Author's Note: I know I said I wasn't going to update until I got 10 reviews.. But I am so anxious that I omitted that rule.. Enjoy this chapter… Or don't enjoy it.. Either way, please R&R. All your reviews mean the world to me. Also, for those of you who like visuals.. I posted a link to a picture of Cecilia's engagement ring that Simon bought here in my profile. And there's a picture of Ruthie's Tiffany & Co. charm bracelet that Martin got her for her 18th birthday and Mr. Teddykins (Ruthie's favorite keepsake) . Check it out.

Song Featured in this chapter: Collide by Howie Day (If you never heard it before, I strongly recommend you download it to achieve totally reading pleasure!)

Chapter 21 : Saturday

Ruthie changed her sheets a dozen times. No matter what she did, she couldn't deodorize the guilt that still lingered in the room. She lit, incense, sprayed fabreeze.. But the smell of Mac and her huge mistake wouldn't die out. She knew it was her conscious but she felt like the wicked witch of the west.

Margaret was heart broken and Mac was holding his end of the bargain. Maybe in due time, he would fall in love with Margaret for real. Maybe in due time, he wouldn't need to fake his feelings for her and Ruthie would be off the hook.

"I brought pizza. Extra cheese and pepperoni. Your favorite. " Martin said suddenly snapping Ruthie out of her daze.

Ruthie jumped, turning around, she was mesmerized by Martin's glowing figure standing in the doorway. "You scared me."

Martin placed the box of pizza on her glass table. The steam was seeping out of the cardboard box. "I didn't mean to. I'm sorry."

"No harm done. " Ruthie said lifting the box. She took a slice. "Yummy." She cooed, after taking a large bite.

"Gosh. My girlfriend is SO fat!" Martin joked. However, Ruthie didn't find his comment funny whatsoever . She took it seriously.

"What?!" She exclaimed. She dropped the slice, horrified.

"No Ruthie, I was kidding! You are perfect to me."

"Key word, to YOU!"

"To anybody. " Martin assured her.

"I lost my appetite." Ruthie said. "I think I might just go to bed. " She crossed her arms over her stomach.

"Aw, baby come on! I didn't mean it. Please don't take it seriously!" Martin begged. He wrapped his strong, muscular arms around her.

Ruthie gave into Martin easily, and she in turn began to unzip his Levi's while kissing his neck.

"Ruthie, " Martin said stopping her hand from pulling down his jeans completely. "This isn't why I wanted to spend the night. "He pulled away, standing within arms length.

Ruthie was confused. "You said 'You and me, a movie, take out and then some. Remember? " She reminded him.

"I know, but your parents and brothers are just downstairs." Martin said, making a cheap excuse.

"They won't hear. " She insisted.

"That's not the point.."

"Then what is the point? Ruthie shouted, angry that Martin and her were on the verge of another post breakup argument.

Martin sensed an argument coming on. He couldn't say what he was feeling inside. The real reason why he didn't want to get intimate with Ruthie again so soon. The truth hurts. "I know this isn't what you want to hear. Especially after everything that happened earlier today with Mac and Margaret. " Martin began. "But I just don't feel comfortable being intimate with you again so soon." There, he said it. He didn't feel any better, only worst. And that was only the half. He was still carrying a much larger burden.

"I've only slept with 2 other guys in my whole eighteen year old, uneventful life. "Ruthie said , trying to remain soft spoken. "Whereas you have slept with plenty. Who knows how many for sure. I am only familiar with 2. But there's got to be more."

"There isn't. " Martin lied. He wanted to protect her from the person he used to be. The person he wasn't proud of.

"Martin, I wasn't born yesterday. And I get it.. I was in Scotland and you were hurt. Just tell me how many." Ruthie exhorted.

"The pizza is getting cold. " Martin said, changing the subject. "Did you know that Pete raised the prices by 1.00 ?"

Ruthie rolled her eyes. "Please.. Martin, just answer the question."

"You won't be pleased with what I tell you. "Martin said.

