The fourth scene focuses on many of the characters preparations for the night ahead of them. It is late afternoon. The party is set to begin in a couple of hours, and Summer, Marissa, and Zoe are all in the guest bedroom getting ready together. Of course Summer's preparation is more extensive because she is hosting the party, while Marissa and Zoe are just going out to eat and to the movies. When the scene opens, Marissa and Zoe are both ready, so they are just there keeping Summer company. Summer is sitting at a vanity applying her makeup while Marissa and Zoe are sitting on the bed relaxing. Zoe is reclined in Marissa arms and is just enjoying the feeling of her caring for her. Marissa's hair is no longer braided, but instead it is in lose waves around her face, because she has to be able to change quickly when they return later that night for her and Ryan's private celebration. The dress Summer chose is a soft, pastel pink. It is form fitting, satin, with one inch straps that cross over her back before meeting at the waist of the dress and it reaches to her mid-calf with just a slight slit to allow for walking.

Summer: So Coop, what are the plans for the evening?

Zoe: We're going to see Curious George!

Summer: You mean they finally made a movie about Cohen?

Zoe: (Marissa is quietly laughing at Summer's comment while Zoe just looks at her confused.) No, curious George is a monkey, Summer!

Summer: And so is Cohen!

Marissa: (Marissa, although she is still laughing, is trying to suppress her giggles, because Zoe is so confused, and she gives Summer Ryan's signature look.) Sum.

Summer: Don't Sum me; you are still laughing and don't deny it!

Marissa: You're confusing her.

Summer: She needs to learn the truth about her brother eventually, and I speak the truth.

Zoe: Seth's a monkey!

Summer: Yes.

Marissa: No honey, Seth is not a monkey; Summer just likes to tease him. Summer calling Seth a monkey is like how Ryan calls you little monster, but you're not a monster and Seth's not a monkey.

Zoe: He kind of looks like a monkey. (Both Summer and Marissa cannot hold in their laughter when Zoe says this. When she speaks again, she is scared.) Do I look like a monster?

Marissa: No honey; you look like an adorable pixie.

Zoe: Like Tinker Bell?

Marissa: Exactly.

Zoe: You look like Aurora.

Summer: Aurora?

Zoe: Duh, Sleeping Beauty!

Marissa: I do; thank you, Tink.

Summer: Who do I look like? (Zoe ponders this for a moment.)

Zoe: You look like that girl that Seth always draws.

Summer: Well that's because that's me.

Zoe: Nuh huh!

Summer: Yes, it is.

Zoe: Nuh huh, Seth said her name was Little Miss Vixen, so there! (Zoe gets out of Marissa's arms and stands up on the bed to fight with Summer. When Summer sees this, she stands up from the vanity to fight back.)

Summer: But that's because I am Little Miss Vixen!

Zoe: Nuh huh! You don't fight Demon Water Polo Players!

Summer: Oh I used to when I had to stick up for Cohen so he wouldn't get beat up at school or shoved in the locker or have his shoes peed in anymore!

Zoe: You're lying! You're not Little Miss Vixen!

Summer: Am so!

Marissa: Sum, you're fighting with a two and a half year old, please, come one, let this go. Here sweetie. (She holds her hands out for Zoe who collapses in her arms and buries her head in Marissa's shoulder holding onto her tightly.)

Summer: It's not fair! You got to be Sleeping Beauty and I got stuck being the figment of Cohen's pervy little mind!

Marissa: If the shoe fits, Sum. (Summer at first gets mad, but when she realizes that Marissa is teasing her, she cracks a smile and laughs.)

Summer: Zoe, baby, I'm sorry. (Zoe turns around to look at Summer and flashes her a dazzling smile.)

Zoe: It's okay, Sum; I still love you.

Summer: Well, I'm glad, because I'll always love you. What else are you guys going to do tonight?

Zoe: We're going out to eat. (With this she repositions herself so that she is sitting on Marissa's lap so that she can talk to Summer again. Summer turns back to the vanity and once again resumes her makeup application.)

Summer: Where?

Zoe: I don't know, but (She turns to Marissa.) it won't be fancy will it?

Marissa: Nope. What do you want to eat?

Zoe: (Zoe thinks about this for a second.) Ice cream.

