Epilogue
Disclaimer- Not mine, sadly enough
Sorry, but it was a hell of a lot of information. This is actually two parts, so the second part should be up soon. I'm sorry about the wait, but the length should make up for it!
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Four Years Later:
January
"Braden Petroski," Ruthie said clearly, "Or Camden, I don't know which one he used," She frowned
"Don't worry Miss Camden," The lady smiled, "I know which youngster you're referring to," She frowned, "Next time, please inform your child that he is not allowed to climb on the ropes supporting the play structures,"
Ruthie sighed, "I'm sorry, I really am, but I'm in a hurry, so," She gave a smile, trying to get this woman to hurry up,"
"You know, I have a friend who could use your help," She said to Ruthie and Ruthie inwardly groaned. Everyone seemed to this that she was happy to give people therapy anytime, anywhere. Even she needed a break every now and then!
Thankfully, the blond haired boy caught sight of her,
"Oh, Camden!" He yelled, "Can you get me outta here?" He gave an impish smile
"Came on kid," Ruthie smiled, signing him out, "I have Sam and David at the house and they were looking forward to beating you at Nintendo,"
"They won't," He said confidently, "As long as my name's Braden Petroski, I'll beat 'em!" He laughed and took Ruthie's hand in his own.
"My name's Peyton!" The little boy screamed, "Brady's dead! Mommy said so! He's dead! I am Peyton Joel Petroski! PEYTON!" He was red at finishing this little speech, "Where's my mommy?"
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"Ruthie," Sam grinned at seeing the younger boy, "Hey Braids!" He teased lightly, "David's whipping my butt, care to help me?"
The little boy was off like a flash.
"Where are Mom and Dad?" Ruthie asked, "I thought you were all coming in together?"
"They took a later flight," Sam explained, "Mary just finished delivering Joshua, but there were some complications with his birth and they wanted to make sure Mary and Joshua were fine,"
"Oh, how is everyone?" Ruthie asked, grabbing an apple to slice, "I've been forgetting everything since I took on an extra workload at work with some patients," She did appear frazzled.
"Well, Robbie and Charlie are both pacing around last time I saw them," Sam said, "Kevin was explaining how babies are made to Savannah, Jacob, Michael, and Leah,"
Ruthie nodded, calculating the ages of each of these children.
"Matt, Sarah, Katie, and Stevie are the same and Lucy's been letting Dad do more work while she gets ready to go on maternity leave with her last child,"
"Last child?" Ruthie asked, "I thought Lucy wanted seven?"
Sam explained, "Lucy made Kevin get a vasectomy after she conceived and decided that she didn't want to go through labor again, after this kid," He frowned, "I think she's about two months along,"
"What about Mom and Dad?" She asked
"Dad's been moping around lately and Mom's planning to set you up with someone as soon as she sees you," Sam grins, "Oh and I forgot, Martin and Susie came up a little while ago and he mentioned that he got traded to a different team, the Cardinals,"
"St. Louis?" Ruthie asked inwardly trying to find any scrap of information about Martin before admonishing herself.
"Yeah," Sam knew what she was up to, "Martin said he wanted a change of pace from Boston,"
Ruthie hoped this had nothing to do with her so close by in New York.
"But the trade doesn't take effect for another two years," Sam shrugged, "Some weird red cap thing,"
Ruthie smiled, "So he's still in Massachusetts?"
"For the next year or so, yes," Sam grinned, "Finally admitted you're sweet on him?"
"No," She said defiantly, "It's been four years Sam, and people change," She hoped he hadn't changed. Not one iota.
"Whatever," Sam stole one of her apple pieces and left as the phone rang.
"Hello? Hi Dad, where are you guys?" Ruthie asked, munching on her snack, "What? No, that can't be," She sank to the floor, hanging up. Staring at the drawer opposite of her, she cried long and hard.
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"Sit down, guys," Ruthie whispered, frowning, "Mom would want nothing but respect from you on this day,"
Sam and David just looked hollowly at the headstone, "Why Mom?" One of them asked, stunned.
