A/N: Wow you guys are so amazing! Thank you all so much for the extremely encouraging reviews! Keep them coming. Now I wasn't planning on updating so soon but I figured I reward you guys with another installment sooner than planned just because I figured you all deserved it. :) Like the last couple it's another long one. ENJOY!
Disclaimer: I still don't own anything.
They both stood there speechless still trying to fully understand what just happened. Ruthie herself could still feel the warmth that was left as she allowed the sensation to linger. Had she really just done that? Did she truly just kiss Martin Brewer? The feeling was so unreal. A dream she had long given up on had finally come true. She absentmindedly brought her fingers to the skin of her arm, jumping slightly when the pinch jolted her. Ruthie was brought back into reality when she heard Martin laugh. She looked over at him raising her eyebrow.
"You don't need to pinch yourself Ruth," he chuckled. "Not only does it hurt but I felt it too. You're not dreaming. Unless of course both of us are. That itself is another story."
"I-I'm sorry. I just can't believe that it actually happened," she stuttered blushing. Martin smiled pleased to see that again he was able to paint her cheeks a soft pink.
"I love it when you blush," he whispered making her cheeks an even darker shade of red as well as making Ruthie's heartbeat scamper erratically. In the silence of the bedroom he just barely heard the strong beating of her heart and smiled. He'd waited years for that reaction. He'd waited years to have the ability to cause that reaction.
Ruthie again closed the space between them letting her lips clamp to him once again. He responded just as eagerly both of them again fighting for control. After a second (and to both party's dismay, shorter) round they were interrupted by Aaron's happy cooing below them. Martin groaned moving only a foot away.
"I don't think our audience wanted the encore we were hoping for," Ruthie giggled. Martin's sent a playful glare in the little boy's direction sighing in defeat. "Hey be nice!" she scolded. "No one wants to have to see their parents making out," Ruthie said shoving him. Martin smiled when he realized her acknowledgment.
"Well it's not my fault either. You're the one who wanted more." Ruthie rolled her eyes at him and sighed.
"You're his father. You should be the one setting the good example here."
"And you're his mother which means you're just as much to blame as me," Martin shot back.
"You're older," she said. He laughed taking her hand.
"Age is just a number," he repeated. Ruthie's eyes opened slightly shocked.
"Hey don't you go using my own words against me!" she pouted. Martin starred at her full pout longingly. A pout made of the lips that longed to be covered with his own. When the urge finally passed he gripped her hand firmly taking her towards the door.
"Let's go before your parents think I kidnapped you or something," he laughed. Ruthie smiled taking his offered hand. Again it surprised Martin how perfectly the two fit. It felt so natural to have her smaller hand weave with his. Once they reached the landing the both reluctantly let go now going their separate ways. Seeing that they had entered a quiet kitchen Martin's eye fell on the note on the fridge.
Martin & Ruthie,
Went to pick up some last minute things for tonight. I should be back in a half hour. Please start a salad when you get the chance.
-Mom
"Okay that is so not fair," Ruthie said coming up behind him. He turned towards her confused. "She just told me we didn't need one. Now she says we do. Why can't she just make up her mind?" Ruthie said.
"Maybe she doesn't trust you with sharp objects," Martin said with a smirk. She rolled her eyes.
"Oh sure she doesn't trust her seventeen year old daughter with a knife," Ruthie said pulling out a salad bowl. He came up putting his arms around her from behind. She smiled momentarily losing focus. For a minute she wanted to forget the assignment all together. They didn't really need a salad, did they? Maybe they could spend the next half hour cuddling instead. Right now the idea sounded incredibly appealing. Healthy eating habits she reminded herself. Yes they did need the dreaded salad. Cuddling would have to wait. "What are you doing," Ruthie smiled.
"Trying to distract you," he whispered. "Is it working?" She groaned. Of course it was working! Why else would she be holding the bowl in midair?
"Yes now stop. We have work to do."
"But this is so much more fun," he whined. Ruthie smiled at his childish behavior.
