Disclaimer:I wish I owned them all, but I don't….now I'm sad…
A/N:Well folks, this is it, my last bitter sweet chapter. So, soak it up, but be brave. I'm just kidding, no doubt I'll write another O.C. fic. Thanks for all the good times, the laughs and the tears. You've been wonderful!
oO0 0Oo
Marissa squinted into the sun, raising her good arm to shield her eyes. "Ryan, where are we?" she asked, craning her neck to face him.
"It's a surprise, no peeking!" he scowled at her playfully, and pushed her wheelchair faster.
She laughed at him, but shut her eyes, settling back in her chair. Soon she could feel her chair leave the steady pavement onto the soft and bumpy grass.
She came to a gradual stop and waited for Ryan to let her open her eyes. She heard birds and the ocean, so she knew they were in a park, but she didn't know where since she had fallen asleep in the car.
"Ryan?"
"Don't open your eyes! Just – one – minute –" she heard him struggling with something. Then she heard a spark and music started playing. Her favorite song, "Your Song" by Sir Elton John. She smiled, the anticipation mounting.
"Okay," Ryan's voice said gently in her ear, "you can open your eyes now."
She did and gasped at the sight. Before her a gazebo was lit with icicle lights and candles, a small table was set up inside the screened in gazebo with a meal hidden under platter covers. A dozen roses were in an elegant vase in the center of the table, with a trail of rose pedals scattered on the floor. The gazebo was in a park not familiar to her, but it was beautiful too. They sat atop a hill with the ocean as a backdrop and the sun dipping into the horizon painting the sky soft shades of purple, pink, orange, and blue.
"Ryan…" was all she was able to say. He beamed. Slowly he pushed her through the screen door and into the gazebo.
"How? Why?" she was still suffering from shock.
He just smiled and kissed her cheek.
He wheeled her up to the table and began unveiling the dishes like Vanna White. She squealed with excitement, it was her favorite meal too: 2 plain cheeseburgers, a small fry, and a medium Dr. Pepper from McDonalds.
She threw her head back and laughed. Partly from the irony of having a fancy setting and simple food, and because she just didn't know how to react.
Marissa decided to go the impulsive route. She slowly leaned forward in her chair and shakily stood up. Ryan rushed over to her. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him as much as she could until he seated her back in her chair.
Over dinner they talked about good movies, or Seth's problems (because they inevitably become everyone else's problems). They enjoyed each other's company and tried to forget about the summer.
It was mid- August, and everything seemed perfect. Ryan knew this day was special to Marissa because it was their 1 year anniversary, or what would have been their one year if…
After diner, he wheeled her down to the shore and spread a blanket out on the sand. He lifted her up and set her on the blanket, wrapping himself around her with a blanket. She fell back into his form and let her breathing match his. They sat there, watching the sky and just enjoying each other's company.
After about an hour, Marissa sat up. "Now I have a surprise for you," she said, kissing him lightly on the lips.
He closed his eyes, and into his hands she placed a small box.
He opened his eyes and then the box, pulling out its contents. He looked at it puzzled for a moment, the n leaned in and kissed Marissa. He pulled her closer to kiss her more passionately. Then he put her in a hug and kissed her forehead.
"Thank you, I know how hard this is for you," he said; she smiled.
In the box was a single piece of paper with writing on it. A written testimony from Marissa reading:
I, Marissa Cohen, do hereby solemnly swear to change forever. I will no longer act like a selfish brat. I will stop drinking and partying like a horny college girl. I will try harder to be nice to my mom, and step dad. And last but not least, I promise to love you now and forever. I will never let anything stop me from being with you ever again.
Then he knew, he knew how much he meant to her. As he held her, he took in the moment and thanked God he was able to hold her again.
"Marissa, I love you, and I always will. I'm sorry about everything that happened. I will never hurt you again." He kissed her temple.
She turned her head up to him and smiled, biting her bottom lip. "I love you to Ryan. You're everything to me, I'm so glad you're back," she reached up and pulled his head to hers, kissing him lightly.
Ryan moved in front of her, to kiss her harder, and pulled her close to him. Slowly he laid her on her back and planted gentle kisses wherever he saw skin.
She giggled and playfully pushed him away, but he kept coming back. Just like he always would.
And there, in the sand, their hearts finally healed.
oO0 0Oo
A/N: I know, I know, SAPPY! But that's okay right? Well, it's been a blast writing this, (thanks to your reviews) and I have an idea for another story so watch out for more new stories!