Josephine Lawson practically bounced down the hallway. Her arms were loaded
with job applications, the employment section of the New York Times, and at
least 50 copies of her resume. Making her way down the corridor, she headed
for her apartment, before noticing a small letter on the ground. Doing her
best to balance the contents of her arms, she reached down and grabbed the
envelope. Once inside, Joe eagerly tore the envelope open, forgetting to
see if there was a return address. A small white piece of paper slipped out
along with a plane ticket. Carefully, she picked up the slip of paper;
quickly realizing it was an invitation to a Christmas party in Everwood.
Remembering a similar envelope she had found while checking her mailbox at
her old building, she hurriedly searched her bag for it, finding it stuck
as a bookmark in one of her books. Ripping it open, she found the same
contents inside.
"So what do you want to do for the holidays?" Ephram asked Joe, the two of them were lying in bed, snuggled close together.
"I don't know, we already celebrated Hanukkah with your grandparents, and my dad was here for Thanksgiving," Joe said, lifting her head from Ephram's chest, "We've sort of run out of family around here."
"We got just hang around here," Ephram shrugged, "Unless."
"We could go to Everwood," Joe finished his thought, "As hectic as it probably will be, it might be nice to spend Christmas with family."
"You really want to go?" Ephram asked. Joe nodded, "Then we'll go."
***
Every inch of Everwood was covered in lights, holly, or garland; even the side-cart of Edna's motorcycle was festively decorated. A light blanket of snow covered the ground, and children were everywhere, throwing snowballs and making snow forts. It was as if Everwood was a real life Utopia. At least in thirteen-year-old Delia's eyes it was. Even though she wasn't fully Christian (hardly half, it wasn't clear what exactly her father was or wasn't) Christmas had always seemed like such a magical holiday. And this year's would be much better than the last, because she had a plan. A good one.
"Delia, have you seen my car keys?" Delia heard her father shout from downstairs.
"Kitchen counter," Delia shouted back, not looking up from her laptop. On the screen was her plan of action, carefully typed and revised, just waiting for her to use.
"Step One: Send plane tickets," Delia read to herself, "Check!" The first step had been easy. Sure, it used up half her savings (Ditey had chipped in half) but it was well worth it. She was confident she could get Joe and Ephram back together. And if not.at least they would be home from Christmas. Delia closed the program, and grabbed her coat. Now was the time to execute step two.
Aphrodite Lawson (or Ditey as we all know her) couldn't help but aid Delia with her plan. It was such a good one, totally worth putting off studying for midterms to pull off. But then again what isn't worth putting off midterms?
"Ditey!" Delia shouted from outside the window, beckoning her to come outside, "It's almost time."
"Okay, just give me a minute," Ditey replied, putting on her coat and beanie, and grabbing her car keys.
Just as they were about to pull out of the drive way, they noticed a taxi pulling up. To there surprise, Joe and Ephram got out, TOGETHER.
"Alright, am I crazy or what?" Delia whispered to Ditey.
"No, I see it too," Ditey replied, "Hold on a second are they holding hands? This can't be right. Maybe were both crazy." Delia shrugged, and got out of the car.
"Hey guys, what are you doing here?!?" Delia shouted, acting as if she was surprised. And believe it or not, Delia was quite a good actress.
"Hey kiddo," Ephram said, hugging her. Ditey yanked the keys out of the ignition, and ran to join them.
"Wow look at you!" Joe laughed as she hugged Delia, "You're so grown up!"
"I didn't know you guys were coming down for Christmas," Ditey said excitedly, "And I also didn't know you were back together. If you ever took the time to pick up a pen."
"Sorry, I've just been so busy, and we wanted to surprise you guys," Joe smiled, looking at Ephram.
"So where is everyone?" Ephram asked, glancing around.
"Well, the Everwood Christmas party is at our house this year, so Dad went to get some stuff. Nina's in the house with Sam, and we were just about to go to.uh."
"Get ice," Ditey finished, "Yeah, we're in charge of drinks, so we have to get some ice."
