(A/N: This is the second story in a trilogy, continuing from where The End of the Beginning left off. Ruthie is pregnant and left the Camden house with Mary.)

Mary and Ruthie walked through Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport after they got off their flight and were headed toward the security checkpoint where Wilson would be waiting for them on the other side. As they walked down the long hallway packed with people, Mary spotted Wilson. His muscular physique and dark hair helped him to stand out from the rest of the people crowded around waiting to meet friends and family. Her eyes stayed locked on him, not noticing anything else around her as she continued to go to him. Halfway there, Wilson saw Mary and their eyes locked. From 50 feet away and closing, they stared at each other intently, having a full conversation without even being close enough to say a word. When Mary finally reached her husband, he pulled her in for a tight hug.

"Shh. It's all going to be OK. You're back here with me. Calm down," Wilson whispered into Mary's ear loud enough so that only she could hear him as she dug her fingers into his shirt in a clenched fist.

Mary held onto Wilson for a few seconds longer before she convinced herself that it was safe to let go.

"OK," Wilson said, "let's go home."

Mary nodded and took Wilson's hand to have for the walk to the car.

"How was California?" Billy asked Mary as they went.

"It was OK."

"So, is this the girl Dad was telling me about?"

"Yeah," Mary said turning to Ruthie. "This is my sister, Ruthie."

"Hi Ruthie," Billy responded politely.

"Hi," Ruthie said meekly.

Mary looked down and smiled widely at Ruthie. She was doing all of this for her benefit, and for it to work out Mary had to be nice to Ruthie. She had to remind herself that she was the one who offered for Ruthie to come here. She shouldn't resent her.

The car ride home was long and silent. There was a slight amount of tension in the car, and Mary didn't seem like herself. She sat with tears in her eyes and her hand on Wilson's leg as he drove. Billy had about a million questions to ask Ruthie and wanted so badly to tell Mary about his last day of school, but he knew when he should keep quiet, and now was definitely one of those times.

Once they all arrived home, the four piled out of the car. Wilson immediately went over to Mary, who shrugged him off with a simple "we'll talk later." Mary, Wilson, Billy, and Ruthie walked inside the three-bedroom townhouse, all of them equally exhausted.

"Well, it's 10:30 and way past Billy's bedtime, so I'll put him to bed," Wilson announced.

"But Dad, I want to talk to Mary," Billy whined.

"Tomorrow," he responded leading his son toward his bedroom.

They left the living room, leaving only Mary, Ruthie, and the extreme quiet that came with the night.

"So, um, want me to give you the grand tour?" Mary asked her sister.

Ruthie smiled. "I'd like that."

"Well, this is the living room- T.V., couch, nothing special." Mary walked toward the kitchenette in the corner of the main room. "This is the kitchen. Are you hungry? Thirsty? I know you missed dinner."

"No, I'm OK," Ruthie graciously declined.

"Are you sure? Our food is your food."

"I'm sure."

Mary then walked out of the kitchen and down a tiny hallway with 4 closed doors. "Billy's bedroom," Mary said pointing to the first room on the left, "bathroom with a shower/bathtub thing," the next room down the hall on the left, "at the end is mine and Wilson's room, and here is your room," Mary said opening the door to the right of them, the only room on that side of the hallway. "It's not as big as the attic, but this is what we have."

Ruthie walked into the bedroom and put her bag on the twin bed with pink floral comforter. The walls were white, the sliding doors of the closet were ajar, and the grey carpet looked like no one had ever stepped on it before.

"No one has really been in here before, so you can break it in."

There was a big smile on Ruthie's face. "I really like it." Ruthie looked around the room one more time. "I appreciate it Mary. Thank you."

Mary just realized that Wilson almost always calls her "Mare." She wasn't even listening to Ruthie. The faint sound of tears echoing throughout the practically empty room grabbed Mary's attention. She turned Ruthie's face toward her and saw tears running down her cheeks. She pulled Ruthie in for a hug, holding her in a sisterly manner.

"I love you Ruthie, and we're really glad you are here. Just think, you moved across the country to live with your cool older sister. Sounds like fun, huh?"

"Pregnant twelve year old flees childhood home and seeks shelter across the country with her sister, sounds like a TV movie on the women's channel to me."

Mary laughed and ruffled Ruthie's hair. "You're really smart, you know that?"

"That's what everyone tells me."

Mary smiled sympathetically. "Well, it's late- here anyways. I know its only 7:30 at home, but you should get used to the new time and try to get some sleep. But, I tell you what- if you're not tired you can go and watch some TV if you keep it low."

Ruthie smiled, "Thanks, but I think I'll just unpack and go to bed. I'm exhausted from today."

"Me, too."

"Goodnight then," Ruthie said.

"Good night," Mary said and walked toward the door. Just as she was about to walk out of the room, she turned around. "If you need anything Ruthie, just knock."

Ruthie nodded, and Mary closed the door behind her. She walked across the hall and peered in on Billy who was already sound asleep. She smiled at the sight of him- she loved having Billy for a son. Now it was almost like having Ruthie as a daughter, too. And in nine months, then what? She would be a grandmother?

You all responded so well to the first story, I hope you like this one. Please review.