Thanks for your reviews! and heres the next chapter...
The beautiful tones of classical music filtered in the crisp air around them as they were seated on the delicate looking garden bench. They sit close together, her hand clasped in his, it was unmistakable that their relationship was one of intimacy. She rises, her face illuminated under the soft glow of a near by garden lamp. He watches her every move, drinks in the enchanting smile, the way her eyes flicker from his eyes to his lips and the tiny shivers she tries hard to suppress from the cold night air. He takes her hand pulling her in close so she stands in between his knees and she places her hands either side on his shoulders. She bends down level to his sitting form, her light brown hair mingling with his own blonde, enclosing them in a private moment. Their laughter fills the air, their eyes never leave each other dancing silently to their own song. She bumps her nose roughly across his and lets her forehead rest on his, her hair cascading once again, shrouding them in their moment. He rises suddenly his umbrella that had been resting on the seat clatters to the ground, he ignores it and points a hand at the lit up country club not far away. She links her arm through his and they step on towards their destination. She turns back as an after thought making her way back to the bench as quickly as her shoes will allow her. Deftly she bends down hitching her dress up so it misses grazing the pebble lined walkway and picks the almost forgotten umbrella up. She walks back to him, making sure to give him a playful stab in the back with the point of the umbrella. He opens his mouth wide in protest stretching his arms out in surprise. She shrugs her shoulders, taking his arm again and they resume their walk. Surrounding passers-by elaborately dressed up, glance casually in their direction every now and then. But they don't see it, all they see is each other and all that matters is them.
The nervousness running through Marissa would usually make her edgy, irrational even. But tonight she was relaxed, tonight Marissas nervousness gave her strength. Strength that almost surprised even herself…but only almost, because if she had learned anything out of being fired, it was that she didn't need to rely on others to provide an emotional mounting block for her. She could do it herself…it just took a wake up call to realise that. Ryan was there to share in her journey, but he wasn't the basis of all decisions of her life. That's not to say it will be easy when she moved out after Christmas…
"Are you ready?", the light voice breaks Marissa out of her thoughts. She smiles at him ,watching as he twirls and taps the blue umbrella between his feet.
"Yeah", she replies softly "but are you?", she nudges him innocently.
He grins at her making her stomach feel like as if a butterfly conservatory has taken up residence there, just a simple smile is all it takes.
"Come on then", he takes her hand entwining their fingers together. She lets him lead her on, glancing down at their clasped hands, marvelling at how well they seem to fit together. Like they were pieces of the same puzzle meant only for each other.
The intoxicating scent of a flower lingers round the well kept gardens of the country club immediately diverting her attention from their hands. She looks to both sides searching for the source of the delicate scent, but is met with nothing. Turning her head to look into the dark gardens she squints her eyes trying to make the dark shapes take on real forms. Disappointed at not finding where the alluring scent is coming from she turns her head back. The ground underfoot changes from pebbles to paving and her heels begin to take on a higher clicking, which is almost lost amongst the increasing volume of the music from inside the club.
Ryan halts in front of the stairs that mark their final journey into the segue that is Newport life.
"Last chance", he whispers near her ear, sending shivers that she swears reach her toes. She bravely smiles and walks on confidently ascending the steps with Ryan in tow, the mystery scent now completely forgotten for now.
- -
Inside the ballroom exudes a typical Newport elegance…imposing…beautiful…picture perfect. She pointedly looks away where to their right a couple are having an argument.
"Ahhh doesn't it feel good to know that even the bold and the beautiful have issues", Ryan smiles at her briefly before returning his gaze to searching the room.
"I thought you of all people would know that the bold and the beautiful are the ones that have more issues than most", she teases as the music swells, taking the icy edge off the room. She grips his hand tighter.
"Julie Cooper alert", Ryans voice rises in alarm having to compete with a violently loud violinist. Much to Marissas amusement he moves stealth like sideways pulling her and him behind a pillar. She bumps roughly into him and he wraps both his arms round her waist pulling her in closer. "So this is pretty fun huh."
"Oh I'm having the time of my life", she breathes against his cheek, teasing him.
Ryan groans loudly, "why cant we be at home, where I wouldn't have to worried about embarrassing interruptions."
"Well there is still that chance at home", she wiggles her eyebrows "…there's the possibility of Seth."
"Oh I think hes learned his lesson from dinner at the Cohens."
"So do you think the red storm may have passed or is there still a warning out?", she mumbles against his lips, tormenting him.
"Well I heard it might be hanging around for awhile so we could just stay here all night…", she giggles, pulling out of their hiding position.
There's some noise at the entrance way, they both turn curious. Seth emerges from a cluster of people, on his arm a very reluctant looking Summer.
Marissa smiles and they make their way over to Seth and Summer.
"Whoa, wait red head 1'o'clock", Ryan nudges her. She ducks below Ryans shoulder…it was pretty sad what her mother had made her resort to…
With this lingering in her mind she finally decides enough is enough.
"Yah know we're better than this…than her", she draws in a big breath, shutting her eyes for a second, then smoothes the front of her dress, loops her arm through Ryans and leads him demurely towards Seth and Summer. Her eyes fixed on them as if they are some kind of beacon.
They pass by a loudly laughing table of Newpsies and their followers. She locks eyes with a very familiar face…Caleb. He shakes his head disbelievingly and narrows his eyes turning to search the room for some one else.
"And so it begins", Ryan mutters some where near her ear.
