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: The end is finally near. I think the next chapter that comes out will probably be the last. It's been fun. I hope you like this one. Thanks as always for the reviews and words of encouragement!
Against All Odds
Chapter 24 – I'll Be Seeing You
Another three months passed as September became December. As a precaution, Summer remained at the hospital, although she was transferred to a private room. With the combined efforts of Marissa and Seth, the room was made to look as homey as possible. As for the bone marrow process, Seth had not heard anything regarding a possible match for Summer. However, he did hear something positive from the NMDP. They told Seth that his "stunt" worked and that more and more people have contacted them in the past few months. In addition, Seth also found out that his grandfather had a change of heart and put in a word and some money to the program to promote the course.
Being stuck in the hospital with barely anything to do was taking a toll on Summer. Seth was aware of that fact, so along with Ryan and Marissa, they made sure that at least one of them was there for Summer for a substantial amount of time during the day. Seth visited Summer everyday and even slept in the room when he had no important work to do the following day.
"Isn't this lovely?" Seth said jokingly as he bumped into Ryan and Marissa. "What are you two doing here?"
"The same reason you are," Marissa replied.
"I thought you specifically told me last night that you could not make it."
"Are we not allowed to change our minds?" asked Ryan, although his tone was uncharacteristically playful.
"What is up with you two?"
" We just want to see Summer," Marissa said giddily. "And I guess we wanted to see you as well."
"Okay, you are acting way too giddily even for you," Seth told Marissa. "And you bro are starting to scare me."
Seth got no response from Ryan or Marissa, who were too busy exchanging secretive glances at each other. They were brief, but Seth noticed nonetheless. The mere fact that Ryan was unusually chipper was should have clued him in that they were up to something.
"Am I missing something?" he eyed them skeptically as he placed his hand on the doorknob to Summer's room.
"Could we just go in?" Marissa asked before Seth gave up and opened the door.
Marissa was all over Summer before Seth could even close the door. Even Ryan beat him, although he was not as eager as Marissa. Seth smiled as he watched the scene unfold in front of him. Hearing Summer laugh was always music to his ears, and it never got old. She was wearing her scarf again, but she was looking better than a month ago.
"Get off of her, you two," Seth playfully chided as he made his way towards Summer. "It's my turn."
"Hey," Summer greeted him before accepting his kiss.
"Hey yourself," he smiled. "So how is my wife feeling today?"
"Better now that you're here," she replied. "How are you?"
"Great now that I've seen you."
"And how are you two?" Summer addressed her other visitors.
"Amazing," said Marissa.
"Perfect," added Ryan.
"The brooding duo have been acting unusually happy since I saw them earlier," Seth told Summer. "I know something is going on, but I just can't figure it out."
"Oh my gosh," Summer said as her hands went up to her mouth. "You're pregnant."
"What?" Seth asked in amazement as Ryan and Marissa just looked at each other and smiled. "You're pregnant."
"We just found out this morning," Ryan told them.
"I've been suspecting it, but now I know it's true," Marissa explained. "I'm pregnant."
Marissa and Summer returned to their hugging selves again as Ryan and Seth stood and watch. The only difference between the two men was that Ryan was beaming and Seth was still confused.
"Seth?" Ryan said as he approached him. "Are you okay?"
"I… Wow… I'm just… Congratulations!"
"Thanks," Ryan said as they shared a brief hug. "I'm really excited."
"I know, buddy, and I am so happy for you," Seth said as he made his way to Marissa. "Both of you."
"Thanks Seth," Marissa returned his hug.
"We're going to be an aunt and an uncle," Seth told Summer.
"I know," she said, amused at Seth's excitement. "How far along are you?"
"Four weeks," Marissa replied. "Actually, we're seeing a doctor here in a few minutes. We just wanted to let you guys know."
"You have an appointment already?" asked Seth.
"Marissa set up an appointed about a week ago, so right now this is all just a formality," Ryan said. "I mean, we know there is a miniscule chance that we might now be pregnant, but I can feel it, you know. Our kid is inside her right now."
"Okay Ryan, you can stop talking now," Seth joked. "You're starting to freak me out."
"We better go," Marissa said. "We'll see you both later."
"I'm so happy for you, Coop," Summer said. "And Chino… Ryan… I know you'll make a great dad."
"Thanks Summer," they both said as they left the room.
"Did they tell you before me?" Seth asked.
"Cohen…"
"How did you know?"
