Disclaimer: I don't own Everwood.
A/N: I'm so sorry for the delay, I had exams but it's ok now (I passed!) I'll try to update more often. I wanted to add that I wrote chapter 5 before watching Foreverwood so Lily isn't mentioned but could you do me a favour and pretend that she was at the dinner family please? She's 9 and a half years old now. Thanks. Here it goes; chapter 7, hope you'll like it, please review.
Chapter seven: Good byes, hugs and kisses.
"I can't believe he's coming back!" Andy said. Nina and him were in their bedroom getting ready for the lunch they were having in half an hour with their friends and family; a good bye lunch for Fran, Alberto and Paul. Since Ephram told them he was coming back to Everwood this morning, Andy could not stop smiling and it was quiet contagious. Every body in the house was feeling lighter.
"I know sweetheart, I'm happy too." Andy looked at his wife. Sure, she seemed happy, she was smiling widely but she was not as surprised as he was. Nina always was the quiet type but this quietness was a little too odd. After all, Andy's dream was becoming true; Ephram was coming back. He was so excited he could not stand still for more than one minute. Nina on the other hand was folding a sheet and was humming the tune of a song she heard this morning.
"Do you think I should go with him? I mean to Italia to help him with everything."
"Andy, Ephram is an adult; I think he can handle this. Stop worrying so much." She said.
"You're right." He said smiling and shoving his hands in his pants. "Now, tell me." He said and she threw him a questioning look. "Since when do you know?" he asked smiling at his wife. Nina avoided his gaze.
"What do you mean?"
"Nin', I've known for nearly fourteen years, I'm your husband, I know a lot about you and I suppose the reason you're not that excited about the news of Ephram coming is because it's not news for you anymore." He said smiling, amused and she rolled her eyes.
"You're annoying when you think you're brilliant!" he laughed. "I talked with Fran two days ago; after the party and she told me she had an interesting conversation with Ephram. Apparently, Amy asked him to stay." Andy's eyes widened with surprise and Nina witness that a look of sadness flashed in his eyes. Andy knew that Amy must be a part of the reasons why his son decided to come back but he really hoped that he was coming back for them; his family.
"She didn't ask, she just suggested it." Ephram's voice was heard from behind them, he was standing in the frame of the door. "She might be the one who brought it in the first place but she has nothing to do with my decision." He said coming closer to them. They both raised a sceptical eyes brow at him. "Okay, she might have an influence on me," he said laughing "but this time I made an objective decision which might be the best I've made in my entire life. I'm staying because I want to. I'm staying because this is where I belong, where my daughter belong. I'm staying because I should have came back a long time ago. I'm staying because I've missed you guys, I've missed my home, I've missed Everwood. I'm staying because we're happy here." Andy and Nina's eyes were shining with tears and Ephram smiled at them. "Now come on guys my troupe is getting restless and your troupe is getting hungry." With that, they all went downstairs where everybody was waiting for them. They were all ready to go to Sam's and where already heading to the door when Ephram stopped them.
"Before we go, I have an announcement to make. Where are Bright and Hannah?" he asked scanning the group.
"They're waiting outside." Sam said. "I'll go get them, I already heard what you have to say and it's not that exciting after all!" he said smirking before going outside. When the couple arrived, Ephram spoke again.
"Okay I'd rather say it here. I don't want any screaming or crying at Sam's. I took an important decision." He looked at Fran who was winking at him, knowing exactly what he was about to say. He paused for a second before continuing. It was harder than he thought. Even though he knew Fran was happy for him, he also knew that the news was going to be a shock for Paul and Alberto. They were his family too…
"Okay… hum… I've decided to come back to Everwood, I mean permanently coming back." As he assumed, Bright and Hannah were beaming but Paul and Alberto looked rather sad. They tried to hide it with a smile but they failed. Hannah crossed the hallway and gave Ephram a bone-breaking hug, letting a cascade of tears fall down her cheeks. Ephram steadied them and smiled down at her, hugging her back.
"Damn hormones." She mumbled when she pulled away, drying her cheeks. They all chuckled. Bright came closer as well and gave his best friend a manly hug.
"It's great, man!" he said and Ephram smiled. Then he turned to look at Paul, Alberto and Fran. He looked at Nina who nodded.
"Come on guys, let's go." She said to the rest of the group, opening the front door and they all went out, leaving Ephram and his Italian family alone. Neither of them spoke for at least two minutes. They kept looking at each other with sad or nervous expressions on their faces.
