A/N: Here we go guys. Get ready for another big one.
Disclaimer: I still don't own anything
Ruthie let her eyes travel over the dreaded words a few more times before she felt tears swimming in her eyes. No she couldn't automatically think the worst. He was awake. He was alive. Right now that's all that mattered to her. So what if he had said a name that wasn't hers? People said some really strange things while influenced by painkillers. If he had something to say to her she had to hear it from him.
"Mom," Ruthie called. Annie, hearing the urgency in Ruthie's voice came rushing into the kitchen.
"What is it Ruthie? What's wrong?"
"I have to get to the hospital. We should be back in a couple of hours," she said quickly standing up from her crouched position Ruthie handed Aaron to her mom who stood waiting to accept him. At being handed over he let out a cry in dissatisfaction while reaching out for Ruthie. At the little boy's pleading look she felt her heart break. "I'm sorry honey but we can't take you," she told him sadly. "Be good for Grandma okay? We'll be back soon," she promised kissing his forehead quickly before heading out the door. Once she closed it behind her she could hear her mom trying to calm him down. Before she could second guess her decision to go to the hospital she raced to the care closing the door behind her.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Martin asked taking in the unsure look in her eyes. Ruthie looked over at him, a flood of emotions crossing her face.
"Let's just get this over with," she grumbled.
"You don't have to do this Ruth. Not if you don't want to," he said softly. After what happened yesterday going back was the last thing she wanted to do. Somehow though she felt like she owed him. Maybe he wanted to talk about something good. She couldn't allow herself to automatically think the worst.
"Yeah I do," she said. The determination he was so used to hearing was so evident in her tone. He knew that when she wanted something she would stop at nothing to get it. Even if it ended badly. Remembering the dead look in her eyes the night before made him scared for her. How broken she was when they finally got home made him so angry. He wanted to personally see to it that the boy who supposedly loved her would suffer three times as much as he allowed her to. Martin knew that was exactly how it would end up.
"Are you sure?" he asked one last time as he left the driveway. He was met with an icy glare which automatically shut him up.
"Just drive," she demanded. "Unless you want to just stay home and I'll drive myself," she suggested.
"No I'll take you. I just want to make sure," he said.
"Now just drive before I decide to walk," she ordered. Not a word was said as Martin stepped on the gas. Ruthie could feel herself shaking when she reached over taking his hand. Having him ask her so many times made her wonder if she should really go through with it. Well there's no going back now she thought. Seeing the entrance up ahead Ruthie suddenly wanted to run. Leave right now and never look back.
"It's going to be okay Ruthie," he told her confidently. Somehow she doubted that. But then again when had Martin not been honest with her?
"Come with me," she whispered, voice shaking. Her voice held obvious hints of desperation. Martin put an arm around her and nodded. Coming into the hospital room her heart dropped even further. There in the bad laid a very much unconscious T-Bone. Anger rose inside her quickly covered by confusion. If he was still in a comma then who would have…?
"Finally you're here," she heard Tiffany say as she stepped out of the bathroom. Ruthie shot a glare to the bleach blond Barbie.
"Yeah so? What's it to you?"
"Nothing I just need to get one thing straight."
"Which would be what?" Ruthie asked in frustration. Tiffany advanced towards her with flames eliciting in her gaze. Her Jimmy Chou clad feet stomped with purpose towards a raging Ruthie. Practically seeing the smoke leaving her ears Martin put a calming hand on her shoulder that she quickly brushed off meeting her halfway.
"As you can see Theo isn't exactly awake yet," she said pointing a finger at him. Ruthie rolled her eyes and sighed.
"Oh thank you Einstein. I really didn't notice that!" she shot back sarcastically. The blond scoffed angrily taking a seat on the chair that sat next to the bed. "Now what's the real reason you called me over here? If it was to test my eye sight you'll be happy to know I have 20/20 vision. Not that it would matter to you any."
"You're right it doesn't," she said with the fakest smile Ruthie had ever seen. "What does matter to me is that you went ahead and took my boyfriend from me," she shouted.
