When this scene begins, Kirsten has just arrived back at the house. She walks in but does not see anyone or hear anything. As she walks through the house, she gets no clue as to what is going on. Finally, she walks into the backyard and sees that it is full of candles, soft music is playing, and that a gourmet meal has been set up on one of the tables. There are flowers everywhere, and when she turns towards her bedroom, Sandy walks out wearing a tux.
Sandy: It's about time you got home; I was worried the food would get cold.
Kirsten: (She is smiling from ear to ear.) You wore a tux? They reach each other, and Sandy puts his arms around her back and pulls her tight.) You hate tuxes.
Sandy: I'd do anything to get you to smile like that. (He leans in and kisses her, a kiss which she welcoming returns.) Now, come on, you need to go in and change. I have a new dress laying out for you on the bed, but don't take too long getting ready, I'm starving. (Kirsten laughs.)
Kirsten: You went dress shopping, too?
Sandy: Uh, actually, I cheated there. I called that little boutique in the mall you love so much and asked them to send something over for you that would suit your taste. They know your shopping habits better than I do. Now go! (He slaps her butt softly to try to get her to go and change.)
Kirsten: We're behaving very fresh this evening.
Sandy: What can I say; the thought out you changing brings that out in me. (She laughs again but continues to walk towards the house. While she's in the room changing, Sandy fusses with the table and they talk back and forth but have to yell to do so.)
Kirsten: Sandy?
Sandy: What honey?
Kirsten: Where's Zoe?
Sandy: Believe it or not, I was in the middle of planning this, and your Dad stopped by. We talked, and no, we didn't end up in a fight, and I told him about what had happened to Summer and Seth. Then I told him, I hope you don't mind, that it had hit you hard and that I was planning a surprise for you, and he actually offered to take Zoe for the night. He said they'd have a grandfather/granddaughter bonding session, which probably means he was going to take her shopping, but I wasn't going to argue with the man. Oh, and don't worry, I made him promise that Julie Cooper would not get anywhere near Zoe.
Kirsten: That's a relief! I can't believe he offered to take Zoe though. Did you give him something; slip him a few happy pills.
Sandy: Actually, I'm disappointed in myself, I never even thought of that, but I'll keep that in mind for the future. (She laughs.) So, what did you do all day? (She appears at the door wearing the dress he had purchased for her. It is baby-blue, long, and with an empire waist, flowing naturally around her body, it resembles a Grecian gown. Her hair has been swept up into a loose chignon.)
Kirsten: Now, what were you asking me?
Sandy: Hm? (He has completely lost his train of thought and has forgotten what they were discussing.)
Kirsten: Hello, earth to Sandy. What did you just ask me? (She walks towards him.)
Sandy: (He laughs.) I honestly don't remember. (She looks at him like he's playing her, but when he continues to look astonished, she realizes that he is telling the truth and laughs along with him.) Now, come on, let's eat.
Kirsten: Always thinking with your stomach, at least we know where Seth got that trait.
Sandy: Hey, I've never denied it. (He pulls out her chair for her and she sits down.)
Kirsten: I thought we were going to make the welcome home party plans tonight. (He has walked around to his side of the table and now sits down as well. They both take their napkins and put them on their laps.)
Sandy: About that, I think it's time to groom someone for that job, because some day, you're not going to want to do it any longer.
Kirsten: Okay, who do you have in mind?
Sandy: I think Marissa would be perfect for the job; besides, she's there, so it will be easier for her to set up. (He lifts the lid off of her food and then does so for himself, too.)
Kirsten: Plus, if we impose this upon her, we don't have to worry about it, and you can have me all to yourself tonight.
Sandy: You better believe it.
Kirsten: (When she speaks, her voice conveys the fact that she is not going to fight his idea and will let Marissa plan the party.) When do you want to call her because I actually need to speak to her about something as well?
Sandy: (He sounds intrigued.) Oh?
