Chapter 11

Hey guys I'm back with another chapter! Thanks so much for all your reviews last chapter! You guys are so sweet :) Thank you to all of my guest reviewers, sorry I can't reply to you because that's how it's set up but thank you all the same! PLEASE REVIEW and let me know what you think of this chapter! God Bless.

-Vegter999

Ruth's POV:

The next morning I awoke to the feeling of someone gently shaking me.

"Ruth, Ruth sweetheart wake up" Erik murmured.

I moaned and opened my eyes, noticing that it was still pretty early in the morning as the light streaming through the window was not yet filled with the sun.

I blinked a few times and gazed at Erik, who was kneeling down in front of me on the side of the bed.

"What wrong? You okay?" I moaned, struggling to keep my eyes open.

"Yes, listen I'm going into work early today."

"Why?"

He grinned warmly.

"So I can get home in time so we can have our special day of the month."

"But whose gonna watch the kids?"

"Naomi will. I called her last night after you went to bed while I was downstairs to help Torsten. She said she'd be happy to watch them."

My heart warmed at his thoughtfulness and caring and I gave him a sleepy smile.

"Then I shall see you tonight love."

"Yes but, before I go I have a surprise for you."

"Really?"

"Uh huh now close your eyes."

I glanced at him suspiciously.

"You'll like it I promise."

I sighed and sat up in bed, shutting my eyes.

"Good now keep them closed and no peeking."

I heard him move in the direction of the closet and a shuffling sound.

"Keep em closed...keep em closed..." he set something in my lap.

"Can I open them now?" I inquired.

I heard the bed squeak as he sat down upon it.

"Open" he replied.

I opened my eyes and there before me was a bag labeled Gucci. I peeked inside and gasped, glimpsing the most stunning, white purse I had probably ever seen. It had to have been worth 11,000* kroner at least.

"Oh Erik I can't take this it's too expensive."

"Ruth, not to brag or anything, but I'm one of the richest men in Norway. I think I can afford it."

I gave him a meaningful look.

"I didn't marry you for your money Erik" I took his hands in my own. "I married you for you."

"I know, but I still wanna spoil you. Take it." He pushed the bag towards me.

"I don't know I...just don't feel right about it. I don't wanna throw my wealth in other people's faces."

Erik snorted.

"What?! I'm being serious!" I exclaimed, feeling slightly irritated at his laughter.

"No, no I'm sorry" Erik patted my hand. "Your just so humble. Not many people are as considerate and modest as you and I love you for it."

"Erik..."

"Please take it Ruth. I felt bad for missing our special day yesterday and I kept picturing your sad face at work and I felt like a terrible husband so please take it."

"Erik, one missed date does not make you a bad husband and you most certainly do not have to buy me gifts to have or keep my affection!" I placed my hand on his cheek.

"I know but please take it. It'll make me feel better. Do it for me."

I sighed.

"Well, it is incredibly gorgeous...alright I'll keep it."

He kissed me.

"I love you Ruth."

"I love you too."

He gave me a soft grin and kissed me one more time before he dressed and headed out the bedroom door.

Torsten's POV:

"Good-bye boys" Mrs. Johanson, our friend Knut's mother, called as Erik and I raced our 12 and 9-year-old selves down the driveway into the night toward where Mamma and Pappa's car was waiting for us.

"Good-bye Mrs. Johanson" we stopped and called back in unison to Knut and his mother who were waving from the doorway.

Magnus honked at us to get a move on from the drivers side.

"Alright alright we're coming" Erik yelled back.

Erik and I scrambled towards the car and Erik tugged open the door to the backseat.

"You gys are thoo slow..." Magnus slurred as we settled ourselves in the backseat.

Erik and I glanced at each other.

"Um...are you feeling okay Magnus?" I asked.

"Are you drunk?" Erik asked.

"Noooo, I am fi, fi, fine" Magnus protested. "Let's goooo." He fumbled to put the keys in the ignition but was eventually able to start up the engine. He screeched out of the driveway and onto the road.

As we began cruising down the street, Magnus blinked a few times and lurched forward a little, causing the car to swerve sharply to the right and Erik and I were thrown wildly to the side even with our seatbelts on.

