Life 4
Ruth
As Martin walked up the stairs, I anxiously thought what I could say to take it all back.
However I knew there was nothing to say, at least not now.
As I got into his car, the tears started falling. I couldn't believe I just threw away the chance to finally be with Martin Brewer.
I couldn't go home, especially since I had left them in such a huff, the only other place I could go to was Lucy.
Once I got to Lucy's office, it was as if she was waiting for me.
She took one glance at me and said "Did you and Martin have a fight?"
I shook my head no as I started whimpering and said "I told him I didn't want to be him"
"Do you mean it?" she asked quietly as she gave me a hug and rubbed my back and I shook my head no. "I was just upset and he was so demanding about it, I just said and he probably hates me and will never talk to me again"
"Well I'm sure he doesn't hate you, but Ruthie" Lucy stopped and looked me in the eye "Do you love him? Do you want to be with him?"
"I love him, but I don't know. I mean I just made this huge decision and I just don't want any additional pressure, you know?"
"Yes and I'm sure Martin would have understood; however you have to go back and talk to him and make him realize that what you said was out of anger"
"Lucy, I don't think I can face him right now"
"Well you have to do it now, before its too late"
"Fine" I replied pouting slightly as Lucy laughed at me and gave me another hug "If you want to stay tonight, just let me know"
"Thanks but I'm going to go back and hand in my contract"
"Are you going to stay here?"
"No. I think it's best that I move to New York. See the world a bit, get use to living by myself"
"Kevin and I will come and visit often" Lucy promised as she gave me another hug and ushered me out the door.
"Now go back and apologize to Martin"
"Okay" I replied smiling slightly and walking out the door.
I stopped by the house and picked my car up, since I figured I would leave and go home after seeing Martin.
As I walked up his steps, I felt slightly sick to my stomach.
How do you tell the man you've been in love with forever that you spoke too soon?
Before I had the chance to ring the doorbell, Sandy opened it up.
She looked at me with great concern and said "Please tell me you came back to apologize?"
"Yes I did" I admitted as I looked down.
Sandy sighed with relief and said "Good, I'm not too sure if he is going to see you though"
"That's fine as well" I said biting my lower lip as Sandy stepped back and said "I'm sorry, come on in" as I gave her a smile and stepped into the hallway.
I could see that Thom was sitting at the table eating dinner.
"Simon's working late and since we all know I can't cook if my life depended on it we came here. Martin makes the best homemade macaroni and cheese"
"Homemade?" I asked slightly as my spirits lifted. I was hungry.
"Yes" Sandy replied laughing before saying "Look I just told Martin and since you are here, you may as well know"
"What is it?" I asked concerned that something was wrong.
"Simon and I are going to have a baby"
"Congratulations" I exclaimed happily as I gave her a hug. I then turned to walk into the kitchen to help myself to the macaroni and cheese. It was delicious.
"Thanks" she replied as she returned the hug.
Just then Martin came down the stairs and stopped suddenly when he noticed me there.
"I'll just leave you two alone" as she walked past Martin and gave him a smile.
Martin looked at me and coldly said "Did you forget to say something else earlier?"
"I'm sorry for what I said" I apologized, ignoring his hostile tone "I didn't mean it"
"I'm sorry I pushed you for an answer" Martin replied softly as he looked down at the floor before looking me straight in the eye.
"So I'm going to record in New York"
"Do you need anyplace to stay?"
"No. I'm sure they will find me something"
"Well don't be a stranger" Martin advised quietly as I smiled and said "I'll try not to be." and with that I walked out.
Martin
"Did you two figure everything out?" Sandy questioned as I walked into the dining room where Thom was still eating.
"No. she apologized and then said she was going to record in New York"
"Well she needs some time" Sandy said softly as she placed a hand on my arm "I mean how fair is it to ask her to stay here for you?"
"I wasn't planning on doing that" I exclaimed as Sandy raised her eyebrow and I chuckled before saying "Maybe"
"You know she loves you right?" Sandy finally asked me as I shrugged.
"Martin, don't be a jerk. Of course she loves you. Anyone can see that when you two are together. It's hard for her"
"Why does everyone say that?"
"Because it is. Think of it this way. How would you feel if Ruth lost her virginity to someone other than you, and someone she didn't want to be with?"
"Hurt, disappointed, angry"
"Exactly and then to find out in front of your entire family, who know the truth and haven't said a word?"
"Embarrassed"
"Yes and despite that she was the first one to invite me to come in for Thanksgiving. She was friendly and welcoming when she had every right to be mean and judgmental"
"That's what makes her wonderful" I replied smiling slightly.
