Sorry, it took so long to post, but the powers that be decided that my old story needed to be deleted and locked me out for a week. But here is a new chapter for your enjoyment.


It was around 2 in the afternoon on the following Wednesday and Ephram was on the phone with a producer when Madison walked up and stood against the doorframe and pointed at her watch.

"Hey, Mac, I hate it, but I gotta run. I'm late for an appointment, but let me fly out there next week and we'll discuss the possibilities, okay... Sounds good...I'll let you know when I'm flying in... Yeah, take care. Bye." Ephram hung up the phone and looked at Madison who was waiting patiently yet tapping her foot. "I know, I know. I couldn't help it. Glenn's giving me an opportunity to go scout out new projects."

"I see. Business trip and everything." Madison said in a short tone.

Ephram got up from his desk after shutting off his computer and grabbed his coat and straightened his tie. "Let's go. I'm ready."

Madison just turned and started walking towards the elevator. Ephram followed her. They got in the elevator and Ephram was checking his cell phone for any messages.

"So? Where are you flying to next week?"

"New York. It looks like I might grab us a project from a friend of mine who's writing a script and is looking for a studio to produce, film and supply the music."

"So how long are you going to be gone?" Madison said. Her tone hinted to Ephram that she was upset.

"A few days. Don't worry, I won't make you keep Jake over the weekend." Ephram replied back.

"Oh, I'm not worried about that. I was just curious."

The elevator stopped in the parking garage and they started walking toward Madison's car.

"Just curious, huh? What's wrong?" Ephram asked.

"There's nothing wrong."

"Oh really, then why am I getting the cold shoulder? I mean, we're not going to be late for Jake's School Open House, so what gives? You're obviously upset about something."

"It's nothing."

Ephram grabbed her arm and stopped her right before she was about to open her car door.

"Madison, what is wrong?"

Madison looked at him with somber eyes, "It's just we haven't talked any since Sunday."

"That's what's bothering you." Ephram said with a laugh.

"It's not funny." Madison was a little upset from his laugh.

"Sorry, I didn't mean for it to be funny. It's just in all the time we have known each other; I never pictured you as the jealous type. I always thought that was my job."

"I'm not jealous."

"Yes, you are. And being jealous that I'm working my ass off is nothing to be jealous about."

"I knew it was stupid. I kept telling myself that but I wasn't listening very well. I just want us to spend time together."

"So do I, believe me. But I am trying to get established in this industry and you know how hard it is to do that."

"I know. So after this little Open House thing is over, you want to have dinner with Jake and me or are you too busy?"

"Well, I did have this date, but I guess I can reschedule it." Ephram said with a mischievous smile on his face.

"Funny, Hah, Hah. Come on let's go before we really are late." Madison said giving him a little slap on his arm.

They got to the school and Jake ran up to Ephram and Ephram scooped him up in his arms.

"Daddy, come get some juice and cookies. We got them for you and Mommy." Jake said all smiles.

"Excellent, I skipped lunch today." Ephram said giving Jake a huge smile in return.

"After we get some juice and cookies, I can show you all of my art I did that's hanging up all over the room."

"Well, lead the way, Mr. Jake." Madison said.

Jake handed Madison and Ephram a cup of juice and two cookies on a plate and pulled them over to the window where some of his art projects were. While they were admiring the pictures, Mrs. Parker, Jake's teacher came up to them.

"Jake's really an excellent child," Mrs. Parker added.

Ephram turned around and extended his hand, "You must be Mrs. Parker. I'm Jake's dad, Ephram Brown."

Madison shook Mrs. Parker's hand, "Nice to see you again, Mrs. Parker."

"So, Mr. Brown, is this your first time to the school?" Mrs. Parker said.

Ephram looked at Madison and then back at Mrs. Parker, "Yes, it is. This is a great place. Jake keeps saying all of these wonderful things about school and now I can actually picture it."

"Jake is a really nice boy. You've done a fine job of raising him." Mrs. Parker said in reply.

"I think you'll have to give credit to Madison. I've been out of the picture up until recently. I was in New York at school but now I'm here in L.A. loving it."

"I see. Well, I will let you look around and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask."

Mrs. Parker walked off to greet some more parents. Jake was off playing in the corner with some blocks since they were talking with Mrs. Parker. They went and walked over to him.

