A/N: Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about Madison, I promise! I mean, how could I? My whole story is based on him having 2 kids! He just hasn't found out about the first one yet. ;) LVHamlet: lol I liked that line too. One of my more creative streaks. I'm glad you liked it. Divagurl277: Cool. :) Happy birthday, in advance!

[3.11] Making It Work

----September 10, 2004----

Ephram parked his car in the Abbotts' driveway and got out. He was so excited. He couldn't wait to tell Amy his good news! He quickly knocked on the door and it was answered. "Hey Mrs. Abbott." Ephram greeted. "I brought Amy's homework and I have some great news to tell her!"

Rose smiled and stepped aside, to allow Ephram to enter. "She has a surprise for you too."

Ephram raised his eyebrows. "Really? What is it?"

Rose smiled and patted Ephram on the back. "You'll see." She led Ephram up to Amy's room.

Ephram reached for the door knob, but the door opened ever so slightly before he could get to it. "Amy! You should be in bed!"

Amy smiled. "Don't worry. I will in a few minutes. Just close your eyes!"

"Why?"

"You'll see."

"How can I see, if my eyes are shut?" Ephram retorted.

Amy lightly shoved Ephram's arm. "Shh! Now just close your eyes, or you can't come in."

Ephram rolled his eyes and gave in. "Fine!" He said, then shut his eyes.

"No peeking!" Amy warned, in a cheerful tone. She'd been so happy, ever since she and Bright had worked things out before he left.

Rose led Ephram into the room and then shut the door behind him.

"Open!" Amy squeeled with delight.

Ephram opened his eyes and his mouth fell open. Amy's entire room had been reorganized. Her bed was in the corner of the room, by her window. A night stand was by her bed, 2 dressers were lined up by the opposite wall, and a frilly white bassinet sat in the center of the room. "When did this happen?" He said, as he walked over to the bassinet and spotted a pastel tye-dye colored stuffed bunny and a card.

"Read the card!" Amy urged.

Ephram picked up the card and slid it out of the envelope, then he cleared his throat. "'Dear Amy and Ephram, how's it going? This is from me, Bright, just so you know. I got my first pay check last week and I really wanted to do something to honor my new niece or nephew, so I am sending you this bassinet. I hope she or he gets some good use out of it. I also sent a bunny and I want you to make sure that kid knows that it is from her or his Uncle Bright. Keep it real and I will talk to you both later. Love, Bright. P.S. Ephram, my Man, make sure to take care of my little sister!'" Ephram read, from the card. He smiled. "We should send him a 'Thank You' card."

Amy nodded, eagerly. "I can't believe it! Can you?"

Ephram didn't reply, he just walked over to Amy and hugged her.

"He sent it first class, fully assembled." Amy said, as she hugged Ephram.

"He's a good guy."

Rose smiled at the 2 lovebirds. "Ephram, did you say you had some news too?"

Ephram's eyes lit up. "Yeah! Oh my God, Amy! Guess what!"

Amy's eyes got wide. "What? More good news? Oh wow, this day just keeps getting better and better!"

"I got a job!" Ephram gushed.

"Really? Oh my gosh! Where? How much?" Amy exploded with happy curiosity.

"This place up in Denver. The Loretta Hotel. They have a little concert hall type thing for their guests and I applied, figuring they wouldn't even consider me."

"What did you apply for?" Amy suddenly asked.

"To play the piano at the little concert hall place. Anyway, when they realized Julliard was thinking about giving me a scholarship, they had me come down and play for them. Let's just say, they loved it!"

"They?"

"There were four people there, who were listening to me. As soon as I finished, I got a, 'You are hired! Welcome to the Loretta staff!'" Ephram exclaimed.

"How much?" Amy asked, again.

"Fifteen dollars an hour! They want me to work three hours for five days a week! And get this, after I've been there for at least two weeks, I can get seven days of vacation a year! I also get a few comp credits, during working hours for food and such. They have a restaurant type thing there." Ephram explained.

"Oh my God! Mom, do you hear this?! This is great!" Amy burst out. She'd felt awful that she couldn't go to her job, due to Dr. Hendricks' orders, and so Barney had fired her.

Rose clapped her hands. "That's wonderful Ephram!"

"And I get to put this on my college application too!" Ephram said. He grinned.

"Julliard will go crazy for you, baby!" Amy said, then she leaned in and kissed Ephram.

Ephram blushed, because Rose had been watching the whole scene.

Rose rolled her eyes. "Oh, don't mind me. I'll just head down to the kitchen and made us all a snack. How does crackers and cheese sound?"

Amy rubbed her stomach. "Extra cheese, please? And you wouldn't happen to have any, ummm, sour cream would you?"

Rose raised her eyebrows. "Sour cream? Yes, we have some. But why?"

"Because I think it sounds good. Crackers and cheese topped with sour cream! Yum!" Amy said, as she rubbed her ever growing tummy.

Ephram looked a little pale. "Amy..are you sure? That sounds a little..."

Rose shook her head. "Ephram, come with me a sec, will ya?" She cut in.

"Uh, sure. I'll be right back." He turned and walked out of the room, with Rose. "Yes, Mrs. Abbott?" Ephram asked.

"It's the cravings, hon. Don't say anything about it. She might have a mood swing and deck ya for it." Rose said.

"Why?" Ephram asked.

"Because the Lord cursed women." Rose only half joked. "Look, when I was pregnant with Bright, I had so many cravings that Harold couldn't keep up! There was one point when all I wanted was peanut butter sandwhiches on wheat bread.." Rose explained.

"Well peanut butter sandwhiches don't sound so bad."

"Dipped in melted butter." Rose finished.

Ephram looked even paler now. "Umm.."

"Exactly." Rose said. She patted Ephram's arms.

"I understand why Bright is the way he is now." Ephram half joked.

Rose laughed too. "Do me a favor and don't tell him about that one."

"Darn, I was gonna use that as major blackmail." Ephram said.

"But the point is, just don't say anything. Humor her. One time I accidently gave Harold a black eye when he criticized my tomato juice and chocolate ice cream milkshake."

"A black eye?" Ephram repeated.

Rose shook her head. "Don't ask. Just trust me on this one."

"Gotcha. And thanks for the warning...." Ephram replied.

Amy poked her head out the door. "Are you coming back?"

"Yeah. Of course, well, I'm off to the kitchen. I'll be back up soon." Rose said, as she fled to the kitchen.

"Tomato juice and chocolate ice cream..." Ephram muttered.

"What?" Amy asked.

Ephram shook his head. "Nothing. Nothing." He kissed Amy's forhead. "Come on, I brought over your homework. Let me get it out."

Amy rolled her eyes. "Oh great." She sarcastically replied. The two walked into Amy's room to work on their homework.