Chapter 2
As a quick note, because I had questions asked about this Rumor's mother's name is pronounces Lane...as in I live on Rubber Tree Lane OK?
"Good morning everyone." Nina's words are bright a week later when she walks into the kitchen the Saturday after school let out.
"Good morning," both Andy and Delia respond but Nina notices Ephram's absence.
"Where's Ephram and Rumor?" Nina asks as Sam follows in behind her.
"He's upstairs trying to talk on the phone and get Rumor dressed at the same time." Delia giggles, "Rumor likes to grab at the phone, Amy's getting hung up on all the time."
"Is Amy still coming with us?" Nina asks holding out a bottle of sun screen to Delia.
Andy nods, "I believe so, she's fallen in love with Rumor I think."
"We all have." Andy nods.
With the knock on the door Delia rushes to open it, "Amy come in."
"Amy we could have picked you up." Andy states.
"I know, Ephram said but I have something for Rumor, so I'll be right back down." Amy holds up the bag and then hurries up the stairs.
Ephram appears in the kitchen moments later, "Where's Rumor?" Delia asks.
"Amy has decided that she's dressing her up this morning." Ephram rolls his eyes, "Girls."
"When are we leaving for the zoo?" Sam asks looking back and forth between everyone.
"Once Amy gets done dressing the baby then we have to stop at a store and then we will go to the zoo kiddo." Andy replies.
"What do we have to get at the store?" Sam asks taking the juice box Ephram has pulled out of the refrigerator and offered him.
"A stroller for Rumor." Ephram responds, "Delia will you get me the diaper bag for me?"
Delia nods and dashes upstairs returning with the bag Laine had left in hand, "Amy bought Rumor the cutest new outfit." With her words Delia drops the bag off on the counter and runs back upstairs.
Ephram pulls out the several pink plastic baby bottles that both Laine had left and they had bought. The week since Laine had left Rumor with Ephram had been the craziest Ephram ever had, he'd barely had time to think before he launched into his new role as a single teenage father. Studying for Sophomore year finals had been completely forgotten by both Amy and Ephram. Saturday and Sunday after Rumor had appeared Amy, Ephram, Delia and Andy had spent the day in Denver shopping, coming home with enough furniture to furnish Rumor's room and everything else that was necessary for Rumor, including a couple of outfits. But a stroller had been forgotten in all of the excitement.
"Look how cute she looks." Delia states as she and Amy, who carries Rumor, enters the kitchen area.
She did look cute, Ephram smiles when they come into the kitchen. Amy had her dressed up in a pair of jeans with red and white trim and a white tank with the same trim around the neckline and the sleeves,on the front of the shirt with a single cherry stitched into the front of it. Ephram assumed that the headband that Rumor had just thrown on the ground had once been placed in her hair so Ephram picked up the headband.
"Do you wanna go see Daddy?" Amy asks Rumor. Amy had been the first one to actually call Ephram Daddy, it had thrown everyone off at first but now everyone, despite the fact that it was only a week later, was used to it.
Rumor transitions into Ephram's arms easily planting a kissing on Amy's cheek before being moved away and then another on Ephram's when she is in his arms.
"Are we ready to go?" Andy asks finally.
"Yay!" Sam calls out cheerfully causing Rumor to giggle and clap.
"I'll take the bag from you." Amy states pulling at the diaper bag on Ephram's shoulder.
"It's all right, you don't have to thanks Amy." Ephram replies.
"Ephram, you look weird with the bag, just let me take it." Amy laughs taking the bag as they walk out the front door.
"Amy!" Ephram and Amy turn to see Colin and Bright walking down the street.
"I'll be right back." Amy says hurrying towards her boyfriend and brother.
"Where are you going?" Colin asks after Amy kisses him on the cheek.
"I told you, I'm going with Ephram's family to the Denver Zoo." Amy replies, "You don't mind right?"
"No of course not," Colin shakes his head, "Are date for tomorrow night is still on though right?"
