Summary: The deer that Ephraim and Andy had returned to it's rightful home in the first season episode "Deer God" has returned to the Brown home. Andy decides to adopt the deer once he sees how Sam has bonded with the Doe.
Delia is once again on a quest to prove that God is real. Not for herself to find out if Julia is in Heaven; but for Sam who has turned his back on God . Delia wants to prove to the young boy that God does love him and want to wrap Sam up in his arms even through Sam's life is in haywire mode.
Key Points:
A The question of God's existence.
B The question of faith.
C Adoption of a deer.
Cater gory: Spiritual, Drama, Romance, Tragedy
Rating: T
Line Break #1
CHAPTER ONE
THE RETURN OF THE DEER
Andy walked into the living room and stopped short as he saw the second love of his life in the leather chair that faced the fire place. He wrapped his arms across his chest as he looked at the back of Nina's head. He could tell that she hadn't taken a shower yet that morning by the messed up look her hair was in from the back. He didn't mind. He always loved seeing Nina as Nina. No makeup, no perfume. Just natural.
Andy walked over to the fireplace and turned to say good morning to her to found that she was fast asleep. He frowned slightly at the sight of her not having a blanket covering her. He walked over to the couch and picked up the blanket that he had placed on the back for when he and Delia watched DVD's and he gently covered Nina up making sure to tuck the blanket in the sides so no air would touch the skin of the woman whom he loved. He leaned forward and gently kissed Nina's forehead.
Andy still couldn't believe that this amazing woman had picked him to love for the rest of her life. He couldn't believe that she found him worthy of her heart and the care of her son. He pulled away and stood straight again and turned and quickly and quiet built up the fire that had gone out the previous night. He stood to his feet again and turned and just watched as Nina slept on.
"Hey dad." Ephraim said standing in the hall that led to the kitchen with Bright and Amy by his side. "Hey Nina." He said seeing Nina in the chair.
Andy brought his right pinky to his lips and made a shushing noise. With one last loving glance at Nina; Andy walked towards his son and his friends. He walked towards the kitchen with the teenagers.
"What's Nina doing asleep in the chair? Doesn't she have a much more comfortable bed upstairs?" Ephraim asked leaning against the island. He watched his father began to prepare breakfast.
"Nina must have come down here at some point last night and fallen asleep." Andy said walking over to the burners with the eggs. "Care to join us for breakfast."
"There's not enough room." Bright said nodding over to the kitchen table.
"I'll get the leaf." Ephraim said walking over to the closet where the leaf was stored. He grabbed the leaf and walked back over to the table. "Help me get the leaf in Bright."
"Sure thing." Bright helped Ephraim get the leaf into the kitchen table just as Hannah walked into the room.
"Morning." Hannah said softly looking at Bright's back.
Bright turned around quickly. "Doctor Brown invited us for breakfast. I'll leave if you want."
Hannah shook her head. "Please stay." She walked over to the cabinets and started to pull down the plates that were needed.
Ephraim and Bright quickly placed the leaf into the table and locking it firmly into place. Ephraim walked over to the sink and washed his hands with soap and warm water.
"Here let me help you." Bright said walking over to his former girlfriend; the girlfriend that he had so foolishly cheated on the previous winter. The girlfriend who was still treating him as a friend. He couldn't believe that he hadn't lost Hannah from his life completely like he deserved.
"Thanks." Hannah said as she walked over to the table and started to place the plates on the place mats. She hid a smile as she felt Bright right next to her placing the silver ware on the linen napkins. She kept her head bowed as she felt the warmth coarse through her body at how near Bright Abbott was next to her. She was still deeply hurt by his cheating. But the raw anger was gone. Matter of fact all the anger that she felt towards him was gone. She knew it was gone when she had sat next to Bright outside the Harper home after Irv's funeral. Hannah didn't know if she and Bright could get their friendship back or if Bright was destined to be in her past. But Hannah wouldn't place Bright in her past until she felt like God was telling her too. Right now she felt like God wanted Bright to remain in her life.
