Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Everwood characters. I just love them
all very dearly. Tardy Chick, I love your idea, I'm gonna use it if you are
okay with that. If not...Why did you let me know about it in the first place?
Thanks to all who have reviewed my story. I love you guys! You brighten my
day whenever I read your reviews! I love you all! I just can't say that
enough!
The next morning Ephram woke with a gasp. He thought last night had been a dream. When he looked around he found that it wasn't. His sudden awaking woke Lilly up and she turned around to see if he was okay. When she saw him she was scared. He looked as if he had cried all night. She hugged him and tried to make him feel better. Ephram didn't pull away, he just wanted to be in her arms. He was sick of feeling alone. He needed to be comforted. He hadn't slept well and it showed in his face. His eyes had bags under them and he looked as if he had aged five years in one night.
"It will be okay," was all Lilly could say.
"What if it's not? What if it doesn't work out? I can't raise a child," Ephram looked like he was on the verge of tears again.
"Well you won't be able to raise a child with that attitude. No matter what the circumstances are, you have to believe that you can do it,"
Ephram cuddled his head below hers. He was so afraid, and so was she.
"I'll get a job, and I'll help," said Lilly.
"I can't ask you to do that," said Ephram pulling back and looking at her.
"You didn't ask, I volunteered. I want to help, and be a good step mom for the baby," Lilly hadn't thought about it until just then, she would be a step mom. She smiled to herself a little. "I'll even help Madison, and I'll do what ever I can, this baby is going to have a great family,"
Ephram pulled her closer, he was so grateful to have a wonderful fiancé. After a while of just laying there, Lilly crawled out to get ready. Ephram followed. Around ten that morning Lilly went to call Madison. She was a little nervous about calling someone she had never spoken to in her life.
"Hello?" answered Madison. She was still getting ready. She had been having terrible morning sickness lately, so that slowed her down.
"Hi, Madison. You don't know me, but my name is Lilly. I'm Ephram's girlfriend. I called to let you know that whatever you need, I am right here," said Lilly quickly, trying not to make herself sound like such a loser.
"Oh, thank you. What is your name again?" asked Madison.
"Lilly, is there any thing you need?" asked Lilly, she was getting a little nervous. Lilly was always a shy type and this phone call was very out of her character, but it needed to be done.
"Actually, I am having the worst time fitting into my pants. I was wanting to go shopping, but I hate shopping alone. Would you go with me?" asked Madison. She was so grateful to have Lilly's help. There were no words to describe the relief it felt to have someone to talk to.
"Shopping is my forte! I would love to help, how about I come over in about an hour and we drive out to Denver for some maternity cloughs shopping?" Lilly was getting excited. Finally, something she could do!
"Great, I will see you then," Madison hung up the phone and took a sigh of relief. She was so happy she was almost in tears.
Lilly, set the phone down and went to find Ephram. She found him sitting on the couch watching some Disney movie. Lilly cocked her head to the side and sighed. He was taking this very hard. She went to sit next to him and he hugged her.
"I'm about to go shopping for maternity clothes with Madison, is there anything you want while I'm gone?" asked Lilly.
"Madison? Why are you meeting her?" asked Ephram.
"I told you, I wanted to help, she needs help getting clothes, so we are going shopping for clothes,"
Ephram was a little uncomfortable with his ex-girlfriend and fiancé going shopping together. "Are you sure this is what you want?"
Lilly nodded. Soon Andy walked in followed by Delia.
"Morning you two. How did you sleep?" Andy was trying to sound as normal as possible, he was glad that he finally told Ephram. He needed to know, but he was afraid of Ephram's reaction. He was taking it very rough.
"I slept pretty well. I hope you don't mind Andy, I'm going shopping with Madison in like an hour," answered Lilly.
Andy couldn't believe what he was hearing, "Madison? Like Ephram's Madison?"
"Yeah, she needs maternity clothes and I volunteered to shop with her."
Andy just shook his head. Just the Nina walked in the room with Sam, who immediately went and turned on cartoons. "Andy I need to talk to you!" she looked worried.
Andy followed her out on the porch. He was very worried about his friend. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"Just let me talk okay? Lilly was talking to me the other day. She mentioned me and you together. I told her we were only friends, but then I couldn't stop thinking about being with you. I know it might be weird, but it just seems so wrong it would be right. Am I making any sense?" Nina said as she started to wring her hands.
