I just want to thank all my reviewers for this opportunity to share my work
with you, you have been a great inspiration with my writing and I cant
thank you enough. So this last chapter is dedicated to everyone who reads
it and reviews it...
Rachelxxx
One Small Breath
Andy looked around his hospital room; it was full of vibrant colours from the flowers people had brought in. Dr McCann came in to his room. Every morning he would come in, ask some questions and leave again. "How are we today Mr Brown?" "Fine, have my family called?" " Is there any discomfort?" "No" Dr McCann smiled. "Well everything looks fine, we are going to do some more examinations but if all goes well you will be home by this evening." Andy smiled. "That's fantastic, does my family know?" "Hey guys, you can come in now." Nina, Ephram, Delia and Sam pied into the hospital room, armed with a wheelchair and grapes. "Lets get you up to x-ray shall we?" Dr McCann questioned.
As soon as Andy was given a clean bill of health, he was able to go home. Seeing the house again brought a smile to his face, being with his family made him so happy. Andy hobbled on his crutched towards the door; Ephram helped him up the stairs and through the front door. "I'll go and make some drinks." "That'll be lovely Nina." Andy thanked as he lay on the couch. "So where did you get to yesterday?" Ephram paused. "Oh you know, around." Andy laughed. "Does that mean a certain person who names begins with an A came round?" Ephram looked at him and then back at the floor. "Not exactly." Andy caught on to his son's dull tone in his voice. "Okay I'm all ears, what happened?" "You mean what didn't happen." Ephram sighed. "You know that counsellor I had been seeing?" "Yeah" "Well Amy got attacked the other day at school." Andy looked on shocked. "I went to talk to the guy, but I made matters worse, as I promised Amy I wouldn't; and then I told Dr Edwards, he told Dr Abbot and now Amy hates me, I can't trust the one person who seemed the most trustworthy person in the world and life sucks again." Andy shook his head in disbelief, "Right, you, me and Dr Edwards tomorrow." "But dad-" "Ah no Ephram, we are going to go and see him."
The Next Day
Ephram walked up the sidewalk; Andy was beside him hobbling on his crutches. They head towards Dr Edwards's office; his reluctance to go worried Andy. This was a great chance for Ephram to overcome his problems but he didn't seem to care about any of that any more. The receptionist invited them both in to the office. Startled at the pair's entrance, Dr Edward's thoughts were lost. "Ephram? Now this is a surprise, Andy" he gestured towards the man. "Take a seat." Andy placed himself onto the settee. Ephram stood awkwardly by the door. "Ephram?" Dr Edwards questioned him. "Care to join us?" "No, I don't" Andy looked on at his son. "Look dad, you might think we can sort this out but I don't!" Dr Edwards bowed his head. "Ephram please, I want to be able to correct my mistake; and the only way I can do that is by counselling you and building your trust. So please sit down with me and lets talk about this." Ephram listened to him and his cold expression dropped from his face. Picking himself of the door and placing himself next to Andy he smiled awkwardly. "Thank you. Ephram the last thing I wanted to do was go behind your back, and I felt awful for it. But in this instance I felt it the only sensible option. Andy if it was Delia and I was your friend would you want to know?" Andy nodded. Ephram thought about his words. "I am willing to forgive and forget, it will just take me some time." The two men smiled at Ephram. "Thank you" Dr Edwards replied.
Ephram held the door for Andy as he came out the office. "Okay next stop school." Ephram sighed. "Your going to have to face her sometime you know?" "Thanks for reminding me dad. But you wont beabe to drive me." Andy smiled. "Good attempt Ephram but Irv will." Andy nodded over to a waving Irv who was parked outside the doctor's surgery. "Oh you had it all worked out didn't you!" Andy laughed. "Yep I even checked your timetable so you would have the right books, if you hurry you wont miss the start of Biology. I'll see you to night Ephram." Ephram shook his head in disbelief, gave a waving gesture to his father and got into the car.
