Kirsten was waiting in one of the waiting rooms at the hospital. Willow walked towards her mother and gave her a hug.
"I miss him so much" sobbed Willow.
"I no you do. And I miss him too. But sometime, we just have to move on" answered Kirsten.
Sandy arrived, just in time to witness his step daughter hugging her mother once more.
"I just got your message. Im so sorry about Nick, Willow".
"It's OK thanks for coming, I really appreciate it" said Willow standing up, "Im gonna get some coffee. Anyone?"
"No thanks" replied Kirsten and Sandy, as he sat down.
Willow nodded and walked away.
"When did he pass away?" asked Sandy.
"About 25 minutes ago. Willow called me".
"Im sorry Kirsten, I have to go now. I have some work to do at the office with-"
Before Sandy could finish his sentence, Destiny showed up, surprising Kirsten.
"Sandy, Ive been waiting for like a lifetime in the car. Im so sorry about the loss, Kirsten" said Destiny.
Kirsten replied with a thank you and kissed Sandy. The two left together and Kirsten was reminded of how much she despised Destiny.
The school day ended and Marissa went back to Caleb's mansion to witness Renee and him kissing in the living room.
"Oh, eww" muttered Marissa as Renee stopped kissing Caleb.
"Marissa, glad to see you got back home in one piece. Im sure you've met Renee" said Caleb.
"Yeah, hi Renee. I'll be up in my room" answered Marissa as she walked up to her room.
What Caleb wasnt aware of was that Marissa was packing her things. Just a few minutes after, she walked downstairs with her bags.
Lucky for her, Caleb and Renee were in the kitchen. She left a note on the glass table. Marissa arrived at Alex's apartment, surprising her.
"Marissa... what are you doing here?".
"I hope you dont mind me being your roommate for a while. Caleb's mansion- too much of a hell hole, if you know what I mean".
"Of course".
Marissa smiled, "We should celebrate. How about take-out tomorrow after the concert?"
"Sounds good" smiled Alex.
The following night, just before the concert, Zach and Summer stopped by the Cohen house, more like Seth's room.
He (Seth) felt the tension in the room and he saw that Summer was nervous.
"What do you two want?" Seth asked stiffly.
"You know how Im pregnant and even though it was Zach's I asked you to be the father?" said Summer.
"Unfortunately, yes I know you're pregnant" answered a chilly Seth.
Zach had felt like punching the life out of Seth.
"Well there's a change. I realised that Zach is truly here for me and he needs to be the baby's father".
"Sure, like I care" replied Seth looking down on the floor.
"We're married, Seth" said Summer as she held up her finger to show Seth the wedding ring.
"Omg! You're married?" shrieked Anna as she arrived at Summer's for the all girl slumber party.
"Yeah, more details later, that's if Coop can be bothered to get her ass down here" replied Summer biting her lip, excited for Marissa to come.
"So you're friends now? Best of friends?" asked Anna as she picked up Princess Sparkle off the floor.
"Well not exactly best of friends... but we have been getting along" answered Summer, as she popped in Disc 1 of the Valley Complete Season 1.
"The Valley again? Summer, why cant we just watch the Golden Girls marathon?" said Anna as she fell to the bed.
Summer dropped the DVD case, "Oh my. Did you just say Golden Girls marathon?".
"Ummmm yeah I did. Summer, how could you forget?" Anna had a surprised look on her face.
How could a Golden Girls fan like Summer forget that their was a big marathon this weekend?
"Unless you're from another planet, I got married Anna! Things change" smiled Summer as she stared at her gold wedding ring.
"Wow that must have cost a fortune... but then again Zach is the son of a congressman".
They heard the doorbell, "That must be Coop now! Lets get this party started" Summer jumped off the bed and raced with Anna downstairs, but Julie already beat them.
Julie opened the door, it was Marissa.
"Julie" muttered Marissa, carrying her gift for Summer. She barged past Julie and joined her girlfriends upstairs.
"You cant just call me Julie. Im your mother" shouted Julie.
"Oh just shut your mouth will you?" complained Marissa, running upstairs.
Alex headed for the Bait Shop for the concert but not before checking her messages.
Marissa had left one saying she had to go to Summer's for an emergency slumber party.
