

A/N: I just love your reviews. Oh, and Maddie, I'm deeply threatened by your ass-kicking skills. LOL.

Summer immediately began to break down. "This is all my fault." She collapsed on the bed.

Ryan was about to say "Damn straight", but he doubted that it was the most sensitive thing to say to his sister-in-law.

Marissa tried to comfort Summer. "Sum, I know how to do this. We just need to make sure his temperature stays down. Eventually he'll come by. Seth's healthy, I think he can make it."

Summer looked up at Marissa with a mascara streaked face. "Coop, you're the best." Summer hugged Marissa tightly. But then Summer straightened herself out and held Marissa at arms length. "Um. Do you actually know how to . . . ahem . . . take care of cases like this?"

Marissa looked slightly baffled. Then, her expression changed to complete remorse. "I, uh, took some classes. I sort of know, I didn't really pay attention during the class. It was awhile ago, and the class was unbelievably boring. . . sorry?"

Summer looked like she was going to break down again.

Ryan stepped in. "Summer, I'll take care of Seth. I did it plenty of times when my mom drank too much." Ryan breathed in deep and pushed back all the horrible memories. All the screaming and yelling he endured when he was young echoed in his head. Some times these memories that flooded back were too  much to take. Ryan squeezed his eyes shut really hard, the audio of his mother died down.

Cindy took a deep breath, "I'll help too. I did it when I was young."

Marissa, Summer, and Luke looked at Cindy, trying to analyze what she meant. When Cindy didn't look up to meet their gaze, they averted their eyes, embarrassed.

"So, what do we need?" Summer asked.

Ryan and Cindy looked at each other.

 "Bottled Water, lots." Cindy told Summer.

"Orange juice for the Vitamin C." Ryan added.

"Advil, Tylenol, Aleve."

"Saltines. Tons." . . .

 

--

(One Month Later)

Seth adjusted his tie in front of the mirror in the pool house. Ryan was staying in Newport for good. He was leaving the big apple and becoming an egotistical Newport resident. He hadn't found a place yet, so he was staying the pool house, just like old days.

"How do I look?" Seth asked, turning towards Ryan who was emerging from the bathroom door.

"Fine." Ryan said in his normal, direct, blunt way. Ryan was had a red tie, undone, in front of him. He fumbled with the silk material.

Summer, walking in to check in on Seth, sighed. "God, Ryan, one of these days, you are going to have to learn how to do your tie. How did you wear ties in New York?"

"Clip-on." Ryan sheepishly said.

Summer finished, and patted it down. "There."

Seth held out him arm for Summer to hold on to.

"Ready?" Seth asked.

Summer and Ryan nodded. They walked out to the pool.

--

"There you guys are!" Luke said, beers in hand. "Anyone want one?"

Seth reached out for one of the Samuel Adams.

"No way." Ryan and Summer simultaneously said, blocking Seth's access.

Seth pouted. "Oh, come on."

But, Ryan stood still. "Oh, hell no."

"It was one time. Plus it was all her fault." Seth nodded towards Summer.

Summer put her hands in front of her in defense. "Seth, nobody asked you to drink 3 bottles of Absolut and 5 beers."

Seth gave in.

Cindy and Marissa walked to the group. Cindy had a sparkling cider in her hand. She handed it to Seth. "Here, drink this."

"I feel like I'm eight." Seth muttered as he reached for the glass.

Marissa, Cindy, and Summer giggled.

--

"Ahem." Sandy stood up. He tapped his champagne flute with a knife. "I just want everyone to know that Kirsten and I are delighted in seeing so many people coming here to celebrate my 30th anniversary. I just want everyone to have a great time in celebrating this wonderful event with my beautiful wife of 30 years and me. Cheers."

"Cheers." Came from a group of 100 people as they rose their glasses to tribute the only couple in Newport who had been married for over 10 years and had not had any affairs.

--

The party was slightly dying down. It was getting late and Summer was in the pool house playing with her kids. Ethan was on her lap and Madison was chasing Emma. Seth was in the bathroom, doing, well, you know.

So as Summer waited for Seth to come out, Summer was fixing Ethan's outfit.

There was a light rapping at the door. Summer looked up to see who it was.

Anna.

