The last chapter… enjoy!

Chapter 14

The following weeks Seth and Summer lived like they were in a dream. After they had to live without their love for so long, they spend almost every minute together. Summer had moved out of her apartment and back into Seth's, and the preparations for the wedding were made. The wedding was to take place on Valentine's Day, Seth and Summer's anniversary.

They had never experienced so much stress in their life, but it was the best stress someone could imagine. And after weeks of stress and hard organizing work, the night before the wedding had finally arrived. Since Seth and Summer had gotten back together, this was the first night they had to spend apart, Summer at Ryan and Marissa's place, and Seth had Ryan over at his apartment. Kirsten and Sandy had split up as well, Sandy to help his son and Kirsten to be there for her soon-to-be daughter-in-law.

Neither Seth nor Summer were able to find sleep that night.
Seth was sitting on the balcony, listening to Death Cab, his favorite band, and reading through his vow over and over again. He wanted it to be perfect, but he didn't find the words to show how much Summer meant to him. Lost in thought, he didn't hear his father and Ryan coming onto the balcony. Sandy wore a knowing grin and patted his son on the shoulder. "Well, what do I see here? My son, sleepless the night before his wedding. I think I've never been so proud."
Ryan grinned and sat down next to Seth. "Afraid you're making a mistake?" he asked playfully.
Seth nodded unnerved. "Very funny, you two. Can't a man be up the night before his wedding?"
Sandy sat next to his boys, smiling. "Look, it's totally normal that you're excited. I couldn't sleep for three days before I married your mom. It's a huge step you're taking."

Seth nodded. "Yeah, you see, and that's not even the problem. I'm not afraid to take the step. I'm afraid that this here might not be good enough for her." He waved with the vow he held in his hand. "It seems I can't find the right words for her."
"Don't you think that everything you're gonna say is gonna be perfect?" Ryan asked. "Yeah, maybe perfect for her, but not perfect enough for me." Seth rubbed his head. "I just want her to know that she's the love of my life."
Sandy laughed. "I never thought I'd say a thing like that, but here's some advice your grandfather once gave me. Your mother had told me she had lost her wedding ring and I was absolutely stressed into getting her a new one. Then Cal asked me why I needed to get her that ring. And I said that I needed it to show her that she's the love of my life. You know what he said then?"
Seth shook his head. "No, but since I know you, I guess you'll tell me."
Sandy nodded. "He said, 'just tell her'. Do you get that?"

Seth frowned. "Dad, I love how you can talk in riddles, but I'm not in the mood for one right now."
Sandy sighed. Sometimes his son put up problems where there weren't any.
Suddenly, Ryan answered. "Come on, man. This means that a simple 'I love you' is the most meaningful thing you can tell her."
Sandy was enthusiastic. "Exactly! Not what you say is important. It's important that you mean it."
Seth frowned again and sighed. He got up from his chair and went inside. "Okay, guys, thank you. I'm gonna go and try to find some sleep."
Sandy and Ryan looked at each other. Sandy lay a hand on Ryan's shoulder. "If I can teach you anything, kid, don't ever get married." Sandy said, and the both of them started to laugh.

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At the same time Seth had been sitting on the balcony, Summer sat in Marissa's living room, staring out of the window into the starlit sky, stroking the beautiful ring she wore around her finger. The butterflies in her stomach didn't stop to turn somersaults. She was so happy that her life would be like a dream come true.
Marissa and Kirsten were sitting behind her, reading the vow Summer had written for Seth. When they were finished, Marissa's eyes were full of tears. She ran over to Summer and hugged her. "Oh my God, Sum, this is so beautiful! If I could I'd marry you now," she added jokingly, and the three women laughed. Kirsten stood up and hugged Summer as well. "This is just perfect, sweetie, I'm sure he'll love it."

Summer smiled happily. "Thanks, you guys", she said. "Even if it's such a huge step, it seems like the easiest thing I've ever had to do."
Kirsten stroked Summer's arm. "I'm so happy for you two." she said, a single tear shining in her eyes.
Marissa nodded. "You truly deserves this, Sum. Tomorrow's gonna be the best day ever."
Summer smiled broadly. Marissa was right. This was gonna be the best day ever.

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The following hours had passed like in time lapse, and before Seth could realize it, he stood in the church, looking down the aisle and expecting his beautiful bride, Ryan right next to his side as his best man. On Summer's side of the aisle there was Marissa, who was Summer's bridesmaid. Seth was excited like a little boy when he looked at the crowded church and thought about what was going to happen in a few moments. He smiled at his mother who sat in front of him in the first row, fighting back the tears of joy that her little baby became married. Seth mouthed an 'I love you' to her and received an air-kiss from her as an answer.
When the band finally started to play, Ryan patted Seth on the shoulder and grinned. "So, this is it, man", he said playfully. "No return."
Seth nodded and grinned, his eyes never leaving the aisle. "I don't care", he said happily. Never before in his life he had been so sure about something.

