Summary: Annie and the baby arrive home after a torturous week in the hospital

Rating: Somewhere between PG and PG-13

Spoilers: None really: AU

Disclaimer: I don't think I own the characters of 7th Heaven, but you know how I get easily confused. Just don't sue me

Author's Notes: Here it is, the chapter where Annie comes home and basically, all hell lets loose. Thanks for all the kind reviews, I appreciate it. Keep on doing it.

When Heaven Weeps Part Four

They stood clustered around the living room couch, as if it would protect them from the events which were to take place at any given moment.

The squeal of tires against pavement was heard. The car's engine died. The car door opened, then shut.

The children held their baited breath, waiting, watching, wondering.

The front door swung open, the low grunts coming from their father struggling to carry the many items of mother and baby.

"We're home."

Annie and Eric walked into the living room and were greeted by their five other children, more presents in hand.

Annie mustered a smile and handed the bundle she carried into Eric's arms,

"Oh, I've missed you guys."

She bent down and hugged each one, murmuring into their ears and stroking their hair. They all repeated their own words to their mother.

"We missed you too."

"Happy missed you."

"Huey missed you too, Mommy."

Annie smiled at the mention of the family dog and Ruthie's imaginary friend.

"I missed Huey as well, now, where's the nearest food?"

They all laughed on cue and followed their mother into the kitchen, like good little children. Eric stayed behind, having watched the way his wife handled herself in front of her children. But had plopped the baby girl into his arms like a bag of coal.

He gazed down into the sleeping face his daughter and whispered,

"Welcome home, Elizabeth."

ding dong

The doorbell rang its scratchy theme, adding to already placed chaos that lingered in the house. Eric quickly set the stack of plates he was balancing into the sink, wiped his hands, tossed a biscuit to the dog, picked up the crying baby sitting in her carrier seat, and rushed to the door,

"Julie?!"

His sister laughed and immediately leaned over to coo into her niece's face,

"In the flesh."

Eric stared open mouthed as he watched his only sister play with the child, he grasped for words,

"What are you doing here?"

Julie finally looked up, almost seemingly forgotten about her brother standing in front of her,

"Hank and I are leaving for a cruise tomorrow, I came a day early to see all my favorite nieces' and nephews', and of course, the newest little one."

"A cruise?"

Julie nodded at her stricken brother, lightly laughing and gently removing Elizabeth from him,

"Aren't you glad to see your favorite sister?"

Julie brushed past him and disappeared into the house, leaving Eric still gaping, and wondering what had just happened.

"Aunt Julie!" choruses rang throughout the house. Eric smiled at the happy tunes the house now played. Annie came down for a few minutes, chatting a bit with her sister-in-law, but soon escaping to the privacy of her bedroom, apologizing monotonous that she felt weak and needed sleep. Eric watched his wife retreat upstairs, wondering to himself why she wasn't enjoying this time of relatives, one she actually got along with. He shrugged off the thoughts and rejoined his family, carrying on with the jokes and stories that circled over the group.

Dinner was quiet.

Julie had left and had taken the cheerfulness with her. The scraping of silverware on glass dishes was the only sound that echoed over the large oak table. Each family focused on their plates, they all knew something was up. Mom wasn't herself. Mom was.....they didn't know what was wrong. All of them forced themselves they were just being silly, overly sensitive, it would take awhile until things returned to normal. This whole transition was normal. They just had to get accustomed to it. That's all.

Somehow, Eric knew his children were rationing with themselves. But he had no idea how to tell them otherwise. That was a new feeling for Eric. He was always in control, had a tight reign over his family. But now, the whole game had changed.

"How was everyone's day?"

Eric attempted to start mindless chatter, but no one felt the need or desire to answer his question.

"May I be excused?"

Other voices followed, asking the same inquiry. Eric sighed and nodded, watching his silent children escape to their bedrooms.

Stuffing the now cold chicken into his mouth, Eric finished his dinner, alone to his own thoughts.

"Annie?"

Eric quietly stepped into the dimly lit bedroom, noticing his wife lounging on the bed, a book propped between her hands, a concentrated look gracing her face.

He asked again. No answer. He stepped closer and leaned over her.

"Annie?!"

With a deep frown, Annie glanced up from her reading,

"I heard you the first time, and the second, and the third."

Eric fought the urge to bite back with a sarcastic pun, he only sighed and sat on the bed next to his wife, cradling their daughter inside his arms.

"Elizabeth needs feeding."

Annie sighed, an annoying expression overtaking her, glanced down at the baby with a scornful glare, and then returned to her book, spitting out,

"Give her a bottle."

Eric sat looking confused, they had had this all planned out before she had gone into labor. Sure, a few things had happened in between moments, but he had thought......

"I thought we agreed you would nurse her for several months, then wean to the bottle."

Annie shot the book down onto her lap, her voice cold and condescending,

"You obviously thought wrong. I don't feel like breast-feeding her. Give her bottles for all I care. I'm busy."

Eric watched as his wife resumed her task, he was awestruck. The mother of his child wanted nothing to do with this baby. That much was obvious.

Feeling like he had just been hit in the gut, Eric stood up, baby in hand, jostling her to keep her calm, her hunger cries beginning to start.

Walking out, he closed the door halfway, as he turned slightly back and peered through the open slant at his wife, the scornful face still settling over her features.

Eric cringed slightly and headed back downstairs. The sick feeling slowly returning to the pit of his stomach.

To be continued...........................