+ Settling In
When Marissa and Ryan got back to LA they dropped past Seth and Summer's and collected her bags and then took them to Ryan's penthouse.
As they emerged from the lift with all her luggage, Ryan, who was carrying the biggest and heaviest bags, put them down beside the door to pull out his keys. Marissa stood to one side to allow him to open the door and go inside but as soon as he opened the door he turned to her and said. "Put down those bags."
"What? Why?"
"Because I know you're light but I don't want to carry them as well." He smiled looking at the puzzled expression on her face.
"Ry? What are you talking about?" Marissa smiled starting to see where this was going.
"Well I'm sure there's some sort of tradition whereby when it's your first home together I need to carry you over the threshold and I figure that this is it for us." He took the bags she was holding out of her hands and deposited them on the floor.
Marissa smiled. "You don't have to."
"Yeah. But I want to. It gives me another reason to have you in my arms." He said as he picked her up and walked through the door. She turned her head to look at him and their eyes met. She felt like she was drowning in the blue pools before her. As she slowly slid out of his arms to put her feet back on the floor her body became electrically charged as it moved across his. They stood just inside the doorway and their mouths met in a passionate kiss. She thought her knees would give way as they buckled beneath her but luckily Ryan was still holding her.
Minutes later when they needed to come up for air Marissa looked at him and said "Hm… I like moving in with you."
"There's more of those where that came from." He smiled, and went and brought in her bags.
---
A short while later after all Marissa's bags had been carried in to the main bedroom Ryan said "Are you sure you'll be right here on your own?"
"Yes. I'll just unpack my things and maybe go over my script."
"Okay. You know there's the whole other walk-in dressing room for you to use."
"Yes Ryan I can find it all myself." She smiled. He was like a Mother Hen, fussing about her. "If I'm going to be living here then I'll need to investigate so that I can find my way around. Are there any rooms that are off limits?"
"Off limits?"
"You know. Private?" She asked but he looked at her puzzled. "Where you have your secret porn stash?" She suggested.
"Why? Are you planning on needing it?" he asked raising his eye brows at her.
"No. It's just. Well I don't want you to think that I am imposing. You weren't really planning on having me stay with you until all this stuff with Jake happened."
"Will you just get it through your head that the 'stuff' with Jake just gave me an excuse to ask you to move in? We would have gotten round to it eventually, just maybe not quite this fast."
"Yeah. Well. Do you realise it's only been like 5 days since you asked me out for that drink?"
"It's pretty amazing how much has happened since then. Isn't it?"
"Yeah. Maybe you need some time to think it all through?"
"The only thing I need time for is to get my work finished so I can get back to you." He said as he lent in and kissed her. "Okay. I will probably be a few hours at least so just make your self comfortable."
"Okay. What about if I invite Seth and Summer to have dinner with us? I'd like to thank them for helping me yesterday."
"Good idea. I normally eat with them on a Wednesday night anyhow so they shouldn't have anything on. And there should be plenty of food in the fridge and freezer otherwise we'll just order in. I'll be home as soon as I can" Ryan said and noticed the big smile on Marissa's face. "What?" he asked.
"Home. Our home, it sounds good."
"Yes it does." He smiled and kissed her again and then made his way towards the door.
"Hold on. I forgot." He went in to his study and came back with some keys. "Here these are actually the spares but you can use them until I get you your own set."
"Thank you." Marissa held them in her hand and looked down at them. For some reason at that moment she was totally overcome. She could feel herself tearing up. Whether it was because of everything that had happened with Jake just catching up with her, or whether it was because finally after all this time Ryan and her seemed to be back on track she wasn't sure.
Ryan noticed her silence, and he put his finger beneath her chin and lifted her head so that he could look into her eyes. "Have I done something wrong?"
She shook her head. "No. You have done everything right." She leaned in and kissed him sweetly. "Now off to work with you. Hurry home. I'm already missing you." She smiled.
He kissed her again and smiled and walked out the door.
