Title: Lottery Winnings
Author: Cyher aka Tiger220
Summary: A man who even the Camdens have deemed hopeless, gives Mary hope for the future.
Author's Notes: This is in response to a 7Th Heaven lyric wheel challenge at TWoP. Unlike my other lyric wheels, I'm having to break it up into chapters. When it's finally finished, lyrics will be posted at the end of the fic.
Chapter 2
So many things happened in the Camden kitchen. It was of course used for cooking, and occasional meals were eaten at the small table when large portions of the family were away. It was also used for studying and phone calls and arguments. Today, however, it was used for a family meeting.
"So what do you guys think?" Annie asked. She had just unveiled her plan for bringing Bob Mitchell out of his shell of despair and into the community. Annie looked around the kitchen at her husband, Mary, Lucy and Kevin, Martin and Cecilia, Ruthie and Peter, and the twins. Everyone had a job to do, and all except one had agreed enthusiastically.
"I can't do this," Mary said.
"Sure you can, honey," Eric said reassuringly. "All you need to do is just have a conversation. Maybe help clean up a little bit..."
"That's not what I mean," Mary said. "I won't help you guys turn this man into another Camden Family Project. Can't you just leave him in peace?"
"But Sweetie, he's not in peace," Annie said walking around the counter and putting her arms around her oldest daughter's shoulders. "If you had seen the way those kids were treating him you'd know that he needs our help."
"No," said firmly. "I'm not going to be a part of this insane plan."
"Ah pregnancies...aren't they wonderful," Eric said dryly as Mary left the room and Annie chased after her.
It was times like these when Mary couldn't be sure if she missed Carlos or not. On one hand, he wasn't nearly as crazy as her family or their new strays in need, and she loved him dearly. She couldn't wait for his business trip to end so he could come back to the states and they could go back to New York.
On the other hand, he really wanted to move back to Glen Oak. "I want our baby to be raised in safe place, far away from the violence of New York and close to people who will love and care for it," he had said. Of course, her family was more than happy at the prospect of their oldest daughter and first grandchild living in the same town. Mary could see one of two things happening if they stayed in Glen Oak: 1. She'd go crazy and hate every minute of it, or 2. She'd go crazy and turn into her parents.
Either way, the outcome looked grim.