Save Me

An Everwood Fanfiction

(Starts in the episode "Turf Wars" where Julia's parents visit from New York, and Colin's parents tell Amy to leave the hospital because she's stressing everyone out. In this story, it's Amy's birthday on the day of that big party.)

Chapter Two

Coming down the stairwell, Dr. Brown paused to grin as Amy and his daughter played with the newest addition to the family. Although he was thrilled to see Delia enjoying the moment, he was sure Jack was determined to make his life miserable. Out of all the things in the world, Jack had to buy a tanned bulldog puppy for his granddaughter. "Oh, it's harmless," he assured as he brought it inside the house.

"Right. It's harmless now, but wait until you go back to New York and it grows up. Thank you, Jack, this is very much appreciated." He didn't stay around either. He had other business to tend to and told Delia to take care of him well.

Stuffing all the animosity aside, Dr. Brown proceeded downstairs to become more acquainted with the new pup.

"So what are you going to name him, Delia?"

She paused and put hard thought to the question. "I don't want him to have a name that every other dog has had. Like Joe, or Spud, or Spike, or Rocky, or Old Yeller…I want to name him something that's just him, and no one else."

After studying it for a moment, Dr. Brown noticed it had too much energy. It wouldn't stop moving or gnawing at Amy's hand as if her fingers were golden hotdogs. This pooch is sure to cause some trouble, he thought.

"What about Tanner?" Delia suggested.

"That's good. He's tanner than we all are, so it's a perfect name. Good thinking."

The dog, agreeing with his new name, barked and danced around like his brain was fried on ecstasy. Before anyone could subdue the yapping, writhing creature, it knocked into a table with a thud, and a vase of fresh pink lilies would have gone crashing to the floor if it weren't for Amy's lightning reflexes.

"That was a close one, you silly goofy doggie you," she cooed in a playful, babyish voice.

Ephram gaped in disbelief at the bottom of the stairs. "Please, don't tell me that's what Grandpa got us."

Delia squealed with childlike enthusiasm, "Isn't he great?"

"Oh yes," said Dr. Brown, mimicking her tone. "And your grandfather decided to leave before the fun started. Come on, Tanner, let's take you outside before you tear anything up." He lifted the pudgy puppy from the floor and held it with arms fully projected and face in distress like it stunk to high heaven. Delia trudged behind her father with the biggest smile anyone had ever seen.

Ephram looked to Amy and caught her staring at him. That was weird, he said to himself.

"Hey, that was a great save. That was my mom's favorite vase."

"I can see why. It's gorgeous. And so are these flowers. Lilies are my favorite, I couldn't stand to see them knocked over."

The unease between them was as thick as chilled molasses. Moments of uncertainty passed until Amy finally mustered the courage to speak up.

"Listen, putting all the tension away…and everything that happened on the mine field trip…I'm sorry for ignoring you. That was wrong of me, and I just wanted to apologize."

Ephram watched her lips moved as she spoke, being sorely reminded of the kiss they shared that night at the mine.

"And I wanted to ask you something."

"Sure, what is it?" He blinked his eyes, coming out of the trance her lips put on him.

"Tomorrow being my birthday and all, I want to have fun. There's going to be a big party out in the woods and I was wondering if you wanted to go with me."

"Ummm… sure," he gasped in disbelief. The voice that was projected from his throat surely didn't sound like the calm and cool Ephram Amy knew, and they both couldn't believe that was him. He tried to disguise his sudden nervousness as nonchalantly as possible, though his heart was about to burst from his chest. He coughed, cleared his throat, and continued, "Don't you want to do something with your friends though?"

"Well, the thing about my friends is that they don't want to find the extra time to spend with me. They can't miss out on shopping and Providence."

The day Ephram met her friends, he couldn't fathom that sweet and sincere Amy was in acquaintance with such hideous socialites. He had disliked them from the beginning, but now he fiercely hated them for being so careless with her feelings.

"It would be an honor to spend your birthday with you, Amy Abbott. Would you like to accompany me to a prestigious dinner at Momma Joe's? It will be my treat; milkshakes, goodies, and all."

"I'd like that."

"Great. I'll be at your house around six o'clock, is that ok?"

"Yeah, that's perfect. I better be off though; I still have to get groceries for dinner tonight. So I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you," Ephram grinned as he politely opened the door for her. Once her golden hair and lithe body had disappeared down the street, he softly placed his forehead against the door and breathed.

What just happened? She was in my house. She apologized to me, she asked me to be with her… on her birthday. I'm taking her to dinner; I'm going to a party with her. Maybe Everwood isn't such hell at all. Only because of her.