A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update, had a little trouble with my Internet connection! Also, thank you for all your reviews!

Enjoy!

Chapter One- Surprise!

"Where are we going?"

Ryan turned his head to look at Taylor, confused he replied, "You know where we're going Taylor. To Newport."

"Oh, I know that."

"Then, why are you asking?"

Smiling at her own plan, Taylor turned her body towards Ryan explaining, "I wanted to get in character. You know…so that it would be more believable that I didn't know about the party if I start from now."

He grinned a little at just how adorable his girlfriend could be, and shook his head wondering for what felt like the millionth time just where she got some of her ideas from.

"Right. Well, I'm sorry I can't tell you where we're going Taylor," he told her in a mock serious tone, trying to not laugh at the same time, "You'll just have to wait and find out."

Taylor pouted a little, although inside she was glad that Ryan was playing along. She reached over and began playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. Ryan gripped the steering wheel tighter.

Taylor leaned in closer towards Ryan's ear and whispered, "Not even if I ask really nicely?"

After a few deep breaths, Ryan forced out, "Well you could but then we'd never make it to where we're going. And we couldn't have that now."

"Spoil sport."

"You could always try 'asking me nicely' later on tonight." He teased.

She laughed and sat back in her seat, noticing that they were nearly there, "That'll depend on how tonight goes. But I'm guessing you'll be a shoe in for getting lucky."

"SURPRISE!!"

Walking out on to the balcony area, Taylor realized she really didn't need to act to be surprised. Although she knew about the party, looking around at how beautifully decorated it was and all the faces of her friends and family, she was blown away.

"Oh my gosh, this is…" She turned and looked at Ryan, who had walked in behind her and was now stood to one side; he just gave her a shy smile and a wink.

"Taylor Townsend appears to be lost for words. Remember this moment people; it's one of those rare phenomenon's that happens once in a lifetime!" Seth laughed at his own joke and came up to Taylor and gave her a kiss on the cheek, "Happy birthday Taylor."

A few paces behind Seth, Summer waddled up to greet the birthday girl.

"Sum, you're getting so big!" Taylor exclaimed running her hands over the belly protruding from beneath Summer's flowing dress.

"Yes I know," elbowing Seth out of the way, "Thanks for making me as big as a house, Cohen."

The girls grinned at each other as Seth rubbed his side and pulled a face, he was about to reply but was cut off by Summer pulling Taylor into as much of a hug as she could with her belly in between, before he could say anything.

"Happy birthday, sweetie! Atwood really went all out for you! These day's I'm lucky if Seth brings me orange juice in the morning."

"Hey, I take offence to that. I went all out to buy you ice cream and gherkins."

Taylor scrunched up her nose at Summer's new choice of food.

"And I love you for it." Summer replied.

"Ahh, well what my baby wants, my baby gets.'

"Cohen!" Summer punched Seth's arm as he was talking to her stomach and not her, "Up here, I am more than an oven for the bun you know!"

Taylor laughed and looked around at the strings of fairy lights woven through the shrubbery and hung on the walls, the candles on each table and balloons bouncing softly in the wind to the time of the music of the band, Taylor smiled widely. Her eyes shining with all the love and appreciation she felt for Ryan, she sighed, "I don't even know how Ryan found the time to do all this. He's been working so hard lately."

Taylor was greeted by the rest of the Cohen's and Julie and Frank and gasped in delight when she saw that even her friends from the paper where she worked had made it down.

Sarah, her closet friend at work, had rushed up to Taylor with her favourite drink in hand. As the two sipped on their Cosmo's, Taylor found Ryan amongst the crowd of people.

Noticing her friends gaze she commented, "You're one lucky girl you know that. I'd give anything to find a man like yours."

Taylor smiled at her friend, "Don't worry I'm sure you'll find your perfect guy someday. I am lucky to have found mine. I can't believe he put this together for me. It was sooo unexpected!"

Sarah eyed Taylor suspiciously, "You knew didn't you?"

"What?"

"You can't fool me, Townsend. You knew about the party didn't you?

"I don't know what you're talking about." Taylor replied feigning innocence whilst trying to hide her smile behind her glass. Sarah saw it, but decided to let it go.

"Whatever you say."

A while later the party was in full swing, the cake had been cut and pictures had been taken. Now people were sitting around talking at tables or mingling with each other and even a few couples had began to slow dance in front of the band.

As she stood watching the boats in the marina below bob up and down on the water, Taylor felt an arm wrap around her waist. So familiar was she to his touch she instantly knew who it was and lent back against his chest.

"Have I told you how much I love you tonight?"

Ryan rested his chin on her shoulder, "No, not tonight I don't think."

Taylor turned around in his arms, looping hers around his neck, "Thank you so much for doing this for me."

Ryan brushed her bangs to one side and cupped her face in his hand, whispering, "I'd do anything for you."

He lent in and kissed her softly, bringing his other hand up to her cheek he deepened the kiss, telling her how much he loved her with his lips without saying a word. Taylor let out a contented sigh when they pulled apart.

Over Ryan's shoulder she could see Sandy and Kirsten moving in a perfect rhythm to the music, still so much in love, three kids and so many years later since they had first met. She looked at them and knew that it wasn't easy, it took hard work, understanding, respect and a lot of love to get to where they were now; but it was what she had always wanted. To be with someone and have a love that was felt in astounding ripples by all those around them.

She was beginning to believe that that was what she was going to have with Ryan.

"Do you want to dance?"

"I'd love to."

She took his hand and he led her to the middle of the dance floor. Ryan pulled her close and nodded to the guy in the band. As they began to move the music changed as the band started a new song.

"This is my favourite song," Taylor looked at Ryan who smiled and then over to the lead singer, who nodded his head at the couple. "You got them to play this? Just when I thought you couldn't get anymore perfect, Ryan Atwood."

She snuggled closer to Ryan's shoulder, inhaling his scent. They moved together, oblivious of the world around and unaware of the commotion that was happening near the doors. It was only when they heard the reverberating bang of a platter of food falling to the floor did Taylor look over.

"Ryan! Stop! Get back here!"

Confused, Taylor looked at Ryan and then the woman chasing the source of the disruption through the crowds. Everything became quiet. The only thing Taylor heard was Ryan breath in sharply.

"Theresa."

TBC