A/N: Basically, my computer fucking sucks and that's why this took so long. I've had it written for weeks and I read over it a million times except I didn't just now because I'm afraid of my computer. Anyway, last chapter. I feel like a terrible person for updating so slow. I'm really, really sorry. YellyBelly, I'm sorry for torturing you! It was never my intention. Thanks for always reviewing and I hope you're satisfied with the ending. I want to thank everyone else too that stuck with me (even through the first few chapters where I was trying to find my footing). I feel like I've actually accomplished something now. I'll probably be deleting this story in a few months anyway because it'll start to get on my nerves. Don't worry, I'll let you guys know before I do and e-mail it to you if you really care. Doubt it. Keep an eye open for my next story, something along the lines of In Every Sunflower (title from a Bell X1 song). No sequel. Sorry, but no.

I Love You, Too

"Mom, you can eat cereal at anytime."

"Seth, it's a breakfast food," his mother was telling him. "And there's perfectly good leftovers in the fridge."

"Thanks, but I think I'll stick with my Fruit Loops," Seth said as Ryan entered the kitchen.

He was about to comment on what Seth and Kirsten were discussing when the phone rang. "Got it," he said instead, clicking the TALK button. "Hello?" he said, putting the phone to his ear. A look of concern and confusion came over his face as he listened to what was being said. "Calm down, Summer. I can't understand you. …He's right here. Okay?"

Seth immediately looked up at the mention of her name. Ryan handed him the phone.

"What is it?" Seth asked.

"It's Summer," Ryan said, even though Seth already knew. "Something happened. She was crying really hard."

It had been almost two weeks since the party; almost two weeks since they had last spoken. "Oh, man," Seth said, having a feeling that he already knew what it was. He quickly pressed the phone to his ear. "Summer? What is it? Are you okay?" he asked, automatically assuming the worst.

"Cohen," she said. Her voice was almost inaudible and it was laced with tears though she had stopped sobbing by now. She said nothing to answer his questions; instead, "Can you…can you… I need you."

"I'll be right there," he told her and they hung up. "This is bad. I've got to go," he said to his mom. "I'm not sure when I'll be back."

Kirsten glanced at the clock and, even though it was already almost ten thirty, she let him go anyway. Something was obviously very wrong. "Okay," she said. "Call if you need anything." Seth grabbed the keys to the Range Rover and started for the door. His mother put a hand on his forearm though, and halted him. "Don't do anything stupid," she said quietly. He nodded.

He practically sped the entire way to Summer's. He arrived at her house in record time and rang the doorbell, fidgeting nervously as he waited.

Finally, Summer answered the door in sweatpants and a t-shirt. Her hair was a mess and her nose was running but he didn't care. "Hi," she said, but her voice was quiet and strained.

"Come here," he said, opening his arms to her. She stepped forward, burying her face in his chest and he knew she probably just wiped everything from her nose onto his shirt but it didn't matter because she was here, and she was hugging him.

Seth didn't know how long they stood there. It could have been a few minutes or maybe a few hours. She cried and he kissed the top of her head, whispering, "I'm here now, baby."

They pulled apart when Summer's stepmother hesitantly approached the still-opened door. "Sum, is that you?" she called out quietly. Her voice was thick and Seth could tell she had been crying.

"Yeah, it's me," Summer answered, wiping feebly at her eyes. "Seth's here."

"Oh, hi, Seth," Dianna greeted him as they stepped inside. "I didn't know you would be here; I would have, you know," she said motioning to her face. Her eyes were full of tears and she was clutching a tissue in one hand. At that moment, Seth realized that maybe, deep down, the step-monster really did have a heart.

"It's fine," Seth told her. "I'm really sorry," he added.

"We knew it was coming," Dianna said quietly. "He was very sick."

Seth could remember the day exactly when Summer's father had been diagnosed with cancer. It was a little over a year ago, back when they had still been dating. He remembered the phone call, not much different than the one he had just received not fifteen minutes ago, except that time it was Marissa. He was sitting in his bedroom when his cell phone rang and, seeing Summer's home number, he picked it up immediately.

"Seth, it's Marissa," she said, and her voice sounded slightly panicked.

"Hey, what's going on?" he asked, worried at her tone.

"It's Summer," she had said. "Her dad was… He's got…" She sighed and gave up trying to explain over the phone. "Can you just get here? She really needs you."

"Yeah, I'm there," he said, hanging up and speeding over to her house almost as fast as he did today.

When he entered her room, the first thing he saw was the mess. The normally clean room was now littered with the things that used to sit on the vanity, desktop, and shelves. He knew it was big. Marissa was sitting with Summer on the bed and Summer's face was buried in Marissa's shoulder. She was so still but he knew her well enough to know that she was crying. Marissa was kissing her head and rubbing her back, whispering to her. She looked up when Seth entered. "A little help?" she asked quietly.

