A/N: Chapter 18! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I still own nothing but Tiffany.
"Your son?" T-Bone asked shocked. Both Martin and Ruthie turned to face him. Seeing the disbelieving look that crossed his face Ruthie smiled. "Wow how long was I out exactly? Last I remember it takes about nine months to have a baby," he said. Ruthie sighed rolling her eyes. If only he'd been out for that long she thought.
"No you were only out for a few days," she said.
"Really? Wow, you move fast. If I didn't know any better I'd say you were the cheater," he laughed.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ruthie asked glaring. T-Bone huffed from his chair impatiently.
"I caught you at dinner with someone who wasn't me," he said.
"Do I really need to explain this to you again? Martin took me out to dinner and a movie as friends. You're the one who blew it totally out of proportion."
"Yeah well you just left me standing outside the Promenade. Did you even remember I was there? I'm thinking not considering you didn't even look at me. No, you had eyes for Martin. They were always for Martin," he growled.
"No if you had half the brain I think you do you'd understand that the reason we ran had absolutely nothing to do with you. We rushed home to a sick baby who almost died!" she seethed.
"You've changed a lot haven't you? I remember you telling me you hated the kid."
"Your brain really is the size of a kidney bean isn't it?" she laughed. "I could never hate an innocent baby. He doesn't deserve that. I needed to move on from the idea of Martin. I couldn't even think about a relationship with a guy who told me over and over again he didn't love me romantically."
"Oh so you used me?"
"I didn't use you. If anything you're the one who used me. Why, I don't know. I gave you my reason. You never had the decency to tell me you were in a relationship!"
"Neither did you!"
"Why would I have to? I wasn't in any relationship at the time."
"Oh so this was your entire little scheme then. Get all pissed at me about our anniversary. I bet you anything your mom helped you plan the hospital visit too, huh?"
"The hospital visit was all too real. Don't go blaming Ruthie for any of this," Martin said angrily.
"Why shouldn't I? She's the one who didn't pick up when I called to apologize. I called six times and still got no answer!" As the tension and volume of the argument rose, Aaron whimpered loudly. T-Bone could only glare at the little boy who clung to Ruthie in fear. This baby wasn't even hers and she was defending him over her own boyfriend.
"Shh Aaron. It's okay honey," she whispered. "Why don't you go snuggle with Daddy for a little while until Mommy finishes here?" she suggested handing him to Martin who took him while narrowing his eyes at T-Bone. Repositioning himself against Martin he kept hold of her finger and Ruthie smiled gently, unwrapping it and placing on Martin's chest.
"You actually let him call you that?" he laughed.
"Of course I do," Ruthie said.
"Why? You never even gave birth to him. Not to mention you're still my girlfriend," he said angrily.
"We've gone over this not even a half hour ago. We're done. I'm not your girlfriend anymore. I didn't realize how desperate I was until now. I mean you got another girl pregnant behind my back and then lied to me about it!"
"I never lied to you, you idiot. I found you in the arms of another man!"
"Okay that's it. I will not stand by and let you call Ruthie an idiot! She is nowhere near anything of that nature. I'm surprised. Those words came from the man who's supposed to love her," he growled. "And to think that she has your name displayed across her lower back to show you how much she cared about you!"
"Cheater," he mumbled.
"Excuse me?" Ruthie asked.
"You heard me. The minute we get into our first real fight you go running as fast as your little legs will carry you to Martin. I call you begging for the chance to apologize. I hear from your mom that you're in the hospital."
"The last part's entirely true," Ruthie said.
"Yeah well I was worried sick about you. I didn't even get a chance to hear the full story. I booked it over here to see if you were okay. Less than two inches separated you two! You were hugging him!"
"Yeah it's called comforting a friend, smart one," Martin said. "My son was in the hospital almost dead. I was frantic. Of course what do you know about frantic? You've never had to look out for anyone but yourself!"
"Yeah well growing up on the streets wasn't exactly all that pleasant. But what do you know about struggle? You've always had everything play right into your hands!"
"I know an awful lot. More than you will ever know so don't go thinking that you're the only one with problems."
"Oh like what? Spreading your legs for some random chick and creating a baby? Oh yeah that's painful," T-Bone said sarcastically.
"I wouldn't speak too quickly Theodore. If I remember correctly you're about to become a Daddy too," Ruthie shot back. She smiled when she saw his face pale.
"Hard to hear the truth out loud isn't it?" Martin smirked.
"I…I…I had no idea," he finally said.
