A/N: Hello, welcome back! I'm surprised you're still reading this! But I'm really happy, too! I would like to thank everyone for their awesome reviews and tips. I actually have the first couple of chapters made up. I just have to make it more detailed and have dialogue. But I assure you; I'm using some of your ideas! I just have summaries to tell you the truth. To Riley313 and karla Ochoa, your reviews made me feel really good. Not that anyone else's reviews weren't as good, just that you noticed I was trying to make the story different. Special thanks! KS & RM will show up eventually, after SS sort through their problems. As for Michael Ann, well, you'll find out later. This Chapter begins with a flashback. Enjoy!

Disclaimer (I forgot about this): why yes, I DO own the O.C. that's why I'm writing this fan fic.

Summer knew this was coming up. She couldn't hide from it forever. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. "Okay," she said slowly, "It's your grandfather. Caleb." she took in another breath. "It's Caleb Nichol's fault."

Summer 2005

Summer Roberts sat on the cold, hard surface of the bathtub and waited quietly. After a couple of seconds, she began humming a toneless tune. That didn't work either. The anticipation was killing her. Drip. Drip. Drip. Summer looked over at the sink and watched the water drops fall swiftly from the faucet into the sink. She bit down on her lower lip and looked over at the clock. "God, this is so nerve wrecking." She thought to herself. Tick tock. Tick tock. Bzzpt. It had been three minutes.

"Finally!" Summer called out. "Took the stupid thing long enough!" She sucked in a deep breath and turned over the stick.

After seeing the results, Summer felt wet drops forming around her eyes.

It was pink.

She was pregnant.

"Hello?" a muffled voice said over the other line.

"Cohen!" Summer almost screamed, her voice echoing in the bathroom. She winced a little, knowing she was a tad bit louder than usual.

"Whoa! Summer!" Seth exclaimed, "I know you get all excited hearing my voice, but jeez! Do you have to be so loud?" You could hear the smile in his voice.

"Shut it, Cohen. I need to talk to you." Summer said, who too had a smile on. She knew Seth was happy to talk to her.

"Okay. Shoot."

Summer took a deep breath and squeezed her eyes shut, a smile still playing on her lips. "Well," she began, "okay. I have some big news. No, scratch that. Major news!" she half yelled into the phone. "News that can change our future entirely! And! Oh My Gosh! Cohen! I'm so excited!" She exclaimed. She bit down on her lip, waiting for his response.

There was silence, and Seth waited for Summer to continue. Nothing happened.

"Okay…" Seth said, breaking the silence. "There's big news. Got it. You're excited. Get that too. What I don't get is," he paused, "the news." He confirmed. "What is it?"

Summer grinned. "Well, it's good news." She stated. "At least, I think so. I'm not really thinking of it as bad news. Mainly because when I tell you, it will be more real. More real than it already is, anyway. Then I'll start thinking of everything else. But! All I'm thinking of right now is being happy. With you." She replied, delight evident in her voice.

Silence.

Seth was confused. "Um, Okay. Summer," he began, "as much as I love hearing you say you're happy with me, will you get on to the point and tell me the news? I'm getting kind of nervous. What will be more real?" he asked curiously.

Summer let out a little laugh. She forgot how much of a worrier Seth Cohen was. "Oh!" she said, "I'm sorry, Cohen. I didn't mean to worry you. I assure you, it's nothing bad. I promise. I know you'll be happy." She replied. She was right. He would be happy. He dreamt of this his whole life. Literally. Okay, maybe not at that age, but they'd work it out, right? "But the thing is, it's really important. And big! So! I don't really want to tell you…" her voice lowered, "over the phone." she finished.

Seth caught on. Mighty fast he was. "Oh! Okay. Good." he was relieved. "Uh, should I come over now?" he asked.

Summer slightly scrunched her face up. "Cohen," she drawled out, "are you not getting it? It's big news!" She sounded annoyed.

She already said that. "Okay. I get it. You won't tell me on the phone. If you don't want me to come over, then what do you want me to do?"

Summer sighed. He wasn't getting it. She stood up from the bathtub ledge and walked over to the sink, placing the phone on the other side of her ear. "Take me to dinner, ass." She said through the phone. "And treat me somewhere really nice." She demanded lightly.

Seth grinned. "Oh! Oh. Oh. Oh. Ha! I get it." He said, playing it off smoothly. He ignored the insult. "Okay, I'll take you out. Where to?" he asked.

