Chapter 9: The Reunion (final)

Ruthie's POV

Martin and I walked to the middle of the field and sat down on the grass. I looked into his eyes and he looked into mine. He always made me nervous and he always knew when I was nervous.

Minutes went past before one of us talked. I just couldn't bring myself to do nothing but stare back at those sexy eyes of his.

"Do you remember that time when we were at my dad's house? That was the day you came over and gave me back all my stuff that was over at your house and said you never wanted to see me again," Martin said, finally speaking. "That was the time I made you mad because I promised you that I was going to take you to the movies on Friday. It was going to be like a friend's day out," Just hearing him say the word friend made me want to run away, "but instead I went to hang out with the baseball team."

"Is there a point to this story?" I asked. I honestly didn't want to remember that memory.

"I never got the chance to say that I was sorry," Martin apologized.

"Martin, we both never got the chance to say a lot of things. I just think it would be best to leave the past in the past and move on to the future."

"Do you remember...?"

"Martin," I said, laughing.

"I'm sorry; it's just...so many memories are coming up by looking at you."

"Then stop looking at me."

"I can't. I don't know why but I just can't."

"Yeah, I tend to have that kind of power on boys," I said, making him laugh. In this, I saw him go back to bringing some kind of excitement to this conversation because even now and then I could see him go back the same sad place I saw once before; when his dad decided he wasn't going to come and visit him.

"So why did you want to see me before the reunion anyway?" Martin asked and then the moment I was waiting for was about to come.

"Martin, I have something to tell you and I don't know how to tell you this..." I could feel the pain that was starting to come in my throat.

"Tell me," Martin said. He could tell from the look in my eyes that this could go one way or another.

"Martin, do you ever wonder why I left to go to Scotland?" I asked, not even having the guts to look into his eyes.

"Because of T-bone, me, or it could be both."

"Martin...I.....I left because..," the tears were starting to flow now. This was it and nobody could stop me. Martin got up, sat next to me and put his strong arms around me. Times like this were the only time I felt safe. "I was pregnant."

"You were what?" he asked as I said the word so softly.

I finally got the guts to look up into his eyes and he loosened his grip. "I was pregnant," I said once more and let the words flow out of my mouth like it was nothing.

The look in his eyes told it all. He was confused and didn't know what to say.

"No, no, no," he said, getting up and looking down at me, "what do you mean you were pregnant? Not you, Ruthie. You weren't supposed to be like me."

"Martin, I know, but it happened so fast and I just didn't know how to handle it. So I just left."

"RUTHIE!" he said, raising his voice and Martin never raised his voice at me. "How did this happen? Who's the father? What happened to the baby?"

"It happened so fast one night. It was all my fault," I said, crying from my spot on the grass. "The father was drunk and I guess I always wanted him for so long I just let things happen. I kept the baby, Martin, it's a girl and her name is Melanie; she's two," I could tell he was trying to hold the tears back.

"Who's the father, Ruthie?"

"Martin, I can't."

"Who's the father? Ruthie who?"

"YOU!" I shouted, standing up. He had this look I never saw before; a look I never wanted to see. A look that scared the shit out of me.

"WHAT?! ME? NO, NO, NO, not me" Martin said, the tears finally flowing down and he was turning red. I could see he was trying to think.

I tried to give him a hug but he just pushed me away. I tried again and again but he just pushed me away again and again.

"MARTIN!" I yelled as he started to walk away. "MARTIN!"

I ran up to him and grabbed his shirt from behind but he just smacked it away. All I kept saying was that I was sorry about everything. But he just kept pushing me away.

Simon's POV

I told Mary and Matt; I just had to. I told them everything I knew and to my surprise Matt socked me so hard I was about to cry. He socked me so hard I couldn't breathe.

"Matt stop!" Mary yelled.

"No, Mary, he should have told us this as soon as he found out," he said, finally stopping to catch his breath.

"Hitting him is not going to change anything."

I just got tired of the beating and started to swing back. I hit him hard on his right side and I know he was surprised because what he did next shacked the hell out of me. He backed away and didn't even hit me.

But that's just when I realized Ruthie had come through the door and everything was about to get much worse.

Ruthie looked at Matt, Mary, and then me. Her face was red and I could tell she's been crying.

"Matt, Mary. What are you guys doing here?" she asked, wiping the tears away.

"Ruthie, they know," I said, speaking up.

"SIMON!" she yelled.

"It wasn't my fault, they..."

