Fan Forum
Remember Me?
Register

  Request a Forum   |     View New Forums

Reply   Post New Thread
 
Forum Affiliates Tags Thread Tools
Old 04-17-2019, 03:20 PM
  #16
Fan Forum Hero

 
break the window's Avatar
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 97,001
Quote:
Originally Posted by everwoodfan52 (View Post)
Patricia, check the OP of this thread. I posted your chapters and included a link. Everytime you post a chapter we'll update it.

We'll do that for all other writers as well.
that's really cool, thanks ya'll!
__________________
I see you when no one else can
I feel you when you're not there
I love you like no one else ever could
{EphramAmy}
patricia
break the window is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-17-2019, 03:47 PM
  #17
Fan Forum Hero

 
everwoodfan52's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 61,435
Quote:
Originally Posted by fulfilledღ (View Post)
that's really cool, thanks ya'll!
You're welcome!! This way people will be able to easily find everyone's work.
everwoodfan52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-17-2019, 04:08 PM
  #18
Fan Forum Legend

 
jediwands's Avatar

Moderator of ...
Everwood
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 304,139
jediwands is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2019, 10:36 PM
  #19
Fan Forum Hero

 
break the window's Avatar
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 97,001
Second Chances xx [Chapter 3]
[Updated: 04/19/19]

“So, what did you want to talk about?” Andy asked Ephram when they got to the bottom of the mountain.
“Can’t we just take a walk around Everwood without there needing to be something to talk about?”
“Come on Ephram, we’ve never just ‘walked’ and not talked about anything. You’ve been gone for ten years, we have a lot to talk about.”
Ephram cleared his throat. “Amy.”
“I figured. What’s going on with you two?”
“I want her back.”
“Are you sure she feels the same way?”
Ephram’s mind flashed back to the last two nights in Amy’s apartment, he smiled. “Yeah, I know she does.”
“Then I don’t see what the holdup is. If you don’t have doubts and you’re sure Amy doesn’t have any doubts.”
“But what if I’m wrong, dad? I asked her to go to New York with me and she stayed in Everwood.”
Andy paused, then responded. “Yeah, you told me that before.”
“It was actually a little embarrassing.” Ephram’s face fell. “I even got her a plane ticket and everything and she still said no. I felt like everyone was giving me looks as they were stuffed in their seats and I had an empty one.”
“Do you know why?”
“She was afraid of leaving everything she’s ever known. She was afraid of what would happen when getting to New York. I don’t know dad, it’s just that hole in my heart, that aching feeling.”
“Ephram, what did you feel like when you left New York and moved to a town called, Everwood.”
“Honestly.” He saw his father’s nod of approval. “I was pissed.”
“And maybe a little scared.”
“Yeah, because mom had just died and we were, well, we were…us. It was…”
“A different world.”
Ephram nodded. “Yeah, I get what you’re saying.”

Andy and Ephram turned a corner and started to circle their way back to town.

“How have the last two days been?”
“Amazing, it’s like I never left and we never spent a day a part.”
“I think you have your answer, son.” Andy patted Ephram on the back.
“I can’t lose her again.”

Andy stopped Ephram and signed before speaking.

“Ephram, I have had the chance to love two amazing women in my life. One that I took for granted and one that I cherish every day. Don’t make the same mistakes I did with your mother. You love Amy, let her know. Let her know how you feel and that she is the only one you want to be with. You have a second chance with the woman that you love and I wouldn’t think of any person who would give that up.”
“Do you think if things were different between you and mom, that.” Ephram sighed. “I don’t know, we would still be in New York?”
“I don’t know.” Andy shrugged. “I know that I got a chance to start over with a wonderful woman. You have a second chance, with the same person, Ephram, don’t waste it.”
“Look, dad, I know I wasn’t a huge supporter of you and mom together.” He saw Andy nod. “But I now know how much you loved her and she loved you.”
“It took me a long time to realize that too, and I was too late.”
“I don’t want it to be too late.”
“Timing is everything.”
“When did you know it was the right time to ask mom to marry you?”

“What are you trying to ask me, Ephram?”
“Can I have mom’s engagement ring?”
“Wait, we were just talking about if you should take a chance with Amy, that you are unsure about how she feels about you and if coming back here was the right move.”
“Yeah, kind of wild isn’t it?” Ephram let out a chuckle.
Andy frowned, thinking about his answer before speaking. “I can’t give you the ring, Ephram.”
“Why not? You told me that ring was mine when I find the right girl, I found the right girl.”
“Ephram, not even five minutes ago you were feeling a hole in your heart and weren’t sure if you should have a second chance with Amy. You show me that you are ready to step up and marry Amy and be her husband and the ring is yours.”
“So it’s like that? I’m having to prove myself?” Ephram heard his own voice go louder.
“Every man has to prove himself to the woman that he loves. I don’t think you’ve done that yet.”
“What do I have to do to remind Amy that we are meant to be together?”

“You’ve spent an amazing time together recently…remind her of that. Don’t let her forget.”


The day had finally arrived. Delia looked at herself in the mirror. She couldn’t believe it, the day was finally here. She was going through all the moments that led up to this day. Picking out the dress, setting all the little details, picking out the venue. No matter how big or small, it was all worth it.

“My baby girl is getting married….” Delia felt her body go hold thinking about her mother’s voice. “Mom?” Her breathing labored.
“Yeah, honey, I’m here.” Julia placed her arm around her back, staring at them together in the mirror.
“How are you here?”
“I’m always here. I can be with you, right here, right when you need me the most.”
Delia didn’t care of her mom was real, she just started to speak. “Can I do this? Can I be a wife and a mother? We didn’t have enough time to really talk about these things.”
“No, darling daughter, we didn’t. But that is what makes you and Nina’s relationship so special. She is there for you, in those moments when you need a mom.”
“I’m sorry.” Delia started to cry, grabbing a tissue to not ruin her makeup. “I’ve spent so much time with Nina that I sometimes forget that you were really here….that she didn’t give birth to me.”
“Oh, honey, you were so young when I died. I’m glad you think of Nina as your mother, in every way. I’m sure she’s honored to be in your life that way. That doesn’t take away the time we shared and that I will always be your mother. Your mind may forget, but your heart always remembers.”
“Thanks, mom.” Delia placed her head against Julia’s just as Nina stood beside her. “Oh, Nina, hey.”
“You know you can call me mom if you want to, I’m not saying you have to. I just want you to know that we will always have that relationship and I would never try to take your mother’s place.” Nina was fidgeting, sometimes wondering, especially on this day, if she was ever overstepping.
“I know and I think she knows.”

“Of course she does. Julia Brown knew everything.”
“She always knew what Ephram was doing before he thought about doing it.”
“Well, Ephram is fairly predictable.”
“Very true.”
“Speaking of Ephram, where’s Amy?”
“She’s in the bathroom.”
“Still?”
“No, she came out and then went back in again. I guess she’s not feeling well or something.”

Nina knocked on the door. “Amy, it’s Nina. Are you okay, honey?”
The knob jiggled and finally Amy was able to open the door. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just so warm in here and I think I got dizzy.”
“But you’re okay now, right?”
“Yeah, peachy.” Amy gave a weak smile. “I guess it’s time to go, huh?”
“Yep. Is Andy waiting for you at the altar?”
Delia nodded, “I thought he was going to meet us here?”

A knock at the door sounded.

Nina opened the door to Andy having a big smile on his face. “I have been asked to escort a very beautiful woman known as my daughter down the aisle.”
“It’s time,” Delia squealed and picked up her dress.
Nina closed the door putting her and Amy alone in the room. “Have you and Ephram been careful?”
“About what?”
Nina had a very motherly angry look. “Amy…”
“Yes…” Amy rolled her eyes. “Most of the time.”

