A/N- Here's the next chappie! I seriously love writing these, and I'm so glad you guys are enjoying it so far! Please keep reading and reviewing cuz ur reviews make my day! Thanks to Kim and Jenn for editing and to all those who have reviewed!
Ephram sat on the sofa in his living room, watching the television, but not really paying attention to it. He glanced at his watch; ten minutes before the famous Mike would be arriving. He'd known this kid since he was two years old and he and Delia had always been friends but somehow this was different. Ephram had to look at Mike in a different light.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get over the feeling that it wasn't the right time for Delia to go out with a boy. She was so young; she had so many years ahead of her. He'd voiced his concern to Amy and she had listened, but told him that Delia was old enough to do what she wanted and that she really liked Mike. Ephram sighed, his baby sister…
Amy was upstairs with Delia right now, helping her get ready. She had taken on the older sister model, and Ephram couldn't be happier. He knew that there were some things that he couldn't teach Delia and things that he just didn't understand, and quite frankly, never wanted to understand. He was delighted that his girlfriend and little sister got along so well, and it was one of the things that were just so special about Amy. She didn't mind, and he loved how great she was with kids.
Kids…Delia's still a kid!! Ephram thought, and then shook his head, scolding himself.
Amy had told him that the best thing for Delia was for him to be supportive, and he was going to try his hardest. Besides, his Dad had the protective thing down pat. At the moment, he was pacing the kitchen, muttering to himself.
Ephram laughed and decided to go check on him.
"Dad?" he called as he walked to the kitchen, "Are you still okay?"
"Okay?" Dr. Brown asked sceptically, stopping in his tracks, "Ephram, how could I be okay? Your sister, my baby, is going out with a boy tonight! Without me!"
Ephram walked over to his father and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Dad, it's gonna be okay. Delia's ready for this and she's happy, you want her to be happy, right?" he asked calmly, repeating the words Amy had said to him.
"Of course I do," Dr. Brown sighed, "Just, is this the only thing that will make her happy? I'll buy her another horse, her own stable, anything…"
He trailed off and Ephram smiled.
"This is what she wants. So let's be supportive, okay?" Ephram said, giving his Dad a look..
Dr. Brown nodded and Ephram gave him a hug.
"If you want I'll trail them tonight," Ephram whispered in his father's ear as they hugged.
Dr. Brown pulled away and let out a long laugh, "No, son, that's alright. I think your sister would never talk to you again."
Ephram shrugged, "Yeah, you're probably right. Oh well, worth a shot."
Dr. Brown laughed, "Yeah, it was."
* * *
Upstairs, Amy was putting the final touches on Delia's makeup. The younger girl had insisted on wearing some, and Amy had finally given in. She hadn't wanted to, but decided that rather than argue with Delia, she should just put a little on. So she did. A little mascara and a light blue eye shadow and she was set.
Amy was nervous for Delia, but it helped that she knew the boy that was taking her out. It was the same boy that they had bonded over at the hospital all that time ago, Mike Anderson. Amy thought that they were cute, and she knew that Delia was ready to go out with him, after liking him all this time.
Delia had grown up. There was no telling when she did or how but there was a definite change. She was no longer the tomboy who always wore a baseball cap and didn't care much about her appearance. Delia hadn't worn the cap since, well, Amy couldn't remember when. But she did know that she had noticed the change not long after Colin's death.
Just the mention of his name stabbed her; the pain was still there. Amy was happy, very happy, but that part of her past saddened her. She wished she could've said goodbye, or said something after he told her that he loved her for the last time. Colin must've been so lonely, and she did nothing to help him.
Amy sighed as she applied the finishing touches on Delia's eyes, no use dwelling on that tonight.
"There we go, Dell," Amy grinned as she got up and looked at the younger girl.
"Oh good, I was beginning to think I was aging too much during that," Delia laughed, "Can I look in the mirror?"
"Sure," Amy smiled, "Go right ahead!"
Delia laughed nervously as she got up and went to the mirror.
"Oh my…" she trailed off, staring at herself in amazement, "Thanks, Amy."
Amy walked over to Delia and put her arm around her, "I didn't do that much, I just put on a little makeup. You're already beautiful without that stuff, Delia. Always remember that, you really don't need any more makeup than that."
Delia grinned in return, "Aw, thanks, and don't worry, I'll never forget that."
Amy glanced at the clock on the wall and gasped.
"Five minutes! Okay, do you remember everything I told you?" Amy asked seriously.
"I think so…don't touch my eyes 'cause the makeup will smudge, don't bite my nails even if I get nervous, be home on time and be myself." Delia recited.
"Good. You're gonna be great!" Amy gave her a quick hug and then opened her bedroom door.
"Time to go see Dad and Ephram?" Delia asked anxiously.
"Yep. Come on!" Amy grinned and pulled her out of her bedroom and down the stairs.
"Boys? Miss Delia Brown would like to see you!" Amy called as they reached the bottom.
Ephram was the first to come from the kitchen, his eyes widening at his little sister. Delia's heart sunk but then he grinned and ran to her, enveloping her in a hug.
"You're beautiful," he whispered in her ear.
Delia beamed as Amy watched from behind.
Dr. Brown was next and he stopped in his tracks when he saw his daughter. Delia smiled feebly and her father chuckled.
"I could've sworn you were your mother just then," he said softly as he also hugged her, "Sweetie, you're gorgeous."
"Thanks Dad," Delia replied, feeling her eyes welling up a little.
Amy noticed and started to playfully scold Delia, "Now no crying, Delia, I'll have to do your makeup again! And you know very well how long it took the first time!"
They all laughed and Amy was glad to have brightened the mood.
"Anxious, Delia?" Ephram asked, grinning.
"Just a little," she answered, laughing at herself.
The doorbell rang and everyone looked towards the door and then at each other.
"I'll get it," Dr. Brown offered, smiling.
As he walked over, Amy gave her a reassuring glance and Delia nodded in return. Then Amy put her arm around Ephram, and he smiled at her.
Dr. Brown opened the door with ease and smiled at the boy standing there as if they were old friends.
"Mike! Good to see you again." He motioned for him to come in, and the boy nervously complied.
Mike looked around the hall and his eyes stopped on Delia.
"You look fabulous," he said in amazement.
Delia laughed, "Thanks so do you. Let's go, shall we?"
Mike nodded and let her go ahead of him.
"I'll have her home by 10, Dr. Brown." he said before he left the house.
"That's fine. See you then!" Dr. Brown replied, waving to his mom who was driving the car.
He closed the door and turned to Amy.
"How'd we do?" he asked.
"You guys were great. I'm very proud!" Amy replied, grinning.
"Good, you have no idea how hard that was." He replied, sighing and going into the living room. "You two can go out, I'll still be here when you get back."
"You sure, Dad?" Ephram asked.
"Yeah, go ahead, I'll be fine." Dr. Brown smiled, changing the channel on the television.
"Okay. We'll be back soon!" Ephram replied, taking Amy's hand and leaving the house.
"We'll be back for ten?" Amy asked, grinning.
"Oh, definitely." Ephram answered, laughing.