"God needed her," Braden said softly, "Like he needed my father and mother," He bowed his head solemnly, "Where do I sit?"
"Sit next to David, honey," Ruthie said, "I'm going to talk to some people and see what's up,"
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"Hey Carrie," She greeted, hugging her longtime friend and her brother's very serious girlfriend, now fiancée, of four years.
"Ruthie," Carrie greeted, "We've bumped up the wedding to March 13th," She explained, "Can you make that date?"
"I can make it," Ruthie assured here
"Yes, but my sister can't," She smiled sadly, and continued, "It is fine. Zaire and I have never gotten along and this was more of a honoring my parents thing," She glanced at Ruthie, "Would you mind being my bridesmaid?"
"I'd love to," Ruthie smiled, "How's Simon?"
Carrie sighed, "He locked himself in his room for the first day, no food or anything. The next day, I had to force feed him tomato soup through a straw," Ruthie hugged Carrie, "Simon had a fight with them, didn't he?"
"Yes, but a small spat that would've been resolved quickly," She waved her hand, "Knowing Simon, he'll probably just honor his mother and won't even kiss me until the wedding night,"
Ruthie giggled, "The premarital relations thing?"
"Yeah," She laughed, "We were together two years first, but they didn't find out until Monday and advised him to wait until he was married,"
"And Simon blew up," Ruthie finished, "Now I understand why you moved up the wedding date!"
"Don't tell Simon," She winked,
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"Dad, is heaven where the angels live?" Eleven year old Susie asked, later at the wake, while she and her father were sitting on a bench, bored.
"No," Martin said distracted, "The Angels live in Anaheim, honey," He was looking out for Ruthie.
"What about the devils?" Susie asked, in a sarcastic voice when she realized her dad wasn't listening.
"Uh, they live in hel-Susannah!" Martin frowned and his daughter giggled,
"You almost said it, Dad," She teased him, her eyes shining in admiration.
"Hey Martin," Simon walked up to him, "Haven't seen you since what-Christmas?"
"Yeah," Martin chuckled, "Suze and I have been busy. We meant to come soon, but some things just got in the way," He trailed off
"Oh!" Simon frowned, "I forgot to call and tell," He sighed, "Carrie moved up the wedding date to March 13th, this year," He glanced at his father, who wasn't doing anything. He just stood there, motionless.
"Congratulations?" Martin said in more of an asking tone
"No, it's just that Carrie's having four bridesmaids, and I can only find three groomsmen, including the best man," Simon looked pained at this
"Which are?" Martin asked
"Matt's the best man, and David, Sam, and Robbie are groomsmen. Since I don't really have any other guy friends, would you mind filling in the last space?"
"Sure, I think I can move that press conference to the next week and Suze won't mind missing school," He shrugged, "Why'd you move the wedding up anyway?"
"Carrie's idea," Simon shrugged, "I don't know why she moved it up, honestly,"
"Is that Ruthie?" Martin asked having spotted a woman with brown hair whose back was to him.
"Uh," Simon focused in, "No, that's Meredith, actually. The girl you dated while Sandy was pregnant with Suze," Thankfully, by this time, Suze had lost interest in the conversation and was looking for Anna.
"Thank you for the reminder, Simon," Martin sighed, "That's one lady I want to avoid,"
"Hello Martin," Meredith said, showing up, out of nowhere, smiling, "I couldn't help but overhear the last part of your conversation and decided to come over and make you uncomfortable, like you did me when we were at school and everyone pitied me for being led on by a "player"," She put air quotes on player, smiling
"Meredith," Martin fixed a smile, "I really am sorry about the way things ended between us,"
"I'm not," A man Martin didn't recognize came from behind Meredith, "Parker Green, her husband," He smiled, "If you hadn't broken up with her, chances are I never would've gotten to marry her,"
"I was just kidding about what I said earlier," Meredith explained, "High school is such a long time ago, and I got my dream,"
"A family with lots of kids?" Martin asked
"Seven and they're all adopted," Meredith smiled wider, "They're asleep at home with Danny, but I had to come and pay my respects,"
"Martin!" Four year old Stevie ran up to him, brown eyes sparkling and his hair in disarray, rather like Matt's was from time to time, "Uncle Martin, My friend Conrad says that girls have cooties, is that true?" He asked loudly
"Um, we'll see you later, Martin," Meredith said, leaving with Parker,
"The girls that are married have cooties," Martin was glowering at this point, at Meredith's subtle "rubbing it in".
