All right guys here's the final chapter, I may do a sequel or something but let me know what you think....
Chapter 5:
"Dad?" Ephram asks cautiously, unsure of how is father took his news.
Andy, finally having found his voice states, "Is that what you want?"
"I wouldn't have suggested to you that I wanted to stay if it wasn't would I?" Ephram asks.
"Ephram I know you are upset about the news Daisy's doctor gave you today." Andy states, "But are you sure you want to move back to New York?"
"Dad, Daisy's, Daisy's dying..." Ephram breaks down into sobs at his own words and Andy attempts at comforting words from the other line, "I have to stay."
"Right." Andy states, "I'll work everything out with your grandparents don't worry about anything."
"Thanks dad." Ephram gasps through his tears.
"Why don't you get some sleep Ephram, it's been a hard day, and I will talk to your grandparents."
Ephram knows his father can't see his nod but he does anyway and he calls out into the hallway for his grandparents to pick up the phone.
And when they have Ephram curls up on his bed thinking about everything. Daisy and Dane had been friends with Ephram as long as Laine had, they had lived in the same apartment building with Marlee also and they had grown up together. They had gotten in trouble at just about every turn, they had discovered manga together and became obsessed together. They had all rallied around Daisy when she had been sick when they were 13 and then again when Ephram's own mother had died a year and a half ago. Daisy was the best person Ephram had ever known, she was a total sweet heart, usually taking the wrap for whatever trouble the entire group found themselves in. Not that it really mattered, she had been able to sweet talk her way out of anything and into anything she wanted to. With thoughts about his childhood Ephram finally fell into an exhausted sleep.
When Ephram arrived at the hospital the next day he found his friends in much of the same condition he was in, red rimmed eyes and dark circles under them. "Hey Ephram." Everyone greets looking away from the television where they are watching Ranma ½.
"Where's Rumor?" Laine asks immediately.
"Shopping with my grandmother." Ephram responds.
Laine nods and Marlee asks, "So how long are you and Rumor actually in New York for?"
"Actually that's something I wanted to talk to you guys about." Ephram states.
"What's going on Ephram?" Daisy asks pushing her self into a sitting position.
"I talked to my dad last night." Ephram friends sit in expectant silence, "I told him I want to move home and he agreed that, well under the circumstances he thinks it won't be a bad idea. He's arranged everything with my grandparents, I am moving home."
"Oh my gosh Ephram that's great!" Marlee throws her arms around Ephram and Dane and Ephram exchange their 9-year-old handshake.
Ephram doesn't have time to notice Daisy's silence as Laine states, "Ephram can I talk with you?"
Ephram nods, "Sure. We'll be back."
"We haven't really had a chance to talk since you got here." Laine states as they walk into the hallway.
Ephram nods, "I know and I'm sorry we should have settled all of this before hand. And I probably should have told you that I was considering moving back before I told everyone. But it really was kind of last minute."
"Ephram I need to talk to you about Rumor." Sadness crosses Laine's soft features.
"What about her?" Ephram asks glancing sharply at Laine.
Laine takes a deep breath, "Even if you are back to stay for good I can't be a mother to Rumor. I was serious Ephram if the people at the college find out that I am a teenage mother they will take my scholarship and acceptance away, they need serious students and they will think that with a child I won't be as dedicated as most other students."
"How can you-" Ephram stares stunned at his ex-girlfriend.
"I love Rumor." Laine insists, "It's not a matter of whether or not I love her so don't even question that. But I can't be her mother, I'm just...You are great with her. And I can see you will be a great father to her but I can never be the mother she needs."
Ephram shakes his head at Laine, not understanding the words coming out of her mouth. Now that she was in his life Ephram can't comprehend not having her in. "Laine I have to respect your decision, I admit that I don't understand it, but I have to respect it."
Laine nods, "Thank you."
"I have to go clear my head and I have to call Amy. Tell everyone I will be back later."
Laine nods and Ephram walks away from her without another word.
"Amy phone!" Bright calls upstairs.
"Who is it?" Amy asks bounding down the stairs.
"Brown." Bright mutters before turning his attention back to the TV.
"Ephram!" Amy exclaims grabbing the phone away from her brother and heading back upstairs. "How are you? How's Rumor?"
"..."
"Good. How's you're friend?"
"..."
Amy gasps at the response Ephram gives her, "Oh Ephram I'm so sorry, an there isn't anything they can do for her?"
"..."
"Oh Ephram I really am so sorry, is there anything I can do?"
"..."
"Sure, what do you need to talk to me about?" Amy asks.
"..."
"You can't be serious."
"..."
