-Hey, I'm really sorry that it took me soooo long to update! I have been so buisy this summer, withvacations and the drama class that I'm taking at school,and just haven't gotten around to writing all that much. I promise I will try to update faster next time

-I don't own 7th Heaven or any of the original characters or places! If I did I would be rich and I'm not! Unfortunately...but maybe someday!

-Enjoy:)

Chapter 14

The Perfect Place To Live

Lucy woke up and looked at the clock. It read three-forty, she groaned and then got out of bed. Once she was out of her bedroom she turned on the hall light so that she could see and she went downstairs. When she got into the kitchen she opened up the refrigerator and stuck her head inside. "I hate these pregnancy cravings," Lucy said and she took out an apple. Then she went into the freezer and took out some mint chocolate ice cream. She scooped some ice cream into a bowl, chopped up the apple and put the pieces on top of the ice cream. "This tastes great. Exactly what I wanted," Lucy said and she took another bite of her snack.

A couple of seconds later Kevin came downstairs looking like he was still half asleep. "What are you doing?" Kevin asked his wife.

"I had a craving for mint chocolate chip ice cream and apples," Lucy said. "So I came down and got some."

"Oh I see…um sounds delicious," Kevin lied.

"You know how these pregnancy cravings are," Lucy said. "I am officially eight months pregnant. Only one month to go."

"So, do you think you're having a boy or a girl?" Kevin asked.

"I don't know. I'm kinda hoping for a girl for Lizzy's sake but other than that it doesn't really matter as long as the baby is healthy," Lucy explained.

"Yeah I know what you mean. I'm going to go back to bed. See you up there," Kevin said and he kissed his wife good night.

"Matt…Matt! Come here!" Sarah yelled as she ran around the house.

"What? What's the matter?" Matt said as he came out of the living room.

"I have found the perfect house for us," Sarah said. "Come here." She dragged Matt into the den and showed him the house that she had found on the computer. "It has four bedroom and a master bedroom, two bathrooms (plus the one in the master bedroom), a den, a living room, an eat-in kitchen, an office, a dining room, a pool in the backyard, and a finished basement. It's the perfect house for us. It's practically so good it sounds too good to be true."

"You're right. Why don't we go and look at it," Matt said. "We can go this weekend."

"But what about the kids?" Sarah said. "They don't want to come and look at houses with us."

"That's true," Matt said. "How about I call Mary and ask her to watch the kids while we're gone?"

"Okay," Sarah said. "I'll call them. Why don't you keep looking at houses? This way we can look at more than one house while we're in Glen Oak."

"Okay," Matt said and Sarah left the room.

She returned a couple of minutes later. "Mary said that she would love to have the kids over this weekend. We should bring them over before we leave on Friday."

"Alright. I'll call the airport and make some reservations for our flight."

That Friday Matt and Sarah left after Matt got home from work at four. They loaded into the car and drove to Mary and Carlos's house.

"Mommy, how come me, Zack, and Nolan can't come with you?" Grace asked.

"You guys would be bored if you came with us. You'll have more fun at Aunt Mary and Uncle Carlos's house," Sarah explained to her daughter.

"Oh," Grace said.

Soon the Camden family arrived at Mary and Carlos's house. "Yes we're here!" Zack exclaimed. Sarah let him out of his car seat and ran to the Rivera's front door. Then Matt got Nolan out of his car seat and Grace got herself out of her booster seat. They all went to the front door and Grace rang the doorbell. Mary answered the door with Jake on her hip and she let them in the front door..

"Hi guys!" Mary greeted them.

"Where should I put this suitcase?" Matt asked.

"You can just leave it on the floor there," Mary said and Matt put the suitcase by the front door.

"Kids, your cousins are here," Mary said and Conner, Charlie, Rebecca, and Maggie all ran to the front door.

"Hello," Sarah said.

"Hi," all the Rivera children except Jake responded.

"We better be going," Matt said.

"Okay. Bye guys," Sarah said and she kissed her three children good-bye.

"Bye," Matt said and he too kissed his kids good-bye. After saying good-bye all the kids except Nolan and Jake ran off to play.

"Are you going to be okay having eight kids all weekend?" Matt asked.

