Caught In Suspension: Chapter 4
Disclaimer: To keep this short, I'm just going to say that the same disclaimers apply.
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Seth was usually flawless in cooking breakfast but that morning, he couldn't seem to get anything right. The bacon was burned beyond recognition that Seth was forced to throw it away because he wasn't up to eating that crap. He had enough torture as it is when he was forced to eat his mother's cooking when he was young and he wasn't about to relive that moment.
The response that he got from last night definitely wasn't the one that he expected it to be. He should've known that she didn't want to have one. How could he not see it when Summer acted weird after he first brought up the subject.
Seth never returned to bed after the discussion. He remained in the living room and feel asleep while watching the television. He knew that Summer checked up on him, most likely during the middle of the night because when he woke up that morning, he had a blanket on him and the television was turned off.
With his stomach growling, Seth just picked up his briefcase and headed out the door, thinking of something to pick up for breakfast before heading into work.
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Summer sat in her office, trying to concentrate on her presentation but her thoughts always went back to her conversation with Seth the night before. She definitely felt bad on how the conversation went about, but she can't change how she felt right now. On all of the nights for that to happen, it had to be the time when she had this huge thing that could get her fired if it didn't go well. Even though she was one of their best, they told her up-front that they would drop her in a heartbeat if she royally screwed up bad, beyond repair. If she does blow it the big-time, she prayed that her boss would have some leniency towards her and not actually fired her on the spot.
Snapping out of her thoughts, her boss tells her that it's time. Summer nodded and stood up, getting herself in the right state of mind. Collecting her presentation materials, she took a deep breath, hoping that it goes smoothly.
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Seth never thought he would be back at the skate park this fast, but that's where he was at that moment. After picking up breakfast, Seth decided that he would not be very or any productive at work, so he called to say that he wasn't going to be in that day and asked his secretary to reschedule any appointments he had. His secretary was definitely surprised because whenever Dean told him to take a couple days off to spend it with the missus, Seth would always refuse. Without asking questions, she followed his orders and told him that she would take care of it.
Seth's been skating for hours and decided to give it a break. When he got there, he got a couple of looks from some guys already there because to them, he was a newbie and some people can get real territorial when it comes to skating. It didn't take him too long to dust of the rust and surprisingly enough, Seth was doing the tricks that he was able to do since he was fourteen, gaining some respect from the skaters there.
Sitting on a bench and wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead, Seth looked at his watch and noticed that it's about lunch time. Walking to his car, he placed his deck in the trunk and entered the drivers side. Not really sure on where to go, he just inserted the keys into the ignition and started up the engine. He'll figure it out as he drove around.
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Congratulatory applause was heard as Summer walked back to her office from one of the conference rooms. Surprising herself, she got through the presentation without a mistake. She happily smiled at her performance as she sat behind her desk. Her smile started to drop when she glanced at a picture of her and Seth at a charity event. She doesn't remember which charity event that was, but what she does remember was the event that happened right after that.
It was their first night back in Newport and that was the first time they seen each other since returning back. They were both fresh out of college and graduated with different degrees. Seth studied in Seattle, while Summer remained in California. After high school, they tried the long-distance thing throughout their first semester away but mutually took a break when they came back to Newport for the holidays.
They practically talked the whole night during the typical charity event, catching up on everything. They touched basis with everything and no topics were left behind. Parties, adventures, interesting experiences or the people they've met, they talked about it all. When it came to the topic of dating, both could honestly say that none got serious.
They were the last two people to leave after being asked to do so because they were closing up. They both giggled at how long they were enjoying their conversation that they didn't notice that everyone, but the caterers, were gone. Not really wanting to end their conversation, they decided to head down to the pier. They strolled along the boardwalk for a while, finishing their Balboa Bar and threw away their stick when they were done. Not really wanting to walk anymore, they decided to rest along the rails. Summer stopped along the rail and Seth remained back. He was contemplating something and didn't know if he should do it. Confidence Cohen, is what he heard from one of his good friend and decided to act on it. Not knowing how Summer would respond, he walked behind her.
When Summer felt a warm pair of arms around her body, a smile crept on her face. Knowing Seth, she knew it took him a lot to do what he just did. When Seth felt Summer putting her arms over his, he couldn't help but smile. They looked out at the moonlit ocean and stood in comfortable silence, enjoying the view. Nothing needed to be said and after that, they've been together ever since.
Snapping out of her memory, she picked up her phone after deciding to call Seth at his office. She hoped to catch him there before he left for lunch and by looking at the clock, she was sure that he would still be there.
"Hey Margaret, it's Summer. Can you please connect me to Seth?"
"Sorry Mrs. Cohen, Mr. Cohen didn't come into work today. He called and told us he was taking the day off." The secretary politely informed.
This definitely caught Summer by surprise. "Thanks Margaret."
Summer hung up and dialed Seth's cell. She hoped that he would have his cell with him and would answer. He has been known to occasionally leave his cell phone on the charger the whole day. It rang a couple of times and his voice mail came on. Not knowing what exactly to say, she sadly hung up.
She sat back into her chair and exhaled. How is it that you can feel so great one minute and feel like shit in the matter of seconds.
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The tune of one of Death Cab's song snapped Seth out of his daydream. Looking at the caller ID, he was seriously debating whether to answer it. He knew it was Summer calling him because he recognized it as her office number. He didn't really have to come to a decision, his cell phone did it for him. He figure that it was the best to let his voice mail get it anyway, wonder if she would leave a message and if she did, what would she say.