"Oh of course you didn't," Ruthie said sarcastically. "The last thing you want to do is deny your child. It's not fair to him or her which ever one you're blessed with."
"I've grown up without a father for the majority of my life. It's thanks to the Camdens that I'm even here talking to you," Martin said.
"They took me in too remember?" he shot back.
"Yeah they did. That's just because of who they are as people. They don't turn away anyone in need," Martin said.
"This how you repay me Ruthie? You show me you care by letting me see you with someone else, get worried sick about you. Oh and let's not forget the desperate need to come here and check on you. From what I saw you were doing perfectly fine. You're the reason I ran out into the street, the reason I slept for three days!"
"She had nothing to do with you meeting pavement and being run over! That just comes from your inability to look both ways before crossing," Martin said. "It's a basic rule of thumb."
"How is this my fault?" he asked.
"Oh god it's like we're spinning circles," Martin growled.
"You kept the truth from me. I was out sick for one day and you think it's perfectly okay to find another one. One that for some reason thinks she came before me. Truthfully I'll let her believe that. It's better than fighting someone who's not even worth the energy," she sighed.
"I don't even remember that happening! How am I supposed to tell you something that in my mind never happened?"
"Were you drunk that night? That's the only way you wouldn't be able to remember anything!"
"And what if I was? My girlfriend wasn't going to have stress relieving sex with me all because of her stupid morals. What else was I supposed to do?" he asked.
"Is that really your only relief? Sex? If that's true then you were only lying to yourself about loving me. If you did at all you'd respect the fact that giving myself to you was not going to happen."
"Oh right because you were saving yourself for Martin!"
"No I was saving myself for my husband. I'll be over the moon when I can call him my husband but until then he knows to wait for me," Ruthie said smiling up at Martin who had his free arm around her waist.
"Not that he did the same for you."
"We all have a lapse of judgment. Sure it upset me that he cracked but that's what love is. Willing to forgive. We won't forget it but we'll look past it," Ruthie said taking Aaron who was now awake, from Martin.
"Hi sweetie. Did you sleep well," she smiled. He responded by smiling sleepily.
"So you admit it then. You never loved me. I was just a replacement. Boy do I feel used."
"You were never used," Martin said. "She was hoping to love you but it just didn't work," he finished.
"Oh don't lie to yourself. She belonged to you from day one! She's even willing to be a mother to your big mistake," he said.
"Okay I'm only going to say this once so you better listen well. My little boy is nothing but a blessing to me and my family," Ruthie growled holding Aaron to her protectively.
"Your little boy? I'm shocked that you yourself could lie to me for so long. You are a two timing little bitch," he laughed.
"What did I tell you about your language?" Ruthie snapped covering Aaron's little ears quickly. She didn't even get a reply because as quickly as the words left her mouth she saw Martin punch T-Bone in the face.
"Try that again and I'll do more than give you a little punch in the face!" Martin yelled.
"Oh but it's true," he laughed cradling his newly bruised jaw. "Look at her. Already playing Mommy to the kid. All while pretending to love me. And she calls me the cheater. Can't look past your own mistakes, can you?" he said to Ruthie.
"This has nothing to do with mistakes. I've made my own over the years and I've admitted to them. At least I didn't go behind your back and sleep with someone else!"
"Oh how can I believe you? You've been lying to me since the very beginning."
"I guess two can play at that game then huh? Oh wait you're playing by yourself because I never lied to you."
"Those nights when you said I couldn't come over because you were studying were all just a story weren't they. Instead you went over to play Mommy dearest. I wonder how his real mom felt about that."
"If it weren't for Ruthie he wouldn't even have a mother of any kind!"
"What, she ran off too? Couldn't stand the idea that you couldn't love her. You had your eyes on Ruthie this whole time. Yeah I bet you that's why she ran for the hills."
"She ran away from her responsibilities. That's what she ran from. Don't you dare do the same to your kid." All heads shot up hearing the unmistakable approach of six inch heels.
"He wont. Unlike you he actually cares about people!" Tiffany snapped.
"I care about people. Most importantly I care about my family."
"Oh look they're already acting as if they're married," she said snidely.
"We don't have to be to love each other," Martin said. "We don't have to have rings on our fingers to be a family."
"Speaking of which I want mine back," T-Bone said. Ruthie shrugged unzipping the diaper bag quickly.
"I have to do something really quickly okay?" she whispered to Aaron. Turning to Martin she handed him over before stomping over to the two of them. "Take it!" she growled. "I don't need anything from you!" With that she threw it at him satisfied when it hit him in the eye. "I may not be a rich snob but I'm worth a whole lot more than you're willing to give me, which isn't very much. Who knows maybe Tiffany wants it," she said facing the blond.