"Hmm," Summer replied, pretending to think. "I don't know. Surprise me!"

Seth chuckled, and there was a shuffling noise in the background. "Will do." He said. "See you then."

Summer smiled. "Cohen?" she said.

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

Seth's day brightened. "I love you, too, Sum. Pick you up at eight."

Click.

And with that, the line went blank. Dead. Poof.

Summer rested the phone on the sink, next to the soap. She flopped down on the toilet seat and replayed everything that had just happened. Seth was picking her up at eight. She ran out of the bathroom, excited about what was to happen, and went looking for a dress to wear that evening. Life was great.


Caleb Nichol was a very rich man. He was well-known and powerful, too. He had connections everywhere. He had been accused of fraud, theft, and bribery. Yet, he was a free, walking man; someone who had his ways. He was sitting on his very fancy, very uncomfortable chair, smoking one of those expensive and illegal Cuban cigars, when the phone rang.

He set down his beverage and cigar onto the glass table beside him, and let the phone ring a bit. After all, men like Caleb Nichol don't answer quickly.

"Caleb Nichol," he answered, his voice sounding gruff and annoyed.

He sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Yes," he muttered, "Mhm. Right. What about S—" he paused, "WHAT?!" he suddenly stood up, yelling into the phone. "HOW DID THIS— I CANNOT BELI— I—" he was too shocked to complete a simple sentence.

After a few seconds, he had calmed down and sat back into his chair.

"Right," he snapped. "I see. Excellent idea," he droned out with an agreeing tone. "You sure no one else knows? Okay. Thank you, Rachel."

Caleb eased back into his chair, and picked up his cigar. After a moment, he replied back into the phone, "I will wire money into your account first thing in the morning, darling."

Click.

Caleb grabbed his drink and took a long swig, draining the cup. He stared ahead of him, looking off into the darkness.

When Caleb Nichol found out his grandson, Seth Cohen, was going to be a father, he immediately took charge.


"Ding Dong," the door screamed, grabbing Summer's attention. She was surprised to see who was at the door.

"Mr. Nichol?" she asked with bemusement in her voice. "What are you doing here?"

Caleb Nichol furrowed his eyebrows and grimaced.

"That's not how you greet guest is it, Miss Roberts?" he asked coldly, pushing past Summer and inviting himself into the house.

Confused, Summer blinked into the empty spaced that was just recently occupied and slowly closed the door. She followed Mr. Nichol as he snooped around, throwing a nasty glance at whatever he disapproved of.

She waited for him to speak, but he said nothing. He continued to look around.

"Um…" she began, "are you looking for my father? Because he's not here right now. But Rachel's here…" she said, trailing off.

Caleb turned around and looked at Summer with a confused expression, staring at the young girl in front of him.

"You know… my stepmother…" Summer explained, gesturing nervously with her hands. "She's here if you want to talk to her."

"Ah No. Actually, I'm here to see you," Caleb replied, his voice sounding bored. "I have something to discuss with you." This time it came out harsh.

Summer raised and eyebrow and pointed at herself.

"Me?" she asked, a little annoyed. Who did he think he was, barging in her house and judging her? Oh right, Caleb Nichol.

Caleb rolled his eyes and nodded.

"Yes, you."

"Okay, well, talk," Summer replied carelessly, putting two hands on her hips. She was fed up with having to be cordial.

Again, Caleb glanced around the room, staring at the loud TV screen.

"Somewhere more private? And quiet? …maybe a room?"

"Uh, Okay. Sure. Follow me," Summer replied unenthusiastically. She began walking towards a nearby room, awkward echoes filling up the silence as Caleb followed closely behind.

He took a seat on the couch when they entered, and Summer chose the seat right across from him.

Silence loomed over the two for a brief moment.

Unfortunately, Caleb broke it. "Okay then," he began, talking in his mighty business voice, "right to the point. Summer, I know you're pregnant."

Summer let out a small gasp.

"I also know my grandson is the father."

Summer's eyes grew. She had not expected this.

"What? How did you—? When—" she stammered, not really knowing what to say.

"Simple," Caleb prompted. "Rachel heard you in the bathroom and your conversation with Seth. When the coast was clear, she walked into the bathroom, and voila," he paused, narrowing his eyes and finishing quietly, "she saw the test."

Summer just stared at him, wide-eyed. Was that a problem?