"You're worse than Aaron, you know that?" Martin sighed moving away from her. Ruthie frowned at the absence of his arms around her. Just as quickly she saw the bowl that still sat in her hands.
"I don't get it. He can do all the whining he wants and gets away with it."
"Martin he has an excuse. He can't use English yet," Ruthie said puling out the needed vegetables.
"Ma-ma," Aaron said clearly as if to prove her wrong. She laughed walking over to him.
"Yes I know sweetie. I'm sorry," she chuckled giving him a quick kiss on the forehead.
"See he can speak perfectly fine," Martin said taking the stack from her and walking toward the butcher block. Ruthie sighed sliding half of them over to one side and began chopping.
"Okay let me rephrase that. He can't use fluent sentences yet. Now make yourself useful and chop," she ordered.
"But, but that's not fair. You have to be more specific," he said.
"I don't have to be anything," she smiled "Now start cutting before I make you do everything," she said starting to cut up her half.
"Yes ma'am," Martin grumbled dejectedly. She smiled beginning a rhythmic pattern. He soon matched hers, their knives now working in sync. Out of the corner of his he saw a loose strand she continued to try blowing out of her face. Setting his knife down quietly, Martin brought his hand up swiftly placing it behind her ear. His hand hovered over for a few seconds just above her cheek and chanced a touch with the tips of his fingers. He smiled, satisfied when he saw the slightest hint of a shiver.
"Do I have to enforce a 'no touching' rule?" she sighed exasperated. Martin's hand quickly flew away when he saw her glaring at him. Ruthie smiled when she saw him starring at her with puppy dog eyes. "Do you want to do this by yourself?" He shook his head not saying a word. "Then I suggest you keep your hands to yourself until we're done here or Aaron and I will go cuddle." Martin looked up expectantly at the idea of cuddling. "Without you," she finished sharply.
"Alright, alright. I get it. No touching. You don't have to go all Cruella de Vil on me," Martin said holding his hands up in surrender. Ruthie groaned. At the rate they were going they would honestly get nothing done.
"Okay first of all if I did go all Cruella then I'd be plotting to kidnap innocent puppies. At this rate you are neither so that kind of takes care of that. Secondly, I am so tempted to just leave you here by yourself."
"But then I'd get lonely," he pouted. She sighed again at the look on his face. Somehow she found it harder and harder to resist the pout but she had to be strong. Three strikes in baseball. How many was he at? Oh yeah two. One more and she'd drop everything leaving the salad at his mercy.
"One more and you're on your own, got it?"
"Yes," he said. Somehow that got through to him. She was happy to see that he had resumed chopping, much faster more efficiently this time she could see. She made a mental note to start making a list of possible threatening mechanisms. This one seemed to work the best. Ruthie had to smile. Just then Annie made her way through the kitchen door.
"Hi Mom," they both said as she set the bag of groceries on the counter. She looked up at both of them suspiciously. Shrugging it off she returned to putting things away.
"How's the salad coming?" she asked coming up behind them to inspect.
"Good," they said together. Again with the simultaneous replies. Annie again brushed it off knowing that at some point it would come up. Aaron gave out a cry from where he was observing in his highchair. Both turned around walking towards him. Before Martin could get very far Ruthie stopped him.
"You stay," she ordered. He stepped back slightly at her sharp tone. "Or I tell Mom how lazy you've been," she whispered. She giggled when she saw his face pale. He could read between the lines with that one. He really didn't want them to reveal their little secret just yet.
"Come on big guy. Let's let Daddy finish up here and we'll get you a nice bath before dinner. How does that sound?" Aaron giggled as the two made their way upstairs. Getting into the bathroom Ruthie laid him on a plush blanket before starting the tub. Once it was filled several inches she turned it off and undressed him quickly. Before she set him in she blew a light raspberry on his tummy making him laugh loudly. Ruthie smiled handing him a rubber ducky to distract him while she worked. That didn't seem to work for long though because soon he started a splashing game dousing her every chance he got. Ruthie couldn't help laughing with him. "You're just being silly," she laughed tickling him with a soapy hand. This continued until she finished and wrapped him in a towel. "Now let's get you dressed so Mommy can get cleaned up," she suggested taking him into the bedroom.