"Even Mommy?" Stevie looked nervously at all the girls everywhere.
"Especially mommies," Martin wasn't really listening to what he was saying, just trying to work through what Meredith had said to him and her underlying meaning.
"Do I need a shot?" Stevie rubbed his arm, "I don't like shots,"
"The only cure against cooties is to not near one of these girls," Martin shuddered, "They're animals, just waiting to tear you apart and kick you out on the street,"
Stevie ran off at this point to tell Jacob and Michael what he had learned.
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"Hey Ruthie," Mary greeted her, holding little Joshua in her arms
"Hey Mary," Ruthie smiled, "How's married life?"
"Well, Robbie loves taking care of the twins and Charlie's a huge help," Mary said, "I'm thankful that Mom at least got to see Josh before they well, you know," She trailed off, "How's Braden?"
"He recently discovered the perks of having a guardian that's famous," Ruthie said dryly, "He loves getting these trashy magazines and looking for pictures of me and him,"
Mary laughed, "Well, at least you don't have to go through the terrible twos, times two!" She glanced at Robbie who was nodding off, "He refuses to admit that we need a nanny,"
"Poor Robbie," Ruthie said, "Are you sure Rudy and Jude aren't too hard on him?"
"No, how hard can they be? After all, they are just kids," Mary said, shifting Joshua up, "His words, not mine,"
"I'm listening, you know," He mumbled, not opening his eyes, but hugging his wife and Joshua, "Is that Lucy I sense?"
"No honey, that's Ruthie,"
He smiled and opened both eyes, "Ruthie!" He laughed and hugged her, "How's Braden?"
"Fine, how are my namesake and her twin?" She asked
"Rudy is exactly like you," Robbie sighed, "If we named her after Lucy, do you think she would be more docile?"
"Hey!" Ruthie slapped him lightly, "Rudy's a sweet little girl, and it's her brother that causes all the mischief,"
"No, Jude never gets in trouble unless Rudy's around and Rudy gets in trouble with or without Jude," He smiled warmly, "But, enough about us, why didn't you come for Christmas?"
It was only one word, six letters long, but it meant the world to Ruthie. M-A-R-T-I-N.
"Work got in the way," She said, "And Braden wanted to hang around, see the sights around Christmas,"
"Hey Camden!" Braden came down to her, "Jacob told me that girls have cooties, that true?"
"Who told Jacob this?" Ruthie asked, frowning
"Michael," He said
"And who told Michael?" Mary asked, a frown also on her face, "It couldn't have been Charlie,"
"It wasn't, it was Stevie,"
"Oh, and Conrad told Stevie right?" Robbie asked, "Stevie was asking me earlier about cooties, but I wasn't really paying attention,"
"Will you just get a nanny?" Ruthie said, annoyed, "You look like you've gotten no sleep!"
Robbie looked at Mary who simply said, "You know how I feel on the nanny issue dear,"
"Martin told Stevie, actually," Braden said, "Now is it true?"
"Wait, Martin Brewer told a four year old that girls have cooties?" Ruthie was shocked
"No, just married girls and mommies," Brady inched away from Mary at this point, "The only cure is to stay away from them,"
"Do you know what's wrong with Jacob and Michael?" Lucy asked, "They keep running away from me," She was genuinely puzzled
"You have cooties, apparently, Luce," Ruthie said, ruffling Braden's hair, "Braden, girls don't have cooties. Ask David if you want to know what cooties are. I'm going to have a chat with Martin,"
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"Martin," Ruthie said, tapping his shoulder, as his back was to her.
