The fourth scene picks up right where it let off. Zach is still standing awkwardly behind the chair he is intending to sit in with Summer standing by his side. Seth is laughing the entire time, Branning has just buried his head in embarrassment, and Marissa is grasping for straws to try and save the strange situation although she is clueless as to why there is so much tension in the room. Ever the gracious hostess, she stands up and walks towards Zach to greet him, nudging Ryan in the shoulder softly to get him to follow her.
Marissa: (She casually gives Zach a hug.) Hi Zach, welcome. I'm heard so much about you.
Zach: You have?
Marissa: Oh yes. At the time I wasn't quite sure why Seth was so adamant that we discuss you, but now I understand. Normally, I just assume that Seth/Marissa time will be strange but when he started going on and on about a perfect stranger, I was definitely confused. (Zach laughs.)
Zach: You have Seth/Marissa time? But I thought you were dating Ryan? (Marissa looks at Ryan with a 'is he always this big of an idiot look' to which Ryan just smiles and laughs back at her without responding.)
Marissa: I am. Seth's like the little, annoying brother that I never had.
Seth: Hey, we're the same age.
Marissa: Yeah, technically, but you definitely don't act twenty-one. (Everyone laughs but Seth.)
Seth: Yeah, well, well….at least I'm not from Amish country!
Zach: You're Amish? (He looks at Marissa with a baffled expression on his face. Knowing that Marissa is becoming exasperated with his naïveté, Ryan steps in.)
Ryan: It's good to see you Zach. (He shakes his hand hello.) Why don't you let me take your coat for you? (Zach takes it off and hands it to Ryan who has it grabbed out of his hands almost immediately by Marissa who zips off quickly to their room to put it in there. Ryan smiles after her as she leaves.) Sit, please. (Zach sits down and so does Ryan. Summer smiles at everyone and then makes her way to her chair and sits as well. Everyone just looks at each other for a few moments in silence while Seth bobs his head up and down in anticipation. By the time Marissa returns, they still have not spoken. She sits down in her seat and takes Ryan's hand under the table and squeezes it for comfort as they share a reassuring glance with each other.)
Marissa: So, what did I miss? (Everyone, once again, looks around the table self-consciously as they have yet to talk to each other. Feeling frustrated, she sighs deeply before delving in and trying to create conversation.) So, Zach, how long are you staying in LA?
Zach: Just until Sunday, I have classes next week. (There is a slight pause as no one speaks, so Marissa does while glaring at everyone around the table, but no one will meet her gaze except Ryan.)
Marissa: Classes? When are your finals?
Zach: The week after.
Ryan: So how have you been? Still comic obsessed like Seth. Speaking of which, did he tell you that he's (Seth starts shaking his head violently no but Ryan ignores him figuring this could be payback for the awkward meal.) working on Atomic County again?
Zach: Really? Cohen, we made a pact that if either of us ever got inspired to create another character, we'd do it together.
Seth: Uh, it's just speculation at this point, nothing definite. Don't even have a fourth character yet. (Zach looks at him trying to determine whether or not he's telling the truth and after a few seconds decides to believe him. He turns back to Marissa.)
Zach: So, you're Amish?
Ryan: No, she's not Amish. She's from the east and there was an Amish community local to her hometown. (Marissa is really starting to get annoyed which he notices.) Why don't we eat?
Marissa: Yes, lets! Please, everyone, help yourselves. (It does not take second notice for Seth to start piling the food onto his plate, and he starts eating voraciously as soon as it is full. Branning fills his plate next, then Zach, then Summer, then Ryan and Marissa get theirs together, helping each other.)
Zach: (He speaks with food in his mouth, pointing with his fork to Ryan and Marissa.) So, how did you two meet?
Seth: (He laughs.) You'd never believe it, but Ryan here picked her up at the beach like a total random! (Marissa's face turns beat red and Ryan glares at Seth while dropping his fork onto his plate in anger, making a menacing clatter. Seth sees his reaction, and immediately stops talking.)
Ryan: Do not listen to Seth. It was nothing like that! (Ryan tears his angered gaze from Seth and turns to Marissa who is staring at her hands in anger, annoyance, and embarrassment. He leans over and kisses her cheek softly while, unnoticed by everyone else but her, he rubs up and down her thigh to comfort her. After a moment she looks up at him at they stare into each others eyes while he talks.) We just connected, like we'd known each other our whole lives. It was perfect.