Kirsten: I had a very productive day today. You'll never guess who I spent the afternoon with having coffee and talking.
Sandy: (He thinks for a minute.) No!
Kirsten: Yes. Jimmy Cooper, a Jimmy Cooper with a broken hand and a bendable ear. He finally listened to what we've been trying to tell him, what Marissa's been trying to tell him.
Sandy: So does that mean what I think it means?
Kirsten: He's agreed to let her go, to stop searching for her, and to just let her come to him when she's ready.
Sandy: And here I thought I had done the impossible by getting your father to take Zoe for the night, but you tamed the lion named Jimmy Cooper. How did you manage to do that?
Kirsten: I really don't know. He actually approached me while I was sitting on a bench and apologized for the way he's been acting. We started talking, talking led to coffee at the diner, and talking led to him giving in, but I did invite him out to dinner one night. I told him that we'd take him to celebrate his upcoming divorce. (Sandy laughs.)
Sandy: You don't hear that that often, now do you?
Kirsten: Well, wouldn't you be celebrating if you got free of Julie Cooper after more than twenty years of marriage?
Sandy: I would have never married her! Do we really have to take him out though, he's not that high on my list of favorite people right now, honey?
Kirsten: Yes, we do, because the Jimmy you've met is not the Jimmy I know. Today, while we talked, he was the Jimmy of old, and I'd like for you to meet him.
Sandy: Why don't you just take him out; I'll watch Zoe, because I doubt this caring Grandfather routine your Dad is pulling right now will last long!
Kirsten: Nice try, but sorry, your presence has already been promised.
Sandy: I was afraid you'd say that.
Kirsten: But, if you're a good boy and are nice, I'll give you a treat that night when we get home….dessert.
Sandy: Oh boy, dessert, I'm sorry honey, but this is one time going through my stomach is not going to work.
Kirsten: But what if I was the dessert?
Sandy: Now, you're talking. (She laughs.)
Kirsten: And I need to talk to you about something else as well.
Sandy: Okay, shoot.
Kirsten: It can wait; tonight it's just about us. (She leans across the table and kisses Sandy.) Now lets' eat.
Sandy: And then we'll call Marissa.
Kirsten: And after that?
Sandy: Oh, the night is young, honey, the night is young; I have many surprises yet in store for you. (She laughs at him and they both begin to eat. Meanwhile, Seth and Summer are in the hospital room arguing about what to order for dinner.)
Seth: What about Greek; we haven't had that in a long time?
Summer: Ew Cohen, I'm not going to eat some poor innocent lamb tonight for dinner.
Seth: You can substitute the meat, Summer.
Summer: No, I went fast food, greasy, salty fries, burgers, and shakes.
Seth: But, it's not good for my figure.
Summer: What figure? You're a freaking bean pole Cohen?
Seth: Exactly, and I don't need your unhealthy food habits to ruin that!
Summer: And who's in the hospital right now Cohen?
Seth: Technically, we both are. (She goes to slap him but he ducks out of her reach.)
Summer: Cute, ssclown, very funny, let's try this again. Who was admitted to the hospital; who had surgery?
Seth: You Summer. How long are you going to try to use this card to get your way?
Summer: Cohen!
Seth: What, I was just curious?
Summer: I can't believe you just said that to me!
Seth: What, you are using it.
Summer: So, it's my right.
Seth: Summer, if you really want to fight about this, I'll go and get the nurse and ask her what the doctor would think of you eating fast food so soon after surgery.
Summer: You wouldn't dare!
Seth: How are you going to stop me; you're not allowed out of that bed. (He jumps up and starts to run towards the door, but Summer stops him with her threat.)
Summer: If you dare run and tattle on me, you'll be the next one who needs surgery Cohen, but let's just say they won't be removing something; they'll be re-attaching. (He stops dead in his tracks.)
Seth: Well, that'd be the final nail in the coffin for us having a child naturally together. (He says this quietly but Summer hears him.)
