"10:13." The green numbers on the alarm clock glowed. Madison rested her head against the bed's headboard as she awaited the arrival of her husband. He had been away on a business trip for the New Jersey Jackals. Madison watched her only son, twenty-one month old Jamie, sleeping soundly while she fed Danielle. At eight months old, she had curly strawberry blonde hair and the bluest eyes that James, Madison and his parents hoped she would keep as she got older. After feeling a shiver across her shoulders, Madison picked up a small throw off the foot of the bed to keep herself and Danielle warm. She looked at her precious little girl. Danielle had soft strawberry blonde hair like her mom, light blue eyes and dimples on her cheeks. James walked into the room and leaned against the door frame.

"Hi." He said.

"Hi." Madison said nonchalantly; but then she looked over at him. "James!" He walked over to her and kissed her. Then he kissed Jamie.

"Hi big boy." He smiled. "It's good to see you. I missed you." He leaned down and touched Danielle's hair. "Oh hon, she's getting so big."

"I know. I can hardly believe that Danielle is almost a year old. It still feels like yesterday that she was born." Madison smiled. She looked over at Jamie and ran her hand over his head. "Look at him, isn't he precious?"

"Yeah. Should we wake him up?" Madison laid Danielle carefully on the bed and stood up. He kissed her again, but deeper this time. Madison smiled.

"Ooh, twice within five minutes. I must be pretty special this evening." She teased.

"You are one very special person to me. But this time it's just because I've missed you and I love you."

"I've missed you too. I counted the days 'til you came home. You left me home alone with all these children." She wrapped her arms around his waist and laughed.

"You know I don't have a choice. I have to go where the team sends me. I'm not in the head office anymore." She nodded.

"I know."

"Come on, let's go in the other room. I passed the girls when I came in."

"Yeah. Sadie has a friend over."

"They cleared this with you first?" Madison nodded. "Alright. I'm just glad to be home." He took her hand in his and they walked through the hallway, down the stairs and into the living room.

"How was the flight from Seattle?" She asked and he looked at her as they stepped down on the living room carpet.

"Don't ask." He paused and looked at their children sitting around the living room watching T.V. "Hi kids."

"Mr. Simmons."

"Yeah, hi did." Julie said.

"What's up dad?" Kyaleigh asked getting up off the couch and walking over to him.

"I met a great guy dad! He's unbelievable." Sadie responded.

"Mercedes." Madison said in a warning tone.

"Relax mom." She sighed. "He's sixteen and lives three hours from here. We are going to write back and forth." Elizabeth touched Sadie's arm.

"It's going to be so awesome! He certainly was a babe." Sadie smiled at her friend in agreement.

"As long as pen pals don't turn into dating pals I guess I'm happy." Madison said and smirked at Sadie.

"Come on guys. Let's give them some time alone. They have been separated three weeks. It's killing both of them." Julie said.

"Julianne Elizabeth." Madison and James warned in unison.

"I know, I know. I crossed the line again."

"Sadie, why don't we go and you can show me your first letter to Eric?" Then all the girls walked up the stairs.

"It's after ten! I want you guys in bed!" She called up the stairs and then paused. "Make sure you don't wake up Savannah!"

"I'm glad to be home. I've missed you." He said taking her hand again and sitting down on the couch. James kissed his wife and looked into her eyes. "What did happen while I was gone?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary sir." Madison said exaggerating her Georgia accent and smiled. "Let's see. The kids and I got along pretty well. They spent a lot of time with your mom while I worked. Sadie has spent an awful lot of time with Judith and Hannah lately." She paused. "For which I'll be eternally grateful. Somebody from the team called, but didn't tell me what he wanted." She paused as if she was remembering something. "Oh, and your wife called."

"I'll call dad later and see what the meeting was about. My wife? Well, what'd she say?" He asked looking at her and squeezed her hand, playing along.

"She said that she loves you, she's missed you and that she hopes you don't forget her in the midst of that busy schedule of yours. She wants to schedule some personal alone time sometime in the future. She said to cancel all of your appointments and have somebody hold your calls." She said getting softer with each sentence. He smiled.

"Okay, I think that can be arranged." He kissed her tenderly and she broke it off. She gave James a pleading look.

"Can you do me a favor?"

"Sure. Anything." He responded.

"Will you rub my shoulders? They have been aching and hurting for days."

