Author: In Fair Verona
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Seth and Summer engender a 'rumor' which travels around Newport and learn the consequences of their actions when the unexpected happens.
Shipper: Seth x Summer
Disclaimer: It is all property of FOX, every last bit of it. I don't own anything in this story or related to it.
A/N: The final actual chapter. Two years in the making. Wow. Admittedly, this chapter like the one before it is significantly shorter than the previous chapters that I wrote a year or so before. But with that in mind, I leave you with the reassuring thought - quality over quantity.
This chapter was the hardest thing to write, which is why specific scenes were omitted but I think that just added to making the story a lot less trite and a little different. It's not "entirely" predictable in that aspect. Anyway, enjoy!
-
"Take her to the maternity ward, quickly!"
"This way, please follow me."
"Eee. Ryan, IT HURTS."
"I, Summer, my hand-"
"Are you the father?"
"Wha, no..." Ryan Atwood pried his hand away from Summer's death grip, the two of them exchanged confused and desperate looks before Summer reached for his hand again, this time shrieking in a bloodthirsty howl.
"YOU DIDN'T CALL COHEN?"
-
Seth Cohen glanced at his wristwatch as he sat on the wooden bench encircling the inside of the hotel garden's gazebo. Summer was certainly taking her time retrieving a drink, and Seth now had half a mind to go in and find her. He figured she probably ran into Marissa and got distracted. However, he didn't feel inclined to join them if that was the case. He needed to be alone with Summer. His fingers grazed over the small velvet box in his tuxedo pocket, pulling it out. He flipped it open, staring at the ring inside. Tonight was the night. If only she would just find her way back to him before his paranoia got the better of him.
Sure enough, it did, when his cellphone began to play the opening notes of Death Cab for Cutie's "Soul Meets Body". He closed the lid of the small box, sliding it back inside his pocket as he answered his cellphone. "Hello?" He paused, upon hearing a rather loud shrieking noise through the other end, "Ryan? What's going on?" He glanced at the hotel with scrutiny. "You're where?"
-
Having been deprived of his means of transportation (it would appear that instead of waiting for an ambulance to arrive, Ryan and Marissa had taken the limousine they all arrived in), Seth Cohen had found himself pacing relentlessly back and forth as he waited for his father to pick him up infront of the hotel. As the Range Rover pulled up Seth jumped inside before Sandy even had a chance to hit the break. He accelerated, flooring it as they drove towards the hospital.
Sandy dropped his son off at the entrance before searching for a parking spot. In the mean time, Seth find himself flying through automatic doors, nearly knocking into several nurses as he made his way up to the information desk in the emergency room. Upon which he was then directed down a hallway, where he made a right, boarded an elevator for two floors and then raced around the east wing of the hospital as he entered the maternity ward.
The rooms flew past him, some with doors open and doors shut. Some with baby girls and baby boys. Just mothers or consisting of two parental units. Seth paid little attention to the details all that his eyes registered where the numbers directly to the side of each room. 243... 245... 247...
250. Seth skidded to a halt, backtracking to face the currently closed door. Through the little window in the door frame he was certain that he was able to make out what looked like the back of Marissa's head - though didn't hesitate to confirm it. He was already opening the door, making a dramatic entrance and shutting the door behind him with a resounding thud.
"Allright. I'm here. Let's do this." Seth announced, regaining his breath after his marathon run and clasping his hands together. He was met with confused expressions, except for Ryan, who merely glanced away awkwardly, looking at anywhere or anything but Seth. The awkward silence was interrupted by the almost inaudible sound of an infant's perturbed cry.
"Cohen." Summer's voice followed and Ryan quickly stepped out of Seth's view, revealing the petite girl reclining in the hospital bed. A blanketed bundle was cradled in her arms. She smiled reassuringly, beckoning him closer. Seth, feeling very foolish, tentatively stepped towards the hospital bed, looking at Summer uneasily. He peered over the edge of the bed just as Summer adjusted the blanket in her arms. "Seth, this is Ezekiel."
Ezekiel Cohen had particularly large brown eyes. They were an outstanding feature, granted that he had yet to grow an even more recognizable head of curly dark hair. Weighing a little less than six pounds, Ezekial was merely a tiny ball of light golden skin and profound dimples.
At the risk of losing his masculinity, Seth had to admit, he was the most precious thing he had ever seen.
"Of course, it'll be 'Zeke' for short." Summer said shortly, "I'm not letting my son get made fun of in school." She beamed knowingly at Seth, however the grin faded upon noticing Seth's silence and somewhat traumatized expression. "Seth?" Summer inquired with concern, "Seth, I'm sorry... it's not as though I could help when it happened. If I could have waited for you I would-"
"No." Seth shook his head, flashing her a somewhat reassuring smile. "It's not that. I'm just... Kind of amazed. A little shocked. Pretty much in awe." He leaned forward, extending a finger towards the infant, who grasped it gently in his tiny fist. "He's perfect. Zeke is perfect."
Summer smiled, extending the effort to raise the bundle up towards Seth who took it gently into his arms. His hand gently grazed the cheek of the young baby, who's already large eyes lit up even more. He practically glowed upon being held by his father for the first time. Summer raised a hand to her face, wiping away the moisture that accumulated near her eyes.
