The Tear Filled Thank You
"Come in, come in," Marissa beamed cheerily at the older woman at the door, ushering her into the living area of the apartment. "Let me just take your coat and hang it up for you," she offered, "and when I get back I'll get lunch out."
Handing her light jacket to the waiting young lady, Jane smiled. "I hope you didn't go to too much trouble with lunch. You're supposed to be taking it easy," she chided merrily. "My first great-grandchild is more important than you cooking me a good lunch."
"Actually, we're both starting to feel better," Marissa called from the hallway as she hung up Jane's coat. "I know it's been a stressful few weeks, but I can't let what happened at the wedding bother me anymore. I have work to focus on during the day, Ryan's been amazing, so understanding and patient with me, and I have the baby to look out for." Coming into the living room, she sat down next to the other woman. "Surprising me more than anyone, it was Seth who helped me realize that I didn't do anything wrong at the wedding."
"Seth called you," Jane asked shocked. According to local gossip, the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Seth Cohen had refused to come home once their honeymoon in Tahiti ended and were traveling around Europe, living off their trust funds.
"Yeah, he did," Marissa answered before continuing. "I guess Summer was out shopping, the first time she had let him out of her sight, and he took the opportunity to call Ryan. He wanted to congratulate us again and apologize, for maybe the hundredth time for what happened last winter. I think Ryan's finally accepted his apology, which is good, because they're brothers. Something like this should not ruin their relationship forever."
"That's all well and good," Jane agreed, "but how exactly did all of this make you feel better?"
"Oh, that didn't make me feel better," Marissa dismissed. "Sure, it was good to hear, but Seth talked to me when he was finished with Ryan. He told me that there was no reason to feel guilty about what happened at the wedding reception, that he knew I had tried my hardest to keep it a secret so as to protect Summer, and then he even apologized for her behavior and for the fact that her insecurity forced me into a situation where I had to hide such amazing news."
Pleasantly shocked, Jane asked, "Is that what he really said, that the baby was amazing news?"
Smiling brightly, Marissa shook her head yes. "He's so excited about being an uncle, and he's convinced that it's going to be a boy. Yesterday he emailed me a list of what he called potential names; each one had something to do with either Seth's own name or his favorite bands. He actually sent us a package in the mail full of mementos from Europe. It should be here next week."
"Are any of the names options?"
"Absolutely not," Marissa giggled, her face practically glowing. "They were horrible! I pity anyone or anything that Seth ever gets an opportunity to name. Besides," she admitted, averting her eyes, "I think the baby's a girl."
"Well then, I bet you are right," the older woman surmised. "Women tend to have a sixth sense about this sort of thing." Curious, she inquired, "Are you buying things only for a little girl?"
Standing up, Marissa signaled for Jane to follow her. "Oh no, I'm not that sure. We're doing things very conservatively. Let me show you."
With that, she pushed open the door to the baby's room, revealing a completed nursery. The soft, soothing yellow walls had been finished while the blue sky detailing with clouds and little birds on the ceiling complimented the sunrise theme, creating a beautiful room for Ryan and Marissa's first child. The crib had been set up underneath the large picture window of the room, a beautiful, antique, cherry crib, the bedding plush and cozy. There was a small dresser, painted white and crackled with yellow paint full of clothes already washed and folded for the baby, the top decorated with a delicate fairytale lamp, pictures of family members, and an heirloom silver baby cup. An already stocked dressing table occupied a space on the opposite wall, the finish matching the crib. The walls had pictures and decorations matching the room's theme scattered on them, and finally, other than odds and ends, toys, and a stroller, the room was finished with a beautiful wicker rocker made snug with pillows, cushions, and stuffed animals, the ideal place for a young mother to rock her precious baby to sleep at night.
"The bassinet is in our room," Marissa explained, looking around the room excitedly with Jane. "We want the baby to stay with us for the first couple of weeks after it's born just to be safe."
"I'm not surprised by that at all," Jane answered following the younger woman out of the room. "You and Ryan are going to be great parents." Before Marissa could even say anything, a pleasant blush gracing her face, Jane continued. "Now, let's go have some of that lunch. It smells amazing. What did you make?"