Marissa: (She laughs at this.) I'm sure Ryan and I can handle that.

Summer: And, speaking of Chino, what are you two going to do after you drop off Zoe?

Zoe: What?

Summer: You're going to spend the night here with Cohen and I so that Ryan and Marissa can be alone for Valentine's Day.

Zoe: Oh, so they can kiss.

Summer: And do other things as well.

Zoe: Like what…hug?

Marissa: Exactly, so we can hug.

Zoe: And open presents?

Marissa: Of course!

Summer: So, Coop, what are you guys doing?

Marissa: We're going to the beach and then coming back here later to open our gifts and…

Summer: Yeah, I get the picture, and I'm not surprised at all about the beach. It seems to be a recurring thing in your relationship. At this point, you'll probably get married on the beach, name your first kid Ariel, and keep a dolphin for a pet. (Marissa laughs at Summer's exaggeration, but Zoe is slightly confused. When she works out what Summer said, she becomes excited and hugs Marissa in a death hold.)

Zoe: You're getting married?

Marissa: What….no!

Zoe: (She becomes disappointed.) You're not…ever?

Marissa: Well hopefully someday, but not right now.

Zoe: And then you and Ryan will have lots of babies and I'll be an aunt, and I'll come over and visit you all the time and I'll baby-sit them so that you two can go out! (As Zoe continues to talk, Summer's face drops because she knows that this fate may not be hers for the taking. Marissa and Zoe are too wrapped up in each other and the future to notice Summer's change in mood.)

Marissa: You've thought about this a lot haven't you? (She begins to tickle Zoe who giggles in between what she says.)

Zoe: Yeah! Are you going to have a baby soon?

Marissa: I don't know; you never know. (At this, Summer gets angry and whirls around to face Marissa.)

Summer: You're pregnant, and you never told me!

Marissa: (She stops tickling Zoe who just stares at the two adults with a confused but interested expression.) No! Why would you think that?

Summer: Because you just told Zoe that you never know when you'll become pregnant and that you don't know if you'll have a baby soon or not!

Marissa: Well I don't!

Summer: You should! What don't you and Chino use protection, aren't you on the pill!

Marissa: Summer, I really don't think this is an appropriate conversation for us to be having right now. (She motions her head towards Zoe.)

Summer: Oh I don't know of a better time! I want you tell me what's going on and I want you to tell me now!

Marissa: (She turns to Zoe.) Zoe, will you please go and ask Ryan where he wants to eat tonight, please? He's in the poolhouse with Seth.

Zoe: (She bounds out of the bed and begins to run out of the room yelling over her shoulder.) Okay! (Marissa gets up and walks towards the window.)

Summer: What are you doing over there!

Marissa: I'm going to watch for Zoe to make sure she's okay.

Summer: Oh! (With this she starts to cry.)

Marissa: Summer, what's wrong?

Summer: You're just so good with her, you know exactly what to do, what to say, and she's only known you for two months and she already worships the ground you walk on. You have this natural maternal instinct, and I don't! And now, what if I never get to have kids!

Marissa: What do you mean?

Summer: Because of what happened, I might not be able to have a baby!

Marissa: Sum, women have tubular pregnancies all the time and go on to have healthy children, and, if the worst happens, and you can't have kids, then you and Seth will adopt. Ryan's not Sandy and Kirsten's biological son, but they don't love him any less than they do Seth or Zoe. You will have children and you'll be a wonderful mother!

Summer: Are you pregnant?

Marissa: No.

Summer: But you wouldn't mind it if you were would you?

Marissa: No.

Summer: Are you guys trying?

Marissa: Not exactly.

Summer: What is that supposed to mean!

Marissa: Sum, can you listen to everything I say before you react. Please, just let me explain everything fully.

Summer: Fine. Talk. (Summer crosses her arms in front of her as she prepares to listen to what Marissa is going to tell her. Marissa notices that Zoe has been safely ushered into the poolhouse, so she goes and kneels in front of Summer, placing her hands on her knees.)

