Rating: PG

Disclaimer: I do not own the O.C., nor will I ever.

Life, Love, and Coming Home

Chapter Three

"Hey man, who are looking for," Ryan asked as he came by.

"Summer. I need to talk to her," Seth answered as he continued looking around the room for her.

Both Ryan and Marissa had agreed not to tell Seth about Summer until she came. It was best to leave everything peaceful and happy for a couple of months, instead of having Seth stuck in depressed mode and sulk all day long.

"Ummm, Seth about Summer....," Ryan started off slowly.

"Yeah, what about Summer, other than the fact that I haven't seen her in almost four years," Seth replied back, while still focus on looking for Summer.

"She's engaged," Ryan spoke quickly, hoping not to inflict any sudden damage on Seth.

"What?" Seth asked again, not paying attention the first time.

"She's engaged man. Engaged."

"WHAT! Summer. Engaged?! Are you sure?!" Seth heard this time and practically shouted in response, attracting the attention of a few people around him and Ryan.

He stood in complete silence, slowly processing the information that Ryan had just told. Summer. Engaged. Somehow those two words felt so foreign to him. He had never imagined Summer to be the marrying type, or even the settling down type. 

"You okay man," Ryan spoke to break the silence. "Maybe you should go talk to her."

"Talk to her. And say what, 'Oh hey, how're you doing? Long time no see. Oh, by the way I heard you got engaged.'" 

"'Hey' works," Ryan attempts to offer his advice.

"Oh, yeah, 'hey' is a great way to start a conversation with a girl I haven't seen in almost four years and been in love with since the third grade. And did I mention that she is also engaged," Seth sarcastically remarked at Ryan's so-called advice.

"Just trying to help."

"Can I at least ask how long you have known about this whole thing?" Seth asked impatiently.

"Marissa found out a couple of months ago while RSVP-ing people for......"

 "A couple of MONTHS!" Seth shouted, this time attracting even more attention and stares from the people around them. "And you never even thought or even consider telling me about this little fact!"

"Look, Marissa and I thought that it would be better if Summer told you than you having to hear about it from us,"

"It's funny because I could have sworn I heard you say Marissa and I, when I bet that this was all part of Marissa Cooper grand doing," he said while gesticulating his hands all over the place.

"We didn't tell you because, we knew you would act like this. Just go talk to her."

"I need another drink," Seth grunted as he makes his way to the bar, hoping to find something strong enough to immerse himself in. Maybe vodka would do.

 "Excuse me," he said absent-mindedly as he bumped into someone while swerving his way through the crowd.

"Sorry," he heard her say. He quickly lifted his eyes off from the ground at the sound of her voice. And there she was, right in front of his eyes. "Summer," he let out a whispered gasp. She couldn't help but turned her head around at the sound of his voice. And there he was, just within a few feet away from her.

"Cohen," she whispered almost to herself. So much for trying to avoid him. They stare fixedly at each other, before Seth broke the silence and move a few steps toward Summer, "How've you been?" he asked with the same whispered tone.

"Fine. And you?" she asked back.

"Okay, I guess," he replied.

Seth search for something more to say as he nervously shuffled his feet on the ground. He noticed Summer doing the same thing. 

"Look, it doesn't have to be awkward between us," he spoke.

"You're right," she responded, keeping her eyes fixated on her shoes. "We're not in high school anymore."

"So, how long are staying for?" he asked in an attempt to keep the conversation flowing.

"Just for the weekend, then I'm flying back Sunday night. I have Monday off from work to get some rest," she responded, lifting her eyes to meet his.

"I hear you're working with you dad at the firm," she continued.

"Yeah, two public defender fighting to making a difference," he said in his trademark sarcastic tone.

They laughed. And the awkwardness between them left. It almost felt like old times.

"It would make a good comic book," she suggested smiling.

"The Adventures of Eyebrows Cohen and his Handsome Son," he smiled.

"It could sell millions." She smiled again, and somehow all thoughts of the gap between them felt as if though it had never existed. All thoughts of the conversation Seth had with Ryan disappear from his mind, as he kept his attention focus on Summer. She still had the same exact beauty about her, the same glow. If it was possible, she was even more beautiful than he had last remembered.

"You look beautiful," he spoke.

Summer could feel her cheeks warm up. This wasn't supposed to happen. She wasn't supposed to feel this way, especially now, with Seth. Seth noticed her cheeks turning pink, and couldn't help let out a smile. The music started up at the perfect timing, and he couldn't resist lending his hand out to Summer, "Wanna dance?"

Summer look at his hand uncertainly, not sure of whether she could allow herself to fall completely again. "Come on," he nudged his head. She took his hand and he led her to the dance floor. She wrapped her hands around his neck, and let her head rest on his shoulder. His hands graze her bare back, and slid perfectly to her waist. It felt somehow surreal, like a dream. It was....perfect.

Lying here with you
Listening to the rain
Smiling just to see the smile upon your face

These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive
These are the moments I'll remember all my life
I found all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
Looking in your eyes
Seeing all I need
Everything you are is everything to me
These are the moments
I know heaven must exist
These are the moments I know all I need is this
I have all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
 
I could not ask for more than this time together

I could not ask for more than this time with you
Every prayer has been answered
Every dream I have's come true
And right here in this moment is right where I'm meant to be
Here with you here with me

These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive
These are the moments I'll remember all my life
I've got all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more


I could not ask for more than the love you give me 'Coz it's all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
I could not ask for more 

The song came to an end, and they slowly pulled apart. He looked straight into her eyes, and Summer somehow felt like he was able to see right through her¾all her secrets and all her vulnerabilities. It was something only Seth Cohen knew how to do. She had swore that she would not let herself become vulnerable to another guy again. Vulnerability was something Summer had no control over, it only left her weak and open to another heartbreak, something she wasn't ready to go through again. She pulled away from his arms and made a hasty excuse, "It's getting pretty late, I should go." She apologized and turned and walked away, leaving a confused Seth standing in the middle of the dance floor.

"Summer wait....," he shouted. He tried to go after her, but by then she was already lost in the crowd.

~to be continued~

Edwin McCain – I Could Not Ask For More

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