A/n: Hey this is my first 7th Heaven fanfic, so I hope you enjoy. I do not own any of the characters from 7th Heaven, but I do own Veronica, Jenny and Veronica's parents. And a few minor characters like the social worker and doctor. Enjoy, please R and R.
Chapter One!
In a run down, dirty and crummy part of Glen Oaks was a small two-bedroom house with shattered windows and a broken front door. Most houses in that neighbourhood weren't too pleasing, but this small house was worse than any other.
People who drove by would assume it was condemned when actually, it wasn't. There actually was a small family living there. The Jenkins.
The Jenkins had a daughter named Veronica, Ronnie for short. At only 15 years old, this young girl endured more pain and suffering than any individual should in their entire life. She lived in constant fear and constant suffering. The cause of all of this was her parents.
Her dad, Troy was a heavy alcoholic and also did every drug on the market, including illegal substances. He was always angry and always took it out on his wife and daughter. He was very abusive. He would often come home late at night, yelling and screaming and then he would hit his daughter until she passed out. Then he would leave her unconscious until she woke up and he'd start at her all over again.
Her mom was no better. Allison was also heavily into drugs and had a horrible temper, which she constantly released on Ronnie. She would always put her down about her looks, her grades and anything else that suddenly popped into her mind. She was physically abusive as well. Ronnie was miserable. She lived in constant fear that she would do something wrong and get hit for it. Sometimes, when her father came home drunk or her mom started screaming, Ronnie would crawl under her bed and hide there until the madness stopped. She never cried, because her parents would hit her. She barely spoke, because her parents would hit her. 15 years old. Having to live in that sort of fear. What could she do to escape?
Ronnie lay in her bed on a Monday evening, staring at the dark ceiling. It was past midnight, and she was trying to move herself into a position of comfort. Her left side ached from the shoulder down and she needed to find a spot that would help her not have to feel the pain so strongly.
She moved and found a spot that worked out pretty well. Laying on her right side now, curled up and staring at the wall, she whispered a prayer.
"Dear God, please help this pain to heal and help me get to sleep tonight." She never slept. Every single, solitary noise she would hear, she feared it was her father, or her mother. She was always wide awake and often fell asleep in school. Her tears would notice this bad habit and call her parents, who would of course, hit her.
"Please forgive me if it was my fault that dad hurt me. I didn't mean to make him mad." Ronnie continued to pray. She had come home from school that day with her report card which her parents saw. B's and C's.
"You can do so much better than that! What's wrong with you? Are you stupid or something?" Her mom screamed as her drunk father threw her across the room, where she landed against the ratty sofa and hurt her whole left side.
Now as she lay praying to God, she blamed herself, as she often did. Her parents always made it seem that way, and so Ronnie believed it.
"Lord, please bless Jenny and thank You so much for having her come into my life." She prayed some more.
Jenny Fleming was her next-door-neighbour. A tall 23-year-old University student who was a very strong believer in God. She had known for a long time that Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins were atheists and she wanted so desperately to at least introduce Ronnie to God and His Son and the sacrifice He made. So one day, when Ronnie was 10 years old, 18-year-old Jenny had asked her to come visit her that afternoon.
"Oh no! I can't! Mom and dad would kill me!" Ronnie had cried. Jenny was confused but they arranged to meet after Ronnie's parents had gone to bed.
Ronnie learned so much that night and prayed for Jesus to come into her young heart. After that, Ronnie continually snuck over to Jenny's house for weekly Bible studies. Her parents never found out.
Time went by and Jenny was becoming suspicious of what went on over at the Jenkins's house. She even asked Ronnie once.
"Oh no. I'm fine. It just gets a bit crazy. Nothing to worry about." Ronnie would answer, but Jenny wasn't so sure.
"Lord, just please protect me and keep me safe. Forgive me my sins. I love You Lord. In Your Name I pray, Amen." Ronnie stirred gently and stared at the wall all night, flinching at every noise she heard. Help them not to come up here! Oh dear Lord, help them to stay downstairs! Ronnie was afraid, just as she was every other night. She didn't know how she would ever overcome that fear, she could only trust that God was watching out for her.
On the other side of town, in a very nice neighbourhood, lived the Camdens. A very large family consisting of a husband, a wife and seven children!
