I took the driver's seat and Jack sat next to me. He glanced at Cain and myself and asked,

"Is there something going on between you two?" I could see him either grinning or smirking

"Yeah," I said, and Cain followed, happy to know he could at least tell someone other than me that we were dating.

"We have a date tomorrow, not that that's any of your business, Jack," Cain said, "But what's this I hear about you and Ruthie?"

"What about me and Ruthie?" Jack asked

"Hello?" I asked, inserting myself in the conversation, "Have you seen your face? And there's a hickey on your neck,"

"Nice place to make out, a church," Cain said, teasing, "David and I were more prudish,"

"That's probably because you were right in front of God. It's hard to think about anything related to making out with that large cross just staring at you," Jack shuddered and Cain frowned,

"That's our church, not David's!"

"Fine fine," Jack looked at me, "David Camden, right?"

"Yes sir," I said, grinning

"I knew you when you were seven. You have a twin don't you?" Jack asked, smiling

"Sam," I filled in for him, smiling, "He's at the movies with two friends,"

"Yeah, you guys were always riding around on your bikes," Jack chuckled, "Ruthie bragged to me once that it was she who taught you how to bike," He frowned, "I have no idea how I remember that,"

It was actually Cecilia, but he didn't need to know that.

I pulled up to their driveway and put it in park. Jack said simply, "Well, any Camden is a good fellow, so you can date my brother. You seem better than the last guy he went out with, at any rate."

"I'll tell you about him over the phone," Cain promised me, and we both grabbed each other's hand and held it tightly for a few seconds before he left.

My cell rang just as I was pulling out. I answered it of course, seeing that the caller ID was flashing DAD.

"Dad?" I asked, frowning

"David!" Dad said, "Where have you been? I've been trying to call for an hour!"

"Church, and Sam's at the movies," I explained, bewildered, "What's up?"

"Matt had an emergency come up at the hospital. One of his obese patients came into labor a month early, so he's going to have to perform a C-section. Anyway, he left Bryan and Annabel at the house. Apparently Nicky was there, and he assumed someone was home. However, he's there right now, trying to find Bryan and Annabel,"

"They're with Grandma. She said she was going to give them a ride home," I explained, "Relax Dad, I just gave them some cookies and milk. Sugarless ones for Annabel of course," I realized what I said and made a 'oops' face. Jack pulled into their driveway and I had to get out.

Cain hugged me and we smiled at each other.

"David," Dad had his warning voice on, "Why is Annabel eating sugarless cookies? Is your mother right?"

He walked away with his brother and I took the front seat of the car, grinning.

"I have to go, Dad," I said and hung up, dialing the hospital. I pulled out of their driveway, going toward our house.

"Dr. Camden speaking," Matt said,

"It's David," I said,

"Where are you?" Matt asked, frowning, "Oh there they are! Mom just pulled in,"

I was halfway there, not wanting Mom to catch me. I knew that Matt could easily evade her, with the urgent hospital page, though.

"That's good. Mom was driving your kids home," I said, "But I might've let it slip that I gave Annabel sugarless cookies. Dad's probably telling Mom right now and, soon far fetched theories will come. Just tell them the truth,"

"That's Annabel's choice to make," Matt said, "Apparently, she confided in you?"

"No, Bryan did. As far as Annabel knows, I'm as clueless as the rest of the family and a bit on the chubby side from eating too many sugar cookies,"

"Hang on, David, I have another call," Matt said and I ended up getting called again too.

"David Camden!" Annie yelled at me over the phone, and said in her scary hissing voice, "What you do know?"

"Nothing, Mom," I said cheerfully, "It's not my secret. I have to go, I'm talking to Matt,"

"Fine," She hung up and I chuckled, I was standing in front of the house now, in park. For now though, I was just going to sit there and wait for Matt to get back to me.

"David, you're blocking me in," Matt said, when he came back on the line. I saw him and he was sure enough trying to get out of the driveway. He gave me a sarcastic smile and motioned for me to move.