"Yes I know" Sandy agreed as she said "Just give it some time, she'll come around."
"You promise?"
"Generally no, but with you and Ruth? Definitely." Sandy stood up and said to Thom "It's time to go buddy"
"No, I want to stay with Daddy"
"Let him stay Sandy. I could use the company"
"Okay , will you drop him off at school as well?"
"Sure" I replied as Sandy gave Thom a kiss and waved goodbye.
"Time for bed buddy" I said to Thom as he raced upstairs to his room to put his pajamas on, brushed his teeth and said his bedtime prayers.
After I tucked him in, I went into my study and made a phone call.
"Hello?"
"Hey"
"Martin, buddy! How are you? How is Thomas?" Mac asked grinning
"Doing well. He's getting pretty big"
"Well that's good to hear. So what's on your mind"
"Well Ruth is moving to New York"
"Ruth Camden? She is still a Camden right? You haven't convinced her to marry you yet?"
"Well at this point, that may not be happening anytime soon"
"Oh juicy story..proceed"
"The point is that I was wondering if you could keep an eye on her, you know act as though you happened to run in to her?"
"Sure I could do that, but do you think that maybe, if she is ok with it... would you mind if I asked her out?"
I closed my eyes and counted to ten before replying. Realistically I had no right to say yes. Ruth had made the fact very clear that a relationship with me, as of now, would not be happening.
"Look, if you do ask her out, don't tell me"
"Deal" Mac promised as he said "I'll call you in a couple of days"
"Thanks" Once I hung the phone up, I checked on Thom and went to bed.
It had been a long and exhausting day and I hoped that tomorrow would be better.
Three months later
Martin
As Mac promised, he gave me a biweekly update on how Ruth was doing and how happy she was.
As I had predicted, she became a star almost overnight and she was usually in some paper.
Her newest song Commitment was pretty popular. All the radio stations had started playing it and would not stop.
The first time I heard it I got chills. I wasn't sure if the song was for me or for anyone who was interested in pursuing a relationship with her.
What I'm looking' for
Is a love that's forever
Someone who can capture my soul in a heartbeat
And stay for all time
What I'm praying' for
Is a match made in heaven
Someone who will worship my body
And still put his heart on the line
Commitment
Someone who'll go the distance
I need somebody who'll stand power
And make me go weak in the knees
Commitment
And everything that goes with it
I need honor and love in my life from somebody
Who's playing' for keeps
What I'm searching for
Is a man who'll stand by me
Who will walk through the fire
And be my flame in the night
I won't settle for
Less than what I deserve
A friend and a lover who'll love me
For the rest of my life
Yeah I've had promises broken
Three words left unspoken
They just left me aching' for more
But I've found temptation
I won't be impatient
There's one thing that's worth waiting' for
Commitment
And everything that goes with it
I need honor and love in my life from somebody
Who's playing' for keeps
Late one afternoon I walked into the house and saw The Post. Ruth was on the front page with some guy leaving a restaurant.
Her face was towards the camera and she was smiling. She looked gorgeous as I noticed her shiny brunette locks had grown longer and she seemed taller in heels. All in all she had grown up right before my eyes.
I took a deep breath before calling her cell phone.
"Hello?" a deep male voice said as I looked at the number, wondering if I had the wrong number.
"Is Ruth there by any chance?"
"May I ask who this is?"
"Martin"
"Martin Brewer?"
"Yes"
"Hold on" a few minutes later I heard Ruth's husky voice "Hey stranger" she said
"Hey yourself. How are things?"
"You mean other than that stupid picture in the post? Fine." I laughed in relief as I teasingly said "That's the price of fame"
"Don't I know it"
"So what else is new?"
"We are shooting the video for 'Commitment' tomorrow"
"Cool. And the shoot is where?"
" In Central Park." she replied before saying "Martin?"
"Yes"
"Commitment. I..un wrote for you, I just want you to know that"
"Thanks" I replied touched.
"So when are you going to come and visit?" she demanded, changing the subject.
"I have a conference next week, so we can probably have lunch or dinner, depending on your schedule"
"Where are you staying?' she asked as I answered "the Hilton"
"No, stay with me, that way you can see Mac as well"
"Is he living there with you?"
"Not officially but he is always over. It will be fun, like old times"
"Yeah" I replied as I realized that Mac never told me how often he saw Ruth before saying "Well I will call you when I get to JFK"
"Great, I can't wait to see you"
"Me too" I replied automatically before I heard Ruth say "Martin?"
"Hmm?"
"I miss you"
"I've miss you too. I"ll see you next week"