Ruthie ran around the house frantically getting ready for Dylan's birthday. She couldn't believe it had been a year since he was born. It was hard with Martin working and her going to school but somehow they made it work. After the honeymoon they spent some time with the Camdens before flying back to home. Dylan was becoming more like Martin every day but he did pick up sneakiness from Ruthie.

Ruthie had noticed recent that the sun was treating Martin well; he definitely looked hot with his year round tan. Dylan had started talking bits and pieces; Ruthie smiled every time he would try to tell her something.

As Ruthie set up the decorations she heard the front door of the Camden house open and knew exactly who it was. She rushed into the foyer to see Martin who now plays for the Chicago White Sox. She hadn't seen him since she and Dylan went to his first game where he was starting.

"Martin!" She exclaimed.

She smiled as he made his way over to her picking her up while kissing her. She couldn't help but melt in his arms; she loved her husband and missed him terribly. But he loved playing baseball.

"I missed you." He whispered as he kissed her cheek.

"I'm really glad that you made it in time."

"I wouldn't miss my son's birthday for the world."

"How was the game?"

"We won."

"That's good." Lucy soon appeared with Dylan whose face lit up when he saw Martin standing with his arm around Ruthie.

"Hey buddy!" Martin pulled Dylan into his arms and lifted him in the air. "I missed you buddy."

As everybody settled into the living room Ruthie couldn't keep her eyes off of Martin. She had something to important to tell him and was waiting for the right moment.

After all of Dylan's presents had been opened everyone made their way into the kitchen to eat Martin was still holding Dylan when he saw Ruthie hanging back having a distant look in her eyes. Lucy took Dylan as Martin turned back towards Ruthie.

"Hey baby what's wrong?"

"Oh nothing."

"Something's bugging you."

"We have to talk." Martin winced thinking the worst. "No its not bad." She reassured as they walked out of the living room and out to the back yard. Ruthie sat down on the picnic table like she had done so many other times they needed to talk. She remembered all the times she and Martin would find their way out here when he was still living with them.

"So what's not bad that you have to tell me?" He was still holding her hand tracing circles with his thumb.

"I got a job offer."

"Ruthie that's great."

"But its not in Chicago its in New York."

"Oh."

"Yeah and I know that I can't ask you to give up your job because that's not fair."

"Ruthie."

"And I know that I should finish school but this job is too good to give up."

"Oh I know."

"But I don't know what to do. I mean it wouldn't be right for you to have to give up your dream job to be with me and it wouldn't be right. I guess I could always ask if I could work in Chicago…." Martin did the only thing he knew to shut her up; he kissed her. Ruthie moved so she was lying back on the picnic table with Martin slightly on top of her.

"Ruthie don't worry about it. We'll figure something out and it's not right for you to my job ahead of yours."

"But playing baseball is your dream."

"And this job is part of your dream."

"What are we gonna do?"

"I don't know, I mean I could always ask to be traded."

"You love the team I can't do that, I'll see if I can work in Chicago."

"But I love you and Dylan more. I would never put the team before you and him." He kissed her cheek. "Come on I'm hungry." He pulled her up and they walked back into the house.

Ruthie couldn't stop thinking about her job offer. She couldn't turn it down but she couldn't accept it. She was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Lucy sensed her distant behavior and asked Martin who just gave a "it's nothing important," answer.

After dinner Ruthie and Martin decided to take Dylan out for a walk down to get some ice cream. It was funny because all of the church ladies were out looking and pointing at them. Martin just put his arm around Ruthie and ran after Dylan.

They made a pretty good looking family. Granted Martin was usually on the road with the team which left Ruthie all alone but she would never make Martin quit to his job. Ruthie wasn't paying attention and Dylan and Martin tackled her to the ground. Ruthie was laughing as Dylan gave her a hug.

"Happy birthday Dylan." Martin looked down at Ruthie and Dylan and realized that he wasn't around as much. It was like he never got to see his family anymore, like baseball was his life.

"Hey D, how about you and mommy come to the game tomorrow?" Dylan's face glowed and he clapped his hands together.

That night after Martin had tucked Dylan into bed he walked back towards the bed where Ruthie was reading a book. He just slid into bed next to her watching her eyes scan the pages. He missed her, he missed being able to see her everyday, hold her, kiss, her, but he loved his job.

"I love you." She whispered breaking the seemingly awkward silence that had developed between them.

"I love you too." He sat up putting her book down. She stuck out her bottom lip at him as he leaned over and while turning the light off kissed her softly. "I sorry I'm not around as much."

"Don't be. I love watching you do what makes you happy. I don't want you being sorry for doing what you love, I have Dylan and when I get to see you its special. You're my husband and that won't change."

"I know but its just doesn't seem fair, its like I'm not pulling your weight."

"Baby you are pulling your weight. You're supporting your family and that is enough for me. I want you to be happy."

"But you should be happy too." She held up her ring finger examining the diamond.

"As long as I have this ring on my finger then I'm happy." She paused looking into the darkness. "I don't know if I'm gonna take the job I mean it would be like abandoning Dylan and I don't know if I can do that."

"Get some sleep; we'll talk about this in the morning." She laid her head on his chest as she fell asleep. Martin just smiled to himself; he was the luckiest man on earth.

That is the end of this story. I hope you guys enjoyed it and I'll be posting the other one soon. Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed this story.