“Most of the time!? You are dizzy, sweating, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out something is going on.”
“Today is all about Delia, we should go meet her and Andy out there before she suspects something is going on, which there isn’t.”
Nina eyed Amy. “Alright, that response will have to do for now.”
“Thanks…mom!” Amy let out the nervous laugh she was holding.


“I now pronounce you…man and wife. You may kiss her bride.”

Delia and Adam shared a kiss and walked down the aisle holding hands.

Amy and Ephram linked arms slowly walking down the aisle. “Delia’s vows were so beautiful.”
“Yeah, they were.” Ephram looked at Amy. “You feeling okay?”
“Yeah, why? Everyone keeps asking me that.”
“You just look…not like Amy.”
“I’m still Amy, nothing has changed.”
“Okay, let me know if it does.” He kissed her forehead.
“I will.” Amy smiled at him as they walked out to the reception hall.

All the girls crowded in the middle of the floor behind Delia. She was so nervous about throwing the bouquet over the crowd and having it land in someone’s dinner. Delia took caution to the wind and tossed the bouquet behind her head. She heard everyone gasp and a sound like someone had fallen over. She turned around and saw everyone, including Ephram, surrounding Amy who was unconscious.

“Amy…” Ephram felt her arm for a pulse and then looked up to see Andy coming towards them, kneeling down to Amy instantly. “She said she was fine, but I knew something was wrong.”
Andy checked her pulse. “It’s faint, but it’s there. Someone call an ambulance.”
Ephram looked at his dad for answers. “What’s wrong with her?”
“I don’t know, son.” Andy said in between giving Amy CPR and doing chest compressions. “When was the last time she ate?”
“This morning, we had breakfast. She said she was starving, so we ate at a restaurant nearby.”
“You said you noticed there was something wrong today, what about the days before?”
“She’s been fine, she’s been…Amy.”


It’s been hours since Amy was taken to the hospital from the reception. No one has been told anything. It was a very quiet waiting room until Delia and Adam walked in, Delia still wearing her gown.

“You’re supposed to be on a flight in wedded bliss to Italy.”
“But my sister is here.” Delia said right before she ran over and hugged Ephram. “How is she?”
“We don’t know. We’re just sitting here, waiting and trying not to lose it.”
“Amy will be okay.” Rose came over to Delia, wrapping her arm around her. “Come over and sit with us, maybe you can tell Harold what the real flavor of the cake was. I say butter cream, he says cream….”


A while later, Ephram had just gotten back from getting a soda. They recognized the doctor walking towards them.

“Dr. and Mrs. Abbott.” The physician spoke first.
“Yes, sir, I’m Harold Abbott and this is my wife, Rose, we’re Amy’s parents.”
“Do you mind if we talk privately?”
“Sir, these people are all her family.” Everyone nodded at Harold’s statement.
“Yes, but this is something that I don’t think Amy would like everyone to know…”
“What happened?” Ephram stepped up, standing to the left of Harold.
“We don’t know, we’re going to talk to the doctor….”

Ephram couldn’t have felt more shut out than he did at that moment. He was with Amy every step of the way since they left the reception. Now he was in the waiting room just like everyone else.


The doctor began. “Do you know if Amy is in an intimate relationship with anyone, romantically?”
“She’s been spending some time with Ephram Brown and they were in a relationship some years ago, in high school. I don’t know about now.”
“What Amy had was an ectopic pregnancy.” The doctor spoke straight to Harold and then looked at Rose. “The ovary releases an egg which is supposed to fertilize and implant in the uterus, but unfortunately, in Amy’s case, the process didn’t complete.”

The doctor paused, waiting for that information to sink in.

“Does she know?” Harold interrupted the silence.
“Yes, she does. We did emergency surgery and when she woke up in the recovery room, the nurse told her.”
“Wait, why didn’t you give the father of the baby that opportunity, or at least her family. She didn’t need to hear it from a nurse, someone she doesn’t even know.”
“Amy was asking what was going on, she was confused. We cannot lie to our patients, Doctor Abbott. We had to tell her something and we chose the truth. I stand by the nurse’s decision.”
“Yes, of course, I’m sorry. Is Amy awake now?”
“Yes, she is. She is very weak, very tired. I want to keep her here for a few days to monitor her. Right now she’s doing okay.”

Harold and Rose held hands as they walked into Amy’s room, mentally preparing themselves for anything.

Amy saw her parents walk in, she smiled as best as she could, feel as happy as she could be. “Hi mom, hi dad.”
‘Hi sweetheart, how are you feeling?” Rose sat on the bed beside Amy, holding her hand.
“I feel better than I did a few hours ago.”
Rose hesitated before asking her next question. “Did you know?”

“That I was pregnant?” She saw her mother nod. “No, I didn’t. Hindsight, yeah, I should have known.”
“The doctor said you’re going to be just fine.” Harold sat in a chair on the other side of the bed.
Amy wiped away tears that were about to fall. “Is Ephram here?”
“Yes, he’s in the waiting room. He rode in the ambulance with you.”
“Does he know?”
“No, he doesn’t. The doctor told us in private.” Harold stated. “Did you want to see him?”
Amy sighed heavily. “Yeah, I guess so. He has to know at some point and better me to tell him before he finds out from someone else.”
“Okay, we’ll send him in. But not too long, you need your rest.” Rose patted Amy’s shoulder.
“I know, thanks mom.”

No more than a minute later Amy saw Ephram walk into her room.

Amy sighed, relieved to see him. “Hi, Ephram.”
Ephram pulled up a chair beside Amy’s bed and held her hand before speaking. “Hey, you gave us quite a scare today.” He held her hand.
“Yeah, me included.”
“How are you now?”
“I’m okay, for now. I’m not sure what will happen when the drugs wear off.”
“You’re strong, you’ll be okay. You just have to take it easy.”
“Ephram, that’s not the reason why I collapsed at the reception.” She could barely focus when Ephram’s brown eyes starring right into hers. “I was pregnant.”
“Was?” Ephram cleared his throat, swallowing the tears he knew were going to eventually stream down his face. “When did you know?” He started to hold her hand, as he could see it was trembling. “I didn’t know, I never took a test or anything. I should have looking back on it. I had what they call an ectopic pregnancy. It starts out normal but not everything goes as planned. I can still have children, but the chances of having another ectopic pregnancy are higher and a pregnancy would be more high risk.”
“But we can still have children, right?”
“Yeah…I can.”
“But what about us, we’re a team.”
“Ephram, what have we been doing this past few weeks? Playing house? Sure it’s been great, but, where does it lead us? Your life is in New York and my life is here.”
“I am moving back here, just like we agreed at your place. I’m moving back here or you can come with me to New York.”
“Everything just seems so simple when you’re here, I believe in every word you say that it all will work itself out.”
“Then I will move back here.”
“You have an amazing life in New York, Ephram. I can’t take that away from you.”
“It’s not that great, actually.”
“Normally you’re a terrible liar, but I’m so tired right now that I might actually be believing you.”
“Believe it.” He squeezed her hand, “I’m not going anywhere.”
Amy didn’t have anything else to say. “I’m going to try and get some sleep.”
“I’ll let you rest.” He placed a kiss on her forehead.

