Monday night's Summerland had the desired affect. Ideas have been flooding my head and I know exactly what is going to happen. Now it's all about writing it down and making it sound just like it is in my head. Anyways, here is the newest chapter.

I've tried to go on like I never knew you

I'm awake but my world is half asleep

I pray for this heart to be unbroken

But without you all I'm going to be is incomplete

Chapter Four

The beach house sat in front of Bradin, looking the same as it always had. It was the same type of house that littered the beaches all throughout Playa Linda; the same shape, the same color, the same beach loving people inside.

He walked up to the familiar front door, ringing the doorbell as he normally did. He waited, shifting from one foot to the other until, finally, somebody answered the door.

"What do you want?" Emma bit out, obviously mad at him over that morning's events.

"Can we talk?" Bradin asked, not at all wanting to. He didn't want to potentially risk losing what he had with Emma, even if he did want Marie.

Bradin easily knew where he stood with Emma, she wore her emotions on her sleeve. He didn't want to risk that for a sometimes silent and cutoff Marie. But yet, he loved Marie, had never stopped loving her, and he wanted her back. At the same time, however, Emma was just as special to him. They had fun together, there was a heat between them that had never been there with Marie.

So what did Bradin want? Who did he want?

"Okay," Emma crossed her arms in front of her chest and pursed her lips, "talk."

Bradin ran a hand through his hair before stuffing both hands in his pockets. He didn't know exactly what he was supposed to say, or what he wanted to say. All he knew, was that he had to say something, and fast.

Emma arched a perfectly plucked eyebrow, glaring at Bradin as she waited for him to say something.

"I didn't know that Marie was coming back," he started, not at all sure where he was going with this, "if I had known I would have told her not to bother." Emma's expression began to soften. "She was a big part of my past, you know, my first love and all, but I'm with you now." He moved closer to Emma, taking one of her hands in his, "And nothing is going to change the way I feel about you."

That hadn't been what he'd planned on saying, but it must have been the right thing to say because Emma leaned in and kissed him deeply. Her hands gripped fistfuls of his shirt and she pulled him into the house, their lips still locked.

Brushing a strand of hair that had escaped her ponytail behind her ear, Marie glanced around the restaurant to make sure that all her tables had everything they needed. She hadn't expected to just be thrown into the mix the same day she asked for the job, but one of Johnny's waitresses that was scheduled to work called in sick and he had been desperate to fill her spot. So, after filling out the necessary paperwork, she donned an apron, grabbed a pad and pencil, and set to work.

The job came easy to Marie. Two, even one year ago, she would have cowered at the thought of talking to perfect strangers, but now she could easily chat with them. After years of living in fear, Marie was a people person now, wanting to immerse herself in as much human activity as she could to make up for the time that she had lost.

Johnny came and stood next to her. He surveyed her tables, taking in everything.

"You're doing very well, Marie," he said, nodding his head, "you're a natural at this."

"Thanks," She laughed, "I'm thinkin' of giving up the college dream and becoming a professional waitress instead."

"Well I'm glad I could help you realize your true dream." Johnny chuckled. Marie grinned.

"So look, um," Johnny ran a hand through his hair, "how would you like to come over for dinner tonight. I'm sure everybody would love to see you."

"Do you really think that's such a good idea?" Marie asked.

"Bradin's got plans tonight, if that's what you're worried about." Johnny said, "Ava and everyone would really appreciate it if you came by."

"Okay," Marie relented with a small smile, "what time should I be there?"

Curled up on Emma's bed, Bradin stared up at the ceiling. Lost in his thoughts, he barely felt the soft kisses Emma placed on his chest.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked, propping her head up on one arm so that she could look down at him.

"Nothing," Bradin shook his head. He didn't want to tell Emma that all he could think about while they were making love was Marie. No way was he going to tell her that. He smiled up at her, running a hand through her silky hair. He was trying to put her at ease, and trying to get her to forget her line of questioning. It didn't work.

"Well you must be thinking about something," she said, "you looked pretty far away right then."

"It's nothing," Bradin repeated, "I just have some things on my mind, that's all."

"What kinds of things?" Emma asked, a bit harshly. So much for a relaxing afternoon. It was clear that Emma knew what Bradin was thinking about, and she wasn't happy with it.

"College," Bradin lied, he did not want another fight with Emma, "I got accepted to all the schools I applied, now I just can't figure out which one I want to go to."

"I thought we agreed we were going to go to South California together." She said.

"I'm just not sure that that is the school for me," Bradin argued.

"Oh really?" Emma was flat out pissed now, "And just when did this happen, when Marie came back? Come on Bradin, admit it, you were in love with Marie then and you're in love with her now." She got out of bed and began to pull on her clothes. Bradin sat up, the sheet that was covering him pooling on his lap.

"It's not like that Emma, I swear." Bradin said, desperate to have Emma forgive him.

"God, Bradin, you can be a real ass sometimes." She pulled on her shorts and zipped them. "I want you to leave, and don't come back here until you know what you want."

