Disclaimer: I don't own Everwood, the town, or it's characters. I'm still
just a college student.
ECHOES OF YOU
A/N: This is the introduction to my new fic, "Echoes of You," the sequel to "Warm my Heart." This chapter is different in that it isn't based on a song, nor is it in active voice. Because this serves as more of a "where are they now" type of thing, its speaks in past tense. The rest of the chapters, however, will be in present tense. I've integrated quotes from "Warm my Heart," to sort of tie these two fics together more than just in plot. Also note that none of the quotes in this fic are part of the story, they serve to explain what's been going on in Amy and Ephram's lives since they've last seen one another
This is a fic set 4 years after Amy left Everwood . . . I hope you all enjoy. Please review with initial feelings and thoughts. Thanks a bunch.
PROLOGUE:
"I know we're young, but I hope I love you like this forever, and I'm pretty sure I will . . ."
Those words . . . they echoed. HE had said them . . . and they had stuck. Amy heard them each and every day that she was gone. And in the four years that she had spent away from the town and people of Everwood, they were about the only words that still had validation from her life there; at least they were valid in her eyes and in her heart.
And then --
"Then don't call me until you can . . . I'll love you til the day I die . . ."
And then there were those words. She'd never known anyone but him with such verbal power; every word he spoke was like his very own symphony - blending the most elegant speech with the most silver-tongued tones - but when he was angry, his words became a hot coal, searing into an already open wound . . .
She'd spent four years in Denver. She'd never have guessed that she could become so attached to the Clarksons, but she had. The first year was a rough one. She finally admitted that her real last name was Abbott and told them the whole story of her life. They'd told her it was okay if she wanted to go home, that they'd miss her but her family probably missed her a million times more. She'd contemplated it, thought it through, but she decided it wasn't time - She'd done something incredibly irresponsible when she ran away from home. At 20, life looked a lot different than it did at 16.
It wasn't that she hadn't seen her family in four years; she had. About a week after her first conversation with Ephram, the one where she knew she had broken the very last piece of his heart that had her name on it, she finally broke down and called her father.
"Amy, come home . . ." He had said in an almost convincing tone, "You won't be punished, just please come home,"
"Dad, please. I'll let you talk to the family I'm with, they're really nice."
"I want to see you," his voice shook with tears.
About a month after that she'd agreed to see her family again, but only if they'd come to Denver. She didn't want to go back to Everwood and be faced with rumors and accusations. Rose didn't go - she said the pain was too unbearable. Bright and Harold didn't understand, but let her be. They'd invited Ephram upon Amy's request, but when they showed up at the Clarkson's front porch that day, Ephram was sitting at home in Everwood.
She remembered wondering why he hadn't come. He promised her he'd love her forever . . .
"Ephram couldn't be here, sweetheart," Harold said, his eyes puffy from crying at his daughter's embrace. Nothing else was said. She was sure Bright would tell Ephram that she'd asked for him when he got back home.
"Tell him I said hello," she managed to say before the lump in her throat became so big she had to swallow.
Harold and Bright had made monthly trips to Denver throughout the years to visit with Amy, but Rose and Ephram never came. As many times as Amy had moved to pick up the phone to call Ephram, she remembered the pain in his last words to her. He knew where she was, why wasn't he making an effort to come visit her now?
And as she turned 18 and graduated from high school, Harold and a 20 year old college student Bright beamed with pride. She'd made salutatorian . . . and her mother wasn't even there to see. Upon her graduation night, she asked her dad if Rose ever mentioned Amy. He responded with remorse,
"I didn't want to tell you this, because I didn't want you to worry, what with graduation and all . . . but your mother has decided she wants a divorce," he closed his eyes tightly and Amy saw Bright look down.
"What?" she asked, tears ebbing and flowing from her perfectly made-up eyes. "This is because of me,"
"No, Amy," Bright said taking her hand, "This is because of her. After you left, Mom kind of went off the deep end. She stopped talking to people, she resigned from her job as the mayor, she moved in with Grandma and Pop Pop until she found a place of her own," Amy had noticed the seriousness in which her brother spoke. He seemed more mature than when she had left, "So you can come home," he squeezed her hand.
"Bright," she said, staring at him soulfully, "I'm happy here. I've applied to college for the fall, I'm going to start a whole new chapter of my life," she smiled.
"You're always welcome home," Dr. Abbott said, kissing the top of his daughter's head. "My, you've grown, Amy," he stepped back to look at her fully, "You've become a strong woman, I can tell,"
"I have you to thank for that, Dad. You never stopped having faith in me," she kissed his cheek, "And you, Bright . . . you have been the most wonderful part of my life these past few years. When I lived at home with you we didn't always get along. I know I was a brat . . . I'm sorry. I just want you to know how much I care about you,"
"I do know," he said hugging her.
