Disclaimer: I do not own 7th Heaven or anything pertaining to the WB network. The only things that I do own are the characters not in the show.

A/N: As always, thank you for all of the reviews! I'm really glad that you are enjoying the plot and writing of this story.

March 16, 3:06 AM

In The Days Ahead

Chapter 11: Resolution

"They found her!" Ruthie, Marie, Emily, and Sarah turned in silence to Cecilia. She was still on the phone. "OK…OK…hurry home. Bye." She hung up the phone and looked up at her sisters-in-law and niece. "Kevin, Roxanne, and Justin found her. They said that they would tell us more when they got home, but she is safe and well." They all looked relieved as they crowded around Cecilia to hug her. They went to the sofa and sat down silently. Emily went to go get Mary, who had fallen asleep next to Kyle. She hurried downstairs to the other women while Emily checked in on Annie and Lucy. Lucy was asleep in Annie's arms. When Emily came in, Lucy awoke. As soon as she explained what had happened, the two women hurried out to meet the rest of the group in the living room. Emily followed them.

The next 10 minutes were the slowest that the women felt they had ever endured. The other men had been contacted and were all on their way home. Matt and Eric arrived first, followed by Carlos and Peter and David and Simon. Simon hurried over and took his wife into his arms. Everyone took their seats on the sofa and chairs around the room. Finally, the door opened, and Justin, Roxanne, Kevin, and Rachel entered. As soon as Simon and Cecilia saw their daughter, they rushed forward to hug her. Kevin guided them into the living room where the family formed a large circle. Kevin and Roxanne came into the center with Rachel to explain. Rachel looked anything but happy.

"Roxanne and I were driving down 56th," Kevin began. "When we decided to stop at the promenade, where we saw Sgt. Michaels with his wife. We were going to ask if he had seen anything that could help us find Rachel." Everyone nodded, showing that they were following along with what he was saying. "We were walking to him when we spotted Rachel…Rachel, I think you need to tell them what you were doing." After shooting a vicious glare at her uncle, she opened her mouth to speak.

"Mom, you knew I didn't want to baby sit. I hate baby sitting. I'm sick and tired of baby sitting all of the kids without even being asked if I want to! So tonight, I didn't want to do it. Anna came by, picked me up, and we were going to go see a movie, but someone" She glared again at Kevin. "Had to ruin it all." Cecilia's relief quickly turned to anger.

"You're telling me" She began, trying to keep her anger down. "That you just 'didn't feel like baby sitting' so you left with out telling anyone? You left with out my permission? Is that what you're telling me?" Rachel nodded smugly, seeming proud of her accomplishment. Simon took Cecilia by the hand and they went into the middle of the circle where their daughter was. Kevin and Roxanne backed up to the outer edges.

"So, let's discuss what we'll be doing about this." Simon said.

"But dad…" Rachel said, looking extremely embarrassed. "Can't we talk about it in private?" She asked. Simon and Cecilia both shook their heads.

"No. Your Aunts and Uncles have been up all night trying to help us find you. They will be here to help us decide." Cecilia stepped in closer.

"Well, Rachel, You're grounded, obviously." She said. "And by grounded, I mean complete restriction." Rachel's jaw dropped. Simon decided to take over.

"No TV. No phone. You will be going no where except for school. No friends over. No computer. No Internet, obviously. No CDs or music of any kind, mom and I will be removing your stereo, TV, and phone." He told her.

"And finally, you will be baby sitting any time that we, or any of your Aunts and Uncles ask, no excuses, and it will be done for free. " Cecilia added. Rachel's hard appearance faded immediately, and she seemed to seriously be wondering why she left.

"But, mom…dad…" She said quietly. Cecilia and Simon had no mercy.

"Rachel, go to your room. Your punishment isn't going to be changed. You have to take the consequences of what you did."

"How long am I on restriction for?" She asked sadly.

"Two months." Cecilia told her. Rachel looked at her parents for a moment, obviously holding back tears, then started up the stairs. They heard her door shut. Sarah came up and put her arms around Cecilia.

"It's Ok. You did the right thing." She told her reassuringly. Ruthie and Mary came over to and told her the same thing. Cecilia nodded.

"Thanks." She said. She looked up at everyone in the room. "Thank you so much." She told them. "With out you, we never would have found Rachel. And Kevin, Roxanne, Justin…"

"Your welcome." The 3 said in unison. Everyone started to leave, taking their sleeping children in their arms. David and Marie left first, closely followed by Ruthie and Peter, with Natalie and Amy. Mary and Carlos left next with little Kyle. Annie and Eric said goodbye to their son and daughter-in-law as they left. When the only adults remaining in the room were Sarah, Matt, Lucy, and Kevin, Sarah approached Cecilia again.

"If it's any consolation, Emily left the house with out telling us when she was 13 too. It gave us quite a scare. She had gone off to her friend's house. When we found her, she received the same punishment as Rachel has. It'll be Ok. You're already ahead of us. Rachel really does seem sorry. Emily wouldn't even act sorry for a week! Everything will be fine." Cecilia thanked her and they hugged. Matt and Emily got Sean, Chloe, and Jack, then met Sarah at the door. They said goodbye to Simon and Cecilia and left. Cecilia came over to Lucy and sat down.

"Lucy…I'm really, really sorry that this happened. It was supposed to be your night and Rachel's ruined it."

"It's ok, really. Your daughter's safety is more important than a dinner." Cecilia smiled sadly at her sister-in-law. She reached out and put her hand on Lucy's slightly raised stomach.

"Congratulations." She told her. "Are you excited to be a mom again?" Lucy smiled.

"More excited than you could ever imagine." She said. "Kevin and I weren't exactly planning it, but it has been in the back of my mind for awhile. I'm so happy: we'll have five kids! I loved growing up as one of seven, and I want my kids to be able to experience the 'big family thing' too!" Cecilia looked at Lucy.

"Are you going to have seven?" She asked with surprise.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe. Right now, I'm happy with this 5th that's on his or her way. We'll see what time brings." She said. They hugged briefly before Kevin came in with the triplets, who looked like zombies at this hour of the morning. They walked into the room, half-awake, next to their father, who held a sleeping Liv in his arms. They said goodbye to Simon and Cecilia and left. Cecilia turned to Simon.

"We're really lucky to have a family like this." She said with gratitude. "Who else would stay until" she looked at the clock. "Almost 4 AM to help us? And all you guys were so brave." She said. Simon laughed.

"Yep, that's me. Brave." He joked in his manliest voice. Cecilia laughed and kissed him.

"Yes, you are." He smiled and took her hand.

"If you say so. Come on. It's late…or early, I guess. We need to get to sleep. I'm sure we have a long day ahead of us." And with that, the couple walked up the stairs and into their bedroom, where they were asleep in minutes.

A/N: Review please! Also, I still need ideas! They have been very helpful so far! Please send any ideas you have to: camdengirlfanfic(at)aol.com (It won't let me put e-mail addresses in, explaining the (at) haha.), subject line: ITDA Story Idea. Thanks!!