Disclaimer: Don't own anything
LAST CHAPTER
REVIEWS NEXT CHAPTER
nO SEQUELS ARE IN THE WORKS NOR ARE THEY PLANNED
aNYONE CAN TAKE THIS STORY AS A SPINOFF FOR THESE rUTHIE & mARTIN LOVERS OUT THERE. aS LONG AS I AM INFORMED, THROUGH (WHAT ELSE?) A REVIEW!
Oh, sorry, didn't realize that Caps Lock was on, sorry, am too lazy to change to make it look all pretty.
Well, bruisedpapya? I would've waited just for the heck of it, to see you suffer, but I'm not that cruel and Santa's looking over that list gulp
(The above is a bad attempt at sarcasm)
Oh, I'll miss all of you! I plan to put up a Gilmore Girls fic next, but can't decided between PDLD (Rory-Finn, stands for Punch Drunk Love Dynamo or something like that), Lit (Rory-Jess) or Rogan (Rory Logan).
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May
"Ruthie, I got tickets for all of us to go to the Yankee/Sox game!" Sam said cheerfully, holding up the tickets, with his unbroken arm, "You won't believe the seats!"
"How'd you get them?" David asked
"Martin gave them to me," Sam admitted, "I asked him for some, but we need to cheer for Red Sox,"
"Go Red Sox!" Braden yelled, "Please Camden, can we go?" He asked, excited. Sam plunked a Red Sox hat on his forehead
"Is Martin playing?" Ruthie asked, setting down her phone
"Yes, and you can't bring your phone or any of your business stuff," Sam said, "Game's starting in a hour, so let's get there already and buy some hot dogs!"
"I can do my homework a little later," David admitted, "And the experiment can be pushed back a day,"
"Fine," Ruthie took out both her phone and Palm Pilot and set them on the table, "One of you take a phone! Just in case of an emergency!" She said, eyeing Sam's cast, which held the arm he had broken when Ruthie was in Florida.
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"Wow," Ruthie admired the vast green and brown diamond, "Oh, there's Martin!" She waved and laughed. The air alone was exciting her nerves. Martin didn't see her, but she didn't care.
"David's coming with the hot dogs," Braden said cheerfully, "And Sam's buying some stuff,"
"So, we're cheering for Martin who is on the away team?" Ruthie asked
"Yes," Braden said, "That's why Sam's looking for a loudspeaker. He wants Martin to know that some Red Sox fans are here,"
"I don't think Sam's allowed to be using a loudspeaker in here," Ruthie said
"It doesn't matter!" Sam yelled, over the roar of the crowd, "I couldn't find one!"
"Here," David handed the hot dogs out
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Martin saw her, eating a hot dog with Braden. He thought that Sam and David would just bring friends, not Ruthie and Braden. Now for the first time in a long time, he was nervous. He wanted to impress Ruthie.
"Martin, you're pitching," the coach said, reading off the list of players and their positions. Martin nodded grimly and took his place on the pitcher's mound.
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"Is a shutout good?" Ruthie asked, over the roar of the crowd. She had heard the word shutout over and over from the announcer.
"Yes," Sam said, "They're also very rare, so if Martin can do this, he might become a legend!"
"He looks tired," Ruthie was worried, "How many more time does he have to pitch?"
"Two innings, and he'll probably go up to bat once or twice," Braden said, impressed,
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"Martin," the coach frowned, "Are you tired? I should take you out next inning,"
"No!" He said, "Please, let me finish the game coach," He begged
"You're sweating like a pig!" He yelled, "I should have put you down an inning ago!"
"Coach please," Martin said, "I'm so close to a shutout!"
"Fine!" Coach O'Conner yelled, exasperated, "You're up at bat,"
Martin grinned and grabbed a bat, wanting to impress Ruthie some more.
He hit it deep left, but it went on the foul side the first time. Second, they balled him. Third was a strike, because Martin swung too early. Focusing he kept his eye on the ball, determined to hit it.
It looked like a ball, but he hit at it anyway, causing it to go deep, deep, and out of the park. Gleefully he ran, listening to the crowd's moans and some cheers from Ruthie, Sam, David, and Braden, but mostly Ruthie.
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"You idiot!" The coach yelled, "You big fat home run, idiot!" The coach was crying, almost, "You're an idiot in love aren't you?"