"Wait. I took your boyfriend? Last I checked he was my boyfriend!" Ruthie said with a deadly calm that even scared Martin. He would have expected her to jump the girl already preparing to tear her eyes out. On second thought if he didn't watch it that might be exactly what happens.
"Wow. I never imagined Theo to fall for someone as stupid and clueless as you. If I had to fight someone I would at least think it'd be a slut with a brain!" Martin's eyes widened in shock. His own fire began to surface at the last comment. If it were not for the fact that the remark had come from a girl he would have given her a punch in the face himself. But morals and past experience stopped him. If just barely. He knew better than anyone not to get in the middle of this. Ruthie had a flame in her that no one could extinguish. No one called his Ruthie a brainless slut. Not while he was breathing. He knew however that Ruthie liked to fight her own battles. Her independent feisty streak was one of the many qualities he loved about her. She wasn't about to go and let someone walk all over her.
"EXCUSE ME?" she growled. By now she wasn't even using thought. She let determination and rage drive her forward. Ruthie stopped only inches away hatred swimming in her every bone. When did this stranger go off calling her a slut?
"You heard me," Tiffany smirked. The smirk she saw was Ruthie's last straw. She felt her fist curl in preparation to aiming directly for her jaw. As it rose she felt a larger hand take hold of it bringing it behind her back.
"Come on Ruth. We don't need to be starting fights in the hospital," Martin said calmly while rubbing her hand. He felt relief come over him when he felt the clench relax under his hand.
"Yeah listen to your boyfriend and get the hell out of here!" Tiffany growled.
"Make me!" Ruthie whispered completely ignoring the comment.
"Oh I'll make you alright!" she yelled advancing towards her. Ruthie felt Tiffany take her shoulders in a vice grip and sent her flying backwards. Was it not for Martin being directly behind her he would have landed on the floor or against the wall. Instead she caught him quickly steadying her and pulling her towards the door.
"Come on Ruthie we don't need this," he said gently.
"Let me go Martin!" she said through clenched teeth ripping out of his hold on her. Just as quickly as she pulled away he pulled her back. She shot him an outraged glare again trying to break free. "Let go of me!"
"Not until you agree to go in there and be civil," he demanded.
"Be civil with that thing? Are you crazy?" Martin had to agree with her on some level. Being calm, cool, and collected would really get them no where. Not with the way this Tiffany person was acting. But again he kept to his logic. "No I'm not Ruthie. I'm not going to let you fight over this guy. You can fight for him but not over him."
"What the heck's the difference? It's still trying to get my boyfriend back. The one this witch so kindly stole from me." He could feel his heart break just a little bit more at those words. Again she had referred to T-Bone as her boyfriend. The words that for years she had secretly used in reference to him. She never told him to his face but there were times he could hear her alone in her room silently crying, begging for him to give her the kind of love he longed for. She didn't have to say it. He knew enough by her actions. Actions he continued to ignore until it was too late.
"There's a difference hon. It's a small one but it's there. You can fight for him and his love or you can find someone to fight over him with. The second one's going end in pain and bruising and an exchange of hateful words. If you fight for him you show him yourself he's worth your heart. You don't need to knock some stranger unconscious to stand your ground. Can I ask you something Ruthie?"
"Do I have a choice?" she asked irritated.
"Yes you do. You always have a choice," he said calmly. Ruthie sighed exasperated.
"Fine what's your question?"
"How much do you love him?" Ruthie stiffened against him. Of course she loved him. What kind of question was that?
"Of course I love him. What kind of stupid question is that?" Martin sighed shaking his head. Directing her towards the waiting room he took a seat placing her in his lap. She wanted to fight him but somehow she kept from doing so. Instead stayed rigid in his arms as they wrapped around her.
"You didn't hear my question Ruth. I asked you how much you love him. Not if you do. I can see that you love him. The question is how deeply," he rephrased playing absently with a lose curl. She had half the mind to swat him away. Somehow she found the subtle touches relaxing. Ruthie laid her head on his shoulder completely at a loss. How much did she really care for him? How many times had she laid awake at night thinking about him? Not many. The nights were often consumed with thought of academic responsibilities or little things she needed to get done. There were days that a thought of him would fail to cross her mind completely.