"Yeah we'll be fine. We'll see what it was like for mom and dad when they had seven kids all living in the house at the same time," Mary said. "Now you two go and have fun. Good-luck finding a house."

"Thanks bye," Sarah and Matt both said and they went out the front door and into the car.

"Let's go boys," Mary said and she brought Nolan and Jake into the living room. She put them both on the floor with some toys and then left the room closing the gate behind her. Then Mary went into the playroom and found the other six kids running playing a game that Mary did not recognize.

"Why don't you guys go outside?" Mary said. "Let's go." They all left the playroom and then went out the back door and into the back yard. Mary watched them for a minute from the back door as they played on the swing set and then Mary started to make dinner; hotdogs and macaroni and cheese.

"Honey, I'm home," Carlos said as he entered the house.

"Hi Carlos," Mary said and she kissed her husband hello.

"I see that Matt and Sarah dropped off the kids," Carlos said when he saw Nolan playing in the living room. "Where are the rest of the kids?"

"They're outside," Mary explained.

"Okay," Carlos said and he went out the back door.

At about six o'clock dinner was ready and the table was set and Mary went to the back door and called everybody in. there was a stampede of children as they ran into the house and sat at the table. With Mary and Carlos at the heads of the table they said grace and then started eating.

"This is so good mom," Charlie said.

"It's really good," Grace chimed in.

"Really, really good," Connor said.

"Really, really, really good," Zack added.

"Really, really, really…"

"Okay I get it," Mary interrupted Maggie. "You like the meal." Everybody laughed and then they continued to eat. After dinner Mary put on a movie and all the kids sat down in front of the TV. Mary was surprised that even Jake and Nolan watched it for a little while.

At about nine Nolan and Jake started to get cranky so Mary and Carlos brought them upstairs and got them ready for bed. Carlos changed Jake on the changing table while Mary changed Nolan on the floor.

"This is what it would be like if we had twins," Carlos pondered.

"I know. It's kind of cool to think about," Mary said. Mary changed Nolan's diaper and then changed him into the pajamas Matt and Sarah had packed. Once Jake was in his pajamas Carlos set up the portable crib and then Mary put Nolan in it while Carlos put Jake in his crib.

"Goodnight," Mary said and she kissed her son and her nephew each on the head. Carlos did the same and they both left the room after turning off the light.

At about ten o'clock Mary went into the living room and found that the movie was over and the credits were running. Zack, Grace, and Rebecca had all fallen asleep while Maggie, Connor, and Charlie all looked they were about to fall asleep.

"Come on guys its time for bed," Mary said and Maggie, Connor, and Charlie all got up and headed upstairs, looking a lot like zombies. Then Mary picked up Rebecca. Carlos came in and he picked up Zack as Grace started to stir. She too walked upstairs. Mary and Carlos helped every to get dressed in their pajamas and then it was time for everyone to go to sleep. Zack was sleeping on the floor in Connor and Charlie's room and Grace was sleeping in Maggie and Rebecca's room.

"They're all asleep," Mary said and she flopped down on the couch. Carlos sat down next to her and Mary said, "I don't know how my parents had seven kids."

"Neither do I," Carlos agreed with his wife.

"Why don't we go to bed? I'm exhausted."

"Me too. Let's go," Carlos said and he and Mary went upstairs and into their room.

"So how are the kids?" Annie asked Matt and Sarah.

"They're good," Sarah said. "They're all growing up so fast. We signed Zack up for baseball in the spring so he's really excited for that and Grace is doing dance; which she loves. She's always been a little girly girl."

"That's good," Annie said. "You guys must be so excited to go and look at houses tomorrow."

"We are," Matt said. "I can't wait."

"Neither can I," Sarah said. Then Sarah looked over at the clock and saw that it read ten-thirty. "I better be going to bed. We have to get up early so we can house hunt."

"Okay. Goodnight," Annie said and Sarah went up the stairs, exiting the kitchen.

"I'm going to go up to. Goodnight mom," Matt said and he too went upstairs.

At eight thirty the next morning Sarah woke up. She went into the bathroom and took a quick shower and then went back into Simon's old room; where she and Matt were staying and got dressed. Once Sarah was dressed in a pair of jeans and a pink t-shirt she woke up Matt. She kissed his cheek and then lightly shook him.