Caleb continued, looking down at his suit and brushing off some imaginary lint. "As you know, Miss Roberts, I am a man of… what's the word? Power? Wealth? Order?" he listed, pondering it himself. "and I can have anything I want to happen. And Miss Roberts," he leaned in so he was two inches away from her face, "I mean anything."

He leaned back into his chair.

"It doesn't even have to be true. I can snap my fingers and," he paused, adding a dramatic effect towards his words, "very bad things can happen."

"Huh?" Was all Summer could say. Her head was starting to hurt. What on earth was he talking about?

She cleared her throat.

"I don't understand what you're trying to say, sir."

Caleb heaved out an exaggerated sigh.

"I want you to have an abortion," he stated. "There is no need for a baby around. Especially at your age."

Summer's mouth dropped open and she shook her head, as if Caleb were out of his mind.

"Excuse me!" she sang out angrily, gripping onto the couches' arms. "Who are you to tell me what to do with my baby?! Seth's baby?!"

"His grandfather, that's who," Caleb calmly replied.

Summer narrowed her eyes and lowered her voice. "I think Seth and I are old enough to make our own decisions," she spat out. "And besides," she added, "I would never hurt a living creature, especially if it belonged to me OR Seth."

Caleb stiffened and stared hard at Summer. "Then leave," he coldly replied. "Leave Newport and never come back."

Summer rolled her eyes, and huffed.

"You sound like the freaking Lion Kin—"

"Have your damn baby!" Caleb yelled, standing up before Summer and hovering over her.

She whimpered and felt smaller than usual, staring into the old man's eyes.

"But not here, in Newport," he whispered, the smell of alcohol forming around Summer.

"Or even in California," Caleb continued. "I want you to leave the county. I want you to leave your family, your friends, and—" he growled, "Seth."

Summer mustered all of her courage and faced up to Caleb. "What the hell?" she replied, "And what makes you think I'm just going to agree with you and do that?" she challenged.

Caleb through his hands into the air and gestured loudly.

"Why?!" he exclaimed, "Idiot girl! You are seventeen years old! Seth is seventeen years old! That is not the age for people to have kids! Do you not get it? You are too young to be pregnant!"

"And when did you suddenly get all concerned about my welfare?" Summer shot back, returning his gaze.

Caleb Nichol barked a loud laugh. "You misunderstand me, Miss Roberts," he said slowly. "I do not care about your welfare. The fact of the matter is," he paused, "I will not let the future of my company be ruined by a… a—" he hesitated to find the right word, "harlot!" he half hissed, half screamed through clenched teeth.

"You will not ruin Seth's life. Not with a silly thing such as a baby. I will not allow it," Caleb announced.

He closed his eyes for a second and opened them back up in a slow, dramatic movement. "As I've said earlier," he drawled out, matching Summer's intense glare, "I command you to leave."

There was a huge cracking noise, and Caleb's right cheek was shining a scarlet red.

"What I do with my life is none of your goddamn business," Summer hissed back. "And who I spend my life with certainly isn't, either. So just back off! Or I will—"

"You will do nothing." Caleb interrupted, hushing Summer with his hand.

"You will leave," he said quietly, breathing hard. "Because if you don't," he threatened, "your father will, I don't know, somehow find himself out of a job. And no one in this world, for some crazy reason, will hire him."

Summer shook her head, denying what Caleb was saying.

"His money," he continued, "his house, and all his belongings will be taken by his wife, Rachel, who will divorce him once he looses his job. You, being his daughter, will be stuck in poverty with him. The bonus? The guilt that it was your fault will live with you forever, and how are you going to tell you father about that?"

Summer raised her hand again, ready to strike before Caleb grabbed it. He leaned towards her face, close enough that Summer could smell the smell of a pricey cigar.

"Not only do I have the power to do that," he whispered coldly, "I also have the power to make Seth's life miserable without him even knowing it. He'll go down, and he'll still love me."

Summer pulled her hands away from Mr. Nichol's grasp and burst into tears. "No!" she yelled, "no. no. no. no. no." she stammered, sobbing at the same time. She fell to the floor. This couldn't be happening. "You bastard! YOU WOULDN'T DARE—"

"I wouldn't?" Caleb asked in a mocking surprised tone. "Now Miss Roberts," he said sweetly, kneeling down towards her level and looking at her squarely in the face, "what makes you think you know me so well? How do you know what I will do? Fact is, I will."

"He's your grandson…" Summer whispered hoarsely.

