A/N: Sorry for the wait you guys! Thank you all so much for your encouraging reviews!
Disclaimer: Still don't and never will own the most amazing show to ever grace our lives!
Ruthie still lay there in Martin's arms as she watched him fall back into a peaceful slumber. As hard as she tried to deny it, being as close to him as she currently was ignited a flame inside of her that she thought had long since died down. Not to say that it wasn't there the entire time. She had just learned to burry it knowing full well that he would never feel the same way.
She had T-Bone now. Someone who treated her well and helped nurse her broken heart. He had even gone so far as to tell her he loved her. Slowly Ruthie had grown to love him too. She hadn't yet found the courage to actually say so out loud. She felt that if she did she would be betraying Martin in some way.
Not too long ago had he confessed that he loved her. A year ago she would have been jumping for joy at Martin's admission. The speech had just come about six months too late. She was committed to another. That's the way it would stay if she wanted to guard her heart from any future pain. She would be lying if she said there would be no temptation. Since they were now under the same roof (and currently in the same bed) she would just have to fight it. Just like old times she thought.
While in her own little world she felt a foot rub up against her pajama covered shin. Just the simple touch made her breath hitch. In the darkened room it was so quiet that she was afraid the sound would wake him. Looking over in his direction she let out a sigh of relief as she noticed he was still asleep. Oblivious to the affect he had on her just then. After a few more minutes of staring at his silhouette she felt herself drift into unconsciousness for the third (and hopefully last) time that night.
After what felt like only minutes later a quiet whimper brought her out of her dreamless sleep. She could hear the slow squeak indicating Martin getting up off the mattress.
"Martin?" he heard her ask groggily. He felt himself jump about a foot in the air as he registered the fact that he was not alone. "What time is it?" she asked snuggling further into the pillow.
"Six," he replied as he tried to figure out what in the world Ruthie was doing in his bed. He specifically remembered them going off into their own rooms. What happened last night? Martin wondered.
At hearing how early it was in the morning Ruthie wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep. Or at least that was the plan. The sun sneaking in through the blinds had other ideas. Ones she didn't particularly agree with, but what could she do? With an angry sigh she sat herself up.
"If I'm cranky all day today I blame you," she said pointing an accusing finger in Martin's direction.
"Hey I didn't do anything," he said defensively. "It's not my fault he likes to get up before the rest of the world." Ruthie cracked a smile at the eye rolling she saw. "All I wanna do is crawl back into bed and get some shut eye," he yawned.
"Well Aaron seems to think differently she pointed out as she heard him laugh gleefully.
"Apparently," Martin grumbled. Ruthie didn't miss the hint of pride in his eyes as he looked down at his son.
"Let's go get some breakfast. Maybe then we'll be able to have at least half the energy he does," she said throwing the covers off and heading for the door as she stretched, Martin not far behind.
"So, what will it be?" she asked.
"You cook?" he asked slightly shocked.
"Don't look so surprised. With so many of us living here I was bound to learn something,' she said.
"I don't know. What can you cook?"
"I've been told my eggs are pretty good."
"Well in that case I'll take two," he said taking a bottle and heading for the microwave.
Sitting down at the kitchen table as he fed Aaron is bottle it all came flooding back to him. The mornings he would sit to enjoy a meal with the family. The talks he and Ruthie had shared over the years. School, boys she had dates with. Boys he swore he would hunt down and kill if they ever hurt her. And he did so to every one of them not expecting to one day be one more name on the long list of fools who broke his little sister's heart.
To this day he could not erase the look on her face after he told her Sandy was having his baby. The hurt and anger in her eyes still haunted him.
"Two eggs with cheese, a cup of coffee with two and a half scoops of sugar not cream," she announced placing it in front of him. He couldn't believe she had remembered.
"Wow. You remembered," he smiled.
"And why wouldn't I?" she asked.
"I don't know. I'm just surprised."
"I lived with you for years remember?" she reminded him. As if he would ever forget. Life with the Camdens had been the best time he ever had. Especially with one Camden in particular he thought to himself.
"Yeah I do," he said. They all sat there in silence enjoying their morning meal. They were both so concentrated that they did not even notice the kitchen door swing open, revealing a sleepy eyed Annie Camden.
"Morning Mom," Ruthie said with unusual cheeriness.
"Good morning Ruthie." It took her a few minutes to notice her daughter was not alone. "Martin," she said genuinely surprised.
"Morning Mrs. Camden," he said making his way over to give her a partial hug. Annie returned it warmly.
"To what do I owe this wonderful visit?"
"Nothing, I just dropped by to see how Ruthie was dong," he said. She didn't have to know about last night's events. Not all of it anyway. Some of it he wasn't even that sure of yet. He sure wasn't going to be the one to say anything about it.
"This early in the morning?" she asked confused. "Wont Sandy be wondering where you are?" Ruthie noticed Martin stiffen instantly. She silently cursed her mother for bringing it up as she gave his knee a reassuring squeeze. That simple touch sent Martin's heart soaring. He sent a grateful look in Ruthie's direction, the look in her eyes giving him the courage to explain.
"She won't be," he said simply. Annie gave him yet another look of confusion.
"Did you two have a fight this morning?" she asked.
"She…she…left last night," the last part came out in a whisper as Martin felt another reassuring touch.
"Oh my," she said.
"I don't even know why. She didn't even really explain."
"She just left this," Ruthie finished handing her mother the letter he had shown her the night before, anger rising in her as she recalled the words scrawled on the page.
"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry," she said giving him a hug.
"I'm not even sure what I did. She just took off."
"You know you're more than welcome to move back in with us," Annie offered. "In fact I'm not just asking you to I'm suggesting it."
"Yeah it would be fun having you around again," Ruthie pitched in.
"Are you sure? I would really hate to impose."
"Don't be ridiculous. You're family."
"Thank you."
"You're more than welcome. I'll just have Eric bring down the old crib from the attic and you'll be all set." Ruthie couldn't help feeling like she was going back in time again somehow.
Back to square one she thought.
A/N: So sorry for the long wait you guys! Hopefully this makes up for me taking such a long time. Please tell me what you think!