"What the hell, Ruthie?" Matt finally spoke. "A daughter, you, all this time?"

"Matt, I'm sorry. I swear I was going to tell you. I swear."

"When Ruthie? When?" Matt asked, grabbing his jacket from the couch and leaving. I could tell that was the best thing for him to do because it looked like he was about to explode.

"No, no, no," Ruthie mumbled to herself with her hands covering her face. Mary then came over and put her arms around Ruthie.

I couldn't do this anymore. I had to get out. I had to get away. And my body was aching from the pain Matt just caused me.

I picked up my jacket and exited the door leaving Mary and Ruthie to themselves.

When I got outside I could see Matt in his car with his hands to his face. I guess it was a Camden thing because none of us liked to let others see us cry.

"Matt, I'm sorry," I apologized, getting into the passenger side.

"No, I'm sorry for hitting you," Matt said, looking at me. "I had no right to put my hands on you."

Mary's POV

I couldn't believe everything my eyes had just seen. All I could do was hold Ruthie and not let her go. She was my little sister and it hurt that she didn't tell me something like this.

Moments later I let her go because Melanie started to cry from the other room.

Ruthie went into the other room and picked Melanie up. I followed behind her.

Melanie, my niece was so cute. She was going to look just like Ruthie when she grew up. She had Ruthie's big eyes and hair but her eyebrows now must've been from the father who I figured I knew.

"Can I hold her?" I finally asked.

"Like I would say no."

Ruthie handed me Melanie and she didn't even cry. She actually gave me a big smile and showed her two little teeth in the front.

I pushed her hair back away from her face and kissed her gently on her cheek.

"Auntie's here," I said, whispering in her ear and holding her close as she fell back to sleep.

Ruthie and I went into the kitchen and started to fix dinner. We decided to fix spaghetti and garlic bread.

Ruthie told me everything: about Martin being the father and how it happened, about her boyfriend that used to abuse her, about how when she confronted Martin today he kept pushing her away.

"Ruthie, are you sure the baby's Martin's?"

"Why is everybody asking me that?" she asked, frustrated.

"I'm sorry, it's just…"

"JUST WHAT?!"

"The doctors said that the reason why Aaron couldn't have been his is because Martin could never have kids. That's probably why he had that look in his eyes when you told him he was the father," I said and could tell she was so confused. "Ruthie, I'm just going to let you know this right now. Martin is going to think that Melanie's not his, maybe, but when he sees her I believe he will because she looks just like you and him" I said, smiling at Ruthie who was still thinking about something but I just didn't know what.

"So how's Carlos and the kids?" Ruthie asked. I guess she was trying to change the conversation.

"Good" I said, lying.

"You're lying," Ruthie said, knowing me to well.

"Carlos left me because I finally told him the girls weren't his," I blurted out.

"WHAT?!"

"Yeah, they're Ben's. To make a long story short it started when it was a month since I seen Carlos. He had been out of town on some business stuff. I ran into Ben. Actually, I never knew why he was out there but anyway it just happened and now I finally told Carlos and he wants a divorce."

"Have you told Ben yet?"

"Nope"

Martin's POV

I had to get away. I couldn't believe this. I couldn't believe her. The doctor said I would never be able to have kids.

Even though that night I woke up naked and in the bed alone, it still scared the hell out of me.

I stopped at a nearby food place and got out of the car. All this thinking got me hungry.

As I ordered my food, just then I could have sworn I saw Matt and Simon.

As I turn my head, somebody tapped my shoulder. When I turn around, just as I thought; Simon and Matt.

I didn't say anything. I couldn't even think of something to say.

"Martin, we know," Matt said, getting the conversation started. As long as I've known Matt, he was the kind of person who liked to get to the point.

"I had no idea. I didn't even know I had sex with her," The pain was coming back from just taking about it. "Is she sure it's mine?"

"You're lucky we know your situation," Simon said, "because you'd be halfway dead by now."

"Anyway, I know it's hard to believe that the baby is yours; believe me, I wouldn't have either," Matt spoke. "But Melanie looks just like Ruthie and you. She has your eyebrows and your smile."

"I just can't believe it."

"Me, either," Simon said, eating the food I just ordered. "But Martin, you can't run away from this. I know you don't want to lose another child. I'm not saying that you have to forgive Ruthie for running off instead of doing the right thing. But this little girl is going to need a father figure even though she has uncles. We would never be able to fill a part of her that a father could. You are a great father. Don't be like Ruthie and run. Be the father you know that you can be and take care of what is yours. We can prove the doctor wrong. We can even get a paternal test if you want."