"Why do you say that?" Martin asked
"That looked clearly like a ball to me, yet you swung at it anyway and got lucky!" The coach frowned, "You want to stay in and finish that shut-out for a girl, trying to impress her,"
He looked down guiltily, "Yes coach,"
"I knew even you would be guilty of trying to impress the crowd, but this girl must have quite an effect on you,"
"Love's an amazing thing, coach," Martin said honestly
"Well, Jarrett's just struck out, so-" Coach sighed, "I hope that girl loves you for you,"
"She does," He said, "For the past twelve years, so far," He walked out, baseball in hand, grinning like a madman. Looking straight at Ruthie, he winked and mouthed, 'hello'.
He finished the game, striking every single player out and winning, with a score of 10 to 0.
"You're a legend, Martin," his teammates told him, but Ruthie's "Hello," back to him was the only thing that made him truly smile.
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"Ruthie," Sam grinned, "We men want a men's night out, so we're kicking you out,"
"What?" Ruthie asked
"You can stay at the Plaza and hang out with Martin, while Sam, Braden, and I, have our men's night out," David explained
"You can come back in the morning," Braden said cheerfully, "Or afternoon, if Sam and David take me to school,"
"Good idea," Sam whispered to him, patting his head, "So, the Plaza has everything you need, we've called Martin and he's expecting you," They shut the door in her face and she sighed, smiling.
She loved her crazy brothers.
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Knocking on his door, she shivered slightly from the rain. It had come suddenly as she hailed a taxi down.
Martin opened the door, handing Ruthie a towel, "Thought you might want this," He smiled and let her through.
"Thank you," She said, noticing the table set for two, "Wow,"
"Care to sit down?" He asked, holding her chair out for her
Ruthie laughed and did so, "Oh! Pizza," She chuckled, "My favorite!"
"I know," Martin smiled, "Drink?"
"Uh, I think I'll go wild and have a martini, dry," Ruthie laughed, needing the martini to calm her nerves.
He nodded and made it for her at the bar, grabbing a beer, for the same reason Ruthie wanted a martini.
"You look beautiful," He said suddenly
"Thank you," She laughed, feeling conscious of the imaginary kink in her hair.
"So, how's Braden?" He asked
"Good, he, Sam, and David are having a boy's night out," Ruthie sipped her drink, "And Suze?"
"She's at a sleepover with three of her friends as we speak," Martin said, "Probably doing makeovers and gossiping,"
"I never had a sleepover when I was her age," Ruthie admitted, "To be truthful, the house alone at night, was like a marathon sleepover,"
"Oh yeah," Martin grinned sheepishly, "It's odd how much we're seeing of each other these days after four years,"
"Yeah well, it wasn't exactly unavoidable, what with the funeral and the wedding and the birthday parties, and baseball things," She frowned, "Why did you come on the air?"
"I had to see you, where you couldn't run away," He said, sipping his drink as well
"I run, but you never follow me," She said, "I've run a lot of times, but you never once followed me,"
"I didn't know you wanted me to," He said, "I was giving you your space,"
"Do you know that the last time I've had a good night sleep, it was-"
"December 24th, four years ago," Martin's eyes looked straight at hers, "I've tossed and turned in bed since that night,"
"Even when Braden had a nightmare and needed me to stay with him for a little while, it wasn't the same," She said
"Ruthie, why can't we try?" He asked, "At least just give us a shot?" He looked hopeful, "The idea of waking up every morning to see you in my arms is-" He trailed off
"Magical," She finished for him, smiling, "I'll confess. I have that shirt that you gave me four years ago when you were teaching me baseball-"
An image of her scream of delight when the bat connected to the ball flashed in Martin's head.
"I would sometimes wear that shirt to bed, and in the morning I would smell like you and everyone would tell me that I seemed happier then usual," She sighed, "When the shirt just smelled like detergent, I was a monster,"
"Oh Ruthie," Martin hugged her, not wanting to let go, "Why not? Let's do it,"
"I live here and you live in Boston," She said, "We're about four hours apart, not to mention our jobs and kids," she added, "I have to take care of not only Braden, but Sam and David as well,"
"We'll start small," He amended, "Just calling each other and e-mail,"
"Are we exclusive?" She asked, not that she had dated a guy in the past four years.
"Of course," He grinned, "My heart couldn't take it if you were dating another guy,"
She stood up to him, noting that he was about three inches taller then her. Putting her hands in his, she said, "Let's not tell anyone, except our roommates, of course,"
"And the Reverend," Martin added
"Dad too," She agreed, knowing how hard it was for him without Annie.