He turned around, holding a cup of punch. Seeing that it was Ruthie, he smiled and greeted her, showing off his white teeth that Ruthie loved.
Ruthie couldn't remember why she was there, only that it was a wake.
"Thank you for coming," She smiled shakily, and walked away, hoping Martin would follow her.
He didn't. He just stood there, holding that cup of punch for a long time.
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February
"Sam, David!" Ruthie shook the two boys that now lived with her and Braden up, "Time for school, gentlemen!"
"Oh Ruthie," David grumbled, "Sam's comatose form kept me up all night. A person my age is supposed to get at least ten hours of sleep,"
"Hey!" Sam scowled, "I don't snore! And I call shotgun!"
"Again, we are in New York, without a conveyance of any form, other then the taxicab," David said, annoyed
"How do you get girls with the way you talk?" Sam asked teasingly
"Stop the banter you two," Ruthie sighed, "I've had no coffee, so I have no patience to deal with a genius or a diva,"
"Aw, I wasn't aware I was a genius, thanks Ruthie," Sam smiled
"For that little comment, I'm going to let you deal with taking Braden to school," Ruthie smiled, "Here's the money for the fare and lunch. Braden's eating breakfast and you have an hour to get ready," She kissed David on the cheek and pinched Sam's lightly, "I'll pick all of you up and we can get ready to go to Boston,"
"Oh that's right!" Sam grinned, "Plashdance, Screamers, and Green Day, here I come!" He raised an imaginary fist in the air. (The first two are imaginary band names, unless by chance, they are real)
"Harvard, here I come!" David added, grabbing a shirt.
"Why are you so interested in Harvard when you go to a college here already?" Sam asked
"Library," David said simply, grinning, "I can't wait til grad school!"
"Don't forget, dude," Sam smiled, "We're sticking together, but I'm studying like crazy for SATS, don't worry," He hugged his brother and mumbled a prayer to their mother, who had become Sam's patron saint.
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"Stella," Ruthie said on the phone, "Find me a pair of earplugs," She kissed Braden on the head.
"I'll be back, David's taking you and Sam to school,"
"Leon invited me to a sleepover," He yelled, "Can I go?"
"It's Sam and David's birthday, honey," She pointed out
"I don't want to go to a concert or a school on a yucky holiday like Valentine's Day," Braden made a face
"It's fine by us!" Sam yelled from their room, "He wouldn't appreciate fine music like I do, or fine colleges, like Dave does!"
"David," 'Dave' corrected,
"If it makes you feel better, the only band that Sam and I agree on is Green Day," Ruthie smiled, "And you like Green Day, honey,"
"I like Yellowcard from your generation better, Camden," Braden said, "Have fun at work,"
"Have fun at school," Ruthie left, smiling
"What about the sleepover?" He yelled back at her
"I already called Leon's mother, and you're going home with him," She grinned and shut the door.
"Braids, you ready?" Sam came out, followed by David. Sam and Brady wore identical uniforms, as required by Saint Augustine, Brother Atticus, and Father Arthur Preparatory School. (A school that I just made up, unless again, by some chance it is real)
Ruthie made them go there, because she couldn't find a temple that she liked in the five boroughs of New York, she was just partial to her father's parish. David attended the NY Theological Seminary, where Chandler and Lucy went for a while. It was no big secret he wanted to transfer to an Ivy League.
Sam and David were with Ruthie, because Eric had another heart attack and had to go under a triple bypass, so the doctor made it clear that Sam should go somewhere else while Simon and Carrie tended to Eric, as he became more delusional each passing day. David was at a college by Glenoak to be close to Sam, but when Eric had the heart attack, he and Sam went to live with Ruthie.
"Yeah," Brady sighed, "How come I have to wear a uniform and Myron doesn't?"
"Myron's home schooled," Sam said cheerfully, "Would you like to stay home all by yourself with no one to play with?"