I sighed and pulled out, parking now on the street. Mom hates it when I park on the street.

"Happy?" I asked, "I was just ambushed by our mother!"

"Hey, I just had to talk to our mother in person and she's mad. Then I had to talk to Sarah, who's mad at you and me, because she thinks I told you. Then Dad came by, trying to be all 'Cool Dad' and find out." Matt laughed, "Good luck, David, and I hope you won't say a word. For Annabel's sake,"

"You and me, brother. Oh and Sam knows too," I said and hung up before he could reply. I turned my phone off for good measure and looked at the house. Mom was leaning against the doorpost, arm crossed, with the territorial grandma look in her face.

I walked to the door, feeling like Judas Iscariot when he realized the shit was going to hit the fan. In the corner of my eye, I saw our car-the one that Sam and I share. We bought it for 500 bucks at a used car place and spent the entire summer fixing it up. It's a gorgeous piece of art, really.

Sam parked in the driveway and jumped out, smiling. He had a good date, it seemed. On seeing Mom Sam stopped,

"Whoa, did Mom find out about Mary or something?" He asked and I shook my head telling him to not to go any further.

"What about Mary?" Mom asked, frowning, "She has been acting oddly. What do you two know?"

"Nothing," We said now having each other for support. Sam and I discovered that we can lie more efficiently together.

"So, Sam honey, isn't it sad about Annabel?" Annie asked, "Sarah just told me,"

I gaped inwardly. My mother was a devious person and could lie with the best of them.

"Horrible," Sam admitted, "Annabel really wanted to go to that basketball camp. It's a shame there were no more spaces left,"

Now I was gaping more at Sam. He was the best liar I knew. And the camp thing was actually true! A liar who told the truth in lies, amazing. Mom narrowed her eyes and stomped into the house, much like Savannah does when Kevin forbids her from going to a concert.

"How'd you know?" I asked, when I was sure we were alone.

"She never calls me 'Sam honey' without wanting to know something that she doesn't already know," Sam explained, "She does the same with you, like David dear, or David darling, oh and-"

"Pumpkin," we said at the same time and laughed, high fiving each other before coming in and shutting the door.

"I give her props for lying so effectively though," Sam said and pulled a soda out of the refrigerator,
"Who knew she had it it her?"

"Yeah," I admitted, "I accidentally let it slip to Dad that I gave Annabel sugarless cookies,"

"Sarah and Matt must be mad," Sam laughed

"Not as mad as Mary will be," I reminded him, "Remember last time, when she smacked us in the back of our heads?"

"With her ring hand," Sam rubbed his head, shuddering.

"Why did you say Mary?" I asked, "Why not Martin? It's not really a secret anyway! They would find out he's coming home in three days!"

"I thought that Mom could tell if one of her daughters were pregnant!" Sam yelled back at me, forgetting we were in Mom-territory. You have to watch what you say in the kitchen.

Mom walked-well ran down from the stairs, and stood right up to us, "Mary's pregnant?" She sounded like a mother lion trying to protect her young and suddenly her twins were excluded from her babies.

"I don't know," Sam said, weakly, "Are you eavesdropping?" He elbowed me into action. Mom's face was a thing to behold, silencing greater men then us.

"Yeah Mom?" I added, trying to smile, "Eavesdropping isn't a good thing, you know,"

Mom wasn't listening. At this moment, Sam and I were merely little pieces of mold that refused to be scraped off the counter.

"But Carlos lost his job," She said worriedly, "How will Mary work, raise her family, and a baby?"

"He found another job," Sam said and I smacked my hand over his mouth, "Carlos and Mary have some news to tell the family tomorrow night," I said, giving her a pretend smile.

"And Martin's coming home?" Annie asked, even more gleeful

"I don't know," I said this time, "Were you listening to our private conversation, Mom?"