Seth: See Zach, Ryan is now whipped, too. (Summer, Zach, and Branning all laugh, but Ryan and Marissa just ignore them lost in their own little world if only for a moment.)
Branning: Speaking of whipped, Seth, I've heard the story about how they met a few times now, and no offense to you Zach, but I don't need to hear its disgusting sweetness again, but I am rather curious as to how long it took Miss Marissa to jump Ryan. I'm sure, just by looking at him, that she wouldn't have been able to resist too long. (This snaps Ryan out of his day dream with Marissa and his eyes go to Branning with a questioning, slightly paranoid look in them. Summer and Seth laugh, knowing that if Ryan and Marissa won't share, they will, and Marissa just glares at Branning.)
Marissa: Look at our manners, going on about ourselves….
Seth: Oh we don't mind, we love telling embarrassing things about you two, don't we Summer?
Summer: (She refuses to meet Marissa or Ryan's eyes, but looks at Zach instead.) It has to be one of my ultimate favorite things to do.
Marissa: Anyway, like I was saying, we're being rude. Branning has not been properly introduced. Zach, Branning works with Summer and I at the studio.
Zach: Oh, I know, Summer told me.
Branning: She did?
Zach: Yeah, she gave me the basics on you and Marissa, but she didn't tell me you were a guy.
Branning: (Turning to Summer.) She didn't!
Zach: No, and the way she talked about you, I just assumed that you were a girl.
Seth: Go figure! (He laughs at his own joke, drawing glares from Summer.)
Zach: Yeah, sorry about that man. (He slaps him roughly on the back causing Branning to choke. He quickly grabs a glass of water and washing his food down.)
Branning: No offense taken, just please, never do that again! (Zach laughs and shrugs off what he's said.)
Zach: Sure.
Summer: So, Zach, are you seeing anyone?
Zach: Nah, not really. I mean, my family is always trying to set me up with some new politician's daughter or some rich heiress, but I'm just not interested.
Summer: In girls…in the girls….that they're setting you up with?
Zach: (He doesn't even catch on.) Exactly. I don't know, there's just not my type. I want someone who's a little more…real.
Seth: Oh, it's about to get real in here, you have no idea! (Zach looks at him confused, Branning buries his head in his plate, Ryan and Marissa just ignore the conversation, and Summer kicks Seth from under the table.) OW! I think you just split my shin bone in half, woman!
Summer: What did I tell you about calling me woman! (She kicks his other leg this time, causing Seth to drop his fork and reach down in pain to his legs.)
Zach: Yep, nothing's really changed around here at all.
Ryan: Well, they haven't changed at all, and they probably never will, but my life's definitely improved.
Zach You do seem a little friendlier.
Branning: Only with Marissa, unfortunately. (Zach looks at Branning strangely, but still has not caught on. Again, his comment elicit giggles from Seth and Summer and a glare from Marissa, but this time, Ryan just looks away and shakes his head laughing to himself. Seth notices this.)
Seth: So you've finally realized how big of an ass you made out of yourself with that whole jealous Neanderthal routine you pulled a while back? (Ryan begins to glare at him.)
Ryan: You could have told me!
Seth: Hey, hey, don't look at me man, I didn't find out until a few weeks later, but let me tell you, I had a good laugh at your expense! (Ryan begins to fist his hands together, but Marissa reaches out to him and puts a reassuring hand on his thigh, returning the favor he had done for her earlier.)
Zach: I want to hear this story! (Marissa goes to say something, to refute the story idea, but Summer cuts her off.)
Summer: Oh no, not tonight Zach. We should save that for another night, one where Chino isn't so riled up down there with his tail feathers all in a knot. (Marissa shoots Summer a grateful look unaware that Summer helped them out for purely selfish reasons, but Summer ignores her causing Marissa to look away with a sad look in her eye and Ryan to become annoyed with Summer.)
Marissa: (Not meeting anyone's eye, she stands up and walks away quickly.) If you all will excuse me, I need to check the dessert in the kitchen, make sure that the frosting is setting properly. (Seth stands up to go with her.)
