I do not own any characters or Seventh Heaven. All songs are from Instant Star 1&2
Martin
It had been four years sinceI had last seen Ruth Camden. After graduation she had packed her bags and decided to study music in London. Then she received a contract and began making songs.
Everywhere I turned I saw Ruth's face and heard her voice. She had become really popular with her rough yet sweet voice and knockout figure.
Ourfriendship, though rocky, had ended up being stronger than before especially after the birth of my daughter Elizabeth Ruth Brewer. I and begrudgingly Sandy had agreed thatwe would name Ruth as the godmother and Simon as the godfather.
Ruth fell in love with Elizabeth the moment she was placed in her arms and Elizabeth began to feel the same way. Ruth made Elizabeth a priority in her career and because of it Elizabeth, or as Ruth lovingly called her, Lizbeth, had flourished from it.
I remember the first song that she sang "Baby Love" and had dedicated to Elizabeth, who was just a baby but seemed to calm down whenever she heard it.
"That had been two years ago"I thought sadly to myself asI walked to the two family homeI had purchased so that we would have joint custody without ever living with each other.
I had decided to live practice early because last week, I remembered coming home to Elizabeth crying and Sandy yelling at the top of her lungs. Of course when I questioned her about it, she had laughed it off saying that it had been a hard day.
"I'm home"I called out happily expecting to be greeted by little feet running up towards me.
"Sandy? Lizbeth?"I called anxiously out asI raced up the stairs. I could hear Sandy's voice and Lizbeth crying softly "Shut it you little brat. You took everything away from me. Don't you want to be in heaven with grandma?"
"No want Ruthde" I heard the desperation in my baby's voice as I pushed the door open to find my sweet little girl being slapped repeatedly by Sandy.
"Sandy! What the hell are you doing?"I roared asI pushed her aside and picked Elizabeth up.
"What do you think I am doing? I'm getting rid of my, our mistake. Then you can be with your precious Ruth and never have to look back"
"Are you crazy? You can't kill our daughter!"he replied ignoring the barb about Ruth.
"Well then you keep her because I am out, out of this life, out of this brat's life. I refuse to do it anymore" Sandy yelled as she stepped closer to me and I could smell the liquor on her breath.
"Then leave and don't try to come back!"
"Fine I will, but don't think Ruth is going to want you with your extra baggage!"
As soon as she walked out, Lizbeth began howling as she squirmed to get out of my hands.
"Down, down" she cried helplessly as she ran away from meand to her room.
I couldn't believe what I had just witnessed. I didn't even know what to do at this point, there was only one person whom I could call.
Ring, Ring
"Hello?" a sleepy voice answered on the second ring.
"Ruth...She tried to" I began but started crying
"Martin? What is it? Is Lizbeth ok? Where's Sandy?"
"She was hitting her Ruth! She tried to kill my baby and she would have succeeded if I didn't leave practice early"
"Martin calm down, where is Lizbeth?"
"She's in her room and she won't let me touch her, she keeps crying. I swear I am going to kill Sandy!"
"Just calm down and listen to me carefully. I am on my way and we will figure it out together"
"But you are recording"I started protesting but was cut off by Ruth's harsh laugh
"I can record wherever the hell I want. So don't worry"
"Ok" Isaid softly before smiling slightly and then saying "Ruth?"
"Yes"
"Thanks"
"You know I'm here when you need me. I'll see you in a couple of hours. Take care of my baby" and with that she hung up.
My heart swelled with pride when she said that. In every way Ruth really had raised Lizbeth as her own. She was the one that took her to the doctors and she would always stay withthem for half of the year, whenI had away games and couldn't be home.
Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring,
"Hello?" a young voice answered
"Savannah? It's…."
"Aunt Ruthie! How are you? I loved the last song. When are you writing a new one?"
"Savannah, calm down sweetie" Ruth replied laughing softly before continuing "Is your mom or dad around?"
"Dad is, Mom's at the church"
"Ok please put him on"
"Daaaaaaaaaaad! It's Aunt Ruthie"
"Hey superstar" Kevin greeted Ruth warmly
"Hey yourself" Ruth replied smiling broadly before sobering up and saying "Martin is in trouble. Could you please get him and Lizbeth and take them to our house? I will meet you there tonight"
"You're coming home tonight? Is Lizbeth ok?"
"No Sandywas beating her repeatedlythis afternoon and Martin walked in on it"
"Oh no! Is she ok?"
"Will Martin said she is in her room and she is not letting anyone touch her so please ask mom or Lucy to go with you and Martin is ready to kill"
"Ok I will inform everyone and go get Martin"
"Thanks"
"Will you need a ride tonight?"
"No the limo is going to stay for the week just in case"
"Oh the limo" Kevin said teasingly before being serious and saying "what are your plans?"
