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: This is the last chapter of the story, so I'm kind of sad in a way. I totally enjoyed writing this story. To all of you who reviewed, I love you all. You constantly made my day. Thanks for all the support and the suggestions! As one reviewer requested, I added in a flashback scene of the breakup prior to Summer leaving for New York. I still had a copy of it that I edited out, but alas, it's now in the latter part of the first chapter if you want to take a look.

Anyway, without further ado, here's the final chapter of "Against All Odds."

Against All Odds
Chapter 25 – Everything Comes Full Circle

Seven years later…

He watched as the leaves moved back and forth, letting the wind direct their movement. Technically, it was already autumn, but one never really notices such change in California. He looked around at his surroundings; a mixture of swing sets, slides, jungle gyms, monkey bars, and energetic, little kids. He recalled his childhood in Newport for a moment and thought about how much he missed out as a kid. He did not even know that such a place existed. Watching the parents in the playground, he was reminded that people who lived in Newport were normal people as well. It was not just all about the superficial side of life. Family mattered as well.

"… so everything was a complete mess."

Seth returned his attention back to Ryan, who was talking about his latest dilemma at work.

"That's too bad," he replied. "I'm sure you handled everything nicely."

"It's not like I had a choice."

"Well, Ryan, you do own the company."

"Don't remind me," Ryan said with a smile.

Three years ago, Ryan decided to start his own contracting business with a couple of partners. While they did not quite start off strong, they are now one of the most sought after in the city. Even Caleb requested the company's service.

"It's amazing how things turn out."

"What do you mean?"

"When you first came to Newport, you seriously could not have imagined that we would be here right now."

"Never in a million years."

"Have I told you that I was proud of you?"

"Not recently," Ryan said. "How about you?"

"I work for my grandfather who surprisingly is still alive and apparently still kicking."

"But it's not like you have your position now because you're related to him. A lot of people would have taken advantage, but you did not want to be treated differently. You wanted to earn your status. You wanted to earn your respect. You moved up the corporate ladder the right way."

Before Seth could reply, a football sailed past and in between them, momentarily halting their discussion.

"Watch where that ball is going next time," Ryan reprimanded the boy approaching them, although his tone was composed.

"Sorry Dad."

Seth walked over to pick up the football on the ground. It was small compared to the ones used by professionals, but he figured it made sense since the boy was only six years old.

"Go long," Seth told him.

The boy smiled and ran backwards as Seth threw the football at him. As expected, the boy caught the ball, making his smile grow wider.

"Good catch, buddy!"

"Thanks Uncle Seth!"

The two men watched as the boy returned to his friends.

"RJ is quite the football player," Seth commented. "Who would have thought that an Atwood would be such a jock?"

"At least he's not into water polo, right?" Ryan said before the two of them laughed.

Ryan Parker Atwood Jr. was the oldest of the new generation of the "Atwood-Cohen" clan. He looked every bit like his father, although he acquired his mother's hair color and outgoing personality. Ryan and Marissa had one more child, Alyssa Elizabeth Atwood, or Aly for short. She had Ryan's blue eyes, blond hair, and quiet demeanor, but everything else was Marissa from head to toe.

"And how is the little one doing?"

"She's something else," Ryan said as he looked over to see his daughter who was having a word with Marissa. "Just like her mother."

"It's nice, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is," Ryan smiled. "It gives me something more to look forward to after work. I love my kids."

"Does it get easier?"

"Probably not," Ryan laughed. "Maybe even the opposite, but it sure does get better."

"Learning new things every step of the way," Seth added.

"Exactly."

The two brothers talked some more before another little visitor interrupted them.

"Daddy!"

They both looked down to a little girl who was almost on the verge of tears.

"What happened?" Seth crouched down as he tried to wipe the dirt off of her clothes.

"I fall down."

"You did?" he said as he finished cleaning her up. "Are you okay? Did anyone push you?"

"No, I just fall."

"Let me see your hands," Seth commanded as he wiped off the dirt as well. "Well, it looks like you're okay."

"What about that?"