"Of course. Listen though I've got to get going we're ready to leave I'll see you later." Amy calls over her shoulder before rushing back to the group piling into the car.
"I don't want you to feel obligated to come with me when we invite you." Ephram states softly from the new minivan his father had bought only a month ago. "If you wanted to do something with Colin and Bright today we wouldn't have been offended."
Amy moved forward in her seat so she can look Ephram in the face around Rumor's car seat, "I'm not doing this for you, I'm doing this for me. First off I love the zoo and second I love Rumor, you've got a cute daughter Ephram who I really like playing with. So see this isn't for you this is for me entirely, I'm being selfish."
Ephram just rolls his eyes at Amy and the two continue to play with Rumor on the ride to Denver.
For the most part the month of June passed by uneventfully, well as uneventfully as possible in a house with a 6/7 month old. Everyone's love for Rumor was growing at the rate Rumor was. And as Rumor changed so did everyone around her. Ephram had lucked out, Rumor had all ready begun sleeping through the night by the time Laine left her and with the few exceptions Rumor for the most part didn't deprive her father of sleep.
The change in Ephram's personality was noticeable to everyone. Andy had feared that being left with a baby would make Ephram more bitter, more angry at the world. Rumor, thought, seemed to have the exact opposite on Ephram, he was a devoted father and spent every moment happily taking care of Rumor.
Once Delia got used to the fact that she was no longer the baby she couldn't see Rumor coming to live with them as anything other than something good. The effect on her brother made her smile but more than anything it brought Ephram and Andy closer together. Ephram seemed ready to forget that there had ever been any problem between them and both grandfather and father were getting along better than Delia had ever seen them.
Nina and Sam (Along with Amy) spent a lot of time at the Brown house. Weekends were spent on different outings and trips out of Everwood were regular. Nina was able to offer any advice she could give to Ephram about taking care of Rumor and she offered to baby-sit whenever Ephram couldn't find anyone else.
Amy was spending a lot of time with Ephram, nothing romantic, but she was extremely attached to Rumor. Rumor in return adored Amy and would giggle and clap whenever she came around.
July 4th, and the anniversary of Colin's accident dawned bright and warm, perfect for a town picnic.
"Glad to see you two finally come downstairs this morning."
"One of us wanted to play in the bath more than get clean. Where's Delia?" Ephram asks entering the living room with Rumor who's wrapped in a towel and playing peek-a-boo with her grandfather over the edge of the pink towel.
"What are you doing munchkin?" Andy asks talking Rumor from Ephram, "Running back and forth with Sam. Nina and I waited until this morning to decide on who is bringing what to the picnic. Are we going to see Amy at the picnic?"
"I'm not sure." Ephram responds reaching into the refrigerator to get a bottle of juice out for Rumor and a water bottle for himself. "With this being a year since the accident I have a feeling she's going to to want to spend some extra time with Colin."
"That's understandable, she's been really great these last couple of months." Andy states.
"Do you want to feed her or should I?" Ephram asks.
"I'll do it." Andy takes the bottle from Ephram.
"I know, she's great, Rumor's really attached to her." Ephram responds rooting through the fridge uncomfortably. "But she's got a life, she's got Colin."
"How's things with you and Colin anyway, I mean for a time he wanted to be friends didn't he?"
"Yeah he did and he's a nice guy. But nice guys still have their limits, and I'm getting the feeling that he's not entirely liking all the time Amy spends over here. So I told her she should probably spend more time with him." Ephram's voice is still muffled.
"So that's what you guys were fighting about last night." Andy states.
"You heard?"
"I went next door to take something to Nina's, I heard." Andy confirms.
"We weren't arguing, we were just." Ephram sighs, "OK we were fighting. Amy says Colin's not the jealous type, jealous type or not, I'm still another teenage guy who she spends a lot of time with."
"Amy seems pretty capable of taking care of herself when it comes down to it." Andy replies.
"I know. That's what she said." Ephram nods and seems about to say something else when Sam and Delia burst in.
"Mom wants to know if we want potato salad or coleslaw or both?"