"Coop thank god", Summer erupts loudly fighting her way through the heavy traffic surrounding Seth. The men look curiously behind them, giving Marissa thoughtful stares.
"I soooo do not wanna be here right now", she pitches her arm animatedly back in the direction of Seth.
"Yeah well believe us when we say we feel exactly the same way", Ryan grimaces.
"Awww you guys are sooo cute, talking about we's and us's", Summer smirks, then her face turns into a frown. "Do you remember the days when all we ever got asked was 'how is school dear?' and 'what college do you plan on attending?"
"Come on we're not that old", Marissa attempts hoping to lighten Summers mood.
"Ohhh really. Well I don't know about you, but I'm here with my boyfriend over there who's just currently getting his ego inflated and you're here trying to avoid your mother…", she pauses thoughtfully "huh actually that parts pretty much the same."
Seth approaches finally having finished his discussion, the group of 3 watch as he manoeuvres his way round other talking groups of people.
"I wondered where you'd got to", he slips an arm round Summers waist. "Hey Ryan, Marissa."
A hand clamps down on Seths shoulder pulling him away from the group and leaving a disgruntled Summer cursing about being spun unceremoniously round in a circle.
"I thought you were all up for the life of the rich and famous back in the day…actually I remember you giving me specific details", Marissa raises her eyebrows.
"Yeah well suddenly its lost its appeal", she stops a passing waiter taking a champagne flute from his offered tray.
"What the?", Seth splutters barely maintaining his balance as Caleb drags him in the direction of the kitchen. "Come on I was talking."
"Yeah and now your talking to me, so you might want to explain why the thing I asked you to take care of is standing over there", Caleb flares up angrily, flinging his hand in the direction of Marissa.
"Whoa come on now grandpa, was that a mafia reference?…take care of the thing?…I mean I know you…"
"Seth! Answer the godamn question"
"Alright you wanna know why shes here?"…shes here because I didn't tell her not to come"
At the look on Calebs face Seth begins to sweat.
"Don't you think it errr…portrays…say…a better image for the company, showing…that it can forgive and move past its issues. That its not just a huge giant of a company with no heart"
"Seth my boy sometimes you remind me of myself…in fact I'd go so far to say your exactly like I was when I started out in this business", Caleb claps Seth on the back grinning broadly. Seth visibly pales lost for words.
"So much passion and drive, wanting to show your different from the many other faces in the crowd. I'm proud of you"
"You're…you're proud of me for defying you?", he splutters slowly regaining use of his vocal chords.
"Oh no", Caleb replies jovially pulling Seth closer "…and if you ever defy me again there shall be consequences". Caleb pulls away once again smiling.
"Jake Myers my good man I don't believe you've met my grandson"
Seth doesn't hear the rest of the conversation, he backs away unnoticed as soon as Caleb and Jake begin talking about redeveloping a new area along the coast.
Dazed he wanders over to an empty table seating himself ungracefully in a heap.
"There you are", he turns to look up at Summer. "Seth…Seth", she asks worriedly "what's wrong?"
He remains silent dropping his head to rest on his hand supported by the table.
"I'm not like him am I…maybe I am…maybe when I'm 30 I'll be the biggest tycoon in California…children will be scared of me…kittens will cower…and the adults will…will…"
"Seth you're gonna have to tell me what's wrong", she places her hand on his shoulder and pulls up a chair to sit next to him. He gives no response just stares in to space. Summer reaches over to a jug of water and pours him a glass of water and thrusts it in front of his face.
"Seth", she says now getting irritated at his lack of response, she flicks her fingers in front of his face.
"Summer…", he faces her "…I'm like grandpa", and with that statement he slumps into his chair.
"Ummm Seth your related, have you only just come to this ground breaking realisation?"
"No I mean…he's me and I'm…I'm him…or I was apparently. He said I am exactly like he was when he started out in the company"
"Oh I guess he saw whoever it was you were supposed to uninvite", she says sympathetically rubbing his arm soothingly.
"Yeah he saw Marissa…and then…he hit me with that", he stares at her imploringly like a child.
"WAIT…you were supposed to uninvite Marissa?…why didn't you tell me who it was last night?…I could have I dunno been more helpful…"
"Maybe I would have if I had known he was gonna hit me with…with THAT"
"Alright lets take a different angle on this", she sits up straighter searching for Calebs face around the room. "Right there he is…now look Seth…"
Seth turns staring at Caleb "Summer he just did my arm wave and laugh thing", he protests "See look laugh", he fake laughs "arm wave…but you gotta do it politely not to much flourish"
Summer rolls her eyes at him "Seth focus…look at him…he's kinda bulky…balding…maybe was a football player back in his day…played the ladies probably"
"Is there some point here?"
" Don't you see it…your jewishness prevents you from being like him…look bean pole", she points as Seth "bulky" and she points as Caleb.
Seth remains silent seeming to take a while to digest Summers thoughts.
"I've been saved by Moses Summer", he breaks into a grin, staring at Caleb as a young blonde in her early 20's tries to persuade him to the dance floor.
"Do you think when I'm 60 I can bag the ladies like him?", he enquires sipping from his glass of water.
She slaps him hard in the chest, he jolts forward spitting up the water in his mouth, dribbling it over his pants.
"Good lord woman are you trying to kill me?", he coughs recovering.
"If you don't shut your mouth you wont make it to 60 Cohen"
So all is not over at the Newport Christmas Dinner yet!
Please review I love hearing your opinions, thanks for reading.