Title: The Next Step

Author: Charmed-Sparkle

Disclaimer: I don't own The OC or anything else related to it (But I wish I owned Adam Brody!)

Summary: Summer and Seth have been out of high school for six years, and are living together in NYC. When Seth proposes, how will their lives change? SS, lots of fluff.

A/N: This is my first OC fic. Please be honest, I want to know if it's worth continuing. It's supposed to really fluffy and fun, not really serious. But if you guys like it, there will probably be a little of bit drama later on. Anyway, please read! This is just like an introduction to the lives of Seth and Summer now.

Chapter One: Life

Seth fumbled around for his keys as he tried to pry open the door to his apartment. After the day he had at work, all he wanted to do was come home and relax. Finally getting the door to work, he stepped in, and sighed as he removed his coat, scarf, and shoes. New York sure was different than Newport. November in Newport, it would be in the 70's or low 80's.In New York, it felt like below zero, though he doubted that was what it actually was. It was times like these when he missed California, if not just for the weather.

He had moved away about six years earlier, to go to Brown University. He remembered that day, he had packed up his stuff and left to start a new part of his life. Luckily, he didn't have to do it alone. Both he and Summer had gotten into Brown. At the end of their second year, they got an off-campus apartment. Since the graduated, they moved to Manhattan, and now had a nice SoHo apartment. Their relationship had basically stayed the same, but gotten better in Seth's opinion. They still bickered, but it was never serious. Much to Seth's delight, Summer had finally opened up more, she wasn't as afraid to share her feelings. They were no High-School-Ryan-And-Marissa, but she wasn't afraid to hug or kiss him in public. Still, he had a few rage blackouts thrown his way once in a while, but not often.

As Seth thought of Summer, he realized she should have been home by now. She was usually home before him. That was part of what he loved about living together. He could come home, thoroughly exhausted, and he would walk into their home, and she would be sitting at the table, or on the computer, and he would instantly feel better. That was what he needed today, and unfortunately, she wasn't home. He went to the refrigerator and taped to the door handle was a note.

Cohen,

Went to the store (grocery!) to pick up a few things, should be back at like 7. Order some dinner, you can pick tonight!

Summer

Seth grinned as he read the note and then checked his watch, it was 6:45. He went into their "take out drawer," and pulled out the menu to their favorite café. He called and ordered wraps, drinks and a piece of Summer's favorite chocolate cake. He then put the menu back in the drawer, but had some difficulty. They had started it when they first moved in. Any restaurant they deemed worth of eating often was out in the drawer, it was like a tradition for them. Since they both worked, almost every meal was ordered in, or picked up. As he shook his head to stop thinking of old memories, he heard the buzzer and his girlfriend's voice.

"Cohen, can you come help me? I've got a lot of bags!" Summer voice called. Seth walked over and pushed the button to talk back.

"Yeah, I'll be down in second."

"Thank."

He went down the two flights of steps to get from their third floor walk-up to the main level.

"Hey, how was work?" he greeted Summer with a kiss on her cheek.

"It was okay, nothing interesting, how about you?"

"Pretty much the same, I just had a lot of boring stuff to do."

Seth was now working at a publishing place that published a few popular comics and a lot of less well known ones. He was working on advertising for them and really enjoyed it, though he hoped to eventually go into the more creative department. Summer was also trying to work her way up in her job. She was working as an assistant, one of three, to someone at Coach. Her boss wasn't the main creative force, but she and four others were right below that position. A lot of Summer's job consisted of ordering lunch and getting coffee, but she also handled paperwork, and basically anywhere she was needed.

Summer smiled at him and asked, "What did you get for dinner?"

"Well, two wraps, soup, soda and sinfully chocolate fudge cake from-"he was cut off by Summer wrapping her free arm around him in a hug as they reached the second floor landing.

"I was just in the mood for that, it's my favorite, good choice!" Summer squealed.

Seth smiled; glad to just make her happy. They continued up to their two bedroom apartment. Summer opened the door and they put their groceries on the counter.

"Can I have a proper hello now?" Seth asked with one raised eyebrow. Summer nodded and wrapped her arms around Seth's neck and kissed him. When they stopped for air, Seth smiled and said, "Hello to you too."

Summer just rolled her eyes and kissed him again, surprised when he lifted her to sit on the counter. They stayed like that for a while, making out with Summer on the counter, when the buzzer surprised them.