"Oh, it's nothing special, just soup and sandwiches."
Chuckling, Jane added. "And knowing you, the sandwiches could probably rival a chef's and the soup is probably homemade, and I know you have something for dessert as well."
"A cook never shares her secrets," Marissa teased, showing Jane to her seat and disappearing into the kitchen, talking loudly so that the other woman could still hear her. "I was so excited to hear from Caitlyn last week," she gushed. "It's been so long since I've seen her…since July when she was here to visit, but with this being her freshman year, I understand why she can't visit that much. It will be amazing to see her during her break. A whole month with my sister will be so much fun."
"Is she going to stay here," Jane asked. Although she wanted her granddaughter to stay with her, she understood the sisters' desire to spend as much time with each other as possible.
Sighing, Marissa responded, "I don't think so for the simple fact that we don't have the room." Laughing, she emerged from the kitchen, food in hand. "I don't think she'd fit too well in the baby's crib. She better stay with you, but she'll be spending a lot of time here, that I can promise you."
"Well, I'm sure time will go quickly for you, especially with the Aids benefit this weekend." Taking a sip from her glass of cider, Jane continued. "Are all the preparations complete?"
"I honestly have no idea," chuckled Marissa. "Ryan was very sneaky and went behind my back and told Kirsten that the stress over the wedding debacle had my blood pressure elevated to a dangerous level, that I needed to remain as stress free as possible, so I wasn't allowed to help with the benefit. She even let Hayley help, and you know how over-protective she is of her, but I was ordered to rest, relax, and plan my outfit which took all of about ten seconds, because I'm just re-wearing the dress from the wedding. There's no reason to waste money on a new dress, no matter how much people will gossip about it later."
"You looked lovely before, and you'll look even better the second time around," Jane complimented, the two women smiling at each other, Marissa appreciating the compliment while Jane savored the time she got to spend with the granddaughter she never knew. Going back to their meal, neither woman noticing the man who had just entered the apartment and snuck away silently, and the afternoon passed easily as conversation ebbed and flowed like the sea from one topic to another.
Leaving the apartment, Ryan went back to his car, deciding to run some errands for Marissa and not interrupt her lunch with her grandmother. Though it had taken a while, the two women had eventually bonded. Their relationship would never be perfect, too much time had slipped away from them, but they were now friends, meeting at least once a month for lunch to catch up and discuss their lives. Sliding into the Range Rover he had retained possession of after college, Ryan pulled out his cell phone to make what was sure to be an embarrassing and awkward phone call.
"Please tell me you're some gorgeous man who has secretly admired me for months, and then finally, desperate, you broke down and hired a private investigator to track me down," Branning greeted, unsure of who was on the line because he did not recognize the number.
"Branning, this is Ryan Atwood," the self-conscious man stumbled. "I need your help….with Marissa."
"Damn! I was right, you are a very gorgeous man, but, unfortunately you're not calling to win my ardor or even ask me out for dinner," Branning lamented, his tone in mock distraught and pain. "And as for helping you with Marissa, that's like asking someone with no hands to read brail. I could give her advice, but…"
"Branning," Ryan yelled, frustrated. "I don't need your help in….that way. Trust me, we have that covered well."
"I know, and there's a six month bump as evidence that proves your point."
Sighing loudly, Ryan ignored the comment. "Now that we have that covered, can I please get to the point?" Met with silence, he continued. "You know Marissa. She doesn't like to shop, and she likes to spend money even less than that, but this weekend is the Aids benefit the Newport Group is throwing to jump start their new charity in Hayley's name…"
"I know; I was invited," Branning answered in a steady tone, his jolly humor disappearing in the wake of the conversation's serious turn. "And, in fact, I'm been helping Kirsten with the preparations. This is one charity that I support 110."
"Well I'm glad that you've been helping, because Marissa has been forbidden to lift a finger," Ryan explained. "After that whole wedding fiasco….let's just say that she deserves a peaceful evening on the town."
