Disclaimer: I don't own The O.C., FOX or anything related to it. I just own the characters I made up and I really don't own them either.
While Seth was out getting the puppy, Ryan called some friends over from work to help him set up. About 10 guys showed up with grills.
"OK. We don't have that many people," Ryan said.
"We just want to make sure we have enough time," Marc said.
While they were cooking, Gabe came out and stared at all of the barbeques.
"Woah! Are we feeding Newport?" he asked.
"No. Just the entire 8th Grade," Harry said.
"Not the entire 8th Grade, just half of it."
"Well, we need to be prepared. You kids eat like no tomorrow," George said.
Gabe looked at his father. He just remembered something.
"I met a kid at school named Jason. He's bringing his cousin over. He says that she knows you," Gabe said.
"That's fine."
"It's a she. I don't think I met her. Otherwise, I would probably know Jason."
"I don't know who it is." Yes you do. You know exactly who it is.
"Are you sure?"
No. "Yes"
"OK. Good luck cooking." Gabe looked around the backyard.
"Where's Uncle Seth?"
"He went to the store. He'll be back later."
Gabe shrugged and went into the house.
Jamie leaned over to Ryan. "What did you get the kid for his birthday?"
"Seth and I each put in half for a Siberian Husky he wants," Ryan said.
"That's nice. But make sure it gets a lot of exercise. They get mean and shut people out when they don't."
"Trust me. Gabe is responsible. He'll make sure the dog gets exercise daily."
Seth was in his car on the way home from the groomer's house. He looked on the seat next to him. There, he saw the most beautiful dog he had ever seen. It was pure white and it had sparkling blue eyes.
The dog noticed Seth looking at him and barked. Seth laughed at the dog and the dog continued to chew on his bone.
Seth got home at about 11:30am. He saw about 5 cars and knew that Ryan called for backup. Seth left the dog in the car and kept the air conditioner on.
Seth went in the backyard and saw about ten guys working on grills.
"How many people are coming?" Seth asked.
"Close to 150," Ryan said.
"How many people did he invite?"
"About 80."
"Wow! 80 hormonal teenagers in your house at once. Good luck," Seth said.
About three hours later, the teenagers started showing up. Ryan warned all of the adults coming to come early so they can get a spot. None of them were prepared for all of the teenagers.
Everyone stared as the teenagers started pouring in. They were coming in one after another, like it would never end.
But when the few loners came in, Gabe noticed that Jason hadn't come yet. He didn't worry, but he decided to give him a call.
"Hello?"
"Hey Jason. It's Gabe."
"Hey man. How are you?"
"Good. When are you coming? I'm just curious."
"I'm right outside. My cousin drove me. She drives slow."
Jason hung up and went outside.
"Hey man," he said.
"Hey. So where's your cousin?"
"She's parking the car. She seemed nervous to be here."
"Hmm. Wonder why."
"We'll find out. She said to go inside and she'll find us."
Gabe and Jason went inside and found Ryan.
"Hey dad. This is Jason. He just moved here."
"Nice to meet you sir. My cousin's outside. She'll be here in a minute."
"All right. Have fun Jason," Ryan said.
When they were walking away, Jason looked back at Ryan.
"How old is your dad?" he asked.
"Thirty."
"What about your mom?"
"She died of an aneurism after giving birth to me."
"Wow. That sucks. So how is your dad so wealthy?"
Gabe told Jason everything.
"After he took me home from the hospital, he went to the Cohens. He told them what happened and they said that we can live with them. At first, my father said no. But they talked him into it."
"Wow. How is he so rich though?"
"He owns a law firm with my Uncle Seth and my grandpa."
"Cool. Oh, there's my cousin."
Gabe looked over to where Jason was looking. He saw a nervous girl walking around. She didn't know where to go. Jason and Gabe went over to her.
"Hey Jason," she said.
"Hi. Do you want to see Ryan?" he asked.
"OK."
Jason and Gabe looked around and saw Ryan talking to Kirsten, Sandy and Seth.
"Let's go over," Jason said.
Gabe went over to Ryan.
"Jason's cousin's here."
Ryan looked around, but was surprised when a voice came up behind him.
"Hi Ryan."
Ryan saw the look on Seth's face and turned around. He couldn't believe who he saw.
"Marissa." He whispered
Gabe poked Jason. "We'll be leaving now." Gabe ran and Jason followed.
"Damn! You could smell the tension between them," Jason said.
"Yeah. Something must have happened. Oh well. Let's go find some other people," Gabe said.
Ryan looked at Marissa. God she's gorgeous. NO!! Stop that!
"How are you?" she asked.
"Fine."
Awkward silence. Again.
"Can we talk?" Marissa asked.
"About what? I left you. I told you not to see me again after what you did to my son and me."
"I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to."
"You're so full of shit Marissa."
"I'm sorry. But I have to talk to you."
"Fine. But not now. We'll talk on Monday. I have off and Gabe will be in school. Until then, you can stay at the party. Just stay away from my son."
Marissa nodded and walked away.
FLASHBACK
Ryan looked over at the clock. 8:30am. Gabriel slept late today. He looked over to his other side and saw Marissa still sleeping. God did he miss her. He wrapped his arms around her and didn't want to let her go. But Gabriel started to cry so he got up.
It was a normal day. Everyone stared at Ryan as he walked with his one-year old son in the stroller. He didn't care what people thought. He never did.
After the walk, he got home and saw Marissa's car still here. He went into the pool house and saw her drinking a bottle of Absolut Vodka. He saw another bottle on the floor.
"You promised me you were gonna stop!" he yelled.
"I didn't promise you shit," she slurred.
"Know what? I don't need you! Get the fuck out of here!"
"You cant do that!"
"Yes I can!"
Marissa got up and went over to the stroller where Gabriel was and smacked him. The baby started to cry. Marissa hit him and again and Ryan went over to Marissa and held her arms back. He took her and took her out of the pool house. She instantly started to wobble as she walked away.
Ryan went over to his son. His face was bleeding from where her nails hit him. He went into the bathroom and got some first aid supplies and cleaned him up.
About 20 minutes later, he fell asleep. Ryan stood watching his son over his crib.
"She will never come near you again. I promise."
