Disclaimer- No, sadly, I do not own 7th Heaven. If I did, well, I wouldn't be writing this, would I? No, I would be firing Brenda and writing some Ruthin into that script! So any ways, here we go! Please Review!!!

Ruthie

"Ruthie Camden, will you marry me?" he asked.

The setting was perfect, the same place Kevin asked Lucy to marry him. The guy was perfect: so in love with me and gorgeous and sweet and adorable and funny. My outfit was perfect: a beautiful strapless red dress with a black shrug. Everything was perfect. You could hear everyone at the table holding their breath so they wouldn't miss my answer that they all new, but had to hear for themselves.

"Yes! I will marry you!" I whispered, the tears beginning to slip down my face. A camera flashed. Mom had, of course, taken a picture.

But if everything was so perfect, why did I feel sick inside?

"It must just be the excitement," thought as he placed light, passionate kisses on my lips. "I am making the right decision. He loves me. He is everything I ever wanted. And we have been dating for almost 2 years now. I know him better than I know myself! This is right." And he slipped the diamond ring on my finger, a perfect fit. It was all perfect! I'm in love and getting married!

"This is meant to be," my brain whispered. And at 24 years old, all my dreams are coming true. I'm getting married to a man who loves me.

Mac and I had started dating at my college graduation from UCLA, after I got my degree in music education. Actually, I took Mr. Feinstein's job this year. The music program was revived and I was hired. It is strange teaching people you know like Jack's little brother and Maggie's sister, but the kids seem to like me and I plan to continue teaching for a long time. I was planning on getting my Masters, but I decided that I wanted to settle down with Mac and just take my time getting used to teaching.

"I am so happy for you!" Lucy cried as she gave me a big hug.

"Yeah, congrats, Rue," Matt said and Mom & Dad just stared at me speechless. Mary said she felt old and Kevin wiped away a stray tear. Simon hugged me with bodily force, picking me up, and the kids laughed at the hoopla. The only one that wasn't participating in the zoo that was crowding around Mac and I was Martin. Martin just stood there with this look of jealousy. Although, it probably was because Simon had just eaten the last dinner roll and he wanted it, but you never know. (The rolls there rock!) I wonder what that was about.

But there's no time to think about Martin. Mac was leading me onto the dance floor into a slow waltz.

"Where in the world did you learn to dance like this?" I said as he was pulling me back into a basic box step from a small half turn.

"My Grandma taught me," he said, but just then, before he could say more, Martin asked to cut in. Mac gave him some manly look that is only interpretable by man or ape . Then Mac kissed me and went to cut in with Sandy and Simon.

"So…when do you think the wedding will be?" he asked, looking really uncomfortable.

"Probably June. As a little girl, I watched 7 Brides For 7 Brothers', and ever since, I knew my wedding must be in June," I laughed. I had never told anyone this. Of course, discussing dates, I told Mac what month, but never before had I told anyone the true reason for planning it in June. Martin has a way of doing that to me; make me tell him things with just a glance. But at my laughter, Martin got even stiffer and I could feel the tension between us.

"Ruthie, are you sure that you want to marry Mac?" he said, taking me by surprise. I began to think back to the year I had spent moping over Martin after Sandy's pregnancy. I sulked around the house like there was no other guy in the world for me. Is that the way it truly is? Or could I forget ever loving Martin and move on?

"Yes, of course I'm sure! I adore him, Martin. And I'm really excited about you being his best man because you are one of my best friends too!" I replied, forgetting my uncertainty and setting my thoughts aside. A shadow passed over his eyes.

"Well, if he makes you happy then I won't stand in his way. Bye, Ruthie." And with that, Martin walked out of my life. Again.