There was also the fact that no matter how often she told him he could never remember the little details. The ones that didn't need remembering but would have been nice. The most frustrating were the big things. Her birthday was the most recent example of his forgetfulness. But you learn to accept people for their flaws. You love them for their imperfections. She could look past those mishaps. They would start exactly where they left off and forget about the past. There was no use crying over spilt milk. You had to clean it up and move on.
"I don't know," she whispered.
"Alright let me ask you this. Do you see a future with him?" Again she was stuck. T-Bone was sweet, caring and there for her when she needed him. Though lately the last wasn't the case these days. He flew off the handle when she saw them at dinner assuming the worst of her. Although a little bit of jealousy was healthy for a relationship. But it was Martin for goodness sake! Not only that but Ruthie would never cheat on him. Yet according to Tiffany he was the one who had done just that. But then again she was only seventeen. She was too young to see a relationship with anyone right now. Alright maybe there was one but that dream had long since died.
"I'm only seventeen Martin I don't know!" she cried. He started gentle rubbing motions along her back trying to settle her.
"Shh I'm only asking. You don't need to get so worked up," he said gently.
"Why do you suddenly want to know anyway? It's not like you're my dad or anything."
"I never said I was. I only want to see you happy," he whispered.
"But I am happy! T-Bone makes me happy," she cried. She didn't know how honest a statement that was but for right now she had to stick with it. It's not like she was going to come crawling back to Martin. Not now that he had made it clear that he didn't love her romantically like she'd once hoped. That ship had sailed a long time ago.
"Are you sure about that?" he asked cautiously. Ruthie was irritated now. She knew this game. He would just keep rephrasing the question until he finally got the answer he was looking for. He'd known her long enough to read her like his favorite book. She had no choice now but to give him what he wanted. She smiled remembering that she played the exact same game with him.
"No," she whispered. She could feel a single tear traveling her face at the weakness that overcame her. "But what does she have that I don't. I'm just as good as her. Better even!" Martin smiled at the last part. Ruthie was better than her in so many ways. She fought for what she believed in and stayed true to herself. She never let anyone make up her mind for her. She fought her own battles with vigor and refused to let anyone make her believe differently.
"I know you are but Ruthie maybe there's a reason she's here," he said. She looked up at him confused now. What other reason could she have than trying to make her life miserable?
"And what could that be?" she asked bitterly. "To make my life hell?" Ruthie looked up and was met with sad ones now equal to hers.
"She's pregnant sweetheart," he whispered carefully. She jumped up almost instantly confusion and hurt forming in her face. How could he say such a thing? He said he wanted what was best for her. When did he go off lying like that?
"You're lying!" she growled. He had to be. T-Bone would never do something so hurtful to her. What would his purpose be anyway? For all she knew Martin was trying to keep her away from him. The best way he knew how was to make up some ridiculous story. He would never go behind her back like that. Not ever. She knew Martin didn't like him that much. You could even go so far as to hate but to say that he had gotten another girl pregnant? She had dealt with that once. She couldn't do it again. T-Bone was there to help her heal not cut into her heart wounding it again with the same injuries. She felt her heart shatter when she realized he wasn't. How could he know? It's not like he knew her. Or at least she hoped not.
"No I'm not Ruthie," he said sadly.
"This has to be some sick twisted joke! I mean I know you don't like him but to make something up like that, that's just cruel Martin! Painfully cruel!" Ruthie could feel the tears flowing freely now letting herself crumble. Much like he had done the first time Martin took her in his arms letting her release all her anger on him. He didn't know how long they stood there as she used his chest as a punching bag. All he knew was he begged for a way to take away her pain. The pain he had once inflicted on her not too long ago.
"I'm so sorry Roo. So, so sorry," he whispered.
