A/N: So sorry for the extremely long wait you guys! Thank you to all of those who stuck with me during my really annoying writer's block.
Disclaimer: I still don't own anything!
The door flew open with amazing speed. The minute Martin rushed inside anxious cries could be heard from the other side of the kitchen door. He felt himself suddenly overcome with another wave of panic as he made a sprint toward the kitchen. He was only about to push it open when it came back in the opposite direction almost hitting him in the face. Martin was just able to side step the blow that it would have caused.
"Martin thank god you're here!" Annie rushed. Without so much as a nod in her direction he rushed past her, the smell of freshly baked peanut butter cookies engulfing his senses. Letting out a gasp his eyes shot up in direction of his son. His heart constricted as he took in the horrified scene before him. Aaron sat thrashing around in his carrier frantically, blood splattered on his sleeper as his breathe came in shallow spurts. Heart beating erratically in his chest he took Aaron in his arms speeding toward the front door
"SOMEONE CALL 9-1-1!" he ordered. "AARON'S HAVING AN ALLERGIC REACTION!!" In only seconds Annie could be heard on the phone quickly rattling off the address. Ruthie could feel tears brimming in her eyes as she took in the scene before her. Everyone running around in different directions trying to get everything accomplished. She stood there feeling entirely useless with nothing to do but wait as she didn't want to make things even worse than the already seemed to be. In his rush Martin almost collided with the small body that he had forgotten was standing there. "Ruthie run upstairs and get his Epi-Pen!" he ordered. She wanted to ask what in the world that was and where it would be but on instinct she found herself not saying anything. Instead she sped up the stairs toward the bedroom, fear gripping her as she went.
"Where is it?" she asked.
"Baby bag in the front pocket!" he replied. Ruthie returned with what she thought to the biggest tube like thing she had ever seen. Handing it over to Martin she could feel new tears pooling in her eyes as she saw him uncap it quickly, the sharp point of a needle jutting out. The sight of it made her heart stop. This tiny, innocent baby was about to feel so much pain. What in the world was Martin doing? Didn't he know that he was hurting him? She fought the urge to tell him not to. The last thing they needed right now was an argument. Aaron seemed to somehow sense the situation. At the sight of the sharp object he squirmed away from it with silent tears running down his off-colored cheeks. As she came closer she took in his scrunched up face. What was once red was slowing turning purple as attempted breathes refused to be completed. "Ruthie, come hold him down for me!" Without a second's hesitation she nervously took his small arms in her hands as the needle entered his skin.
"What did you just do that for?!" she asked angrily. "You're hurting him!" she screamed hastily wiping the poor little boy's tear stained face.
"Ruthie it's not hurting him it just gives him a dose of adrenaline to keep him…alive-" Ruthie could hear Martin's breathe hitch as he said the word.
"YOU MEAN HE'S GOING TO DIE?!"
"If we can't get him to the hospital fast enough then-" Martin's words were cut short as the sound of sirens could be heard coming from outside. Saying a silent prayer to himself Martin rushed outside to meet the ambulance as it came around the corner. Only seconds later did he hear the doors slam as two EMTs exited the vehicle. Not a word was said as one of them ripped Aaron from his father's arms quickly placing an oxygen mask on his face. As he was being placed on a small gurney the last thing Martin saw were two big brown eyes filled with fear as he tried unsuccessfully tried to reach out to Martin before a big burly man blocked him from his view.
"Who's riding with him?"
"I am," two voices chimed in unison. Martin looked down to see that at some point during this whole mess Ruthie had found a way next to him. He sent a grateful glance in her direction.
"Only one person's allowed to go. One of you will have to follow us there," the man said. Martin turned around and was met with big, brown, raging eyes that quickly shot in the EMTs direction. He smiled as he saw the tiny brunette giving the man one of her famous 'don't mess with me' looks no doubt ready to give the man a piece of her mind.
"Now you listen here mister-"
"If I'm going then she goes," Martin announced cutting her off.