"Nina's giving up and going to the grocery store." Delia informs after Sam asks his question.
"Tell her both." Andy replies handing bills to Delia, "Give these to Nina, tell her I'd go but I still have to shower."
Delia nods and Delia returns only moments later, "She says to keep the money but she says that she still has to shower so we might be getting a later start than usual too."
"Why don't you give me the money, car keys and a list and I will go get the food. I'm showered, I'm dressed, I have nothing left to do." Ephram states.
"That's good." Andy states, "Delia would you mind running back of and telling Nina that Ephram will go?"
"Sure." Delia shrugs.
Ephram lifts Rumor, who's nearly done with her bottle, out his father's arms, "I'll take her with me so you and Nina can get ready."
"Ephram!" Ephram stops the cart he is pushing, with Rumor sitting in the baby carrier.
"Mrs. Abbott Happy Fourth of July." Ephram greets Amy's mother and brother, "Hey Bright."
"You have Rumor with you." Rose points out, "Amy is always going on an on about Rumor. Is your family going to the town picnic?"
Ephram nods, "Delia can't wait, and you know Dad willing to jump into any one of Everwood's traditions."
"Good." Rose smiles, "I'll have to hold Rumor then, we're just doing some last minute shopping for the picnic. So we'll see you later."
Ephram nods, "Bye." Continuing to push his cart he is stopped once again by Bright, "Bright what can I do for you?"
"Lay of my sister. She's not your girlfriend." Bright hisses.
"I'm not going to get into an argument with you about your sister." Ephram replies.
"I'm serious Brown, she and Colin are happy. Don't screw it up." Bright shoots quickly before hurrying to catch up with his mother.
By the time they reach the town festivities everything is in full swing. "Well where should we lay out our blanket?" Nina asks surveying the green park for empty spaces.
"There's one!" Sam calls out pointing.
"It's close to Amy's too!" Delia adds.
Catching Ephram's expression both Nina and Andy insist, "I think there's more room over there."
"Besides," Nina adds, "we don't have to crawl over so many people."
Nina spreads the blue and white checkered blanket out on the ground and Ephram, and everyone else, is surprised to find that all 6, including Rumor's baby carrier, fit on the large blanket.
Ephram unbuckles Rumor and lifts her out of the carrier setting her on her feet so that she is standing with the help of his hands. Rumor is giggling and bouncing to the beat of the music coming off of the sound stage.
"You wanna dance Rumor?" Delia asks picking her niece up and dancing around with her.
"She looks precious Ephram." Nina points out as Delia dances with both Rumor and Sam.
"Delia bought her the dress." Ephram says, of the sailor outfit dress. The top of the dress was light red with a white sailor collar with a blue strip and the skirt was red and white with a blue stripe at the bottom to, and a hat that Rumor was actually keeping on her head added to the outfit.
"I have a feeling," Nina states as Ephram jumps to his feet as a couple of towns people come over to see Rumor, "that this little girl is going to be Everwood's princess."
Andy smiles and nods, "Right after her father's. I was worried he would be distant with her but he worships the group she walks on. Metaphorically speaking of course because she isn't walking yet."
Nina smiles at Andy, "He's a great father to her."
"Ephram your daughter truly is a gem." Brenda Baxworth states joining the crowd surrounding Ephram, Delia, Sam and Rumor.
Ephram nods "Thank you."
"Would you mind if I held held her?" Brenda asks again.
"No," Ephram shakes his head, "go ahead."
Sam and Delia take off back to their respective parents bored with the adult conversation that they know is coming. "Is she sleeping through the night yet Ephram?" Jo-Ann Travino asks.
Ephram nods, "She has been since her mother left her with me."
"Well that's nice for you then." Jo-Ann comments.
Ephram nods as Brenda asks, "So have you heard from her mother?"
Ephram surveys the crowd uncomfortably, "Um, no, she hasn't been in touch."
"Well that's a shame." Both woman murmur.
