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Ruthie woke up the next day happier then she could ever remember being. But when she rolled onto her side and found the other side of her bed empty she felt as though a part of her was missing. Martin was going to wake up in his dad's house without his wife. Ruthie felt weird about it but reminded herself that after tonight her parents would know and tomorrow she was going to leave with Martin. She rolled out of bed and got dresses. Since it was a party she grabbed a white and navy stripped cotton dress and her navy sandals. She figured it would be comfortable. She braided her long hair off to the side and fixed her makeup. She went to her jewelry box and glanced at her wedding ring and her engagement ring. She didn't hesitate she put them both on. Her parents hardly noticed what she was wearing anyways. When she went into the kitchen she was actually surprised to see that Martin was already in the kitchen. The rest of her family was in the backyard setting up. When Martin saw her he pulled her in for a quick, sweet kiss. When they pulled away Ruthie smiled at him.

"Hey."

"Hey. Warning your mom is already jumping down everyone's throats trying to make everything perfect."

Ruthie rolled her eyes, "Of course she is." Ruthie grabbed his hand and squeezed. He smiled and looked. His eyes widened when he saw that she had both of her rings on.

"Ruthie what are you doing?"

Ruthie sighed and kissed his cheek. "I am tired of leaving them in a jewelry box pretending that they don't exist. I'm your wife and in a few hours they will know it."

He smiled and kissed her again when the back door came open and Aaron walked in with Savannah. Aaron ran to Ruthie and she picked him up.

"Hey Slugger." She kissed his cheek.

"Nana Annie wanted us to find you."

Ruthie laughed, "Well you found me."

Martin reached down and picked up Savannah. She looked at him for a minute.

"Martin are you my uncle?"

Martin looked at Ruthie who just nodded.

"I guess so."

"Ok just asking."

She wiggled wanting down. As soon as he set her on the ground she took off out the door. Aaron leaned his head on Ruthie's shoulder.

"What's wrong Aaron?"

"I'm tired."

Martin walked over to them and rubbed a hand up Aaron's back.

"Didn't you sleep last night?"

"No I was scared."

Martin's eyebrow shot up, "Scared of what?"

"The monsters. They're under my bed."

Ruthie stifled a laugh and Martin shook his head.

"I'll have Momma monster proof your room tomorrow."

"Ok." He yawned and nuzzled his face into Ruthie's neck. Instead of setting him down Ruthie just carried him. She and Martin walked outside and Ruthie was shocked. Her brothers had set up a big tent with tables and chairs underneath. There was a huge banner on it that read "Congratulations Ruthie." Lucy and Annie were setting out decorations. Ruthie looked at Martin.

"I thought Quinn and I said simple?"

"Yeah well no one listened."

Ruthie groaned and Martin wrapped an arm around her.

"It won't be that bad."

She shot him a disbelieving look. He just laughed and kissed her cheek. The rest of the morning the Camden's set up the backyard and at 11 o'clock people started arriving. Quinn walked over to Ruthie.

"Is it just me or are these all of your parents friends and not yours."

"Welcome to my world." Ruthie was still holding a sleeping Aaron. Beau walked over and hugged her.

"Congratulations Ruthie."

"Thanks Beau."

"Here i'll take Aaron. You go enjoy you par...ty." Ruthie followed his gaze to the rings on her left hand. She knew he would recognize his late wife's engagement ring. Beau looked back up at her and grinned. "I knew you two were up to something."

Ruthie walked closer so no one would overhear. "I'm sorry Beau we just didn't want to make a big deal about it like I knew my family would."

"Relax Ruthie I understand. I know you and Martin love each other." he spotted something behind her. "Speaking of my son."

Ruthie felt one of Martin's arms wrap around her. "What about me?"

He looked between his father and his wife. Beau laughed and glanced back down at her rings. " I knew you two would elope. But I had money on her 18th birthday so I guess Alex gets $20.00."

Martin laughed and kissed Ruthie's cheek. She leaned back onto him and reached for his hand. "Please don't tell my parents right now, that's tonight's battle."

Beau nodded, "Oh I'm certainly not taking that bullet for you two. you two were the ones that got married so good luck."

Martin groaned, "Thanks Dad." He reached out and grabbed Aaron who was stirring awake. "Hey Slugger. Are you hungry?"

Aaron nodded sleepily. Martin laughed, "Ok lets go get you some food." He turned to Ruthie. "Do you want anything?"

Ruthie shook her head, "I'm fine." Martin nodded and carried Aaron into the tent. Quinn nudged Ruthie playfully.

"Think you can handle him forever?"

Ruthie rolled her eyes, "Oh no. I can't handle him."

Quinn just laughed, "You two will be fine." She hesitated before continuing. "Hey Martin mentioned the houses you're moving into have finished basements."

Ruthie raised an eyebrow, "Ya."

"Well you know I was looking at apartments but the prices are pretty steep. So I was wondering if I could live with you guys and we can split the rent?"

Ruthie smiled, "I'm fine with that but you would have to as Martin."

"i'll wait till tomorrow. He's got enough on his plate today."

"Thanks. I think he'll be fine with it though."

Quinn just nodded. Ruthie looked over at her husband. He was carrying Aaron in one arm and in his hand was a small plate of food. Whatever he had just said to Aaron was making the boy laugh. He was truly amazing.

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Ruthie was helping her mom and sisters carry in decorations when all of a sudden Mary pulled her arm. She pulled Ruthie into the laundry room and smiled.

"So when were you going to tell me Mrs. Brewer?"

"What?"

Mary indicated to her rings and Ruthie grinned at her.

"You're not mad we didn't invite you are you?"

