A/N Thanks for the amazing reviews again guys! I really appreciate them! I took your comments on board and I hope you like this part! The drama really starts and you'll all be getting what you want in the next few parts! The truth comes out! duh duh duh...so please review and tell me what you think!
Sandy opened the last polystyrene container and emptied it onto a dish with a smile. Kirsten pushed her food around her plate occasionally stealing glances at Ryan and then to Marissa. She just couldn't understand why he was letting her stay here? If she had been Ryan she wouldn't ever want to talk to Marissa again let alone invite her to stay in her house! Then again that's where she differed from Ryan, he had gotten used to being let down and having to forgive people over and over again for how much they had hurt him. She wasn't going to let Marissa hurt him again, not like Dawn had. She was going to stop this happening to make u for all the times in the past when she hadn't been able to, she wasn't going to let her destroy his life again.
Ryan wiped Ellie's mouth with a tissue smiling slightly as she giggled and looked down at the sauce she had gotten all over her face. He pulled her bowl closer to her and stole a quick glance at Kirsten and met her icy gaze, he could tell she wasn't coping well with Marissa being at the same table. He understood, she knew how much Marissa had hurt him and what had happened so she was bound to be confused as to why she was sitting at the table and staying with him. He had always known since the moment he met Kirsten that she was fiercely protective of her family which is probably why she was sending death glares across the table to Marissa but she didn't understand what things were like between the two of them and how much he missed her even after what had happened, he couldn't just shut her out completely. Hopefully Kirsten would just deal with it and not explode at Marissa or anything…hopefully Seth and Summer would make their announcement soon enough so they would forget about the Marissa situation.
"So how's work going son?" Sandy asked quickly noticing Kirsten glaring across at Marissa and wanting to pull the attention away from her. Seth looked up with a mouth full of rice and swallowed quickly.
"Great really, it's getting a bit hectic at the moment what with the first issue of The A.C coming out. But you and mom are invited to the launch party if you're interested." Seth said taking another mouthful of food, Summer rolled her eyes and muttered something that sounded like pig. Ryan looked across to Marissa and smiled at her noting how miserable she looked, mind you he would be to if she was on the receiving end of Kirsten's death glares…they were scary.
"Free meal? I'm there." Sandy said happily. Kirsten looked up and smiled slightly
"Yeah it sounds great honey, are you going into the office tomorrow Ryan?" She asked looking across at Ryan as he picked up the rice Ellie had just dropped on the floor, he looked up and nodded.
"Yeah, you can come and check the accounts out if you want? I need some help with all my paperwork." He offered hoping she would do some of his forms for him. Kirsten smiled.
"No thank you, I know that trick. You'll get me to do all of you filing, I'm here for a vacation." She said knowingly
"It was worth a try…oh Ellie!" He said grinning slightly as he looked at his daughter who was absolutely covered in rice and noodles. Seth laughed.
"Now Ellie…you might think Uncle Seth never gives you any advice but heed my words…When you eat food, you're supposed to put it IN your mouth not all over you face." Seth said. Ryan grinned and picked Ellie up out of her high chair.
"I'll just get her cleared up." He said walking out of the room muttering to her softly. Marissa smiled slightly as she watched him leave, he was so good with her. She would never have imagined to be so great with kids when she was with him…people surprise you though. She sighed and stared down at her plate purposefully avoiding Kirsten's eyes, she could almost feel hate gamma rays burning into her. She knew this was bad idea, why had she even thought that Kirsten would be okay with her being here? She had ruined her son's life. If she was in her position she wouldn't exactly welcome her with open arms. This was going to be one long evening and now with Ryan off sorting out Ellie she was left alone with the hate rays directed at her, at least Sandy wasn't glaring at her…he was just avoiding her eyes totally.
"So how's the talk show going Summer?" Kirsten asked looking up from her plate. Summer looked up and smiled
"Oh great really, we have um…Jennifer Aniston and Matt Dayton on next week." Summer said thinking to herself. Marissa looked up
"Matt Dayton? He's a friend of Jake's…I didn't think he'd be doing interviews so soon after getting out of rehab." She said looking across at Summer. Summer shrugged. Kirsten looked up and across at Marissa catching her eye.
"Isn't Jake your boyfriend?" She asked coldly, Marissa swallowed and nodded
"Yeah, we've um… been going out for a year now." She stammered nervously looking back down at her plate and taking a sip of wine. Kirsten nodded and tucked her hair behind her ear before sighing.
"I feel sorry for him." She mumbled under her breath just loud enough for everyone to hear. Marissa swallowed and pushed her chair back as Sandy rested a hand on Kirsten's arm
"Honey don't…" He started but Kirsten glared at him before turning her icy gaze back up to Marissa who was trying to compose herself and leave the table, Summer and Seth looked at each other worriedly.