"It was an emergency, and I will-" She glared at both of us individually for effect, "Find all your secrets one way or another," She left and Sam groaned

"Mary is definitely going to kill us," I said, taking a sip of Sam's soda, "Why'd you say Carlos found another job?" I added in a hissed voice, "He doesn't even know Mary's pregnant!"

"I didn't want Mom to glare at me again," Sam said, "Geez. Whoever heard of letting a kid have some privacy?"

"Speaking of privacy," I said, "Thank you for barging in on me while I was in the bathroom,"

"We're twins," Sam grinned through a mouthful of sandwich, "Mom still shows everyone pictures of us in the tub,"

"Yes, but the door was locked for a reason,"

"Well, I learned how to jerry rig locks for a reason," Sam jumped up on the counter, "I really needed to do the dirty. I shouldn't have had five bean burritos," Sam exhaled and rubbed his stomach, "Speaking of burritos, I gotta go," He lept off and left me to myself.

"What an idiot," I muttered, knowing Sam was probably saying the same thing upstairs. Today wasn't one of my better days.

"Hi David!" Andrew greeted me, walking unsteadily on his braces. They were blue, sort of a plastic cast-like shape. He was a sweet little boy. Mom says that Andrew looks just like Sam and Simon did when they were three, straight blond hair, blue eyed, and of average height. I was on the taller side, like Matt and Mary, with curlier hair, like Ruthie's and our Grandma Jenny's. Andrew is actually five and a half, but physically, he's at the same level as a three year old-with leg braces. The day he started to walk, aged two years, nine months. That was the same date as mine and Sam's birthday.

We had turned fourteen and Dad was letting us have our first boy/girl party-in the yard. The family party was supposed to be about two hours before, but Andrew was crawling around on the carpet. Cecilia was talking about how he had stood up by himself with Simon's help the other day.

All of a sudden, I hear a, "Sama! Dav-ah!" Andrew was supporting himself with both arms on the coffee table. We were sitting opposite of him. As encouragement, though we both knew it wasn't possible for him to do so, Sam and I held our arms out, like we'd do for the other kids and encouraged him toward us.

Imagine a completely hushed room, when Andrew looks right at us, a look I'd never seen in his face for a fleeting second, and he waddles himself, much like a duck. Twice he falls, but he pulls himself back up with the coffee table, this big smile on his face. Next thing, after many falls, he lands in our arms and says,

"Hi Sama, Dav-ah. Happa birtha da" He yawns and crawls in Sam's lap. Everyone started talking at the same time

Due to the life changing experience, the boy/girl party was canceled and we spent the rest of the night trying to get Andrew to walk again, for the tape. Being the cunning little boy he is, he just continued to be asleep. Simon did get a copy though, eventually. We had forgiven Andrew, and planned to ruin his sweet sixteen by egging him or something. For now, 'Forrest Gump' was protected by invisible forces known to me as Mom and Dad.

"Hey kiddo," I greeted, and noticed the mess Sam had made in making his sandwich, "Want a sandwich?" I asked, holding up a slice of bread. I was kind of hungry anyway.

Andrew's eyes lit up and he ran-well his version of a run is a cross between a jog and a skip. He looks even more like a sweet innocent boy when he runs.

"Can I have peanut butter?" He asked, "They prodded my back and shot me again," Andrew made a face. He hated the hospital, and anything related to a hospital. In fact, the last time Matt had tried to hug him, he had screamed bloody murder until Simon took him back. And Matt's just a gynecologist.

"Peanut butter, banana, and the chunky nuts," I told him, smiling, "Sit down, little Forrest. I'll make the food and you pour the milk." I held out two cups of milk and a jug of milk. It was the small kind he could easily lift.

Andrew smiled and eagerly helped me. Being five, he made a mess, but I helped him clean up and forgot the sippy cup top again. Sam and I set a record for forgetting these drink tops when we were forced to pour juice for the under seven crowd. I didn't really care if Andrew would make a mess with the milk at this point. All the sippy cup tops were always missing.