"Okay." He began massaging her shoulders. She leaned back into him to make it easier. Madison sat there for a few minutes letting her husband turn her back and shoulders into butter.

"Oh that feels so good. Thank you. Well, it's getting late. Maybe we should be going to bed."

"I just got back home after a month of being away. What about our usual coming home?" He asked.

"Oh I don't know. I've been up and down with Jamie and Danielle all day."

"Okay." He pushed her soft, fuzzy, red hair away from her ear to whisper gently in it. "You know you drive me crazy sometimes." He stood up and held out his hand for her to take it. "Are you ready?" She nodded and took his hand to steady herself to stand up and they walked to their bedroom. He leaned down to Jamie. "Jamie?" He whispered in his ear.

"Daddy!" Jamie said sleepily. James looked at Madison.

"Do you mind?" James asked and Madison laughed with a nod.

"Go on Daddy, I've carried him to bed the last three weeks." James picked him up carefully and Madison kissed his forehead. "Goodnight sweetie." James laughed.

"I can take Danielle too if you want."

"No, I'll take her. You just take Jamie." He walked out of the room. "Come to mama baby girl." Madison picked up Danielle and walked out of the room. A few minutes later, they met back in their bedroom. She sighed as she sat on the edge of the bed. "I am ready to go to bed. I'm so tired."

"You're wearing your sweats?"

"Yes, it's comfortable."

"I just thought on my first night home you'd wear something a little different." Madison sighed.

"Sweetheart, if I wanted sexy I would have gone with something from Sophie's. Right now, I just want to go to bed and forget about it." He took off his button up shirt, to reveal a white t-shirt underneath it.

"Not even a kiss good night?" Madison sighed.

"Can you give me a minute?" He got into bed and she walked across the room to turn off the light. Then she walked back over to the bed and laid down. She reached over and kissed him."Welcome home." She smiled and curled up in his arms. "I love you."

"I love you too." He wrapped his arms around her.

"But you do know that it's more romantic on my end to surprise you than for you to whine right?"

"What?" He asked looking at her.

"You've been 3,000 miles away from home for the past month. You weren't really even able to call because you were dealing with the kids, and your letters didn't help me miss you any less." He smiled his boyish charm. "Do you know how badly I wanted to grab you, lock the door and not let you out when I looked up and saw you standing there? You were finally home, in my eye sight, not my imagination?"

"Why didn't you?" He asked and she shrugged.

"Elizabeth's here. It wouldn't have felt right." He kissed her cheek and brushed her hair behind her shoulder.

"Well, the girls are asleep." He kissed her neck. "And you aren't the only one who's been three thousand miles away from their spouse." He smiled. "Are you planning on wearing your sweats?"

"No, I'll probably eventually put on my nightgown, why?"

"Because I would prefer the honor of removing them." He laughed. "I'm nothing if not old fashioned."

"Can you give me a minute before you just go ripping my clothes off like there's no tomorrow?"

"Sure," he paused, "but I wouldn't anyway. I want to make sure I can remember the cool feeling of your skin as its touched." When she yawned, he kissed the top of her head and moved so she could sit up. "Here, I'll let you go so you can lie down."

"Would you mind if I fall asleep in your arms? I've missed it."

"Sure." He wrapped his arms around Madison and felt her chest moving on his as she breathed.

2: Chapter 2

James was raised in church, but when he turned eighteen and was old enough to make his own decisions he turned away from the church. After he married Madison and they returned to Burlington, she started attending church with his parents but he still wanted nothing to do with it. He never understood the point really. If he wanted to serve God he could do that at home just as well as in the building right? There were a lot of judgmental, hypocrites in the church and for that he didn't want any part of it. James's father Jeremy was a deacon in their church and had been given the responsibility of showing the new associate pastor around while the senior pastor was on vacation.

"Well, now you've seen the whole church. Do you have any questions?" Jeremy asked. Matthew shook his head.

"No." He replied.

"Okay, if you do feel free to ask. Well anyhow, the way we see it right now; you'll preach at least one Sunday a month, and we need a teacher for our younger adults Wednesday night class. Of course, for a few vacations or ministry trips that pastor makes, we'll need somebody to preach and that's when you'll have the pulpit Sunday mornings. We might be able to get you up there more than that, but I'm not sure yet." Matthew said putting his hands in his pockets. James walked down the hallway past the bathrooms, nursery and the sanctuary to head to his father's office. He wasn't uncomfortable in the church exactly, especially when service wasn't going on, but he didn't know what to do being in the building. James kept his hands in his jacket pocket the whole time he walked down the halls.