"How do you know it's even his," she cried. "For all we know she could be lying through her perfectly white teeth," she mumbled into him. "And how in the world do you know she's even pregnant? It's not like you ever were."
"Sandy gave off those exact same signs when she was pregnant with Aaron. Sick to her stomach, tired all the time, irritated over the littlest things. I'll give you that this wasn't something small but I can tell the difference," he said. "She had the glow and the bump," he said quietly.
"What bump? I didn't see anything," Ruthie said.
"If you look closely enough you can see the very beginning of one. I saw it after a few minutes in the room.
"Which brings me back to my earlier question. How do we know it's his? How do we know he cheated on me by having an affair with this….thing," she said tears still cascading down her cheeks.
"We don't," he said simply.
"So why aren't I in there fighting this slut?" she said angrily. "For all I know she could be lying."
"Okay one, we are not going to sink to her level alright. I know you're angry but you don't need to be using words like that."
"You sound like Dad," she said rolling her eyes.
"You're better than that Ruthie. So much better," he whispered.
"And what if I'm not? What if I'm worse than she is?"
"I know you Ruthie. I know you would never sink down to someone else's level. You're strong, independent and won't take anything from anybody. That's what I love about you. You fight until the end and never give in. Don't let her be your first fall. You can rise above her. Above this whole thing."
"Why is it that every single guy I ever love ends up going behind my back to get some girl pregnant? Is it some kind of punishment by God for all the grief I caused Mom and Dad when I was little? Why is it a constant pattern? Am I really that sinful?" she cried a sob rising to her throat.
"Oh no honey of course not. He only gives us what he believes we're strong enough to overcome."
"What if I'm not strong enough?" she sobbed. "What if I can't do this?" she whimpered wrapping her arms around him.
"I'm right here Ruth. I'm never going to let you fall, okay?" he whispered cupping her face in his larger hands.
"Why do you do this to me Martin? This is your fault to begin with!"
"I know and I'll beat myself up for it every day of my life."
"I told you I loved you for years."
"But I did love Ruth. Every day," he said.
"Yeah as a sister," she shot back.
"Can I let you in on a little secret? The truth is I was scared. Scared that you were just playing games with me."
"Why would I play games with you when it comes to my heart Martin? That's just stupid," she scoffed.
"Yeah I was pretty stupid. But then there was always the fact that you were younger than me. That kind of scared me too. What would your parents think?"
"It was two years. It's still just two years. Age is just a number," she said.
"I know that now. When I saw you'd moved on I was crushed. My hopes for getting you back, to love m like you used to had, at the time gone up in smoke. I wasn't going to come back if you didn't want me. I wasn't going to force myself on you. I missed my chance. I don't even know if I have a chance now. It might be too late."
"Can we just go home?" Ruthie sniffled.
"Anything you want."
***
The minute he placed in the car he saw her head lull back and her eyes close slowly. He took his baseball jacket he kept in the backseat creating a makeshift pillow laying her head on it tenderly. Within seconds she heard her start to breathe evenly. Quietly he closed the passenger side door sliding in behind the wheel. Ten minutes later he pulled into the driveway shaking her gently.
"Ruthie we're home," he said softly. She groggily opened her eyes glaring at the sun that seeped through the window. She yawned and stretched before turning to him.
"Did I fall asleep?" she asked.
"Yeah you did," Martin said rubbing her shoulder.
"I can't go in there. I can't face everyone right now. Not like this," she said on the edge of panic. He took her hand and squeezed it gently looking her in the eye.
"What did I tell you back at the hospital?" he asked seriously. Ruthie only looked at him with tears swimming in her eyes and shrugged. He had told her so many things. Some of them just plain painful. She couldn't recall anything over the hurt. "I'm never going to let you fall and I mean that, alright? We'll go in there and face them together."
"Okay," she whispered. With a small smile he slowly let go of Ruthie's shaking hand and got out of the car.
"It's going to be okay," Martin said gently helping her out of the car. He allowed her to lean on him while he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Slowly they both made it through the back door and were instantly bombarded with Aaron's desperate cries that were coming from the living room. Sharing a quick look of concern they raced through the kitchen door.
