The last scene opens as the three well wishers are gathered up on the small stage assembled for this very event. Everyone else is at their tables, some eating, some talking, many drinking, and the family Kirsten, Seth, Summer, Ryan, and Marissa are all sitting together at the front table. Everyone seems to be content about what is going on except the guests of honor because they have no idea what is going on. As they sit there and wait, they scan the crowd looking for clues while Ryan, Marissa, and Kirsten all exchange knowing glances. The three men are standing up on the stage discussing secretively what they are about to say, so they are giving out no clues either. Finally, Seth has had enough and he starts talking.
Seth: Okay, enough of this! What the hell is going on, and what are those three stooges doing up there! Are they going to actually say something or are we going to have to sit here all night and watch them discuss their top level secrets in code. I mean, what's with the hand signals, really, how old are we?
Ryan: Uh, Seth.
Seth: What!
Ryan: (He snickers.) If there is anyone who cannot comment upon the secret hand motions and codes, it would be you. I don't know how many times I caught you and Summer signaling to each other like that.
Seth: That's different.
Ryan: How?
Seth: Because first of all, we don't do it in front of a yard full of people up on a stage, and secondly, when we do it, it's cool.
Marissa: It is?
Seth: Oh don't you start either! Not all of us can convey what we're thinking with just a look like you and Mr. Mute here! (Ryan glares at Seth while Marissa giggles.)
Marissa: Is someone jealous?
Seth: What…me….jealous, of you and Ryan, yeah right. (He speaks under his breath.) That's Summer's department. (Although Ryan and Marissa don't hear him, Summer does, and she pinches his leg extremely hard causing him to yell out in pain. The three men on stage hear him, laugh, and turn towards their audience.)
Sandy: Well with that, thank you Seth, (Seth fake laughs at his father and sends him a dirty look.) we'll begin. (The quiet conversations that had been going on stop and the yard is silent as they wait for Sandy to continue.) Everyone here knows why they are here except for two people, my son Seth and his fiancée Summer, and that is because this party is for them. Now, Seth here is going to be disappointed. You see we told him that this party was a secret, that there would be a big announcement tonight, and naturally, since he is very self-absorbed just like his grandfather here, (Everyone laughs, but Seth's face falls as he realizes he is not getting his boat. Sandy waits for the laughter to die down. Once it does, he continues.) he thought he was getting a new boat and tonight his Mother and I were going to announce the surprise. Well Seth, by now you realize that you were wrong. Instead of announcing that you're getting a new boat, we're here tonight to announce that you're getting a ball and chain. (Laughter again and Sandy waits for it to stop before continuing his speech.) Yes, that's right, tonight is your engagement party. (Summer, who is smiling widely, looks at Seth who has slumped down in his chair and has a depressed look on his face. She smacks his arm and he sits up straight and plasters a fake smile on his face. People around them notice and everyone starts to laugh again. Once again, Sandy waits for the mirth to stop.) Now, before we discuss the present or the future, which will be handled quite effectively by my fellow comrades up here, (He signals to Neil first and then to Caleb.) I will be the ghost of Summereth past and take you on a journey into their relationship. Seth's mother and I had noticed when he was a child that he seemed to have an affinity for the young Miss Roberts, but we never realized how deeply it ran. In fact, there was a point in his life when we thought he was gay. (The crowd laughs once again, and Seth unable to stand their amusement at his expense, decides it's time to put his own two cents in.)
Seth: (Yelling so everyone can hear him.) Oh, and thank you for that, Dad and Mom, you almost scared for life, but just in case anyone was wondering, I am 100 straight, right Summer.
Summer: (She plays along and decides to torture him.) What! Oh, yeah, I think so but there are moments…. (Sandy is now laughing as he realizes that his future daughter in law is torturing his son. The crowd just keeps laughing, but he decides to talk anyway, knowing that by this point they want to hear the story and will stop their glee when he starts speaking again.)
Sandy: We were so blind that we didn't even catch on when he named his boat after her, The Summer Breeze. Ryan, though, was a lot quicker than we were. He was in Newport less than 24 hours and had already figured out that Seth was in love with Summer. So that night there was some charity event that you people seem to have every weekend, which, of course, Ryan and I did not want to go to. What was it again, honey? (He speaks down to Kirsten who is sitting.)