Marissa: Before you lost the baby, Ryan and I hadn't even discussed children yet, but it made us think and it scared us. Initially, I had always planned upon waiting until my career was well established so that I would not be dependent upon anyone for financial support if I ever got divorced, but what if we waited and then by the time I felt I was financially ready to have a child, I wouldn't be able to. Plus, my neighbor had problems with birth control. It was prescribed to her when she was a young teenager to help control her period, but by the time she went off of it many years later, she couldn't have children. It may have been a fluke, but it scared me, so I always swore I'd never go on it. Because of these two things, Ryan and I have decided just to let nature take its course. We're not doing anything special to get pregnant, but, at the same time, we're doing absolutely nothing to prevent it. I don't want this to hurt you, and if I did get pregnant we would tell you….eventually.

Summer: What do you mean eventually?

Marissa: I wouldn't tell anyone, other than Ryan, until after I got through my first trimester.

Summer: Because of the risk of a miscarriage?

Marissa: Yeah. (A few more tears leak out of Summer's eyes.) Hey, what are those for?

Summer: I'm sorry.

Marissa: For crying?

Summer: No, for attacking you.

Marissa: Hey, I knew I'd see a rage blackout eventually, but I do feel I escaped with just a mild one, so I'm not doing that bad. (Summer laughs.)

Summer: Did I ruin my makeup?

Marissa: Nope, still perfect.

Summer: (She stands up.) Come one, I know just the thing to make me feel better. I brought in a few dresses for you to choose from for tonight when you and Ryan have your private party, so why don't we go and chose one.

Marissa: I don't think I'll need a dress for our private party, Sum.

Summer: You're going to wear your jeans?

Marissa: Nope. (Summer looks at her skeptically, but then realizes what she is insinuating.)

Summer: Ew, Coop, not at the beach! That'd be public indecency!

Marissa: Wouldn't be the first time!

Summer: Oh I so did not need to know that! Now come on, enough about your and Chino's extensive and adventurous sex life; we need to find you a dress. (Marissa laughs as Summer pulls her to the closet. The scene leaves the two women and goes to Caitlyn's bedroom at her Grandparents' house. She is getting ready for a Valentine's Day dance that will be going on at Harbor. Music is blaring (the song should be Nada Surf's "Blankest Year".) She is sitting in her robe, hair and makeup done, on her bed just relaxing to the music and singing along when her Grandmother comes in.)

Jane: Is this song really necessary, and if so, do you have to have it up so loud?

Caitlyn: What's wrong with this song?

Jane: (She walks towards the stereo and turns it down, only to have Caitlyn turn it right back up.) It's a little explicit!

Caitlyn: They're just words and they aren't meant in a derogatory manor. What is wrong with expressing yourself?

Jane: I just wish they would express themselves with a little less vulgar language.

Caitlyn: Who says that it is vulgar? That is your opinion; I don't think the song is vulgar. I find it fun and entertaining. Besides, if they edited their creativity, that would be censorship.

Jane: Which I'm sure you disagree with?

Caitlyn: If you were raised by Marissa you would as well.

Jane: (The song has now ended so Caitlyn turns the music down.) Tell me a little bit about her; why is she so opposed to censorship? (Jane sits down on the edge of Caitlyn's bed as they talk.)

Caitlyn: She's a writer; censorship completely goes against the artist inside of her and threatens her very existence, it limits her creativity, it cages her in and makes her feel restricted and as if her writing is not her own anymore. Censorship destroys the arts.

Jane: She's told you this?

Caitlyn: She has instilled this belief in me. It is now as much a part of me as it is her.

Jane: What does she write?

Caitlyn: Dramedies.

Jane: Excuse me?

Caitlyn: She writes dramas with comedic moments to lighten the mood and to showcase reality, because life is never pure drama or pure comedy; it is a mixture of both, but she never writes a happy ending. She finds them too contrived, a copout and that they don't portray what life is actually like.

Jane: She sounds like a pessimist.

Caitlyn: No, she's a realist.

Jane: I wonder if falling in love has changed her.

Caitlyn: Marissa; no way. She's still my big, idealistic sister who has taught me everything I know. You know, she's been the only real role model in my life.

Jane: Do you miss her?

Caitlyn: More and more everyday.

Jane: Have you tried to get in contact with her?

Caitlyn: No, and I don't want to. She needs this time, and when she's ready, she'll come back and we'll be close once again.

Jane: I'm sure she'd love to hear about your dance tonight.

Caitlyn: She will, some day, but for now, I write down everything that's happening in my life in a journal for her to read someday.