Ephram walked up the corridor, towards his classroom. Knocking on the door and opening to door, the class silenced as he walked in." Miss Silinki was busy writing on the board but stopped when he came in. "Ephram how wonderful to have you back with us, the desk next to Amy is free, go and put yourself there." Ephram watched Amy's expression turn to anger at the sight of him. Making his way towards the desk he watched people's follow him all the way to his seat. Plonking himself down on to the seat he leaned on to his hand and watched Amy as she bit the end of her pen trying desperately not to meet his eyes. Leaning towards her he whispered her name. Amy pretended not to hear. "Please I want to talk about this." Amy leaned in closer, "I have nothing to say to you." Miss Silinki stopped and turned around "Ephram and Amy something you would like to share?" "No miss" they replied together. Ephram sighed as he watched Amy turn her head away from him.
Getting out of the class he ran after Amy. "Amy, wait up!" he called. Amy didn't stop instead she carried on. "Amy!" he managed to catch her up. Everyone else was going for lunch and was leaving the corridors empty. Amy stopped her golden hair lapped over her shoulder. "Well?" Ephram shook his head. "Not here, in here." He pulled Amy into the nearest classroom. Ephram closed the blinds, which hung on the door and stood in front of Amy. "I don't care what you say Amy, I did what I thought was right, I was protecting you." "So protecting me is telling your counsellor and him telling my dad about it." Amy turned her back on him. "Your pathetic you know that." Ephram laughed. "Ha! I'm pathetic; well I will have to remember next time to let you get raped. That next time someone hurts you to let you cry because obviously me being there for you and protecting you isn't what you want." Amy turned around. "You have no idea, if you cared about me you may of respected my wishes, but you didn't." "Amy! How many more times do I have to apologise. I'm not going to do it anymore, I did what I thought was right. You can find some other stray to mess around with; I've had enough." Ephram waltzed out the classroom and left Amy alone, a stray tear left her eye and she sat on a desk, deep in thought.
Ephram slammed the door in a huff. "No need to ask how school went!" Andy called from the living room. "Not really." "Care to tell me about it?" Ephram laughed and walked into the living room. "Its Amy, I just told her she could find another stray to mess with. I mean I don't know what I said it for but I just did and I." Andy tapped his hand on to the settee. "You did the right thing, this way she will realise she has to make her own way to you because you're not going to follow her anymore." Ephram looked at him, "You think?" Andy nodded. Nina walked into the room. "Do you guys want something to eat?" Ephram nodded. "Actually I think I have a sister who I owe a favour too." Andy looked on curiously. "When you went away I promised her ice skating and dinner, just the two of us. But something happened and so we didn't get to go. But I really think I need some quality time with her." Andy smiled at his son. "I think that's a great idea, we can keep Sam entertained." Ephram thanked them both and went to find Delia. Ephram put on his coat; Delia was already out the door. Andy leant on his crutches as he and Nina waved them goodbye. Ephram turned to them both, "I thought tonight would be a good night for you to spend some alone time together without me and D. Sam will go to bed early anyway, you know that so have fun!" Andy smiled. "Of you go." Ephram nodded and closed his door on the way out. Andy looked towards Nina. "Did he mean what I thought he means?" Nina laughed. "Yeah I think he did." Andy turned to her. "But would that be such a bad thing?" Nina shrugged. "Well I hope it's a possibility." Andy nodded and walked back into the living room.
Delia laughed at Ephram who for the third time was flat out on the ice. "Ephram you do know your suppose to be skating." "Haha very funny D, not come here." Ephram climbed to his feet and tried catching Delia. Screams could be heard from the young girl. Ephram almost lost his balance a few times but managed to catch up with her. Dragging her back she slid into his arms and fell on to the floor. Delia lay there laughing. Ephram tried to circle round but fell down too. They both lay on the ice laughing at each other. "Come on lets go and get something to eat."
Delia took a sip of her coke and placed it back down on the table. Ephram watched her. "Delia, do you like Nina?" Delia giggled. "Yeah of course I do." Ephram shook his head in an up and down motion, "And if she were to live with us permanently?" Delia shrugged. "She does most the time anyway." Ephram circled the rim of the glass with his finger, "What if Dad and Nina got together?" Delia stopped smiling. "That's a bit different, will dad forget about mom." Ephram disagreed "Absolutely not, but it would mean dad with another woman, maybe marrying her." Delia shrugged. "Its okay. I mean Nina's like a mom to us anyway, if it was someone else I might not like it but because it's her then I won't mind." Ephram grinned at her. "So your okay with it." Delia nodded.