"That many huh? " Ruthie said bitterly. She reached in her bedside dresser drawer and pulled out a notepad and pen. "Write. " Ruthie said, shoving it at him.

"You want me to write you a list?" Martin asked furiously.

Ruthie nodded. There was no way she was going to back down.

"This is ridiculous . " Martin stated annoyed, and tired of Ruthie giving him the third degree.

"No Martin! You know what's ridiculous? " Ruthie asked. It was a rhetorical question. "The fact that my first time was a drunken mistake. Practically a rape. Only, I kept calling out your name. As embarrassing as that is, I did. My second time was powered by guilt.. Yours not mine. And my third time was because I thought you were going to be fathering another child. I was hurt.. And confused! " Ruthie yelled. "But basically, this is all your fault. All three! And it is such a double standard. " She said. "You can sleep with every hussy you come across and not bat an eye. But I make a few dumb and questionable mistakes and you are repulsed by the idea of intimacy with me!"

"Need I remind you that if you would have picked me over T-bone months ago, none of this would have happened. Jen, the drunken lost of you innocence, the red head, Mac.. So in fact, this is all your fault. All of it. " Martin said. "If you would have just picked me instead of that loser, you would be a virgin still!"

"Could-a, would-a , should-a!" Ruthie yelled. "You are just upset that you weren't my first.. It still kills you. I know it does. And you won't let me forget it. I'm sick of it!"

"Ruthie, for as long as I could remember, I 've dreamed of how having a physical relationship with you would be like.. Among other things.. But I always thought it would start on our wedding night."

Ruthie winced. "Wedding night?" She asked. Whenever young couples, especially teens, talked about marriage there would always be a 'one day' a 'someday' or a 'when I'm older' involved. Nothing ever written in stone. "Martin.."

"Let me finish." Martin said, cutting her off.

Ruthie leaned back on her bed, cuddling Mr. Teddykins to her chest. She listened carefully to Martin's words.

"Sex is a huge deal. Or at least it should be. Now that I have you, I never want to sleep with anybody else. You are my soul mate and my best friend Ruthie Camden." He scooted next to her. Like a man possessed, he grabbed the pen and wrote on the notepad. He quickly tore out the sheet and handed it to her.

"It's my name. " She said analyzing the sheet with 'Ruthie' scribbled on it. "I'm not the only person. Obviously, I mean there's Sandy and-"

"I know." Martin interrupted her. "I could sit here and write you a list, but those other girls don't matter to me. You're the only girl that matters to me. "

Ruthie took the pen from his grasp and wrote 'Martin' next to 'Ruthie'. "You're the only guy that matters to me. I hope you know that."

"I do." He said. "I love you Ruthie."

"I love you more. " She countered. Martin drew hearts all over the paper. Ruthie giggled. "Nice penmanship."

They sat and talked for hours about everything and nothing. Martin had stayed for dinner. He missed Annie's cooking terribly and he was happy to finally be re-accepted by the Camden's with open arms. Kevin and Lucy had also came over for dinner and Kevin and Martin had gotten into a long conversation about music and sports. Eric had made dinner awkward by bringing up Martin and Ruthie's relationship. Martin had blushed a great deal and Ruthie had found it adorable that he was so modest. After dinner Martin played baseball in the backyard with Sam and David. Sam and David had missed him and were already starting to treat him as a replacement big brother. He didn't mind. He loved spending time with them. He couldn't explain the feeling.. He just genuinely loved the Camden's. And most importantly, he loved Ruthie.

Saturday came all too fast. Simon felt like a mad man. He had spent days try to pick out the perfect ring. He didn't want to go overboard like he had with Rose. But he wanted Cecilia to have the best.. She deserved the best. Lucy and Ruthie helped him pick out the ring. They had urged him to shop from Tiffany and Co. and finally after endless hours of shopping with his two fickle sisters, he found the ultimate ring. A beautiful Tiffany Novo 2.5 karat diamond cushion cut ring. It set him back a few pay checks.. But it didn't faze him. He knew that he loved Cecilia and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He was dressed up in a fancy tuxedo and he had a fresh new hair cut. He looked and felt like a million bucks.