---
Julie filled up her coffee cup and made her way into the lounge and turned on the television. Dan had a meeting tonight so she had a few hours to fill in before he came home. She flicked through the stations trying to find something of interest. She stopped on an entertainment show thinking that maybe they would make a reference to the film Marissa was doing. She didn't have to wait long as the announcer said "And in breaking news in Hollywood, It is believed that Jake Hammond was escorted from the set of his latest film "Fashion Victim" today, by police. The film was to have been the debut into acting for supermodel Marissa Cooper. It is not known at this point if Ms Cooper was in anyway involved in the incident which led to Hammond's arrest. Although there have been rumours about his behaviour with attractive women before, Hammond has always managed to get away with it; earning himself the nick name in tinsel town of "The Teflon Man".
Ms Cooper herself had attracted some interest today by appearing on the front page of the Globe hand in hand with Ryan Atwood. Atwood, the multi-millionaire architect/developer that is currently one of the hottest bachelors around, has a reputation completely the opposite to Hammond. He is rarely seen with any partner and is thought to be a bit of a loner. Could this be a love triangle? We'll try to find out more and keep you informed."
Julie sat there stunned. She didn't know what to be more upset about.
She picked up the phone and dialled Marissa's number.
---
"Hey Mum."
"Marissa what's going on?"
"With what?"
"Well I just saw a report on TV about Jake Hammond being arrested and more importantly you in a photo with….. that boy." She said putting as much disgust into the last two words as she could.
"Mum. 'that boy' is actually a man now and his name is Ryan." Marissa corrected her mother.
"I know. But for Christ's sake Marissa what were you doing with him. Haven't you listened to me at all?"
"Yes Mum I have. But you need to know that you are totally wrong on this one. You were wrong about him in high school and you're wrong about him now."
"What do you mean? When have I ever led you astray? Haven't I taken us from trailer park trash to rich and elite? Need I remind you that when Caleb died and your father left us, we had nothing? And look at us now. I can't believe you would put it all at risk to spend time with him."
"Mum I really don't understand this obsession you have with trying to keep Ryan and me apart but let me assure you; you are totally wrong. You have never been more wrong about anything in your life. If you are really interested in my welfare you'd be asking questions about exactly what went on with Jake and me."
"But Marissa, Ryan is so wrong for you. I don't want you making a mistake that could ruin your life."
"Mum, the only thing that makes sense in my life right now IS Ryan." Marissa tried to think of a way to get her mother to change the subject. She knew they would never agree on this one. "Are you at all interested in the fact that Jake actually attacked me today?"
"What?"
"Yeah…. Twice."
"I can't believe…..he seemed like such a nice man?"
"Mum, you didn't even know him. How can you say he seemed nice after what I've just told you and yet you make out that Ryan is something evil that will destroy me?"
"Well I just know that he will end up breaking you heart again."
"You don't know that at all." Marissa smiled thinking about the time she'd spent with Ryan. "I'm thinking he might be just what I need to mend the heart he broke all those years ago."
"Marissa…NO. Please….Promise me you won't spend any more time with him."
Marissa wanted to be honest with her mother and tell her she was living with Ryan but Julie was so upset Marissa thought she should leave it until another day. Maybe she could catch Julie in a better frame of mind.
"I can't promise that mum. You don't know what you're asking. I'll talk to you later." Marissa closed her phone. She couldn't believe that her mother had barely asked about what happened with Jake. She hadn't even seemed to care that Marissa had been attacked. All that worried Julie was that Marissa was spending time with Ryan. She really didn't understand why Julie was so against Ryan but she was going to have to come to terms with it. Marissa didn't want to have to choose between the two of them but if she had to, she thought she knew what she would do.
---
When Ryan arrived at work Annabel was not at her desk so he went straight to his office and got some work done. His mind kept going back to Marissa and he wondered what she was doing. He decided to give her a call.
Marissa looked at the land line ringing and hesitated about answering. No one but Summer and Ryan would expect her to be there. She looked at the number on the caller id but it meant nothing to her. Cautiously she answered. "Hello."
"Hey it's me."
"Hi you" she smiled hearing Ryan's voice "I wasn't sure if I should answer it or not."
"Why? It's your phone now too."
"I hadn't thought about it that way. I feel a bit like I'm invading your space."