"Good morning," Matt said once he had woken up. He kissed his wife and then said, "I'm going to go and take a shower."

"Okay, I'm going downstairs," Sarah said and she left the room. She went downstairs and found Annie making pancakes. "Smells good," Sarah commented.

"Thanks, I'm making pancakes for everyone," Annie said.

A couple of minutes later Matt came downstairs with Sam and David following. Matt was dressed while Sam and David were still in their pajamas.

"So word is that Sam and David have girlfriends," Matt said as he sat down at the table.

"Yup we do," Sam said.

"How was the dance you guys went to?" Sarah asked. She had talked to Annie the other day and she had told Sarah about the dance Sam and David went to.

"It was good," David said. "We had a lot of fun."

"A lot of fun," Sam said as a dreamy look came across his face.

"What's up with him?" Matt asked.

"I don't know. He's been like this ever since the dance. Every time we mention it he gets that same dreamy look and goes off into his own world. It's kind of weird," Annie explained.

"I think I know what it is," Matt said. "Come here Sam." Matt dragged Sam outside and onto the back porch. "What's with you?"

"Oh nothing," Sam said. "I just had a really good time at the dance."

"Did you and your date kiss?"

"Yeah," Sam said and he let out a heavy sigh.

"I knew it!" Matt said and he patted his brother on the back. "Good for you."

"Thanks," Sam said.

"So did David kiss his girlfriend?" Matt asked.

"No he didn't say at least," Sam said.

"I cant believe you guys are already dating," Matt said. "I remember when you were born." Matt said this and he playfully pinched his brother's cheek. "Let's go back inside. I have to eat breakfast so I can go house hunting."

"Okay," Sam said and he and Matt went into the house. When they got there he found Annie, Eric, Ruthie, David, and Sarah sitting at the table getting ready to eat breakfast. Matt took a seat next to his wife and Sam took one in between Ruthie and David.

"What was that all about?" Sarah said softly so that only Matt could hear.

"I'll tell you about it later," Matt said equally softly. Everybody ate breakfast while talking about everything that was going on in his or her lives. Once breakfast was finished and cleaned up Matt and Sarah left to look at houses.

"Time for baths," Mary announced after everyone had eaten breakfast. "First Connor, Charlie and Grace." Mary brought the three children upstairs and started to fill up the bath. Once it was full Charlie, Connor, and Grace got in and Mary put some shampoo in each of their hair. She lathered it in and then washed it out. Then each of the kids washed their bodies. "You guys can play in here for a few minutes and then you have to get out.

Each of them nodded their heads in agreement and Mary went into Charlie and Connor's room and got out clothes for them. Then she went into the suitcase and got out Grace's clothes. "Time to get out," Mary said as she returned to the bathroom. She gave each of them a towel as they got out of the tub and they left the room. Mary repeated this with Zack, Maggie, and Rebecca. Once they were all clean and dressed Mary put Nolan and Jake in the tub. Then Carlos came up and helped Mary to get the two youngest children dressed.

"They are all clean and dressed, finally," Mary said and they both went downstairs. They took the kids outside to let them run around for a little while. Since Jake could not yet walk and Nolan was still a little shaky on his feet Mary put them both in the large playpen Carlos set up in the backyard.

As both adults were sitting at the table talking they heard crying and they looked up. Connor came running over and said, "Grace fell. She hurt her elbow and she's bleeding."

Mary and Carlos got up and ran over to where the kids were playing. Grace was sitting on the floor her face was tear-stained ands she was crying. "What hurts?" Carlos asked when he reached his niece.

"My elbow. Look it's bleeding," Grace said and she held up her elbow for her aunt and uncle to see.

"Okay. I'll take you into the house and get you a Band-Aid," Mary said. She helped Grace stand up and then she took her hand and they walked into the house. Mary got out a Band-Aid and then went into the kitchen where Grace was waiting. She picked up Grace and sat her on the counter and said, "Now first we need to clean up this cut."

"Okay," Grace said. Mary wet a paper towel and then cleaned Graces cut as she winced in pain. "That hurt."

