Hey there!

Double update for New Year's!

It's the last two mushy chapters before tragedy starts…

I hope you like it, and if you read, please review!

A big thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far, you guys are great!

Steffi

Too Blind To See

"So, what's this secret meeting all about? I need to get back to the office, I have tons of work." Seth said, exchanging a brotherly handshake with Ryan. On Ryan's suggestion, the two boys met for lunch the following day.

Usually, Seth didn't have time for lunches or any other breaks during work time, since his own comic book company kept him occupied almost all day. Seth was glad about the success he had, but sometimes he wished he could spend more time together with Summer and his friends.

And even if this week was a very busy week, Seth had managed to get to the meeting with Ryan, who had told him that what he had to say was urgent.

Ryan pointed out to an outside table of the Newport Beach Café and sat down.
"Look, I don't have that much time either, so I'll get straight to the point."
Seth nodded. He really appreciated that Ryan wanted to clarify the mysterious thing fast.
Ryan sighed. "Have you ever wondered why Summer was so upset yesterday at the diner?"

Seth's eyes narrowed. "Well, honestly, no. I mean she's a woman, so I guess that's kinda normal."

Ryan shook his head. He started to mimick Seth. "Well, honestly, I think you should talk to her. It's obvious that something's wrong."

Seth shook his head. He didn't understand a word Ryan was saying. Suddenly, it clicked. "Did you talk to Marissa about Summer?" he asked.

Ryan shook his head. "There was no need to. You just have to look at Summer to see what's going on. I can't believe you're so blind, man."
He stood up and patted Seth on the shoulder. "I really need to head back to the office, Sandy hates it when I'm too late."

Seth raised his hands. "What, that's it? You won't tell me what's going on with my wife?"
Ryan shook his head. "Just stop focusing on yourself. You'll see."
Seth sighed and frowned.
What the hell was Ryan talking about?

It was late in the evening, and Seth hadn't stopped thinking about what Ryan had told him at lunch. Could he really be so blind and not see what was going on with Summer? He had seen it years before when she was beaten by Eric, but now that she was his wife, he didn't see what was going on. He unlocked the front door of their apartment and went in carefully, not wanting to wake Summer.

From the living room he could see that the tv was still on, its blue light flickering through the whole apartment. Seth hung his coat on the wardrobe and went into the living room on tiptoes. Summer lay on the couch, covered by her favorite woollen blanket, wearing her flanel PJs she loved so much.

Seth walked around the couch to see if Summer was already asleep. But instead of peacefully sleeping, her eyes were wide open, tiny tears running down her cheeks.
When she spotted Seth, Summer suppressed more tears that were about to come.

Seth frowned and knelt down in front of Summer's face. He softly wiped some of the tears away with his thumb.
"Do you wanna tell me what's going on?" he softly asked, his gaze worried.

Summer sniffed and fought more tears. She looked at Seth desperately.
Seth's heart started to beat faster. "You're scaring me. Please tell me what's wrong." He said, his thumb still tracing the features of her beautiful face.
Summer sighed and sat up. "Sit with me. Please." She whispered, trying to gather herself.

Seth did as he was told and took one of Summer's hands. He stared at his wife anxiously, dying to know what was wrong with her.

Summer let out a deep breath and focused on Seth's eyes that were full of concern. "I need to tell you something." She said.

"What is it?" Seth asked, his hand squeezing tighter over Summer's.
Summer cleared her throat and reached behind the couch pillows. She pulled out a tiny black and white photo and handed it to Seth.

Seth frowned and took the picture in both of his hands, holding it very close to his face. It was a sonogram. "Is this Marissa's baby?" he asked, not really understanding what his wife wanted to tell him with the photo.

Summer hesitated to answer for a moment and shook her head. "No." she replied and took one of Seth's hands. She moved it down to her belly and stared at him intensively. "It's in here." She whispered almost inaudibly. Her gaze was anxious and Seth could almost see how heavy her heart was beating.

Seth's feelings almost overwhelmed him with the tiny photo he held in one hand, and with his other hand on the place where the little thing in the photo was at the moment.
He started laughing. "Are you serious?" he asked.

Summer's gaze changed from being insecure to being full of joy. She felt new tears coming up, but this time, she wasn't afraid to let them show. She nodded enthusiastically.

Seth laughed and ran his hands through his hair. "And you were so down all the time because of what I said at the diner the other day?" he asked, suddenly understanding everything that had been going on with Summer. Beause of the stupid jokes he had made, Summer was afraid that he wouldn't want to be a father.

Summer nodded again. "Kind of," she admitted and shrugged.
Seth shook his head, still smiling, and took Summer's face in his hands. "I was just joking, to tease Ryan and Marissa! I didn't mean a word I said then, I thought you'd understand!"

Suddenly, Summer felt incredibly stupid. How could she ever have thought that Seth wouldn't want to have children with her? He always talked about having a whole football team, so why wouldn't he want to have the one she was carrying right now?

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I was scared and…" more tears came up and Summer had to stop talking.

Seth pulled her closer. "You're making me the happiest man on earth." He said and kissed her softly.

Summer couldn't help but fall into Seth's arms and hug him tightly. "Thank you." She whispered into his ear, closing her eyes. She had never felt so happy before.
Seth softly pushed her away and looked her deep into the eyes. "I love you." he said.
Summer's heart felt like flying. "I love you too."

Seth shook his head and grinned broadly. "I can't believe this!" he yelled. "I'm becoming a father! You're making me a father!" He gave Summer a passionate kiss on the lips. "I love you. I just can't stop saying it. I love you, I love you, I love you!"

Summer laughed happily and kissed Seth's hand. "I understand." She said, grinning broadly.
Seth laughed as well. He took Summer's hand and stood up. He went over to the stereo and played one of the songs from his romantic hits collection.

Summer smiled as the first chords of Rod Stewart's "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You" started to play. She slightly shook her head and sniffed. "Very glamorous, me dancing with you in my PJs." She joked and leant into Seth's embrace.

Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one else above you
You fill my heart with gladness
Take away all my sadness
Ease my troubles that's what you do

"I'm happy." She whispered, her head resting on Seth's chest.

You fill my life with laughter
And somehow you make it better
Ease my troubles that's what you do

Seth pulled her only closer. "Me too."

Until the song faded out, neither of them said a word. They just enjoyed each other's company, knowing that his baby would be the coronation of their love.
They were just happy awaiting the days that were about to come.

Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one else above you
You fill my heart with gladness
Take away all my sadness
Ease my troubles that's what you do

Next chapter: The Small Things Make The Difference