--

Anna nonchalantly leaned on the doorframe. She had to clue that Summer was married to Seth.

"Summer! It's so great to see you!" Anna brightly said.

Summer was boiling with anger. She couldn't believe that Anna  would sabotage her relationship with Seth. I mean she knew that Seth was yummy, but still, she didn't know Tinkerbell had it in her. Before she could get a word out, Emma came running to her.

"Mommy! Madison is being mean." Emma pouted and crossed her arms.

"Am not, mum-my!" Madison retorted sticking out her tongue.

Summer tried to calm her daughters down. They had such clashing personalities. They complimented each other, but they also sometimes drove Seth and her up the wall. "Girls. . ."

Ethan jumped up, finding the situation quite amusing. "You thwoo are fwunny."

Anna was surprised that Summer had kids. "Wow, three kids? Who thought, Summer Roberts?"

"What? Because my mom abandoned me when I was little? You didn't think I would stick around?" Summer retorted.

Anna didn't see where all the harshness was coming from. "I d-di-didn't mean it that way." Anna stuttered.

Seth emerged from the bathroom, oblivious of Anna's presence. Somehow Ryan's bathroom doorway made people oblivious of other people in the room. "Hey Summer, honey, could you get the kids ready to go home? I think it's getting late."

Anna was shocked. She put two and two together. "You guys are . . . married . . . with kids?" Anna meekly asked.

Seth finally noticed Anna's presence. "Anna! What are you doing here?" Seth asked harshly.

"Your parents invited me."

She looked at the picture perfect family Seth and Summer made with their kids. Each of the kids were beautiful and so happy. It was obvious Seth loved Summer so much - and she loved him back. Anna's heart broke for the second time in her life. And both times they were broken by Seth Cohen.

Everytime I feel alone
I can blame it on you
And I do - oh
You got me like a loaded gun
Golden sun, and a sky so blue

Anna stuttered. "I think I'm going to go." She swiped at tears spilling out of her eyes. She ran out of the pool house where everyone was congregating.

We both know
That we won't let it
And we both want
You left me, no choice

You just bring me down
So I'm counting the tears
Till I get over you

She couldn't get away fast enough.

Marissa's voice pierced her thoughts. "Anna!"

Anna had no choice but turn around.

Marissa walked over to Anna. "I know what you did." Marissa whispered to her threateningly.

As if time stood still, Marissa raised her hand and slapped Anna as hard as she could on the face. All heads turned towards the duo. Luke, Ryan, and Cindy rushed over.

"Wait, you're Anna?" Cindy screeched.

Anna nodded.

"You're such a bitch." Cindy was about to slap her when Luke restrained her.

Seth and Summer rushed out to the commotion. Seth's arm was protectively around Summer's waist. Ryan and Marissa were holding hands, and Cindy was being held by Luke, with her back on Luke's chest. The six of them formed a line.

"Get out." Summer hissed.

Anna turned and ran across the lawn, the guests staring at her fleeting figure.

Only if I could give you
Would I want to let off
From this soap opera, baby

We both know
We won't let
But we both know
You left me - no choice
You just bring me down .  

Flashback (Continuation of flashback on Chapter 9)

Anna collapsed on the lawn and started to sob uncontrollably on someone's perfect lawn. She walked around to her house, tears stinging her eyes. She passed by Summer's house. She had never been there, but whenever Seth and her passed it, he pointed it out, and her bedroom window which faced the street.

Seth. That just made her heart ache.

As she passed Summer's giant, beautiful house, she noticed Summer's room's light being turned on. Through the brightly lit room, Anna could see through the window. She gasped when she saw Seth there. He was holding Summer by the waist and they were making out furiously. Intrigued, Anna continued watching. All of a sudden, Summer started pulling Seth's shirt off. Anna could see Summer pulling off Seth's pants as Seth took off Summer's shirt and tossed it up in the air. They both fell, on what Anna assumed was a bed, and she saw articles of clothing being pulled off. Then a very naked Seth and Summer got up and pulled down the window shades.

Anna just ran.

End of Flashback

So I'm counting the tears
Till I get over you

--

Anna is now out of their lives! I hope that appeases you Seth. Summer lovers. This is going to be one of the last chapters! REVIEW!!!