Chapter Ten

After Ruthie realized what was going on, she quickly pulled away from the kiss.

"Well?" Peter asked.

Ruthie shook her head. "It isn't right. I mean, it was a wonderful kiss, but I just can't do this!"

"Ruthie!" Peter was yelling now. "I love you with all my heart! If you walk away from me now, you're walking away from me forever!"

Ruthie sank to the ground. "I'm engaged! I made a promise. I gave Martin my word."

"Do you really love him?"

"Of course I do."

"Do your parents like him?"

"Yes!"

"Just follow your heart. Picture your life 5 years from now, 10 years from now. Who are you with? Who, in your heart, do you truly want to be with?"

"Martin!" Ruthie replied instantly.

"Are you sure?"

Ruthie was breaking into tears. "It's not that simple, you know. Martin and I are engaged. Then Martin's best friend hits on me, and now you! I just can't take it Peter!"

"Look, Ruthie," Peter was calming down now. "I love you. I always will, and I always have. But, understand, if you walk away from me, I'm gone. You love Martin, and I can see that. Make the decision that you feel is right. But just remember, I may not be here for you in 10, 20 years. After you make your decision, I'm gone."

Ruthie stood up. "Then go. Martin's the love of my life, and NOTHING will change that!"

With that, Ruthie stormed into the elevator, and up to her room. As she opened her door, she raced to the window, and looking down had seen a tear streaked Peter walking away.

She didn't regret her decision at all. Ruthie opened her cell phone and turned it on. She had 10 messages, all from Martin.

"Hi Ruthie. I don't know where you are, but I just wanted to say that I love you. I need you in my life. This hospital is dreadful, and I can't wait for you to pick me up tomorrow. You know, I felt that I wasn't going to make it. The only thing that got me through the accident was thinking about you. I could never live without you, no matter how hard I tried. I gotta go, but I'll you tomorrow."

Ruthie was tearful. That message meant so much to her. She saved it into her cell phone so that it couldn't be erased. She shut her phone off, and fell asleep.

THE NEXT MORNING

Martin and Ruthie were strolling out of the hospital.

"I'm so glad I'm out of there!"

"I'm glad too," Ruthie smiled.

Martin turned to her and kissed her. Ruthie kissed him back.

"I love you, Martin."

"I love you, too."

Ruthie knew he meant it. She had decided not to tell Martin about Peter. That would just complicate things, and right now things were complicated enough.

"I was thinking, Ruthie. I mean, maybe you were right. Maybe we should get married sooner."

Ruthie was surprised. "That'd be great, but I thought we agreed in a couple years."

"How about on your 18th birthday?"

"That would be great!" Ruthie was ecstatic.

The wedding date was set!

The pair had just made it back to the hotel, and were going to Ruthie's room.

They both sat down on the couch.

"I can't believe we only have one more day here!" Ruthie sighed.

"It's hard to believe," Martin agreed as he put his arm around Ruthie shoulders.

Ruthie started playing with her ring. "The ring is gorgeous."

"So are you," Martin smiled.

"Let's watch a movie," Ruthie suggested.

"Which one?"

Ruthie shrugged. "Or we could just make out."

Martin smiled. "Fine with me."

A/N: I love The Notebook, so I had to put that in there. You know what happens next!