"Well as soon as I see Lizbeth I guess I'll go from there. I need new material and Martin is just starting his season so maybe I'll stay in Glen oak with Lizbeth for a while, if Mom and Dad are ok with it"
"You know they will be. I'll see you tonight. Safe travels"
"Thanks, you too, and Kev?"
"Yes?"
"Just keep an eye out for Martin. He's really upset and at this point could do anything"
"No problem"
As Kevin hung up the phone he looked towards the sky "When I ask you for some help I didn't think it would be this way"
Kevin,myself and Lizbeth walked into the Camden residence where it was full of people. Annie was in the kitchen baking and Sam and David were setting the table. Savannah and her younger brother Bill were doing homework and Eric was speaking with Lucy and the sheriff.
"Martin!" Annie exclaimed as she wiped her hands and said "Welcome home!" "Thanks Annie"I smiled weakly asI looked at Lizbeth who had run straight to Eric.
Eric's face lit up as he swooped her in his arms and kissed her cheek.
"grandpwa" she said softly and some tears were still shining in her eyes.
"Well let's get you settled in" Lucy said as she stepped up to me and gavehim ahug.
"Settled in?"I repeated slightly confused
"Well you are going to stay here for a while" Lucy continued speaking softly.
"Why would I do that?"I asked in a mystified voice
"Because you are still having games, who else do you think is going to watch Lizbeth?" A husky voice interrupted as chills ran and up and downmyspine.
Iturned around to see Ruthie Camden standing in the doorway looking even more beautiful thanI ever remembered.
"Well surprise?" she said half laughing and half self-consciously.
"Aunt Ruth!" Savannah yelled out as she ran and tackled her which got everyone moving towards her.
Amidst the compliments on her complexion, hair and clothing Lizbeth squirmed out of Eric's arms and threw herself on Ruth's legs.
Ruth bent down and gave her a humongous hug before picking her up and whispering in her ears.
Lizbeth immediately beamed at her, her beautiful eyes shining with so much love as she hugged her even tighter.
"So Mom" Ruth began as she moved Lizbeth to her left side "I'm happy you all missed me but I'm starved"
Everyone started laughing as they moved towards the dining area leaving Ruth, myself and Lizbeth.
"Hi" Ruth said softly smiling up at me.
"Hi yourself, you look…amazing" I whispered as she laughed gently and said "That's the pot calling the kettle black. You look great despite the current problem"
Lizbeth softly giggled as she held tighter on Ruthie's neck.
"Lizbeth baby?" Annie called as she walked into the room "let's have dinner"
"No" Lizbeth replied slightly pouting before seeing Ruth's face who smiled warmly at her and indicated that she should follow Annie.
"Ok" Lizbeth replied sighing softly before smiling as Ruth bent down and kissed her shiny dark curls.
"So what's all this about staying?"I asked her as she blushed slightly and replied "well logically Martin you will not be able to take Lizbeth on overnight games, so you stay here in the garage apartment and I take some time off and watch Lizbeth until the season is over."
"But that's five months"
"Yes it is, it's nice to know that your education hasn't fallen off the wayside since you went pro. I need the time to record and write and feel inspired and this is the best place for that, and you are my muse so it's a win-win situation that is finalized"
"Yes"I saluted her and was awarded with a slap on the arm asI pulled her closer tome and hugged her.I could smell her sweet perfume and the essence that was Ruthie.
"I'm starving" Ruth said smiling slightly as she stepped away from me "let's eat" as she hooked her arm throughmine andwe joined the rest of the family.
After dinner, Kevin and Lucy went home and Annie and Eric were in the kitchen. Sam and David had left to finish their homework.
"I am stuffed" Ruthie groaned as she pushed her chair away from the table. Annie walked in at that moment and kissed the top of Ruth's head as she went to pick Lizbeth up.
"Mom, I got that" Ruth said as she got up and picked Lizbeth up who was starting to fall asleep.
"Are you sure? I mean you and Martin can discuss the next step while I take her to bed"
"No I'm sure" Ruth replied firmly before adding "Lizbeth was the one who had the traumatic experience. She is going to want someone to reassure her that it was a bad dream. Martin and I can talk whenever"
"Ok, good night darling, Martin"
"Night" we both echoed as Ruth walked out the door and went up the stairs leading to the garage apartment.
She kicked off her shoes and laid Lizbeth on the bed before climbing in next to her.
"I may sleep here tonight. You don't mind do you?"
"No" Ireplied softly asI stepped out of the room and into the living room/dining room.
A few minutes laterI heard Ruth softly singing to Lizbeth who was holding on to her.
Iwalked in when the singing stopped.
Ruth looked up at me, with tears in her eyes before placing her guitar down and saying "I'm going to get some tea" and with that walked out the door and into the main house.
I followed her and saw that she was sitting at the counter in the kitchen. "That was beautiful"
"Thanks" she murmured softly blushing before adding "That is one of my new songs. I have two more I am trying to get right."
