A/N: Hey, sorry this took so long. I've been at my dad's house, and until today he didn't have internet. So, anyway, to make up for the wait I'm posting two chapters.

Chapter Six

Madison's POV

I'm not usually a big fan of Valentine's Day. I never got one card until I was 16 and even than it was just from a male friend who didn't want me to feel bad. Last year had sucked, because it was right after Ephram told me he loved me and I was too scared to say it back. We spent it together, but it was more than uncomfortable. This year sucked more though. I was single, with a three-month-old daughter. And I was living with my ex-boyfriend who had just been dumped by his girlfriend.

I was actually pretty happy to note that Ephram seemed quite a lot less heartbroken than he had been when we broke up. I know that makes me a total bitch, but I don't really care. I liked Amy, I really did. But recently I'd heard them fighting a lot, (so had the rest of the block though). I wouldn't have minded so much; except for the one time I'd heard Amy say that Ephram spent too much time with Mackenzie. That just made me mad. Plus, I was just getting sick of her high-pitched, squealing, so-fast-all-the-words-ran-together style of arguing. Again, total bitch, right?

Nonny and Grandpa were going out for dinner, so Ephram and I were left together for the evening. We'd managed to avoid each other most of the day, both realizing that this was kind of a weird situation. But after dinner when Mac was finally asleep, we both ended up in the den.

"So, what do you want to do? I guess we could watch TV, or a DVD. I'd suggest Playstation, but I'm pretty sure that's not your thing." Ephram dropped onto the couch beside me.

"DVD, definitely! The only thing that's on TV will be sappy romantic movies. And you're right, Playstation is not my thing." I got up to go inspect the collection of DVD's piled by the television. "OK, right, I'm thinking no romance movies?"

"Right."

"So, action or horror then?"

"Sounds good to me."

"Uhh," I looked through them and pulled out one we'd watched together before. "How about Halloween? That's pretty good."

"Um, no." Ephram looked at the floor.

"Why not? I love that film."

"It's just what I was watching with Amy when..."

"Oh, right. Sorry. Anything that reminds you of Amy is off limits then."

I looked again. "Ohh, what about The Patriot. I'm in the mood for some Heath Ledger and Mel Gibson."

"Ugh, no way. That movie is way too depressing. Everybody dies. Plus, they have two Australians, a Canadian and an English chick, playing members of that one all-American family."

"Ok, fine. Whatever. I guess you're not a fan then." I finally found the perfect DVD and held it up for Ephram to see.

"James Bond? I thought you said no romance?"

"There's no romance in James Bond, just meaningless sex. C'mon."

Ephram rolled his eyes, but I just started the DVD. Then I headed to the kitchen to grab the tub of Ben and Jerry's I'd bought.

I finally settled down on the couch next to Ephram and offered him a spoon so he could share the ice cream. He smiled at me and took it. Between us, we'd finished the entire tub in a half-hour. I tried to pay attention to the movie, but I couldn't. This was the first time that Ephram and I had been completely alone together since I'd gotten out of hospital. There'd always been Mac, or Nonny, or Delia or Amy. Now it was just us.

I gave up trying to watch the movie and just watched Ephram. He looked kind of intense, concentrating on the movie. But he had this smudge of chocolate ice cream next to his mouth that made him look even younger than he really was. I couldn't help staring at the ice cream, and suddenly I realized I just wanted to kiss it away. I was shocked. I was totally over Ephram, but there was still something about him that I found totally attractive.

Thank God, I didn't have time to think about it too much because I heard a cry through the baby monitor that was sitting next to me. I got up and headed downstairs to check on Mackenzie. Her diaper was still clean, and it wasn't time for a feed, but she stopped crying when I picked her up. So I guess she just wanted some attention. I wasn't sorry about it, because she'd gotten me away from Ephram and all the confusing feelings I just wanted to forget. But eventually she fell asleep again, so I laid her in her crib and headed back upstairs.

When I got back into the den, Ephram tore his attention away front the TV. "Is Mac ok?"

I smiled. "She's fine. She fell back asleep, eventually."

"Yeah, I heard you singing to her." Ephram pointed to the baby monitor. I blushed, but Ephram continued. "You have a beautiful voice, you know. You always did."

"No," I smiled. "You're the one with the musical talent. I'm strictly amateur."

"We both have musical talent. Imagine how good Mac's going to be."

I laughed. "She'll either be some kind of prodigy, or she'll be tone deaf."

Ephram laughed, but then he shivered slightly.

"Are you cold?" I asked.

"A little. You?"

"I guess. Here." I grabbed a blanket from the back of the couch and covered us. Ephram smiled at me and we went back to watching the movie.

Of course, Ephram had to explain everything that had happened for the last half-hour. I still wasn't paying any attention to the movie. I was watching him talk. The chocolate was gone from his face, but suddenly he just looked irresistibly attractive. I had no idea why this was happening all of a sudden. I was seeing him like I had when we had first gotten together. I saw he was smart, and funny, and wise and way older than his age. He was good looking, but he had no idea. But now I knew him so much better. He was kind, and a good friend. He was an amazing father, and he had been there for me when I needed him.

I couldn't help myself. I pushed myself close to him, and laid my head on his shoulder. He kind of froze for a moment, but then he relaxed. He put his arm around me and we watched the rest of the movie like that.

I guess I must have fallen asleep, because what seemed like moments later, Ephram shook me awake.

"Hey, Madison. The movie's over."

I rubbed at my eyes, trying to wake up a little. "What time is it?" I yawned, more than spoke.

"It's only a little after ten." The way we were sitting, his face was only inches from mine. "You want to watch another one?"

"No." I took a chance and leaned in to kiss him. His lips were soft and after a moment he kissed me back. I can't describe what I was feeling. The kiss was soft, and natural, and it just felt like this was where I was supposed to be. But Ephram broke it off way too soon.

"I can't do this."

Ephram's POV

I couldn't believe what I was saying. This was what I wanted more than anything in the world. But I knew it wasn't for real.

"Madison, we can't. We don't work as a couple. As much as I love," I stopped to correct myself, "as I loved you, we can't. I don't think I could cope if we broke up again and I still had to see you everyday. I have to put Mac first. I don't want her to have parents who can barely look at each other."

I wanted her to tell me I was being stupid. That she loved me and that we could make it work. That she didn't care that it would be difficult and that we'd have to work at it. But she didn't. She just looked kind of resigned.

"I'm sorry. God, I know you're right. I just, I don't know, got caught up in the moment I guess."

"Temporary insanity, huh?"

"Right." She half-smiled. "Look, I'm going to bed, ok? I'm kind of tired. Besides, I'll handle Mac tonight. You watch another movie."

"Madison, you don't have to. I can..."

"It's ok, I want to. Night." She leaned down and kissed me on the cheek.

"Goodnight."

She walked away, and I just sat there. I was really starting to hate Valentine's Day.