"It's great, man." Alberto said echoing Bright's words.
"I know I should've talked to you before." Ephram said apologising.
"It's okay." Paul said with a small smile. "We knew it was coming." They all turned their eyes to Fran who was looking innocently at a vase and they all chuckled lightly.
"It's for the best." She finally said.
"And it's not good bye. I'll come visit very often and you can come here at anytime. You will always be welcome. You're my family too; I don't know what I would have done without you." He said trying to fight back tears.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Fran exclaimed raising a finger toward him. "You stop this right now!" She warned him. "I do not want to start crying, it's too soon for that." She said with teary eyes. Her husband put an arm around her thin shoulders and puller her closer to her before putting a quick peck on her hair. Ephram smiled at her and she smiled back
"Okay then, they're waiting for us and it's really cold outside." Paul said.
"Yeah, we better get going." Ephram added.
Half an hour later, the rest of the Abbotts had joined them at Sam's and they were finally eating. It could have been a silent and sad lunch where the only thing they would be thinking and talking about was the nearing good byes, but it was not. Alberto and Paul were smiling again and they were all –except Amy, Harold and Rose who did not know yet- truly happy for Ephram and his daughter. Amy was the only one who seemed to be a little sad and nervous. Sad because she thought that if Paul, Alberto and Francesca were leaving today, it meant that Ephram and Ella would be leaving in less than a week. Nervous because she had not seen Ephram since Christmas Eve and they had not speak to each other since her suggestion. She was afraid he might be avoiding her.
Two hours later, they finished lunch and were enjoying the last minutes together. Although their flight was in less than an hour, nobody wanted to leave.
"Guys, we really have to leave now." Ephram finally said.
"Let's just leave next week with you guys." Fran said kissing Ella who was seating in her lap. "I'm not very good at good byes." She added.
"You better get used to them." Alberto said bitterly.
"I know." His wife said sadly.
"What's going on?" Amy asked. Ephram looked at her and a small appeared on his thin lips. Ever body else looked at them without saying a thing.
"I'm staying." Ephram said.
"Me too." Ella added with excitement.
"What?" Amy asked stunned.
"I'll leave next week to get everything ready and I'll be back soon… for good." She looked around her, not quite believing him. She saw how his family was beaming and how Bright and Hannah were smirking at her. He was coming back. It hit her like a rock and for a few second she lost her ability to speak. She smiled widely and this was all he needed. He turned to his friends.
"Guys it's now or never. Move!" He ordered. They all got up and gathered outside of the restaurant. Hugs and handshakes were exchanged. Fran promised to send a gift for Hannah and Bright's child. Paul said he would be calling Andy more often and Alberto promised Bright to send him a bottle of Italian wine. Amy hugged Francesca tightly.
"Thank you for everything." She whispered in her ears.
"I didn't do anything." Fran replied. Amy looked at Ephram over her shoulder.
"Yeah you did, you brought him back." They smiled at each other and hugged one more time. Alberto, Paul, Ephram, Ella and Fran got in the car and left.
"Take care." Nina screamed and they waved from the windows' car.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the airport. They got out of the car and Alberto and Ephram took the luggage. They headed toward the door. Ephram was about to enter but Fran stopped him.
"Let's get over with it now and here." He nodded and put the luggage down. Fran tried as hard as she could to fight the tears back but it was too hard. She kneeled, took Ella in her arms, and cried in her shoulder.
"Don't cry aunt Fran, we'll see each other soon." Fran smiled at the little girl.
"Promise?"
"Promise." The girl nodded and threw her tiny arms around her neck for another hug.
"Take care of your daddy for me, okay?" the girl nodded once more and pulled away. She looked at her grandpa and smiled at him. He took her up in his arms and kissed her cheek.
"I'm going to miss you, piccolina.'
"Me too Grandpa." She said and burrowed her head in his neck. Fran threw her arms around Ephram's neck and let more tears fall down her cheeks.
"Come on, Fran. Stop crying we'll see each other soon." She nodded and pulled away. Ephram turned to look at her husband. They hugged manly.
"See you next week."
"That's right." Ephram said. They all waved one last time and the three left without looking back. Ephram looked at his daughter who seemed sad. He took her hand and smiled at her.
"Come on piccolina. Let's go back." Ella nodded and smiled at her father.
A/N: here it is, the new chapter of "Meant to be." Hope you enjoyed it. Please review and I'll update as soon as I can.
By the way I also updated Home.