Caleb ignored her comment and stood up. He straightened his suit and looked straight down at her.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Miss Roberts," he said firmly. "I expect you to be gone within twenty-four hours. Preferably tomorrow morning."

Summer looked up at him, showing that he was crazy to think that she would be gone so soon. Caleb pulled out his wallet and grabbed a handful of cash out and threw it at Summer's face.

"Take this, and get the hell out. Where?" he said, "I don't give a damn. How? Same answer."

He looked at her with disgust.

He began walking towards the door; Summer's muffled cries could be heard. "This is what you get for getting pregnant, Miss Roberts," he said behind his back.

He turned around to look at Summer one last time. "And if you tell anyone about this, I will know."

Summer grabbed the closest object near her and hurled it at Mr. Nichol.

She missed.

Caleb smiled. "Good day, Miss Roberts." With that, he turned back around and left a crying Summer to herself.


Summer finished her story. Granted, it was a little less detailed, but Seth got the gist.

"I… uh, I—" Seth stammered, clearly not knowing what to say. His mind was racing, absorbing everything she had just told him. At first he thought it was a lie. That she was just making an excuse up. After all, it was his grandfather. No matter how bad his grandfather was towards others, to Seth, there was always pride and respect in their relationship. And when Summer went away, Caleb was so sympathetic. He would have never suspected it. But then, he also knew Summer wouldn't stoop that low, and surprisingly enough, Seth still trusted her. Especially with the way she looked at him when she told him her story, he knew it was no lie.

Seth looked at Summer hard for several seconds.

"I… have no idea what to say to that."

"I'm sorry, Seth," came Summer's reply. She was looking down at the floor; tears were slowly but surely, rolling down her face.

"Summer..." Seth whispered.

Summer's heart raced at his soft, delicate voice.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"Because I—" she started, she let out sigh. "Because even though there were risks I had to take and choices I had to make… I still lied to you. I left you. And I took your child away from you. I know it was unintentional… but I still think I should apologize."

She lifted her head up with a shameful smile and saw he was staring at her. Their eyes locked.

"Yeah, but… I don't think you should apologize… not with that reason…" he trailed off, not know what else to say.

"But I'll accept your apology anyway," he finished before shooting her a grin. He was trying hard to break the intense silence. Luckily, she returned it.

They had a moment.

After a couple of minutes of silence, Summer walked over to an empty desk and sat down.

Both she and Seth stared at each other again.

She saw he was openly looking her over, from her face down to her feet, with a linger in the middle.

So she, without realizing it, began to check Seth out as well.

He still looked like that same Seth Cohen she fell in love with. He had his Jew-fro that was as Jewish as ever, and he still wore his infamous novelty tees (in school, no less). He was a little taller and he still had that adorable smile that made girls swoon and want to throw their underwear at him.

Though he still seemed the same, he was different too.

He definitely got more toned, but not too muscular. His skin was slightly darker than it was the last time she saw him. And he was not freshly shaved either. He had a couple of stubbles, and to her (and lots of other women who have eyes), it was kind of sexy.

"Oh God," Summer muttered under her breath. She just thought Seth Cohen was sexy.

Summer started giggling softly.

Seth noticed this and shot her an uncertain smile.

"What? What's so funny?"

Summer looked up at his question. "Huh? No, um, nothing… it's nothing…" she said, still some giggles coming out. She blushed a little.

Seth was not convinced. He did, however, let it go.

"Okay, if you say so—"

"Do you not want to talk about it?" Summer asked suddenly.

Seth was caught off guard.

"Um, talk about what?"

"You know…" she pressed, "your feelings about all of this?"

Seth squinted and thought a bit.

"To be honest, I really don't know how I feel about all of this. I'm still kind of processing it. It's not that easy you know," he let out a low chuckle, "I went on from wondering why you left me for the last twelve year to well, this," he said, gesturing to the Summer's story bubble that lingered between them.

"And…" he added on quietly, "I have a daughter."

Summer bit her lip. "Yeah, you do… and it's funny—" she saw his glare, "okay, not so much funny, but ironic that you met her. And she met you. I mean, okay, she didn't know you were her father… but still, you know, wow," she uttered at her own realization, "you guys met…"

"Yeah," Seth agreed, "wow," he echoed.

"So… what did you think of her?" Summer asked with a slight eagerness in her voice.

Seth looked thoughtful.