"I couldn't agree with you more, but how exactly do you want me to help," Branning asked.
"I was hoping that you'd be able to do some shopping for me, pick something out for Marissa to make her feel special. Being six months pregnant, no matter how many times I tell her that she looks amazing, she never feels that great about her appearance. Don't worry about how much it costs either; splurge. I want Marissa to feel like the princess of the ball. I'll give you my credit card, so you can buy not only the dress but everything that she'll need to go with it, too."
"You call that a favor; I call that fun," Branning said eagerly. "I'll go tonight and drop everything off on Friday afternoon so that she can be ready for you that evening when you get home from work, completely taking your breath away. Speaking of work, why aren't you there?"
"My work was finished for the day, so I decided to spend the afternoon with Marissa, but her Grandmother is over for lunch, so I'm going to go run some errands while they finish up, but that doesn't matter. You'll get the dress, right?"
"Of course, don't worry about, but I do have one question," Branning admitted. "What size is Marissa?"
"The doctor said her weight is right on track, and she's only gaining it is only in her stomach, so she's happy about that."
Laughing, Branning pushed, "No, what size of dress should I buy her?"
"Um…..I don't know," Ryan tripped over his words, "perhaps……a medium."
"Yeah, you're not going to be any help," Branning complained. "Don't worry about it though, I'll figure it out. I'll talk to some sales girls, call my Mom, do some research. I'll make sure the dress fits."
"Thanks, I owe you big time," Ryan admitted sincerely.
Teasing him, Branning replied sarcastically, "except you'll never repay me the way I want you to."
"I'm a married man, Branning."
"And straight," he added.
"You could definitely say that again," Ryan responded, laughing. "Now where do you want to meet so I can give you my credit card?"
"I'll handle it for now. Spend the day with Marissa," Branning offered. "You can pay me back later."
With that, the two men hung up, both to go shopping for vastly different things.
Ryan had gotten ready at work that Friday evening, showering and dressing in the men's locker room adjoining the complimentary gym, so that when he arrived at home, he would be properly attired to greet his stunning wife. She deserved a special night, and he intended to give it to her. Walking towards their bedroom, he knocked on the closed door softly, not wanting to startle her before he entered, but stepping into the room, she was no where in sight but her dress was.
Branning had done what Ryan asked; the dress was amazing, and even Ryan, hopeless when it came to fashion, could figure that out. It was black silk, with metallic gold beaded trim around the bust and shoulder straps which crisscrossed in the back to form an empire waist where the dress flowed out into a full and trailing skirt. In that dress she wouldn't just be beautiful; she would be a goddess.
Looking around the room some more, he noticed that everything was laid out for Marissa to get ready. New, matching shoes were sitting in front of the bed while a purse and shawl, both also new, were lying on it. The jewelry she was wearing that evening was carefully set out on her vanity. Seeing all of this, Ryan assumed she was still in the bathroom either fixing her hair or her makeup. Walking towards the door, he, once again, knocked softly to be greeted by her sweet voice calling out to him.
"It's about time you realized where I was," Marissa giggled, teasing her husband. "Well, are you just going to stand there or are you going to come in?"
Stepping into the bathroom, Ryan grinned immediately at the sight before him. The room was lit with soft candle light, and his wife, looking blissfully calm and happy, sat immersed in a bubble bath.
"What's all this," he asked her softly, kneeling beside the jacuzzi tub careful to not get anything on his tux. "I thought you'd be ready already. Did you not like the dress?"
"The dress is amazing, but," Marissa continued, a gentle, demure smile on her face, "what I love even more is the fact that you had Branning get it for me." Suddenly somber, she peered at him carefully. "It's a Marchesa though, very expensive, and with all the accessories he bought…."
"Ssshh….," Ryan told her affectionately, reaching up to her face to carefully brush off a few stray bubbles that were on her cheek. "He was told to spare no expense. I wanted to do something special for you, and no arguments," he added when he noticed that she was about to interrupt him. "Isn't a man allowed to spoil his pregnant wife every once in a while?"
