"Me?" Martin asked in disbelief as Ruthie blushed slightly and said "I didn't mean to blurt it out like that but there it is"

"There it is" Martin repeated blankly and then took a bite of his apple before saying "We don't even know each other, I mean."

"I know and it's crazy but I need to know in order to move on. I buried all my feelings for you and ran to Scotland, now I'm in NY and I avoid my family because I am afraid of running into you. I just want a chance, a real chance to see if we could be something more than what we are"

"What exactly are we Ruth? We don't even talk to each other"

"Well last time I checked the phone works both ways and you have been busy with Aaron and Sandy and I respected that but now you're back in Glen Oak, alone, well not really alone but you know what I mean.. so I just figured this was it"

"And what? We decide and then you leave?"

"Well we can cross that bridge when we need to. We might realize that we have nothing in common and decide that we are better off as friends" Ruthie admitted as Martin smiled before saying "If we do this, it needs to be right. I'm not competing with anyone else for your attention."

"That's fine. I have two weeks and then I'm returning to New York."

"You think that's enough?"

"For now it has to be"

"Okay, so would you like to go grocery shopping with me?"

"Sure, right now?"

"Yes" Martin said as he stood up and offered his hand to Ruthie who took it, smiling her thanks.

Once they got to the grocery store, Martin took a shopping cart and went straight to the fruits throwing in apples, grapes, bananas, and peaches. As Ruthie followed him up and down the aisles, she noticed that he did everything in a methodical way and was quite serious about it.

"So you have been doing this for a while huh?"

"Since Aaron was born" Martin replied as he read the cereal box of frosted flakes before placing it in the cart.

"How did you talk Sandy into giving you full custody of Aaron?"

"I suggested she should get her life together with Daniel before adding Aaron into the mix, hopefully by the time that happens, Aaron will want to stay with me."

"Oh, what made you believe that the right answer was marrying Sandy?"

"Well it just made sense you know? Aaron is my son and I wanted to be there for him and why should he suffer because his parents made a mistake?"

"Did you stop to think about the mistake you would have made getting married without being in love?"

"Well I thought that we could fall in love with one another. I was willing to try"

"So what happened?"

"Sandy wasn't willing to try. She said she just didn't love me and probably never would"

"Ouch"

"Yes, it was quite bad for my ego at the time, but I suppose it was all for the best. She and Daniel are really happy and Aaron likes Daniel, so I suppose it worked out for everyone."

"Are you sure? I mean you sound bitter about the whole thing"

"Well that's just it, relationships are a pain. So why do people put themselves in that agony?"

"because when you find your soul mate it makes up for everything you went through."

"You don't actually believe in that do you?"

"Believe in what?"

"True love" Martin replied as he snickered and moved to the cashier register.

"Yes I do believe in True love"

"Well I feel sorry for the poor guy that gets roped into a relationship with you because true love does not exist Ruthie. I would have thought that you would have smartened up a little living in NY"

"Are you serious?" Ruthie asked in disbelief as her face paled and realization dawned on her features.

"Yes I am" Martin replied before stealing a glance at her. He then realized how upset she was and prayed she wouldn't make too big of a scene in the supermarket. Luckily Ruthie seemed to compose herself and said between clenched teeth "Please give me your keys, I'll meet you in the car"

"Okay" Martin said as he handed her the keys and watched her walk out of the store, her back stiff and head held high. The only clue anyone would have had that she was upset was the fact that she wiped a few stray tears from her face.

The Car

"What am I doing?" Ruthie questioned herself as she sat in the passenger side of Martin's SUV.

Martin Brewer had become even more bitter than usual and he didn't even believe in true love much less relationships. The best thing for her to do was to cut her losses and go back to NY where Caleb was waiting for her. He was no Martin but he did love and respect her.

Once Martin had placed all the groceries in the truck, they headed down to his new home. It was a simple two story place with a huge backyard.

Ruthie jumped out and said "I'm going to walk back home"

"Okay, did you want to do something later with Aaron and I?"

"No I don't think that's a good idea"

"Why not? If we are trying to have some sort of relationship going Aaron is going to be a part of that"

"Are you kidding me right now?" Ruthie replied angrily as Martin backed up a couple of steps as Ruthie continued her ranting "You just spent 25 minutes telling me that true love does not exist and you didn't believe in relationships. This is after I told you I came home because of you! Because I thought I wanted to be in a relationship with you! How can I do that when you won't even give me that chance? It's ridiculous and futile for me to try, so no I don't want to do anything with you and I'm sorry I took two weeks to find out what I always knew"

"and that would be?"

"That you are a rude, stubborn, obnoxious person who wouldn't know love if it bit him in the behind!"

"You think so huh?" Martin replied angrily as he stalked up towards her.

"No I don't think so, I know so" Ruthie replied before Martin grabbed her towards him and kissed her full on the lips as she tried to push him away before complying and returning his kiss, until she seemed to remember why they were arguing in the first place.

She pushed him and then when they had some distance from one another slapped him across his cheek and said "Don't you ever do that again" before angrily stalking off.

Ruthie angrily slammed the apartment garage as Annie, Lucy and Kevin anxiously looked at one another. A few minutes later, Martin walked in the kitchen to see them looking at him in concern and Kevin asked "So what did you do now?"