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.

Chapter Three

Summer pulled up in front of a large, majestic looking building. She double-checked the address Marissa had given her and, seeing it was the right place, stepped out of the car.

"Marissa!"

Summer emerged completely from the car and faced a short, blonde woman. The woman looked taken aback, obviously having expected Marissa to step out of the car. With her she had a little girl with blonde ringlets and big blue eyes.

"Sorry, I thought you were someone else," the woman said, taking out her cell phone. "Sorry to disturb you."

"Wait," Summer cried, grabbing the woman's shoulder, stopping her. "Don't call the cops, I didn't steal this car. I'm a friend of Marissa's from high school. She lent me her car. You can call her, I swear it's the truth."

"You went to Harbor?" Summer nodded. "You must know my husband then. Ryan Atwood?"

"Oh my gosh, are you Natalie?"

"Yes, and this is Annabelle."

Summer said hello to the little girl. Now that she knew who her father was, she could make the links between her and Ryan.

"And what's your name?"

"Summer," she said, extending her hand. "Summer Roberts."

"You're Summer Roberts?" Natalie asked, her mouth falling open. "As in Seth's Summer?"

"I dated him, if that's what you mean?" Summer replied, now uncomfortable with the conversation.

"Oh, I've heard so much about you! I hate to be rude, but I really have to go, I have an appointment. I'll call Marissa, the two of you must join Ryan, Seth and I for dinner tonight, I insist."

Before Summer could reply, Natalie was rushing toward her own car, placing Annabelle into her car seat.

"It was lovely to meet you Summer, see you tonight."

Summer raised her hand in a wave, still dazed by the energy of Mrs Ryan Atwood. She didn't seem his type at all, but then again, she never really knew who Ryan's type was.

Suddenly, Summer was faced with another problem. If she were to have dinner with Seth that night, she would need someone to watch Noah. She didn't want to tell Seth about his son straight away, preferring to ease back into a semi-friendship first.

However, a blonde woman, going slightly grey, solved Summer's problem. Kirsten Cohen walked towards her, not saying a word but pulling Summer into a hug. Summer had never been particularly close to Kirsten, she'd gotten on much better with Sandy, however, it felt wonderful to be hugged by her son's grandmother.

"Summer, it has been so long," Kirsten said, stepping back and holding Summer at an arms length. "Too long."

"I know what you mean," Summer replied, giggling nervously. "How are you? You look fantastic!"

"Oh, you too. I'm going a little grey, but nothing my hairdresser can't fix. What are you doing back in town? Where are you staying? How long are you staying? Have you seen Seth?"

"Whoa, whoa," Summer said, leading Kirsten to a nearby bench and sitting down. "I'm staying with Marissa, I don't know for how long and that's why I'm here, to see Seth, but I don't seem to be able to make it out of the parking lot. I just ran into Natalie."

"Oh, isn't she wonderful. Very full on, I know, but she's so fantastic for Ryan. And they have little girls; I suppose you just met Annabelle. Lia's spending the day with Ryan at work, the girls do that once a week on their own, gives Ryan some bonding time with them."

"Oh, he'd be the perfect dad."

"He loves it. And what about you, married? Children?"

Summer took a deep breath.

"That's why I'm here, back in Newport. I have a son. He's ten."

Summer waited for Kirsten to do the math and figure out that she was a grandmother to another child. When she did, her eyes immediately welled with tears and she pulled Summer back into her embrace.

"Why didn't you call? Why didn't you tell us? We could have helped you, you didn't have to run away."

"I know you would have, but I think it was best for me and my baby."

"What's his name?"

"Noah- I figured that would keep Sandy happy."

Kirsten chuckled, wiping away her tears.

"Oh Summer, is he here? I want to meet him, I really do."

"He's at Marissa's. Actually, I was wondering, would you watch him tonight? I mean, I know it's a lot to ask, considering you've never met him but Natalie invited me to dinner and Seth will apparently be there and I'm not ready to tell him just yet and so I need someone to watch Noah. If you don't want to that's fine, I completely understand."

Summer was aware that she was babbling, like a Cohen, but she couldn't help it, she was so anxious about Kirsten's response.

"Of course we will. And don't worry, your secret's safe with us. Although, honey, the sooner you tell Seth, the better."

"I know, I just don't want to walk in and drop this on him. I want to sort of catch up first I guess."

Kirsten nodded.

"Well, why don't you go upstairs and see him. I'll drop by Marissa's and meet Noah. Or would you rather be there for that?"

"Oh, no, go ahead. And maybe take Sandy? His middle name's Sanford by the way," Summer smiled weakly.

"Oh, you're going to give that man a big head!

Summer laughed and stood up, hugging Kirsten again.

"Thank you so much. I really do appreciate it."

"I'm just glad you're finally back, and with a grandson for me as well!"

Kirsten and Summer said goodbye, Summer with a smile on her face the entire time. She called Marissa to tell her what was going on before finally entering Cohen and Co. She took the elevator up to the sixth floor and stepped out, into a small waiting room. She approached the small reception desk and asked to see Seth Cohen.

"I'm sorry ma'am, he's about to leave for a meeting, can I maybe schedule you for this afternoon?"

Before she could reply, the large doors behind the desk opened. Out walked a tall, thin man, his head down reading a folder.

Despite herself, Summer gasped. This got the attention of the man and he looked up. His mouth dropped open and Summer raised her hand in a small wave, staring deep into the eyes of Seth Cohen.