“How is she?”
“She’s good, just really tired. I told her I’d be back in the morning.”
“Yeah, Harold told me what happened. I’m really very sorry, Ephram.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“Where are you going?” Andy noticed Ephram walking away.
“Back to the house. Tomorrow’s a busy day, lots to do.”
“Anything I can help with.”
“Yeah, know of any good places that have free rent until I can find a place to stay?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m staying…in Everwood. I’m staying for Amy.”
“How does Amy feel about that?”
“I don’t think she knows that yet. We talked about it the other night, but I don’t think she remembers a lot of what’s going on right now. I didn’t want to spring everything on her in a day with everything that happened.”
“Since you need a place to stay, there just happens to be a place that does offer free room and board and an occasional breakfast.”
“Yeah, Nina makes a great omelet.”
“I was talking about my pancakes.”
“Dad, I love you, you have many talents…just cooking isn’t one of them.”
“You always ate my pancakes when we first move to Everwood.”
“Well, I only had one choice that made sense. Bad breakfast or starve, I chose not to starve.”
“Okay, just for that, you get to make dinner after Amy gets settled.”
“Yeah, I’d like that. See you at home.”
“Yep.”

Andy could feel her right beside him as he sat on the porch swing. “He’s happier, I think.”
“Yes, he definitely is.” Julia commented.
“Is this what you were talking about, Ephram being in trouble?”
“I don’t know. I just get feelings, but nothing specific about what my family is going through. I felt darkness around Ephram. Now, not so much.”
“So you had to come visit to let me know.”
“Can I just pop in to spend just a little bit of time with my husband or do I really need a reason?”
“Of course not, visit anytime you want, except when…”
“I know, I get it, you have a wonderful woman in your life now. I like her, I really do. She keeps you on your toes.”
“She does, she’s exciting Julia.”
“Andy, when Ephram asks for my ring, give him my ring. I want Amy to wear it. I’ve been feeling her emotions. and she wants to take care of her relationship with Ephram as much as he wants to protect her. I don’t see either of them having any doubts. They are both ready for this.”
“I thought you could only feel your family.”
“Amy is Ephram’s family now, so she is my family, too.”
“You think he’s ready?”
“I can feel what he’s thinking and yes, Andy, our son is ready to get married.”
“I never thought I’d be able to have this conversation with you.”

Andy looked around when he didn’t hear Julia reply and noticed he was standing outside alone and realized the air was very cold and his body was shivering and he went inside.


“Where's Ephram?” Nina looked around when walking down the stairs.
“At the hospital.” Delia called out. She set a hot plate of pancakes in front of Nina. “Breakfast, it’s good for you.”
“Wait, aren’t you supposed to be blissfully happy in Italy with your new husband who, by the way, is absent as well this morning?”
“He’s packing some things. We settled on where we want to move and we made an offer on the Robins house.”
Nina placed her fork down gently. “I thought the point of getting married was to move out of your father’s house and be far, far away.”
“Yeah, but everything that happened with Amy reminded us it’s good to be close to home.”
“Sure, but right down the street?”
“Well, when we moved here from New York, I thought that was the house we were going to be living in, well, more hoped anyway. But dad settled on this house. It’s a great house, but I always admired this one from afar. And as you know, Mrs. Robins moved to a smaller house when Mr. Robins passed way.” She saw Nina nod. “Before the house could be put up for sale, Adam and I met with the realtor and made an offer.”
“Wow, swift move on your awesome husband’s part.”
“Yeah, he was really awesome.”
“So, when do you officially move in?”
“Anytime we want.” Delia shrugged, pouring syrup on her pancakes. “Mrs. Robins knows how important family is and is giving Adam and I all the time we need when she heard about Amy.”
“Things are just working out for you all over the place.”
Delia sighed. “I had a dream that mom came to visit me.”
“Oh, wow, what happened?”
“She said she really liked Adam. He reminded her of dad a little bit.”
“They say we marry a version of our parents.”
“She said she was happy that I have you in my life, as a mom and not just a friend.”
“I’m happy to have you too, as a daughter.” Nina finished the bite of her pancake. “When is Amy going to be coming home.”
“Sometime today, I think. They are just waiting on discharge papers.”
“I think dad said something about Ephram cooking dinner when Amy got home.”
“Ephram cooks?”
“Cooking as in putting a tv dinner in the microwave, yes.”
“Well, then we should help him out by going to the store.”
“And putting together the ingredients.”
“And possibly throwing them together in the oven.”
“And so it’s edible.”
“Yes, very important. Amy will love a nice, home cooked meal when she comes home.”

The ladies grabbed their bags and headed to their errands.

Andy filed his notes in with the other nurses’ discharge papers.

“Any more patients for me, Sally?”
The nurse nodded. “Nope, it’s all quiet.”
“If the hospital was this quiet I might do rounds more often. Today was good.”
“We will always welcome you, Doctor Brown.”
“I might just always accept.”
“Well, you announce you’re leaving and there goes the quiet.”
“What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure, patient in room three twenty tree, their monitor is going off.”
“Wait, isn’t that…” Andy checked the board. “Abbot, A….Amy.”

Andy ran towards Amy’s room, he found Ephram standing against the wall while everyone hovered over Amy.

“Ephram, what happened.”
“I don’t know. We were talking, she was laughing and then she started to have a headache and then monitors were going crazy and it’s like her eyes rolled back in her head.”

Andy looked at Amy’s chart and was reading her stats.

“She’s having a reaction to the medication we’re giving her.” Andy spoke loudly so everyone could hear him.. “Give her a round of lorazepam.”
“Dad, what’s going on?” Ephram cried out loud. “She’s not getting any better.”
“Please escort him to the waiting room.” Andy spoke directly to a nurse who did what he asked.. then focused on Amy. “What are we looking at?”

“Pressure is coming back up, but she’s still weak.”
“Okay, push a round of norepinephrine.”

A nurse injected a round into Amy’s medicine bag. Within minutes Amy’s stats and pressure were going up and her body was calming.

“Good work everyone.” Andy spoke and looked at the resident in charge. “Update me if anything changes.”



Amy was tired when she opened up her eyes, everything was a bit blurry at first.

“Ephram?”
“Close, he’s out in the waiting room.”
Amy smiled. “Hi, Doctor Brown.”
“Welcome back.”
“What happened?” She looked around, noticed time had passed on the clock.
Andy sat down beside her bed, clicking his pen closed. “You had a reaction to the medication we were giving you to relieve the pain.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that you will have to stay in the hospital a few more days, so they can monitor you and make sure you don’t spike a fever again.”
“Will you be here?”
“I might be, but as Ephram’s father…not as your doctor. Your relationship with Ephram doesn’t allow me to be your official physician. I happened to be the doctor on call at the moment when your fever spiked due to the negative reaction.”
“Was Ephram here when it all happened?”
“Yes, he was. You gave him quite a scare, too.”
“He’s not the only one.”
“He’s waiting to see you, are you up for another visitor?”
“Not yet, I just want to figure things out first.”
“What is there to figure out?”
“If this is what I really want? Is this what Ephram really wants? Now every decision that Ephram makes to stay here I will wonder if it’s because I was pregnant and it’s like he feels obligated to stay. He has this life in New York and I have my life here. Geography is not in our favor.”
“Amy, I know my son better than he thinks I know him. He has loved you since the first day we landed in this small town of Everwood. I think you were the one who saved him from going totally crazy when everything wasn’t making sense quite yet. You have been given this second chance. No second chance is perfect. I know a lot about second chances and you don’t pass them up because you are unsure. And you definitely don’t pass them up because you’re scared.”
“That obvious?”
“No, but I come from experience.”
“So, what do I do?”
“I can’t tell you that, I don’t know what you should do. But I do know that Ephram has come to me a couple of times and has made it clear about what he sees as his future with you. And, from what he has said, you have no reason to worry that you won’t make him the happiest man alive.”
“So everything just fits, everything just works out?”
“Sometimes they do. It doesn’t seem possible or that it’s too good to be true, but sometimes things are easier then they seem.”
“Is that how it felt when you and Nina finally got together.”
“Yes, it did. I am lucky because I’ve been able to have two incredible women in my life. You get to have the same man twice in your life. If that’s not great luck, I don’t know what is.”
“Thanks, Doctor Brown.”
Before Andy got up, he spoke softly. “Amy, you almost gave me a grandchild…I think you can call me Andy.”
“Sure…Andy.”


