Chapter Six

Both Summer, and Seth looked at Kirsten, awaiting her response eagerly, and yet entirely patiently. Summer couldn't help but hold her breath, until she started to get a stabbing pain in her chest- then she remembered she had to exhale sometime. Kirsten was still thinking things through, meticulously avoiding her son's, let alone Summer's anticipated gaze. Kirsten's mind was muddled with tantalizing thoughts. She couldn't help but speculate on the what-ifs and but's. She clearly had no choice- she couldn't stop this arrangement. She couldn't stop love.

Kirsten tried to delay as long as she could, so the silence would stay bitterly quiet. She needed to think. She had nothing against Summer and Seth being together- quite on the contrary. They were a phenomenal couple, with many of the same qualities, and plans for the future. They were perfect, and Kirsten knew that. What she didn't understand was this horrible feeling of anguish in the pit of her stomach. Without awareness, she understood why she was so over-protective and apprehensive. She was going to miss her only son while he eloped and started a foundation for his own future. Tears welled in Kirsten's eyes- she couldn't let go just yet. Sure- she would have to let him off for university, sooner or later, but she never expected this radical turn in her son's life. Kirsten would no longer be the one lady he truly cherished and respected. She would be docked down in importance, and Summer would take the throne. Eureka! That's exactly what was gnawing at her heart, already ready to rid a single place in her heart, and fill it with emptiness. Kirsten looked at Seth long and hard before she actually replied. When she was ready, and had a long enough stare at her son, she went to touch his hand, as she started to caress it like she had done when he was a little boy.

"I'm going to miss you honey," Kirsten squeaked through her tears, "I love you. Congratulations. Good luck. And all the best with your perfect soul mate. I trust that you will love each other through thick and thin, and be there for each other through the better and worse." Summer felt as though a huge lump had been lifted off her heart- and yet there was still about a hundred pounds weighing down at her happiness. She couldn't help but worry when thinking about her father, and whether he would accept their portrayal of true love. "Summer, I wish you the best of luck with my son. You, already, are very close to me, and I can't see a better person for my boy." Kirsten said carefully, as she went in to hug Summer.

"Thank you. Thank you, so much, Mrs. Cohen." Summer laughed in true joy, as she received Kirsten's blessing. She was excited and thrilled. Kirsten looked at her gravely,

"Summer," Summer looked up and nodded, worried, "It's mom." Summer grinned profoundly,

"All of it's just gunna take some getting used to." Summer smiled, as she sniffled from the tears she didn't know were falling down her cheek, "Thank you," Summer paused momentarily, "Mom." Summer then turned to Marissa, searching for approval in her face- she immediately found it. Before she knew it, Marissa sensed it was her turn, so she hung herself on Summer's neck.

"I'm so happy for you, Sum! Oh my Gosh! I can't believe it! You're getting married!" Marissa shrieked happily, with tears in her eyes, "Honey, of all the wild things you've done, this has got to be the wildest. Don't get me wrong- you and Seth will make the most amazing couple." By this time Marissa was crying, "God, I'm so happy for you, Sum! Good luck with absolutely everything. You will always be my best girl, so remember- you can come to talk to me about anything, no matter what. You've found your prince charming, Summer. He's a keeper; definitely." Both Summer and Marissa were safely locked in a bonding hug. Both of them were crying interminably hard.

"Thank you, Marissa. Thank you so much, for everything." Summer was speechless, she couldn't cough up anything more, until she remembered, "Marissa," Summer pulled away from the hug as she held her best friend's hands tight, "Will you do me the honour of being my Maid Of Honour?" Summer held her breath for a second, seeing that Marissa was totally shocked. Marissa hugged Summer before she could say anything.

"Of course!" Marissa squealed excitedly, as she started to laugh happily. Marissa turned to Seth.

"Seth, take care of her. Good luck together, I wish you all the best- money, happiness, success, love… anything you'd ever wish for. You're the most perfect guy for Summer, and there is no better. So keep it that way. I love you both so much. You've been my friends through thick and thin." Marissa sighed as she tried to gather words from her erupted ecstasy, "All the best!" Marissa hugged Seth with all her might, and then when she pulled away, she noticed she was crying once more. Marissa wiped her tears with a smile, as she let other's have a turn at their blessings. Ryan was apparently, next. He walked over to Summer first.

"Good luck, Summer. Be good to my man!" Ryan grinned, "Take care." Ryan said as he embraced Summer in a hug. Summer hugged him back, tightly. Then, Ryan went over to Seth.

"Seth, man. You're so underestimated. NEVER would I have thought that you could plan something so beautiful. Good luck. You've got one of the prettiest ladies all to yourself, for the rest of your life. All the best, Seth. You're like a brother to me. I thank you for everything. You better have the time of your life, because you deserve it." Ryan shook Seth's hand. But a hand-shake simply didn't cut it for a moment like this. Ryan quickly went to hug Seth, and they both hugged tightly for a moment, before pulling away with the most 'manly' smiles. Ryan nodded and was about to leave, when Seth grabbed his arm.

"Uh, Ryan, um, well, you know," Seth stuttered, "You're also like a brother to me, and I can safely say I'd hate myself if I didn't ask you to be my Best Man. You better accept, man." Seth grinned.

"Yeah. Of course." Ryan said grinning, as he backed away. Seth hadn't even expected Anna to come by. When Seth saw her, and her tear-filled, sorrowful eyes, he wished he could reach out to her. But he restrained himself. He was engaged. Anna walked over to Summer.

"Good luck, Summer. You're a great person, and I hope you have an amazing life with Seth." Anna nodded, as she finished. She hugged Summer quickly, as she walked over to Seth. She made sure her voice was steady, and unharmed, "Seth. Congratulations. I'm sure you're going to lead a successful life, with the most gorgeous girl in Harbour." Anna breathed hard, as she went to hug him. She buried her head in his shoulder, as she started to whisper, "You're a great guy Seth. Summer's lucky to have you." Her voice faltered, as she cried hard. Everyone understood what position she was in. "Good luck." She finally pulled away. Before Seth could say anything, she jolted towards the door, opened it, and ran off. Seth lowered his head, saddened by the girl's reaction. Summer walked over to him, and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"It's okay." She whispered to Seth. He looked up at Summer, and he felt no more sadness. Summer was the one- she always was. Seth nodded.