Title:
Downfall
Type: 7th Heaven Fan Fiction
Rating: PG-13 (Sex,
Alcohol, possible drug content)
Disclaimer: I don't own the
characters of 7th Heaven. I do own all my original characters and
this story, though. Don't take.
Summary: Tragedy strikes Lucy and
Kevin, who then must decide what to do with their lives.
Downfall
Chapter One: Nichols and Dimes
Lucy Kinkirk had taken motherhood to a new level. The whole garage apartment had been completely childproofed and redecorated for their new daughter, Gabriella, and her benefit. Only a month after giving birth, Lucy was well on her way to getting back her figure and into a normal routine. Kevin's worries that Lucy was overdoing it again were consistent. His offers to help her were always rejected, as she insisted on doing everything herself.
Her abstinence class still had a few sessions to go. It had been relatively successful, and Lucy had found herself counseling and talking with a few of the girls over some ice cream. In fact, she was on her way to meet two sisters, Darcy and Marcy. Kevin was at work, and Lucy couldn't find anyone to baby-sit Gabriella. Lucy had decided to bring her along.
With Gabriella in her carrier, Lucy walked alone to the promenade. The carrier was heavy, but Lucy had no problems with it. It was a cool day. The wind was blowing. Lucy glanced at Gabriella. She looked a lot like her parents. She had light hair, blue eyes, and an adorable smile. She cooed, and Lucy smiled at her. She was almost to the restaurant in which she was going to meet Darcy and Marcy, when she noticed a man she recognized. He was standing alone, drinking a cup of coffee. Smiling, Lucy walked toward him. She put Gabriella's carrier down. His back was toward her, and she covered his eyes with her hands. It wasn't hard, as he was a short man of only 5'8".
"Let me guess," The man stated. He spoke with a light British accent. His hands covered hers as she strained to keep from laughing. "Your hands are small and soft, so you're obviously either a woman or a very gay man. You're not hitting on me, are you? Sir?" Lucy began giggling, despite her efforts. "Oh, now I'd recognize that laugh anywhere. Lucy Kinkirk?" She removed her hands from his eyes. He spun around to face her, smiling.
"Nichol Smith," Lucy stated, smiling, "You never cease to amaze me."
"Or amuse you, apparently," Nichol added, "Where are you off to on this cold day?"
"I'm meeting some girls for ice cream or a soda or something," Lucy answered, "Two sisters from my abstinence class. Did Kevin tell you about that?"
"He's mentioned it," Nichol recalled, "Kevin's incredibly proud of you, you know." Lucy smiled. They sat down together at an outside table of a coffee shop. Lucy picked up Gabriella from her carrier and held her.
"I know," Lucy stated, "I'm so in love with him. I don't think it's true that you stop loving someone after marriage. They say the excitement goes away, but with Kevin, everything is always wonderful." Nichol smiled.
"I feel the same way about Amelia," Nichol replied, referring to his wife, "I don't know where I'd be without her. She saved me, I swear it."
"Saved you from what?" Lucy asked, curiously. Nichol grinned.
"The eternal question," He simply stated.
Nichol had once worked with Kevin on the police force. They'd gotten to be good friends with each other. Because of this, Lucy had also gotten to know Nichol's wife, Amelia. Nichol had recently quit the force. He'd found himself in physical pain because of the strenuous demands of the job. He was a small man of twenty-six with short, blondish-brown hair, an unshaven face, and sparkling green eyes.
"Are you guys still planning on moving?" Lucy wanted to know. She'd remembered his opinions of Glen Oak, and how he'd like to move to a big city.
"Yes, actually," Nichol answered, taking a sip of his coffee. He continued, "Amelia and I are actually in the process of finding a home in New York." Lucy smiled.
"That's so exciting," Lucy commented, smiling, "What city in New York?" Nichol shrugged.
"I really had my heart set on Albany, but Amelia really wanted Buffalo," Nichol explained, "That's where Kevin's from, right?" Lucy nodded.
"I was visiting my sister there," Lucy replied, "That's how we met. Not the most romantic setting ever, but I guess I'm just a sap for that kind of thing."
"Me too," Nichol agreed, "I met Amelia in high school and we did that whole 'friends with benefits' thing. That didn't work too well when we realized we were in love. Isn't that a story to tell your grandkids?" They laughed. He took another sip of his coffee.
