A/N thanks for the reviews guys I'm glad you liked that part! Just to warn you this part is further into the future but only by about a month and the story of what happened between the engagement and now will be told through flashbacks! I hope you enjoy the angst…Also I know it was a rip off from friends but that was the point, kinda like a tribute because I love that episode!
Previously on the OC…Ryan and Marissa share an apartment opposite Seth and Summer. The fantastic four are still fantastic and Ryan asked Marissa to marry him and she said yes but Julie isn't happy and is plotting something evil…but what is it and what will happen to the fantastic four now they are all grown up?
Ryan looked down at the photo frame that was clutched in his shaking hands and smiled sadly. Tears burned in the back of his eyes but he blinked them back stubbornly. He wasn't going to cry, Atwood's didn't cry. It was weak. He looked down at the smiling faces in front of him and closed his eyes, swallowing hard as he desperately tried to dissolve the painful lump that was forming in his throat. He breathed in shakily trying to slow his racing heart as he let the silence and the darkness encircle him. His hands shook violently as a rogue tear leaked from the corner of his tightly closed eyes and slid slowly down his face. Gripping the photo frame tightly he hurled it against the wall with a sickening crunch and the tinkle of shattering glass sliced through the silence. His breath was now coming in ragged gasps as he stared down at the spot where the shattered frame lay, the faces still smiling happily as he glared down at them. The smiles made him sick to his stomach as he stared down at them breathing heavily, trying to steady his shaking hands and his hammering heart that threatened to burst from his chest…his broken heart. The smiles just started back at him as he glared at them.
"I loved you…" He whispered shakily, his voice wavering and thick with hurt and emotion. But the faces simply smiled back.
He didn't think he could ever smile again, not after…that morning. Not after what had happened. Not after…her.
Seth sighed and sat down at the kitchen counter and placed his head in his hands. His mind was buzzing after today's revelations…he couldn't believe she had…he never thought that she would…
He closed his eyes and let out another long sigh. Ryan was crushed, he had never seen him look like that before. He just kept seeing that look on his face when the door opened over and over again. He couldn't believe she had done that to him after everything she had just…destroyed him.
Seth looked up as he heard heels clicking into the room. Summer emerged and shot Seth a sad smile.
"How is he?" She whispered placing a delicate hand on his shoulder. He shook his head and sighed again.
"How do you think?... He hasn't come out of the pool house all day, I think right now he just needs his space." He said sadly throwing a quick glance over to the darkened pool house. All the doors, windows and curtains were closed. Summer played with Seth's thick dark curls distractedly
"I still can't believe it…I think this is it for them. I don't think he'll ever forgive her."
"I don't see why he should…" Seth said darkly feeling a distinct feeling of hatred towards the woman who had caused Ryan to lock himself up in the poolhouse all day and broken his heart. Summer cast her gaze across to where Seth was staring and sighed slightly…She couldn't believe this had happened, she felt so bad for Ryan but she couldn't believe that Marissa had done this to him. She didn't know if she'd be able to face her friend again after what she had done…It'd all started at the hen party
FlAsHbAcK
Marissa picked up the phone shakily unable to stop smiling, she looked like someone had stapled a smile to her face. She dialled in the numbers quickly and waited, listening to the dial tone. She couldn't believe she was getting married, she couldn't believe she was getting married to Ryan Atwood…the love of her life! The ringing ceased and a small click signified the phone being picked up.
"Hello, Julie Cooper speaking?" Julie's bored, snobby, listless tone filled the receiver. Marissa gripped the phone shakily.
"Hey mom, it's me…I have some news!" She said excitedly, her heart hammering in her chest. She had never been so happy in her life.
Julie smirked slightly and feigned innocence.
"Really? What's up sweetie?" She asked brightly staring down at the number and the name she had written down on the phone pad
Lance
8677 455 £3000
Marissa braced herself and cast her eye over to Ryan who was laughing and smiling happily with Seth and Summer
"Ryan asked me to marry him, and I said yes!" She shrieked happily, her heart racing as she gripped the phone tightly, waiting for a response. Her mom would be happy for her wouldn't she? Afterall she hadn't minded when they had moved in together and she knew how much she loved him. There was silence for a while and Marissa began to grow nervous…if Julie didn't want this wedding to happen, she would cause as much trouble as possible.
"Honey, that's great! Congratulations!" She said brightly glad that Marissa couldn't see the scowl and expression of fury on her face as her hands shook.
