During the Countdown episode. R/M

A/N: I don't own anything.

On the way to The Four Seasons., all Ryan could think about was how he should get there on time and tell Marissa that he loves her. He knows that he should have just said "I love you" to her back when she said it for the first time on the Cohen's driveway. She didn't even intentionally plan to say it, it just kind of slipped out of her mouth. And it made him special to know that she really does love him.

"I love you".

How hard was that to say? He panicked. He wasn't used to hearing things like that. And it's partly because he hasn't even said it to anyone he cares about. Not even Theresa. Marissa is very important to him. He doesn't want to lose her. He can't even think about losing her since it breaks his heart. And of course he loves her. Why did he just realize it after his conversation with Seth? Maybe it's too late.

He sometimes still can't believe that Marissa is his girlfriend, she's the girl from Newport who has everything and can have any guy that she wants but she chose him. He's very happy that she has accepted him for what he is. She knows that he has a disturbing past, but she still loves him.

As he reached The Four Seasons, he jumped out of his car as fast as he could and quickly went inside.

"I hope I'm not too late." He thought.

Reaching the elevator and noticing that it probably won't be coming down soon, he quickly ran to the stairs of the hotel. As he ran up the stairs, he started to get exhausted. But still, he was determined to reach her on time so he can tell her those three little words. Looking at his watch, he saw that he only have a few minutes left until midnight. Taking a few deep breaths, he quickly ran up the stairs and finally reached the top.

10 seconds left

Running to the huge door, he opened the room and scanned for the particular person he was looking for. He finally saw her.

Shared POV

Marissa felt disappointed that Ryan hadn't been able to come. As she was about to toast her wine to Oliver, she looked up and saw him. A huge feeling went over her as she realizes that Ryan was there. He didn't let her down. He looks tired and out of breath. She quickly went to him.

Ryan felt so happy. As she started to walk to him, she gave him this huge grin that she rarely gives to the people she knows. And he felt so special at that moment.

3…2…1! Happy New Year!

He went his way to the middle of the room and kissed her with all the passion that he has, and as they kiss, everything else in the room was forgotten. They were the only two people existing at that moment. It's a brand new year and everything was perfect.

Wait…he still hasn't said it yet.

As they stopped for a while and took a breath from the kiss that they just shared. He looked at her lovingly and said "I love you". He felt so proud that he finally managed to say the words and mean it.

"What?" Marissa can't believe it. Did he really say that?

"I love you" Ryan said again.

Marissa looked at him and Ryan saw the playful look in her eyes.

"Thank you" Marissa replied.

Ryan looked at her and tenderly smiled and pulled her back to him so that he can kiss her again. As her tongue met his, Ryan didn't even notice that everyone had already stopped kissing. They have their only little world and everything was just the way it was suppose to be. They kissed for a long time and they felt like such a normal couple.

They finally stopped kissing and they just stared at each other for what felt like hours. Then Marissa finally said it.

"I love you too"

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