Stealing the Spotlight
It was a beautiful, October day in Southern California, the weather perfect for an outdoor wedding. The sun was shining, there was not a cloud in the sky, and the temperature was just right so that no one would be too hot or too cold…..well at least it would be for anyone who was not five months pregnant. For someone currently in that state, as was Marissa Atwood, the day was going to be hell, and it didn't help matters that she was the maid of honor in a wedding where she and the bride, to put it mildly, did not see eye to eye on anything. Painfully aware and self conscious of her ever growing stomach, she stood in front of the full length mirror contemplating out loud a way she could get out of her wedding duties.
"What do you think, baby," she cooed while rubbing her swollen abdomen, "think Mommy would be able to convince Bridezilla that she was kidnapped? Perhaps I could get a debilitating case of food poisoning; that's always pleasant." Sighing loudly, she turned to the side, the sheer chiffon robe she was wearing falling open as she moved gracefully, a smile, unbidden, passing across her face as she giggled at the sight of their child. "How am I going to cover you up today?"
"We'll manage," Ryan spoke softly, his body languidly leaning on the door frame. How long he had been standing there observing her, she could not tell. Standing up straight and walking into the room, he slid his arms around her from behind, holding his wife and child close to him as he spoke, kissing her neck softly to emphasize his words. "You'll have your gaudy, over-sized, ridiculous bouquet of the most expensive flowers Summer could find to help hide her, my coat during the reception, and of course, me."
"How are you going to help hide the bump," Marissa asked through chuckles. "What are you going to do, hold me against you all night?"
Rearranging his face into a mock-serious expression, Ryan stared back at her in the mirror. "How else would I hold you? We are going to be the couple in the corner making out the whole time."
"So you're planning on getting drunk," she teased back, "because there is no other way you'd be willing to embarrass yourself in public like that."
"There will be no other way to get through today," he shot back at her smirking. "What, from the sappy, overwritten vows to the food that looks good but tastes terrible and then finally, to top it all off, I have to be a hypocrite and give a speech celebrating the union of two people that don't trust each other anymore, who got married because everyone expected them to. I'm going to need the alcohol, you, and this little one," he added as he placed his hands over hers on the baby, "to make it through the evening with my sanity intact."
"And yet again the pregnant wife gets the bum deal, no alcohol for her," Marissa complained good-naturedly. "I guess I'll just have to get my buzz off a sugar high, devouring the cake piece by piece until the point where we'll both have to be carried home, you because you're wasted and me because I'm too fat to move." Pulling out of his arms, she moved towards her dress, taking it off the hanger and holding it out in front of her. "I'm already going to look like a giant grape. Why not burst from too much food intake and make wine?"
"You're not going to look like a giant grape," Ryan dismissed as he lounged back on their bed to watch her get dressed, his eyes smiling up at her when she slipped off her robe and was left standing there in only her thong. "You're going to look amazing, maybe not as good as you look now, but still amazing."
"Yes, and wouldn't that be the talk of the day, if I showed up practically naked and obviously pregnant," Marissa lamented, sitting down to pull on her pantyhose. "At least I wouldn't have to be there long. Summer would murder me before the wedding even started."
Laughing, Ryan agreed. "You have a point there. Changing the subject though," he started, his curiosity written plainly on his face, "did anyone question you as to why you were getting dressed at home?"
"Hayley smirked at me, but other than that she behaved…."
"I've been pleasantly surprised at how well she's kept our secret for us," he interrupted. "I thought for sure everyone would know within 24 hours of her returning to Newport that week."
"Me, too," Marissa agreed, "but so far, so good. Kirsten was too concerned making sure that Zoe's dress perfectly matched the detail work on Summer's, while Summer was too preoccupied with herself and Sherry and the other bridesmaid….oh, what's her name…..oh well, I don't know who she is, but they didn't pay any attention."
"Wasn't the other girl someone Summer went to UCLA with," Ryan asked, the shrug of Marissa's shoulders showing him that she knew no more than he did.
Hose on, Marissa put her strapless bra on and then followed it quickly with her dress, a plum, empire waist, crepe backed gown with ribbon detail before slipping on her heels. "If nothing else is going to kill me tonight, wearing these heels, because everyone in the bridal party has to have matching shoes, while five months pregnant with swollen feet will."