As if tired of talking with her father both woman turn to Rumor talking to her in high pitched voices many people use when talking to a baby. All the attention on her causes Rumor's newly developed shy mood to show itself, she begins whining after only 30 seconds in Brenda's arms.
"I'm sorry," Ephram apologizes, "she's probably just ready for a nap." Ephram reaches out to take Rumor back but suddenly her tears stop and she reaches out for someone behind Ephram.
"Hi sweetie." Amy greets taking Rumor out of Brenda's arms.
"It was nice seeing you again" Brenda and Jo-Ann excuse themselves.
Rumor wraps her arms around Amy's neck and kisses her on the cheek. "Hi Ephram." Amy greets tentatively.
"Hi Amy." Ephram responds with the same tone, noticing both Bright and Colin tramping after Amy.
Amy settles Rumor on her hip and turns to greet her boyfriend, "Rumor do you remember Colin and Bright?" Amy asks.
Rumor buries her face in Amy's arm and grips her shirt tightly, "I'll take her." Ephram insists pulling Rumor away from Ephram, who immediately does the same thing to her father as she had to Amy. "Happy 4th of July guys, I'll see you all later."
"Ephram!" Amy calls as Ephram walks away.
"I'll see you later Amy," Ephram calls over his shoulder, "Have a good picnic."
Once away from any strangers Rumor pulls her head up and looks around reaching her hand out to Amy, "We'll see Amy later." Ephram whispers as they sit back down on the blanket.
"What was that all about?" Colin asks when Ephram had walked away.
"Rumor's just shy around everyone outside of her family that's all." Amy replies, "It's not you."
"You're not her family and she seemed plenty comfortable with you." Colin responds.
"I guess it's because I spend a lot of time with her." Amy shrugs and she notices her brother slip away from the couple.
"You're not her mother you know." Colin states sharply.
"No one ever said I was." Amy snaps.
"Well you both play the happily little family." Colin glares, "Setting up housekeeping, you know, like you used to do when you were little. Mommy and Daddy and baby makes three."
"Colin what are you saying?" Amy asks lowering her voice and glancing around her to make sure that no one is watching them.
"I'm saying that ever since this baby showed up you've done nothing but spend time with Ephram and his family. Trips to the movies, and the mall, the zoo. And I figured out this is good, you know, this guy was there for you when I was in the hospital. He needs your help, I've got a great girlfriend who is willing to help anyone out."
"So then what's the problem Colin? Why are you suddenly making such a big deal out of this?"
"Because, Ephram seems fine now. He's adjusted to having a daughter, he has his family, and Nina to help him out. Where do you fit in?" Colin asks.
"What do you mean where do I fit in?" Amy asks surprised, "We're friends, Ephram is my friend. One of the best I have ever had, when you were in the hospital he was the only one who ever made me feel comfortable."
"Amy you're always saying when I was the in hospital. I'm not in the hospital anymore, I'm standing right here in front of you and you can't seem to see any further than Ephram and Rumor."
"Colin I don't know what to tell you. You want me to stop being friends with Ephram? Sorry not happening. Ephram's my friend and I adore Rumor."
"And where do I fit into all of this?"
"What kind of a question is that?" Amy asks, "You're my boyfriend, but as to where you fit in with Rumor and Ephram you don't."
"Fine Amy." Colin turns to walk away from Amy, and then as if on a second thought, "You know what Amy go spend time with your little family, go play Mommy to poor mommyless Rumor, I'm out."
"Colin!"
Colin just shakes his head and walks away.
"Are you OK?" Ephram asks coming up behind Amy.
Amy turns tearful eyes on Ephram, "You were right."
"I didn't want to be." Ephram responds.
"I know."
"You should try to fix things, forget about Rumor, forget about me, you have Colin that's all you ever wanted." Ephram states softly.
Amy just shakes her head, "It's over, I think deep down it hasn't been right between us since he came back."
Ephram steps forward and Amy wraps her arms around him, Amy buries her head in Ephram's chest crying softly. Ephram doesn't say anything only smoothes her hair and waits for her to move away.
When she finally does Ephram states, "It's going to be all right."