No one mentioned Ephram, and while he stayed a constant in the back of her mind, she wasn't quite sure where she stood in his.
Amy started school in the fall when she was 18. She attended Colorado State University and lived at home with the Clarkson's for the first year. After thinking long and hard, she'd decided to major in pre-med. Something about the miracles that her father and Dr. Brown had worked . . .
Emma had become like a mother to her, and when she turned 19 she'd taken her on a mother-daughter vacation with 16 year old Belle. Amy and Belle had grown extremely close over the years. Belle saw her as a role-model, being that Amy was 16 when she had come into her life.
Amy was there to talk to the night Belle went on her first date, got her first kiss. She'd shared so many special moments with Belle that it was as if they really were sisters. Not surprisingly, much like Delia, Belle had developed a serious crush on Bright when he came for his visits. Belle still looked very much like Delia, and although Amy hadn't seen her in 3 years, she was certain the young Brown was growing into a beautiful girl.
Daniel, while not playing a fatherly role, since Dr. Abbott was still involved in her life, was always warm and welcomed her any time she needed to talk. They'd shared a wonderful 2 years ago before the doctors told him they'd misdiagnosed a tumor as malignant when it was really benign . . . he lived 3 more months.
And so Amy was 20 now . . . she lived in the dorms with a roommate that was quickly becoming her best friend. Angie, who was from Massachusetts, knew nothing of how what life was like in Denver or Everwood . . . she was new and fresh. Amy could be herself around her without wondering if she was basing Amy on her past.
As for Amy's love life . . . she never really acted much on it, always hopeful that Ephram would change his mind about coming to visit her with Bright and her father. She went to her homecoming's and proms in high school and dated a guy a year older than her named Jake Williamsberg casually her first year of college, but nothing came close to her feelings for Ephram - for they were still in full bloom.
She'd wait for him . . . she'd made a promise . . .
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Ephram had spent the last four years in different places both mentally and physically. Once he'd refused to visit Amy the first time, the other invitations became easier and easier to turn down. In the depths of his soul, he wanted to see her more than anything. His mind told him to do otherwise, however. She'd hurt him possibly more than anyone else ever had - it hurts worse to love someone and know you aren't needed than to be completely hated by someone.
At 16, in those first few weeks of Amy's absence, he wallowed in his misery. About a month later, however, he wised up. Not that he didn't think it was necessary to think about Amy anymore, he just realized that she wouldn't want him to sit around and make nothing of himself. Bright had told him many times that Amy said hello and sent her love. He just couldn't gather the strength to ever send messages back to her. He poured his heart and soul into his music and began working at the local grocery store.
Delia was growing up before everyone's eyes, just as Amy had imagined. Delia missed her just as much as the next person - Amy had become like an older sister to her - and then she was gone. Having completely left her baseball cap era behind, she was ready to delve into crushing on boys other than Bright Abbott. At 11 there was still a very strong affection for him, however nothing as it had been before.
Andy Brown was began dating Linda Abbott in the months prior to Amy's departure. Their relationship lasted a few months, but Linda picked up and left again to practice in another state . . . Just as things began getting serious for the two of them; Andy wondered if it was any sort of coincidence. He couldn't help but blame the all too familiar over dedication to his medicine. But when Ephram walked across that stage on his graduation day, it was Nina's hand that the fine town doctor was holding.
Ephram was accepted at Juilliard for the next fall, and within a matter of 3 months his bags were packed and he was on his way back to New York.
"You sure you're going to be okay Dad?" he asked that morning as he hugged his father goodbye. "Because, you know I can still change my mind and go to Colorado State or something,"
"Son, you're 18 years old now. I won't lie, I'm going to miss you and your piano playing til ungodly hours . . . and you're sarcastic comments that make me laugh just when I'm about to be angry." he smirked, making Ephram do the same, "But it's time for you to do what you want to do with your life. I'm not saying you don't like Everwood, but lets face it, there isn't much of a future for your music there,"
Ephram had smiled and hugged his dad once more, then shifted his gaze toward his 12 year old sister whose tears said everything. She pretended not to cry, but it was beyond help.
"Hey, it's going to be okay," he said hushing her gently, "I'll be home for Thanksgiving before you know it," he promised and she nodded. "I love you both," he said as he carried the last box up to his dorm room. He didn't look back; he didn't want his family to see the tear making its way down his right cheek.