"Let's go to school," Braden hopped off his stool, "Poor Myron,"
"He'll live, you coming, David?" Sam asked, steering Brady outside
"Yes, just let me find a taxi-cab," David fumbled with his cell phone
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"Okay you two," Ruthie grinned, opening the door for her brothers who were waiting outside of the school, "Braden at Leon's already?"
"No, you came early," Sam said, climbing in the backseat of the cab, "Braden gets out fifteen minutes after me and David's been waiting all afternoon,"
"I didn't have any afternoon classes today," David explained,
"Is that lipstick on your cheek?" She asked David, handing a napkin over
David blushed,
"He's a real ladies man at college, Ruthie," Sam grinned, "You should see him,"
David scowled, "Speak for yourself, Sam, after all, I wasn't the one that was found in the closet with Jennifer Higgins in elementary school!"
"Ahh Jennifer Higgins," Sam grinned, "Where is she these days?"
The cabbie pulled out as Ruthie told him the address.
"Wasn't David in the broom closet across the hall with some other girl?" Ruthie asked, eyes twinkling
"Stacey Merriman," Sam grinned, "She was a pretty gal," He slapped his brother's back lightly, laughing at his burning face.
"Nothing ever embarrasses you, ever," David sighed,
"Yeah, you got the sensitive gene, dude," Sam shuddered, "A genius with Lucy's scary traits. The world should be cowering at your face,"
"Oh Sam," Ruthie laughed, "Well at least David isn't so childlike about things like not doing your chores,"
"You love me and you know it," Sam grinned, "So how far will it be to Boston? I'm thinking we should hit the concert tonight and spend the entire day at Harvard the next day,"
"Fine," David shrugged, "But where will we be accommodating?"
"I'll have Stella look at hotels," Ruthie grabbed her phone
"No, I already made reservations at a place," Sam said cheerfully, "Don't worry,"
"What is this place like?" Ruthie asked nervously, "It does have plumbing, correct?"
"Relax," Sam rolled his eyes, "I just called Martin and asked if-well four of us could spend the night there and he said yes. I have to call him again and say Braids isn't coming," He glanced at Ruthie's phone, "Can I use your phone?"
"We are spending the night at Martin's?" Ruthie asked slowly
"Yeah, but if you don't want to, I can just call him and find a hotel," Sam said, "But it's been four years and I just thought that," He trailed off
"Twelve years actually," She laughed, "Twelve years ago when I was oh fifteen or sixteen, that's when I fell in love with him. It took him eight years to return the feeling and by then, I had given up. Now I can't, because he might say these words all over again," She sighed
"What words?" David asked, standing a little straighter then his perfect posture.
"He doesn't know that I heard him, but," She trailed off
"I don't like being rejected! Especially by someone I didn't even like in the first place!"
"So when he finally told me, that was all I was thinking," She sighed, "Plus it never would've worked out,"
"You need to get over him, Ruthie," David said, "Only then, will you be able to move on with your life and find the man of your dreams,"
"That sounds oddly familiar," Ruthie frowned
"It should, you said it," Sam reminded her, "David and I heard you on the TV one night,"
"Take your own advice, Ruthie," David grinned, "What can it hurt?"
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"THIS IS THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!" Sam yelled, over the dulcet tones of his favorite bands, rocking with the crowd of overexcited teenagers.
Ruthie and David both had earplugs on and were looking at everyone, shocked by the way that this generation (with exceptions, such as David) dressed and were acting around these musicians.
"MARTIN! OVER HERE!" Sam waved to Martin, who was being mauled by throngs of female admirers.
Ruthie hadn't seen him yet and he saw her. Well, her back at least. Deiter, his bodyguard and close friend stayed near him, making sure overcrazed fans didn't get too close to Martin.
"Is zat her?" He asked in his lilting German accent, looking at the girl Martin was staring at, "Roozee?"
