Ruthie looked at her scars in the bathroom mirror. They were a painful reminder of the scariest moment in her life. She remembered thinking about Martin right before she lost consciousness. She never lost hope that Martin would be there when she woke up and she was right. Since her birthday he had always been there for her. It was comforting to know that he was there through everything.

The box that he kept proved to her that Peter was wrong about him not caring about her. She didn't know why she stayed with Peter that long when she didn't really love him. Her heart belonged to one person and that one person was Martin, he stole her heart the first time they met. When she found out about Sandy yes she was hurt, disappointed, but she couldn't help but see that he too was disappointed with himself. She would make it a point to ask him later on when she was released this afternoon. It had been a long 3 weeks that she sat in the hospital with just Martin, Simon, Sandy, and her newest little buddy Aaron. Aaron had told her yesterday that he loved her which made both her and Sandy cry. When Martin and Simon walked in they just laughed at their girlfriends for crying over Aaron.

After Ruthie showered she put her clothes on that Lucy had brought her, some jeans, a cute tank top, and a jean jacket with her favorite flip-flops. She left her hair down in wavy curls just the way Martin liked it. She put the finishing touches on her make-up and packed her things up. She sat in the bed waiting for Martin to come get her when Simon walked through the door.

"Where's Martin?"

"He had to do something and sent me."

"Oh."

"He feels really bad that he couldn't come pick you up."

"Okay."

"You ready to go home?"

"Yes." They left the hospital and started the silent ride home. She was so happy to be out of the plain hospital room and be back in her own room. She smiled as they pulled up to the house and everybody was there. They walked into the house and the whole family was sitting in the living room. There were balloons everywhere and streamers hanging. "Surprise!" They shouted as they walked in. Ruthie laughed remembering her birthday party.

They all hugged her gently while Ruthie looked around for Martin. "Are you looking for me?" He whispered into her ear behind her. She turned around and lunged at him. He laughed as she hugged him tightly.

"Why couldn't you come pick me up?"

"I had to do something."

"Oh."

"Can I talk to you outside for a minute?" She glanced around and nodded as they walked out into the backyard. They sat on the picnic table facing each other.

"So what's on your mind?"

"Ruthie I love you more than anything and the past 6 years without you have been hell. I need you in my life and I should have done this 6 years ago but Ruth Camden will you marry me?" He got down on one knee and pulled a black box out of his pocket. She looked from the gorgeous diamond to Martin's sparkling eyes.

"I thought you'd never ask." She laughed as Martin stood and kissed her. He slipped the diamond on her finger and they hugged. Martin looked up and saw the whole family standing outside watching them.

"I think we have an audience." She laughed and they joined the party yet again Ruthie was being passed around for more hugs.

"So you two when's the big day?"

"Soon." They replied in unison as Aaron came rushing up to Ruthie and Martin.

"Did she say yes!" Aaron exclaimed jumping into Martin's arms.

"Yep buddy she said yes."

"Yay!" Aaron hugged Martin tightly and then hugged Ruthie with all his might. They enjoyed the rest of the party before going back into the backyard for some time alone.

"So Martin when do you want to get married?"

"Whenever you want to."

"November."

"Then November is it."