Much like Amy's roommate, Todd was a great new start for Ephram. They had music in common and soon became close friends. He never stopped hanging out with Bright though, who he saw more often than he thought he would since Bright was a Sophomore at NYU. They'd hang out and go to parties every now and then, but mostly Ephram tried to focus on his music.
At 19 Ephram met Becky Parks - the first girlfriend he'd had since Amy. They were really close for awhile, but Ephram couldn't ever quite feel 100% comfortable with her. He'd promised himself to Amy - and it had become increasingly harder to avoid sleeping with Becky. What was he supposed to say *Sorry, I can't do this, I'm waiting for my estranged girlfriend of four years. We're waiting til we get married*? No. He couldn't have said that. But when he was approaching 20 years old, Becky was looking for a commitment he just wasn't ready to make,
"Ephie, we've been together for about a year now, and well, I think it's about time we show each other how we feel," her words startled him.
"Becky, you know I care for you . . ."
"Do you love me?" she asked angrily, her cheeks stained with fresh tears and black mascara.
"No," and that was it. He didn't love her - or if he did, certainly not the way he loved Amy. He wasn't sure if it was foolish of him to give up a life with someone who he'd have a definite future with for a girl - woman - he hadn't seen in four years, but his heart wouldn't let him miss the chance.
"It's always about Amy," Becky said storming off, ripping the silver necklace he'd given her from her neck and tossing it to the ground. Was it wrong that he didn't feel a bit of remorse?
He'd been at Juilliard for almost 2 years and his life was just starting to pan out. He'd established his music career there, made some new friends and kept some old ones. People told him he'd made an amazing transformation in those two years in both his musical talents and his appearance. It was true, 20 year old Ephram differed greatly from 18 year old Ephram and certainly from 16 year old Ephram . . . but his heart loved the same.
"She wants you Ephram. Hell, I could give her a mansion and she'd still want you. She wants to marry you . . . I know she does . . ." Ephram remembered how good it felt when Tommy had told him this. Those words were enough to keep him holding on, hoping for a miracle.
Christmas time was the hardest. He'd shared his most special one with Amy. He'd learned of Christmas wishes that year - the year he wished for that to be the last Christmas they ever spent apart . . .
"And when I come back, we'll have OUR Christmas . . ." her precious, sweet voice swirled around in his head.
He'd made a promise, and he'd be damned if he broke it.
ECHOES OF YOU
A/N: This is the introduction to my new fic, "Echoes of You," the sequel to "Warm my Heart." This chapter is different in that it isn't based on a song, nor is it in active voice. Because this serves as more of a "where are they now" type of thing, its speaks in past tense. The rest of the chapters, however, will be in present tense. I've integrated quotes from "Warm my Heart," to sort of tie these two fics together more than just in plot. Also note that none of the quotes in this fic are part of the story, they serve to explain what's been going on in Amy and Ephram's lives since they've last seen one another
This is a fic set 4 years after Amy left Everwood . . . I hope you all enjoy. Please review with initial feelings and thoughts. Thanks a bunch.
PROLOGUE:
"I know we're young, but I hope I love you like this forever, and I'm pretty sure I will . . ."
Those words . . . they echoed. HE had said them . . . and they had stuck. Amy heard them each and every day that she was gone. And in the four years that she had spent away from the town and people of Everwood, they were about the only words that still had validation from her life there; at least they were valid in her eyes and in her heart.
And then --
"Then don't call me until you can . . . I'll love you til the day I die . . ."
And then there were those words. She'd never known anyone but him with such verbal power; every word he spoke was like his very own symphony - blending the most elegant speech with the most silver-tongued tones - but when he was angry, his words became a hot coal, searing into an already open wound . . .
She'd spent four years in Denver. She'd never have guessed that she could become so attached to the Clarksons, but she had. The first year was a rough one. She finally admitted that her real last name was Abbott and told them the whole story of her life. They'd told her it was okay if she wanted to go home, that they'd miss her but her family probably missed her a million times more. She'd contemplated it, thought it through, but she decided it wasn't time - She'd done something incredibly irresponsible when she ran away from home. At 20, life looked a lot different than it did at 16.
It wasn't that she hadn't seen her family in four years; she had. About a week after her first conversation with Ephram, the one where she knew she had broken the very last piece of his heart that had her name on it, she finally broke down and called her father.
"Amy, come home . . ." He had said in an almost convincing tone, "You won't be punished, just please come home,"
"Dad, please. I'll let you talk to the family I'm with, they're really nice."
"I want to see you," his voice shook with tears.