Nina looked up from her book.. “I thought you would have been home hours ago. Is everything okay at the hospital?”
“Yeah, Amy had spiked a fever from a negative reaction from the medication they were giving her. She’s okay now. Ephram is staying with her tonight.”
“The entire night?”
“The nurses found him an extra bed to sleep on in the room.”
Nina placed her book on the night stand. “Ephram called me when Amy spiked a fever and said you kicked him out of the room.”
Andy was midway through buttoning his shirt. “I didn’t…” Andy recalled the events of the evening. “Well yeah I did. But he couldn’t be in there, he’s too close to Amy.”
Nina raised an eyebrow. “And you’re not? You are Amy’s family. And Ephram is your son and we all know those two will eventually figure it out and get married and that makes you too close to her too.”
“I was on call.”
Nina laughed. “Liar.”
Andy made a face. “Well, Amy believed me.”
“Yeah, Amy doesn’t know you as well as I do.”
Andy climbed into bed, fixing himself against the pillows. “I feel like I owe both of them something. Ephram has fought so hard to be happy since his mother died and open up his heart again. I couldn’t save Colin for Amy or anyone else in this town. I feel like I owe it to her and her family to always be there.”
“So that is why you chose to pick up extra rotations as the same time Amy was admitted.”
“I thought it worked out pretty great.”
“Yes, it did. and you’re a genius.” Nina gave Andy a reassurance shoulder squeeze.
“What did Ephram say when he called you?” Andy paused. “After he said I ‘kicked him out the room’.”
“That he was really scared because Amy is his entire world and if they had been careful, none of this would’ve happened. He started to blame himself.”
“Wow, what did you say?”
“I think you should ask Ephram. He should be the one to tell you.”
“Okay, I’ll let him tell me…if he wants to.”
“Look at you, Andy Brown, being all trusting with your son.” Nina laid down in bed and turned her night stand light off.
“Yeah, that’s me, Mr. trustworthy.” Andy turned his nightstand light off and drifted off to sleep.


A week later, it seemed like the entire town had descended up on the Abbott house. Amy had been released from the hospital and was now home.

She was laying there trying to fall asleep when Harold came into her room.

“Is everyone still here?” Amy yawned, having a hard time keeping her eyes open.
“If you mean Ephram, yes, he’s still here. Bright and Hannah left a few hours ago. Katie and Ryan were getting tired and most of everyone has gone home for the evening.”
“For the evening, that means they’ll be back.” Amy had a chuckle.
“I think your mother made it fairly clear that you need your rest and coming back tomorrow wasn’t an option.”
“Wait to go mom.” Amy had a weak smile.
“She can be a warrior when it comes to her children.”
“I hope I’m like that when I become a mom…if it’ll ever happen.”
Harold took Amy’s hand. “You will be an amazing mother, Amy.”
“Well, apparently life had other plans.” She rubbed her flat stomach.
“Life does sometimes kick you when you least expect it. Remember when we found out your mother had cancer?” Amy nodded, listening to her father. “Well, you and Bright don’t know this but we thought we were pregnant again.” He saw the shock in Amy’s face. “Yeah, we really loved the idea of having another baby in the house. We thought it was possible with your mother feeling all the signs she had when she was pregnant with you and Bright. But then the tests came back and it was cancer.”
“But you got Lilly instead.”
“Yes, we did. She called from Europe to check on you. I don’t think your mother ever expected to hear one word from Lilly until she would return from her trip abroad.”
“How is her trip going?”
“She’s great, taking lots of pictures, spending lots of money on gifts for everyone I’m sure.”

Amy stayed silent while Harold took her pulse and listened to her breathing sounds.

“You are doing okay, everything feeling okay…truth?”
“Yeah, dad I’m doing just fine. I know that I was released against medical advice because I’m in the care of two doctors within a few steps away. I think the nurses told me that like ten times while I signed the form.”
“We all just want to make sure you don’t spike a fever again.”
“I’m trying not to. The meds are keeping me cool as a cucumber.”
Harold fixed Amy’s blanket. “Has Ephram been up here to see you?”
Amy sighed. “No, he hasn’t. Since our last conversation at the hospital, I don’t blame him.”
“What happened?”
“I, in not so many words, made it pretty clear I don’t see a future in us and I do, I really do. I think…honestly, I don’t know what I was thinking by having him believe otherwise.”
“What do you want? What does your heart want?”
“For him to stay in Everwood and we have this happy family, but now, I don’t know.”
“Why can’t you have that now.”
“Because I don’t know what we are. Are we dating or just having fun? We haven’t really been on a real date since he’s gotten back here. What makes anyone think it’s going to work out this time?”
“As long as you two believe it’s going to work, then it will. It doesn’t matter what your mother or I think or Ephram’s family thinks. It’s all about what’s in your heart and what Ephram feels is in his heart. Give him the benefit of the doubt, Amy. I don’t think you can find a better man than Ephram Brown.”
“I just wish there was this sign that we are meant to be together.”
“Well, how did he react he he found out you were pregnant, albeit after the miscarriage.”
“I don’t know, I was too focused on how I wasn’t going to be able to have another child.”
“You will be able to have children in the future Amy.”
“Just before getting discharged, Doctor Hammond said that ectopic pregnancies make it harder to conceive and then even harder to carry a baby to term. So it’s not looking good.”
“I know Buck Hammond, he’s an incredible physician. But he’s not perfect, that’s why it’s called practicing medicine. And medical advances are happening everyday. You just concentrate on you and let science do the rest.”
“I know, it’s just hard to think about having hope that everything will work out.”
“It will and I think you should talk to Ephram.”
“He doesn’t want to see me, dad.”
“He does, but you’re shutting him out and hew wants to give you space. Remember Amy, he lost a child too, a child he never knew about until after the child was gone.”

Amy had to admit, even if it was to herself, that she never thought about the idea of Ephram losing something too. Now knowing that she kept the news of her pregnancy from him made her feel just a little bit worse than she was before. All the emotions were drowning her and Amy quickly fell asleep.


Ephram placed the last dinner plate in the cabinet when Andy walked into the kitchen. “How come I always get stuck doing the dishes whenever there is a family dinner and you have a perfectly decent dishwasher that doesn’t get used enough.”
“That would be Nina’s doing. She does the dishes because it helps her think. One day the dishwasher wasn’t working so I followed her advice, ever since then, I hand wash. I get my best thinking done, sometimes even about my patients.”
“Yeah, well, no amount of thinking could ever make me want to wash dishes by hand.”
“Well, you might have some thinking to do soon.”
“What do you mean?”

Ephram turned around to see Andy sliding a ring box towards him on the kitchen counter.