"Sorry," Mary said and she put the band-aid on. "You're all ready. Go play."

"Can I ask you a question first?"

"Of course you can," Mary said.

"Do you think that my mommy and daddy will get the house they're looking at?" Grace asked.

"I hope so. Mommy and Daddy both really want that house. It's big and beautiful and right near Grandma and Grandpa's house and Aunt Lucy and Uncle Kevin's house," Mary said.

"But its not near your house," Grace said sadly. "If we move we won't see you a lot anymore. I'll miss you guys."

"Oh don't worry. We'll come to visit a lot, I promise. I'll see you on Christmas and during the summer and Thanksgiving and probably even more than that," Mary explained to her niece, even though her heart was breaking.

"I guess that's pretty good," Grace said. "But who will take me to school and pick me up when mommy and daddy are working?"

"You're going to be going to the same school as Tommy, Lizzy, Noah, and Luke so I'm sure Aunt Lucy could pick you up or maybe even Grandma or Grandpa. Don't worry mommy and daddy will take care of you."

"Okay but maybe you should move to California with us," Grace said. "Than we could all be together."

"Maybe someday that will happen," Mary said.

"I hope so," Grace said and she hugged her aunt. Then she hopped off the counter and ran out the back door.

After Grace left the kitchen Mary couldn't help but think that moving to California was a good idea. She would miss having no family here in New York a lot but that was no reason to move. Carlos had a great teaching job here and all their friends lived in New York they couldn't just pack up and move. Could they?

Before going to see the house that Sarah had thought perfect for her family she and Matt went to see a couple other houses. They were nice but neither Matt nor Sarah fell in love with any of them as they had the other house.

"Now here's the house we've been waiting to see. It's so exciting," Sarah said as Matt pulled up in front of the house. As they toured the house they found that it was everything they had imagined. They immediately put a bid down on the house and returned to Annie and Eric's.

"How'd it go?" Annie asked as soon as they walked into the door. She had anxiously been awaiting their homecoming the entire day.

"It was good. We put a bid down on the house and they're going to call us to tell us whether or not the house is ours."

"I am so excited," Sara exclaimed. "I have a feeling that we are going to get the house though."

"You're probably right," Matt said. "You're feelings are almost always right."

"I know," Sarah said. "I think we should call the kids. We haven't talked to them since last night before dinner."

"Okay," Matt said and he picked up the phone. Both he and Sarah talked to each of the kids, telling them about the new house and asking about their day. After talking to them for about ten minutes Sarah and Matt hung up.

"How are the kids?" Annie asked.

"They're good they are having a great time at Mary and Carlos's," Sarah explained.

Later on that night Annie and Sarah were making dinner while Matt and Eric watched TV in the living room. The phone rang and Annie went to answer it. After saying hello there was silence as Annie listened to the person on the other line. After listening for about five seconds she handed the phone to Sarah saying, "It's the realtor."

"Oh my gosh. Get Matt," Sarah said and she put the phone to her ear. "Hello." Annie ran from the room and returned with Matt and Eric in tow. "Yes of course that's fine…we don't mind at all…I completely understand…Thank you so much… Bye," Sarah said, pausing to listen to the person on the other line.

"So?" Matt, Annie, and Eric said once Sarah hung up the phone.

"So what?" Sarah said, playing dumb.

"Did we or didn't we get the house?" Matt asked anxiously.

"I'm sorry guys…but you'll be seeing a lot more of this Camden family in about a month! We got the house!" Sarah exclaimed. "We have to move in a month and a half though, which is really soon but that's just fine with me.

"Oh my gosh!" Matt exclaimed and he picked up Sarah and spun her around. They hugged and then Matt planted a kiss on his wife's lips.

"Congratulations," Annie said. "I'm having everyone over for dinner tonight. As a celebration."

"That's really great," Eric added. "I'm happy that you guys will be living so close by."

"Yes it is," Sarah said. The rest of the night Matt and Sarah smiled about non-stop. All the family that lived in Glen Oak or nearby came to visit; even Sarah's parents were there. Dinner was delicious and the night was spent congratulating Matt and Sarah and talking about their new home.

-I hope you liked it! Please review!

-I'll write again soon!