Meanwhile, Cecilia thought she was attending a low key dinner with Simon. But when a white rectangular box with a red shiny bow, showed up at her door step she was ecstatic to find an exquisite dress inside. She smiled brightly.

"Who is it from Sis?" Meredith asked.

"Cecilia, put this on. A car will pick you up at 7." Cecilia read out loud. " Love Simon."

Simon had barrowed some tips from Kevin. He remembered being there the night Kevin proposed to Lucy. Cecilia was his date and at the time it was like their love could make it through anything.

Cecilia took a shower and did her auburn hair in an up do that showed off her cheek bones. She did her makeup natural and classy. And finally, slipped on her gorgeous silver and black dress followed by some silver pumps. She was pleased by what she saw in the mirror. Simon truly had great taste. She thought.

The clock read 6:57 and she excitedly made her way to the living room. Her dad was fast asleep on the couch. Or at least, he appeared to be. Meredith was dressed for a 'date'.

"Have fun. Love ya." Meredith said, grinning.

"You too." Cecilia said, giving her younger sister a hug.

The door bell rang and Cecilia could hardly contain her excitement. She opened the door and she was greeted by a large, muscular man in a shiny black tuxedo. "Your chariot awaits Madame. " He said in a ritzy British accent. He reached out his hand for her to take. Cecilia couldn't believe her eyes. Was this really what she thought it was? Was Simon proposing? Cecilia smiled. She had butterflies in her stomach. She took the man's hand and he lead her to the white stretch limo.

"Stop fidgeting." Martin said, slapping Simon's hand.

"Dude, I can't help it. I'm proposing to the girl of my dreams tonight. " Simon sighed. "I've loved her since I first laid eyes on her."

Martin felt guilty but he knew he had to do the right thing. He had supported Sandy and Aaron thus far and he really did love Aaron as his own. Aaron was just a baby.. He didn't know any better. He still called Martin ' daddy' and it was wrong to confuse him after all this time.

Martin straightened out his tux and loosened his tie a bit. "You guys were meant to be. Just like Ruthie and I. "

"Yeah, but don't get any ideas. Ruthie is way too young to be getting married. " Simon warned.

Martin coughed, embarrassed. "Um yeah man, I'm young too. " He laughed it off. "Way too young to be thinking about marriage.. "

Simon gave Martin a pound. "That's great. As long as were on the same page."

Ruthie walked slowly down the hotel hallway. Her butterflies had butterflies. She hoped that she wouldn't steal the spotlight. After all it was Simon and Cecilia's night. But she couldn't help it. Ruthie was a beautiful young women and every man in the hotel hallway agreed that she looked incredible tonight. She was wearing a designer dress that she had been saving up for. It reached just above her knees. It was a warm lavender color and it had a vintage feel to it. It was a halter dress with beads lining the top and bottom. Her hair was straight and teased at the roots for extra volume.

"Wow, you look amazing. " One of Cecilia's blonde haired cousins said. He was in a Armani tuxedo and even Ruthie couldn't ignore how handsome he was. Ruthie looked him up and down, "And you are?"

"CJ. Nice to meet you." He flashed her a smile, exposing his perfectly straight and white teeth.

"One of Simon's friends I assume?" Ruthie could feel two sets of eyes on her. Simon and Martin's.

"No actually, I'm Cecilia's cousin." He said shaking her hand.

"Oh and I'm Ruthie Cam-"

Ruthie was cut off, "I know who you are." He said giving her a wink. "See you around, beautiful. " CJ made his way into the dining hall.

"Was that guy bothering you?" Martin asked coming behind her. He laced his fingers into hers and kissed her cheek.

"Not really. Just mingling with future family members is all. " Ruthie reassured him.

"Good, because. I don't want to get blood on this tux.. It's brand new. " Martin half joked.

"Brewer, you are so charming. I can't handle it!" Ruthie exclaimed sarcastically.

"I am charming. " Martin said. "Just wait until later on. " He teased. "Any more sarcasm little one?"

