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 Eight

The following morning, Summer took Noah over to the Atwoods to meet his aunt and uncle, having met the twins the previous night. He had been asleep the night before when Summer had arrived home so, on the car trip over, he told his mother all about his fun filled night with his grandparents.

Summer listened with a smile on her face, overjoyed that Noah had taken to Sandy and Kirsten so well. She was surprised he hadn't yet asked about Seth but new it would come eventually.

Summer and Noah spent a fun filled morning with the Atwoods. Ryan seemed overjoyed to have a little boy around whom he could play soccer with and Noah more than shared the sentiment. Summer enjoyed chatting to Natalie, her optimism and cheerfulness rubbing off.

After returning to Marissa's for a quick lunch, Summer took the familiar drive over to her childhood home. Much to her surprise, her stepmother had sobered up, and both her and Summer's father were thrilled to meet Noah.

Summer was shocked how well everyone, except Seth, was taking the news of Noah and embracing the boy like a member of their family (which in all honesty, he was). Just as she had predicted, as they were driving back to Marissa's, Noah asked the dreaded question.

"Mom, when do I get to meet my dad?"

Summer had to do her best not to lose control of the car. She took a few deep breaths and gripped Noah's hand.

"Sweetie, I'm not sure."

"Well, is he here in California?"

"Yes."

"So lets go see him now."

"I spoke to him last night sweetie, and I told him about you. We have to give him some time because it's a big shock. You've always known that somewhere out there, you had a dad. But he only found out last night that he had a son, that's a lot to deal with."

Noah was silent for a moment.

"Does he want to meet me?"

"Of course he does," Summer replied, not having the heart to hurt her son. "We just have to wait until he's ready."

Noah nodded and went back to staring out the window. Summer knew he was hurt but didn't want her to know about it. Inside, she cursed Seth for making Noah feel like this, but at the same time, cursed herself for staying away for so long.

Summer parked the car at Marissa's building and took Noah's hand as they went upstairs. She managed to get him talking about soccer and they started to joke around. They were still laughing as they entered Marissa's apartment. Summer closed the door behind them, still giggling, when she heard Noah gasp.

Summer span round and she too gasped. Seth was sitting on Marissa's sofa, staring at Noah, his mouth wide open.

"Cohen, what are you doing here?"

"I…I…" Seth didn't seem to be able to answer as he continued staring at Noah.

"Sweetie, come here."

Noah stepped back into Summer, reaching up and pulling her hands to his chest. He was staring at Seth, looking slightly confused.

Summer bent down and turned Noah toward her.

"Sweetie, it's time you met someone very important."

Noah nodded, turning back around to face Seth. Summer rose to a standing position and took Noah's hand. She led him over to the armchair next to the sofa, sitting down and pulling him onto her lap.

"Seth, this is Noah Sanford Roberts. Noah, this is Seth Ezekiel Cohen. He's your father."

Neither male spoke or made a move. They both looked at each other, eyes wide and mouths slightly open. In any other situation, Summer would have laughed at the father-son similarities, but now was not the time.

"Sweetie, I'm going to go into our bedroom. I want you to stay out here and talk to Seth. If you need anything, anything at all, you come get me, okay?"

Noah nodded, still not taking his eyes of Seth. Summer lifted him so she could get up and placed him back down on the armchair.

"I love you baby," she said, kissing his forehead.

"I love you too Mom."

Without turning back, Summer entered the bedroom, closing the door behind her. For the first time in years, Summer knelt down beside her bed and prayed for her son and his father.

After a while, Summer had run out of things to do in the bedroom. She'd flipped through a fashion magazine and checked her voicemail. She'd picked something to wear the following day and sorted through Noah's messy suitcase. Finally, for lack of something better to do, she'd lay down on the bed and before she knew it, was sound asleep.

"Mom? Mom?"

Summer felt Noah's small hands jostling her awake. She sat up, pushing her tousled hair out of her face.

"Sweetie? Are you okay? What happened? Where's Seth?"

"He's in the living room. He wants to speak to you, come on."

Noah took Summer's hand and dragged her out of the bedroom. Seth was sitting on the same sofa but looked far more relaxed. He looked up as the two exited the bedroom.

"Noah, can you give your mom and I a second?"

Noah nodded and went back into the bedroom. Summer tentatively sat on the armchair, looking at Seth expectantly.

"He's amazing, Summer."

Tears immediately welled to Summer's eyes and before she could stop them, began to flow down her cheeks.

"Hey, Summer?" Seth made a move toward her but changed his mind and sat back down. "What's wrong? That's a good thing."

"I know, I'm just so relieved."

"About what?"

"I don't know. That you like him?"

"You have nothing to worry about."

Summer smiled and wiped her tears away.

"What did you want to talk to me about?"

"Oh yeah. Can I take you two out to dinner? I'm sorry for yelling last night, I was just really shocked. I want to get to know him- and you again. What do you say?"

"Sure Cohen."