Seth looked at the spot where she was pointed and wiped the dirt off her shirt.

"You're all clean now."

"Am I pretty again?"

"Pretty. Beautiful. Just like your mommy."

The little girl smiled, causing Seth to smile as well. She was three years old, and by far the cutest little thing he had ever seen. The best part was that she was his daughter.

"Are you ready to go back and play?"

"Yep."

"Give Daddy a kiss."

The girl halted and looked up shyly at the person who was towering them. She turned his attention back to Seth, but instead of saying anything, she came close and whispered something in his hear. Ryan watched the two suspiciously and became even more curious when Seth let out a laugh.

"Uncle Ryan…"

"Yeah?"

"Could you not look when she gives her daddy a kiss?"

"Oh, pardon me," Ryan said with a smile as he turned around to give them some "privacy."

"Now can you give Daddy a kiss?"

She put both of her tiny hands on either side of his face and gave her dad a quick kiss on the lips.

"Don't fall again, okay?"

"Okay," she said before running towards Marissa and Aly.

Seth stood up and watched her leave before talking to Ryan again.

"You can look now, Uncle Ryan."

"Are you sure?" Ryan said before turning around and laughing. "That little girl of yours is quite a riot."

"And a handful as well."

"It's really amazing how she looks nothing like you."

"You know, I should be insulted, but I kind of like it this way," Seth said. "I think of Summer every time I look at her."

"It's almost scary how she looks exactly like her," Ryan added. "She even has you wrapped around her little fingers."

"Are you saying that I'm whipped?"

"Aren't you?"

"Okay, yeah, I'm whipped, but I love that little one to death."

"Could you imagine if she had your hair?"

"It would have been a pain to tame," Seth laughed.

"Well, in all fairness, she got a slight dose of your clumsiness."

"I do fall easily," Seth said with a smile, remembering the time he bumped into Summer at the hospital in New York. "Really easily."

Their conversation was interrupted again when a commotion started on the other side of the playground.

"RJ!" they heard Marissa cry.

"That can't be good," Ryan said as he moved towards the noise.

"Definitely not."

By the time they arrived at the scene, whatever was going on was pretty much over.

"I am so sorry," Marissa apologized to a woman.

"Me too," the woman said as she grabbed her son. "Say sorry."

"Sorry," the boy said.

"RJ?"

"Sorry," he responded after glancing at Marissa.

After the mother and the boy left, Marissa turned to her son and gave her a look that clearly expressed how unpleased she was.

"What did I tell you about fighting?"

"He was bothering Aly and Andie," RJ defended himself.

"I told you not to punch or push people."

"But Dad said that if someone was bothering…"

"Okay, son, that's enough," Ryan interrupted the boy after he got a glare from Marissa. "Listen to your mother."

"But you said…"

"Listen to your mother," Ryan repeated, trying his best to do damage control.

"Well, I think it's great that you stood up for your sister and cousin," Seth commended him, although he quickly made another point when Marissa turned her glare towards him. "But pushing or punching people is not the right way to solve such problems."

"Your Uncle Seth is right."

"I'm sorry," RJ said as he looked down to the ground.

"I think it's time for us to go," Ryan interjected. "Right?"

"We might as well," Marissa said as she picked up Aly. "Seth?"

"We'll be leaving soon, but we have somewhere else to go."

"Okay," Marissa said. "Send my regards to Sum."

"I will," Seth said. "Bye Aly! Bye RJ!"

"Bye Uncle Seth!"

"Bye!" Andie added.

After the Atwoods left, Seth let go of Andie's hand and picked her up off the ground.

"You ready to go see Mommy?"

"Yep!"

Seth gave her a kiss on the check, causing her to giggle. Even her laugh reminded him of Summer. As they made their way to the car, Andie bombarded with numerous questions of which he tried his best to answer. After seating her on the backseat, Seth made his way behind the wheel and adjusted the rear view mirror. He smiled once again when he caught a glance of his daughter playing with her doll.

"Are you ready?"

"Ready!"

