Disclaimer: I don't own Everwood or any of the characters. This story is the only thing that's mine. Distributor: Please let me know, and don't until I give you the okay. Pairings: Ephram/Amy

Rating: PG-13, just to be on the safe side

This starts at the end of their senior year. Please Review!!!

Chapter 3-One Rose

Amy stopped. There was a single rose on her bed. That was only the kind of thing Ephram would do. She thought maybe it resembled hope. The tears came fast and they spilled out. She sobbed and lay down on her bed. Ephram had really been trying to cheer her up all day. Maybe she would go to the funeral after all.

Ephram glanced at the mirror as he tightened his tie. Then his gaze fell on the note he had placed on his dresser, from Colin to Amy.

Amy

I'll love you forever.

Colin
He remembered his last conversation with Colin. Damn, he should have known something was up. And now it was too late.

"Ephram! Are you ready to go?" Andy yelled up.

"Yeah, give me a minute." Ephram felt a few tears prick his eyes, but he held them back. He had helped Colin get used to life again, told him things about Amy, helped his with his classes, and now he was repaid with the death of his closest friend in the frickin town? Ephram had to hand it to the guy, Colin had almost always had a smile on his face. Even in pain, he managed a grin or two. Amy listened as the door slammed, telling her that her family had left. Quickly, she opened her closet door and pulled out the long black dress, tucked away on a hanger. She slipped it on and then went over to her dresser. She put on a little makeup and started to leave her room, but stopped and turned back. There was a picture of her and Colin sitting on the end table by her bed. She walked over and fingered it lovingly. Then she picked it up and knelt down by her dresser. She opened the bottom drawer and lifted some sweatshirts. She tucked it under as the tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Goodbye Colin. I love you. Why didn't you tell me what was up? I'll never forget the time we spent together. Heck, I had pictured us growing old together, getting married, having kids. Now, none of that's happening. I was going to break up with you. It wasn't you. It was me. Did you have to suffer the ultimate consequence because of that? If you did, God I'd hate myself forever. I'll miss you Colin. You deserved better than me, but you were always loyal. Goodbye." Amy stood up and wiped the tears from her face. She glanced around and then spotted the single rose she had found on her bed. She picked it up and grabbed the phone. Quickly, she dialed the numbers.

"Ephram? Ephram it's Amy."

"Amy, what are you doing? Hang on. Dad, I'll meet you there."

"Ephram, I'm sorry. I should have known you'd be going with your dad."

"Well, Nina and Sam were coming along too. It's no big deal, I'll get to drive."

"Would you, would you be able-"

"I'll be right over." Ephram's voice was followed by a dial tone. She smiled a little at how well he knew her.

Ephram's heart pounded as he grabbed his car keys. What was he doing? Really it was simple. He was going to get Amy, and go to the funeral. When he pulled his car into the Abbott's drive, Amy was ready. Her face was tearstained, but she smiled at him. When she got in, he started the engine and turned to her.

"You okay?"

"God, I don't know. I mean, I feel like it's my fault. Why didn't I pay more attention. Maybe I could have prevented it if I had realized something was wrong."

"Amy, do you know how many times I've thought that the last few days? What if I had said something to my dad? I knew he wasn't doing well, but that day, I was planning on just letting the incident go."

"Ephram it's not your fault."

"That's what I'm saying. Amy it's not your fault." Amy choked out a deep sob. Ephram pulled the car into the church parking lot and then stopped. He leaned over and kissed Amy on the head.

"Amy, it'll be okay."

"How can it? How can it ever be okay again?"

"I don't know. Truly, I don't know. But whenever you need me, I'll be here." Amy nodded, but inside she felt empty. Her pain seemed so great. How would she ever start her life over again?

Ephram stood by Amy and held her hand as they gave the eulogy. But he wasn't listening very closely. How could he do this to Amy? He was just going to take off without talking to her, but he had to go to New York. Something told him that he had to find another way to tell Amy or he'd never be able to leave. The air was cold and damp when the funeral was over. Ephram felt like the weather matched his mood. Suddenly he turned to Amy.

"Amy, can you get a ride home with your family?" Amy's face fell.

"Sure, but why?"

"I, I've got to go. Amy, I love you." Ephram kissed Amy and then jumped in his car. He wiped the tears from his face and then gunned the car. His flight to New York was tomorrow. But first he had to write a letter to Amy.

TBC. Please Review!