"I'm game if you are," They were centimeters apart
"Yes," She whispered, "I'm game,"
He grinned and kissed her softly, gently, the way she always imagined being kissed. The first kiss shared between them was brief and connected with tears. This one was the way she wanted her fairytale kiss.
Remembering Peter and Braden, she broke off the kiss and said,
"I'm a virgin and I want to stay that way until I get married," She blurted out, "I promised myself I would do that,"
"I wouldn't pressure you into anything. After all, my first time resulted in Susie," He laughed, "As for tonight, I just wanted to stay with you,"
Nodding numbly, she noted her clothes, "Uh, my outfit?"
"One minute," He came up with a shirt and some boxers, "You can change in the bathroom,"
"Red Sox pajamas?" She said, noticing all the Red Sox logos on it, "I didn't think you liked baseball that much,"
"It was free," Martin laughed, "Would you rather wear the Sesame Street boxers Suze got for me as a joke?" He asked dryly.
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After getting changed, Martin had to admit that Ruthie looked cuter in the Red Sox stuff then he ever would. She burst out laughing when she noticed he was the one wearing the Sesame Street boxers.
"Oh hush little girl," He said, yawning,
"Sing to me," She asked him, cuddling into him in the bed
"This one is one that Susie loves to hear me sing," He said softly, "It's a little old, but," He kissed Ruthie on the cheek before pulling her into his arms and crooning,
"My funny Valentine
Sweet comic Valentine
You make me smile with my heart"
Ruthie smiled at that, closing her eyes and setting her head on the pillow.
"Your looks are laughable
Unphotographable
Yet you're my favorite work of art"
Martin personally didn't think this was true. Ruthie was definitely attractive.
"Is your figure less than Greek
Is your mouth a little weak
When you open it to speak
Are you smart?"
She giggled at this and turned to face him, the lights now out. Yet Martin didn't stop singing.
"But don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little Valentine stay
Each day is Valentine's day"
Martin could make out the silhouette of her face. He knew she didn't want him to stop.
"Is your figure less than Greek
Is your mouth a little weak
When you open it to speak
Are you smart?"
Ruthie put a hand on his cheek, feeling for the purple bruise that she liked to think was her little secret part of Martin.
"But don't you change one hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little Valentine stay
Each day is Valentine's day"
He stopped and she kissed him again. They made out steadily, neither letting it go farther then that. By morning, smiles were on their faces and they were pretty much spooning, but no longer embarrassed by it.
"I have to go home," He mumbled, making no move to leave the bed
"Promise you'll follow me in the future?" Ruthie asked, turning his way
He said, "If I had known, I would've never left you, four years ago,"
She smiled, "You have the most wonderful smile. Do you know that?"
It was all the new couple magic that every couple has at the beginning of the relationship.
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June
THIRD TIME'S THE CHARM FOR BOSTON, screamed the Post, referring to the fact that other Boston legends that had moved to other teams like Babe Ruth.
NO CARDINALS FOR MARTIN, added the Times
FOR BREWER: WHAT STARTS IN BOSTON, STAYS IN BOSTON, Sports Illustrated covers presented
BOSTON LEGEND, BOSTON HERO, Sports Zone had on their cover
THE NEXT SULTAN OF SWAT: LOYAL TO HIS COLORS, another magazine stated.
Ruthie saw these papers everywhere, even read one. It said that Martin hadn't stated why he cut the multimillion dollar deal, but Ruthie knew very well why.
"Hello, Babe," Ruthie said on her cell phone on the way to work, smiling
Martin groaned, "Hon, I'm not the next Babe Ruth, despite what the papers say,"
Ruthie giggled, "So, summer's coming up," She said cheerfully
"Yes, and baseball's out for two weeks," Martin said cheerfully, "There's bound to be press everywhere, so I'm thinking Glenoak,"
"You read my thoughts," Ruthie grinned, "The kids wanted to visit everyone anyway, and I'm sure Suze wants to see Anna,"
"And we can be alone," Martin added, "No kids,"
"No work," Ruthie said
"No press," Martin sighed when another stray cameraman jumped out of nowhere and took a picture of him.
"I can't wait," Ruthie sighed, "We're leaving on the tenth, what about you guys?"
"The tenth is good," Martin grinned, "Have to go now, hon,"
"Bye Babe," Ruthie teased, hanging up.