Andy and Nina sat on the couch with a glass of wine in their hands. Giggling to themselves they remembered the first time the Brown's had moved in. "You had that feud with Dr Abbot going on, and then you offered free services at your surgery. Oh my god he hated you for that!" Nina laughed. "Oh and lets not forget Ephram's many outbursts. That one where he rode off after a meeting with the head was a classic." Andy added. Nina giggled. "Their great kids. They have accepted Sam and I so well." Andy moved in closer, wincing at the pain in his leg. "How would you feel about taking them on full time?" Nina took a sip of white wine. "How would you feel about me taking them on full time?" Andy nodded. "I'd be fine with it. Infact I would feel more then fine about it." Nina smiled. "Same here," Andy leaned in closer. "What about taking me on full time?" Nina giggled flirtatiously "How about taking me on full time?" she whispered. "I think I can handle that." "Me to" she replied. Leaning in closer she felt his lips touch hers. Nina laughed. "What? Why did you stop?" Nina looked down and then whispered in his ear. "I think I just spilt white wine over me." Nina laughed and rested her head on Andy's shoulder as he laughed with her.
Ephram and Delia came through the front door. Delia passed her coat to Ephram for him to put it on the stand. Ephram kneeled down to Delia. Delia went in for a hug, just as she was coming out of the hug she whispered into his ear. "Thanks for being the best big brother," Ephram smiled. "Hey sis anytime." He winked at her and left her to wander to her room. Ephram proceeded to walk into the lounge and saw Nina and his dad snuggled up on the sofa. Grinning at them he placed a blanket over the pair and went into his bedroom.
Ephram awoke bright and early, it was a Saturday morning, the sun was shining and he was in a good mood. Ephram was soon washed and dressed and ready for breakfast. Andy walked into the kitchen, his hair ruffled and still fully clothed. "Good nigh last night?" Ephram smiled. Andy smiled back. "We kissed, but then Nina spilt wine and everything from then is a blur." Ephram ate his cereal. "I'm happy for you dad." "Thank you Ephram, that means a lot." Ephram told him about his night with Delia and how they had a certain bond that he was proud of. Andy watched his sons face light up as the events of the previous night unfolded. "Anyway I am going for a walk, catch you later." "Bye."
Nina walked into the kitchen, placing her hands on Andy's shoulder she smiled and kissed his cheek. "Good morning!" she said. Andy grabbed her arms and put them over his shoulders. Nina leaned down on his shoulder. "And how is my favourite woman this morning?" Nina kissed his head. "Very happy thank you." "And how is my man this morning?" "Perfect" he smiled, "Just perfect."
Ephram sat on a bench; he could see the whole of Everwood from where he sat. He remembered the first time he saw this view. Amy had brought him up to show him. Things seemed so abnormal back then. Now all that bothered him was the fact Amy and he weren't friends. Sighing he looked over the town. Amy pushed her hands into her pocket as she walked towards the top of the hill. She was surprised to find Ephram sitting on the bench. Walking towards him she stopped. "Is this seat taken?" Ephram shook his head. "What are you doing here?" Ephram inquired. "The same thing as you I guess." Amy looked around and then faced Ephram. "I was thinking about what you said, and I decided that you were right." "Oh Amy look what I said I-" "No hang on Ephram let me finish. Ever since Colin died I have had all this anger build up inside, and I was so worried about you when you was in the hospital yourself. So when I got attacked the first person I thought of was you." She took a breath and then watched him. "You were like my safety net, and then you went behind my back and it was like that safety net had been broken. My anger about Colin came out, but you were in the firing line. I know what you did was right now and I am the one who should be sorry, not you." Ephram looked at her, "So does that mean I am forgiven." "No, you have nothing to be forgiven for instead I am hoping it means I am forgiven. Ephram smiled. "You know for months I have had these feelings for you and I never really knew what they were. But when you came to my house that night I realised, I felt more then friendship for you." Ephram hesitated. "So I am going to lean over and kiss you, and you can pull away if you want too, that's your choice. Amy watched him lean his body forward jerkily. Closing her eyes she waited for his lips to meet hers. When the kiss had finished she smiled at Ephram. "You see Ephram I feel the same way, and anyway I don't want another stray I want you." Ephram smiled and kissed her again. Snuggling up with each other on the bench they held their hands in each other's and took in the view of their surrounds and each other. Ephram had finally won the battle of all battles in one small breath.