Jane: I bet she'll like that.

Caitlyn: She expects it of me. (Jane gives her a puzzled look.) When I was little, to help with my writing skills and to give me an emotional outlet, she made me keep a journal and I've been expected to do it ever since. I rather enjoy it now though, so I guess I'm grateful for her forceful suggestion.

Jane: (She stands up and goes over to Caitlyn's dress which is hanging up on her closet door. It is a black baby doll dress with an empire waist with a sash that falls well above her knees. The sash is red and the little capped sleeves are see-through.) So, no date for tonight?

Caitlyn: Flying solo.

Jane: But you're meeting your friends there?

Caitlyn: Yep.

Jane: What time do you want to leave?

Caitlyn: How about in an hour?

Jane: I'll be ready. Do you want anything to eat before you go; I could make you something?

Caitlyn: I'm sure they'll have food there, but thanks.

Jane: Are you excited?

Caitlyn: Sort of. I mean, I've been to dances before, but I guess I'm just nervous. I doubt the dances here are anything like what they were at home.

Jane: You'll be fine. Just picture what you had at home and blow it completely out of proportion with lavish decorations, dresses which costs too much money, and ridiculous gift bags. They alone are worth going to these things. (Caitlyn laughs.)

Caitlyn: If that's what they do for a simple Valentine's Day dance, I can't imagine what prom is like.

Jane: You'll find out soon enough, but don't let the social chair hear you call the dance tonight simple; she'll black ball you for life if she does.

Caitlyn: Social chairs, who would have ever guessed? What are you and Grandpa doing tonight, hot date?

Jane: He wishes! (Caitlyn laughs.) We were invited to a party at the country club, but I doubt too many people will be there. From what I've heard, most people are going to the Cohen's party.

Caitlyn: Including Marissa.

Jane: I would assume.

Caitlyn: I wonder what Ryan will get her for Valentine's Day.

Jane: Kirsten is quite the fan of the holiday, so I bet she has those boys trained well. (Caitlyn smiles at the thought that her sister has a great boyfriend.) I'll let you get back to getting ready. I didn't want to bother you but just check to see when you wanted to leave. See you in about an hour.

Caitlyn: Bye…and thanks, Grandma. (Caitlyn smiles at Jane, and Jane returns the smile as she walks out of the bedroom door and shuts it behind her. As she leaves, Caitlyn turns the music back up. (The song, this time, should be Nada Surf's "Always Love".) The scene leaves Caitlyn's bedroom and goes to the inside of the poolhouse. Seth is lying on Ryan's bed playing Playstation by himself as Ryan sits on the stairs putting his boots on.)

Ryan: Tell me again why we had to get ready so early.

Seth: Because that way we can Playstation it up until you have to leave.

Ryan: Finished. (He leaves the steps and goes to sit beside Seth on the floor as he picks up the other controller. He waits for Seth to restart the game so that they can play together but he doesn't.) Dude, are you going to let me play, too?

Seth: Not yet. I have to finish this game. I'm winning.

Ryan: (He puts the controller back down to wait for Seth to finish with his solo game and leans back against the bed.) I wonder what Marissa and Summer were fighting about; I didn't think they fought.

Seth: My guess it had something to do with the baby…or, to be more precise, lack there of.

Ryan: What do you mean?

Seth: That's the only thing I can think of that would upset Summer enough that she would loose her control in front of Zoe and lash out at Marissa.

Ryan: Speaking of that, how are you doing man?

Seth: Okay, I mean, not great. We really don't know what to expect, what will happen in the future, whether or not we'll be able to have our own kids, but as long as I have Summer, I can be happy, and we can always adopt. I mean, you didn't turn out that bad. (He playfully punches Ryan's shoulder.)
Ryan: Wow, Seth, thanks for that fine recommendation! I'm really feeling the love right now.

Seth: Hey, I try.

Ryan: (He laughs.) Have you guys talked about this, has she told you how she feels about adoption?

Seth: Yeah, and we're not giving up hope that we'll be able to have a kid naturally, but it's an option that we can always explore. Summer seems okay with it, well not okay, but resigned, but sometimes it just catches up to her, you know. She can forget about her pain for a while, and then all of sudden, something reminds her of the heartache we went through and the potential heartache that could be awaiting us and she just looses it.