"Coop was practically glowing, and Chino was way too happy."
"I noticed, but it didn't occur to me earlier."
"Well, this just goes to show that I'm more perceptive than you."
"Apparently so," Seth laugh. "Can you believe it? Ryan and Marissa having a baby."
"It's great," Summer said as a hint of disappointment filled her voice.
"We're going to have that too, you know," Seth told her as he grabbed a hold of her hand. "Maybe not right now, but we will."
"I know, but sometimes I keep thinking…" Summer's voice trailed off as she started to cry.
"Don't cry," Seth whispered as he held her against him, rubbing circles on her back. "It's going to be okay, Sum. We'll have our own little girl running around the house soon. You'll see."
"Why do you keep saying that?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're really set on having a girl, aren't you?"
"It's not a matter of me wanting a girl or not. Either one is fine, but I know that we'll have a girl first. I just know it."
"You're adorable, you know that?" she said, looking up at him
"And so are you," he said as he kissed the tip of her nose. "Now no more crying, okay? It's almost Chrismukkah after all."
"How could I forget?" Summer said before changing the topic. "Did you have the day off today?"
"Caleb let me go as long as I will be ready for my big presentation tomorrow," Seth told her.
"How big of a deal is it?"
"Huge," Seth said, using his hands to emphasize his meaning. "We have some big fish tomorrow, and all I have to do is deliver a fantastic performance and reel them in."
"Sounds easy enough."
"I'm glad you have fate in me," Seth said. "Grandpa keeps telling me not to screw it up."
"I know you can do it. I just won't have you around tonight, not that I enjoy putting you through another night on that couch."
"It's pretty comfortable, although our bed is much better."
They talked for a little while until Summer started yawning. She explained to him that she did not get a good sleep the night before.
"Why don't you rest for a little while?" Seth told her. "I'll be around when you wake up."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
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Summer stirred from her sleep and opened her eyes to a pleasant surprise. The room had somehow managed to transform itself during her slumber. She was not quite sure how long she had been asleep, but whoever redecorated the room did a fantastic job. She shivered a bit, although she was not sure whether the room temperature had fallen or whether the snowflakes and fake snowmen around the room evoked it.
"Who says you can't have snow in Orange County?"
Summer turned her head towards the door to see Seth leaning on the wall.
"Did you do all of this?"
"It's easy when you're such a deep sleeper."
"Where did you get all of this?"
"From a store," Seth said before smiling. "I just thought you could use a little change seeing as how it's December and everything. Being back in Newport must be a little strange at this time of the year."
"When did you get to be so romantic?" she asked him as he walked to her side.
"Ever since you started shoving down those classic romantic films down my throat."
"I didn't force you to watch them."
"I distinctly remember a couple of pleas here and there and the unfair use of those puppy dog eyes."
"Technically, that is not forcing."
"And technically, you just have me wrapped around your little finger, and you know it."
"Come here," she said as she pulled his head down for a kiss. "I love you."
"And I love you," he said before pulling away. "Now, it says here on my handy-dandy, ultra cool, super wireless cell phone that it is snowing in New York right now."
"Really?"
"Close your eyes."
"What?"
"Close your eyes."
"If you pour a bucket of ice on me, I swear…"
"Close your eyes," Seth repeated once again. "I promise there will be no bucket of ice involved."
Summer waited patiently until she felt "snow" falling on her. She opened her eyes and saw tiny bits and pieces of Styrofoam pouring down on her, although they were cold.
"Cohen…"
"It's snowing."
"I know," she said as she held up her palms. "Just like New York."
"And even better since they won't melt and get you soaked."
"How did you do this?"
"I just put them in that mini-refrigerator over there," Seth replied as he continued dropping the fake snow on her. "So did you like your surprise?"
"It was good," she smiled. "Very unexpected. It was a good surprise."
"Then my work is done," Seth said as he put down the container with all the fake snow. "I still have to clean this up later, but it can wait."
"You know what we never did in New York?"
"What?"
"A snowball fight," Summer said as she grabbed a handful and threw them at him.
"That was weak, Summer," Seth said. "That wasn't even a snowball. That was like powdery snow. Thrown like a true Californian."
"If the snow was of good quality, then I'll show you how it's done in New York."
"Are you dissing my snow?" he said as he grabbed a handful of snow himself.
"Don't you dare…" Summer started to say before Seth threw them at her.
"How did you like that?"
"Marissa could do better."