"Ruthie," Martin corrected, fists in his pockets,
"She's ein schönes Mädchen," He said to his friend, "I can zee how ze's captured you for four years," (a beautiful girl)
"Twelve," He corrected, gazing at her, "Somehow, I think it's twelve years, since that hug-" He sighed, "I don't know,"
"Ah, Liebe, ja?" He asked
(love, yes?)
Martin ignored him, walking over to Sam, who was currently banging his head to the music.
"HEY MARTIN!" He yelled, "GREAT CONCERT, HUH?" His eyes were sparkling and he was laughing
Martin glanced at the leader of the band currently playing, who was fashioning a mohawk, only instead of the style going north to south, it went east to west, and his body looking like a little kid had doodled Magic Markers all over his chest. Yet more girls seemed to be going after him then Martin.
He smiled at Sam and glanced around for David. To his surprise the boy genius was locking lips with a girl about his age that looked like a follower of some demon cult. Sam looked his way and laughed,
"I never understood why everyone thinks Dave has trouble dating!" He yelled to Martin, "He's always been a ladies man!"
Martin chuckled. His gaze landed again on Ruthie and he walked toward her, his hands suddenly more sweaty then they had been in ages and his heart pounding in his chest. Ruthie saw him and smiled widely, which made him feel more nervous.
The band changed into a slow song neither of them had ever heard before. Ruthie looked over Martin's shoulder to make sure David's make-out session wasn't escalating. Sam was also dancing with a girl now and Martin held out his hand, charming smile on his face, "Want to dance?" He asked over the music and she giggled before melting in his arms, a huge smile on her face.
It was like four years ago when they had danced under the stars to Martin's voice and a little audience. Only now, the song didn't seem to fit as perfectly, being about a boy who wanted to find a girl that was his true love, his "one and only", when they had already found their soul mates. They just didn't think the other knew it yet.
"Thank you Martin," She said softly, "But I think I want to stay at the hotel," She sighed, and turned away.
Martin still didn't follow her. He became lost in the crowd, masking his tears with beer. Thankfully, Deiter drove home that night.
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March
"Carrie," Ruthie smiled, "You are gorgeous," She admired her sister-to-be in an old style wedding gown with lace and tulle everywhere. Carrie's dark skin contrasted deeply with the color, making it look all the more beautiful.
"Thank you, Ruthie," Carrie laughed, "I am happy to see that your dress fits you perfectly,"
Ruthie laughed, giving her lavender gown a twirl,
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"Oh, I'm taking the hot girl!" Sam said, fixing his hair
"I am sorry, dear brother, but that girl is my partner," David smiled
"No, she's not!" Sam said, "Ruthie is!"
It elevated into a quarrel and Martin broke them up.
"What's the fight about anyway?" He asked
"Carrie's friend that's a supermodel," David said, "I'm supposed to walk down with her, but Sam here, thinks otherwise,"
Martin rolled his eyes, "David you can have my partner and I'll take whoever it is that neither of you wants,"
They frowned, "I don't know," David said, "I mean, I'm more then happy to walk down with that girl too, but-"
"No buts, little brother!" Sam said cheerfully, "We accept your deal!" He shook Martin's hand and went back to the mirror while David looked helpless.
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Ruthie was holding her flowers. She already knew that one of the twins were supposed to walk her down, but imagine her surprise when Sam explained what had happened. He didn't bother to mention that the person was Martin.
"Ruthie?" Martin smiled, "Are you walking down?"
"Yeah," She said,
He held out his elbow, "So am I,"
She took it, half of her wanting to scream at Sam and the other half wanted to hug the boy until he couldn't breathe.
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They stood in front of each other, never taking their eyes off the other. They missed the entire ceremony, just watching each other, seeing what new physical features each had. Ruthie noticed that Martin's small bruise behind the ear seemed to have faded almost entirely and Martin noticed the way the dress hugged her figure.
The ceremony was only fifteen minutes long, but a definitive shift happened in their relationship.
When the ceremony ended and Ruthie went with Matt to the reception, Martin didn't follow. He went back home to Boston, where Suze was sick with the flu.