When she set him down he whimpered quietly. "I know honey. I hated this part too," she told him gently rubbing his belly. "We're almost done here, okay? Then we get to go see how Daddy's doing with the yummy salad." By now she had finished and was heading towards the dresser drawer. Pulling out a green onsie Ruthie held it up to him. "What do you feel like wearing tonight? Green?" Aaron showed his dislike by throwing it on the floor. "Hey we do not throw things," Ruthie scolded. Hearing the seriousness in her tone Aaron snuggled into her apologetically. She started a gentle rubbing motion pulling out another option. "Blue?" Aaron giggled grabbing for it. "Blue it is then," she decided walking toward the bed. Laying him down again she made quick work of dressing him. "Now why don't we go see if we can get some food in you?" He replied with a quiet whimper and began sucking on the hem of her shirt. "Shh you'll get dinner in a second," she promised making her way down.
Hearing them descend Martin turned to meet them. "There you two are. What took so long?"
"We just got a little sidetracked," she told him handing Aaron over. Martin smirked when he took in the wet spots.
"I can see that," he said. "What did I tell you about getting people wet buddy? It's not very nice," he said failing to be serious. In truth he was too busy looking at Ruthie to care at the moment. Ruthie's knees fell to jelly when the noticed his eyes on her.
"Please quit starring," she told him. Martin quickly averted his eyes blushing himself.
"But I'm done now. Didn't you say I couldn't do that while I was working? Well now that's done so I can do all the looking I want, right?" he asked hopefully. Ruthie groaned. He did have a point. How is it he always found a way out of everything? Aaron's desperate cry diverted both of their attention.
"He needs to be fed and I need to shower. After that then I'll think about it," she decided. Martin looked momentarily disappointed but his face soon brightened. He got a maybe. That was better than nothing.
"Let's leave her alone for a few minutes and get something to eat," he told his son walking towards the kitchen. Ruthie took the opportunity to make her way back upstairs. When she returned a half hour later she found them in front of the TV watching the game. She chuckled settling down beside them.
"Isn't he a little young to even know what's going on?" she asked. Martin turned to her slightly offended.
"No he is not too young! And even if he is there's no time like the present to learn the art of America's favorite pass time," he argued. Ruthie giggled when she saw that Aaron wasn't even paying attention. Instead he was fast asleep with his empty bottle hanging loosely.
"Sorry to burst your bubble Brewer but I think he got bored," she laughed.
"Alright so he doesn't like baseball. There are always other sports," he reasoned.
"How long has he been asleep for?" she asked running the pad of her thumb along his cheek when she saw him stir.
"About twenty minutes," he said bringing him up to his shoulder and laying his feet across the couch. Ruthie felt Martin bring her down with him and gasped quietly. "What?" he asked concerned. She just shook her head and smiled when he started playing with her hair using his free hand.
"What time is it?" she asked looking up at the ceiling.
"We've got about a half hour," he said resting his head against the cushion.
"Lucy and Kevin should be here soon," she said. Seeing as they only lived next door they were usually the first ones to show up.
"Where are Simon and Mary these days?" he asked.
"Mary's still in Buffalo. The boys went to spend the weekend with her. They should be getting in later tonight. Simon's actually done with school for the next month. We really don't know what he's been doing. He usually shows up on Sundays though which means he should be here in a little bit," she said. Just then the slam of the back door could be heard.
"Mom, Dad, Ruthie?" Lucy called startling a sleeping Aaron. Ruthie sighed getting up off her very comfortable place on Martin's lap taking him from Martin before leaving. "Anybody home?"
"Remind me to have a talk with my big sister about the art of being quiet," Ruthie said going through the swinging door, Martin laughing coming up behind her.
"Yes Lucy someone's home," Ruthie growled. Martin placed his hand on hers calming her down.
"Auntie Ruth!" Savannah called happily now squirming out of Kevin's arms. Ruthie smiled as the little girl ran over to her just barely stopping at her feet when she saw her hands were full. She frowned confused as Ruthie handed Aaron over to Martin freeing up her arms. She crouched down opening them expectantly just barely having enough time to breathe before Savannah plowed into her.