Ruthie opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by CJ's loud voice. "The limo just pulled up! " He shouted. Ruthie felt like she was on an episode of My Super Sweet Sixteen. She rolled her eyes playfully. "Everyone get inside the dinning hall.. Except Simon of course. " CJ gave Simon a pat on the back.

Martin took Ruthie's hand and they followed everybody else into the dinning room.

Simon was more nervous than ever when Cecilia got out of the car. "Wow. " Simon was astonished. "You looked beautiful." Simon breathed, stepping closer to her.

"You don't look so bad yourself." Cecilia grinned.

"Well, shall we?" Simon asked.

"We shall." Cecilia took his hand giving him a reassuring squeeze.

Simon brought her into the dinning room at the Four Seasons. It was elegant and fancy. It would have cost a fortune but Simon, luckily, knew the owner and got a great deal on renting the room. Not to mention, Simon was great with money and very persuasive.

Cecilia gasped at the sight. The room was full of friends and family. "Simon ..This is.. Wonderful."

Simon took a deep breath and kneeled down in the middle of the dance floor. "Cecilia Smith, will you marry me?"

Tears of joy fell from Cecilia's eyes. "Yes! Of course." She jumped into his arms and kissed him passionately. Simon slipped the engagement ring on her petite finger and everybody gave a nice hearty round of aplause.

Annie and Eric Camden were thrilled as well as Cecilia's parents and family members. Congratulations were being passed all around and everybody was inspired by the newly engaged couple.

Sandy was missing from the celebration and nobody seemed to notice. She drove back to her apartment. She couldn't bring herself to ruin Simon's engagement diner. She had been parked outside the hotel wearing a breathtaking dress. Her plan was to make Simon fall in love with her again. She had Jonathan back at her apartment babysitting Aaron. He had no clue that Simon was proposing to Cecilia tonight and they both were invited. Sandy hoped that everything would work out for the best.. But then she saw Cecilia hop out of a white stretch limo. She looked like she had graced the cover of Vogue religiously. Sandy looked down at her own outfit and suddenly it was like nothing she did could ever compare to Cecilia. According to Sandy, Cecilia was everything she wasn't. It finally dawned on Sandy that what she was doing was insane. After all, Cecilia seemed like a really nice woman and a compatible match for Simon.

Sandy felt foolish for driving all the way to the Four Seasons… without Jonathan. It was suspicious. Therefore she started her engine and drove in the other direction. She forced herself not to cry. She had to convince herself that she was making the best decision. When the time was right, she would break the news to Simon. He wouldn't be happy. In fact, he would be furious. But he deserved a romantic night with his bride to be. Far be it for Sandy to get in the way.

Sandy was in an emotional state when a car had came out nowhere. It happened in an instant.. A millisecond if you will. Sandy had turned the corner, she wasn't speeding and was watching the road. But the car had taken her by surprise. In a blink of an eye, the car had violently crashed into Sandy's SUV. Sandy had screamed out and her air bag thankfully opened with a poof. Sandy's eyelids were heavy and she closed her brown eyes - greeted by darkness.

"Let's get out of here. " Martin whispered.

"Now?" Ruthie whispered back, giving her father, who was glaring at her suspiciously a nervous smile.

Martin slid her a hotel key card under the table. "Meet me in 10 minutes. " He mouthed.

"Excuse me. " Martin said politely.

Everybody at the table gave him their undivided attention. "I need to check on my car. " He said lamely, not sure what else to say.

Ruthie looked down at her feet, waiting for the embarrassment she was feeling to be over.

"I can do it. " Kevin insisted. " I was going for some fresh air anyway."

"Uh." Martin didn't want Kevin to pry. He was the most over protective brother- in- law ever. So he didn't refuse. "Okay.. Sure." Martin said, handing him the keys.

Ruthie rolled her eyes slightly. It was her new favorite thing to do while trying to pass time or simply because she was annoyed. "Martin.. Let's dance. " She said, pulling him to the dance floor.