Seth: And I am her official taste tester, so if you will excuse…
Ryan: Seth, sit down now. You've helped enough this evening, thanks. I'll go and help her. (He hurries after her and goes into the kitchen. The four remaining friends stare at each other for a moment and then silently all go back to eating, not knowing what to say now. The camera fades away from them and goes to the Cohens were Kirsten and Zoe are washing the dishes together, laughing and talking jovially when the doorbell interrupts them. Kirsten turns the water off, picks her daughter up off the chair she was sitting on, and they walk to the door together to greet Caleb.)
Kirsten: Dad, I wasn't expecting you. (He holds his arms out for Zoe who reaches for him so Kirsten lets her daughter pass into her father's arms.) I think you've been here more in the past two weeks than you were the first five years we lived here. (He walks in without saying anything while hugging Zoe and then moves and puts her down on the stairs and talks to her.)
Caleb: Why don't you run on upstairs for Grandpa, so that he can speak to Mommy and Daddy?
Zoe: Daddy's not here. He had a meeting.
Caleb: He'll be here in a few minutes. I talked to him.
Zoe: (She shrugs her shoulders.) Fine, but just know that I'm stealth. (She turns around and walks up the stairs only to be stopped abruptly by her Mom's stern voice.)
Kirsten: Zoe stop right there! If I catch you spying on us, you will be grounded until your birthday and there will be no party! (Zoe's mouth falls open in shock as she stares as her Mom for a moment before she stomps up the stairs complaining the whole way. Once she is gone, Caleb and Kirsten resume talking.)
Caleb: You would have never stuck to that grounding and we both know it.
Kirsten: Yeah, but she doesn't, so what does it matter. I'm more interested in why you're here, and why you and Sandy have been talking. Have I entered into an alternative universe where you two actually get along?
Caleb: I think it is a temporary amnesty so that we can get to the bottom of this Julie situation and rid our lives of her.
Kirsten: What exactly is going on? I know that you were having her investigated, but I'm starting to get worried. You're actually being nice, which means you probably need Sandy's help, which means this is serious. (At that exact moment, Sandy walks in the door.)
Sandy: It is serious, so serious in fact that he even gave me a compliment last week. (Kirsten turns and looks at Caleb with a pleased look on her face.)
Caleb: Look, can we just get this over with. Once this is all out in the open then I can relax as much as possible and go and play with my granddaughter. (Sandy's head whirls around to look at Caleb when he says this.)
Sandy: You what?
Caleb: I had fun with her last week, and what better way to take my mind off my own issues than with playing with Zoe?
Kirsten: (She gives Sandy the look telling him to just shut up and go along with it.) I think she'd love it Dad. Now, let's talk. I have some coffee in the kitchen.
Caleb: God no, I'm nervous and wound up enough; I don't need caffeine to add to it!
Sandy: No thank you honey. Why don't we just sit in here? (He leads her over to one couch and sits there with her as Caleb sits in the one opposite of them.) Why don't you begin Cal?
Caleb: Kiki, before I say anything, can you promise me that you'll just listen to everything I have to say before you say anything?
Kirsten: I'm not liking the sound of this. (He gives her a pleading look.) Fine.
Caleb: Same goes for you, too, Sanford. (Sandy just laughs.)
Sandy: Oh you know how I am, if the comedic bone starts to itch, I have to say something. Besides, I'm sure we'll need a tension break every now and again anyway, but I'll see what I can do. (Caleb glares at him causing Sandy to laugh quietly once more before Caleb begins to speak.)
Caleb: So, the night of the party, do you remember how Julie was acting strange, saying she was sick?
Kirsten: Yeah.
Caleb: Well, it turns out that she also decided that night to drop the baby bombshell on me; she said that she was pregnant. (Kirsten's eyes fly open and a look of horror, disgust, and anger spreads over her face.)
Sandy: I guess the junior investor was at a business conference the day they had sex ed in high school and missed the tutorial on how to wrap his tool. (Kirsten's glare moves from her father to Sandy and he just laughs. Caleb gives him an equally nasty look.) What honey, Seth told me that one.
Kirsten: That's great Sandy, getting condom euphemisms from your son! What's next, are you two going to teach them to Zoe?