Eric Camden was the father of all these children. He was the Reverend at Glen Oaks Community Church. He also counselled people during the week. He was a very respected man and a lot of people loved and trusted him.
His wife, Annie Camden was a wonderful mother. At times, she was known to be a little strict, but her children always learned from their mistakes because of it. She always had a smile on her face and was always willing to help.
Their oldest son, Matt Camden, was 23 years old and resided with his best friend, John in a small apartment not far from home. He was very involved in family life and was a great big brother to all of his younger siblings.
Their oldest daughter, Mary Camden, was 19 years old and lived at home with her parents and siblings. She loved playing basketball and had a hard time keeping a job. But she was always there to lend an ear for her younger siblings.
Next came Lucy Camden, who was 17 years old. She was always going out on a date with a new boy and answering everyone's questions about, "Who her boyfriend was this week." Her and her big sister Mary shared an attic bedroom together, where they spent a lot of their time sharing each others stories and secrets.
Then there was Simon Camden, who was 14. He was a very smart boy who always did well in school and had a great, moral head on his shoulders. He had a bit of a problem making friends though, and that often depressed him, but he was a great brother and son.
Ruthie Camden was next. She was 10 years old and attended a private elementary school. She was a gifted child who needed a better school to enhance her intelligence. Her and Simon were very close, just like best friends. Ruthie often went to Simon first for advice.
And last, but not least, were the two-year-old twins, Samuel and David Camden. Just like any other toddlers, curious and willing to learn new things. When they were first born, Ruthie grew jealous of the twins because she was the baby and she wanted it to stay that way. But time went by and she grew out of it and began to enjoy being a big sister.
This family was such a close family, always eager to help each other, and othersin time of need.
"Eric, don't forget your keys." Annie reminded her husband before he left the house that morning.
"Oh right. Keys. Thanks. What would I do without you?" Eric asked as he kissed his wife. She smiled.
"You don't have to worry about that honey. Now get going. You'll be late for your appointment." Annie said. Eric gave her a final kiss and headed to Glen Oaks Community Church to meet with Jenny Fleming.
He walked into the church and she was already sitting in the front pew, waiting for him. He sat next to her, apologizing for his tardiness.
"Don't be sorry. This won't take long." Jenny explained.
"Well, what's going on?" Eric asked. Jenny sighed.
"I'm getting a bit upset at myself, Reverend. I feel like I'm failing her." She explained. Eric puckered his brow.
"I'm sorry, but who do you think you're failing?" He asked, afraid he had missed something. Jenny smiled.
"I'm sorry Reverend. I guess I should explain. Well, I told you about that girl, my neighbour Ronnie. She wants to know so much about God and His Son and the Spirit and she asks me so many questions and some I just can't answer. I just feel like I'm failing her and stopping her from learning what she wants to learn." Jenny explained. Eric seemed to be thinking for a moment before he replied.
"Jenny, it's not up to you, it's up to God, but this seems to be heavy on your heart. Why don't you bring her to church on Sunday? Maybe then, I could speak to her." He offered. Jenny immediately shook her head without even needing to think.
"I've already tried that. She says she couldn't. Her parents wouldn't let her. Her mom and dad are really strict! She's never allowed to go anywhere, not even to my house, which is why she sneaks over after her parents are in bed so she can learn more about the Scriptures." She explained. Eric smiled.
"It's so nice that she trusts you and is eager to learn about God." He said.
"Yeah, it is, but I'm not up to it. I don't know everything there is to know, and I can't answer every question she has. I just wish she'd come to church and ask you for that spiritual hunger she needs filled." Jenny explained. Eric sighed.
"I wish she would too Jenny, but only she can make that decision. She can't be pushed into anything that makes her uncomfortable. We will, of course, pray for her." He explained. Jenny nodded.
"You're right. I just have this feeling that her parents are a big reason why she doesn't come to church. Her parents are atheists. I know that, but I've always had a bad feeling about them. I can't explain it, but I don't like them." She explained.
"You may just feel this way because of the fact that they aren't believers." Eric said. Jenny shrugged.
"Maybe you're right. I don't know. Thank you for taking time to see me, Reverend Camden." She smiled as she stood up. Eric also stood.
"Anytime Jenny. I'll be praying for you and this young girl. I'll see you on Sunday." He embraced her and watched her leave the church.