"Oh right" whispered Alex under her breath. She had a sad look on her face and left the place.
"You and Zach? Married? Summer, that is unbelievable news! Congratulations!" Marissa jumped up with happiness.
"Married? Are you sure?" Ryan circled Seth's bedroom after hearing the news.
"Yeah, they actually showed me the ring. I mean, what are they? Nathan and Haley wannabes from One Tree Hill?" said Seth pulling the pillow over to cover his face, "I dont wanna go to the Bait Shop. Alex will be there, it's just gonna be pure awkwardness and silence".
"Seth its' Death cab for Cutie. Your dream, remember?".
"Death Cab for Cutie can wait, I'll just go to see them in LA or something" Seth was obviously depressed, Ryan noticed.
He walked over to Seth and pulled him up, "No. You're going with me to the Bait Shop to watch Death Cab For Cutie. You're not gonna lie here and cry about Summer".
"If you must" Seth finally got up.
"Let's go then" grinned Ryan. They left the room, headed for the Bait Shop.
The doors to the Cohen household opened and Willow, Kirsten and Sandy entered. Sandy was carrying Willow's luggage.
"Welcome to the family, Willow" smiled Kirsten.
Willow could not help but return with a smile, "Thanks".
At the Bait Shop, Death Cab for Cutie performed and Seth and Ryan entered the back room.
"Seth, you're just telling Alex what a great show it is? That can wait!"
"Well you can go, Ryan, Im gonna find Alex".
They opened the door to the back room to find Alex making out with someone. Someone familiar from their past.
"Seth, Ryan!" said Alex as she broke off the kiss.
Ryan and Seth nearly fainted, surprised. They saw that the boy Alex was making out with was none other than Luke Ward."Chino, Cohen. What are you doing here?" Luke got up to give Seth and Ryan handshakes. Alex stood in the background her hands on her forehead.
"Well I came to see Alex to consult her about our baby" Seth stared at Alex. Luke gasped and turned around to look at Alex. All three sets of eyes were now on her.
"Seth, I have something to tell you" Alex walked towards Seth and Ryan and grabbed Seth's hand.
"Alex, wouldn't it be better if I told Cohen myself?" Luke said. Seth let go of Alex's hand and stood back. Ryan continued to watch the scene, speechless and amazed.
"Both of you, just tell me. What the hell is going on?" Seth wasn't impressed with Alex and Luke.
"The baby. It's not your's. It's Luke's" Alex finally revealed the big news. Seth's never-ending chain of bad luck was yet again re-awoken.
Seth slumped down to the ground. "Seth!" Ryan shouted, saying something for the first time.
"Cohen I am so sorry" apogolised Luke. He offered his hand to Seth but Seth took Ryan's instead.
"Alex, I dont believe you. You're just unbelievable you know that? C'mon Ryan". Seth signalled for Ryan that they were leaving.
"You go ahead Seth. And Alex. Im gonna have a word with Luke" announced Ryan. Alex joined Seth outside as they opened their ears to Death Cab's music.
"So, Chino. Im back" smiled Luke. But Ryan's reaction wasnt what Luke had expected.
Ryan pushed him to the wall and wouldn't let go of him. "Why did you come back? Seth was happy with Alex You know that?".
Luke pushed Ryan away and punched him in the face. "Chino, I am the kid's father. It's not my fault if Alex is a liar. I feel sorry for Seth I do but what Im I gonna do? Let him take over Alex's life. Its my kid Ryan, not his". Ryan was amazed at Luke's 1 minute speech.
"I guess so. I have nothing to say to you" Ryan gave Luke one of his brooding and angry looks and opened the door. Luke was left in the back room, confused. Did he do the right thing coming back to Newport Beach?
The all girl slumber party ended and Julie paid Summer a visit in her room. Julie saw that Summer was packing her things. Julie gave a smile, which had really freaked Summer out.
"Julie, get out of my room. Have you ever heard of a thing called knocking?" Summer point her room to the door signalling for Julie to get out. Julie gave Summer a nasty grin, "That's nice of you Summer but both of us know that you're not leaving this house".
"Try me, you cant stop me, dad cant stop me. Im married now. If Alex emancipated, then I can" Summer dumped more things into her baggages including Princess Sparkle.