Seth went to them and, kneeling in front of the bed, gently touched Summer's arm. She turned and looked at him, her make-up smeared and her eyes watery, and she said very softly, "My dad has cancer."

"Oh, Summer." With that she slid gently off the bed and into his arms, hiding herself in him. Seth kissed the top of her head and looked up at Marissa who looked a little teary herself.

After a while, Summer excused herself to go to the bathroom. "This is so hard," Marissa said to Seth after she left. "I don't know what to do, you know? This has never happened to me. I can't even imagine what she's going through."

"I know," Seth said, nodding.

"I figured you might be able to relate," Marissa said. "I know your nana has cancer."

Seth nodded.

He and Marissa had stayed with Summer all night that night. She didn't cry again after she left for the bathroom and they stayed up all night just talking. Seth would swear that the three of them talked about everything that night.

"Cohen?" Summer's voice brought him out of his memory.

"Yeah?"

"I want to go upstairs," she said.

He nodded, willing to comply with anything she said at that moment.

He watched as Summer walked over to her step mother and hugged her. They talked together quietly; Seth couldn't hear what was said. But then they pulled apart and Dianna kissed Summer on the forehead before leaving down a hallway. Summer turned to Seth and taking his hand, she led him upstairs.

Her bedroom was clean this time, everything in its proper place. She sat on her bed and Seth hesitated, walking to the other side of her room instead. He stopped at her vanity and looked at the assortment of prescription pill bottles cluttering the top. He raised his eyebrows and looked at Summer.

"I can't afford to lose Dianna too," she explained quietly.

Seth nodded in understanding.

"Will you come…sit with me?" she asked tentatively.

Seth went to the bed and sitting down, he took one of her hands in his, lacing their fingers together. She leaned her head on his shoulder and he kissed it gently. He tried to think of something to say, something comforting, anything to try and make her feel better, but he kept coming up short.

He was saved though, when she spoke, "I just can't believe it, you know?" she said. "I can't believe that he's really gone."

"I know," Seth said. "It's a hard concept to wrap your head around."

He felt her nod against his shoulder.

"I wish I could say something," he said, glancing down at her, "that would make it okay but I just, I can't even imagine what you're going through."

"It's okay," she said, stopping him from continuing. She lifted her head up and her face was right next to his. She put a finger to his lips and said, "You don't have to say anything."

Then, removing her finger she closed the space between them and kissed him. He could feel the tears on her cheeks and he moved his hands to her waist, as she gently rolled them over so he was covering her.

They kissed for a long time before Seth pulled away. "Summer," he said. "We can't do this."

"What?" she said, sounding almost panicked. "Don't you want me?"

"Of course," he said immediately. "Summer, I'll always want you. But right now, with everything that's happened, I don't think you're…in the emotional state to make this decision."

"I already made the decision," she told him. "I want to."

"Sum," he said, almost groaning. "I don't—"

"Seth," she said, cutting him off. Then, very quietly, almost pleadingly, "Please. Do this for me."

Even in the dim light he could see it in her eyes. She was begging him to take care of her, just like he always had; like he promised he always would. He couldn't say no to her.

He nodded. "Okay." And even though she was crying and his hands were shaking, he undressed her in the quiet darkness of her bedroom and took her pain away the only way he knew how.

-----------------------------------------------------

Seth woke up the next morning and, rubbing his eyes, looked around. The bed was empty. "Summer?" he called.

"I'm right here," she said.

He was startled by the closeness of her voice and, when he turned his head, saw that she was seated at her vanity. "What are you doing?" he asked.

She shrugged. "Thinking, I guess," she said, as she got off the stool and, slipping her fingers under the lining of her underwear to get rid of a wedgie, slid into the bed next to him. She laid her head on his chest and, very quietly, said, "Thank you."

Seth didn't say anything for a while. He heard his mother's voice in his head. "Don't do anything stupid." Finally, he started softly, "I know this is really hard for you. And I hate to make it any worse, but I can't do this."

She lifted her head from his chest and sat up, holding the sheet to cover her bare chest. "Wha-what are you saying?"

"I love you, Summer." He sat up, looking at her and sighed. "God, I love you." He repeated that last part almost to himself, dropping his head into his hands.

"I love you too, Seth."

Seth looked up at her, making eye contact. And then, something changed. It was a small change, but in their world, it was huge. "Don't do this to me, Sum," he said.

"No," she said, shaking her head. "I love you. Okay?"

"I can't not be with you," he said slowly. "I can't do this again."

She ignored the fact that he wasn't making much sense and kissed him again. He pulled back after a second but she spoke before he could. "I want to do it for real," she said.

"What?" he asked, hoping desperately he had heard her right.

"Me and you. I want to be with you, Seth. For real."

"For real?" he asked, surprised he could find his voice.

She nodded. "I want to be your girlfriend again."

Seth couldn't find words to explain his feelings so instead, he just took her face in his hands and kissed her.

