Chapter 11: I'll Always Be Right There
Three months later (May)...
Seth and Summer are in their room with Sydney. Seth is playing with Sydney, and Summer is packing.
"Cohen, did you finish packing your stuff?" Summer asked him.
"Yes, I finished a while ago," he answered.
"Then could you start packing for Sydney, and pack cute stuff. I want her to look nice for her first trip to Newport."
"Okay, I'll bring her in her room and pack some stuff." Seth picked up Sydney and walked into her room, setting her in her crib. They were going back to Newport for the long weekend for Memorial Day, it was also Jimmy and Hailey's wedding. Seth started packing diapers, bottles, pacifiers, blankets, toys, etc. He knew that any outfit he picked Summer wouldn't like, so he didn't pack any.
"Did you finish already?" Summer asked when Seth walked back into the room carrying Sydney on his hip.
"I finished except for outfits, I knew any that I picked you wouldn't like, but that's all that's left to pack for her. Are you done packing?"
"Yeah, now we can pack you some clothes," she said to Sydney, taking her out of Seth's arms.
"Let's get dinner first, I'm starved."
"Okay," Summer said heading down the stairs. Her parents were gone to dinner and a movie and Summer and Seth were babysitting Caroline, who was currently playing with her toys in her bedroom while Seth and Summer packed. Summer got a bottle and started heating it up, putting Sydney down in the playpen. "What do you want?"
"I don't know, something easy so we don't burn the house down," Seth replied.
"Macaroni and cheese is easy, plus it's something Caroline will actually eat, we can make that."
"Okay, that sounds good. I'll go get some from the pantry in the basement and you can start boiling the water."
"Okay, bring up two boxes."
"Okay, I'll be right back," Seth said heading to the basement. Summer put a pot of water on the cook top and got Sydney's bottle out of the bottle warmer and tested it. She started giving it to Sydney and Sydney drank it quickly.
"You're a hungry little girl, aren't you? Yes you are," Summer cooed at her. "Are you ready to go to Newport and see Grandma and Grandpa, and Aunt Marissa and Uncle Ryan? They haven't seen you since you were born." Summer continued to talk to the baby until Seth came back upstairs. She picked her up and walked into the kitchen where Seth was cooking.
"Are you going to take Sydney to see your dad while we're in Newport?"
"I don't think so; he can see her at the wedding. He doesn't even know about her or that we'll be there. Unless he sees us out somewhere he won't see us until the wedding."
"Okay, that's what I thought, I didn't know if you changed your mind."
"Do you want me to finish cooking or set the table?"
"You can set the table, and then get Caroline, I'll finish cooking."
"Okay." Sydney started to whimper. "What's the matter baby, are you tired?"
"Did you feed her yet?"
"Yeah, she just finished. I think she's just tired."
"I'll take her," Seth said, taking Sydney away from Summer and bouncing her a little. She began to fall asleep and as soon as she was, Seth put her in the playpen.
"I'm going to go get Caroline, I don't want to yell for her and wake up the baby," Summer said and then went up the stairs. "Caroline, it's time for dinner."
"What are we having?" she asked putting down her doll and walking towards Summer.
"We made mac and cheese," Summer answered.
"Yay," Caroline yelled happily, Summer picked her up and brought her stairs.
"You have to be quiet. Sydney is asleep."
"Okay, why does she sleep all the time, it's boring?"
"Because she is a baby and needs a lot of rest. At least she doesn't cry all of the time."
"Yeah, that would be annoying."
"You cried all the time when you were a baby."
"I did?" Caroline asked.
"Yeah, you drove everyone nuts, but you were so cute and that made up for the crying."
"I was cute," she said matter-of-factly.
"And you still are," Summer said laughing. "Go into the kitchen and sit at the table, I'll be right in." Summer put Caroline down and she ran off to the kitchen. Summer walked into the family room where the baby was sleeping peacefully. She walked over to the baby and kissed her on the head, and then walked into the kitchen.
"The food is ready," Seth said when she walked in. Summer sat down at the table. Seth put the food on the table, kissed Summer on top of the head, and then sat down next to her. After dinner, Summer gave Sydney a bath and then put Caroline to sleep. Now she and Seth were lying on their bed with Sydney.
"I'm happy we're going back to Newport, I haven't been back since I left," Summer said.
"Yeah, I kind of like it here though. In Newport I only have like, three friends."
