Shine For Me

[-ParaisGal-]

Martha was pretty embarrassed lol!

[-ParaisGal-]

Chapter Two

“Twirl.” Tash instructed her friend. Tasha was helping Martha get ready for her date with Jack. She was due there in fifteen minutes and she was really nervous.

“Is it too much? What if it’s just pizza and beer in front of the telly?” She asked, nervous.

“You’re fine. It can go either way.” She reassured her friend.

“Alright. Ruby’s with grandad, so we should be fine. I’ll pick her up after the date, so we’ll see how this goes.” She said, breathing out a spurt of air.

“Yes, you should be fine. I could even have minded Ruby, she’s no trouble and she’d be good company for Ella. Ella likes having friends, except Ruby’s more of a tomboy.” She said, smiling.

“Yes, Ruby is a tomboy. She loves dirt, mud and animals.” She said with a laugh “That my daughter for you.” She said, smiling.

Tash looked smugly at Martha “I told you that Jack would ask you out on a date.” She teased her friend.

“Yes, you were right Tash. How many times must I say that?” She demanded.

“A few more.” Tash admitted.

“Right, well I’m going!” She declared, heading out the door and hurrying to Jack’s house.

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“I’m here.” She called softly through the house, she was greeted by Jack emerging from one of the rooms.

“Hey.” Jack said, smiling at her “How are you?” He asked, coming over to her.

“I’m good, how are you?” She asked, removing her bag and jacket.

He took her stuff and smiled at her “I’ll put it in my room.” He told her, as he headed out to another room.

Martha smiled at his retreating frame. He was so courteous, and she loved it. She was surprised when she heard a familiar voice call her “Ruby!” She exclaimed, surprised.

Jack smiled as he headed back into the room, Ruby trailing him “I heard you’d left her with your grandfather so I told Alf to bring her over. I should probably get to know her.” He said, smiling as he picked up Ruby.

Martha was shocked. Well, pleasantly shocked “You would have to be one of the first guys willing to accept a child that wasn’t theirs.” She told him, still stunned.

“I’m willing to accept her. More than willing, actually.” He stated, still holding the girl “I’ve got food cooking for Ruby and food cooking for us.” He called, after putting the child down.

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“That was delicious.” She said, smiling at Jack. She couldn’t believe her luck, she had the most caring guy in the world who accepted Ruby effortlessly, at first she’d thought that he’d be using her but now she knew that wasn’t true and she was relieved, she knew her and Jack were growing closer every minute.

“I’m glad you liked it.” Jack said as he took their plates away to the counter and placed them in the sink.

“I didn’t like it I loved it.” She said honestly.

“Thanks.” He said smiling at her.

Martha checked her watch, watching as Jack began playing with Ruby. Passersby would think that Jack was her dad, but most the Bay knew by now that he wasn’t. A lot of people wondered the outcome of Martha and Jack’s relationship, wondering if it would be a long-term or a short-term, nobody knew for sure “I’d better go.” She said quietly, getting up as she reached to take Ruby.

“Thanks for coming.” He said, smiling at her “We’ll see how we go.” He added, the smile still on his face.

“We will. I think we’re going somewhere.” She admitted.

“So do I.” He said, and hesitantly leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss.

She felt his lips brush hers, and she smiled at him when he’d backed away “We’re definitely going somewhere.” She said, a large smile plastered across her face.

“Really?” He asked, thrilled. He leaned in, again, and this time they both joined in the kiss. He reluctantly moved away, knowing full well that Martha had Ruby in her arms.

“Yes, really.” She said, her face bright with joy.

“So, are we an item?” He asked slowly.

“If that’s what you want.” She said, nearly going shy.

“Yes, but if it isn’t what you want-” He began.

“It is, Jack.” She told him “If you’re sure that you can accept Ruby then yes.” She told him.

“I’m sure I can. I already have, Martha.” He said softly.

“Cya.” She said, giving him another kiss.

He waved goodbye to her as he watched her put Ruby in the car, and drive off. He smiled to himself, they were definitely going somewhere.

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Martha sighed a 3 months later as she looked at her bank statement. It was pretty low, but she couldn’t manage a real job. She hadn’t gotten a full education, and she worked in Noah’s, but that wasn’t giving her enough. She only just managed to scrape through, and she needed to buy some groceries. All up, she had around $60, and that wasn’t much for a woman with a growing baby. She knew she’d have to ask her grandad for more shifts, but was beginning to wonder what to do with Ruby when she had shifts, she couldn’t keep asking people to mind her that just wasn’t fair on them, leaving them with a three year old child. She scratched her head, wondering what to do. She noticed Colleen Smart heading towards her, one person who didn’t like Martha was Colleen.