"Delivery," a voice said. Seth groaned, "Come on up." A few seconds later someone knocked on the door and Seth took a bag of food and two drinks from the man and gave him his money.

"Where were we?" he asked Summer with a smirk. But she just hopped off the counter and said, "we were about to eat." Seth just groaned again and pulled out the food. Summer found it kind of cute that after six years together, Seth was still happy just making out with her. It was like they were still in high school, only without the parents. As she thought about this, she asked Seth, "Do you remember when we told your parents we were moving in together?" Seth smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, I still can't believe we waited until we moved here to tell them." Summer laughed at the memory, she still couldn't believe that they gotten away with living together for two years at Brown without telling their parents. When Kirsten and Sandy would visit, Summer would hide most of her stuff, and sleep at a friends dorm, or a couple of times Seth surprised her with a hotel room, or a spa weekend. When Neil Roberts came, Seth would hide ALL of his stuff, and sleep somewhere else. The reason Summer only hid some of her stuff was because she knew Kirsten and Sandy probably assumed she spent a lot of time there anyway.

They spent most of dinner discussing all the times it almost slipped, and how they bribed Ryan and Marissa not to rat them out.

Flashback:

"Mom, Dad, I have something to tell you," Seth said, holding Summer's hand, "we're moving in together." Sandy smiled and said, "Congratulations son, I'm really happy for you guys, you're gonna love life in the city." Kirsten also looked happy, but then she said, "Are you sure you're ready for this?" Seth and Summer exchanged knowing glances, and then Summer spoke up, "Yes, we're sure, and it's a great apartment. It's a third floor walk-up, in SoHo, with two bedrooms and a carpeted living room." Both parents' heads perked up at the sound of two bedrooms. Seth noticed but didn't say anything.

End flashback.

Summer and Seth both laughed, recalling that conversation from two years earlier.

"They seemed very surprised at their first visit." Seth recalled.

Flashback:

Seth and Summer had cleaned every surface of their apartment at least three times each. They were both nervous of Seth's parents' opinions. They had become like Summer's family over the years, and she wanted them to be proud of her, and to know that she had a good life with their son. But what Seth and Summer didn't know, was that the Cohen's thought that for some strange reason, they each had opted for their own bedroom.

When they finally arrived, Summer gave them a tour of the moderately sized kitchen, living room, bathroom and bedroom. Then she led them to the last bedroom. In it was a large desk where there was a laptop and some writing supplies. On one wall stood a bookcase, holding all the books they had, which was more than either of them had expected. On the opposite wall, was a table with a stereo, and a huge CD holder.

In the middle were two large, comfortable chairs. One was light purple, with a pink fuzzy pillow and a small purple plastic horse rested on top of it. The other was navy blue, with a green pillow, and a beige plastic horse. On the wall next to the door, was a poster hand drawn by Seth, depicting the two horses running in a field.

After the two parents surveyed the room, Summer said, "This is our favorite room. We spend a lot of time in here."

Sandy walked over and picked up Captain Oats. "Well, I haven't seen him in a while," he said, then picking up Princess Sparkle he added, "who's this?"

Summer explained and looked at Kirsten nervously. She just smiled and agreed it was a beautiful room. Sure, they were disappointed in the sleeping arrangements, but they should have realized it was an extra room. Ever since then, they were happy for the two, and visited often.

End Flashback.

"So are you excited about next weekend?" Summer asked.

"Huh," Seth said, looking completely confused with his mouth full of cake.

"Next weekend? Newport?" Summer tried to explain, but Seth still looked confused.

"Okay, next Thursday night, me and you are flying to Newport. We are staying at a hotel on Thursday. On Friday, we have the whole day to ourselves, and we're staying at the hotel. Saturday, we spend the day with your parents, we have a charity event that night-ew, and then we sleep at your parents'. Sunday, probably still with your parents. How is it possible that you don't remember any of this? I told you like two weeks ago."

Seth just smiled, "Well, your beauty distracts me, my dear." Summer rolled her eyes and looked at him in amazement.

"Well, now that you know are you excited?"

"I like the hotel part, the whole day together part, and one of the days with my parents," he responded, "but not so much the charity event and second day with my parents."

Summer just smiled, and then Seth realized something. He was really looking forward to that Friday, because he realized that it was his perfect opportunity. He had been thinking of when to propose to Summer, but didn't know when, where, or how. All he did was order the ring. Now he knew when and at least in what town, just not how. But hey, it's a start.

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