Marissa paused slightly, surprised her mother was being so supportive
"Thanks mom! We'll probably be coming back to Newport next week to sort stuff out with the Cohens so I'll see you then!"
"Bye Sweetie."
Julie put down the phone and reached for the pad by the phone her hands shaking. She knew she was going to break her daughter's heart but it was for the best, she deserved better than that Atwood boy. She needed to do something with her life and she couldn't do that with Ryan Atwood…It was for her own good.
Seth wrapped softly on the pool house door with his knuckles, chewing on his bottom lip uncertainly as he waited for an answer from within…silence. He had decided he needed to talk to Ryan, or to at least see how he was doing. There was still no answer and Seth was getting worried for his brother. Butterflies jumped in his stomach as he tried to sneak a glance through the gap in the blinds but all he could see was darkness. Maybe he was asleep? He thought hopefully but he knew that Ryan wouldn't be sleeping right now.
"Ryan? It's Seth…can I come in?" He ventured carefully, bracing himself for a disgruntled, go away…or I don't want to talk right now…but instead he was met by silence.
Ryan stared down his shoes miserably; he closed his eyes with a sigh and ran his fingers through his untidy sandy hair. He couldn't stop playing that moment over and over in his head. The door opening and her face as their gazes met…the guilty, surprised expression as he walked through the door. He collapsed backwards onto his bed breathing deeply, trying to steady his shaking form as he blinked back angry tears. Everyone always betrayed him or abandoned him. He thought Marissa was different but in the end she was the same as everyone else. She had been another name to the long list of people that had let him down.
He didn't know what to do now…what to do without her. There was no way he could go back to her, not after what she had done but…without her, his life just seemed so…empty. Sure, he'd get a job he'd have Seth and The Cohen's but things just wouldn't be the same…he'd try and date but none of the girls would be the same. They wouldn't be her.
Ryan's eyes snapped open as he heard a soft knocking at the door. Probably Seth. He contemplated answering but he didn't think he could bring himself to speak. If he tried everything would come flooding out, the hurt, pain, betrayal, anger…loneliness. So he kept his mouth shut and closed his eyes again trying to ignore his brother's presence outside the door.
"Ryan? It's Seth…can I come in?"
Ryan let out a shaky breath. He couldn't turn his brother away, he knew he needed to talk to someone right now but the whole concept just seemed impossible right now. Maybe Seth would avoid the topic and just talk about something like…PS2 or something to take his mind off things? Who was he kidding? This was Seth. What should he say? Go away…come in…or nothing?
"Seth just…." He started. He let out a sigh and buried his head in his hands
"Come in." He mumbled resignedly…maybe this would do him some good. It's not like he could feel any worse right now…
FlAsHbAcK
Kirsten let out a shriek and hurled herself at Ryan and Marissa pulling them into a crushing bear hug.
"Oh my god! Congratulations!" She cried happily, tears welling in her eyes. Sandy grinned and patted Ryan on the back proudly. Ryan pulled away gasping for breath and smiled at Marissa.
"Let me see the ring!" Kirsten shrieked grabbing Marissa's hand. She looked down at the large diamond and gasped
"Wow…what a rock!" She said breathlessly.
"I can't believe you guys are really getting married…congratulations guys." Sandy said happily.
"I can't wait for the bachelor party…I'm thinking, whipped cream, strippers and some blindfolds." Seth said rubbing his hands together. Summer made a disgusted face and his Seth on the arm
"You're such a perv and I don't want to leave you alone with any strippers…and especially whipped cream." She added with a glare and Seth flushed slightly.
Meanwhile
Julie Cooper marched up the Cohen driveway her heels clicking loudly against the paved floor. In one arm she clutched her Dior purse and in her other a small, neatly wrapped package. She glared up at the house before fixing a wide fake smile on her face and ringing the doorbell. This was going to take all of her acting, or more like lying skills. The door swung open and Marissa stood in the doorway.
"Marissa, honey! Congratulations!" She said brightly pulling her bewildered daughter into a hug.
"Hey mom…um come in, we're just breaking out the champagne." Marissa said uncertainly, definitely disturbed by her mother's sudden change in attitude towards Ryan…she had always thought he wasn't good enough and now she was here bearing gifts…
"Oh wonderful, here you go honey…an engagement present!" She said handing Marissa the small package and marching through the hallway into the kitchen were the Cohen's were pouring champagne. Marissa shook the box slightly
"It's not a bomb is it?" She mumbled darkly. Julie apparently didn't hear her.
