Disclaimer: I just realized that I've been forgetting to put this in my fics. I do not own the characters in this story, the credit for that goes to Josh Schwartz.
Author's Note: Please forgive the sappiness of this chapter. :D I just had to get this out of the way to be ablemove on with the story. And yes, I think I finally do have direction. : )
Chapter 2
Seth arrived at the docks early on Monday morning to find Summer already there, sitting in the boat with Marissa. They were looking at a magazine, giggling over something.
"Hello ladies," Seth said, leaning over to kiss Summer and handing her a thermos of coffee.
She looked at it. "Black, right?"
"Yes, Summer. I remember that you only drink black coffee before eight," Seth said. "When we get to school we'll get you a latte."
"Aw, that's cute," Marissa smiled. "It's like you guys haven't been apart."
Seth and Summer smiled at each other, after a few minutes Marissa stopped finding it so cute and started to feel like a third wheel.
"Well, I have to get to school for a meeting," she said, climbing out of the boat. "I'll see you guys later."
"Bye Coop!" Summer called after her.
Marissa turned. "Oh, Seth I almost forgot. Alex wanted me to remind you that your shift starts at exactly four o' clock and don't be late."
"Okay, thanks Marissa."
She waved and left.
Seth took Marissa's former spot in the boat next to Summer and took a drink from the thermos.
"What shift?" Summer asked.
"Huh?"
"What was Coop talking about?"
"Oh that. I kinda had to borrow money from Alex to buy the boat back and I have to work at the club again to pay her back."
"For how long?"
Seth shrugged. "A couple weeks, I guess."
"So, you're going to work at the Bait Shop again…for me?"
"I promised I would be the best toilet scrubber that place ever had."
Summer laughed and leaned her head on his shoulder. "That's actually kind of sweet, Cohen."
Seth wrapped an arm around her pulled her closer, kissing the top of her head. "Anything for you, Summer." He looked around at his pink and purple boat. "Even if it kills me," he muttered.
"I heard that," Summer said sharply. "But I'm willing to overlook it if you promise to come over tonight."
"Why? What's happening tonight?"
"Daddy's leaving for New York this afternoon and taking the step-monster with him, so I'm going to be all alone," she trailed a finger down his chest and looked up at him seductively.
"All alone? We can't have that," Seth whispered, leaning in to kiss her.
Summer moaned as she wrapped her arms around him and he deepened the kiss. She pulled away. "We have to get to school."
"We can skip first period," Seth protested, kissing her again.
"Mmm…" She pushed him away.
"Summer…" he whined.
"Tonight," she said firmly, standing up and straightening her shirt. "Now come on or we'll be late."
Seth arrived at Summer's at exactly seven pm, and was barely in the door when she attacked him with her lips. Not that he was complaining or anything. Summer shut the door behind him, and pressed him up against it, never breaking the kiss.
Seth wrapped one arm around her, pressing her up against him, and his other hand tangled in her hair. He didn't want to stop kissing her but his lungs were begging for air and he finally had to pull away.
"Hi," he panted.
"Hi."
"Miss me today, honey?" He waggled his eyebrows.
"I did actually," Summer admitted.
"Really now? I couldn't tell," Seth grinned, leaning in to kiss her again.
"Mmm.." she pulled away. "I ordered pizza."
"Not hungry," Seth mumbled as he nibbled her neck. "…For food."
"Well, I am," Summer laughed and lightly pushed him away, taking a few steps back. "Wait for me upstairs, I'll get the food."
"Is it pepperoni, mushroom-"
"And extra cheese?" She finished. "Yes." She kissed him lightly and headed towards the kitchen.
"You're such a tease!" He called after her. Summer turned around blew him a kiss, winking at him.
Seth shook his head and climbed the stairs, knowing exactly what game Summer was playing. And also knowing that turnabout was fair play.
He got to Summer's room and grinned as he collapsed on Summer's bed, he missed being able to do this. The regular visits he'd been making over the past few months to Summer's room were torture for him, as every time he stepped into this room memories of the…intimate times he and Summer spent together washed over him. Now it was time to make new memories again.
Seth rolled onto his side and looked at Princess Sparkle sitting on the nightstand.
"Hey there Princess Sparkle," he said. "Did you miss me?"
He reached out to pick her up and his arm knocked over the notebook she was standing on. Seth got off the bed to pick it up and noticed an envelope that had fallen out of it. Seth looked from Princess Sparkle in his hand to the envelope.
"Now what is this?"
Seth placed Princess Sparkle and the notebook back on the nightstand and turned the envelope curiously in his hand as he sat down on the bed.
He immediately recognized his own handwriting and knew exactly what this was. It was the letter he had left for Summer last year. A wave of regret washed over him as he looked at it. The envelope was creased, like it had been crumpled several times. He took the letter out and it was in even worse shape. It was not only creased, but also torn in some places and then taped back together again. The ink was blotted and smudged from what he was sure was tears.
Seth couldn't believe the pain he had put Summer through. He knew he had hurt her, but to actually hold the evidence and see what he had done….
The door opened and Seth hastily shoved the letter under a pillow.
Summer's eyes narrowed. "What was that?"
"What was what?" Seth asked innocently.
Summer put down the pizza and the two bottles of Mountain Dew she was carrying and pulled the letter from under the pillow. Her mouth formed a silent 'oh' as she looked down at it.
She calmly placed the letter into a drawer, her eyes carefully avoiding Seth's.
"Summer…" Seth started.
"Don't Cohen," Summer said softly. "Just don't…"
Seth stood up and turned her so that she was facing him. She kept her head bowed, and he gently tilted her chin up forcing her gaze to meet his.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. It was so soft that Summer barely heard it, but she could feel it. Like a secret message his heart was sending to hers.
Two words. Two little words that she had been waiting nearly a year to hear from him. And now that he has actually said them, Summer found that she didn't really need to hear them after all. She had forgiven him long ago.
And now she was finally ready to forget. She was ready to clear the slate with Seth and start over. She was ready to give him her heart again. Completely, this time.
Seth wiped the tears that she didn't even realize were falling down her cheeks. She was lost, completely lost in his eyes. In the love that she saw in them. His hand caressed her cheek and Summer closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. Her own hand coming up to cover his. He pulled her into his arms and Summer wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head on his chest. Seth buried his face in her hair, breathing her in.
Summer remembered the last time they were like this, on Valentine's Day dancing to Wonderwall in his room. It seemed fitting, like they were now coming full circle in their relationship. Once again they were at the beginning.