"What are you doing Magnus!" I exclaimed sharply, sitting back up.

"I thuld you I gooott thissss" he slurred, managing to get the car back on track.

He drove straight for about another minute before he spoke.

"See everyyyything is ok..." he blinked several times again.

"Magnus look out!" Erik cried, pointing at a large truck that was headed down the opposite lane, but it was too late as Magnus, due to his impairment, had swerved the car directly into it's path.

The last thing I saw were the bright headlights before we collided...

"Torsten! Torsten!" someone was shaking me awake.

My eyes snapped open and I glanced around me before looking up to see Erik hovering over me, a concerned expression written all over his face.

"Are you alright? You were tossing and turning and shouting in your sleep."

"Yeah I was just dreaming about...that night."

Sympathy filled Erik's eyes and I suddenly found myself angered.

"Don't look at me like that Erik! I don't need your pity! I've had enough of that to last a lifetime!" I roughly turned on my side facing away from him.

He didn't speak for several moments but I could still feel his gaze cutting into me.

Finally, he placed his hand on my shoulder and spoke.

"Torsten..."

"No just get out! Just go!" I yelled, shoving his hand away.

He sighed quietly.

"I'm here if you wanna talk" he continued calmly. Erik then planted a soft kiss on my head.

"I love you little brother." He then lifted himself from the bed and left the room, shutting the door softly behind him. Once I was absolutely sure he was gone, I burst into tears.

###

Ruth's POV:

After Erik had gone off to work I tried to get some further sleep, due to the fact that it was still too early to be waking the kids up anyway.

When my 8 am alarm went off, I switched it off and sat up, yawning and stretching. I threw the covers to the side and went straight to the dresser and pulled out my clothes for the day. Once I was dressed, I brushed through my hair and roused the kids before heating up some of the leftover pancakes from yesterday for them.

"Mamma where's Uncle Torsten?" Jakob inquired as I placed a plate in front of him.

"I...don't know sweetie. I'm sure he'll be here in a minute" I ruffled his hair and glanced towards Torsten's door.

While the kids proceeded to dig into their meals I made my way to Torsten's door.

"Torsten" I called, rapping gently on the door.

No answer.

"Torsten it's Ruth. There's breakfast on the table and I was wondering if you'd like to join us."

Still no answer.

"Torsten is everything ok?" I knocked a little harder just in case he hadn't heard me the first time.

Nothing.

I hesitantly cracked the door open, before slowly stepping into the room. Torsten was lying on his side in bed, his face smushed into the pillows.

"Torsten are you alright?"

He sniffled and slowly lifted his head to gaze at me. His eyes were red-rimmed and puffy from the shedding of tears.

"Are you alright?" I inquired again, yet I felt stupid for asking because obviously he had been crying and therefore was not alright.

"No, do I look alright!" he snapped, and I legitimately had to resist the urge not to take a step back as he had never spoken to me like that before. Ever.

Noticing my expression he softened slightly and sighed exhaustedly.

"Ruth, please just leave me alone." He dropped his head back on the pillow and I softly closed the door, still in shock and confusion about what just happened and feeling tears prickle my eyes as I went back to the kids.

###

Later in the afternoon when the kids were done with their homeschooling assignments I put a movie on for them and sat with them on the couch. All of a sudden my phone pinged with a text. I pulled the device out of the Gucci purse Erik had got me and glanced at the screen. It was from Torsten.

Torsten: Hey would you mind coming to my room to talk? :) I'm sorry I don't mean to be texting you from inside the house but I couldn't get to the door to call for you for obvious reasons.

Ruth: Sure, I'll be in in a minute.

I kissed the head of Annalise, who was sitting in my lap.

"Sweetheart, Mamma has to go talk to Uncle Torsten real quick ok" I placed her down on the couch.

"Jakob" I called.

Jakob turned his gaze towards me.

"Watch your sisters for a few minutes and don't leave the house without telling me ok."

"Ok" Jakob replied, before turning back to the TV screen.

I lifted myself from the sofa and padded to Torsten's room, knocking on the door.

"Come in" Torsten called.

