A/N: This is the final chapter. I hope everyone likes it. I will also be adding an extra little chapter after this. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and read this story. Sarah xx.

The clouds had cleared from the skies of Orange County, allowing a mosaic of colour to appear as the sun rose. Over the mansions it shone it's light, and into the Cohen's backyard which contained the pool house. Inside the pool house oasis peacefully slept a glowing Ryan and Marissa, their vulnerable bodies entangled in a single sheet.

Marissa was the first to react as the sunlight hit her face, causing her to stir and become aware of her surroundings. She was in the pool house, her clothes spread across the floor and a warm body was resting innocently beside her. She smiled dreamily as she remembered their amazing night together. Ryan's face looked so cute and child-like, she giggled to herself and softly kissed his nose, causing him to wriggle and slowly open his blue eyes.

"Hey…" He breathed out giving her a soft and sleepy smile.

"Hey…" She returned the smile, snuggling closer to his bare chest. This felt right. His arms fitted around her body, his warm breath tickling her ear, his soft kisses on her hair; she could stay like this all day. Her eyes travelled the pool house once more and landed on something, it's white as flour colour looking out of place. Her wedding dress.

Immediately Marissa shot up, holding the sheet to her chest, her heartbeat racing.

"Oh my god…" She thought out loud. Jake.

Ryan joined her and curiously enquired, "What's wrong?"

"What have I done?" She gasped anxiously, and looked down at the diamond ring on her left hand. Ryan followed her gaze and began timidly, afraid of her answer.

"You're not still gonna marry the guy, are you?"

Marissa didn't know what to think, especially when she turned her head and was met with Ryan's pleading eyes.

"I…I…"

Ryan sighed in disappointment, "You hesitated."

"I don't know what I'll do Ryan…" She murmured in reply, manoeuvring to the edge of the bed to put on her clothes.

Ryan looked up at the ceiling feeling helpless. She was probably feeling guilty and that would mean she'd leave and go marry Jake. Ryan loved her. He'd finally gotten past all his bottled up emotion and last night, after a long time, opened his heart to her. Perhaps that wasn't enough. Jake had money, connections and a high paying, steady career. Why wouldn't Marissa marry him?

When they had finished dressing in silence they awkwardly stood facing each other. Marissa was holing her dress in her shaking hands and Ryan swallowed, knowing he'd have to say this.

"Just so you know, I have no regrets about last night….I…I love you Marissa. You know, I can't help it. And I'll still love you even if you walk out of my life right now and marry Jake. I'll always be there for you…"

Marissa's eyes filled with tears, it felt like her heart was being torn in two. She loved Ryan, yet she still felt obligated to marry Jake, whom she also cared for.

"I'll always love you Ry." She smiled sadly, and gently captured his lips; a lone tear making its way down her cheek. She gazed in his eyes, and caressed his bottom lip.

"But…I—"

Before Marissa could finish her sentence, the key to the pool house scraped the lock and Summer opened the door. Ryan and Marissa awkwardly parted, Marissa quickly wiping her eyes.

"Hey guys. How'd you get locked in?" Summer innocently exclaimed as Ryan walked towards the doorway.

"We're not sure Summ. Anyway I have a plane to catch at 11." He tuned sadly, aching to hold Marissa as they locked eyes. "I'll see ya Riss…"

"Good luck with your new job Ryan."

And he ventured out of the door with a heavy heart.

-----

Summer was careful not to at all mention last night as she drove Marissa over to her apartment. Marissa was quietly tearing as she looked out of the window.

So perhaps Seth and Summer's plan didn't result in Ryan and Marissa back together but at least their issues were solved. It was now her job as best friend to support whatever decision Marissa made.

----

This is it Marissa's heart pounded in her chest as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was in the bridal gown, she was holding the bouquet, she had her best friend and mother beside her yet she didn't have a smile. To her, this didn't feel right. She couldn't get Ryan out of her mind and how she longed to marry him and not Jake.

Summer interrupted her thoughts, "The limo's outside, are you ready?"