“What’s this.”
Andy nodded towards the box. “I think you know what it is.”
Ephram opened up the box and saw his mother’s engagement ring. He could feel his eyes filling watering. “It’s mom’s ring.”
“Yeah, I figured this was the time that you have earned it.”
“But I haven’t done anything.”
“Exactly. You have given Amy the space she needs. Harold told me when Amy got home, you sat by her bed while she slept at night and were always gone before she woke up. You haven’t pushed her once and yet you’ve been there for her in every way that you can. That’s what a husband does, that’s what you have done.”
“She made it pretty clear that last time we spoke that…” Ephram cleared the lump in his throat. “That we didn’t have a future together. So now, I don’t know.”
“I cannot tell you how to live your life or how to communicate with Amy. You love her, you have history with her. Don’t let her forget that. Don’t let the pain wash away all the love you have for each other.”
Ephram studied his mother’s ring again. “You sure you’re okay with me having mom’s ring. I know how much she meant to you and…”

Andy walked closer to Ephram, placing his hand over Ephram’s shoulder.

“Your mother will always mean the world to me, I will never stop loving your mother. I see the way you look at Amy, it’s the same way I looked at your mother, everyday. You feel the same way about Amy as I felt about your mother…you want to take care of her and be there for her. I wanted the same things with your mother. Just do me a favor and be a better husband to Amy than I was to your mother.”
Ephram quickly wiped away a tear that fell on his cheek. “I’m sorry about all the crap I gave you about how you treated mom when we moved to Everwood.”
“You were angry and so was I. I wasn’t there for you or your mother…or for Delia. Some of your arguments were fair.”
“Now I just just have one more person to prove this to.”
Andy straightened up his posture. “Well, if it helps, having lunch with Harold usually smooths him over.”
“You’re just full of advice, aren’t you.” Ephram let out a nervous laugh.
“I work with the man, I have for years, I’ve gotten to know him pretty well. Now as for Rose Abbott…you’re on your own.” Andy patted him on back and walked towards the stairs. “Good luck.”

“Thanks, dad!”
__________________
I see you when no one else can
I feel you when you're not there
I love you like no one else ever could
{EphramAmy}
patricia
break the window is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2019, 03:30 AM
  #20
Fan Forum Hero

 
everwoodfan52's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 61,435
Wow, Patricia!! You are a fabulous writer!!!

Chapter 3 has been updated in the OP.
everwoodfan52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2019, 04:55 AM
  #21
Fan Forum Legend

 
jediwands's Avatar

Moderator of ...
Everwood
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 304,139
Amazing stuff.
jediwands is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2019, 11:24 PM
  #22
Fan Forum Hero

 
break the window's Avatar
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 97,001
Second Chances xoxo
Chapter 4


Amy woke up to see her standing in the middle of the room, looking around.

“Am I dreaming?”
Julia turned to her. “No, sweetie, you aren’t. Do you recognize me?”
“Yeah, from all of Ephram’s pictures and the frames that are in the house. …But how is this possible.”
“You asked how can I know if I’m doing the right thing, if being with Ephram is the right answer. I feel whenever someone feels something about my family.”
“So you’ve visited people before?”
“Yes. I talk to Andy all the time, mostly in his thoughts, but lately, it’s a bit more vivid.”
“What does this mean? I mean with you being here, feeling my thoughts about Ephram.”
“You’ve been thinking about Ephram a lot lately and you should be. You two almost bought my grandchild into this world.”
Amy’s face along with a glimmer of happiness faded. She was thwarted back into reality…a strange reality at the moment… “Yeah, almost.”
Almost counts, too, you know. I miscarried twice before we finally had Ephram and Delia. I thought it was the stress due to Andy never being around or just trying anything and everything to try and get pregnant. But finally…finally everything just worked out. I’m not saying it’s that way for everyone, but there is hope.”
“But the way I’ve treated Ephram the last time we spoke. I practically told him I don’t want a future with him or that I don’t want to have children with him. I mean what are doing?” She looked directly at Julia. “What does all of this mean? Are we just two kids playing house? Are we just having fun and being reckless. I mean..really…what if we did bring baby into this world…into our world… A baby for two parents who…at least one…don’t even know if being together is what they really want. Two parents who don’t even live in the same state or even the same time zone.”
“Amy…Andy and I lived in the same house, we were married for years, and parents to two wonderful children and we were as far apart as any two people could be.” Julia hesitated. “And I found comfort in another man because my marriage was falling apart and Andy and I both knew it. He eventually found out about the affair and he left…for one night, but he knew our marriage was crumbling. Andy threw himself into his work to ignore what was really going on. He gave us an incredible life, how could I deny him working so hard if he gave me everything I ever wanted.”
“How did you make it through everyday that you were with him when you were…”
“Alive?” Julia said with a smile. “You can say it, I know you what you mean. And it was hard, most days I wondered how I did it. How I put up with Andy’s broken promises of being home for dinner, promising to be on time for a piano recital for Ephram or a ballet for Delia. Being there for our yearly anniversary getaways. But I stayed, I had hope he would find his way, find his way to being a husband and a father again.”
“But he didn’t.”
“No, he did, it just wasn’t with me.” Julia felt Amy’s emotions welling up, “and it’s okay. He found a way to be an amazing father to Delia and Ephram and to be a wonderful husband to Nina. I don’t regret any time we spent together, even the moments that weren’t so wonderful. I just wanted Andy to be happy. I loved him enough for him to be happy, even if it is with another woman.”
“So what does this have to do with me and Ephram?”
“This is your second chance. You get a second chance with the same man, who, maybe I’m biased, is pretty amazing. He is falling all over himself trying to find the words to tell you how he feels. You two are mean to be together. If you need a sign, this is it. You are mean to be with my son. No matter how you two met, no matter if you were just to meet him to get to Andy, the brilliant neurosurgeon.” Julia saw Amy’s shocked expression. “Yes, Amy, I know everything about my children. I’m not a fan of how you cornered him to make him talk to you, but no one can deny how you fell in love. And Amy,” Julia met her gaze. “Ephram has loved you since the day he met you. You’re all he can think about and I know he’s all you think about. Life has bumps, things get in the way, doesn’t mean you won’t hurt, but it just means you get passed them, because you love each other..”
“You really do know everything.”
“Yeah, people tell me things up there.” Julia’s eyes pointed to the ceiling.
“So…” Amy sighed. “What do I do now?”
“I think you know.”

Amy looked over the mirror and all around the room. Julia was gone. Was this really the sign she was looking for?


“Welcome back.” Maddie greeted Amy with her favorite flavor coffee. “It’s been so quiet around here.”
“Really? It was quiet around here before I left and it’s only been two weeks.”
“It felt like a year.”
“Should that be a compliment?”
Maddie nodded. “I think so.”
“Anything happen while I was gone?”
“Well, that very handsome man dropped something off…Ephram, I think his name was.”
“Really, what did Ephram drop off?”
“Not sure, but it looks like a scavenger hunt thing.”
“Ephram Brown does not do…” Amy looked at the card that read Scavenger Hunt on the card. “Well, maybe I don’t know everything about Ephram Brown like I thought I did.”
“Every relationship needs mystery, I think you found one.”
“Well I hate surprises so this is out of Ephram’s element.”
“Read the card, have fun with it since he put some much time towards it.”
Amy turned around to Maddie. “How do you know Ephram put so much time into this?”

Maddie slowly slid back down into her chair making herself invisible behind her cubicle wall.

“Coward.”
“Yep!” Maddie said from behind her wall.


Amy read the card.

Amy, I know you don’t like Scavenger Hunts and I’m not that good at them, so this will be quick. Meet me at the house on the corner…you know the one.

“I have to go, save any messages…if I get any that is.”
“That must be some card if you’re already starting the hunt.”
“Sometimes everything does all fall into place the way you want it to.”
“Who said that?”
“Ephram’s mom.”
“Wait, didn’t she die a long time ago?”
“Yeah, she did. She’s one of the reasons why Ephram and I met.”