"No Sandy, it's true. I do feel sorry for him, because somewhere down the line she's just going to get drunk and jump into bed with someone else but only this time it will be plastered all over the newspapers and I can't wait." She spat angrily, Marissa forced back the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes and steadied her shaking hand as she stood up from her chair.
"Leaving so soon? Why are you here Marissa? What makes you think you can just waltz back into Ryan's life after everything you did to him? After how much you hurt him you're back again ready to do even more damage." She asked angrily finding herself on her feet but she couldn't remember standing up. She ignored Sandy telling her to sit down and glowered at Marissa hatefully, hating her for everything she had done to Ryan, for how much she had hurt him.
Marissa swallowed and drew her tear filled gaze up to Kirsten's cold one and sighed her heart hammering and her blood rushing in her ears as she stood there staring Kirsten down.
"Don't you think I'm sorry for what happened? Don't you think I regret everyday what I did and wish that I could just take it back. I would give anything to just turn back time and change what happened so things could be like what they were before. But I can't Kirsten and neither can you, I had no where else to go and Ryan let me stay here…he's moved on from it why can't you?" She whispered shakily her voice choked with emotion. Kirsten looked down at her hands and then drew her gaze slowly back up to Marissa her hands shaking and her heart pounding.
"Because I don't want you worming your way back into his life again and hurting him and my granddaughter. He deserves better than a little whore like you." She spat as Marissa flinched at her harsh words
"Kirsten!" Sandy said warningly but Kirsten ignored her and watched as Marissa turned and left the room bumping into a bewildered Ryan in the doorway who stood holding Ellie watching Marissa run past and tears and then he looked at Kirsten and sighed. She edged closer, wringing her hands nervously as everyone else just sat in a stunned silence. Seth itched to say something to break the silence but a warning look from Summer kept him quiet.
"Ryan I'm sorry but…I just don't understand why you're letting her stay here and just acting like she never did anything." She said quietly as Ryan set Ellie down in her high chair and turned to face Kirsten.
"I don't need you to understand, you can't understand and none of you will because you don't know what things are like between me and her okay? Just keep an eye on Ellie, I'll go check on her." He said softly, taking one last look at Kirsten before leaving the room silently. There was a long pause in which Kirsten drained her glass of wine, poured another one and Seth let out a long whistle.
"You can take the family out of Newport but you can't take the Newport out of the family." He said, receiving a glare from Summer in return
"I'll be quiet now." He said sitting back and closing his mouth. Sandy nodded
"I think that's best son…and Summer you have to teach me that glare so I can shut him up."
Marissa leant against the wall and sighed letting the cool breeze that blew around her play across her tear stained face. She closed her eyes and drew a shaky, unsteady breath. Maybe Kirsten was right, she should just stay away from Ryan before she hurts him again…But Ryan wanted her here, he had asked her to stay afterall. God this was so confusing, she couldn't deal with this. A warm salty tear slid slowly down her cheek and she wiped it away quickly opening her eyes and looking around the neat tidy garden and driveway. Her eyes rested on the red and yellow tulips that lined the flowerbeds and she smiled slightly…her favourite flowers. She suddenly remembered the night when Ryan had proposed, he had covered their apartment with candles and tulips…played Jeff Buckley and got down on one knee. It had been perfect…now she had ruined everything. Tears started in her eyes again and she sank down to the concrete floor and drew her knees close to her chest and rested her head on them, crying softly. She let the tears roll down her cheeks freely as she started to sob, each cry wracking her chest causing her whole body to tremble. Why did she have to just f the whole thing up? She could have had the perfect life with him but she had to go and get drunk and ruin everything! The tears flowed rapidly as she cried to herself, feeling the cool stone of the house on her back and the breeze blew around her causing her skin to prickle. She didn't even hear the front door open and Ryan stepped outside, he looked down at her curled up in a ball and sobbing and felt a pang of guilt…
Silently he drew closer and sank to his knees next to her, she looked up in surprise feeling his presence next to her. She met his deep blue eyes full of concern and felt colour rise in her blotchy, tear stained cheeks. She swallowed and wiped her eyes hurriedly on the back of her hands and sniffed. Ryan sighed and swallowed hard not really knowing what to do…he looked back at her and smiled weakly before putting his arm around and her and pulling her frail frame close to his. She let him pull her closer and slowly wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder and sobbing softly. He could feel her shaking in his arms and hugged her tightly closing his eyes and ignoring his racing heart and the pounding in his ears as she trembled in his strong embrace.
"Ssssh…it's okay. I'm sorry." He whispered. She sniffed and just let him hold her, her heart hammering ignoring the fluttering feeling in the pit of her stomach and the shivers that raced down her spine.