Sandy: That would be an interesting entertainment idea for her party. Imagine the Newpsies' horror when their pampered little princesses came home shouting about protection.
Caleb: (Speaking to Kirsten.) He's joking isn't he?
Kirsten: He better be, because if he's not I'll get Ryan after him, and I know he will not appreciate anyone, even if it is Sandy, threatening to teach Zoe about sex. He's already sworn that she won't date until she's at least 25.
Caleb: Maybe he's not as bad as I thought he was? (Both Sandy and Kirsten turn their head towards him slowly out of shock, mouths agape, and speechless.) What?
Kirsten: Do you even realize what you just said or was that just the fear speaking?
Caleb: What, you were the one who blackmailed me into being nice to him, not that you really lived up to your end of the bargain. You didn't get a single piece of information out of Julie.
Kirsten: She never told me anything.
Sandy: Wait, we're digressing from the point here. Cal here just said that Ryan may not be as bad as he thought. In Cal speak, that's practically an invite to join the will. (Kirsten smiles despite herself as both she and Sandy continue to drill Caleb with their eyes waiting for him to respond.)
Caleb: Can we please just get back on track. (Without waiting for an answer, he continues to talk.) So, Julie told me she was pregnant at the engagement party. Last Wednesday we went to the hospital for a paternity test and the results showed that I am the father, but I don't buy it.
Sandy: Well, you actually kind of did. You practically bought Julie's services, so that technically means you bought the kid as well.
Kirsten: Sandy! Just let him talk, please.
Caleb: Thank you, Kiki. (Sandy continues to snicker at his own little joke as Kirsten glares at him.) I don't really think she's pregnant though. I mean, think about it, she's almost forty years old, you'd think she'd have learned how to prevent something like this from happening, and besides that, the nurse who ran the test has skipped town and used an alias when speaking with me. Jimmy's trying to track her down. It turns out that the nurse once had a drug problem before she went to rehab, but she still owed her dealer, who was also friends with Julie's ex, Lance Baldwin who's been working with her on this, and they probably used this against her to bribe her into fixing the results. (After a moment of silence, Kirsten speaks.)
Kirsten: So what happens next, I mean, what are you going to do when Jimmy finds this nurse…if he does?
Caleb: He will find her, he has to, my sanity and bank account depend upon it. The goal is to help get the nurse a deal so that she will turn evidence against Lance and Julie and then we can send them away.
Kirsten: And you really don't think she's pregnant?
Caleb: (His voice is firm.) NO!
Sandy: I have to say honey that I don't think she's pregnant either. There are just too many coincidences for this to be a simple shotgun wedding situation, and speaking of shotgun weddings, Cal, aren't you forgetting a very important part?
Kirsten: Do not tell me you ran off and married the slut?
Caleb: Oh, God no, but I am going to make her think that I've given in and that I will marry her. That's why I'm going to propose, with a fake ring mind you, Sunday night at the restaurant you will be eating at when we stop in to tell you the good news.
Kirsten: Wait, what about the kids?
Sandy: We're going to call and warn them tonight, and Zoe's too young to really understand. She might be slightly confused, but she'll forget about it quick enough. But the key will be to pull this off without her thinking that the proposal is a trick, because if she buys it, we're hoping she feels a little comfortable with her position in life and she'll drop her guard and we'll be able to nab her.
Kirsten: And what about this Lance character?
Caleb: I deposited a hundred thousand dollars in an account for her earlier this week supposedly for baby expenses, but we're hoping she uses it to pay him off so he'll quit sniffing around, too. He's taken after following Jimmy and the PI's around now.
Kirsten: I can't believe that you've gotten yourself into this mess! As if one paternity scandal wasn't bad enough, we now have to contend with Julie Cooper, too. (She gets up and walks out of the room yelling over her shoulder.) Come on Sandy, let's go call the kids. Dad just go up and play with Zoe like you said you were going to. (With that she leaves the room and does not say anything else.)
Caleb: Well, she handled it better than I thought she would.