Tears started to form in my eyes. His words stuck like there were swords being stabbed into my heart.

"Hello?" Matt said, answering his cell phone that just rang.

"Hello, Matt, where did you and Mary go?"

"We just wanted to have some brother and sister time," Matt said, lying to whoever was on the other end of the phone.

"Well, dinner is almost ready."

"We're not going to make it. We are just going to get a room tonight and be there early in the morning."

"You're sure about that?"

"Positive."

He hung up the phone and watched me trying to get my food back from Simon, who refused and then I told him that he's going to be paying the bill.

Back at Simon's house, Ruthie and Mary were done with the food. Mary was running bath water for Melanie so she could get in after she was done eating.

Finally, Ruthie is done feeding Melanie and she is ready to take her bath.

Mary went into the kitchen as Ruthie closed the bathroom door and gave Melanie her bath.

Moments later, Mary heard the key in the door and Matt, Simon, and to her surprise, Martin walked in.

"Dinner's ready" Mary said from the kitchen.

"Where's Ruthie?" Matt asked, taking his coat off.

"Giving Melanie a bath."

Simon points Martin to where the bathroom is and says he's on his own.

Martin knocks gently on the door and walks in.

"Martin," Ruthie said, getting up from the floor and looking straight at him.

Martin just looked at Melanie as she screamed and played in the water.

"She's beautiful," Martin said, looking into her eyes.

"Water," Melanie said, reaching out for Martin to pick her up.

He didn't say anything to Ruthie. He walked past her and started to clean Melanie off.

Ruthie left and decided that she will go get her clothes ready and let Martin have as much time as he wanted with her.

Minutes later, Martin entered the room with a smile on his face and Melanie in his arms.

"Here," he said, trying to give Melanie to Ruthie.

"No, you can do it," Ruthie said, "the lotions are right there, the closet is to the left, and her diaper is to the left."

Martin then dressed Melanie and got her tucked into bed. By looking at her Martin knew she was his; she had his eyebrows and his smile.

"Ruthie, how could you wait so long?" Martin asked as soon as Melanie fell asleep. "How could you wait so long to tell me about this?"

"I...I don't know."

"That's not good enough."

"I was scared that you wouldn't love her back. I was scared that you'll put her aside or not believe she's yours."

"No, you were afraid that I wouldn't love you."

"Martin, it's not like that. I love her more then anything and I will always put her first before me. I will always love her and do what's right for her," Ruthie said with tears coming out of her eyes. "I came here for her. I told you for her. I left because I made a mistake by getting with an abusive boy. I made the mistake of sleeping with you. I made the mistake about ever loving you or anybody else. She was just the wonderful outcome of everything stupid I did. And I didn't want her to have to pay the consequences of my actions. She's all I had and I will always be fine with that. I can give a damn if everybody hates me as long as she's loved and you love her back."

"I didn't mean it like that. I will love her; I will take care of her, and do anything to make her happy. But I can't promise that I will forgive you. I know I will but it could take weeks, months, even years. But I do thank you, because I thought I would never be able to have a child but here I am, Martin Brewer, with a beautiful baby girl who would one day call me dad," Martin said. His face was turning red with tears streaming down his face.

"I don't need you to forgive me. All I need to hear was that you were going to be there for her."

"I will always."

The Family Reunion

"What a family reunion this is," Annie said to herself and went into her bedroom and slammed the door.

Jane and T-bone's girlfriend were arguing. Meredith and one of Mac's old girlfriends were about to fight. Rose decided to come and she and Sandy didn't get along.

Somebody didn't like somebody and this was the worst idea she could have ever think of.

Annie's POV

I put my face into a pillow and screamed. I couldn't believe this and Matt and Mary still didn't show.

"Mom?" a knock at the door and a familiar face startled me.

"Ruthie," I said, jumping up and giving her a big hug. Then Martin came in after her. "Martin, how have you been?"

"Fine, Mrs. Camden, and you?"

"Horrible. Everything's going all wrong it's not supposed to be like this."

"Mom, it'll be all right," Ruthie said, hugging me.

I look at Ruthie, then back at Martin; something's not right. "What brings you two up here together?"

"We're waiting for Mr. Camden and my dad to come up here so we can tell all of you at one time."