"I'll give you a foot massage when we get home," Ryan called after her as she disappeared into the bathroom to finish getting ready. Getting up off of the bed still dressed in only his oxford shirt and boxers, he made his way to his tux, slipping on his pants and tucking in his shirt. Buttoning up his vest, he made his way to their dresser, to check and make sure that his hair wasn't too out of place before settling back down on the bed, completely unconcerned about wrinkling his wedding wear, to wait for Marissa to emerge.
"That's it! I don't care what Summer wants or doesn't want," Marissa practically screamed coming out of the bathroom in a fit of fury, "but I cannot wear these stupid shoes."
"What do you want me to get you instead," he asked standing up and walking towards their closet as she sat down to remove the offending stilettos.
"My really comfy black flip-flops that I wear everywhere, my dress will be long enough to cover them, and what Summer won't know won't hurt her," she answered.
"But you're wearing hose….."
"Yep, not anymore!" Walking out of the closet, shoes in hand, Ryan saw her shimmying her way out of the silk stockings, a sight that was definitely pleasing to his eyes. "I can't handle these either. "They're hot, itchy, and they're cutting off my circulation. I'm not wearing them."
"You know," Ryan said gently, "she's going to be able to tell you don't have heals on, because you're not going to be taller than me."
"Which is another reason I don't want to wear them."
"Yeah, but should we take them just in case, you know, maybe wearing them for a few minutes during the ceremony just to appease her wouldn't be so bad," Ryan suggested timidly.
"Nope, I'm not wearing them, end of discussion. Besides," Marissa began, waving her hand to dismiss his concerns as she searched for her purse, "she'll be so self-involved she'll never put two and two together and I'll be fine. However," she continued, pulling him with her towards their bedroom door," she will notice if we're late, so let's go. The sooner we get this thing started, the sooner it will be over."
And with that the exuberant couple walked hand in hand out of their apartment's door totally unprepared for what the day held before them.
Stepping into the Presidential Suite of the Balboa Bay Club and Resort where Summer and Seth had reserved not only the ball room for their wedding but also the wedding lawn, side lawn, and coconut grove outdoor terrace, claiming they wanted to offer their guests every possible amenity available, Marissa's over-sensitive nose instantly rebelled causing her to wince as the waves of designer perfume hit her upon entrance. The main living area of the suite where the women of the bridal party were getting ready was chaos. With a hair dresser and makeup artist for everyone, the once large room, crowded with dresses, flowers, and elaborate furniture, seemed claustrophobic and stuffy. The noise level so high, no one noticed as Marissa slipped in, undetected, and made her way to a desolate corner of the room to settle into a chair to wait the remaining time away, observing all those around her.
Hayley was the only other person ready. Sitting on a couch with Branning, the fact that he was with the women not surprising Marissa at all, the two sat talking quietly, the twinkle in their eyes betraying the fact that they were probably up to no good, while snacking on candy whenever Summer or Kirsten were not looking. They both looked completely happy, at peace, and were the only ones in the room apparently enjoying themselves.
Sherry sat timidly off in her own corner in a makeup chair, patiently waiting as her personal team went through their mini torture session, pinning up her hair and performing last minute touch ups on her makeup. She looked bored. There was no other word to describe it, and Marissa had a feeling, agreeing to be in the wedding had turned out to be a much bigger hassle than she'd ever imagined.
While Zoe looked furious, Kirsten appeared quite frazzled and worn out. The months of wedding preparation on top of all the other worry in her life, from her sick, dying sister to the large, multi-million dollar corporation she helped run, were draining her. She looked too thin, tired, as if she could break at any time, and, despite the beautiful, orchid, crepe back, satin dress with a rounded neck, elegant makeup, and healthy, upswept hair, Marissa could see just how exhausted she was. At least that was something she could help with. Making a mental note to speak with Ryan, Marissa turned her attention back to the flower girl who was sitting in her dress, a long sheath, orchid dress, again with ribbon detailing, not allowed to move under Kirsten's watchful eye as her hair was curled into delicate ringlets. Although she looked adorable, Marissa knew she would have both hair and dress destroyed before the reception had gone even an hour into the long night.
