Seth began going to work with a spring in his step again. He would walk into his office with a smile, chatted to his colleagues throughout the day and had started enjoying being at work again. He was round Maddie's house most nights now which worked well for both of them as they left at the same time in the morning and got back in the evening within an hour of one another. They hated leaving each other in the morning, but when they saw each other again in the evening, it was wonderful. Even Tyler was now getting used to having Seth round most nights. Seth had surprised himself that he could get on well with an 8 year old as well, and had started becoming rather protective of Tyler too. Despite the fact he missed Maddie and Tyler when he had to go to work, he was genuinely happy to be back enjoying his career again; something he hadn't felt in a long time.

One Monday morning, he walked into the Family Guy studios for the final day of table reads for the new season of the show. They had been going on for the last 2 weeks, and Seth was glad they were almost over so they could begin the next stage of the production. He went into the conference room to find most of the cast and crew already there. He shook hands with his friends and colleagues before sitting at the head of the table with his script, letting everyone know he was ready to start. For the next hour and a half, Seth and the cast all switched between their characters and laughed at the jokes they knew would be forbidden from the final script. At the end of the reading, they all took a break. A few cast members stayed behind in the room, including Seth, Alex and Mila, who started asking him questions about his new love.

'So how's the new flavour of the month?' Alex began.

'First of all,' Seth began 'her name is Maddie, and second of all she is not a flavour of the month!'

'All right, chill out! I was only joking! I thought you would know that about me by now.'

'Sorry Alex. It's just; I don't plan on letting her go this time. She's here to stay.'

'Great! Well if you're happy, so am I.' Alex smiled at Seth and hugged him.

'When do we get to meet her?' Mila said.

'Probably sometime this week I'd imagine. She's coming to see the PR team.'

'Wow! I can't wait.'

'Why? You don't even know her.'

'I know it's just so romantic hooking up with your high school sweetheart again. It's like a fairy tale.'

Seth raised his eyebrows at her 'a bit like you hooking up with Ashton after 'That 70's Show' finished 6 years ago.'

'Yeah! Now we have something in common.'

Mila got up from the table and left Seth and Alex sitting at the table alone.

'Joking aside Macfarlane; this girl you've met up with again, what's happening there?'

Seth looked at Alex for a few seconds before saying 'what's happening is that I love her. Which I know must sound crazy to you, but I love her. That's it.'

Alex smiled at Seth 'ok, that's all I needed to hear.'

'You don't trust me do you?'

'I trust you Seth, but can you blame me being a tiny bit concerned given your track record with women?'

'Alex, it feels so different this time. I'm not planning on leaving her or letting her leave. I really love her.'

'Then good for you. I know I give you a hard time, but I am really happy for.'

'Thanks Mom!' Seth said sarcastically as Stewie, making Alex chuckle.

The cast and crew had now started piling back into the room. For the next hour, the Fox Broadcasting representative made clear on what needed to be changed in the script.

This routine went on for the rest of the day: Table read, questions from Mila, script changes and more questions. Other cast members started asking about Maddie. Seth played along with them, but felt uncomfortable when some of them asked him things like 'what is she like in bed?' or 'has she kept her looks since high school?' Luckily Alex was on his side and kept saying firmly that he didn't need to answer any questions.

By 4pm, Seth had decided enough was enough. He waved to his colleagues and walked to his car. He was on his way back to Maddie's as he was looking after Tyler while Maddie was at work. When he got to her house, she looked like she was ready to leave. He let himself in to find Tyler sitting up the table doing his homework.

'Hey'

'Hi' Maddie turned around and kissed Seth. 'Ok, so Ty is doing his homework, dinner is in the oven for him and he can stay up until I get home.'

'Ok.'

'Right baby' she called Tyler to come over to her 'Seth is charge tonight. You have to do what he says, is that clear?'

'Yes Mommy.' Maddie hugged her son and then turned to Seth.

'Is that ok?'

'Yes, you go to your class. I'll see you later.' They kissed again. 'Don't worry we have everything under control, right buddy?'