As a quick note, because I had questions asked about this Rumor's mother's name is pronounces Lane...as in I live on Rubber Tree Lane OK?
"Good morning everyone." Nina's words are bright a week later when she walks into the kitchen the Saturday after school let out.
"Good morning," both Andy and Delia respond but Nina notices Ephram's absence.
"Where's Ephram and Rumor?" Nina asks as Sam follows in behind her.
"He's upstairs trying to talk on the phone and get Rumor dressed at the same time." Delia giggles, "Rumor likes to grab at the phone, Amy's getting hung up on all the time."
"Is Amy still coming with us?" Nina asks holding out a bottle of sun screen to Delia.
Andy nods, "I believe so, she's fallen in love with Rumor I think."
"We all have." Andy nods.
With the knock on the door Delia rushes to open it, "Amy come in."
"Amy we could have picked you up." Andy states.
"I know, Ephram said but I have something for Rumor, so I'll be right back down." Amy holds up the bag and then hurries up the stairs.
Ephram appears in the kitchen moments later, "Where's Rumor?" Delia asks.
"Amy has decided that she's dressing her up this morning." Ephram rolls his eyes, "Girls."
"When are we leaving for the zoo?" Sam asks looking back and forth between everyone.
"Once Amy gets done dressing the baby then we have to stop at a store and then we will go to the zoo kiddo." Andy replies.
"What do we have to get at the store?" Sam asks taking the juice box Ephram has pulled out of the refrigerator and offered him.
"A stroller for Rumor." Ephram responds, "Delia will you get me the diaper bag for me?"
Delia nods and dashes upstairs returning with the bag Laine had left in hand, "Amy bought Rumor the cutest new outfit." With her words Delia drops the bag off on the counter and runs back upstairs.
Ephram pulls out the several pink plastic baby bottles that both Laine had left and they had bought. The week since Laine had left Rumor with Ephram had been the craziest Ephram ever had, he'd barely had time to think before he launched into his new role as a single teenage father. Studying for Sophomore year finals had been completely forgotten by both Amy and Ephram. Saturday and Sunday after Rumor had appeared Amy, Ephram, Delia and Andy had spent the day in Denver shopping, coming home with enough furniture to furnish Rumor's room and everything else that was necessary for Rumor, including a couple of outfits. But a stroller had been forgotten in all of the excitement.
"Look how cute she looks." Delia states as she and Amy, who carries Rumor, enters the kitchen area.
She did look cute, Ephram smiles when they come into the kitchen. Amy had her dressed up in a pair of jeans with red and white trim and a white tank with the same trim around the neckline and the sleeves,on the front of the shirt with a single cherry stitched into the front of it. Ephram assumed that the headband that Rumor had just thrown on the ground had once been placed in her hair so Ephram picked up the headband.
"Do you wanna go see Daddy?" Amy asks Rumor. Amy had been the first one to actually call Ephram Daddy, it had thrown everyone off at first but now everyone, despite the fact that it was only a week later, was used to it.
Rumor transitions into Ephram's arms easily planting a kissing on Amy's cheek before being moved away and then another on Ephram's when she is in his arms.
"Are we ready to go?" Andy asks finally.
"Yay!" Sam calls out cheerfully causing Rumor to giggle and clap.
"I'll take the bag from you." Amy states pulling at the diaper bag on Ephram's shoulder.
"It's all right, you don't have to thanks Amy." Ephram replies.
"Ephram, you look weird with the bag, just let me take it." Amy laughs taking the bag as they walk out the front door.
"Amy!" Ephram and Amy turn to see Colin and Bright walking down the street.
"I'll be right back." Amy says hurrying towards her boyfriend and brother.
"Where are you going?" Colin asks after Amy kisses him on the cheek.
"I told you, I'm going with Ephram's family to the Denver Zoo." Amy replies, "You don't mind right?"
"No of course not," Colin shakes his head, "Are date for tomorrow night is still on though right?"
