A/N: I understand it's a little slow going but I promise you it only gets better from here. Thanks for the reviews and comments. Please Commment and Review so that I know people are reading. Thanks...

Let the festivities begin

Kirsten was already in the kitchen when she saw a very tired Ryan enter the kitchen from the yard. "So I see you guys had a long night" She said handing him a cup of coffee. "Thanks. Is Seth up yet?" He said.

"Come on Ryan it's Chrismukkah it's time for the decorations and the holiday cheer spreading" Seth said. Ryan almost forgot how annoying Seth was about this but at the same he wouldn't change the holiday for the world.

"Well your alert for spending half the night awake playing play station" Kirsten observed. "Well mom it's Chrismukkah so we do what we must to surivive. Ryan my man I'm going to grab some shoes and you are going to meet me by the car in like five minutes so we could go get the x-mas tree" He said walking out.

Ryan looked at Kirsten wondering what just happened. "Merry Chrismukkah" She said. Ryan laughed. "Ryan get a move on buddy" He heard Seth say. He placed the cup down. "We should be back soon. Well hopefully" Ryan said leaving Kirsten in the kitchen.

Ryan was driving while Seth was navigating. "Seth I know how to get to the lot god knows we've been going there for years" He said sighing. "So why is that you ended up on this street?" Seth said. "Because if you must know I promised Summer she could come to pick out her tree" Ryan told him.

"Let me get this straight you were going to invite Summer to come tree shopping with me without even telling me?" He said. "Yeah is that a problem?" He said. "What would you have done if we didn't talk last night?" Seth wondered. Ryan thought. "Still invite Summer" he said looking at Seth. "Okay so I guess you don't mind that I invited Marissa then" He said. "So I guess we're stopping at Marissa's then" Ryan said.

"Don't bother she's at Summer's. I told her to meet us there since I knew you were going to pull the whole Summer invite" Seth said. "Nice thinking man" He said impressed. "Well I am a Cohen I have a knack for these things Ryan" Seth said.

Ryan pulled into the drive to see Summer and Marissa already waiting for them. They got in. "Hey" Seth said. "Seth, Ryan" Marissa said. "Hey" Ryan said. "Cohen" She said. "Summer" He said. "Hey Ryan" She said with a smile. "Summer. So you guys ready?" He said.

"Of course Atwood it's time for some tree shopping" She said with excitement. "You heard the lady the trees await" Seth said. Ryan turned to look at Marissa's face which oddly enough wore the same expression as the one on his. Marissa laughed and Ryan started the car and pulled away.

They were at the tree lot and Ryan much to Marissa's surprise was behaving friendlier to Summer more then he ever did before. Which she thought was a little odd. "Okay so this tree is too thin" Summer said to Ryan. Ryan thought now was the time to let Summer know that he had told Seth since Seth and Marissa were off looking for the perfect tree for the Cohen's house.

"Okay so I told Seth last night about how we talk" Ryan said looking at her for a reaction. "You did? Oh so that's why you've been acting more friendly when he's around. I thought that you were just crazy" Summer said. Ryan laughed. "So I guess now that the cats out of the bag I should tell Coop" She said.

"Tell me what?" Marissa said standing behind them. Ryan and Summer looked at each other.

"What's going on guys?" She said.

Seth came from behind her and finally realized what was going on. "Okay so I think I know what this is about. You see Cooper Ryan knows that we've been talking being I told him about it last night" He said while Marissa glared at him.

"And this little huddle formation what got going on here is Ryan Atwood's way of giving Summer a heads up that he told me Summer interrupted "That me and Ryan have also been in touch with each other" Summer said telling Marissa.

Marissa smiled and then gave a little laugh. "Okay so you and Ryan talk so why didn't you just tell me?" She wondered. "For the same reason you didn't tell me that you were in touch with Seth" She said. Marissa nodded silently knowing what she was talking about.

"So now that everybody knows what's going on I say we pick out a tree already so we can get the hell out of here" Seth said. "Right so we got to pick out the perfect tree" Summer said walking off Seth following behind her.

"This can't be good" Ryan said. "We're gonna be here for hours" Marissa said sighing. Ryan called out to them. "You know guys we don't have a lot of time Kirsten wants everything set before the party" He said following them. Marissa laughed and kept walking and thought this should be interesting.

Three hours later Ryan and Seth had already dropped the girl's home and were now bringing in the perfect tree as Summer called it. "I was wondering what was taking you boys so long" Kirsten said rushing over to help Ryan being he was the one carrying the tree where Seth walked in empty handed. "Seth a little help here" He said. "Yeah I'm kind of tired" Seth said choosing to ignore Ryan.

"You know Seth it would be nice for you to help out this year instead of just giving orders" Kirsten pointed out. "Yeah thanks mom but it's just not going to happen. So mother did you get all the trimmings and such out?" Seth said.

"Yes Seth everything is ready" She said. Ryan placed the tree in the corner glaring at Seth. "Perfect the Ryan Atwood glare and this Chrismukkah is complete" He said excitedly. "What's going on with him?" Kirsten asked Ryan. "He decided to stop being a coward and actually talk to Summer which by the way she'll also be attending tonight's festivities" Ryan said. "Yeah along with Marissa" Seth said sitting on the couch.