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April
"Braden," Ruthie laughed, fixing his tie, "I have to go to Florida and do a segment there for the day, and so Sam and David are going to watch you,"
"So if a girl comes over, I call you," Braden said cheerfully, "And if more then five people are in the house, including me, Sam, and David, I call you,"
"Good boy," Ruthie hugged him, "And what do you do if the police comes?"
"I call you and use the emergency credit card for bail money," Brady held up the card, "Don't worry, Camden,"
"I'm not worried," Ruthie said, "Are you sure you don't want to sleep over at Leon's?"
"If I do that, then what's stopping Sam and David from turning my room into a crack den?" He pointed out
"You watch too much TV," Ruthie said, "And if they do that, you call me," she added, fixing her hair.
"Oh, doesn't our sister love us?" Sam asked dryly, leaning on the door, "You're letting the kid think that Dave and I could turn his room into a crack den!"
"David," His brother corrected,
"I was kidding," Ruthie laughed, "I will be gone for the night and most of tomorrow, but I'm having Mrs. Jenkins next door check up on you three and you all know the rules so-" Ruthie hugged the three of them
"Hey, which team are you interviewing in Florida anyway?" Sam asked
"Socks," Ruthie shrugged, "That's all I got,"
"The Reds or the Whites?" David asked standing up,
"Reds, I think," She picked up her bag, "I'm just doing a segment on athletic pressure, that's all. I'll be back tomorrow night, and um," She frowned, "Oh and no girls in the house or people that I haven't met,"
"Including the delivery guy?" Asked Sam sarcastically
"Funny man," Ruthie patted his cheek, "Oh and Anna called for you. She's having a crisis in Glenoak,"
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"Ruthie!" Stella came next to her, wearing a pink bikini top and a pair of tan shorts, "Isn't Florida wonderful?"
"We're at a baseball diamond, Stella, not the beach," Ruthie said smiling, "Did you call the boys and let them know I landed last night?"
"Yes I did, and again this morning," Stella said, "Sam told me to tell you that Anna's become a woman," She looked a little puzzled.
"Oh!" Ruthie laughed, "Remind me to call Lucy later,"
"Yes, and the cameras are here as well as the players practicing over there," Stella pointed everything out
"Fine," Ruthie grinned, "I think I'll interview the coach first and then some of the most likely and least likely players on the team," She put some lip gloss on and removed her sunglasses, "You round up some of these players, and not just the popular ones!" Ruthie reminded her assistant.
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"Hello Miss Camden," The coach said smiling, sitting next to Ruthie in one of the director-style chairs, "Jonah O'Conner, coach of the Boston Red Sox,"
"Pleased to meet you, Coach O'Conner," Ruthie smiled, "How are the Red Sox's doing this year so far?"
"Well the loss of some of our key players like Cameron Evers and Martin Brewer will take a toll on the team," The coach admitted, "So we are making this year the best year possible before these guys leave the team. Next year, I imagine will be a rebuilding process,"
"Do you think the either of these players have ever been under pressure to do well?" Ruthie asked
"Cameron, yes," The coach admitted, "He has deals in several endorsements, but Brewer has no deals, no endorsements, nothing, yet he's the most popular member of the team!" The coach chuckled, "Martin, when he first came here, was definitely under pressure, snapping at even one wild ball. Now he seems to have accepted that baseball is a game, and strives just to play as best as he can,"
Ruthie couldn't help it, she wanted to hear more about Martin, "Why do you think Martin was under pressure back then? He had no deals then either,"
"He was a natural leader, born to stand out," The coach said, "Brewer played the way the crowd wanted him to play back then, swept up in the idea of fame. Now his priorities are more in order,"
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Stella knew Ruthie definitely needed both Martin and Cameron, so she attacked them first. Cameron was pretty easy, after a call to his agent and lawyer.