'Yep!' Tyler said.

'Cool. I'll see you both later.' Maddie picked up her bag and headed for the door. 'Love you' she called out.

'Love you too.' Seth and Tyler said in unison.

Seth and Tyler got on like a house on fire. They talked constantly about school, superheroes and Seth even helped him with his math homework. When Tyler had finished his homework and dinner, Seth took him into the lounge where he put the TV on. Tyler flicked through the channels and eventually settled on watching "Star Wars: The Clone Wars". Seth was trying to explain the Star Wars movies to Tyler when they heard the door open.

'Ding dong!' Sean had let himself in.

'Uncle Sean!' Tyler excitedly jumped up.

'Hi boys, working hard?'

'Yeah! Seth has been helping me with my math homework!'

'Good!'

'Maddie's not home yet.' Seth said.

'I know I just wanted to see how you two were getting on.'

'Checking up on us are you?' Seth smiled.

'A little bit!' Sean said with a wink.

'Hey Ty, why don't you run upstairs and get in your PJs ready for when your Mom gets home.' Seth said.

'Ok' Tyler hopped up and ran upstairs.

'So how are things?' Seth said as Sean sat down.

'Oh fine thanks. I'm a bit bored at home tonight. My hubby's working late so I'm on my own craving some social interaction. You don't mind, do you?'

'Not at all. It's good to see you.' Seth paused for a moment and turned the TV volume to mute before speaking again. 'Actually I'm glad you're here. Can I ask you something?'

'Ask away.' Sean said resting his elbow on the arm of the chair.

'Has Maddie been happy for the last 14 years?'

'Well yeah. She was a bit torn up when you two broke up, but she loved her job and had to move on. Surely you understand that?'

'Yeah I do. I'm glad she was happy.'

'Were you happy?'

'Most of the time.' Seth sighed. 'When she left, I just carried on working to make sure the show was a success.'

'You did good Seth. So, has there been anyone else in your life?'

'No. I've had a few girlfriends but none that were long term. They couldn't measure up to Maddie.' He laughed nervously at the end of his sentence. 'She's a tough act to follow.'

'You were a tough act too! When you broke up, she actually said there would never be anyone else like you. And don't tell her I told you this, but even though she loved Daniel, she never looked at him the same way she used to look at you.'

'Really?'

'Really!' Sean said certainly. 'They had a bit of a whirlwind romance and they loved each other, but he never knew about you. I think that was Maddie's way of making sure he didn't feel threatened.'

'Am I really that much of a threat?'

'Well you are quite attractive. Nothing on my hubby though, I should add, but I did tell Maddie in High School if you played for my team, I'd be giving you a go!'

'Well you are a very attractive man too Sean.' Seth teased. Sean nodded gratefully and they both chuckled awkwardly. 'How did Daniel die? Maddie hasn't ever said anything about his death.'

'Brain tumour. It was undiagnosed for about a year and then when the doctors knew what was wrong it was too late to do anything about it. When he died, Tyler was still a baby so he took up most of Maddie's time and was a great distraction for her, but I think the move down here to be close to her brothers and parents helped the most.'

'I can't believe she didn't try to find me though.'

'Don't take it personally. It's not that she didn't want to, but she has to put Tyler first, before anything else. Even though I don't think she was ever completely over you.'

Seth's tone of voice began to rise 'I never over her either! What was the worst that could have happened? We meet up and fall back in love a few years earlier than planned?'

'What's going on?' Tyler had emerged at the door in his Batman pyjamas.

'Nothing buddy.' Seth said cooling his tone down so not to scare Tyler. He beckoned him to come over. 'We were just talking about your Mom.'

Tyler didn't say anything, but walked in and sat down next to Seth. He looked up at Seth and finally said 'Why were you yelling?'

'I wasn't yelling.' Seth said. 'I was just getting a bit upset that me and your Mom hadn't spoken for 14 years.'