Finally, in the center of the room, sat Summer in her silk bridal robe gossiping with her old college friend……Melanie, Marissa finally remembered, as they caught up on all the latest scandal and rumors surrounding their former sorority sisters. Both sipped champagne as the finishing touches were applied to their hair, their makeup already perfected, while Summer's Vera Wang, her choice designer for the entire wedding party, strapless ballgown with a drop waist and sculpted bodice with jacquard detailing hung looming in the corner of the room, impressive, intimidating, imminent. It was exactly what Summer had always pictured for her wedding day and symbolized everything Marissa feared about brides.
Holding a pillow in her lap to further disguise her pregnancy, the minutes past by pleasantly for Marissa as she let her imagination roam to her child who was gently playing inside of her, perhaps eager as well for the wedding to be over, eager to be in comfortable clothing again. She sat and thought about possible baby names, they had not discussed them yet, dreamt about what their child would look like, and imagined the three of them playing together in the baby's nursery or in their bed or, even when she was old enough, in the park. It was the perfect way to pass the time, and everything would have continued to move smoothly if Summer and Melanie had not decided that they needed to reapply their perfume one last time before Summer stepped into her gown. Marissa tried to avoid the scent, turned away from it, but unable to fight it off, she sneezed, loudly, alerting everyone in the room to the fact that she was there and had been for quite some time.
"Oh…..Marissa," Summer began when she saw her, the smile instantly falling off of her face, "so nice of you to join us, and you wore your hair like that. You know," she added, her voice filled with insincere concern, "we might have enough time for someone to fix it for you, you know, make it look more like ours."
Plastering a smile on her face, Marissa stood up. "Thanks but no thanks, Summer. I don't want to be a fuss, and, really, my hair's fine like this. I like it, Ryan likes it, so everything is good. If you'll excuse me," she continued, turning her back to the silent room to put the pillow down, never turning back around as she worked her way towards the door, "I'm just going to step outside for a moment, attempt to get my allergies under control. I'll be back in a few minutes." And before anyone could stop her, she was gone.
"What was that all about," Branning asked emphatically as he and Hayley slowly made their way through the hotel to the room where Seth and his groomsmen were getting ready. "I knew they were all on the outs for some reason, but it was down right frigid in there. Poof their hair, add some shoulder pads to their dresses, and call them Alexis and Blake, and we would have had a cat fight right out of Dynasty!"
"Yeah, I didn't watch that one," Hayley joked. "I preferred dentures over diamonds, hip replacement surgery over plastic surgery, lessons over lies. I was a Golden Girls fan, sorry, drama darling."
"Very funny, smart ass, now spill the beans," Branning demanded of his friend. Freed from the suddenly intense confines of the suite, they had been sent to check on the boys' progress, to make sure they were all ready and that nothing had gone wrong, and they were only too happy to escape. "What exactly happened between Ryan, Marissa, Seth, and Summer last winter? One day they all went back to Newport for Christmas Vacation, and then the next time I see them, a few weeks later, they're not speaking, Ryan went off to San Francisco for his internship while Marissa either worked constantly or went up there to see him, and Summer threw herself into the wedding preparations. Do you realize we all haven't hung out together once since last November?
"It's a long story," Hayley began, eager to finally share the scoop with someone who was interested.
"And it's going to be a long wedding with very few single, attractive gay men, if any, to entertain me, so spill the beans, Jack."
Glancing around her anxiously, Hayley made sure that no one was watching them before pulling Branning into a dark closet. "Okay, fine, but we've got to make this quick."
"Hayley, honey, I love you," Branning fawned, "but I don't even swing your way when I'm high."
"Do you want to know this or not," she asked him, her tone curt. As he nodded his head yes, she continued. "Alright, so shut up. Listen closely, because I'm going to have to give you the condensed, rushed version. We'll expand upon later when we're both drunk, because I'll be more accessible then while you will be unable to remember it later. Here we go." Taking a deep breath, she began. "Summer's been teetering on the edge of depression ever since she found out she couldn't have children, and though they patched the friendship up so that it didn't sink, there have been issues between the four of them since then. I don't think any of us realized how much she had been affected by it until it was too late and she had skipped town to find the mother who had abandoned her, leaving Seth behind with only a note saying nothing in it but a 'goodbye, I'll be back when I figure out who I am'. Talk about major identity issues there on Summer's part, and then, to make things worse, Seth, always lacking self-confidence, got confused and tried to kiss Marissa. Ryan saw him, flipped out, and it ruined Christmas. Summer came home after New Year's, depressed, barely hanging on by a thread, and a few skips away from crazy, because things went terribly with her mother. Ryan and Marissa demanded that Seth tell her the truth about the almost kiss, Summer, I guess as a coping mechanism, blamed Marissa, her animosity over the fact that she was still baby capable flaring up, and the rest is history. Ryan's mad at Seth because he tried to kiss Marissa, Marissa is sick of being made to feel as if she did something wrong for wanting to have children and for being capable of having them, Seth has no idea how to act around Summer, and Summer is mad at the world. The only things holding her together are her anger and this wedding, which shouldn't even be happening, because Seth and Summer no longer communicate. It's a mess, and the best part is, the shit is about to hit the fan."
