I do not own any of the original characters from the OC
A/N Thanks for all that reviewed and encouraged me :)
A full table of food built around freshly grilled burgers was waiting for the gang when they arrived at Jimmy's.
Jimmy: Dinner is served... unloading can wait.
Seth: You don't have to say that twice. My stomach thinks my throats been cut.
Crowding around the kitchen sink, they washed the grime from their hands then moved to the table to lay claim on a chair. Jimmy stood back smiling at all the youthful commotion. God but it was good to have a house full of kids again.
Ryan: Man, I'm stuffed.. that was great, thanks Jimmy.
Seth: Same here. Made all that manual labor worth while.. well almost sorta close?
Emily and Summer chimed in their mutual appreciation. Getting up from the table, Emily began clearing the dishes.
Jimmy: Hey, I'll do that later.
Emily: Please, let me help.. I'm not allowed to help move anything so at least I can load a dishwasher.
Jimmy: Since you put it that way... thanks. I really hate doing dishes even with a dishwasher.
With everyone working it was no time at all till Marissa's things were unloaded and deposited in her room. Jimmy looked around the room and his eyes began to mist. His baby was coming home.
Seth and Summer climbed into the rover.
Seth: Your place or mine?
Summer: Mine.. Dad and the wicked stepmother are gone for the weekend. They left this morning.
Seth: Outstanding...
Summer came into the kitchen to find the only thing of Seth outside of the refrigerator was his butt. She could hear him rooting around, looking for god knew what because he had eaten enough at dinner for five people. This was too good and she absolutely could not resist. Quietly she crept up...
Summer: GOOSE!!!
Seth: OW! Summer!
Seth jumped, hitting his head on a shelf and dropping the cans of soda from his hands.
Summer was laughing too hard to put up much of a fight as Seth grabbed her. He couldn't keep a straight face for long and eventually both were leaning on each other for support.
"Do you want something to drink?" he giggled.
"Yes," she gasped between peels of laughter..
Summer had beaten him again!
Seth: Time out! Union break, whatever...
Summer: What's the matter Cohen, can't take the heat?
Seth: Naw, I just need a break..
Standing he stretched. It was good being here.. being with her. Turning the PS2 off, Summer came back to stand beside Seth.
Seth: This was a good day..
Summer: Yep.. God that was so sweet! Did you see Mr. Cooper was about to cry... it has sucked for so long, for so many people that this whole place should be declared a disaster area. Finally some people seem to be getting a break. I can't wait till Marissa is home.
Seth: It has sucked.. which brings me to the main reason I am here.
Taking her in his arms he looked into her eyes.
Seth: Summer, what do you want from us?
She was quiet for long enough Seth began thinking he might have to explain the question. Just as he was opening his mouth to elaborate she answered.
Summer: I want us to make me be happy. I'm not happy without you but I don't want to be unhappy with you.
Seth smiled and stroked her hair.
Seth: Good answer.. and mine is pretty much the same. I know I haven't been the same guy since I came back. I changed in some ways and I think it has made our relationship harder. I'm sorry for that. I do still love you.. probably always will. Do you love me enough to work at getting back what we had?
Summer: Cohen, you idiot.. I'd crawl through hell for you. I just need to know you'll be there at the finish line when I cross it.
Seth: Well I'd certainly be there unless I had other pressing appointments...
Summer: Not now Cohen! I don't want to laugh.. I want to see your heart.
Seth: Summer, all you have to do is look.. my heart has always been with you.
Summer: Seth, I love you.. don't hurt me anymore.
Seth: Just don't give up on me.. or us because I love you too.
Marissa looked around at her room. She felt safe here. She felt a little panic at being at the mercy of the rest of the world. These walls kept her safe and also protected her from herself. Tomorrow her dad would take her home and she would not have these walls. It was scary but she could do it. All of her things were already packed.. she was ready. Tomorrow morning couldn't come soon enough for her.
Emily had tossed Ryan the keys when they climbed into the truck. She slid over next to him and laid her head on his shoulder as he drove. Ryan knew exactly where he was going. Lost in her own thoughts Emily didn't realize where they were till the truck came to a stop. Looking around she realized where they were.
Emily: What are we doing here?
Ryan: It's kinda our place... and we need to talk.
Emily: Ryan Atwood seeking dialogue? The earth just may stop turning!
Ryan: Cute.. these days I feel like I never shut up.
They held hands as they walked down the beach. They were silent for a while, just enjoying the sound of the surf, the moonlight and just being together.
Ryan: I made a really stupid slip of the tongue earlier and I am so sorry about it I could cut out my tongue. I really need you to understand that was all it was.
Stopping he turned her to him, looking steadily into her eyes. Nervously he waited for her to say something.
Emily: I won't lie..it more than bothered me. Why wouldn't it? But I had a lot of time to think about how I felt about it while you guys were busting your butts and I watched.
A nervous laugh escaped her lips as she continued.
Emily: I don't know anything about relationships, in fact you are my first, other than my family. All the other guys have been date 'em a few times.. no big deal.
Nervously she paused and chewed her lip.
Emily: My Mom used to say life's too short to dance with ugly men... Translation. .life's too short to be someplace you don't want to be, with someone you don't want to be with.
Alarm lit his face at her words and he opened his mouth to interrupt. She shook her head and raised her hand for him to stop.
Emily: I can't do jealousy.. it just a waste of time. People should be together because they want to be and because it makes them happy. If I learned anything from losing my family, it's that all any of us really have is "right now".
Ryan pulled her closer.
Ryan: I am right where I want to be with who I want to be with...
Emily: Me too, but I only want you here for those reasons... life is too short for tears and regret..
Ryan tightened his arms around her, softly nibbling her lips.
Ryan: So.. are things between us good?
"Way better than good", she murmured against his lips.
FINIS