"That's nice," Joe raises an eyebrow, "Let's go inside, it's freezing." Joe said with a shiver, before walking with Ephram to the house.
"That was close," Delia laughed, before mocking Ditey's "ice" explanation.
***
"Wow, look at the two of you," Nina laughed, after she had hugged Ephram and Joe, "You know, I knew you guys could never stay apart for too long. So Joe what are you doing now? Ephram how's school?" Nina was a little over- excited about seeing her niece and "potential" nephew. Joe and Ephram answered all her questions, and the meaningless chitchat that followed.
"So how long are you staying?" Nina finally asked eagerly. Joe and Ephram looked at each other, honestly not knowing when they were going to leave.
"Let's not think of that now," Nina quickly changed the subject, "What do you guys want to do your first night in town? Oh, I almost forgot, there's a big Holiday play tonight in town, everyone's going. You guys feel up to it?"
"Sure, sounds fun," Joe nodded reluctantly. Sure, she was ready to see her family again, but the whole town?
***
Gathered in a small, but cozy auditorium was the whole town of Everwood. Women were dressed in some of their finest dresses, and every father of a younger child was accompanied by a camcorder. Everyone was smiling, and carrying on, children laughing, and not one person in the whole room was frowning.
"I love this," Joe smiled at Ephram, a warm, content feeling building inside her.
"As dull as Everwood can be, it can be pretty great too, huh?" Ephram said, pulling his girlfriend closer. She was exceptionally stunning that night, her hair pulled into a loose bun, and clad in a silky candy apple red cocktail number. Even if he wasn't the smartest, richest, or most successful guy in the room, he felt like the luckiest.
"Ephram? Joe?" The couple looked up as they heard the sound of a female voice.
"Oh, Amy, hi!" Joe cried, giving her the traditional hug. Ephram too embraced her, remembering the long ago time when he had wanted nothing other than her. Boy had times changed.
"So Grover, what have you been up to?" Ephram asked, using her old nickname.
"Oh, not too much, just school, and work," Amy nodded, tracing her finger around the top of her wine glass, "I'm going to Aurora University, it's not to far from here, and I just got a job as a secretary for your dad."
"My dad? I thought Edna-," Ephram was suddenly cut off by Amy.
"Grandma got sick, Alzheimer's actually," Amy said, looking down sadly.
"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that Amy," Joe gasped. She had never known Edna well, but it's always sad to hear that someone you know is sick.
"Thank you, but it's not as bad as it could be," Amy tried to brighten the moment, "So last I heard you two were broken up."
"Yeah, it's a long story, but we're back together," Ephram nodded, "How about you, anyone new in your life?"
"No, actually, I just ended a long-term relationship last month," Amy nodded, "It wasn't going anywhere, so it was for the best. Oh there's Bright." Bright spotted them, and quickly walked over.
"Wow, long time no see," Bright greeted the two, quickly giving Joe a lingering hug, before sharing a handshake with Ephram.
"Bright, how have you been?" Joe asked. Even though they had been separated by nearly six years (3 of which he hadn't even seen her), he still felt his heart quicken when he looked at her. Even though she was slightly taller, and a bit more fit (thanks to the yoga craze in Spain), she still was exactly the same girl. The girl that belonged to Ephram Brown. Not him.
"Good, I just finished college, a year early actually," Bright said proudly, "So how about you guys? How's Julliard, Ephram?"
"Great, it's challenging, but nothing I can't handle," Ephram nodded, "And Joe here can now add "world-traveler" to her resume."
"Really?" Bright asked, genuinely surprised. Joe was such an all-American type of girl, that it seemed odd for her to be anywhere else.
"Yeah, I spent a year and a half traveling in Europe. Half of that time I ended up studying business and philosophy in Spain," Joe replied, "It was a very rewarding experience, but I missed the states fiercely."
"Well we have to get going," Amy announced, "It was great seeing you guys again. Maybe we can do something while you're here. Bye." Amy then dragged Bright in the opposite direction, leaving Joe and Ephram alone. "So they really have changed," Ephram commented.