And suddenly, there she was, walking slowly around the corner of the church, accompanied by Sandy who took the part as the bride's male attendant since Summer's Dad unfortunately wasn't able to attend this important day anymore.
When Seth saw his stunningly beautiful bride he had to do his best to fight back the tears of joy that were coming up inside of him. This was really happening. The moment he had been dreaming of since he had been still a child finally came true.

And her incredible beauty took Seth's breath away. Her long, dark brown hair was curled and hung softly over her slim shoulders. Her dress was a shoulder-free and almost 6 feet long dream of white silk, decently revealing the perfect shape of her body. A veil hung down behind her back, adding even more grace to her appearance. Tons of golden and silver glitter lay on her cleavage, making her shine like a star. She looked like the Chrismukkah-Summer from two months ago, but this time, everything on her looked perfect. Seth couldn't think a clear thought, he just stood there, not able to get it into his head that this beautiful woman would become his wife.

Slowly, Summer raised her head, looking at Seth, her bambi-brown eyes full of love, not leaving his until she arrived at the altar. Her cheeks shone all pink from all the excitement of the last few hours, but she didn't care.
When Sandy and Summer had finally arrived at the altar, the music stopped. Sandy gave Summer a kiss on the cheek and smiled at her.
Summer returned Sandy's smile and faced Seth. She couldn't believe how much she loved him. It felt like her love for him grew stronger by each second that passed.
As if reading her thoughts, Seth mouthed these exact words to her. Summer couldn't answer. She was so happy it made her numb to everything else. She just stood there, facing Seth and knowing she had never been so sure before her whole life.

Finally, the priest took over his part and the crowd stood up. Summer and Seth both looked at the people in the church who were all smiling happily at them. Ryan and Marissa seemed almost happier than the bridal couple. Summer did all her best to fight back her tears. She didn't want to cry right at the beginning of the ceremony, because it would ruin all of her make up.

The priest started his speech. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the wedding of Seth Cohen and Summer Roberts. When two people love each other, the holy bond of marriage is bound to be forever, for it is the biggest commitment of love that can be made between them."
Seth sighed, and Summer smiled happily. Gently, she took his hands. She had been all excited before everything started, but now she felt wonderfully calm.

After the two of them had sworn their love for each other until death would part them, the biggest part came up. The priest handed them their wedding rings, and Summer was the first one to give her vow.

With shaking hands, she placed the ring on Seth's ring finger. Tears were coming up again, but this time, she didn't want them to stop.
"Seth…" This was harder than she had imagined. How could she speak if there were more and more tears running down her cheeks? Summer laughed and tucked a strand of her dark brown hair behind her ear. "Okay," she whispered and took a deep breath. "Seth… I love you." She laughed again. "It was hard for me to say it when we were younger, but now it seems like the easiest thing to me. I love you so much. But none of the love I can ever give you will be enough to show you how much I owe you for what you did for me." New tears prickled in her eyes as she went on. "You're not only the man I love, you're also my best friend… my savior."

Seth was overwhelmed by his emotions. A single tear ran down his face when he let the words Summer had told him sink in. And now that he looked at her, his problems from the night before seemed to be absolute nonsense. Suddenly, he understood what his father had wanted to tell him. He placed the wedding ring on Summer's ring finger and made his heart speak. "Summer… I thought… that this was the hardest thing I'd ever have to do… because I doubted that I'd be able to find the words to express what I feel for you." He softly stroked Summer's face, trying to dry her tears of joy. Seth smiled broadly. "You're the love of my life. I will never ever let any terrible things happen to you. I guess I fell in love with you when I first saw you when we were just kids." He paused, letting the memory of those days come back to them. "And today, I love you more than anything. I knew it then, and I know it now… I belong to you."

After those wonderful vows had been given, Seth and Summer stared happily at each other, enjoying every second of what was just happening.
And before the priest could tell them to kiss, Summer's and Seth's lips were already linked, softly caressing each other, exchanging the unbelievably deep love they felt for one another.
"I guess I'm needless here," the priest grinned. The crowd laughed and started to applaud as Seth and Summer stood in front of the aisle, kissing like they could never be separated.

Finally, the two of them managed to let go of each other, facing their family and friends. To Summer, it still felt like a dream when she thought about how hopeless her life had seemed only a few months ago. She looked at Seth, her savior. And when Seth smiled happily at her, she knew she would never let him go again.

And nothing had ever felt so right before.

THE END