A/N: Divagurl277: Oh, awesome! That whole "element of surprise" was something I was aiming for! Thanks for reviewing! colorado2: You don't sound very sure....Well don't worry, this is (and will continue to be), an Ephram & Amy romance. But of course, there will be the ups and downs. ;) (After all, "Everwood" is all about the drama.)

4.08 Homecoming

----November 26, 2004----

Ephram's heart was pounding, as he stood outside the Nursery window. He wrapped his arm tightly around Amy and he could sense that she was barely able to contain her excitement as well.

"We're finally gonna get to take our daughter home today.." Amy breathed, as her body rattled with excitement.

Ephram gently ran his hand through Amy's soft hair and then caressed her cheek. "I'm so happy!"

"Delia and my Mom are gonna flip, when we get her over to the new apartment!" Amy said, as she laced her fingers together.

"The new apartment.." Ephram repeated. "I can't believe it, you know? Just two weeks ago we were talking about this and now we actually have the apartment within our grasp!"

"We just have to convince our Fathers to let us actually move in." Amy added, with a look of extreme displeasure.

"I have faith in your Mom, Amy. She's helped us so much already. I truly believe that she is going to be the key to getting the five of us into that apartment. It's perfect!" Ephram said, with an unusual sense of optimism, especially for him.

"Who are you and hat have you done with the man that I'm going to marry?" Amy asked, as she raised her eyebrows.

"What?"

"You're never the optimismtic one!" Amy pointed out. "Since when did we role swap?"

Ephram was about to answer, when the Nursery door flipped open, and the Nurse walked out with Julia in her arms. The tiny infant was now three weeks old and she had slight color in her cheeks and skin, her eyes were bright, and she didn't have to struggle to breathe now. Many of the staff at the hospital had been amazed by Julia's miraculous climb in health, for such a premature child. Julia was wrapped in a pink blanket with a soft, fuzzy pink baby cap on her head. "She's doing extremely well. But any cold or infection could cause drastic problems." The Nurse warned. "So you must keep her mostly inside, for the next month, with constant care!"

Amy and Ephram nodded.

The Nurse gently placed Julia into Amy's arms and the infant wiggled her tiny fingers, involuntarily. Then she quickly pulled out the baby carrier from inside the Nursery and handed it to Ephram. "Remember, if anything happens, bring in back to the hospital immediately."

"Of course." Ephram complied. "Thank you."

Feeling that she'd done well, the Nurse wanded back into the Nursery, letting the door close behind her.

Ephram placed his arm around Amy's shoulders and with his free hand, he took Julia's tiny hand, and began to assuage it with his fingers.

"What a photogenic moment." Madison called, as she rounded the corner with a camera in her hands. Amy and Ephram smiled, as Madison snapped a picture of the three of them.

"Where's Kelly?" Ephram asked.

"At the new apartment, with Mrs. Abbott and Delia." Madison replied. "Delia was thrilled to spend time with her and she's really excited about Julia coming home."

"Home." Ephram and Amy echoed, together.

"At least I hope so." Amy added, with a frown.

"Come on, my car is out front." Madison said, as he motioned for them to follow her.

----45 Minutes Later----

Madison pulled into the driveway of a quaint little apartment. It had taken a few weeks, but they'd managed to find it and talk to the owner, after running the idea by Rose. Madison got out of the car and was greeted by Delia, who was holding Kelly. "Hey Delia!" Madison said, with a grin. "Was Kelly good for you?"

"Yep and it was so much fun!" Delia replied, happily.

Madison pulled a five dollar bill from her pocket and gave it to Delia, then scooped Kelly from her arms.

"What's this for?" Delia asked, perplexed.

"For babysitting! Ever good babysitter should get paid." Madison explained.

Delia frowned and put the bill back in Madison's hand.

"Delia?" Madison asked, confused.

"Keep it. I'm sure Kelly will need it for something." Delia explained.

Madison smiled at the young girl's generosity and maturity. "Thanks Delia."

"From all of us." Amy added, as she walked over. "I heard what you said and I think you're very mature for your age."

Delia beamed with pride and then reached out and stroked Julia's face. "Thanks." She said, with a shrug of her shoulders. "But it isn't that big of a deal."

Amy and Madison exchanged looks. "It is." They replied, together.

Ephram woddled over to the group. He had a diaper bag around his neck, a carrier in one hand, and several bags in the other hand.

"Needing a little help, Eph?" Madison asked, as she cocked her head to the side.

Ephram glared at his ex. "What does it look like?" He grumbled.

"I'll take Kelly back inside." Delia offered, as she took Kelly back and led Amy towards the house.

Madison took the bags from Ephram's hand.

"So, what were you girls talking about?" Ephram asked, curiously.

Madison smirked. "Oh, just how mature your sister is, and other girl talk that wouldn't interest you."

"My sister, mature?" Ephram rolled his eyes. "And I thought I was crazy."

Madison flicked Ephram on the shoulder. "Be nice to your sister!"

"Ow!" Ephram moaned. "Amy defends my sister enough, you should be on my side!"

"And betray the females of the world? I think not." Madison replied, as she walked inside the apartment.

Ephram shook his head. "Women.." He muttered as horror images of living with four women clouded his mind.

----

Amy brushed her hands together and fell into a large beanbag chair, that Delia had brought over. "I'm exhausted!"

Ephram plopped down next to Amy and kissed her on the lips. "But you still look hot." He commented, as he ran his fingers over her arm and used his fingers to trace the curves of her lips.

Rose walked into the room, with the cell phone in her hand. "I just phoned Andy and Harold. They'll be over here soon. They both are anxious to know what is going on."

"I'm amazed we kept this for so long." Amy commented.

"Is everything ready?" Ephram inquired.

"Yep." Amy nodded, as she raked her fingers through her hair.

Madison padded out of one of the three bedrooms. "The girls are sleeping peacefully, in their respective bassinets."

"Thanks, Madison." Amy replied.

"Where's Delia?" Ephram asked.

"She's in the room, watching the girls." Madison replied, as she gently closed the door to the room.

"She is such an amazing Aunt, already." Amy reflected.

"I know." Ephram said.

"Was that a compilment to your sister?" Amy asked, with wide eyes.

"No!" Ephram quickly said.

Madison smirked. "I think it was and I think we should tell her...What about you, Amy?"

"Most definitely!" Amy grinned.

"I'll deny it to the grave!" Ephram warned.

Amy and Madison rolled their eyes.

Suddenly a loud knocking noise rolled through the apartment.

"I'd know that knock anywhere." Rose said.

"It's Dad's impatient knock." Amy filled in, as she stood up from the beanbag, followed by Ephram.

"We'd better let 'em in." Rose replied.

Ephram took in a deep breath; his heart was pouding like crazy.

Rose walked to the door, placed her hand on the handle, then began turning it.