"Oof. Hey Vannah. How's my favorite niece?" she asked hugging her tightly.
"Good," she chirped.
"That's good. Have you been a good girl for your Mommy?"
"Yeah," she giggled. Ruthie saw Martin pouting out of the corner of her eye and smirked.
"I think Uncle Martin's feeling left out," she laughed.
"Yeah kind of. When do I get my hug Savannah?" he asked coming down to her level. She quickly skipped over to Martin hugging him tightly and giggled. He smiled over her shoulder at Ruthie who mirrored his. Lucy looked between the two noticing the look they shared. There was something different about the two.
"Wait freeze!" Four people stopped exactly what they were doing and looked over at the short blond with raised eyebrows. "I totally missed something," she finally said.
"What'd you miss?" Kevin asked.
"Are you two…?" Lucy asked pointing between Martin and Ruthie.
"Are we what?" Martin asked smiling.
"You two are smiling like you just started a sugar high," she said suspiciously. Something was defiantly different and Lucy Camden-Kinkirk would find out soon enough.
"Gee Luce I really didn't know it was wrong to just be happy," Ruthie said the once bright smile now turned to a grim line. Lucy childishly huffed annoyed now. Why was she always the last one to know everything? Even more irritating though was why wasn't someone just telling her? It was better than having to play some stupid guessing game.
"There's something different here…Something that wasn't here before," she said.
"Okay now you've lost me," Kevin said. He too could see what his wife was getting at. In fact he knew exactly what she meant. There was something different about the way the two were acting. There was a smoothness about them. They seemed happier. He had a strong feeling that this ease had become more than a friendship. Something deeper that the two weren't telling them. He didn't need his investigating skills to see through this one.
"No wait Kev they're…those two are-"
"Ma-ma," Aaron called reaching out to Ruthie who smiled taking him.
"I got it!" she finally shouted as if she had just won the lottery. "You two are-"
"Together," they said simultaneously with equally big smiles on their faces. She nodded eagerly. They only smiled bigger both hands weaving easily.
"Okay now that's just plain creepy," Kevin said. They both chuckled knowing what he meant. The synchronized talking wasn't exactly normal. Still one more freak out wouldn't hurt.
"What is?"
"That! The whole talking at the same time thing. How the heck do you do that?" They both just shrugged.
"Okay so here's the deal. I know Luce that this is going to be hard for you to do but please try," Ruthie begged.
"We haven't exactly told anyone yet," Martin continued.
"About the whole being together thing. You guys just kind of figured it out so we couldn't exactly lie," Ruthie finished.
"Cause lying's bad," Savannah piped in.
"That's right sweetie," Ruthie said playing with her hair. "So do us a favor-"
"Lucy," Martin said narrowing his eyes.
"Please don't tell anyone yet," Ruthie pleaded.
"We all know it's going to be the world's biggest challenge for you to keep a secret but please do it for us," Martin said again finishing her plea.
"You guys finish each other's sentences too!" Kevin exclaimed. "I mean I knew I was marrying into a crazy family—"
"Hey!" Lucy pouted. "You love our not so normal lives," she reminded him. "And really what's normal these days anyway?" she asked.
"Obviously not what they're doing," he said directing his attention back to Martin and Ruthie. They all laughed before the doorbell sounded.
"And remember not a word," Ruthie reminded her directing most of her attention to Lucy. She shrunk back slightly at her little sister's glare. She held her hands up in surrender with a nod. Opening the door Ruthie uncharacteristically started a gentle bounce of happiness.
"Uncle Simon!" Savannah called happily before anyone could so much as get a word out.
"Hey munchkin," he called back just as excitedly before he felt her wrap her small arms around his legs. He picked her up swinging her around sending her into a laughing fit. Before putting her back down he placed a quick kiss on her cheek finally able to step through the door.
"Hey where the heck have you been?" Ruthie asked.
"Around," he shrugged.