"Emasculating me already?" Seth retorted. "That's a low blow."
"Okay, I'm sorry for comparing you to Marissa," Summer said. "You can throw better than her."
"Good."
"But I can still throw better than you."
Before Seth had any time to react, Summer took the container and emptied its contents from his neck up. Seth just stood still as Summer's laugh filled the room.
"You think you're funny."
"Not as funny as how you look at the moment."
"Oh missy, you are so going to get it," he said as he proceeded to tickle her.
"Cohen…" she cried between laughter. "Stop… Cohen… Please… Stop…"
"Not until you ask forgiveness."
"I'm sorry I can throw better than you," she said before Seth proceeded to tickle her more. "Okay… Cohen… Alright… I'm sorry for dumping the fake snow on your face."
Seth gave her a triumphant smile before leaning in for a kiss. He kissed her long and hard, sending shivers up and down her spine. Summer slid her hand to the back of his head, pulling him down and deepening their kiss. After a few more seconds or so, they finally separated.
"We should do this more often," Seth said as a few fake snow fell from his head.
"Definitely," Summer smiled as she pulled him down for another kiss.
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It had been a while since she had just watched him sleep. Lately, she was the one who had been doing most of the sleeping. They kept each other company for most of the day until Summer dozed off again. She had only woken up a few minutes ago when she saw Seth's head resting on her bed. He had pulled up a chair so that he was sitting close to her. Summer smiled at the thought of him watching her go to sleep. He looked so peaceful despite his awkward position that Summer felt bad in having to wake him up. She slid her fingers through his curly hair until he stirred and opened his eyes. It took Seth a while to get oriented before he set his eyes on her.
"I could wake up like this all the time," he whispered. "Seeing your face…"
"It's getting late," Summer told him. "You should probably head home so you can be ready tomorrow."
"Are you trying to get rid of me?"
"Yes," Summer said. "The cute male nurse should be coming in any minute now, and I don't want him to see you."
"I'm knew you were hiding something."
"I'll see you tomorrow," Summer laughed.
"Tomorrow it is," he said as he kissed her goodbye. "Sweet dreams… Preferably of me and not of the male nurse."
"Always."
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"You did one hell of a presentation there, Seth," Caleb told him.
"You know, that's the most amount of enthusiasm I've heard coming from you in a long time."
"I just want to know that I'm proud of you."
"I owe it to you and the company."
"I'm not just talking about your presentation," Caleb said. "I'm talking about what you have done with your life. Working hard. Getting married. Being a loving husband to your wife. I see both your mother and father in you, and I know that they are proud of you as well. I'm just glad to have the chance to see you grow up into the man they always wanted you to be."
"Don't get sentimental on me now, Grandpa."
"I'm just telling the truth," said Caleb. "I know that at times I can be cold hearted and insensitive, but I really do care about you and Summer."
"Thanks," Seth said. "I really appreciate it."
For the first time in a long time, Seth actually left the Newport Group office building in a good mood. He did not necessarily have a love-hate relationship with his grandfather, but there have been several occasions where they did not agree on a lot of things. Most of the time, he was the predictable cold hearted individual that he claimed to be, but there were moments like the one they had earlier when was the caring grandfather Seth always thought. Caleb Nichol was still a mystery to him in many ways and probably always will be.
It was a little past noon when he arrived at the hospital to visit Summer. He was excited about telling her about his presentation. It went well as Summer told him, and there was no one else with whom he would rather share his excitement. He hurried to get to her room, abandoning the elevator and taking the stairs. He paused at the top of the stairs to catch his breath before making his way to Summer's room. However, once he opened the door, Summer was nowhere to be seen.
All of a sudden, panic enveloped him and he searched the whole floor for any sightings of her. During his search, he bumped into Ryan and Marissa, who were just exiting the elevator.
"Summer's missing," Seth rambled as soon as he reached them. "Her room… It was empty… I don't know where she is… If she were sick, I would have…"
"Calm down, buddy," Ryan said, leading him to a chair. "Summer is not missing."
"Where is she?"
"She's getting prepped for the transplant as we speak," informed Marissa.
"What transplant?" Seth asked before what she said made sense on him. "Wait… Transplant as in bone marrow?"
"You are absolutely correct."
The three turned to see Dr. Abney standing before them, clad in his usual white coat.
"So this is really happening?" Seth asked.
"We found a potential match two months ago. We run some more tests to see if we really found a match. Obviously, everything turned out well. The donor had the surgery procedure done yesterday, and now, it's Summer's turn."
