Wilson speedily drove down the streets of GlenOak the next day. Mary had concluded that her plan was so perfect that she had to tell Ruthie in person before she left. Mary and Wilson had spent the whole day discussing it since Mary dreamt it up, and Mary finally got Wilson to accept at 11 o'clock at night. It's funny what sheer exhaustion can do to people.

They finally arrived at the house, and Mary bolted from the car and rang the doorbell. A minute later, Ruthie opened the front door.

"I was hoping it was you," she said.

"Come on," Mary said grabbing Ruthie hand and walking towards the car, "I have a perfect plan."

Ruthie climbed into the backseat and Mary got back in her seat in the front.

"Are we going somewhere?" Ruthie asked as Wilson started up the car.

"We're going to park down the street and talk to you."

"Don't I have to tell someone before I leave?"

"We'll only be down the street."

"Still, they don't know I left."

Mary sighed. "Fine. Run in and tell Lucy that Wilson and I are taking you for a drive and we'll be back in an hour."

Ruthie nodded and got out of the car, heading toward the garage apartment.

"Are we doing the right thing?" Mary asked Wilson once they were alone.

"We're doing to only thing we can do. And if she doesn't like it, she doesn't have to accept."

Tears welled up in Mary's eyes. "You're right."

Ruthie ran back to the car and got inside of it. Wilson drove to the end of the street and pulled over. He unbuckled his seatbelt and turned toward Ruthie as Mary did the same.

"OK," Ruthie said, "what is your great plan?"

"It's not so much of a plan as it is an offer," Wilson told her.

"If you want, you can come to Florida and live with Wilson and Billy and me throughout your pregnancy.  I think it would be too much for everyone for you to be here in GlenOak and have to face the community, go to school, be with Mom and Dad, and all of that stuff. It'd be easier for you to live with us," Mary explained.

"Not that we're going to be any easier on you than your parents would be," Wilson reminded her.  "It would just be better for you to go through this in a place where no one knows you. You're life is going to be hard enough without any extra pressures."

"Wilson and I sat last night and figured out that we could probably swing the cost of you living with us without any help form Mom and Dad or anyone else. And we know that you can't work or anything, and we wouldn't expect you to in your condition, so we'd make it so you wouldn't have to worry about anything. You'd get your own room, and Wilson and I both have health benefits…" Mary began to choke up. She couldn't take this anymore.

"And everything should be just fine," Wilson finished for her.

"I have to work a flight back out here in two weeks," Mary said, "now if you want to come, you'll have to make up your mind by then. You'd be responsible for getting all of your stuff in order, and I'd come two Fridays from now and get you."

"And if you want to come, we suggest you wait until right before you leave to tell your parents. They won't stop you that way."

Ruthie stared back at Wilson and Mary with tears in her eyes. She never imagined she'd have to leave GlenOak, but now that they said it it didn't seem like such a horrible thing. Mary was right, the scrutiny of being a Camden in GlenOak was bad enough without being a pregnant. Her parents would kill her, her friends would hate her, and Peter would probably deny the whole thing ever happened. The way Ruthie was beginning to see it, this could be her only way out.

"OK," Ruthie eventually said. "I mean, I'll have to think it over, but so far so good."

Mary attempted to smile. "Good," she said.

Wilson squeezed Mary's hand gently as Mary tried with all of her might not to loose it. She could feel the tears piling up, and she new the falling of one would lead to the release of many more from her hazel eyes. To distract herself Mary took out of piece of paper from the glove compartment and started scribbling on it.

"Here's the number to our townhouse. If you have any questions just call and one of us will get back to you." Ruthie nodded. "Now, let's bring you back home because Wilson and I have a flight to catch."

Wilson drove back up the street and into the Camden driveway once more.

Before getting out of the car, Ruthie hugged Mary tightly. "I don't know how to thank you."

"Just don't get into to anymore trouble until I come back," Mary replied seriously. "Are you going to be OK for two weeks?"

"I'll be fine."

"If you have to tell them," Wilson told Ruthie, "you can tell them. They're going to have to find out eventually."

Ruthie smiled at both of the adults and walked out of the car and into the house.

Wilson turned to Mary. "Well, that went well."

Mary looked straight out the window, wiping her tears away as Wilson pulled out of the driveway and headed in the direction of the airport. "Yeah," she muttered, "too well."

A/N: So, what do you think? Thanks for all the reviews so far. You've all been so kind and considerate- I truly appreciate it. Only one more chapter for this story and then I am done. I'm going to make this into a trilogy type of thing, or at the very least add a sequel. I even have the title picked out for the next one but you'll have to wait until I publish it to see it.
Next Chapter (7) – The news is broken to Eric and Annie. Will they die form shock? : dramatic music plays :