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Except for a quick stop at the flower shop, the drive for about twenty minutes before they arrived at their destination. Every time he went there as a child, and it was not often, he always remembered how it frightened it. Nowadays, the cemetery was just like any other place to him, although now it probably held more meaning. It was an uncommon place to meet a father, a mother, or any loved one for that matter.

"We're here, sweetheart," said announced as he turned off the car.

He immediately went to the backseat to help her out of her chair. When she was finally free, Andie raised her arms for Seth to pick her up.

"Aren't you excited?" Seth mumbled.

She was not even in his arms for five seconds before she startled to wiggle out of them. Seth looked up and smiled before decided to let her go.

"Mommy!" Andie cried as she ran into Summer's arms.

"Hey sweetie!" greeted Summer as she gave her a kiss.

"Guess what?"

"What?"

"I fall down again."

"Are you okay?" Summer asked with concern. "Did you hurt anything?"

"Nope. Daddy said I was okay."

"That's good," Summer smiled. "Are you going to give Mommy a kiss?"

Andie put her hands on either side of Summer's face, like she did with Seth, and gave her a kiss on the lips.

"I missed you so much," Summer said as she hugged her daughter.

"Miss you too."

Seth watched the interaction between his wife and daughter. As Summer was crouched on the ground holding Andie in her arms, Seth couldn't help but wonder if Neil saw the same interaction between Summer and her mother. He figured that it must have been similar to what he saw, but unlike her mother, Summer was there to stay.

Seven years ago, the dream of having a family of their own seemed improbable. He prayed every single day and night that Summer would pull through and actually be able to live the life that deserved. The next couple of years were both physically and emotionally draining for all the parties involved, and they had a number of scary incidents, but luckily nothing that hindered Summer's road to recovery.

They were lucky. Very lucky indeed. It may have taken a lot of years to finally have their dreams realized, but they managed to get through their trials against all odds. This fact became more evident upon the birth of their daughter. To say that the birth of Andrea Kirsten Cohen, affectionately known to her family as Andie, was a miracle was an understatement. The doctors did not even like their chances of having their own child; but like everything that they had done, Seth and Summer proved them wrong.

Andie was named after the woman who helped save Summer's life, and after Seth's mother and the closest thing to a mother Summer ever had. Even the nickname Andie could be said to be a tribute to Sandy Cohen, but it was only a coincidence. On the other hand, she did have his last name, so Seth figured that he could not be too upset about it.

Seth grabbed the bouquet of flowers before locking the car and approaching the two most important people in his life.

"Mind if I join you two?"

Summer looked up and gave him a smile before picking up Andie in her arms. Seth put his free around her and gave her a kiss; a brief kiss since Andie was around.

"Did you miss me?" she asked

"Every second you're not around," Seth said as he pulled her closer.

"So Andie says that RJ pushed somebody?"

"I think he either pushed someone, punched someone, or both."

"I bet Marissa was livid after that."

"He definitely has shades of his dad in him," Seth mentioned before recalling another fact. "Marissa is not too thrilled with Ryan as well."

"What happened?"

"RJ said that he only did it because Ryan told him otherwise."

"I guess the two Ryans are in trouble tonight."

"Big trouble," Andie added, causing both Seth and Summer to laugh.

"Did she tell you that she fell again?"

"Yeah, but come on, Cohen, she's a kid," Summer said. "They all fall once and a while."

"Are you sure that it's not because she inherited my lack of skills in the sense of balance department? I feel really bad."

"Well, she did get something from you."

"What?"

"Her mouth."

"What are you talking about?"

"Mommy says I talk a lot like you."

"She did?" Seth said. "Does Daddy talk a lot?"

"You do!" Andie nodded vehemently before laughing as Seth tickled her.

"You are quite the little chatterbox," Seth added.

"Which really makes her our daughter," Summer said with a smile.

"Mommy?"

"Yes sweetie?"

"Daddy says that I'm pretty and beautiful like you."

"He did, did he?" Summer said as she looked at Seth.

"Yes, he did," Seth played along. "Does Daddy get a kiss for that?"