"Can I have a drink of that?" Lucy wanted to know, "I'm incredibly thirsty."
"Be my guest," Nichol said, handing Lucy the paper cup. She took a drink, then stared at the cup.
"What is in this?" She wanted to know. Nichol smiled deviously.
"I've always found coffee to be better served with spoonful of vodka," He laughed, "I wondered if you'd notice that." Gabriella began to cry.
"See? You've made my daughter cry," Lucy joked.
"Can I hold her?" Nichol asked, "The British are known to be good with kids." Lucy rolled her eyes, but handed Gabriella across the table to Nichol. She immediately began to laugh. Lucy stared at Nichol.
"How did you do that?" Lucy demanded, "She never quits that fast." Nichol glanced at Lucy, but quickly back to Gabriella.
"I told you," He scoffed, "The British are known to be good with kids. She's so beautiful." He looked up at Lucy. "I always wanted kids, but Amelia said it wasn't a good idea. She doesn't think she'd make a very good mother. Of course it's my job to tell her that she would be."
"I don't know what I'd do if Kevin told me he didn't want kids," Lucy stated, "I grew up in a big family, so I figure I should have one." Nichol smiled.
"How many kids do you want?" He wanted to know. Lucy shrugged.
"At least three," She decided, "Maybe more. Who knows?" Nichol nodded, then glanced at his watch.
"What time were you supposed to meet the sisters?" Nichol wanted to know. Lucy's eyes went wide.
"Oh no!" She exclaimed, "What time is it?"
"Four twenty," Nichol answered.
"Crap! I'm late!" Lucy shouted, then stood up and began to run. Nichol glanced at the baby in his arms.
"Hello Gabriella," He greeted her, using a baby voice, "You're so cute. Yes, you are. You're so small. Yes. I wonder how long it'll take Mommy to figure out that you're not with her." Gabriella continued to stare at him. She cooed.
Nichol finished his cup of coffee and carried Gabriella with him as he threw it away. He noticed that Lucy had taken the carrier. He laughed and rolled his eyes at Gabriella, who began playing with her feet. Nichol watched the baby in amusement for a few more minutes before he felt a hand slap his head violently. He turned around, smiling, and laughed at the look on Lucy's face.
"Why didn't you come and find me?" Lucy shouted.
"Lower your voice," Nichol told her, "I figured when you realized that you left something behind, you'd come back for it. You did. See? Everything worked out like I thought it would."
"Nichol Smith! Your practical jokes aren't very funny when they involve my baby!" Lucy yelled, "And don't tell me to lower my voice!"
"Fine," Nichol replied, "I'll never do it again? Happy?"
"Ecstatic," Lucy said, sarcastically, "I'm taking my baby now." Nichol handed Gabriella to Lucy.
"You know," Nichol began, "I could watch her if you want me to. You seem to have a pretty busy life. I'm still off of work on medical leave. Like I said, I'm great with kids."
"I don't think I'll be needing you, but thanks for offering," Lucy replied, "Sorry for going off on you. I get like that sometimes. Anyway, thanks for the company. I needed it. It turns out that the girls had already met up with some other friends. It looks like I'll be going home now. I'll call Amelia sometime this week."
"All right," Nichol answered, smiling, "See you, Luce." Lucy smiled back and walked away. She began on her journey home.
She'd walked a few minutes, and was getting close to home, when she heard footsteps rushing toward her. As Lucy turned around, she felt a group of men fly right into her, running as fast as they could. It was a gang running from the police, who were hot on their tail in three police cars. A gunshot flew into the air as a warning to the police that they were armed. As they ran into her, they knocked Lucy to the ground. Gabriella fell from her carrier, crying, and was kicked across the sidewalk. The gang continued on, unconcerned with Lucy and the baby. Gabriella was as a football under their feet. She was trampled, then kicked to the side of the curb. Lucy jumped up, her arm throbbing, and ran to her daughter. Gabriella was motionless. A police car pulled over and Kevin got out. He rushed to Lucy, who was holding their barely-breathing daughter in her arms.
"Lucy!" Kevin exclaimed, "Are you guys ok?" Lucy shook her head. Blood was coming from her nose, but she held Gabriella to Kevin.
"I'll be ok, but she's not moving!" Lucy explained. Kevin took his daughter and put her in the cop car. He drove away, absentmindedly leaving Lucy behind.