"There's more," Branning asked incredulous. "What the hell else could go wrong?"
"That my friend," Hayley answered, opening the closet door and pulling him out with her, "is where we'll pick up later when we each have enough bubbly in us to float away."
Making their way down the hallway, the two friends remained silent, lost in their own thoughts, Branning running everything Hayley had told him over in his mind, and Hayley imagining just how unforgettable the wedding reception could be.
Meanwhile, outside and hiding from the rest of the world, sat Marissa under a shade tree on a bench waiting quietly for her husband to join her. Needing an emergency comfort and support session, she had called him on the cell phones they had snuck in without anyone noticing and asked for him to join her. He did not need to be asked twice.
Sitting down beside her, he took her hand in his and kissed it tenderly, remaining silent as he knew she would speak when she was ready. A few moments passed by, the quiet soothing both of their nerves, before she turned to him, a gentle smile on her lips. "Hey you," she cooed out, leaning in for a quick kiss. "How crazy is it in your room of torture?"
"It's not actually that bad. Seth's freaking out, of course, but Luke has him under control by playing video games. Zach is reading a comic book, and Sandy and Caleb are fighting, as usual, about something, I think, just to pass the time. Really no one paid any attention to me. I just snuck in, grabbed some snacks, and sat down to watch a little tv. No one even seemed concerned that Branning hasn't arrived yet."
"Oh, he's here," Marissa laughed, "he's just in with the girls. When I laughed he and Hayley were plotting something, I could just tell, and it was definitely not good."
"I should have known," Ryan said as he joined in on her laughter. "And how was everyone else holding up?"
"You know, the usual. Sherry seemed a little bewildered and overwhelmed, Zoe was annoyed, Kirsten looked exhausted, and Summer was basking in the spotlight with her sorority sister before she noticed I was there. I figured out her name by the way, the sorority sister. It's Melanie. Anyway," she shook her head as she continued to talk, physically shuddering off the topic of conversation to move on to another one, "besides wanting to see you and run away from the drama, I had an idea."
"Okay," Ryan began hesitantly, "tell me what it is."
"Well, like I said, your Mom looked really tired, so I thought that we'd offer to watch Zoe for a week and Hayley can stay with us, too, after we tell them about the baby, so that she can get a little break. She just seems so run down, and it might be fun. I'd like to have the two of them around during the day to keep me company when you're off at work. The little one and I can only talk for so long before I run out of things to say. What do you think," Marissa finished, looking up at him eagerly.
"I think it sounds like a great idea, but there's one problem," Ryan stated.
"What? Why wouldn't it work," Marissa queried, confused by his reaction. "Do you not want them to stay with us? We had fun earlier in the year when both Zoe and Hayley spent the night."
"Nothing like that, I just…..I don't think Kirsten will agree to it, not with everything that's coming up. You'll never get her to go on a week long trip when there's Halloween, the Aids benefit, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's coming up." Seeing Marissa's face fall, he thought for a moment. "But, you might be able to convince her to go away with Sandy again for their anniversary. I know we sent them on that big trip to Europe last year for their 25th, but they both deserve a break. The only thing I don't like is that you'll eight months pregnant at the time. You won't need the added stress of a five year old and a sick woman."
"I'm not going to be an invalid, Ryan," Marissa teased. "Besides, they'll be able to help me prepare for the baby, and we can all take our naps together if that would make you feel better."
"There's no way I'm going to win this, is there," he asked already defeated.
"Nope," she giggled, kissing his cheek to soften the blow. "I always win."
