He woke up around 8 the next morning and jumped in the shower. He came downstairs dressed in a nice button-up shirt and black slacks.
Andy: I can smell your cologne from here!
Ephram: Too much?
Andy: yeah...she's weak enough already Ephram...you don't want to make her faint
Ephram licked his hand and tried to wipe off some of the scent. Then he went into the kitchen. After running a couple errands, it was already 1. He figured he'd better head over to the hospital, the nurses said they were taking her out for some tests around 1:45 and they'd be bringing her back around 3. He got to the hospital and waited in the parking lot until 2, just to be sure. Then he went up to Madison's empty room and started to set up. When he was done, he still had a lot of time to spare so he sat down on Madison's bed and leaned back against the pillows. A couple minutes later he heard laughing coming from outside. He stood up and walked towards the door and peered out the window. His jaw dropped when he saw Madison and Jay walking hand-in-hand towards the door. Madison looked so happy. Jay reached for the door, but Ephram opened it first, surprising them both.
Ephram: What the hell is going on?!?
Madison: Ephram...w-we were just-
Jay: We were just coming back from a date (he finished smartly)
Ephram: What?! A-a date?!? (he was starting to cry) How the hell could you do this to me?!? W-what the hell are you thinking?!? I-I mean of all people?!? HIM!
Madison: Ephram...I'm sorry...I just couldn't help it...he brought me flowers... (she held up a bouquet of wilted flowers)
Ephram: So he brings you flowers that he probably stole from another room and you go out with him?!? What about us?!? What about me?!? Did you even think about that?! (a tear rolled down his cheek)
Madison: You heard what my mom said...I need someone my own age, someone mature and sophisticated...
Ephram: So you chose JAY?!?!?! On our anniversary?!? How could you do this to me?!? I-I-I thought...I thought you loved me....
All of a sudden he heard a loud, obnoxious ringing sound, he quickly opened his eyes, relieved it was only a dream, and picked up the phone by the bed.
Ephram: Yeah?
Nurse Ellen: Ephram Brown?
Ephram: yeah
Nurse Ellen: It's nurse Ellen, we're bringing Madison down now...just thought you'd like to know
Ephram: Thanks...thanks a lot
Nurse Ellen: No problem
They hung up. Ephram quickly shook his head, trying to forget his nightmare. He quickly lit all the candles and dimmed the lights, then he waited.
In the hall, Nurse Ellen was pushing Madison, in a wheelchair, towards her room.
Madison: Am I really getting that fat?
Nurse Ellen: What? What are you talking about?
Madison: Well your practically crawling...I mean I know I haven't gotten much exercise in the past couple weeks...
Nurse Ellen: Oh no dear, you're still as skinny as a stick...I-I'm just a little tired that's all
Madison: Ok...well I can walk if you-
Nurse Ellen: Oh no...no walking, doctor's orders
Madison: fine...but I was just trying to help
Finally they got to Madison's room, nurse Ellen opened the door and Madison gasped.
Madison: Oh my god...what-
She saw Ephram standing by her bed holding a single red rose. Nurse Ellen rolled Madison half-way into the room, careful not to knock over any candles, then she left and closed the door behind her.
Madison: How? When? Oh my god-you remembered...
Ephram: (shocked) I remembered? Wait-you remembered?
Madison: Of course I remembered, why wouldn't I remember?
Ephram: Well being in a coma comes to mind...
Madison: (smiled) I can't believe this Ephram...I wasn't expecting-isn't this some sort of fire hazard? (looking around at the candles)
Ephram: (helped her out of her wheelchair and to the bed, then handed her the rose) well it turns out, Nurse Ellen is a huge "Dragon Ball Z" fan...a couple mint condition comic books and I could have a brothel in here
Madison smiled and kissed him. Ephram deepened the kiss as they sat down on the bed.
Madison: (pulled away and leaned back on the pillows) so...what do you have planned?
Ephram: Me? I was hoping you had something in mind...I'm all out of ideas
Madison: Uh huh (sarcastically)
Ephram: (reached down and grabbed a paper bag) I cooked (holding up the bag)
Madison: Ephram...my stomach is already weak...and we don't want this meal to be our last
Ephram: (smiled) relax...it's my specialty...my only specialty (he reached into the bag) PB&J
Madison: (smiled) wow...you really went all out
Ephram: Well I spent all my money on those comic books and these candles...besides, home-made meals are more romantic
Madison: (kissed him sweetly) very romantic (she took a bite of her sandwich) and edible
Ephram: I try...
They ate and talked for a while.
Later...
Madison: Hey, I got you something...
Ephram: You did?
Madison: Yeah...it's nothing big, the hospital gift shop doesn't have much in the name of anniversaries, but it's something...