"Of course. Listen though I've got to get going we're ready to leave I'll see you later." Amy calls over her shoulder before rushing back to the group piling into the car.
"I don't want you to feel obligated to come with me when we invite you." Ephram states softly from the new minivan his father had bought only a month ago. "If you wanted to do something with Colin and Bright today we wouldn't have been offended."
Amy moved forward in her seat so she can look Ephram in the face around Rumor's car seat, "I'm not doing this for you, I'm doing this for me. First off I love the zoo and second I love Rumor, you've got a cute daughter Ephram who I really like playing with. So see this isn't for you this is for me entirely, I'm being selfish."
Ephram just rolls his eyes at Amy and the two continue to play with Rumor on the ride to Denver.
For the most part the month of June passed by uneventfully, well as uneventfully as possible in a house with a 6/7 month old. Everyone's love for Rumor was growing at the rate Rumor was. And as Rumor changed so did everyone around her. Ephram had lucked out, Rumor had all ready begun sleeping through the night by the time Laine left her and with the few exceptions Rumor for the most part didn't deprive her father of sleep.
The change in Ephram's personality was noticeable to everyone. Andy had feared that being left with a baby would make Ephram more bitter, more angry at the world. Rumor, thought, seemed to have the exact opposite on Ephram, he was a devoted father and spent every moment happily taking care of Rumor.
Once Delia got used to the fact that she was no longer the baby she couldn't see Rumor coming to live with them as anything other than something good. The effect on her brother made her smile but more than anything it brought Ephram and Andy closer together. Ephram seemed ready to forget that there had ever been any problem between them and both grandfather and father were getting along better than Delia had ever seen them.
Nina and Sam (Along with Amy) spent a lot of time at the Brown house. Weekends were spent on different outings and trips out of Everwood were regular. Nina was able to offer any advice she could give to Ephram about taking care of Rumor and she offered to baby-sit whenever Ephram couldn't find anyone else.
Amy was spending a lot of time with Ephram, nothing romantic, but she was extremely attached to Rumor. Rumor in return adored Amy and would giggle and clap whenever she came around.
July 4th, and the anniversary of Colin's accident dawned bright and warm, perfect for a town picnic.
"Glad to see you two finally come downstairs this morning."
"One of us wanted to play in the bath more than get clean. Where's Delia?" Ephram asks entering the living room with Rumor who's wrapped in a towel and playing peek-a-boo with her grandfather over the edge of the pink towel.
"What are you doing munchkin?" Andy asks talking Rumor from Ephram, "Running back and forth with Sam. Nina and I waited until this morning to decide on who is bringing what to the picnic. Are we going to see Amy at the picnic?"
"I'm not sure." Ephram responds reaching into the refrigerator to get a bottle of juice out for Rumor and a water bottle for himself. "With this being a year since the accident I have a feeling she's going to to want to spend some extra time with Colin."
"That's understandable, she's been really great these last couple of months." Andy states.
"Do you want to feed her or should I?" Ephram asks.
"I'll do it." Andy takes the bottle from Ephram.
"I know, she's great, Rumor's really attached to her." Ephram responds rooting through the fridge uncomfortably. "But she's got a life, she's got Colin."
"How's things with you and Colin anyway, I mean for a time he wanted to be friends didn't he?"
"Yeah he did and he's a nice guy. But nice guys still have their limits, and I'm getting the feeling that he's not entirely liking all the time Amy spends over here. So I told her she should probably spend more time with him." Ephram's voice is still muffled.
"So that's what you guys were fighting about last night." Andy states.
"You heard?"
"I went next door to take something to Nina's, I heard." Andy confirms.
"We weren't arguing, we were just." Ephram sighs, "OK we were fighting. Amy says Colin's not the jealous type, jealous type or not, I'm still another teenage guy who she spends a lot of time with."
"Amy seems pretty capable of taking care of herself when it comes down to it." Andy replies.
"I know. That's what she said." Ephram nods and seems about to say something else when Sam and Delia burst in.
"Mom wants to know if we want potato salad or coleslaw or both?"