"No, but...Nina - -"but before he could say anything Nina came up and kissed him. It felt so right, just being there with him. He felt the same way, he couldn't pull away. He hadn't felt this way since Julia had died.
When Nina pulled away she looked confused, like she had no idea what had just gone on.
"Wow," was all Andy could say.
Nina laughed a little a laid her head down on his shoulder. Nothing would be the same with their friendship, but maybe that would be a good thing? Only time could tell.
"I should go," said Nina after standing there for a while.
"No, stay for a little while," Andy was so confused, all he knew was that he wanted her to stay.
Nina smiled and took his hand. They came back inside and Ephram, Lilly, and Delia were staring at them. Nina blushed a little and Andy wished for a diversion.
"I told you so," said Lilly to Nina.
Nina laughed and rolled her eyes. Ephram was happy for his dad, and he was grateful to not have the complete attention.
Everyone sat on the couch and they watched cartoons until Lilly had to leave.
"Bye you guys," Nina said and grabbed Ephram's keys. Ephram had given her directions to Madison's house while Andy and Nina made out on the porch. When she pulled up to Madison's house her heart went out to her. She did look like she was having an awful time getting her pants on, since she was wearing pajama bottoms. Lilly went out to help her into the car and they took off.
"So, how are you holding up?" asked Lilly.
"Not well, I'm so thankful to have you help. I'm so happy Ephram knows, now I don't feel so alone," said Madison. She was getting a little uncomfortable because she could smell Ephram's cologne in the car. It brought back old painful memories.
"No problem. I have a really young sister so I know how to take care of little babies. Ask me whatever you want. And if you need a babysitter I am happy to help," said Lilly.
"How do you know exactly what I want to hear?" asked Madison. She had been worried all of those things for when the baby would come.
"I know that's what I would want to hear if I was pregnant,"
Madison smiled and then laughed at herself. "Look at me! I look so trashy, I'm still in my pajamas and I have no make-up on. Two months ago I would have died before I wore this getting the mail, now I'm going shopping. I am falling apart,"
"No you're not. I didn't even notice you didn't have on any make-up. You're beautiful, I was so jealous when I saw you talking to Ephram the other day. I almost had sex with him so I could keep him from going back to you," said Lilly recalling that day. It seemed like ages ago.
"Don't, no matter how much you love him, he will stay if you don't sleep with him. I'm jealous of you. You're so beautiful and innocent, all I can think of myself is that all of innocence is gone. If I could take it all back I would," Madison said starting to look out the window.
"You won't be saying that one day. You might be in a rut now, but it will all work out. It might not seem like it now but it will,"
Madison smiled, this stranger always knew what she wanted to hear. "I've been thinking,"
"That can't be good," joked Lilly.
Madison laughed a little, "I think it is the best thing I can do. I'm gonna give the baby up for adoption. I can't handle a baby. It is way too much. After I have the baby I'm gonna move. Once you have a baby that is illegitimate in Everwood that is all you're ever known for. You could win the Nobel Peace Prize and they would only know you as the girl who had an illegitimate baby,"
Lilly got quiet, "Have you told Ephram?"
"No, I was hoping I wouldn't have to but now he's involved. What am I gonna do?"
Lilly didn't know. She just gave her a sympathetic look and they dropped the subject. They shopped until Madison had enough clothes to last her the whole pregnancy. When Lilly got back home it was a little after seven. She had told Madison that she would tell Ephram her decision. She found him and he looked a lot better than he did that morning. She went and sat next to him and he could tell she had something important to say. He wasn't sure he wanted to hear it. He had already heard enough.
"Ephram, Madison wants to give the baby up for adoption. She doesn't want it. She's gonna move after she has it. I'm so sorry," Lilly said after a while of deciding how she was going to tell him.
Ephram wasn't sure how he had felt about it. He had spent the whole day trying to get used to the idea of being a father. He had finally become comfortable with the idea, and now she was going to give the baby up for adoption? "I don't want that to happen. I don't want her to give it up. I want it,"
"What?" Lilly was completely confused. Why would he want the baby? "You have no idea of how to raise a baby. It would be a disaster. Plus you have school, who will watch it? Nina won't watch a newborn, no one will watch a newborn,"
"We can find a way. It could be the start of our family. You and I could have custody of the baby," Ephram hadn't really thought everything through. He just knew that keeping the baby was what he wanted.
Lilly thought Ephram had lost his mind. She knew that he couldn't raise a baby, nor could she, but something told her he wouldn't change his mind about this. "Are you sure this is what you want?"