Amy walked over to the stove and quickly placed several pieces of bacon on the flying pan. "So how are the wedding plans coming along Doctor Brown?"
"You need to ask Nina and Delia about that. They are in charge of planning everything." Andy said with a smile. "I know I would ruin Nina's dream wedding if I tried to help plan the thing." He frowned as he looked down at the eggs he was mixing. "I never want to do that."
"You won't dad." Ephraim said softly as he placed more toast in the toaster.
Andy shook his head and shook himself from this sober mood that he found himself in. "So have anything planned lately kids?"
"I'm thinking of taking Amy to New York and staying with grandpa and grandma." Ephraim said smiling over at his girlfriend.
"Oh and what do your parents say about this trip?" Andy turned to look over at Amy with a raised eyebrow.
"They trust me. They just say be careful and make sure not to make Doctor and Mrs. Hoffman regret having me stay with them." Amy said. "They know that I'm nineteen and a legal adult by the United States of America."
Andy nodded. "Sorry I keep forgetting that you two are fine young adults. Both have level heads on your shoulders. I hope you have a nice trip."
"Where are you going?" Nina asked as she leaned against the wall that separated the kitchen from the family room.
"Ephraim is going to take me to New York." Amy said.
"That's nice." Nina said with a smile. "Have a safe and speedy trip."
"I hope we didn't wake you up." Andy said walking towards her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her towards him. He leaned in to kiss her when she suddenly pulled away. "What's wrong?" He asked concerned.
"I have morning breath." Nina said backing away and slightly covering her mouth.
"So." Andy said taking another step towards her.
"So I need to go brush my teeth and get some Scope in me." Nina turned to leave the room when she felt Andy's arms snake around her waist and being pulled against his chest.
"I love your morning breath. Matter of fact I love every bit of you Nina Feeney. Just you; no hype no nothing. Just you Margaret Nina." Andy said in her ears softly.
Ephraim had walked over to Amy and started a quiet conversion with her as his father went to gather Nina into his arms and said the things that he said. He knew that his father's voice carried in the room. He just want to be gawking at their private intimate movement. He was relieved to see that Bright and Hannah had the same idea and talked as they were setting the table. Tears fell down Nina's checks as Andy's words went straight to her heart. No one; not even her parents had ever said those words or even come close to that sentiment where she was concerned. Even through she was embarrassed with her foul breath she didn't try to fight to leave Andy's arms. "I can't kiss you on your mouth; Andy; I don't want to pass any gems your way." She said.
"I understand." Andy said as he snuggled his face into the nook of her neck and kissed her several times. He finally let her go.
"I'll be right back." Nina said as she walked from the room and went up the stairs to get ready to meet the morning.
Delia and Sam walked into the kitchen and helped set the table and by the time Nina had come back down fresh breath and fresh combed hair they were ready to eat. Nina sat down in her chair at the end of the table with Sam to her right and Hannah to her left; Bright sat down next Sam and across from Hannah; Delia sat next to Bright and next to Andy who was sitting at the other end of the table with Ephraim at his other side and Amy next to him.
"You wants to say grace?" Andy asked.
"Mom will." Sam spoke up.
They all took each other hands and bowed their heads and closed their eyes as Nina began to pray. "Dear Heavenly Father; Thank you for our daily bread. Thank you for sending your Angels to watch over us as we slept. Thank you for bringing the entire family together for this meal. Thank you for all your blessings on each one of our lives. Thank for sending your only son to die for our sins. Thank you for creating the Heavens and Earth and allowing us mere humans to live here. Thank you for all your love. Amen."
They took their hands away from each other and just continued to watch Nina with her head still bowed and eyes closed continued silently pray with tears running down her checks.
Nina finally wiped the tears from her eyes as she lifted her head. "Sorry about that."
"About what?" Ephraim asked.
"I didn't mean to make you guys wait so long as I continued to talk to my Heavenly Father." Nina softly said.
"Who said you were the only one?" Andy asked.
