Don't own characters or Barbie.

Chapter Five
Christmas used to be Merry

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
it may be your last,
Next year we may all be living in the past
- Judy Garland

Sam woke up with a smile on his face. This was his favorite morning out of the entire year. He got out of bed and jumped on his brother in the bed across from his. Naturally, David freaked out and screamed, "What was that for?"

Sam pointed to the clock on their nightstand, which confused David at first. He then saw the date and jumped out of bed, running to the doorway. Seconds later, Sam joined his brother-both with smirks across their faces.

"Ready, set, go!" Sam shouted before taking off in a sprint.

"Merry Christmas!" The young boys shouted in unison while running back and forth down the hall. They had given up on getting into Ruthie's room to wake her up years ago. She always locked her door before she went to bed on Christmas Eve. When they asked her about it later Christmas morning, Ruthie would always just shrug it off.

Annie smiled at the excitement of her youngest sons as she crawled out of bed. She put on her bathrobe and opened the door to her bedroom, catching the attention of Sam and David. They stopped running immediately and waited for their mother to speak.

Annie smiled again and said, "Get ready for church and maybe I'll let you open a present before we leave for church." Sam and David ran into their room to find the suits their mother had laid out the night before. Annie shook her head and smiled. She loved the excitement of her two youngest children. Ruthie would not be as easy to get ready this morning as Sam and David were. Annie made her way to Ruthie's door and knocked, knowing it would be locked. When she heard no movement, she knocked again and said, "Ruthie! Are you awake?"

The only response she got was tears. Annie was not surprised as this was typical Christmas morning for Ruthie. For some reason that Annie could not understand, Ruthie was always more bitter on Christmas. She knocked again and said, "Ruthie, get up, please. Church is in about an hour."

Annie walked back down the stairs, knowing she wouldn't get a response. She went down to the kitchen to put the casserole she had prepared the night before in the oven before getting herself ready for church.

When the breakfast was finally ready to eat, Annie called the rest of the family down to the dining room, where they ate in complete silence. Christmas mornings weren't always like this. In fact, they used to be so loud one could hardly hear oneself think! There was too much in the way to have those breakfasts again.

When the family was finished eating, they put their plates in the dishwasher and piled into the family car. The drive to church was also silent.

After the service, the Camdens returned home and changed out of their church clothes. When everyone was changed, it was finally time for presents. They still drew names from a hat, but now bought presents.

Sam picked Annie and got her a plastic ring, one of the one's dentists give out. Annie thanked her son for the gift.

Ruthie picked Simon's name. She got him a one-way train ticket back to Hollywood.

"Thanks, Ruthie, good to know you care," Simon said sarcastically.

"I don't," Ruthie said sarcastically.

Simon picked David, but before he could hand the present to the younger boy, he heard Ruthie mutter under her breath, "What do you get someone you hardly know?"

Simon glared at Ruthie before handing the bag to David. The gift was a video game, one that David had been asking for. Simon smirked at the shocked look on Ruthie's face. He would never tell that he flat out asked David what he wanted.

When Annie announced that she had chosen Ruthie, the confused looks on Ruthie and Simon's faces did not go unnoticed, but they were ignored. Annie didn't want to get into it with the two oldest children today.

While the rest of her siblings made their way up the stairs, Ruthie stayed in the living room with her parents. When she was sure her brothers were all the way upstairs, she turned to her parents and said, "Why do you guys keep lying to me when you do things that make it so obvious that you're not okay?"

Her father had a confused look on his face and said, "What are you talking about? I think this morning went pretty nicely."

"Yes," her mother agreed, "almost like how it used to be!"

Ruthie stared at her parents in disbelief. Had they even been in the same room as her? "It was nothing like it used to be! Not only was our entire family not together, but you guys didn't pick each other's names!"

"Ruthie, you're reading too much into things. Your mother and I are fine."

Her mother agreed with her father and her parents left the living room to get ready for the rest of the day. Holding back tears, Ruthie made her way to the attic. She looked around her bedroom and reminisced on the days when it was Matt's bedroom. Matt had just moved out of the house, making the bedroom Mary's when the trio was kicked out. A picture caught her eye and she went over to pick it up. It was a picture of the five oldest Camden children on Christmas morning. Ruthie remembered the morning very well; it was the last Christmas with Matt, Mary, and Lucy.

It was tradition for the Camden kids to sleep in Matt's room on Christmas Eve. It was easier to wake everyone up in the morning this way. Ruthie was the first awake, as expected, and crept down the stairs to have a peek at the tree her siblings and she had decorated weeks before. She noticed the presents under the tree and ran as quietly as she could back up the stairs. Once she got to the attic, she screamed, "Santa came! Matt, Mary, Lucy, Simon, wake up! Santa came!"

The siblings, who no longer believed in Santa, smiled at their youngest sister's innocence before getting out of bed and joining Ruthie in waking up their parents.

Once the family made their way to the living room, Annie and Eric began handing out presents to their children one at a time. It was a tradition for youngest to go first, which made Ruthie very happy. She tore open the present to reveal a toy car for her Barbie's.