"I know, and I'm really sorry about Daisy, but moving back to New York?" Amy asks feeling the tears well up in her eyes.
"..."
"I know your sorry Ephram, and I'm sorry to. But I mean she's your friend of course you should stay."
"..."
"No, I'll be OK. I mean it's not like I want you to leave but I understand." Amy states pushing back tears.
"..."
"I don't know what to think right now about you moving Ephram, let alone about us. Listen I should probably go, I mean school starts tomorrow. I'll talk to you later, and I really am sorry about your friend." When Amy finally hangs up the phone she bursts into tears. Amy is so lost in her own world she doesn't hear the doorbell ring but the knock at the door brings Amy out of her thoughts.
"Come in." Amy calls softly.
Vanessa pushes open the door and taking one look at Amy she rushes to her side, "Amy what's wrong?"
Amy pushes the tears off her cheeks and whispers, "He's not coming back, he's moving back to New York."
"Oh Ames." Vanessa murmurs hugging Amy, rubbing her back as Amy cries.
"Hey Amy how are you doing?" Colin asks coming up to Amy the next morning at school.
Amy offers a weak smile, "I guess I'll live."
"Of course you will." Vanessa states slipping an arm around Amy's shoulder. "With school stating back you'll have lots of stuff to keep your mind on."
Amy nods, "Right and on to first hour."
"We all have first hour together at least." Colin points out.
"Right." Amy nods, "Fun."
"OK Ames come on and cheer up." Vanessa urges handing Amy a can of soda, "Caffeine, can't steer you wrong."
Amy accepts the soda and the trio continues to class.
"Amy you have to come out with us tonight." Vanessa urges Friday, two weeks later. "Come on it will be fun."
Amy rolls her eyes, "Yeah barrels of fun to top off my wonderfully awesome week."
"In the last week you have become entirely to cynical so you are coming." Colin states, "We are surprising you and we are picking you up right after school. We've cleared everything with your Mom so deal with it."
"Right," Vanessa nods, "we are on a mission to cheer you up and by golly if we have to drive to the end of the earth to do so we will."
"OK." Amy asks sitting in the backs seat of Vanessa's white blazer, blindfolded. "When you said you were going to the end of the earth to cheer me up were you serious? Because that is what this feels like."
Vanessa and Colin exchange glances, "Ames sit back, relax and enjoy the music." Vanessa states. "The ride is only about half over."
Amy sighs and leans back against the back seat thinking over the last two weeks. If she thought Paige and Kayla and the rest of her friends were going to get over Colin and Amy's break up she was wrong. They were still as angry and Amy honestly didn't understand why. Not that Amy exactly minded at this point in time because the week without Ephram had been hard. Amy hadn't realized how much of her daily life Ephram had become in only the last year, he had truly become her best friend and confidant and despite the fact that Vanessa was great she was still having problems without him.
The car door slamming woke Amy, who must have fallen asleep through her thoughts, "Are we finally here?" Amy asks.
"Yes. " Colin responds, "But you have to stay in the car for right now until we can get everything set up."
Amy shakes her head, not wanting to be here, wanting more to just curl up in her bed and forget everything instead.
"All right Grover." Colin states pulling open the door and helping Amy out of the blazer. "All right now stand right here and take of your blindfold....now."
Amy pulls at the material covering her eyes and she has to blink against the sun for a couple seconds before her eyes can focus. Her first gaze falls on Vanessa who is holding Rumor and with a bright smile Amy's gaze falls directly in front of her.
"Ephram!" Amy cries running toward him. Ephram immediately wraps his arms tightly around Amy, "What are you doing here?" Amy finally asks tears filling her eyes. "I thought your Dad was shipping everything out to you?"
Ephram smiles down at Amy and shakes his head, "There's been a change of plans."
Amy burst into tears and kisses Ephram deeply.
"Let's get Ephram and his stuff home." Vanessa insists.
Ephram kisses Amy on the top of her head as she sleeps she is curled up with him on his couch back in Everwood and while she sleeps Ephram can't help but think about Daisy's last request to him.
~*~Flashback~*~
Ephram walks into Daisy's room to find her hospital room empty the second week Ephram had arrive in New York. "Where is everyone?"
"I wanted to talk to you alone." Daisy responds
Ephram walks over to her bed and Daisy scoots over to make room for him to sit down, "Oh yeah? What about?"
Daisy smiles but her blue eyes look sad, "When you said you were moving home it wasn't true."
"What do you mean do you mean it's not true?" Ephram asks surprised, "I'm moving back to New York."