She reached under the bed and pulled out a plastic bag.
Madison: (reaching in the bag) here...read the card first...
She handed him an envelope. He smiled at her then opened it. The card had a flower on it and underneath it the words "Get well soon" were crossed out, and hand-written in its place was "happy anniversary" Ephram smiled when he saw this.
Ephram: Very creative...
He opened the card and read it to himself.
Ephram,
All my life I have dreamed of someone like you,
Someone who respected me, cared about me, and
Loved me as much as I loved them. Now that I
Have you I never want to let you go. I have
Never loved anyone the way that I love you. You
Are the one for me. I love you, always and
Forever.
Love,
Madison
Madison smiled at his reaction, as he read it.
Ephram: (closing the card and smiling at her) wow...and you call me romantic?
He kissed her passionately.
Madison: Wait...there's more (she reached into the bag and pulled out a little paper bag and handed it to him)
Ephram opened the bag and pulled out a "Powerpuff Girls" key chain. He started laughing.
Ephram: Thanks
Madison: I saw it and thought of you
Ephram: I'm glad little cartoon girls with pig tails remind you of me
Madison: (smiled) Just think of it as our little inside joke...ok one more
Ephram: Madison...you really didn't have to get me anything-
Madison: Here (she handed him a folded piece of paper)
Ephram: What's this? (taking the paper and unfolding it)
Madison: Just read the part I circled...
Ephram looked over the paper for a second, it had the names of all the states and next to them were the statutory rape laws, by state. Colorado was circled.
" Sexual assault:(statutory rape) to knowingly inflicts sexual intrusion or sexual penetration on a victim (1) under age 15 if the actor is at least four years older or (2) at least 15 years old but less than 17 years old and the actor is at least 10 years older" (A/N: yes this is actually true, I looked it up)
Ephram: Wait...b-but (a smile covered his face) you're not 10 years older than me!
Madison: I know! (she was smiling too)
Ephram: S-so...what does this mean?
Madison: It means that we're legal! Nobody can say or do anything to stop us...we're legal, we always were...we just didn't know
Ephram: B-but how? I-I mean...how did you-when?
Madison: One of the doctors tipped me off when I told him how old you were, so I looked it up...
Ephram: Oh my god...this is great!
Madison: Thank you captain obvious
Ephram kissed her passionately.
Ephram: I don't know how I'm gonna follow that but... (he reached down) here
He handed her a small teddy bear.
Ephram: I know it's not much...
Madison: No, it's perfect (she kissed him) very sweet
Ephram started laughing.
Madison: What?
Ephram: You're too easy...I can't believe you're happy with that
Madison: What do you mean?
Ephram: Well it's a teddy bear
Madison: I know...but I wasn't expecting diamonds
Ephram smiled at this.
Ephram: Look closer...
Madison: What?
Ephram: The bear...look closer
Madison looked at the bear and gasped.
Madison: Oh my god... Ephram
There were 2 diamond studs on the bear's ears. Ephram took the bear and took the earrings off, then handed them to her.
Ephram: Now I know they don't really go with this whole "hospital gown" look you've got going on but-
Madison: I can't believe you...how did you afford this? You don't even have a job-I-I can't accept these
Ephram: Well they're non-refundable...and I don't think they're really my style, so you have to
Madison: But-
Ephram: No buts...they're yours
Madison: and just when I thought you couldn't get any more perfect...
She pulled him to her and kissed him with want. Ephram looked at his watch, then quickly got up.
Madison: What?
Ephram: (while blowing out all the candles) Ellen's shift is over...if the other nurse comes in...let's just say it won't be pretty
Madison: (starting to get up) Let me help
Ephram: (put his hand up to stop her) No, no way...stay right there
Madison: Ok, I'm not made of glass
Ephram: Well in a week, when you come home, you can do all the cleaning you want...
Madison: (sighed) fine
Ephram went and un-dimmed the lights, then walked back to the bed.
Madison: So what are we gonna do now that we're legal?
Ephram: I don't know...what do normal legal couples do?
Madison: We could make-out in front of a police station...
Ephram: Yeah...cause I'm sure normal-legal couples do that all the time (sarcastically)
Madison: (smiled) well we have to do something
Ephram: Whatever you wanna do...as long as it doesn't cost too much
Madison: deal...so what do we do now?
Ephram: I don't know...I don't really have anything planned
Madison: Wow...the great Ephram Brown is all out of ideas...I never thought this day would come
Ephram: Well...we could talk...
Madison: talking is good
Ephram: yeah...and I here all the legal couples are doing it
They laughed. They talked for a while and then watched some TV. Eventually Madison fell asleep, Ephram pulled the blanket over her shoulder, then turned the light off and fell asleep with his arm around her.