Sandy: You know what Cal, that's always been your problem when it comes to your daughter, you never have faith in her strength, her intelligence, her opinions, and maybe if you did, you'd be closer to not only her but your entire family. (He walks off as well leaving Caleb to think about what he said as he climbed the stairs to go play with his Granddaughter. The camera leaves the Cohens and goes back to the apartment. Seth is still eating while everyone else is sitting around lazily in small intimate conversations. Summer is talking to Zach about Branning across the table while Branning talks to Seth about whatever Seth wants just eager to avoid Summer's match making disaster skills. The lull is interrupted by the phone ringing. Ryan stands up and goes into his and Marissa's room to answer it. As soon as the ringing stops, the conversations pick back up again, but he motions for Marissa to grab an extension and join him in their room. She gets the phone from the living room, goes into their bedroom and sits down on the bed with him after she closes the door. As they talk to Sandy and Kirsten the scene flows back and forth between the two couples. Sandy and Kirsten are on a speaker phone in their room. Whoever is talking is shown along with their partner.)
Sandy: Hey Marissa, sorry about dragging you away from your dinner party….
Marissa: Oh please, at this point even bad news is worth getting away from that table. I am never letting Seth and Summer invite a surprise guest again.
Kirsten: What, who did they invite?
Ryan: Zach, and let's just say that somewhere between dating him herself and now, Summer must have determined that Zach was gay, because she's been trying to set him up all evening with Branning, whom I didn't know was gay until tonight, and it has not been pretty. (Sandy laughs in the background.)
Marissa: Not to mention the fact that Zach is not the brightest bulb in the room. He is just such a….
Sandy: Golden retriever?
Marissa: Yes, how did you know? (Ryan laughs along with Sandy.)
Sandy: Let's just say that's how Ryan and I referred to another of Summer's friends, Luke, and Zach is the same way. I think it's all the chlorine from being in the pool so much for water polo. (All four laugh.)
Ryan: Yeah, well, they should be going home soon, I hope, but if Summer and Seth make plans with either of them tomorrow, Marissa and I are definitely not joining them.
Kirsten: You're always welcome to escape to Newport. I know we're coming down on Sunday, but you two could stay in the poolhouse and we promise we'll keep Zoe away so that you can get some work done on your finals.
Marissa: Thanks Kirsten, but I think we should just stay here. No matter what, something always seems to happen in Newport that makes peace and quiet impossible.
Sandy: Tell me about it, and speaking of Newport drama, that's why we're calling.
Ryan: This can't be good.
Sandy: It's not, and I'll make this as brief and as painless as I can. On Sunday when we're having dinner, we're going to have two surprise guests who are just going to happen to show up to give us their news, which I will get to in a minute, and even though we all know about it, we're going to have to pretend to be surprised.
Marissa: Who is it?
Sandy: Julie, your Mother, and Caleb.
Ryan: (While laughing.) Let me guess, she's pregnant with their love child and they're coming to announce it and while there he's going to propose. (Sandy and Kirsten are completely silent on their end, but Marissa joins in on Ryan's laughter.)
Marissa: Oh, yeah, that's totally it, Ryan, nice try!
Sandy: (His tone is extremely serious.) Did Cal call you? I mean, I thought the deal was that he told Kirsten and then I'd tell you kids, but obviously the man is facing this head on just like a business deal.
Marissa: Oh my god.
Ryan: I was just joking Sandy, but….
Kirsten: Wait, calm down. Listen to me. This is going to happen, but my Dad does not think that she's pregnant; he thinks it's a scam she's pulling to get money out of him. (Marissa's voice is calm again.)
Marissa: Sounds like typical Julie Cooper.
Ryan: And why does this all have to happen at our family dinner? Why does Marissa have to see her?
Sandy: We're trying to lull Julie into false sense of security so she lets her guard down, gets rid of her former and current partner, Lance, he's a shady one for you, and give us access to nail her. I hope you don't mind Marissa, but we're going to try to put your Mom in prison.
Marissa: Good, and anything I can do to help, just let me know.
Sandy: I was hoping you'd say that. We'll talk more on Sunday, but I have a little rendezvous planned for you and me at the hospital.
Ryan: Uh, Sandy, I don't know about this.
Sandy: Don't worry Ryan, she's not doing anything that's unsafe or dangerous or that could get her in trouble. I wouldn't do that to her, and if it would make you feel better, you can come up with us and serve as back up.