"Did you even show up for church this morning?" she asked accusingly.
"Of course I did," he said.
"And you didn't so much as have the decency to say hello?" Lucy said with a raised brow.
"Calm down Luce. I'm here now aren't I? I was in the very back anyway. I tried looking for you guys."
"Of course you did," Lucy said sarcastically.
"Is that Simon and Lucy I hear?" Annie said with a smile as she descended the stairs.
"Hi Mom," Kevin called faking hurt at being forgotten.
"Hi Kevin. Now what's this fighting all about?" she asked narrowing her eyes at the two participants.
"He went to church and didn't even have enough respect to come and say hi to us," Lucy grumbled.
"Simon is this true," Annie asked feeling slightly hurt. Simon's eyes filled with guilt at his mother's disappointed tone. It's not that he didn't try to find them. They barely saw him as it was because he spent so much time away at school. It still hurt to see the pain in all their faces.
"I tried Mom. Even so I'm here now, right?"
"I guess that's true but still Simon we miss you," she said hugging her son tightly.
"I miss you all too. Remember though I'm here for a whole month before I go back," he smiled. He was happy to see that Annie's eyes shined along with his own before she returned to give him one more tight hug. "Come stay in the house," Annie said hating to see that her son who she rarely saw had opted to stay in the garage apartment during his visit home.
"Mom I'm already all set up in the apartment," he argued.
"We can just as easily help you out of there man," Kevin said. "Mom never sees you anymore. Give her that much," he said. Annie sent her son-in-law a grateful look before turning back to Simon.
"Oh alright," he smiled.
"We'll start right after dinner then," Kevin said.
"Sounds good. Where is everyone?" Simon asked scanning the room.
"Right behind you Simon," called Matt's voice from outside the door. Annie looked over Simon's shoulder to see Matt and Sarah standing outside. She gently pushed past her son wrapping Matt and Sarah each in a warm hug.
"I'm so glad you made it," she smiled. Matt smiled meeting Simon's gaze before moving on to greet him.
"I'm surprised he made it. Aren't you supposed to be in school Simon?" he asked.
"Nope not for another month," he said smiling.
"Oh okay good I thought for a minute that you just snuck out or something," Matt laughed. Simon playfully smacked his brother up side the head before turning to Sarah.
"You've been keeping this guy in line I hope," he said greeting her with a hug. The brunette could only laugh as she nodded. Ruthie looked around expectantly, confused when she couldn't find the last family member. She had yet to see her father since after church.
"Mom where did Dad go off to?" she asked.
"He went to go pick up Mary and Carlos," she said
"I thought you said they wouldn't be in until later tonight," Martin said confused.
"Well I didn't know how late they meant," she said.
"So do we wait or do we get to eat," Kevin asked. Lucy glared at him nudging him lightly.
"What?" he asked looking down at her with innocent eyes. Lucy rolled her own and sighed.
"What do you think we're going to do Kevin? This is called a family dinner for a reason. You're supposed to have the entire family here before you stuff your face with food." Everyone laughed around her seeing the six foot tall police officer being scolded like a child.
"Honey I'm not trying to be rude. I just haven't eaten all day. A man has to eat!"
"Then what exactly were the sandwiches you made this afternoon supposed to be?"
"A snack?" he said carefully.
"Oh so you have eaten something today. Good for you," she said sarcastically.
"No Luce it's quite alright. Your dad said not to wait up if everyone got here before they did," Annie said smiling.
"Thank you Mom," he said a big grin on his face. Again the blond rolled her eyes. "At least someone doesn't want to see me starve," he said gratefully.
"Oh quit exaggerating!" she said exasperated.
"Mommy I'm hungwy," Savannah said pulling on her pant leg.
"See I'm the only one," Kevin whined.
"I know sweetie. I'll get you something in a minute, okay?" Lucy said taking her up in her arms. "As for you Kinkirk you're a big boy. Which means you can wait," Lucy said.
"But Mom just said we don't have to," he said.
"Lucy sweetie we don't have to wait for your father. It could be hours before they get home," Annie told her daughter.
