When I lived with the Camden's 11

Martin's POV

At around 2:00 I woke up to Ruth screaming. As I looked over in the bed, I realized she was gone. I ran downstairs tripping on the last stair, my heart in my beating rapidly in my chest until I saw Ruth shaking on the couch.

"Sweetie?" I murmured as I held her close. She immediately stopped shaking and began whimpering.

"What are you doing down here?" I asked her as I kissed her forehead.

"I finished my book and I still couldn't sleep and I figured I would watch some televison until I was sleepy and then I had a bad dream"

"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked as she shook her head no and burrowed deeper into my embrace.

My dad came downstairs and said "Is everything okay?"

I nodded at him before saying "Ruth fell asleep on the couch and had a bad dream"

"Why don't you take her upstairs and I'll make her some tea" my dad suggested as I nodded and picked Ruth up and carried her back to our room.

I gently placed her on the bed and covered her as I sat down beside her and ran my fingers through her hair. She sighed contently as she moved closer and promptly fell asleep.

My dad came up with one mug and said "here you go"

"I thought that was for Ruth"

"I knew she would fall asleep the moment you took her upsatirs. This is for you. I imagine you are going to have a harder time sleeping" He glanced at Ruth, peacefully sleeping in my arms.

"She reminds me so much of your mother" he said huskily as a tear slipped down his face.

"I know" I agreed softly, feeling horrible that Ruth and I would soon be leaving and my dad wouldn't have us around.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized why he was so supportive of us staying over our house. It was because he was lonely. I nodded and said "Thanks dad"

"No problem. Good night"

The next morning I woke up and turned my head to see that Ruth was still sleeping. She looked so peaceful and happy. I gently stroke her cheek, not knowing how this day would be for her.

Every year on this day she would react differently. The first year she was really moody and wouldn't talk to anyone, including me. She spent the entire day, locked up in my room, listening to complaint rock. Last year she had gotten drunk and spent the entire night throwing up, making me as miserable as she felt. Hopefully she would be so excited about tonight that she wouldn't stress out about that jerk Brian.

"Morning" I greeted her as she opened one eye and said "Morning." My dad then walked in with a tray of french toast, bacon, and eggs.

"Morning sleepy head, I hope you are hungry" he said to Ruth who jumped up beaming.

"Dad you shouldn't have" she said as my dad placed the tray in front of her. I took a slice of bacon as she slapped my hand.

"Get your own breakfast" she snapped as my dad laughed out loud. I gave him a look before saying "Don't encourage her bad behavior dad"

Ruth just laughed as my dad walked out grinning.

"You know, I'm going to miss your dad when we graduate" Ruth said as she took a bite of the french toast.

"Me too" I replied leaning against the headboard before saying "We could go to college around here"

"I know, but then we will have to deal with my family as well"

"Ruth your parents love us"

"I know and they are always there, wanting something, asking something, being nosy. Your dad is cool, he gives us our space"

"Well he gives you space. I, on the othe hand, receive the third degree. He is constantly asking me what we're doing, where we are going, I mean he puts us to bed every night"

"Yes but in the cool way"

"Well maybe we should see what he says, he may want the space to himself"

"That's true" Ruth agreed before offering me a piece of her french toast.

"So now you want to share?" I teasingly asked her as she laughed and said "It's just because I love you".

The rest of the afternoon we spent lounging around with my dad. At 5:30 my cell rang and Ruth answered it. "Hello?" I heard her say and then frown slightly.

"That's weird, the hotel receptionist said she needs me to go down and see the room"

"Well I'll come with you" I said to her as I stood up as well.

"No, you go with Mac and I'll take your car and pick Zoe up, that way we can start setting up"

"Okay" I said slowly, torn between wanting to go with her and giving her some independance.

"I'll see you later" she said as she gave me a hug.

"Take my cell" I said at last as she grabbed it off the desk and waved goodbye.

Ruth's POV

"So are you excited about tonight?" Zoe asked me as we walked into the hotel. I shrugged as I looked over at her "I suppose so, we are only watching movies"

"And planning your wedding and besides we need to think of other things to do as a group until I'm too tired to do anything else"

"So you and Mac are not?" I began as Zoe blushed slightly and said "The more I thought about what you said, I realized you were right. I really like Mac and I want him to respect me and for that to happen I have to respect myself"

"Good for you Zoe" I said smiling as we made our way to the counter. We looked at the receptionist and I said "Hi, my name is Ruth Camden, you called earlier?" The receptionist looked at me in amazement and said "Yes..uh..you need to see your suite. Here is your key."

"Thanks" I said beaming at her before she said "Is there another number where I could reach you in case of anything else?"

"Sure" I told her as I gave her Martin's number and said "He's my fiancee and he will be arriving later"

"Okay" she said slowly and looked at me again before we walked off towards the elevator.

"She was weird" Zoe commented as I agreed and pressed five for our floor.

At the counter

The receptionist looked towards the young lady again. She didn't look married and she said fiancee. There was no way she could have had three children already. Feeling scared she dialed the number that Ruth gave her. A few moments later she heard "Brewer residence"

"Hello may I speak with Martin?"

"This is he"

"I am from the Hilton and I just gave your fiancee a key to the suite"

"Yes, is she okay?" she heard the urgency in the young man's tone.

"I hope so. Last night a young man called saying that your fiancee was his wife and that she was cheating on him.." she began as Martin cut her off "You didn't give him the room number, did you?"

"I'm sorry, I felt bad for him"

"I hope you know that if that monster hurts my fiancee I will have your job. Call the police and inform your manager" and with that he had hung up.

She took a deep breath as she called Glen Oak police station.

Brewer Residence

I hung up the phone and cursed. My dad walked in with Mac behind him "What's wrong dude?" Mac asked as I looked at my dad. He turned white and said "He found her?"

"Yes" I replied grimly as my dad said "Let's go"

Room 560

"So let me get this straight" I started as I laughed at Zoe "Mac loves watching the smurfs?" as I opened the door. When we walked in, I saw my worst nightmare.

"Hello Ruth, long time no see"

It was Brian and he was holding a gun.