Kirsten looked at Ryan. "Are you okay with that?" Kirsten wondered. Ryan went to speak but was interrupted by Seth "It was actually Ryan's idea mother so I would say he's fine with it" Seth said. "Thanks buddy" He said. "Your welcome" Seth said smiling. Kirsten smiled. "Well that's great I'm going to get the lights from the closet" She said walking away from them. Ryan knew he was in for one hell of a chrismukkah.

After all the decorations were finished Ryan got ready for the party. Seth having done so hours before getting bored at barking out directions to people. He heard a knock on the pool house door. He was just putting on his shoes. "Come in" He said. In walked Sandy. "Well I got to hand it to you Ryan the house looks great" Sandy said.

"Thanks but Kirsten pretty much decorated I was in charge of the lifting and the stringing of the lights" He said. "And Seth as per usual gave orders" Sandy said knowing how he was. "Yeah I'm actually glad you came by I wanted to talk to you about the other day" Ryan said.

"Oh you mean where I through my two cents into the pot about you and Marissa sticking my nose where it doesn't belong" He said. Ryan laughed. "No what I was going to say was thank you" He said looking at Sandy.

"For what?" He said. "I figured you were right and this thing with Marissa has gone on long enough and we've known each other to long to keep dodging each other" Ryan said. Sandy nodded understanding. "Well I'm just glad you finally see it" He said.

"She's coming tonight things are still a little weird but we talked and we're going to try to at least be something" He said having a pretty good idea that Sandy knew about his feelings for Marissa. See that was the thing between them Ryan could deny something and Sandy could look at him and see the truth.

Ryan guessed it was on account of him being a lawyer. "Well I'm glad kiddo you know maybe now you'll be visiting more" He said patting Ryan on the shoulder. Ryan smiled. "Yeah" He said. "Oh before I forget Kirsten wants to talk to you about something she's in the kitchen when you're ready" Sandy said.

"Okay well I should go see what she wants" Ryan said walking out Sandy followed but as soon as he entered the kitchen he left giving Ryan and Kirsten alone time. "Hey Kirsten" He said. "Great your here" She said. "Yeah Sandy said you were looking for me what's up?" Ryan said.

"Well things are a little hectic here but I was just wondering if you could meet me at the office tomorrow? because I just wanted to discuss a few things with you" She said. Ryan looked at here oddly. "Okay but why not here?" He asked confused as to what this all was about. "It's business" Kirstem said.

"Okay sure I'll be there" He said understanding that Kirsten wanted to talk about something. "Great so if you don't mind could you go find Seth make sure he didn't wander off or something" She said. He laughed at her nervousness. "Okay no problem" He said heading upstairs. He knocked on Seth's door.

"Hey man" Ryan said finding Seth laying on his bed looking at the ceiling. Ryan took a seat on his old computer chair. "So you've succumb to staring at the ceiling I see" He said. Seth looked at Ryan. "Yeah well what else is there to do in Orange County" He said.

"I don't know you could have helped with the decorations. I'm sure your mom would love some help with setting up for the party" Ryan said. "Please mom lives for parties and decorations" Seth said. "So what's up Seth?" He said. "What if it doesn't happen?" Seth asked. "What if what doesn't happen?" Ryan said.

"What if there's no room for another chance when it comes to me and Summer?" He said sitting up and staring at Ryan. "Seth you guys just started talking last night don't rush it" Ryan said. "How do I even know she still wants to be with me?" He said getting an idea and looking at Ryan with a smile. Ryan caught on.

"Oh no. No, I am not getting involved with you and Summer" He said. "Come on Ryan you and her have become buddy buddy she most have said something to you" He said. "Seth you know I can't do that to Summer" Ryan said. "Dude where is your loyalty? We're best friends brothers even" He said.

"My loyalty is staying out of it and while it's true that you're my best friend and my brother. Summer has been a part of my life for just as long and we're really good friends and I don't want to mess that up" Ryan said. "So what you're trying to say is that you like me better?" Seth said. Ryan glared at him.

"What I'm saying is that I'm not getting involved Seth" He said with a laugh. "Ryan you know I would tell you anything you want to know about Marissa" He said. "No you wouldn't because I'm not asking and you should respect Marissa enough to keep silent" Ryan told him.

"I can't believe that so what your saying is that there's no temptation for you to find out if Marissa still wants to be with you?" He questioned Ryan. "Seth how many times do I have to tell you Marissa and I are not he interrupted "Together. I know but you know it doesn't have to stay that way and for you guys it never has stayed that way" he said.

"Seth Marissa and I have been apart for six years now and this isn't High School we simply moved on" He said. "So what's with the sudden need to be able to talk to her?" Seth asked. Ryan was getting frustrated.

"Because Seth I don't want it to have to be like this every time I come home. I mean we could be friends if we at least try" He explained. Seth fell back on the bed. "You guys were never friends and you know it" Seth said. "Well there's a start for everything and I'm taking mine" He said.

"Why can't you just admit that what you want is Marissa?" he said. He thought he pushed Ryan to far because he stayed silent for like the first time ever. "Ryan you know what I'm sorry I.. he interrupted.

"Just because you want something doesn't mean it's going to last and why beat it to the ground when you know something is doomed from the start?" He said seriously. "So you think I should just let Summer go then?" He said. Ryan let out a small laugh. "No because you and Summer are not me and Marissa" He said. "You sound like Marissa" Seth said. He shrugged his shoulders and stood up. "So then take our advice and just give it time" He said walking out leaving Seth to his thoughts.