Andy: I can smell your cologne from here!
Ephram: Too much?
Andy: yeah...she's weak enough already Ephram...you don't want to make her faint
Ephram licked his hand and tried to wipe off some of the scent. Then he went into the kitchen. After running a couple errands, it was already 1. He figured he'd better head over to the hospital, the nurses said they were taking her out for some tests around 1:45 and they'd be bringing her back around 3. He got to the hospital and waited in the parking lot until 2, just to be sure. Then he went up to Madison's empty room and started to set up. When he was done, he still had a lot of time to spare so he sat down on Madison's bed and leaned back against the pillows. A couple minutes later he heard laughing coming from outside. He stood up and walked towards the door and peered out the window. His jaw dropped when he saw Madison and Jay walking hand-in-hand towards the door. Madison looked so happy. Jay reached for the door, but Ephram opened it first, surprising them both.
Ephram: What the hell is going on?!?
Madison: Ephram...w-we were just-
Jay: We were just coming back from a date (he finished smartly)
Ephram: What?! A-a date?!? (he was starting to cry) How the hell could you do this to me?!? W-what the hell are you thinking?!? I-I mean of all people?!? HIM!
Madison: Ephram...I'm sorry...I just couldn't help it...he brought me flowers... (she held up a bouquet of wilted flowers)
Ephram: So he brings you flowers that he probably stole from another room and you go out with him?!? What about us?!? What about me?!? Did you even think about that?! (a tear rolled down his cheek)
Madison: You heard what my mom said...I need someone my own age, someone mature and sophisticated...
Ephram: So you chose JAY?!?!?! On our anniversary?!? How could you do this to me?!? I-I-I thought...I thought you loved me....
All of a sudden he heard a loud, obnoxious ringing sound, he quickly opened his eyes, relieved it was only a dream, and picked up the phone by the bed.
Ephram: Yeah?
Nurse Ellen: Ephram Brown?
Ephram: yeah
Nurse Ellen: It's nurse Ellen, we're bringing Madison down now...just thought you'd like to know
Ephram: Thanks...thanks a lot
Nurse Ellen: No problem
They hung up. Ephram quickly shook his head, trying to forget his nightmare. He quickly lit all the candles and dimmed the lights, then he waited.
In the hall, Nurse Ellen was pushing Madison, in a wheelchair, towards her room.
Madison: Am I really getting that fat?
Nurse Ellen: What? What are you talking about?
Madison: Well your practically crawling...I mean I know I haven't gotten much exercise in the past couple weeks...
Nurse Ellen: Oh no dear, you're still as skinny as a stick...I-I'm just a little tired that's all
Madison: Ok...well I can walk if you-
Nurse Ellen: Oh no...no walking, doctor's orders
Madison: fine...but I was just trying to help
Finally they got to Madison's room, nurse Ellen opened the door and Madison gasped.
Madison: Oh my god...what-
She saw Ephram standing by her bed holding a single red rose. Nurse Ellen rolled Madison half-way into the room, careful not to knock over any candles, then she left and closed the door behind her.
Madison: How? When? Oh my god-you remembered...
Ephram: (shocked) I remembered? Wait-you remembered?
Madison: Of course I remembered, why wouldn't I remember?
Ephram: Well being in a coma comes to mind...
Madison: (smiled) I can't believe this Ephram...I wasn't expecting-isn't this some sort of fire hazard? (looking around at the candles)
Ephram: (helped her out of her wheelchair and to the bed, then handed her the rose) well it turns out, Nurse Ellen is a huge "Dragon Ball Z" fan...a couple mint condition comic books and I could have a brothel in here
Madison smiled and kissed him. Ephram deepened the kiss as they sat down on the bed.
Madison: (pulled away and leaned back on the pillows) so...what do you have planned?
Ephram: Me? I was hoping you had something in mind...I'm all out of ideas
Madison: Uh huh (sarcastically)
Ephram: (reached down and grabbed a paper bag) I cooked (holding up the bag)
Madison: Ephram...my stomach is already weak...and we don't want this meal to be our last
Ephram: (smiled) relax...it's my specialty...my only specialty (he reached into the bag) PB&J
Madison: (smiled) wow...you really went all out
Ephram: Well I spent all my money on those comic books and these candles...besides, home-made meals are more romantic
Madison: (kissed him sweetly) very romantic (she took a bite of her sandwich) and edible
Ephram: I try...
They ate and talked for a while.
Later...
Madison: Hey, I got you something...
Ephram: You did?
Madison: Yeah...it's nothing big, the hospital gift shop doesn't have much in the name of anniversaries, but it's something...
She reached under the bed and pulled out a plastic bag.
