Disclaimer: I don't own anything regarding "The O.C." nor am I affiliated with any of the cast and characters used in the story. Anyone or anything that you don't recognize is mine, and anyone and anything else that you do recognize is not mine.
Note: Once again, I would like to thank everyone for reading and for the reviews. Sometimes when I write these things, I have some doubts on how I wrote some scenes and such, so it's really great to hear what you guys thought of it.
Against All Odds
Chapter 14 – In The Spirit of Chrismukkah
As much as Seth claimed to be unromantic, the past few weeks with him had been like romantic movie in and of itself. They did not see each other every single day, but they kept in touch through long phone conversations. Things were progressing steadily and nicely. Aside from a several dinner dates, she and Seth have gone to an off-Broadway show called I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. They both enjoyed, and they even got to witness a couple get engaged right in front of them. Summer has heard all about the proposals during the show before, but she has never witnessed them firsthand.
One night after one of their dinner dates, Seth took her to Central Park and surprised her with a carriage ride. She had gone on one ride with a friend of hers, but being there with him was way better. She could still remember the incandescent glow of the moon upon them. The soft noises that the nightly creatures made. The excitement in both of them as they took in their surroundings. It was a little chilly, but they had a blanket. It didn't hurt that Seth had his arm around her.
With the cold weather progressing, they mostly kept their meetings indoors. She had gone over to Seth's place plenty of times. For the most part, he cooked dinner, although sometimes she did help him. They watched movies together, cuddled in the sofa and just happy to be in each other's company. One time, Seth went out of his way to provide her with an indoor picnic since their plans a few days ago was cancelled. He even added foliage in his living room to give it a more authentic feel. She didn't quite remember what they had, but she did remember throwing grapes at him that sparked the beginning of a food fight.
As the holiday season was nearing its pinnacle, both of them have been stumped with work over the last few days. The week leading up to Christmas was even harder. It was Monday morning, and already she had a new agenda placed on her desk. She looked around her office. It wasn't as big as Seth's was, but it was certainly more colorful. After each of their dates, Seth never failed to send her a bouquet, with notes saying how he had fun the other night, or how he was thinking of her, or how he missed her already. There was more to his notes, but she didn't want to get into all the mushy details.
She had a few more minutes before ten o'clock to meet a group of very special individuals. After finishing up the project proposal that she was working on, she grabbed her coat and keys and headed out. As she made her way out of the building, the scent of the flowers still lingered with her. Once she reached the exit, she smiled as she saw a familiar sight waiting for her.
"Hey!" she greeted him with a kiss. "You made it."
"It's not like I was getting any progress in my work anyway," Seth replied. "Here you go."
"Aw, thank you," she said, giving him another kiss as she took the hot chocolate from him. "You shouldn't have, but I'm glad you did."
"Well, I just wanted to make sure you stay warm in case my manly presence isn't enough," he said, wrapping his right arm around her.
"Good idea," she replied, causing him to give out a laugh.
"Are you doing anything this Friday?" he asked as they started to walk.
"Guess."
"Spending some time with me?"
"Chrismukkah!" Summer told him. "Or actually the pinnacle of Chrismukkah."
"What are you…?" he started to ask, seemingly confused at her response. "Oh, right, Chrismukkah."
"What's the problem? You don't celebrate it anymore?"
"I kind of stopped since my parents passed away," Seth told her. "I don't really celebrate much of anything anymore."
"That's too bad," she said as she took a sip from her drink.
"I can't believe you still celebrate it."
"It's popular with the kids these days."
"How?" Seth asked in disbelief. "Why?"
"That's why I asked to see you this morning," Summer grabbed his hand. "Come on. I'll show you."
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"The hospital?" Seth asked as they entered the building.
"I'd like you to meet a few of my friends."
Summer checked in with the lady at the desk. Seth was surprised when the lady actually knew who she was and was actually smiling. Within a few seconds, Summer had managed to get both of them a pass. He followed as Summer walked excitedly in front of him. He looked around and saw cartoon-like designs on the walls, as well as a few circus-themed paintings. If he had to guess, he would say that they were in the children's area. They stopped when they reached a room labeled ART THERAPY.
"Are you ready?" Summer asked as she was about to open the door.
Seth nodded. As soon as Summer opened the room, he was certain that there were a lot of kids in it. While he was correct about the kids, what he saw was nothing that he had ever seen before. The kids were for the most part gaunt and skinny. Some of them were bald. Some of them were in wheelchairs. Some of them were even attached to IV lines. It didn't take a wise men to know that all of these kids were ill with some form of serious illness.