"Hi guys! Marissa told me the good news and I had to come and congratulate the happy couple!" She said with a smile. Seth raised an eyebrow whilst Sandy looked across at his wife who looked totally bewildered.
"Um…Hi Julie, come right in."
Ryan looked across at Seth uncertainly who grinned back and whispered
"She's gonna be your mother in-law." He said gleefully. Ryan dug him in the ribs with his elbow and smiled falsely at Julie as she made her way over to Ryan her arms out-stretched
"And here's the groom…" She pulled Ryan into a hug, Ryan's eyes widened and Kirsten fought back a laugh at her son's terrified expression.
"So have you made any plans yet?" Julie asked flicking her hair back and looking down at her perfectly manicured nails. Marissa glanced across at Ryan.
"Um no, not yet." She said. Julie shook her head and tutted
"Honey, you need to start these things early. Get the venue, the dress, the flowers, the caterers everything! Honestly…I know! I can plan you a shower and a hen night!" She said brightly and grinning. Marissa looked hopelessly over to Summer and Seth who were cracking up silently.
"Um…sure mom."
Julie smiled…step one was complete, now all she had to do was make some calls.
Present
Seth opened the door slowly and peered inside the dark room. He could just about make out Ryan's still form sitting on the bed.
"Hey…um can I uh…I can't see." Seth mumbled awkwardly gesturing to the light switch. Ryan sighed slightly.
"Whatever, do what you like." Ryan muttered hoarsely, turning over on his side so that his back was facing the door. The lights flicked on and Ryan squeezed his eyes shut against the brightness. He stared at the wall blankly as he heard his brother's footsteps drawing closer. A long awkward silence fell upon the room and Seth shifted slightly placing his hands in his pockets.
"Ryan…I…" He began pathetically trailing off not knowing what to say. What could he say? Chin up, look on the Brightside…your fiancée just broke your heart but everything's going to be fine!
"You have to eat something." He finished eventually, realising he sounded like his mom. He drew slightly closer, watching his brother carefully as he lay on the bed with his back to him. He was surprised Ryan had even let him in here, he was a private person at the best of times but when something like this happened it got even worse…usually he wouldn't see anyone until Kirsten made him come out and eat something. But Kirsten wasn't here, her and Sandy were out. Ryan didn't answer for a while…he knew Seth was only trying to help but right now he didn't want help. He just wanted to forget that Marissa had ever existed…that he never existed.
"I'm not hungry." He muttered eventually. Seth sighed slightly and sat on the edge of the bed and looked around the room, he noticed the shimmer of shards of glass on the carpet as they were caught by the moonlight. His gaze followed the trail of glass to a broken photo frame. As he looked down at the photo he felt a small twist of anger as he looked down at her sickly sweet smile. He hated her right now, he hated for what she had done to his brother.
"Ryan I just want you to know that…I'm sorry…about everything that happened." He whispered watching his brother.
Ryan groaned inwardly and sat up, he turned to face his brother. Seth looked at his brother, his face was pale and tired and his usually bright blue eyes were dull and lifeless and rimmed with red. They stared at each other for a few seconds before Ryan opened his mouth to speak
"What do you have to be sorry for? You weren't the one who…who broke my heart? Who on the week before my wedding slept with some random guy. I didn't find YOU in bed with some guy. I didn't spend thousands of dollars on a ring for you only to have everything thrown back in my face? You weren't the only girl I had ever really loved were you?...So I don't see why YOU are sorry Seth. She's the only one who should be apologising right now…but if she did…I wouldn't care, I wouldn't even listen because I wouldn't be able to even look at her right now!" Ryan's voice grew to a yell as he finished. His breath was coming in ragged gasps and his hands were balled into fists. He knew he shouldn't be taking this out on Seth but he couldn't help it…he couldn't stop. Seth stared at his brother in amazement…he had never seen him like this. This desperate, this hurt…
Suddenly another knock came at the pool house door and the room fell silent as the door swung open…Marissa stood in the doorway looking between Ryan and Seth desperately, her eyes filled with tears and her make-up smudged and her face pale. Seth glared at her while Ryan simply stared…
"What the hell are you doing here?" Seth spat furiously. Marissa flinched at his tone and drew her gaze back to Ryan who was staring down at his shoes unable to look at her
"I came to talk to Ryan." She whispered.
Please review and tell me what you think!
Next Time on the OC: Will Ryan talk to Marissa? We learn more about Julie's plan..