Disclaimer: Fox and Josh Schwartz own The O.C. not me. Enjoy.

"So is Marissa back yet?" Seth asked casually.

"What?" Ryan asked.

"Is Marissa back yet? I know she went to visit Summer."

"You know about that," Ryan said sheepishly.

"Yes, I'm not stupid. When you told me Marissa had to go visit a friend for a few days I figured it was Summer. Who else is she friends with that lives outside of Orange County?" Seth snorted.

"Good point…I never said I was agood liar."

"True."

"So are you mad?" Ryan asked cautiously.

"That Marissa went to see her best friend? No. That's her business."

"Ok…good. She was worried about that."

"It's fine. I'd still go visit you even if you and Marissa broke up and she's like my aunt," Seth replied.

Ryan laughed but quickly stopped noticing that Seth wasn't even smiling. Seth never laughed anymore unless it was sarcastically.

"So is she back yet?" Seth asked again.

"Marissa? Oh yeah. Yeah, she came back last night. She's at the house. The whole time zone change screwed with her so she's taking a nap."

Seth nodded.

"Jerry went with her," Ryan said after a few minutes of uncomfortable silence.

"I figured."

They were both silent again. Seth really wasn't big on talking these days just like the laughing.

"Well I guess I'll…I'm going to…I'll see what Sandy's doing," Ryan said, quickly leaving.

"Alone again," Seth muttered.

"Hey honey," Kirsten smiled, entering the kitchen. "Where'd Ryan run off to?"

"Find Dad. I think I was depressing him…or making him uncomfortable…he's not used to it when he's the one who has to do most of the talking," Seth shrugged.

"I see…well we finally have a minute alone if you want to talk about anything."

"I'm fine, Mom."

"I know you are…but if you want to talk…," Kirsten trailed off.

"If I want to talk, I'll talk."

"How's your room? You've never really said if you're comfortable being home."

"It's fine. Everything's fine. Thanks."

"Ok."

They stood in silence and Seth was waiting for her to leave him, too.

"I know you don't want to but I think we should talk anyway," Kirsten said suddenly.

"Mom-," Seth started.

"Do you want to talk in here or the living room?" she asked in a tone that told him he couldn't get out of this.

"Here's fine," Seth replied, sitting on the counter.

"Ok. Let's talk," Kirsten smiled taking a seat at the table, facing him.

"What do you want to talk about?"

"Tell me how you're dealing with the Summer situation. You can't keep it bottled up forever."

"I'm fine with it."

"No, you're not. Now tell me the truth," Kirsten said forcefully.

"The truth? The truth is I'm a mess. I can't really sleep anymore, I have virtually no appetite, and I have no desire to do anything ever again except wallow in pity as Ryan so wonderfully put it the other day," Seth replied.

Kirsten didn't know how to respond.

"Happy now? That's how I feel."

"Honey-," Kirsten started.

"I just don't understand. How could she do this? I'm the one who screws up, not her!" Seth exclaimed.

"Everyone makes mistakes."

"She's apologized. She called all the time. She even told me she went to the airport. She tried to stop me. She's sorry. Why can't I just forgive her?" Seth asked exasperatedly.

"Do you want to forgive her?"

"More than anything…it's just…I know this is stupid but it just seems like there's always something in our way. I don't know if I'm just tired of trying or what my problem is, but for some reason I'm finding it really hard to forgive her."

"You'll forgive her when you're ready. If you really want to forgive her, you will eventually. It's just going to be hard," Kirsten replied.

"I don't know how she forgave me all the time. I kissed a girl on TV during Spring Break and she forgave me. She kissed a guy in New York City and I can't do it."

"She thought she had feelings for the guy in New York City…that makes it different."

"But she doesn't have feelings for him. So what's my problem?" Seth asked, getting down off the counter.

"You were hurt. It just takes time but you'll work it out."

"I don't understand. We loved each other. We still love each other. I don't know how we let him come between us. I don't get it. Maybe we just weren't supposed to be together. Maybe this was some kind of sign. It was our way out," Seth shrugged.

"Honey, I don't know if it was your way out...look, sometimes people stray. Even the ones we love, even us, we stray. But if you're supposed to be together, if she's really the one…then you'll never stray too far," Kirsten explained as Seth took a seat at the table with her.

"Too far? Like Australia?" Seth asked sadly.

"If you're meant to be together then not even Australia's too far."

"How will I know if it's too far?"

"If it isn't…then she'll come back."

"So that's it? I just wait to see if she comes back to me?"

"You wait…and if-if someone else should happen to come along and you fall in love…then you know that Australia was too far….but if you wait and no one else comes along then she comes back…then there's no place too far."

"It's all just a waiting game? I know she's coming back, Mom. She's bound to come back sooner or later…but I'm just supposed to wait for her and see if she's coming back to me? That's really comforting, Mom."

