When Ruthie woke up the next day she felt someone holding her hand. She looked around to see her parents asleep on the coach by her bed, Matt and Mary asleep in arm chairs at the foot, and Martin in a plastic chair next to her bed with his head resting on her blanket. His hand was tightly clenched around her own. Ruthie also became aware of something in her nose, and oxygen tube. She reached up to try and take it out when Martin's hand shot out and stopped her.

"Oh no you don't."

"I'm fine. I just needed to sleep."

"That is up to the doctors. Why didn't you tell everyone you were tired?"

"I don't know but trust me I won't do it again."

She looked down at her right hand and saw the iv again and groaned.

"What's wrong?"

"I hate needles."

She shot the iv a face. Martin laughed at her.

"How did you know?"

"Quinn called me."

"Oh. Why do my parents think your here?"

"Because I'm your boyfriend."

Ruthie looked at him panicked and glanced to make sure everyone else was clearly asleep.

"What! Did you tell them?"

Martin reached up and cupped her cheek, his thumb stroking calmingly.

"Your mom and dad already knew."

"They...What?"

"They saw us one night when I dropped you off one night."

Ruthie sighed and leaned into his touch. She felt weird almost like she was in a fog.

"Ugh why does my head feel weird?"

Martin looked concerned. He let go of Ruthie's face and grabbed the nurse's call button.

"Weird how?"

"Like my head is foggy and my arms and legs feel heavy."

"Does anything hurt?"

"Yeah my head is throbbing."

Martin pressed the button and a few seconds later a male nurse came in.

"What seems to be the problem?"

"My head really hurts."

The nurse grabbed her chart and started thumbing through. He glanced at Martin.

"Has her speech been clear?"

"Yes."

The nurse pulled out a tiny pen light and started looking at Ruthie's eyes. When he was done he clicked the pen off.

"Ok I'm going to page your doctor."

Martin looked worried. He grabbed her hand and squeezed. When Dr. Morris came in she walked over to the machines and read the paper.

"Hello Ruthie." She turned towards her. "We are going to give you something for the headache. I don't see any reason for why you can't go home today."

"Ok thank you."

"Just take it easy. Low stress and plenty of sleep."

"I know."

She left the room and when the door shut it stirred Ruthie's parents awake. Eric and Annie glanced around then went over to Ruthie's side. Annie sat on the edge of the bed.

"Hi Sweetie, how do you feel?"

"I'm ok. The doctor says I can go home."

"That's good."

Matt and Mary woke up and Ruthie relayed exactly what the doctor said. After what felt like hours to Ruthie, she was finally released. Her family had figured out ways to take stress off of her. Lucy and Kevin were officially moved back into their house and Ruthie would babysit only when necessary. Her mom was going to pick Sam and David up in the afternoons and now that her parents knew about she and Martin they didn't have to sneak around.

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

A few weeks had passed since Ruthie was in the hospital. She had started taking better care of herself and hasn't collapsed since. This Friday is important to her though. It's March 28th, Ruthie's 18th birthday. She was so excited. Martin's game was on Thursday this week so he was coming to spend the weekend in Glenoak. He hasn't been back since a week after Ruthie got out of the hospital. His dad had gone to Vegas with Jen and came back married. It was a shock not only to Martin but to Quinn and Alex as well. Jen and the kids moved in with Beau and Martin made it clear to his dad that he was angry. Quinn was actually beyond angry. She felt as though it was an insult to her father. She refused to be in the same room as Beau and made it clear that she couldn't wait to leave for college. She had also gotten into Segora and wanted to get an apartment with Ruthie. They had both sent back their responses and had received the next bit of paperwork. Martin wanted Ruthie to move in with him but her parents shot that idea down quickly. After they became aware of the relationship they did exactly what Ruthie knew they would do, meddle. They made it clear that they didn't want Ruthie and Martin to have sex, Ruthie had thought it wise not to tell them that they already had. They also wouldn't let Martin upstairs, wouldn't let Ruthie go visit him, moved up Ruthie's curfew, and made it clear that they thought Ruthie and Martin were moving to fast. It was driving Ruthie insane. But she brushed all of her feelings aside. After family dinner on Friday night, Martin had told Ruthie that he wanted to take her somewhere special. Ruthie couldn't wait.

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Ruthie's birthday dinner was nice. Martin came as well as Simon, Sandy, Aaron, The Colonial, and Grandma Ruth. After they all ate and Ruthie opened her gifts her parents gave she and Martin permission to leave. They left and went to their spot. After Martin parked Ruthie had to voice her thoughts.

"I thought we were going somewhere special or did you just say that and secretly plan on getting me naked?"

He laughed, "No I wanted to bring you to our spot to give you your birthday gift."

"You already gave me a charm bracelet as a gift. Which I love by the way."

"That was just an appetizer."

"Really?"

Martin took a deep breath. He was so nervous luckily Ruthie didn't notice.

"Look I know we've only been dating for 5 months but I've known you for 5 years."