"Maybe later," Summer smiled. "Are you guys ready?"

"We better go," Seth said. "Grandma and Grandpa are waiting."

The three of them made their way into the cemetery, walking together with Andie in Summer's arms and with Seth having his arm around Summer.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"She's asleep," Summer whispered when they arrived at their house.

After visiting Sandy and Kirsten, they received a call from Marissa asking if they wanted to join them for dinner. Of course, they agreed. Dinner went well with Aly and Andie playing with each other, Ryan, Seth, and RJ amusing themselves with video games, and Marissa and Summer having their usual discussion about everything. By the time they left the Atwood abode, it was already nine o'clock.

"No wonder it was quiet."

"So the two of you had fun today?"

"We did," Seth smiled. "It would have been more fun if you were there."

"I'll be there next time."

"We should really get her to her bed," Seth said as he watched her daughter.

"Okay."

After getting everything out of the car, they went in and headed upstairs to tuck Andie in her. Summer was carrying her in her arms while Seth was not too far behind. They always tucked her in together no matter the circumstances. Summer finally laid her down after Seth pulled out the covers.

"I bet you looked just like that when you were young,"

"Cohen, you always say that every time she falls asleep."

"I know, but I can't help it," Seth smiled. "She is so cute and adorable and I just love her. It's unbelievable how much I love her."

"She is hard to love."

Summer bent over and kissed Andie's forehead.

"Good night, honey."

Seth followed suit and gave her a kiss on the spot as well.

"Sweet dreams."

Seth grabbed Summer's hand and led her outside their daughter's room.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything," Seth said. "For giving me hope. For bringing me happiness. For Andie. For you. I am just so in love with our daughter, and I am so in love with you. I love you, Summer."

Summer touched his face gently before reaching up to give him a soft kiss.

"I love you too."

After they were safely in their own room, Seth spoke up once again.

"So?"

"So what?"

"How did it go?"

"How did what go?"

"Summer, you know very well what I'm talking about," he said as he put his hands on either side of his hips.

"Yes," Summer said with a huge grin.

"Yes?" he repeated.

"Yes!" Summer cried as she jumped into Seth's arms.

Seth held her on her waist and twirled her around once or twice before settling her back on the ground.

"I can't believe this," Seth said. "We're going to have another baby."

"I know," Summer added. "I totally broke down in the doctor's office. I didn't even think…"

Seth cut her off with a kiss.

"Did I tell you how much I love you?"

"Did I tell you how much I love you?"

"I am just ecstatic," he said. "I'm going to be a father again."

"That doesn't even make any sense," Summer laughed.

"It doesn't matter," he said, his arms still around her. "Because I am just happy and excited and thrilled. I just feel so lucky and blessed."

"You know, this means that we won't have a lot of privacy around here."

"We'll figure out something."

"Do you miss those times when it was just you and me?"

"Sometimes, but then I think about everything that we've been through, and now we have a child, and another one on the way. Life could not be better."

"I know what you mean."

"Hey, do you remember when you asked me about Rick and Ilsa from Casablanca?

"Vaguely," she said, but her smile told a different story.

"To refresh your memory, you asked me anyone could ever love you as much as Rick loved Ilsa."

"I did, didn't I?"

"You still wonder about that?"

"Not anymore," she gave him a smile. "We had fun over there, didn't we?"

"As much as I hated that city, it had really grown on me."

"Do you ever wonder if we made the right decision of raising Andie here?"

"My parents had the same question about me, but you know what?"

"What?"

"It's our home."

"There's no place like Newport. That's for sure."

"And we can't deprive our kids of our experience here," Seth laughed.

"I hope their experience will be better than ours."

"Or just as good."

"We're going to be stuck here in the O.C. for the rest of our lives, won't we?"

"Well, Summer, if it's any consolation," Seth started before doing his best Bogart impression. "We'll always have New York."

THE END

Post-Author-Note: I hope you liked it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I have another storyline in the works, but I probably won't be able to write and post it until May. I have about a month left for the semester, so everything is pretty hectic right now. Once again, thank you so much for reading!