Chapter Forty-Seven
The Past and The Present
Ruthie felt like someone was following her and Peter, but she shrugged it off and continued to talk. Even though the feeling of someone watching still remained extremely strong and freaky, Peter didn't seem to notice.
Martin sighed ducking behind the tree. He didn't know what was drawling him to this girl or why he felt the urge to follow her. She was obviously going to be a real beauty when she was older but as for now she was too young for him and yet he kept following her. He had to admit he was even creeping himself out. Why was he following her? And why couldn't he stop following her? Why did he feel like something absolutely life altering had just happened, something to change him forever?
"Martin?" Ruthie questioned spinning around to find him standing before with a look on his face, a look of determination, But for what?
"Don't say anything." Martin said coming to stand just inches away from her face, "Just let me speak…for once."
"Martin…what…"
"Ruthie, for once let me do the talking." Martin said taking her hand in his. The warmth of that simple touch seemed to fill her entire body. It seemed to make her whole and yet weak…weak enough that she allowed him to lead her through the gate and down the sidewalk. He finally stopped beside a huge old oak tree and took her other hand.
"Look at this tree." He said smiling.
"Martin?"
"Look at it," he begged, "please just look."
"Fine," Ruthie said looking up at the tree before her, "Awww…someone's put there initials in a heart…R…and…"
"M," Martin replied, "our initials and I did."
"What? When?" Ruthie question steeping back to get a better look at the tree.
Martin for some reason couldn't sleep. Taking a deep breath he threw the covers off. Grabbing his coat off from the chair he climbed quietly down the Camden's stairs and headed outside. There was a cool night breeze blowing but for some reason he felt like he had to keep walking. And then there it was. The tree that had for some reason played a part in everything that had happened. A huge part in finding the Camdens. Then again maybe the real thing that had changed everything was Ruthie.
Ruthie, what had made him think about her? Why did always seem to be thinking about where she was and how she felt? Was she ok? Was she happy? Or sad? Excited? Mad? Lonely? Why couldn't he stop thinking about this girl who had overpowered his life. The very same girl who had made him feel hope again and the safety of a family.
Looking up at the tree he smiled as the cold air swept over him. Putting his hands in his pocket he felt his pocket knife, from his dad, and idea bloom in his head. Pulling it out he flicked open the blade and felt his smile grow.
"A long time ago," he said, "This is after all our tree."
"What?"
"Well you wouldn't remember would you?" Martin said more to himself than to her.
"Remember what?" she asked.
"The first time I ever saw you." He said, "The first time you changed my life."
"The first time you ever saw me was in my kitchen when you lied about being Simon's friend…now please explain what a tree has to do with that." She said.
"Well actually the tree has a lot to do with that….or then again maybe it was just a witness to it all…"
"A witness?"
"To the first time I saw you. You see in the kitchen was actually the second time I saw you." He said letting out a sigh as he confessed, "I kind of followed you and Peter home that day."
"You what?!" Ruthie asked outraged.
"It was years ago," Martin replied placing a hand on her cheek, "And the best day of my life."
"Martin…" Ruthie said unable to continue
"Right here is where I first saw you. I was standing right here behind this tree when it happened." He said, "It was the best day of my life…because I found you."
"Martin…I…"
"Please let me say this before I lose my nerve again. You see the fear of losing you is so…so…"
"Real." She said, "And terrifying."
"I can't get down on one knee," he said with a laughing smile as he reached into his pocket, "I might not be able to get up."
"Martin!?" Ruthie exclaimed when he popped open the box and she saw the diamond for the first time.
"This was my mother's and I hope it will be yours now." He said, "Ruthie Camden, you're my best friend. And I'll never be happy without you in my life. You're everything to me…the love of my life….I know I don't deserve you and I've been a real idiot but…but I love you and I always have…every since I saw you from behind this tree. And all I have to offer is love but…"
"That's all I need." Ruthie said pulling the ring out of the box and slipping on her finger before he even had a chance to finish.
"Ruthie?"
"Martin, I love you." She said wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him giving him her full heart for the first time. She let go and let him fully in…holding nothing back. The kiss seemed to fill his heart with everything he needed to fly. He wondered if there would ever be a moment in his life that felt this good again.
"So you'll marry me?" he said.
"Hmmmm….I'll have to think about that." She said wickedly.
"Ruthie?"
"Defiantly." She said as he pulled her in for another kiss.
Author's Note:
Hey,
I'm sorry this was so late but I'm getting over a really bad cold. And there still is a little bit more coming so don't get sad yet.
Until Next Monday,
Caroline