It had been years since 25 year old Martin Brewer returned to Glen Oak, well not really years. He had been back for holidays and vacations; of course it was easier since Ruthie wasn't there.
He had made a total fool of himself when he had deluded himself into thinking that Sandy and him had a future because he now realized they didn't. Of course she helped it along when she and her boyfriend Daniel had made it official and gotten engaged.
Now he had finally graduated with his Masters and was ready to start his new life back in Glen Oak. Aaron was excited about moving in permanently with his dad and starting second grade. Sandy was excited about getting married and starting a new life with the man who loved her for her.
As they rounded the corner, Martin looked at Aaron through the rear view mirror. He had fallen fast asleep after staying up nearly all night with excitement. When they reached the Camden's house, Martin could see Lucy standing outside with Annie. They both ran to the car when he pulled up.
"Martin, I am so glad you decided to come back home" Annie said as she gave him a hug and went to open the door to look at Aaron.
Lucy smiled as well as she gave him a hug and looked him over. "You look great!" she said teasingly as Martin blushed and smiled slightly before replying "Thanks"
"So I hope you are hungry" Annie said as Aaron sleepily rubbed his eye and stretched before noticing Annie and Lucy and giving them each a huge smile.
"I'm hungry daddy" Aaron said as Martin grinned ruefully and replied "I bet you are buddy"
After dinner, Martin thanked Annie for her hospitality and said that they should be going to their house.
"Why don't you stay here tonight? It's so late and you can take the garage apartment"
"Are you sure? I don't want to be a problem"
"It's no problem, the only person that stays there now is Ruthie and she hardly comes home"
Annie had said this without a thought until she heard Martin's sharp intake of breath. She looked at Lucy worriedly and Lucy shook her head, indicating her confusion.
Martin composed himself and shakily asked "How is Ruthie? No one has said anything about her all night"
"She is doing well. She has a job in NY and sees a lot of Mary and Matt. She's really happy"
"That's good" Martin said quietly as he ushered Aaron to get up as they made their way to the back door.
"Have a good night" Annie called out as he turned around and smiled.
He had spent most of the night trying not to think about Ruthie and then there it was, out in the open. The one girl he had cared about and broke her heart all in the same day when he told her Sandy was pregnant with his child.
He knew he shouldn't even dwell on something that could never happen, at least she was happy in New York and maybe because work was so great, she wasn't seeing anyone. He snorted softly to himself as he got into bed. Who was he kidding? This was Ruthie Camden and she would always be dating someone, someone better than him.
So where did that lead him? He thought bitterly. He wasn't exactly popular with the opposite sex and after Sandy had gotten pregnant, he had been terrified to think that his child's mother would not be with him. So instead of meeting other people, he had driven Sandy, Daniel and himself crazy with jealousy and threats and everything else in the book.
He wasn't even sure if he wanted to be dating. In his opinion it was all a lot of work, and the outcome was not always rewarding. After all his mom had died and left his dad alone. Mr. Camden heart was really weak and could fail any second, even Lucy and Kevin's marriage had problems. So what good was it falling in love and getting married?
With that thought in his mind he fell asleep.
Ruthie
Home, sweet home. She thought to herself as she got out of the cab and paid the fare. It had been so long since she had returned home all because she was afraid that he would be there, with Sandy and Aaron flaunting their happiness around.
Even after Lucy told her that Sandy did not love Martin, Ruthie still believed they would be together. When martin put his mind to something he could be very persuasive, however Lucy had called last week stating that Sandy was engaged and as the tears flowed down her cheeks she heard Lucy say that Martin had decided to take Aaron and move back to Glen Oak.
It had taken twenty extra minutes but when Ruthie had hung up the phone she realized that sandy was engaged to someone other than Martin and Martin was coming back home, alone.
So this would be her chance. Her chance to see if she had been crazy all those years. If there was nothing between her and Martin she would be able to return back to her job and Caleb, and if there was something there..well she wouldn't jinx it right now.
As Ruthie walked up the garage apartment, she failed to notice the sneakers thrown haphazardly at the door and the clothes strewn about. As she shrugged out of her jacket and took her shoes off she dove into the bed only to come in contact with something hard.
"Ouch" the voice said as Ruthie jumped back in surprise and said "Oops, sorry I thought..." but she stopped when she noticed a pair of hazel eyes looking at her in disbelief as they struggled to get up as well.
Oh my gosh she thought as she looked at a shirtless Martin Brewer milk does do a body good.