"I know, here we both have a lot of friends. At least a few of our friends here are going to college with us or somewhere near us." Stephanie and Katelyn were both going to the same college as them, the Academy of Art University. Caitlin, Connie, Divia, and PC were all going to The Art Institute of California, San Francisco. Everyone else wasn't going to be close to them.
"Did you realize that our wedding is exactly one month away?" Seth asked, grabbing hold of Summer's hand.
"Today is May 18th, you're right. I didn't notice."
"I just figured it out."
"I can't wait," Summer said.
"For what?" Seth asked, Summer gave him a playful slap.
"The wedding, dumbass."
"Oh yeah, me either, and I can't wait for the honeymoon."
"It's so nice of your parents to watch Sydney while we go to Tahiti. We can finally have some time to ourselves," Summer said leaning over and kissing Seth.
"Speaking of Sydney," Seth said after they both pulled away from the kiss, "I think it's about time she fell asleep."
"I'll put her to bed," Summer said picking Sydney up off of the bed.
"Why don't we both do it?" Seth said, also getting up and walking into Sydney's room. Summer put her in her crib and she started to cry.
"You're okay, sweetie, go to sleep," Summer said rubbing Sydney's stomach. She didn't stop crying, Seth picked her up and handed her to Summer.
"Sing to her," he said. Summer took her and started rocking her in the rocking chair. Summer was the only person now who could sing her to sleep. She always sang the same song. A few weeks after she was born, Seth had a mobile made that played the song. Summer started to sing.
When you're all alone,
and you need a light,
someone to guide you through the night,
just remember that I am here,
to hold you close and dry your tears.
And just when you thought you were falling,
but you know I'll always be right there
Sydney stopped crying and was now making cute little gurgling noises. Summer kept going.
When you're all alone,
and you need a friend,
someone to help you to the end,
when you need someone to catch you when you fall,
I'll be there through it all.
Cause just when you thought you were losing,
but you know I'll always be right there.
Summer got up and put Sydney in her crib, still singing as Sydney started to fall asleep.
And I'll be there through the good times,
and the bad,
and we'll be there for each other,
cause you're the best friend I've ever had.
And just when you thought you were falling,
but you know I'll always be right there.
Whenever you need me,
I'll always be right there.
Sydney was now asleep. Summer brushed her fingers across Sydney's face.
"You have a great voice," Seth said to Summer.
"Than let's hope Sydney gets my singing voice instead of yours."
"That would be good."
"Yeah, let's go to sleep, I'm exhausted."
"Me too, it's probably because we only get three hours of sleep at a time, then we have to get up and feed the baby and get her back to sleep."
"Yeah, I know why we're exhausted. Why do we have to be at the airport at seven in the morning?" Summer asked as they walked back into their room and laid down on the bed.
"So that we can be in Newport by the afternoon," Seth replied.
"Are you sure we have everything packed?"
"Yes, everything is packed and by the door so that Jake can load the stuff into his car when your parents get home."
"Okay, I just don't want to forget anything."
"We have clothes, car seat, stroller, bottles, blankets, pacifiers, and everything else we need. It will be fine," he said as they spooned up to each other and he began to stroke her hair.
"I know, but it's the first time we've taken a vacation with the baby. I just want to be prepared for anything."
"I know, let's just go to sleep. Goodnight, I love you."
"Love you too. Goodnight."
The next morning they were on the plane. Summer was sitting by the window and Seth in the aisle seat. The baby carrier was on the seat in between them, but Summer was holding her at the moment.
"How much longer until we're in California?" Summer asked Seth.
"We should be there in an hour. How many people do you think will be at the airport waiting for us?" Seth asked.
"I'm guessing your parents, Ryan, and Marissa."
"I think it will also be Aunt Hailey and probably Mr. Cooper."
"I don't know." They got to Newport about an hour later. Only Sandy, Kirsten, Ryan, and Marissa were at the airport. Seth, Summer, and Sydney got off of the plane and spotted them. As soon as they were close, everyone was gathered around them. Kirsten immediately grabbed the baby out of Seth's arms.
"Oh my god, she's gotten so big," Kirsten exclaimed.
"Look at her little curly hair, you're so cute!" Marissa squealed.
"Hi...yeah we're good, you...that's good," Seth said sarcastically at the fact that no one had said a thing to him or Summer.
"They're just excited to see the baby, Cohen," Summer said.