"I don't know. I mean, I don't know her… not personally, anyway," he hesitated, "but what I do know about her from our meeting each other is that… she looks exactly like you," he said, a small smile surfacing on his face. "She's beautiful, Sum. You did a good job."

"Excellent, Cohen, I did an excellent job."

Seth's smile grew bigger and he nodded his head.

"Right… an excellent job."

Talk about awkward moments. Summer broke it.

"Well, she may have my good looks, but her brains definitely came from you. Like seriously! She's a little Einstein if you ask me. She talks so much about everything, and she asks lots of intelligent and insightful questions, you know? It's like she's wiser beyond her years. Seriously, it's not even funny."

Summer grinned widely as she yapped away about Michael Ann, and Seth liked it. You know, when Summer smiled.

"Yeah, she seems like a smart kid. And I peeked at her transcripts after I learned her name… perfect attendance, excellent grades, lots of community work…"

"Yup, I love to help her out with volunteering," Summer sighed, "I really love her, Cohen. She's this huge part of my life…"

"I know," Seth said quietly, "I just wish I was a part of it."

Summer felt guilty and began to fidget in her seat.

"Well… you can now, right? Be a part of it, I mean. With both of us living here… I don't see why not. I mean, you do want to be a part of Michael Ann and I… right?"

"Right," Seth replied, his voice sounding sad.

"Cohen, I'm so sorry. Again for—"

"—it's not your fault, Summer. Stop apologizing," Seth said, cutting her off sharply.

Summer sighed. She hated weird and awkward moments like these.

"So... what do we do now?"

Seth looked confused.

"About what?"

"Our daughter, Seth," Summer replied, "I mean, what do we do about Michael Ann?"

Realization began to settle in Summer's thoughts.

"Seth! How do we tell her? When do we tell her? What do we tell her?"

Summer was starting to get worried, she did not think about this at all. She stood up from the desk and started pacing around the room.

"Oh my god. How do you think she'll take it? Will she be upset? Will she be happy? Confused?! Damn it, Cohen, I'm freaking out here!"

She turned to Seth and stared at him expectantly.

"Answer me!" she yelled.

Rage black outs, right.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Seth said immediately, moving towards her. "Summer, calm down, everything will be fine," he continued, his voice soothing and soft. He grabbed her waist to stop her from moving all over the place. Invisible sparks shot out from everywhere when he touched her. Something he tried hard to ignore.

"We'll, uh, just tell her the next time we see her, okay? I think the sooner we tell her, the better, right?"

He was looking down at her, her face staring at his hands. They were just inches apart.

"Right," Summer slowly breathed in, "because if we wait too long she'll suspect something and accuse us of lying and keeping it a secret. So, the sooner, the better," she repeated in a small voice.

She felt the sparks and looked down at her waist. His hands were still there. She lifted her head and again, Seth's eyes locked with hers, only this time, there was potential they'd stay that way forever.

Summer was beautiful, and he couldn't stop looking at her. She was still Summer Roberts, a little older, yes, but still the same girl that took his breath away. Her hair reached only her shoulders, so it was a little different for him, but he liked it. And to Seth's great relief, Summer was still small and curvy: the right size that fit him perfectly.

It had been a really long time, and Seth told himself over and over again, 'I'm over her,' 'I'm over her,' 'I'm over her,' and at one point in his life, he truly believed it. But now, standing in front of her and seeing her again, he knew that everything he told himself was a lie. Words were nothing.

"So, it's settled, then. We tell her once we see her?"

His hands remained in place.

"Yeah. I think that's best, I guess…" she trailed off, "Cohen?"

"Yeah?"

"You're kind of freaking me out..." she stated nervously.

Seth titled his head to the side. "What?"

"I mean, you haven't said anything about your grandfather… or what your feelings towards him are. In fact, you haven't said a word about your family… and your life, basically. You usually can't help but talk about yourself, so it's a little weird for me…" she smiled at him teasingly, "I'm not used to it."

Seth returned the gesture. "Again, still processing," he explained, "well, actually, I'm not really thinking about it. I honestly don't want to think about it. Not now at least. I just want to think about…"

"Yes?"

"You…" he said quietly, "us," he murmured even more silently.

"Us..." Summer repeated, just as soft, "is there even still an 'us' to think about?"

"I don't know, Summer… I—" he thought for a second, growing even more frustrated by the second, "god, this is all screwed up. I don't even know what to think or believe anymore…"

"Your mind finally processing?" Summer joked.