Martin on the other hand,
"Thanks, but no thanks," Martin smiled and threw the ball back to Jimmy with as much force as he could muster
"Please, just ten minutes with her," Stella begged, "It helps raise awareness for the pressure on athletes and it'll give your image a boost,"
"Don't want an image, just to play ball and hang out with my daughter," He smiled, "I'm sure Cameron would be willing to help you out,"
"He's already lined up," Stella said, "Miss Camden would really appreciate it,"
Martin threw a wild ball. A very wild ball.
"Damn Martin!" Jimmy laughed, "That's probably the worst wild ball anybody's ever thrown!"
Martin ignored him, "Ruthie Camden, right?"
"Yes," Stella nodded, "The host of Mellow Out?"
Martin smiled, "I'll do it, but she can't know it's me until the last second,"
"Why?" Stella wanted to know
"Old friend," He smiled, "I love to surprise her,"
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"Thank you for your time, Cameron," Ruthie said smiling
"Anytime, Miss Camden," Cameron smiled and walked off the screen
"Great and next we have-" Ruthie's mind was a blank, Stella hadn't told her who was next
"Me," Martin walked on the screen, sitting in the chair, "Martin Brewer," He smiled, "It's good to see you again, Ruthie,"
"Martin!" Ruthie laughed, "The man that refuses to be on TV, except for games! This must be a first,"
"Yeah well, you are a lot more attractive then David Letterman," Martin winked at her, smiling
She smiled to him again, "Uh, speaking of that, how did you figure out to not be pressured?" She was shocked at how blatantly he was flirting.
"I don't know what that has to do with David Letterman," Martin smiled, drawing in a breath to allow space for the studio audience to laugh, "When my Sandy- my daughter's mother died," He sighed, "My daughter showed me that the only things that mattered were family and the love of baseball, not the love of fame."
"Why are you getting traded?" Ruthie asked, "Coach O'Conner seemed unhappy to loose you,"
He looked at Ruthie, "I made the trade a year ago, because I wanted to be as far away from a girl that I loved-wait," His eyes burned into hers, "From a girl that I still love that for some reason didn't return my feelings. She wasn't close by, but I wanted to be sure I would never see her again, because it would hurt too much,"
Ruthie was shocked at his forwardness, "This girl, when did you realize you loved her?"
"I realized I love her when I saw her oh, four years ago at a Christmas party," Martin looked at her and noted with satisfaction, "Nice earrings, Miss Camden," They were the pearl ones he had given her.
She had worn them today, on a whim.
She liked the way he said her name, just rolling off his tongue. Ruthie said, "Um, do you think you'll feel pressure to do well, in the future?"
"The only person I allow myself to pressure me into doing well is me," He said, "I know my limits,"
"It was nice to see you again Martin," Ruthie smiled, "Thanks for coming on and it is commercial break now," She waved at the camera, noticing the flashing light.
"Did you hear about Anna?" Martin said to her, as the lights dimmed and the crew started to get ready for the second part of the segment.
"She's a woman," Ruthie said, "She told Sam who told me,"
"Lucy's a mess, because Anna hasn't told her yet, just Sam and Suze. She found out from Stella, apparently," He glanced over to where her assistant was, grinning
"Oh that's my fault," Ruthie laughed, "And Martin?" She smiled, "That girl loved-loves you actually. For twelve years so far," He voice was shaking, "Do you remember when Vincent had finally told me the truth about wanting to break up with me?"
"Yeah," Martin sat back down
"When I said sorry to you and we hugged, that was the moment it happened for me,"
"Oh Ruthie," Martin hugged her, both of them standing now, "I didn't freak you out, did I?"
"No, just a little surprised, but I don't think anyone but the family will know. Knowing the family, they won't tell the papers,"
Ruthie's emergency cell rang, the one that only her father, Braden, Sam, and David had the number to.
"Hello?" She asked, "Oh no," She looked at Martin, "I have to go back to New York, but please don't move,"
Martin nodded and was torn by whether to follow her or to go back to spring training.
"Brewer! Hurry up!" The coach yelled.
Martin didn't follow her.
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