"Maybe I should just go." She mumbled into his shoulder, he rubbed her back softly and smiled.
"Don't be thick…you're staying here okay? You have Julie Cooper as a mom, Kirsten's nothing to be scared of." He said jokingly. Marissa drew back slightly and smiled looking into Ryan's kind blue eyes, she sniffed.
"You're right…thanks." She whispered sinking into his embrace once more.
Crouched in the bushes a dark figure grinned and raised his camera taking a few snaps of the hugging couple…Gold…he thought.
Ryan bounced Ellie on his knee and smiled as she giggled loudly, he looked around the table and noted Marissa's empty space. She had said she had a job but he knew she was just trying to avoid Kirsten. Summer and Kirsten were talking about her TV shows and celebrity rumours whilst Sandy and Seth were talking about Atomic County. Ryan sighed and watched everyone chatting as Ellie giggled and gurgled as she tugged on his shirt gently. Seth looked across at Summer meaningfully and she nodded back, he coughed slightly and cleared his throat getting slowly to his feet.
"Um guys…me and Summer kind of have an announcement to make." He said shifting awkwardly from foot to foot. Summer smiled across at him and he smiled weakly back as Sandy and Kirsten frowned at them confused. Ryan smiled knowing exactly what this was about but he wasn't going to let that on.
"Well the thing is…" Seth started awkwardly, startled that suddenly he couldn't get the words out. This had never happened to him before. He opened his mouth and shut it again and Summer sighed.
"I'm pregnant, we're having a baby." She said smiling, Kirsten's confused expression changed into a grin and Sandy smiled disbelievingly. Kirsten jumped up form her seat and hugged Summer tightly as Seth shook Seth's hand.
"Congratulations!" Kirsten cried happily releasing Summer and hugging Seth tightly, he gasped slightly.
"Mom I think you just cracked a rib…" He said as Kirsten drew away and he rubbed his ribs gently, Ryan set Ellie in her playpen and gave Seth a manly hug.
"Congratulations man, and you Sum." He said with a wink, releasing Seth and hugging her tightly.
"I think this calls for some champagne!" Sandy said with a grin
Marissa stepped out of the Modelling agency building and quickly donned her favourite pair of Chanel sunglasses as a swarm of paparazzi swooped across the street shouting her name. She silently wished she had hired a bodyguard when she had the chance, but with Jake around she hadn't really needed one. She sighed and ignored them as she drew closer to her cab where the driver was waiting. Suddenly she turned around as she heard one reporter yelling something.
"Is it true you're having an affair with Ryan Atwood?"
What? She thought…how did they know about Ryan? What was going on? The reporter caught her confused expression and fought to get closer.
"You and Atwood? Are you together? What about Jake?" He asked quickly struggling to get closer as he was jostled by the other reporters. Marissa felt her heart hammering…what was he talking about? How did he know about Ryan and why would they think they were together? Who had they been talking to? She thought numbly as she practically threw herself into the car, the noise of their yells dimming slightly as the door slammed shut behind her. She stammered Ryan's address to the cab driver who nodded and pulled out of the parking space, the yelling press running after the cab shouting questions Marissa couldn't hear. Her blood was rushing in her ears as she replayed the questions over and over in her head…Ryan Atwood, how did they know? She sighed shakily and looked out the window as the sky scrapers and office blocks whipped past. She hoped she hadn't dragged Ryan into the mess that she called her life…
As the skyscrapers and sleek tall building were slowly replaced by larger apartment blocks and houses the sun had started to set over the dusky horizon and the huge figure of Ryan's magnificent house rose in front of her and she sighed with relief. Even facing Kirsten was better than the screaming paparazzi. She smiled slightly as the thought of Ryan, he had been so sweet and nice to her earlier. She could still feel the ghost of his strong arms around her…holding her tight. She sighed and shook off the feeling, there was no point thinking like this. It was just a hug, you were upset and he was just being there for you…as a friend. The driver pulled up outside the gates and Marissa stepped out of the cab gracefully, her heels clicking against the stone. She walked over to the driver's window and handed him $20. He looked up at her and grinned greasily
"Thanks Miss Cooper…you know you're even prettier in real life." He said looking her up and down. Marissa fought back a look of disgust and forced a smile.
"Thanks." She said turning her back and walking up the drive towards the house. As she drew closer to the door her eyes rested on the place where she had sat, crying, where Ryan had come over and held her in his arms…causing her whole body to tingle and her heart to race. Stop it…we're just friends. She told herself over and over, nothing more than friends. But deep down she knew she wanted to be more than that…She shakily took out the key Ryan had given here and put it into the lock and turned causing the door to slide open. She had a key to his house…that was just so weird to her. It was like they were living together, well of course they were living together but you know…like properly moving in together. She shut the door behind her and stepped into the cool hallway and sighed hearing talking and laughing spilling out from the next room. She wasn't ready to face Kirsten again, so she walked over to the kitchen to make herself a drink. She walked through the door and was surprised to find Ryan sitting on the counter top drinking a beer. He smiled and set his beer down on the side with a clink. Marissa couldn't help but smile back.