"Dad, when you have time I need to talk to you."

"It's good to see you," Jeremy turned to Matthew, "Matthew, this is James Simmons. He's my son and comes to church here on occasion. He works for the Jackals." Jeremy stated and Matthew's eyes and smile widened.

"Really?" He asked and James nodded.

"Yeah, the last few years I've been a scout for them. I have experience from when I worked with the Red Sox." Jeremy stood listening to the conversation. His lips were pursed and his foot was gently tapping the floor.

"What do you need son?"

"I don't mean to intrude, but we just wanted to ask you about dinner this evening."

"James, this is Matthew Peterson. He is our new associate pastor." James nodded and put his hand out to shake Matthew's.

"It's nice to meet you." He said and then looked at his dad. "Really, we've got to talk about this, are you and Mom coming over or not?"

"I'll have to check with your mother when I get home James, but now if that's all, I do have a responsibility for the pastor."

"Fine," James exasperated and walked down the hallway to the door he came in.

/\/\/\/\/\/\

That evening, Madison walked into the foyer with Sadie, Kyaleigh and Savannah. Matthew was standing at the door with Jeremy.

"Hello there. Wonderful evening." Madison said smiling.

"Hi Maddie." Jeremy responded and turned to Matthew. "This is my daughter-in-law Madison, and three of my grandchildren- Sadie, Kyaleigh, and little Savannah."

"It's wonderful to meet you,"

"Likewise, Madison." Matthew said pausing before saying her name. She could tell he was uncomfortable addressing her by her first name.

"I heard you all had a run-in with my husband this morning?" Jeremy chuckled and nodded. "Well, we should probably be getting in the sanctuary for the service to start." She paused. "Is this our new teacher?" Jeremy nodded again.

"I'm so sorry, but yes, this is the associate pastor." Madison smiled as Jeremy spoke. "We're all eager to hear what he has to say tonight." Matthew just smiled through the entire conversation without saying anything. "Where are the other kids?"

"Well Julie is working on a school project with a friend of hers, Emma is at a friend's church. Danielle was being fussy so James kept her at home and then Jamie hasn't left his dad's side since James came home last night." Jeremy smiled.

"That tends to happen sometimes with boys." He paused. "Well, should we go in for service?" They all walked to their seats in the sanctuary and Matthew quietly shut the door behind them.

3: Chapter 3

The next day, at two-thirty in the afternoon, James walked through the kitchen door and went through the doorway that connected the kitchen to the living room. Madison was sitting on the couch with the television was on, but she wasn't really watching anything. It looked like she was staring into space, so he walked over and kissed her forehead before sitting down.

"Hi sweetheart. How was your day?"

"It was fine. I need to talk to you." She said. Madison looked at him, but he could tell it was more like she was looking through him than at him. James never claimed to know everything his wife was thinking, but when she got like this it started to worry him.

"What's the matter?"

"Jamie and Danielle are growing up," she started. He sighed with relief. Was that all she was worried about?

"Yeah. They'll continue that dear." He put his arms around her and hugged her tightly.

"I want a baby." Madison mumbled making James pull away.

"What?" He asked looking at her.

"I said I want a baby. I've been thinking a lot about it lately. We only have a few years left to do this." She paused seeing the deflation in his face. "Oh come on! I only want a few minutes of your time. We've got the money. Give me three reasons why we can't."

"Time?"

"My office is here at the house; I'll be home all the time. We don't have to worry about child care."

"What about our independence?" James asked.

"We'll be fine." she exasperated, and he looked at her. "It worked for the Waltons and the family on 7th Heaven." She paused. "What about Eight is Enough?"

"You do know those are TV shows right?"

"I have four siblings."

"Yeah, and I'm an only child. That would average to about three children, but we're long since past that."

"Come on, it's our last chance. One day I'm going to wake up and know it's too late and regret not trying."

"Your health?" He pressed and she looked up at him with pleading eyes.

"Please? I'm not saying it'll happen; but for some reason I can't get it out of my mind."

"I'm not going to win this am I?" He questioned.

"Probably not." She replied softly.

"Maddie, I need to ask this before we do something that we can't change."

"Okay."