Maddie couldn’t figure out what Amy meant. She just sipped her coffee and continued typing on her computer.



Amy got out of the car and saw Ephram standing at the doorway at the house on the corner. He invited her in and closed the door behind them.

“You remembered.” Ephram stood up when Amy was walking up the sidewalk.
“Yep, the day we promised each other nothing would change and that we would be together forever.”
“And then everything changed.”
“I can’t expect everything to be the same, life doesn’t evolve that way.”

“I love you.” Ephram kissed Amy on the mouth. “I love everything about you, even when you steal you want ice cream after stating you cannot eat another bite.”
“Mint Chocolate Chip.” Amy smiled, remembering every date ending that way.
Ephram let out a chuckle. “With extra whipped cream.”
“Ephram, what’s going on.”

“When I came back to Everwood, I didn’t expect to find love the way that I have. I didn’t expect to find you and I definitely didn’t expect to find you again and find love again. It was like this gift had fallen into my hands….and I didn’t know what to do with it. You amaze me, everyday, with your willingness to forgive and just let love in. You’re it, Amy and I want to spend every day of the rest of our lives loving you in a way that is worthy of you being loved. I want to wake up with you every morning, I want you to fall asleep with you in my arms every night. I want make love to you in the afternoon to show how much I love you…everyday.”
“Ephram, what are you saying to me?”
“I’ve loved you since the day I met you. You are my one.” He brushed the hair out of Amy’s face. He took the ring box out of his pocket and bent down one knee. “Amy Nicole Brown…will you marry me?”
Amy’s head nod her head quickly as she was crying and finally blurted out. “Yes!”
Ephram stood back up and placed the ring on Amy’s finger, the fit was perfect. “This was my mom’s engagement ring.”
Amy’s eyes welled up, tears almost spilling over. “Wow, Ephram, I…”
“She would want you to have it. My mom would have liked you.”
“Oh, yeah I know.” She saw Ephram’s face change. “Oh, I mean I’m only guessing…”
“So about this house…”

They started walking, their hands entwined.


“Yeah, what’s the deal with us just…walking in?” Amy looked around, falling in love with every space she looked at.
“That’s where your parents factor into this.”
“My parents, what do they have to do with this house?”
“You know, your mom is quite the negotiator.”
Amy laughed. “Tell me something I don’t know. She was the mayor of this town all the time Bright and I were growing up.”
Ephram placed the keys in Amy’s hands. “Welcome home.”
“What?” Amy’s eyebrow raised.
“This house has been on the market for a long time and Rose is friends with the realtor and I got a fairly good deal.”
“What is a fairly good deal?”
“You’ll see.”


….One Year Later…

“Now this one should fit much better, the fit is a lot broader.”
Ephram listened to the tailor when putting his tuxedo jacket on. “You’re right, it does feel better.”
Andy walked in and faced the mirror just as Ephram was. “What do you think, black or navy blue?”
“They kind of look the same, don’t they?”
“Well, Nina says that Navy Blue would clash.”
“Then wear the black one, problem solved.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”

Andy tossed the navy blue tie aside and started to put together the black tie under his collar.

“Amy said something that sounded just like something mom would say.”
“Oh, what was that?”
“Something about life having bumps in the road and not letting them get in the way.”
“That was your mother. Maybe you’re just rubbing off on her.”
“Yeah, maybe that’s it.” Ephram sighed. “I’m going to go tell them this fits good.”
“Alright, son, see you in a bit.” Andy tapped him on the shoulder.

“Our son is happy.”
Andy looked up to see her in the mirror again. “Yes, he sure is. Hard to believe just a little over a year ago you were standing in this mirror telling me Ephram was in trouble.”
“You’re looking good.” Julia looked him up and down. “My man sure has style.”
“Your man, I never heard you talk like that before?”
“I never got to see you in suits that often, you were always either in scrubs or you had your doctor coat covering up what you were wearing.”
“You know, Julia, I’m sorry for never really being there for you…and the kids.”
“I know.” She nodded. “But you were there when it really counted, when the kids really needed you.”
“I had a lot of help.”
“You think I didn’t. You have no idea how many times I had called on our neighbors to make sure Delia and Ephram got home okay. Don’t tell Ephram, I let him think he was able to get home by himself without supervision.”
“Good thinking.”
Julia signed deeply. “Thank you, Andy.”
“For what?”
“For making my family whole again…our family.”
“I was just being a father.”
“No, you were being a friend. Ephram thinks of you more as a friend and I think you know that.”
“Yes, we have come a long way since…well, since we moved to Everwood. I was very moved when he asked me to be his best man.”
Julia looked over to see Ephram’s shadow coming closer. “Tell Amy congratulations for me.”
“I will.” Andy looked up to see him starring at himself and Ephram trying to figure out how to tie a tie.
“You think these would have gotten easier by now.”
“Son, tying a tie is never simple. I can untangle artery better than I can fix a tie.”
Ephram had a grin on his face. “That’s encouraging.”
“You look great.” Andy got a good look at his son when the whole picture was complete.
“Thanks, I can barely think about what I’m doing. Every second I picture Amy coming towards me and us starting our lives together. I feel like we’re on our first date again and I don’t want to say the wrong thing or trip on her dress.”
“You have nothing to worry about and you two will be an amazing life together.”
“Yeah, it already has been. Especially this past couple of weeks.”
Andy saw a look on Ephram’s face. “What are you saying, Ephram?”
“We haven’t told anyone yet considering what happened last year.” Ephram sighed. “We’re pregnant.” He smiled, looking very proud at Andy, not being able to keep a straight face.
“Ephram, congratulations! Amy must be thrilled!”
“Scared, thrilled, happy.…every emotion you can think of. I think we’re both having the same feelings. Does everything really fall into place when it’s supposed to? I mean, what makes everything different now.”
“It’s simple, you’re ready.”

Andy couldn’t help but think that Julia hinted at congratulating Amy not only for getting married, but for being pregnant. Julia was still watching over her entire family.



Amy stood at the closed doors. She could hear the music loud and clear as each one of her brides maids started to make their walk down the aisle. Her legs were trembling thinking about what the next few steps really meant…she was walking towards their future. A future that was like written for a storybook. She put her hand over her stomach, feeling the little bump their baby was already forming. Amy actually told her mother weeks before now that she was pregnant. The dress wasn’t fitting from the measurements that were given and Amy had to say something and she didn’t want to lie.

“Ready, honey?” Harold wrapped his arm around hers as the wedding march started.”
Amy took a deep breath. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

The doors opened and everyone stood in preparation for Amy to make her walk towards Ephram.

She looked at Ephram and felt her tears forming when she saw he was having trouble keeping it all together.


“Who gives this woman to this man?”
“Harold and Rose Abbott.” Harold spoke aloud and everyone took their seats.

“We are gathered her today on a glorious Saturday afternoon in the presence of friends and family under God to join Amy Nicole Abbott and Ephram Andrew Brown. Bless now these two who stand before you. Guide them in your wisdom, shine your light upon them, that as they journey through this life together they will walk as bearers of your Truth. Amen….Ephram and Amy have decided to recite their own vows.”

Ephram reached over to Andy for the ring and focused back on Amy.

“Everything I am today is because of you. I thought I had lost everything when I lost my mom and moved to your little mountain town. I had no idea that my life was just beginning. I knew I loved you the first day I laid eyes on you. You were walking in the halls with your friends and I didn’t notice anybody else. You make everything else just disappear. I thought I had to go on this big life journey, back to the big city to find myself, to find my life’s purpose.” Ephram looked into Amy’s eyes. “You are my purpose. You are my soul and you are my other half. You complete me, Amy.” Ephram cleared his the lump in his throat and started to slide the ring on Amy’s finger. “I promise today and every day to show you that you are my life’s purpose, that you are the reason I am the man I am today.” Ephram slid the ring onto her finger. “I love you, Amy. I felt it then, I feel it now, I’ll always feel it…”

Amy wiped the tears away with her tissue and Delia placed the ring in Amy’s finger.

