Peter's Request

Mac and Matt in the kitchen:

"The Answers?" Matt says.

"So you haven't heard?" Mac replies.

"Heard what? What are you talking about?" Matt says puzzled.

"Martin, and Ruthie. Martin, you should go talk to Martin. I have to go," Mac leaves smiling.

Matt stands there wondering what he is talking about.

In Ruthie's room, Martin, Annie, Eric, are trying to comfort Ruthie.

"Ruthie, Ruthie, honey." Annie says, her eyes tearing up, and arms around Ruthie.

"Honey, I am sorry. Is there anything we can do?" Eric asks his daughter, his eyes swelling.

"Peter, has no other family. He is going to stay with us," Ruthie says, and looks at Martin.

"I am sorry, all of you. I didn't know Peter's parents, but I am sure they are as wonderful as you let on. So I am going to go, and let you have some alone time," he puts his arm on Ruthie's shoulder, and leaves them to be.

"Peter will be here tonight, for dinner," Ruthie choked out.

"Okay, honey, just, just rest," Annie said.

Eric said, his eyes glazed with tears, "I-, uh, I need to make a few calls."

Annie stayed there with Ruthie, hugging her, on her bed.

Lucy, is with the baby, and Martin walks in:

"Oh, hey Martin!" says Lucy. "What's wrong?"

"Peter's parents, got in a car accident, and they, uh, they didn't, er, make it. And Peter is coming to dinner tonight," Martin spills out.

"What?" Says Lucy.

"Yeah, I better go," Martin says, leaving Lucy, eyes tearing up.

The rest of the day everyone was in there rooms, alone. Pondering on what has just happened.

7:30 PM:

Ruthie changed her clothes, and fixed her hair, washed her face, and put on makeup. Then, the doorbell rang, and she ran downstairs to answer it. "I got it!" she yelled.

She opened the door and her eyes started tearing up, "Peter!" She went to give him a hug.

"Ruthie! I've missed you soooo much!" he hugged her back, eyes glazed.

"Peter, I am soooo sorry," she said, apologetically.

"No, Ruthie, no, don't. Just-, please. Don't feel sorry for me. I want us to be like us, again. You know before, I left, and everything. Ruthie, I've missed you," he hugged her again.

"But Peter, what's happened to you, it is okay, to be sad you know? It is okay to feel-" she started.

"No, Ruthie. Okay. No, I don't want to talk about it! Just forget."

"Okay, whatever you want."

They stood there gazing into each others eyes. Peter still had feelings for Ruthie. Ruthie still had feelings for Peter.

Peter wanted it to be like it used to be, so, he leaned in to kiss Ruthie. Ruthie leaned in to kiss him. There they stood, kissing, when finally Peter pulled away, when he heard someone coming down the stairs. It was Martin. He saw them kissing.

"Hey Martin," Peter said. Ruthie whirled around.

"Hey Peter. I am sorry to hear-" Martin started.

Peter interrupted, "It's cool."

Martin nodded and walked away.

Ruthie looked after him, then looked at Peter, and gave him a hug.