The next couple days went by as usual. Ephram went and visited Madison after school. He only saw Mrs. Detmer a couple of times. She still treated him like a little kid, which he didn't really pay attention to, but it made Madison mad. On Wednesday, Ephram brought Delia with him to the hospital.

Ephram: (walking into the room) Hey

Madison: Hey (looking up from her book)

Ephram: I brought a surprise...

Madison looked at him curiously.

Delia: (ran in the room) Madison!

Madison: (smiled happily at Delia) Hey sweetie!

Delia climbed on the bed and gave Madison a big hug. Ephram smiled at Madison, and she smiled back at him over Delia's shoulder.

Madison: I was wondering when you were gonna stop by

Delia: Dad said I should wait till you got back your energy...

Madison: He's a smart man

Delia: So when are you coming home?

Madison: Probably Saturday

Delia: I'm getting sick of take-out (shooting Ephram a look)

Madison: Don't blame Ephram...it's just bad genes

Delia: He sure got a lot of those (Madison laughed)

Ephram: Very funny (sitting down in the chair next to the bed)

Delia: So what do you do around here anyways?

Madison: Not much...

Delia: (looked around the room) Oooh can we watch TV?!

Madison: (smiled) go for it (handing her the remote)

Delia went and sat at the end of the bed and started flipping channels.

Ephram: That was easy (he smiled as he got up and kissed her)

Delia: yuck...I can still hear you!

Ephram and Madison both laughed.

Ephram: How was your day?

Madison: Boring...my mom stopped by earlier...got into another fight

Ephram: About what?

Madison: What else?

Ephram: I thought this was all over

Madison: It will be when she starts treating you like a person...god, she said she accepted us, but she obviously doesn't

Ephram: Probably just needs time

Madison: Well I'm not gonna give her much more

Soon it was Saturday, Ephram had gone to Madison's house to get her a change of clothes. When he got to the hospital, Mr. & Mrs. Detmer were in the hall talking to the doctor. Ephram walked passed them and into the room.

Ephram: (walking up to the bed) Pajama pants and a T-shirt, as ordered

Madison: Thanks (kissing him sweetly)

Ephram: What? No tip?

Madison kissed him again.

Ephram: Nice doin business with you

Mrs. Detmer: (walking into the room) you are officially discharged

Madison: Okay...well I just need to get dressed and then we can go

Mrs. Detmer: Bill went down to the pharmacy to get your medications...and your doctor left you a list of good foods to eat...also you're supposed to come back in a couple days for a check-up

Madison: Okay (standing up)



Mrs. Detmer: Well...we'll let you get changed...

Ephram turned to walk out, but Madison grabbed his hand.

Madison: Ephram stay...I might need your help

Mrs. Detmer was shocked and horrified, she gave Madison a look, but Madison didn't notice, or pretended not to. Mrs. Detmer just walked out of the room and shut the door with extra force.

Ephram went and sat down on a chair against the wall and started playing with Madison's cell phone. Madison let her gown fall to the floor and then looked over at Ephram.

Madison: You don't wanna watch? (looking hurt)

Ephram: (still looking at the phone) O-oh believe me...I-I want to...a-and I would...if your mom weren't staring at me through the window

Madison: (looked around) oh my god, the window! Can anyone see me??

Ephram: See that big piece of fabric hanging behind you? It's called a curtain

Madison threw her shirt at Ephram, playfully, Ephram glanced over to the door and Mrs. Detmer quickly looked away, then he threw the shirt back at Madison. Madison got dressed and then they all took her home. They hung out at Madison's for a while. Finally her parents left. Mr. Detmer practically had to pull his wife out the door.

Madison: (closing the door and leaning her back against it) Finally

Ephram: So (pulling out some movies from his bag)...we've got "something's gotta give," and courtesy of Delia, we have "Freaky Friday" and "Finding Nemo" which I practically had to pry out of her hands.

Madison: (walking up to him) I don't really feel like watching a movie...

Ephram: Ok...well we still have those board games your mom brought over...I can't remember the last time I played "Chutes and Ladders"

Madison: (getting closer to him) Don't really feel like doing that either...

Ephram: Then what do you wanna d- (she stopped him with a passionate kiss)

At first Ephram gave into it, he had wanted this for so long, but then his conscience got the best of him.

Ephram: (pulling away) wait...we can't do this-your not...you need to rest

Madison: I've been resting for the past 3 weeks! I have more energy than I ever have...I'm fine (she started kissing him again)

Ephram: (again pulling away) but-ok don't do that, don't make that face...I'm just trying to be responsible...I mean what if something happens? What if your not ready?

Madison: I'm fine...how many times do I have to tell you? And you can't tell me you don't want this...it's been a really long time...

Ephram: Oh I-I want this...and I know how long it's been...b-but-

Madison: No buts

She kissed him and this time he gave into it.

Later, Madison and Ephram were lying next to each other in bed.

Madison: (breathing hard) wow

Ephram just looked over at her and smiled.

Madison: Maybe we should wait 3 weeks more often?

Ephram: (smile quickly fading) Please tell me that thought didn't actually run through your mind?

Madison just laughed, then curled up next to him and rested her head on his chest. He put his arm around her and rubbed her back.

Madison: (noticing something different) Whoa...w-what are these? (touching his bicep) are these muscles?

Ephram: (smiled) yeah... I hear we're born with them

Madison: yeah...but...when did this happen? How did I not notice? (running her finger over Ephram's newly developed muscles)

Ephram: Remember the whole Jay thing? When he rejoined the band and everything? Well I was over at Bright's talking to him about it-well not talking-complaining-and he was benching at the time, so he got up and told me to take a couple reps-that it was like therapy or something, get out all the anger...so I tried-couldn't lift it- after he took off most of the weights I tried again-and he was right, I totally got out all of my anger...and so I got my dad to get me a bench press...and then when the accident happened, I started lifting more, getting all my anger and fear out...these muscles were just a bonus

Madison: Wait-so you're like a jock now? And how did I not see a huge bench press in the house?

Ephram: It's in the garage...and no I'm not a jock, I'm just toned...oh wait, I forgot to drink my raw eggs this morning...I'll be right back-

Madison: (laughed) ok...but if I see you in a letterman's jacket- we're through

Ephram: (laughed) I wouldn't worry...I'm still the least athletic person you'll ever meet

Madison: Well they're very sexy....and I never thought I would say this, but...you might actually beat me the next time we arm wrestle...

Ephram: You know I was always letting you win right?

Madison: You just keep telling yourself that

Ephram: I was!

Madison: Uh huh

Ephram: Alright...let's go, right now...no holding back

Madison: I already said you would probably beat me...now that you have those big guns

Ephram: "big guns?" did you actually just say that?

Madison: Well what else do I call them?

Ephram: How bout "arms?"

Madison: No...cause now they're toned arms, with actual muscle

Ephram: So what were they before?

Madison: They were just arms

Ephram: Fine...call them whatever you want...just don't give them individual names

Madison: Oh don't worry...they're not big enough for that

Ephram: And they won't get big enough...I don't wanna be some meat head

Madison: Good...I think they're fine the way they are...I don't like meat heads...

Ephram: Didn't you date Jay?

Madison: Funny