"Yes," Ephram knew that it was true. He loved Lilly and he wanted to have children with her, but he thought that their children could wait a while.
Lilly shook her head. What was she getting herself into, but she was going to do it. Why? She trusted Ephram. Whatever he thought would be good, would be. "Sure,"
"Let's tell Dad," Ephram grabbed Lilly's hand and lead her downstairs. They found Andy cheerily cleaning the kitchen. He was glad that his son was doing okay, it almost seemed weird that he was standing in front of him smiling just then. Andy's smile melted away as he thought about what Ephram had told him the last time he had that look on his face.
"What's wrong?" he said looking over to Lilly. But Lilly said nothing. This was Ephram's news, she knew that Ephram wanted to tell.
"Dad, I want custody of my baby. Madison wants to give it up for adoption and I don't want it to leave. I want for Lilly and I to have full custody of it," Ephram said as he pulled Lilly closer for support.
Andy wasn't sure how he felt. He just leaned against the counter and thought about it, "What about money for diapers and furniture? Who will watch the baby when you're at school? I can't, Nina can't. Have you really thought this through?"
Ephram knew that it was going to be hard to convince his dad, but he had to try. "I'll figure that out. I just know that now I want to keep it,"
"You can't just procrastinate on the subject of a baby. Listen, we'll sit down and come up with ways that you can keep the baby. If you can figure a way to fulfill all of the baby's needs we might be able to have it. If not, Madison will put it up for adoption. Even if we do keep it you will have to take parenting classes and I want you to take full responsibility for the baby. You will be the one who gets up at midnight to feed it and change it," Andy said thinking he was starting to sound like he was letting Ephram have a puppy.
They all went to sit on the couch and figure out a way to get the baby. Lilly had applied for three jobs while shopping. She was hoping to get a call from them. If she got all three they would have enough for diapers. Andy would chip in and buy furniture, and Ephram was going to apply for a few jobs. It left one thing open, what would they do for child care.
"Can I ask Nina?" asked Lilly. They were so close, why give up.
"You can ask, but don't expect anything," said Andy. Even though he knew Ephram would have trouble raising a baby, he was a little disappointment that it wasn't going to work out.
"I'll go ask," said Lilly. She stood up and made her way next door.
Madisa Delinda Est! (Cato, the man who made this phrase famous, was the father of Latin prose...I think. He was the father of Latin something, it might be satire, hmm. Something to ponder!)
The next morning Ephram woke with a gasp. He thought last night had been a dream. When he looked around he found that it wasn't. His sudden awaking woke Lilly up and she turned around to see if he was okay. When she saw him she was scared. He looked as if he had cried all night. She hugged him and tried to make him feel better. Ephram didn't pull away, he just wanted to be in her arms. He was sick of feeling alone. He needed to be comforted. He hadn't slept well and it showed in his face. His eyes had bags under them and he looked as if he had aged five years in one night.
"It will be okay," was all Lilly could say.
"What if it's not? What if it doesn't work out? I can't raise a child," Ephram looked like he was on the verge of tears again.
"Well you won't be able to raise a child with that attitude. No matter what the circumstances are, you have to believe that you can do it,"
Ephram cuddled his head below hers. He was so afraid, and so was she.
"I'll get a job, and I'll help," said Lilly.
"I can't ask you to do that," said Ephram pulling back and looking at her.
"You didn't ask, I volunteered. I want to help, and be a good step mom for the baby," Lilly hadn't thought about it until just then, she would be a step mom. She smiled to herself a little. "I'll even help Madison, and I'll do what ever I can, this baby is going to have a great family,"
Ephram pulled her closer, he was so grateful to have a wonderful fiancé. After a while of just laying there, Lilly crawled out to get ready. Ephram followed. Around ten that morning Lilly went to call Madison. She was a little nervous about calling someone she had never spoken to in her life.
"Hello?" answered Madison. She was still getting ready. She had been having terrible morning sickness lately, so that slowed her down.
"Hi, Madison. You don't know me, but my name is Lilly. I'm Ephram's girlfriend. I called to let you know that whatever you need, I am right here," said Lilly quickly, trying not to make herself sound like such a loser.
"Oh, thank you. What is your name again?" asked Madison.
"Lilly, is there any thing you need?" asked Lilly, she was getting a little nervous. Lilly was always a shy type and this phone call was very out of her character, but it needed to be done.