About a month after that she'd agreed to see her family again, but only if they'd come to Denver. She didn't want to go back to Everwood and be faced with rumors and accusations. Rose didn't go - she said the pain was too unbearable. Bright and Harold didn't understand, but let her be. They'd invited Ephram upon Amy's request, but when they showed up at the Clarkson's front porch that day, Ephram was sitting at home in Everwood.
She remembered wondering why he hadn't come. He promised her he'd love her forever . . .
"Ephram couldn't be here, sweetheart," Harold said, his eyes puffy from crying at his daughter's embrace. Nothing else was said. She was sure Bright would tell Ephram that she'd asked for him when he got back home.
"Tell him I said hello," she managed to say before the lump in her throat became so big she had to swallow.
Harold and Bright had made monthly trips to Denver throughout the years to visit with Amy, but Rose and Ephram never came. As many times as Amy had moved to pick up the phone to call Ephram, she remembered the pain in his last words to her. He knew where she was, why wasn't he making an effort to come visit her now?
And as she turned 18 and graduated from high school, Harold and a 20 year old college student Bright beamed with pride. She'd made salutatorian . . . and her mother wasn't even there to see. Upon her graduation night, she asked her dad if Rose ever mentioned Amy. He responded with remorse,
"I didn't want to tell you this, because I didn't want you to worry, what with graduation and all . . . but your mother has decided she wants a divorce," he closed his eyes tightly and Amy saw Bright look down.
"What?" she asked, tears ebbing and flowing from her perfectly made-up eyes. "This is because of me,"
"No, Amy," Bright said taking her hand, "This is because of her. After you left, Mom kind of went off the deep end. She stopped talking to people, she resigned from her job as the mayor, she moved in with Grandma and Pop Pop until she found a place of her own," Amy had noticed the seriousness in which her brother spoke. He seemed more mature than when she had left, "So you can come home," he squeezed her hand.
"Bright," she said, staring at him soulfully, "I'm happy here. I've applied to college for the fall, I'm going to start a whole new chapter of my life," she smiled.
"You're always welcome home," Dr. Abbott said, kissing the top of his daughter's head. "My, you've grown, Amy," he stepped back to look at her fully, "You've become a strong woman, I can tell,"
"I have you to thank for that, Dad. You never stopped having faith in me," she kissed his cheek, "And you, Bright . . . you have been the most wonderful part of my life these past few years. When I lived at home with you we didn't always get along. I know I was a brat . . . I'm sorry. I just want you to know how much I care about you,"
"I do know," he said hugging her.
No one mentioned Ephram, and while he stayed a constant in the back of her mind, she wasn't quite sure where she stood in his.
Amy started school in the fall when she was 18. She attended Colorado State University and lived at home with the Clarkson's for the first year. After thinking long and hard, she'd decided to major in pre-med. Something about the miracles that her father and Dr. Brown had worked . . .
Emma had become like a mother to her, and when she turned 19 she'd taken her on a mother-daughter vacation with 16 year old Belle. Amy and Belle had grown extremely close over the years. Belle saw her as a role-model, being that Amy was 16 when she had come into her life.
Amy was there to talk to the night Belle went on her first date, got her first kiss. She'd shared so many special moments with Belle that it was as if they really were sisters. Not surprisingly, much like Delia, Belle had developed a serious crush on Bright when he came for his visits. Belle still looked very much like Delia, and although Amy hadn't seen her in 3 years, she was certain the young Brown was growing into a beautiful girl.
Daniel, while not playing a fatherly role, since Dr. Abbott was still involved in her life, was always warm and welcomed her any time she needed to talk. They'd shared a wonderful 2 years ago before the doctors told him they'd misdiagnosed a tumor as malignant when it was really benign . . . he lived 3 more months.
And so Amy was 20 now . . . she lived in the dorms with a roommate that was quickly becoming her best friend. Angie, who was from Massachusetts, knew nothing of how what life was like in Denver or Everwood . . . she was new and fresh. Amy could be herself around her without wondering if she was basing Amy on her past.
As for Amy's love life . . . she never really acted much on it, always hopeful that Ephram would change his mind about coming to visit her with Bright and her father. She went to her homecoming's and proms in high school and dated a guy a year older than her named Jake Williamsberg casually her first year of college, but nothing came close to her feelings for Ephram - for they were still in full bloom.
She'd wait for him . . . she'd made a promise . . .
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Ephram had spent the last four years in different places both mentally and physically. Once he'd refused to visit Amy the first time, the other invitations became easier and easier to turn down. In the depths of his soul, he wanted to see her more than anything. His mind told him to do otherwise, however. She'd hurt him possibly more than anyone else ever had - it hurts worse to love someone and know you aren't needed than to be completely hated by someone.