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Madison nodded. "Okay, then we'll try." He pushed her hair behind her shoulders and hugged her. "My dear Maddie, we've been together now what twenty years. I love you, every part of you. From those frizzy red curls, to that quiet personality, and everything in between."

"You really mean that?" She asked and he nodded.

"Of course."

"Thank you." Madison smiled. "I love you too. From the top of your head, to your adorable nose, that radiant smile, your laugh and even your snoring with everything else combined." He leaned over and kissed her. Madison broke it off and took a deep breath. "Honey, yes, five minutes ago, I said I wanted to have a baby. I didn't mean it had to happen right now."

"I don't think children come from kissing, my love. But that is usually where it starts." Then the phone rang, James reached over and answered it. "Hello?" He looked at Madison. "Oh yeah, hi." He paused "Maddie, I'm sorry but I have to take this." She nodded with a sigh. Sometimes she felt that baseball team took up more of his life than she'd ever get with him; but she knew better than to press him about it. If she complained about it or asked him not to spend as much time over there he would end up resenting her.

"That's fine." She stated and leaned up so he could stand up.

"It's the team."

"I figured." She muttered and faked a smile motioning her head towards the door. He smiled and walked away still talking on the phone.

/\/\/\/\/\

Jeremy was sitting in an office at the bank, when a woman walked in and sat a file on the desk before sitting down.

"Mr. Simmons, I'm sure you are aware that we called you in regards to your loan through my bank. You owe the bank $75,000. You are four months late on your payment agreement. I've been patient, but if I don't get that money paid in full by September I'll have no choice but to take your home. I won't have any other choice."

"Are you sure you can't give us a little more time? We don't have that money right now. It's March 16th. My family has expenses. We haven't been able to catch up lately. But we're going to try and work harder."

"Sir, you may not believe this, but I hate doing this. You have one hundred and eighty days to come up with that money. That's all the time I can give you. That last day is September 18th. I know that's a few days over six months; and the only reason we are extending your loan is because I asked the bank if they could over extend themselves because you are my family and they are being incredibly lenient for me; but if you don't pay it, I could lose my job and credibility with the bank. If the money isn't paid by 10a.m I'll have no choice but to come for the keys. You put your house up for collateral when you mortgaged the land, now we need the money or the house."

"Are you sure we can't make some kind of payment plan? Something that will help us keep it for a while longer?"

"I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do. My hands are tied. I've done all I can do. Good day Jeremy." She stood up and walked towards the door. Jeremy stood up and followed her out of the office. He walked through the bank and to his car. Jeremy opened the door to his truck and walked over and kicked the tire before he finally got in. Closing the door behind him, he started crying quietly.

"What do we do God? Allison and I borrowed that money so we could do repairs on our house. We were never foolish in our spending. How can we keep the house? I mortgaged the ground but I never wanted to risk losing it. Where would Allison and I go? What would we tell James about us having to move? Would we still be able to be in Burlington? Allison's lived here almost her whole life. You have done great things for us here," he paused, "you gave us a wonderful son, a kind daughter-in-law, seven beautiful grandchildren. I don't know if I can leave this wonderful city or the only home Allison's known our entire marriage. Show me what you want me to do. I'm a willing vessel Lord. Show me what I'm supposed to do." After a long time of silence, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and flipped it open. He dialed the number and put the phone to his ear. It rang twice before his wife picked up the phone. "Allison? It's me. I was calling to... to tell you... I love you. I'll be home for supper." He paused. "Oh I forgot that. I'm glad Maddie put this dinner together." That's when he started getting choked up. "Honey, I have to go. I'll see you at the house."

/\/\/\/\

Allison, Madison and Sadie were sitting in the kitchen at the table. The eight chair table sat in the middle of the room. Jamie was sitting in his high chair on the left side of Madison's seat. Madison sat in her place closest to the back door. Allison was sitting on her right staring at the coffee cup in her hand. Sadie sat across the table from her grandma. James stood drinking a cup of coffee at the sink. The kitchen was one of the largest and well lit rooms in the house. There was a skylight above the sink and windows all over the wall facing the backyard.

"Well, I have no idea where Jeremy could be." Allison said after a time of silence.

"It's alright Allison. He probably just got held up." Madison said.

"He's just never been this late before." Allison stated. James walked over and put a hand on Madison's chair and one on Allison's.

"Do you think Grandpa could be seeing somebody and saying he's at the church all that time?" Sadie asked.