"How's your sister?" I asked him, putting a plate of Oreos in the middle. It was the Double Stuf kind, a Camden favorite. Andrew likes to twist it off and lick the cookies until they were bare. Then he would crumble them into the milk, drinking soggy bits of cookie crumbs. I prefer the old fashioned dunk.

"Mona?" Andrew asked, and he shrugged, "She's boring. She doesn't know how to play Legos or tell any good stories,"

I looked at him for a second. I never knew what it was to be a big brother to someone. With the exception of Sam, but we're so close in age, I don't count the minutes between us. However, having a million nieces and nephews younger then I, taught me, that I was expected to entertain them and not the other way around.

"Andrew, uh," I frowned, "Simone is your baby sister. You're supposed to teach her how to play Legos and tell her stories,"

"I told her the story about the Booger Man that lives under your bed, Uncle David, but Mommy didn't like it. So I showed her my action figures and Mommy made me take these away and play with some dolly with her," Andrew scowled

"Bogeyman," I corrected him, absently. All the kids call him the BoogerMan for some reason. "You aren't allowed to play with your toys in front of her?"

"Mommy's afraid she might swallow a piece," Andrew explained solemnly, "She and Poppa Paolo play with me when Simone's napping,"

"Oh," I said thoughtfully. That made sense. Kevin was afraid that both Savannah and Monica had swallowed his wedding ring. Both were false alarms, but Gregory actually ate Lucy's ring when he was a baby. Lucy didn't know how it had disappeared and had been hiding it from Kevin for several days. It was Kevin who had noticed Lucy's ring in the dirty diaper and it was Kevin who washed it off and placed it on Lucy's nightstand that night. Forty weeks later came Jacob, screaming his way into the world.

Speaking of the screamer, just who should choose to grace us with his presence but one Jacob Nathaniel Kinkirk.

"Cookies?" He asked in a fairly accusatory tone, "Can I have some?" He noticed Andrew and said cheerfully, "Oh hi, Andy!"

"Hello Jake," Andrew greeted him, smiling, "Ask Uncle David,"

"Okay," Jacob turned to me, "Can I have a cookie?" He asked in a slightly nasal voice, the one he uses when he wants something.

"Yes you may," I said handing him an Oreo, "Milk's in the refrigerator, and you know where the cups are, Jake-o,"

"I don't like milk," Jacob made a face and broke his Oreo in half, cramming one in his mouth, the other crammed in his pocket for later. He turned to me, as if remembering something, "Oh, Daddy called earlier and said that he's going to Buffalo for a week with us. Mommy's going to stay here and do boring church stuff,"

"Church isn't boring," My father walked in the kitchen, holding his keys and briefcase. He smiled, seeing Andrew and Jacob with me, more at Andrew I think.

"Hello boys," He smiled, "Who's home?"

"Mom's upstairs with Sam. Bryan and Annabel went home with Matt. I think Lucy's other kids are at their place packing like Jacob should be doing," I said, giving Jacob a slight nudge toward the door. He took the hint and left after hugging his grandfather.

"Daddy's here too," Andrew said, "He's sleeping on the coach, because he and I spent the entire day at the zoo and I wore him out," Andrew looked proud at this, "Want some cookies?" He held up an Oreo.

"Grandma would have my head," He laughed, "I've been having to eat lettuce since the last heart attack," He looked at the door where Jacob had exited again, and asked, "Why does Jacob think church is boring?"

"Believe me, Dad," I said, smiling, "The coolness of a minister wears off very quickly, especially with a cop around. Haven't you noticed Jacob playing Cop with his friends?"

"Kevin isn't a cop," He said, confused

"But he used to be, and well, I'm not Jacob," I ended lamely

"When you were Jacob's age, you and Sam wanted to be baseball players. I asked if you were sure you didn't want to be a minister and you two just said "I'm gonna be a baseball player." Dad smiled fondly at me and I was sure he was thinking of when I was a little kid, before Sam and I become little girl crazy troublemakers.