"Nina's giving up and going to the grocery store." Delia informs after Sam asks his question.
"Tell her both." Andy replies handing bills to Delia, "Give these to Nina, tell her I'd go but I still have to shower."
Delia nods and Delia returns only moments later, "She says to keep the money but she says that she still has to shower so we might be getting a later start than usual too."
"Why don't you give me the money, car keys and a list and I will go get the food. I'm showered, I'm dressed, I have nothing left to do." Ephram states.
"That's good." Andy states, "Delia would you mind running back of and telling Nina that Ephram will go?"
"Sure." Delia shrugs.
Ephram lifts Rumor, who's nearly done with her bottle, out his father's arms, "I'll take her with me so you and Nina can get ready."
"Ephram!" Ephram stops the cart he is pushing, with Rumor sitting in the baby carrier.
"Mrs. Abbott Happy Fourth of July." Ephram greets Amy's mother and brother, "Hey Bright."
"You have Rumor with you." Rose points out, "Amy is always going on an on about Rumor. Is your family going to the town picnic?"
Ephram nods, "Delia can't wait, and you know Dad willing to jump into any one of Everwood's traditions."
"Good." Rose smiles, "I'll have to hold Rumor then, we're just doing some last minute shopping for the picnic. So we'll see you later."
Ephram nods, "Bye." Continuing to push his cart he is stopped once again by Bright, "Bright what can I do for you?"
"Lay of my sister. She's not your girlfriend." Bright hisses.
"I'm not going to get into an argument with you about your sister." Ephram replies.
"I'm serious Brown, she and Colin are happy. Don't screw it up." Bright shoots quickly before hurrying to catch up with his mother.
By the time they reach the town festivities everything is in full swing. "Well where should we lay out our blanket?" Nina asks surveying the green park for empty spaces.
"There's one!" Sam calls out pointing.
"It's close to Amy's too!" Delia adds.
Catching Ephram's expression both Nina and Andy insist, "I think there's more room over there."
"Besides," Nina adds, "we don't have to crawl over so many people."
Nina spreads the blue and white checkered blanket out on the ground and Ephram, and everyone else, is surprised to find that all 6, including Rumor's baby carrier, fit on the large blanket.
Ephram unbuckles Rumor and lifts her out of the carrier setting her on her feet so that she is standing with the help of his hands. Rumor is giggling and bouncing to the beat of the music coming off of the sound stage.
"You wanna dance Rumor?" Delia asks picking her niece up and dancing around with her.
"She looks precious Ephram." Nina points out as Delia dances with both Rumor and Sam.
"Delia bought her the dress." Ephram says, of the sailor outfit dress. The top of the dress was light red with a white sailor collar with a blue strip and the skirt was red and white with a blue stripe at the bottom to, and a hat that Rumor was actually keeping on her head added to the outfit.
"I have a feeling," Nina states as Ephram jumps to his feet as a couple of towns people come over to see Rumor, "that this little girl is going to be Everwood's princess."
Andy smiles and nods, "Right after her father's. I was worried he would be distant with her but he worships the group she walks on. Metaphorically speaking of course because she isn't walking yet."
Nina smiles at Andy, "He's a great father to her."
"Ephram your daughter truly is a gem." Brenda Baxworth states joining the crowd surrounding Ephram, Delia, Sam and Rumor.
Ephram nods "Thank you."
"Would you mind if I held held her?" Brenda asks again.
"No," Ephram shakes his head, "go ahead."
Sam and Delia take off back to their respective parents bored with the adult conversation that they know is coming. "Is she sleeping through the night yet Ephram?" Jo-Ann Travino asks.
Ephram nods, "She has been since her mother left her with me."
"Well that's nice for you then." Jo-Ann comments.
Ephram nods as Brenda asks, "So have you heard from her mother?"
Ephram surveys the crowd uncomfortably, "Um, no, she hasn't been in touch."
"Well that's a shame." Both woman murmur.
