Disclaimer: I don't own the OC.
Chapter Four
Peace had settled across the cottage by the sea. The ordinary order was restored… at least, the some what ordinary. Despite the peace radiating from within the cottage, outside swirled into a mist of ebony and olive shrieking its fury on the world. The waves slammed into the beach disrupting the once solid coastline. Trees danced crazily along the steaks of lightning brightening up the sky. Marissa Atwood thought the chaos was beautiful. Not ever having perfectly ordinary in her life, she could deeply relate to nature's destructive patterns. Also, here she was safe and warm in her house sitting at a now clean table with her best friend. The girls were upstairs doing homework while Grace sat on her Daddy's lap trying to "help" play the newest video game Seth brought.
"So anyway, I was totally like how dare…Coop! Are you listening to a word I'm saying?" Summer startled her friend out of her thoughts.
"What? Sorry Sum, I was distracted by sounds outside. It sounds like it is getting worse out there."
"You were always a strange one, Coop. I don't think I have ever met a person who enjoyed storm more than you."
Marissa just shrugged her shoulders and took another sip of her herbal tea.
"I mean seriously. Do you remember that one time you spent the night and the clouds suddenly broke open pouring torrents of rain?"
Eleven year old Summer Roberts ran inside desperately wiping her thick black hair out of her eyes. The storm had made the power go out inside and it was as dark as a tomb in the house. Marissa had been spending the night and the girls had been outside frightening each other with ghost stories when the wind started picking up.
"Maybe we should go inside Coop. It looks like it might pour." Summer grabbed her blanket tighter around her thin shoulders hunching over in the wailing wind. She looked up and saw her best friend staring up at the sky with a curious look.
"Oh, Sum, let's not yet! The storm isn't here yet. We still have time."
Summer looked nervously over at Marissa who sat with a slight smile on her face. She felt the temperature suddenly drop and goose bumps rose across her arms. Looking up at the darken sky, Summer felt a nervous lurch in her stomach. Suddenly large drops started falling turning immediately into blinding waterfalls. "Coop!" She screamed. Not even looking, Summer scrambled up from the beach and stumbled toward her house. Now she was safe inside, but the lights were out. Realizing that Marissa was not right behind her, Summer starting feeling dread. She sprinted back to the door and peered out into the fading dusk. Marissa had stopped at the edge of the beach and was facing the ocean. Her long brown hair whipped around her shielding her face. Her arms were raised up slightly as she slowly started to turn. Faster and faster she turned as the wind howled around her creating a force of power. Rain poured down, and slowly she lifted her face up to the sky with her eyes closed. Summer looked worriedly as the now approaching clouds turned even a darker purple magenta. "Coop! What are you doing? Get in here!" Summer shrieked into the wind. Marissa turned startled and for a moment it looked as if she was going to fall off the side of the hill. She managed to find her footing and with once glance back at the sea she ran to Summer. "What on earth were you doing out there Marissa?" scolded Summer just like a mother.
"I don't know Sum." Marissa mumbled against the towel now around her shaking shoulders. "I just…I guess I just feel free."
Summer looked at her friend and laughed; her fear now forgotten. "Coop, you are one strange girl. Let's go eat all the ice cream before it all melts…"
"You always did love storms now that I think about it." Summer commented looking at her friend with fondness. "I never could understand. They just plain scared me."
"You always were a chicken when it would thunderstorm at night", Marissa commented starting to laugh.
"Hey! You were scared of horror movies!" Summer held up her cookie as a threat.
"No, no Summer! Not another food fight! We just cleaned up the last one." Marissa warned quickly.
"Hey, what is going on in here? Seth questioned as he rambled toward the two girls. Leaning down, he placed a soft kiss on Summer's cheek and in the process stole her cookie.
"Cohen! I was going to eat that!" Summer grabbed Seth's arm and twisted until he started to whimper.
"Cut it out guys," Ryan joked as he walked in with Grace asleep on his shoulder. "Go get a room if you want to continue. I don't want my daughter to hear that" He laughed meaning the whimpering sounds Seth was squeaking out.
"Really Sum, let him go. I think you taught him never to steal your cookie." Marissa commented while walking over to Ryan and placing a soft kiss on her daughter's silky chocolate curls. Ryan reached for her arm as she turned away and placed a chastise kiss on her forehead. She signed and leaned into him against the corner as his hand found its familiar path around her waist.
"I mean it, Cohen. Do not ever attempt to steal my cookie ever again. If you do, I will make sure you never…" Summer whispered a threat in his ear, and Seth turned red.
"Doily noted, dear," Seth winced as he rubbed his arm and grabbed Summer in a big bear hug. "I'll just steal Nealy's next time. She has not learned the female maneuver of making a male cry yet."
Ryan gave a snort and adjusted Grace's dead weight in his arms. "That is what you think, man. Wait until you have a daughter of your own and that tries to milk you for half your worth. She must get it from her mother here."
"Ryan Atwood! That is not true and you know it!"
"What part isn't true?"
"The part about her milking you for half your worth. I really have not taught her properly if she can't get her way in everything!" Marissa grinned cheekily at her husband and walked over getting a glass of water.
Seth laughed and thumped Ryan on the back. "You are so whipped man, but don't worry. I know someday we are going to get our revenge."
"Revenge?" Summer questioned.
"This is between Ryan and me, Summer. I'm sorry to say this is an A and B conversation. C your way out of here."
Watching Summer start to bristle, Ryan turned to his wife and said "So, I think I will go put Grace down and start getting ready for bed. Are you coming Ris?" He questioned while giving his wife a swift wink and smiling as her eyes' lit up brightly. "I know how you get when there are storms brewing around."
"Right behind you, dear," she said slyly. "I think I might need some help relaxing tonight." Turning to Seth and Summer and laughing at their gag me looks she asked, "Are you guys all set for the night?"
"Ew, Coop. That was a total over share! But Cohen, and I are fine. We'll hold down the fort tonight."
"Right, well good night then. Don't kill each other," Marissa said as she grabbed Ryan's hand, and they slowly made their way down the hallway softly talking to each other. Ryan reached over and gave her a tender kiss as they parted at Grace's door. Her voice was heard as she called for Nealy and Ella.
"Man, three kids later and they are still at it. We should remind them that our max at baby-sitting is three and that is pushing it."
Summer laughed remembering the past two days and reached for another cookie while looking at Seth suspiciously.
"I won't touch it. I promise."
To be continued...
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews! Let me know what you think about this chapter! I promise the next few chapters won't be so fluffy, but it is so fun to write! There is a purpose to this story!