“Wow, how do I compete with that.” Ephram and everyone else let out a nervous laugh. Amy looked up at Ephram’s eyes, knowing she would find her center. “Ephram Andrew Brown, I love you. For a long time I was afraid to say that. I was afraid to completely let go, to really let love in. You showed me that life is full of the most unexpected but wonderful things. You make me brave. You make me want to discover everything new about everything around me. I love that you challenge me and show me what an amazing woman I can be and an amazing mother.” Amy let the single tear fall not he left side of her cheek as she heard many in the church gasp. “I love you for just being the man that who you are. For just letting your heart soar into life and into your music and into everything you are passionate about. I love you for…” Amy swallowed the lump in her throat. “I love you for our family. Our family that is going to change the world just like you have changed mine.” Amy took Ephram’s hand, sliding the ring on his finger. “I promise that I will always be by your side, waiting to see where the world takes us on whatever journeys that lay ahead. I love you.”

Ephram mouthed. “I love you.”

The pastor placed the ribbon back in his bible closing it. “With the power vested in me by the State of Colorado, I now pronounce the bride and groom as Mr. and Mrs. Ephram Andrew Brown.”

Amy and Ephram stood there, looking at each other, slightly eyeing the pastor.

“Ephram, you can kiss her now.” The pastor spoke with a few giggling in the church.

Their lips sealed together perfectly.

**this isn't the end quite yet**
__________________
I see you when no one else can
I feel you when you're not there
I love you like no one else ever could
{EphramAmy}
patricia
break the window is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2019, 07:34 AM
  #23
Fan Forum Legend

 
jediwands's Avatar

Moderator of ...
Everwood
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 304,139
Thanks!

I still have to read. I am so excited to go there, but like with anything good, I'm waiting for the perfect time to truly concentrate.

Updated the OP.
jediwands is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2019, 11:48 AM
  #24
Fan Forum Hero

 
everwoodfan52's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 61,435
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wilpen (View Post)
Thanks!

I still have to read. I am so excited to go there, but like with anything good, I'm waiting for the perfect time to truly concentrate.

Updated the OP.
Ditto!!!

Thanks for updating, Michelle!!
everwoodfan52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2019, 12:24 PM
  #25
Fan Forum Legend

 
jediwands's Avatar

Moderator of ...
Everwood
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 304,139
Quote:
Originally Posted by everwoodfan52 (View Post)
Ditto!!!

Thanks for updating, Michelle!!
No problem!
jediwands is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2019, 01:46 PM
  #26
Fan Forum Hero

 
everwoodfan52's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 61,435
I'm on Chapter 4, Patricia! I really do love the way you write the characters...you really understand how they react and how they speak. I love the way you show Amy and Ephram showing their love for each other...both physically and emotionally. I really wish you had had consulted the Everwood writers who could have used scenes like that more in the original series.

I like the way that Julia's spirit is still in the picture..not only talking to Andy but also talking to and counseling Delia. So beautiful!

Poor Amy and Ephram....can they ever get the timing and the location right?!?
And Ephram...is he every going to learn about birth control? lol

I am wondering where Bright is. Was he invited to Delia's wedding?
everwoodfan52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-01-2019, 12:44 PM
  #27
Fan Forum Hero

 
break the window's Avatar
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 97,001
Quote:
Originally Posted by everwoodfan52 (View Post)
I am wondering where Bright is. Was he invited to Delia's wedding?
Did I forget to include him?! Oops!

When I post Chapter 5, I'll make a revision to explain his and Hannah's absense.

Glad you're enjoying the story. And no, Ephram never learns lol
__________________
I see you when no one else can
I feel you when you're not there
I love you like no one else ever could
{EphramAmy}
patricia
break the window is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-01-2019, 01:31 PM
  #28
Fan Forum Hero

 
everwoodfan52's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 61,435
Quote:
Originally Posted by fulfilledღ (View Post)
Did I forget to include him?! Oops!

When I post Chapter 5, I'll make a revision to explain his and Hannah's absense.

Glad you're enjoying the story. And no, Ephram never learns lol
His super sperm has no boundaries!
everwoodfan52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-05-2019, 12:59 AM
  #29
Fan Forum Hero

 
break the window's Avatar
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 97,001
Second Chances xx
Chapter 5


Bright and Ephram were in the kitchen cleaning up while Amy and Hannah were in the living room chatting.

“I wanted to tell you, again, how sorry Hannah and I are that we missed the wedding. If things happened differently…”
“No, don’t be. The frantic voicemail from you in the middle of the night was explanation enough. How are Katie and Ryan?”
Bright sighed, as finally being able to relax. “They’re good. My grandma actually took them for a few days after everything had been cleared up. She knew that Hannah and I needed a break.”
“So, is that what Amy and I have to look forward to? Hospital visits?”

Bright could see the worry in his friend’s eyes about what to expect in being a first-time father.

“The worst feeling in the world is seeing your child…or children, going through something that hurts them and you don’t know how to fix it. I mean who knew both of my kids would be allergic to garlic. Hannah felt so guilty for having garlic in our spaghetti dinner. We guessed, or the doctor told us, it might’ve been when Hannah was getting their bottles ready, she must’ve gotten some in the formula from her hands or something. I don’t know. All I knew that my babies were okay and the doctor was saying gibberish things. That’s partly why we weren’t able to attend the wedding. Hannah just wasn’t ready for anyone.”

Ephram laughed…

“What?” Bright looked at his friend. “What’s so funny about what the doctor said.”
“I’m not laughing at you, it was more of a moment in you saying ‘your babies”. It’s just all the things that have changed this passed year. You’re a husband and a father. I’m a husband, about to be a father. I mean, when I came to this little mountain town, you hated me…or you hated the idea of what I mean to Amy.”
“I just never wanted to see my sister hurt..that still stands by the way.”
“No, I could never hurt Amy.”

Bright put the water picture back in the fridge and noticed a list on the front door. “What’s this?”
Ephram looked up, smiling yet feeling overwhelmed. “Oh, our baby names list.”
“Wow, it’s really lengthy for only about a month until the little guy…or girl.”
“We just keep adding names. I just hope that when we meet him…or….her that we’ll know and the baby will have it’s own name and identity. How did you pick Katie and Ryan.”
“Well, Katherine is Hannah’s middle name. So it’s Hannah Katherine Abbott. And Ryan came from us trying to take my name. I’m named after my dad, Harold Brighton Abbott. We toyed with Brighton, then when to Bryan and that sounded too close to my name so we shortened it to Ryan and it stuck. Ryan Harold Abbott. So Ryan is named after my dad and Katie is named after Hannah.”
“You two put a lot of thought into it, I think Amy and I are slacking on giving our kid a name.”
“Well, you have a month.”
“Yeah, we have plenty of time.”



“This can’t be happening, the baby isn’t due for another month, this cannot be happening.”
“What?” Ephram woke up from falling asleep on the couch watching a Christmas movie. “What’s going on?”

Amy’s pregnancy hadn’t been easy to say the least. She had been on bed rest for the most part. All of her appointments and ultrasounds were doing okay, all telling her she was doing great and nothing to worry about. All those good feelings weren’t helping her through the worrying of having contractions at eight months along.