"Miss Camden," Stella said, handing her some papers, "The real estate things you wanted?"
"Thanks Stella," Ruthie grinned, "I'm thinking of buying a house in Boston,"
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July
Ruthie laughed, "Martin, I think that we should tell everyone. I mean, Sam and David more or less know. Braden knows, and I know Suze knows," She turned to him
He kissed her on the cheek, "Everyone's here,"
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"Guys," Ruthie went into Lucy's hospital room, where Lucy was talking about why her daughter had such a hard time being born. A hush fell into the room.
She put Martin's hand into her own and smiled, "Martin and I have been dating for two months,"
"We know," Robbie said cheerfully,
"Dad!" Ruthie yelled and Eric chuckled, explaining,
"Anna told Lucy, and was informed of this news by a certain Miss Susannah," His eyes twinkled.
"And the news about you buying a house in Boston and him not leaving was kind of a giveaway," Simon pointed out,
"About that house," Matt frowned, "Are you living with him or-"
"NO!" They both said quickly
"Neither of us is ready for that, yet," Ruthie laughed nervously, "The house is a good six blocks away from his house, and I'm not moving until August,"
"Because I want as much time as possible to spend summer in New York," Braden explained, "But I'm fine not going to St. Augustine, Brother Atticus, and Father Arthur's Preparatory School," He grinned wider at that prospect.
"I'm finally at Harvard!" David grinned at that prospect, having managed to transfer schools. Sam had managed to just barely make it into the elite Harvard with his brother, but he had found a smaller school that he would love even better. It didn't matter anyway, because both boys were still being housed by Ruthie Camden and didn't plan on giving that up.
"It's too bad you guys waited so long," Mary said, "Mom would've loved to see Ruthie finally with her dream man,"
"I'm just glad you confessed before any more of us died from waiting," Robbie said
Mary pinched him in the elbow, "What did we say about jokes, honey?" She asked. She motioned toward her silent father, looking out the window.
"Don't make any," He said, "Sorry,"
"Its fine," Ruthie grinned and pecked Martin on the cheek, "I don't think I can ever be lonely again and that makes me happy,"
"Oh Ruthie," Lucy said, "Do you mind grabbing the bag Kevin packed? Some of my things are in there," She cooed over the newly born Camden, Annie Katherine Camden.
"Sure," Ruthie left the room, smiling.
Martin followed her.
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August
"Hey Ruthie," Lucy smiled, holding her little girl, "Kevin offered to take everyone to the park," She set down the baby, "Braden doesn't want to go, so we have to leave without him,"
"Its fine," Ruthie smiled, "We already made plans to go visit Braden's father and Paris,"
"Are you sure you should visit Par-" Lucy looked concerned
"And we're going," Martin interrupted Lucy, smiling, "Call me when you get home, sweetie," He kissed Ruthie's cheek before ushering out Lucy and little Annie Kate, the baby of Lucy's family.
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"Hey baby," Ruthie smiled, taking Braden's hand, "You ready?"
"Yes," He said firmly and walked straight to Peter's grave.
Ruthie sat next to him, and said, "Peter's a wonderful man,"
"Did you love him the way you love Martin?" Braden asked, sitting in her lap
"He was my first boyfriend and my best friend," Ruthie smiled, "I loved and still love him, but I love Martin in a very different way," She hugged Braden
"Camden," He said, "Why did he call me Brady?"
He never called her Ruthie, preferring to stick with "Camden", which for him and Ruthie was an unspoken agreement that "Camden" meant "Mom".
"You were a tiny little baby," She smiled, "Peter loved the way Brady sounded and thought it fit you,"
"Why can't I remember him?" He asked
"Peter passed away when you were a month old," Ruthie sighed, "If it makes you feel better, the last thing he told me to do was to always make sure you were happy,"
"I like Martin," He admitted, "I do, but I'm not calling him Dad,"
"Who said you had to?" Ruthie laughed, "Martin and I aren't even thinking of marriage! And you don't call me Mom, do you, hon?"
"I want to," He said, looking at her, "But I didn't know if you wanted me to,"
She smiled, "Call me anything you like, as long as it isn't mean," She was referring to when he wouldn't call her anything but "Mommy Hater". It had been a hard time for the both of them.
"I'm sorry about that," He said, softly, "Was Dad unhappy when I was around?"