Daisy hugs Ephram, "I love you to death Ephram, really I do, I love you for moving back for me. But moving to New York wouldn't be moving home. Home is where the heart is and your heart isn't in New York anymore. You left your heart in Everwood, with Amy. With your Dad and Delia and your new friends. I can't let you move back to New York. I love you for wanting to, but what kind of best friend would I be if I let you move back because I'm sick."
"I wasn't asking your permission." Ephram asks getting defensive.
Daisy smiles, tears coming to her eyes, "I know but I want to be happy with the time I have left. You want me to be happy right?"
"Of course." Ephram responds quickly, feeling guilty for getting angry with her.
"I know. And you know what would make me happy?"
"What?"
"To get emails from you about how great everything is going for you in Everwood. And to get pictures from you of how big Rumor is getting, and a picture of you and Amy. That would make me happy, and I love the gesture of you moving back, but I would feel guilty about you leaving Amy for me."
"Daisy..."
"Ephram I see it in your face, you are in love with this girl. And that makes me so happy you have no idea. Please just do this for me." Daisy asks taking Ephram's hands.
"If it's really what you want."
Daisy nods, "It is."
Ephram takes Daisy into his arms and kisses the top of her head and the two sit like that for a long time and finally Daisy breaks the silence "And one more thing Ephram."
"What is it?" Ephram asks.
"When I go I don't want you coming back." Daisy states.
"You can't mean that!" Ephram exclaims.
"I can and I do. I want you to remember me as a happy person always Ephram, and I don't want your final thought of me to be a funeral."
"Daisy..." Ephram can't find the words to say anything.
"Please Ephram, think of me when we were little at the pool or whatever, just don't think of me sick in the hospital. You've had to much pain, it's time for you to take Rumor and be with Amy and be happy."
"I love you to death you know that right?" Ephram asks hugging tightly as tears come to his eyes, thinking of all the time they had spent together.
"Yup." Daisy nods, "And you are the best none blood related brother a person could ever have."
~*~End Flashback~*~
"Ephram?" Amy stirs in Ephram's arms and brings him out of his thoughts.
"Yeah Amy?" Ephram asks.
"What made you change your mind? About moving to New York I mean." Amy asks.
"This is Rumor and my home now, not New York. This is where we need to be." Ephram responds.
"Home is where the heart is." Amy quotes.
Ephram nods, "That's right." And leans in to kiss Amy.
Chapter 5:
"Dad?" Ephram asks cautiously, unsure of how is father took his news.
Andy, finally having found his voice states, "Is that what you want?"
"I wouldn't have suggested to you that I wanted to stay if it wasn't would I?" Ephram asks.
"Ephram I know you are upset about the news Daisy's doctor gave you today." Andy states, "But are you sure you want to move back to New York?"
"Dad, Daisy's, Daisy's dying..." Ephram breaks down into sobs at his own words and Andy attempts at comforting words from the other line, "I have to stay."
"Right." Andy states, "I'll work everything out with your grandparents don't worry about anything."
"Thanks dad." Ephram gasps through his tears.
"Why don't you get some sleep Ephram, it's been a hard day, and I will talk to your grandparents."
Ephram knows his father can't see his nod but he does anyway and he calls out into the hallway for his grandparents to pick up the phone.
And when they have Ephram curls up on his bed thinking about everything. Daisy and Dane had been friends with Ephram as long as Laine had, they had lived in the same apartment building with Marlee also and they had grown up together. They had gotten in trouble at just about every turn, they had discovered manga together and became obsessed together. They had all rallied around Daisy when she had been sick when they were 13 and then again when Ephram's own mother had died a year and a half ago. Daisy was the best person Ephram had ever known, she was a total sweet heart, usually taking the wrap for whatever trouble the entire group found themselves in. Not that it really mattered, she had been able to sweet talk her way out of anything and into anything she wanted to. With thoughts about his childhood Ephram finally fell into an exhausted sleep.
When Ephram arrived at the hospital the next day he found his friends in much of the same condition he was in, red rimmed eyes and dark circles under them. "Hey Ephram." Everyone greets looking away from the television where they are watching Ranma ½.
"Where's Rumor?" Laine asks immediately.
"Shopping with my grandmother." Ephram responds.
Laine nods and Marlee asks, "So how long are you and Rumor actually in New York for?"
"Actually that's something I wanted to talk to you guys about." Ephram states.
"What's going on Ephram?" Daisy asks pushing her self into a sitting position.
"I talked to my dad last night." Ephram friends sit in expectant silence, "I told him I want to move home and he agreed that, well under the circumstances he thinks it won't be a bad idea. He's arranged everything with my grandparents, I am moving home."
