It was a week before Ruthie's winter break and she was excited. "Martin's coming home in two days!" She exclaimed falling back on her bed. Simon was home for good having switched schools to get away from Rose, Mary and Carlos were here and barely speaking, and Ruthie didn't care. All she cared about was Martin coming home and staying home for a month. That's right a month, and Ruthie was bursting at the seams with excitement. Carlos stood in Ruthie's doorway smiling at how happy she was, he cleared his throat loudly.

"Oh hey Carlos, what's up?"

"Dinner's ready."

"Okay." Ruthie's smile was so wide that Carlos smiled.

"So you're excited that Martin's coming home."

"In two days, yes I'm so excited. I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've seen him." She hugged Carlos which he gladly accepted with open arms.

"Thanks for the hug."

"No problem. I'm sorry that you're not happy."

"It's okay I mean you couldn't have predicted she'd leave. Plus I still have Charlie." Ruthie could see that Carlos was happy just at the mention of Charlie's name. Her loved Carlos like her own brother, he was always there, he listened and gave great advice.

"Maybe you should move to Glen Oak. I mean it would be closer to the family and you wouldn't be alone."

"Maybe." They sat down at the dinner table and everybody looked really happy except Mary. Ruthie looked at her family with a big smile thinking about what she would do without them. She was happy to have such a big family. She had everything she needed from her family and everything she needed from Martin. Just thinking about him put a smile on her face.

Later on that night Ruthie was lying on her bed thinking about Martin. They both agreed not to call each other so that seeing each other would be even more special. She wanted to hug him, kiss him, and just be with him. He was all she thought about and it was felt like forever since he left. Each day felt like 100 years long causing Ruthie to almost go out of her mind.

Martin sat on his bed thinking about Ruthie and what she was doing at this exact moment. He couldn't wait to see her and he knew the perfect way to surprise her. He was going to see her at school he would come after school and pick her up. It was perfect and he couldn't wait to see her. He fought the urge to call her every second of the day but thinking about Ruthie usually made him think about Megan which made him think about Mac. He should call Mac and check up on him since he hadn't seen him since practice the other day. He picked up his phone and dialed Mac's number.

"Hello?"

"Hey Mac, how are you holding up?"

"I've been better."

"Are you still coming home for Christmas?"

"No my parents are in the Alps so I'm gonna join them up there."

"Oh."

"But I'll come home for New Years."

"Okay."

"Yeah I want to spend time with my two best friends."

"You big softie."

"Yeah."

"So are you and Megan gonna get back together?"

"I doubt it, she hasn't called in like 2 weeks."

"The phone works two ways."

"I shouldn't have to always call, she knows the number. It's not like I'm pushing her away she's pushing me away."

"I'm sorry."

"I know. Just having you and Ruthie is great. I know that I can call you or her and you guys will be there."

"Have you talked to Ruthie?"

"Yes and I'm not telling you anything she said. She asked me not to."

"You're too good a friend Mac."

"I know and you have packing to do so I'm gonna go."

"I'm here if you need me."

"Thanks Martin." Martin hung up relieved to know that Mac wasn't going to do something stupid. He realized just how Megan had played Mac and just added to the things he didn't like about her.

Two days later Martin was boarding a plane to go home and Ruthie was getting ready for school. Little did Ruthie know that she was going to see her boyfriend earlier than planed? Knowing that she was going to see Martin Ruthie put extra effort into looking good because she wanted Martin's jaw to drop but in a good way. Simon drove Ruthie to school watching the smile grow wider and wider.

"If you smile any wider your face will crack."

"I can't help it."

"What time is Martin's flight coming in?"

"I don't know he just told me we'd see each other after school."

"Oh well have a good day in school and don't smile too hard."

"Thanks Simon." She hugged him before getting out of the car. Ruthie tried so hard to concentrate all day but she kept thinking about Martin. She didn't eat anything at lunch because she was so excited that he was home for a whole month. The last bell rang and Ruthie rushed to her locker getting her books and rushing to get home. She ran out the door and turned to start walking when she saw a group of girls around Martin. She tried not to look jealous but the minute he saw her, his eyes gleamed and his jaw dropped. He was there in the flesh; she could touch him and kiss him. He pushed his way through the group of girls and made his way to Ruthie. They just looked at each other before he picked her and held her in his arms. She kissed his cheek as they just stood there.

"I missed you so much." He broke the silence solidifying the fact that was really here.

"I miss you too. I mean I thought about you all the time."

"Me too. God I love you." He kissed her feeling their body heat. Just then Megan came up to Ruthie.

"Hi Martin."

"Hi Megan."

"It's nice to see you."

"Ya know that you hurt Mac."

"I didn't mean it, it was all too soon."

"Then you shouldn't have led him on. Come Ruthie let's go." He walked away with Ruthie in toe.

"How is Mac?"

"He's in the Alps with his parents but he'll be here for New Years Eve."

"Good."

"Have I told you how much I've missed you?"

"Yeah but I don't mind hearing it again." She put her head on his arm as they walked.

"So how was it not talking to me for two days?"

"Torture, I had to give Simon my phone so I wouldn't be tempted to call you."

"I know but I actually just thought about seeing you and it made it worth while."

"I love you."

"I love you too. I missed telling you that in person too." He stopped and stood in front of her. He pulled her closer and kissed her with so much passion he took her breath away. He pulled away and Ruthie had to catch her breath.

"Wow." Was all she said as they continued walking, the rest of the walk home was silent. When they entered the house everyone rushed to Martin.

"I'm so glad you're home." Simon said giving Martin a hug.

"Why?"

"Now I don't have to listen to how much she misses you. I mean I love you Ruthie but sometimes you talk just a little too much."
"Thanks Simon." So after everybody said their hellos and talked Martin just wanted to go home and sleep. So they said their goodbyes and he walked into his house to see it completely different and someone new beside his dad on the couch.

"What's going on?"