Summer: Oh you did not just say what I think you did! That's it, get out Cohen!
Seth: I'm going, I'm going….to pick up the Greek food.
Summer: Freeze, right there, Seth Cohen. I can threaten, too. Do you want me to call my Dad back here? He just left, so he can't be that far away. I'm sure he'd be here within minutes if I told him you were bothering me!
Seth: Then I guess we're at a stand still. What are we going to do? (The door opens, revealing Ryan and Marissa carrying pans and bags. As Ryan pushes the door open though, he hits Seth in the head. Seth cries out in pain, and Summer doubles over in laughter.)
Marissa: Hey, you two better stop it; we had to convince the nurse to not go and get security. She thought you were about to kill each other in here.
Seth: (He is rubbing his head and sits down in the chair dejectedly.) Summer was threatening worse.
Ryan: What's worse than death?
Seth: Dismemberment. (Ryan and Marissa both start laughing which makes Summer laugh again, too.)
Marissa: So what did you did you do this time, Seth?
Seth: Why does everyone always assume our fights are my fault?
Summer: Because they always are!
Ryan: So?
Summer: Cohen was going to make me eat a baby lamb for dinner. (Ryan and Marissa look at each other confused and in unison reply.)
Ryan and Marissa: A baby lamb?
Seth: Greek.
Marissa: Oh, I love gyros!
Summer: You eat baby lambs, too! How could you do that?
Marissa: You can substitute the meat, Sum.
Seth: I told you. Besides, you've never had a problem eating veal before.
Summer: Veal is made from cows, Cohen, not lambs.
Seth: Yeah, baby cows.
Summer: Excuse me?
Ryan: You didn't know that?
Summer: Who knew that?
Ryan: Everyone.
Summer: Ew! I've never eating that again!
Marissa: Well, what did you want to eat instead Summer?
Summer: I wanted cheeseburgers, French fries, and milkshakes, but Cohen, over there, said it would ruin his girly figure!
Marissa: Well, I have good news for both of you and bad news. We brought dinner…
Ryan: Yeah, we thought after what happened we needed a family dinner, to regroup and spend time with each other.
Marissa: So, we went home this afternoon, after we ran away from you two out of fear for our lives, and cooked dinner.
Seth: Oh, what did you make?
Summer: Yeah right, you two left to have sex again; we had nothing to do with it.
Marissa: (She turns away from Summer.) I'm going to ignore you and answer Seth's question instead, but you're lucky the food is already made, because otherwise you'd be getting lamb and calf meat.
Seth: Yeah, forget about her…focus on me. Everyone should always focus on me. So, what did you make?
Marissa: Ryan and I…
Seth: Oh, you let Ryan cook; guess that means we're having grilled cheese.
Ryan: (He punches Seth on the arm lightly, but Seth still grimaces in pain.) I can cook more than grilled cheese.
Seth: Whatever you say, buddy, yeah. (Ryan glares at him so Seth turns to Marissa.)
Marissa: Actually, I went more for comfort food. We made home made macaroni and cheese. Plus, I brought some applesauce, sorry it's not homemade, but I didn't have time and transparent apples aren't in season, but I did make some dinner rolls.
Summer: Wait a minute; did you just say homemade applesauce, and what the hell are transparent apples; obviously they aren't see through. (Marissa laughs.)
Marissa: You guys seriously know absolutely nothing about cooking do you? (Everyone shakes their heads no after looking at each other.) Okay, first of all, homemade applesauce is the best; I'll make some this fall. Secondly, transparent apples are the type of apples which make the best sauce.
Seth: Homemade applesauce, I didn't even know such a thing existed. (He sounds far off like he is dreaming.) Is there such a thing as homemade pudding?
Marissa: Of course, you've never had it?
Ryan: Oh no, now you did it. (Everyone turns towards Seth expecting him to start talking a mile a minute, but instead, he sits down in the chair and just stares off into space dreaming of homemade pudding.)
Summer: Cohen?