"It's beginning to..." he replied offhandedly. "Okay, let me just get this straight. My grandfather, the father of my mother, and Marissa's stepfather, threatened your life, my life, and your father's life. Correct?"

"Correct."

"He told you to get an abortion and you refused, right?"

She nodded her head, "right."

"So then… he told you to leave and you had no choice but to listen to his orders, right?"

"Again, right. Cohen, this is pointless."

"Wait, I'm not finished," Seth amended, "So you did, listen to him, I mean, and you took off to… Colorado?"

"Colorado," Summer stated firmly.

"Why here?"

"Why not here?"

"It just doesn't seem like a place for Summer Roberts."

Summer rolled her eyes. "And where would you expect Summer Roberts to go, Cohen?"

"I don't know… To be honest, I figured you'd want to stay in Newport, or somewhere in California. Perhaps New York? Miami, Las Vegas… Arizona, even. I guess somewhere crazy, hot, and wild."

Summer smiled at his answer.

"It does seem I'd like to live in that kind of place doesn't it? It still sounds appealing to me," she laughed a little, "but it's the total opposite. See, I wanted to go somewhere I knew for a fact was a safe place to let my child grow up in. I didn't want her to live the 'dramatic' life you and I had to grow up with. Surprisingly, though, it didn't work. Elite and Snobville are everywhere. I figured rather here than somewhere my dad or worse, Caleb, would be able to find me. At first it was hard because we lived in a place not even close to glamorous, or even nice for that matter. We stayed in places even worse than that sleazy hotel we had to sleep in during our trip to TJ," Summer paused, living in a half second of nostalgia, "I worked really hard to get where I am Cohen. I'm really proud of myself."

"Yeah?" Seth said, a side-lopped smile forming on his face. "Well, I'm proud of you too, Sum."

Summer appreciated his comment.

"So, your brain done processing?"

"I think so."

"And?"

"And unfortunately, my job is already taken care of."

"What?"

"Caleb died a couple of months ago... heart attack."

A huge sense of relief washed over Summer. "Wow. If he weren't so powerful, I'd have done him in years ago."

Seth chuckled. "Yeah…" he trailed off with open sadness.

Summer noticed this.

"Don't tell me you're upset about him dying!"

"What? No! Well, yeah… I mean, I'm not sad that he's gone… I'm just upset that I wasn't the one who caused his death," Seth finished, smiling playfully.

Summer rolled her eyes with a smile.

"That's all you have to say?"

"Pretty much. Look, Sum, I don't really want to talk about it right now. Please, let's just change the subject. I'll talk about it when I'm ready, deal?"

Summer looked down for second, then back up.

If he didn't want to tell her just now, she'd give him that. When he was ready, he'd tell her. It's not like he was going anywhere.

Summer sighed.

"Deal. So… if we're not going to talk about it, um… how are Sandy and Kirsten?"

"Good. Nothing new."

Short answer.

"Um, okay… have you heard from Ryan lately?"

"Sure. We talk often, actually."

Funny, for someone who wanted to change subjects, he sure is being curt.

"—and…?"

"And he's good, too. He's actually working as an architect. Surprise, Surprise!" Seth said sarcastically.

"Well, Chino did go to college for that occupation."

"Right. Wow, 'Chino.' Haven't heard that in forever."

Summer ignored his comment and hesitated before saying, "And Coop? How's she doing?"

Seth stared at her.

"Wow. You haven't talked to anyone have you? You really did give up everything…"

Summer looked down. "I was scared..." she stated softly, some emotion reaching her voice.

"Marissa is fine, too," Seth cut her off, trying to help her with the sensitivity of the situation.

"She's a professional photographer, mostly in fashion and design. She's made quite a name for herself in California and in New York."

"Yeah? Well, that's good. Coop always said she wanted to do something that had to do with art. It was her major, after all…"

"Yours too, you know."

"Oh, yeah, right. Mine too," Summer let out laugh, "but I guess I came out with fashion art and Coop came out with photography art."

Seth hesitated, not sure if he should bring up the subject, but did anyway. "Summer, did you even go to college?"

Summer gave him an intricate look. "Actually, yes, I did. When Michael Ann got old enough for school, I went to the community college. Eventually, I transferred into The Art Institute of Colorado. Fortunately, we worked around my schedule. I worked mornings, and then I went college in the afternoon. I also worked weekends. Daycare was a life saver at one point."

She finished her story, and then there was silence. Not awkward; comfortable.

A sudden realization made Summer laugh.

