Josh Schwartz is the man. Peace and love...

"Mom, why is Dad always here?"

Summer pulled a few sheets out of the dryer and held them up in front of her.

"Why, honey? Don't you like him here?"

"Yeah. But he usually doesn't stay around here all the time."

"Well, usually he goes and chases the ladies. Maybe he met one already."

Chris licked the side of his thumb and pushed his lip down. After thinking about it another minute, he pushed his thumb inside his mouth and threw big eyes at his mom, wondering if she'd notice. She didn't.

"Are you going out today, honey?"

She turned around with her hands on her hips and sighed when she saw the thumb in his mouth. "Baby, you don't want to do that. It'll mess up your teeth."

"Sorry."

"Don't be sorry. Just don't do it again. Now, are you going out today?"

He nodded. "Uncle Ryan said he could get me sailing lessons. I want a boat."

"Yeah?"

He nodded again. Summer smiled and bent down to kiss his cheek.

"Have fun."

She patted down his hair and walked out of the room. Chris looked at his thumb again, but tucked his hand in his jeans pocket instead before following his mother out of the room.

Luke walked in the front door and smiled at Chris and waved across the room.

"Hey, kid. You going somewhere?"

Chris nodded as Ryan walked down the stairs.

"Hi Chris. You ready?"

He nodded again and slapped Luke a high five on the way out. He sat in the seat next to Ryan and tapped Ryan on the shoulder. Ryan looked over and Chris crooked his finger to him. Ryan leaned over and Chris whispered in his ear, "I think my daddy likes my mommy."

Chris brought a finger to his lips and Ryan nodded. "Why do you think?"

"Because he's always over looking at her."

"Your mommy's very pretty."

Chris nodded. "I think Daddy has a major crush on her."

"Did he tell you that?"

Chris shook his head. "I figured it out myself."

"What do you think about it?"

He shrugged. "I don't think my mommy likes him like he likes her."

"Why not?"

"Because I think she likes Seth."

"And what do you think about that?"

Chris shrunk down in his seat and looked over at Ryan with big eyes and brought his finger to his lips again. Ryan nodded, and Chris whispered, "I don't like Seth that much."

"Why not?"

"I know he's your friend but I don't think he's very nice is all."

"Why not?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know him that well."

"I know. But I just think the guy my mommy likes should like me. And I don't think Seth likes me."

"What happened to Uncle Seth?"

Chris shrugged. "He's not like you. I don't know him. He's not my real uncle, anyway. Because uncles don't marry mommies. Like you wouldn't marry my mommy."

"You think Seth would?"

Chris grinned. "My mommy is very pretty."

Ryan laughed and nodded. "You're right. Well, try to get to know him, okay? Because I knew him a long time ago and he was very nice. And if you really want to try to get to know him, I think you'll find out that he's still pretty nice."

Chris shrugged again. "I don't know."

Ryan reached his hand over and rubbed Chris's shoulder. "I love your mommy, Chris. And so you know I'll always look out for her. And she and Seth were together when I knew him. And I really think she likes him and he likes her. So give him a shot."

Chris looked out of the window and nodded. Ryan sighed and started driving.

Luke knocked on the door to the pool house and got a "come in." He opened it and smiled at Summer lying on the floor. He lay down next to her and followed her stare at the ceiling.

"What are we looking at?"

"I don't know."

"How long have you not known what you were looking at?"

"Like ten minutes."

"You're pretty damn bored."

"Yes, sir."

"So, uh, do you know where Chris went?"

"Yeah, Ryan's taking him down to the marina. He wants to learn to sail so we can buy him a boat. And by we, I mean you."

"Well, of course."

"Yup."

"So, Ryan and Chris are down at the docks. Mr. and Mrs. Cohen are at work. Where's Seth?"

She shrugged. "I think he said he had work to do too."

"So we're alone."

She nodded. "We can have a girls' afternoon."

"If that means pillow fight in our p.j.s I am all for that idea."

"Ew."

"You know that's the first time you've said ew in five years?"

"You counted?"

"Of course."

"You're more bored than I am."

Summer sighed and brought her hands behind her head. Luke watched her tee shirt slide up her stomach leaving a sliver of midriff between her shirt and her jeans.

"So, uh, what should we do?"

"I don't know. I think you should entertain me."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Something fun."

Luke looked back at her stomach and the curve of her breasts' silhouette though her tee shirt. He sighed and leaned back onto one of his arms.

"I'll think."

"You do that."

Ryan pulled up at the docks and got out with Chris. They walked down to the water, where Seth was trailing his legs in the water. He grinned when he saw Ryan and bit his tongue when he saw Chris. Oh. Now he got it.

Ryan grinned and slapped him on the back. "Hey, man, you miss the water?"