"Hey..." Seth cooed, staring at his son with the utmost adoration. He knew that as it was right now, he was by no means the perfect father. He had a lot left to learn. His father and Mr. Roberts had both made that clear with their own expertise, but Seth had the feeling that it wouldn't be so hard to try to be the best he could for someone he loved. For two people he loved. It might not be easy at first, but eventually he would get the hang of it, he assured himself. He had to, because just from looking at his son he knew that he possessed his mother's penchance for deserving the best. He planned to give it.
"I had been thinking that I was too young to be a grandfather." Sandy Cohen stated, standing in the doorframe. He folded his arms, mirroring Seth's own expression towards his son, "But I don't think I'm going to mind." He took a step towards the bed, clasping a hand on Seth's shoulder. "Since I screwed up with you, I'm going to think of this as my second chance to get it right."
"Oh, I wouldn't sell yourself short." Mr. Roberts chimed in, from his place at the other side of Summer's bed. "I think you've raised a fine young man."
"His mother will want to know that." Sandy replied in response. He gave Seth's shoulder a quick squeeze, "I had better go inform her, it's time to break out the alcohol, she's a grandmother." He said with a twinkle in his eyes as he walked away, exitting the room. Marissa leaned against Ryan, both of which offered pleased smiles towards their two friends.
"I guess this makes me an aunt." Marissa mused aloud. Summer nodded in agreement before her lips suddenly formed a sudden "oh" and she looked at Marissa in alarm.
"Marissa..." Summer began, "I just realized that I made you leave your dance... talk about bad timing."
"Hey," Marissa shook her head, "This is way more important. I would much rather be here than dancing with Zach Stevens right now."
"Same here." Seth chimed in. "But hey, who said prom was over?" Seth inquired, looking at Ryan and giving him "the look", followed by a wink, "You... know what I mean?"
"Not really, no." Ryan said blatantly.
"You mean, you forgot about that surprise you had planned for Marissa?" Seth ad-libbed, trying his very best to indicate to Ryan that he should simply go - and take his girlfriend with him.
"Right... the surprise." Ryan replied, catching on. "That's right." He turned to Marissa. "We should go." He walked over towards Seth, giving him a pat on the back, "Congratulations, man." Marissa in turn had her arms wrapped around Summer in a sisterly embrace. Summer pulled away from Marissa, glancing up at Ryan.
"Hey, Chino." Ryan glanced at her. "Thanks. For everything." Summer offered. Ryan replied with the smallest hint of a smile - though it was significantly more emotion than he typically showed. Marissa took Ryan's hand and the two walked towards the door, giving their friends a final farewell for the night before departing down the hallway. However, not without Seth's final words floating behind them -
"Don't forget to use protection! This town can only take one teenage mother at a time."
"Seth." Summer shook her head, "Our son is less than an hour old and you're already corrupting him."
"Aww, look who's being all maternal." Seth teased as he rocked Ezekiel lightly in his arms.
"I don't suppose I could interrupt you two to hold my grandson for the first time, could I?" Dr. Roberts inquired, walking around the bed and over to Seth, who quickly obliged. "Perhaps I'll be able to negate any negative influence you've had on him."
"I thought you just said I turned out allright." Seth pointed out as he handed Ezekiel to his grandfather.
"I lied." Dr. Roberts said simply. Just then, a nurse wearing pale pink scrubs entered the room.
"Ms. Roberts, I'm going to have to take Ezekiel to the nursery now." She informed Summer, "In the mean-time, you should get your rest. We'll run a few tests and hopefully you'll be able to take him home tommorow." Summer nodded obligingly.
"I'll go with her." Dr. Roberts offered, handing the baby to the nurse and then following her out of the small hospital room, leaving Summer and Seth to themselves for the first time since the baby had been born. Seth's hands travelled to his pockets, grazing the small velvet box which tugged at his nerves.
Summer noticed the change in his expression. "Still bummed about not being here when he was delivered?" Summer asked with concern, reaching over to take his hand in hers.
"Yeah. I kind of am, actually." Seth admitted. "I would have liked to have been there, but that's not the most important thing." He smiled, giving Summer's hand a light squeeze. "I'm just glad he's healthy and that he's ours."
"Hmm." Summer sighed, leaning back against her pillow. "Me too." She turned towards him, "Still, anything I can do to make it up to you?"
"You don't have to do tha- well... Actually," Seth began, "There is." He inhaled, then exhaled deeply. "I have this one little question..."
"Um, okay. Shoot." Summer said nonchalantly. Seth bowed his hand, staring at the ground as he lowered himself onto his knees. Summer sat up, looking at him quizically. His hand reached into his pocket, pulling out the small velvet box and pulling it ajar to reveal the diamond ring stowed inside. He held it like an offering, looking up at her with earnest, and sentiment, and most importantly, with love. "Ohmygod." Summer mumbled, peering over the edge of the hospital bed. She turned, scooting herself so that her feet dangled off the edge and she faced him, looking down and clasping a hand over her mouth.
"Summer, I want the best for our son. I do, but that's not why I'm doing this. It's true that it does make a big difference in child-rearing if the parents live together or apart. I just think it makes a bigger difference if the parents love each other. I know I love you, and I want to marry you. If you say yes, I want it to be for the same reason. Don't say yes just because you think it's best. I think I love you too much to tie you down to somebody you don't feel the same way about. But, if, on the small, miniscule, practically non-existent chance that you do feel the same way..." He bit his lip as the rest of his planned speech fell out, leaving him with only the most obvious words to say. "Summer, will you marry me?"
"I love you." Summer simply replied. With earnest, sentiment, and most importantly, with love.