Chapter 8
Five hours later everyone, with the exception of Robbie, met back at the house, they were soaking wet and had no luck in finding Ruthie. Cecilia was pacing the floor on the verge of bursting into tears, "where can she be, I mean it's Glenn Oak, how many places are there for her to hide? What if something happened to her?"
"Robbie hasn't come back you," Mary supplies, "maybe he found her."
Cecilia nods, "right, right maybe Robbie found her."
Seconds later the door opened and Robbie was standing there, very wet and very alone. "I couldn't find her, I'm going to call Detective Michaels again."
This is the last straw, Cecilia bursts into tears and Robbie is immediately by her side wrapping his arms around her. Pulling away Robbie places his hands gently on either one of Cecilia's cheeks and he states firmly, "we'll find her."
When the phone rang though, the two seperated and Cecilia who had been carrying the phone quickly answers, "Ruthie?"
"..."
"Detective Michaels, have you found her?"
"..." At Detective Michaels words Cecilia goes more pale than she had been and she grabs Robbie's arm tightly.
"O-ok, thank you." Cecilia breathes and then shuts the cordless phone off. Taking a deep breath Cecilia turns to face the family but then her eyes lock on Robbie's, "Ruthie was hit by a car, she's at the hospital now."
The entire living room goes silent and finally Deena breaks it stating, "you guys go to the hospital, I'll stay here with the twins."
Robbie and Cecilia lead the way into the hospital and to the nurses desk, "can you help us?" Cecilia asks quickly.
"It all depends, what do you need?"
"A girl was brought in..." Cecilia takes a deep breath and she looks at Robbie to finish what she is saying.
"A girl was brought in, she's 14, long brown hair..." Robbie's hand gestures move wildy trying to come up with something else to give the nurse.
"What's her name?" The nurse asks calmly.
"Ruthie Camden." Cecilia responds.
"Of course," the nurse nods, "her doctor will be right down to meet with you, if you will follow me to the conference room please."
The entire family crowds into the meeting room and everyone is nervous, the thought foremost in their minds is that they always bring the families of people have died into a conference room. Within minutes a youngish looking doctor comes into the room and looking around she asks, "are the parents or guardians present?"
Robbie and Cecilia stands up, "we are."
"All right, Ruth is fine."
Cecilia and Robbie, along with everyone else in the room lets out a deep breath, "thank God."
"Can we take her home?" Robbie asks.
The doctor nods, "you may."
"Is she hurt?" Cecilia asks.
"She suffers from a broken wrist and leg and three ribs on her right side, where she was hit by the car and she's bruised and cut up. She's in a significant amount of pain, but we can prescribe medication for the pain, she's a very lucky little girl. And if one of you will follow me I will get the release papers for you."
"I'll go." Cecilia offers quickly following the doctor out.
Once they are gone Robbie faces the family, "I don't want to be rude, I understand she's your sister but I have to ask all of you to leave. Ruthie needs her rest tonight, not to be bombarded by family and questions."
"Robbie we won't stay long," Mary states tears swimming in her eyes, "please, Robbie, we just want to see her."
Robbie nods, "all right."
Cecilia appears in about 10 minutes, "we can go see her now, the doctor told me where she is."
Cecilia leads the way and she pulls the curtain open to reveal Ruthie who is just swallowing pain kills, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean too..." Tears slip down Ruthie's cheeks.
Cecilia hurries to Ruthie's side and hugs her, "you're okay." Ruthie hugs Cecilia tightly.
Matt breaks the silence, "what were you doing Ruthie? Where were you going?"
"I was trying to go home, back to the house, I just wanted to see it. I wanted to remember how things used to be, before all of this." Ruthie is outright sobbing at this point. "I'm so sorry I've caused all the fighting, I'm going to go wherever you want me to, I promise, I don't care anymore, I just want everyone to stop fighting." Before anyone can respond to Ruthie she slowly slips asleep.
"Now do you see what we have been trying to tell you?" Lucy asks softly, they had come back to the condo and were now talking quietly in the living room.
"She should stay in Glenn Oak." Matt's voice is firm this time, unlike when he had broached the subject with his wife and sister a month before.
