A/N- Thanks for all my reviews. I'm really happy you all are liking this!

Chapter 17

The next day was the day that Ryan, Seth, Summer and Marissa were going back to their lives at UCLA college. They had had a great weekend in Newport, but they had to get on with their lives. That morning, Ryan had woken up early, which was strange since he always liked to sleep in. He looked at Marissa who was asleep beside him on the bed, only the purple sheets covering her body. Ryan smiled. Last night had been amazing, as it had been the night before that. He decided to let Marissa sleep in and went out of the pool house to see if Seth and Summer were awake.

"Hey guys," he said, entering the main house. Seth and Summer were already up watching reruns of the Valley.

"Hey," Seth and Summer said in unison.

"You guys are up early," Ryan noted. Like him and Marissa, Seth and Summer weren't early birds either…well not usually.

"Cohen was snoring half the night. I barely slept," Summer complained.

"Hey, I don't snore!" Seth argued.

"Yeah, you do! Well last night you did," Summer stated.

"You're up early, Ryan," Seth said, trying to ignore Summer.

"I couldn't sleep. I mean, I did sleep, but I just woke up and couldn't get back," Ryan said.

"Too bad," Summer included. Just then, Marissa walked into the room.

"Hey," Ryan greeted, his voice getting husky. She was so beautiful. And she was all his!.

"Hey you," Marissa said, smiling. She walked over and sat on Ryan's lap. "Last night was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!" she added.

"Ahem, we are here you know…we can here what your saying," Seth said, sounding disgusted.

"Shut up Seth," Marissa laughed. She turned to Ryan. "I don't want to go back to school…"

"Neither do I frankly. But hey, think of it this way. The faster we get out of college, the faster we can get married," Ryan said, trying to enlighten the mood.

"Good point Mr. Atwood," Marissa said, kissing him on the lips.

"Please, stop making out!" Seth begged. Summer hit him on the arm. "OW!" Seth cried. "Whatcha do that for?"

"It's a free world…they can make out all they want Cohen. I mean, we make out an awful lot and they don't say anything about it, so you know, just leave them alone," Summer explained, still paying attention to the Valley. It was, after all, her favorite show.

"It's just, you know…the first time in a while. I mean, I'm going to have to see Josh sooner or later and I bet he's still pissed at me and everything…" Marissa babbled.

"Don't worry about Josh. After you dumped him, I heard that he got together with Ryan's trailer trash," Summer spoke up.

"And if he tries to hurt you, then he'll have to deal with me," Ryan said protectively.

"Oh will he now? I love you," Marissa said, giving Ryan a long, luxurious kiss.

Seth wanted to drive back to UCLA since Ryan had driven to Newport. Ryan gave in, he really was in no mood to argue with Seth. After saying goodbye to Sandy and Kirsten they made their way to the Cooper house where Marissa could say goodbye to her parents and sister. Ryan came to the door with Marissa. Julie answered it.

"Hey mom!" Marissa greeted, waving. "We just came by to say goodbye. Do you mind if I say bye to Cate and Dad?"

"Sure sweetie, go right ahead," Julie nodded. Marissa smiled and Ryan and swept past both of them into the house Caleb had made for Julie back two years ago. Julie turned back to face Ryan.

"Listen, Mrs. Cooper, I know you never really trusted me around Marissa. And I know you think her shooting my brother was all my fault. I know that you think everything that has happened to Marissa was because of me. But I don't care what you think. I want you to know that I love your daughter very much. Actually, she's the only person I've ever loved. Sure I love the Cohens and Seth, but Marissa…she's changed me. When I asked Marissa to marry me, she was so happy. I know that you don't think I'm good enough, but please, try to look past everything that's happened and give me a chance. I'm really not that bad of a guy. If you'll let me, I can be the best thing your daughter will ever have. Even though Marissa and you haven't been at the best of terms for a while, I know that you have it in you to support her. She really does love you," and with that, Ryan walked back to the car, just as Marissa came back. She saw Ryan heading back to the car and she saw her mother's blank face. She knew Ryan said something. Julie embraced her daughter in the hugest hug of her life.

"Sweetie, I'm sorry about everything that's happened. I just, I didn't want you getting hurt. But I know now…I know that Ryan's the one for you. And I couldn't be happier," Julie said, her voice sounding muffled. There were tears in her eyes.

"Mom, I love you," Marissa said. She hadn't said those words for so long and it felt really good to do so again.

"I love you too sweetie. And I am happy about your engagement. Really, I am," Julie said truthfully.

"Thanks," Marissa said, smiling. She wiped her face, because there were also tears forming around her face. Marissa waved goodbye and headed back to the car. Once inside, she turned to Ryan. "You talked to her didn't you? What did you say?"

"Just told her how happy you were…and a bit more," Ryan said, smiling.

"Well it worked! She suddenly hugged me and said she was happy about our engagement. I said I loved her…which I haven't done since I was like in the 7th grade. It felt really good," Marissa said happily. Seth turned around in his seat.

"You changed Julie Cooper! You saw past her bitchy self centered ways and made her see!" Seth yelled. They all laughed. They really had changed Julie Cooper. And that was only the beginning.

Well, how was that? Julie turned softie? I dont know why, but I think she's a cool mom! Anyhoo, click on your friend below and review please!