Martin couldn't help but smile at the girl by his side. She had so much fight in her. He admired her strength of will. Ruthie Camden was no pushover.

"So are you saying that you'd be willing to go to your parents and tell them that you want to date me?" Martin asked.

Ruthie shook her head. "Nope. But we will be."

"Are you absolutely sure this is what you want to do?" Martin asked.

Ruthie suddenly realized that words alone would not convince Martin just how serious she really was about this. Ruthie gently took hold of Martin's chin and brought it down to her level, before tenderly placing her lips onto his. She brought her body close to his, until she could feel a warmth building deep inside her. Placing her other hand on the back of Martin's neck, she brought their mouths together more fully. Brazenly she traced the outline of Martin's lips with her warm and tentative tongue, teasing his lips until they opened. She delved her tongue deep inside, awakening Martin's as the two enjoyed the deep, sensuous kiss.

When Ruthie finally pulled away, Martin was breathless and more than a little shaken. Inside, Ruthie joyously raised her victory flag!

"Where? How? Who?" Martin stuttered, eyes wide. "Who taught you that?"

Ruthie smiled slyly. Obviously she had convinced Martin that she was mature enough to handle a relationship with an older guy.

"Do you need any more convincing?" she asked.

Martin smiled and took a deep breath, letting the air out of his lungs slowly. "There's a huge part of me that really wants to say no just so you'll kiss me like that again. But I'm afraid I'd never be able to let you go after another one, so I'll just say yes. I'm totally convinced that you're sure you wanna do this."

"So, does this mean you're my boyfriend?" Ruthie asked shyly.

Martin smiled. "I will be after your father gives us his blessing."

"Ruthie's been over there for way too long," Lucy pointed out, drawing the curtains back further.

Kevin gave his wife an exasperated look and dragged her away from the window. "Honey, Ruthie and Martin need time to work through their fight. Stop being so nosy."

Lucy gave Kevin a wicked look and turned to her equally paranoid father for assistance. "Dad?"

"I kind of agree with Kevin, honey," Eric shrugged. "Ruthie will come home when she and Martin have worked things out."

"But you heard Mom!" Lucy squealed. "Mom said that Ruthie admitted to having a crush on Martin. Her heart must be breaking having found out that Martin had sex with Sandy."

Eric looked over at Annie who was busy with Savannah. The thought of his baby girl dating an experienced guy like Martin made him cringe. Ruthie was doing so much changing lately it scared everyone.

"Would it be so horrible if Martin and Ruthie wanted to date?" Kevin asked.

"Yes!" they all exclaimed in unison.

"It was just a question," Kevin whispered.

"I can't believe that you think it would be okay for our little sister to date Martin!" Lucy said heatedly.

Kevin shrugged. "I like Martin. I like Martin a lot more than I liked that Vincent guy or that Jack guy for that matter. We know Martin. He's like part of the family. I for one think that she could do a lot worse than Martin."

Lucy swatted Kevin on the arm and went back to the window. Nothing. She turned to face Kevin. "Martin is two years older than Ruthie."

"So? I'm older than you," Kevin pointed out.

"That's different. We didn't start dating when I was fifteen. Ruthie should be dating guys her own age; guys who aren't out having sex with girls they barely know," Lucy quipped.

Kevin, once again, pulled Lucy away from the window. "Martin made one mistake, and with the scare he got, I'm sure that it's not one he plans to make again. All I'm saying is that if Ruthie and Martin wanted to date, I'd be okay with it."

Lucy opened her mouth to shoot Kevin down when the front door suddenly opened and in walked Ruthie and Martin…