"That may be true but he can be patient about it," Lucy said with a sigh.
"I'm actually getting kind of hungry too Lucy," Sarah said quietly.
"Oh alright everyone just go right ahead and empty out Mom and Dad's fridge I don't care! It's not like they raised us all to be courteous or anything!" she yelled. Kevin came up to his wife wrapping his arms around her cautiously.
"Shh calm down hon it's not the end of the world," he whispered while everyone looked on slightly flustered. They all knew Lucy to be temperamental but not to this degree.
"I know," she sighed resting herself against her husband shutting her eyes for a second. "I guess I just overreacted. I just would really like it if we waited for Dad and Mare to get here," she sighed.
"I understand but he said it was okay to start. That's not being rude Luce. When they get here we'll have more time to visit anyway. We wont have to stop and start like we would if we all sat down to dinner," Kevin said calmly.
"I guess," she grumbled.
"Can we please eat now Lucy? I'm getting kind of hungry too," Martin said.
"I already said we could, alright," Lucy said sharply. Kevin placed a gentle hand on hers bringing her tone down again.
"Great. We'll go put Aaron down and meet you all in there," Ruthie said as Martin followed her upstairs. Reaching the bedroom Martin set a sleeping baby down carefully giving him a light kiss on his cheek as he did.
"Goodnight Aaron. Daddy loves you," he whispered. As if he heard him the little boy repositioned himself cooing quietly. Ruthie smiled wrapping the tiny blanket around him snuggly.
"Goodnight sweetheart. I love you," she whispered kissing the small hand that had once again found its way around her finger. Silently they both made their way out descending the stairs separately. They both looked up to see all Camden eyes on them as they came through the kitchen.
"What?" Martin asked serving up his plate.
"Nothing," Simon said chuckling. Both shrugging they sat in the two empty spaces that were left at the table.
"Did you want something?" Martin asked directing his attention to Ruthie. She smiled and shook her head.
"No I'll just share with you," she said taking in the pile of food that sat on his plate. The amount was obviously too much for only one person. She saw that he had gone ahead and plated for them both. Matt looked at the pair suspiciously before forking up a piece of salad. Since when had they been sharing food? He had seen both of them go up to put Aaron down. Usually Martin did that on his own with no assistance. Sarah smiled silently seeing the two teens interact. She noticed the sparkle in her sister's eyes that hadn't been there in a long time.
"What's up with you two?" Matt asked eyeing them. They both looked up with confused looks across their faces. They both shrugged as if they had no idea what he was referring to. Maybe now would be the perfect time to tell them. No wait for everyone he thought. Ruthie saw her sister open her mouth slightly on the edge of saying something.
"They—"she was instantly stopped by a kick under the table from Ruthie and her daughter's small hand on her mouth. Lucy grimaced in the momentary pain raising and eyebrow at her and taking Savannah's hand off of her mouth. To her dislike the small hand returned to its exact location before she could even get a word out.
"Mommy! It's 'upposed to be a secwet!" she little girl whispered to her mother in a tone much too sharp for a three year old. Lucy raised her brow looking directly at Savannah before her eyes met Ruthie. They both had annoyed looks on their faces and she could see everyone had a small smile on their faces. Much to Ruthie and Martin's relief no one said anything. Hopefully seeing that meant that their cover wasn't blown by her secret-keeping challenged sister. Chances were though that everyone had seen.
"They what Luce?" Simon asked smirking. Lucy shook her head vigorously refusing to say a word. As dinner progressed it felt much like the early days in the Camden household. Once again (almost) the entire family sat around the large kitchen table sharing stories and laughs that came with daily experiences. Soon enough the swinging of the front door could be heard.
"Mom!" was heard coming from none other than the twins who of course called out together.
"In the kitchen!" Annie called. Soon the thunder of the twins' footsteps were heard as they got closer to the kitchen door. Getting inside both looked around with wide eyes.
"Wow everyone's here!" Sam said excitedly.
"It's Sunday bud. Everyone's always here," Kevin laughed.
"No," Sam said. "Everyone's usually here for lunch."
