Ruthie fell back on the couch, she sighed as she put her feet on the coffee table. She looked at Dylan who was sitting in her lap.

"Finals are done, Dylan. Mommy won't have to leave anymore." Dylan lit up as Ruthie played with his hands. "I love you Dylan."

2 hours later Ruthie seemingly frazzled had just put Dylan down for a nap when Martin came strolling in. She sat down at the table as Martin kissed her cheek and went into the bedroom to change. "Hey Ruth, what's for dinner?"

"Whatever you make." He came out and gave her a strange look.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm tired and you come walking in here and expect me to make dinner."

"I just asked." This didn't seem to help Martin as it only made Ruthie madder.

"You don't help me at all. It's like I have 2 kids to look after."

"I help out."

"Yeah right Martin. You come home and wake up Dylan while I'm cooking and cleaning."

"Well I'm sorry that I want to spend time with my son."

"That's fine; it's your inability to help me that's the problem. I mean it's great that you want to spend time with Dylan but I need help too. I can't do this by myself."

"You aren't doing this by yourself. I'm here."

"When you are here, you're studying or watching some stupid baseball game on TV. You're useless."

"I can't believe you're saying this." Martin stormed into the bedroom expecting Ruthie to follow him but he only heard her slam the front door behind her. Just as if on cue Dylan started crying. Martin hated fighting with Ruthie but she was being unfair and mean.

Hours later Martin started to worry; he hadn't heard from Ruthie since she stormed off and he had no clue where she went. After putting Dylan to bed Martin fell back on their bed and drifted off to sleep with the baby monitor next to his head.

The next morning Martin woke up but no sign of Ruthie. He sat up and saw a note on the dresser; he slowly made his way to the note and picked up. When he picked it up a ring fell on the floor. He bent down to pick it up and realized that it was the ring he had given Ruthie last Christmas. He slowly unfolded the note:

Dear Martin,

I'm sorry but I can't be with you right now. Last night made me realize how we are not ready to be a family. I know that this is going to hurt but I need to get my thoughts in order. So I went the only place I could think of, home. I brought Dylan with me so you wouldn't have to worry about him.

I hope that you also take this time to think about our future. And again I'm sorry for leaving like this I just need to think. Please don't come get me it will just further complicate things.

I still love you with all my heart and don't worry about us. I'll call in a couple of days.

Love always,

Ruthie Camden

Martin starred at the note in disbelief; she had left him and taken his son with her. He couldn't sit back and let her do this. He didn't need to think he needed his family. He called the airline and started packing.

Glen Oak, California

Ruthie got out of the cab and tightened her grip on Dylan's carrier. The flight had been long and stressful with Dylan constantly fussing and needing something. She paid the cab driver and slowly made her way to the door holding in the tears that threatened to fall.

She slowly knocked on the door taking a deep breath. After standing there for some time until her mother answered and just starred at Ruthie.

"Ruthie what's wrong?"

"Martin and I got into a fight and I gave him back the ring." She couldn't hold the tears in anymore and started to sob. Her mother just wrapped her comforting arms around her. Dylan seemed to catch on to what was going on around him and started crying. Both of them starred at the baby before Annie picked him up and carried him into the kitchen.

They sat down at the table and Ruthie told her mother everything about what had been going on since Dylan was born. Her mother stifled a laugh at her daughter's foolishness. It was normal for new parents to argue over silly things.

She did expect them to fight but not for Ruthie to pack up Dylan and bring him almost 3000 miles over something as silly as household chores. She watched the baby stir in its carrier and started gently rocking him.

She loved having a new baby around; they were just so cute and innocent not knowing what was happening around them. Dylan looked so cute as he was engrossed with his toy of the day not paying attention to what was happening around him.

After talking for hours Mrs. Camden made her daughter some lunch and continues on her daily activities when the doorbell rang. Ruthie went to answer it and her jaw hit the floor.

"We need to talk."