Disclaimer: I do not own the O.C
Thank you ZoArBaSkEtBaLl for helping me develop my idea on this chapter and giving me new ones.
Ryan and Marissa walked hand in hand on the beach. Their barefoot splashed through the light white film of foam washing up on the shore. Her pale blue dress blew gently in the breeze and as the falling sun created a glow upon her and him she smiled and leaned in for a kiss. He was wearing a suit and she never could resist him when wearing a suit. They broke apart and continued walking, every so often sneaking kisses. They finally arrived at a white tent in which a candlelit meal was prepared. And as they dined Ryan smiled at the thought of the nearness of mother and the son she longed to see. For Alex was in the tent, a part that was closed off and branched off where they were; It was filled with games and books, and as Alex tried to read his thoughts were interrupted constantly by the exciting thoughts of family. A few weeks ago he had no one, then his adoring Dad came a long and now a mother! He was excited about the thought of the union of the three and the slight nervousness of longing for acceptance was once again washed away by the thought of family and the joy it would bring him.
Ryan and Marissa had finished eating and walked towards the water once again. The crashing of the waves filled the silence between them, for no word could describe how perfect it was. Then suddenly Ryan got down on one knee.
"Marissa. I have always loved you. And no matter how many times life has pushed us apart, fate has brought us back. Together. And that's where I want to be forever. Together. Will you marry me?"
Marissa grinned in joy and laughed at the nervousness of Ryan. She kneeled down in front of him and smiled once again at his confused face.
"Yes." She whispered and they embraced falling on the sand.
Alex, tired of the long wait, knew it was past his bed time and wanted to go to sleep. So he snuck out of the tent and whispered loudly, "Daddy. Can I come out yet?" he knew not where his father was or what he was doing. So he said it again.
At the sound of the young child's voice the two broke apart. Marissa's heart stopped beating with shock. Ryan stood up and took her hand and pulled her up. They then both walked towards Alex and Ryan said,
"Marissa this is Alex. Your son."
Marissa kneeled down and put her arms around him and buried his head in the crook of her neck and shoulders. And Alex threw his arms around his mother. She whispered to him her dreams of this moment, apologies for leaving him and how much she loved him. Ryan knew that for once their family was complete.
After a while, the three walked hand in hand on the beach, just as the couple did before, with Alex in the middle. Ryan told the story of how he found Alex, interrupted by Alex's thoughts on how the two met. Marissa laughed as she watched father and son and was overwhelmed with a feeling. "Perfection." She thought, "perfection."