"Dad?" I asked caution ally after a few minutes. He snapped out of it and smiled, patting my shoulder.

"Oh David, I was just thinking of when this old house had a lot more people," Eric sighed, "I might as well break it to you and Sam. You're graduating this year after all,"

"Dad?" I repeated, bewildered

"I'm going to retire from the ministry and your mother and I are going to sell this house and take a cruise. Away from our problems," He chuckled, "At least for a while,"

"When exactly?" I asked, wondering how his plan would change when he discovered all the secrets.

"The day after you and Sam go to your respective colleges," Eric smiled, "We are so proud of you and Sam for getting full ride scholarships to Princeton and Cambridge, even if the latter is far far far away,"

"I'll miss Sam too, but he's loved England since you and Mom let us go with Ruthie to England on one of her jobs," I pointed out, knowing what Dad was referring to.

"Simon will have moved out by then and there's really no reason to keep the house. The church might need it for something," Eric shrugged, "A reception hall or something. Besides, your mother and I had saved up enough money for you and Sam to go to college. The scholarships came as a surprise, much less full ride ones," Eric laughed, "So we are spending the money on ourselves and going to Cancun, and a few other sunny places,"

"I thought you and Mom might give me a graduation present with some of that money," I hinted, grinning, "Didn't Matt get a car?"

"And a wife, plus the other kids also got married in college," Dad reminded me

"Not Ruthie," I pointed out, smiling.

My sister was now twenty-seven, the longest a Camden had gone without getting married. Ruthie loved to travel all over the world and tell us her jetsetter stories. The kids adore her, and her gifts she finds for them for Christmas. However, she doesn't get much time to spend with her family, or to have a fulfilling relationship with a man so Mom and Dad are getting a little antsy, wanting her to settle down and them to travel around the world.

I think they're leaning toward Martin, who we all know and love. Jack would be a nice change though, because he actually seemed more interested in Ruthie, boyfriend-wise then Martin ever did. Her British stud, Chad had cheated on her apparently, but Ruthie was never around enough. The worst part was that we could all sympathize with a man that had seen my sister one day every three months. I couldn't even do that if Cain was Ruthie and I Chad. Oh Cain. Even that name makes me smile.

"I don't count Ruthie," He said, frowning, "She didn't go to college. At least Mary went to flying school or whatever that was called," He waved his hand, shrugging.

"Dad," I smiled, "Um, if Mom tells you anything,just remember," I patted him on the back, "Cookies and milk,"

"I have to go," Dad said, "Oh and tonight's Family Night, so make sure to remind your mother. Mary and Carlos wanted to tell the family something and Matt had some news," He gave me a significant look, "I'm hoping it is relevant to sugarless cookies and Annabel,"

"Die-bees!" Andrew yelled, eating another cookie. I knew he was trying to say 'diabetes' but was eating with his mouth full.

"Andrew's not terribly fond of bees," I explained to Dad with a forced grin, opening the kitchen door, "You can go now," I smiled, hopefully not showing my annoyance. How did Andrew know about the diabetes? Clever kid, sneaking around.

Like, five minutes after Dad left, Ruthie came down, wearing jogging clothes. She smiled at us, giving Andrew a hair-tousle. Andrew is the king of hair tousles on a side note, I suppose it comes with the power of being "special".

"I am going to go jogging for a while," She smiled, "Gotta work off that jet lag,"

"Speaking of jet lag," I spoke up, frowning, "Where were you?"

"Britain with Chad," She took a water out of the refrigerator, "He's on a business trip in Florida, but when he comes to L.A in three days, I'm going to have him come down here and meet the family,"

I looked at her, perplexed, "I thought you broke up with Chad?"