"That's life. It's not supposed to be comforting. It's supposed to be painful, it's supposed to be hard, it's supposed to be real, and it's supposed to drive you insane with the waiting and worrying…but that's life…and sometimes…well sometimes life doesn't go exactly like we plan. But things will work out in the end," Kirsten assured him.

"You know, I think…I think I should just stick to asking Dad for advice. He lies," Seth smirked.

"He's always been the softy of the family," Kirsten smiled.

"He sugarcoats," Seth nodded with a small smile tugging at his lips.

"One of the reason I came back."

"What? You-you left Dad?"

"Once in college…and then I strayed a few years ago…I didn't really leave as much as…well I took a trip to a vineyard with one of those people who try to lead you astray."

"When was this?"

"When you were in high school," Kirsten confessed.

"Are you serious?"

"I told you, Seth, everyone strays. It's just a matter of how far."

"Do you think she'll come back?" Seth asked suddenly.

"I don't know…there's a chance. There's always a chance for anything."

Seth nodded sadly.

"Look, honey, I don't know how this will turn out, but I know Summer and I do know that she loved you very much. Regardless of whether or not you two work out, always know that she really loved you…and that's something in itself."

"So the consolation prize is just knowing she cared? Somehow that doesn't help."

"There is no consolation prize. There's just a feeling…hopefully a feeling that won't go away for you two."

"What if it already went away?"

"Then-then I guess you'll move on."

"But I don't want to move on. I want Summer," Seth said, facing away from Kirsten as tears clouded his eyes.

"I want you too."

Seth and Kirsten whirled around to face Summer.

"I am an idiot. I made a mistake. I made a huge, monumental mistake. In fact, I made the biggest mistake of my life," Summer said with tears in her eyes.

"I'm just going to go," Kirsten muttered ducking out of the kitchen.

"I was wrong. I was so incredibly wrong. I know you need space and I want to give you space but it's a lot harder to be without you than I thought. There's just-nothing feels right without you. Nothing feels the same as you. I was so wrong to even question-I just-I was wrong. He's not you. He could never be you. No one could ever be you, Cohen.You're the one for me….the only one for me," Summer said as she began crying. "I'm so sorry. I know I don't deserve to be forgiven, but I am so so sorry. I love you and no one else. No one else has been there for me like you. No one else loves me like you. I could never love anyone else the way I love you. It's only you. It's always been you," Summer said with a slight laugh.

"So now's the part when I'm supposed to forgive you?" Seth asked sharply.

"Not unless you want to," Summer said in almost a scared whisper.

"I don't know, Summer. This is just so hard. How did you do it?"

"I didn't mean to-," Summer began.

"Not that. I mean how did you forgive me? After everything I've done, how is it that you always forgive me? It's so hard to just forgive you after I've been hurting so much."

"As hard as was to forgive you, it was always harder to not forgive you. I love you too much to just stay away. I'll always come back to you…and I hope that you'll always come back to me."

"So you're actually back? I mean you're back for good?"

"I'm not going anywhere unless I'm taking you with me."

Seth was silent as he searched her eyes for all of the answers to his questions.

"I was an idiot. I was scared of what we have. It's not like this is the first time I've backed out of commitment. But I can't do that anymore because- because I can't live without you. I'm a mess. I can't eat. I can't sleep. I sure as hell can't make a movie because I can't function anymore. I don't want to spend the rest of my life alone but I will if I can't be with you. You're the only one I want to spend my life with. I want to marry you, Cohen. Being with anyone else, would be settling. You're my number one. There isn't a number two. There aren't even any other numbers. You're it for me," Summer explained giving him a small smile as the tears continued to slip gently down her cheeks.

"So what are you saying?"

"Are you stupid? What do you think I'm saying? I want to marry you!" Summer laughed, sniffling a little.

"You're trying to win me back and you just called me stupid?" Seth asked, fighting back a smile.

"Pretty much…I mean I have to be the real me and truthfully I'm a bitch, Cohen."

"I think we've established that," Seth smirked.

"Shut up, Cohen," Summer snapped playfully. "So do you want to do this or not?"

"Do this? Are you…are you asking me to marry you?" Seth asked with a grin tugging at the corners of his lips.

Summer grinned as crossed the room to him. She got down on one knee and grabbed his hand.

"Seth Ezekiel Cohen, I want nothing more than to be your wife. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and start a family with you. I am the world's biggest idiot for screwing this up. Will you give me the privilege to have a second chance? Will you marry me?" Summer asked.

"I don't know. I might have to think about," Seth replied, now biting his lip to keep back his smile.

"Do I have to beg?"

"Begging would be nice."

"Please, please, please, take me back! Please marry me!" Summer pouted.

"Well when you say it like that," Seth grinned.

"So you'll marry me?"

"Well…," Seth paused to scratch his chin.

"Wait hold that thought!" Summer ordered as she got up and ran out to her car.