Seth's content expression changed to a questionable one.

"You know… it's funny. We went from angry, to emotional, to happy, to awkward, to angry again, to frustrated, happy again, awkward again, sad, and finally, to comfortable silence all in a short time."

Seth shared the ironic smile. "That is true… our conversations did jump around a lot. Especially our topics. Did we even finish a topic?"

"I don't think so," Summer sighed, "It's been a crazy day."

"It has, hasn't it? Us. The shocking story… seeing each other after twelve years…"

"Yeah," Summer agreed, "I'm just happy you aren't angry with me."

Seth's face fell. "Summer, of course I'm not angry with you. I mean, I admit, I was, before. When I saw you in your car with Michael Ann? But I didn't know. And now… I don't know how I feel. Disappointment? Maybe. Sadness? There's that. Happy? Well, I'm getting there," Seth flashed a smile, "but angry? No. There's none of that."

Summer smiled in relief and looked down.

"Cohen?"

"Yeah?"

"Your hands are still on my waist."

Beat.

Seth blinked. "I know."

Summer felt him pull her a fraction of an inch closer. She took in his scent. Funny, he still smelt the same: Soap, laundry detergent, and a slight hint of cologne.

She smiled.

She felt Seth tugging her closer, and she couldn't help but put both arms around his neck. She noticed his eyes were still that familiar brown she could always spot out. It wasn't just regular brown. No, it was much more than that. She couldn't associate it with anyone else's it. It was full of unique, and full of this endearing passion. It was… Cohen.

"It's been a really long time…" Summer whispered as his face inched closer.

"A really long time…" Seth breathed out in agreement.

"…and with Michael Ann," she paused, "I don't know if anything should be happening right now. It's a lot to handle… too much in such a short time…" her voice came out breathy and quick.

He nodded his head in agreement.

"I agree with you. Nothing should happen. I still haven't grasped the fact that you're right here, now. In my arms, I might add. Or that I have, or rather, we, have a daughter..."

His face was slowly coming towards hers, and he could smell a strong scent of vanilla coming from her. She smelt like a coffee shop.

Then it happened.

They kissed.

Seth couldn't control himself and he kissed Summer, hard. Her response was quick and conserved like momentum, for she kissed back with the same amount of force. Their kisses became shorter, quicker, and more frustrated. Both were reacting to what the other was giving out, and Seth realized he was shoving his emotions at her. He slowed his pace, and made the kisses lighter… longer… and more lingering.

Summer was dying for more when he pulled away. She needed it. She craved it. And without much effort, she got it.

It wasn't long before the two of them were kissing again.

Seth had taken a chance, and much to his delight, the response was electric.


Hands were everywhere. Limbs? all over the place. Mouths glued to each other, and hair thrown in every angle. Passion was building between the two as their kisses became desperate and harder. Seth moved Summer backwards past the dozens of desks, the 'Five Rules to No PDA' poster, the suddenly opened door, and ran Summer into the bulletin board. His hands roamed her body and an husky laugh escaped her lips.

A cough was heard behind them.

"Mom?"

Busted.


A/N: Okay, first off, I would like to say, this was a particularly bad chapter. The second one was a Nobel Prize piece of work compared to this chapter. If you're confused, I completely understand that, and I'm sorry. Just ask questions. I was having a hard time writing this, mainly because I didn't want Seth to be angry and worrying about, but I didn't want him to seem like everything didn't matter, either. I'll say though, Seth's reaction was done purposely. Seth doesn't really show his emotions that much, unless he's determined, like, say, getting Summer back ;) but when Ryan left, he didn't show anything to him, he just took off afterwards. When Kirsten had to go to rehab, he didn't show anything. Even when Caleb really died. So, sorry if it's confusing. And the both of them were going off topic purposely as well, because they hadn't seen each other in a really long time, so it was weird for them. They didn't know how to react. Soon though, they'll be back to bickering, they just have to find their "groove." And the flashback, seemed kind of rushed, didn't it? I hope it didn't. When I play their conversation in my head, I can totally see that happening between Caleb and Summer, but on paper, (or fanfic), it seems like Summer is OOC. I hope that's just my imagination. I'm trying hard to make this a loveable Summer and Seth fic, but I don't want it to be just like all the others, you know? So anyway, again, I apologize for this chapter being confusing. If it disappoints you, I'm all to blame! Just tell me what you think was wrong or needed fixed. Thank you! R&R.