Its not over yet though, please push that button...
Rachelxxx
One Small Breath
Andy looked around his hospital room; it was full of vibrant colours from the flowers people had brought in. Dr McCann came in to his room. Every morning he would come in, ask some questions and leave again. "How are we today Mr Brown?" "Fine, have my family called?" " Is there any discomfort?" "No" Dr McCann smiled. "Well everything looks fine, we are going to do some more examinations but if all goes well you will be home by this evening." Andy smiled. "That's fantastic, does my family know?" "Hey guys, you can come in now." Nina, Ephram, Delia and Sam pied into the hospital room, armed with a wheelchair and grapes. "Lets get you up to x-ray shall we?" Dr McCann questioned.
As soon as Andy was given a clean bill of health, he was able to go home. Seeing the house again brought a smile to his face, being with his family made him so happy. Andy hobbled on his crutched towards the door; Ephram helped him up the stairs and through the front door. "I'll go and make some drinks." "That'll be lovely Nina." Andy thanked as he lay on the couch. "So where did you get to yesterday?" Ephram paused. "Oh you know, around." Andy laughed. "Does that mean a certain person who names begins with an A came round?" Ephram looked at him and then back at the floor. "Not exactly." Andy caught on to his son's dull tone in his voice. "Okay I'm all ears, what happened?" "You mean what didn't happen." Ephram sighed. "You know that counsellor I had been seeing?" "Yeah" "Well Amy got attacked the other day at school." Andy looked on shocked. "I went to talk to the guy, but I made matters worse, as I promised Amy I wouldn't; and then I told Dr Edwards, he told Dr Abbot and now Amy hates me, I can't trust the one person who seemed the most trustworthy person in the world and life sucks again." Andy shook his head in disbelief, "Right, you, me and Dr Edwards tomorrow." "But dad-" "Ah no Ephram, we are going to go and see him."
The Next Day
Ephram walked up the sidewalk; Andy was beside him hobbling on his crutches. They head towards Dr Edwards's office; his reluctance to go worried Andy. This was a great chance for Ephram to overcome his problems but he didn't seem to care about any of that any more. The receptionist invited them both in to the office. Startled at the pair's entrance, Dr Edward's thoughts were lost. "Ephram? Now this is a surprise, Andy" he gestured towards the man. "Take a seat." Andy placed himself onto the settee. Ephram stood awkwardly by the door. "Ephram?" Dr Edwards questioned him. "Care to join us?" "No, I don't" Andy looked on at his son. "Look dad, you might think we can sort this out but I don't!" Dr Edwards bowed his head. "Ephram please, I want to be able to correct my mistake; and the only way I can do that is by counselling you and building your trust. So please sit down with me and lets talk about this." Ephram listened to him and his cold expression dropped from his face. Picking himself of the door and placing himself next to Andy he smiled awkwardly. "Thank you. Ephram the last thing I wanted to do was go behind your back, and I felt awful for it. But in this instance I felt it the only sensible option. Andy if it was Delia and I was your friend would you want to know?" Andy nodded. Ephram thought about his words. "I am willing to forgive and forget, it will just take me some time." The two men smiled at Ephram. "Thank you" Dr Edwards replied.
Ephram held the door for Andy as he came out the office. "Okay next stop school." Ephram sighed. "Your going to have to face her sometime you know?" "Thanks for reminding me dad. But you wont beabe to drive me." Andy smiled. "Good attempt Ephram but Irv will." Andy nodded over to a waving Irv who was parked outside the doctor's surgery. "Oh you had it all worked out didn't you!" Andy laughed. "Yep I even checked your timetable so you would have the right books, if you hurry you wont miss the start of Biology. I'll see you to night Ephram." Ephram shook his head in disbelief, gave a waving gesture to his father and got into the car.
Ephram walked up the corridor, towards his classroom. Knocking on the door and opening to door, the class silenced as he walked in." Miss Silinki was busy writing on the board but stopped when he came in. "Ephram how wonderful to have you back with us, the desk next to Amy is free, go and put yourself there." Ephram watched Amy's expression turn to anger at the sight of him. Making his way towards the desk he watched people's follow him all the way to his seat. Plonking himself down on to the seat he leaned on to his hand and watched Amy as she bit the end of her pen trying desperately not to meet his eyes. Leaning towards her he whispered her name. Amy pretended not to hear. "Please I want to talk about this." Amy leaned in closer, "I have nothing to say to you." Miss Silinki stopped and turned around "Ephram and Amy something you would like to share?" "No miss" they replied together. Ephram sighed as he watched Amy turn her head away from him.
