A/N: This is the final chapter of this story! I hope that it ends the way everyone wants it to. Thank you to everyone who read and responded with such enthusiasm! (You kept me wanting to write!) Please look for more as I will get started on my next project soon!

Martin stared at the beautiful dress draped over the upholstered armchair. He hadn't lied; Ruthie looked absolutely gorgeous in that dress. But she looked even more gorgeous now, covered only in a white sheet, her swept-up hair coming loose, draped over the fluffy pillow.

Ruthie stirred. She opened her eyes and found Martin, head propped up on one arm, staring down at her. She smiled and snuggled close to him.

"You okay?" he asked softly.

"Better than okay. Thank you for the most wonderful night of my entire life," she exclaimed.

"Is that just the champagne talking?" Martin asked with a grin.

Ruthie stretched. "You fooled everyone, you know?"

Martin shrugged. "It's no one's business but ours."

"This is going to change everything, you know?" Ruthie pointed out.

"I'm okay with that," Martin said, laying down beside Ruthie and gathering her naked body close to his. "If it means that I get to do this with you anytime I want to."

Ruthie giggled. "You're a very naughty boy, you know that?"

"And it's what you love about me," Martin laughed.

They shared a long, lingering kiss. Could it be more perfect?

"So, Mrs. Brewer?"

"Yes, Mr. Brewer?"

Martin sighed. "You glad we waited?"

Ruthie bit into her bottom lip. "It was hard, but yes. Thank you for being so patient. I know that it couldn't have been easy."

Martin took Ruthie hand in his and kissed her palm. "Well worth the wait." He turned her hand over and played with the princess cut diamond engagement ring he had given her a year ago. Then he traced a finger around the gold band he had put there today.

"What are you thinking about?" Ruthie asked.

"Do you remember my prom night?" he asked.

Ruthie smiled. "How could I forget?"

"You look beautiful, Ruthie," Martin said swaying to the music as he held Ruthie close.

"You don't look so bad yourself!" she joked. "Thank you for making this night so memorable."

Martin looked at the door to the gym and sighed. "You wanna take a walk outside for a minute?"

Ruthie smiled and taking Martin's offered hand, she followed him out into the courtyard. The decorating committee had adorned this area with mini lights and flowers. The intercom played the same music you could dance to in the gym. It didn't feel like being at school, but in some tropical wonderland; a place where dreams come true and anything can happen.

Martin sat down at one of the tables, bringing Ruthie to join him. "I think that next year will be good, Ruthie."

"I think it will be great," she agreed.

"I love you," he whispered.

Martin had said the words so softly, Ruthie began to think he hadn't really said them at all. But he was looking at her, waiting for a response.

"I love you," Ruthie echoed.

Martin smiled and pulled Ruthie in for a soft kiss and a long hug. When they separated, Martin had his hand in his suit coat pocket and was pulling something out.

"I've wanted to tell you that for a really long time now, but it just never seemed like the right time. I didn't want you to think that I was saying it just to get something from you. I want you to know that I really do mean it. I know that things have been strained between us lately. We've been in situations where our strength in what we believe in has been tested. And I'm sure that you've felt a little upset that I haven't followed through."

Ruthie blushed. "I understand. It's just that…"

Martin shook his head. "I want to be with you Ruthie, more than anything, but I want it to be right. And nothing is more right than marriage."

Ruthie's eyes grew large. "You're not…?"

Martin started to laugh. "I'm not proposing here. Not yet. What I am proposing is that we wait until we are married. We can help each other with this. And as a symbol of our commitment, I bought us these."

Martin pulled two rings out of his pocket. "They're called 'purity rings' and they symbolize our commitment to waiting. I thought we could both wear them."

Ruthie smiled. "It's beautiful."

Martin reached back into his pocket. "So we agree that we're committed to waiting?"

Ruthie nodded her head, slipping the ring on her finger.

"Good. I also want you to know that I'm also committed to the day when you and I finally walk down the aisle and commit ourselves to each other forever." Martin took his hand out of his pocket and produced another ring. It had a small diamond in the center. "This is a promise ring, Ruthie. It's my promise to you that someday, when you and I are better prepared, we will get married. Will you take it?"

Ruthie was crying, unable to hold back the tears any longer. She nodded her head and let Martin slip the ring onto her waiting finger.

"This is the most perfect night of my entire life!" Ruthie said.

"If that night was the most perfect, how can tonight be?" Martin teased.

Ruthie entangled her hand with Martin's. "Tonight is the continuation of the most perfect night of my life and the beginning of always."

Please r&r.