"Shh Aaron its okay sweetie. Daddy will be home soon," she told him comfortingly while bouncing him gently. "I know you miss him." Any form of trying to get him to calm down seemed to fall on deaf ears as the cries just got louder. Completely at a loss of what to do Annie let out a sigh of relief when she saw Martin and Ruthie standing there.
"Oh thank goodness you're home!" she said quickly handing him over to Martin. Being in his father's arms seemed to calm him slightly. The wails had now leveled down to uncomfortable cries rather than the ear splitting pain just a few minutes before.
"Shh bud its okay. Daddy's here now," he whispered. "I'm not going to leave you alone like that again, okay? Daddy's not just going to disappear anymore I promise," he told him rubbing his back gently. The pleas had now become painful whimpers as Aaron tossed his head around uncomfortably. In the process his eyes met Ruthie who had been standing back allowing them their moment. When Aaron saw her he grunted reaching out for her. Gently taking him from Martin she started a rhythmic pattern on his back. She felt him take hold of her quickly, resting his head on her chest letting the grunts turn to hiccups.
"Shh honey you're okay now," she whispered. "What happened to being good while we were gone, huh?" she playfully scolded him.
"He's been like that since you left," Annie told them sadly. "Wouldn't let up until you two walked through that door," she said running her fingers through his hair.
"You had to deal with this for a full hour?" Martin asked shocked. Annie nodded with a sad smile.
"I tried to get him to take a nap a few times. Every time he calmed down enough to try and fall asleep he would just as quickly wake up screaming again."
"What's the matter sweetie? Why did you cause Grandma so many problems?" Ruthie asked tenderly. She felt him take her shirt in a death grip as he began a quiet whimper. "Shh sweetheart we're here now, okay? No more tears," she said kissing his forehead softly.
"I'm so sorry Annie. This is the first time I've seen him like this. He's never this upset," Martin told her apologetically.
"It's alright. We all get upset sometimes. There are times when we just need that special someone to make us feel better," she said smiling over at her daughter who now had a sleeping baby on her shoulder.
"So I take it lunch has been cancelled?" Martin asked taking in the empty room."
"No not cancelled. We just decided to make it a dinner instead. I told them about the situation and they're all on board for dinner at 7 tonight."
"Sounds good to me," Ruthie said. "Let me go put him down and I'll help you out in a minute," she said heading for the bedroom. Getting to his crib she gently laid him down massaging his back. As she let go he let out a wail in protest, eyes shooting open again reaching up for her. "Shh honey. Let's go night, night now, okay?" she whispered. Half asleep his still had his hand wrapped tightly around her finger. Ruthie carefully unclenched his tiny hand from around her finger kissing it gently before covering him with a light blanket. Turning on the baby monitor she quietly tiptoed out of the room closing the door behind her.
Getting back downstairs she walked into the kitchen to see her mom already hard at work behind the counter.
"Hey Mom what can I do?" she asked coming up beside her.
"Nothing at the moment sweetie. I think we're all good here," Annie said.
"Are you sure because I could make a salad or something."
"Yes I'm sure."
"Okay just let me know," she sighed. "Oh and Mom I've been meaning to ask you something."
"Yes Ruthie?"
"What in the world do you think set him off like that? I mean it's not like we were going to be gone all that long. Coming home it sounded like someone was about to stick him with a needle or something."
"I really don't know. The best answer I can give you is that I think he could feel the unease when you left. Babies can sense when something's not right. He just didn't know how else to go about telling us," Annie told her. "Which brings me to my question. How did things go?"
"They went okay," was all Ruthie said. Annie could see from the look on her face that there was a lot more to it then that. She knew better than to push her though. When she was ready she'd tell her what was really going on.
"Are you sure you don't want any help Mom. Feeding a house full of Camdens isn't exactly a one woman job." She needed to get her mind off what happened at the hospital. Anything to keep from reliving the nightmare, the hurt that T-Bone had caused her.