Getting out of the class he ran after Amy. "Amy, wait up!" he called. Amy didn't stop instead she carried on. "Amy!" he managed to catch her up. Everyone else was going for lunch and was leaving the corridors empty. Amy stopped her golden hair lapped over her shoulder. "Well?" Ephram shook his head. "Not here, in here." He pulled Amy into the nearest classroom. Ephram closed the blinds, which hung on the door and stood in front of Amy. "I don't care what you say Amy, I did what I thought was right, I was protecting you." "So protecting me is telling your counsellor and him telling my dad about it." Amy turned her back on him. "Your pathetic you know that." Ephram laughed. "Ha! I'm pathetic; well I will have to remember next time to let you get raped. That next time someone hurts you to let you cry because obviously me being there for you and protecting you isn't what you want." Amy turned around. "You have no idea, if you cared about me you may of respected my wishes, but you didn't." "Amy! How many more times do I have to apologise. I'm not going to do it anymore, I did what I thought was right. You can find some other stray to mess around with; I've had enough." Ephram waltzed out the classroom and left Amy alone, a stray tear left her eye and she sat on a desk, deep in thought.
Ephram slammed the door in a huff. "No need to ask how school went!" Andy called from the living room. "Not really." "Care to tell me about it?" Ephram laughed and walked into the living room. "Its Amy, I just told her she could find another stray to mess with. I mean I don't know what I said it for but I just did and I." Andy tapped his hand on to the settee. "You did the right thing, this way she will realise she has to make her own way to you because you're not going to follow her anymore." Ephram looked at him, "You think?" Andy nodded. Nina walked into the room. "Do you guys want something to eat?" Ephram nodded. "Actually I think I have a sister who I owe a favour too." Andy looked on curiously. "When you went away I promised her ice skating and dinner, just the two of us. But something happened and so we didn't get to go. But I really think I need some quality time with her." Andy smiled at his son. "I think that's a great idea, we can keep Sam entertained." Ephram thanked them both and went to find Delia. Ephram put on his coat; Delia was already out the door. Andy leant on his crutches as he and Nina waved them goodbye. Ephram turned to them both, "I thought tonight would be a good night for you to spend some alone time together without me and D. Sam will go to bed early anyway, you know that so have fun!" Andy smiled. "Of you go." Ephram nodded and closed his door on the way out. Andy looked towards Nina. "Did he mean what I thought he means?" Nina laughed. "Yeah I think he did." Andy turned to her. "But would that be such a bad thing?" Nina shrugged. "Well I hope it's a possibility." Andy nodded and walked back into the living room.
Delia laughed at Ephram who for the third time was flat out on the ice. "Ephram you do know your suppose to be skating." "Haha very funny D, not come here." Ephram climbed to his feet and tried catching Delia. Screams could be heard from the young girl. Ephram almost lost his balance a few times but managed to catch up with her. Dragging her back she slid into his arms and fell on to the floor. Delia lay there laughing. Ephram tried to circle round but fell down too. They both lay on the ice laughing at each other. "Come on lets go and get something to eat."
Delia took a sip of her coke and placed it back down on the table. Ephram watched her. "Delia, do you like Nina?" Delia giggled. "Yeah of course I do." Ephram shook his head in an up and down motion, "And if she were to live with us permanently?" Delia shrugged. "She does most the time anyway." Ephram circled the rim of the glass with his finger, "What if Dad and Nina got together?" Delia stopped smiling. "That's a bit different, will dad forget about mom." Ephram disagreed "Absolutely not, but it would mean dad with another woman, maybe marrying her." Delia shrugged. "Its okay. I mean Nina's like a mom to us anyway, if it was someone else I might not like it but because it's her then I won't mind." Ephram grinned at her. "So your okay with it." Delia nodded.