“Are you finished.” She asked her “If you are we need the table.” She said bluntly.

“Yes, I’m done.” She said, as Jack came in. She gave him a smile as she got up, waving in apology as she headed out, unbeknownst to her she’d left her statement behind.

Jack noticed the piece of paper left on the table, and noticed it was a statement. He got a shock when he realised how little money Martha must have. He followed her “Martha!” He called out to her, fumbling with her car keys.

“Yeah?” She asked her boyfriend, looking up at him.

“You left this behind.” He said gently to her, handing her the piece of paper.

Martha turned red, grabbing the piece of paper “Thanks.” She mumbled.

“Is that all the money you have?” He asked her “Don’t dodge the question.” He said quietly.

“Yeah.” She muttered, horribly embarrassed.

“Don’t be embarrassed.” He said gently, wrapping his arms around her in a hug “It doesn’t matter if you don’t have much money.” He told her.

“Of course it matters Jack, I’m doing as much work as I can. Josh and I used to have money, before we had to spend every cent on his funeral.” She said with a sigh “We had nearly five thousand dollars, practically all that went for his funeral. I’ve had to do what little jobs I can since then. I’ve just got the diner job.” She said, sighing “I’ve got to buy groceries today as well.” She said, looking at the little piece of paper.

“I can help.” He offered her.

“No Jack.” She said firmly “I’m not your responsibility.” She told him point blank.

“Yes you are.” He said softly, his arms still around her “You’re my girlfriend and I love you and Ruby to death.” He said, then realised what he said.

She pulled back “You love us?” She asked, her voice quivering.

“Yeah.” He said, starting to wish he could take it back.

Her face broke into a grin “I love you to!” She squealed, throwing her arms around him.

“Good, which is why you are my responsibility.” He said firmly “I’m coming shopping with you and I’m paying.” He told her.

“Jack, I can’t ask-”

“You’re not asking, I’m telling. Now get in the car, Ruby’s waiting.” He ordered her, heading into the passenger seat.

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“You really didn’t have to do that.” She said, as Jack put his credit card back into his wallet.

“Yes I did. It wasn’t that much.” He said.

“Yes it was, it was nearly $140 worth!” She exclaimed.

“That’s not much. I have a lot of money, I’ve been working since I was 15 and now I’m 25. Got heaps of savings.” He explained, wrapping his arm around her.

“Thank you, it means a lot.” She said honestly.

“Don’t mention it. I love you, Martha, you and Ruby so never forget that.” He told her.

“I love you too.” She said, leaning into him as they walked to the car, Ruby in the trolley.

NEXT CHAPTER: Will everyone in the bay remain safe as a wild cyclone rips through it?

PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW!

[gawguss_tiff]

Aww that was soo aweet paris i loved it lol Jack is such a sweety and i love Ruby yay she's a tomboy lol how cute lol

poor martha not having any money at least helped her out this fic is sooo great i love it update ASAP lol

<3 Tiff

[-lolly-]

*squeals* Jack is so sweet Poor Martha though not having much money and having a young child to take care of, lucky she has Jack! Ohh a cyclone can't wait for that. No one had better get hurt though...

[Adia]

Yay! Another fic by you! I absolutely love your writing!

Oh my god, how cute is Jack! I think I am actually blushing from reading how sweet he is! I like how he can bond so quickly with little kids, although how could you not? Great chapter, I can't wait for the cyclone bit! Please update soon!

[Tasha]

yay another fic by Paris. Great chapters girl. Jack is so sweet. BUt a cyclone, please dont tell me either Jack or Martha will end up in hospital

Please update soon

[gawguss_tiff]

argh paris i didnt see the part about the cyclone argh

i hope jack martha AND ruby are all ok cause otherwise me

and tasha will have to come after you again right tash? lol

update ASAP

[Nicom]

Aww! They're going somewhere!

[baby gurl]

aaaaawwwww that was very CUTE, SWEET and dam right GREAT!!!. please update soon.....i thought jack was kind of cocly when he said he has lots of money....but thats just me!!

[Sarah_Lewis]

Awesome fan fic Tiff i think? update soon