"You gave her a ring?" Tiffany asked incredulous.
"Oh yeah he did. A promise ring. Of course that kind of fell flat considering he didn't really keep it."
"I kept it for as long as I could. A guy can only wait so long!" T-Bone exclaimed.
"I'm still waiting," Martin pointed out. "Waiting until she's ready. Giving her time to call the shots on her own terms."
"Good luck. It's going to be a hell of a long wait," he laughed.
"In the mean time we'll show our love in different ways. Being involved with someone doesn't always have to do with the physical aspects," Ruthie said.
"It's the most important."
"It's also the most treasured part of a person. Give it to someone who loves you enough to wait until you're ready to take that step. Oh wait you already have. I really hope you both live long happy lives together," Ruthie said.
"Hey don't walk away from me!" T-Bone called. Within seconds he had caught up to her. Ruthie could feel him coming closer now. She didn't have enough time to run before the leg rest rammed into her ankle. She gasped trying her hardest not to cry as pain shot through her. Martin was there within seconds wrapping his free arm around her. Seeing Ruthie doubled over in pain Aaron let out a sharp cry. Ruthie cried even harder when she noticed the blood trickling. Looking up quickly Sarah ran over taking Ruthie from Martin gently and leading her over to a chair.
"Shh buddy Mommy's going to be okay," he whispered. Aaron dug his flushed face into Martin's shoulder crying out desperately.
"Ma-ma!"
"I know Aaron. She got hurt really bad but Auntie Sarah's going to make her all better," he promised.
"What the heck happened?" Sarah cried.
"The jerk rammed into her!" Martin growled.
"I'm calling security," she said finally.
"No Sarah, don't. I'm fine," Ruthie told her.
"No you're not Ruth. These cuts are huge! Sam call third floor security," she hollered to her station partner. The nurse nodded quickly. Within seconds dark suited men were jogging over to the scene.
"Take him to his room, please," Sarah said quickly before examining Ruthie's injuries.
"Which one?" a burly man asked.
"That jerk in the chair," Martin said angrily. They both nodded directing both Tiffany and T-Bone back to his room.
"It's the least she deserves for what she did to me!" he called.
"Oh go to hell!" Martin shot back. As soon as the halls were cleared Martin took a seat next to Ruthie wiping away the fallen tears with the pad of his thumb. At his gentle touch she fell apart.
"It hurts Martin," she whimpered. He let rage take him momentarily before calmly playing with her hair.
"I know baby," he whispered.
"Hold me please," she pleaded.
"You know I will. Just let Sarah get you cleaned up first," he said. She nodded sadly placing her head on his shoulder. He quietly rubbing circles in her back as her wounds were being cleaned.
"Okay Ruth this is going to sting a little okay?" Sarah warned her. She nodded gripping Martin's hand tightly. She winced when the alcohol met open flesh.
"Hey look at me, okay?" he said gently. She nodded looking only at him. He cupped her cheek kissing her gently. She returned it feverishly letting the world dissolve around them.
"All done sweetie. I'll go see if Matt has a minute to come wrap these up okay?" Sarah said softly. Ruthie nodded hobbling over to Martin's lap where he promptly wrapped his arms around her.
"No wait Sarah you don't have to have Matt do it. Anyone's just fine," she whispered.
"He'll kill me if he's the last one to know you were hurt Ruthie. You and I both know that. He's always got a free minute for you."
"Okay but only if he's not busy," she said leaning against Martin.
"He won't be," she promised.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Anytime hon," she said she said patting her leg before she rose with a little bit of difficulty.
"Okay that's it. I'm rounding up the boys. He doesn't deserve to be conscious!" Martin said.
"My Superman," she smiled.
"Always and forever," he whispered. Ruthie looked up when she saw Aaron's bottom lip start to tremble.
"Ooh come here big guy," she smiled. In seconds Aaron had crawled into her lap whimpering quietly. "I'm okay honey," she told him. He didn't seem to like that answer because he held on to her more tightly. "Auntie and Daddy made me all better," she smiled through her tears. His chubby little hand caressed her dampened cheeks as he snuggled into her. "Thank you baby. Just what I needed," she said kissing his hair.
"Alright who needs my amazing mummy wrapping skills?" Matt called coming up to the little family.
"That would be me," Ruthie laughed. Matt's face quickly fell when he saw the amount of skin the temporary gauze pads covered.
