Ryan came home that night and silently slipped into the pool house, avoiding everyone in the house.

----Next Morning----

Kirsten: "Hey did Ryan come home last night?"

Sandy: "I'm not sure; I didn't hear him come in,"

A groggy Seth walked in.

Kirsten: "Did Ryan come home last night?"

Seth: "Not sure... I'll go check in a minute, first gotta get some pudding,"

As Seth was fetching his pudding from the fridge Ryan walked into the house.

Ryan: "Hey guys," (Giving a little wave and walking to the fridge as if nothing happened)

Sandy: "You ok kiddo?"

Ryan: "Ya, never better,"

Seth: (Whispering to Kirsten) "In other words the emotional shield is back up,"

Kirsten: "Seth! That's not nice"

Seth: "So Ryan? What do you want to do today? A little hang out with the ladies? Prepare for your big B-day bash?!?"

Sandy: "Seth! Watch it!"

Seth: "Oh, sorry Ryan I mean what's a birthday anyways, not important at all, we can have fun other ways,"

Ryan: "Actually I was thinking it wouldn't be that bad, you know, to kinda celebrate the birthday thing..."

Kirsten: "That's wonderful!"

Ryan: "Just a small like dinner ok, that's all, I don't want a party or anything,"

Sandy: "Promise, now you guys go out have fun with your ladies,"

Seth: "Our ladies, I like the sound of that Ryan... Seth and his ladies!"
Ryan: "Whatever," (Rolling his eyes) "I'm gonna go get ready, you call the girls,"

Seth: "Ok," (Whipping out his phone)

Summer: "Hello?"

Seth: "Hey Summer just talked to Ryan, lets just say he's not completely against the idea of a birthday anymore..."

Summer: "Really!!! What changed?"

Seth: "Don't know but whatever he did yesterday helped, but enough about that, what do you and Marissa wanna do today?"

Summer: "Sorry you and Ryan are on your own, we got party planning to do!"

Seth: "Whoa, whoa he wants a small dinner that's all,"

Summer: "Don't worry it won't be too big,"

Seth: "Summer! Come on Summer!,"

Summer: "Sorry Seth gotta go," (Hanging up the phone) "Party time!"

Ryan walks in.

Ryan: "So what are we doing today?"

Seth: "Not hanging out with the girls if that's what you wanna know,"

Ryan: "Why? What are they doing,"

Seth: "Uh, um... did I mention we have pudding?"

Ryan gives him a weird look.

Seth: "Their shopping, their busy you know, shopping,"

Ryan: "Ok... you're being really weird,"

Seth: "Yes... I am, let's go to the comic book store,"

Ryan gives one more look and follows.

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Summer and Marissa are out shopping for Ryan's party.

Summer: "Ok, we have everything we need, just need a place to throw it and who to invite,"

Marissa: "Um, I'm not sure, not many people to invite, I mean Ryan's not the most popular guy there is,"

Summer: "Right... so you, me, Seth, that's kinda sad,"

Marissa: "Well there were some people he got a long with in school last year,"

Summer: "Ok then we have a party list, plus a few additions I'll add myself, just need a location,"

Marissa: "I guess the Cohen's, can't be my house it's not exactly big,"

Summer: "I thought your dad was moving,"

Marissa: "Ya but until the offer is finalized were still in the tiny house,"

Summer: "Cohen's house it is, hopefully Sandy and Kirsten won't mind a little party fun," (Giving a sly grin)

Marissa: "Or a total disaster,"

Summer: "So what did you get Ryan?"

Marissa: "I don't know yet, I mean we've been through a lot, I can't buy just anything,"

Summer: "I wonder what I should get him... a wife beater?" (Laughing)

Marissa: "Ha ha," (Sarcastically) "Let's go Sum,"

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Seth was hanging out in his room when Ryan came in.