"Actually, I am having the worst time fitting into my pants. I was wanting to go shopping, but I hate shopping alone. Would you go with me?" asked Madison. She was so grateful to have Lilly's help. There were no words to describe the relief it felt to have someone to talk to.
"Shopping is my forte! I would love to help, how about I come over in about an hour and we drive out to Denver for some maternity cloughs shopping?" Lilly was getting excited. Finally, something she could do!
"Great, I will see you then," Madison hung up the phone and took a sigh of relief. She was so happy she was almost in tears.
Lilly, set the phone down and went to find Ephram. She found him sitting on the couch watching some Disney movie. Lilly cocked her head to the side and sighed. He was taking this very hard. She went to sit next to him and he hugged her.
"I'm about to go shopping for maternity clothes with Madison, is there anything you want while I'm gone?" asked Lilly.
"Madison? Why are you meeting her?" asked Ephram.
"I told you, I wanted to help, she needs help getting clothes, so we are going shopping for clothes,"
Ephram was a little uncomfortable with his ex-girlfriend and fiancé going shopping together. "Are you sure this is what you want?"
Lilly nodded. Soon Andy walked in followed by Delia.
"Morning you two. How did you sleep?" Andy was trying to sound as normal as possible, he was glad that he finally told Ephram. He needed to know, but he was afraid of Ephram's reaction. He was taking it very rough.
"I slept pretty well. I hope you don't mind Andy, I'm going shopping with Madison in like an hour," answered Lilly.
Andy couldn't believe what he was hearing, "Madison? Like Ephram's Madison?"
"Yeah, she needs maternity clothes and I volunteered to shop with her."
Andy just shook his head. Just the Nina walked in the room with Sam, who immediately went and turned on cartoons. "Andy I need to talk to you!" she looked worried.
Andy followed her out on the porch. He was very worried about his friend. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"Just let me talk okay? Lilly was talking to me the other day. She mentioned me and you together. I told her we were only friends, but then I couldn't stop thinking about being with you. I know it might be weird, but it just seems so wrong it would be right. Am I making any sense?" Nina said as she started to wring her hands.
"No, but...Nina - -"but before he could say anything Nina came up and kissed him. It felt so right, just being there with him. He felt the same way, he couldn't pull away. He hadn't felt this way since Julia had died.
When Nina pulled away she looked confused, like she had no idea what had just gone on.
"Wow," was all Andy could say.
Nina laughed a little a laid her head down on his shoulder. Nothing would be the same with their friendship, but maybe that would be a good thing? Only time could tell.
"I should go," said Nina after standing there for a while.
"No, stay for a little while," Andy was so confused, all he knew was that he wanted her to stay.
Nina smiled and took his hand. They came back inside and Ephram, Lilly, and Delia were staring at them. Nina blushed a little and Andy wished for a diversion.
"I told you so," said Lilly to Nina.
Nina laughed and rolled her eyes. Ephram was happy for his dad, and he was grateful to not have the complete attention.
Everyone sat on the couch and they watched cartoons until Lilly had to leave.
"Bye you guys," Nina said and grabbed Ephram's keys. Ephram had given her directions to Madison's house while Andy and Nina made out on the porch. When she pulled up to Madison's house her heart went out to her. She did look like she was having an awful time getting her pants on, since she was wearing pajama bottoms. Lilly went out to help her into the car and they took off.
"So, how are you holding up?" asked Lilly.
"Not well, I'm so thankful to have you help. I'm so happy Ephram knows, now I don't feel so alone," said Madison. She was getting a little uncomfortable because she could smell Ephram's cologne in the car. It brought back old painful memories.
"No problem. I have a really young sister so I know how to take care of little babies. Ask me whatever you want. And if you need a babysitter I am happy to help," said Lilly.
"How do you know exactly what I want to hear?" asked Madison. She had been worried all of those things for when the baby would come.
"I know that's what I would want to hear if I was pregnant,"
Madison smiled and then laughed at herself. "Look at me! I look so trashy, I'm still in my pajamas and I have no make-up on. Two months ago I would have died before I wore this getting the mail, now I'm going shopping. I am falling apart,"
"No you're not. I didn't even notice you didn't have on any make-up. You're beautiful, I was so jealous when I saw you talking to Ephram the other day. I almost had sex with him so I could keep him from going back to you," said Lilly recalling that day. It seemed like ages ago.
"Don't, no matter how much you love him, he will stay if you don't sleep with him. I'm jealous of you. You're so beautiful and innocent, all I can think of myself is that all of innocence is gone. If I could take it all back I would," Madison said starting to look out the window.
