TITLE: Once More (6/6)
AUTHOR: Pedellea
E-MAIL: [email protected]
DATE: July 28, 2003
RATING: PG
SUMMARY: Delia falls into grave danger. How will it effect Andy and Ephram?
SPOILERS: none
DISCLAIMER: Everwood belongs to Greg Berlanti, Mickey Liddell, Everwood Utah, Inc., Berlanti Liddell Productions, and Warner Bros. Television. Thanks for creating the show!
AUTHOR'S NOTES: After months of work, it's finally ready to be published - my first long(er) Everwood fic! Notice the winter setting... obviously started in the winter months. Takes place sometime before "Home." It was a challenge and always a delight to tackle the father-son relationship between Andy and Ephram.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this piece. Feedback always welcome!
ONCE MORE (6/6)
By Pedellea
It was two in the morning, but no sleep came to Andy. Not that he wanted sleep anyway. He and Ephram were now in Delia's hospital room keeping vigil. Ephram had dozed off on a chair beside the bed, while Andy watched his children from his chair on the other side of the bed as they slept.
Harold came by to take his daughter home a few hours ago, while Edna left a little past twelve. Nina, Irv, and even Delia's teacher came by the hospital to see how the little girl was doing. Word travels fast in a small town like Everwood. However, Andy was grateful to everyone for having been there for him and his son, but there was really nothing anyone can do but watch and wait and hope for the best.
Andy's eyes rested on Delia's sleeping form, and seeing past the myriad of tubes that protruded from her body, he couldn't help but think how his little girl was growing more and more beautiful, more and more like his beloved Julia.
Julia. Why couldn't she be here when he needed her the most? She had always been his strength, and everyday, he regrets not having told her. Andy sighed. He had so many regrets, so many unfulfilled dreams, so many flaws, all of which would disappear in a second if Julia would only come back.
His depressed thoughts vanished in an instant when Delia began to stir.
"Delia?"
Hearing his sister's name being called, Ephram woke up and sat up in his chair, leaning close to Delia's bed. He looked at his father.
"What is it?"
"I think she's waking up."
Just as the words escaped from Andy's mouth, Delia blinked open.
"Delia, honey? It's daddy."
Her eyes were a little out of focus, the dreams and images of the unconscious world slowly fading away from memory. When she finally recognized her father, her eyes registered recognition. Soon after, Ephram's face swam into her vision.
"Delia..."
Ephram could say no more, but gave his little sister a big, relieved smile.
The next few minutes brought a flurry of activity around Delia's bed. To Ephram, it seemed like all the doctors and nurses of the small hospital flooded into the room, crowding him from seeing his little sister. It didn't matter though, as long as they were taking good care of her and making her better.
Andy wanted to jump in and help the medical staff as they took various measurements and drew various samples from his daughter. He thought better though and stayed out. He didn't hesitate to ask about the readings though - after all, he is a doctor, and this is his child that they were dealing with. He knew when Delia recognized him that there was no severe brain damage to contend with, but finding a more objective medical standpoint comforted him further.
Soon enough, father, son and daughter were left alone again, though Delia drifted back to sleep. Ephram broke the silence.
"So, how is she?"
"As good as she can be."
"What does that mean?"
"Well, there's a long road of recovery ahead."
"Is she out of danger?"
"Yeah, she is."
Ephram sighed. The two lapsed into a lengthy silence before Ephram spoke up again.
"Maybe it's me."
"What's that?"
"Mom died when she was coming to my recital. Delia's here because she was skating with me. I seem to be the bringer of grim things to this family."
"Ephram, none of this is your fault."
"Yeah, well, from the way things are turning out, I seem to be the person to blame."
Andy looked at his son with a sigh. He bore too much on his shoulders.
"Well, sometimes we just don't understand why things have turned out the way they have. I know I don't go to church regularly, but I do believe there's someone up there orchestrating all this."
"Why would anybody want to put Delia through hell?"
"Maybe God just wanted to show us a miracle through a tragic event."
"Well, why would God want to put this particular family through all that we've been through? I've had enough."
As Ephram dropped his eyes to the ground, Andy mulled over his words.
"Maybe He thinks we're strong enough to handle it."
"I don't know about that."
"You are. You're the stronger one of the two of us."
"Not this time."
"Well, then you've got me to lean on this time."
Father and son lapsed into another period of silence, each reflecting over their words and over the events that had transpired. The next moment Andy looked up again, he was sure Ephram had fallen asleep.
"Dad?"
It was as if Ephram knew he was being watched.
"Thought you were sleeping."
"No, thinking."
"About what?"
It was a stupid request, and as his life would prove, one that could hardly be secure. But he had to say it. He opened his eyes and sighed.
"Don't... leave. Okay?"
"Only if you promise the same."
Ephram looked over at his father for a while, then finally nodded.
"Good. 'Cause I don't think I could lose you either."
Ephram nodded again in silent agreement. Weight suddenly crept up to his eyes, and he blinked tiredly.
"Get some sleep, Ephram. I'll wake you if anything happens."
"'Kay."
Andy got up and stretched, then went over to the small closet to get a blanket for his exhausted son. He draped the cover over Ephram gently, tucking it securely behind his shoulders. That was about the only fatherly thing he learned to do well. Ephram muttered a soft thank you, and Andy stroked his face softly in response.
"Dad?"
"Yeah?"
"Love you."
It had been a long time since he had heard that from Ephram, and there was no better time to hear the phrase.
"Love you too."
Andy sighed deeply - a mixture of relief, comfort, and hope.
Everything was looking up already.
THE END
That's it. I hope you enjoyed this piece. Please send feedback and let me know what you think. So go on, review or e-mail me at [email protected]. Thanks a bunch for reading!