Kirsten: A fashion show.
Sandy: Ah yes, a fashion show, which Ryan later told me was being organized by and starred Summer herself. Seth had convinced Ryan that they had to go, which in turn meant that I had to go, so off we went, but I was really curious to see what this Summer Roberts looked like now. The last time I had remembered seeing her, she was still in pigtails and bobby socks. It was easy to figure out, too, because as soon as Seth saw her, we had to practically wipe the drool off his face. I pointed to her asking if she was indeed the Summer, actions Ryan told me later were salting Seth's game. (Some people laugh at this, while others are a little confused by the reference. Seth is completely embarrassed. His face is red, and he will not meet the gaze of anyone. Summer is beaming and eagerly listening. Ryan and Kirsten are laughing out loud as they listen to the story, and Marissa who laughs occasionally is quieter because this is the first time she's hearing Seth and Summer's tale.) After the fashion show, Ryan and Seth went off to a party at the beach only to have Summer hit on Ryan. (Now it is Summer's turn to become embarrassed. Marissa looks at her with a questioning face, but Summer won't meet her gaze, because, like Seth, they are both looking at the ground. Ryan is laughing even harder now.) Seth threw a little hissy fit and went off on Ryan, thinking that he was flirting back, which Marissa, since I've heard this story many times, I can assure you, he wasn't. (Marissa now turns slightly pink herself, but she smiles and takes Ryan's hand in hers as he looks over and smiles back at her.) Seth then proceeded to announce to everyone that Ryan was from Chino, that he had stolen a car, and that he should go and steal another one and leave the party. The other guests did not take this news too well, and before Ryan and Seth knew what happening, Seth was in his first fight and Ryan was defending him.
Seth: Hey, I got in a few good punches, too! (Sandy laughs along with everyone else.)
Kirsten: Right. You do know that I took pictures of your face that morning, don't you?
Seth: What!
Kirsten: I thought your children someday would love to see them.
Seth: Where are they! I want them right now! Kirsten laughs and motions or Sandy to continue as she sits back in her seat. Seth goes back to pouting as Sandy continues his tale.) That night may have not gone as well as Seth had wanted, but, as he said himself, at least he was on her radar. It took them a while to get together, about six months in fact, but they slowly bonded as they became friends first, and then Summer realized her feelings for Seth right about the time he started dating someone else. (Summer turns pink and keeps her head down as the focus is now on her. The crowd, once again, begins to laugh.) Watching her try to break Seth and his girlfriend up was pretty funny, but don't let Seth fool you, it wasn't very hard for her to do either. I often wondered if Seth dated that girl just to make Summer jealous, but he will not admit anything either way. I just get silence when I bring the question up. They dated for a while until Seth met Summer's Dad. If any of you don't know my son, he's a rambler, gets very nervous in pressure situations, and does not do well with authority figures, especially those he finds intimidating. Let's just say that Neil here definitely intimidates my son. (Neil laughs at this.) The meal did not go so well, and all I know about it is that Seth did not shut up the entire time as he rambled about on about comic books, Chrismukkah, and vim and vigor….yeah, I was lost, too. After that disaster, they broke up only to get back together the next year after Seth bombed their comic book pitch because he didn't sleep all night and drank about a gallon of espresso before declaring his undying love for Summer in front of her boyfriend of the time, the co-creator of the comic, and the sales team they were presenting, too. Of course, Summer was extremely annoyed at first, but within two weeks of that fateful night, they were back together after a very Spiderman-esque kiss in the rain. I'll leave it at that. (At the mention of the kiss in the rain, both Seth and Summer look up and smile at each other before joining their hands together and leaving them rest of Seth's leg.) From that night on, through many issues, trust me, they've been together, and then on New Year's Eve, he proposed. Now, that's where I leave off and Neil takes over. (Everyone applauds for Sandy, who, because of the ham he is, takes a bow. Neil then takes the mic from Sandy's hand and begins to talk himself.)