"That you do. Now, come on," Ryan playfully pulled her up with him. "I'll walk you back." Taking her hand in his, they slowly wound their way back into the hotel, neither in a hurry to leave the other.
Surprisingly, the wedding ceremony went quickly for Ryan and Marissa. They never heard the vows that Seth and Summer shared with each other or a single word the minister spoke; their eyes were locked on each other the entire time, their thoughts the same as they thought back to their simple, loving, private nuptials on the beach. Neither would ever want it any other way.
However, they were not so lucky when it came to taking photos. Not satisfied with just one photographer, Summer had hired three, one that specialized in black and white photography, and two separate color photographers to so that while the women were all getting their pictures taken together, the men could as well. Then the two groups joined together for all three photographers to take their picture, totaling well over an hour of posing in the California sunshine. By the time they were finished, Marissa was exhausted, hot, and severely grumpy.
Finally, they had made their way into the main reception area, the ballroom, where, after the bridal party was introduced, they sat down for the meal. While they were waiting for the food to be served, Ryan slipped his jacket around Marissa, despite the fact that she was already warm even though the air conditioning was on, because she was nervous that her pregnancy was obvious, and the blissfully happy couple sat in their own little world at the end of the bridal party table, completely against tradition, and whispered continually to each other. If someone didn't know better, they would have thought there were the newlyweds.
Everything was going smoothly, no one had suspected anything, and despite the coldness that existed between the four former friends and family members, they had been able to get along, but as a waiter made his way down the table pouring glasses of champagne for the traditional best man toast before the meal was served, the whole charade fell apart.
"Oh, no thankful, none for me," Marissa politely protested as the man went to pour champagne into her crystal goblet. "I'll just stick to my water."
"But Ma'am," he began, confused by her reaction, "it's customary that everyone toasts the couple."
"I know, and I'm going to, but I just don't want champagne," she continued to explain, not wanting to reveal why she had to refuse the alcoholic beverage.
"Um…Mrs. Cohen said that everyone was to get some. Are you sure, I mean…."
Annoyed, Ryan spoke up. "She said she doesn't want any. I don't care what Mrs. Cohen said. She doesn't want any champagne."
Afraid of Summer, the young waiter just stood there unsure of what to do, all the while drawing attention to that end of the table. Finally, annoyed, Summer and Seth both stood up and walked towards Ryan and Marissa, eliciting a similar reaction from Hayley who knew that nothing good could come out of the situation. Motioning for Sandy and Kirsten to join her, the three of them made their way towards the commotion.
"What the hell's going on, Chino," Summer barked at him, her tone rigid and lacking compassion. Turning towards the waiter, she addressed him. "Why haven't you poured Miss Cooper any champagne?"
"She refused it," he answered, looking between the two women the entire time, unsure of who he should listen to.
"Well, I'm telling you to fill her glass, now do it, "Summer ordered before turning around to go back to her seat. Ryan's voice stopped her dead in her tracks.
"Do not pour champagne into that glass. Marissa doesn't want any."
Whirling around to face him, Summer whispered, the animosity dripping from her voice, "And why not?"
"I don't feel well," Marissa answered, lying well so that no one would see through her story, "and alcohol is just going to make it worse. I'll just drink my water."
"You are looking rather flushed," Seth spoke up, slightly concerned. "Do you need to lie down?" Summer just glared at him; Seth ignored her.
"No, I'm just warm, that's all, a little overheated perhaps," Marissa dismissed Seth's concerns without thinking.
"Then take off the damn coat, drink the freaking champagne, and quit pissing me off," Summer ordered. "This is my wedding day, and I will not have you ruining it by being the center of attention."
Fed up, Marissa jumped up from her chair and faced Summer head on. "I can't drink, Summer!"
"Marissa," Ryan cautioned, standing up to take her hand in an attempt to calm her down. "Why don't you sit down and relax. This isn't good for you, getting this upset."
"What do you mean," Kirsten spoke up, confused as the couple retook their seats. Turning to Marissa, she asked her. "Are you sick?"
"No, I'm not sick," Marissa answered, "I'm fine."
"But you just said you weren't feeling well," Sandy piped in, also bewildered by what was happening in front of him.