Ruthie happily announced that she had picked Simon's name. Simon successfully hid a disappointed sigh from his younger sister while she excitedly handed him her present. Everyone knew it wasn't good to get Ruthie. When he opened the present, however, Simon was pleasantly surprised. It was a piggy bank stuffed animal.

Matt chose Ruthie's name and was excited to give her his gift. He had sold his entire CD collection to be able to buy it. He nervously watched Ruthie open the small box. When she saw what was inside, her face lit up and she tackled her brother in a hug.

It was a charm bracelet with four mini-heart locket charms. One had "Matt" written on it, one had "Mary," one had "Lucy," and the last had "Simon." Each held a picture inside of the respective sibling.

"I know you don't want us to leave but eventually we're all going to have to, including you," Matt explained to her. "It doesn't matter how far away we are because you'll always have us with you. You're our little sister and we have your back no matter what."

Ruthie tackled her oldest brother with a hug. "Promise?" Ruthie questioned

"Of course! How could we forget our favorite youngest sister?" Mary replied.

"Thank you!" Ruthie screamed while hugging each of her older siblings. "I love it! I'm never taking it off!"

When Annie revealed she had chosen her husband, the Camden children rolled their eyes. Their parents always cheated to make sure they chose each other, not that they minded, though. It meant Annie and Eric were still in love. They thought it was adorable.

After all the presents were opened, Annie wanted a picture of all the kids. "It's my last Christmas with all five of my children living at home!" She exclaimed. She arraigned the children until they were in perfect positions. After telling them to smile, she shot the picture and then one more for safety.

The children dispersed except for Simon and Ruthie.

"So, how was your Christmas, Ruthie Camden?"

"It was the best Christmas ever, Simon Camden. How was yours?

"It was absolutely perfect!"

"Promise me we'll always have perfect Christmases."

"Of course we will! As long as we're all together, we will always have perfect Christmases."

"What if one day we're not all together?" Ruthie said sadly. She hated thinking about her brothers and sisters leaving her.

"We're family. We'll always be together."

"Pinky promise?" Ruthie asked as she stuck out her pinky finger. Simon chuckled before grabbing her pinky with his own. "Pinky promise."

"Even when you're a famous director and you are too busy living out your dreams to spend time with your little baby sister?"

Simon rolled his eyes, his sister was always saying he would be a director even though he had no idea what he wanted to be. At the moment he was leaning toward cowboy, but he knew it was useless to correct her.

"That would never happen, Ruthie. You're my baby sister and my best friend! I will always make time for you. You matter more than anyone or anything ever has or ever will."

"Even ten years from now?"

"Forever and for always. I love you, Ruthie."

"I love you, too, Simon. I'm glad you're my big brother, even when we fight."

"I know, Ruthie, and I'm glad you're my little sister.

The pair hugged and walked to their respective rooms.

Ruthie showed her charm bracelet off to everyone, including strangers. She loved that bracelet more than any other possession. It made her feel loved and remembered, as her siblings grew older. She knew one day they would all live somewhere else and she would be the only one living in their parents' house, but the thought no longer scared her. She knew her brothers and sisters would be there forever and for always, no matter the distance.

The summer after that Christmas, Matt moved into an apartment of his own. He was in college and wanted the freedom that came with living on his own. He was still close by, though, and could visit his younger siblings whenever he or they wanted.

Ruthie unconsciously touched the chain around her neck, where her charms now resided. After Matt, Mary and Lucy had been kicked out, her parents would not allow her to wear the bracelet. She tried to hide it from Annie and Eric, but they caught her most of the time. When they threaten to confiscate it, she finally gave in and took the bracelet off. Tired of seeing his sister so sad all the time, Simon came up with an idea to tie them around her neck on a long piece of string. Ruthie loved the idea and was thankful she still had Simon around. When she got older, she bought herself a nice chain to wear them on. Thankfully, even ten years later, her parents had never noticed it.

The memories of that Christmas became too much for Ruthie and she began to sob. She flopped onto her bed and shoved her face into her pillow, still holding the picture. She was sobbing so hard she didn't even notice someone had entered the room.

"Are you okay?"

Ruthie lifted her head to see her older brother, Simon. She screamed, "I'm fine! Just go away!"

Simon had let his sister sob by herself once, he was not about to do it again. He made his way over to her bed, where he sat down beside her while rubbing her back. "Talk to me, Ruthie. It'll make you feel better to get it out."

Ruthie then flipped over to her back and sat up, glaring at her brother through the sobs. She yelled, "It's never going to be okay, Simon!" while punching the boy in his chest. Simon let her beat him up for a few minutes before reaching to hug her. At first, Ruthie resisted, but then finally let in. She sobbed in his shoulder.

When Ruthie finally stopped crying, she leaned away from her brother, allowing Simon to notice the picture in her hand. After realized that the picture was the one he had taken with his siblings eleven years ago.

"I miss those days," he said cautiously, not wanting to provoke his sister.

"Me too. But we can't go back, Simon. None of us can. This family just can't be fixed, at least not anymore."

"It's not too late, Ruthie!"

"Yes, it is, Simon! Don't you get it? We're not the same family we once were! We're not the same people we once were! All of that has been ruined! Forever!"