I turned the knob and entered.

Torsten was up in bed with the pillows propping him up. He gave me a hesitant smile.

"Sit down please" he gestured to the bed. I quietly moved and sat on the edge, gazing at him and waiting for him to speak. He cleared his throat and seemed to be gathering his thoughts before finally he spoke.

"Ruth...um...look I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lost my temper with you. You did't deserve it."

"Why were you so upset this morning?"

"I had another dream about the night the accident happened. I won't go into all the details but trust me it was pretty vivid and it made me angry and put me in a bad mood."

"I see."

"That's no excuse for how I treated you though. And Erik."

"Erik?"

"Yes he was the one who woke me up from the dream and I said some things I shouldn't have to him and it wasn't fair. You both opened your home to me when I needed it most and I behaved like a spoiled child. I'm sorry."

I smiled sadly at him.

"Oh Torsten" I pulled him into a hug and he embraced me tightly back.

We both then heard the door creak open and I turned to see Erik standing there.

"Sorry did I interrupt something? I can come back later if..."

"No no Erik it's fine. I actually have something I wanna tell you as well."

"As well?"

"Yes I was just apologizing to Ruth here for snapping at her and I wanted to do the same to you." Torsten patted the other side of the bed that was currently unoccupied.

When Erik had sat down Torsten spoke.

"I'm really sorry Erik. I shouldn't have been so mean to you. You were only trying to help. I love you big brother. Can you forgive me?"

Erik smiled warmly and gripped Torsten's hand, giving it an affectionate squeeze.

"Of course I can little brother and I love you more." They embraced each other and I felt like almost tearing up at their affectionate bond.

When they released Torsten's phone began to ring.

Torsten picked it up off the bed and a blush slowly creeped up his cheeks.

"Who is it?" Erik asked.

"No one it's no one."

"It's her isn't it?" Erik grinned knowingly.

"No...it's just a call that I'm not gonna answer."

"Oh you are answering."

Before Torsten could protest, Erik snatched the phone away from him and clicked the accept button.

"Hello?" he answered. "Oh hi Kate. Yes he's right here as a matter of fact. I'll put him on."

Erik handed Torsten the phone, while Torsten frantically waved his hands back and forth in front of him in a no gesture, nervousness permeating every inch of his being.

"Torsten take it now" Erik ordered quietly through gritted teeth.

Torsten sighed and took the phone.

"Put her on speaker" Erik whispered.

Torsten did so and said "Um...hi Kate."

"Hey Torsten how are you?"

"I am good thank you for asking." Torsten looked to Erik, his eyes begging for any sort of guidance.

"How are you?" Erik whispered.

"Oh um...how are you?" Torsten asked.

"Good. Listen I was wondering since I haven't seen much of the town and you probably know it much better than I do, I was wondering if you were still willing to show me around, you know since your brother recommended you and all."

Torsten looked to Erik, who nodded emphatically.

"Uh...yes of course I would be happy too."

"Good. When would like to meet?"

"When is good for you?" I offered.

"Um when is good for you?"

"How about Friday say around 2:00?"

"Yes that would be fine."

"Cool. I can meet you at your address if you'd like."

"Yes, say yes" Erik muttered.

"Yes that will be perfect."

"All right I'll see you then."

"Uh...yeah okay see ya."

Torsten then hung up the phone.

He stared into space for several seconds.

"Oh this is a disaster!" he exclaimed, burying his face in his hands.

"Oh Torsten calm down. Everything will be fine" Erik reassured.

"No it will not be fine! I don't know how to do this sort of thing!"

"What sort of thing would this be?" Erik asked, a grin in his voice.

"You know, talking to a girl."

"You talk to me easily enough" I offered, trying to hold back a smile of my own.

"That doesn't count and you know it! Your related to me."

"Torsten breathe or you'll suffocate from lack of air" Erik said.

"Ugh both of you out of my room now" Torsten ordered, irritated.

Erik and I couldn't hold back our giggles as we left the room hand in hand.

*This is almost the equivalent of 1200 US dollars.

Hey guys I had so much fun writing this chapter! PLEASE REVIEW and let me know what you think of this chapter. God Bless.