"Oh my gosh Ephram that's great!" Marlee throws her arms around Ephram and Dane and Ephram exchange their 9-year-old handshake.
Ephram doesn't have time to notice Daisy's silence as Laine states, "Ephram can I talk with you?"
Ephram nods, "Sure. We'll be back."
"We haven't really had a chance to talk since you got here." Laine states as they walk into the hallway.
Ephram nods, "I know and I'm sorry we should have settled all of this before hand. And I probably should have told you that I was considering moving back before I told everyone. But it really was kind of last minute."
"Ephram I need to talk to you about Rumor." Sadness crosses Laine's soft features.
"What about her?" Ephram asks glancing sharply at Laine.
Laine takes a deep breath, "Even if you are back to stay for good I can't be a mother to Rumor. I was serious Ephram if the people at the college find out that I am a teenage mother they will take my scholarship and acceptance away, they need serious students and they will think that with a child I won't be as dedicated as most other students."
"How can you-" Ephram stares stunned at his ex-girlfriend.
"I love Rumor." Laine insists, "It's not a matter of whether or not I love her so don't even question that. But I can't be her mother, I'm just...You are great with her. And I can see you will be a great father to her but I can never be the mother she needs."
Ephram shakes his head at Laine, not understanding the words coming out of her mouth. Now that she was in his life Ephram can't comprehend not having her in. "Laine I have to respect your decision, I admit that I don't understand it, but I have to respect it."
Laine nods, "Thank you."
"I have to go clear my head and I have to call Amy. Tell everyone I will be back later."
Laine nods and Ephram walks away from her without another word.
"Amy phone!" Bright calls upstairs.
"Who is it?" Amy asks bounding down the stairs.
"Brown." Bright mutters before turning his attention back to the TV.
"Ephram!" Amy exclaims grabbing the phone away from her brother and heading back upstairs. "How are you? How's Rumor?"
"..."
"Good. How's you're friend?"
"..."
Amy gasps at the response Ephram gives her, "Oh Ephram I'm so sorry, an there isn't anything they can do for her?"
"..."
"Oh Ephram I really am so sorry, is there anything I can do?"
"..."
"Sure, what do you need to talk to me about?" Amy asks.
"..."
"You can't be serious."
"..."
"I know, and I'm really sorry about Daisy, but moving back to New York?" Amy asks feeling the tears well up in her eyes.
"..."
"I know your sorry Ephram, and I'm sorry to. But I mean she's your friend of course you should stay."
"..."
"No, I'll be OK. I mean it's not like I want you to leave but I understand." Amy states pushing back tears.
"..."
"I don't know what to think right now about you moving Ephram, let alone about us. Listen I should probably go, I mean school starts tomorrow. I'll talk to you later, and I really am sorry about your friend." When Amy finally hangs up the phone she bursts into tears. Amy is so lost in her own world she doesn't hear the doorbell ring but the knock at the door brings Amy out of her thoughts.
"Come in." Amy calls softly.
Vanessa pushes open the door and taking one look at Amy she rushes to her side, "Amy what's wrong?"
Amy pushes the tears off her cheeks and whispers, "He's not coming back, he's moving back to New York."
"Oh Ames." Vanessa murmurs hugging Amy, rubbing her back as Amy cries.
"Hey Amy how are you doing?" Colin asks coming up to Amy the next morning at school.
Amy offers a weak smile, "I guess I'll live."
"Of course you will." Vanessa states slipping an arm around Amy's shoulder. "With school stating back you'll have lots of stuff to keep your mind on."
Amy nods, "Right and on to first hour."
"We all have first hour together at least." Colin points out.
"Right." Amy nods, "Fun."
"OK Ames come on and cheer up." Vanessa urges handing Amy a can of soda, "Caffeine, can't steer you wrong."
Amy accepts the soda and the trio continues to class.
"Amy you have to come out with us tonight." Vanessa urges Friday, two weeks later. "Come on it will be fun."
Amy rolls her eyes, "Yeah barrels of fun to top off my wonderfully awesome week."
"In the last week you have become entirely to cynical so you are coming." Colin states, "We are surprising you and we are picking you up right after school. We've cleared everything with your Mom so deal with it."
"Right," Vanessa nods, "we are on a mission to cheer you up and by golly if we have to drive to the end of the earth to do so we will."
"OK." Amy asks sitting in the backs seat of Vanessa's white blazer, blindfolded. "When you said you were going to the end of the earth to cheer me up were you serious? Because that is what this feels like."
Vanessa and Colin exchange glances, "Ames sit back, relax and enjoy the music." Vanessa states. "The ride is only about half over."