Placing the phone back in its previous position, Seth laid down and stared at the patches of white clouds in the blue sky. It's been years since he last ridden the Summer Breeze into the Pacific Ocean and he forgot how relaxing it was to just be laying there. After years of just leaving the boat sitting in the docks, Seth was glad that he didn't sell it when others suggested that he do so since he never used it anymore. Seth like to think of the boat as another one of his havens that he could flock to whenever he wanted somewhere to think without being bothered.
He tried not to think about Summer for a while, but it was always inevitable that his thoughts would go to her. No matter what, it always does.
To hear that their husband was ready to have a child. Isn't it what all wives want to hear? Apparently, that wasn't the case for him. He had to say that when Summer said that she wasn't willing to step back from her career, that hurt. He guess that he can kind of see where she was coming from though. He, like her, actually enjoy the work that they do. Although it can be stressful at times, it is equally satisfying to see the success outcome after all of the hard work and hours that was put in.
His cell phone started to ring again and Seth decided to pick it up after seeing that it wasn't Summer. He couldn't talk to her now, but knew he had to later.
"What's up Atwood."
"Where are you? I tried you at work but your secretary said you took the day off. What gives?" Ryan was clearly surprise to hear that Seth didn't go in. Usually, you can't get that guy to leave his office.
"I'm somewhere doing something I like to call a little Seth time."
This must be serious, Ryan thought to himself. "You want to talk about it at dinner tonight?"
"Most likely. I don't think Captain Oats can help me on this one."
Ryan chuckled. "Listen Seth, I have to go but I'll see you later."
Seth flipped his cell closed and decided to head back to the docks. He was getting crispy enough and didn't want to get any more. He wasn't about to head home though, he had one more place to go.
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Summer sat on her sofa, waiting patiently for Seth to come home. Knowing that Seth didn't leave his cell on the charger, she tried his cell but to only get his voice mail again. When his secretary said that he took the day off, she figured that he would just stay home. He actually did that once, but it was in college and he was skipping all of his classes for that day.
She's been home for more than two hours. Since she did such a great job earlier that day, her boss informed her that she could head home early. She jumped on that offer and she was out of the door. It was almost seven and she hoped that Seth didn't forget about the dinner at the Atwood's.
The front door opened and Seth walked in, carrying a shopping bag in each hand. Seth definitely didn't go to work with the casual clothes that he was wearing. In fact, Summer can tell that he got a bit of a tan.
Seth froze on the spot after noticing Summer on the couch. He checked his watch and realized how long he took at the local comic bookstore and the music store. He picked up a couple of comics and decided to get some new CDs in the process. Today, he actually felt like the guy he was ten years ago.
Summer was about to say something when Seth beat her to it. He told her that he'll be quick in getting ready and hustled up the stairs before Summer could respond. She sadly sighed when he was out of sight and laid down. She can honestly say that she doesn't like how it's been going on between them lately.
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"Cohen asked when we were going to have a baby." Summer blurted out while she was helping Marissa with the dishes.
Marissa grabbed the soaped dish from Summer and ran it under the faucet. "So, when are you guys gonna?"
Summer shrugged. "Later, but not now."
"Is that why he was a little down at dinner tonight?"
"I pretty much think so. He's been like that ever since we talked about the subject."
The sound of Heart and Soul traveled through the kitchen and Marissa smiled. Marissa placed the last dish in the dishwasher to dry and they peered into the livingroom, watching Seth and Elle playing the piano with their backs facing the girls. Seth played the background while Elle played the tune.
"You know, Elle been practicing that song every single day since Seth taught her that." Marissa pointed out as they sat on the table. Ever since Elle saw the movie Big, she wanted to learn that song and surprising everyone, Seth knew how.
Summer sighed. "I know. He's going to make a great father."
Marissa raised an eye brow. "Then what's the problem?"
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Tired of playing with the piano, Elle went upstairs to play with her toys in her bedroom, leaving Seth and Ryan in the living room. They were currently playing on the PS3 and Ryan noticed that Seth wasn't really into it. How can he tell? He was easily beating Seth and it seemed like he wasn't even putting an effort. When it came down to the PS3, Seth never gave anybody a chance, including his five year-old niece. After Seth lost again, he had to ask a question that was obviously distracting him from his concentration.
"Was I dumb to bring up the baby subject? If I knew that she would've act like this, it would've saved me from feeling like shit at the moment."
Ryan sympathetically patted his back. "Don't feel like that, man. When she's ready, she'll tell you. I'm pretty surprised that it's you who brought it up first in the first place. In some ways behind that suit you wear to work, you're still a kid in heart."
A thought just entered Seth's mind. "What if she'll never be?"
Ryan was speechless. He never was good in coming up with answers in a snap. He could try, but no words came out to speak.
Seth leaned back on the couch, pondering his question. He hoped that it wasn't the case because he would be devastated if it were to be true. He can only be optimistic that she'll come around to the idea one day.
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For those of you who doesn't know what Heart and Soul is, it's that song that Tom Hanks played on that giant piano that you step on to play. Thought I just clear that up.
So here's the next chapter and I hope that it's still interesting. You know what to do, hopefully you'll send me a review and I'll keep the chapters coming. Thanks you guys!