"I'm sorry but we only permit one person per patient," he said.
"You expect a frightened little boy to travel to the scariest place known to anyone surrounded by strangers while his father is standing right here? I don't think so," she said determined.
"Well no but-"
"Like he said we're a package deal. If he goes I go." Seeing the determined look on both adult's faces (Martin's mixed with fear) the man let out a defeated sigh. He waved his hand in the direction of the open door telling them to get inside. They both quickly scrambled inside before the EMT had a chance to change his mind. They came in to see that all of Aaron's bloody clothes had been removed leaving him only in a diaper, a heart monitor attached to his chest. Martin felt himself go slack as he took in how vulnerable the little boy looked. So much so that, were it not for the stable hands that held him upright his legs would have given out right there. Finally regaining his balance he made his way over to the bench allowing Ruthie to guide him along the way.
As they both took a seat on the hard metal bench whimpers emitting from the little boy as he lay helplessly; his eyes searching frantically for something of familiarity. The sound although heartbreaking allowed them both to release sighs of relief.
"Shhh Aaron you're okay now. Daddy's here," he whispered softly so as not to scare him. Ruthie could her heart melt at the tone of voice Martin used just then. She had never heard him speak so gently. It was as if that tone of voice were reserved for him alone. She could feel her lips form a sad smile as Aaron used his little hands to try and yank the mask off his face. She rose up to her feet and gently pried his hands away from his face. As a result Aaron let out another whimper that echoed within the plastic making it sound muffled.
"I know its annoying sweetie but you're going to have to keep it on for just a few more minutes," she cooed taking his hand back that had made its way back on his face. After what seemed like forever they had made it to the ER. The doors swung open again and the two men once again picked up the gurney making the hold between father and son become less and less. When they had exited the vehicle Martin quickly followed knowing Ruthie once again wouldn't be far behind him.
Inside one of them hollered something Martin believed to be "PEANUT ALLERGY!" and instantly the doors a few feet away swung open as the EMTs sped toward the hall allowing the doors to close behind them. On instinct Martin made a running for the double doors but he hadn't gotten far when a set of hands stopped him. He spun around to see a nurse with dark curly hair give him a knowing look.
"I'm sorry sir but you're going to have to wait in the waiting room until they're done back there," she said. Getting a good look at the woman Martin's eyes flashed with recognition but slowly dimmed as he could place the face but the name escaped him. He knew her from somewhere he just didn't know where.
"Listen lady I don't know if you just saw what happened but by baby was just brought in and taken away by a couple of strangers," he said.
"I understand you're concerned sir but you will just have to wait until a doctor comes out to update you on your son," she said. Martin was about to open his mouth and protest when he felt familiar hands take hold of him from behind. As it had done before this gesture calmed him some as he looked to the nurse with his own determination.
"Martin calm down," was all Ruthie had to say before she felt his body's tension slowly decreasing. The woman looked behind Martin in surprise.
"Ruthie?" was all she could utter in surprise.
"How do you-" Martin had no time to finish his sentence before he felt Ruthie move up beside him.
"Sarah!" Ruthie could feel a smile forming on her lips at the site of her sister-in-law. It was a small glimmer of joy that did wonders for her mood. Quickly letting go of Martin's hand she launched herself at the woman engulfing her in a hug. Suddenly it dawned on Martin. He now knew why the woman looked so familiar to him.
"What are you doing back in Glen Oak?" Ruthie asked. Sarah smiled pointing at her badge.
"You-you work here?" she asked shocked. She only nodded.
"But New York-"
"Matt and I decided to move back up so that we were closer to family. It gets lonely up there."
"Matt's here too?" Ruthie's eyes shined at the mention of her oldest brother. This little family reunion was nice and everything but Martin had more important things to worry about. The little person who carried his blood in his veins was somewhere behind those doors no doubt scared and alone. Seeing that both his human blockades were occupied he found an opening to make his get away. Before he could make the few inches a hand jumped out and stopped him.
"I'm sorry Martin but you're going to have to wait just like the rest of them," she said.
