Thanks to my new Beta MM, she rocks. Lex your next. I really really want to thank you all for your reviews. Ten points to the person who names the band the title of the Chapters belong too.

Peace Out

Spring break had come to the students at Cal and for most it was a time to get away from the little hippie town but for Taylor and Summer it meant going home to Orange County for the first time in three years. Well, for Taylor it would be the first time. The drive from the Bay area to Orange County would take eight hours, three bathroom breaks and one Ipod. Highway Five was buzzing with the roar of big rigs and people speeding along.

They started to make their way over the Grapevine when Taylor finally spoke about him.

"So he won't be home? Sum, tell me the truth. What did Seth say? I need to know everything. I just don't think I am ready to see him. Even after all these years."

"Wow, Tay, you're at a ten and we need you at a three, calm down. Seth said he would be at his dorm all week. Chapman's break isn't till next week, so he has midterms. Tay, you're acting crazy and a little more then usual. Seth mumbled something about Ryan not making it to my birthday party either so you don't have to worry about that."

Looking over the steering wheel, Summer rolled her eyes while Taylor hit the next button on the Ipod. The two friends sat in silence till they hit downtown Los Angeles. The city was alive; cars rushing by, the skyscrapers were lit from bottom to top and the billboards were telling anyone who could read to drink Grey Goose Vodka. This was Los Angeles, a city unlike any other in the world but for them it was just a city on the way home.

As they crossed over the border of Orange County, they passed Knott's Berry Farm, Taylor mind flooded with memories of her only New Years with him. The two couples had spent the dawning of the New Year on Montezooma's Revenge screaming bloody murder. A picture was taken as the ride went into reverse and it still sat in its frame on Summer's side of the bed. Taylor had put her copy away in the brown box under her bed with the countless other momentos from those months spent with him.

Summer changed lanes to enter the 55 freeway which took them to Newport she looked at her friend.

"Tay, your zoning again. We'll be at the Cohen's in twenty mins if the traffic doesn't blow on Newport Blvd."

"Sum, traffic on a Friday night on Newport Blvd always sucks. I just can't wait to see the Cohen's."

The Cohen's had become her family since her mother had thrown her out all those year ago. She had lived in the guestroom next to Seth's till she left to go to Cal. Kirsten was the mother she never had before, still she called once a week to check up on her. Being with Ryan had calmed Taylor so much so that no one seemed to remember a Taylor before Ryan.

"I bet Capitan Oak's missed Princess Sparkle," Summer said, laughing.

"I bet he did, Sum, I'm just glad to be going home," she spoke, looking out the window as they turned onto PCH.

As the car drove into the Cohen's driveway, Sandy and Kirsten walked out to meet them with hugs and kisses. In moments, Summer's legs were wrapped around Seth as they hugged. Sandy and Kirsten met Taylor with hugs and kind words, "Taylor, you're all grown up now" and "Taylor, you're beautiful".

For Taylor it was just nice to be back in the arms of parents who loved her even when she wasn't perfect. Taylor had only seen her real mother once since she had kicked her out all those years ago. It had been Valentine's Day. Her mother had been drunk, to tell the truth everyone that night was a bit tipsy. Summer and Seth had found a wading pool outside the St Regis to dance the Tango in and Ryan and Taylor had walked along the beach in Laugna till a bottle of champagne was finished. It was a night not enough her mother could have ruined.

Sandy started talking about breakfast for dinner and Taylor smiled.

"You know Sandy, in many Asian cultures they don't par take in breakfast as we do in America," she kept talking as he grabbed her shoulder.

"Listen Taylor, how about we eat and then talk Asian cultures' food intake over coffee, I missed you kid," he said, entering the house with Taylor at his side.

Ryan waved goodbye to the Cohen's as the pulled their Ranger Rover from the driveway. He had been planning a romantic weekend with Taylor since Sandy had told him they were taking a trip to San Deigo. Seth had taken Taylor and Summer to Downtown Disney for the lunch at the Rainforst Café so Ryan could set up the house for tonight. As the hours passed, Ryan became more nervous about what he was going to say to her. He wasn't much of a talker but tonight he had found the words to express how he felt for his non-girlfriend.

Seth, Summer and Taylor had made their way back to the Cohen's as the sun was setting in the west. As they were walking to the front door, Seth and Summer said goodbye before Taylor had time to blink. She was stunned her friends had left her.

"Guys, where are you going? Wait, where is Ryan? Guys?" she said before feeling arms wrap around her waist.

His fingers locked around hers as he turned her body into his kissing her.

"I made you dinner, Taylor," he said kissing her mouth one last time before leading her to the kitchen.

As she entered the kitchen she stopped dead in her tracks. Thousand of twinkly lights placed all over the room along with candles covering most of the center console. The kitchen table was set for two. A bottle of white wine was opened next to a vase full of burgundy, light and dark pink, and red roses. Her mind was swirling.

"Ryan, oh my God, this is beautiful. You did this for me?"

"Of course I did this for you"

"But why? I know it's not our non-anniversay because that was last week. Ryan, why?"

He took her by her hand leading her to the table before answering her, "Taylor, will you sit down and just go with it?"

Her face turned into a sideways smile. As he took a seat aross from her she finally took a look at him. He was wearing a baby blue dress shirt with her favorite dark desginer jeans. His hair has just been cut and his faced newly shaved. He looked more handosme then usual.

Dinner was wonderful, she thought taking her last bite of the roast. The food was so wonderful and made even better by the fact Ryan had made it.

"Taylor, I have something important to say to you."

Dinner with the Coehn's was everything Taylor had remembered. Sandy talking about surfing while Kirsten spoke about Julie's new millianare husband and work. Seth went on and on about his new comic book. Life had seemed for the most part to go on as usual but no one spoke of Ryan. He was the offical white elaphant in the room at all time she thought.

When she entered the guestroom her thoughts were flooded with more memoires of her past with Ryan. She was going crazy inside and she had to get out. Taylor grabbed her hand bag and ran down the stairs taking Summer's keys; she was almost to the front door when she was stopped by Seth calling her name from the kitchen.

"Taylor!" was all she heard as she closed the front door.

She jumped into Summer's car turned on the car and was gone.