"Yeah they really have," Joe nodded, "Amazing, isn't it? I mean, they both seem so different, and accomplished now."
"Weird, huh?" Ephram laughed.
"Totally."
A/N: Happy Holidays everyone! Sorry I didn't get this out sooner, I've just had a lack of inspiration, and time. Please review (I will update once I've got 5 new reviews).
Have yourself A Merry Little Christmas- Stephanie
"So what do you want to do for the holidays?" Ephram asked Joe, the two of them were lying in bed, snuggled close together.
"I don't know, we already celebrated Hanukkah with your grandparents, and my dad was here for Thanksgiving," Joe said, lifting her head from Ephram's chest, "We've sort of run out of family around here."
"We got just hang around here," Ephram shrugged, "Unless."
"We could go to Everwood," Joe finished his thought, "As hectic as it probably will be, it might be nice to spend Christmas with family."
"You really want to go?" Ephram asked. Joe nodded, "Then we'll go."
***
Every inch of Everwood was covered in lights, holly, or garland; even the side-cart of Edna's motorcycle was festively decorated. A light blanket of snow covered the ground, and children were everywhere, throwing snowballs and making snow forts. It was as if Everwood was a real life Utopia. At least in thirteen-year-old Delia's eyes it was. Even though she wasn't fully Christian (hardly half, it wasn't clear what exactly her father was or wasn't) Christmas had always seemed like such a magical holiday. And this year's would be much better than the last, because she had a plan. A good one.
"Delia, have you seen my car keys?" Delia heard her father shout from downstairs.
"Kitchen counter," Delia shouted back, not looking up from her laptop. On the screen was her plan of action, carefully typed and revised, just waiting for her to use.
"Step One: Send plane tickets," Delia read to herself, "Check!" The first step had been easy. Sure, it used up half her savings (Ditey had chipped in half) but it was well worth it. She was confident she could get Joe and Ephram back together. And if not.at least they would be home from Christmas. Delia closed the program, and grabbed her coat. Now was the time to execute step two.
Aphrodite Lawson (or Ditey as we all know her) couldn't help but aid Delia with her plan. It was such a good one, totally worth putting off studying for midterms to pull off. But then again what isn't worth putting off midterms?
"Ditey!" Delia shouted from outside the window, beckoning her to come outside, "It's almost time."
"Okay, just give me a minute," Ditey replied, putting on her coat and beanie, and grabbing her car keys.
Just as they were about to pull out of the drive way, they noticed a taxi pulling up. To there surprise, Joe and Ephram got out, TOGETHER.
"Alright, am I crazy or what?" Delia whispered to Ditey.
"No, I see it too," Ditey replied, "Hold on a second are they holding hands? This can't be right. Maybe were both crazy." Delia shrugged, and got out of the car.
"Hey guys, what are you doing here?!?" Delia shouted, acting as if she was surprised. And believe it or not, Delia was quite a good actress.
"Hey kiddo," Ephram said, hugging her. Ditey yanked the keys out of the ignition, and ran to join them.
"Wow look at you!" Joe laughed as she hugged Delia, "You're so grown up!"
"I didn't know you guys were coming down for Christmas," Ditey said excitedly, "And I also didn't know you were back together. If you ever took the time to pick up a pen."
"Sorry, I've just been so busy, and we wanted to surprise you guys," Joe smiled, looking at Ephram.
"So where is everyone?" Ephram asked, glancing around.
"Well, the Everwood Christmas party is at our house this year, so Dad went to get some stuff. Nina's in the house with Sam, and we were just about to go to.uh."
"Get ice," Ditey finished, "Yeah, we're in charge of drinks, so we have to get some ice."
"That's nice," Joe raises an eyebrow, "Let's go inside, it's freezing." Joe said with a shiver, before walking with Ephram to the house.
"That was close," Delia laughed, before mocking Ditey's "ice" explanation.
***
"Wow, look at the two of you," Nina laughed, after she had hugged Ephram and Joe, "You know, I knew you guys could never stay apart for too long. So Joe what are you doing now? Ephram how's school?" Nina was a little over- excited about seeing her niece and "potential" nephew. Joe and Ephram answered all her questions, and the meaningless chitchat that followed.