Sam lifted his glass of milk. "Does God really exist? Does God really care about us? If God does care than why does he allow all the hurt to happen to us?" He placed the untouched milk back on the table. "Why does God allow you to be hurt deeply." His voice had harden as he looked straight into his mother's open blue eyes.
"I made my own choices in my life." Nina softly said not tearing her eyes off of her son's. "God doesn't allow me to suffer in the hurt. I allow myself to. But I had finally decided to place all my pain and suffering in God's hands and let him deal with it. I'm not hurt any longer."
"God is cruel. I don't like God. I don't believe in God. I don't think God plays fair." Sam said with hot tears running down his checks as he angry voiced his anger.
Nina slipped out of her chair and knelt down in front of her son's chair. She placed her right hand over his clenched left fist. "Let it go Sam. God is there waiting for you to run back in his arms so he can wrap them around you again. Go back to your Heavenly Father." She gently pleaded to her ten year old son.
"I'm done with God." Sam said with finality in his voice. He looked back into his mother's open and truthful blue eyes. He read the pain in them. "I'm glad that you have God mom. You are right you aren't in pain anymore. Thanks to God and Doctor Brown. But I can't let the past pain and sorrow that you were in go. I just can't. Please don't make me."
"I won't make you do anything Sam." Nina said as she slowly moved her free hand to cup underneath his chin and pulled his face down so that she could touch her forehead with his. Mother and son stayed in the moment for several minutes before pulling away.
Delia felt God telling her that she had to go on another quest on proving that HE did exist. Not for her to prove that Julia was in Heaven; but for Sam. Delia knew that God would use her to prove to Sam that although his life was in upheaval mode that God was still waiting for Sam to turn back to him so HE could wrap Sam up in his arms and carry him across the sand. God wanted to be the one footprint in the sand.
Nina finally let her son go and stood to her feet and sat back in her chair. She saw that the table was still silent and that no one had even taken one bite yet. She picked up her fork and lifted it with some egg and placed it in her mouth. She was pleased to see that the eggs were still warm.
"So anyone else have something to talk about. Something lighter." Sam asked as he picked up a piece of toast and taking a bite out of it.
"I made the winning basket in the last game back in high school." Bright said.
"Bright." Amy said with a shake of her head.
"What?" Bright asked reading correctly the look his sister was shooting him.
"Tell me all about. Who were you up against." Sam leaned forward in excitement. "Are you going to show me any more plays?"
"Of course buddy. But how about if I save the basketball chat for later." Bright grinned at the ten year old boy. The boy whom he could all ready see having a bright future on the basketball court.
"So what are your plans for today?" Andy turned and to his son.
"I was thinking of taking Delia and Sam to the stable so Delia could ride her horse." Ephraim said grinning over at his excited sister.
"Can I go mom." Sam turned excitedly over to Nina.
"Of course." Nina said with a grin.
Delia and Sam quickly finished eating their breakfast and rushed up the stairs to get ready for the day at the stables.
"Thank your for including Sam in this outing Ephraim." Nina said as she carried over her plate with Ephraim by her side.
"Any time." Ephraim said as he placed his plate on the counter and turned and took Nina's plate from her. "Do you mind if I rent a pony for Sam to ride?"
"As long as you walk next to him. Sam still hasn't found a good seat." Nina said wrapping her arms across her waist.
"No problem." Ephraim nodded. He patted her right shoulder before walking back to the table and grabbing more dirty plates.
Line Break # 2
Delia and Sam unbuckled their seat belts and got quickly out of the parked car before the teenagers had unbuckled their seatbelts. They jogged towards the barn where Delia's horse was stabilized.
"You would think they never come out here." Ephraim said as the older teenagers followed slowly behind the two younger kids.
"This was a nice surprise for a wonderful day." Amy slipped her hand into her boyfriends.
"I just thought dad and Nina might want to spend a quiet day together is all." Ephraim said. He turned his head back and said. "Thanks for tagging along you two."