Marissa: (Laughing.) Ah, the buddy cop system, works every time. (Ryan mock glares at her which makes her laugh even more. Her laughter makes Sandy and Kirsten laugh softly, too.)
Sandy: Well there's more we could tell you, but at this point, it really doesn't even seem worthwhile. We'll talk more on Sunday when we're all together. Would you two mind telling Seth and Summer for us?
Ryan: (Ryan and Marissa exchange glances before he answers.) We'll tell Seth and then he can tell Summer.
Kirsten: She's still not speaking to you guys?
Ryan: No, she's talking to me, but she won't talk to Marissa, and frankly I'm sick of it, so I've been avoiding her. She promised me she would talk to her soon and that was Wednesday and still no conversation.
Marissa: It's okay, I understand, I just hope that….
Kirsten: We know, sweetie, we know. There's no need to get into this tonight and ruin your evening. We'll see you both on Sunday, and we can't wait for that tour Marissa. It's all Sandy can talk about. (She elbows him softly.)
Sandy: Definitely will be the highlight of my week!
Ryan: She might surprise you Sandy; Marissa makes one dmn cute tour guide. (Marissa smiles at him and pecks him softly on the lips while he laughs along with Sandy and Kirsten.)
Sandy: Goodnight you two. (He hangs up the phone and turns to Kirsten.) That went better than I thought.
Kirsten: Marissa's a strong woman. If anything, this news was not going to break her but make her angry. I can't wait to see the reaction she puts on for us Sunday night. She may be a writer for television, but I guarantee you she has some acting chops, too. (Sandy smiles at his wife and puts his arm around her waist as they walk out of their room.)
Sandy: Let's go and make sure our daughter has not been turned into a white collared criminal during your father's brief nanny duties. (She laughs as they leave the room and the camera goes back to Ryan and Marissa.)
Marissa: So I guess we should go and get Seth.
Ryan: You stay here, I'll go and bring him in. (Ryan gets up and kisses her as he walks by and goes out the door. The camera follows him. The four remaining friends are still sitting at the table. Ryan goes up to Seth and taps his shoulder to get his attention. Seth whirls around frightened by the action.)
Seth: What the hell man, I thought you were a tarantula coming to bite my neck and paralyze me from the waist down, killing me unless someone would suck the poison out of my neck for me! (Ryan rolls his eyes before he turns around and heads back towards his room, talking to Seth with his back turned to him.)
Ryan: Come on, Marissa and I need to talk to you about something important. It will only take a few minutes as long as you don't completely over-react and flip out.
Seth: (He stands up in his chair and follows Ryan.) Yeah, except we all know I flip out over the slightest bit of news, so this could take a while.
Ryan: It's not going to. (They are now away from the three remaining people at the table so they cannot hear them.) You're going to rejoin this bizarre party your fiancé set up so that Marissa and I can escape. There is no way I'm rejoining this mess. We're tired, we have a lot of work to do tomorrow on our finals, and it is just downright awkward out here. (He opens the door and motions for Seth to walk in first.) Come on, let's get this over with. (Seth walks in and Ryan follows, shutting the door behind him. The camera leaves and goes to the pier where it is dark and deserted. Julie is sitting on a bench wearing a long, black trench coat and sunglasses while she waits for someone to arrive. After a moment, he spots Lance walking towards her completely at ease. He sits by her and laughs before he speaks.)
Lance: Jules, what are you up to? They're not following us anymore; you don't need to go all incognito.
Julie: There's nothing wrong with taking precautions.
Lance: I bet Cal was wishing he had in his sex life right about now!
Julie: I'm not in the mood Lance. Let's just get this over with. (She reaches in her coat and pulls out an envelope that is obviously full of money.) There's one hundred thousand dollars in there for you, an adequate compensation for your role in this masquerade.
Lance: That's it?
Julie: How much did you want?
Lance: At this point, this was no longer about the money and you know that Jules.
Julie: Look, right now, I can't risk that. Maybe, after the wedding…
Lance: Did he propose?
Julie: Not yet, but we're announcing the pregnancy to his family Sunday so I imagine a wedding is the next step. I've made it quite clear that I don't want this child…
Lance: This fictional child.
