"The Most Eligible Bachelor"
Summary: Summer and Seth are leading separate lives now, but what happens when Summer's story for a leading magazine forces them together?
Disclaimer: I'd like to stake a claim on Adam Brody's dimples, but really, I don't own any of the O.C. characters or story lines.
Chapter Nineteen: The Family
Seth and Summer laid in his room for almost an hour on his bed, just holding each other. After an hour, she rose from the bed and told Seth that she wanted to go get some fresh air. Wanting to say something, but knowing he shouldn't, Seth just nodded his head in understanding and whispered an "I love you" before she left.
Summer found herself walking out by the Cohen pool and sitting in a lounge chair, looking out at the beach. She sat for several moments thinking about what had caused her to break down. Coming to the Cohen house had done a number on her, as her decision on whether or not to take the job in New York or find a way to stay with Seth became even more difficult.
She realized, for the first time since their break up, that she hadn't only lost Seth six years ago, but also an entire family. Since her sophomore year of high school, when she and Seth first became friends, she had finally, for the first time in her life, felt like she was part of a real family. Whether it was having bagels and coffee with them before school or occasionally watching movies with Sandy, Kirsten, Seth, Ryan and Marissa on a slow Friday night, she had always had a warm sense of belonging when she spent any time in the Cohen household.
Now, seeing the way that the Cohen's interacted with Marissa and the news of the engagement, she felt very jealous, but also sad. Jealous that she couldn't have with Seth's parents what Marissa did, and sad at the thought that it was her fault that she didn't have that anymore.
Summer was interrupted from her thoughts when she heard footsteps approaching from behind her. She turned to see Kirsten coming towards her, carrying two margaritas and smiling. "I thought that you might need something to combat the afternoon sun," Kirsten said, offering Summer one of the glasses in her hand and taking a seat in the lounge chair next to her.
"Thanks so much, Kirsten," Summer said, giving her a warm smile back. The pair sat for a few moments in silence, staring out into the horizon and sipping their margaritas. Summer broke the silence by suddenly letting out a sigh. "It always amazes me that no matter how much my life has changed since high school, the ocean is always something that has remained constant."
A small smile formed on Kirsten's face before she spoke. "I know what you mean. I think I fell in love with it the first time that I saw it when I was a kid." She paused. "I guess that's why I never moved away—I don't know how you east-coasters do it," she said and shared a chuckle with Summer.
"So, how have you been, Kirsten? I guess it's been awhile, huh?" Summer said softly.
"It has been quite a while" the blonde said, a somewhat regretful smile playing on her lips. "Well, the boys moved out. That's pretty much been it. Julie and I ran our dating service for a couple more years after you guys moved to college, but that ended, when Julie started acting more like Julie again," she laughed. "Other than that, it's been pretty uneventful. Sandy and I usually visit the boys at least once a month in L.A., and they try to come here once a month, too. Ryan's a little better at that than Seth though, as I'm sure you can imagine." Summer just offered her a knowing grin.
"How about you, though? I mean, you broke up with Seth, graduated from college, and got a job as a reporter for the biggest women's magazine in the world. You're life would seem a little more exciting than mine."
Summer sat for a minute, not answering, still affected by the comment Kirsten made about Seth and her. Noticing the younger girl's newly saddened face, Kirsten sat up and reached her hand over to rest on Summer's knee. "Summer, I didn't mean anything bad by that. I was just attempting a joke, but as Seth and Sandy always remind me, I'm not the funny one," Summer gave a soft smile at this comment.
"Life's been, well, crazy. I mean, I live with Blanche in a flat on Fifth Avenue, I go to work, which is just amazing. I guess I'm just really lucky to have found something I really love," she replied.
"What about socially, are you dating anyone?" Kirsten asked, a curious motive evident in her voice.
Summer cast her gaze downward. "Not really," she responded in an almost inaudible voice. "Ever since…well, Seth. I haven't had a second date."