Mary nods, "she needs to be here, she needs to be where Mom and Dad raised her."
The next morning the group waiting outside the court room was much small, Ruthie and the twins were at home with Peter and Deena. "You should have told us that Ruthie was missing." The Colonel is angry when he discovers why Ruthie is missing from the group, "and by all means you should have informed us when she was in the hospital."
"We were to caught up in the events we didn't even think to call you." Cecilia defends their actions.
"We think that Ruthie should stay with here." Mary states.
"We're aren't dropping the suit." The Colonel states, "I'm sorry that you have changed your mind but we still maintain that they should be with us. They are all we have left of our son and we are not giving that up."
"Our lawyer said that if all of the children came to a decision then that would out-weigh what you say." Cecilia states just as Bruce Green walks into the waiting room. They all hurry over to him and explain the situation.
Bruce shakes his head, "I'm sorry but now that it has moved to court the decision is the judges. Unless the Colonel and Ruth Camden drop the suit."
Everyone turns their attention to their grandparents who shake their heads responding with, "I'm sorry, but no."
"I've come to a decision." The judge stands in front of the group assembled.
Everyone else stands as well and Cecilia slips her hand into Robbie's and he tightly squeezes it back as they wait anxiously.
"In light of recent events I have decided that it would be best for the children in question, Ruth Camden, Samuel Camden and David Camden, to live with their grandparents who will be able to provide a more stable, healthier, this is effective tomorrow."
Cecilia crumbles with these words and Robbie wraps his arms around her shielding her from the rest of the people in the room. "I'm so sorry," Bruce is saying, "but we can appeal this, take it to another judge, let some time pass to let last nights events settle."
"No." Cecilia mumbles to Robbie's chest.
Robbie adds, "no, but thank you, we don't to put the children through anymore. Thank you for everything Mr. Green."
"I can't go in there and tell them that they have to leave." Cecilia is wracked with a fresh round of tears once they reach the front door.
Robbie takes her hand and looking her in the eyes he states, "we owe this to them, we have to tell them." Ignoring everyone else around them Robbie leans in and kissed Cecilia on the forehead, "we can do this."
Cecilia nods, "all right."
"Do you mind giving us a few minutes?" Robbie asks the group assembled siblings, Chandler and Paris.
Lucy nods, "all right."
"Ruthie what are you doing awake?" Robbie asks when they walk into the living room, "we figured you would be asleep, haven't you taken your painkillers?"
Ruthie shakes her head, "I wanted to wait until you got home."
"Where are the twins?" Cecilia asks.
"They are in their room." Peter responds.
"Do you think you could go sit with them for a minute Peter, give us a chance to talk to Ruthie alone?" Cecilia asks.
"What happened?" Ruthie asks struggling to sit up on the couch.
"The judge thinks that it would be better for you and your brothers to go live with your grandparents." Robbie states gently sitting, with Cecilia on the couch with Ruthie.
Ruthie nods in understand but tears are apparent in her eyes, "I'm, um, going to, uh, take my pain pills now, all right?"
"We love you Ruthie," Robbie states as Cecilia fumbles with the bottle, "we tried."
Ruthie nods, "I know." Before she can say anything else she is sobbing and Robbie is holding her tightly.
"I'm so sorry we couldn't do this for you." Robbie states as he smooths her hair.
"We don't want to leave you Cecilia." The twins cry together as the crawl into her lap on the couch after Robbie has carried Ruthie to her bedroom, Peter stands close by as to the rest of the family.
"I know guys," Cecilia hugs them, "but you guys can come back and visit us, I'm sure the Colonel and Grandma Ruth will let you come visit."
"We don't wanna leave." Sam clings to Cecilia.
Robbie stands closest to Peter and he gently rests his hand on Peter's shoulder, "you can come over an all Ruthie whenever you want." Robbie assures, "and we'll try to get her out here for regular visits."
When Peter looks up at Robbie he looks near tears, "um, can I come see her tomorrow before she leaves?"
Robbie nods, "her flight leaves tomorrow at four, and her grandparents are picking her up at noon, so come over anytime before then."