Ephram was still trying to wake himself up and be attentive to Amy. “I thought everyone said those are Braxton Hicks contracts, your body preparing for delivery?”
“I don’t know, Ephram, this feels so…different.”
“I’ll call my dad.”
“What if I am going into real labor? There is like ten feet of snow on the ground and it’s still snowing. No one can get down this street with an ambulance, much less getting me to the hospital. I might as well have the baby right here.”
“Well, it’s a good thing there are two doctors in our family.”
“Well, one. My parents are in Tuscany on a second honeymoon, no way he can get back in time.”

Ephram pressed Andy’s phone number and started ranting off what was happening with Amy.

“Ephram, slow down. How far apart are the contractions.”
He looked at his watch. “Four minutes.”
“Okay, call the ambulance and I’ll meet you two at the hospital.” Andy said aloud and Nina started getting dressed to make her way to the hospital.
“Dad, the roads are closed, no ambulance is getting here in enough tome to get Amy to the hospital.”
“Alright, calm down. You live right down the street, I’ll be right there.”

Nina looked up at him. “What’s happening now?”
“Amy’s having her baby tonight.”
“And that’s what Ephram said?”
“No, that’s what I’m saying. Amy’s contractions are too close to call an ambulance with all the roads being closed. I never thought I’d say this but I’m going to be delivering my own grandchild.” Andy started to smile and get a twinkle in his eye.
Nina’s face lit up. “Another baby in the family.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“Why did the proud grandfather face go away so suddenly, I like proud grandfather.”
“Amy, who had an ectopic pregnancy a little over a year ago. Now it doesn’t look like the baby is going to carry to full term. The odds aren’t in her favor.” Andy was thinking about all the complications that could happen during the delivery and how he would handle them if they were to happen.
“Wait, I’ve heard you say on many occasions that eight months is enough time for a baby to be happy and healthy.”
“In most cases, yes. But, maybe it’s because I’m so close to this child that it’s clouding my judgement, but yes, I’m worried.”
“Well, let’s get over there.” Nina picked up the house phone. “I’ll call Megan from next door to watch Elijah while we’re gone.”
“Good thinking.”
“That’s why you married me.”


After Ephram ended the call with Andy, he sat beside Amy who was sweating and looked scared.

“What if this baby doesn’t come out naturally, your dad can’t do a c-section here on our living room floor. I can’t lose another baby.”
“Amy, you’re strong, you’re the strongest woman I know.” He held her hand tightly. “You can do this, we will do this together.”

Amy felt a hard pain and screamed as loud as she could as Andy and Nina walked in the front door.

Ephram looked over at them. “Do you own a snow mobile that I don’t know about?”
“Amy is about to have my grandchild, the pace picks up when something like this happens.”

Delia and Adam came rushing through the front door.

Amy looked over at Delia. “How did you know?”
“Nina called me while dad was freaking out about his grandchild.”
Amy looked over at Nina. “Thank you.”

Andy was having everyone grab enough supplies needed from around the house to help Amy deliver the baby. The furniture was sorted and Ephram and Andy lowered Amy to the floor. Andy reached into his medical bag and grabbed the supplies he needed.

“Amy, how are you feeling now?”
“I’m okay, I’m good. I’m a little more comfortable.”
“Good because the pain is going to come fast and furious. With each pain, I’m going to have you push. Do you have something to focus on, a vocal point?”
“No, we didn’t talk about the delivery…we thought we still had time.” Amy wanted to cry feeling like she failed as a mother already.
“Here, I have something.” Delia reached into her purse grabbing her phone and charger. She plugged it up to the digital photo frame that was on the fireplace mantle. “Here you go. It’s going to show all the pictures of the family together that I have taken on my phone.”
“Thank God for technology.” Amy had a light laugh.
Andy looked at Nina and smiled and he looked down at Amy. “You ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” Amy propped herself up and Ephram slid behind her, holding her hands.

Andy saw Amy’s muscles tense. “Okay, another contraction is coming. When you feel the pain, you push as hard as you can.”
Ephram saw how much pain Amy was in. “Dad, can’t you give Amy something for the pain.”
“Well, if we had a hospital full of those supplies, I would have already given her something. But this baby had other plans.”
Amy shrugged off the awkward moment of realizing she was really going to be having her baby, their baby in their living room. Everything was really starting to get more real. “Women have had babies everyday without anything to help with the pain…and so can I.”

Amy felt the contraction and pushed as hard as she could.

“Okay, Amy, that was good. Now, when you feel the pain start to form again, you push.”

Amy fall back onto to Ephram and screamed louder as she pushed.

“You are doing great, sweetheart. Now, with this third push, give it all you got.”
“What do you think I have been doing, sitting here eating cake!?” Amy said with a groan in her voice. “Alright, last time and I’m not pushing anymore.”
Ephram whispered into her ear. “Alright mom, you can do this.”
Those were the words that Amy needed to gather her strength once more.

She pushed harder than she had the previous two times and could feel the baby coming out, but there was only silence. “What’s wrong, Andy, why isn’t the he crying?”
“Amy stay calm, sometimes this happens”
Ephram swallowed hard and blinked slowly. “Sometimes what happens?” Ephram looked to Andy for an answer. “Dad?”
“Just stay calm.” Andy’s worried voice didn’t calm Ephram nor Amy.

Everyone else was in the kitchen to give Ephram and Amy some privacy. Andy is now rethinking that decision considering what is happening at the moment.

“Amy, I’m going to need you stay calm. The umbilical cord is wrapped around his neck.” He could instantly see the panicked faces on Ephram and Amy’s faces. “Fortunately is very loose and will probably slide off. This is very common in a lot of births.” Andy slid the cord off and the little boy opened his eyes and started crying.

Andy could hear the faint sounds of enthusiasm coming from the other room. Andy looked up to see Ephram and Amy both crying, anxious to see their little boy for the first time.

Andy dried the off his grandson and wrapped him in a towel. He gingerly placed him into Amy’s arms.

“Congratulations, you two have a son.”

It was like everyone else in the room floated away for the new parents. Their baby, at eight months, was perfect. Ten fingers, ten toes, a high pitched scream to know he was feeling quite alive.


A few hours later, Amy woke up and was sleeping comfortably in her own bed. She looked over to see Ephram as he was rocking their son to sleep.

“Hi, I didn't think you’d still be awake.”
“I’m a father, I don’t think I’ll sleep ever again.”
Amy sat herself up, wincing in pain as she used her stomach muscles. “Our son doesn’t have a name, yet, Ephram.”
“Yeah, there’s that one thing we still haven’t agreed on.”
“The list is on the fridge.”
“How can one just pick a name for their own child? It’s a name that will stick with them forever.”
“Ethan. I read somewhere that it means firm and strong. I want our son to have a strong name.” Amy looked to Ephram for agreement.
“Ethan.” Ephram looked down at his sleepy son. “What do you think, Ethan, you like that name?” Ethan cooed and tried to smile, but only yawned. “I think we have a winner.”
Amy smiled at her husband and son. “Ethan Andrew Brown.”
Ephram looked over at his wife. “Perfect.”

[THE END]
__________________
I see you when no one else can
I feel you when you're not there
I love you like no one else ever could
{EphramAmy}
patricia
break the window is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-05-2019, 04:41 AM
  #30
Fan Forum Hero

 
everwoodfan52's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 61,435
Thanks, Patricia!! New chapter is updated in the OP!
everwoodfan52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Fan Forum  |  Contact Us  |  Fan Forum on Twitter  |  Fan Forum on Facebook  |  Archive  |  Top

Powered by vBulletin, Copyright © 2000-2024.

Copyright © 1998-2024, Fan Forum.