As if tired of talking with her father both woman turn to Rumor talking to her in high pitched voices many people use when talking to a baby. All the attention on her causes Rumor's newly developed shy mood to show itself, she begins whining after only 30 seconds in Brenda's arms.
"I'm sorry," Ephram apologizes, "she's probably just ready for a nap." Ephram reaches out to take Rumor back but suddenly her tears stop and she reaches out for someone behind Ephram.
"Hi sweetie." Amy greets taking Rumor out of Brenda's arms.
"It was nice seeing you again" Brenda and Jo-Ann excuse themselves.
Rumor wraps her arms around Amy's neck and kisses her on the cheek. "Hi Ephram." Amy greets tentatively.
"Hi Amy." Ephram responds with the same tone, noticing both Bright and Colin tramping after Amy.
Amy settles Rumor on her hip and turns to greet her boyfriend, "Rumor do you remember Colin and Bright?" Amy asks.
Rumor buries her face in Amy's arm and grips her shirt tightly, "I'll take her." Ephram insists pulling Rumor away from Ephram, who immediately does the same thing to her father as she had to Amy. "Happy 4th of July guys, I'll see you all later."
"Ephram!" Amy calls as Ephram walks away.
"I'll see you later Amy," Ephram calls over his shoulder, "Have a good picnic."
Once away from any strangers Rumor pulls her head up and looks around reaching her hand out to Amy, "We'll see Amy later." Ephram whispers as they sit back down on the blanket.
"What was that all about?" Colin asks when Ephram had walked away.
"Rumor's just shy around everyone outside of her family that's all." Amy replies, "It's not you."
"You're not her family and she seemed plenty comfortable with you." Colin responds.
"I guess it's because I spend a lot of time with her." Amy shrugs and she notices her brother slip away from the couple.
"You're not her mother you know." Colin states sharply.
"No one ever said I was." Amy snaps.
"Well you both play the happily little family." Colin glares, "Setting up housekeeping, you know, like you used to do when you were little. Mommy and Daddy and baby makes three."
"Colin what are you saying?" Amy asks lowering her voice and glancing around her to make sure that no one is watching them.
"I'm saying that ever since this baby showed up you've done nothing but spend time with Ephram and his family. Trips to the movies, and the mall, the zoo. And I figured out this is good, you know, this guy was there for you when I was in the hospital. He needs your help, I've got a great girlfriend who is willing to help anyone out."
"So then what's the problem Colin? Why are you suddenly making such a big deal out of this?"
"Because, Ephram seems fine now. He's adjusted to having a daughter, he has his family, and Nina to help him out. Where do you fit in?" Colin asks.
"What do you mean where do I fit in?" Amy asks surprised, "We're friends, Ephram is my friend. One of the best I have ever had, when you were in the hospital he was the only one who ever made me feel comfortable."
"Amy you're always saying when I was the in hospital. I'm not in the hospital anymore, I'm standing right here in front of you and you can't seem to see any further than Ephram and Rumor."
"Colin I don't know what to tell you. You want me to stop being friends with Ephram? Sorry not happening. Ephram's my friend and I adore Rumor."
"And where do I fit into all of this?"
"What kind of a question is that?" Amy asks, "You're my boyfriend, but as to where you fit in with Rumor and Ephram you don't."
"Fine Amy." Colin turns to walk away from Amy, and then as if on a second thought, "You know what Amy go spend time with your little family, go play Mommy to poor mommyless Rumor, I'm out."
"Colin!"
Colin just shakes his head and walks away.
"Are you OK?" Ephram asks coming up behind Amy.
Amy turns tearful eyes on Ephram, "You were right."
"I didn't want to be." Ephram responds.
"I know."
"You should try to fix things, forget about Rumor, forget about me, you have Colin that's all you ever wanted." Ephram states softly.
Amy just shakes her head, "It's over, I think deep down it hasn't been right between us since he came back."
Ephram steps forward and Amy wraps her arms around him, Amy buries her head in Ephram's chest crying softly. Ephram doesn't say anything only smoothes her hair and waits for her to move away.
When she finally does Ephram states, "It's going to be all right."