Disclaimer: I don't own the OC

Chapter Nine

Twilight had descended surrounding the cottage by the sea in a comforting embrace. In fact, the night was strangely silent. The cold crisp air perked up the night while stars glittered hopefully under the silver moon. A thin ribbon of gray drifted up from the crooked chimney keeping the occupants of the Atwood household warm and snug. Seth Cohen tugged up the long driveway in the cold shriving while blowing on his almost frozen hands. Looking up at the quiet house, he saw the Christmas candles in the windows that Marissa had insisted on brightly shining like a beacon. Beside the faint glow they cast, the house was dark. The garage door was closed up tightly and each door was locked up tight. He felt his chest tighten as he stared at the merry Christmas wreath hung on the door with such care.

"So this is the house?"

"Yeah, this is the house. As soon as Marissa saw it, she insisted that it was perfect, just like a fairy tale."

Seth starred at the comfortable cottage that definitely looked like it belonged in Cinderella or Snow White. Going with the European architecture, it was not like anything else in Newport. Seth could see why Marissa loved it. The house looked like it had three floors and a crooked chimney gave it charm and personality. A small tower rose from within the many peaks giving it an eternal look. The driveway was long and winding giving into a spectacular view of the sandy dunes that graced Newport. It was not too big nor too small, just perfect. However, it was a mess. Windows hung from the panes and the paint was peeling badly. Looking over at Ryan, Seth saw him smiling slightly as he had been in the past couple of months.

"So this is the house."

"Yeah, this is where we are going to live. We need a place of our own now that the baby is on the way. I know it doesn't look like much now but it will someday."

Seth could see that Ryan loved the house just as much probably because Marissa loved it so much. The two were so uncharacteristically happy that it was sickening sometimes. He could see the two living here happily and starting a family. Toys would be scattered all over the sloping yard, and it would be awesome in winter for sledding once it was fixed up. God, it was going to give Summer ideas, he thought not too unhappy at the thought.

"Well, it has my approval as long as I have free reign. Don't worry, I won't mess with your marriage bliss, but only stop by when I run out of food or decide that a little…"

Rubbing his eyes tiredly, Seth continued to the door and slipped the key into the brass lock. Ryan and Marissa had been happy for the most part in this fairy tale cottage fixing it up over the years committed on making it the perfect home. Stepping quietly into the house, he banged his shin on the umbrella stand as his eyes adjusted to the dark. He could just make out the faint glow of a fire creating patterns across the cherry floor giving it a blushing look. Peering into the living room, he found four shapes huddled on the coach slumbering under the thick blankets. Actually, only two were sleeping. He made out Ella's light brown hair and Grace's slightly darker head pillowed against Summer as she looked up at him wearily. She did not smile. Nealy sat with her head resting on Summer's shoulder eyes far too large for her young face. She looked exhausted and desperate. Seth bet they all looked like that. Without saying a word, he worked his way into the human pretzel and hugged Summer around the shoulders while gently giving Nealy a kiss on her forehead. Nealy's blue pools deepened and a lone tear dripped down her pale cheek. Summer looked caught between furious and hysterical.

"So, I was thinking maybe we could go to the hospital tomorrow to visit your Mom and Dad, what do you think Nealy? I think your Mom would love to see you all."

Nealy just nodded her head and continued staring out to space. Summer reached over and pulled the young girl into a hug. "Honey, it is okay to cry. It is okay to let it all go," her voice wobbled slightly as she starred into her niece's eyes so much like her mother's. Nealy closed her eyes tightly trying to quench the pain but a sob broke through her defenses and soon one followed another and she couldn't stop.

"It's not fair, Aunt Summer. It's not fair. I need my Mommy, I need…"her words were lost as she hiccupped into Summer's lap overwrought with grief.

Seth reached out and rubbed her back soothingly worried that she was going to make herself sick. Glancing into Summer's dark chocolate eyes, he felt himself start to crack at her expression. Her face was bunched up in pain desperately trying to be strong but failing miserably. "Oh, baby," he whispered pulling her and Nealy into his arms. "Oh, sweethearts, everything will work out. Marissa is a fighter. Look at her; she has been fighting her entire life. You know Nealy; your Mom has changed a lot in the past couple of years."

Nealy looked up at him wonderingly through eyes clogged with liquid.

"Oh, yes. Since marrying your father and having the three of you, she has become extremely strong. So much stronger than she used to. She knows she has a lot to fight against, but even more to lose. And we are not going to give up on her that easy."

Nealy managed a weak smile and buried her head on Summer's shoulder quickly succumbing to sleep like her sisters exhausted. Summer rearrange herself in Seth's arms more comfortably balancing her best friend's babies. Reaching up to his ear, she whispered a quiet, "Thank you."

To be continued!

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