AN: Just to let everyone know, the Sandy thing never happened, obviously. Martin & Ruthie got together before that could happen. Hey-it's my story. I can dream! (Can't we all:) Ok also, Simon is still living at home. It's just easier. So. That means the whole Rose thing never happened either. Soo. Read & Review por favor! Thanks! SAgirlheart
Martin and Ruthie sat in his bedroom, Ruthie lying down at the foot of the bed, Martin sitting below her on the floor. They were discussing "The Plan".
"Okay, so we'll just tell them that we KNOW a relationship takes work, but that we really care about each other, and are willing to work at it. That good enough?" asked Martin.
"It might work," Ruthie replied doubtfully, "but I still think we need to come up with something more concrete. Oh! How about we tell them that we'll only go out alone once a week, and that the rest of the time we spend together will be with either my family, or with your dad?"
"That works. I don't mind, as long as I get to spend time with you," said Martin.
"Aww. Come here!"
The two leaned in and pecked each other on the lips. They'd grown comfortable with each other, in the small amount of time that they'd been a couple.
"Let's tell them tonight, at dinner. Then your dad could come, and we could tell them all together. Is that ok?" requested Ruthie.
Later…at dinner
Everybody is laughing and eating, just conversing with their family and the neighbors. Ruthie and Martin stand up, and everyone looks at them expectantly.
Martin clears his throat, "We have an announcement." Everyone starts to smile, and they wait patiently for the teenagers to speak.
Ruthie smiles and says, "Martin and I, well, we're together."
Everyone rolled their eyes, and muttered, "Finally!"
Martin looks at Ruthie. "Maybe it's not as exciting to them as it is to us?"
"I think it's more the fact that they saw it coming," replied Ruthie.
"How did they know before we did?!?" exclaimed Martin.
Annie spoke up, "Well, we saw how you looked at each other, and so we were all kind of hoping that it would happen, eventually. Now it has, so we ARE excited, just not surprised."
Meanwhile, Kevin, Sam, David, Eric, Simon, and Bill Brewer were all looking at the couple with looks of concern, and in the younger men's cases, brotherly protectiveness. At the same time, all six voices were heard, "Martin, we need to talk."