Andy and Nina sat on the couch with a glass of wine in their hands. Giggling to themselves they remembered the first time the Brown's had moved in. "You had that feud with Dr Abbot going on, and then you offered free services at your surgery. Oh my god he hated you for that!" Nina laughed. "Oh and lets not forget Ephram's many outbursts. That one where he rode off after a meeting with the head was a classic." Andy added. Nina giggled. "Their great kids. They have accepted Sam and I so well." Andy moved in closer, wincing at the pain in his leg. "How would you feel about taking them on full time?" Nina took a sip of white wine. "How would you feel about me taking them on full time?" Andy nodded. "I'd be fine with it. Infact I would feel more then fine about it." Nina smiled. "Same here," Andy leaned in closer. "What about taking me on full time?" Nina giggled flirtatiously "How about taking me on full time?" she whispered. "I think I can handle that." "Me to" she replied. Leaning in closer she felt his lips touch hers. Nina laughed. "What? Why did you stop?" Nina looked down and then whispered in his ear. "I think I just spilt white wine over me." Nina laughed and rested her head on Andy's shoulder as he laughed with her.
Ephram and Delia came through the front door. Delia passed her coat to Ephram for him to put it on the stand. Ephram kneeled down to Delia. Delia went in for a hug, just as she was coming out of the hug she whispered into his ear. "Thanks for being the best big brother," Ephram smiled. "Hey sis anytime." He winked at her and left her to wander to her room. Ephram proceeded to walk into the lounge and saw Nina and his dad snuggled up on the sofa. Grinning at them he placed a blanket over the pair and went into his bedroom.
Ephram awoke bright and early, it was a Saturday morning, the sun was shining and he was in a good mood. Ephram was soon washed and dressed and ready for breakfast. Andy walked into the kitchen, his hair ruffled and still fully clothed. "Good nigh last night?" Ephram smiled. Andy smiled back. "We kissed, but then Nina spilt wine and everything from then is a blur." Ephram ate his cereal. "I'm happy for you dad." "Thank you Ephram, that means a lot." Ephram told him about his night with Delia and how they had a certain bond that he was proud of. Andy watched his sons face light up as the events of the previous night unfolded. "Anyway I am going for a walk, catch you later." "Bye."
Nina walked into the kitchen, placing her hands on Andy's shoulder she smiled and kissed his cheek. "Good morning!" she said. Andy grabbed her arms and put them over his shoulders. Nina leaned down on his shoulder. "And how is my favourite woman this morning?" Nina kissed his head. "Very happy thank you." "And how is my man this morning?" "Perfect" he smiled, "Just perfect."
Ephram sat on a bench; he could see the whole of Everwood from where he sat. He remembered the first time he saw this view. Amy had brought him up to show him. Things seemed so abnormal back then. Now all that bothered him was the fact Amy and he weren't friends. Sighing he looked over the town. Amy pushed her hands into her pocket as she walked towards the top of the hill. She was surprised to find Ephram sitting on the bench. Walking towards him she stopped. "Is this seat taken?" Ephram shook his head. "What are you doing here?" Ephram inquired. "The same thing as you I guess." Amy looked around and then faced Ephram. "I was thinking about what you said, and I decided that you were right." "Oh Amy look what I said I-" "No hang on Ephram let me finish. Ever since Colin died I have had all this anger build up inside, and I was so worried about you when you was in the hospital yourself. So when I got attacked the first person I thought of was you." She took a breath and then watched him. "You were like my safety net, and then you went behind my back and it was like that safety net had been broken. My anger about Colin came out, but you were in the firing line. I know what you did was right now and I am the one who should be sorry, not you." Ephram looked at her, "So does that mean I am forgiven." "No, you have nothing to be forgiven for instead I am hoping it means I am forgiven. Ephram smiled. "You know for months I have had these feelings for you and I never really knew what they were. But when you came to my house that night I realised, I felt more then friendship for you." Ephram hesitated. "So I am going to lean over and kiss you, and you can pull away if you want too, that's your choice. Amy watched him lean his body forward jerkily. Closing her eyes she waited for his lips to meet hers. When the kiss had finished she smiled at Ephram. "You see Ephram I feel the same way, and anyway I don't want another stray I want you." Ephram smiled and kissed her again. Snuggling up with each other on the bench they held their hands in each other's and took in the view of their surrounds and each other. Ephram had finally won the battle of all battles in one small breath.
Its not over yet though, please push that button...