Kirsten tried to contain her excitement at hearing the younger girl's proclamation, but couldn't help herself. "That wouldn't be why you're still wearing the ring that Seth gave you and the reason you accompanied him here this weekend, would it?" she asked, hopefully.
Summer smiled up at Kirsten, but quickly shifted her gaze to the horizon. "I don't know, to be honest. I mean, without giving you too many details, I could say that my visit so far has been more than just professional. But I'm kind of in a rough spot right now," she said quietly, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. Kirsten dropped the conversation at that, and the two returned to their initial positions of facing towards the beach and staring out into the ocean.
When the sun began to set, and Kirsten realized that they had been outside together for over an hour, she picked up her glass and rose to turn towards the house. She reached out a hand for Summer to help her get up from her sitting position. "Would you like to come in and help me prepare dinner?" Summer nodded. "You know by prepare I mean take it out of the takeout cartons, right?" Kirsten joked, eliciting a sweet laugh from Summer.
"I figured as much," she smiled, accepting Kirsten's hand and joining her in the walk to the house.
Before reaching the door, Kirsten stopped and turned to face Summer. "I just want to say thank you, Summer. For coming back into his life." The two shared a hug, which was not missed by Seth, who sat in the kitchen, and moved to walk inside.
"There's my two favorite women," Seth said, moving to put an arm around each of their shoulders. "What have you been up to out there?" Summer and Kirsten just exchanged a look and started giggling. "What? What did I miss?" he pleaded, following them to 'prepare' dinner.
After dinner, the 'family' curled up to watch Sandy's pick of Grease in the den. Seth and Ryan groaned as the girls, and Sandy, sang along to every song. The best part of the evening was when Sandy jumped onto the coffee table and performed his own rendition of 'Greased Lightening,' leaving the entire group laughing and giving Seth ammo for a whole new series of jokes.
As soon as the movie was over, the soon-to-be newly weds retired to the poolhouse. Sandy, Kirsten, Seth and Summer sat for a while chatting, but when Sandy gave what seemed like his 50th yawn of the evening, they all decided it was bedtime.
"Summer, would you like me to fix up the guest room for you?" Sandy asked as he rose to leave the den.
"Um, well, I—"
"I don't think it'll be necessary, dad," Seth said, putting his arm around Summer. Sandy and Kirsten exchanged a look and shrugged at each other.
"Ok, then. Well, you two have a good night," Sandy said, crossing to give them each a good night hug. When he embraced Seth, he whispered, "Way to go, son" in his ear. Seth just gave him a horrified look and shook his head.
Kirsten came over to hug Summer. "Thanks so much. For everything today, Kirsten," the young brunette said softly.
"Don't worry about it, Summer," she replied, giving her a genuine smile. "Maybe tomorrow you and I could do lunch before you guys leave, huh?"
"Sounds great," Summer replied with a smile, moving to give Sandy a good night hug.
Once the parents left the room, Seth moved to sit down on the couch and patted the spot next to him for Summer. "Does this remind you of anything, Miss Roberts?" he said, a bit of suggestion in his eyes.
"Do you mean other than every day after school junior and senior year, or?" Summer said, giving him a seductive smile. "Cohen, you do realize that we could just go upstairs and use your bed, right?"
"Of course, I do, my little Summer. But there's just something so nostalgic about this couch," he replied, reaching out a hand and pulling her down on his lap.
"Cohen, you're such a dork," she said, a laugh in her voice. "But, I kind of love you for it," she finished before laying her mouth on top of his.
The two sat, making out on the couch like they had when they were teenagers, completely unaware of Seth's parents, who stood in the doorway, watching the entire exchange and smiling. Sandy took Kirsten's hand and led her towards the bedroom.
"I remember when we used to be like that," he said, attempting to keep his voice down.
"What do you mean used to?" his wife replied, shoving him into the bedroom and shutting the door softly behind them.
A/N I hope all of you dedicated Kandy fans liked this chapter. I thought it was pretty cute myself. I want to apologize to the Ryrissa's out there. I can't write them very well. They're kind of either boring or dramatic, which I didn't want to play into the story too much yet. Review, please. Peace.