"She's not sick….sick, just not feeling well," Hayley attempted to explain, "you know, probably just a bug or something. It'll pass. Why don't we all sit back down, Ryan can make his toast while Marissa drinks water, and everything can just continue as planned?"
"No," Summer yelled. "I want to know what is going on. This is not adding up. First she won't drink, then she's hot but refuses to take off Ryan's coat, and now you're acting strange, too, Hayley. You know what's going on, and I want to know now!"
"Nothing is going on, Summer, I swear," Hayley reasoned, gently urging a very quiet and thoughtful Summer back towards the other end of the table. "Now, come on, I'm starving. Let's get this show on the road."
Just when Summer seemed to be submitting to Hayley, she pushed back, making her stumble slightly, and marched her way back towards Marissa. "Stand up," she ordered. When Marissa did not listen, Summer screamed at her, "I said stand up," eliciting stares from every single one of the 500 guests in attendance. "There has been something weird going on with you all day. You held the pillow in front of you when we were talking either before walking out with your back towards everyone. You held your flowers tightly to your body, never moving them away even throughout the entire time we took pictures, and now you won't take off Ryan's coat. What did you do to your dress?"
"Summer," Sandy spoke softly, "I really don't think this is the time or place for this. Please, just go back down to the other end of the table and sit down. We'll deal with this later."
"No, we'll deal with this now! Stand up, Marissa!"
Tossing her napkin down on the table and standing up so abruptly, her chair squeaked, Marissa glared at Summer. "You know what; I'm not doing this anymore. I'm not going to sit here while you scream and yell at me for no reason. If you want to ruin your own wedding day, be my guest, but I'm out of here." Without a word, Ryan stood up and wrapped his hand around her waist, leading her out of the room, never noticing that his hand had pulled back the coat that was hiding the bulge of her stomach, revealing to Summer and the rest of the room that Marissa was pregnant.
"What the hell is that," Summer shrieked, her voice suddenly filled not only with ire but with pain as well.
"Summer, calm down," Hayley instantly stepped in, standing in front of the irate brunette. "You don't want to do this here. Just let her leave."
But it was too late; Ryan and Marissa, knowing there were caught, stopped dead in their tracks. Too shocked to realize how dangerous the situation was, Sandy, Kirsten, and even Seth made their way to them, slow smiles creeping up onto all of their faces.
"You're pregnant," Kirsten stated hesitantly, not completely sure of what she herself saw. "I mean when…..how…..what……this is amazing."
"It's about time this happened," Sandy said exuberantly, "we've been waiting for this for months now. When are you due?"
"February," Marissa answered unable to keep the smile off of her face. Turning to Seth, she began to apologize. "I'm so sorry this had to happen this way, Seth. We wanted to wait until after your wedding to tell you all everything, but I guess that didn't work out exactly as we planned."
"Hey, that's cool. I'm happy for you," Seth said genuinely. Unsure of what to do, he shyly offered his hand to Ryan in a congratulatory shake and what perhaps was the first step to the brothers mending the fences of their relationship. "This is great news, man."
"Thanks, Seth. That means a lot," Ryan said sincerely.
"Wait though," Kirsten interrupted, "you said you were going to wait until after the wedding to tell us everything. What else could there be?"
Looking at each other, Ryan and Marissa merely shrugged in agreement before turning back to their family to share the rest of their news. "Well….we're married."
With even bigger smiles on their faces, Sandy and Kirsten moved closer to the happy, expecting couple to give them hugs, but before they could even reach them, the hushed whispers of the room as the guests discussed the revelations they just witnessed ceased as Summer completely lost control.
"NO! What the hell is going on here! This is my wedding, my special day, and here you waltz in, already married and pregnant," she shrieked, horrified of the information she had just heard. "You cannot do this to me! I will not let you do this to me! I can't be here right now; I can't handle this! Cohen, let's go."
"Wha…..what, Summer, what do you mean? We're at our reception," he stumbled out, completely taken aback by his wife's actions.
"We're leaving…NOW," Summer ordered, stomping her way out of the ballroom with Seth trailing behind her, devastated, embarrassed, and confused. This was no way to start a marriage, no way to bind a family together, no way to celebrate his brother's amazing news, and no way to live your life. As Seth Cohen followed Summer Cohen out to their limo to drive to the airport hours early for their honeymoon, fear raged inside of his mind, making him question just how they were ever going to get past this.