Chapter Eight

After taking a painstakingly long time to adjust herself next to Ephram, Amy finally begins the painful story, most of which she had never told to anyone before. "I met Marcus almost seven years ago. He was amazing. Smart. Well balanced. He made me feel grounded and normal. Something I had been looking for since I left Everwood. So when he asked me to marry him I said yes, even though my parents didn't like or trust him. We were only married three months when he hit me the first time. He apologized and I brushed it off, he'd told me he was having a bad day at work and I was pushing him about something stupid.

"But it just kept happening, past the point of being able to explain it away, it was always something I did wrong you? And it kept happening, until I found out I was pregnant with Emily, before I even told him about her I told him that I was leaving him. That I wanted a divorce and a restraining order if it was necessary. But he begged me to come back. Promised me that he would changed, that he would get help." Amy shivers realizing that he's said exactly the same thing less than an hour ago, "the thing is though, he did. For like a year he saw an councilor who specialized in anger management. And we were happy, for like the first time in our marriage.

"But then, when Emily was almost four-months-old he started again. We'd been at a company party and he accused me of throwing myself at one of his partners." Amy is amazed at the feeling that washes over her, almost a sense of peace as she continues to talk. "I was hurt so badly I probably should have been in the hospital, but I didn't want to ruin the happiness that had settled around the house. But it didn't matter it was all broken. And I've spent the last four years just trying to make things perfect around the house so he would have nothing to be angry about, but it didn't matter. Nothing was ever perfect.

"It took me a long time to figure that out. And I'm probably pretty stupid for it taking so long but...I dunno but when he hit me the other day it's like he knocked some sense into me and for the first time in years I saw the situation clearly. So I'm here and I have no idea what my next move is. My dad and I were fighting because I called Marcus tonight, I shouldn't have, I see that now, it's just...He's my husband you know?"

Ephram is motionless next to Amy and tentatively she glances at him, his face is an expression of pure rage but without another word Ephram pulls Amy to him in a tight embrace. The gentle gesture throws off Amy's self-control and she bursts into tears suddenly overwhelmed by all of the emotions she is feeling.

"He won't hurt you again," Ephram swears in a low voice which eventually changes to a soft whisper of, "it's okay," over and over again.

Ephram holds Amy as she cries and he gently rubs her back and Amy is almost transported back to high school at the situation and that thought alone makes Amy pull away quickly. "I-I-I'm sorry, Ephram. I don't know what I'm doing. I haven't seen you in ten years and that doesn't give me the right to dump all my problems on you."

Ephram shakes his head, "you're wrong on so many levels. First of all, I asked you to tell me what was going on with you. Second, we're friends, didn't we decide that just a couple hours ago? Third, Amy you're the best thing that happened to me in Everwood and I've thought about you a million times since I left here. I care about you Amy, and I want to help you in anyway I can."

"I don't have any right to ask for your help."

"You're not asking."

"Ephram..."

"No, okay, hear me out." Ephram interrupts. "We're both embarking on the journey of single parenthood and it's going to be hard for both of us, especially me. The girls have practically been raised by a nanny, I don't know anything about taking care of my kids. Nina has been doing most of the hard stuff."

"You'll get the hang of it," Amy encourages softly.

Ephram nods, "I also know that I am not about to be a 28-year-old living with his father and step-mother. So I talked it over with Antonia tonight, and we're going to buy a house here, and we were going to ask you and Emily to move in with us."

"Ephram, I can't, I don't have the money to leave my parents house right now."

"Amy, I'm in the exact same position my dad was in when we first moved here. I have more than enough money, but no ability to take care of a house and I don't want to hire anyone ever again to help me raise my girls. I really need your help, Amy, and you can worry about rent or whatever once you can. "

"A house?" Amy echoes, as if hearing it for the first time.

"Yes," Ephram nods, "a house."

"You really want me to move in with you guys?" Amy asks.

Ephram nods, "very much. Even to the point where I can forgive your love of sappy WB dramas."

"I haven't seen a WB drama in years."

"Well, then, I guess it's time for you to catch up."

"So, what kind of a house," Amy asks changing the topic back to that of the house.

"The way I figure it, we need at least a four bedroom. Antonia and Emily probably wouldn't mind having to share a room and..."

"Daddy!"

"Mommy!"

"Daddy!"

"Mommy!"

Ephram and Amy are both woken from their uncomfortable half-sitting sleeping positions in the studio, "what's the matter?" Amy asks quickly.

"I told Emily that we were going to buy a house and live in it together," Antonia states. "And we want to go buy our house now. Right Emi?"

Emily nods shyly, "uh-huh."

Ephram and Amy both laugh at their daughters and Ephram asks, "Where do you think we buy a house?"

Antonia shrugs and Emily suggests, "a house store?"

Ephram laughs loudy at this and the noise makes Emily jump, but once she realizes that Ephram is amused, not angry, she giggles along with Amy and Antonia. Ephram scoops Emily up and spins her around, "Daddy me! Daddy me!" Antonia holds her hands out to her father to be twirled too.

Once Ephram sets both of them back on the floor, all three of them slightly dizzy, he states, "after breakfast we'll go see a realtor and find out what's on the market."

"Yay!" Both girls cheer.

"And Grandpa Andy has already started pancakes for breakfast!" Antonia adds and both girls cheer again.

"He is doing what?" Ephram asks quickly before dashing out of the room.

Amy laughs, a comforting air of familiarity wrapping around her, taking both girls' hands Amy suggest, "let's go see what's going on in the kitchen."

"Dad, no," Ephram's voice is slightly raised in pleading amusement. "I will not let you poison my family, I like them, I don't want them to die from your food poisoning."

"Trust me, Ephram, I can make pancakes without killing anyone. Just sit back and relax, maybe get Alyssa up and watch some cartoons with the girls."

"Dad..."

"I'm serious Ephram, I'll call you when breakfast is ready."

"Dad..."

"Ephram, go, I hear Alyssa crying in her room."

With a sigh Ephram leaves the kitchen and eventually Amy, with a laugh, leads the girls into the living room to watch morning cartoons.