Chapter 8
After a few minutes of driving the embarassed silence, which had been there before, was gone and especially Alyssa didn't stop to babble happily the whole way to the zoo. She told little funny storys, causing both Marissa and Ryan to laugh. When they arrived at the zoo, they laughed and joked together and both Marissa and Ryan felt at ease like neither of them did for a long time.
Alyssa laughed and hopped back and forth between the two, while they visited the animal enclosures. She particularly loved to watch the seals and she squealed in delight when an attendant made them do little stunts. When Alyssa got hungry they ate a trifle and then walked on to see more animals. When they passed a little shop, Alyssa turned to Ryan giving him her best puppy dog eyes.
Alyssa: Uncle Ryan, can you get me some chocolate? Please, I promise, I won't tell mami...
Ryan: laughing You're such a rascal. You know, I can't say no, when you're looking at me like this. Okay, we're coming with you.
Marissa: laughing Some things never gonna change. A few years ago, you couldn't say no to me, either, when I looked at you this way.
Ryan poked her with his forefinger, smiling at her.
Ryan: laughing Yeah, and you knew that as much as Alyssa does right now. He threw his arms up with played dispair. I'm helpless with feminine cleverness.
Marissa laughed and they entered the little shop. Ryan bought some chocolate for Alyssa and ice-cream for Marissa and him and then they walked on to see the bears. When Alyssa saw that there was a baby-bear in the enclosure, she wanted to stay a little bit longer to look at it. Marissa and Ryan sat down on a bench near her und looked at her, smiling.
Marissa: She's really sweet.
Ryan: She is, but sometimes she can be strenuous, too. Everytime, I take her on a trip like today, I'm exhausted afterwards.
Marissa: laughing Well, you're growing old
Ryan: Oh, you're in trouble now...
He started to tickle her and when she wound and tried to stop him, her head suddenly was on his lap. He stopped tickling her and just looked at her. She looked up at him and her eyes sparkled. Their eyes locked, Ryan leaned in…Suddenly, they heard Alyssa screaming.
Alyssa: Uncle Ryan!
Both twitched and Ryan cleared his throat.
Ryan: disappointed Sorry.
He stood up and went to look after Alyssa, while Marissa was sitting on the bench and could hardly believe what happened. He almost had kissed her!
Ryan: Hey, sweetie, what's the matter?
Alyssa: crying I dropped my chocolate.
Ryan: smiling No problem, I'm gonna buy you a new one, okay?
Alyssa nodded and they walked to Marissa.
Ryan: Marissa, can you look after her? I'm going to the little shop to buy a new chocolate for Alyssa.
He went to the shop and when he returned with the chocolate, Alyssa was on Marissa's arms and Marissa threw her up and caught her, then threw her up again and Alyssa squealed in delight.Ryan stood still and watched them, smiling. That's what he imagined the last six years. He had been dreaming of him and Marissa playing with their kids in the park...
Alyssa saw Ryan and run to him, Marissa was running after her. He gave Alyssa the chocolate and she laughed, bit off a large piece of chocolate and turned to Ryan and Marissa.
Alyssa: Can we go to see the penguins now?
Ryan: Okay, sweetie, but after seeing the penguins we have to go home. It's late and your mom sure's waiting for us already.
Alyssa: What a pit.y! But can we come by here again? And will Marissa come with us again? You know, she's just as funny and nice as you are.
Marissa started laughing and looked at Ryan, who was smiling at her lovingly.
Ryan: I know.
Alyssa looked back and forth between them and wondered. Adults sometimes were behaving very weird! Her Uncle was staring at Marissa and Marissa was staring back at him and none of them said a word. She took Ryan's hand with her left hand and Marissa's hand with her right hand and dragged them with her to watch the penguins.
On their way back to the car Alyssa got tired, so Ryan took her in his arms and when they arrived at Summer's and Seth's house, the little girl had fallen asleep already. Ryan took her in his arms and carried her upstairs to put her on her bed. Marissa joined Summer in the kitchen and sat down.
Summer: grinning Are you exhausted? By the way, it's very interesting, that you joined Ryan and Alyssa...
Marissa: embarassed Alyssa asked me to…
Summer: laughing Aha, so you only went along to do Alyssa a favor. It had nothing to do with Ryan and that you wanted to be with him. Did you two get along?
Marissa: laughing slightly embarassed It was perfect, Summ. We laughed, ate ice-cream, he almost kissed me... she behaves as if nothing happened... and then we went to see the penguins and...
Summer: exited WHAT? He almost kissed you? How, Where, When and why did he only almost kiss you?
Ryan came downstairs and heard Marissa and Summer talking in the kitchen. He drew near and although he was a little ashamed he couldn't help but listen.
Marissa: Yes, it was great. He tickled me so much that my head was lying on his lap and then he leaned in to kiss me, but unfortunately Alyssa called for him at this moment and he went to look after her...
Summer: Oh my God, that's unbelievable! And what happened then?
Marissa: Actually nothing. There was a moment, we looked at each other and he smiled at me lovingly and we couldn't take our eyes off each other. Oh, Summer, it was fantastic! Then we went to see the penguins and after that we went home...
Summer: Until today, I didn't think that you two could make it, but perhaps I was wrong.
Marissa: That would be to good to be true, I dreamed about that for the last six years, Summ. But I don't know if he's feeling the same way I do...
Ryan stood there, smiling and his heart was racing. He had been hoping for the last six years that one day he would be able to show Marissa how much he loved her, but never thought it could be really possible one day. But now, there was a chance to do it. He pretended to just be coming downstairs and entered the kitchen.