After the End.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Ruthie sat alone in her bridesmaid's dress on the steps of the church while everyone stood off in the distance, surprised, but not too surprised, by the conclusion to the Simon and Rose fiasco. They did not get married. While Ruthie was pleased that the wedding was called off, she was still heartbroken that Martin didn't show up for the ceremony. Even Sandy had shown up, with Aaron in tow. If she had, why hadn't he?

As she sat, contemplating, she looked up to see Sandy strolling towards her. She stopped and sat down next to her on the steps.

"He wanted to come. He had a baseball game he couldn't miss," she said, matter-of-factly.

"I am not upset about him. I am over him, remember?"

"Yeah. Okay, well, he asked me to give you this," she said as she pulled a rather thick, white envelope from her purse.

"But…" Ruthie protested as Sandy pushed the letter into her hands.

"Read it." And then she walked away.

Ruthie ran her fingers of the slightly crinkled envelope in her hands. She felt the indentation of where Martin pushed the pen to form the letters of her name. She savored the idea of what the letter might say. What could he possibly have to say to her?

Instead of frantically tearing the letter open like her heart told her to do, she listened to her mind. She knew she should wait to read it until she got into the privacy of her attic bedroom and thus prevent a public emotional breakdown. She wisely shoved the letter into the secret compartment of her purse. She stood up and dusted herself off and walked towards her gathered family.

"Hey Ruthie, are you ready to head home, kiddo?"

"Yeah Dad, I'm totally drained," she replied.

"I don't mind dropping you off if that's what you'd like, but the rest of us are going to stop for dinner. Are you sure you aren't up for it?"

"I am positive. I need some down time," Ruthie replied.

"Okay. Then off we go."

Ruthie hopped out of the family van and started up the walkway to the front door of her house. She grabbed for the hidden key, and found it to be MIA. She shrugged it off assuming that another Camden had grabbed it. She dove into her purse in search of her usually house key and after a long search, she found it. She unlocked the door and let herself in. she dropped her bag on the foyer table and let out a long yawn and stretch.

She started to pull down the zipper of her dress as she climbed up the stairs. As she reached the second floor landing she heard a strange noise coming from the twin's room. She figure it was only Happy, so she continued disrobing and climbed up to her attic. She settled comfortably into her bed, and as she closed her eyes, she remembered the letter from Martin that was downstairs. She quickly popped up out of bed, wearing only a t-shirt and panties, and started down to the foyer. She came down the last flight of stairs and was startled by what she found.

"Martin…"