'But you talk to her now. Doesn't that make you happy?' Tyler replied with an innocent look on his face. Seth looked a tad confused as he pondered that this 8 year old had made such a good point.

After a few seconds, Sean started giggling. 'Nice one Ty! You have managed to stun Seth Macfarlane!'

Tyler laughed and Seth smiled. Maddie's son had made a fantastic point. He was happy that he was talking to Maddie again and he knew he shouldn't let his own insecurities mess that up.

Sean got up to get some drinks and left Seth and Tyler alone.

'Ty, are you happy with me seeing your Mom? Be honest.'

'Yeah you're funny!'

'Really? You like having me round?'

'Yeah! Mom's happy too. She keeps smiling which is nice.'

'Good. I'm glad you don't mind me!' Seth ruffled Tyler's hair.

Sean came back with the drinks for the 3 of them. They sat there chatting and laughing for about 30 minutes more; Seth was constantly making them laugh switching between his voices. They were all having such fun, they didn't notice Maddie come back home.

'Having fun boys?' she said with one hand on her hip and the other resting on the door frame.

'Hey babe! We were just having some drinks and comical conversation!' Sean said.

'I can see that! Ty did you finish your homework?'

'Yep!'

'Ok then. Upstairs now it's time for bed. Say goodnight to Seth and Sean please.' Tyler hugged Seth and Sean before running upstairs. 'I'll be back in a minute boys.' Maddie said before following him.

'This has been fun Seth.' Sean said.

'Yeah it has. Brought back a few memories from high school. Like the art class we had together and I used to bombard you with questions about your pretty red headed friend!'

'Ha! I remember!' Sean was momentarily distracted with the car headlights that glowed through the window. 'Well his lordship is home! I suppose I'd better welcome his Royal Highness King Lee with champagne and caviar like the good husband I am!' Sean said with a flourish.

'Ok, well see you soon. Hey before you go Rachael wants the six of us to get together some time soon, you in?'

'Six of us?'

'Yeah; Maddie and me, Rachael and Spencer and you and Lee. Rach wants to meet up with you again, so how about it?'

'Sure, sounds like a fun little high school reunion.'

'Great! We'll let you know the arrangements.'

'Ok.' Sean put his coat on. 'See you later Maddie!' Sean called upstairs.

'Bye.' Came a faint voice from Tyler's bedroom.

Sean left and Seth went to the kitchen. He laid the table and began cooking him and Maddie dinner. Maddie came downstairs 30 minutes later looking tired. She stood behind Seth and wrapped her arms around his waist. He turned around and kissed her before taking her hand leading her to the table. She sat down and smiled at him as he plated up their food.

'Here we go. Bon appetite!' he presented her with a plate of chilli con carne.

'Wow! That is one spicy chilli!' said Maddie tasting her first forkful. 'To hell with animation; Seth Macfarlane cooks!'

'I know what you like don't I?'

'You sure do!' They ate in silence for a short while. 'Tyler said he had a good night with you tonight.'

'What did he say?'

'He said you helped him learn about fractions, let him have ice cream after dinner and made him laugh so much, he nearly fell off his chair.'

'He's a great kid Maddie. I really am getting on well with him.'

'He really likes you too. I never ever thought that anyone would be that big of a hit with Ty.'

'Well that's because I love Ty's mommy!'

'And Ty's mommy loves you!'

They finished dinner and tidied up the kitchen.

'So what now?'

'Well being a mom and working makes me really tired, so can we just go to bed?'

'Sure thing. You look tired actually.' Seth said holding her cheek.

Maddie smiled at him and pressed her head into his shoulder and he held her close to him. 'You're really comfy.'

'That's a weird compliment, but I'll take it.' He said kissing the top of her head.

'Come on. Let's go upstairs.' Maddie said grabbing his hand and pulling Seth upstairs. 'I have something else you can take!'

'I thought you said you were tired?' Seth grinned at her.

'I have enough energy for this!'

'Well who am I to argue with that!?' Seth followed her into the bedroom willingly and shut the door behind him.