Five hours later everyone, with the exception of Robbie, met back at the house, they were soaking wet and had no luck in finding Ruthie. Cecilia was pacing the floor on the verge of bursting into tears, "where can she be, I mean it's Glenn Oak, how many places are there for her to hide? What if something happened to her?"
"Robbie hasn't come back you," Mary supplies, "maybe he found her."
Cecilia nods, "right, right maybe Robbie found her."
Seconds later the door opened and Robbie was standing there, very wet and very alone. "I couldn't find her, I'm going to call Detective Michaels again."
This is the last straw, Cecilia bursts into tears and Robbie is immediately by her side wrapping his arms around her. Pulling away Robbie places his hands gently on either one of Cecilia's cheeks and he states firmly, "we'll find her."
When the phone rang though, the two seperated and Cecilia who had been carrying the phone quickly answers, "Ruthie?"
"..."
"Detective Michaels, have you found her?"
"..." At Detective Michaels words Cecilia goes more pale than she had been and she grabs Robbie's arm tightly.
"O-ok, thank you." Cecilia breathes and then shuts the cordless phone off. Taking a deep breath Cecilia turns to face the family but then her eyes lock on Robbie's, "Ruthie was hit by a car, she's at the hospital now."
The entire living room goes silent and finally Deena breaks it stating, "you guys go to the hospital, I'll stay here with the twins."
Robbie and Cecilia lead the way into the hospital and to the nurses desk, "can you help us?" Cecilia asks quickly.
"It all depends, what do you need?"
"A girl was brought in..." Cecilia takes a deep breath and she looks at Robbie to finish what she is saying.
"A girl was brought in, she's 14, long brown hair..." Robbie's hand gestures move wildy trying to come up with something else to give the nurse.
"What's her name?" The nurse asks calmly.
"Ruthie Camden." Cecilia responds.
"Of course," the nurse nods, "her doctor will be right down to meet with you, if you will follow me to the conference room please."
The entire family crowds into the meeting room and everyone is nervous, the thought foremost in their minds is that they always bring the families of people have died into a conference room. Within minutes a youngish looking doctor comes into the room and looking around she asks, "are the parents or guardians present?"
Robbie and Cecilia stands up, "we are."
"All right, Ruth is fine."
Cecilia and Robbie, along with everyone else in the room lets out a deep breath, "thank God."
"Can we take her home?" Robbie asks.
The doctor nods, "you may."
"Is she hurt?" Cecilia asks.
"She suffers from a broken wrist and leg and three ribs on her right side, where she was hit by the car and she's bruised and cut up. She's in a significant amount of pain, but we can prescribe medication for the pain, she's a very lucky little girl. And if one of you will follow me I will get the release papers for you."
"I'll go." Cecilia offers quickly following the doctor out.
Once they are gone Robbie faces the family, "I don't want to be rude, I understand she's your sister but I have to ask all of you to leave. Ruthie needs her rest tonight, not to be bombarded by family and questions."
"Robbie we won't stay long," Mary states tears swimming in her eyes, "please, Robbie, we just want to see her."
Robbie nods, "all right."
Cecilia appears in about 10 minutes, "we can go see her now, the doctor told me where she is."
Cecilia leads the way and she pulls the curtain open to reveal Ruthie who is just swallowing pain kills, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean too..." Tears slip down Ruthie's cheeks.
Cecilia hurries to Ruthie's side and hugs her, "you're okay." Ruthie hugs Cecilia tightly.
Matt breaks the silence, "what were you doing Ruthie? Where were you going?"
"I was trying to go home, back to the house, I just wanted to see it. I wanted to remember how things used to be, before all of this." Ruthie is outright sobbing at this point. "I'm so sorry I've caused all the fighting, I'm going to go wherever you want me to, I promise, I don't care anymore, I just want everyone to stop fighting." Before anyone can respond to Ruthie she slowly slips asleep.
"Now do you see what we have been trying to tell you?" Lucy asks softly, they had come back to the condo and were now talking quietly in the living room.
"She should stay in Glenn Oak." Matt's voice is firm this time, unlike when he had broached the subject with his wife and sister a month before.