Ryan: "Hey man, I gotta check my e-mail,"

Seth: "Go ahead... but who do you get e-mail from,"

Ryan: "I know people,"

Seth: "Riiiggghtt..." (Leaning over Ryan's shoulder) "Luke! Your still talking to him? After all that happened?"
Ryan: "He's not that bad, plus he's having a really tough time in Portland, I was surprised he wanted to talk to me but I guess it's something to remind him of Newport,"

Seth: "Whatever, so what's he talking about?"

Ryan: "Wow, he's visiting... tomorrow!"

Seth: "What! That's kinda sudden, but I guess the guy has to see his mom and all, I guess that's one more person in the birthday party,"

Ryan: "What!"

Seth: "Dinner... I meant dinner, you know one more person quietly having dinner and celebrating the day you came into this earth,"

Ryan: "That's more like it," (Giving him a suspicious look)

Seth: "Wonder how Marissa is going to react to this,"

Ryan: "I don't know, she seemed ok with Luke, but that was just because he was leaving and he was injured, not sure how'd she react now,"

Seth: "Guess we'll find out,"

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Ryan and Seth went off to the airport while Marissa and Summer prepared for the party. (Ryan hadn't told them about Luke yet)

Luke: "Hey guys!" (Walking out of the terminal)

Ryan: "Hey man, what's up,"

Seth: "Hi, Luke..." (Not exactly thrilled)

Luke: "Cohen! Hey buddy," (Giving him a hug)

Seth had a look of unbelievable confusion on his face as Luke hugged him.

Seth: "Cabin pressure getting to you Luke?"

Luke: "Just great to be home, let's go see everyone else,"

Ryan: "Ok, let's go,"

Luke: "Marissa knows I'm coming right," (As they walked out to the car)
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Marissa: "Ok so we have the little party dinner tonight as a diversion, he thinks that's it, then tomorrow on his real birthday he gets the surprise party,"

Summer: "Exactly, he's expecting the party, but wait till he gets the dinner, it will totally throw him off"

Just then the boys came in.

Marissa: "Hey guys,"

Ryan: "Marissa! What are you guys doing here?"

Marissa: "What we just came by? What's wrong?"

After that was said Luke came into the house.

Luke: "Ok so this one guy in Portland was all like..." (Stops short as he sees Marissa) "Hey Marissa, how's it going?" (Cautiously)

Marissa: "Ryan, what's he doing here?"

Ryan: "He came to visit, I was gonna tell you but it just happened and..."

Marissa: "I can't believe you just brought him here without telling me,"

Luke: "Whoa I thought we were cool, you had forgiven me, in the hospital remember?"

Marissa: "Look I forgave you because I didn't think I'd have to see you again, I can't deal with this now! Let's go Summer," (Walking out)

Summer: "Bye guys, bye Luke,"

Marissa from outside: "Summer!"

Summer: "Coming"

Luke: "Well that went well..."

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Marissa came over to the pool house before the dinner.

Ryan: "Hey, didn't think you'd show up,"

Marissa: "Come on, for your birthday I wouldn't show up?"

Ryan: "Ya it's just the whole Luke thing and..."

Marissa: "Look that's between me and him, I went home and thought about it, I guess theirs really nothing you could have done, you thought I was fine with it.... But enough about Luke" (Pushing him onto the bed)

Ryan: "I like the sudden mood change,"

They start a heavy make out session which soon turns into heavy petting.

Ryan: "You know....Uh... we have to... be... at the dinner in a few minutes," (In between kisses)

Marissa: "Finish this later?" (Smiling)

Ryan: "Definitely,"

They started walking out of the pool house to the dining room.

Ryan: "Oh, wait... you should know something... Luke's going to be here tonight, I'm really sorry, we just didn't expect you to show up and well..."

Marisa: "It's ok, I can ignore him for one evening, it's worth being with you," (Pulling in close to him)

They go in and sit down with everyone when the doorbell rings.

Kirsten: "I'll go get it,"

Kirsten opens the door to be greeted by... Caleb and Julie Nichol!

Caleb: "Hello Kiki, were here to celebrate Ryan's birthday,"