"But Aaron-"
"-will be out in a little bit," Sarah finished.
"You don't understand! I'm the only one he knows! He'll wake up scared and alone surrounded by a bunch of faces he won't recognize," she said trying to brush past her. Ruthie's small, warm hands found their way onto his arm gripping it firmly as she directed him toward the waiting room. "I want to see my son!" he yelled angrily trying to free himself from the youngest Camden's hold.
"I know you do," she whispered running her hands up and down his arm. Logically he knew she was right. Instinct was grabbing hold of him and refusing to let go. He should be there! Not here waiting for hours on end. He wanted answers and he wanted them now.
"I know you're scared for him Martin. But I promise you that he'll be fine. There are a team of professionals back there and they know what they're doing."
"I know," he sighed taking hold of his most affective anchor. Ruthie allowed her fingers to weave into his as she squeezed it softly. Even though he had stopped saying the words there was a look of unknown fear that still blanketed his face. Ruthie let go of his hand allowing it to join with the other as they opened up for him. He willingly fell into her arms as they wrapped around him. His head dropped onto hers allowing his nose to take in the raspberry scent of her hair.
--Meanwhile— (a few minutes before)
T-Bone let out a growl as he tried unsuccessfully to reach Ruthie. He had already gotten her machine a total of six times (he had counted) and still no one had picked up on the other side. This was strange. She had always taken to answering his calls. If she had missed it she would call him right back in a few minutes. It always happened that way. He had called her in an attempt to apologize for what he had done tonight. How could he have forgotten something so important? And what made him feel worse is the fact that he was reminded so many times and yet he would brush it off promising that when the time came he would remember. And her he was completely clueless up until a few minutes ago. He dialed the familiar number again. It ringed a few times before he was met with the machine.
"Hi this is Ruthie. I can't get to the phone right now but if you leave a message I'll be sure to get back to you" seconds after he heard that a beep sounded.
"Hi Ruthie its T-Bone. Listen I'm really sorry about what happened tonight. I was hoping you were there so we could figure out a way for me to make up for me being such an idiot. Anyway this is like my seventh message and you still won't pick up so I guess I'll try your house now. I'm really sorry Ruthie. I love you." Letting out a sigh he found himself dialing the Camden house. It rang a couple of times before someone answered. Finally.
"Hello," Annie answered. It sounded as though she had been crying. Was there something wrong with Ruthie? T-Bone wondered.
"Hi Mrs. Camden. Is Ruthie home by any chance?" he asked.
"Oh T-Bone no she isn't." He heard her let out a sniffle.
"Oh where is she? Is there something wrong?" Annie sighed.
"T-Bone she at the hospital," she said.
"Oh god. Okay Mrs. Camden thank you for letting me know."
"No it's not what you-" she didn't get anything else out before he had hung up and was heading out the door. Something was wrong with Ruthie. Was she hurt? He could only imagine what he would find when he got there as he rushed through the night toward his car trying to stay dry from the rain that pelted him as he went. He tapped his foot nervously as he waited for the red light to change. When it finally did he sped toward the hospital. When he finally got there he ran through the hospital doors toward the waiting room. More than likely one of the Camdens was waiting for news on his girlfriend's condition.
Speeding toward the ER waiting room he almost collided with one of the orderlies. After giving a haste apology he ran past her toward his destination. Getting there he froze in place. Standing before him was most defiantly not what he was expecting. That guy (he refused to say his name. Even to himself) stood over her with his arms wrapped around her. He had the nerve to put his filthy hands on his girl. The way they stood said it all. The anger was quickly replaced by sadness. This sadness stayed with him as he turned around sprinting toward his car.
Outside the rain still pelted, soaking him as he walked blindly off the sidewalk toward the car. He looked up momentarily to see a set of lights blinding as they headed directly for him.
A/N: Wow! That's the longest chapter for this story so far! Hopefully it makes up for my lack of consistency. Thank you to all of you who have waited so patiently. As usual please review!