Amy sighs and leans back against the back seat thinking over the last two weeks. If she thought Paige and Kayla and the rest of her friends were going to get over Colin and Amy's break up she was wrong. They were still as angry and Amy honestly didn't understand why. Not that Amy exactly minded at this point in time because the week without Ephram had been hard. Amy hadn't realized how much of her daily life Ephram had become in only the last year, he had truly become her best friend and confidant and despite the fact that Vanessa was great she was still having problems without him.
The car door slamming woke Amy, who must have fallen asleep through her thoughts, "Are we finally here?" Amy asks.
"Yes. " Colin responds, "But you have to stay in the car for right now until we can get everything set up."
Amy shakes her head, not wanting to be here, wanting more to just curl up in her bed and forget everything instead.
"All right Grover." Colin states pulling open the door and helping Amy out of the blazer. "All right now stand right here and take of your blindfold....now."
Amy pulls at the material covering her eyes and she has to blink against the sun for a couple seconds before her eyes can focus. Her first gaze falls on Vanessa who is holding Rumor and with a bright smile Amy's gaze falls directly in front of her.
"Ephram!" Amy cries running toward him. Ephram immediately wraps his arms tightly around Amy, "What are you doing here?" Amy finally asks tears filling her eyes. "I thought your Dad was shipping everything out to you?"
Ephram smiles down at Amy and shakes his head, "There's been a change of plans."
Amy burst into tears and kisses Ephram deeply.
"Let's get Ephram and his stuff home." Vanessa insists.
Ephram kisses Amy on the top of her head as she sleeps she is curled up with him on his couch back in Everwood and while she sleeps Ephram can't help but think about Daisy's last request to him.
~*~Flashback~*~
Ephram walks into Daisy's room to find her hospital room empty the second week Ephram had arrive in New York. "Where is everyone?"
"I wanted to talk to you alone." Daisy responds
Ephram walks over to her bed and Daisy scoots over to make room for him to sit down, "Oh yeah? What about?"
Daisy smiles but her blue eyes look sad, "When you said you were moving home it wasn't true."
"What do you mean do you mean it's not true?" Ephram asks surprised, "I'm moving back to New York."
Daisy hugs Ephram, "I love you to death Ephram, really I do, I love you for moving back for me. But moving to New York wouldn't be moving home. Home is where the heart is and your heart isn't in New York anymore. You left your heart in Everwood, with Amy. With your Dad and Delia and your new friends. I can't let you move back to New York. I love you for wanting to, but what kind of best friend would I be if I let you move back because I'm sick."
"I wasn't asking your permission." Ephram asks getting defensive.
Daisy smiles, tears coming to her eyes, "I know but I want to be happy with the time I have left. You want me to be happy right?"
"Of course." Ephram responds quickly, feeling guilty for getting angry with her.
"I know. And you know what would make me happy?"
"What?"
"To get emails from you about how great everything is going for you in Everwood. And to get pictures from you of how big Rumor is getting, and a picture of you and Amy. That would make me happy, and I love the gesture of you moving back, but I would feel guilty about you leaving Amy for me."
"Daisy..."
"Ephram I see it in your face, you are in love with this girl. And that makes me so happy you have no idea. Please just do this for me." Daisy asks taking Ephram's hands.
"If it's really what you want."
Daisy nods, "It is."
Ephram takes Daisy into his arms and kisses the top of her head and the two sit like that for a long time and finally Daisy breaks the silence "And one more thing Ephram."
"What is it?" Ephram asks.
"When I go I don't want you coming back." Daisy states.
"You can't mean that!" Ephram exclaims.
"I can and I do. I want you to remember me as a happy person always Ephram, and I don't want your final thought of me to be a funeral."
"Daisy..." Ephram can't find the words to say anything.
"Please Ephram, think of me when we were little at the pool or whatever, just don't think of me sick in the hospital. You've had to much pain, it's time for you to take Rumor and be with Amy and be happy."
"I love you to death you know that right?" Ephram asks hugging tightly as tears come to his eyes, thinking of all the time they had spent together.
"Yup." Daisy nods, "And you are the best none blood related brother a person could ever have."
~*~End Flashback~*~
"Ephram?" Amy stirs in Ephram's arms and brings him out of his thoughts.
"Yeah Amy?" Ephram asks.
"What made you change your mind? About moving to New York I mean." Amy asks.
"This is Rumor and my home now, not New York. This is where we need to be." Ephram responds.
"Home is where the heart is." Amy quotes.
Ephram nods, "That's right." And leans in to kiss Amy.