Disclaimer: I do not own 7th Heaven or its characters. I only own my own characters and ideas.

Chapter 21: Another Year Gone

Ruthie sat on one of the rockers on the patio in the back yard holding her pride and joy, Amelia. She was two weeks old and had new surprises in store for both her and Nick every day. Ryan was being held by Simon. Sandy was inside trying to help with dinner. Across the lawn, Charlie was holding on to his baby brother, Andrew.

The whole family was back in the back yard of the Camden household for the cookout signifying the end of yet another summer. This year both Brett and Zach would be starting kindergarten. Molly, now starting to walk, would be staying with Annie along with Ryan and Andrew. Ruthie was still on maternity leave for another two months. Then, Annie would have three newborns to take care of with Eric, not to also mention Molly. Eric was going to stay home more often this year to help watch his grandchildren.

Annie watched the next generation all playing outside together. They were all blessings. She was so glad to have had a large family and it looked as if all of her children would be following in her and Eric's footsteps. That was fine with her. Just more love to go around.

"Sandy, honey, I think Ryan is hungry." Simon said as he entered the back door with the fussy three-month-old boy. Sandy put down the knife she was using to chop up cucumbers and wiped her hand on a dish towel she had over her back.

"I'll feed him now. Would you be a dear and finish cutting up the vegetables for the veggie platter?"

"Of course babe, anything for you." Simon handed Ryan over and gave Sandy a kiss before going to work on the cucumbers.

Sam came inside the house looking around frantically. "I've lost a kid! I've lost one!"

Annie gasped. "What do you mean?"

"I was keeping an eye on all of my nieces and nephews that were playing in the yard and Suzanne has gone off."

The toilet upstairs flushed and Sam looked relieved. "I bet that is her upstairs. I think that we need to put a tracking device on all of them."

The women in the kitchen erupted with laughter although it did cross each of their minds that a tracking device really wouldn't be that bad an idea. There were a lot of them.

As Nick went to start the grill for the chicken and hotdogs for the grill, Lucy grabbed Zach and Brett so they could do their blood work. Over the summer the doctor had been working with both of them. They were now going to be in school and had to take on more responsibility for their health. With the help of their family both of the boys were able to figure out about how much insulin to give.

Savannah had Charlie help her bring out forks, knives, and plates. She wanted to show her mother that she was becoming more responsible. Maybe that way she would be able to hold one of the babies. Charlie was lucky. He had her cousin Andrew to hold at any time.

Ruthie watched Savannah as she started setting out the utensils. Being similar in attitude to Savannah, Ruthie knew what her young niece was doing. Ruthie had done it plenty of times before. Never though for the same reasons that Savannah wanted. "Hey Vannah, would you hold Amelia for me? I need to use the restroom."

Ruthie smiled as she saw Savannah jump for joy and start to glow as she headed over to her youngest cousin. "Don't worry Aunt Ruthie. Mommy has taught me how to hold a baby carefully. I have to sit down and support the head."

Ruthie let Savannah get into place and put a sleeping Amelia on her lap. She eyed Nick so that he could keep an eye on the two of them as she went inside. Nick was a little nervous at first that such a young girl was holding his pride and joy. He was afraid Savannah would drop the baby. After a few minutes however it seemed as if Savannah was a natural. She had a knack for taking care of children. He figured he had better put that in the back of his mind for later years when he and Ruthie needed a babysitter.

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Annie usually didn't like silence, but silence at the beginning of a meal she cooked for her family was a rewarding thing. It meant that people were enjoying her food instead of talking. Savannah and Charlie were sitting with all of the twins at one end of the yard. They were the oldest, but didn't abuse that power. They were actually helping the younger ones with their meals. On the grass on a rug slept Andrew, Ryan, Molly, and Amelia. They were the precious young ones. Three of them were experiencing their first full family picnic at the Camden household outside. All of her own kids were conversing around her. Instead of swapping stories of school and their latest crush, each child was telling stories of their own children.

Well, Annie thought to herself, it is amazing how fast time flies. I wonder where we will be even five years down the road?

a/n That's it. This is the end of this story. If you couldn't tell by my last thought through Annie, I am willing to make a sequel, but that is only if people are interested. I could do that or I could start up a new story. Give me feedback. It has been a joy writing for all of you.