Sorry this chapter is so short! thanks for all the reviews!
"You mean before I said true love doesn't exist or after I kissed her?"
"You kissed her?" Lucy asked happily as Kevin gave her a warning glance to focus on the issue.
"She just made me so angry and she wouldn't shut up so I just kissed her" Martin admitted before looking at Annie guiltily.
"When you think about about Ruthie, what is the first thing that comes to mind?"
"Illicit"
"She is of age now" Kevin pointed out as Martin nodded and replied "I know, but sometimes she'll do something that reminds me of when she was younger and she just deserves someone better, someone who didn't screw up like I did, you know? She's just so pure and good and I'm a mess and the last thing I want to do is mess her up as well"
"Martin, she should have say in this as well. Ruthie is old enough to make her own decisions. She came home for you, the least you can do is take the time to see what can happen. You two are perfect for one another, you just have to let go"
"I guess" Martin said slowly before looking at them and asking "So I messed up big time. What do I do next?"
"Apologizing will get you back in the game and then being honest with yourself and with Ruthie" Annie suggested before asking "When Ruthie told you that she had came home for you, what did you think?"
"I was flattered and scared that she still wanted to date me. Look at her, she's gorgeous and she wants to be with me. I'm just waiting for her to see the light"
"So you decided to let the jerk out early so you wouldn't get hurt?" Lucy asked as Annie and Kevin looked at her in alarm.
"Yes I suppose I did" Martin sheepishly agreed.
"Well stop standing here and go apologize" Anni demanded as Martin laughed slightly and said "Okay, thanks"
Garage apartment
"Ruth? Are you here?" Martin asked as he stepped inside the living room to find Ruthie sitting at the table, glasses on and proofreading some article.
"Hey" he said quietly as she looked up at him and scowled.
"I thought I made it clear that I didn't want to see you"
"I thought that was because I was being a jerk. I am here to apologize for being insensitive"
"and?"
"and what?"
"how about for kissing me without my permission?"
"you kissed me back"
"only because you wouldn't let go, I figured I might as well enjoy it"
"did you?" Martin asked smiling slightly.
"Did I what?" Ruthie asked blankly.
"Did you enjoy it?"
"You know I did, Martin I love you, of course I enjoyed it. It just would have been nicer to have you enjoy it as well"
"What made you think that I didn't?"
"Because you were screaming at me"
"Well that's because you wouldn't shut-up... wait you love me?"
"How did you get your Masters? Yes you big oaf, I love you"
"I need to sit down" Martin said as he sat across from Ruthie and laid his head on his arms.
"Sorry if sharing my feelings are too much for you"
"It's not, it just came as a surprise"
"Well you know I always like to speak my mind"
"I know" groaned Martin before he looked at Ruthie and smiled.
"So should we start again?"
"Sure, as long as you keep the jerky Martin hidden away"
"I'll try my best" Martin promised smiling as he stood up and said "Why don't we pick up Aaron and go have dinner?"
"My choice?" Ruthie asked grinning.
"Sure"
"Okay, let's go"
Half an hour later, Aaron, Ruthie and Martin were sitting down at the pizza parlor waiting for the large pie.
Aaron was telling Ruthie about his day at school and Martin was watching how they interacted with one another. They sat around and talked and laughed for two hours before Martin realized how late it was.
"Well it's almost bedtime, so we should get going"
"Aw dad, do I have to?"
"yes, you do have school tomorrow morning"
"okay" Aaron sighed as he stood up and Martin smiled at Ruthie before offering his hand to her. The three walked out of the pizza parlor and into Martin's car as they made their way home.
"Did you want to have coffee at my place?" He asked Ruthie who yawned slightly before shaking her curly locks and replied "No, I think I'll just go on home. I'm tired"
"Okay" Martin replied quietly as they pulled up to the front of the Camden's home.
"Night Aaron, Martin" Ruthie said as she unbuckled her seat belt and got out the car.
"Good night Ruthie, Will I see you at breakfast?" Aaron asked her, his eyes brightly shining.
"If I can wake up in time" Ruthie replied as Aaron grinned and said "My dad will wake you up, he's really good at that"
"Okay, then I'll see you at breakfast" Ruthie said as she smiled once more and walked towards the garage apartment.
"I really like her dad" Aaron said as they drove down the street to their house.
"So do I Aaron, so do I"