"Yeah and it's already 8'oclock," David said seriously.
"Yup and Matt and Sarah are never here," Sam finished. Matt and Sarah both smiled at the boys' excitement.
"And you're going to be seeing a lot more of us guys," Matt said.
"You're moving back?" they both asked smiling hugely once again.
"Yeah. Right down the street from Lucy and Kevin," Sarah said. If it was even possible their eyes got even brighter.
"YAY!" they chanted bouncing a little bit. Finally David's eyes fell on Martin.
"Martin? You're here too?" he asked excitedly. Martin nodded.
"Where's…?"
"Are you boys hungry?" Annie asked before they could ask a question she new was about to come out of his mouth.
"A little bit. We slept on the plan," Sam told her.
"Well pull up a chair and eat up," Eric said taking off his coat.
"Mom?" Mary called.
"In here," she called. She came in seconds later with Carlos carrying in suitcases. Charlie came in right after arms filled with the last of the suitcases. Annie's eyes grew wide when she realized how much they were carrying with them.
"Does Hotel Camden still have an opening?" Mary asked with a slight huff of tiredness. Simon chuckled as he set down his fork.
"Of course it does," Annie smiled getting up to give her eldest daughter a hug. "Are you guys hungry?" she asked. Mary smiled and nodded slightly.
"Amor you just ate on the plane," Carlos said with a laugh. Mary whipped around to glare at her husband and crossed her arms.
"Have you tasted that stuff they call food Carlos? It's horrible," she exclaimed. "And so what if I'm still hungry. It's not like I'm going to starve myself just because I just finished eating. If I'm still hungry then I'm still hungry. That means I'm going to eat. If you have a problem with that then don't watch," she growled. Carlos stepped back a little tentatively wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Calma Amor," he whispered kissing her cheek gently. The family saw Mary release a deep sigh leaning against her husband. "I'll get you something," he said.
"Thank you," she smiled. She saw her son had returned pushing a chair twice his size towards her. She smiled gently moving out of his way not having the heart to take away his glory.
"Here Mommy," he said sweetly. "I got you a chair," he said.
"Thank you love," she said kissing his forehead gratefully.
"You're welcome," he smiled. Carlos returned with a full plate of food and placed it in front of his wife taking the last of the empty chairs. "Papa can I sit on your lap," Charlie asked. He nodded swinging his son up in his lap. "Mommy can I have a tiny piece of your chicken?" he asked sweetly. Mary smiled cutting off a small piece feeding it to him.
"There you go baby," she smiled. Her husband looked over at her in shock while everyone around them laughed.
"Okay how come that never works for me?" he asked.
"He's cute and adorable and you're not," Matt laughed.
"I think I just got insulted by your brother Mare," he said turning to his wife. She looked over at him and smirked. "You going to come to my rescue?" he asked.
"No you're on your own," she smirked. "It's not like my big bad brother's going to hurt you," she laughed.
"You never know sis I just might," he teased.
"If you were going to you would have done that years ago," she said.
"There's a first time for everything," Martin added.
"Are you going to help me bud?" Carlos asked turning to his son. The little boy giggled shaking his head.
"And to think I raised you to defend your family," he sighed.
"But Papa they are my family," he said matter of factly. His father groaned. He had him there.
"It's every man for himself in this house," Simon chuckled.
"Hey we can defend ourselves too you know," Lucy chimed angrily.
"Oh we you can Luce," Ruthie laughed taking the last piece of chicken on the plate. Martin looked over at her frowning. "What?" she asked.
"I was going to take that," he whined. Ruthie rolled her eyes offering her fork to him. The crowd looked on curiously. Everyone could see that their dynamic had changed dramatically from just a few months ago. They seemed cozier, more at ease with each other. They both had a more playful side to them. "Thank you," he whispered.
"So much for ladies first," she grumbled.
"I'm sorry," he said innocently. She glared at him and sighed.
"There's a whole plate up there for the taking Martin," David said. He looked over at him pretending to yawn.
"But I'm too lazy."
"Men," the four sisters groaned.
