A/N: Thank you all for the reviews! Knowing that people read and want to read more, makes me so happy! colorado2: Well, you took this chapter better than I thought. No, you're not being insulting. Thanks for your imput. I'll try to have some more parental involvement. (It just didn't fit for my plans, in the recent chapters.)
4.14 Neverwood
----December 10, 2004----
Ephram felt his stomach churn with confusion and his mind seemed as clouded as thick pea soup. His body felt numb, except for his lips, which tingled. "Madison.." He murmured.
Madison brushed the tears away from her eyes, as she stared back into Ephram's emotionless eyes. "Nothing. You didn't feel anything, did you?" She asked, helplessly. She could feel her mouth becoming dry and a large lump forming in the throat.
Ephram's head slowly swayed from side to side.
"I still love you.." She whispered, as she buried her head in her hands.
Ephram could feel his heart ripping down the center. He gently stroked Madison's head. "I'm with Amy now. God, Madison! It seems like everything I do turns out wrong! I'm trying to make things work with you, Amy, Kelly, and Julia...But I can't be everything for everyone! I love you, but not romantically. You'll always have a special place in my heart, nobody can change that. You were my first girlfriend, the woman I lost my virginity to, the mother of my first child....But, that doesn't change the facts. I'm so sorry, Madison. But..."
"But you're with Amy, I know." Madison sobbed. She shook her head in disappointment; not because she couldn't have Ephram, but because of what she did. I'm so stupid! I know he loves her! He's completely devoted to her! She thought. "I'm so sorry, Epham!"
"I love Amy with all my heart. I can't help it, but when I see her or when I'm around her, my heart beats a little harder, my pulse is a little faster, I can barely breathe, and my mind is sent in a spinning frenzy!" Ephram explained, as gently as possible. "She's my heart and soul! From the first moment I laid eyes on her, I knew my life would never be the same. She's my one and only!"
"Is that true?"
Ephram and Madison's heads shot up, looking towards the doorway. "H-how long have you been standing there?"
Amy crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the doorway. "Long enough." She took a few short strides, reaching the center of the room. Her eyes locked with Ephram's. "Are you sure that kiss meant nothing to you?"
Ephram's heart began to pound and he could feel the tiny hairs on the back of his neck prick up. "Y-you sa-saw that?" He stuttered.
Amy indicated that it was so, with a swift motion of her head.
"I'm so sorry, Amy! It was all my fault!" Madison said, as she rose to her feet.
"I'm talking to Ephram!" Amy snapped, viciously. She quickly silenced Madison, with a wave of her hand.
Ephram jumped to his feet. "Of course it didn't mean anything, Amy! You and I both know that! You're the only woman in the world for me; you make me whole!"
Amy's heart pounded madly. How can he sit here and be so calm, after kissing her?! She wanted to scream, cry, puke, and retaliate all at the same time. How could he do this to me? To...to us? Her eyes flooded with large, salt packed tears. Her eyelashes stuck to her skin, as the tears bubbled out of her eyes like bubbling liquid from an overflowing pot. She flew into Ephram, beating his chest with her fists. "How could you?! How dare you!" Her voice echoed through the room, making its way into the hall, and then bouncing sound waves through the entire apartment. "You bastard! I-I-I hate you!" Her body wracked with sobs, as she continued to flail her firsts, madly hitting Ephram.
Madison couldn't stand it any longer. I have to go, I've caused so much damage already! She fled the room.
Neither Amy or Ephram noticed Madison slip away. Ephram was too fixed on making things right with his one true love. He stood there, taking every last hit that Amy had left. I deserve this. I should've pulled away as soon as I felt Madison start to kiss me..But it was all so sudden..I just... He shook her head. No! I brought this on by not putting a stop to it when it began! His mind spun with thoughts. The pain he knew he'd caused Amy was far more wrecking than the physical pain she was causing him now. He barely felt her hits and jabs; the physical pain was like a paper cut, but the mental pain was like deep gash that went right through his heart. Then all at once, he couldn't feel her hands beating at him anymore. He looked down and saw her body shaking. He instinctively wrapped his arms around her, protectively.
Amy's body wracked violently with sobs and then she felt Ephram's arms surround her and she wanted to fight back, to retaliate and hurt him like he had hurt her. But her physical strength was gone and she could no longer fight back, so she let him embrace her.
"I'm so sorry.." He whispered.
"H-how could you?" Amy asked, through sobs.
"I didn't mean to..It all happened so fast, Amy. Believe me, if I could go back and change it all, I would! I didn't realize she was going to kiss me and I know I should have pulled back...."
"Then why didn't you?!" Amy flared.
"I told you, it happened so fast!" Ephram defended. He held Amy tighter, refusing to give up that easily. There was a long, uneasy silence, filled only by heavy breathing and sobs, then he heard her speak again.
"Did..did you really mean what you said? A-ab-about me? Us?" Amy asked. Her eyes searched his, for the truth.
Ephram placed both hands on the sides of Amy's face, making her look him directly in the eyes. "Every last word!" He replied, sternly. "I love you, Amy Nicole Abbott! You are my world! I would move heaven and earth to be with you!"
"And you felt nothing when you felt her lips against yours?"
"Nothing! Not a thing!" Ephram burst out. He pulled her face to his and passionately connected his lips with the only woman that he ever truly loved. His eyes closed, as did Amy's, as they savored the powerful moment. As they pulled apart, Ephram caressed Amy's soft face with his fingers. "Never, would I ever love anyone but you! You're my soul mate, Amy!"