Wow my writer's block has practically vanished! I'd really like to thank everyone for the reviews, they've really helped motivate me to write more. I never expected to get this many when I started the story and I really appreciate all of your input. I hope you continue to read and review and tell me what you think-it's the reason I write. 219 and counting!
The rest of the morning was incredibly awkward. Ephram was trying to think of the right things to say, but couldn't bring himself to say anything. Madison was starting to regret telling him cause he didn't seem to feel the same. What if this ruined their whole arrangement? What if Ephram leaves? What if we never see each other again?
All these thoughts were running through Madison's head, she was pretty spaced out. The next thing she knew Ephram had left to take his last 2 finals and she was tending to a hungry Julia.
As she was feeding Julia there was a knock on the door. "Just a minute" she yelled as she put her down and buttoned up her shirt. Julia was crying now...it's not good to interrupt her meal-time.
Madison picked her up and walked over to the door. A part of her knew exactly who it was before she opened it.
"Hi Dr. Brown"
Andy nodded, "Hey Madison...is Ephram here?"
She shook her head, "No...uh he's at school"
"Oh...good, that's good...uh I actually came over here to talk to you...is it a bad time?"
Madison didn't know what Andy would want to talk about, but she invited him in anyway.
Madison sat down on a bed and Andy started pacing. He seemed to have some sort of speech planned.
"Now I know that I'm not your favorite person in the world right now...hell-I'm nobody's favorite person right now...I hope you know how sorry I am...for everything-everything I said and everything you had to go through because of me...I was wrong. You know that, I know that...it's not something I'm proud of. It's a decision I'll regret for the rest of my life...my relationship with Ephram will probably never be the same....but that doesn't mean I'm not his father anymore." Andy stopped pacing and sighed, "I found out yesterday...that Ephram's not going to school in the fall...and frankly, I was extremely disappointed. I mean, if anything...I thought that having a child would make him want a better education so he can support-" Andy cleared his throat, "so he can support Julia..."
Madison looked down at Julia, who was now content, and smiled. "I know...and I've tried to tell him-but he's pretty stubborn..."
"I know he is...and that's why I need your help. If you just keep trying-maybe he'll listen to you...I know he won't listen to me...but you-I mean...you're in this together...I think if he sees how important it is...well maybe he'll agree to go"
"Well...I guess I'll try...but I can't really guarantee anything..."
Andy nodded, "That's all I ask...thanks"
Andy just stood there. He didn't really know what to do now, this was a pretty awkward situation.
Madison caught him staring at Julia and she realized that Andy had really never gotten a chance to look at her.
"Do you wanna hold her?" she asked.
Andy was surprised by this, he expected Madison to kick him out or something. "Uh...yeah...yeah I'd like that..."
Madison stood up and carefully handed Julia to Andy. "Support her head...yeah like that"
Andy smiled at his granddaughter, "Sorry...I guess I'm a little rusty...I haven't done this since Delia was little"
Madison smiled. Maybe Andy would be in Julia's life after-all.
Ephram got out of school and walked over to his car. He noticed someone leaning on it but couldn't tell who it was until he got closer.
"Grandpa? W-w-what are you doing here?" Ephram was shocked...he didn't expect to see Jacob for a while.
Jacob smiled, "Well you know...I went on a walk, thought I'd stop by...maybe we could talk?"
"Uh yeah...uh-sure that would be great...yeah"
"Good...now where's the best place to eat around here?"
They got into Ephram's car and Jacob noticed the car seat in the back. "So what's her name?"
Ephram was confused, "who's name??"
"Who do you think? Your daughter!"
Ephram smiled, his grandpa actually seemed to be warming up to the idea that he had a daughter...and Ephram answer to his question would probably make him feel even better.
"Julia"
Jacob was shocked, "Julia? Like-like your-"
Ephram nodded, "Like mom's"
Jacob sighed, "Wow..." Jacob put his hand on Ephram's shoulder, "That means a lot son...it really does"
Ephram smiled, "I know...that's how I felt when Madison told me..."
"Wait a minute...so it was Madison's idea?"
"Yeah...and she named her before I was back in the picture"
Jacob looked forward, taking everything in, "wow...that's some girl you got there"
Ephram shook his head, "Oh no-no-she's not my-my uh...girl... we're not...together" then Ephram remembered what Madison had said that morning, "Well...not really...it's complicated"
Ephram parked in front of Mama Joy's and they got out.
"But I thought...well you're living together aren't you?"
Ephram was surprised at how ok his grandpa seemed to be with all of this...especially after his initial reaction.
"I don't get it...like 2 days ago you were about to kill me...you didn't even want to listen-but now...now we're like talking about it...and you seem fine"
Jacob sat down and motioned for Ephram to sit down, "Well...I had some time to think about it...and then I talked to your father-who told me the whole story...I'm really sorry he put you through that Ephram...you didn't deserve it-and I'm sorry I acted the way I did...I guess I was just-just shocked"
"I know...I get it, it was a lot to take in at once...it's ok"
"No it's not...I mean I can't even imagine how you must've felt when you found out...and you have this whole other life now...and I had to go and yell at you like that...it just wasn't right"
Ephram shook his head, "Grandpa it's fine...I didn't expect you to be ok with it...I just didn't want to hide it...I thought you deserved to know"
Jacob gave Ephram a pat on his shoulder, "You're definitely not a little boy anymore..."
I really think you're all going to like the next chapter! (hint hint)