"How can you be so sure? Maybe, if we try really hard, maybe one day things will be better."

Ruthie reached in her shirt, pulling out the long chain around her neck and showing Simon the charms. "You guys promised me forever but only gave me months."

Simon had forgotten about that present. Matt had discussed it with Mary, Lucy, and Simon before giving the bracelet to Ruthie and they had all agreed it was the perfect present. They had never planned on leaving their baby sister; it just kind of happened. "I'm sorry."

"Me too."

And she was. Ruthie wished more than anything for her family to go back to the way it was eleven years ago. She missed her older brothers and sisters more than she would like to admit. All five of them were close growing up, despite the age differences. The pair sat in silence, thinking about past Christmases, when they heard a bustle at the front door.

"That's probably Lucy and Kevin," Ruthie whispered.

Simon nodded and stood up without taking his eyes off of Ruthie. It was like he was afraid she would disappear if he looked away even for a second. He tried to give her a hug, but was pushed away.

"This doesn't mean things are okay, Simon," Ruthie huffed with an intense glare at her brother. She then pushed past him and made her way down to the main floor of the house where she greeted Lucy and Kevin with a fake smile on her face.

Lucy noticed the chill between her two younger siblings. It had been there since Simon arrived back in Glen Oak, but today it was different. She couldn't quite tell, but she hoped it was a good kind of different.

The family sat down to eat their Christmas dinner in the formal dining room. Sam and David excitedly told Lucy and Kevin each gift they had gotten that morning. Lucy was delighted to see their little eyes light up when they talked. They were so innocent and unbroken, unlike their older brother and sister who were currently sending glares at each other. Lucy sighed, disappointed that things had not gotten any better between Simon and Ruthie and based on the glares she, too, was receiving from her younger sister, things were not right between them either.

Lucy kept her eyes on Ruthie. The girl looked much older than 18 and that saddened her deeply. Ruthie was always smiling when she was a child but now that smile was replaced with a permanent frown. She looked tired and worn out, as if she hadn't slept for months, or even years. The past ten years had definitely taken its toll on Ruthie, more so than any other family member. Wanting to cheer her up, Lucy asked, "Ruthie, what did you get for Christmas?"

"Broken promises," was her snarky response.

"Ruthie, be polite to your sister," Annie corrected the young girl.

"Why should I?"

"Because she's your family whether you like it or not."

This response infuriated Ruthie. She stood up turned to her mother and yelled, "Are you fucking kidding me?"

"That language is not appropriate, apologize to your mother now, Ruthie!" was heard, but ignored by the young daughter.

"You two kicked Lucy out of our family as well as Matt and Mary! Your own children! In my opinion that's not very polite, now is it, Mother?"

"Ruthie Ann Camden we are your parents. We know what is best for you!"

"I hardly think eliminating people who have been there for me since the day I was born from my life is what's good for me! And then when I try to follow your stupid rules, I get yelled at! You don't want Matt, Mary, Lucy and Simon to be a part of our family, I am just fine with that! Hell, the only family I have are Sam and David! They're the only ones who love and support me!"

Ruthie stormed out of the room, slamming the front door. The family heard a car door slam shut and the squeals of tires as the car drove away.

"Who are Matt and Mary?" David said, breaking the silence.

Eric and Annie looked at each other for the first time since dinner started. They had always dreaded telling their youngest sons about what had happened before they were born, but they didn't think that conversation would come so quickly.

"Some people we used to know," Eric said, hoping the boys would take it as an acceptable answer.

"But Ruthie said they were in our family," Sam responded.

Eric looked at Annie again, telepathically trying to figure out what to tell the young boys.

"Family means different things to different people," Annie covered.

When neither of the boys said anything else, Annie and Eric took it as that the pair was satisfied with the answers they had received and sighed in relief. The rest of the dinner was silent. Everyone was afraid to make a sound.

Simon couldn't believe what his sister had done. Hadn't she learned from his mistakes? He was terrified at what his parents would do to her, but a part of him just didn't care. Ruthie knew what she was doing. She was leaving her family, just like Matt, Mary, Lucy, and himself. After all the grief he had received from her over the past two weeks, he couldn't believe she was doing the same thing. Maybe Ruthie would be back in a few hours, but that didn't make up for it. He was pissed at his little sister for doing this. Simon was shocked when Annie came running into the room. The look on her face let him know that something was wrong. Dead wrong.

"It's Ruthie. We have to get to the hospital. Now."

Sorry this took so long. I finished school last Thursday so before then I was busy studying and procrastinating and stuff. I've also been making this video for my Com class, which took up most of my time because it kept freezing the computer. I really hate technology. A lot. This past week I've been busy visiting people and sitting around doing absolutely nothing. It was nice. Plus, I couldn't decide some details of this chapter.

While I was procrastinating, I made some changes to the first four chapters. They're not too major but I would read the phone call between Matt and Simon again because big stuff changed there.

Thank you so much for the reviews! I hope this chapter helps out with some of the confusion of stuff. If you have any other suggestions or whatever, please tell me!

Thank you for reading! :)