Ryan: I'm so sorry man.

Seth: Hey, it's not your fault, it's not my fault, and it's definitely not Summer's; it will just take time.

Ryan: You're being pretty mature about this.

Seth: I can be when it's important enough. So how about you and Marissa, how are you doing?

Ryan: Good, really good. I'm sure Summer told you about Dr. Frasier though.

Seth: Yeah, what a creep!

Ryan: I wish I could have helped her through that…

Seth: Oh, I'm sure you killing the man and ending up in prison would have been a great help, buddy!

Ryan: If you would have let me finish, I was about to say that she made the right decision and that I am proud of her…and Summer.

Seth: Yeah, me, too.

Ryan: (He stands up and goes towards the kitchenette.) Want something to drink?

Seth: Make it a dew. Oh, and do you have any pudding?

Ryan: I don't keep pudding out here.

Seth: You sure I didn't leave any out here?

Ryan: You leave pudding uneaten?

Seth: Yeah, good point. (Ryan returns and hands Seth his bottle of Mountain Dew. He sits back down and opens his bottle of water and takes a large drink. As he does so, Seth loses while attempting to drink and play at the same time, so he tosses him the controller and they begin to play each other while they continue to talk.) So, what did you and Marissa do last night? Summer and I, you ask, oh, she forced me to help her pick out her dress for tonight.

Ryan: Not much.

Seth: What?

Ryan: Yeah, we just went to sleep early.

Seth: Nothing exciting happened?

Ryan: Nope.

Seth: Okay, so you call throwing her in the pool and then not getting punished for it nothing exciting!

Ryan: Seth, were you spying again?

Seth: No…Summer was.

Ryan: Uh huh, I'm sure. Okay, so what is it that you really want to know?

Seth: How do you do it?

Ryan: What?

Seth: Get away with stuff like that?

Ryan: What?

Seth: Stuff like throwing her in the pool.

Ryan: I was just teasing her, and I made it up to her.

Seth: (He rolls his eyes as he talks.) Yeah and I bet that was a huge sacrifice for you!

Ryan: He laughs.) So, back to you because I know that will work, how much longer is it that you two have to….wait?

Seth: About three weeks.

Ryan: Half way done then.

Seth: Yeah, and it is definitely not going that quickly!

Ryan: I'm happy to say, I'm not feeling your pain right now.

Seth: Way to commiserate, Ryan, way to make me feel better. That really helps, thanks. (Ryan laughs.) So, what's happening on your reproductive front?

Ryan: (He is shocked by what Seth has asked.) Excuse me!

Seth: You heard me. Will we be hearing the tiny patter of little Cooper-Atwood feet soon?

Ryan: No…at least, I don't think so.

Seth: Dude, how can you not know?

Ryan: I guess it's possible. Why, have you heard something? Has Marissa said something to Summer? I can't believe she wouldn't tell me first.

Seth: What, Marissa's pregnant?

Ryan: Isn't that what you said?

Seth: No. I was just asking. Is she?

Ryan: I don't think so. She never said anything to me.

Seth: Wouldn't you know…I mean, did something break or did you forget to….

Ryan: We don't.

Seth: What!

Ryan: We don't.

Seth: Why?

Ryan: Why not?

Seth: I am so confused right now. Is Marissa on the pill?

Ryan: Whoa, that is so none of your business! That wasn't border crossing; that was border long jumping.

Seth: Just answer the question Ryan, because if you don't tell me, I'll just find out myself some other way.

Ryan: No.

Seth: She's not; why not?

Ryan: We decided we didn't want to….prevent anything from happening.

Seth: And you don't…wrap the tool?

Ryan: (He glares at Seth.) Seriously, Seth, how old are we?

Seth: Fine! You don't use a condom?

Ryan: Was that so hard?

Seth: I was just trying to be clever before.

Ryan: By what, recycling cheesy metaphors?

Seth: Just answer the question.

Ryan: No.

Seth: Why?

Ryan: We don't care if we get pregnant right now.

Seth: You don't?

Ryan: We're not planning on it, but if it happens, then we'll be happy. We just don't want to take the risk of putting it off and then never being able to.

Seth: So, you're just letting fate take over?

Ryan: Yeah.