"What happened to you little sister? Did you cut yourself shaving again?"
"Look at the size of the cut genius. Does it look like that much blood would come from a blade?" she asked rolling her eyes. Matt let out a low whistle as he gently removed the covering to inspect.
"She had a not so pleasant encounter with a foot rest," Martin said.
"Wow you really did a number on yourself here," he said quietly.
"He ran into me with the chair," she said.
"Who did?" he asked curiously.
"T-Bone," she said. Anger quickly rose on her big brother's face, free hand clenched beside him.
"Shame he's already in the hospital," he grumbled. "Although I could find a way to stick him in ICU…"
"Why don't we just deport him like Carlos suggested?" Martin asked.
"Not enough time. I'm kinda getting paid by the hour here. We could talk about it when I get off though."
"This guy shouldn't even be within ten feet of her," Sarah mumbled.
"I agree," Matt said wrapping the last of the tenser bandage around her calf. "Now as your doctor and your brother I'm going to suggest you take things lightly for a couple days. Those cuts aren't small and putting too much pressure on them could make them worse. I'll look at them when I get home and redress the leg, okay?"
"That means you're on duty tonight," Ruthie smiled at Martin.
"We'll see how he likes that," Martin said.
"Ooh does this mean I get dinner in bed?" she asked excitedly.
"Maybe," Martin chuckled.
"Alright, alright leave already before you start making out in public," Matt said.
"Like we haven't already," Ruthie whispered with a smile.
"Okay I really didn't need to picture that. I'm going to go try and work now," he said, a look of disgust crossing his face. Martin and Ruthie shared a smile before turning back to him.
"Thank you Matt," Ruthie said.
"No problem. Next time you have a problem with him have them page me, alright? I want to see this guy for myself and give him a few lifelong injuries."
"I'll call home and warn Mom and Dad," Sarah said walking over to the nurse's station.
"And you better be careful. Don't over-work yourself," Matt whispered placing a gentle kiss on her lips. Sarah nodded and smiled.
"And you tell us not to make out in public," Martin laughed. "Isn't there some rule about not mixing personal lives with work?"
"Just go. I'll see you two at home," Matt grumbled.
"Uh huh," they said together.
"Go before I decide to charge Mom and Dad's insurance," he laughed.
"Wow. You're not helping me out of the goodness of your heart?" she asked faking hurt. Matt rolled his eyes before walking away. Martin smiled thanking Sarah one more time before carrying them out to the car.
***
When they came through the front door the three boys sat waiting with angry looks on their faces. Why am I not surprised? Ruthie thought.
"I've already called boarder patrol. They're waiting for us to hall him and his sorry butt across to the next country," Kevin said.
"You gonna make him wear the sombrero?" Ruthie laughed.
"No, he doesn't get the privilege," Carlos growled.
"Okay well while you guys plan his death I'll be upstairs," Ruthie said. "Martin if you please would take me to bed?" Ruthie asked.
"Planning to give Aaron a little brother or sister already, are we?" Kevin asked.
"No you idiot! Matt said to stay off my feet for a couple of days. I might consider taking a nap," she said.
"Of course you are," he drawled. Ruthie rolled her eyes as Martin walked over to the couch. He had a pretty good idea of what she wanted to do. He himself wanted to do it as well. When she got low enough she cradled Aaron with one arm whacking Kevin soundly with the other one. She smiled, satisfied when she saw him grimace.
"Okay ow. How did you know…?" he asked not even bothering to finish his question.
"We make a pretty good team don't we?" Ruthie laughed. Martin nodded laughing.
"What is with this family and all you women hitting your husbands or boyfriends?" Simon laughed.
"How else do you think they behave themselves?" Ruthie asked.
"You don't have to bruise us to get your point across. What ever happened to a short lecture telling us we did wrong?" Kevin asked.
"I think it's too much work for them," Carlos said. Ruthie nodded enthusiastically.
"This is easier. It takes less time," she said.
"And they wonder why we don't remember anything…" Carlos said.
"Yeah. It's because they're killing all of our brain cells!" Kevin yelled outraged.
"Well if you would just stop being stupid then maybe your heads would suffer less," Ruthie pointed out.
"Hey you don't whack Martin in the head! He should suffer along with the rest of us!" Kevin said.
"I happen to not be as stupid as the rest of you apparently," he laughed.
"I have my ways of keeping him under control," Ruthie smirked.
"Okay stop right there. I don't need to know," Carlos said with a shudder. They both laughed as they made their way upstairs.
"Don't do something we wouldn't do!" Kevin called.
