Wow! Here I was, thinking my last chapter was crappy! U guys loved it, so yah, love you guys! Because Valentine's Day only lasts all of 24 hours, it's going to be quite long! I update as fast as I can. This will be a shorter chapter though. Read slow lol.

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Marissa was practically bouncing out of her seat belt with anticipation. Although she said it was no big deal, deep down Ryan knew it was. This made him all the more nervous. Her gift to him was so thoughtful and special; he worried desperately about his own. Although it took many hours to think it up, to ask for permission and to find out where to get it, Ryan was afraid. Yup, she REALLY needed a bad present right now, after a break-up, and her dad not calling.

'Ryan, where are we going?' Marissa asked, staring wildly out the window to some possible present holding shops.

'You'll See'

But to her surprise, they went past the main street and to the cheaper part of town, commonly known as the bronks. Some people were shunned to this area, blocked out of all social activities. Many drug addicts, alcoholics and prostitutes occupied the small, untidy shacks. Curiously, she looked over at Ryan, who was avoiding her stare. Smiling, she took his warm hand in her own. Yup, he was angry, and it was in her girfriendish duties to cheer him up.

'I love this part of town', she said brightly

No answer

'It's nice and roomy'

Still no answer

'When we get married in 20 years, lets live here'

Ryan couldn't help but laugh. Shaking his head, he used his free hand to ruffle her hair (the one he was holding her hand with, not the one on the wheel).

But in a way, Ryan had always thought about marrying Marissa. The thought of it with Theresa or Lindsay, or Gabrielle (who he had long ago forgotten) was enough to give him a heart attack. However, with Marissa, it seemed natural. One day, they would get married and have little Ryan/Marissa babies and live in a big house. Ryan was a dreamer.

Giggling in return, Marissa poked him playfully in the ribs.

'I can always bring you back up again'

He was quiet then, trying to put his thoughts into words. As Seth would say 'You can see words percolating, forming'. That was when Ryan saw Marissa with Luke, then tore a ligament in Luke's ankle out of anger. Back then, Ryan was more protective than he was now. But he still didn't like people picking on her, and most people knew that.

'And bring me back. Back from the dead. Back from Chino. Back from other girls. I dunno why, babe, but I'll always be here' Ryan finally said, smiling warmly at his girlfriend.

He hoped that sounded ok, not too corny. Marissa was touched though, amazed at his openness. It was usually her who said the deep and meaningful stuff, suppose it was time for role reversal. Even so gently, she leant over and kissing him on the cheek.

'I know. Maybe not always, but you have never NOT been with me. Sure, there was that time in Chino, but I missed you the whole time. I swear, I was ready to jump in a car, chuck you in my trunk and take you home. When you came back, I was devastated we weren't together, and I wanted you to be with me every day…I loved you so much, still do. You're my world', her voice faded into a whisper as it reached the end, emotional tears forming in her eye's.

'I love you to', Ryan replied, looking back on the last few months.

He had tried normal stuff, good girls, but there was only one person for him. H had known that from the first time he saw her one the Cohen's driveway. When she rode on the back off his bike. When he found her passed out on the footpath. Life hadn't been easy, but worth it. It was hard enough to leave her at the end of the road for the second time…he wasn't going to do it ever again.

Before Marissa could even think of replying, Ryan turned down a very long, overgrown driveway. She was really starting to question his motives as they slowly drew up to an ancient looking mansion. All the window shutters were peeling and falling off the walls. Scrunching up her button like nose at the old place, she could just imagine gravestones lining the porch.

'C'mon', Ryan said quietly, hopping out of the car and walking around her side 'Look, it's what's on the inside that count'

'Hey, I didn't say anything', she said defensively

'You didn't have to'

Walking up to the door hand in hand, Ryan knocked loudly on the heavy oak door. Windows surrounding it rattled in their positions, fogged up with dust. Marissa's mother would be disgusted in Ryan for even showing the property to her, let alone taking her down the driveway! Chuckling to herself, Marissa jumped back when the door finally opened.