"I know, they haven't seen her in a while, but they haven't seen us either."
"We're sorry, how are you?" Sandy said, hearing their conversation.
"We're good," Summer replied.
"Summer, you look great," Kirsten said noticing that Summer had lost the weight she gained from having the baby.
"Thanks, it was easy to loose the weight." Marissa walked over and hugged Summer.
"I've missed you, Sum."
"I've missed you too, Coop, we have a lot to catch up on this weekend."
"Yeah, we should hang out tonight after the rehearsal dinner."
"Yeah, that would be good." When they got to the Cohen's house, the caterers were there setting up for the rehearsal dinner. As soon as dinner was over they went up to Seth's room and started to get caught up. Marissa was giving Sydney a bottle.
"We should go down to the pier while it's still early," Seth said.
"Yeah, I want a Balboa Bar. I haven't had one of those in a long time," Summer said.
"Okay, are we going to leave Sydney here or take her with us?" Ryan asked.
"We can take her with us," Seth said.
"Yeah, we brought the stroller. I'm just going to go get her sweater and a blanket for her."
"Okay, we'll go get the stroller," Marissa said. Now they were walking down the pier, each of them eating a Balboa Bar, and Summer pushing a sleeping Sydney in the stroller.
"Have you guys been up to anything lately?" Summer asked Marissa and Ryan.
"Actually, we have something to tell you?" Ryan stated.
"You're not pregnant, are you?" Summer asked Marissa.
"No, we don't want to have a baby together until after college," Marissa said. Theresa found out that her baby was Ryan's, but she didn't want him to stay with her in Chino. It was a girl. She's now five months old and her name is Riley. Ryan visits her and Theresa once a week.
"But, we are engaged. We're getting married in August before school starts," Ryan finished.
"Oh my god, Coop, when did this happen? Why didn't you tell me?"
"I wanted to tell you in person, it only happened two weeks ago," Marissa explained, she held up her ring. It was nice, but Summer was really thinking, 'mine is so much better'. Summer's was definitely bigger.
"Did you guys tell our parents?" Seth asked.
"Yeah, they were shocked, but they are pretty happy now," Ryan said.
"So is anything new with you guys?" Marissa asked Seth.
"Nothing as important as your news," Seth said.
"We had our senior prom last weekend, we have just pretty much been taking care of Sydney and hanging out with friends lately," Summer continued.
"Do you guys like it in New York?" Marissa asked.
"Yeah, it's really great. We both have a ton of new friends, and there aren't really any fancy parties," Summer said.
"It does rain a lot though," Seth said disappointedly.
"I hate the rain, but I really love the snow."
"I hate it when it rains here," Marissa said.
"So, did you guys pick a date for the wedding yet?" Summer asked.
"Not yet, we're still thinking about it," Ryan answered.
"Do you know where you're going on your honeymoon?" Seth asked.
"We're thinking of Fiji or Hawaii, but we're not sure," Marissa replied.
"Where are you going?" Ryan asked.
"Tahiti," Seth answered.
"That figures," Ryan said laughing. He was the only person that knew about Seth's plan to sail to Tahiti with Summer.
"What does that mean?" Summer asked Ryan.
"I'll explain it to you later," Seth replied before Ryan could answer.
"We should probably head back to your house, Sydney should be waking up again soon," Summer said to Seth.
"Okay, are you guys coming?" Seth asked Ryan and Marissa
"We'll be back in a few minutes," Ryan answered. Seth and Summer walked away.
"Why didn't we go back?" Marissa asked, confused.
"What's wrong?"
"What do you mean?" Marissa said.
"You seem upset or something," Ryan replied.
"It's nothing."
"You know you can tell me what it is."
"I just feel like Summer and I aren't that close anymore. She has this whole new life in New York and she seems really happy."
"I know, but at least she is happy, you guys will be close again when they move for college."
"Yeah, but her new friends are coming too."
"So you'll have new friends and more people to hang out with."
"I guess you're right."
"Let's go back to the Cohen's," Ryan said grabbing Marissa's hand, kissing her softly and walking back home.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews. Sorry it took so long to update, I was in Niagara Falls. The song was "I'll Always be Right There" by Michelle Branch. Next chapter will be up soon, more reviews help me to write faster. Next chapter will have some more with Summer and Marissa probably. Leave ideas if you want, please review! Also, happy birthday to Rachel Bilson!
-Stephanie