Twenty-five minutes and fifty kisses later, they were dressed and heading downstairs. Summer had cried a little more and Seth had offered breakfast at his house. They found Dianna in the kitchen, a cup of coffee on the counter in front of her. "Morning," she greeted, choosing not to comment on the fact that Seth had most obviously spent the night.

"Morning," Summer said, walking over and kissing her cheek. Seth marveled at the change in this relationship. "Seth invited me over for breakfast but I think I'm just going to stay here."

"Why?" Dianna asked.

"I don't want to leave you alone," Summer said, almost shyly.

"Don't worry about me," Dianna said.

Summer raised her eyebrows at her, a look that clearly conveyed her doubt.

"I'll be fine," she insisted. "It's okay, sweetie. Go," she said in a tone that would have rivaled Kirsten's motherly one as she gave her a push towards the door.

Summer hesitated a second later before saying, "Okay. I'll be back later."

Dianna smiled as the two started for the door. "Oh, Summer," she said, calling her back. "Hang on a second." She disappeared around a corner for a second before returning, three pill bottles in her hands. Handing them to Summer, she said, "Drop these in the trash for me on the way out, would you?"

Summer smiled a little and hoped that these were the last. Somehow, she knew they were. She wrapped her arms around Dianna in a tight hug. "I'll see you later," she said.

"Bye, sweetheart."

Seth followed Summer out to his car and they got in, having deposited the pill bottles in the trash. "So, you and the step-monster," he commented.

Summer shoved him gently. "Shut up," she said. Then, quieter, "She's all I have left, you know? Except for you."

Seth smiled. The drive to his house was silent, but Seth didn't mind. As they were walking to the front door, Summer slipped her tiny hand into Seth's, looking up at him to smile for just a second before she glanced away.

They entered the kitchen where everyone was already up. "Oh, sweetheart," Kirsten said as soon as she saw Summer. She pulled her into a hug and said some comforting, maternal things and when they pulled apart, Summer was wiping her eyes again.

"I'll be alright," she said quietly.

"Yeah, she will," Seth said, kissing her temple gently as he passed by on his way to the cupboard. Kirsten tried to catch his eye in question but he didn't notice.

"Well, you know you always have a home here," Sandy said from near the coffee pot. Kirsten nodded in agreement and squeezed her arm gently.

"Thanks." She smiled. She saw the way Kirsten looked at Seth before and added, "It's a good thing too, because I'm going to be spending a lot of time here now, what with me dating your son and all."

Kirsten smiled and Sandy said, "You and Ryan decided to give it a go?"

Summer laughed.

"Very funny, Dad," Seth said, handing Summer a mug of coffee and kissing her.

They went to sit at the kitchen table as Ryan came in from the pool house. "Hey, your sister-in-law's here!" Sandy said eagerly.

Ryan gave him a confused look but said nothing more. "Hey, Summer," he said, touching her shoulder. "How are you doing?"

"Good," she smiled as Seth found her hand under the table. "Good."

3 Months Later…

"I'm going to miss you," she said.

"I'm going to miss you too."

They were standing in the airport terminal, foreheads pressed together, his arms around her shoulders, hers around his waist. He kissed her forehead, the tip of her nose, her lips. Sandy, Kirsten, Ryan, and Marissa waited patiently, having already said their goodbyes.

"Hey, hey, hey," Seth said. "We agreed there were going to be no tears."

"I know," she said, sniffling, as he gently wiped her eyes for her. "I'm sorry."

He kissed her again, longer this time. "I'll be back at Thanksgiving."

"And Christmas," she added.

"And Easter," he continued.

"And you're transferring next year?"

"Summer," he said, "We've been over this a million times. I'm transferring next year." He kissed her again.

They had already tried to convince his parents that he didn't really need to go to college yet. That he should withdraw from NYU and just wait a year so that he could stay with Summer and apply next year at UCLA. Sandy and Kirsten had quickly nixed this idea, saying that he would go to NYU the first year and transfer after that.

"You'll call me as soon as you get there?" she asked.

"As soon as I step off the plane," he assured.

"And you'll tell me the name and age, along with a complete description, of every girl you meet while you're there?"

"Every single one," he said, smiling. "As will you." He paused, "I mean, with guys, obviously."

She smiled, burying her face in his chest then, breathing deep, memorizing his smell. He kissed the top of her head. "I love you," she said, looking up at him.

"I love you, too," he responded. His flight was called then and he said, "I've gotta go.""Already?" she asked. He nodded. Her eyes were so sad he could almost feel them pulling him to her.

He kissed her again. "I'll call every day."

She nodded. He kissed her one last time before wiping the last few tears that were making their way down her cheeks. "Bye," she whispered.

"I love you," he said again.

She nodded. "I love you, too."

A/N: The ending wasn't supposed to be super sad or dramatic but I think it might have been just a tad. Oh, well. I hope you guys liked. I felt bad for the step-monster, always having such a bad rep. I made her nice. Now, leave me some wonderful reviews for finally getting this out there.