Seth: Sshh. Please, don't ruin this moment for me. (He whispers this and goes back to daydreaming.)
Summer: He's finally speechless. I've been trying for this for five years and all Marissa has to say is homemade pudding and he clams up like a deaf, dumb mute. (She turns to Marissa.) You're a miracle worker!
Marissa: I wonder what he'd do if I made him some?
Ryan: He might not talk the whole time he was eating. (Summer, Ryan, and Marissa contemplate the thought of a whole meal with a quiet Seth.)
Marissa: Yeah, I'll get on that right away. (She is completely serious.)
Ryan: Tomorrow morning, do you want me to take you to the store so that you can buy the ingredients?
Summer: Please say yes, Coop!
Marissa: Absolutely, and if the results are what we want, I'll make him some every day.
Summer: I knew it was a good idea for you to move in. Now about this food, who's dishing me out some; it smells delicious!
Ryan: I can do that. (He goes over to the table where he and Marissa put everything down and pulls out a plate from a bag and gets the food out, too. Then he begins to dish it out. When he finishes, he hands the plate to Marissa who takes it to Summer. While Ryan is dishing out more for someone else, Marissa goes over to Seth with another basket.)
Marissa: Hey, Seth, here are some more muffins for your breakfast tomorrow. (He grabs the basket and pulls the cover off of it to look inside.) Hey Sum, don't let him eat all those tonight though, because I'm not making any more tomorrow morning.
Ryan: No, you are not. We're sleeping in tomorrow morning, because it's the last day of the weekend and we've barely slept at all.
Seth: Yeah, because you've been too busy having sex.
Summer: I knew his silence wouldn't last forever. (Ryan hands Marissa a plate to give to Seth and when she stands next to him, he kisses her.)
Ryan: Yeah, we did, and I definitely don't regret that decision. (Marissa laughs and takes the plate to Seth. Then she takes another basket to Summer first and then Seth offering them dinner rolls. Summer takes one, Seth takes five.)
Marissa: When you guys want some applesauce, just let me know.
Seth: Did you make dessert, too, Marissa?
Summer: Jesus, Cohen, she's not your personal chef! Can't you just be happy with what you've got?
Seth: Sorry, I just get excited when Marissa cooks and I can't get enough.
Marissa: It's okay Sum, I don't mind, and yes, Seth, I made dessert.
Ryan: Yes, she did!
Summer: What happened?
Ryan: Let's just say that when Marissa makes chocolate cake she likes to smear it all over people.
Marissa: (She is flirting with Ryan and goes up and puts her hands down his back pockets and leans up against him. When she talks, it is in a very provocative tone.) Yeah, but I also cleaned it off.
Seth: People please, I'm eating here.
Ryan: We can tell, and the janitors will be able to tell as well. (Everyone looks over at Seth and he is making a large mess, spilling food onto the floor as shovels his food into his mouth.) Dude, slow down, you have all night to eat.
Marissa: I'll even leave all the leftovers here with you.
Seth: Seriously, because don't tease me about this? (Marissa shakes her head yes.)
Summer: I have to admit, Coop, this mac and cheese is awesome!
Seth: Awesome doesn't even begin to describe it; it has to be the best ever. (Ryan positions his and Marissa's plates on the table and they both sit down and begin to eat.) But, did you say something about chocolate cake?
Marissa: Yes. Actually, it's red velvet cake with a cocoa butter frosting, but you have to eat your dinner first like a good boy before you get dessert.
Ryan: It's well worth the wait, trust me, I had the batter rubbed all over my face, but for being such a good sport, I got to lick the frosting spoon after Marissa finished.
Seth: Finished what, licking you?
Summer: Cohen! I thought we settled this earlier? No more asking Ryan and Marissa sick perverted sexual questions; it's none of your business!
Seth: Sorry my little apple dumpling, I forgot. (Everyone is silent for a moment as they eat, but Seth cannot stay quiet long.) Oh, speaking of apple dumplings, do you know how to make those, too, Marissa? (Everyone groans out of annoyance with Seth's stomach.)