"Only if said pregnant wife gets to return the favor," Marissa purred. Curling her finger, she motioned for him to get in the tub with her.
"Are you sure," he questioned. "I mean….not that I don't want, because I, well, always want to and it's been a while because of the pregnancy, but…..I'm already dressed and ready to go."
"Are you denying me something I want," Marissa played him easily. "And besides, said pregnancy gives us a perfect excuse to be late, so take off that tux and clime into this tub with me before my very fickle and moody personality changes its mind."
It only took him a moment to shed the complicated evening wear, going to stand beside her as soon as he was finished. "I have a better idea," Ryan smirked at her. "You're coming with me!" Before Marissa could even protest, Ryan scooped her up in his arms, bath suds and all, and carried his wet, giggling, pregnant wife into their bedroom, carefully laying her on their bed before joining her. Supporting his weight with his muscular arms so as not to crush the baby, Ryan leaned down to delicately place a kiss upon her lips, savoring their first touches.
"Honey," Marissa began hesitantly, "I know it's been a while, and who knows when it will happen again, but we don't have the luxury to take our time, no matter how much I want to. If we take this as slow as we both want to, we'll miss the entire benefit, and I am definitely showing off that amazing dress tonight!"
"Yes, you are," Ryan agreed with her, flipping them over quickly and making Marissa laugh again, "because I am showing you off as well."
"Well then, let's get down to business," Marissa suggested, sliding her still wet body down his, placing feather light kisses all along his chest, stomach, and thighs. Pulling her back up to him, Ryan joined their mouths together in a fiery embrace, igniting both of their passions. As she lowered herself onto him, all thoughts, rationality, and sense of time vanished from both of their minds only to be replaced by a delirious sense of euphoria. It was definitely going to be a magical night.
The colors of fall might not ever transform Newport Beach, but that did not stop Kirsten from using its hues as her inspiration for the night's event. Transforming the country club into an autumnal dream of crimson, amber, and gold, the ballroom resembled a magical forest full of fairy lights, pumpkins, and even authentic tree stumps to sit on. Anywhere you went in the room, the sweet scent of apples filled your nose, creating a pleasant environment for all. Kirsten had even carried her fall theme over onto the menu that evening, and the guests were fully enjoying themselves whether eating, dancing, or even just socializing with the other rich and powerful of the Southern California elitist society.
By the time Ryan and Marissa arrived, the party was in full swing, but it only took a moment for eyes to turn to the glowing, exultant couple. Before they could even find their table, Kirsten, Sandy, Hayley, Branning, and even Caleb were at their side.
"I must say," Branning spoke first, "I did a damn good job picking out your dress!"
"You look wonderful, Marissa," Kirsten agreed in less abrasive terms. "It looks like I better start taking Branning with me as my personal shopper."
"Nonsense and no offense to Branning, but you look great Kirsten. You don't need a personal shopper," Marissa said earnestly, and she was right. Dressed in an espresso, matte jersey, long, flared dress with a deep v-neckline, ruched bust, empire waist, and jeweled floral pins on the shoulder straps, Kirsten looked every bit the elegant hostess.
Agreeing with her, Sandy replied, "I concur, Marissa. My wife here looks amazing." Rewarded with a soft kiss on the cheek, Sandy beamed at the people around him, his love for his wife written plainly across his face.
"Both of my girls look wonderful tonight," Caleb said proudly, pulling Hayley into an affectionate embrace.
"Hey, watch it there, Dad," Hayley squealed in mock protest. "You cannot wrinkle the lady of the hour's dress. How would that look for me to appear on stage for my speech all mussed and fussed?"
"I bet that most of the men in this room would like to help muss you up," Branning teased, poking Hayley in the side. Reflecting her cheery, upbeat personality, her dress was a fun saffron with a full skirt, banded waist, and gathered shoulder strap that split open in the back. She looked vibrant and even healthy.
Playing along, Hayley taunted Branning, "Oh, do you think they'd want to play with me in the closet like you did at Seth and Summer's wedding?"