Julie: Whatever, he doesn't know that. Anyway, I basically told him that I don't want it born out of wedlock and that he better step up and do the right thing by me. I wouldn't be surprised if the ring isn't on my finger by the end of the dinner Sunday.
Lance: You're going to a family dinner?
Julie: More like crashing it with the good news.
Lance: And you daughter will be there?
Julie: Who, Marissa, I suppose, but she's really not my daughter. Why, what will that matter?
Lance: Won't she be suspicious? I mean you may not be close, but she knows you pretty well after living with you for 21 years.
Julie: Don't you worry, I know how to handle Marissa. She won't be a problem, and I bet she's so consumed with her own life right now that she won't have time to think about me.
Lance: So this is it then, after everything we've been through together, you're just going to hand me an envelope with some money in it and completely disappear from my life again?
Julie: I'd hardly call one hundred thousand dollars some money, but as for the rest, yes, I am, for now, but once I'm married, once I've conveniently suffered a miscarriage, then maybe I'll look you up and we'll have a little fun. It's not like I'm going to stay monogamous in this marriage, especially since I didn't in the last one. Caleb is just my bank account, but you can be my booty call.
Lance: (He laughs.) Anytime, Jules, anytime, and if you get lonely before all this goes down, you know how to reach me. (He stands up and takes his envelope with him, lightly tapping her on the shoulder with it.) It's been fun while it lasted. (She stands up and they embrace, sharing a brief yet emotion filled kiss before he smirks, pinches her cheek lightly, and walks away, laughing to himself the entire time. Her smile disappears as she watches him leave her, but she puts her glasses back on and walks off in the opposite direction. The camera leaves them and goes back to Ryan and Marissa's room. Seth is sitting in the chair in front of Ryan's drafting board while Ryan and Marissa sit beside each other on the edge of their bed.)
Seth: So you're telling me that not only is my Grandfather planning on proposing to Marissa's Mom, but she told him she was knocked up to trap him, but he thinks she's faking he whole thing?
Marissa: (They look at each other and shrug their shoulders before she replies.) Yeah, pretty much. (Seth starts laughing hysterically.)
Ryan: Seth, shut the hell up! Do you want the three of them out there to come in here right now asking questions, because personally, I don't?
Seth: (He calms himself down, but there is still a wide smirk on his face.) This is just amazing!
Marissa: No, it's disgusting.
Seth: That, too, but still imagine if she was not lying, my aunt or uncle would be Marissa's sister or brother, and speaking of aunt, if this marriage goes through, Marissa will be our step-aunt, Ryan, you'll be dating family. (Ryan glares at him as Marissa's eyes grow wide in slight embarrassment and horror.)
Ryan: (His voice is firm and strong.) Caleb will never let that happen, and even if Julie somehow gets away with this, I don't care how Marissa is related to me, nothing's is going to change and you're not going to constantly make snide comments either, and if you do,…
Seth: I know, I know, you'll send Summer after me and if she doesn't do the job, you'll finish me off. Can't I at least be allowed a few rude remarks every so often?
Ryan: No!
Seth: Well, suddenly this room has become even stuffier and uncomfortable than the last one, (He stands up and walks towards the door talking the whole time.) so if you'll excuse me, I'm going out to the torture chamber. Don't worry, I'll tell Summer later after Zach and Branning have left, but if she's in a bad mood, I'm waiting till morning. (He opens the door and leaves, shutting it behind him. Ryan scoots back so that he is leaning against the head board of the bed, legs outstretched before him. Marissa scoots up to him and lays down on top of him, resting her head on his chest and placing her right hand over his heart and her left one cupped under his shoulder holding onto him. His arms go around her slim waist and he holds her closely to him. Before he speaks, he kisses her hair softly.)
Ryan: Are you okay with all this? It's just you and me now, so you can tell me what you're thinking, what you're feeling.
Marissa: I really don't know what to think. For some reason I feel like there is something in the back of mind, some little piece of information that I know about that would change this whole situation, but I can't think of it. I think I'm still in shock.
Ryan: It doesn't matter now. You just need to relax and forget about Julie and Caleb for a little while, and if it comes to you, great, and if not, that's okay, too. What about seeing her Sunday, are you okay with that?
