It had been almost a week since their date with Zoe. Mark had been very busy lately, working long shifts trying to save some money. Maddy had been doing what she always does, take care of Zoe, while her parents and brother were at work. It was after lunch and Elisabeth was off today, which rarely happened, so Maddy took advantage of it and slept in.

She walked out of her room about 12 when she heard a knock on the door. She could tell Zoe had been up for hours because her toy dinosaurs were all over the floor, she almost slipped on one right before she got to the door, making her mumbled an 'ow' as she opened the door. She just about fell backward when she opened the door to see Mark standing there is his normal clothes.

"Mark, hey! What are you doing here this early?" She said trying to fix her hair from the current mess it was in from just waking up. He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek as she stepped aside for him to walk in. "Babe, for starters it's 12," he laughed as he leaned against the counter and grabbed her hand that was messing with her hair, "and second, you don't have to try and fix your hair. You look beautiful." He placed a soft kiss on her hand as she blushed because he noticed what she was doing.

"No, actually I don't. I just woke up, I look horrible. And there is no way it's 12." She glanced over at the clock across the room and had to do a double take when it said 12:15. She took off to her room to change. "You never look horrible Mads." Mark yelled after her. " Yeah, ok. That's your opinion. But thanks, your sweet. Give me a minute, I'm going to change right quick." She said as she opened her bedroom door and disappeared into her room.

It was about 5 minutes later when she came out with jeans and an old shirt he had left at her house a few weeks ago that had become too small for him. She walked into the bathroom and fixed her hair a little, trying to decide if she wanted to put on any makeup. She came to the conclusion she didn't look that bad and decided against it just wanting to go somewhere with Mark. "So you want to take a walk or something?" she asked walking back out to find that he had moved to sit on the couch. She went and sat down beside him.

"Yeah that sounds good to me," he just stared at her for a few seconds and decided to tease her, "by the way, who do I need to have a talk with about giving you that shirt? Which looks very good on you." "Hmm well now, is jealous?" she asked him. He just smirked and waited for her to keep talking. "Anyways that would be your old shirt soldier."

"Oh yes, it would be, wouldn't it, Miss Shannon? I can't believe that you actually are going to wear it though. People might get the wrong idea." He told her. "Well let them think what they want, I don't care. Let's get going." With that said she got up and grabbed his hand pulling him up and towards the door.

They were walking through the market, holding hands, and looking at the booths. They looked at everything from food to clothes and jewelry. Maddy was commenting on just about everything she saw, especially the jewelry, since she hadn't been through this part of the market. They saw Josh and Skye and stopped and talked for a few minutes before dismissing themselves to go eat lunch.

After lunch Maddy remembered that she had to get home and help make dinner. He walked her home, they walked in the door holding hands and laughing about something. "You want to share with everyone else?" Jim said from the kitchen with his wife. Elisabeth hit him hard on the chest and he went back to what he was doing. Zoe jumped off the stool she was on and ran over to Mark, who got down to catch her and picked her up. When he got her up on his hip she kissed him on the cheek, getting the same from Elisabeth who had walked over unnoticed and kissed his other cheek. Maddy smiled at this, loving that her mom and little sister loved Mark so much.

"Hey Mark!" Zoe said. "Hello Mark." Elisabeth said at the same time as Zoe. Mark just smiled. "Hey Zo..Mrs. Shann..I mean Elisabeth." He corrected himself when she slightly hit his arm. Elisabeth laughed and hugged him before she walked back over to her husband who had stopped again to watch what just happened. He couldn't believe his wife was so acceptable of the boy that trying to take Maddy away, and apparently Zoe too.

"So Mark, would you like to stay for dinner?" Elisabeth asked. "Sure," he replied, "only if it's ok with ." Jim got a scowling look from his two daughters and his wife. "Of course, why not?" he replied before his wife could hit him again.

A few minutes later Elisabeth yelled, "Dinner is ready everyone." Josh came out of his room almost running into Mark. "Oh, hey man, how's it going?" Josh said to Mark. "Hey Josh. It's going good man. How are you?"Mark replied. "Starving. Let's eat!" Josh said quickly as he grabbed a plate and started getting food. Jim just looked at his son, he likes him too, I just can't win here he thought.

They all sat and talked for hours, Jim even had a good conversation with Mark. Before they realized it it was almost 9. Elisabeth looked at her youngest daughter and told her "Come on Zo. Say your good nights it's your bedtime." This got a huff from Zoe, "But Mom I'm not even tired, see." She got up and jumped and ran around the table. Everyone laughed at her desperate attempt to be able to stay up. "Zo. Bed. Now." She ordered her now pouting daughter. "Fine!" she stopmed, "but only if Mark tucks me in again." The hopeful look on her face as she looked at her mother to ok her request was so bright. "If he wants to it's fine with me." Elisabeth said as Zoe ran to Mark and got in his lap.

"Please Mark! Please, please, please!" Zoe begged with a small pout, knowing she would get her way if she did that. Mark just looked at the young girl as she waited for him to answer. "Well how can I say no to that face?" he said tapping the end of her nose, she giggled. With that being said she got up and went to the bathroom to get a quick bath and change. 10 minutes later she was running back to the kitchen where everyone was helping to clean. She stood there quietly for a minute, Elisabeth looked up and pointed to Zoe and said, "Mark, honey, I think that's your cue."

He glanced up to see Zoe in footy pajamas with a wide grin on her face and her arms lifted up waiting to be picked up. He complied and picked her up and swung her around fast, before stabling her on his hip and walked towards her room. He put her down and covered her up and kiss her forehead, then turned to walk out. "Mark you forgot something." He heard Zoe say so he stopped and walked back to her bedside. "What would that be?" He asked thinking. "Uh good night, duh!" Zoe said so innocently he couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, duh! Sorry Zo. Good night."

She laughed as he hit his head with his hand, getting the reaction he hoped for. "I love you Mark." She told him sweetly as he turned to walk out again. "Love you too sweetie." He said closing the door. When he turned from closing the door all the Shannons were standing there with a smile on their face. "You're going to be a good father Mark. Zoe definitely thinks the world of you." Elisabeth said happily. "Yes you are but that doesn't mean to go off and have kids though." Jim said sternly to him. "Thanks Elisabeth…. But I don't plan to have kids anytime soon . Maybe in the next 5 or 6 years at the least." Mark said. He shifted a little as Maddy came over to him.

"You ready to go? Because I'm exhausted." Maddy said to him. He nodded and they started walking to the door. "Good night Mark." Elisabeth, Jim, and Josh all said at the same time. "Night everyone. Thanks for dinner." He called back to them as they Maddy closed the door.

"I'm sorry I don't mean to sound like I'm kicking you out but I'm really tired." Maddy said to her boyfriend. "It's fine Mads. I'm tired too. So I'm going to go home and sleep," He smiled at her, "By the way, Zo doesn't play fair, she knows I can't say no to her especially when she pouts like that." Maddy laughed at him, "Yeah I know. And so does she, that's why she does it." Mark smirked. "Well guess I better get going. I love you. See you tomorrow babe." He kissed her lightly. "I love you too. Good night." She grabbed him and kissed him harder than he had. When they pulled apart they both just smiled at each other for a moment. Then he kissed the tip of her nose and walked off into the night.

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