"Not even a little bit."

"That's good. So Chris, I bet you didn't know Seth here is an excellent sailor and if you want to learn, there is no better person to teach you than him. And he'll do it for free and I'm broke."

Chris stared up at Ryan and Ryan stared back. Seth looked from guy to guy. Chris looked at Seth and shrugged.

"Whatever."

Ryan grinned. "Good. But, oh shoot, I have to go. Sorry, um, Jenn has a...thing. Have fun you guys."

Ryan winked at Seth and Seth shot him a look.

"Ryan, are you sure? I mean, you could stay."

"No, Seth, I mean, I'd like to, but I really can't."

"I think you really can."

"Sorry, dude. Later."

Ryan waved his hand and jogged back over to his car and drove away. Seth looked at Chris as Chris crossed his arms.

"So, uh, why do you want to learn?" Seth scratched his head.

"I want a boat." Chris crossed his arms tighter across his chest.

"Okay. Um, let's go then. Right over there."

Seth pointed at the boat that had lasted longer than he ever thought it would. Chris walked ahead of him and sat in front of the boat swaying in the wind.

"The Summer Breeze?"

"Uh, that's right."

"My mom's name is Summer."

"Yes."

"And your boat's name is Summer."

"Yes."

"That's a real coincidence, isn't it?"

"Um, not really. When I-when I got this-this boat, I kind of had this big crush on her mom. And so, yeah."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"Did my mom ever go sailing?"

"Um, no, actually, I don't think I ever got a chance to take her."

"Oh."

"Yeah. So, um, you want to get started?"

Chris shrugged and Seth helped him onto the boat.

Ryan looked behind him for reasons he didn't know, and slowly pushed the door open. The whole room was so white. He walked up to the reception desk and, slightly embarrassed, looked up at the pretty seventeen year old receptionist. She smiled at him.

"Can I help you? You look a little old for a pediatrician."

"Yeah, um, is Jamie here?"

"Dr. Spencer? Yeah, um, she has a break in, like, a half hour."

"Oh."

"But, um, if you really wanted to see her now, I guess I could get you into a room."

"But I don't have my kid."

"Then don't tell anyone, Romeo."

The blonde winked and pointed to the door.

"What use are you going to be out here?"

He shrugged and walked through the door. The receptionist followed him and held out her hand.

"Kathy. I think seventeen's open."

"Thanks." He smiled as his cheeks reddened and walked into the room directly in front of him. Kathy giggled and walked back to her desk.

Ryan looked around the perfectly white and beige room. He ran his hand down the counter and looked at his perfectly clean hand. Nothing. He looked around the room, there wasn't even the Cosmopolitan that was here the last time he was. He hopped up onto the table and leaned back on the perfectly white paper. He started counting ceiling tiles.

When he got to twenty four, the door opened and a woman with dark, dark brown hair pulled up into a ponytail walked in. He sat up immediately and her eyes grew.

"Mr. Atwood, uh, what are you doing here?"

"The receptionist let me in."

"Oh."

"Yeah, um, I wanted to-to talk to you again."

"Oh. Is, uh, is Jenn here?"

"No, she, um, had a play date thing."

"Oh. That's, um, that's good."

"Yeah."

"So, um did you have a question or something?"

"Uh, yeah. Can I have your number?"

"That's a line, isn't it?"

"I don't know."

"Yeah, well, um, sure. But I get off at noon, so that's another half hour here."

"Yeah, I know. The...receptionist told me. But, um, I'd like to take you out to lunch. I mean, if you want."

"Uh, yeah, that'd be...good. You want to come here again at noon, then?"

"Yeah. That'd be...yeah."

"Okay. So I'll see you later?"

"Yeah. Okay. See you later."

He smiled gently and walked out of the room and paused in the waiting room. He looked back at the door where she was standing on the other side and he looked at the door to walk out of the office. He even stole a glance at the receptionist watching him to see what he was going to do. Instead of walking out, he sat in the waiting room and watched Finding Nemo for what must have been the fifteenth time.

Luke rolled over onto his side and watched Summer watching the ceiling.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"Because you're more interesting than the ceiling."

"Okay, so that's a compliment?"

"Yeah."

"Okay."

Summer rolled onto her side too and raised her eyebrows.

"So, Luke, I was talking to Chris today, and he asked me why you're around here so much. So, why are you around so much?"

"I don't hang out with you guys as much as I should."

"Okay, but you just realized this?"

"You guys like having me around, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, I mean, it's good for Chris seeing you so much."

"And you?"

"I dunno; we never were that close, you know?"

"Well, that may be true, but I always think it's good to see you."

"Okay? Another compliment?"

"Yeah."

"Okay. So, do you have a girlfriend?"

"No."