As he stood there in shock, he was more surprised when all the kids looked up and smiled when they saw Summer. After she greeted them, those who had the energy or who were able to do so got up and flocked around her. Seth was just in awe by everything. After Summer gave everyone of the kids a hug, she went over to the kids in wheelchairs and greeted them. Seth thought that he knew everything about Summer, but nothing prepared him for this one.
"Who's that?"
Seth attention turned to a little girl who was pointing at him. Suddenly, all eyes in the room were focused on him. He really didn't know what to say, and he felt like a complete idiot for just standing there and staring at them. If it wasn't for Summer speaking up, he would probably have fled already.
"You guys remember what's happening this week?"
"Chrismukkah!" all the kids yelled, much to Seth's surprise.
"That's right," Summer said as she took Seth's hand and gave it a firm grip. "Well, everyone, I want you to meet Seth Cohen."
Once again, the kids turned their attention to Seth, but this time instead of curiosity, they were the one who seemed in awe by him.
"What's going on?" Seth whispered to Summer.
"They think you're the founder of Chrismukkah," she whispered back.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes," Summer hissed. "Talk to them."
"Hey kids," Seth said as Summer pushed him forward. "I'm Seth Cohen. Um… Do you have any… questions?"
All of a sudden, the children started to barrage him with questions. They asked him questions of many sorts, and Seth tried to come up with answers. At one point, he looked over to Summer for help, but she just mouthed for him to talk and be himself. They continued to ask him more questions, and as he continued to talk, Seth felt like being his old self again. He started telling them about Chrismukkah like it was the best thing in the world. He told them a few stories, and about the eight days of presents, although they seemed to be unaware of the last day with many, many presents. By the end of the discussion, Seth ended up promising a surprise on the last day.
Before long, they said their good-byes and left the room with children buzzing about the whole event.
"That was incredible," Seth gushed once they got outside. "I felt like Santa Claus or Hanukkah Harry or something."
"You can never go wrong with surprises when it comes to children."
"How did you know those kids, anyway?"
"I've been volunteering here for a few years now. I usually work with those kids for the most part."
"And Chrismukkah… How did they go about knowing that?"
"I just told them about it."
"Why?"
"Well, I've secretly celebrated it myself."
"You have?"
"Yeah. It made me feel somewhat close to everyone back home. I don't know if that makes sense."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For bringing me here. Bringing me back to Chrismukkah."
He paused for a minute before turning her towards him and giving her a kiss.
"Bringing me back to this," he smiled.
"I have to get back to work though," she smiled apologetically.
"So soon?"
"It's a busy time."
"Well, I'll walk you to your office then."
"Do I have a choice?"
"Nope," he said, putting his arm around her. "You, unfortunately, are stuck with me."
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Summer walked frantically in and out of the building. The celebration with the kids had started, and Seth was a no-show. She was getting frustrated, although she was more worried than upset. When she came out again for the seventh time, she finally saw him drive in the parking lot with huge van right behind him.
"Finally!" Summer said when he got out of the vehicle. "What took you so long?"
"Here!" Seth tossed her a yarmuclaus. "I have some more in the van, as well as a bunch of toys. I brought a friend over to help me out."
"Hey!" Summer greeted the guy. "Do you need help with these?"
"I think a few more people wouldn't hurt," Seth said as he started to get the boxes of toys out one by one.
After Summer got a few of more people to help out, all the toys were finally gathered safely in the room. The celebration was partially interrupted as the toys came in, with Seth saying that it was all for them. The toys were given out promptly, each kid thanking Seth with a hug or a kiss on the check. Once all the toys were given out, the children dispersed throughout the room. Most of them were playing with their new toys. Others were listening to Christmas stories and playing dreidel. Some were eating latkes and Christmas cookies.
Seth had to admit that it was a little weird seeing all the kids with their yarmuclauses on their head. He did feel good about what he did. Seeing the kids all happy made it worthwhile. He still couldn't believe that Summer had kept the tradition going when he had given up himself. He looked around and searched the room for her, but she was playing with the kids, so he just stood there and watched. She just never seized to amaze him.
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After the celebration, they both bid the kids farewell.
"Did you have fun?" Summer asked as she put her seatbelt on.
"I had a blast," Seth told him.
"You did a very nice thing tonight," Summer said. "I've never seen the kids this excited about anything. They were all so happy. They deserve it."
"Me?" he turned his head towards her slightly before focusing on backing out of the lot. "I've only done this for one night. You've been doing this for years."
"It's the least I can do."