Neil: Sandy was not exaggerating the fact that I did not like his son, and that I definitely did not want him dating my daughter, my only daughter and my only child. Summer and I, once they got back together, had clashed over him time and time again, and, to be truthful, it strained our relationship. In fact, just a little over a month ago, I literally had Seth pinned to the wall threatening him, and if Summer hadn't of intervened, Seth might have had to become my patient for a little reconstructive surgery.
Seth: Oh Doctor Roberts, I'd never let you near me with a scalpel. There's too much history there! (Everyone laughs including Neil before he continues speaking.)
Neil: It took my daughter giving me an ultimatum for me to finally give Seth a chance. She told me that I either accepted him as the man she loved and was going to marry, which, let me add, at the time was a surprise and a shock since no one had told me they were engaged, probably because they were too scared, or I would lose her. If you know Summer, you know that that was an easy decision to make; I couldn't live without my baby girl. (Summer becomes teary eyed, as does Neil, who takes a moment to compose himself. Seth takes Summer in his arms and comforts her as he gently gives her a hug and kisses the top of her head.) Once I gave Seth a chance, I learned that he wasn't that bad of a guy. Sure, he rambles, like Sandy said, a lot, in fact, he talks a lot in general, he's obsessed with comics and that holiday he created, Chrismukkah, he hates sports and, frankly, doesn't understand them at all, he talks to a plastic horse named Captain Oats, but I have to admit Summer talks to her own plastic pony, Princess Sparkle, and he has this weird fascination with pudding, but putting that all aside, the important thing is that he loves my daughter with every fiber there is in his being, and I recognize that now. We'll probably never be best friends, because, to be honest with you, the idea of having to spend a whole say having Seth/Neil time is the scariest thing I've ever contemplated in my life. I don't know how you do it Ryan.
Seth: Hey, Marissa is now a fan of the Seth/Marissa time. (Marissa laughs and shakes her head up and down.)
Marissa: It's true. We do have fun together, don't we Seth, hiding from Summer when she drags us along shopping….
Summer: Hey!
Marissa: me beating you at the Playstation, listening to music, talking about the people we love…it's not that bad. You never know Doctor Roberts, if you gave Seth/Neil time a chance, you might end up liking it. (Neil laughs.)
Neil: First of all, Marissa, please call me Neil, you're practically like a sister to Summer already, and secondly, that will never happen. (Neil looks at Seth's excited face when he says that, which falls when he negates the idea, and he laughs once again.) Sorry, Seth.
Seth: Oh, it's okay, but I'll convert you someday. No one can resist my charms! (Everyone now laughs loudly, obviously refuting this last statement.)
Neil: I highly doubt it Seth, but we'll see. (Seth sits back down, and even though everyone there is teasing him, he doesn't care, and there is a big smile on his face.) So now it's wedding plans, meeting with the wedding coordinator, and weekend get-togethers for the three of us. When they're home in Newport, we do lunch or spend a day together, and I take mini-trips to LA to spend time with them, and I have to admit that it has been nice finally getting to know Seth, and it's a joy to watch them together. They are just so much in love, even if they flirt by bickering. (Seth and Summer exchange glances with each other before joining in the laughter.) Well, that's it for me. I'm not as long winded as someone else we all know and love, (He gives Sandy a sideways glance and the crowd laughs right along with him.) so without further ado, let us welcome the ghost of Summereth future, Cal. (Caleb takes the mic away from Neil and begins his portion of the speech.)
Caleb: I don't know about the rest of you, but I find it ironic that these two picked the oldest one out of the three of us to be the ghost of the future. (Everyone laughs and Sandy yells out a response.)
Sandy: It's only wishful thinking Cal….hoping that in the future, you're the first one among us to become a ghost. (Everyone laughs including Caleb, surprisingly, who for once is getting along with Sandy voluntarily.)
Caleb: So anyway, I'm here to project into the future, predict what is to come for my favorite grandson and his amazing fiancée. Let's face it, Seth did not inherit the good looking genes I passed down to his Mother, and, instead, he took after Sanford back there. (Cal hooks his finger over his shoulder in Sandy's direction who just shrugs his shoulders and laughs along with everyone else.)
Seth: Thanks Gramps, way to boost the old ego!