Marissa took a deep breath, nodded and followed her to the limo.

They were hardly halfway to the church when a nervous Julie rang out to the driver, "Stop the car!"

The confused driver brought the car to a halt, as Marissa curiously looked at Julie.

"Mother? What's wrong?"

"Riss…I've…I've made many mistakes…and this one may ruin your future." Julie held her daughters hand as Summer nodded at her encouragingly.

"What are you talking about?"

"Chloe Jackson…I…I paid her to move onto Ryan so you'd see him and leave him."

Marissa looked her over in disbelief, yet she wasn't that surprised.

"I'm so sorry, and I know that doesn't excuse anything but I've come to realise…you and Ryan are meant to be together. You look miserable Marissa, and you should be beaming on your wedding day….It's because you love Ryan, isn't it?"

Marissa looked down and nodded, her mother squeezed her hand.

"Whatever you decide I'm with you but please, don't make a huge mistake because I was selfish."

Marissa's heart swelled with happiness at her mother's words, and she didn't care her mother had betrayed her she was just glad she was here now. Immediately she embraced her, surprising Julie.

"I love you mum…" Sighing she looked down at her hand and removed Jake's engagement ring. Julie took it from her, nodding understandingly.

"I'll tell him sweetie, I'm sure he'll understand….I do too."

Summer smiled widely at the scene which had unfolded before her, things were finally working out as Marissa shouted to the driver.

"Orange County Airport, and step on it!"

----

Marissa didn't know what she was going to do or what she'd say but as the car pulled up to the national departures entry she knew this was right.

"Good luck Coop." Summer smiled and hugged her tightly.

"Thanks you for locking me in the pool house Summ…" She winked.

"I love you Riss. I'm so proud of the woman you've become. Your father would be too."

"Thanks mum."

And with that the runaway bride stepped out of the limousine and ran inside. She didn't care everyone was staring at her like she was a crazy person, she just wanted Ryan. She stopped, looking up at the boarding screens. Ryan's flight would be at Gate 21'S security check. In heels and a dress she ran as fast as she could, with a few Japanese tourists taking photos of her.

She hoped she wasn't too late.

----

Ryan knew it was crazy but he kept looking over his shoulder, thinking maybe she'll show up, that she'd chosen him. Making his way over to the security check he was unaware of the commotion going on behind him. Everyone was exclaiming about the girl running all through the terminal in her wedding dress. As he cleared security he grabbed his suitcase and turned around and saw the white dress. The girl wearing it looked distressed, like she couldn't find someone. It looked like…

"Marissa…" Ryan breathed out, a wide grin crossing his face. She'd chosen him/. He had to get to her.

"Marissa!" Everyone in security turned to look at him, yet Marissa didn't hear as she continued to search the terminal. Spotting a small staff gate he tried to exit from security. Yet a middle aged security woman stepped in front of him.\

"Sorry sir. You can't exit this way."

"But I ---" Ryan began to protest before she cut him off.

"You'll have to go around the terminal to the exit gate"

Ryan knew that'd take too long and Marissa would've given up and left. He'd have to sweet talk his way out of this. Flashing his classic half grin he looked at her name tag.

"Look…Victoria I –"

"Don't try cute faces with me, I have five sons…" She crossed her arm.

"Please I have to get to that girl…right there, see?" Ryan pointed to Marissa, Victoria was surprised.

"That poor girl in a bridal gown?"

"That's the one."

Reluctantly she opened the gate, "Go ahead kid…"

"Thanks." Ryan smiled carrying his suitcase out just as Marissa was about to leave.

"Marissa." He exclaimed as she stopped in her tracks. Slowly she turned around, a grin plastered on her face as she ran to him, hugging him tightly.

"I can't help it either…" Marissa smiled, gazing into his eyes, remembering Ryan's confession from this morning.

"Help what?"

"But to love you…" Ryan smiled as well and there, in the middle of the crowded terminal he kissed her. The Japanese tourists were definitely sending this photo home.

Heeee I love fluff. Remember one more little chapter coming.