"Well if I can help in any way…" Ibegan as she looked atme and grabbedmy hand "Well you are my inspiration"
"Ruth, you must know…how I…."
"Martin, let's not talk about this now. We have to figure out where Sandy is and if she is planning on returning"
"Well she told me she wasn't"
"Yes but we need to make sure that she will not have any parental rights towards Elizabeth. I mean we don't know how this event is going to affect Elizabeth"
"I know"I agreed wearily as the tears started falling. It wasmyfault, ifI had listen tomy heart and not fightmy feelings towards Ruthwe would have been together, hell Elizabeth would have been ours.
"Martin? Did you hear me?"
"No sorry"
"I want custody, if it means adopting her then so be it"
"Are you sure Ruth? I mean"
"Yes I am sure Martin. I'll be damned if something happens toher again"
"Okay we can start tomorrow"
"Now do we really need to be here?"I asked in a pleading voice.
"Here as in Glen Oak or my parents place?"
"Both?"
"Yes, Lizbeth needs to know her family and be surrounded by love and affection, besides you won't be here as much"
"Yes but I would like to see her sometimes"
"Don't worry old man; I will bring her to any local games"
"Hey I'm not old; I'm only two years older"
"Well tell that to the gray hair on your head darling" Ruth drawled as she kissedmy cheek and said "Night, I will be sleeping with Lizbeth in case she needs me"
"Okay night"
Ruthie smiled atme once more before walking out the kitchen.
The past few months went by fast as everyone fell into a routine. Ruth would leave to record in the morning when Lizbeth was at the daycare and then they would have lunch with Lucy and Annie.
I would be home most nights except when there were layover games back to back.
With Ruth's love and patience Lizbeth became the bright, cheery little girl that she was once before. She loved all the Camden's but everyone knew she loved Ruth the most and had recently started to call her mommy.
Ruth and Ihad decided not to correct her since the adoption papers were in the process.
True to her word, Ruthie took Lizbeth to my all local games and I loved seeing my two girls cheering me on in the family box that I had purchased. That particular game, Ruthie had forgotten to put on her cap that she always wore, so the media had recognized her right away and would not leave her alone.
All of a sudden between the 5 & 6 inning, people in the crowd started calling out "RUTH!RUTH!"I looked up to see Ruth bowing her head and laughing silently before walking down.
The crowd went wild as they realized she was walking down towards the field. I jumped up as well, whenI noticed Lizbeth was with her.
"There goes Brewer's women" one ofmy team mates called out cheerfully.
"Be quiet" I replied as I watched Ruth walk over to my coach and give Lizbeth to him. She winked at me and stepped right up to the mound.
"How are you feeling tonight Glen Oak?" To which the crowd went wild and Ruthie laughed right into the mike.
"Ok folks, this is how it is going to go. One song and then my daughter and I are going to watch the game"
I looked over at Lizbeth who beamed and clapped her hands.
"Man she is hot" another teammate stated as I turned around and glared at him.
"This song is for everyone who has ever felt pressure to do something you might not want to do, but especially for my niece Savannah and my daughter Elizabeth"
You think it's cool, just cause they're telling you
You gotta have it, then you'll never miss it at all
You need the thrill, just cause it's killing you
You're so close, so don't take it too far
Where there's smoke you'll find a mirror
It's over-rated
I've watched it fade
So please don't give in
Don't forget what you believe in
It's over-rated
It's not worth chasing
Don't you know that
You'll love to love and then you'll hate it
I watched as the crowd went wild and Ruthie played it up by actually coming to the stands and signing. It was so obvious that she was in her element. Love and lost and everything between Where there's smoke you'll find a mirror
It's perfect, it's poison that made me fall
You want it bad
Don't want it to skip away
It's too fast
It's gonna drag you down
It's over-rated
I've watched it fade
So please don't give in
Don't forget what you believe in
It's over-rated
It's not worth chasing
Don't you know that
You'll love to love and then you'll hate it
Coming close now, not any clearer
With every breath you're going deeper
But I will pull you back to me
Out of nowhere a guitar string came onto the field and started playing and the crowd grew wild with excitement when they realized it was Johnny, her lead guitarist. Ruth's face went from shock, to bewilderment, to total happiness and she ran over and hugged him before turning back to the crowd.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, oh.. It's over-rated
It's over-rated
It's not worth chasing
Don't you know that
You'll love to love and then you'll hate it
And it's over-rated
You learn to love and then you'll hate it
You learn to love and then you'll hate it
It's over-rated
"Thanks and enjoy the rest of the game" Ruthie said before bowing and grabbing Johnny's hands pulling him off the mound and collecting Lizbeth as well. I watched as they made their way back up to my box and saw Johnny place his arm around Ruth.
It burned my blood.