The next day had both come and gone, and evening had fallen over Newport Beach. Ryan and Sandy sat at opposite sides of the kitchen table with various papers sitting all around them. Sandy was, of course, reading about then newest installment of Caleb's case, and Ryan was working on what seemed to be his never ending physics homework. Both were working adamantly on their respective homework. Eventually, Sandy let out a sigh and let the papers we was holding fall from his hands and slide onto the table. Sandy stood up slowly and walked over to the fridge, immediately swinging the door open, and reaching inside for a drink. Sandy made his way back to the table, and sat back down. Sandy's attention was now fixed on Ryan, who was still working on his physics. Ryan could feel a pair of eyes on him, and slowly raised his head looking towards Sandy.

Sandy: So how is everything?

Ryan gave Sandy a slightly confused look, but then answered nonetheless.

Ryan: Good, I guess.

Sandy: You and Marissa…

Ryan: How come everybody says it like that?

Sandy: Huh?

Ryan: Never mind… and yeah, we worked everything out.

Sandy: Well, I'm glad to hear it…

Ryan: Yeah…

Sandy: Unless you're not…

Ryan: (Interrupting) No, I am. I want to be with Marissa, it's just…

Sandy: Just what?

Ryan: …you'd think it would get easier, you know. But it doesn't, it's hard, and it's always been that way.

Sandy: Of course it's hard Ryan…

Ryan: Yeah, but shouldn't it get easier?

Sandy: It should…but it doesn't. Look at Kirsten and I, we fight…God knows we fight, but we have a strong enough relationship to forgive each other, and to trust each other. No matter what happens, we both know that the other one will be there.

Ryan understood and nodded his head.

Sandy: Ryan, the hard times make everything worthwhile. They make you appreciate all the good times you've had, and you will continue to have. They make you realize whether or not it's worth it, and for you and Marissa…at least from what I can see…

Ryan: (Interrupting) It is worth it…she is.

A smile crept onto Sandy's face as he looked over at Ryan.

Sandy: You remember when I told you to never get married?

Ryan: Yeah.

Sandy: I lied…

A smile appeared on Ryan's face as he nodded his head.

Ryan: Yeah, I know.

Suddenly Kirsten entered the kitchen, and noticed Sandy and Ryan sitting at the table. Sandy stood up when she entered the kitchen, walking over to her.

Kirsten: Hey guys, what's up?

Sandy: Nothing, I was just giving the kid some relationship advice.

Kirsten: I don't know if you're the best person for the job.

Sandy: Hey, I got you didn't I?

Kirsten: Yes, I suppose you did.

Kirsten and Sandy smiled at each other and then Kirsten turned her attention towards Ryan.

Kirsten: Is everything okay with you and Marissa?

Ryan: Yeah, everything's fine.

Kirsten: Good, you know I'm really glad that you two worked everything out.

Ryan: Me too.

It was later into the night, and Ryan was sitting in the pool house with his physics book sitting in front of him on the bed. Ryan was feverishly writing in a notebook, and flipping through pages in his physics book, still not finished with his work. Ryan looked over at the clock; it was 1:30 in the morning. Ryan sighed and got back to work, moving onto the next question in his homework. About ten minutes later, one of the doors to the pool house opened, and Ryan looked up startled. Marissa stepped into the room closing the door behind her.

Marissa: You're up late.

Ryan smiled and immediately moved off of the bed walking over to Marissa.

Ryan: Physics…

Marissa scrunched her face up slightly at the thought of being in a physics class.

Ryan: …but you are just the person I wanted to see.

Ryan stopped right in front of Marissa and leaned in for a kiss. Marissa pulled on Ryan's shirt slowly bringing him closer.

Ryan: Trouble sleeping?

Marissa: You could say that.

Ryan wrapped his arms around Marissa and leaned in a bit closer.

Ryan: Well, you can…not sleep here…

A sly smile appeared on Ryan's face, and in turn appeared on Marissa's face as well. Ryan leaned in and kissed Marissa again, this time with more passion.

Marissa: Are you trying to seduce me?

A playful sort of innocence fell across Marissa's face, and Ryan couldn't help but smile. Ryan placed his hands on her hips and slowly started walking her towards the bed.

Ryan: Well, that depends…

Marissa: On what?

Ryan: On whether or not it's working.

Ryan leaned in and kissed Marissa once again, this time pushing her back onto the bed. Marissa accepted his kisses pulling him down on top of her. Their make out session began to heat up and Ryan slid his hand up Marissa's shirt without even realizing what he was doing. In response, Marissa quickly pulled at Ryan's tank top, removing it from his body and throwing it over her head. Both were breathing heavily as Ryan got Marissa's shirt off, throwing it to the side of the room. Marissa let her hands run freely across Ryan's chest and down his back. She ran her fingers across his body until they found their way down to Ryan's pants. Marissa played with Ryan's belt buckled eventually getting it unbuckled and then went for his pants. It was then that Ryan hesitated and pulled back slightly.

Marissa: What's wrong?

Ryan: Nothing…

Marissa: I thought you were trying to seduce me.

A smile appeared on Ryan's face.

Ryan: I was…I mean; I am…I just, are you…

Marissa: Ryan, I want…I want you.

Ryan: I know the feeling.

Ryan brought his head up again, meeting Marissa's lips with his. It didn't take very long for the two to get the rest of their clothes off, and they were soon making love. It was like nothing either had ever felt before, and they loved every minute. Taking in every inch of the other one, and never wanting to let go. When the two finished they lay in bed, their bodies completely intertwined, and out of breath. Ryan let his forehead rest against Marissa's and the two simply lay there together.

Ryan: I love you Marissa.

Marissa: (Smiling) I love it when you say that.

Marissa moved closer to Ryan, cuddling up next to him. Ryan smiled and leaned in and kissed her softly.

Marissa: I love you too…

Ryan: Yeah, I know.

Marissa smiled as she looked up at Ryan. She then shifted herself on top of Ryan laying her head on his chest, and blissfully enjoying the feeling of Ryan's body pressed up against hers. Ryan ran one hand up and down her back, while the other was playing with her hair.

Marissa: Can we just…stay like this forever?

Ryan: That's the plan.

Marissa smiled and closed her eyes, listening to Ryan's heartbeat, and slowly drifted off into a blissful sleep.