Caleb: Because of this, I was pleasantly surprised that he was able to snag a girlfriend that was as beautiful as Summer and hold onto her long enough to get that ring on her finger.
Seth: Oh, I figured this one out. She confessed that she's marrying me for your cash! (Summer hits him over the top of the head.)
Summer: Cohen! (Laughter erupts again.)
Caleb: Well that definitely makes more sense than Summer wanting you for your good looks and charm, and don't worry Summer, Seth controls a large portion of my will. (Summer's face turns beat red, but Seth just pulls her in his arms and kisses her cheek.) But, listen to me; this has nothing to do with the future. Well, of course, I see a wedding in your future, the biggest wedding Newport has ever seen if Summer and I have anything to say about it, sorry Neil. (Neil laughs.)
Neil: Fine, fine, but only if you pay for the liquor tab. (Newport's residents, knowing their own weakness, laughs right along with the men.)
Caleb: After the wedding, I see you settling in Newport in a beautiful new home that I will bestow you with as your wedding present. Summer will continue working for her show, which will be a huge success, and Seth will be drawing comic books….
Seth: Graphic novels, Grandpa, not comic books.
Caleb: Fine, he'll be drawing graphic novels instead of running the Newport Group with his Mother like I had always hoped. Of course they'll have their little issues, but nothing that they won't be able to work through, and before they know it they'll have little Seths and Summers running around the mansion, driving them crazy, and making Seth as bald as I am. (Everyone is laughing except for Summer, who is now crying. Everyone just assumes that they are happy tears, except for Seth who knows that the thought of not having those little Seths and Summers is bothering her. He pulls her in closer to him, trying to comfort her.) I see only love and happiness for this amazing couple, not only because that's what they deserve, but because it is their destiny, and we all know that what Caleb Nichol says, Caleb Nichol gets. (Laughter again.) So, if everyone would raise their glasses, please, to Seth and Summer, congratulations on the engagement and best wishes for a perfect future! Cheers! (He raises his glass in the air to signify a toast while everyone else actually does so. Once they all take a drink, there is a loud round of applause.) Seth, Summer, join us, please. (Seth and Summer step up on stage and music begins. The song should be: Matt Pond PA's "Champagne Supernova".) A little bird told me that this song holds some significance you the two of you. (Seth and Summer smile as Caleb insists that they dance, so Seth pulls her gently into his arms and they dance in front of everyone. The guests start to stand up and pair off to dance or leave to go in search of more food or something else to drink. Marissa and Ryan take it as their opportunity to slip off unnoticed, but, unbeknownst to them, someone does see them leave. Trey, who watched them the entire time the speeches were being given, while Caitlyn listened attentively and enjoyed the speeches along with everyone else and assumed that that was what Trey was doing, now decides, as he sees them leave that he should go as well. He stands up and so does Caitlyn.)
Caitlyn: I never pictured you for the dancing type, but hey, if you want to dance some more, I'm game. It's not like there's much else for us to do. I think the entertainment portion of this evening has already been concluded and we've been left to our own devices to amuse ourselves. (She goes over and attempts to put her arms around him, but he grabs them and stops her by putting them back down to her sides. She gives him a puzzled look.)
Trey: Actually, I was thinking that I should probably be taking off. Besides having to be up early in the morning for work, I just don't feel too comfortable here, and if I get caught crashing the party, you're going to be in trouble, so….
Caitlyn: So you're leaving?
Trey: Yeah, I think so. Do you want a ride home?
Caitlyn: No, I'm fine. See you later, Trey. (She walks off a little annoyed that he was leaving so abruptly and not really believing his reasons. As soon as she turns her back he runs off in a hurry towards the entrance to the house so that he could leave. The camera watches him for a moment before going back to Caitlyn who has found her Dad. He is talking to Caleb when she approaches him.)
Caitlyn: Dad? (He turns around and faces her.)
Jimmy: Oh hey, Caity, enjoying yourself?
Caitlyn: No offense, Mr. Nichol because I know you're hosting this party, but not really, and I was hoping that you'd let me check out early.
Caleb: None taken. I can imagine this is not where a seventeen year old wants to spend her Saturday night. (Caitlyn smiles at him and then turns back to her father expectantly. Jimmy just stares at her for a moment confused.)
