TITLE: Once More (5/6)
AUTHOR: Pedellea
E-MAIL: pedellea@hotmail.com
DATE: July 28, 2003
RATING: PG
SUMMARY: Delia falls into grave danger. How will it effect Andy and Ephram?
SPOILERS: none
DISCLAIMER: Everwood belongs to Greg Berlanti, Mickey Liddell, Everwood Utah, Inc., Berlanti Liddell Productions, and Warner Bros. Television. Thanks for creating the show!
AUTHOR'S NOTES: After months of work, it's finally ready to be published - my first long(er) Everwood fic! Notice the winter setting... obviously started in the winter months. Takes place sometime before "Home." It was a challenge and always a delight to tackle the father-son relationship between Andy and Ephram.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this piece. Feedback always welcome!


ONCE MORE (5/6)
By Pedellea

It had been a long and weary day, but Andy thanked God that Delia had finally stabilized. She was still in critical condition and hadn't woken up yet, and he wanted badly to stay by her side, but he had a son to find.

He probably would not have been able to tear himself away from his daughter if Edna hadn't come to take his post. With a gentle kiss on Delia's forehead and a heavy sigh, he thanked Edna again and went out of the room.

It didn't take long for Andy to find Eprham. He was sitting in the waiting room with a blank expression on his face, Amy still by his side. She saw Andy first and patted Ephram on the arm. He looked up almost without recognition of his father, but it was quickly replaced with a look of panic.

"Is Delia...?," his voice cracked.
"No! Oh god, no, Ephram, she's... not."

His shoulders relaxed and he sighed, dropping his head in a sign of shame. Andy's hear broke seeing his son like this. Julia's death had already taken a huge toll on him. Ephram didn't need to wallow in more guilt. He sat down beside his son.

Although Amy wanted to stay beside her friend, she thought it best to leave father and son alone. She excused herself from the waiting room. Ephram watched with slight panic as Amy disappeared around the corner. His eyes then met briefly with his father's, and he quickly averted them again. Andy didn't really know where to start, so he just blurted out what was on top of his head.

"It's not your fault, Ephram."
"Like hell it isn't."

Andy was slightly taken aback by his snappy and harsh response. Obviously his son had mulled over this for a while. He decided to change the subject.

"How are you hands?"
"Does it matter?"

Andy sighed. In any situation, Ephram was able to come back with a swift response. He knew, however, that his son was trying hard to hide his vulnerability and hurt.

"It matters to me, Ephram. You're my son."
"I don't need you to doctor me."
"Ephram..."

More than ever, Andy wished Julia were here. She would be able to breakthrough to their oldest child and comfort him. He hated the fact that he had been a lousy parent, especially to Ephram. But all the wishing in the world could do nothing now. Thinking of nothing more to say, Andy placed a hand on his son's shoulder. To his surprise, Ephram looked up at him. His weary eyes were wet with unshed tears.

"Should've been me."
"Don't say that, Ephram. It's not your fault."
"Dad, I was the one who dragged her out skating. Why didn't I fall through the ice?"
"It's not your fault."
"God, why do you keep saying that?"
"Because it's not, Ephram. I'm not blaming you. You're only blaming yourself."

Ephram quieted down, and the tears were flowing down freely.

"But why wasn't it me? Delia doesn't deserve this. Why wasn't it me?"

Andy drew his son into his arms and hushed him as he continued his desperate cries. For his son's sake and for his own, he offered up a silent prayer to God for Delia to pull through and wake up soon.


Thanks for keeping up so far... there's one more chapter to go! I would appreciate it if you can submit a review or send me an e-mail at pedellea@hotmail.com and let me know your thoughts about this piece. Thanks!