"Hey, you're back. How was work?" He asked sliding off the counter as she walked towards the fridge and pulled the large door open. She pulled out a bottle of juice and smiled tiredly
"Tiring, anything interesting happen when I was gone?" She asked before taking a sip of juice. Ryan grinned.
"Well there's the small matter of Seth and Summer having a baby."
Marissa's mouth dropped open and she started to smile. Wow, Summer was pregnant!
"Wow…that's great." She said setting her bottle down on the side, Ryan nodded placing his hand on the work top and leaning back against it.
"Look I just want to say, I'm really sorry about earlier with Kirsten and everything…" He started but Marissa shook her head.
"Don't worry about it, it's okay. I've been called much worse." She said smiling slightly. Ryan grinned.
"You know that's not something you should be proud of…and frankly I'm not surprised." He said with a smirk, Marissa feigned an indignant gasp and slapped him playfully on the arm. They laughed slightly and Marissa accidentally placed her hand over Ryan's, she felt his soft skin under hers and sparks shot between them and she felt her skin tingle before she pulled her hand away. She flushed red and looked down clearing her throat slightly as Ryan looked away embarrassed. God everytime he touched her his heart raced at what felt like 100mph…An awkward silence fell upon the room broken by the sound of a pair of high heels walking into the room. Marissa looked up and found Kirsten looking between them. At least she wasn't glaring, Marissa thought vaguely. Ryan looked between them both warily and Kirsten seemed to realise what he was doing.
"It's okay I…I wanted to apologise." She stammered looking up at Marissa who looked rather taken a back. Ryan smiled slightly and looked across at Marissa who tried to smile weakly back…apologise? This was so weird… Kirsten walked out of the room and signalled for Marissa to follow her, Marissa turned to go and took one last fleeting look at Ryan who grinned as she left the room and was pulled into what looked like an office or a study. Kirsten sighed and looked up at Marissa.
"Marissa look I…I just wanted to apologise for what I said earlier. I guess it was just the shock of seeing you again and I'm pretty tired from the flight over here. I'm really sorry and I know it's none of my business what goes on between you and Ryan it's just…you know how protective I am of my family and I just don't want Ryan getting hurt again." She said softly. Marissa saw the Kirsten she used to know again, the nice reasonable Kirsten. She smiled slightly and looked up into Kirsten's soft blue eyes.
"I know, it's okay. I'd be the same if I were in your position. Me and Ryan aren't getting together, we're just friends and I'm not going to hurt him." She said honestly but secretly longing to be more than friends, wishing she could just be in his arms again, kiss him and tell him how much she loves him. She shook herself out of it and looked back to Kirsten who was nodding slightly.
"I know…I'm sorry." She said, Marissa nodded.
"Me too."
Then Kirsten leaned forward and hugged Marissa tightly taking her by surprise…was she actually hugging her? At least she wasn't sending her death glares anymore…
In Newport
Julie sighed humming softly to herself as she picked the paper up off the table and took a sip of wine. She glanced down at the front page and felt her heart stop as she read the headline over the picture that had first grabbed her attention.
MARISSA COOPER PLAYING AWAY?
Horrified Julie let her gaze travel past the headline and down to the picture below it. Her daughter in a passionate embrace with…oh my god…with Ryan Atwood. The wine glass slipped from her hand and shattered on the floor sending shards sliding across the floorboards. Shakily she read the story below it.
World famous supermodel Marissa Cooper was spotted in a passionate embrace with hugely successful, multi millionaire architect Ryan Atwood. Marissa Cooper, 24, was seen yesterday outside Atwood's, 24, mansion in New York. Marissa is currently dating movie Star Jake Hayes whilst Ryan is a single parent and head of Cohen and Atwood ltd. Turn to page 5 for more on this story…
Julie stared down at the picture again furiously, after all she had done for her daughter…after all that careful planning she had just run back to HIM. She had the perfect life, a famous model, superstar boyfriend, money…what more could she want? Oh yes…Ryan Atwood! She swept the paper off the table angrily and sat down. What did she have to do to keep her away from him?
She had to go and see her daughter face to face and knock some sense into her…Julie Cooper was going to New York!
A/N I hoped you liked it, please review and tell me what you thought! Thanks I will probably be posting another part very soon...
Next Time: Julie comes to New York and the truth comes out with lots of repurcussions (sp?) for Ryan and Marissa...