At the mention of their names, it was as if a dark cloud fell across the small group, silencing the friendly banter, smiles disappearing. Though no one blamed Ryan and Marissa for what had happened, no one liked the results either. Quickly, perhaps before anything hurtful could be said, the family broke apart, Kirsten and Sandy making their excuses that they had to go and greet other guests, Caleb claiming he spotted an old business associate, and Branning went to chase after, what he called, a Forbes model, a good looking, wealthy heir to a fortune 500 company.
"As if I wasn't nervous enough about my speech later," Hayley lamented, "I had to go and put my foot in my mouth, and I was just talking to family. I know I'm going to end up insulting someone or making a fool out of myself when I'm pushed onto that stage in an hour."
"You'll be great," Marissa cheered her on. "Just speak from your heart, and no one will be able to find fault. Besides," she teased, "even if you do offend someone, no one will say anything because you're the guest of honor, so, if I were you, I'd take this opportunity to tell off every old classmate, neighbor, and newpsie that you don't like."
Laughing, Hayley, smiling once again, walked away from the young couple. "Yeah, I'll keep that in mind, but if you'll excuse me, I need to go throw up in the bathroom."
The next hour passed by quickly for Ryan and Marissa. After finding their table, they had gotten something to eat, sitting together, whispering and sharing close embraces the entire time. Lost in their own world, they never noticed the various people who would stop and watch them occasionally, smiling at how obviously in love they were. Once they were finished eating, they joined the couples on the dance floor, at Ryan's insistence and Marissa's surprise, holding each other closely as they gently swayed to the band. A few songs and exactly seven small kisses later, their dancing was interrupted by Hayley taking the stage for her speech, so they took their seats, eager to hear what she had to say.
"Before I say anything so embarrassing that I have to run off the stage and hide for the rest of the night or bore you all to sleep," Hayley began, "I just want to thank you all so much for coming tonight, for joining in this battle with us." After a short round of applause, she continued. "Now, I'm going to keep this short, because, unlike my….my niece, wow, that's weird to say, my niece Marissa, I do not have a talent for writing, and I certainly don't have a flair for dramatics on the stage like my very entertaining brother in law, Sandy, but there are a few things I want to say." Taking a deep breath, she pushed on. "I was diagnosed with Aids about a year and half ago, not HIV like many people, but full blown Aids. I went through all the stages of grief, denial, anger, acceptance, but as I stand before you today I realize that I am thankful to the disease for some things it's given me. It brought me home to my family, something, at one point, I thought was improbable. It gave me the two best friends a girl could ask for, Marissa and Branning. It led me to finally getting to know my niece Zoe, and," she paused long enough to wipe away a few tears and smile radiantly at those watching her enthralled, "the pleasure to be here while Marissa was pregnant with my first great niece or nephew. It gave me a chance to mend fences with people I had once fought with, my Father the most significant person on that list. It has given me a chance to finally learn to love myself, trust my instincts, and believe in who I am, but most importantly, this disease has given me the chance to change lives for the better with your help. If I hadn't of gotten sick, the Newport Group would never have started this charity, and through your donations and their hard work, we'll be able to push science one step closer to finding a cure for this disease that has given me so much but will ultimately take my life. To be honest with you, I really don't know exactly how I got Aids. Anyone who knew me before can attest to the fact that I was a wild child, parties, drugs, and casual sex were my life, but, to me, the how is not important any longer; what is important is what I do about it, the legacy I leave behind, but I need your help to do this. My fate has been decided. Do not donate your money for me, but open your wallets and pull out your checkbooks for those who will contact the disease in the future. They need you and your money, and hell, as my Dad always said, charity is a great tax write off!"
Finally laughing, Hayley's tears stopped. With a polite and sweet, "Thank you," for her closing words, she made her way off of the stage and into the waiting arms of her family who were there to support her, Kirsten, Sandy, Caleb, Marissa, Ryan, and Branning, and as the small group, gathered once again, both celebrating the evening's success and mourning over its source, photographers and press snapped away, but they all remained oblivious. The only thing that mattered that night was each other.