Bittersweet Homecoming
A/N: Thank you for all the feedback. Not much to say right now, except to please review.
The Beautiful Letdown
Seth walked wearily back to his Newport mansion. He trudged up the front door marble stairs. It was well over 10:30 in the morning and the sun shined brightly in his eyes. He quickly blinked and turned his gaze back to the French door. Seth dug his hands deep into his baggy cargo pants fishing for keys. Feeling the metal press against his finger, he took them out of his pocket and inserted them into the keyhole.
Seth dropped his hand, the key was still stuck into the keyhole. Running his hands through his hair, he met a tangled mess of knots. Seth knew he looked like shit, his hair was probably a mess, his eyes with deep purple bags lining the bottom, puffy eyes, and ruffled clothes. He didn't want to deal with the fact that he was going to marry Samantha. But, that didn't mean he couldn't avoid it for awhile.
Quickly, Seth turned the lock, leaving the key in the keyhole. Running up the stairs, he ran down the long hallway, reaching the baby pink door. A sign hung with the name Savannah engraved on it. Not stopping to read the inscription his parents had put in it, Seth pushed the door open. Savannah was lying in her crib, sleeping peacefully. Samantha must have fed her. Seth rummaged around the table for necessary things—formula cans, bottles, pacifier, Sav's favorite blanket—all which he stuffed in an enormous duffel bag that had been in the nursery. He then gently picked Sav up and put her in a baby carrier. Seth then froze.
"Louisa, I'm taking a shower. Tell Seth to come up when he comes home." Samantha's voice drifted throughout the house.
Seth could imagine the Spanish housekeeper nodding her head in her bashful way. Louisa was always somewhat scared of Samantha. Samantha was a bit intimidating, beautiful, with a stone cold bitch look to her, she could put anyone off.
Seth held his breath as he heard Samantha walk up the stairs and walk into the bathroom. The door slammed shut and he could hear the water running loudly. The bathroom was in the master bedroom, so Seth ran towards the bedroom with another large duffel bag. He opened the closets and all the drawers of the bureau. He desperately tried to find all the clothes he needed. He threw out everything all over the room, pulling things out onto the floor. Quickly, he grabbed his underwear, socks, shirts, pants, different shoes, formal clothes, ties, anything he could possibly get his hands on. He also grabbed a few things from the vanity, brushes, combs, gel, and his cologne. His bag quite heavy, he rushed out of the bedroom, picked Sav up from the nursery and with his one remaining hand, picked Savannah's favorite stroller up. Struggling, Seth slowly labored down the stairs. A wide-eyed Louisa stared at him, mouth agape. Seth didn't slow down though. He loaded the bag into his black Range Rover. Seth was about to open the door when he noticed Louisa who had followed him outside to the driveway.
"Louisa. . ." Seth started as he went to the passenger side and strapped Savannah securely in.
Running back to the driver's side, Seth climbed in and started the car. He rolled down his window and leaned out.
"Louisa, don't tell Senorita Samantha where I am or the baby, okay?" Seth said, while scribbling down the address of Marissa's house.
Louisa nodded.
Seth waved his goodbye and rolled up the window.
Samantha had just come out of the bathroom to see the Range Rover screech down the driveway.
Ryan was at the Cohen's house. It was summer break and he was at home with his adoptive parents. It was seven o'clock and Sandy, Kirsten, and him were sitting around eating dinner at the dining table.
Unfortunately, Kirsten had cooked it.
So Ryan was poking his rubbery steak with his fork. Ryan wanted to see if the steak bounced, really badly, but he was afraid that it would hurt Kirsten's feelings. He snuck a glance at Sandy who was trying to cut his steak, but had only gotten the knife stuck in the meat. Ryan had been shooting glances at Kirsten, hoping that subtly, she would get the hint. This time, he wasn't so lucky and Kirsten was looking out the window. Ryan sighed and turned back to his own plate where he stared at the burnt asparagus.
Sandy was struggling with his steak. He had gotten his knife stuck in his filet mignon and it had no intention of coming out. A 100 dollar steak knife wasn't supposed to get stuck in a steak!!! A steak that was supposedly rare. Sandy really wished Ryan would actually say something to his wife, but that kid was always too damn polite. Sandy supposed he could make the best of the food, even though he knew Kirsten had put 110 percent into it.