"What smells so good in here?" Johnny asked as he and Marie walked into the beach house later that afternoon. Marie's shift had just ended, and Johnny had insisted that she come with him instead of wasting the time it took to go home and change.

"Aunt Ava's making lasagna," Derrick said, glancing up from his Gameboy just long enough to answer Johnny's question.

"Yes and it's almost ready, so go wash up." Ava said as she walked into the living room from the patio outside. Nobody had noticed Marie yet. She stood, silently, watching them with a smile on her face. They were oblivious to the fact that someone had come in with Johnny. So used to their routines, they didn't even register the fact that she was there.

"Oh my god," Ava said, finally catching sight of the young woman, "Marie, what are you doing here?"

Marie laughed lightly. Derrick, having looked up to see what had caused his aunt's outcry, grinned widely and ran to hug Marie.

"Hey Derrick," she laughed, hugging him back. The boy had grown quite a bit, now he was only a head shorter than Marie. Ava came to hug her next.

"Why didn't you tell us you were coming back?" Ava asked, holding Marie at arm's length so that she could study her.

"I wanted it to be a surprise."

Ava glanced over at Johnny, an odd expression in her eyes, he nodded solemnly and Ava's smile faltered slightly. Marie knew that she was silently asking about Bradin and whether or not Marie knew.

"What are you all so noisy about?" Susannah asked, coming down the stairs. She squealed when she caught sight of Marie and ran to hug her tightly. Marie laughed into the bone-crushing embrace.

It was good to be back here, back with people she loved so much.

Jay came in not long after Susannah. He hugged Marie and question after question was asked and answered. Nikki came home from her boyfriend, Cameron's, and the family sat down to dinner.

It wasn't until Ava reached out her hand to pick up the salad that Marie noticed the silver ring on her left hand.

"Oh my god!" Marie cried. She looked and noticed a similar band on Johnny's finger. "When the hell did this happen?" She asked, looking from Ava to Johnny than back again. There were happy smiles on each of their faces as they looked at each other lovingly.

"Just a few months ago." Johnny answered, wrapping an arm around Ava's shoulders, "it's not like we needed to date really long to figure that we wanted to get married and everything." Ava leaned her head against his shoulder.

The whole family had smiles on their faces as they looked at the two newly weds. It was obvious to see that they were happy and deeply in love. Marie grinned. She had always wondered when they would get together. She knew from the moment she had first met them that there was something special between them. Now she was happy to see that they had finally realized that too.

Just then the front door opened. All heads turned to see who had just come in. Marie felt her heart drop as her eyes met Bradin's.

Hehe, I just love leaving you all like this. Please review and tell me what you thought.

the different person: I know that I said the flashback of how Bradin and Emma got together would be in this chapter, but it just didn't fit with what I had written. Don't worry though, it will be in the next chapter.

jessesfan0409: Thank you so much for the compliment.

Caitlin: Unfortunately your friend is right, Summerland will not be back for another season. Doesn't it just make you sad?

Jmacsgurl15: I tried to reply to the email you sent me, but either my email or yours was messing up because I couldn't send it to you. Anyways, here are the answers to your questions…

First off, let me just say that I am flattered that you would ask my help. I don't think I'm as good as you all say that I am, but hey, I'm not one to turn down a compliment. Lol.
You've asked some very good questions, questions that deserve very good answers, which I'm not sure I can give, but I'll try.
For me, I don't start off thinking that my story is going to be intense or that it's going to hit a chord with people. I just start writing and allow the characters' emotions and personalities lead the story. It's kinda like they're actors, playing off each other, getting in tune with their characters. I kinda ask myself as I'm writing, "what's the motivation for this action, or why would she cry here?" It's sort of weird, I know, but it's how I write.
Your story idea is very good, you have a good premise and you know what you want to happen. What I would suggest, if you really want my advice, is that you just start writing and see where it takes you. You can always edit what you don't like, or you could simply leave everything as is. If you want to, feel free to email me the chapters before you post them. I'm always willing to help a fellow writer out.
Inspiration for my writing comes from the shows mostly, but also from life. Recently my brother and his girlfriend broke up, I used their emotions of discomfort around each other in the original story that I'm writing right now. Life serves as the best inspiration for anybody. Always be observant to the things around you. Many characters are based off of my observations of strangers that I see walking around town.
As for the best time to write, well that is different for each writer. Like you said, your inspiration comes late at night. For me, I write better during the day, mainly afternoon. It doesn't really matter if inspiration has hit me or not, if I just sit down at a computer and begin to write the story will simply come. Now, sometimes it's not that easy and I get stuck and frustrated, but most of the time, I can just write and the words will come easily.
I hope I have been able to help you and that I have answered your questions. Remember, just write. It doesn't matter what people think of your work, as long as you're happy with it that's all that matters. Also, another piece of advice, always carry some form of paper and a pen with you. You never know if inspiration will hit you when you're not at home. Feel free to ask me for help whenever you need it, I'm always willing to help a fellow writer.

Jamie, IlovJesseMcCartney55, Haylie, and kandykane33: Thank you all for reviewing, it really means a lot to me.