"MERCEDES!" Madison exclaimed. Allison looked at Madison.

"It's alright Madison. I've considered that option myself many times since he's gone so often," Then she turned to Sadie, "but no sweetie, your Grandpa wouldn't do something like that. I've learned that in the last forty-five years." She sighed. "I just wish he would come home." Madison turned to James.

"Are you sure he was in his office when you left?" Madison asked and James nodded.

"I'm sure. Maybe he just has a lot on his plate. Let's give him some time okay? But it's time to eat. We can save him a plate back."

"I'm not hungry." Allison said softly. James put a hand on her shoulder.

"Mom, you have to eat. Come on. We can go look for him if he doesn't show up by the time we finish, okay?" James asked and she nodded.

"Alright."

"Sadie, would you please go get your sisters?" Madison asked standing up and walking over to the stove.

"Sure." Sadie took a deep breath. "JULIE! KYALEIGH! EMMA! SAVANNAH! DINNER'S READY!"

"Your mother could have done that young lady." James stated glaring at her. Sadie smiled. Then all four of the girls walked in and sat down in their places at the table. Madison and Allison sat at the table and silently prayed while the others respected them by not eating or talking until they looked up. Madison put some potatoes on Jamie's plate before passing the bowl down the table.

/\/\/\/\/\

A few hours later, Allison was still at James and Madison's house. The girls were in their bedrooms doing homework, while Madison, James and Allison sat on the couches in the living room. Madison was burping Danielle.

"When was the last time you guys had some time just the two of you?" Allison asked.

"It's been a while, but we don't need a lot of time. You know that. With us being married as long as we have the time we spend apart just makes the time together more special." James squeezed her hand as she talked. Allison inhaled holding her breath and gave her children a sharp glare.

"That didn't answer my question. You are both devoted to your family and love your children as well as each other. But you can't be there for every single person every day of your life. You both work, even though Madison's office is in the house. The person who ends up getting neglected in all of this is usually your spouse. Every couple needs time to alone; not mom and dad. But just themselves." Madison nodded.

"Alright. I would say the last time that we had time just the two of us, just us would have been about two years ago. Why?" Madison looked between James and Allison.

"Just wondering." She smiled. "Would you mind if the kids spent the weekend with me?"

"Why would we mind? You are their grandmother." James stated.

"Some parents just don't want their kids going anywhere. Especially since Danielle is so little."

"If you can get Mama Bear over here to let go of her, I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you took them. Why do you want them?"

"Just with your dad being gone, I thought I'd appreciate some company. My grandkids are all I've got." Madison pursed her lips.

"Sure, I guess I don't see anything wrong with it." She replied.

"It's Friday, so I thought they could come with me tonight and then you can have them back after church on Sunday." Madison looked up at James.

"Almost 48 hours without the kids. I have no idea what I'll do with all that peace and quiet." She smiled. "I do have some work I have to do and get in by Monday."

"I don't know what I have to do to get her mind off of work sometimes." Madison smiled.

"That's what you get for marrying somebody with her doctorate in Psychology." James rubbed his finger over her left hand.

"Hey, this is your wedding ring." Madison smiled.

"Yeah, I've only been wearing it since 1989. I wondered when you'd notice it." She said teasingly and he kissed her.

"Hey! Not in front of me. I'm still your mother James Andrew." Allison exclaimed. Madison broke the kiss and Savannah walked in. "Hi Savannah. How would you like to spend the weekend with your ol' grandma?"

"I would like to stay with you, but you aren't that old. Dad's older than you are." Allison and Madison started laughing. Savannah looked at them confused. "What'd I say?" Madison tried to control her laughter.

"Just go pack your bag and have your sisters do the same." Savannah walked out of the room. "That was too cute."

"It wasn't that funny." James exclaimed.

"Well, as soon as Savannah gets her bag packed I think we should be leaving. It's getting awfully late. Thanks again for letting me use your kids as company." Allison said.

"No problem." Madison replied. Savannah walked in with a suitcase. "Bye Savannah."

"Bye mom. Bye dad." Allison stood up and walked over to the couch.

"Okay, you gave me one. Here is the true test." She looked down at Danielle, and then at Madison over her glasses. "Madison, hand her over." Madison sighed playfully.

"Oh alright, I guess." She chuckled. "James, can you get her diaper bag and car seat and take it out to your mom's car?" James stood up and walked out of the room.