'ye' Ryan?' A tall, gruff figure asked. He may have been close to seven foot. Marissa gripped closer to Ryan's arm, shuffling closer.

'Yah, can we see them?'

Marissa followed Ryan down the dark, misty hallway. Or, rather smoked hallway. The tall man obviously smoked like a chimney. She tried to smother a cough with her hand, resulting in a tiny squeak. Blushing, she tried to ignore Ryan's little smirk.

Them? What did Ryan mean by that? Marissa wasn't getting jewellery, as predicted by Summer. Not chocolates, flowers or candy, or her boyfriend had a sick sense of humour, taking her here. Yet, Marissa couldn't b angry at him, for there was a bigger problem at hand. The guy in front of them!

Coming to a halt at a door, the man turned around.

'In there', he pointed one finger towards the door. 'Show your self's out after'

And then, they were left alone, before a door which held her present behind. Little shuffles could be heard beyond, like boxes and balls being moved. Curious, Marissa loosened her grip eventually, but still made sure Ryan had his arm around her waist.

'Ok', he started, 'This, in here, is your present. Pick one'

Leaning foreword, Ryan griped the brass knob, turning it slowly. Marissa hung back slightly, and waited for him to open it fully.

'C'mon, it's not as bad as you think', Ryan said, pulling her gently ahead by the elbow and guiding her through the door.

On the wooden floor, played 12 Beagle puppies. Each was brown, black and white, with short little tails. The mother was in the corner, asleep, leaving all her pups to play together. Marissa squealed with delight, smile spreading quickly across her face.

Who would have expected it? Though it wasn't what she had wanted, Marissa loved each and every one of them. Swiftly, she reached back and pulled Ryan down beside her, kissing him fully on the lips.

'Oh my god. Oh my god! Thankyou! This is so cool' Marissa exclaimed, wrapping her arms around his neck. Taken aback, Ryan chuckled,

'Wow, I didn't think you would like them that much!', he said, genuinely surprised, 'Well, aren't you going to pick one?'

She was silent for a moment. Oh yah, she forgot. But HOW was she to pick between them. They were all bouncy and playful, happy and full of life. Each had a nibble, lick and bite. They even LOOKED the same. What wasn't to like about any of them? Maybe if she looked hard enough..

And their she was. With a fluffy coat, big brown eyes, set in two black rings, she was beautiful. Though smaller than the others, she was the leader. The couple watched as she pumped about all the others, yapping playfully. She was the one. Marissa walked over, scooping the little bundle in one hand, she brought it up to her nose

'Hello little one', Marissa cooed, rubbing the pup gently behind the ears, 'Would you like to come home with me? I promise Ryan doesn't smell, though I'm not sure about Seth. Sum'll love you! What do you say?'

Ryan sat back and watched in awe. If Marissa had a connection with anything, it was animals. They always brought a grin to her face, light in her eye's. Sighing happily, he stood and walked up behind her, wrapping his strong arms around her waist.

'So, this the one?'

'Yup', she said quietly, 'I just hate leaving all these other puppies with that man. He's scary.'

'Yah, I know, but we cant save them all'

'True.'

And with that, they walked out of the house, into the car and drove down the driveway. Marissa named the bitch Maddy, she told Ryan. It wasn't surprising, she had always loved that name. She had planned to call her daughter that…

Maddy had just fallen asleep in Marissa's lap when the phone rang. Ryan fumbled around for a bit, before flipping it open. A series of 'yeps' and 'nups' where spoken before Ryan finally hung up. He wasn't much of a talked, on or off the phone. Only to his family and friends.

'That was Seth', he whispered, 'He and Summer are going to the Bait Shop. Do you want to go?

'Uhhhhh, yah, lets just drop off Maddy first. There is no WAY I am going to expose her to alcohol and loud music at her age'

Ryan smiled, looking over. But, Marissa wasn't joking. Wow, she treats her like her kid, Ryan mused, turning towards home. It want long before they had gotten changed, put Maddy to bed and headed to the towns most popular club. But trouble was building by the second.

Jess was there. And Jess was drunk. Who is she, you may ask? Well, you'll find out

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Ok, I'm tired, bedtime!