Martin placed his hands on the small of her back and she placed her hands around his neck.

A rendition of "Collide" by Howie Day played on the piano.

"I'm not the best dancer. " Martin warned.

"I've danced with you before." She reminded him. "Your just fine."

Martin nodded nervously.

The dawn is breaking

A light shining through

Your barely waken,

And I'm tangled up in you.

"I can't believe you got a room" Ruthie said. " I thought we were hitting the breaks."

But I'm open,

Your closed

Where I follow

You'll go.

"I just wanted to have a special night with you. " Martin spun her around precisely. Ruthie's skin brushed against his, giving Martin chills.

I worry I won't see your face

Light up again..

"If you want I could go get my Nintendo Wii and we could play video games. There is no pressure. " Martin said. He knew that Ruthie loved playing video games. It was something they did often back when they were just friends.

"You know, video games sound awesome." Ruthie grinned. She didn't want to complicated the relationship again. She wanted it to happen naturally. When the time was right.

Even the best fall down sometimes..

Even the wrong words seem to rhyme

Martin felt relieved. There was no pressure. He was with Ruthie for the long hall.

Out of the doubt that fills my mind,

You somehow find

You and I, Collide.

Ruthie two stepped to Meredith who was dancing with her cousin CJ. "Mer, would you mind covering for me again?" Ruthie whispered.

She nodded, "Of course." Meredith said.

Ruthie noticed CJ listening and she wondered why he was being so nosey.

"My dad will be so pre occupied with Cecilia and all the excitement of tonight that he won't bother to check who's home and who isn't. " Meredith added.

"Thanks, you are a life saver." Ruthie said, truly meaning it.

"May I cut in?" CJ asked. "Future fam and all."

Martin eye balled him. "I guess." He said hesitantly.

Martin danced with Meredith, feeling uneasy about the whole ordeal. He just wanted to get out of that dinning hall and spend alone time with Ruthie.

"Why are you with that fake spray on tan- macho man loser?" CJ asked Ruthie seriously.

"You don't know him. He does not use a spray on tan! " Ruthie defended. "And I haven't known you all but two seconds." She pointed out.

"5 hours actually. But who's counting." CJ said with a smirk.

"Whatever. That 'macho man' happens to be the love of my life. So back off."

"You are what, eighteen?" CJ asked. Ruthie nodded. "There's no way your in love. " CJ insisted.

"Age is nothing. Just bud out please." Ruthie said letting go of him.

"I'm sorry." CJ said. "Don't get nasty."

The song ended and Ruthie was ready to head back to Martin when CJ spun her around. "If I had a girl like you.. I would never lie to you."

"I beg your pardon?" Ruthie scrunched up her nose.

"Have you heard the town gossip lately?" CJ asked.

"Only people with no life listen to that crap."

CJ shrugged, "You never know what's fact and what's fiction." He said. "But maybe, you should listen sometimes. Some rumors can be based on fact." He stayed. "Cya," was the last thing he said before walking away.

Ruthie was perplexed. What did CJ know that she didn't?

"Ready to go?" Martin asked. "Your dad is going to break out the karaoke. And we all know how painful that going to be. We should leave while we still can. Unless you want to stick around and blare out some notes yourself.. "

"Did Meredith leave yet?"

"Not yet, she's getting her purse." Martin said.

"Good. " Ruthie said. "Let's get out of here."

Martin and Ruthie snuck off while the coast was clear and everybody was having too much fun with karaoke to notice. Eric was on stage singing "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" By Pat Benatar. Ruthie had put on a smile for Martin's sake but CJ's words were still bothering her. What was everybody in Glenn Oak gossiping about?

COMING UP OF SOATRWAHH..

Will Sandy survive?

Who's gossiping and who isn't?

Will Ruthie find out some of the town gossip?

R&R to find out!

AUTHOR'S NOTE : If there is a specific outfit or item that I have described in the story that you'd like to see a picture of then request it when you review For example, Ruthie's Tiffany & Co bracelet. (CHECK OUT MY PROFILE TO SEE!)