Ruthie frowned, "You mean Chas? Yeah, but he was Canadian and really uptight about my work schedule," She rolled her eyes, "That was five months ago, anyway. I met Chad two weeks after I dumped Chas," She giggled, "He's so cute,"

"Oh," I said, frowning. Which source had told me about Ruthie's break up with ChaD? Oh yeah, Dad. Reminder to Self: Double check Dad's sources.

"Don't worry David," Ruthie said, patting her hand on my stomach, "Chad and I have been together for four and a half months. I met his family like the week after we started dating and his kids about two months ago,"

"Kids?" I asked, "He's your age and he has more than one child?" Honestly, I feel like I have no reliable sources when it comes to Ruthie. The only person she confides in is her boyfriend and sometimes Matt. And Matt's like a stone.

"He's thirty, David," Ruthie admitted, "With three very cute boys,"

I looked at her, surprised, "I hope the oldest isn't Aaron's age?"

"Slightly older," She sighed, "But Chad was married before the kids came along, for about two years!"

"Ruthie," I laugh and she groans, and takes a seat

"Andrew, go find Grandma. I know she wants to see you!" I said in my best kid friendly voice, leading Ruthie to Andrew's seat, his sandwich now crumbs, but plenty of Oreos around.

"You can tell me anything," I told her, smiling and took an Oreo of my own.

"I love Chad," Ruthie said honestly, smiling, "He and his wife were married when they were twenty-five. They adopted Noah from Tibet first, he's five. Than Joshua came from Afghanistan. He's fifteen and then his wife got pregnant with Caleb. She died minutes after delivering him, because he was a premie,"

"Oh," I said, understanding, "So Chad isn't like Martin?"

"No, David," Ruthie whispered, "Martin will always have a part of my heart, and as much as I adore Jack Morgan, the heart I have to give away belongs to Chad, Joshua, Noah, and Caleb,"

"You know," I frowned, "Martin's coming home in a few days, permanently. From what I know, he's looking forward to spending some time with you,"

"David, it's too late," Ruthie laughed, "I stopped believing in true love a long time ago and Chad's started to show me that with work, anyone can be in love," She frowned, "Why do you want me to get with Martin? Why not give my Chad a chance?"

"Chad is, I'm sure, a wonderful guy," I said, "But, Dad has his heart set on you settling down with a nice guy close to home," I leaned in, "He and Mom are even using some of the college money that was supposed to be for Sam and I, to save up on your wedding with Martin," I explained, "And a cruise around the world," I put in as an afterthought.

"Settling down, huh?" Ruthie laughed, "David, I love Dad, but the day I choose to be married will be my choice," She grinned, "Chad proposed a week ago, actually, but I really want him to meet the family first,"

"Proposed? Does Dad know?" I asked, "You know, he has a thing about the prospective son in law asking him for his daughter's hand in marriage first," I told her, smiling

"Apparently my father and the rest of the family has confused Chad with Chas," Ruthie rolled her eyes, "Don't tell anyone. I don't want Dad and Mom to over prepare, like they do with yours and Sam's girlfriends."

I wanted so badly to scream at her that I didn't like any single girls at the moment. Notice I said single. Cain was first and foremost on my mind. Speaking of Cain, what was his brother doing with a hickey on his neck, if Ruthie claimed to be taken?

"If you like Chad so much, then why did Jack have all the signs of a girl making out with him?"

"I ran into him locking lips with one of the single moms," Ruthie shrugged, "We had only talked for a few minutes, and Jen had just finished breast-feeding her twins if you get what I mean," Ruthie chuckled, "I don't understand why men are attracted to single moms or soon to be single mothers,"

"Well, technically, Martin did it with Sandy before the pregnancy happened," I pointed out, smiling

"I'm going to go jog," Ruthie said, annoyed, "You don't say a word to anyone, Mr. Camden,"

"Swear," I said, crossing my fingers, because I have to tell Cain. And Sam. Wow, my twin was an afterthought. This must be serious affection.