"So why aren't you out looking for one? That's what you usually do here."

"I'm sorry. I wanted to spend time with my son and his beautiful mother."

Summer grinned out of the corner of her mouth. "Was that a line?"

"Maybe."

"Okay."

"Why?"

"Because I'm not used to the lines so much anymore. I have to keep up."

"That can't be true. You're just as beautiful and sexy as you were when you were sixteen. Even more so, if you ask me."

"Um, I don't exactly go out to parties so much anymore. Unless you count seven year old birthdays, where I get to bond with the thirty and forty year olds which is always a little awkward."

"Are they mean to you?"

"God, no. They just give me looks, you know? Like they blame me for keeping a figure of some kind."

"Jealous."

"I guess."

Luke brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek. Summer shivered and sat up.

"Um, so, girls. What happened to, um, what's her name...Charlene?"

"Eh. She was kind of a ditz, you know?"

"Oh. So you dumped her?"

"No, she dumped me. Hence why I'm calling her a ditz."

"Oh."

"That was a joke, Summer."

"Oh right."

"So, boys? Didn't you have some guy hanging around here? Looked pretty serious."

"Who, Jonathan? He was nobody."

"Oh. And what about Seth?"

"Don't we all want to know."

"You mean he hasn't snatched you up? If I were him, you and I would already be married with 2.5 kids, a dog, and a white picket fence."

"But you're not. And Seth's...different. And he's confused, that's all."

"About what? Whether or not he wants you? Whether or not he wants to go back into the middle of the Pacific?"

"I don't know, okay? Ask him."

"I think he's making a lot of stupid moves. If I were him, I would..."

"Luke, I think I have to go."

She pushed up off her hands to stand up, but Luke reached over a hand and stopped her.

"Don't. I'm sorry; that was out of line. Can we talk?"

Summer looked down at his hand on her arm and looked up at his eyes. He wasn't smiling.

Seth grabbed a coke and handed it to Chris. He took it and smiled slightly. "Thanks."

"Yeah, it's no problem."

He sat next to him and smiled back. They were floating two miles from shore, the sun starting to go down.

"So, Seth, where were you? I mean you show up all of a sudden from where?" Chris squinted as he leaned back on his elbows.

Seth sighed and leaned back onto his hands. "Last place I was was Rontuma. Small island in Fiji."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Was it pretty?"

"Yeah, it was pretty. All beaches. And clear too. You could see all the way to the next island."

"Wow. I'd like to go there."

"Yeah, um, remind me sometime and we'll go. Not for a while, though. It might be pretty, but not as pretty as it is here."

"You lived here before?"

Seth nodded. "Moved here when I was seven, just like you. I was born in Berkeley, that's in northern California. Moved here to look after my grandma and never left."

"Did you like it here?"

"I thought it was okay."

"Me too. It gets boring."

"Believe me, Chris. If you know the right people, it'll get a lot more interesting."

"Did you know the right people?"

Seth shrugged. "Not for the first nine years here. But when I was sixteen I met your Uncle Ryan, your mom, and Aunt Marissa. It got better."

"Yeah? Did you guys get in trouble?"

"Sometimes."

"Was my mom bad?"

"Sometimes, yeah."

Chris laughed and sighed. "Tell me more about Rotunda."

"Rontuma. I wasn't there long. Just a little more than a year. Prettiest island was Samoa. I'll take you there too."

"What did you do there?"

"Uh...slept a lot. Sailed. Did a lot of stuff I wish I didn't."

"Like what?"

"I, um, I dated a lot of women I shouldn't have."

"What was the prettiest one's name?"

"Honestly, Chris? I don't remember. I really didn't have fun with any of them."

"Why not?"

"Because what I was looking for I had left."

"My mom."

Seth turned his head and looked at him. Chris was looking at him with those big eyes. Seth nodded slowly.

"Yeah. Your mom."

"I know. I heard you talking to Uncle Ryan."

"Yeah? You were eavesdropping?"

"I had to."

"Okay. I can believe that. What else did you hear?"

"That you did more than date those girls."

"Oh. That. Um, yeah."

"It's okay. My mom told me all about sex. You can talk to me."

"Okay? What else did you hear?"

"I heard you missed my mom. Because when you lived here you were in like with her."

"I was more than in like with her, Chris."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"What was she like?"

"When we were sixteen? She was...funny. Sweet. Very nice. Beautiful. But she was scared too, you know? I think you helped her not be scared anymore."

"Really?"

"Yeah. She was scared of what people were going to say. She isn't anymore."

"She can get mean to people sometimes."

"That's Summer. But she means it for the best."

"That's what Uncle Ryan says."

"Uncle Ryan's very smart."

"What was he like?"