At 16, in those first few weeks of Amy's absence, he wallowed in his misery. About a month later, however, he wised up. Not that he didn't think it was necessary to think about Amy anymore, he just realized that she wouldn't want him to sit around and make nothing of himself. Bright had told him many times that Amy said hello and sent her love. He just couldn't gather the strength to ever send messages back to her. He poured his heart and soul into his music and began working at the local grocery store.
Delia was growing up before everyone's eyes, just as Amy had imagined. Delia missed her just as much as the next person - Amy had become like an older sister to her - and then she was gone. Having completely left her baseball cap era behind, she was ready to delve into crushing on boys other than Bright Abbott. At 11 there was still a very strong affection for him, however nothing as it had been before.
Andy Brown was began dating Linda Abbott in the months prior to Amy's departure. Their relationship lasted a few months, but Linda picked up and left again to practice in another state . . . Just as things began getting serious for the two of them; Andy wondered if it was any sort of coincidence. He couldn't help but blame the all too familiar over dedication to his medicine. But when Ephram walked across that stage on his graduation day, it was Nina's hand that the fine town doctor was holding.
Ephram was accepted at Juilliard for the next fall, and within a matter of 3 months his bags were packed and he was on his way back to New York.
"You sure you're going to be okay Dad?" he asked that morning as he hugged his father goodbye. "Because, you know I can still change my mind and go to Colorado State or something,"
"Son, you're 18 years old now. I won't lie, I'm going to miss you and your piano playing til ungodly hours . . . and you're sarcastic comments that make me laugh just when I'm about to be angry." he smirked, making Ephram do the same, "But it's time for you to do what you want to do with your life. I'm not saying you don't like Everwood, but lets face it, there isn't much of a future for your music there,"
Ephram had smiled and hugged his dad once more, then shifted his gaze toward his 12 year old sister whose tears said everything. She pretended not to cry, but it was beyond help.
"Hey, it's going to be okay," he said hushing her gently, "I'll be home for Thanksgiving before you know it," he promised and she nodded. "I love you both," he said as he carried the last box up to his dorm room. He didn't look back; he didn't want his family to see the tear making its way down his right cheek.
Much like Amy's roommate, Todd was a great new start for Ephram. They had music in common and soon became close friends. He never stopped hanging out with Bright though, who he saw more often than he thought he would since Bright was a Sophomore at NYU. They'd hang out and go to parties every now and then, but mostly Ephram tried to focus on his music.
At 19 Ephram met Becky Parks - the first girlfriend he'd had since Amy. They were really close for awhile, but Ephram couldn't ever quite feel 100% comfortable with her. He'd promised himself to Amy - and it had become increasingly harder to avoid sleeping with Becky. What was he supposed to say *Sorry, I can't do this, I'm waiting for my estranged girlfriend of four years. We're waiting til we get married*? No. He couldn't have said that. But when he was approaching 20 years old, Becky was looking for a commitment he just wasn't ready to make,
"Ephie, we've been together for about a year now, and well, I think it's about time we show each other how we feel," her words startled him.
"Becky, you know I care for you . . ."
"Do you love me?" she asked angrily, her cheeks stained with fresh tears and black mascara.
"No," and that was it. He didn't love her - or if he did, certainly not the way he loved Amy. He wasn't sure if it was foolish of him to give up a life with someone who he'd have a definite future with for a girl - woman - he hadn't seen in four years, but his heart wouldn't let him miss the chance.
"It's always about Amy," Becky said storming off, ripping the silver necklace he'd given her from her neck and tossing it to the ground. Was it wrong that he didn't feel a bit of remorse?
He'd been at Juilliard for almost 2 years and his life was just starting to pan out. He'd established his music career there, made some new friends and kept some old ones. People told him he'd made an amazing transformation in those two years in both his musical talents and his appearance. It was true, 20 year old Ephram differed greatly from 18 year old Ephram and certainly from 16 year old Ephram . . . but his heart loved the same.
"She wants you Ephram. Hell, I could give her a mansion and she'd still want you. She wants to marry you . . . I know she does . . ." Ephram remembered how good it felt when Tommy had told him this. Those words were enough to keep him holding on, hoping for a miracle.
Christmas time was the hardest. He'd shared his most special one with Amy. He'd learned of Christmas wishes that year - the year he wished for that to be the last Christmas they ever spent apart . . .
"And when I come back, we'll have OUR Christmas . . ." her precious, sweet voice swirled around in his head.
He'd made a promise, and he'd be damned if he broke it.