"But you love us anyway right honey?" Kevin asked sweetly.
"I'm still trying to remember why I have this ring on my finger," she teased.
"Aw geez Luce. That really hurt," he said painfully while everyone around him laughed.
"Big ego," she mumbled.
"Don't they all," Ruthie agreed eyeing Martin who only kept up the innocent act.
"Mom, why do we put up with them exactly?" Mary asked.
"It's love sweetie. Somehow that pushes us through," she smiled.
"Some days it's like we have to be shoved," Sarah said with a sigh.
"Uh huh," all the women agreed. Their respected partners looked at them curiously.
"Am I really that difficult Annie?" Eric asked.
"There are some days where I just sit and wonder," she said.
"There are also those days when you just want to shove their heads in the toilet," Mary said.
"So that's why you watch me like a hawk when I clean the bathrooms," Carlos said.
"You just don't clean it well enough," she said patting his arm.
"Hey at least I try," he said.
"Yes you do and I love you for it," she smiled leaning her head against his shoulder.
"Yay I'm loved," he said.
"Somehow we all are man," Martin said. "Somehow they find a way to forgive us even when we think we've screwed up for good," he said smiling down at Ruthie. She smiled playing with his fingers under the table.
"Ain't that the truth," Carlos agreed.
"Papa I'm tired," Charlie yawned.
"You can go lay him down in Mary's old room," Annie told him. Carlos nodded getting up.
"Coming love?" he asked offering his free arm to Mary. She shook her head leaning back against the chair.
"No I think I'm going to catch up with my sisters for a little while."
"Okay let me know if you need anything," he said turning around.
"Oh Carlos before you go…" Simon called behind him. "Would you mind helping me move in from the apartment?"
"Sure let me go tuck him in and I'll be right out," he said carrying an already asleep Charlie up the stairs.
"Kev I think Savannah's falling asleep," Lucy laughed. Sure enough Savannah head was hanging sleepily in her seat. Kevin laughed before collecting her.
"You know where the playpen is," Eric said. He nodded before going out the door.
"We should go check on Aaron," Ruthie said. Martin nodded and got up to collect their plate.
"Why don't you boys go start unpacking?" Annie suggested.
"Okay," they agreed and ran up with suitcases in hand.
"We'll wait for you here Ruth. Then we can catch up on some much needed girl talk," Mary told her. She smiled and nodded before following Martin up.
Once the two had gone upstairs they were met with the gentle whimpers of Aaron's restless slumber. Quietly they both reached the crib and Martin carefully took him out rocking him for a couple of minutes before he finally reached a peaceful sleep again. Setting him down gently Ruthie re-covered him running her fingers through his hair affectionately.
"He looks so peaceful," she whispered.
"Yes he does," Martin agreed. Seeing as they were standing only inches apart they felt the invisible magnets of attraction pull at them again. Pulling her away from where Aaron slept Martin ran his tongue along her lip where she almost instantly allowed access. Soon they both found themselves moaning with need. The short walk to the bed had never been more appreciated. The bed soon joined in with a gentle rocking motion as the two played another round of what had now become their favorite sport. Keeping as quiet as they could the hunger grew both soon lost in the little world they had created. A world that could only hold the two of them.
Sam was just reaching the first step to come down for his second suitcase when he heard noise coming from Martin's room. It sounded as though Ruthie was in pain. Quickly he raced down the steps in search of Annie.
"Mom, Mom. There's something wrong with Ruthie. Come quick!" he called as he reached the kitchen. As soon as he uttered those words everything was dropped. The girls coming from one direction, boys from the other. in no time they were all gathered in front of Martin's door with Annie gripping the door tightly.
"Ruthie!" she called. "Are you alright?" Not bothering to wait for a reply the door swung open to reveal a perfectly fine Ruthie. In fact from the looks of it she was more than okay.
"What's going on?" Both sets of eyes landed quickly on Mary.
"Nothing," they both chimed innocently catching their ragged breaths.
A/N: Alrighty guys. There we go! Another chapter for your reading pleasure. How'd we do here? Good, bad? Let me know!