"Come on Danielle. Tell Mama that you wanna come to Grandma's house. Tell her baby girl." Allison picked Danielle up. "She'll be okay." James walked in with her stuff. "I raised him didn't I?" Julie and Sadie walked into the living room carrying a suitcase each and Jamie. "Alright girls. Do you have everything you need?" They both nodded. "Okay, just making sure." She went to head out the door when James put his hand on her arm. "What?" He slipped three $100 bills in her hand. Allison stared at him.

"This is for any expenses they have while they're with you." He said.

"I can't take this." Allison exclaimed.

"Please. It would make me feel better. You can't just take on seven kids and not take the money to help you. I appreciate you doing this, but you have to take it." James stated.

"What would you do if I didn't take it?" Allison asked with a sigh.

"I'd probably end up putting it in your purse later." He admitted honestly with a shrug. Allison exhaled sharply.

"Fine." She held out her hand to take it. "I'm only taking this because you won't keep it." She looked at the girls. "Come on guys." Then she looked to James and Madison. "Bye guys. Thanks for having me over for dinner. I wish we could have found your father James. Hopefully he will be at the house when we get there." She walked out the door with the girls. When James turned to look at Madison, she was reading a Beverly Lewis novel.

"Are you going to read the entire weekend?" He asked. She looked up at him and took off her reading glasses. He laughed every time he saw her wear them. Her glasses were round and covered her entire face. He would never understand why she felt the need to use the same frames she'd had since before they got married. It was a fad from the 80s he didn't understand then and really didn't understand continuing.

"Maybe. What's that have to do with you?" Madison asked.

"Just wondering." He paused. "Can I sit with you?"

"Sure." She put her glasses back on, pulled up her feet and James sat down.

"No, here, put your feet back down." He said. She looked at him curiously and put her feet back in his lap. He started massaging them.

"Just remember, now you can't stop." She paused and made a face. "Harder, put more force into it. I'm on my feet all day. Just a little deeper. Oh." She groaned and had a pained expression when he touched a tender spot on her foot. "Keep going. Oh just a little more. Don't stop."

"Oh I love you." He said.

"Thank you. I love you too." Madison replied. She sat up and kissed him, unbuttoning the first three buttons of his shirt and rested her hand on the collar of his white t-shirt.

"Madison?" He asked as she took a breath.

"Hmmm?" She questioned. When the phone started ringing she stood up and walked over to it.

"Leave it, come on." James stated. Madison answered the phone.

"Hello Simmons residence. Oh hello, how are you?" She nodded. "We're all good here. I'm planning to have that set of notes done on Monday." James walked over and put his hands on her shoulders. She put her free hand on top of one of his. "I'm sorry; I shouldn't have answered the phone." Madison whispered.

"Hey, I have to answer the phone any time I get a call from the team. Don't worry about that." James replied. "Thank you." She tilted her head up and kissed him. "Yes, I'm still here." She said into the phone and then laughed. "Well, I was planning to take the weekend off, but I'll be back with that stuff on Monday." James wrapped his arms around her and snuggled up to her. "Thanks. Yeah, I can do that." He kissed her neck. "Stop it." Madison put her hand on her neck. He turned her, put his finger to her lips and then took her hand. "Yeah, I'll be here next week, we can talk then okay?" She hung up. "Can I help you?"

"Oh my lady; you already have." He kissed her again.

"I truly am sorry."

"You really don't have to worry about it." James paused and then sighed when his phone rang. Picking it up off the end table, he looked at the caller ID. "It's the team." He hit the button to answer it. "Hello, James Simmons... Yes, I can be over in a few minutes. What's going on? No it's not a problem." He hung up and she looked at him.

"What's going on?"

"There's a problem with the team. They need me."

"Please don't go. I thought this was supposed to be a weekend just us? Away from work and our daily lives."

"Sweetheart, I love you, but we need to work. We know that we don't need all that time alone together," he paused, "weren't you the person who just took a work call as well?"

"It was the home phone, could have been anybody. Nobody calls that cell phone of yours except the team. Might as well be a mistress, already feels like one."

"Madison." He said slightly irritated.

"Well I'm sorry, but it's not going to change the way I feel." She said and walked up the stairs. James sighed, but walked into the kitchen and took his car keys off the rack by the door, slipped on his sunglasses and headed out the back door.