"Well don't. But if it's really a problem then I guess we could always find somewhere else to live. Somewhere more neutral….. As long as we're together I don't care where we live."
Marissa felt a lump in her throat. She couldn't speak. He really did just want to be with her. It was just what she needed to hear after her little chat with her mother.
"Riss. Are you there?" Ryan wondered why she had suddenly gone quiet.
"Uh huh." She nodded even though he couldn't see her.
"What's wrong?"
"That's probably one of the nicest things you have ever said to me. I guess it just got to me."
Ryan didn't understand. "What that I'll move for you? If it's a problem then get on the computer now and look for something you'd like." He knew he'd do anything to make sure he didn't lose her this time.
"No. This is fine. Better than fine. It's beautiful. Well not as good as the house at Newport but I realise that that's not practical when we work in LA."
"Okay…then what was the nice thing I said? Just in case I might want to use it again?" he smiled knowing the reaction he was likely to get.
"Don't worry about it. Plus you don't get double brownie points you know. The reason it was so great was because it came out spontaneously. You hadn't thought about it at all."
"Hm. I wish I had instant replay."
"Never mind. So how's the work going?"
"Yeah. I shouldn't be too much longer. I just wanted to check if you're still okay with coming with me tomorrow?"
"I guess. I mean I don't have anything else to do. So if you'd like me to come along then sure. As long as I won't be in the way."
"Never. Who knows?" he smiled "We might even try out that mile high club I've heard about."
"No way buster. Have you seen the size of the bathrooms on planes? There ain't no way we are both trying anything in there."
"Is that right?"
"Yep."
"Well I might have to try and change your mind." Ryan suggested all the while thinking up a little plan.
"You've got no chance. So just forget it. Now any idea on when you'll be home?" Marissa asked liking the sound of that. She was amazed that one little four letter word could make her feel so warm and fuzzy.
"Probably about 6:30. Are Seth and Summer coming to join us?"
"Yeah. I spoke to Summer earlier and they should be here around 7 so 6:30's fine."
"Do you want me to pick up something on the way home?"
"No. I've made a lasagne. I just need to throw a salad together when they get here."
"Quite the little domestic goddess aren't you?"
"Don't push it. I may have graduated from Mac and cheese but my skills are still fairly limited. I know you don't want me for my cooking skills."
"No. You have other skills that I'm more interested in. Actually I might see if I can get home by 6 so we've got enough time."
"Enough time for what?"
"Um… Let's call it nibblies. You know where I nibble you and you nibble me." He suggested.
"Ryan Atwood. Just what are you suggesting?"
"You know very well what I'm suggesting. What do you think?"
"See you at 6." Marissa replied smiling as she put the phone back in its cradle.
---
Ryan replaced the receiver and pressed the page button on his phone.
Annabel's voice filled the room. "Yes Ryan?"
"Annabel, I've had a change of plan. Could you cancel my commercial flight to San Fran tomorrow and book me a private jet."
"Certainly, when did you want to leave?"
"Probably about 10. From Orange County Airport if you could. I hate the traffic at LAX. And I'll be returning late in the day tomorrow. I don't know just when yet. It depends on how the meeting goes. Just book the jet for the day. I'll call them when I have a better idea of what time we will be returning."
"We?" Annabel enquired. Who else was going with him? Maybe it was someone else from the company involved in the project, although she thought that Ryan had been handling this one all on his own.
"Yes, we." He realised she wanted to know who was going with him. But it was really none of her business. "And if possible I'd like one with a shower on board. I may need to freshen up." He added. A smile growing across his face. He wondered what his chances might be on a private jet. "Could you let me know when it's confirmed?"
"Certainly Ryan. Do you still want a limo to meet you in San Fran?" Annabel replied.
Ryan thought for a moment. "Yes thanks. Oh and Annabel?"
"Yes."
"Could you see if Skip is available?"
"Sure." She placed the phone back in its cradle and looked at it. She didn't have a good feeling about this. Firstly he took yesterday afternoon off. Then he was late for work today and now this. It was so un-Ryan-like.
She didn't like it at all.