Marissa: Yeah, but they're really time consuming, so you're not getting any for a while.
Seth: No hurry, there are plenty of other things you can make me…. (Ryan glares at him reminding him of the conversation they had earlier in the week about Marissa cooking.) if you want to, of course. Marissa and Summer laugh while Ryan just looks at Seth. The camera leaves and goes back to Sandy and Kirsten who have just finished eating.)
Kirsten: I don't think I could eat another bite if my life depended on it! How much food did you order, Sandy?
Sandy: Obviously too much, look at all of the left overs. (There is a lot of food left sitting on the table as they attest to.) So, are you ready to call Marissa?
Kirsten: I doubt we'll get her. If I know Ryan and Marissa, they're probably at the hospital with Seth and Summer.
Sandy: Well, we'll just leave a message on her voice mail; she'll check it.
Kirsten: I know, I just wanted to actually hear her reaction when we gave her the good news about Jimmy.
Sandy: Look on the positive side, honey. If we just leave a message, then you'll just get to your next surprise quicker.
Kirsten: Hm…I like how you think. (He stands up and goes around and pulls her chair out for her. Then he puts his hand out for hers to escort her into the house.)
Sandy: Mrs. Cohen. (Kirsten laughs.)
Kirsten: What a gentleman I married, if only my Dad could see you now, you might finally be able to convince him that you deserve me.
Sandy: First of all, please no more talk about your Dad, and secondly, that could never happen, because… (He stops her and pulls her hand up to his lips so that he can kiss it.) I don't deserve you; somehow I just got lucky.
Kirsten: And if you keep this up, you'll be getting lucky tonight. (They both laugh.)
Sandy: Well in that case…. (He turns around and before she knows what he is doing, he picks her up and proceeds to carry her into the house. She laughs.)
Kirsten: Sandy, what are you doing?
Sandy: What does it look like; I'm sweeping you off your feet. (She leans in and whispers in his ear.)
Kirsten: It's working. (She then pulls back and kisses him. They reach the house and he puts her down on the bed.)
Sandy: Wait there, I'll get you the phone. (He walks to his side of the bed and grabs the phone before sitting down on his side and handing it to her. She takes it from him and dials. Like she predicted, it goes straight to voice mail.)
Marissa's phone: Hey, this is Marissa, you know what to do. (Kirsten waits for the beep before speaking.)
Kirsten: Hey Marissa, it's Kirsten. I'm calling with bad news and good news. First, the bad news is that I have a favor to ask of you. Sandy and I want to come up tomorrow night to welcome Summer home, but I can't very well plan a welcome home party here, so I was hoping you would do it for me. I mean, nothing big, just some decorations and food. Just let us know what time you want us there, okay. Now for the good news: I talked to your dad today, and I got him to agree to leave you alone. He said he won't look for you any longer, he'll stop trying to get in touch with you, and that he'll wait till you're ready to see him again. I don't know how I did it, but I did, so you can finally have some peace. He also wanted me to tell you that he loves you and that he's sorry for everything that he's done. Give Ryan our love. Talk to you soon, sweetie, and thanks. OH, and if you need anything, we'll be up for a while…
Sandy: In bed, but awake!
Kirsten: (Laughing.) Sandy! Marissa does not want to hear that! Marissa, I'm sorry, ignore Sandy. Like I said, if you need anything or have any questions just call. See you tomorrow. (She hangs up the phone.) I can't believe you just did that!
Sandy: What? Marissa will get a good laugh out of it, and besides, I now know she won't call us until tomorrow, and I really didn't want to be interrupted tonight, so problem solved. (He leans over and begins to kiss her.)
Kirsten: I thought you said that you had some other surprises for me.
Sandy: All in due time, honey, all in due time. (Kirsten laughs and begins to kiss him back. The scene fades.)
Commercial Break