Madison: (reaching in the bag) here...read the card first...
She handed him an envelope. He smiled at her then opened it. The card had a flower on it and underneath it the words "Get well soon" were crossed out, and hand-written in its place was "happy anniversary" Ephram smiled when he saw this.
Ephram: Very creative...
He opened the card and read it to himself.
Ephram,
All my life I have dreamed of someone like you,
Someone who respected me, cared about me, and
Loved me as much as I loved them. Now that I
Have you I never want to let you go. I have
Never loved anyone the way that I love you. You
Are the one for me. I love you, always and
Forever.
Love,
Madison
Madison smiled at his reaction, as he read it.
Ephram: (closing the card and smiling at her) wow...and you call me romantic?
He kissed her passionately.
Madison: Wait...there's more (she reached into the bag and pulled out a little paper bag and handed it to him)
Ephram opened the bag and pulled out a "Powerpuff Girls" key chain. He started laughing.
Ephram: Thanks
Madison: I saw it and thought of you
Ephram: I'm glad little cartoon girls with pig tails remind you of me
Madison: (smiled) Just think of it as our little inside joke...ok one more
Ephram: Madison...you really didn't have to get me anything-
Madison: Here (she handed him a folded piece of paper)
Ephram: What's this? (taking the paper and unfolding it)
Madison: Just read the part I circled...
Ephram looked over the paper for a second, it had the names of all the states and next to them were the statutory rape laws, by state. Colorado was circled.
" Sexual assault:(statutory rape) to knowingly inflicts sexual intrusion or sexual penetration on a victim (1) under age 15 if the actor is at least four years older or (2) at least 15 years old but less than 17 years old and the actor is at least 10 years older" (A/N: yes this is actually true, I looked it up)
Ephram: Wait...b-but (a smile covered his face) you're not 10 years older than me!
Madison: I know! (she was smiling too)
Ephram: S-so...what does this mean?
Madison: It means that we're legal! Nobody can say or do anything to stop us...we're legal, we always were...we just didn't know
Ephram: B-but how? I-I mean...how did you-when?
Madison: One of the doctors tipped me off when I told him how old you were, so I looked it up...
Ephram: Oh my god...this is great!
Madison: Thank you captain obvious
Ephram kissed her passionately.
Ephram: I don't know how I'm gonna follow that but... (he reached down) here
He handed her a small teddy bear.
Ephram: I know it's not much...
Madison: No, it's perfect (she kissed him) very sweet
Ephram started laughing.
Madison: What?
Ephram: You're too easy...I can't believe you're happy with that
Madison: What do you mean?
Ephram: Well it's a teddy bear
Madison: I know...but I wasn't expecting diamonds
Ephram smiled at this.
Ephram: Look closer...
Madison: What?
Ephram: The bear...look closer
Madison looked at the bear and gasped.
Madison: Oh my god... Ephram
There were 2 diamond studs on the bear's ears. Ephram took the bear and took the earrings off, then handed them to her.
Ephram: Now I know they don't really go with this whole "hospital gown" look you've got going on but-
Madison: I can't believe you...how did you afford this? You don't even have a job-I-I can't accept these
Ephram: Well they're non-refundable...and I don't think they're really my style, so you have to
Madison: But-
Ephram: No buts...they're yours
Madison: and just when I thought you couldn't get any more perfect...
She pulled him to her and kissed him with want. Ephram looked at his watch, then quickly got up.
Madison: What?
Ephram: (while blowing out all the candles) Ellen's shift is over...if the other nurse comes in...let's just say it won't be pretty
Madison: (starting to get up) Let me help
Ephram: (put his hand up to stop her) No, no way...stay right there
Madison: Ok, I'm not made of glass
Ephram: Well in a week, when you come home, you can do all the cleaning you want...
Madison: (sighed) fine
Ephram went and un-dimmed the lights, then walked back to the bed.
Madison: So what are we gonna do now that we're legal?
Ephram: I don't know...what do normal legal couples do?
Madison: We could make-out in front of a police station...
Ephram: Yeah...cause I'm sure normal-legal couples do that all the time (sarcastically)
Madison: (smiled) well we have to do something
Ephram: Whatever you wanna do...as long as it doesn't cost too much
Madison: deal...so what do we do now?
Ephram: I don't know...I don't really have anything planned
Madison: Wow...the great Ephram Brown is all out of ideas...I never thought this day would come
Ephram: Well...we could talk...
Madison: talking is good
Ephram: yeah...and I here all the legal couples are doing it
They laughed. They talked for a while and then watched some TV. Eventually Madison fell asleep, Ephram pulled the blanket over her shoulder, then turned the light off and fell asleep with his arm around her.