"Ruthie started to shake slightly. She finally noticed just how nervous Martin looked. But before she could say anything he continued.

"I know we're young but I can't picture being with anyone else ever again. Next to Aaron you're the best thing that ever happened to me. I don't ever want to be away from you."

Ruthie was stunned into silence. Martin reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a blue velvet jewelry box. If Ruthie was nervous before she was completely freaked out by now. Martin held the box in his hand and looked her in the eye as he continued.

"I want to be with you forever," he flipped open the jewelry box and held it out. Inside was the most beautiful ring Ruthie had ever seen. It was a silver band with a 2 carat round diamond surrounded by small pearls. Ruthie stared at it wide eyed. Martin caught her expression and thought it best to get to the point.

"This was my mom's. My dad gave it to me last summer. She would have wanted you to have it. Ruthie Camden will you marry me?"

Ruthie was still in shock. She never expected this. She had always figured that they would get married but she figured in 3 or 4 years. But this moment was to perfect. She loved this man. He understood her and loved her for who she was. Ruthie couldn't imagine being with anyone else. She noticed Martin was waiting for her to say something. It took her a second to find her voice but she knew her answer.

"Yes."

Her voice was barely a whisper but she knew he heard it because his smile stretched into the biggest grin.

"Really?"

"Yes, one thousand times yes."

He leaned over and pressed his lips to hers. When he pulled away he reached down and pulled his mom's ring from the box and slid it onto Ruthie's left hand. She stared at it before kissing him again.

"I love you Martin."

"I love you too Ruthie."

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Ruthie and Martin were back to their secrets because after talking they both decided not to tell Ruthie's family about the engagement. Ruthie was nervous that her dad would get angry and that her mom and sisters would take over planning the wedding. Martin was just plan scared of what Ruthie's brothers would do to him. So they agreed Ruthie would keep her ring in her jewelry box and only wear it when she was alone with Martin. Ruthie wished she could wear her ring. She loved it and loved what it symbolized. She was going to marry Martin Brewer. They want to get married in June after Ruthie graduates. Until then Ruthie kept up with her classes trying to get the highest grades possible. She had fully applied to Segora and accepted her scholarship. She was glad that she didn't have to pay for dorm until July since she and Martin planned on getting family housing at Segora. Martin had showed them to Ruthie when she went to visit. Most colleges had family apartments, but Segora had whole houses. Gorgeous 2 story homes with fenced in yards. Since both of them had full scholarships they could easily afford the rent. But in order to qualify they had to be married by July 30th. Ruthie knew she had to tell her parents at some point but not for a few more weeks.

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Before Ruthie knew it June had rolled around and she was graduating from high school in 4 days. She had decided something this morning but she had to talk it through with Martin first. She didn't have the privacy at school to call him so she sent him a text.

r- Hey got a minute

m- What's up. Aren't you in class?

r- I finished my test 2 min ago. I want 2 talk 2 u

m- ok?

r- I think we should elope

m- What!?

r- I think it would b easier. We could get married on Friday & tell everyone on Sat

m- You want to surprise your parents at your graduation party and tell them that we got married?

r- Well no we could tell them after

m- It still sounds like a bad idea

r- If we tell them it will seem like we r asking 4 their permission. we don't need anyone's permission. what can they do if we r already married?

m- They could get really really angry and disown you.

r- they wouldn't do that. Pls? Just think about it?

m- I don't like talking about this via text but I can't come see you until Thursday.

r- So?:)

m- So I guess I'm saying yes. But if they get angry this was totally your idea.

r- Yes!

m- I love you. I'll see you on Thursday.

r- lu then

Ruthie clicked her phone off grinning. She was getting married on Friday.

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Thursday morning was a chaotic mess. All of Ruthie's brothers and sisters were coming home as well as Ruthie's grandparents. Luckily Mary and Carlos were staying with Lucy and Kevin and the Colonial and Grandma Ruth were staying with Aunt Julie and Uncle Hank so the Camden house wouldn't be too crowded. Martin came home and immediately went over to Ruthie's house to talk. He had been thinking a lot about what Ruthie was saying and the more he thought about it the more he thought that it was a good idea. Since Martin wasn't aloud in Ruthie's room unsupervised they met outside in the garage.

"Hey babe."

He picked her up and pulled her in for a kiss. Once they released he told her his thoughts.

"I still don't think your parents are going to like this. Or my dad but I think we should do it."

"Really?" He couldn't help but laugh at her eager expression.

"Yes I think it is a good idea. But we have to get something first."

"What?"

"Wedding bands might be a good idea."

She grinned at him and nodded. They told Ruthie's parents that they were going to see Quinn and left. They went to a small jewelry store at the promenade. They picked out matching silver bands and got Friday's date engraved in both. They left the store hand in hand made it back to the Camden house in time for dinner. They kept glancing at each other for the rest of the night. Discretely touching each other when no one was looking. They both were excited for tomorrow and at the fact that no one knew.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000