"What else do you want to show us, Jake?" Madison said.

Jake looked up and smiled, "We have some fish and a bunny that we take care of. Come on, I'll show you."

Jake grabbed Madison's hand and they walked across the room to the aquarium and the bunny cage."

"The bunny's name is Roger. I help take care of him on Fridays. There are four fish in the water, but you can't see one of them because it stays inside the castle. There were 10 fish but the others died. I feed the fish on Fridays too."

"Would you like to have some fish to take care of my place, Jake?" Ephram said.

"Yeah, that would be cool. But who will take care of them while I stay at Mommy's house?"

"I think I can handle it while you're at Mommy's." Ephram said back.

"Okay. Can we pick some out this weekend?"

"Absolutely."

"Is there anything else you want to show us, Jake?" Madison squatted down and looked at Jake.

"I don't think so."

"Then how about you go grab your book bag and we'll go grab an early dinner since Daddy didn't have lunch today."

"Cool, can we get pizza? Pretty please."

"Sounds good. We'll have them deliver it to the house."

"How about when you drop me off at my car I go pick it up and bring it to the house?" Ephram said.

Madison looked up and smiled at Ephram.

"Then we can watch a movie or cartoons." Madison added.

Jake took off and got his book bag and Madison stood back up.

"I guess that he was okay with that plan." Madison said with a laugh.

"I guess so."

By the time, Ephram got to Madison's with the pizza, Jake was passed out on the couch from watching cartoons. Ephram had shed his coat and tie and Madison had changed into some jeans and shirt from her business clothes.

"I guess he was tired from school today." Ephram said leaning over the couch looking at his son.

"I think he got extremely excited that we both were coming to his school today and it tired him out. He just kept talking all last night about us coming and both of us being there." Madison said.

They started walking toward the kitchen to eat.

"I could tell. I have to say these last several months with him have been awesome. I didn't realize that being a dad would be so much fun."

"This is his cute stage. You missed it when he was two and three and an absolute terror." Madison said as she grabbed a few drinks out of the refrigerator.

"Well, that wasn't my fault if I remember correctly." Madison looked over her shoulder and gave him a "cheap shot" look. Then Ephram walked over to her who was pouring the drinks into glasses and wrapped his arms around him. "But I can make you a promise, I won't miss any more stages of his life."

Ephram kissed her neck and then her collarbone and then turned her around in his arms. "What would you like to do this weekend?" Ephram gave her a kiss on her lips.

"Mmmm...I think I can do that this weekend." Madison replied to the kiss. She took advantage of Ephram's enticement and leaned in and gave him a kiss. Immediately, he deepened the kiss as Madison's hands started to unbutton his shirt.

Ephram grabbed her hands and pulled away, "Okay, now..."

"You started it. I'm just playing along. Don't tempt me if we aren't gonna fool around."

Madison slid out from between Ephram and counter seemingly upset and Ephram grabbed her arm.

"Hang on a second. You didn't let me respond."

"You don't need to."

"Well, I think I do."

"So what is it?"

"Come with me." Ephram led her into her bedroom and closed the door and pinned her against the door. "Now, I was going to say we didn't need to continue in the kitchen."

With that Ephram let out a smile and squint of the eye and Madison smiled in return. Ephram kissed her like before but it seemed more urgent and forceful yet passionate. Madison's hands circled around Ephram's back and started pulling Ephram's shirt out of his pants as Ephram started to pull up on Madison's shirt. Their lips separated so Ephram could pull Madison's shirt over her head. Ephram started working on unbuttoning his shirt as Madison's lips found their way back to Ephram's. Madison started to push his shirt off his shoulders and push him back toward the bed.

All of a sudden, Jake was yelling, "Mommy!! Mommy!! Where are you? Mommy!!!"

Madison pushed herself away Ephram, smiled and yelled, "I'm in the bedroom! I'll be right out."

Ephram said as he was buttoning up his shirt and Madison went to pick up her shirt off the floor and put it back on, "Busted."

Madison said in reply giving him a look, "That's what we get for trying to do it while he's taking a nap."

Again, Jake yelled, "Mommy."

Madison yelled again, "Just a minute, sweetie." She put her shirt and took a quick glance in the mirror to check her hair and left her room.