This chapter is a little short, but it was dancing in my head all through dinner and just had to write it down before I went crazy, lol. This one is for you guys:)


The next morning Ruthie bounded down the stairs with excitement.

"Morning mom, good morning dad," she chirped, kissing both of them on the cheek, swiping a still warm from the oven muffin from the kitchen counter.

"Someone's in a good mood this morning. This wouldn't have anything to do with Martin now would it?" Annie asked a small smile on her face.

Ruthie's eyes danced with happiness and kidded, "It might. Oh," she began, her mouth full of muffin, "Martin and I are going up to his place today to spend the day with Aaron, so I probably won't be home til late."

Eric folded the newspaper he was reading and laid it on the table in front of him. "Ruthie, shouldn't you two take it slow, ease into all of this? You just started seeing each other last night. I just don't want you to get hurt is all," he quickly added when Ruthie folded her arms and frowned.

"No, we are going slowly and…" a knock on the door was just the distraction they needed as the tension in the room began to grow.

Slinging her purse over her shoulder Ruthie opened the door to a warm kiss and quick hug.

"Good morning beautiful," Martin raised his head slightly and grinned, laughing quietly to cover the awkwardness of being watched intently by Eric and Annie. "Ahh, good morning, Annie, Eric." he stuck his hands in his jeans pockets and rocked back and forth on his feet before nodding. "Beautiful day out there isn't it?"

"Why yes, it is. Very beautiful," Annie grinned, placing her hand over Eric's.

"Well…we should get going, we don't want to be too late," Ruthie said, yanking Martin towards the door. "Bye mom, bye dad."

"Have a nice day you two. Drive safely and say hi to Sandy for us," Eric called out as Martin shrugged and followed Ruthie out the door.

"I know," he kissed Annie's lips quickly, stopping her from saying what he knew was coming next, "we have to learn to trust them and I promise I'm working on it. I am," he swore to her as her eyebrows rose.

An hour later…

Martin smiled at Ruthie with encouragement and squeezed her hand as they walked towards Sandy's first floor apartment, a warm breeze ruffling their hair.

"I know he's just a baby, and it's silly for me to be nervous…it's just, I want him to like me."

"I promise; he'll fall in love with you just as I have. There's no need to be nervous." He assured her, hugging her to his side.

With a hopeful smile on her face she knocked on the door and stumbled into Martin as it swung open, a shared look of shock on their faces.

"Simon." Ruthie gasped.


If anyone wants another chapter, just let me know and I'll cook one up for you :)