"No!" She laughed, "He had a hard time holding you and talking to you sometimes, but he loved having you around," She hugged him, kissing his forehead, "You were the perfect present to Peter and what hurts is that there was no chance of him recovering to see you as you grew up. So he just embraced the time he had with you. You've seen the pictures, sweetie,"
"I love you, Camden," Braden smiled, hugging her, "And, I think Dad would like it if I was called Brady," He added
She smiled and hugged what she came to think of as her little boy, crying, "Brady, Braden, it makes no difference to your dad, just as long as you're happy,"
"Then why couldn't you call me Peyton?" He asked
"It was too close to Peter and it hurt to think of you as Peter's little boy back then, even though you look so much like him," She sighed, "Now, it doesn't matter to me,"
"I like Braden," He admitted and she laughed.
"Can we go to the jail now?" He asked, "I'd like to see Grandma Paris,"
She smiled, "I'll wait outside. It's hard for me to be in the same room with her, sweetie,"
(A/N- I felt I needed to put in an ending to the story regarding Brady, so this is pretty much the end)
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September
"Ruthie," Martin grinned, "It's our four month anniversary,"
"Wow, four months," Ruthie said, "I'm surprised the press hasn't found out yet." She kissed him, smiling.
"I love you," Martin blurted out
Ruthie looked at him, shocked
"I'm in love with you," He said gently
Neither of them had even broached the L word since the night they got together. In the songs Martin would sing for Ruthie, he would always hesitate over the word love.
Ruthie was beyond speechless.
"You don't have to say anything," He laughed nervously, "I just had to say it, get it out there, clear the air,"
She just sat down, saying, "Thank you," to him, and a smile lit up on her face.
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October
Ruthie still hadn't said it back to him. They hadn't seen each other face to face since that night. It was affecting Martin, baseball-wise. Thankfully, Cameron Evans (who also backed out on his trade, knowing the Sox would be red hot with Martin staying) kept the team on edge while the Red Sox fans wondered what was wrong with Martin.
Ruthie realized it one morning, when she was looking at her pearls, the pearls that she had received from many different people. Some were given to her from past boyfriends, some from her mother (left to her in the will), and some from friends and admirers. Martin's was in the center and she admired it most of all.
That was when she remembered.
"I am in love with you,"
Running down the stairs, grabbing shoes and the keys, she yelled at the twins to watch Braden, and slammed the door.
"Turn it to the World Series, Sam," David said, "I think Ruthie's going to do something,"
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They wouldn't let her in. She said over and over, her connection to Martin and how she needed to talk to him.
"Lady, it's the World Series, not some regular game!" The ticket taker told her, "Bottom of the third and seats sold out everywhere,"
"My boyfriend is in there and I need to tell him that I love him!" Ruthie yelled, aggravated.
"Miss Camden?" A woman said, walking up to her, "Is that you,"
"Yes," Ruthie smiled, "I'm trying to get in to tell my boyfriend that I love him, I'm in love with him,"
"Of course," The woman smiled, pulling out a pass, "For both of us," She said, "I'm the owner's wife and I love your show,"
The ticket man took their ticket and waved them off.
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Ruthie was at a prestigious seat, according to the woman, but requested to be closer to the field, where her boyfriend was.
The woman said, "Would you like a sign or something to help you?"
"Yes!" Ruthie's eyes lit up, "Do you have-"
The poster board and pens were already out.
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"Look at this ladies and gentlemen!" The announcer said, after being briefed by the owner to zero in on Ruthie, "Miss Camden, the host of Mellow Out is here in Fenton Park to tell our boys that she loves them!"
Ruthie held up a sign that said in bold: I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU.
Only Martin knew the actual meaning of the sign and began playing better, much better.
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"And the Sox win by one point!" The announcer yelled, "I am going crazy! First an easy to predict game with the Yankees sure to win and the Sox pull it around, thanks to the Babe Ruth of our day! I wonder what changed his attitude after the bottom of the third,"
Martin already knew. Breaking away from the crowd of Red Sox team mates, he went up in the seated area. Susie was already cheering with the rest of the team, but knew what her dad was doing.
Martin went up to Ruthie and said breathlessly, "Do you mean it?"
"Yes," She said, "I am in love with you, Martin Brewer,"
"Good," Martin smiled, "I love you, Ruthie!" He kissed her now and then, in front of all these fans, most cheering while some of them were crying. Flashes went off from everywhere and fireworks as well.
Susie laughed and sang,
Ruthie and Martin,
Sitting in a tree
First comes love...
FINIS