"Hey Ryan, could you pass me the salt?" Sandy asked, ignoring Kirsten's death glare.
"Sure." Ryan reached over towards the salt shaker. After handing the salt to Sandy, his arm brushed his china dinner plate, knocking it to the floor.
A loud shattering noise ensued. The contents on the plate flew up, and the steak dropped to the floor. The steak bounced back up with amazing height, landing on the kitchen counter behind Ryan. It bounced a bit more before finally landing in the kitchen sink.
Sandy and Ryan gave her a look that was mixed between fear and I-told-you-so.
Kirsten heaved a big sigh. "Fine, I'll order takeout." She got up and headed towards the phone.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it." Ryan told Sandy. He half jogged, half ran to the door. Another ring rang throughout the house.
"Jeez, I'm coming." Ryan muttered before opening the door. "Hel-."
Summer was in standing in front of the door, tapping her foot impatiently.
"O." Ryan finished lamely.
"Chino." Summer started. "Where's Seth?" She demanded.
Ryan gawked at her. 'How could a girl leave and then ask for the guy whose heart she broke?'
Summer sniffed the air. "Did Kirsten attempt to cook again?"
Seth grabbed some popcorn and returned to his gaze on the plasma TV's screen. He was only wearing pajama pants and no shirt, lounging on the same couch with Marissa. They both were watching American Beauty.
"I'm going to get us some more beer." Marissa told Seth, who was transfixed by the screen. She untangled herself from under Seth's legs and got up from the couch. She smoothed her satin tank top and her boy shorts underwear. Marissa didn't care that Seth saw her in her underwear, they had a history together and there was no awkwardness between them even though they were wearing minimal clothing. "Seth!"
Seth tore his gaze from Kevin Spacey. "What?" He asked exasperatedly.
"Pause it." Marissa demanded. "Pleeasssse." She mock begged.
Seth reached for the remote. "Yea, fine. But hurry your ass up."
Marissa humphed and purposefully walked as slow as she possibly could.
In about five minutes, Marissa returned with 4 Coronas, only to find Seth had already started to play the DVD. "Seth." Marissa whined.
Seth faced her, "I started it when I heard you coming. Its only like 5 seconds from where we paused."
Marissa looked at the screen and found that Seth was telling the truth. She plopped down on the floor and sat under Seth's head, her back leaning on the front of the couch. He almost immediately started to play with her hair.
"You know this makes me feel so feminine." Seth remarked after Marissa and him both cried after the ending.
"Just look at your daughter and remember that your sperm created her." Marissa told him.
"I still feel all girly inside."
Ryan felt like he was a prisoner being forced to give out top-secret information. Summer had dragged him to Seth's house.
"Summer, I don't think this is such a good idea." Ryan started while making a right turn in his Range Rover.
"Why would that be, Chino?" Summer asked as she turned from the window to face him.
"It's sort of sudden. I mean it hasn't hit me that you're here. Yet."
"I don't know why I left. I'm stupid I guess. And shallow. And just like my mother." Summer said.
Ryan remained silent.
A solitary tear dripped slowly down Summer's cheek.
"I still love him." Summer whispered.
Ryan suddenly put the car in park. "Summer! You left Seth! You were the one who got up and left after you gave birth to Savannah. Summer, you just left the hospital without a goodbye. You broke his heart."
"You don't know half of it." Summer whispered, seemly to the window.
Ryan sighed and started to drive again.
"Here we are." Ryan said.
Summer looked out her window, only to be met with a large house on the water. "Wow."
Summer clambered out of the car. Ryan was already ringing the doorbell. Summer ran to catch up with him. The door opened and a brown haired girl came out.
"Ryan!" Samantha squealed.
Ryan endured the huge hug. "Sammie, this is Summer."
Sammie glanced at Summer and smiled before turning back to Ryan. "Ryan! Guess what?"
"What?" Ryan asked, monotone. He wasn't used to seeing Sammie this happy. Usually she was moody and sophisticated. Never valley-girl like this.