"You won't be saying that one day. You might be in a rut now, but it will all work out. It might not seem like it now but it will,"
Madison smiled, this stranger always knew what she wanted to hear. "I've been thinking,"
"That can't be good," joked Lilly.
Madison laughed a little, "I think it is the best thing I can do. I'm gonna give the baby up for adoption. I can't handle a baby. It is way too much. After I have the baby I'm gonna move. Once you have a baby that is illegitimate in Everwood that is all you're ever known for. You could win the Nobel Peace Prize and they would only know you as the girl who had an illegitimate baby,"
Lilly got quiet, "Have you told Ephram?"
"No, I was hoping I wouldn't have to but now he's involved. What am I gonna do?"
Lilly didn't know. She just gave her a sympathetic look and they dropped the subject. They shopped until Madison had enough clothes to last her the whole pregnancy. When Lilly got back home it was a little after seven. She had told Madison that she would tell Ephram her decision. She found him and he looked a lot better than he did that morning. She went and sat next to him and he could tell she had something important to say. He wasn't sure he wanted to hear it. He had already heard enough.
"Ephram, Madison wants to give the baby up for adoption. She doesn't want it. She's gonna move after she has it. I'm so sorry," Lilly said after a while of deciding how she was going to tell him.
Ephram wasn't sure how he had felt about it. He had spent the whole day trying to get used to the idea of being a father. He had finally become comfortable with the idea, and now she was going to give the baby up for adoption? "I don't want that to happen. I don't want her to give it up. I want it,"
"What?" Lilly was completely confused. Why would he want the baby? "You have no idea of how to raise a baby. It would be a disaster. Plus you have school, who will watch it? Nina won't watch a newborn, no one will watch a newborn,"
"We can find a way. It could be the start of our family. You and I could have custody of the baby," Ephram hadn't really thought everything through. He just knew that keeping the baby was what he wanted.
Lilly thought Ephram had lost his mind. She knew that he couldn't raise a baby, nor could she, but something told her he wouldn't change his mind about this. "Are you sure this is what you want?"
"Yes," Ephram knew that it was true. He loved Lilly and he wanted to have children with her, but he thought that their children could wait a while.
Lilly shook her head. What was she getting herself into, but she was going to do it. Why? She trusted Ephram. Whatever he thought would be good, would be. "Sure,"
"Let's tell Dad," Ephram grabbed Lilly's hand and lead her downstairs. They found Andy cheerily cleaning the kitchen. He was glad that his son was doing okay, it almost seemed weird that he was standing in front of him smiling just then. Andy's smile melted away as he thought about what Ephram had told him the last time he had that look on his face.
"What's wrong?" he said looking over to Lilly. But Lilly said nothing. This was Ephram's news, she knew that Ephram wanted to tell.
"Dad, I want custody of my baby. Madison wants to give it up for adoption and I don't want it to leave. I want for Lilly and I to have full custody of it," Ephram said as he pulled Lilly closer for support.
Andy wasn't sure how he felt. He just leaned against the counter and thought about it, "What about money for diapers and furniture? Who will watch the baby when you're at school? I can't, Nina can't. Have you really thought this through?"
Ephram knew that it was going to be hard to convince his dad, but he had to try. "I'll figure that out. I just know that now I want to keep it,"
"You can't just procrastinate on the subject of a baby. Listen, we'll sit down and come up with ways that you can keep the baby. If you can figure a way to fulfill all of the baby's needs we might be able to have it. If not, Madison will put it up for adoption. Even if we do keep it you will have to take parenting classes and I want you to take full responsibility for the baby. You will be the one who gets up at midnight to feed it and change it," Andy said thinking he was starting to sound like he was letting Ephram have a puppy.
They all went to sit on the couch and figure out a way to get the baby. Lilly had applied for three jobs while shopping. She was hoping to get a call from them. If she got all three they would have enough for diapers. Andy would chip in and buy furniture, and Ephram was going to apply for a few jobs. It left one thing open, what would they do for child care.
"Can I ask Nina?" asked Lilly. They were so close, why give up.
"You can ask, but don't expect anything," said Andy. Even though he knew Ephram would have trouble raising a baby, he was a little disappointment that it wasn't going to work out.
"I'll go ask," said Lilly. She stood up and made her way next door.
Madisa Delinda Est! (Cato, the man who made this phrase famous, was the father of Latin prose...I think. He was the father of Latin something, it might be satire, hmm. Something to ponder!)