"So how long are you staying?" Nina finally asked eagerly. Joe and Ephram looked at each other, honestly not knowing when they were going to leave.
"Let's not think of that now," Nina quickly changed the subject, "What do you guys want to do your first night in town? Oh, I almost forgot, there's a big Holiday play tonight in town, everyone's going. You guys feel up to it?"
"Sure, sounds fun," Joe nodded reluctantly. Sure, she was ready to see her family again, but the whole town?
***
Gathered in a small, but cozy auditorium was the whole town of Everwood. Women were dressed in some of their finest dresses, and every father of a younger child was accompanied by a camcorder. Everyone was smiling, and carrying on, children laughing, and not one person in the whole room was frowning.
"I love this," Joe smiled at Ephram, a warm, content feeling building inside her.
"As dull as Everwood can be, it can be pretty great too, huh?" Ephram said, pulling his girlfriend closer. She was exceptionally stunning that night, her hair pulled into a loose bun, and clad in a silky candy apple red cocktail number. Even if he wasn't the smartest, richest, or most successful guy in the room, he felt like the luckiest.
"Ephram? Joe?" The couple looked up as they heard the sound of a female voice.
"Oh, Amy, hi!" Joe cried, giving her the traditional hug. Ephram too embraced her, remembering the long ago time when he had wanted nothing other than her. Boy had times changed.
"So Grover, what have you been up to?" Ephram asked, using her old nickname.
"Oh, not too much, just school, and work," Amy nodded, tracing her finger around the top of her wine glass, "I'm going to Aurora University, it's not to far from here, and I just got a job as a secretary for your dad."
"My dad? I thought Edna-," Ephram was suddenly cut off by Amy.
"Grandma got sick, Alzheimer's actually," Amy said, looking down sadly.
"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that Amy," Joe gasped. She had never known Edna well, but it's always sad to hear that someone you know is sick.
"Thank you, but it's not as bad as it could be," Amy tried to brighten the moment, "So last I heard you two were broken up."
"Yeah, it's a long story, but we're back together," Ephram nodded, "How about you, anyone new in your life?"
"No, actually, I just ended a long-term relationship last month," Amy nodded, "It wasn't going anywhere, so it was for the best. Oh there's Bright." Bright spotted them, and quickly walked over.
"Wow, long time no see," Bright greeted the two, quickly giving Joe a lingering hug, before sharing a handshake with Ephram.
"Bright, how have you been?" Joe asked. Even though they had been separated by nearly six years (3 of which he hadn't even seen her), he still felt his heart quicken when he looked at her. Even though she was slightly taller, and a bit more fit (thanks to the yoga craze in Spain), she still was exactly the same girl. The girl that belonged to Ephram Brown. Not him.
"Good, I just finished college, a year early actually," Bright said proudly, "So how about you guys? How's Julliard, Ephram?"
"Great, it's challenging, but nothing I can't handle," Ephram nodded, "And Joe here can now add "world-traveler" to her resume."
"Really?" Bright asked, genuinely surprised. Joe was such an all-American type of girl, that it seemed odd for her to be anywhere else.
"Yeah, I spent a year and a half traveling in Europe. Half of that time I ended up studying business and philosophy in Spain," Joe replied, "It was a very rewarding experience, but I missed the states fiercely."
"Well we have to get going," Amy announced, "It was great seeing you guys again. Maybe we can do something while you're here. Bye." Amy then dragged Bright in the opposite direction, leaving Joe and Ephram alone. "So they really have changed," Ephram commented.
"Yeah they really have," Joe nodded, "Amazing, isn't it? I mean, they both seem so different, and accomplished now."
"Weird, huh?" Ephram laughed.
"Totally."
A/N: Happy Holidays everyone! Sorry I didn't get this out sooner, I've just had a lack of inspiration, and time. Please review (I will update once I've got 5 new reviews).
Have yourself A Merry Little Christmas- Stephanie