Chapter 7

"So Amy, how did you and Martin meet?"

"We met through Sandy. She had been trying to set us up for years, but Martin was so focused on Sandy and then he moved here and the timing was wrong, but here we are now"

"Yes here you are" Annie replied faintly as she watched as martin strode in the living room after Ruthie.

"Of course" Amy continued in a conspiratorial tone "The three dates we had were a disaster and we decided we would be better off as friends, plus I met my boyfriend, Mac. I believe you know him as well?"

"Yes we do"

"Martin is so crazy in love with Ruthie he can't think straight plus every other woman doesn't compare to her. He was just so hurt about the whole Caleb situation"

"Yes I know" Annie replied encouragingly as she realized that Amy was no longer a threat but an alley.

"We should finish the rest of the cooking" Annie suggested at last as they took an apron and slipped it on.

Dining room

"So how have you been?" Martin finally asked as he watched Ruthie place dishes and silverware at each setting.

"Okay"

"That's good" Martin replied before sighing impatiently before angrily demanding "Are you going to ask the question or should I bully it out of you?"

"And what question would that be?"

"Amy"

"Why should I ask about Amy? You two make a great couple"

"Thanks" Martin coolly replied as Ruthie sent him a withering glare and slammed the glasses down with brutal force.

"I don't want to talk about this now"

"Why not? Now seems like a great time"

"You think?"

"Ruthie, are you upset?" a voice asked as Martin and Ruthie turned to see Aaron staring uncertainly at them.

"Yes I am upset, but not at you. I'm upset at your father"

"okay" Aaron replied as he walked out.

"So you are upset at me because I bought Amy"

"No I'm upset because you haven't spoken to me in ages"

"I needed some time to think"

"About what?"

"About us, about the decision to date you, a lot of things.."

"And how did Amy fit into the picture?"

"She was there when I was lonely. I mean think about it from my point of view. You show up after all these years declaring you are in love with me and then you violate my trust by not telling me the truth. Which was all I asked from you. I wanted the truth, not the abbreviated Ruth Camden's version, just the truth. I wanted to make sure that I was the only one in the picture and you assured me that I was and then Caleb shows up, at my door"

"I'm sorry. I've apologized in a thousand different ways. What more do you want from me?"

"The truth" Martin replied quietly as he walked away from Ruth.

Once dessert was served and everyone was lounging around, Ruthie stood up and said "Thanks for dinner. I need to head home"

"Why don't you stay the night?"

"I can't. I have a deadline to finish"

"Okay" Annie replied reluctantly as she stood to gave her youngest daughter a hug.

Ruthie ruffled Aaron's hair as she hugged her dad, Kevin and Lucy and walked out the dining room without a backward glance at Martin.

Everyone held their breath when they realized that she had returned to the room. Ruthie smiled brightly and said "It was nice meeting you Amy. I hope to see you soon"

"Me too Ruthie" Amy replied smiling before Ruthie smiled once more and left.

"Well that was way awkward" Lucy commented as Eric and Kevin shot her a glance and nodded toward Aaron, who was happily finishing off his pie and ice cream.

"What? It was" Lucy continued as Amy chimed in "She really is interesting"

"You could say that" Martin dryly replied as Annie shot Amy a warning glance. It was common knowledge that anyone who ripped into Ruthie would receive Martin's wrath.

Amy continued on "I really don't see how you and Mac could be so worked up over such a spoiled, selfish, demanding, wannabe diva. I mean really she gives us single women a bad name"

Lucy and Annie gasped at the malicious tone in Amy's voice as Martin stood up and took Amy by the elbow leading her out of the dining room.

Everyone listened in horror as they heard Amy's voice, loud and demanding and Martin's voice, low and silky.

A few more words were exchanged and then the slam of the door. Martin walked back in the dining room looking chagrined and smiled slightly before saying "No one talks about Ruth without consequences, even if I am upset at her"

Annie and Lucy exchanged glances as Eric offered Martin another piece of pie.