"No Ruthie I'm okay here. You should go rest though. You look tired." Ruthie was becoming irritated again. Everyone around her lately was treating her like a child. First Martin and now her mother. She could tell for herself when she was tired! She didn't need someone telling her how she felt. She could feel tears brimming in her eyes again. Just as quickly she wanted to kick herself. She wasn't one for showing signs of weakness. Why was it becoming so consistent now?
No one needed her. She wasn't needed by anyone no matter how hard she tried. T-Bone didn't need her. That much was obvious from the hospital visit. Her mom didn't need her. Martin sure didn't need her. He was a father now for goodness sake. Sure she was wanted but wanting and needing were two different things. In wanting you could go without something. They could go without her.
Slowly she trudged up the steps through the living room closing her door behind her. She lay back on the bed letting the tears which had recently become so present in her life come down again. Ruthie Camden wasn't needed by anyone anymore. Whenever she asked to help Annie was always ready and willing. For the first time she had turned her down. Martin sure as ever didn't need her. He had shown her that by getting Sandy pregnant. History repeats itself she thought. Why did it have to be the most hurtful part? She'd gone through enough heartache for a lifetime when it came to Martin. Life just had to throw her another punch right where it hurt most. Letting the sobs consume her she just barely heard a knock on her door.
"Who is it?" he sniffled.
"It's me. Can I come in?" Martin asked concerned taking in her tone.
"No," she cried angrily.
"Please Ruthie. Let me help you," he said quietly opening the door and walking inside.
"What good will that do? You're the reason I'm like this in the first place!" she yelled. He knew she was right. If it weren't for his careless attitude he would have never left her. Having a baby had changed that completely.
"I'm so sorry Ruthie. No one should have to go through that," Martin whispered.
"Says the one who took my heart and stomped on it first," Ruthie cried.
"I know I did and like I said before that's unforgivable."
"I'd understand if it happened just once. Yeah it hurts like hell but I got through it eventually. Then the one who was supposed to help me forget goes ahead and helps me remember how much it tore me up inside!"
"I know. I can't speak for him but I can speak for myself. Ruthie I'm going to pay for your heartbreak every day of my life. You trusted me and I destroyed that. It's a miracle you're still willing to accept me. An even bigger miracle you're willing to accept my son."
"He's the victim here Martin. He did absolutely nothing wrong. He was just born into this world. A world where his parents weren't expecting him to happen. It's not like he could go ahead and change that. He's just a little boy," she whispered.
"No one can change what's already happened. All I'm saying is I'm surprised you still want me around."
"Not that you do," she grumbled. Martin's eyes widened in shock. Since when had he not wanted her? He would always want her, need her even. She was the one person he turned to when everything else came down around him. The one person he depended on to be there for him no matter what happened.
"That's ridiculous Ruthie and you know that," he said.
"Is it really? No one does these days. Why would I expect you to be any different? You saw what happened with your own eyes just a few minutes ago. Mom doesn't even want my help anymore. Usually she's all for it. Today she tells me no there's nothing I can do. You Martin you're a father. You're a grown man. You don't need help from anyone anymore," she said glumly.
"Oh Ruthie of course I still need people. Everyone does no matter if they have their own kids or not. I'm going to need people even more now because I'm doing this alone. I'm going to need you."
"Why I don't see what good I'll be. I'm not even his mother."
"Do I need to remind you what happened when we got home? He didn't want your mom. That much was obvious from the way he was acting. He didn't even want me. The one who's been there for him since day one. He needed you. And he's going to continue needing you for a long time."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"What I mean is exactly what I said. Ruthie you've been around since the very beginning. You've been more a mother to him than Sandy ever was. You've given him all the love in the world and still do. The sadder thing is that Sandy was meant to and she didn't. You Ruth you did without even needing to."
"It's not very hard. Babies just need someone there for them," Ruthie said.
"Exactly and you have been. You're the one who's helped me raise him Ruth. Sandy wasn't even around long enough for him to know who she was.
"He's not even my son," she said.