"No problem." Bright said with a grin. He looked over at Hannah and wanted to slip his arm across her shoulder. But he had lost the right to touch her when he so stupidly cheated on her. He wanted desperately to get back what he had lost when they were together. He wanted to be back in the place that they were in when they were mere friends; before Bright's eyes and heart were open what an amazing person Hannah was. But he had blown it big time. He was just so relieved to find that Hannah wanted to see if they even had a friendship still.
"You know Ephraim I can walk along side Sam so you and Amy can have some alone time." Hannah said.
"Thanks Hannah." Ephraim said with a smile. He turned back to face forward and found Delia impatiently waving her arms at them. He just grinned and continued to walk the pace they were walking.
"Would you like to join me and Sam?" Hannah asked with a smile over at Bright.
"Yea I would." Bright said.
"Perhaps you can give Sam some tips on his game. I know Sam would love that." Hannah said as they finally reached the barns wide open door.
"About time you guys showed up." Delia said in mock impatient. She very well knew that her brother just wanted some romantic walking along with his girlfriend time. She didn't blame him; if she had a boyfriend she would have done the same. She very well knew that the slow walk did Hannah and Bright some good also. It didn't fix everything with them but it was a small step at getting back what they lost.
"How about we get Sam's pony before you get started on your ride Delia." Ephraim said walking towards the stable main office.
Delia nodded and walked with the group into the main office and listened closely as her brother did business with the stable hand. She was relieved to hear that Sam was going to be riding the gentles of all ponies.
Line Break #3
"I'm sorry for the sober talk this morning Andy." Nina said as she leaned against Andy's chest as he pulled her closer to him. She lifted her head and looked up at the love of her life.
"There's nothing to be sorry for Neen." Andy said bending his head and kissing her softly on the lips. He pulled away and gently pushed off and allowed the porch swing to swing them gently.
"Still it wasn't a fit topic for meal time." Nina pulled herself from Andy's eyes and rested her head against the nap of his neck. "I love you Andy Brown. I know you don't love me as much as I love you; but I can live with that."
Andy's arms tightened around her. "I love you as much as you love me Nina. How can you think otherwise."
"I'm not your soul mate. But you are mine." Nina lifted her face a inch so she could stare into Andy's open brown one. "I can live with that knowledge. The love your give me is enough for me."
"I would be lost with you Nina. Never leave me. Promise me." Andy whispered as tears fell from his eyes and onto her face.
"I promise you." Nina brought her hand up to his right check and she lifted her face as he lowered his and she met his mouth with her own as they shared a soul searching deep kiss.
They finally had to pull out of the kiss only because they both ran out of the oxygen that their bodies needed.
A movement from the corner of his eyes made Andy tear his eyes from Nina. He rolled his eyes heaven ward. "Our friend is back." He said.
With a question in her eyes Nina turned her head around so she was facing the Doe curious and open face. "Hello there. I was wondering when you would come back." She softly said and smiling nodded over at the Doe whom had first broken into the Brown home five years previous. The same Doe that Ephraim and Andy had hiked to the protective woods so no hunter could shoot her.
Andy sighed. "So I take it's another trek up back to your home for me. Well I'll get Ephraim to come along. The Doe is his somewhat pet after all."
"Look on the bright side; the Doe knows not to break into your home again." Nina sat up and allowed Andy's arms to leave her body. She felt the loss of his arms. But she knew that she wouldn't have to feel this way for long. She could always have Andy Brown's arms around her anytime she wanted; she didn't even have to ask any longer. She stood to her feet and walked slowly over to the Doe. She held out her hand for the Doe to smell.
The Doe took a few steps and sniffed Nina's hand and suddenly bowed her head so Nina could pet her. Once Nina's hand was on her head the Doe moved closer so it seemed like the Doe was hugging Nina.
Andy just quietly and silently watched the interplay between the Doe and the woman he loved. He only witnessed the Doe behaving in this fashion once before. That was with Ephraim when the Doe first found it's way into the Brown home. He had a thoughtful look on his face as he thought some things over.
END CHAPTER ONE