She grabbed her purse and darted back into the kitchen. She dumped out all of its contents on the counter until she found what she was looking for. She walked back over to Seth got back down on her knee and held out her engagement ring.

"Will you marry me, Cohen…Seth?" Summer asked again.

"I shouldn't forgive you this easily. You really hurt me-," Seth began.

"I know and I want to spend the rest of our lives making that up to you."

"In that case," Seth grinned taking the ring from her and pulling her up to her feet. "I've been miserable without you. I'd be the world's biggest idiot if I didn't take you back and quite frankly I prefer to have you keeping that title. I'd love to marry you," Seth said before slipping the ring back on Summer's finger.

Seth pulled her to him and placed his lips on hers. She responded immediately and grinned as she kissed him back. She tangled her fingers in his curls and knew that this was definitely how she wanted to spend the rest of her life.

"I just hope that my family doesn't hate you now. It could put a strain on our future marriage," Seth smirked after they pulled apart.

"Oh God, do you think your parents hate me?" Summer asked worried.

"Nah, I think my mom was pulling for you even though she wouldn't say it."

"I knew I always loved your mom," Summer laughed and kissed him again.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Mr. Cohen, um, Seth I believe. Yes, Seth," a woman called as Seth was walking into the grocery store.

"Yes, can I help you?"

"Hi, I'm not sure if you remember me-,"

"Christina Roberts," Seth cut in.

"Fields actually," Christina replied with a tight smile.

"Oh right."

"I heard the terrible news about you and my daughter. I'm so sorry. I should have guessed that she would cheat on you, but I didn't even think to prepare you for the situation."

"Oh wow-um-see, the thing is-she didn't. Well she did, but she didn't," Seth stuttered.

"It's ok. I know you're probably in denial that it's over. I read all about it."

"I-I'm not in denial," Seth defended.

"Dear boy, I know my daughter-," Christina started.

"Really? How ? You didn't spend any time with me," Summer said walking up behind them.

"Summer! Darling, what are you- what are you doing back in Newport?"

"I finished my latest movie so I'm back…to be with my fiancé," Summer smirked at Christina's open mouth.

"Your-your fiancé? You two are still together?" Christina asked, before swallowing as her eyes widened.

Summer rolled her eyes, "Is that a good enough story for you? You can be the first to tell the press. I don't think they know yet."

"I don't think they care. They've had way too much fun printing your picture all over the place and telling stories of some elaborate affair," Seth laughed.

"True. I really don't know why we want to spoil their fun. I mean telling them truth just means that they have less to gossip about."

"You two are actually together?" Christina asked.

"Yes, we are," Seth answered.

"Oh well…I should really be going now."

"Probably, considering that you don't even live in Newport. Which begs the question of why you're even here, do you always buy your groceries an hour away from home?" Summer asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I-um-no, but today-," Christina struggled for an excuse.

"Today, you decided to come hassle my fiancé," Summer finished.

"It's not like that."

"Then how is it?" Seth asked.

"I just…I wanted to see how you were. Hear your side of things and find out your opinions of the situation."

"Right, because Cohen refuses to talk to the press so at least you could sell his story," Summer snorted.

"No! Well…I've gotta run. Nice chatting with you," Christina said, before darting out the door.

"I love how fame brings all of the relatives out of woodwork."

"Yeah, it's nice of her to drop in when there's a good story," Seth scoffed.

"So did she bother you a lot? What did she ask you?"

"She just wanted to see how I was and she apologized because she should've warned me about you," Seth laughed.

"That's very sweet for her to apologize for me."

"See, you know you screwed up when your mother is apologizing on your behalf. How could I not take you back with in-laws like that," Seth grinned.

"Shut up, Cohen."

"Hey, shut up? What is this? What happened to the kissing my ass you've been doing for the past two weeks? What happened to making up for this for the rest of our lives?"

"The ass-kissing is over. Now you can go back to worshipping me," Summer smirked, walking ahead and making sure to swing her hips a little more knowing he'd be watching.

"Summer," Seth groaned before picking up his pace to catch up to her.

Summer just laughed as he kissed her cheek. They grabbed a shopping cart and playfully fought over who got to push as they finished grocery shopping for their apartment, since Seth decided to move back in.

(AN: Fluffy is good. Fluffy is needed. I couldn't keep them apart much longer so there! That was the long awaited confrontation between Seth and Summer and the much anticipated reunioin. I'm not as good as Josh about keeping them apart...I can't torture my readers as long as he tortured all of us this past season. But I think I did put a little torture in there which is always needed so ya know. I hope you enjoyed this chapter...and sadly to say, I will be wrapping things up with this story pretty soon. I don't want to keep dragging it on and make people hate it with useless plotlines to just keep going. Anyways, keep on reading and I'll keep on writing...for the time being...and then I guess I'll have to start a new one lol.)