"Seth proposed!"
Summer's eyes narrowed. Ryan was speechless.
Samantha forced her hand in front of Ryan's face. On her finger sat a huge diamond rock on a gold band.
"Wow." Ryan breathed.
Summer felt a rage blackout coming on. Ryan noticed Summer's face getting redder. He tried to avoid confrontation.
"Summer, let's go." Ryan sternly told her. "I'm sorry. I didn't know." He whispered in her ear as she passed by.
Summer brushed him off and instead headed towards Samantha. "Where the hell is my baby?"
Ryan slapped himself in the head. Summer didn't want to see Seth, she wanted Savannah. "Summer!" He reproached.
"Oh, you're the baby abandoner." Samantha remarked.
"Well aren't you the rebound whore?" Summer countered.
Ryan stepped between both of them.
"Chino, move." Summer said between clenched teeth.
Just then, Ryan's cell phone rang.
"Hello?" Ryan asked as he flipped the phone open.
"Ryan, it's Seth."
"Hey, Seth! Where are you?"
Ryan ignored the fact that both girls were suddenly intent on his conversation.
"I'm at Marissa's house."
"You're at Marissa's house?" Ryan asked disbelievingly. This wasn't fair, Marissa and him had just reconciled.
Summer's eyes narrowed again. She grabbed the cell phone. "Cohen!!!"
"Summer? What the hell?"
Summer was about to say something when she heard Marissa's voice.
"Seth! Want to take a shower with me?"
"Marissa, give me back my boxers!"
"Not unless you come here."
Summer had heard enough. She threw the cell phone back at Ryan. Ryan caught it soundly. "Summer, what the he-?"
"Ryan, we're going to Marissa's house."
Summer ran into the passenger side and slammed the door. Ryan could only jump to conclusions, and he hopped in the driver's seat.
Ryan and Summer were halfway to Marissa's house. She couldn't believe what was happening. Tears cursed her face. Seth was with her best friend. That was ugly betrayal, and she had gone across the nation for him and Savannah while he had who-knows-how-many relationships going on.
It was a beautiful letdown
When I crashed and burned
When I found myself alone
Unknown and hurt
It was a beautiful letdown
The day I knew
That all the riches this world had to offer me
Would never do
In a world full of bitter pain
And bitter doubts
I was trying so hard to fit in
Fit in, until I found out
I don't belong here (I don't belong)
I don't belong here (I don't belong)
I will carry a cross and a song
Where I don't belong
I don't belong
It was a beautiful letdown
When You found me here
Yeah, for once in a rare blue moon
I see everything clear
I'll be a beautiful letdown
That's what I'll forever be
And though it may cost my soul
I'll sing for free
We're still chasing our tails
In the rising sun
In our dark water planet still spinning
In a direction no one wins
No one's won.
See, I don't belong here (I don't belong)
Well, I don't belong here, I don't belong
I will carry a cross
With a song where I don't belong
I don't belong
I don't belong here (I don't belong)
No, I don't belong here, I don't belong
I'm gonna set side
And set sail
For the kingdom come, kingdom come
Your kingdom come
Won't you let me down, yeah
Let my foolish pride forever let me down
Ah, Easy living, you're not much like the name
Easy dying, you look just about the same
Would you please take me off your list
Easy living please c'mon and let me down
We are a beautiful letdown
Painfully uncool
The church of the dropouts
The losers, the sinners, the failures, and the fools
What a beautiful letdown
Are we salt in the wound
Hey, let us sing one true tune
I don't belong here (I don't belong)
It feels like I don't belong here, yeah
It goes like I don't belong here
I don't belong (I don't belong)
Won't you let me down (I don't belong)
C'mon and let me down (I don't belong)
You always let me down (I don't belong)
So glad that I'm let down (I don't belong)
C'mon and let me down (I don't belong)
'Cause I don't belong here
Won't you let me down!
The Beautiful Letdown – Switchfoot
A/N: Chapter number 3! Please review! If you don't review, I won't give you another chapter! Then you won't be able to learn all about Seth and Marissa's "history". Much love!