"He was very quiet. Didn't like talking so much. But he always stuck up for me when I needed it."

"I love Uncle Ryan."

"Me too."

"Do you love my mom?"

"I don't know."

"Why not?"

"Because...it's been a long time."

"But you know you love Uncle Ryan."

"Yeah, but that's different. Uncle Ryan's my brother. I have to love him. Like you have to love your mom. It's like a law."

"My mom was your girlfriend. Don't you have to love your girlfriend?"

"She was my girlfriend. I hurt her."

"But doesn't it hurt her when you don't say you love her too?"

"I don't know."

"I do. She's sad."

"You think?"

Chris nodded. "My mom gets quiet when she's sad. Usually she's very loud."

"Yeah."

"Yeah. So I think you should make her happier. Because I don't like it when she's sad. And I know you could make her happier."

"I thought you didn't like me."

"I didn't. But you're cool now."

"Yeah? Thanks, Chris."

"So I was nice to you so you should be nice to me. Go tell my mom you love her."

"It's not that easy."

"Yes it is. I want her to be happy and you want to make her happy. And it would make her happy if you said you loved her too."

"But I don't really know her anymore."

"Are you sure?"

"Well, it has been nine years."

"But you know if you still love her."

"I guess."

"Do you?"

Seth looked around and looked back at the kid's huge green eyes. He nodded.

"So go tell her."

"But..."

"Go."

"Right now?"

Chris nodded and shoved him a little. Seth looked down and looked back up with a grin.

"Okay. Let's do this."

Chris grinned too and they sat up together and start going back to shore.

Ryan checked his watch quickly. 12:34. He'd been here an hour and six minutes. The door opened and the woman with the dark brown hair came out wearing a white tank top and black jeans instead of the white coat he had seen earlier.

"I am so sorry. This whole thing took longer and the next guy came late and I can't believe you didn't leave."

"No, it's-it's okay."

"Um, if you still want to go out for lunch..."

"Yeah. Definitely."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Okay. Cool. Um, you know it would make sense to go to some sophisticated coffee shop, but would it be okay with you if we just hit a McDonald's or something?"

"Yeah, whatever you want."

"Awesome. I need a chicken thing. Don't ask. I go on McDonald's deprivation."

"I completely understand."

"Really? Cool. Let's, uh, let's go."

"Cool."

She smiled and he slowly offered her his hand. She smiled further and took it as they walked out of the office.

Chris and Seth stood in front of the pool house door and Chris kept his eyes on Seth.

"Should I knock or just walk in?" Seth asked with sweat running down his forehead.

"Just walk in."

"Why?"

"Because I dunno. Do it now."

"Okay."

Seth exhaled and shook his head.

"I can't do this."

"Yes, you can. Now do it or I'll have to do it."

"Yes. You do it."

"No. She knows I love her. I have to love her, remember? You tell her."

"But I..."

"Don't be a total pussy now. We got to the door."

"Don't use that word. Your mom wouldn't like it."

"Sorry. My dad says it."

"Your dad says a lot of stuff you shouldn't."

"Stop avoiding the topic. Go."

"Okay, okay." Seth shook his arms and feet and pressed gently down on the doorknob. His hand was so sweaty that it just slipped off. He looked back at Chris.

"Go." Chris flicked his arm and nodded to the door.

"Okay." Seth exhaled again and pushed the door open.

On the floor, beside Chris's bed, Summer lay underneath Luke, her hands up the back of his shirt. He was kissing her neck and both of their eyes were closed.

Chris's mouth dropped and Seth moved to leave.

"Mom!"

Summer's eyes snapped open and she pushed Luke off of her.

"Chris, honey, um, uh..."

"Chris, your mom and I are back together."

Luke smiled a broken smile, but Summer shoved his arm.

"No, we're not. Honey, this isn't what you think it is."

"I should...go." Seth ran down the driveway; Chris was almost crying.

"I thought you said you didn't love him."

"Honey, it's complicated. I..."

"I thought you loved Seth."

"Honey, let's talk about this, okay?"

"You lied to me again. You said you didn't love Dad and that you guys were never getting back together. You said I was your only guy. You-you said..."

"Sweetheart, let's talk about this."

"I think I should go." Luke pushed up on his knuckles, but Summer shoved him again.

"He's your son too. You can't just go and leave him to hate me."

"That's not what I meant. I mean, you guys have something to take care of and..."

"And you're his father."

"I know. And I'm not just running away. I..."

"Wait. Chris?"

Summer looked back at the doorway to see straight through to the pool.

"Dammit! Chris!"

She jumped up and ran out the door. Luke stayed on the floor.

And I know this one was long but it kept going, so who was I to stop it? It gets longer too. Next chapter's the part two. Please leave a review. Peace and love...