Marissa: I'll be fine. I don't want to see her, of course, I hate her, but I'm a big girl, I can do it, and I promise this time, no fainting and no over-reacting.
Ryan: I was personally kind of hoping for the faint. (She looks up at him with a slight smile on her face and questioning look in her eyes.) Don't get me wrong, when that happened that night I was scared shtless, but looking back on it now, I enjoyed holding you in my arms like that, I'd love to reenact it. Besides, your over-reacting led to an incredible morning. (She scoots up his body a little more and kisses him softly.)
Marissa: You don't need me to over-react now to get that response out of me. All you have to do is look at me, touch me, enter my thoughts, and I want you. (He quirks his eyebrows up at her.)
Ryan: Really? (She kisses him again, but this time the kiss is deeper and longer. When she pulls away, they are both slightly breathless.)
Marissa: Do not play innocent with me! You know exactly what kind of power you hold over me.
Ryan: Yeah, but your power over me is even stronger.
Marissa: Good. (She kisses him again, but this time it is a chaste kiss like before and afterwards she settles down on his chest again and they resume their previous body positions.) That's the way it should be. (He laughs.)
Ryan: Do you want to go to bed….I mean sleep?
Marissa: (She laughs.) No, not yet, and when we do, I don't want to sleep. I want to hold you as close to me as possible, but for now I just want to stay like this for a little while longer.
Ryan: (He lets his hand caress her face softly while he talks.) We can stay like this forever if that's what you want. (She smiles while still laying down on his chest and he leans over and kisses her hair once more before pulling back and resting with his eyes close. The camera leaves them and goes to the living room where Seth is sitting bored stiff watching the clock, Summer is still talking to Zach about Branning, and Branning is just itching to escape.)
Summer: Did I tell you that Branning here loves to travel. In fact, it has always been his goal to go on an extended trip to Italy. You should really talk to him about your trip there and when you come back for your next visit bring your pictures. (Her voice becomes very excited, and Zach's face shows that he is confused to her apparent enthusiasm over him spending time with her friend.) Or, better yet, Branning could come with us when we come up to visit you and you could show them to him then.
Branning: No! I mean it's nice of you to think about me, Summer, but I couldn't impose.
Zach: It would be no problem, really, the more the merrier.
Branning: Thanks, but I can't. Busy boy, busy schedule. (Branning looks to Seth for help who shows him to yawn. Branning does, but Summer doesn't see him, or, if she did, she ignores him.)
Summer: I guess you'll just have to bring them down here next time you come. Speaking of which, we should all totally hang out this summer when you're home, too. Branning could come up from the city and stay at the Cohens in the guest room, and if you were ever over and got tired as well, I'm sure you guys could share the room. (At this point, Branning is about to snap, so Seth steps in.)
Seth: Summer, I think it's time we call it a night. Branning is exhausted. He's yawning over here. Why don't you show him out and I'll talk to Zach while you're gone. (Summer glares at him, but he glares back, and Branning stands up and starts walking towards the door without waiting for her. She finally concedes and follows him out. When they reach the door, he turns to speak with her.)
Branning: Summer, thank you for caring about me and wanting to see me happy, but Zach is not gay.
Summer: Are you sure?
Branning: Oh yeah. He may be a little effeminate, but he's not gay. I would know, and even if he was, he's not my type. He's a little too innocent and naïve for me. (Summer laughs.)
Summer: I can appreciate that. When we were dating he told me that he was saving himself for marriage. Don't get me wrong, he's a sweet guy, but what seventeen year old boy says that? (Branning laughs.)
Branning: Well, if I had been dating you, I may have used that line for completely different reasons. I guess now I can see how you may have thought he was my type. (When he says my type he raises his eye brows to show her that he meant gay and not the type of guy he goes for. She laughs one more time, kisses his cheek, and then opens the door and pushes him out playfully.)
Summer: I'll call you tomorrow and maybe we could all hang out again, but this time I won't try my matchmaking skills out on you, but that does not mean I'm giving up on finding you a boyfriend.
Branning: (He laughs and walks off waving behind him as he walks away.) We'll discuss this tomorrow! (She laughs at him and shuts the door and walks back into the living room as the camera fades out and the scene ends.)
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