Minutes later, Eric and Mr. Brewer came in. They hugged Martin and then Ruthie.

"Is there a reason why we all were brought up here?" Mr. Brewer asked and I was just waiting to see what they had done now.

"Mom, Dad," my lovely daughter began to speak. "this is going to be really hard to tell you but Martin and I have a...."

Downstairs, Matt was holding Melanie and Sarah were in the kitchen along with Lucy.

"Matt, whose baby is that?" Lucy asked.

Matt looked at Melanie and swallowed hard as she just laughed. "It's a long story."

"Come on, honey, we've got time because I am not going back outside until everybody settles down."

"Okay, it's Ruthie's," Matt finally said.

"What?!" both Lucy and Sarah shouted out.

"No, you have to be kidding."

"Tell me this is some kind of joke, Matt. Tell me it is."

"No. I wish I could tell both of you this is a joke but it's not. The truth of the matter is that Ruthie Camden has a daughter."

"With who? How long did you know this? Who's the father? Do mom and dad know?" Lucy was shooting out so many questions.

"Martin. I just found out yesterday. And they're upstairs telling them now."

"Martin and Ruthie have a baby?" a familiar voice called out from behind them. "What do you mean Ruthie and Martin have a baby?"

They turned around to see Sandy.

"Sandy, um, yeah, they do."

"But why and how did Martin have a baby with Ruthie?" Sandy asked, raising her voice. Her whole face was turning red and tears started to fall. "You're telling me he's been blaming me for Aaron's death and blaming me for not telling him that Ruthie and him has a baby?!"

"Sandy, calm down."

"NO! I will not calm down! Where's Martin at? Better yet, where's Ruthie?"

Martin came down the stairs from hearing all of the commotion.

"What's wrong now?"

"What's wrong now? What's wrong now?" Sandy said with tears coming down her face. "The problem is that I've been sitting here feeling so damn guilty about everything and you already had another child."

"Sandy, it's not like that," Martin said, advancing towards her.

"NO! You get the hell away from me, you bastard. Throughout this whole year my life has been hell. I lost my son and lost half of the people I loved because I made a mistake. I really didn't think that he was the father. I always thought you were the father. I never would have told you that you were the father if I knew he was."

"Sandy, let me explain," Martin said, grabbing her arm.

"No, you get away from me," she said, snatching it back. She looked at Melanie and then back at Martin. "I tried so hard to forget but it's so hard not to. That's probably why you didn't want to take care of Aaron when you first found out you was going to be a father. Because you knew Ruthie might be expecting."

"First of all, Sandy, Aaron had nothing to do with this. Secondly, you're already pregnant with another child. Let's hope Jonathan is really the father of this one."

"You bastard!" Sandy yelled, slapping Martin hard across the face.

"Okay," Lucy said, finally jumping in, "this is not the way we should handle this."

"Martin, you might want to go check and see if that really is your baby because from what I heard Ruthie really gets around."

"Don't talk about my sister like that," Matt said, handing Melanie to Sarah and telling her to go outside. "You don't know shit about my sister."

"Apparently, nobody does," Sandy said, holding her stomach and making her way out the door.

"Ruthie Camden and Martin Brewer have a daughter," she screamed outside which caused everybody to stop having their conversations. "See? Was that so hard to do? Now everybody knows."

Martin and Matt hurried and exited outside.

"Sandy what is your problem?"

"My problem is that everybody looks at me like I did something wrong to you but the truth is that you have another child. Which is probably why you weren't there when Aaron was dying."

"You know why I wasn't there, you know why I wasn't," Martin said with tears starting to form in his eyes, "and don't you dare bring Aaron in this. Or Ruthie."

"What? Is it true? Ruthie and you have a baby?" T-bone asked behind Kevin.

"YES!" Ruthie said, coming out of the front door. "Yeah, it's true. Martin and I have a baby. But he didn't know about it and it was all my fault so if anybody has something to say about it you say it to me not him."

Everybody was in shock. Mr. and Mrs. Camden finally came out of the house along with Mr. Brewer.

"And my little girls are not mine."

"Carlos, don't."

"Don't what, Mary? Shouldn't Ben know that he has twins and not me?" Carlos asked, coming inside of the gate. "That the little girls I raised for 5 years are not mine."

"Oh, my god."

Kevin looked at Ben as Ben looked back at Kevin.

This is not how the family reunion is supposed to be. This is not, Annie thought as she ran her fingers through her hair.