Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with The O.C. I do own a few individual characters as well as the plot, but there's really no point in suing me because I don't own anything of value.

Author's Note: Thank you for all of the reviews I've received. Sorry about the update delay, I was away for the past week and so did not have access to a computer. Also, I'm Australian and so am not as far into the second season of the show as those in America, so if you talk about episodes in your reviews, chances are I'll have no idea what you're talking about. Nothing in season two has happened in the fic, so please disregard it all.
And don't forget to review!

So Happy Together

Chapter Two

Summer gently shook Noah awake just as the captain was announcing their descent. Although he was tired, Noah did as he was told with little fuss, finally settling into the cab after collecting their baggage. Leaning on his mother's lap, he fell back asleep, leaving Summer alone with her thoughts.

As she had been planning this trip for ten years now, Summer knew exactly what she was going to do. The first time she saw Seth, she didn't want Noah to be with her. As a result, Seth couldn't be the first person Summer told, as she needed someone to watch Noah.

Summer had decided to go to her best friends house, Marissa Cooper. They hadn't spoken since Summer had left Newport but Summer knew she could rely on Coop, through thick and thin.

The cab driver pulled up at the address Summer had given him. It was a small apartment building, not too flash but not too dodgy either. Summer again jostled Noah awake, accepting the cabbies offer to carry their bags upstairs. Taking Noah's hand, she led him up to the second floor and knocked on what she hoped was the right apartment.

A short moment later, the door was flung open to reveal Marissa Cooper. Summer had to suppress a gasp. She looked exactly as she had ten years ago, every bit the beautiful teenager.

"Oh my God, Summer?"

"Hey, Coop," Summer replied, allowing herself to be pulled into a hug.

Marissa ushered them inside, raising her eyebrows at Noah but much to Summer's relief, not saying anything. She showed Summer the guest room where she got Noah settled. When she was sure he was asleep, she gently closed the door and joined Marissa on the couch.

"Who was that?"

"That's my son, Noah."

Marissa's mouth didn't drop open in shock in fact; she seemed to be taking the news rather calmly.

"I thought so. He looks like Seth."

"He does, doesn't he?"

Noah was a skinny little boy with dark brown hair and a slightly olive complexion, like his mother. He possessed the famous Cohen curls and cheeky grin, reminding Summer everyday of Seth. He had also inherited a lot of Seth's mannerisms, including the incessant babbling whenever he was nervous.

"So, start from the top, what's happened in the last ten years?"

Summer and Marissa sat up until around two in the morning, exchanging stories about their lives. Apparently, after Ryan had returned from Chino, he and Marissa had gotten back together, staying together through their freshman year at college. However, it had been Marissa who'd ended the relationship, realising, while they were fantastic friends, they were not meant to be together.

Marissa had obtained a business degree before starting her own events management firm in Newport. She was the most in demand event manager around, making a name for herself aside from the Cooper-Nichol fiasco.

Marissa also updated Summer on the other happenings of Newport. Sandy and Kirsten had both retired happily and moved out of the mansion, to a condo along the beach. Ryan and Seth had started their own business, buying most of the said condos, and it was flourishing, now more successful than The Newport Group had ever been.

Ryan had married Natalie Wood, a girl he'd met in college and they had twin three year old daughters, Annabelle and Lia, both of whom Marissa was godmother to, Seth their godfather. Much to Summer's relief, though she'd never admit it, Seth hadn't been in a serious relationship since her, throwing himself instead into his work.

When Summer finally crawled into bed, listening to the light sound of her son's even breathing, she was filled with a little hope, not as scared about the impending day as she had been before.

"Mom, where are we?"

Summer was nudged awake by the small hands she knew to be her sons'. She looked around, momentarily forgetting where she was. It all flooded back to her, the night before, talking late with Marissa.

"Sweetie, we're at your aunt Marissa's house."

"I have an aunt Marissa?"

Summer led Noah out into the kitchen and made the introductions. Surprisingly, Noah instantly warmed to Marissa. Summers left them chatting about school and soccer to have a shower and, when she returned they'd both eaten and were now watching cartoons together. Seeing her exit the bathroom, Marissa joined Summer in the kitchen.

"Coop, I hate to ask…"

"I'll watch him."

"Thank you! But no one else knows, not even my dad, so you can't leave the apartment. I don't want Seth to find out from someone else."

"It'll be fine Summer, I promise."

"Thanks Coop," Summer said, pulling Marissa into a hug. "And thanks for letting us stay here."

"No problem. Here's Seth's office address. He should be there, but if not, here's his home one, if he's not there either, call me and I'll find him for you."

"Thanks Coop."

Summer entered the living room, switching the TV off to speak to Noah.

"Honey, I have to do a few things today. Do you mind staying here with aunt Marissa?"

"How come I can't go with you?"

"I need to see a few people about a few things, before you get to meet them. You'll have fun here, you can watch TV and maybe even play a little soccer."

"Okay, mom," Noah replied, switching the TV back on and diverting his attention.

Summer gently kissed him on his forehead and grabbed her bag. She waved goodbye to Marissa, reaching for the door handle. She stopped suddenly, turning back to her friend.

"Coop…"

"You don't have a car? Here."

Summer caught the car keys being thrown at her and again, thanked Marissa. Calling goodbye to Noah, she exited the apartment, on her way to face Seth Cohen.