Disclaimer: I don't own the OC

Chapter Three

The cheery yellow kitchen didn't exactly shine with radiance or cleanness, but it was full of laughter and warmth this early fall morning. The crisp fall air wafted through the half open window intermingling with the tantalizing smells of chocolate chip pancakes and maple sugar french toast. The table was hopelessly cluttered as the four occupants grabbed and dodged around each others' cups of freshly squeezed orange juice. Seth Cohen signed contently finally glad that something was going right this weekend. Looking at his lovely wife, he noticed that she was particularly radiant this morning despite only having about five hours of sleep. Baby Grace decided that everybody should be up when she arose to entertain her. Hence, the temporarily family was enjoying an extremely early breakfast, Seth thought. He glanced at Ella as she accidentally trailed her blanket in powder sugar while reaching for another french toast. He decided that it didn't really matter anymore, while closing his eyes and counting to ten. A soft touch on his leg had him blinking up rapidly while staring at an innocent looking Summer.

"What?"

"Nothing dear, nothing at all. I must have been just imagining thing…" he said while smirking. Nealy looked at them suspiciously (she did grow up in the Atwood household!), but decided that reading the comics was more interesting. Gracie gave a loud gurgle and stuck her spoon up her nose.

"Oh, Gracie sweetheart," Summer said hurriedly, "let's try to eat with our spoon." The little girl looked up at her aunt puzzled and gave another shriek and started babbling.

"That's right Grace. I completely agree with you. I know, I know…" Ella answered while looking at her baby sister knowingly.

Seth and Summer exchanged a look, and turned to Nealy who just rolled her eyes and turned back to the funnies while reading them upside down.

"I must admit Summer," Seth started cautiously, "these Atwood children are way past the weird category on Jeopardy."

Summer gave a laugh completely agreeing while watching in amusement Nealy's face turn red and Ella look shocked. A glisten of silver caught her eye, making Summer immediately turn to Nealy who had a spoon full of syrup ready to fire.

"Take it back Uncle Seth, now. I'm warning you!"

"Nealy," Summer scolded gently. "He was just kidding. For goodness sake put the spoon down and nobody will get hurt."

"No!"

"Nealy!" Summer raised her voice, "You are older than this…Cohen! What do you think you are doing?"

"Creating defense, dear," replied Seth casually as he readied his spoon full of eggs in Nealy's direction.

"Seth, No!"

"I dare you Uncle Seth. You don't have the guts. Daddy always says you are whipped by Aunt Summer!"

"Nealy Atwood," Summer shrieked horrified, "you put that spoon down right now…" But it was hopeless. Nealy in a fit of anger shot her spoon out whose contents followed an arching path and landed daintily on Seth's head.

"Nealy Marie Atwood, I think you just crossed the line as they like to call it. Nobody messes with the Jew fro and gets away with it." With that said, Seth flicked his spoon at Nealy followed by Summer's yell of rage. Nealy blinked as the eggs flopped against her face and became tangled in her long blond hair. Ella gave a shriek and threw her pancake across the table landing neatly on Summer's white shirt. It slid down leaving a syrupy path. "Food fight!" yelled Seth grabbing a waffle and shoving it in Ella's hair. Nealy laughed and flung her juice in Summer's face. Summer froze and turned to Seth.

"This is all your fault you over grown idiotic child! I can't believe…!" Summer shrieked as Seth stuffed a muffin in her mouth. Deciding that fair was fair and Summer Cohen never backed down from fight, she took her lukewarm coffee and dumped it in Seth's lap. His eyes widened slightly as a sly grin overtook his face. Grabbing the syrup bottle, he dumped it all over her head. Her shriek was heard all the way to the beach.

"Ew, Cohen! You are so going to pay!" Soon food was flying all over the already dirty kitchen as the occupants dove under the table and slipped head first into the refrigerator. Suddenly a loud bang was heard and footsteps coming up the path. Nealy glanced out the window and saw the familiar silhouettes of her Mom and Dad walking toward the kitchen. She turned horrified to her aunt and tried to find the words but it was too late. The kitchen door opened and Ryan and Marissa walked in hand and hand. Their smiles slowly faded from their faces, and Nealy winced as she saw her Mom's face tighten and lips became a straight line. Ryan opened his mouth trying to speak but no words came out. A haggard whisper arose from Seth.

"We, we can explain."

Summer winced as Marissa silenced him with a look. She found herself thinking when did Coop become such a Mom. Nobody said anything as they starred at each other among the clicking of the clock. Suddenly a shriek was heard followed by a GLUMP as applesauce dripped down Ryan's shocked face. Ella giggled, while Nealy starred wide eyed at her littlest sister. Grace shrieked again and waved her pudgy fists. "Mama, Dada."

Ryan turned his head and starred at Marissa who was shaking trying to keep her lips tightly closed. Smirking slightly, he started toward the table and gripped the sticky mess called syrup. Following his movements, Marissa started backing away slightly. "Oh no, don't even think about it Ryan. If you do, I will…" her movements were suddenly blocked by Seth, who had quietly slipped behind her. Grabbing her hands and holding them behind her back, he egged Ryan on. "Come on man. You know that you want to can the little missus."

"Let me go Cohen," Marissa demanded taking a page out of Summer's book. "I know you deepest, darkest secret. Summer told me, and I will not hesitate…" But it was too late; Ryan had taken the syrup and sprayed it all over his wife's dress. Watching her face go from shocked, to surprise, to mischievous, he watched as she wrestled away from Seth and tackled him onto the ground in the process of covering him in an array of syrup, pancakes, and waffles conglomerated on the floor. Yelling, Ella threw another pancake at Summer who was trying to help Seth get Nealy to open her mouth. Ryan looked up into his wife's pooling blue eyes as she glanced down at him laughing. Smiling, he reached up and gently traced her nose while meeting her lips in a tender kiss. As she buried her head into his shoulder, he heard her whisper; "it's good to be home." He couldn't agree more.

I'm not done with the story yet. It probably will get a little bit less fluff as the story continues on about the Atwood and Cohen clans! Let me know what you think!