The day had come quicker then she would have hoped, Summer's birthday was today. The two friends, along with Kaitlin Cooper had gone to the spa then out for lunch at Fashion Island.
The noise of the Cheesecake Factory was pulsating though the three women as they sat at the bar. It was the louder then any club any of them had been to before. The bartender kept coming by, asking the women if they wanted another drink, the only person who said yes was Kaitlin who was using a fake id. Not that it mattered, he never checked the beautiful girls ID.
She had grown into an even more stunning version of her younger self. Every time Taylor saw her, she looked more and more like Marissa each time. Where as Marissa's beauty was classic, her sister was more striking in a modern way. She wore only brown mascara with brown eyeliner and skin toned lipstick. Kaitlin was more of a punk rock princess then Newport socialite, but with a college twist. Her only vice left was the love of good mix drink. She had given up smoking bud when she reached her senior year, with a little help from a speech Ryan liked to call, "Kaitlin, I will kick your ass if you don't quit."
The bartender walked by the three woman one more time before Summer looked over to see 7 people in all white walking towards her with a piece of cheesecake with a candle. The group started singing her a cheesy birthday song, as the three woman posed for a picture.
"Make a wish, Sum"
"No more wishes, I have everything I want," Summer, said looking at her friends then to her sparkling engagement ring," I am just lucky I can share this with you two."
"Roberts, you're making me want to puke. Let's just eat the cheesecake and go, cause my gift is waiting for us at our house," Kaitlin said smiling.
"Mini Coop, if there is a stripper waiting at our house for us, I will kick your ass"
She laughed, taking another bite, "No the Step-Alien is home, and it's better then a bare ass. I promise."
Taylor's mind was drifting, as the friendly banter between her friends got worst. She was brought back to life when Kaitlin hit her leg, "Towns, get your cute ass up. It's time to go."
Taylor pushed Kaitlin back into her seat, "Ladies, I need you both to tell me again my dress for tonight isn't to slutty?"
They were laughing at the sad and pathetic look of her face.
"Whore-tastic dress."
"Tramp-tastic dress," Summer looked over to Kaitlin nodding.
"Slut-tastic dress."
Summer laughed, "Taylor, again, the dress looks fantastic. Please don't make us think of any more words with tastic at the end."
"Thanks guys, I think. I just want to look nice for Ryan"
"Towns, you should try looking nice for yourself, see where that takes you."
The three women walked out into the parking lot to Kaitlin's red Mini Cooper. The last thing that could be heard before the last door closed shut was a final, "Ho-tastic dress"
The ride to Julie Cooper's house was spent listening to an old CD Marissa had made Summer for her 13th birthday. It was full of music from 2000 and 2001 that should have died then. The noise of "bye bye bye" rang though the small car, as the girls inside sang along.
As they pulled up to Casa Cooper, Summer smiled at her childhood home.
"You know I still can't believe Julie won the lottery last year and finally bought this house from my dad."
"Well, you know us Cooper's, we make it happen and if we can't we sleep with someone who can," she said shutting off her car.
"So what is this birthday gift you have for Summer, Kait?" Taylor asked as the walked in the front door.
"Calm down ladies, all I can say is; it won't bite. Unless you ask real nice," she laughed opening the door to the living room.
The birthday girl was in utter shock, a room full of Vera Wang wedding dresses and two very gay looking men. Both men were dressed in pink button up shirts with black slacks; eyebrows waxed, eyeliner on and huge smiles. Summer screamed in joy when she recognized the two men. They were her favorite wedding stylists, Marshall and Maximilian.
The rest of the day the three friends spent trying on dresses and getting their hair and make up done. Tonight was going to be off the chain, as Kaitlin would say.
The Cohen's house was buzzing with dinner plans for Summer's birthday. Kirsten had order food from The Chart House, wrapped gifts and ironed her men all shirts for tonight. She was about to head up stairs to take a nap when her son's entered the kitchen.
"Mother, woman for bore me, loved me always. Lady who loved me when no one would…"
"Seth, I will wrap whatever you two bought today," she laughed as her son's faced smiled huge.
"Kirsten, you don't have to do that, you have done enough. We can wrap the rest of the gifts, Seth was just being."
"He man, I am standing here," he said punching Ryan's arm.
Ryan froze as Seth's hand hit his arm. He turned to Seth with his famous death glare.
"Ok buddy, no more love taps, got it"
Kirsten laughed taking all the bags from her son's hands, "Did you boys leave anything at the Spectrum for other's to buy?"
"Seth, went a little crazy at Target and Macy's," Ryan said rolling his eyes.
"Dude, this is the girl who said yes to me, she is gonna marry me. She gets as many gifts as Mr. Visa will allow. And you're one to talk, he bought Taylor.."
This time it was Ryan's punch on the arm that silenced his brother.
"You bought Taylor something Ryan, that is very sweet. Are you two back together? Cause you know Sandy and I love her. I would be nice to know your happy Ryan."
Ryan again gave his famous death glare.
"Ok, to soon for questions about Taylor, got it." Kirsten said, walking past Ryan, planting a kiss on his forehead. "You're so cute when you give the death glare."
Ryan smiled as Kirsten left the kitchen.
"What time is everyone showing up tonight, again?"
"Seth, it's your girlfriend's birthday dinner, you know what time it starts so think of something knew to talk about, before I leave you here to talk about yourself."
Seth smiled with a knowing look, "You wanna talk about Taylor again, don't you?"
"I am leaving now," he said walking past his brother.
"Listen Ryan, go get yourself pretty for tonight. I know you need some alone time with your bathroom mirror before Taylor shows up"
Ryan stopped dead in his tracks inches from the back door, he turned back to look at a now scared looking Seth, "You remember I can kill you with my pinky right?"
"Um, yep"
"See you for dinner then," he said laughing all the way to the pool house.
Dinner happened almost to fast for Taylor, sitting next to Ryan at the long kitchen table was driving her insane. His elbow would brush hers, each time he would look over to her with his steel blue eyes smiling.
As Summer started her thank you speech, Ryan had put his hand on her leg under the table. It was a simple jester, he had done many times, and she thought he didn't even realize he had done it.
She slowly placed her tiny hand on his, smiling looking for to him. He was already looking at her. He turned his hand over, taking her hand in his. Each finger intertwined with hers. Their eyes frozen together for moments till she heard her name.
"Tay, time to put our amazing dresses on," Summer said grabbing Taylor arm, pulling her front the table. Her tiny hand clung to Ryan's for a split second more.
"Seth, we will meet you guys at Boom, in an hour," she said before she shut the front door.
Ryan was irritated at Summer for ruining his moment with Taylor but it was her birthday he thought.
He watched as Sandy bought Kirsten a handful of dishes from the table, he placed them on the counter before grabbing his wife's waist. Her wet hands slapping his away but they were no match for his. He swung her around to the beat of the music playing from the living room. She placed her head on his shoulder before Seth ruined the moment.
"Your children don't want to watch this scene," he said ducking as Sandy threw a dishtowel at him.
Ryan's mind was swirling with thoughts of marriage, family and Taylor. Then he was brought back to life by the realization he didn't know her now but he wanted too. He had a choice to make he thought.
He grabbed his cell phone, taking a step outside. He called the one person who could help him, Anna.
I hope this was worth the wait, it's all leading back to Chapter 1 very soon. Thanks for all your reviews and views, my stats are blowing my mind. So thank you, keep the kind words coming. I should update a couple more times before Xmas.
- Happy Holidays Lindsay