"That's not saying much!" Ruthie shot back.
"I think I'm scarred for life," Simon groaned.
"Join the club man. Join the club," Carlos said.
***
Making their way upstairs they couldn't help laughing together. They both stopped as soon as Aaron squirmed in Ruthie's arms letting out a boisterous cry. Ruthie's brow creased in worry. Just as quickly she turned to Martin.
"Put me down and get him a bottle," she told him. He nodded not even asking how she knew that. "Shh sweetheart. Dinner's coming," she said gently while running her fingers through his hair. Holding him close she offered him her pinky which he took to instantly. "I know it's not food but we'll just wait a couple of minutes," she said quietly. Just then Martin jogged through the door holding his hands out to take him. She shook her head and smiled bringing the bottle to his lips.
"Am I being replaced here?" Martin asked sadly.
"No, we just need some snuggle time, don't we?" she asked smiling down at Aaron.
"You guys have had a lot of that lately," he said. "Soon enough there's going to be none left for me," he pouted.
"We'll always have enough snuggle time for Daddy wont we?" she asked. Aaron smiled in reply before taking the bottle back.
"See? You're not being replaced," she said reassuringly.
"Just remember buddy. When you get old enough I'm going to be the one to teach you to play. Then for sure you'll need me," he said.
"Remember that sandwich you promised but never made?" she asked. He nodded. "Would you mind making me that now?" she asked with a small pout to her lip.
"You know you don't have to do that," he smiled kissing her lips lightly.
"I like to. I hear it makes me look cute," she said.
"You already are," he whispered. Ruthie shivered momentarily before glaring at the door. "Alright already I'm going, I'm going," he said quickly backing out. "You don't have to tell me twice."
"Daddy's silly isn't he?" she smiled tickling Aaron's chin lightly. The grin widened when she heard a giggle pass his lips.
"Okay enough with the fun stuff. It's time to get serious. I really don't know how to feel right now. Remember that guy Mommy was talking to earlier?" Aaron only blinked. "Well see the thing is that he hurt me a lot. Not just on the outside but on the inside. I found him with another girl. Okay well I didn't see them together but I found out he's having a baby with her. Now this is a long time before I got back together with your Daddy. Not that we were together before but that's a story for another time. Anyway that's why I was so mad before. He wasn't telling me the truth. I'll tell you right now that the truth is the only way to get anywhere honestly in life. Remember that," she said rubbing his temple.
"When I found out he wasn't being honest with me, well Mommy got really mad. What really hurt was he didn't believe me. He still thinks we're together but I told him no. Do you want to know why I told him no?" He cooed quietly. "He said a few things about you and Daddy that were really mean. I wasn't just going to stand there and take it either. Ask anyone in this family and they'll tell you I fight tooth and nail for anyone that I love. I'll fight extra hard for you, always," she whispered.
"No one gets away with hurting you, ever," she said kissing his forehead. "But I still don't know what to do. Was Mommy fair?"
"Of course Mommy was fair," Martin said stepping in placing the sandwich on the night stand. Ruthie looked up and smiled at him. "If it wasn't for the fact that we were in a hospital I would have killed him."
"No you wouldn't have. Killing is wrong," she pointed out.
"Yeah well he doesn't get out scot free for what he did."
"I'm sure Uncle Matt's having fun at work today," she laughed.
"It'll be a miracle if he keeps his job," Martin said.
"Oh I'm sure he did. Matt has his way around things," she said. "Come cuddle with us. Bring the food please," she said pointing at his empty space.
"What if they come looking for us? Kevin already thinks we're adding another branch to the family tree."
"It's Kevin," she said rolling her eyes.
"Yes, your brother the ex cop," he pointed out.
"He also happens to be the one who paints his nails and dances around in a grass skirt," she said.
"Good point," he laughed walking over to them. Aaron smiled crawling over to Martin. "Oh so now I'm wanted," he laughed. He only proved him right by smiling at his father from his place in Marin's arms.
"You're always wanted," Ruthie whispered.
"Just hopefully never by the cops," he smirked.
"There's us," she pointed out laying her head on his shoulder. "Do we count?"
"You know you do. The two most important people in my life," he whispered kissing Ruthie tenderly.
***
Turning off the TV he threw the remote down angrily. How dare they he thought. He felt his blood pressure rise as he resisted the urge to punch something. He had to fix this. He had to fix this and soon. Feverishly he dialed a familiar number, waiting impatiently for the other side to pick up. When they finally did he growled loudly.
"I need your help."
A/N: There we go! Let me know how this one went please!