Jimmy: What? (She puts her hand out.)
Caitlyn: How do you think I'm going to get home; I'm not walking in this get up. I need cab fair. (Jimmy smiles, opens his wallet, and pulls out some money for her. She takes it.) Thanks. (As she walks away, she speaks over her shoulder.) Don't do anything I wouldn't do, Dad, and remember curfew. (Caleb and Jimmy laugh with her and she waves good bye before the camera leave her and scans the party giving an overview of what is happening. The scene fades but picks up immediately about 20 minutes later. The party is still going strong. Bush's "Glycerine" begins to play. As the camera zooms into the party, it focuses on Julie who has approached Caleb who was standing by himself from behind so that he wouldn't see her coming and run away. She puts her hand on his arm to get his attention. He turns around with a smile on his face, but it quickly falls when he sees who it is.)
Caleb: What do you want Julie?
Julie: We need to talk.
Caleb: Yes, we do, about a lot of things, but this is neither the time nor the place to do it.
Julie: I beg to differ. I think this is the perfect time and the perfect place to do it. Besides, maybe if you hadn't avoided me for the past two weeks…
Caleb: I was on a business trip.
Julie: You could have called.
Caleb: Listen I'm not going to get into this right now.
Julie: Fine then, don't talk, but I have something to say and you better be paying attention because I'm not saying it twice.
Caleb: What is it?
Julie: I'm pregnant, you're the father, and I've already scheduled the tests at the hospital to prove it to you, because it's obvious the way you've been treating me lately that you don't trust me. Once it's confirmed we can discuss what you want to do. (With that she walks away, leaving a stunned and speechless Caleb standing there watching her walk off. The camera leaves him and goes inside of the house into a dark bedroom. Summer is sitting in there alone crying, but a knock can be heard at the door. Without waiting for a response, Seth walks in. They can only see each other by the moonlight. Silently, he walks towards her and sits down beside her taking her in his arms, holding her tight and hugging her as he lets her cry into his shoulders. Neither of them says a word as he comforts her in her pain. After a few moments, the camera leaves the room and goes back to the party. Sandy and Kirsten are dancing, finally enjoying each other's company, but he gets a page, causing him to pull away from her.)
Kirsten: What's that Sandy, a pager? When did you get that, and more importantly, why the hell is it on during our son's engagement party?
Sandy: I'm sorry honey, but we have this big case going right now, and we just got a break. I have to run. Give Seth and Summer by best wishes and tell them I'm sorry I had to leave. (He leans in and kisses her cheek softly before practically sprinting away. She angrily watches him leave before walking off heatedly to find someone to talk to. The camera leaves her and goes to Caitlyn who has just gotten home and is now in her room. She sits down at her vanity and takes off the necklace that Trey gave her that night, holding it delicately in her hand and examining it closely as Kirsten's comments replay in her mind.)
Kirsten: It looks very familiar. I could have sworn I saw someone else wearing this before.
Kirsten: Yeah, it's just I thought Ma…,oh never mind. I'm probably just imagining things.
Kirsten: I see. I know someone, actually I know a couple, whose relationship is symbolized by the rose, which just happens to be her favorite flower. Everyday he gets her a new rose to remind her just how much he values her and how much he cherishes their commitment to each other.
Kirsten: I was just curious if the rose held special meaning to you, too? Is it your favorite flower as well?
Caitlyn: It can't be…can it? I mean,….how? Marissa's favorite flower is the rose. Was Kirsten talking about her? I could have sworn she almost said her name. But, what does that have to do with…..Trey? (She keeps the necklace in her hand but lowers her head so that it is also resting in her hands and slumps over confused, exasperated, and lost as to what is happening. The camera leaves her and goes to the poolhouse. Ryan and Marissa are there and once again at the point where Summer interrupted them earlier that afternoon before they had to get ready to go. He is only in his boxers, Marissa only in her boyshorts, wrapped in each others arms and about to make move love. Ryan, without breaking the kiss they are engaged in, reaches into the nightstand and pulls out a condom, shutting the drawer as the camera begins to pull back and fade out just as the music ends.)
End of Episode #10