"How about I ban you from shopping, seeing Zach even. Im going to extreme lengths to get on your good side Summer. You should see that by now" Julie walked over to Summer and touched her shoulder, "Im here for you Summer. always".
"Get off me!" shouted Summer pulling Julie's hand from her shoulder, "We all know, the whole world knows that you're just here for my dad's money. You're a slut Julie and you can never change that. Now get out before I have a rage blackout!"
Julie wasnt budging so Summer saw one thing that would make her. She started a catfight with Julie! "You are such a whore do you know that?" shouted Summer as she grabbed Julie in a headlock.
"Ive hated you ever since you and Marissa became friends!" replied Julie as she pulled Summer off of her. "Wow, Tae-bo is really paying off" she muttered. "Yeah well, you haven't seen me in Karate yet!" yelled Summer as she leaped at Julie, both landing on the ground.
Summer gave Julie a load of punches until Julie's cheeks metamorphed into a shade of yellowy black. Neil heard the commotion from downstairs and hurried up into Summer's bedroom. "Summer, get off of Julie!" he yelled.
"Neil, so glad you're here. Your daughter beat the st it out of me" whispered Julie as she struggled to get up properly.
"Summer, you're grounded. One month. Do you hear me? No phone, No credit cards, Nothing. You stay in your room every day as punishment!" Neil carried Julie into their bedroom leaving Summer frustrated. "One day Im gonna get that whore" she muttered.
"Willow, hi. How was your first day at Harbor?" Kirsten had only noticed Willow come in without Seth and Ryan.
"It was OK, it was hard making friends but I think Im gonna be OK" Willow dumped her bag onto the living room sofa and headed for the kitchen to get a drink.
"Where's Seth and Ryan?" asked a curious Kirsten, following Willow into the kitchen, in the hopes of starting a mother/daughter bond.
"They're with Summer and Marissa at the mall and if you ask why Im not with them, It's just that I need to catch up on some work. I'll be upstairs. See ya" Willow gave Kirsten one final smile before heading upstairs.
Kirsten stared at her daughter but her sight shifted to a photo frame of Sandy, Seth and herself. She sat down and slowly wondered if her life was going down the drain.
"Omg. This is good! Another adventure to the mall" Summer felt "whole" again being out of the house. She grabbed Marissa's hand and headed for the shoe sale.
"Summer, you're grounded. This is... illegal!" Marissa pointed out as she tried to resist going to the shoe sale. Summer gave Marissa one of her "I dont care looks".
"Look Coop, it's not like Julie cares or anything and besides, my dad's away anyway so we can have the time of our lives!" Summer tried to get a joyful response from Marissa.
Marissa paused to show one of her "Let me think about it" looks. "OK, Im up for it!" Marissa smiled and entered the shop.
"So how are you doing? You know with the whole Luke and Alex thing?" said Ryan as he headed into the food court with Seth.
"It's OK... Im learning to deal. So much has happened this past year... Theresa and Eddie, Anna and Hailey coming back, Summer and Zach's 2nd attempt at walking down the aisle..." Seth tried to recall what had happened but it almost seemed impossible.
"Your dad nearly died from the Jackie and Julie catfight, Caleb threw Julie out who then moved in with Summer's dad, Me and Lindsay and Marissa... blah blah blah!" smiled Ryan.
"And who can forget my mom with a 15 year old daughter from her ex? Newport Beach... it will never change" answered Seth.
Summer and Marissa continued to explore the mall until they bumped into Julie by the department store.
"Hey girls" she said, her eyes focusing on Summer. At school the following day, Marissa took her time before class to congratulate Summer for beating Julie up.
"That was great, Sum. Really great- my mother is really getting it!" laughed Marissa as they walked into their classroom. Summer nodded, "I guess so". When they got into their classroom they found someone had occupied their table. It was Willow.
"Hi, whoever you may be. This is my table. To be exact, Coop and I's table. You catch my drift?" asked Summer trying to get Willow out of the way.
"Teacher told me to sit here. I hope it's not a problem" answered Willow.
"Summer we should just move. By the way that's Willow, Seth's step sister" Marissa said grabbing Summer.
"Oh" Summer gazed into space, realising that the Cohen family was getting larger and larger. Willow realised there and then that it was going to be hard making friends in Orange County.