Mary nods, "she needs to be here, she needs to be where Mom and Dad raised her."
The next morning the group waiting outside the court room was much small, Ruthie and the twins were at home with Peter and Deena. "You should have told us that Ruthie was missing." The Colonel is angry when he discovers why Ruthie is missing from the group, "and by all means you should have informed us when she was in the hospital."
"We were to caught up in the events we didn't even think to call you." Cecilia defends their actions.
"We think that Ruthie should stay with here." Mary states.
"We're aren't dropping the suit." The Colonel states, "I'm sorry that you have changed your mind but we still maintain that they should be with us. They are all we have left of our son and we are not giving that up."
"Our lawyer said that if all of the children came to a decision then that would out-weigh what you say." Cecilia states just as Bruce Green walks into the waiting room. They all hurry over to him and explain the situation.
Bruce shakes his head, "I'm sorry but now that it has moved to court the decision is the judges. Unless the Colonel and Ruth Camden drop the suit."
Everyone turns their attention to their grandparents who shake their heads responding with, "I'm sorry, but no."
"I've come to a decision." The judge stands in front of the group assembled.
Everyone else stands as well and Cecilia slips her hand into Robbie's and he tightly squeezes it back as they wait anxiously.
"In light of recent events I have decided that it would be best for the children in question, Ruth Camden, Samuel Camden and David Camden, to live with their grandparents who will be able to provide a more stable, healthier, this is effective tomorrow."
Cecilia crumbles with these words and Robbie wraps his arms around her shielding her from the rest of the people in the room. "I'm so sorry," Bruce is saying, "but we can appeal this, take it to another judge, let some time pass to let last nights events settle."
"No." Cecilia mumbles to Robbie's chest.
Robbie adds, "no, but thank you, we don't to put the children through anymore. Thank you for everything Mr. Green."
"I can't go in there and tell them that they have to leave." Cecilia is wracked with a fresh round of tears once they reach the front door.
Robbie takes her hand and looking her in the eyes he states, "we owe this to them, we have to tell them." Ignoring everyone else around them Robbie leans in and kissed Cecilia on the forehead, "we can do this."
Cecilia nods, "all right."
"Do you mind giving us a few minutes?" Robbie asks the group assembled siblings, Chandler and Paris.
Lucy nods, "all right."
"Ruthie what are you doing awake?" Robbie asks when they walk into the living room, "we figured you would be asleep, haven't you taken your painkillers?"
Ruthie shakes her head, "I wanted to wait until you got home."
"Where are the twins?" Cecilia asks.
"They are in their room." Peter responds.
"Do you think you could go sit with them for a minute Peter, give us a chance to talk to Ruthie alone?" Cecilia asks.
"What happened?" Ruthie asks struggling to sit up on the couch.
"The judge thinks that it would be better for you and your brothers to go live with your grandparents." Robbie states gently sitting, with Cecilia on the couch with Ruthie.
Ruthie nods in understand but tears are apparent in her eyes, "I'm, um, going to, uh, take my pain pills now, all right?"
"We love you Ruthie," Robbie states as Cecilia fumbles with the bottle, "we tried."
Ruthie nods, "I know." Before she can say anything else she is sobbing and Robbie is holding her tightly.
"I'm so sorry we couldn't do this for you." Robbie states as he smooths her hair.
"We don't want to leave you Cecilia." The twins cry together as the crawl into her lap on the couch after Robbie has carried Ruthie to her bedroom, Peter stands close by as to the rest of the family.
"I know guys," Cecilia hugs them, "but you guys can come back and visit us, I'm sure the Colonel and Grandma Ruth will let you come visit."
"We don't wanna leave." Sam clings to Cecilia.
Robbie stands closest to Peter and he gently rests his hand on Peter's shoulder, "you can come over an all Ruthie whenever you want." Robbie assures, "and we'll try to get her out here for regular visits."
When Peter looks up at Robbie he looks near tears, "um, can I come see her tomorrow before she leaves?"
Robbie nods, "her flight leaves tomorrow at four, and her grandparents are picking her up at noon, so come over anytime before then."