*~Christmas for All Time~*

an Everwood Fanfiction

Disclaimer: I do not own Everwood, but I wish I did!



Snow, light, but cold when you felt it was falling softly on the ground in Everwood, Colorado. Amy Abbott leaned on the window crying softly, out of despair. She was in a fight with the two people she cared about most, besides her family. Ephram, she knew would probably never speak to her again. He had given her too many chances already. She just kept screwing them up.

Tomorrow was already Christmas Eve. The year had gone by so fast for Amy. Luckily it was winter break. This year Amy couldn't be happier for it. She would not have to face seeing Ephram and Colin. She had hurt Ephram deeply. Colin was another matter that was not really her fault.

But you were the one who got mad and blew everything out of proportion, she reminded herself.

Amy felt guilty for both fights. They were all her fault, not theirs. She tore her gaze from the window and found herself looking at the Christmas tree with its illuminating lights that made Amy feel less sad for a minute. She looked at the presents under the tree.

She had gone out of her way with presents this year. She glanced at Ephram's present, guiltily. Tears threatened to engulf her again. But Amy hardened. She was determind not to let this ruin her holiday. But the truth was, it already had.

She would have to make things right with Ephram and Colin first. Ephram would be easier, because she still blamed Colin for the fight, deep down. She closed her eyes in deep thought.

Spontaneously, Amy grabbed Ephram's present. She threw open the door and walked out, on her way to the Brown's house. She needed to apologize and what better way to do it, then using a gift and the spirit of Christmas?

But Amy wondered if he would truly forgive her.

***

Ephram Brown was sleeping, when Dr. Brown received the call that day at noon.

"Hello? Is this Dr. Brown?"

"Yes, this is Dr. Brown."

"Jacob has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He's dying."

"What?" Dr. Brown asked, not in surprise, but in the fact that he wished he knew the man better. He had known about Jacob's disease since before Thanksgiving.

Damn, he cursed.

"Jacob," the person on the other line started to say, but Dr. Brown cut him off.

"Thank you," he said in a bit of an angry and sarcastic tone.

Ephram would not take this news lightly.

Where is Ephram anyways? Dr. Brown wondered.

Dr. Brown decided against going upstairs. If Ephram was still sleeping he didn't want to disturb him. But Dr. Brown soon heard a pair of feet come into the kitchen. Dr. Brown was not paying attention, however, at this time. He was completely distracted.

Ephram on the other hand was looking through the cupboards for a glass and some aspirin for his headache. He glanced at his dad, however, as he sat down. Ephram realized that his dad barely knew he was there.

Same as usual, Ephram muttered to himself.

But he was caught off guard when his dad began to speak.

"Ephram, listen. Your grandfather," Dr. Brown hesitated. "He has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease." Dr. Brown rubbed his hands over his beard as he was talking.

Ephram sat in cold silence. This was just not possible. His grandfather couldn't be dying. But Ephram knew in his heart it was the truth. He just wasn't ready to admit this.

Just then, he heard a knock on the door. Ephram went up to get it. He crossed the path slowly, and opened the door.

It was Amy. She dropped to her knees in tears.

"Ephram," she blurted out, "I am so sorry. I didn't know what I was thinking when I said that. I am so stupid! Please, Ephram forgive me for what I did. I didn't really mean those things."

Ephram was taken aback by all this. He stood there in stunned silence, like a flood of cold water had been dropped on him. He didn't say anything for the longest time because of it.

Amy was apologizing?"

Ephram forgave her. Of course he forgave her. He would be stupid not too.

Finally he spoke, "I forgive you, Amy. Really," Ephram said. Amy too was shocked now. She hadn't expected this to be so easy. She stayed on the ground for some time, trying to regain her composure.

She looked up at Ephram. And realization dawned on her. He truly did forgive her. And Amy was happy for it. But there was something else wrong. Something that was not bothering her, but Ephram.

"What is it?" Amy asked. Ephram started.

Huh? he thought.

But then he realized she was talking to him, about what was bothering him. The problem was a lot of things were the problem at the moment. His grandfather, his father trying to be a father, his headache, oh and the fact that Colin was out of his coma now and wanted to be his friend. And Amy. Always Amy.

"Nothing," Ephram said quickly, but it was obvious that Amy did not believe him. She pursed her lips for a second before speaking.

"Well.we're having a Christmas party at my house, if you want to come. My dad said it was okay," Amy said, for lack of anything to say and to cover up the awkward moment.

"Sure," Ephram said quickly. He hated to be on this end of the conversation, where Amy had the upper hand. And plus he was getting chilly standing out near the door.

Ephram started to close the door.

"Wait," Amy said. Ephram sighed and opened it up again.

"I uh got something for you." Amy revealed the present that had been hidden behind her back.

Ephram felt his cheeks flush. He had gotten her something too. But he had planned on never giving it to her. Not with their fight anyways. He had bought it before then, though.

After the fight he thought he should have never bought it. But it was a good thing he did.

"I have a gift for you too," Ephram replied. He turned to get it, leaving Amy on the doorway. He emerged with her present about a minute later.

They exchanged gifts. Ephram was happy that Amy had apologized. It was better when they were speaking. He had hated the way they had avoided each other in the halls with a barely recognizing glance.

Besides it was nearly Christmas.

But Ephram was afraid. Afraid to be reminded of how Christmas used to be when his mother was alive. Afraid of what Delia would do when Christmas wasn't the same. After all she had lashed out on Thanksgiving.

And all because the holidays were no longer the same. Ephram would never forget the day his mom had died. Thinking about death made Ephram think of how his grandfather Jacob was dying.

And he might never get to see him before he died, because he was in New York. When they had come over it was the last time Ephram would probably see his grandfather, before he died too.

Life really wasn't fair.

Amy wondered what Ephram was thinking about. He had been silent for a whole minute. But then again, she had been silent too.

Colin. She could not stop thinking about how he had cheated on her and the argument that had followed when she had found out.

In rage Amy had run from his house to a lone spot and had cried herself to sleep amongst snow. But someone had come along a few minutes later, to prevent her death.

How she wished the person hadn't found her. She wished the man had left her be.

Amy's life was no longer her own.