"What you've been doing here is beyond amazing. It goes beyond giving your money to show your support."
"It's really nothing."
"You know what? I think I love you even more."
Summer gazed at him momentarily and searched his eyes. A few seconds later, she smiled, but Seth knew that she was thinking about something.
"What were you thinking about?"
"Nothing."
"I know that look."
"You said you loved me,"
"I did?"
"Yes, you did."
"Well, I take it back."
"Hey!" she said, hitting him slightly on the arm. "You can't do that."
"I'm kidding," Seth said as he parked the car on the corner.
He turned towards Summer and held both of her hands.
"I really do love you, Summer Roberts. The scary thing is, deep down, I don't think I ever really stopped."
"You want to know what I think?"
"What?"
"I think I love you too."
"You don't have to say it just because I…"
"I wanted to," she interrupted him.
"I know you wanted to take things slow, and this… this is a big step."
"I know."
"Are you sure?"
"All I know is that I trust you and that I love you, and that's all that really matters."
"In that case," he said as he held up her left hand and kissed it gently. "I won't let you down."
"Where are we, anyway?"
"Wait!" Seth said. "Close your eyes."
"What for?"
"I have a surprise for you."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, but you can't have it until you close your eyes."
"They're closed now."
She couldn't see anything, obviously, but she heard him get out and get something from the trunk. In a matter of seconds, she felt some sort of box on her lap.
"You can open your eyes now."
"Wow! A box. Thanks Cohen!"
"Open it," he laughed.
Summer usually opens her gifts carefully as to not rip the gift-wrap, but she was too excited to find out what it was that she just ripped them off. Even Seth helped a little. Once she opened the box, she looked at Seth, and then at the present, and then at Seth again.
"This is…"
"It's cool, isn't it?"
"These are amazing," Summer said as she hugged him. "I can't believe you did this."
"Well, I know you kept gushing about ice skating, so I figured I'd get you one."
Seth got Summer a pair of ice skating shoes. They were white and very expensive. It was custom-made and even had her initials on them, as well as a couple of imprints of mermaids on them.
"You want to try them out?"
"What are you talking about?" Summer asked before realizing where they were. "We're right near Rockefeller Center, aren't we?"
"Yup."
"Did you plan all of this?"
"Well, I did my homework," Seth smiled at her. "What do you say?"
"I thought you hated ice skating."
"I did, and I still do."
"Well, I'm not ice skating there alone."
"That's what I thought," Seth said. "So, I'm going to suck up my pride and risk any kind of embarrassment, and I'll go with you."
"You'll do that for me?"
"I'll do anything for you."
"Do you even know how to skate?"
"As much as you can learn in a week."
"You didn't."
"Yes, Summer, I did. It hurt and it still hurts, but I think I'll have a better chance of looking like a decent ice skater after a few practice."
"I think that's the nicest thing that anyone has ever done for me," Summer said as she felt tears forming in her eyes. "You are just… I don't deserve you."
"Don't say that," Seth said, caressing her face gently. "You deserve the best, and I'm just trying to be that guy for you."
"Well, you're doing a pretty good job at it."
"So do you want to skate or not?"
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"I am so going to be hurting in the morning," Seth said as he got up from the ice for the third time.
"Come on, Cohen," Summer said as she skated around him. "It's not so bad. You did say that you took lessons."
"Only a few," Seth said as he tried to get up. "I never said I was a fast learner though."
"I still appreciate all that you did, even if it's doing you bodily harm right now."
"Hey, I forgot to ask you about something."
"What?"
"That party that Ryan and Marissa mentioned."
"What about it?" Summer asked as she continued to skate.
"Are you going?" he asked as he tried to catch up to her.
"I haven't decided yet."
"I think it would be fun," Seth said. "They'd really love it if you could."
"I don't know, Cohen."
"Please?" he said, giving her the puppy dog eyes. "I promise it'll be great. I know that everyone is dying to see you again. Newport hasn't been exactly the same without you."
"That's nice, Cohen, but what if I don't want to see everyone."
"Well, Marissa and Ryan really want you to be there," Seth said. "I really want you to be there. I miss a bunch of people as well, and I know that you do too. Besides, just because everyone is dying to see you doesn't mean that you have to see them."
"I'll think about it," she said before giving him a smile.
"Well, when you're trying to make your decision, can you keep in mind the pathetic display that I'm putting on right now?"
"I think you're doing fine."
"Right now I am," he said but before he could recover, he was already falling forward.
"I take that back," Summer laughed as she helped him up. "I think I won't be able to keep that image out of my mind for a long time."
"Very funny."