Seth: And that doesn't make you nervous? I mean, you and Marissa aren't married, you're still in college.

Ryan: She has a job, and I'm going to be getting one again this summer, so we'll be able to put some money aside, and if it happens, we'll be fine. Besides, neither of us are what you call religious. The whole taboo that a child out of wedlock is wrong is something neither of us believes in, so the fact that we're not married isn't important.

Seth: What would Mom and Dad say?

Ryan: If it happens, I'd imagine congratulations or something along those lines.

Seth: Yeah, probably. (There is a moment of silence before Seth starts speaking again. When he opens him mouth, Ryan sighs heavily out of impatience with Seth's latest session of fifty questions.) So, how is it, I mean, not having to worry about anything, not having an restrictions?

Ryan: (He looks at Seth for a moment considering whether or not he wants to answer his question, but eventually he smiles before replying.) Awesome!

Seth: Really?

Ryan: Yeah and when you and Summer try in the future, you'll see. (Seth starts to lose his concentration as he daydreams, and all of a sudden Ryan yells out startling him out of his revelry.) Aw, killed you, like always! Rematch?

Seth: (It takes him a moment to focus on what Ryan has just said.) Sure. (Both guys smile and go back to playing the game. The camera leaves them and goes to Caitlyn who is riding with her Grandmother to the dance in the car. As the pull up to the sidewalk, they begin to talk.)

Jane: So, what time do I have to pick you up? What time is it over?

Caitlyn: Actually, I'm going to a party with some friends after the dance is over. That's what's the bag of clothes are for. (She lifts this off of her lap and holds it up.) Someone will bring me home when I want to go home.

Jane: Try not to stay out all night, and I know you're going to drink, your Father did, all teenagers do, just be sensible, okay?

Caitlyn: That I can do. (She opens the door to go but turns around one last time to speak to her grandmother.) Thanks, again, for everything.

Jane: It's my pleasure. I should have been doing this a lot sooner, but better late than never, right?

Caitlyn: (She smiles at her.) Yeah. (She begins to walk away, but Jane calls out for her.)

Jane: Oh Caitlyn? (Caitlyn walks back over to the car.) I'll keep my cell on just in case you need anything, so don't hesitate to call no matter how late it is, and would you just let me know when you get home so that I can quit worrying?

Caitlyn: Sure.

Jane: Have fun! (She drives off and Caitlyn continues walking up the stairs into Harbor, but when her Grandma is out of site, she turns right back around and walks out to the parking lot where she meets Trey. He approaches her and kisses her quickly before jumping into the car and waiting for her to get in. Once she does, they speak for a minute before pulling out.)

Trey: You're a little over dressed for what I had in mind for tonight.

Caitlyn: Well I couldn't very well go to a Valentine's Day dance in jean and a tank top now could I, well, at least, not if I didn't want my Grandma to get suspicious?

Trey: True.

Caitlyn: Well, do you like?

Trey: Very much, and, in fact, even though you're definitely over dressed, I think you should keep it on, let me enjoy it a little while longer. (She laughs.) You know this is the first time I've ever seen you in a dress. You should wear them more, they look good on you.

Caitlyn: Thank you. So, what do you have planned for us tonight?

Trey: Don't get excited; it's nothing fancy.

Caitlyn: If I wanted fancy, I would have drug you to that dance going on up there, but I don't want that. I just want us to hang out and have fun like normal; make this a very un-Valentine's Day like date.

Trey: Okay, so I thought we'd go to the pier, grab some dinner, maybe, if you're good, you can have ice cream afterwards, and then we'd just hang out, maybe hotwire a yacht, take it for a spin around the harbor, joyride.

Caitlyn: Yeah, I don't think so! Why don't we get something to eat like you said, I'll be good so that I can have my ice cream, and then go to this all night movie marathon at the theater.

Trey: What's playing?

Caitlyn: Oh, they're playing the classic date movies tonight, stuff like When Harry Met Sally. I love that movie! Marissa and I used to watch it at least once a month! It will be fun.

Trey: Yeah, I've never heard of that movie, and I bet none of them have even a speck of action, but you and me in dark theater; I'll take that any night. (Caitlyn laughs.) So, should we get going?

Caitlyn: Ready and waiting. (He starts the car up and they pull out of the parking lot as the scene ends.)

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