"Why would I care? It was your wedding it needed to be what you wanted."

"Thanks Mary. But please don't tell mom or dad, I want to tell them myself."

"Tell us what?" Ruthie's eyes widened and she turned to find her mother in the doorway. When her mom's eyes darted to Ruthie's hand she looked beyond furious.

"Mom, I..."

"Living room now."

Mary and Ruthie looked at each other and followed their mom. Ruthie wished Martin was here but he took Aaron home so he could sleep. When they entered the living room their other siblings were chatting with their father. When Mrs. Camden entered she rounded on Ruthie but her voice was eerily quiet.

"Ruthie could you call Martin and have him and his father come back over?"

"Ya." Ruthie walked out of the room and dialed Martin's cell. It rang twice before he answered.

"Hey Babe."

"Hey. My mom wants you and your dad to come over."

"Why?"

"She saw the rings."

"I'm on my way."

He hung up and Ruthie walked back into the living room. Besides her mother and Mary the other Camdens looked confused. Ruthie sat on the couch next to Mary and hid her left hand behind her right. When they heard a knock on the front door Ruthie moved to open it but Annie beat her to it. When Martin walked in with his dad he took a look around and sat down next to Ruthie. Beau decided to stand behind them. When her mother walked in front of her Ruthie knew she was mad.

"Are you two going to tell me what were you thinking? Oh wait you obviously weren't thinking! Why would you do this? You never even mentioned it to us."

Eric stood, "Annie what are you talking about?"

Annie didn't answer she simply looked at Ruthie. So Ruthie breathed and answered her father.

"Martin and I got married last night."

There was a creepy silence before Eric finally broke it.

"Ok I'm with your mother. Why did you do that? Without even asking my permission first?"

That made Ruthie's temper flare. "Your permission? I'm 18 I don't need anyone's permission."

"Oh yes you do. You live in our house you need to live by our rules."

"Oh so when Lucy ran away to New York to marry Jeremy even though you were paying for her college that was ok? Or when Matt still lived here and married Sarah that was fine? But when I do it it's not?"

Everyone looked shocked that Ruthie brought all of that up. Annie looked at her daughter.

"Are you pregnant? Is that what all of this was about? Because there are options that didn't include marriage."

"No I'm not pregnant."

"But then why would you two do something so stupid?"

Martin finally decided to speak up before Ruthie really lost it. "I proposed to Ruthie on her birthday. We were originally going to tell you about the engagement tonight but then we found out that if we want student family housing at Segora we had to be married by July. So we decided not to make a big deal out of it and just elope."

Eric looked at him, "Why couldn't you two wait until next year? Have a long engagement, really get to know each other."

"Reverend Camden I've known your family for 5 years."

Beau thought it best he said something. "If this is what makes you two happy, I'm fine with it."

Ruthie turned and grinned at him, "Thank you Beau."

Matt spoke up too, "I can't say I love this idea but what's done is done. I love you both and i'll support you if this was your decision."

Simon and Lucy nodded in agreement.

Martin glanced at Ruthie and voiced another thing. "I want Ruthie to come back with me tomorrow and live with me. It is how marriage is suppose to work and I want a real marriage."

Eric blinked but then sighed. "You know I love you both. So I guess I will support your decision. I just hope you two realize what you were getting into."

Ruthie stood and hugged her father, "Thanks Dad."

"Are you sure you're not pregnant?"

"Yes I'm positive."

"Just checking."

Apparently her mother wasn't going to suck it up and give her daughter her support because she stalked upstairs. Ruthie sighed. One step at a time.

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The next day Ruthie was finishing up her packing. Since they would only be at Martin's apartment for 4 weeks. Ruthie only packed some clothes, shoes, a few pieces of jewelry, a few books and movies, her laptop, chargers, and a few photos. It fit easily into a suitcase and a small tote. At 10:00 Martin pulled into her driveway and came up to her room.

"Hey are you ready?"

"Ya, for now but this is gonna be a lot to pack when we move."

"We'll handle it."

"Oh about that has Quinn talked to you?"

"About living with us? Ya, I told her as long as you were ok with it I'm ok with it."

Ruthie smiled and kissed him, "That's why I love you."

He laughed and lifted her suitcase for her. She grabbed her tote bag and purse and followed him. She said goodbye to her siblings and her dad, Annie refused to come downstairs, and left with Martin and Aaron. Sandy was away on vacation so Martin had him for a whole week. When they got back to his apartment, Ruthie unpacked while Martin started dinner. When Ruthie unpacked a picture of her and her parents she set it back in her bag. She couldn't believe her mom didn't say goodbye. Martin tried to reassure her that her mom would come around in time. When she was done she went out into the main room and sat down on one of the counter stools. She stared at the counter. Martin thought he knew what she was upset about.

"Ruthie I told you your mom will come around just give her some time."

"It's not that."

"Then what's wrong?"

"I was just thinking about what Sandy is going to say about this when she gets back from vacation."

Martin sighed, "Well it's really none of her business but she likes you so she'll probably will be fine with it."

Ruthie smiled, "I hope so."

Martin walked around the counter and sat down on the stool next to her and grabbed her hands. "We will be fine. We're married and no one can do anything about that."

Ruthie wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. They were interrupted by a small voice.

"Hello there's a kid in the room." They broke apart and looked at Aaron who was holding a DVD. Martin laughed, quickly kissed Ruthie's cheek and went back to cooking. Ruthie looked at Aaron.

"What do you need Slugger?"

"Can I watch a movie?"

Martin nodded, "Ruthie can put it in for you."

Aaron happily sat on the couch and watched his movie while Martin cooked and Ruthie set the table. When she was done she glanced around. This was her family.

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