"He doesn't have to be. Blood doesn't matter when it comes to loving someone. Think about all the adopted kids in the world. They have no blood relation to the people who love them. Yet they still do as if they were their very own. Ruthie I've seen you with Aaron with my own two eyes. You care for him the very same way I do. There are times I look at you and think that I'm not doing enough for him. You're needed more than you think. Your family needs you, my son needs you, I need you," he said emphasizing the last part.
"You do?"
"Of course I do," he said hugging her to him. "Who was there for me the day he was born and I came out a nervous wreck? Who was there for me when I had no idea what in the world I was doing when it came to taking care of him? More recently, who was the one who kept me from going insane the night we ran him to the hospital?"
"Me," she whispered.
"That's right. It was all you. It's still going to be you for a long time down the road. You're his mother Ruthie. In every way that counts you're the one he turns to. Don't you dare give up on him. Don't you dare think you're not enough. You're needed by so many people Ruthie. People who love you so much."
"That may be true but there's still one more. One who never saw me as more than their younger sibling." Martin only shook his head.
"You haven't been listening to a word I've said for the last day or so have you? I love you Ruthie. I love you so much. More than a little sister. So much more. It only took me months of healing a broken heart to know what I had been stupid enough to give up. You're the only one who's ever seen me for the person I really am. You've taken for my flaws and my good parts. Not many would take someone back who betrayed them like I did. You're truly special Ms. Camden. Don't you ever forget that," he demanded. I cry could be heard from the monitor that lay by her feet. "I'll be right back," he said tickling her barefoot hastily before running out the door. Ruthie couldn't help giggling at his antics.
Minutes later Martin returned with a fussy Aaron in his arms. "I don't know what the problem is. He's slept he's been fed, he's clean. Why are you being so fussy buddy?" he asked quietly. Ruthie came up to him taking Aaron from him. Within seconds he was quiet as a mouse playing with the hem of her shirt. "Oh I see how it is. Daddy isn't important anymore. Not when Auntie's in the room. Nope just forget about me."
"He just likes me better," she laughed sticking her tongue out at him.
"Why because you give him stuff?" he asked.
"I do not just give him stuff," she retorted.
"Yes you do. And because of that he seems to love you more," Martin said glumly.
"Daddy's being silly isn't he?" Ruthie smiled tickling him under his chin which sent him into a fit of giggles. "Can you say 'Dada'? Come on big guy say 'Dada'. Aaron only replied with a round of babbling.
"I think he's trying to say 'Auntie' aren't you buddy. Come on say 'Auntie' you can do it," Martin coaxed. 'Au-ntie'. What came out instead surprised them both.
"Ma-ma."
"Did he just…" Ruthie gasped.
"I think he did. He just said his first word," Martin said smiling widely. He took Aaron from Ruthie and started spinning circles with him. "You just said your first word buddy! Good job! Say it again. Come on Aaron one more time. Ma-ma, Ma-ma," he coaxed again.
"Ma-ma," he smiled. Martin turned around to see a huge smile across Ruthie's face.
"And who's your Mama Aaron?"
"Ma-ma," he said again reaching for Ruthie who took him almost immediately. Ruthie could feel tears of joy rushing down her face at the little boy's admission. "Ma-ma," he said snuggling into her.
"See I told you," Martin whispered in her ear. Ruthie grinned feeling that familiar shiver again.
"I love you," Ruthie whispered to Aaron who laid comfortably on her chest now, Martin quietly wiping the tears away with the pad of his thumb.
"And I love you Ms. Ruthie Camden," Martin whispered only inches from her face. With her lips so close she felt them pulling her forward. The warmth that came from them pushed her further until she was close enough to touch them. She felt Martin's tongue travel her bottom lip asking permission. Without a second thought she allowed him entrance, both of them battling for dominance. As much as he'd hurt her she couldn't fight this time. She wouldn't even try. Instead she let the dance continue until they both came up for breath.
"Wow," she whispered.
"You can say that again," he laughed.
A/N: There we go! Even longer this time! Review and let me know how it went! Hit or miss? I seriously never know. Click that little green button please!