"How come I didn't know about this?"
"We did not want to get your hopes up in case the potential match did not fall through. The testing took about two months before the donor was cleared for surgery. Everything went well for the donor, so hopefully everything will go well with our patient."
"How did they know before me?" asked Seth as he gestured towards Ryan and Marissa.
"They came in early," Dr. Abney gave Seth a smile. "I told Summer about it around midnight last night. She was very hopeful, but she did not want you to know yet. She told me that you had a big presentation today, and she did not want to give you any reason to be distracted."
"I don't care about my job," Seth said. "I care about her."
"And she cares about you. She said that it was important to you."
"So I can't even see her before the transplant takes place?"
"I'm afraid that's not possible."
"So what do you want us to do?"
"You can all pray that Summer pulls through with flying colors."
"We're going to go to the chapel," Marissa told Seth. "You want to join us?"
"Actually, I need to speak with Seth privately," said. Dr. Abney.
"I'll see you guys later," Seth bid them farewell before facing the doctor. "What is it?"
"I just want to say thank you for everything that you have done, not only for Summer, but for the entire cause of bone marrow donation. The TV stunt that you pulled may have saved hundreds of lives, including Summer."
"This may sound selfish, but I really only wanted to save one person, and that's Summer. I'm just glad that I got to help other people too along the way."
"She asked me to give this to you," the doctor said as he handed Seth a folded piece of paper. "She'll be under chemo and radiation treatments for the next couple of days, and soon after that, the transplant will occur. The next two to three weeks after that are going to be critical as she is susceptible to infection."
"So I really won't be able to see her."
"You will, but it's going to be harder than before. You may have to wear gowns, gloves, and even a mask."
"Are you going to be with her when the transplant occurs?"
"I will be there personally."
"Tell her I love her, okay?" Seth said as his emotions started to get the best of him. "Tell her that I'll be waiting. I'll be right here."
"I'll give her the message, but I doubt that she doesn't already know that."
Seth watched Dr. Abney leave before shifting his gaze towards the folded piece of paper. He figured that Summer must have written it prior before they took her in the prep room. He walked towards the lobby and found a seat, grateful that he was alone. With shaking his hands, he unfolded the paper and read Summer's note…
To my dear husband,
For some reason, I still get this funny feeling in my stomach every time I call you my husband. It's not weird or anything. Every time I say it, I just get this warm feeling around me. It's hard to explain. It's that feeling of knowing that someone out there loves you as much as you love them. It's that feeling that you belong to me, and I belong to you. I get the same feeling when you call me your wife as well.
I hope you're not angry with me for not wanting to tell you. I know you had a lot riding on that presentation of yours, which I know you totally aced. You have sacrificed so much for me. I just did not want you to worry. I know that you will probably still worry, but I will be fine. We might not be together physically right now, but like you said, we are in this together. For better or for worse.
There have been times when I thought about giving up, but every time I see your face or hear your voice, I know that giving up is not an option. I want to have a family with you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I don't want just a few months. I want forever. I am allowed to be selfish, aren't I?
I don't know when I'll be able to see you again in person, or talk to you, or hear your voice, but I will always be thinking of you. The next few months are not going to be easy, but we'll survive. I guarantee it. Don't give up on me if things take a turn for the worse. I did not come this far just to let it everything go. It will be okay. We both have been through so much, and I truly believe that things will get better. I believe in us. I believe in you. Now all I ask is for you to believe in me. I'll be seeing you.
I love you, Cohen.
Sincerely,
Your dear wife
Seth did not realize that he had been crying until he saw a tear or two make their way down the letter. Putting the letter aside, he buried his head into his hands and let the tears that had been threatening to surface out of his system. He did not really know why he was crying, mainly because he was not crying for one reason in particular. He was crying because he missed his wife. He was crying because he was worried about her. He was crying because he was scared. Heck, he was even crying because of the irony of the situation.
She knew him too well, and after all the words of encouragement that he had given her, she was now the one consoling him even when she was about to go through a critical procedure. It was as if Summer was reading his thoughts and feeling his emotions. She knew that he always put up a brave front when she's around and fell apart when she was not in his presence.
It was scary how much he loved her.
Seth finally regained his composure and took a deep breath before getting up. He grabbed the letter from the chair and placed it inside his jacket pocket.
"I believe you, Sum," he whispered. "I'll be seeing you soon."
